William Langer Papers

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Earl W. Bateman Regarding the Granting of Citizenship Rights to Certain Tribes, October 2, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated October 2, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to Earl W. Bateman of Elbowoods, North Dakota, acknowledges and thanks Bateman for his recent letter and says that he is sending, under separate cover, copies of bills related to the "grant of full citizenship rights to certain Indian tribes."

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Frank O. Homme Regarding Lieu Lands, January 16, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated January 16, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to Frank O. Homme of Minot, Langer, replies to Homme's previous letter of January 9, 1947, expressing the opinion that the lieu lands below the Garrison Dam being offered as compensation to the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold for lands they would lose to the Garrison Dam project represented a bad deal for the Tribes.

  Langer thanks Homme for his letter and assures him that he "shall do every [he] possibly can to be of help to the Indians."

  See also:

  Letter from Frank O. Homme to Langer Regarding Lieu Lands, January 9, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Fred Graham Regarding "Outline of Contract, the United States of America with the Three Affiliated Tribes of Forth Berthold Reservation," September 30, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter, dated September 30, 1947, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Fred Graham of Ellendale, North Dakota, is accompanied by a cover letter from Ben Reifel, Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Reservation of North Dakota, over a copy of a document called "Outline of Contract The United States of America with the Three Affiliated Tribes of Ft. Berthold Reservation North Dakota," the latter document having been prepared and submitted by "Ralph H. Case, General Counsel, Three Affiliated Tribes, Fort Berthold Reservation."

  The Outline of Contract contains the conditions and provisions under which the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota will, in exchange for the sum of $5,105,625, surrender a portion of their reservation to be used in the construction of the Garrison Dam and reservoir. Among these provisions are such headings as, "General Provisions," "Land Provisions," "Improvements," "Timber, Lignite, etc.," "Cemeteries," "Operating Provisions," "Agency Provisions," and "ratifications."

  See also:

  Outline of Contract, The United States of America with the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold Reservation, September, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to George Gillette Regarding Garrison Dam, May 30, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter, dated May 30, 1947, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council Chairperson George Gillette, expresses Langer's regrets that the pressures of work have prevented him from replying sooner to Gillette's recent letter. Langer thanks Gillette for sharing his views regarding the abolishment of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs. Langer assures Gillette he is doing everything he can to have the bureau abolished, and urges Gillette to share any suggestions he has for accomplishing this.

  On the subject of the Garrison Dam project, Langer writes that he "cannot agree" with Gillette's stand on the matter. Langer writes that he is "in favor of this project and hope[s] to see it progress favorably."

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  Letter from Senator Langer to George Gillette Regarding Request for Full Hearing on Garrison Dam, July 22, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter, dated July 22, 1947, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to George Gillette, Chairperson of the Tribal Business Council of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Forth Berthold Reservation, expresses Langer's thanks for Gillette's recent telegram and his apologies that his workload at the time of the telegram's arrival has prevented him from giving it more time. Langer assures Gillette that he is doing everything he can to "see that the Indians get a square deal on their land.

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  Letter from Senator Langer to G. Lyman Regarding Lieu Lands, February 5, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated February 5, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to G. Lyman of Stanton, North Dakota (ND), is a reply to Lyman's previous letter who wrote Langer on January 28, 1947 to express opposition to the proposal to use lands along the Missouri River near Stanton as lieu lands to compensate members of the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, ND for lands they were losing as a result of the Garrison Dam project.

  Langer assures Lyman that he is "doing everything possible to give everyone a square deal."

  See also:

  Letter from G. Lyman and Einar Alderin to Senator Langer Opposing Lieu Lands, January 28, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Harris Grotte Regarding Trouble with Stray Horses, August 5, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated August 5, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to Harris Grotte acknowledges receipt of Grotte’s recent letter concerning trouble Grotte and his neighbors are having with stray horses in their fields. Langer writes that if Grotte’s fences are being deliberately cut, Grotte should ask the sheriff to make an investigation. Langer pledges to take the matter up with the Indian agency at Elbowoods to see if there is anything that can be done to keep these horses out of Grotte’s fields. Langer promises to get in touch with Grotte as soon as he hears from the Superintendent.

  See also:

  Letter from Senator Langer to Ben Reifel Regarding Trouble with Stray Horses, August 6, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to James Hall Regarding FHA Interest, January 27, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated January 27, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to James Hall, responds to Hall's January 24, 1947 letter regarding FHA interest, and Langer says he will pass it along to a "Mr. Maddock" (likely Walter Maddock, former North Dakota (ND) Governor and Head of the ND Farm Security Administration Office from 1937-1950).

  This letter contains the handwritten notes, "Hall, James" and "P."

  See Also:

  Letter from James Hall to Senator Langer Regarding FHA Interest, January 24, 1947

  Letter from Senator Langer to James Hall Regarding FHA Interest, March 6, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to James Hall Regarding FHA Interest, March 6, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated March 6, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to James Hall, states that Langer has enclosed a reply from the Farmers Home Administration to Hall's query. Langer also invites Hall to contact him for any further assistance needed.

  This letter contains the handwritten notes, "Ind Bur" and "Reg - *Indian Bureau."

  See Also:

  Letter from James Hall to Senator Langer Regarding FHA Interest, January 24, 1947

  Letter from Senator Langer to James Hall Regarding FHA Interest, January 27, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to J. E. Sullivan Regarding Hotel Development in Garrison, February 18, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated February 18, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to J. E. Sullivan of Garrison Real Estate Company in Garrison, North Dakota, thanks Sullivan for his letter from February 11th regarding the hoped-for construction of a hotel in Garrison, and Langer assures Sullivan that he giving the matter his most careful attention and doing the best he can.

  A handwritten note on the letter says, "Indians."

  See also:

  Letter from J. E. Sullivan to Senator Langer Regarding Hotel Development in Garrison, February 11, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to J. E. Sullivan Regarding Post Office and Hotel Development in Garrison, February 14, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated February 14th, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to J. E. Sullivan of Garrison, North Dakota, Langer replies to a letter from Sullivan in which Sullivan asked about the possibility of a post office building being built in Garrison, and complained that a proposal he attributes to Langer "whereby the Indians must be carred [sic] for first" is interfering with Sullivan's efforts to recruit a firm to build a hotel in Garrison and has "delayed activities in many ways."

  Langer explains that building materials are being prioritized for veteran housing at the time, and until the veteran housing issue is addressed, the construction of post offices would be "held in abeyance."

  In response to the other complaints. Langer says that the proposal Sullivan refers to is the O'Mahoney amendment, for which Langer says he is not responsible. Langer does say that the "indian problem" must be addressed sooner or later, and that he hopes legislation is passed soon to address the issues raised by the trades. Langer laments that this is affecting a hotel development Sullivan is involved in and acknowledges that other similar project will also be affected.

  See also: Letter from J. E. Sullivan to Senator Langer Regarding Post Office and Hotel Development in Garrison, February 10, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to J. J. Belik, Sr. Regarding Public Welfare Board Report, February 19, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter, dated February 19, 1947, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to J. J. Belik, Sr. of Stanley, North Dakota, makes reference to an enclosed report from the Public Welfare Board of North Dakota, which Langer writes should be self-explanatory. The letter included the handwritten notation:

  X Gillette, George
  X Hall, James
  X Gahley, Elmer

  Note: while the referenced report was not found with this letter in Langer's papers, "A Tentative Proposal for the Rehabilitation of the Fort Berthold Indians," February 4, 1949, issued by the Public Welfare Board of North Dakota, was found in the same folder as this letter. Since that proposal is dated February 1949 and this letter is dated February 1947, one of the dates would have to be incorrect for that proposal to be the report referenced in this letter.

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding American Legion Resolution, April 8, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated April 8, 1947, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross, thanks Cross for sending a copy of a recently adopted resolution from Cross's "post." This resolution came from Cross's American Legion, Joseph Young Hawk Post No. 253.

  A handwritten note the letter says "See Indian Bureau."

  See also:

  Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding American Legion Resolution, April 3, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Appropriations for Tribal Council Expenses, October 1, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated October 1, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross, acknowledges Cross's September 11th letter and indicates that Langer has written to pertinent officials in order to answer his inquiry regarding the source of funding for the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council expenses.

  See also:

  Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Asking for the Source of Tribal Council Expense Funds, September 11, 1947

  Letter from Senator Langer to Ralph Case Regarding Inquiry Made by Martin Cross in September 11, 1947 Letter, October 1, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Garrison Dam, February 7, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated February 7, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross, thanks Cross for his recent letter and says that the Fort Berthold delegates in Washington have been working hard to get everybody a "square deal." Langer says he will continue working to help solve the problem. A hand-written note on the letter says, "Garrison Dam."

  See also: Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding Garrison Dam, January 31, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Per Capita Payments, April 8, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated April 8, 1947 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross thanks Cross for writing in regard to Tribal funds. Langer agrees with Cross that distribution of funds received by the Tribes from the Garrison Dam project should be per capita. Langer says that a copy of a bill he recently introduced in the US Senate is inclosed in the letter. A handwritten note on the letter says, "Indians." This bill was not included with this letter.

  See also:

  Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Making Comments on Per Capita Payments, March 20, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding the Establishment of a Claims Legislative Council, August 5, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated August 5, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross, thanks Cross for sending a copy of a proposal from the Three Affiliated Tribes to establish a claims legislative council. Langer says that he is happy to work with Cross and the tribes on the matter.

  A handwritten notes on the letter say "Cross, Martin" and "See Indians."

  See also:

  Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Thanking Cross for Letter Regarding the Establishment of the Claims Legislative Council, August 5, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to M. Ferne Chilson Regarding Garrison Dam Project, May 13, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated May 13, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to M. Ferne Chilson, Langer pledges to do everything within his power "to see that the rights of the Indian who lose their homes are properly safeguarded." In a previous letter, Chilson urged Langer to use his influence to reopen study of the Garrison Dam Project, and to have the dam sited where the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, North Dakota wish for it to be sited rather than displacing them.

  In his reply, Langer adds that "the final decision on this question has not been reached, and the matter is still under consideration by the War Department and the Department of the Interior." He closes by saying that he will "leave no stone unturned to see that the Indians get justice."

  See also:

  Letter from M. Ferne Chilson to Senator Langer Urging Restudy of Garrison Dam Location, May 1, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Mrs. Fred Brengle Regarding Location of Garrison Dam, April 14, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter, dated April 14, 1947, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Mrs. Fred Brengle of Denver, Colorado, acknowledges and thanks Brengle for the letter she wrote him on behalf of the Amerind Council.

  In this reply, Langer explains that "the engineers have already decided on the construction site for the Garrison Dam, so there is not much I can do about that."

  He assures Brengle, however, that he has been doing everything he can to see that the tribes "get a square deal in the matter of their lands which will be used for the reservoir."

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Ralph Case Regarding Inquiry Made by Martin Cross in September 11 Letter, October 1, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated October 1, 1947, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to attorney Ralph H. Case, follows up on the inquiry that Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross made in his September 11, 1947 letter. Cross inquired as to the source of funds for the Tribal Council expenses, specifically if the funds came out of the $400,000 held in the US Treasury for the Three Affiliated Tribes. Langer's letter to Case requests this information.

  See also:

  Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Appropriations for Tribal Council Expenses, October 1, 1947

  Letter from Ralph Case to Senator Langer Regarding Appropriations for Tribal Council Expenses, October 7, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Ralph H. Case Regarding Outcome of Recent Vote on Fort Berthold Reservation, December 11, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter, dated December 11, 1947, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Ralph H. Case, general counsel for the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, North Dakota, makes reference to a proposition submitted to the members of the Three Affiliated Tribes by their tribal council.

  Regarding the proposition, Langer asks Case whether the members voted to accept it or not.

  Langer closes by wishing Reifel a happy holiday season.

  See also:

  Outline of Contract, The United States of America with the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold Reservation, September, 1947

  Letter from Ralph H. Case to Senator Langer Regarding Questionnaire Regarding Creation of Contract to Receive Compensation in Return for Land Taken for the Garrison Dam Project, October 3, 1947

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Sahnish Marshall C.N. Gardner Regarding Rosalie Elk, April 16, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated April 16, 1947, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Sanish, North Dakota Marshall C. N. Gardner, regarding the case of Rosalie Elk, says that in the opinion of the agency at Garrison, "the Indian office has no authority to force an Indian to stay on the reservation against his will." The agency will, however, write to Rosalie Elk to warn her of potential serious trouble.

  Langer refers to a letter Gardner has requested he return from Fort Berthold Agency Superintendent Beitzel, and saying that he is attaching that letter to this one. No letter was attached to this copy when it was found in the Langer Papers.

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Verner E. Hansen Regarding a Report from the US Department of the Interior, June 25, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter, dated June 25, 1947, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Dunn Country, North Dakota Auditor Verner E. Hansen makes reference to an enclosed copy of a report from the US Department of the Interior. The referenced enclosure was not found with this letter in the Langer papers, however.

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  Letter from Senator Langer to Walter Maddock Regarding James Hall's Letter Regarding FHA Interest, January 27, 1947

  William Langer

  This letter dated January 27, 1947, from United States Senator William Langer to Walter Maddock, directs Maddock's attention to a letter Langer received from James Hall regarding Farmers Home Administration interest for Elbowoods residents.

  See also:

  Letter from James Hall to Senator Langer Regarding FHA Interest, January 24, 1947 Letter from Walter

  Maddock to Senator Langer Regarding James Hall's Letter Regarding FHA Interest, February 28, 1947

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  Telegram from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Indicating Cross' Arrival Date to Washington, D.C., May 22, 1947

  William Langer

  This telegram dated May 22, 1947, from Three Affiliated Tribes member Martin Cross to United States Senator William Langer, says, "Leaving now will arrive Saturday," presumably to Washington D.C.