™ The Omaha Morning Bee VOL. 53—NO. 161. Wr.Tt&JFS'&f'n* OMAHA, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 21v; />23. • ft™TWO CENTS '* °;|£*cU£ ■ Spoils Rule of Bryans Hit by Norris Senator Assails Governor for Paying Political Debts at Expense of Taxpayers. May Take to Stump By I’. C. POWELL. Washington Correspondent. Omaha Hee. Washington, Dec. 20.—Whether Senator Ceorgo W. Norris is a can didate for re-election or not, it Is al most certain that it an attempt is made to foist Governor Charles W. Bryan on the Nebraska electorate a second time, either as governor or something else, the Nebraska senator will take the stump against him. ^Cor the senator looks upon Gov Bryan and William Jennings Bryan as exemplifications of follow ers of the spoils system, which the senator detests. Whenever the sen ator speaks of the -spoils system he rings in the Bryan brothers and points to their insincerity in support ing candidates on the democratic ticket whom they have denounced In party squabbles. . Pay Debts at Public Expense. Why, a republican can t even raise fish in Nebraska under Govern or Bryan," the senator said recently in discussing the spoils system in vogue under the Bryan regime. He referred to the discharge of a time * tried fish hatchery head by Gov ernor Bryan and the'appointment of a democrat to succeed him. Continuing, the senator cited In stances In his knowledge where the same tactics were pursued by Wil liam Jennings Bryan. "Bryan Is a positive character and has Hazed the trail many times, but lie Isn’t any hetter than his brother when It mines to the spoils system," Senator Norris said. "I know of an Incident In Illinois where an old woman 83 years old was given a postoffice at the direc tion of AVllliam Jennings Bryan be cause when he was a youth she had coddled him on her knee. There was a young man and an efficient man who was an applicant for the posi tion. Robbing Taxpayers. - "Now it was a wonderful sentiment that Induced 1 Bryan to give this woman this position, even though couldn’t work or give the gov ^^ernment the service demanded. But it isn’t right to put one’s hand in someone else’s pocket to pay a sen timental debt. It Is the public, not Bryan, who paid that debt. "How are we to have efficiency In government as long as such instances as these abound in our public life?" Another incident of the sentimental debts of the Bryans being paid at public expense, which may form a part of the senator’s drive against continuation of the spoils system in Nebraska, is the act of Governor Bryan in placing nearly the entire staff of the Commoner office on the state payroll after the Commoner was eold. The Day in Washington Congress recessed over the holi days. Department of Agriculture an nounced that cotton ginned to De cember 13 totaled 9,548,805 bales. A hill to create a $50,000,000 fund to be loaned to fanners of the northwest was introduced by Rep resentative Iturtness, republican North Dakota. Investigation of Governor General Wood's Philippine administration was demanded by Representative ^ Frear, republican, Wisconsin. Representative Cramton, repuhli Michigan, introduced a bill In ■ reale a separate prohibition bureau under supervision of the treasury. The shipping hoard submitted to tho senate a list of attorneys em ployed and their compensation, In response to a resolution requesting the information. Senator Simmons, North Carolina, ranking democrat on the senate fi nance committee, declared the dem ocrats favored a soldiers’ bonus. Decision of the American Rar As sociation to travel to ljondon next July on a llritish ship brought criticism on the senate floor and at the shipping hoard. Kduard P. Farley’s nomination as chairman of I lie shipping board was ordered adversely reported by the senaic 'commerce committee and President < indulge withdrew nomi nation for other members. Nonappearance of Jesse IJver more, Wall Street operator, as a witness, caused another postpone ment of the senate Investigation of leading of naval oil reserves. Secretary lliigltess’ disclosure of a soviet movement to overt brow tin- American government caused a debate in tin- senate during which tile authenticity of the secretary's evidence was questioned. Investigation by a house com mittee of the administration of file Alaskan fish reserves by the bu reau of fisheries was proposed in a resolution introduced by Delegate Sutherland of Alaska. The War Finance corporation in ^ U< annual report to congress de ^■^Tini'eil Ilia} repayments received oil advances reflected Improvement in agricultural and banking rendi tions throughout the country. Edgar Howard Denounces Democratic Reactionaries in His Maiden Speech Nebraska Congressman W ins Applause With Attack on Representative Rainey for Criti cism of Republican Insurgents. Washington, Deo. 20.—With his eyes cast heavenward, his hands fold ed in saintlike style over his breast, his voice keyed to soft music and his hair flying in Washington zephyrs. Congressman Edgar Howard of Co lumbus delivered his maiden speerh in the halls of congress today. Ilis remarks, which tinged with the words love, kiss, and other sentimental ex pressions, won rounds and rounds of applause. “no on, go on, I'll give you my time!" congressmen shouted when Ed gar was informed at various times that he had reached the limit in speech making under the five-minute rule. Finally one congressman arose and demanded the floor saying he had a government weather report fo put in the record. "The gentleman must tell me whether the report is wet or dry be fore I yield,” the Columbus man said. "It promises wind and rain,” tj»e congressman replied. “Well, I’ll yield,” Edgar replied. The Nebraska congressman’s speech was a scathing denouncement of Rep resentative Rainey, democratic cau cus leader, for the latter’s open criti cism of house republican insurgents for tying up the organization. Edgar pointed to the fact that a few days ago Rainey had applauded the insur gency of the progressive republicans in their fight on rules. ‘‘With the cadence of our own hot kisses of affection upon the cheek of the listed leader of the progressive re publicans still reverberating sweetly through the capitol chambers, my cau cus leader comes to tell me that the progressive cheek to which he pressed a wanton lip Is now a thing unclean,” Howard said. "He is fickle in his love making.” Attention Called to Victories. “What must be the damage to the democratic nominee for president in 1924 if this attack shall be permitted to be regarded ns the heart sentiment of the democratic membership in con gress? "My splendid caucus chairman should read once again the political record of the years, and rediscover the solemn fact that the only demo cratic victories in 80 years have been won by aid of progressive republicans. "Speaking for progressive democrats In the house, I welcome all progres sive republicans to our breasts in the 1924 election in the contest between the common herd on one side and the questionable hosts on the other.” Too Many Political j Loafers in State, Mathers Declares Spoils System of Bryan Ad ministration Assailed by Republican Candidate From Gering. Gerlng. Neb., Dec. 20.—A. L. Math ers, republican candidate for govern or, today Issued a statement setting out his position clearly and without equivocation. "I have been approached relative to my position on the spoils system, ask ing me to modify my stand In this particular, with assurance that If I do so I would have less opposition In the I primaries," he said. "I made but one answer snd herein restate the same to the women and men voters of Nebraska. There can be no satisfactory tax reduction, econ omy and efficiency in state govern ment, until the spoils system is eliminated and the administrative af fair of the state is taken from the hands of professional politicians and political henchmen, and placed in charge of hard-working and capable average citizens. , "Shall Nebraska have a business ad ministration or continue a political monstrosity? "Not all present and past appointees are political loafers and political ma chine henchmen, not all, but an alarming number are, and hundreds of thousands of the taxpayers' dollars are thus consumed—wasted by the spoils system. "Above all else, I pledge to the peo ple of Nebraska, If I am elected gov ernor, to eliminate the spoils sys tem and purge the administration of state affairs of professional politi cians. clearing the executive depart ment of machine building polttica, which has snd continues to drain the taxpayers' pockets. "Win or lose. I shall mix no politi cal medicine with any professional political group, that would put up and over their candidate, only to ruin his official service by dictating his appointments and administration. "Because of this positive stand I have acquired some disfavor. Pro fessional politicians have frankly told me that while I may have some com mon sense, l certainly have no politi cal sense. Possibly,that Is true. How ever. I maintain that only after the spoils system and professional pol iticians are eliminated from state government can there i>e efficiency, economy and satisfactory state ad ministration. Man Drops From Speeding Train. Is Severely Hurt Grand Island, N't;h., Gee. 20.—A special dispatch from Ellsworth states that Sam Evans of Corbin, Ky.. either jumped or fell off Burlington train No. 42, and lies seriously Injured at Mullen. The train was under full speed, but Evans was missed soon and the train slopped, reversed and found Evans. It could not he ascertained from him of the art was accidental or Intentional. Evans boarded the train at Alliance. Married in Council Muffs The following peraona obtained rnnr riagn Ilmnaea in Counrll Hluffa yeatarday. Arthur Jamba. Yutnn, Nab .* ?! Genevieve Gorman. Mead, Neb . J B, Greer, Council Hluffa .33 Tloae Bogga. Council Hluffa . 3^ * >1 lie Klngey. Holden Mo...,.J* Kvn Clark, Sioux Kalla. 8 I>.33 Mlchral Haller, Imnver. Colo.*} Gea Glttllab, Cincinnati. 5 Arthur Peteraen. c»inaha . Helen Gray, Omaha. ••••“' Alfred Chrlatenaen. I.IndMay, Neb.2J Carey Thomiixln. Albion, Neb.-1 Charles Scott, Manning, la .jj Margaret 0 to Tim Omaha Bt*e Shoe Flint! Directors of the Klwnnls club st their meeting this week voted to give *r,0 to the Free Shoe fund of The Omaha Uee. At the noon luncheon today at Hotel Rome the election of officers will he the feature event,. Plans also were made to help tn giving n riulsimn* party for children at the detention hum* Souder Has Day inCourt; Takes Stand Former Lincoln County Of ficial in Effort to Under mine State's Charges. Denies He Set Fire By AvnOfiated PreM. North Platte, Neb., Dec. 20.—S. M. Souder had his day In court Thurs day, testifying in his own beahlf, In an effort to undermine the state’s contention that he burned the old Lincoln county courthouse last April 29-30 in an effort to cover up a short age of funds as county treasurer. Mr. Souder detailed his activities from the time he took a teachers’ course at Hastings college until the Sunday night of the Are. He also went Into the affairs of the county treasurer’s office, asserting he had paid from his personal account vari ous sums for claims against the County Fair association, which was "always behind’’ in its financial af fairs. Various checks in this connection, including one in favor of W, W. Hunter of near North Platte, for a county fair premium, were introduced as evidence by the defense, without any objection being voiced by counsel for the prosecution, after the defend ant had stated he had been "unfortu nate” enough to have been treasurer of the County Fair association. “I did not!” was Souder’s emphatic reply, given three successive times. In response to questions of Victor Halligan, one of.h!s counsel, who had asked If he set tne courthouse on fire, if he hart hart knowledge It was to he burned or if he knew the books of his office were being carried to the top part of the building. Denies Making Remark. It la the mate's theory that Souder, whose office was located on the first floor, ^carried county records upstairs to bum and In this regard intro duced testimony that he remarked after the fire that no one man carried the books upstairs. Souder, however, testified what he really said was if they had been carried ui>sta!rs "no one man did it." Declaring In effect he appreciated It looked "peculiar” that a hatch of checks given by various persons for tax payments were deposited to his personal account. Mr. Souder ex plained he sometimes on Saturday night would give his own checks in payment for claims sgainst Lincoln county. Mr. Souder also declared that dur ing the period of financial depression, his office received checks for which there were no funds and he put in hiB personal checks to cover the amounts and took chances of getting th# mon ey back. Sometimes he had the per son given a had check do work for the county and obtain reimbursement !n that manner. After asserting under Defense At torney Halllgan's direct examination that the county bridge, road dragging and general fund were without money for some time, the latter being over drawn on an average of between $40, 000 anil $50,000 for two years pre vious. Mr. 8ouder gave his explana tion of what the state refers to as "atylus” receipts. Used Difference, Is Charge. The state's contention !« Bouder was able to make duplicate tax receipt* for small amounts for which a state examiner could charge him. Hf was accused of using the dlffe ence to cov er up funds already taken. Souder told the Jury the money was to take rare of warrants against county funds that were overdrawn. An original re ceipt of former Governor Keith Nev ille for a considerable sum and a paper purporting to be the duplicate for a smaller amount were mentioned In this connection. The wsrrnnls were carried as cssh snd not charged at the time to the accounts, against which they were drawn. Bonder was on the stand from 10:40 until recess late today. He told the Jury of going to the office after 0:00 p. m. the Sunday of the fire to look up some land Information for his brother Joseph and W. J. ITendv of (he ITendv Ogler automobile sales campnny. He declared he did not re call making a remark to Hendy on the preceding day that l| would he % terrible thing If the courthouse would bum, but If he did. It would have no significance, a* a possibility Of ttie building burning was common talk, especially by advocates of e new courthouse Souder's cross examination by W A Prince of Grand Island, special prosecutor, was taken up Into In the afternoon. It resulted In an admls slon from him that ha knew on Sit urday befm-e the fire that the books, In which the state claims Irregulari ties were found, would l>« Investi gated. elthough he declnreil there w is "nothing I «M ashamed of." Mr, Prince also asked If ha did not know the law preecr lied he had no right to use eounty funds In personal trans actions. He replied by saying be did. In a general way. Panics Accusation. Bonder denied he handed to Miss M. 1». Hall, bookkeeper for a bank of Titusville, Fla., a parknge purporting to contain coupon* of the Blrdwood Irrigation district bonds nfter the fire. He also denied having a "Henry Keller" receipt from the hank for Hie coupons when searched In Florida. Souder declared he never saw such a receipts I tie atate's contention la he Why Grandpa Was Late to Dinner attempted to sell the coupons under the name of Henry Keller. Attorney Prince's questioning brought an admission from Souder that of the employes In the offlve Just before the fire the only ones bo kntw of having the combination to the money safe were Rimer Baker, his deputy. Jointly Indicted with him, and himself, but added lie was unable to say whether Baker had fold any one else the combination. The money safe, Souder said, had contained cer tlflcate* of deposit representing about {65,000 and approximately {1,200 in cash, all of which was reported to have disappeared. Pioneer Nebraska Woman Dies Here _ Mother of Ed*on Rich of; U. P., Early Resident of Brownville, Succumbs. Mrs. Prudence K. Hich, *3. died ai the home of her son. Kdson Rich, 1018 South Fifty-second street, Thurs stay morning. She was the widow of Wellington Rich, who died 1» year.6 ago. Bom In Ohio, Mrs. Rich moved with her parents to Grlggsvllle, 111., while she was a small girl. There she attended school and was later married to Wellington Rich, who was a tcarher by profession Mr. and Mrs. Rich moved to Brownville. Neb., more than 65 years ago. where they joined the little band of pioneers, all expecting Brownville to be the metropolis of the Missouri valley. The Rich home In those early days was a literary and educational center. During tha later year* of h«r life Mr*. Rich wa* often th* center of a group of friends, young and old. who listened with delight to her remlnls rence* of early day*. She was In timately acquainted with moat of the prominent pioneer men and women of Nebraska and nothing gave her great er delight than to tell those about her some anecdotes and experience* common to all of them. The dreams of the early settlers of Hrownvllle were dissipated, when the railroad* came and the Utile frontier village was no longer stt outfitting point for those treking across the great plain* Mr. and Mrs. Rich moved to Fall* City, ami later to Omaha tn order to give their children the advantage* of a university education. Since her husband's death, Mr*. Rich has made her home with her son. Kdson, ns slstant general solicitor of the I'nlon Pacific. Another son. David, a real dent of Seattle, Is on his way lo Omit ha to attend the funeral servlets Saturday, Waterloo Man Enters Democratic Senate Race Lincoln, Pec. HO* Trenmor Con*! of Waterloo, who Announced recent!.v| that he w ft a h I'ftiulidAte for ths a**ii nte on the demo* ratio ticket, today! I Mild the |f»U filing f« e Mini hie name whs entered on the monln Coin* Announced that one of the primary need a of Nebraska I a the elimination of speculation and that he Ia out to *>«• flint it I* curbed bv proper legislation rIao d-« ln»e.| that he will “cut out the cHmoiill and bunk In politics if he Is sleeted I Grocer and ^ ife Are Found Dead in Store at Lincoln Suicide Pact or Murder and Suicide Are Theories Advanced by Police. By Associated Pr«i. Lincoln. Deo. 20.—Phot to death and laying aide by aide on the floor of their living quarter* in the rear of thel rlittle grocery store, the bodies of Mr and Mrs. L. R Whitney were discovered by police early today. Po lice aay indications pointed to either a suicide pact or that one had shot the other and then committed suicide. Possible theories tf murder or rob bery were given no credence by po lice who found considerable cash in the store and all doors locked. There were no signs of s struggle. Two .32 bullets had entered the back of Mrs. Whitney's head and her husband had t>een shot once in the head. When tradesmen attempted to make their morning deliveries they were unable to gain admission to the store Police forced open a door and found the bodies in sleeping garments. A bed In the room had not been dis turbed. Mr. Whitney's clothes were laid out in an orderly manner. On a phonograph was a dance rec ord. An alarm clock had dropped to the floor and was still ticking. Mr. and Mrs. Whitney are said to have owned real estate in Lincoln and to have had bank accounts here. They formerly lived at Belleville. Kan . having moved here about two months ago. when they purchased the store. McMullen Probable Candidate for Governor Beatrice. Neb , Dec. 10.—Adam Mc Mullen. Beatrice, who has long been a leader In the republican organiza tion In this state, is a probable candi date for the nomination for governor, according to an announcement ap pearing in the Daily Sun here to morrow, , Mr. McMullen, himself, was ailent today beyond the brief statement that he has the matter under advisement. Hnwever. local party leaders seem convinced that he will enter the race against Streaker A. N. Mathers. Scottsbluff. who already haa filed. A strongly favorable reception for Mr. McMullen's candidacy is indicated by conferences held at Lincoln. Oma ha and elsewhere, according to the local G. O. P leaders. Opposing State Senator Charles Randall for the nomination two years ago. Mr. McMullen w«* defeated in one of the closest contest* ever de veloped In Nebraska politic*. It was four day* before the result was ascer tained definitely. SUNNY SIDE UP _Q After reviewing a number of "Christmas honks" In which occupa tion 1 accumulated large and copious doses of that tired feeling, 1 am going to rest iid. beginning the afternoon of next Tuesday, hy reading for the steenth time a couple of my old favorites, noth nre hy Kdward Egglc stnn. tine Is "The Hooaler School master." the other "The Circuit Itldei.'' In so doing I shall not only recall some pleasant memories hut escatw the eternal triangle, the eex problem and cha i ters whose chief aim In life apt rs to !>e to mix cocktails and smoke dgnrets. Incidentally I expect the coming On the ftrut occasion an unfotfhiK "■hark" ditched between the Kulo Y • ml the town of the name name. And It used to enow much harder In Xe broska th* n than it d«>#»a now. A friend long ulnce admitted to the Inner circle whtepere tc me that hia Idea of having it rubbed In is to he Invited to a duck dinner anil then l*e compelled by force of circumstance* to pay the host for the entertainment. IMeaae correct thta sentence: *1 re celved a lot of package* marked 'Do not open until Christmas.’ and I didn't open a single one of them." Dan the Dip has juqt confided to twp that he finished hi* Christina* *h«*plifting last evening, and managed to pii k up quite a number of bar gains. Nebraskan* who express aurpiise at the length of th* senatorial deadlock down Washington vv.i> *houM * onault some of the old timers who remember the senasot J deadlock In Lincoln during th«* *e**lon of 1 s**t That dead lock continued foi M conatcuL\e * hours, and that particular ‘•legislative day" was *5 hours long. Senators and newspaper reporters had their meal* sent In un i took tun.* stsr.dinc natch. 1 winder If Senator Warren Sw,tiler has atood watch that long since that memorable day. It |s greatly to be feared that the ministerial brethren are getting Into a snarl that will greatly handicap them In their efforts to make the world believe that Christianity will solve all pimling problems and bring permanent peace to the world. Among other things sadly needed by thl* world are the following: The nonloseable collar button, the unfray able'i'ollar, a trouser button that will rot nay off a toothpick that will be a match when occasion demand*, a porcelain tooth that will look aa nat ural a* life, and a hat that will hang itself up. By the way. what ha* be come of the nonreflllable bottle? Are you old enough to remember the time when you could huv a very good negligee *hlrt for SS> cents" The banishment of the wasa.v.1 bowl nl*o resulted In the famishment of the wassail howl Lift is full of compensations. Note right here my violent protest against putting the Congressional Record Into our public schools Core ful reading thereof too likely to Im press future cltttens with the notion that the constitution is p«s*e snd our boasted representative government a Joke "Make (his an electrical Christmas" is a brilliant sign on a prominent cor ner. Well. Isn't it“ Rome of the prices me ahsatuUly shocking Only three more shopping day* on lil i'Inis!mas Join the crowds and do your Christmas shopping surly W M M. 23,000 Are Homeless in Havoc Area Four Towns on Ecuadar Colombian Border Laid TX aste by Temblar—Huge (.racks Swallow Lake. Death List May Increase Hv Cnivyr.al k-f. Bogota. Colombia, Dec. 20.—With four towns completely wiped out of existence, with 3.000 persons dead and more than 23,000 reported «9 having lost their homes, late reports reach ing here indicate the extent of devas tation in the wake of the earthquake on the Ecuador-Colombian front.er. Near Tulcan great fissures opened in the surface of the earth, and one large lake, Bake Grandes, emptied it* waters into the openings, entirely disappearing. New and liter estimates, according to advices arriving from Ecuador, may increase the estimate of dead and homeleg*. Norris Denies Hughes" Charge of Soviet Plot Nebraskan and Senator Boral Say Proof of Communist Aims Against United States Lacking. Washington. Dec. DO—'The State department's charge of revolutionary soviet propaganda in the United States startled diplomatic circles her* today, launched the new senate upon its first debate over foreign affair* and resulted in a promise of furthei disclosure* that will bring the whol* problem of lussia or.ce more into re view before the American public. Senators who repeatedly have urgeq formal recognition of the soviet re ginie in Russia started the senate de bate by assailing Secretary Hughes disclosure of soviet “instructions’' for a movement designed t raise the red fiag over the Whits House. Both Senator Borali. republican Idaho, and Senator Norrisfl repub llcan. Nebraska, openly charged that there was no proof of such activities and although no general reply cam* from administration quarters. Sen ator l odge. Massachusetts, republican floor leader, announced that a sweep ing Inquiry into the entire Russia; question would be undertaken by the foreign relations committee Has Goods on Moscow. it was disclosed that the State d* partment had additional ammunition in reserve fer the expected battle over recognition. In cooperation with the Department of Justice; Secrets .y Hughes has been collecting evidence ’hit he believes will establish beyond doubt the direct responsibility of Mos cow for a well-defined movement to ur.dermire the government of the United States Whether the house will take up the question through an inquiry hy Its foreign affairs committee was not in dicated although a resolution was re ferred to the committee upon Its in troduction today by Representative Britten, republican, Illinois calling upm the secretary- of state an(* ths attorney general for data and infor mation in their possession on soviet activities and propaganda in this country. The vehicle for the senate foreign relations committee investigation w.H be a resolution by Senator Borah urg ing that President Coolidge extend recognition to the Russian soviet gov ernment. Rorah Denies Charge. eenaior Borah told the senate today that after mature investigation he was oonvinced the Russian soviet had not been s party within the last three ' ““np* to any movement directed to ward the overthrow of the American government. I'hlcago. Dec Ifl —Charges that the leat. r i««uM yesterday by Secretary "f States Hughes exposing an alleged Plot by soviet Russia to overthrow the American government for com munism was a forgery and part of a fra me up "on the part of the Coolldge administration against the recognition of Russia" Is continued in a state mrnt Issued tonight ur.der the name ■f the central executive commlcee of the Workers Party of America, and signed hy C K. Ruthenberg. execu tive secretary. Indianapolis I>ec ^—"Secretary f State Hughes’ dlsch-sures regard ing plans of the Russian soviet re gime "to sei.e control of the V’nlted States destroy American institution* and hoist the red flag of communism over the White House confirm* in every way the expose which the fnu ed Mine Workers of. Amor a made public through the pies* last Septen. her says a statement given out at the headquarter* of the Veiled Mmo Worker*. t mint) Viii'iit Re-FI octet!. Be*triOS. Neb. 1 Vs t \d rist of this eit\ wa« reelected county agent here yesterday at a meeting of the farm bureau diiwtor* for the eventh consecutive sear hia avia j will be f 500 pe annul*. •