The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1916-11-02

Santa Fe, N. NJ, Nov. l.-Robc't
p. Ervien, New Mexico commission r
of Public lands late last week drew a
check on the First National bank OF
this city, in favor of the Treasur r
OF New Mexico, for the sum Of s4l :
S64.S3. the largest single check eN r
turned into the state treasury as n
come from the states public lam =,
for distribution to the funds of tie
various state beneficiarics OF the f'4'
eral land grants.
The big check represents the IN.
come OF the state land office for the
period OF the October settlements a IA
shows an Increase over the inco' 20
for the same period OF last year 81
1884, 40. &c. when the land comm'i'
sioner's check to the state treasur r
was s23i,ii5.97. Tho figures me Il
that there has been an increase in the
states income from public lands dur-
ing the present year. over the incoi =
OF last year OF close TO 100 per cert.
Prior to the annual October set e.
ments the Land Commissioner hi
paid into the state treasury S1Cf,'
9Gl "a. making q grand total for I've
yea to this time. of SiS5,5i7."I.
There remains TO be added to this l'g
total the income du" and payable, on
or before November 80. 1916, the end
OF the states fiscal year. from Loo
leases and contracts OF sale, on Will h
the annual settlements have not yet
been made.
For the first time the people Of
New Mexico have an opportunity 20
realize Just how big the states prb.
lie land income and operations have
become during the administration OF
the state lands by Mr.. Ervien. II is
by far the biggest business enterprise
In the state, and II Is administered on
a smaller proportiona'e cost for op"r.
alton than il any other big businC :
enterprise in the state. either public
or private.
II has cost the state. up to this
time this year considerably less 'hnn
8 per cent To operate the big laNl
department, and when the total an.
nual cost has been footed up /, will
be approximately an even = per cent
This operating cost includes the ncw
publicity department. added to IN"
state land department by the l~egisln-
ture Of 1918, by an act permitting
the land commissioned to cXpend 3
per cent OF the income OF the state
land department for promotion OF the
improvement and advancing values OF
the land, and for advertising and on.
couraging the industries and develop.
mcnt OF the resources OF the state.
Some idea OF the growth achieve !
In the states land business can bo
had from the fact that in the first
uaar ~ NJ IsVytnnsu admin LOT y "a tipst
1907. the total OF the annual October
settlement was but s7.552.l5. Al.
most from the time Mr. Ervien took
charge OF tho department under an
appointment by the then territorial
governor, there has been n rapid nm.
nual increase In the income. The nd.
ditional grant OF six million acres Of
federal lands under the enabling act.
more than doubled the states hold,
ings. but with due regard TO the pro.
p%ortionate value OF the states total
land holdings. the income from the
lands has increased At n ratio far In
advance OF the Increase in the grant
Itself. The greatest increase has
come during the last two years. dur.
ing which time the land commissioner
has been able TO put into effect in +,
statewide way his policies for deyel,
nyment OF state owned Iands, which
have been forming practically since
tho day he took charge OF the depart.
ment.
Annual Income Almost Doubles.
The total income from state lands,
for the fiscal year ended November
30, 1915. was 42t.725.S9.
When all settlements for the pres.
ent fiscal year have been made. and
the balance has bee struck for this
fiscal year on November 30. the total
income for the fiscal year 1916 will
be very close TO ss00.0 900, and may
possibly exceed that amount. The In,
come enjoyed by New Mexico from
Its state lands has almost doubled
within a single year.
Close observers OF the development
OF the states land holdings. and OF
their administration attribute the
huge increase In revenue OF the past
two years to three general causes.
These are. first. general develop,
ment OF the state, increased demand
for land throughout the west. and the
favorable selections from the public
domain which have been made durins
the period of Mr.. Ervien's admins
t%ration. making the lands possible OF
ready lease and sale.
8AcOnd. 10 the general act of ~.