Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, May 15, 1911, Page 1

L HISTORICAL SOCIETY, VOLUME 9. NUMBER 14. FIRE TALES FALSE SAYS W. J. BROWN Warren Attorney in Bemidji Today Tells of Automobile Trip Through Beltrami County. FIVE DREDGES DIGGING DITCH Have Excavated 128,000 Cubic Yards in Past Month in 600 Mile Re- clamation Project. PROPOSES NEW ROAD TO BEMIDJI Believes Highway West of Red Lake Would Mean Commercial Vie- tory for This City. | “After a personal trip through the northwestern part of Beltrami coun- ty, T am in a position to positively | deny all stories to the effect that there is or has been, this spring, any | forest fires in that district,” said W. J. Brown, the Warren atorney, who is in Bemidji today. Mr. Brown, prominently mention- ed as a republican candidate for the position of attorney general and who was appointed by the recent House of Representatives as their special attorney to draw bills, made his trip | through Beltrami county in an auto- mobile to inspect Judicial Ditch No. | 2 on behalf of the petitioners for| whom he is attorney. | Mr. Brown left Thief River and made a trip northwest to Grygla in Marshall county and then east in Beltrami county past. Maleolm. to Wwithin six miles of the Headwater of the Rapid River. Not Even Smoke In Air. | “And in this run through Bel-i said Mr. Brown,| “there not only was no fire to be; seen, but there wasn't smoke in the air.” Mr. Brown found rapid progress being made on the big ditch project which is known as Judicial Ditch No. 2, authorized by the legislature of 1909 and which, when completed, next year, will reclaim 600 square miles of as good land as there is in the state, located in Marshall and Beltrami counties. The digging of the ditch also means the construc- tion of more than 500 miles of road grade. trami county,” even any| Five Dredges at Work. “At the present moment flve dredges are working on the (lmin."1 declared Mr. Brown, who is enthus- iastic over the manmner in-which the drain is being built and the roads constructed. “During the in which the dredging operations have been on this spring, 128,000 cubic yards of earth have been re- moved. A. M. Arpin of Thiet River Falls is superintending the work which is being done by the North- month western Drainage company of Grand Rapids, Wisconsin. This company also has the contract for Judicial Ditch No. 12, which lies entirely in| Beltrami county, and work on this| ditch has begun. “The dredges—three floaters and one walking-—are doing the nicest, cleanest dredge job I Crews are following along, leveling the roads, making them a minimum of 24 feet. These roads will be ideal ag the ditch clay often is covered with clean gravel frequently found at the bottom of the ditch.” See Chance for Bemidji. Mr. Brown believes that Beltrami county, and Bemidji particularly, is missing a golden opportunity in not having a road constructed west of Red Lake, thus diverting traffic which now goes to Thief River in a cumbersome, roundabout way to the county seat of Beltrami county. “I had the pleasure of meeting two of your commissioners, Mr. Myhre and Mr. Fellows, who were inspecting proposed roadway sites, and I think they were impressed with the Red Lake road idea. 7 understand that ever saw.| (Continued on Last Page.) | glorious BEMIDJI AS ‘BEAUTY SPOT' Lake Here Picked for Honor Place in 1912 Summer Tourist Publica- ; tion. OTHER TOWNS -GIVEN BOOSTS Bemidji and other Beltrami county towns are held up as models of na- tural beauty in Minnesota and a paradise for the hunter and fisher, in a gorgeously prepared booklet Just published by the Northern Pa- cific railroad company for the be;\e- fit of the summer tourists. ; Although the book, which is a triumph of the printer’s and litho- grapher’s art, is illustrated with photographs from the Twin Cities and other pleasure places in every county traversed by the Northern Pa- cific, Lake Bemidji claims the great- est honor, a photograph of 4 moon- | light scene of that lake going to form a full page frontispiece. Other Bemidji scenes shown are the dock and boat house and the lake shove walk. A photograph of the Al. Jester out- ing resort at Lake Plantagenet is shown. A round trip rate of 38:86 is quot- ed for the summer from Minneapolis and $8.16 from Duluth and Superior. Dealing with the Bemidji district, the phamphlet has this to say: “North of Brainerd lies a beauti- ful country extending to the boundry at Rainy lake and river, a paradise for those who enjoy fine outings, a game region, abounding in lakes-and ‘fish." ™ and ““one “The primeval character of the region is its principal attraction. Here nature is nature, unadorned, soothing, restful, wooing, unconven- tional, and unartificial. “Here are found the largest lakes in Minnesota, the greatest elevations in the state and the sources of the mighty Mississippi river. Leech lake, Lake Winnibigoshish, Cass Lake. Lake Bemidji, and Rainy lake are some of the larger and more import- ant lakes, while about them lie many hundreds of smaller ones well stock- ed with fish. “The principal points where hotel arrangements are satisfactory are Hubert, Pequot, Jenkins, Pine River, Backus, Hackensack, Walker, La- porte, Bemidji, Tenstrike, Blackduck, Northome, Big Falls, Little Fork, International Falls and Fort Frances. There are more lakes than one can enumerate at each of these places. Bass, pike, pickerel, perch, and crappies are found in never-failing supply and muskilonge are often caught. ROE PRAISES OTTO BERGH Bemidji Alderman Says New Agri- culturist is Real “Find.” Alderman Knute Roe, whose home formerly was at Hendrum, is person- ally acquainted with Otto Bergh, re- cently employed by the Board of Edu- cation to have charge of the new agricultural department of the Be- midji high school. Mr. Bergh comes from Hendrum, near which village he has conducted a model farm. In speaking of him, Mr. Roe said: “I lived about three miles from the Bergh farm and am familiar with Mr. Bergh’s work and I know that young man personally and I feel that Bemidji has been fortunate in get- ting him to come here. “It has been said that the Bergh farm was an experiment farm but that is not quite right . I should rather call it a model farm. The buildings are modern and convenient- ly arranged and everything is up to date. “I think he is just the man needed here for, although you can get one with a technical educational, it is not so easy to get one who has both the schooling and the practical ex- perience as Mr. Bergh hng had.” VPublio Labors Under Erroneous Idea That $12,000 Worth of Bonds Were Sold in 1910. CITYATTORNEY EXPRESSES VIEW Calls Attention to Facts Bearing on Special Election Set for Wed- nesday, May 31. Show That Proposed $20,000 Issue All That is Needed to Complete Work as Outlined. With a sinking fund of more than $27,000 and with receipts of more than $8,000 during the first quarter ending April 30, Bemidji finances, which show a total credit of $196,- 577, are in splendid shape to take on the added task of paving several of the down town business streets. A special election has been ordered by the city council for Wednesday, May 31, to vote on the question of $20,000 worth of bonds to insure ready cash for the laying of the pavement. Public May Have Wrong Idea. There is one feature of the bond issue that might be confusing to the public and unless thoroughly under- stod@;'tend lo defeat “the proposed authorizing the sale of bond fssue. Voters will remember that last year they acted favorably on the question of authorizing the sale of $12,000 worth of bonds to defray the cost of paving Third street. Bonds Never Were Sold. These bonds never were sold, be- cause it was discovered that the elec- tion was illegal. o2 Despite the failure of the city to issue bonds, the work of paving two blocks of Third street was completed at a cost of $5,192. In addition to this the expense of sewerage was paid for separately. P. J. Russell, city attorney, speaks of the bonding proposition as fol- lows! City Attorney Explains. “The cost of paving except street and avenue squares, will be paid by the abutting property own- ers, and the cost of paving street and avenue squares and alley cross- ings, out of the general fund, which as may be seen is in very good shape. “If the property owners abutting on the: streets and avenues to be paved were all able to pay their share in cash, no loan would be ne- cessary, but as they have the right to allow the cost to be assessed as a tax, payable in five equal annual in- stallments, and as the great majority are so disposed, a loan to pay the cost when the work is done is neces- sary. They pay interest at 5 per cent on these deferred payments, while the loan draws but 4 per cent and at the end of five years there is ample money on hand to pay the loan.” The total cost of the proposed pav- ing is estimated at $29,633 by City Engineer Everett, which will pave 11 blocks. Entertain Grand Army Men. Moose Lake will not have a formal {th of July celebration this year but will confine its efforts to the enter- tainment of the grand army men who are to hold an encampment there later in July. Two Killed in Auto Accident. Frederick, Wis.,, May 15.—Dr. L. B. Bell and his chaufeur, Charles Gross, were killed in un automobile accident near Trade lake. The automobile went over a bank thirty-five feet high and the two occupants were pinned under it. After nine hours they were removed, but they died a few. hours later, FALSE IMPRESSION -| ENDANGERS PAVING CITY’S FINANCES IN G0OD SHAPE - EVENING, MAY- 15, 1911, fs ,.Ago--Slave .Dealers_f 'Headquarters 11| il = EAD the sign painted on the front of the building in the illustration, which is from a wartine photograph: “Price, Birch & Co., Dealers in Slaves.” The building stood in Alexandria, Va., only a few miles from the national capital. The buying and selling of negro slaves was carried on there by Price, Birch & Co. through the years 1861 aud 1802 to the énd of slavery, which Institution was blotted out on New Year's day of 1863 through the emancipstion proclamation issued by Abraham Lincoln as a war measure. FIRE WARNING IS ISSUED General Andrews, Replying to Pre- cautionary Letter From Wedge, Cites New Law. 1 RANGER FORCES.4CON ORGANWE A. G. Wedge, Bemidji member of the state forestry board, has received the following from C. C. Andrews, secretary of the state board: “We expect the state forester back from Washington in a.few days. He will organize ranger and patrol ser- vice as soon as he can. “Of course the state cannot fur- nish“the guard for every town. As you will see by section 24 of the new forest fire law, the respective com- munities must, themselves, take pre- caution to prevent or extinguish for- est fires. It might be well if the newspapers of your city would call attention to' this provision of the law and impress upon the public that the people themselves have duties to perform.” The part of the new law to which General Andrew refers is covered in the following language: “All towns, villages and cities are hereby authorized and directed to take necessary precautions to prevent the starting or spreading of forest or prairie fires and to extinguish the same.” Mr. Wedge has been in close touch with the fire conditions in’ this part of the state and while the forests are soaked with the present heavy rains, there is of course no danger, Mr. Wedge felt that every precaution to prevent serious losses should be taken and he urges that the warning issued by General Andrews be taken seriously. MILITIA TO HONORDEA])MEMBERi Military honors will ' be shown Gunder Christ Johnson, who was drowned while sailing on Lake Irvine on Saturday, when the funeral of that young man is held in the Presbyter- ian church tomorrow at 2 p. m., Com- pany K, in full dress uniform, as- sembling as a guard for their dead comrade. The militia 'will march with the body from, the Johnson house In Mill Park at' '1!30 to the Presbyterian church where Rev. 's'r E. P. White will conduct the ser- vices. Company K will then go to the cemetary where the ysual salute fired over the grave of a ‘iead soldier will be discharged and taps sounded. The Modern Woodmen of |America of which. Gunder was ‘& member, also 1| tenced to prison for life, will not bej DEITZ GOES TO PRISON TUESDAY Short Delay Caused By Effort to Se- cure Minneapolis Attorney. Hayward, Wis.,, May 15.—(Daily Pioneer Speeial Wire Service.)—John Deitz, convicted Saturday of the murder of Deputy Harp and sen- -taken to-the - Waupun penitentiary until tomorrow. This delay is caused by relatives of Deitz making an attempt to secure an attorney in Minneapolis who may decide to ap- peal the case to the supreme court. Deitz is melancholy today and has little hope of escaping prison. CITY TRIP TO INCREASE $3.50 Minnesota & International Preparing to Return to Three Cent Rate. On the assertion that the Minne- sota & International and the Big Fork & Interiational Falls subsidiary companies of the Northern Pacific operating 211 miles of road from Brainerd to International Falls, have earned only $2,000 in passenger traffic the last two years, officials of these roads are taking steps to re- establish the old three cents a mile schedule to replace the two cent fare now in force.. This will mean an increase of more than $3.50 for the round trip from Bemidji to the twin cities. These roads have filed equity against the attorney general, and the railroad commissioners ask- ing to be relieved of the operation of the 1907 rate laws, recently held by Judge Sanborn to be unconstitution- al. The suits will be heard June 5 in the federal circuit court in Min- neapolis. Officials of the road assert that during the two years the property was earning $2.,000 under the two cent rate, it would have taken net earnings of $180,000 to pay a reas- onable rate of profit’on the invest- ment. Five other roads have taken dc- tion looking to a restoration of the three cent passenger fare: The Rock Island, the Milwaukee, Great \West- ern, Omaha and Northwestern. The Great Northern, Northern Pacific and Minneapolis & St. Louis also re- turns to the three cent rate on July 1. suits in Rain Does Much Good. A two hours heavy downpour of rain, which began at 5 o’clock Sunday morning, soaked the fields and for- ests of this vicinity doing much good to grain and putting an end to all ‘possible danger from runaway brush fires. Rain again started to fall at 3 o'clock this afternoon and the weather forecast is:that it will con- Wwill attend the funeral in'a BELTRAMI SCHOOLS UNITE Battle Districts Consolidate Under New Law and Hines and Maple Ridge Soon to Vote. o T0 REBUILD BURNED BUILDINGS Consolidation, as is provided for by the laws passed by the recent legis- lature, is much discussed in }.he rural districts of Beltrami county. Sever- al districts have voted on the propo- sition, and others are devoting much attention to its possibilities. Battle; which comprises districts 81 and 109, has consolidated, and proposes to make the new school modern in every respect. At Hines, there are three districts, which are considering consolidation, and County Superintendent Stewart is of the opinion that when a vote is held, the proposition will be carried. Liberty also is discussing consoli- dation but until certain new roads are constructed it is considered un- likely that consolidation will carry: At Maple Ridge, consolidation re- cently was voted on, losing by a small vote. Many of the schools are now clos- ing. Those which have the term, as well as the short nine month schools, will close the latter part of May, when the state examinations are held. Superiqtendent Stewart says ap- plications for positions as teachers in Beltrami county in the rural dis- tricts for fall terms have been so numerous he does not believe there will be the difficulty in securing in- structors that has been experienced in the past. He fears, however, that he will find it difficult to secure enough first grade teachers. State Auditor Iverson has asked that the school 'districts in which state land is located report at once so that they might share in the re- cent taxing of state lands, at § cents an acre for school purposes. G. M. Cesander, assistant state superintendent of schools, has noti- fied Superintendent Stewart that he will: come to Bemidji this week to spend several days here, for the pur- pose of gaining information relative to the schools destroyed by fire last fall. . A “trip will be made to. .the northern part of the county. The legislature made an appropriation to TEN CENTS PER WEEK. LABOR MEN NOT T0 SERVE PRISON TERM Gompers, John Mitchell and Secre- tary Morrison Saved From Cell By Supreme Court. OUTGROWTH OF BOYCOTT FIGHT American Federation Officials in Con- tempt, Can Only Be Fined, Rules Higher Bench, PARKER DEFENDANT@ LAWYER Three Men Sentenced in 1909 as Re- sult of Failure to Obey Order of District Judge. Washington, May 16.—(Daily Pio- neer Special Wire Service.)—Setting aside the sentences of imprisonment imposed by the Court of the District of Columbia for alleged disobedience to the boycott injunction, the Su- preme Court of the United States to- Mitchell and Frank Morrison, pres- ident, vice president ‘and secretary respectively of the American Federa- tion-of Labor, had been erroneously sentenced to jail on a charge of con- tempt of ‘a local court. High is Unanimous. The court unanimously held that the only sentences that could be im- posed on the labor leaders were fines. Judge Alton B. Parker, democratic candidate for president of the United States in 1904, has had charge of the case for the labor leaders. The trouble grew out of an at- tempt, on the part of the American Federation of Labor, to decrease the sales of the Buck Stove and Range company of St. Lauis, which concern refused to empioy union labor and was therefor placed on the union “black list” as a firm whose products should not be purchased by union men, Federationist Ignores Injunction. The Federationist, official organ for the American Federation of Labor, had been in the habit of running a list of firms which should not be patronized. The Buck Company secured an in- Jjunction restraining the above people from black listing them but despite this The Federationist continued its black list and the lower' court at ‘Washington held that the federation officers were guilty of con- tempt and prison sentences of one year for Gompers, six months for John Mitchell and three months for Morrison, were imposed in 1909. Since that time the cases have been pending in the supreme court. three Begins Today Up-to-Date Review of Athletics of All-Kinds. In this issue of The Pioneer, on page 4, a department of Sports is added as one of the features of the paper. It will be the aim of The Pioneer to make this department a live, accurate and up to the minute one, which will be/continued pro- viding there seems to be enough in- terest manifest to make the extra labor and expense justifiable. It is the intention of The Pioneer to pay particular attention to baseball news and the results of the three major leagues as well as the Minny League will be given and the standing of the clubs will appear beginning with to- morrow’s issue. A special .request is. made of Bemidji baseball mana- gers and managers of any other teams in Beltrami counties for news of their games. tinue for the next 24 ho o aid in rebuilding.the burned school bouges. - - 2 All other news of a sporting nature day held that Samuel Gompers, John - PIONEER ADDS SPORT FEATURE - or. surrounding -