Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1927-10-06
THE PROBLEM OF SETTLEMENT
IN NORTHERN MINNESOTA
(Grand RAPIDS Herald-ReyieW)

(Gfand RAPIDS Herald-ReVleW) y
Canada, we understand, will buy the
property of isolated farmers, permit
ting these farmers to again take land
nearer to towns, roads, and schools.
Many people of Minnesota have
urged that such a policy be establish
ed in this state. 1t is argued that
men take land far away from high
way and expect the county to build
a road. Families settle a long dis
lance from schools and expect trans
portation or aid for their children.
The government, county or township,
may spend ten times more upon a
special road for the individual farm
er than he may pay in taxes. The
school district could buy him farm
nearer to town cheaper than to trans
port his children.
Many examples of this condition
may be found in Itasca county. We
saw one the other day. The farm was
not over ten miles from a village, but
it was two miles to the nearest neigh
Dor. The township or county had
constructed two miles of good road
to serve but one settler. He had been
there many years. His land was no
better than other land on the main
highway. Dozens of places, even
virtually at the village limits of the
nearest town, were available for him.
But with more courage than discre-
ton this man had made clearing of
good size and constructed substantial
buildings. He owns eighty acres. The
total taxes paid on his farm amounted
to $32.4S last year, not an amount
sufficient to keep up the road to his
premises, to say nothing of con-
structing it.
After looking at this and recalling
many other similar examples it is
easy for anyone to say that there
should be some system in settlement,
that people should not be allowed to
go into the woods and build farms and
throw an unusual expense upon the
government. Such an argument, of
course, has weight.
But there is another side to the
situation. Such settlement may be
unscientific, but it is the thing which
has developed the whole western part
of the United States. People came to
Minnesota when there was good land
in Michigan and Ohio. Settlers have
come to Itasca county when there was
good land in southern Minnesota.
From the very beginning of time set
Element has been extended in this I'M
scientific, but very effective way.
Perhaps it is more fitting that we
commend those who strike out and
away, rather than criticize them.
But there is a problem. 1t is not
innermost parts of new country
when land just as good and just as
cheap exists nearer to towns, schools,
and highways. Those people suffer
the loss from their own actions and
the loss is probably larger than that
which is placed upon the townships
and counties which build roads or the
school districts which provide ex-
pensive education.
The Canadian government and most
other governments, for that matter,
are more paternalistic than our own.
To say that a man should not buy
should not settle, or should not de-
velop a farm in a certain place is
un-American in its general attitude.
Nevertheless as expenses of govern
ment increase and in a period when
lands nearer to opportunities are
nearly as cheap as those which lie
beyond the reach of roads, it might be
well for the government to legally
supervise settlement Is
At Least there is one thing which
can be properly done-that is to coun-
sci any settler against the taking of
lands which are remote when good
lands are easily available. That
counsel would not only be good from
the standpoint of taxes, but would be
a real service to many people who
fail to appreciate the desirable ia
cilities which roads and schools bring.
This county never will get to a
point where it can neglect those who
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