The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-10-03
MAY MODIFY
BOOZE ORDER
Ballinger Calls for Conference
With Witherow
Has So Far Only Heard Off;
cial Side Of Case

The all absorbing question in Moor
heads business circles today was the
latest developments in connection with
the government order closing the
saloons, Oct. Is, the date extended
from the date of the original order,
Sept. Is. Every day nearer the date
for closing the situation seems to be
more intense and interesting and the
question, what do you know about
the closing order and is there anything
new?" is asked of everybody who is
Likely to hear the latest.
The interior department has called
for representatives of Moorhead's case
and in response Mayor w. HI. Dayy
and City Attorney Witherow and one
or two other citizens will leave for
Washington tonight at the latest. Ar
irving at Washington, the gentlemen
will Immediately have conferences
with Secretary Ballinger and Assist
ant Secretary Pierce and the exact
status of affairs at Moorhead will be
placed before the heads of the interior
Dispatches from Washington, today,
say that serious consideration of the
Indian liquor situation will be given
by Secretary Ballinger during the next
few days The secretary has been tied
up in the cabinet meetings practically
all the time since he returned to
but he has been able to
inform himself in part of the senti-
ment of the people in the towns affect
ed by the order for closing the saloons
Oct. Is.
He has the Indian office side of the
case, but has not seen any one from
the affected territory. In order to get
both sides, he has telegraphed City
Attorney Witherow and others of
Moorhead and Mayor Dumas of Cass
Lake to come to Washington for a con-
ference.
While no official statement of prob |
abilities can be obtained, there is a |
strong probability that Secretary Bal |
niger will modify the previous order Of |
he department. considerably. Among |
'fficials of the department there is a |
pronounced feeling that William A. !
Johnson, special agent, and his depu |
les have been too jealous in their at |
empts to bring about prohibition in
he Indian country.
1t is also the view of department
'fticials that with the application of a
title more "horse sense" in the en-
orcement of the law the present stu
,tlon would net be now confronting /
he department. and liquor could have
zen kept away from the Indians lust 1
IS successfully as by the attempted
Increment Of total prohibition in the
owns tributary to the reservations.
Witherow Leaves Tonight.
City Attorney Witherow was found
cry busy, today, getting ready to take
is departure for the east tonight. To-
1orrow he will spend in st. Paul
mere he will make an argument be-
ore the supreme court in connection
nth case he is interested in. To- /,
morrow night he will leave for WASH
1gton, in response to a request for a
difference with Secretary Ballinger on
he Indian liquor question and the de-
artment order, closing the saloons
itthin certain prescribed district of
mich Clay county, and consequently
ioorhead, is part, Oct Is.
Mr.. Witherow in speaking of the
natter, this afternoon, said: There
all sorts of talk afioat about my
leeting Attorney Zollman of the as
ociation of brewers at st. Paul. I'll,
esire it distinctly understood that /
ave no business whatever with Mr..
GILMAN. He is not in the matter at ,,
IL and there is nothing whatever to
iscuss with him. / have been sent !
'r as an official Of the city of Moor
cad and l think it would be very
improper for me to discuss matters Of I
he situation with Mr.. Zollman who is !
My a representative of private in
'rests. At st. Paul shall meet the {
ayor of Cass Lake, who knows by i
lis time that l am not in sympathy / c
18th what is reported to be going on a
lere. At Washington l shall answer h
! the questions asked of me to the \
cry best of my ability and under c
anding of the matter" q