The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, March 30, 1917, Page 4

| § } { tie ee s bY ee ee Te - subscribed since FRIDAY, MARCH 30, 1917. THE TRIBUNE Matered at the Pestoffice, Bismarc! D., as Second Clase Matter. {88UED EVERY DAY HXCEPT SUNDAY GUBSCRIPTION RATES PAYABLE IN ADVANCB Daily, by mail or carrier, Per month .....sseceeveveeee B 50 Daily, by mail, one year in North Dakota ...... eceseeee 4.00 Daily, by mail outside of North Dakota, one year ....« Dally, by mail outside of North Dakota, three months. Daily, by mail in North Dakota three months ..,......+esee Weekly, by mail, per year . Member Audit Bureau of Circulat (HD STATE'S OLDEST NEWi (Hatablished 1878) 6.00 1.50 1.25 1.50 fa ag LOCAL WEATHER BULLETIN. For the 24 hours ending at noon, March 30, 1917: Temperature at 7 a. m. Temperature at noon . 36) terfuge. The Courier-News, as the of- ficial organ of the league, owes it to the farmers to give without delay a complete report of the financial stand- ing of the league over the signature of a reliable, registered accountant. The entire report from a fiscal standpoint is up to the Townley form. The Russians have taken Van, ‘but Von is yet to fall. NATIONAL PRESIDENT. Who is who now in the state Non- partisan league? é That is troubling the faithful who are enlisted in signing up North ‘Dakota farmers who want to get rid of $16 in a painless fashion. A. C. Townley is now National President, or rather, President of the National Non-partisan ‘League, with his prescient vision riveted upon the dome of the national capital. ‘North Dakota is a conquered and subdued Highest yesterday . 50{| area, the only process remaining is Lowest last night . 24] for the seeds of socialism sown ‘by Precipitation . . None | nis satellites to germinate and fructi Highest wind For North Dakota: Unsettled and colder tonight; possibly snow flurries; Saturday partly cloudy and_ colder; fresh to strong south shifting to north- west winds. ‘Temperature Calgary . +. 22 Chicago . Kansas City . Pierre . St. Paul . Moorhead . Winnipeg - St, Louis San Francisco Helena ...- Williston . ORRIS W. ROBER' Meteorologist. Ce ee ee od & Republics end with luxw “ monarchies with — povert. og “ Montesquieu. ° PEEP OOEEEDEEOE ES A FINANCIAL STATEMENT. In reporting A. C. Townley's speech at New Rockford, the editor of The Courier-News states that a financial report of the money collected and dis- ‘bursed by the league was given. But why does The Courier-News neglect to print the financial statement given by Mr. Townley? On this very vital point The Court er-News say: “A feature of the meeting was the reading of a report by a rep- resentative of the auditing com- pany which examines the league’s accounts. This report showed the entire transactions of the league for the first organiza ~ tion period ending with Decem- ber 1, 1916, covering 21 months of the organization's life.” The Tribune has before it a copy of a financial report submitted to the members of the league November 1, 1916, ‘by Thomas Key, who signs him- self as cashier. When this report was made the league held post-dated checks to the amount of $119,121.50 as payment on league memberships, Out of a total of 39,028 members the cash collected was $158,193.75, giving a total poten- tial worth on November 1, 1916, of The report covers a period from March 1, 1915, to (November 1, 1916. These items, in addition to the $119,121.50 of post-dated checks, are still unpaid, according to the report: For automobiles, $30,260.20; old post- dated checks awaiting payment, $16, 644; post-dated checks held for col- lection, $72,074.65, Despite the fact that a cash pay- ment of $158,193.75 was reported be- tween March 1, 1915, and November 1, 1915, there was incurred during that time the following items of ex- pense, some of which have been paid: Paid to organizers, $51,736.55; gen- eral expense of organization field work, $50,284.92; campaign salaries, $2,793.61; office furniture and inciden- tals, $11,384.59; paid Leader for sub- scription price of Leader and Pear- son’s magazine, $40,984.12; autos, ninety-one machines, costing $51, 103.80, on which $20,943.60 has been paid.- There are several other small items, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. The report is not specific as to what items have ‘been paid or what is owing. About all the farmers can Blean is that, of the $158,193.75 cash actually paid in, the league organiz- ers, Townley, et al., got more than $100,000, and the Non-partisan Lead- er, $40,984.12. In other words, half the membership fee paid by the farm- ers went into the pockets of the or- ganizers, in most instances, smooth tongued Socialists imported from oth- er states. Here is the situation in brief, No- “ vember 1, 1916, just before Governor Frazier was swept into office. Owing ‘by members out of money league organized, $209,740.14. Under expenditures are listed items not paid, so it is rather difficult to ascertain from the report just what the indebtedness of the league is, but unless the $200,000 still owing by members has been paid in through the redemption of the post-dated checks, the total indebtedness ‘must. be in excess of that amount, for the fy: Speaker Wood, without any meet- ing of the members of the league, named heir apparent to Townley’s throne. ‘He occupies the star cham- ber at league headquarters and dis- penses advice and directions to the organizers who are securing new members for the league on a fifty-fitty bi Some of the ambitious members of the North Dakota ‘Non-partisan league believe they are better able to fill! Townley’s shoes than Wood. There is a rumbling of seditious chatter that may break out into re volt. Anyway, Mr. Townley may be forced to call a meeting of the league and have a state president formally elected and inducted into office. The close corporation rule, more air-tight than a directors’ meeting of the Standard Oil company, is hardly aprropriate for an organization of such simon pure democratic pre- tenses. karmers may like the democratic doctrine, but they are slightly chat- ing under the autocratic rule. Well, we will see what we will see. ONLY ONE ISSUE. There is only one fundamental is- sue in this city campaign. The vot- ers should not be led astray by minor matters, which, when sifted, are not material to the welfare of Bismarck. The question before the voters is the endorsement of an administration which has handled the business of the city economically. Corporations re- tain employes who have made good on the job. Cities should do the is no occasion for a change at this time, ‘but there is every rea- son why the present commissioners should be returned to finish tasks un- completed. Paving is not an issue before the voters, Contracts have ‘been let and} bonds have been sold and a portion of | the work has ‘been completed. Com- missioners Lucas, Battey and Bertsch are familiar with every phase of the paving contracts. They should be al- lowed to direct the paving operations to a successful completion solely to protect the tax-payers. A change at! this time might be prejudicial to the! ‘best interests of the city. } The present city commissioners who are seeking a vote of confidence next Tuesday have all been succe ful in their own business. They are{ men of large affairs and qualified to see that the tax-payer gets the most. for every dollar spent. None of them has any ulterior motives. The pit-| tance paid as salary makes no appeal. They are representative citizens, whose loyalty to 'Bismarck has ‘been thorougly tested and who can be re lied upon to safeguard the interests of the tax-payers. Their opponents, as far as the Trib- une knows, are honorable men, but none of them has advanced any valid reason why a change of public serv- ants at this time would advance the city’s interests. Commissioners Lu- cas, Battey and Bertsch have served the city creditably for several years. The achievements of their adminis- tration are being discussed at length in these columns. Eismarck has reached an important. stage in her development. If the city is to grow and prosper, men equipped to cope with her problems must be elected to public office, It is up to every progressive citi- zen to get out to the polls Tuesday and sustain an administration whose record of accomplishment has not been equaled by any in the past. The commissioners who seek re- election have given an excellent ac- count of their stewardship. They have had but one single purpose be- fore them; the best interests of Bis- marck. This is a crucial election for Bis- marck. A right selection at this time will aid the growth of the city. Good team work is one of the char- acteristics of the present administra- tion. “ Mr. Voter, retain the present high average of efficiency by supporting the present administration. If war's arrival doesn’t hurry itil be crowded off the first page by the DOINGS OF VD LIkE To STEP OVER To A Movie IF I COULD ONLY GET MY HAT. AR- | HAVE AN IDEA 1 BLOWS NoBopY GooD- DANGEROUSLY CLOSE TO BEARDED CHIN (. WITH OUT MA SEEIN’ ME- 17s AN ILL WIND THAT | 7h THE DUFF'S. MIN - THE PUSH THE BUTTON» By Allman IT’S AN ILL WIND THAT PULLS SOMEBODY NO. GOOD QEESVWR! AIRAM DUFF! Burron! | SINCE WHEN HAVE Nou HAD A DoMEsTIC TURN OF MIND ?: a ——o | READERS’ COLUMN | eS ee ee ee) ASKS TWO QUESTIONS Underwood, N. D. ...+ March 30, 1917. Mditor, Bismarck Tribune Dear Sir: It seems we are on the verge of war. | hope it may be pre- vented. It seems to me it would be far better if the country would stay out of the bloody business. There is misery cnough jin the world alr when millions of people a 5 and starving and millions ay: widows and fatherless child- reasing. Why should we as a hristian nation help increase the fearful carnage? I am an American citizen and love my country, but hate war. Before I volunteer to join the army or navy, I would like to get some light on a few questions that are puz- zling to me.. Will you please give me some information? Question 1. As we claim to be neu- tral, why isn’t Germany's warning to citizens and ships to out of her blockade to heeded much as Englands? Question 2. As our government did not grant protec: ing through blockade, why s ion to our ships go- gland’s North Sea ould we grant protec- tion to them going through Germany’s blockaae around the British Isles? Question 3. Wh ave we severed diplomatic relations with Germany and not with England, although England’s wbuses toward us have ‘been more numerous than Germany's. Question 4. Why isn’t killing ana drowning people by mines as much cause for war as killing them by sub- marines? ve) Question 5. For what cause do we ;jenter the war? Thanking you in advance, Yours. very truly, R. E. BUSH oo | CAPITOL NOTES | o——_______—_.. oO CADEL GETS JOR, W. L. Cadell, a well known leaguer from Fort Rice who had a position in the house during the Fifteenth assem- bly, has been given a clerkship in the office of Secr ary <of State Hall. . LOOKING FOR WASHOU Superintendent. W. E. Berner and Superintendent of Bridges Frank In- galls, with, headquarters at James- twon, went through in a business car attached to No. 7 yesterday, en route for a trip of inspection over the Mott Miss May “Miss May Robso1 is, without morous woman ! have ever met. ated” many of the tunr) business” that The February number of The Delineator, under “Woman Playwright,” has the following to say of Miss Robson, who will be seen at the Auditorium, Tuesday evening, April 3: . *‘Making Over of Mrs. Matt,’’ Coming to the Auditorium, April 3 Robson, the heading of exception, the most Her sense of humor i: uinely hu- ‘0 keen that she can turn it against ae and frequently does. She really “cre- roles that were jpoted to have been writ ten tormher. “itis het “Genius cf vdakelp” and her defécftoie ‘Bits mate her characteriations triumph, ani tne ea! line, where there has been some fear of washouts, owing to, the high water. “ MYERS SUCCEEDS SELF. Jeff M. Myers of Grafton has been named by the supreme court a mem- ber of the state board of bar examin- ers to succeed himself. . . TO ORGANIZE CREAMERY, State Dairy Commissioner J. J. Os- terhaus and Deputy H. C. Puderbaugh will go to Tower City next Monday to assist in the organization of a co- operative creamery,. plans for which have been under way for some time. ON ORGANIZATION WORK, Charles Leissman, employed in the automobile registration department of the secretary of state’s office, has tak- en a several days’ leave of absence, which he will devote to organization work for the Farmers’ union. P GRAIN MARKETS o—_—____________0 MINNEAPOLIS, No. 1 Hard .. .. 209% @210% No. 1 Northern . 199% @203% No. 1 Northern 207% @ 209% Regular to arr 195% Choice to arr . 206% No. 2 Northern . 195% @203% No. 3 Wheat .. 187% @191% No. 2 Mont. Hard 201% @203% . 2 Mont. Hard to arr No. 1 Durum . No. 1 Durum Choice No. 1 Durum to arr Choice to arr No. 2 Durum . 199%4:@ 211% No. 3 Yellow Corn . -. 116%118% No. 3 Yellow Corn to arr 116% @118% Other Grades Corn .... 108 @118% No. 4 Yellow Corn to arr 115% @111% No. 2 White Mont. 68 @ 69 No. 3 White Oats ...... 61 @ 62% No. 3 White Oats to. arr 60%@ 62 No. 4 White Oats ...... 60 @ 62 Barley ......... 102 @119 Choice Barley . 119 @129 Rye 20.6005 - 166. @167 Rye to arr . - 166. @167_* Flax ..... 290% @ 299%! Flax to arr 290% @298% May 191% July . 184% Septemb: . 153% Close 1:40 p. m. May .. 192% July . 195% No.-1 Hard on trk ..... 197% No. 1 Northern on trk .. 196% No. 2 Northern on trk .. 190% @192% No. 3 Northern on trk .. 184% @189% No. 1 Northern to arr .. 196% No. 2 Mont. Hard on trk 196%4' No. 2 Mont. Hard to arr 196% No. 1 Spot Durum .... 204% No. 2 Spot Durum 199% @201% No. 1 Durum to arr .... 20214 May .. + 204%. July . 200% Oats on trk - 59%*@ 62% Oats to arr .. - 59% Rye on trk and to arr .. 164 @165 Barley on trk .. - 95 @125 Flax on trk and ~ 294% 295% - 193 . 191% Woes Close 1:44 p. m. [a] ST. PAUL. HOGS—Receipts 3,700; 15c to 20c higher; range $14.40@15.00; bulk $14.70@14.80. CATTLE—Receipts 1,100; killers strong; steers $5.50@11.50; cows and heifers $6.00@9.00; calves, steady, $5.00@12.75; stockers and feederg, ae and lower for ’ week, $4.00@ . SHEEP—Receipts 50; = steady; lambs $8.00@14.50; wethers $6.00@ 12.00; ewes §5.50@11.25. fe CHICAGO. =| all bids. Completion of Paving Job One of Big Projects For Next City Commission "Eaditor’s Notes Paving is not an issue in this campalgn, Bis- marek already is pledged to a program of street improvement and 4 whoever is elected, paving will go But the mamer in which this work on. Is to-be done is one of the VITAL ISSUES in this campaign, Would you, Mr. Voter, discharge competent overseers when the job was only half or one-third com- pleted? Is it wise public policy to change the bosses on the job at this critical time? Commissioners Battey, Lucas and Bertsch are acquainted with all phases of the paving contracts, Every property owner who has mn paving to pay for, is directly Inter ested complete the task started last su Bismarck is almost a unit for paving. dition of the streets paved last fall Years ago a faction in this el ty opposed cement keeping these men to mmer. Contrast today the con- and the dirt roads. sidewalks and urged that the board walks be tinkered up. Would you want to go back to Do you want clean paved That Is the Issue Mr. Voter. The most important improvement undertaken by Bismarck in all its his- tory is the paving project now. under way. Two yearg ago the city commission adopted resolutions requiring the sub- mission of petitions representing 51 percent or more of the property-hold- ers concerned before any general im- provement work was undertaken. It was the sense of the commission that the taxpayers, who must pay the bills, should be the ones to initiate any movement involving the expenditure of public funds or the pledging of the city’s credit. From that date no work S been done except upon petition of the property-holders, and when such petitions have been presented the im- provement desired has been promptly forthcoming. The paving project originated with the Commercial club. Petitions circu- lated by large property-holders who are active members of the club repre- sented 76 percent of all the resident taxpayers in Bismarck when they were presented to the city commis- sion last summer. It was prayed that there be paved a large area embracing all of the down- town business district and practically the entire residence section of the city. The commission ordered plans and specifications for the proposed paving, and hearings were held as required by law, with the result that the districts as originally comprised were cut down 25 percent. The percentage of prop- erty represented on the petitions would have justified the commission in including the entire area, but it deemed the burden too great for some of the outlying districts which are not solidly built up. Good Bids Received. Bids were advertised for, and a number of the largest contractors in the northwest responded. The bids opened August 28, 1916, revealed ex- ceptionally favorable figures, and after a thorough investigation and repeated conferences with property-holders, the commission accepted the bid of the Ford Paving Co. of Cedar Rapids, Ia., for asphalt paving in district No. 2, comprising the residence section and the bid of Hanlon & Okes of Sioux City, Ia., for bitulithic in district No. 1, the business section, the lowest of- fer being accepted in each instance. A report. of the committee covering different kinds of paving showed that a thorough investigation was made,! and from the results there was con- clusive evidence that asphalt paving, properly laid and adequately — main- tained, would prove the most economi- cal and in every way more satisfac- tory for the residence district. It was found to be well adapted to local cli- matic conditions, as proven by the ex- perience of Winnipeg, Man., where 75 percent of all paving is asphalt; of Duluth, Minn., where asphalt has al- most a complete monopoly, and of Chi- cago, two-thirds of whose streets are paved with asphalt. These three cities offered varying conditions that might be duplicated in Bismarck, both as to heat and cold, and they testified that asphalt had held up for years under these condi- tions. The Cost of Paving, Upon the letting of the contracts, the city commission announced that the approximate cost for inside lots in the residence district would be $6.83 for each front foot, and that the paving might be paid for in cash, when completed, or, if preferred, may be paid in 20 annual installments, with interest at six percent. Under the lat- ter plan, the first payment will be the heaviest, and each succeeding instal- ment will show a decrease. Through the sale of $300,000 worth of paving bonds at a heavy premium, the actual interest rate in district No. 2 is reduced to 5.82 percent, which is one of the lowest rates paid by any city in the northwest. The Actual Figures. So much has been said relative to the cost of paving in the residence district, and the cost has been figured from so many different angles, that the property-holder has iecome con- fused. The positive facts as to the expense of paving, as stated by Co.sulting n- gineer Farrell and vouched ‘or by every member of the city commissicn are these: The annual payment on eaci 25- foot lot will be $8.54 plus interest. Interest does not constitute a part of the cost of paving and under no circumstances can it ‘be considered as a part of the cost of the improve- ment. Inasmuch as.a majority of property-holders, however, will avail themselves of the easier way of pay- ing for the improvement in twenty board walks? streets or impassable mud holes? annual instalments rather than in one lump sum when the work is complet- ed, it is well to note that the first in- terest payment on a 25-foot lot will be $9.95; that each succeeding inter- est payment will be less, until the last instalment on the first cost, when there will be no interes: to pay. The owner of an inside 25-foot lot may expect, therefore, if he wishes to spread his obligation over 20 years, to pay $18.49 in 1918 and a smaller amount each succeeding year until 1938, when he will pay only the final instalment on the principal, or $3.54. Corner Lots Cared For. These figures are based on the as- sumption that the board of special assessors will follow the common practice of assessing corner lots dou- ‘ble, instead of for all of ‘heir actual frontage on both streets, and pro-rat- ing the balance over ‘he loca, and that 20 per cent of the 2ost of street intersections and paving abutting public property -will ‘be covered over the entire city, as required by law. The figures quoted, therefore, repre- sent -the: ABSOLUTE MAXIMUM cost. The cost.for inside lots may be less; it cannot possidly. be more. Quick Work: in No. 1. The contract with Hanlon & Okes provided for the beginning of work at once in district No. 1, and within two weeks after the contract was signed, operations were under way in the down-town section, and, thanks to fast work and unusually favorable weather two-thirds of the paving was complet- ed last fall. The contractors’ plant remained on the ground during the winter, and Is ready to resume opera- tions at an early date. The entire down-town district should be paved not later than July 1. The first $90,- 000 worth of bonds covering this dis- trict sold for a premium which will bring the interest rate down to 5.85 percent. Business Transaction. It is universally admitted that these contracts were let without political preferences of any kind, and with no considerations except the best inter- ests of the city. Good business judg- ment dictated the transaction, and there never has been an intimation by anyone that there was the veriest shadow of irregularity in the p:o- ceedings. In order to make certain a firstclass job in every respect, the city has em- ployed as consulting engineer James A. Farrell, of Duluth, for 20 years connected with ‘the department of public improvements in the Zenith City. Engineer Farrell visited Bis- marck several times while the work was in progress last fall, and gave the paving his close personal super- vision, He endorsed the work of Han- lon & Okes in district No. 1 as en- tirely satisfactory and expressed the belief that the city is getting a well- built and enduring pavement. In addition to his personal ser- vices, Mr. Farrell furnished an inspec- tor who spent every hour of every day on the job while the paving was in progress, and every yard of bitu- lithic which was laid had first to pass under his eye. No possibility was al- lowed for any error or mistake upon the part of the contractor. The com- mission left undone nothing which would tend to insure the taxpayers full value for every penny they are called upon to invest in paving, and experts assert the city has been suc- cessful to an unusual degree. City Engineer T. R. Atkinson had a force of five engineers detailed to in- spect the work throughout its prog- ress, and the same precautions will be taken in the completion of district No. 1 and the paving of district No. 2 this spring. All engineering fees, both for expert consultant and assistants, are paid by the city engineer out of a commission which he voluntarily re- duced one-percent from the specified amount, effecting another important saving to taxpayers. This important work has only be- gun. The’ retiring members of the commission in consenting to run for re-election do so principally because they feel they are responsible for the commencement of this great under- taking and will be held responsible for its completion. They are familiar with all details of the work, and they may be depended upon to see that it is carried through honestly, efficiently and economically. Taxpayers general- ly agree that the present commission has given proof of its ability to handle capably an undertaking of such great magnitude, and that it would be folly at this important point in the city’s progress to transfer the management to the hands of men who cannot be so thoroughly familiar with all that must be done during the coming year. mixed $14.90@15.50; heavy $14.80@ $15.55; rough $14.80@14.95; pigs $10.75@ 14.35. CATTLE—Receipts 2,000; steady; native beef steers $9.10@12.90; stock- ers and feeders $7.00@9.80; cows and heifers $5.50@10.60; calves $9.50@ 14.00. SHEEP—Receipts 8,000; steady’; wethers $10.50@12.75; lambs $12.00 @15.35. COAL BIDS WANTED. Sealed bids for 500 tons more or) less lump deep mine lignite coal will be received up to noon April 10, 1917, at our office . Coal to be delivered as wanted during the year ending Ap- ril 10, 1918, at our various places of business and residences in the city of Bismarck. Right reserved to reject OSCAR H. WILL & CO. You'll HILLSBORO UNIT 1S READY Company L Ordered Out in Accordance With Orders Received From Hillsboro, N. 0., March 30-—In ac- cordance with orders received from the state headquarters, Captain Boyd of Company L, North Dakota First in- fantry, the local unit of the state mi- litia, was ordered out yesterday, and is ready to report at a moment's no- tice. Company L is composed of 40 men, all in first-class condition. WANTED, Nameg of the two men who saw —~ i et