The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current, December 11, 1916, Image 1
( plates mout omnu you xxxiv." PLATTSMOUTH, NEBRASKA, MONDAY, I)ECKmBkr u m No. l.'G. h V i f ' MAY ABOLISH STATE OFFICES Recommends Constitutional Amend nient and Also Law to (live the Clerk of State Printing Bu- . reau Real Work. From Friday's Daily. State Auditor W. II. Smith recom mends in his biennial report to the governor, a constitutional amendment abolishing1 the office of commissioner of public lands and buildings and the substitution of the state auditor as the one to perform the duties now devolv ing upon the state land commissioner He also recommends a statute taking from the governor the state printing bureau and consolidating that depart ment with either the office of secre tary of state or state auditor. The clerk of this bureau, E. A. Walrath, receives a salary of $1,500 a year. Mr. Smith says the clerk put in only half his time in performing his duties. Others would place it at one tenth of his time. Mr. Smith suggests that the corporation clerk in the of fice of the secretary of state or the bond clerk in the auditor's office could perform the duties of the clerk of the printing bureau. The governor is now head of the printing bureau. Mr. Smith does not say plainly that he would take the bureau from the gov ernor, but he suggests "consolidation" of the bureau with the office of secre tary of state or auditor, and this is supposed to mean that he would have either the auditor or secretary of state at the head of the bureau with ap pointive power. G. L. Shumway of Scottsbluff is the state land commissioner-elect. It would require four years to abolish this office by a constitutional amend ment, but the clerk of the printing bureau could be changed by a statute at the next meeting of-the legislature. Auditor Smith's Plan. Some profess to believe that Aud itor Smith's plan is something in the nature of a back-fire upon the short ballot plan, which would make all state officers appointive offices under the governor. The statute provides that the auditor should make recom mendations for lessening public ex pense, and he has done so in this form: "In defining the duties of the state auditor section 5545 of article 3 of the statutes provides in the fourth provi sion that he shall report to the gover nor 'such plans as he may deem ex pedient for lessening the pub lic expense, for using the public money to the best advantage, for promoting frugality and economy in public office and for securing uniformity and efficiency in the levying and collecting of taxes.' Accordingly I submit the following, based upon an observation of conditions in connection therewith: Land Commissioner. "It is my belief that the interests of the people of the state would best be served by a consolidation of the de partment of the commissioner of pub lic lands and buildings with that of the state auditor. At the time the board of commissioners for state in stitutions was created by the adoption of a constitutional amendment in 1912 s. large part of the work of the com missioner of public lands and build ings was taken over by the board. He is still the custodian of the records pertaining to Nebraska's educational lands and funds, but these could be filed with one department as well as another. These matters are under the supervision of the board of educa tional lands and funds, a constitu tional board, and the board for the commissioner of public lands and buildings. The consolidation would re sult in a large saving annually to the state and simplify the keeping of the records. "To effect the consolidation would require approximately four years. The departments are executive, created by the constitution. It would be neces sary, therefore, for the incoming leg islature to submit to the people to be voted on at the general election in 1918' a proposed constitutional amend ment combining the two departments If the amendment should be adopted by the people the 1919 session of the legislature would be called upon to re vise the laws of the state affecting the two departments. As my term of pub lic service will have expired prior to the time the consolidation could be ' brought about, it cannot be asserted that I have a personal interest in the matter. The Printing Bureau. "The printing bureau, as it has been handled for years past, has not given satisfaction. It has been the custom for the deputy commissioner to give about one-half his time to the work, The salary is $1,500 per annum. I be lieve the bureau should be consoli dated with the secretary of state's de partment, or with this department. A printing clerk could be provided, as the corporation clerk is now provided for in the secretary of state's office to handle the corporation records and af fairs, or as the bond clerk is provided for in this department, to handle the bond work." Lincoln News. CITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR 191 6 ABOUT DONE From Friday's Dailv. The public improvements for the year 1916 in this city are about com pleted and one of the last of these that has just been finished is the Chi cago avenue sewer that J. II. McMak- en has had the contract for and has finished up the job in first class shape. This improvement on the south side goes a long ways toward the better ment of the appearance of Chicago avenue as well as the increasing of the property values along that thor oughfare. The sewer just placed ex tends from the main sewer at Pearl and Seventh street out past the old bridge on Granite street and does away with this antiquated bridge en tirely. This leaves only a little over a block or two yet of the creek to be filled and then the south side will be well provided with a fine sewerage ysstem and the old creek that for years has been a landmark will pass nto history. It is a vast improvement n every way and one that all good people will appreciate. The sewer is made with the Keystone Joint con crete piping and this certainly fills the bill for work of this kind and the company manufacturing the piping is ocated at Union and the sewer pipe was manufactured right on the jump for the Chicago avenue work. The city will at once start in on the fill for the job and complete it before cold weather. PRESBYTERIANS LOSE TO NEBRASKA CITY From Friday's Daily. Last evening the basket ball team of the young men's class of the Pres byterian c'.niWM journeyed down to our neighboring town of Nebraska City to taiie on the :vV.h club team of that city in the great nid-winter pastime. Tr.e boys, while they lost the game by a score of -17 to 20, put up a great game against the veterans of the Ne biaska City team and from start to finish there was excitement and inter est in the game. The locals are all fast in their playing and kept things going Usx the team of the Otoe county metropolis. The Plattsmouth team made seven foul goals against fifteen for the Athletic club. For the local team Frank Marshall and Kronstedt were the chief score makers, while Cline of the Athletic club was the chief gainer for the Nebraska City team, as more than half of their scores were nabbed by this fast play er, and aided in cinching the game for that organization. Despite the odds against them the locals showed the best of form in their playing and throughout, the game was one of the best they have played. The lineup of the Presbyterian team was as follows. J. Marshall and F. Marshall, forwards; Kronstedt, center; Speck and Larson, guards. Collins and Neal were put in the game in the second half to replace Speck and Larson. For the Athletic club the following were used: Grass- man and Cline, forwards; Stevens, cen ter; Long, Hill and Crawford, guards. The game was refereed by Jones of the Peru Normal, in a manner satis factory to everyone and with marked fairness to both sides. The Presbyterians will play a fast team from Council Bluffs in this city next Friday night and it will be staged at the roller skating rink. A good fast game is looked for by the followers of the sport. FOR SALE Poland-China boar and one yearling Jersey heifer calf. C. E Babbitt, Plattsmouth, Neb. 12-ll-4twkly IMPROVEMENTS IN PLATTSMOUTH Remarkable Growth of City in Past Year Very Preoeptihle to Visitors. From Saturday's Dailv. While at the Burlington station a few days ago, a remark was made by a former resident of this city who is now located in the northwest and who was making his first visit here in sev eral years, "Well, the old home cer tainly looks good and has advanced wonderfully in the last five years, and really, has grown to be a 'regular town' both in the improvements and the people who are in the city." This is the way that those who have not been here in recent years view the matter of the progress of Plattsmouth to the front ranks of progressive cities. The showing made in the past year or two is very gratifying as it shows the awakening spirit of pride and con fidence in the city in which we all re side and which is the home of every one within its limits. The good peo ple of the city have with but very few exceptions been active in promoting the public improvements and in taking a hand by making their own private property be what it should in appear ance, and thereby have added to the value of their own property as well as that of their neighbor.' The extension of the sewerage system, and the pav ing and curbing and guttering show the public spirit of the people in gen eral, who, regardless of their circum stances, united in the common cause of making Plattsmouth a better town to live in and one that would take its place with the ot"ner towns of the state. There is one thing, however, that the year. 191 6 has .riot seen .that is vital to the welfare of the city in every way, and that is the modern izing of the schools and providing a proper and fitting place to house our highest educational institution jn the city, the high school, as well as the equally departmental grades where the boys and girls are prepared for this work in higher education. It is something that everyone should feel interested in and while to many it might be a temporary hardship in the cost, still it will be something that will be of the most lasting benefit to the community. It gives to the boys and girls of today and tomorrow the promise that they can receive as good an education in this city as in other towns of the state. To erect a build ing that is adequate save for a few years would be wrong to the com munity, and this view was taken by the board of education in the plans for the building. To refuse to allow the building to be made adequate in order to temporize would be very foolish and seems an injustice to the taxpay ers, who would later face, the same proposition over again. It is to be regretted that the spirit of united ac tion has not been shown in this regard as in school buildings in Plattsmouth there is a lamentable lacking. WEIDMAN'S STORE AT ALVO IS ROBBED FRIDAY NIGHT From Saturday's Daily. Last night the village of Alvo re ceived a visit from burglars, who en tered the general store of P. H. Weide- man and secured twelve pairs of shoes as well as several spoons which were in the showcase in the store. The rob bers secured entrance to the store through a transom over the door which they forced open by the use of a home made "jimmy" improvised from a broken brake spring which they had evidently secured along the railroad tracks. The work seems to have been carried out by some traveling hoboes who were passing through the town, which is located on the main line of the Rock Island, and after committing the robbery they made their getaway in the same manner by hitting some of the freight trains for a ride. As far as could be learned the robbers did not secure any money or other articles beyond the shoes and spoons Hampshire boars for sale; Inquire of C. R. Todd, Plattsmouth, Neb. 12-ll-4twkly MISSOURI PACIFIC MEN GO ON AN EIGHT-HOUR BASIS Falls City, Neb., Dec. 7. All em ployes in the Missouri Pacific shops went on a schedule of eight hours' time today. Not long ago a general raise per hour went into effect. The rate is now 25 cents per hours but the cutting down of the time to eight hours per day makes the total income per employe somewhat less than it was before the vaise. The cause of the retrenchment- has not been made public. The employes in the round house are not affected by this re coupment as the roundhouse must be run on full time both night and day. JOHN N. SWARTZ RETURNS TO HIS HOME IN NEHAWKA The Journal has received a letter from our old and valued friend, John N. Schwartz, the veteran Cass county painter, who has Just returned home from Smithfield, Neb., where he has been engaged in some extensive paint ing jobs in that locality, and it was mighty hard for Mr. Schwartz to get away from his friends there, who were anxious to have him stay and take up other work, but he feels that his old friends and patrons in Cass county are entitled to some of his services and will now look after his work in this locality. Mr. Schvartz has not been feeling very well since returning home and has been compelled to keep quiet since, but will soon be all ready to take up his work as a painter, which he has followed in Cass county for the past forty years. On his way home he stopped for a short visit with his son, Walter, who is employed by the Union Pacific at North Loup, Neb., and to -whom he spending the Jour nal to keep him posted on the Cass county happenings. DEGREE OF HONOR HAD GOOD MEETING From Friday's Daily. The Degree of Honor last evening held one of the most interesting and argely attended meetings of the sea son at their lodge rooms in the A. O. U. W. building and took into the mem bership of the order two new members, the initiatory work being in charge of the drill team under the- direction of the captain, Mrs. Lottie Rosencrans, and was very beautiful and impressive to the new members. The chief busi ness of the session was the election of the officers of the lodge for the ensuing year and the following were selected: Past chief of honor, Mrs. Elizabeth Thomsen; chief of honor, Mrs. Minnie Pickard; lady of honor, Mrs. Ruth M. Grybsky; chief of cere monies, Mrs. Alice Fritchmann; re cording financier, Mrs. Jennie John son; usher, Mrs. Barbara Snyder; as sistant usher, Mrs. Aline Franzen; in ner watch, Miss Anna Seivers; outer watch, Mrs. Anna Pitman; musician, Mrs. Anna Svoboda; captain of team, Mrs. Lottie Rosencrans; trustee, three years, Mrs. Anna Ulrich; trustee, two years, Mrs. Minnie Bulin; installing officer, Miss Anna Hassler. After the closed the members were invited to the dining room on the first floor, where very delicious refreshments had been prepared and were served by, a committee consisting of Mesdames Rosencrans, McDaniel, Ulrich and Svo boda, and it is needless to say that the ladies enjoyed to the utmost the pleasant treat that had been arranged for them and which made the eve ning one of the rarest enjoyment. PURCHASES NEW OVERLAND. From Saturday's Daily. August Kaffenberger, one of -the young farmers of Eight Mile Grove, has become the proud possesor of a fine new Overland "Four" which he has secured through John Bauer, the local agent of the Overland company. The car is one of the excellent model of the famous Overland make and will be the source of a great deal of pleas ure to Mr. Kaffenberger in the future in his traveling to and from his home. The number of Overlands in use in the county is quite large and all are I very popular with the automobilists. JOHH NEMETZ TO BE DEPBU TREASURER From Saturday's Daily The new deputy county treasurer of Cass county has been de(.(U.d upon and Treasurer-elect Mike Tritscv, has decided that the office will be fe(j John E. Nemetz of this city, and for mer city clerk. This appointment 3 one that will be of great benefit to the ritizens of the countv as it gives them the services of an able and well qual tied gentleman to assist in the work of the office. Mr. Nemetz made a fine record as city clerk during his tw terms and his business experience makes him a very valuable man on th job. During the recent campaign Mt Nemetz was the democratic candidate for the position of clerk of the district court and in his race made a splendid showing and become acquainted with a large number of the taxpayers and voters, and the news of his appoint ment will be very pleasing to them as he will undoubtedly prove the right man in the right place. Mr. Nemetz will on assuming the office dispose of his business interests in order that he can devote his entire time to the posi tion and the interests of the county. "THE ROHEMIAN GIRL" IS STANDARD OPERA "The survival of the fittest," is an old saying that applies to "The Bo hemian Girl," which the Aborn Opera Company will present with their spec tacular production at the Parmele theatre Saturday night. This special modernized presentation, staged by the Messrs. Aborn six years ago in New York, has continued with unbated attendance ever since that time, and from reports of the large audiences greeting it this season, it is prob able that this "attraction will "continue for a long time as a perennial offer ing. And this is a sort of second life for "The Bohemian Girl," for this melodious masterpiece reigned in the first rank of popularity for several generations, during which time other operas continued in favor for a time but were all shelved and were forgotten or at least revived only occasionally. It was retained in the repertoire of many opera compa nies continuously, but the version used was the old fashioned one. The Paris Opera Comique reproduced it with a new libretto and elaborated score, and the Aborns used the same version in their presentation. The same elaborate equipment and organization that has graced "The Bohemian Girl" for six seasons will be seen in its presentation here. The cast includes Jeanette Wells as Arline, Albert Parr as Thaddeus, Phyllis Davies as the Gypsy Queen, Albert Wallerstedt as the Count, Francis J. Tyler as Devilshoof, Ralph Nicholls as Florestein, Carl Burton as con ductor. Babv Phillips as the infant Countess, and the wonderful Tzigani Arab acrobats. While the Paris version used by the Aborn company demands a more elab orate production than the old one and gives fastidious music lovers a more musicianly score, it retains all of the beauties of the original, in cluding such gems as "Then You'll Remember Me," "I Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls," "The Heart Bowed Down," "Bliss Forever Past," "A Soldier's Life," "The Fair Land of Poland" and others. WRESTLING MATCH SCHEDULED. From Friday's Daily. A wrestling match has been sched uled for this city on Wednesday even ing, December 13th, between Frank Schmarder, the fast Louisville wrestler, and Gus Pappas, known as the terrible Greek, and which contest will be held at the Grand theater. The match should be a good one as Pappas is rated as a comer and Schmarder is one of the fastest men in the state. Anton Stecher has offered a challenge to the winner of the match and if possible this should also come here as Anton is almost as good as his famous brother, Joe Stecher, the world cham pion. James Rishel and wife of Glenwood were in the city over Sunday visiting with their relatives and friends, and Mr. Rishel returned this morning to his home. UNION BOYS ARE FINED TEN DOLLARS EACH AND COSTS From Friday's Dally. Yesterday afternoon Charles Hath away, Bruce Wolf and Verin Kenni son, all of Union, were in the city and were brought before Judge Beeson to answer to the complaint made by County Attorney A. G. Cole in which Uhe three men, together with Thomas I 1V i , . .... ivues, were charged with having epn in a Ktate of intoxication on luesday, December 5th. The three men were each given a fine of $10 and costs, which is the amount fixed by the state law for the offense of being intoxicated, and the amount being paid the three gentlemen were allowed to go on their way rejoicing. Rhodes, it seems, had made a getaway when Sheriff Quinton journeyed down yes terday after the boys and was not to be located. The experience certainly was quite costly for the young men and should be a lesson to them to avoid the pitfalls that lead to so much trouble. FRITZ VALLERY HURT BY PLUNGING HORSE Fritz Vallery, the son of Road Over seer Vallery, met with a most painful experience and one that was unusual late Thursday afternoon a short dis tance wast of his home on the Louis ville road. Fritz was leading a team of horses and was only a short dis tance in advance of the horses when suddenly an automobile coming from the east came in sight and before the horses could be gotten out of the way the automobile had struck one of the animals, causing it to plunge forward. striking Fritz, knocking him down and bruising and injuring him quite badly, and since the time of the accident he has been confined to his home.- The horse, which was quite a heavy an imal, was thrown several feet after striking Fritz and hurled into a ditch, breaking a leg, and will be practically worthless for use hereafter. The auto also suffered considerable and it was necessary to have the machine which, it is claimed is the property of Joe Spence of Louisville, dragged back to this city for repairs before- the occu pants could go on their way home ward. The affair has proven very painful to Mr. Vallery both in his in juries and the fact that the horse, which is quite valuable, will be but little good on the farm if it is not necessary to kill it, as the veterinarian does not think it can recover satisfac torily from the accident. CHOIR AND CHURCH MEMBERS ENTERTAINED AT PITZ HOME From Saturday's Daily. The members of the congregation oi the United Brethren church south of the city, with their choir last evening enjoyed a very pleasant time at the country home of Mr. and Mrs. Julius A. Pitz, in that locality. The party came for a real jolly time and proceed ed to carry our their plans to perfec tion with an evening of music. The songs given were thoroughly enjoyed by everyone, and several hours were passed in this way, as well as in vis iting and having a royal good time until it was necessary for the party to proceed homeward. The members of the party came provided with a tempting luncheon as is their custom, and proceeded at a suitable hour to enjoy a repast which was fit for a king, and to which everyone did ample justice. The residents of this locality meet with each other at their home in a delightful spirit of sociability and it certainly is one of the greatest pleasure to all those who are fortu nate enough to reside in that neigh borhood. Nothing in the printing line has grown like the Christmas Greeting card, and the Journal's line has grown accordingly, until this year when we have the largest assortment ever shown in the city. We know our old patrons will see them, but we' have an assortment large enough for many new ones. CREAM, 37c, at- Dawson's store, Plattsmouth. 9-19-d&wtf U.S. IS MAKING NO PEACE ADVANCES Rumor About Gerard Declared to !) Net Only False, But Dan gerous. Washington, D. C, Dec. 10. Offers of mediation or suggestions of peace to the European nations have not been made by the United States, and will not be broached by this government in the near future, unless there is some quite unexpected turn in world events. Those facts are stated authoritative ly by one of the highest officials of the government to counteract reports to the contrary. In official circles it is felt that the increasing and apparently authorita tive rumors that the United States is planning some move for peace are cal culated to destroy chances of peace and to defeat their own ends. Accord ingly an official denial has been con templated, probably through the State -department. The president, however, has preferred to disassociate himself entirely from any such announcement, no matter how made, in order that ho might stand untrammeUd on his orig inal offer of mediation. Two cardinal facts stand out in the minds of officials. First, that many such proposals originate in off.cial c ir cles; second, that their restriction has been driving allied statesmen to an ex tremity of refutation from which it would be very embarrassing th. m to recede. Without in any way passing on th. ultimate outcome of the war, it is felt here that Germany is in 'a position to treat on the basis of her present gains without subjecting herself to the inev itable losses of men and money caused by further hostilities. The allies, on the other hand, have shown that-they are absolutely op posed to peace now. It is firmly be lieved in official circles that an at tempt at mediation by this govern ment would subject the United States to the charge of partisan interference in the war. Most embarrassing of all rumors. perhaps, is the constant reiteration that Ambassador Gerard is returning to Germany with peace proposals from the president. This is declared not only to be false, but to be actually dangerous. It is said to have created a feeling of intense irritation among the allies and of unfounded hopeful ness amongst the German people, who apepar to be well satisfied with the war's results and eager for its end. The government will watch an op portunity to offer mediation. When official reports from all sides indicate that such a movement might succeed, it will be scrutinized very carefully be fore being attempted. DO YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING AT HOME The spirit of Christmas is making itself manifest in the city and the business houses are preparing to ex tend to the shoppers a cordial welcome in showing them the array of suitable gifts for the holiday season. With only twelve shopping days until Christmas the time of those seeking Christmas gifts is decidedly limited and from now on there will be quite a rush made in securing the gifts for the loved ones and friends. The busi ness houses of the city have u..s year a fine array of articles that will be found suitable for all purposes and at prices that wil suit every pocket book. In making a gift at the Christ mas time it is pleasant to give it witn a realization that it was purchased at home and the easiest way to find the most suitable places to do your shop ping is to look over the advertising list of the Journal and follow up the suggestions that the advertisements give in malcing a present. Every thing can be found in this city that will do for gifts from an automobile down to the tinyest toys and they are just as good as the articles that can be purchased in other cities ana gives one the opportunity of helping build up the town by patronizing the home merchant. It is a good idea for every one to follow and will be productive of great benefit to everyone. A want ad will bring you a buyer.