The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-03
STAND BY THE PARK
Cass Lakers' Campaign Prompts
Club Women to Action.
THEY ASK CHANCE TO BE HEARD
Mrs. La PenOtfere, President of the
Federation, Writes an Open
Letter.

Although there has been less public agta-
ton than heretofore OF the national forest
park plan during the past few months by
the Minnesota Federation of Womens Clubs,
this has bean 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 result of the visit of the
delegation from Cass Lake to lay a 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 j. W. Cooper of St. Paul. president
of the Joobers Union, setting forth the posi-
ton OF the club women Of the state and ask
ing that they be given hearing before any
| action is taken by the jobbers
The letter is follows:
To Mr.. Cooper, President Of st. Paul job
bers' Union-NIy Dear Sir: The federation of
Minnesota, composed Of more than 1000 club
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
! 80 doing the economic questions have re-
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 hepfulness throughout the state.
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
Lake delegation. to defer their action or re-
port until at least Jan. TO- by which time
valuable and definite information be fur
nished to your members who otherwise might
| n
quire it
| And also we ask that you arrange that
reserve commit tee of the Minnesota Fedora
ton of Women's clubs, be given hearing
whenever, and wherever the matter Of the
St. Paul organizations by any committee or
spokesman Arjointed by you to present the
Cass Lake 4elegation's contentious, 1t will
ly; questions can be asked OF our chairman
Of forest reserve. 1t is too important to the
interests of the state at large to permit gem
eral, sweeping and misleading assertions, such
as have been recently circulated, or 2lunge
the subject into an inchoate and nebulous
condition. Facts and figures are needed. A
sofa, on these same general representations
dismissed our memorial to congress-, believ-
weeks later, upon learning the real facts and
conditions, repaired the mistake by passing
a similar memorial by majority of Is to 5.
purpose, and it is our great desire to have
knowledge, Of this subject widely dissent
mated, and since Mr.. A. 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 women's clubs you will doubtless feel
that we are we'll within our rights in demand
ing as open and public an opportunity of de-
filming 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 us.
Yours very respectfully, ..t
/ = ...-. Emma M. La Penotiere,
| President Minnesota Federation of Women g
I Clubs,