The Minneapolis journal., 1902-07-21
MONEY FOR 'ToNKA
Lake Residents Cali on Board Of
County Commissioners.
URGE LARGER APPROPRIATIONS
Members of Board Are WillfnE-Es-
+ tinates OF County'sH Expen-
ses for 1908.

Lake Minnetonka residents were numer-
GUS at the meeting Of the county conn.,
mlssioners this morning They were there
to impress the commissioners with the
fact that Lake Minnetonka had been
steadily overlooked in appropriations for
permanent improvements. Practically
every portion Of the lake was represented.
Six or seven talks were: made and the
talk was so effective that the commits
sioners voted to do all in their power to
secure the largest" possible appropriation
for Minnetonka.> .-
E. j. Phelps showed that the lake
property was assessed at, nearly million
dollars more than, it, would have been
had it been mere farm lands; and that
the extra taxes on that account amounted
had allowed only $500 for lake improve
ments this year and the usual allowance
was about $4,000 per year. The lake was
entitled to- the full $15000 a. year., and it
was badly needed as the lake was full
of shoals and. reefs which We're a menace
to navigation.
Lucian Swift. who described. himself as
a sort Of alderman from Deephaven, and
entitled to speak for the village, Sec
onded the remarks Of; Mr. Phelps. He
called attention to the fact that there
were from $50 to 200 private launches on
the lake, most of them being run by
inexperienced persons, who did not know
where all the1 reefs were, The lake was
in such a. dangerous condition, that many
did not dare to venture out on it after
dark.
l. Titus Mareck spoke Of Minnetonka as
the Jewel of Minnesota. The commits
/ sionerss he said,, should take into consid-
Grafton that the lake was visited by thou
sands Of persons who do not live at the
lake. It should be placedi In a safe copdi-
;tion for navigation, the channels connect
mo ho ror{0 oryfoc ind Ghn hQ
kept open and the roads along; the shores
I should! be improved, Remarks of the
same tenor were made by Fred B. Dodge,
mayor of MinnetonlSa Beach; F. G. Nick
els, Mr.. Saunders, representing Wayzata
and others.
I VIII Move on Tax Levy Board.
/ Chairman Sweet and Commissioner Ry-
berg promised to recommend all improve
ments that were possible. Unfortunately
the. law fixed a maximum for lake i'm
provements: at $1,000, but they would 60
the limit. Mr.. Ryberg called attention to
the fact that the appropriations were
fixed by the board of tax levy and in
formed the visitors that if they would
appear before that board there was nc
question but that the sum would be al
lowed.
l. AS member Of the board Of tax lazy
| Auditor Scott promised his vote for E
| $4,000 appropriation, but warned the lake
dwellers that he: and Mr.. Sweet were only
| two members on beard Of seven. The
| hint was taken and assurance was giver
T that the delegation Would appear before
I the board Of tax levy at the proper time
i The commissioners then went into com
mittee of the whole ito consider the estl.
mates for running. the county and it,
| various institutions fclr 1903. It was founi
i that there was no occasion for any in.
| creases. The change in placing the office
of sheriff on salary basis Increased the
Items relating to salaries and help, but
made reductions elsewhere and made
some changes in. bookkeeping: A yeal
| ago the board asked for 1854, $40 and this
7 total was cut by the board Of tax levy tc
$4a4, 800: This morning it was decided tt
I fix all items at the lowest amount.
It is understood that these are rock
bottom figures and cannot we'll be
changed. Following rs a table Of com.
parison showing the appropriations al.
lowed by the board of tax levy. for. the
different county funds in 1902 and the
amounts fixed this morning for the same
funds for next year: :'' --''