davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
ADMIRAL COONTZ WILL PAY HOMAGE
 TO DEAD SAILORS
Memorial Services For 23 Victims Of Wreck Set
 For Sunday

SAN DECO Cal, Sept. 2o,-Me- morial services Tn which Admiral Robert D. Coontz. commander in chief of the United States fleet, and 1000 officers and enlisted men of the navy will participate. will be held at the naval air station here Sunday in honor of the 23 men who lost their lives in the wreck of seven de- stroyers off Honda. Cal, September &, it was announced today by naval authorities.
 Meanwhile. the naval court of in- quiry investiga ting the disaster pre- pared to resume it's sessions tomor- row with radio men from Point ArRuello scheduled to take the stand and describe under oath just what signals were sent out by them to the 1T. $, s. Delphy, flagship of the de- stroyer squadron, during the hours just preceding the fatal change of course which sent the ships head on into a rock bound coast.
 Sundays memorial services will be held within a few yards of the room where Admiral W. V. Pratt and his colleagues of the court of inquiry have been seeking to reveal the real story of the Honda crash.
 From a flower banked platform to be erected in the center of the quad rangle Admiral Coontz will pay homage tn the men of the i'll fated squadron.
 Chaplain II. NJ. Peterson of the U. s. s. Altier, and Chaplain G, C. Mur- dock ot the fleet air force, will con duet the services, An orchestra flagship, will participate in the cere- mony and every available officer and man of the navy will be present to honor the men who died.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
OKLAHOMA SOL ONS OUTLINE CHARGES AGAINST WAL I IN
Legislators Plan Meeting For Next Wednesday Despite
 Threats Of Governor

OKLAHOMA CITY, okla. Sept 20 Mobilization of additional troops te be used solely in preventing q meet ing of GO Legislators at noon next Wednesday, proceeded swiftly Thurs day night. as Governor Jack Walton frightened his battle, lines for show down on the justice of his blanket martial law edict for the state.
 In a proclamation issued Thurs day, legislators in secret session un- til an early hour in the morning, made these charges against the states chief executive:
 1. Pardon and parole policy is a menace to the safety of the citizens of the state.
 2. The arrayal of religious and po- litical factions against one and an- other are for his personal desire and political gain
 3. Promotion of spirit of law lessness in Alblic utterances, where in he dire ecteu certain classes of peo- pie to shoot to kill other classes.
 A. Threatened arrests of represen- tatives of the state if they should attempt to peacefully assemble in the discharge of their duties.
 5. Denial of freedom Of speech and the press.
 6. Has attempted to render the military independent of and sI Iperior to the civil powers of the state.
 After issuing the proclamation the legislators retired. Governor Wal ton hearing of the meeting and of the action taken immediately called his closest advisors to his home and was closeted with them during most of the day. Streets in the vicinity of his mansion were patrolled by soldiers with bayonets fixed.
 The governors personal bodyguard patrolled the entrance to the man. sion. Persons passing close to the home were carefully scrutinized, and many were questioned by the guards men.
 sol-..S Oppose Masking.
 Early in the day the legislators again Issued a statement in which they placed the members agi tating for special session of tho house on record as favoring the abolition of the mask and intensive prosecution of alleged acts of whipping parties and other forms of mob violence in th- state.
 :, spokesman for the solons said 1t was originally planned tC issue the proclamation for a special ses- sion to be held at noon September
 (Continued on Page TNyO)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
MUT|NY DECLARE RESULT IF LEASE SYSTEM WORKINGS
State- Wide Abolition Con- mittee Terms Outbreak
 Crop Reaped By State

The mutiny of convicts at Banner mines September 10 was merely the crop reaped by the state and it's con vict department in continuing the convict leasing system and in per hitting men of the type of J. D. Evans, warden; Captain Smith his as sistant, and Dr. Pettus to be in charge of the men, the statewide campaign committee for the abolition of the convict lease system declared in statement issued Thursday night following meeting at the Hillman hotel. Judge W. E. Fort. chairman, presided.
 The outbreak was regretted, the return of the lash to Alabama's penal system deplored and Solicitor Jim Davis commended for his courage in going ahead and conducting a grand 3ury investigation of the Banner incident.
 The statement in full is as follows:
 While the statewide campaign com mittee deeply regrets the recent out break at Banner mines, yet t seems to us that the state and it's convict department are only reaping the crop that was sown In continuing the convict leasing system and in per- hitting men of the type of J. D. Evans warden; Captain Smith, his assistant. and Dr. Pettus to be in charge of the men.
  spring we reported that conditions at Banner were not satisfactory; that the doctor was incompetent and entirely dominated by warden Evans, who, together with Smith, was some times brutal in his treatment of the prisoners. In fact, one of our mem- bers told state official last spring that unless something was done to straighten out conditions at Banner, there would inevitably be scandal at some time during the Brandon Administrations prediction that has come true.
 We deeply deplore the return of the lash to Alabamas penal system. Although some occasions, such as the recent Banner outbreak, may on the spur of the moment seem to justify it's employment, it's return will only add to the brutalities and evils of our convict system. Use of the lash is not only barbarous from the stand point of the prisoner, but it is still more deplorable because the man who employs 1t is thereby brutalized
 (Coutfnued on Page Sfx1
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
HIGHWAY BOARD OF
 I THREE MEMBERS |S AGREED UPON
Legislature Agrees To Allow Governor To Appoint New
 Commission
STATE CAPITAL BUREAU I
 THE AGE-HERALD AInaaA .. .a .nn ....- A I.. {. LA m

Aiaoama will have a stare high way Commission of three members who will be appointed by the gover- nor. This decision was reached by the legislature Thursday afternoon when it concurred in the report of the committee of conferences. Some opposition was shown in the house because the majority of the house had insisted upon a committee elected by the legislature on nominations of Governor Brandon. The report was accepted by the conference commit tees of the two houses reached an agreement on the bill after deliber- ating since early last week. It had been thought no decision could be made and that the highway comms- sion as now constituted would re- main during the next four years. The report was submitted to the house during the early afternoon.
 J. Lee Long of Butler. a member of the conference committee and one of those who insisted upon the election of the commission by the
 (COntinued on Page TyyO)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
PAYS YOUTH TRIBUTE
English Churchman Says Challenge
 Must He Met

CHICAGO, Sept. 20.-The man who is afraid to hear the challenge of youth, or, hearing it, is uninspired to meet it. is either a dead or dying member of the church and a failure as a Christian, according to George Anthony King, barrister, president of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew in England. speaking tonight before the international convention.
 There is no bigger or more pow erful principle which challenges the attention of men of vision who be- lieve in action than the principle of cooperation expressed in service" he said, There is no better plan for serving and sharing our best with the world in obtaining our objectives than through this organized group of men and boys who have caught the vision of prayer and service as work ing principles and who are endeavor- ing to apply them"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
Prosperity On Sound Basis, Thinks Mellon

WASHINGTON. Sept. 2o.-- Prosperity is on a sound basis and fears expressed in some quarters of a decline are ground less. in the opinion of Secretary of the Treasury Mellon, ex- pressed in his behalf today.
 Lows" in the steel industry. the business barometer, are not indications of a slump, Mellon holds. They are offset by the excellence of general conditions business, economic, banking and credit, he feels.
 The situation regarding labor is materially better, in Melons opinion. There is plenty of work for all. but no shortage of labor such as recently caused employ CTS to bid against each other, it was pointed out.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
FOR CHILD LABOR LAWS
Coolidge In sympathy With EtIor's'
 Gompers Asserts

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20;-Presi,- dent Coolidge is in sympathy Wlti- VII efforts to obtain Legislation festrIct ing child labor in the United ota.es, Samuel Gompers, presldeht oi iS t American federation of labor, said todav' after a conference with the executive at the White House. Comp CTS called to discuss with MT. Cool ldEe items of social legislation oe : sired by the labor movement TOT U self and the public welfare Al the request of the President ne salu ou leaving. he will return tomorrow with a memorandum detailing Tn itemized form exactly what iapor wants from Congress for the fresl- dents information.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
MEN ARE RELEASED
Contradictory Evidence Sets Alleged
 Rioters Free

PITTSBURG Pa, Sept. 2O.--Nine men arraigned before Aldermen George J. Anderson today on the charge of melting to riot in eGnnec- ton with recent fighting between members of the Ku KluX Klan and residents of Carnegie in which one klansman was killed were dis charged. The alderman in dismiss ing the case said that he had reached this decision because of the contra dlctory nature of thei evidence given regarding the beginning of the fight ing. The alderman's room was filled with friends of the defendants who cheered the decision.
 Three other men arrested On the same charge were not present at the hearing today, but their cases were Included in the dismissal
 Patrick J. McDermott Carnegie undertaken, who was accused of fir ing the fatal shot and later released by the county coroner, was one of the men whose cases were dismissed.
 District Attorney S. II. Gardner declined to state tonight whether any further action would be taken against the men released
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
EIGHT ARE ARRAIGNED
kIansman Identifies Three As Mem-
 bers Of Attackers

PITTSBURG, Pa, Sept. 20.-Eight men, charged with melting to riot in connection with the fight be- tween members of the Ku Klux Klan and residents at Carnegie recently, when one klansman was killed, were given preliminary hearing before Alderman Charles Anderson today.
 Clarence Northey, the first witness, testified he was member of theN klan and identified three defendants as the men who tried to stop klan parade. They ripped a flag from the automo- bile. Northey saR, and trampled 1t on the ground
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
HARRISON PAYS VISIT

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2O.--senator Harrison. democrat. Mississippi, call ed on President Coolidge today to pay his respects. The senator said afterwards that he and the President had a pleasant chat
 The President. upon greeting the senator today, was quoted as having said: Well, Fat the most familiar thing about you Is your voice.
 The senator assumed the President was recalling the days when he pre- sided over the senate.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
FOUR|NDICTED IN S2,O00,O00 LOSS SOFSTOCK
Walker Consolidated Petro- Ieum Officers Face Federal Court Following Disclosures Of The Company's Methods
PROMINENT BIRMINGHAM MEN AMONG PURCHASERS
Alabama Investors Said To HayeSs2ost Over S2,00o,- 0Q hree-Fourths Of It
 Birmingham District

.z v gtments were returned by re-
 ned session of the federal grand yN.y Thursday morning against the ds all1er Consolidated Petroleum com gany of Dallas, Texas, naming four former official, two of Dallas, Texas. one from Indianapolis, Ind, and one Birmingham man. More than a score of prominent Alabama people are said to have lost more than ,$2,000,000 in this company, three-fourths of 1t be- ing lost in the Birmingham district.
 Returned In the United States court of the northern district of Alabama before Judge William I. Grubb, the indictments named A. W. Walker. president, of Dallas, Texas; Harold w. Walker, director, of Dallas; Sydney Menasco, director, of Indiana polls, Ind; and Hudmon Hopson of Birmingham, as vice president. Each of the men were indicted on 34 counts, charging using of the malls for fraudulent purposes and conspiracy to so use the mails
 The indictments returned went fully into the organization of the company which grew out of the con- solidation of the Birmingham Dallas oil and Gas company; the Bal-apolis Petroleum company, the Burk-Elec- tra Petroleum company of Texas, and the Southern Dallas Oil company, all De1nR leNaS COTpOFdLIOnS. IlS Walker Consolida ted Petroleum com pany was organized with a capital ization of $10,000,000 divided into 100000 shares of $100 each in Dallas, Texas, in March, 1929. It was claimed that 30 per cent of the capital had been paid in. The indictment alleges that not one-half of the capital stock had been paid in.
 Soon Became Embarrassed.
 Soon after the organization the company became financially en- charged that in order to sell the shares of stock. the company fraudu- -alentIy and falsely represented that the corporation was responsible and that investments in the corporations were safe and advisable. On June 3o 1920, the company issued statement that a dividend of 3 per cent was payable on the stock, when the truth was the indictment alleged, they had not earned surplus sufficient to pay such a dividend. It was also al- legged the corporation borrowed money to pay the dividend.
 The corporation is also alleged Tn the indictment to have sent out false financial statements giving eXagge- rated assets of the company and greatly underestimated the liabilities. In October of 1920 they are also said to have announced another per cent dividend, claiming they were finan- cially able to do so.
 Statements were mailed from the Dallas office of the company from time to time outlining the activities of the company and giving the num- Der of wells they were operating In the Texas fields. All of the state ments were claimed to have been exaggerated by the indictments, Copies of such letters were attached to the indictments. It was also claimed that the Walker company did not have any producing oil wells and the dividends which were paid
 (Continued on Page Two)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
THOMPSON DISCOUNTS
 SHIPPING BOARD MOVE
Removal Of Headquarters To New
 York Never Been Considered

Reports that headquarters Of the United States shipping board might be moved from Washington to New York were set at rest by Frederick I. Thompson, a member of the board who was in Birmingham Thursday
 The matter has never even been considered by the United States ship ping board" MT. Thompson said, and it is inconceivable that it could be seriously proposed or considered.
 Urgent communications to the board of directors of the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce were received from the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, with notihca- tions from similar bodies in other cities that an effort was being made to move the shipping board head quarters to New York. The Bir- minghm business men referred the to MT. Thompson for an opinion. When the data was brought to his attention he spoke as stated
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
5 KILLED AND. SEVEN HURT IN
 DYNAMO BLAST.
Gasoline ExpIodeS In Test Laboratory At Washington, Force Of Shock Extendinr To Neighboring BuiIdin' ONE KILLED OUTRIGHT AM TWO DIE AT ROSETTA Workmen Were Testing A
 plane Engine When Bla
 Came-ViCtimS Engaged In Scientific Bureau Work

WASHINGTON, Sept. 2o.-An ex- plosion of gas at the bureau of standards here today resulted in the death of three men, the injury of seven others, and the complete wrecking of the fuel testing labora- tory.
 It was the most serious accident in the history of the bureau whose experts daily are confronted with the task of testing every conceivable product of American industry.
 L. L. Laeur of Lower Salem, O.. was killed almost instantly.
 U. J. Cook of Washington and Ste phen NJ Lee of New London, Conn., died tonight, James F. Kendig of Sa- 1unga, Pa, was critically injured; ence w. Elliott of Lynn. Mass, and r. E. Richardson of Washington were seriously hurt Herbert K. Cummings of Warren, Mass, and Curtis M. Smith of Washington re- ceived less serious wounds. All of the victims were engaged in scien- tific work at the bureau.
 An internal combustion engine was being tested at the time of the ex- plosion. Officials said they believed gasoline was the sole cause of the accident. although the presence of exhaust gas from the motor and 8 spark from some source would have given a similar result. Most of the victims were either standing out side of the building or near the door, way.
 The detonation rocked the vicinity of the laboratory for distance or 500 yards. Workers in adjoining buildings, however, were badly badly shaken up.
 Secretary Hoover, who visited the scene, said it would be impossible to determine the carse until the in jured were recovered sufficiently to be questioned.
 Inyestigation Ordered
 It was thought at first that the eS plosion was caused by ignition of gAsoline in the testing chamber by an electric spark, but this was later denied by officials at the bureau. Secretary of Commerce Hoover, who arrived at the scene soon after the explosion, ordered an investigation.
 All of those in the laboratory were injured. They were testing an air plane engine, which was locked in the concrete chamber in the end of the building. Lauer was watching the meter on the outside of the steel door of the chamber when the explo- sion occurred. The impact drove the door to the front entrance of the lab oratory few feet away.
 It was only two minutes after the blast when the first of the injured were on their way to the hospital Fire broke out in the laboratory shortly, after the explosion, but was quickly eXtinguished. The testing chamber was badly burned, but other parts of the building were not seri- Ously damaged. with the exception of the shattered windows. Twisted iron, glass and pieces of wood were blown over 200 feet. An automobile stand ing near the building was damaged / The dynamo meter laboratory is at the end of the row of scientific build- ings, and across the road from the administration buildings where the offices are located.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
REPUBLICANS DIVIDED
Three Ideas Regarding Extra Session
 Congress

WASHINGTON, Sept. 20.-Repub- licans are divided into three groups regarding the advisability of an eN- tra session of Congress to deal with the agricultural situation
 One group, led hart of Iowa, t4Tcrs a- session. The second +a.t n."n- ing President C. NGgc a.t -tlcl Borah, insists datu-c isS lativc remedy b. ~rPe8 Cppo f session is cal .1G Eiv including Secre
 Wallace, believe l1at = lEffss Aas done about all that it can and that further remedies must come largely through the initiative of the farmers themselves, with the assistance af- forded by government credits agen- cies and farm experts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
ASKS BRANDON NOT IMPEDE MINE INQUIRY
Solicitor Is Requested Four
 Times Thursday By Tele-
 phone To Revisit Montgom-
 cry, But Duties Prevented BOYD CONSENTS TO COME HERE FRIDAY TO TESTIFY
Sherif f Shirley Declines To Serve Grand Jury Papers On
 Prisoners At Banner Upon
 The Advice Of His Attorneys

Undeterred by Governor W. W. Brandons attempt to stop investiga- tion by a legally constituted grand jury of the convict mutiny at Banner mines Sept 10 Solicitor Jim Davis of Jefferson county Thursday morn ing marshaled witnesses and began what he has said will be a thorough probe of the entire affair.
 Solicitor Davis. met at the train by an Age-Heralu representative early Thursday morning upon his return from Montgomery. where he confer red with state officials close to the governor from early Wednesday night until o'clock Thursday morn ing. in strong terms declared he would not be turned aside from his purpose of breaking the veil of se- crecy surrounding the mutiny since its inception. He went to his office and worked with the grand jury all day and into the late afternoon be- fore going home.
 Witnesses examined Thursday were persons whose appearance was forecast in The Age-Herald Thurs day, morning, with the addition of two newspaper men who visited Ban ner mines last Saturday, The inves- tigation will be continued Friday. Mir. Davis said Thursday night. Infor- nation of startling nature was dis closed during the session Thursday, he said, which will be given to the public a the opportune time. Boyd Consents To Come
 L. A. Boyd, president of the state board of convict supervisors, who W Wednesday refused over long distance fa1 fa n f i1-a inc h m, and testify before the grand jury, aE noon Thursday called Solicitor Davis and informed him he would appear Friday morning. Roy Nolen. asso- ciate member of the board, has been summoned for Monday. He has been ordered to bring records of the con- vict department with him for in- spectiou by the grand jury.
 Solicitor Davis Thursday afternoon replied to Governor Brandon's letter warning him to discontinue the "ar- rogation to himself of power to sup ervise the conduct of the chief exc cutive." received Thursday morning, It had been made public Wednesday night at the capital.
 Disclaiming any purpose or intent to invade the precints or usurp the privileges of the governors office. Mir. Davis expressed the hope that the governor will as hosently and faithfully perform your obligations to the state as l shall endeavor to per form my duties to the people of Jef- ferson county" His letter reads:
 o O O
 Davis Replies To Governor.
 "Brmingham. September 21. 1923 'To His Excellency w. w Brandon. governor of state of Alabama, Mont gomery, Ala.
 Dear Governor:-Your special de- livery letter dated September 18th.
 (COntinued on Page TwO)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
MOTOR REGISTRATION IS SHOWING BIG GAINS
First Six Months Of 1923 Exceed Whole Year Of 1922
 WASHINGTON BUREAU
 THE AGE-HERALD

More motor cars were registered in the several states the first six months of this year than during the 12 months last yeaE. The figures in round numbers, as announced by the bureau of roads, department of agri- culture, are 1S.0O0, 900 and 12.o0O, ,O00
 The bureau has furnished the fol- lowing Alabama figures of registra- tion for the first six months of 1923: Motor cars and trucks, 97,7SS; pri- Vate passenger cars. S4,S71; taxicabs and busses, 2365; motor trucks and commercial ears, 10,552; motorcycles, 322.
 Registration revenues: s1,351,450.21 amount applicable to road work, s1,0S1, ,160.17.
 Gasoline tax Cfrom March to June 3O $2S7114.39. None of this amount is applicable to road construction,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-09-21
WOULD SERVE IN PLACE
Ten Thousand Petition Release Of
 Villas Slayer

CHIHUAHUA CITY, Mexico, Sept. 20-Attorneys for Congressman Je- sus Salas Barraza, slayer of Rancho Villa, are going to ask for a nulli- fication of the 20-year sentence im- posed by the court at Parral.
 | Attached to the petition will be a list of 10000 persons in Chihuahua who have indicated that they will serve the sentence for Barraza, ach remaining in jail certain length of time. if Barraza Is released.
 The case is now in the Chihuahua hiSh court, which must approve the yetdict.