The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1917-06-21
GOAL SITUATION
IS VERY CRITICAL
STATE OFFICIALS ARE VERY
MUCH WORRIED OVER FUEL
OUTLOOK THIS FALL
FOREST fire Loss NOMINAL
DAMAGE IN NORTH COUNTRY
OFFSET BY BENEFITS
CAPITOL NOTES

VI V4lillSSoS1 iAC%FS OSSAA ~
sponsible of late for many scare heads
in the Twin City papers with accom-
panying articles to the effect that
some of them were incendiary. First
it was estimated that certain lumber
concerns anxious to force state tim
Der on the market were in measure
responsible and later the l. w. w. was
dragged in. Losses to the state and
to private individuals were figured in
in the hundreds of thousands of dol
lars, with the intimation by Sttae For
ester Cox, that numerous arrests were
in the making. Quoting an employee
of one of the state departments whose
work carries him into the forest coun-
try, forest fires now raging in Bel
trami, Koochiching and st. Louis
counties are largely the work of set
tiers and are due mainly to clearing OPP
erations, back fires and usual oprea-
tions incident to the opening up of a
country, the cultivation of which is
hampered by accumulations of slash
ings, heavy valueless underbrush and
other rank growth. True some timber
was harmed, but any loss in that line
he holds is fully offset by the thor
ough cleaning given thousands of
acres of land which before was cover
ed with slashings and stumps. AS he
viewed the scene of the recent forest
fires it was a case of fifty-fifty with
the big end of the argument in favor
of the settlers. AS to any loss, in
surance fully covers that suffered by
private owners of timber while the
state can readily dispose of its dam
aged holdings next year. "While up
in the forest country" said the state
employee quoted, 81 heard of a Ger
man settler who had set back fire
that had gotten away from him and
done some damage. The Forestry de-
partment was quite wrathy because |
failed to cause his arrest, but what is
the use. Convictions for such are i'm
possible in the forest country as fire
in many instances is regarded as
settlers best friend. l possibly spoil
ed a good German plot story for the
papers, but I saved the state money
for it would have been impossible to
have convicted him." Miles away from
the populous sections the forest coun-
try is always safe bet for the space
writers and much miSinformation is
sent broadcast as a result. If it is not
a forest fire, always of course set by
designing persons, it is thefts of state
timber. True, some timber is stolen,
but the amount taken is insignificant.
Settlers are crowding into the cutover
sections and while they may take an
occasional stick, few steals involving
any large amount of timber are pulled
off. The chances of getting away with
such steals are not the best. Detec-
ton invariably follows. Returning
travellers from the country recently
visited by the fires say much cutover
land has been cleaned up by the
flames and is now ready for cultiva-
ton. Some valuable timber was burn
ed, but the settlers figure that they
were more benefited by the thorough
cleaning given the scorched sections.
Newspaper friends throughout the
state will be pleased to learn of the
appointment of S. Y. Gordon of
Browns Valley as state expert printer.
Mr., Gordon's selection came after a
lively contest before the state printing
commission in which Mr.. Gordon dis
tanced Joseph T. Mannix, the present
incumbent. Mr.. Mannix was backed
for Reelection by Secretary of State
Schmahl, Will State Treasurer Hen
ry Rines and State Auditor Preus, the
other two members of the commission,
Cast th:ir votes for the Browns Val
ley publisher. Mr.. Schmahl Contend
ed that because of his peculiar fitness
Mr.. Mannix should retain his post, but
the other two members Of the board
held otherwise. State Auditor Preus
explained his opposition on the ground
the Mr.. Mannix has not aided in
bringing about of certain reforms adj
vocated by him. One of the proposed
reforms was more equitable distri-
button of printing classes so that the
small printer could profit. The COVER
nor injected himself into the fight to
the extent of soliciting help for Mr..
Manniz, perhaps as much to oppose
the State Auditor as to assist Man
nix. This was somewhat of surprise
This was somewhat of a surprise to
Mr.. Gordon's friends as they had an
ticipated his aid rather than his OPP
position because Of past political con-
nections. Probably it is not general
ly known, but it was Mr.. Gordon and
j. S. Arneson, former political man.
ager for Mr.. Gordon, who put the pre-
sent executive on the map. AS friends
tell it, Mr.. Gordon in the days when
he had gubernatorial ambitions per-
sonally solicited the governor as his
running mate and was successful to
the extent that filing for lieutenant
governor followed. How kindly fate
has dealt with his excellency is his
tory, Mr.. Gordon will assume his new
duties August /.
Eric L. Thornton, chairman of the