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 William Beyer to R.L. Fraser and E.C. Stucke Regarding Statements in Favor of the Stamp Relief Plan, April 24, 1942
William Beyer
These two letter dated April 24, 1942 from Fort Berthold Agency Superintendent William Beyer to R.L. Fraser of Washburn, North Dakota (ND) and E.C. Stucke of Garrison, ND are identical except for the addressees. In them, Beyer explains tro each addressee that United States (US) Senator William Langer "desires statements from local business and professional men as to their opinion on the merits of the Stamp Relief Plan," and requests that he prepare such a statement and mail it to Langer in Washington, D.C.
Beyer adds that he and others at the Fort Berthold Agency are “very enthusiastic over the Stamp Relief Plan” and its benefits, including the elimination of freighting and the lessening of the danger of spoilage.
The letter to Stucke is marked with the handwritten annotation “Stamp Plan.” No annotation appears on the letter to Fraser.
See also:
Letter from William Beyer to Senator Langer Regarding the Stamp Program on the Fort Berthold Reservation, January 26, 1942
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Letter from William Beyer to Senator Langer Regarding the Stamp Program on the Fort Berthold Reservation, January 26, 1942
William Beyer
This letter dated January 26, 1942, from William Beyer, Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Indian Agency, to United States (US) Senator William Langer, acknowledges the receipt of Langer’s letter from January 20, 1942. Beyer thanks Langer for the enclosure copies of lists of Farmers’ Bulletins and writes that he will “be glad to keep you informed of the progress of the stamp relief plan on this reservation.”
The letter is marked with the handwritten annotation “Stamp Plan Indians.”
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to William Beyer Regarding the Stamp Program on the Fort Berthold Reservation, January 20, 1942
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Letter from William Beyer to Senator Langer Regarding the Start of the Stamp Program, January 7, 1942
William Beyer
This letter dated January 7, 1942 from Superintendent of Indian Affairs William Beyer to United States (US) Senator William Langer marks the receipt of Langer’s telegram from January 6, 1942, regarding when the stamp plan started. Beyer confirms that the stamp plan began on January 1, 1942, and the monthly consignment of stamps was received two days ago. Beyer writes that “it is not possible to state from experience how this plan will work,” though he believes “it will be a considerable improvement over the issuing of actual relief commodities.” The letter mentions it has been expensive to purchase relief supplies and distribute them to the seven districts of the reservation, as well as that there has been “some loss through spoilage under this old system.” Beyer adds that there has been an “unauthorized delegation” who visited Washington D.C. recently who conveyed erroneous information about the stamp plan, but that he believes these misunderstandings have been corrected, and anticipates there will be good results from the stamp plan.
See also:
Telegram from Senator Langer to William Beyer Regarding the Start of the Stamp Program, January 6, 1942
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Letter from Helene Ilse Dietz to US Immigration Services Regarding Richard Auras, January 20, 1942
Helene Ilse Dietz
In this letter, dated January 20, 1942, from Helene Ilse Dietz to the United States Immigration Service in Bismarck, North Dakota, Dietz writes that she is the sponsor of the education of interned German national Richard Auras, and that she has found him to be an honorable and studious person who, to her knowledge, has never been a member of any political organization.
Auras 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.
See also:
Letter from Helene Dietz to "Hearing Board" Requesting Reconsideration of the Arrest and Internment of Richard Auras, August 10, 1945
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 William Beyer Regarding Statements in Favor of the Stamp Relief Plan, May 11, 1942
William Langer
This letter dated May 11, 1942 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Fort Berthold Indian Agency Superintendent William Beyer thanks Beyer for sending copies of his letters to E.C. Stucke and R.L. Fraser, requesting statements on the merits of the Stamp Relief Plan. Langer writes that he will “put over the Stamp Plan permanently.”
The letter is marked with the handwritten annotation “Christian H. Beitzel”
See also:
Letter from William Beyer to R.L. Fraser and E.C. Stucke Regarding Statements in Favor of the Stamp Relief Plan, April 24, 1942
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Letter from Senator Langer to William Beyer Regarding the Stamp Program on the Fort Berthold Reservation, January 20, 1942
William Langer
This letter dated January 20, 1942, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to William Beyer, Superintendent of the Forth Berthold Indian Agency, marks the receipt of Beyer’s letter from January 7, 1942, reporting on the start of the food stamp program at Fort Berthold. Langer thanks Beyer and asks to hear from him further "regarding the developments of the program after it has been in operation a little longer time." Langer writes that he is enclosing “a few copies of lists of Farmers’ Bulletins." These enclosures were found with this letter in Langer's papers.
See also:
Letter from William Beyer to Senator Langer Regarding the Start of the Stamp Program, January 7, 1942
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Telegram from Senator Langer to William Beyer Regarding the Start of the Stamp Program, January 6, 1942
William Langer
This telegram dated January 6, 1942, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Superintendent of Indian Affairs William Beyer reads “Kindly advise whether stamp plan benefiting Indians was started January first. If so how is experiment progressing.”
See also:
Letter from William Beyer to Senator Langer Regarding the Inauguration of a Food Stamp Plan for the Fort Berthold Reservation, April 8, 1941
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Text of Letters from Raymond L. Peters. John C. Fischer and Muriel Whitney to the United States Immigration Service in support of Student Richard Auras, January 15, 1942
Raymond L. Peters, John C. Fischer, and Muriel Whitney
This document contains the text of two letters, dated January 15, 1942, the first signed by Sierra States University President Dr. Raymond L. Peters, and the second signed by Sierra States University Student Body President John C. Fischer and Student Body Secretary Muriel Whitney, addressed to the United States (US) Immigration Service in Bismarck, North Dakota (ND), in support of Sierra States University student and German national Richard Auras, who on December 8, 1941 was arrested by the US government under the Alien Enemy Act of 1798 and interned at Fort Lincoln, south of Bismarck, ND.
In the first letter, Peters describes Auras as a good student and says he would like to see Auras finish his course "so he can graduate with the other students of his class."
In the second letter, Fischer and Whitney describe Auras as "honest and sincere" and also urge that he be allowed to return to school.
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 R. L. Peters to Enemy Alien Control Supervisor Edward G. Ennis Regarding Richard Auras, July 5, 1942
R. L. Peters
In this letter, dated July 5, 1942, from Dean R. L. Peters of Sierra States University (SSU) College of Chiropractic to Edward G. Ennis, Supervisor, Enemy Alien Control, in Washington DC, Peters writes that Richard Auras was a student at SSU from March 1940 until December 1941 when the U.S. Federal Government interned him. Peters adds that Auras was a good student and did not any show signs of being an "enemy alien."
Auras 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.
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 William Beyer to Senator Langer Regarding Encephalitis at Fort Berthold, September 2, 1941
William Beyer
This letter dated September 2, 1941, from William Beyer, Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Indian Agency, to United States (US) Senator William Langer, advises that the Fort Berthold community is very interested in Senate Joint Resolution 104, which authorizes an appropriation of $3,000,000 for the study of encephalitis conducted by the Encephalitis Control Board under the United States Public Health Service. Beyer notes that there have been several cases of encephalitis at Fort Berthold and one case was treated at the local hospital. Beyer writes that he “is extremely interested in having this appropriation made.”
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to William Beyer Regarding Encephalitis Study Proposed in S.J. 104, September 18, 1941
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Letter from William Beyer to Senator Langer Regarding the Inauguration of a Food Stamp Plan for the Fort Berthold Reservation, April 8, 1941
William Beyer
This letter dated April 8, 1941, from William Beyer to United States (US) Senator William Langer acknowledges the receipt of Langer’s letter from April 3, 1941, enclosing a letter Langer had received from Philip McQuire, Acting Administrator of the Surplus Marketing Administration. In this reply, Beyer writes that a meeting took place on March 21, 1941 between the US Bureau of Indian Affairs agency superintendents of the North Dakota tribes, the North Dakota State Welfare Representatives and officials of the Surplus Marketing Administration in Fargo, North Dakota for the purpose of discussing of “plans whereby it might be possible to inaugurate the stamp plan for issuing relief supplies on Indian reservations in this state.” Beyer writes that it was decided at this meeting that “it would not be practical to adopt entirely the stamp plan on Indian reservations,” for reasons mentioned in McQuire's letter.
Beyer notes that surplus commodities must still be issued for noonday lunches in schools, and that Fort Berthold includes parts of five different counties, not all of which operate under the stamp plan, and suggests that when the necessary relief funds are allotted for relief for the fiscal year, the stamp plan may be put into effect.
This letter is stamped with the annotation “ADDRESS ONLY THE SUPERINTENDENT.”
See also:
Letter from Senator Langer to William Beyer Regarding Food Stamps for the Fort Berthold Reservation, April 3, 1941
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Letter from Senator Langer to William Beyer Regarding Encephalitis Study Proposed in S.J. 104, September 18, 1941
William Langer
This letter dated September 18, 1941, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to William Beyer, Superintendent of the Fort Berthold Indian Agency, marks the receipt of Beyer’s letter from September 2, 1941. Langer thanks Beyer and acknowledges Beyer’s views on S.J. 104. Langer assures Beyer that he will “leave nothing undone that I can do to get this legislation through.” Langer writes that his seating as a United States Senator is not yet settled and that he is “greatly handicapped in [his] work down here.” However, he pledges, he will “do [his] best under these circumstances.”
See also:
Letter from William Beyer to Senator Langer Regarding Encephalitis at Fort Berthold, September 2, 1941
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Letter from Senator Langer to William Beyer Regarding Food Stamps for the Fort Berthold Reservation, April 3, 1941
William Langer
This letter dated April 3, 1941, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to William Beyer references an enclosed letter Langer has received from Phillip Maguire, Acting Administrator for the Surplus Marketing Administration, which Langer describes as “self-explanatory." The letter mentioned as enclosed was not found with this letter in Langer's papers. This letter is marked with the handwritten annotation “see Maguire.”
See also:
Letter from William Beyer to Senator Langer Regarding the Inauguration of a Food Stamp Plan for the Fort Berthold Reservation, April 8, 1941
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Letter from Senator Langer to William Beyer Regarding Updates to the Food Stamp Plan for the Fort Berthold Reservation, April 14, 1941
William Langer
This letter dated April 14, 1941 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to William Beyer marks the receipt of Beyer’s letter from April 8, 1941, and informs Beyer four counties still have not been placed on the Food Stamp Plan, all of which “have Indian population," but that “a scheme has been fixed up that will result in the Reservation being treated as an institution with all the Indians except those on WPA or some other work getting stamps.” Langer writes that he is working with Milo Perkins in an effort to be of assistance. The letter is CC-ed to John Collier.
See also:
Letter from William Beyer to Senator Langer Regarding the Inauguration of a Food Stamp Plan for the Fort Berthold Reservation, April 8, 1941
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Text of Letter from Senator Langer to Petitioners Regarding US Senate Bill 584 and $400,000 Settlement, May 13, 1941
William Langer
This document contains the text of a letter dated May 13, 1941 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to to a group of members of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation who had sent Langer a petition.
Langer begins by acknowledging receipt of the petition and and pledging to do all he can to secure the passage of US Senate Bill no. 584 which, he writes, "provides that $400,000 be appropriated by the [US] Treasury in full and final settlement of all claims and demands of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation in North Dakota. He adds that this amount will be deposited to the credit of the Indians of the Fort Berthold Reservation and draw interest in accordance with existing laws.
See also:
Letter from E. N. Perkins to Senator Langer Regarding $400,000 Settlement, April 5, 1941
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Letter from E. N. Perkins to Senator Langer Regarding $400,000 Settlement, April 5, 1941
E. N. Perkins
This letter, dated April 5, 1941, from E. N. Perkins of Nishu, North Dakota, to United States (US) Senator William Langer informs Langer that a delegation of four is leaving by car from the Fort Berthold Reservation.
Perkins writes: "We have authorized authority from the three tribes, namely, Gros Ventre, Mandans and Arikaras, in regard to our claim of $400000 [sic], we also have a lot of unfinished business.
See also:
Text of Letter from Senator Langer to Petitioners Regarding US Senate Bill 584 and $400,000 Settlement, May 13, 1941
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1938 Primary Election Nonpartisan League Republican Ticket
Allied Printing Trades Council
Poster highlighting the Nonpartisan League Republican ticket for the June 1938 primary election. The bottom of the poster includes the traditional NPL motto: "We'll Stick -- We'll Win."
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The Fighting Governor: the Story of William Langer and the State of North Dakota by John Holzworth, 1938
John M. Holzworth
John Holzworth, a classmate of William Langer's at Columbia University, wrote this biography in 1938. The book examines Langer's life and political history up until his second tenure as Governor of North Dakota, which began in 1937.
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Letter from Wisconsin Adjutant General Ralph Immell to Governor Langer Regarding Cancellation of his Visit, August 3, 1938
Ralph M. Immell
In this letter from Wisconsin Adjutant General Brigadier General Ralph Immell of the Wisconsin National Guard to North Dakota Governor William Langer, Immell conveys his regrets that he has had to cancel his plans to travel to Bismarck.
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Letter from Walter C. King to Governor Langer Regarding International Harvester Co. vs. Edna Rehak, September 21, 1938
Walter C. King
In this letter, dated September 21, 1938, from Sargent County, North Dakota (ND) State's Attorney Walter C. King to ND Governor William Langer, King makes reference to the foreclosure case International Harvester Company vs. Edna Rehak, writing that the law firm representing International Harvester has written to him claiming that they have been advised that the moratorium on foreclosure in the case is about to be lifted.
King suggests that Langer contact the Rehaks and find out whether they plan to continue farming. If so, King recommends that the moratorium not be lifted.
See also:
Letter from Governor Langer to Walter C. King Regarding International Harvester Co. vs. Edna Rehak, September 27, 1938
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Speech by Governor Langer on Lincoln's Birthday, February 11, 1938
Willam Langer
Text of a radio address delivered by Governor William Langer on KFYR on the occasion of Abraham Lincoln's birthday, February 11, 1938. The Governor notes that Lincoln was "the greatest spirit that ever gave itself in behalf of mankind." Langer notes that Lincoln was "a child of the common people," not unlike those North Dakotans listening to the speech. He firmly links the cause of the Nonpartisan League with the historical memory of the former President.
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Letter from Governor Langer to Walter C. King Regarding International Harvester Co. vs. Edna Rehak, September 27, 1938
William Langer
In this letter, dated September 27, 1938, from North Dakota (ND) Governor William Langer replies to Sargent County State's Attorney Walter C. King's letter of September 21, 1938 regarding the foreclosure case International Harvester Co. vs. Edna Rehak. Langer writes that he is writing the Rehaks them to let King know whether they intend to discontinue farming and whether they are willing to deliver the farm machinery involved in the foreclosure case to the International Harvester Company.
See also:
Letter from Walter C. King to Governor Langer Regarding International Harvester Co. vs. Edna Rehak, September 21, 1938
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Radio Address Delivered by Governor Langer at Dedication of New KFYR Broadcast Tower, January 13, 1938
William Langer
This document contains the typed text, with handwritten notations, of a radio address delivered on Thursday, January 13th, 1938 by North Dakota Governor William Langer to commemorate the installation of radio station KFYR's new broadcast tower. The tower was a 700 foot steel antenna, and for the time was state-of-the-art for radio equipment. After briefly discussing the history of radio, Langer congratulates Mr. Meyer, President of the Meyer Broadcasting Company, on the completion of one of America's tallest radio towers.
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Letter from Governor Langer to Dr. W. W. Alexander Regarding the Resettlement Administration, February 15, 1937
William Langer
In this letter, dated February 15, 1937, from North Dakota Governor William Langer to W. W. Alexander, Administrator at the Resettlement Administration in Washington D.C., Langer thanks Alexander for his considerate and generous attitude towards the state of North Dakota, informing Alexander that the livestock in North Dakota are suffering almost as much as the residents and that there is not much that the Governor can do to rectify the situation.
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Letter from Neil N. Lee of Resettlement Administration to Governor Langer Regarding Report Requests, February 8, 1937
Neil N. Lee
In this letter, dated February 8, 1937, from Neil N. Lee, County Supervisor for the Rural Rehabilitation Division of the Resettlement Administration, to North Dakota Governor William Langer, Lee requests that Governor Langer include a copy of the client's letter with any request for a report on the client's case. Lee goes on to explain that the County Office of the Administration is under a lot of pressure and cannot keep up with the hundreds of families they are responsible for all at one time.