Morris tribune., 1911-11-24
Charge Made Against New Law
Covering Land Sales.
MANY BUYERS NOT SETTLERS
Alleged That Present Method Is Ac-
complishing Little in Securing
New Residents.
(Secial Correspondence).

(Sec1al Correspondence.
st. Paul. Nov 21.-One of the Off
cial acts of the last legislature was to
pass bill relieving purchasers of
state lands of all obligations looking
to its cultivation and colonization.
From time immemorial the require
ments had been to fence and convert
% per cent of the land in pasture,
cultivate at least per cent of the
tract or build house and reside upon
the land for period of twelve months.
Those behind the bill argued that the
abolishment of these requirements was
necessary If the lands owned by the
state in the northern counties were
to be populated. How the bill got by
/ do not know, but at any rate it was
passed and Governor Eberhart gave
1t his official signature. Since the bill
passed, together with another act en-
dorsed by the same body providing
for monthly sales, thousands of acres
of state lands have been sold by
Auditor Iverson at prices ranging
acre, and the state school fund has
been swelied as consequence. The
average price realized, however, has
been about $6 an acre. Each sale has
been accompanied with loud blare
Of trumpets and the press has been
filled with stories of the amount dis
posed Of and the new settlers Sc
cured by the state as a result.
!. !. X
A recital of the above facts is per
haps wearisome reading, but it is nee
0ssary in view of the statements
brought to the state capitol of late by
more than one eyewitness to some of
the sales-that not all of the land dis
posed of is falling into the hands of
bona fide settlers. Spectators is the
word they use, something hinted at
by Golfers Magazine in an editorial
some months ago attacking the intent
OF those behind the new law and which
called forth reply from State Aud
itor 1verson to the effect that the at
tack was not merited. These eyewit-
nesses hiut at collusion at which an
entire section is often secured by one
man, though the law only contem-
plates the sale of 320 acres to each
bidder. This is done by individual
purchasers, they pooling their hold
1ngs later. | have it on the authority
Of one up state editor that specula-
tors constituted fair sprinkling of
the crowd that attended a recent sale
in his town. [ asked him fiat if he be-
ieVed the law was realizing the state
new settlers, and he said he did not.
Down here it is common knowledge
that more than one conductor and
brakeman on the lines running north
has forty or more to his credit, not
necessarily for cultivation now, but
which he may take to later when age
units him for railroad work, unless
he unloads it in the meantime at an
advanced figure. Many have rented
their land to adjacent farmers.
:. i. \
Ability to purchase state land with
out having to live on or cultivate the
same is proving a bonanza for many
Twin Cityites who yearn for outdoor
life and a brief respite each year
from the heat and smells of the city.
ANY day they can be seen poring over
the maps in the state auditors Office
apd the invariable inquiry is for some
thing with a lake frontage The
amount of land of this kind left is linn
tied. That the amount of land in the
state subject to entry at the minimum
agure Of S. an acre and also govern
ment land which can be homesteaded
by any citizen is growing scarce need
not worry anyone in search Of a home,
At last accounts there were over g.
100000 acres of state land available
In Minnesota and Uncle Sam also had
O goodly supply. However, it is set
0ers that Minnesota wants, not spec
Miators, and it might be we'll to look
into the alleged merits of the new law.
State Auditor Iverson can be depended
npon to see that there is no funny
business, but he did not make the
law. All he can do is to see that its
provisions are carried out.
+ i
President l.. w. Hill of the Great
Northern comes pretty near being the
equal Of his father in the handling of
one of the greatest railway systems
in the world, something that quite
few OF the admirers of the Empire
Builder may dispute, but there is one
thing sure, he has it ON the elder in
the matter of advertising. J.. J. Hill
in his palmiest days never dreamed of
being able to send ten governors of as
many states prancing across the coun-
try advertising his goods Two came
pretty near being the old gentleman's
hmit. The first named feat will be
performed By President Hill when he
will send forth In a few days what
will be known as the Governors Spe-
cial" To boost the West is its cred
fted object Not content with this he