The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, November 25, 1919, Page 1

THE WEATHER Snow and Colder. THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE ‘came oeaieeensemeimcemeemn amend LAST EDITION THIRTY-NINTH YEAR, y BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA TUBSDAY, NOV. 25, 5, 1919 PRICE FIVE CENTS | FRAZIER LAUNCHES ATTACK UPON LEAGUE INSURGENTS ROBINSON CALLS ON LEGISLATORS TO LOWER TAXES Associate Justice Says Assess- ments and Levies Should Be Cut in Two PRESENT PLAN NEFARIOUS League Jurist Uses Strong Lan- guage in Condemning the Mills-Roylance Idea In what is probably the first mes- sage ever received by a North Dakota legislature from a member of the supreme court, Associate Justice James E, Robinson a leaguer address- ing the sixteenth assembly upon its convening in extra session today de- clares “there is no possible justifica- tion or excuse for the Assessment anu the excessive tax levies of this yeur,” which he declares “4% times of any prior year in the history of the state,” and he urges the enactment, with an emergency clause, of laws which will cut down all tax levies at least fifty percent and to provide for the pay- ment of these taxes in two install- ments. Bills drawn up with a view to car- rying out his suggestions are submit- ted by the justice with his message. One of them provides that “Whereas in 1919 the ssessment of property for taxation has been over four times that of any four years, and by reason thereof the tax levies have been uni- formly excessive, therefore be it en- acted that the state tax levies and all other tax levies for the year 1919 be and the same are hereby reduced fifty percent, and that on payment of fifty percent of the taxes levied against any person or property, the whole tax shall be cancelled and discharged.” Another bill provides for the pay- ment of half the tax on the first day of March succeeding the date of as- sessement and the payment of. the nae halfNovember 15 follow- Et third bill provides that in the year 1920 all property shall be as- sessed for taxation in the same man- ner, as it was assessed in the year 1918, the assessment not to exceed fifty percent of the value of the prop- erty, and the assessment of real prop- erty in no case to exceed twice the assessment ds made and equalized in the year 1918. All of the bills proposed by Judge Robinson carry emergency clauses. The jurist’s message in full follows: TO THE A AEE OF NORTH AKOTA. (By Justice, J. E. ROBINSON.) November 25, 1919. There is no possible justification or excuse for the assessment and the excessive tax levies of this year. The assessment is four and one-half times that of any prior year in the history of the state. The general ‘state tax levy is three mills on the dollar, less one-fiftieth of a mill. It is equal to twelve mills on .any former assess- ment. The levy on motor vehicles, monies and credits, on incomes and on other matters amounts to about twelve mills, making about the same as twenty-four mills on the dollar of any prior year. The several counties, cities, towns ‘and school boards have made tax lev- ies in keeping with the nefarious as- sessments, There is only one remedy and that is by a general law, with an emer- gency clause, to reduce and cut down all the tax levies at least fifty per- cent and to provide for payment of the taxes in two installments, and as a guarantee against such assessments and levies in 1920, to provide for an assessment of not more than double that of any former year. Bills for that purpose are herewith submitted. Now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation. In this matter it is now or never. ‘ours, J. E. ROBINSON. Reducing ‘Taxes. A BILL-TO CUT DOWN AND RE- DUCE ALL STATE AND MUNI- CIPAL TAX LEVIES FOR THE YEAR 1919. WHEREAS, in 1919, the assessment. of property for taxation has been over, four times that of any former year, and by reason thereof the tax levies | ‘have been. uniformly excessive, there- fore Be it Enacted by the Legislative Assembly of the State of North Da- kota: “Sec. 1, That the state tax levies, and all other tax levies for the year 1919, be and the same are hereby, reduced fifty per ‘cent, and that on payinent of fifty per cent of the taxes ( levi ied against any person or property, thé whole tax shall be cancelled and , discharged. : s Sec. 2. Emergency: This act is, declared to be an emergency measure and it is to take effect. and be; in force from and after its passage and approval. | Dividing Tax Payments. | A BILL FOR AN ACT IN REGARD TO 'THE PAYMENT OF TAXES FOR THE YEAR 1919. .... ..... Be it Enacted by.the Legislative ‘As- sembly of the State of North Dakota. . 1, On the 1st day of March of the year after which taxes shall (Continued on Page Seven) ‘;that the big mail order houses had PROFESSORS WANT SALARIES RAISED TO BUY HEN FRUIT Faculty of Carnegie Institute Claims One Member Is Shoeless Pittsburgh, Pa., Nov. 25.—Carnegie Institute of Technology professors are so poorly paid that some of them are unable to have eggs for breakfast and at least one of them is uhable to buy himself a badly needed pair of shoes. - These statements are said to have been made yesterday at.a meeting of the general faculty and made public today when resolutions ing the trustees to revise the salary schedule were sent to the trus FEDERAL COURT STILL HEARING STRIKE ACTION Suit Brought By Dakota Coal] Co. Against Gen. Fraser Being Argued |\TO HOLD SPECIAL MUSICAL Fargo, N. D., Nov. Counsel for; Adjutant General Fr today con-| tinued arguments begtm yesterday in} federal “court here in the hearing of | |injunetion proceedings brought by the! Dakota Coal Co. to restrain the jfrom operating the company’s mm 4 The attorney for the defense Seti Richardson argued that the governor has the right to cali out the home guard to operate the mines due to the} ate! fact that the public good was superior} to private property rights. Had the} governor not taken the action hé did} he declared there’ would have bee. serious difficulties in the state, Johy EB. Greese of Minot attorney | for the coal company stated that he wished to show that had not the. gov- ernor interferred, in the mining situa- tion the miners would have continue: Work under the old contract. BUSINESS MEN OF CITY HEAR TALK ON ADVERTISING Lecturer Stresses Importance of Using Space in News- papers i ; Commercial Bismarck turned out in full force last night to hear the lec- jture on business practises given by W., H. Farley, of the National Cash Reg ter Co. of. Dayton, O. The lecture was illustrated with moving pictures and gtereopticon slides. The Commercial club under whos? auspices the lecture was given, was crowded with business men and others interested in the subjects taken up and Mr. Farley's talk was frequently interrupted with applause. This 1s the first of a series of lectures. the {Commercial club will give on com- mercial, civic and professional’ sub- jects. Mr. Farley, introduced by George N. Keéniston, secretary of the Commercia: club, first complimented the elty cn its Commercial club, He then’ took up the causes of failures in’ the busi- ness world and showed that one of the chief causes was lack of active and wholesome competition between. firms handling the same character of mer- chandise. NEWSPAPER ADVERTISING One of the most interesting and in- structive topics Mr, Farley discussed was on advertising, stressing the im- portance of newspaper advertising. “The best indication of a prosperous city is a prosperous newspaper,” said Mr. Farley. “If your newspapers do not prosper it is a sign that your com- mercial activities are stagnant. A paper well filled with advertising of local merchants reflects a wide awake, Prosperous city.” In discussing the troubles of the siaaller merchants Mr. Farley injected good humor into his’ subject. He showed how the lack of proper bu\- neSs methods in the small merchants’ businesses was the main cause of smail profits. The mail order business was thor- oughly covered by Mr. Farley who sald become the immense instituions they are thru the liberal use of newspaper advertising. “Adopt an advertising program and stick to it,” said Mr. Far. ley. “Do not be fitfull and erratic in your newspaper advertising. “Do not look on it as charity or ‘a ‘hit or mis’ proposition. Newspaper advertising. is sound business sense.” cecboneannites acer BAO PROSECUTION OF FARGO BANK OFFICIALS IS UP Assistant Attorney General Albert E. Sheets, Jr., is in Fargo prosecuting the, state’s case against president H. J. Hagen and Cashier P, R. Sherman of the Scandinavian-American bank. CHICAGO SWEPT. ‘Gang of Sixteen Men and One! .FOUR MURDERS INCLUDED, THE I. W. W. VICTIMS , Centralia, Wash., Nov. 25.— imen who were shot down by I. W. day parade. Warren O. Grimm; Elfresh. BY CRIME WAVE FOR THREE DAYS Woman Responsible For 250 Deeds Chicago, Nov. mong mately 150 persons arrested as a sult of the crime wave that swept Chi- cago in the past three days in whicn hold-ups, automobile thefts and safe; blowing. followed in rapld sequence! een men and a woman today were in city jails charged with implications in four jmurders, 100 saloon, pool room and street hold-ups and 150 houses burglarized. Members of that band confessed -to more than 250 crimes the police asserted. Reported robberies last night show- ed a falling off from the two pr 'nigths. Street lights glowed des the threatened coal shortage here af- ter Johu J. Garitoy chief of police said the orgy of crime last Saturday and Sunday night was due at\least in part to street iNumination in Some sections being cut off as a Coal co ation measure, TRIAL OF STATE AUDITOR 10 BE HELD WEDNESDAY Lack of Jurors Delays Prceed- ngs Against Kositzky in Spanking Case approxi- The trial of Carl b ky, state au- ditor, charged with assault and ba tery following an alleged spanking he administers les Gumberson. a Fargo ney nondent at the capitol, was started this morning be- fore Justice of the Peace Casselman, The morning was spent in examining the jurors to hear the testimony and the real trial started at 2 o'clock this afternoon. During the examination of one of the jurors, Justice Casselman found it necessary to administer a sharp re- buke to E. 8. Allen, the state's atto ney who is prosecuting Kositaky. At len attempted to pass some alleged humor for the benefit of the onlookers which caused Justice Casselman 10 State, ‘Confine yourself to the proper questions and do not try to turn this into a kangaroo court.” The state’s attorney thereafter. B. O. Ward, one of the county com- missioners who is one of the jurors. attempted to be excused because he was a county officer but his request was overruled. Later Mr. Ward was excused from duty. In the afternoon the court convened in the chambers of the district court at the court house with the seats’ well filled with spectators. Up to a late hour only ten jurors had been secure] and therefore fo evidence was sub- mitted. It is probable that the case will he ‘brought to trial Wednesday morning at the court house. was silent SPAIN BREAKING BREAD Madrid. Monday, Nov. 24—The gov- ernment has decided to take over the bakeries of Madrid in an effort to solve the bread shortage caused! by the strike of bakers. Reginning tomorrow the bakeries will be worked for the They are, left to right (top): Bén Casagrada and (bottom), B. G. Eubanks and Arthur Mc- lrequired to wind up work preliminary .{to a convention next summer to nom- FRAZIER’S TRIP -\ acquired in a regular manner but was | These are the American legion W. fanatics during the Armistice LABOR PARTY TO DECIDE WHETHER WOMEN ARE EQUAL Want Females on National Com- mittee of Latest Political Organization Chicago, Nov. 25.—Equal represen- tation for women on the national com iittee was the subject for further de- bate at today’s. session of the conven- tion of the newly formed Labor party of the United States. Completion of work and adjournment today was the possibility it was said when the dele- gates met the other day might .be inate candidates . for and vice-president, president TO TOWNER NOT A ROUND OF JOY Inquisitive People Kept Gover- nor Busy Answering Questions Governor Frazier’s campaign in be- half of C: P. Peterson, league candi- date for the senate in Towner county, was not one continuous round of pleasure, according to reports reach- ing the capitol. At Hansboro a young matron in the governor’s audience who had recently been a school teach- er quizzed the governor relative to the administration's treatment’ of Miss Minnie J. Nielson, state super- intendent of public instruction, The governor is said to have repeated in apology for the emasculation of her office Neil Macdonald’s charge, which was refuted in district and supreme court, to the effect that Miss Nielson was not qualified. I¥4 is alleged that in this connection the governor went so far as to state Miss Nielson’s first- grade certificate as a teacher was not bought outright for the sum of $5. Following the governor’s remarks, his questioner is said jo have publicly expressed herself as “more confirmed than ever in the belief that you people aré determined to rule or ruin the edu- ; cational system, and convinced that you are doing ,both.” The governor was also asked perti- | nent questions on the tax situation in a number of towns, it is said, and it is reported that he did not display ch familiarity with this-topic as his league followers evidently ex- pected of him. Governor Frazier. admits that the result in Towner county may be close, although unless today’s blizzard blocks the roads, he believes the league candidate will win. BULGARIA BUILDS WHEAT ELEVATORS Biggest Crop in Country’s His- tory Worth $250,000,000 " Sofia, Wednesday, Noy. 18.— Large elevators are’ being constructed at Varns on the Black Sea coast of Bul- garia to handle the country’s wheat crop which is,estimated to be the lar- gest in the history of Bulgaria an worth $250,000,000. HUNTERS FIND DEER Fergus Falls, Minn., Nov. 25.—Fer- gus’ Falls hunters returning from the woods report deer more. numerous than in years. .Rvery man who has gone into the woods from this city has brought home a deer and declare they couldr have brought home a large | the bounty INDEPENDENTS ARE RARIN’ TO EAT “EM ALIVE Doughty Minority Holds Couple of Caucuses and Gets All Het Up LEAGUE LOSES ONE VOTE Senator Sikes Will Not Bq Here For While Because of Operation SENATE ADJOURNS Following the introduction of a concurrent resolution ratifying the federal sufferage amendment, * the senate adjourned until 1 P. M, Wednesday. The resolution on sufferage was referred to the State Affairs committee. Indications are plentiful that even had the league majority shown no dis- position to stir up things, the inde- pendents would have seen to it that the special mn does not Jack for pyrotechnics. It is reported that reso- Jutions already are drawn up provid- ing for a number of investigations. The independents have held two caucuses, and, while no direct revela- tions have come from these meetings, i“Hell-fer-sartin’” is sald to be their promise. LEAGUE ON IMPEACHMENT The league isn’t anxious to start im- peachment proceedings, if views of various league members of the two houses are any indication. I am con- fident that we will confine our work very closely to matters named in the governor's proclamation and in his message, "said Representative Whip- ple, one of the original incorporators of the league, this morning. “I'do not believe there will be any attempt at impeachment.” said Sena- it Thorwald Mostad of Ward coun- 0 AMONG PROBABILITIES Among things which will be done ‘are the amendment of the soldiers’ bonus act to make available at once of $25 for each month spent in service provided for at the jlast regular assembly, and an amend- ment to the hail insurance act extend- jing the period for withdrawal from June 15 to June 25. There is a gen- jeral demand for such extension in the northern part of the state, it is said. It is urged that crops there are seeded fully two weeks later than they are in the southern part of the state. For this reason it is possible that a zoning plan may be adopted, and that differ- ent withdrawal limits may be decreed for two. or possibly three zones ex- tending across the state from east to west. TOR SIKES i The league is shy one yote in the Senate, Senator HT. Sikes of Moun- trail county, a stalwart leaguer, un- derwent an operation at Minot yes- terday and will not be able to attend the session for several da, t least. Rumors of insurgency upon the |part of Walter Maddock of Mountrail, who was expected to bolt when de- nied the speal hip at the beginning of the last session, were again rife last night and this morning. but Wal- ter was on the dot at the league cau- causes and was given a cordial ‘recep- tion by the governor, and he gives every indication of being “regular” once more. Senator Thorwald Mostad of Ward county is a questionable quantity. While he has developed nothoing more than incipient , insurgency at the most, he has recently displayed some independence that may be strength- ened as the session progresses. There will be No real oratory in the house until Friday, Rep. J. F. O'Connor of Grand Forks being unable to arrive until that time. As a stop lgap we have with us Del Patterson of Donnybrook and his tamer,- lL. L Twichell of Fargo, and there is alsa Oliver B. Burtness ‘of Grand Forks, who shakes rather nasty tongue him- self, upon occasion. COAL SHORTAGE FORCES PLANTS TO SHUT DOWN Miners Still Out With Produc- tion of Soft Coal Diminishing 9 Chicago, Noy, 25.—Closing of addi- tional manufacturing plants in the middle west wth others placed on a further curtailed fuel ration and less- ening production even in the mines which have) been worked since the strike of bituminous coal miners went into effect 25 days ago was in prospect teday. From none of the great production fields came an indication today that the miners had altered their disposi- tion to await an agreement by the government. the latter paying the wages the strikers demand. , number if the! law would have permit- ted. heeantas operators-miners’ conference at Wash- ington. t p.|° GOVERNOR CALLS FOR INVESTIGATORS TO GO INTO OFFICIALS’ ACTS Chief Executive Asks For Three Members of House and Two From Senate to Conduct In- quisition Into Alleged Fraudulent Actions, Fraudulent Expenditure of Public Funds and Attacks Upon Nonpartisan’s Program of In- dustrial Democracy All hopes for a brief and harmonious extra session of the six- teenth assembly were regarded as lost when the governor in the fourth message which he has read to a North Dakota legislature asked the assembly in joint session in the house at 2 P. M. today to appoint a committee of five to “investigate the illegal and ims proper expenditure of state funds and to investigate illegal acts of public officials.”’ This clause in the governor’s message is regarded as the be-. ginning of a legislative attack upon Secretary of State Hall, At- torney General Langer and State Auditor Kositzky, which, should the league master sufficient strength, is expected to terminate in impeachment or an attempt to impeach. The governor’s message was completed only a minute or two before he went to the house chamber to read it to the legislators awaiting him there in joint session. The paragraph in which he asks the appointment of an investigating committee is the last but one written by the governor, and it is believed to have been inserted in the message following this morning’s secret caucus of Non- partisan legislators, the third held since yesterday noon. It is thought that this caucus, attend by practically all of the league members of the two houses, gave the administration confidence to go ahead with its purported attack to remove the three insurgent state officials who have made so much trouble for Mr. Townley and his plans. “The work of these obstructionists,’’ said the governor, ‘‘should. be investigated, and there are also other matters of vital importance to the welfare of owr commonwealth that should be looked into, and I urgently recommend that a special joint committee be appointed to consist of two members of the senate and three members of the house, to investigate any attempt made by individuals or corpora- tions to destroy the eredit of the state by misrepresentation of its laws. or of its industrial program. Also to. investigate. election: frauds; as to fraudulent signatures on pétitions; as to fraudulent use of funds; as to fraudulent voting. Also to investigate the il- legal and improper expenditure of state funds, and to investigate illegal acts of public officials.’’ Otherwise the governor’s message is brief and unexciting. He asks the appointment of a state sheriff; the ratification of the woman’s suffrage amendment: extension of the time of payment of county liens for seed and feed; a division of tax payments on realty, providing that only half become due March 1, and the re- mainder November 15; amendment of soldiers’ bounty to+increase tax levy and make larger funds avail 2; amendment of motor vehicle act to make it more workable; provision for the state to meet one-third the cost of proposed wagon bridge over Missouri at Bis- marck; extension of limit for which school districts may bond; repeal of moneys and credits act because of dissatisfaction con- nected with it; support for deep waterway to the Atlantic sea- board; the creation of a state trade commission within the rail- way commission; authorization of a bond issue for the state home building association, and a concurrent resolution appealing to the United States supreme court for immediate action on the ‘‘forty- two taxpayers’’ suit now pending therein and which the governor holds responsible for the failure of the state to sell the bonds whose validity, with the legality of the whole league program, is attacked in this action. THE MESSAGE The ‘message in full follows: Gentlemen of the Sixteenth Legislature Assembled in Special Sesssion: You are called together to give your careful consideration to the following emergency measures which I trust you will act upon as speed- , ily as possible and thus avoid un-necessary expense and delay. WOMAN’S SUFFRAGE Whereas, Congress has made it possible for the various state legis- lators to vote on the Woman’s Suffrage Amendment, and Whereas, North Dakota stands foremost among the states of the Union for progressive legislation which insures square deal for all its citizens, I urgently recommend that you ratify this national amend- ment as your first act of this special session and demonstrate that North Dakota welcomes the opportunity to extend suffrage to the women of our state and nation. EXTENSION OF TIME FOR COUNTY LIENS Continued poor crops have made it impossible in some parts of our state for county seed and feed liens to be met; and in order that hardship and suffering may be prevented, and in order that farmers may be assisted as far as possible in keeping their live stock; and in order that a normal crop acreage may be seeded next spring, I urge that the time of paying these liens be extended one year, where in the opinion of the county commissioners, it is deemed expedient, and further that county bonds be issued and sold where necessary to take care of the situation. PAYMENT OF TAXES For the same reasons it is further recommended that only one- half of the real estate taxes become delinquent March Ist, and that the other half become delinquent the following November 15th. SOLDIERS’ COMPENSATION It is also recommended that the Soldiers’ Compensation Law be amended to increase the tax levy and to enlarge the scope for WHICH, this money may be used. MOTOR VEHICLE LAW An amendment to the Motor Vehicle Law is recommended to make it more workable, and to provide for the setting aside of sufficient funds to successfully handle the work in connection therewith. MISSOURI RIVER BRIDGE Preliminary steps have been taken for the building of a ‘public bridge across the Missouri River between the counties of Burleigh and Morton. This bridge will be a permanent. benefit to thousands of our people, and also to thousands of tourists who travel across our state each year. In order that.the state may do its part, as provided by law, it will be necessary that provision be made to meet one-third of the cost of this structure. SCHOOL BONDING LAW In many school districts the present law does not permit of suf- ficient bonding to erect suitable school buildings and amendments should be made to relieve this difficulty, sist proper and oat school Panes may be provided. - a: (Continued on Page Seven)