davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
To PROBE HAITI
Slaughter of Natives by Marines
To Be Investigated at Once.
Gen. Barnett, Who Made
Charge, To Be First Witness.
WILL De CAMPAIGN MATERIAL
Senator Harding First to Criti-
else Foreign Policy.
Report ON Killings by Captain
Russell Still Mystery.
WILL De CAMPAIGN MATERIAL

Washington, Oct. 16. The naval
board of inquiry named to investigate
! 'indiscriminate killing" by American
marines in Haiti will go to the island
Secretary Daniels announced today.
First meetings of the board will be
in Washington and General Barpett,
former marine commander, who made
the charge of indiscriminate killings,
probably will be one of the first wit
nesses. He is due in Washington to-
day, having been ordered here by
Daniels while on his way to his sta
ton On the Pacific coast.
Into the Campaign.
Barnetts charge is expected to be
thrown Immediately into the presi-
Dental campaign. Senator Harding,
Republican nominee, recently launch
ed vigorous criticism of the marine
occupation of Haiti.
A mystery which has developed out
of the situation is the disappearance
of a report from Col. Russell, COM
manding the marines in Haiti, on the
investigation ordered by Barnett of the
'indiscriminate killings" Russell de-
clared he mailed the report last
March. Barnett and Daniels said they
never received it.
Altho Barnett in his letter to Rus
sell calling for an investigation said:
.Indiscriminate killing had been go
ing on for some time" Secretary Dan
1elS declared IIeT0 ndQ only De6H SIX
or seven cases of illegal executions.
Daniels also declared the Barnett re-
port was his first intimation that there
had been charge of 'indiscriminate
killing"
Col. Russell, in his report on his in
vestigation on the 'indiscriminate kill
ing" named Major Clark H. Wells,
mander in Northern Haiti, as being
responsible for the conditions in
Northern Haiti. Wells was said to be
under arrest in Haiti.
Will Be No Delay.
Investigation of charges that United
States marines in Haiti have been
guilty of wrong doing, including 'in-
discriminate killing" of natives. will
be begun without delay, it was ex-
pected today by the board of inquiry
named yesterday BY Secretary Daniels
Members of the board are Rear
Admirals Henry T. Mayo and j. H
Oliver and Brig. Gen. J. M. Pen
dleton of the marine corps. They
have been directed by Mr.. Daniels to
"sift every bit of evidence" with a
view to bringing to trial ''any man in
American uniform guilty of wrong do
ing"
Brigadier General Barnett. former
commandant of the marine corps, who
left Washington yesterday for San
Francisco, has been recalled to testify
before the board. The investigation is
the result of the publication of a re-
port revealing that General Barnett
had ordered Col. John H. Russell,
commander of the marines in Haiti, to
investigate the alleged unlawful ex-
ecution of natives. In confidential
letter to Colonel Russell a year ago
which instructed him to proceed with
the investigation, General Barnett, ac-
cording to the report made public sew
cral days ago, made reference to "in-
discriminate killing" of natives.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
H. G. |. HITS S. R. 0.
Theatrical Slump Now Reported by
Managers Who Feel the Pinch of
Public Economy.

New York. Oct. 16.-The national
economy wave that has started prices
on the downward trend in many in
dustries now has struck the theater
and the IS. R. o." sign-a fixture in
most theaters since the arnistice-
has been relegated to the heap of un-
used prop" along with the scenery
and stage effects of a growing list OF
failures, theatrical producers said to-
day.
OF forty-four attractions now play
ing in the first-class theaters here, six
teen it was learned today, have been
compelled to resort to cut-rate ticket
agencies in an effort to dispose o.
seats, while the number of failures is
reported to be considerably in excess
of those of last year. Conditions or
the road were declared to he ever
worse, % road shows having closed
during the last week.
An official of the Actors equity as
sociation, the actors union. estimated
that 5000 actors-or about so pei
cent of the city's entire roll of Thes-
pians-were "at liberty and one pro-
ducer estimated the producers losses
in recent weeks at S1.200,o00.
Closer spending on the part OF the
public, together with increased rail
road rates, which make the transpor-
tation of road companies more expen-
sive, were given as the principal cause
of the theatrical slump.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
Red Star Company of Topeks
Has GuSheF.
Initial Production of Peabody
Find Is 1900 Barrels.

The Red Star Oil company, with
headquarters in Topeka, has broken
into another oil field in the Peabody
district, which promises to be one OF
the biggest finds of that region.
At 10 O'Clock last night the second
we'll on the Bodwell Lease, owned by
the company, was drilled down five
feet from the oil sand. The oil broke
through the remaining barrier by its
own pressure. and rose 1900 feet in the
casing. This morning, with the drill
not yet into the oil sand, the oil was
running over the top of the casing.
J. T. W. Renker, president of the
company. has every reason to believe,
he stated this morning, that the well
will produce 1000 barrels of oil per
day. The well is the nearest one to
the town of Peabody, and its coming
in has been a sensational chapter in
the history of the oil operations there.
The company holds a lease of so
acres around the well which has just
come in. Six weeks ago, at the same
hour of the same day of the week,
the first well was brought in and has
been producing between 500 and 500
barrels of oil per day since that time.
There is. room on the lease, Mr..
Renker said this morning, for at least
q
down at once. A firm of New York
property appraisers recently reported
to the government that the property
was worth more than one million dol
lars.
The new well had reached a depth
of 2,490 feet when the oil bubbled up
inside the casing. The conditions of
the strata under the ground in the
field are so well known that the drill
ers were able to tell within a few feet
of when they were on the point of
getting to the oil.
Renker was appointed by the fed
eral court more than two years ago
to reoganize the Kansas Missouri Oil
syndicate. which had failed, and has
been working against difficulties ever
since, in the development of the COM
panys holdings, it is said.
Last March, while in Wichita on
other business. he met the man who
then owned the Bodwell lease. The
owner was in financial difficulties, ac-
cording to reports, and wanted to un-
load. Mr.. Renker investigated the
field. purchased the lease for the Red
Star company, and ordered rig into
action at once. The first well, brought
in on Friday, August 13. was the re-
suit. The second we'll was started as
soon as the first had proved the ma
ture of the ground.
The other oil interests are gathering
around the new strike and are prepar-
ing to shoot down holes as rapidly as
possible.
The head offices of the company
are located at S22 Kansas avenue. and
the main headquarters are to be kept
in Topeka while the operations are
continued. Renker said this morning.
Topeka Is a good town to live in. and
we're going to stay here" he said.
The income from the first well. 1t is
said by local men in touch with the
situation. is about $500 per day. The
new we'll should produce a revenue of
more than $1,000 per day.
There is every reason to believe
that the other twelve wells which we
are going to put down will be just as
good as the one which came in last
night" Renker said this morning.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
TO ASK NO ODDS
Mexico Will Soon Adjust All Its
Moral Debts.
President-Elect ObregOn Makes
Declaration at Dallas.
RECOGNITION MUST COME
Notes Laying Down Conditions
by Q. S. Unnecessary.
Does Not Know What Mexico
VIII Do About League.

Dallas, Tex. Oct. 16.-Peace will be
continued in Mexico by providing JUS
tice to everybody and interference by
the United States in the way of a note
outlining conditions for recognition by
this government will not be necessary,
Gen. Alvaro Obregon, president-elect
of Mexico. declared during a visit
here today on behalf of greater friend
ship between the southwest and Mex
leo.
II am sure the government of Mex
leo will do everything necessary. ad-
justing itself to every moral right and
law without exaction from any
source" Obrcgon said.
Pay All just Debts.
Obregon's statement was in reply to
direct question as to whether Mexico
would accept conditions for recogni-
ton which would not affect her ma
tional dignity" as outlined in state
ment from Provisional President De la
Huerta in Mexico City
He declared that Mexico would pay
all her just debts, and that Mexico has
no intention of confiscat1ng property.
He covered a question relative to his
position on the League of Nations by
saying his small knowledge of the
league prevents me at this time from
giving a full and concise statement"
That Mexico is already at peace was
forcibly emphasized by the president
elect. Most of the points covered by
Obregon in an interview today were in
accordance with De Ia Huerta's state
ment, but the president-elect empha-
sized, he believes that Mexico can
work out her government and make make
conditions in that country so stable
and Just that this country will not
have to tell Mexicans how to conduct
itself to obtain recognition.
To Ask No Odds.
His assertions were regarded here as
a frank declaration that Mexico in her
international affairs will ask no odds
and will seek recognition from the
world by showing sincerity and good
faith.
Obregon will go TO Fort Worth
where he will be entertained at a
luncheon tomorrow and will leave
there at o'clock for FL Paso. return
ing to Mexico City, members of his
delegation announced here today.
Given Rousing Reception.
Cheered on every hand General AL
varo Obregon, president-ele of Mex
leo, arrived here today to visit the
Texas state fair The visit was also
in connection with movement to pro-
mote greater friendship and more ex-
tensive trade relations between the
southwest. and Mexico.
II am delighted with my reception" ="
declared Obregon n la Roosevelt. Il
have had a most delightful trip thru
Texas" The president-elect does not
speak English.
Obregon was closely guarded here
by his secret service men and police.
Police Chief Ryan branded as baseless
rumors the Mexican delegation here
MI 70 sze.i ot "a
their chief upon his arrival here.
Obregon's visit was unique in the
history of the southwest. being the
first time a Mexican president Or
president-elect has ever visited Texas
on a similar mission.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
new MELTING POT
Assimilating Million New Citi-
zens Per Year Now Plan.
Properly Handled Will Solve
Most Economic Problems.

New York, Oct. 16.-The problem of
assimilating foreigners furnished by
immigration at the rate of a million
year will be turned into q remedy
for our economic ills under a plan now
being formulated by Frederick A. Wal
lis, commissioner of immigration.
Under this plan immigrants will be
distributed. voluntarily, where certain
classes of labor are most needed
Whenever farm hands, fruit pickers,
factory workers or other kinds of Ia
borers are asked for, newly arrived
foreigners will be furnished with in
formation concerning wages and liv-
ing conditions, and aided in reaching
these places.
Information concerning labor short
age Will be furnished the immigration
department thru the governors of
states chambers of commerce. farm
ers' associations and similar agencies.
Their cooperation is now being
sought.
To handle this work. Commissioner
Wallis is creating a new organization,
to be known as the department OF dis
tribution. At its head will be Peter
Donohue, who has been connected
with the department of immigration
twenty years.
What this country needs. most of
all, of course. is more farm help. In
view of this we will try to induce as
many OF our immigrants as we can to
turn to this branch of industry" Wal
lis said.
Naturally, we must avoid all sem
blance of 'colonizing.' There will be
no coercion whatever. Every immi-
grant will be free to go wherever he
pleases. We will simply show him
vantage TO go where labor is most
needed"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
PLEA TO BANKERS
Farm Organizations Won't Quit
Fight for Loans.
Declare They Need Credit While
Holding Their Wheat.

Washington, Oct. 16.-Representa-
tives of more than thirty national
farm organizations today were pre-
pairing demands for extension of credit
to be placed before the nations bank
ers at the meeting of the American
Bankers association here next week.
The demands are being framed by a
special committee of farmers, includ-
ing John Tromble. of Beloit, Kan,
wheat grower; Secretary Charles A.
Lyman. of the national board of farm
organizations; +. NJ. Barton, of Wash
ington. d. c.. and J. S. Wanamaker. of
South Carolina, president of the
American Cotton Growers association.
Farmers declare they must have in
creased credit facilities so they need
not be forced to sell their crops at
present prices, all of which they de-
clare are below production costs.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
TUo Meet Death IN
All Night Pursuit of
Auto Bank Bandits
Tho Posse Was in Fast Cars Never Came Within Shoot
ing Range of the Quarry = Ran Down Boy in Chase
and Shot Suspect Who Tried to Run Away.

men, evidently familiar with the
mountainous country, had reached a
back trail and fled toward Joplin, Mo.
Reports last night to the effect that
one of the bandits had been killed
was. denied today by c. F. Gowdy,
county attorney of Nowata county.
and the sheriff of Rogers county. The
posse was never in shooting distance
of the bandits, it was said.
Two Deaths Reported.
County Attorney Gowdy who spent
the night with the posse declared to-
day that he had evidence sufficient to
convince him that there were five
members in the band of robbers and
that while two of the men did the
work, the others Joined the band and
escaped with them. He also said he
was of the opinion that the escaped
robbers had gone to Kansas City in
stead of stopping at Joplin.
Two deaths have been woven into
the robbery. one near Alluwe. when a
car belonging to one of the members
of the posse ran down and killed a
seven-year-old boy, and the other
when the posse discovered an alleged
store robber near. Catale, about 70
miles northeast of here, and shot him
to death in his attempt to escape. The
sheriff of C1aremore, Okla, member
of the posse. declared he was in no
way connected with the bank robbers.
Sheriff Says slaughter Gang"
The sheriff of Nowata county to-
day announced that it had been defi-
nitely established that the robbery of
the bank at Alluwe. Okla. yesterday
afternoon was staged by a gang led by
Tom Slaughter. said to have a long
record as a highwayman.
A year ago Slaughter and his gang
robbed a bank at Petty. Texas, making
away with several thousand dollars. it
is alleged. He is believed to have
headquarters somewhere along the
western edge of Arkansas and it is
thought he will return there.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
QUESTION 100 YEARS OLD
President Wilson Wants League to Set
tie AaIand Isles Dispute.

Washington, Oct. 16.-The United
States nrohabIv will appotnt a mem
Der of the League of Nations commits
sion which will try to settle the Aaland
islands dispute between Finland and
Sweden, it was learned to-day at the
state department.
President Wilson is inclined to favor
American representation on the COM
mission, it was learned authoritatively.
He is eager the Aaland controversy.
which is of one hundred years stand
ing. be settled Immediately.
State department officials hold this
country would not be handicapped in
participating but it is not a member of
the league.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
Marine Wins Title
AS Champ Eater
Of Hot WaHzes

champion waffle eater of the world
today was claimed by Private Paul
Francis Jones, of the T. S Marine
corps. He established this claim last
night by eating twenty-six and one
half of these corr ted pastries u
thirty minutes flat, in a contest with
a representative of the army at the
Grand Central palace.
A large. mountaineering audience
witnessed the feat, for which Private
Jones rehearsed in ne afternoon by
eating porterhouse steak smothered
in onions, French fried potatoes, as
paragus, doughnuts and coffee.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
WRANGEL VICTORIES CONTINUE.
Anti -Bolshevik Forces in South Russia
Capture Much War Material.

Sebastopol. Oct. 15.-Continued sue
cess along the various sectors of the
South Russian front by forces COM
manded by General Baron Wrangel
are reported here. Bolsheviki attacks
on the Tauride front. in the neighbor-
hood of Kherson, have been repulsed.
and General Wrangers troops have
captured 5000 of the enemy and have
taken many field guns and machine
guns The Ninth and Forty second
soviet Divisions have been routed in
recent engagements on this front
On the Dnieper front, near Nikopol.
1000 prisoners, many cannon, ar
mored cars and trains have been cap
tured by the anti-Bolsheviki army
while on the Kharkov front Bolsheviki
attacks have been repulsed.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
PREPARE TO RESUME PROBE.
Chicago Grand Jury Calls More Wit
nesses in Baseball Scandal Cases.

Chicago. Oct 16.-Subpoenas for
new witnesses to appear Tuesday when
the investigation of baseball crooked
ness will be resumed, were being issued
by the Cook county grand jury prob
ing baseball scandals.
Activities of gamblers will be the
chief concern of the investigators, It
was indicated. when Arnold Ro.hstein
Of New York, Harry Redmond. East
St. Louis; Thomas Kearney and Joseph
Pesch of St. Louis were ordered to ap-
pear
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
FOG CAUSES HIS DEATH.
Aero Mail Pilot Falls With His Plane
Near Batavia, Ill.

Chicago. Oct. 16.-Pilot McMullen
of the United States air mail service
was killed today when his plane fell
at Batavia, ILL.,. fifty miles west of
here. McMullen left Chicago on the
Omaha mail route early today. Nc
Mullen's home was in Omaha.
The aviator apparently lost his way
in a heavy fog. George White. a
farmer, and his wife saw the machine
drop. They hurried to the plane.
There was an explosion and the ma
chine burst into flames Immediately
after it dropped. BY the time they
had pulled the aviator's body from the
burning wreckage he was dead.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
WILD DISORDER IN IRELAND.
Londonderry Youths Stage Battle
Soldiers Finally Forced Peace.

Londonderry, Ireland, Oct. 16.-
Scenes of Wild disorder, re-occurred
here last night Carlisle road was
again the theater of fighting, the
trouble beginning when a band of
youths suddenly appeared and began
firing pistols. They maintained a run
ming fire and rival groups returned
the shots.
A hot fusillade was maintained for
some time and pedestrians fled in ter
ror. Soldiers were rushed to that sec
ton of the city and cleared the streets.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
REVOLUTION NOW DENIED.
Chinese Government Rcfutcs Mon
archlal Revolt Rumors From Pckin.

Peking. Oct. 16 = Official request
was made by the Chinese government
to The Associated Press TODAY to re-
fute recent rumors originating in
Shanghai that the government had
been overthrown. There is no truth
whatever" said the government state
ment, lin reports of a reactionary
movement in North China.
''As far as the authorities know no
plot of any kind exists, and the situa-
ion is without change politically be-
yond the. fact that peace prospects
have improved recently"
Foreign legations in this city have
no knowledge of the reported up
heava1
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
STACK WILL MAKE RACE
Succeeds John Tromblc as Candidate
in Thirty-Third District.

John P. Stack of Beloit was today
certified by the Democrat senatorial
committee as the party candidate in
the Thirty-third senatorial district.
Stack was placed on the ticket in the
Mitchell-Jewell county district to sue
coed John Tromble, the regular party
nominee.
When the Democrat primaries were
held in August, Tromble was non6i-
mated for the state senate. Is a strong
Farmers union leader and served in
the house from Mitchell county in
.1913'15. He refused to make the
senatorial race, tho, and asked that his
name be Withdrawn from the ticket.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
Blow Loses Him Mat Bout.

Kansas City. Mo, Oct. 16.-Follow-
ing fifteen minutes of wrestling last
night, the Zbyszke-P Pesek match ended
in a fight in which the Nebraskan's
right fist sen the pole to the mat and
gave the latter the bout on a foul.
Pesek got mad, claiming zbyszko was
Ifouling.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
New. Break in Market.

New York. Oct. 16.-There was a
further severe break in the price of
cotton on the exchange here this
morning with all active deliveries
making new low records for the sea-
SON Contracts for December deliv-
cry sold off to 19 cents a pound, or
a full cent below closing quotation of
yesterday. owing to continued pres
sure of southern offerings and liquida-
ton by recent buyers who had antici-
pated rally.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
NATIONAL TO FORCE CHANGE
Major Baseball Clubs Call Conference
May Abolish National Commission.

May Abolish National Commission.
New York. Oct. 16.-Decision to force
a change in the governing body OF
baseball has been made by the eight
National league clubs. according to
President John H. Heydler today.
Heydler leaves tonight for Chicago,
where the American league magnates
have been invited to meet Monday
with the National league owners and
discuss the abolishment of the ma
tional commission
Despite the objection of President
Ban johnson, of the American, league,
we are going thru with the meeting,
Heydler said.
''All of the National league clubs
will be represented at the meeting. !
don't know the feeling of the Ameri-
can league, but 1 can't see how they
can refuse to accept the invitation of
the National league to discuss the
changes that seem necessary to keep
the game alive"
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
IT'S AN OUTLAW WE'LL.
Big Texas Gasser Refuses to Allow
Itself To BE Canned

Goliad. Tex, Oct. IA big gasser
on the Pettus ranch near here today
defied all efforts of man to control it.
The OUTLAW well blew off it's cap
and was shooting seven and ten pound
rocks and sand 900 feet in the air,
making approach dangerous.
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
FORECAST FOR

Unsettled and rain during the begin
ming of the week followed by general
Iy fair weather with much cooler and
freezing temperatures.
Tomorrow looks like a perfect au-
tumn day from here. The tempera-
ture will be just high enough to be
pleasant, and there is no chance of
rain. The temperature range will be
from rs to about As degrees. just
about what it has been today. The
lowest temperature last night was As
degrees The thermometer viii reach
about 75 degrees this afternoon. There
has been no rain in the state or any
adjoining state in the past twentyfour
hours. The skies over nearly all the
United States were clear this morning.
IConfinueai on Page Two,
The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-10-16
Today's Lineup.
ESCAPE CELL THRU SEWER.
Two Missouri Prisoners Braved Dam
gerous Gases To Gain Liberty.

jefferson City, Oct. 16. - Ray
Haynes and Charles Kenzie, convicts,
made good their escape last night thru
a sewer leading from the state prison
it was learned today. Both were serv-
ing sentences for robbery.
1t was thought last night that the
men would be unable to survive the
sewer gases. 1t was said their escape
from the prison was in many respects
the most daring ever made.