Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-01-04

instance, 500 pounds OF binding Irvine
sent In carload OF harvesters, with
out paying the less than carload rates
on both.
That which appears most important.
however, is the announcement from
the commission that the preparation
OF classifications must be regarded as
a public function. This will lead to
the adoption by congress- Of the Ken
yon bill to give the interstate COM
merce commission the authority to
make classifications.
While 1t has been difficult matter
for the consuming public either to get
any clear idea OF the case involving
No. 81 or to comprehend how closely
1t affects everyone. the fact Is. as ex-
planned by those who have studied the
matter deeply. that the case is one OF
the most important ever presented to
the commission.
Surprise at Boards Action.
Much surprise was expressed in Des
Moines when it became known that
the parole board had decided adversely
to the appeal for clemency by Charles
Thomas. serving /, life term for muir.
der Of Mabel Schofield, in this city
fifteen years ago. 1t has long been the
almost unanimous opinion Of the news
paper men who came in contact with
the case in all its various phases. and
Of many Of the leading lawyers OF the
city and other disinterested persons,
that while under the evidence as it
was finally produced the jury could
have done nothing else than convict
Thomas, yet as matter of fact he
was not guilty of the crime. Very few
Des Moines people. in fact, believe he
is guilty Of that crime.
The girls body was found In the
river and there seemed to be presump.
ton of suicide. Thomas was hack
driver who had been we'll acquainted
with her. He was of bad repute and
hard character. 1t was declared by the
prosecution, and evidence was pro-
duced to that effect, that Thomas had
taken the body OF the girl to the
bridge. But there was also some evi-
dence that she had been seen In that
vicinity alone.
The feature Of the case which has
caused some revolt in the minds of
many persons was that under the
stimulus of an unreasonably high Of
fer Of reward professional detectives
worked up all the evidence years after
the crime had been committed. There
Is a feeling that at least some of this
evidence was manufactured for the
occasion. But there is general agree
ment that SO far as Thomas is con-
cerned he ought to have been retired
from circulation long before.
The case will now be dropped until
some later period when unquestion.
ably there will be renewal Of the ap-
plication for clemency Thomas has
practically no real friends and all the
effort in his behalf has been from per-
sons who we're moved by desire that
Justice be done, even to an undeserv.
ing wretch. s@
Gas Might BE Cheaper.
The fight in Iowa for cheaper gas
rates Ia the cities recalls that by and
through public service commission
the city residents Of New Jersey are
approaching an era Of cheap gas. Tho
commission in that state the other day
ordered that In Paterson. Passaic and
neighboring towns the gas rate should
be reduced from $1.10 to 80 cents:
ands also recommended that the big
company which supplies gas to most
of the, cities Of the state fix uniform
rate Of 80 cents all through. Some Of
the opposition to public utilities
commission in Iowa has arisen from
a belief that such commission might
be shelter for the big corporations
50 that 1t would be impossible to get
action in behalf Of the people. In the
New, Jersey. case. it is pointed out, the
opposite has been the result. Des
Moines will continue the fight for 80
cent gas and 1t is the general belief
here that the company would very
quickly concede 1t and end litigation
but for the moral effect alseWhare