The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1926-05-19

TO give adequate support to labor
in every legitimate effort to improve
its condition is one Of the obligations
OF government. That obligation our
State has not shirked. In the meas
ure of compensation provided by law
for injured workmen, she stands near
the top. Minnesota has also made
substantial progress in the protection
OF women and children in industry.
Through the establishment of en-
ployment offices which closely CO.
operate with the Federal employment
service, Minnesota is helping to solve
the seasonal unemployment problem
by bringing together the jobless man
and the manless job. The labor re-
quirements of agriculture are being
met and Involuntary idleness reduced
to a minimum. Thus the interests of
both farmer and laborer are served.
observation Of Resources.
Through consolidation of most
departments and boards which had
to do with the States natural re-
sources into Department of Conser.
walton. there has been effected bet.
ter coordination of the conservation
actlVlLleS OF the state.
The reforestation of denuded forest
areas is one of the greatest needs of
the people of Minnesota. I would not
minimize the Importance and value
Of such measures as regulation of
cutting, artificial planting and the
setting aside of wooded areas into
forest reserves; but would particu.
larly emphasize the imperative neces-
sity Of controlling forest fires and of
placing the taxation of cut-oyer lands
devoted in good faith to reforestation
on such basis as to compel the
owners OF such lands to take effective
reforestation measures.
Closely related to the conservation
OF forests is that of our game and
fish resources. Minnesota counts the
tourist business as a great asset, but
If tourists shall continue to come in
ever increasing numbers, we must
have something to offer them after
they get here Replacement and pro-
lection of wild life are, therefore, very
important.
Another conservation problem of
our State concerns itself with a wiser
utilization of iron ore. Since 1884,
when the first Minnesota ore left Two
Harbors, we have furnished to the
world more than 7S0,000,000 tons. It
is estimated that there remains in the
State a merchantable tonnage OF L.,
100000 tons. 1t would thus appear
that nearly forty per cent of Mime.
sofas high grade ore is gone. The
annual shipments during the past ten
years have aggregated 100000 tons.
These figures bring us to the unwel-
come conclusion that unless addition.
al ore bodies are discovered or new
methods for more profitable beneficial
ton of low grade ores are devised,
the iron industry In Minnesota is due
to be short-lived. 1t is indicated that
there is no less than 30,000,000.000
tons of low grade ore in the State.
If this can all be beneficiated and
marketed, we have reason to believe
that our mining industry will continue
indefinitely, making this one of the
richest If not the richest, of Ameri.
can commonwealth. 1t is, therefore,
imperative that the experiments that
are being conducted be continued un-
til the right method is found.
Minnesota is State imperial In
domain, almost limitless in resources.
Her people number 100000; and
they are a blend of the best stocks
of the human family. To serve such
a State as Governor is a high honor.
owe much to the electorate Of this
Commonwealth for the opportunity of
great service they have given me.
can partially discharge the obliga-
ton only by giving to my task the
best that is in me.
/ conceive of the State as one: no
north. no south; no city; no county;
RS parts inseparable, it's social groups
interdependent, the interests Of it,
people mutual" =. ~