The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-01-16
INTERFERE N IDAHO AFFAIRS
WASHINGTON SENATORS DO 1T
Block Wishes Of IdAho People In Con-
rsss-stop Disposal sT Fort sherman
hsssrVe-Is Of vaius to no 0ns In Pres
eat Condition

The old Fort Sherman military
reservation on Lake Occur d'AIene
will not be sold during the present
session Of congress. II the impertinent
and unwarranted interference Of the
Washington state delegation can pre-
vent it, With q view 70 making II a
Soldier home, X. Is. Scott, Of
Spokane, recently wrote a letter TO
President Roosevelt asking him TO
prevent the sale of the reservation.
la reply be received a letter from
Secretary 10 the President Loeb, in
closing letter from Secretary Hitch
cock which states that the sale has
been held up. The correspondence
IL ~ follows:
White House, Washington, Jan.
?. 1904 My Dear Sir: Referring
to your letter Of recent date. beg to
state that by direction Of the presi.
dent the matter you mention was
brought 10 the attention Of the
secretary Of the interior. and ! en-
Close copy Of a letter just received
from him on the subject which will
explain itself. Very truly you're,
WILLIAM LOEB, JR.
Secretary 10 the President.
Mr.. X b. Scott. 1910 Fifth
Avenue, Spokane, Wash
Following 10 the letter Of Secretary
Hitchcock referred 20 In Mr.. Loeb's
letter
Department Of the Interior,
Washington, December 81, 1903. -
Dear Sir: | have the honor to
acknowledge the receipt Of letter Of
tho 3oth instant from the secretary
10 the president In which he has in.
closed correspondence from X. b.
Scott, 1910 Fifth avenue. Spokane,
Wash. wherein the veterans ask that
the lands In the Fort sherman aband.
oned military reservation, Idaho, be
withheld from sale till the end Of the
Fifty eighth congress TO enable them
70 secure legislation converting the
reservation into a national soldiers
home, aud on your request has stated
that you would like to he advised II
the request can be granted.
''In answer you are informed that
In letter OF March Q. 1908, TO Hon.
a. q. Foster In answer 20 u letter Of
Hon. George Turner aud himself, ad
dressed 20 you aud referred here,
I Informed the senator that | knew nS
reason Why action ~ 60 the sale Of ths
reservation should not be deferred n
requested. Further, that in lettei
Of the same date TO the commissions
Of the general land Office, ] directeS
him to take no action looking Il
disposal OF the reservation till aftel
the end Of the Fifty eighth congress
Very respectfully,
e. V. HITCHCOCK. Secretary.
The President. "
Senator Foster and Representativ,
Cushmau have introduced bills pro
vldinR for the conversion Of For
Sherman into a soldiers home, an'
hope TO secure favorable action thi
: session. The Idaho members ar
: willing 20 carry out the wishes of tn
people Of this part OF the state bu
; every time they attempt to dispose o
b the reservation the Washington mem
: hers bob up in opposition to the sale
: Spokane is not satisfied with takin
. the post from Occur d'Alene bu
9 encourages her representatives 4
a congress TO prevent the sale of th
}. reserve Tor the benefit Of the public
!. prcfcriug TO keep it a bowling wilder
y ness. This sentiment seems to !
4 shared alike by the business men an
le newspapers Of Spokane.