Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, April 6, 1915, Page 1

VOLUME 13, NO. 83, BEMIDJ], mmmA. mum? m@, APRIL 0 1915. ROBINSON OUTLINES REASONS WHY RETAIL STORES ARE NECESSITY Members of Merchants’ Association Hear Lumber Mealer Tell How Elimination V. ’fia[a:iu Bemidji. gy~ & REFERS TO COST 0. %%, ~g (3 o, Says It Is Most Widely Discussea Topic of Present Day—Greater Efficiency is Needed. In his talk before the Bemidji Mer- chants’ association, in which he had as his subject, “Will the Elimination of the Retail Dealer Kill the Town,” V. Z. Robinson, of the Smith-Robin- son Lumber company, said: “There is so much to be said on this subject that it will be impossible for me to cover the ground fully in the time alotted for me to speak. ““The most widely discussed topic of the present day is the high cost of living, and I suppose there are as many opinions and ideas as to the causes and remedies as there are peo- rle who talk about it. The most popular idea or misconception pre- vailing is that the middle man or re- tailer is the principal cause, and, therefore, his elimination would re- duce this high cost of living. “I am of the opinion that to elim- inate the retailer would not reduce the cost of living—but I do believe that the utilization of waste by manufacturers and the increasing of the number of producers of farm pro- ducts will result in cutting down the cost. When manufacturers, jobbers, retailers and all producers attain a greater efficiency we may look for a reduction in the cost of the neces- sities of life and not before. Greater Efficiency. “The advocates of the elimination of the retailers’ idea point with pride to the success of the public markets in some of our larger cities, which results in the reduction of the cost of meats, vegetables and other food stuffs. However, even here the retail grocer and butcher is not elim- inated. The house wife merely takes his place; she goes to the mai- ket and purchases a quarter of beef or a bushel of onions; she takes it home, and cuts up the beef or stores the onions as the case may be; she merely performs the service rendered by the retailer. The only difference is that the house wife figures her time and money invested, worth noth- ing. She concludes that the service of the retailer is not there because she does not pay for it. The truth of the matter is that although she has performed the services of the re- tailer, she might better have put her time to better use by striving to at- tain to greater efficiency in her housekeeping. Are a Necessity. ‘“The middle men, retailers and jobbers are essentially necessary. ‘They are the go-betweens that con- nect the producer and the ultimate consumer; and they exist because they lighten the burden of both.’ “One hundred and twenty years ago this state was a vast wilderness. Our forefathers lived entirely with- out middle men at that time; it was a struggle to get a bare existence. Now we expect a living as a natural course of events; but we expect more than a bare existence, we are con- cerned in making living easy. We are not content with just enough of the necessities of life to live; we must live well. ““The retailer helps us to live well and we cannot get along without him. The place of the middle man is securely fixed in our economic life; he is absolutely essential to our wel- fare and the welfare of thé commu- nity at large. Certainly to elimin- dte the retail merchant would be to revert to what our fathers had to endure 100 years ago. The Mail Order House. “I suppose the subject, ‘Will the elimination of the retail merchant kill the town?’ should be worded, ‘Will the elimination of the retail merchant by means of mail order competition kill the town?’ to bring in discussion in which we as retail merchants are vitally interested. To illustrate this phase of the subject let me relate to you a story which appeared in the Saturday Evening Post under date of Nov. 22, 1913. This story is told by a merchant in a western town as follows: “‘About ten years ago-—perhaps more than that—the wife or one of our farmers happened to get hold of a mail order house catalogue. One of its specials caught her eye, and she sent in her order; it was a novel experience—this shopping by mail, and when a neighbor woman called she displayed the bargain she had captured. That was the match in the hay stack. The news went from one house to another.’ - “Every woman wanted to try the new way of shopping—and, besides, there was a certain distinction in this long distance shopping that Mrs. Bright, as I shall call her, could not be left to enjoy alone. One Drew Others. * ‘First, there was the lure of the bargain and then the-lure of the game. At least 20 women promptly established connections with a cata- logue house as a direct result of Mrs. Bright’s experience. And those followers drew others after them 'in their turn. “‘That put a crimp in my trade (Continuea on ast page). A3 _|DRAFTNEW CONSTITUTION FOR NEW YORK STATE Albany, N. Y., April 6.—The New York state’s eleventh constitutional convention opened here today. Fran- cis M. Hugo, secretary of state, called the meeting to order. The conven- tion’s purpose is the revision'of the state’s constitution. Important ques- tions to be considered include “votes for women,” the reorganization of the judiciary and the short ballot. Other issues which will be brought before the convention are the simpli- fication of the election system, home rule for cities, commission form of government, old age pensions and the conservation of natural resources. The Republicans control the con- vention. The delegates number 168. Fifteen of these are delegates-at- large, all Republicans. Of the re- maining 163, 101 are also Repub- licans. The rest are Democrats. A special election held April 7, 1914, provided for the convention. The delegates were chosen at the reg- ular election last November. Each of the 51 senatorial districts is repre- sented by three delegates. Indications are Former Senator Elihu Root, delegate-at-large, will be named chairman of the convention. Senator Root was the floor leader of the Republican majority at the con- vention held 20 years ago. Joseph H. Choate, afterward ambassador to Creat Britian, was its president. Besides Senator Root three others among today’s delegates gave se) vices at the 1894 convention. These are Louis Marshall, delegate-at- large, Charles S. Mereness and De- lancey Nicoll, district delegates. Associated with Senator Root and Louis Marshall as delegates-at- large to-the present convention are Henry L. Stimson, George E. Wick- ersham, Seth Low, William Beri, Herbert Parsons, Jacob Brenner, A. " (Continued on last page.) CREW GIVEN SHORTTIME INWHICH TO QUIT VESSEL (United Press) London, April 6.—The steamer oo outm 7o Maxt [ HATCHERY NomeI‘I-ETE HUNGARY INVASION Regular l!onthly Session to Be Held This Evening There will_be a regular monthly meeting of the Bemidji Commercial club this evening. - There are sever- al matters to be brought before the organization for discussion and it is urged by R. H. Schumaker, the newly elected president, that a full at- tendance be had. Following the regular session there will be a meet- ing of the board of directors. MERCHANTS INTERESTED Through Advertising They Will As- sist Bendentl in lhhng Bemidji’s Cle&n-up Week Successful. STOP WALKING ON LAWN EVIL That “Clean-up and Paint-up” week in ‘Bemidji is going to be ome of the biggest attractions of the year is now evident, as indications are that merchants who have merchan- dise to sell appropriate to this spe- cial occasion are going to become deeply interested and call attention to their supplies through advertising. The Given Hardware company has already come to the front and today’s issue we publish a very ap- propriate advertisement over their name, in which they call attention to the CLEAN-UP ANDPAINT-UP week and also make many. sugges- tions which should prove valuable to our citizens. The advertisement is catchy and | attractive, a splendid head line cut being used to exemplify the contents as well as the occasion. With sev- eral more days as the past two, ac- tive work in the cleanup department | will be in evidence in every section | of the city. Cutting across lots and corners is a habit among the school children and grown folks alike, but many in- stances have been cited where this practice is being discontinued and with the improvement of lawns and" cleaning of streets, back yards, front vards and alleys, walking on walks will become a habit. It must be re- membered that walks were built to walk on and the children should be taught to use them for | thut purpose. Hundreds of ash piles are fo be found on the streets at present, but as soon as the weather will permit these ashes should be scattered in the center. of the sand streets, thus making a good hard road bed for driving purposes. There is yet con- siderable work in the grading of streets to be done, which, with the assistance of the property holders can be easily accomplished. Northland was torpedoed off Beachy Head in the English cannel Monday afternoon, say Cardiff dispatches re- ceived here this afternoon. The crew was rescued by the dispatch boat Blyth. Thirteen members of the crew of the Grimsby trawler, Ata- lanta, which was sunk in the North sea, landed here this afternoon. The Northland’s crew of twenty-four men was landed in Deal by a Belgian steaier. Members of the North- land’s crew say that the submarine commander gave them only five min- utes in which to get their boats over, and were forced to abandon all their clothing and personal belongings. They had rowed less than 100 yards from the steamer when she went to the bottom. A late dispatch says that the trawler Atalanta was tor- pedoed after she made an attempt to escape and was sunk after an hour’s chase. ANOTHER ENOCH ARDEN. St. Paul, Minn., April 6.—After waiting for eleven years for her husband to return from a trip, on which he went to seek his fortune, Mrs. Matilda Shmrek declared she had waited long enough and is suing for divorce today. Her husband last wrote from Grand Forks, N. D. Miss Della Baker arrived from Akeley last evening to spend her Eas- ter vacation with her parents, Rev. and Mrs. Ira D. Alvord. H. B. Brookins, manager of the The Pioneer has made arrange- ments to conduct a CLEAN-UP and PAINT-UP campaign in its columns and will make every effort to co-op- erate with the various committees ap- pointed to carry on this splendid work, Chairmen of committees who wish to make announcements of work they desire done will be given lib- eral use of the columns in this paper. IS FORMER POLICEMAN. Father of Smallest Homestead Owner Came Here From Grand Forks. Donald Blue, father of. Serena Helen Blue, the latter being the owner of the smallest homestead in the United States, a distinction which has won her fame from coast to coast, has been a-resident of Bel- trami county since September, 1912, and for fourteen years previous” to that time had been a mefber of the Grand Forks police force. It was three years ago that Blue first thought of locating in Beltrami county and the purchase of the 132- acre farm, known as the John Berg- man homestead, soon followed, the deal being made through the Reyn- olds & Winter agency. Adjoining this property is the narrow strip of land bordered by Lake Movil which had been passed by as too small by many homeseekers, and which Berg- man believed belonged to him, that was homesteaded by Miss Blue. The report that Miss Blue had resided on the property for 17 years was er- [assisted in building’ the 'were the- followin Buxlding xaw Bmly lor Equpmt Which-Will Be Installed intendent Cobb 'l‘mmw TROUT m BROUGHT T0 BEMIDIT Seventy-five cans'of trout try will be brought -to Bemidji‘in the special | car.of the state game and fish com- mission this evanluf. B W. cobb, su- perintendent of lutch!fl). being in charge of the distribution. A large number of- the ‘Wil ‘be_distrib- uted here, sherm B lay, game ward- en, having’ recefy L ‘a‘large number of requests, and the Test will ‘he taken to points hetween here and Kelliher. - The chief purpose 6f Cobb’s trip to Bemidji is to s ntend the in- stalling of the equfpment which is to be used in the pike hatchery to be located at the damy ‘The building, provided by businegs “men of Be- midji, was completed yesterday by a crew of carpenters“which has been working under the: direction of George Kredtz, the Toeal contractor. An _experienced hatchery man will accompany Cobb and he will be left in charge of the hatehery, everything being placéd in reagdiness for the spawning season which will soon ar- rive. Tomorrow will be spent in in- stalling the battery jars. F. 8. Lycan is largely responsible for the establishment of the hatch- ery. He was first to realize the ad- vantages of the hatdhery and his per- sistent work in behalf of the propo- sition made’ it posajble. - Those who hatchery ‘Crookston Lum- ber-company; donatgd the timber for [the frame work and ‘tanks; Smith- Robinson Lumber company, donated the cement for the floor; St. Hilaire Lumber company, donated.all the mill- work; . George ! Kreatz, - donated his services as overseer, and mer- chants of the city who donated finan- cial aid. The fry securefl frdm the hatchery will be distributed in lakes in the Bemidji. territory, assuring splendid fishing for years to come. B WORLD'S MOST FURIOUS BAYONET BATILE BEING FOUGHT ONCARPATHHANS : (Uiilted Press) Petrograd, April 6.—The most furious bayonet battle in the history of the world is being fought on the southern ridge and slope at Lukow Pass in the Carpathian mountains. In snow-filled gullies and up and down the slippery mountain sides the struggle is proceeding. It is re- ported that the Austrians are retreat- ing and have abandoned much artil- lery in their flight. FORMER GOVERNOR OF MASSACHUSETTS DEAD (Uaited Press) Boston, April 6.—Curtis Guild, three times governor of Massachu- setts, and a former ambassador of the United States to Russia, died here this morning, an attack of pneumonia being the cause. TERREHAUTE OFFICIALS ARE FOUND GUILTY (United Press) Indianapolis, Ind., April 6.—Don Roberts, mayor of Terre Haute, and | twenty-six defendants in Terre Haute election corruption: trial, were found guilty this morning. The - charge was that they conspired to corrupt the election of November 3, 1914. They have not been sentenced. BOSTON VETERANS’ SONS MEET Boston, April 6.—The thirty-third annual encampment of the -Massa- chusetts division of the Sons of Vet- erans, U. 8. A, was held today at Lorimer Temple. - The annual din- ner will be held-tonight and the en- campments ‘will end tomorrow. Clearbrook Editor Here. local telephone exchange, left this morning for International Falls on business. THE CUB HELLD MISTER SCOOP-THIS S GOVE NOU ARING TO SANTHAT | roneous, it being 17 months that she has made her home on the famous eight-hundredths of an acre farm. OH-BUT IM SORRY O Albert Anderson, editor of = the Clearbrook Journal, was a Bemidii business visitor today. OF & THAT STUFF NOW RUSSIAN GOAL General Staff of Slavs Thinks This | Move More Important Than An Ef- fort to Capture Cracow. AUSTRIANS GIVE WAY AT BESKID Victorious Przemysl Army to Be Pressed Into Service in New Cam- pqgn—wm are Vague. "By J. W. T. MASON. . New -York, April 5.—The first positive information that the Rus- sians have decided to wuse their Przemysl army for the Hungarian campaign is contained in today’s official announcement from Vienna that large Russian reinforcements from. Przemysl have compelled the Austrians to give way in the Beskid region. Q Required Fortnight. 3 - The Beskids are the highest part of-'the Carpathian range, which dis- triet the Lupkow Pass provides rail- way communication from Przemys] through Southern Galicia into Hun- gary. Przemysl capitulated on-March 22. It had required, therefore, near- ly_a fortnight to move the Russian besieging force over the sixty miles of railway that separates the San fortress from the Carpathian battle front. Part of this time undoubted- ly, was spent in debating the use to which the Przemysl army should be put. The Austrian official report indi- cates that the invasion of Hungary ‘Wwas considered more important by the Russian general staff than an effort to capture Cracow. This un- questionably is the most advanta- geous service the fresh Russian forces can render the Czar's Western Al- lies. It is not quite yet apparent that the Lupkow Pass and its vast- ly important railway has fallen into the hands of the Russians. Impossible to Determine. Both Austrian and Russian official reports define gains and losses very vaguely so that it is impossible to determine definitely whether the metal line of communication Hungary for which the Sl fighting “has “been won. - In all probability the still retain possession of the Hungar- ian side of the mountains in the Lup- kow region. The Austrian army must be dislodged from the moun- tains and driven toward the plains before the Russians can establish a sure ascendancy and make use of the Magyar Railway. It is proba- ble that German reinforcements are being rushed to the assistance of the hard pressed Austrians. If the Slavs can establish them- selves on the Hungarian side of the Lupkow Pass before the Germans ar- rive, they will have won a highly into important tactical work now before the Przemysl army. SWENSON NOW CHAIRMAN. (Unitea Press) St. Paul, April 6.—C. J. Swenson, of St. James, this afternoon became chairman of the state board of con- trol, succeeding Charles Vassaly, who retires as chairman, although yester- ‘|day reappointed as a member of the board by Governor Hammond. Vas- saly continues as a member of the state board of parole. The law pro- vides that the member whose terms expires first, becomes chairman auto- matically every two years. Head-Johnson. Jesse Boyd Head and Miss Eliza- beth Johnson were united in mar- riage at the Baptist parsonage last evening at eight o’clock. They were attended by Miss Ida Nyhus and Frank Hubert, Rev. Ira D. Alvord of- ficiating. Firemen Meet Tonight. Herb Doran, chief of the fire de- partment, announces that there will be a special meeting of that organi- zation in the City hall this evening. It is urged that all members be pres- ent. Safe An’ Sane Stuff NEVER AGAIN-APRETTY) /HELLO-IS THIS TH’ LQSE THATLIL FLAPPER) | STENOG- FRM\NE—I«M | OLD LADIES HOME..?) \T5 A TERRBLE GRIEF- THATS TH Attorney Montreville Brown is at Grand Forks on professional busi- Inesp. TAKE THIS LETVER PLEASE- ML PORCUPINE-TO TH CITY EDITIR. - essity of standardizing potatoes, the |SENATE VOTES T0 BOOST HIBBING ' SALARIES ¢ (United Press) St. Paul, April 6.—The state senate this afternoon passed the bill in- creasing the salaries of village offi- cers of Hibbing and Chisholm from ten dollars a month to $100. The bill reducing wolf -bounties passed the house. . The new law gives four dol- lars for wolves and one dollar for cubs. The initiative and referendum hearing was postponed. The house recessed this afternoon to attend the Justice Brown memorial. WAREHOUSE FOR SULWAY Farmers of That Vicinity Realize Im- portance of Potato Standardization —Meeting is Held. MAKE VILLAGE TRADING POINT Having arrived at a point in the development of their vicinity where they realize the importance and nec- members of the Solway Farmers' club have just held a meeting at which the matter was thoroughly discussed and definite plans for the establishment of a warehouse made. The movement has been urged by L. G. Haycraft, Nels Bye, president of the club, and B. E. Tweeten, secre- tary, and others for some time, it being the desire that some potato dealer contract at a definite price for the Solway output this year, build a | warehouse and in this way encourage the farmers to use certain varlelies of seed and produce a potntn of equal | value as a seed and table product. Local interest was not sufficiently | arounsed until recently to promote the building of a warehouse, but the, farmers have taken much interest and the success of the proposition is assured. At the meeting the sentiment en- tirely favored the erection of a ware- house and the enthusiasm was most encouraging. Representatives of three farmers’ clubs were in attendance at the meet- ing and as sufficient acreage has been | promised and a probable purchaser secured the hoosters are confident that final arrangements will soon be completed. “It i3 the determination of the peo- ple-in and arond:Selway,”-says Mr. Haycraft; 'to make -this-little town a busy trading point and if the same spirit prevails that was shown at the meeting there is no question but what they will succeed.” _ ISLAND LAKE FARMER ENDS LIFE BY SUICIDE Garfield - Akerberg; coroner, re- turned to Bemidji yesterday from Island Lake where he had been call- ed to investigate the suicide of Joe Monett, a farmer, which took place Sunday. Monett, who was about 55 years old, and resided on a 40-acre farm three-quarters of a mile from Island Lake and fifteen miles from Puposky, from” which place the cor- oner had to drive. Monett used a shot gun in ending his life. He had tied the leather string of his key ring to the trigger, forming a loop, placed the muzzle against his chest and with his foot caused the gun to fire. Do- mestic troubles are believed to have been the cause of the act. -His wife was a squaw. The suicide took place in back of the Wyman-Kickman store and postoffice at Island Lake. H. N. McKee, the Bemidji undertaker, left this afternoon to take charge of the body. Interment will probably take place at Island Lake. Veteran is Dead. Mrs. Thomas Britton, accompanied by her sisters, Misses Alice and Emma Marcott, and Mrs. Irvine Gurnsey of Minot, North Dakota, returned from St. Paul this morning, where they went to attend the funeral of their father, Joe Marcott, who died in St. Paul, March 29. Mr. Marcott for- merly lived in Bemidji and was a member of the local G. A. R. Injured at Factory. G. R. Martin lost the little finger and smashed two others of his left hand yesterday afternoon at the Handle factory. By "HOP’ , DEAR. BosS— MY NEXT ARTICLE ON T\PSTD BUSINESS NOUNG BLAODS WiLL CALLED CONSERVATWVE OFFICE. AUDITOR COMMENTS ON NECESSITY OF INTEREST PAYMENT Says That It Must Be Paid Annually on- All ILands, Including Those Entered But Not Proved Up. T PAY BY JUNE 1, AVOID PENALTY Semers’,pn‘uoverfiment,h_nd Do Not Understand;Matter Correctly, Says Official—Money is Borrowed- James L. George, auditor of Bel- trami county, has issued a statement in which he calls the attention of owners of lands which are affected by ditch liens to the fact that interest “must be paid” annually on liens against the lands benefited by any drain. “This applies to all lands,” says Mr. George, “including those lands jwhich have been entered, but not proved up. Must Be Paid. Lo “When I say ‘must be paid before June 1 of each year,’ I mean that penalties and interest will be avoided {by doing so. “The county borrows the money to construct the ditches, and the county must pay the interest on the {money borrowed, twice a year. It is therefore necessary to charge this |interest and collect the same when .due. Do Not Understand. “A great many of the new set- itlers on these government lands do not understand this matter and think (they do not have to pay any interest until they have proved up. They are not compelled to do so, but it will save them penalties, costs and interest if they do pay it promptly tinstead of waiting until they have proved up.” The May Sale. The county auditor daily mails let- ters of information concerning the tax judgment sale which is to be held. by him on May 10 and it seems’eer- tain that as many purchasers, if not more, than attended the sale last year ‘will be present. Koochiching county 15°t6 Hiold a stmilar sale on the same day. LIQUOR SHIPMENTS BARRED Govémment Issues Order Prohibiting Transporting Booze on M. & I By order of the Indian department of the government given to the Brain- erd agent of the Minnesota & Inter- national railroad and the agent of the Northern Pacific Express com- pany, no liquor shipments will be al- lowed to stations betweens Brainerd and Big Falls, all of which have been made ‘“dry.” L. W. Carson, special officer of the United States Indian service, says the supposition - had been that when saloons were closed in the north country that such or- ders would automatically stop ship- ments, but such had not been the case and therefore the new order was given out. Carson has gone to Omaha where he will prosecute Matt Hofmiester, accused of sending two gallons of whisky to Turtle River under a false label. Hofmiester’s brother, who resides near Turtle River and to whom the liquor was addressed, was recently arraigned be- fore Judge Simons, United States commissioner, and acquitted of the charge of introducing liguor. WILLARD REFUSES OFFER Johnson’s Conqueror Spurns Chance to Meet English Heavyweights— Black’s Wife Left Ring. WAS CHAMP KNOCKED OUT? (Unitea Press) Hayana, April 6.—Jess Willard, the Kansas cowboy, who yesterday won the heavyweight - pugilistic championship of the world when he defeated Jack Johnson, the negro champ, in the twenty-sixth round here, has already received many of- fers for fights, the last coming from London promoters who have cabled ‘Willard that he can have the pick of English heavyweights. Willard’s man- agers have rejected the offer. There is some question here as to whether Willard really knocked Johnson out. A moment -after the referee had finished counting the fatal ten the'black walked from the arena. He had often said that he would not submit to repeated punish- ment when once he had met his mas- ter, saying that fighting is a busi- ness. There is no.questioning the :|fact that Johnson was not put out in the sense of unconsciousness. + All during the fight the white wife of Johnson, a Minneapolis girl, sat in the arena and whei the negro - 3 (Cinunu-d,_q-,,h-l,fpn) &