When the Forestry Agent Came for the Homesteaders’ Timber

For the past two weeks U.S. Commissioner Tompkins, at Republic, has been kept busy taking testimony in an action brought by Forestry Agent W. W. Cryder against homesteaders for cutting timber off their homesteads and for failing to comply with the requirements of the homestead law. The homesteaders are represented by Attorney Jas. T. Johnson, and counsel for the prosecution hails from Spokane. Commenting on the action, the Republic Record says: 'Homesteaders are allowed under the homestead law to cut timber for their own use and for improving the land—and what constitutes cutting timber for improving the land, and whether the homesteader has done anything which is not covered by these conditions is a question to be proven by Mr. Cryder. In the first place in order to improve the land the timber must be cut and cleared off. After the land is cleared implements must be provided to cultivate and till the soil. If this timber is sold and the money used for the purchase of implements to improve the land, if anything is left after paying the cost of living while the land is being cleared—would not this use of the timber come under the provisions of the homestead law? If any homesteader has succeeded in getting more than that out of a homestead the first five years he has done well and deserves a medal.'