Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, December 15, 1916, Page 1

THE BEMIDJ1 DAILY PIONEER BE AT THE COMMERCIAL CLt - VOLUME XIV, NO. 300. MAN IS ROBBED AT PISTOL POINT; ALLEGED HOLDUP AT EARLY HOUR Harry Reed Reports Companion is Victim While They Were in Soo Railroad Yards. OFFICER ZACHARIAS MAKES QUICK ARRESTS AFTER AFFAIR Accused Strangers Here; Both Deny Any Complicity in Crime; Not Much Booty. Minneapolis’ alleged “carnival of holdups” had a faint echo in Bemidji -at an early hour this morning when at the point of a gun Harry Reed .and a companion known to him as “Joe” were stopped in the Soo rail- road yards by two men, believed to have been Fred Wilson and Mac ‘Wroat, both under arrest in the city jail, . “Joe” is believed to have been re- lieved of between $4 and $6 while Reed was not molested. He stated after the affair that at the time of the alleged hold up he had $1.35. Reed reported the holdup to the police department and soon there- after Officer Zacharias had the sus- pects behind the bars to await the action of the county authorities. Reed claims that his companion was a chance acquaintance, who was on his way to Goodland. Reed was in search of a job. Wilson is not a stranger to Be- midji, he having been here for the past three months. He also spgnt last winter here and claims North Dakota as his home. Wroat says he has been here about a week. Both accused were willing to talk and to .a representative of the Pioneer dis- claimed any complicity in the alleged holdup. 250,000 WORKERS RECEIVE INCREASE IN WAGES TODAY (By United Press) New York, Dec. 15.—What is per- “haps the biggest wage increase in the history of the United States be- .comes effective today when the pay of 250,000 workers of the United States Steel Corporation is increased ten per cent—the gross annual increase ap- proximating $20,000,000. The in- crease was made by the company due to its enormous prosperity—Iits net .earnings” are now estimated at $1,- 000,000 a day. The increase is but one of many recently made by large employing concerns throughout the country. RUSH PLAN TO SAVE HELPLESS SUBMARINE Eureka, Cal., Dec. 156.—Plans to drag the submarine,H-3 from the surf north of here where she has been pounding for the past 24 hours were rushed today. Tt is believed the craft can be saved without ma- terial damage. Of the crew of 26 11 but two escaped injury and these ere only slightly hurt. REDBY PASTOR DIES; STRICKEN AFTER MEAL After having eaten his supper last evening, Dr. John Wright, pastor of the Methodist church at Redby, suf- fered a stroke of appoplexy and after suffering until 1:30 o’clock this morning succumbed. The sudden- ness of the death of Dr. Wright .ased a profound shock in the vil- 1age. Dr. Wright had been pastor of the church for the past two years and was 68 years old at the time of his death. He was a Civil war veteran. Bedides his wife, the pastor leaves a son and daughter who reside at home, and one daughter in Browns- wille, N. Y. CHRISTMAS WEDDING ? Dan Cupid braved the cold this morning at the office of the county slerk, secured a license for William ‘Hardy and Miss Anna Nomand, and F” «t is presumed there will be wedding " bells as well as Christmas bells. TEN BELOW TODAY. The official thermometer at the ‘school farm registered 10 below zero at 6 o’clock ‘this morning, slightly warmer than at the same hour yes- iterday. . CITY TAX RATE LESS BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, FRIDAY EVENING. DECEMBER 15, 1916. CABINET MEETS THIS YEAR THAN LAST| T0' DISCUSS PART The city tax rate for this year shows a slight decrease from that of last year, the figures given out at the county auditor’s office today be- ing 77.2 for 1916, lower by 1.8 than last year. The rate for state and county this year is 20.8, last year’s figure being 19.7. . The total town rate is 27.8 and the school tax for District Seven is 28.6. WASTING OF ROAD FUNDS IS UNDER SCRUTINY; NEW LAW AS REMEDY Senator McGarry of Walker Has Announced Purpose of Intro- ducing Measure. NEED OF COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM URGENT, HIS OPINION Proposition Has Endorsement of Northern Minnesota Development Association. Senator P. H. McGarry of Walker has announced his purpose to intro- duce a bill in the next legislature to concentrate more effectively the ad- ministration of road funds. “Minnesota may raise approxi- mately $30,000,000 for roads per year by taxation under existing laws,” says Senator McGarry in his an- nouncement. “There is a great need,” in my opinion, for the establishment of a comprehensive system to handle the public road improvement fund® in Minnesota and to prevent the squan- dering of a single dollar. ‘““Townships are authorized by laws now to levy up to 13 mills for reg- ular and five mills additional for em- ergency road funds; the board of county commissioners can levy four millg for its purposes and lastly is the provision of a one-mill maximum levy by the state. “The one-mill tax .for the state brings about $1,600,000 of revenue now, so maximum levies under all the authorization would seem ample to provide all the funds necessary to carry on a complete, systematic plan of road improvement over the state.” Senator McGarry’s proposal was indorsed by delegates to the recent meeting in Bemidji of the Northern Minnesota Development association. CANADIANS ON VISIT Dr. and Mrs. A. V. Garlock of Bel- trami avenue have as their guests for a few days, Mrs. J. Hamilton and son, David, of Saskatchewan, Canada, and Miss Harriet Heuser of Francis, Saskatchewan. GUESTS OF DAUGHTER Mr. and Mrs. John Bloomquist of ‘Ashland, Wis., are the guests of their daughter, Mrs. R. A. Olson, and family. They will remain in the city until spring. TO RESTORE DESERTERS (By United Press) Ottawa, Dec. 15.—Soldiers under punishment for desertion from Can- ada’s army are to be liberated today and restored to their units in ac- cordance with an act of grace pro- mulgated Nov. .22 by the Duke of Devonshire. Under the terms of the act all deserters uncaptured will be absolved and restored to their unitg if they report today. PAYING NOVEMBER BILLS Checks are being sent out by the county treasurer for the November settlement to school districts and townships. TWO AMERICANS OF WRECKED BARGE SAFE Brownsville, Tex., Dec.' 15.—Two Americans of the five survivors of the barge Bob, which foundered in the Gulf of Mexico a week ago are interned at Matamoros here, pending permigsion of the defacto govern- ment” to cross the border. The survivors reached shore fifty miles south of here after - having been adrift in an open boat six days without food or water. They were given medical attention. UNITED STATES IN PEACE PACT Entire Matter to Be Threshed Out; Confidential Advices are to Be Considered. PAST OFFICIAL REPORTS TO BE PRESENTED TO MEMBERS Recent Unofficial Versions of For- _eign Powers Will Also Be Brought Up. Washington, Dec. 15.—The whole question of peace and the part which the United States will play, was to be threshed out at the cabinet meet- ing today. Confidential advices which Secretary Grew of the Ger- man embassy dispatched with Ger- many’s proposals were scheduled to be pregented to the members for con- sideration. Past official reports and recent unofficial versions of foreign atti- tude on peace collected by the state department will also be presented as a part of the matter to be consid- ered. ‘ This, taken with news messages, indicated a sentiment on the allies’ part against stopping at this time. Meanwhile, German officials hint their willingness to talk partial dis- armament and likewise guarantee world peace. SERVANTS JOINIL. W. W. - UNION IN DULUTH, Duluth, Minh.,, Dec. 15.—With 100 members already signed up, the Duluth Domestic Women’s union is working along plans which the In- dustrial Workers of the World or- ganizers hope will include all women in this city who make their living as servants. ‘““There is no question but that the women servants of Duluth will be strongly organized before spring,” said Elizabeth Gurley Flynn, Indus- trial Workers of the World worker today. “When the union is finally per- fected there will be a list kept of all the homes, hotels, restaurants and office buildings and a record will be kept of the kind of treatment dealt out to employes, together with the wages paid. Those employers who treat their servants right will be ‘first out’ when they apply for help. Those who treat their servants poor- 1y will have to wait. This is the in- tention in Denver, Spokane, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles and other western cities where the girls are organized or are being organized.” “DRY” BILL REPORTED - T0 U. S. CONGRESS Washington, Dec. 15.—The pro- posed national prohibition amend- ment has been reported favorably to the house by the judiciary committee by a vote of 12 to 7. The proposed universal suffrage amendment was ordered reported without recommen- dation. BELT LINE TO CIRCLE ST. PAUL, IS HILL PLAN St. Paul, Dec. 15.—L. W, Hill, president of the Great Northern rail- way, has announced that a belt line railway, to cost approximately $2,- 000,000, which will partly encircle the city, will be constructed during the coming summer. . The belt line, it was announced, will be used in handling incoming and outgoing freight. The line, it i9 said, will be built by the several railroads now entering this point, and qthers which may enter St. Paul, may use the line. Right-of-way has been purchased, according to the an- nouncement. KX KKK E XK KRR KKK K LAST DAY TOMORROW The guessing contest for Pioneer’s load of coal closes tomorrow afternoon at 1:30 o’clock. If you haven’'t guessed do so at once, the earlier the better. Remem- ber, only a few hours more and a chance to secure & large load of coal free. *dkkk ok Rk ok ok ok kok & e LE 2282222822222 KEXKKEKEKKKEKEK KKK _—_—m—m— s " FAVORS REFUSAL OF GENERAL OFFER TO BRING WAR TO END Three Plans Suggested to Meet Pro- posal of Teutons; One is Direct Refusal. PEACE ADVOCATES IN FAVOR OF ACCEPTING THE ISSUE England and’ Her Allies May Also Present Terms Upen Which They Will Act. (By United Press) London, Deec. 15.—There is a steady increase of sentiment among the allies to refuse the German peace offer. . Despite the illness of Premier George, it is known that the entente through the foreign office have al- ready begun an informal exchange of views of Hollweg’s proposals. Three plans have been suggested. The first is a blunt refusal of the proposals. Opponents of this plan held that it would be a serious mis- take not to meet the issue raised by Hollweg. The second plan provides for the considering of the proposal. The terms of the proposal are not offi- cially known and it is believed that the proposal may be worth consider- ng when an official report is re- ceived. The third plan is not to consider the proposal but to detail a peace plan with terms and conditions. Suggestions have been made to have neutral nations, especially the United States, aid in the third course. GREECE ACCEPTS TERMS OF ENTENTE POWERS London, Dec. 15.—Greece has ac- cepted the terms of the entente. ‘While the nature details of the ulti- matum have not been made known it is believed to be the same orig- inal surrender of all arms, the con- trol of telegraph and postal system and a guarantee of Greek neutrality. FOOTBALL SUPPER AT H. S. TONIGHT A supper will be served tonight at the high school under the aus- pices of the football team. The ad- mission charge is 35 cents and the proceeds will be placed in the ath- letic fund. Domestic science classes will serve the supper. Three tables will be served, the first at 5:30 o’clock, the second at gix o’clock and the last at 6:30 o’'clock. THIEF RIVER FALLS STARTS Thief River Falls, Minn., Dec. 15. —A municipal skating rink has been started and will be ready for use on Christmas. Provision will be made for skaters, hockey players and for curlers, the rink being 160 by 200 feet in size. Active hockey play will start as soon as the rink is in shape s0 that the local team will be pre- pared to defend'the cup won last year at St. Paul in the contest for the championship of the northwest, in cade there is another contest held this season. MOORHEAD DEBT FREE; “DRY” YEAR AND HALF Moorhead, Minn., Dec. 15.--*Moor- head, the City Dry,” Minnesota’s one 5,000 population city that doesn’t owe a nickel, will have a tax rate of 48.5 mills for the coming year, the lowest with but a single exception in Clay county, and less than the levy prior to the elimination of the saloons a year and a half ago. Moorhead the first of this month retired a $40,000 bond and in so do- ing cleared itself of all debt. Georgetown is the only Clay coun- ty city with a smaller tax rate than Moorhead, while Ulen, Hawley, Glyn- don, Dilworth, Barnesville and Fel- ton pay a higher tax rate. Clay county’s valuation is fixed at $15,773,902, and the valuation in Moorhead is $1,787,643. E. C. McGregor went to Cass Lake this morning where he was the guest of Senator O’'Neal between trains. ! ) 5 ENTENTE SENTIMENT|VOTE FAVORS SALE OF WEST INDIES TO U. S. Copenhagen, Dec. 15.—(Via Lon- don, 2:55 a. m.)—The plebiste held yesterday on the question of the sale of the Danish West Indies to the United States resulted 'in 283,000 votes being cast in favor of the sale and 157,000 against such action. The indications early in the night were that the sale would carry, and by midnight it became evident that it had obtained a good sized plurality of all the cotes cast. The count shows the sale carried by a majority of 126,000 votes. MANY CHANGES IN STATE GOVERMENT ARE PROPOSED IN MEASURES DRAWN Efficiency and Economy Commission Practically Completes Its Work. CREATED BY LEGISLATURE TO FACILITATE STATE WORK Plan to Reduce Membership of Bodies to 100 and 50; Other Propositions. St. Paul, Minn., Dee. 15.—Revolu- tionary changes in the state govern- ment are proposed by the state effi- cency and economy commission, created by the last legislature, which has has practically completed its work. 2 These bills will be submitted to Governor ‘Burnquist by Senator A. J. Rockne, chairman of the commis- sion, soon. ' The legislation proposed by the commissgion includes the abolishment of the forestry, immigration and other similar boards to be placed un- der the department of public domain. A director of the department is pro- vided to be appointed by the gover- nor and commissioners to head each of the abolished departments also to .be appointed by the governor. Another bill provides for a consti- tutional amendment to reduce the proposed membership of the house to be 100 and the senate 50. A bureau of investment to have charge of the investment of all state funds is proposed. A bill to provide for a commission of three to have charge of all edu- cational matters is recommended. The present superintendent of edu- cation office would be abolished and the duties will be taken up by this commission, one member of which would be the superintendent of edu- cation. The bill provides for abol- ishing the normal -and high school boardsiand for transfering the duties of the board of governors of the state school for the deaf and blind to the commission of education. The state board of health would be reduced from nine to five members by another bill, and still another would divorce the grain inspection department from the railroad and warehouse commission. This bill will provide for the appointment by the governor of a chief grain in- spector, under whom the large forcCe of deputy grain ispectors and weigh- ers shall work. - AUSTRIAN AMBASSADOR DUE TO SAIL TODAY (By United Press) ‘Washington, Dec. 15.—Count Tar- nowski, recently appointed Austrian Ambassador to the United States to succeed Theodore Dumba, recalled at.the request -of the United States for undiplomatic activity, is due to sail for New York today from Rot- terdam on the Dutch steamer Nieu- wo Amsterdam. Immediately after Tarnowski’s ap- pointment Great Britain and France refused to grant him a safe conduct to the United States. It was gen- erally believed this was a protest of Great Britain at what she consid- ered the laxity of the United States in suppressing activity of England’s enemies on United States soil. The state department immediately sent notes to Great Britain and Frande asking a reconsideration of the refusal and peinting out that it wag the inalienable right of sover- eign nations to exchange ambassa- dors. Great care was taken to make plain that the United States was making its recommendations solely as a matter of diplomatic right an was not seeking a favor. > Count Tarnowski was one of the active Central Power diplomats at Sofia immediately preceding the en- trance of Bulgaria into the war. FORTY CENTS PER MONTH ~ MEETING CALLEDTO DECIDE CARNIVAL TRIP 70 ST. PAUL OF VITAL IMPORT The Ladies are Cordially Invited to Be Present; Expressions are Wanted From All, SQUARELY UP TO BUSINESS MEN TO DECIDE PROPOSITION Plan to Send at Least 150 to Big Carnival; Uniform Costumes to Garb Marchers, KKK KKK KKK KKK RIGHT ON THE JOB This afternoon W. L. Brooks, E. E. McDonald and H. E. Reynolds were busily engaged in rounding up the business men for the big mass meeting to be held tonight in the Commercial club rooms to discuss the proposed trip to St. Paul on Carnival week. The Bemidji boosters were attired in carnival raiment and instilled enthusiasm into the systems of all those whom they approached anent the trip. - ) Be at the meeting tonight —don’t forget to take the missus. g ek e sk ke ok ok ok gk ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok ok KAAKKKARAARKAKRAAAARAAAA AR KKK KKKKKKKKK KKK Is the “Magic City of the North” to be represented at the St. Paul car- nival of winter sports during the week of January 27 and let the thou- sands of persons who will be there know that Bemidji is what its people have "and are claiming—that Be- midji is the liveliest city of its size in Minnesota? Or shall Bemidji not be represented and allow rivals to carry off the honors as they are care- fully planning to do? It is squarely up to the business men and leaders of civic development of Bemidjl to answer this question and tonight will decide the issue. There will be a meeting in the Commercial club rooms this evening at 8:30 o’clock to which it is urged every business man and every other man be present and also have his wife and family with him. The pro- position is not alone for the members of the masculine persuasion but for the women of the city and what is de- sired is to make it a thoroughly Bemidji -affair. et About 25 energetic citizens met last night in the Commercial club rooms and inaugurated the movement to have Bemidji represented at the great winter carnival. The matter was thorougly discussed and it was decided to siplace the decision square- ly up to the people of Bemidji for their decision. It is the plan to have at least 150 represent Bemidji in the huge par- ade, each member of the delegation to be in appropriate costume of a uniform nature, the garb to be at- tractive and at the same time useful at .other times. Such delegation might be known as the “Bemidji Spuds” and it is the intention to let it be known that they are ‘“‘there.” Reports from other cities through- out the state are to the effect that extensive preparations arealready un- der way to provide representation, Itasca county planning to send fully 300 with a band and other features and the same is true of other cities near Bemidji. This is the first time cities outside of St. Paul have been invited to par- ticipate in the carnival which has taken on the aspect of an entire Min- nesota project and it is believed that the carnival this year will not only surpass everything in kind in the past, but be one of the greatest car- nivals ever held in the United States. From California will come a delega- tion of 6,000 so it can readily be seen what attention the carnival is attracting and the magnitude of its 'scope. At the meeting in the Commercial club rooms last night, presided over by President Denu, a committee of three was appointed to arrange for the meeting tonight, the committee consisting of W.' L. Brooks, chair- man; E. E. McDonald and _H. E. Reynolds. A committee consisting of Phil Gill, Fred Shavitch and Charles Com- insky was also named to secure fig- ures on costumes to be worn.” A sug- gestion as to costume was red mack- inaw, green knickerbockers, high stockings and high overshoes, white toque. The costume for the ladied is yet to be selected. If you're “for” Bemidji, be at the meeting tonight and be heard. There is nothing compulsory about any- thing, only a matter of boosting Be- midji and an effort to progress.