davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
HOPES TO
CONVERT AMERICA
(ey rhe AssoeIated Presa.l

WASHINGTON. April 5.-Rene vi
viani, now on a mission to the United
States as an envoy extraordinary Of
France, was the guest of President
and Mrs. Harding at dinner given in
his honor at the white house tonight
Ambassador and Madame Jusserand
were also present, as were VIce-Pres-
ident and Mrs. Coolidge, Speaker and
Mrs. Gillett, Secretary and Mrs
Hughes, Senator Lodge, chairman of
the foreign relations committee; Rep
resentative Porter, chairman of the
house foreign affairs committee; Tn
der Secretary of State and Mrs
Fletcher. and Myron T. Herrick, of
Ohio. who has been prominently men
toned as the next ambassador to
France.
In a statement to the Associated
Press today, NJ. Viviani indicated that
he had not yet abandoned the treaty
of peace as a basis of discussion with
American officials in connection with
his mission of presenting the cause
of France and sounding American pub
lie opinion on foreign policies.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
JURY SELECTED
FOR GEORGIA
MURDER TRIAL
Made Up Principally of Young
Men, Seven of Whom Are
Farmers.
DEFENSE DENIED MORE
TIME FOR REPARATION
John Williams, on Trial Charged
With Murder, Positive
of Acquittal.
(sy The Associated Press.l


CONVICTION, Ga. April 5.-Selec-
tlon OF jury to try John S. Williams
IN Newton county superior court on
d charge of murder of Lindsey Peter
son was completed here late today and
the state made ready to put on the
stand tomorrow Clyde Manning. negro
farm boss to relate his version of the
deaths of II negro farm hands. who
the prosecution contends were slain to
block federal Investigation of neopaoe
conditions.
The jury, a body of rather young
men, vase made up of seven farmers
two merchants, clerk. a barber and
druggist, as the following: T. L.
Hill, farmer; G. W. Gober. farmer.
Robert Stanton, farmer; w. A. Pate,
merchant; Charles A. Cason, farmer,
w. c. Moore, farmer: T. r. Starr.
farmer; Byron Thacker, grocery clerk:
F. G. Crowley. merchant: J. T. Den
nard, farmer; J. E. Rawlins, barber of
Oxford, and Reginald Robinson, drug
gist.
Effort by the state to prove that the
death of Peterson was one of a series
of crimes, which, it was understood.
would be undertaken early i'm the first
day of evidence. was expected to
bring from the defense one OF it's
hardest fights in seeking to bar from
the trial all reference to the other
deaths, and to hold evidence down to
the single death of Peterson, whose
body was found in Yellow river and
who, the state contends, was brought
into Newton county and drowned by
Williams and Manning, Williams be-
ing held to be the instigator of the
alleged murder.
The first days proceedings moved
ra apidly. The motion of the defense
for postponement to allow more time
for preparation and so that Green f..
Johnson, chief counsel for Williams,
night examine Manning. who was in
1icted Jointly with Williams was dis
posed of shortly after court opened
)y Judge HutchesOn ruling that the
rial should proceed. The defense also
inquired into the employment Of w.
VI. Howard of Augusta, Ga, to aid the
prosecution, and +. Marvin Under
wood of Atlanta to defend Manning.
Both said their compensation had been
Guaranteed by groups of citizens. The
Rev. c. B. Wilmer and the Rev. M
Ashby Jones, Atlanta pastors, prom
sed Governor Dorsey that the finan-
ial backing that made it possible to
mploy Howard, he said. w. Woods
White, atlanta capitalist, headed the
roup Of citizens who employed Under
Vood, the latter declared. He named
theirs and in answer TO a question
aid as far as he knew none of them
'as connected with the National Asso-
iation for the Advancement of Col
red People. Graham Wright, assis-
ant state attorney general, said he
Continued On Page Tvso.)
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
NEED SUBSCRIPTIONS
FOR LILLIAN ROAD

Subscriptions are needed for the $500
interest fund to assure construction of
the Lillian Millview road Contrac-
tor Taylor is ready TO start at once
but he must be assured that the fund
to take care of interest charges is on
deposit. Subscriptions should be given
to George Emmanuel of Reynalds
Music House, chairman of the COM
mittee.
The citizens OF Lillian are paying
1896 of the cost OF construction Of
s14,995 and have already deposited
their contribution in a local bank to
the credit Of the county board. This
sum is contributed on condition that
the sum OF 5000 to insure the interest
charges is subscribed within the next
eight days. Several subscriptions
have been received already and have
been listed in The Journal Last night
DIR. c. L. Smith announced that he
would subscribe $50 toward the fund.
His check will be turned over to Mr..
Emmanuel today.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
(sy The Associated Press.)

TALLAHASSEE, April 5.-Follow-
ing is the message in part of Governor
Cary A. Hardee to the senate and
house of the Florida legislature, deliv-
cred at noon today:
Gentlemen of the senate and house
of representatives of the Florida legis-
lature:
Section of article of the consti-
tuition of Florida is as follows:
1.-the governor shall communicate bg
message to- the legislature at each reg
ular session, information concerning
the condition of the state, and recon-
mend such measures as he may deem
expedient." In keeping with the fore
going provision of our constitution, 1
have the honor of submitting to your
consideration the following informa
ton, to gether with such recommenda-
tions as would seem appropriate at this
time;
The state has no bonded indebted
ness except the sum of s601,506, which
bonds are now eSyned by a division of
the state government, to-wit: the state
board of education.
1 believe the time has arrived when
we should adopt some plan for their
are now owned by a branch of the
state government does not mean that
the state need not concern itself about
their retirement. They are, as stated,
owned by the state board of education,
and the constitution requires that the
funds held by said board of education
shall remain inviolate, except that the
interest on the fund is distributed to
counties. The bonds must eventually
be retired. and we should now adopt a
plan of retirement which will make
their payment easy.
/ recommend that an act be passed
creating what might be called a sink
Ing fund commission, composed of the
governor, state treas attorney
general, secretary OF state and state
of public instruction, !
who shall direct the state treasurer to |
open a sinking fund account for the
OF the bonds, all the inter |
est paid by the banks on state depos- |
It's to be credited to this fund. The !
should have the powersI
to invest the funds IN high class bonds |
as It may accumulate from year to |
year. And when this accumulation of /
securities and cash equal the bonded |
Of the state then the /
commission should be clothed with the |
power OF substituting the accumulated |
securities and cash for said state bond |
at which time the state bonds may be /
retired. Through this method their /
payment may be easily accomplished /
and can be brought about In nine
years, or perhaps a little earlier.
There Is another item touching the
states financial condition 10 which I
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
INSANE FUGITIVE
FOUND In TAMPA
School Teacher Said to Have
Escaped From Asylum
i'm South Carolina.
tey The Associated Pressl

TAMPA, Fla, April 5.-Mrs. 7. U.
Vaughn, formerly a nurse in the state
insane asylum at Columbia, S. c., who
was arrested here yesterday with her
husband, T. U. Vaughn, fugitive from
that institution, was paroled in custody
of friends by the police today, pend
ing arrival of authorities from Column
bia.
Vaughn and his wife as Mr.. and
Mrs. T. A. Earl for several months
have been living at Port Tampa City,
nine miles from here, where Vaughn
acted as assistant principal in the
public schools. Mrs. Vaughn, police
said, admitted today that her hus-
bands name is Vaughn and that he is
the man who escaped from the South
Carolina institution, to which he was
committed as insane after he had been
condemned to die in the electric chair
after conviction on the charge of at
tacking four young girls at an Or
phanage near Greenville, s. c.
Vaughn is in the county Jail here,
confined in a straightjacket in a pad
ded cell. He made three attempts to
end his life after being arrested yes
terday but Inflicted only a slight cash
in his throat with a penknife.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
LEGISLATURE OF FLORIDA
MET AT NOON YESTERDAY
FOR SIXTY DAYS SESSION
WHAT THE GOVERNOR
URGES LEGISLATORS
TO CONSIDER WE'LL

Revision OF the present tax laws, re-
apportionment of the Legislature, and a
rigid policy of economy in government
expenditures.
Asserting the state has to it's credit
nearly $3,0O0,O00 as federal aid in road
building the governor recommended that
funds be provided for the efficient main
tenance of the state road department.
Conservation of natural resources,
maintenance OF educational institutions.
support of the national guard and law
enforcement also urged by the governor
Reduction in the number of first GLASS
convicts to be kept at the state farm
at Raiford, was recommended.
The creation of a tax commission to
have for it's purpose the uniformity OF
county tax assessments
Legislation to provide penalties for
property owners who fail to give in all
their property to the tax assessor.
Abolition of needless offices.
Retirement of bonds and plans for
same.
An emergency appropriation to provide
funds for the hospital for the insane at
Chattahoochee and the industrial school
Tor boys at Mariana.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
Senate and House Confirm eau
Gus Nominees and Get
Down to Business.
HEAR GOV. HARDEE'S
MESSAGE AND ADJOURN
Courtesies of Lodges and Clubs
Of Capital City Extended
to Members.
(By JOHN C. TRICE.)

TALLAHASSEE, April 5-The SEN
ate was quick to get organized today,
going through it's work in that snappy
style that generally characterizes the
upper house of the Florida legislature.
Senator Mac Williams gives promise
of being the kind of presiding officer
who will eliminate all useless delays
as far as possible and do his utmost
to expedite business. Chief Justice
Browne swore in the new senator's as
they presented themselves zen bloc" in
groups of five and it was an impress
sive sight as the gray-haired jurist
administered the simple oath.
Senator Turnbull reported the ac-
ton of the senate caucus last night
and its actions were ratified quickly.
Senators Johnson, Igou and Stokes
were named a committee to escort
Senator Mac Williams to the chair,
where he made a brief address prom
ising to do his best to conduct the
duties of the chair faithfully and we'll.
Senators Taylor, Johnson and Sin
gletary were appointed a committee to
notify Governor Hardee that the SEN
ate was organized and ready for bust
ness and came back with the intima-
ton that the governor would address
joint gathering.
Senators Stokes, Turnbull and Shell
ley informed the house OF the senat's
organization.
Invitations from the Elks, the Coun-
Continued On Page Two)
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
NEGRO ESCAPES
FROM OFFICERS
fsx The Associated Press.l

LAKELAND, Fla, April 5.-Sherin' s
deputies and citizen possss were scour-
ing this section tonight for Wilmer
Collins, negro convict, who late last
night escaped from a party of armed
men said to have been bent upon
lynching him following the negro's en-
trance earlier IN the night into FIVE
homes of Barlow, near here, and at
tempted attack upon the white women
occupants.
He was captured just after being
successfully repulsed from the sixth
residence and placed in an automobile.
While the machine was moving at a
high speed, the negro leaped into un-
derbrush along the road and escaped.
He was "trusty'' in the county jail
at Barlow.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
MESSAGE OF GOVERNOR CARY A. HARDEE
DELIVERED TO SOLONS AT TALLAHA SSEE
LEGISLATIVE DOINGS
TOLD IN THE JOURNAL

The people of West Florida want to
know what the Legislature is doing
and their best way to find out is
through The Journal. This newspaper
has, as usual, arranged a perfect ser
vice ON the activities at the state cap
itol. In addition to its regular Tai
lahassee correspondent and its leased
wire of the Associated Press, The
Journal has John c. Trice, one of the
most experienced legislative writer's,
covering the activities at the capitol
AS a criterion of the way The Jour
nal is prepared to handle the legisla-
tive news examine this mornings edi-
tion. The governors message was
handled out of Tallahassee by The
Associated Press-this is the only pa
per in Pensacola having an Associated
Press franchise. In addition to this,
John c. Trice has a complete story OF
the activities of the house and senate.
This combination of The Associated
Press and a special legislative writer
gives The Journal the most complete
and accurate representation possible
to obtain.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
Members Face One of the Heavi-
est Calendars in Many
Years
MANY IMPORTANT BILLS
ARE TO BE INTRODUCED
ReappOrtiOnment of Representa-
ti0n Probably Will Be
Considered.
(By The Associated Press.)

TALLAHASSEE, April 8. The
Florida Legislature convened at lIoon
today for the sixty days Biennial ses-
sion, with indications that the solons
would face one of the heaviest calen-
dars in many years.
Legislation to carry out the provie.
sions of the federal woman outrage
amendment was the only subject of
more than statewide interest in pros
word male" in the state election law
wherever it occurs is expected to
be accomplished with little difficulty
but one clause of the statute presen ts
a problem which, while not regarded
as insurmountable,, is expected to be
discussed at length. The present law
contains a provision tina no person
shall pay the poll tax of another, and
it has not been settled just what inter-
probation the lawmakers would place
upon this as relating to a man and
his WIFE,
Reapportionment of representation
In the legislature Is regarded in the
state as one of the most important
subjects to be disposed of. Nothing
toward this end has been done since
OF an amendment to the
IN 1887 providing that
should be reapportioned
svery ten years to conform to changes
n population. A later amendment pro-
viding for one representative for each
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
MONROE J.ELKAN
dies SUDDENLY
Was One of the Best Known
Business Men of the
City.

Monroe J. Elkan, 81, 1011 n. BARGE
Iona st, died at the Pensacola hospital
at 9:45 O'Clock last night, following an
operation. He had been sick since
Friday and was taken to the hospital
at o'clock last night when it was
decided that the only hope was an i'm
mediate operation. He failed to rally.
however, and death came a few hours
later.
Mr.. Elkan was one of the best known
men in Pensacola. He came 20 the
city Is years ago from Selma and was
engaged, during his residence in this
city, in a number of business ven-
lures. He was a members of the NJ
J. Elkan & Co. automobile accessories
concern and was interested in the
Fried Motor Co. He erected the build
ing occupied by Fried and by the
Standard Motors Co.
Another of Mr.. Elkan's contributions
to the city is the Isis theatre, which
he built, in conjunction with Nat Key
ser, for the Saenger interests. to whom
it was leased. Mr.. Elkan was at the
head Of the Pensacola Vessel Con-
struction Co., which built the schooner
Nomis during the war, and was also
active in establishing the Cedar Street
Dock & Warehouse Co. Mr.. Elkan
was a vice. president Of the Pensacola
Hospital association and was active in
raising the earliest contributions for
the hospital.
Besides his wife, Mr.. Blkan is sur
vived by a sister, Mrs. Hertsfield of |
Selma, and other relatives in Selma |
and New York.
The body will be shipped to Selma |
on the 1890 O'Clock train this after
1oon and funeral services will be held |
here.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
THE GOVERNOR MESSAGE
TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE

feel it my duty to call your attention,
; inasmuch as appropriate action must
be taken by your body at this session
in order that the deficit hereinafter
referred to may be taken care of.
During the year 1920 an appropria-
ton by the Legislature of 1919 for the
support of the hospital for the insane
at Chattahoochee, and an appropria-
tion made for the support of the Indus
trial School for Boys at Mariana were
insufficient to take care of the large
exenditures at these institutions. The
deficit at the hospital for the insane
amounted to $177,623.20. The deficit
at the Industrial School for Boys at
Mariana amounted to $41,784.52. The
board of commissioners of state insti-
tutioAs, under the administration of
my predecessor, arranged with certain
financial institutions to carry the de-
f1cit above referred to at an agreed
rate of interest of per cent per an
mum. That the credie and good faith
of the state may be maintained, it will
be necessary for the present legisla-
ture to carry the deficit above referred
to at an agreed rate of interest at
per cent per annum. That the credit
and good faith of the state may be
maintained, it will be necessary for
the present legislature to care for the
obligations of the state in this regard.
and it will also be necessary to pass.
as speedily as possible, an emergency
appropriation to provide funds for the
above Institutions until the funds un-
der the general appropriation bill may
be available.
Apart from the items above referred
to. the financial condition of the state
is sound. I cannot say as much, how
ever, for the individual counties of the
state. great many of the counties
are largely involved financially, and
is this true regarding the
boards of public instruction. 1t
will, perhaps, be necessary during the
present session to adopt measures au-
thorizing the county school boards of
the various counties to issue serial OBJ !
legations to care for much existing in |
debtedness. The present law author |
ICES county boards OF public instruc- |
ton to borrow so per cent of their |
adopted budget for the purpose of |
their terms of. school. This |
provision, while in a measure neces- |
sary, has in many instances been |
abused to that extent that many of the |
now hnd themselves very Sc |
riously involved. I believe that under |
no circumstances should the limit thus |
imposed by law be exceeded, and |
shouid' the Legislature, through proper /
provide some method by |
which the counties may care for their
present current obligations, then It /
must be the policy OF those boards to
xeep their expenditures within absolute
tnoits imposed by law.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06

new county created has been observed,
however, and the house now contains
II members.
Revision OF the tax laws, legislation
to conserve the states natural re-
sources, the establishment of fish
hatcheries and game preserves in Or
der to restoolf the streams and forests
the creation of state publicity bu-
reau, revision of highway and traffic
laws, a law requiring the fencing uf
cattle ranges and the usual attempts
to create new counties are among the
more important subjects in prospect.
The senate contains 80 members.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
Subjects for Legislative Action.


l am crediting you with much ini-
! tiative in matters of legislation, and
am pleased to note in the membership
of both branches of the legislature so
many men who are familiar with the
needs of the state, and who have so
much ability to be of real service to
the people. I shall, therefore, content
myself with recommendations of only
what appears to be some of the more
urgent matters requiring your atten-
ton. Neither shall I burden this mes
sage, or tax your time, by submitting
detail matters or intricate columns of
figures, which are readily ascertain
able through a perusal Of department
tai reports.
Taxation.
he maintenance of the state gov
ernment largely depends upon the levy
of millage for state purposes against
the property of the state such millage,
of course. being uniform in all the
counties. The valuations of property
in various counties are determined by
the officials of each of the counties.
So long as our present system OBJ
tains. that of having uniform millage
for state purposes levied upon all
classes of property running throughout
the state, 1t necessarily follows that
there must be uniform assessments as
between the various counties, else
much injustice will be done the coun-
ty whose assessment is upon a higher
basis than its sister counties Various
plans looking to a cure of this situa-
ton have been suggested by men more
or less familiar with theories of taxa
tion. However, 1 believe that there is
no plan which is feasible, except that
which places authority in some arm
of the state government, who shall
have power to determine and to enforce
g uniform basis Of assessment. This
cannot be left entirely to the county
officials themselves, because 1t fire. |
quently happens that the local officials |
assessment in their own counties, |
rather than run the risk of subjecting |
their people to the danger OF paying |
more than their share in the expenses I
Of the state.
I recommend the creation Of a tax |
commission composed of the governor, |
the comptroller, the state treasurer |
and the attorney general. It will be |
noIeQ LnaL the mem DeESnlp OF the pro- /
posed commission, taken from the cab |
met, is identical with the railway as
sessment board, with the exception Of |
the governor. Provision should be |
made for appointment by the COVER 1
nor of a capable assistant, versed in /
matters of taxation, to prepare data
and TO devote his whole time In coop
sration with the various county off,
,ials, looking toward the assessment
fcontlnued on Page TsYo)
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-04-06
Mines completeIx Closed.

LONDON. April 5.-The stoppage OF
all coal mining In Great Britain is an
accomplished fact. and the question
the public Is considering anxiously to-
night is whether the paralysis will ex-
tend to the railways and other means
of transport and even spread among
the workers generally.
Both houses of parliament discussed
the situation today without taking any
steps TO relieve It. The national trans
port workers federation delegates
conferred without reaching a decision
as to whether TO call a strike in that
line in support of the miners. The
three branches of the triple alliance
the railway men. the transport work"
ers and the miners, will meet separ.
ately tomorrow, which promises to
be- a decisive day.
The most serious feature of the po-
sition continues to be the threat of
ruin of the mines by flooding. The
miners took strong measures in sever
al places today against the owners
who are protecting their property.
There was a successful attack upon
the guardian of an important mine
near Edinburgh, Scotland. A thou
sand miners marched to the pithead
OF the Ocean colleries in Rhondda.
Wales, ana successfully demanded The
withdrawal of all officials working
the pumps. The referees in several
towns have refused the application
of striking miners for unemployment
pay.
Four hundred delegates, represent
ing 30 unions. and a half million work
ers attended the meeting Of the trans
port mems delegates, which was pre-
ceded by session OF their execptive
committee. The interests of the diff
ferent unions in transport federation
do not always coincide, and 1t is re-
ported they are considering other
measures to help the miners as an al
tentative to striking, one measure be-
ing refusal to transport coal. Some
scattering unions in other trades are
asking whether they should permit the
use OF stored coal In factories.