The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-25
MINNESOTA BILLS
The Congress onal Delegation Has
Done Much Work.
NORRIS BILL AND oLEoMARGARIN
Other Important Measures That Are
Fathered by the States 4
Representatives.

The journal Buredus Room 30 foSs
Building, Washington. -..s-. .a-
Washington, June 25.-Not in many
years has there been session Of con-
gress during which 80 much legislation
of first Importance to Minnesota has been
enacted. Practically all the local legis-
lation which. the delegation started out to
push through at the beginning of the
fifty seventh congress has become law or
will become law before adjournment.
In order to secure the passage Of bills
mentioned in this article, and the inser-
ton of important appropriations and pro-
visions in the great appropriation bills,
it was necessary for the senators and
representatives to work in harmony. and
this they did. Legislation initiated in one
house by any member Of the delegation
was pushed in the other branch. In this
way all the matters of prime Importance
received attention. Any measure men
toned in this article charged to any one
member or any one district must of neces-
sity have received the support of Senator
Nelson or Senator Clapp or it could not
have been passed, and therefore they must
be credited with very full share in hav-
ing put these measures through the SEN
ate.
The Morris Bill First.
First and foremost in Importance to the
state is the Morris bill for the amend
ment of the act of 1889, relating to the
disposal of the timber on the coded Chip
pewa reservations. Although it has not
yet been signed by the president, it will
be within few days, as 1t is entirely
satisfactory to officials of the interior
department and the Indian Office, to whom
it will be referred for report when it
reaches the White House. So we'll does
President Roosevelt know this that it
Is possible that he may sign the bill with
out going through the formality OF asking
Secretary Hitchcock to report on it. When
this law is put into full operation it will
result in opening to settlement and entry
thousands of acres of fertile land in
northern Minnesota. Millions of feet of
timber will be sold and employment fur
nikhed to the Indians in logging it. OFF,
Gals OF the department say that the en-
actment of this bill into law will prevent
a repetition Of the scandals which have
hel etofore attended sales of timber in
Minnesota.
The OIeomargarin Law.
Next in Importance to the people of
Minnesota is the oleomargarin law, which
it's friends believe will prevent further
frauds On the public in the sale of imita-
ton butter. The passage of this bill will
be of direct benefit to the farmers of the
state and it had the hearty support Of all
the members of the delegation, despite
some differences between Representatives
McCleary and Tawney over its authorship.
1t will go into effect July /. 1t safeguards
the public interests in that it prescribes
certain regulations for marking and other
wise identifying oleomargarin and adul-
terated butter, and provides a tax of ten
cents a pound on these products when
they are colored in imitation of butter.
Irrigation Interests Northwest.
The passage of the irrigation bill is of
To tho nj Of MinnaanN1iS
and St. Paul. Under the plans of the
geological survey and the interior depart
mant it is proposed to begin the construc-
ton of irrigation works in territory tribu-
tary to the twin cities and the settlement
of this new country will result in an In
crease Of business from which the JOB
bers and wholesalers must derive benefit.
Appropriations for Minnesota.
MINNEAPOLIS fares we'll in the various
appropriation bills. The omnibus public
building bill carried an appropriation Of
$3.50, 900 for the construction of two addi-
tional stories on the federal building. In
the river and harbor bill authority was
given for the completion of the look and
dam work at Meeker island in accordance
with the revised plans Of the engineers
and the balance to the credit Of the ap-
propriation-$250, 000-was thus made
available for expenditure during the cur
also carried an item Of 100000 for the
completion of the reservoirs at the head
waters of the Mississippi river.
Fort Smelling improvements.
Fort Smelling is to be enlarged and i'm
proved at an expense OF several hundred
thousand dollars as the result of the good
work done by Representative Stevens in
the committee on military affairs. The
military appropriation bill, which Is now
in conference between the senate and
house, but which will become law be-
fore adjournment, carries lump appro-
priation for improvements and repairs at
military posts. The sundry civil appro-
priation bill also carries a lump appro-
priation for construction Of new quarters
at military posts. The secretary Of war
has approved plans prepared by Colonel
Pond for the improvement at Smelling,
and he has agreed with Representative
Stevens to authorize the expenditure Of
upward of 100000 there this season.
New Building at saltwater.
In addition to securing provision for
Fort Smelling, Mr.. Stevens secured new
public building to cost sec, 900 for Still
water and has provided for the needs OF
the public building in his own city. In
the first district Representative Tawney
secured an appropriation Of $4,000 for the
purchase Of a site for new public build
ing at Albert Lea. Although this was the
only direct appropriation secured by him,
Mr.. Tawney has not been behind hand In
pressing the needs Of his constituents.
The oleomargarin law will probably be of
more benefit to them directly than any
other law which has gone on the statute
books in years, and Mr.. Tawney was al
ways foremost in the fight for the pas
sage of that BILL Mr.. McCleary, like Mr..
Tawney, was prominent in the fight for
the oleomargarin bill. The only direct
appropriation made for any purpose in
his district was provision for the Pipe
stone Indian school. .a.. ...... g.. ...a.
Results Of Norris Work. s..-.
Representative Morris, in addition to
being the author of the bill for the
amendment of the Nelson act, secured ap-
propriations of $4,000 for continuing the
improvement Of Duluth harbor $4,000 for
maintaining the improvement Of the har-
Dor at Grand Marais, and a like amount
for the harbor at Agate Bay. During the
preparation of the river and harbor bill.
Judge Morris attended daily sessions Of
the committee In Representative Ed
dy's district the limit Of cost of the pub
lie building at Fergus Falls was increased
from 100000 to $115,0OO, and the Indian
= appropriation bill carried provision for
the purchase of additional land for the