Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1945-07-06
demonstrating Opportunities
In Alaska Interest Veterans
Vast Frontier Land
Has Much to Offer to
Hardy Young People
Released by Western Newspaper Union.

Released by Western Newspaper Union.
Veterans of World War II
dream as avidly of establishing
homes on the land as did the SOL
diers of the Continental army,
Grants blue-clad veterans, or
Pershing's doughboys in 1918, it
is pointed out by the United
States department of the in
terror. Requests for information
on available public lands, Secre-
tary of the Interior Harold L.
Ickes points out, have literally
inundated the departments Of
fees. The average number of
requests for information on
homesteads alone in the general
land office runs higher than 8, 900
monthly and the number is in
creasing.
Exservicemen who desire to set
tie on public land, either in the con-
tinental United States or Alaska,
will avoid many heartbreaking dis
appointments if they first fully in
form themselves concerning all of
the possible pitfalls.
One of the prime requisites, for
instance, in obtaining title to public
land is three years actual residence
beginning within six months after
permission to enter has been
granted. There are numerous other
requirements concerning such SUBJ
jects as the building of a habitable
dwelling, the cultivation of the land
and other details, about which pros
pective settlers would do well to in
form themselves before filing an ap-
plication.
The principal advantage that vet
Grams have over other citizens Is
that service in the armed forces,
up to maximum of two years, is
credited toward the three-year resi-
dence requirement. This applies
generally to all citizens over 81
years of age who have served at
least 80 days in the armed forces
and who have been honorably dis
charged therefrom. Veterans also
enjoy a 9O-day priority in filing ap-
plicati0ns for settlement on public
land classified for that purpose.
Any veteran of World War II under
Il Is entitled to the same rights IN
der the homestead laws as those over
Il who may be veterans of this or
other conflicts. Residence require
ments of such minors will be sus-
pended until six months after their
discharge from the service.
Moreover, homestead claims of
veterans of World War II, initiated
prior to their entrance into the serv-
ice, are protected against for
fixture during the period of their
service and for six months there
after. Such veterans who are hon.
orably discharged and because of
physical incapacity due to their
service are unable to return to the
land, may make proof without fur
Their residence, Improvements and
cultivation.
Go North, Young Man.
BY far the greatest opportunities
for obtaining title to and establish
ing homesteads on public lands lie
in Alaska. This territory covers an
area of 586, 400 square miles, rough
ly equal to one-fifth of that of the
United States. More than go per cent
of the territory is under the juris-
diction of the department of the in
terror. The major portion is still
open to settlement under the home
stead laws.
But, while the chances in Alaska
are undoubtedly vast, there are
many difficulties to be overcome.
Considerable progress has been
made in developing the territory on
a stable basis, but it is still no
place for the fainthearted. Those
with sufficient financial backing and
with courage and tenacity may
reasonably count upon success in
the long run, but without these es-
sentials veterans and others would
be wise to look twice before they
leap. Much also depends upon the
wise selection of land, as to quality
and accessibility.
Many misconceptions about Alas
ka have been dissipated as a re-
suit of the war. Many who have
seen service there have been fas-
cinated by its picturesqueness, and
impressed by its obvious possibili-
ties. The territory has largely lived
down its old and undeServed ren,,.
tation as Stewards icebox" - a
reputation that was pinned on it by
the critics of Secretary of State
Seward who negotiated the terri
tory's purchase from Russia in 1867.
To speak Of the climate of Alaska
is as misleading as to speak Of the
climate Of Europe, or Of Asia. The
climate varies widely from that Of
southeastern Alaska, where it IL
virtually as mild as, but much wet.
ter than, that Of Virginia, to that Of