davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30
BECkER'S DYING STATE.
hEkT

oSSiNtNG. July 30.-Thc dy.
INK statement Of Chas r.
Becker. typewritten. but sign.
ed IN tho handwriting OF the
convicted man. follows:
my DYING DECLARE.
TON. Gentlemen; I stand
before you In my full senses.
knowing that no power on
earth can save me from the
grave that 10 20 receive me. In
the face OF that. In the teeth
OF those who condemned me
and In the presence OF my God
and your God. | proclaim my
absolute innocence OF the foul
crime for which must die.
You are now about 20 witness
my destruction by the state
which 10 organized 20 protect
the lives OF the Innocent May
Almighty God pardon every
one who has contributed In
any degree 20 my untlmely
death.
"And now on the brink OF
my grave, ! declare 20 the
world that ! am proud 20 have
been tho husband OF the pur.
est. mobiles, woman that ever
iived--Nelen Becker. This &C.
Acknowledgement 10 the only leg.
aey ! can leave her. bid you
all goodbye. Father, ! am
ready 10 90. Amen.
(siared)
"CrAS. r. BECKER.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30

Upon returning 10 the prison the
warden drove away the moving pic.
ture operators who had gathered TO
film the scenee attending the exc
cution.
II was understood necker's broth.
or. John Becker. would claim the
body today. taking Il 10 New York
Funeral services will be held nj the
Church OF Saints Peter and Paul
Becker took final leave Of his
wife az 30 n IN. She had come
from PoughkeepEic. whore final
plea was made TO Gov. Whitman To
grant the condemned man re,
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30
JAP MINISTERS
QUIT IN A BODY

TOXIC. July 3o.--The cabinet
crisis. which II was predicted
would follow the scandal growing
out OF bribery the elections.
came today when Premier Count
Okuma presented the designations
OF all the ministers en- bloc.
The mikado Is considering the
matter but has not yet accepted
the designations.
The emperor called the elder
statesmen into conference this aft.
ernoon to consider the situation.
He will not take action until they
have passed on the designations.
The resignation Of the cabinet
was precipItatsd by the arrest OF X.
Hayashada. chief clerk OF the lower
house. This was followed by
charges that viscount Oura. home
minister. had accepted $500 from a
political candidate last spring.
Oura rendered his resignation,
which was accepted by the emperor.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30

official correspondence mace
public following the cap lzlng OF
the Eastland with the loss OF more
than 1000 lives shows that the
owners begged exemption from 'he
new Seamen's Act.
Secretary w. c. Redfield OF the
department OF commerce has mace
public letters written by w. II.
Hull. general manager or the St'
Joseph Transportation company
owners OF the Eastland.
Hull. in his letters, PROTESTED
AGAINST THE NEW LAW AND
SOUGHT TO HAVE 1T CAN
CELED. 49,
lie even admits that under the
new law he could not operate the
Eastland under the conditions she
vas running under when disaster
ended her career. =,
Here ia an excerpt from one on
Hulrs letters TO Secretary hedtielu
written June 80: -. At.
"The Eastland, operating this
season from June II to Sept. ;, IN,
elusive. Is licensed to carry z'oto
people, Is equipped with IRE pre-
servers for that number OF people
and has life RATS and lifeboats ca
pacity under the last inspection
for III people.
ain order TO keep Its maxi
mum carrying capacity at the
present figure we would nave
10 Increase It's equipment IN
life RATS and llfeboats 90 rs
per cent. ,
"ThIs 10 a physical Impossl-
blllty.
az Il were possible TO put
this amount OF equipment on
the Eastland the weight that
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30

CHICAGO, July 3o.-"The
hand OF God. thru the terrible
Eastiand disaster. has answered
those fighting for the repeal Of
the La Toilette seanen's Law.
Had the law been In effect.
Chi-apo would have been
spared this horror. BY that act
but 100 would have been al.
lowed on board. The law 10
operative Nov. II. Under u
believe the Eassland Will be tho
last catastrophe OF this kind"
sharp In his defense OF the In
Toilette law. and leveling n bitter
attack against the present fedora
steamship inspection. Andrew Fur
uscth. president OF the Sailors
Union OF America. thus gave vent
TO his feelings today on the East
land disaster.
Says system 10 Wrong
The federal inspection system r.
radically wrong" he said. In
spcctors want To hold their Jobs
The active inspector mygteriousiy
loses his Job. So. generally. In.
Epectorn are not as critical rs they
might be--and We have Eastiand
disasters.
Don't blame tho inspector.
Damn the system.
The crux OF the trouble IA that
there are no definite standards OF
safety established by congress.
Tho supervising inspectors. with
the Inspector general. make their
own rules. Inspectors are either
or engineers. They are
generally recommended by some
ship owner.
"a one-timc cmpioye is made In.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30

dured the indescribabie torture Of
tho last farewell
Accompanying Mrs Becker were
John Lynch. her brother. and John
Becker. the condemned mans
brother They left the prison at
Ills.
Arriving ut her home in the
Bronx. Mrs. Becker was in n state
bordering on prostration.
Five Men Pay Penalty
With the execution of Becker five
men have paid the death penalty
for the murder OF Rosenthal on the
morning OF July l6. 1912. The four
gunner. convicted OF the actual
shooting. were executed In the
same chair In which Becker went to
his death.
In n letter TO the governor last
night. Becker bitterly denied
charges which the governor was
quoted as making. and reiterated
his innocence ION the brink OF the
world to which you are sending me
before my time"
w ulliIAU Mdh ufffktb w nave
said that Becker offered 10 plead
guilty to second degree murder and
to give testimony against several
men alleged to have shared with
him In tho proceeds OF police
graft"
Becker Denies Charges
with n cruelty almost inconcciv-
able, II is stated that my first wife
died under circumstances warrant.
ng suspicion that | caused her
death" Becker wrote.
He declared his wife died OF con.
sumption and that never before had
suspicion been directed against
him.
with the aid Of Judges who
were nnisled Into miseoncelving
the testimony offered In my
trial, and into mlsststinp II to
the Jury. and on appeal, you
have proved yourself able to
destroy my lfe," he wrote.
"But, believe me, ! Will surren-
der II without rancor. Not all
the judges In this state, nor In
this country, nor the governor
OF this state, nor the district
| attorney, nor all OF them COM
blned, can detroy permanently
the character Of an innocent
! man."
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30
BIG BATTLE" NOW !:
ON NEAR TACOMA

TACOMA, July 30.-A big battle
Is theoretically raging near here.
Last night. reserve rations were
prepared for the infantry bivouack-
ed camp Louis +. Hart, where re-
sistance will be made TO the theo-
retcal advance OF the enemy.
Trenches, barbed wire entangle-
ments. and everything else in mod
ern warfare except real dunn dunn
bullets and poisonous gas. viii fig
ure In today's battle. The climax
in the National Guard encampment
is expected within the next "A
hours.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30
PASTOR TO TALK TO
DEMOCRATIC CLUB

Rev. Cleveland Kleihaner. pastor
of the University Christian church.
will address the King County Dem
ocratic club luncheon at the Good
Eats cafeteria Saturday noon. The
subject will be: "Honoring the
Flag"
Miss Ruth Linrud. who recently
caused a delightful sensation when
she sang at night from the bluff
overlooking the southern end oil
Woodland park, will be heard In
vocal selection. She will play hei
own accompaniment on the harp
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30
spcctor over his old boss vessel.
The pubfie Ia Aslnis..

spcctor over his old boss vessel.
The Public 10 Helpless
1T ~ n vicious system. Deprive
the inspectors of their three.fold
power 10 make the rules. enforce
the rules. and Judge their own rul.
inRs. That must be done.
4 charge the federal inspection
system with being failure. The
CHASTITY records Of disaster support
me.
Secretary RedfIeld I do not
hold responsible. for In the
multitude OF his duties he has
20 depend upon his bureau
chiefs.
And these bureau mcn--in this
instancc-the men In the inspection
service, have proved uniaithful to
him.
How Inspection Has Failed
"Nad they done their duty
the Eattland would not have
been allowed TO run until final
~ she fell over on her side
and became coffin ship for
she was known all over the
lakes as crank
Inspected In Cleveland in 1918.
her excursion permit only allowed
$50 10 be carried In addition TO the
crew. The inspectors knew her
faults and knew that more than
200 people would prove dangerous.
But In Grand Haven In 1914 she
was issued n permit for 2.o00.
Then this year n permit is is
sued allowing the ship owners TO
load her down with $500 people.
and II Is this system ship
owners-that are fighting for n re-
peal OF tho Seamen's Act"
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30
Expect Indictment Of 10 More
in Investigation Of Eastland

Secretary OF Commerce Red
field also conducteo a separate
probe today.
There were hints OF a rup-
ture among federal and county
officials as a result Of Assistant
States Attorney Sullivan's In
slssenee upon permission TO
question Redfield's steamship
inspectors.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30
j. s. FLAG IS
TORN DOWN IN
MEXICO CITY

WASHINGTON. July So
The state department has made
urgent representation 90 tho
Zapatlstas In Mexico City. de-
mandIna an explanation OF the
assault upon Allan Mallory. an
American, who was dragged
from his automobile while en-
route 10 the coast by zapatls,s
soldiers.
An American flag flying from
the machine was torn from lts
staff and trampled upon by the
Meslcana.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30

Human Ballast The sketch
above shows how the weight Of
$500 passengers on top instead Of
sufficient ballast below toppied
over the Eastland and caused the
loas OF more than 1000 lives. II
is said by seamen that the East.
lands stability line. tho imaginary
line indicated In the picture above.
was only four inches deep. 10 inches
short OF the government require
nent Below ls 4 picture. the only
one ever taken, OF Andrew Furu.
seth, father 81 the seam-n's Act.
who puts blame for Eastland die
as,er on United States inspection
service.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30
M00SEHEART BOY
BAND MAKES A NIT

An audience that packed the
Tivoll theatre 20 Its limit Thurs
day night heard an excellent band
concert and vaudeville program by
tho Mooseheart Boys band, from
the Moose home. at Mooseheart,
III. The youngsters. who range in
age from to IL years. played all
the way from ragtime 10 classic in
a way that met with the unqnali-
fled approval OF those who heard
them.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30
EastIand Owners Protest the
New Law for Safety on the Seas

would be added to Its upper
deck would make the boat diff
floult TO handle.
III our life-saving equipment is
allowed 10 remain as II is at pres
ent. our carrying capacity would
be decreased 40 per cent. or l.02S.
You can see that daily reduction
OF 40 per cent In carrying capacity
would amount TO considerable dur
ing the season IN OPERATING
REVENUE"
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30

CHICAGO, July 30. - Ten
more indictments are expected
20 be returned by the county
grand Jury. which will com
ple.e Its probe Into the East
land disaster this afternoon.
over 100 witnesses were
summoned before the federal
GRAND Jury. which began hear
lna evidence.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30
SWISS PROTEST
VIOLATION OF
neutrality

LONDON, July 3o.-Swltxer-
land has protested TO Germany
against the violation OF her
neutrality by German sirmen,
a Berne dispatch stated today.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30

SALEM. Ore. July 30.-The re-
call election OF ]. X. Starr. district
attorney of Wheeler county. will be
held Aug. i6, Secretary Of State
Olcott has announced today. Starr
is charged with incompetency and
neglect OF duty.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30

Vincent Astor owns more dwell
ings than any other man In New
York. but nevertheless rents a
place in which to live.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30
WATER SHORTAGE

SALEM, Ore. July 30.-The
streams In Eastern Oregon are the
lowest in many years and water for
irrigation purposes Is scarce. ac-
cording to adyices reaching the
state engineers office today.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30

prieye. This was denied.
Arriving ut Sing SING. Mrs
Becker went 10 her husbands cell
in the death house. whore both en-.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30

OLYMPIA, July 30.--Formal no.
tice OF appeal 10 the supreme
court from Superior Court Judge
Wright's decision upholding the
validity OF the prohibition law. Is
on file here today 1t is probable
the appeal will be heard in the
October term OF court.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30
FIND SHORTAGE IN
SPOKANE ACCOUNTS

SPOKANE. July 30-Two en-
ployes in the city treasurer's office
are today temporarily suspended,
following discovery OF a shortage
of $500 TO $4,000 by Commissioner
of Finance A. A. Kraft.
The shortage occurred while
Arthur A. Lewis, now public SER
vice commissioner, was city
treasurer.
Lewis hurried TO Spokane last
night when notified of the matter.
Buffalo police will hereafter
throw into the lake all dangerous
weapons taken from prisoners.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-07-30
BECKER DIES
PROTESTING
Innocence
CONTINUED
FROM PAGE l

swung open. Becker Immediately
annaarad
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-12
Greatest
Aero Feat
Departments Descrip-
ton Of First Success
full Flight from Deck
Of Ship While under
Way-New HI y dro-
4 crop lane Altitude
Record Unofficial

Washington. Nov. IA hydro
aeroplane record Of 1900 feet, made
by Lieut.. Saufey at the Pensacola
Naval Aciation station, was announc-
ed tonight hy the Navy department.
Because the needle Of the recording
machine ran off the sheet at the 1900
foot mark. the record cannot be rec
nized as official. The flying boat
climbed at the rate Of $50 feet q min
ute
Rear Admiral Benson. chief of op
erations, has returned 10 Washington
after passing two days at the Pen
sacola station and witnessed the sue
1essful testing of a new launching de-
vice installed on the aero ship North
Carolina. OF this test the department s
summary Of activities at the station
during the past week says;
The first successful flight of an
aeroplane from the deck Of a ship
while under way demonstrated the
actual conditions Of dispatching an
aerial scout from a cruiser at sea in
war. No one single event in the de-
Nelupment Of aeronautics in the navy
has been Of such importance as this
flight"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-12
WILSON TO CONSULT
REPUBLICANS ON
PREPAREDNESS

Washington, Nov. 11.-Republicans
in Congress win be consulted by
President Wilson on the administra-
zion plans for national defense before
the opening of the coming session. In
line with this announcement in his
Manhattan Club speech q New York
last week, the President will appeal
TO men Of all parties Of legislation to
strengthen the army and navy
Officials today took the view that
the President is hopeful that his plans
will receive the support Of Republicans
and thus overcome the opposition uf
some Democrats, led by former Sec
retaIy Bryan.
No definite arrangements for con-
ferences between the President and
Republican leaders have been made,
but the question will be taken up as
soon as members of the Senate and
House begin arriving in Washington.
The ranking Republican members Of
the Senate and House military and
naval committees and other Repub-
lican leaders probably will be called in.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-12
Intention of Mcnamara
and McManigal, De-
clares Prosecuting At
torney in Openin g
Statement at Los An
geles Trial Of Mathew
A. Schmidt Thursday
Jury Sent out

Los Angeles. Cal. Nov. 11.-Taking
testimony was begun today after
TIE defense had scored a legal point
t., cutting short the opening state
r7-nt Of James ". Noel, special pros
.4tar. II the trial Of Matthew A.
hm4dt. charged with tn murder Of
narlos Iiacerty IN connettio with
-h. Qynami:ing Of the Los Angeles
Tines Building. five years ago. Judge
rank p Willis ruled that Attorney
,>oci could not continue the recital Of
,.pts which took place after the
w.mes was blown up.
Dynaniters' intention
IL an indication of what he intended
N state Nj. Noel told the court, in the
aserc,- Of the jury that the prosecu-
...t. proposes to prove that afteI the
Tine. explosion, } T.. Mcnamara, who
i. serving q lite term in San Quentin
prison. after pleading guilty Of dyna-
ta.,.aG the Times building, and Ortie
T. MgManisal, who turned states evil
.ncs ana who will be witness in
IL. present case plotted 10 destroy
virtually the entire city Of Los An
-c.es
lie declared that evidence would be
fro-geel ~ show that Mcnamara and
Mechanical planned 70 cause 40 or so
txUoslo1s in different parts Of the
city tAo same night by clock work de-
7...- rTHa connection with these. aY-
..o-l.e- Mr.. Noel sad, there was 10
F.. 4se3 devices by Mcnamara to
..~, ,ge- 70 follow the explosions.
J4-@a Willis said that If corspi-
:.,, MAS proved. testimony in support
. these allegations might he admitted
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-12
OFFICE
DENIES CERTAIN
INFORMATION

Paris, Nov. 1.-THE Serbian legation
today gave out 4 note issued with view
70 setting n rest certain reports regard
'ns Serbian affairs said to have originat-
ed in German sources. The statement
sad.
First; General Radomir Putnik. chief
q tie Serbian general staff. although he
has been IN lrecarious health for a long
Jire. continues AZ his post directing the
operations Of the Serbian army.
Second. the artillery captured by the
Germans At kralieve was without i'm
Dortaace from military viewpoint. 1t
was part Of the spoil of two previous
wars ana its loss does not weaken the
Serbian army.
Third. at no moment has the Serbian
government thought of peace nor con
sioered making peace before victory was
Won rs The Allies
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-12
Serbs in Mountains

In fact the Serbians now are fac.
ing the invaders in the mountains,
which have proved a protection to
them in their previous wars and they
may be expected to make the advance
of the Austro- Germans and Bulgarians
matter of some difficulty. 1t is also
probable that the opposition which
the Austrians are meeting in their eff
forts to drive back the Montenegrins
is delaying Field Marshal Won Mack
enzen's army for the right wing must
be free from this menace before they
proceed with their drive.
French in Vees
The news from the southern part
of the country is very conflicting. 1t
is now known that the French did not
occupy veles. but simply made a
cavalry raid into the town, destroying
the Bulgarian ammunition stores.
The French. however, are advancing
on the west side Of the Varda river
and at the same time are repelling
Bulgarian attacks on Kryvolak and
endeavoring to form a junction with
the Serbians who are fighting in the
Babuna pass.
A new British division having land
ed. the force which is TO be under COM
mand Of Gen. Sir Charles Carmichael
Monro is spreading out toward Strum-
lisa, where encounters with Bulga
rian patrols are reported.
Awaiting Kitchener
With the arrival Of Field Marshal
Kitchener. who should soon be on the
scene. a further development in the
campaign is expected, and it is posi-
bic that the Gallipoli army will be-
come more active.
So long a. the Serbian army remains
intact. which IT has done thus far,
military men here think there is a
good chance to turn the tables on the
Germans and their allies. The Teutons.
the military observers say, can hard
~ send further reinforcements for the
Near Eastern adventure. their line
against Russia already having grown
dangerously thin, as is evidenced by
the Russian successes, both in the
north and the south.
The Germans admit that they with
Continued on Page 11-coi. 81
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-12
FRENCH TRY TO
MAKEJUNCTION
Did Not Occupy Veles
but Are Advancing
Tow ard Retreating
Serbs-Gen. Monro's
Force Is Approaching
Strumitsa Germans
Admit Russian Suc7>
ceSSeS

London. Nov 11-There has been
no material change in the last "a
hours in the situation either in Ser
bia or on the other fronts The Aus
tro-Germans claim to be advancing
along the line west of Nish. but be-
yond the report of the capture Of an
other 1000 prisoners, which the Ser
bians say were largely civilians or AL
bantam or Macedonian troops, who
surrender easily, the official reports
Of the invaders do not record the cap
ture of any town.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-12

MILLION DOLLAR
DAMAGE BY FIRE

Trenton, \. J.. Nov. 11-Approxi-
mately one million dollars damage was
done by fire which early today destroy
ed one of the wire rope shops of the
John A Roebling Sons Company plant
in this city. Due 10 the fact that the
company has orderes for war material
for European countries, rumors were in
circulation that the fire was of incen-
diary origin. but nothing has been found
to substantiate such reports.
A building in which the company is
planning to make gun barrels for Eu-
ropean belligerents is some distance
from the burned structure.
About 1000 men are thrown out of
employment.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-12
PLOT
TURNS OUT TO BE
DYNAMITE THEFT

Scranton, Pa, Nov. 1.-THE theory
that a plot TO blow up the mill of the
Du Pont Powder Co. at Jermyn had
been unearthed through the finding
today of a trunk filled with dynamite
at the home of Eugene English, was
proved untrue tonight, according to
the police by the confession of Thorn
as Moss, an alleged accomplice of
English. that the dynamite had been
stolen. Moss, the authorities say told
them the explosive was TO be disposed
of 70 the mine workers at a reduced
price so that he and English could
obtain funds to go south III case of a
strike il the anthracite coal fields
next spring.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-12
Berlin's Opinion
of United States
Note to England

Cologne, Via London, Nov.
11.-What is said to be an in
spircd dispatch from Berlin
to the Cologne Gazette on the
American note to Great Brit
ain says:
1.-The enemy with which the Pres
ident, after the settlement Of the
controversy with Germany, has TAX
en- UP the settlement Of the Anglo
American question is acknowledged
unreservedly here. There could be
no more convincing documentary
proof Of TIE importance Of American
interests sno the extent Of the Brit
iei, violations Of rights than this
notc.
"Ar1crica, it must be conceded,
has spoken thoroughly and enereet-
ieaiiy. TIE immediate future will
shew Row strong is the political de.
termination bennu these words"
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-11-12
CALL
ITALIAN CT AIMS
ENTIRELY UNTRUE

Berlin. by wireless to Tuckerton, \.
j.. Nov 1l.-Among the items given
out for publication today by the Over
Seas News Agency was the following:
The italian statements that the Aus
trians have not succeeded in recon
quering Col Di Lana and that the ltal-
ians have captured the top OF Monte
Sief are untrue. AS was communicate
ed in the Austro- Hungarian headquar-
tiers report, the Italians on Nov. Z,
captured Col Di Lana, which was re-
captured by the Austro-Hung arians
the same day.
Monte Sief has never been captur-
ed by the Italians"