To Fred Childers, Editor of the Ely Miner, September 10, 1957, and to Howard Zahniser, Executive Director of the Wilderness Society, September 17, 1957
In the spring of 1957, conservationists for and against the creation of a national wilderness preservation system began a new round of debate in Congress. The summer and fall of 1957 became very difficult for Sigurd in his hometown, where most residents strongly opposed the idea, fearing it would destroy the local economy and take away their freedom to use the wilderness they loved in the ways they had used it for decades. In the letters below, Sigurd expresses frustration with the misinformation being spread around Ely about the bill and about him. For more complete background, and to see these letters in the context of other events during the first crucial period in the wilderness bill campaign, read Sigurd Olson and the Wilderness Act: 1956 and 1957.
Ely, Minnesota
Sept 10, 1957
The Editor of the Ely Miner
Ely, Minn.
Dear Sir:
I wish to set straight certain statements made by Maugridge S. Robb in an article entitled "Legal Opinion is Given on Humphrey Bill" in the Ely Miner of Sept 5th, 1957.
Mr. Robb states that I have been "openly and vigorously advocating the prohibition of the use of outboard motors and has on many occasions made the boast and prediction that he will effectuate such a ban to follow the airplane ban effectuated by Presidential Order."
This statement is a complete falsehood as I have never advocated the prohibition of outboard motors and have never boasted that I would effectuate such a ban. I have met Mr. Robb only once at the time of a legislative hearing in St. Paul when his testimony was just as replete with misinformation and spurious allegations as the above. He very evidently speaks not from personal knowledge or facts but only from hearsay.
His inference that a recent Report of the Trustees for Conservation quotes me as condemning the use of outboard motors is also a fallacy. Referring to page 18 of that report which he mentions, I find I speak only of the broad significance of the wilderness to national parks and national forests. Not one word is said about outboard motors.
Another inference is that I am not familiar with the wilderness and wish to seal it forever from public use. Anyone in this area who knows my background over the past thirty five years can testify to the fact that I have encouraged public use by canoeists and resorts.
Mr. Robb's statement that the Humphrey Bill automatically seals the Roadless Areas against all types of mechanized regulations and established uses is also untrue. The bill states specifically that present regulations and established uses will not be changed in this area. In its application to this region the Superior National Forest is specifically exempted. Canoeists and resort people may use outboards as they always have.
The Humphrey Bill is merely an attempt to give Congressional sanction and protection to wilderness areas all over the United States in the belief that these areas need such protection if they are to be preserved for future generations. No new administrative agency will be created. They will be handled as they have been in the past by the Departments of Interior and Agriculture
A week later, Sigurd wrote to Wilderness Society executive director Howard Zahniser, asking him to put together a new draft of the wilderness bill that will ease the fears of Ely residents, and to do so in time for a public meeting in Ely on September 26th:
Ely, Sept 17, 1957
Dear Zahnie:
Please look over the attached newspaper clippings which are chosen at random from my fast growing file. They are indicative of the growing campaign against the Wilderness Bill in northern Minnesota, a well calculated campaign of untruth and vilification which has gone on since early July. Every week something comes out many charges fantastic, many of them slanted at me and at Hubert and at our good friend Bill Magie of Friends of the Wilderness in Duluth. This has been a small war and the shooting goes on. I have spoken to a number of groups have written articles and ghost written others. Where it is to end is anyone's guess. Last night I spoke to the local Rod and Gun Club and while they have always been friendly they voiced the fear that the Bill is a deliberate attempt to smear Senator Humphrey politically and get him out of the Senate.
Hearings will be held in the fall and Hubert has been invited to appear before a mass meeting in Ely to explain the bill. Thursday Sept 26th. I shall be there of course but it is going to be rough.
WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE ON SHORT NOTICE TO CLARIFY THE LANGUAGE OF THE BILL SO PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTANT THAT:
1. Outboard motors will not be banned
2. Other uses will be continued
3. The government will not sieze private properties on well developed lakes outside the roadless areas and in such towns as Ely. It sounds ridiculous but this is being said.
4. Explain or eliminate as I suggested this spring the idea of a council which has assumed the status of a superagency with dictatorial powers.
ABOVE ALL HAVE THE BILL SO SIMPLE THAT PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND IT. IF THIS CAN BE DONE BEFORE THE 26TH so Hubert if he comes can be armed with that or if he does not come so I can be armed, it will help. As it reads now even a crack corporation lawyer cannot understand it. We need help up here. The whole cause can collapse due to this flare up.
