The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1917-09-06
Major Frank Henry Concludes
Term Of Commissioner Service

more than $11,OOO,OOO. January l.,
1917, there was in the permanent
funds whose earnings are dedicated
forever to the use of educational insti-
tutions and public schools in North
Dakota the sum of $24, ,902.98. This
includes amounts invested in state,
county, municipal and school bonds,
farm loans, cash on hand in state
treasurer's Office and outstanding land
contracts, which under the present
constitution may never be decreased,
whose principal may never be touched,
and whose interest and income shall
always be applied to the uses of North
DakOta's educational system.
There still remain unsold and be-
longing to the state of North Dakota
institutional land, nearly all of which
is leased for hay and grazing purposes,
and this rental increases materially
each year. During the last four years
the collection of interest and income
have amounted to over $5,300,O0O,
which is apportioned amount the com
mon school and institutions of the
state. 1t is of interest to note that
the last report of the state superin.
tendent of public instruction advises
that at the last biennial period there
was made the largest apportionment
in the history of the state and the
number of pupils in the school dis
tricts had greatly increased. -..g.
During Mayor Henry's administra-
ton, 112,255,60 acres of land were sold
by public auction at prices ranging
from SO to SIS an acre. Most of this
land was purchased by farmers. Over
1000 patents have been issued repre>
senting over 275,00O acres, and there
are approximately $500 "live'' con-
tracts at the present time.
The important relation of the land
department to the healthy growth of
the state is SO we'll established that it
will be denied by no one," said Major
Henry today. "The administration of
this department should ever have the
most careful and attentive consider
alton of those under whom the laws
have placed its control, and any mea-
sures which tends to make the depart
ment more efficient in the execution of
its work should receive the most earn
est consideration of all. The disposal
OF the large acreage Of the states land
holding and the careful investment of
the proceeds to the best possible good
of the schools and institutions falls
upon this department, and the security
of these investments depends upon the
careful and conservative placing of
them by the board of, university and
school lands. In this connection it
might be we'll to say that the careful
and efficient management of the in.
vestments of the board is shown in
the past by the fact that in the entire
history Of the states investment in
farm mortgages it has been necessary
to, institute foreclosure proceedings in
only two instances and in those cases
the states interests have been entirely
safe from loss" =, g. -
Efficient force
Under Deputy Land Commissioner
H. L. Simmons, of Adams, an unusual
ly efficient Office force has been built
up, and it is hoped in the interests of
a coed business administration that as
few changes as mey be absolutely nee
essary will be made in the staff
The appointment of w. ]. Prater. an
nounced during the last Legislative as
sembly, when he acted as secretary of
the senate, is expected to come from
the board Of university and school
lands today or. tomorrow.