Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1911-04-28

invitation Mr.. Chas. Seeley one of
committee appointed by Canton bust
ness mems club and Mr.. Chris Erick
son who was recently appointed b.
the council to Investigate the electric
light proposition, made brief remarks
as to how the matter was viewed al
their respective places and that the
motives that prompted them to at
tend the meeting was to gain inform
alton.
Mr.. Seeley brought out the fact
that in view of the twenty cents
which Canton had paid for some years
and the fifteen cents they were now
paying was not favored by many Can
ton citizens and that as the franchise
of the present company would expire
this fall it was an opportune time tC
make the shift and get foot
there and that the price of seven
cents per K. w. looked pretty attrac-
tive.
Mr.. Erickson stated the conditions
as they are in Inwood and thought
that the time was now right to in
terest the people here in the light
project.
Mr.. Erickson in discussing the prob
able amount that it would cost to
settle for the damage occaSioned by
the seven foot rise of the river said
that perhaps the land in question
which had been said to be poor and
almost worthless in some instances,
might prove to be like animals run
over by the cars. They did not amount
to much before the accident but
afterwards they were full bloods and
the best ones in the herd.
A communication was read from
the Akron Milling Co. suggesting
that co operative hydro-ele ctric
company be formed to include not
only the towns which have participant
ed in the discussion thus far but
other towns situated along and near
to the Sioux River and deploring
that the power which the river re-
presented was not being put to more
ana greater use.
After further discussion the meet
ing adjourned to meet again at the
call of the chairman of the Investigate
ing com mittee.
PERTINENT POINTS.
The price set upon the land to be
damaged in the rise of the river and
the price set by the Fairview Milling
Company upon the water right or
dam site will determine to consider
able extent the zeal with which out
siders will take hold of the PROPOSE
tion. 1t is possible that there are
some parties affected In the matter
that will think this good time to be
obstructionists and will place an ex-
horbitant price upon their land and
holdings. Such course might not
actually kill the project but it would
be to a great extent mill stone
about the neck of a laudable under
taking.
While this is matter that affects
Inwood, Canton, and may ultimately
affect other towns, it is primarily a
Fairview proposition and the people
of that little berg and community
will be expected to take the lead in
the development of this natural re-
source which lies at their door. We
trust that they will go about it in
the greatest harmony and unity of
purpose and that they will see the
necessity for dropping all personal
animosity or petty spite and that
they will look down the vista to The
coming years and help to realize one
of the day dreams of Fairview's
booster citizens.
From the engineers report 1t Is
possible to deduct many interesting
facts in the way of possibilities. 1t
was the feeling of many in the meet
ing that they had very largely over
estim ated the cost of the undertaking,
but it is always safer to over estimate
than to under estimate and that is
the way the engineers looked at the
matter and in making the estimate
they have made maximum figures on
all matters pertaining to it's con-
struction and development. Even at
their figures it is a good investment
financially. This investment promises
to yield from fifteen to twenty-five
per cent and the writer understands
it is no uncommon thing for like pro-
jects which have been promoted by
monopolistic corporations to yield
better than sixty per cent.
This matter has excited more than
passing interest and farmers and
many others are interested and are
making inquiries as to what was done
at the meeting and as to the possibil-
tiles of its going through to compile
tion.
The report of the committee named
and their findings will be awaited
with much interest and we predict a
much larger gathering at the next
meeting.
The Herald will discuss this mat
ter further next week.-Inwood Her
aid.