The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1934-06-01
BOARD HAS
AN ATTRACTIVE PLAN

J such buildings to be purchased,
either out of relief funds or by
some loan feature which may
hereafter be developed.
There are two hindrances to this
program, however, which, if not
removed, would completely bar the
carrying out of the intensions OF
this board. They are:
Il. The matter of the mainte-
nance charges assessed in past
years and carried by the Indian
irrigation department against
these lands.
These irrigation charges amount
to anywhere from IS to SIS per
acre and the Indian irrigation de-
partment has insisted that these
charges be paid before water is
turned upon the land against
which the water has been asses
sed. There have been some ar
engagements made regarding the
payment of construction charges
assessed against these lands by an
installment plan of something like
twenty-five cents per r per
year owe a period of years, but
the maintenance charges from
year to year have been assessed
against the lands to such an ex-
tent that the leasing of such
lands under such a burden is pro-
hibitive and thus such lands have
for years lain idle. It is our belief
that if legislation can be adopted
either wiping out these charges
or at least extending the payment
of them for a long term period
that the destitute farmers may be
placed IN such lands and be
started off with nothing to face
except the usual and customary
rent, the current water charges
and the twenty-five cents per
acre per year construction charge.
It would appear to us that the
Indian as we'll as the white would
thus benefit as the Indian allot-
tee is now receiving nothing for
such lands in the way of revenue.
Unless these maintenance charges
can be taken care of so that they
will not be a burden on this re-
habilitated farmer, we cannot ex-
pect to go ahead with this pro-
gram and we ask you to take such
action as you may see fit before
the adjournment of congress that
will give US a chance to work out
this matter to the benefit of these
destitute and needy persons.
20. The matter of the require
ment of a bond for the leasing of
these lands.
Our understanding is that the
competent ~allottee may lease his
lands without bond and make his
own terms. The incompetent al
lotee may lease only through the
Indian office and usually in such
cases a bond has been required.
It would appear to US that since
we are representing a government
agency and placing these relief
persons in a situation where they
may possibly help themselves that
in such cases the requirement of
a bond for faithful performance
OF a contract be waived. We be-
lieve this could be done without
legislation as we think the secre-
tary of the interior has this pow
err.
1T might require some legisla-
ton in order that a ten-year
lease may be granted these per-
sons. Our understanding is that
there is some legislation pending
extending the leasing of agricul-
tural lands from a five-year limit
TO ten-year limit. We believe
That such legislation should be
pressed: because it will REQUIRE
1ully ten years for these farmers
10 be placed on a successful basis
ana a f~ive-year period of leasing
o that reason would not be yer,
attractive.
we believe. if you will use YOU,
best efforts to the end that W,
may get the necessary legislatio,
Continued on Tasf PaceN