The Saint Paul Globe

PARK FOR MINNESOTA

COL. J. S. COOPER, OF CHICAGO, THINKS RESERVATION MAY BE MADE

IS ON A FISHING EXCURSION

Will Again Bring His Pet Scheme to Attention of Congress-Accompanied by Col. Peck.

Col. J. S. Cooper, of Chicago, well known as the chief promoter of the national park project for Northern Minnesota, passed through St. Paul yesterday, with his family, en route to Leech lake and Cass lake, where the next week will be spent fishing.

With Col. Cooper were Ferdinand W. Peck and family and Charles I. Peck and family, of Chicago.

Col. Cooper's hobby is the establishment of a vast forest reserve in the northern part of this state, and although congress has so far turned a deaf ear to his representations, he is still hopeful of inducing that body to see the matter in the light he views it. He is optimistic to a degree, and says he feels sanguine of success next season, when the matter is to be brought up again.

He bases his hope on the fact that the once obstinate opposition to his scheme is burning itself out, and he is of opinion that a disinterested consideration of the subject is bringing those who did not at first agree with him to see that the reservation of a large forest domain as a national park will constitute a priceless heirloom for posterity.

At present the section of the state which it is proposed to reserve abounds with fish and game, and the natural surroundings are as primitive as though man had never set foot in it. This will not long continue, says the colonel, if lumbermen are allowed to proceed with the work of stripping the country of all lumber of any commercial value.

Col. Peck, who was director general of the American exhibit at the Paris exposition, and who is a member of the fishing party, is an enthusiastic supporter of the national reservation idea, and he will this winter accompany Col. Cooper to Washington in order to assist in inducing congress to consider the project favorably. He is also of opinion that the state is being rapidly denuded of its natural attractions by the large lumbering concerns, and he thinks a national park of the character advocated by Col. Cooper is something that congress should not hesitate in establishing.

Col. Cooper, in speaking of those who were in sympathy with him in his efforts in this direction, mentioned the names of Archbishop Ireland, the late Bishops Whipple and Gilbert and Congressman Tawney.