The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1909-01-01
CREATE NEW OFFICE.
State Auditor Iverson Suggests
That of Commissioner.
HAVE CHARGE OF STATE LAND
Biennial Report Is Out, Makes Num-
Der of Recomme ndatlons to the
Legislature, Finances.
From Tuesdays Daily.

From Tuesdays Daily.
s. G. Iverson, State Auditor has is
sued his biennial report He makes a
number of recommendations to the leg
islature. He wants his department
divided and a new elective office be
created, that of state land commissioner
who should assume entire charge of
the states holdings of land, including
timber and minerals, with an advisory
board of other state officers. VERSIONS
report says that the states interests
are being fully protected, but that the
auditor really has enough to do with
looking after state accounts and his
work ON various state boards.
A long report is made on the states
timber policy, in which Mr. Iverson
recommends important changes. He rec
ommends a stringent law against the
building of open fires in the forest
areo, and for the organization of a
department under the state forest COM
missioner to enforce this law. He would
also have law providing that the
state, hereafter, sell only its mature
and dry timber, with the cutting under
state supervision.
The Financial Report
Mr.. Iverson's financial report is of
chief interest to the incoming legisla-
ture, for it estimates of probable rev.
enue and expenditures for the next two
years. He finds a probable surplus of
$l,275,l73.8l over ordinary expenses,
which will be available for new build
ings and other extraordinary appropri-
ations in the next two years.
The estimate shows revenue for the
current year of $S,265, 69067, includ-
ing the cash on hand at the beginning
of the year. The next two years rev
enue is based on one-mill tax for state
purposes, reduced from l.3 mills this
year. 1t gives $6,940,000 for 1910 and
$7040,000 for 1911.
Disbursements are Estimated.
The estimated disbursements are
$7.735,9l6.s6 for the current year
$6425,SO0 for 1910, and $6,SOS,S00 Tor
1911. The tables for the next two
years give an increased allowance for
state institution support, of $l,900,000
for 1910 and $2,000,000 for 1911, COM
pared with $l,633 900 for the current
year. They carry $4,000 for execu-
tive expenses 100000 for judicial ex-
penses, and $4,000 Tor legislative ex-
penses other important items are
100000 for the capitol, $62,500 for its
maintenance; 100000 a year for drain
age, 100000 for high school aid
$50 600 for graded schools, $77,500 for
semi graded, and $l64,500 for rural
schools.
The report shows total of $lS,1O9,-
3S39l now in the permanent school
fund of the state, lab, Sl7.35 in the
permanent university fund, $2,939,67 .62
in the internal improvement land fund,
and 81 ,243, 272.35 in the swamp land
fund. Additions to these funds in the
past year We're as follows:
Permanent school fund, $l.SS5 24S.T9s
permanent university fund, S24,9o8-25;
internal improvement land fund. Si6,-
1885; swamp land fund, 1881 ,08591;
total 81, 257 ,4S3.86.
Railroad Taxes
Mr.. Iyerson indorses the reeommem-
dation for biennial payment OF railroad
taxes. He SAYS tho states accounts
with counties need harm9nizing, as the
counties have not received credit for
the difference between taxes due and
amounts relied from forfeited sales,
so that the state is enormously credited
with assets. He shows that for 1908
the iron mines paid $599,400 i'll state
taxes Inheritance taxes were re-
1oved for 1907 of $l42,35S96, for 1908,
receipts we're $43, 45l56, and from Aug
] 80 Nov. I, this year, $5S,323.20. From
state lands the following revenue has
Ogen realized in the past four years:
Pine lands, $2,089 ,662.67; agricultural
lands 81 33,777.s4; mineral lands
$724,373.3l. Total $4,477,sl3.S2.
The law of 1907 providing for add
ing the cost of draining state lands to
the, minimum price of S. an acre is
declared to be impracticable unless
amended so that only 10 per cent OF
the cost be paid down, and the rest
by installments.
There are 81 mineral leases now i'll
force, and 1892 32.7l was received on
them in the past two years. Mr.. liver
son recommends new lease law with
a royalty based on units of iron in the
ore. He also asks a law to permit the
leasing of lake beds for mineral pur-
poses. j