Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-02-04
NEWS BRIEFS

Cambridge, Mass, Feb. 3.-tAP)-
Testimony that Arthur ]. Levesque,
sailor slain in a local skating rink on
December s, was Of quarrelsome ma
ture. was given today by Mrs. victo-
rine Doherty. rink employee, during
the trial of Robert L. c. Schaffer,
charged with the murder. "Levesque
was in every fight saw at the rink"
she testified. Several defense wit
nesses. including William W. Smith
and Forrest Phillips. the accused mans
was quiet and Of a studious tempera-
ment.
Washington. Feb. 3.-(AP)-A pro-
posal to have the federal government
purchase Cape Cod Canal by ratifying
in Congress a contract between former
Secretary Weeks and the Boston, Cape
Cod & New York Canal Company In
1921, was the subject of a hearing to.
day before the House rivers and har-
bors committee. Major General Harry
Taylor, chief Of army engineers, tord
the committee that the canal was safe
guarding life and had reduced the dis
tance from Boston to New York. Rep
resentative William E. Hull, Republic
can. Illinois. expressed the opinion
nal would eventually cost around $780,
600, 1000.
Plymouth. VT, Feb. 3.-tAP)-Col-
onel John G. Coolidge, father Of the
president, had visitor today who re-
minded him of his son. It was Frank
w. Stearns, political adviser and long
time friend of the chief executive who
dropped in to see the colonel after be-
ing driven over from Ludlow by a rel
alive of Attorney General Sargent,
whose home is there. Mr.. Stearns
found the presidents father fairly
comfortable in spite of the faulty cir
culation which has deprived him. prob
ably permanently, of the use of his
legs.
Hartford, Conn, Feb. 3.--(AP)-
Neither fear nor favor should be
shown for anyone in examination of
the state treasurar's books to deter
mine the extent Of manipulations of
former State Treasurer G. Harold Gill
patric, the governors committee said
today in written instruction to the
public accountants engaged for the
task. Gilpatric. now in Atlanta pris-
on as defaulting cashier Of the First
National Bank in Putnam, is to be
brought here under writ Of habeas
corpus to assist. IL possible. in I'M
tangling the maze of financial tram
sactions in which it is charged state
funds played a part.
Paris. Feb. 3-(AP)-The police
mans club in Paris has so often des-
cended upon wrong heads during
riots that the newspaper reporters
have requested the authorities to is
sue to them small badges by which
they may be recognized as non-com-
batants during disturbances.
Boston, Feb. 3-(AP)--The Ameri-
can Legion will circulate an initia-
tive petition to make Armistice Day
a legal holiday If the legislature fails
to act in the matter. Robert 81.
White, representing the legion, told
the legislative committee on legal at
fairs today. The need Of counter
acting pacifist propaganda now be-
ing circulated in the state impelled
the legion to urge the action, he said.
Easton, Pa, Feb. 3-(AP)-Elmer
P. Buzzard, until recently president
of the Bangor Trust Co, today was
arrested in the Stroudsburg, Pa,
hispital on a charge Of embezzling
$113561.6S from the funds of the
bank. Buzzard had been a patient
in the hospital for the past several
days following a general breakdown.
Bail was fixed in the sum of $4,000
st. Adams, VT, Feb. 3-(AP)-C.
NJ. Barnes. New York customs at
torney, arrived in st. Adams today
to take charge of the defense of Lieb
Ritterman, who was arrested last
Thursday night on smuggling
charges after s250,00O worth of dia-
monds had been seized from his lug
gage by customs officials. Mean
while Ritterman, who says his home
is in Antwerp. Belgium, is confined
in the Franklin county JAIL
Boston, Feb. 3.--(AP)-A plea of
guilty by one defendant and testi-
mony concerning alleged forced lin
vestments" in business in which
Mayor Lawrence f.. Quigley of Chel-
sea was interested featured tue trial
today before jury in federal court
OF the so-called Chelsea liquor con-