Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, November 11, 1910, Page 1

-4 b, THE BEMIDJI iVOLUME 8. NUMBER 21 Historical Socisty 6. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, FRIDAY. EVENING, NOVEMBER 11, 1910. .. i JINNESST HISTORICAL JAILY PIONEER' SGCIETY. TEN CENTS PER WEEK. GOVERNMENT FORCES ALL SALOONS TO CLOSE $00 FEAST BRILLIANT; | TWO SURPRISES GIVEN| Announcement Made That Great North- ern is to Build and Union Station Starts Soon. PENNINGTON UNABLE TO COME Sends Letter of Greeting and Pledges Best Efforts for City—Gathering Proves Notable. One of the most notable banquets ever held here, marking an im- portant epoch in Bemidji’s history, ; was given in the Markham hotel last night in honor of the ccmpletion of the Soo Line through Bemidji. It was arranged by the Commercial Ciub, attended by representative business men and had for its guests distinguished railroad officials. The program of toasts brought out for the first time the secrets of the difficulties encountered here in- cident to the construction of the 250 miles of Soo tracks from Moosg Lake to Plummer. It also became known that work on the union depot is to begin at once and W. L. Brooks improved the opportunity nounce that he recently held a con- ference with James J. Hill who promised him that next spring the Great Northern will build a modern station in thjs city. The only disappointment of the evening came with the announce- ment that President Pennington of the Soo Line had found 1t impossible to attend. He sent a letter which was read by Toastmaster Wedge and it read as follows: “I regret very much that it will be impossible for me to be with you on Nov. 10, and I assure you I appreci- ate very much the demonstrations your people are making in showing their appreciation of the building of the Soo Line through your city. “You can depend upon the Soo Road, now that it has built through your city, being one of your reople and glad at any time to assist in building up your town and country. Bemidji bas now arrived, it seems to me (although I have never had the pleasure of visiting your city but once) to the point that every effort possible should be made to develop your country. Your town now has improved as much as the country can support, and we hope to be quite a factor in developing the country, which will reflect itself in you city. You can rely upon us at all times to do anything we possibly can for the bettering of your territory. “I regret very much that I am call- ed east, on matters beyond my con- trol, and cannot be with you on the evening of the 10th, but the rest of the officers you kindly invited should arrive in your city between 2 and 3 o’clock November 10, and I hope they will have the opportunity of meeting the business men of your city. I know they will erjoy them- selves at your banquet.” The banquet began at 9 o’clock and nearly every seat in the Mark- ham’s big dining room was filled. Great'chrysanthemums added beauty to the green bedecked room and towered in golden splendor over spotless linen and shimmering dishes. Expressions of admiration over'the to an- followed by praise for the food and service. An important and much applauded feature of the evening was the musical program given under the direction of Harry Masten andI with the following musicians: Mrs. Harry Masten, Fred Chamberlain, | H. E. Anderson, Fred Post, Arthur Brown, Peter Peterson, George Kin- ney, Herbert Wood and W. C, Mc- Lachlan. The musical program follows. MARCH—"National Emblem”. .E. E.Bagley SELECTION—"Three illion Dollars™ ivitieees veeseannas. A, Friedland CORNET S0L0="The Three Star Polka"” ....................... E. M. Bagley MR. ARTHUR BROWN CONCERT wALTZ—"Jolly Fellows™ serveseerinrerrenes Robert Vollstedt overturN—"William Tell"........Rossini DANCE—"The Man in the Silvery Moon" ..................... Ribe Danmark “Celeste Aida” from G. Verdi's Aida ....................... Tarau-Rosey The Soldiers Chorus from “Faust” A. G. Wedee, president of the Commercial club, acted as toast- master and before the guests were seated proposed a toast to “‘Our good friends, The Soo Line,” The following menu was served THE MENU Blue Points Maphattan Essence of Chicken En Tasse Celery Hearts Olives Salted Almonds Fillet of Pompano, Joinville Potatoes Duchess Sliced Cucumbers Braised Swegtbreads and Fresh Mushrooms *"" En Croustade French Peas Champagne Punch Royal Squabs Stuffed with Chestnuts Sauterne Honeyed Sweet Potatoes 'Wild Rice Fritters “'S00” Line Salad Ices in Form Bon Bons Waukesha Cheese Fruit Mocha Cigars It was nearly 11 o’clock when Toastmaster Wedge announced the beginning of the program of toasts, which included important responses, through all of which ran a vein of keen humor. Those responding were W. L. Brooks, former president of the Commer- cial Club: George M. Huss, con- struction engineer; Thomas ]J. Burke, president of the Northern Wholesale Grocery Co: A. H. Bright, general counsel for the Soo; General Manager W. H. Gemnmell, of the Minnesota & In- ternational; Judge C. W. Stanton, W. B. Martin, vice-president of tke Soo line; C. W, Gardner, Soo comptroller; C. J. Winton of the Bemidji Lumber company; Gen- eral Manager Huntington and Mayor John C. Parker. In beginning the speaking pro- gram, Toastmaster Wedge expressed regret that Judge Marshall A. Spooner, who has been so promi- nently identified with the coming of the Soo, had been called away just previous to the hour of the banquet by the serious illness of a client. Mr. Wedge explained that Judge Spooner had been expected to give a history of the coming of the Soo to Bemidji. In the absence of Judge Spooner, Mr. Wedge traced briefly the events leading up to the building of the new railroad and told of the great secrecy which had to be maintained in the earlier stages. Mr. Wedge said that the Soo bhad first planned on skirting the north . .Tavan-Rosey } Angel Cake Glace | shore of Lake Bemidji. A com. mittee composed of Brooks, Gould, Lycan, Stoner and Spooner went to Minneapolis to convince the Soo officials that .they should build through Bemidji, and asa result President Pennington said he would send Mr. Sand and Mr. Green. These men did come later uander assumed names, but at that time not half a beauty of the banquet scene were dozen persons in’ Bemidji knew why they came. Mr. Wedge paid Mr. Brooks a glowing tribute for his work in getting the new road and then after having said “he under- stood Mr. Brooks had prepared.a fancy speech for tonight,” called upon that gentleman. Mr. Brooks said: “I think our worthy toastmaster has put it on pretty thick and that I do not deserve the praise he gives me. By the way, he’s a liar when he says I have a speech prerared.” Mr. Brooks traced the trials in- cident to securing tbe Soo right-of- way through Bemidji; paid a high compliment to that road and said that Bemidji failed to keep her promise and that . the. Soo line cut|* the original bonus of $30,000 to $15,000. He continued: "“The business men of the Twin Cities tell me that the Soo officials are the most capable, the best and the most courteous officials of any road to do business with. I think Bemidji is fortunate in having the chance to do. business with them. There is one regret in the comple- tion of the Soo road, for it means that we are to lose Mr. Huss.” Mr. was twenty-fifth in freight- receipts of all cities on the entire Great Northern systen. He then made the announcement that James J. Hill bad told him that the Great Northern was to build a new depot in' Bemidji. George M. Huss, was the next speaker and he said that the incep- tion of the Cass Lake-Bemidjiline tgok place in February of last year when he received 1instructions’ to survey the shortest, lowest grade and best line between Moose Lake and Plummer. On July 12, 1909, the first sod of the new road was turned and on August 12, 1910, the the line had practically been com- pleted, 6,500,000 yards of material having been excavated. He paid a glowing tribute to the men who with compass and chain waded the swamps and braved the wilderness to make possible the new line. Thomas J. Burke, when he got up to speak, was a live wire from soup to finger bowls. He began by say- ing that Bemidji spends $1,000,000 annually for freight and passenger service. He remarked, incidentally, that the packing companies did $600,000 worth of business here in a year and paid the enormous sum of $16.75 in taxes. He then jumped into the depot proposition and said Bemidji was entitled to good freight and passenger depots, “the best in fact, west of the city of Duluth.” A. H. Bright, the next speaker, ex- pressed surprise and pleas‘xre upon this, his first visit, to Bemidji. = He referred to the city as being in the *Indian territory” but said the menu wouldn’t indicate that it was. One of the most interesting talks of the evening was made by W. H. Gemmell, general manager of the Minnesota & International, who had been invited to the banquet as a spe- cial guest and as the only railroad man not connected with the Soo line. “I rise to express my appreciation of the privilege so courteously ac- corded me by the Bemidji Com- mercial Club of being present on this very pleasant occasion,” said Mr. Gemmell. *“I must confess that at first I had some misgivings as the propriety of breaking in on a strictly Soo Line love feast. *“I fancy a very diligent search of his records on the part of Mr. Pen- nington would fail to disclose any invitation from us to build into this territory. but when we found out that he thought we had a good thing Brooks said that Bemidji! MEET HERE TO PLAN LIFE AND TREE SAFETY Gathering in Bemidji Attended by Prom- inent Men Who are to Propose Important Bill. “GOOD ROADS” THE KEY NOTE Editor Hughes Declares Problem is as Great as the Digging of the Panama Canal, ey At a meeting which ‘convened in Bemidji at 10 o’clock this morning in the librarybuildingand attended by State Auditor Iverson and several of the most prominent men of northern Minnesota plans are being disussed for the drawing up of a bill having for its purpuse the protection of hu- man life and property from forest fires. Among those attending the meeting are State Auditor Iverson, Prof.” A, J. McGuire of Grand Rapids: M. N, Koll, Cass Lake; A. Kaiser, Bagley; T. P. Cooper, | St. "Paul; H, J. Hughes, editor| Farm, Stock & Home, Minneapo lis; Editor Jamison, Littlefork; M. H. Gemmell, general manager M. & I; Professor, E. G. Cheyney, | St. Paul; G. E. Marshall, national supervisor of Foresters, Cass Lake; A. M. Dunton, Mclntosh; Nashen .Murray, Wadena; Mr. Brown of Koochiching county; W. R. Mackenzie and E, H, Denu ot Bemidji. The bill to be drafted at this meet- ing is to be presented at the Brainerd convention for its sanction and from there it will go to the State Legisla- ture. The consensus of opinion of those present at today’s meeting is that good roads is the solution of the problem and that by their construct- ion, together with praoper drainage ditches, that the state will be made fire proof. Editor Hughes made one of the most important addresses of the day and he declared the problem facing northern Minnesota is as great as the construction of the Panama canal. He said in part: "We have got to co-operate to re- main a2 mass of small independent farmers. Just as sure as we are here that is the problem, whether we shall go into corporate influence or co- operative lines.” Mr. McGuire said: «It seems to me the thing for the state to do is to settle centers where there will be enough peogple to work together and make it pos. sible for them to make .a living and to make it possible for the poor man to make a living. That would be our greatest protection and without roads and market it is impossible, Prof. Cooper advocated concen- trated settlements and Mr. Dunton said the problem was not a local one and that good roads was but one feature to be considered. up here and had ambition himself to share it with us and was preparing to do so, we very promptly invited him to share our right of way into Be- midji and join us in the construction of a joint passenger terminal.” Mr. Gemmell quoted from a re- cent- address by Howard Elliott to show the progress being made by American railways and continued: | “To return to. Bemidji I would say HAZEN AND FUNKLEY WIN With But Fifteen Precincts to Hear From, Election Appears Certain, The election returns covering forty-six precincts give Hazen 1192 votes and Bailey 1010, a lead of 182 for present sheriff, A. B.3Hazen. Returns for the same number of precincts give Funkley, for county attorney, 1128 votes to Crowell, ‘the independent candidate, 1001 votes, a lead for Funkley of 127, For county. auditor, James L. George received 1053 votes, Krantz, the public ownership candidate was the second man in the race. and re- ceived 758, giving James L. George a safe lead. The results for county commis- sioner in the First District show that A. E. Rako has received 489 votes, which is more than both his opponents received. Mpyhre, in the Third District, has been elected, receiving 212 votes to his next nearest opponent’s 122, There are still fifteen precincts to be heard from but the returns can scarcely alter the present standing of the candidates. A Snap. Let us show you “the best cot- tage in town for the money. Terms given.* ¢ Ziegler & Ziegler Co, Schroeder Block. that during the 10 years I have been connected with the M. & I I have watched the steady growth and continued prasperity of your fair city with the greatest interest. Your court house, your hospital, your public schools, your churches, busi- ness places and handsome residences, your concrete sidewalks and paved streets, your water and lighting system, are all strictly up to date and signify on the part of the citizens of Bemidji an inclination to build for the future.” In closing Mr. Gemmell said: “We have felt that in building our railroad to the north as we have done, and in developing a hitherto unpopulated stretch of territory, we have aided very materially to your growth and it is certain that Bemidji will always depend largely on the | M. & 1., as will the M. & 1. depend on it, our Banner Station, for mutual agsistance and encouragement, “Therefore, though it may soon be said with perfect adherence to the truth that There is a fine railroad, the Soo, Which our town of Bemidji runs through, With its service sublime, And its trains all on time, What will its competitors do? .“I can only dare venture to ex- press the hope that you will continue —let us say, to give the Soo the banquets—and the M. &”I. the freight.” Jude C. W. Stanton said: “Iam glad to be privileged to be joined in the felicitations of the completion of that branch of a great railroad which connects the best portion of Minnesota with Duluth. It isa konown fact that the word ‘Soo’ is a synonym of all that means success in railroad building. North- ern Minnesota is to be congratulated on the coming of the Soo for it is going to be a potent factor in the upbuilding of this part of the state andI am glad for we not only need the railroad, but we need the [Continued on Page 51 BEMIDJI IS HIT, BUT S0 ARE TWIN CITIES Thirty Places Here Doomed When Pres- ent Supply of Liquor is Exhausted ~—Many Towns Involved, ALL BREWERIES ALSO AFFECTED Brents Declares Wet Goods Can Not be Moved—Roads End Shipments by Freight and Express. St. Paul, Minn., Nov. 12.—(Daily Pioneer Special Wire Service.)— Every saloon in thé Indian district of Minnesota is to be forced out of existence by the United States government. This became known officially to- day when Commissioner Valentine in Washington announced that the plan of his agents to stop the sale of liquor had his sanction and when it was further stated as com- ing direct from the office of Secre- tary of the Interior Ballinger that that official would not interfere with the execution of the plans, which are si,mpl’y to stop the transportation of liquor by express, freight or wagon. This is taken here to mean that every saloon from the affected parts of St. Paul and Minneapolis to the farthermost part of the “Indian district” must close. ' Railroad and express companies bave beer notified and the roads, after a conference of legal counsel, today annnounced that no shipments of liquor either by freig ht or express would be accepted. Commissioner Valentine issued the warning that further violations would be prosecuted with the ine tention of sending violators to pris~ on if possible. Ballinger’s recent move at Cass Lake, by which the saloons of that village were permitted to continue, is taken as a political move for elect- ion purposes only and from Wash- ington comes the positive word that he is back of the present sweeping movement. Agents Brents, who has charge of the sub agency at Bemidji, is today in Fergus Falls. He has had charge of the movement against the express companies. Over the long distance telephone, Mr. Brents says: “The full significance of the government'’s action, which now becomes known to the public, will be realized when the affected saloons exhaust their present supply. I warn them now that it cannot and shall not be replen- ished.” ‘“You indicate that even the breweries wiil be forced out of basiness. Do you mean that?” Mr. Brents was asked. I certainly do mean just that. There is going to be no more liquor sold in the Indian district.” The affected territory includes Bemidji and if the government succeeds in its move of today, the 30 ssloous of the city are seeing their last days, The complete territory affected 1s froom Floodwood to Longby, Leaf River to Cass Lake; from Hend- rum to Georgetown; from Glyndon to Hawley; from Swan River to Hill City; all townsin the Hibbing district; Mitchell and Slanders; from Blydon to Blithon; from Whee- lock to Tamarack; from Brainerd to Big Falls, from Bejou to. Otter Tail; from Elmer to Mitchell; from Bemidji to: Warner; including all towns named. t 3