Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1917-06-25
Grant Lands Not
Yet Open to Entry

L. L. Sharp, special agent in charge
of classification of the Oregon & Cal
ifornia grant lands, with headquar-
ters in Portland, has received an Of
ficial statement from the secretary
of the interior, relating to the policy
of the interior department in connec-
tion with the grant lands.
The secretary requests that his
statement be given publication as it
settles some important points con-
cerning which inquiry has been made.
The secretary in his statement en-
phasizes the fact that the lands are
not open to entry and that 1t is ut
terly useless for any person to at
tempt to acquire preference right
upon any of the lands.
He warns especially against land
locators who are alleging to be able
to obtain preference rights upon pay
ment of a small fee. Any money
paid to such locators, declares the
secretary, is money thrown away.
Mr.. Sharp stated that he will have
crews of men at work classifying the
lands of the grant within the next
few days.
Following is the statement Of the
secretary of the interior In full:
My attention has again been di-
.rected to the fact that many inquiries
are being made to officials Of this
and other departments relative to the
opening to settlement Of the lands
within the limits of the grant to the
Oregon G California Railroad Com
pany IN Oregon, title to which was
declared to be revested in the United
States by the act of June 8, 1916
(39 Stat. 21S).
Under the terms of the act, no dis
position can be made Of the lands re-
vested in the United States until af-
ter due classification thereof and the
payment of the taxes, as provided by
Section 8. The land department has
been exercising due diligence in the
matter Of classification as well as the
ascertainment of the taxes accrued
and unpaid, but on account Of the
litigation instituted by the railroad
company, calling into question the
constitutionality of the act, final ac-
tion has been somewhat delayed. The
supreme court in its decision, dated
April 20, 1917, fully upholds the con-
stitutionality of that act.
These lands are not yet open for
entry and settlement and will not be
open until they have been fully re-
stored in the manner directed by
said act under such rules and regula-
tions as may be adopted to govern
such restoration. In the meantime
it is utterly useless for any person
to attempt to acquire any preference
right upon any of these lands. There
is no method or manner by which
any filing can be made that would
give any preference right for the pur-
chase or requirement of any Of these
lands, or of any right whatever which
can be respected by this department.
When the lands have been classified,
public notice will be given from time
to time fixing and defining the terms
upon which the lands are to be dis
posed of and the time of their dispo-
sition.
The attention of the department
has been called to the fact that there
are already at work in the field, To-
Gators who are claiming that through
their services preference rights can
be secured by the payment of small
fee. The department desires at this
time again to warn the public that
no such preference rights can. be OBJ
tanned at this time, and that any
money paid to such locators will un-
doubtedly be money thrown away.
It is the policy of the department
that when the lands are ready to be
thrown open for settlement and en-
try the public is to be notified there
of so that every one will have an
equal opportunity and an equal
chance. This policy will be strictly
adhered to.