The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1919-01-24

feasible, and there should be nc 'elay
In taking the necessary preliminary
steps.
This will require a survey or the
Missouri river at eli points in the
state where promising sites are To-
Gated and the preparation of complete
construction plans for n or two OF
the most favored sites.
/ recommend the creation OF a board
for this purpose; but, inasmuch as
nearly all of the work must be done
by paid engineers, and it will require
very little time IN the part CT the
board, | suggest that an ex-ofhclo
board, composed Of state officers,
serving without additional salary, IS
the proper method OF handling this
work.
1t will probably take a year or more
to get this work done and recon-
mend an appropriation Of $4,000 to
be, made Immediately available for
this purpose.
Soldiers Land Bureau.
Some plans should be devised for
aiding returning soldiers in obtaining
farms.
/ recommend that a bureau be es-
tablished in connection with the rura!
credit board to assist the soldiers in
formulating plans for obtaining
homes, under some arrangement
whereby the state gives all financial
assistance consistent with q safe pol.
icy, both as to purchase Of land and
the Improvement OF the same. The
state might purchase and improve
suitable lands and offer them for sale
to soldiers on favorable terms.
Sale of School and Public Land.
Under the amendment adopted, it
is now possible for the legislature to
provide. for easier terms Of payment
to purchasers of school and public
land. A law carrying the 30-year pay
ment plan into effect should be
enacted at the early part OF this ses-
sion, with an emergency clause, so
that the state land department will
not be hampered by uncertainty in
advertising the public lands for the
spring sales.
State Hail Insurance.
l recommend to the 1918 session of
the legislature that an amendment to
the constitution be submitted to the
voters, permitting the state to go into
hail insurance business. This was
done and it was approved by a large
majority at the last election.
l recommend that existing political
machinery be used; that assessors
gather and report the data as to crop
on each tract of land: that the coun-
ty officers tabulate the same; that
theh county treasurer collect the pre-
MUM with the other taxes, which
premium should be a lien on the land,
as well as on the crop. We would get
away from the cost of soliciting
agents and an expensive advertising
campaign, as well as the cost Of and
losses in collection, which are large
expense items with the insurance COM
panies doing hail business. Practical
ly all OF these expenses would be
saved by state hail insurance.
State Cement Plant.
The constitution has now been
changed SO that the state may en
gage in the manufacture of cement.
The purpose to be accomplished is to
secure cheaper cement. II a practical
plan can be worked out, it will GER
tainly result in cheapening this com
modify, for we would at least es-
tablish a competitive market. If we
can get that, we could ever afford to
have an idle factory. Diligent in
~vestigation must be continued during
the session, for the purpose OF work
ing out a practical plan. If as l be-
lieve this investigation will show the
undertaking to be feasible, l recon-
mend that a proper appropriation be
made, and a law be passed providing
for a commission with full over to
establish and operate the plant.
Rural Credits Department.
This new department was estab.
lished at the last regular session of
the legislature. 1t was a difficult
time to get it started on account OF
the war conditions.
Owing to the fact that the business
has been SO much greater than an.
ticipated, and on account Of condi.
lions OF the money market, it will be
necessary to enlarge the working
fund, for which an appropriation of
100000 was made at the last session,
by making IN immediate additional
appropriation Of 500, 900.
NAMING COMMITTEE MEMBERS.
Work Occupies Both House rs 9ou<h