1 O’NEIL FRONTIER
— ' ■!
D. H, OWONIH, Publisher.
C^MB=BX=E==_==»rt
Many thousands of humpback sal
mon, native of the Puget sound, where
they were collected by the gove' ament
two years ago, entered P'.»n broke.
Dennys, Penobscot. St. Croix oid other,
rivers In eastern Maine this tvSlumn as
part of the fisheries bureau plan it
Stocking the east with the pridr of the
Pacific coast catch. The bureaus In
vestigation shows that the humpback
In Its new environment retains Its Pa
cific coast habit of proceeding to the
ocean shortly after It begins to swln,
and returning to the livers to spawn
and die when 2 years old. The govern
ment has made annual shipments o(
eggs of the humpback salmon acros^
the continent for the past five yearsi
drawing the consignments alternately
from Washington and Alaska.
Only at one place In the Unite.
States Is there real tropical vegeta
tlon. In the midst of a desert In the ex
treme southern part of California Is i
true oasis. The oasis, Palm Springs, llei
J60 feet below the sea level. So hot U
It there that there is a riot of vegeta
tion all the year round. Enormous fit
trees and mammoth grape fruit and
oranges are always to bo had. Th<
lemons that grow there weigh two and
a half pounds apiece. The responsibil
ity for this may he laid to a beautiful
little stream which Is fed by the Colo*,
rado river and which flows through the
oasis only to disappear Into the ground
at Us end.
There Is a stretch of railway alonj
the west coast of Ireland, where M
was formerly not an uncommon occur
rence for the trains to bo blown front
the rails by the winds from the ocean,
These disasters are now prevented by
the use of an Ingenious form of ane
mometer which rings an alarm bell
when the velocity of the wind reaches
66 miles an hour. Each station on the
line keeps on hand a stock of movable
bnllnst. a ton of which is placed aboard
car arriving at the station after
the bell sounds.
A company, owned chiefly by O. C
Barber, the match manufacturer, hat
Just opened a new plant on the shore
of Lake Erie. The salt Is reached by
drilling to a depth of about 2,000 feet;
then great thickness of solid rook sail
are found. Fresh water is forced down
the wells and the salt dissolved into
brine, which Is raised by pumping, and
goes through various processes of set
tling, purifying and steam heat evapo
ration.
When the war began the highest type
of airplane could not bo depended upon
to do much mere than 60 miles an hour.
Today the speedier war plains make
120 miles an hour In long ■ flights,
where the best machines formerly car
ried two men, or their equivalent In
weight, the larger machines of the
present will safely carry a ton or more
of cargo. ,
The smallest passenger carrying rail
way in England Is to be found on th«
estate of S. P. Derbyshire, at Ikeston.
The gauge of tho roadbed Is only seven
Inches. The engine, a porfect model of
the Midland railway 1,000 class, Is three
quarter horse power and will haul tout
adult passengers on Its miniature bogie
truck.
Secretary McAdoo announces that
war insurance has been subscribed for
to the extent ef more than $662,000,000
since October 8. This amount repre
sents 64,158 applications. Applications
come In at the rate of 4,000 to 6,000 a
day, sometimes more, it is said, with
**i average ef $3,603 for each man.
There will soon be a corps of fer
rets on the battle front In France for
tho purpose of helping to clear out the
now infesting the galleries In the
chalk hills left by the Germans in their
retreat. The ferrets are now being
mobilized and several hundred have
been shipped.
The United States bureau of fisheries'
has received complete revised figures
showing the number of fur seals in the
various categories In the Alaskan herd
as determined by the census taken this
s ason. The herd is shown to have con
tained 468,692 animals.
When tho village board of Lena, 111,
Ignored the request of the electrlo light
company for a higher rate the company
turned off the current and left the town
In darkness until the utilities commis
sion ordered It to furnish lights.
has been found under Cleveland
and prepared for market for many
years, but the city has only recently
awakened to the fact that sufficient
aalt underlies it and the immediate vi
cinity to supply the world.
Hawaii is the only place under United
States control where the humble cent
Is not used. However now that the
war tax is effective, it is expected that
the much despised coin will become
popular in Honolulu.
The tusks of the cow elephants have
been found best adapted to the mak
ing of billiard balls. The tusk of the
female is not so curved as that of the
male and tile fine nerve passage Is not
so clearly seen.
Roy Wolfe, a one armed Jitney bus
driver of Nashville. Mich., has adopted
a new rule. If he hears anyone voicing
opposition to America off his auto ho
or she goes, to walk the rest of the
Journey.
It Is announced that the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad has begun to Install elec
tric headlights on all of Its locomotives.
The Improvement will be made at the
rate of from "5 to 100 engines a month.
Mrs. Maranda F. Adams, principal of
the Emerson school, Portland, Me., knit
. a pair of Red Cross socks in 11 hours
and 20 minutes and at the same time
read the life ef Robert Louis Stevenson.
E. B. Tobey, of Center Winthrop, Me.,
. gathered from 117 hills of cranberry
beans 38 pounds of dry shelled beans
He claims to have harvested 826 beans
from one pea bean.
The province of Barcelona has ah
, area of 2.966 square miles and 1,136,068
Inhabitants. The city of Barcelona, the
largest in Spain, has a permanent pop
ulation of 800,000.
The world’s finest bronze statuary is
cast in sand found in France that con
• tains about 30 per cent silica and 20
per cent alumina.
An authority on finance has been
, Investigating American millionaires and
finds that all except 20 started life
as poor boys.
Most fruits contain from 75 to 95 per
cent water and a remainder of woody
fiber or cellulose, fruit sugar and mir.
•rals.
The Washington apple crop this year
la estimated at 3,660 barrels which is
•bout 6 per cent above that of last year.
It la estimated tiat Britain’s coal
•upply will last 720 year* and Ger
fetanj ’i U00 yaaro.
NEBRASKA PRODUCED
GREAT CROP IN 1917
Though Wheat Crop Was Near
ly a Failure, Other Crops
Made Up Deficiency.
Omaha, Neb., Jan. 14.—For the first
time in history Nebraska practically
lost a wheat crop in 1917. The crop of
last year was less then 20 per cent of
the average. Was Nebraska discour
aged 7 Not at all. Tho farmers an
svvrred the appeal of tho state counoil
of defense, and the destroyed wheat
acreage was sowed to oats and bar
lev. or planted in corn. With farms
hard hit by the selective draft, the
farmers “speeded up” to the limit, and
(lie result was the largest corn crop In
the state's history—more than 260,
000,000 of bushels. The oats produc
tion was also a record breaker, exceed
ing tiie best previous yield by several
millions of bushels.
Here is a fact that cannot be dis
puted: Nebraska in 1917 produced a
greater surplus of foodstuffs than any
other state, measured either by pop
ulation or totals. Although the wheat
crop was deemed a total failure, Ne
braska produced enough to supply
her own needs for bread and seed,
and had a few millions of bushels to
spare to the armies In the field. Ne
braska raised enough sugar for her
own consumption and had almost as
much more for her contribution to
the allies. Three years ago not a
pound of potash was produced in Ne
braska, and the United Stntes pro
duced less than 5 per cent of the pot
ash it consumed the remaining 95 per
cent coming mainly from Germany,
Today the United States Is producing
practically every bit of potash it is con
sumlng, and Nebraska Is producing 75
per cent of it. Tho potash produced in
Nebraska in 1917 was worth more in
dollars than the gold mined in any om
state in the union. Following Is a con
servative statement of Nebraska pro
duction lri 1917, based upon th'e aver
age of prices prevailing during the year:
Corn .$.325,000,000
Wheat . 30,000,000
Other grains . 70,000,000
Potatoes . 12,000,000
Fruits . S, 000,000
Uoiash . 18,000,000
Meat spiffs . 100,000.000
Batter . 25,000,000
Poultry . 20,000,000
Kggs . 35,000.000
Garden producsts . 10,000,000
Sugar . 9,000,000
Value added In manufacturing.. 30,000,000
Grand total for year .$61)2,000,000
This means a wealth production
of nearly $550 per capita for the year
—a record that Nebraska challenges
any other state to excel.
On December 31, 1917, Nebraskans
had more than $400,000,000 on deposit
In the state and nutlonal hanks of the
state, or approximately $300 per cap
ita—another record which challenges
comparison.
▲
GOVERNOR NEVILLE MAY
VISIT AT FREMONT
i'remont, Neb.. Jan. 14.—It Is likely
that Governor Neville will appear on
the program of the Nebraska Volun
teer Firemen’s asssoelation, which con
venes in Fremenot next Tuesday. Presi
dent Harry Hauser, of the state asso
ciation, has asked the governor to como
and has assurance that he will If pos
sible. Ross L. Hammond is to give a
lecture on the European war before the
convention.
♦—
NEVILLE NOT DECIDED
ON POLITICAL COURSE
Lincoln. Neb., Jan. 14.—Governor
Neville declines to tell the reporters
whether he will accept the advice of
Arthur F. Mullen, putative democratic
boss, und run for the senate. The gov
ernor insists that he has no plans
for the future, and that all he has now
in mind Is to serve out the remain
der of his term. Ho will not say wheth
er he will ugaln bo a candidate for gov
ernor. The anti-Bryan faction has been
doing its best to get somebody to run
against Lieutenant Governor Howard.
The fact that It is now seeking to fire
the governor with ambition to be a
candidate Indicates a change In plans,
as originally Neville was to be groomed
as a successor to Hitchcock, when the
latter runs for president two years
hence. The governor is not at this time
feeling kindly towards the Hitchcock
group because he believes they defeat
ed his ambition to enter the was as a
colonel, so that Howard might be kept
out of the governor’s chair.
LODGE MEMBER SUES
TO ENFORCE HIS CLAIM
Lincoln, Nob., Jan. 14.—Argument la
being heard before the Nebraska su
preme court in a case from Saline coun
ty, involving the question of whether
the supreme lodge of the Ancient Order
of United Workmen had legal authority
to enact a bylaw providing for the pay
ment of members, when they reached
the age of 70 years, of a form of invest
ment or endowment Insurance in the
form of cash. The amount to be paid
was determined by paying back all the
money they had paid into the bene
ficiary fund, together with all emer
gency fund payments, together with 4
per cent simple interest on each sum,
to be figured on the payments made
each year from January 1.
George T. Hanot became a member
in 1888 in Friend. He says that the en
actment of this bylaw was an induce
ment for him to remain in the order.
When he reached the age of 70 ho ap
plied for the payment of *671.90, due
him under that section. The lodge re
fused to pay, and he sued. The district
court denied his claim, and he appealed.
The Workmen claim the lodge had
no power to make such a contract, being
limited by the state law to issuing cer
tificates to pay sick or physical disa
bility benefits and death claims.
SAYS MANY AUSTRIANS
IN PACKING HOUSES
Omaha, Neb., Jan. 14.—Judge H. H.
Claiborne, an Omaha attorney, who has
been assisting registrants in filling out
their questionnaires, has called the at
tention of army officials to the alleged
fact that 10 per cent of the men assisted
by him in the packing house district
are Austrian reservists of the class of
1919. eH says other attorneys have
noted the same condition.
The men are employed in depart
ments that are filing extensive con
tracts for the government, and, in the
opinion of Judge Caliborne, have op
portunities to tamper with the supplies
intended for American soldiers abroad
and in training camjis.
OMAHA—Thomas Enright, 65 years old.
lay on a bed unconscious for several hours
from two bullet wounds In the head, while
his wife, deaf and feeble, was In the next
room. Ignorant of the tragedy She did
not hear the shots, and discovered what
had happened only when she went Into
her husband's room. He died at a hospi
tal. Enright Is believed to have taken
h!s life in a fit of despondency over ill
health. A pistol, partly loaded, was 'ouml
by his side.
In Heligoland the Sabbath begins at
6 o'clock on Saturday evening, when
the church bells are rung, and ceases
on the following day at the same hour.
NEBRASKA FARMERS
GO INTO POLITICS
——
To Hold Convention to Give En
dorsement to Various
Candidates.
T.incoln, Neb., Jan. 12.—Politics Is
Very freely discussed by the hundreds
of farmers in the city attending the an
nual convention of the Nebraska Farm
ers’ Union, which now numbers 35,000
members. At an informal caucus ifi
was determined that the farmers of
the state will hold a delegate convention
possibly in April, at which it will make
indorsements of candidates for senator
and governor, and probably for other
officers.
All of the men present at the meeting
were members of the union. Some of
them are also members of the non
partisan league, which is organizing
the farmers of the state for political ac
tion. It hits not been made clear wheth
the movement inaugurated yesterday is
an effort on the part of the members of
the Farmers’ Union to get into politics
and thus forestall the efforts of the
league, which is being pushed largely
by men from North Dakota, or whether
it will eventuate into a combination
with the league to control state politics.
A resolution was adopted at the cau
cus favorable to Carl E. Slatt, a well to
do farmer of Clay county, an organizer
of the Farmers’ Union and also identi
fied with the non-partisan league, as the
candidate for governor. It was made
clear at the meeting that the farmers
will entirely disregard party lines at the
next election, and if necessary to con
trol any primary will enter it in a body,
which is possible outside the registra
tion area.
Between 700 and 800 members are in
attendance at the Farmers’ Union con
vention. Business and organization
problems are expected take up most of
the time. As a side issue an effort may
be made to defeat C. H. (tustafson for
president. He has held the office for
four years. It is possiblo a rule will be
proposed limiting officers to two years.
The union gained 25 per cent in mem
bership during the year, now owns 100
elevators, 37 general stores and oper
ates coal and lumber yards at various
points. Its object is to develop the so
cial life of farmers and also to employ
their capital in a co-operative way so
that thev will be represented in both the
buying and selling end. The union’s
exchange at Omaha did a $2,000,000
business last year.
NEBRASKA LEGISLATURE
MAY MEET SPECIAL
Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 12.—Governor Ne
hille is being besieged to call the legis
lature in extra session for the purpose
of passing a law that will permit the
20,000 men that will be in the mili
tary service bby the next election, to
vote. The last legislature passed a law
that is not at all applicable. It pro
vided for three commissioners, who
should go to where the soldiers are, and
secure their marked ballots. As the sol
diers of Nebraska will be scattered
everywhere by that time, this is imprac
ticable.
Governor Neville says that he would
be glad to help in the matter, but he
says that apparently the state consti
tution, In forbidding soldiers in the reg
ular army to vote, makes this impos
sible. The object of the constitutional
enactment was to prevent members of
the regular army stationed in the state
to take part in state enactments, but
as the major part of the soldiers from
this state will be members of the reg
ular army within nine months, it would
do no good to pass such a law.
NEBRASKA REPUBLICANS
TO HOLD CONFERENCE
Fremont, Neb., Jan. 12.—Half a hun
dred representative republicans from
various parts of the state have accept
ed the invitation of L. D. Richards,
one time candidate for governor, to
meet in conference here for the pur
pose of discussing the state of the
party. The program does not include
any endorsement of candidates, but it
may be that one result will be to so
lidify sentiment for some 100 per cent
American for senator and governor.
Ross L. Hammond, who has been men
tioned as a possible candidate for sen
ator, was supposed to be the intended
beneficiary of the gathering, but those
in charge say that it is no person’s
interest and that all that is desired is
a consensus of opinion
BOYS SIMPLY LOST
ALL OF THEIR NERVE
Des Moines, Ta„ Jan. 12.—William F.
Keenan and Franklin McDonald, of
Marshalltown, la., have been acquitted
in federal court of defrauding the gov
ernment.
The lads enlisted at Marshalltown
last October and were given meal tick
ets and transportation to Omaha. After
enjoying a jaunt to the Nebraska me
tropolis at the government’s expense
they failed to report for duty.
Defendants set up as a defense that
It was not their intention to defraud
the government. They said their inten
tions were good, but they lost their
nerve.
EXEMPTION BOARDS DO
THEIR WORK FREE
Des Moines, Ia„ Jan. 12.—Members of
12 local draft boards of Iowa have
filed estimates with the federal dis
bursing officer in which they are ask
ing for no remuneration for personal
services during the month of February.
The following are the boards: Chero
kee. Washington, Delaware, Howard,
Hardin. Johnson. Winneshiek, Benton
Clayton and Iaicas counties and the
first and second divisional boards of
Davenport.
—♦—
BABE SMOTHERED UNDER
HEAVY BED CLOTHING
Omaha, Neb., Jan. 12.—Thoughtful
ness of little 3-year-old Grace Newman
and her heroic attempt to keep her 3
week-old baby brother warm during
the absence of the mother, ended in a
tragedy at the home of E. R. Newman
701 South Thirty-fifth street.
The sister had buried the brother
beneath an avalanche of bed clothing
and upon the return of the mother the
apparently lifeless body of the baby
was extricated. By the aid of a pul
motor the baby was revived, but with
in a short time suffered a relapse and
died.
THIS YOUNG WOMAN
WROTE BAD CHECKS
Omaha, Neb., Jan. 12.—Ellen Oleson,
who pleaded guilty to being a female
"Jim the Penman,” was held to the dis
trict court on a bad check charge.
Ellen claims that she is from New
man Grove, Neb., and the lure of the
white lights attracted her to Omaha,
where it is alleged she passed bad
checks on several large stores.
She lived in styie at. the Honshaw
hotel while here and on her departure
she was traced to Grand Island, Lincoln
and to various towns in northern Kan
sas by a trail of bad checks. They,
totaled over JiiGO, it is alleged.
GOVERNOR NEVILLE.
TO FINISH HIS TERM
With the Seventh Regiment Dis
banded He “Refuses" to
Blame Hitchcock.
Lincoln. Neb., Jan. 10.—In spite of
the statement of Governor Neville made
publicly and exonerating Senator
Hitchcock from responsibility for the
death of the Seventh regiment, he is
known to have privately expressed his
resentment. Evidence is accumulating
here that the governor or the regiment,
one or the other, or both, were made
the victims of a political plot. Lieuten
ant Governor Howard says he has pos
itive information that the order which
barred the Seventh from any part in
the war as a unit was sealed and signed
at Washington before the department
(vent through the motions of sending an
officer here to inspect the companies.
He performed this function and his re
port was filed. Later he sent out a list
of defects to be remedied, and this was
done. Still later came word that the
regiment would not be called. Mr. How
ard says that all the time the order
that prevented the Seventh from ever
serving was on file.
Governor Neville says he will finish
out ids term. He has a fine new col
onel’s uniform that some of the merry,
hearted are suggesting that he present
lo the historical society museum. Oth
ers are suggesting that the way is open
for him to enlist as a private.
HITCHCOCK INDIFFERENT
TO WOMAN SUFFRAGE
Omaha, Nob., Jan. 10.—Senator Gil
bert. M. Hitchcock is "rather indiffer
ent" to woman suffrage and almost
converted to prohibition. He said so
in ah interview in Omah as he was
about to leave f,:r Washington.
The senator's views on both subjects
have changed from what they were in
the past. Still, he doesn’t believe that
either woman suffrage or prohibition
will become national laws for a long
time.
"To me it doesn't seem right that 36
states should have the power to say to
12 other states 'You must have woman
suffrage’ if those 12 vote against it.
Personally 1 do not believe the question
will be submitted. However, if it is, I
shall not oppose it. I feel rather indif
ferent toward it.
"On the question of national prohibi
tion, it is doubtful whether the 'dry"
forces can elect 'dry' legislatures in
enough states to get the necessary ma
jority, in spite of the fact that the
‘wet’ forces throughout the whole coun
try are demoralized. Anyway, whisky
is knocked out for the duration of the
war. So the problem is not pressing
at present. Prohibition works fine in
Nebraska. We are certainly prosper
ous.”
—+—
MAN WHO SHOT SHERIFF
ASKING NEW TRIAL
Lincoln, Neb., Jarp 10.—Carl Bert
Whitcomb, convicted in Adams county
nf an attempt to kill Sheriff Cole, has
been before the supreme court asking
for a new trial. His attorney claimed
that the court permitted seven men to
act as jurors who admitted on their
examination that they had formed an
opinion from their reading of news
papers that would require testimony to
remove. The question is of importance
as it involves the point whether opin
ions formed on newspaper accounts bar
a man from serving as a juror. Whit
comb and the sheriff engaged in a shot
gun duel when the officer sought to
serve ejectment papers on him. Both
were badly injured. The sheriff lost a
leg as the result of the injuries inflict
ed on him, and Whitcomb's life was
despaired of for a time.
—♦—
WANT FORMER GOVERNOR
TO TAKE JOB AGAIN
Lincoln, Neb., Jan 10.-—The I-Iitch
cock-Mullen group of democrats are
credited with an effort to get former
Governor Morehead to enter the gov
ernorship race against C. W. Bryan.
So far they have not been able to get
a candidate against Lieutenant Gover
nor Howard. The Bryan faction glee
fully declares that with the breweries
and saloons gone the reactionary fac
tion cannot offer enough inducements
for any candidate to enter against their
men.
W. J. Taylor, mentioned at one time
as a possible candidate of the Farm
ers’ Nonpartisan league, may become a
candidate for lieutenant governor on
the Bryan primary ticket.
FISH IN SHELL ROCK
RIVER ARE DYfNG
Greene. Ia., Jan. 10.—The fish in the
Shell Itock river are dying in great
numbers and hundreds of them have
been found on the banks of the river,
where they were washed ashore.
In' places it is said that they could
be gathered by the wagon load. The
cause of their death is unknown, but
some believe it is caused from the
refuse which is dumped into Lime
creek at Mason City, and which empties
into the Shell Rock river.
WAKEFIELD, NEB., MAN
GETS FINE PRESENT
Essex, la., Jan. 10.-—One Nebraskan
is enriched $1,000 because a loving
father and mother have been married
50 years. Charles A. Sar. oi Wakefield,
is the fortunate man. His parents, Mr.
and Mrs. C. J. Sar. of Essex, celebrated
their golden wedding, as a feature event
of the new year, and in recognition of
the unusual character of the anniver
sary they have given each of their five
children, including the Dixon county
son, a check for $1,000.
-—
FREMONT EDITOR IS
DRAWING BIG CROVlDS
Ercmont. Neb.. Jan. 10.—Editor Ross
L. Hammond, who came back yesterday
afternoon from his war lecture tour
says that he has been drawing packed
houses wherever he has gone. He says
that on the coolest nights the biggest
buildings in many towns have been in
sufficient to hold those who turned out
Having had some previous experience
in lecturing on a less interesting sub
ject than the war, Mr. Hammond says
that the crowds do not flatter him, but
they do convince him that Nebraskans
have become stirred up to the situa
tion. Mr. Hammond left this afternoon
for Wahoo, where he will speak at a big
patriotic rally tonight.
-•*—
NO SPECIAL SESSION
OF THE LEGISLATURE
Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 10.—When shown
Associated Press dispatches from Chi
cago saying that the prohibitionlet call
for a special national convention in
March had appealed to the governors
of dry states to call a special session of
the legislature to ratify the federal pro
hibition amendment Gov. Keith Neville,
of Nebraska, said that no special ses
sion for such purpose will be called in
Nebraska this year. Nebraska it: dry
under a state constitutional amend
ment.
[CUT TRAIN SERVICE
INTO SOUTH DAKOTA
! -
Nebraska Railway Commission
Grants Northwestern Roac1
the Right.
Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 11—The state rail
way commission has issued an order
permitting the immediate discontinu
ance of four trains on the Northwestern
railroad, subject to complaint and fu
ture determination. Tne order covers
two passenger trains that run between
Omaha and Long Pine and two that
travel between South Norfolk and Win
ner, S' I). The commission holds that
as there are two passenger and two
freight trains now running between
Omaha and Long Pine and two pas
senger and freight trains on the Win
ner line, the service will bo sufficient.
The emergency order was issued as
a part of the policy of tlie government,
which proposes to cut down service on
the branch lines to tile minimum, but
which will insure service thereon.
SUPREME COURT TO
ADVANCE THIS CASE
Lincoln. Neb.. Jan. 11.—The supremo
■ourt will advance for nearing the case
which involves the question of whether
the man who leases state school lands
or the state itself lias the right to the
minerals thereon. The lower court said
the state was the owner. The point
especially involves the question of
whether the state is entitled to the roy
alty the potash production companies
tire paying for the brine taken from
lakes on school lands. One ranchman
in Sheridan county gets $1,000 royalty
for brine from lakes on lands he owns
that he bought from tlie state for a
few houndred dollars. The state hopes
to get in on the further production,
there being millions of dollars worth of
potasli in the lakes yet untouched, ac
cording to estimates mads.
WEALTHY FARMER SAYS HE
IS BEING BLACKMAILED
Lincoln. Neb., Jan. 11.—Samuel A.
Westling, a wealthy farm owner and
business man of Kenesaw. Adams
county, has appealed to the supreme'
court from a judgment giving $3,500 to
John M. Baker, his former tenant.
Baker claimed that while he was away
selling stock Westing visited his wife
and succeeded in establishing relations
that continued for the greater part of
the four years Baker operated the
Westing ranch. Baker sued for $15,000.
Westing claims that it is a senemt
cf the Bakers to extort money from
aim by blackmail, and he asks the su
premo court to reverse the judgment
Mrs. Baker testified on behalf of her
husband. She said that the liaison be
gan without her consent and that she
frequently protested against its con
tinuance. A daughter of the Bakers
lived for months with the Westings in
Kenesaw, and the Bakers say this was
part of a plan to get her away from
where she could find out what was go -
ng on.
—f—
BIG POTASH CONCERN
HAS CHANGED HANDS
Lincoln, Neb., Jan. 11.—W. E. Sharp
and F. J. Sharp, of Lincoln, have pur
chased the American Potash company
lit Antioch, one of the corporations that
has been minting money out of potash
akes in that section. The deal in
volves $1,000,000 or over, and the trans
fer includes $500,000 worth of build
ings and cottages and lakes and leases
an lakes. Mr. Sharp recently organized
the Western Potash company with Lin
coln capital, and it is building a plant
at Antioch that will refine all of the
seven chemicals found in the solids
Where potash is lo-'ated.
The American has sold $1,500,000
worth of potash since last June, and in
‘.he nine months in whicli it has been
.n operation it has paid back all the
money invested and 130 per cent in
dividends.
MOTHER AND CHILDREN
ARE FINALLY REUNITED
Tecumseh, Neb., Jan. 31.—After being
separated from, her mother for 20 years
ind not knowing of her whereabouts,
Mrs. K. M. Kelley, of Brownville, at
die beginning of the new year has found
her mother and they have been reunit
ed. When Mrs. Kelley and a brother
were children the family lived neai
Hebron and on account of adverse cir
cumstances the two children wer sent
to a home in Lincoln. They were adopt
ed by other families and the boy went
to Phillipsburg, Kan., and the daugh
ter to Brownville. Recently the son
located the mother in Colorado. The
mother came to Brownville to sed her i
daughter, whom she had not seen since
babyhood, and will also visit her lost
son.
—4—
HER ERROR RESULTS
IN NEW WAY TO KNIT
Hastings, Neb., Jan. 11.—Mrs. Joseph
B. Krai, of this city, thought she had
followed the official directions to the
last detail when she finished a sweater
for the Hastings Red Cross chapter and
her mistake would not have been dis
covered if tiie superior form of the gar
ment had not attracted the attention of
the inspector at headquarters.
She had used the slip and knit stitcli
and otherwise deviated from the in
structions. The garment was sent in a
separate package to the division head
quarters at Chicago and now \vord has
come from the supreme authority or I
knitting there, that hereafter the |
proper way to knit sweaters will be
the wrong way, or the one Mrs. Krai
discovered without knowing it. The
Krai pattern has been adopted officially
for the entire division.
O’NEILL PIONEER IS
LAID TO FINAL REST
O'Neill, Neb., Jan. 11—Mrs. McKenna
aged about !H) years, was buried from
the Catholic church here. Mrs. McKen
na leaves four sons, James, Charles
Hugh and John, and two daughters
Mrs. Mary Williamson, of Independence,
la., and Mrs. John McManus, of O’Neill
The McKennas came to this country
and homesteaded. Mrs. McKenna saw
the virgin west transformed from o
wilderness to a land of plenty and she
never tired of telling the rising genera
tion of the great herds of wild creatures
and prairie grass conflagrations she saw
when the west was young.
—4—
VJANTS MEN TO ENLIST
IN GUARD REGIMENT
Omaha. Neb., Jan. 11.—Governor Ne
ville, wired the secretary of war las'
night asking that special permissioi
be given the members of the Seventb
Nebraska regiment which was ordered
disbanded yesterday to enlist in the
former Nebraska National Guard regi
ments r.ow at Camp Cod;.. These men,
having already enrolled in the Seventh,
were unable to enlist in other units be
fore the time expired under draft regu
lations. Governor Neville was colonel
of the Seventh.
BAKER OPPOSES
Mira PLAN
Tells Senate Committee Reor
ganization Now Going on
Renders Scheme Un
necessary.
SENATORS FIND FAULT
—
! Investigators Pick Flaws in His
Statement and Charge He
Gave Country Wrong
Impression.
Washington, Jan. 14.—.Establishment
of a munitions director was disap
proved today by Secretary Baker in
testifying before the Senate military
committee, who said the reorganization
:>f the war department is virtually simi
lar to the British munitions purchasing
system.
The committee demanded to know
what had been done about 1,200 Lewis
machine guns held in storage while
cantonments and camps need them for
practice.
Will Distribute Guns.
Secretary Baker promised that they
Immediately would be distributed, and
Senator Weeks observed that the distri
bution had been delayed a month
"That is the essence of this whole
thing,” said Senator Weeks. "There is
delay, too much delay. Things that
should be done at once are delayed
alien every day counts."
“Mr. Secretary," Chairman Chamber
lain broke in, “your general statements
sf conditions are all calculated to leave
the impression that all these matters
ire really in good shape.” The senator
cited reports concerning shortages at
■"amp Sherman and added:
“The effect on the country of your
statements is to lull it into a feeling of
security that everything has been done
;hat should have been done. I don't
think it has.”
"I think the country is entitled to
feel secure." Mr. Baker re-plied ear
nestly. "When the facts are known, the
country will feel secure.”
Senator Hitchcock, another demo
cratic member of the committee; said:
"But, Mr. Secretary, we have specific
testimony of exact clothing shortages,
while your testimony seems to contra
dict them completely."
Final Equipment Needed.
Mr. Baker said the shortage cited
might be of fin..l and not initial-equip
ment.
"1 agree with (he chairman,” con
tinued Senator Hitchcock, "that you
seem to have the impression that every
thing is lovely, that there are no short
ages and that these reports are un
justified."
“Quite the contrary,” Mr. Baker ans
wered. "I want to give the picture as it
is. There was a shortage of overcoats
and other clothing. But I think the fig
ures of shortages you have were at tin*
climax of shortages. I think the coun
try ought to have the knowledge that
since those discouraging days supplies
have been very much increased. Con
ditions are not perfect, of course.”
"The fault T find,” the chairman re
plied, "is that If congress and the people
get the impression, which your general
statements give, that everything is all
right, they will believe that no legislu
tion to correct the department’s sys
tem is necessary, and from our testi
mony I think it is necessary.”
"But. I must insist.” said Mr. Baker,
"that under facts as they are the coun
try is entitled to reassurance.”
Mr. Baker cited statistics of shortage
early in December and how supplies
had been increased during the month.
Mistakes in distribution and also in
furnishing correct sizes, he contended,
also contributed to shortages.
Senator Wadsworth insisted t'ual the
war department had developed, in the
Mexican border service, that shoe sizes
were not properly standardized.
Chairman Chamberlain declared sani-v
tary conditions and overcrowding of
men, with lack of clothing, at Camp
Bowie, were reported to the department
in September, and should have been
called to the secretary’s attention as
epidemics, predicted by the camp com
mander. had followed in December.
Secretary Baker replied that his ad
visors said no trouble in canvas
housing of men was probable.
“It turned out that the camps in'
which there was the most sickness were
the canvas camps,” said Mr. Baker.
Senator Weeks said Major General
Greble, Camp Bovie’s commander, had
reported conditions to four high officers
in the department
“That is the tr< bio with the depart
ment, Senator 1’ ehcock, interrupted.
“Nobody knows > here to submit any
thing. being sir :ed from pillar to
post.”
Senator Frelir uysen asked If all
clothing manufat ring facilities of the
country were use
Not Usir 'weat Shops.
"The sweatshi system was prohi
bited from the ' inning," Mr. Baker
replied c :a : knowledge that
large and well kno.vn Rochester, N. Y.
factories v le not used.
Turnin to cantonment death condi
tions Secretary Baker conceded there
were complaints and differences of op
inion regarding architecture of hospi
tals.
Senator Wadsworth said the Spar
tanburg, S. C.. camp hospital was built
with open roofs, like the Panama zone
hospitals, and had to be roofed ovf-r
when near zero weather came. Secre
tary Baker replied that all hospitals
had been built on plans recommended
by Surgeon General Gorgas.
Recent reorganization of the depart
ment and Its bureaus, especially the
ordnance bureau was detailed by Sec
retary Baker. The old system, he said,
imposed "impossible" burdens of co
ordination on the secretary.
POPE USES WILSON
ADDRESS AS LEVER
Urges King of Austria to Use
His Influence With Ger
man Kaiser.
Rome, Jan. 12.—Intimation that Pope
Benedict has diplomatically called the
attention of Emperor Karl, of Austria,
to President Wilson’s war aims mes
sage and suggested that ho seek to in
fluence the Herman kaiser to consider
its terms was had here today. Official
comment was refused. These reports
declared the pope had called attention
of the Catholic heads in Austria to the
pope’s own" peace efforts and the fact
rhat they so nearly coincide with the
ideas expressed by the president.