The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1924-01-18
YEARS REVIEW OF
STATE LAND BOARD


annual report of H. ". Bailey, regis
ter of lands, to Governor Joseph M.
Dixon. The demand for state land
during the year was still consider
ably below normal, yet it was larger
than during the preceding year and
the increase, it is believed, is indi-
cative that the turn has been round
ed and that henceforth the demand
will grow until normally is reached.
In 1922 only 607.20 acres were
sold, for an average price of s10.23,
while in 1928 1,643.06 acres were
sold for an average price of $40.
Record Sales in 1912
The largest land sales in Montana's
history were in 1912 when the state
disposed of 210,5O0.O3 ares at an
average of $16.O9. The highest aver
age price received for lands was in
1910 when an acreage less than in
1912 was sold for 1920 an acre.
That congress when it set aside
land in Montana for the common
schools, the universities and other
public uses was no mean benefactor
of the state is proven by the fact that
the Treasure state has already had
total receipts of $24,479,598 from
state lands and total rentals of ST.
8,502.47. On June 80, last, the
state had left of its public land grants
4,615,5O0.03 acres. While it is prob
able that the choicest of the land has
been sold, there remains enough good
land, with or without timber and
minerals, that the state is assured
of additional millions from this
source.
The receipts from the land funds
and sales will make possible this year
a per capita distribution of $5.48 for
each child of school age. The money
will be distributed to the various dis
tricts next February.
Timber Sales Increase
The increase in land sales in 1923
was accomplished without any extra
effort being expended. In this con-
nection the registers report read:
"due to existing financial conditions
it was not deemed advisable to hold
any extensive sales cf state lands 'ur-
ing the year.
''No regular auction sales of state
lands were held during the year. Four
special sales we're held at which
1,563.16 acres were sold for $751;
631.6O for an average Of $40 per
acre"
Receipts from timber sales for the
year 1928 amounted to Sill, 1875,
as against s1O8,672.37 for 1922 The
from timber sales goes to the
permanent land grant funds.
Receipts from surface leases for
he fiscal year of 1923 amounted to
341,817.26, or an average of $685.
i84.77 per month. Delinquent sur
lace rentals amounted to 178,854.46. |
Receipts for surface rental on oil /
Ind gas leases totaled $50, 430.70, an
Increase of $24,228.15 over 1922.
rhe state has received as royalty, So
1925 from two leases in the Cat
Creek field, these being the only state
eases upon which oil and gas have
,een discovered.
Coal Royalties Slump
The amount of royalty received /
rom coal leases evidenced a slight
decrease last year in comparison with
he preceding year, there being $5,-
1920 in 1922 and s5,148.53 in
1923.
Permanent land grant funds total
;22,165 ,829.27, accumulated from
he sales of granted lands, sales of
imber, royalties upon coal, oil, gas,
tone and other minerals. The funds
we're further increased from the COM
non school grant.
The per capita distribution of SIS. "a
or 1923 was larger than the per
apita distribution of 1922, but small
er than the per capita distribution
f 1921.
The total amount invested in farm
oans as of June 30, 1923, was $4,-
33,11O.94, of which s79,721.69 was
invested in the year last past. In
912 farm loans were made to the
xtent of $52O,O49.54.
luV6SLm6ulS VI SIdlo lduu luHuo
yere made in 1923 as follows: Com
ION school permanent funds-school
istrict bonds, $86,860.37; general
und warrants, $91,274.09; farm
pans, s79,721.69.
Agricultural college: Morrill, bonds
1900; agricultural college bonds,
1901; deaf and dumb asylum bonds
27,887.44; school of mines bonds,
1O,893.04; state normal bonds, ST.
8488; state reform school bonds,
1900; state university bonds, $34,-
go.
Common school income fund in
Hail insurance warrants,
20,478.26; general fund warrants,
452,294.48.
The total for the investments emu
lerated above is 472.772.74 for the
lcome fund investments. The grand
'ta1 of investments is 36,687.95. "