The Bismarck tribune., 1934-10-01
HANSON FORESEES
IMPROVED FARMING
CONDITIONS IN n, D,
State Land Commiss | onsr
Makes Prediction in Con.
junction With Report

North Dakota has gone through the,
worst period Of depression, and should
show improved farming conditions
in the future, H. B. Hanson, state
land commissioner, declared Monday.
Hanson made his predictions In
conjunction with his biennial report
as secretary Of the board Of univer-
sity and school lands.
} While collections during the past
biennial period dropped In comparison
with those Of the preceding two years,
Hanson expressed the belief that
collections in this department win
prove satisfactory as farming con.
ditions improve"
Inauguration Of the refinancing
program ct the time Of the federal
refinancing act would have brought
collections above the 193l-32 biennial
period, Hanson believed.
Suggeets Changing Law
Hanson recommended . change in
the law covering the appraisal board
under which the land department
makes its loans. On farms.
He suggested that "the Board Of
University and School Lands have the
commissioner or his agent act as their
representative to review the land ap-
praisals made with full authority 70
reject Or cut down the amount Of the
application for q loan as he might see
fit In accordance with the security
offered.
This would, in my opinion, protect
the board from making some poor
loans which have been done in the
past, even though we take into con-
sideration the good years when these
loans were made. This change In the
law should be made before any more
farm loans are made BY this depart
ment."
A great many loans Of the depart.
n,ent are delinquent three or more
years from the standpoint Of tax pay
ments, Hanson revealed. He termed
the condition one Of real importance
to the school funds Of the state"
Hanson recommended that the state
legislature pass . resolution asking
the department to foreclose on all
farm loans where taxes are three
years IN arrears.
He also recommended that the reso-
luton contain the provision that the
former owner be given preference In
leasing the land thereafter and In re-
deeming It when financially able.
II realize the board has this author
ity now" Hanson said, but I believe
it would be better for the board Is
well - the department II this reso-
luton was passed"
Delinquencies Problem
Passage Of such q resolution, Han
son said, rs to stop the enormous
amount Of school funds being paid out
in payment Of delinquent taxes which
to date have become q very serious
matter and should be stopped"
He also asked the legislature en-
power the department to give dis
counts In interest and penalty pay
ments where 1t becomes necessary IN
connection with individuals desiring
to refinance his loan.
Hanson explained that "in . large
number Of cases where parties wish
to pay up this department on their
loans, they find their commitment
from the federal land bank at st.
Paul Is not enough and not being able
to raise the additional money them
selves, they cancel the loan with the
federal land bank and the state gets
another piece OF land on its hands and
another citizen Of the state loses his
home"
Appropriation Of additional money
to the department to enable 1t to
carry on It's refinancing program by
mail, also was asked Of the legisla.
ture by Hanson.
He recommended the interest rate
on contracts Of sale be lowered from
six-per cent to four per cent with.
out any restrictions or penalties Il
paid In advance Of the time set BY the
contract"
Suggests Lever Rentals
Reduction Of the minimum rental
price Of land in the Bad Lands. from
SIS per quarter to Is was also recon-
mended. Hanson termed the pres
ent rate "too high"
A survey has shown. Hanson said,
that Mckenzie, Billings, Slope. Gold
en- Valley and Bowman counties con-
tain 32e quarter sections Of land which
have not been leased for the past II
years.
A total OF l6,5s3.l5 acres Of fore
closed land has been sold on contract
for 32ll ,27o ~. Hanson said. School
funds invested In the lands amounted
TO 3lo2,574.l0, resulting In profit Of
$l6, ,706.l2. As It has been collected the
profit has been placed In . special
fund, which now amounts to 43,7l2.27,
Hanson explained. He expressed the
belief authority should b given the
department to charge any losses which
mieht occur In sale Of foreclosed land.
to this fund.
RAGR HIGH WINS