davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Mass Meeting Proposed
For Consideration of
Proposed Changes in
City Commission Law

The city commission of Fargo will
be asked to call mass meeting of the
citizens of the city in the near future
to discuss proposed changes in the
city commission law. A committee
consisting of Emerson III. Smith,
chairman, City Attorney w. III. Shure.
NJ. w. Murphy, Arthur w. Fowler. r.
M Pollock. w. ]. Clapp and Judge
A. G. Hanson OF the county court. has
been named to draft measure, which
1t Is proposed to submit to the legis-
lature. embodying the needed chang
eS, So .E-.-f IA. :
The suggested changes were formu-
lated last evening at meeting Of the
Commons club In the Gardner hotel.
A committee consisting Of w. l..
Stockwell, Mayor III. F. Emery and r.
M. Pollock had outlined the changes
needed, and after a thorough and
very interesting discussion, taking up
each item separately, the following
report was adopted:
Proposed Changes. I'D. i
Make terms OF first commissioners
or cities hereafter adopting commits
sion form of government as follows:
Sec. ]. One commissioner for a
term OF four years, one commissioner
for q term of three years, one COM
missioner for term OF two years,
one commissioner for term of one
year, and annually thereafter elect
one commissioner for a term of four
years.
Sec. II. Recommend an amendment
providing for the designation of the
office or department to which the
candidate for commissioner aspires.
Sec. ILL.,. Provide that in cities Of
more than fifteen thousand people, at
the city election Of 1917, one commits
sioner be elected for three years.
And at the election in 1919 one com
missioner be elected for four years and
one for three years, and annually
thereafter elect one commissioner for
four years.
Sec. IV-ProvIde that In cities OF
more than fifteen thousand people, the
city commission shall have the power
to appoint, by majority vote, a city
manager, who shall serve during the
pleasure OF said commission, and who
may or may not be resident OF the
city. The commission shall have pow
er to determine his qualifications and
duties and fix his salary, z
Providing that prior to the adoption
of the city manager plan the question
shall be submitted to vote of the
people and in case of the adoption of
the city manager plan, the special
function OF each commissioner shall
be abrogated and thereafter there
shall be no designation of the Office to
which candidates for commissioner
aspire.
Sec. v-Provide that the tenure of
office of all, appointive officers. whose
must be confirmed by the
city commission. shall be contingent
upon faithful and eff1cient service, ana
no such officer shall be removed ex
cept for cause, and by q majority vote
of the city commission.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Selection Of Frazier
at Primaries Was an
Expression in Favor
of Such Convention
(By H. D. Paulson)

Bismarck, N. D.. Jan. 4. - That the people of
North Dakota, when they selected Lynn Frazier for
governor in the Republican primaries last June ex-
pressed themselves on the question of constitutional
convention and that they voted for such convention
is the construction placed the party primary cleo
ton by Nonpartisan league house caucus, held last
night.
Albert E. Bowen, chief clerk of the house, made
the announcement of the caucus action today.
1t was the opinion of the caucus, Bowen said, that
when the Republican party nominated Frazier over
Burdick, the people nominated him because of the
platform which he stood. He also said the farmers
knew full well that the program could not be carried
out except by revision of the constitution and there
fore, the primary vote construed by the as
ordering constitutional convention That the caucus
proposes rapid action as possible, was also an
nounced, and Bowen indicated that the constitu
ton might be put in position for adoption by the peo
pie within sixty days.
The proposal that gathering of state citizens,
acting voluntarily, might frame constitution for sub
mission to the people, which plan has been talked
more or less, was commented upon by Bowen to the
extent that he believed the legislature would have the
right to submit such proposed constitution if it so
desired -... E.#.s.. #*.a
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Car Shortage Mars Record
(By Associated Press.)

Washington Jam 4Peace shortage
as influential factors in the nations life during the last
month reports the business conditions from federal
agents. made public today the federal board 5u
little
it's high districts
from q of
tons show that trade and industry In have continued active
and practically unchanged notwithstanding Developments the
stuation disturbances in rates and unsettled stock markets
ChicagoAH volume
There
conditions
difficulties the traffic situation
the amendments
to the bank law governing reserves was recently tansmed n
to aid in the control the great gold flow into the country and
boards
ments IN forei1n war obigsdons issued Nov 2s 3,
into the United States need not eonsdered menace e the well
satisfactory
made for the control Of ts and aeeuuaon
tion cbtain sufficient authore in
connection with such control
This suggested by board, accomplished
by Pina out fictitious carried IN the form ct resve bal
the percensge Of member bsns carried with reserve bonds
al funds the needed till in the hands of the
banks themselveay
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
BELGIANS
TELL SAD
STORIES
Eleven Thousand Said to Be
Held in Camp
at Soltau
WERE FED ON POOR FOOD
Many Reported to be Dying
From insufficient
Nourishment
(By Associated Rress.l

:. The Hague, via London, Jan. A.
The first report received directly from
Belgians deported to Germany, who
had been invalided from a camp at
Soltau. Prussia, has been given to The
Associated Press. These prisoners
were returned from Germany because
they were almost in a. dying condition.
A number of them who were inter-
viewed while separated from each
other, agreed in their stories of condi-
tions prevailing in the Soltau camp.
Seventy of the Belgians were sent
home in a crowded cattle truck at
tached to a freight train. 1t took
three days and three nights for the
journey which usually is made by ex-
press trains in six hours. They ar
rived home in an emaciated condition.
coughing, the greater number of them
bearing evidence Of having contract
ed tuberculosis.
According to the statements made
by these Belgians. while in the civil
camp at Soltau they received at 9
o'clock in the morning bowl OF some
decoction made from acorns. AT mid
day they received half a liter Of soup
containing much water and few
turnips. carrots and shrimps. without
bread or potatoes. At 3 o'clock in the
afternoon there was given them $50
grams (slightly more than half a
pound) of black bread, bad and often
mildewed.s In the evening they re-
ceived half liter of soup, sometimes
containing bran or brown maize.
With this diet. the stronger men
went under and the weak soon fell Ill
so that, the Belgians say, deaths DC
Cured daily. Two of the BelgianS
were said to have become insane the
first week
One workman who attempted to es-
cape was reported to have been
brought down with a shot and finished
with the bayonet. Nearby was
prison camp for captured Belgian
soldiers.
The soldiers were better fed than the
civilians and came in contact with the
latter on being permitted to attend
funerals Of civilians. Plying their
countrymen, they took them secretly
bread and preserved articles of food.
The returned Belgians say the
civilians at Soltau receive no soap and
are advised to use sand instead. Not
withstanding their sufferings most of
them refused to work. although
promised good food and considerable
pay.
on one occasion, forty artisans were
taken away and returned eight days
later. They said they had been taken
to the Grand Duchy of Baden, where
for two days they were placed on
abundant rations. being told that II
they accepted work they would receive
such food regularly. On refusing, they
were sent back to Soltau In cattle
truck. where, they reported, they were
kept without food for thirty-five hours.
According to these accounts, there are
II. 900 Belgians at Soltau who refuse
to work and still hope their relief may
be brought about.
Brussels. and Liege thus far are said
TO have escaped the forced labor
requisitions.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Two Important Features.

Two Of the most important features
of the proposed changes are in the
proposal for city manager and in
the matter OF having each candidate
designate the Office to which he as
pires. The latter proposal came in
for a great deal of debate,
1t was believed that the people and
not the commission should select the
man for each particular department
But 1t was believed, after this point
was agreed to, that in case the city
should decide to select a city man
ager that there would be no need for
commissioner for each specific de-
partment. 1t was the opinion Of the
Commons club that the manager. if
he was to make a success of his Job,
should be unhampered by having O.
division Of authority in any depart
ment.
The Commons club puts these pro-
posals before the people merely as
suggestions They feel that ali the
people of the city should thoroughly
approve of any measure that goes be-
fore the Legislature, SO that the rec
concentrations to that body would go
with the united support Of the city
behind ii.
1t was. decided therefore to ask the
city commission to call q mass meet
ing at which the whole proposition,
as it Is formulated by the committee
of attorneys named above, could be
taken up and discussed in all its
phases.
Fer Home Rule Charter.
The following report concerning a
home rule charter was also adopted.
This will also be presented at the pro-
posed mass meeting:
To the Commons club: We, Of the
committee appointed to consider the
advisability of a home rule charter
Tor Fargo, beg to make the following
report:
THAT a meeting of said commit
tee was held on the 2Sth day of
December. 1916. which was attended
by Mr.. Blakemore., Mr.. Emery, Judge
Hanson and Mr.. Murphy.
LIT was the unanimous opinion
Of those present that the present
constitution of the state of North Da-
kota is such that great uncertainty
exists as to the power of the Ieeis-
lature to pass an act which would
grant the right of local government,
or home rule charter to the city of
Fargo or municipalities of that
class
IH.-That, the members of the COM
mittee in attendance were of the
unanimous opinion, that on it's merits
the adoption of a home rule charter
Is advisable. and recommend to the
consideration of the Commons club the
advisability OF submitting, to the legis-
lature a constitutional amendment by
which the home rule power may be in
Voked. Respectfully submitted,
r. b. Blakemore,
Chairman. =
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Heads Of Senate Committees

Porter; insurance, Paulson; irrigation
and drainage, Mccarten; judiciary,
Mcbride; military affairs, Heckle;
livestock, Englund; mines and MINER
ais, Mortenson; public health, Rowe;
public lands. Young; public printing,
Murphy; railroads. Mclean; revision
and correction Of journal, Levang;
rules. Carey; state affairs. Hyland:
statistics, Beck; taxes, Allen; temper
ance, Putnam; wareh6 use and grain
grading, Thoreson; ways and means
jacobson; womans' suffrage, Lind
strom
Joint committees Charitable insti-
tutions, Cahill; educational institu-
tions, e. M. Nelson; penal institu-
tions, Martin; public buildings, Hag-
gart; joint rules, Skies; state library.
Morkrid.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
fBx II. d. PauIson.l }

Bismarck, n. D.. Jan. 4.--The sem
ate committee, on the arrangement OF
which the committee consisting of
Lieutenant Governor Kraabel and
Senators Allen, Hyland, Stenmo and
Sims had been working all kinds of
hours for two days, we're reported
today with the following as chaIrmen:
Agriculture, Kirkeide; apportion-
ment, Nick Nelson; appropriations,
Gibbons: banks and banking, Kretsch-
mar; cities and municipal corpora
tions, Ployhar; corporations other
than municipal, Brown; counties,
Pendry; education, Stenmo; elections,
Gronvold; enrolled and engrossed
bills. King; federal relations, Hamil-
ton; game and fish, Sandstrom: high
ways, bridges and ferries, EIlingson:
immigration, McCrey; Indian affairs,
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04

Factory representatives and sales
men OF the Marshall Oil Co. will in
wade the city on Saturday and for
four days will hold forth in Fargo,
making their headquarters at the
Gardner hotel, discussing Marshall
Oil business and enjoying themselves
as the guests of w. e. Seymour, gen.
eral manager of the local branch.
This meeting will be; attended by
Marshall Oil men from Minnesota,
Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Da-
kota, Montana. Wyoming and por-
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Germans Take Matchin--
Russians Hold on the
Danube Line Shaken
(By Associated Press.)

remaining hold in Rumana Dobrudia
badly by Matchn
doubtful retain
Danube territory.
Dispatches from indicate
probably will be forced. shortly abandon it,
the
oil is still held by the considered
full whether they hold under serious threat
piled by the Germans Bugarans the river
northWestWard, Of Braila.
prolonged defense Of the city had time Of
liable which
On the Modavian front from where heavy
the armies of the
Russians and Rumanans somewhat frmer The latest Ptogd
official statement does further Withdrawals
of
is of
portance reported from the other
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
CUSHING Will
BE RETAINED

Bismarck, N. D., Jan. 4.-Walter
Cushing will be retained as secretary
Of the state railroad commission three
months. while the entire clerical force
of the commission will remain indefl-
niteIy.
at q meeting late yesterday afternoon.
Reports have slated several candi-
dates for Mr.. Cushing's post. and it is
understood that the place already has
been assigned. j. w Brinton OF
Beach is regarded as a leading aspir-
ant for the position.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Detective Arrested.
(Rv A saociated Press. \

San Francisco, Jan. 4.-Mrs. Mabel
Aitken, a detective employed by the
California board of medical examiners,
was arrested here yesterday on
charges of drugging and robbing HI.
d. Reynolds, mining man of Hous-
ton, Tex, on Dec. %. Reynolds con-
dition is said to be serious.
1t is alleged that he was robbed OF
jewelry and cash aggregating $1,S5O.
According to the police, Reynolds
came here to marry Mrs. Aitken,
whom he is said to have met through
a Los Angeles marriage bureau.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Marshall Oil Co.
Men Are to Invade
the City Saturday

tion of Nebraska and will be one OF
the largest district meetings that has
been held by the company representa-
tives in some time. 1t is expected
that 40 people viii be here.
Arrangements are being made for
entertaining the visiting representa-
tives in a splendid manner and pleas
ure will be mixed with business. the
objects being to get the men of the
company acquainted with each other,
let everyone have a good time ana
talk over Marshall Oil affairs for the
benefit of all concerned.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Public Hearings on i
Leak : Charges Friday
(By Associated Press.>

Washinaton Jam Woods
begin Thomas w Law
Boston, Representative Gardner
witnesses heard Lawson sub
poenaed by telegraph today.
the hearing made by unanimous vote of the
rules committee. =.
show neither Lawson,
tangible evidence Of "eak and thus
justified
porting resolution unfavorably.
Republicans, obviously obtaining hear
ns epaoay today that they would force full nvs
uatio
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Wilson Will Not Let
Peace Plans Drop If the
Entente Reply Is Adverse
Special Session of Reichstag May BE Held This Month
for Official Discussion Of the Entente
Refusal Of Peace Proposal
(By Associated Press.)

Washington 4f the Wilson's
early occasion for an
president will DROP
will make at least .1
This known definitely today
that final decision the
reached Is
London 4Penary Reiehstag possibly
be convoksd the middle according
patch Amsterdam The Berlin
cit obvious that chancellor
like to their opinions the entente refusal Of Geany
eted the middle of the month dispatch
=, W. =. i .l =
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Legislature L in Full Swing
IBy H. d. PauIson. J

Paulson.)
gagged during the past few days in
framing their committee appointments.
Both lists may be announced this afts
ernoon.
When the committee organization tB
perfected. the two houses will be ready
for more active work.
To Senator McCarten goes the. dis
tinction of introducing the first BILL
He placed before the senate yesterday
afternoon a measure regulating the
transfer of land titles.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Convention Bill Is
Backed by u House
Members; They Sign Up
Constitutional Gathering Selected by Legislature and
Governor Will be Insisted Upon by Nonpartisan
League-Hope for Two thirds Senate Support
(By H. d. Paulson.)

Bismarck, n. D., Jan. A consti-
tutional convention the personnel Of
which would be selected by the legis-
lature. aided by the governor, will be
demanded of the legislature now in
session by the Nonpartisan league.
and the bill making provision for the
same will be introduced in the house
of representatives, probably before
the close of this week.
The convention, as planned by the
leaders of the Nonpartisan league,
would be made up Of delegates picked
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Constitutional Convention
Endorsed by People Says
Nonpartisan House Caucus
BEHEADED
IN YARDS
ATMANDAN

Mandan. NJ. D.. Jan. 4.-The
wheels of work train, at 10:45
o'clock this morning, snipped off
the head Of Louis Nardalli, an
Italian Iaborer, as neatly as a
puillotine. He was working with
Northern Pacific section gang
and stumbled before cars which
ysrd. s 01hs The ina"est swSeIeG /. s bsino held cid
this afternoon. ..s -
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
High Price Of Sisal
Takes Millions From
Pockets Of Farmers
Government Probe is Under Way - American Bankers
Who Finance ssal 'Trust May Have to
Answer to Government
1By Associated Press.)


4The sisaI taken at
Secretary Redfed Hurley
New
dealer in ..z
provides than 80 of the binder t~n
in United States and the increase during the
American millions of dollars Indca
the will still higher.
Reguiadora, which
found
its activities bankers
department
justice question: will consider connection
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04

Bismarck, N. D.. Jan. To-day, the
North Dakota legislature swung into
its stride, with the preliminary OPEN
ing features disposed of.
This afternoon at 2 o'clock. when
the third legislative day opened. both
houses Of the assembly were ready for
the real work. but it isn't expected
the members will be kept very busy
during the balance of this week.
Both Lieut.. Gov. A. T. Kraabel and
Speaker Howard Wood have been en-
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04

from the senate, and by the governor
the latter to be named at large from
over the state.
The whole convention would have
. membership of approximately a
hundred. The basis of apportion-
ment, however, as between the several
bodies, is not at this time known out
side the league circle.
CogniZant of the advantage OF
speed, and desirous OF accomplishing
a real early legislative victory, the
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
LEFT sis TO BUY
DRINKS FOR MouRNERS
(BY Assoclated Press.l

(By Associated PreSs.)
San Francisco, Jan. 4.-"The
fifteen dollars in my pocket
leave to the Sailors union to buy
drinks for the sailors who attend
my funeral" wrote Gustave
Schultz, sailor, who shot and
killed himself as he stood within
sight of hundreds hurrying by on
the street. A cartridge belt was
strapped around his body.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Hitchcock Resolution Postponed
(By Associated Press.)

washington, Jan. "A vote on
Senator Hitchcocks resolution to
have the senate endorse President
Wilson's peace note again was post
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
Record Breaking Year
For Sale Of Livestock

BY
An
cago stockyaIds made public today
2Oo2s and that daily business ayerage Of 69eoO in cattle calves
1915 and than SlO0O0O0 In Of
tn erecord o
Of livestock set during the
bounds calves $10S5; hogs
$1S1 head
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
RUSSIAN VICTORY IN RuMANIA.

Perograd, via London Jam 45rith admiralty
PresThe
prisoners, three and 10 machine together
ne-throwers and bomb in odays
statement This resulted attack hostile positions
heights to the south Of 5otocu the wooded
pathians
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04

poned today by the parliamentary sit
uation.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04

tcOntinusa On DAse sisatl
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04

Continued on Page 3D.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-01-04
THE WEATHER.

Partly cloudy tonight and Friday
Warmer tonight. Colder Friday.
The Butte daily post., 1917-05-25
DRAWING THE
STING OUT OF
CENSOR RULE
The Espionage Blu Conferees
Draft Modified Censor
ship Clause.

Washington May 25.-Conferees on
the espionage bill have drawn So
called modified newspaper censorship
action which will be brought before
congress with the influence of the ad-
ministration for inclusion In the pend
ing bill. 1t must be accepted by poth
houses to become part of the bill.
The wording of the new section con-
fines prohibited publication exclusive
ly to military information and retains
the provision that jury shall decide
whether published information is use
full to the enemy. 1t is considered
much more liberal section than others
previously proposed by the admins
tration.
The conferees also agreed on the
senate amendment to empower the
president to declare export embargoes
1t is designed to prevent shipments or
supplies to Germany through neutrais.
The agreements will be formally pre-
sented tomorrow.
The Butte daily post., 1917-05-25

tainly made me a we'll woman. am
able to do my house work and am SO
happy as never expected to 60 around
the way do again, and l want others
to know what Lydia E. Pinkham's Veg
etabls Compound has done for me-"
Mrs. JOSIE CoPNER, 1868 Harrison
Ave, Fairmount, Cincinnati, Ohio.
No woman suffering from any form Of
female troubles should lose hope until
she has given Lydia E. Pinkham's Vege-
table Compound fair trial.
This famous remedy, the medicina.
ingredients Of which are derived from
choice roots and herbs, has for forty
years proved to be most valuable tonic
ond invigorator of the female organism.
The Butte daily post., 1917-05-25
AUSTRIAN DEFENSE
CRUMbLES RAPIDLY
Italian Guns Are Almost With
in Reach of TrieSt, Their
Objective.
(Continued from Page One.)

the Isonzo has been again raging with
extraordinary stubbornness. Masses
of the enemy directed furious onset
against our whole front for 40 kilo-
meters from PLAYA to the sea. At
many points the battle was inter-
rupted during the night. In the region
of Monte Cucco, near Vodice and
Monte Santo a storming attack was
made in the afternoon. All the de-
tachments which advanced east of
Monte Cucco became victims of our
destructive fire.
Near Vodi'e the enemys line was
broken. Near the Monte Santo the
enemy succeeded in crossing our
trenches. which were ruined by his
drum fire. He was driven back on
his reserves and with them down
Urege ridge by our artillery. At the
same time two mighty assaults east of
Goriza failed. partly under our artil-
lery fire and partly after hand to hand
fighting