The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-04
STAND BY THE PARK
Cass Lakers' Campaign Prompts
Club Women to Action.
THEY ASK CHANCE TO BE HEARD
Mrs. La Penotiere, President of the
Federation, Writes an Open
'.. teas. Letter. .g.. ~

Although there has been less public agita-
ton than heretofore OF the national forest
park plan during the past few months by
the Minnesota Federation Of Women's Clubs,
this has been due to no change Of sentiment
on the part Of the organization and much
quiet work las been done in watching the
situation carefully and putting in a word
in time. AS a result of. the visit Of the
delegation from Cass Lake to lay protest
against the park plan before the commercial
organizations of Minneapolis and st. Paul,
Mrs. E. NJ. La Penotiere, president Of the
state federation, has addressed an open let
ter to ]. w. Cooper Of St. Paul, president
Of the Jobbers' Union, setting forth the posi-
ton Of the club women of the state and ask
ing that they be given a hearing before any:
action is taken by the jobbers. ...-
The letter is as follows: -s,.
To Mr.. Cooper, President Of st. Paul job
bers' Union-My Dear. Sir: The federation Of
women In this state, has for over three years
been working TO secure the best method OF
opening up the government lands known as
the Chippewa reservation.
To this end the chairman of the committee
having it in charge has studied not only for
estry in general, but the local conditions of
! Minnesota, for the purpose of inspiring a
settlement which, while rendering justice to
the Indians would also conserve the best
results to the welfare of the entire state. In
ceived especial care.
The cordial and disinterested cooperation
of many of our women with home manufac-
turers has led to the pleasantest relations
of growing helpfulness throughout the state.
I therefore appeal with entire confidence to
both your unions friendliness to US and.
willingness to see fair play and ask: First,
that you instruct. your committee appointed
to consider the representations Of the Cass
Lake delegation to- defer their action or re-
port until at least Jan. 20, by which time
valuable and definite information can be fur
nished to your members who otherwise might
neither have the time nor opportunity to ac-
quire it,
And also. we ask that you arrange that
Mrs Bramhall, the chairman OF the forest
PRESERVE committee Of the Minnesota Fedora
ton of Womens clubs, be given hearing
whenever and wherever the matter of the
park and forest reserve is brought before
spokesman appointed by you to present the
Cass Lake delegations contentious. 1t will
then be possible to bring out both sides clear
| Of forest reserve. It is too important to the
interests Of the state at large to permit gen
eral, sweeping and misleading assertions, such
the subject into an inchoate and nebulous
| condition. Facts and figures needed A
case in point is where the senate of Mime
dismissed our memorial to congress, belev-
ing that they understood It, and but few
weeks later, upon learning the real facts and
similar memorial by majority of 45 to 8.
Will you pardon me for making this an
open letter, but the time is short for the
purpose and 1t Is our great desire to have
knowledge of this subject widely dissemi-
mated, and since a Mr. IA. G.. Bernard Is
| quoted by St. Paul papers as declaring, at a
meeting held at the Commercial club, that
the lumbermen have instigated the park
movement and contrived to enlist the aid Of
the womens olubs,' you will doubtless feel
that we are we'll within our rights in demand
ing as open and public an opportunity of de-
fning our position as the men of the Jobbers'
union in charge of the meeting at the Com
mercial club OF Dec. 80 can secure to uB.
Yours very respectfully,
Emma M La Penotiere,
President Minnesota Federation Of Women's
/ Nl,,ha 5=..-5. { ~,