The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-12-19
BOARD Of School
AND UNIVERSITY
LANDS REPORT

R~+NNL
Bismarck, M. d.. Dec. 19.-The fol-
lowing report Of the board OF school
and university lands has been sub
mitted:
TO the Hon. John Burke, governor
OF the state Of North Dakota, and
president of the board of university
and school lands. Sir: In conformi-
~ with existing laws, I have the
honor to submit herewith the tenth
biennial report of the commission of
university and school lands, covering
isins sf'O0 10" 'uis : isi0 70 June 80
In former reports attention was call
ed more particularly to the acreage of
common school and institution lands
sold, and the funds derived therefrom.
During this biennial period, however,
but n sale Of land has been held
that of Billings county, held in jan
uary, 1911-at which there were dis
posed of eight and one-half sections.
at prices ranging from the minimum
($l09 up to $50 per acre-the highest
price yet secured for a full quarter
section of school or institution land
in this state.
Another feature of development but
little touched upon In former reports
is the completion OF contracts and the
issuance of patents in conformity
Herewith. This biennial period marks
the expiration of many contracts UNI
der the twenty year plan, besides
which a number of contract holders
have taken advantage of the constitu-
tional amendment permitting pay
ment in full after five years. These
conditions have resulted in this de-
partment issuing, through the board
of university and school lands, pat
ents to- the number of 765, thereby
completing the transfer Of approx
mately 100, 1000 acres.
This department has heretofore
shown about $4,000 acres of desirable
land-sections 16 and 36-eontained
in Indian reservations and not under
the control Of the state. / take pleas
ure in calling your attention to the
fact that since my former report,
Gully /, 1870, additional 'reserva-
tons have been opened to settlement
whereby, with those sections 16 and
Sc not allotted to Indians, n with
indemnity selections made by this de-
partment, the state has added to it's
quota of school lands approximately
10000 acres. / would also call your
attention to the fact hat the institu-
ton land grants are all more nearly
filed by selections than at any pre-
vious time, the original grant of the
university being complete and approx
GU III It's ShtAASIS Wy llS LSuSldl CIV
eminent.
Conditions have been such during
the past two years that the funds of
the various institutions under this de-
partment have found a ready market,
and as a result all available funds
have been safely invested in school and
municipal bonds bearing 4 per cent
interest, or in first mortgage farm
loans, bearing. 5 per cent.
Observation-Disclosures Loans.
In the matter of farm loans L rec
commend that the legislature so
change the present law as to allow
the state to take up existing mortgages
where the amount is not unreasonable
and the applicant desires state money.
Under the present law, should a bor-
rover desire a farm loan and already
have his land encountered with a les
ser mortgage, he must depend on an
accommodating third party to carry
this indebtedness long enough to clear
his title before the state can make the
necessary loan. = I would further sug-
gest that in the of appraise-
ment of farm, loans that a representa-
tive of the state be a participant,
thereby I~essening the likelihood of pO-
litical friendly or neighborly influ-
ence that could result from the pres
ent mode of appraisement.
Drainage and Public Highways.
In some portions of the state the
question of drainage is becoming a
topic of serious consideration, and
there should be a means provided
whereby the cooperation on the part
of the state could be had with the
county drainage boards in order that
the state lands affected by any such
drain ditch must be assessed for its
proper proportionate share of the cost
Of construction and maintenance, and
l would suggest that the attention of
the state law makers be called to the
absence of any statutory provisions
governing this subject.
Public roads through the state lands
are continually being laid by local
authorities, and it would seem that
specific provisions should be made for
collecting damages sustained by rea-
son of such roads, and / would suggest
that some legislation be enacted re-
quiring that plats be filed showing the
location and area taken from the state
lands by the location of public roads
thereon and the assessment of dam
ages therefor be made by the board
of university and school lands, after
the provided for granting; rail-
road rights of way
Appropriations.
Heretofore this department has hao
appropriations for it's various needs as
shown in the statement below, none
Of which proved sufficient, except the
smaller one devoted to advertising
and leasing. The fees of this office
were heretofore a very uncertain
source of revenue and for that rea-
son / asked two years ago for an in
creased appropriation. Since Their
these fees have been proven a more
reliable of revenue to the end
that / believe that the business Of the
department can be handled during the
next two years without an increase OF
appropriation over that of previous
years, as follows:
Expense board of university
and school lands ~(salar-
les, books, blanks, etc.. $40, 100000
Advertising, appraising and
selling lands ......,..... 100000
Advertisings and leasing
school lands ............. 100000
With the great demand for sales in
counties that have never been so IA
vored, as well as from those counties
which still have a large acreage OF
| school and institution lands, the ap-