The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-04-15
blAMES king
FOR DELAY
Commissioner John r. Foley
Lays Delay in Lands and
Timber Policy to King.

Failure of the Minnesota Conserva-
ton commission to do anything con-
Structive in the way of formulating and
administering lands, timber and
mineral policy and developing di-
vision within its organization to adj
affairs was blamed upon State Auditor
Stafford King by John R. Foley of
Wabasha, secretary of the commission.
Mr.. Foley, declaring that 1.-The COM
mission is not engaged in political
maneuvering and we are at loss to
understand why Mr.. King should wish
to hold up the formulation of this great
program
Mr. Foley declared that the COM
mission form of regulating the policies
relating to the natural resources of the
state has been recognized as the sound
way of properly and wisely conserving
and developing states resources.
Minnesota's commission, he said, is
composed of one Farmer-Laborite, one
Democrat and three Republicans. tits
duty is to formulate and direct the
policies of the Department of Con-
Servation. As the commission con-
centrates its attention on the work of
the department, we realize that real
conservation is starting at very late
date in this state.
"This department has been removed
from politics. The change, however,
depends on the employees in each di-
vision. We are dealing with many men
and women and it seems difficult for
some of these people to realize that
their job does not depend upon their
affiliation with any particular political
party. 1t will take some little time to
get all the employees away from the old
school of thought, but it will be done
No persons position depends upon his
political thought. 1t does depend upon
his acts and conduct as representative
of the conservation of the state.
THE Division of Game and Fish is
one with which the people are reason
ably familiar This division will con-
duct its affairs in a way so as to pro-
tect what we have in game and fish
so that the people of the present day
can enjoy good day in the field or
marsh with the gun or on one of the
many lakes and streams and at the
same time leave sufficient stock so that
those who follow us may have the same
privilege and opportunity.
1.-The Division of Forestry and Fire
Prevention is planning to SO safe
guard our remaining forest area that
it can be used not only as habitat
for game, but also devoted to the use
which will produce most from an econ
omic and tax standpoint. The great
woods of the north are gone, but in
their place viii slowly but surely come
again a timber production which will
outlast the cut fthe woodchopper's
axe or the buzz of the sawmill. The
life of a state is long-and our pro-
gram will be a long time program, so
that the future of that great north
country may be secure.
THE Division of Drainage and
Waters will be concerned with wise
and unwise drainage projects. In the
past, great areas were drained which
should never have been touched with
the shovel. This program of the past
produced some good results, but it also
did untold damage. We will endeavor
to rectify as far as possible the mis-
takes of the past so that our lakes and
streams may continue to have sufi-
cient supply of water for wild fowl,
wild animals and fish and for recreation
purposes in addition to which the value
of water as protector of the forest
will not be overlooked.
1--WE regret we cannot organize a
Land and Minerals Division The last
| legislature gave to the Department of
Conservation the jurisdiction and
supervision and control of lands, timber
and minerals, but inadvertently APP
propriated no money directly to our
department, though it did appropriate
money for the purpose of carrying on
| the activities.