Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, January 21, 1914, Page 1

VOLUME 11. NO. 226, HAVENOTITLETO - COPPER LANDS Mine Owners of Calumet Region Do Not Own Property Say Congress- men Agitating Investigation GOVERNMENT RIGHTFUL OWNER Have Made Millions In Profits On Small Investment—Plumb Bill Lost In Pigeonhole From Congressman C. H. Tavenner. Washington, January 21.—That the copper mine owners of the Calu- met region who are now engaged in fighting a strike by their employees have no legal title to the copper lands is the startling averment be- ing brought up by congressmen who are agitating an official investiga- tion of the labor troubles. It is asserted that the lands were orginally granted by the government to a company which constructed the Lake Superior Ship which runs from Houghton, Mich., through Canal, the narrow neck of the peninsula on which the copper mines are located. But, it is declared, the search of the original records shows that the grant specifically stated that the canal company was not to be given lands containing minerals. If this s the case a situation arises. in northern Michigan comparable to the status of the Southern Pacific Railroad’s oil lands in southern California. Suits aggregating many millions of dollars have been brought against the railroad company com- pany by prospectors, under the law that the railroad was not entitled to take mineral lands from the govern- ment. It is claimed that the report ot Land Commissioner W. A. J. Sparks in 1886 furnishes complete proof that the title to the copper lands never legally left the United States. In this report, Sparks said: “Not withstanding the express ex- emption in the granting act, upward of 68,000 acres which had been de- signated by the United States as mineral including some of the most valuable lands in the copper range of the upper peninsula of Michigan, were certified and approved by this Department for the benefit of the Ship Canal Company."” On the basis of this report, Secre- tary of the Interior Lamar recom- mended the institution of suits to re- cover the copper lands. But these suits were neven begun. Secretary of Labor Wilson had this early his- tory in mind when he recently made the statement that the copper com- pany has taken $200,000,000 in pro- fits from an investment of $1,250,- 000. N But despite the fact that the fin- ancial wizards of that day were able to take an empire of mineral wealth in return for a com paratively small investment in the way of construct- ing a ship canal, they were even un- willing to make a good job of the latter. All the evidence seems to show that the canal work was alight- ed. It was originally intended to give the company two years in which to complete the canal, . but this period was extended from time to time until it was eight years. Prof. Gustavus Myers in his History of The Great American Fortunes, says that “the Postage Lake Canal was only 3 worthless ditch and a complete fraud.” Senator Plumb, of Kansas in 1886 introduced a bill to take the cop- Der lands away from the Canal Com- pany but this bill perished in a pige- onhole, STRIKERS RETURN TO WORK Delaware and Hudson Grants De- mands of Employes. New York, Jan. 21.—After being completely paralyzed for twenty-four hours traffic on all divisions of the Delaware and Hudson railroad was re- sumed following the settlement of the strike of 5,000 employes. - The settlement was a sweeping vic. tory for the employes, as the com- pany agreed to reinstate two dis- charged employes, Conductor F. A. Slade and Engineer James A. Lynch, ‘whose removal from the Albany and Susquehanna division was the cause of the walkout. George W. W. Hanger, assistank commissioner and secretary of the federal board of mediation and con- ciliation, was active in securing the quick settlement of the strike. LABOR ORGANIZER ROBBED Loses Valuable Papers in West Vir ginia Train Holdup. Clarksburg, W. Va., Jan. 21.—J. R. Olden, who said he was a union labor organizer ¢ Hagerstown, Md. on his way to the convention of the Unitec Mine Workers of America at Indian- apolis, was robbed by a stranger of valuable papers on Baltimore and Ohkio railroad train No. 1 near Morgan- town and Kingwood Railroad Junc- tlop.: 2 His assailant encnpad and Olden, CONGRESSMAN JOHNSON. Kentuckian in Fist Fight at House Committee Meeting. Copyright by American Press Assoctation. ADVISES A SQUARE DEAL President Wilson In Third Message Asks Friendly Attitude—Ready To Meet Corporations Half Way OFFERS SEVERAL SUGGESTIONS Washington, Wilson congress “Business dom.” n. 2L—President again invaded the halls ol to read his message on Peace and Industrial Free- When he entered the crowded chamber the audience rose and gaye him prolonged applause and cheers. The president presented the case, it lies in the thought of reit ing “that private indefensible and in- the country, monopoly is tolerable.” He declared conscientious business men throughout the nation will nof be satisfied until practices now de- precated by public opinion as re straint of trade and commerce are corrected. . Besides suggesting the scope of leg- islation the president made a personal appeal for an atmosphere of friendli- ness and co-operation in congress, while handling the problem. “The antagonism,” he said, “be- tween business and government is now over. We are about to give ex- pression to the best judgment of America to what we know to be the business conscience and honor of the land. “The government and business men are ready to meet.each other half way in a common effort to square business methods with both public opinion and the law.” Mr. Wilson’s Recommendations. In concise form the chief points made by the president are as follows: First—If 1al - prohibition of in- terlocking directorates of great cor- porations. Second—A law to confer upon the interstate commerce commission pow- er to regulate finaicial operations by which railroads are to be supplied with money needed for development Third—Definition of “the many hurtful resiraints of trade,” by ex- plicit legislation supplementary to the Sherman law. Fourth—Creation of a commission to aid the courts in helping business to conform with the law. Fifth—Provision of punishments to fall upon individuals responsible for unlawful business practices. Sixth—Prphibition of holding com- panies and a suggestion that the vot- ing power of individuals holding shares in numerons corporations might be restricted. Seventh—Giving to private indi- viduals the right to found suits for redress on facts and judgments prov- en in government suits. As the president read his message he frequently was interrupted with long applause and at times demonstra- tions approaching cheering. His reference to interlocking direc- torates was received without demon- stration, but when he referred to the proposal to authorize the interstate commerce commission to regulate the financial operations of the railroads a burst of applause halted the reading and the president had to wait for it to subside. SCOO [riTe Dawas aRE & NUIS ANCE ~Ta0 BAD Y0 DIDN'T HAVE SENSE. ENQUGH 0 TAKE. AFTER YOUR Maw- SHE WuZ @ BRUM-ETTE. TOTRY NEW PLAN ~ AT UNIVERSITY Short Course In Merchandising Will Be Held In Connection With Ex- tension Division Next Month President Vincent Will Be One Of Chief Lecturers And Instructors —Will Take Five Days The University of Minnesota has made the first attempt on the part of any university to do for the dealers what is already being dome for the farmers. There will be a short course in merchandising in connec- tion with the extension division of the university February 9 to 14 this year. A pamphlet sent out from the university says in part: The University is assembling for this purpose some of the best men available—men who not only have had successful experience in mer- chandising, but have also been ex- perienced in training others to be successful in business. The time has come when business can not be run by guess work, nor by “rule-of-thumb” methods used in a previous generation. As competi- tion becomes keener, the best posi- ble methods of transacting business must be discovered and applied. This is the age of “efficiency” and “scien- tific management;” those who hope to succeed must study the best way. or else be in the position of the stage- coach driver when the raiiroad lo- comotive was put into use. The course is planned to be inten- sely practical and helpful. It will ipresent facts rather than theories. The lecturers and discussions will re- late the result of the successful ex- periences of many retailers. They will offer valuable, suggestions for economy jin the management of a business, and for increasing trade. L course should help increase the effiency of the retail salesman and make him a more valuable member of the business world. It is planned for both the employer and employe in retail institutions, and for those who aim to enter the field of retail selling. President Vincent of the Univer- sity will be one of the chief lec- turers and instructors of the short course. OTTO MAKES BIG ARREST Bemidji Inspector Aids In Capture Of “Mail Order Widow,” Accused Of _ Being $1,000,000 Swindler AUTO MANY SOLD TIMES Adam Otto, of this city, a United States postoffice inspector, is more than making good, and another swindler has been brought to the bar of justice by his efforts. Revelations of the schemes of E. R. Kinger, known as the “mail order widow,” whose operations are alleged to have netted over $1,000,000, have been made by Postal Inspectors Ger- mer and Otto upon their return to Chicago from Edwardsville, I11., where they arrested Kiger Monday. Kiger has been held to the federal grand jury in bonds of $10,000. At the time of his arrest Kinger, ac- cording to the federal inspectors, had in his possesion fifty letters contain- checks for sums ranging from $50 to $150, which he is said to have ob- tained from.Canadians on represen- tations that he was “Mrs. Elizabeth E. Walker,” a widow of Edwards- ville, who desired to dispose of an automobile which had been left her by the recent death of her husband. ‘The money was sent by the Cana- dians as a deposit on the machine, REPORTER which, ‘“Mrs. Walker” was to ship on approval. Kinger had mailed several hundred letters to residents of Canada, it is said. They were written on black edged paper, inclosed in envelopes with black margin, and were written in. small regular characters, which 1appeared to ‘be a woman’s writing. - Wet - Wetter - Donnerwetter - And Then Some YOWEL aN' *(oxmsnsa RIGHT THERE WHEN T GEY BACK- Nalactiivae GIVEN THREE FORTIES T A. F. Anderson ‘Wins In Appeal Taken To Washington A. F. Anderson, employment agency I this city, has just. received information from his attorney Samuel Hon'k;k, at Wash- ington, that the ln.nd commissioner has decided the c&la of Anderson versus Johnson, and has allowed the plaintiff three fm'\flol and the de- fendant one. The ;case is one of long standing andideals with a homestead in the viSinity of .Shooks. Mr. Johnson is now: living on the land, and the forty awarded to him s the ome on .which his home now stands. The matter- has caused much interest here as Mr. Johnson formerly made Bemidjl his home, — AKELEY TO PLAY HERE Fast Hubbard County Q\unt Agrees To Meet Bemidji High Team Here Friday Night WALKER GAME CALLED OFF Contrary to expectations there will be’a basketball game in Bemidji this week, arrangements having been completed with the . Akeley high school management to play the Be- midji students Friday night. There will be no Athletic club game. Coach Bestul and his athletes are prepared for the game having plan- ned on- going to Walker Saturday night, but this game has been called off. The players are all in the best of condition, and ought to put up the best game of the season Friday night. The coach continues to change the men around at practice each day, and no player has a position “cinched.” Akeley has one of the best teams in the history of the school, and is coming to Bemidji determined to s sure a victory, The Hubbard county town has never defeated a Bemidji high school team of any kind on the athletic field and will do its best ‘to break the record of the imstitution Friday evening. The boys need more encouragement than they have been .getting and they deserve better support at their games. PLAY PARTS GIVEN OUT. Many Show Interest In Production of The College Widow.” Last evening’s meeting called for the purpose of discussing the staging of the “College Widow,” was well at- tended and from the enthusiasm shown the success of the show s practically assured. Several of the parts were given out and the rest of the cast will be decided upon dur- ing the next few days. WOMAN SLAYS ASSAILANT Judge Promptly Exonerates Wiscon- sin Woman. Kenosha, Wis., Jan. 21.—Mrs. Con- stantia Benerowicz, twenty-six years old, fatally wounded John Hinze, a farmer, who, it is said, had attempted to break into her house at midnight to attack her. His body was found a half mie from the house, at the end of a bloody trail. Hinze attempted to embrace her and pull her through the window, the woman sald. Then she caught up a revolver and fired two shots. She was not told of the death of the man until morning. Judge Randall hurried from his home to the municipal court where she told her story. He ordered her immediate release. B Roe Returns K. K. Roe returned this morning from a business trip to the Twin Cities. While in St." Paul Mr. Roe called on Governor Eberhart. Mr. Roe says that the governor feels con- fident of re-election. Auto' Club To Meet There will be a meeting of ‘the auto club Thursday night at 8 o'clock at the commercial club rooms. A delegate will be elected to attend the state convention. Dr. E. H. MARCUM, Secretary. IBEMIDJIELKS PLAN. LUXURIOUS HOME Building Which Will Cost Approxi- | mately $40,000—Will Be Built On Share Plan—Committee Named MUCH INTEREST BEING SHOWN Annual Charity Ball To Be Held On Lincoln’s Birthday—Will Be Big- ger Than Ever Before Plans for the new home of the Bemidji lodge, 1052, B. P. O. E, are nearing completion and before late next fall a luxurious $40,000 build- ing will have been constructed, 1s the expectation. For several years Bemidji Elks’ have' discussed the construction of a home, but not until now have con- ditions so existed that the building could be regarded as a certainty. All members of the lodge are enthu- siastic over the prospects of the new building and it is believed that no trouble will be encountered in se- curing the necessary amount from subscriptions. These Have Charge Thayer C. Bailey, exalted ruler, has named H. H. Mayer, F. S. Lycan, A. P. White, Charles Cominsky and T. J. Burke as a committee to have charge of the soliciting, and already much progress has been made. The plan is that the money secured through subscriptions shall be con- sidered as a loan and the shares will sell for $25 each, and 6 per cent will be paid for interest. As yet no site has been selected ffor the building, although several are under consideration. It is the plan that the new home be placed in the business district of the city. Give Annual Ball Plans for the annual Blks’ Charity ball are about complete. «The ball will be bigger than ever this year, and will be given on Lincoln’s birth- day, February 12. Those in charge of the ball are; H. H. Mayer, E. B. Berman, George Elletson, = B. R. Erickson and F. J. Koors. The pur- pose of the ball is to raise a fund for charitable work exclusively. WOMAN KILLS HUSBAND Double Tragedy In St. Paul—Wife Then Turns Gun On Herself— Married Less Than One Year DESERTION IS GIVEN AS CAUSE 8t. Paul, Jan. 21.—Mrs. Albert H. Taverna is dead at the morgue and her husband died at the City hospital, each of a hullet wound through the head. She shot him and then turned the revolver on herself, dying instant- ly. The tragedy occurred on a promi- nent street corner. Those who were closest to the dead woman said he left her last week, not Intending to return. It is believed this caused the crime. They had been married less than a year. Both were less than thirty years old. Mrs. Taverna halted her husband at Seventh and Wacouta streets. He ‘was driving a team for G. Somers & Co. There was a short conversation. No one knows what was said. She drew the revolver and- shot him through the forehead. He was leaning from his high s at talking to her. The husband 1 'tched from his seat between the plunging horses. At the report spectators started into action, but before any ome could gain the woman’s side she placed the ‘barrel against her right temple and pulled | the trigger. Her death was instan- taneous. Two bullets bored into the man’s brain. Police Surgeon Schnacke said they were in almost the same spot, showing the rapidity and surety with which the woman had fired. After shooting -her husband the woman walked a few steps down Wacouta street, away from the dying man and rearing team, and then killed herself. The husband had left his wife once before, according to Arthur Dunn, who lives above their apartments. That was six or seven months ago. Then there had been a reconciliation, but there were frequént quarrels. [ nan Presldent as He “Appears Personally Before Congress. @ 1913, by American Press Assoclation. MYSTERY SURROUNDS KEY City Authorities Claim To Xnow Nothing of Unlocking City Hall Door—Sims Lectures There CONDEMNS MAYOR McCUAIG No doubt there are several who can tell of the manner in which the two_locks were taken from the city door yesterday afternoon, but as far as the officials of Bemidji are concerned the answer to the question remains a mystery Walter Sims, anti-Catholic lectur- er, was scheduled to talk there last night, as he was the night before. It wag expected that the door would be locked. But when ‘the audience be- gan to arrive it was found to be un- locked. Whether the locks were fil- ed off or the keys found, no one knows. But nevertheless the door was open when the time appointed for the lecture arrived. Sims is not a forceful talker, and his audience was not attentive. His lecture was for the most part a rec- ord of the things he has accomplish- ed in other cities. He condemned the mayor for not opening the hall to him the night before, and said that the city attorney was in control. Mr. Sims took exception to the ar- ticle printed last week in the Senti- nel and said that the matter would be taken up with the postoffice au- thorities. It is not known whether the hall will be locked this evening. NARY. FARMERS TO MEET Institute To Be Held In School House There Next Saturday. There is to be farmers’ institute meeting at the Nary school house next Saturday. A free dinner will be served and everyone interested is invited, The Nary Farmers tele- phone line leading to Bemidji is ‘growing rapidly. P. M. Brevig yes- terday secured thirteen new sub- seribers for phones. RESTAURANT CHANGES HANDS Ray Magaurn Now In Charge of Sul- livan Cafe On Minnesota Avenue Ray Magaurn, who for some time has been connected with the Mayer dairy lunch, has taken charge of the John Sullivan cafe on - Minnesota avenue, and the place will in - the future be conducted by Mr. Magaurn. Harry Smith was until recently 'in charge of the place. John McKusick, of Marble, son of Attorney Chester McKusick, has been the guest of his father since’yester- day afternoon. By "HOP” CITY CLERK STEIN COMPARES TAXES Finds That Taxes of Bemidji Are Not “| Gemell, Higher Than Those of Cities of Equal Poulation. NINE TOWNS ARE INCLUDED Thief River Falls Highest—Normal School Site Makes Five-Mill Difference Here. That the taxes of the city.of Be- 'midji are not high in proportion to those of other cities of approximate- ly the same size, is shown by a com- parison which was toda‘y completed by George Stein, city clerk. The comparison is taken by obtain- ing: the taxes of nine of the most prominent cities of Minnesota, and the average shows Bemidji to be on- ly 1.84 mills greater. The state tax in all cases is 5.03 mills. The Comparison Clerk- Stein’s comparison is as fol- lows, the figures meaning mills: An ‘average of the county tax of the nine places shows that Beltrami with 66.40 mills s 14.20 mills high- er than the other places. The differ- ence is made up by the following: The Beltrami county tax is 1.84 mills, the county 10.21 mills and the school 2.15 mills higher than the average. The Normal Site. Taking away the five-mill tax levy made for the purchase of the normal school site, and Bemidji's taxes are well down in the list. Yet this in- crease gives value received, for there is no doubt but what th® property acquired during the summer could now be sold for at least as much, if not more, than the purchase price. BUSINESS MEN TO DINE Cooking Class of High School To En- tertain Merchants’ Association Members and Guests. A GET TOGETHER MEETING Members of the high school dom- estic science class, under the direc- tion of Miss Helen Hoover, will on next Saturday noon have as th guests the members of the newly or- ganized Bemidji Merchants’ associa- tion, and their guests. The luncheon will be served at the high school building and about one hundred are expected to be seated at the table, there being more than thirty members of the association, and each ome has the privliege of in- viting one guest. At a meeting of the organization held - yesterday afternoon at the Com- mercial club rooms, plans for the luncheon were discussed along with the regular business. The high school girls have given several luncheons this year, and all have been very successful. The meeting Saturday will be a sort of get together session, WANT TRAINS TO STOP. Bass Lake Fatmers Petition Gemmell for Flag Station. Frank Styner, charge of the Bass Lake tourist hotel next summer, was in Bemidji yes- terday. Mr. Styner had with him a petition signed by. 41 farmers of the Bass Lake vicinity, requesting that all freight and passenger trains be required to stop at Bass Lake, and that it be made a flag station. The petition has been mailed to W. H. ‘general manager of . the Minnesota and International road. The newly organized telephone com- pany Is pmgreulng and a final busi- ness meeting will be held s00n.. Two Licenses Issued ‘Monday afternoon Fred Rhoda, lerk of court {ssued a marriage 162 cense to Carl Frederick Tilley Rolkey. was issued to Olo Olson to wed Miss | Nattie Moen. All four are City v Proper County School Austin . . .17.40 7.07 s Virginia .22.10 3.67 12.70 Red Wing ...17.74 6.13- 12:40 Mankato . ...20.80 7.07 "12.90 Crookston .21.60 6.27 31.10 Little Falls ..18.49 890 2815 Thief River ..28.20 9.07 3110 St. Cloud ....17.00 4.97 13.00 Rochester ...19.33 6.82 19.82 Total ...183.26 7 5997 161.17 Average .... 20.36 6.66 20.15 The Difference. Bemidji .....22.20 - 16.87 22.30 Town Av 20.36 6.66 20.156 Difference . 1.84 10.21 2.15 who will - have’ | I |