Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1916-12-18

remained within the bounds of the laws
and he also informed them that IT was
not necessary for the commissioners to
come to Boise during the session of the
state legislature to lobby for any par
ticular bill. but instead, he said, If
board desired any legislation. to sim
ply pass resolution and send It to
the governor. He promised he would
investigate 1t and If deemed worthy,
viii recommend its passage by the leg
islature.
The governors address was we'll re-
ceived and in closing he invited the
commissioners to visit his office while
in the city and discuss any matters
they desired pertaining to the welfare
of the state.
STATE TREASURER SPEAKS.
In addressing the commissioners this
afternoon John w. Eagleson, state
treasurer, declared in favor OF nom
partisan state land board He spoke
in part as follows:
SAFETY FIRST.
The first and foremost considera-
ton in the handling of land funds and
resources is, of course, the absolute
safety of the various funds, and that
they shall remain inviolate and per-
petual as required by our state con-
stitutton, article g. section 8, which
says: The state shall supply all losses
thereof that may in any manner oc-
cur
The next important thought Is
quick acting, efficient service in or
der that the funds can be kept at
work All the time ana In the most
beneficial manner.
with these two thoughts in mind,
safety and efficiency, anyone at all
familiar with banking methods and
Idaho,s patched up land and loan laws.
will truly wonder how 1t is that the
funds have been so well preserved
No doubt the land board WAS the
best institution that could be Great
] ed for the purpose in the beginning of
statehood, a lifetime ago, when the
/ state funds had not begun to collect,
and other official duties of the gov
]ernor. secretary of state, attorney gen
eral, state auditor and superintendent
Of public instruction-the land board
were few and far between, but that
condition has long since passed and
should be imposed on any official with
in their own offices and they should
not be burdened by this fast grow
ing department pertaining to the sell
ing of these endowment fund lands,
the proper investment of the funds de-
rived. and the many other duties de-
xoving upon the members of the land
board in the handling Of the various
problems confronting them in water,
timber and land matters.
AL counties Of the state must be
relatively and proportionately eonsid
cred in the making Of loans and the
vast s16a. 100000 resources in lands and
timber must be sold to the utmost ad
vantage.
NON PARTISAN BOARD.
ITO do this properly n non partisan
board of land commissioners COM
posed of three members chosen for
their fitness and experience along these
lines should be appointed by the gov
efnor. subject TO the APPROVAL of the
senate. The term Of office should be
six Years, one commissioner to retire
each two years with provision for re-
noSal by the governor filing charges
lard hearing had before the supreme
court.
In order to keep the funds at work
| With the least possible expense, the
annI. non for farm loans should he
nude through the board Of county com
| missi0ners. who should make the an-
| praiaement because of their knowledge
| of the property and the value there
| IF by reason of their having to equal
| iZa values Of all property in the eonn.
| Il each year. The assessor could also
!, show his appraisal value and give thu
| assessed value for the three preeed.
ing years.
| The county attorney could pass or
the abstract and should any corree.
| tions of title be necessary, they coule
| be nude at once and many delays u
obViated that are now unavoidable il
long distance correspondence.
| The completed application, title ane
| official Endorsements could then b.
| filed with the state land commits
sioners and if found regular and sufff
eieni, the warrant could be ordered
drawn at once and the borrower wonlt
get his money as quickly as through
| some loan agency.
.'The county treasurer could collec
/ the interest and principal in the sam,
manner as taxes and remit to thu
state treasurer. the same as is nov
| tice for principal or interest du,
1 could be put on the tax notice ant
] would be receipted for with the sam,