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

THE BEMIDJI DAILY PIO VOLUME XIV, NO. 115. KOOCHIGHING COUNTY |SEEK SUNDAY TRAINS INFINANGIAL TANGLE; ON DULUTH LINE EXAMINERTORESCUE| o-cee vorcr s it Grand Forks Commercial club has re- newed efforts to have the Great Expectation of State Aid in Meeting Bond Issues is Given as BEMIDJI, MIRNESOTA, WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 10, 1916, ol “:5 |- FORTY CENTS PER MONTH MERCHANTS PLAN [GERMANY ADMITS [PLANS FOR ALUNNL [HANNAHANDCARTER MPORTANT SECRET | SALES FOR BIRTH | GUILT IN THE BANQUET GOMPLETED - ENTER RAGE FOR ORDERS T0 PERSHING| OF NATION WEEK| SUSSEX AFFAIR./sminsizinanzne! STATELEGISLATURE the Bemidji High School Alumni as- American Expeditionary Forces Are|Great Photodrama Coming to This|Gerard Informs State Department Bemidji and Hines Men Make Fil- £ FUNSTON ISSUES sociation at the Birchmont Beach hotel, May 16, were completed at a meeting of the association at.the li- brary Tuesday evening. A banquet Northern put on a daily train ser- vice between this city and Duluth. Over a year ago the Great North- ern discontinued running Nog, 34 and Hastily Redistributed to City for Five Days, Beginning That Admjnio‘n is Enroute to committes’ was appolfitsd to" have| TE Others Filed Are Pendergast, 5 Cause. 33 on Sunday and despite all efforts Guard Lines, May 21. Washington. charge of securing speakers. A Clementson and Sherman. = - ¥ of commercial bodies and residents e dance will be given after the ban- . . % ATTORNEY GENERAL AND along the road from Grand Forks to | ppy (OMPANIES OF COAST CYMRIC REPORTED duet. 1t ls exbected that at least 75| by b1y FIGHT IS EXPECTED members of the association will at- tend. There are 170 members in the association. Duluth, they refused to again run trains on Sunday. b The Sunday service is desired dur- ing the summer season as many local residents prefer to go to-their cot- tages at Maple Lake or Bemidji oa PUBLIC EXAMINER INVESTIGATE ARTILLERY CALLED 0UT TORPEDOED UNWARNED smmmng ORCHESTRA F 30 PIECES TO COME FOR LOWER BODY OFFICE No Americans Aboard; Five Lives Are Lost; Liner Was Not Reported That the Debt of the County i3 More Than $2,000,000; Twelve Reels of Vivid, Realistic Spectacles Tell Story of Scott Holds Upper Hand; Conference May Be Resumed Late This Several File for Commissionerships; 2 Vf Harris Files for Office of Bonded to Individuals, Koochiching county is practically bankrupt. So serious are the financial affairs of the county that Attorney General Smith and Public Examiner Fritz will go to International Falls tonight to investigate and if possible straight- en out the tangle. This condition is said to have been brought about by excessive expendi- tures through bond issues for good roads and other internal improve- ments. Bonds to Individuals. It is reported that the debt of the county is more than $2,000,000, for which bonds have been sold to pri- vate purchasers. As one of the new counties of the state, Koochiching county has been constructing numerous ditches and roads, and in doing so has bonded it- self to the limit. While exact figures are not available, the belief is that the bonding limit has even been ex- ceeded. Much of the money obtained has been at a high rate of interest and in disposing of bonds excessive agent commissions have been paid. Under the law county bonds cannot be sold below par, but agents may be em- ployed in selling and in doing so the law has practically been violated. Case of Misjudgement. “We have been asked to inquire into the financial affairs of Koochi- ching county,” said Attorney General Smith at St. Paul today, “and from all accounts the conditions there are most distressing. Of course, the first thing in mind would be some erim- inal act on the part of those in charge, but I believe the whole thing is more a case of misjudgment than anything else. Expected state aid, I think, is at the bottom of the trou- ble. Another things is, the county is new, and in all such cases there is generally more or less laxity on the part of those who have charge of its affairs. I am going up there in an effort to straighten out the tangle and I hope to be successful,” - Misunderstanding Cause. From what Attorney General Smith can learn the county officials are either laboring under the impres- sion that state aid is available or will be granted by some future legislation and have been building numerous ditches and charging much of the cost against state lands benefited. In ad- dition to the ditches many miles of road have been built under the El- well act and these also have been charged against the property benme- fited. According to the attorney gen- eral, state lands cannot be assessed and, while this might be met by charging the cost to purchasers of these lands, the assessments only tend to keep them off the market. Seekers of state land, he says, will not buy in Koochiching county because of the incumbrances named. As to the con- struction of roads they are strictly an internal improvement and no part of their cost can be met by tax on the state treasury. Some Have Grown Rich. Practically all the bonds issued by Koochiching county are in the hands of private investors. Very little mon- ey has been secured from the state trust fund. Much of this bonded in- debtedness from all accounts has been quoted at a high rate of inter- est and at a cost that has greatly en- riched those instrumental in bring- ing about the issue and securing its sale. There are said to be other ir- regularities, but they are of a minor nature. There are thousands of acres of state land in the county, but be- cause of the encumbrances mention- ed sales of these lands have been few. In the opinion of the attorney gen- eral it may be necessary for the next legislature to come to the rescue not only of Koochiching county but of other counties similarly situated. 213 AGRES SOLD AT STATE LAND SALE Two hundred and seventy-three acres of state land were sold at a land sale conducted at the court house this morning by State Auditor J. A. O. Preus. The proceeds of the sale were $1,078.62. Mr. Preus arrived in Bemidji this morning and left on the noon train. | Intentional Duplicate Sunday morning. M. & I. MOBILIZES LEGAL FORGES T0 FIGHT NEW ROAD W. H. Gemmell, General Manager, Prepares Action to Oppose Nymore Highway. WHEN WAR IS DECLARED WORDS ARE FUTILE, HE SAYS States That He Believes That the Citi.ens of Bemidji Do Not Understand. ““When war is declared, words are futuile,” said W. H. Gemmell, gen- eral manager of the M. & I railway company, last evening while a visitor in the city. This was his reply to a question by a Pioneer representa- tive asking him whether or not he had anything to-say about the action of the city council in deciding to con- struct the Nymore highway up to the lake shore and to open up Second street. “It is for us to act,” said Mr. Gem- mell. He stated that the M. & I. legal forces were mobilized and that when the city unlawfully interfered in any way with the company’s prop- erty, the railroad company would act quickly and effectively. Mr. Gemmell stated that he did not believe that-the- citizens of “Bemidji understood the merits of the contro- versy. Against Project. “If the people understood the con- troversy they would certainly not ap- prove of the action of the city coun- cil which will involve the city in needless delay and expense,” said Mr. Gemmell. The M. & I, according to a pro- posal made at the council meeting are willing that the lake shore highway be constructed on Third street as per their plans, but will refuse to allow the opening of Second street. They prefer the repairing of the present crossing, which is admittedly dan- gerous. HAM AND EGG SUPPER AT GHURGH TONIGHT The men of the Presbyterian church will give their annual ham and egg supper in the church par- lors this evening commencing at five o’clock. Everyone is invited to the “feed” which promises to surpass any similar “feed” ever given in Bemidji. The cooks are W. B. MacLachlan, G. ‘W. Campbell, G. E. Carson, E. B. Kenfield and Dr. E. H. Marcum. Judge M. A. Spooner is head waiter. ROSGOE SMILEY WEDS AT SPOKANE, WASH, Roscoe J. Smiley, who played base- ball in Bemidji two years ago, was married to Miss Helen Halstad &t Spokane, Wash., Saturday, according to work received in Bemidji today. Smiley is connected with the Libby Lumber company. He played ball in Montana and Washington last sea- son. . Afternoon. El Paso, May 10.—The American expeditionary forces were hastily re- distributed to points along the line of communication today following important secret orders by General Funston to General Pershing. Ten companies of coast artillery stationed at gulf and Atlantic ports have been ordered to San Antonio, Tex., to serve as infantry with the border patrol. ~ Mobilization of the Texas, Arizona and New Mexico national guards be- gan today. It is expected that it will be completed inside of a week. General Scott holds the whip hand today and the Scott-Obregon confer- ence will probably be resumed today. This is the first time that the forces on the border and in Mexico are nu- merically superior to Mexicans. LAND MEN COMBINE; BONUSES ARE SMALL Sale of Government Lands Under Volstead Act Continues at Court House. Land buyers have formed a “com- bine,” or have a ‘‘gentlemen’s agree- ment’’ not to bid against one another for government land under the Vol- stead act, therefore the bonuses paid at the sale being conducted ‘at the court house are small. Lands are being sold for the ditch liens. .-Practically all-the.land-is be- ing sold, however. Bonusses go to the federal government. This morning the combine was] threatened when an individual buyer from Minneapolis bid on each piece. His bidding brought bonuses of from $10 to $15. A piece of land was sold to the Minneapolis man and he then retired from the bidding and the work of the “combine” continued. The sale will continue for several days. GEMMEL MAN IS KILLED AT MANDAN Mandan, N. D., May 10.—That the man killed about twelve days ago in the railroad yards is Oscar C. Briggs of Gemmell, Minn., is the conclusion reached by Coroner T. G. C. Kennelly who is now waiting for information from the Gemmell lodge of Odd Fel- lows. ; The interchange of notes and tele- grams between Coroner Kennelly and Mrs. Maude C. Briggs of Gemmell, be- yond question identified the body as that of Oscar C. Briggs. HIGH SCHOOL TRAGK MEET IS DROPPED Owing to the fact that no enthu- siasm was shown by the students in a track and fleld meet which was planned for May 17, the plan was to day dropped, according to Superin- tendent Dyer. No team will rep- resent Bemidji at the district meet which will be held at Akeley. Instead a baseball team has been organized and a game has been scheduled ‘with the Blackduck high school for May 13 at Blackduck. A return game will be played in Be- midji May 27. ' Romance. At a meeting of the Bemidji Merchants association Tuesday afternoon] the merchants de- cided that they would offer spe- cial bargains during the time that “The Birth of a Nation” shows in Bemidji. Special ad- vertisements will be prepared and the bargains will be such as will attract many people to this city. Watch this paper for further announcements, ““The Birth of a Nation” with its wonderful symphony orchestra of 30 high class artists will be the attrac- tion at the Grand theater in Bemidji for five days starting on Sunday, May 21, with matinees daily at 2:30 o’clock and nights at 8:15 o’clock. The prices for the matinees will be 50c, 75¢ and $1.00, and for the night performances 50¢, $1.00 and $1.50. “The Birth of a Nation” may be generally ‘“covered” as follows: There are twelve reels of vivid, realistic .spectacles which tell the story of a double romance, which ex- plains the attitude of the North and the defense of the stubborn South over the slave issue, and which carry one through scenes of the long, cruel war, its message to the world being “Liberty and Union, one and insep- erable.” Col. Stoneman of the North is in love with the sister of Col. Cameron of the South. And Col. Cameron is infatuated with the sister of- Col. Stoneman. These romances are de- picted before the war and the views show how the drawing of lines and the commencement of war worked esstrangemen, distress and hardship on the young lovers and members of their families. | Brave young men embrace their mothers, sisters and sweethearts and depart for army service, their emo- tions being depicted in their resolute faces. The pictures also show pa- triotic women at home sewing and knitting for the soldiers. The magic films reveal the inter- iors of Northern and Southern homes. One sees vast armies mustered to march away to war. In a twinkling the scene changes and the sun shines brightly on a snowy cotton field in the south, with scores of negroes of all ages pluck- ing the white blossoms. Festive lit- tle picaninnies caper about and at nightfall in cabin quarters singing and dancing are indulged in by the slaves. Bondage is visualized with its sorrows and its joys. As the war progresses great battles are fought and the thrilling action from rifie fire to cavalry clashes and artillery duels is depicted in pictorial form as true to life as it is possible for human agency to simulate. Scenes are unfolded in which fully 18,000 soldiers and 3,000 cavalry, the largest theatrical army ever assem- bled, are active in the performance of the good and bad deeds of war- fare. One sees a bayomet charge with a quiver of excitement ' and closes his eyes at the sight of the dying and dead. Ambulance drivers arrive to carry away the fallen and hospitals throw doors open to re- ceive the injured. Gentle nurses flit from cot to cot to minister to the wants of the patients. Historic scenes are depicted with realistic effect, ranging from battle engagements, such as the battle of Gettysburg, the siege of Petersburg, Sherman’s march to the sea and the fall of Atlanta, to events in Wash- ington. In the pictures Gen. Robert E. Lee strides forth to clasp the hand of (Continued on Page 4) Armed, ‘Washington, May 10.—Ambassa- dor Gerard today informed the state department that German admission of guilt in the sinking of the Sussex is enroute to Washington. London, May 10.—American Con- sul Frost of Queenstown today wired confirmation of press reports that the steamer Cymric was torpedoed un- warned. There were no Americans on board. Five lives were lost. The liner was not in the admiralty ser- vice but was an ordinary merchant- man and entitled to immunity as was granted by Germany in the last note. The liner, however, attempted to es- cape. ‘ MANY TICKETS SOLD FOR PLAY Indications Are That Grand Theater Will Be Crowded for Senior Class Play. Many tickets are being sold by the high school seniors for their class play, Shakespeare’s ‘“Comedy of Er- rors,” which will be given at the Grand theater Friday afternoon and evening. Indications are that the Grand theater will be crowded at both performances. Tickets ‘were this afternoon placed on sale at the Netzer Drug store. Daily practices are being held- the cast, under the directioir of- Miss" Laura Michener, high school instruc- tor, who is in charge of the play. ‘The play is especially appropriate at this time as April 23 was the ter- centenary of the death of Shake- speare. Shakespearan celebrations are being held in many communi- ‘ties. The synopsis of the ‘“Comedy of Errors” is as follows: At the opening of the play, Ae- geon, an old merchant of Syracuse, is discovered in the streets of Ephesus and according to law is condemned to die unless he can pay his fine be- fore sundown. Aegeon has come to Ephesus in seach of his wife, his twin sons, both named Antipholus, and their twin servants, the Dromios, who had all been separated in a ship- wreck years before. It happens at this same time that Antipholus of Syracuse, who had un- til a short time before been with his father, arrives in. Ephesus. He is ac- companied by his servant Dromis. Ephesus is the hom of the other An- tipholus, and now that the twin brothers and their twin servants are both in the same town unknown to each other, strange mixups result. Adriana, wife of Antipholus of Ephesus, mistakes the other brother for her husband, the twin servants confuse their masters, and a series of amusing complications follow. Finally the twins meet, Antipholus of Syracuse recognizes his father; Aegeon; the abbess is recognized as Aemilia, the wife of Aegeon; and all ends happily. HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY MOVED TO OFFICE The book cases containing refer- ence books at the high school have been removed from the auditorium of the high school to the office of W. P. Dyer, superintendent of schools. Miss Mable Booth will act as librarian, having charge of the letting of all books. y | b STORMS CONTINUE; ELLENDALE, NORTH DAKOTA, WIPEDOUT Bemidji is_Visited by High Wind, Sand and-Rain Storm; Trees Blown Down. WASHBURN, WIS., SCHOOL ' DEMOLISHED BY WIND Small Forest Fires Reported in This Vicinity; All Are Under Control. Semi-tornadoes are continuing in the Northwest today, according to reports received. Bemidji was visited by a high wind storm at three o’clock this morning which did small damage in falling trees. “Ruggles’ Pines” were felled. A sand, wind and Several trees in the famous rain storm, broke in Bemidji at noon today. The wind is very strong and is fanning several small forest fires reported in this district. One fire was reported this morning near the Mississippi river dam. The damage is slight and all fires are under control. Fanned by Gale. Aberdeen, South Dakota, today re- ported that Ellendale, N. D., was practically wiped out by a fire fanned by a 40-mile, gplg last night. Three solid ‘business {blocks, including 24 buildings, and.60 residences were de- stroyed. - ‘Fire began in &n old livery" barn, The “loss*1s estimated at $350,000. At Washburn, Wis., yesterday the Pioneer school was demolished by the wind and four students were seri- ously, one perhaps fatally, injured. Roof Blown Off. The storm is reported at many points. High winds still continue in the neighborhood of the Twin Cities and‘further south. . At La Crosse, Wis., yesterday the roof from the grand stand at the baseball park was dropped on a street car. None of the passengers were injured. Probate Judge. . B. W. Hannah of Bemidji and Charles S. Carter of Hines filed for rfepresentative to the state legisla- ture for this district Tuesday after- noon. The filings for this office closed at midnight Tuesday. Others in the race for that office are L. G. Pendergast, the present representative, Helic Clementson of Clementson and Sam Sherman of Williams. = Mr. Clementson is at present :the county commissioner from the second district and Mr. Sherman is the editor of the Northern Light at Williams. Active Campaigns. All candidates will begin active campaigns next week and it is ex- pected that several close fights will develop. The primaries will be held June 19, + Judge C. W. Stanton of the dis- trict court filed for re-election Tues- day. Joseph E. Harris of Bemidji filed for judge of probate court Tuesday. For Commissioner. Other filings were as follows: V. E. Lindholm as county commis- sioner in the second district opposing Albert Johnson of Baudette, B. A. Arneson and Arneson and A. J. Hild- e§1 of Baudette. C. 0. Espe of Shotley and E. E. Schulke of Tenstrike for county com- missioner in the Fourth distriet, op- posing Gustave Sandell of Stanley ahd B. M. Armstrong of Kelliher. Otto Simons of 148-33 for county commissioner in the Fifth district opposing J. C. Thompson of-Black- diick, Nels Otterstadt of Turtle River ahd Paul Haluptzak of Tenstrike. T0 MEET HERE MAY 17 At a meeting of the Bemidji bank- ers last evening plans were completed for the entertainment of the Sixth District Bankers’ association which will meet here May 17. After a busi- ness session in the afternoon, the bankers will be taken to the state park in automobiles. Twin City bankers and A. H. Tur- ritten, superintendent of banks, are expected to attend the meet here. FRANK M'CUMBER HELD ON LIQUOR GHARGE Frank C. McCumbers entered a plea of not guilty before Judge H. A. Simons, U. S. commissioner, Tues- day evening on a charge of selling liquor to Indians. He demanded a hearing which was set for May 15. He was released on $300. bonds. McCumber wag arrested May 4 by J. P. Brandt, Federal officer, charged with selling two gills of whisky to George Bluesky and Te-bish-go-gah- bow-ek of Cass Lake. The Indians are wards of the government at the Leech Lake reservation. BEMIDJI MERGHANTS T0 FORM AD GLUB — At the meeting of the Bemidji Mer- chants association held Tuesday af- ternoon, it was decided to form an ad club. A meeting will be held the latter part of this week. The purpose of the club will be to study advertis- ing methods. : SCOOP 0U KNOW THAT INDIAN HAS ME GUESSNG~I5 IT REAL ORA STATUE- HASNT MOVED FOR AN, THE CUB REPORTER Exposure The Question Is---What Was He Rubbering At? DAWG-DING- GOOD (MITATION THIS — WELL S\IR- WHO EVER BUWL SURE. ENGUGH DID A By "HOP Among those who will give ad- dresses here are Theodore Wold, gov- ernor of the Federal Reserve bank at Minneapolis, George H. Richards, secretary of the Minnesota Bankers’ association, J. H. Hay, superintend- ent of schools at Thief River Falls and J. H. Wheeler of the Capitol Bank and Trust company of St. Paul. Judge Marshal A. Spoomer will welcome the bankers. WALLER IS REGISTERED _DRUGGIST AT NETZER'S Eduard F. Netzer has secured P. E. Waller of Minneapolis, a regis- tered druggist, for his pharmacy. Mr. ‘Waller began his duties this morn- ing. DOMESTIC SGIENGE GLASS SERVES REGULAR MEALS With a view of making the work of the domestic science class a more practical study, with economy the keynote, Miss Elizabeth Vermilye, in- structor at the high school, has in- augurated a plan whereby students of this department will serve regular meals, attending the shopping, and the entire work. Meals will = be served at noons and in the early eve- nings to the parents of the pupils and students and other guests. Monday evening the guests were served at a cost of 13 cents a plate. Tuesday evening the guests were served at a cost of 15 cents per plate. The menu Monday included salmon loaf, French fried potatoes, aspara gus and tomato salad with head let- tuce, apricot sherbet, marguerites and coffee. ACTION ON BRANDEIS APPOINTMENT TODAY Washington, May 10.—Action may be taken on the Brandeis supreme court appointment late today. SIXTH DISTRIGT BANKERS ————