davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
LIGHT ON JAPAN'S
 PLANS IN MEXICO
STATEMENT OF BARON iSHlI, MADE SEVERAL YEARS
 AGO, IS RECALLED.
How Japs Secured Control of Tehuan. tepec Railroad Across
 lsthmus.

Houston, TeX.-Baron Ishii, when m the United States from Japan in Sep tember, 1907, as the special envoy of his imperial government, and who at the time was chief of the bureau of commerce and communication for the Japanese government, made a state ment to Houston Post representa- tive which, though an apparently in nocent statement at that time, taken in connection with events now going on. was very significant.
 This statement disclosed that Japan was on a deal at that time to secure control of the Tehuantepec National railway in connection with a line of Japanese steamships from Santa Cruz to Japan. That the deal was consum- mated later developments would seem to prove
 "It can readily be seen," stated Baron Ishii, discussing the question, that there will be a great saving by shortening of the route when it is stated that by this route there is & saving of from thirty to sixty days from New York to San Francisco by ship, this route cutting off the long haul around South America. It will be the same saving from Galveston to Japan"
 Within a few months after Baron Ishii made the above statement a Jap anese steamship line between Mexican ports and Japan was installed and Texas cotton began to move over the Tehuantepec National railway for delivery to the steamship line. This service has been in operation ever since that time. This signifies that the deal discussed by lshii was con summated.
 Recently special telegram to the Post from the City of Mexico, purport- ing to be from the authority of a finan- cier close to DiaZ, and who, it was stated, knew everything that was go- ing on, brought the intelligence that there was a secret treaty in existe' between the governments of Japan and Mexico, and that the Mexican gov ernment had granted certain conces- sions and railway rights and port rights to the Japanese government
 All these things, taken in eonnec- ticn with the rush movement of the United States troops and vessels of the navy, and more especially bring ing of heavy artillery to Galveston, is an evidence that the Washington ofi- cials deem the situation of more grav- ity than the mere patrolling of the border to prevent the sending in Of contraband of war from this country to the aid of the Mexican insurgents
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
THE GOVERNMENT
 LOSES LAND SUITS
VALUE OF PROPERTY INVOLVED RANGES UPWARD FROM
 $10O,oo0,0OO.
The Defendants in the Suit Were Indicted on Charges of
 Conspiracy.

Seattle. Wash.-The government lost its first battle in the effort to punish the alleged fraudulent locatorS of Alaska coal lands. Judge Hanford in the United States district court overruled the motion to instruct the jury to acquit c. F. Mundan, E. E. Siegle and Arch Shields, yet he sus- tained all the vital points contended for by the defendants.
 The ground on which the court TO. fused to grant the motion to acquit was not raised by counsel for either side in the suit, but by the judge him self. It leaves the government so lit tie room to stand on that it is said to be practically assured the prosecu- tion will be dropped.
 The lands in question are the Eng fish or Sir Edward Stracey group. They are said to be richer even than the Cunningham claims. Estimates of their value range from S100,000,000 to a much larger sum. The defendants, together with Algy Stracey, a brother of Sir Edward Stracey, were indicted at Tacoma last fall, charged with conspiracy to defraud the govern ment. Stracey remained in Vancouv- CT, B. C., and avoided arrest.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07

With inc Legislators

Convcts to Work on State Highway.
 Almost an entire day was spent by the senate in the discussion of Presi. dent Toney's bill. providing for the employment of loo convicts on the construction of the road between Lit of Senator Johnson, introduced by re quest, creating the Twelfth chanCery circuit. Strong opposition developed against both bills. The Toney bill was passed by vote of II te 10 and the Johnson bill was defeated by be ing indefinitely postponed, he motion being made by senator Watson, who was one of the leaders in the fight against it's passage. All the senators who spoke in opposition to the pas sage of the Toney bill declared them selves in favor of the state system of building highways, but contended that the Toney bill discriminated in favor of one locality against another. Sen ator Toney said that the proposed road would be built through territory that needed development and that those who owned the land were will ing to pay for its construction. When completed, he declared it would be the best built highway in the state The road, he said, would be built through lands which would be great y enhanced in value when the road is completed
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Uniform Text Book eiu Fails.

The Davis uniform text book bill failed of passage, but Representative Willems gave notice of reconside.a- tion. declaring that it's provisions were not thoroughly understood by the house. The bill provides for a text book board, to be appointed by the governor. one member from each con- gressional district. It's duty consists in selecting uniform text books for the state. Special districts, however, and those of the first and second class cities and towns are exempted. In those counties where county uniform ity prevails the present contract is allowed to be completed, after which they must come under the state law In explaining his bill Representative Davis of Columbia stated that a sim liar law in Texas had saved the citi- zens of that state $3,OO0,000 in text books, and that $500,00O would be saved to Arkansas in the first few years.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Pine Bluff Was Badly Shaken.

Pine Bluff.-Two distinct earth quake shocks were felt here. They were so severe that buildings rumbled and swayed, and hundreds of excited residents crowded the streets in a panic Many of them feared to return to their homes, and in the downtown districts the excitement was intense. Windows were broken in various parts of the city At the Sixth Aven- ue school building the walls were c, lacked and clustering fell upon the pupils In the new s100,000 high school building clustering fell from the ceiling of the big auditorium.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
AN EARTHQUAKE
 SHOCKS ARKANSAS
DISTINCT SHOCKS ARE ExPE- RlENCED IN EAST AND SOUTH
 EAST ARKANSAS.
Great Excitement Was Caused in a Number of Towns, but No One
 Was Injured.

Little Rock.-Distinct earthquake shocks were felt Friday morning throughout east and southeast Arkan- sas. the disturbance being confined to that locality of the state exclusive lT. In many towns two shocks were felt and in some as many as three, but not much damage was done any where except in Pine Bluff. where many windows were broken, and in Dewitt, where the courthouse and all two and three-story buildings were more or less damaged.
 In all of the towns where the shocks were the most distinct there was great excitement, people rushing from their homes, and in many in stances refusing to go back for some time Reports show that no shocks were felt in any place in north, north east or northwest Arkansas. As near as can be learned, the disturbances began about II o'clock, lasting sever al seconds each time.
 In Little Rock a distinct shock was felt by hundreds of persons shortly before II o'clock. The shock was not severe, however, and did little dam age It was not severe enough to cause general alarm. It was noticed in several of the school buildings, but no undue excitement was caused.
 In Argenta plaster was shaken from the ceiling of the high school build ing, causing considerable alarm, but no other damage was done.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07

The Democrat took full possession of the house and put Champ Clark of Missouri in the speakers chair. In his speech accepting the honor, Mir. Clark warned the Democrats that the eyes of the country were upon them; thaI the party was on trial and that 1t had an opportunity for the first time in 16 years to prove it's worthi- ness for still higher expression of confidence on the part of the Amerl- Can people.
 William J. Bryan of Nebraska and Governor Harmon of Ohio were prominent figures on the floor of the house during the opening ceremonies and both shared in the Democratic demonstrations that marked the day
 The senate's opening was sedate as usual. And while the leadership of the upper branch of the new congress remains in Republican hands. the change in the personnel of those as suming command was almost as marked as in the house.
 Republican leaders of the senate nave announced that there shall be no tariff legislation at the extra session. Tariff revision is included in plans Of the Democrats. This difference of opinion promises soon to bring the two branches into sharp conflict A leg lslatiye deadlock is freely predicted ana the length of the session seems now to depend upon how long the Democratic house will lombard the republican senate with general leg isiatlon bills. From a political stand polnt 1t is likely that one of the most important things the Democratic house VIII do will be to order a thorough investigation of the various depart mehts and branches of the govern ment service. The Democrats assert thefe has been no such investigation TOT twenty years, and that much good campaign materials as we'll as much saVlngs to the people will result from them
 bills were introduced providing for ehahges in tariff, pensions, improve Mehts in the postal service, an income tax and many other matters. Several Huhdred public bills and more than E'Voe private ones were presented turing the three hours the house was 1n session
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
To Protect Water Consumer

Senate bill No. 421 was introduced by Senator Holland. and provides for the protection of consumers of water in Arkansas. The act makes it un- lawful for any person or corporation doing business in this state to place water meter on the premises of aRy person, whether the premises are oe- cupied by the owner. tenant or lessee. without the consent of such owner, tenant or lessee. The act makes 1t unlawful for any council of any city to so change its franchise, grant or charter, to compel any owner, tenant or lessee using water furnished by any person. firm or corporation, to use meter contrary to it's wishes.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
COUNT ERNEST voN REvENTLoW

great German strategical expert, and
 naval authority, who says Japan is preparing for war on the United States, and that she will come through the campaign victorious. The count says that naval supremacy in the Pa cific and control of the China trade is necessary to the life of Japan; that by seizing the unfortified United States is'Nnds in the Pacific she would make herself secure from American attack. He believes Japan, in sending her cit:- zcns to colonize in the island posses s4ons of the United States, is follow ing the same tactics she did with Rus- sia before the Russian-Japanese war.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Corral Asks for Leave of Absence.

Mexico City.-Ramon Corral, vice president of Mexico, has petitioned congress for an indefinite leave of absence As a reason for his action he stated that he considered it ad- visable for him to leave the country for a time on account of the bad con dition of his health. Germany was named as his destination. By asking congress for a leave of absence, the vice president quieted the rumors that he intends to resign soon. If he re- signs at all it will not be for many months, and on good authority it is stated that he has no intention now Of doing so at any time.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07

Would Construct New Constitution.
 A bill calling for a constitutional convention, to be held Monday, No vember 27. 1911, in the city of Little Rock, for the purpose of drafting Il new state constitution, was introduced in the House by MT. Martin of Faulk- her couhty, and the bill is understood to have, the backing of number of influential men on the floor of the house. The convention is ordered under d direct legislative call and is not contingent upon an election on that question by the people, as sug- gested bnd provided in the Henley bill. already before the house. In the Martin bill it is provided that an 1911, for the purpose of electing del egates to the proposed convention, ot whom there are to be l3S. Each coun- ty is entitled to one delegate, with one from each congressional district and number at large. The more pop ulous counties are entitled to coz responding representation in the con- vention. It is expressly directed in the bill that the proposed convention, While drafting new organic law for the state, shall not include in that law any provisions that might revive the old obligations of the state that have been nullified by constitutional amendment. nor shall the new con. stitution affect any state office now es- tablished during the tenure of the present officials
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Signs Free Lunch Bill.

Governor Donagney signed the bi.! recently passed by the legislature pro- hibiting the giving away of lunches in places where intoxicating liquors are sold. The bill also makes it unlawful to sell or give away Intoxicants to a person who is drunk Drunkenness is defined as the degree of intoxica- tion which incapacitates a person to reasonably transact business or ren. ders one ridiculous in the eyes of the people.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Three Shocks Felt at Rison.

Rison.-What is supposed to have been a severe earthquake shock was felt here, throwing the entire town into panic. Men, women and ehil- dren hurried out into the streets thinking the houses were fali!ns. All the clocks in town stopped, bottles were broken, flues toppled over and fell. Several brick buildings in town cracked and number of glass win dows were broken. Three distinct shocks were felt.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Pass Election Board Bill.

Senator Williams bill providing that the state board Of election com missioners shall be composed of the governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state superintendent of pub lie instruction, state treasurer, state auditor, commissioner of mines, man uiactures and agriculture and state land commissioner. was passed. The present board is composed of the gov error. secretary of state and attor- ney general.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Juvenile Court Bill Passed in House

With only one dissenting vote, the Black-Calyert juvenile court bill passed in the house. The county and probate judge is given charge of the court, which has for it's purpose the reclaiming and correction of wayward children. A committee may also be appointed to visit children known to be neglected or mistreated, and as- sign homes for them. However, in the cases of youthful criminals, the of. fender may be turned over to the regular courts
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
osceola Marshal Killed by Bootleqqer

Oseeola, Ark.-R- L. Ferguson, mar shal at this place, was killed, and Robert Dean, a deputy sheriff, was wounded, perhaps fatally, when they endeavored to arrest Henry Coltes. charged with operating blind tiger" The shooting occurred on the bank of the Mississippi river near Wilson, 10 miles south of Oseeela.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Provides for a Cotton Weiqher.

Among the bills introduced in the house was one by Representative Griswood for the election of a county cotton weigheT. The weighers are to give bond in the sum of $2,50O and shall receive as salary between $75 and $40 per month out of the fees col lected for weighing. Ten cents Is to be charged for each bale weighed, and ten cents for every load of seed weighing 1,200 pounds, paid by the buyer. Smaller loads shall be charged five cents. The residue. after the weigher has taken his salary, shall be placed to the credit of the cotton yards. The weigher is to be named by the county judge on petition. Failure to patronize the weigher may be deemed prima facie evidence of fraud
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Causes Wild Excitement at Warren.

Warren.-Wnd excitement was caused in Warren by two earthquake shocks. Both times the shock caused the ringing of the bell in the court house and occupants of the building rushed forth in terror In the public school building the stove pipes were thrown down by the shock and the children made a mad rush out of the building. Articles were knocked from the shelves of stores.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
New Counterfeit S1o.

Washington.-A new counterfeit s1o United States note, a photographic production of the buffalo note, not very cleverly executed, was announced by the secret service It is of the 1901 series, bearing the portraits of Lewis and Clark, the back of the note being reddishzbrown instead of green.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Suspends Publication

q. .'"ooden,-0wing to the inability of
 owher Of the Cherokee Headlight. sehiy paper published at Biggers. uoiph .sai county, to secure competent snsi is'ahce. it's publication has been p,pehded p,s indefinitely. Mrs. Willie ssers' who has been editing the pa h.. ,os the past year. has relinquished ef lease on the plant.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
southerner Gets Contra ct.

New Orleans. La.-P. M. Lotion, president and general manager of the Columbian Iron Works of Chattanooga, Is on the way home from Minneapolis. where he won a competitive contract to supply the city of Minneapolis with 500 fire hydrants over bidders from all over the country.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Rates From Malvern Cut.

o washington, D. C.-The Interstate commerce Commission deciaed that sue through rate of 49 cents per 100 pounds on chairs from Malvern, Ark. - milwaukee, Wis, is excessive. and euoeed the rate to 39 cents. A re- .uuu to the Hartman Furniture Con- Hs ss oI Malvern, complainant, was or reteu' The Chicago, Rock Island and
 "eiile and other roads are involved.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Shock Was Slight at Hot Springs.

Hot Springs.-If there was really ii earthquake shock felt here it was so slight that but few people realized there was a disturbance ill the section until telegraph and telephone mes sages began pouring in from other sections of the country to friends anG relatives, asking for assurances that Hot Springs had not been visited anu that they were all safe.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Liqhtnino Strikes Biq Tower.

Hot Springs.-During heavy rain and electrical storm here. lightning struck the big steel observatory tower on the crest of Hot Springs noun tain, burning away the lower struc- ture, but leaving the steel structural work intact. No one was injured. The financial loss is about $7,000.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Exempt Farm Products.

Representative Kellogg's bill prohlb- iting towns or cities charging license for the sale of farm products by farm CTS. passed. The bill applies only to home products, meats, vegetables, etc, and to the growers of the produce Farmers selling through agents or middlemen are not exempL
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Prohibition Bill Passed in the House,

Almost without discussion, the ke-sh statewide submission blll passed in the house. The measure submits the question of statewide prohibition to the people at the Sep tomber election, 1912, and will then be voted upon as any other measure Representative Kersh explained the bill briefly and Representative Yadon made a short temperance talk in fa- vor of it. The vote was 56 for, 16 against
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Ask Heavy Dana ees From Railroad

New Orleans.-Alleging that by un- reasonable and unjustly diserimina- tory rates of the Illinois Central and Yazoo X Mississippi Valley railroads it has suffered a great loss, being forced to move half of its plant to Shreveport, the American Creosote Works of South Port, La, filed pc tition in the United States circuit court seeking $556,OO0 damages.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
CONGRESS BEGINS
 ITS EXTRA SESSION
CONFLICT IS IN SIGHT OVER RE- VISION OF TARIFF
 SCHEDULE.
Champ Clark Displaces Joseph Can. non as Speaker of the House
 of Representatives.

Washington. D. C.-The Sixty-sec- ond congress met in extraordintry session Tuesday. What the session vi brne forth in the way of legisla- ton or when it will adjourn are mat ters on winch no one cares to venture an opinion.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Bradham Education Bill Passed

The Bradham bill, for the creation of state board of education, came up in the house. It creates a super visory board, before which matters re- lating to the common school system comes, and takes some of the powers of the state department of education. The vote on the bill was A fo-, 22 against
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Favor Abolition of Lease System.

After almost two entire days spent i'll discussion, the house. in adopting the Davis resolution prohibiting tho leasing of conviets after June, regis tered Itself in favor of the abolition of the lease system. The roll was not called on the final vote, but the speaker declared the resolution to have been adopted on a viva voee vote.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Kill Tax Collection BILL

After a most able address against the bill by Representative Little and by Representative Going, Speaker Mil wee and others. the Logan bill for the collection of back taxes was postponed fol sixty days and the vote reconsid- cred and tabled
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Harrison Elected Again in Chicago.

0hicago. - Carter H. Harrison, mayor Of Chicago from 1897 until detS' and son of Carter H. Harrison, or who occupied the mayors office rom 1879 to 1887, and was assassi- Ha'eu during the worlds fair, was sieeted mayor for the fifty time. He oe1eated Charles E. Merriam. his Re puolean opponent, by 170S2 votes, euhlng a total of 17735S votes.
The Forrest City times., 1911-04-07
Militia Appropriation Bill introduced

Representative Lewis of St Francis introduced the appropriation bill for the Arkansas National Guard. for SlS.- APO, The bill calls for considerably less than that passed by the last leg islature and it's heaviest items are sS,640 for armory rent and S3.000 each for the salaries of the assistant adiutant general and the assistant quartermaster general.