The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1911-08-29
Rldlcules Idea That Any Faction Can
Successfully Plot to Send Man to
Penitentiary.
DECLARES IT UNJUST TO COUNTY
Fears False Impression Might Endan-
ger Jury By Feelings Aroused BY
Such limitations.

Characterlzlng an article in a Du-
luth morning paper Of yesterday in
which 1t is asserted that politics are
playing a leading part in the Dumas
case and that Mike Davis is being
sheltered on Star Island at Cass Lake
as an insult to Beltrami county and
an Injustice to the entire North coun-
try, Assistant Attorney General Al
exander L. James, before leaving last
night for st. Paul authorized the fol-
lowing: ...-
The intimation that undue in
huence is being used, or has been
used, is an injustice to both
sides. Furthermore, l want to
say that at no time have l heard
anything about the arrest of
prominent Bemidji citizens or
business men. 8
....
The Duluth Story.
The Duluth stody credits its in
formation to well known, citizen
OF Beltrami county, and assumes
that the arrest of DR.. Dumas is the
outcome of a fight between political
factions here, a disposition to fight
fire with fire. +
The Duluth paper quotes the well
known citizen" with this Hne of
chatter: q,
ALI Result of Politics.
sThe whole matter is the outcome
of bitter fight between the poIiti-
cal factions in Beltrami county for
supremacy in state and county poll
tics. Politics is behind it all. Mr..
Hazen's conduct in office is being in
vestigated and some things are be-
ing developed for Mr. Hazen to ex-
plain. This Investigation. has been
threatened for some time and is the
first step in a desperate fight between
the factions to gain control of the
political situation, which for several
years has lacked a bell wether, in
fact. ever since the death of Bailey
and Street. ***
Not So Keen After Dumas.
when the sleuths of the state fire
marshal's Office took the trail of DR..
Dumas they knew what they were
about. They were not so anxious to
involve Dumas as they were to get
the goods on some prominent citi-
zens of Bemidji. Their efforts were
only partially successful. They were
unable to fasten anything on the
men they most desired to implicate,
and the plan they laid out for the
capture of Davis and his associates
did not place them in position to
command immunity for Hazen from
those who had threatened to secure
his political scalp.
Says, Situation is Tense"
f'The situation at present is tense.
Martin Behan, it is claimed, when
he goes on the stand at the Dumas
trial will supplement the statements
he has already made by some details
that will implicate some of the most
prominent business men in Bemidji
in transactions of a questionable
character.
cat Bemidji now it is current re-
port that Mike Davis is in the vicin-
1ty Of Cass Lake. It is alleged that
he has recently been seen on Star
Island and that if the situation at
the trial at Bemidji gets beyond the
control of certain gentlemen inter
ested Davis will make an eleventh
hour appearance, give himself up and
tell the whole truth of his connec-
ton with Dumas and others
James Much Shocked.
There is more to the Duluth story,
but these quotations show its gem
eral trend.
Assistant Attorney General James
at first was inclined to ignore the
story entirely, fearing that to COM
ment on it would give it undue inn
portance- On the other hand he saw
peril in the possible impression it
might create.
Sees Danger to Jury.
1t is an outrage that such things
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