davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
NORTH DAKOTA
BANK IS SOUND
sFrozen Assets" Chief Trouble in
Financial Situai0n-Farmers
Temporarily Behind.

Minneapolis, Feb. 14.-"The situa-
ton in North Dakota will be worked
out; the state is not bankrupt; our
farmers are temporarily behind
their payments, but their security
is good" L. P. McAneney, in charge
of the credit department Of the
Bank OF North Dakota said in =
statement made public today.
The Bank of North Dakota has
what might be called frozen
assets" the statement said, "gun-
ming into the millions. That has
been the chief difficulty"
The outstanding assets OF the
bank were given by Mr.. McAneney
as $2,500,000 loaned to banks,
$4,000 in farm loans, and
s., 100000 in public money, called
in when the bank became public
depository and then redeposited in
the banks throughout the state.
ION all the loans to banks" he
said, "the Bank of North Dakota
took a certificate Of deposit and in
addition doubled the amount of the
loan in collateral security. This
money is tied up because many OF
the banks have closed temporarily
on account Of poor crops or because
farmers have been holding their
grain. North Dakota has $4,000, ,000
bushels Of wheat in elevators or in
farm bins"
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
ARREST TWOF0R
PETIT MURDER
villa Grove Man Mysteriously
Slain Saturday Night-Police
Investigating.

Villa Grove, ILL.,, Feb. 14.-Wil-
liam Petit, 30, was mysteriously
murdered Saturday night while
walking along the main street with
Miss Alice Warren. Two men de-
tanned for investigation say they
can produce alibis.
The tragedy occurred in front
Of the Villa Grove First National
bank. Petit and Miss Warren
were discussing whether they
would 60 to church or for a motor
ride. He suddenly pitched forward
and began moaning.
Miss Warren looked around In
time to see man dart around the
bank. She screamed and tainted
Neighbors who heard her notified
the police. A physician found that
Petit had been struck twice on
the back Of the head. There were
two skull fractures.
The two men who are being de-
tanned are William Downey- and
Foster Robinson. Petit, who was
sentenced to the penitentiary in
1915 on charge preferred by the
parents of young woman, was re.
leased last November on parole
He Immediately returned to Villa
Grove.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
REPORT SHOWS
Gain IN COTTON
Revival Of Industry, Recently On
Decline, Indicated-Increase
in Bales.

Washington. Feb. 14-Cotton con-
sumed during January amounted to
366,270 bales of lint and 23,549
bales of linters, the census bureau
announced today.
/. Revival Of the cotton manufac-
turing industry, for some months
on the decline, is indicated in the
report. There was an increase Of
Il, ,419 bales in consumption Of lint
cotton during January as compared
with December when consumption
reached the lowest point it had
been in six years with a total of
1851 bales.
Consumption during the six
months ended Jan. 81, was 500 900
bales less than in the same period
last year, the total being 2,333, 1855
bales.
Cotton spindles active during jan
uary numbered 3.230.55S less than
operated during January, 1920,
while December showed 4,lG3,75S
Less than the previous December.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
TRIO ARRESTED
/ FOR ExT0RTI0N

rockford, ILL.,, Feb. 14.-Accused
attempting to extort $4,000 from
Aloert d. Conklin, a wealthy farm
~ Af. and Mrs. Harry Fielder and
! ,. Grunke. justice of the peace
" ashland township, we're arrest
W me Felders' demands on Conk-
~, VINO 10 81 years old and a dea-
wu IN the church in which Mrs.
.Nlaer, a niece of his wife, is or
;ssa'st. followed certain admissions
.'olvlng Conklin which Mrs. Field
Y alleged to have made to her
w.t., ".unke was called upon as arbi-
s..oks according to the states at
n4sys office, being a friend of
- !nree persons in the triangle.
y. ~ Is charged with having fixed
!, ~ = amount Conklin ought. to pay
so,ooo and to have acted as go
i ~ hsesn. part of the money having
". ~ deposited in a bank at Beloit,
WA IN his name.
,1a. ~ tongues wagged in Shirland
ma ne' the states attorneys Office
nIt;s an Investigation with the re-
,.ss ns arrests and they were
n u jail and later they gave
NJ. ~. a their preliminary appear
this aftarnoor
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
CONTINUED on Page Fourteen.)
SPENCER, ND,
is NEAR CENTER
OF POPULATION
Point Is Located 8.3
Miles Southeast of
To.Dn.

Washington, Feb. 1.-THE cen
ter of population, as disclosed by
the 1920 census is located in the
extreme southeast corner of Owen
county. Indiana. S.3 miles south
east of the town Of Spencer, the
census bureau announced today.
| During the last decade, the CEN
ter OF population continued to
move westward, advancing 9.S
miles in that direction and about
one-fifth of q miles north from
Bloomington, Indiana, where it was
! located by the census Of 1910.
The bureau attributed the west
ward movement in the last decade
principally to the increase Of more
! than 100000 int population OF
the state OF California
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
RAILWAY BOARD
STOPS WAGE CUT
Erie Road Notified That No Reduc-
tlon Can be Made Until Case
Is Passed Upon Feb. g.

Chicago, Feb. 14.-Recent reduc-
tions in the wages Of maintenance
of way men and changes in the
working conditions of train dis
patchers, as announced by the
Erie railroad, we're suspended by
the federal railroad labor board to-
day. The board announced that no
reductions in wages or changes in
working conditions could become
effective, except by agreements be-
tween the road and its employees,
uatil the board has an opportunity
to pass on the case.
The hearing was set for Feb. %.
The case was presented 10 days
ago by representatives OF the en-
ployes. The petition alleged that
the road had reduced the basic
wage Of track workers to 30 cents
an hour. the previous rates having
been 81 to 4S11 cents.
Train dispatchers' representa-
tives charged that the road had or
dered them to work seven days a
week. Previously they had six
day week.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
TURKS HOPE FOR
PEACE THROUGH
LONDON MEET
Heir to Throne Ex.
presses Hope for
Compromise.

Constaptinople, Feb. 13.-(By the
Associated Press.)-Hope that al
lied delegates would enter the near
eastern conference, to be held in
London next week, with a COM
promising spirit. was expressed
here today by. Abdul Medjid Effendi,
heir presumptive to the Turkish
throne. Only by such attitude on
their part would it be possible to
establish peace in the near east, and
he said it might to be too late to
insure an end to hostilities, if the
Turkish Nationalists have made any
military agreements with the Rus
sian bolsheviki.
He indicated that Turkey was
awaiting with interest the develop
ment of the near eastern policy of
President-Elect Harding.
Delayed Too Long.
"The Turkish peace has been de-
layed too long, and perhaps it is
now too late ii the Turkish Nation
alists have a military agreement
with the bolsheviki. II such an
agreement has been made, it is the
fault Of the allies, and Turkey may
be ruined by its relations with Rus
sia, which is passing through q
revolutionary era
If the allies admit the impossi.
bility Of destroying the Turkisl
race, it is probable we can find {
common ground for negotiations
The main point of the allies is t
stabilize control Of the Bosphoru
and the Dardanelles, and We will b
willing and glad to conclude an &C
cord on this subject.
Turkey should follow a policy o
peace and not mix in the quarrel
Of Europe. I advised that Talaa
Pasha and Enver Pasha be pre-
vented from plunging us into wal
even though Constantinople ha
been promised to Russia by the al
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
PLANS
ARE UNCHANGED

Minneapolis. Minn., Feb. H.
Denial of published reports that
Nom Partisan League leaders and
North Dakota state officials had
agreed to abandonment Of the
league program in that state, was
made today in a formal statement
by Oliver S. Morris, publicity di-
rector of the National NOn-Partisan
Leagues executive committee.
The published report that finan-
cial interests are prepared to help
market approximately $4,000
worth Of state bonds to straighten
out the states financial situation,
Mr.. Morris said, simply indicates
the state Industrial commission is
negotiating for the floating Of
bonds voted by the legislature two
years ago.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
uDGE lands IMPEAcHED IN CONGRESS
SEEKS REVENGE
FOR KILLING OF
J BETTENDORFER
FTien d of Indicted
Slayer Is Shot BY
Unknoupn.

Vengeance because of the shoot
ing Of John David, Armenian, three
weeks ago in Bettendorf, was taken
out on a friend of the slayer at IL
O'Clock last night, it is believed,
when Arshag Miketarian. age So
years, was shot through the abdo-
men by an unidentified man.
Miketarian is now in the Mercy
hospital undergoing an operation
in hopes of saving his life. His
condition is very dangerous.
The assailant escaped in an auto
mobile Immediately after he fired
the one shot which took effect.
Miketarian, who is employed in the
pool room Of Mike Sarkesian in
Bettendorf, was just about to close
the pool hall when a man entered
and asked for a package of cigar
cts. Miketarian threw the package
over the counter, accepted a 25-
cent piece from the purchaser and
had turned around again to give
the five-cent change when he was
faced with the revolver. Without
saying a word, the unknown man
shot once, the bullet striking Mike
tartan in the abdomen and piercing
the stomach. The man ran from
the hall and leaping into machine
drove furiously toward Davenport
No one was in the pool hall at tht
time, but neighbors living above thu
hall saw the escape. No clue Il
the bandit has been found.
Police hold the theory that th'
shooting is the result of a desir'
for vengeance over the murder o
John David by Avick Helloian VIII
is now in the Scott county Jail
Miketarian is known to be a frien'
of Helloian and it is thought tha
companions of David took it out d
Miketarian since Helloian is nov
behind the bars.
Miketarian is said to be wort
between $4,000 and $4,000 and i
said to be the real owner Of tn
pool hall, Sarkesian being only
fgurehead. The police do not hol
imuch on the theory that the band
Twas a~heaaup~6aa~3oet~hi1anerv
when he reached the counter.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
NEW FORK NOT
ENTHUSIASTIC
OVER CABINET
Manhattan W anted
Root, Wood and
Hoover.
By DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial to The ArKus.l


New York, Feb. 14.-One doesn't
have to investigate sentiment very
Tar in this, the nations metropolis,
to learn that President-elect Hard
ing's list Of cabinet secretaries will
not evoke outbursts Of enthusiasm
il 1t should prove to be the slate
that practically all the correspond
ents, both in Washington and St.
Augustine have been publishing
during the last few ,-eeks.
OF course New York's point of
view may not be national but here
at any rate are some influential Re
publican leaders and newspapers
and it is significant that many OF
them are finding fault publicly and
privately. Mr.. Harding may have
selected what any president might
regard as good. working cabinet
but the trouble, is New York had
come to expect a super-cabinet with
General Wood, Herbert Hoover and
Elihu Root in it and authentic dis
patches from Harding's headquar-
ters have indicated that none OF
these three giants Of Republicanism
would be chosen.
Take the s.-retaryship of state,
for instance. Nov Charles Evans
Hughes is well known in New
York and his ability is fully rec
ognized, but Elihu Root would have
been more enthusiastically approx.
ed because his training has been in
international affairs and diplo.
macy. However. the objections tc
Hughes are relatively insignificant
! compared to the murmurs of dis
satisfaction over the omission oi
men like General Wood and Herb
ert Hoover.
The New York Tribune, for in
stance, one Of the leading Republi.
can newspapers, seems to think il
is not too late to persuade MIR
Harding to change his mind anG
accordingly publishes today a car.
toon showing the shadowy figure Of
Abraham Lincoln behind Uncle
Sam, who Is admonishing the pres.
ident-elect thus:l Don't forget
Warren, the kind of men he (Lin.
coln) picked for his cabinet"
Mellon Is Wealthy.
While Gotham admires the genius
and ability of Andrew W. Mellon o
Pittsburgh, who is slated, for tht
secretaryship Of the treasury, some
Republicans are uneasy over thu
way the Democratic newspapers
have insisted upon cataloging the
II, large financial holdings of Mr.. Mel
Ion. They wonder if the countr,
will approve the selection Of mar
whose wealth is said to be next tt
that Of John D. Rockefeller. Bu
New York really doesn't object tt
wealth, nor does it consider Mr.
Melons business connections as {
handicap. The bottom Of the trou
BILE is that Wall street and the bank
ing community had come to hop
that one OF its own group of finan
ciers would sit in the treasury de
partment under a Republican ad
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
WIFE ADMITS
ADOPTIONOF II :
FOUNDLINGS
Mother Aided Daugh-
ter Deceive Her
Husband.

Atlanta, Ca, Feb. 14.-Mrs. Eva
May Swain Of Jacksonville, Fla,
admitted to representatives Of the
Georgia board of public welfare, it
developed today. that she had adop-
ted a number Of children as her
own and that she obtained them
from some one in Atlanta, accord
ing to announcement made here to-
night by officials of the Georgia
commission.
Her admission, it was said, fol-
lowed a statement On Saturday of
Mrs. Alice South, mother of Mrs.
Swain, that the children were OBJ
tanned from the St. Mary's mater
nifty hospital, operated by Mrs. M.
T. Mitchell, where Mrs. South her
self obtained II babies, including
two pairs of twins" and "triplets; /"
that she aided her daughter in the
scheme, and that the father was
not aware of the fact that the chill
VA OA Wei AOk A40 OWAs
Mrs. Mitchell, who at first stated
that the babies did not come from
her hospital, today refused to eth
er affirm or deny the assertions of
mother and daughter. ,
According to advices from Jack
sonville, Mrs. Swain was reticent
regarding the alleged adoption OF
| the children which she is said to
have obtained on several occasions
during extended visits to her moth
er here.
When shown messages concern
ing her daughters alleged secret
addition of children, Mrs. South
said:
We'll, it's every bit true, and it's
another story Of mother love;s my
daughter grew tired Of lavishfne
her affections on a houseful O1
| poodle dogs, and 1 helped her te
+, secretly obtain her babies and give
! birth TO them in my home"
! Mrs. Swain is the only daughter
of Mr.. and Mrs. South, and now il
+, "a years old, Just Is years younger
j than her mother.
/ IN 1914 she became the wife o.
Willis H. Swain Of Jacksonville
Their married life was happy from
the start and their little home Wa.
one OF the most delightful spots il
! the whole world. But two year,
passed and no children came, and
Eva May was bitterly disappointed
She had great desire for children
She loved her husband devotedly.
Upholds Wife.
Jacksonville, Fla, Feb. 14.-Wil
lis H. Swain, an electrician, hus
band Of the daughter of Mrs. E. A
South, stated last night that h
had always been under the impres
lsion the children were their own.
MRS. Swain, in tears, has refus
ed to discuss the matter" he said
II have not questioned her closely
and while l can hardly bring my
self to believe she has deceived me
it makes little difference, as be
lieve that whatever she did, she dit
it believing it was right"
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
English Sparrows
Are Good to Eat

English sparrows are noisy
and destructive. They drive
native birds from villages and
homesteads. y
Though they are occasion
ally valuable as destroyers Of
noxious insects. all things
considered, they do far more
harm than good. Practicable
methods of dealing with them
include destruction of nests,
shooting. trapping, and pois-
oning. OF these. trapping is
unquestionably the best.
English sparrows are good
: to eat, and their use as food Is
recommended because of their
nutritive value, and as q
means OF reducing their num-
bers.
The department Of agricul-
ture has issued an elaborate
illustrated booklet which tells
how to fight this destructive
bird, and our Washington In
formation Bureau will secure
q copy for any one who sends
2 cents In stamps to pay the
return postage.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
|lOUNG ROBBERS
ARE CAPTURED

hNe.a. ILL., Feb. 14.-Rochelle
|Msrs last night captured two
~ robbers, who gave their
|ltss0 = II. O'Neil and Charles
and their homes as Chi
- tne youths, who said they
q ~ years old. were captured
dss,s were attempting to rob q
u J. store. They have been
: me Ogle county grand jury.
[cs ILL.,. Feb. 14.-Ross Hall,
q ore bandit, who was shot In
~ ~ ne by Al Rochelle policeman
- ssa when he attempted to
r Sfest and who had been in
u sssetl ssseaetle hospital since, died
7 V0& -
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
CONTINUED on Page Four.
OVERCOME BY GAS.

Council Bluffs, Iowa, Feb. A.
Eighteen children, three women
and one man we're overcome by gas
during the Sunday school services
at the First Baptist church here
yesterday. The gas was said to be
odorless and coming from the ex-
haust flue Of q gas heater which
was warming water for the baptism
by immersion of three children.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
~
!.
Speech FOR
INAUGURAL
lfA1
Isding Will Sound Key
Eaote Of Reconstruction
After War Period.

n Augustine, Fla, Feb. IA
~ that the nation : forgot the
,.imcsities and partisanship OF
n after-war period and put its
;sAoulder unstintingly to the wheel
| 4 reconstruction Is expected to
l se,m the keynote of Warren G.
/ Harding's message to his fellow
eauntrymen when he comes into
| As presidency.
Although the inaugural address
sill is far from complete, 1t was
Inrned today that considerable
vork had been done towards its
prsparation and that the subjects
i covers virtually had been select
Il.
Il is understood it will be brief
and will attempt no detailed discus
Jon Of any Of the problems await
Ing solution.
One of the features is expected
70 be an appeal for confidence in
he nations business stability,
linked with an assurance that dur
ias the next four years the admin
btration will keep away from med
ding methods in its relations with
tAs business world.
Detailed statement of a taxation
policy, however, is to be reserved
Until congress has been called into
special session, probably in April
Effcrts for Peace.
II is believed Mr.. Harding's ad.
dress will touch briefly on thu
question of an international peace
association, and will pledge the in.
euming administration to use 1T
hest efforts to secure peace
agreement compatible with Ameri
IN aspirations. There is expected
tso, to be a word of friendship fol
nexico and of all Latin-America.
For the present, Mr.. Harding i.
dsvotng little time to the actual
Wording Of the document, and mos
Of the real work of the putting his
IDEAS into language probably will
not be done. until next week. HI
has a heavy appointment list dur
hs the next few days, and by Sat
ufday will have heard the advice
Of several prominent party leaders
including Charles Evans Hughes
Generally understood to be tht
prospective secretary Of state.
Mr.. Hughes is expected to reacf
here on Friday or Saturday. Amonf
those who had appointments today
vas Thomas W. Lamont, a partner
"a the Morgan banking house, wht
helped frame the financial section!
q the treaty of Versailles. Th,
Nfpose of the conference was no
Nvealed, but it was presumed tha
= related to various questions o
International finance"
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
NO WORD OF PERSON.

San Antonio, Texas, Feb. IL
UNITED Press).-Just as much
mystery surrounds the disappear
ance OF Lieutenant Alexander Pier
son, Jr., transcontinental flyer, and
his plane, after 96 hours Of search
by army flyers. Texas Rangers and
COW boys as there was when he
dropped from view last Thursday.
A combing Of the entire terrain
between here and El Paso has fail
ed to show any trace OF the missing
airman.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
SLEW ALED0
Man, ,PRuETT
COURT PLEA
Confesses Guilt Of Swear.
ingen Murder Before
Judge Graves.
(By STAFF Correspondent

Aledo, Feb. 14.-A1 $50 last Sat
urday afternoon, when the jury had
been obtained and the spectators in
the court room dismissed, Thomas
E. Pruett, 20-year-old Chicago
youth, accused of the shooting OF
Robert G. Swearingen on the night
of Sept. Is. 1920, stood before Judge
Emery c. Graves and pleaded guilty
to the charge Of murder.
The accused stood quietly before
the judge while he explained that
the sentence as imposed by the
court might mean death or life i'm
prisonment and could not be less
than IA years Imprisonment in the
penitentiary. Other than a sudden
loss of color at the knowledge of
what the punishment of his brief
life Of crime might be, Pruett
showed no signs of emotion and
when asked again il he waived a
trial by jury and still wished to
plead guilty, he calmly, answered
afirmatively. The other two men,
Sherman and Wood, who will be
tried by jury for the murder, dis
played varied interest in the scene
Wood sat as he has so far in the
court room with his head between
his hancs, obviously taking little in
terest in the proceedings Of the
court. He did not change his pos
ture as Pruett voiced the word
which may convict him. Sherman
however, displayed more interest
than at any time since the trial
started and sat tense, his eyes fixed
upon Pruett, the continuous smile
which las been upon his lips fail.
ing for the first time.
r'acts concerning Pruett's life
show him to be more Of victum ol
circumstances than a boy whose de.
!, sire was to lead a life OF crime. His
] father was killed when the lad was
but 5 years Of age, and his mother
took in washings to support herself
and the boy until he was Is years
of age, when he quit school against
her wishes and went to work tt
support her. He worked at various
jobs until May, 1917, when he en-.
listed. at the age of 16 years, in the
army, joining the Seventh Illinois
regiment. Due to his extreme youth
and lack of experience his record in
the army was mot Of the best. HI
was discharged as physically unfit
to perform the duties asked of him
Following his discharge from thu
army he came back to Chicago
where he secured work as a switch
man. Not a member of the union
he was forced by the striking fac
ton of the switchmen's union t.
quit his job, only however, aftel
there had been threats to bomb th'
home of his mother, if he lersistet
in working. Unable to secure worl
in Chicago he drifted to severa
towns, but was unable to secure
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-02-14
300 STRIKE
WAGES ARE CUT
Ship Carpenters, Blaeksniths and
Caulkefy Protest Against 10 a
Il Per Cent Reduction.

Elizabeth, N. J., Feb. 14.-Three
hundred ship carpenters, black
smiths and caulkers at the Moore
plant OF the Bethlehem Shipbuild-
ing corporation, here struck today
in protest against wage reduction
Of 10 per cent, which became eff
fective today in the corporations
plant at Quincy. MASS. BaltiU"ra.
Mr., and Wilmington, Del