The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1911-01-19
Twenty Thousand in Money and $685..
600 Worth of Free Seeds, State
Aid for Fire Sufferers.
TO LEGALIZE FUNDS SPENT
County and City Appropriations Vail
dated if Bill Presented By Sem
ator Sullivan Becomes Law.
(By 2. A. WILSON,
Benidji Pioneer Legislative Blu

Ben1idji Pioneer Legislative Bureau
St. Paul. Jan. 19.-Here is joyful
news for Beltrami and adjoining
counties Governor Eberhart has
decided to assume ali responsibility
for any money the state may pay out
for the benefit of those persons who
suffered losses Of the result Of the
forest fires during the season of 1910.
AS result there is every reason
to believe that the Legislature will
authorize the distribution of approx
imately $4,000 in cash and $685.
900 worth of seeus.
There has been grave danger that
an appropriation OF money for direct
relief of the sufferers would be I'M
constitutional and the lawmakers
have been at their wits ends to &C
complish the purpose of which they
are of one opinion: that of Offering
state money to the fire victims.
Now comes the governor with
the bold declaration that he will
back the Legislature if they vote
the proposed funds. A conference
late yesterday afternoon between
Representative Mattson of Roseau
and Messrs. J. H. Beck, Secretary
Of the ST. Paul Jobbers and Retail
ers Association. and McGonagle of
Duluth revealed the fact that it is
urgent that cash be obtained
Messrs. McGona gle and Beck have
been prominently identified in the
collection and distribution Of the
Red Cross funds. The Red Cross
anticipated on voluntary contribu-
tons amounting to 100000 and
have made distributions with this
sum as basis. They now find that
they are more than $4,000 shy of
this amount
The joint conn ittee of the House
tthree membersl and the Senate
1.-TWO members) to visit the fire zone,
as provided for in the resolution
introduced by Donald Robertson
last week. has not been appointed
This trip probably will be made
but the members feel that little
information OF practical value
could be obtained by an inves+iga.
ton which necessarily could not OK
tend over more than couple of
days, therefore the amount to be ap-
propriated for direct relief will be
largely determined by member from
the northern districts at conferences
with those who have had the relief
work in charge.
The seed appropriation appears to
have smooth sailing. The bill has
been prepared by Representative
Mattson and it calls for an appropri-
alton Of $4,000 to purchase clover,
timothy and red top seed for free dis
tribution. This money is to be
obtained as an appropriation for the
university of Minnesota to avoid
any possible constitutional impede
ment and the distribution is to be
made through the Department Of
Agriculture.
To obtain these seeds, if the bill
becomes law, and it undoubtedly
will, application must be made to the
county auditor, the applicant assert
ing that he suffered as result of
the fire, giving a description of his
losses.
In addition to such distribution
the state will be authorized to SOW
it's lands from the seeds thus provid-
ed. The government land cannot
be covered as Congressman STEINER
son has notified the state that such
proceeding would be illegal.
X x X
Senator George H. Sullivan comes
forward as a friend with bill in
the senate which has for it's purpose
THAT in all cases where the officers
of any city or the county board of