The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1907-12-26
GOT FAVORABLE ACTION
FROM INTERIOR DEPT,
Congressman Steenerson Secures Con.
cessions for H0mesteaders in
the 'fEIeven Towns"

the policy OF the government to
drain public lands and that the
swamp lands on the. Red Lake
Indian reservation can be made very
valuable. In this respect the bill is
Of much Importance to the northern
part of Minnesota.
Il never found but one man who
opposed the drainage of these
lands," said Mr.. Steenerson, and he
was game sport who said that if
the Red Lake lands were drained it
would prevent duck and wild goose
hunting during the season."
In regard to any benefits to pri-
vate owners of lands the county
commissioners and other local
officials can tax up the benefits.
Mr.. Steenerson's bill is preceded
by sort of preamble setting forth
that By act of congress of June FL,
1906, the secretary of the interior
was authorized to make a drainage
survey of lands ceded by the Chip
peWa Indians in the state of Mime
sofa, and which remain unsold and
were overhowed and swampy in
character with view of determining
whether they could be proftably re-
claimed by drainage and to ascer-
tain whether sufficient fund could
be provided for an increase in the
price at which said lands should be
sold in the future.
Under the date of Jan. 20, 1907,
the secretary of the interior made a
report of the survey of part of said
Mud Lake district" and recon-
mending the construction of said
improvement, estimated to cost
81, 100000, esaid cost to be returned
to the government by an increase of
S3.23 per acre of the unsold lands
drained, and proper provision for
the repayment of cost by settlers
upon land already entered and
incidentally benefited by said i'm
provement. Therefore be it enacted
that the secretary be authorized to
construct and maintain said drain
age works of reclamation of said
land and the sum of $1,100,OOO be
appropriated for that purpose.
Section 2-That the secretary
makes provisions to secure by lien
on land payment of cost of construc-
ton. He is authorized to- acquire
any rights or property for United
State necessary for purposes of this
act, by purchase or by condemna-
ton under judicial process as pro-
vided in the act of Aug. I, 1898.
Construction shall be made in
installments, not exceeding ten, as
may be fixed by the secretary and
failure to pay any installment when
due, or any of the annual charges
for operating and maintenance,
when due, shall renstead entry
under this act with the loss of all
moneys paid and all rights here
under.
Section 4-That the secretary is
authorized to enter into such con-
tracts as he may deem advisable,
with any persons or corporations
carrying into effect the provisions
of this act, or to assist or cooper
ate in drainage of said lands and
may accept gift or grants of land
or other rights, property or securi-
ties and shall be authorized to
sell, lease, or dispose of lands
acquired or reserved under provi-
sions of this act.
Section 5-That all moneys re-
ceived or collected in connection
with the operations under the pro-
visions of this. act shall be used
to reimburse the government for
the cost of said Improvement, as
we'll as the proceeds of the sales Of
material temporarily utilized or
condemned.
Section That the secretary is
authorized to perform all acts and
to make rules and regulations
necessary for carrying the provi-
sions of this act into force.