The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, April 16, 1917, Page 1

The. Weather | Uneettied. sae Hae THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE [= THIRTY-SEVENTH YEAR, NO. 89 PRESENT HAY FIX MINIMUM CROP PALES Washington Correspondent Urg- es That Government Under- write This Year's Crops AMOUNTS TO INSURANCE; FURNISHES SECURITY Action Now Doubtless Would Stimulate Farmers of North- west to Increase Acreage ISSUES APPEAL. Washington, April 16—Fresh im- petus was given to the nation- wide campaign for more food crops today by. President Wil- son’s plea for unity of uction in furthering America’s success in the world war. The President's appeal, ad- dressed to his “fellow country- men,” urged all people to join in making the nation a unlt for the preservation Of jts idealy-and for the triumph of democracy, but particularly emphasized the need of growers concentrating their energy on pla of crops that the United States might fultill its task of feeding the armies and peoples who are fighting Ger- many, “Without abundant food alike for the armies and peoples at war,” sald the appeal, “the whole great enterprise upon which we have embarked will fall. Upon the farmers of the country there- _ fore In large measure rests the fate of the war, and the fate of the nation.” By GILSON GARDNER. Washington, April 16—A minimum price tor staple food crops, such as wheat, corn, potatoes, oats, etc, can, and probably will, be fixed by .Presi- dent Wilson by.a simple executive or- der, It is not necessary to wait for Congress, ‘Food purchases are within the authority of the President..as a war expense and. such an_oerder: would |, tbe backed by the seven’ billions which Congress is now making available. Must Be (Made Now. To be of any help the government’s offer to underwrite’ this year’s crops must be made before the, seeding time is gone. This means that it must be made within the ‘next 35 days. Handled as an executive mat- ter, an incident to the war making power, this can be done. To wait for Congress would probably be fatal. High government officials to whom I have talked say there is no ques- tion as to President Wilson's power to make this order. To buy the sur- plus crop—or to offer to buy it—is just as necessary now as to buy pow- der or shot. “The government would not, as a matter of fact, have to take over any of the crops,” one official explained. “It amounts in fact only to insurance and, like most insurance, the loss does not have to be met. Yet it would furnish a security and an in- centive to the farmer that would make him bring. into use every road- side, every. railroad right. of way and, every vacant -lot,” The best authority on agriculture in Washington is Captain W. S. A. Smith, for ‘years expert advisor to the department of agriculture and now a member of the farm loan board. Capt. Smith said to me: Matter of Economics, “This crop matter should not- be made subject of patriotic appeal, It is a matter of economics and should be so treated. There is no use ask- ing farmers for the ‘sake of their country to raise crops at a possible loss, when they can be induced to raise them at a reasonable profit. Let the government offer to buy the crop at some fixed price which the farmer can know and rely on now, and he will be able to go to the bank, ‘borrow money for seed and perhaps even lease extra land, But without such assurance the farmer goes back to his usual reasoning that 40 bush- els of corn at. 40 cents is just as good as 70 bushels at 40 cents. And for him it is, and a little better, because it involves less work. But it is bad for the country and the world—bad for the hungry consumer to have it work out that way. “Can we increase our yield enough to meet the need? “Given the stimulus of a guaran- teed price we can do things that.nev- er have been suspected. “Take millet alone. Tht staple food in Manchuria, Corea and many parts of China is millet. It can be substi- tuted for wheat or mixed with wheat or used as a stock feed. We can grow two or three crops of millet in a season and raise as high as 60 bush- els to the acre. But the farmer will not raise millet unless:he is assured of his market. \Nothing More Nutritious, “Or. take the ordinary pea. ‘Noth- ing is’ more nutritious—nothing is better for everyday wholesome diet than peas. In Iowa we used to raise three crops a season. ‘They can be grown by the acre, dried, run through a threshing machine and they are ready for the winter. Pea soup is the best of foods. “There is no use whooping it up as a patriotic duty to do these things. If the government wants the prod- ucts, it can have them by naming BISMAROK, NORTH DAKOTA, ST. QUENTIN AND LENS DOOME MONDAY APRIL 16, 1917. | War is declared. America is at war! PROCLAMATION ved Every eitizen is in- terested in that fact, as every citizen is interested in the outeome. Bismarek is interested. We have not sought the dread arbitra- ment of war; but it has come and every loyal American desires to stand loyally by the fairest ttag that floats. Our sons have joined the ranks of the militia Y 2 Let. our loyalty us deck our streets, our and the navy; others will follow their clad, but the larger number of us will remain at home. ‘be none the less apparent. business houses homes inside and out with the national colors. Let us advise our children of the significance of it all, and let us keep the colors flying until the complete issue of the contest. I hereby set apart Thursday, April 19, 1917, the aniversary of the battle of Lexington as a popular day of encouragement to the enlisted men, and to those who shall enlist, and as a token of our support of the Government in the crisis that is wpon us. Dated this sixteenth day of April, 1917. A. W. LUCAS, START ENLISTING ‘SOLDIERS OF SEA IN CAPITAL CITY Enlistments Expected to Boom With Opening of Recruit- ing Headquarters LIEUTENANT KITTERER HERE TO TAKE CHARGE The big drive to secure needed men for the United States navy was launched here this morning by Lieu- tenant Kitterer, who declare] that enlis‘ments wili ® boom in Eismack as soon s his headquarters are established in. the i BMeKenzie or Soo, Urged fo"enlist. Now. “Enlist Now—-Your Navy Needs You!” is the stosan that will ring throughout this section cf the Slope country = So persistent will be its call that few young Americans will fa. to note it. Reports from sll ever the country show that about 500 hardy Americans are being enlisted daily. It is pointed out by the officer here that only about 15 per cent of those who heretofore applied for en- listment have been accepted for the service. Telegraphic advices received this morning state that the central states lead in the enlistments in the marine corps, although the eastern states have by far the most applicants for enlistments and the southern states furnish the least number of “soldiers of the sea,” according to statistics just made public. Health Poor in East. The general poor physical condi- tion of easterners, the healthy, out- door life which young men of the in- terior enjoy, and the proportionate scarcity of marine corps recruiting station in the south account for these differences, say recruiting officials. “Only one man in five can meet our requirements,” said . Lieutenant Kitterer this afternoon, “and these re- quirements are not severe. Men ac- cepted must conform to certain pre- scribed age and size limits, be of strong constitution, well formed, sound as to senses and limbs, spirited young men, who are physically able to perform the ‘two-in-one’ land and sea service of our first line of de- fense.” TO ARRIVE AT WISE CENSORSHIP ‘Washington, April 16.—Secretaries Lansing, Baker and: Daniels and George Creel, who compose the new government publicity bureau, created by President Wilson, met today to map out a course of action. The primary purpose of the bureau, it was stated, was to profit immediately by the mistakes made abroad in impos- ing a fhilitary censorship at the be- ginning of the war and to open to the public all proper information as to what the government is doing or intends to do. ' SPHSPIOSSEOOOH OS MOST BEAUTIFUL SUFFRAGE PICKET TO WORK IN SOUTH Washington, April 14.—Miss Beulah Amidon, daughter of Federal Jndge. Amidon of North Dakota, who a few weeks ago was voted the most beautiful suffragist doing picket duty before the White House, _ will open suffrage headquarters in Atlanta, Ga., next week. She will organize a state conference of the National Woman’s party for the first week in May. Miss Amidon has just finish- ed a month of active cam- paigning in North Carolina. She was working with Doris Stevens, national chairman of organization for the National ‘Woman’s party. SHPCHESCSSOSOOCOEOOOS PEEPS OSESCSOOS e CR Rk ee Re ee eee eed POOSSPO OSD POSSIBILITY. RACE FOR TOCA Former Superintendent Public Instruction Being Boosted by Friends for Job CANDIDATES EXPECTED TO RUN ON PETITIONS The Hon. John Halland of Fargo, for two terms superintendent. of pub- lie instruction for North Dakota, for an equal length of time superintendent of schools in Traill county and who has just been elected president for (he seventh time of the Fargo Norse so- is the latest. congressional pos bility from the First. Friends of Mr. Halland regard him as the best candidate whom — the Republicans could bring forth at this time. They contend,he 4s. admiraply. fitted: to rep- resent. his district in. Washington and that he would reflect credit ‘on the en- tire state, EK. C. Cuthbert of Devils Lake is now an avowed candidate, but old war horses are picking Burthness of Grand Works us 2 more! probable. winner, among the entries ‘fromthe north end of the district. Lieut. Gov. A. T. Kraabel has been, mentioned, — but while in Fargo’ last week he stren- uously denied the impeachment. FE. S. Talcott, warden of the state peni- tentiary, is a receptive candidat All of the above are Republicans. On t he Democratic side_are Senator Drown of Page, Fred Bartholomew and George Bangs of Grand Forks and E. E. Cole of Fargo. Drown Is an avowed candidate, and his supporters among the Democrats predict he will make a strong race. ‘League Out of It (?) President Townley states the league will take no part in the congressional fight. The league, says the big boss, is still out of national politics. Sen- ator Drown, if nominated = by the Democrats, relies upon the support of the league, but 'Bill Lemke of Fargo, who has well developed congressional aspirations, may have something to say on that score. While the league did not enter national politics openly last fall, there is no question that league leaders quietly passed word to knife Hughes and elect Wilson. It is entirely probable that in the coming battle the league will have an candi- date, and Mr. Lemke has a clearly- defined idea that he can be that can- didate, if he wishes. Lemke’s only chance of being nom- inated on the Republican ticket would be through league votes. The rank and file of the Republican party is the first district and the state gen- erally haven r approved — of: the manner in which Lemke ran the state campaign last fall. Should Lemke and Drown be rival candidates, some in- {terest would attach to the result. but reports from the first indicate little probability of such a line-up. NO PRIMARIES: It stems safe to conclude there will be no primaries for the selection of party nominees. No provision for the folding of a primary is made in the statute governing the filling of vacan- cies by special election. It is believed that: Section 501, of the 1889 code, provides that candidates may qualify on petitions signed by not less than ten per cent of the electors voting for congressman at the last preceding general electioin, will govern. In this event, it would be necessary for the Republican nominees to_pro- cure only 207 signatures and the Dem- ocrat but 132. Governor Frazier is expected home from New York tomorrow evening, and it is probable he will issue a proc- lamation Wednesday calling the spec- jal election, which must be advertised once each week for four successive weeks. MAYOR LUCAS GETS RESPONSE TO MESSAGE A. W. Lucas, president of the city commission, has received the follow- ing word from Secretary Tumulty in response to a telegram sent two weeks ago extending “hearty and uni- ted support” in behalf of the city to the president on his war message: “The president thanks you cordial- ly for the good will which prompted your kind message and which has helped to reassure him and keep him } in heart. | HALAND LATEST BUSINESS MEN ENLIST IN MOVE TO BOOST CROPS Congress Urged to Adopt Eng- land’s Policy of Fixing Minimum: Price FARGO CONFERENCE Ig WELL ATTENDED National Reserve Banks to Co- Overate With Local Institu- tions in Crisis Fargo, N. D,, April 16---Thteres: in North Dakota’s part in the war meas- ures centered today in- the appoint- ment of an executive committee, au- thorized here yestereay, wren 150 ‘bankers and agricultural, leaders of this state and adjacent porticns af (Minnesota, in conference ere on means of increasing and conservirs foodstuffs production during the w adopted a resolution urging cen to follow England's. policy of a minimum protective » farmer for all food: produ the war continues. For Conscription. Another resolution adopie| favored congressional action aMowing home- steaders credit for, claims in time spent for farm labor in tim2 of war, and universal selective conscription, “so that the boy required on the farm and who is trained in farm work and produces the food to supply the figh*- ing forces at the front shall be rec- ognized as performing no les3 a patri- otic duty than the soldier an sailor under arms.” ‘Eleventh Hour Call, The conference was the result of an “eleventh hour” call issued Satur- day by Chairman John H. Rich of the Ninth federal Feserve District, with headquarters at Minneapolis. In re- sponse to summons by telephone and tele; hh, representatives were pres- ent from ever; lon if the state, Particularly,, from Stt=aul and. Min. neapolis. Thé nieeting ‘was ‘marked by & willingness to co-operate in as- suming a responsibility enabling the farmers to produce the maximum food production possible, as a meas: ure of promoting the war fully. W. C. McDowell, pres the First National bank at ‘Marion, IN. ‘D., presided. John Rich Present. Mr. Rich was present and gave as- surance that the National Reserve banks would provide the country with plenty of money to finance the farm- ers of ‘North Dakota in their farming operations, and also guarantee plenty of help to harvest the crop. ‘Attorney J, ‘M. Witherow of Moor- head, Minn., late in the meeting, as ed the gathering to let the farmer know what rate of interest should be charged for the money advanced to finance seed operations. Not to Fix Interest. ‘Following the adoption of the reso- lution favoring the establishment of the minimum price for products, Mr. Witherow said 7 per cent should be the rate allowed. He was advised by Mr. McDowell, the president, that the conference was for the purpose of providing ways and means to in- crease the products of Nerth Dakota farms, and not to fix interest rates or the price of wheat. Insure Against Lose, ‘Mr. Witherow was supported by F. O, Hellstrom, former warden of the penitentiary at Bismarck, who assert- ed the government should insure the farmer against loss of crops. Action was taken authorizing the appointment of an executive commit- tee by Mr. McDowell. The advisability of holding a meet- ing of this committee at Grand Forks some time this week was considered ing to the informally by members’ of the com-; mittee, following the gathering. (Continued on Page Three.) May Wheat Prices Soar Kansas City, April 16.—Advances in May wheat continued today as a result of additional efforts by shorts to cover. The closing Satruday's fig- ure of $2.38% was raised to: $2.47’2. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT AMERICAt Haven't you forgotten many of the facts about early Amer- ican history that were taught you in school? Wouldn't you Ike to “brash up” on the hap- penings th: built these U! ted States, so as better to under- stand the stirring times into which the nation now is mov- ing? The Daily Tribune, believing its readers will Wish to review their history, has prepared a tabloid hist f the Ameri- can nation, complete in a few chapters, The first chapter pears on another page. NORWAY BUILDS T BLLON WAR | CREDIT BILL BEFORE SEMTE Indications Are That It Will Be Passed by That Body To- morrow REPRESENTATIVE OF ALLIES TO ARRIVE THIS WEEK \ All Wireless Stations Not Oper- ated by Government Are Ordered Dismantled Washington, April 16.~The $7,000,- 000,000 war revenue Dill, which had Passed the house, was approved by the senate ee and will be taken up tomorrow for passage in the senate. The $7,000,000,000 war revenue bill was in the hands of the senate today and its passage by tomorrow was ex: pected when the finance committee of the senate met to consider the measure as it came from the house, which passed it Saturday. All wireless stations not operated by the government were ordered dis- mantled today by the secretary of the navy. Failure of owners to com- ply with this order will result in con- fiscation of equipment. It was announced today that Presi- dent Wilson would receive the {3rit- ish war commissioners at the White house on Wednesday and the Frenc!' commissioners on the same day tf they have then arrived. Elaborate preparations have been made ior their reception and entertainment. With the approval of the adminis- tration, Chairman Adamson of the House conference committee today in- troduced a war embargo bill to: em- power the president to forbid exports of any sort which he deems it in the public interest to do so. BEACH CASE. NOT YET IN HANDS: OF MEMBERS OF JURY Cross-Examination of Witnesses by Defense Halts Progress of Murder Trial «Special to Tribune.) Mandan, N. D., April 16.—Owing to the length of time required by the defense in the cross-examination of witnesses, the case of the state against George Smith of Beach, charged with the murder of Horace Ball, did not reach the jury Saturday afternoon as had been anticipated by court attaches. Introduction of tes- timony and cross-examination of wit- nesses continued this morning and the latest forecast is that the case will not go to the jury until some time this afternoon, SUBMARINES. FOR GENTEAL POWERS Boston, April 16.—German subma- rines in large numbers have been built in Norway, according to a pri- vate letter received here from Chris- tiana, which adds that Germany has given orders to build no submersibles after May 1. “This means,” says the letter, “that she either has enough boats or that the war will terminate sometime this coming summer.” Bryan and Wilson Confer Washington, April 16.—President Wilson this morning received Wm. J. Bryan. They conferred at the White house before the Président went to his oftices, Mr. Bryan reiterated to the presi- dent hig offer recently made by tele- graph to be of any service to the gov- ernment during the war. After leav- ing the president, Mr. Bryan dictated a statement declaring his intention to protect the government on any war plans on which it might decide. He declined to discuss conscripton specifically. DIVINE SARAL W OSPTAL New York, April 16—Sarah Bern- hardt has been removed from her hotel here, to a hospital, it was learned today. Vest Pocket Edition of Winter Here Burleigh County Soil and Wet Snow Make Dish Resembling Caviar Dressing A vest pocket edition of winter was issued by the weatherman this morning. Snow to the depth of an inch had fallen from 5:30 o'clock this morning up to the noon hour, and the forecast at that hour was for snow this afternoon and tonight. Burleigh county soil and a_ wet snow such as today make a mixture resembling a Russian caviar dressing for head lettuce. But the mixture ta- day was spread thick over the walks and the pavement, making it not very relishing to the pedestrians. Dry cleaners look for a run of busi- ness tomorrow, as the weatheramn is of the opinion that the disturbance will “throw down its hand” by that time. The temperature has taken a slump. The highest yesterday was the num- ber of the Nonpartisan league’s fam- ous bill, The reading at 7 o'clock was 30 and the mercury five hours later, or in fact throughout the morn- ing hours was making no efforts to got far beyond that mark, seemingly willing to sit down on the 32 mark and look wise, thinking it had “put over” something. BECIN COUNT OF SWINE ON NOL FARMS Following Report, Conference of Stock Men’ Will Be Holdin Minneapolis 37 INSPECTORS BEGAN WORK THIS MORNING Minneapolis, Minn., April 16.—Thir- ty-seven state inspectors, following gestion by Edmund Pennington, president of the Soo dine, and A, R. Rogers of the Rogers ‘Lumber com- pany, today began making a count of swine on the 75,000 farms of ‘North ‘Dakota. ‘Pennington announced today, fol- lowing a long distance telephone talk with A. R, Fay of Chicago, vice presi- dent of Swift & Co., that a confer- ence of prominent livestock men will be held in Minneapolis, as soon as the North Dakota inspectors have finished their count, to discuss the swine shortage situation. ENGLISH PRESS SAYS. APPEAL 1S. DIRECT 10 HEART Given Great Prominence in Ev- ening Newspapers Which Print | Document Textually | London, April 16.—President Wil-! son's appeal to the American people is given great prominence in the eve- ning newspapers, which print proclamation textaully. “It goes straight to the heart of} the great war problem,” says the Westminister Gazette, “and will be read with great appreciation by thei Allied nations. | “No message addressed by their government to any of the countries at war has better combined an appeal | to the heart with practical counsel and | shown a keener eye to the funda-; mentals of the situation.” CONFEDERATE ARMY | VETERAN WOULD JIM UNTED STATES NAY Little Rock, Arkansas, April 16.— Another gratifying example of loyalty was demonstrated at the United States navy recruiting office here when J. L. Leigh applied for enlist- ment in the navy. Mr. Leigh re- quested that he be enlisted at once and sent to the largest battleship afloat for service on that vessel. He Was greatly disappointed when in- formed by the recruiting officer that he exceeded the required age limit by 40 some odd years, he being 69 years of age. Mr. Leigh is a warrior of experi- ence, having enlisted in the Confed- erate army at the age of 13 and hav- ing served for four years, which end- ed in April 1865, under General Lee, at Appomattox. the/s | north of St. Quentin, having captured HAIC'S PATROL W STREETS Of THESE. QTE Occupation by Allies Seems Only Question of Hours, Say Re- ports ENTENTE HAVE REACHED MAIN HINDENBURG LINES Teutons Make Stubborn Resist- ance as British Open Up Large Gaps in Defense By Assoclated Press.) The fighting on the western front has assumed almost the proportion of almost a general engagement” from the North Sea to the Swiss border. As yet the infantry has not been heavily engaged much to the north of Loos, in the Lens region, or east of the Soissons region, within which confines the battle of Arras and the istruggle for St. Quentin are being waged. f Dramatle Situation, Were attention not centered on the dramatic situation about Lens and St. Quentin, the fall of both being considered imminent, the great artil- lery battle in the region between Soissons and Rheims which has been going on for several days doubtless would have attracted more notice. As it is, the potential importance of this duel of the big guns cannot be mini- mized presaging, as it may, offensive movements of the infantry on 2 large scale, Important Operations, Increasing probability of the open- ing of important operations between Soissons and Rheims and in the west- ern Champagne is indicated by the, German official report that “Infantry fighting develops this morning over wide sectors” after heavy artillery firing and reconnoitering drives. Tho sincerity of the fighting accom- pauying sto German counter, attack yenterday or Tix. tailo fone of both sides of the Bapaume-Cambraf road, is emphasized by today's German headquarters’ statement. In connection with the Soissons- Rheims region, the probability of a northward push by the French from the Rheims region to turn the left flank of the Hindenburg line, as the | British have turned the right at Vimy, has come to the front, while the artil- lery battle has been raging. London, April 16.—Although Brit- ish patrols have been in the streets of Lens and General Haig’s men are on the outskirts of St. Quentin, the fall of neither of these towns as yet, has been officially announced. The Germans, it is apparent, have sent in their reserves, and are making a desperate defense to enable their engineers to complete the destruction of the mines a nd factories at Lens, which might have been useful to the Allies. NEAR MAIN LINE Despite the fact that all along the lines between Lens and St. Quentin, the German resistance has stiffened, General Haig reports today the cap- ture of Villette, which strengthens his line northwest of St. Quentin and an- nounces further progress northwest of Lens. Counter attacks which the Germans have launched at Moncby and Langencourt suggest that the British are approaching dangerously near to t he new German lines, which, according to unofficial account the Germans have not had time to com- plete before the British offensive was launched. WIDEN ma staff correspondent of the inted Press.) British Headquarters in France, via London, April 16.--The British con- tinued today gradually to widen the cond gap in the Hindenburg line the position. known as the Three Sav- ages, east of Gricourt. St. Quentin continues to burn. Away to the north Lens still holds out. The. Germans have several strong positions about the city. to which they still cling. WANT TO SAVE CITIES The British apparently would like to take Lens without inflicting too great damage from an extensive bom- bardment. They always have been in position t o reduce the city to ruins, but the shells have been directed against several spots known to be used for military purposes by the Germans. | Nevertheless the Germans continue to destroy the city by blowing up build- ings. ATTACK FROM ALL SIDES Further details of yesterday's fight- ing show the desperate character of several German attacks on the new British positions. The attack which was essayed from both sides of Queant and temporarily pierced the British line at Lagnicourt was extremely bit- ter. It began at 4:30 a. m. Sunday and continued for three hours with- out interruption, British advance posts were driven but the support units joined the issue with the Gere man: HAND TO HAND ENCOUNTERS. Many hand to hand encounters fol- lowed. There was also mere aimed rifle shooting than for many: months. During this fire Paks es fell in clumps. They to seek cover behind bushes ‘and-in small pickets. with. AM _ Tesults. ‘ Continued r