Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 85, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 February 1911 — SCENTS BIG LAND GRAB. [ARTICLE]

SCENTS BIG LAND GRAB.

Special Commission Reports $250,000,000 Steal in Illinois. Springfield, 111., Feb. 6.—Land estimated to be worth $250,000.000 has been “grabbed” from the public domain of Illinois by private interests, according to the report of the Chiperfield commission on submerged lands, which is ready for presentation to the legislature. This huge sum will be doubled, however, in the opinion of members of the commission. if the inquiry is extended to cover all navigable lakes, rivers and coast lines in the state. Representative B. M. Chiperfield. of Canton, chairman of the commission, is of the opinion that the made land, which has been improperly taken by private corporations and concerns, can be recovered-to the state. According to the report, about 420 individuals, corporations and clubs are occupying made land along the Lake Michigan coast line and the Chicago river alone. The report says that 1,816 acres rave been taken illegally from the Lake Michigan coast between the Indiana and Wisconsin state lines. Of this number 1,087 acres, beginning in section of the South Shore County Club’s ground, and extending up to the north shore to Evanston, have been taken within the Chicago city limits. The Illinois Central railroad is charged with illegally’ holding four hundred acres of this immensely valuable lake front land.