Show homesteading Home opportunities in alaska interest veterans veteran z vast frontier land has much to offer to hardy young ped people ale He released leased by western leitera newspaper union veterans of world war II 11 dream as avidly of establishing homes on the land as did the soldiers of the continental army grants blue clad veterans or ings dough boys in 1918 it is pointed out by the united states department of the interior requests for information on available bublic public lands secretary of the intermor Inter interior for harold L ickes points out have literally inundated the departments offices the average number of requests for information on homesteads alone in the general land office runs higher than monthly and the num number b er is increasing Ex servicemen who desire to settle on public land either in the continental tin united states or alaska will avoid many heartbreaking disappointments it if they first fully inform themselves concerning all ot of the possible pitfalls one of the prime requisites for instance in obtaining title to public land Is three years actual resi residence defice beginning within six months after permission to enter has been granted there are numerous other requirements concerning such subjects as the building of a habitable the cultivation of the land and other details about which prospective settlers would do well to inform themselves before filing an application the principal advantage that veterans have over other citizens Is that service in the armed forces up to a maximum of two years Is credited toward the three year residence requirement ahls this applies generally to all citizens over 21 years ot of age who have served at least 90 days in the armed forces and who have been honorably discharged veterans also enjoy a 90 day priority in filing applications for settlement on publio land classified for that purpose any veteran of world war 11 II under 21 Is entitled to the same rights under onder the homestead law as those over 21 who may be veterans of this or other conflicts residence requirements ments of such minors will be suspended until six months after their discharge from the service moreover homestead claims of veterans of world war II 11 initiated prior to their entrance into the ice are protected against forfeiture during the period of their service and for six months thereafter such veterans who are honorably discharged and because ot of physical incapacity due to their service are unable to return to the land may make proof without further residence improvements and cultivation go north young man by far the greatest opportunities for obtaining title to and establishing homesteads on public lands lie in alaska this territory covers an area of square miles roughly equal to one fifth of that of the united states more than 90 per cent of the territory is under the jurisdiction of the department of the interior the major portion la Is still open to settlement under the homestead 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 tena tenacity city may 1 reasonably count upon success in the long run but without these essentials senti als 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 alaska have been dissipated as a result of the war many who have seen service there have been fascinated by its and impressed by its obvious possibilities the territory has largely lived down its old and undeserved reputation as icebox a reputation that was pinned ori on it by the critics of secretary of state seward who negotiated the terri torys purchase from russia in 1887 1867 to speak of the climate of alaska Is as misleading 1 as to speak ut of the climate of europe or r of asia the climate varies widely from that of vout southeastern heastern alaska where it is virtually as mild as but much wet vet I na Z im RE E 1 3 Z V el I 1 f 1 1 W si servicemen and women get pointers on alaska land settlement fro aror in fred W johnson pener gene ral land office left to right pac af pf richard bean U S army newport N 11 II chief warrant liffin office josephd tose phD joiner U S navy atlanta ga and yeoman lc l 1 c alldre dired 11 1 dietrich of the WAVES WAVE 8 st Nai Naz lanz wise learn of chances for 0 o future on n public nubile lands administered by b the interior department fl foniri niri ter than that of virginia to that of the frozen wastes of the arctic circle and the fogs and williw williwaws aws of the lie aleutian islands veterans have the same preference accorded to them by the homestead r laws of the united states in addition where lands are newly opened 0 or restored to i homestead entry veterans will be granted a preference right of application for a period of SO 90 days before the lands become subject to application by the general public in addition to home homesteading in alaska on sites limited to acres any adult citizen of the united states whose employer Is engaged in trade manufacturing or other product productive ivi industry in alaska or who is himself engaged in such business may purchase one claim not exceeding 5 acres of non mirt eral land at an acre but for not less than a minimum of 10 an applicant for such a tract Is required to pay the cost of the survey any citizen of the united states alter after occupying land in alaska as a homestead or headquarters in a habitable house not less than five months each year tor for three years may purchase such tract not exceeding five acres if in character at 2 50 an acre but tor for not less than a minimum of 10 such an applicant is not required to pay the cost of the survey fur farming and bit mining n ing fur farming has bas been c carried on in the territory tor for a sufficiently long period to demonstrate that the raising of such fur animals as minks and blue foxes is profitable this Is especially true in southeastern alaska and along the general coast line where fish a basic fur animal food may be procured cheaply certain areas of alaska are admirably i adapted to the brodu production action of fur of good quality and there Is plenty of room for expanding this industry there are hundreds of licensed fur farmers la in alaska the majority of whom are raising minks and blue foxes although some silver foxes are raised in captivity mineral resources are known to be large and varied arid and there are undoubtedly large and rich mineral areas still unexplored notable evidence of this has been disclosed by extensive searches tor for war needed metals and mint minerals rals by the geological survey and the bureau of mines amarge A large part of the terri torys natural mineral wealth consists of gold silver mercury nier cury antimony tin coal copper iron lead and platinum there also may be considerable sid erable oil reserves in some parts of the country but to what extent remains largely to be seen transportation is of course a problem since alaska a natural scenic wonderland a and sport fis hermans paradise Is expected to grow in importance as a vacation land aud as a goal for tourists there will undoubtedly be great opportunities tor for veterans and others who desire to go into businesses catering to the tourist trade tourist facilities are comparatively meager especially in many picturesque localities off of the beaten path however here again those contemplating tem plating the establishment of such businesses should do so with their eyes open it must be remembered that in many places in alaska the tourist season Is short and that the permanent population of the territory Is normally less than persons or about one eighth of the number of persons living in washington 1 D C As a general rule it may be said that settlement on an public land la in I 1 U T A 14 I 1 1 I T colorado 0 co uku 1 in h alaska is encouraged but not urged those who choose alaska as their future homes should do so with caution there Is little doubt that ultimately alaska Is destined to become an important crossroads at the top of the world it Is a natural way station on air lines to asia and eastern europe but alaska itself as well as those who settle there will be better off if it has an orderly and stable development it is hoped lor for the benefit of all concerned that sudden rushes of hordes of people with get rich ideas but with no sustained interest in healthy growth may be avoided As of juno june td 30 1941 the he remaining public lands exclusive of areas acquired through gli purchase so by the government for resettlement land administration military or other purposes Par poses cons conal ted of acres out outbid sId of graz me ing districts arces acres within grazine districts or it ft total ol of 6 acres some som portions of the wasl in fact havo have not flat yet ret even been surveyed hy by the government is as indicated by this alili diagram show ing the ratio of areas in there states |