FARMER-LABOR
PARTY SET FOR
WARM SESSION
Split on Major Issues at St.
Paul Convention Is
Almost Certain
BY CHARLESS N. WHEELER.
Universal Service Correspondent.
St. Taul, Minn., June 16.—The
'•farmer labor” convention which will
■open Tuesday will be split wide open
on two major questions, with the
communists solidly arrayed on one
side and the conservative labor and
farmer representatives about as sol
idly lined up on the other.
These questions are:
1— Whether this convention shall
■establish definitely a new third party
in the United States to be designated
the "farmer-labor party.’’
2— W'hether Senator LaFollette
Khali be Indorsed, regardless of his
"slap In the face" or whether the con
vention shall proceed this time to
jmme a ticket of entirely new standard
bedrers.
What was an icipient cleavage in
^the conferences Sunday widened into
an Impassable gulf when the conven
tion forces put all their cards on the
table.
Out in Open.
The RuthenDerg - Foster - Manley
group of communsts who proved good
listeners Sunday, came out Into the
open Monday with defiant challenge
to the opposition. They announced
their program for a communist na
tional party, and prepared to take
their fight to the floor of the con
tention.
William Mahoney, who was chair
iman of the wonference last winter
that called this convention, rallied
his forces for the big battle In the
convention against the formation of
a third national party, with Walter
Thomas Mills, the free Sliver spell
hinder of 1896 as his chief aid.
Because hundreds of the farmers
representatives and many of the con
servative labor chiefs accepted Ba
Follotte's estimate of this gathering
and decided to remain away and latsr
participate in the Cleveland conven
tion, July 4, the Mahoney folks are
alarmed lest the communists seize
■control of the convention.
Excitement High.
With the communists blowing off
the lid, and ldlcating that if they can
seize control they will take the tail
with the hide and turn down the Ba
Follette candidacy, excitement ran
high in the lobby of the Ryan hotel
Where the leaders of both factions
have been battling in vain throughout
the day behind locked doors.
Mr. Mahoney, Mr. Mills and their
Aids began at once the mobilizing of
the farmer representatives, who are
hut a handful, in the effort to stop
the stampede of the radical labor
delegates to the Rutherford-Forster
standard.
The open opposition to BaFollette
on the part of the communists was
first voiced at the labor headquar
ters by*John C. Kennedy, former so
cialist alderman In the Chicago city
council.
Kennedy added that all former con
ventions will be put in the shade so
far as floods of oratory go.
Up to a late hour practically noth
ing ihad been accomplished by way
of writing a tentative draft of a plat
form. except for the determination of
both sides to indorse the present Rus
sian government.
JOHNSON AHEAD
IN PRIMARY VOTE
Early Returns Indicate Light
Turnout in Minnesota
Monday
Universal Service
Minneapolis, Minn.. June 16.— Sen
ator Magnus Johnson was far in the
lead for the senatorial nomination on
the farmer-labor ticket in Monday's
Minnesota primaries. The polls
closed at 9 o’clock and scattered re
ports Indicated the vote had been
comparatively light throughout the
entire state.
Ole Sageng and. Congressman
Thomas D. Schall were running neck
and neck for the republican senatorial
nomination in the first 25
districts to report, which gave Sageng
1,416 and Schall 1,685.
Theodore Christianson leads in the
republican nomination race for gov
ernor. Though Mayor George E.
Beach has a plurality in the Minne
apolis precincts, country returns in
dicate a Christianson victory.
Floyd B. Olson has a good lead in
the farmer labor race. He has an
overwhelming margin in Minneapolis,
with Tom Davis and Dr. B. A
Frintsch runners lip.
An adjustable metal bolder to fit the
various sized glass baking dishes, is
row on tho market.
Woman Held in Connection
With Death of Her Husband
Chicago, June 16.—Upon the physi
ological theory that It Is impossible
for a suicide to fire three bullets In
to his brain, Mrs. Prances Scarano,
was held Monday in connection with
Koy Bcarano‘s body was found
stretched across the bed, his hand
clutching a revolver from which
three bullets bad been fired.
The couple. It was declared, had
quarreled over another woman whose
photograph Mrs. Scarano declared
•he found in her husband s pocket.
— —T • "" ~ * >
Renew Search for
Mail Robbery Loot
Alleged Confession Places
Loss at $3,000,000—
"Split” frustrated
Universal Se vice.
Chicago, June IS.—With seven men
And two women In custody, and a de
tailed confession reported to have
been made by J. H. Watson, one of
the men held, the authorities Monday
renewed their search for the loot of
the mall robbery of the Chicago, Mil
waukee and St. Paul train near
Roundout, 111.
Neither detectives nor postal au
thorities would discuss the develop
ments In the case. The “confession”
is said to have definitely placed the
loot at $3,000,000 in cash and securi
ties, and a division of the spoils was
to have been made near Milwaukee
Sunday. The arrest of Watson, James
Murray, millionaire brewery owner
and politician, and five other men
Saturday, the authorities believe,
frustrated the "split.”
newanoeIn
SIMMONS CASE
Affidavits May Have Impor
tant Bearing on Fate
Of Nebraskan
Lincoln, Neb., June 16.—(I. N. S.)
—Additional affidavits were filed
with Governor Bryan Monday in be
half of Walter Ray Simmons, await
ing execution June 18 for the mur
der of Frank Pahl in Boyd county.
The affidavits were presented by
Hugh O’Neill of Annear, Neb., and
are expected to lead to new and
Important developments.
In one affidavit, former Chief of
Police Wagstaff of Bonesteel, S. D.,
testified that he arrested two men
on the morning after the murder
of Pahl In Boyd county. Both men.
according to Wagstaff’s affidavit,
bore evidence of having been in a
rough physical combat and were
bndly Intoxicated. Their automobile,
the affidavit declared, was smeared
with blood and hair.
Dr. Kenaston of Bonesteel, testi
fied in an affidavit that he took care
of one of the men, who had deep
cut8 in ills head and sent him back
to Spencer, Neb.
Two residents of Herrick, S. D.,
presented affidavits to the effect that
the murder of Pahl was known there
three hours before it was heard of
in Spencer, and that the reason was
that a man known as Jim Herman
drove into Herrick and told citizens
there of the murder. Herman Is now
said to be serving a 17-year sentence
for murder In the Wyoming peniten
tiary.
Hugh O’Neill, who gathered the af
fidavits. said he hopes to get a con
fession from Herman soon. This con
fession is expected to show that Her
man either knew about the minder
or had a part in it.
MAGNUSUPFOR
PRIMARY TODAY
Two Oppose Minnesota Sen
ator—Predict Incumbent
Will Win
St. Paul, June 16.—Minnesota went
to the polls today to nominate party
candidates in a state wide primary
election. For ^tlie fanner-labor sena
torial nomination, supporters of
Senator Magnus Johnson predicted
his nomination. Hjalmar Dantes, of
Orr, and Michael Forcli, of Minnea
polis are opposing Senator Johnson.
Three candidates sought the re
publican senatorial nomination—
Oscar Hallam, St. Paul, former
supreme court justice: Ole Sageng,
Dalton, state senator and Thomas
D. Schall, now congressman from the
Tenth district.
Republican gubernatorial candi
dates were Theodore Christianson.
Dawson; l-'ranklyn F. Ellsworth,
Minneapolis: O. P. B. Jacobson. Fer
gus Falls; Curtis M. Johnson, Rusli
City: George F. Leach, mayor of
Minneapolis and Julius A. Schmahl,
Bt. Paul. Gov. J. A. O. Preus is not
a candidate.
On the farmer-labor ticket, candi
dates for governor were Tom Davis,
Minneapolis; L. A. Fritche. New Him;
Victor PI. Lawson, Wlllmar; Floyd
B. Olson, Minneapolis; W. W. Roy
ster, Glenwood; William A. Scliaper,
Minneapolis, and Thomas Vollom,
Erskine.
The democratic ticket shows no
opposition for state officials.
FIND TWO MORE BODIES
Johnson C ty. Tenu., June 10—Two
more of the 111 bodies of persons
known to liave drowned In the double
cloudburst, of into Friday night had
been recovered up until Sunday night
bringing the total of bodies found to
five.
DAKOTAS WIN
COAL RATE WAR
Washington, Juno 16.—Propose'!
Increased rates on lignite coal from
mines in North Dakota to destina
tions In North Dakota and South Da.
kota and to Minneapolis were found
not Justified today by tlie Interstate
Commerce Commission. The new
schedules which previously had been
suspended were ordered cancelled.
Chicago’s Prettiest Slayer Freed
Mr*. Belva Gaertner, Chicago divorcee, called ihe prettiest woman
jrer placed la the Cook County jail, has been acquitted of killing
Walter Law, a married man, whom she wa» charged with shooting in a
tote gun duel” In hla automobile as the climax of a drinking orgy
DAKOTA STORM
TOLL INCREASES
Wn of Wessington Springs
Practically Wiped Out
—Twelve Killed
Mitchell, 8. D„ .Tune 16. — (Special)
With wire communication slowly be
ing restored, additional deaths and
reports of property loss from the tor
nado and rain storm which swept
a path approximately 50 miles wide
through this section of the state late
Saturday were trickling in here Mon
day.
The death toll of the storm stood at
12, with scores Injured and property
loss at approximately $1,000,000
Monday afternoon.
Wessington Springs apparently
was hit the hardest of any section
In the storm area In South Dakota.
The city Is a complete wreck- Hard
ly a store remains standing In the
business section and It will be six
months before the telephone and
telegraph service Is retsored.
At Crow Lake. H. G- Thompson is
reported killed.
At White Lake, Joseph Thomas,
an aged man. Is reported dead.
At Bijou Hills an entire family of
eight was wiped out, according to
a still unconfirmed report
At "Wessington Springs, Victor
Wade was struck In the head and
was still unconscious Monday morn
lng.
An unnamed girl at White Lake
was seriously Injured.
A number of persons were Injured
In Mitchell, Including Tom Griffith,
68 years old, skull fractured; Geo.
Rozum, 21 years old. face cut and
E- Letcher. 10 years old, arm broken
and scalp badly torn.
Latest estimates of property loss in
the storm area was placed at $10,
000,000 late Monday. Hardly a barn
In six counties remains standing,
and thp losses are swelled by deplet
ed herds of live stock and poultry.
With wires still down It is impossible
to obtain any accurate reports of
loss of life or property damage In
the distant parts of the stricken
area
The Rad river bridge between Mid
land and Philip was washed out and
passengers were transported across
the river on planks.
At Pierre the roof of the Locke
hotel was blown off and three peo
ple were hurt. Outside of Pierre an
unnamed farmer Is reported to have
been killed when his barn In which
he took refuge, collasped.
The elevator at Blunt was blown
down and an oil rig was remollshed
The Indian Mission at Stephan was
completely wiped out but no noe
was injured.
At Faulkton a cook car of a road
crew was blown over. A man named
Haugge was killed and three others
were injured.
—f—
TWO BOY8 KILLED
Sioux Falls, S D., June 16 -Twelve
persons were known to be dead, over
a score Injured and property loss that
will amount to millions Is being re
ported as the result of Saturday eve
ning's storm which hit practically
every section of the state. Wtie
service, which was demorallted by
the storm was being gradually re
stored Monday, and as new sections
of the state reported their came ad
ditional evidence of the general
scope of the terrific wind which
swept the state.
Lloyd and Wendell Meyers, eons
of former State Senator B. F- Meyers
were in a barn milking when the
Murderer and Bandit
Hangs Self in Cell
Berlin, June It.—Edward Scribner,
wholesale murderer and bandit, who
Is accused of having committed, with
the aid of his wife and U-year-old
eon, more than 40 murders and rob
beries. Monday escaped the heads
man’s ax by committing suicide.
He hanged himself from the bars
In the window of his cell In the prison
at Qlogau, Silesia, where he was
confined. Nine murders had already
been proved against him.
DRAW PLANS FOR
MERGER OF ALL BIG
RAILWAY SYSTEML
Atlantic City. N. J„ June 11—(I.
N. S.)—Plans for the consolidation
of all the railroads of the United
States into a limited number of sys
tems, unification of railway facili
ties and control of railway credit,
revenues and securities are being
perfected by tho- interstate com
merce commission, Frank McMan
amy, member of the commission, told
the mechanical division of the Amer
ican Railroad association.
Federal control during the war
demonstrated the need for unification
of equipment and operation, Me
Manamy said, and under the trans
portation act the commission can
control extension of railroad lines,
prevent discrimination between car
riers, required Joint use of terminal
and otherwise safeguard the public
Interest.
storm struck. They decided to go
to the house but before they could
get out Of the barn the structure was
wrecked by the high wind, killing
both instantly.
At Faulkton Nels Haugen and his
five companions all members of a
road grading crew, were struck by a
bunk wagon which came streaking
down the road in front of the heavy
gale.
Women Killed
Mrs. E- Christian, of Eagle Butte,
N. D., was killed when her home was
destroyed. Her daughter was with
her at the time and Buffered injur
ies which probably will prove fatal,
while Mrs. A. C. Larsen died at Can
ton, as the result of heart failure
which was brought upon her due to
exhaustion In attempting to reach her
home through the storm. It was at
first reported that she had been
electrocuted but that was disproved
by a closer examination.
The town of Forrestburg, north
west of Huron, was practically wip
ed off the map by the high winds,
as was also the Inland towns of Glad
Valley and Zoeback.
Farther west reports came In from
Dupree and Eagle Butte showing
large property loss there. Wire
communications to points west of the
river, however, was not good and
details are still lacking, although it
is believed scores of other towns in
that section suffered heavy loss
Damage at Parker
Parker was also hit hard by the
storm. Plate glass windows were
blown In, the tower of the water
plant blown off, trees uprooted and
•lgns and awnings torn from their
hangings.
One freak of the storm was the
blowing away of three box cars at
' Monroe. The cars were on a sld
ing but were set In motion by the
wind, getting a good start they
Jumped the switch and started on a
wild run over the main line, passing
throough Parker at terrific speed
then to Hurley where they were
caught by a crew of trainmen on a
speeder and put under control.
Farmers west of the river suffer
ed a heavy loss of sheep but estimate
of the loss could not be made until
a more thorough check of the var
ious ranchers could be made. Rain
and hall following the storm was
general throoughout the state and
while crop damage was reported
heavy no estimate of the losses ware
obtainable.
In Sioux Falls the heaviest damage
was reported to light and telephone
and telegraph wires. Scores of plate
glass windows In the husinoss district
were blown out, while In the resi
dential section the streets were lit
tered with telephone poles and up
rooted trees and broken off tree
branches.
—..»'■ ' » —
Marie and Kenneth to Wed
Within Frw Days, Report
L,os Angeles, June 16.—(I. N. 8.)
—Marie Prevoet, movie queen, is to
marry Kenneth Harlan, a screen hero,
in New York, .within a few days, ac
cording to Miss Prevost’s friends.
It is lsss than a year since both t"he
actresses and Harlan, formerly dan
cing partner of Gertrude Hoffman,
said “never again” when they were
granted divorces. Miss Prevost was
recently divorced from "Sonny” Ger
ke, automobile dealer, to whom she
had been secretly wed for years.
Police Seek Husband
Of Murdered Bride
Body Found in Shallow
Grave—Warrant Out
For Mate
Universal Service.
Milwaukee, Wis., June 16.—A war
rant charging first degree murder was
sworn out Monday for the arrest of
George Cummings, 39 years old, (hus
band of Mrs. E. Rae Cumnflngs whose
body was found In a shallow grave In
a tourist camp at Wittenberg, Wls.
Mrs. Cummings was slain with a
hatchet sometime Sunday night.
The slain woman was a bride of a
week. She was 23 years the senior
of her husband, who disappeared
shortly before the nude body of Mrs.
Cummings was found.
Mrs. Cummings, after her marriage
to Cummings, her fifth venture In
matrimoney, June 7, sold her apart
ment houa In Grand Rapids, Mich.
Her empty purse was found a few feet
from the camp site.
Cummings was seen speeding
through an adjoining county Sunday,
it was learned, and Is believed to
have boarded a train for Milwaukee
or Chicago.
NO PROBE INTO
WAR VETS DEATH
No Postmortem to Be
Held Over Body of
Fox
Sioux City, la., June IT.—No post
mortem for J. Clay Fox, Sioux City,
77-year-old Civil war veteran, 2030
South Lemon street, who died late
Saturday night at Cherokee, la., will
be held, It was announced by Dr. J.
H. Robbins, ooroner, Monday night.
Mr. Fox died In the hospital for
the Insane at Cherokee as the re
sult of Insanity, according to reports
from doctors at Cherokee. Accord
ing to Dr. Bruce Miller of the Cher
okee hospital, who filed the death re
port, death was due to "exhaustion
as a primary cause, contributing to
senile dyschosls,” and was accom
panied by great agitation and con
fusion.
The demand was made by the dead
man's three sons. L. H. Fox, of De*
Moines, la., and Forney and Lindsey
Fox. of Newport, Neb. They refused
to say upon what basis they made
the demand, other than that circum
stances of the death had aroused
"suspicion.”
Mr. Fox had been sent to the
Cherokee Institution Monday, June •.
after the Woodbury county insanity
board had adjudged him Insane on
application of Mrs. Nancy Fox, his
second wife. The three sons, by
their father's first marriage, were
holding a conference late Monday
with C. L. Joy, attorney for Mre.
Fox. Mr. West requested consent ot
Mrs. Fox before giving permission for
the post mortem.
Mr. Fox formerly resided at 2030
Lemon street and had been a Sioux
City resident for 17 years. Besides
his widow and three sons, he Is sur
vived by one daughter. Mrs. R. C.
Alderman, of Omaha, Neb.
Funeral services are announced for
2 o'colck Tuesday afternoon at the
West funeral home, with Rev. J.
Frank Reed, of Mornlngside Presby
terian church officiating. Services
will be in charge of the G. A. R. In
terment will be made In Graceland
cemetery.
Mrs. Fox said late Monday after
noon that she has no objection to a
postmortem examination. She said
she would be represented by a phy
sician.
c m
Swede Is Elected
Head Labor Confab
Great Enthusiasm Reigns As
Conference in Geneva
Is Opened
Geneva, June 16. (A.P.)—HJalmar
Brantlng. former premier of Sweden
and present Swedish representative
on the council of the League of Na
tions, was elected president of the In
ternational Labor, conference by ac
clamation amid great enthusiasm to
day when the conference opened its
sessions here.
President Brantlng was nominated
by Miss Margaret Bonfleld, British
representative In a speech In which
she bailed him as the great apostle
ana friend of the cause of labor. Mr.
Brantlng In accepting the presidency
urged labor interests to struggle ten
aciously for a complete realization ot
labor's charter—the eight-hour day.
liberty of association for the obtain
ing of fair wages, opportunity for em
ployment, protecting of women and
children, and improved conditions
generally.
‘se States nor Am
erican labor organization are repre
. ,-.t*.or oiilclally or ^unofficial
ly in the conference.
Balsam-wool, made of the fibers of
the pine and other coniferous trees. Is
a new heat retaining material.
Yankee Fliers Complete
Another Leg of Journey
Hong Kong. June 16. (A. P.)—The
tnree American army airplanes flying
around the world landed safely at
Batgon, the capital of French Coch
tnchina, at 2 o’clock this afternoon.
GARDINER PASSES
Boston, June 16.—Robt. Hollowell
Gardiner, lawyer and prominent
Protestant Episcopal layman, died o!
pneumonia.
PLATFORM OF
DEMOS TO BE
SHORT, SNAPPY
“Clean Government” to Be
Central Slogan of 1924
Campaign
Universal Service.
Washington. June 16.—Prepara
tions of tentative proposals for the
democratic national platform to be
submitted to the convention In New
York next week, was undertaken
Monday at an Informal conference,
of party leaders In the Senate and
the House of Representatives.
Taking as an object lesson the
complicated 6,000-word declaration
adopted by the republican convention
at Cleveland last week, the demo
cratic congressional chieftains aro
determined to draff a short, simply
worded platform which will he read
and understood by the average voter.
“Clean government," It is agreed,
must be made the central slogan of
the campaign. Every advantage Is to
be taken of the disclosures made by
the numerous Investigating commit
tees.
Relief for Farmers.
“Relief for agriculture," will be an
other principal theme. Senator Pitt
man of Nevada. In whose office the
conference was held, has been a;
leader In the fight In the Senate to;
obtain legislation designed to bene
fit rural regions.
rittmnn and Senator Walsh of
Montana, the “prosecutor" of the oil
Investigation, were the central fig
ures In the conference. Each Is be
ing strongly urged for the position
of permanent chairman of the con
vention or head of the resolutions
committee to draft the platform.
With the “clean government” and
"relief for agriculture" slogans, the
de-rocratic leaders hope to win
strength in the western states, where
the candidacy of Senator La Folletto
of Wisconsin, will weaken the Cool
hlge ticket.
Hope for G. O. P. Split.
Those who took part In the con
ference are determined to take ad
vantage of the split In the republican
vote throughout the west, which la
expected to follow the La Folletto
candidacy. They hope fervently for
a repetition of 1912, wlmn Theodore
Roosevelt wrecked republican hopes
of victory.
Accordingly, the democratic plat
form, If the congressional leaders
have their way, will be drawn so as
to appeal particularly to the voters
In the western states.
This Idea already had embarrassed
some seeking some agreement on A
foreign relations plank. Senator
Glass of Virginia, one of the con
ferees. and a member of the Woodrow
Wilson cabinet, is insistent In favor
of Incorporating an unqualified
League of Nations plank.
Western democrats doubt that such
a platform would be well received'
among their constituents. And It la
In the west that the democrats ex
pect to obtain the votes which will
win them the election.
The congressional conferences
here will continue throughout the
week until the last leaders have de
parted for New York.
BOMBWRECKS
CHICAGO CAFE
Several Persons Injured in
Panic Which Follows
Explosion
Universal Service.
Chicago, Juno 16.—The Moult\
Rouge cafe was wrecked by a boml
late Monday. Thirty actors and act
resses rehearsing a revue wore
thrown In panic and some of them
were slightly injured.
Harry McElvey, head waiter, at
tempted to throw the bomb out of a1
door before it exploded. He was
probably fatally Injured. Frank Kin
ney. a New York theatrical producer.'
was ctit about the face by flyinf
glass.
The cafe was preparing to reopen
after having been closed for one year
by the government for violating the
prohibition laws. It Is located In
the heart of the business district, at
the corner of Van Buren street and
Wabash avenue.
John Bouchet, owner and manager
of the cafe, told the authorities he
believed the bomb was “planted" by
labor agents.
Two men dashed up to the cafe,
shortly after 4 o’clock. One of them
threw something through the door.'
It rolled on the floor and McElvey
wus In the act of picking It up when
It exploded.
The front of the building waaf
wrecked and the lives of scores of
pedestrians on the sidewalk endan
gered.
The authorities are searching for
professional bombers, believed to
have been employed by one of the
larbor factions to blow up the cafe.
1 • *
Poetry making in Russia la said
to be unionized under the soviet regime.
John Bull Pays $68,655,000
Interest on Funded Debt
Washington, June 16.—The pay
ment by Oreat Britain of the $68.
655,000 Interest on Its funded debt
June 15. was announced by Secre
tary of the Treasury Mellon Monday.
It was made In accordance with th»
debt settlement of February. 1923,
and consisted of $19,000,000 of treas
ury certificates of Indebtedness and
$49,655,000 in cash.
Secretary Mellon said also that
plans are under way soon to estab»
lish the new boa^d of tax appeal*