Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, December 14, 1915, Page 1

VOLUME 13, NO. 299. SENS:-TIONAL CHARGES MADE IN A + COUNTY OPTION TESTCASE OPENED IN BORDER CITY Attorney General. Lyndon A. Smith Restrains Council From Granting Liquor Licenses. HEARING SET AT BRAINERD NEXT SATURDAY Matter to Be Taken to Supreme Court; Decision Will Affect Many Cities, International Falls, Minn., Dec. 14 —(Special to the Daiiy Pioneer.)— The International Falls city council was restrained last night by Attorney General Lyndon A. Smith from pass- ing on applications for saloon licenses to Paddy Cusick, Charles Burnett and Fred Shaw. Opens Test Case. The action of the attorney general opened the test case of the county op- tion law. The hearing on the restraining or- der of the attorney general will be held at Brainerd next Saturday .be- fore Judge W. S. McClenahan. Which- ever side loses in the matter before the court at that time will take the case to the supreme court. The matter that is being tested is whether or not a home rule charter city is free from the restrictions of the county option law. Has Charter. Koochiching county in & county option election voted out the saloons August 3 of this year. International Falls is governed by a charter which provides that the city shall have the exclusive right to license and regu- late the traffic in liquor and condi- tions under such licenses. The action of the attorney general yesterday was expected for some time as the members of the council had stated that if the matter of li- censing should come before the city council that they would grant the licenses. Watched With Interest. As there are a number of cities in Minnesota which are governed by home rule charters and who had their saloons voted out under the county option law the outcome of the case is being watched with much interest. Judge Marshall A. Spooner of Be- midji is in charge of the case for the International Falls men who desire to have the law tested. RED WING TO OPEN SEASON HERE The Red Wing high school basket ball team has accepted the challenge of the Bemidji high school quint and will play a series of games in this city Dec. 21, 22 and 23. This will open the season in Bemidji. The Red Wing team is composed of practically the same men who last year won the state high school bas- ket ball championship . The Bemidji team will be composed of Tanner, Johnson, Cameron, Gra- ham/ Bailey, Gainey, Warfield and Plummer. The last three men will act as subs. BR-R; WINTER'S HERE; SIXDEGREES BELOW ZERO — ‘Winter has settled in Bemidji. To- day was the coldest day of the pres- ent winter season, the temperature at seven o’clock this morning being six degrees below zero. The tem- perature at two o’clock this afternoon was eighteen above zero. FINAL HEARING 1S HELD FOR DITCH 35 The final hearing was held today by Judge C. W. Stanton on the pro- posed judicial ditch No. 35 to be lo- cated in the Towns of Northern and Eckles. The proposed ditch is to be eleven miles long. It is expected that Judge Stanton will file a deci- sion in regard to the location of the ditch in a few days. The many phases of the movement to bring peace in Europe are to be discussed at a session of the League to Enforce Peace at Charleston, 8. C., tonight. Former President Taft will speak. - __Ploneer want ads are read. Trip Through Toy Stores Convinces One That Part of America Will Be Prepared for War. MANY SOLDIERS, CANNON, RED CROSS DOLLS, SHIPS, ETC. ’Hardwa:e, Clothing, Drug, Variety, Book,Furniture and Music Stores Have Many Gifts. The United States may be unla- mentably unprepared for war, but at least it can’t be said that Santa Claus is to blame. He has certainly done his share. A trip through the toy stores of Bemidji and an examination of the Christmas goods will convince one that there is one part of America that is undeniably in an excellent state of military and naval prepared- ness. From present indications the Bemidji nursery will soon be in shape to repel any attack upon the nation’s life, property and honor. Santa Claus Militant. Never within memory has Santa Claus been so militant. Anybody would think from the samples of wares shown hereabouts, that he was advertising a line of Krupp goods or traveling for the Bethlehem Steel company and carrying a side line for one of the big shipbuilding con- cerns. There are soldiers without end, and bristling cannon and more warships and submarines and things than any boy or girl ever saw before. There are Red Cross dolls, too, with all the paraphernalia for the work of mercy. But there’s no dove of peace, no evi- dence of pacifism. Genuine American. It is noticeable, too, that these warlike toys are for the first time genuinely American. Santa Claus may be a German saint or a German- American .saint,.-but -this year -he isn’t even using the hyphen. The supply of toys that formerly came from Germany has been greatly cur- tailed by the war. Santa seems to have established a lot of factories on American soil and used strictly Am- erican models. The soldiers and sail- ors look like natives. Their uni- forms are familiar. After a trip through the Bemidji stores one feels that after Christmas morning, then, the country will be safe. Just ask any young Bemidji commander of a company of infantry or a battalion of artillery or a sub- marine flotilla whether the United States need fear any power on earth. Other Presents Displayed. Other than toy shops, however, there are many Christmas presents eing displayed in Bemidji stores. Hardware stores, clothing stores, drug stores, variety stores, book stores, furniture stores, music stores, jewelry stores, candy kitchens, green houses and grocery stores, too, are all togging their windows, show cases and display counters with all the attractive and enticing articles that the inventive brains of Americans ever concocted. One need not wonder long mnor look far for either the most practical or the novelty kind of goods. Drug Store Presents. Among the proper and appropriate Christmas gifts in the drug stores are stationery, dresser sets, manicure |* sets, smoking sets, shaving sets, per- fumes and many small items of prac- tical and useful designs. Dishes of cut glass and rare and beautiful qua- lity are also in the list of enhancing commodities. Hardwares Offer Variety. Hardware stores have joined the competition of the variety stores this season by placing in their stock toys of all sorts and deseription. Aluminum ware, carving sets, library lamps, sleds, toboggans, skis, guns, jack knives are to be included in these stores’ stoeks, all of which are Bemidji’s Santa Claus Militanz; American Toys member of the family. Clothing Gifts Unique. The clothing stores, both in the ‘women’s and men’s departments, have abundant unique holiday gifts. In the women’s department anything from a hair ribbon to the most ex- pensive party gowns may be found, while the men’s division is over- flowed with tidy and welcome pres- ents in the form of neckties, stock- ings, laundry bags, collar boxes, gloves and small jewelry necessities. Jewelry articles, ivory dresser sets, flowers and books of every shape and form as well as pennants, pillow tops and furniture are among the most presentable gifts offered by the other concerns. In fact, to list all the pos- sible and appropriate gifts would more than fill the columns of this paper, and the only difficulty the gift- seekers find is to make a choice from the sundry items on display and sale. T0 BUILD DIKES ONREDLAKERIVER Steps Taken by County Commissioners to Relieve Farmers in Thief River Falls District. Thief River Falls, Minn., Dec. 14. —The first active steps to insure tem- porary relief for the settlers along the Red river east of this city who suffer from flood waters, have been taken by George Walker, 1. Helseth, Chairman P. C. Wold of the county commissioners and John Bordewich, who went to Neptune on a tour of investigation. The trip was made at the request of Chairman G. Halvor- son of the special committee ap- pointed by Senator O'Neil of the Commercial club drainage committee. River Makes Bend. “At ‘the town- of Hickory-the river| makes a wide bend. It is apparent that at some time in the past the river’s course was through a gully leading off from this bend, say the investigators. At present, water from the river flows through this gully and onto the adjoining land,-later empty- ing into a slough. In the opinion of the committee the construction of a dike, temporarily, or until action is taken by the gov- ernment, will do away with this flooding and make possible the recla- mation of land at present under wa- ter. This dike could be constructed at a cost not to exceed $500. Commissioners to Meet. The plau of contributions by those |AUSTRIA ANI] U S CONFER ON NOTE Governments EHo'pe Settle Incident by “Confidential Negotaitions. 1% Washington, ‘Dec. 14.—Informal negotiations between Austria and the United States have been begun to reach a settlement of the Ancona in- cident. The governments hope by this method to open an avenue for amicable adjustment of the matter. Ambassador ‘“Penfield today con- ferred with the Austrian foreign office. - Cl Officials do hot expect a- definite reply from Austria within a fort- night. ¢ NOTE CAUSES ANGER IN AUSTRIA, SAYS PRESS London, Dec; 14.—A dispatch to the Exchange | Telegrap’h company from Amsterdam says: ‘“Reports from Vienna say that the American note’ concerning the sink- ing of the Itallan steamer Ancona has caused mteqse anger in the Aus- trian “government ‘and a - diplomatic rupture. is consi(_lared probable. The question before: Baron Burian, the Austro-Hungaridn foreign minister, is_only whethex}k‘a rupture with the United States wauld not force Berlin to a like step. ' > ““Count Tisza;{the Hungarian pre- mier, has been summoned to Vienna to discuss the s;tue.tion with the gov- ernment.” ¥ ENTIRE EAST GOAST IS STORM BOUND Trains Are Stalled in Snow Drifts; Wire Communications Are Interrupted. New: York, Diu--14+~—The" entire east coast is storm bound. - Trains are stalled fn S§now drifts and wire communication has been interrupted. Northwest_ gales continue, with a drop in temperature. The storm which in the last 24 hours brought to the North Atlantic seaboard and the Great Lake regions the first heavy snowfall of the season is off Sandy Hook, N. Y., and is mov- ing northeastward. New York city reported the gteat- est wind velocity, with a maximum of 64 miles an hour. : No unseasonable temperatures were recorded in the storm area, but'a cold wave in the northwest today sent the mercury there to low marks for the season. One Killed# Philadelphia. who will be affected has been sug- gested, and the special committee will leave in a few days to comsult with the farmers. The dike, in order to be effective, would have to be 400 feet long and four feet high, with sufficient width to withstand the water in time of floods. The board of county commissioners will be consulted when it meets Dec. 20, and will be asked to make an ap- propriation covering a part of the cost. TREASURER MAKES 'NOVEMBER SETTLEMENT Earl Geil, county treasurer, late yesterday afternoon completed the November settlement. The distribu- tion of the settiement 1s belng figured today in the office of the county au- ditor. The amount of the settlement is $102,425. —_— Max Breitung, Dr. Herbert Kién- zie, Englebert Bronkhorst, Robert Fay and Walter Scholz, recently re- indicted in connection with alleged activities to destroy munition ships of the Allies, pleaded not guilty in Philadelphia, Dec. 14.—One man was killed, several were seriously in- jured, and there were numerous mi- nor accidents as the result of the snow storm which swept the eastern section of the state yesterday. Traffic was only slightly impeded. ENGINEERS ON C. N. THREATEN STRIKE ‘Winnipeg, Mhn., Dec. 14.—BEngi- neers and firemen of the Canadian Northern railway today voted to strike as a result of the company’s refusal to accept the arbitration board’s report on the findings on wages and hours of labor. DEER’S HORNS LOCKED; ONE DEAD; OTHER ALIVE International Falls, Minn., Dec. 14. —The heads of two buck deer with their horns locked were received here from Waukana, where they were se- cured by a hunter during the big game season. One animal was dead from a broken neck when the two were discovered and the live one kill- ed. The horns cannot be separated and will be mounted- as they were BIJI.GAHS PURSUE ALLIED TROOPS TO GREEK BORDER Violent - Artillery Battles' Reported Along Frontier; Report Says Teutons Enter Greece. TO DEMOBILIZE 50 PER CENT OF GRECIAN TROOPS Pursuit of Allies Continues; England Buys Fast Motor Boats to Chase Submarines. 4Athens, Dec. 14.—Violent artillery béttles are being fought along the Serbo-Greek The Bulgar- ian shells are falling into Greek ter- ritory but no material damage has been reported. One dispateh from Salonika declares that small Bulgarian detachments have advanced five miles into Greek territory. This- has not been con- firmed. French and English wounded have been arriving in Salonika during the past 24 hours. It is said 'that the loss is less than 500 men during the past two days’ fighting. Newspapers announced today that Greece will demobilize 50 per cent of her troops under an agreement just entered into with the Allies. BULGARS CUT OFF FRENCH TROOPS Berlin, Dec. 14.—Pursuing the fleeing expeditionary forces down the Vardar valley the Bulgarians have cut off a body of French troops from the English and have slaugh- tered a large number, according to an official report. Among the French priseners taken was the commander frontier. of a battalion. It is reported that the pursuit of the Allies is contmu— ing. BRITISH-BUY - FAST MOTOR BOATS New York; “Dee. -14.—Fast motor boats, valued at $48,000, intended for use by the British navy in chasing submarines, were shipped from this port during the week ending Decem- ber 4, according to statistics made public today by the foreign trade de- partment of the National City bank. This is said to be one of the largest shipments of American motor boats since the beginning of the war. GONSCRIPTION TO PREPARE ARMY Bill Introduced in Senate for Com- pulsory Military Service. Washington, Dec. 14.—The atten- tion of the administration was turned today to what the United States thinks of conscription to prepare a citizens’ army. Heated discussions precipitated to- day by a compulsory service measure introduced by Chairman Chamber- lain into the senate military com- mittee. It is believed that a big army is impossible without compul- sory services. The house democrats in a caucus last night agreed to support a reso- lution designed to extend the life of the present emergency tax, without change until December 13, 1916, or for one year. MAKES FINAL PROOF FOR GLAIM NEAR KELLIHER John Beliveau this morning filed his final proof of claim on 33-155-30, north of Kelliher. Read the Pioneer want ads. G. 0. P. NATIONAL GUMMITTEE MEETS 1916 Omps.:gn is Inu.nched Several Cities Bid for National Convention. BULLETIN. ‘Washington, Dec. 14.—The Republican national convention will be held June 7. The present national committee was selected by a unanimous vote. Chicago claims to have a majority for " the national convention. Washington, Dec. 14—The G. O. P. here today launched its 1916 cam- paign. The Republican national committee met to select the time and place for the national convention, fol- lowing the meeting last Tuesday of the Democratic committee. Presidential booms- overshadowed the actual business of the Repnbli- can leaders. Political lightning rods were hoisted. Sentiment regarding the 1916 standard bearer was expect- ed to largely crystalize at today’s conclave. Honolulu Wants Meet. In selecting the convention -city the comm‘ttee had before it bids from Chicago, St. Louis, Philadelphia, San Francisco. and Honolulu. Bids of $100,000 for the conven- ticn, with certified checks, ‘were on hand to back up the invitations, with San Francisco bidding $200,000. It was regarded certain that the Republican convention will be held a week after the Democratic meeting, or about the middle of June. A week may intervene between the conven- tions. The G. O. P. mobilization today had many aspects of a reunion of the Old Guard. Discussion of - Progressive amalgamation, prospects of - Roose- velt’s return to the fold and over- tures to the progress)ves was rife. Ma.nfy Veterans, Much. in.evidence ware- rose, William Barnes, Jr., Charles B. Warren of Michigan, Senator Smoot, former Governor Saunders of Tennes- see, former Senator William Murray Crane and other veteran warhorses. FORD PEAGE SHIP - TO ARRIVE TONIGHT New York, Dec. 14.—Unless de- layed by a storm, the Ford peace ship Oscar II will reach Christiania, Nor- way, late tonight, officials of the Scandinavian line today, asserted ‘When last reported the Oscar II was maintaining its schedule but it is possible that its arrival may be de- layed 24 hours by storms. BRICKLAYERS ELEGT OFFIGERS AT BRAINERD Brainerd, Minn., Dec. 14.—Brick- layers in convention here today elect- ed A. E. Hilker of Austin, president, and L. Nicholas o2 North Mankato, secretary and treasurer. Rochester was chosen. as the next convention city. WILSON PARDONS THREE ON-LIQUOR CHARGE Crookston, Minn., Dec. 14.—Presi- ‘ldent Wilson yesterday afternoon sign- ed pardons for W. F. Peterson, Otto Kilen and 8. B. Gillan, former sa- loonkeepers, who were sentenced to Fergus Falls in the United States court in November to sixty days in jail and a fine of $100 for shipping whisky in the Indian territory. Half their time had been served. Three hundred socialists are meet- ing today.at Wichita, Kan., in state extremely tasty presents for any |New York yesterday. found. conyention. SCOOP itrortes Only Eleven More Days Till Christmas By "HOP" DARN \T- T keNEW T QUGHTAH TAKE. pormeiniisine o BHITISH SPY ADMITS PLOTTING WITH GERMAN ATTACHES 7. . VanKoolbergen, Civil Engineer, - Arrested ; Confesses to Destroy- ing Munition Ships. ADVISES CANADA OF TEUTONIC SPY’S AUHONS Consul William von Brincken and Two Others Are Indieted on Conspiracy Charge. San Francisco, Cal.,.Dec. 14.—The most sensational charges yet made in anti-Allied bomb plots was report- ed today to have been confessed by J. P.. VanKoolbergen, civil engineer tere, while in the alleged employ of German- Consul Bopp. Koolbergen claims to have been promised $100 bonus for every allied munition ship destroyed. He claims to have received $500-to go to British Columbia to destroy the Canadian Pa- cific’s bridge to delay troop move- ments. Attaches Bomb to ‘Ships. Baron George von Brincken, of the local German ‘consulate, is charged by Koolbergen to having suggustsd making bombs to attach to munition- ships.. “The bombs were to be attach- led by pro-German longshoremen. When Fay and others were arrest- ed in New York on simtlar charges Koolbergen told him to “lay low.” Koolbergen,” despite ~ his German name, admits he is a British spy and that fie was intending to double-cross his- ‘alleged employers. He - stated that he went to British Columbia and told- the authorities of the plot to desti‘oy the bridge. To continue the intrigue,” it was announced-that 'flm bridge had been destroyed. Three Indioted, Baron George Wilhelm von Brinck- en, C. C. Crowley, a.detective employ- ed by the consulate, and Margaret Cornell, said to be a secret agent in Crowley’s employe, were indicted here yesterday by the grand jury on two counts each. The first count charges conspiracy to interfere with and destroy com- merce between the several states of the union and the United States and foreign countries; the second count charges use of the mails to incite arson, assassination and murder. Bail was fixed at $5,000 on each count in the three indictments. Counsel for the defendants, all of whom had been arrested previously, promised to appear in court tomor- TOW. Baron von Brincken and . Crowley were previously charged in commis- sioner’s warrants with conspiracy to interfere with and destroy commerce and they had been at liberty on $10,~ 000 bail, while Mrs .Carnell, arrested as a detained witness, gave $1,000 bail. v EMPLOYES OF CHICAG BELT LINE STRIKE Chicago, 111, Dec. 14.—A thousand employes of the Chicago Belt line struck today and threatened to tle up -the traffic of a dozen railways. No train is moving on the entire line. ST. LOUIS COUNTY OFFIGIALS TO PRISON Duluth, Dec. 14.—Joseph T. Nelson and Gust L. Wedna were today sen- tenced to seven years in prison for embezzling county funds. They were both employed in the county treas- urer’s office. WISCONSIN CITY DESTROYED BY FIRE La Crosse, Wis., Dec. 14.—Necedah, Wis., seventy miles west of here, is burning. The fire started from an overheated furnace In a department store this morning. 8ix blocks have already been destroyed. ments: of surrounding towns been -rushed to.the scene. have 'fhe personal: income tax as paid during the last fiscal year was paid * by 857,515 individuals, who turned into the government $41,046,162, ac- cording to the annual report of the commissioner ' of. internal: reventue, made public today. B Fire depart--