The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1905-07-03
SEEK TO START
COLONIZATION
Non-Mormons to Call Mass Meeting
to Exploit Uintsh Reservation.
MINERS ALSO ARE ACTIVE
HAVE AN EYE TO
THE OPPORTUNITIES.


time this week to organize for the ex-
pIoitation of the Uintah Indian reser-
walton. The matter was discussed yes
terday by some of the ministers ard by
leaders Of the American party. and
preliminary steps were taken to call
meeting for the purpose stated.
The action is caused by the discovery
that letters signed by the presidency
of Wasatch stake-William II. Smart,
Joseph r. Murdoch and J. G. Jensen
have been sent to bishops and other
authorities of the Mormon church urg-
ing the organization of younger Nor
mons to secure the best lands on the
reservation and saying:
while the manner of drawing will
be such that each person will stand an
equal show. and we therefore cannot
assist in procuring certain pieces of
land for individuals, yet we are
acquainting ourselves with tracts of
land which we feel are most desirable
for settlement. and which through
land Office connections being formed by
US can be chosen by those who may
be in touch with us
May Petition President.
The land office connections referred
to are supposed to mean Shoots ap-
pOintees, Receiver Charles DeMOisy and
Register Don b. Cotton of the new
Nernal land Office. One of the objects
of the meeting viii be to petition Presi-
dent Roosevelt to remove these two
men or to tie their hands so they can
give no special advantages to Nor
mons.
Another object will be to arrange for
the preparation and distribution out
side of Utah of information as to the
opportunities for the home seeker on
the Uintah reservation. The persons
who favor the mass meeting declare
that the proper distribution of such in
formation viii result in rush ef nom
MOrmOnS from other states which will
have a decided effect on the political,
commercial and agricultural situation
in Utah
Several members of the Women's
Auxiliary of the American party were
anxious to have that organization start
the movement. but in the absence from
the city of the president, Mrs. Thomas
d. Pitt, nothing definite was done yes
terday. The officers will probably take
the matter up today.
Miners Are Interested.
The Western Federation of Miners is
likely to play an important part in the
opening and settlement of the Uintah
reservation. When the convention was
held in this city a few weeks ago, at an
executive session of the chief officers,
1t was decided to Investigate conditions
in the reservation With reference to it's
termined to collect ali the information
possible and furnish il to the members
of the association. to enable them to
reap some of the fruits of opening the
new country
The understanding is now general
that all this has been done since the
adjournment Of the convention and
that many of the members of the West
ern Federation of Miners, especially
those living 10 Colorado, will make a
hn h
as it is open to settlement Some of
these viii make use of their knowledge
OF mlneralogy and mining to get pos
session of good mineral properties. 9th
ers viii locate and settle on farms and
abandon mining altogether. Between
the two classes of members the organi-
zation is certain to make its influence
felt in northeastern Utah.
Want Drawing in Grand junction.
Another feature of the approaching
opening Of the reservation that is caus-
ing wide discussion is the movement in
favor of having the land Office re-
moved from NeTnal to some more ac-
cessible place. The Denver News dis
cusses this matter at some length, pro-
posing Grand Junction as a substitute
for Nernal. There is little likelihood that
the land Office will be taken out of
Utah. but the suggestion of it's re-
mOval from Nernal is worthy of atten-
ttBtt- ne News says
An effort is being made to have the
place of registration and drawing for
the opening of the Uintah Indian reser-
walton changed from Vernal Utah. to
. Grand Junction, Colo The argument
is advanced that VernaI is only a small
village a long distance from any rail
road, and is almost inaccessible to peO-
pie outside of Utah.
1t is maintained that the people of the
entire country should have an equal
/ chance to secure land in the reserva-
ton. and the chances would not be
equal if the registratin is held at Yer
nal. It is also pointed out that Grand
Junction is on a railroad line and is
admirably adapted for the place of
registration and the subsequent draw
ing.
AS it is necessary for everyone to
/ register in person. and there Will be
fully $4,000 registrations, ii is held that
| there are not suitable and ample ac-
COmmOdatiOnS at Vernal for all Of
/ these or even small part of them. ON
the other hand the crowds can be easily
cared Cor at Grand Junction.
The Grand Junction chamber OF com
merce has been making extra efforts tC
! have the change made and has offered
| special inducements. This body has
prevailed upon The Colorado representa-
J tives in the United States senate and
/ congress to use their influence i'm be
/ half Of Grand Junction. and the re
suit was the following letter addressed
/ to President Roosevelt.
/ . In regard to the opening Of the
| Cintah reservation we wish to suggest
I and urge the selection of Grand juno
/ ton, Colo. as the proper place for the
/ registration and dra wing for the reason
/ that il is the most convenient point OF
! a Unconstitutional railway accessible e
! those living outside of Utah who wish
/ land on the reservation. and il is the
| nearest city to the reservation capable
of caring f. y the homeseekers
! We believe il viii result i'm great
! injustice and much suffering 10 select
| Nernal or any other small village. and
! the selection of Vernal or Price viii
practically bar land seekers of every
state eXcePt Utah.
| We believe and know you Will agree
with US that all the people of the whole
| union should have a chance for lanC
| in the reservation. (Signed) H. NJ
| Teller. United States senator: r. NJ