Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, October 26, 1909, Page 1

THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEER.Z VOLUME 7. NUMBER 162. FORTY CENTS PER MONTH. 4 REQUEST SPECIAL AGENT COUNCIL REVOKES LICENSE Affidavits Submitted by Special Agents Specifically Charge Dugas and Gagnon With Selling Liquor to Indians.— Council Vote Was Unanimous. Resolution Revoking Dugas License. “Whereas, H. A. Larson, deputy special officer of the United States Indian service, has made and filed charges against T. Dugas for selling intoxicating liquors to Indians and that “Whereas, It appears from the evidence aduced that due notice was served on the said T. Dugas of the time and place of hearing said charges, and the city council having duly considered the evidence; now, therefore, be it “Resolved that certain license, was a place resorted to by Indians for the purpose of obtaining intoxi- cating liquors—and during all of said time, the said Dugas and the said Frank Gagnon catered to the Indian trade. “You are therefore requested to cancel the license 1ssued to the said T. Dugas on the 21st day of Sep- tember, 1909, as aforesaid, and not to issue licenses to any other person to sell or dispose of intoxicating liquors on the premises above de- scribed.” “—H. A. Larson, “Deputy special officer of the BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, TUESDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 26, 1909. of any kind, name or nature.. He further asserted that he pur- chased the stock and fixtures in the building from one Frank Gagnon| and since the 21st day of September has owned and been in full posses- sion of same; and that Frank Gagnon is in no way interested with him. Mr. Dugas stated that he knew nothing of the violation of the Indian laws by Mr. Gagnon. Special Agent H. A. Larson then addressed the council, and said, in part: «I think you are all very fami- liar with the situation as regards the government’s position towards the saloonkeeper who sells intoxi- cating liquor to its Indian wards. “At the outset I wish to say that some people have stated this is a matter of personal spite, This statement I wish to deny most emphatically, as we have no interest whatever in putting out of business any saloon man in the City of Bemidji except when he is selling liquor to the Indians. No doubt you are aware of the ‘| came here and elfected ‘and had signed an agreement whereby the liquor men of Bemidji agreed not to violate the law -in regard to the selling of liquor to Indians, «This agreement was signed by your mayor, city attorney, county attorney and all the proprietors of saloons; and was to the efiec_t that should violation happen in future the license of the saloonkeeper should be revoked. “The majority of the saloon men inyour city have, 1 believe, made an honest attempt to abide by this agreement, and it is not our -desire to interfere with the sale of intoxicating liquor» to white people. We expect the co-opera- tion of local - authorities in the enforcing of these laws. ‘“Agents of the Indian depart- ment have been here on ‘various occasions, ‘some of whom have boarded at the West hotel, and whose affidavits have been pro- cired showing constant violations a:zd utter disregard for the iaw. “Our agents have come here for spent about two days in the West hotel; that during these two days the saloon in the West hotel was habitually and constantly making a practice of selling intoxicating liquors to Indians, chiefly whiskey. He stated that Indians would go in- to a stall in the restaurant next door to this saloon and liquor would be brought” to them; and that some- times liquor was brought from the bar and served in the stairway, between the saloon and restaurant. L. H. Gilmore, another special agent, stated in his affidavit that on the first day of October, 1909, and at other times he was presentat the West hotel saloon and that the proprietor sold a drink of whiskey over the bar to Charles Kling, an Indian; that at other times he had noticed a number of Indians come from the Red Lake agency carrying empty suit cases which they would deposit in the lobby of the West hotel and later return for the suit cases, which, in the meantime, apparently had been filled with bottles of whiskey. This they would FORBID ABATEMENT DURING - THE ODD-NUMBERED YEARS Minnesota Tax Commission Instructs Auditor Wilmann that Reductions Made Because of the Timber Being Cut from Land Are Invalid. " The Minnesota Tax Commission has issued circulars- to the county auditorsin all counties where there is timber, to the effect that the practice which has heretofore been in vogue of reducing the assessed vlauation of timbered lands in odd- numbered years when the timber on the land has been cut must be stopped; and that any such reduc- tion as made in 1909 is invalid. The circular in full is as follows: “'St. Paul, Oct. 23. “Hon. John Wilmann, County Audi- tor, Bemidji. years, consequently it has no author- ity to reduce the assessed valuation of any tract or parcel of land in the odd-numbered years because the timber has been removed from such lands. “You are instructed that if any. such reduction has been made in the assesséd valuation of any real estate in your county for the year 1909 by the county board, such purported reduction is invalid and you are hereby directed to restore the original assessment as fixed by the state board of equalization for the year 1908 against such property. dated September 21, 1909, granted United States Indian Service.” treaties of 1854 and 1855, and that|the purpose = of investigating the|take on the train with them a'nd "Dfar Sir:'—I.t has been repurt_ed . *“Very truly yours, to T. Dugas to sell intoxicating Notice to Dugas. Beltrami county and the City of|Indian proposition and not any|take on_to the Red Lake Indian|to thl_s‘o?mmlsslon that th‘e pr?clxce Minnesota "Il‘a.x Commission, liquors in that front room ground N A Bemidji are within this ceded" terri-| One saloon in - preference to others. | reservation. i prevails in some of the counties of Sfll‘l:llel F.ord, : floor of that certain building located The following notice has been tory. This treaty prohibits the sale | It is common knowledge in this city| - Walter Johnson, who was with |the state of reducing .the assessed . Chairman. S— on lots 21, 22 and 24 in block 16 of Bemidji, in Beltrami county, Minne- soto, be and the same hereby is cancelled and revoked; and be it further «Resolved, That no license be issued to any person to sell intoxicating liquors in the premises above described for the period of one year, «Upon call of aye and nay vote the following aldermen in favor of the passage of this resolution voted aye: Shannon, Smart, Bisiar, Rhea, Schneider, Kirk. “Those opposed voted nay: None. “Resolution carried. «Absent: Gould, Hanson, John- son.” Statement by Special Agent. Special Agent Larson, when seen this morning, said: “The action of the council is gratifying to the Indian department, as it is an evidence of the council’s desire to co-operate with the federal government in its efforts to keep liquor from the Indians.” Mr. Russell Undecided as to Future Movements. When seen today by the Pioneer, Mr. Russell, attorney for Mr. Dugas, stated that he had not, as yet, determined what course would be pursued, if any, in opposing the enforcement of the revoking of the Dugas license. Mr. Larson's Request. “To The Honorable City Council, City of Bemidji. MGentlemen:—Pursuant to the instructions of William E. Johnson, chief special officer of the United States Indian service, to assist in the suppression of the liquor traffic among the Indians, I hereby prefer the following charges against one T. Dugas, to whom license to sell in- toxicating liquors on the ground floor of that certain frame building located on lots twenty-one (21), twenty-two (22), twenty-three (23) and twenty-four (24), in block six- teen (16) of Bemidji, in Beltrami county, Minnesota: “That between the 21st day of September, 1909, and the 23rd day of October, 1909,intoxicating liquors were constantly being sold to In- dians in this saloon; that on numer- ous occasions liquor was brought from the saloon through doors connecting with the adjoining res- taurant, and served in stalls and also on the stairway, to Indians. “That a saloon has been main- tained in the building above des- cribed for a long time prior to the 21st day of September, 1909,3by Frank Gagnon, the owner of the building; that on the 21st day of) September 1909, as your informant is advised, a license was taken out for the said Frank Gagnon in the name of T. Dugas, because the said Frank Gagnon had repeatedly violated the liquor laws ‘ot the city and of the state; while under the management of the said Frank Gagnon, and the said T. Dugas, it issued to T.Dugas to appear before the council this evening and show cause why his license should not be revoked. “You will please take notice that you are hereby requested to be and appear before the city coungil of the City of Bemidji, in said county and state, in the council chambers, in the city hall, on the 25th day of October, 1909, at 8 o’clock p.m., and then and there show cause, if any there be, why that certain license granted you by the said city council on the 21st day of September, 1909, to sell intoxicating liquors on the ground floor, front room of that certain frame building, located on lots twenty-one (21), twenty-two (22), twenty-three (23) and twenty- four (24), in block sixteen (16), of Bemidji, Beltrami county, Minne- sota, should not be cancelled and revoked. *And you are further requested to answer the charges hereto annexed, and herewith served upon you.” After listening to arguments made by H. A. Larson, deputy special officer of the Indian department, requesting that the license of T. Dugae be revoked, and of P. J. Russell, attorney for Mr. Dugas, in opposition thereto, the city council, by unanimous vote last evening adopted a resolution revoking the Dugas license and resolving to grant no license to any person to sell in- toxicating liquor in the building occupied by Dugas for a period of one year, The proceedings had last night were the result of the campaign which is being instituted by the Indian department to suppress the sale of liquor to the Indians, and which has been prosecuted under the direction of William E. Johnson, chief special officer in charge of the work. The announcement of the fact that T. Dugas had been cited to appear before the city council and that Mr, Larson, special agent in the employ of the Government Indian service, would be there to prosecute the case was the cause of the large attend- ance at last night’s meeting. The request of ‘Mr. Larson, to- gether with the notice served an Mr. Dugas to show cause why his hicense should not be revoked (both of which are given above), formed the matter on which the council was called to deliberate, with evi- of liquor to Indians. “Youno doubt have read of the decision of Judge Morris in the Mahnomen csses. In this decision he states that this treaty isin full force and effect until revoked by proper authority. “On May 21, Mr. Zollman, attor- \that these people bave been frequent- ing in this place.” “Mr. Larson produced the affidavits of three special agents who spent considerable time investigating the Dugas saloon as well as other places within the-city limits. Clarence T. Johnson, one of these ney for the Brewers association, L. H. Gilmore, a good deal of the time, made a similiar affidavit to that made by Mr. Gilmore. Mr. Russell then addressed the council on behalf of his client, Mr. Dugas, in part as follows: I do not desire to question the sincerity of Mr. Larson when he agents, in his affidavit, states that he [Continued on Last Page.) Our Copyright 109 by Hart Schaffner & Marx service to you with Hart Schaffner & Marx clothes THIS store is here to render a service to this com- munity; not simply to sell clothes and get the money for them; and make a profit for ourselves. We're running this business to make a profit for you as well as for ourselves; we take care that you do make a profit; because we realize that your profit is ours too; and we want yours to be a b dence to be introduced by Mr. Larson and denials by Mr. Dugas the case. Mr. Dugas was represented by Attorney P. J. Russell, and in his answer admitted that the city coun- cil granted him license September 21, 1909, and since that time he had been running a saloon in the City of Bemidji. Mr. Dugas denied positively that be had sold or given away to any Indian in his saloon, or in any room connecting with or adjoining [the same, upon the stairway or in any other place, in, at or about the build- ing in which his saloon business was conducted, any intoxicating liquors ig one. That’s why we sell Hart Schaffner & Marx clothes; they pay you so well. The upon which to judge the merits of | all-wool fabrics, the perfect tailoring, interests; and ours. the dressy styles; all these things are for your We serve, rather than just sell. Suits $20 to $45 Overcoats $16.50 to $60 This store is the home of Hart Schaffner & Marx clothes 290y, Clothing, House valuation of timber lands in odd numbered years, that is, between the regular real estate assessments, upon proof being made by the owner that the timber has been cut and removed from such lands during the year following the last assessment thereif: thus in fact making a new assess- ment of such lands each year. “For your information we beg to advise you that such action is not authorized by law and that no authority is vested in tke county auditor or county board to reduce the assessed valuation of any real property in any odd numbered year because of the removal of the timber { therefrom, “The real estate assessment is made every even-numberéd year and the valuation as finally fixed by the state board at that time remains until the next real estate assessmént is made two years later. Standing timber is a part of the real estate and should be so assessed. The county board of equalization is not authorized by law to either increase or reduce the assessed valuation of County Auditor John Wilmann states that there are quite a number of tracts of land in Beltrami county on which assessments were reduced, the owners of the tracts having reported to the county auditor and furnished affidavits to the effect that these tracts of timber had been cut from the lands, which was subse- quently inspected by the assessors and reported found to be correct, the assessment subsequently being re- duced. This action was done in 1907 and 1909 and under the provision of Section 831 of the Revised Laws, which, while it does not specifically mention timber, has been construed to include timber as it states that, on property of auy kind that had depreciated in value the assessments should be reduced. The above ruling of the tax com- mission is a new one and will cause trouble in revising the assessments on the several tracts of land on which assessments were reduced be- cause of the fact that timber had been cut therefrom since the assess- any real estate in the odd-numbereP | ment of 1908. Seven-Cent Social. The ladies of the Episcopal Guild will give a unique social on Friday evening, November 5, at the armory, to be known as a “seven-cent social.” The admission to the social will be seven cents and every seventh person will be admitted free. There will be a fortune-telling booth, which will be presided over by a fortune teller of note from out of town named Madame Neves, who will tell fortunes for seven cents. Refreshments will be served, the price of which is the same good old seven cents—and the refreshments will be worth seven times the money. A concert program of much merit will be given, consisting of seven nymbers. A dance will be given at which Masten’s orchestra will furnish the music. The charge will be seven cents per dance, with every seventh dance free. The program for the concert will be printed later. Those who attend are assured of something akin to the “seventh heaven”—it will be a swell affair. Musical Recital. Miss Dickinson and pupils gaye a recital at her studio Saturday afternoon. The childhood and youth of Mozart was first read, after which the following program was rendered: *Hungarian Dance"—Howath,.-....... « -... Ruth Tenstrom “The Haunt of the Fairies"—Marie Crosby............ -...Margaret Rood “Waltlzng the Doll”—Blied..Jennie Burgeols “L Begin Waltz"—P. Willy............. fevee -Blanch McDonald The EpiScopal Guild will meet with Mrs. D. L. Stanton on Thurs- day afternoon at 2 o’clock. Additional local matter on last page. BEST ARTISTS OF THE DAY AT THE BRINKMAN THEATE Program at Brinkman Consists of Many of the Best Artists on the American Stage. The bill at the Brinkman The-~ ater this week is among the very best ever put on at that popular place of amusement. Every number on the bill is deserving of great comment, being produced by some of the best artists on the road. Sinai, the Russian violinist, is without doubt the best that ever appeared before an audience in this city. Mr. Sinai is a man with a his- tory, a former Warsaw University cadet and ardent sympathizer with the Russian mbovement he was banished to Siberia without a trial, escaped and fled to this country, where his talent as a violinist has made him a star musician, at which he has worked diligently to earn money to secure his sweet- heart who is a prisioner of the Czar, Fox & Summers received applause after applause last night on their comedy sketch, “The Rent Col- lector.” They too are deserving of- special mention. The two Farleys are artists in their line and never fail to please an audience with their new songs and dances. Don,t fail to attend the Brinkman this week. Wood Choppers Wanted. We have 40 acres birch and tam- arack to cut near Houpt. Good chance for shackers. $1 and $1.10 per cord. T.M. Partridge Lbr. Co., Houpt, Mian. g