The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1929-02-01

st. Paul, Minn.-The state finance
commission, better known as the big
Three" was under fire from two
sources, it's budgeting activities COM
ing in for inquiry.
The senate finance committee, some
of whose members are outspoKen o.
ponents. of the big Three" was wind
ing up weeks work of hearing the
board of controls case tor approprI44-
tions. Needs OF various state inst
tutions were gone over in detail, the
committee showing no intention Of fol-
lowing budget recommendations OF the
finance commission.
The finance committe ordered a
study made to CONSIDER establishing a
plant at the st. Cloud re.ormatory to
make road signs and automobile Ii
cense plates. A subcommittee was
named to look into the question. Mem
bers of the board OF control appeared
before the committee.
While the finance committee worked,
a group Of friends of the University
of Minnesota conferred with President
l.. d. Conman to draft plans to defend
the university and aid in getting the
appropriations desired.
A dads committee" asked Presi-
dent Coffman what a. reduction in the
university budget would mean. The
answer was it would mean either in
creased fees charged students, de-
ficit at the end of the biennlum, ope.-
alton on lower plane of efficiency, or
possibly cutting out of some activity.
In statement handed President
Coffman, Mr.. Rain said:
1.-THE fathers of the young men and
young women attending the university
see no reason why the university
should accept a Big Three program
which would take away from the UNI
versity's present income $5S5,000 a
year without reducing state taxes one
cent
"The university statement of its
needs for the biennium has been re-
viewed both on and off the campus, by
a special committee of dads. We have
needs to be conservative and accurate.
''We regard as particularly mis-
chievous the Big Three's misreprese-.-
ton of the regents efforts to develop
for our sons and daughters, with
money from student entertainments.
The attacks upon the integrity of the
board of regents, made by the COM
mission of administration and finance,
has created situation which calls for
the immediate investigation by the
fathers of students"
On the executive committee of the
association are A. A. d. Rain, ]. H.
Grill and Harold Harrison, Minneap-
oils; Myron Mcmillan, st. Paul; Ray
S. Huey, Duluth; G. A. Policy, Winona,
and A. A. Harton, Fairmont.
Although the senate has not yet
adopted the resolution of Senator A.
]. Rockne regarding rural credit bu-
reau affairs, bureau officials are gath
ering the data sought and will have a
complete report ready in a few days.
Much of the information is contained
in the regular report of the bureau.
They will bring out information
which the public should know about,
and which we are glad to furnish.
The attorney generals ruling that
the state cannot pay taxes on fore
closed land held by the bureau prob
ably changes the situation and it may
have to be handled through an appro-
priation by the state to the school dis
tricts affected.
Northern Minnesota troubles were
placed before the house interim COM
mittee on local taxation in hearing,
Fred d. Vibert, manager of the Arrow
head Association, and F. R. Duxbury
Of Bemidji discussing some of the
northern troubles.
Forestry and mining were Mr.. vi
bert's subjects. He remarked that the
federal government is the largest land
owner in the section, with the state
second.
'If the legislature can solve the
problem of utilizing state lands it will
at the same time solve the problem of
privately owned land" he said.
There are from 100000 to 6,00O,-
600 acres Of land with taxes delin-
quent in the north. A government sur.
vey indicates that half of the land in
volved is fitted for forestry and not
agriculture.
The state has been getting 100000
a year for its trust funds from timber
sales. Changing the policy will reduce
revenue for time. but will mean net
return to the state in later years of
100000 a year.
State ~" Center of Combat.
fight on further large appropria-
lions for the State University was lead
in committee by Henry Rines.
1.-THE university asks for substan-
tial increases in appropriations, and
while we have no desire to hamper
the institution by curtailing funds,
feel they are being given sufficient
funds with which to operate proper
ly," Mr.. Rines said.
Appropriations for the university
should not be increased over those
granted in 1927, A. J. Peterson, state
budget commissioner, declared in a
letter of transmittal.