The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1909-02-13
STATE TAX LAND SALE METHODS
RESPONSIBLE FOR TROUBLE
APPRAISAL SHOULD Be KNOWN
ansins land Agents and Buyers Conspirs
to the Oetrimsnt OF the State Under
Present Methods.

late and hep. Maxey bhis uiseIiO'
succeeded in having all lands temper
arily Withdrawn from the market.
The purpose of the withdrawal was
70 allow the committees of the two
houses to get together on law intend
ed to put the speculator in state tax
lands out OF business.
In the discussion of the tax land
matter, many statements pro and con
have been made and many explana-
tions OF. the evil have been given but TO
our mind not one true reason have
been put forward
The writer has had some practical
connection with this state land busi-
ness and his observations have been
drawn from practical experience both
in looking over the lands and in bid
ding on them at Lansing.
To our mind just two changes in the
method Of disposing OF these lands are
necessary to eradicate the speculator.
The first one is 10 make known the
appraised value Of the lands and the
second one is TO have the lands sold in
the county in which they lie.
AS an explanation of the way things
are done we cite the large sale made
recently of Iron county lands This
sale was made in October 1908 at Ian
sing.
Early IN the summer man was sent
TO look over these lands and make an
appraisal OF them. The figure he set
upon them were. kept a secret and
carefully guarded
The sale was advertised TO take place
at Lansing and in order TO attend it a
person had 20 spend at least $50 When
he got there he found that the agents
at Lansing who make speciality Of
handling tax lands had advertised
throughout the state that they would
buy in descriptions at a minimum
charge per forty. AS result the men
with money had placed large lists with
certain agent who could reasonably
guarantee that he would be first in at
the private sale which always follows
the public sale and at which all des-
criptions not bid off at public sale can
be bought at the appraised value.
This agent advised everyone mot To
bid' and he attended the sale simply
10 protect his clients. II bid was
made ON any description wanted by
his clients he bid cent over right
along mp 20 his limit
In the mean time the sale opened A
description was offered and il John
Smith who had paid $50 to go dowr
from Iron county Go bid on it) wanted
TO buy IL he made bid. It is human
nature to try TO buy as cheaply as pos
sible and Smith Is no exception. i
no one opposes him his bid IL compar
ed with the appraised value and IL moi
equal 10 it the commissioner announce
''no sale. If the Lansing agent ha
. the description on his list he keeps OF
y bidding over Smith until he tires hin
u out, the object OF the small bids beinl
TO keep the price as low as possible
When the last bid is made IL is com
. pared with the appraisal and II abov
q 1t is sold IL not IL Is passed 10 be soil
, TO the lansing agent next morning
IA Now, IA 10 this sale next morning
10 The first man In is the man who get
the pick Uf all the lands on the list
The sale is generally made the morn
ing after the public sale.
Our Lansing agent has several ath
!, Ietes hired. sprinters, pugilists, etc, :
J, secure and hold the place In front @
the door. generally standing there n
!. night. Last fall one fellow sttempte
: to dispute the place with one of thes
hired pugs and fight ensued i
which the fellow butting in got th
, worst OF IL and another hired pu
! stepped in the first ones place at tn
n door.
That's the way the state OF Michiga
sells it's tax lands That's tho metho
by which 10 encourages spectators
Now. II the bidders all know IN
II vaIue at which these lands were ~
praised they would bid that the fir.
h time and have an even chance wit
10 the otner fellow as no matter wher
ID the bid stopped IL would b sale bu
a. under the blind method man feai
he will not bid enough and 90 puts hi
3 lands in the hands.of tbt agent and th
state. instead ~ getting -gnare dea
u h the victim OF hold.up
Ii these lands were eold IN the con-