The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, December 12, 1918, Page 1

i teceroescewecowere, THE WEATHER Partly cloudy tonight. \ LAST EDITION THIRTY-EIGHTH YEAR. BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA THURSDAY, ‘DEC. 12, 1918. INDEPENDENTS RAISE GRY OF “STOP THIER” Would Check Efforts of Leag- uers to Put Amendments Over Regardless CONSTITUTIONAL CON.-CON. Resolutions Ask That Leagal Pow-Wow Be Called to Re- vise Organic Law “Viewing with alarm” the change of front by the chairman of the republi- can state central committee and lead- ers of the Nonpartisan league, and the findings of the state canvassing board with reference to the results of the election on the constitutional amend- ments on taxation, debt limit, public industries, emergency referendum and costitutional amendments, and hold- ing that it is right and proper that such changes in our constitution be made by a majority decision, after careful deliberation, investigation and consideration, the Independent Vot- ers’ association, in specia) convention at. Cooperstown yesterday adopted a resolution reciting that “In order that there may be a fair opportunity for the people of this state to detemine by a majority vote what revision there shall be in our consti- tution, we declate ourselves in favor of preventing by all fair means the leaders of the Nonpartisan league and public officials in sympathy with them from making the socialistic amend- ments now in dispute operative, and otherwise doing everything possible to prevent them from enacting in our state such legislation and administra- tion as was done in Russia by their ‘fellow workers, Nicolai Lenine and Leon Trotzky, operating as govern- mental reformers in the name of de- mocracy, but resulting in a reign of terror, with human suffering, wanton destruction of life and confiscation of private property that now brings a shudder throughout the entire world.” The association pledges its every ef- fort to this end, and makes this fur- ther demand: “As a means of determ- ining the will of a majority of our voters in the matter of revision of our state constitution ag speedily as pos- sible, we recommend the calling of a constitution al convention to be held just as soon as the flower of our man- hood, now being released from mili- tary service, have again settled in tifeir respective occupations, and that our state legislature pass an. act, pro; viding for an eléction on the question of having a constitutional convention next June, and for the election of del- egates in November, 1919, and the con- vening of the constiutional convention sixty days later, said act to provide for the election of minority and ma- jority delegates representing the two diametrically’ opposed theorires of government now being agitated in ‘North Dakota.” Permanent headquarters for the In- dependent Voters’ {association have been established in Bismarck, whith- er the directors urge the addressing of letters from voters who are inter- ested in the fate of the league amend- ments. MONTANA MINISTERS PLAN TO ENFORCE DRY LAWS IN THAT STATE Butte, Mont., Dec. 12.—Montana ministers, unless all signs fail mean to take an active part in enforcement of prohibition when it goes into effect the first of the year. Ministerial. associations in the ci- ties are planning efforts to keep the state dry, once it legally discards ll- quor. > There will be a bill in the assem- bly forbidding possession of liquor which the present law does not. During the recent order closing Butte saloons because of the influenza, local ministers saw to it that liquor dealers violating the law were ex- posed. The liquor question promises much interest in the regular assembly ses- sfon, next January and February. There will be a movement to permit beer containing less than 2 per cent alcohol to be sold while the measure to prohibit possession of liquor will be strenuously fought. NONPARTISAN LEAGUE NOT INVITED TO MEET WITH MONTANA EQUITY Great Falls, Mont., Dec. 12.—A pro- gram is being arranged for a conven- tion in this city in January of the Montana Union of the American so- ciety of Equity, the Montana Farmers’ Union and the Montana State Grange. The annual cooperators’ congress, promoted by the society of Equity, is to be held here on the five days be- ginning January 20 and it is possible the other bodies will meet simultan- eously or immediately before or af- ter. The joint convention of the three podies is held to agree on recommend- ations for legislation to be submitted to the state legislature, which will sit in Helena during January and Febru- ary. There are 45 farmers in the as- sembly, which numbers 139 men on joint ballot. The Great Falls conven- tion, in addition to recommending * pural legislation, will, it is understood, enter into a general discussion of po- litical and economic topics of current interest. So far as is known, the Nonpartisan league has not been invited to attend this. conference, although it had a part, unofficially, in the Co-operators’ congress last year. z | BRAIN STORM ~ DEFENSE FOR PENNINGTON Alleged Murdered Claims Mind Is Blank as to Events of June 6 MAY HAVE EXAMINATION Probable Court Will Call Alienists This Afternoon for Quiz A “brain storm” defense for Cecil Pennington was disclosed this morn- ing when the Hazelton drayman charged with the murder of Mrs. E. L. 'Perras during the Hazelton riot on the night of June 6 took the stand in his own behalf. _ Pennington under direct examina- tion revealed a mind which was a blank on all occurrences of that night. He could not remember having seen E. J. Babcock, Charles Armstrong, }Harry Euithorpe ‘er Louis Torkelson, four of the five defendants just ac- quitted on chatges of rioting“and un- lawful assembly, and whom the state had charged with having been prime movers in the organization of a mob to “scare” Wallie Daugherty, son-in- law of the woman who was killed. On cross examination Pennington admitted having seen Pert Hartman on the night of the murder and he re- called that they had had something to drink, but he could not remember where they got “the stuff.” Under direct examination Penning- ton told of injuries to his skull sus- tained in a runaway several years ago. He exhibited to the jury scars on his scalp and depressions in his skull. He testified that from the time of this accident he has bad occ: sional periods of mental abberration. ‘Pennington was still on the stand, under cross examination, when ad- journment was taken at noon. It is regarded probable that the court this afternoon will select a board of ex- pert alienists to examine Pennington with a view to determining the extent to which he may have been affected mentally by the injuries to his head. W’ADOO WANTS ~ GOVERNMENT 10 KEEP ROADS Carriers Until 1924—Kel- loggScores Letter Washington, Dec. 1! Secretary Mc- Adoo's proposal to keep the railroads under government control until 1924 met instant criticism from the repub- lican side when the senate convened today. Senator Kellogg of Minnesota declared a proposition for permanent government ownership of railroads is at the bottom of the whole thing. He said, referring to Mr. McAdoo's let- ter: “It ig a most remarkable document coming as it does in a few days after the address of the president in which the president said he had no judg- ment of his own.” Before Senator Kellogg spoke, the senate decided to meet Thursday to consider railway administration. “When the railways were taken over it was for war purposes,” said Sen- ator Kellogg. “It was denied then that it was to be a test of government ownership. Now comes Secretary Mc- Adoo asking an extension of five years ‘to test government ownership.’ That has been at the bottom of the whole thing all the while.” KEEP WAGES UP. ‘Washington, Dec..12.—The railroad administration bas no intention of reducing the wages of railroad men generally after peace is declared, it was stated today. and if the period of ocntrol is extended for five years, as recommended by Secretary McAdoo, it is Droperie wages will remain at their présent standard for that per- tod. ara . ENGLAND'S GREAT 5 in! tion field EA MYSTERY R Here’s photo-proof of what the cables have hinted. “floating airdrame,” H. ‘M. S. Furious, never pictured until the surrender of the German fleet made further secrecy unnecessary. on top, where planes land and depart. THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE! PRICE FIVE CENTS EVEALED It's Britain’s great Notice the avia- H. E. Bechtol, European manager of the Newspaper Enterprise Association, who sends this not- able picture, writes that there are other floating airdromes, some of which like the Argus, look like biblical pictures of Noah’s ark—a huge rowboat with a perfectly flat top, smoke being blown out the back. Washington Political Circles R Future Rail M’ADOO’S STAND BY E. C. RODGERS. N. E. A .Washingtoi Bureau, 1128-1134 Munsey Bldg., WASHINGTON, D.-C. W. G. McAdoo turned in his resig- nation as secretary of the treasury and? dirt general of the railroad administration because he and his father-in-law, the president of the United States, didn’t agree on what was to be done with the railroads. McAdoo, it is told me, was urgent in his demands that the government re- tain the roads until the last day of the 21 months following the expira- tion of the war. President Wilson wants to turn the roads back within the next few months, unless, as he said in his speech before congress, some definite action is taken by con- gress toward ownefship of the roads. It is believed in official circles that McAdoo wanted the president to take a stand for government ownership and to retain operation of the roads until McAdoo could demonstrate what he could do with them in peace time,\ and thus produce a big argument for per- imanent retention. McAdoo"will ‘be out Jan. "1. thought probable that he will then launch a. government ownership of railroads campaigy, to be carried on even after the ’president turns the roads back to private interests, will play a large’ role in the next presi- dential campaign. Astute political students believe that McAdoo is a good bet for the Democratic presidential nomination, if the railroad plank is in the plat- orm. SPENT HALF BILLION IN BETTERMENTS | Washington, Dec. 12.—Railways un- der federal control spent a half bil- lion in betterment, improvements or new equipment during the period end- ing December 1, or about twice as much as in the same period previous- ly, it was shown by a railway official Charges to capital account luded over $416,000,000, including $245,139,000 for cars and locomotives. 9,000 MORE MEN: LEAVEFOR HOME Washington, D. ©., Dec. 1 iling of four army transports bringing addi- tional units from France was an- nounced today by the war department. The ships are the H. R. Mallory, Rap- pahannock, Leviathan and Sulton, with about 9,000 men. The Rappahannock sailed December 6 and the mther ves- sels December 8. Th- Leviathan brings casual companies 108 to 113 inclusive. The Celtic brings head- quarters third battalion, headquarters. company and medical attachment of &.. pioneer infantry (colored): cas- ual companies ivol to 1057, inclusive. The Mallory has sanitary, headquar- ters, medical detachment, band, sup- ply company of the 55th field artil- lery, brigade headgaurters and sick and wounded. The 118th field artillery complete sailed from France Dec. 9 on the trans- port, Martha Washington. On the Dnt 308th division and headquarters com- paiy. of the 116th field artilléry and a number of casuals and 539 sick and wounded. MANITOBA MARKETS MOUNTAIN OF HONEY ‘Winnipeg, Man., Dec. 12.—Manitoba has produced this year more than a eted at an as million pounds of honey. It was mark- eted at an average price of thirty cents a pound. The bee-keeping industry is center- ed chiefly in the district around Do- minion City, which is only a (few miles from the North Dakota bound- M’ADOO FOR OWNERSHIP, WILSON FOR LICENSING? y Secretary of Treasury Quit Be- cause of Disagreement with President Over road Policies Tt is’ same ship were training units of the! WILSON’S IDEA BY W. G. SHEPHERD, N. E. A .Washington Bureau, 1128-1184 Munsey Bldg. WASHINGTON, D.C. Buying of public utilities by gov- ernents has become old-fashioned, |they say. | The twentieth century way and the way most talked of in Washington these days is a brand new but a simple one, President Wilson is tamiliar with it and his best friends believe he had it in mind when, in his speech to con- | Dec. 2, he said: t would be a disservice alike to the country and to the owners of rail- roads to return to the old conditions unmodified.” The new idea is this: | ‘To license corporations who oper- ate railways. The idea is spreading like wild-fire in Washington. It is intended to operate like thi A man or any set of men who own a railroad property will be expected to appeal to the government for a government license to operate their property. A Wing cor ip ner Bio alee Supeacieal Certain fixed regulations will be made for railroad operation. These will involve earnings, rates, and all the details of railroad operation. So long as operators abide by the license regulations they will be per- mitted to conduct their business. Whenever they break regulations they will be summoned before the license board. If the license: is taken away from them, they must step out and. permit the government to conduct the rail- way until other licenses appear. To lose the license does not mean to lose the property. In fact, under the plan, a company that loses a license to op- erate a public utility may retain i ownership in the property indefinite The property is not licensed, in any respect. The license is only the right to operate the property for public use. President Wilson's suggestion that private ownership, uncontrolled, will be unendurable, is believed to point toward belief in the licensing system. BELL MEN TALK "PHONE BOOSTS High Officials of Northwest Here to Confer With Rail- +, way Board Preliminary to a probable applica- tion for a general advance in ‘phone rates in North Dakota, G. H. Pratt of Omaha, general counsel of the} | Bell Telephone Co.; and L. D. Richard- ‘son, state manager, and Frank Brace- lin, general superintendent of the Northwestern Telephone Co., both of Fargo, were here Wednesday for an informal conference with the North Dakota railway board. No application for an increase was made at this time, but there was a |formal declaration that such applica- |tion would be made, and the confer- ence was devoted to a discussion of| that the Eell company regards its present rates as insufficient. Some time ago a prediction was }made that the) Bell company would ask permission to advance its rates in this state. costs and rates tending to indicate} German offi- cers on the surrendered fleet admitted they never knew about these ships. NAVY FAGED AND MET BIG TASK OF WAR Admiral Earle Tells How More Than Half-Billion Was Put Into Ordnance Washington, D. ©. Dee. idea of the great work confronting the navy when the United States entered the war is set forth in the annual re- port of Rear Admiral Earle, chief of ordnance, made public today. To this bureau alone fell the task of expend- ing during a single year more than half a billion dollars for guns and equipment. In discussing seemingly impossible problems, Admiral Earle disclosed that the navy was called upon not only to arm all American war credit, auxiliaries and the merchant fleet, but to provide armament for British, French, Italian, Belgian and Russian shipping. Guns of 3 to 5 inch caliber were at a premium and the demand for them was ten times greater than the existing capacity for manufac- ture. A total of 937 craft of all kinds, not in the regular navy, were armed pétweeh July 1, 1917 and July” 1,°1918. Gun mounts formed a separate knot- ty problem. The facilities created for their manufacture met all urgent needs. The Linderman Steel and Ma- chine company of Muskegon, Mich,, the report stated, delivered 360 mounts for 4-inch guns 28 days ahead of schedule and established a record for other manufacturers. Only brief reference was made to two of the mast striking accomplish- ments of the bureau, the designing, building and shipping of the 14-inch rifles on railway mouuts which ef- fectually hammered the German rear positions in the closing weeks of the war, and the development of a tractor mount for rifles up to 7-inch caliber from which the guns could be fired. This latter achievement, never attain- y the allied armies, the report said, was hailed in France with even tisfaction then was the ar- sters comprising the naval batteries. Failure to obtain a sufficient supply of depth bombs used by American de- stroyers, hampered efficient opera- tions against enemy submarines. By strenuous efforts, however, the short- age was overcome and before wat ended, American destroyers were Us- ing depth bombs freely, and this the report said, aided in curbing German submarine operations in the closing months of the war. The fire control equipment used on American war craft is on a par with lthat in any navy, Admiral Earle said, and range finding and sighting devices of the fleet have been greatly im- proved. “The efficiency of our gunnery as- sisted by th new instruments,” he added, “should find our ships in the next sea battle at least equal in gun- nery to any enemy.” The first of the 16-inch, 50-caliber main battery fifles for new dread- naughts has been tried out, with a success that exceeded expectations, fixing this monster of naval warfare as “an exceptionally splendid piece of ordnance.” Another new naval weap- on, an 8-inch bomb-throwing howitzer, is being delivered to destroyers or larger craft. ISSUE CERTIFICATES. Washington, Dec. 12.—Another bi- weekly issue of loan certificates of in- debtedness of 509 million or more, mearing 4 1-2 per cent interest, was announced today by the treasury. The certificates will be dated December 19, payable May 20, next. ‘SPECIAL SUBSCRI quested to come to the office and strictly in advance. scribers monthly. Kindly co-ope’sa te with us in carrier boys. Call at office or send us check. PTION NOTICE TO ALL BISMARCK SUBSCRIBERS| Owing to the practical impossibility of reaching each city. sub- scriber of The Tribune monthly, everyone on the carrier list is re- settle. It is suggested that city subscribers comply with this request promptly so that we can con- form to the government’s ruling that all subscriptions be paid As far as possible, the circulation department will bill its sub- this matter and do not pay the e The Tribune has discontinued collection of city subscriptions by carrier. EBERT SHOWS FIRMNESS WHEN GUARD RETURNS Prussian Soldiers Back Ebert Head of New Gov- ernment PUN MAY SOVIETS American Officers Arrive to Su- perintend Return of War Prisoners London, Dec. 12.—In consequence of the support he is receiving from the Prussian guard, newly arrived in Ber- lin, Premier Ebbert is taking a stiffer attitude toward the Sparticus, special correspandents in Copenhagen are ad- vised. “The proletariat must be prepared for the worst,” the Red Flag organ of the Sparticus element is quoted as saying. The Ebbert government feel- ing that its position is becoming stronger evidently has decided on ;some measures against the Sparticus group, and arrests are expected. To Call Reichstag. The Berlin cabinet anticipating re- fusal of the allies to deal with the present eBrlin government and the soviets is contemplating evoking the reichstag to give the proceedings con- stittuional standing. Solf Resigns. Dr. W. F. Solf, minister of foreign affairs, has handed in his resignation, which has been accepted. It does not come as a surprise, as his relations with the independent socialist wing reached the straining point some time ago. SIXTY MILLIONS RECEIVED Paris, Dec. 12.—Gold received by Germany from Russia amounting to more than $40,000,000 has been re- ceived in Paris and deposited in the bank of France. The money is cred- ited to the common account of the allies in conformity with the armi- stice terms. AMERICANS IN BERLIN. Harries and Lieuts. Frigellard and Schelling of the American committee for the repatriation of war prisoners arrived in Berlin last night. They were the first American officers in Berlin since the signing of the armi- stice. FARGO LAWYERS MAY FILE SUIT Report Prevalent Here That Canvassing Board Action Will Be Attacked | It was reported here last evening that Mnglerud, Holt, Frame & Divet of Fargo, who attacked the initiative petitions prior to the election for Treadwell Twichell and others of the Gate City have been retained by a client who objects to the recent ac- tion of the state canvassing board in declaring the league amendments car- ried. No such action had been brought in supreme court up to the closing hour Wednesday evening, but it was thought probable some papers would be filed today. \What the method of attack will be was not suggested. CORN PRICES "— ARBSOARING Chicago, Ill, Dec, 12.—Stunning ad- vances in the price of corn resulted to- day from the government crop report showing that the yield for 1918 is the smallest in five years. Values ran up as much as seven cents per bushel over yesterday's close. The market opened active with a wide range of prices, and fluctuated with extreme rapidity. In May trad- ing the market rose to 137 as 18) 3-8 in yesterday’s trading. 9,000 BOOTLEGGER IS ALREADY ON JOB IN SISTER STATE! Helena, Mont., Dec. 12.—The boot- legger is at it already. He is accused by ‘Miles City officials of smuggling liquor to the troops at Fort Keogh, near that city. | Complaint had been made of drunk-} enness among the soldiers, but after} inquiry, it is said, it developed that the saloons had kept the law which forbids serving a man in uniform. uniform. Bootleggers bought whis- key at $2 and sold it to soldiers for $4.00. While the state authorities are chary of publicity, it is known that strenuous efforts to enforce prohibi- tion after January 1, when the state goes dry, are to be made. Governor Sam V. Stewart has is- sued a solemn warning that the dry law must be kept to the letter. There are the usual stories of li- quor buried in the hills for specula- tion. Officials confess that some li- quor will continue to be sold but de clare they intend to make bootlegging both arduous and dangerous. Mou- tana has long supplied Idaho and Washington with liquor, but after Jan- Berlin, Dec. 12.—Brigadier General | BRESTREADY. ~ TORECEIVE PRES, WILSON | Weather Favorable For Landing Tomorrow of Presidential Party IS PARIS PREPARING Viscount Grey Says League of Nations Should Define “Freedom of Seas” WILL FURM ESCORT. London, Dec. 12.—The United States battle fleet which is to form an escort for the George Washington left Portland this morning, in command of Admiral Sims, on the battleship Wyom- ing. The fleet will be met at sea by 30 destroyers from Brest. The eGorge Washington, carrying the president and his party, will be met at 9 o’clock tomorrow morn- ing, 90 miles from Brest. Brest, (Noon Wednesday), Dec. 11. —Brest has put on its holiday attire and is eagerly awaiting the arrival of President Wilson tomorrow. The American naval attachment here got into direct wireless communication this morning with the presidential fleet. The weather is favorable to quick progress. If the weather early tomorrow is rough the steamer George Washing- ton bearing the President may enter the sheltered roadsteads at twelve o'clock. The President will then land at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. A large delegation from the Cham- ber of Deputies has arrived to greet the President on his arrival. | The cabinet ministers and officials who are to welcome the President will arrive here tommorrow. “OFFICIAL VISIT.” Paris, Dec. 12.—The length of Presi- dent Wilson's “official visit” in Paris has been fixed at 48 hours, according to the Matin. The remainder of his stay will not be marked by any state ceremony. LEAGUE IS SOLUTION. Dewsbury, Eng., Wednesday, Dec. 11.—A league of nations is the ‘solu- tion to the problem of “free seas” and the United States and Great Britain can reach an agreement on, that ques- tion by joining such league. said Vis- count Grey today. The seas, he said, were free in times of peace, ahd Great Britain has placed no restrictions up- on them. Without the blockade Germany might have won, said the viscount. The term “freedom of the seas” was American in origin and had been ad- opted by the Germans for their own purposes. He believed that Prexdent Wilson meant freedom of the seas to all who joined the league of nations, ‘and he thought the president's words on this term should be given clearer interpretation. NEGOTIATIONS BEC Negotiations for the pr ngation of the German armistice began today at Treves, Rhennish Prussia. The Matin says that the German ar- mistice degelates have requested that the allies reinforce their troops at certain points in order to aid the Ger- man authorities in maintaining order. The paper adds that in case the Ger- man chiefs may request further ex- tensions of occupied territories in Germany. FORMULATE POLICY. London, Dec .12.—The British gov- ernment has decided on the attitude it will adopt at the peace conference regarding the freedom of the seas, ac- cording to the Daily Express today. The newspaper refers to the pro- gram of Sec, Daniels, and says: “Official circles in London are com- pletely satisfied with this and with great tribute to the British navy by Theodore Roosevelt, Admiral Sims, and other officials. The British gov- ernment is ready to concede to the U. S. the freest of all free hands in naval development, and it welcomes the idea of extension of American seapower as one of the best guaran- tees of the freedom of the seas for the world.” ESTHONIAN FRONT. Stockholm, Dec. 12.—The Russian delegates here have reported that the Esthonian front was still holding against the attack launched upon it by the Russian Bolsheviki, although the situation was grave because of a shortage of guns and ammunition. Russian ships have bombarded the coast, but attempts by the Bolsheviki to land on the Esthonian shores was frustrated. The delegation represents the situ- ation as such that it is necessary to send assistance to the front that is being attacked. RIOTS IN BOHEMIA. Amsterdam, Dec. 12.—Riots occur- red yesterday in Aussig, Bohemia, ac- cording to dispatches from Prague, and machine guns and rifles were used against mobs. Three persons were killed, and five injured. Troops also resorted to arms in Schoenwisen. The excesses continued far into the night. IGNORING BOLSHEVIK]. Christiania, Dec. 12—The Norwe- gian legation has left Petrograd ac- cording |to the Aften Posten. The newspaper’s report also shows that eDnmark the last of the neutrals to ocntinue relations with the Bolsheviki government is about to sever them. LW. W. IN CUBA. Washington, Dec. 12——Information uary 1, may find it impossible to se cure much of a supply, herself. There are rumors of moonshining, but none are authentic. reaching the state department today indicated that the general strike called in Cuba is a result of I. W. W. and enemy propaganda.