Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, December 10, 1915, Page 1

VOLUME 13, NO. 296. Senators Pledge Support To Revrlving Fund Amendment % Seniator P. H. McGa.%, alker Reads Letters to N. M. D. "¢ -lative to Amendment N G ELWELL FEATURE TO BE AMENDED TO DUNN & ' Julins Schmahl, Secretary of State, Advises Development Men in Campaign. That many of the members of the state legislature are in favor of the Amendment No. 1 providing for a revolving fund for the improving of state lands, was evident yesterday when a series of letters were read to the delegates of the Northern Minne- sota Development Association by Senator P. H. McGarry of Walker. Ought to be Adopted. “Am with you heart and soul for the revolving fund amendment and will do as much probably as any other man towards securing its adop- tion by the voters next November,"” wrote R. C. Dunn of Princeton. In his letter he added: “It ought to be adopted. It is a plain, business proposition to which there can be no valid objection on the part of any thinking voter.” Means Much to State. “The adoption of the amendment will mean much to the counties in which the bulk of the state lands are located, but the counties in which there is not an acre of unsold land will also be directly benefited. “The income derived from the sale of state lands, no matter where those lands are situated, goes to the sup- port of the schools and state insti- tutions—most of it to the schools. The larger the state apportionment for schools the lower the local rate of taxation for school purposes. The state apportionment is based on the average per capita attendence throughout the state. Hence, a rich and populous southern county without an acre of unsold state land within its borders may receive five times moré of the state apportionment than the county of Beltrami, where there are hundreds of thousands of acres of unsold state lands, for the simple reason that the rich, populous south- ern county has five times the number of school children that Beltrami has. That is the reason why the enhance- ment of the value of state lands in Northern Minnesota directly helps every county of the state. Must be Understood. “There are some proposed amend- ments to the constitution to be voted on next November that, in my judg- ment, should be defeated—should never have been submitted. But the revolving fund amendment and also the amendment that authorizes the legislature to provide for the mining and sale of ore under the beds of lakes and rivers certainly ought to be adopted, and they will be adopted if the voters are made to understand them thoroughly. “As you will remember, I took an active part in securing the adoption of the one mill tax amendment in 1912, and that amendment was car- ried by over 20,000 majority, not- withstanding the black eye it re- ceived in Hennepin county. There is no reason, why, with a little effort, the two amendments I have referred to cannot be carried next year. Here in Spirit. “You can say to the Norther Min- esota Development Association for me that, if the good Lord spares me, I intend to try and have the Dunn Road law, so-called, amended at the next session of the legislature so as to include the workable features of the Elwell law. The height of my ambition is to make the Minnesota Road law the best and most workable of that of any state of the Union. ‘“‘State development can be sum- med up in two works—good roads. “I hope much good may come from the meeting of the Northern Min- nesota Development Association at Be- midji. Am extremely sorry that I cannot be with you, but though ab- sent in flesh, I will be with you in spirit. Good Roads. “I love rugged Northern Minnesota and its great-hearted people. My voice, pen and vote will, as long as life lasts, be raised, wielded and cast in behalf of the best interests of the Northland. " Our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee, Our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears, Our faith triumphant o’er our fears, Are all with thee—are all with thee.” (Signed)—R. C. DUNN. Schmahl Outlines Plan. Julius A. Schmahl, secretary of state, in a letter to Senator McGarry stated that he would do anything in his power that can be done to make Amendment No. 1 a part of the con- stitution of the state. He outlined a plan of campaign that he thought would be advisable to use in the edu- cation of the value of the adoption of the amendment. Among those who pledged their support to the amendment were Charles E. Adams, Duluth, E. P. Pet- erson, Litchfield, Richard Jones, Du- luth, F. H. Peterson, Moorhead, W. W. Dunn, St. Paul, J. B. Reise, Sha- kopee, James A. Carley, Plainview, George H. Gardner, Brainerd, George M. Peterson, Duluth, W. S. Dwin- nell, Minneapolis, N. J. Holmberg, Renville, Edward Rustad, Wheaton, Frank E. Putnam, Blue Earth, J. T. Alley, Buffalo, A. A. Lende, Canby, James D. Denegre, St. Paul, L. B. Potter, Springfield, Leonard H. Nord, International Falls, N. S. Hegnes, Argyle, J. D. Sullivan, St. Cloud. ALLIES RETREAT T0 GREEK BORDER Salonika Dispatches Report That the French Are Retiring From Demirkapu. BULLETIN. Washington, Dec. 10.—America’s note to Austria on the Ancona affair was practically an ultimatum, it was learned on high authority here to- day. It is understood that President Wilson has also decided that Consul von Nuber of New York must go. It was stated here today that this coun- try has placed itself in a position to sever diplomatic relations with Aus- {tria if its demands are not aeceded to. An immediate reply has been demanded. Athens, Dec. 10.—The Allies are continuing to retreat toward the Greek border. Salonika dispatches report the retiring of the French from Demirkapu and declared the belief that the growing expeditionary forces may abandon the Serbian ter- ritory entirely. The Bulgarians are now hammering the Anglo-French forces along the entire front and are forcing the Allies to give way be- fore sheer weight, numbers and su- perior metal. Hopewell, Va.,, Dec. 10.—This town of 25,000 people was almost wiped off the map yesterday by a fire which started in a restaurant. The property damaged is placed at more than a million dollars. SCOO SA( WoULDYOU HO ME. A FAVORS am HERE. IN HANMIBAL= LWVING— OVER. TH LIFE. OF HUCK FINN-, I FEEL JUST LIE T WAS HUCK ONLY IM sHY a ° DRUNKEN FATHER! THE CUB REPORTER CAMPAIGN FUND FOR AMENDMENT Senator L. H. Nord of International Falls Tells N. M. D. A. Active Cam- paign Necessary for No. 1. Senator L. H. Nord of Internation- al Falls yesterday afternoon advised the Northern Minnesota Develop- ment association to arrange for a large fund to carry on an active cam- paign for Amendment No. 1. He suggested that a committee be appointed to solocit funds from all the northern counties as well as Twin City firms and carry on a state-wide educational campaign. Senator Nord’s address was as fol- lows: “This meeting foreshadows and is indicative of great events. I am sure that every one here fully realizes the almost unbelievable possibilities for good that can grow out of this meet- ing, if we but act, here and now, up to the high vision of State destiny which inspires us. “It is not needful that I should in- dulge your time or patience to prove to you the possibilities for the rapid development and settlement of North- ern Minnesota that will inevitably come with the passage of Amendment No. 1 by the voters next November. No Opposition. ‘“We are all deeply indebted to Senator McGarry for his splendid and complete history of this amendment to our State Constitution at other elections. The fact that the amend- ment failed to carry at the polls does not mean that the people are oppos- ed to it. The people of Minnesota are not opposed to this amendment—they are heartily in favor of it. I assert this truth because I know the people of Minnesota. and I know that they are not governed by local prejudices. or narrowed in their views to that which concerns the development of their immediate community. No. sir, every Minnesotan loves and ap- preciates his great State and ' the whole state, and he wants to6 do what is for the best interests of the whole state. Just as soon as the people are shown that the immediate devel- opmient of Northern Minunesot#: means’ the further ‘development of the en- (Continued on Page 8) A, GUSTAFSON IS AGGIDENTALLY KILLED Shot by Companion With Gun “That Was Not Loaded”; Relatives Live at Hibbing. Alfred Gustafson, employed in the D. Dumas lumber camp near Shooks, was fatally wounded Tuesday evening when a .22-calibre rifle in the hands of Albert Hewes was accidentally discharged. The shot entered Gus- tafson’s temple. He lived for only 45 minutes after ‘the accident. Hewes and Gustafson, with two other men, had felled a tree on the rifle, breaking the stock. When they returned to camp in the eve- ning Hewes emptied the magazine and used the ejector several times to make sure that no cartridges remain- ed in the gun. On pulling the trig- ger, the gun was discharged and the bullet entered Gustafson’s right tem- ple. The decision at the coronmer’s in- quest was that it was accidental. Gustafson’s relatives in Hibbing, where he made his home with a brother, Andrew Gustafson, were notified and arrived in the city this morning. Interment will be made at Blackduck. Take advantage of a want ad. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, FRIDAY EVEfimG, DECEMBER 10, 1915. li**iiii**li!*!ii * RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED AT N. M. D. A. MEET KKK AR KRR XK R RSN Preamble. The resolutions committee at the seventhiannual meeting of the North- ern Minnesota Development associa- tion at Bemidji submit the following resolutions: Revolving Fund Amendment No. 1. WHEREAS, the revolving fund amendment, providing for a revolving ‘fund of $250,000 to be used.in the building of ro-du, ditches and fire- breaks through, in and around and the clearing of State lands will be submitted as Amendment No. 1 at the General Election of 1916, this association wishes to commend the amendment to ‘the voters of the State of Minnesota and submits the follow- ing propositions: 1. The early sale and settlement of the school and swamp lands owned by the State are desirable for the complete development of the state and the building up of the State School land. 2. The sale and settlement of the State lands will be facilitated by the making of preliminary improvements which will make the lands more at- tractive to prospective settlers. 3. The $250,000 involved in the amendment will bé used to make such improvements and when the ne- cessity for such use no longer exists will he returned to the school fund intact. * k 4. ~The adoption of the same, sys- tematic plan of handling state lands proposed by amendment No. 1 is ab- solutely essential to the development of Minnesota at a rate of progress comménsurate with the importance of such development for the future prosperity of the State. Resalved, that the campaign com- mittee appointed in response to a resolution adoptel at the Coleraine meetiig be continued with the newly elected - president substituted as a member Ex-efficio for the retiring president and g Resslved further, that the campzigir committee be urged to raise an ad: jate fund by whatever means it may adopt and to take such steps as may be advisable to secure the adoption of the Amendment. Drainage. Wi taver, ges - in “the drainage law: tate as will extend ‘the powers of the authorities in charge of drainage work in build- ing roads so that complete and per- manent roads may be built in con- nection with all drainage systems. We believe the drainage . laws should be amended to permit a limit of forty years for the payment of drainage ditch bonds instead of twenty years as at present. We favor the enaction of laws in connection with drainage laws which will provide that in the construection of drainage and road systems state lands abutting upon such ditches or roads shall be cleared to the extent of approximately ten acres to the forty. The cost of such clearing to be as- sessed against drainage or road sys- tem; and payment for same to be in- cluded with assessments for the drainage or road work. And that private lands may be cleared and clearing paid for in like manner up- on proper application to the authori- ties in charge. Further that if these changes in laws require constitution- al amendment to the legislature to take the necessary steps to submit this to the vote of the people. . Rural Credits. Resolved, That this association fa- vors suitable legislation, either fed- eral or state, or both, authorizing the organization of land mortgage deben- ture companies for the purpose of making long-time loans on the amortization plan, and issuing bonds against the collective security of land mortgages. Resolved, That we recommend such amendment of the existing Minne- sota laws regarding such companies (sections 6140 to 6143 and sections Scoop Thinks There Is Such A Thing As Too Much Realism HANDY WiTH ) TH' HIK'RY, © AIN' CHUR? D@fficiivo Page - Ainendmient to Velstead Avhi C. R. Middleton, Heads Developme 6454 to 6478 of the Reviked Sta.t- Baudet utes), under which no companies F. 8. Lyou, Vice mmt’ GW have as yet been formed, a$ will make | Munford, Two Harbors, Treasurer; such laws more practicablé and work- able, and more applicable to the con- ditions in Northern Minnesota; in- cluding (1) provisfén for the incor- poration of suchk companies with a minimum capitdl of $10,000 instead of $40,000; (2) more adequate de- finition a# to the character of lands on which mortgages may be taken; (3) permission.to such companies to issue bonds to an amount not exceed- ing fifteen times their capital stock and surplus; and (4) provision for depositing the mortgages securing bonds with a proper state officer with repeal of the requirement for record- ing a transfer thereof with the county register of deeds. Resolved: That this association will support the state land depart- ment in the passage of any legislation necessary to enable that department to establish centralized colonies and the state agricultural department in the work of directing such colonists in solving the problems which may come before them. Printing of Reports and Resolutions. Resolved: That the reports of President -Kelley and Secretary Mc- Carthy, together with these resolu- tions, be printed in pamphlet form in such number as the secretary may deem necessary, for his use in the several counties composing this asso- ciation in soliciting funds for the en- suing year and for such other pur- poses as may be considered neces- sary by the executive committee. Leasing of State Lands. We favor the enactment of laws authorizing leasing the state lands unfit for agricultural purposes and especially lake frontage for tourist uses. Reforestration. We reiterate that we favor the general proposition of reforestration with the proviso that agricultural men and not forestry men be the ones to select first, all lands suitable for agriculture and then look to the forestration of only such lands as are unsuited for agriculture. Resolved, That it is the sense of the members of this association that the Volstead act of May 20, 1908, be so amended as to provide that $1.25 per acre only be paid the govern- ment; and that any excess of said sum per acre on the sale of such lands be retained in the treasuries of the several counties to be used as a fund to apply on payment of the cost of the several ditches by which the government lands are dx"ainedA Manufacture of Dynamite. Resolved, That this association re- affirm the resolution passed at the last meeting of the association rela- tive to the manufacture of dynamite ! by the state; provided, however, that the association does not favor the use of convict labor for the manufacture of dynamite except such part of the manufacture as is not hazardous to human life, that part to be done by expert hired labor. Peat Lands. This association favors a liberal appropriation to the state depart- ment having in charge the investi- gations of peat lands to the end that the state may be able to give the pur- chasers of state swamp lands definite advice and instructions as to the uses and treatment of that class of lands. Tourist Attractions. The many beautiful lakes of this state bring to it annually many tour- ists who spend thousands of dollars, largely distributed among the rural population and this income may l:veI greatly increased by judicious adver- tising, therefore we request the state (Continued on Page 8) By "HOP" RIGHT aT THIS POINT INTH' 2 STORY - HUCK @. McCarthy, Duluth, Re-elected. SESSIONS END; ‘HIBBING NEXT PLACE OF MEETING J. A. 0. Preus, State Anditor, Ad- dresses Délegates on State Loans; Rural Credits Discussed. The Northérn Minnesota Develop- ment assocfdtion late this morning completed its sixth annual session in this city. C. R. Middleton was elected to head the association for the next year. He was nominated by Senator P. H. Me- Garry of Walker and his election was unanimous. Lycan Re-elected. F. S. Lycan of Bemidji was re- elected vice president of the associa- tion. George Munford of Two Har- bors was re-elected treasurer and George McCarthy of Duluth was re- elected secretary. The executive committee named is composed of Charles T. Kelley, Menahga, H. B. Eva, Duluth, George P. Jones, Bag- ley, George Empey, Hinckley, C. R. Middleton, Baudette, F. S. Lycan, Be- midji. To Meet at Hibbing. The summer meeting in 1916 will be held at Hibbing. The meeting held in Bemidji which closed this morning was one of the most successful ever held. Much was accomplished and excellent reso- lutions were passed. The resolutions are published in full in another col- umn of this paper. Preus Speaks. J. A. O. Preus, state auditor, and Walter J. Smith, state treasurer, at- tended the meeting this morning. Mr. Preus spoke relative to the re- calling of loans male by the state on bonds issued outside of the state and advocated the. making of these loans on bonds issued in this state. “When these bonds were purch: ed estic loans,” said Mr: was necessary for the . investment board to seek investments outside of the state. The last time that any foreign bonds were purchased was during 1902. Since that time no for- eign bonds have been purchased, but only domestic. The state ought at this time, in my humble judgment, dispose of foreign state bonds just so far as it can without violating the constitution of the state, both for the purpose of yielding our trust funds a greater rate of interest and swelling our school fund and for the, purpose of accommodating the school districts and other municipalities throughout the state.” Good Potato Contest. “Someé of the girls of Northern Minnesota believe that it is more worth while to grow potatoes than it is to play the piano,” said Prof. T. A. Erickson of St. Paul, who is in charge of the Boys’ and Girls eighth of an acre potato contest held by the development association. Prof. Erick- son, who has charge of agriculture in the state for the United States de- partment of agriculture, spoke at length on the activity in the contest. That the contest will again be held next year is evident from the results received this year. Had the year been excellent for potato yields the exhibit rooms would have been very much overflowed with exhibits. The judging of the potato and poultry exhibits will be completed tonight and complete prize lists will be pub- lished in the Pioneer tomorrow. Community Spirit Needed. “My conclusion is that the prob- lems of small. city organizations are expressed in the terms covered by all the known industrial, commercial and civic activities of the nation, and which may be summed up in the words—lack of personal service,” said J. P. Hardy, secretary of the Fargo Commercial club, in his ad- dress on “Community Spirit.” Mr. Hardy’s address was one of the feat- ures of the developmeni program. Mr. Hardy reviewed the trials of financing for small city 2lubs. “My message to both of you is to try to serve one another, so arrange Yyour community affairs that between you, as much as possible, you will .do your trading, your visiting, at home,” said Mr. Hardy. “Build up the com- munity spirit and the balance of the problem will solve itself.” Rural credits was the chief subject ::(Continued iroms rTage 1.) \ i g | | | o