The Mankato free press., 1922-06-16
HUNTERS OPPOSED
DRAINAGE SCHEME
DEMAND THAT SWAN LAKE
BE LEFT INTACT
VOICE VIEWS AT MEET

Large Gathering of Sportsmen
Held At New Ulm Last
Evening.
New Ulm sportsmen are back OF
the Minnesota Lakes Preservation
league to a man in opposition to
the drainage of Swan Lake.
This q. was the announcement
made at New Ulm last night at a
meeting of the league held at the
New Ulm Commercial club rooms.
Ulm duck shooters alone, but the
opinion of a large number of farm
ers living along the south shore
Of that body of water, who are
strictly opposed to having large
canal dug through their farms for
the proposed drainage or lowering
of the lake as contemplated by the
county board and number of the
land owners on the north shore OF
the lake. -.
The meeting at New Ulm last
night was very largely attended by
sportsmen from this city, st. Peter
and surrounding country.
ATTORNEY A. w. Mueller opened
the meeting by introducing Presi-
dent George Pond of this city, who
in a few short words announced
that the object of the gathering was
to oppose either the lowering or
drainage Of Swan Lake, which ne
styled as the best Aquatic bird
breeding = place in the northwest.
Mr.. Pond explained that sportsmen
from all parts of the state are up
in arms against the drainage OF
Swan Lake or any other lake, the
bottom of which can not be turned
to agricultural use after its drain:
age. The Minnesota Lakes Preser,
vation League has been promised
financial backing in the fight for
the retaining of the lake as it Is
from every sportsmen's club in the
state.
Adolph Bierbaum said that he
did not favor the drainage of the
lake. and did not think that II
could be legally drained. Fred
Bode was of the same opinion, ana
said that he would like to see the
lake kept at its same level.
Land Unfit For Cultivation.
Attorpey A. w. Mueller gave the
instance of Rose lake which had
been drained. The land beneath II
had been found not fit for cultlVa-
ticn. and it should not have been
drained. His opinion was that the
bottom of Swan Lake was the same
and it would be decided by the SD
preme court that Swan Lake is a
body of water which Is for the
public good in a number OF ways. g.,
70. $E. Miller of st. Peter stated
that the proposed drainage would
not be progressed any farther or
anv more expended unless another
bond was forthcoming by those fav-
oring the drainage. The necessary
bond has not as yet been furnlsneo,
and he doubted very much II II
would. owing to the fact that sentl- :
ment is rapidls changing In favor OF
retaining the lake as it is,
Mr.. Miller said that Timber LAKE
had been drained, and the farmers
who were supposed to benenI py ~,
henefits- For that reason the land
has been turned back to the county
after going to the expense of drain
age, This he thought would be the
result if Swan Lake were dra1ned.
County Commissioner William re-
terson of Belgrade township said;
"If 1t is left to me Swan Lakeswhl
never he drained" Timber Lake ne
said was a good instance OF what
IL means to drain a lake, the bottom
of which can not be used Tor agrl-
cultural purposes. County Commis
sioner Peterson said that he did
NOT like the idea of draining every
pond and lake in the state.
etters From Sportsnen's Clubs
Secretary F. E. Heidel read ex-
tracts from letters received from
different sportsmen's clubs In the
state all stating that they are oacK
of the Minnesota Lakes PreserVa'
ton League in its fight for the say
ing of Swan Lake:
w The Ramsey County sportsmen's
association said that Its members
thought the lake of immense Vaiue
as a recreation center ana maven
for game birds, and 1t would De
serious mistake to dram II. ne
Ramsey County association Is COIL
posed of 1000 members VINO nave
pledged their willingness 70 pay
from $40 to 500 each TO ala nne
league in saving the iake pGs.erri.yh H r,,;h
+o a man is opposed to the drainage
of the lake. and will, battle against
its destruction. c.o
Members of the Watonwan Game
and Fish Club said that the league
can reIy on it's members for imam
cial aid from $500 to $500 IN a
fieht to retain the lake in its pres
o~& condition.
Snortsmen of the Winona Sports
mans club will also get back or the
league with financial support, ana
its members are decidedly Opposed
to the destruction OF haunts OF wlio
game. D..o,+;vs
Ieaeue will take up the fight for the
nreseryation of all Minnesota lakes
az the state game league meeting
at Walker June %, to "a. 1t VIII
he the object of the league to raise
s1O. 600 to fight for the preservation
of ali lakes in the state.
Rochester and st. Paul Sports
men are also outspoken IN tneir
desire for the saving of the lake.
= DR., C. A. Hintz Of New Ulm sala
that the lake should be saved not
alone for this generation but LOT
future posterity. He said that tnsre
Is too great a tendency at the
present time of turning beaut1fui
lakes into ponds and sour quag-
mires. He could not see the con-
sistency of spending large amounts
for the saving of river bottom lands,
and at the same time draining land
which will never be of use for agr1-
cultural purposes.
Statement From Harry La Due.
Harry La Due, assistant game