The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-21

ices of it's chief engineer to the COM
mission. This year a reduction in rates
had been made In Minnesota and North
Dakota equal to $1,100,000. 1t might as
sist the company If it would go on and
appropriate money for the extension
or the drainage system, but the state
was not In a pauperized condition. The
Great Northern had demonstrated that
IL was easy 10 do drainage and had
contributed 1000 toward the work,
and he felt that the company had done
its share when it paid It's taxes and
gave lower rates of transportation.
The state could appropriate no money
which would be of better advantage
than for drainage in the Red river
valley. and other parts of the state
should not object, for when the valley
was not opened other parts of the
state had received the value Of the
lands for other purposes. To complete
the system would do more good and
bring money back to the state. 1t was
really question of a crop or half a
crop, as drainage would enable the
farmers to get in seed earlier if there
was a complete system of drainage.
In reply to question Mr.. Hill said
ne had made no estimate as to the cost
or completing the system, as he had
only the broad interest Of the state in
the completion of the system. The big
was necessary was to supplement it.
The state had lots of land in the valley,
mostly school lands. Before the drain
age system was put in the land could
not be given away. but since then he
had been informed 1t brought good
prices. Another 100000 put in with
good commission in charge would do
more than pay for the amount in
vested.
The committee rendered Mr.. Hill
vote of thanks for his talk and on
leaving Mr.. Hill said while he was In
terested In all parts Of the state he was
particularly interested in the northern
part and the Red river valley country.
Mr. McGrath Rep.) of Clay. cor
roborated the statements made by Mr..
Hill regarding the increase Of the price
of state lands owing to the drainage
system. He instanced one section Of
land which for years had no buyers at
$l.25 per acre. but was sold last year
for $40 per acre. owing to drainage
ditch
Mr. Marin Pop.), of Polk, said the
state appropriation and drainage had
done so much good for Polk county
that the county had expended $4,000
for lateral bitches. He also called at
tention to section which had sold last
year at the sale of school lands for
pi1.oV PCI awe WHICH, OSiOiS LIZ VI Se1AA-
age, no one would purchase at any
price.
Senator Chiffon Rep), Of Wright,
said the matter of drainage in the Red
river valley was a good thing and not
to vote for an appropriation would be
false economy.
Mr. Scribner Rep), of Mower, was
opposed to the appropriation, and Mr..
McCellum Rep9, of Kittson, thought
the bill could be so drawn so as to al
low other parts of the state to come
in for a share of the appropriation.
Senator Mccarthy (Rep0, of Itasca,
favored the proposition to have the ap-
preparation include other sections be-
side the Red river valley. There was
a smaller proportion of lands In his
district owned by railroads and spec
ulators than in any other section, and
there was also need for drainage, and
he hoped the section would not be
overlooked.
Senator Ryder Rep), Of Polk, moved
the matter be referred to subcommit
tee of three members from the, house
and two from the senate to draft a bill
calling for an appropriation Of 100000.
which was agreed to.
The committee will also ascertain the
acreage held by the state railroads and
SPECTATORS in the Red river valley
and report at a meeting to be called
by Senator Myron Rep.), of Ada, who
acted as chairman of the joint commit
tee