The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, November 24, 1924, Page 1

WEATHER FORECAST Generally fair tonight and Tucs- day. Warmer Thesday. ESTABLISHED 1873 BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA, MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2 24, 1924 THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE [fwon| PRICE FIVE CENTS | CITY COMMISSION IN STAR CHAMBER SESSION THE CITY’S BUSINESS Sta ar chamber sessions, more “more euphonistically referred to ‘ WORLD'S BEST | SWINDLER NOW UNDER ARREST Koretz, Said to Have Left Chicago with $2,000,000 Profits, Is Found WAS LI G IN LUXURY Bought House Near Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Told Friends He was Retired Chicago, Nov. 24.—Leo. C. Koretz, called “the king of swindlers” and “peer of all confidence men,” will be returned here the latter. part of this week or soon thereafter to explain the mysteries of his disappearance with millions of dollars of prominent Chicagoans and others who had giv- en him funds to invest in a mythical Bayano River syndicate in Panama, which he claimed to be a $1,000,000 concern. This announcement was made here today through the office of States Attorney Robert E. Crowe, who last night received word of the arrest of Koretz at Halifax, Nova Scotia, whore he has lived since his disappearance. He was arrested on a charge of using the mails to defraud. Koretz, with $2,000,000 in cash in a handbag, disappeared 11 months ago, leaving his wife and family and other relat! ds many — friends with nothing more tangible than worthless receipts or certificates in his Bayano corporation which was identified after he left here as the “Bayano bubble.” In Hélifax Koretz had assumed the poise and popularity which made him a favorite here and with which he cultivated many of his clients, Buys Fine Home Arriving at Brookfield, a suburb of Halifax, he purchased a home of $18,000 and improved it to a value of $35,000 and named it “Pinehurst.” “I’m a retired business man,” he told his new friends, who knew him ag Lou Keyte. He took an interest in civic affairs and spent money lav- ishly. His suavity and generosity brought many friends, to whom he explained that he was in poor-health and had been advised to move to. Nova Scotio. He joined many clitbs, including the Royal “Nova Scotia yacht squadron, and way reported to be a retired millionaire. He was scheduled to make an address in a church, according to word received here. Koretz, no longer the smooth-shav- en, horn-rimmed bespectacled swind- lers as police circulars described him throughout the world, grew a beard, explaining it was necessary to cover a scar resulting from an infective jaw. Reported He Was Ill At the time of his disappearance it was reported he could not live long in another climate or without care of his family because of an unnamed illness Koretz drew hundreds of wealthy people to him and he ap- parently was not anxious to accept money for investment in his oil deals, often refusing to accept money from friends who begged him to “let them in on it” as they wanted to make sorhe money. Reports of his in- vestments and refusal to let friends in, brought others to him. In some instances they were successful, in others they lost, for he fled when he reached his maximum in capital, leaving his wife and family in dire} straits, it was reported. His brother- ers and sisters, wife and others, made refunds of cash he gave him or help- ed them guin, ag a means of making restitution to many who had suffered losses through his disappearance. Mrs. Koretz, for the past few months, has worked in an envelope addressing firm, as a saleslady and other em- ployment, continually expressing her belief that her husband was not guilty of any intentional wrong-do- ing. ‘At the time of Koretz’s disappear- ance, when friends were insisting on some report or accounting of funds, he arranged for a trip to Panama, paying all expenses. While they were in South American territory he fled and they returned with the word that Kortez’s Panama bubble has burst and that all his invest- ments must have been u dream, Thorough Hunt Made A thorough hunt was made for Koretz. Hundreds of clues which were found to be fruitless had been investigated since his disappearance December last, At one time he, was reported en route to Africa, again to Argentine, again to Mexico, but each time investigation proved someone had erred. “Rewards finally aggre- gating $11,000 were offered by banks and trust companies and posto: inspectors, who tried to solve his tangled affairs. Koretz was confronted by Assist- ant States Attorney John Sbarbao and an assistant in @ hotel in Hali- fax Saturday. He was the same jo- debonair sportsman, a bit more inguished looking with his whis- kers trimmed in Spanish style and did not seem dismayed when he was told he was under arrest, a telegram to Mr. Crowe said. “All right, boys, I'll go with you. “You won't have any trouble with me,” he told his.captors. The best train service available will. bring Koretz here, in the same style he left, ex- cept that his return will be marked by a pair of handcuffs, as “executive sessions” too frequent lately. were placed on the table and open. The matter of the intake at the river which to date is a most expensive matter should be discussed and aired in Those who know the facts are convinced that a most deplorable error was made in allowing the specifica- open session. of the city commission have been There should be no secrets as far as the city’s business-is concerned. The place to transact the city’s business is at the city hall, in open session, not behind the closed doors of the city attorney’s office. Pubiicity for official proceedings should be demanded. Warrants drawn in the late hours of the night or early in the morning and cashed hardly before the bank doors are open for bills that received no previous publicity naturally give rise to ugly rumors that could be settled if all cards the issues fought out in the tions to be changed. No intake has been completed. The water is being pumped at a intake which could have been doublé expense from the old utilized, but there would have been no commission for the city engineer if such economy had been practiced. It looks now as though the city commission should ask for the resignation of the present city engineer in sheer defense of the taxpayer’s purse. assistance should be employed teurs and boys. - At any rate competent and the werk not left to ama- The city is paying $500 a month more for pumping water now than is necessary. the pumps would have made the old intake available. A slight revision in the placing of Engi- neers declare that the old intake would have served the city until it reached forty thousand inhabitants. But utilization of any of the old equipment would not have meant money to contractors or commissions to engineers. These are facts for the taxpayers to know and they should bring pressure to bear soon to see that business methods are pradticed in the works system. In passing too, this should ber sessions. completion of the new water be the last of the star cham- Executive sessions and curbstone conferences settle no civic problems efficiently. If additional thousands must be spent to build an unne- cessary intake, the taxpayers are entitled to know and to hear the matter discussed in place for the transaction of the city’s busine: are entitled to know when the exhorbitant comm engineers are to ceas open meeting at the regular . Also they ions of STATE'S BANK LISTS PROFITS OF $8,082.25 Increase Is Shown by Institu- : tion in the Last Two Months of Business The Bank of North Dakota, in its statement of condition at the close, ( of business, November 15, in con- Zermity .with the call of the state bank examiner, lists profits of the institution as $8,082.25. This is an increase from profits of $2,207.44, listed in the statement of business of September 17 last. Public deposits are shown to have increased greatly during the period, with the influx of tax money, the to- tal being $7,724,409.16 in the current statement as compared with $4,278,- 639.56 in the last published state- ment of the bank. A marked in- crease in county deposits is shown, treasurers of counties /having $3,- 866,708.28 in the bank on November 15 as compared to $609,104.75 on September 17. Slight liquidation of “frozen sets” is shown. The total amount of redeposits and loans in closed banks and_ receivers’ certificates, proof of claim, are shown to be $2,- 291,519.08 as compared to $2, 361, 763.- 16 on September 17. Loans to state industries and insti- tutions total $2,368,522.92, the Home Builders owing the bank $482,026.05, the mill and elevator $547,766.52 and state institutions $1,338,730.35. TWO KILLINGS INVESTIGATED Slayers Seek Cover by Put- ting Bodies on Tracks Tulsa, Oklahoma, Nov. 24.—Tulsa county officers today were investi- guting the second killing in the past month in which the slayers ap- parently attempted to cover traces of their crime by leaving the body on a railroad track. Minor Anderson, a part Greek In- dian whose body was found badly mangled on the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad track, near Wika, early today, is the latest victim. Johnny Chisom, Osage Indian, was found on the Midland Valley track a week ago and had apparently been slain and the body placed in the path of a locomotive. Anderson's throat had been cut from ear to ear. SELLS OUT BUSINESS Steele, N. D., Nov. 24.—A deal was made by which the Crowell Cafe in Steele was sold to Mrs. Mary Briese of Dawson, widow of the late Wm. Briese, who with her two daughters will take possession at the end of the month. Mr, and Mrs, J. B. Crowell have been in the present quarters four years. They will retire to a pri- vate home for the present at SACS Sea as-| SAY CHAPLIN IS TO MARRY LEADING LADY 24.—Charl comedi die’ Angeles, motion ov. eture City [jadi oo wunane its Ga, young leading woman, passed ugh Yuma, Arizona, bound for nas late last nm Chaplin wns aboard a Southern Pacific train bound for Nogales, where his car would be switched to a train to Guaymas. Chaplin refused to discuss reports that he was to marry Miss but admitted he was going to 0. Me: DAWES HEADS LEGION DRIVE $5,000,000 to be Sought for Disabled, Orphans Indianapolis, Nov. 24.—Acceptance by Charles G. Dawes, vice president- elect, of the vice chairmanship of the honorary committee created by the American Legion, to assist in its campaign to raise an endowment fund of $5,000,000 to care for disabl- ed World War veterans and orphans of fallen ex-soldiers, was announced at legion headquarters here. Russel G. Cravison, national adju- tant and executive secretary of the committee in charge of the drive, al- 50 announced that 12 other men, sev- eral of them cabinet members, have accepted the Legion’s invitation to serve on the committee. The list included Secretary of State Hughes, Secretary of the Treas- ury Mellon, Secretary of Commerce Hoover, Secretary of the Interior Work, Secretary of Agriculture Gore and Secretary of Labor Davis, Representing the navy will be Se- cretary Wilbur, Admiral W. W. Eberle, chief of naval operations, and Major Gencral John J. Le June of the marine corps. The army’s representatives will be Secretary Weeks, General John J. hing and Major General J. L. Hines. Because of the pressing needs of some 5,000 war orphans the com- mittee’s work will be expedited, Mr. Creviston ‘said. DANCERS SPEND SUNDAY HERE, ATTEND CHURCH One theatrical troupe arrived in Bismarck last night on Northern Pacific Train No. 3 while one troupe left on the same train. Ruth St, Denis, Ted Shawn and their dancers spent the Sunday in Bismarck. In the evening most of them attended the Pregbyterian church service, before leaving on the train at 10:46 p. m. for Billings, Montana. Mitzi and her company came in from Fargo on the same train. They appear at the Auditorium at 7 p. m. today. Many bushes only “two! or three feet high on the western plains have Toot systems penetrating to ‘a depth st. Jof 15 or 20 feet, +4 EVACUATION OF {NEW LOAN FOR [MILITARY ESCORT ORDERED FOR SUDAN DEMAND) FRENCH NATION IS PROTESTED; NOW OFFERED. Egyptian Government Holds This Request of British Authorities Unjustifiable INDEMNITY IS PAID Cairo Reported Tense Over Situation Developing Over Slaying of Sirdar EVACUATION REPORTED Londan, Nov. 24.—The evacua- tion of the Sudan by the Egyp- tian Army has been begun, says an Agency dispatch from Cairo. Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 24 (By the A. P.)—Lord Allenby, the British high commissioner, at noon today inform- ed the Egyptian premier, Zagloul Pasha, that instructions had been given for British forces to occupy the Alexandria customs. This, he said, was the first measure to be taken in consequence of Egypt's non-acceptance of all,the British de- mands, following the assassination of Sir Lee Stack, the Sirdar. The indemnity of 500,000 pbunds demanded by the British for the death of the Sirdar was paid by the Egyptian government yesterday. The payment was accompanie: a note protesting against British demands for evacuation of the Sudan by Egyptian troops and for the with- drawal to all opposition to the wishes of the British government concerning the protection of foreign interests in Egypt which iemand the note characterized as unjusti- fiable. Cairo today wore a eful, if somewhat pect. There w: tion but it wa by the police. The students at a large meeting last night decided to await instruc- tions from a proper quarter. Mean- while they will continue their strike but remain in their home: The newspaper Alghiasash advocates an {appeal to the League of Nations on. Great Britain's demands, declaring fy. that although Egypt is not a member of a League it sufficient that Great Britain does. generally excited, 1 small demon- casily dispersed pe sti POSITION RTED London, Nov. ~The govern- ment’s strong action toward t in connection with the assa: of the Sirdar, Sir Lee Stack, invokes wide approval from the public, al- though there is no © ism of the details in some quarters and demnation of the labor press and po- litical writers. The Daily News, Liberal, suggests that the Sudan should be admini: tered under League of Nations 1 date. The Laborite Daily Herald de- nounces the whole British action as terribly reminiscent of the Austrian to Serbia which led to the great war and says it constitutes the worst blow yet struck to the authority of the League of Nations, to which body the matter should have been refer- red. cou- CABINET QUITS Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 24.—The Egyp- tian cabinet, headed by Zugloul Pa- sha, tendered its resignation today to King Fuad, who accepted it. SEND SHIPS TO EGYPT London, Nov. 24.—(By the A. P.)— The Admiralty has ordered the supey- dreadnaught Iron Duke to Alexan- dria, Egypt; the battleship Malay: to Port Said and a cruiser and two destroyers to the Sudan, HALL OFFICIAL VOTE GIVEN Canvassing Hoard Finds Ma- jority of 1,255 For Short Term Thomas Hall, Secretary of State, was officially declared elected Con- gressman from the Second North Da- kota District, fur the unexpired term of George M. Young, resigned, end- ing next March 4, today. The state canvassing board, convened specially to compile the short term vote in the district, foung Mr. Hall had 33,406 votes to 32,205 for Gerald Nye of Cooperstown, a majority of 1,255 for Mr, Hall. Examiners began checking up the office of Secretary of State today, and Mr. Hall said he probably would be ready to turn over the office to Robert Byrne, appointed by Governor Nestos to fill the vacancy, on Wed- nesday. Mr. Byrne arrived here last night, prepared to take the office. Mr. Hall will leave for Washington the latter part of the week, to be sworn in when Congress convenes, December 1. PROTECT ALFALFA The latest eutting of alfalfa should be early enough to permit a growth: -of six to eight inches after the crop iacidias mia nasanisieelanmneanee is removed. This growth catches snow and protects the alfalfa during the winter, Morgans to Handle $100,000,- 000 Loan Thrown Upon the Market Today TO BALANCE BUDGE? Reduction of Governmental Indebtedness Is Sought By the Loan New York, Nov. 24—J. P. Morgan and their associates will launch the new $100,000,000 loan to the French republic here today. The loan will be offered in a single issue of 25 years, 7 per cent gold bonds at 94. he effect of the loan is to absorb the recent series of short-term credits and convert the funding into @ 25-year operation. J. P. Morgan and company is#ued the following statement: “J, P. Morgan and company an- nounce that they, in association with the First National bank of New York, National City company and Messrs. Brown Brothers and company, are heading a syndicate to offer on Mon- day $100,000,000 government of the French republie 25-year, 7 per cent sinking fund gold bonds, at 94 and accrued interest, to yield approxi- mately 7.53 per cent, without giving consideration to the operation of the sinking fund, which amounts to $4,200,000 per annum, payable in equal monthly instalments begin- ning January 1, 1925, and being suf- ficient to retire annually one-twenty- fifth of the entire issue at 105 per cont.” French Minister Explains Loan Finance Minister Clementel of din a communica- The proceeds of the loan are to be applied to the reduction of the government's indebtedness to the Rank of France, which will hold and use the proceeds as it may deem wise for the protection and stabilization of the frane.” he budget position,” the minister served, “has been materially aided by the \eturn to productively of the devastated regions of France, the fiscal receipts from which have in- creased steadily from 964,000,000 frances in the yeur 1919 to 2,372,000,- 000 francs for the first six months of 1924.” M. Clementel placed the French debt, excluding the inter-Allied debt, at $697,500,000 on November 1 last, with an annual service charge of $46,160,000. W peace was signed, June 30, 1919, this principal was $1,069,400,000 with service charges of $69,000,000 per annum. He said the government was paying $20,367,000 annually to the United States govern- ment, representing interest on the post-war purchase of supplies left be- hind by the American Expeditionary Force. Foreign Trade Improves Foreign trade had shown a favor- able turn, said the minister, the sur- plus of exports in the first 10 months of the current year totaling approxi- mately $73,000,000 at the current rate of exchange. The greater export act- ivity he attributed to the return to productivity in the war areas. Ex- elusive of Alsace-Lorraine, the coal output was up to 96 per ‘cent of the 1918 monthly average, and iron ore had more than doubled since the peace, The average ratio of operating ex- penses to gross revenue of the six great railway systems, which in 1920 was 130 per cent, had been steadily reduced to 91-per cent in 1923 and to an estimated ratio of 78 per cent for the current year. ——_— -—________—__ | Weather Report } ———____-___-+ For 24 hours ending at noon, 23 Temperature at 7 a. m. Highest yesterday 30 Lowest yesterday 18 Lowest last night 23 Precipitation ... . Trace Highest wind velocity . 18 WEATHER FORECAST For Bismarck and vicinity: Gen- erally fair tonight and Tuesday. Warmer Tuesday. Generally fair tonight and Tues- day. Somewhat warmer extreme west portion tonight and east and south portions Tuesday. WEATHER CONDITIONS A deep low pressure atea is cen- tered over the Great Lakes region while a secondary low covers Saskat- chewan and a large High covers the Rocky Mountain and Plateau States. This pressure distribution has caused light snow from the Great Lakes re- gion and Mississippi Valley north- westward to the northern Rocky Mountain region and fair weather from the southern Plains States westward and northwestward to the Pacific coast. Temperatures are con- siderably lower over the Mississippi Valley but moderate temperatures prevail over the West. ORRIS W. ROBERTS, Meteorologist. Jasper National Park in Canada has an area of 4400 square miles and is the biggest “playground” oA , the world. L HARDING FUNERAL BY PRESIDENT Marion, 0. This Ohio the heights of 1 was prey seene in the life of Kling Harding, widow President. Shortly after 2 o'clock this after- noon, Mrs. Harding's body will be borne over the same route as that traversed by the funeral cortege of the 29th presiden: of the United Ritter Makes Hard Battle For His Life George H. Ritter, deputy state dairy commissioner, who was injur- ed in an automobile accident last week, is making a hard fight for life in a local hospital. With amazing vitality Mr. Ritter is surviving in- ternal injuries, and today it was felt that there is a good chance for re- covery. Several relatives arrived last night to remain during his criti- cal illness. MILLER HEARS TAX CASE HERE About $75,000 Involved State-Standard Oil Case Nov. 24 (By the A. P.) | St y which joy and sorrow Pp.) has known sine’ st d today for the Mrs. of Florenee the late in Judge Andrew Miller of federal court was here from Fargo today to hear a case involving an additional levy made by the state tax commis- sioner on the Standard Oil Company of Indiana for income tax for the years 1919, 1920 und 1921, About $75,000 is involved. The method of assessment is at is- sue, the question arising us to just what portion of the revenues of the Standard Oil Company which operates in several states, can be taxed in North peyote MOTOR GAS ALMOST FATAL’ Farming Living Near Dogden Narrowly Escapes Death Washburn, N. D., Nov. Ed. Kittleson, prominent farmer 1 zat the outskirts of Dogden, narrowly escaped death when he was overcome by the insidio carbon monoxide gas from his car, He was discovered by his daughter, just in time to pre- vent death and after several hours of working with him and walking in the fresh air he recovered. However the Il was a close one and a few more minutes of the gag would have killed him. The accident happened Sunday morning when Mr. Kittleson went to his garage and started his car. He had gone inside and closed the door and then started the engine. A few minutes later his daughter found him laying on the car unconciou: The effects of the gas being swift and deadly. Help was summoned from town and men came and restored him to consciousness. Mr. Kittleson was so badly stricken that for quite a while afterwards, if the men had not held him up he would have fallen to the ground in a stupor. That even- ing he was feeling better and it is be- lieved ‘that no ill effects will come from the effects of the gas. ONE DEAD IN GANG FIGHT Proprietor of Resort Is . Fatally Shot Chicago, Nov. 24.—One man is dead, two others are seriously wounded, one probably fatally, and another is believed shot as a result of the gun fight yesterday morning in the Hawthorne Inn roadhouse at cero. Eddie Tunol, owner of the resort, former pugilist, was shot to death by Myles O'Donnell and James Doh- erty, alleged gangsters and beer run- ners, according to the police. PIONEER OF WASHBURN Washburn, N, D., Nov. 24.—In the death of Frank G. Nordquist, Wed- nesday, November 19, the county loses one of its oldest pioneers, A man who hag made his home here for the past 40 years, has helped de- velop the country and has at all times held the highest estcem of his friends and neighbors. Mr. Nordquist, who Was about 80 years of age, had been in good health up until the past year or two, when he began to decline. But his condi- tion was such that he was not con- fined to his bed until this last illness of the past two weeks, which brought his death. His daughter, Mrs, C. E. Hedlund, of Underwood, was caring for him during his illness and it was at her home that he pa: away. DIES: of Indiana, | See at Marion and Simple and dignified serv held. e guard of soldiers which has been on duty at the Harding tomb since the death of the pres- ident will act as an escort and this will be augmented by 100 officers and men ordered here from Fort Haytes at Columbus by President Coolidge. All business in Marion was sus- pended at 12:30 for the afternoon. ‘POSITION OF ‘WHEAT FIRMIN WORLD MARKET Condition Good Despite Weakness Developing in Last Week’s Market MARKET OVER BOUGHT Washington, Nov. market developed tone 2t-—-The grain a slightly weaker toward the close of the week ending Noy. 22nd, according to the weekly grain market review of the United States Department of Agri- culture. A somewhat overbought condition developed in the European markets for bread grains, which re- sulted in lower prices at Liverpool, and was reflected in a less active demand for these grains in the U. S. markets. After reaching new high levels for the crop year about the middle of the week, corn prices declined sharply to around last week's close, as receipts of corn of better quality increased mat ly. The demand for feed grains continued fairly act- and while the oxts market fol- jlowed the fluctuations in the corn jmarket, ‘barley held gencrally stea- dy throughout the week. The position of wheat in the world market continues firm with latest esti in both Argentina and Ca- nada showing further reduction in the crop. The Argentine crop is placed at 190,000,000 bushels uccord- ing to the latest official estimate, which reduces the total exportable surplus of the principal exporting countries to around 675,000,000 bush- els, which is about 100,000,000 bush- els short of the amount exported by these countries last year. This re- duction, together with a reduction of about 200,000,000 bushels in the crop in importing countries, has been reflected in the large exports which now 115,000,000 which up 3, from the United States, total approximately not including flour, Nov. Ist, had totaled Tels, equivalent to wheat, and more than half the wheat than it is estimated will be available for export from this country. Stocks in terminal markets continue hea totaling around 100,000,000 bu., and these have again become a depress- bu. to ing influence on the market, al- though their influence is somewhat discounted by the smaller farm stocks. Cash Demand Sluggish The cash demand was rather slug- gish, although premiums held prac- tically the same relation to futures as at the close of the market last week. No, 1 dark northern spring continued to sell at the December price to 22¢ over at Minneapolis; 13 percent protein. hard winter sold at 9 to 10c over the December price at Kansas City, and No. 2 red winter was quoted at $1.64 to $1.67 at St. Louis. Export bids for hard winter wheat. were around 11%c over the Chicago December price f. 0. b. vessel for December loading at the Gulf. Dur- um wheat prices advanced on a more active milling demand and also larger export sales. Duluth export- ers reported several round tots of durum sold to foreign countries, principally Italy, during the week. No. 1 amber durum advanced to a range of 7 to 2le over the Duluth November price. The rye market declined with wheat, and at the close of the mar- ket \on Friday was about 8c below the ‘high point reached last week. Export demand was less active and stocks in the markets have shown some accumulation during the past few weeks, tolaling around 20,000,- 000 bu. All available rye in the United States, however, will be need- ed for European consumption, and while prices will fluctuate with wheat the general market situation is practically unchanged. Corn Prices High Corn prices reached the highest point of the season when December corn at Chicago reached $1.20 per bu. on the 19th. The advance, how- ever, brought out large offerings and prices declined sharply, closing on Friday at $1.124% compared with $1.125% at the corresponding time last week. The excellent weather prevailing in the central west was favorable for the harvesting of the crop and reports indicate that a large percentage of the crop has been gathered. Receipts of new corn increased materially in most markets and were also of better quality, with the exception of markets tributary to the soft corn area of Ohio and Indiana. AC MATTER OF INTAKE UNDER CONSIDERATION City Fathers Hold Executive Session in C. L. Young’s Office TRY TO SETTLE MATTERS | Woodrich Puts Issues Before Members of City Commis- sion Today Issues involved in the con- struction of the intake for the new city waterworks system were under discussion at an executive or star chamber ses- sion of the city commission at the office of C. L. Young, city attorney today. No notice was posted con- cerning the meeting nor was the press informed of the meeting. It was not held at the regular meeting place nor at the usual time for such a meeting, It was learned unofficially that Mr. Woodrich of the Woodrich Construction com- pany brought experts here to show the commission the dif- ficulty which confronts him on the construction of the new intake plans and levels for which he said as furnished by ne R. Atkinson were defec- ive. Atkinson contended that he was right and engineers for the construction company de- clare that levels for the in- take given by him are below the river bed. Thousands of dollars of the taxpayers money have been dumped into the river and the intake is uncompleted and the + work held in abeyance until it can be decided whether the engineers of the city or the construction company are right. Lately all matters in con- nection with the plant have been discussed in executive or star chamber sessions. The city editor of the Trib- une at a recent meeting of the city commission was invited to leave as the fathers went into an “executive” session doubt- less to discuss Atkinson’s plans. It presumed that some states mnet will be made after this meet- ing relative to the intake. The wa- ter now is pumped from the old in- take by electricity at a cost of some $500 a month. Then it goes into the new plant and is hoisted to the res- ervoirs by the Deisel engine at a double pumping cost to the city T. R. Atkinson has had pointed out to him that by a slight revision of the plans the pumps could have been so “spotted” so as to utilize the old intake at a saving of thou- sands of dollars to the taxpayers of Bismarck. Under Atkinson's five percent con- tract and three percent verbal agree- ment upon the purchase price, no commission other than the three percent on the old intake would have been allowed. If the new intake is completed there is five percent in it for Atkinson whether it runs into $25,000 or $50,000. No one knows what it will cost to complete the proposed intake and no further work will procced until the issues de- tween Woodrich and Atkinson are settled. Mr. Atkinson has already been paid three percent on the old intake which it is said would serve the city until it reached 40,000 inhabitants, At press time the meeting was still in progress. It is delieved, Mayor Lenhart issue some state- ment to the taxpayers. Demand for Atkinson's early resignation and the employment of competent engineers on a salary basis has been suggest~ ed in many influential quarters. Whether any such action is con- templated could not be learned to~ day. is Barn Burned _ Loss Is $2,000 Dunn Center, N. Ds est Trampe’s barn on his farm wix miles southeast of Dunn Center bu! ed to the ground and caused a loss to the owner of about two thousand dollars. The building cost over $2,000 to construct and is a total loss, Fifty tons of hay went up in flames. The property was insured ‘for only $800.00. The fire was of an unknown origin, but it is thought that it may. havi been started by a combustion in the hay loft, D., Nov, 24.—Ern-°