516 



beyond Tupper's lake, Where the State owned jointly with somebody 

 and they sold out, the land was sold some way, I don't remember; I 

 know the land was sold and the State's interest taken out of it. 

 Q. It is pretty hard to get anything out of you ; that's all. 



By Chairman Ryan: 



Q. You are acquainted with the general character of land up there 

 about this Adirondack region and its value generally, are you ? 



A. I ought to be, I have traveled for forty years over the land of 

 Franklin county and I have traveled more than a thousand miles on 

 this township, Jots and surveys; I have owned considerable of it and 

 sold. 

 , Q. Are you a surveyor ? 



A. I don't call myself a surveyor; I have worked considerable 

 at it and keep a compass to aid in tracing on lots in Frank- 

 lin county from the original lots; I never allow myself to 

 try to do anything else; never done anything for anybody else; I 

 have assisted other surveyors. 



Q. Has land risen in value around and through that Adirondack 

 region within the last two or three years ? 



A. Some of it has. 



Q. What do you suppose was the cause of that? 



A So many southern people coming to the woods who would pay 

 fabulous prices for it. 



Q. Do you think this proposition of the State to establish a large 

 park up there and that the State would be a probable purchaser for a 

 large quantity of land , has had anything to do with enhancing the 

 value ? ., 



A. I should think very likely; 1 have heard a great many people 

 put a higher price upon their lands. 



Q. What, in your opinion, would be the effect up there now if the 

 State should determine to purchase or get control of a large quantity 

 of land, such as is talked of, for this park for park purposes, as to the 

 v,alue of the land; as to the prices the people would ask for it; in 

 your opinion, would they ask very much higher prices than the land 

 could have been bought for before this park agitation commenced? 



A. If they should undertake to buy a very large park it would have 

 more to do with it, but they might increase their park two or three 

 hundred acres of land that has never been cut over now and it 

 wouldn't enhance the value of timber very much around it; it might 

 raise the price of land; people might think they would eventually sell 



