The Minneapolis journal., 1903-04-23
Kisses FOR BARR
Bad Blood Between the Leader and
Colonists eliminates at
Mass Meeting.
''We Want No More Of You, Yelled
the Crowd Bitter Discussion
Of Grievances.
Special to The Journal.

| Special to The Journal.
| Winnipeg, Man. April 23.--The ferment
! among the Barr colonists now at Saska-s
toon eliminated last night in a mass
meeting. Barr was waited for, and tho,
there were many threats of treating him
! to a bath in the Saskatchewan. or run
ming him out of camp, no personal violence
was DONE. The colonists were IN an ugly
mood but the speeches of Mr.. SSpeers and
Rev. Mr.ELloyd who is a great favor1te in
the colony, STAYED off anything OF ser1-
GUS nature.
Barr was as unpolite as ever, and called
one man a liar After denying he had
asked for commissions from Saskatoon
1 merchants, he hedged and demanded what
business it was, Of the interrogators.
1 .I have been advised said Barr, that
many want to know when we will start.
| Hear, hear shouted the crowd ~
! ''It is only a question fof government
help" said Barr, and he added that the
surveyors boundary pegs burned by prai-
rie fires had delayed him. These would
have to be replaced. and then the allot-
ment of land had caused further delay.
| 81 expect the whole body will have gone
forward by Monday OF, Tuesday he add
/ ed. '.We must be more patient.
1--WE have been too patient came from
/ the crowd. ."&3 Is %T j.. ~
Barr went on to say that the non n-arrival
Of oxen and horses promised by the gov
ernment had further delayed the move,
ment, and he warned the families and
groups against starting out alone. They
might get lost or lose their horses. The
fear that further delay would leave 1t too
late to plant gardens and crops was
groundless, as they yet had six weeks in
which to get in a crop. !. .-.....
! II have forwarded for you potatoes and
-four" said Barr. II am not going to
make any money out Of YOU At this
there were shouts of derision. -.
II beg and pray Of you," he continued
"that you will act like reasonable men
and will not be led by senseless, silly and
groundless reports. It has been said that
am making money out of this. am not
making q cent A moment later he
qualified this by saying all he had made
had been in a legitimate way. .....r.
"Who went to the Dukhobors and bid up
potatoes from so cents to $1?" asked the
colonists. Il did not" replied the leader,
and this was succeeded by another uproar.
For time Barr could not make himself
heard, but Lloyd secured order finally.
Barr lost his head. He left the plat
form, but returned. Then he turned
towards his last questioner and shaking
his fist cried, Il brand the man who made
the last charge liar The crowd howled
again and Lloyd tried to hold Barr down.
When quiet was restored a speaker from
the crowd made a sarcastic remark to the
effect that Barr was afraid of the colon
lists and was being guarded by the
mounted police. This roasted out Barr
again and he cried, "Falsehood.'
I'VE hear from all points that you are
making secret commission on all goods
we are getting" continued the speaker.
"It's not true" said Barr. He then
went on to say that no person had been
charged extra for any commission he was
making and added II borrowed money
to help out you colonists and must meet
the interest somehow" Then he went to
the Bible and quoted that verse anent
nuzzing the oxen that tread out the corn.
There were lively responses and express
sions Of disapproval, and the crowd
wanted to know. what was to be done for
those whose means were about exhausted,
but Barr did rot reply.
''What is this meeting called for?" he
asked.
ITO put the whole thing in the hands Of
the government and get rid Of YOU" was
the reply. 1--WE want no more of you.''
Questions such as, why did you de-
mand sovereign commission from each
one who joined the colony were fired in
quick succession and Bars answers were
received with storm of disapproVals.
Finally General Colonization Agent
speers in a practical speech said he would
meet and arrange to take care of those
| whose means were meager. He consid-
cred that steamship trade commissions
, were honest perquisites of any organizer
| He warned those whose money was low
| against proceeding -, unless Barr could
guarantee them employment
,Speers, Lloyd and the government were
loudly cheered, but a call for cheers for
Barr was received with storms Of Kisses
among the few cheers. Forty young men
, left the party to-day to work on the rail-
roads.
The cclonists have sent "a petition to
) James Clfnkskil member for the local
> house, asking him to call a meeting to dis
r cuss grievances and a. meeting will be