The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1913-01-02
]. H. Griffin, District Freight Agent,
Instructed to Investigate Con-
ditions Thoroughly. =:
THE COMMERCIAL CLUB MEETS
Is Sitting In Special Session This
Afternoon to Arrange for a :
Conference. ..

Following correspondence with w.
P. Kinney, vice president of the Great
Northern road, and J. H. Griffin, dis
trtct freight agent, those who have
been advocating lands in the vicinity
Of Bemidji as summer pastures for
Montana sheep believe that there is
a good opportunity for seeing. the
realization of what has been called
"Opsahl's sheep Dream A meeting
=. of the Commercial club Is being held
this afternoon to determine the time
at which a committee can meet with
Mr.. Griffin and discuss details
: J, J. opsahl, of this city, some
: time ago wrote to officials of the
Great Northern advocating the max
ing of stop-over rate on sheep in
transit from Montana ranges to the
eastern stockyards in order that they
might be grazed during the summer
months on the cut over lands in this
vicinity He pointed out that SO, 900
sheep could be: cared for here easily
next salramer. and that not only will
the sheep herders benefit by the sum-
mer pasturage but the farmers will
be benefited by the clearing the
sheep will do.
Mr.. Opsahps letter was turned over
to Mr.. Kinney for reply and he stated
that he had instructed Mr.. Griffin,
whose home is in Grand Forks, to
come to Bemidii to confer with Mr..
Opsahl and others as to the advisable
ity: Of making Bemidji rate ON sheep
IN. transit other than the rate in ef-
fec: today. Mr.. Kinney at once wrote
that he will come as soon as asked
And the meeting" of the Commercial
club this afternoon was called in
order to make arrangements for that
meeting.
The Great Northern at present has
a feeding-in-transit rate but it ap-
plies mainly to the through lines.
Provision is made for side lines, such
as the one Bemidji is on, but the
extra rate charged is based on the
mileage from the main line junction
and in this case would be prohibit
tive. Mr.. Kinney intimated that Mr..
Griffin's Judgment would be follow
ed in the matter and if he recon-
meme rate for Bemidji it is more
than possible that many sheep will
be pastured in this vicinity next
summer.
= Mr.. Opsahl has figured that within
the fifty mile zone of Bemidji there
are $500 square miles of land about
twenty per cent of which is covered
with lakes or swamps. He says that
there are 1000 square miles of till
able land and that by using eighty
acres to a farm: room for 10000
farms. In his estimate he believes
that there are about 5000 farms on
this land now.
+ twelve thousand farms within
fifty miles of Bemidji would support
q population of 10000 people and
1,395,000 head of live stock and
poultry. 1t is believed that the nat
ural increase marketable would
amount to close to 100000 head
each year. 1t is to get the land clear
ed of underbrush and ready for the
farmer that the sheep are wanted. ),
:. The plan as proposed, is for the
Montana men to bring their sheep
here early In the summer, when the
Montana pasture is giving out: and
put them on the cut over lands fol
srazing. In the fall they will be
reloaded and shipped to the killing
markets of South st. Paul and Chi.
cago. Such shipments would not
only give the farmers assistance in
clearing their land but would also en-
able them to buy sheep for themsel.
YES at a reasonable price. :
FIRE AT DORIAN BROTHERS.