The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1909-12-17
State Capital Letter
Doings at st. Paul as Reported by Our Special
CORRESPONDENT.


st. Paul.-Governor o. A. Eberhart
has named a committee of represent
alive citizens of the state to call q
convention in st. Paul some time in
January or February to take united
action toward development and con-
servation of Minnesota's natural re-
sources. The governor himself in
tends to cooperate with the commit
tee, probably as ex-officio chairman.
The committee is as follows: w.
L. Harris, president of Minneapolis
Publicity Club; Eli S. Warner, presi-
dent st. Paul Commercial Club; H.
A. futile, president of Minneapolis
Commercial Club; Louis w. Hill, st.
Paul, president Great Northern rail-
road; H. V. Eva, secretary Duluth
Commercial Club; s. G. Iverson, state
auditor; Curtiss L. Mosher, manager
of st. Paul Consolidated Publicity
Bureau and secretary State Fedora
ton of Commercial Clubs; Prof.
Andrew Boss, of State Agricultural
School, st. Anthony Park; DIR. H. M.
Brachen, ST. Paul, secretary and ex-
ecutive officer of the state board OF
health; Charles P. Craig, Duluth;
Prof John H. Gray, of the State Uni
versity, Minneapolis; T. w. Murphy,
Wheaton; George Welch, secretary
and executive officer of the State I'M
migration Bureau; and B. w. Neil,
Red Wing, president of the State
Federation of Commercial Clubs.
This committee is to meet as soon
as convenient, arrange a date and
place for the convention, issue the
call therefor, and prepare the pro-
gram.
The proposed convention is the out.
growth of plan suggested by the
governor at banquet rendered by
the st. Paul Commercial Club to the
officers and executive committee of
the Federated Commercial Clubs.
The governor asserts that it is the
duty of the citizens of today to foster
and preserve for coming generations
the advantages now enjoyed from the
states natural wealth. Reforesta-
ton is one of the problems that must
be considered from practical work
ing viewpoint. Protection Of the
states wonderful, and in many in
stances yet undeveloped WATERFOWL
ers, is another matter needing atten-
ton. The governor asserts that If the
states waterpowers are developed
and properly taxed, they would yield
enough to support the state. Or, If
not heavily taxed, it should furnish
cheap power to farmers and others
throughout the state. There are 9th.
er resources undeveloped which mean
millions to the people. The govern.
or's idea is that experts on the va
rious branches of farming, water.
ways, forestry, etc., be secured to
give their opinions and plans for the
benefit of the public. A united effort
is also desirable to secure settlers
for the thousands of idle yet fertile
acres in northern Minnesota.
The governor even favors the Gre
alton of new state department for
the conservation and development of
state resources. All these matters
may be considered at the coming
convention, which, representative of
every public interest and every part
of the state, may outline it's desires
and submit them to the next legisla-
ture for enactment into beneficial
law.
Expenses for the proposed conven-
ton will be met partly by the state,
and partly by commercial club do
nations. The st. Paul and Minneap-
oils clubs will each give $500 to the
fund, and State Auditor S. G.. Iverson
is authority for the statement that he
believes the state board of immigra-
ton may be able to supply $1,000 ad-
ditional. The Duluth Commercial
Club has also promised to lend finan-
cial assistance.
Minnesota's Exhibit at Chicago.
The exhibit by Minnesota at the re-
cent land and irrigation congress in
Chicago was an eye opener to all
visitors. 1t was prepared and in
charge of George Welch, of the State
Board of immigration. 1t included
mounted specimens of all kinds of ami
mails and fish found within the Dor
ders of Minnesota, from the humble
gopher, to a great moose head, which
occupied a crate in shipment eight
feet square; and from small trout fry,
to great fish of Minnesota's large
lakes, measuring seven and eight
feet in length. The agricultural ex-
hibit from Minnesota was doubtless
the most surprising to visitors. There
were shown mammoth squash and
pumpkins, great tempting potatoes,
and specimens of all kinds of grains
that were not exceeded in excellence
by any other exhibit. Among these
it is worthy of special note, was an
exhibit of four specimens of alfalfa,
accompanied by an affidavit that the
four different samples were repre-
sentative of four successive crops
taken off the same piece of land dur
ing the one past season in northern
Minnesota And what is more, the
four crops in one year came from a
piece of so-called "cut over" land,
which a few years ago was not con-
sidered worth paying the taxes on.
That one feature of the Minnesota ex.
hibit was a practical demonstration
of the wealth of the state, heretofore
unappreciated, and showing of the
vast opportunities for new settlers in
state where such rich soil may be
purchased for song from the state
and on forty years time if desired.
What Will the Guardsmen Do?
Will the Minnesota National Guard
have to go into camp next season
without any pants?
The question is an appalling one,
and from present indications may