Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, March 22, 1917, Page 1

VOLUME XV. NO. 78 INPROVED PHONE ‘SERVICERESULTOF CONFERENCE HELD BY COMPANY MEN Sar erthwestern Telephone Company . B : | Experts Point Out to Rural Com- ¥ i ' panies Many Defects. /OFFER TO SEND MAN TO ! GO OVER RURAL SYSTEMS Inexperienced Men and Faulty Con- ' struction Blamed for Many of the Shortcomings. l One of the most profitable meet- ings for Bemidji and vicinity in a ¥ B long time was that held yesterday 3 afternoon in the Commercial club rooms by representatives . of - the b Northwestern: Telephone company 1 and the rural’ telephone’ lines run- ning from Bemidji, the”meeting ‘be- %4 ing the. discussion of service and its J % improvement. For some time there has been criti- cism of vArious nature over the ser- vice in general, some blaming the Northwestern office and in turn ’ blame was laid upon the rural com- B panies, and it was at the instance of the Merchants’ Association commit- ¥ tee of the Commercial club that the 5 meeting was arranged, that the dif- erences might be aired and remedial measures taken. ' President Barker of the Commercial 'club was absent | from the city. He is-also president of the Merchants’ association and b ‘Secretary Sathre of the Merchants’ k -association presided. Representing . the Northwestern “®~ company were F. E. Hannah of Du- luth, district plant chief, W. H. Dean, i district _traffic .chief, and. .J. M. ¥ Canon, manager of the Bemidji of- i fice, The rurdl line companies were ‘represented by their officers. 3 In substance, the meeting resolved ¢ ¥ itself’, into a ‘“general - efficiency 3 meeting,” in the course of which many interesting phases were brought out. The Northwestern dis- trict officials present are men long b -in the telephone game, seasoned and i not an angle lacking in their cirri- culeum and what they had to say s /to the rural telephone officials was et P in the most friendly spirit of help- fulness and so recognized by those whom they sought to benefit. Many of the things called to attention had . been entirely overlooked and the < summary of the meeting is to be im- i proved service and the elimination = of many things that have been the o 8 cause of most of the differences. Important Defects. % For instance, loose telephone wires and faulty connections were men- tioned, and in this it was clearly :shown that in many instances lines were connected in anything but a proper manner, and the Northwest- ern men gave illustrations. - % In several instances single lines i are used on rural systems and the h wire grounded ,instead of full metal- lic circuits. It was shown where wa- ter and ice would freeze around the ground rods, a serious impediment ‘to proper service. Again, on the rural lines compan- ies used various types of instruments 2 and equipment, nothing uniform, and <‘ the effect has been as varied as the classification. Men Not Practical. The question of care of the rural plants and lines was another phase broached by’ the Northwestern rep- redentatives, and it was admitted that theé rural companies had scarce- 1y an experienced man in personal charge. They usually hire some one who is not experienced in telephone construction and lack of knowledge was the cause of much of the trouble, the men not being practical. Another thing, it was brought out that in many, many instances the lines were considered playthings and alarm clocks by many and treated as such. Ignorance as to how to ring properly on the rural lines was also shown, and many other seemingly minor details, all vital to good ser- <xs vice were brought up. The result of the meeting was that the Northwestern Telephone com- pany offered to being an expert to Bemidji to go over the rural compan- ies’ lines and plants with a member of each company and point out the defects and show the proper manner of doing things to correct the faults, and render this service for the farm- ‘ers free. Such would be of inesti- mable value and clearly indicated that the Northwestern company wa anxious to co-operate in securing sat- isfactory service for all concerned. NEW RESIDENTS Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Masten of 7 Kennedy, Minn., have moved to this city where they will make their “home. having located at 153 Mill Park. vas | Photo, by, American Press Association. BEMIDJI. MINNESOTA. imunsnu. MARCH 22, 1917, NOFFICIAL CALL FOR 74,000 — 0 GERMANY TAKES EVERY CARE TO GUARD F00D Close wateh kept on a load of nntatnes for use by the German soldiers on the western front. WillClsanSlate County Boardto Construct With Germany, Paliey of U. S. (By United Press) Washington, March 22.—A mam- moth: fiéet’ of 5,000 aircraft is being planned by the national advisory board committee on aeronautics. The committee met today with-army and navy officers to decide on the quick- est way to turn out this fleet in ef- fective shape. . The -state department squelched all suggestions today for neutral mediation between the United States and Germany. This will be the administration’s attitude until the slate is clean be- tween the United States and Ger- many. The state department states this government will no longer parley. F0OD SCARCE IN BERLIN AND SERIOUS RIOTS START London, March 22.—Reuter’s Ams- terdam correspondent reports that jt is rumored that serious riots have broken out in Berlin in connection with the scarcity of food. “A dispatch from Oldendaal, Hol- land, says persistent rumors are cur- rent of great rioting in Berlin.” The dispatch adds: “Frontier regiments are reported to have left for Berlin to maintain order.” IF WAR, GERMAN VESSELS WILL BE FREE TO LEAVE U. S. (By United Press) ‘Washington, March 22. — The scores of German merchant ships in American harbors will be free to de- part in event of war, it was learned officially today. The United States would seize them only on condition of not being fully paid for. SIMILARITY OF NAMES CAUSES CONCERN TO BLACK In a recent news story in the Pio- neer concerning a liquor action in! connection with the Lake Shore ho- tel, in which it wes stated that Wil- liam Black charged he was sold al- cohol in the hotel, the statement is causing not a little embarassment to William Black, a woodsman, who is well and favorably known to many in Bemidji. None of the latter’s friends for a moment considered that he was in any manner mixed up in such a pre- dicament as the accuser of the hotel management claimed to have been, and he feels keenly the similarity of names which might in any way cause reflection upon him. 'AMERICAN VESSEL i : (By United Press) i ! Washington, March 22.—The Am- ierican steamer Maryland, was post- |ed by Lloyd's today as missing, the lstate department reports. - IS REPORTED MISSING | Bridge by Day Labor to AscertainFeasibility of Plan [} Beltrami county is going to test|this year, this being in conformity out a new plan in the building of|with a new state law upon petition bridges, this being decided by the|of freeholders. board of commissioners which closed The commissioners voted $500 to a brief meeting yesterday afternoon.|defray the expenses of the Beltrami Instead of asking for bids and mak-|county exhibit at the state fair for ing the awards to the lowest bidder|this year. the board will try the experiment of There were several matters of building a bridge by day labor and|minor import which came before the thus obtain a relative for future guidance. ~ ° This decision was arrived at when bids were opened' for the construc- tion of several bridges in the county. The figures were all considered too high and were rejected. Then the board instructed the county surveyom to try the experiment of having the work done on one bridge by day la- bor. A resolution was passed for the issuance of $39,000 for the construc- vcompnrlsd\n board but little of general interest. NEW MODERN GARAGE WILL BE ERECTED BY AKRE BROS. IN FIFTH The Fifth ward is soon to have a tion of bridges in Beltrami county |new and modern garage which will Smallpox Rages In Germany, is | Heno_rl__llecaivad (By United Press) Washington, March 22.—There are 32,000 cases of smallpox raging in Germany and the disease is spread- ing, according to a speech by Hoff- man, a socialist member of the Reich- stag. This information was received at the state department today. STATUTORY SUFFRAGE BILL IS MADE SPECIAL ORDER St. Paul, March 22.—The Sageng- Putnam statutory suffrage bill, en- actment of which would allow Min- nesota women to- vote for president and vice president, will come before the Senate on special order on March 29 at 2 p. m. The bill was made a special order by motion of Senator Putnam. RETURNS TO BRAINERD The Brainerd Daily Journal Press says: Jake Goldberg, the shoe re- pair man, who was formerly located in Brainerd, but has been at Be- midji for the past two years, has again decided to locate in Brainerd, having sold his business at Bemidji./ Mr. Goldberg is in the city at the present time arranging for quarters for his new shop, and states that he will be ready for business not later than three weeks from this date. “DEMOCRACY,” SLOGAN HEARD IN RUSSIA (By United Press) Petrograd, March 22.—Free Rus-| sia is democratizing every possible feature of her governmental machin-| ery. One member of the new duma | at least favors suffrage for the wo- men of Russia. An assembly is soon to be called to determine the actual| form of government. | Free railway passes have been| granted to pardoned prisoners in- cluding political prisoners exiled to | Woman's club has nampd a commit- Siberia. Political prisoners are be- ing liberated throughout Russia. be erected and managed by Akre Bros., the site and material for con- struction having been purchased and ready for building operations. It is expected the new garage will be ready for patronage in 30 days. The building will occupy ground area 40x60 feet. It will have a plate front, heated with hot air plant and will be medern in every detail. Included in the garage will be a fully equipped repair shop for all work incident to the automobile business. Akre Bros. are well known in Bemidji and throughout the coun- ty in general and intend to maintain a garage that will deserve co-opera- tion. RETURN FROM TRIP Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Battles returned this morning from a three months’ visit in various western cities. In Seattle, they visited Mrs. Battles’ mother, Mrs. Anna B. Teeple, and her sister, Mrs. U. G. Moore. They also visited in Tacoma, Portland, Victoria and Vancouver. M. B. A. MEETS TONIGHT The Modern Biotherhood of Am- erica meets this evening at 8 o’clock in Odd Fellows’ hall. There is im- portant business to come before the lodge and a full attendance is urged. BRITISH WAR OFFICER BELIEVES GERMAN RETREAT NOT ENDED (By United Press) London, March 22.--General Maur- ice, director of military operations, believes the German retreat is not yet ended, he announced today. WONDER IF HE NOTICED? Sioux City, Towa, March 22.—The; tee to jnvestigate complaints that women who are quarantined at the city detention hospital hzve only men attendants, that smallpox pa-| tients are exposed to scarlet fever,| and that there are no locks on the doors of the women’'s rooms. Miss Gertrude Pettit, a teacher, said when she was taken to the hos-| pital a masculine ‘“matron” insisted that she disrobe, so he could see to what extent the disease had “brok-n out.” lfrom the United States. " DANIELS WILL AS 100,000 0F CONGRESS TROUBLE AnarchyReign ThroughRussia Is Berfin Report (By United Press) Berlin, March 22.—Russia is in confusion over anarchistic agitation against the war is growing. Labor- ers are refusing to return to work and the provisional government is far from controlling the situation. All this is indicated in dispatches via Stockholm today. NONPARTISAN BODY AND EQUITY SPLIT Fargo, N. D., March 22. The long anticipated open break between the Society of Equity-of -North Dakota and the Nonpartisan league, the big farmers’ organization in this state, has come, it is believed. The Co-operators’ Herald. the of- ficial organ of the Society of Equity, officially opens the breach by a hot criticism of Governor Lynn Frazier's veto of the bill passed: by the last legislature providing for the con- struction of a terminal elevator. GREETINGS SUGGESTED (By United Press) London. March 22.—Greetings from the ‘“mother of all parliaments’ to the new Russian parliament was moved in the House of Commons to- day by Chancellor Law of the ex- chequer. COAL GONE: NO SCHOOL Mankato, Minn.,, March 22.— Owing to a shortage of coal, the local public schools are closed for a week or more, and the regular spring va- cation will be now instead of the usual tjme. LITTLE FALLS KEEPS SALOONS Little Falls, Minn., March 22.— Little Falls by 601 to 420 voted to maintain its saloons at the general Miss Brown's election. FARMERS ORGANIZE T0 SECURE GOVERNMENT ) S FEARED INRUSS REVOLUTION (By United Press) . Washington, March 22.—Secretary of the Navy Daniels today issued an unofficial call for 74,000 naval re- cruits. He will ask that 100,000 be anthorized as the navy increase when ‘| congress meets in special session April 2. Women Would Enlist. New York, March 22.-—Recruiting stations are flooded with women wanting to enlist in the navy. They will be needed as stenographers. Neutrals May Act. Washington, March 22.—Neutral nations may renew their previous of- fers to assist in “‘straightening out the diffioulties between the United States and Germany” it is under- stood at the state department today. MISS JOHNSON AND MISS KLEIN WINNERS ~IN'H. S. DECLAMATION Highest honors in the annual in- ter-clars declamatory ocontest, held in the high school auditorium last evening, were carried off by Miss Mable Johnson, serious, and Miss Emma Klein, humorous, Miss Johnson presented her in- tensely interesting reading, ‘How the Rue Stakes Were Lost,” with all the grace and ease of a finished stu- dent in public speaking. She held the audience with her from her open- ing sentence to her closing syllable. Miss Emma Klein wop first in the humorous division, reading “A Bill From the Milliner's.” Miss Klein was perfectly at ease upon the platform and kept her hearers in an uproar throughout by her clever im- personation of an extravagant young bride. Miss Klein's timely gestures added much to the genera] effect of the reading. Both Miss Johnson and Miss Klein are Seniors and therefore the Senior class holds the declaiming champion- ship in the high school for this year. Second Place Winners, Carrie Brown was awarded second place with her very heavy and diffi- cult reading, “The Music Master.” persuasive manner made a very favorable impression. Miss Brown is a Junior and is un- doubtedly in direct line for first place next year. Second place for the humorous reading was awarded Dorothy Nangle who declaimed “The Musicale.” Miss Nangle did her work splendidly LOANS FOR FARMING| ™ vers*contenian: “svrionced_care- About thirty farmers from townships of Liberty, Eckles, Turtle Lake and Northern met at the Com- mercial club rooms this afternoon and organized the Beltrami National Farm Loan association, having for its obiect the borrowing of money from the government on farm lands. Officers were elected as follows: President—H. A. Fladhammer. Vice president—W. A. Worth. Secy.-treasurer—E. M. Sathre. The association is to be incorpor- ated for $10,000, with 2,000 shares at $5 each, and must have $1,000 subscribed at the time of its incor- poration. Over this amount was subscribed this afternoon. At the present there are $22,000 in applications for loans. GERMAN PLOTTERS TO | PRISON; PLEAD GUILTY | i (By United Press) J New York, March 22.—Albert O.| Sanders and Carl Winnenburg were today sentenced to two years in| prison and fined $2,500 on pleas of | guilty to spending spies to England | ul preparation and excellent coach- ing and, coupled with individual tal- the ent, acquitted themselves in a most creditable manner. The judges were Mrs. Eduard F. Netzer, Mrs. E. W. Johnson and Rev. L. P. Warford of the Presbyterian church. Evening’s Program. The detailed program of the eve- ning was as follows: Piano duet—*Il1 Trovators,” (ar- ranged by Blake) Jane Hayner and Edna Buckland. ‘‘Bobby Shafto’ —Muriel McGee. “Jarthrop Lathi _.p‘s Cow"’—Robert Naylor. . Chorus—*I Would That My Love” (Mendelssohn) Girls’ Glee club. *‘The Rejuvenation of Aunt Mary" —Josephine Parker. “The Music Master” — Carrie Brown. Vocal solo——*The Valley of Laugh- ter” (Bowles and Sanderson) Verna Barker. ““The Black Horse and His Rider” —John Harris. - “The Musicale’—Dorothy Nangle. Vocal solo—‘As Deep as the Deep Blue Sea” (Tetrie) Kern Olson. “A Bill From the Milliner’s”— Emma Klein. ‘“How the Rue Stakes Were Lost” —Mable Johnson. Chorus—‘‘Pussy’s in the (Nevin) Girls’ Glee club. Well,”