The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-02-07
king BRINGS GOOD
NEWSFOR SETTLERS
Says Bill Now Before Congress Would
Open Large Area Of Overflow
Land for Entry Here
RETURNS FROM WARRINGTON
Would Be Great Boost for This Sec
ton Of State, Says Former Presi-
dent Of Development Association

=. NJ. King OF Deer River, presi-
dent of the Northern Minnesota De-
yelopment association, who has just
returned from Washington, brought
good news for a large number of
settlers in Northern Minnesota. He
says that the bill opening to entry
large areas Of so-caMed overflow"
lands in Northern Minnesota, has
passed the senate and is thought to
have a good chance of passing the
house without ,material alteration.
Aside from the all-important fact
that the bill provides for the open
ing of lands, the feature which will
appeal to a large number of people
is the provisions that squatters
will have prior right of entry for
thirty days. There are large num-
Der of squatters on the land. They
have built their homes in anticipa-
ton of the opening of the lands to
entry, and their right of possession
is amply protected under the bill as
it passed the senate.
Praise for Senator Nelson.
Senator Nelson cannot be praised
too highly for the part he has taken
in this matter" said Mr.. King. "On
two previous occasions Senator Mel
son put similar bill through the
senate only to have it killed in the
house. This time l believe the bill
will be successful in the house and
that the lands will be opened for
entry. 80 -
"The lands involved are outside of
the overflow areas of government
dams, but which were reserved by
the government. When the reserv-
atoms were made, the government
took no chances on restrictions, en-
barassing it in the future, by reserv-
ing many thousand acres more than
were necessary. The land lies in
Carlton, Itasca, Aitkin, Cass and Bel
trami counties, and they~are among
the richest we have in Northern Min
nesota. Of course, the government
will continue to reserve overflow
areas sufficient for all purposes, but
the lands involved in this bill lie
outside of any possibility of being
overflown.
"The bill is perfectly satisfactory
to all persons who have been inter-
ested in having the lands opened. It
gives squatters thirty days prior
right to entry, so that the men who
have their homes there and have de-
veloped their lands, will not be dis
possessed unless it is by their own
carelessness. I believe that this bill
is very important to the development
of Northern Minnesota, and I sin
cerely hope it will go through" M
Funds for Bridges. ~
Mr.. King went to Washington as
representative of the Northern
Minnesota Development association
to interest government officials in
the erection of two bridges in the
National Forest on the route of the
Duluth and St. Vincent road. Mr..
King says that the money for the
entire road has been appropriated,
and that the lack of funds for the
two bridges is the only obstacle to
the completion of the road this year.
AS both bridges are in the National
Forest, and as the land is exempt
from state taxation, the officers Of
the Northern Minnesota DEVELOPMENT
association believe the Federal gov
eminent should build the bridges.