The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-26
BEMIDJI STILL
HAS A CHANGE
Congressman Stevenson Persuades
the President to Interfere in
the Land Office Contest.
Commissioner Richards Is Ordered to
Make an Investigation and
Report to the President.
From The Journal Bureau, Room As, Post Build
H.. IL.

From The Journal Bureau, Room 45, Post Build
Ing, Washington.
Washington, June 26.-Whether the new
land office in northern Minnesota shall be
located at Cass Lake or at BemidU is still
an open question:; a very wide open ques-.
ton, in fact. President Roosevelt, this
morning, after an interview with Rrepre-
sentative Stevenson and L. Fl. Bailey, an
attorney from Bemidji, dictated a letter
to Commissioner Richards of the general
land office, in the presence Of Messrs.
Stevenson and Bailey, in which he adj
vised that the question Of the location OF
the new office should be carefully inquired
into by Richards, who, he said. should Sc
cure all available evidence, written and
oral, and then recommend one town or
the other as the evidence may warrant.
This recommendation is to be forwarded
to the president, who will review 1t and
make final decision.
This is great victory for the Bemidji
people, In view of Commissioner, Richards
action in definitely locating the office at
Cass Lake, and thus, as many supposed,
finally disposing Of the matter. Mr.. Steen-
erson feels jubilant over the success Of
his visit to the president, and will return
home to prepare for the hearing before
Mr. Richards, which will come in a month
or two, probably. Whether Bemidii will
ultimately secure the land office or not he
OF that town are perfectly willing to sub
nit their case on it's merits and abide by
the presidents decision, based on q full
Inquiry into all the facts as to the con-
ventence Of settlers. railroad lines, etc.
Originally there were some matters Of
patronage connected with the case, and
these may have had something to do with
the early victory of Cass Lake Mr..
STEVENSON, however, announces that he
is entirely willing to permit the newly
appointed officers of the new district to
serve He has no candidates to take their
places. and will not bring the question Of
patronage into the controversy. All he
wants is that the land office itself shall
be ats Bemidji
that Messrs. Stevenson and Bailey will
make flying trip to Old Point Comfort
by boat from Washington
Judge Page Morris, after visiting in
Virginia and attending the commencement
exercises of his alma mater there, will
start for Duluth tonight. He is all ready
to begin his work as federal district Judge
next Wednesday.
A New Red Lake Treaty.
Representative Stevenson this after
noon called on Secretary Hitchcock to
talk about the Red Lake treaty. It is the
opinion of Senator Clapp that it would be
good plan for the interior department
during the summer season to see what can
be done towards securing a new treaty.
with the Indians so it can be made a. basis
Tor action In congress next winter He is
satisfied, apparently, that the present
treaty will not be ratified Mr.. STEINER
son took this matter up with Secretary
Hitchcock late to-day at Senator Clapp's
suggestion.
Architectural Competition.
Some time ago Assistant Secretary Tay-
Tor decided he would take advantage of
the so-called Tarsney act which provides
Tor the competition of private architects
IN drawing plans for public buildings.
Among the new buildings to be erected
and which Mr.. Taylor decided to give to
private architects for competition. was
the federal building at Superior, Wis, and
4 several Minnesota architects were invited
to compete. Thus far these two have
signified their willingness to enter the
competition, namely Radcliffe & Scoyille
OF Duluth and Messrs. Ferry & Clas of
Milwaukee,
The Smelling Groggerles.
The war department officials received
copies to-day of last Saturdays and Mon
+. days u n ], containing articles re-
gard1ng the saloons at the st. Paul end
4 OF the Smelling bridge. The articles will
be forwarded to Colonel Pond at Fort
Smelling, with the request that he make
an immediate report on the conditions as
set forth in T h e Journal
w, w. .Jerrnane