Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-04-23
SAYS FAVORS SHOWN
TO THE PARKINSONS
Members Of the Board Do
Not Take Charge Seri-
ously, as Smoot Has Been
Active in Investigating
Abuses in the Lease Sys-
tenn.

reached at the state board meeting to-
day when James Gillespie of Rexburg,
who appeared in connection with the
agricultural lease land probe of south
eastern counties, charged that the
Parkinsons, heavy leasers, were having
the protection of State Land Commits
sioner Smoot, who he said was asso-
ciated with them. Commissioner Smoot
Indignantly denied the charge It was
made while the board was cross cues
tioning Gillespie in an effort to learn
what the true facts were in regard to
the INSCRIPTIONS leasing of lands. He
declared he was against the system
that was being followed, by which a
few secured the lands in preference to
the many who were shut out.
The Parkinsons are relatives by mar
riage to Smoot. 1t is matter of rec
ord that the state land commissioner
urged the investigation and was one
of the first to see that the inquiry was
instituted. 1t was through state land
appraisers under him that it was car
ried on and reports resulting in the ex-
posture placed before the land board.
These reports showed that middlemen
were making big commissions at the
expense of the farmers and large con-
tractors were getting q monopoly on
big tracts of land.
CHARGE NOT TAKEN SERIOUSLY.
Anyone who knows my connection
with the agricultural lease matters
realizes that the charge is unfounded,"
said Commissioner Smoot. TT is true
that when 1 have been in Fremont
county I have called on the Parkinsous,
who are relatives of mine, but that is
my personal privilege and has nothing
whatsoever to do with my official du-
ties, nor does it in the slightest in,
fiuence me in the discharge of my
duties or the conduct of the investiga-
ton into the leases"
Gillespie claimed that when the COM
missioner was in Fremont county he
was in conference with the Parkinsons.
None of the members Of the state land
board seemed to take the charge Sc
riously and the matter finally passed
off without more words. Gillespie in
sisted that the board should take some
action to prevent large tracts of state
land being controlled by a few men.
ARBITRARILY ADJUSTS LEASES.
The board finally decided to instruct
the state land commissioner or an
agent designated by him, to go to FIRE.
mont and Madison counties and arbi-
trarily, If necessary, adjust leases so
that where farmers proved themselves
to- be financially and physically able
to plant the land to crops this year,
they may be able to get some of the
states lands, even to the loss of the
party who is now holding them.
'The worlds cry is for wheat" said
Governor Alexander. THE farmer who
can demonstrate that he Is able to
raise wheat in this state this year
should be given the right and the state
land to do so.''
Attorney General Walters said he
had been informed that the allies have
contracted for the entire wheat crop of
the northwestern states, 10000, 900
bushels.
WOULD BE JUST AND FAIR.
The board declared to Mr.. Gillespie |
and others present that 1t wanted to be |
just and fair to those who leased the |
state agricultural lands in the east |
ern part Of the state and would well |
come any suggestion by which monop- |
oily of the-land could be prevented. |
1t was suggested that the right to |
assign a lease Of 800 acres be de- |
MED. This was later decided as i'm |
owing to the fact the |
farmer could not secure money from
the banks with which to buy machin-
cry and seed.
The board Is determined to con-
tinue with the proposed land sale in
those counties where the agricultural
lands are located and hopes to be
able to get not only a greater area of
land under cultivation, but solve the
Snotty lease problem.
$
II want to be bugler in the ma
rinesn a fifteen-vear- old lad told Tho