William Langer Papers

Follow

• 

  Letter from Senator Langer to Joe Bear et al Regarding Resolution Placed in Congressional Record, April 7, 1944

  William Langer

  This letter dated April 7, 1944, from United States Senator William Langer to Joe E. Bear, Adlai Stevenson, Alfred Smith, Jackson Dancing Bull, and Francis Stevenson, marks the receipt of the letter received from Bear, Stevenson, Dancing Bull, and Stevenson which forwards a resolution that these five people would like placed in the congressional record. The letter’s wording is verbatim with the only alteration being the name and address of the five recipients. The letter states Langer will have the resolution placed in the United States Congressional record when Congress reconvenes. The letter is marked with the handwritten annotation “Indians.”

• 

  Letter from Senator Langer to M.E. Pool Regarding Indian Matters, April 29, 1944

  William Langer

  This letter dated April 29, 1944 from United States (US) Senator William Langer to M.E. Pool, clerk for the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, refers to an enclosed letter from Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Councilman Earl W. Bateman “asking for certain information regarding Indian matters.” Langer writes that Pool’s help in securing the materials Bateman is requesting will be greatly appreciated.

  The letter from Bateman mentioned as being enclosed was not found with this letter in Langer's papers.

• 

  Letter from M.E. Pool to Senator Langer Regarding Bateman Requests, May 5, 1944

  M.E. Pool

  This letter dated May 5, 1944, from M.E. Pool, secretary for the United States (US) Senate Committee on Appropriations, to US Senator William Langer acknowledges Langer’s letter of April 29 asking Pool to find information requested by Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Business Council member Earl Bateman. Pool says the information requested by Bateman “will be furnished insofar as it may be available."

  See also:

  Letter from Senator Langer to M.E. Pool Regarding Indian Matters, April 29, 1944

• 

  "Agenda for the Fort Berthold Reservation" by Carl Sylvester, August 4, 1944

  Carl Sylvester

  This agenda dated August 4, 1944, signed by Carl Sylvester, Chairperson of the Tribal Business Council of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation, lists twenty-six goals of the Tribal Business Council on topics including the restoration of alien land within the tribal boundary to tribal ownership, consolidation of fractional holdings to larger usable units, disavowal of forced fee patents by federal agents, establishing of Tribal authority over wildlife conservation, law enforcement, determination of blood quantum, and a variety of other issues.

  The back side of the last page of the agenda contains several signatures and additional information or comments from those signing.

• 

  Letter from Helen Woolfolk to Senator Langer regarding Langer's speech on 1944 Sedition Trial, December 24, 1944.

  Helen Woolfolk

  This letter dated December 24, 1944, from Helen Woolfolk to Senator Langer, contains her complaint of receiving a copy and her criticism on the content of Langer's congressional speech on the 1944 Sedition Trial.

  See also:

  Letter from Senator Langer to Helen Woolfolk regarding Langer's speech on 1944 Sedition Trial, January 6, 1945.

  Senate Speech delivered by Senator Langer regarding the 1944 Sedition Trial, September 8, 1944.

• 

  Letter from Fort Berthold Americans Incorporated to Senator Langer Regarding the Authorization of Floyd Montclair to Represent Them, April 21, 1944

  Walter Young Bear

  This letter dated April 21, 1944, from Walter Young Bear, Sam Badgun, Robert Lincoln, Phillip Snow, Martin Fox, Richard Burr, Phillip Atkins, and Oscar Burr to United States (US) Senator William Langer informs Langer that by vote of the Fort Berthold Americans, Incorporated, Floyd Montclair is authorized to speak to the Congress of the United States on their behalf.

  See also:

  Letter from Senator Langer to Fox et al. Regarding Floyd Montclair’s Role as Representative of Fort Berthold Americans, Incorporated, May 11, 1944

• 

  Letter from B. J. Youngbird to US Senate Subcommittee on Indian Affairs, August 14, 1944

  Ben J. Youngbird

  This letter dated August 14, 1944, from Ben "B. J." Youngbird to United States (US) Senate Subcommittee on Indian Affairs, refers to the sub-committee's visit to the Fort Berthold Reservation, and explains that Youngbird was not able to give his views on what he thought was important during the visit.

  Following this explanation is a list of seven points covering topics like self-government, the cattle program, liquor laws on the reservation, federal wardship, and inheritance laws. In some cases, Youngbird criticizes members seeking self-government as eager to "get their deeds, mortgage it and then spent it on their own selfish needs, such as cars, traveling and spending their money as they have spent it before."

  In other cases, Youngbird defends the actions of Fort Berthold Agency Superintendent Beitzel against criticism made by tribal members, citing Beitzel's "stopping of Indian dances" as an example. Youngbird explains that when this happened, there was an ongoing measles epidemic, and children were dying, and Beitzel banned all public gatherings during the epidemic.

  In conclusion, Youngbird identifies Floyd Montclair as the leader of the "No Party," and defends agency staff for denying Montclair's application to participate in the cattle program, adding that this denial is the reason for the condemnation of agency staff during the sub-committee's hearings at the reservation.

  See also:

  Letter from Senator Langer to B. J. Youngbird Regarding Youngbird's Letter to US Subcommittee on Indian Affairs, September 11, 1944

• 

  Letter from William Zimmerman to Senator Langer Regarding US Senate Resolution 292 Authorizing Investigation of Oil-and-Gas Producing Tribal Lands in US and Alaska, July 14, 1944

  William Zimmerman

  This letter dated July 14, 1944, from William Zimmerman, Assistant Commissioner of the United States (US) Bureau of Indian Affairs, to US Senator William Langer, refers to a request the bureau received for a report on US Senate Resolution 292, which would authorize an investigation of "oil-and-gas bearing Indian lands in the U.S. and Alaska." Zimmerman writes that he sees no need for the proposed resolution and asks Langer "what lies behind the resolution." Zimmerman restates his position that such an investigation is unnecessary.

• 

  Letter from Senator Langer to J. B. Smith Regarding Resolution Opposing US Senate Bills 1218 and 1311, September 10, 1943

  William Langer

  This letter, dated September 10, 1943, from United States (US) Senator William Langer to Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Restervation Tribal Business Council Secretary J. B. Smith, acknowledges receipt of the resolution passed by Tribal Business Council formalizing the Council's opposition to United States (US) Senate bills nos. 1218 and 1311.

  Langer assures Smith that he will do all he possibly can to help.

  See also:

  Resolution by Tribal Business Council of Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, North Dakota Opposing US Senate Bills 1218 and 1311, August 17, 1943

• 

  Resolution by Tribal Business Council of Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, North Dakota Opposing US Senate Bills 1218 and 1311, August 17, 1943

  Tribal Business Council, Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation and Carl Sylvester

  This resolution, dated August 17 in the text of the document, and determined to be from 1943 based on the date of Langer's reply of September 10, 1943, formalizes the opposition of the Tribal Business Council of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Reservation to United States (US) Senate bills nos. 1218 and 1311.

  See also:

  Letter from Senator Langer to J. B. Smith Regarding Resolution Opposing US Senate Bills 1218 and 1311, September 10, 1943

• 

  Letter from Julia F. Begley "To Whom It May Concern" Regarding Richard Auras, January 19, 1942

  Julia F. Begley

  In this letter, dated January 19, 1942, from Julia F. Begley, teacher at the Hearst Day Adult Americanization Class, addressed "TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN," Begley describes the attendance of interned German national Richard Auras's attendance and keen interest in his work. She describes his attitude toward America and American principles as "of the finest."

  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

• 

  Letter from C. Benedict "To Whom It May Concern" Regarding Richard Auras's Character and Loyalty to the US, January 24, 1942

  C Benedict

  In this letter, dated January 24, 1942, from C. Benedict and addressed "to whom it may concern," Benedict certifies that he has been employed by the City and County Hospital of San Francisco for the last fourteen years as a chef.

  Benedict writes that his superior officers at the hospital have been "instrumental" in bringing his brother-in-law Richard Auras to the United States (US) through their efforts, including writing recommendations for Auras to the Immigration Department, and explains that Auras has been living in his home during this time, belongs to no subversive or anti-American organizations and that Auras's loyalty to the US is unquestionable. Benedict urges that Auras be released from Fort Lincoln and allowed to "finish his course of Chiropractic and there after become a useful Citizen of the U.S.A."

  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

• 

  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

• 

  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

• 

  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

• 

  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

• 

  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

• 

  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

• 

  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

• 

  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

• 

  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

• 

  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

• 

  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

• 

  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

• 

  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