The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1915-06-18
SOLONS DETERMINE
VIRGIN PINES SHALL
BECOME STATE PARK
Legislators Appreciate Value of Rug
giles Forest to Bemidji and Will
Pass Legislation to Save It.
BILL PASSES AT MOCK SESSION
Bountiful Banquet at Hotel Markham
Proves One of Tours Most Enjoy
able Features-At Walker Today

aDle EeaIuTeS-AC walker I0day
If any one thing appealed to the
hearts of those who visited Bemidit
Thursday as members of the legisla-
tive excursion more than another, it,
was brought about by the auto trip
taken through the virgin pines,
known as the Ruggles forest. !,
The visitors, everyone of them,
praised the beauty of the big pines,
and in answer to the signs which
greeted their eyes as they swerved
through the crooks of the roads, in
cars guided by expert drivers of Be-
midi, which read, 1--WE want to save
these pines; will you help us?" 1--WE
have learned to love these pines,"
etc., they nodded their heads with
the gesture that they understood and
appreciated the value of the forest
to Bemidji, to the state and to the
entire northwest as park.
Legislation is Needed.
But when the legislators left Be-
midi at midnight they did not leave
all remembrance of the pine forest.
They carried with them a determina-
tion to pass legislation which will ap-
propriate fund sufficient to purchase
! the Ruggles property. Nearly every
senator and representative promised
his support to the measure and sin
| cerity marked every statement.
Banquet Was Enjoyed.
One hundred and twenty-five per-
sons were seated at the Hotel Mark
ham banquet table and this feature
Of the days entertainment was
| acknowledged as being one of the
most enjoyable occasions of the en-
tire trip. Under the personal direc-
tion of F. S. Lycan, a splendid menu
was served.
Judge G. w. Station was the eve-
ning's toastmaster. He called upon
Former Congressman Frederick G.
Stevens, who in brief address re-
ferred to the prosperity of this Sec
tion and the state as whole, ap-
pealed for development support and
urged closer cooperation between
the sections. J. A. A. Burnquist,
lieutenant governor, and Senator P.
H. McGarry, of Northern Minnesota,
also spoke. Judge Stanton said in
part:
Homes for 100000 People.
"Beltrami county is an empire in
itself, already inhabited by more than
twenty thousand people, and destined,
with just, reasonable legislation,
to provide homes for 100000 people
within a short period of time.
In It's Infancy.
II do not wish to be understood
as even intimating that we have not
heretofore been accorded just and
reasonable legislation, because it is
a fact which we concede and appre-
ciate that much that we have asked
for has been granted. But the point
I wish to emphasize is that this coun-
ty, together with the other counties
of Northern Minnesota, comprises
that portion of our great state which
is now, and for years in the future
will be, the section in which the
greatest development and growth in
the state will take place. It is in its
infancy and is so lusty and promising
that we claim it to be entitled to the
same indulgent care, encouragement
and assistance from the state that a
fond and just parent will always be-
stow upon a vigorous and apprecia-
tive child.
We Have the Resources. a...
"And as we grow we know that
we can be greatly aided and benefit
ted by the friendly cooperation and
counsel of our great parent common
wealth. And it is the cordial friend
illness and sympthetic cooperation
that we want. We ask no perman-
ent financial aid. That we do not
need. We have the resources, de-
veloped and undeveloped, adequate to
insure the return q hundred-fold of
every dollar that may be expended
from the states Golfers to aid in our
development. But we do want to
attract your attention; we do want
you to become interested in US; We
do want you to know who we are and
what we are and what we have; and
then, more than all else, we want
your confidence and good will.
Our Hospitality Sincere.
Eve are especially pleased that
your party includes SO many of the
representative men Of Southern Min
nesota who have never before visited
this section, because we are confident
that the more intimately the people
of each section Of the state become
acquainted with each other, and the
better informed the people Of every
locality become as to conditions In
general throughout the state, the less
danger there will be Of sectional diff
ferences and the greater will be the