The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, August 12, 1920, Page 1

a TRIBUNE ==! ===]THE BISMARCK THIRTY-NINTH YEAR BISMARCK, , NORTH DAKOTA. THU AY, AUG. 12, 1920 PRICE FIVE CENTS RAIL FREIGHT RATE ADVANCE PLANS OPPOSED Shippers of State Through Em- ployers’ Association Say In- crease Would Be Too Much STATE LAW ATTACKED Representative of Carriers Says, If State Will Not Act, Inter- state Commission Must ‘Opposition to an increase’ of 35 per cent in state freight~rates, as asked by railroads, was voiced today at opening of hearing before the state railroad commission on the carriers’ petition for increase in both freight and passenger rates within state com- mensurate with increases granted »y Interstate Commerce commission. The hearing is being held in the sen- ate chamber of the state capitol. “Shippeys hold that a thirty-five per cent increase in interstate freight rates, or any increase State Commis- sion finds justified, should he based upon schedules as contained in state Jaw of 1919, and not upon present rates,” said) Richard E. Wenzel, of Grand Forks, secretary of employers association of North Dakota, in an interview at the opening of the hear- ing. ing the war twenty-five per cent by the government, and if a thirty-five percent increase is added to that} ‘North, Dakota freight rates will be! fully 40 per cent’ higher than rates in Minnesota, and higher than added that shippers do not oppose reasonable advance in rates for car- “riers. Few Shippers Represented Shippers were represented at the, hearing by \.enzel,, R. M, Stanton, secretary of Grand Forks commerc erganization, and W. J. Dundeen, , D. See, S. Morgan and EB. A. Shirley, ct Minot. C. F, Dupuis, of the state commis- sion, presided. ‘Commissioners Aan- dahl and iilhollan’ being absen*. ‘Fred Bremier, director of utilities of commission, and V. E. ‘Smart, traffic expert, sat with Mr. Dupuis. The railroad’s case was presented by B, W. Scandrett, assistant general solicitor of the Great «sorthern, St. Paul, took up the case with introduc- tion of testimony, and a. H, Lessair, general attorney for the Soo lines. ‘Says Act Void Mr. Scandrett told the commission that the state law fixing maximum freight rates is void, having been nullified by act of Congress turning roads back to the carriers, provided that level of rates then ob- taining should be level upon which legislature and commissiors should act in future. He also declared railroads would show present rates in ‘North Dakota are confiscatory, and that the same; increase as’ granted in interstate rates is necessary in rates within Worth Dakota. “We will offer testimony which we are satisfied will the rates not only are unreasonable, and unjust but are confiscatory” he said. : National Act Provisions After stating the provisions of the Esch-Cummins transportation act which he said provided that if there is a conflict between Interstate Com- merce commission and state commis- sions, and the state commissions shall fail to fix rates to yield a return contemplated under the act the pow- er to fix rates within the state shall go to the Interstate Commerce com- mission. Mr. Scandrett said: would,much rather have the commis- sion act that for the matter of fix- ing rates within the state go back to the Interstate Commerce commis- sion.” Can Make Adjustments He also told the commission that Railroad rates were increased dur-| ' in} ‘South Dakota, Wenzel declared. Hej which} demonstrate that} “We! HE OFFERS TO DIRECT POLES GEN MAXINE WEYGAND WARSAW— The ‘French General ; Weygand, aide to Marshal Foch, has| signified his willingness to assum?| jcommand of the Polish take the responsibility for the mil- itary operations. Weygand in Warsaw with the French military mission, “GAINS TONE IN SLOPE COUNTRY ‘Business Men Look to Imme- diate Future With Confidence | of Cerfain Results BEST YEARS ARE AHEAD, Early Hones of Crop Fulfilled, New, Methods Will Mean | Steady Growth for Slope Confidence of business men in the} immediate business future of the en- tire Missouri slope has grown from the buoyant hope in spring for a good crop to the certain realization that the vast fields of rich North Dakota prairie land will yield abundantly. | What seemed in the eyés of the legs courageous to be an almost in- surmountable’ obstacle of financing ithe huge crop and the marketing of it has Gissipated with the results. at hand of the foresight and team-work of bankers, shippers, farmers and other citizens. | Business conditions already reflect ‘the optimistic spirit of the situatio: ! With the summer sliding by, busine: ; Men are preparing to realize upon the \ va opportunitias offered’ in_ re- j Stocking a veritejple empire which {has passed from lean years into, a} prosperous state. New Progress Seen. ; (Never again will there be such aj ‘tuation created as has existed dur-| 1 i ,ing the years in which drouth has) | sapped the resources of the state so} much as in the last four years. With; | diversified farming—the increase in) livestock raising and dairying—inten-| sified by the failures of one-crop ag-| | riculture, farmers of the slope coun-' try declare that the next four years |witl see the greatest advancement in} {the history of farming in the state. ‘Through diversification steadier and ; more profitable returns will be pos- sible, i Car Gloom Lifts. | Predictions of a terrific slump in ‘the wheat market by some of the pessimistic in the early spring be- cause of the reports of favorable coa- ; ditions over the| entire country and) prediction of prices beyond the wild- est dreams of pioneer farmers boti/ apparent, has been proven false. In- stead there will be a world shortage ot food stuffs which will cauge a! forces and | | it is now} | j forces fighting Townleyism | mittee and adopted the plans which there is nothing in Esch-Cummins act | ctrong market throughout the year, Baa ne a eeina and makiae! though it yell not bring famine a se tate | Prices, financial men tell us. adjustments of rates within the state; an’ encouraging dispatch from so long as the adjystments do not interefere with the general adjust- ment of rates. A. H. Hogeland, chief engineer of the Great Northern, was first wit- ness placed on stand by carriers, who expect to show by testimony and by testimony taken by commerce com- mission that the state rates are con- Tiscatory. TAKE WORKERS BACK IN DENVER Denver, Colo., Aug, 12.—An agrce- ment to take back striking employes of the Denver Tramway company on irdividual application of the men In writing, as a step toward ending the; strike, which has tied up street rai way service here for ten days is an- nounced. WEATHER REPORT f For twenty-four hours ending noon, Aug. 12. Temperature at 7 a. m. Highest yesterday ..... Lowest yesterday . Lowest last night . Precipitation Highest wind velocity Forecast For ‘North Dakota: Fair tonight and Friday with rising temperature. Lowest Temperatures FarBO .. ceeeeeeee 46 Williston .. ...... AQ Grand Forks 31 St. Paul ....-.- 60 ‘Winnipeg. 42 Helena .. «--- 48, Chicago .. 5 72 Swift Current . 42 Kansas City .. bs ORRIS W. ROBERTS, Meteorologist. at! : Washington relative to the car’ situ-; ation says: | “The Interstate Commerce com; mission witt see to it that more cars! {are hurried to the northwest as a re- | sult of hearing spokesmen from that lregion. It expects the railroad car service board to keep after the east- crn and southern railroads until the rorthwest gets 100 per cent car own- ership, which is promised for about September 1.” } Steady Liquidation. Withing thirty days the crop will jbo moving to «market, the speed ot / the liquidation depends upon car ser-\ vice attd 1:pon labor. Labor will not ‘hinder it, in the opinion of officials in touch with the situation, Washing- ton -reports indicate that the car | service will be better than had been ' anticipated. Liquidation will begin immediately after the grain is harvested by farm- jers, and from that time on through the winter there will be a steady | bettering of financial conditions, it is predicted. ‘DAVIS HAS BIG LEAD FOR OHIO PRIMARY PRIZE Columbus, Ohio, ,Aug. 12—-Harry | L. Davis, former mayor /of Cleveland, :had a lead of 17,000 ‘votes for the ; Republican nomination for governor, | over former Congressman Ralph D. Cole, of Findly, according to early re- turns of Tuesday’s primary election received this morning. ‘Former Governor Frank B. Willis, of Delaware, had a similar lead over ' Walter F. Brown, of Toledo, for the Republican nomination for United ' States senator. | Roosevelt, Democratic candidate for ANTI-TOWNLEY LEADERS URGE WOMEN'S VOTE Telegram Sent to Tennessee Legislature by Independ-— ent Candidates SENATORIAL QUESTION! Anti-Townley G. 0. P. Meeting Called and Nelson Ex- presses Opinion * Upon fearning of the call of the anti-Townley Republican cen- | tral committee in meeting to | endorse a candidate for United States senator, Theo. G. Nelson, | secretary of the Independent | Voters’ association, today sent | ‘the following telegram to Tread- well Twichell: “Have just learned that you |/ have called central committee |! meeting to endorse a candidate for senator. Undoubtedly the |, regular Republicans have a right |! to comply with the wishes of the national committee in the matter |; of the senatorship, but the wel- fare of our state now requires the-strictest separation of state and national issues and | trust the committee will recognize this |! fact in its deliberations.” : —te Republican and Democratic leaders from McLean, Kidder, Burleigh, Lo- gan, Emmons, and McIntosh counties are meeting here this afternoon at the call of the Anti-Townley joint commit-; te@ to adopt plans for the conduct of; the campaign this fall. Sveinbjorn Johnson, chairman of the Democratic state committee and Theo-' dore G. Nelson, executive secretary of, the Independent Voters association,| will address the meeting. | Candidates Urge Suffrage The folléwing telegram was sent to the Governors, the presidents of the senate, and the Speakers of the house, | of the states of North Carolina and Tennessee, this morning. It was signed by the anti-league candidates for state offices in North Dakota. THe telegram reads: ‘ i | { | | ° “We the independent candidates for state offices, representing the Republican and Democratic voters in our state that are opposed to the Socialist regime foisted upon Dakota at the instance of a group of ultra radicals assembled here from all parts of the nation, do hereby express our appoval of the suffrage amendment to the federat constitution and respectfully urge upon you and the members of your legislature the importance of fol- lowing the example of our state by promptly ratifying said amend- ment so the women of the nation may enjoy universal suffrage,.at the elections in November.” The Mandan Meeting The Republican and Democratic in the Mandan group met there yesterday afternoon at the call of the joint com- already have been endorsed at six; other group meetings. G. I. Solum, of Mandan, anti-Townley candidate for Insurance Commissioner, was elected chairman of the meeting and F. S. Hudson of Mandan was chosen. sec- retary. Granteand Sioux counties were elim- inated from the Mandan group and will form a separate district together with Hettinger county with Chas. Simon of} New England as district supervisor. As supervisor ‘for the Mandan district Attorney John F. Sullivan, of Mandan was elected. To have charge of the preliminary organization work in the four counties in the Mandan group were elected: Morton, J. F. Sullivan, Mandan. Mercer, L. F. Temme, Beulah. Oliver, F. J. V. Kiebert, Center. Dunn, L. A. Winthers, Werner. Grant county reported that the or- ganization work already has. progress- ed fayorably with Dr. R. H. Leavitt in charge. i The Fargo resolution on national is- sues was adopted’ after some discus- sion. Sveinbjorn Johnson, Chairman of the Democratic state Central com- mittee, and Theo. G. Nelson, executive secretary of the Independent Voters’ association, addressed the meeting. ROOSEVELT ON HIS CAMPAIGN “TO THE COAST Chicago, [11., Aug. 12,—Franklin Db. Vice President, left today on a speak- ing trip that will take him througi 15 states and as far west as the Pa- cific coast. The schedule of speeches for the day opens with brief addresses at Kenosha and Racine, Wisconsin, clos, ing with a night meeting at Milwau- kee. From Milwaukee Mr. Roosevelt will go to! St. Paul and Minneapolis, for two meetings there on Friday. AFFECTS FLOUR Minneapolis, Aug. 12.—A -high- er wheat market was responsible for an advance of 40 to 75 cents in the price of flour at the pri cipal mills here today. One lead-- ing mill raised the price for family patent in 98-pound cotton sacks from $13.25 to $13.65, while another _ representative firm advanced their quotation to $14.75 from $14.00. POLES RUSHING ALL AVAILABLE MEN TO BATTLE Plan Desperate Effort to Save Capital of Nation From Bolsheviki SOVIET FORCE IS LARGER Estimates Say Poles Are Out- numbered Two to One— New Advances Made arsaw, Aug. 12—One hundred housand conveyances of various kinds, under guards, and driven ‘by boys and elderly men are stealing through the Polish capitol to the bat- tle front. Along the road .are many supply wagons, under guard of elderly civil- ians armed with rifles, All the able-bodied men are being released for other duties, and made available for the fight to save the city. Women soldiers are dashing from place to place, acting as couriers. French Officers, Busy The French military officers are showing extreme activity, rushing around the city in automobiles. As the fighting front draws nearer Warsaw squads of citizens, wearing their ordinary civilian clothes and straw hats, but armed with rifles, are Grilling in m&ny parts of the city. Boys in knickerbockers, elderly men and well-to-do merchants are on the side lines watching the more usual types of fighters in the ranks. Newspaper accounts of the prepar- ations tor defense say the spirit of the people is to defend Warsaw, re- pell the invader and not to count the cost in blood. Prenare for Evacuation The government,, while it will not concede that a date has been set for the evacuation of the city is gradu-' ally moving away the more important state documents. POLES OUTNUMBERED Washington, Aug. 12.—Polish for- ces defending \,arsaw are outnum- bered two and a half to one, by the Bilsheviki military forces, according to official statements received here today, estimating the Russian Soviet strength. The Soviet forces on the Polish front number 360,000 men and the Polish forces are estimated at 140,- 000. The guard arount Wersaw is said to be 39 companies and it is esti- mated that 25 others are centered in other parts of Russia, as well as two cavalry bodies. TAKE RAILWAY STATIONS Johannasburgh, Aug. 12.—Reports received here say that important sta- |.tions on the .trang-continental rail- road from ‘Warsaw were taken by the Soviet forces on Tuesday, Soviet cavalry are reported to be within rifle shot of Warsaw, ‘the fall of which was expected on Thursday or Friday. y There have been no official dix patches indicating that the 'Soviet ar- mies haye taken Mowa, and most re- cent advices from the fighting area have shown that the Bolsheviki are now 30 miles from the capital. \LAUNCH COUNTER ATTACK Warsaw, Aug. 11—The Poles have launched a counter-offensive with ‘bayonets in the region of 'Pultusk, where the Russians have been striv- ing to break the Polish defense line. Pultusk is: 31 miles north of Warsaw. POLES STRENGTHEN Paris, Aug. 11.—Dispatches to the Echo de Paris from Warsaw represent the military situation as greatly 1m- proved, following the reinforcement. cf the Northern Polish army in con- formity with the advice of General Weygand, of the French mission. AT PAR WILL BE G. 0. P. PROPOSAL Republican Publicity Associa- tion Proposes Conversions of Bonds Washington, Aus. 12.—Quoting Senator W. G. Harding's assertion that ‘this government should make its Liberty and Victory bonds worth all that its patriotic citizens paid in purchasing them,” the Republican Publicity association proposes con- version of the securities into serial bends as a means of bringing them to par. There are probably 15,000,000; pond-holders in the country today and to them Senator Harding’s statement brings encouragement that their se- curities will be enhanced in value about $1,590,000,000, restoring the loss sustained through depreciation,” says the a: ciation. “The candidate implies that if elected he will do his utmost to bring about this change in the government, “By refunding issues into a single serial bond is- ‘suie vbearing interest at the rate of 3 1-2 per cent, the market price would probably go to par, the interest re-} turn to bondholders would be in- creased by from 10 to 33 per cent, the entire amount of the bonds would be retired by June 15, 1947, the latest date of any Liberty issue, and the whole transaction would cost the gov- ernment no more than adherence to the present sinking fund method.” pistes pinitict 2 EAE Sees The first whale shark ever cap- tured, weighing 30,000 pounds, is on BOLSHEVISM WILL SPREAD OVER ‘ EUROPE IN YEAR, TROTZKY SAYS Quoted in‘Speech Delivered. Behind Lines Advancing on Warsaw That Bolsheviki Are Recognized by Western Powers Warsaw, Aug. 12.—Leon Trotzky, Russian Bolshevik minister of war, bas arrived at Blaiystok, just behind the Soviet front and has set up head- quarters there according to news from the other side of the battle line. ‘Speaking in the capital of Lithu- ania, he announced Soviet ‘Russia had been officially recognized by the western powers. ‘He asserted Bol- sheviki was “more powerful than ever” and “would soon spread to oth- er countries.” DELAY INQUIRY INTO FAGTS OF SHOOTING CASE Coroner’s Jury Will Quizz Mrs. Benson When She Is Improved RESTING WELL, REPORT The coroner's inquest into the Ben- son case, ,which was held yesterday afternoon, was continued until the testimony of Mrs. Benson who is in St. Alexius hospital suffering fromm two bullet wounds, can be given to the jury, Mrs. Benson was reported as rest ing well early this afternoon. There still is danger of blood poisoning, 01 that the one bullet which is lodgea in her head may cause her to take a serious turn for the worse. Physi- cians, however, are hopeful of her recovery. The testimony undertaking parlors of the Perry Un- dertaking company and apparently confirmed the judgment of police of- ficials that Benson attempted to take the life of his wife and then killed himself. Witnesses who appeared before the jury were: August Watz, Gus Sol+ berg, ‘Mrs. Bess Murphy, Ole Iverson, Sheriff Welch, and Dr. G. R. Lipp. Statement Volunteered. Some informal remarks were mad concerning the information which Mrs. Benson gave to the officials ir the hospital yesterday. The testi mony as given by witnesses was subd stantially the same as given in thé ‘'ribune yesterday, except that th: inquest, presided over by Coronei Beer ,aborated on, the family (rangement of Mrs. Benson. Officials at the inquest volunteere the statement to relatives and it was included in the records that Mrs. Benson had spoken very kindly ot ker relatives in the hospital and fell closely her family ties. The expres sion was divulged that Mrs, Benson's course of action in her family rela tions was dictated by an effort to preserve harmony in her own house- hold. The statements were volun- teered in justice to the wounded wo- man, was taken in tne es View ‘Remains, Coroner Beer led the jury into a rear room of the undertaking estab lishment and showed the members the teeth. which had been knockei cut by a bullet and showed them the bullet. The jury mains. The jury was shown pictures of the room in which the tragedy took place. It was said finger prints on the sheet of the bed also had been teken, but were not presented. The revolver of 32 calibre with three emp- ty cartridges and two bullets was Career ‘Finger prints on the gun were not taken. It had been picked up and handled. viewed the re- SEEK INCREASE ' “In a year, he continued, “all Eu- rope will be Bolshevik.’ Warsaw newspapers. publish inter- views with soldiers who declare the Bolsheviki advancing upon this city claim they have come to exterminate the bourgeoise and distribute the land among peasants. It is asserted that they impartial- ly pillage mansions, farms and cot- tages and either forcibly enlist the men in the army or send them to the rear, & —% | WET AND DRY FIGHT | | GOES MERRILY ON | > ° London, Aug. 12.—The_ wet- and dry fight goes merrily on. The storm now centers over the declaration of a wet speaker that he didn’t believe there were 300 teetotalors in the whole army during the war. REFUSED GREW AID, CAPTAINS LOSE PERMITS Left Crew of Sinking Vessel to Die; Two Skippers’ Li- censes Revoked SIXTEEN LOST THEIR LIVES Marquette, Mich., Aug. 12,—The licenses ‘of Captains ‘Lawrence J. Francis of the steamer H. P. Mc- Intosh and Kenneth McRae of the Adriatic, both from Cleveland, 'O., were revoked by Steamboat Inspec- tors Gooding and Hanson, on the ground that the two captains had been guilty of negligence, misconduct and inattention to duty in connection with the sinking of the steamer My- ron off White Fish Point November 21, 1919, Wailure to render aid to the sink- ing steamer when assistance would have saved the lives of some of the 16 persons who perished in the acci- Jent was the chief charge against francis and McRae. Subordinates Testify The decision was reached after hearing testimony of the wheelsman of the Adriatic and the chief engi- neer of the McIntosh which tended to support the statements of Captain Neale of the Myron. that assistance would have saved several lives. ‘Local inspectors contended that Captain Francis could have saved some of the men and charged that he “failed even to try to attract the attention of coast guards by sounding his steamer’s whistle.” “You failed: to stand by at White- fish Point to see what became of hese men when that would have been the least you could have done under the circumstances and when such a move would not have in- volved any danger either to you or to your -crew,” stated the letter notifying Captain Francis of the de- cision. Left Crew on ‘Lake ‘Captain McRae ‘‘failed to maneuv- er and stop the headway of his steamer to such, an extent that the crew of a life boat being rowed to her from the sinking steamer could be enabled to reach the Adriatic and be rescued,” the decision says. Other charges were that Captain McRae, when near the wreckage 1 second time failed to maneuver his steamer so it could pass men floating on the wreckage or sp he could pass close enough to the life boats so that his men could pass lines to them, and that he failed to attract the at- tention of the coast guards. In his testimony, Captain McRas gaid he thought the Myron would go on the beach. He testified, however, all of the Liberty | 6 exhibition at the Smithsonian Insti- tution. 10 MEET BOOST OF EXPRESS PAY American Railways Express Company Files Petition With Commission Washington, Aug. 12—Permission tc increase express receipts to absorl the wage award of the railway labor board, estimated at $43,800,805, was asked from the Interstate Commerce commission today by the American Railway Express company. The express company also asked authority to increase by 20 percent its rates on milk 4nd cream to meet the increase granted the railroads 02 the same commodities. In its petition the express com pany stated that the increase in op crating expenses resulting from the labor cost increase would make ar estimated yearly deficit of $76,370, This deficit, the company, said would be covered by the government by guarantee up to September 1 but after that date it would require in creased rates. HALT PLAN TO JOIN A. F. OF L. Cleveland, Aug. 12.--The Brother hcod of Locomotive Engineers has withdrawn its application for mem- bership in the American ‘Federation of Labor, Warren S. Stone, grand chief, admitted here. He declined tu comment. that at Sault Ste. Marie, 40 miles away, he asked for help for the sinking vessel. The action taken against the two captains was the first of its kind in the history of lake navigation. SUFFRAGE WINS ANOTHER POINT Nashville, Aug, 12;—Suffragists in the lower house of the Tennessee legislature today won another point in the fight for ratification of the suffrage amendment, when a joint resolution which would have prohib- ited action of any kind of ratifica- tion, being tabled. COAL SHIPMENTS ON INCREASE Minneapolis, Aug. 12. Shipments of coal from eastern bituminous pro- arcing regions to Lake Erie ports, for the northwest’s use next winter, are increasing, though still under the 4,900 cars a day fixed by the inter- state commerce commission in order No. 10, according to word received by the Associated Business organizations of Minneapolis from Judge John ¥ McGee, representating them at Cleve- land. The highest day’s dumpings so far totaled 3,175 tons, he said. The report says 13,:04 cars of coal were unloaded at Lake Erie ports be- tween Aug. 1 and Aug. 6, a five day period in which according to sched- ule, 20,000 tons should have been dumped. | declared that PONZI, SHORT OF CASH, GIVES UP 10 U. S, OFFICER Admits Criminal Record Here and in Canada and Is now Under Arrest HIS BANK IS CLOSED Bank Commissioner Says Entire Capital of Bank Is, Wiped Out Boston, Aug. 12.—Charles Ponzi to- day surrendered to the United States marshal. The warrant for his arrest charged him with using the mails to defraud. District Attorney Gallagher said that Ponzi had surrendered because he felt. himself unable to carry out promises for the redemption of his notes to- morrow. Bank Commissioner Allen announ- ced this afternoon that the capital of the Hanover Trust company probably had been completely wiped out. The bank was closed by the commissioner yesterday. Ponzi had been a director up to yesterday. Creditors have filed petitions in the federal courts asking for the appoint- ment of a receiver for Ponzi. Admits Prison Record The bubble of Ponzi, who claimed to have made millions of dollars in deals in foreign exchange in a few months ago, began to burst when he was accused of being an ex-convict, and last night he issued a statement admitting this. Attorney Allens stated today that the liabilities of Charles Ponzi would run into the millions. following this statement, Ponzi issued the following statement: “i had made arrangements with the dis- trict attorney to meet my creditor today and pay my liabilities with cash; however, with the closing of the Hanover Trust Co, and: the tying up of my other funds I find myseif unable to do so. I have notified my attorneys and will ask them to defend me.” . Federal auditors stated today that Ponai’s liabilities would run upwards of seven million dollars. His assets amount to about four millions. Trust Company Closed While he was making this state- ment, the Hanover Trust company, in which Ponzi was a director and a shareholder and through which he had done a large checking business, was closed’ by order of Bank Commis- sfoner Jos. C, Allen. Ponzi at the same time announced his resignation from the bank’s directorate. Commissioner Allen said that. he had taken action because his exam- iners had found that the bank had made loans which “were excessive and beyond the legal limit” and “many loans that are of either bad or of very doubtful: value.” Bank Denies Charges The executive committee of the Hanover Trust company, in a state- ment, said the committee believed that there were few! poor loans on the books and that there was no reason to believe that the bank would not, continue to meet its obli- gations and that it had a cash re- serve of three times the amount that the law requires. William S. Mc- Nary, treasurer of the bank, said that Ponzi did not owe the bank a cent, that any bank in the country would have been glad of his account and that Ponzi had paid out $6,000,- 000 through the bank. Ponzi’s confession followed — the publication in newspapers of stories of the career of “Charles Ponsi” in Montreal. Confronted with — these stories, Ponzi conferred with his at- | torneys and then gave to newspaper men a lengthy statement in which he admitted that he and Ponsi were the same man, that he had served 20 months in prison in Montreal for for- gery, and that subsequently he had served two years in the federal peni- tentiary at Atlanta for smuggling Italians into this country. Suffered for Other’s Crime He asserted that his sentencefor forgery resulted from his assuming the blame for a crime committed by a banker in Montreal, by whom he had ‘been employed and who had fled to Mexico. “I am not trying to pose as a hero,” he added. As to the smuggling incident, Ponzi he did not smuggle Italians into this country. “Within 10 days of my release (from the Montreal prison)” he said, “I was asked to escort five Italians into the United States. I did not smuggle them in. I crossed the bor- der on the train openly and was placed immediately under arrest.” Ponzi, in a later statement, reiter- ated previous assertions that he was solvent and could pay all notes out- standing against him as a result of his operation of the Securities Ex- change company. It was the large business done by this company, which offered to pay 50 per cent in- terest in 90 days on all loans and which in fact redeemed many notes at that interest in 45 days, that re- sulted in the investigation now in progress by federal and state author- ties. Ponzi claimed that through his reply coupons in various European countries he was able not only to pay the large interest rate to inves- tors but in addition, to make huge profits for himself. PRISONERS HALT SUICIDE ATTEMPT Minot, IN. D, Aug. 12.—The sui- cide of George Barton, being held in the city jail awaiting arrival of of- ficers from Aberdeen, S. D., was pre- vented by other prisoners who gave the alarm. Barton used a belt whici he tied to the upper part of the cage. He was unconscious when released.