davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
III a t terS
Pardon Nav
Be Probed
Nebraska Congressman Pro.
poses House Committee In.
vestigate Freeing of AT.
torney From Prison.
Andrews Urges Action

Washington, July 25.-lnvestiga
ton by a house committee with
view to determining why Thomas Fl
Matters was pardoned latter serving
~ days OF a fve-year sentence 70.
aiding and abetting unlawful issu
ance of certificates of deposit Of the
First National Bank at Sutton
Neb.," is proposed in a resolution in,
troduced by Representative Reavis
republican, Nebraska.
The resolution is as follows: "Re
solved. that the committee on judic'
iary, or any subcommittee thereof, is
authorized to make such investiga-
tions as it may find necessary to as
certain and determine the reason for
the pardon of one Thomas H. Mat
ters. after serving "a days of FIVE
years sentence for aiding and abet-
ting the unlawful issuance of cer-
tifcates of deposit of the First Ma
tional bank of Sutton, Neb.
May Call Witnesses.
"Said committee is authorized to
sit during the sessions of the house
and to send for persons and papers,
to compel the attendance of wit
nesses and to administer oaths to
witnesses.
THE cost and expense of such
committee shall be paid from the
contingent fund of the house of rep
resentatives, to be paid on the audit
and order of the chairman, subject
TO the approval of the committee on
accounts"
Congressman Reavis may possibly
be chairman of the subcommittee of
the judiciary committee of which he
is member.
Wants Inside History"
In speaking of his action today,
the congressman said: ~ assume
that the pardon was perfectly legiti-
mate, but inasmuch as it does not
seem to have been based upon facts,
or evidence additional to those sub
mitted to the courts. / believe that
the people, whose confidence in the
due enforcement of law is so essen
tial to the peace and order Of organ
lied society, should know whatever
of inside history the case contains.
Any one familiar with Washington
will readily perceive the almost in
surmountable difficulty the resolu-
ton will encounter, and / can offer
assurance only of my best efforts to
secure its adoption"
Andrews Favors Probe.
Congressman Andrews, following
the introduction of the resolution
said he was in receipt of many let.
tiers from residents of Sutton, who
1ost money in the suspention of tn.
First aNtional bank at that place,
asking for information as to who
were instrumental in getting the De.
partment of Justice to act favorably
ON the pardon. He believed that
an investigation was absolutely nee
essary and he hoped the resolution.
would be adopted.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Woman Store Keeper
Flogged by Masked Men

Birmingham, Ala, July 25.-Mrs.
Kate Alexander, vino, with G. S.
Cooley, was taken into the country
by a masked band of men Saturday
night and fogged, stated today that
she had been ordered to leave Bir-
rningham by next Saturday or suf-
fer worse fate. Mrs. Alexander
operates a small grocery store.
II am going to stay here even if
they kill me-" Mrs. Alexander said
My prayers saved me Saturday
night ani I know they will save an
innocent woman against all comers
again. | don't know why they came
after me. ! have no enemies that
| know of. | won't leave town"
Cooley, who is a butcher, stated
today that as soon as he could close
his business he would leave. He
says he was warned to leave by his
masked assailants, who charged him
with intimate relations with a
negress. He declared it is a case of
mistaken identity,
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Illinois Civil and
Military Forces
Likely toClash
Governor Small Insists He
Will Resist Arrest-Use
Of Troops Seems Only
Safeguard.
chicago rr,bune-omaha Bee Leased Wire

Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire
Springfield, ILL.,, July 25.-That
there will be serious clash between
the civil and military authorities OF
Illinois tomorrow appears more GER
tain tonight than heretofore. The
truce between the governor and
Judge Smith will expire tomorrow
when Governor Small must submit
to arrest or the warrant will be
turned over to the sheriff for service.
Sheriff Mester, who has the reputa-
ton of getting what he goes after,
says he will serve the warrant if it
is given him. Governor Small is
equally determined to resist arrest.
Pm back and I'm going to stay
right on the job" said the governor.
There has been no change in my
decision"
One thing has been definitely de-
cided, it is generally agreed, and that
is the refusal of the governor to
submit to arrest or go voluntarily
into court to answer the indictment
against him. Three plans have been
suggested as outlining the probable
course of the executive. They are:
First, to refuse Sheriff Mester ad-
mittance to either the executive Of
fee or the executive mansion, should
he attempt to serve the warrants.
Second, to call on the local units
of the state militia and issue orders
to prevent the arrest.
Third, to let the sheriff come to
the executive Offices and meet him
at the door with a declaration OF
martial law. In such an event the
sheriff's power would cease instantly
and the state would take over direc-
ton of both the police and sheritf's
Offices, it is claimed.
It seems certain tonight that Judge
Smith will rule that the criminal
code is not to be suspended in the
case of the governor. In this event
the writs will be turned over to the
sheriff who will attempt to call the
governor on the telephone and notify
him his presence is desired in court.
If the governor goes into court and
gives bond there will be no civil
trouble, but if he declines, no one can
foresee where the end of the problem
will be.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Extadition Papers
Awaiting Van Dueser

Washington, July Is. - Especial
telegram. )-Ross Johnson. accused
OF forging a check for $500 on the
United States Trust company of Om-
aha, who has been apprehended in
Montreal, Canada, and is awaiting
extradition, will shortly be on his
way to Omaha if everything works
out as expected.
The State department in response
to inquiry by Congressman Jeferis
as to issuance of the extradititon pa
pers asked for by the Nebraska au-
tllorities stated that the necessary pa
pers will be issued, but officials of
the department. have been holding
them pending the arrival of c. c.
Van Deusen of the Omaha detective
In the event Van Deusen does not
show up in the next "a hours the pa
pers will be sent to the American
consul at Montreal.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Referendum
Sought on
Four Laws
Petitions Carrying 10000
Names Presented to Secre.
tary of State by Farm and
Labor Men.
Object to Primary Law

Lincoln, July 25.-iSpecial.) Ne
braska political storm clouds loomed
on the horizon here today when $50
farmers, representatives of political
and nonpolitical farm organizations,
labor unions and candidates for gov
ernor and United States senator
gathered in the Office of the secretary
of state and presented referendum
petitions, bearing from $1,000 to Co.
600 names. against four laws passed
by the last legislature. The laws at
which the petitions are aimed follow:
Randall-Hascall anti-picketing bill.
Portion of banking bill which gives
state banking board discretionary
power to decide whether there is a
public demand for new bank in a
town.
A statewide registration bill which
would force farmers to register their
political affiliations.
Amendment to the primary bill
which would discontinue direct
primary for election of delegates to
county, state and national conven-
tions.
Wray Demands Amendments.
Arthur G. Wray of York, probable
candidate for governor, formally
opened his campaign broadsides in a
speech delivered at the meeting, in
whish he advocated an initiative
campaign demanding the following
constitutional amendments:
To forever prohibit the legislature
from taking away from the people
their right to nominate their own
candidates in the primary.
To forever prohibit the legislature
from passing law requiring voter
to register his party afhliation as a
qualification for voting at any elec-
ton. ~.
The stage setting was managed by
A. E. Sorenson, secretary of the Ne
braska Nonpartisan league, who in
troduced the speakers and superin-
tended the work of draymen in carry
ing the petitions and placing them on
a table for flashlight pictures.
Attacks Registration Law.
The speakers included R. Beecher
Howell, candidate for United States
senator; Jesse Johnson, Nebraska or
ganizer for the Nonpartisan league;
A. H. Bigelow, attorney for the Cen
tral Labor union, Omaha; Mrs. r.
w. Curry, representing gentle sex
branch of the Nonpartisan league at
Litchfeld, Neb.; ]. N. Norton, rep
resenting the Nebraska Farm bu-
reau; c. ]. Osborne, state president
of the Farmers Cooperative union.
Arthur G. Wray explained reasons
for directing the referendum at the
statewide registration law.
'The law he said, "casts an un-
necessary burden upon rural COM
Turn to Page Two, Column Two.)
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Securities Co. Is
Declared BANKRUPT
By Federa'. - 's~ WA !,
Receiver Named for yncern
Involved in Pioneer Bank
Failure-Land Titles
Found Worthless.

The Guarantee Securities Invest
ment company, involved in bad in
vestments with the defunct Pionee
State bank of Omana, was declared
bankrupt yesterday by Fedora
Judge Woodrough. F. E. Sheeha,
is receiver.
The last hope to save the Securi
ties company from going to th'
wall collapsed when title to 147,00(
acres of West Virginia land, fol
which $260,000 in bonds was held BY
the Pioneer bank, was found to b'
worthless.
F. H. Gaines, representing the re.
ceiver for the Pioneer bank; R. A
Mulhnger, for the Securities COM
pany, and Judge E. P. Holmes o.
Lincoln. representing Lincoln stock
holders, returned Sunday from
Charlestown, w. Va, where they in
vestigated the land titles and
brought back the report.
Title Worthless.
"If the company's title to this land
had been good, we could have saved
the Securities company and the Pio-
neer bank, too," said Mulhnger
But it is worthless and no taxes
were paid for 50 years"
Officers in both companies are
practically the same.
The land involved was held by the
Colonial Land, Coal and Timber
corporations, said to have been or
ganized by Thomas H. Matters,
recently released from Leavenwortf
penitentiary on pardon by Presi.
dent Harding. with Walter Stickel
of Kearncy, Ralph -Sunderland,~Iee
Herdman, w. V. Matthews and Wal.
ter A. George of Omaha and William
]. Culver of Chicago.
with Walter Stickell of Kearney,
Ralph Sunderland, Lee Herdman,
W. V. Matthews and Walter A.
George of Omaha and William J.
Culver of Chicago.
These men bought out Matters in
terest year ago for $250000 and
are said to have paid him $l25,0O0
in cash for his 80 per cent holding.
Bonds for 100000 Issued.
The. Securities company issued
$2,OO0,000 worth of bonds on the
Colonial holdings and sold about
100000 of it, the rest being held
as securities on other mortgage
bonds.
The Securities company was
named trustee and holder of securi-
ties for the bondholders of the Colo
NAL company and the Pioneer State
bank was named depository for the
funds of the Colonial company. The
Securities company was to have IS
per cent of the sale of the $1,00O,-
900, bonds as a commission.
Armed with the facts ascertained
by their trip to Virginia, counsel for
the Securities company yesterday
withdrew its answer to the suit in
federal court and permitted the COM
pany to be adjudged bankrupt.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Of
Road To Be
Contractors to Keep Up Work
Provided Specified Amount
OF Cement Used and
Daily Reports Made.
Tests Show Weakness

Paving of the Lincoln highway
will be continued by Murphy Broth.
ers, contractors, provided one and
three-quarter sacks OF cement are
used for each lineal foot and daily
reports on the quantity of cement
used are made.
Laying of brick on the concrete
base will be held up until tests OF
each days work on the base are
made under the supervision of Prof
Clark E. Mickey, state testing engi-
neer.
This was the outcome of a probe
into the alleged shortage in the
amount of cement used, conducted
in the court house yesterday after
noon by State Engineer George f.
Johnson.
At the close of the hearing, Lew
Adams, county engineer, said he
would make no change in his system
of inspection of the work and that
he was confident tests would prove
the concrete base was up to speciica-
tions.
. Engineer Doubtful
State Engineer Johnson, however,
is of the opinion the base laid since
the contractors changed their sys-
tenn of mixing may prove faulty. II
50, he will recommend to the county
commissioners that they not accept
the base, and that they require the
contractors to relay it.
None of the commissioners would
state what attitude he would take
on such a recommendation.
In making the tests, blocks will
be cut from the base and into cubes
six inches square. They will then
be given the regulation compression
test and results will be compared
with those on similar cubes COLI
tanning one part cement to six parts
gravel, mixed and dried under the
same conditions as was the base. By
this method Professor Mickey hopes
to ascertain what ratio of cement
was used in the base.
Offers to Make Changes.
AT the close of the hearing Rich
ard Murphy of Murphy brothers, ex-
claimed: ......
1--WE want to do this job the way
you want it. Well do anything you
ask us TO-"
Chairman Unit, of the county
board, exclaimed with equal vshe-
nance:
THE county wants what it is pay
ins Tor. If there isn't one part ce-
INERT to six parts gravel being used
it isn't getting what it's paying for"
ut seems the whole proposition
has been handled very carelessly,"
was the comment of State Engineer
Johnson. "But there doesn't seem
to be any evidence of bad intentions
or graft"
Attorneys for the contractors con-
tended throughout the hearing that
wet gravel shrank much more than
(Turn to Page Two. Column FourJ
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Impossible to Comply
With Law, Says Bakers
AT Bread Bill Hearing

Lincoln, Neb., July 2s.-(Special
Telegram..-Hearing on the applica-
ton of Omaha bakers for an injunc.
ton against enforcement of tts
Smith bread bill occupied the time
of the Lancaster county distric.
court today and further arguments
will be held tomorrow. An early
decision is expected, as the law i.
due for enforcement July 2S.
Representative Ed Smith OF
Omaha, author of the bill, who
saedv it from numerous pitfalls
prepared during the legislature by
the big baker lobby, assisted c. L.
bort, assistant attorney general, in
defending the attack of the bakers
in court.
The bakers declared it would be
impossible to bake bread at a stand
ard weight with only a two-ounce
tolerance, and presented afidavits of
experiments to prove their claim.
The state said such a thing was
possible and presented affidavits of
experiments to prove their claim.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Treasurer Of Home
For Girls Kills Self

Chicago, July 25.-Mrs. Jennie B
[ Iathrop, prominent social worker
who for the last Is years has devoted
practically all her time to the redemp.
ton of wayward girls, killed herself
by shooting today.
Her husband, who is general man
ager of the A. P. w. Paper com.
pany, said she had spent most OF
the night worrying over conditions>at
the Chicago home fo- girls, of which
she was treasurer. This morning he
passed her room and found her dead
body stretched out over the bed,
where she had fallen after shooting
herself. He did not hear the sound
Of the shot.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Weeks to Reject
Muscle Shoals
Offer Of Ford
Terms Not Considered Favor.
able to Public Interest
Another Bid Is Ex-
pected Soon.
BY ARTHUR SEARS HENNING

BY ARTHUR SEARS HENNING
Chicago Tribune-Omaha Bee Leased Wire.
Washington, July 2s.-Despite the
tremendous pressure exerted Henry
Ford's proposal to lease and pur-
chase the governments $lW,0OO,OOO
dam and war plants at Muscle Shoals,
Ala, will not be accepted by the ad-
ministration on the terms submitted.
Secretary of War Weeks made this
disclosure today in issuing the text
of the Ford offer and citing some of
the conditions stipulated by Mr.. Ford
which are deemed contrary to the
public interest.
Mr.. Weeks said he had been ad-
vised another corporation is prepar-
ing a tender for the properties and
that no decision would be reached
until all offers submitted could be
studied.
Plan Is Bonanza.
Any one who can obtain these
properties on the terms Mr.. Ford
proposes would have a bonanza, ac-
cording to one official, who said that
under the proposed contract "the
government assumes all the risks,
putting up all the money and getting
back a limited amount, while Ford
is to assume no risks of any con-
sequence and is to enjoy all the i'm
portant safeguards"
Secretary Weeks said the very first
condition-that the government guar
antee 100000 horse power at the
Wilson dam-never would be accept
ed by the government, because it is
uncertain how much power can he
developed.
Special objection is raised to leas-
ing the Muscle Shoals dams and
hydro-electric power plant, when
completed, for 100 years on any
terms based on present conditions,
particularly in view of the limitation
to so years of the water power
grants now being made by the fed
eral power commission.
Hardship on Finances
Doubt is expressed by one cabinet
member that, in the present state of
its finances, the government would be
justified in expending $28,0OOOO0 or
more to complete the dams and build
the power plant for Mr.. Ford, while
federal power grants elsewhere are
compelled to construct the works
with private capital and without
government assistance.
Mr.. Ford's offer to purchase for
$S,000,000 the nitrate plants built by
the government at cost of $80,00O,-
600 is regarded by some officials as
not unjustihed as a proposition of
salvaging war investment, but by
Others as ridiculously low for fac
tories fully equipped to manufacture
the fertilizer Mr.. Ford proposes to
produce. -. ..'. ...
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Denver's S Mystery Girl
Is Returned to Home

Denver, Colo, July 25.-Miss Con-
stance Phillips of Rosston, Tex, who
for two weeks mystiied Denver
county hospital authorities when she
was unable to remember her name,
left last night for her home in Ross
ton, accompanied by Sheriff Tom M.
Ford of Cook county, Texas. The
sheriff positively identified the girl
as a school teacher of Cook county.
The girl continued to cling to her
account of being kidnapped from
Denton, Tex, by "a man and a
woman with red hair" Sheriff Ford
announced he was investigating the
circumstances surrounding the girls
plight.
Local police have been unable to
find any trace of the alleged kid
napers, whom the girl charges with
her abduction.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Three Held for Staying
Brother of X. K, X. Victim

Galveston, Tex, July 25.-J. E.
Hayes, Perry McFadden and ]. H.
Ross of League City, were arrested
by Sheriff Henry Thomas today in
connection with the killing of M. c.
Benson at League City this morning.
Benson, 80, a stockman, was shot
to death on the main street OF
League. Benson was a brother OF
G. c. Benson of Dickinson, who was
fogged by party of masked men
last week.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Norman Anniversary Is
Celebrated in Salt Lake

Salt Lake City, July 25.-Featured
by pageantry depicting the entrance
OF the first band OF pioneers into
Salt Lake valley, a special program
was furnished at the mouth of Emil
grafton canyon, at the spot where
Brigham Young on July "a, 1847,
uttered the famous words:
This is the place"
The pageant formed a reproduc-
ton of the entrance of the pioneers,
horses pulling an old wagon similar
to that in which Brigham Young
rode over the plains to this valley.
This was followed by oxen trains
and women in pioneer costume.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Navy Captain May Have to
Paw $3.50 a Month Alimony

Racine, Wis, July 25.-Receiving a
salary of 5000 a month, as a captain
in the United States navy, William
D. Brotherton, 50, may be compelled
to pay $3.50 a month to two wives
from whom he has separated.
His first wife, to whom he was
married in Racine in 1899 and from
whom he was divorced in 1905, is
receiving $100 month alimony. The
second wife, whom he married in
CALIFORNIA in 1912 ard from whom
he selArated a year ago, is receiving
$3.50 alimony and she now demands
an increase to 500.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Shipping Board Enjoined
From Seizing Mail Vessels

New York, July 25.-A tenn
porary injunction restraining the
United States shipping board, the
Emergency Fleet corporation and
the United American lines from in
terfering with the operation of the
ships seized Friday from the United
States Mail Steamship company was
issued here today by Judge William
P. Burr of the state supreme court.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
u. S. Steamer Sinks

London, July 25.-The American
steamer Parthian, of 1866 tons from
Alexandria to Hamburg, sank in the
Fort of Oran, on the west coast of
Algeria, Yesterday, according to ad-
wees received here today. The ship
is reported to have foundered as the
result of fire. There was no loss
of life, but damage to the cargo of
cotton and silk was scid to have been
considerable.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Hunt for Banker
Is Worldwide
Indications Are Chicago FL
nancer Is Headed for
Canada or Japan.
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased wir,

Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire.
Chicago, July 25.-Search for War
rem c. Spurgin, missing president OF
the Michigan Avenue Trust COM
pany, today extended to all parts of
the United States, Canada and Mex
ico. Especial watch is being kept
upon Canadian ports, as there are
indications that Sp,rgin is headed
that way.
Six depositors of the failed bank
filed a bill in the superior court ask
ing the appointment of receiver. 1t
is directed against Spurgin and all
other officers of the institution.
There were also lively intimations
that others beside Spurgin are con-
cerned in the $1,000,0OO grab from
the funds of the institution. This in
formation came at the same time
the bank officials learned of Spurgin's
difficulties in bank at Panora, Ia,
20 yers ago. At that time Spurgin
hastily departed for the Everglades
of Florida and remained until the
troubles were adjusted. Three months
ago, it is said, Spurgin went back to
his hiding place in Florida and the
question now is being asked if he
had in mind at that time repetition
of his Iowa experiences.
Mrs. Spurgin and daughter, Wv
ian, have been traced to Detroit, but
police officials and detective agencies
do not believe Spurgin himself is
within 1000 miles of them, and that
he is using them to throw his pur-
suers off his trail. There is reason
to believe that when he sent them
away he fed in an opposite direc-
ton, perhaps to Colorado or to
northwestern Canada, in the hope
of getting a boat to Japan. 1t is not
believed that Mrs. Spurgin or her
daughter were aware of his wrong
doing,
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Sultana of Afghanistan
Is Visitor at White House

Washington, July Is. - Princess
Fatima, Sultana of Aighanistan, who
has attracted unusual attention dur
ing her visit to this country because
OF white sapphire set in right side
of her nose, was received at the
White House by President Harding.
The princess and her two sons were
dressed in native costume and were
accompanied by an American naval
officer detailed as interpreter.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Washington and Jefferson
College President Dies

Denver, July 25.-Samuel C.
Black, president of Washington ond
Jefferson university, Washington
Pa, died at local hospital early
today after a two weeks illness
growing out of complications result
ing from an attack of influenza last
April. He was on a honeymoon trip
to national parks. Mr.. Black was a
native of Clarinda, Ia.
Omaha daily bee., 1921-07-26
Men Guarded by Asbestos
Shield Fight Oil Well Fire

Mexico City, July 2s.-Guarded
by an asbestos shield, fire fighters
were making an attempt today to
reach one of the burning oil wells at
Amatlan to shut off the valve regu-
lating teh flow of oil If this effort
fails, tunnelling will be tried in IN
attempt to check the flames.
Two hundred men are fighting ti1d
fires and oil men believe the flames
will have been extinguished within
three weeks.
All nearby wells have been GOV.
cred with earth.