davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-10-24
WESTBY GAMBLERS
ARRESTED IN RAID
City Marshal of Westby Proves He
Is Good Fellow, Not a Marshal.

When Sheriff Bennett arrived in
Plentywood week ago Sunday from
Westby with his compulsory friends
he resembled the leader of bunch
of confidence men.
Sheriff Bennett called at the West
by pool hall just in time to see the
City Marshal dealing the cards for
another round of poker, and invited
the bunch which were Geo. Daugh-
ters, Mr.. Burge, Mr. Johnson and Mr..
Slaughter to accompany him to P1en-
tywood and tell their tale to the
Judge. Mr.. Daughters will be re-
membered as being arrested for MAX
ing and selling booze this spring. His
case has not been tried as yet. The
men were arraigned and bailed out,
the time for their trial has not been
set yet.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-10-24
CLOSED BANK IS
PROVED SOLVENT

each of the makers of these notes all
the loans are secured by bonds of a
first class mortgage on about $500
acres Of land in Delta county, Mich.
Mr.. Thatcher reports that there were
supposed to be S42, 900 of these bond,
in the bank, but ''we have found ,only v
$4,000" This report is the first in
timation since Examiner Lofthus'
scheckup started that any of the
bank collateral; have been. removed
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-10-24
YOOR FIRST DUTY TO
DEMOCRACY IS TO SIGN
THREE PETITIONS AND
SEE THAT YOUR NEIGH


SEE THAT YOUR NEIGH
BORIS DO THE SAME
The two referendum petitions and
the initiative petitions have been
mailed out to the voters of the state.
One has gone to every voting pre-
cinct and several in many cases.
If none is being circulated in Your
precinct, notify the Referendum Sec-
retary, box 1925, Great Falls.
Your first duty is to sign these Pc
titions, and your next to see to it
that every one in your precinct has
signed up.
If for any reason you are not at
home when the man or woman circu-
lating the petition calls, hunt him up
and sign it, or sign the petitions that
appear in the Montana Nonpartisan
Nct. !, AND :MAlL IT IN YOUR
SELF TO Referendum Secretary, Box
1925, Great Falls.
WOMEN OF MONTANA get busy.
Your names should be on all three
petitions. Do not sign "Mrs. John
Smith" but sign your own name
"Bertha Smith," "Susan Jane Smith"
or Whatever your own nrSC name hap
pens to be.
Both men and women IF YOU ARE
NOT REGISTERED, REGISTER
NOW. If you have to make a special
trip to town to do so, then make the
trip. Do not neglect your greatest
opportunity as citizen.
SEE THAT YOU AFE ONE of the
30 000 who have asiQned the petitions
EBy the nfst Wees in NoV beN ss;5 S43i,E
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-10-24
Seems to Think That Sioux Indian
Atroclties are Proper Methods of
Punishment.
DOESN'E BELIEVE
THE PRODUCERS NEWS

1t is interesting to note the differ
ence in mental attitude between Con-
gressman Reddick and Senator N.Y.
ers, also between their action.
Senator Myers says that the story
appearing in the Producers News is
grossly exaggerated and has behind
the story a SINISTER purpose.
Congressman Riddick had secured
an investigation already and had the
torture prohibited and the war depart
ment is carrying on an investigation.
Senator Myers says he will not in
vestigate the Hardersen tort1res, oe-
cause he don't think they are true an |
he w4i' not dc any."'ng until the
charges are proven.
the poor old sen'lc Senator proh-
ahl> secs something rel - ma: I've
TIE spooil of bolshevi;n which hsun+s
the poo1 fellow in his s:oep * hnnrs.
Just 10 show Senator MYERS :',tj-
tude we publish belo,- letters from
him to citizens Of ioncriCln and
Roosevelt county.
Oct. l3, 1919.
Simeon Nielsen,
McCabe, Mont.
NV Dear Sir:
Your favor of the Twelfth is at
hand and noted. I do not believe the
reports, which have been published
about John A. Hardersen. I do not
believe our government inflicts such
torture. Furthermore there is moth
ing l could do in the matter.
Yours sincerely,
H. l.. MYERS,
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-10-24
Report Shown to Be
False-$1O,O0 In Bonds Disappears.

The Observation-Disclosures bank
was solvent when it was closed. Hall
dorson's report that it was hopeless
~ insolvent" was based on false fig
ures and statements. There was $685.
900 in cash and $4,000 in Liberty
Bonds above the reserve required by
law in the bank when it was closed.
Halldorson's report was a gross dis
elimination against the closed bank
in comparison with examinations he
had made this year of other banks.
Ten thousand dollars in bonds and
valuable letters and records disap-
peared from the bank without ac-
counting or receipts while the raiders
had charge.
SENSATIONAL FACTS
These sensational facts have been
disclosed by the report of the Equi-
table Audit company of Minneapolis,
the confession of Halldorson and tes-
timony and affidavits given in the
state Supreme Court Wednesday in
the suit to make the injunction
against Hall and LANCER, members Of
the state banking board, permanent.
CALLED GOOD BUSINESS
The Equitable Audit company
through it's president, M. W. Thatch-
er, reports in part that the loans
claimed by Ha2ldorson to have been
made by the bank to the Consumers
United Stores Co., totaling $170,00G
were not made to the company, but
are all individual loans amply Sc
cured. None of these loans are held
excessive and are declared by Mr..
Thatcher to be good business.
The loan Of $47,950.06 made to the
Publishers National Bureau is declare I
excessive by Mr.. Thatcher, but he
shows that it is secured by good
farmers paper, totaing $77,878. The
League Exchange loans made so much
Of by Langer's press agents, is de-
clared to be good paper.
HALLDORSON MlSREPRESENTS
Mr.. Thatcher in his report to the
stockholders declared that Halldor-
son made many misstatements con-
cerning the loans carried by the bank
and in several instances had failed
to give credit where payments had
been made.
Of the $46,503.65 listed by Halldor-
son as bad debts more than $4,000
have been paid in since the bank was
closed, either by the debtors them
selves or have been taken up by the
directors. Mr.. Thatcher declares that
much of the "bad paper" taken by the
directors is good but too slow to be
carried by the banks.
GOOD LOANS CREDITED
Of the past due paper reported by
Halldorson to total $169,973.89, That
cher's audit shows that only $5,849.50
is good. The past due paper, Mr..
Thatcher shows includes number of
good loans, totalling more than $780,
900.
Mr.. Thatcher reports that of the
$4,000 of individual notes held by
the bank and listed by Halldorson a.
loan to the Consumers United Stores
Co., more than $4,000 have been
paid since the bank was closed.
"The Hage,ty Deal" and the alag
a1tv extension of credit" reported by
Halldorson to total $47,088 is shown
bv Thatcher TO be in fact 9,184.44.
Halldorson had failed to give credit
for a payment of $7,903.56 on these
loans. This paper has been made much
Of by the enemies of the farmers, but
Mr.. Thatcher presents data which IN
dicates that all of it is good.
SOME BONDS MISSING
Besides the individual credit OF
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-10-24
OFF ON
RACE FOR $4,000
SIGNATURES
WATCH THE KEPT PRESS

Here is your opportunity, men and
women of Montana TO PROVE TO
YOUR OWN TISFACT TION
WHETHER OR NOT WE TOLD
THE TRUTH about the Kept Press
of Montana. You have read thei:
scare headlines about LANCER and
Hall of North Dakota trying to
wreck the Observation-Disclosures
Bank at Fargo, the farmers bank
They have said 1T WAS CLOSED.
because it carried too much farmers
paper-too many farmers notes and
post dated checks. Now see how
many of those papers publish the
second chapted about HOW THE
NORTH DAKOTA SUPREME
COURT KICKED THE BANK
WRECKING RECEIVER OUT, and
put State Bark Examiner LOTUS in
his place, how EVERY DEPOSITOR
CAN GET HIS MONEY IN FULL,
HOW THE BANK IS TO REOPEN
STRONGER THAN EVER. how
farmers from all over North Dakota
"stuck" and made Attorney General
Langcr and Secretary Of State Hall a
pair Of public monkeys. See wheth-
er the Kept Press bunch run any
scare headlines over those items. If
they have not THEY ARE TRYING
TO; CHEAT YOU OUT OF THE
MEMS. fafsthaes ags tbs fssss . in :the
case. - v ''s u ''''''' .
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1919-10-24
VT = IEN.larS.
DISCRIMINATION SHOWN

DlSOh1M1N AllON SHOWN
The Audit company's report furth-
er shows that during the present
year Halldorson has examined three
banks and has passed on them favor
ably in spite of the fact that the re-
serves required by law in these banks
was smaller than those in the closed
bank.
The report shows that there is a
discrepancy between the law and
practice regarding these reserves in
North Dakota. 1t says:
"Suppose the amount due to banks
is $200,0O0.00 Then according to
the law the reserve should provide in
full 100000. But according to the
practice the reserve is figured 20 per
cent or $4,000.
"A comparison of the statements
made by Deputy Bank Examiner Hail.
dorson of these three banks shown
before with the statements as they
should have been shown, as required
by law shows:
Northern Savings Bank: Reserve
amount, $606,124.26, shortage pc,
cent Sc, cash res. amount 1884 ,721 Sc
in bank shortage per cent SO.
Northern State bank: Reserve amt.
$344 1894. shortage percent g.
cash, res. amount $144,682.16, in bk
shortage per cent 66.
Capitol Security bank: Reserve
amount $42,281.55, shortage per cent
20, cash res. amount $18,707.O6, in
bk. shortage per cent 78.
"From the statements made as
above shown in the report Of State
Examiner O. f. Lofthus-it strength
ems our opinion that Halldorson's
statements in his report Of Sept 27
and marked "Exhibit "a" and anncxc
to his affidavit, are in the majority
false and in respect to the legal re-
serve. discrimination against this
bank"
$4,000 DISAPPEARS
An affidavit by O.. E. Lofthus and
submitted to the Supreme Court tells
of the disappearance of the $4,000
in bonds. All effort to recover these
bonds or secure an accounting OF
them have failed.
A joint affidavit by Cashier p. r
! Sherman, N. J. Brovig, G. O. Bjoro
F. c. Hoaton, Jane Nystrom and 9th
err employees states that John Polloc;
of Pollock & Pollock, Fargo attorneys
and assistant Attorney Albert F
Sheets, Jr, Event into the vaults ir
and removed documents and took
them out of the hank without giving
any receipts to Mr.. Halldorson fol-
the same. And that it was impossible
for Mr.. Halldorson to know what
they were doing and what they were
removing from said bank"
VAULTS LEFT OPEN
The affidavit further states that
"the vaults were left open and ac.
cessible to all the employees as wei
as to said Sheets and Pollock"
When pressed to check over the pa.
pers, records and collateral in the
bank, so as to be relieved of further
responsibility, Halldorson refused, ad
Knitting then as the reason tina
Sheets and Pollock had taken records
and letters from the bank withou
Continued on Page Eighty
The sun., 1919-01-01

which consideration has been given is
tho feeling that the period OF industrial
reimbursement will be passed more easily
X the plan Of coal distribution remains
unchanged and that the commercial in
terests of the country also will be better
served II the present arrangement -
kept In force until more nearly normal
conditions have been restored here and
abroad.
No official announcement has been
made by DIR. Garfield beyond the terse
statement that the prices and zones will
not be cancelled for thirty days at least
Increasing demand for American coal
in South American markets and tho re-
Cent expectation of considerable quanti-
ties to the West Indies for supplying
sugar refneries are creating an outlet
for coal that was not anticipated before
the armistice.
Ways and means OF taking care OF
this trade through a permanent arrange
ment are under consideration by many
Of tho Eastern coal concerns, principally
In New York city. Philadelphia and Bal
timore.
Tho formation OF an exporting pool
similar to those projected for handling
foreign trade In lumber. steel. copper,
paper and oil Is being discussed, but the
application for a charter under the
Webb Pomerene law has not been filed
with tho Federal Trade Commission
with additional ships available II Is be-
lieved that the demand for American
coal in the southern markets will ex-
pand quickly beyond all previous sales
and enable mine operators to maintain
the rate Of production established last
The sun., 1919-01-01

OF the calibres specified have been ar
rNing from Berlin. Essen and other
points, many Of them fresh from the fac
tories after being remodelled.
The armistice commission decided that
inc reception of material should con-
unue after January 1 and until new in
structions were received. Upon the ulti-
mate fulhlment of the armistice condi-
lions regarding materials to be turned
over the material not accepted will be
returned to the Germans.
Prince Albert, the second son OF King
George of Great Britain, to-day visited
the various parts of the American
bridgehead area and inspected Ameri-
can troops He came to Coblenz by au-
tomoblle from Cologne and had luncheon
with Major-Gen. Dlckman, the American
commander.
The Prince. who formerly was in the
British Navy, was In the air service
when the arnistice was signed and is
now acting as n liaison officer He was
accompanied on his inspection trip by
several American officers.
The sun., 1919-01-01
DENIES. u. S. TROOPS
FACE ANNI4ILATION
Baker Says Men in Russia
Occupy Good Positions.
Special Despatch to THE Sun.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31.-All informa-
ton in the possession OF the State De-
partment and the War Department 10
directly at variance with the charges
made by Senator Townsend (Mich. }
yesterday that the American troops at
Archangel were imprd erly clothed, i'm
properly cared for and in danger OF an
inhalation.
Secretary Baker stated that the win
ter equipment for the men was COM
plete and that everything possible had
been done for their comfort and well
fare. Tho expedition was arranged by
Gen. Pershing and Mr.. Baker takes no
stock in the reports that the Ameri-
cans were outnumbered Is to and
in dangerous position.
The State Department has Just re-
ceived a report from G. A. Martiuszine
representative of the Archangel Gov
eminent, who has arrived in Washing
ton, and this shows that the American
troops there occupy good strategic posi-
tons. that casualties have been re-
markably low and that the Bolshevik
troops although differed by Germans
and we'll supplied with artillery are moi
The sun., 1919-01-01
ALLIES TO DECLINE
OLD GERMAN GUNS
NO Heavy Calibres Made Pre-
vious to 1902 Will Be
Accepted.
h. $. BOARD INSTRUCTED
Prince Albert Of Britain Is
Guest of Major-Gen.
DGkman.
$. BOARD INSTRUCTED

copLENz. Dec. 30 Idelayed) The old
sshloned heavy artillery which is being
offered the American Army by the Ger
mans will be declined. according TO a
decision by the Allied -Armistice Com
mission.
In reply to a message from the United
states receiving commission at Coblenz.
engaged in taking over material from
the Germans under the terms of the
ar1n,stice, asking what limitations should
be placed upon the material offered by
the Germans, the armistice commission
al Spa said that the majority OF the
cannon which the Germans delivered
must be modern.
The armistice commissions instruc-
tons to the Americans were that they
should not accept 10 centimeter guns
Of models previous to 1904. Is centimeter
guns without cylinder record mechan-
ism. $50 millimeter howitzers OF models
nrevious to 1902. or 10 milltIneter models
Of . date previous to 1910. The guns
The sun., 1919-01-01
CONTROL OF COAL
LASTS UNTIL FEB. 1
No Formal Statement, but
Garfield Probably Will Act
Far Into Spring.
Special Despatch to THE Sun.

WAsHrNdToN, Dec. 3L-The Federal
Fuel Administration has taken a new
lease Of life, with indications now that
its functions in controlling coal produc-
ton and distribution will continue until
m!dspring The fixed prices at the mines
and the distribution zones will not be
changed at least before February 1. and
probably not until some time thereafter.
Unwillingness or the Railroad Admin
istration to make a midwinter change in
It's plan of handling coal traffic In ac-
cordance with zone lines and the desire
of some of the coal producers and con-
sumers that the functions of the Fuel
Administration continue until the stress
of the winter season has passed are the
principal reasons for the decision Of DR..
Garfield and his aids not to relinquish
their duties at this time.
Another factor in the situation to
The sun., 1919-01-01
DRAFTING WHEAT PRICE BILL.
Dept. of Agriculture TO Ask for .
5000. 200. 900 Fund.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31.---Chairman
Lever, of the House Agriculture Com
mittee. announced tonight after a con-
ference with Secretary Houston, that
legislation to insure the maintenance
Of the government wheat guarantee
price for tho 1919 crop was being
drafted by the Department of Agricul-
ture and that he would introduce II in
Congress within a few days.
Mr.. Lever said the legislation would
authorize the President to continue OPP
Grafton Of the food administrations
grain corporation or create a new
agency for buying. selling and storing
the 1919 crop. A revolving fund OF
$500. 000. 900 for the use of the corpor-
alton also would be provided.
THE Government" Mr.. Lever said,
will buy all OF the 1919 crop and sell
II at the world price whatever that may
be- He added that the Government
might lose a large sum by maintaining
the price. but It was necessary to keep
faith with the farmer.
The sun., 1919-01-01

alarming the Lenine Government, ac-
cording to the Petrograd correspondent
Of the Journal Early in December.
he reports. the peasants actively re-
volted and II was a week before they
were subdued.
The Bolshevik Red Guard broke down
opposition with tho utmost severity.
The peasants we're poorly armed and
were forced to surrender in large num-
bers Numerous villages, the corre-
spondent adds, were RACED by artillery
and large numbers of peasants were
massacred.
The PEASANTS however, tho corre-
spondent continues. maintain their atti-
tude Of opposition to the Bolsheviki.
The sun., 1919-01-01
FLORIDA BECOMES DRY.
Heavy Penalties Are Provided for
IntOxicatiOn.

TAMrA, Fla, Dec. 31.-The entire
state OF Florida became dry" at mid
night tonight with the taking effect
OF the recently adopted amendment TO
the state Constitution making sale
manufacture or transportation of liquors.
wines or beer Illegal and providing
heavy penalties for intoxication.
The city OF Tampa was the last real
stand OF the liquor interests among the
larger cities of Florida. In only one
otner county has the sale of liquor been
legal for several months. Mail order
houses here sold the last remnants of
their stocks to-day.
The new law provides for a fine of
$500 or six months Imprisonment, 1r
uo,n. As the minimum penalty for in
tlNication on the first offence. and n
fine Of $4,000, or three years in Jail. OF
both, as the minimum for the second
conviction.
The sun., 1919-01-01

PARIS. Dec. 31.-The attitude of the
peasants in the region OF Moscow Is
The sun., 1919-01-01
EUROPE NEEDS U. S. PORK.
Hoover Cables Urgent Demand
Exists in war Zones.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 31.--Europe needs
every pound Of pork that can be shipped
from the United States before next July.
said a cablegram received to-day at the
Food Administration from Herbert c.
Hoover at Paris.
As soon as the initial chaos of the
sudden economic change from war to
armistice can be overcome. Mr.. Hoover
said, there will be overdemands for pork.
The sun., 1919-01-01

summer and autumn in meeting war
needs.
Tho heavy drain on the Mexican oil
wells during the war has created q lively
market for American coal In that coun-
try which as yet has not been taken adj
vantage of because Of the shortage In
ocean tonnage.
The sun., 1919-01-01
BOLSHEVIKI TAKE
VILLAGES IN NORTH
Report Enemy Has Landed
500 Men and Four Guns
in. EsthOnia.

LONDON, Dec. 31.-Forces Of the Rus
sian Bolshevik Government have cap
tured two villages in the region of Re
val, ACCORDING to Russian wireless
message received here to-day. The
enemy" 1t is added, has landed 500 men
and four guns (evidently on the Eetho-
MAN coast in the region Of RevaD. The
wireless message reads:
ION December 20 in the Reval region
we took the villages OF Bikhona and
Karkus. The enemy mas landed 500 men
and four guns"
The sun., 1919-01-01

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 31.-willlam
Russell, director of the educational sec
ton OF the Russian division of the COM
mittee on public information, returned
to-day on the steamer Colombia after
spending several months In Siberia.
The Bolshevik element went through
the country destroying school houses,
stealing endowment funds and break
ing down established educational stand
ards. Russell said.
THE Bolshevists stand only for COM
plete disruption Of Russia. Their agi-
tators may pirate about universal
brotherhood OF man and uplift OF hui
manity. but there can be no uplift where
there Is no education he said.
The sun., 1919-01-01

COPENHAGEN, Dec. 3l.-The American
cruiser Chester. which errived here yes
terday with the American destroyers
Wickes and Aylwin, left here to-day for
nanzig, the port OF German Poland
The destroyers have gone TO Lubbock, also
a German Baltic port. The warships
will take on board sick Americana
The situation in Poeen Is extremely
critical, according to the VorUderts OF
Berlin. The German Government has
been asked TO send troops there, and
Herr Landsberg, Secretary OF Publicity
Art and Literature in the Ebert Cabi-
net, has gone to Posen 10 negotiate with
the Poles.
PARIS. Dec. 31.-The attitude Of the
neasants in the region of MoscoW Is
The sun., 1919-01-01

inclined TO precipitate fighting with the
Americans.
There Is no intention OF Withdrawing
the American troops from Russia. 80
far as officials here know. 1t Ia re-
garded as far more likely that they
will have to be reinforced.
Bisbee daily review., 1919-03-21
HOOVER DEPLORES HOG PRICE RAISE

NEW YORK March 20.-A cable gram from HeTbert Hoover, director general of the international relief or ganizatiOn, expressing regret that this country had abandoned stabilizing of hog prices and urging continuation and stabilization in sugar, cOttOnseed products and wheat, was discussed at a meeting here today of executive Of ficers.of the food administration.
 Pointing out that hog prices had risen since the stabillzation plan was abandoned two weeks ago. Mir Hoox- CTS message asserted taat If the only fccdstuffs now controlled are thrown upon the market, without any steady ing hand the dire need of the world may produce further dislocatiOn and place an added burden on AmericaR consumers.
 It was said that, with. oceaql trans port stili restricted. food must be shipped overseas in it's most cOncen- trated forms. but that when more ton mage became available. it WAS hoped such fOOdstuffs as beans, rice and can ned vegetables and fish of which the United States has q surplus. may be sent abroad.
Bisbee daily review., 1919-03-21
Ask Supplies For Post War
 Construction
oContinued from Page onel

(Continued from Page One) countries for peaceful purposes of op- portunity and it invites any scrutiny and investigation of its conditions, and investigation certainly will prove that peace and prosperity in Russia will follow on the cessation of the present Allied policy of non-inter- course with soviet Russia
 Mir Martens asserted that his gov ernInent was prepared to purchase in this country great quantities of such commodities as railroad supplies, agri- cultural implements and machinery factory machinery, tools, mining ma chinery and supplies, electrical sup plies, printing machinery. textile manufactures, shoes and clothing, fats and canned meats, rubber goods, typewriters and office supplies. au- tomobiles and trucks, chemicals and medical supplies
 Russia, he said, was prepared to sell flax. hemp, hides, bristles. furs, lumber, grain, platinum metals and minerals