Daily picayune., 1921-01-27
TO WITHDRAW
 STATE LANDS
SENATOR WILSON INTRODUCES BILL IN LINE WITH GOV
 ERNOR'S IDEA.

D@ the governor received in the Senate yesterday. Senator Wilson of Wash ington county yesterday introduced n measure which would withdraw from sale for period of five years all state and school lands, during which time provision would be made for its sale or lease at prices commensurate with its value The governors message WAS received after the Se1a5e had adopted the resolution introduced by Senator Townsend, which recommended legisla tion similar to that suggested in the message.
 Senator Wilson's measure would con Stitl.te the governor. attorney general and state auditor as an eX-officio lcas- ing board with power TO act, after in gestigation, upon applications for the ynl, chase or lease of state lands, es- peeially those known or believed to l,aye oil, gas or mineral deposits, and upon applica tions for leases in the beds of na avigable streams. The system af having the application pass unde" the scrutiny of the Leasing Board would, it was said guarantee that the state would receive prices which would more
 The Governors Message.
 The governors message is as fol 'Gentlemen of the Forty third General lows:
 Assembly:
 Your attention is called to the f;i [ that a splendid showing of oil has been found in Union and other counties of this state, the well in Union county be ing regarded as an unusually good well This will give new impetus to the pros pecting for oil. gas and coal alr.ady going on in other portions of this state. Fabulous sums are being paid for lands lying in and near Union county. A sim ilar discovery in other portions of the state. which is liable to OCCULT at any time. would enhance the value of lands in other portions of Arkansas. l see no good reason why lands of the state rendered vaulatble in this manner should be sold for a nominal price as is now the case The price for state lands is too low and should be inciqsG'- ed l. therefore. urge that the lands which are the property of the state of Arkansas, through grants by the Unil ed States government. forfeiture or otherwise. be. for period of five years or for such further time as the leeis- lature may deen proper, withdrawn from sale The same is urged with ref erence to the school lands of the state. II further urge that a commission of three. composed of the governor, attor- | vested with the authority to lease the lands which are the property of the state, through grant by the United States government. or forfeiture and | otherwise The authority of this com mission should also include the leas Ing of the river beds of the state.
 Since the school lands of the state are the property of, and for the bede fit of the public schools of the Ssdte l it.is urged that. either in this measur, | or a similar one. Il similar commission vested with the authority to lease tht school lands of the state, be created this commission to the composed Of tht governor, attorney general and the su
 perintendent of public instruction ol
 this state. bin looking to this end
 properly safeguarding the interests oi
 the public schools of the state, w'll. a.
 tm informed, be prepared and ,nteo 6uced at once. This is matter o great importance to the people of th' state of Arkansas at this time, iS il
 keeping with recommenda tions made b, I the retiring attorney general in hi
 biennial report and l. therefore, rec
 ommend that your honorable bod,
 give careful consideration to any meas
 ure that may be introduced. looking {
 this end. and if same is found to be
 just and properl one, you are respect
 fully urged to pass it.'-Gazette. | --O--
 MnNAN xVnIu n RE MANnR