The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-12-17

State T1mber-Previous Laxity in
Care Of Mineral Property Is Crit
Considerable Attention Paid
to Drainage Question.
POINTS FROM AUDITORS REPORT
Promises rigid enforcement of tim
Der trespaSs laws. ~. .. ..t.
| Recommends that compromises be
settled by state timber board.
Recommends double estimate and ap-
praisal on all state timber. 80
Deplores lax handling of state min
neral interests.
Suggests increase in rate of tax on
public service corporations.
Recommends concessions to owners
Of land sold for taxes.
Urges liberal appropriation for for
estry work.
Recommends deficiency appropriation
to pay claims under Krostue bill
Urges survey to report on system of
swamp land drainage. 49,.
Urges appropriation to drain swamp
lands in Indian reservations.
Asks legislative authority to lease
lake beds for mineral purposes.
State Auditor Iverson speaks his
mind freely on several subjects in his
report to the legislature, which is now
issued from the press. His remarks on
the subject Of timber trespass and SUI
pervision of state mining property are
especially interesting.
Mr.. Iverson reiterates former state
ments with regard to timber trespass.
He says the present law was adopted
as q stringent measure to stop taking
Of timber from state lands. The legis-
lature believed that it's rigid penalties,
"when enforced as contemplated, -
would be sufficient safeguard.
The report shows $63, 781.73 collected
for trespass in the two years ending
July 81. Mr.. Iverson says:
From a money standpoint the collec-
| tions are generally satisfactory, but it is
! nevertheless deplorable that so much tim
Der was taken by SO many people without
legal permit. 1t is confidently believed
that in the future very little trespassing
or timber stealing will be committed
| After an experience of nearly two years
| in attempting to enforce the law in tres
pass cases, it can be stated that the law
is in the main equal to the requirements.
| One criminal prosecution was made in
Aitkin county About 100000 feet Of tim
Der was seized or confiscated, $4,000 feet
of which was stolen from state schoo
land. This was sold at public sale for
S1,4597S, under section 40, chapter 1853
| General Laws 1896 The trespasser was
arrested, indicted by the grand jury
plead guilty at the trial, and was fined
500 by the court
II A rigid enforcement Of the law com.
J pell1ng involuntary trespassers to pay
two or three times the value Of the tim.
Der on the stump will tend to make then
more careful about their boundary lines
and greatly discourage the repetition O
such mistakes. And when timber ha;
been wilfully taken with intent to steal
| cOnfiSc1 nj no iroha u-bo
found, and criminal proceedings agains
the trespasser will, we believe, stop sucl
crimes entirely.
One improvement in the law is sug
gested. 1t now gives the auditor sol,
IpoWer to settle cases of trespass. Mr.
lverson recommends. that all com
promises be placed in the hands of tn,
state timber board, which now has n,
authority over trespass.
With regard to sales of state timber
Mr.. lverson recommends that the, Law
require two separate estimates and an
pralsals on every tract sold. Thi
would add some to the epense, bu
would give the timber board more ligh
in fixing the minimum price.
Checked Up Mineral Leases.
Another important feature of the re
port is with reference to the care O
state mining lands. Mr.. Iverson ez
plains that prior to his administratio
the state had no check on the report
made by the mining companies. Du1
ing the past two shipping seasons tn
auditor has kept mining inspector o
the ground to verify weights. OWN
to rumors about the Messabe Mountai
mine, the state sent a special enginee
to take measurements, and his lrepol
was RECEIVED Nov. 80. It shove
1928, 465 cubic yards removed, Will
the mining company IS figures Shove
showed also that 100000 tons Of To-
grade ore in the stockpile, once r
jected, can now be used under improve
processes, and will be marketed. Otht
developments are limited at in the flo
lowing:
1t is not necessary for us at this Ia
day to discuss the manner in which tn
magnificent property has been treate
Being one Of the first of the soft O
mines opened and much of its ore
doubtful merchantable value, parti
justification is found. But it can be trut
fully said, however, that private inc
/ vidual or corporation owning that pro
erty would not have permitted such wor
nor would the state have allowed it if
proper supervision had been. exercis
while the work was in progress. If t
state had done its duty from the ste
there would have been no cause for t
rumors and insinuations respecting tt
property which, it appears, have be
4 quite freely circulated. The state shou
in its mineral, timber and all other bu
= ness enterprises, conduct it's affairs alo
the safest and best business lines:
Other important recommendation
&S IA
rst