The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-08-23

Congr essman F. G: Stevens Of st.
Paul, backed by Senators Nelson and
Clapp, and other members of Minneso-
ia s delegations in congress, has made a
protest to tho authorities at Washing
ton against the proposed sale OF timber
on the White Earth reservation Sept. 5.
AS stated in The Journal yester-
day, the Indians object vigorously to
the short notice given to bidders, which
they fear will result in lack Of com.
petition at the sale. The protests OF
from lumbermen, who are not in posi-
ton to bid on such short notice, have
aroused the members of the Minnesota
delegation to the situation, and there is
little doubt that the sale will be de-
ferred in compliance. with their re-
quests. The communication Of Con-
gresham Stevens was addressed both
department. and to F. E. Leupp, COM
missioner of Indian affairs. The ar
rangements for the sale were made by
Acting. Commissioner Iarrabee in Mr.:
Leupp's absence, and they are objected
to in several particulars. The delega-
ton makes the following requests:
First-That the sale be postponed sew
eral months, so that adequate notice can
be given to all the lumbermen who de-
sire to bid upon the timber. n p. ~. -
Second-That the government make a
careful examination of the timber, ascer-
tanning the quantity and quality.
Third-That the proposed sale be wide
ly advertised turnout the state in daily
and weekly papers, that the widest
publicity possible be given.
Fourth-That deposits required Of bid
ders be increased form $4,000 to $4,000 or
some higher sum which may be deemed
adequate to protect the Indians against
fraud or violation of the contracts.
It is understood that Acting Com
missioner Larrabee defends his plan
by saying that the: transaction of Sept.
S will not be a sale. It will only de,
the Indians for. the timber, and it will
be optional with each Indian owning an
allotment to make a contract in those
terms. In reply to this it is stated that
the regulations provide for a mill to
be built on the reservation. This will
Of course be built by the bidder decided
by the authorities to be the highest,
to compete with him. The Indian will
the owner ; Of the mill, or not at ali.
animation III ' be y. g of the ' timber. The
one on which tle estimates are based
was made in tliee days, and it was
an impossibility TO cover 100000 acres
in that time; Naturally the one com.
pany which has covered the. tract with
cruisers will be in position to bid,
and no one else.
Explains the Protest.
Senator Clapp, who has joined in the
protest, says in explaining his posi-.
ton: :.
I'm the Indian appropriation bill
the the Indians sn IN M Ma to whom l al
lotments had been or might be made
might sell the timber IN their allot
ments subject to the approval Of the
secretary of the interior and subject
to regulations prescribed by him. II
will be understood that these lands are
allotted to the Indians in severalty
with restriction as to alienation.
"On Aug. IA a notice was published
that sale Of the timber on the reser
walton would be held Sept. 5. The no
tice refers to the regulations which
m nH Of interior and tie re: regulation ike1
provide that mill shall be ,esta blishe6
on the reservation, a fair inference
Of the regulations being that the right
to the highest bidder. Of course thu
| timber itself cannot be sold directly
!: by the government under the law, 81
the regulations further provide that al
to each Indian there must be contrac
between the Indian and the successful
bidder, which contract shah be specific
ally approved by the department.. TIL,
bidding therefore would practically Fl:
the mill.
"The Indians are much opposed t,
the proposed sale because the shor
time between the first notice and tn
date of sale will not enable lumberme1
> generally to make such an estimate a
I will warrant them in bidding at tn
sale. While timber is sold by tn
l thousand feet, at the same time tn
! more timber Their is on given averag
and the larger the trees, the cheape
3 it is to handle the same number Of fee
;; and consequently the more the timbe
will bring by, the thousand, and tn
. Indians are naturally solicitous that tn
3 fullest opportunity shall be given t
4 the lumbermeh! to make their estimates
as from the competition thus create
: the Indians would get better pric
for their timber. We
4 Give One Man Monopoly.
4 ftThe proposed regulations provid
for deposit Of $4,000 to insure con
q pliance with the rules This is anothe
4 cause for serious complaint on the pa1
of the Indians. The regulations man
q testify contemplate that some one bic
B der shall have the right to place a mi
4 on the reservation and to contract wit
! the individual indians, and unless thi
] right is the result Of fair competitiv
81 itpk,11 %lo 1,,JS o.