davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1921-07-15
CHAPTER XVI
The peserter


Mr.. Norcross chased out and tried
to overtake Colllngwood, going as far
as the foot of the stairs. went, too,
but got only far enough to meet the
boss coming up again. There was
nothing doing. The station policeman
had seen the crazy rounder jump into
a taxi and go spinning off uptown.
There was another jolt waiting for
US when we got back TO the office
While we were both out, Mr.. Van Britt
had blown in from his room at the
foot of the hall and we found him
lounging comfortably in the chair that
Collngwood had just vacated.
II thought maybe you'd turn up
again pretty soon, since you'd left the
doors all open" was the way he started
out. Then: "Sit down, Graham; |
want to talk a few lines"
Mr.. Norcross took his own chair and
twirled It to face the general super
intendent. "Say It," he commanded
briefly.
MIR. Van Britt hooked his thumbs
In his armholes.
"Tve Just been figuring bit on the
general outlook: you have decently
efficient operating outfit here, what
with Perkins and Brant and Conway
handling the three divisions as self
contained units. You don't need a
general superintendent any more than
a monkey needs two tails"
"What are you driving att" was
the curt demand.
"Well, suppose we say retrenchment,
for one thing. AS size 1t up, you
might just as well be saving my salary.
1t would buy good many new cross
ties In the course of a year."
"That's all bunk, and you know It."
snapped the boss. 1.-THE organization
as it stands hasn't single stick Of
dead wood In 1t. You know very well
that a railroad the size of the Short
Line can't run without an individual
head Of the operating department"
Mr.. Van Britt laughed a little at
that.
"If you should get some one Of these
new efficiency experts out here he
would probably tell you that you could
cut your staff right In two in the
middle"
could see that the boss was get
ting mighty nearly impatient.
"You are merely turning handsprings
around the edges Of the thing you have
come to say, Upton" he barked out
"Come to the point, can't you? What
have you got up your sleeve2'
Nothing that L could make you
understand in a month of Sundays
I'm sore on my Job and want to
quit"
| Nonsense! You don't mean thatT
"Yes, | do I'm tired of wearing
the brass collar of a soulless corpora
ton. What's the use, anyway? found
a bunch of dividend checks from my
bank at home in the mail to-day, and
what good does the money do me-
/ can't spend it out here; can't even
tip the servants at the hotel without
everlastingly demoralizing them. I'm
like the little boy who wanted to &c
out in the garden and eat worms"
The boss was frOwning thoughtfully
| you're not giving me show, Up
ton" he protested. "Can't you blow
the froth off and let me see what's
| in the bottom of the stein?"
'Pledge you my word. it's all froth
Graham. want to climb up on the
mesa behind the shops and take 8
Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1921-07-15

situation, and what it was likely TO
develop. The Mountaineer editor was
given all the facts, except the one
big one about Hatch's death-grlp on
us, and In turn Mr.. Cantrell promised
the help of his paper to the last ditch
though, Of course, he had no idea Of
how deep that last ditch was going to
be. had a lot of filing and indexing
to do, and / kept at work while they
were talking, wondering all the time
If the boss would venture to tell the
editor about the depth of that last
ditch" He didn't. / guess he thought
he wouldn't until he had to.
1t was pretty nearly nine o'clock
when the editor went away, and Mr.
Norcross was just saying to me that
he guessed we'd better knock off for
the night, when we both heard step
in Mays room. A second later the
door was pushed open and man
came in, making for the nearest chair
and flinging himself into 1t as II he'd
reached the limit. 1t was Colling-
wood. He was chewing on a dead
cigar and his face was like the face
of A corpse. But he was sober.
Naturally, l supposed he had come
TO make trouble with the boss on Mrs.
Sheila's account, and / quietly edged
open the drawer of my desk where
kept Fred Mays automatic, so as
to be ready. He didn't waste much
time.
81 saw you as / was coming away
from Hendricks last night" he be-
gan, with pickering rasp in his voice.
did you go up against the gun l had
loaded for your"
Mr.. NorcrOss cut straight through to
the bottom of that little complied
ton at single stroke.
"What Mrs. Colllngwood said to me,
or what | said to her, can have no
possible bearing upon anything that
you may have to say to me, or that
/ can consent to listen to, Mr.. Colling-
wood"
The derelict sat up in his chair.
"But you've got to keep hands off,
Just the same; at Hendricks, and in
this other business, too. If you don't
there Is going to be blood on the
moon Get mef"
The boss never batted an eye. "Tm
taking 1t for granted that you are
sober, Mr.. Collingwood," he said. IF
you are, you must surely know that
threats are about the poorest possible
weapons you can use just now"
"It's a plant, from start to finish y
gritted the man in the chair. II haven't
done a id thing more than to cash
a few checks for-for expenses, and
turn the money over to Bullock. Now
Hatch tells me that l was working
with a spotter-his spotter-and that
he can send me up for bribery. It's
a lie. I don't know what Bullock did
with the money, and don't want to
know"
"But you had orders to give 1t to
him when he required 1t, didn't your
Mr.. Norcross cut in.
"That's none Of your business.
want you to choke this man Hatch of
of mel"
The boss had picked up his paper
knife. II don't know why you should
come to me for help" he said. "Yor
have been hand-in-glove with these
conspirators ever since you came out
here. Two days ago you knew thai
they had set a trap for my specia
train on the Strathcona branch--a traI
that was meant to kill me-"
It was a random shot, and I knew
that Mr.. Norcross was just guessing
Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1921-07-15

1t was all about. But the whole ming
was now so horribly muddled that
little mystery more or less on any
body's part couldn't make much diff
ference: and that was the thought l
took to bed with me a little later after
we reached our rooms In the railroad
club.
Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1921-07-15
Get a Scare.

aWhat ails the poetess?" "She went
looking for the first robin Of spring.
time and saw the first anaka"
Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-29

sador, to accompany the publisher was not considered significant in that Lord Northcliffe on arriving in this country stressed that he was not on an official mission or in an official capacity.
 The statement as issued by Lord Northclifie follows:
 Lord Northcliffe tonight authorized the statement that he had been invited while in Washington to stop at the Brit ish embassy with his entire staff and to attend dinner there tonight. For some reason of which he is not aware both invitations were withdrawn. Knowing the methods in India of Lord Curzon, the British foreign secretary, Lord North cliffe is pretty certain that Lord Curzon has adopted those methods here. In In- dia, while vice secretary, he cut off news supply of newspapers that criticized him and placed a social embargo on their writers. On the present occasion Lord Northcliffe says Lord Curzon is not dealing with Indian natives or the own CTS of small Indian newspapers.
 Lord Norchcliffe regrets he cannot visit with his friend, Sir Auckland Geddes, to whom he paid his respects to- day after being with President Harding at the White House, but is consoled con- corning the cancelled embassy dinner by the fact that he will meet tomorrow night at dinner given by Mrs. Edward B. Me Lean all the people who were originally invited to the embassy dinner"
Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-29
HOUSE TO LEAVE BULK
 OF TAX REVISION FOR SENATE

Washington, July 2S.-Tax revision got into house debate today with a predie- ton by Representative Gardner. of Tex as, ranking democrat on the ways and means. committee, that the republican majority of that committee would make but few changes in the existing revenue law, leaving to the senate the task of perfecting the tax measure.
 Specifically, MT. Gardner said the house committee would provide only for repeal of the excess profits tax, a reduction in the surtaxes to a maximum of 25 to 35 per cent. and an increase in the taxes on corporations. He said all other taxes in the present law probably would be left as at present.
 Representative MondeI the republi- can leader, answered that what was to happen as he understood it was that the ways and means committee would careful ly consider the question of revenue, re- port bill fin due time after delibera- t:on," which would 'be considered in the house in such form and manner as may be determined upon after full consultation by the majority in the conference
 The tax debate came between the two committee sessions today at which a number of additional witnesses appeared asking for repeal of various taxes.
 Before the committee today W. V. Hill OL san ETdHClSCO, representing aSS0cla- tions of public utilities. asked that fl the corporation tax was to be raised, pub. lie utilities be excepted. He said many of them already were in the hands of re. ceivers.
 Those asking repeal of existing taxe. included Henry c. Larter, of New York speaking for the Jewellers Ware Revenue Tax committee J. w. Curtis, presiden of the A. G. Spaulding Company Franl A. Blair, Chicago, president of the Ma tional Association of Manufacturers O Proprietary medicines; H. s. Marx representing the American Railway Ex press Company; Herman L. Eckart. rep resenting Mutual Fire and CacuaI In surance Companies, and Henry s
 Mitchell, New York. representing art as sociations.
 Representative Ramseyer. republican l Iowa, urged the committee to increase tn 1 inheritance taxes by fixing rates begin 1 ming at two per cent on estates valued l at $500oO and graduating up to 75 pc 1 cent. on estates worth in excess O | SIS, 900 900 with twenty per cent. to thes rates where the deceased left neithe | widow nor children.
Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-29
TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF
 AMERICAN MERCHANT MARINE

Washington, July 2s.-Aggressive measures have been adopted by the ship ping board to insure fair treatment for American merchant ships in the award of trading privileges in foreign ports
 Although but partially revealed by ne- gotiations now in progress, the board s policy is understood to rest on the propo- sition that other nations must give every proper opportunity to Saips which fly the Stars and Stripes or else run the risk of encountering the retiatory measures plac- ed within the prerogative of the board by the new shipping act
 There is every indivation as revealed by officials here that the American gov ernment will sIn nd squarely behind sucl a program.
 situation which has brought the boards policy into prominence exists at Alexandria, Egypt, in relation to con- tracts for the carriage of Egyptian cotton to the United Kingdom and the United States. In the view of board officials the British shipping i-Serests have taken an unreasonable attitude toward admis- sion of American vessels to that rade and strong representations have beeI made which confidently are expected tC have the desired result
 There is no disposition here to re gard the Alexandria problem as constitut ing a serious disagreement in itself but there is feeling baat It will set z significant precedent.
 Just what steps have been taken by the board agents in Great Britain dealine with the Alexandria situation has no been made known here but board official. said today they had no information tt bear out press despatcaes that an "ulti matum" mad been delivered to the British shipping lines
Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-29
CHICAGO GUNMAN CAPTURED
 BY RAILWAY EMPLoYEs

Chicago, July 2s.-Thomas o'Connor alleged su1man and slayer, wanted her, on four murder charges and in the pur. suit of whom one Chicago detective wa, killed and five others dischargsd for cowardice, is under arrest in St. Paul. il was learned to1ay. when details ,rer, received here of the manner in which q negro Pullman porter knocked ruY from O'Connor's hand and forced hin from coach near which he was late, captured by railway employees.
 o'Connor. who has been the objec, of countrywide search for months was captured Monday night when bs tried to hold up Chicago Great West. ern passenger train on the outskirts oi St Paul. A. B. LeEE. a negro Pullman porter, although unarmed himself knocked one of three guns he was car. rying from O'Connor's hand and kicked him from the train
 Other railway employees then seized the man, fear of whom resulted in tho discharge Of five Chicago policemen or charges that they had permitted his es. cape by hiding behind trees and tele. phone poles after he had shot and killed brother official. Detective sergeani Patrick J. O'Neill
Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-29
ID FUND THE TEN BILLION
 ALLIED DEBT AND INTEREST
Administration Bill to Give Treasury Department Blanket A thory Favoraby Reported by the Senate Finance Com mittee-Hil Probably Will Go Over Until After the Re cess of Congress-An Amendment Offered Requiring Funding to be Completed Within Five Years.

Washington July 2s.-The adminis- tration bill to give the treasury depart ment blanket authority to fund the s1O, 900, ,o0o,o 900 of allied lebt and inter est was reported favorably by the sen- ate finance committee. The vote was nine to five, Senator Williams, democrat voting with the republicans, and Sena- tor La Toilette, voting with the demo- crats. Republican leaders said consid- eration of the bill probably would go over until after the recess of congress.
 The administration draft of the bill was approved with only one amend ment, that offered by Chairma.. renrose requiring funding to be completed with in five years. Senator Walsh. of Mass achusetts, offered an amendment re- quiring the funding agreements to be submitted to the senate for approval before becoming effective, but it was de- feated, six to four. By a similar vote the committee defeated Senator Walsh's second amendment to have each agree ment as finally concluded submitted tc the senate for its information.
Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-29
DEFENSE CLOSES IN TRIAL OF
 INDICTED BASEBALL PLAYERS

Chicago, July 2S.-The defense in the baseball trial rested it's case tonight. The action was taken after five Chicago White Sox players, forced by the law to abandon their team in the east and jour ney 800 miles to testify; had made state ments from the witness stand which tended to disprove some of the most mil portant points in the states evidence against their former teammates, charged with conspiring to throw the 1913 world series to Cincinnati.
 Eddie Collins, Ray Schaik. Dick Kerr, Roy Wilkinson and Manager William Gleason of the White Sox testified at night session of court that the seven former players on trial were at Redland field, Cincinnati, practicing from 10 10 l2 a. m, the day before the first 1919 world series game. Bill Burns had testified that it was on this day and at these hours, that he completed the alleged deal with the defendants whereby they were to throw games in order desired for s1oo, 900, receiving s2o.0o0 after each game thrown.
 Tomorrow the state will begin it's re- buttal testimony with indications that Judge Friend may order Saturday and night sessions of court in the hope of getting the case to the jury this week or the first part of next week.
 The testimony of the players who are said to have been doUHle-crossed by the men for whom they We're testifying was brief. each man being asked the same questions by the defense attorneys who had subpoenaed them. Manager Gleason said he left Chicago with his team Monday night-two days before the first game.
 We reached Cincinnati about o'clock a. m.." said Gleason, and went to the Sinton hotel A little before 10 the men went to Zealand field for practice. We got back to the hotel a little before noon."
 Gleason said he thought Weaver was at practice, and was sure Felsch, Ris- ber,, Gandil, Williams, Jackson and Ci- cotte, the other player defendants, were there.
 ..They weren't in the Sinton, then. al the hours Burns says he talked with | them?" asked Tom Nash. defense attor- ney..
 T think not" said Gleason. 1 SchaIk said he believed all the de- fendants were at practice. as he had not missed any of them Eddie Collins. Ray pere present, and Collins said he ant Weaver left the park together and wen | to the races together that afternoon. Schalk then was called as a state wit ness.
 Did you see some of the defendant' together in a room the cening of thu second gamer" asked George German O the prosecution.
 q did. but I can't remember wha room" was the reply. Burns had testi fled as to another meeting that night
 All of the players were asked if the! had an opinion as to whether the de fendants played to the best of their aoil ity, but the states objections to answer were sustained.
 Dick Kerr was indignant over beini called here for two minutes of testl mony
 And I rode 300 miles on the hottes day of the year to say that" he muttere as he walked past the defendants withou looking at them
 The closing of the defense case wa announced without warning and with score of witnesses waiting to testify.
Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-29
ANOTHER LEGISLATIVE
 CONFERENCE AT WHITE HOUSE

Washington, July 2S.-Views on pend. Ing legislation in general and the ta1 bill in particular were exchanged by President Harding and leaders of tho house tonight at a White House dinner attended by fifteen republican represen. tatives.
 Details of the conference were not per. mitted to reach the public. but it wa. indicated that the whole discussion cen. tered about the desire of the president to have the house complete the tax measure in time to permit a recess oi congress by mid-August. Some of his guests have held that such a plan va, impracticable, although it is understood that there was a genaral agreement to hasten congressional business al much as possible
 Similar questions as they affect ths senate were talked over by the presi- dent Tuesday night at dinner where group of influential republican senators were present. At that time. virtual decision is said to have been reached that the senate should proceed with tax legislation ahead of tariff reform. a course which has been stubbornlv on- posed by some republicans in the house
 Those invited to tonights dinner were Speaker Gillett. Representative Mondell of Wyoming, the republican floor lead er Chairman Fordney of the ways and means committee, and Representa- tfves Madden, Illinois; winslow. Massachu- sets; Porter, Pennsylvania: Butler. Pennsylvania; Mann, Illinois; Green Iowa; Dongworth. Ohio: CarnbeIl Kansas; Fess, Ohio; Burton. Ohio; Kel- " Michigan. and Greene. Vermont
Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-29
NOT TO INTERFERE WITH
 THE LANDING OF MANNIx

Melbourne, Australia, July 2s.-CBy The A. P.)-The Australian government has decided not to interfere with the landing of Archbishop Mannix on his return frcm his around -the-world trip, or to insist tn his taking the oath of al- legiance, it was announced today
 A news agency dispatch from Mel bourne Tuesday said there was strong belief that the Australian government in- tended to require Archbishop Mannix to take the oath of allegiance upon his reaching Australia.
 Acting Premier Cook declared that aft CT full consideration of all the circum- stances and in view of the fact that the imperial government was in the midst of a history making crisis in Irish affairs, the commonwealth government had resolved not to interfere with Arch bishop Mannix.
 A truce was being observed, and it was inadvisable to revive bitter racial pro- paganda. which might hinder the solution of the difficulty. IT.. government hopes that this spirit would be reciprocated-
Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-29
Meeting Of Craig Ag5 De Valera, Next s6 Difficulties judgement
 Are Being yfcome-An
 Air of Optimism Prevails in
 Dublin.

Dublin. July 2S.-(By the A. P)-The next move in the Irish situation is likely to be another meeting in Ireland between Sir James Craig, the Ulster premier, and Ramon De Valera, the republican leader. it is stated on good authority. It was somewhat difficult to arrange for this proposed meeting but, accordance to the informant, they have got over the fence''
 The obstacle to Ireland's contribution to the imperial exchequer it is reported will be surmounted by Ireland assuming a portion of the national debt instead of paying yearly contribution to the inn perial exchequer, which Sim Feiners re- gard in the nature of tribute. This so- lution is considered less objectionable and would satisfy Premier Lloyd George S contention that Ireland ought to pay something toward the cost of the war
 Letters waich have been received from the imprisoned Sim Feiners indicate that there has been much improvement in their treatment since the truce
Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-29

In contrast to the action of the com mittee negotiations were reported pro- ceeding between republican and demo cratic committee members towards an agreement under which the authority granted the secretary of treasury would be restricted. Such a change was con- sidered as likely to bring to the support of the bill many senators who declare their intention to oppose it in it's present form.
 Prior to the committees action. Sec retary Mellon presented a memorandum called for by the committee, in which he declared that in view of the action of his predecessors this government is committed to the postponement of the lntreest for two or three years" and "to the spreading over subsequent years of the payment of the postponed interest installments." He stated that this post ponement is contingent. however, "upor such foreign government carrying out with reasonable promptness. after this government is ready to proceed. satis- factory funding of its existing shori time obligations to this country"
Norwich bulletin., 1921-07-29

washington, July 2s.-Lord North ciiffe, the British publisher, now in the United States, in a statement issued here tonight, said that flor reasons of which he is not aware" invitations extended him to stop at the British embassy and to attend a dinner there tonight had been withdrawn.
 Knowing the methods in India of Lord Curzon, the British foreign secre- tary." the statement declared. Lord Northcliffe is pretty certain that Lord Curzon has adopted those methods here"
 The British publishers statement con veyed the impression that the whole matter involved in the reported cancella- rion of invitations was an outgrowth of the recent controversy between Lord Northcliffe and Lord Curzon. Soon after President Harding made his overtures for a disarmament conference, the Lon don Times, the leading paper published by Northclffe, opposed the suggestion that Lord Curzon be appointed one of the British delegates to the proposed confer ence and attacked both the foreign sec retary and Premier Lloyd George. This attack was followed by suspension of privileged rights enjoyed for years by the London Times in the obtaining of news from the embassy wiTh respect to the re- developments have stirred England for several weeks.
 Lord Northcliffe issued his statement tonight after questions had been asked him concerning current rumors that lnVl- tations extended him by the embassy had been withdrawn on instructions rom London. The only comment obtainable from the embassy with respetc to the re- ports were that they were inaccurate.
 It was established. however, that Lord Northcliffe was stopping at local hotel and had gone there on his arrlval m Washington early in the day from Ne" York. The publisher visited the White House during the afternoon and spent an hour and twenty minutes with President Harding. discussing, as the visitor sad newspapers. He was presented to MT Harding by H. Wickeham Steed, edltoi of the London Times, but the failure ol Sir Auckland Geddes, the British amoas'