The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-13
DULUTH PRIMARIES
LIKELY TO Sue
CEED TRUELSEN IN DEMO-
CRATIC AFFECTIONS
A CLOSE FIGHT EXPECTED
Unpopular Land Office Ru1ing-Land
Must BE Visited Before Filing
Violation of Game Laws-Im-
portant Iron Ore Deal.
Special to The Globe.

DULUTH, Dec. 12.-Four days before
the primaries it looks as if Frank Grass
weller will be the Democratic nominee
for mayor with 7. w. Hugo as his He
publican opponent Former Mayor Truel-
sen is in the field for the Democratic
nomination and has been working for the
past month, but seems to be lacking ms
old time form in creating enthusiasm
for himself. Two weeks ago the indica-
tions were that he would be nominated,
but at present Crassweller seems to dis
play the most strength and will prob
ably succeed. DR.. D. D. Murray has
been doing some work for the Demo-
cratic nomination Also but about the
only effect of his campaign will be to
take number of votes that probably
would otherwise go to Truelsen.
Capt. Stevens and the anti-Wilcutts- Re
publicans are vigorously endeavoring to
sidetrack Mayor Hugo, but it is gener-
ally acknowledged that the latter can
not be defeated at the primaries.
CrassWeller's nomination will bring to
him large proportion of the church and
reform element, while Hugo will prob
ably be supported by the saloon in
fuence, in addition to the mass of his
party. The fight promises to be close
and warm one
The recent ruling of the federal land
LA
public land to file an affidavit with their
application, swearing that they have per-
Sonally visited the land desired, is caus-
ing a great deal of dissatisfaction in the
Duluth land district, which includes st.
Louis, Lake, Cook, ItaSca, Carlton and
part of Aitkin counties. It's effect on
entrymen in this district can be appre-
ciated when it is understood that over
three-fourths of the government land
4r1x
men at the time the original filing is
made. The great bulk of the land here
is taken for timber, and the usual prac-
tice is for the entryman to take advant-
age of the provision of the land laws,
which allows him six months after filing
his entry in which to perfect his resi-
dence.
The new ruling, which was received
yesterday, is due to the enactment of a
law by congress last winter making all
unoccupied public lands of the United
States containing salt springs or de-
posits of, salt in any form, and chiefly
valuable therefor, subject to location and
purchase under the provisions of the
law relating to placer mining claims. To
make this law effective the land de-
partment has prepared an affidavit
which requires the entryman to swear
that he has visited the land and of his
own personal knowledge is satisfied that
there is no salt on it.
So far as known there is no salt III
Minnesota, and attorneys and those hav-
ing business with the land Office look
upon the new order as an unnecessary
addition to the red tape of the depart
ment, without resulting in anything bene
fetal to the government.
Erick Erickson, the postmaster of In
dependence, a small town in this county,
was arraigned in police court yesterday
charged with violating the game laws
by having deer Illegally in his possession.
Erickson had the case continued until
Jan. T. when he expects to have witnesses
from Cleveland, Ohio. 1t is said that
party of Cleveland hunters have made
Erickson's farm their headquarters for
several years, and Executive Agent Full
lerton, of the state game and fish COM
mission, asserts that the party has al
ways succeeded in hunting without Ii
censes. They have depended upon Erick-
son to assist them and forward their
game. One year it was shipped in
piano box as piano and at another time
as household goods.
Another important deal for iron ore
property on the Mesaba range is re-
ported 1t is located near Hibbing and
the consideration for the lease is in the
neighborhood of $2000 The Crucible
Steel company of Pittsburg, is said to
be the purchaser. w. Fl. Cole, H. M
Alworth and other Duluth parties control
the lease In consists of 12O acres and
900, 600 tons of good quality ore have been
shown up. The deal involves a royalty
of % cents a ton and minimum output
of 100000 tons year after 1902. A mine
will be developed on the property the
coming spring.