The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-12
HE SCORES The
LUMBERMEN
Cass Lake Editor Says They Are
Planning to Destroy the
Morris Law.
Paid Agents Among the Indians and
a Campaign Of Circulars
and Petitions.
Special to The Journal.

Cass Lake, Mimi, Sept. 12-As the time
draws near for the sale Of the timber on
the Chippewa Indian reservation under
the provisions of the Norris law, there
are rumors Of much discomfort among
the lumbermen. The rule most strenu-
ously opposed is rule s, which requires
the removal of all tops and refruse left
after cutting. Some Of the lumbermen
say it is utterly impossible to burn the
top Of green Norway pine, and that the
expense In an endeavor to comply with
the provision will be enormous.
On the other hand it Is contended by
advocates of the Morris law that certain
lumbermen who do not want the large
amount Of pine put on the market at TINS
time, for the reason that they are not
In a position to handle all or any large
portion to be offered, and In order to
prevent the flooding of the market" Will
leave no stone unturned to prevent the
sale and ultimately repeal the Morris law
by getting amendments introduced this
winter. A. G. Bernard, who returned
from Washington a few days ago, says:
S Bernard Is caustlc.
1.-THE nearer the time approaches for
putting the provisions Of the Morris law
into operations, the more desperate some
or the lumbermen become against 1t.
They are throwing every obstacle In the
way Of cutting the timber advertised to
be sold in December. First one objection
Is raised when that Is wiped out, then
another springs up. The latest Is the cry
Of the injustice to the Indians for making
them pay for the burning of the refuse
and debris. This, they enormously say,
will cost all the way from 50 to 81 to
destroy. This amount the complaining
lumbernen point out, comes from the In
dian fund.
''This is all rot Experienced lumber
men who desire to purchase the timber
and who are honest In their business re-
lations, say that while they would prefer
not to destroy the slashings, 1t will not
cost more than so cents a thousand to do
so. Even should it cost twice that amount:
the Indian can well afford to pay for It,
considering the very much better deal he
Is getting under the provisions Of the
Morris law than he would have obtained
under the old Nelson bill Under the Nor
ris law he Is sure to obtain at least 81
thousand more for his timber than he
would under the law passed in 1890, and
besides he Is to be paid for his land, after
the timber is cut off. at the rate Of $1.25
an acre, so the Indian Is the gamer, even
II the cost Of destroying the debris comes
indirectly out of his pocket.
"Lumbermen who are opposed to the
Morris law have paid emissaries among
the Indians, with petitions to the presi-
dent, asking that rule be changed and
the burning Of theslashings be done away
with. This Is done simply to embarrass
the department, SO as not to get the tim
Der cut this year or next. or until the
lumbermen who have holdings in other
counties are good and ready for the pur-
chase Of the timber on the Chippewa
reservation. And during the interval
what? A concentrated effort to wipe the
Morris law off the statute books. And
why? So that the timber may be stolen
under the provisions Of the Nelson law.
Stands by His Statement. q.
This is a rather startling statement to
make but nevertheless 1t Is true. From
the beginning of the movement to pass a
bill opening the Chippewa reservations
certain lumber interests were opposed to
1t, and they were more than astonished to
learn Of it's passage. While the law is
not all that could be desired, it was the
best that could be obtained.
1.-THE lumbermen who opposed the pas
sage Of the bill are opposed to its being
carried out in any manner. They not
only have paid agents among the Indians,
to petition the president not to enforce
certain rules, but they have succeeded in
buying up a newspaper or two to oppose
the Morris law in it's entirety.
Another movement is circular that
Is being sent broadcast among the In
dams, protesting against taking away
from them Of 225,006 acres Of land for
reforestry purposes, the setting aside of
ten sections as a permanent forest reserve
and the holding back Of per cent Of the
standing timber. The circular goes on at
great length to show the alleged injustice
being done to the Indian by taking SO
much Of his property. This is simply an
other movement to throw obstacles in the
way Of carrying out the provisions Of the
law. As matter Of fact, nothing has
been taken away from the Indians. The
property and the title remains with them.
When the timber is all cut off and the
ratio Of prices established, then will the
Indian be settled with for what the bill
reserved from sale or settlement.
Plans Of the Department..
THE Indians Of the Chippewa reserva-
ton are Indebted to the general govern
ment for moneys advanced. When the
time for final settlement comes, it Is the
intention Of the department to have law
passed crediting the Indians with the
advance payments made No injustice
is being done the Indian. nor Is any being
attempted. Certain lumbermen who have
become rich from sharp practices with
the Indians are now posing as their
friends. This Is really so funny that every
body can see the humor in 1t, and also
behind it another attempt to hold ur
the Morris Law. until such a time as they
can get it reeealed.
'.But this will never be DONE The sec
rotary of the interior Is fully satisfied
that the best results to the Indians will
be obtained by the speedy operations OF
4 the Morris law. Secretary Hitchcock
Commissioner Richards and Commissioner
OF Indian Affairs Jones are perfect unit
on this question They are studying the
interests of the Indian, and not of a few
selfish lumbermen. They will cause the
Morris law to be put into force as speed.
lily as possible They will have homes,
men to carry it out, and the objections OF
the lumbermen who are furnishing the
money to circulate petitions and appeals
will avail nothing
Troops II Necessary.
Relative to the probability that the cir
culation of the statement among the In
dams and request that they sign tn
petition to President Roosevelt may caus
trouble and result In an uprising anon,
the reds, a government official who is il
close touch with the Indian department
says:
s'While 1t is believed at Washington
that Major Scott has the situation wei
In hand, and is fully able to handle an
differences that may arise, the depart
Disfiqured Skin