davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
FRAGRANT FRAUDS
 LAID TO JUDGES
Indians DecIaerd Victims Of
 Lease Pirates
(Ry Associated Press ]

MUSKOGEE, Okla, Nov. 11.-Testi- mony, which committee members said appeared to involve judges of numerous Oklahoma counties in fragrant frauds, practiced against Indian estates" de- velopment today at the first session of the congressional commission investi- gation into probate court methods and Indian guardianships here.
 Declaring that serious charges" had been made against the state courts, Representative II. r. Snyder of New York, committee chairman, indicated he will ask State Attorney General Shorts assistance in cleaning up things"
 The inquiry developed its first fire works early in the afternoon when J. T. Eggelstone of Dennison, Texas, an oil company land buyer, charged the exist ence of "a gang of 20 lease pirates whose activities, he said, cover the en- tire state and who have worked in col fusion with county judges to acquire leases and lands for trival sums. Chair man Snyder announced that the ac- cused judges probably would be sum- moned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
GEM THEFT RING
 BELIEVED BACK , OF KATE MURDER
Mors Case Recalled By Mysterious Los Ange-
 les Staying
(By Associated Press ]

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 11.-Under- currents of the illicit jewel trade, which are believed by federal officers to have boiled over in the murder of Mrs. Theresa W. Mors, August 12 last, for which Kid Mccoy, former prize fighter, now is awaiting trial, broke restraint again last night, according to officers, in the mysterious killing here of Harry Katz, diamond connoisseur, musician and real estate operator.
 In each killing a g calibre pistol was used in each instance, the scene of the crime was an apartment house, and in each instance neighbors testified they heard the slayer running away
 Mrs. Mors was shot through the head once. Katz was shot once through the neck. ssa.- 4s / - j.,
 Heavy Set Man Reported
 A "heavy set man" was described as having been seen running from the room where Mrs. Mors was shot The same description is applied to a man who made several trips to Katz' apartment, and with whom Katz said he had had trouble.
 Police officers working on the Katx case described him as clearing house" in the undercover jewel trade and added he had been under observation some time. Likewise, the authorities seized several hidden caches of the Mors jewels.
 The dead man lived in luxurious apartment, had p violins and almost invariably carried diamonds of large size and value on his person. Other gems, he kept, it is declared, in a safe deposit box in a downtown bank. He also, like Mrs. Mors, was a col lector of antiques.
 Bankrupt In 1922
 Katz, although giving every evidence of wealth, owner of two expensive au- tomobiles, choice violins, choicer jewels and a small gasoline yacht, went through bankruptcy proceedings here in September, 1922.
 Following this legal step, court re- cords show a series of court battles with a man named Guy Peterson, in each of which Peterson lost his case.
 Peterson, upon learning that he was sought by police, went to central sta ton today and submitted to question ing to prove, he said, that he had no connection with Katz' death.
 Robbery was not the motive for the Katz killing, officers declare. Katz had a small fortune in diamonds on his per son when he was shot, and these were not touched.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
POLICE ARREST
 THREE SUSPECTS
 IN CAFE SHAVING
Charge Them With Kill ing Paul Harduvell On
 November 4

Three Greeks were arrested late Sat urday night by Marshals Dishroom and Smith from Judge Abernethy's court on charges of murder in the first degree and are being held in the Jefferson county jail as suspects in the slaying of Paul Harduyell, Greek cafe proprietor, at 123O Fifth avenue, north, on the night of November t.
 The nien are John .Anargyros, clerk in the cafe, and an alleged eyewitness to the staying, and Pete Kouokis and James Kouokis, Greeks, with whom the cafe owner is alleged to have had trouble previous to the killing.
 Orders were issued by Solicitor Jim Davis prohibiting anyone to talk to the three men. The officers making the arrest also refused to discuss the case.
 City Detectives working on the case the next day apparently found some flaws in the story told by the clerk. The following day they claimed they strengthened out the flaws and that the clerks story was correct.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
CIDER IN HOME IS HELD LAWFUL
 BY JUDGE SOPER
Not Limited To One-Half Of One Per Cent AL
 cohol, Is Ruling

BALTIMORE, Nov. 11.-Five years after the passage of the Volstead act, a federal judge has interpreted the measure in a manner that may nave a far-reaching effect on the future op- eration of prohibition.
 Handling down a ruling on admis- sibility of evidence, Judge Morris dis trict court expressed the opinion Tues day that congress never intended the arbitrary figure of one-half of one per cent to obtain as the legal limit of alco- holic content in order and fruit juices made in the home.
 Under Soper's decision, manufacture these beverages is no longer controlled by a theoretical standard of intoxicating properties, but become illegal only when the beverages are intoxicating in fact. The individual thinker, it would ap- pear, must become intoxicated by the product before the government would have Il case against him.
 Appeal Is Probable
 The ruling is practically certain to be appealed to the United States su- preme court, federal officers said.
 The court ruling was made in the case Of Representative Phllllp d1ll, oI Maryland who made wine and cider in his home, advertised the fact as widely as possible and then defied Prohibition Commissioner Roy A. Haynes to make test case of it.
 It was Hills first victory in his an- nounced attempt to have the half-of-one per cent question definitely decided in respect both to cider and beer, and its effect on Hills trial for manufacture and possession of cider and wine was to allow the congressman to prove that his wine and cider were not intoxicat- ing ''in fact"
 Hill was jubilant at the ruling Haynes was on-committal but not among the rooters.
 Haynes Is Silent
 Asked if the ruling did not place fruit juices in an entirely different category from any other. beverages, Haynes replied:
 T cannot discuss that matter. It would be indelicate for me to touch
 (COntinued On Page TWO.)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
COURSE APPROVED IS COOLIDGE VIEW
Thinks Election Is Endorsement
 Of Policy Toward Business
(By Associated Press. )

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11.-Improve- ment in business conditions during the past week is regarded by President Coolidge as due not only to the removal of the uncertainty which always hinges on an election, but to confidence in- spired by decisive vote of the people. He views the result of the election as plain indorsement of the principle that business be left in the hands of private enterprise.
 The release of buying orders held up in all branches of trade pending the election is viewed by Mir. Coolidge as .affording an important stimulus to business at this time.
 The advance in wheat prices since the election was pointed to by White House officials today as refuting re- ports that previous advances in that market had been engineered by in fluences faYoring the election of Presi- dent Coolidge.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
NEWS FROM TODAYS
 WANT ADS

Investment on 14th St. For $75,0oo. Wanted to trade good automobile fOI lot.
 Negro income property wanted. Six-room bungalow~>on easy terms. Good offers in high class apart ments.
 Big free offer with purchase of automobiles. Furnished room wanted near busi- ness district. Five salesladies wanted. Jersey COW lost near Owenton. Two-room furnished apartment; private home Beautiful lot in Druid Hills. $500 will buy good lot. $1s,OO0 will buy investment prop erty close in. Furnished rooms with or without
 board in all parts of the city. Five-room duplex with garage for $40.
 Avenue c investment near new de-
 velopment. Several young women wanted for Saturday work. Fine residence. two baths. rent, $60. Young lady cashier. wanted cafe experience. Automobile striper wanted. Three electric welders wanted. Lady steno- bookkeeper, Salary S125 per month. Six-room bungalow in West End is wanted.
 A close in two-story brick building on First avenue is offered for $l0.O00,
 A refined couple want furnished cottage or small furnished apart ment.
 50 feet frontage on 3rd axe. W. be- tween 18th and 18th streets is of- fered for $24,00O. 4Ox1OO feet on 18th st. near Srd Ave. can be bought for $17.000.
 Turn to Pages 14 and IS
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
Deaths, Follow Meal At National Elks Home
 At Bedford, Va. IF OTHERS ARE ILL,
 SOME CRITICALLY Bodies Of Seven Victims Are Accompanied To
 Former Homes TRAGEDY DECLARED TO BE ACCIDENTAL No Blame Attached To Any One, Say Officials After
 Investigation

BEDFORD, Va, Nov. H. The number of victims of drinking sweet cider furnished the Elks National Home Sun day in a keg which is thought to have once contained a spray preparation containing poison was increased to nine tonight when W. HI. Hutchi- son, Corry, Pa., died after lin gering for 36 hours. Seven others are ill, several of them in a critical condition. One man died Monday afternoon and seven others during the night.
 THE DEAD
 Chester Tucker, jeweler, Linn, o.
 Alvin Spalding, railroad man, Love-
 F. E. O'ConnOr, railroad man, Dal- las Texas.
 Thomas Madigan, railroad contractor, Long Island City, III.
 George w. SIade, lumber merchant. Saginaw, Mich.
 c. S. Whitney, general contractor, Omaha, Neb. .
 E. F. Allen, snowman, Portland, Orc.l
 w. H. Hutchinson, COrry, Pa.
 Superintendent Charles Mosby, after making a careful investigation of the circumstances surrounding the poison ing, stated that it was an accident and that no blame could be attached to any one connected with the home or to the country merchant wrom whom the cider was purchased. The cider was bought by the steward of the home. in the same manner that other supplies are obtain ed, and it was served to the men at their noon meal Monday.
 Bodies of seven of the dead are be- ing sent to their former homes, while that of Saplding will be buried here, this step being taken because of the long distance to his home in Loveland, Colorado. The secretary of the Elks lodge telegraphed orders for a wreath. A short time after news of the tragedy was broadcast telegrams began pour ing in to Superintendent Mosby's of flee from all parts of the country, of fering sympathy and asking if ahy assistance was needed. MT. Mosby re- piled that everything was being done and that no assistance was needed. In the home are 19S Elks from nearly every state in the union and from Hawaii.
 No inquest was held. The common wealthy attorney and the county coroner, after conducting an investigation, de- cided that none of the circumstances justified it.
 The 17 men in the hospital are:
 J. K. Collins, New York City,, ."
 Joseph Ross, Colorado Springs, Col.
 Charles Seidentopf, Terre Haute, Ind
 Austin Kiffin, Connellsville, Pa.
 c. W. Baker, Auburn, x. Y.
 John T. Tobbot, Houston, Tex.
 Fred D. Street, Newport News, Va.
 John M. Weitzel, Nashville, Tenn.
 Thomas Sharrah, Passaic, N. J.
 x. B. Martel, Springfield, Mass.
 Williamson Clarkson, New Haven, Mass.
 J. W. Cole, Huntington, W. Va.
 W. $. Lloyd Aberdeen, Miss.
 W. H. Hulett, Omaha, Neb.
 M. H. Heers, Elyria, Ohio.
 W. K. Murphy, Portsmouth, N. H.
 John R. Maddox, Peeksville, N. Y.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
NAVAL AIR STATION
 IS SHORT OF WATER
Conservation Orders Are Issued
 At Pensacola

PENSACOLA, Fla, Nov. 11.-On account of the shortage of water at the naval air station, extreme care has been ordered against waste. Household CTS and in fact all residents, civilian and service, have been urged to con- serve as much as possible. The long drying up the already insufficient wells at the station, but a contract has been let for driving wells mile or more away to tap a supply from which the city is supplied, and it will be some weeks before this pipe line arrauge- ment can be counted upon.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
ALABAMA FIRES CAUSE DAMAGE
 OF OVER $lOQ,OOD
Slave Mill At Decatur And Lumber Plant At
 Demopolis Destroyed
Tennessee Valley Bureau.)

ALBANY-DECATUR, Ala, Nov. 11.-Fire of undetermined origin com pletely destroyed the plants and ma chinery of the Holland Blow Slave fac tory at Market street near the Tennes- see river early tonight. The loss is es- timated at around $5O,OOO.
 The concern was among the oldest of it's kind in the entire state and dur ing the war manufactured a great number of by-products for the govern ment. The plants and equipment were among the most modern of the kind and were a total loss because of the great rapidity with which the flames spread, due, it is believed to the unusually dry condition of the material.
 B. J. Blow of New York and Phil adelphia is president of the concern and J. N. Gibson of Decatur, manager. The exact amount of insurance carried could not be learned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
FARMER KILLED
 BY FALLING TREE
Life Crushed Out While He Is
 Cutting Wood

OPELIKA, Ala, Nov. 11.-(SpeciaD Fletcher s. Whitman of Selma, came to his death Saturday when a tree fell on him. He had just gone into the woods, near his home, to cut some kindling wood. Two dead pine trees had been cut, and were leaning against third tree. Mir. Whitman began cut ting on the third tree, and thus dis lodged the two dead trees which fell on him. Death must have been immediate, as a short time thereafter negro boy who had been sent to look for Whit man found the body underneath the fallen trees.
 He was 32 years of age, a native of Lee county. He is survived by his widow, his father, $. w. Whitman, a we'll known farmer of Selma, one broth CT and four sisters.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
Senator Borah Urges Recognition or Russia;
 Shocks c. o. ?. Group
Idaho Statesman, Probable Successor To Lodge As Foreign Relations Head Explodes Bomb shell At Republican Banquet-Step Is Neces- sary To Solve European Problem, He Says

ernment, greater economies, elimination of bureaucracy and law encorcement as the principle things the people expect.
 "I cannot speak for the committee or the administratio tion," Borah said, launch ing into the foreign relations question. "For myself I will say that the Russian problem will have to be taken up. It is absolutely necessary to settle the European problem that we settle the Russian problem.
 Because we recognize Russia does not mean we approve that form of govern ment. The people of this country need never fear effects of propaganda if we have clean government, economy in gov ernment and law enforcement"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
MURDER ATTEMPT.
 LAID TO VAUGHN
Kidnapping Also Charged To Georgian Held In Chattanooga
lRx Associated Press.l

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, Nov. H. J. D. Vaughn, wanted at Columbus, Ga, on charges of Kidnapping and attempted murder, was arrested by city detec- tives here tonight. Vaughn was taken into custody here week ago when found with a girl and an automobile containing large amount of merchan- disc, but was released after an investl- gation. Officers at Columbus, who asked for his arrest, stated that Vaughn had kidnapped the girl and stolen the merchandise from a store operated by her parents near Columbus. The na- ture of the harge of attempted murder is not known here.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
CHURCH TO ADOPT
 PHOTOGRAPHERS
St. Marks To Try Science In
 Social Problems
lRx Associated Pressl l

NEW YORK, Nov. 11.-The Epi- scopal church of St. Marks-in-The- Bouwerie which sometime ago incurred the disapproval of Bishop Manning be- cause of it's rhythmic dancing services, will utilize psycho-analysis in the sol wing of the personal and social problems of those who apply to it for such aid, it was announced today.
 The church has created a new pastor al office of psychological guidance, which will be under the direction of the Rev. Guthrie Uitbladdo, who has assistant to the Rev. Dr. William Nor man Guthrie, the pastor. It will have experts in psychology, astrology and physiognOmy at it's call for consulta- tion on the cases which come to it.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
PONZI CASE no JURY

BOSTON, NOV. II.TThe case of
 Charles Ponzi, being tried in the super for criminal court on five indictments charging larceny of $l 600 from six complainants, was given to the jury this afternoon Judge Bishop ordered yer diet of not guilty returned on one in- dictment and on the others that the findings be returned to the court to be opened and read tomorrow morning,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
JUDGE
 GUSTS 2 OFFICIALS
Road Superintendent And Work
 House Manager Removed
(Rv Associated Press)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn, Nov. II.-J;: Will Spradlin, Knox cOunty,s general superintendent of roads, and George Williams, manager of the county work house, were today busted from their respective offices by Circuit Judge A.. c. Grims after a trial lasting nearly three weeks.
 Custer of the officials was petitioned for by 15 citizens of Knox county, who charged misconduct in office, waste and extravagance in handling of public funds, and failure and neglect to pei- form duties.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
BRIDGE DAMAGED
Passenger Service Delayed On Central
 Of Georgia

LOTHIAN, Ala, Nov. 11.-(Special-) )
 Fire originating from an unknown cause totally destroyed over fifty seven yards of the west end of the Central or Georgia railroad bridge over the, Chatta- hoochee river at Columbia last night. Passengers and mail has been transfer red today by motor trucks between Columbia and Hilton, Georgia, and the service there is but little impaired. It is expected that the bridge will be in passable condition within the next twenty-four hours
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
40 LIVES MENACED
 AS HOSPITAL BURNS
26 Patients Carried To Safety
 At LumbertOn, N. c.
lRy Associatad Pressl

LUMBERTON, N. O., Nov. H. Twenty-six patients and 14 nurses mar rowly escaped death, and the lives of some of the former were saved only by heroic efforts on the part of some of the latter, when the Thompson hos pital. a wooden structure. was com pletely destroyed by fire of undetcr- mined origin today.
 Three of the patients had undergone serious operations within nine hours previous to the fire. A number were carried from rooms on the second floor to safety in the arms of nurses.
 Dr. T. c. Thompson, superintendent, who had entered a number of the rooms to make sure that all patients had been removed, barely escaped when the burning walls and ceiling began falling.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
FIRESTONE BUYS
 HUGE COTTON MILL
Fall River Plant Is Capitalized
 At Five Million
(By Associated Press )

AKRON, O., Nov 11.-Purchase of the Sanford cotton mills in Fall River, Mass, one of the largest textile plants in the world. by the Firestone Tire and Rubber company was announced here today. The plant will be operated by the Firestone Cotton Mills of Fall River, incorporated at Boston yester- day with $5,000,000 capitalization. The Sanford plant was erected four years ago at a cost of approximately Sd 00O 000
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
BUBONIC PLAGUE
 TAXES TWO LIVES
Another Pneumonia Death Oc-
 CUTS In Los Angeles
lRx Associated Press. ]

LOS ANGELES. Cal, Nov. H. Two deaths from bubonic plague and one from pneumonia plague were re- ported by health officials here today, raising the total of plague deaths since October 19 to 33.
 The two bumOnic cases which proved fatal were discovered and isolated yes terday. They were found about four blocks from the Mexican quarter dis trict in which the pneumonia plague, an allied disease, broke out last month.
 Five other pneumonia cases still are under treatment in the isolation ward of the general hospital.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
DEATHS FROM POISON CIDER MOUNT TO NINE
TUESDAY WAS 43D DRY DAY;
 NO RAIN SEEN

THURSDAY was the forty-third
 consecutive day of BFming-
 hams record drought. The last time rain fell in this region was on September %, when an almost im- perceptible amount of precipitation was recorded, according to Weather man E. c. Horton. And still no rain is in sight, Mir. Horton said Tuesday night.
 Indications are that the drought will continue indefiniately," he said. "The pressure remains constantly high and the low pressure areas con tinue to shift northeastward before striking the valley regions"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
FIRES IN HOTEL
Cause of Mysterious Blazes Is Un'
 known

TUSCUMBIA, Ala, Nov. 11.-(Spe- eial. .)-The Beach hotel in Tuscumbia was the scene of two fires Tuesday morning, one of which occurred at one o clock when the fire originated in the linen room on the second floor de- stroying it's contents and other things before being extinguished. At 9:45 o'clock the fire department was called to a blaze on the third floor of the huilding which they succeeded in ex- tinguishing before much additional dam age had been done. The management stated they were unable to ascertain the cause of either of the fires.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
TO PROBE MARKS CASE
Missouri Authorities To Investigate
 Alleged Ernud

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 1I.-Health Com missioner Dr. Max Starkloff announced today he wolld have the state board of health investigate the report of the birth of baby, registered here October IA, last, as the child of Arthur Hudson Marks, Jr., manufacturer, and Lydia Locke Marks, who admitted in court procedure at New York yesterday that the reported birth was fraud to de- eeive her divorced husband.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
H. M. RANKIN DIES
Was Vice President Of New Orleans
 COftAn Exchange

NEW ORLEANS, Nov. 11.-Homer NJ. Rankin, 49 years old, known in cot ton circles throughout the south, died here today after a brief illness. He was a vice president of the New Orleans cot ton exchange and members of the cot ton firm of Newburger, Rankin and company. He was native of Cardiff, Tenn.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
(Leased Wire to The Age-Herald)

HARRISBURG, Pa, Nov. 11.-Sena- tor William E. Borah, who is expected to become chairman of the senate for eign relations committee in succession to the late Senator Ledge, startled staunch republicans assembled at the annual banquet of the state council of republican women Tuesday night by ad- vocating reconition of Russia as "a necessary step toward the economic re- mobilization of Europe"
 Senator Borah devoted the greater part of his address to expectations of the American people in the Coolidge ad- ministration. He stressed clean gov
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
20 MULES BURN

Three Buildings Are Destroyed At
 Montgomery
 MONTGOMERY, Ala, Nov. Al.- Three buildings were damaged and twenty mules were burned to death in a fire which began in local grocery store here late last night. The local fire department experienced little diff eiilty in subduipg the blaze before, much damage was done. Unofficial es- innate of damage placed the loss at S7,500.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
PLANT TO BE REBUILT
s5O, O,oOO Loss Suffered By Lumber Com

pany At Demopolis
 DEMOPOLIS, Ala, Nov. 1.-The Black Belt Lumber company IS ex- pected to rebuild it's plant which n was destroyed by fire at loss of $5O,O0O. Offices of the company, the entire stock of lumber, grist mill and more than 1000 bushels of corn were con stunned. Only a little insurance was carried.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-12
THE WEATHER

Alabama: Unsettled Wednesday. Tennessee: Unsettled.
 Georgia: Partly cloudy. Mississippi: Cloudy. \ tCOmpIete weather data is on Page