THE BEE: OMAHA, FRIDAY, JUNE 17, 1921.
i
Nebraska Men
Aid in Probe of
Federal Graft
Jefferis and Reavis Both Are
Active in Investigation of
Alleged Harness and
Salmon Conspiracies.
By E. C. SNYDER.
IVanhlngtoa Correspondent Omaha Be.
Washington, June 16. (Special
lelegram.) President Harding's an
nulment of the War department's
tontracts with the United States
harness company for the disposal of
iui plus harness, on the advice of At
torney General Daugherty, and the
transmission of the so-called "sal
mon case" to the Department of Jus
tice by Secretary Weeks of the War
department, brings into the limelight
Iwo members of the Nebraska dele
gation, Jefferis and Reavis. Both
were active, earnest and conscien
tious investigators of expenditures
made by the War department dtir
'ng the war af members of the spe
cial committee of the house appoint
ed to make the investigation during
the 65th congress.
Representative Jefferies was large
ly instrumental in bringing out the
facts with reference to the harness
situation and the contract entered
by the department "frith certain firms
, for the purchase of the surplus. So
Searching were his questions to the
Witnesses that they attracted the at-
ntion of the law officers of the
government with the result that the
nidiia luiigicssiuan spent uays in
king over the mass of evidence with
Ieciai representatives of the De
rtment of Justice.
' Must Show Conspiracy.
Jefferis has contended all along
at it was not enough to show col-
sion between certain former army
Ifficials and firms, but that a con
biracy must be established, other-
lse it would be well-night jmpos
ble to make a case. He pounded
this feature with the assistant
ttorney general until finally they
ecided to recommend the action
aken by the president today in
ancelling the surplus harness con
tact. Ihis is, it is believed, is the
rerunner of the litigation which
fnay send several somebodies to jail
or an extended period.
Congressman Reavis was charged
i'ith investigating the automobile
urchases during the war and
ieir sales after the war, which
rought outspoken denunciation from
le public, especially when he showed
y photographs how many of the
nest makes of motor cars had been
permitted to eo to rack and rum
through gross negligence. Reavis
also developed the so-called salmon
case, which originated in Umaha,
Congressman Jefferis handling the
case originally and turning it over
to his colleague, into whose province
It fell by reason of subcommittee
assignments.
Probe Salmon Case.
It will be recalled that a salmon
lamine existed in Omaha during the
latter stages of the war and efforts
made to ourchase the salmon
. 1 I
war Department naa in storage
the srovernment sunolv depot A
remission merchant 'got "permission
to mvestieate the salmon, attcr
charges had been made that it was
bad, and found that at least 90 per
cent was edible. The War depart
ment hnurvrr. was obdurate aeainsr
Its sale and finally it was shipped
to another city at government ex
pense when wholivale grocers were
permitted to purchase it at a price
far above that which the salmon
packers had paid the government in
taking it off its hands. .
(Sometime ago nine members of the
special committee appointed to in
vestigate expenditures in the War
iepartment during the war ) of which
Representative Graham of Illinois
was chairman,, had a conference with
the president, Jefferis and Reavis be
ing members of the delegation.
Affected Election.
They both laid the matter before
ti Met executive, evidence of wha
i'.iey believed constituted a conspiracy
in certain contracts, and stated that
while the league of nations played
no small part in determining the re
sult of the last election, they were
of the opinion that the revelations
brought out by the special commit
tee also contributed not a little to
the tesult .
- President Harding, greatly lm-
iresscd oy the , statements ot tne
lawyers on the committee, took the
matter up with the cabinet and then
the attorney general got busy.
President Harding's annulment of
the contract made by former army
officials with the United States Har-?u-ss
comoanv to take over all the
War department s surplus naraes.3 is
e opening gun in what may prove
o oe a senca ui scumhuui..- --
h ch conspiracy to aetraua may dc
J lid! CU BUU BUU3l"vu "J 4
rrial. - - -
Grain Exchange Bill
Is Killed In Illinois
Springfield, 111., June 16. Agree
ment not to call up in the Illinois
house the Lantz grain exchange bill,
which in effect would put the Chi
cago board of trade under state su
pervision, and let it die was reached
lere last night by leaders of propon
snts and opponents of the measure.
A companion bill, which would curb
trading in futures, did not reach the
house.
The Lantz bill, which had been
passed by the senate, was favored by
the Illinois Agricultural association
and several leading farmers' organi
zations. $19,000 Verdict to Owner
Of Property Damaged
A verdict for $19,845.84 was won
bv Mrs. Isabelle S. Humphrey of
Rapid City, S. D., in District Judge
Goss' court against the George
Stiles Construction company and the
Skinner Packing company on the
ground that a wan ot Mrs.
Humphrey building east ot the cold
storage plant recently built by the
Skinner concern was caused to settle
to such an extent that the building
was rendered unsafe for use. It. was
occupied by the Yellow Taxicab
company. Settling of this wall was
caused by excavation for construc
tion for the cold storage plant.
Here's Little Laura,
She's Free Woman Now
, LAURA
f If
Mrs. Laura Anson, wife of Dr.
John F. Anson, former Omaha den
tist, was awarded a decree of divorce
in Los Angeles, according to word
reaching Omaha Wednesday. Mrs.
Anson, who has been appearing in
motion picture plays, intends to con
tinue m that work, she said. The
Ansons formerly lived at 5010 Cali
fornia street. Mrs. Anson told the
judge her husband was "tired of
married life."
Red Cross Appeals
For Relief and Aid
In Pueblo Flood Zone
Chicago, June 16. Upon the
American Red Cross rests the re
sponsibility for securing and ad
ministering relief to the homeless
and'suffering in the Pueblo flood. T
F. Keating, chairman, Pueblo chap
ter, American Red Cross, appealed
for aid to central division chapters
in the following message sent to
Welter Davidson, manager. '
"Our needs pressing and great.
All relief agencies and authorities
here have agreed that all contribu
tions for Pueblo's aid should be made
to and handled by the American Red
Cross."
Directly on receipt of this message
Mr. Davidson advised the 748 chap
ters in Illinois, Wisconsin, Minne
sota. North and South Dakota, Ne
braska, ' Iowa, Montana and Wyo
ming to forward contributions, pre
viously made, at once to James L.
Fieser, Red Cross headquarters,
Pueblo, direct, or to the central di
vision headquarters for immediate
forwarding. Appeals for further as
sistance must be made if the $500,000
t.ecessary for rehabilitation is to be
reiched.
Grain Commissioner
Of Missouri Takes j
Possession of Office
Kansas City, Mo.,' June 16. T. J.
Hedrick, newly appointed state grain
and warehouse commisioner, declared
himself in possession of the office
late today after James Bradshaw, re
moved by Governor Hyde, had re
fused to surrender the keys or rec
ognize the governor's removal order.
Mr. Hedrick placed police on guard
at the office and ordered new locks
fittid to the doors tomorrow.
The police commissioners had tel
ephonic instructions from Governor
Hyde to oust Bradshaw, using force
if necessary.
The removal of Bradshaw was the
result of a hearing conducted by the
governor on charges that Bradshaw
had been irregular in his conduct of
the office, in that he had used state
funds for private traveling expenses.
Mr. Hedrick was appointed with in
structions to take over the office
immediately without awaiting the re
sult of Mr. Bradshaw's announced
appeal to the supreme court. ,
Rescuer in Platte
Flood Tragedy Dies
Grand Island, Neb., June 16. A
third victim is added to the Platte
river flood tragedy of Monday in
the death of Mrs. Ed Hamilton, from
the shock and. complications result
ing from her going under. The
little son of Mrs. H. C. Gillespie,
aged.9, had gone in wading and was
soonengulfed. Mrs. Gillespie, the
frantic mother, leaped into the river
after the boy and went down. Mrs'.
Hamilton, sister of Mrs. Gillispie, in
an attempt to rescue the other two
also went down but was located by
two young men, brought to shore,
and apparently saved. For a few
days Mrs. Hamilton seemed . to be
slowly recovering, but several com
plications from the nervous shock
and from sand and water in the sys
tem resulted in death early today.
Union Pacific Trains
Will Carry Hoboes Free
Cheyenne, Wyo., June 16.-The
train crews of both the Union Pa
cific and Colorado Southern trains
out of Cheyenne have been instruct
ed to permite hoboes to ride unmo
lested in the future until further or
ders. It was explained that tramps
are becoming so dangerous that it
was thought better to let them ride
and thus avoid trouble.
Voluminous Handkerchief
Is Latest Fad in Paris
Paris, June 16. A voluminous
handkerchief a yard square and of
the same color and design as the
blouse and veil is the latest Paris
fad. The women tuck or pin the
center of the handkerchief in a side
pocket, not a breast pocket, leaving
the long ends of the handkerchief
hanging out six or eight inches.
Two Boys Nominated
Washington, June 16. (Special
Telegram.) Congressman Andrew
today nominated Hugo Schmidt of
Grand Island as a midshipman at the
naval academy and Rollo VanPek
of Hastings to take the examination
for cadetship at West Point,
Banker Wants
Property Lists
From Borrowers
President of State Association
Urges Measure to Protect
Bankers Optimism Con
vention's Keynote.
A recommendation that every
borrower of money of more than $100
be required to make a statement of
his property holdings and liquid as
sets, at least once every 12 months,
was made by J. M. Flannigan of
Stuart, president of the Nebraska
Bankers' association, in the opening
session of this year's convention, at
Happy Hollow club yesterday.
Flannigan hopes to make tfle re
quirement nation-wide. He has al
ready taken up the matter with the
national comptroller of currency and
with the state banking board.
Optimism dominates the meeting
which more than 50 bankers are
expected to attend.
"Financial conditions are greatly
improved and co-operation all along
the line will give us the key to suc
cess," said Mr. Flannigan. "Bank
ers depend on farmers and farmers
depend on bankers. Our interests
are identical and each est serves
himself by serving the other."
He paid a tribute to the bankers
of the east, whose loyalty to the west
never wavered during all the strin
gent period, he declared. He also
praised the Federal Reserve bank,
and the state banking board, , with
whom, he stated, Nebraska bankers
were in. perfect accord.
Worst of It Passed.
F. H. Davis, president of the First
National bank, voiced the same sen
timents in his address of welcome.
"I believe we have seen the worst
of it in the nerve-racking past year
and that some relief is in sight."
Mr. Davis advocated, however, con
tinuation of the policy of gradual
liquidation.
"This burden is upon bankers
throughout the country and we can
not hope to avoid it. Obligation1
must be paid, our agricultural prod
ucts must be sold and the few that
may be so fortunate as to be out ot
debt should turn part of their prop
erty into money to assist in building
up depleted deposits.
Entertainment Arranged. ,
"This plan, if generally adopted, is
the only one ihat will bring back
prosperity and the beginning of an-,
other era of good times.
C. Q. Chandler af Wichita, H. E.
Moss of Lincoln, secretary of the
Nebraska Chamber of Commerce; A.
N. Mathers of Germg, and S. J.
Weeks of O'Neill were among yes
terday's speakers.
A woman's auxiliary may be
formed during this year's meeting,
according to Miss Maud May of
Fremont and Mrs. Albert Schantz.
Mrs. J. R. Cain and Mrs. L. M. Lord
are active in the movement.
Miss May has attended 15 national
bankers' conventions. Her father is
president of the Fremont bank.
Program for Today.
Harry T. Atwood, Chicago law
yer and author, will be chief speak
er at this morning's session of the
Nebraska Bankers' association con
vention at Happy Hollow club.: "The
Constitution Our Safeguard," is his
subject.
J. H. Puelicher of Milwaukee,
vice president of the American
Bankers' association, talking on
"Banking Education," and Merton
L. Corey of the Federal Land Bank
of Omaha on "Financing the Farm
er," are high spots on the program.
J. C French of the Stock Yards Na
tional bank will give a report of the
protective committee and T. L. Ma
thews of Fremont, for the Blair com
mittee. Election of officers for the state
and representatives on the national
board will lake place.
The new council will meet in the
afternoon at Happy Hollow to or
ganize for next year.
Today's entertainment for the del
egates include? a buffet luncheon,
automobile drive, base ball game and
golf, an afternoon tea at the C T.
Kountze home and an outing at
Krug park tonight
Menlo Veteran Dies
As Result of Harsh
Treatment Overseas
Meclo, la., June 16. (Special.)
Lawrence Cavanaugh died at his
home here of diabetes, contracted as
a tesult of harsh treatment received
while he was in a German prison
camp overseas.
Cavanaugh was taken prisoner
soon after being assigned to duty
on the front. It was several months
before he was released, his health
shattered. He was invalided home,
but his condition was such that he
gradually grew worse until his death,
a few days ago.
He was buried here with military
honors.
Unveil Bronze Tablet
For Soldiers in Ravenna
Ravenna, Neb., June 16. (Spe
cial.) Flag day was commemorated
in Ravenna by unveiling the hand
some bronze tablet erected to the
memory of the soldier boys. Six
names, with the star before them in
dicating that they had answered the
final sumons, and the names of 140
who returned home, are engraved on
the tablet, which was donated by the
women's canteen organization.
Alexa Stirling Eliminated
From French Golf Tourney
Fontainebleau, June 16. (By The
Associated Press.) Miss Alexa
Stirling of Atlanta, American wom
an golf champion, was eliminated
from the women's French open golf
championship tournament today by
Miss Joyce Wethered, the English
player, who won by 5 up and 4 to
play. -
"It Didn't Rain and It's
Still Hot," Mourns W. Man
"It didn't rain and it's still hot,"
was the mournful cry of Meteorolo
gist Bobins yesterday.
"I'm predicting fair and continued
warm tonight and tomorrow, so I
suppose it'll rain and get cold. Oh,
welU"
Middlemen Blamed
For High Cost of Meat
Cleveland, June 16. Responsibil
ity for the high price of meat was
placed on middlemen and retailers
by E. C. Brown, president of the
National Live Stock ecxhange, at the
opening of its 33d annual conven
tion today. He declared that although
basic prices had dropped 66 per cent
since October, the price to the house
wife has been reduced but little.
"The great difference existing be
tween basic and retail prices,' he
said, "can be remedied only by co
operation of the middlemen and re
tailers with the producers in elim
inating causes that stand in tlje way
of our return to normal business."
The speaker intimated that pro-,
ducers have been making every ef
fort to lower the price of meat, but
their reductions have been taken up
by middlemen and retailers in profits
before they reach the consumer.
Grain Credit to
Be Available for
Farmers Soon
Hoover Announces Prelim
inary Work on Financing
Scheme Is Now
Completed.
Washington, June 16. Secretary
Hoover announced last night that
preliminary work on a plan to make
storage certificates on grain avail
able to the farmers as credit col
lateral has been completed by the
conference called by himself and
Secretary Wallace.
"The plan was considered by all
parties to the conference to be prac-
tical and to promise great advan
tages," Mr. Hoover said, "It was
agreed that the plan requires no fed
eral legislation and differs entirely
from all other plans hitherto pro
posed, as it revolves upon insur
ance of the certificate as to quantity
and grade by the liability companies
and provides freedom of movement
of commodities from local to termi
nal warehouses if congestion re
quires. It suppleents and in no way
replaces or competes with farmers'
co-operative storage and marketing
plans.
"The farmers' representatives on
the one hand, and the elevator ware
house and insurance representatives
on the other decided to develop at
once the matter in detail with their
various associations."
Lineman Electrocuted
Mitchell, S. D., June 16. George
Webber, 32, a telephone lineman,
was instantly killed today when he
came in contact with an electric
light wire carrying 2,300 volts.
Porter Protests Sims'
Anti-Irish Speeches
Washington, June 16. Represen
tative Porter of Pennsylvania, in his
official capacity as chairman of the
house foreign affairs committee, pro
tested today to Secretary of the
Navy Denby against Admiral Sims'
anti-Irish speeches.
He told the secretary that while
he felt that congress should take
no action in the controversy, he
looked to the Navy department to
take effective measures to silence the
admiral's outbursts. '
Mr. Porter made the point that
Admiral Sims' views, as expressed
in his recent London speech, were
doubly obnoxious because of the fact
that the admiral is head of the naval
war college. He contended that an
officer holding such views was unfit
to direct the instruction of naval officers.
F
or baby's
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for lmby's health
if motherb milk
fails is
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