The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-19
He WORKED FOR
SMELLING LINE
CONG. STEVENS EXPLAINS HIS
COURSE FROM BEGINNING.
His Letter to Minneapolis Retailers Is
Evidently Designed to Repel Any In
timation that He Has Been an OBJ
structionist-He Says There viii Be
No More Delay Now. !.

Congressman +. G.. Stevens Of st.
Paul who has been charged with de-
laying the extension OF the Minneapolis
street railway system into the Fort
ten the Minneapolis Retailers associa;
tion explaining his stand. Instead OF
wishing to delay the project, Mr.. Stew
ems declares that he is and has been
willing to help and hopes to see the
| line 60 thru without further delay:
Importance to the interests Of the post
which, in his opinion, demand attention.
He moreover states that the delay need
not occupy more than week or two at
most.
Mr.. Stevens letter is in reply to
Communication from William NJ. Regain,
George D. Dayton and P. D. Boutell in
behalf of the retailers association, re-
minding him Of the fact that two years |
ago, he promised his aid. At that time |
he asked the local business interests to
play waiting game until additional
land for rifle ranges and cavalry parade
grounds had been secured. In return,
the desired permits thru the war de-
partment. AS his action did not seem
to imply remembrance of the agree
ment, the retailers association called
the matter to his attention.
After stating that he remembers the
agreement duu OUT Luc SOOu It.
suits of delay Mr.. Stevens says, in his
reply lXE; -
Minneapolis have been very patient and
patriotic and have contributed material
ly toward securing these improvements.
On my part, I fully recognize your right
to call on me for any assistance 1 can
sire. I shall respond to the best of my
ability and will lay before you the sit
uation in detail, at the same time IN
viting your further suggestions: Con-
gress contemplates extending the more
I important posts Of the country. The
: one thing needed is the best possible
+ means of transportation for this post.
At present, these are far from satisfac-
tory and must be improved. Realizing
this [ agreed and promised your Com
mercial club to assist in the matter.
This action was based, however, on the
/ understanding that there should be
at once requested the general staff Of
the army to investigate and secured an
order to that effect. Its findings were
| not satisfactory.
"Your proposed stub line would be
convenient to the officers and men only,
and not at all adequate to the military
and business interests Of the enlarged
reservation. For this thru line was
required. Under the circumstances it
was only right to consider the entire
proposition. I therefore took the &C
/ ton which I did on my return to St.
Paul on March "a. ~ <aa-S =
! In speaking of. the board which has
been appointed to investigate the con-
! ttThis board will formulate a plan
= which will obligate and commit the fed
eral government to this large Improve.
ment in transportation facilities, and
Of there need then be no further delay. in
a aa making the extension you desire. Gen
bv eral Carr informed me that the board
ay would not require more than week OF
al two. I see no occasion for any delay In
n Washington. I shall be glad to assist
should not be closed with in a month OF
500 Since this was written the gov
eminent has issued license for the line
ks and all that now remains to be dome Il
IL the final selection Of the route by the
10 board
Mr.. Stevens states that, had he beer
I'D consulted in February, there would have
III been no delay at present. For this hi
is inclined to blame the Minneapolis in
an terests: |,-
tc. lay for you, but may mean much to tn
future interests Of the reservation ,
n writes the congressman. cit is prac
tically impossible to obtain allotment
and appropriations for public purpose
are made manifest. Action now bein,
taken is the appropriate manner Of do
ing it and deserves the support of al
interested in the welfare Of Fort Smell
ing. I shall be pleased to confer witt
you and assist you, and will co-operat
to hasten this and any other proceed
ings to a successful issue.'