THE BEE: OMAHA, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2!, 1M3.
Nebraska
CHARGE IS A VINDICATION
Board Files Nine-Page Bill Against
Dr. Thomas.
Nebraska
Nebraska
CLEARS UP DISPUTED POINT
Issue of Veracity IletTreen Kenrner
Man and Dnnrrt Decided liy
..Necord of I.nttcr ARnltmt
S. ItMlf.
farom a Staff Correspondent.)
lilKCOhK, Oct.-28.-(Spoclat Telegram.)
State- Superintendent Delzcll, acting for
, the State Normal board, made the prom
Ised charges ngatnst Dr. Thomas of the
Kearney Normal school this morning In
a nlno-pasc typewritten statement,' In
whlcK-'the charge Ms made that Dr.
Thomas represented to the board that
hehad been offered the choncclorshlp of
thd-f Arkansas State university and was
Crahtcd a two weeks' vacation to ro
down and talk the matter over with the
board. ,
The charge!, If so they might be called,
Instead of proving, anything against Dr.
Thomas, are really a vindication, as It
was simply a question of veracity be-
' tween Dr. Thomas and the board as to
, whether the Arkansas board had con-
eldered the Kearney educator.
That tho board had considered Dr.
Thomas for the position Is proven by
.copies of letters received by A. L Cave
. ness of tho Nebraska board, who took
the trouble to Issue a circular letter to
every member of the Arkansas board,
ns Is shown In tho so-coiled "charges."
A letter In the hands of State Treas
urer Corge from one of tho faculty and
board of the Arkansas university also
makes Inquiry as to tho' qualifications
of Dr. Thomas. ThU letter was wrlt
'ten n December, 1912. Those who have
taken) the .side of tho board In the con
troversy openly speak of. the chargos
this morning as a "Joke" and. really no
charges at nlj.
; Other ChnrKFs.
iThe "charges" as prepared and given
nut by State Superintendent ' Detzell, ono
of tho members , of tho State Normal
upard, contain nlno pages of typewritten
matter and are composed principally of
nn answer to the letter and resolutions
went to the board by tho people of
Kearney. The "charges" start out with
the statement that "It Is with extreme
reluctance and regret that you force
upon us no other alternative than to
disclose certain facts which caused tho
board 'to lose confidence In Dr. Thomas.-
As one goes through the "charges" It
9s easy to perceive why tho board was so
"reluctant to "disclose certain facts."
fhcro Is nothing but proof throughout
the jcntlro "charges" that Dr. Thomas
Jiad been considered for the chancclorshlp
of the Arkansas State university, not
withstanding the fact that tho Nebraska
Normal board had fired Dr. Thomas,
because he represented to the board that
'lie was. being considered for the position
and wanted a couple of weeks layoff that
ie might go down and confer with the
'Arkansas people.
Jin speaking of the Kearney Normal
whool the "charges' say: ,
, "Tfoi3tato Board of' Education ,-re-
IT
Jolces In the fact that the Kearney Nor
mal school since Us Inception has en
Joyed a tremendous growth and taks
pride in this as much as do the. citizens
of Kearney, but the board -takes Issue
with the Citizens of Kearney. In their in
terpretation of the' removal of President
Thomas as a premeditated blow at the ,
welfare of the school. The" "State
HoHrd or EMUcatlon bad lost confident
In the, head of the Kearne' Normal
school, and having lost conYWenoe, a
change was Imperative " ,
"Humors" Reach Hoard. '
Tlie "charges" then" set out that rumors
had reached the board that' President
Thomas was' "unreliable and 'untrue, but
credence sufficient to result Jn action
was never given to these reports until
the true version of the so-called .Arkan
sas' nffalr came by chance Into the hands
of the, board."
Just hdw the board went about to get
hold of the evidence by "chance" Is
shown by the way In which A. I Cave
ness, one of the board who voted to oust
Dr. Thomas, wrote to the chairman of
the Arkansas university board' for "evi
dence" and, then wrote to each member
of the board for more "evidence." It
looks as If the element of "chance"
didn't have much of a show for escape.
The "charges" then go on to say that
at a meeting of the State Normal board
held September t, 1918. President Thomas
requested a leave of absence with the
"understanding of the board" that It was
for the purpose of visiting Arkansas and
looking after an offer he clalnled to have
received of the chancellorship of the uni
versity of that state. "In Ignorance of
the true situation," the board granted
the vacation.
.Kesolutlons passed by the Kearney
Commercial club, appearing In the dally
papers, requesting. the state board to not
alio the Arkansas university to take
Dr. Thomas away are spoken of In the
"charges" as giving credence. to the re
port that. Dr. Thomas was wanted by the
Arkansas university.
Itrcelvrs Confidential Letter. '
However, Mr. Cavneis rec'elved a
"confidential" letter from the Chairman
of the Arkansas board, who '.'supposed"
he was writing to the president of the
Nebraska Normal . board, saying that the
name of Dr. Thomas had been suggested
as president of the University of 'Arkan
sas, but the matter had not come before
tho board for consideration and the presi
dent did not know that It wollld. How
ever, the president would like to .know
''confidentially what you know concern
ing Dr. Thomas, his character, reputation
for truth and veracity, his scholarship
and his success as a school man."
For a man whom the Nebraska State
Normal board has been trying to make
the people believe had not been consid
ered by tho Arkansas board, tho forego
ing Indicates that tho members ' were at
least Interested enough to write to Mr,
Caveness, "whom they suppdsed to be
presldont," for their Information.
The "charges" then cohtain Ine answer
of Mr. Qavonees that "President Thomas
of the Kearney normal l:ad 'reported to
the board that a committee from the
board of trustees of the lYrkansas'itnlrcr-'
Blty had visited him atid tendered him the
chancellorship of the University of Ar
kansas at a salary - of $7,00) per .annum
and requested leave of .absence. Mr.
Cavenss then asked the Arkansas man t6
send hint the rjameo'of all of the members
of tho Arkansas board of trustees that
he might write each one of ttiern.
HlL'ht here was where the element of
"chance" got another opportunity to make
good.
Writes to Trailers.
Mr, Caveness then wrote to each ofthe
members of he k Arkansas board of trus
tees, asking them what salary had been
offered Dr. Thomas. The answers as
shown In the ""charEes" were of some
length In some cases, but were to the
effect that no specified amount had been
etf,red Dr. Thomas, which might have
been expected, as the letters written by
Mr.' Caveness stated that the people .of
Kearnoy were very anxious to keep Dr.
Thomas, and the board would like to
know how much the Arkansas board was
going to offer so they could act "Intelli
gently at the next meeting.
. This was an Invitation to the Arkansas
board to show their hand so that the Ne
braska board wbuld know what to play,
knd naturally they refused to give the
amount or signify any very great Interest
In telling Mr. Caveness. who was so
anxious to know that he wrote letters to
ati the members of the board, what they
were up to.
H. B. McKenile of Prescolt said that
tho place was being filled by a man who
was doing very well and they did not
think they would make a change "this
ynar." If at all. He did not know any
thing about Dr. Thomas as chancellor of
the university. C
Was JS'et Considered.
Edgar Brewster of Pine Bluffs, Atk..
said It had been some time since the stat
board had met, but at the "last" meeting
Dr. Thomas' name was not considered
T.'A. Turner of Jonesboro said that It
was the opinion of the board that the
salary now paid should be raised and woa
not able to Inform Mr. Caveness-of the
"amount of salary which would accom
pany an offer to Mr. Thomas."
And yet tho state board attempts to
say that Dr. Thomas had not been con
sidered by tho board.
Other letters run about along the same
line, but Gustave Jones, who wrote from
Newport, said: "Vo have mode no offr
of a 'salary, but If we are able' to.seclrre
'him' he can name 'his' own salary. The
board 'has not formally acted.' We are
waiting for the legislature to meet to see
If tho appropriation wilt not be materially
Increased."
It would look as If Mr. Jones had let
sbmethlng out which the rest of the board
was trying to keep quiet, for who could
the "he" and tho "him" mentioned In
his letter be but Dr. Thomas, to whom
Mr. Caveness had referred in his letter
of Inquiry.
Governor G. W. Donaghey, who Is presl
dent of the board, was very guarded In
his answer to Mr. Caveness. He said that
no "tender" of the position had been made
Dr. Thomas and also that no "offer" of
salary had been made.
In closing the "charges" the board ex
plains that they look upon the whole mat
ter as a scheme of Dr, Thomas to use
the University of Arkansas story to -work
the, board. to raise his salary as president
of the normal at Kearney, and for that
reason they consider that he should go.
Be, that as It may, there are other
statements In connection with the dis
puted offer of the position of president
of .the Arkansas State university to Dr.
Nebraska
Thomas. In tho statetauU made by the
members of the Normal board which
voted to dlsmlr Dr. Thomas, A. 11 Vlele. j
Jamc-s K. Delicti. A. U Cavlnesa and T
V. Majors, who elun the "charges," It Is
set forth that the board "understoou"
Dr. Thomas that he wanted to go to
Arkansas to look otter an offer he had
received as chancellor of the Arkansas
university. They "understood" Dr.
Thoman to say. But they come out
and make chargesv'tr the have removed
him, giving the public to understand that
they had caught the doctor with the goods
on him. In their "charges" they vc
tlcnlly admit thnt they might have heen
mMtaken.
State Treasurer George, who Is a mem
ber of tho board, said this morning after
rending the "charges" that Dr, Thomas
made no such statement, but that he un
derstood him to say that he had been
mentioned In consideration with tho place
and wanted to go down and talk with tho
board.
Another proposition which goes to show
that Dr. Thomas was considered for the
position Is the fact that, last December
threo members of the Arkansas state
beard, acting as a committee, came to
Lincoln and made Inquiry aa to the stand
ing of Dr, Thomas as an educator. They
called at the office of State Treasurer
George and were there Interviewed by a
Lincoln reporter o ntho matter,
Does this not Indicate that Dr. Thomas
was considered as a possible future chan
cellor of the Arkansas university?
Congressman Kinkaid
Goes Over Irrigation
Dispute Along Platte
KKAKNBY, Oct. tS.-(Speclal.)-Afler
being presented with evidence so con
vincing that he could but acknowledge
the Injury done to the Platto valley In
the last season by the lack of underflow
arid auhlrrlgatlon caused by the Impound
ing of the waters In the Pathfinder dam
In Wyoming. Congressman. Kvlnkald came
to the city Saturday for the express pur
pose of going over the situation with M.
Jj, Hand and Freeman Mnrryman, presi
dent and secretary of the Platte Valley
Protective association.
Before coining to tho city last week the
Nebraska congressman was not sure of
what stand he should toko In the situa
tion along the Platte, but after having
evidence presented to him by the local
association office, ho stated that there
was no doubt of the Injuries sustained
by the farmers along tho entire valley
To the association men he stated that he
would take hold of tho matter Imme
diately upon his arrival at-Washington
and would Inslste that the reclamation
bureau of the Interior department send
one of tho best men In thn service to
make a thorough Investigation of the
Platto conditions.
The congressman said that he felt that
tho water should be so managed that
the Platte river would not bo robbed of
the water which should be flowing within
Its banks. The matter, added Mr. Kin
kaid, Is up to the reclamation officials
and should be readily adjusted. Beforo
leaving the city he told the officials that
he was heartily In sympathy with their
demands and would do anything In his
power to help straighten tho matter out In
an equitable way.
This picture
shows the sea
son's classiest
model, but
we've scores
of coats built
on more con
servative lines
flv emsm us
am
w th. quamy Wrs.
If you want an
overcoat with
class all over it '
and quality all
through it, you
want one of our's
-few
Prices run .
from
$13.50
to
$85.00
with the best
in town at
$18, $20, $25
$15 or better
OSULKA'S rABTKST QHOWIJfO BTOJUG
IBlC-lB.ao. JPARWAM ST.
No matter what
your size, we have
-the overcoat to fit
you to bring you
. comfort and im
part stylishness to
your appearance.
Wooster Appears
in Behalf, of 'Convict
(From a Staff Correspondent,)
LINCOLN, Neb., Oct. IS.-(Hpoclal Teto-gram.)-Charles
Wooster of Hllver Creell,
appearing before the Btato Board'of Con
trol this afternoon, urged tho board -"to
make n landmark Jn history" by drderlng
tho warden of tho stnte penitentiary td
discontinue religious exercises Bunds.)'
afternoon at that Institution.
Mr. Wooster appeared before thoiboivrd
principally in behalf of Convict 8t. Clair;
who had been kept In his cell because of
dtsobeyanco of prison discipline otio of
the cases being a refusal to attend chapel
oxerclses on 8unday. Wooster 'olaimeit
that St. Clair had a right granted him- Uy
the constitution to refuse to attend chaptl
exercises. Judge I, L. Albert also ap
peared In IJehalf of St. Clair
Chaplain Johnson of the penitentiary!
Attorney Wolfenborger, Sheriff Hyers
and one other party spoke In favor of
prlnoli discipline. They contended that
when a man was convicted of a crimo
and' entered the prison his constitutional
rights were lost and hn was subject to
prison rule. A man has a right to re
celvo and open his own letters, but when
he reaches prisoip that right ceases, as
other constitutional rlnhta conflicting with
prison rules neceesary to the temperment
of discipline, according to the contention
of thoso spenklng for the enforcement 6f
;tie rule.
The iKjnrd will probably hand down Its
"decision" tomorrow.
Himilnr XpIiooI Convention.
BTBUVA, Nori., oot. (Bpeclal.)-Tho
annual convention Of the Itlrhardson
County Cunday flchool association will be
held In Balem next Wednesday, Miss
Margaret laien Brown and Wt II. Kim
bo r ley, state Pundny school workers from
Lincoln, will ' bn - present. Miss drawn
attended tho world's Sunday school con
vention at Zurich, Hwltxortand, and but
recently returned from a trip around the
world, flhe was a' rriember of tho llelnx
commission, whose privilege It was to
study the condition of childhood In the
orient.
NEW PETITION FILED FOR
REQUISITION OF THAW
CONCOno: N. It., Oct. .-Another pe
tition for tho extradition of Harry K.
Tli aw was filed wttii tho secretary of
stats by Bernard Jacobs, a New Hamp
shire lawyer 'representing the state of
New York. The new petition Is based on
the Indictment returned by the New York
county grand Jury, last week and charges
that Thaw conspired to escape from the
Matteawan asylum.
Key to the Bltilation-Uce Advertising.
Sidney Lanier, the ppet, the Christian, the greatest flute player
of all time, said this: "To make a home out of a household, given
the raw materials to wit, a wife, children, r a friend or two and a
house two other things are necessary. These are a good fire and
MUSIC. And inasmuch as we can do without the fire half the year,
may say MUSIC is the one essential. " ' ' k
Come tomorrow with FIVE dollars
m& come wfth ttte expectation ol having one of
these, magnificent pianos or p!ayer-pianos sent home
COME here tomorrow. Tuck a five dollar bill in your pocket
before starting. And come with the expectation of begin
ning right then and there to own one of these fine pianos.
You will be surprised agreeably surprised. We expect. you
to be. For you will see a piano, which in design, in finish,
in tone and in action will equal if not surpass those of
your friends and neighbors which cost three hundred and
fifty to three hundred nd seventy-five dollars: And even up
to four hundred dollars!
We don't care how skeptical you may be. You will see that
these instruments are the biggest kind of bargains at the
price ($248.75), to say nothing of the r, any other advantages
you get in the plan through which tl ey are now being Bold.
You will see that these are just the kind of p ano you have been pictur
ing in your mind for your home. You will see at a glance that these instru
ments will grace any home. That they will correspond with any modern
room it matters not how beautifully appointed.
In fact, you will be so' delighted with them th at you will be irresistibly
compelled to select one for your very own.
The whole ' disposition gone over again
f In order that von will know this whole proposition jUBt an well as we know it, we will go over It again.
qf First, we are going to sell three hundred pianos for two hundred and forty-eight dollars and seventy-five
ceata each, which under the uiuaf mithodt of selling roll at three hundred and fifty dollars each.
T Instead of selling them on rtgular , lurmt of twenty to twenty-five dollars down, and ten, twelve, flftwtt
dollars a month, you pay but fiv doilart .as an Initial payment and the remainder at the rate of only one rfortar
and twenty. five cents a week and the piano Ih .sent" to your home at ones.
A Joint guarantee, signed by both the manufacturer and ourselves, Is handed to you in writing, which guar
antees the material and workmanship of tho piano for five years from the day you make your purchase.
q You can get your money bach at the'end of thirty days' trial of the piano Vf you wish.
o; At tho end of the first years' use of tbeplano.should you wish, you can exchange it for any other new
piano we sell of equal or, greater value.' This gives you a whole year to fully eatlsfy yourself, that the piano Is all
you wish It to be. -
q And, should you die before all of your payments have been made, all future or unpaid payments wlH be
cancelled voluntarily. (
q If you wish, you need not. take, the full one hundred and ninety-five weeks' time In which to pay for your
piano. You may pay in let time. '' This Is -wholly optional on our part. But for each and every wek you
do shorten the life of your agreement, you can earn a cath dividend or ca$h premium of fifteen cents.
q Included, without extra charge, are a late style scarf and stool to match the piano.
CcjiyUllytojjetCarrckIne.
jCoyflitJjnibjrStor
T
fiam
numummmmt
iHiwnWi'aiiM'Wirw apryr;