"Itasca state park was established twenty-one years ago by 

 act of the Legislature, which designated the bounds enclos- 

 ing a tract approximately seven miles long and five miles 

 wide and including nearly 23,000 acres. The United States 

 government donated more than half the land in the park area 

 with the understanding that the remaining acreage would be 

 secured by the state. Comparatively little progress has been 

 made toward acquiring title to the privately-owned holdings 

 within the park. The board has purchased from time to time 

 small tracts along the lakes and trails, but there remain 

 nearly 6,000 acres held by lumbermen. 



"Governor Knute Nelson, in his message to the Legislature 

 in 1895, urged that action should be taken to get possession 

 of all land and timber within the park limits, when he said: 



" 'The Legislature of 1891 acted wisely, and with rare good 

 judgment when it established this park. Itasca lake and its 

 preservation is sacred and dear to every American heart. 

 The lake and all its beautiful environment should, as far as 

 possible, be kept intact in its primitive and normal condition. 

 In order to accomplish this, the lands in private ownership 

 should, as speedily as possible, be acquired by the state. 

 These lands can be acquired neither by purchase nor con- 

 demnation proceedings until the necessary funds are provided 

 for that purpose. The work planned by the legislature of 

 1891 should be consummated and completed by the Legisla- 

 ture of 1895. I commend this subject to your favorable con- 

 sideration, and recommend that you appropriate sufficient 

 funds to acquire these lands by purchase or condemnation.' 



Board Has $22,000 on Hand with Which to Purchase Property 

 in the Park. 



"Unfortunately neither the Legislature of 1895, nor any 

 subsequent Legislature, followed the recommendation of Gov- 

 ernor Nelson. Small appropriations have been made from 

 time to time to provide for the maintenance of the park and 

 for the purchase of timber. The law at present provides an 

 appropriation of $6,000 a year to be expended in the purchase 

 of timber lands and timber. 



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