The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-09-28
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quires what is being done with the
money.
During the first half of September
these driblets trickled into the COVER
noris hands: September 7th, $50 ,97291;
September 18th, $2,5OOOOO; September
18th, $47,lS5.34; September 18th,
81, 100000.
How would you like to be a candi.
date for office and have nearly
100000 in two weeks to spend where
it would do the most good?
sssss
Evidently someone knows where it
will do the most good. The transient
camp racket is being worked in all
parts of the state for all that il is
worth. The system IS to pick out terri
tory that looks to be slipping from the
state administration point of view, sug-
gest tactfully to prominent citizens
there that the location is an excellent
one for transient camp, that such a
camp would bring a great deal of
business to the community, and that
probably ample funds can be secured
for the project. Does the community
prick up its ears? And is it grateful?
A new project for a transient camp,
now well under way, is at New Ulm.
One is also in the making at Lake
Shetak, near Slayton. A total 100000
is said to be available for one near
Minneapolis. One has already been
established near Marshall and another
east of Breckenridge. There are others,
including the notorious Minnesota VAL
ley camp site of some twenty to thirty
miles in length.
The Minnesota Valley transient camp
project (''hobo camps" ribald republic
cans call 'em) was disapproved by the
Minnesota state executive council as
unnecessary, wasteful and otherwise ILL
| advised. Nevertheless the camps have
been installed and more than thai a
paved road is in process of being built
| for any 'transients" who may flock IT,
Where the administration gets the
money for this extensive undertaking is
matter of speculation.
A paved road will cost in the neigbor-
hood of $4,000 per mile and the por-
ton of the valley selected for the pro-
ject is some twenty-five to thirty miles
in length. Figure it up and see how
much you miss a million dollars.
Parallel to and only mile and half
from this proposed road de luxe is
already paved road, U. S. and State
Highway 1859.
Pressed for reason for the Mime
sofa Valley transient camp project,
Governor Olson stated to the executive
council that the improvement would
provide Fairgrounds and recreational
facilities for the people of the valley.
This portion of the valley is one of the
most desirable residential sections of
the state, and it is reported that the
people who live there are not only
distressed because of the location of
the camps there, but that they are not
impressed with the establishment of
Fairgrounds for their children adjacent
to transient" camps.
H. L. HOLSTER, referred to in
previous letter as occupying space in
the state Office building, writes that he
does so as secretary of the
Minnesota Benefit Association, an or
ganization of state employees The
organization is a voluntary association
of state employees, and is not in any
way a part of the state government, so
that the description heretofore given
as "a private insurance business or
something of that sort" seems suff1-
GENTLY correct.
Before the taxpayers of Minnesota
put up the cash with which to buy and
operate as government undertakings
the mines, factories and other bust
nesses of the state, they may be in
terested to know how other state gov
ernments have succeeded with such
ventures
The North Dakota flour mill was
started in 1919 when the North Dakota
farmer Labor party (nonpartiSan
league) told the people of that state
that the state ought to own and oper-
ate the mines, factories, etc., just as
it is now telling the people of Min
nesota. The North Dakota flour mill
was operated two and one-half years
when it was discontinued and offered
for sale. The best offer that could be
secured was less than one-tenth of what
the taxpayers of North Dakota paid for
it. The operating loss for the two
and one-haf years was about $500, 600
The total tax levy in North Dakota
thus far, for the payment of losses
in business ventures of the state of
North Dakota is $7,898, OTIS, exclusive of
bond principal paid from the state
treasury.
There has been considerable talk to
the effect that a certain state depart
ment purchased waste baskets at $18
each. The Big Three has denied it.
On December 9. 1882, requisition was
issued to the Remington Rand Com
r,ornrr I,o,,l FOR frrrr, l,,,,4 r,o.,or