The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-03-31
U. S., Refusing Aid
to Red Lake Flood
Zone, Bitterly Scored

that there is no navigation on the
river. The whole thing looks like
a. huge joke to me. maintaining
departments and corps Of engin-
GERS to look after navigable
STREAMS and see that the farmers
build no bridges except at a tre-
mendous expense to conform to
the ideas Of said engineers when
they report that the river has no
use for navigable purposes, or in
other words that there is not
enough navigation to justify the
for navigation. / sometimes feel
that If 1t were not for the fact
that a poor mans son can aspire
to the highest position in the gift
Of the people of republic that 9TH
erwise we would be just as well or
better off IL we had a German
system of government, because
that government certainly would
not permit it's people to be starved
out as the government here seems
to be willing to do to the people
along the Red Lake river.
81 certainly appreciate all you
have done for me and what you
are trying to do to help those peo-
pie.
With kind personal regards, I
remain,
Respectfully yours,
(Signed) D. P. O'NEILL.'
which I believe is proper to place be-
fore you as part Of your files in the
Red Lake valley navigation and drain
age development. The letter speaks for
itself. I feel that your department is
acting along certain defined lines, and
no doubt are just as honest in your
reports and ideas as the United States
citizens are, who are living in the
Red Lake valley, and calling for aid
or relief from the federal government,
but what I wish to bring forward for
your department, as we'll as congress.
Is the fact that Is plainly set forth
by Senator O'Neill, to-wit:
IF the war department and the fed
the Red Lake valley and its citizens
in fair and just manner, when they
need relief, then 1t seems to me, in all
fairness or equity, they should release
heir right of control upon the Red
Lake waters, both on the lake and
river so that the people in that valley
IAN organize a local government of
self-help.
I am sending a copy Of this COM
to our congressman, Har-
Did Knutson, as well as to Congress-
man Halvor STEVENSON, and to our
two u. 8. senators. Knute Nelson and
Frank B. Kellogg, for their attention,
as feel that If congress will give your
department. the proper instructions,
you have the men that will be able to
carry them out.
What we feel at liberty to criticise
your department for in your report,
under the Stevenson Investigation
resolution, is that you offer no rem
edy Of relief, and from a war depart
nent standpoint, 1t seems to me that
t we had a foreign foe invading our
shores, ready to destroy our homes
md property, that the people would
ook to the war department and the
engineers for practical suggestions
now best to meet and combat the
enemy and save the lives of our peo-
pie as we'll as their homes. The same
holds good in the Red Lake valley
The Hood foe has invaded the valley,
destroyed the homes and property OF
It's residents, and United States -citiz-
ems, and has been gradually destroy
ing their health and lives but against
such a foe, and for the protection OF
their lives, health as we'll as property,
It appears that you have no relief
to suggest or offer for con-
yress to carry out.
IF am wrong In this matter. !
would like information along that line
which will tend towards practical help.
Ind will be pleased to hear from YOU
Is we'll as from congress.
Yours very truly,
u. J. OPSAHL"