The Alaska citizen., 1917-01-15
LANDS IN RIGHT IF WAY JAN BE
 FILED IN NOW

In response to repeated inquiries, the representative Of the general land office some time ago took up with the department the question Jr whether homestead rights could b, acquired along the right of way of the government railroad now in construction. Yesterday the follow ing statement was issued regarding this matter.
 "Tolesraphjc adyices received by Mr. Geo. L. Armstrong. one of the ocal representatives of the general land office. from the chief of the Alaskan Field Division, state that he lands within strip five miles vide on each side of the right of way of the government railroad are open to location and entry, the tim. per only being reserved for the uses Jf the government in connection with he construction of the railroad. This .eserye was created by executive order No. 2217 of the President of the United States, and amended by Executive Order No. 2220 to include the lands along the right of way 
 Most, if not all, of this land has been surveyed, but the survey pIats of the greater part of it have not yet been officially filed in the Fair banks land olice so that with the exception of those within few miles of Fairbanks the lands are of. icially unsurveyed, and as such sub. ject to homestead location. Locatora )f homesteads on unsurveyed lands have period of ninety days after he plats are officially filed within which to make entry in the local land office for the lands covered by heir respective locations. After that period, if the locator fails 10 make antry, same may be made by any Dther person. Valid homestead To cations cannot be made on surveyed ands. as entry of such lands may be made in the land office without my preliminaries other than an eX- animation of the land by the appli- cant to assure him that it is non mineral and not claimed or occu pied by any native.
 Mineral locations are made in the same manner, whether the lands are surveyed or unsurVeyed.
 In any case, no timber within this 2rea can be taken or used by the settler without the permission of the Alaskan Engineering commission The proper procedure for the settler is to make application in the local land office for such timber as he wishes to cut, and if this applica ion is approved by the Alaskan F,n gineerng commission permission will be granted hm by a representative of the land office to take the timber
 Incidentally, it may be remarked that experience shows that the En gineering commission are disposed to be very liberal in approving ap Dlications for any of this timber which they do not really need them selves. Of course, the needs of the railroad itself have to be given first consideration this purpose the timber reserve was created by the President but all departments of the government are anxious to see the country developed and will always be found willing to do everything hat they can to assist it's develop ment, and it is hoped that many people will settle along the line.
 As quite large number of people have stated lately that they desired 10 locate either homesteads or min, aral claims along the right of way of the railroad, it is believed that this information will be of general interest
 As q result of the decision as given above, it is thought that number of homesteads will be filed Jn, as many people have expressed their intention of doing this as soon Is an announcement had been made For any additional information in 9uiries should be made at the local land office.