| OCR Text |
Show Commissioner Indian Affairs, Ho. 2, 1634-1910. JAN 211910 probably the case that the prices charged for timber upon • * . - ' the Forest Reserve are extremely reasonable and really below / , '•• . ' ' ' :./'•''.'' the market value of such timber, and in fixing the rate of • :•. - '-""Yy" YA,' ;- •.. -. Ay A,y, 5/5 each for cedar posts, I believe that no hardship is im-posed upon the settlers., In fact, it is my opinion if there • , ! •* , ^e-* y ',! , ', y . :, y,,,, is any errorin the amount gtrrd' to'be paid for cedar posts,. ,. y A . , the discrepancy is in favor of the- settlers, inasmuch as such;,'' • . ;<* •". - i . y ,y posts in localities where such a supply ia controlled by private interests would exceed 5 / in cost and would probably vary from lO^to 35^'.each. There seems to be a general impression ,-.y that a law was passed granting authority to settlers to obtain timber from the Indian grazing lands under such regulations as might be prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior and that the settlers should receive the right to cut such timber free of charge, I can only say, in this connection, that, if such liberty should be granted, it is my opinion that the supply of cedar posts, which are not At all expensive at the present time, would almost immediately become so exhausted that the Indians would be practically put in the position of having to ^"this-; material at considerable expense. !7 A ' Attention is also invited to the fact that settlers may obtain cedar posts under a free use permit from the Vorest Reserve sufficient for the needs of their homesteads, and if. they have not money to buy the timber from the Indian lands 7| < -' A A , . • '-, AA; ' v . $ ' |
