fcSmitli Defense Typical Alibi, Declares Perry Tax Commissioner’s Statement Worded to Give Democrats Credit for Republican Re duction, Says Judge. l.incoln, Feb. 28.—"A typical demo cratic alibi” were the words used by Judge E. B. Perry, chairman of the republican state committee, in ex pressing himself on State Tax, Com missioner \V. II. Smith’s defense of his statement that a 40 per cent tax ieduction had been effected in the state. Smith's statement made its ap pearance after Judge Perry had chal lenged the truth of an article written by Smith appearing in the Saturday Evening Post. In commenting on the tax commissioner's defense. Judge Perry says: "The tax commissioner gives os his excuse for making a misleading state ment about n 40 per cent reduction, his reticence in using the words •democratic’ and ‘republican.’ From tho reputation that the tux commis sioner bears, this reticence would seem to be a recent acquisition. 'If tne tax commissioner in his article had stated that the prior ad ministration had reduced the tax from sojjfl to 1022, 33 1 3 par cent and that present administration from 1922 Plfto 1923 has reduced it 13 per cent, there would have bean no occasion for the public to be mislead. “As the article was written, It was seized upon by the democratic press to give the present tax commissioner and his chief credit for a 40 per cent reduction in tuxes. This was the ef ' feet of the article and no doubt the intention of the article when it was written. "I have a communication,” con tinued Judge Perry, "from a Furnas county land owner which shows the following as to the taxes on his farm: ”1921, under republican governor, $82.81. “1922, under republican governor, $5349. ”1923, tinder democratic governor, $73.58. ■'This farm owner seems to think that his taxes between 1921 and 1922 were reduced under a republican gov ernor $29.81, and that his taxes in creased from 1922 to 1923, under a democratic governor, $19.18. “Mr. Smith seems to think this farmer is mistaken, that he should compute the taxes so at to show that between 1921 and 1923.his taxes have been reduced by the present tax com aiissioner or hbi chief, $9.23, "The petroleum smoke screen which Mr, Smith endeavors to make us* of In this controversy will not divert l his taxpayer from the real issue. Itepublicans and democrats alike re jret the situation of Doheny, a demo :rat, being compelled to pay $150,000 to McAdoo, another democrat, in or . ter to secure justice under a demo administration.” Charlie Chaplin declares that Eleanor Duse is “the soul of art, the ■ world's greatest tragedienne who transcends mere acting and spurns shackles.” He saw her in "Tfie Closed Door” and has raved about her ever since, declaring that "one scene wrung my heart and drew tears.” i ^Ml*S /i^ARGUERlTB ©USHAXE. "Take Tanlac—that's my friendly advice to all* whom illness has de prived of the happiness which only radiant health can bring,’’ are the encouraging words of Miss Marguerite Du Shane, department store employe, residing at 832 Fernwood Ave., To ledo, Ohio. "Before I started taking Tanlac nervous indigestion, poor appetite, heartburn, liver irregularities, un strung nerves and loss of sleep made me so weak and miserable it took every ounce of my will power to fin ish the day’s work. But since taking this treatment everything is different; my nerves have become normal, in digestion has vanished, taking nil my oilier troubles with it, anil my think ing Is brighter, my complexion dear pr, and I always feel conscious of reserve strength and energy. I'll al ways praise Tanlac." Tanlac is Tor sale by all good drug gists. Accept no substitute. Over 411 million bottles sold. 'lake Tanlac Vegetable Pill*.—Ad vertisement. Burning Eye* and a tore note and roaring head « can be avoided _j* by the timely '^F ^ ute of (WeeKs \ ft*vakM>-*- Cold TabMs r—— -- —————— Men Who Are Making Omaha _> James 6. Not very many men who want to become captain of the ship set out to achieve that position by way of the stokehold. But that is just what James K. Davidson did. He began shoveling coal, watching the water, and pouring grease on the bearings in the electric light plant at Port Huron, Mich., In 1879. It wasn't much of a plant, even for those days of begin nings, but it did fairly well for a starting point. Mr. Davidson is now executive head of one of the great stem-electric plants of the world. His concern produces "juice'' at a rate that makes lots of hydro-electric plants wonder how it Is done. Also, one of the machines down on the bank of the river, familiarly called "Big Ben,” will deliver 47,000 kilo watts of current energy to the switch board any time the boss asks it t°. Mr. Davidson doesn’t do much fir ing or oiling nowadays. He rose to be superintendent of the Port Huron plant, and then went to Montpelier, Vt., and from there to Portland, Ore., where he was vice president and gen eral manager of the Pucific Power and Light company. He came from there to Omaha in 1917, to be vice president and general manager of the j 'Nebraska Power company. Just now lie is Ak-Sar-Ben XXIX, of the royal line of Qulvera, having been en throned last fall. Th it just goes to show that you can't keep a good man down. From stokehold to royal throne la some step, but he took It. In addition to looking after the manifold interests of the light and power business, which is continually growing, Mr. Davidson has found time to assist in raising $1,000,000 for the Ak-Sar Ben Exposition company. He was chairman, too, of the commit tee that collected $250,000 for the Father Flannigan Home for Boys, and one of the advisory board that raised a million dollars for the Elks club huildlng. He waa chairman of the committee that handled the fund raising for the Community Chest, and is on the board of trustees of the Uni versity of Omaha, and vice president of the National Electric Light associ ation. Besides all of this he is now president of the Omaha Boy Scouts and vice president of the Board of Governors of Ak-Sar-Btn. Mr. Davidson also belongs to sev eral Omaha clubs and gets much pleasure out of them. f REAL AND UNREEL'' i DON H. KltDY. - Ilollrweod Correspondent of Thp t Omaha Bee. J There Must Ilf s Reason. We have spoken before about the passion for going to Europe that seems to have busted out this year. Hollywood has sen^ half a dozen troupes over there for one picture or another. "Ben Hur" Is probably the biggest of them. Charlie Brabln sent hark word the other day that he was having the sphaghetti carpenters build him a mo tion picture stage 175 feet long and 100 feet wide, Including wardrobes, dressing rooms, carpenter shops and everything. Personally*without know ing anything at all about It, that seems foolish. We’ve pot stagea bigger than that already built right here In town. What Charlie Bays he wants most Is a Yankee property boy. He writes that he uses his best Italian to order an overstuffed chariot, and they hope fully bring him almost anything from the national flower to a bowl of noodle*. • Also Expensive. Talking about expenses reminds us of the story we heard ’the other day about the way Buster Keaton spends his Jack. And about how expensive some of the,“e silly gag a are that jou sit in the movia show and laugh at. You might remember a picture Bueter made named "The Boat." It waa a picture about a guy that built By ' Associated Press. LI it sola. Feb. 2*.—Programs to be broad cast Friday, February 29 (central stand ard time) by rourteay of Radio Digest: Note: All tlmaa glvsn art p. ni. unless otherwise noted: KDKA, Pittsburgh (326). 6 16 organ. 6;16 Hoy Hcouts, 6:45 children's period, 7 concert, 6 American T.cgion. KFKX, Hastings (241), robrondcasts program of KDKA KIM. Los Angeles (396), 6:30 children's program, 9 entertainment and story, 12 orchestra KYW, Chicago (530), 6:G0 bedtime story, 7 concert, 10 rnMnlght ravin* WRAP. Fort Worth Htar-Telegrsm (476), 7:30 orchestra, 9:30 concert. U'CAF, Pitthurgh (462). 7 30 proitram. WDAR. Philadelphia (395), 4:30 talk, 7 concert, 9:10 dance music, 10 concert. WDAF, Kansas City Hlar (411). 6 school or the air, 3 novelty night, 11.45 night hawks. WDAP, Chicago (360), 7 music, 10 pro gram. W(1R, Buffalo (319), 6:30 music. 6:30 news. X concert. MFAA, Dallas Nows (476), I 30 pro gram. WFf, Philadelphia. 6 talk, 7:30 music. Wot, Hchsnectady <3XtD, 6.45 uddress, radarlo and music. Wit A. Madison <360). 7:10 Is Ik WIIAH, Louisville <4"i»), 7 9e shown on the motion picture screens of Nehtnska and Iowa. The first run of the first reel will be at the Hun theater, bealnnlnR Marqh S. Sprains should be treated quickly and thoroughly Sloan’s relieves the pain, and keeps ths tissuss from stiffening up—hastens repair. Oct a bottle today-33 cents. It will not stain. Sloan's Liniment-t/ft pain! 4 Day, Starting Neat Sunday, March 2 The Me**r*. Shubert Offer tha New York Winter Harden Revue And Many Other Favorite*, Includ ing the Winter Harden Hirle Evening., $I»J; Wad. Mat., d0c-$2 Two Day. Only ggAII m A I rld.y * Saturday PH I.H /--}I Saturday Matin.. W Walhar WHITESIDE In Two of Hl» Great Succeaeee frioZyNi,ht "MR. WU” “THE HINDU" TICKETS TODAY^.r’ iir.VtS5 300-Year-Old Jewel Kept in One Family Bloomfield Man Saving Heir loom for Daughter—Brought to America in 1630. Bloomfield, Nob., Feb. 28.—If. K. Van Auken of this city possesses an heirloom In the shape of a diamond studded shawl pin which was brought from England in the year 1630 and has since that time been handed down through successive generations on the female side. The pin was brought over by the Danforth family and has successively passed through the hands of the Williams, Curtis, the Royce apd other families. It finally came Into the possession of Mr. Van Auken's mother, Mrs. Nettle M. Danforth Van Auken. From her, it passed to his sister and, at her death, came into his posses sion. He is now keeping it for his daughter, Kathleen Danforth Van Auken. The pin is of exquisite workman ship and contains three clusters of diamonds, set in a beautiful gold mounting. Just how old It la la not known, hut it has been in the family for over three centuries. Mr. Van Auken is the manager for the Bloom field Butter company. New Pictures Here Next Week Interesting feature films will be offered at the varloui local motion picture theaters next week. “The Acquittal,” Rita Weimin’s mystery drama with Norma Kerry and Claire Windsor, starts at the Sun Saturday. , The Strand, beginning Sunday, will offer “Don't Call It Love," William de Mille’s picturizntlon of Julian Streets’ novel, “Rita Coventry.” A galaxy of stars will appear In “The Stranger,” which opens at the Rialto Sunday. “When Odds Are Even,” comes to the World Saturday; the Empress of fers "The Accidental lluaband,” and the “Birth of a Nation" comes back again at the Moon Saturday. Farmers Burn Other Fufcl; Cut Amount of Coal Used Columbus, Neb., Feb. 28.—Farmers in this section have cut down their use of coal for fuel this winter moie than #0 per cent, according to local dealers, who declare that rural folk are burning wood, corn, cobs and any other fuel they can lay handa on. , Columbus coal users are Increasing with the growth of population. Ac cording to local dealers, 12,000 tons of coal are used here every 12 months. It takes 600 cars of eoal, holding 40,000 pounds each, to supply Columbus tor a year. Today—Last Timas WATSON SISTERS and a Grant Bill Sevan Bit Days, Starting TOMORROW That Famous Funny Fat Fallow, NATCHICK" HAINES and company of 12 In tbe brcasy musical comady, “Yes, My Dear” All-Star Supporting Show, Including MILO?? Season’s Comedy Surprise On the Screen “When Odds Are Even” witk WILLIAM RUSSELL “Sobbin’ Blues” Played by Art Kahn and His Orchestra, reaches for you with its blueful melody on Columbia Record 16 D. Columbia Ntw/turns RECORDS o CelumbU Phonograph l o in pan? ICZZJ » NOW PLAYING | ITwIr* Today. M«l. 18-ftOr: Nila II,r III 2 *td Orartura, Toplra, I ahlra * 20 J !»• V/t Arlay* « :»«• 11* :4i Gaarga l.yona 8:401 = »» SARAH PADDEN I *•'» MARY HAYNES 1 -I •»'*« AI.BA TIBF.RIO » »"! |»*« JACK WILSON » 'I 14 .78 "World nf M.U. Hallava" IK 71.1 |4:88 Path* Natva l'i 8I i mrm • mm • mmmmm • mmmm • t , . , , .... ... I I ..Itt f \ Name . Address ... Motion Picture Tlieater I attend... fee tliis coupon or paper of similar size and write only on one side. FOR TIIE SCREEN. Fifteen cash awards will he paid each week for the best local lafs. These prize winning local lafs will appear on the screen of a number of motion picture theaters. Send your local lafs to the Eocal Eaf Editor, The Omaha Bee, Omaha, Neb. AT THE THEATERS ' J V.! ' ' ’ " Nat (Chick) llaines, the funny fat fellow and his company of 12 in the farce with music, “Yes, My Dear,” headlines the new vaudeville bill at the World beginning tomorrow. The act is said to be one of the biggest laughing headliners of the Pantages circuit. Milo, the surprising comedian, is an important added attraction. Other features include Baraban Grohs arid company, Clifford and Grey, Paul Sydell and Arthur Hays. The Watson Sisfers. one of the most popular headline features of the year, will be seen for the last times today. Jack Wilson, blackface comedian, is still up to his old tricks. Charles Forsythe and Ruth Wheeler, accom plished vocalists, and little Willie Ward, who blacks up as a midget bellhop, are in Mr. Wilson's com pany, which is at the Orpheum this week. Spontaneity is the feature of the Wilsonian brand of humor, and his impromptu “kidding" of his fel low artists is always surefire be cause his mind works like a lightning calculator. “Sally. Irene and Molly,” the new bill at the New Empress yesterday is one of the most delightful plays offered by the Halton Powell com pany. The celebrated musical farce, “Henpecked Henry," with Halton Powell in the title role starts a four day engagement Sunday. Irene Leary, ingenue with “Nifties of 1U24" at the Gayety theater this week, began her stage career as a . ■ Don’t tell your friends how it turns out; they’ll never guess! The same great myatery atory which a* a Mag* play baffled and enter j talned a'itJlen< *a of New lork ar.d ,jPg 1 ondon for month* and month**. Jr r Made Into one of the most powerful, gripping pictures a\<;r to rea« h the screen, it la one pi ture that will Keep you gueaeing from beginning to end. You won't anow until the end how It Is going to turn out’ It will give you the aurprlae and thrill of your life. See It and learn if you can tell In advance how it (a going to end p ^With An All-Star Cast Featuring CLAIRE WINDSOR NORMAN KERRY Starts Saturday at the I ICO OWE ADMITTED DIKING THE EAST I TWO HEEES OE “THE ACQUITTAL* II SHE KNOWS’ I Love,Marriage,Personalities OPENSEANCE I Deplete With Fun & Mystery SSrTALKiTOWr GAYETY H Vr'k. Start. SAT. MAT. N N O O w w Earle Williams, Jana Novak, Ban Alexander In a story of blind husbands and indiscreet wlvt s— “Jealous Husbands" today at 3:15, 7:30, 5:30 Rialto-Herzberg Spring Style Revue With Ivan D. Martin'* New York Models l.atiy Seroon in Morsnhofi Organ A Flutp Gao. Haupt A Far I Tick nor Rialto Orchestra of 21 N O W Hit l-'irtt Romantic Drama RICHARD BARTHELMESS and Dorothy Mackaill in “The Fighting Blade” child in the "Little Red Schoolhouse," j In the same company with Mary] Plckford and the Glah girls The| engagement closes tonight. Matinea St 216. A human stairway with tier after tier of beautiful young women swing ing and swaying to the rhythmatlc measure of a haunting song number is one of the multitude of attractive features promised In the forthcom ing local presentations of "Talk of the Town" at the popular Gayety theater, week starting tomorrow matinee. An added feature will be an open seance by Mme. Friminl, who will answer all manner of ques tion* propounded pertaining to love, marriage, business etc. Questions may be presented in writing or asked orally. "The Passing Show,” the 10th of the-series, which comes to the Bran deis theater beginning Sunday and staying through Wednesday adheres to the policy of its predecessors In that many of the popular plays of the past and current seasons are travesties. Ths present revue is divided Into two acts snd 26 scenes. The Messrs, Shubcrt have provided an excellent company, of unusual size, happily combined to success fully entertain, which includes Wiilie and Eugene Howard, Colietta Ryan, the Lockfords. Peggy Brown. Emily | Milea, John Quinlan, Fred Alien. I George Anderson, Fred Walton, Flo I Hummervllle, Arthur Charmion, Danny Dare, Georg* Gllday, Alfred Gilday. Wilbur DeKouge, France* Winter*, Alexandor Frank. Michael Cavanaugh, William Hrandt and Km melt Dougla*. Grandfather Still Has Letter Given Him to Post Five Years Ago HI flolumhus, Neb., Keb. 28.—K. C. Boyd, local merchant, who 1* on« of the oldest active members of the Ma sonic lodge In Columbus, has estab lished a reflprd. Last Saturday his son, Tom Boyd, happened to run across un old over coat of hi^ father s that had been hung away for several years. Going through the iHtckets, Tom came across a letter, stamped, addressed and ready to be mailed. Investigation showed that Miss Min n.e Boyd, H. C. Boyd's granddaugh ter. had written the letter almost five years ago and given It to her grandfather to post. And still some wives will harp on husbands who forget a letter for a day or two. Woman’s Purse Snatched. Mrs. Sam Belts, 3001 Haskell street, reported to police Thursday morning that her pur*e. containing amali change, had been snatched by a young man at Thirtieth and Center street*. He escaped down an allay. Yellow Cab Spends a Fortune For Chain “Chains On!” This command flashes into sight at YELLOW CAB headquarters and at every one of our cab stands in the city at the first drop of rain or flake of snow. “Chains On!” means the safety of our passengers; the safety of pedestrians and the safety of other motorists. Anti-skid chains are only one of the many important details which contribute to the efficiency of modern YELLOW CAB service and which distinguish it from just ordinary service. We spend thousands of dol lars annually for chains alone, but we do so cheerfully, for Safety is cheap at any price. The next time it starts to snow or rain watch our drivers almost unconsciously perform a task at the first minute that the private motorist postpones to the last—if he uses chains at all. It is such things as chains and heaters and decent, courte ous drivers, and a hundred other things too numerous to mention, that make our organization not merely a cab company, but an institution which commands your confidence and patronage. Don't Take a Chance, Take a Yellow Yellow Phone: A T lantic 9000 JfMA 3mwk«'» Futa ('m(m 4^ m Bin ^1f Mai and Nila T*da* Tka ('alitmkia Hurlaak. "NIFT1FV YV.tk IIUY FQ31FH, Wil l N COHAN A Ladiaa* Me a Sat Mat. A *k Talk of th# Iowa/ Fddia Haii SEEK) E7 “Lights Out” Starting TOMORROW Tlie Picture That Will Live Ferever. WtiGHBORHODD THEATERS LOl MROr X4tk u4 l «tkr«p HAROLD LLOYD * W HY W ORRY r* GRAND.1#tk B.aMf HOt HROOK HI INN in THE BAD MAN** BOl’t $\ ARD VVI »«4 lM^n.