Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, February 6, 1917, Page 1

Up-to-the-Minute Dispatches by the United Press---Greatest Afternoon’ VOLUME XV, NO. 35. United States Expects D ® » Germany’s Answer Within Next 24 Ho O AUXILIARY PUMP 10F WATER WORKS TOBEOVERHAULED; CONTRACT IS LET _Alderman Miller Asserts Water Plant Is In the Worst Condition In Its History. ‘BRIDGE COMPANY WANTS TO CHANGE SPECIFICATIONS; NIX! _Alderman Smart Says “Live to Con- tract”; Rest Room Matter Up; Other Business Affairs. Council meeting last evening was -a quiet affair and there was little .of import that came up for action, «except the annual report of the chief .of police, the letting of a contract for overhauling the auxiliary pump at the water system plant and the putting over for two weeks_ action -on ‘a request of the Commercial club that the city pay its annual portion of the support of the rest room, the _city not having done so this year. A feature of the meeting was the reading of a letter from the Illinois ‘Steel Bridge company, which is con- structing the new bridge over the “Mississippi in Bemidji. The commu- nication was a lengthy one and when it was sifted down and boiled down the gist was that the company want- ed to change 13-inch steel rods to square twisted rods seven-eights in- «<hes in diameter. Question Quickly Settled. The communication contained Tnany arguments on the part of the company-for the change and furnish- .ed considerable matter for a discus- .sion - but Alderman Smart quickly put a quietus on the communication by, ejaculating, «pell 'em to live up ‘to their contract.” The contract of the bridge com- -pany with the city calls for the 114~ inch rods and City Clerk Stein was instructed to inform the bridge com- pany that the city expects the com- pany to meet its contract with the ity of Bemidji. The letter was placed on file. Rest Room Matter. . G. W. Harnwell, representing the .Commercial club, appeared before the council and asked that the city ap- -propriate $120 as its yearly part of the support of the rest room main- -tained ' jointly by the Commercial club and the city for use of out-of- town shoppers and visitors. The -money raised among the business men has carried the club through the fis- cal year to about January 1 and the fund is exhausted. The period of subscription is until the first of April and with the city’s share paid -this could be dome. On motion. of Alderman Smart the matter was car- Tied over two weeks. W. L. Brooks, Hec ove (Continued on Page Four) BEMIDJI ELKS ARE INVITED T0 CARNIVAL Brainerd, Minn., Feb. 6.—The out- .door carnival here on Feb. 10 is to be boosted by the Elks of Brainerd and invitations to attend the carni- val have been addressed the Elks of St. Paul, Minneapolis, Duluth, Su- perior, St. Cloud, Fargo, Little Falls, Bemidji and other points. It is the purpose to have open house at Brainerd, refreshments to be served visiting Elks and their ladies. ® M Photos by American Press Association. BEMIDJI, MINNESOTA, TUESDAY EVENING. FEBRUARY 6, 1917. AKING “35 C_ENTS A DAY" MEALS FOR SAILORS -y e s s . B Preparicg meals on board one of our battleships. Left to right—soup kettle, potato masker and the coffeepot. German Foreign Secretary Regrets U. S. Severan Gerard Quits His Post; To Switzerland (Bulletin) By United Press London, Feb. 6.—A dispatch sent out from the Central News today stated that American ‘Am- bassador Gerard had left his post in Berlin, as ordered by the United States, and was on his way to enter Switzerland. The dispatch also stated Ger- ard would arrive in Switzerland this afternoon. BRITISH STEAMER IS VICTIM OF NEW ZONE (By United Press) London, Feb. 6.—The British steamer Warley has been sunk in the new “barred zone,” designated by the Germans, it was announced to- day. WIRE DELAYS TRIP Mayor Vandersluis last evening re- ceived a telegram from St. Paul tell- ing him not to leave that night to appear before the legislative probe in the I. W. W. investigation, but to await further instructions. ANOTHER STEAMER SENT T0 BOTTOM (By United Press) London, Feb. 6.—The steamer Floridian has been sunk by a sub- marine and sixteen of the crew saved. M. & 1. Offices Will Remain At Brainerd; Report reached Bemidji last eve-, ning to the effect the general of-, fices of the Minnesota & Internation- al railroad were to be removed from Brainerd to Bemidji, on account of the burning of the depot at Brainerd and Bemidji being geographically the ‘best center for the offices on rhe line | between Brainerd and Iuternational| Falls. Superintendent W. H. Gemmell of ' the road was gotten by the Pioneer on long distance phone a few minutes after the Pioneer heard the report, but Mr. Gemmell was not so opti- mistic over the removal topic as the report seemed to have it. ices to Remain. “No, wgfldon't intend to move the Report Denied offices from Brainerd,” said Superin- tendent Gemmell. “We have leased the top floor of the new city build- ing and are well satisfied. There are several rumors as to what we in- tend to do but there is nothing to them. “There are many reasons why' the offices will remain in Brainerd, rea- sons of personal business interest to the company. “Bemidji is all right, though, and I appreciate your interest and being alive to situations and whenever the M. & I can help am sure it will do so. But so far as the removal of the offices are concerned there is no foundation for the report, so far as 1 am aware.” (Bulletin) By United Press Berlin, Feb. 6.—“We regret this action by President Wil- son, because it is against all tradition and international law, in that we are cut off from all direct communication with the trans-Atlantic world,” Foreign Secretary Zimmerman -of Ger-{ many said today. Secretary Zimmerman also ex- pressed himself as being pleased in President Wilson’s hope to avoid actual conflict on account of ancient friendships. He, too, added that he was in hopes war would be averted. Switzerland to Hold. London, Feb. 6.—Wireless dispatches today indicated that Switzerland will decline to sever diplomatic relations with Ger- many, such as suggested by President Wilson. AT BAPTIST CHURCH Tonight Mr. Fagenstrom will speak on “The Open Door” and also continue his health hints. ‘Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Fagen- strom will give a lecture to boys on “Kites.”” Arrangements will also be made for an older boys’ hike Satur- day. The services each evening are for :{lults, especially the 8 o’clock ser- ce. COAST GUARD CUTTER RESCUES SHIP AND CREW (By United Press) Galveston, Tex., Feb. 6.—The coast guard cutter Comanche picked up the crew of the waterlogged Brit- ish steamer Irma Bently, five miles off Galveston, early this morning. All hands were safe but greatly exhaust- ed with their long battle with the elements. MAY TAKE OVER ROADS TWELL KNOWN MAN DROPS DEAD AFTER RECEIVING TICKET M. G. Slocum, age 57 years, for court this several years bailiff at the house in this city, died early morning. Mr, Slocum went to the where he purchased a ticket for In- ternational Falls and dropped dead just after he got his ticket. Death was due to heart trouble. Mr. Slocum leaves to mourn his death, his wife and a daughter who lives in Minneapolis. The daughter | will arrive in the city tomorrow morning and funeral arrangements will be made after her arrival. AMMUNITION IS BEING DISTRIBUTED (By United Press) Norfolk, Va., Feb. 6.—It became known today that large quantities of ammunition have been transferred from the Norfolk navy yard to north- ern ports under heavy guard. - NOT LOYAL? BAH! (By United Press) Berlin, Feb. 6.—The break be- tween Germany and the United States came as a distinct surprise to news- paper editors and they do not think German-Americans will support President Wilson. DUTCH TAKE UP WORK (By United Press) Washington, Feb. 6.—The Dutch embassy today informed the state de- partment that it had taken over the Red Cross relief work. ALLEGED CONSPIRATORS COMMITTED FOR TRIAL (By United States) Derby, Eng., Feb. 6.—The four al- Washington, Feb. 6.—Carrying al leged conspirators in the poison plot provision to empower the president to take over railroads in time of war, the administration railway labor bill has been re-introduced in the House without the compulsory arbitrati,on feature. SPAIN MAY NOT FOLLOW 'URSE OF UNITED STATES Washington, Feb. 6.—Authoritive information shows that Spain and Switzerland will not follow tiie course of the United States. COMMERCIAL CLUB MEETS THIS EVENING The Commercial club will hold 2 to kill Premier Lloyd George were today formally committed for trial. NEW TURKISH CABINET, SAYS OFFICIAL STATEMENT (By United Press) Berlin, Feb. 6.—An official an- nouncement today stated that a new Turkish cabinet will be formed on account of the resignation of Halim Pasha, who quit his office owing to ill health. BORDER _TROOP ORDERS Y LOCAL MATTER (By United Press) Washington, Feb. 6.—The sudden change in the scheduled border troop movement is the result of local con- ditions, Secretary of War Baker stated today. He said the order for meeting this evening at 8:30 o’clock | the homeward movement of guards- to allow all an opportunity to at- tend the movies. it is urged that all members be present. b ——tee | men and the orders to Pershing still stand and liable to go into effect at any moment. depot I ce of Diplomatic Ties dced to leave Germany. e e S i e D T T L MINNESOTA HISTORICAL Y goot® o g x 1IETY aper Service K BEMIDJI DAILY PIONEER 45 CENTS PER MONTH eclaration of War - B urs AMERICANS ORDERED TO LEAVE GERMANY: BRAZIL WILL PROTEST UNDERSEA RAVAGES By Unit W next twenty-four hours, ed Press ASHINGTON, Feb. 6—Germany’s answer tothe decision of the United States to sever diplomatic relations, is expected to arrive at the National Capitol within the Officials would not be surprised if Germany declare& war upon the United States. Americans Ordered to Leave Washington, Feb. 6.—All Americans have been or- tend all aid to Americans in It is officially stated that all -|American consuls in Germany have been advised to ex- leaving Germany, Brazil Will Protest To Germany Rio de Janeiro, Feb. 6.—The Brazilian government cabinet council. DEED FOR ARMORY SITE IS RECEIVED BY CITY TREASURER George W. Rhea, city treasurer and by virtue of his office a member of the Armory committee, represent- ing the city, today received the fol- lowing letter from Miss E. L. Cali- han, secretary-treasurer of the Be- midji Townsite and Improvement company, the deed to the site for the projected new armory being en- closed: St. Paul, Minn., Feb. 5, 1917 Mr. George Rhea, Northern National Bank, Dear Sir: Enclosed herewith please find a warranty deed conveying to the City of Bemidji a certain strip of land at the foot of Third street, north of the right-of-way of the M. & I rail- way. The price for the land so de- scribed being $1,5600, of which the Teownsite company contributes $250, Mr. Tams Bixby and E. L. Calihan, $250, leaving the amount to be paid by the city or your committee $1,- 000, which we will thank you to re- mit to us upon delivery of enclosed deed. We sincerely hope that the city may speedily secure an armory build- ing, so arranged that it will be suit- able for holding public meetings, conventions, etc., which we shall be glad to assist in bringing to Bemidji. Very truly, Bemidji Townsite and Im- provement Company, By E. L. CALIHAN, Secretary-Treasurer. SEES SERIOUS TROUBLE Washington, Feb. 6.—Danger of trouble with Japan is more serious than the German crisis, Senator Poin- dexter told the Senate today. today announced that it will protest against Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare declaration. nouncement was made following an hour’s session of the This an- EXTRA American is Killed When Vessel Sunk By Germans (Bulletin) : By United Press Washington, Feb. 6.—The State department today received confirmation of the killing of Richard Wallace, an American negro seaman, who was on board the British steamer Evanstone, sunk by a German submarine. Report Withheld. London, Feb. 6.—The Amer- ican consul at the port where the Evanstone landed today tele- graphed American Ambassador Page at London a full report of the sinking of the vessel. Am- bassador Page declines to make the report public but ordered (Continued on Page 4) LLaw Violations Show Less, Annual Re port of Police Lawlessness has decreased in Be- midji nearly 50 per cent the fiscal year just closed, as indicated by the annual report of Chief of Police Rip- ple, presented to the city council last evening. In 1915 there was a total of 150 arrests, while in 1916, year ending February 1, there were 90. In 1915 there were 128 cases tried and in 1916 every person arrested faced the court. The absence of saloons is also cut- ting down the number of offenders getting ‘“stewed.” In 1915 there were 61 arrests for intoxication and in the year just closed there were 50, saloons being out of the city both years. The Pioneer herewith presents in full the report of Chief Ripple for the vear just closed, also the report by the chief for the year 1915, that a comparison may be made by any one who may care to do so: Crime Shows Decrease. The crimes committed in the city the past year show a decrease over 1915, and beg to report that there may be some cases that have not been reached, but they have been at- tended to as good as can be expected (Continued va Page 4)