Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1905-04-13
Iowa Executive Council Hears
Arguments on Question OF
Draining Certain Lakes
PAMMEL WOULD SAVE THEM
Council Asked to Reverse Its Decision
to Allow Certain Lakes to be
Drained and the Land Sold - Plea
Made for Preservation of These
Bodies of Water.

Des Moines, April 13.--The COVER
nor's private office was filled full OF
earnest residents of northwestern
Iowa yesterday, attracted by the hear
ing on the question of draining lakes
in Sac, Humboldt and other counties.
The executive council heard the evil
dence and speeches on the subject
during most the day and then ad-
journed to o o'clock this morning
when further testimony will be taken
Professor Pammel of Ames and Sec
rotary Greene Of the State Horticul-
tural society appeared for the State
Forestry association to protest against
the drainage Of any lakes which may
be preserved. A hearing with respect
to the drainage of several different
bodies Of water was held and conclu-
sions are pending the completion OF
the hearing.
The principal contest arises over
Swan lake in Pocahontas county. near
Laurens The executive council re-
Gently issued an order for it's drainage
and the sale Of the bed TO the highest
bidder under the law. A petition was
promptly filed asking that the case be
reopened, and a hearing held. as to
whether the order of the council as
made should be allowed to stand or be
revoked.
The parties to the controversy We're
at the governors office yesterday. Both
sides were we'll represented. Former
Representative Gilchrist appeared for
those who believe that the order of the
council for the drainage of the lake
should stand. Attorney Page appeared
for those who believe it should be re-
voled, Though the question was on
whether the order should be suspended
pending a hearing, the two sides man
aged to get most of the evidence they
would offer on formal hearing, into the
record.
Professor Ashbaugh, the state engi-
neer or surveyor, and Professor Pam
mel. of the college at Ames, appeared
to ask for rehearing, the size of the
lake, $50 acres, indicating to them that
there may be some chance of perman-
emily preserving it.
l.. b. Beardsley, B. Il. Allen, c. G.
Reed, Frank Kemp, Charles Weaver,
DR.. Higgins and T.. l.. Stout accom-
panied Attorney Page to the hearing
and testified that, in their judgment,
the lake should not be drained. but
ought to be preserved.
John Shuler, Gust Erickson, j. w.
Convy, Nels Johnson, Gust Hackerson,
Harry Moore and w. Il. Atkinson ac-
panied Attorney Gilchrist to the hear
ing to support his contention that the
lake should be drained and that the
former order of the council to that
effect should be sustained and not re-
opened.
The hearing as to the drainage of
Lard and Rush lakes In Sac county
developed the fact that there was no
material or serious opposition to the
petition, and about 265 acres of land
will be redeemed by the action.
Benjamin Morse, Allen Steer, P. A.
Roe and George Clevence appeared
one Of the Bass lakes Of Humboldt
county and the hearing as to this lake
will continue today.
Lakes Are Disappearing.
Messrs. Pammell and Greene called
the attention of the council to the
fact that the lakes of Iowa have grad
ually disappeared during the last
quarter of century; that there are
few more sloughs on the prairies of
Iowa which are now its pastures;
that there are many very pretty bod
les of water which may be well and
easily preserved without expense; that
the preservation Of these bodies of
water Is a duty which the state now
owes to the future when its popu-
lation will be trebled or quadrupled,
and that no body Of water of any con-
siderable size which may be classed
as g. real lake should be ordered
drained. This is the policy which the
council has fixed for itself also, be-
ing DESTROYS of preserving every body
of water which is a real lake and can
be preserved.