The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-27
WORDY SPAT IN
DRAINAGE MEET
Conduct Of President and Secre-
tary Is Criticized by Treas
urer Eva.

Special to The Journal.
Wadena, Mimi, June 27.-The Min
nesota Drainage league was welcomed
to Wadena by Colonel G.. A. Whitney,
and President Bernard responded and
delivered his annual address, and told
Of his work in Washington in behalf
nard was followed by Secretary Fl. G..
Hays, who made his annual report.
Treasurer H. V. Eva Of Duluth then
read his report and took occasion to
state that the money subscribed to the
league was not disbursed thru the
proper channels. He said that none Of
the, money subscribed had passed thru
his hands, but had been disbursed by
the president and secretary without any
reference to the treasurer. His state
ments in this regard called forth spir-
| tied replies from both President Ber-
nard and Secretary Hays and wordy
wrangle ensued.
Finally motion prevailed that the
convention proceed to- the election Of
unpleasant feature Of the session. The
following officers were elected.
Eva Reelected.
John Abercrombie, Alexandria, first
vice, president; Leslie Weller, Moor
head. second; J. 8; Cole, Grand Rapids,
f fRe only contest Dsot FL
president and secretary. Asher Muir
ray Of Wadena was nominated for pres
ident but declined. His name went
before the convention, however, and
he was elected, but told the conven-
ton he could not possibly serve. An
other vote was taken. Mr.. Warner win
| Nd II
an easy winner over Mr.. Hays for Sec
rotary.
The chair appointed the executive
committee by districts as follows:
First district, vacant; second district,
Era Gates, Garden City; third, g. A.
Johnson, Ct. Peter; fourth, Joseph
Minneapolis; sixth, Asher Murray, wa.
dena; seventh, R. R. johnson, Benson;
eighth, A. H. Comstock, Duluth; ninth,
A. D. Stephens, Crookston.
Moorhead, Crookston and Duluth ex-
tended invitations to entertain the
league next year. No action was taken.
Telegrams from Governor johnson,
pressing their regrets at not being able
to be present, were read. -
/ Down to Business.
The convention then proceeded to the
regular program. State Auditor Iver-
son delivered an address on the sub
ject Of drainage in general, and deal
N ing IN more re particularly with the work
George Ralph, state drainage engi-
neer, spoke Of the state Typographical
survey, recently completed under his
direction.
The secretary read paper prepared
bX y. II: Block, state treasurer, on
Hoy r. the State Should Administer
appealed strongly to the convention.
He held that the state should not act
the part OF the SPECTATOR, but should
bear it's just share Of the expense Of
maintaining schools, building roads and
bridges and sharing in all taxes along
with the actual settlers. He said the
STATE should improve its swamp lands
Professor Robinson of the Crookston
experiment farm, taking the place Of
A: .. Stephens on the program, spoke
Of the value Of drainage in soil cul-
ftivation. -, -, - :.
| North Dakotans on Program. ~
A paper prepared by J. M: Cashel,
president Of the North Dakota Drainage
mutual interests of North Dakota and
Minnesota in the matter Of drainage,
particularly of the Red River valley.
He hoped the river would be made not
only g. drainage canal, but navigable
as well. He called attention to the
great loss sustained by North Dakota on
account Of inadequate drainage, the
as 100000. -,
A. T.. Fellows, state drainage engineer
OF North Dakota, man Of widL expe-
Renee. having formerly been connected
with the United States geological sur
veey, pointed out the comparative ease
NTH niisbo which il, drainage might be accom-
showed some Of the advantages to in.
dividuals and the state if scientific
lines Of Improvement were followed. He
cited instances where waste lands were
made areable by irrigation, increasing
the price and improving entire locali-
! ties.
Government Men Speak.
} Willis @. Egleston, who is attached
;. to the United States geographical sur.
[ vey, extended the greetings of his de-
partment to the Minnesota Drainage
1eagae and pledged the hearty support
Of his department. in the drainage work,
Of the best topographic engineers in
the United States, spoke Of the neces,
sity for cereful Typographical work at
the outset, and tho value Of drainage
to almost every material interest II
3 the state. He assured governmental as
sistance in carrying on the Topographic
! cal work In Minnesota, and called at
ment would duplicate any appropriation
: made for Typographical work BY the
state, the only condition imposed be-
ing that the work be done under gov
ernmental direction and supervision.
Owen for Intensive Farming.
One Of the best papers presented wa.
: the agricultural corps Of the north
west. who dwelt upon the agriculture
: possibilities Of northern Minnesota. al
! called attention to the fact that tn.
most progressive agricultural country
: Of the world, Belgium. is further nortl
Na&h IL =