davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-08-27
Mexican and
Armenian Mix In
Stabbing Fracas
Mexican Is Now Held in County Jail
Were Members OF Extra Gang
at Rcxford.

Francisco Ponce, a Mexican, is in
the county Jail in Libby and Melkon
Ohanes, an Armenian. is in the Lib
by hospital as the result of fight the
two had at Rexford Sunday night
Oh4nes has several rather severe cuts
around the head and back and it was
at first thought the Mexican had
stabbed him However, while under
examination by County Attorney
Blackboard, the Mexican denied having
done the stabbing and insisted that he
didn't have knife. The Mexican is
being held for his preliminary hearing
which is set for September 3.
1t appears that the Armenian was
the agressor in the trouble that finally
resulted in the mix-up, according to
Sheriff Baney, who took the Mexican
into custody The men were member
of Great Northern extra gang al
Rexford and were bunking in two
different cars. Sunday the Armenian
insisted in putting up for the night II
the car occupied by the Mexican. He
was elected but later returned anc
forced his way into the car. There was
no lock on the door and a chunck o.
coal that it is said, would weigh about
a hundred pounds had been place.
against the door to hold it shut. The
Armenian pushed this out Of the way
and forced his way into the car. A fight
foItomed and the Armenian eyidentl,
got the worst of it, While the Mexi-
can might have stabbed the Armenian
yet, on the other hand it is said the
wounds might have been caused b.
contact with the sharp metal edge o.
seat over which the two men fought
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-08-27

with the statement that he was forced
to appoint health officer and that
he thereby appointed DR.. Baxter to
that office whether you like it or not, :
as he Is reported to have said. He then
whirle on his heel and left SO speedily
member of the council had opportunity
to say word to him.
Mayor Switzer states the council
has been doing what it could to carry
forward the health program in the
city. Connection with the sewer sys-
tenn has been forced in several in
stances where conditions made it ad-
visable and the council has constantly
had in mind a program looking to the
proper sanitation and health OF the
sity
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-08-27
Midyctt : Williams Wedding.

Mr.. Lloyd B. Midyett and Miss Julia
Williams were married Sunday at the
Methodist parsonage by the Rev. r. F
Wick. The witnesses were Ellie Will
liams and Lloyd Gamer. The bride is
the daughter Of Mr. and Mrs. S. r
Williams and has many friends here
The groom is employed at the local
sawnill and is also popular. The young
couple will make their home in Libby
and are receiving the congratulations
and best wishes Of large circle Of ac-
quaintanca
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-08-27
Organizes New Mining Company.

While in the city last Thursday eve
ming, l. L. Earnheart of Troy stated
that he and associates have organized
a new mining company to develop a
property that has promise in the Troy
district. The property is known as the
American Eagle. Dennis p. Woods, a
mining engineer Of Spokane, is work
ing with Mr.. Earnheart in the develop
ment.
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-08-27
Train Kills Waterman.

Pete Samerviech, Waterman at Great
Northern tunnel near Troy was in
stantly' killed Monday when he was
struck by a passenger train. The man
has relatives at Butte, who were noti-
fled Rev. Wick OF Libby will conduct
funeral services today at Troy from
the Methodist church
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-08-27
HIGHWAY ENGINEERS
ARRIVE IN LIBBY

J. B. Reher of Portland, D. A. CAL
kins and B. F. Kilt Of Missoula, en-
gineers OF the bureau of public roads,
arrived in Libby this afternoon to go
over highway matters here.
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-08-27
Yak Fire Driven
By Wind Crosses
Canadian Line
One OF Worst Fires Ever to Visit This
Distr1ft-Antone Obermcyer Is
Killed by Falling Tree.

The Yak fire is still causing much
trouble and has covered much addi-
tional territory. Fairly good progress
was being made against this fire until
the heavy wind of Tuesday when it
was gain whipped beyond control Run
ming with great speed in northeast
erly direction, it reached and crossed
the international boundary into Canada
about two miles west of the North
Fork Of the Yak river. 1t has covered
an additional area of about 300 acres
Wednesday morning light rain COW
cred the entire district but was not
heavy enough to do much good ex-
cept that it temporarily halted the
fires. The forest service threw more
men onto this. Yak fire along the east
line and built eight miles of line
Wednesday 1t is hoped to have that
side of the fire hooked up today.
Officials state the Yak fire has been
the worst in this district for many
years and has been most difficult to
fight Wind and humidity conditions
have been just right to make con-
quering Of the fire almost impossible.
MAN nIitcu OIL lIdH
Antoine Obermeyer, resident of
that district for number OF years,
and lookout on CARRIER mountain,
was killed Tuesday night while 10
miles out on the trail from the Upper
Ford ranger station. He was struck
by falling tree Further particulars
are not available at this time.
Ranger Station Burned.
This last break away of the Yak
fire burned the lookout station on
Shagnasty mountain.
The fire in Canada north of Gate
way that was threatening to come
across into this county has been got
ten under control by the combined eff
forts Of local and Canadian forces. 1t
was finally stopped within 300 feet of
the American line
The first of the week fire broke
out in the upper Flower creek region
southwest of Libby, due to hang
over from the lightning storm of sew
eral days ago. 1t started on the 22nd
and was reported out on the 25th. This
was in a very bad location and could
have developed into a serious blaze.
1t covered three acres Thirty men were
put on this fire.
A small fire is still burning on Kee-
Ter creek, southwest of Troy, likewise in
a bad place. Pumps are being used
against it and it has only covered an
acre. 1t is believed to be under con-
troll
Another Death Reported.
The Libby office received phone
message this morning from the upper
Yak to the effect that Lucille Bamus
had died and asking that the coroner
be sent out. Further information is
lacking.
Bad Fires Over District.
Numerous serious fires are burning
throughout the Inland Empire. The
worst one was the Mcpherson fire on
the Occur d'Alene forest that has
spread onto the Cabinet forest. The
dense smoke seen to the west anc
south of Libby the first of the week
canne from, that fire
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-08-27

The lowest temperature of the week
was Wednesday night, 81.
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-08-27
Dr.. P. Baxter Is
Appointed City
Health Officer
Secretary of State Board of Health
Makes Appointment In Bcllicose
Manner

The discussion that has been carried
on recently between the city council
of Libby and the state board of health
regarding the appointment of city
health officer came to an abrupt end
Thursday evening Of last week. At that
time DIR. w. f. Cogswell of Helena,
secretary of the state board of health,
appeared in the city and appointed DR..
P. Baxter city health officer.
Mayor Switzer and the members of
the city council do not object to the
appointment of health officer, but
each and everyone of them do feel
considerable resentment at the man.
ner and tone employed by DR.. Cogs-
well in making the appointment The
doctor had been in the city during the
day. He had conferred with Mayor
Switzer in regard to the matter and
Mayor Switzer had offered him every
cooperation in the work here The
mayor went into the matter with DR..
Cogswel, explained what the council
was trying to accomplish, mentioned
the difficulties that confronted them
and discussed the matter with him
quietly and reasonably, expressing his
desire to cooperate with the state
health board At that conference
everything was apparently harmoni-
GUS.
The mayor and the council were
therefore, very much surprised at tho
attitude of DR.. Cogswell when he APP
peared before the council that eve
ming He barely stepped within thu
council chamber and began to recit'
list Of grievances in brusque ant
apparently belligerent manner, ending
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-08-27
Temperatures of Past Week.

Following are the maximum temper
atures as reported by the forest serv-
ice office at Libby.
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-08-27
Bad Fires Over District.

Numerous serious fires are burning
throughout the Inland Empire. The
worst one was the Mcpherson fire on
the Occur d'Alene forest that has
spread onto the Cabinet. forest. The
dense smoke seen to the west and
south of Libby the first of the week
came from that fire.
Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1931-08-27
Another Death Reported.

The Libby office received phone
message this morning from the upper
Yak to the effect that Lucille Bamus
had died and asking that the coroner
be sent out. Further information is
lacking
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
FALL: HAS TWO
MOVES LEFT

Albert B. Fall, former Secretary
Of the Interior, has two more
moves on his checkerboard Of
hope.
Although the Supreme Court,
headed by Chief Justice Hughes,
who sat beside Fall in The Hard
ing Cabinet as Secretary of State,
refused to review his conviction
Of accepting bribe, Falls attOr-
neys are hoping today that the
District of Columbia Supreme
Court, which sentenced him No
vemher i, 1929, will suspend the
prison sentence.
He was ordered to serve one
year in jail and pay a 100000
fine.
It is recalled Justice William
Hitz, the trial judge, now elevated
to the District of Columbia Court
Of Appeals, left a recommendation
to his successor that the sentence
be suspended if Falls physical
condition did. not improve, and
because of his age-69.
If the trial court refuses elem
ency, Falls friends will appeal for
. pardon or communication of SEN
teI1ce from President Hoover,
also a Cabinet mate of Fall dur
ing the Harding regime.
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
BRITISH LINE R
SETS RECORD

QUEBEC, June 2 GN.s).
Queen Of all she surveyed, the
42,50O-ton s. S. Empress of Britain
today rested at her pier after q
triumphant maiden voyage across
the Atlantic in five days, 13
hours, and Is minutes.
The ship docked at Quebec last
night at 10 p. m. Airplanes and
river craft joined is a screeching
salute as she moved through the
harbor to her berth.
The liner broke all existing st.
Lawrence records from both
Southampton and CherbOurg.
Douglas Fairbanks and Mary
Pickford, American screen stars.
who were aboard, debarked with
81 trunks and nine other pieces
Of luggage and proceeded to
Chicago.
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
Fete Commissioners
To Call on President
Photo by International

Members Of the New York State
George Washington Bicentennial
Commission will visit this city to-
morrow to confer with the United
States Commission. The delega-
ton will meet President Hoover,
honorary chairman of the COM
mission, at noon at the White
House. They also will confer with
the United States Yorktown Ses-
quicentennial Commission. The
group consists of Charles j. Tobin,
chairman; Arthur H. Wicks, Spen-
Ger A. Field, Louis A. Curvillier,
Adelbert M. Scriber and Alexan-
der G. Baxter.
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
DOUBLE SALARY
EXPLAINED BY
HARTMAN
Public Utility Commissioner
Declares |. &C. Heads Knew
of $4,000 Fee Awarded Him

Vice Chairman Harleigh H.
Hartman, of the Public Utilities
Commission, today declared the
Interstate Commerce Commission
knew of his transactions in the
Great Northern Railway case in
1925, referred to in a local news
paper today.
Explains Action
The article declared that Mr..
Hartman was paid $4,000 for the
data which he acquired while
serving as an attorney for the
Interstate Commerce Commission.
Mr.. Hartman's statement follows:
"The article seems merely to
be an effort to diScOlOr a past
transaction in an attempt to de-
feat confirmation. 1t is fact
that i accepted the fee from
Charles HanSel to work up
track-Iaying and surfacing data
which necessarily involved the
projects used by both the COM
mission and the railroad. The
work was merely a cost analysis
of those projects to iron out
differences in the way in which
they were construed by the two
parties.
"On learning of the posi-
bility of this outside employ
ment, I, at once, notified the
commission of its nature and of
my intent to resign to accept
cepted on one month notice. 1t
is a fact that was at that
time asked by the commission
to continue in its service as Spe-
cial counsel to brief and argue
the Great Northern case for the
commission. At the time 1 was
so retained, it was known to the
commission that / was to be
employed by Mr.. Hansel, and
the salary I was to receive from
Mr.. HanseI was also known to
the commission. Likewise, 1t
was known to Mr.. HanseI that
I would be- retained to argue
the Great Northern case.
Neither Client Sighted
@It Is not a fact that my dual
employment as private cOun.
selor in jublic utility problems
caused me to slight either eli
ent. In fact the Great North
ern case was probably more
strenuOuSIy prosecuted on brief
and argument than any other
valuation case tried before the
Interstate Commerce COmmis-
SiOn."
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
Governor Pinchot Calls Power Trust
"Octopus" That Rules Nation
(Continued From First Page)

CONTINUED From First P0ge)
hibition and States rights as
Pinchot has on power control.
Ritchie is to preside over this
afternoons roundtable discussion,
and he, like Pinchot, is impatient
with the unwillingness of the gov
ernors to discuss real issues.
Governor Pinchot lashed out at
the power interests with typical
Pinchot directness and gusto. He
said:
I'VE are facing new threat
to the rule of the people eStab-
hShed by the founders of this
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
j. s. NEEDS NEW
SET-UP, SAYS
ROOSEVELT
Government Should Protect Its
Citizens Against Depression,
Governor Tells Conference

FRENCH LICK SPRINGS,
Ind, June 2 dN.sJ.-The diff.
cult times through which the
country is now passing call for
political and economic leader.
ship of high quality and perhaps
experiments which have not been
tried, Gov. Franklin D. Roose-
velt, of New York, told the
annual conference Of governors
today in a speech in which he
advocated a closer relationship
between agriculture and industry.
Gets Close Attention
The speech Of the New York
governor was listened to with
rapt attention by the twenty-Odd
governors attending the confer
ence, for Roosevelt is generally
rated the foremost contender for
the Democratic presidential nomi.
nation in 1882.
The time has passed in this
country, he said, when industry
and agriculture can proceed on
the old hit-or-miss basis. The
time has come, he said, for care.
full, intelligent planning by State
and national governments, to the
end that there shall be a
balanced and rational relation
ship between agriculture and in.
dustry, and a more equitable dis
tribution of whatever prosperity
is at hand.
Would Retire Lands
He advocated retirement from
cultivation of a lot of waste land
and reforestation Of the lands
retired. In this way, he Sug.
gested, the problem of the grain
surplus might be relieved and the
timber needs of the future to
some extent taken care Of. He
continued:
"It seems strange, that with
capacities for production de.
veloped to the highest degree
the world has ever seen, there
should come this severe depres-
sion, when many who are
anxious to work cannot find
food for their families while
at the same time there is such
a surplus of food supplies and
other necessities that tho
who are growing cror"
manufacturing can fin,
markets.
Government Should Act
more and more, those who
are the victims of dislOcations
and defects of our social and
economic life are beginning to
ask inSistently of us who are
in positions of public respOn-
sibiIity why government can
not and should not act to pro-
tect its citizens from disaster.
81 think the question de-
mands an answer and that the
ultimate answer is that gov
ernment, both State and ma
tional, must accept the respon.
sibility of doing what 1t can
dO-sOundly with considered
fOrethOught, and along def
nitely constructive, not passive
lines"
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
B. Nelson
Harding

the ORGANIZED PUBIC uC1uCleSs
And 1 venture to guess that
there is hardly q single State
where the pressure Of public
utility lobbyists upon the legis-
lature and the Government is
not known.
I'm Pennsylvania, the Re
publican party is in power. The
public utilities do not dominate
the Republican party, or rather
the men and women Of whom
It is composed, but they own
and operate the party machin-
cry.
Parties the Same
"They control the State chair.
man, the national committee
man, and other officials Of the
Pennsylvania Republican State
committee, and these officials
are buSily occupied in doing the
will of the public utilities and
in defeating the will Of the
voters as expressed at the polls.
LET me be understood. This
is not a matter of good parties
or bad parties, but of interests
which use parties in their buSi-
ness. If the Democratic party
were in power in Pennsylvania
instead Of the Republican, /
have no doubt its party ma
chinery also would be controlled
by the organized public utilities
of the State.
I'm less than 50 years, 10 per
cent Of American homes have
been wired for electricity and
the industry of the nation has
been electrically mOtOred to the
extent of approximately 80 per
cent.
Meantime, huge electric
utility systems have grown up
through the consolidation Of
merger.
To-day, according to the Bu-
reau of Applied Economies,
about 80 per cent Of the total
electric power generated in the
United States is under the
domination and control Of four
major interests.
"And these interests work to-
gether harmOni0usly under q
common policy and toward .
common end, which is the milk.
ing nf fhA nHDhIiC" I"
Four ''BOss" Groups
The following groups contro'
the power industry, he said:
Per cent
Morgan, Mellon group. 80. ST.;
North American group. .... 14.O;
Harris, Forbes group. ..... 12.3t
insult gronp ........,..... 1876
Municipal and Government 2.4S
Not identified ............ 3.2t
Moreover, he asserted, this con
troll is not sectional, bGt il
nationwide in its. ramifications
The Morgan-Mellon ests
alone. he asserted, covers nearly
every section Of the country, anC
he limited that plans are afoot
for a gigantic consolidation
which will put 70 per cent of the
business into the hands Of 9
single control. He added:
Interstate. transmission Of
electric power, though growing
by leaps. and bounds in magni-
tude and Importance, is still in
a twilight zone in which the
States are unable to assume
control, while the Federal power,
although it has been asserted,
has not yet been exercised.
Interstate commerce in electric
current is still outside Of either
STATE o. Federal control"
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
Admiral Robson, 64,
Goes on Retired List

Rear Admiral Samuel 8. Robi.
son yesterday was placed on the
retired list, having reached the
age of 81.
He has had a distinguished
naval career as a member of the
General Board, military governor
of Santo Domingo, commander.in'
chief of the battle fleet, com.
mander-in-chief of the United
States fleet and superintendent Of
the Naval Academy.
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
HOPES BRIGHT
. FOR CHURCH
TRUCE
~ HH"
Party Chiefs Expected Today
to Formulate Program Of
Cancellation Toward Vatican

ROME, June 2 d.N.S0 Gov.
ernment action to end the con,
troversy between state and church
appeared imminent today.
The directorate of the Fascist
party was expected to outline a
program of cOnciliation toward
the Vatican at a meeting over
which Premier BenitO MussOlini
was to preside.
The session of party leaders
follows the special consistory Of
a. cardinals yesterday at which
Pipe Piux N insisted that the
Lateran Treaty and the Concordat
be upheld and maintained.
Rome Eager For Action
Rome anxiously awaits the
meeting, at which it was under
stood the governments policy
would be outlined and further
explanation of its actions during
the past few days be afforded.
It was understood Fairgrounds
operated in the capital by the
American Knights of Columbus
would be reOpened today. They
were closed on Saturday by the
decree that locked the doors of
Catholic clubs throughout the ma
tion.
Mussolini's action in forpidding
. demonstration of Fascist stu
dents last night also gave evi-
dence that today's meeting would
result in further negotiations for
the resumption of amicability be-
tween the Vatican and the Quiri-
nal.
The students had planned to
assemble near st. Peters Square
close to the Vatican.
Press Attacks Stopped
Further evidence of attempts to
close the widening breach was
seen in the orders issued by the
government and the church to its
newspapers to discontinue attacks
prevalent during the past week.
Conditions moved toward an
inpaSse yesterday when Musso-
uni ordered the dissolution of all
organizations of Catholic youths
in: the country and the Pope for
bade the celebration Of church
festivals and functions, with the
exception of regular services.
The serious nature of the dis.
puteS between the government
and the church was explained in
the long conference the Pope
held with the cardinals. 1t was
understood he received full sup
port Of the prelates for his firm
adherence to the treaty and the
concOrdat and he was urged ia
maintain his stand.
The Washington times., 1931-06-02

republic. The public utilities
underlie that threat.
Control the Machinery
"The power of the public
utilities is manifest in every
political assembly, from the
Congress e. the smallest town
meeting, and from the govern
ment of the least political unit
to that of the largest State.
Indeed, it reaches to the Ma
tiOnal Government ITSELF"
Far and away the strongest
political power in my own
commonwealth is the power Of
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
MusSOlini InUites
Phone Girl as Guest

BERLIN. June 2.-Because she
understands her job. a Berlin
telephone girl has received a per
sonal invitation from Premier
Mussolini to spend her vacation
in Italy as the governments
guest.
AS Sginor Mussolini on a re-
cent cccssion had difficulty in
upeSstS4ding conversation with
the 4. in Embassy here, the
GsTM u operator was forced to
take i hAnd in the conversation
and act as intermediary, as she
was trsyhed in long-distance ser
Vfdif I'd
sM ,u,------------
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
CT .lfTION OF TREASURY

a. nry balance as of, May
S57sy ! i.Q80,3l3.95; expenditures,
8s. waze 58: customs. receipts,
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
Communists Beaten
In RunuqniG Election

BUCHAREST, June 2 GNS).
With only go per cent of the
population going to the polls, the
government coalition was re-
ported today to have won vic
tory in the election Of deputies to
the Rumanian chamber. The
Communists failed to win Q single
seat
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
Maryland Girls Get
Diplomas at HOLIins
LILIUOKALANI

Three Maryland girls will be
graduated from Hollins College,
Hollins, Va, today. They are Miss
Harriet Eleanor Bray, of Hyatts-
vile; Miss Catherine Leech Lewis,
of Kensington, and Miss Sarah
Anastasia Lynch, of Ocean City.
The Washington times., 1931-06-02
FIDELITY COUNCIL DANCE

The Daughters of America,
Fidelity Council, No. 4, will hold
a dance Saturday at 9 p. m. in the
Masonic Hall, Fourteenth and U
Streets Southeast.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-09

Upper Saranac Lake, in the Adiron-
dack Mountains, New York.