The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1912-08-17
OWNERS
On RED Will
Put Up Fight
VIII Claim Their Full Rights
to Navigation
Claim Dam and Bridge Don't
Comply With Law
Also Have Rights Fifty Feet
Back From River

The motor DOaL OWherS on the EScu
river who have been operating small
excursionist crafts on that stream,
may join forces to protest against the
action OF Collector Of Customs La
Moure Of Pembina. There are about
dozen Of these owners who have
the matter under consideration and In
day or so may fight the case In the
courts.
Collector of Customs LaSEoure is-
sued a notice to all the motor boat
owners on the Red river that their
boats had been confiscatsd by the
government for violation OF the navi-
CATION lsivrg and a letter was received
BY each operator giving the informa-
ton that each was penalized 500 for
such violation. This the motor boat
owners feel they should not be COM
PEELED to pay as they were not adj
vjsed of any violation on their part
prior TO the confiscation of their crafts.
Among the motor boat owners are
Harry Hanson, Art Collier, Louis Sie-
berg, Frank Domier, Steve German
and Others. They held an informal
meeting and decided to learn what
steps could be taken to legally protect
their rights. They were given TO un-
derstand that while ths Red river Is
navigable stream that few of the
rules and regulations provided for
Il
enforced on this stream.
One provision is that no nayigabie
rived shall be damned and the motor
boat owners may look into the mat
| ter of the impounding dam near the
| water works. Another provision Is
that all river going vessels shall have
perfect right to land anywhere on the
banks of a navigable stream and nave
\ free access to all property back to
| fifty feet from the river banks. AS IL
| Is now none of the river boats are per-
/ nitted to land anywhere along the
Red river, as none OF the property
\ owners will allow any trespassing on
| their ground clear up to the waters
| edge.
! II Is also claimed that the proposed
| bridge. which has been allowed spy
| congress for use by the street car
company and which VIII not have the
lswing attachment and also the foot
bridge near the dam aFs iTH street vio@
I. laai0Ts 6f the law geEneFs sNlsatlon
on this stream.
The bows feel IL the government is
going to rigidIy enforce its laws regu-
IIating their trips. they have the same
rights to the advantages OF the same
laws They are perfectly agreed TO
maintain all the equipment required by
law and to pay the nominal pilot fee
1 demanded. But they do not feel they
should be called upon to pay the PEN
atty imposed for what requirements
they have innocently violated pre-
viously. It is understood the penalty
may not be pressed against them.
| The question of the impounding
dam in the Red river at the water
works win also be looked into. How
ever, it is understood that this dam
has the protection of a special per-
4 NIT granted by congress.
| The letter received by each motor
boat owner from Collector Of Customs
LaMoure follows:
| "Pembina, N. D., Aug. Is, 1912.
Sir: You are advised that have this
day reported your launch for viola
i tions OF the navigation laws OF the
limited States, the same not being pro-
i nerly equipped. The penalty in cases
I Of this kind is 500, which, on proper
i showing, may be rernitted by the Sec
retary OF commerce and labor. The
| above fine is now assessed against
you.
"You will find herewith q copy OF
the law in this matter and the regula-
tions prescribed hereunder, and un-
l til your boat is equipped as therein
renrired YOU will not be permitted to
/ oneratA Il on the Red River of the
i North. Inasmuch as this is your first
/ offense / would suggest that you adj
i dress a lGIIGT 10 IEO SSCICLdIy VI
IconnYnerce and labor, Washington, ID.
q. asking that the fine be remitted in
/ yuur case for lack of knowledge Of
the law in the matter or such other
grounds as you deem advisable. This
i letter should be forwarded to the col
Hector OF customs, Pembina, N. D.,
who win make such recommendation
/ as the facts warrant. and forward the
same to Washington for consideration
fI-. ~. faS~x ~ q
i Dor.
'In the meantime you should pro-
cure the necessary lights, life preserv
ers, fire extinguishers. whistles, etc,
i so that you will be in position to
onerate your boat as soon as this
matter is adjusted by the secretary OF
lcommerce and labor. Licenses and
kcopies of the pilot rules can be OBJ
tanned by ADDRESSING the local In
spector,' Dubuque. la.
Respectfully, J. LaMoure. jr.,
collector of Customs" !"