The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, March 16, 1932, Page 1

North Dakota’s Oldest Newspaper ESTABLISHED 1873 "2 THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 1932 __ Latest Total 68,895 to 11, The Weather Somewhat uns d tonight and Thursday; colder tonight. PRICE FIVE CENTS ‘* Roosevelt Appears Victor in Race NEW YORKER HAS WIDE MARGIN IN _ PRIMARY RETURNS Indications Are That He Will Be Decisive Winner in Pre- ference Vote GASOLINE TAX IS BEATEN All But One of Five Questions Beaten; Absent Voters Issue Has Chance Franklin D. Roosevelt, New York > governor, Wednesday appeared to have carried North Dakota in his Cs contest with Governor W. H. (Alfalfa Bill) Murray of Oklahoma for the Democratic preference vote. Returns compiled and copyrighted by the Associated Press showed Roosevelt leading by a margin of nearly two to one. They represent- ed only a few of the state’s 2,235 pre- cincts but were sufficiently repres- entative to indicate the trend. The gasoline tax and the two pro- posals to change the initiative and referendum clauses of the state con- stitution were definitely beaten and of the five proposals on that ballot! only that to tighten up the absent! voters law appeared to have a chance! ——and it was running behind. Five hundred fifty-two precincts gave: for gasoline tax 23,098; against 25,022, | Five hundred fifty-seven precincts gave: for future amendments 19,978; against 32,258, Five hundred forty-five precincts gave: for legislative power 19,248; against 31,181. J. I, France of Maryland was run- ® ning’ well ahead of “Gienetal” Jacob 8. Coxey of Ohio for the Republican presidential preference in a race which a majority of Republican vot- ers ignored. William Stern, -Fargo, so-called ‘Real’ Republican, appeared to have beaten Fred J, Graham, Ellendale, Nonpartisan, for the post of Repub- lican national committeeman. al- though much territory favorable to Graham had not reported. The same situation prevailed in the race for Republican national committeewoman in which Mrs. Selma Stenersen, Minot, was leading Mrs. Minnie D. Craig, Esmond. Here's how the returns stacked up at a glance: Republican Ballot Pets. Rpt'd Vote Cast 642 11,938 642 7,305 16,370 France Coxey Stern Graham Schumacher Stenersen Craig Democratic Ballot Roosevelt 664 Murray . H. H. Perry . J, Nelson Kelly C.D. Perry ....... 166 The real surprise of the election was the swing toward the Democrats. With only 230 precincts reported of the 2,235 in the state, the combined Roosevelt and Murray vote was 11,082, In 1924 the total Democra- tic vote was only about 11,000 and in 1914 about 10,000. On this basis it appeared easily possible that the Democratic total would run between 30,000 and 40,000. Indications were that the total vote would be between 150,000 and 160,000 with a possibility that it might ex- ceed the latter figure. A record turn- out for a March election was beyond question. The surprising thing of the election was the sharp swing of North Dako- ta's electorate toward Democracy, Whatever the cause, the demand for Democratic ballots was the heaviest on record at a North Dakota At Anamoose, for instance, where 10 Democrats voted four years ago, 100 cast ballots Tuesday. In Bismarck, Fargo, Jamestown and other centers the demand for Demo- cratic ballots was practically double that of 1928. No tabulations were being made on the contests for convention delegates or presidential electors on either. the Republican or Democratic tickets and it may be several days before infor- mation is available concerning them: Hanson and Kennedy ! Win at Grand Forks Grand Forks, N. D., March 16.—(?) —O. S. Hanson and Henry Kennedy were elected city commissioners in ‘Tuesday's election over a field of 11 candidates. They opposed the pres- ent city administration. Ronald N. Davies defeated Police Magistrate Leslie Ryan for the police court bench, Phil McLoughlin was named city justice of the peace. John Vold, presiden of the park board, was reelected and Dr. M. B. Rudd went into office with him. OF ALL THINGS _ > British and German psychic re- _ searchers, it is reported, are trying to change @ nanny goat into a beautiful maiden by means of a 15th century witch formule, | 1,696 | ° Bismarck Votes 99.68 Per Cent THERE IS A GOD IN ISRAEL (An Editorial) North Dakota has spoken emphatically upon the issue of capi- tal removal. The seat of government remains at Bismarck where it was located’ by popular vote in 1889, This verdict proves the verity of Lincoin’s famous adage: “You can fool some of the people all of the time and part of the people part of the time, but not all of the people all of the time.” Tuesday’s vote is full vindication of the philosophy contained in that homely utterance of the Great Emancipator. Generally speaking, it is difficult for the masses to legisiate at the polls. Long, involved ballots, phrased in dry legalistic style, are confusing to most of us, This isthe inherent danger of the ini- tlative and referendum. Despite our boast of democracy with its so-called blessings of popular rule and consent of the govern- ed, many crimes have been perpetrated in the name of liberty, equality and fraternity. Thanks to a vigorous and intelligently conducted campaign, un- paralleled in the history of North Dakota, the voters of this state have registered their condemnation of the sabotage and rapine which Jamestown sought to work upon this community and the entire state. This vote should settle many issues in North Dakota for decades and generations to come. When an electozate knows the truth, ap- preciates the issues, even the hazards of seeking to legislate by bal- lot can be overcome. Getting the truth to the people is an arduous and expensive task, Bismarck as a community carried its message to Garcia—it impressed the fair-minded voters of the state and today this community rejoices over a well-earned victory. It of- fers deepest gratitude to the thousands of voters and workers in every county who wrecked a foul conspiracy organized by selfish op- Portunists in Jamestown willing to destroy a neighbor to gain greedy ends. But there is no abiding bitterness in this community as the din and clamor of victory subside. Deep resentment of course is Present toward those Jamestown unfortunates who started the con- test and forced a heavy bill of expense upon this community at a tlme when everyone is conserving resources to alleviate the needy; to ease unemployment and to foster productive effort, Citizens of Bismarck are only human, It will take time to heal the sores of this political battle. Its perpetrators should be held up to public scorn and contumely. But the vote showed many in Stutsman county whose fairness, integrity and honesty are more Precious to them than sordid fleshpots, The community of Jamestown now has a problem for solution. As the state has rebuked the leadership which fostered this fight, + $0 must the citizens of: that.city ‘remove from places of trust the men who were responsible for besmirching a fair name. The good repute of Jamestown received a blow at the polls Tuesday which time and repentance only can restore. There is a Job of good wholesome housecleaning to be done at the Stutsman county seat before the blot will be eliminated. There are rumors that such a chastisement is now in the offing. It should not be too long de- layed, for the men who brought this foul thing upon North Dakota cannot be classed as her loyal sons or worthy citizens of James- town. Jamestown will be judged in the future by the steps taken to purge the community of the kind of leadership which makes that town today a laughing stock of the entire state because of a betrayal by a few. 4 In its nearly 60 years of service to this community, the Bismarck Tribune has carried no news of more vital and particular interest to the citizens of this city and the Missouri Slope country than the results of yesterday's election. Some historic news stories have gone flashing across the pages of this newspaper. There was carried in these columns during territorial days, July 6, 1876, the first ac- count of the Custer Massacre. August 9, 1898, came the sad news of a fire which practically wiped out the business section of the city. That disaster brought the helping hand of solicitous neighbors eager to restore the Capital City. Today The Tribune again brings great news to its circle of readers and rejoices in the state-wide support and friendship as reflected in an avalanche of votes. Yes, there is a God in Israel . The people usually can be depended upon to rebuke rank in- Justice. Without such sense of fairness, governments would soon become impotent. It is impossible to extend thanks to the many who assisted in this most successful contest. There is no intention in this editorial to single out names or to indulge in personal tributes, It was a community job and done with exceptional community team work. Many of our neighbors thought Bismarck became unduly alarmed when the removalists threw their bomb and that more energy was put into the campaign than was necessary. It was just this inertia which had to be overcome, Had the campaign not been waged on a great scale and with an enthusiasm and vigor unsurpassed by any ever entered into by Bismarck, there is no telling what might have happened. The vi- clousness of the attack called for the kind of drive which Bismarck’s civic leaders and rank and file of workers put inte this fight. In the words, then, of the poet: “It was a famous victory.” Committee Head Thanks People of State for Aid Davis Says Support of People of State Makes City ‘Proud and Humble’ songs whispered seductively in their ears, They now face the cold gray dawn of the morning after. “For the leaders of this iniquitous movement we have nothing but con- tempt. For the great body of James- Forrest M. Davis, chairman of the Bismarck Capital Defense committee Tuesday night issued the following statement: son hie “We folks in Bismarck are both] qoq proud and humble tonight. We are good people their might to put down the capital removal proposal which was not only’ i g Jamestown Gloomy As Movement Fails New Opportunity Given Bismarck Victory is sweet, but Bismarck should not overlook the fact that it owes a debt of gratitude to the thousands of loyal friends who supported it. How best to discharge that debt, heal the Wounds of war and ce- ment the fine friendships which Bismarck has made will be the next duty of the capital defense committee. At the next meeting of this committee The Tribune will pre- sent the suggestion that Bismarck stage a celebration at which the people of North Dakota will be our guests. Everyone should be in- vited, including the people of Jamestown. This city never will have a finer opportunity to demonstrate its good-will and prove its right to the title of “A Friendly‘City” than it has at this moment. Action now CITY ENJOYS GALA NIGHT AS RETURNS KEEP CAPITAL HERE Huge Crowd Throngs War Me- morial Building to Hear Returns Reported Tuesday was a gala night in Bis- marck. outcome of the capital removal issue, residents of this city felt a load had ! Tribune Reporter Describes How Removalists Took Bit- ter News of Defeat GATHER IN OFFICE OF SUN Most Enthusiastic of Instigators Maintained Hope Until Returns Came in (By Tribune Staff Man) Jamestown, N. D., March 16.— Jamestown’s capital removalists sat in the office of the Jamestown Sun Tuesday night and saw their bright dreams tarnish and their high hopes fade. They were glum, indeed, as the voice of North Dakota's electorate rolled across the prairies, gathering new power in every precinct, to hurl a chet | “No” into the ears of the removal band. _This reporter was an unnoticed visitor and, like a mouse in a cor- ner, saw many things. Looming large in the foreground was Percy M. Hansen, publisher of the Jamestown Sun, who inaugur- ated the removal boom, persisted in carrying it through despite opposi- tion from all parts of the state and who, Tuesday night, saw it come to its unfruitful end. It was a chastened Percy who watched the returns come in over ithe leased wires of the Associated Press. He made a brave struggle jto smile in the face of defeat and {to “shrug off” failure of his cause. |was pained and twisted, the shoulders | Although never doubtful of the} the overwhelming But the smile which shrugged also were noticeably sagged. Around Hansen the other removal conspirators sat or trooped through the office. At first they were hope- been lifted from their minds when|ful, if not optimistic, but within an the returns showed a tremendous|hour after the first returns came chorus of “NO” rolling over the| ftom outside of Jamestown the place state, and many of them celebrated, | Was @ sink of despair. Thousands gathered in the World War Memorial Building to hear the; returns as reported by The Bismarck | Tribune and the Associated Pross| and each report of the mounting) Bismarck total was greeted with} cheers. The populace of the capital, city ee like letting off steam—and| it did. The Cosmopolitan club, which) joined in staging the party and had} charge of the dancing, presented numerous entertainment specialties between announcements of the re- turns and there was not a dull mo- ment from the time first reports were received until the crowd, satis- fied and happy, began to drift away home. | Auditorium Thronged | The number in attendance at the} party is believed to have set a new record both for Bismarck and the World War Memorial Building. Admission to the balconies was free while the Cosmopolitans charged admission to the dancing floor. Both sections were crowded, At both the Capitol and Paramount) theaters the pictures were interrupt- ed while the election returns were announced to the audience. The an- rouncements were greeted with cheers and demands were made for more. | The high school band, under the direction of Clarion E. Larson, opened the entertainment at the Me-| morial building about 9 o’clock. Dur-} ing the program lasting an hour or more, they played several marches and other sprightly numbers and the} election returns were announced at intervals by Spencer Boise, com-} mander of the American Legion post. | He also introduced the various per-| formers throughout the evening. Pupils from the Will junior high} school appeared in several chorus dances from their historical pag- eant, “The Progress of Ameri given last week. Effective costum: ing added interest to each number. A Dutch dance was given b: Dorothy. Bounds, Buddy Beall, Sol- weig Nelson, Eileen Agnew, Eileen Saxvik, Edna Bredy, Walter Lar- son, Herbert Asseltine, Lucius ‘Wedge and Homer Boss. Appearing in a French:doll dance were Emma Langer, Ruth Benzon, Bernice Peter- son,'Gayle Kelly, Lucille Hannaford, Sarah Anne Messinger, Dorothy Man- ney and Patricia LaRue, while a minuet was danced by Charles Con- nor, Wesley Lawyer, Glen Enge, Clifton White, Phyllis Melby, Delma Devitt, Ruth Coghlan and Evelyn Sundland. Wear Swedish Costumes Costumes brought from Sweden were worn by the performers in a Swedish Dal dance, given by Beulah Hedshl, Mary Helen Smith, Henri- etta Ode, Helen Hedstrom, x Spohn, Homer Corwin, Chester Lit- tle, and John Peterson. A blackface clog naehee offered Revie * con- trast. ‘was present y Pe Whittey, Marcia LeRoy, Laura ie. worth, Violet Olson, Evan Lips, James | j who supported our cause to-| Willis Newton, Hugh Longmuir, [ri os i eas Crowd Gathered Outside Outside a crowd gathered to hear the returns read through a loud- speaking system set up to advise the Jamestown faithful of the progress of the election. It was a jolly if not jubilant crowd which gathered to hear the oracle do his stuff. Cir- culating through the gathering one gathered that few expected to win but that all thought the race would be close. When it developed that there really was no contest but that the removal scheme had been slapped resoundingly in the face, the temper of the gathering changed. Spirits drooped and they turned away to their homes to think it over. As if in sympathy with their changed mood, the skies opened and a gentle rain began to fall. Both among the crowd and inside the Sun office there were numerous uncomplimentary references to those cities who not only refused to en- dorse the capital removal idea but —a more bitter pilll—refused to contribute financially to either the Jamestown For Capital Club or the Logical Capital City Association, Later in the evening Hansen sat almost alone. The crowd had left the front of the place and only a few of the faithful remained to help him drink the last bitter cup. All through the evening he had been subjected to the omni-present question, “How are we stacking up?” and, as the town’s source of infor- mation, he was continually called upon to confess in public the fact of his failure. His usual answer was “Oh, Hell, we're being beaten.” Then he would change the subject. Gets ‘Congratulations’ He took sardonic amusement, how- ever, in exhibiting a telegram from a Bismarck businessman giving the result of the vote there and extend- ing #congratulations.” A, little later a telephone call came from Bismarck. Only one end of the conversation was audible to those in the Sun office but the state- ments from the other end must have been sarcastic for Hansen remarked on turning away “Well, anyway it cost him a dollar to may, that to me.” Among the removalists there was one victor—and he was a doubtful one. It was Oscar Zimmerman, head ¢ of the Jamestown For Capital Club, who was elected mayor. This morning, however, there was a tendency on the part of the popu- lace toward repentance. A railroad man, who was favorable to removal Tuesday, voiced the general thought when he said: “I wonder why Ly ever started such a fool thing in the first place. I’m acquainted all over the state_and I never heard the sub- as a fact which gave Jamestown such a headache and a good many citizens are beginning to wonder just how the whole thing came about. What True CITY POLLS 6,928 TO {9 IN FAVOR OF CAPITAL RETENTION Total Capital City Vote—5,947 —Largest Ever Cast Here in History ROOSEVELT LEADS MURRAY Incomplete Returns Show Bis- marck Voted ‘No’ on All Issues on Ballot Bismarck was 99.68 per cent pure in its capital retention vote Tuesday. The Capital City cast 5,928 votes favoring retention of the capital here and only 19 in favor of moving the jinstitution to Jamestown. The total city vote—5,947 ballots— was the greatest ever cast in the city. Bismarck’s vote by precincts (un- official) : Ward 1, precinct 1 (Moore school) .. Ward 1, precinct 2 (Faunce garage) .« 3 438 Ward 1, precinct 3 (Little garage) . 3 313 Ward 2, precinct 1 (Will school) ....s0008 1 442 | Ward 2, precinct 2 (Fleck garage) ....60.. 2 378 Ward 2, precinct 3 (Swimming pool) ...++6 284 Ward 3, precinct 1 (Cook garage) .....0. 0 569 Ward 3, precinct 2 (High school) ......... 3 500 Ward 3, precinct 3 (Richholt school) ..... 2 517 Ward 4 (Bertsch garage) 2 596 Ward 5 (Murphy build- ing) .....- seeeeeeesees 1 447 Ward 6, precinct 1 (Fire Hall. secscceseee O 456 Ward '6, precinct, 2 (St. Mary’s school) . - 0 560 Results in other were as fol- lows: Future amendments .....2,362 2,781 Legislative power +2371 2,725 Gasoline tax ...% 002,305 2,862 Absent voters .... +++1,606 2,926 In the presidential race Roosevelt polled 1,837 votes to 885 for Murray in the Democratic presidential pri- mary while Coxey led France, 924 to 887, in the Republican ticket. Stern led in the balloting for Re- publican national committeeman polling 1931 votes as against 630 for Graham and 300 for Schumacher. H. H. Perry picked up 853 votes and a substantial majority over Kelly who had 428 votes for Democratic nation- al committeeman. H. D. Perry was third with 351. BISMARCK MARGIN LARGE IN LEAN Four Communities Give Capital City Margin of 1,247 to 27 Over Jamestown (Tribune Special Service) Garrison, N. D., March 16.—Mc- ;Lean county communities would not move the capital from Bismarck to marck a margin of 1,247 to 27. Rural parts of the county were re- ported to be giving Bismarck just as large a margin. Garrison, the largest city in the county, gave Bismarck the largest vote—492 to 14—but Falkirk’s vote of 101 to 1 for retention of the capital at Bismarck gave that community the best percentage. How the four McLean communities Jamestown Bismarck “4 492 5 387 1 101 7 267 Totals .....s0.005 27 . 1,247 Mandan Gives Big Vote For Bismarck Mandan, N. D., March 16.—(?) —Mandan cast a total of 2,040 votes in the presidential primary election, 1,175 Republican ballots and 865 Democratic ballots. It 16.—(?)—The Commission their attitude will be, if and when they find out, remains to be seen, For Against ne Jamestown, four of them giving Bis- | w + | Rae went , |e and G,-D, Saunders was named to All Sections of State Combine to Defeat Racketeers Returns From 641 Precincts Give Bismarck 68,895 to 11,686 For Jamestown; Indications Are That Margin Will Show Further Increase FAVORABLE MAJORITY, MAY GO AS HIGH AS 10 TO 1 Result of Vote Is Apparent From Time First Returns Are Re- ceived as ‘NO’ Chorus Swells; James- town Dies in Last Ditch Bismarck won a tremendous victory in Tuesday’s election at which North Dakota voters slaughtered the Jamestown capi- tal removal proposal and buried it under an avalanche of votes. _ Returns from 641 of the 2,235 precincts in the state gave Bismarck 68,895 and Jamestown 11,686, according to an Asso- ciated Press tabulation. The vote included the full poll from Jamestown, and Fargo, i Indications were that the majority would grow larger rather than smaller and that Bismarck may eventually win out by a margin of 10 to 1. From the Red River Valley on the east to the Montana border on the west came a swelling chorus of “No” which de- feated the removal proposal by the heaviest margin ever re« corded in the history of North Dakota elections. The result was apparent from the time the first seven precincts hi reported. They came from all parts of the state and disclosed. ppt sentiment in favor of Bismarck. Fears of Bismarck campaigners that the people might not understan the ballot and might vote for Jamestown through error were dispelled ae the result became more conclusive. There was no mistake by the voters and there was no mistaking their intention to kill, definitely and for all time, the idea of municipal racketeering in North Dakota. 4 ° The incomplete total given includes | Weather Report Practically complete returns from the In FORECAST - city of Jamestown as well as com- plete returns from Bismarck. For Bismarck and vicinity: Some- what unsettled to- A significant fact in the vote is night and Thurs- that Bismarck carried at least two Bismarck, day; colder to- precincts in Stutsman county with a 3 nrotiiasas the prospect that additional precincts kota: Somewhat here would line up with the rest of unsettled tonight the state in the decision to leave the ae aaa ae capital where it is, with moderate Along the borders of Stutsman cold wave east county, Bismarck bade fair to hold portion. kota: ‘Somewhat co ta: led ight ~ Unretiled Tonlent Jamestown Vote Is colder tonight, considerably cold- er_east portion. or Montana: Unsettled tonight and Thursday, light snow or rain probably west portion; colder north and east portions to- 2,868 ¥es; 188 No Jamestown, N. D., March 15.— (®)—Jamestown voted overwhelm- ingly to move the capital to that city, the vote for removal being 2,868 and 188 against. The total vote was 3,651. Of that number 1,990 asked for Republican ballots and 1,661 for Democratic tickets. In 1928 Jamestown cast 2,680 votes, @ record at that time. jostly cloudy to- possibly snow tonight in northea: Portion; colder tonight and moderate cold wave in north portion; colder tonight and moderate cold wave in north portion; colder Thursday in east. CONDITIONS Low pressure areas are centered over the Mississippi Valley, southern Plains States and over British Colum- bia while high pressure areas cover the northeastern Rocky Mountain slope and the middle Pacific coast region. Precipitation occurred in the Canadian Provinces, in the northern Border states and over the Far West while generally fair weather prevails from the middle and southern Rocky Mountain region eastward. Temper- atures are moderate throughout the United States but colder weather pre- vails over the western Canadian Provinces and is spreading into Mon- tana and North Dakota. Bismarck station barometer, inches: 28.11 reduced to sea level, 29.93. € its own and the prospect was that Stutsman county would show a ma- jority of not more than 80 per cent for removal. Although some counties remained to be heard from, it was apparent, Bismarck would carry every county except Stutsman and that in many Bismarck Cheers Returns at Party TEMPERATURE Bismarck and Burleigh county celebrated Tuesday night as the tension of the capital removal campaign lifted with the knowl- edge that victory was assured. Thousands of persons from the city and county gathered at the World War Memorial building to hear the returns as provided by The Tribune and the Associated Press. The party was staged jointly by 7 a. m. ighest yesterday Lowest last night PRECIPITATION Amt. 2¢ hrs. ending 7 a. n Total this month to date Normal, this month to date Total, Jan. 1 to date Normal, Jan. 1 to dat, Accumulated deficiency Jan, 1 At Hii NORTH DAKOTA POINTS 7 a. m. Low Pet, BISMARCK, cldy. . as a8: The Tribune and the Cosmopoli- Devils Lake, cldy. + 16 * 16 Fargo-Moorhead, cidy:. 22 20 tan club. On the program, in ad- Jamestown, clear ao) Da dition to the returns, were numer- alley City, ine 2 ous dancing and other specialties iston, peldy. a Grand Forks, clear... 16 15 and & dance, managed hy the clubmen. The crowd was estimated to be the largest which has ever gath- ered in the state's largest audito- jum. With each new report indicating Bismarck’s strength the crowd gave vent to cheers—and it had Plenty to cheer about. GENE Other Stations— Temprs. Pre, Low High Ins. ++ 50 200 100 13 Amarillo, Tex., cldy Boise, Idaho, rain Calgary, A: Chicago, 1 Denver,’ Col Des Moinei parts of the state Jamestown would get hardly enough votes to wad the Proverbial shotgun. The vote on the Missouri Slope was Particularly heavy. The people in that area apparently did not like the removalist’s sneering references to coyotes and cactus—and they said it with votes. In many precincts which reported early there was not a single vote for removal. In some of those SSBSraasason WYO, Medicine Hat, Miles City, Mo Qu’Appelle, 8: Rapid City, 8. Roseburg, Or St. Louls, Mo., pcldy * owing pote cocverm cotsone ce es nses RSNonasnannameonmions Tobin Win in Mandan of the Mandan city com- |. , Dennis ‘city commission-