The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-10-14

LANDS WILL PAY
FOR IMPROVEMENT
REIMBURsABLE DRAINAGE AP-
Preparation Is URGED.
State League and Members Of Congress
Agree to Ask Congress for an Appro-
priation to Drain Indian Lands, to Be
Repaid by Higher Selling Price Of
Tracts.

The program which the state drain
age league will urge upon congress was
outlined yesterday at the meeting Of the
leagues executive committee, at the
capitol. Congress will be asked to make
provision for draining the swamp and
overlooked lands on the Red Lake reser-
walton, and to get reimbursement for
the expenditure by charging an addi-
tional price to homesteaders. It was
would not exceed 81 to 1925 an acre,
which added to the homestead price of
$1.25, would give settlers cheap land,
and land of an exceptionally high
quality.
Minnesota senator's and representa-
tives in congress were invited to attend
the meeting, but the only ones respond
ing were Senator Clapp and Representa-
tives Stevens, McCleary and Fletcher.
Those from the northern part Of the
state did not attend. Members Of the
dent A. G. Bernard, Secretary H. G.
Hays, State Senators A. D. Stephens Of
Crookston and c.. A. johnson of st.
Peter; Representatives A. L. Cole Of
Walker, Frank Haskell of st. Paul,
Ezra Gates of Garden City and Asher
Murray Of Wadena; Captain 81. V. Eva
of Duluth, treasurer Of the league, and
G. II. Warner Of Aitkin, state immigra-
ton agent.
area of 100000 acres on the Indian
reservations Of Minnesota capable Of i'm
| ,provement by drainage. and that this
was capable Of sustaining $4,000 set
tiers, meaning an addition of $50 900 to
| the state Is population. II. G.. Hays
said that the $40, 100000 spent on irri-
cation SO far had not reclaimed any
larger area than the one to be drained,
which could be done at an expense not
exceeding $12,000,OOO, of which the
government would only have to pay for
able appropriation. A. L. Cole called
attention to the fact that the un-
drained government lands retard drain.
age Of the state lands surrounding them.
Senator Clapp said he could see no
objection to reimbursable appropria-
i ton. tt is plain that the lands can
never be sold or settled without drain
age, and it is only necessary to show
that the money put in can be recovered.
Congressman, McCleary said he could
see no essential difference between put
ting water on the land and getting it
off, as far as the propriety Of govern
ment appropriations was concerned.
However, as member Of the appro.
priations committee, he did not want to
commit himself fully.
CHI. Warner of Aitkin spoke in be.
J half Of the proposed cutoff canal from
Waldeck to Pine Knoll, which would
shorten the channel between those
points to only third Of its present
length. As the total fall in thirty7fou1
miles is only seventeen feet. and the
channel very winding, it is apt to over
flow. = -
J The first Tuesday in June, 1906, wa:
selected as the day for the next annual
! meeting Of the state drainage league
} Two committees were also named. One
J is on education, and will be charged
with preparing material to be used il
I congress in support of the drainag,
scheme. It consists of A. G. Bernard
, A. L. Cole, A. D. Stephens, Asher Muir
, ray. and c.. H. Warner. - The commit
j. tee on ways and means consists of J. F
: Calhoun, J. "A. McGonigle, Frank Has
2 kell, G. A. johnson and II. G. Hays.