William Langer graduated from UND in 1906 and had a long career in politics. He was North Dakota Attorney General from 1917 until 1920 and served twice as Governor: from 1933 to 1934 and from 1937 until 1939. Elected to the United States Senate in 1941, he served until his death in 1959.
The digitization of these papers has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Exploring the human endeavor. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
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Letter from Senator Langer to C. H. Beitzel Regarding Beulah Bateman, August 11, 1945
William Langer
This letter, dated August 8, 1945, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to C. H. Beitzel, Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Agency, makes reference to Beulah Bateman (mispelled "Batement" in Langer's letter), who was employed as a hospital attendant at the Fort Berthold Agency Hospital. Langer writes that he has received a complaint from Bateman's mother, and would like to get the facts related to the matter, as well as Beitzel's advice.
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Letter from Senator Langer to C. H. Beitzel Regarding Resolution Passed by Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council, November 27, 1945
William Langer
This letter dated November 27, 1945, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Agency C. H. Beitzel, thanks Beitzel for forwarding the November 6 resolution from the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council.
See also:
Letter from C. H. Beitzel to Senator Langer Regarding November 6 Resolution Passed by Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Council, November 13, 1945
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Letter from Senator Langer to Chris H. Beitzel Regarding Letter From Martin Miller, June 23, 1945
William Langer
This letter, dated June 23, 1945, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Fort Berthold Indian Agency Supervisor Chris H. Beitzel, refers to an enclosed letter Langer has received from Martin Miller, which Langer says is self-explanatory.
Langer writes that any advice Beitzel can give him on the matter would be appreciated, and asks Beitzel to return the letter when it has served its purpose.
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Letter from Senator Langer to Christan Beitzel Regarding Possible Funding Needs, June 7, 1945
William Langer
This letter dated June 7, 1945, from United States Senator William Langer to Forth Berthold Agency Superintendent Christian Beitzel refers to Langer's having succeeded in securing funding for the Turtle Mountain and Standing Rock reservations in the Interior Appropriation Bill, and asks Beitzel whether he wants “something done around your reservation," for which he would pursue an appropriation.
The letter bears the handwritten notation, “Indian money.”
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Letter from Senator Langer to E. E. Koenig Regarding Name of Town Created for Construction of Garrison Dam, November 17, 1945
William Langer
This letter dated November 17, 1945, from United States Senator William Langer to E. E. Koenig of Underwood, North Dakota, Langer replies to Koenig's letter of November 7th. In his reply, Langer explains that he is enclosing the report he received from the War Department in reply to Langer's inquiry into the naming of the construction village to be built at the construction site of the Garrison Dam.
See also:
Letter from E. E. Koenig to Senator Langer Regarding Name of Town Created for Construction of Garrison Dam, November 7, 1945
Letter from Lt. Col. Delbert Freeman To Senator Langer Regarding Name of Town Created for Construction of Garrison Dam, November 14, 1945
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Letter from Senator Langer to Floyd Montclair Regarding a Meeting with John Hamilton, September 26, 1945
William Langer
This letter dated September 26, 1945, from United States Senator William Langer to Secretary of the Fort Berthold Tribal Council Floyd Montcair, informs Montclair that the President of the National American Indian Defense League John Hamilton “came the other day and we had a long visit.” The letter states that Langer will “go the very limit to help.”
See also:
Letter from Floyd Montclair to John Hamilton Regarding the Endorsement of a Bill for Citizenship, August 30, 1945
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Letter from Senator Langer to Interned German National Richard Auras, December 11, 1945
William Langer
In this letter, dated December 11, 1945, from Senator William Langer to Richard Auras, Langer replies to Auras's letter of November 27 of the same year asking for help in securing his release from internment at Fort Lincoln.
Auras, a German national attending college in San Francisco, was arrested on December 8, 1941 by the US government under the Alien Enemy Act of 1798 and interned at Fort Lincoln, south of Bismarck, ND.
Langer writes that he will continue to do his best to secure the Auras's release.
See also:
Petition and Affidavit By Curt Benedict for Release of Richard Auras from Internment, August 1946
Letter from Richard Auras to William Langer Regarding Internment Status Decision, January 27, 1946
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Letter from Senator Langer to John E. Hamilton Regarding Unanswered Telegram, October 14, 1945
William Langer
This letter, dated October 15, 1945, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to John E. Hamilton, President of the National American Indian Defense Association, expresses Langer's concern that he has not heard from Hamilton since Langer wired him. Langer writes that he tried to telephone Hamilton but got no answer.
See also:
Telegram from Senator Langer to John Hamilton Regarding Floyd Montclair’s Visit to Washington, October 13, 1945
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding Reelection, October 14, 1945
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Letter from Senator Langer to John Hamilton Regarding His Correspondence, September 26, 1945
William Langer
This letter dated September 26, 1945, from United States Senator William Langer to President of the National American Indian Defense League President John Hamilton, marks the receipt of Hamilton’s letters from September 21st and 24th. Senator Langer thanks Hamilton and informs him that he is meeting today with Fort Berthold Tribal Council Secretary Floyd Montcair. The letter is marked with the handwritten annotation “Indians.”
See also:
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding the Petition for the American Indian Emancipation Act, September 21, 1945
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Letter from Senator Langer to John Hamilton Regarding Martin Cross Visit to Washington, D. C., November 10, 1945
William Langer
This letter dated November 10, 1945, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to John E. Hamilton, President of the National American Indian Defense Association Inc., informs Hamilton that Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross has not yet been to Washington, D. C.. Langer says he will get in touch once Cross arrives. A handwritten note reads "Indians."
See also:
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding Correspondence from Martin Cross, November 7, 1945
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Letter from Senator Langer to John Hamilton Regarding Martin Cross Visit to Washington, D. C., November 3, 1945
William Langer
This letter dated November 3, 1945, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to John E. Hamilton, President of the National American Indian Defense Association, Inc., informs Hamilton that Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross will be coming to Washington, D. C. but Langer is not sure when he will arrive. Langer says he will write again once he has talked with Cross. A handwritten note at the top of the letter reads, "Indians."
See also:
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding Funds Held in Trust for the Tribes, November 2, 1945
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding Correspondence from Martin Cross, November 7, 1945
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Letter from Senator Langer to John Hamilton Regarding Money in the Department to the Credit of the Tribes, October 29, 1945
William Langer
This letter dated October 29, 1945, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to John E. Hamilton, President of the National American Indian Defense Association, Inc., informs Hamilton there is not a lot of money held to the credit of the "Indians" (likely referring to the Three Affiliated Tribes). Langer says he has contacted Martin Cross and will confer with him on the matter. A handwritten note at the top of the letter reads, "Indians."
See also:
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding President Grant's Indian Policy, October 27, 1945
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding Funds Held in Trust for the Tribes, November 2, 1945
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding a Speech, October 22, 1945
William Langer
This letter dated October 22, 1945 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross informs Cross that Langer gave a speech inspired by Cross's visit. The letter indicates that the speech is enclosed, but this copy of the letter did not include the enclosed speech. There are some handwritten notes on the letter.
See also:
Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Following-Up from a Trip to Washington, D. C., October 13, 1945
Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding Trip to Washington and Desire for a Meeting with John Hamilton, October 30, 1945
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Cross's Upcoming Visit to Washington, November 7, 1945
William Langer
This letter dated November 7, 1945 from United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, acknowledges a letter that Cross sent to Langer indicating that Cross will be leaving for Washington D.C. on November 9th along with Mr. Beauchamp. Langer indicates that he wishes to see Cross when he is in town.
A handwritten note on the letter says, "See Indians."
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding the Garrison Dam, December 19, 1945
William Langer
This letter dated December 19, 1945, from United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, informs Cross that Langer is doing all he can to help on the Garrison Dam issue and that he will keep Cross informed of any developments. Langer assures Cross that they will not build the dam before compensating the tribes for the taken land.
See also:
Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding the Garrison Dam, December 7, 1945
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Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Trip to Washington, D. C., November 7, 1945
William Langer
This letter dated November 7, 1945, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, asks Cross to let Langer know when Cross will be in Washington, D. C. so they can meet. A handwritten note reads, "Indians."
See also:
Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding Trip to Washington and Desire for a Meeting with John Hamilton, October 30, 1945
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Letter from Senator Langer to William R. Beyer Regarding Native Veterans and the Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944, December 28, 1945
William Langer
This letter, dated December 28, 1945, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Fort Berthold Agency Superintendent William R. Beyer, call Beyer's attention to a document titled, "Loan Guaranty Provisions of Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944," a copy of which was sent to Beyer, and which Langer has been alerted to by Commissioner of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs William A. Brophy. The document in question is a circular sent by Brophy to Agency Superintendents and other other personnel of the US Bureau of Indian Affairs regarding the rights of Native veterans to credit under the US G.I. Bill of Rights. The circular both encourages the utilization of the loan guarantee provisions of the Serviceman's Readjustment act of 1944 and provides information specific to the utilization of those provisions by Native veterans.
Langer writes that "this is a very important matter and for that reason I bring it to your attention again."
See also:
Letter from William A. Brophy to Senator Langer Regarding Native Veterans and the Serviceman's Readjustment Act of 1944, December 17, 1945
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Letter from Senator Langer to William R. Beyer Regarding Rueben Ducket's Application for Fort Berthold Chief of Police, November 13, 1945
William Langer
This letter, dated November 13, 1945, from United States (US) William Langer to Fort Berthold Agency Superintendent William R. Beyer makes reference to Langer's knowledge that Rueben Ducket of the Fort Berthold Reservation has applied for the position of Chief of Police on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Langer writes that he is sure Ducket would do a good job in the position and that he would appreciate very much any consideration Beyer would see fit to give Ducket's application for the position.
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Statement from Senator Langer Regarding Restoration of Funds for the Missouri River Basin, Undated
William Langer
This statement that is undated, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to an unspecified committee, argues for the restoration of funds to the US Bureau of Reclamation for the Missouri River Basin in the US Interior Department Appropriation Bill. From the $23,783,600 originally recommended by the US Bureau of the Budget, the US House Committee on Appropriations has recommended a reduction of $13,470,915 leaving only $10,312,685 to fund the Bureau of Reclamation work in the Missouri River basin.
Langer argues that the reductions will endanger the goals of irrigation and low-cost power and needlessly delay projects that are only in their beginning stages.
This statement includes a handwritten note that says "Garrison." This document, while undated, was located among documents dated 1945 and 1946.
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Telegram from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding Floyd Montclair’s Visit to Washington, October 5, 1945
William Langer
This telegram dated October 5, 1945, from National American Indian Defense League President John Hamilton to United States (US) Senator William Langer, alerts Langer to a visit from Fort Berthold Tribal Council Secretary Floyd Montcair to Washington D.C. The telegram advises Langer to “look out for delegation.”
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to John Hamilton Thanking Him for His Correspondence, September 26, 1945
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Telegram From Senator Langer to John E. Hamilton Regarding Upcoming Meeting, October 24, 1945
William Langer
This telegram, dated October 24, 1945, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to John E. Hamilton, President of the National American Indian Defense Association, indicates that Langer "would like to have you come tomorrow."
See also:
Letter from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding Reelection, October 14, 1945
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Telegram from Senator Langer to John Hamilton Regarding Floyd Montclair’s Visit to Washington, October 13, 1945
William Langer
This telegram dated October 13, 1945, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to National American Indian Defense League President John Hamilton, alerts Hamilton that Fort Berthold Tribal Council Secretary Floyd Montcair did not show up to meet with Langer in Washington D.C. but other Fort Berthold Tribal Members did. It states it is important for Hamilton to call Langer. The telegram is marked with the handwritten annotation “Indians.”
See also:
Telegram from John Hamilton to Senator Langer Regarding Floyd Montclair’s Visit to Washington, October 5, 1945
Letter From Senator Langer to John E. Hamilton Regarding Unanswered Telegram, October 14, 1945
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Indicating that Legislation Authorizing the Garrison Dam Passed, December 17, 1945
William Langer
This telegram dated December 17, 1945, from United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, informs Cross that the legislation authorizing the construction of the Garrison Dam has passed with the provision that the tribes must be adequately compensated and/or provided with satisfactory lieu lands prior to construction.
See Also:
Letter from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding the Garrison Dam, December 7, 1945
Letter from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding the Garrison Dam, December 19, 1945
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Regarding Appropriation Committee Meeting, October 26, 1945
William Langer
This telegram dated October 26, 1945, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, informs Cross that the US House Appropriation Committee is meeting now and that the results are satisfactory. A handwritten note at the top of the telegram reads, "Indians."
See also:
Telegram from Martin Cross to Senator Langer Regarding Appropriation Committee Meeting, October 24, 1945
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Telegram from Senator Langer to Martin Cross Requesting Cross Come to Washington, October 29, 1945
William Langer
This telegram dated October 29, 1945, from United States Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Chairperson Martin Cross, states that Langer advises Cross to come to Washington D.C. as soon possible.