The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-01-03
IN
FAVOR OF A
SOIL SURVEY
(By Associated Prsss.1

st. Paul, Mimi, Jan. S.-Joseph A.
A. Burnquist was inaugurated gov
ernor OF Minnesota for a two-year
elective term today, taking the oath
members Of both houses of the state
legislature, meeting in joint session in
the lower chamber.
Creation Of a public domain COM
mission and reorganization Of the
states public health service were two
OF the important recommendations
contained in the governors inaugural
address, delivered Immediately after
he had taken the oath.
Possible improvements in the pres
ent laws governing the marketing of
grain and amplifcation Of the law
covering mediation in labor disputes
also were suggested by Governor
Burnquist. who closed with a tribute
to the late Governor Winfield Scott
Hammond, whom he succeeded year
ago upon the formers death in the
south.
Establishment of a public domain
was urged with a view to
conserving and considering the utiliza-
ton of Minnesota's 30,000,000 acres OF
,undeveloped land, its iron deposits,
water power and water transporta-
ton.
Governor Burnquist pointed out the
necessity for more liberal appropria-
lions to carry out the typographical
survey of the state, approved by the
1909 legislature, and said such a sur
vey is necessary because OF our un-
satisfactory drainage situation" He
referred to apparent failure of many
drainage enterprises, and said North
and South Dakota had instituted dam
age suits against Minnesota, aggre-
eating $1,000,000, alleging damage to
their physical properties because Of
improper drainage within Minnesota,
near the boundaries affecting those
states.
A soil survey of the state was nee
essary, the governor said, in order that
it could be determined for what crops
Minnesota's soil can best be used.
I'VE also need to know what lands
should be set aside for forestry pur-
poses under the constitutional amend
ment adopted In 1914" Governor
Burnquist continued. citing the scare
ity Of paper and the great demand for
pulp wood as illustrations of the UNI
limited possih1t titles in connection with
the forestry activities OF the state.
The establishment of a public do
main commission would give the state
a. department authorized to do what
ought to be done to conserve and de-
velop" the resources of the state, the
governor said, continuing:
There should be q consolidation of
as many boards, which deal with our
public domain, as the constitution will
permit, with a qualified director. with
bureaus cooperating with one an
other, and with officials devoting all
of their time to the duties involved
and equipped with technical and ex-
pert knowledge enabling them to give
to the state the services which it is
necessary for 1t to have for the proper
handling and development Of its re-
sources"
The governor said he was "abso-
lutely in accord with any change that
will tend to eliminate unnecessary po-
sitions and needless boards" in the
state government, and all his appoint
ments had been made with the un-
derstanding that acceptance OF the
position is subject to any change that
you as legislators may make, and
some appointments have. been delayed
in order that legislation might be
facilitated and opposition to change
reduced to the minimum"
The development Of the resources
of the state is important, but the
preservation OF the health of our cit
liens is still more important" the gov
ernor said in launching into a discus
sion of the states public health serv-
Ice. while. we appear to be willing
to expend millions to take care of the
mental and physical derelicts OF the
state, we spend very little to help
eliminate the causes Of their upfortu-
nate condition
"The sum contributed by our state
to its department OF health last ses-
sion means an annual expenditure OF
only 1-3 cents per capita. In spite
of its law appropriation, Minnesota
holds fourth place in efficiency but 1t
is impossible for our health depart
ment with such small amount as is
now given to 1t to make as rapid pro-
gress as it could do if more funds
were made available for the advance
ment of public health
Governor Burnquist referred briefly
to fair markets. for grain, and said
that wherever unfair conditions are
shown to exist In the delivery to our
markets of farm products and IN the
handling and inspection OF the same at
terminal points, the legislature should,
as far as possible, through legislation,
eliminate such unfair conditions"
Only passing reference was made by
the governor to statewide prohibition,
and suffrage, two measures which are
expected to occupy a prominent place
on the legislative calendar.
In concluding his address, the gov
ernor said:
Succeeding to the governorship Of
Minnesota through the sudden and
nntimely death Of one OF It's most able
and scholarly citizens do not wish