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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 1914)
LICE HEADS no I | FOR SEER FRAUDS t3o-Between “Squeals” About Operations of Clairvoyant Ring and Official? and Charges Result. TRUSTING PUBLIC MULCTED Bertsche Says Detectives Tried to Make Rosenthal of Him —Huge Graft Revela tions to Follow. Chicago, Dec. 7.—Indictments were returned today naming two police of ficers and a former detective involved in the sensational graft confessions of “Barney” Bertsche and the brothers Frank and James Ryan. The defend ants. charged with conspiracy to ob tain money by fraud and with bribery, are Captain James J. Halpin, Lieut John Tobin and former Detective Wal ter O'Brien. O’Brien was dismissed from the force six months ago for alleged complicity in the protection of persons engaged in tlie clairvoyant swindles conducted by the Ryans. Bertsche is said to have confessed to States Attorney Hoyne, a month ago Implicating the policemen indicted and others not yet formally named in court proceedings, and the Ryans. Bertsche is said to have admitted himself the go-between in the payment of protection money to the police. Why He "Squealed.” “J paid my $300 and $400 a week to Halpin just like rent, it was so regular" Bertsche is quoted as telling Hoyne. “I never ‘squealed’ but when they lured me down to the Rialto and tried to do me, tried to make a Rosenthal of me, I con cluded to talk.” Bertsche was the center of a street fight, in which he exchanged shots with Detectives Egan and Monaghan, as a result of which five men. includ ing Bertsche and the detectives, were sent to the hospital with bullet wounds. The money, which Bertsche alleges he handled, is said, by Hoyne, to have come mostly from the Ryans, who con fessed to having profited by swindling, through clairvoyant parlors, to the ex tent of tens of thousands of dollars annually for several years. Bertsche. in his confession, is alleged to have complained that although he paid protection money to Halpin reg ularly the police were voracious and attempts were made to force heavier contributions from him. Not Yet Through. According to Hoyne, the three con fessions reinforce each other at every point. The prosecutor said that before the caw is concluded, other policemen will be brought to trial, and the ratifi cations of tlie expose followed in de tail through a mass of police corrup tion,, involving every form of vice and crime, from pocket picking to safe blowing and bank robbery. Specifically, the indictments charge: Halpin—Three bribery offenses and three Instances of participating in a confidence game. Tobin—Three charges of operating a confidence game. O’Brien—Three charges of operating a confidence game. Another indictment charging the operation af confidence game was voted against another detective. All Deny Charges. In the criminal court bonds for the indicted men were fixed as follows: Halpin, $30,000; Tobin, • $15,000; O'Brien, $15,000. Talking with reporters, the defen dants asserted that the confessions did not contain a word of truth. After leaving the grand Jury room Bertsche told of an agreement he had made with Capt. John J. Halpin. until t recently in charge of the detective J bureau, and Lieut. John Tobin, by which Frank Ryan and his men were to have a monopoly on the clairvoyant business downtown. Bertsche’s con fession covers 120 typewritten pages and involves many persons, whose names have not yet come out in graft connection. Hoyne today made public more of the secret of Frank Ryan’s two red morocco hound books in which the records of the clairvoyant trust were kept. The common method of division of the spoils, according to the book, was 45 per cent for the swindler and in addi tion 40 per rent for the police, 10 per eent for tlie owner and 5 per cent for the “fixer.” and “pay outs.” The following figures , were given for four months in 1912: Receipts— June .$ 911.50 July . 5.335.00 August 1 to 24 . 6,034.50 August 25 to 31 . 3,125.00 Total .$15,139.60 Pay Outs— June .$ 1,410.73 July . 2,396.94 August 1 to 24 . 1,214.33 August 25 to 31 . 118.40 Total .$ 5,240.51 Some of the Victims. The other red book contains a record •of customers and a history of their 'Cases. Some of them were: August 5—Mrs.-, O, $33. Wants to sell her house. Did sell it. Has daugh ter married. Worried about daughter out west. Wants to get Into hotel business. “O" in the clairvoyant’s code means one worth keeping track of and following. The money marked shows the initial pay ment. September 11—Mr. -, C. $66. Will 1 have success in real estate business? Who and when will T marry? Does the girl love me? Do r ready love her? Sold him script (valueless stock) $200. August 1—“G,” $25 check. Who is knock ing me in my position? How can I get to keep company with Miss-? How can T get rid of my estate? November 17 gave him six months’ note for $150. August 29, 1912—$12. Wants to be a success. Shall he divorce himself from wife. Sold him script, $500. October 16—Miss -, f\ $16. In lov€ with soldier named -. Will I ever get money? Gave her 90-day note for $650 October 16—Mr. -, G, $12. Ts my wif* true to me? In business with relative 'Wants to get rid of him and go In busi ness for himself. Sold him script, $4,000. August 5—Miss-, C, $2 Dove. Want# luck. August 27. gave her 90-day note foi $1,300. November 26 six months' note foi $1,700. destroying first note. When the credulous victims came tc collect the notes or to receive interest '■ on stock they would find either t.h« whole outfit had moved or someone U ■ charge would inform them that th« clairvoyant had gone to Mexico tf i 4ook after investments. Wine Rooms, Automobiles anc Poorly Lighted Parks Blamed For Social Evil By Wis consin Investigators. Madison, Wis„ Dec. 7.—Together \vith the use of intoxicating liquor, poorly lighted parks and lack of pub lic amusement and recreation facili ties, the automobile was held as one oi the greatest contributory causes oi commercialized vice in a report filed today with the secretary of state by the legislative vice committee. The re port was the work of 15 months’ invest igation and proposes radical changes in law enforcement and sociay condi tions. The committee found that the wage question has no material relation to commercialized vice. The greatest cause of commercialized vice, the re port says, is the use of intoxicating liquor. Among contributory causes given are public dance halls, road houses, lack of responsibility by par ents, non-enforcement of laws by pub lic officials. Among the recommendations of the committee are: That a law similar to the Mann act, applicable between cities, villages and towns of the state, be enacted. That policewomen be appointed in every city. That employers of domestic servants be required to furnish them with a suitable room in which to receive com pany. That a morals court be established in cities of the first class, with ex clusive jurisdiction over all cases in volving moral offenses. That a rural home for women be established, to be eqiupped with hospital facilities for the treatment of social and other dis eases and that women convicted of immoral practices be committed there to for treatment and training. That a permanent state police de partment be established, with power to investigate immoral practices, the rea sons for non-enforcement of law in all communities and with power to en force the law where local officers fail to do so. That the sale of liquor be prohibited within or in connection with dance halls. That family entrances and private wine rooms be prohibited in saloons and that no connection be had be tween them and any other rooms, above or contiguous. That public dance halls procure li censes. such dances to be supervised by a policewoman or other competent officer. That all hotels, rooming and lodging houses be required to secure license; that they keep permanent registers of the names of all guests to be signed in their own handwriting, the registers to show the hour cf assignment of rooms and their surrender, with penalties for using fictitious names. That women be on the board of mana gers of all institutions to which wom en or children are committed. That in cities of the first three class es. special classes for subnormal chil dren be established in the public schools, and that, where necessary the state furnish free text books, meals and clothing to needy children, to make compulsory education effective. That municipalities provide super vised amusements, particularly con certs, moving picture shows, etc. That the number of hours of labor for domestic servants be fixed by law. Bills have been incorporated for en forcing all of the regulations proposed in the report. _ GETS $12,000 CONTRACT. The Lytle Construction company has been awarded the contract for a $12, 000 brick and stone building for the First Presbyterian church at Castle wood, S. D. The seating capacity of the auditorium will be 200 and in the Sunday school room 200. There will be a kitchen, dining hall, etc. in the base ment. The plans for the churfch were made by F. E. Colby, architect. TUNNEL IS BLOWN UP; RUSSIAN LINES CUT Amsterdam, (via London), Dec. 5.— The great tunnel near Tychjetchar Tekija, lias been blown up by dyna mite, thus severing communication be tween Servia and Rumania, according to advices from Nish, Servia, to the Rotterdam Courant. The passage of Russian transports along the Danube, the dispatch states, has theretofore be come impossible. IN Ml PUCES All But Eight Counties In Iowa Now Can Ship and Receive Cattle—Ban Was Lifted Late Today. Washington, D. C., Dec. 5.—All but eight counties of Iowa will be released from hoof and mouth disease quaran tine and interstate shipments for im mediate slaughter permitted, effective December 7, This early release was due to Dr. Melvin, chief of animal In dustry, at the Instance of Senator Kenyon, who has urged it through hia secretary. E. H. Rankin prepared an order for signature of Secretary Hous ton today, which releases these coun ties: Black Hawk, Buchanan, Dela ware, Dubuque, Lynn, Poweshiek, Scott, Tama, Muscatine, Louisa, Washington, Keokuk and Benton. The counties not yet released are Jones, Iowa, Clinton, Jackson, Cedar, John son. Mitchell and Green. Prospects are bright for an early modification of the quarantine for hoof and mouth disease, according to W. J. Kennedy, who talked last night over the telephone with Dr. James I. Gib son, state veterinarian of Iowa. A message confirming the above was received last night by Mr. Kennedy, which reads as follows: "Des Moines, la., Dec. 4, 1914.—W. J. Kennedy, care West hotel, Sioux City, la.: Last Monday I sent a letter to Washington officials requesting the release of all feeders, breeders and Stockers from the nonquarantined area in Iowa. (Signed) J. I. Gibson." Mr. Kennedy, on receipt of this message, called a meeting of those in terested in securing modifications of the quarantine regulations now in force. As a result of this meeting, the fol lowing was telegraphed to A. D. Mel vin, head of the bureau of animal in dustry, at Washington: “A. D. Melvin, Bureau of Animal In dustry, Washington, D. C.: Message received from State Veter inary Gibson reads as follows: "Last Monday I sent a letter to Washington officials, requesting the release of all feeders, breeders, and Stockers from non-quarantine area in Iowa. "We understood that when Dr. Mil ler and Dr. Gibson were convinced that this portion of the state was clean you would rise the quarantine. “Your heroic work, together with the state authorities undoubtedly has controlled the situation, and no cases of the disease have been reported to us here, except In a few eastern counties more than 200 miles away from this section of Iowa. We feel that the embargo on ship ping feeders from northwestern Iowa to South Dakota, Nebraska, and Min nesota should be raised as it causes unjust affliction to owners of live stock and heavy financial loss to parties who wish to sell or buy. all through this territory, where no disease has ap peared and no exposed cattle have been received. "Quick action will be greatly ap preciated. Please answer. (Signed) " Thomas Dealtry, “President Sioux City Live Stock Exchange." GIRL ACCUSED OF BRIBERJfATTEMPI Jessie Cope Arrested Follow ing Indictment of Charles Alexander, Millionaire Poet Lover. Chicago, Dec. 7.—Miss Jessie Copa complainant in the white slave indict ment against Col. Charles Alexander, > millionaire of Providence, R. I., was ar rested here this afternoon on a chargi of attempted bribery. It is charged that Miss Cope, whos« home is said to be in Los Angeles, of- 1 fered to share $50,000 with federal of ficials if they would aid her in extor- | ting that sum from Colonel Alexander Michael Igoe, a former member oi the Illinois legislature and at presen: first assistant in the office of the Uni ted States district attorney, is said t( have pretended to fall in wltk th« scheme in order to obtsdn evtdcncc His testimony is tp h**® formed the basis tut her- ttXriat, Mis* Co&tt wes t, into. curtMl* a:; a down town TsStt A C5. ITUELcr, a special agent oi department' oi justice. Chicago, Dec. 6.—The means bj which Mis* Jessie Cope became th« ; . alleged recipient of money and othei valuable gifts at the hands of Col Charles Alexander, as well as Misi Cope's charge of “white slavery" against the Providence, R. I., million alre, who was Indicted here yesterday will receive the attention of federal of ficials. Charles P. Cline, United States dis trict attorney here, would not dlscusi the case today. It was learned, how ever, that Alexander met Miss Cope ii California two years or more ago, a which time she lived in the Hillmai apartments, 1010 Ingraham street, Loi Angeles. The Mann act, under which Alexan der was indicted, has been accused bj lawyers and judges nil over the coun try, of opening a channel for blackmail No charge of this character has been; made against Miss Cope, but lawyer! j in the case admit that as a matter ol course Alexander’s alleged gifts to th« complainant and the circumstances which led her to make charges againsi him, will receive the most earefu: scrutiny. Alexander, who is a member of s prominent New England family nnt is 62 years old, was arrested in Provi dence on an information charging hin. with violation of the Mann act ir. transporting Miss Cope about thf country and establishing her in a bung alow in tlie Berkshire*. Miss Cope, who is half the age oi Alexander, and whose family is said bv federal officials to be prominent so ciety people In California, is under sur veillance here. The evidence of the girl shows sh* relied on his promise to marry her. A1 his suggestion. Miss Cope met him in Chicago on February 13, 1913. They oc cupied connecting rooms at a down town hotel. Later they went to New Orleans and from there to California. GERMAN SOCIALISTS TO EXPEL HERR LIEBKNECH1 Berlin, (via The Hague), Dec. 5. Tho socialists aro today planning tc expel from the party Herr Liebknecht, the only member of the reichstag wht voted against the new $1,25(1,000,00C war credit. The action of Liebknecht has aroused the greatest indignation, as the socialists have been giving the government their entire support ir the great struggle in which the coun try is engaged. It is expected Liebknecht will form a new anti-war party ir. case he v formally expelled by the socialist* CONGRESS BEGINS WORK ON SCHEMES TO CUTEXPENSES Economy Program Will Be Kept In View During Considera ation of Appropriation Measures, TO READ MESSAGE TUESDAY Vast Grist of Legislation Must Be Disposed of If Session Adjourns March 4—Cot ton Bill Up Today. Washington. Dec. 7.—The Sixty-third congress reassembled today for Its third and concluding session. President WTilson will deliver his an nual address, In person, tomorrow from the rostrum In the hall of the House before a joint session, outlining the ad ministration program. Until that is fullly disclosed, the 'work which will be undertaken during the comparatively few remaining days in the life of this congress, which dies at noon, March 4, remains undefined, except that the an nual appropriation bills are likely to receive first and chief attention. Whether the Sixty-fourth congress, chosen at the November elections will be called In special session or will not assemble before another year no one can predict with certainty. After six weeks of respite from leg islative grinding, during which many participated in the political campaign, members of both Houses assembled prepared to go on with the lirtlllllflbed business left over from the last ses sion. That the general itpproprlaUW bUJs would be difficult to complete be fore Afafoh if much other legislation were to intervene, was the consensus of opinion amortl: leaders of both dom inant parties. What circumstances may arise from the European war or changed conditions in Mexico may be the deciding influence In the meeting time of the next congress with its new host of republicans In the House. Their Last Session. With the falling of the gavels In both Houses today many legislators, some of them prominent llgures for years in the political life of the nation, turn their faces toward private life, for this session of congress is their last unless changing fortunes return them. Senator Root, of New York; Burton, of Ohio; Perkins, of California; Bris tow, of Kansas; Crawford, of South Dakota; Stephenson, of Wisconsin, all republicans, and Thornton of Louisiana and White, of Alabama, democrats, will go out of office at the end of the ses sion. In the House, Representatives Un derwood, of Alabama; Hardwick, of Georgia, and Broussard, of Louisiana, are serving their last terms before their elevation to the Senate of the next congress. Among prominent House democrats retiring are: A. Mitchell Palmer, of Pennsylvania, a member of the ways and means committee; Stanley E. Bowdle, of Ohio, who will return the seat he took from former Representa tive Nicholas Longworth; Robert J. Bulkley, of Ohio; John R. Clancy, of New York; Robert E. Difenderfer, of Pennsylvania; Jeremiah Donavan, of Connecticut; Richmond Pearson Hob son, of Alabama; Henry H. Ooldfogle, of New York; Charles A. Korbly, of Indiana; Robert E. Lee, of Pennsylva nia; George A. Neeley, of Kansas; Frank T. O’Hair, of Illinois, who will yield back the seat he took from former Speaker Joseph G. Cannon; John J. Mitchell, of Massachusetts, a member of the ways and means committee; Ed ward W. Townsend, of New Jersey nnd many others. Of the progressive organization in the house members in the House who will retire include the party leader, Victor Murdock, of Kansas; H. Clyde Kelly, W. J. Kulings and Henry W. Temple, all of Pennsyl vania; James C. Mclaiughlin, of Mich igan, and William H. Hinebaugh of Illinois. Big Program Ahead. Leaders on all sides look forward to interesting developments over the naval and army appropriation bills, because of agitation resulting from the European war. Representative Augus tus P. Gardner, of Massachusetts has a resolution directing congressional in vestigation into the military prepared ness of the United States for war. The first calendar business before the House today was the cotton relief legislation urged by Representative Henry, of Texas, and others, who al most prevented adjournment of the last session by insisting on it. The general understanding among mem bers of both houses was that President Wilson would press the bill for govern ment purchase of ocean steamships! the measure to pave the way for ulti mate independence of the Philippines, and the measures proposing a com prehensive plan of dealing with water way improvement and conservation of natural resources. A general water way bill to establish a nation wide system of broad scope such as has been indorsed by a com mittee of the cabinet, will probably be urged. Many other important subjects are pending Included in the list is the rural credits bill, prepared at the last session. There have been intimations that the measure might not be pressed at the short session, the view being that the federal reserve system should lie given a chance to perfect itself be fore any other financial legislation should be undertaken. The immigra tion bill, which failed at the last ses sion with its literacy test, is pending in the Senate. Representative Hobson has begun to urge action on a resolu tion for a national prohibition consti tutional amendment and a constitu tional amendment to provide for wom an suffrage. Both are pending in the House. Good roads legislation reor ganization of the civil service and a 300,000 FRENCH LADS WILL JOIN^THE COLORS Bordeaux, Dec. 5.—The 300,000 youths yf 18 years in France, who normally would begin service in the army in Oc tober of 1916 are by government de cree to be called to present themselves for examination beginning on the 20th af this month. Their military training probably will begin next March. Should the necessity arise, .these youths probably could be sent to the fighting line next July. bill to regulate the output of radlunt also await action. Interest In Foreian Affairs, Foreign affairs are certain to occupy attention of the Senate. The admin istration Is said to desire action on the Nicaraguan treaty, through which the United States would acquire another interoceanic canal route and naval station rights In the bay of Fonseca for $3,000,000. It also hopes for action on the pending treaty with Colombia to settle the partition of Panama for $25,000,000. Opposition to both treaties Is promised by republicans of the for eign relations committee. In preliminary discussions of appro priations the estimates for the new federal trade commission, to supervise the business of Industrial corporations, are promised. The board will be or ganized in the near future. President Wilson has said he will appoint Its five members early In the winter. Lively debate also is expected over the rivers and harbors appropriation bill, which has been under consideration ever since the old bill was filibustered to death In the last session and a blanket appropriation of $20,000,000 was substi tuted ■ ' :y on public works already under w, v in the main, however, It Is believed -hat chtef attention will have to be given to the usual supply bills of the government In order to complete them before this congress ends by operation of law on March 4, next. GIRL GUT OFFHAIR TO PAYROOM RENT Pitiful Tale of Chicago Office Girl Wins Her $9 a Week Position. Chicago, Dec. 7.—A young woman, who cut olt her hair and sold It In order to pay her room rent, told the most pitiful of many disheartening stories related today at the emergency employment bureau conducted in Chi cago. She gave her name as Mary Simpson, her age as 22, and was a pic ture of despondency as she sat In the waiting room with a boy’s knitted cap pulled down to her epj-j cover tile short hair, ' i ‘‘TWO Weks ago she was dismissed front her place as an office clerk, which paid her $7.00 per week. Her small savings went to buy a coat when the cold weather came. "• “I had my hair cut off to pay the room rent, which was $4 back,” she said. "I asked a woman on the street whose hair was the same color as mine If she did not want some more. She said she would pay me $2.50 for It. Now that's all gone but 7 cents. My landlady said she would not trust me any more, and I had to give up my room. All this week I have lived on half a pint of cream a day, which costs me 10 cents a day. "Last night I met a girl whs earns $6 a week and she took me to her room and told me to come back if I could find work. This morning I walked from Fifty-fifth street (seven miles) to save carfare.” A position paying $9 a week was found for the girl. MINING! MPANYTI REVEAL ITS FILES Welborn Agrees to Show Fed eral Commission Directors’ Private Correspondence. Denver, Colo., Dec. 7.—“Is these any one else that you communicate with In New York, except John D. Rocke feller. Jr?” Chairman Walsh, of the federal Industrial relations commis sion. asked J. F. Welborn, president of the Colorado Fuel & Iron company, who resumed his testimony today In the Investigation of the Colorado coal miners' strike. Mr. Welborn said he had heard from George J. Gould and others of the seven New York directors of the company. "To save time. I shall ask you to file with us all the telegrams you have received from Mr. Rockefeller, Star J. Murphy and Jerome Greene,” said the chairman. "I will bring all the telegrams I have," replied Welborn. The witness then Identified a tele gram from John D. Rockefeller, jr., made public yesterday by John R. Lawson, of the United Mine Workers. • “But I should not care to have the telegrams given out as this was yes terday," he said. Mr. Welborn said tho company had 13 directors, seven living In Now York and six In Denver, that the meetings of the company were held in Denver and communication held with the Rockefeller Interests, as represented by Rockefeller. Murphy and Greene. He was asked to file with the com mission al! communications between the New York directors and the Den ver office. REPARATION CLAIMS AGAINST RAILROADS San Francisco Organization Brings Suit to flecover Switching Charges. Washington, Dec. 7.—The San Fran cisco Chamber of Commerce today filed with the Interstate Commerce com mission, on behalf of many shippers large reparation claims for switching charges formerly collected by railroads there. This action was supplemental to similar claims filed by Ix>s Angeles shippers amounting to millions of dol lars. • The commission held the charges il legal and that ruling was sustained by the supreme court. , -. ___ Sawdust and chloride of magnesium are used in Germany to form an ex I tremely hard artificial wood. TIED TO HORSES AND DRAGGED TO DESTRUCTION El Paso, Tex.. Dec. 5.—The American cowboys. Carl Eck, William Bishop and William Spencer, met their death fn Mexico by being dragged by ropes be hind running horses. This was evi denced by their bodies, which arrived today at the border for interment at their homes. Eck. Bishop and Spencer were killed a month ago, supposedlyrby Mexican filibusters at Chocolate Pas*. In central Chihuahua.