The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-07-02
GOVERNOR NORBECK'S MESSAGE TO
THE SOUTH DAKOTA LEGISLATURE

market-to find a sale for the neces.
sary amount OF electric current to
meet the expenses, interest and sink
ing fund. But it is believed that the
plant would be self supporting in a
very few years after completion and
would ultimately prove a good invest
ment.
Owing to the fact that the cost of
the power plant and lines will be s16,-
Oo0.00o or more, the hydro-electric
commission is of the opinion that no
bonds should be issued or construc-
ton work undertaken until the bond
issue has been passed upon by the
voters. This should be sumbitted for
their consideration at the November
election. If the bonds are approved
the state can proceed with the con.
struction work as soon as conditions
permit.
Would Buy Sylvan Lake.
"On behalf Of the park board I am
particularly pleased to be able to re-
port the progress made pursuant to
the action Of the 1913 legislature in
establishing a state park and securing
from the federal government the large
Sylvan L~ake-Harney Peak tract to add
to the original area. The state will
secure an area of "a square miles ad.
joining the park on the north. and in.
Guiding the most scenic feature of the
Black Hills. 1t to us without
cost, except that we must fence it
and maintain it forever as a public
park.
sylvan Lake. which lies within this
area, is owned by private parties, and
can only be obtained by purchase. 1t
is a place of scenic grandeur not eX-
celled in America. The owner is aged
and infirm and Is compelled to sell.
1t is likely to pass into the control OF
those who would cOmmercialize it or
not permit its use for public purposes.
10 protect the state the park board
secured an option on the property
until July l, including the lake, hotel
and summer resort. with $50 acres Of
land, at an agreed price Of $685. 900.
There are a few other tracts within
the area privately owned. which
should be purchased at an early date.
] therefore recommend an appropria-
ton Of $50, 600.
For Revolving Highway Fund.
"An extensive highway program
has been mapped out and is under
way. Road building in excess of 81
10000 has been entered into. A o n
siderable part of the costs will be
borne by federal aid, but it is neces.
sary for the state TIC spend the money
before the federal aid is received.
Only $250.000 of highway bonds nave
thus far been sold, the commission
deeming it unwise to pay interest on
idle funds. The highway commission,
however, now requests that a revolv.
ing fund be created. with which to
pay costs Of the operation-the money
to be returned to the revolving fund
from federal aid and sale of bonds. A
fund Of $500, 900 is recommended.
The state railway commission rep
resents the interests of the whole
state, not any particular district,
therefore all the voters of the state
should be given a voice in the selec-
ton OF its members. | accordingly
recommend the necessary change in
the law to bring this about.
1T is we'll known that interest
rates sre abnOrmally high and under
existing conditions the limits previ,
ously fixed by law preclude the posi-
bility of selling school district or
municipal bonds. While this is not
an opportGne time to undertake large
Improvements, nevertheless the situa-
ton in many parts of the state is
such that it is an absolute necessity,
and the fixed limit for interest rates
should be so modified as to make
bonds salable.
Urges Court Reform.
at is an admitted fact that courts
are not SO organized as to permit Of
the use of ordinary business methods.
Farmers are called in as jurors dur
ing the busy seaso and remain at the
county seat for weeks. Many of the