285 



made at .twenty-five cents on the log, and the State retain the land, 

 the same as he was to pay them for the timber standing. 



Q. Did you investigate as to whether the title could be canceled or 

 not? 



A. No, sir; I didn't investigate the occupancy, although I think they 

 could have sustained the occupancy and affirmed title; you can redeem 

 for two years, you know. 



Q. There was mention made here of trespasses reported by Mr. 

 Lynch, in regard to which he said he didn't' know whether any action 

 had been taken or not — some two or three years ago — do you know 

 about the fact ? 



A. No, sir; if he had given the date of those trespasses I might 

 tell; he had a lot of trespasses, some of them four years old — par- 

 ticularly against Thomson as I remember; it is fair to say that the 

 forest commission had more trespasses going back one year than they 

 could take care of; you can't bring a suit for penalties after two 

 years. 



Q. The forest commission only took charge in 1886. '■ 



A. Yes, sir. •, x 



Q. And these trespasses extended back to that time ? 



A. Yes, sir; there are exceptions to this rule in some of these "tres- 

 passes; if you can't crowd a man to settle what you have got to do is 

 to see if you have evidence sufficient to go into court, and if you 

 haven't why then all you can do is to quit 



Q .What you mean to say is that it is not safe to bring suit upon 

 all trespasses that are reported ? 



A. No, sir; you couldn't do. that; it couldn't be done. 



By l£r. Anibal: 



Q. Why not? * 



A. There are not surveyors enough to get the cases ready for trial. 



By Mr. Fiebo: 



Q. What about the evidence ? 



A. The man can send his men on there and cut the timber and draw 

 it off; you will go there and find stumps there, and there is no ques- 

 tion but what the timber has been stolen; you can get evidence to 

 satisfy you who got t that timber but that will not satisfy the court; 

 you will have to get some of the men who were present at the time, 

 and get them to go on the lines described by the surveyor; you take 

 men who work for a man Who pays them good wages and are friendly 

 with them, they will tell you that "they are busy, and haven't time; " 

 therefore, you have to search for men who have been discharged and 



