The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, May 7, 1917, Page 1

{ 1. -» . State in the selection of party candi- The Weather Generally Fair, THIRTY-SEVENTH YEAR, NO. 107 N BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA, . MONDAY, MAY 7, 1917. jm THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE AEPUBLICANS I CONVENTION TO MAME FAVORITE Held at Informa] Conference in Fargo That This Is Only Proper Plan to Follow FOWLER QUITS RACE AND NEW NAMES ARE ENTERED Field of Ten at Least Seems Prob. able for Pow-Wow to Select From Next Friday Fargo, N. D., May 7.—Republicans will nominate by convention their candidate for congress to succeed the late H. T. Helgesen, such action be- ing determined upon at a conference of state committeemen, county chair- men, prominent party members, at the call of ‘National ‘Committeeman | Gunder Olson, held in Fargo Sunday. Friday evening of this week the state central committee members representing the legislative districts comprising tixe First congressional district, will meet in Fargo with Na- tional Committeeman (under Olson for the purpose of determining upon the apportionment of delegates to the convention; the date for the cau-| cus and the date for the convention. That the convention system is the mode prescribed by the laws of the dates for a congressional vacancy was the view unanimously expressed by prominent attorneys who partici- pated in the informal conference field at the Waldorf hotel in Fargo on’ Sun- day. The proposal that the petition system was governing met with no sanction. Unlucky Number There. Thirteen of the twenty state com- mitteemen in the district attended the conference. Four county chair- men were present in person or by ‘proxy. A striking. resolutionadonted. by the conference contains ‘the sugges- tion that the committeemen, when they make their call, advise the coun- ty conventions to refmin from bind- ‘ing their delegates to any particular candidate; that they eschew the unit rule in voting, and that the delegates be permitted to come to the state convention entirely free to act as they may deem for the best interests of the state and nition—for the se- lect‘on of a candidate for congress at this time is a matter of vital im- portance in view of the great war crisis that confronts the nation. The call for the meeting of ths state central committee men to be held here Friday evening, was issued today. They will confer with Gunder Olson, the national committeeman, in fixing the caucus, county and state convention dates. Among Those Present. Among the men present at the con- ference were: Ray Craig, Ransom county; R. J. Rughes, Richland coun- ty; K. J...Nomland, Traill county; Treadwell Twichell an¢ L. L. Twi- chell, Cass county; A. W. Fowler, Cass county; O. B. Burtness and J. D, Bacon, Grand Forks county; C. ‘W. Plain, Cavalier county; Ole A. Pod, Walsh county; Buckmiller, Sar- gent county; A. Leslie, Sargent coun: | ty; G. J. Mustad, Steele county; G.| Ross, Richland county; D, A. Cross,/ Sargent county; F. T. Cuthbert, Ram- sey county; A. Holte, Cass county: Geo, White, Traill county; I. J. Nel- son, ‘Walsh county; R. A. Westacott, Grand Forks county; Burleigh F. Spalding, Cass county. Fowler Pulls Out. Yesterday’s informal Republican; conference reduced the previously recognized field of candidates for the congressional job by one—A. W. Fow- ler, Cass county, declared ‘he wasn’t a candidate for the place. On the other hand, there were sev- eral additions to the list. Prominent} among the new names are those of C. W, Plain, Wilton, former state sen- ator; H. H. Aaker, Grand Forks, for-! mer Republican candidate for gover-! nor; Judge Burleigin F. Spalding, Far-; go, former congressman. Previously mentioned prospective! candidates now in the foreground are O. B. Burtness, Grand Forks; John E. Paulson, Traill county; K. J. Nom-j land, Buxton; F. T, Cuthbert, Devils Lake; Ray Craig, Lisbon; A. T. Kraabel, Clifford; G. Henry, G. Vik, Cavalier. Lemke Not In. For some time there was more or less discussion as to the possibility that William Lemke might become a! candidate. Within the last few days it has been authoritatively statea that he has abandoned any notion of entering the race, The fact that the Nonpartisan Jeague leaders are, so far, shying clear of the congressional situation, is responsible for the fact that Mr. Lemke will not be in the race. KIDDER. SUNDAY SCHOOL CONVENTION AT STEELE Steele, N. D., May 7.—The annual Kidder, County ‘Sunday Schcol con- -vention will be held here Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13. The ad- dress of welcome will be given by the Rev. Mr. Walker and the re- sponse, by James C. Garrison. Mr. Langer’s Epidemic Or Libelling a City Malicious reports relative to the health of Bismarck and the condi- tion of the city’s water supply through the action of Attorney General Langer, Dr. Curren, secretary of the state board of health and Dr. Cox, head of the health laboratory of the University of North Dakota, have been given some official stamp, despite the fact that they are wholly without foundation. Pusillanimous cranks are seeking to stampede the community and create a condition seriously prejudicial to the welfare of the city. THE REAL MOTIVE The Tribune has been silent, although importuned by a few citizens to enter a controversy precipitated wholly in the interests of other cities anxious to secure the mobilizaton of the troops and ‘de- termined to prevent the establishment of a training camp at Fort Lincoln. Mr. Langer’s malicious attacks upon the water supply accompanied by damnable falsehood, inuendo and personal spite, make it necessary to state plainly to the public the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Unfortunately there are weak minded and excitable people within our ranks who seem to relish befouling their own nests by the circula- tion of rumors, unsupported statements and falsehoods relative to health conditions in Bismarck. Consciously or unconsciously these people have been defaming the reputation of a city known over the state for its excellent health con- ditions with a water supply envied by those who drink Red River soup and Mouse River bouillon. Mandan, Washburn, Williston and other cities in the: state and without the state secure a water supply from the same source as Bis- marck, but the state board of health under the spur of Attorney Gen- eral Langer has not seen fit to order the water shut off at those places. NO CHANCE OF POLLUTION Nature has provided the best means of purifying the Missouri river water by a turbulent current and a natural sand filter. No sewage ‘empties into the river above us and for miles and miles, yes even to its source, the stream is free of possible contamination. Why is Bismarck of all cities using the Missouri as the source of its water supply singled out as the horrible example of civic disease and filth? ANSWER NEAR AT HAND Citizens of Bismarck, the reason is apparent. There is a well organized campaign on foot to prevent the mobilization of troops at Fort Lincoln. ‘The same hue and cry was raised last summer when the boys mobilized there preparatory to going to the Mexican border. United States ‘Treasurer John Burke tried to move heaven and earth to get the troops mobilized at the national guard camp on the shores of Devils Lake. Dr. McCurren of Devils Lake, secretary of the state board of health, one of the prime movers in this attack upon Bismarck’s water supply, was as active then as he is now. Dr. Bristol, whom Dr. Cox of the state university health laboratory has succeeded, joined forces, but. they. were. unable.to. impress. the war department by their libelons'attacks upon the health and water supply of Bismarck. , : WOULD NOT BE MOLESTED The Tribune is convinced that if there were no prospects’ of troop mobilization here, Bismarck would drink Missouri river water as un- molested as unquestioned as Mandan, Washburn, Williston and other river points. There is no epidemic of any kind in Bismarck. There is no typhoid epidemic.- The water is as safe and healthful as any in the state. These facts, not the vaporings of Mr. Langer and a few carpet- baggers who have recently arrived'in Bismarck must be taken as a guide, if all that we esteem’ in our city is to be protected. Cheap political chicanery as practiced by Mr. Langer is not proof. In all this controversy there has heen a famine of facts and-an excess of hot air HIS DRY ORDER Mr. Langer has served upon the City Commission an order dated May 2 which reads in parts as follows: 4 “THEREFORE YOU ;AND EACH OF YOU ARE HEREBY ORDERED NOT TO SUPPLY OR ALLOW TO BE SUPPLIED TO THE CITIZENS OR USERS GENERALLY OF SAME ANY WATER FOR USE OR SUPPLIED IN SUCH A:-MANNER AS TO BE CAPABLE OF BEING USED FOR DRINKING, COOK- ING, WASHING, BATHING, OR OTHER DOMESTIC PUR- POSE.” Just let that sink in citizens of Bismarck. With health conditions normal, no, epidemic of any kind prevalent, the president of the state board of health and its secretary, supposedly a reputable citizen of Devils Lake, a city bidding for the mobilization, prostitute their high office to embarrass a city and inconvenience its citizens without cause, rhyme or reason. Some one evidently losing his head amidst the general hysteria, turn- ed off the water in all the schools last week, while children were tor- tured with thirst. In kindness to the children, the board should close the schools if the members of the school board are not going to let the children drink the water. It is essential for many reasons that the water be turned on in all the schools, and the action has raised a serious presumption that this procedure is actually punishing the children by denying them water. If the authorities have been caught in the general hysteria, they should dismiss the children as long as they cut off their water supply. Suppose the water had been turned off in compliance with Langer’s order, there would have been no water for steam. All industries would have shut down for there would have been no electricity and the city would have been in darkness. No heat could be supplied. It's im- possible to enforce Langer’s order without cutting off the supply to every consumer for all purposes. It is not hard to imagine what, might have resulted. Was there ever a more wanton abuse of official position ? : ANIMUS IS REVEALED The animus of the order is revealed through its drastic terms. No ultimatum from a health board was ever more assinine. Suppose the city commission with fear and trembling turned off the water and shut off the supply from from every home and business block in Bismarck? “That is what Langer’s order called for. The Tribune in all fairness asks the citizens of Bismarck what would have been their predica- ment? The extremity of the order showed the motive, revealed a petti- fogging official overbalanced by a new won power—a child as it were with a gilded toy. All this, citizens of Bismarck without any basis or justification. A MENDACIOUS ORDER On May 2, 1917, when he penned his mendacious order there had not been a case of typhoid fever reported within seven days. Dur- ing the entire month of April ONLY NINE CASES WERE RE- PORTED TO DR. STRAUSS, CITY HEALTH OFFICER, AND OF THIS NUMBER ONLY EIGHT WERE IN BISMARCK. With this information easily obtainable, Mr. Langer put into his or- der these words and gave them out for publication in the Courier- News of Fargo, not to better health conditions, but maliciously to injure Bismarck : “There are at present a considerable number of cases of typhoid fever in the City of Bismarck and there exists grave danger of the spread of an epidemic of the same because of the condition of the water.” Mr. Langer swung his legal club in hopes of scaring into line some who refused to follow his absurd order. His epidemic and “con- (Continued on Page Two) | HomeEdition | FIVE CENTS ICH GUNS HAMMER LAO TWO BODIES 10 |PROVISIONA DIRECT PLAN OF ; GOVERNMENT CO-OPERATION One Commission: in London and Another Setting in New York Proposed CONSERVE ALL SHIPS FOR SUPPLY TRAFFIC Organization in America to Pur- chase and Handle All Trans- portation Problems Washington, May 7.—Two allied war commissions, one sitting in Lon- don and one here, appeared to be one ‘of the first steps. in order to co- ordinate the resources of the United States with the allies, The commis- sion in London with representatives of all allied nations, including the United States, would receive and de- cide upon the proportionate sea- borne traffic, Conserve Ships. The commission would then charge itself with sending such supplies either by direct purchase or through Present agencies, ‘While the inroad of the submarine menace continues it is essential to conserve every ship for needed freight, and the only way this can be done is to hhave the allies submit their needs to a central body in London, which shall have the pow- er to give priority to the most neces- sary articles, At the same’ time ‘the commission in this country would buy judiciously and keep the railroad lines open to the seaboard. ‘Samuel Gompers, president of the American Federation of Labor, and the British members ‘here called on Mr. Balfou.r today PREPARING FOR -STVERAL YEARS’ WAR, COVERNOR Frazier Finds Sentiment in Wash- ington Not Inclined to Dis- count Situation MEETING OF DEFENSE COUNCIL TO BE HELD Call Will Go Out As Soon As Con- gress Takes Definite Action on Conscription “All preparations are being made with a view to the possibility, if not the probability of a four or five years’ war,” said Governor Frazier this morning in discussing the national ‘defense council which he attended in Washington last week, ‘returning home Saturday evening. “There is a war-like spirit every- where. Everyone is preparing, and there is no inclination to discount the gravity of the situation. Plans for national defense and for aggres- sion seem to be well in hand; able men have been appointed to the ad- visory committee of tie national de- fense council, and they appear to have everything provided for.” State Defense Council. Governor Frazier intimated this morning that no meeting of the North Dakota national defense coun- cil will ve called until after congress yas acted conclusively on the con- scription bill, and some definite and concerted line of action may be de- vised. Some of :the states, the gov- ernor reports, atready have engaged in this work, but such forwardness is not advocated, as it may not be found in keeping with the general plan to be adopted after the advisory board learns just what is expected of it. The hoarding of food products for speculative purposes Will be discour- aged through every means in the power of the government, said the chief executive. Reports of efforts to corner this and that food supply al- ready have been received at Washing- ton, and they are being carefully in- vestigated. Price regulation, with probably a limit upon the amount of ‘food which may be purchased by any one individual or, interest and upon the length of time which it may be held, seems inevitable. “LEFTY” AND ‘‘RIGHTY”’ OPP OF MEDINA, ENLIST (Special to Tribune. Medina, N. D., May 7.—Medina has sent two brothers to the front. Ru- dolph, better known at “Righty” Opp, and his brother, (Gustav, > known as “Lefty” Opp, have joined Company H of Jamestown. If they can shoulder fa gun as well as they can pitch a ball they are going to make “some” soldiers. Bankers Lose Two Million Damage Case WILL REMAIN Supreme Court Holds North Ger- Controversy Between Council of Workmen and Soldiers’ Del- egates Is Settled “WAR TO VICTORIOUS CONCLUSION” IS AIM Crowds Cheer Russian Leader Who Announces That Dem- ocracy Has Won Victory Petrograd, May ‘The controver- sy between the council of workmen's and soldiers’ delegates and the pro- visional government, that for the last 24 hours had threatened such serious consequences, in which, in fact, the fate of the nation and possibly of the war were involved, has been settled. Prince Tseretelli, speaking before a tremendous assemblage of soldiers and workingmen at the naval cadet building where the council held a special meeting to receive the report of the executive council, declared that the government had prepared a new declaration concerning its for- eign policy, which in definite lan- guage corresponded to the proclama- tion of ‘April 9 and embodied the views of the protelariat. Crowd Cheers Announcement. When the speaker declared that the temporary government had ac- quitted itself of the charge brought against it by explaining what it meant by the vague form of yester- day’s declaration, a great cheer arose. It apparently voiced the re- lief which all present felt with the solution of the most serious difficulty which had confronted the country since the revolution. Prince Tseretelli then read. the new declaration by the government and explained that the trouble was over and that the provisional govern- ment would remain in power. Dem- oeracy, he announced, amid cheering, had won a great victory. Thi peak- er explained that the principal ex- ception which the council had taken to the recent note of the government was the phrase, “war to a victorious conclusion,” which, he asserted, was an unfortunate expression, since it was identfeal with the formula used so often by the old regime with quite a different sense, Will Struggle to the End, “Now that the question has been settled here,” said the prince, “our aims—war without annexation, ex- propriations or contributions—also must be realized abroad. If a similar movement takes place in the foreign democracies, this will bring peace nearer and we shall struggle until our views are also the avowed aims of the democracies with which we are allied. “The situation yesterday was most serious for the whole country. Con- flict seemed unavoidable but the gov- ernment realized that it must respect our determination. By this acknowl: edgment the government has shown that it deserves the trust of the dem- ocracy. The council appeals to the people to unite around it.” M, Stankevitch, social said: “The vague form in which the gov- ernment’s note was composed caused us to lose two valuable days at a time when it is necessary to work every hour—every minute; but these two days have served to show us our own lack of organization. The time has not yet come to take the man- agement into our own hands. A co- alition ministry is not the watchword of today, but of tomorrow. Conciliation Is Complete. “The force is ours and we can overthrow the government when we wish. But the question is, have we a right to do this? We represent only the workingmen and soldiers, not all Russia.” : Other speakers dwelt in the situa- tion in the same temperate vein and the gathering soon broke up with conciliation. Anti-government demonstrations, however, were still occurring in the streets. While the members of the executive committee were explaining the rapproachement with the govern- ment, a great manifestation was tak- ing place outside the very doors of the building. Orators whe were de- nouncing the government were loud- ly acclaimed. Late tonight there was a secchd clash, in which shooting occurred in front of the Hotel Europe. TORPEDOING TIES DUTCH SHIPPING London, May 7.—Special dispatch- es from Holland say that the persist- ent torpedoing of the Dutch trawlers has caused fishermen to tie up their boats. The trawlers were guaran- teed safety within prescribed limits, and a supply of German coal on con- dition that they supply fish for the German market. The coal was not democrat, received and the sinking continued, so the German legation at The Hague is said to have been notified no more fish will be supplied. man Lloyd Could Not Be Held on Agreement PROMISED TO DELIVER 20,000,000 IN BULLION Washington, May 7—New York banks today lost their litigation in the supreme court against the North German Lloyd liner Kronprinzessen Cecilie at Boston, in which they claimed $2,240,000 damages for fail- ure of the vessel to deliver gold bull- ion worth $11,000,000, shipped to Eng- land and France just at the outbreak of the war. The Cecilie, the supreme court de- cided, is not Hable ‘to damages to shippers for turning back to Amer- ica in mid-ocean and abandoning her voyage. MACHINE TURNS TURTLE KILLING GRAN SOLICITOR Body of T. H. Chambers of Bis- marck, Discovered East of Sterling by Farmer HOURS PASSED BEFORE MAN COULD BE IDENTIFIED Speeding toward his home in Bis- marek to spend Sunday with his wife and 4-year-oll. daughtec,.j!.. Hy Cham bers, grain solicitor for the ©. C. Wyman Grain Commission company of Minneapolis, was killeél one mile east of Sterling, N. D. Saturdav night, when his machine turned ove? in descending, a hill. The accident occurred between 7.30 and 8:30 o'clock. Farmer Discovers Body. C. H. Lundquist, a farmer driving to Sterling, discoversd the body ly- ing in-the center of the road, about eight rods from the wrecked car. Broken glass from ithe windshield was scattered about the face. S. T. Peris, a merchant of Ster- ling, was one of the men of tha vil- lage to be novifi2 d with several others left for the Frei the ap pearance of the car, whica was a new Ford, ?arks said, in going Gown the hill it iad evidently dues, tearing off tne right hine wheel and, as it turned ove" sevaral tines, the occupant wes thrown forward through the winds)eld into tie mid- die of the roac. Portions of tha body were cut by the glass but no bones were broken. Authorities Notified. Sheriff J. P. French of Burleigh county and Coroner Schipp left for Sterling about 9 o’clock and brought the body to Bismarck at 2:30 o'clock Sunday morning. It was taken to the Lucas undertaking establishment and will be held there pending funeral arrangements, which will be an- nounced from the home at 49 Thayer street some time this afternoon. First reports of the dccident brought to ‘Bismarck told of a ma- chine turning turtle, the lone occu- pant being killed and that he was a representative of the C. C. Wyman Grain Commission company of Min- neapolis. Efforts to learn the name proved futile until about 1:39 o'clock Sunday morning, after the sheriff and the coroner had reached the spot. The number of the auto, 54,016, was telephoned to Bismarck, in order that the identity might be made through that source. Took Position ist of April. Chambers, formerly with the Mc- Cabe grain commission house, came to Bismarck about two and a-half years ago, from Carrington, N. D., having bought wheat there for sev- eral years. On the Ist of ‘April he took a position with the C. Cj. Wy- man company, recently buying the automobile, with which to traverse the state. He was 39 years old. His sister, Mis arian Rude of Carrington, arrived in the city last night, and her father and mother, ‘Mr. and Mrs. John Rude of Sidney, Mont., and a sister. Mrs. Walter Har- vey of Savoy, Mont., reached Bis- marck this morning on No. 4. An- other sister, Carrie Chambers of Me- nomonee, Wis., and a brother, Rev. Harley Chambers of West Union, Ia., not expected .to attend the service. FRENCH CLAIM 29,000 PRISONERS Paris, May 7.—The Germans have counter attacked along the entire entire French front and everywhere have been repulsed, according to an official statement issued today. The statement says that since April 16, the French have taken 29,000 prison- ers. HINDENBURG LINE HOLDING BACK ENTENTE Fierce Battle for Possession of Strategic Points Goes on Without Decision POLITICAL TURMOIL IN GERMANY STILL CONTINUES Russian Riddle Unsolved but Provsional Government Still in the Saddle French guns have battered down the back door to Laon and the sol- diers of Gen. Nivelle are only six miles from the German stronghold. One formidable barrier lies between them and their goal, the Ailette river. From the captured ‘heights of Chemin des Zames, the French guns overlook (that plain, Capture Nearer. Laon will not be captured except ‘at a heavy price, but the French vic- tory of the last week has brought its’ capture appreciably nearer, Renewed fighting broke out about Bullecourt. The ‘British, who had been holding positions south and east of the village, where they ad been violently attacked during the last four days, moved forward just before dawn in a general attack on the village itself. There had been patrol fighting in the village before this, but today’s attack was of an enveloping nature. It met with stub- born resistance but steady progress was being made as ‘this dispatch was written, and the troops had passed well within the town, wich lies ab- solutely astride the Hindenburg line. The developments on the battle- field are chiefly important for the Possibilities they open up. In Germany there is much talk of political reform and several proposals have been pat forward in the reich- stag to curtail the power of the em- peror. Startling Reports. . Startling reports come from Aus- tria in regard to conditions in the dual monarchy. Apparently Count Tisza and his fellow reactionaries have the upper hand and are deter- mined to crush the power of the democracy with the same rutilesa; ness as before. There are rumors of martial law in Austria and Bohemia, but no news has reached the outside world in regard to conditions. Russian Riddle Unsolved. The Russian riddle remains un- solved, but for the time being the provisional authorities seem to be safe. Reports of demoralization in the Russian army received comfort- able confirmation by a proclamation of General Guerko, commander on the eastern front, ordering the sol- diers to stop fraternizing with the German troops, In spite of the peaceable ending of the May Day celebration in Sweden, the international troubles in that country seem to be rising rather than diminishing. Riots and food demon- strations are reported from various points, and from such partial reports as are received, the authorities are confronted with an ugly situation. Laon Is Center Of Teuton Attacks Paris, May 7.—The Germans con- centrated their efforts yesterday Morning ‘n attacks on tie west front in the region of Laon, and in the aft- ernoon in the eastern section from Braye to Craonne. But’the French held them anu ‘beat off waves upon waves of the enemy's reserves with terrible losses. More than that the French, after hours of stiff fighting, maintained the fresh positions in the region of the attack. Siegfried Line. General Neville has no sinecure, as he is confronted by the famous Sieg- fried line, a system of fortifications on which the Germans have lavished weeks of work and which are of the most formidable type. Clean Out Woods, On the right wing, German bat- talions cleaned out of Filain wood to attack Froidmont farm which stands midway between Chevregny and Hill No. 185. They were virtually anni- hilated. It would be difficult for the Germans to prevent the French from reaching the Ailette river on this part of the front, The famous Chemin des Zame, tne key of the whole section, is now in a great part in the posees- sion of tie French. In several places they have gone even far beyond this. It Was tne possession of this road which enabled the Germans to holt up the Frenca attack so long. Bullecourt, entered by British is directly on the Hindenburg ing the Germans no time to bring up reserves from «ton, Gen- eral Haig's ‘troops today began to widen the breech that they had made in the line at Bullecourt. Counter attacks of extreme violence rapidly repeated have failed to shake the Bri- tish grip on the line here and have not prevented them from striking (continued on Page Three)