Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, October 16, 1917, Page 1

—_— NOT YESTERDAY'S NEWS, BUT TODAY'S NEWS TODAY--BY THE GRFAT UNITED PRESS BEMIDJI DAILY VOLUME XV. NUMBER 240. $45,000 OF BONDS o= SOLD FIRST DAY FOR LIBERTY LOAN; LOYALTY SHOWN Young People Subscribe Liberally for Bonds; Good Investment is Seen, Also. PATRIOTISM PARAMOUNT IN HELPING WIN THE WAR “Four-Minute Men” Organized to Speak at the Movies; Families of Soldiers Sacrificing. The first day’s canvass of the city in the second Liberty Loan drive, Monday, was quite successful and $45,000 worth of bonds were sold. The canvass is to be thorough and is being made from house to house. There was scarcely any discourtesy shown the canvassers and very little of the spirit of disloyalty. It is very encouraging to note that there are a goodly number of young ladies and youhg men that are sub- scribing for bonds, thus establishing a habit of saving and a spirit of pa- triotism that is highly commendable. Soldiers’ Parents Sacrifice. It is noticeable that the parents of boys in the service are usually the most ready to make sacrifices to take part by service or the purchase of bonds in the successful prosecution of the canvass. In one family, where two boys are in the service, nearly every member of a large family are purchasers of Liberty Bonds. It is evident, also, that all who are able to purchase bonds are not regarding it as a duty or a privilege to respond to this call from their country and it is doubtless due to their failure to fully realize the con- ditions that confront the nation. “Four Minute Men” Start. M. J. Brown is inaugurating a campaign of education and has or- ganized a bangd of speakers who will give four-minute-ial] ” the movies beginning this evening. It is gratifying to mote that many Bemidji citizens, who have been luke- warm {n their support of the country in this-war, have-changed their at- titude to the extent- that there 'is no longer any occasion to question their loyalty. The sheep and geats are being very effectively located and the goats are an infestimal majority. FOOTBALL PRACTICE The Bemidji H. S. football team in- dulged in light practice Monday night, most of the men nursing a number of minor bruises after Fri- day’s hard game but no serious in- jury was reported and the squad will be in fine fettle again for mext Sat- urday. Kicking, catching and pass- ing with a snappy signal drill at the end completed the night’s work. WOMAN PARTY PICKETS GET SIX MONTHS (By United Press) Washington, Oct. 16.—Four pick- ets of the Woniin’s Party were to- day sent to the workhouse for six months, for their disgusting actions in picketing the White House. This is the heaviest dose yet handed out. The party announces a monster dem- onstration in front of the White House November 10. This is not the National Women's Suffrage party, but another party, the majority of which seem to be fana- tics. SUPREME COURT TO RECESS ‘Washington, Oct. 16.--The supreme court after giving decisions October 22 will recess until November 5. o~ An interesting incident at the meeting of the city council last eve- ning was the reading of a letter from Zalch & Walton, contractors for the new bridge, in which the writer made a statement that the Sentinel has made false statements anent the company which tended to injure the standing of the contractors, and criti- cizing the Sentinel in general. The statements were credited in the write up of the council meeting two weeks ago and the point at issue was practically the same as ap- peared in tune Pioneer, both quoting G. W. Harnwell, general manager of the St. Hilaire Lumber company, who appeared before the council and stated that the bridge contractors owed the St. Hilaire company the sum of $5,731. To be perfectly ex- plicit there should be one cent added to the above figures. In making es- timates of work for the allowance of payments on the job, the bridge contractors had made affidavits that all bills had been paid. The asser- tion of Mr. Harnwell, who was look- Bridge ContractorsCriticise Bemidji Paper;ReportRight BEMIDJI. MINNESOTA. TUESDAY EVENING. OCTOBER 16, 1917. After the soldier has become war hardened he is apt to grow careless with life and take unncce Warning signs must be put up to tell him of dangers. ry chances. In spite of this, here are Canadians passing through an open street on their way to the trenches instead of keeping under cover, as they are warned to do by the sign on the right. lowa Is Dry; Constitution Ammended (By United Press) Des Moines, Iowa, Oct. 16.—The dry lead is being steadily cut down. The wets are gaining in the late re- turns. Several precincts to hear \ from. Des Mines, Iowa, Oct. 16.—In a state-wide vote taken yesterday, Iowa adopted an amendment to the state constitution which makes the state dry by its constitution. The major- ity was less than 10,000 in a total of 325,000. The drys admit the margin of vic- tory to be small, owing to reverses in places where they had hoped for a heavy vote. The state had been dry by a statu- tory amendment but the question is now settled. LITTLE DOING LAST NIGHT. - ~REPOR™S GEN-HAIG TODAY “(By United Press) London, Oct. 16.—Raids and ar- tillerying were all the fighting ae- tivity General Haig reported today. The Irish troops carried ut a suc- cessful raid. DOES THIS LOWER THE PRICE OF MEAT? ‘Washington, Oct. 16.—Eighty per cent more frozen beef was in stock October 1 than a year ago. Reports from 293 storage houses to the bureau of margets, made pub- lic today, showed holdings of 137,- 805,561 pounds. A decrease of 8.6 per cent in the amount of lamb and mutton in stor- age was shown, the stock totaling 2,221,234 pounds. GERMANY HAS MADE TADE AGREEMENT WITH SWEDEN Stockholm, Oct. 16.—The German consul at Malme officially informs the Sydskenska Dagbledet that 50,000 tons of German products are to be sent to Sweden in compensation for articles sent by this country to Ger- many. Among the articles which Sweden will receive are wheat, pota- toes and 50,000,000 tons of paper. The consul also declares negotiations practically have been concluded for the exportation by Germany to Swe- den of about 4,000,000 tons of coal in return for iron ore, wood for pa- permaking and horses. ing after his company’s interests, re- futed the affidavits of the payment of bills, and that’s just what the pa- pers said. Last night was read a letter from the bridge builders stating that such was not so, that they had paid the St. Hilaire, etc., etc. But another | letter had also been written by Mr. Harnwell notifying the council that he had received word from the Min- neapolis office that the contractors had turned over warrants from the county’s share for payment of the bridge of $2,466, and also a check for $1,000 to the St. Hilaire company, | leaving a balance still due of $2,- 265. These payments were made af- ter Mr. Harnwell had informed the council of the negligence of the con- tractors, and the Minneapolis office | had so advised Mr. Harnwell. At the time Mr. Harnwell addressed the council two weeks ago he was cor- rect and the papers of Bemidji so quoted him. . Hence, the Sentimel was correct and so was the Pioneer. Dairy League Head Admits PlanTo Hire Hoover Adviser).. s G, o 16 Five wou New York, Oct. 16.—R. D. Cooper, president Jof the New York State Dairymen’s league, has issued a statement in which he admits that the directors of the organization ap- propriated $5,000 at Utica, N. Y., last July to.defray the expenses at ‘Washington of a representative of the producers would would act as an advisor to Herbert C. Hoover, na- tional food administrator. He declared ‘“absolutely false,” however, the statement of Attorney General Brundage of 1Ilinois that the money was to be used ‘“‘to place a man friendly to the league in the national food administration.” Admits Chicago Letter. Mr. Cooper explains that the di- rectors voted the appropriation about a month after George Haskell of Chi- cago had been designated by Mr. Hoover to act as his advisor . YOU BET IT'S A LIE; WHO COULD HAVE BEEN SO MALICIOUS?| In a bulletin sent out by the news bureau of the Ninth District Liberty loan, which includes Minnesota, the following, addressed to county chair- men, appears under the caption “NAIL THIS LIE": . Watch out for a’ report that the newspapers that are print- ing the Liberty Loan advertise- ments are getting paid for it. This is absolutely and unquali- fiedly false. The newspapers are giving this space as a pa- triotic contribution and the country press is doing splendid service. “SOPHS” WILL GIVE “HARD TIMES” PARTY The Sophomore class intends to give a hard time party Saturday eve- ning. The committee is Alice Dyer, Evelyn Kirk, Ralph Tofemaker, Ber- tha Webster, Carl Crothers and Rob- ert Naylor. At the meeting last night it was contemplatéd inviting the foothall team but as only part of the class was present the matter was held over. “Ted” Sexton, secretary and treas urer of the class, was called upon for a report but “Ted’” was unaware that a financial statement was due and so was not prepared. The Freshman class has appointed a committee of four to selevt its rep- resentatives in the forthcoming de- clamatory contest. The committee consists of Willard McGregor, Lor- raine Kreatz, Verna Barker and Philip Denu. L'FOLLETTE ASKS FOR CHARGES AGAINST HIM (By United Press) Washington, Oct. 16.—Senator La- Follette appeared this morning be- fore tae senate committee investi- gating his loyalty and pre-emptorily demanded that he be furnished with the full charges against him, the names of the unfriendly witnesses against him and documents to sup- port the accusations. After delivering this message in the form of a letter handed to Chair- man Pomerene, he bade the commit- tee good morning and left. The eom- mittee then went into executive ses- sion. LaFollette's letter declared he still believed in the accuracy of al statements he made in his St. Paul| speech, which resulted in the demand | for his expulsion from the senate. He declared he would bring all docu- ments to substantiate his charges| when the committee has the evidence of their inaccuracy. Mr. Cooper admitted he had writ- ten to W. J. Kittle, secretary of the Milk Producers’ association of Chi- cago, as reported in dispatches from Chicago last night, but asserted his letter contained no reference to the appointment of a ‘friend” of the Hoover committee as charged in evi- dence presented to Federal investi- gators. Fund Not Used. It was understood, he asserted, that whoever was named to represent the producers would be required “to act without expense to the government or the food administration,” and be- cause ‘it would be a ‘financial burden on the individual,” the directors vo- ted the $5,000 fund. No part of the money has been used, Mr. Gooper declared, ‘‘as Mr. Haskell is a man of means,” and use of the fund was not necessary. A~ AMERICAN DIES IN . SINKING OF VESSEL (By United Press) London, Oct. 16.—One Amcrican and five Filipinos were lost in Hml torpedoing of a vessel from a Brit- ish port. SWEDEN IS PEEVED (By United Press) Washington, Oct. 16.—Sweden's economic mission may be withdrawn from Washington, Swedish officials believed today because their diplo- matic pouches are being held up by England. Unofficial hints are that the pouches may contain secrets riv- aling the Luxburg affair. The Swnd- ish officials are indignant because they cannot send cables to Sweden in code. WAR SERVICE BOARD IS NEXT MOVE OF THE GOVERNMENT (By United Press) Washington, Oct. 16.—War lahor problems are constantly increasing \| UNDER 9,000 Gattle Die In Fire Last Night (By United Press) eight acres of pens were destroyed with a loss of over 500,000 in the stock yards last night. The fire was got under control at 9 o’clock this morning. Later Fieures Heavy, Kansas City, Oct. }{6 v{}ompletc figures of the loss in the stock yards fire last night show that approxi- mately 7,500 head of cattle and 3,- 100 head of hogs were burned to death. Twenty-five acres were swept. All stock shipments to the yards are being held up pending the clearing of the fire debris. SPI'H EXHIBIT WILL BE HELD AT THIEF RIVER FALLS NOV. 17 Thief River Falls, Oct. 16.—Farm- ers of Pennington county will hold a potato exhibit in the Commercial club rooms of this city Nov. 17, ac- cording to plans just announced. The past two years has seen a large increase in the spud acreage and some fine examples of what can be done in potato raising are expected to be shown. The best of these ex- hibits will then be taken to Brainerd for display there at the convention of ‘tl;e state potato growers, Dec. 6 and . John Oski, who lives east of the city a short distance, for years has been known as the potato king of this part of the state. It is planned to' have a large display of his pro- Brainerd. duction at the exhibit here and at LIBERTY_LUNCII AT COMMERCIAL CLUB A large attendance is requested at the regular weekly luncheon at the Commercial club rooms tomorrow noon. The bill of fare will be some- thing novel and will be termed a “liberly lunch.” One of the items on the bill of fare will be “liberty bread” and it will be prepared by the domestic science department of the high school. At the conclusion of the luncheon the club will visit the new gas plant and the aeroplane and crystalizing sentiment among the higher government officials is for a war service hoard, replacing of men with women. Exemption of skilled workmen from the draft and labor conscription to cope with the shortage are considered. Hereafter, industrial exemption will be more liberally allowed when the next draft call is made. THREE MORE ANSWER CALL OF UNCLE SAM Three new recruits have enlisted at the local recruiting office. They are as follows: Herman M. Klent- schy, formerly with jthe Bemidji Drainage company, who has enlisted in the engineer’s department; ATbert Landgren, as teamster for the quar- termaster department; Joe A. Bol- longer, as baker for the quartermas- ter department. They left this noon for Duluth, enroute to Jefferson Bar- racks. Orders have been received by the local recruiting officers from the ad- jutant general to enlist no more men for the field artillery, and no Hel- lenic subjects will be accepted for enlistment in the U. S. army. TO OFFER WAR COURSES Wellesley, Mass., Oct. 16.—Welles- ley college has decided to offer nine emergency courses in war relief work during the present college year. They will inelude home nursing, first aid, wireless telegraphy and home econ- omics. WESTERN RAILWAYS EXPECTED TO JOIN MOVE FOR RAISE (By United Press) Washington, Oct. 16.—Western railways are expected to join in ask- ing for an increase of 15 per cent in freight rates. This rate will be asked tomorrow by eastern lines. factory. LOCOMOTIVE EXPIODES AND THREE TRAINMEN KILLED (By United Press) Denver, Colo., Oct. 16.—Three train were killed and a fourth in- jured when an engine exploded near here today. Several cars of the train were derailed. ST. PATIT, RANK PRESIDENT IS ARRESTED ON ARSON CHARGE (By, United Press) St. Paul, Oct. 16.—Dr. J. O. Werntz, president of the Palisade bank, was arrested this afternoon upon the state fire marshal’'s order, charged with arson. He was re- leased on hail. KERENSKY IS ILL (By TUnited Press) Petrograd, Oct. 16.—Kerensky is confined to his bed with a severe at- tack of influenza. SMYSTERY MAN” TURNS OUT DRAFT SLACKER William Sauer is the correct name of the ‘“man of mystery” arrested Saturday night by Deputy Sheriff Denley as a suspicious character, and it turns out that he is a slacker. He is being held in the county jail and will be dealt with by the gov- ernment authorities. Sauer was born March 17, 1887, as shown on an identification book found in his possession. He has worked in Bemidji for the past three months and would work about a couple of days and then change around. There is a mass of incrim- inating matter obtained about him and his past actions will no doubt make it “hot” for him. FORTY FIVE CENTS PER MONTE IN ELECTRIC RATES EXPLAINED 10 COUNCIL: STILL THE LINIT An otherwise uninteresting meet- ing of the city council last evening was featured by La G. Worthington, manager of the electric company, ad- dressing the council in explanation of several details of the raising of electric rates. It had been mention- ed to him, he said, that it would have been considered proper had he ap- peared before the council before the rate question was projected, and in reply Mr. Worthington courteously explained that he didn’t have to and saw no reason why he should take up the council’s time. His explana- tion of the attitude taken was that even the raise in rates were under those allowed by the company’s fran- chise and the raise was justified un- der conditions which he asserted ex- isted at the present time. Several questions were asked and light thrown upon the point in- volved. Light On Lights. Mr. Worthington when he arose to speak, diplomatically termed the raise in rates ‘“revision,” whereat Alderman Backus drolly ejaculated *I suppose downward.” According to Mr. Worthington, the new rates will mean an average in- crease in cost of between 8 and 12 per cent. He stated that everything that entered into the production of electricity had greatly advanced. He referred to the reasons given in an announcement in the Pioneer and specially referred to the item where copped had advanced 100 per cent, when in reality it had advanced practically 300 per cent. T, Mnyu}.hevfiglggll'slg?:‘ mflf(ed how many of the small consumers of Be- midji would be affected by the in- crease and Mr. Worthington replied that about 256 per cent. He ampli- fled the statement by saying 15 to 20 per cent would be affected.in tlic £ummer. Mr. Worthington-then went on to explain that some of their bills were 7, 8, 9, 27 and 36 cents per month and around those figures. He stated that the company was obliged to send a man to read the meters on such bills, return the reading to the bookkeeper, when it would be enter- ed, make out a bill, buy stamps and mail bijl and then maybe not get the small sum due. He then took as an {llustration, supposing the bill of a family was $1.60 in December, the longest lamp burning month in the year. He stated that being so, the company was obliged to maintain the standard of the plant machinery, equipment, all the help, etc., for the rest of the eleven months in the year for the reason that if the family used $1.60 worth of electricity in one month the company had to be pre- pared to do so every month in the year for that family for the com- pany did not know how much elec- tricity the family would use in any other month and had no way of knowing. *“Flat Rate” Problem. In the past there has been the “flat rate.” Some families and in- stitutions have been paying 50 cents per month for a 40-watt lamp. Mr. Worthington took this phase up and explained that he personally knew of such privilege being abused and had only to step from the city build- ing to point out various abuses. He sald the people would pay the flat rate, say for a single light. If the light broke there was no manner to know that the lamp had been re- placed with, perhaps, a 100-watt lamp or that an electric iron was being used, and similar instances. Must Buy Meters. Alderman Hazen asked about the consumers being obliged to buy a meter at $7.50. Mr. Worthington answered all companies did the same only it was done in different ways, and that in case a patron in Bemidji wanted the meter removed the com- pany would refund the price paid for it. Mayor Vandersluis asked if the same woudd apply to an office which had only a single light in it. “Every place where a meter is re- quired it must be paid for,” was the answer. Not Hasty Action. Mr. Worthingto nassured the coun- cil the revision of rates had not been a matter of hasty action but that it was the result of exhaustive inquiry and research, that he possessed the rates of 95 per cent of the cities and towns using electricity in Minne- sota and that Bemidji was much lower than most of them and its policy no different except in two or three instances in smaller places. Questions Are Invited. No one seemed to question the statements of Mr. Worthington, nor was any issue taken with what he had to say. He invited any questions and also added in conclusion that if at any time any one desired to know what the new rates meant to them he would be pleased to rave them call at the office in the Elko build- _—— (Continued on Page 8ix) |