The Bemidji pioneer., 1901-10-10
Washington Chat.
Special Correspondence.

: II Il. -
Agent McComas. of the Indian SER
vice. recently returned, bringing the
report made by himself and Senator
O'NeiH Of Bayfield,, covering the exam
of green timber unlawful,y cut during
the numbering operations on the White
Earth reservation last winter. Mr.,
McComas declines to discuss the re-
port or to make public details of.thc re-
suits obtained. The report will be held
in the interior department until the re-
turn of Indian Commissioners Jones.
who will then take UP the matter With
Secretary Hitchcock.
Mr.. McComas spent day in consult.
alton with Deputy Commissioner Tom
nor and the chiefs OF the various diris-
ions of the Indian office. 1t is evident
that a surprise is in store for the Indi-
an service as a result of the White
Earth investigation. 1t was represent,
ed by Logging Inspector Farr that, in
his opinion, the re-scale of alleged
green timber at White Earth could be
accom- plished at a cost Ct only a few
hundred dollars, and with two or three
weeks Of work. 1t Is believed that 1t
will be necessary to- establish that
there has been an amount Of green TIM
Der cut at White Earth greatly in ex-
cess of the amount reported by Capt.
Mercer, or the Indian Office will be out
q snug sum as the cost of the investi-
cation. Senator O'Neill and Agent Nc
Comas, with a crew of nine expert men.
spent nearly two months In going over
the deserted camps at White Earth,
and the aggregate cost Of the invests
cation will amount to more than 81
500. IL
The total amount Of timber cut at
White Earth amounted to 17,000000 feet,
according to the return made by Capt.
Mercer and his report on the subject
In that report the amount Of green tins
Der Illegally cut was represented to be
comparatively small, probab bly, not more
than 2,000000 feet. The difference be-
tween the nrice. fixed for dead and
down timber and that charged for tim.
Der cut by tresspassers, is from S. to
81 per 1000 feet. There will probably
be some disclosures as to excess of tim
Der cut.
ailsr! ,ga ql r. lao I'M
within few weeks we shall be able
to make investigations through our in.
spectors in the field in the matter Of the
system to a number of populous sec
TONS said Supt. Machen, Of the rural
free delivery service At that time we
shall investigate the needs of Wash
irgton county, Minnesota, for which
Stevens has made re-
peated and urgent requests" Mr.. Ma
chan admits. that the department off,
Gals regard the county system as the
of the highest aims of
the free-delivery system in the urban
section. He speaks Of the spread Of ths
service over half dozen counties in
different sections Of the country, and
one just completed, suddenly Increased
the number Of eree-delivery routes In
one county in New York from twelve to
forty-ti1ree.
4 The Point is to give a county such
complete carrier service as to dispense
with every star route service and small
pGstoftlce in the county, and give a
daily delivery Of mail to every house
In the, county. It is by this system
that the department hopes to prove the
efficiency and desirability OF the free
service in rural sections, and
It has teen demonstrated IN at least
three states that the plan is feasible
ard economical, and that 1t can be
done as fast as the department is pro-
pided with the necessary funds. On
account Of the high cost of such elab-
orate provisions for the extension Of
he service to the county system, it
must proceed slowly. But 1t is known
~ the department officials that most
IF the Northwestern states furnish a
number of densely- populated cou 1ties,
where the system can be profitably in
Naval men and those who are inter.
,sted in all plans for increasing the
lighting force Of the navy are looking
Onward to the recommendation Of
President Roosevelt to congress with
pecial interest. They expect that the
lew president will energetically urge
SUBSTANTIAL additions to the navy. This
dea is based upon the opinions ex-
PRESSED by Mr.. Roosevelt while he was
assistant secretary Of the navy, at the |
inc Of the breaking out Of the war
With Spain. He was among the push
ng and aggressive young men in the |
ederal service who greatly depiored |
he appropriateness Of this nation to !
prosecute the war. In connection with |
his view of the matter 1t is claimed |
hat President Roosevelt has intimated |
o some of his callers his conviction |
hat the navy must be enlarged and in |
reased at rate that will keep 1t at |
east equal to those Of Russia and |
Iermany, if not advanced to the third |
anking power of the world. with only |
treat Britain and France in the lead.
&.@ ...eAr ---
The question Of granting privileges OF |
irect transmission of matter which
ONES from foreign ports by the inter,
ational system Of parcels post is
the officials of the treasury
nd postoff1ce departments. Vigorous
,quests for this privilege have been
led in behalf of half a dozen cities in
.ates along the Canadian border, par
cularly in those which contain large
opulation of foreign birth or parent