davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20
GAS FOR 50 YEARS
OkIahomans Before = Congress
Tell of Supply.
Federal Control of Gas Is
Proposed.

Washington, May 20.-Oklahomans
before the house committee on inter-
state and foreign commerce have de-
clared that the gas pipeline companies
operating in that state controlled the
franchise for distributing gas in cities.
John H. Rebold Of Okmulgee said it
would be of little avail in bringing
about relief to the gas producers of Ok
lahoma for a competitive pipeline to be
constructed because it would have no
place to market its gas.
For several winters. he said, the
cities to the north. using Oklahoma
natural gas furnished through mains
Of the Kansas Natural Gas company.
have suffered from lack of pressure at
the stove.
els it true that the Oklahoma sup
ply of natural gas is playing out?''
asked Representative Decker. repre-
senting the Joplin district.
"Oklahoma has worlds of gas" re-
piled Rebold. TT has more gas than
any state I know Of"
Attorney General West Of Oklahoma
said that congress should control the
taking of gas from field. similar to
the regulation adopted by the state of
Oklahoma. This law was adopted by
the last legislature and gave the own
ers of the surface a prOportiOnate In
terest in the gas beneath it.
The Kansas Natural. c. ]. Wrights-
man of Tulsa said, was not carrying
to the full capacity of its line or with
the facilities it could obtain He said
it needed additional pumps and, if
properly managed, should give more
satisfactory service. Commenting upon
the companys claim there was a short
age of gas in Oklahoma, he said he
offered the Kansas Natural millions of
feet daily at two cents per thousand,
but they would not take it.
"Oklahoma," said Mr.. Wrightsman,
has sufficient gas for the next fifty
years based on the present field of con-
SUMPTION"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20

Billiard regarding the transaction in
1O9,94S shares of Boston & Maine was
ordered approved. Mr.. Billiard in pre-
vicus testimony was said to have made
$2,65O,000 out Of the transaction. Mr..
Mellen said that a part of the min
utes. which made it appear that the
New Haven had made a profit Of ST.
649,22O, was incorrect. but that a
clause to the effect that Billiard was
only to get a commission was correct.
Mellen further said that he made
many contracts not only with Mr.. Bill
lard, but with others which he had
not submitted to the board Of direc-
tors.
what authority did you have to
make a contract with Mr.. Billiard, in
|volving payment by the New Haven
of a tremendous profit on a stock
tra nsaction
"I had absolute authority. 1 am
quite certain that the report which we
are discussing is erroneous. 1t sug-
gests the getting of an assignment
from Mr.. Billiard of profits already in
the hands of the New Haven. That is
ridiculous. The report is in error.
an error made perfaps by the secre-
,tary.'
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20
START BIG FIRE
Suffragettes Try to Burn Out
the King and Queen.
Cavalrymen Beat Out Flames
With Their Swords.

Aldershot. Eng, May 20.-A great
brush fire. declared by the authorities
to have been the work of militant suf-
fragettes, encircled today the royal pa
vilion in Long Valley, where King
George and Queen Mary are in resi-
dence. in the center of a great army
of British troops. The entire camp
was aroused before daybreak. Several
battalions of infantry and regiments
Of cavalry turned out to fight the
flames.
Water is plentiful but the swords
of cavalry men proved a better means
of extinguishing the fire as with them
the men cut down and beat out the
blazing underground.
Suffragettes have shown great ac-
tivity in the neighborhood since the
king and queen arrived here. As their
majesties left the royal pavilion today
two women dashed in front of their
carriage waving a banner with the
words, Votes for Women"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20
DROWN IN Canal
Two Chicago Students ElOpe
and Are Married.
Go for q Honeymoon Trip in a
Red Canoe.

Chicago, May 20.-Search was resumed
at daybreak today in the drainage
canal. at Lemont, ILL.,, for the bodies
Of Gordon Higgins and his bride, the
two young elopers who were drowned
there by the capsizing OF Higgins
canoe. a few hours after their marriage.
Higgins, a student at Evanston acad-
eray. and Miss Verle Stewart. a student
in the Northwestern University School
of Music, were married by Judge Labuy
in the city hall. He was 10 years old
and she was %. Miss Stewart was a
daughter of DR.. Harry J. Stewart Of
Kewanee.
Tuesday afternoon Miss Stewart took
a suit case and told her uncle, Myron
H. McKinnon. with whom she lived in
Evanston. that she was going home for
a visit At the same hour Higgins left
the home of his uncle, F. H. Harwood,
to go to the beach. The young pair had
planned to get married and go for a
honeymoon in Gordon's canoe. A lock-
er boy from the beach brought the news
to the Harwood home and Mrs. Har-
wood called the police and license bu-
reau to stop the wedding, but too late
They had been married by Judge Labuy
Later in the afternoon one Of these
called on McKinnon and told him that
Gordon and his wife had gone down the
canal in Gordon's canoe.
Bodies Not Recovered.
McKinnon telcphoned to different
towns along the canal. His last call
was made to Lemont. Marshal Kane
answered.
See anything Of a red canoe with a
boy and girl in it? asked McKinnon.
Yes, but the bodies have not been re-
covered" answered Kane. When Nc
Kfnnon was able to hear more Kane de-
scribed the drowning. Higgins had
asked for a tow behind a barge" Kane
explained. "One of the barge men
threw him line and they were towed
for long time. They went to sleep
about Willow Springs. About five miles
north OF here the steersman on the
barge saw Higgins move Ind try to
reach his coat. He leaned forward on
his knees. trying to get 1t and the canoe
rocked and turned over. Mrs. Higgins
caught her husband around the neck al
they went under and neither Of them
came to the surface again.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20
Peace Farley Opens at Three
O'clock This Afternoon.
Everything Is in Readiness at
Niagara Falls, Ontario.
all PARTICIPANTS ON HAND
Governor General Of Canada
Has Named q Delegation
To Welcome the Mediators to
the Dominion Territory.

Niagara Falls. May 20.-The medf-
ators and representatives OF the United
States and Huerta governments be-
gan at 3 O'Clock the first formal con-
ference looking to settlement of the
Mexican problem. Rules of proce-
dure and preliminary organization OF
the mediation proceedings were dis
cussed.
Niagara Falls, Ontario, May 20.-Ev-
erything was In readiness today for the
opening Of the mediation conference.
which under the guidance OF Ambassa-
dor De Cana Of Brazil and Ministers
Naon Of Argentina and Suarez of Chile.
Is to attempt to compose the differences
between the United States and Mexico.
The Mexican peace commissioners ar
rived early today from New York,
while the American delegates reached
here shortly before midnight. Minister
Suarez was The last of the three South
scene.
To welcome the visitors to Canadian
territory, the Duke of Connaught, gov
ernor general of Canada, delegated
Martin Burrell, minister Of agriculture.
and Senator Lougheed, conservative
leader. to come here from Ottawa.
Their duties included visits Of greeting
to the mediators and to the American
delegates.
The formal opening Of the conference
was set for p. m. today. The pro-
gram for today included nothing except
the formal fntroductions. exchanges Of
courtesies and adoption of plans for
the conduct of the proceedings such
as are customary to the opening Of an
international gathering Of this char
acter. The mediators were prepared
to lay before the delegates, from the
two governments. the rules and regula-
tions which will govern during the
proceedings.
Ambassador Da Cana of Brazil. al
ranking representative among the three
mediators. will be the leader In what
ever action is taken. but 1t has not YET
been announced whether there will be
a chairman formally chosen to preside
over the sezsfcrs.. Justice EAAaav OF s<ias
United States supreme court and Fred
erfck w. Lehmann, former solicitor
general in the department of Justice
the American delegates with H. Perci:
val Dodge. their secretarial advisor, are
making their headquarters at a hote
CONTINUED on Page SKI
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20
BECKER HARD HIT.
Confession Of Dago Frank Ruled Out
by the Court.

New York. May 2O.-The confess
sion that "Dago Frank" Cirofici made,
an hour before he went to the cleo
trio chair. at Sing Sing. will not help
Charles Becker in his fight to prove
his innocence of the murder Of Her
man Rosenthal, for which Cirofici and
his three companions already have
paid the penalty. The supreme court
the second time refused today to ad-
init testimony dealing with this con-
fessiOn.
"Dago Frank swore he had new
er heard the name of Becker until
Rosenthal had been killed. The de-
fense had planned to place upon the
stand the sister of the dead gunman,
the priest who accompanied him to
the chair, the warden and the prin-
cipal conspirator at Sing Sing to tes-
tify to the authenticity of this con-
fession, but Justice Seabury's ruling
defeated their intentions.
Becker's face fell when he heard
the ruling.
The court held that evidence per-
tanning to the confession was not ad-
missible because 1t was an incident
that occurred after the murder.
VIII Try an Alibi.
New York, May 20.-In an effort
to establish an alibi for Charles E.
Becker, charged with having instf-
gated the murder of Herman Rosen-
thai, counsel for the defense were
prepared today to call several wit
nesses to support the testimony of
Frederic Hawley. former newspaper
reporter, whose direct examination
was concluded with the adjournment
of court Tuesday. The cross exami-
nation of Hawley was not expected
to take up much of the morning ses-
sion.
Hawley testified under direct ex-
animation that Becker answered his
telephone on the morning of the
murder soon after the shooting OF
Rosenthal and could not have been
near the scene, as has been previous
| ly charged by witnesses for the state
A conference last night, attended
by Becker, his wife, brother and
/; counsel, failed to determine whether
the defendant would be called to
stand to tell his version OF the muir
! der and the charges of Jack Rose
Harry Vallon and Bridgie Webber
that he had ordered Rosenthal
killed.
Other witnesses said to be held in
| reserve by the defen-e include War
den Clancy. Father Cashin and Prin-
cipal Keeper McInerney of Sing Sing
prison, who heard the statement
made by "Dago Frank Cirofici, one
| of the four gunner, just before he
was executed for his part in the mur-
der of Rosenthal. Cirofici is reported
| to have told Father Cashin and the
| prison officials that he never heard
Becker's name mentioned in connec-
| ton with the murder.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20
An Army Of 1000 Rebels Led BY
Gen. villa
Defeats . Force Of $500 Q
Mexican Federals.
Nine Pieces Of Artillery AMI
Much Ammunition.
Also Quantity Of Provisions and
Five Troop Trains.

Estacion, Amargos, Mexico. May
1S-via Ell Paso. May 20.-General
Francisco villa. leading 1000 consti-
tutionalist troops. won the first inn
portant engagement OF the Saltillo
campaign May IT. whom he defeated
$500 federals retreating from Mon
clova at Paredon.
Forty-five hundred federal troops
retreating from Monclova to Saltillo
were met by about 4, ZOO constitution
alists led by Villa and were decisively
beaten. Not only did General villa
administer defeat but he prevented
the arrival, at Saltillo, OF the Mon
clova federal garrison, which would
have added materially to the defen-
sive force Of the objective point Of
supplies which would have been Of
value to the garrison Of Saltillo and
which have. added q tremendously
increased strength to. the power Of
Villas attack.
The constitutionalists lost 16 killed
and 20 wounded. The federal cas-
ualties were 20 killed and over so
wounded. The constitutionalists cap
tured 900 prisoners, nine pieces of ar
tillery, over 100000 rounds Of small
arms ammunition. a large quantity of
artillery ammunition and a large
supply Of provisions in. addition to
five troop trains which carried the
Huerta soldiers.
Fight Lasted 40 Minutes.
The federal garrison of Monclova.
numbering $500, had evacuated that
town May Is, in five troop trains, on
approach Of General Francisco Mar
guia, constitutionalist commander at
Piedras Negras, who was advancing
from the south to attack. Warned by
Marguia and by his scouts that the
federals under Generals Charles AL
varez Guardiola and Munoz were at
tempting to consolidate their forces
with the Saltillo garrison, Villa pre-
pared to received them at Paredon.
Villa divided his forces into three
columns, the center one Of which he
led in person. AS the first two troop
trains steamed into the trap prepared
for them on May II, Villa swung for
ward his three columnss sssimultaneous-
" The constifutfona1ist attack was
brilliantly executed. In forty min
utes the federals not dead. wounded
or prisoners were scattered in flight,
leaving their ammunition and provi-
sions behind them.
The constitutionalist cavalry dis
mounted and acting as infantry, fairly
swept the federal lines back with their
rapid fire. AS the federals swarmed
out of their cars and took up positions
in open order. along the railroad track
they were met by whitening vOlley.
For a time they faced the bullets stub
bornly and sent back an effective re-
turn. but the men under Villa were not
to be repulsed. The constitutionalist
advance never faltered and as their
lines dashed forward from three sides
under Villas personal encouragement
and that of the brigade commanders,
MaclOviO Herrera, Trinidad Rodriguez,
Raul Madero and Perchea. all Of whom
distinguished themselves for bravery,
the federals broke and ran.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20
RIPLEY SCORES MELIlEN.
President o Santa Fe Talks Of AT.
fairs on New Haven.

Chicago, May 2O.-Retrenchment
on American lines have reached a
point where physical condition of the
properties is endangered, according
to E. P. Ripley, president of the At
Gibson, Topeka and Santa Fe rail-
road, who returned to Chicago after
several months in the west.
Mr.. Ripley said that he failed to
understand what caused Charles S.
Mellen, former president of the New
Haven road, to testify as he did be-
fore the investigating committee. 1T
is difficult for me to believe" said Mr..
Ripley. that the board of directors
of the New Haven did the things
without Mellen's sanction that he
says they did. Never in my railroad
career have I found a board of direc-
tors that deliberately worked con-
trary to tie advice of its president.
1T looks to me as if the time for
Mr.. Mellen to have talked was when
he was trying to prevent things to
| which he now objects. Had he OBJ
! jected then or resigned when his OBJ
jections were overruled, his talking
would have hid a much better sound
than it has at present, after he was
| fired by the company"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20
Car Hits Auto: Five Killed.

Columbus, Ohio, May 20.-Five per-
sons were killed near AshevlIle. 25
miles south of Columbus. today when
a Scioto Valley traction car struck an
w. NJ. Miller. president of the Citizens
bank, Asheville; Mrs. Aggie Miller. his
wife; Mrs. Alice Staiger of Asneville,
and a six-year- daughter of Mrs.
&c. e. Hill of Mount Sterling and
H. ]. Bond of Mount Sterling The
Traction car and the automobile were
consumbed by a fire which resulted
from the collision when the gasoline
tank of the automobile exploded and
came in contact with the third rail.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20
IS READY
Warden Accepts Challenge Of
Former Governor Stubbs.
Probe Into Conditions ut Stats
Penitentiary.

Warden Botlkin Of the state peniten-
tiary today accepted every provision In
the challenge of Walter Roscoe Stubs
for an investigation Of prison conditions
as they existed under Former Warden
]. X. Codding. In an answer to the
agrees to an open hearing regarding
conditions at the prison, but accepts the
judges suggested by the former gov
ernor.
Stubbs' challenge carries with II .
provision for the giving of 800 reward
to some charitable institution providing
evidence IL produced showing that the
gag was used during the Codding ad-
ministration. Stubbs also demands an
investigation az to the comparative con-
dftions Of the prison under the Coddfng
regime and that of Warden BCtkin. The
BotIxin acceptance covers all Of theoe
points.
Every offer made by Mr.. Stubbs in
his challenge il accepted" said Warden
Botlkin today in a telephone converse
ton. II will accept his offer to give
800 to charity If 1t is shown that the
gag was used under the Codding ad-
ministration-and it will be shown.
am willing to leave 1t to a fair minded
set of Judges AZ to the comparative
condition in the prison both at this
time and while Mr.. Stubbs was gov
ernor.
In MS cnauenSe, mr.. StuDD9 ou8-
gests names of five men az posslbAe
judges. Among them he names w. r.
Claughrey. former warden Of the fed
eral prison at Leavenworth: Professor
w. E. Blackmar and Rev. Charles n.
Sheldon Ny first suggestion was that
both Mr.. Stubbs and myself should se-
lect one Judge and that they should
name q third Judge. But I am willing
to leave the matter to the three judges
above named and suggested by Mr..
Stubbs and will abide by their de-
cision. am now ready to 90 ON with
the investigation at any time 4e.
Stubbs may suggest"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20

Battle for the Possession Of Z
Native Girl.
father LOSES her At dee
Her Lovers Father Tries to Re-
cover Her From Winner.
Ties Her to Tree and Slashoo
Her with knife.

New Orleans. May 3o.-The Unitoa
Fruit company today was using n
wireless In an effort to confirm q
strange story Of q race riot reported
to have occurred on one OF its PLAN
tations in Guatemala, in which Il u
reported 81 negroes and probably
100 Indians were killed. Smoulder-
ing race hatred Vt the native IndiAn9
for negroes, inhamed by one Of thu
negroes winning the Indian girl. Ma
zada, from her father at dice and his
refusal to sell her back to . native,
is reported to be the cause of IT,
trouble. The story came to New Or
leans by mail.
The negro, Clarence Williams, had
been working on the TeushuenA farm,
one of q number CT plantations the
United Fruit company operates in the
Montague river district and. according
to the story, he had incurred the
hatred OF many Of the Indians becauDo
recently In which Nazada.s father par
ticipated he won all the old poems
money, and then Guetemalan fashion,
the old man Wagered his daughter. He
lost. -
AS il customary among these In
dians. the giri did not object to her
part Of the Transaction and was taken
to the shanty of tho American negro.
AS the story goes. Christofo Zurello. .
half breed boss, of neighborinG
for his son and was incensed when ho
learned that she had become the prop-
erty of the negro. According to 0uat-
emalan Indian custom, the father 09
the girl was eliminated from tho matt
ter by his unlucky cast of the dice. -
Zurello entered into negotiations with
the negro. He offered him thirty
pesos for the girl. The negro refused.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20

The defeat Of Ouimet the young
American open champion proved as
great a sensation as had that Of Je-
rome .. Travers, American amateur
champion. 1t had been thought that
Ouimet would have no difficulty in dis
posing of the comparatively unknown
and youthful Tubbs, who is a steady
golfer but never heretofore had sue
ceeded in reaching anything like
championship form.
On the links reports were current to-
day that a wager of $50, 900 to s50, 900
CONTINUED on PaRo Two1
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20
REAL may WEATHER.
That Is Program TOday-Unsettled
Weather Slated for Thursday.

The weather is Of the real May va
riety today. The temperature has
averaged four degrees above normal
At two o'clock the wind was fifteen
miles from the south. The forecast
calls for unsettled but generally fair
weather.
There have been a few light show
ers in Kansas since the reports were
received Tuesday. The heaviest rain
was 20 of an inch at lola, according
to the government reports.
The highest temperature on this
date in the last twenty-four hours
was IS degrees in 1897; the lowest
was 3S in 1894.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20

San Francisco. May 20.-In response
to urgent calls for assistance from Chi
nese in Mexico, representatives Of the
Chinese six companies of this city am
nounced today canvass Of ChinatoWn
for a relief fund. The secretaries Of
the various companies organized under
the name of Chinese Benevolent asDo-
ciation are to make q systematic tour
collecting substantial sums from mar
ployees Of shops
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20
ONLY TWO LEFT
Evans and Weber, Yankees, in
Golf Contest.
Ouimet Defeated by "Un-
known" in the Finals.

Sandwich, May 20.-Only two of the
ten Americans competing remained in
the tournament for the British amateur
golf championship after the conclusion
of the third round today. These were
Charles w. Evans, jr.. Chicago, and
Harold Weber Of Toledo.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20

Fire Loss S2O.OOO.

business section of ST. Ella, fifteen
miles southeast of here, was destroyed
by fire early this morning. resulting in
loss of $4,000. w. o. Carter of
Marionville, Mo-, was seriously burned
while working with volunteer fire
fighters.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20
The Day I'm congress.

Washington. May 20.-House: Bills on
house calendar considered. Panama
tolls debate resumed in senate At
tempt to reach agreement for vote on
tolls repeal May q. defeated
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20

Washington, May 2O--The inter
state commerce commission today de-
MED a petition for q rehearing of the
Industrial railway. cases recently
passed upon by the commission.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20

Weather Forecast for Kansas.
Unsettled but fair tonight and Thurs
day; continued warm.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-05-20

CONTINUED on Page Six.l