The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-11-23
ST INvESTEDIS
WORTH So NOW,
LIEBER STATES
Tells How Value of State
Conservation Property
Has Increased.

How So actually has been OBJ
tanned for each 81 invested by tax
payers is cited in the annual report
of the state conservation depart
ment by Director Richard Lieber.
He cites these figures: During the
nine and one-half years the de-
partment has been in opration, up
to Sept. 80, 1923, the department re.
ceived in tax monies 1888, 485.74,
while earnings, contributions and
cash donations total $2,375, 1859
and department control resale value,
with improvements, has book
value of $2,426,O52.50, (which is
about half the actual price obtain
able, if sold, the department esti-
mates.
The tax monies received mean
total per capita cost for the nine
and one-half years of SIT cents, or
sc cents a year, Lieber asserts
But the resale value of department
properties he assesses at $2426.-
05250. This he contends is 80
per cent more actual value than
the department received from taxa
ton.
Population Increasing
Last year the department came
into personal contact with nearly
100000 people," Lieber declares.
1.-THE size of the state is not ex-
pansible and the population is in
creaSing. Therefore, we think that
we are within our right in predicting
that the public estate is going to de-
velop normally into a holding of
100000 acres, or 1 per cent of the
total acreage of 100000.
For the past nine and one-half
years the department of conServa-
ton has taken an inventory of the
states possession in materil, scenic,
historic and recreational features
and we have found that Indiana is
rich, very rich. This may be bad
news, for the word has gone out
that the state is in a bad way with
very little to expect in the future.
The facts in no way support the
professional or amateur crepe
hangers.
Indiana is in the front rank of
leading states, and in some a few
points ahead.
"We have a right to call our de-
partment the good housekeeping de-
partment of this state, for it rea-
Lies that the natural resources are
the broad basis of the past, present
and future prosperity and happi-
ness. Mere academic conservation
and preservation did not satisfy us.
We felt that a state department
should be an agency for the promo
ton of human welfare and interest.
This department is coordination
of many offices, formerly leading a
separate and nonco-ordinate exist
ence. The various activities we
carry on would in other states re-
quire from twenty-five to thirty
boards and executives.
Looking back over the nine and
.one-half years we are unable to say
how much our work has contributed
to thee health, comfort and cheer
of the people. But we can at least
show the results in dollars and
cents.
Wholesome Recreation
Included in this estate are six
state parks, five hatcheries, two
game and bird preserves, one state
forest, four historic state monu-
ments, and two state parks under
preparation, one in Lawrence county
and the other in Brown county.
ut is a matter of good govern
ment to provide wholesome recrea-
ton at a reasonable figure. Our
state parks do that. They are fully
as attractive and full of interest
and beauty as some of the out
standing, highly advertised and
highly priced international resorts"