The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-10-05


on the ground that the price paid was
excessive. The purchasing agent re-
opened negotiations with the dealer
with the result that the price was re-
duced $375.57."
"My third pledge is to continue to
do everything within my power to con-
serve the natural resources of the
State and to prevent their exploitation
by selfish private interests.
81 believe there is no immediate
need for any water power develop
ment that will destroy the scenic
beauties Of northern Minnesota; and
when the time comes, if it ever does,
when the use Of public waters for in
dustrial development shall be of great
er necessity and value than their use
for recreational purposes, they should
be reserved to the people and not
given away for private gain.
"The State, during my administers
ton, has repeatedly and unequivocally
taken this position, and will continue
to take 1t whenever the right of the
people to the exclusive use of their
own resources is challenged or threat
ened.
81 favor Federal legislation pro.
hibiting interference with natural wa
ter levels on international waters
without specific sanction Of the Con-
gress, and similar legislation to pre-
vent such interference with water
levels on streams subject to state
jurisdiction without the consent of a
competent and impartial state au-
thority.
~ favor expansion and improve
ment of the States agencies for the
propagation of game and fish. Re-
Gently we closed the game farm at
Mound. We did it because we found
that it had cost the State seven dol
lars each to produce birds it could
buy for four. This condition did not
accord with the economy program. 1t
is my purpose to ask the next Legis-
lature for sanction for plan that en-
braces the purchase of an extensive
tract of cheap land for game preserves
and public shooting grounds and the
operation in connection Herewith of
a larger game farm on which birds
can be raised numerously and eco
nomically. This plan, like that which
has been followed in Pennsylvania
with notable success, will be financed
exclusively from the funds of the
game and fish commissioner, supplied
by the sportsmen of the State, and
will not cost the taxpayers one cent"
Foremost in the conservation pro-
gram is reforestation. Governor
Christianson reviewed steps taken
during his administration to develop
an effective forest policy; submission
by the 1925 Legislature of the for
estry amendment; its ratification in
1926; enactment of law by the 1927
Legislature to make its provisions eff
fective; creation of an interim COM
mission which has studied the forestry
problem and its attendant problem of
taxation and will submit definite rec
concentrations to the next Legislature.
Minnesota should have a compre-
hensive and unified department Of
conservation, under director of con-
servation, which should embrace every
activity relating to the conservation
of the States resources. This was
recommended by the commission on
reorganization of the state govern
ment, of which was a member, four
years ago.
"Some method must be devised to
enable certain northern counties which
have a heavy ditch bond indebted
ness, low taxable valuation, and high
percentage of tax delinquency, to
avoid default and forfeiture. The
State Of Minnesota does not want
foreclosures against any of its mu-
nicipal subdivisions if it is reasonably
possible to prevent them"
Zone Of the wasteful practices
which had long prevailed in this State
was that of selling State land for
uses to which it was not adapted.
Cut-over land entirely unsuited to
agriculture was sold to farmers, and
other land, capable of being made into
productive farms, was allowed to re-
main a wilderness. Many abandoned
homes in northern Minnesota are left
as tragic mementoes of an unwise
land sales policy. To prevent recur-
rance of this folly in the future, pro.
vision has been made for the begin
ming of classification of state-owned
lands. It is true that the classical
ton now being made will cover only
lands suitable for reforestation; but
the work now being done will be a
helpful approach to the more compre-
hensive program which will eventually
be adopted.
my fourth pledge is to continue to
do everything possible to promote the
cause Of agriculture"
An adequate scheme of farm relief,
said the Governor, calls for the main
tenance Of low interest rates on farm
mortgages; for q change in our sys-
tenn Of taxation, which now throws the
heaviest burden on property and espe-
cially on real estate, for lower trans
portation rates through development
Of the st. Lawrence waterway and
the Mississippi river, and continuance
of the administrations fight for lower
freight rates; for encouragement Of
cooperative marketing; for ample
tariff protection.
Kin addition there is the problem
Of making the tariff effective on COM
modities having an exportable sur
plus" the Governor said. Recalling
that he had supported the McNary-
Haugen Bill, he pointed out that
neither major party had accepted the
equalization fee. He declared his con-
fidence that Herbert Hoover can and
will find a speedy solution for what he
calls the most urgent economic prob
LEM" He quoted from Mr.. Hoover's
acceptance speech to show that the
Republican Candidate for the Presi-
dency is earnestly committed to a
solution of farm problems.
Sharing the program with Cover
nor Christianson at Hutchinson were
Arthur E. Nelson, Republican candi-
date for United States Senator, and
Congressman August H. Andersen of
the Third district. Both spoke brief
ly, Mr.. Nelson showing the impor-
lance to Minnesota of aggressive ac-
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