The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-09-16
FOREST AMENDMENT
Will REDUCE TAXES
Its Passage at the November Election
is Urged in Big Campaign
Throughout Minnesota.
MEANS IMPORTANT LEGISLATION
Approval of Measure by Voters to
Mean 100000 Per Year for
School Fund.- Newspapers Assist

Through it's secretary, the Mime
sofa Forestry association is carrying
out big campaign of publicity in
Minnesota for No. 9, the forests
amendment, to be voted on at the
fall election. This measure is the
most important piece of legislation
ever submitted to the people for the
conservation of Minnesota forests
the association believes. 1t provides
that all state lands, which a soil sur
vey shows are unfit for farming, shall
be used for state forests and be man
aged according to forestry princi-
pies.
An exhibit favoring the amend
ment is on display at the fair
grounds with Ranger Johnson in
charge.
A statement issued by the associa-
ton today says:
''The state constitution, framed
many years ago by commission of
citizens, who did not realize the
character of the lands in Minnesota,
makes it imperative that all lands
owned by the state must be sold. This
was wise provision, so far as most
of the land is concerned, but those
lands which were too rocky for
farming and on which the magnific-
ent forests which clothed them are
destroyed are now a barren waste.
Originally Owned 100000 Acres.
1.-THE state originally owned g.
100000 acres. The cream is gone
and of the residue of 100000 acres,
approximately 100000 is MONTH";
liable. One-third of this latter area
on which the forests are destroyed,
is a barren waste The other Infru IS
coming up in sapling pine and the
remainder area consists of virgin
forests.
"Shall we go ahead and treat the
remainder of the forests according to
the old policy which spells exploit
tation and destruction, or shall we
adopt better method? This better
method is embodied in No. 8.
"The passage of this amendment
will keep productive those lands
which otherwise will become barren,
and under this policy a direct return
of at least 100000 a year to the
school fund will result. 1t also will
have direct beneficial results in the
revival Of forest industries, the en-
ployment of thousands of men in reg
ions which otherwise will be soli-
tudes. It will control water flow,
promote the exploitation of the in
comparable tourist attractions of
northern Minnesota and help lower
our taxes.
Newspapers in Campaign.
''The chief source of publicity in
the Minnesota Forestry associations
campaign for the passage Of Amend
ment No. 9, the newspapers of the
state, and the support of practically
every daily and weekly newspaper
in Minnesota has been obtained.
"Other powerful publicity features
which have been engaged are lee
lures, motion pictures, commercial
clubs, lodges, conventions, women's
clubs and their declarations, rail-
roads, school boards and school
teachers, exhibits at state and coun-
ty fairs, prize essays by high school
students and comprehensive sys-
tenn of circulars, posters and stickers.
IF the measure is not passed the
fault will not lie at the doors of the
enthusiastic and tireless members of
the Minnesota Forestry association,
who are working disinterestedly for
the benefit of the state.'