The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1909-09-24
STATE AUDITOR IVERSON
ANSWERS HIS CRITICS
Continued from Fist Page.]

have just cause for complaint. wrote
you hoping to obtain your services for the
state, believing that you had the technical
knowledge of the forests and swamps of
northern Minnesota to enable you to
assist in doing justice and aiding the
federal officers in the performance of their
duties. If you would prefer not to do this
work, then we will endeavor to find some
one else, but can honestly assure you
that we-do not expect you to find swamp
where swamp does not exist
ITO my letter Mr.. Duncan made the
following reply on March 18th.
"'Replying to your letter of the 9th
allow me to repeat that portion of my
letter of the 5th, to the effect that I
would be pleased to do work in connec-
ton with the state swamp land cases.
1t was not in any spirit of criticism of
your department that my letter was
written-my allusion to the swamps was
merely as caution not to expect too
much of me. I may be possible to
examine a lot of land without getting
any of it for the state, and it appeared to
me that reserving clause would be adj
visable for my own protection. That,
however, was superfuous, as your letter
of the 9th puts the matter in a new light
and see clearly the thing to do is to 90
ahead right without fear of criticism.
"Mr. Duncan is we'll known in Itasca,
Beltrami and Koochiching counties and
am sure that his loyalty to the people and
Minnesota cannot be brought into ques-
ton. He is one of the men engaged by
the state, together with the other COM
petent gentlemen, MIR. Otterstead and Mr..
Walker, to examine the lands and protect
the interests of all parties concerned.
The intimation contained in Mr..
billiards letter, that l, as auditor, had
encouraged settlers upon state swamp
lands to the extent that if they were
really settlers, that should not disturb
them is wholly without foundation. l
but the spirit of the law if l had ever
made such a statement, but as stated
above, have intimated, and would like
this to become generally known that
where the land examiners, regularly ap-
pointed by the state, found that the lands
under contest are in fact dry, and not
swamp, we shall dismiss the defense so
far as the state is concerned. This has
been our ruling for years, as evidenced by
dozens of cases where we have dismissed
the defense, after it had been found from
an examination in the field that the lands
were not swamp. htS~'
1T is somewhat unfortunate that Mr..
billiard is himself interested in state
swamp land contests and is a sawmiI]
man, although he writes, feelingly in be-
half of the settlers, because his criticism
may be tinged with a degree of self
interest which will not appeal strongly to
the public at large.
1T is well known that the swamp lands
in some parts of northern Minnesota are
covered with very luxuriant growth OF
tamarack, cedar and spruce timber, and
are very valuable therefor and until the
timber is removed and the land drained
it is not valuable for agricultural pur-
poses.
81 have endeavored during the years
that have been occupying this office to
familiarize myself with the conditions