davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
KHAN PLANS TO
 BATTLE ATTEMPT
 TO UNMASK THEM
First Legal Fight Will Come Under New York
 Law

NEW YORK, May 2S.-A klans- mans mask Is his mansion, and any attempt to deprive him of his secrecy infringes on his personal liberty this is the stand of the Ku Klux klan. to be tested in the courts if necessary, it's leaders, both state and national, declared Monday.
 Since the Walker act, aimed to unmask the klan, raises this issue first and most clearly in New York. the opening salvos of the fight for anonymity will be fired here as soon as klan officials are prosecuted for failure to submit lists of their klav- ern members.
 From national klan headquarters at Atlanta came the announcement that, although the most exalted off cials of the organization are sympa- thetic with the views expressed by the empire state king kleagle in defiance of Governor Smith, they have issued no orders on the subject, and intend to let the New York klea- gles fight the battle themselves.
 Nevertheless the past 4S hours compasses displays of klan activity all over the country, in what ap- peared to be a united effort to make an impressive showing. Salesmen of klan memberships and regalia are reported most active everywhere, and observers believe that limitations the past week mark the highest rate of klan growth
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
Doubling Identif;es Four Of Men Under Indictment As Assaj1a,1ts In F10qqi11q
LUMP BID OF BILLION
 FOR ACTIVE PORTION
 OF MEEN 1ANT FLEET
Definite But Inf9 o;> Offer Submitted By Envoy Of Group Of Fir /s Said To Be Of Highest Type,
 Who Annop Z<yillingness To Post Guarantee Of Million Dc &As Evidence Of Good Faith

WASHINGTON, ~ 2s.-Definite but informal offers to purchase the entire active portion of the govern ment merchant fleet has been re- ceived by the shipping board in the form of single bid.
 The proposal was delivered to a member of the board late today by a representative of group of finan- cial interests whose identity was not disclosed. The envoy of the bid ders offered to post bond of s1,0O0, 900 as a guarantee of sincerity. The aggregate amount sugg gested in the proposal was said to be in the neigh borhood of s1,000,000,000.
 Persons close to the board declared that financial standing of those com prising the group was of the highest type.
 Twenty Bids Received.
 Submission of the proposal became known after announcement had been made that the board had received 20 bids. Chairman Lasker said only four or five offers presented possi- bilities although four others were in the twilight zone" It was not disclosed tonight whether the offer for the entire fleet was among those referred to by MT. Lasker as worthy of consideration.
 The chairman expressed the opin- ion that not more than eight of the proposals were sufficiently definite in form to warrant the board pro- ceeding further in negotiating with the bidders. Telegrams have been sent to the eight inviting them to confer with the board eoncernin g their proposals.
 O O O
 Will Begin Conferences.
 Until these conferences are con- cluded, it was said officially, the ef- fort to dispose of the ships cannot
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
PROBE OF STATE
 DRY OFFICE HERE AGAIN UNDER WAY
Special Agent Returns To Complete Report On
 Investigation

Investigation into the office of Judge Charles M. Sartain, federal prohibition director for Alabama, took a new turn Monday morning when Special Agent Campbell ar rived in Birmingham from Washing ton and resumed his duties in clear ing up the records of officials and clerks of this office
 It was stated several weeks ago that the investigation had been com pleted, MT Campbell having left Bir- n,ingham. Special Agent Boderick, who was working with him, left a short time later.
 Probe Begun In March.
 The investigation was begun March 19 by Conrad w. Austin. general fed eral prohibition agent, who later re- had not been allowed to go to the bottom of the affair. He was sue ceeded in this work by Special Agents Boderick and Campbell of the internal revenue department.
 As result of the investigation w. B. Ford. assistant director; Miss Leila Huey. stenographer; Byron Avant, clerk, and Agents J, A. Will son and w. B. Scale were suspended: R. B. Doe, chief clerk, resigned and Lee Moody, agent, was discharged. Each of the suspended agents was charged with various violations of the department rules.
 O O O
 Complete Report Soon.
 While the Birmingham office con tinues in a partially disorganized condition two new employees. includ l. ing stenographer and clerk, have been recommended for appointments by Judge Sartain. Miss Mary M Buck of Mobile has been recommend- ed as stenographer and Charles Rousseau of Birmingham as clerk.
 Just when the investigation will be completed could not be ascer- tained, but it is expected that a com plete report will be made to the Washington officials within the next 1I.0 xIGakS
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
STRIKE IS PARALYZING |RUHR INDUSTRY WHILE
 RED RIOTS CONTINUE
Communists In Bochum Extend Their Positions But Bremen And Civilians Hold Fire House Against Series Of fAttacks-Shopmen Are Taken As Hostages In Effort To Force Reduction In Food Prices

| the siege began, but only a few cas- ualties are reported.
 Further attacks are expected to- night and in the meantime the reds are in control of the western part of the town, the facotry district, the firemen holding the bussiness quar- ters where the banks and chief shops are located. Two shopleepers in the working district were taken as host ages. and other shopkeepers will likely be seized unless food prices are reduced.
 The communist efforts at Dues- seldorf to reduce prices were blocked by the report that security police were proceeding to that place, in consequence of which the control commission disbanded.
 The strikers at Dusseldorf will hold a meeting tonight to endeavor to organize a general strike in the city, which has half a million inhabi- tants. The men now on strike in clude all gas employees, many of those employed in electrical plants and some of the street car workers.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29

Ernest G. Jacks. William NJ. Yer by. G. c. Williams and George c. Moore were definitely connected by the victims testimony with the kid naping and flogging of pr. J. D. Bowling, city and county health Off, ficer, when he took the stand Mon day afternoon to testify at the trial of Jacks, first alleged member of the flogging band to be arraigned. Trial of Jacks on charges of Kidnapping be- gan at 2:57 o'clock Monday afternoon before Judge o. A. Steele. Etowah circuit, after a morning of prelimi . naries. Jacks will later face trial for assault with intent to murder in con- nection with the same offense.
 Yerby And Newman In Court.
 William NJ. Yerby. Mount Pinson dairyman, and Porter N. Newman. North Birmingham plumber. were present in court Monday. Their trial. set for this week, will follow that of Jacks. Efforts of Solicitor Jim Da- wis to have all three men. all charged with Kidnapping and assault with in tent to murder, tried at the same time were objected to by the defense.
 Dr. Bowling was the first witness to be placed on the stand. He en- tered the room quietly. carrying a medical supply bag, and answered questions asked by the state and re- lated the story of his abduction ant flogging in a steady tone. On May IF, 1922. he said, he was living at Roebuck and serving in the capacity of city and county health officer. His duties, he said, in answer to ques- tioning, included the inspection of dairies. He admitted he knew Jacks and had made several personal visits to hls dairy, but said most of the in spections had been conducted by his assistants.
 The dairy of Jacks. he said, did not at first meet with the health require ments. but after time t did pass.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29

ESSEN. May 2s.-(By Associated Press) ).-The strike movement is spreading throughout the Ruhr and fresh walkouts among the metal workers and miners are reported in nearby unoccupied territory.
 A general strike called at Ham, there belonging to the Shines inter- born is affecting the iron works there belonging to the Stinnes in- terests. Communist manifestants at Wanne became so threatening that the French intervened for the first time, as a result of which the demon- stration collapsed.
 The communists in Bochum ex- tended their position today but the city firemen and civilian volunteers, wearing white arm bands. still hold the fire house. The communists for the third time stormed this position at daylight today, the fighting last ing more than an hour.
 The shooting was heaviest since
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29

be termed a failure Mir. Lasker char acterized as the best bid submitted one which came from a private in dividual for the Seattle to Orient route.
 Several of the bidders whose off, fers interest the board are now in New York and to expedite discussion of their proposals with board mem bers, Chairman Lasker named Com missioners O'Connor and Lissner and J. B. Smull, president Emergency Fleet Corporation IS committee to go to New York, for immediate con- ferences.
 Latitude To Bidders.
 Members of the board refused to express an opinion on the result of the sale, which had been officially declared the final effort to get the government out or the shipping business" Chairman Lasker said, however, the offer purposely had been phrased so as to give potential bidders the widest possible latitude in their offers. His announcement follows:
 We have now determined those we desire to give further consideration. The board received about 20 commu nications, some containing definite bids and others only nebulous offers of negotiation. Of these 20, four or five appear to offer possibilities and four more are in the twilight zone. The remainder could not be seriously considered by any body of men under any circumstances.
 Until the board develops by per sonal interviews, which will be inn mediately arranged, the definite of fers of the few promising bidders, no announcement can be made, since not one of the bids in their present form is complete.
 Even those in the possibility class are more or less general"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
TELLS STORY
 OF HOW HE WAS TIED
 TO TREE AND BEATEf
Health Officer Calls Names Of Men He Accuses Kidnapping When Jacks Case Goes To Trial-Sa He Recognized Assailants By Voices-Gagged AT Thrown Into Auto By Masked Band

He talked to Jacks in person Q time at the city hall.
 Did you have any trouble on May 17, 1922" Solicitor Davis asked. Bowling Rccites Details.
 Yes" Dr. Bowling replied. Then followed a simple recital of the events during the night on which he was lured from his home by re- quest to assist an injured man on the road. seized. blindfolded, gagged and taken tG point on q lonely road, where he was numerically beaten.
 About o'clock on the night of May IT. 1922, was upstairs in bed A negro maid, who slept downstairs. called up to me that there was man at the front door who said there was a man hurt in an automobile accident and wanted me to go out and render treatment to him. I got up and went to the front door in a bathrobe. l half lf-opened the screen and leaned partly out, but was unable to see any one I called out to know what was wanted.
 "A voice from the darkness, the owner of which I was unable to see. replied that there was man nearby run over by an automobile and wanted me to render first aid. The ambulance, he said, had already been called. but he wanted me to assist. I stated I was doing no practice, was unequippe6 and as an ambulance was already called. let it take the man The man insisted that I go out to see the injured man.
 T ran upstairs, donned trousers shoes. and coat and went out to the road. When I reached the center of the road. 1 found myself along side the man. We walked together about 200 feet down the road where the lights of an automobile were gleaming. I turned to the car and asked where the injured man was.
 He Is in the rear" several men said.
 T stepped to the door" Dr. Dowl- ing continued, but being unable to feel anyone. suggested we drive the car in front of my porch where we could see. I attempted to draw back, but felt something against my head. later learned 1t was a revolver.
 Grasped At Revolver.
 q grasped it in an endeavor to push 1t away from my head. but sew eral men closed around and after q brief scuffle I was blindfolded and struck on the right side of the head with apparently a revolver butt which cut to the bone. I screamed at the top of my voice, but I was shoe fell to the ground as I entered. Two or three voices 1 heard sounded familiar"
 Did you recognize anyone, Doctor?" Solicitor Davis interposed.
 "Yes, a voice said Get in, Doc, 1
 (Continued on Page Two)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
DE VALERA ORDERS
 END OF POSSIBILITIES
Republic Cannot Be Successfully
 Defended" Message Says

DUBLIN, May 2S.-(By Associated Press) ).-Captured documents made public today by the Free State gov ernment show that Ramon DeVal era and his chief of staff, Frank Aitken, have definitely ordered cessation of active hostilities by the republicans, admitting that the re- public can no longer be defended suc- cessfully by your arms"
 The statement emanating from De- Valera comes as quick change of attitude on the part of the republi- can leader and is regarded in Free State quarters as providing the eff fectiveness of the governments campaign. Scarcely more than a week ago. in communication sent to The Associated Press he declared that the "one- sided truce" could not continue indefinitely but this brought no response from the gov ernment and the document now made public shows he has brought the fighting to definite end.
 The definite abandonment of the state of war is expected to prove embarrassing to the government whose Imprisonment of military measures have up to this time been legally Justified by the decision of the courts that they were necessary to the campaign against the irregu- lars. No immediate large release of prisoners, however, are probable
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
ILLUSTRATE JAIL ESCAPES

MEMPHIS. Tenn, May 2S.-Sher- if o. II. Perry announced today that an attempted jail delivery at the Shelby county prison here was frus- trater yesterday after several pris- oners had sawed their. way out of their cells and were about to make tbeir way to freedom through the jail roof when guard discovered them on top of a cell in the women's uuar- ters. to which they had gained en- trance with key cut from a strip of metal.
 The men were driven back to their cells at the point of pistol.
 J. w. Hudson, under sentence to be electrocuted for the killing of Mrs Hattie Ferguson here last year. is among those alleged to have been in- volved in the plot to escape.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
JOSEPH ". FOLK, NOTED DEMOCRAT.
 DIES M NEW YORK
Former Governor Of Missouri Won Reputation By Prose-
 cutting Corrupt Practices

WASHINGTON. May 2s.- Joseph W. Folk. former governor of Mis- souri. and once a leading figure in democratic party politics. died today in New York.
 Mir Folk took up the practice of his profession here soon after his retirement as chief counsel for the interstate commerce commission. He had taken part in several important international Allegations, for which he had been particularly fitted by his experience during the first Wilson administration as solicitor of the state department. For several years he had been counsel for the govern ment of Peru.
 About a year ago he suffered a nervous breakdown, from which he never completely recovered. He was B years old funeral services will be held Thursday at his birthplace, Brownsville, Tenn.
 Information of his death was re- ceived at the law office he has main tained here for the past several years. He passed away at the home of his sister. Mrs. James A. Webb. after having been in i'll health for some months.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
PENNSYLVANIA ROAD DEFIES LABOR BOARD
Minor Chiefs Begin Campaign To Secure Abolition of Tribunal
 By RODNEY F. BUTCHER | &s, Inc


 CHICAGO, May 2S.-The United States railroad labor board. appoint ed to settle disputes between rail- roads and their employts, Is having its troubles again.
 The Pennsylvania railroad. through its president, Samuel Req. issued an other of it's almost weekly defis to the board Monday, and drive by Is of the 16 standard railway unions for the boards abolition was reported to be under way following a meeting of union chiefs here in the wake of the conference on rail valuations.
 The union heads are said to have planned their fight to do away with the board as a move in conjunction with the reyaluatiop drive to be un- dertaktn in the next Congress. but meanwhile, it was also reported. they will seek the elimination of two board members who are objectionable to labor.
 Warren S. Stone, grand chief of the Brotherhood of Locomotive En- gineers, who presided at the union session, would not affirm these re- ports and had nothing to say"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
CLARA PROMISES TO
 PROVE INNOCENCE
Convicted Hammer Murderess Will
 "Tell The Truth" About Case

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras, May 2S. (By Associated Press.)-A message declaring her innocence has been re- ceived by The Associated Press cor respondent here from Clara Phillips, convicted of murder in California. row on her way back to the United States in, charge of American officers.
 The message. sent from Puerto Cortez just before the steamer Copan sailed for New Orleans, said:'
 Please say l intend to give the world the truth about the Alberta Meadows case-that I am innocent of that awful crime of which I was un- justly convicted and that the oppor- tunity will soon come for me to prove it,. CLARA PHILLIPS"
 The Copan Is expected to arrive at New Orleans Tuesday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
NEW MORALE IS GOAL
 OF BAPTIST LEADERS
Northern Church Ready To Go For
 ward With Campaign

ATLANTIC CITY. May 2s. The most important thing just now is to create new morale throughout the northern Baptist denomination" the committee of nine declared in it's report to the 5000 delegates at the convention today. This committed which was appointed to study the promotional program and find a so- lution to the problems offered by the debts of some of the rganizations and societies of the northern Baptist de- nomination, declared through it's chairman. Carl E. Milliken. i've are ready to assert that we believe that our difficulties can be overcome. that our problems can be solved. and that We can bring our new world move- ment to a successful and glorious issue during this last year. The vic- tory is ours for the taking"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
SEEK GETS TOO
 MANY GIRLS; ALSO COAT OF MOLASSES
Angry Students Take Action
 Against Des Moines

DIES MONIES. 1a., May 2s.-Their Holler's successful "shieking" of ire aroused by George F. ("RomeoD girls at Des Moines University, a number of masked students kid naped Young Holler from his room in Johnson Hall on the campus ear ly Saturday and took him 10 miles molasses, glue and feathers was applied to his naked body after hav- ing beaten him with sticks.
 Today the victim of the alleged attack filed information under the new anti-mask law against two of his kidnapers who he identified
 Holler, freshman. is said, to be the son of an Omaha Baptist minister.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
JURORS CANNOT READ PAPERS DURING TRIAL

Jurors who will render vcr- dict In the casc are; James II. HRrrell, shop watchmnn; George M. Clark. furnace worker; l.. B. McCal1um; C. (. East, machinist; w. F. Carroll, farmer; Luther DOckfns. farmer; Thomas l.. Clay, merchant; George F. Williams, Salesmnn; R. J. Kcife. supe rim tendedt; Robert Pratt, clerk; Ben F. Parker, rigger; C. W. Sively, mechanic.
 One of the rules imposed on the jurors was that no newspapers should reach them. Strict orders were issued by Judge Steele to guard against any of the jurors reading about the trial.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
REILLY NOT INDICTED
No Action Taken Against Recen,
 Porto Rican Governor

WASHINGTON, May 2S-By Asso ciated Press)-1n reporting the res ignatlon of Governor E. Mont Reily of Porto Rico on February i6, 1t was stated in these dispatches that grand jury at San Juan had indicted the governor. This was 3 mistake. There was a grand jury investigation concerning several officials. but no Indictments were ever returned.
 Mir Reilly also has drawn attention to another statement on April [. 1922, contained in dispatch from San Juan, which referred to d grand jury presentment charging the then gov ernor and two others with misuse of public funds for private pur- poses" It is pointed out that what the grand jury criticized was that the careless way the funds were handled might cause the government to lose considerable sum-" and that this was not a charge of misuse of public funds for private purposes"
 The statement as to the foregoing dipatches is made in all fairness 70 Governor Reilly.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
CAPTIVES STILL HELD
Chinese Government Names Commis
 sioner To Seek Victims Release

PEkING. May 2S.-tBy Associated Press )-tieneral Chiang Wen-Hsi. director of military affairs for the war ministry, was appointed today by Premier Chang Shao-Tseng to repre- sent the government on the interna- tional military commission which will investigate measures being taken to obtain the release of the for eisners being held by bandits at Paot zuku. The commission will leave for Tsaochwang Tuesday. It is headed by Brigadler General ". D. Connor. commander of the American troops at Tientsin.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
KHAN READY TO ACT
Minneapolis Council May Banish
 Members Who Attacked Mayor

6uAmuc0POuS SOunClt May buuISu
 Members Who Attacked Mayor
 MINNEAPOLIS. May 2s.-The Min neapolis council of the Ku KluX Klan will be given an opportunity to ban ish by It's own action the members responsible for the attack on Mayor George F. Leech before the national klan acts to revoke the charter of the Minneapolis organization, ac- cording to Phil B. Smythe. Ohio at torney. who said he Is in Minneapolis representing the national officers of the klan.
 MT. Smythe and Milton Elrod, edi- tor of The Fiery Cross, klan publi- cation at Indianapolis, issued a signed statement in which they said Mayor Leech. the postoffice of Min ncapolis and the National Ku 'Klux Klan had been made the butt of "an infamous outrage" by certain indi- viduals for their own political pur- poses"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
WON REPUTATION BY
 PROSECUTING BRIBERY.

ST. LOUIS. May 2S-Joseph Win- gate Folk stepped from an obscure prosecutor to national prominence al most overnight by his prosecution of the "boodlers" here in 1900 The old St. Louis and Suburban Railway com pany q street car system, was at tempting to get an extension of it's franchise from the city and reports were current that the company had against several directors of the com deposited s135,000 In safe deposit boxes as "bribe" money to obtain the franchise.
 Folk got busy and obtained the money from the boxes. With this as evidence he caused arrests to be made and representative of the company was first to turn state s evidence. Indictments were returned
 (COutinuCd nm Pnge TwO,l
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
TO CUT POSTAL SERVICE Birmingham OfYice Will Have One
 Delivery On Memorial Day

The Birmingham post office will be closed Memorial Day. May 30, and one delivery only will be made in the business section of the city. No delivery will be made In the residen tial section, according to announce ment made Monday by Postmaster k. B. Smyer. Windows at the main of flee will be open from until 10 m, while substations will be closed the entire day.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-05-29
ANGELL MAY HEAD COLLEGE

CHICAGO, May 2S.--Rumors that President James R. Angel of Yale will become head of the University Of Chicago some time after the an nual meeting of the latter institu- tion's trustees. June 12. have fol- lowed the action of the Northern Baptist convention in setting aside 8 provision that, the Chicago uni versity president must he a Baptist. Dr. Ernest D. Burton is now the local university's acting president.