Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, December 28, 1916, Page 1

G4 T VOLUME XIV, NO. 310. BEMIDJI. MINNESOTA, THURSDAY EVENING. DECEMBER 28, 1916. 40 CENTS PER MONTH. WATER PLANT T0 |[TEUTON ANSWER T0 BE INVESTIGATED | WILSON PEACE NOTE BY COMMITTEE OF | REACHES THE U. S, THE ClTY COUNCIL, President Lyca.u Calls Attention to ¢+ Conditions as They Have Been i Reported to Exist. WELLS GO DRY DURING THE RECENT DALTON BLAZE City Purchases Wood; Question of -Cleaning Snow From Walks Comes i Up for Consideration. "Bemidji’s water supply plant is not “in the best of shape, and to be per- fectly frank about it in poor con- dition. This, in substance, was the dtatement made in the city council last evening by President Lycan of the council and the matter is to be looked into with the view of remedy- ing the present conditions. To this end the superintendent of the water system and the fire and water com- mittee of the council were instructed to make an investigation and report “to the council at its next meeting. Water Plant Bad. . President Lycan asserted that he had been informed the pumps and ‘wells were not all they should be and urged immediate action. It wag brought out that this same matter had been up several times but that nothing tangible ever came out of the calling attention to the status of the plant. The wells are choked, it is said, and the pumps are not doing the work they should. The new wells are not producing what was expected and in the matter of the recent fire whi&h swept the Dalton building out of existence it was known to some “in the know” that the wells were pumped dry and this¢ was also men- tioned in the discussion last evening. Looks to Future. “Some day the city will have two fires at the same time and then we will be up against it,”” was a com- ment of President Lycan. It might also be mentioned that in the bills presented for allowance it was disclosed the Dalton fire zost the city $130. Seventy-five cords of woods were purchased by the city last evening and bids were ordered for an addi- tional 50 cords. The bid of R. W. Raco of $3.75 for 50 cords of green tamarack was accepted as was the bid of George Kreatz for 25 cords of dry jackpine. The city is in the market for 50 cords of either green birch, jackpine or tamarack and on these bids will be asked. The wood is to be green cut and sawed. Chief Doran of the fire department asked for two new fire hose nozzles, two dozen gaskets and three dozen rings and the city clerk was instruct- ed to purchase them, the chief to designate what was desired. The new nozzles are to replace two that are practically out of commission, it was stated. . Walk Cleaning Up. The council had scarcely taken their seats when Mayor Vandersluis broached the question of clearing the sidewalks of snow, he specifying the need for such action along vacant lots, vacant improved property and walks not so prominent as others. “There is an ordinance covering that,” ejaculated President Lycan. “But it doesn’t seem to be en- forced,” replied the mayor. “The city has such an ordinance and that provision is included in all leases—the removal of snow and all other obstructions,” came back Presi- dent Lycan. “If it isn’t dome, it is a lien against the property,” he added. It was mentioned that the steel scraper was being repaired and that the city should have additional fa- cilities for caring for the snow. PATIENT IS RECOVERING. Mrs. Dahleen, who underwent an operation at St. Anthony’s hospital a week ago, i9 recovering and expects to leave that institution in a few days. (By Umtod Press) ashington, Dec. 28.—Ger- many’s answer to President Wilson’s peace note reached the state department today. U. 8. Must Stand Pat. Washington, Dec. 28.—Fear grew apace today that if the present peace negotiations fail the United States must clear the slate on the submarine situation with Germany. President Wilson intends to push peace work to the limit to avoid subsequent unpleasantness with Germany if possible. BELIEVE LINER TURNED INTO TEUTONIC RAIDER (By United Press) New York, Dec. 28.—That the Lamport-Holt liner Voltaire, long overdue from Liverpool, has been captured by a German submarine, armed and turned into a Teutonic raider, is the belief expressed here. CHANGES ARE MADE IN LAND OFFICES Martin Longballa returned Tues- day from Sentinel Butte, Mont., where he has been the guest of rela- tives. Mrs. Longballa and children will remain for a longer visit. Mr. Longballa’s land office, which was in the rear of the Dalton build- ing, burned during his absence, and he has opened offices in the Security Bank buildnig, in the rooms occupied by Archie M. Hayes. Mr. Hayes will move into the offices formerly occu- pied by the J. J. Opsahl Land com- pany in the Markham building, as soon as the rooms have been redec- orated. Mr. Opsahl has moved his land office into the new Kaplan block. UNIQUE XMAS FEATURE. Over $150 worth of gifts to the needy were given away at the unique Christmas program at the Methodist church Sunday evening. Each class when called upon carried the gifts to the platform on which stood the manger. The gifts were wrapped in white. © They composed groceries, clothing, fruits, wood, toys and cash contributions. WILSON 60 YEARS OLD; LOOKS 10 YEARS LESS (By United Press) Washington, Dec. 28.—President Wilson is sixty yvears old today, al- though to look at him at close range he appears ten years younger. Plenty of outdoor exercise, is the reason for his younger appearance, as ex- pressed by his personal physician. A downpoud of rain kept the prgsident indoors throughout this morning. BACK FROM VISIT. Mr. and Mrs. Dan O’Connor re- turned last evening from Brainerd where they spent Christmas, guests of Mr. O’Connor’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles O’Connor. COASTWISE VESSEL REPORTED IN HARBOR (By United Press) Boston, Dec. 28.—Coast guard of- ficials today received word that the lost Clyde steamer Osma from Port- land to New York City was safe at the Block Island harbor. Mystery Pelt Returned To Sender; Everybody Happy Everybody nearly has heard of the “‘sheep in wolf’s clothing” but Deputy County Auditor Alsop is evidently of the opinion that saying might be given a more modern version to read “dog in woll’s clothing.” He hasn’t seid so in.so many words, perhaps, but when asked by a Pioneer rep- resentative what became of the “mys- tery hide” that had been reposing in a nook of the county auditor’s of- fice for the past several days, Deputy . Alsop merely smiled and replied “It’s gone”back.” “And 1 haven’t heard another word from it,” interposed County Auditor George. In the course of events there ar- rived at the auditor’s office a pelt al- leged to have been a wolf hide, for which the usual wolf bounty was evi- dently expected, but when Deputy Al- sop set his eyes upon the “critter” "he assumed one of those far-away looks and resumed his work upon a column of figures. Also in the course of events there was wont daily to’ call at the office persons who are supposed to be ex- perts in identifying pelts of inhab- itants of the forest in this neck o’ the woods and to them was submit- ted the ‘‘stranger.” The discussions that ensued were oft times animated and earnest but at no time did Mr. Alsop participate. He would again wrap up the “mystery’” and return to his books. ‘After the rounds had practically been completed and all had had their say, Mr. Alsop-quietly wrapped up the hide more securely, placed thereon an address and took it to the postoffice. And the Pioneer representative has a sneaking idea it wouldn’t do for some one to try to sell Mr. Alsop a rotten head of cabbage for a water- melon. TAX LEVY. BUDGET FOR 1917 Following is the tax levy budget for the coming year as pre- sented to the city council last evening. The figures are those estimated for the conduct of the city on file. next year: GENERAL PUND— Pire Department . Municipal court . City building maintenanc General lighting Health board ... Prisoners and jail ....... | | It was received and placed ..§ 3,600.08 3,000.00 1,000.00 2,500.00 17,000.00 City engineer, street commissioner, general ltt.ot labor m Scavenge: Miscellaneous l;hrlu, lttormy. ellrk. treasurer, umlor, and board equalization . Printing and stationery Insurance Contingent and emergency . Election .. Miscellaneo! l ‘Total, general Municipal entertainment fund .. Firemen’s pension fund .... Library fund Poor fund ... Interest fund .. FPermanent improvement tud Sinking fund ......... evseseens Total budget ............... s e $46,210.00 Anticipated revenues from municipal court, miscellaneous M- censes, etc., and intere: sources other than by taxzation....§ 3,500.00 Total tax to be levied ..........cccvetievccensncccscvocnsnone . 432,710.00 ‘We recommend that the total tax levy of $42,710.00 be spread and cer- tified to the county auditor on funds as follows: For general fund ... Por municipal entert: For firemen’s pension fund . For library fund . For poor fund ... For interest fund . For permanent hnprovcment fund. For sinking fund ‘Total levy <+ .§24,550.00 o 500.00 160.00 1,500.00 3,000.00 2,000.00 9,000.00 2,000.00 ............................................ $42,710.00 Assessed valuation approximates $1,700,000.00, making the mill levy about 25 mills. One-Armed Man Robbed After Being Slugged By Bar; Accused Is Arrested Percy Sullivan, an employe of the ! box factory, is under arrest charged with having slugged and robbed William Colgrove, another employe cf.... the factory, last evening about 6 o’clock near the brick yards. Col- grove alleges having been robbed of $20.23. According to Colgrove, who is a one-armed man, he was walking when he met Sullivan. the latter was i armed, so Colgrove says, with an iron | bar with which he struck his alleged victim'a hard blow on the side of the head. Colgrove threw up an arm to ward off another blow and received the bar on the wrist. He turned to run and just as he did so he received another blow on the back of the skull which dropped him, rendering him unconscious for a few minutes. It was while in this state, he asserts, he wag robbed of his wallet. Complaint was made to the police department and this morning Chief Ripple apprehended the accused at work. His hearing is set for next Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock be- fore Commissioner Fisk. FIRST OF BASKETBALL SERIES PLAYED TONIGHT Tonight at the Armory the Carle- ton All-Star basketball team and the Big Bemidg five will clash in the first of a series of three games and basketball fans are looking' to some classy basketball playing. The visiting team is composed of college star players and the locals: have some of the best material in this part of the state. There will be en- tertainment for all and a big time is on tap. This is the first time the “Big Be- midg” team will be seen in action since the season of 1914-15 when this city was represented by one of the best fives in the Northwest. From advance ‘““dope’” on local players the team this season compares very fa- vorably with former fives represent- ing Bemidji. The game will commence at 8 o’clock, and the “Dutch’” band will render music before and during the contest. LACK OF CARS CUTS BUYING BY MILLS Sma— . (By United Press) Minneapolis, Dec. 28.—The buy- ing power of mills have been cur- tailed 60 to 70 per cent because of the lack of freight cars, was a state- ment made today by H. A. Felute, traffic manager of the Van Dusen- Harrington Co., one of the largest grain shippers in the world, before the state warehouse commission. CONFINED TO BED. 'SOCIALIST VOTE LESS - IN RECENT-ELECTION New York, Dec. 28.—Complete of- ficial returns on the presidential elec- | tion show that Mr. Wilson received 9,116,296 votes and Mr. Hughes 8,- 547,474, a plurality of 568,822 for Mr, Wilson. In 1912 Wilson (Dem.) received, 6,297,099, Taft (Rep.) 3,- 846,399, Roosevelt (Prog.) '4,124,- 959. The vote for Mr. Benson, Socialist candidate for president, was 750,- 000, with eight missing states esti- mated, against 901,873 for Debs (So- cialist) in 1912, and for Mr. Hanly (Prohibition candidate) 225,101, against 207,928 for Chafin (Prohibi- tionist) in 1912. The total popular vote for the four candidates was 18,638,871 as against 15,045,322 in 1912, FORMER BEMIDJI GIRL IS‘ PRIZE STORY WRITER Miss Lucile V. Bailey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. O. E. Bailey of Billings, Mont., former Bemidji residents, and a grand-daughter of Mrs. H: W. Bail- ey of this city, won first honors in a Christmas’ story writing contest in Billings, out of a class of eighty-five seniors. Miss Bailey, who together with her parents lived at Deming, N. M, at'the time of the raid on Columbus, chose as her theme,” “Somewhere in Mexico.” The story is printed in full in “The Kyote.” The prize for the best story was a leather bound copy of the latest “best seller.” STATE SCHOOL HEAD IS CRITICALLY ILL (By United Press) St. Paul, Dec. 28.—Dr. C. A. Roger, superintendent of the state school for feeble minded at Faribault, is reported seriously ill at the Uni- versity hospital in Minneapolis. CHILD WELFARE IN STATE IS EXTENSIVE PROBLEM (By United Press) St. Paul, Dec. 28.—The subject of child welfare in Minnesota is such an extensive one it is probable the commission will continue its activity another year. The commission will meet at the capitol Saturday to con- sider recommendations to the state legislature. PASTOR WARFORD PREACHES SERMON AT CASS LAKE Rev. Lester P. Warford, pastor of the Presbyterian church of this eity, went to Cass Lake yesterday where he preached the opening sermon last evening at an evangelical meeting. This is the first of a series of meet- Mrs. W. N. Bowser, who was in-|ings to be held in Cass Lake during jured by a fall on a slippery walk|the next two weekd. Rev. Baselle several days ago, is still confined to| is-pastor of the Presbyterian church in Cass Lake. her bed. TWO MORE ALDERMEN ADDE™ I COUNCIL FRSM FlFTl‘l PRECINCT Fred Brinkman and 0 J. Tagley Receive Most Ballots of Council Members and Take Seats As Representatives of Nymore; Election Quiet MOBERG TO SUCCEED FOUCAULT Latter Is Re-elected By Council To Fill Vacancy In Fourth; Change Caused By New Ward Lines; Who They Are Bemidji awoke this morning with another ward added to its corporate limits and two new representatives added to its city council. The new ward is the Fifth, formerly Nymore, and its representatives in the city’s aldermanic body are O. J. Tagley and Fred Brinkman. Two more aldermen were also elected by the city council last eve- ning to fill vacancies, John Moberg being named to represent the Third ward and Paul Foucault will occupy the vacant seat in the Fourth. Mr. Moberg for several years sat in a First ward seat and moved to - the Third. Mr. Foucault found himself in the Fourth precinct in a new ward division and his election was merely a case of resigning the Third ward aldermanship and being seated as] representing the Fourth, he not hav- ing to move his residence in making the change. Changes Quietly Made, The selection of the new aldermen from the Fifth (Nymore) precinct and the deating of the others was done without a ripple. The resignation of Alderman Fou- cault from the Third was first read and accepted. Alderman Smart moved the nomination of Mr. Foucault for the vacancy that existed in the Fourth. Alderman Miller moved that the selection be made unanimous and his motion carried as put. For the vacancy in the Third, the seat that had been occupied by Alder- man Foucault, Alderman Phillippi placed the name of O. B. Stevens in nomination and Alderman Smart nominated John Moberg. The bal- loting showed Mr.» Moberg with five votes to his credit and Mr. Stevens with two and Mr. Moberg was given the seat. _. Fifth Ward Selection.. __ The naming of the aldermen from the new Fifth ward started when Alderman Ervin nominated O. J. Tag- ley. Alderman Smart placed Fred Brinkman’'s name in the running and Alderman Lahr sponsored J. W. Smith. At the meeting was H. C. Blackburn from the Fifth and he was asked if he knew of any sentiment in the Fifth for the naming of any certain Fifth ward resident as its representative. He replied that he did not but that so far as he was concerned he favored Mr. Smith. Mr. Blackburn is boiler inspector for the M. & I .railroad and Mr. Smith is roundhouse foreman for the M. & I road. The two candidates receiving the highest number of votes were to oc- cupy the seats and the ballots showed Tagley, 8; Brinkman, 6; Smith, 3. Terms of Service. The shakeup in the couucxl so far as the rearrangement is concerned, means, according to City Attorney P. J. Russell, for the unexpired terms of the regularly elected aldermen. This is held to mean that Alderman Moberg will serve in the Third un- til a year from next March and Al- derman Foucault’s term will expire next March. The selection of the nmew Fifth ward representatives by the council | will hold until next municipal election when of the candidates in the race the two highest in the bal- loting will be the choice, the one receiving the most votes to serve the long term and the second highest taking the short term. This was also given as the offhand legal opinion of the city attorney to questioning on the part of a Pioneer representa- tive as to the status of the new alder- men and the added changes in the council body. The New Aldermen. Alderman Moberg is no stranger in a council seat, he having been alderman from the First ward until recently. Alderman Foucault is serv- ing his second term which had over a year yet before expiration, when he found himself in another ward. Alderman Brinkman from the new Fifth ward is a well known farmer o ter block. He was at one time an alderman of Bemidji before moving his residence out of the corporate limits. Alderman Tagley, the other representative of the Fifth, is the proprietor of a genmeral store and a former postmaster at Nymore. BELIEVE CARRANZA WILL MAKE COUNTER PROPOSALS 10 U. . (By Unlted Press) Washington, Dec. 28.—That Gen- eral. Carranza has not signed the troop withdrawal protocol but had, instedd, submitted counter proposals - was the growing belief here today. Men in close touch with the situation are inclined to believe Carranza will seek another peace conference. The request is expected to be submitted by Luis Caberra, chairman of the Mexican peace conference, to Sec- retary Lansing. SUICIDE IS RAMPANT IN DUAL MONARCHY (By United Press) London, Dec. 28.—Daily food dem- onstrations in the chief cities throughout Austro-Hungary, and great misery, causing hundreds of suicides during December, is report- ed in a dispatch today from Geneva. WORK ON NEW TOBOGGAN _SLIDE IS BEING RUSHED Work is progressing on the new toboggan slide to be erected by the Carnival association at Tenth street and the lake, and many are anxious- ly awaiting the completion of the slide. This is the first start of the sieries of sport features for Bemidji this winter. MINISTERS MEETING AT MARKHAM TODAY A meeting uf the Home Mission committee of the Adams Presbytery wasi held at the Markham hotel to- day. Rev. Pryor of Warroad, Sun- day school missionary of Adams Presbytery; Rev. J. F. Barackman of Duluth, Rev. R. L. Barackman of Thief River Falls and Rev. J. H. Frary of Blackduck were in,attend- ance. NEW YEAR’S VISIT. Attorney and Mrs. T. C. Bailey ar- rived last evening from Bemidji and will spend over New Year as the guests of the N. P. Stone family. They will also be present at the Jud- son-Watt nuptials which take place this® evening. — Crookston Daily Times, Dec. 27. WOMAN HERE THREE DAYS; DIES TODAY Mrs. Sarah Speelman of Buena Vista died at St. Anthony’s hospital this afternoon at one o’clock from a complication of diseases. She was brought to this city Monday from International Falls where she was taken ill while visiting relatives. Mrs. Speelman had conducted a summer hotel at Buena Vista for a number of years and was well known in Bemidji. Her daughter, Mrs. R. H. Dickenson of Buena Vista, and son, Clarence Speelman of Interna- tional Falld, are in the city making and is the owner of the Grand Thea-'arrangements for the funeral. Carranza Rushes Troops To Halt Villa’s Advance (By United Press) El Paso, Te., Dec. 28.—Every en- ergy of the Carranza government is today being directed in rushing troopd to Saltillo and Monterey to head off the advance of Villa’s army there'and at Tampico, according to reports to the United States authori- ties here. General Hill, commander of the Federal district around Mexico City, is preparing to start morth with troops on trains to take charge of the campaign against Villa. while, small Carranza garrisons are revolting, declaring themselves Vil- listas and starting out as outlaw bands. Federal agents have authen- tic. information that revolutionary bands aggregating 400 to 500 are hovering sixty miles south of the bor- der. It is reported that a train of troops under General Gonzales is enroute to Chihuahua. He has deserted and it is believed he has joined the Villa Mean- | cohorts.