The Omaha Norn: mg Bee __ THE OMAHA EVENING BEE ’ ___J Ck VOL. 53—NO. 164. oE:Xd £ TtSTSTS OMAHA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1923.* gitfl," qV » TWO CENTS » ‘SJT* Swindler Is Arrested in Los Angeles Clever Forger Tells Police of Obtaining $100,000 in Number of Cities. Identified by Bankers J.os Angeles, Dec. 24.—The story of how lie victimized more than a score of hanks In a number of cities for more than $100,000, was told police here today by Fred Mayher, alias E. B. Hatfield, alias William F. Walk er, arrested following Identification by ft former Kansas City bank em ploye. . Mayher, according to the police, lived here with his wife and baby. As the need for money developed he would travel eastward, open accounts with several banks and reap his har vest by aid of forged certificates of deposit, then return to California. According to Mayher’s story to the police, his richest. haul was during he present year, when he obtained ^ *9,000 from Buffalo banks and $27,000 from Kansas City strongholds. Chron ologically, his operations were as fol lows: In 1918 an dl919. St. Paul, $2,000; Chicago, $8,000; 1920 and 1921, New ’ Orleans, $0,000: Brooklyn, Sfi,000:Bos ton, $ 14,000; 1923, Buffalo, $9,000, and Kansas City, $27,000 Other amounts, of which he had kept no account, were mentioned, po lice say. Obtained $25,000 in Kansas City. Kansas City, Mo., Dec. 24.—Fred Mayher, who Is alleged to have ob tained approximately $26,000 from "in« Kansas City banks, is cne of the - leverest check swindlers on record here. A warrant far Mayher’s arrest on a charge of forgery was issued lato today on the request of C. W. Allen doerfer, vice president of the First National bank. Mayher, under the name of E. B. Hatfield, deposited $3,100 In the First National hank last July. He said he ntended to open a brokerage busi ness here and furnished Chicago ref ■ i ences which later, according to Allendoerfer, were found to be fictiti i us. Csing the name of 'William F. W alker, it is explained, Mayher then epened accounts in eight other banks, i heae were the Commerce Trust com pany, Fidelity National Bank and Trust company. Continental National I lank and Trust company, Twelfth .-'treet bank, home Trust company, New England National bank. Liberty ^1 National bank and People’s Trust One day in August Hatfield ob tained a certified check from the First National. Within three hours, it is charged, he had passed forged copies of the check on the other institutions where he was known as Walker. Then ho disappeared and a nation wide search was Instituted. Hatfield’s arrest in Los Angeles, ac cording to reports here, was due to the good memory for faces of Oscar Sitterle, formerly assistant secretary nt the Home Trust company, one of the victims of the alleged swindle. Recently he went to Los Angeles to establish an agency for a Kansas City manufacturing concern and recogn ized nHtfleld when he saw him on the street. Married in Council Bluffs. The following persons obtained mar riage licenses* in Council Bluffs yesterday; Ralph Beam, Tekamah, Neb. .22 Ruth Pear re, Tekamah. Neb.16 Joel Calkins. Osceola. Ia . . 28 Kern McCalip. Seward. Neb.- ‘ Ooda Mair. Utica. Neb. . 4nn* Ooodbrod York. Neb. ’ J. S. Alllvlnl, Om-Nha . Bepevive Rhine, Omaha .•• Frank Straight. Omaha .21 Rose Ce’*msn, Omaha . -1 Rvan Williams, McClelland, la.26 Vivian Houser, Treynor. Ia.20 Clauda Beamia. Crete. Neb. Tilly Mara nek. Crete. Neb . Harry Atkinson. I^orette, Neb.26 Agnie Streets. I.orette, N'eb.,..-l Harold Wiley. Fremont. Neb.21 I,a Vue Arps. Frenmnt, Neb. .-’1 Rav OrhsenUrdn. Omaha .... '....24 Annabel!# Hagemm. Omaha .-0 lose Pirniento, J.ln^ln, Neb.21 Rosario Barcia. Lincoln. Neb.16 Brnr# Miller, Albion. N'eii 21 Viola Church, Clarkson. Neb . 22 Kmery Rlackhurn. Kansas City, .Mo ..19 Pansy Salisbury. Omaha .19 Rwanl Melvin. Omaha .22 Lillian Ilolick. Omaha .20 William llerzof*, Sioux City, la . .28 Bess Fpx, Omaha .22 Raymond M i ,i .8 S Cornciix Waring. Omaha . I'* William Kpeek. Brand Island. Neb...22 ,dni Christensen. Brand Island, Neb.. 19 « I ;r« lire Barker. Lyons, la. .21 Wilma Bracknev. Oakalooaa. Is . . ik VI:•• rt I.»i«■ dt' » . He!grade. \ • b ... 24 Mary Callaway, Cedar Rapid*. Net)....16 • 'hurl)* Cnllawriy. C dar Rapids. Neb..27 I ■n;i Bone. Inin ill. Neb .19 Bu\ Rasmus. Omaha... .3 1 Bertha Foil rev. Falls Citv. Noli....... 22 F. Ii Renton. Council Bluff" . . .16 llaael i pp-'ison, ‘oumll Minify.2 ’. iJuniH Pnlist. Cedar llupids. Nob.21 tart hit Aldrich. WolbHch. Neb ........ 19 • 'liiude Weaver. l>«oatur. N’ef» .,.,^,...23 *i li. | Boltins. I »et aim. Neb. B» • '; • . b Hall. * >mahu .......... 21 \ nun I’u \ ior Omaha .21 hi"- Maun. * Mm#ha . 24 1 || in ilt on, « cn.-i ...1 r* * The Day in Washington President Coolidge granted Christ inas pardons and commutation to • II men. Washington's bootleg • scandal de» eloped to the point where a sweeping inquiry into charges of liquor drinking in high places is threatened. The Department of Agriculture announced agricultural imports ex ceeded exports for the first time in history during the last fiscal year. Kesuhmission of nominations of Frederick I. Thompson and Rprt K. Haney as members of the ship ping board was indicated after White House conferences. The State department made pub lic the text of the article in the soviet organ Izvestia, which* ac knowledged the close bonds between the soviet regimp and the commun ist international. President Lights Christmas Tree at White House Coolidges Take Active Part in Observance of Holiday at National Capital. Washington, Dec. 24.—Christmas in Washington finds governmental activities almost entirely, suspended, and President and Mrs. Coolidge par ticipating actively in the capital’s observance of the holiday. The chief executive himself for mally started the city's observance at o this evening by turning a switch which lighted thousands of lights on the big “national Christmas tree” erected on the ellipse directly south of the White House. Cater, the presi dent and Mrs. Coolidge threw open the gates rtf the White House grounds for thousands to'gather there to sing Christmas carols. The Coolidges to morrow will attend a union Christ mas service of the city's churches. Activities (’ease. Activities in the government de. partments ceased at noon. Cabinet members will not return to their of fices until Wednesday morning. Mr. Coolidge. tfowever, worked through the afternoon in the execu tive offices, leaving only when the time came to turn on the Christmas' tree lights. Tiie "national Christmas tree" lighted by the president, was sent to the executive by Middlebury col lege of Vermont, but Mr. Coolidge de cided to share it with the whole city and bought a small tree for the White House. This small tree was put up this afternoon in the blue room and trimmed oy Mrs. Coolidge and the boys, John and Calvin, jr. On it were placed the family gifts. Thousands Sing Carols. The singing of Christmas carols at the White House took place at the north entrance, where several thou sand persons joined with the choir of the president's church, the First Congtcgational. in the music. The plan was conceived by Mrs. Coolidge. who has expressed the hope that It will become an annual custom. Mrs. Coolidge today attended Christmas exercises and distribution of toys and dinners to the poor by the Salvation Army. Fifty shop girls from the store where Mrs. Coolidge buys many of her clothes received large bouquets of roses today from the White House conservatories, the gift of Mrs. Cool idge. The president and Ids family will be accompanied to church tomor row by Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Stearns of Boston, the only guests at the White House for Christmas. The Christmas dinner will be served In the evening after a day quietly spent. Less Wheat • in Nebraska Washington, Dec. 24.—Nebraska fanners have cut their planted wheat atreag* 12 per cent, according to a survey by the United States Depart ment of Agriculture. This fall 3,104.00(1 acres of wheat were planted in N’ebraaka. as against 3.527,000 acres at the name period In 1822. This decrease Is slightly lower Ilian the decrease for the country as a whole, American farmers In the mass having reduced their acreage 12.6 per cent. Transient Peddlers in OdundniH to Pay $10 lax Columbus. Neb.. l>ec, 24.—Tram* lent hawksrs. peddlers and merchan dise: canvasser* will be required t*» pay an occupation tax of $10 n day in stead of $2.50 us at present to do business in Columbus. The council’s action was taken with a petition sub mltted by the secretary of the t ham her of commerce and hearing the sin nature* of a dozen Columbus grocer * and meat market proprietors. The petitioners took the position that the transients who came her** to sell their wares without paying taxes contributing to the maintenance and welfare of the community should j be made to bear their proportions!** i share with the men hunts who paid taxes. W liili* Christman in Sijilit. Beatrice, Neb., Bee. 24. Cold i; in began falling In this section of the state tliis evening, indications are that tomorrow' will he a white Christ I mas. The moisture b- badl.v needed for winter wheat Cpon 111 i m Christmas morniriK.j aroused by the crashing noise of a gleeful happy household of carefree alrla and boys. Bin of tVie drum* and trumpets, rattle and bang of toys, and springing from bed I Join them, sharing their Christmas Joys , THE GIFTS TO THE rt'i .i-iiL’it AU -. . By Eleanor H. Hinman * —Thlj» ilM.mf of fh<* thr*e wise men from the en*t wim made expreesly for The Omaha B*»e Christmas edition b* M «• v*ra I 'aebeth C- *. c ao has g en up her art studio iti Chicago to matte her home again in Council Bluffs. -- - There are three kings come riding, Riding—riding— On tall black camels striding, Out of the orient night. With jewglSff'tflWahs gleaming. With small bells soft as dreaming, Led by a star’s downstreaming Long path of flaky light. Proud Caspar, robed in azure (In cloth of gold and azure) ; Pale Melchior, black Bathasar, With fretted diadem. Red gold in ivory coffer, Incense and myrrh, they proffer; Such are the gifts they offer The King of Rethlehcm. There are three kings go riding. Riding—riding— On tail black camels striding. Into the growing light. With small bells gladly ringing. With lifted faces, singing, Great wonders homeward bringing, They drift across the sight. ✓ O gracious kings, we pray you, Stay in your steps and say you, How did that King repay you, The Babe of Bethlehem? What is your new-found treasure? King Casper, what your pleasure; King Melchior. King Balthasar, What strange and priceless gem? "1 who have fought for power Learned pity .in that 'hour. Took peace to be my dower, Such was His gift to me.” “I who have nightlv striven Tor truth, I, wrenched and riven By strong despair, was given The faith by which men see." “And I, the hurt and hated. Dethroned. despi<*ed and baited. Found that for me there waited The perfect gift of love." So these three kings go riding, Riding—riding— In hope and iov abiding, And the dawn fl t.ies high above. Ten Children in Five Births j Kpforil Keli«“\ptl Held l>\ Mal-j im> Couple — Triplet- i Among Arrivals. Wuhoo, Neb.. Dec. 24.— On tin* ar m il of a pair of twins, a boy and girl, at the homo . in which he urges that Nebraska finance the trip of the Nebraska live stock Judging team to a judging con test at London, has been received by governor Bryan. "fireut honor has been brought up on the state of Nebraska which has given It not only nationwide prom inence hut worldwide as well.” wrote Mr. Westcott. "The Nebraska stock judging team brought bark world honors from the International live stock Judging contest at Chicago. Ne braska must l>e represented at the contests at London. Not to be repre •rented at this time would lie a deadly blow to the civic pride and the agri cultural Interests of not only our own state, but the great middle west ns well " According to Mr. Westcott, the cost would range lietween $3,000 and $4,000. The First National hank of Blue Hill has consented lo act as custodian to receive funds. Omaha Risk Company Merges With Standard Lincoln. 21—The state trade and commerce secretary, K. C K nudson Monday approved the merger of the Commonwealth Life Insurance company, Omaha, and the Standard Life Insurance company of Decatur, III., contemplating removal to St. Louis. In the merger the Common wealth company loses its Identity. All policy holders In the company will he rein sured in the Standard. Knudaon'* approval to the merger was given after eight examiner* for the states of Nebraska. Iowa and .Minnow I had made nil Itiqulr* inlo the affairs of the two companies and found that the Standard company w is financially able to assume the added obligations contemplated in the merger. The combined capital of the merged companies Is $,186.01)0 with i surplus of $482,000. The combined nets are IT.OM.sTO. All stockholders in the Common wealth will receive* share* in the Standard for an equal amount. Hunting tbs tree for pr« ■ ni old Santa ha? s< altered ll.en 1. night* i and Muigs loud ringing on the < In Im mas nir. tabbing anew the spirit of youth and It* playtime fair, I join with my happy kiddie* in ilulmina a t alii iatmas •hai •. Christmas Is Time for All to Rejoice First Christian Cimrrh Pa-tor Speaker at Chamber of Commerce Party. Christmas spirit an I w'aat 1 means to the work! today was emphasized by Rev. C. A Miller, pastor of the Firgf Christian church, at the Chamber of Commerce Christmas party yesterday. “Joy, love sntl hopefulness were demonstrated at the birth of Christ." he said. “That is our Instruction to always 1*» Joyful, alwa/s be hopeful and always love others at a If times I ut more especially now hi Christmas time. “We have Christinas trees because at that time a tree was decorated to, denote the joy am! the light of world. We exchange presents hciause the wise men of the east gave presents to the <’hrist child. "Many people have forgotten tills and seem to want to make tTiristmas a season of extravagance. Tliey for get the cheer that should go with the season ami grumble." Rev. Mr. Miller ended his talk with a plea for all to l*e joyful. Mot *' than 3^0 ni* tubers of the Chamber of Commerce and their fami lies were at the luncheon. Four Santa Clauses moved from table to table distributing nrosrnt* J. I* Puffy, one of the Santas, added to bis g:ft a ki>* for * • h of tin* women present. Charles Cardioi aided the fun by donning a wig and little red cap. then following Ibiffy about the room On# stop was enough for Gm drier. who turned the festivity over to Puffs -- ^ HASTINGS- Fourteen hundred In i mutes »if Intileslde State Hospital for the insane will enjoy a special Christ - nhim dinner. Two thousand < ’hrist tuns parages lrt\ ■ been reerived foi inmates HASTINGS George Hutton Hast lugs busin* ms man. who has just re turned from Washington and other I eastern oil lea, predicted a prosperous lb.* | for hasting* and Nebraska In n speech at the eh miber of commerce' luncheon today. i»ff from m> weny -boulder* lj inst flu' weight of the \r.irs; there In the joy* of YuletiUe I banish tnv doubts and fears Seen through the Christmas dawning * sweetheart * file* appears the far.. «e for Nebraska They are Dr. W M Barr, consulting chemist; Dr. II F. 'let aid. Creighton unfverslty; Dr. Karl Farji -Worth. Orand Island. J. W. S’enhardt, presi dent of the Nebraska Manufacturers’ association; Way lan l Me flee, Ben nington; C. \W Taylor, state com nmnder. American Legion J H. Beveridge, supetant« ndent of hoois. Omaha: Judge C. ti Litton, Lincoln: F. W. I’pson. T'nivetsuy of Nebraska, and *r, J. \Varner, state senator. All high school students are eligible to compete in the contest Six prizes of <10 each will be given In each state and six scholarship* wti lhe given to the students who write the best e* .-ays Jn the entire country The scholarships will be to any college the winners desire. Souder Accepts Verdict of lurv J J North Plane Neb *>•■ '-4 IV j i taring he hail "made his light” and ! that he did not see how he could go any further, Samuel M Soudet former Lincoln county treasurer, con victed Saturday night of arson in con ne«-tion with the burning last April L"i 30 of the old county courthouse, indi , i.lp‘1 ! od«\ h.s tight fcl fteed-'Pl W a> , over. Souder. who w .is indicted by a I grand Jury chaiged with cmheirtle- ] incut of i total of $4f< 1 1 7 77. is soiled 1 tiled to appeal tie fore Judge Tewel! January 7 for sentence on the arson charge The penalty is an indeter minute term of from J to 20 years, but tlie court may. if it sees fit, raise the minimum and low* t the maximum. It was the prosecution's contention that Souder burned or caused to lie burned, the courthouse, to cover up an alleged shortage, and that Souder knew the1 day before the fire auditors were xfulh dan • snd sing Sears ami Howard Seek Re-Election ( on«:re»-»iei» \«ain to Kilter Haee in Second and Third Di'lricts. * \\ .i>*h.* i‘li, [Vo. 14 4’on^l t*M? man Willi* C Sear*. Omaha, repub i*t’a a' . nnd OorffrresAman - Edwttrd Howsnli e« irmhun, democrat, today I forwardftj proper . paper* to their county «!erk* to have their* name* nut «»n ballot* *aa candidate* for their thirty nomination in the primarb** tor the came position* they now hold in the S*-*cond and Third oongreewipn *il ili*trio’* respc, tively. I 1 Held on Liquor Law Charges at Hastings Hasting NO*. IV '2i—The visit < f .« Hoii oi of f..ier.*! and state offii-em t»* HhmiVs last Saturday night lv s •■suited in 10 nun and one woman be ing ound o' »• n t t h ■ . ■ 1 "lth 'illations of the \ inhibition Jaws, Deputy Marshal J C* MiH’lune Fed oral •'ff»r«*i s s"T*rl Srhiitii!. O. K. For* hi si l \ .! lb ' • UN at i •Stab* Oft. ei* Milton (bites. O 1> 1 Hidsch.is uul N*eji Olson were the officers. T irt* n 4 . i v am! 1 - 1« on V -If pint l ml tie* «.f alleged whi*hv "vie tadsed when Thomas Ik hi v wa< nr rested and five %nli" s , f suppos. d inoonshin*' and five of vine were luk en ft >>m Will Hays The Weather i op :« hour* •" I c i r m Ivopto ' bf*f . 4 . Htfli' «*%! .* o.iP.'- ST. nor T< To>l p\, p»« n-,•_• * Unuio 1. ! lb 0 M»uirl> 1 i'iMi*»rul»rr*. a . » ! k a n» V T <* m ... * k n. ni -1 ! 1* * m J | i i *• m. T 13 n tho Iiimhh of toiling' whh many an a« hr of brail all ran* atnl toit iiw win « I’hi1st unt.> .\»'m nv' a t'ait In laughter anil *»w anil tmistr tt bon ibtttii marks tb« Ohrlutmnw ftai t 4 Dry Agents Shot in Raid atMarionJll. _ Roundup of Moonshiner§ I* Made in County Where Coal Miners Were Massacred. 13 Arrests Are Made By Associated Press Marlon, III., Dec. 24.—Four men were shot, one seriously, In a round up of alleged moonshiners and boot leggers in Williamson county Satur day night and yesterday. Thirteen persons were held In the Franklin county jail at Benton and 02 were at liberty under bonds ranging froir. 52.000 to 55,000. All were charge* with violating the federal prohihitior law. The volunteer raidera were led bj G. J. Simons of Washington, D. C who was sent here by Prohibition Di rector Haynes. Klansmen, it is said assisted in the raids, which were con ducted without the knowledge of th« county authorities. Otis Clark, the first man lndlcte* In connection with the Herrin mine killings, was among those arrested. The raiders swooped down on all nearby towns almost simultaneously, ane loaded with liquor and a member • >f the fleet of IT schooners on Rum Row. lie denied, however, he had been engaged In smuggling operations or liquor dealings of any sort .He and a party of ft ends, he said, were on a lMeasure jaunt in the motorboat when I the engine stalled. Distress signals 1 were hoisted and the coast guard cutter Seminole cruising in the vulr itj of the rum fleet made the arrest. P* tio rgill. the prohibition officials saul had lists of names of suspected bet! ici* .all over the country and other documents. He w .s paruled without hail w!'#n ie and his companions were arraign raskan* Siienaiidr-ah. U T>*o ;'4.—h-ebnts j ...ns mining to Iowa for marriage licenses are finding on* ston* in th* $ond to matrimony. * couple who appeared at Sidney from N'lhiiisk* wots- asked ihe ree** |s,uy questions and it was discovered on* of them had been divorced in loss than a n>ir Nebraska '*»< permit th* marring* of divorced people after st\ month* whil* in Iowa a year (a re mired. Home with the w.T- ui.l children; > ' -d ' i . on i:! « k for t » lo\. ght shining in each of my Kid j die s i .'e« Hnchtei iht son :« e‘ n ! .r.k -a Noe In lire Christmas sKte*— ■ w .1 IV %«, •%. of ilfr'a beat P .**. W. M M. j