The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1922-10-19
A MESSAGE FROM
ADDISON I. SMITH
A n Explanation o.
House Bill Number
.sSeventy-seven

Addison T. Smith. was not bllleo
to speak at Blackfoot when e he
passed thru, but at the request OF
the press he gave us the following
statement regarding House Bill ~
which Is the subject Of attacks BY
Democratic speakers.
ExplaiRs Fl. B. ~
The Misrepresentation and in
situations Of the Democratic candi-
dates for congress in this state con-
cerning House eBill n, which was
vetoed by President Harding at the
request Of, the Idaho delegation In
congress will accomplish nothing to-
ward winning support Of their
aspirations to represent the people
of Idaho at, the nations capital at
Washington. EN-
The. people will not be mislead by
these self serving statements, nor
believe that their public servants at
Washington who have long enjoyed
their confidence had any selfish
motive in advancing the proposed
legislation. Who will charge that
Congressman French, who intro
duced the bill, or Senator Borah,
who called it up in the senate, would
advocate any legislation which was
not believed to be for the best in
terests Of the people of our state.
Both of them have served the state
at Washington for nearly score of
years and have the confidence of the
people, as has Senator Gooding, who
has served the people of Idaho as
their governor for two terms.
have been identified with the
Idaho delegation at Washington for
thirty years, twenty years as secre-
tary to Idaho senators and ten years
as a member of congress, and I defy
any one any where, to point to a
single act Of mine which was dis
honorable. Il have given all my
thought and time to the interests. OF
the people Of. this state and have
done every thing which could do to
aid in the development Of the re-
sources Of our grand commonwealth.
And yet my, opponent, Mr.. Whit
taker, and Mr.. French's opponent,
Mr.. Walters, are attempting to dis
credit us and make 1t appear that
we are not worthy to represent the
state in the halls Of congress.
Now what, are the facts regarding
House Bill ~?
It has long been the desire of the
department of agriculture, which
administers the law regarding the
national forests, to exclude from
these forets the private land hold
ings in order that the forests may
be more economically administered
and the forest fires more easily pre-
vented and controlled. The prop
erty holders in the counties where
these forests are situated have been
urging the exchange of these lands
for lands outside of the reservs for
the reason that the lands privately
owned In the forests are generally
Of little value. and the taxes are
correspondingly small, while the IS
per cent Of the receipts from the
sale Of the timber and grazing
privileges, which goes to the
counties for roads and schools under
an act of congress, would amount to
Considerable. In addition the lands
taken in exchange would be placed
on the tax rolls and bring consider
able income.
1t was represented to the commit
tee on public lands that the enact
ment of a law permitting these ex-
changes Of privately owned lands in
the forest reserves for lands outside
of equal value, not equal area as
some claim, would enable the small
stockman to secure the exclusive
control Of tracts Of land on the pub
lie domain for grazing purposes, and
the pasture would be better con-
served; also that the legislation
Continued on page four