davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
PIGEONS COME
ABOARD SHIP;
SEAMAN DIES
Sailors ConUinc e d
Birds Were Omen
of Death.
BY G. w. TUTTIE.

OO1SOIl0aLe1 fTeSS correspondents
Copyright, 1922, by The Argus.)
Savannah, Ga, April 5.-The
American ship Masuda, just in
from Glasgow, with flag at half
mast, has brought with her a
strange tale of the sea. Another
sailor superstition has been veri-
fed There is a great shaking CT
heads and many an Il told you So
among the sea-faring men now in
the port.
Those who have followed the sea
know the old tradition that if a
bird lights upon vessel after it
leaves port, there is sure to be a
death on the voyage.
Shortly after the Masuda sailed
from Glasgow a little less than two
weeks, ago, carrier pigeons came
aboard. One of them perched for a
moment upon the shoulder of Ed
mund Sprueill, an American sea-
man. 1t was as if the hand of
death itself had reached out to the
man. John Olsen, 56 years old, a
long time follower of the sea and
"bos'n" of the Masuda told the
captain that the presence of the
pigeons on board was a bad sign.
~Bos'n- Breaks Leg, Ribs.
Trouble is sure to follow u.s." he
told the skipper and the bad omen
quickly spread through all the
crew.
On Saturday last Spureill, who
was a young seaman, had an attack
of acute Indigestion and by Sunday
morning he was dead. He was
buried at sea and the vessel con-
tinued its voyage to Savannah. AS
the ship wa scattering port, Olsen,
the "bos'n" was sent to fix some
lines that lay on the deck. While
at work he slipped and fell. break
ing one leg and two ribs. He IS
now in the marine hospital. Olsen
blames all the i'll luck of the
Masuda to the carrier pigeons. And
there is no sailor man in all the
port today who will dispute the
point with him.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
u. S. BALLOONS
WILL ASCEND IS
MILES nv TESTS
Garry instruments to
Record High Alti-
tude Data.

San Antonio, Texas, April 5.-A
series of interesting meteorological
experiments were to begin at Kelly
field today under the direction of
the meteorological section of the
war department. Small balloons
filled with hydrogen will be sent up
to a height of Is miles. The bal
looms will be sent up in pairs, with
instruments attached to them for
recording pressure, temperature
and other data regarding tempera-
ture conditions at such high alti-
tudeS.
One Bag to Burst
The balloons will be so construct
ed that at given height one of
them will burst. The second bal
loon will not be sufficient to carry
the weight of the instruments and
will thus drift slowly to the earth.
On account of the extremely high
altitude which it is expected to
reach the balloon with the instru-
ment may fall to earth many miles
from San Antonio. It is especially
desirable that the instruments,
with the data which they have col
lected, be sent to Kelly field by
the finder. Attached to the balloon
will be a letter of instructions for
their return.
Kelly field was selected by the
war department for these expert
ments on account of the good visi-
bility of this section OF the coun-
try. The experiment will be con-
Quoted by two expert civilians and
one officer sent here from Wash
ington for that purpose. The ex-
periments are along the line of gen
eral research work being conduct
ed by the meteorological section of
the war department.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
RadiOphOne Traffic Has Got
Air All Clutfered Up; Who
Gums Ozone, u. S. Is Asking

wave in Georgia and stop it at the
state line. 1t is bound to ignore
natural or fixed boundaries and
therefore becomes interstate bust
ness and subject to federal rules
and regulations.
Furthermore the radio waves
generated on the mainland at any
point near the coast spread rapidly
to sea- They take no heed of the
three-mile limit, invading the
ozone of the open seas and impor-
tant government traffic.
'NOne thing is certain" said Judge
William E. Lamb, solicitor of the
department OF commerce today,
I'VE need an entire new code Of
laws to cope with the wireless sit
uation- The laws under which we
are now operating were based upon
the wireless conventions of 1912.
The whole use of the wireless tele-
phone has grown up since that
time and with it have come entirely
new problems.
Need World Conference.
'1 do not see how we can reach
ANYTHING like a permanent solution
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
PEORIAN KILLS
DIVORCED WIFE
81 Shot Her Because / EOved Her,
Elmer Garrett Tells Police;
Jealous of Other Men.

Peoria, Ill. April ST shot her
because 1 loved her." Elmer Gar
rett, held for the killing of his
former wife, Mrs. Elmer Garrett,
here last night, told police. Jeal-
ousy over his former wife's prefer
ence for other men is attributed as
the cause for the Staying.
Garrett last night went to the
home of the woman, from whom he
was divorced in September, 1920.
and on entering the room began
shooting Five shots took effect
Fleeing the house, Garrett threw
away the pistol and went to the
home Of his brother, where he was
found hiding in a woodshed.
II loved my wife and hated to see
her in the company of other men.
he told police this morning.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
ARBUCKlE
TELLS HIS
OWN STORY
Fatty on Stand Denies.
Any Attack on Vir-
ginia Rappe.

San Francisco, April 5.-Roscoe
C. C"Fatty'D Arbuckle, took the
stand in his own defense today in
the third of a manslaughter charge
against him resulting from the
death of Miss Virginia Rappe.
Arbuckle followed DR.. George
Franklin Shiels, defense medical
expert, and one of the defense
alienists in the first trial of Harry
K. Thaw for the alleged murder of
Stanford White.
Arbuckle smiled as he took the
stand. He said he knew Miss Rappe
for five years. He acknowledged
being present at the party in the
St. Francis hotel in which he is al
legged to have fatally injured Miss
Rappe. He said he had invited a
few of the guests.
Gin, whisky and orange juice
were served at the party, he said.
breakfast was served at p. m.
while most of the guests were
there. He left the room in which
the guests were at p. m. and went
into his own room to dress for an
engagement with Mrs. May Taube,
a friend, he said.
Finds Girl in Bathroom.
81 went into my bedroom and
locked the door," he said. Il went
to the bath room and the door
struck something. 1 looked in and
saw Miss Rape on the floor. She
was holding her stomach and moan
ing"
Il gave her some water and
asked if there was anything l could
do for her. She said 1 want to lie
down. 1 carried her to bed and
returned to the bath room. When
/ came out into the room Virginia
was on the floor. 1 again placed
her on the bed and went out for
Mrs. Bambina Maude Belmont her
friend, and one of the guests.
"a number of the guests came
into the room, including Miss Alice
Blake, Mrs. Belmont, Miss Zey
Provost and others. Miss Rape sat
up on the bed tearing her clothes.
Her sleeve was hanging by thread
and l pulled it off
Threatens Mrs. Belmont.
"I went out of the room and re-
turned later. Miss Rape was lying
nude on the bed. l tried to cover
her up and Mrs. Belmont tried to
stop me. l said to Mrs Belmont
Shut up or l will throw you out OF
the window"
The witness said he was dressed
in lounging robe and pajamas. He
described the summoning of the
assistant manger of the hotel and
the removal of Miss Rape to an
other room
Asked if he placed his hand over
that of Miss Rape on a door OF
the room which is in evidence as
an exhibit behind the witness chair,
he answered "I was not near that
door for the whole time l was in
the hotel except when Miss Rappe
was carried from the room
Finger prints on the door are al
legged to be those of Arbuckle and
Miss Rape.
The witness denied all knowledge
of Jesse Norgaard, who testified
that while he was watchman of a
motion picture studio, at Culver
CITY. Arbuckle attempted to bribe
him to obtain the key to Miss
Rappe's room
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
women not TO Serve ON SMALL Jury
Ne,U Woman Mayor of CaIanlus,
Ia, Starting TOlUn Cleanup,
Finds Jail Lock RuSted Shut

Clinton, Iowa, April ST want
to let the people know that / ap-
preciate their loyalty to me at the
ballot box and l am going to call
on them to be just as loyal in back
ing me with the moral improve
ments / intend to make"
That was the challenge given To-
day by Mrs. H. p Steadman, mayor
of Calamus, just installed in office
as the first Clinton county woman
ever elected to the mayors chair.
Her first day in office was spent at
home, taking care of home duties,
but last night she was poring over
the statute books of the state.
IF 1 can save one or two Calamus
boys and girls from liquor or cigar
cts, it certainly will be worth the
two years ahead of me-" she said.
She has two daughters and one
son.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05

you know, I am getting the tidy
salary of SIS a year." she added re
fectively. The new mayor is de-
termined to enforce law and order.
Accompanied by her son she visited
the city Jail yesterday afternoon
but was unable to get in.
"The lock was rusted Shut" she
acknowledged. 81 don't know
whether that m ,ans lot of work
or no work, lack of law enforce
ment or of law violation. l am
going to be partial to none and all
law breakers, no matter who they
are, will be treated alike.
81 believe in the American fam
lily. People think that when a wom-
an takes up a position such as am
fortunate enough to have she will
neglect her home in assuming mems
work, but l intend to maintain my
home life"
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
BEGIN PROBES
IN SLAYING OF
COLONEL BECK
Didn't Intend Killing; /;
LoUed Him as a
Brother.

Oklahoma City, Okla, April s.
Preparations were made today TO
launch three separate inquiries into
the events surrounding the death of
Lieutenant-Colonel Paul Ward
Beck, pioneer army aviator, and a
commander of Post Field, Fort Sill
Okla, who was killed by Jean P.
Day, wealthy oil operator and
prominent Oklahoma attorney in
the latter's home early yesterday
morning when, according to Day,
Beck was found attacking Mrs
Day.
A civil investigation by county
authorities will determine the
charges to be filed against Day in
connection with the killing.
A military commission of three
army officers headed by Major
Thomas B. Lanthier, will come
here, according to an announce
ment at Post Field, and investigate
the killing The commission is ex-
pected to arrive on Friday or Sat
urday.
Check Liquor Angle.
A third inquiry got under way
when M F. Meadows, federal pro-
hibition director for Oklahoma, be-
gan 10 check up to ascertain wheth-
er liquor might have had a part in
the party which preceded the kill
ing of LieutenantColonel Beck
County officials today were run
ming down various angles of the
tragedy but until the coroner's iu-
quest is held on Saturday after
noon, County, Attorney Forrest
Hughes announced he would not de-
eide the question of filing charges
against Day.
Justifies Act
Day, in an interview, declared he
had no thought of killing Beck
when he returned to his home and
he alleges, found the army officer
attempting to assault Mrs. Day
His only intent, Day said; was to
drive Beck from his home He
feared Beck might be armed, he
said, and for this reason obtained q
revolver.
Declaring he loved Beck like q
brother" Day asserted he acted as
most any red blooded American
who finds his confidence violated
his home invaded and his faithful
wife insulted and violently at
tackled"
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
NICKELEATING
PIANO rs CAUSE
OF BOYS ARREST

Chicago, April 5.-When a
mechanical piano began grind
ing out a gay tune in q dark
ened pool room early yesterday
morning neighbors investigated
and william Martinson, a IT.
year-old negro, was taken INTO
custody. In the boys court he
told Judge Jacobs that he at
tempted to steal the nickels
from the piano and accidentally
started it
Another instance OF Jazz
music being responsible for a
youths DOWNFALL" the judge
said.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
C. 90. CETSCUT
IN COAL RATES

Washington, April 5.-The Ches-
apeake & Ohio railway was author
lied today by the interstate COM
merce commission to reduce rates
on coal from West Virginia and
eastern Kentucky points to st.
Louis, in accordance with sched-
ules proposed by the carrier last
December. The new rate will be
$347 from kanawha districts in
West Virginia and eastern Ken
tueky as against a previous rate
Of s4.13, snd from the New river
district Of West Virginia, 1852,
compared with previous rate of
$4.26.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
THE WEATHER

Rain tonight and Thursday. Not
much change in temperature.
Highest temperature yesterday,
ST: lowest last night, 49,
Wind velocity at Z a. m. miles
per hour. or
Precipitation last "a hours, 90.
1zm. 7pm- Tam
yesrer. yester. today
Dry bulb temp. ..4s 81 ~
Wet bulb temp. .46 49 46
Relative humidity 80 81 "a
River stage at a. m, s.S' q rise
of i last "a hours
Sunset today, 6:3s p. m; sum
rise tomorrow, 5:57 a m
River forecast-The MISSISSIPPI
,,ver from below Dubuque 70 Mus
catine wiz rise xlowly daring the
~ ANDREw HAMRbCK,
Metecsologist
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
u. S. LOOKS
CALMLY ON
COAL T|EUP
officials UnworTied;; One
Calls It AN Extended
Conversation.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

fCOpyrlg1t, lSZz, Dy ne ATSuS-t
Washington, D. c., April 5.-The
governments attitude toward the
coal strike is unique. Conversations
with cabinet officers reflect an
eouanimity over the situation
which is a contrast to the mood of
the government on occasions of
preyious industrial trouble.
Asked whether the government
will take a hand if a coal famine
results, cabinet members say they
expect no famine Would the gov
srnment take a hand if the coal
supply is exhausted and prices are
raised? To this, too, comes the
answer that of course the admin
stration would look with favor
upon such a course if pursued by
the operators and that it would be
most unfortunate if the consumer
suffered-but no prediction is made
that even on that occasion the gov
ernment would be justified in inter
vening.
"Unmixed Blessing,
Altogether one gets the impress
sion in government quarters that
the coal strike is regarded from
0 purely economic viewpoint as not
an unmixed blessing. One cabinet
official declines even to call the
present suspension of work
Strike" He refers to it as IAN
extended conversation" He says
both sides will understand each
other better when the disagreement
Is settled. There's no harm in
what's being done, no suffering an
ticipated. no serious outcome to be
feared-this is the attitude of Of
fcials toward the. coal situation
and it is pointed out that both sides
have resources sufficient to deal
with a long period of idleness at
the mines.
The truth is there is a surplus
Of coal The operators want to get
rid of it. The strike gives them
that chance. When the surplus is
gone, the miners feel the operators
will be more reasonable about
wages and working conditions.
Maybe the operators will be--they
will have to be mindful of the pub
lies demand for coal and they will
hot be able TO suspend production
Indefinitely. But if they raise
prices. government officials hint
that imported coal may come in
competition in the domestic market.
Possibly the tariff will cure it but
with the cheap cost of transporta-
tion even tariff, it is contended,
would not keep out coal if domestic
prices were unduly inflated. So the
government sits calmly by, con-
fdent that economic laws of supply
and demand will in due time right
the present situation and send the
miners back to the mines on basis
mutually satisfactory to employee
and employer.
t From the White House incident
ally comes the information that the
President does not regard the pres
ent strike as an emergency. Plenty
OF coal is available and more will
have been produced by the nom
rnion mines during the strike.
There is every indication, on the
other hand, that the administration
feels that it is keeping its pledge
made to the business men in the
last campaign that it would not use
Its power to interfere in labor diff
hculties. The wartime statutes
which were employed to stop the
last coal strike are now off the
Books. Really the chief executive
has no power except moral in
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
REHEARSES HIS
SUICIDE METHOD,
THEN KILLS SELF

Fort Madison, Iowa, April 5.
Allen E. Gibson, wealthy
farmer living near here, re-
hearsed the method by which
he ended his life, according to
the story told by his wife, fol
lowing the finding Of his body
Gibson, standing before a mir
ror, went through the motions
of siashiDg his throat, wrists
and stomach last Monday night.
his wife said. When his boCE
was found the next night it was
slashed as he had indicated be-
fore the mirror.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
STATE Cement
BIDS ARE LET
Call for 2.7O7, 900 Barrels; Smalrs
1000 Program for 1922
Assured. Says Miller.

Springfield, H., April 5.-Com-
pletion of Governor Smalls 1000
hiles hard road program for 1922,
was assured today, it was an
nounced this afternoon by Colonel
W. H. H Miller of the department
of public works and buildings, in
the letting Of bids for 2.707 600 bar
reIs of Portland cement
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
DEMOS, REPUBS
IN EVEN BREAK
IN ELECTIONS
Sunday 81 lue Law'
Wins 81 in Spring
field, Mo.

Springfield, ILL.,, April 5.-Recov-
cry by the Democrats of control of
the county boards in two of the four
counties of the Twenty-first con
gressional district, and their re-
ported return to power in other
central Illinois counties, was to-
day interpreted by Democrat poi
ticians here as evidence of a gen.
eral tendency back from the Re
publican, landslide of 1920.
East st. Louis, ILL.,, April 5.-An
apparent even break to Democrats
and Republicans resulted from
township elections in southern Illi-
nols yesterday, according to un-
official returns received here today
In East st. Louis, three negroes
running on the Republican ticket,
were defeated by Democrats for
supervisors, but the remainder of
the Republican ticket was success
full.
Townships in Jefferson county
reported that the Democrats made
gains, Republicans carried Mount
Vernon.
Hillsboro reported the equal sue
cesses of both parties, while at
Belleville, the Farmer-Labor party
had little opposition In Madison
county the Independents won.
At Sumner the entire Democratic
ticket carried. Republican super
visor was elected at Edwardsville,
and at Nashville, the Republicans
were victorious.
Joliet, Ill, April 5.-Republicans
carried Joliet yesterday in town
ship election by 1,500 against the
F'armer-Labor and Democratic
tickets.
Missouri Vote Heavy.
Kansas City. Mo-, April 5.1The
municipal elections held through
out Missouri yesterday we're the
most spirited in years, belated re-
turns received here today showing
an unusually heavy vote over the
state. In many cities party lines
were sharply drawn, while in
others the elections were non-par-
tisan in character.
Both Democrats and Republicans
gained victories.
In Jefferson City the Democrats
elected four of five candidates for
aldermen and carried the city by
nearly 500 votes. The new board of
aldermen will have seven Demo-
Gratis and three Republicans
Returns from St Joseph indicat-
ed the election of a Republican
mayor and the whole Republican
ticket, with the exception of can
didates for auditor and treasurer.
In Joplin, the elections were
characterized as non-partisan, due
to that city's commission form of
government, but the contests were
spirited.
Demos Get Five Mayors.
The Democrats elected mayors in
Macon, Butler, Fulton, Carthage
and Sedalia.
Springfield's blue law" closing
theatres on Sunday, was approved
by a vote of almost two to one in
the elections there, when the vot-
ers rejected a proposal to suspend
the ordinance. The final count was
1895 against the measure and $500
for it. This was the second time
the voters had expressed their
views on the question of Sunday
amusements, the ordinance having
been approved at special election
several months ago. The question
has arisen as to whether the ordi-
nance might be interpreted to in
| clude Sunday baseball games this
summer.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
CHALLENGE
OF vENIRE
is DENIED
Judge Proposes Special
Selection Plan to
Both Sides.

Waukegan. Ill, April 5.-At
2:45 o'clock Judge Edwards an
nOunced the defense had asked
further time to consider his
proposal and continued the
ease until 10 a m. tomorrow.
At the request Of James II.
Wilkers0n, assistant attorney
general, the court entered an
order directing Loren Griffin,
cashier of the Grant Park
Trust G. Savings bank, TO Ap-
pear at the same time and show
cause why books Of the bank.
which, the state claims, have
not been produced, should not
be attacked.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
URGES WORK ON
BIG WILSON DAM

:. Washington, April 5.-Resump-
oon Of work on the gigantic Will
son dam at Muscle Shoals, Ala, un-
der charge of army engineers was
recommended today by the senate
AGRICULTURAL committee which vot-
ed unanimously to press an amend
ment to the army supply bill pro
siding an appropriation OF $780,
vO0 TO finance work on the dam
Tor one year beginning next July /.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
PRNNsY ARGUMENTS END.

Chicago, April 5.-Arguments m
the suit of the Pennsylvania rail-
road, questioning the authority of
the United States railroad labor
board, were completed and the case
taken under advisement by Federal
Judge Page.
The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-04-05
ILLINOIS FRUIT
TREES IN BLOOM

Springfield, Ill, April 5.-Fruit
trees are in bloom in the southern
part of the state, according to the
weekly crop bulletin issued today
by Meteorologist Clarence j. Root
of the weather bureau.