davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-26
PROMOTERS ARE
NOW IN PRISON
McAlester Land Company Officials
Whe Operated Here are Given
Sentences.
FEDERAL COURF coHyIcrs
Charged with Conspiracy and Use
Of the Mails to Defraad
the Public.

Three years ago the McA1ester
Land company of Oklahoma invaded
Rock Island and sought to do bus
mess here.
The agents maintained their
Offices in a laxishly furnished car
which they had gidetracked at
Twentieth street
Almost at the start they encoun-
tered trouble Several parties who
claimed they had been victimizcd
brought suits of attachment against
the company. Davenport demanded
that they pay a license for operat-
ing there. Finally they pulled up
stakes and departed for more fertile
fields.
Since they left the tri-cities prac-
fically nothing has been heard of
the company and it's affairs until
lately when It was learned that Roy
Van Tress, president Of the COM
pany, and 15 Of his associates have
been found guilty in the United
States district court at Cincinnati
of conspiracy to use the mails to
defraud.
sentenced to IL months and one day
N the federal prison at Atlanta,
Ca. Sentences of, the other defend
ants ranged from 30 days to six
months IN the Dayton, Ohio, Jail.
Ten other defendants, indicted
with the 16 who were convicted,
failed to show UP for trial.
The McAIesker Real Estate ex-
change was organized FIVE years
ago by Van Tress to act as agent
for persons wishing to purchase
Oklahoma Indian lands at govern
znent auction sales. It has oper-
ated demonstration cars through
out the United States, which went
from town to town, heralded by ex-
tensive advertising.
Better business bureaus and vol
uHteer vigilance committees inves-
tigated mAnay complaints of misrep-
RESERVATIONS made by the company.
AS o result, newspapers were urged
TO refuse the advertising and many
OF them did so. The matter was
brought to thai attention of the ma
tlonal vigilance committee which
secured sufficient evidence to war
rant the attention of government
authorities, Postofflce inspectors
and secret service operatives were
put on the case and the indictment
followed.
Third Net Profit.
The evidence showed that Van
Tress sold 5yS01 contracts in 1917,
on which he collected about $780,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-26

8 o'clock a. m, or as soon there
after as the business OF the court
will permit.
All persons desiring may file OBJ
jections in said court, before said
day, and may appear on the hear
ing and make their defense.
Dated Rock Island, Ill, March
20, 1919.
WILLIAM U. MITCHELL
Oficer Appointed to Make ASSESS
ment.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-26
ALEDO' AT A GLANCE
Daily Doings in Mercer County's Busy Capital

the hospital. He stated in the tel
egram that he was feeling fine and
that he hoped to be home before
long
Lieutenant ]. r. Mclaughlin
writes that his unit is scheduled
to sail for the United States March
&c. The letter was received by
relatives last Saturday.
Personal Ment1on.
Mrs. D.. s. Wilson has returned
to her home at Hopewell after a
short visit at the R. NJ Ralston
home.
Mrs. Jessie Cunningham and son
James went to Galva Tuesday for
a short visit
Miss Josephine Whiteside has re-
turned to her work at Chicago after
short visit with her parents.
Charles Haas went to Chicago
Tuesday for a few days trip.
Miss Martha Cooke went to Chi
cage Tuesday.
Galesburg Tuesday for a short
visit.
Mr.. and Mrs. Guy Rutherford of
New Boston spent Tusday in this
ely.
Miss Edna Sheese returned to
her home at New Boston Monday
after a short visit in this city.
Mrs. M r. POLAND has returned
to her home at Kefthsburg after a
short visit at the N. Macklin home.
Mrs. D. E. Young of Galesburg
arrived Monday for a short visit
with relatives.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-26

900. OF that, more than one-third
was net profit to the exchange, of
which Van Tress was the principal
stakeholder. For acting as agent
in the purchase of land, Van Tress
charged $135 cash or $3.50 in paid
in installments.
1t was charged that through Van
Tress 493 persons bought land
from q tract Of 41,000 acres, pur-
chased at government auction
sale by the Buschow Lumber COM
pany of Kansas City, Mo-, the year
before. The lumber company had
reserved the timber rights on the
land, which Van Tress is said to
have neglected to disclose.
In view of the number OF defend
ants, the nationwide extent Of
their operations and the cost OF
the prosecution, estimated at $780,
900, the case ID one of the most i'm
portant recent convictions involv-
ing a company which depended for
much Of its success on q misuse OF
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-26
GRINNEIL COLLEGE
GIRLS GLEE CLUB
TO SING TONIGHT

A treat is In store for musical
people in the form OF q concert to
be given by, the Grinnell college
girls glee club IN the high school
auditorium tonight at O'Clock The
concert is given under the auspices
OF the Y. w. C. A. and the Girls
Hi-Y society. A very successful
concert was given last night In the
Davenport high school before q
large audience.
The giee club is composed OF "a
girls and Is taught by Professor
Pearce OF the college Of music,
Grinneil. The club was organized
In 1907 and for the last two years
has won the first place In the musl-
cal contest held annually at Des
Moines,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-26
NAVY RECRUITING
OFFICE OF THREE
CITIES rs OPENED

Chief Petty Officer Louis Simons,
who last week reopened the tri-city
naval recruiting station at Brady
and Second streets In Davenport,
1t having been closed since last Oct
ober, declares that he is having
good success IN securing recruits
in Rock Island and Moline. He
states the navy's plan Of educating
the recruits In . trade as well as
offering q tempting pension for
long service, has much to do with
getting men. Seventeen trade
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-26
PROPERTY HOLDERS NOTICE.


Notice is hereby given to all per-
sons interested that the council OF
the city OF Rock Island, ILL.,, hav-
ing ordered the construction OF
concrete sidewalks on the east and
west sides of Forty-third street,
from Fifteenth to Eighteenth ave-
nues, and on south side OF FIJI
teenth avenue, from Forty-second
to Forty-fourth streets, and the
ordinance for the same being on
file in the office OF the city clerk OF
said city, and said city having ap-
piled to the county court of Rock
Island county, Illinois, for an as
sessment of the cost of said i'm
provement according to frontage,
SAID assessment being payable in
four installments, each bearing in
terest at the rate OF per cent per
annum, and an assessment there
for having been made and return
ed to said court, the hearing there
on will be held on the 5th day OF
April, A d. 1919, at the hour of
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-26
Reception for Soldiers.


Mercer county people are laying
plans for a reception for returned
soldiers to be held at Aledo July
4. At a meeting Of the Merchants
Retail association, held Thursday
night, a committee consisting of
D. ]. vanatta, Will Hall, Charles
Haas and s. B. Bolton was ap-
pointed to cooperate with the Bat
terry B Boosters And the Woman's
Relief corps, in looking after the
details of this celebration in honor
of all the soldier boys who have
gone out of this county. 1t is ex-
pected that this will be the largest
celebration that has ever been at
tempted in this county.
Methodist Church Picnic.
The membership OF the First
Methodist Episcopal church and
the friends Of the church will hold
a picnic supper in the church din
ing room Friday evening at z
o'clock. A social time will be en-
joyed after the supper.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-26

The evidence showed that Van
Treas sold 5,S01 contracts in 1917,
on which he collected about $780,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-26

schools are operated by the navy.
he declared. The office Is open from
In the morning until in the aft
ernoon and men between II and So
years Of age are eligible to enlist
for a four year period.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-26
NOTICE.

] WIN not be responsible for
debts contracted by my wife, Viola
Huford, nor any ons except my
self, after this date.
NJ. r. HUFFORD.
March Is, 1919,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-26
PURITC N0TTCR.

After this date I will not be re-
sponsible for any debts contracted
by my wife. Mrs, Carrie LemIy.
March "a, 1913. (Signed)
J. +. LEMLEY,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-03-26
Methodist Church Picnic.
Military Mention.

Mrs. Mary Warnock has received
q telegram from her son, Frank,
Monday, stating that he landed
March % and was at Camp Mills,
New Jersey. Mr.. Warnock belongs
to Battery q, One Hundred Tween
ty-third field artillery. He was
wounded Oct 1, and was sent to
the hospital Oct. 8, where he had
been until sent to the United
States. He had not seen any of
the Battery B boys since going to
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-02-02
D. B. Keeler Dead

Fort Worth, Texas, Feb. Id.
b. Keller ior 30 years the head OF
the Fort Worth & Denver and the
Wichita Valley railroads, and be-
lore that a prominent railroad off
cial and business man OF Denver,
died today after an operation. He
was 20 years old. He had been
successful as a banker and bust
ness man as well as railroad offi-
cial.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-02-02
Visiting County Schools

George W. Cottmau, county sup
crintcndent of schools, returned
home Friday night. He had been
out the greater part OF tie week
and visited school, well over the
western part OF the county
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-02-02

and we're gassed at the same time,
but We both pulled through. l served
with the l6Sth i'm the Philippines,
when it was known as the 5lst Iowa.
That war was a Joke compared to
this one"
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-02-02
Hot Off the Wire

hot VII the wire
Richmond, Va, Feb. l.-Dayc /
Robertson, star batter in the F.
worlds series OF 1917, ii was learn
ed today, refused to sign 1919
contract with Manager Nc
Graw OF the Giants, who was here
last evening. Robertson said he
was through with baseball in the
National League.
Washington, Feb. About 200
Americans, including children, are
in Vienna and the immediate Vi
cinity, according to adyices to the
state department today from
Berne Conditions in Vienna are
reported serious and even worse
in the provinces. Twenty per cent
of the Americans there are unable
TO leave because OF illness, Bernc
representatives of the United States
are in touch with them and are
keeping them supplied with food
BASEL Friday Ian 3l-Thc ar
rests of Admiral Schroeder and
the German nayv. have 5een re-
onested NV tbe central committee
al sailors at Hamburg. The ofii-
Gers are accused osneciallv Admiral
Schroeder. with being responsible
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-02-02

Odessa, Friday, Jan. Silt /, re-
ported that Leon Trotzky, the bol-
sheyist minister OF war and marine,
has arrived at Kharkov and is cX-
horting bolshevist regiments to
further invade the Ukraine,
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-02-02

New York, Feb. 1.-The editor OF
La Razon, the foremost evening
newspaper OF Buenos Aires, has
been elected to membership in the
Associated Press and beginning to-
day will receive a daily news report
filed from New York. This is the
twenty-first important South Amer
ican paper to join the Associated
Press since January |.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-02-02

London, Feb. l.-Thcrc is q crjti-
cal situation at Bremen toward
which city troops are advancing
IRON Berlin. Demands that the
city be surrendered have been re-
fused by the worker, there, who
have decided to defend it, accord
ing to Copenhagen TO the EN-
change Telegraph Company. 1T is
said that hard fighting is expected.
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-02-02
CORSET COVERS

10 So "a. now ------29c 10 $13s
The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1919-02-02

Richmond, Va, Feb. l.--Davc
Robertson, star batter in the
worlds series OF 1917, ii was learn
ed today, refused to sign a 1919
contract with Manager Nc
Graw OF the Giants, who was here
last evening. Robertson said he
was through with baseball in the
National League
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-29
BANKS START
 DRIVE FOR LOAN
To Have Partial Payment System for Those Prefer
 ring That Method.

Local banks and trust companies will start Monday to make prelimin- ary arrangements for the Victory Loan campaign in this city. Circu- lars will be sent out and plans made for receiving subscriptions from those who wish to buy bonds on the partial payment plan. Most of the banks will accept subscriptions on the gov ernment plan. which provides that the final payment must be received with in six months. The Bridgeport Trust Co. will establish a weekly payment club for the accommodation of sub scribers who prefer this method
 Officials of local banks were also notified today that until April 3. no United States certificates of indebted ness will be issued by the Treasury Departm ent- Previously these have been issued every two weeks, but the Treasury Department announced that because of the revenue received from the income tax and the fact that the war crisis had passed, one issue will be dispensed with. The Federal Re serve bank of New York, which in cludes this city in it's Jurisdiction, has financial institutions upon subscribing to 100 per cent. of their quota on all previous issues of certificates.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-29
LOOKING BACK 50 YEARS
From The Farmer, March 30, 1869)


 The to New York the Steamer Bridgeport is $400 and charge for berths.
 dispatch from Augusta Ga dated March 29 states that Alexander Stephens very ill., and lying at the point of death
  The sale of pews St. Johns church. which took place last night realized S5OO which will probably be increased to s. OOO
 
 Last night large 1nusb-rat discovered taking air ing Main street. Chase given and blow from brick terminated his How he managed to leave the retirement Sylvan dsport himself among the busy hauns of men is mystery.
 Western despaches that the Indians of the plains again the path No mail has passed through from the Pacific since the 22nd and is believed that general outbreak will take place.
 pair of those interesting, entertaining ladies' who large business the way of procuring scrptons for works and who delightfully."- importu- nate, sweey get-rida-e called the office of young for the purpose getting him subscribe. Indeed ladies' said he, "the partnership which humble member has lately been imprudent work of their which in consequence of the pense attending its ustraon embellishments etc. pleey crippled us"
 Then perhaps replied the angelic canvasser could procure you subscribers What you your work Well have not fully determined yet: guess I'll let wife have her and call after Henry
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-29
A GOOD MEASURE

TIP OTH BRANCHES of the General Assembly, which quite
 0 the most conservative Ie9islative United States have passed the bill egalzng motion pictures day at the option of the particular town.
 The bill is good in two ways It leaves the locality concerned which established principle lieut. in affairs about which there may be difference opin- on and in which matters of custom concerned rather matters of morals.
 It opens the for pictures, which have justified selves to nearly everybody useful instructive innocent form of recreaOn which fills the mind without unduy depe- ing the purse.
 Perhaps the broader general appreciation pictures grows out Of their use during the They the of patriotic propaganda, did inspire the American people to patriotic endeavor than any single thing, including the newspapers.
 Governor HOcomb to whom the bill now goes will do1b- less put the accoade of his approval upon for he more than most Is conscious of the patriotic values that from moving pictures, and knows that his every recommendation stronger America reinforced by the films
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-29
THE PEOPLES SAY
\ GREAT SURPRISE.

To the Editor of The Times:
 Sir; As the City Fathers have had their eyes opened to their admitted inefTiciency in building bridges tfy an authorized. investigation. and are to have a prolonged and expensive liti- gation, may they not, one and all. be prompted to resign in favor of the principle of justice to the people, which should prevail in the minds of men who are competent to manage municipal affairs?
 If as is shown by the investigation that the Grand street bridge is to cost the people three times what it should cost at the hands of men who know how to construct and contract for a bridge that is safe and substa ntiaI for a reasonable cost, why. I ask, should the men who so egregiously misman- aged, be retained in official positions any longer?
 Is this city in the hands of machine politicians or is it purely a matter of administration in the hands of in competent officials?
 Is it one, or the other. or is it a goodly allowance of both?
 Is the city to have a Port as we'll as a Plaza to, make it a beautiful spot for taxation in the present and also a, bonded debt for the present, as well as future time?
 PRO O-BONOPUBIICO
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-29
uHY MEAT PRICES
 ARE so VARIED
CBy c. 4. Livingston.)

Why should a sirIoin steak that cost the consumer only 2S cents a pound in Minneapolis last month have cost the man in Boston, 56 cents with wide variations between those prices?
 Consumers are asking this ques- ton in view of statistics just present ed by the .. s. Department of La- b0r
 The difference in price is explain ed by a representative of Armour S. Co., on these grounds: The demand. or lack of demand for sirIoin. which may or may not be popular in certain localities, the quality of the meat, the style of trim and cut; and market conditions.
 Why take a strlotn steak as barometer Of the cost of beef" the meat packer asked, when it repre- sents but 10 per cent. of the animal. while chuck steak runs from 25 to 2'- It is not logical to select a sir loln steak, or any particular cut. as representative of meat prices. There are just as many necRs as there are slEIoins and both are in demand.
 If the demand is chiefly for sir loin, that cut will be higher, as in Washington, D. C., where the price was 50 cents according to the gov ernment figures, and other cuts, less popular, will be cheaper. If the demand is chiefly for round steak. or church, those cuts will be coInpara- lively cheap in price and sirloin will be on the bargain counter. Sir Loin may be favOrite in some circles and In other quarters passed by unappre- ciatively for Mir. Chuck.
 There are markets in New York. Jersey City and Hoboken and in parts or Chicago and other large cities, where sirIoin is comparatively chean in price and round or chuck steak Is relatively high. This is largely dua to the increased use Of these cheap CT, but equally nutritious cuts of beef as a result of better understanding of food values. g On the part of the housewife
 A butchers selling prices are gov erned by his cost of doing business, rent. labor, convenience to markets and 50 on. A market doing a large volume of business can sell at a low CT margin of profit than one whose overhead represents a greater ex- pense for each pound of meat.
 The quality and grade of a sir Ioin steak has an important bearing upon the price to the consumer. Cuts of beef from high-pricad, heavy weight cattle naturally are more ex- pensive than the same cuts from lighter weight animals"
 Market conditions also, it is eA- piained, have considerable influence upon the price of meat If there Is q surplus of meat in any particular locality prices are bound to go down, for meat. being a perishabIe commod- ity, must be sold for what 1t will bring. The state of the weather, interruptions in transportati ton, an ex- cess supply of poultry, fish. vegeta- bles or other food. all have a direct effect upon the price to the con sumner.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-29
MANY GOOD JOBS AvAr1AI

Technical agriculture offers thous- ands~ of positions as associates, as- sistants. helpers, extension workers, and county agents. and this work is particularly suitable for retrained. dis abled men, accordingto Q statemen Issued by the Federal Board for Vo- cational Education.
 These positions serve as steDping 7 stones to higher promotions and bet ter compensation in the near future not only in the agricultural colleges, experiment stations, agricultural ex- tension service and in state efforts at agriculture. These institutions anl employrn ents lost thousands of men from their student bodies, their fac ulty, and their staffs. Hundreds of men formerly agricultural extension workers and agricultural county agent will never. return to those oc- equations. These places were tenn porarily filled by unprepared substi- tutes who will be replaced by trained men as rapidly as they are procur- able.
 The experience abroad wherein op- portunity was given to study the in tensive and scientific agriculture of France and other countries has great ly stimulated interest in these lines. and disabled men with . background of agricultural experience are mani