Usher Burdick Papers

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  Letter from Office of Representative Burdick to Gordon W. Bell Regarding Religious Education, January 25, 1950

  Office of Representative Usher Burdick

  This letter dated January 25, 1950, from the Office of United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Reverend Gordon W. Bell, responds to Bell's January 18 letter about religious education. Burdick's assistant tells Bell that Burdick is recovering from pneumonia at Bethesda Hospital and that Burdick will address Bell's concerns when he returns to the office.

  See Also:

  Letter from Gordon W. Bell to Representative Burdick Regarding Religious Education, January 18, 1950

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  Letter from the Office of Representative Burdick to Martin Cross Acknowledging Cross's Letter, October 2, 1950

  Office of United States Representative Usher Burdick

  This letter, dated October 2, 1950, from the assistant to United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairman Martin Cross acknowledges the bulletin that Cross marked and sent to Burdick. A handwritten note on the letter reads, "file."

  See also:

  Excerpt from Three Affiliated Tribes Bulletin Regarding Tribal Chairman Election with a Note from Cross on the Final Vote Count, September 27, 1950

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  Letter from W. E. Potter to Representative Burdick Regarding Garrison Dam, US Army Engineers, and Water Systems for Van Hook and Sanish, North Dakota, April 6, 1950

  W. E. Potter

  This letter, dated April 6, 1950, from Colonel W. E. Potter of the United States (US) Army Corps of Engineers to US Representative Usher Burdick concerns the authorization of the US Army Engineers to assist in the construction of new water and sewage systems for Van Hook and Sanish, North Dakota. In it, Potter reference Burdick's February 16 letter on the topic, stating that Sanish and Van Hook have no publicly owned water and sewage systems, instead obtaining water from private wells and cisterns. He goes on to discuss the relocation of Sanish and details the proposed North, South, and East sites, giving estimates for water systems for each site, and ultimately suggesting that combining the two towns may be the best option, as this would enlarge the community and make use of a modern sewage system. He concludes by stating that the US Army Engineers are not authorized to provide public water and sewage which have no existing counterparts in present towns, and that instead the owners of the private water systems would be compensated by the acquisition of real properties.

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  Statement by the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council Regarding Flood Relief, March 15, 1950

  Tribal Business Council of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation

  This statement, dated March15, 1950, by the Tribal Business Council of The Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold Reservation concerns flood relief related to the Garrison Dam. The statement notes the Tribal Business Council's acceptance of Public Law 437, then outlines a proposed program to assist families affected by flooding. The plan includes a section on credit, a tribal lands program, and a water development program. The document includes detailed tables with data related to this proposed program. The document also includes a resolution signed by members of the Tribal Business Council.

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  Statements Made by Members of the Three Affiliated Tribes at Hearing Before the Committee on Public Lands, August 7, 1950

  United States Congress and US House of Representatives

  This transcript dated August 7, 1950 from the United States (US) House of Representatives details a hearing before the Committee on Public Lands, Subcommittee on Indian Affairs, regarding US House Resolution 8411 (H. R. 8411) which provides for per capita payments to members of the Three Affiliated Tribes. The transcript includes statements of Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross, US Representative Usher Burdick, William Deane of the Fort Berthold Reservation, Lawrence M. Stevens from the US Bureau of Indian Affairs, and attorney for the Three Affiliated Tribes James E. Curry. US Representative Toby Morris (chairperson) presided over the hearing.

  See also:

  Letter from Representative Burdick to Martin Cross Regarding Hearings for US House Resolution 8411, June 8, 1950

  Letter from Martin Cross to Representative Burdick Regarding Hearings for US House Resolution 8411, June 13 1950

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  Letter from Robert Vogel to Representative Burdick Regarding Martin Cross and Per Capita Payments, May 1, 1950

  Robert Vogel

  This letter, dated May 1, 1950, from attorney Robert Vogel to United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick conveys that Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross recently visited Vogel and communicated frustration that Burdick had not yet introduced a bill pertaining to per capita distribution of funds to members of the Three Affiliated Tribes. Vogels tells Burdick that he hopes that Burdick can help Cross in some way.

  See also:

  Letter from Representative Burdick to Robert Vogel Regarding Martin Cross and Per Capita Payments, May 5, 1950

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  Statement of Lillie Wolf to United States Congress, May 21, 1950

  Lillie Wolf

  This letter dated May 21, 1950 from Three Affiliated Tribes member Lillie Wolf to various committees of the United States (US) Congress addresses several issues of concern to Wolf. Wolf explains several complaints that she has with the current tribal council and claims that the council has violated her rights. She claims that the council scared and intimidated people into voting in favor of US Public Law 437, also known as "The Taking Act," which authorized the taking of land from the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation for construction of the Garrison Dam. She also alleges unauthorized spending by the tribal council. She further asks that the letter's recipients support Martin Cross in Washington as he is "our" delegate. The letter is signed by two witnesses.

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  Letter from Governor Aandahl to Roy Wier Regarding Garrison Dam Pool Level Legislation, July 2, 1949

  Fred G. Aandahl

  This letter, dated July 2, 1949 from North Dakota Governor Fred G. Aandahl to United States (US) Representative Roy W. Wier, makes reference to page 3396 of the March 29 Congressional Record for the House, where Wier is recorded as having voted for the Lemke-Burdick amendment limiting the Garrison Dam pool level to 1,830 feet. Aandahl informs Wier that as Governor and as a member of the Missouri Basin Inter-Agency Committee and the North Dakota State Water Commission, he has always supported a pool level of 1,850 feet, explaining that it is in the best interests of the state as it will be cost effective, have greater capacity for irrigation and flood control, provide more power, and be a permanent improvement. He adds that projected damage to upstream areas has been overstated and that although land owners should be compensated, their losses cannot stand in the way of "area-wide improvement." Aandahl concludes by asking Wier to support a pool level of 1,850 when it comes up again in the US House.

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  Report on Tribal Land and Water Programs, Undated

  author unknown

  This undated report, author unknown, contains economic and agricultural data related to the Fort Berthold Reservation of North Dakota, along with narrative sections detailing measures that must be taken in order for the population to overcome the serious handicaps arising due to the inundation of 155,000 acres of bottomland. Some of the narrative sections are written from the point of view of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation of North Dakota, using first-person pronouns, for example: "The Three Affiliated Tribes...realizing that if we are to become self-reliant in agriculture, we must find the means to..." whereas others appear written from a more bureaucratic point of view.

  Some of the information and wording in this document appears in US Public Law 81-437, which came to be known as "The Taking Act."

  See also:

  Draft of a Bill to Establish the Procedure for Taking of Indian Lands and Rights for the Missouri River Development Projects; to Protect Indian Tribal and Personal Rights; to Provide for the Rehabilitation and to Secure the Economic Independence of said Indians

  An Act to Vest Title to Certain Lands of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, in the United States, and to Provide Compensation Therefor

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  Letter from C. H. Beitzel to Representative Burdick Regarding Food Commodities, December 29, 1949

  C. H. Beitzel

  This letter dated December 29, 1949, from Superintendent of the Turtle Mountain Consolidated Agency to United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick, addresses the need for additional surplus food commodities for the "Turtle Mountain Band of Indians." Beitzel notes he has attached a copy of a resolution and that the additional food would help supplement their "allowances" during the winter.

  See Also:

  Letter from Representative Burdick to C. H. Beitzel Regarding Food Commodities, January 11, 1950

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  Letter from Eugene Burdick to Representative William Lemke Regarding Garrison Dam Pool Level, January 6, 1949

  Eugene A. Burdick

  This letter, dated January 6, 1949, from attorney Eugene Burdick to United States (US) Representative William Lemke concerns the Garrison Dam pool level. Burdick writes that he has enclosed two copies of a bill proposed by Harry E. Polk that would allow an operating pool level to store 17 million acre feet of water and includes propositions against dykes, levees, and other protective works. Burdick concludes by urgingLemke to use his judgement about using the 1,830 language in the bill and that Burdick's thinking is to grant the acre feet storage provided in the 1944 Flood Control Act.

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  Excerpt from Congressional Record: "Army Engineers Exceeding Their Authority in Garrison Land Purchases," Speech by Representative Burdick, March 24, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This excerpt from the United States (US) Congressional Record contains a speech dated March 24, 1949, by US Representative Usher Burdick in the House of Representatives, arguing that the United States Army Corps of Engineers is overstepping its legal authority by purchasing additional land to raise the pool level of the Garrison Dam. The excerpt also includes comments and rebuttals from US Representatives Louis Rabaut and Ivor Fenton.

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to Audrey Twilling Regarding Relocation Costs, April 29, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This letter, dated April 29, 1949, from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Audrey Twilling of Elbowoods, North Dakota, concerns relocation costs for people living in Elbowoods. Burdick writes that, in his opinion, the US Army Core of Engineers is not being reasonable with people in the area and that these people deserve compensation for their relocation costs. He goes on to write that he will do what he can, but suggests that US Representative William Lemke is in a better position to help due to his position the US House of Representatives Committee Public Lands.

  See also:

  Letter from Representative Burdick to Hal Simon Regarding Relocation Costs, April 29, 1949

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to Bigelow Neal Regarding Garrison Dam Pool Level, June 20, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This letter, dated June 20, 1949, from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Bigelow Neal of Garrison, North Dakota is a reply to Neal's recent letter regarding the Garrison Dam operating pool level. In this reply, Burdick writes that Neal has permission to use anything Burdick has said or written about the dam. He also states that McLean county is going to be cut in two by the extra 20 feet of pool level and that those 20 feet are not necessary. He goes on to explain that, in Williston, a build up of silt in the river, or "aggradation," is another reason why the dyking system required by the extra 20 feet of pool level is scientifically unpractical.

  See also:

  Letter from Bigelow Neal to Representative Burdick Regarding Garrison Dam Pool Level, June 17, 1949

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to Garmann Jorgenson Regarding Indian Welfare Funds, July 11, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This letter, dated July 11, 1949, from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Garmann Jorgenson, Secretary of the Rollette County Welfare Board makes reference to Jorgenson's wire of July 9, regarding "funds neede for Indian welfare purposes." In this reply, Burdick explains that the Interior Department received an appropriation of $500,000 for Native welfare and that the US Senate decided to "take a healthy bite out of" this amount. Burdick writes that he has called the senators from North Dakota and told them how important it was to have sufficient funds to prevent the hardships of past years. He writes that the bill has not yet reported out of its Senate committee, so he does not know the final figure, and that it might also be increased "in conference." He closes by pledging that he will all he can to see that the Indians of this country do not suffer the hardships they did last winter.

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to Hal Simon Regarding Relocation Costs, April 29, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This letter, dated April 29, 1949, from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Hal Simon of Elbowoods, North Dakota, concerns relocation costs for people living in Elbowoods. Burdick writes that, in his opinion, the US Army Core of Engineers is not being reasonable with people in the area and that these people deserve compensation for their relocation costs. He goes on to write that he will do what he can, but suggests that US Representative William Lemke is in a better position to help due to his position the US House of Representatives Committee Public Lands.

  See also:

  Letter from Representative Burdick to Audrey Twilling Regarding Relocation Costs, April 29, 1949

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to John O. Hjelle Regarding Native Populations, August 31, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This letter, dated August 31, 1949, from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to John O. Hjelle concerns Native American populations in North and South Dakota as they relate to the reorganization of the Indian Service. The letter states that, as of 1945, the Indian Bureau listed the native populations for North and South Dakota to be 12,863 and 30,745 respectively. The letter states that Burdick does not think a district office should be placed at Bismarck.

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to Martin Cross Assuring Cross that Burdick is Willing to Hear from All Tribal Members, January 17, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This letter dated January 17, 1949 from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross provides clarity on a communication that Burdick had with the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council. Burdick assures Cross that he is willing to hear from any tribal member and will do his best to help them share their views before a committee or other forum.

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to Martin Cross Regarding House Joint Resolution 33, July 27, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This letter dated July 27, 1949 from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross informs Cross that the US House passed US House Joint Resolution 33 (H. J. 33). Burdick discusses the state of the bill and mentions that there is pressure to pass an agreement with the Three Affiliated Tribes because the government has already started construction on the Garrison Dam. A handwritten note on the letter reads, "Ind."

  H. J. 33 became US Public Law 437 on October 29, 1949 and is better known as "The Taking Act" as it was the law that authorized acquisition of land from the Fort Berthold Reservation to be used for the construction of the Garrison Dam.

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to Mary Long Chase Regarding Mary Many Wounds, February 25, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This letter, dated February 25, 1949, from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Mary Long Chase concerns Mary Many Wounds. The letter thanks Long Chase for her recent letter commenting on a speech Burdick has made. Burdick writes that he is enclosing a file related to Mary Many Wounds, who has recently died. This file is not included with this document. A handwritten note at the top of the document reads "Indians."

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to Sybelle Wright Regarding Native Conditions, February 11, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This letter, dated February 11, 1949, from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Sybelle H. Wright of St. John, North Dakota concerns the relationship between the US and Indigenous peoples. The letter is in response to Wright's letter which is not included. Burdick's letter asks Wright who is to blame for the poor condition of Natives and answers that the US government took charge of these people 80 years prior and failed in its responsibility to educate them through "forced wardship." The letter also discusses the poor quality and low amount of land owned by Natives. It concludes with Burdick saying that he does not care who is at fault for the poor conditions and instead only cares to alleviate suffering.

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  Letter from Representative Burdick to W.S. Davidson Regarding Retaining Kingman Brewster as a Lawyer, May 6, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This letter dated May 6, 1949, from the United States Representative Usher Burdick to W.S. Davidson, states that the lawyer Kingman Brewster has “become very much interested in the Williston case and he thinks that he has pull enough to get the Army Engineers to pull in their horns and build the dam with a reservoir of 17 million acre-feet as the law provides.” Burdick writes that he believes it would be a good investment to take a chance and retain Brewster’s service as an attorney, adding that he has discussed the matter with Harry Polk and Polk believes it is a good investment.

  Burdick writes that he is enclosing a letter from Polk, but this enclosure was not found with this letter in Burdick's papers.

  The letter is marked with the handwritten annotation “Garrison Reclamation.”

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  Letter from Usher Burdick to Eugene Burdick Regarding Sioux Drawings, May 16, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This letter dated May 16, 1949, from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Eugene Burdick, tells Eugene about a history of Sioux drawings and mentions the acquisition of two Sioux drawings from "Christey's [sic] Gallery."

  See also:

  The Meaning of the Sioux Pictograph History Concerning a Period of 188 Years Displayed on a Cloth Background with Sioux Picture Characters in Color

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  Supplemental Brief of Honorable Usher L. Burdick, Congressman from North Dakota, Concerning the Legal Authority for the Building of the Garrison Dam at Garrison, North Dakota, April 13, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This brief dated April 13, 1949, by United States House Representative Usher Burdick, disputes the legal authority of the United States Army Corps of Engineers to build the Garrison Dam to a higher level. This copy of the brief was filed with the Subcommittee of the House Appropriation Committee on Civil Functions of the Army Engineers on March 10, 1953. Burdick notes the original limitation on the pool level of the Garrison Dam reservoir of 1830 feet and challenges the Corps of Engineers' authority to build it to a level of 1850 feet. Burdick mentions the potential damage the higher level would cause and calls into question the abilities of General Lewis Pick. Burdick also notes the additional unapproved expenditures the Corps of Engineers have made in purchasing the additional land needed for a higher pool level. Burdick calls for further examination of the issue before proceeding with the higher dam level.

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  Telegram from Representative Burdick to Martin Cross Regarding Arrival of Delegates, October 12, 1949

  Usher Burdick

  This telegram, dated October 12, 1949, from United States (US) Representative Usher Burdick to Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross informs Cross that the delegates have not yet arrived and that Burdick does not know why they are here.