Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, October 26, 1916, Page 1

i | 1 |y [ THE BEMIDJI DATLY PIOT NOLUME XIV. NO. 258, ALLIES BLOW UP FOURTEEN MILE \BEMIDJI CASH #HARKET BRINGS MANY FARMERS T0 THIS CITY High Prices Being-Paid for Potatoes and All Kinds of Vegetables and Produce. (ASH BEING PAID ON ALL PURCHASES George Miller Sells 4,000 Bushels of Potatoes Netting Him $5,000 Cash. A cash market for vegetables and produce is attracting many farmers to this city. A number of Bemidji merchants are paying cash for all produce and vegetables and as a result farmers are selling their produce and vegetables to Bemidji men instead of selling them to merchants in other cities. The highest prices are being paid.- ‘W. G. Schroeder and F. G. Tropp- .\, Inan are making a specialty of buy- - | | if -\og produce and vegetables from the 23 mers at cash prices. e of the largest sales of the sea- #on was reported Wednesday. George Miller, who owns a farm in the town of Grant Valley, sold 4,000 bushels of potatoes at $1.25 per bushel, net- ting him $5,000 cash. NYMORE WARD DIVISIONS T0 BE TAKEN UP MONDAY The Bemidji city council will take up the dividing of Nymore into wards | at the regular meeting next Monday -gvening. Several wards in Bemidji m2y be changed. Action will prob- ably be taken in regard to the va- cancies in wards caused by the alder- men moving out of the wards.. Petitions are being circulated in the First ward for A. M. Bagley for alderman to succeed John Moberg ‘who has moved to the Third ward. Alderman Moberg has proved to be an excellent official and efforts are be- ing made to find some way to have . him remain as a member of the coun- &) MEASLES EPIDEMIC IS NOT SERIOUS The present epidemic of measles in Bemidji is not serious, according to Dr. E. A. Shannon, city physician. There are a large number of cases of measles in Bemidji, but it is be- lieved that the epidemic is not at its height. ‘““There is no cause for worry,” said Dr. Shannon this morning. DEMOCRATS T0 HOLD MEETING SATURDAY At a meeting of Bemidji Democn_its held Wednesday evening at the city at the city hall Saturday night. Sev- al speakers from out of the city will ‘5\9 talks on the issues of the cam- paign. SCHOOL NURSE IN CITY FOR MONTH Miss Madalen Burns arrived in the «city today and will take up her du- ties as school nurse. She will aid in curbing the present measles epidemic. Her services were'secured through the Woman's Study club through the sale of Red Cross seals last year. She ) x hall, it was decided to hold a rally »w. Was sent here by the state board of PO |73 A ~ 7alth and will remain one month. 'HOT LUNCHES ARE ¥ SERVED AT SCHOOL Hot lunches are being served at! the high school each noon under the .direction of Miss Olson and Miss Fos- ter, instructors. The lunch is sold to the students for several cents. IN HOSPITAL FIRE (By United Press) / Farnham, Quebec, Oct. 26.—Five ‘persons were Killed and 15 are miss- ‘ing as a result of a fire which de- ‘troyed the St. Elizabeth’s hospital. Scores were injured jumping from windows. There were 350 inmates sleéping when the fire was discov- «ered, 5 DEAD: 15 MISSING HIGH TAX RATES IN BEMIDJI CAUSED BY LOCALEXPENDITURES Outside Influence Not the Cause; Assessed Valuations Have Been at a Standstill for Several Years While Expenditures Have Been Steadily Increasing, Causing Mounting Tax Rate. At a meeting of citizens held recently taxes and valuations were discussed. It was noted at that meeting that but very few men understood the tax situation and knew what taxes were, how they were secured, etc. The Pioneer has prepared the following article to explain the tax situation in this city and Beltrami county. We urge everyone to read and study the article care- fully so that our efforts will not have been in vain—Editor. Taxes have been deflned by the Minnesota supreme court as pecuniary charges imposed by the legislative power of the state upon property to raise money for public purposes, the only limitations upon this power being such as are declared in the federal and state constitutions. In general, all real and personal property situated within the state and all personal property of persons residing therein, including the prop- erty of corporations and banks, is taxable, except such as is by law ex- empt. The exemptions extend to public property used exclusively for public purposes, churches, schools, public hospitals, cemeteries, institu- tions of purely public character and personal property of every head of a family of the value of $100. The only tax in which the average citizen is directly interested is the so-called ad valorem or general property tax, based on the cash value of the real and personal property subject thereto. The theory of this sys- tem of taxation is that every person shall bear a share of the public bur- den in proportion to the value of the taxable property which he owns or otherwise controls. In order to determine the amount of the tax to be imposed on each property owner it is therefore necessary in the first instance that some method of determining the value of his holdings be arrived at. For this purpose each municipality, township or other taxing district chooses an assessor whose duty it is to ascertain the amount of property subject to taxation within his district and to value the same. In this manner the original assessment is made. When the assessor has concluded his labors his books are transmitted to the local board of review which is supposed to equalize the assessment as between individuals and make such adjust- ments as it deems proper, and then the county ‘commissioners sitting as a, county board of equalization with the returns from each district in' the county before them are required to equalize as between such districts. Finally the Minnesota Tax commission sitting as a state board of equaliza- tion goes over the returns from each county and equalizes as between coun- ties. When these proceedings all have been complied with the final valua- tions are fixed. Assessor Determines Value on Property. The law requires that the assessor, in placing a value on property, shall first determine the full and true value thereof on May 1, and then extend his assessment at the specified percentages of this full and true value provided by the classified assessment law. These percentages range from 25 per cent in the case of household goods and personal apparel to 50 per cent in the case of mined or unmined iron ore. Manufacturers’ tools and products, merchandise, lumber, live stock, automobiles, machinery and unplatted real estate are assessed at 33 1-3 per cent of full and true value and bank stock, buildings and improvements on railroad or government land, stocks in foreign corporations and the poles, posts, wires, rails, con- duits, etc., of public service corporations are assessed on a forty per cent basts. ‘While the assessed value of the property of a taxpayer determines what proportion of the public burden he .must bear, it does not determine the amount of his tax. The tax levy is made before the assessed valuation is fixed and the rate afterwards. The levy in a city, like Bemidji, is fixed by the council and the school board. Each one of these bodies prepare a budget in which is set forth in dollars the amount of money which will be needed to conduct the vari- ous municipal and school activities during the following year. These sums are duly certified to the county auditor. In the same manner the board of county commissioners arrives at the amount of money that will be needed for county purposes. When the assessment totals in each district have finally been deter- mined late in the fall the county auditor estimates the per cent of the assessed valuation necessary to raise the amount of money required in each municipality and school district in the county. This percentage is the rate of taxation and includes the state rate which is made October 1 of each year by the state auditor. The situation can best be illustrated by an example. We will assume that in a certain mythical city the council deems it necessary to raise $30,000 for local purposes, while .the school board wants $50,000. It is therefore voted to spend these sums for the purposes indicated and the county auditor is duly notified. In the meantime the board of county com- missioners has decided to spend $100,000, this money to be raised from the entire county. When the assessed values have been finally fixed the auditor sets to work to make the rate. He finds that the assessment in the city we are dealing with is $1,000,000 and in the county $5,000,000. Obviously to raise the $80,000 needed by the council.and the school board with an assessed valuation of $1,000,000 will require a rate of eight per cent. Again it is apparent that in order to raise the $100,000 the county wants it will be necessary to impose a rate of two per cent on the $5,000,000 assessed valuation in the county. This will add two per cent to the city rate, making a total of ten per cent. The state rate of, let us say, four mills on the dollar has previously been determined by the state auditor and must also be included. This will raise $4,000 in the city and $20,000 in the county, all going to the state. From this it will be seen that under the conditions sets forth the rate of taxation in this mythical city will be 10.4 per gent and the total amount raised on a valuation of $1,000,000 will be $104,000. Now 1:t us suppose that the assessor in this city disregarded the law and fixed ‘he aggregate assessed value at but $500,000. 1L the city and schools necded $80,000 as before, the rate for these purposes would have to be increased to sixteen per cent to raise the desired amount. If the as- sessment was doubled, however, the rate for local purposes would. be but four per cent. From this illustration it will be readily seen that if the assessment (Continued on Page Six) EXTRA SESSION OF LEGISLATURE FOR SATURDAY Extraordinary Session to Convene to Permit Militia Men to Vote. | BELIEVED ONE DAY WILL COMPLETE SESSION Legislature to Convene at Eleven 0’Clock; Members Favor Vote Grant. Governor J. A. Burnquist has called an extraordinary sessfon of the Min- nesota legislature for eleven o’clock Saturday morning to pass laws to per- mit the Minnesota militia men on the border to vote at-the general election Nov. 7. It is believed that the session will be _completed in one day. Members of the Minnesota legisla- ture urged the governor to call the session and it is believed that the measure will be passed. OVERTHROW OF CARRANZA BEING PLANNED IN EL PASOSAYSREPORT United States Secret Service Inves- tigates Report of " Revolution. — VILLISTAS J0 WITH LEGALISTAS New Revolutionary Party to Fur- njsh Villa With Money; Fall of City Reported. (By United Press) El Paso, Oct. 26.—It is reported that Villa’s emissaries are here in a conference with members of a new revolutionary party, the Legalistas. It is reported n.mt an agreement has been perfected for the overthrow of Carranza. Villa will act as com- mander-in-chief and the Legalistas party will furnish the money. At least one Villista is known to have crossed the border for the confer- ence here. United States secret ser- vice and neutrality agents are inves- tigating. San Antonio, Oct. 26.—Persistent reports have been received here of the fall of Chihuahua City to the Villa forces. The reports have not been confirmed. 5 El Paso, Oct. 26.—General Gon- zales at Juarez has denied in “vigor- ous terms” the report that Chihuahua City had fallen before an attack by Villa. STATE RANKS 12th FOR GOOD ROADS (By United Press) St. Baul, Minn., Oct. 26.—Min- nesota this year ranks twelfth in money spent on good roads, records today showed. The state department today announced that five times as msuch was spent this year than in 1904. KUPKE IS FOUND NOT GUILTY OF MURDER (Special to the Pioneer) Bagley, Minn., Oct. 26.—Frank Kupke, Clearwater county farmer, is not guilty of the murder of Joe Vitra, his neighbor. A jury in the disti™ court returned this verdict at 6:30 o’clock this morning after being out 15 hours. Judge C. W. Stanton of Bemidji presided at the case. The term of the district court here has been completed. Mr. and Mrs. Milo Gallinger, who have recently returned from a trip in the West, have taken possession of the Challenge hotel. Mrs. Gip- linger was formerly Mrs, A. L. Smith and until a year and a half ago had charge of the hotel. Dr. E. H. Smith spent today in business. % A 2 g . . BEMIDJI .MINNESOTA, THURSDAY EVENING. 0CTOBER 26, 1916, FORTY CENTS fi:n MONTH mistor! 2TV Y ON FOURTH TOUR; 34 ADDRESSES IN EIGHT DAYS Republican Candidate to Tour Con- necticut, Massachusetts, Ohio and Indiana. SOCIALIST CANDIDATE ATTACKS ADMINISTRATION Colonel Roosevelt at Cedar Rapids, Towa, Enroute to Chicago for . Address. (By United Press) New York, Oct. 26.—Charles E. Hughes left this morning on his fourth and final stumping tour. He will have a strenuous eight-day ses- sion in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Ohio and Indiana, 34 separate ad- dresses- being scheduled. Parkersburg, Oct. 26.—President Wilson passed through here enroute to Cincinnati today. Cedar Rapids, Ia., Oct. 26.—Colonel Roosevelt stopped here today on his trip to Chicago where = two big speeches ends his western campaign tour. New York, Oct. 26.—Even money is being bet on the election. Twenty- five thousand dollars was placed even yesterday that Wilson would win. Elk City, Okla.,, Oct. 26.—Allen Benson, Socialist presidential candi- date, says that the department of ag- riculture is sending out circulars ad- vising the people to eat bread three part potato flour and two parts wheat flour. “That’s the admnistration’s y GOVERNOR CALLS |HUGHES LEAVES - i GREATEST BRIDGE IN EUROPE BLOWN UPWHEN CERNOVODA ISTAKENBY TEUTONS Petrograd Reports That Mackenson’s Attacks are Growing Weaker. FRENCH CAPTURE FORT DOUAUMONT New British Loan of $300,000,000 is Arranged by J. P. Morgan & Company. (By United Press) London, Oct. 26.—A dispatch from Rome says that the Rumanians ex- ploded the Cernovoda fourteen-mile bridge, the greatest bridge in Eur- ope, following the evacuation of Cer- novoda. Paris, Oct. 26.—The Serbians and French have gained several victories near Monastir. The Serbs captured the heights along the Verna river and the French cavalry occupied the bridges at Swersda and the villages of Goldbroda and Laissica. Petrograd, Oct. 26.—It is reported here that Mackenson’s attacks against the Russo-Rumanians in Do- brudja are growing weaker. Verdun, Oct. 26.—It was battling in rain, mists and clouds of smoke that the French recaptured Fort Douaumont in less than three hours brilliant offensive that sent the- crown prince back from Verdun. Berlin, Oct. 26.--The military critic way of meeting the bread situation,” | today semi-officially stated that part he said in an “The potato address bread would here. | of the Russo-Rumanian forces in Do- not | brudja escaped into Old Rumania by interfere with the profits of exvorters | fleeing across the Cernovoda bridge {who are stripping our country of the -wheat.” - TWO PAY FINES ON CHARGE OF DRUNKENNESS before General Mackenson captured the towm: .o 0F o o New York, Oct. 26.—Official an- nouncement was made today by J. P. Morgan & Co. that a new British loan by American bankers aggregat- Two men paid a fine of two dollars|ing $300,000,000 had been arranged. each in the municipal court this|It will bear interest at 514 per cemt morning on a charge of drunkenness. |and is payable in two installments, TIMBER BARON PAYS LARGEST HALF TAXES one of three years and one of five years. Charles F. Ruggles, millionaire PRESIDENT OF COLLEGE lumberman of Manastee, Mich., has paid his “last half” taxes at the of- fice of the county auditor, amounting to $4,841.50. This is the largest amount of half taxes paid this year. Several firms pay larger taxes, how- ever, paying the full amount in May. HULTGREN-FEARING. T0 SPEAK AT SERVICES Dr. A. E. Craig, president of Morn- ingside college, Sioux City, Ia., will occupy the pulpit at the regular morning service at the Methodist church next Sunday morning. Dr. Craig is one of the leading educators David Carl Hultgren was united|in the Northwest and is a speaker in marriage to Dora Fearing, both of Carpenter, N. D., by Judge M, A. Clark, Wednesday, K. C. HOLD FOURTH DEGREE INITIATION (By United Press) St. Paul, Minn., Oct. 26.—From all over the Northwest, Knights of Columbus are in St. Paul today to attend the initiation of a class of 200 to the fourth degree, the highest in the order. . This is the first initiation held by the Knights of Columbus since 1913, The ceremonies are expensive and dif- ficult so they do not undertake to hold this fete every year. H KK KKK KKK KKK KKK * KELLIHER SCHOOL NOTES * KKK KK KKK KKK KKK The sewing class is now using two machines. The new one was received last week, The cooking class has started using the new hot lunch dishes and the new cupboard. The literary society gave a very successful program on Friday. The spelling match was tense with atten-{ tion and interest. It resulted in a tie. D. W. Gordon of Minneapolis gave a 45-minute talk to the upper grades Friday. He spoke on the subject, ‘“What Am I Here For?” He is a fluent and inspiring speaker. DULUTH STRIVING L FOR 0CEAN TRAFFIC (By United Press) Duluth, Minn., Oct. 26.—Duluth is today striving hard to get ocean traf- fic. Plans have been drawn and pre- sented to the civic associations of Superior and Duluth. ‘With the opening of the Welland canal, ocean boats will be able to come to the edge of the Superior har- bor, but the Superior and Duluth har- bor will have to be deepened before ocean-going ships can enter. The enterprise will also necessitate dredging the Soo canal. [ of unusual force and remarkable per- sonality. NAVAL MILITIA MAY MARCH IN CARNIVAL The Minnesota naval militia, of which the Bemidji militia is a part, may participate in St. Paul’s winter carnival. Officials in charge of the carnival are urging the militia to do s0. Naval uniforms will be worn as carnival costumes. The membership of the Minnesota militia is 500. Thirty-eight members have been enrolled in the St. Paul and Minneap- olis division. The Twin City organi- zation has made a request for a tor- pedo boat to be used as a training ship on the Mississippi river. SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS T0 HOLD CONFERENCE School superintendents from Koo- chiching, Itasca, Cass, Hubbard, Bel- trami and Clearwater counties will hold a conference in Bemidji at the high school tomorrow afternoon with state grade and high school inspect- ors. The inspectors are R. B. Mec- Lain, state grade inspector and A. T. Flynn, assistant state high school in- spector. The conference will begin at three o’clock and the suject of reading will be discussed. The inspectors have just completed an inspection of th: schools in this district. It is expected tha: superintendents and principals from Grand Rapids, International Falls, Pine River, Park Rapids, Cass Lake, Walker and other points will be present. County su- perintendents will also attend the meeting. 4 A domestic science class will serve a dinner to the visitors at six o’clock.