Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, February 17, 1910, Page 1

THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEE Historical Society, P s e e, MINNESOTA ISTORICAL ® S0CIETY, VOLUME 7. NUMBER 257. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 17, 1910. TEN CENTS PER WEEK. REAPPORTIONMENT-DEVELOPMENT MEETING OPENED VERY AUSPICIOUSLY THIS MORNING Imbued with the determination to secure a just and equitable re- apportionment for northern Minne- sota and to talk over plans of organizing into an association in order to get together on matters of mutual benefit to each community, were 200 representative men, from all walks of life, gathered in Be- midji today to attend the first meeting of the recently-organized Northern Minnesota Development association. A large number of delegates ar- rived in the city yesterday even- ing and during last night and this P. J. RUSSELL, Of Bemidji, Who Bade the Visitors Welcome. morning, and small “bunches” of delegates congregated at different points of vantage to discuss pre- liminery plans for the convention. The utmost good nature and good fellowship prevailed with every one and the “How Are You” was accom- panied byan extended open hand and a strong grip as the delegates recognized each other. W. R. Mackenzie, chairman of the Development association, and who has done yoeman service in getting up the convention and arranging the details, was abroad before supervising the working outof the details in connection with the con- vention. ‘‘Mac” hasa good word for everybody and seemed to be able to do the work of a dozen men with the utmost composure. That Duluth is greatly inter- ested in the convention was mani- fest by the exceedingly strong dele- gation which came to this city early this morning, the members of the ¢“Zenith City” crowd occu- pying two private cars. “The Missabee,” the private carof W. O. McGonogle, presi- dent of the D., M. & N. railway, contained one party of very prom- nent officials of Duluth and that vicinity. In the party, as guests of W, O. McGonogle, were Rol- land B. Haven, mayor of Duluth; Dr. John H. Gray, president of the department of economics and political science at the University of Minnesota; F. A Patrick, presi- dent of the wholesale irm of F, A. Patrick & Co ; C. S. Mitchell, edi- tor of the Duluth News-Tribune; William Bingham, editorial writer on the Duluth Evening Herald; Charles T. Craig, proprietor of the *‘Jean Duluth” farm and a member of the Minnesota state fair board; and L. B. Arnold, land commissioner for the D. & I. Rail way and trustees’ agent for the C, R I & . railway. The other private car was occupied by a delegation from Duluth and the iron range towns, as follows: H. A. Wing, F. W. Jolity, A. X. Schall, Louis A. Sulcove, Lucian A. dawn and was personally Barnes, Anton Ringsred, A. B. Hostetter and J. I. Thomas of Duluth; Mayor W. ]J. Smith and Hon. P. E. Dowling of Eveleth; R. W. Hitchcock and A. P. Silliman of Hibbing; Dr. M. K. Knauff, mayor; Dr. J. D. Budd, George Mumford, W. J. Marquis, John A. Barton and Jean Devan of Two Harbors; C. L. Goodell of Barnum and Mr. O’Brien of Cloquet. " Immediately after the arrival of the Duluth and iron range delega- tions, a telegram was dispatched to F. E. House, president of the D. & L railroad, urging him to come to Bemidji this afternovn in company with Hon. G.G. Hartley, one of Duluth’s foremost citizens. On the M. & I train which arrived this morning there were attached two private cars. The N. P. Railway company’s business car No. 6 was brought through from St. Paul and contained a delegation of state officials and others. Occupying No. 6 were Curtis L. Mosher, secretary of the State Feder- ation of Commercial clubs; George Ralph, state drainage engineer; George Welsh, state immigration commissioner; D. O. Mitchell, N. P. assistant general passenger ageat; J. O. Dalzell, N. P. assistant land commissioner. The M. & I. private car. ‘50,” was occupied by W. H. Gemmell, general manager of the M. & I Railway company; and G. H, War-, ner, trainmaster of the M. & I. i A delegation from the local com- | mercial club escorted the Duluth arrivals to the Hotel Markham, where they partook of breakfast and afterwards mingled with the crowd.: The lobby of the Hotel Markhzmj resembled the Merchants Hotel at | St. Paul during a session of the! legislature. | Present and extending the ‘‘glad hand” were, not only the delegates to the convention, - but quite a number of politicians, candidates for state offices who are well known in Minnesota. The delegates mingled together until 10 o’clock when with one accord, the crowd went to the City Opera house to open the convention and begin the deliberations that will mean so much for the development There Is a Large Attendance of Delegates from All Parts of Northern Minnesota, and All Are Enthusiastic Over the Convention.’ THERE IS STATE-WIDE INTEREST IN WHAT THE CONVENTION DID TODAY Many Men of Note Will Deliver Addresses on Topies of Vital {inevery part of the American conti- Importance to Every Resident of This North Country. F. S. LYCAN. The social session and smoker which will be given at the city hall tonight undoubtedly be of more than ordin- ary interest to delegates as well as (for men only) will of northern Minnesota. “lay men.” Before the opening of the conven- tion it was noted that many promin- ent people, who should be heard during the conventicn, were present and it was the general desire to get a number who ‘were not already on the program an opportunity to speak, so that the program as published would be deviated from considerably before the meeting is over. The convention was called to order by W. R. Mackenzie, with very few words, desiring to be brief and to get down to business. Rev. S. E. P. White, pastor of the local Presbyterian church, delivered the invocation. P. J. Russell delivered an address of welcome and spoke in part as fol- lows: $ Mr. Russell began by stating that the sight of such a splendid gather- ing of representative men was indeed an inspiration to infuse the heart of any citizen, He was intensely grati- fied to be chosen as the one to extend to those present a most cor- dial welcome and the freedom of the city. This convention was called for the purpose of considering ways and means of bettering existing condi- tions in Northern Minnesota and endeavoring to find a remedy for some of the present evils. Among the things to be considered would be drainage, good roads and new land laws. It was a fact that in some parts of Northern Minnesota the population was less today than it was five years ago, and the reason for this condition should also be considered. State lands should be made to bear their just share of the burden of taxation. Under the present system _purchasers of state could only get them after the timber had been sold and the mineral rights were reserved by the state; the lands coosequence was that purchasers were rather scarce. should consider the Prof- Harry Masten’s orchestra of 'W. R. MACKENZIE. nine pieces will be in attendance and furnish some high-class musical selections. b The Bemidji male quartette will be on hand and sing a few “good ones.” The quartette: Messrs. A. L. Barker, Ollie Neilson, Andrew Rood and G. H. French. Gummittee,in ‘G‘harge of “Smoker,” AL. H. JESTER. Andrew Rood will give a vocal solo. Ike Black, Al. H. Jester and others will tell some truthful yarns. There will be lots of cigars, and a general good time. The committee is W. R. Mac- kenzie, Al. H. Jester am‘:l F. S. Lycan. Delegates Adamson, F. 0., St. Louis county. Anderson, D. 0., Isanti county. Anderson, Andrew, Hallock. Anderson, D. C., Itasca county. Anderson, Daniel, Anoka county. Arnold, L. B., Duluth. Ainsley, Frank, Hibbing. Amoth, Alfred, Mahnomen. Budd, J. D., Lake county. Bystrom. Andrew, St. Louis county. Berg, Albert, Spooner. Button, A. R., Big Falls. -Barton, J. A., Two Harbors. Burke, T. J., Bemidji. Named to Attend Convention Bailey, J. W. W. Backus. Brown, L. D,, Little Falls. Brewer, F. A, Duluth. Balentine. Edward, Wilkin county. Battles, C. E., Cass Lake. Barnes, L. A., West Duluth. Bingham, Stillman H., Duluth. Brazen, M., Thief River Falls, Brown, Thos. R. Jr,. Crookston. Barnes, L. A., Duluth. Bingham, S. H., Duluth. Craig, C. P., Duluth. Canfield, T. H., Becker county. Carhart, C. H., Cook county. Carlson, C. M., Marshall county. Crosby, J., Isanti county. Campbell, G. W., Bemidji. Carson, G. E., Bemidji. Cames, J. D., Carlton county. Cravens, J. E.,, Kanabec county. Clark, Robert, Verndale. Collar, R. H., Northome. Dwan, John, Two Harbors. Dahlen, Hy., Detroit. Durfee, George H., Grand Marias. " Dennis, Fred, Detroit. [Continued on Page 2.] ‘More particularly this convention questions of reapportionment and equal repre- sentation in the legislature, and he would challenge any man to show that we bhad fair representation in the legislature. He was not speak- ing in criticism of southern Minne- sota but in behalf of fair repre- sentation for Northern Minnesota. The second legislative district com- posed of Winona county, wih 6,796 votes, had three representatives, while the 61st, with 7,863 votes, had only two. The 4th district, Olmsted county, with 4,612 votes, had two repre:entatives, while the 520d, with 12,112 voters, had only two, and similar conditions obtained in other districts. These conditions should be changed and any action taken along that line could only redound to the credit of the entire state. He also advocated the enact- ment of a state ‘homestead law, similar to the Michigan state home- stead law, whereby -eighty-acre tracts of tne state swamp lands were given free to homesteaders who would reside upon and culti- vate said lands for five years. In closing, Mr. Russell urged that in the -convention politics should not be coosidered.. Po- litics might be discussed outside REV. S. E. P. Wkile, Who Gave the Invocation. the conventicn at their pleasure, but not in it, 3 H. |. Maxfield of Wadena was chosen temporary chsirman of the convention and W. R. Mackenzie of Bemidji, secretary. _ A committee of five on permaunent organization was appointed as fol- lows, one from each congressional district represented, and two " at large: F. S. Lycan, Bemidii, chair- man; R. D. Haven, mayor of Duluth; A.J. McGuire, Grand Rapids; M. N. Koll, Cass Lake; A. Kaiser, Bag- ley. ) Committee on credentials—L. B. Arnold of Duluth; Thomas R. Brown, Jr., Crookston; P. H. McGarry, Walker. Resolutions Committee — M, N. Koll, Cass county, chairman; W. J. Stock, Itasca; J. F. O’Brien, Carlton; P. E. Dowling, St. Louis; 'Fred Dennis, Becker; H. J. Hage, Crow Wing; P. Hankinson, Mahnomen; H. E. Hart, Todd; L. G. Townsend, Beltrami; A. Murray, Wadena, A. M. Dunton, Polk; A. N. Eckstrom, Mar- shall; H. A. Day, Hubbard. A recess of ten minutes was taken, George Welsh of St. Paul, state immigration commissioner, was intro- duced and spoke for an hour. George Welsh's Address. George Welsh, commissioner of the state board of immigration, gave a splendid address on “Agricultural Possibllities in Northern Minnesota,” and said in part: *“I am very glad today to meet in this enterprising city of Bemrpj1 with the Representatives of North-| ern Minnesota. My vocabulary. is not able to place ‘a proper estimate lwhole, : of value upon the benefits that this meeting will bring to this portion of the state. The men who have been instrumental in bringing together representatives from these various counties should receive the support and hearty co-operation of every loyal citizen in Northern Minnesota. In the past the only value placed upon this district by even the citi- zens of our own state was its virgin timber, and wheu this was removed it was confidently predicted that Northern Minnesota would be a wilderness. “From my studies of the lands nent I have no hesitation in saying that there is no land that has been so mistepresented as this. In fact, until very recent years, we have heard nothing but knocks. Whether this was premeditated for the purpose or retarding its development we will not attempt to discuss, “The entire district, or rather | political subdivisions are some- what unitorm in topography, soil{ and clim:atic conditions and there| is no reason that I can see why you should not unite and boost not for Beltrami county, nor Clear- water, nor St, Louis, nor Aitkin, but for the entire district under one banner as the development of any one part must hasten corre- sponding development to the “A larze part_of -expense energy have been wasted in fa competition by the various counties, and today, I can see a forward step at this congress which is bound to set a new pace in uplifting this part of our great state, of which we are all justly proud. “Unity of action such as will follow the combined energies of the delegates here assembled will bzn:(‘iit a_ll beyond even your own expectations. “Agricultural settlement to any community unless augmented by human energy is of necessity slow. “Agricultural settlement in this portion of the state has not received the progress to which the ability of her soil to produce entitle her. “I am informed by the State Drainage Engineer that not to exceed 10 pef cent of the land in this part of Minnesota ever had pine upon it. I mention this because it is a pre- valent opinion that Northern Minne- sota at one time was covered with an immensg pine forest. “It does not necessarily follow that soil upon which pine grew is sandy. It may be, or it may not be of heavy clay. The lighter soils in Northern Minnesota have amazed the most experienced agricultural experts with-their phenomonal pro- ductions, which may in some measure be accounted for by the traces of mineral throughout the entire dis- trict. “While as you know cereal crops are not yet extensively grown, suffi- cient has been done over a succes- sion of years to justify us in claiming that the quality of grains produced here are second to none. In con- test for premiums we always find the graing and grass seeds produced here having a high rank. “At Bagley in Clearwater County in the fall 1909, I saw the best dis- play of vegetable products that it was ever my pleasme to behold. GEORGE WELSH, . State Immigration Commissioner, Who Sp\:kn < on “Agricultural Possibilities in North- ern Minnesota.” Many tinies T have seen larger, but never of a superior quality. “The incomparable growth of every variety makes this land par- ticularly adapted to live stock and dairy products. me that sheep culture in Northern Minnesota would be particularly profitable, not only as a money-pro- ducing crop, but in addition they render a valuable assistance in clear- ing brush from the soil. ““Beneath the surface of your soil are the richest iron deposits of the globe and no country today produces as much iron as Minne- sota. Asto the amount of this commodity contained 1n the bowels of the earth in Northeastern Minnesota can only be conjectured as new leposits are being dis- covered from time to time, ¢Duluth, situated at the head of the great lakes where rail and water meet, has every advantage to make her the greatest distribut- ing point on the American conti- nent and her markets are at the very doorway of your lands. “You have still in your midst a considerable amount of public lands, state and federal, which in my [Continned on Last Page.) ©'". ALBERT KAISER for State Treasurer. & It would seem to \/