The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1910-11-08
.bEM|DJ| NEAR BREAK
With indian BUREAU
Brown says "Pussyfoot" Hasn't Been
Fair, Closing Lawful Places, Leav- 3
ing 'Hellholes' Open
TORRANCE UTTERS WARNING
Lively Discussion Results When Re-
quest for License to Reopen Nicol-
let Hotel Bar is Made.

"Pussyfoot Johnson hasn't been
square with US; he's Disseminated
against our saloonkeepers, passing
by 'hellholes' to close up places kept
by men adhering closely to the law,
simply because the agents have it in
for them l, for one, believe the
council is able to govern the city of
Bemidii without any assistance from
Mr.. Johnson"
These statements from N. w.
Brown, alderman from the Fourth
ward, at the meeting of the council
last evening indicates how near Be-
midi is to an open rupture with the
Indian bureau of the Interior depart
ment.
1t was freely admitted by mem.
bers of the council that by ignoring
resolution passed several weeks
ago as sign of harmony to w. E.
Johnson, who has charge of enforc-
ing the Indian liquor enforcement,
and which limited the number of
saloons, was being violated when
additional liquor licenses were
granted and that by so doing Be-
midi lays herself open to the wrath
of the federal officers.
Torrance Give. Warning.
I tell you frankly" added City
Attorney Torrance, that if I wanted
to have the town closed up I would
pursue just the course you are taking
in granting new licenses"
The storm broke when the ap-
plication of Nels Rude for new
liquor license came up. He
desires to re-establish the bar at
the Nicollet Hotel which was
closed not long ago by govern.
ment agents.
'*My opinion is" said Mr.. Tor
rance, "that if you want to grant
additional licenses, you ought
first to rescind the saloon limit
resolution.''
eff we grant a license, the gov
eminent is apt to close the
saloons; they have done it before,
and they are apt to do it again.
1t looks like stealing the money
from the man who gets the
license" said Alderman Brown.
"Well, it's the man who wants
the license who is taking
chance" said Alderman Tom
Smart.
s'Are you sure it isn't the city,"
was the significant rejoinder of
Alderman Bursley.
well, if you want the town to
get closed up quick, just buck up
against the government" was the
suggestion from Alderman Shannon.
You should remember, gentlemen"
continued the city attorney, that
the courts have held that Bemidji is
in Indian territory and that the fed
eral government has supreme power
in the regulation of the liquor traffic
here"
Anyhow we agreed not to enlarge
the number of licenses" commented
President Pro TEN Bisiar.
"Yes, but that was when we
thought Pussyfoot Johnson was on
the square. He hasn't been, that's
all. No man dares say that Frank
Gagnon didn't obey the law for the
IL days he was doing business, but
he's closed up." said Alderman
Brown.
Without really settling the point
at issue with the government, the
council decided it would have no
legal right to grant the Rude license
and it was laid on the table.
With the exception of President
Kirk all members ofthe council were
present last night.
Tom Johnson, who is to build the
septic tank or settling pool for the
city. was present and said he could
complete the work in three weeks
time if permitted to do 50. His
work has been interrupted by the
claim that to build the tank as out
lined would be an infringement up
on certain patents. He was given
until Dec. to finish the work.