The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1906-01-11
JAMES ]. HILL SPEAKS TO CROWDED HOUSE
ON LAST DAY OF STATE DRAINAGE CONVENTION

ID tlo several properties upon q diner
ent basis from that used in the assess
ment OF land. The improvement Of
road Is commonly acknowledged to be
a public benefit. Some portions of
roads are impossible during a part of
each season and must continue SO un-
til general system of drainage is pro-
yided which will make them passable
and improve them permanently. The
question arises. What should be the
basis of assessment? Roads are usual
ly improved with the least outlay pos,
sible which will secure the object de.
sired. In this case it is not what the
improvement Is actually worth to the
people that should constitute the basis
of assessment, but the ratio of, this
value to that resulting to farm lands.
This Is properly percentage of the
entire estimated cost and it should be
deducted from the total amount and
charged against the township or coun-
ty road funds. The percentage will
necessarily depend upon the kind and
completeness of the drainage and it's
effect upon the local rodd system.
When a benefit is assessed against
road fund 1t Is assessed as far as the
payment Is concerned upon all prop
erty from which that fund is collected.
All farm land, whether assessed for
special drainage benefits or not, will
In that way contribute to the expense
OF the general drainage in proportion
: to the assessed valuation of the prop
erty. There can hardly be any main
drainage construction which will not
beneficially affect public roads. In all
sections where drainage on any ex-
tended scale is required the improve
ment of farm lands and public roads
Is fnseparable. BY assessing the roads
quite literally the public is made to
pay for the improvement in the same.
manner as for other public utilities,
thus distributing the cost in a. legal
manner upon all properties in any
way affected. ,sta ~
After a drainage project has been
determined upon, no work connected
with its execution is Of greater mo-
ment than the application and admin
istration of the law. This may and
.should be done. economically and in
such way that all property interests
Will be eQuitably cared for. The law
should be so plain that nothing will
be left open for Interpretation by the
courts. The drain commissioners
should study every phase Of the dis
trict, whose affairs they are appointed
to administer. They should explain
to landowners as clearly as may be
the principles and methods which they
employ In making assessments of dam
ages and benefits. No greater misfor-
ture can overtake a. drainage project
than suits-at law entered by landown-
ers against drain commissioners.
Every dollar thus spent gives no re-.
turn to the community and is frequent
lyr worse than wasted for such suits
engender personal feuds among neigh
bors which often last for a generation,
There was a long: and interesting
discussion succeeding Mr.. Elliott's
paper, from which many useful facts
were gathered.
John IT. Stewart Of the same de-
\ partment' and division at Washington,
followed Mr.. Elliott with an able
: paper. He is familiar with the condi-
tions of the valley and his paper was
one Of the best OF the convention. Mr..
Stewart said: