Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, April 10, 1916, Page 1

gt%ffi THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEE VOLUME XIV, NO. 89. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 10, 1916. FORTY CENTS PER MONTH CLERK REPORTS GOST P, \PITA . IN Ch .”%4,3.79 George Stein Issues Interesting ment as to Expenses of Bemidji. 12 MILES OF CEMENT SIDEWAILK IN CITY Assessed Valuation Approximates $1,- 600,000; Water Department Earnings Good. George Stein, city clerk, today com- pleted an interesting statement as to the expenses of the city of Bemidji and cost per capita based on a popu- lation of 7,000, facts in regard to the city of Bemidji and a summary of the improvements completed to year 1916 and the cost of the same. The statement will be published soon in a pamphlet of the condition of the city at the close of business Jan. 31, 1916. Cost $16.79. The statement points out that the cost per capita, actual indebtedness, based on a population of 7,000, is $16.79. The expenses of the city, cost per capita, based on a population of 7, 000, is as follows: City Government, Viz. prop Protection of life | erty Health and sanitation . Maintenance of streets, ing; ote: covwraave Other expenses and light- 1.43 1.12 $4.77 Charities: Poor, paupers, dona- tions .$ .52 Institutions: Library .18 \ Interests . vssn veammas sy 1.26 Permanent Improvements: streets, buildings, roads and bridges 1.18 $7.91 Many Improvements. The summary of the improvements completed to the year 1916 and the cost of same, taken from the City en- gineer’s records, is as follows: Conerete paving 2.7 miles (64,178 square yards) $ 70,248.67 Cement sidewalks, 12.2 11 11 PP $ 35,334.64 70 cement street cross- ings 70 cement alley crossings Curbs 8.36 miles 2,281.78 1,334.82 13,208.30 ............... $ 52,159.44 Total Sanitary sewers, 2.95 miles .....one .$ 17,684.21 43 man holes 2,557.90 4 flush tanks .. 460.00 Septic tank 2,785.93 ......... $ 23,337.14 Total ..... Storm sewers, 1.22 miles.$ 5,597.89 Branches, .42 mile .... 1,162.71 58 inlets ....... 874.00 17 man holes . ... 645.20 8,279.80 Water System. Pumping station and equipment, tank tower, etc., wells 1 and 2 and water mains (7.47 miles) .......... ....$ 71,263.10 93 hydrants 3,736.00 Wells 3 and 4 and 12- inch suction line .... 6,711.12 63 valves ......... oo 1,274.00 Total ...... c.o......$ 82,984.22 Bridge across Mississippi 104 {) S ) $ 6,632.00 Total improvements. ..$243,641.27 2.7 Miles Paving. The facts compiled by Clerk Stein in regard to the city are as follows: Bemidji Has— 2.7 miles concrete paving. 12.2 miles cement sidewalks. 2.95 miles sanitary sewers. 7.47 miles water mains. 8.36 miles of curbs. 140 cement street and alley cross- ings. 1.64 miles of storm sewer and 3 branches. That the real estate, city build- ings, water system, equipments, fire equipment, supplies, etc., owned by the municipality approximate a valu- ation of $187,442.49. That the assessed valuation of the city approximates $1,6000,000. That the earnings of the water de- partment was $2,009.09, or 24 per cent of the gross. Ploneer want ads bring results. KKK KKK KKK KKK KT x * * He who forgets to adver- + % tise should not complain when % ¥ the buyer forgets that he is- ¥ ¥ in business. It is just a case * % of “forget” all around. * x * * ¥ KRR RRN KD KKK BIG FARM MEETING IS HELD AT HINES Over 60 people attended the meet- ing of the Hines Co-operative Farm- ers’ club at the Hines consolidated school Saturday evening. Better schools and roads were discussed. W. ;Stewart, county superintendent of .Chools, and Representative L. G. Pendergast of Bemidji attended the meeting and gave short talks. FORMER OFFICERS APPLY TO STATE BOARD FOR PARDONS Governor States That Applications of Smith and Pickitt Taken Under Advisement. 200 TELEGRAMS ASK RELEASE OF FORMER TREASURER Slayer of Bena Man in 1905 Asks for for Pardon From Life Sentence. St. Paul, :Minn., April 10.—Gov- ernor J. A. A. Burnquist today re- ceived 200 telegrams asking that he pardon Walter J. Smith, treasurer, and R. C. Pickitt, former clerk of the state investment board, who have pleaded guilty to a second degree larceny and second degree respectively. 'They have been sentenced to an indeterm- inate sentence at the state prison at Stillwater. A majority of the telegrams were from Virginia, Are Considered. Although the applications were con- sidered, no immediate action was taken. Governor Burnquist stated that they were taken under advise- ment. Mrs. Smith is responsible for the name of her husband being before the pardon board today. Following his sentence, she appeared before the governor’s clerk and asked for clem- ency. “She.filed an applieation for Smith’s pardon late Saturday. Pickitt’'s friends had previously obtained the administration’s pledge that Pickitt would be accorded the same treatment accorded Smith. They former forgery charge, filed an application after that of Smith. Following the personal visit of state officials, including the state par- don board, to the state penitentiary at Stillwater, the state pardon board met at the capitol today. Four Cases Up. Four cases are known to have been considered. These are the peti- tions of Orlin Kalderwitt, Charles Hammon, John Kelh and William BE. Coddington for their liberty. Coddington’s case is probably the most interesting of them all. He is serving a second degree murder life sentence for killing Henry Kehring at Bena in Itasca county in August, 1905. His plea is based upon self defense, the case growing out of be- ing a ‘“good fellow.” Kehring had been drunk for three weeks, Coddington’s attorney said to- day. Coddington drove 80 miles in sub-zero weather to get Kehring and bring him home. Mrs. Kehring paid Coddington $15 for the job. Kehring, sober, demanded $10 of it on the grounds that he had made Codding- ton’s profit possible. Coddington re- fused. Kehring, according to the plea, tried to shoot Coddington, the gun failed and Coddington beat Keh- ring to it. TORRANGE TO CONDUCT TIMBER CUTTING GASE According to word received from the United Press today, Graham M. Torrance, county attorney, will prob- ably conduect the first of the timber prosecutions for unpermitted cutting. The case will be against Miller Brothers who have been operating a mill at Kelliher. SCOO THE CUB REPORTER OPSAHL ASKS FOR PROTECTION FOR FARMERS FROMFLOODS Congressman Lindbergh is Asked to Watch Soil Tillers’ Interests. UPPER MISSISSIPPI OVERFLOWS AND DAMAGES MUCH LAND Representative Interviews Major Peek and Gives Army Man’s Version. In an effort to utilize the vast wa- ters in the reservoirs at the head of the Mississippi for manufacturing and power purposes without permit- ting them to overflow and damage many thousands of acres, J. J. Op- sahl of this city, working in har- mony with the idea advocated at the December meeting of the Northern Minnesota Development association here, has asked Congressman C. A. Lindbergh for assistance and infor- mation. Writes to Lindbergh. “In the bill that you have before the committee,” wrote Opsahl to Lindbergh, “regarding those reser- voirs, I would ask you to be sure and provide for the lowering of the chan- nel between the dams to the lakes at each one of those reservoirs, so that during the winter they can be properly emptied. At the outlet of Leech lake, at Federal Dam, at pres- ent over a mile is choked up so that the reservoir could not be emptied. I am glad to see the engineers admit the importance of lowering the win- ter stage in order to take care of the spring floods. What we should at- tempt to do with these natural and very important reservoirs is to pro- vide so that water can be used for manufacturing or power purposes and navigation without waste, but it should be borne in mind that the most important industry is agri- culture. “If the war department or -any Federal department takes steps that will undermine agricultural develop- ment and prosperity, or in other words, retard or destroy the farmers’ .erops, ' heither mavigable rivers nor industrial water power sites will be of any great benefit, for the reason that in order to handle and manage either the navy or army, food is the most necessary product. An army and navy is needed to protect a rich and prosperous agricultural country, but if nothing but a desert or an overflowed waste tract of land that will not raise crops, we need no pro- tection from outside nations. On that account in handling our reser- voir systems, the Federal government should first consider the welfare of the men who provide our food and clothing, and next, maintain naviga- ble streams in passable shape, and third, that all waste or flood waters should be taken care of so as not to overflow the farmer.” What Maj. Peek Said. Congressman Lindbergh called up- on Maj. E. D. Peek of the United States engineering corps at St. Paul, wlho replied: “It is a fact that the snowfall this winter at the headwaters of the Mis- sissippi has been greater than for many years and in the region of the reservoirs there was an average depth of 2.5 feet. *Pokegama, Sandy Lake, Pine River and Gull Lake reservoirs have been steadily drawn down all winter, and by April 1, practically empty, Winnibigoshish and Leech Lake res- ervoirs should have a combined storage capacity of 26,000,000,000 cubic feet, which is believed to be ample to hold the surplus from the winter and spring' precipitation around these reservoirs. “The weather has been favorable so far from a gradual run off of the snowfall, comparatively warm in the day and freezing at night. If this continues for a few weeks, as it usu- ally does, it will reduce the flood pos- sibilities materially. Rapidly melt- ing snow or rains might mean a flood but it would not be the fault of the reservoirs—in fact, they would have |s tendency to reduce the height of any that might oceur.” Former American Ambassador Not in government for its Indian wards. a letter addressed to the chairman of the house committee on Indian affairs, gress affecting various tribes through- FTREEKRKK KKK R KK KH * THERE ARE MORE THAN, 8,000,000 WOMEN WORKERS IN THE U. 8. (By United Press) Washington, April 10.— Government statistics avail- able today show that there are more than 8,000,000 wo- men workers in the United States. There are 263,315 stenographers . and type- writers, 14,061 linotype oper- ators, 2,630,846 domestics, 1,820,980 factory and mill girls, 76,508 trained nurses, 111,117 midwives, 2,000,000 women farm laborers, 100,000 women bakers, 8,219 tele- graph operators, 88,262 hello girls. Eighty per cent of our teachers are women, also two-thirds of our cotton mill workers, one-third of our hat, suit and overall makers, one- fifth of our tailors, one-third of our shoemakers. Women have been found working be- fore the flaming doors of blast furnaces in Pennsylvania. R KAKA KK A I AKX A A AAR KA AR A A AT A AT Ak kk b ok ok ok k ok ok k ok ks kA sk ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ko ok ok ok ok Kk KKK KKK KK KKK SOCIALISTS TO HAVE COUNTY CANDIDATES The Socialist party will have can- didates for all county offices at the next election, according to reports to- day. Vie Lindholm .of Spooner has “tossed his hat into the ring” for counly commissioner of the second district on the Socialist ticket. It is reported that Joseph Harris, a So- cialist, will oppose Judge M. A. Clark for the office of judge of pro- bate court. GOURT TERM OPENS AT WALKER TOMORROW Judge W. S. McClenahan will hold a term of the district icourt at Walk- er beginning tomorrow. Judge C. W. Stanton will hold a term of the district court at Brainerd, beginning May 2. CHOATE OPPOSES - - INDIAN BILL Favor of Giving Red Men Super- intendent Appointments. Washington, April 10.—The dip- lomatic talents of Joseph H. Choate, former American ambassador to Eng- land, have been directed toward ob- taining proper treatment from this In Mr. Choate directs attention to a number of bills now pending in con- out the United States, and declares his opposition to them. One of these measures was intro- duced by Senator Johnson of South Dakota, and proposes to confer upon tribes of Indians the right to select their superintendents and other em- ployes. “This would divest the interior de- partment of the appointing power,” said Mr. Choate in discussing his ob- jections to it,” and the Indian service would be deprived of the wholesome restrictions provided by the civil ser- vice. Any one familiar with In- dians can readily imagine how the more dependent full-bloods would thus become easy prey for conniving mixed-bloods and ‘whites.” Mr. Choate strenuously objects to another bill introduced by Senator Lane of Oregon, which would abolish the position of commissioner of In- dian affairs and his assistants; cre- ating an independent bureau with three -commissioners subject only to the control of congress. Mrs. F. W. Rhoda left this morn- ing for Marinetta, Wis., where she will visit with friends and relatives for some time. Nalasdiua unscrupulous | That's Right--Try It Yourself [GARRANZA. PLAGES LIMIT FOR UNITED STATES SOLDIERS Reported That Durango Territory is Dead Line; Baker Refuses to Comment. MEXICAN CONSUL DENIES REPORT OF AGREEMENT Month Since Border Was Crossed; Reported That Juarez Will - Be Attacked. ‘Washington, April 10.—Secretary of War Baker today refused to com- ment on the reports that Carranza has established a dead line behind which the United States soldiers will not be permitted to go. It is ru- mored that the Durango territory is this line. El Paso, April 10.—Carranza Con- sul Gracia today denied reports that there was a secret agreement be- tween the United States and Carran- za, the United States agreeing not to pursue Villa beyond a certain line in Mexico. It is reported that this line has been reached. Villa Near Satevo. Washington, April 10.—The hope of breaking up Villa’s band or bands has grown. It is exactly a month since the crossing of the border was ordered. It is thought that the Vil- listas have been scattered and that Villa will be captured before the end of this week. It is believed that Villa is near Satevo. El Paso, April 10.—Two infantry battalions have been rushed from here to Juarez to guard the city against Mexicans. Police claim that trouble is feared. Bean is Legal Tender. ‘With American Army, April 10.— The lowly bean has become the legal tender in soldier’s crap and card games on account of the scarcity of currency. One bean is equal to one] dollar. The banker clears all beans for money after the game. Troops Near Parral. El Paso, April 10.—Hanging dog- gedly to-the-trail of-Vila; tire-Arwter- icans are reported in the desolate Sierras around Parral. With American Army, April 10.— With a shallow Arroyo as a taber- nacle, the star-sprinkled sky for a canopy and a battered soap box for an altar, several hundred khaki clad soldiers bared their heads last eve- ning in the presence of their God for divine services. San Antonio, April 10.—Continu- ing their drive toward Parral, the Americans are believed to be almost on the heels of Pancho Villa. T0 TEST SOIL AT UNIVERSITY Equitable Farm Club at Frohn Holds Big Meeting at Trafton Farm. Through its officers, the Bemidji Merchants association agreed at a meeting of the Equitable Farm club of Frohn held Saturday, to send sam- ples of the soils from this section to the University of Minnesota for analysis. After the soil test infor- mation as to the proper fertilizer. to be used will be furnished to the farm- er free of charge. The meeting Saturday was held at the Trafton farm at Rosby. Discussions on seeds and time of planting were held. Iver Ungstad suggested that the farmers take ad- vantage of the offer made by the Given Hardware company to accept the use of a potato planter at the cost of rental. Those agreeing to use this machine were Nels Willet, Peter Nar- um, S. K. Braaten, Ole Hegland, Iver Ungstad and William Rabe.- An excellent dinner was served by the women of the club. The next meeting of the club will jbe held at the Albert Graff home on the shore of Wolf lake. DEED FOR POSTOFFICE SITE IS FILED HERE C. 0. Moon, register of deeds, has received the deed of the new Federal building in Bemidji to be placed on record. The site is transferred from the Bemidji Townsite and Improve- ment company to the United States of America and the consideration is $6,000. The site includes Lots 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, of Block six. MANY TO ATTEND JEFFERSON MEET HERE TOMORROW Polk, Red Lake, Pennington, Clear- water and Beltrami Delegates to Confer. PUBLIC URGED TO ATTEND MEETING AT COMMERCIAL CLUB Route of Proposed Highway Will Be Decided and Resolutions Passed. Representatives from Polk, Red Lake, Pennington and Beltrami coun- ties will meet tomorrow afternoon at the Commercial club rooms to discuss the proposed Jefferson highway from New Orleans to Winnipeg. It is ex- pected that at the meeting the route of the highway will be decided and resolutions sent to the Jefferson Highway commission. Many districts are attempting to se- cure the highway and the meeting to- morrow was called to present the different routes for discussion. The meeting was called by the Be- midji Commercial club and it is ex- pected that many representatives will attend. * Bemidji citizens are urged to at- tend the meeting. FUNERAL OF MRS. T. DOUGAS IS HELD The. funeral of Mrs, T. Dougas, who died Satu morning ,at- her ‘hime. &t the " Tretet, “was held | this morning from St. Philip’s Cath- olic church. Rev. Fr. J. J. T. Phil- ippe officiated. Interment was made at Holy Cross cemetery. KELLIHER COUPLE IS LICENSED TO WED A wedding license was issued at the office of the clerk of court today to Ole Pearson and Selma Underwood, both of Kelliher. PRESIDENT SUFFERS FROM A SEVERE COLD ‘Washington, April 10.—President Wilson today broke all engagements. He is suffering from a severe cold. Miss Mable Booth, stenographer in the office of the superintendent of schools, returned this morning from Pinewood where she spent several days visiting friends. Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Ledford and son, Roland, have gone to Sauk Rap- ids, Minn., where they will visit with friends for a week. MISS JEAN BAGSLEY WEDS HAROLD KERR Miss Jean, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Bagsley of Kelliher, was united in marriage this morning to Harold Kerr of Kelliher. Rev. L. P, Warford of the Presbyterian church officiated, the wedding taking place at his home here. The attend- ants were Miss Vernessa Warninger and F. G. Neumeier. Mr. and Mrs. Kerr left at noon for Duluth, the Twin Cities and Stillwa- ter for a short honeymoon. They ex- pect to return to Kelliher in a week where they will make their future home. Mr. Kerr is connected with the St. Croix Pine and Cedar company of Kelliher. GERMANS CAPTURE BETHINGOURT IN FIERGE STRUGGLE Heavy Drives Made Against French Wings; Paris Admits Retreating. SUSSEX SITUATION UP TO CABINET TOMORROW Teutonic Diplomats Claim Severance of Relations Means' War, London, April 10.—There is no hesitation in the fierce fighting near Verdun. The Germans following the taking of Bethincourt with heavy drives against the French wings five miles apart have commenced a fierce struggle on the west bank of the Meuse. Paris, April 10.—It is officially ad- mitted that the French have evacu- ated Bethincourt. Break Means War. Chicago, Ill., April 10.—John Cal- lan O’Laughlin in a dispatch from Washington to the Herald says that a denial of the responsibilities of the sinking of the Sussex will not modify Wilson’s determination to act accord- ing to faets. The Sussex case is stronger than the Lusitania on ac- count of Germany contending in the Lusitania case that the liner carried ammunition. Teutonic diplomats in Washington claim that the severance of relations means wear. London, April 10.—The British steamer Seafra has been sunk. Granted Conference. Washington, April 10.—The Ger- man Ambassador, Von Bernstorff, has requested and was granted a confer- ence with Secretary Lansing this afternoon, presumably to discuss the Sussex situation. ‘Washington, April 10.—The cabin- et will take up the Sussex situation tomorrow. News that the liner St. Paul, expected in New York today with affidavits regarding the sub- marine issues, will not. arrive until sive action on the-situation.™ Petrograd, April 10.-—(Official)— Turkish statements today claim that two Russian transports have been sunk in the Black Sea. SPRING WEATHER BRINGS OUT STREET CLEANING CREW The spring weather today was the cause of the calling out of the street cleaning crew and beginning to clean the Bemidji streets. Engineer Swin- son has a number of men cleaning the street pavement. It is believed that the streets will be cleaned in a few days if the present spring weather continues. CONTINUANCE ASKED IN ORPET MURDER CASE ‘Waukegan, I11., April 10.—The dis- covery of new evidence was argued as a reason for the postponing of the trial of William H. Orpet, Wisconsin university student charged with mur- der, today. Counsel for defense asked that the trial be set over until June 1. Orpet was accused of mur- dering Marion Lambert, pretty For- est Lake high school girl. KINDERGARTEN CLASS BEGUN IN SCHOOLS A kindergarten class was begun by the Bemidji schools at the publie ibrary this morning with Miss Gladys Stanton as instructor. The class will continue for three months. There are 24 children enrolled. Forty children can be accommodated, DEFEATED VILLAGE CLEEK A SUICIDE Winona, Minn., April 10.—George Mathys, for eighteen years village clerk- at Arcadia, Wis., who was de- feated for re-election last week, com- mitted suicide yesterday. His de- feat of office was not expected and he brooded over it for several days. In his pocket was found a not, “ tired and my life is now empty.” DR. WAITE ENTERS PLEA OF NOT GUILTY New York, April 10.—Dr. Arthur ‘Warren Waite today pleaded not guil- ty on a charge of murdering John Peck of Grand Rapids, Mich., million- aire father-in-law. His counsel ask- ed for permission to withdraw the plea or make plea he saw fit within a few days. SENATE DISCUSSES SUGAR REPEAL BILL ‘Washington, April 10.—A discus- sion of the sugar repeal duty bill was begun in the senate this morning. Several Republicans ‘have ' pledged themselves to passage of the bill. TORIGAL Thursday. ~ This sy prevent, deel-