Bemidji Daily Pioneer Newspaper, February 22, 1921, Page 1

The Pioneer is only daily within 100 miles of Bemidji and has the largest circulation Northern - Minnesota. g - THE BE VOLUME XVIIL NO. 260 Jury Returns Verdict at 9 o’Clock This Forenoon ‘of “Not Guilty” OLDER BROTHER, ROBERT, FACING TRIAL TODAY Only Three Jurors Had Been Secured -t ‘Noon; Special Y.ooked for , alleged slayer - %, ‘acquitted this verdict’ of* “not. ‘% returned the 50 Miller' was tried before Judge - tanton of the Fifteenth. judic ct for shooting and Hlling\ Fenton on January 25, 1921,\ x \ case which has’ been hanging: for the past week has now' termiuated with the freedom of the younger Miller. Robert Miller, older brother, who was with his ‘brother George at the time of the shooting. and ‘who is said to have urged him to take good aim and get his' man, thinking that the man approaching meant business, is on trial today, on the same charge as the man/ who has just been freech Both' Millers were indicted by the grand jury on the charge of murder in the first degree. The defense has claimed throughout that the shooting was done in self-defense, basing their claim on the testimony that the. man who ‘'was thought to have been Bow- man had fired shots at them.’ The testimony of Nick ' Siminovik, the only known eye-witness to the shoot- ing besides the Millers, conflicts with this, however, he claiming that the murdered man did not fire at all and did at no time within sight of the Millers rajse his rifle to his shoulder. Siminovik claimed only three shots were fired, while the Millers stated that they had fired three and the ap- proaching party had fired three also. Judge C. W. Stanton deliveréd his charge :to' the ‘jury at 8 o’cloch last evening, stating the principles of the 1aw applicable to the case involved. A choice pf three verdicts was given the forenoon when - jury, murder in the first degree as charged in the indictment, murder in the second degree, or not guilty. In- asmuch as it was established beyond a reasonable doubt that the shot fired by George Miller resulted in Fenton’s death, the only grounds for acquittal was excusable or justifiable reasons for shooting. 3 The jurymen withdrew to the jury room at 9 o'clock and the verdict was returned at the re-opening of court this fozenoon at 9 o’clock. Middleton & Middleton of Baudette and M. J. Daly of Perham represent- ed the defense, and County Attorney G. M. Torrance represented the state. Up tb noon today only three jurors had been selected to sit on the case of Robert Miller and indications were that a special venire would be re- quired to furnish sufficient jurors for the trial. This trial will un- doubtedly extend over several the grea used in securing a suitable jury. MISS GHAPMAN'S CONDITION REPORTED AS IMPROVING Many friends of Miss Esther Chap- man of Royalton, who until recently, acted as society reporter at The Pio- neer, will be pleased to learn that her condition is reported to be very much improved. Hope is held for her complete recovery from sleeping sickness, with which she is now con- fined to the hospital at Little Falls. days, -~ \ HOME RULE ACT WILL i GO INTO EFFECT APRIL 5§ London, Feb. 22.—The privy coun- cilcil hds decided that the home rule act for Ireland shall go into effect April & e first step under this act ig to be the issudnce of writs for jelections to the new parliaments, which probably will take place three weeks afterward. The Belfast par- liament will assemble in June. The present prospects seem to be that few candidates will come for- ward for ‘the southern parliament, and it seemp doubtful whether this parliament will be formed. FOREIGN LOANS BEING DEFENDED BY OFFICIALS Feb. ‘Washington, 22.—Foreign loans exténded by the treasury dur- ing the war and since the armistice were vigorously dafended by govern- ment officials yesterday in reply to _protests against any further exercise of the government’s loan powers. ' Secretary Houston of the treasury resumed festimor,y before the senate judiciary committee on the Reed bill directing-the rstoppage of further loan negotiations with the debtor na- tions and Solicitor General Frierson responded in court to the suit Nz EXCELSIOR BASKETEERS PLAY CITY TEAM TONIGHT Norfl:we\n Champions of Two Years Ago Meet Bemidji at Armory Tonight "One of the fastest games of basket ball of the season is looked for to- | night when the Bemidji City team meets the fast Excelsior quint at the armory at eight o’clock. Both teams are_in the best of shape and a close contest is looked for. The locals went through a hard drubbing last night with a pick-up team and are now ready for the first of the two-game series. The second igame with Excelsior will be played tomorrow night. 4 ¢ The visitors have as yet not met defeat this year, and have met some ,of the fastest teams in.the entire | Northwest. They have won over everything in Minneapolis except Battery A and the Ascensions, whom they have not met as yet. They de- feated the Como Athletic club quin i tette by a score of 39 to 16 and thai quint ‘was heated by only one point by Battery A on the battery floor. Excelsior won the championship of the Northwest in 1918-1919 season and with practi- cally the same line-up is out for Northwest honors this year. The locals hope. to give them a'defeat to- night on thé home floor and' the boys are anxious for the-fray. | ! Consfderable expense is connected with' the two-game series and Be- midji fans are urged to support the, home boys in staging clean athletic .sports here. = Students will be ad- {mitted for twenty-five cents. i locals who will take the floor tonight are ‘Myron Plummer and Frank Phibbs, forwards; John Simons, cen- ter; George Graham and Alec Cam- ‘eron, guards. The game will be call- ed at eight o’clock sharp. CONCRETE SHOW OPENS AT ST. PAUL THIS MORNING St. Paul, Feb. 22.—The first con- crete show in the country since the war ‘was in progress here today. Concrete manufacturers from all sections of the country were exhibit- ing at the show. Prizes were offered i for home designs in concrete. More than $10.000 was spent to stage the show. FIREMEN, COUNCIL AND [ <& WIVES MEET TONIGHT 'Members .of .the Bemidji fire de- partment, the city council and their wives will meet tonight at supper in -the Civic and Commerce association rooms at 6:15. Following the sup- iper hour, a social time will be ha by all. This is the regular monthly meeting of the department. N. D. STATE CHECKER CONTEST OPENED TODAY being Williston, N. D., Feb. 224—4Mon-‘ tana checker sharks will play here tomorrow with the winners of the North Dakota tournament in an ef- jfort to_secure the Inter-state cham- pionship. The state contest opened JAPANESE SENTRY IS - REPORTED NOT GUILTY (By United Press) | ‘Tokio, Japan, Feb. 22.—The Jap- anese war office has issued a state- portion of the time being ment that the sentry who shot and killed Lieutenant Langdon, U. 8. N,, has been found not guilty. The state- |- ment sald that it had been shown that the sentry acted in good faith, and that the shooting was the re- sult of lack of training and failure to discharge duties. General Misihari, commander at Vladivostok, is held responsible and he has been suspended from com- mand. Other officers connected with the command are to be punished, the statement added. TEACHER AND PUPIL ARE INJURED IN EXPLOSION (By United Press) “ Sherwood, N. D., Feb, 21. Miss Clara Johnson, principal of a coh- solidated school nine miles west of here, and Clarence Steve, 15 years old, pupil, were seriously burncd when a steam pipe exploded. Thée teacher was seriously imjured, but both are expected to recover. 'WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY 1S CELEBRATED QUIETLY Bemidji today quietly observed Washifigton’s birthday. Banks were closed #11 day, but the public schools remained in session. Aside from the closing of the banking institutions, business activities were much the same as ever. FORMER DEMOCRATIC LEADER PASSES AWAY THIS MORNING (By United Press) Greenwich, Conn., Feb. 22.—Wil- liam F. McComs, former chairman of the Democratic national committee, died here today following a six ‘weeks’ illness of heart disease. WILLISTON STUDENT WILL GO TO WEST POINT SCHOOL (By United Press) 5 Williston, Feb. 22.—Boyd Cor- brought by, William Randolph Hearst | many, Williston high school student, to prevent’ further financial transac-|has besn appointed to a vacancy at tions with foreign governments, ‘Wes#t Point. He enters mext fall, independent . ‘The *~ i P MIDII DAILY PIONE] nesota Wegther—Fair to- night and Wednesday. Colder to- night and warmer in west portion ‘Wednesday. i . BEMIDJI, MINN., TUESDAY EVENING, FEB, 22, 1921 { 55c PER MONTH I \ “I Did It With My Little Hatchet”’ LAST LYCEUM NUMBER 0 BE HELD TOMORROW Stricland W. Gillilan, one of Am- erica’s” foremost humorists of today, will appear on the Lyceum course_to be held at the methodist church temorrew evening, as the last number of the program this season. He has a varied program which of- fers local people an exceptional op- portunity. He .is said to have a great message in all his lectures and his presence is in great demand. He is also a contributor to a number of magazines and newspapers in addi- tion ‘to his work on the Lyceum :ourne. A larg\e attendance is looked or. WIGH SCHOOL FOR MILITARY TRAINING (BY United Press) ‘Washington, Feb. 22.—'"Honor High Schools” are to e designated in the future by the war department as a means of stimulating interest among the junior units of the Re- serve Officers’ Training Corps. Under orders igsued here today by the war department, the command- ing general of each corps area is in- structed to report to the Adjutant General of the army the names of high schools in his district which are most advanced in military training and discipline. The names of the schools are to be submitted not later than June 1, in each year, and must /| not exceed ten per cent of the total .number of high schools in the res- pective areas. In institutions which specialize in military training, the designation hereafter will be ‘“‘Honor Military Schools.” - . HISTORICAL PAGEANT IS . (By United Press) 8t. Paul, Feb. 22.—American his- tory from the time of George Wash- ington down to modern times was presented in a pageant at the State Historical Library here today. Historical costumes of the times iuntervening were reproduced for the occasion. Various phases of pioneer lite In the Northwest were to be pre- serted. In’ addition to this memorial on the anniversary of Washington's birthday, school children through- out the country observed the.occa- sion. s American Legion posts in varibus places observed the date. LAND CLEARING LIST TO BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW Due to the fact that the Bemidji banks are® closed today on account of George Washington's birthday, the list of subscribers which was to have been published in The Pioneer today has been delayed until tomor- row's issue. The list at that time will show the complete amount of subscriptions made by Bemidjj busi- ness men for the fund to finance the land clearing project being fostered by the South BeltramiCounty Land Clearing association. ALLIED COUNCIL WILL SUPPORT GREEK CLAIM , (By United Press) London, Feb. 22.—The Allied Su- preme council virtually reconsidered forner dction today when it was un- derstood it had decided to support the claims of Greecesto Turkish pro- vinces.” Thy Greek demands were heard yesterday and the Turks will be allowed to speak their demands tomorrow for restoration of some of the térritor; awarded Greece by the Sevras treaty, wmrm PRESENTED AT ST. PAUL | 'STAGE IS ALL SET FOR THREE-DAY CELEBRATION ; Clasg Entertainment at Elk Carnival This Week Special Features Promise High| All is in readiness for the big car- nival to be held lodge of Elks Thursday, Friday and . Saturday of this week. General Man- ager-E..B. Berman assures the pub- lic that there will not be a dull mo- ment from start to finish. -Speeial ‘featutes ' have been ar- ranged, including a_ wedding cere- mony slated for Friaay evening. The prospective bride and groom are both well known here, it is said, and they will receive a large number of gifts. The names of the parties will be kept secret until the night of the wedding. Miss Minnie Bailey, who had charge of the show in connection with the Armistice day carnival, staged by the”local Legion post, will ‘have charge of the ghows which will be given on each of the three even- ings of the Elks’ carnival. Features @re being planned for each evening and a real teeat is assured. | Entertainment of the highest or- ‘der, including surprises and thrills iof all kinds will be furnished each evening and the carnival promises to be the biggest affair of its kind ever staged in Bemidji. GEORGE WASHINGTON On February 22, 17%2, ome hun- dred eighty-nine years ago today, was born George Washington, who later became *‘the father of h UG- try.” "He was commandes chief in the American Revolution, and the first president of the United States. He served as alde-de-camp to General Braddock in the Indian campaign of 1755. In 1759 he was married to Martha Custis. (He was chosen to congress in 1774. In 1775 he was apopinted commander-in-chief of the colonial army, his first important en- gagement in that capacity being to drive the English out of Boston, but the British rallying, he was defeated at Brandywine and Germantown in 1777. The next year in alliance with the French, he drove the British out of Philadelphia, and in 1781 com- pelled Cornwallis to capitulate in an atack he made on Yorktown, and on evacuation of New York by the Brit- ish the independence of America was achieved, upon which he resigned the command. In 1789 he was elected to the presidency of the republic and in 1793 he was re-elected, at the end of which time he retired into private ‘Wachington died at Mount Ver- ron. Va., on December 14, 1799 of acute laryngitis. Interment was made at Mount Vernon. / by the Bemidji 0 life after paying a dignified farewell.| DETACHMENT T0 SILESIA HALTED BY BOLSHEVIKS (By United Press) Paris, Feb. 22 (By John B. Gandt) —The League of Nations' army was halted today by Echitcherin, solshe- | vik leader. Army assignments to Vilna and those sent to superintend ! the plebiscite in upper Silesia were blocked in their attempts to cross Switzerland. An attempt was then made to cross 1through Italy and the Moscow wire- less sent orders halting them in this attempt. Railroad workers in Italy are among the most radical in the country and the government sent out an order restraining the troops frem crossing for fear of trouble if the soldiers should use the railroads. GIRLS. HERE'S A HINT FROM ONE WHO KNOWS (By United Press) Los Angeles, Feb. 22.—Youths in their twenties make poor husbands, says J. F. Townsend, deputy sheriff, to whose attention come all domestic mix-ups which reach Los Angeles courts. “After a few months of marital life, young men usually succumb to the lure of the questionable pool halls and dance halls,” Townsend assert- ed. “They find their salaries will not provide pleasure for two and they drift away from home and eventually fall prey to the failure- to-provide court, and wind up in the divorce gourt. . “And, to make the analysis worse so far as t| ucasian race goes, it appears th: mericans, in propor- tion to the population, are leadMg Mexicans and"negroes in the number donments.” U. S. OBJECTS TO AWARD OF YAP TO JAPANESE (Bgr United Press) Parls, “eb. 22.—-The United States, in a note received by the League of Nations' council today, asked that no action be taken to confirm the mandates until she en- tered her protest, which i8 now be- ing prepared. The United Btates ob- jects to the.awarding of the lIsle of Yap to Japan and Mesopotamia to Great Britain. SCOUT PLANES SEARCH FOR. COAST TO COAST FLYER (By United Press) Dallis, ‘Texas, Fgb. 22.—Scout planes today took to the air in search for ‘W. G. Cooley, overdue for the only stop, to have been made here, in the coast to coast flight. Scout planes were unable to see the ground from the heighth of 1,000 feet be- cause of the heavy clouds. AUSTRIA PLACED UNDER- MARTIAL LAW MONDAY Budapest, Feb. 22,—Austria was placed under martial: law yesterday to offset a 'general strike and fur- ther impulsive measures are planned in case that they refuse the demand for political liberty and better wages. POLICE PATROL CHICAGO WARD DURING ELECTION Chicago, Feb. 22.—An army of 480 police and scores of detectives patrolled the Nineteenth ward here today to® prevent possible riots in connection with thesglection of an alderman, while the voters dre mak- ing their decision, John Powers has held the office for 32 years, and Arthur DeAndre is attempting to unseat him. 1In a hur- ried conference this morning Chief of Police Fitzmorris decided to use all preventative measures, FIFTY-EIGHT THOUSAND /gluwar and Rock counties. arle county enrolled 1,064 members. of awrests for wife and child aban- s { AIR MAIL SERVICE TO UNITE IN FARM BUREAU State Federation Predicts 60,~ . 000 Members in Bureau Be- foxe End' of February 7 St. Pfiul. Feb. 22.—More than 58,~ 000 farmers have joined the Minne- sota Farm Bureau federation, state headquarten(a of the organization an- nounced today. Officers of the fed- eration predicted that at least 60,000 members will be enrolled before the end of the month. Community units of the farm bu- reaus have been established in 459 townships in 31 counties, the an- nouncement said. In 24 counties, every township has a unit; in seven, organization work is still going on. Plans of the federation call for es- tablishment of 1,000 more township unif,s before April 1. They are be- ing! formed at the rate of 20 a day, the announcement said. Membership campaigns are under way in Yellow Medicine, Carver, Lac qui in eight days, and other counties are giving 100 members a day to the state federation, officers said. County records in organization of township units of the farm bureau show, Kittson, 22; Marshall, 18; Red Lake, 12; Norman, 15; Clay, 5; Becker, 20; Cass, 18; Crow Wing, 18; Aitkin, 16; Pine, 18; Morrison 15; Mille Lacs, 15; Kanabec, 8; Ben- ton, 12; Sherburne, 12; Anoka, 10; Washington, 15; Meeker, 17; Ren- ville, 24; Lyon, 6; Redwood, 22; Da- kota, 12; Le Sueur, 12; Rice, 14; Pipestone, 12; Murray, 16; Blue Earth, 20; Dodge, 5; Jackson, 12, and Houston, 17. PRESIDENT MAY RECOMMEND TAKING GERMAN BONDS Washington, Feb, 22.—President Wilson is_expected to recommend to congress before he leaves office that authority be granted for the United States to accept German bonds to be applied agdinst the debt that Bel- gium owes America, it was learned yesterday at the state department. While the United States is not committed by any agreement, it was explained that there was an under- |standing reached at the Paris “peace conference that such recommenda- tions should be made to the legisla- tive bodies of England, France and the United States. It was incident to the claims of Belgium for priority in reparations and was agreed to by the representatives of the three great powers as a practicable means for an immedia’e lightening of Belgium's financial burden. BEMIDJT ASSOCFATION TO. HOLD LUNCHEON TOMORROW The regular meeting of the Civic and Commerce association will be held tomorrow noon. A good lunch- eon is assured. Election of direc- tors will take place two weeks from today and in order that all may be eligible to vote or be voted updn it | is necessary that they be in good standing. An opportunity will be glven tomorrow for all to get their dues paid up to date and thus ensure them u vote Tuesday, March 8. . FORMER BEMIDJI BANKER PASSES AT LONG BEACH Long Beach, Calif., Feb, 22.—P. J. Sheldon, 82, formerly vice-presid- dent of the First Natlonal Bank of Bemidji was buried here today. IHe died Sunday evening after a short illness. Remalining relgtives are four sons, A. L. Sheldon of Grand Rapids, F. P. Sheldon and A. M. Sheldan of Min- neapolis, and C. ¥. Sheldon of De- troit, and oilte daughter, Mrs. F. A. Pike of Fairmont, Calif. Mr. Sheldon visited friends in Be- midji about four years ago on a trip here from Californa where he has made his home for the past fifteen years. Prior to going to California, Mr. Sheldon resided at Owatonna. He was vice-president of the Bemidji bank for a short time about twelve years ago. JAPANESE REFUSE TO EVACUATE VLADIVOSTOK Tokio, Japan, Feb. 22.—Japan has no intention of meeting America’s re- quest that she evacuate Vladivostok, according to the foreign minister's address to he Buddhists’ assembly in the house of Peers. He claimed it was necessary Lo maintain an army in Siberia because of the distressing conditions in Korea. GERMANY ADMITTED TO TECHNICAL LEAGUE MONDAY <Paris, France, Feb. 22.—Germany yesterday was admitted as a member of the League of Nations’ technical organization. The League council, opening its session nere, invited Ger- many to participate in the interna- tional transit confirmed at Balcelona. HAVE BETTER EQUIPMENT (By United Press) St. Paul, Feb. 22.—The St. Paul- Chicago air mail service will- be equipped with De Haviland planes with Liberty motors, it was announc- ed today. The order came as a re- sult of the recefit accidents. HARDING STAFF FAST BECOMING MORE DEFINITE Fomer*Congrel}u-nan Denby of Michigan May Be Named Secretary of Navy LATE DEVELOPMENTS | SHIFT TO J. J. DAVIS P Conference with T. V. O’Con« | nor Today Completed Har- ding’s Cabinet Slate i (By United Press) St. Augustine, Fla., Feb. 22.—For- mer Congressman Denby of Michi- gan is lixely to be appoinled secre- tary of navy,,it was learned authori- tatively today. \ Eleventh hour developments have shifted to James J. Duvis of Pitts- bnrfi}n for secretary of labor, it was learhed also. Davis’ appointment has been sent him by Harding. conference with T. V. 0’Connor to- day completed Harding'’s list of ap- pointments at St. Augustine. With the changes announced, Har- ding’s cabinet comprises: Charles Evans Hughes of New York, secre- tary of state; Harry M. Daugherty of Ohio, attorney-general; John W. Weeks of Massachusetts, secretary of war; Edwin Denby of Michigan, sec- retary of navy; Will H. Hays of In- diana, postmaster-general; Herbert Hoover of California, secretary of- commerce; James J. Davis of Penn- sylvania, secretary of labor; A. D. Fall of New Mexico, secretary of the interior; Henry Wallace of lowa, sec- retary of agriculture, and R. W. Mel- lon of Pennsylvania, secretary of treasury, FATTY ARBUCKLE HAS STRONG RIVAL IN OHIO (By United Press) Hicksville, 0., Ieb, 22.—Fatty Arbuckle had better, watch his step. A rival fat comedfn for the film fans Is in the making here and he is just about set for a ‘“big time” Job. He is a good looking youngster of elghteen years and his name is Keith Gorrell. From his toes to his fore- lock he measures six feet two inches and his belt is nearly six feet long. The circumference of his leg is three feet, five inches, and that of his waist is five feet two inches. IHe welghs 447 pounds, All of these bulky attributes have their values in the film land of make believe und Gorrell may capitalize jon them. Cameramen have been here “shooting tests” of Hickville’s youth- ful giant. Whenever the big boy's flivver :goes wrong, he lifts either the fore or aft, wherever the trouble may be and lets it down on an automobile jack for repairs. The cameraman caught him In the act of lifting the front end of a farm tractor to permit it to pass a stump. BUILDING PRESIDENT SEES NO CUTS SOON Chicago, Feb. 22.—A. E. Brad- shaw of Indianapolis, president of the National Builders’ Supply associa- tion, said that he “can see no early reduction in the cost of building sup- plies unless conditions generally are materially altered,” in an address be- fore the association’s convention yes- terday. = “There are o many things enter- ing into the cost of producing tile, sewer pipe, brick and clay products,” he said, “that manufacturers and dealers cannot lower prices at this time.” ATLANTA JUDGE DECLARES LIQUOR THIE\\!ES ARE SAFE Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 22.—Thieves may steal your liquor without fear of prosecution. That i3 what Judge John D. Humphreys of the Fulton superior court ruled yesterday at the trial of a city detective charged with stealing liquor from a self-confessed bootlegger. The judge ruled that liquor has no legal status and cannot be protected by the laws, consequent- ly one cannot be arrested for sfeal- ing it. He said that the owner of liquor might prosecute as a violation of the prohibition law but not for stealing. ! RAILROADS LOSE TEST CASE FOR WAGE CUTS ¢By United Press) Chicago, Feb. 22.—Railroad man- agers of the nation today had lost their test case before the United States Ralilroad Labor board for an intended refuction in wages of em- loyees. The board denied author- ity for reduction to the Atlanta, Bir- mingham and Atlantic railroad. “The fact that the railroads cannot pay wages fixed by the labor board doef not imply that the. employers would be justified in making wage cuts,” was included in the decision. A