davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
MAY GET EXPERT
TO OPROBE PRICES
Proposition Will Be Con-
sidered by G. Of 9. Anti
high Cost Board.

The question of employing an expert
statistician to assist in investigating
the cost Of the necessary commodities
in Memphis will be decided by the
antiprofiteering committee of the
Chamber of Commerce at a meeting
called at o'clock Tuesday afternoon
by w. NJ Swayne, chairman OF the
committee. Mr.. Swayne has proposi-
ton from statistician which Will DC
considered.
investigations OF alleged profiteering
have not progressed far enough to per
init the publication OF the names of the
dealers who have been reported to the
committee by consumers, Mr. Swayne
states. The names will not be given
out until there is positive evidence OF
gouging the public.
Some OF the complaints reveal very
suspicious circumstances, said Mr.,
we give out names.
Mr.. Swayne has written Birmingham,
Ala, to secure information from the
antiprofiteerihg committee of that city
on its methods of investigation. This
committee has had marked success IN
its work and has exposed the greed OF
several OF the leading merchants OF
Birmingham.
Lack Of cooperation on the part Of
Memphis consumers Is complained of
by Mr.. Swayne.
After all this howl and all the kick
ing about high prices, the public seems
very indifferent to our efforts" he
said, "and we have received ody a few
complaints. Unless we are notified by
consumers when they think they are
being charged unfair prices, We have
nothing 10 work on. We are very
anxious to serve the people OF Mem
phis and II they are being robbed we
want to help them stop the practice,
but we must have their o-operatlon."
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
Voters Take No
Interest In Chance
To Vote Thursday

There Is less interest being displayed
by the voters in Memphis in the consti- :
tutional convention to be held Thursday
than even in tho campaign for city
offices. and that is the same as to say
that no one can be found to even dis
cuss 1t on the street corners.
Lawyers have for years pointed out
that the laws delays, OF which SO much
complaint Is made unequal taxation,
CT which business men frequently make
complaint, and many other questions
OF much public moment, can be rem
edied only by making changes in the
organic law Of Tennessee. as set forth
in the state constitution, which the
modern state has outgrown.
But IN spite of the fact that several
campaigns Of education have been
waged for new constitution within
the last 10 years. the majority of the
voters know nothing. and care nothing
about it, This year apparently,s no
effort, outside of few newspaper ar
ticles, has been made to reach the
voters. Consequently, there will prob
ably be fewer votes cast Thursday than
in any election in Tennessee for many
years.
In some counties it Is reported that
there is 50 little interest that the elec-
tion commissioners have called no elec-
tion and appointed no election officers
In Shelby county a list Of election Of
ficers has been named, but outside
Of the efforts of few public-spirited
young lawyers, no effort has been made
toward arousing interest in the ques-
tion. The vote will probably be a small
one
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
ARKANSAS SOLON
|. ADVOCATESLAW TO
PREVENT STRIKES
Senator Robinson Speaks in
Favor Of Bill introduced by
Cummins for Private Own
ership of Railroads.

WASHINGTON sent "a law TO
nrohilyt ,etvikae nr .inckn,ia of railroad
EMPLOYEES and thus 10 protect the pub
vocatod % hy SpUator pohInsoin Deno-
c,at 81 RykaDsas 4, an aIdrasa today
IN tho senatn -
4sTha time has come d" be said "when
conersss S,,,st nrSfect thN nnhlic
aSafnst Ioaa ~ ma and nronerty and
widespread suffering. which will in :
eyitablv ras,,if N me railroads. should
he fled I'M nv General strike
.sThe ripbf 70 strika has heretofore
heen recnnnis.d ,n n,,r VS. partic,,isr.
" IN ,,ertain nravis,ons ~ tbe C,lavfAn
Act 'Thesa lawa shn,tId he modified
and strikes N emnloves IN railroads
engaged IN intarstate commerce should
ha fnthjdaan ),
Oe sanstnr Roh,nson,s address was IN
anaivsis and camnnendation ~ the biil
hv senator c,nmnnins Renubl,can. ri
Ysy,a ,dye tfaA NJ .tha aansfa Ti,,taratate ~
com,nSrre s,,hcSmnittae nrot,osine y
nertSanenY sraiTrosd TSoiicv ~ ynrfvate
nwnarshIn and onerafion az railroads
lnder atricf e,overnment Shnerviaion
and with =. eonmittne 81, WAGES ana
sEs,r,xis,a y cnT iloi,s ecnYuosed es,nslly n
enpioyerg And eT1pibyes whose recoYf.
nne,,datlons would ia subject to fina
decision Of the Interstate Cof1nferct
commission,
The Cunlmins bin. according to Sem
ator Robinsorr who was a member OF
the drafting subcommittee, amply pro
tects the rights 81 employees, employ
ers, and the publio.
"Whiie the right OF the laborers Ia
quit employment for any reason Is
recognized and preserved lin the bill, J"
said senator Robinson .'combinations
or agreements 10 hinder. restrain OF
prevent the movement OF commodities
X. ,,a.sonsS a., t,yarstata non,r1arca ~
Agreement which have that effect are
likewise penalized.
saThe provision by law of a fair tri-
bunaI to settle DISPUTES between rail-
roads and their employees is, Of course
a prereuuisite in any plan fairly calcu-
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
KYSER SILENT ON
WASHINGTON TRIP
---s----
He Thinks Food Prices Hero
No Higher Than in Other
Similar Cities.

W. y. Kyser United States district
attorney, returned TO Memphis Monday
night from Washington where he con-
ferrod with officials of the attorney
affairs Of his office. No intlmation
was given by Mr.. kyser Of the ptr-
pose or result Of his visit to the Cap-
itol and upon his return stated that he
had no announcement TO make on any
subject that would be of interest TO
the public
Food prices In Memphis are in ex.
eelent shape. according to Mr., Kyser.
The prices paid here are as low as In
any city In the country and due to this
fact there Is very little room for COM
plant. Mr.. Kyser did not express an
opinion on the profiteering matter in
sofar as 1t affects dry goods, cloth
ing, notions, rents, Ice and .coalt
. Whether or not other matters than
the governments campaign against the
high cost of living were taken up, by
the district attorney during his stay
in washington was not disclosed though
there has been some intimation that
the recent whisky probe, followed by
n special session Of the federal grand
former chief deputy United states
marshall. and others were indicted. was
under discussion.
Hearing Of evidence in the case of
81 900 pounds of butter seized last
month by department OF justice Off
rials will probably be had Saturday.
Mr.. Kyser said, and very probably an
order OF condemnation and sale viii
be asked for. The campaign against
food hoarders and profiteers win be
resumed with renewed vigor under the
direction of the district attorney,
During his absence from the city Mr.
Kyser spent several days with rela-
tives after concluding his official busi-
ness at Washington
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02

KNOXVILLE. Tenn, sept 2. (spl)--'
Twelve men and one woman, all white,
have beer lodged III the county jail as q
result Of the wholesale roundup of
leaders In the assault on the county
jail here and breaking into and lOoting
numerous hardware stores during the
rioting. Trials OF suspects are set for
Thursday afternoon.
The police are making an effort 10 re-
cover revolvers, shotguns and other
property taken from stores, loss now
estimated at an excess OF $4,000.
Work Of repairing the Jail began this
morning. Dynamite is believed to have
been used to demolish the wall Of the
front room on the west Of the jail. None
apprehended, although a search through
East Tennessee Is being made
The situation was so far improved
Monday night that Adjt, Gen. =. b.
Sweeney sent home the third battalion
Of the Fourth Tennessee infantry, and
other troops will be released during the
day. The negro barred zones have
been discontinued.
Sheriff Cate Monday night ordered
the arrest OF ten white men on the
charge OF freeing prisoners from the
lai during the attack late Saturday
night Numerous other arrests on the
same charge and also for rioting, are
promised. The men arrested are: Dave
Fox, Athur Clinton, Won Luttrell John
Couch, James Finney, Dewey Layman,
Win Davis Bruce McIiaffey, James
Dalton and jeff Clairbourne.
This action Of the adjutant- general
leaves the situation In the hands OF Col,
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
1918 Poll Taxes
Required TO Vote
In City Election

Citizens who intend to vote in the
next city election had better arrange 10
save up enough cash to pay their 1918
poll taxes between now and the early
days of October. This years poll taxes
also are now due.
This warning does not apply to men
who have passed the age Of so, nor to
any of the fairer sex who have regis
tered or intend to- for the legislature,
in its wisdom, omitted to state spe-
officially in the suffrage act that women
must pay poll tax.
The law requires that poll tax re-
ceipts used as prerequisite to voting
must bear date not less than 80 days
before the election at which they are
used Consequently. the prospective
voter in Memphis must pay his poll tax
before Oct 6.
A number of clerks at the Citizens
league headquarters, domieiled on the
second floor at "a North Second street,
ARE busily engaged in tabulating the
figures Of the recent registration. Let
ters notifying all who are liable to poll
tax will be mailed out next week.
l.. M. Strattou, chairman of the Citi-
zens' league campaign committee, is also
expected to return to the city next
week, and after that the membership OF
that committee will be completed and
the league campaign win begin to take
definite shape. There win be no rallies
or public ward meetings. however, until
about the first of October
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
KNOXVILLE Is QUIET; IS
JAILED CHARGED WITH riot

lanes A, Gleason, late oes the 1lttth
field artillery whots With ol Yer demobll-
ixad army sfieclw aud eft tssfns, win pos
Tee the military districts
+ A special session az gthe grand fury
has been called for Wednesday morning
TO Investigate the case OF Maurice II
Myers, the negro accused of killing
Mrs. BERTHE Lindsey early Saturday
morning, which crime inspired the
storming Of the jail and the subse-
quent trouble.
The property loss caused by the riotlng
is conservatively estimated at 100000,
Gov, Roberts Monday night Offered y
reward OF $3.50 for the arrest OF each Of
the two prisoners sentenced to electro
cution. who escaped from jail during
5000 for the two life teImers who es-
capped at the same time Following a
phone conference with the Sheriff, Gov.
Roberts decided TO offer no reward for
the arrest of the ringeaders OF the mob,
as Sheriff Gates declaed that he could
round up the trouble -makers just as
readily without such reward.
A court OF inquiry was held late Mon
day afternoon by Col w, II. McCaSkey,
inspector of the Tennessee ma
tional guard, In regard TO the killing OF
Lieut. James w. Payne during the
street fighting early Sunday morning.
The findings OF the court will be for
warded to Washington with no an
nouncement.
col. p. NJ Gambler who was standing
on Vine street within a few feet o.
Lieut.. Payne when tho latter fell, stated
that negro sniper, concealed In a
nearby building fired the fatal shot
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
RETURNS SHOW RAILWAY
MEN WILL BACK LEADERS

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2.--Partia re-
turns from the strike vote now III
progress among the railroad shopmen,
indicate, union officials said today, that
the men will accept the advice OF Their
officers and leave the matter of a
strike in their hands, pending the re-
suit of governmental efforts TO reduce
the cost of living
This was the day originally set fol
strike and 1t was feared that some
of the more restless element might quit
work. Secretary Scott of the railway
employees department OF the American
Federation of Labor, said, however, nc
reports of strikes had been received
He added that II work were suspended
anywhere 1t would be at points where
the union officials appeal TO the mer
To- continue on the Job had >not beer
fully understood.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
ARRESTED IN COOPER
CASE, BUT PROVES ALIBI

NASHVILLE. Tenn, Sept THAT
]. r. Feaston, II, arrested last night
on the charge Of violating the Reed
amendment and who was questioned
by the police regarding the murder OF
Robin j, Cooper was on the train COM
Ing from Louisville to Nashville Thurs
day night when Cooper was murdered
and his body thrown into Richland
creek has been developed by an In
vestigation OF his movements.
Feuston and Miss Casey Jordan were
arrested last night near his bungalow
home on Concrete boulevard, leading
off from the Harding road, shortly
after they arc alleged TO have reached
tho city from point In Kentucky with
$50 quarts Of liquor In the automobile
That Feuston was on Il train that
reached Nashville at IL o'clock Thurs
day night was the statement this morn
Ing of Detective Henry McCarver, one
Of the officers making the arrest Some
suspicion Is said to have pointed to-
ward Feuston because he owned car
Of the same make as Il car seen near
the intersection OF Leake avenue and
Harding road Thursday night.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
DEMAND
VOTE ON PHONE
RATE CONTRACT
Petitions Being Circulated
Asking for Referendum
Election on City Commits
SiOn'S Action.
WOMEN CAN SIGN AND
VOTE ON QUESTION
Law Provides for Reference
to Voters in Cases Of Fran.
Chise Contracts Demanded
Within Thirty Days.

M
INC elty administration Of Memphis
In spite Of It's attempts 10 bind tho neo.
ple OF ATen,nbis On H. ,,.,.,.a...' - -
49,, ~" w ''c p"glheht OF the
m,S;uu WI rates for telephone service
nnat, nntm i,nv, Wv, ~, WI, viii find that the
iepp'e thenlselVes intend 70 have some
'VtSe n ~ the matter
a, ,,i VuJi,oiS We're being circulated
~, .Ihvuku uie downtown business dis
~ LuesuaS, demanding q referendum
cyt'oI, y,cn, y. ~ a. the new rate contract agree
,,.l. ',vnt Mnlch the mayor and three other
commissioners voted for on Aug. &c,
TlInout even giving any citizen tile
.lku 10 ne heard on the proposition. or
s,aNlhs pubic the schedule OF Increased
rates winch the Cumberland Telephone
oo,npAhy was TO he permitted to charge,
LIVERY request made By the Cumher-
.anu company was granted The con-
utaot ,t resolution was not even passed &C
tne regular time fixed for meetings of
the city commission, but at an ad~
yourhed session held nearly two hours
later
Inc Petitions were being generally
signed tuesday.
inc women voters OF Memphis, a.
wen hs the men, may have a voice In
.he question as to the rate they shall
DC compelled TO pay for telephone serv-
Ice Tor The remainder of this year and
tur TWO years thereafter. They arO
granted the right to vote In municipal
elections under the new suffrage law,
ana can, OF course, sign the petitions II
they are qualified voters--that is own
efa OF real estate In the city.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
Lumber Ventures
Force Bankruptcy
Act For Veteran

A voluntary petition in bankruptcy in
which total liabilities were given at
s35,3S0. and assets aggregating 9,OO0
was filed in the United States district
court Tuesday morning by DR. W. F.
Clary, through his attorney, Robert l..
Moore.
DR. Clary served for some time In
France, being stationed for several
months at base hospital No, 81, and
according to o statement Tuesday by
his attorney, the bankruptcy petition
does not affect Dr. Clary's personal OBJ
legations. but was occasioned by his
partnership in three lumber concerns,
known as John Perkins & Co., Attala
Lumber company and the Excelsior
Lumber company
OF the total liabilities, $2o,3St Is in
unsecured claims, and $4,000 Of notes
and bills which ought to be paid by
other parties. The two items making
the total liabilities Of $35.3S0 The as
sets Of $4,000 set out In the petition are
policies Of insurance.
The investments In the lumber con-
Germs were made prior TO DR. Clary's
| entry into service of the government
during the war. according to Mr.. Moore,
and with his recent return 10 Memphis
| a decision WAS reached whereby the
matter would be best handled through
the bankruptcy courts. ThN petition
will take the usual course. being re-
ferred to the referee for adjustment.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
Jelly Beans" Must
MOUe On, Is Order
From Police Chief

Have YOU met the new copper YETI
He is called the move one cop, and he
will have to do more work In D day
than the average policeman does In a
week II he expects to carry out tho
order Of +. Ernest Miller, acting as
police chief
Move on" Is the word. Perchance IL
you have drifted up and parked yourself
in front of n Main street business house
to idly scan the transient crowd you
have met this copper, Hts sworn duty
Is to rid the streets of groups OF popu-
larly termed "lelly beans" and other
forms Of idlers that infest the sidc-
walks and oglo fair shoppers and pedes-
trians.
Acting Chief Miller stated Tuesday
that the sidewalk loafing must stop, It
has been reported time and again that
woman cannot pass certain popular
loafing PLACES on our main streets With
out being the subject OF some light re-
mark, or In some cases insult, The men
| found standing around win be given the
| opportunity TO keep moving, but q
second offense means arrest on o charge
OF lpitRrittF. H9sst Pst44.6S B Xxx S{A atyLir
/ Miller also saps la has definite ldSa'
ns to how pool rooms should be con,
| Quoted, They must be kept orderly anC
minors are strictly forbidden 10 play OF
| TO loaf In the pool rooms. II a minor
IL found in one OF these places the pro-
| prietOr will be arrested. A Second Of
fense means arrest for both.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
LOAN SHARKS WILL
FACE TRIAL JURY
McLain and Rodgers Procure
Indictments Against Seven.
Penalty Is Too Light.

Seven loan companies, charged with
preying on railroad employees by charg-
Ing exorbitant rates OF interest on loans,
we're Indicted on a total OF is bills OF in.
dictment Tuesday, Tho names OF the
firms were ordered withheld by Judge
Richards until arrests are made on ca
phases,
The crusade against the loan compa-
MES began several months ago, when
w, G.. Rodgers, attorney filed n num-
Der OF suits In the chancery court
against them In favor Of Illinois Cen
railroad employees, II Is sought by
these suits to set aside the assignments
OF wages AS contracts made between
the men and the companies on grounds
Of usury,
Many OF the men were forced TO pay
anywhere from 100 per cent per month
to 400 per cent, Rodgers claimed. In
some Instances employees were forced
into bankruptcy.
The loan companies declare that they
are not charging usurious interest, but
are merely purchasing the salaries OF
the men. The attorney, In answer 70
this, says that they receive interest III
long as the men owe the principal and
therefore cannot, under the law, evade
the issue.
In the past few weeks W, f. Mcl4ain,
states attorney pro tenn, has taken nn
the matter with n view Of indictIng the
loan companies on the charge OF usury
Accordingly Mr.. Rodgers prepared for
him list of the loan companies doing
business in Memphis and furnished eyt-
dence from which the states attorney
office drew the bills to be presented to
the grand jury.
The penalty for usury Is fine OF SlO
and court costs In each case, While
any one case will not seriously embar-
rass the loan companies, when found
guilty, number Of them will.
MIR Rodgers and the states attorney
declare they will not stop on one batch
Of indictments, but viii continue td
break up extortionate practices.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
AVIATOR-CAPTAN
WOUNDED IN HEAD
FLYING UP RIVER
TWO Officers On Patrol Duty Greeted BY
VOLLeys of Bullets From MericGn
Side of Rio Grdnde.

LAREDO, Texas, Sept. 1.-Two American avia-
ton officers on border patrol duty fired upon
today by group Of Mexicans while flying up the Rio
Grande near here and one Of the officers was wound
ed in the head.
Capt. Davis B. McNabb was the officer wounded,
and his companion, Lieut. johnson, brought the ma
chine safely to earth on the American side.
McNabb was put to bed at farmhouse and an
airpane with surgeon and medical supplies was
rushed to his aid from headquarters here.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02

MEMPHIS METEoRoLoGY

------- TeinDer ufe-------~
Hour Dry Bulb, Wet Bulb. Humid'y
pm. yes'day.75 81 20
7 am. today ....6p 81 II
Noon today. us 81 Al
Maximum temperature rs, minimum
temperature so. Sun sets today 1925
pm. Rises tomorrow 6:34 am Moon
sets l2;I2 tonight No precipitation.
Tennessee Fair, little change in tenn
perature.
Mississippi--Fair
Arkansas Fair, somewhat warmer
Alabama--Fair,
Kentucky Fair little change in tenn.
perature.
Louisiana Fair, not much damage in
temperature.
Oklahoma and West Texas~-Fair.
East Texas--Fair, warmer In north
east.
North Carolina--Fair In west, rain IN
east, Wednesday fair.
South Carolipa--Fsr except rain near
coast; Wednesday fair.
Georgia--Fair in north, showers in
south.
Florida Showers
Kansas Generally fair, becoming un-
settled Wednesday.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
.L0EW CONCERN BUYS
NASHVILLE THEATER

An application for charter for
Loew's Nashville Theatrical Enterprises
company was mailed to Ike B. Stevens,
secretary of state, Tuesday by A. b.
Knipmeyer, local attorney. The cap
italization is 100000 All the incor-
porators are Memphians.
The new company has purchased the
Vendome theater. the largest playhouse
In Nashville, which 1t plans to remodel
and operate as a Loew vaudeville the
ater II will be on the same circuit as
Memphis, Atlanta, Dallas, Houston,
Fort Worth and other Southern cities
in which Marcus Loew has vaudeville
houses
Incoporators are: Ben NJ. Stain
back, Thomas II. James, A. B. Knip-
meyer, Frank M, Trimble and T. A. An
derson
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
BANDIT MURDERER OF
AMERICAN IS KILLED

WASHINGTON. Aug. 2.--Thc bandit
who murdered Adam Schaefcr, an
American citizen, in Hacatecas, Aug
2S has been killed by Mexican federal
troops, according to advices TO the state
department. today from Mexico CITY, a
dispatch from the American consul at
Salina Cruz said Schacser wus na =
turalxed American thus clearing up
the question Of his citizenship.
When attacked Schaefer was report.
ed TO haye had q heavy payroll for the
inlnes where he was employed. His
mother lives at sharpsburg, IA.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
CHARGES WILLIAMS WITH
ISLANDERS AGAINST HIM

WASHINGTON, Sept Appearing
In rebuttal before the senate banking
committee considering the nomination
Of John SHELTON Williams to be comp
troller of the currency, Frank j. Ho-
gan, former attorney for the Riggs Ma
tional bank, of this city today accused
the comptroller OF making Islander
Gus" statements regarding him. He
also charged that Mr. Williams testi-
mony beforel the committee was full
of untruths."
After the comptroller had presented
a prepared statement declaring that
Mr.. Hogan was conducting propa-
ganda against him, the committee ad-
journed until Thursday.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
EXPERT TO INVESTIGATE
CITY GAS SITUATION

A. c. King, gas expert. Of Chicago,
will arrive IN the city Wednesday, to
investigate gas conditions in Memphis
at the instance Of the city commits
sion.
He will investigate conditions with
a view OF telling the commissioners II
the proposed raise asked by the Mem
phis Gas and Electric company is JUS
titled.
Joe Hanover, assistant city attorney,
has written TO Is cities the size OF
Memphis TO ascertain prices paid far
gas and lighting. These figures are
to b. used for comparative purposes.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-09-02
GRAND JURY WILL
PUT IN MORE TIME

The grand jury, which during the
summer. has been meeting one day
week only. will begin meeting twice =
week. Tuesdays and Fridays, as is the
regular custom,
Fifty-eight true bills were reported
Tuesday, with only one ignoNed bill. The
large number OF true bills was caused
by indictments against loan Companies
and against persons for gaming