-_The Omaha Morning Dee VOL. 52 NO. 164. SST g TTSST £"S ^_OMAHA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 26, 1922. * gjJT £ ff* Jft,'■&rU,,Jra«.« TWO CENTS Cut in State Expenses Proposed Biennial Budget, Heady for Governor, Shows Request of $16,235,564 From General Funds. Roads May Raise Total; Secretary Philip K. Gross of lhe finance department has the biennial budget ready for Governor McKelvie ^to pare down as he sees fit. The governor will complete his rccom mendatlons within a few days. After that the budget will be ready to sub mit to tlie Incoming legislature. Its voluminous and intricate figures promise to give the finance commit tees of the two houses something to ponder over for the entire legislative session. Special funds arc reduced to one, the capitol fund, derived by taxation. Possibility $3,000 000 for road funds to meet, federal funds may be raised by special method, such as from a gasoline tax as suggested by Secretary George K. Johnson of the department of public works. Then comes cash and federal funds and third, specific appropriations from the general fund, raised mostly by taxation, but partly by cash and fees. A big shoot of paper containing 12 columns of figures hus been prepared by Secretary Gross shownlg the funds derived '-om these sources the last two years and the requests made by expending agencies for the coming two years, beginning July 1. 1923, which is the end of the new fiscal year established by the last legisla ture. $17,! 14,809 Sought. A summary of the tabulation shows that the legislature of 1921 appro priated from the general or tax funds $17,214,809.9#. Requests from expend ing ageneiea on. file for the coming two years from the general or tax funds total $16,235,564.62. That is not all the tale. The department of pub lic works recommends the raising of *3,000.000 for road work to meet federal aid hy means other than taxa tion. If the legislature dftes jnol fol low this reemnmendutton, the $3,000, 000 must 1>« added to the property tag, malting the total llO.OOO.OOtMnetead of $16,000,000. Taking Into consideration expendi tures from all funds, the tabulation shows tutal appropriations two years | ago to have been $23,939,519.27. com- j pared with requested appropriations of $27,939,826.94 for the romlng two, years, or an increase of $4,000,000. It is said Governor MoKelvte is certain to cut many requests for ap propriations. The Incoming governor. Charles W. Bryan, also will have at! opportunity to altar or make new recommendations to the legislature. In regard to the expenditures of j state departments nnall, was one of the organizers of the Galveston, Houston A Henderson abroad. Judge Kimball was a wealthy farmer. Last Prisoner Released. Paris. Dec. 25.—France has released the last German war prisoner. They were undergoing punishment for of fenses against the common law com mitted during their detention as war prisoners. First Superintendent of Gty Hall Dies John Matliieson. . ! I John Mathiesen. Oldest Clerk in Omaha, Is Dead | Employe at City Hall Ever Since Structure Built Expires on Christ mas Morn. John Mathlesen. believed to have been the oldest clerk In Omaha and employe at the city hall ever since that structure has been built, died Christmas morning at 1 :43. Death followed a two weeks’ illness and was caused by infirmities due to old age. Mr. Mathlesen was 87 last July. He was the first superintendent at the city hall. At the time of his death he was employed In the license inspector's office, having worked for the city 30 years. Mr. Mathlesen was an expert pen man, it being said that ilia handwrit ing might well serve as a model for many persons 50 years his junior. He was horn in Denmark anti had lived ih Omaha 5t years. The resi dence is at 2208 South. Tenth street. His wife and two daughters sur vive. Livestock Firms Hard Hit bv Fire J Forty Offices Destroyed When Blaze Damages Chicago Exchange. Chicago, Dec. 23.—Offices of 40 live stock commission firms were reduced to ruins and one fireman was serious ly injured today when fire destroyed the roof and third story of the Kx change building, in the heart of the Union stockyards. The fire furnished Chicago with what has come to be known ns 4he city's annual holiday fire in packing town. The damage was estimated at $75,000. Starting from crossed electric wires or a clgaret butt, the fire nte Its way from the center of the main building to the western and southern walls of the building in which 155 commission firms have their offices. Called from their homes when the first alarm was sounded, commission men rushed to the yards In the hope of saving their books and records. As most of the actual business of the firms is transacted In the yards themselves, the fire will cause no In terruption in business. Practice of Banks Criticised by Meyer Washington, Dec. 25.—The practice ! of some banks In advertising that ! they are neither members of the fed- i eral reserve system nor do they use ; its rediscounting facilities, is eriti cised ns injurious to the public in j terests by Eugene Meyer, managing 1 director of the war finance corpora ! tion, in a letter to J. H. Pullcher. president of the American Hankers' association. Mr. Meyer urged that the bankers' association take prompt steps with a view to stopping the ! practice. --- \ Of I Course, ' You Are Content ed, but— it would add quite a lot to your resources if you • * could rent that idle room of yours. Have you advertised it in the “Rooms for Rent" column of The Omaha Bee? IJ not, now is the „ time. < > Telephone AT lantic 1000 NOW and ifcake a “bee line” for better results at lesser cost. McCormick Sees Crash in Europe Predicts Financial Collapse of France and Italy Coming . Unless Allies Adopt Sound Program. ‘‘Europe Must Save Self” Washington, Deo. 23.—possibility of "gravest events before the end of the winter" in continental Europe unless the allied governments "act with an economic wisdom, prudence and^foresight hitherto foreign to their l»olicy," is seen by Senator McCor mick of Illinois, who has Just re turned from a trip through Europe. Senator McCormick, in u statement issued tonight, indicated that his sur vey of the European situation had convinced him that the nations of l Europe must solve their own prob lems. Must Agree. "if tiie governments cannot agree upon a sound and reliable program for the definite and final settlement of the total sum of reparations of which Germany shall pay ami can pay," he said, “if they cannot agree among themselves and with bankers and investors upon a plan which will stab.lize German currency, we may expect tiie franc and lira to start down the declevity in pursuit of the mark at the crown and the ruble.” Any general propositions which ougiht to lie included in a new repara tions settlement were outlined by the senator us: Suggests Moratorium. Extension of a moratorium to Ger many .for several years, conditional upon an adequately secured bankers' loan to stabilize the mark to balance tho -current German budget and to contribute to French reconstruction this year. The prompt withdrawal of “the bar barous or semi-barbarous Mohammed troops" from the Rhine and the pro gressive withdrawal of other troops as the terms of the morntoriutn and reparations agreement are fulfilled by Germany. “More important to the rehabilita tion of Europe than any conference, than any agreement between slates- ] men and financiers can be,” he added, "is the exorcism of the spirit of hate which animates governments and peoples. I'nless the peoples are moved by a, Christian will to pence and by ChNstian comity there can be no real peace in Europe." Four Men Are Killed During Celebrations I i Unlontown. Pa.. Dec. 25.—Four men ■ were killed during Christmas celebra tions in the Fayette county coal field Sunday night and today. One of the dead is Frank Hall, formerly of Kan sas City, Mo., hut at the tiriie of his death a member of the H. C. Frick Coke company's police force. Hall was shot to death when he at tempted to arrest “Pomp’’ Allen, who had engaged in an argument with a number of companions. Allen fired one shot and Hall, although fatally wounded, pulled, his revolver and kill j ed his assailant. The shooting occur i red at Gates, a mining camp neur here. * 1-ld Lindsay was killed in a revolver duel at Footdale. A third mart was killed in a pitched battle at Buffing ton. Greeters to Gather Here December 27 Hampton. Ia.. Dec. 25—Charles A. Ryan of Hampton, secretary of the Nebraska-towa Greeters, announced that the annual meeting of the or ganization will be held In Omaha De cemlier 27. J. F. Egan of Omaha is president. Woman’s Club Wins War on Punch Boards Scottsblnff. Neli., Dec. 25.—(Special.) —The civics department of the Woman's club of this city, which has been conducting a two months' cam paign that has resulted in the. re moval by police of slot machines and punch boards from pool halls and cigar stores, has secured the convic tion of one poll ball proprietor on the charge of admitting minors. This department also has announced the opening of three skating rinks for children from 9 to 13 under super vision of club women and with the help of city authorities. Washington Floods Recede. Seattle, Wash., Dec. 25.—Flood waters of western Washington rivers swelled yesterday by heavy rains and melting snows were receding today under the influence of a drop in tem perature. Rains had ceased in the Cascade mountains and the weather was colder. Thousands of dollars' damage was caused by a high \#iiul yesterday, which swept the Ruget sound coun try, tearing dow’n telephone poles, smashing plate glass windows and tearing loose log rafts. The wind had subsided today. Organist Dies Suddenly. St. Rouis. Dec. 23.—A. H. Rhode. 41, music Instructor and organist at St. Anthony Catholic church, died suddenly while preparing to ring the church bells today. i New Orle*-• “ret” **•' w Ket^»*V0'. ut in Jail New Orleans, Hoc. 25.—With the parish jail holding more than 100 persons arrested on charges of liquor law violation and hundreds 1 of others sent to their homes by the IMilice. the holiday was otherwise passing quietly with all business suspended. That a “wet" Christmas prevails . here was admitted by Rev. A. H. | Zeimer of the Anti-Saloon league, 1 who said: “I believe liquor can be purchased in almost all restaurants in New Orleans. We have had excellent work from the federul officers, but i these are so few in number they • cannot hope to rope with the situ ation." '"Divine Sarah” Passes Crisis as if by a Miracle Madame Bernhardt Said to Be Out of Danger—Messages of Sympathy Pour in From All Over the World. Paris, pee. 25.—By A. P.—Pro nounced improvement was noted to day in the condition of Surah Bern hardt. While not attempting to min imize tfie seriousness of her case, the attending physicians this ufternoon expressed the belief that she was out I of danger for the present, at least. It seemed almost as though that miracle which the medical men said was necessary to save the life of the "Divine Sarah" had happened. Mau : rice Bernhardt, her son, said tonight that the improvement was so marked that the doctors had permitted sev eral intimate friends to visit the pa tient. Spread Through City. Deports that Madame Bernhardt I was dying spread throughout the city yesterday following her relapse in the early morning hours, when she suf fered a fainting spell similar to that with which she wus first stricken last Sunday during the final rehearsal of the new Guitry play in which she was to have appeared the following evening. These* repoils caused her home to lie besieged all day today by promi nent social, political and theatrical personages, all eager to know of her condition. What she now needs is complete rest for many weeks, her doctors say, but to the energetic star the idea, of . inactivity is most repulsive. “Dost? I can't rest*—if 1 did Z would dir,” she Is reported to have told her advisers. Cable messages and telegrams have been received from many countries, including the United States, express ing sympathy and hope for recovery. Believed Out of Danger. I Discussing his mother's condition, I Maurice Bernhardt told the Assoclat I ed Press: * "We believe she is out of danger, I although at her uge it is unsafe to ! make predictions until she has com 1 pletely recovered. She is still very I weak and needs a long rest. All her theatrical plans necessarily are out of I the question for a long time.” Madame Bernhardt’s physicians said tonight that they would issue no communique, in view of the change lor the better. One hopeful sign, they added, was that their patient was again taking interest in food. For the members of her household one of the biggest problems is to keep Madame Bernhardt’s mind off the the ater. She had said repeatedly that if she could not act any more she would surely die. • Britain, U. S., Japan' May Enter Navy Pact Tokio, Dec. 25.—(By A. P.)—If France and Italy fall to ratify the Washington naval treaty, an agree ment for carrying it out might be ar ranged among England, America and Japan, the peers were told today by Admiral Ide, speaking in place of Pre mier Kato, who Is indisposed. The Last Ship Through King Boreas has dosed the looks at Sault Ste. Marie, Midi., with Ids blockade of Invincible armor plate Ice. The last ship through fought a heroic battle against the sheathing ice that massed about the hull and rigging. Photo allows the Sinaola, laden with grain for Buffalo, and coated with Ice waiting for tugs to break a channel througli St. Mary river. Ex-Soldier Slain Returning From Christmas Dance Girl Companion Believed Fa tally Wounded by Bullets Fired From Ambush at Deer Trail, Colo. Deer Trail, Colo., Dec. 25.—Howard Hamilton, 24, is dead and Pearl Coeur, 18, believed to lie dying as the result of shots suid to have been fired front ambush us they were leaving a Christmas dance here early Sunday morning. Hamilton Is an ex-Hervlce man, employed as a technician in the X-ray department of the United States veterans’ bureau in Denver. Miss Coeur is the daughter of a rancher living near here. Police took Into custody for ques tioning Oeorgo Griffith, a guest at the Coeur home, and also Jake Leel, a Mexican laborer. Authorities were told that Ueel created a scene at the dance by walking to the center of the 'public hall in which It was held and announcing that he would shoot up the place unless the girls present con sented to dance with him. He soon left the hall when requested by the ' management. Miss Coeur went to the dance with her purents and Griffith, hut as he did not dance, she spent most of the evening in company of Hamilton, and with him left the hall. As they were leaving, shots rang out from behind an automobile and the two victims fell, Hamilton being dead when friends got to him. Miss Coeur was wounded In the back, the bullet punc turing a lung. Woman K^eps Xmas Eve Vigil Over Man She Slew Louisville, Ky., Dee. 25.—Mrs. O. L. Jones. 32, shot and killed her friend, O. L. Black, 44, sales manager for a Louisville automobile concern, in her apartment here early last night and kept u Christmas eve vigil over his body, she told the police, until she could summon enough cour nge to surrender. She declared she shot Black because ho threatened her. She walked into police head quarters after daylight, told of the tragedy and was placed in jail charged with murder. Business Section of Seliginan (Mo.) Burned Seligman, Mo., Dec. 25.—Virtually the entire business section of Selig man Is in ruins today as a result of a tire early yesterday. Thirteen buildings were destroyed with an es timated loss of $50,000. I * Car Laden With Presents ! Hurtles Bank; Driver Dead: Body of Her Dead Son Only Present for Mother Who Awaited His Coming; Auto Hits Tree. I Dennis McLaughlin, 39, a fanner from West Point. Neb., was on his ■>ay home, his machine laden with Christmas presents, at 9 Sunday morning, when the car suddenly left the road at Ninetieth and Pacific streets and crashed down a 20-foot em bankment. McLaughlin's injuries proved fatal. The automobile struck a huge tree and machinery, bolts and other parts of the automobile, intermingled witii smashed and torn holly-decorated boxes, were thrown many feet. Dies in Hospital. McLaughlin was taken to St. Jo seph hospital. Six hours later he died. Meanwhile at their home in West Point his mother. Mrs. Mary T. Mc Laughlin, was putting the finishing touches to the Christmas prepara | lions. Her sun was going to spend Christmas day with her and she was very happy. A big Christmas dinner and many ! other festivities had lieen arranged. 1 It was to he a great day for her and him. Tn Send Body Home. But, instead, yesterday the Healey & Heafe.v undertaking establishment \ sent the body of the young farmer to | West Point. Instead of a merry ! Christmas crowd of friends and rel- j atives to greet him, there will lie j mourners. Plans for a joyful Christmas were turned by the tragedy into plans for J a funeral. . Kuneial services will be h"■Id i \\ edncoday. He ic survive*' by his mother, live brothers and an aunt, Mrs. .jchli Craven, 3530 Patrick avenue of this city. I V Airmen to Search I for Lake Erie Tug i ° — | \ essel and Crew of Eight Miss ing Four Days—Be lieved Lost. ! I Cleveland, Dec. 26.—The mystery I surrounding the disappearance of the | tug Cornell, missing for four days, | remained unsolved tonight, and for the first time it was conceded that th« tug, with it§ crew eight prob ably hail gone down. Four tugs which spent Christmas cruising Lake Erie reported they failed to find any trace of the missing vessel. That the Cor nell, thoroughly dried out by more than a season of Inactivity, had taken fire and that the crew had sacrificed its chances of escape by remaining too long to fight the flames, was the ex planation most commonly suggested by Cleveland vessel men tonight. H. It. Shaver, superintendent of | the government air field he?e, rc | celved orders from the postmaster ! general to enlist all air mall machines in the search for the Cornell. The orders were in response to an anpeal of H. E. Gilpin, president of the Great Lakes Towing company, which firm recently sold the vessel to a Syracuse company for use In Erie canal traffic. The Cornell's disappearance paral lels that of the Tere Marquette and Itesscmer car ferry No. 2 between Conneaut, ()., and the Canadian side In December. 1909. No trace of the ferry or Its crew' of 30 men were found. — Annapolis to Offer Annual Prizes i _ Washington, Dec. 25.—In the hope of stimulating development among the midshipmen at Annapolis of qual ities of leadership! members of the ’97 class at the academy have con tributed a trust fund from which an annual prize is to be given to that midshipman deemed by the superln tendent of the academy to have “con tributed the most by his officer-like qualities and positive character to the development of military spirit and loyalty,” in the naval school. The purpose of the class to make this memorial was stated in a letter from J. W. Powell, class president, to Rear Admiral Wilson at Annapolis. Mr. Powell said it was the unanimous desire of the class members to com memorate its recent 26th anniversary “in a way that would Indicate the deep sense of gratitude itB members feel toward their alma mater and also' the keen interest that '97 takes in the wellbeing of the United States naval academy." Two Children Suffocated in Christinas Day Blaze Battle Creek, Mich., Dec. 25.—Two [ children, Willison, 10, and Barbara, ft, suffocated in their home early to day, shortly after the parents, Way nard Watts and Mrs. Watts, had fin ished decorating the Christinas tree. A fire broke out in the basement and spread rapidly through the first 1 floor rooms. Watts dashed through 1 smoke and flame to the children's bedroom, but. failing to find them i there, ran from the house, lielievlng 1 the Ultle ones already dead. When the flames were checked firemen found the bodies of the chil dren In the bathroom, where they had gone to escape the smoke. American Forces on Rhine Play Santa to 900 Children Coblenz. Dec. 25.—(By A. P>—Nln* hundred children were the guests of Iho American forces at a huge Christ mas tree celebration. The tree was erected In‘the Clemens district and i was beautifully decorated. The chtl-! dren, led by school teachers, were ' presented with packages containing warm clothing and toys. A military band furnished music. Khlncland post Xo. 7 baud, and Vet- j era ns of Foreign Wars, fed 500 orp- | hans at one of the biggest restaurants ■ In Coblenz and tho American Legion ' was host to 300 j ■ r Two Injured, One Fatally, as Autos Collide Aped Fairbury (Neb.) Man Is in a Lincoln Hospital With Fractured Skull. Uncoln, Dec. 25.—(Special.)—D. H. Moredick of Fairbury and Arthur Goff, a farmer residing near Fair bury, were seriously Injured at noon Monday when their automobile col lided at Fourteenth and D streets. Physicians claim that Mr. Moredick, who Is 88, cannot live because of In ternal injuries and a fracture of the skull. Mr. Goff suffers from a deep gash in his cheek. Mr. Moredlek's son. Arthur, was taking hla father out for a ride and was driving east on the highway, and. Goff, who was alone In his car. was driving north on D street, and a house obstructed the view of both drivers. Mr. Goff is blind in one eye and did not see the approaching car. Mr. Moredick is an old settler and a veteran of the civil war. His wife died last week. First Swiss Envoy to 1 States Dies Berne, Switzerland, lJec. 26.—(By A. P.)—Emil Frey, former president of the Swiss confederation and first Swiss ambassador to the United States, died todny at his birthplace, Arlesheim, near Basle, In his 86th year. M. Frey ropresentH Switzerland in Washington from 1882 to 1888 and was elected president of Switzerland in 1892. His mission to Washington, how ever, was not his first visit to the United States, as he took an active part in the civil wnr. serving as a volunteer in the 24th Illinois Infantry. His record in this wnr was one of his proudest memories. Captured by the confederates, he was held as a hostage until President Lincoln con sented to' the exchange of a Capt. Gordon, who had previously been sentenced to death. Upon his de parture from the United States, M. Frey was breveted as a major for bravery by President Johnson. He served for 24 years as director of the International Cable Telegraph union and was one of the technical experts attached to the Swiss delegation at the Genoa conference. Paris Gay on Christmas. Paris, Dec. 25.—Christinas eve fes tivities in Paris were carried out with prewar zest, .despite the prevailing high prices. Even folks in moderate circumstances disdained the tradi tional blood pudding for more aristo cratic menus. The prices in restau rants were slightly lower than last year, with the result that the cafes drew capacity crowds, the revelers dining, dancing and singing until morning. Large congregations at tended midnight mass at the churches, where brilliant niusical programs were cdhducted. Ex-Preeident of Panama Dead Panama, Dec. 25.—(By A. P.)_Er nesto Tisdel Lefevre, former president of Panama, died today following an operation. In addition to the presi dency he had occupied other Impor tant governmental posts, being at various times secretary for foreign relations.'minister of foreign affairs and minister of posts and tele graphs. The Weather Forecast. Tuesday probably fair and colder. Hourly Temperatures. .«J» * P- I".M 1 *• . 40 3 p. vn..55 * »• »».35 t p. m.54 n o. m.42 5 p. ..53 10 «• n».45 Op.m. .50 ’18111 40 . 45 Christmas Day Ends in Tragedy Whisky-Crazed Man Appears Suddenly in Family Group at Seattle and Starts Shooting. •-— - Kills Himself Afterward —\— Seattle, Wash., l>ec. 26.—Appearing suddenly at the home of Mr. and Mr*. 1). C. Kngel, while the Engel family was gathered around a Christmas tree today, Emil Neurlter, a ferryboat operator, shot and killed Anna, Han* and Elly Kngel, und then committed suicide. A half-filled buttle of whisky was found in Neuriter's pocket. He had brought three pistols to the house with him and two of his pockets were tilled with cart.-l Iges Two Ollier Children Escape. Anna Engel was 17, Hans was 11 and Elly was 3 years old. Mr. and Mrs. Engel and two other children escaped from the house unhurt. Eetters found in Neuriter's pocket mentioned supposed troubles with , Engel, but did not reveal specifically ; the cause of Neuriter’s enmity. Neurlter was watting In a shed in the rear of the house when Engel stepped out of a hack door during the Christmas festivities, Kngel told Coroner W. H. C’Orson. Neurlter pointed t /n pistols nt him, he said, and ordered him hack Into the house, locking the door after the two had entered. Starts Shooting. According to Engel's statement, Anna Kngel rushed Into the room and jumped between the two and Neurlter started shooting. Anna was the first to faU. Then Neurlter ran into the living room where 3-year-old Eily was holding a doll she had taken from the Christmas tree. He killed the child with one shot and then en tered an adjoining room and killed Mans and lilmnelf. Engel told Coroner Corson he wn.« unable to determine the cause of Neuriter’s enmity. Engel Is a wold worker. Lila Lee Dines i 1,000 Outcasts Movie Actress Instructs Father iu Chicago Give Feast to “Down-and-Outers.’* Chicago, Dec. 26.—(By A. P.—Near ly 1,000 "down and outers" turned their faces to the west today and thanked the diminutive movie actress, Lila Lee, for her generosity In fur nishing them a Christmas dinner, the "best handout they had had in years,” they declared. Last week Miss Lee, who is in Los Angeles, telegraphed . her father, Charles Appal, to furnish a Christmas dlrner “with all the trimmin’s” to 1,000 homeless men and send the bill to her. That number was speedily gathered together today at the Hobo college, and a dinner of large propor tions set before them. Miss Mary McCormic. grand opera star of the Chicago civic opera com pany, helped make the dinner a sug* cess by singing several Christmas songs. The advent of Christmas In Chica go was greeted by the singing of car ols in more than a dozen settlement and pooi- sections of the cltjr, members of the Chicago Civic Opera company taking a leading part in this work. Among the grand opera stars who -ngaged in this work were Mary Mc Cormic, Ina Bourskaya. Melvena Pass more, Irene Pavoloska, Desire d« Frere, Cesare Pormichi and others. More than 100,000 destitute persons were cared for by newspaper and charity organizations of the city. Din ners to families and toys and clothing to children were distributed to a larg. er extent through the poor sections than ever before, it was estimated. President and Wife Give Gold Pieces at White House Washington, Dec. 25.—Kvery em ploye of the White House down to the last messenger and kitchen maid received today a $5 goldpiece with the personal compliments of the pros! dent and Mrs. Harding. The remembrances were virtually the only Christmas presents given to individuals by the chief executive and first lady of the land, and except for the usual Christmas suspension of executive business, distribution of the gifCi was the only variation from the everyday routine of the White House. Because of the Illness of Mrs. Harding, there were no house guests and no Christmas party. Mr. Harding took a complete holi day, going golfing during the morning and spending a good part of the afternoon with Mrs. Harding in her sickroom. Warren A. Myers Dies. Springfield, o„ Dec. 3#.—Warren A. Myers. 37, prominent inanufactut^ er, hunker und former newspaper publisher, died today of heart disease after an Illness of two years. He was secretary treasurer of the Robbins & Myers company, manufacturers of electrical equipment, and alwaya was activo in civic movements. He was publisher of the Springfield Sun for a number of years. *