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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 8, 1923)
PRICE BOOST BRINGS REVOLT; HOKES LOOTED Police Overpowered by Crowds — Government Promis es Early Relief BY O. D TOLISCHUB Universal Service Correspondent Berlin, Nov. 5.—Food riots and mass plunderings of stores, homes, and even individuals on the streets, broke out anew in Berlin Monday to add to the excitement already raised to fever heat by rumors of revolu tion and civil war flying thick and fast. Embittered by fantastic price in creases in the wake of the transition from the paper mark to gold prices, the populace rose up in many quar ters In Berlin and hit out in helpless rage. Large masses of people, among them rr>any women with empty mar ket baskets, marched through the streets crying, cursing and shouting. Bread and work were their de mands. For the first time, also, the cry of “down with the Jews” was heard in such demonstrations in Berlin. Individual Jews whom the mobs happened to meet were attack ed, beaten and robbed. Some were even robbed of all their clothing and left naked in the street. Police Overpoured. Small troops of security police were easily overpowered and before the reserves could be mustered to cope with the situation, flying squads of the marching mobs invaded stores, especially bakeries and meat shops, which were cleaned out. The supplies were immediately snapped up by the voracious mobs and eaten on the spot. Jewish stores were the greatest suffers- One vast crowd assembled in the clothing stores quarters of Berlin and began plundering the shops, dividing the clothes among the crowd. The mob soon grew to nearly 10,000. Some invaded private homes, robbing and plundering them. The inhabitants ran crying into the streets only to fall into the hands of a bigger mob and were beaten and robbed again. The police, after great efforts, sur rounded the whole block and scatter ed the mob. Another mob began a mai ch to ward the stock exchange. The doork were immediately locked and bolted, and the crowd halted before it, Price Increase Causes Trouble The principal cause of the rioting was the sudden raise in the price of bread to 140 billion marks a loaf, 600 per cent, increase in 24 hours. This price was approved by the gov ernment. The price investigation office justified it by the high price Of flour in the open market after the government stopped selling at a re duced rate. The food ministry says the price is too high and promises a reduction. The government at once announced that it will confiscate all flour in the hands of wholesalers in Berlin and sell at a reasonable price. The whole salers are charged with demanding double price because of the danger of a further drop in the mark. The riots for a time overshadowed ©ven the danger of a political up heaval It is now frequently charged that nationalist agitators are at work in citing mobs to further their plans for the overthrow of the government, just as formerly the communists were charged with the same offense. Witness Tells of “Listening in” on *Badger Frameup’ Universal Service Boston, Nov. 5.—Mrs. Mary Louise Lyons, star witness for the state in the trial of the eight alleged mem bers of the Boston blackmail ring that for years preyed on wealthy men by the "badger game,” was forced to admit Monday that she was the Mary Louise Crocker who listened in daily on a dictaphone planted in the law office of Josep C. Pelletier before district attorney had been removed from office. Mrs. Lyons later was employed as a stenographer in the office of the General Drug Company, of which William J. Corcoran, one of the de fendants, was president. She testi fied that she overheard Corcoran boasting of the success of a “frame up” of a victim who was to be "shak en down” for a lot of money. Mrs. Lyons denied, however, that she had been planted in- Corcoran’s office by Godfrey Cabot, millionaire reformer. Libel Suit Against Klan Wizard Is Withdrawn Universal Service Houston, Tex., Nov. 5.—At the plaintiff’s costs, the $100,000 l*bel suit against H. W. Evans, imperial wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, was withdrawn Monday from federal court by George B. Kimbro, Jr., for mer grand goblin. A libel suit is on file in the state civil court. President Lauds Work Done by Salvation Army Universal Service Washington, Nov. 5.—Presick^*. Coolidge, in greeting delegates to the annual anniversary congress of t.',e Salvation Army from the south por tlce of the White House said Mon-* lay that the folly of the belief by many that men are all wrong, had been demonstrated by the success of the army. Ho told delegates that they were f-oUing a f reat hope which was *trh ?ing the vorld to better things. D. S. REFUSES DEMANDS TO DISCUSS DEBT Hughes-Curzon Plan for American Participation Practically Dead BY GEORGE W. HINNIAN, JR. Universal Service Correspondent Washington, Nov. 5.—The Hughcs Curzon scheme for American partici pation in the reparations controversy is practically dead. Only an international miracle can save it from the grave. Secretary Hughes and Ambassa dor Jusserand, mouthpiece of Pre mier Poincare of France, met Mon day at the state department. Mr. Hughes told M. Jusserand that the American plan called for a “broad and inclusive” inquiry into Germany’s capacity to pay. The French ambassador replied that France could not accept this proposal unless simultaneous con sideration were given international debts. Mr. Hughes said the American government could not see how Ger man capacity to pay was affected by what France owes the United States. Immediately after his conference with M. Jusserand, Secretary Hughes went to the White House and laid the entire cast before President Cool idge. M. Jusserand departed to cable the result of his conference to Pre mier Poincare In Paris. Stand of France With Great Britain, Italy and Bel gium all backing the Hughes-Cur zon scheme, only the French premier stands between the United States and American entanglement In the Eu ropean controversy. The official French stand, as re vealed to Mr. Hughes by M. Jusser and, may be summarized as follows: First, France will consent to an inquiry into Germany’s ultimate ca pacity to pay only in case the United States will accept discussion of in ternational debts. Second, France wil Inot consider cancellation of any or the 50,000,000, 900 gold marks in A & B reparations *onds. Third, France will consider can \rjllation of the C bonds, totaling 82, 000,000,000 gold marks, only in pro portion as international debts are adjusted.” Fourth, France will not discuss termini'.ting occupation of any Ger man teiWtory. From the Coolidge-Hughes view point, M. Jusserand’s exposition of the French stand was wholly beside the point. The Washington adminis tration holds that a commission of financial experts should be empow ered to make inquiry into Germany’s capacity to pay reparations. France, in the opinion of the Wash ington administration, would hold full authority to reject or accept the findings of the experts as she might see fit. With reference to French occupa tion of additional German territory, the American views is that, what ever be the merits of the Paris ai gument seeking to justify independ ent military action, the real prob lem is one of putting Germany on her feet economically. Both the president and Mr. Hughes believe that nothing is gained by assaults upon the economic structure of Germany similar to those which followed M. Poincare’s military seizure of the Ruhr basin. Sue has saults are regarded as having a very vital influence upon Germany’s ca pacity to pay. Monday’s conference between Mr. Hughes and Mr. Jusserand lasted nearly two hours. The ambassador characterized the discussion as very friendly and interesting.’’ Mr. Hughes declined to comment. With the termination of the Hughes-Jusserand conference here, the center of interest in the repara tions controversy again shifted to Paris. There political and diplomat ic pressure is being concentrated to persuade M. Poincare to abandon his uncompromising stand. Internal Revenue Agents Attend Instruction School Division Chief R. S. Gadbois of the internal revenue department here, with his zone deputies are attending a school of instruction this week at Dubuque, la. They will receive in struction on income and other taxes from William M. Vastiane of Wash ington, D. C. The latter part of the week In struction wMl be given regarding rules and regulations and fiold pro ceedure. This instruction will be un der the direction of Donald M. Hus ton of the Chicago district. The school of instruction will con tinue throughout the week. Shriners to Assemble in Kansas City in 1924 Universal Service Kansas City, Nov. 5.—It was oft! dally announced h£re>.Monday that the national concUCCe of*ihe National Shriners will, be 4ield in this c'ty June 3, 3, and 5, in *934. Hold Body of Gas Victim Pending Funeral Plans The body of Charlotte French, 15 years old, daughter of Mrs. May French, S10 Seventh street, who died Monday from inhaling gas fumes, is being held at Kidd's undertaking par lors, pending funeral arrangements. The girl was found in the apart ment of Mrs. T. D. I.aitterst, where she had gone to visit Saturday. De spondency over having to give up work and return to school, caused frer to commit suicide friends belle?*. KLAN LEADER IS KILLED BY TEXAS ENEMY Counsel for Simmons Shot By Editor of Imperial Knight Hawk Universal Service Atlanta, Georgia, Nov. 6.—William S. Coburn, widely known attorney, chief counsel for the Simmons fac tion of the Ku Klux Klan, was shot and killed in his office on the ninth floor of the Atlantic Trust building late Monday by Philip Fox, editor of the Imperial Knight Hawk, offi cial organ of the Texas division of the klan. Fox fired four times and fled be ing overtaken and captured on the floor below by Thompson Rogers, private secretary to William Jo seph Simmons, emporer of the klan, who had been waiting in C< burn’s office for a conference with the at torney. The police arriving shortly afterward, placed Fex under arresit and in jail. Women See 8hooting Mrs. Holbrook, stenographer to Coburn, and another woman who was waiting to see Coburn, saw the fatal shooting. Mrs. Holbrook de clared to the police that Coburn and Fox did not speak a word before the shooting. Three of the shots took effect in Coburn’s head and the fourth pierced his stomach. According to Henry Norton, At lanta klan official, Fox Sunday night at the imperial palace, threatened to shoot Dr. Fred Johnson, a friend of Colonel Simmons, but was prevent ed by Morris Moore, a Texas ranger visiting the palace. It was said at Coburn’s office that Fox had made an attempt to see the attorney an hour earlier, but WM Informed Coburn was busy and was told to return in an hour. Fires From Threshold When Fox returned he was shown into Coburn’s private office where* the latter was in conference with a client. Coburn is said to have in formed Fox that he wodld see hlrw in a few minutes. Almost instantly Fox opened the door to the inner office and from the threshold fired the fatal shots. He tl!"n threw the pistol at Coburn, the police were- told. It is reported that Fox, on the way to the police station in custody of officers, said: Well, ’m glad I fin ished that job.” At the police station Fox refused to make any statement, saying he would gLve his entire story of th* shooting later. ELKHART SUES FARM BUREAU Former Official of U. S, Grain Growers Asking $70,000 Damages Lincoln, Neb., Nov. 5.—(Special.)— Events leading to the organization of the United States Grain Growers were related in detail-Monday after noon by W. G. Eckhardt, first treas urer of that corporation, when took the Witness stand as the first witness in the trial of his $70,000 li bel suit against the Nebraska Farrj Bureau Federation, and Prof. JX. Clyde Filiey of the State Agricultur al college. Mr. Eckhart contends thai he was injured by the bureau publi cation in its organ. Former Governor John Burke, of North Dakota, made the opening statement in behalf of the plaintifr, detailing his activities in behalf of the farmer, Harry L. Keefe of Wait hill, Neb., leading counsel for Profes sor Filiey, said Eckhart was a man of great vision, but was wrongly direct ed, in that he went to unwarranted expenditures in an atten.pt to car ry out his mind picture nf not alone grain marketing machinery, but tht purchase of great terminal elevators, coal mines, the erection of huge mllln and the building of ships to export grain Because of this misdirected vision, Mr. Keefe said, the grain growers split into two (actions, with unfortunate results. Eckhardt we~4 the only witness called Monday. Santa Fe Road to Fight Freight Rate Reduction Universal Service Topeka, Kan., Nov. 5.—Freight rates on grain will not be cut by the Atchison, Topeka, end Santa Fe rail road until the *cost of transportation becomes lower, R. G. Merrick, general freight agent for the road declared Monday. Mr. Macrick hinted that the rail roads would attempt to show in their 1 case before the interstate commerce commission at Kansas City Novem- | ber 14 that the history of cuts made In freight rates does not show that the farmer was ever benefited Kansas Bank Turned Over to Federal Authorities Beloit, Kan., Nov. 5.—(U. P.)—The Union National bank here, n million dollar institution, closed its doors Monday when directors voted to liquidate debts and turned the bank over to federal authorities. Outstanding notes to L. A. Mergen and C. '.3. Mergen of Albuquerque, N. Alex., sons of Frank Mergen. president of the back, wen said to huve con tributed to the bank's failure. Deposits are approximately 11,000. 000. PREDICTIONS FAVOR DEMOS Sweeping Victories Expected in Number of State Con tests Tuesday Universal Service Washington, Nov. 6.—Election eve reports reaching Washington Monday night strengthen the belief that the democrats will carry off the honors In most of Tuesday’s senatorial, con* gressional and gubernatorial elections. In Kentucky, where the greatest In terest is centered, William J. Fields, democrat, is given a decided lead over Charles I. Dawson, republican, in the gubernatorial race. If the weather is bad, which would effect the vote in the mountains where the roads are poor and the people have to travel long distances to the polling places, the republicans virtually concede de feat. Their strongest districts are In the mountain section of the state. Gov. Albert C. Ritchie, democrat, also Is expected to triumph decisively over Alexander Armstrong In the Maryland gubernatorial contest. Former Representative Porter H. Dale, republican, should win in the senatorial election In Vermont, al though the democrats are making some claims that Park H- Pollard, their nominee and a cousin of Presi dent Coolidge, has a good chance. Republican Strong In the second congressional district of Vermont where the vacancy was created by Dale’s resignation to run fO£ the senate,. Ernest W. Gibson, re publican, will poll the usual repub lican majority over Burton E. Bailey, democrat. In the four New York congressional contests the democrats are conceded two, the republicans one, and one doubtful. The districts regarded as safely democratic are the 11, where Annlng S. Prall is running against Guy O. Walser, republican, and the 16th, where John J. O’Connor, demo crat, is opposed by John C. O'Con nor, republican. Former Speaker of the Assembly Thaddeus C. Sweet, republican, is believed sure to win over Daniel C. Burke, in the 32rd district. Both democrats and republicans are claiming the the 24th New York dis trict. Former Representative Benj amin Fairchild, republican who was defeated last November, lit again seeking election over Edwt-rd R. Koch, democrat. Doyle Has No Opposition In the fourth Illinois congressional district Thomas J. Doyle, the demo cratic candidate, has no opposition. The republican nominee withdrew. In the sixth Arkansas district the democratic candidate, J. A. Relr, likewise is unopposed. All of these congressional vacan cies, except Vermont, were caused by deaths. Political leaders on both sides a»* watching more closely than any othe. state, the outcome in Kentucky. Ken tucky is a border state, with a present republican governor and one repub lican senator elected In 1920, although the state went for Cox for president. The result Tuesday may indicate the drift to be encountered in the presi dential campaign next year. Two Convicts Make Break From Prison; Third Man Is Shot Universal Service. Philadelphia, Nov. 6.—Two convicts escaped, a third was shot and a fourth wa*. knocked down during a Jail break at the eastern penitentiary at 10:25 o’clock Monday. The criminals, all of them long termers, made a break through the front fate of the prison leading Into Fairmount avenue. The dash for freedom was dis covered by one of the guards. A number of the guards opened firo One of the men dropped wounded. Another was clubbed by a guard into unconsciousness. The other two es caped. Armed guards rushed into the street and began searching the neighborhood. The men had van ished from sight, r.nd it Is believed that an automobile was waiting out, side the prison for the men. Bergdoll Has Hankering to Become Citizen of Mexico Universal Service. Mexico Cltly, Nov. &—The name of Grover Cleveland Bergdoll, notorious draft dodger now in Germany, has cropped up in private correspondence ip this city. Bergdoll has written German frlende here asking informa tion as to the mode of procedure necessary to become a citizen of Mexico. According to well informed per sons here, the correspondence has been going on for some time. It is expected that Bergdoll will enter the republic at the port of Vera Cruz in i the near future and will take up his residence on a ranch, the holdings of which are said to have been acquired for him through agents in the statt of Chiapas. Set World’s Record In Bible Class Attendance Kansas City, Nov. 6. (U. P.)—A World’s record for bible class attend ance was soi here Sunday by the men’s class of the First Baptist church when 17,833 Jammed In the convention hall. The Baptist church here is in a contest with a business men’s class In Long Beach. The Long Beach class, according to mes sages reioivwl here, had i,76(i Sun day. WOMEN WANT EQUAL RIGHTS Mr*. Oliver Belmont to Take Personal Charge of Campaign WILLIAM P. FLYTHE • Universal Service Correspondent. . Washington, Nov. 5.—Mrs. H. P. Belmont, president of the National Women’s party, came here Monday to personally direct a campaign for equal rights for women. It is her aim to raise women from what she says is a “type of slavery” to the level of men In every walk of life. “There is a belief that when woman was given the vote she secured with It every right which men now enjoy,’* she said, adding: “Such is not the case. In marriage man becomes the head of the family. There is no partneishtp. The man enjoys property rights which the woman does not. He secures the custody of the children. Divorce laws all favor the men. “We propose a constitutional amendment. It will provide that wo man shall no longer be, in any form, subject to man in law or custom, but shall In every way be on equal plane In rights, as she has always been and will continue to be respon sibilities and obligations.” The task ahead Is not an easy ont, Mrs. Belmont said, and Is beset with oppoistlon in many quarters, even among women themselves. But she believes firmly that when the case is fairly presented as her party has found it to exist, there will be an immediate change in sentiment. “The real difficulty Is that ths average American man Is such a fair and considerate individual that * hts wife finds little cause for com plaint,” she said. ARRESTMADE IN BRIBE CASE Deputy Highway Commis sioner of Oklahoma Is Taken Into Custody Universal Service Oklahoma City, Okla., Nov. 5.—H. C. Schilling, an employe for several years of Gov. J. C. Walton, confess ed Monday a toy pistol delivered to the deposed governor -while he was attending the senate impeachment hearing gFriday had been “layin around” in Walton’s office for sev eral days. Senate investigators charged the pistol had been handed to Walton at the physchological mo ment to win public sympathy. A. B. Snodgrass, deputy highway commission, charged by Val Gard ner with having received $6,000 al leged to have been given by Tonkwa citizens to be paid to Waiton for withholding his veto of the stats school appropriation, was arrested late Monday after he had been taken before the grand jury. The house probe committee com pleted its report Monday night on the state banking department. Condi tions were described as "deplorable.” A liquidating agent of a defunct bank was alleged to have collected $58,000 and received $33,000 of this amount In fees. Acting Governor Trapp has slashed state salary expenses $1,500 & day since assuming charge and has touched only two departments. He indicated the state's annual payroll would be reduced $2,000,000,000 be fore the economies the legislature plans to adopt are put into effect. Woman Club Worker Dies at Vermillion Mrs. C. E. Prentis Will Be Buried Wednesday-—111 for Several Years Vermillion, S. D„ Nov. 5.—(Spe- ^ clal)—Mrs. Charles Edwin Prentis, 7f years old, widely known club workei of South Dakota, died at her horns here late Sunday night following an Slness which lasted for several years. Mrs. Prentis, with her husband, who is a retired merchant, had re sided in Vermillion for the past 56 years. During that time she took an active part in the worw sponsored by the W- C. T. U. of the state, and of the Red Cross. She was also a member of the Woman’s Relief Corps and of the Eastern Star lodge. Besides her husband, Mrs. Prentis is survived by one niece, Mrs. George Munger of Sioux City. Mrs. Prentis was born at Mountt Morris. New York, August 7, 185S, and moved with her parents to South Da kota in 1862. For several years, she was a teacher in the public schools at Vermillion. Funeral services and burial will held in Vermillion Wednesday after< noon. Reclamation Service to Remain at Capitol Universal Service Denver, Nov. ft.—Secretary Work revealed to Denver Monday that the executive offices of the national re clamation srvice will remain in Washington permanently, . rather than be moved west as has been sug gested by Secretary Albert B. Fall of the interior department. New plans put into operation. Secretary Work said, will reduce the annual operating expenses of the department. SALVAGE FIRM GETS VETERAN BUREAUGOODS Large Stocks Disposed of at Loss of 80 Per Cent., Witness Says BY COLE E, MORGAN, Universal Service Correspondent Washington, Nov. 5.—Three million dollars worth of hospital and other supplies were sold and delivered at Perryvllle, Md., the past fall and winter, to a Boston salvage concern for $600,000, It was testlfed Monday before the senate investigation of the Veterans’ bureau. At the same time and since- the bureau was In the market buying the same supplies to meet current needs and within the next year will have to make additional purchases, the testimony revealed. Some of the newly purchased mer chandise was delivered to the salvage company, virtually going In one door and out the other, the government actually losing 80 per cent, of the purchase price. Among the articles disposed of were 98,995 suits of winter pajamas, made in »Red Cross workroom by mothers, wives, sisters and sweet hearts of soldiers during the war and donated to the government by the Red Cross. They have never been used and were still in the original package cases In which they came from the Red Cross headquarters. They went to the salvage concern at 30 cents.a suit. Must Buy New Goods Before the present winter is over. It was testified, the bureau must go Into the market and buy pajamas to supply patients In veterans’ bureau hospitals. There were 1.19,000 towels for which the government paid 19 cents each and which went for less than 4 cents a towel, all new and in the original cases. f* « Shipments of bed sheets to the salvage concern totalled 84,920 at a price averaging around 20 cents each, when the bureau was receiving new sheets of not as good gr9de as some of those sold for which It was pay ing $1.03 each. Hospital Supplies Sold. Other articles included In the Wholesale salvaging were 134,820 packages of surgical gauze, and 2, 729,559 yards of other gauze, all at 20 cents on the dollar. It was testi fied that the bureau’s gauze stock is now very much depleted and that there has been need for some of tba grades sold for months past and oth er grades ,will be needed shortly. The salvage company received 93, 821 yards of flannel outing and 31, 890 yards of flannelette, 275.000 yards Of duck and canvas, 21,047 yards of moleskin cloth. 25,300 blankets, 250, »00 yards of webbing, 30 lots of thread of approximately 15,000 pounds each, 5,387 pounds of paraflne paper, and numerous other classes of supplies. The government, the testimony showed,, was even billed for $1,164 demurrage on cars that were not moved promptly after being loaded. Storekeeper Testifies Details of these shipments were testified to by Nevins B. Hendrix, general storekeeper at the Perry, ville supply depot since March 15, 1921. The shipments were made dur. ing November and December, 1921 and January, 1923, to the Thompson & Kelly Company, Hendrix checking out and loading the shipments on orders from headquarters In Wash ington. The total shipments num bered 150 carloads. Through Lieut. Com. Charles R. O’Leary, detailed by the navy de partment to the Veteran's bureau, and head of the supply division- from October 9, 1922 to January 26, 1923, it was developed that the planning committee of the bureau declared the Perryvllle supplies surplus property on November 10, 1922, and received a written ofTer at 20 per cent, of In voice valuation from Thompson A Kelly Company, on November 11. Director Charles R. Forbes secured approval of the chief co-ordinator of the budget bureau for the sale on November 14; a contract with Thompson A Kelly Company was signed November 15 and the loadfng on the cars at Perryvllle started November 16. Included In the planning committee that declared the property surplus were Charles F. Cramer, general counsel; Dr. L. B. Rogers, medical director; George 13. Ljams, assistant to the director; W. C. Black, chief clerk, O’Leary and other division heads In the bureau. Through the insistence of Dr. T. Hugh Scott, executive office, £.•) per ce*'t. of stocks were ordered reserved a* a years supply for the bureau and the public health service.1 • Uruguay and Rio Grande Forces Renew Warfare Universal Service Montivido, Uruguay, Nov. 5.—Dis patches received here Monday stated that the armistice recently signed by the state of Rio Grande, Brazil, and the revolutionary forces, had been broken, and that fighting has been re imwed. Russian Territorials Called to Take Up Arms Universal Service Moscow, Nov. 4. — Nonlaboring Classes In Russia are still barred tvom holding arms- although six c'asses of territorials were called to take up training Saturday. General Muralo, commander of the Moscow garrison, gave out the fore going announcement from his head* quarters.