The Duluth rip-saw. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1917-19??, 1919-05-10

Some set it as high as $4,000, 1000.
Even state forester Cox estimated it
at over $2S,OO0,000, if memory is
correct.
The Rip-saw agreed with experts
that not less than $10,000,000 would
be required to give the fire victims
a reasonable measure of rehabilita-
ton. After that, they would have
to become heavy borrowers and, for
many years, make one dollar do the
work formerly done by two dollars.
The Rip-saw Worked Alone.
Not another paper in the entire
state of Minnesota joined the Rip
saw in pointing out these facts and
demanding that a substantial restor-
alton be given the hinterland and it's
occupants. Not prominent man in
Duluth lifted up his voice in demand
that Gov. Burnquist's solemn prom
Uses be made good. Neither a poll
tieian nor a statesman In the entire
commonwealth of Minnesota lifted
up his voice in favor Of rehabilita-
ton and common justice to the peo-
pie who were impoverished In a few
short hours, besides seeing five hun
dred of their kinfolks and neigh
bors burned to death.
The Rip-saw wrote letters to men,
bers of the st. Louis county dele
cation in st. Paul and then sent a
special representative to present the
great matter directly to several
members of the Duluth delegation.
Not one knew enough about the
matter or was interested enough to
lift a finger in any way to help bring
about a rehabilitation of the hinter-
land. Not one had broad enough
vision to grasp an opportunity to
make a name for himself. Tempo
rary relief was as far as they could
see. That relief kept thousands on
their land under miserable condi-
lions during the winter when they
might have enjoyed comfort and
profitable employment by going to
the towns and cities. They were
victims of false pretenses and unat-
tanned expectations.
.. Petitions Were Unheeded.
Some weeks ago, a petition, signed
bv hundreds of hinterland fire vic
tins, asking an appropriation OF not
less than 100000, was forwarded
to the legislature. No particular
attention was paid to it and no &C
ton followed it's receipt.
Had Gov. Burnquist called spe-
cial session of the legislature, before
election, as was his duty and op-
portunity, the story would have been
entirely different. A politician is
very sensitive to public sentiment
and demands before election but as
unresponsive as a pine stump after
his calling and election are made
sure.
At the same time that the Rip-saw
tried to interest, arouse and stir to
real action members of the state leg
islature, a letter of length, setting
forth facts and figures concerning
the situation, was sent to Hon. Will
liam L.. Carss, then in Washington.
getting frst-hand knowledge OF how
the wheels of national legislation re-
volve. That letter failed to reach
Mr.. Carss in washington but fol-
lowed him back to Proctor. 1t not
only outlined the situation but urged
CONGRESSMAN Carss to ask congress
for an appropriation of not less than
s5,OOO,OO0, to supplement an appro-
priation of similar size from the
Minnesota state legislature.
Carss Appreciated Situation.
Mr.. Carss promptly communicated
with the Rip-saw and declared that
he was in full sympathy with that
plan and proposed to do all in his
power to secure S5,000,000 from
congress. He played an active part
in rescue and relief work at the
time of the forest fires, therefore Is
in a splendid position to give con-
gress first-hand information.
Congressman Miller was in Duluth
at the time of the forest fires and he
even went out one day to fight flames
with a wet broom, but his massive
mind never took stock of the situa-
ton sufficiently for him to ask con-
gress for federal aid for the suffer-
ing settlers. After the forest fires,
federal aid in the sum of 100000
900 was voted to Armenia and Syria,
but not a penny to Minnesota fire
sufferers, much nearer and more i'm
portant to this nation than, those
distant and decadent regions.
Congressman Carss has not for
gotten the devastated hinterland. He
is collecting facts and figures volum-
inously. When in st. Paul recently,
he induced state officials to prepare
him an authoritative set of maps,
showing the actual regions and areas
devastated. He has asked different
individuals and organizations to CO.
operate with him in collecting data
and preparing it for presentation to
the special session Of congress.
Another Chance for Miller.
Although congressman Miller
would not visit, meet or recognize
| congressman Carss when he gave