The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, December 30, 1926, Page 1

ry I 4 "PRELIMINARY | 22% 8 “ six months while the ri WEATHER FORECAST Fair tonight and Fridey. Cold- er tonight. ESTABLISHED 1878 THIELE WAIVES ~~ EXAMINATION Is Arraigned Before Justice Campbell and Bound Over to District Court BONDS.NOT YET FIXED State’s Attorney Kelsch to Move Case For Trial When Court Convenes Jan. 4th Waiving preliminary examination when arraigned before Justice J. E. Campbell in Mandan yesterday aft- ternoon at & o'clock, Arnold Thiele, accused of the slaying of Police Chief Nels Romer, was bound over to the district court without bond. While a crowd thered in the county court room, Thiele was spirit- ed into the office of Sheriff Charles McDonald, where the hearing took place. No reason was given for mak- ing the hearing secret but recent threats of drastic action in the case are believed to have been the cause. The hearing took but a few min- utes. Judge Campbell read Thiele the criminal information lodged against him by State's Attorney C. F. Kelsch, which charged that he had “unlaw- fully and feloniously” taken the life of Nels Romer and then asked if he were represented by counsel. Point- ing to William Langer, he replied in the affirmative, “Do you wish to waive preliminary exathination?” queried Justice Camp- bell. Thiele had difficulty in under- Standing the meaning of Campbell's question, but after a pause said: “Ll do whatever my attorney wants me to do,’ . To Furnish Copy of Teatimony Mr. Langer then stated that his client wished to waive, but made a stipulation that the state’s attorney furnish him with a copy of the tes- timony taken at the coroner's inquest and at the secret questioning of Thiele Monday afternoon in Judge H. L. Berry’s chambers, This was agreed to by Mr, Kelsch and the stipulation written into the record. Although no bond was fixed for Thiele, Langer today announced his intention of applying to Judge H. L. Berry or one of the supreme court judges to obtain bonds for his client. A rumor that the hearing would be’ held at 1:30 yesterday afternoon brought a steady stream of the cur- ious to the courthouse from noon un- til 2 o'clock. The court room was ‘illed to capacity and hundreds gath- ered in the lower halls of the court- house and on the stairways in an ef- fort to sec Romer’s slayer. When State’s Attorney Kelsch at 2:30 an- nounced the postponement of the hearing, the crowd dwindled, but a new rumor brought many back short- ly before 6 o'clock. Many Disappointed — Thicle was in solitary confinement in the Morton county jail until called for his hearing and many, who hoped for a Flaten of the accused man, were pointed, Meanwhile, Mrs. Thiele and - her four children had returned to the home, which had been closed to them until Tuesday afternoon. Gilbert and Albert Moen, brothers of Mrs. Thiele, und Mrs, Julia Bergen, a sister, all of tho vicinity of Leith, are now in Man- dan with their sister. State's AH OFnGy, Kelsch announced today that he will file an, infgrma- tion with Judge Berry und move Thiele’s case for trial on January 4, when court convenes. Kelsch con- ferred this morning with L, H, Con- nolly, Mandan city attorney, who was ordered by the city commission last night to cooperate with the county authorities in “securing a conviction of the murderer of Chief Romer.” While a jury has not been called for the January term of Morton county district court, the prosecu- tors will ask that a panel be drawn, forcing the defendant to either st trial immediately or file the antici pated request for ‘change of venue. The state, according to Kelsch, will protest a change of venue to uny county except on the main line of the Northern Pacific railroad. Cities to which the case might be taken in- clude ickinson, Bismarek, Beach, Valley City or Fargo. MEN CHARGED WITH INCITING RIOT PARDONED Governor Blaine of Wisconsin ‘Issues Pardons After Re- viewing Report Madison, Wis., Dec. 30—(#)—Abso- lute pardon was granted by Governor John J. Blaine today to six men sen- tenced ‘in Marinette county circuit ta court to the county workhouse on a charge of inciting a riot in which a Ku Klux Klan tent was burned June 24, 1926, 1 : The men pardoned were Meddie Villeneauve, Clyde Barrett, Eugene Sequin, Leo Sequin, Leo Bellaire, and Harold Bennett.\ 2° * Villenauve had inder re- ceived sentences of three months - each, following their conviction by a jury. med." é pardoi Judge Birdzell to Be Chief Justice in uessle in 1928 er £. Birdzell will be chief justice of the state supreme court in 1927 and W. L, Nuessle will be chief ead im 1928, it was announced fol- dled ‘a conference of members of e y. The arrangement was made by the court members in accordance with the state law which provides that the membér whose term is nearest to ex- piration shall be chief justice. The terms of both Birdzell and Nuessle will expire in 1928 and the division of the honor wes agreed between them. Birdzell is serving his second six- year term as a meMmber of the court and Nuessle is serving his first. A. M. Christianvon, present chief jus- tice, will begin his third term on January 1, having been reelected without opposi PERMANENT PEACE URGED BY COOLIDGE President Warns Against of Competitive Armaments Trehton, N. J. Dec. plea for’ permanent peace and a warning the of against danger to ¢he world in a policy competitive armaments was uttered here last night by President Coolidge at Trenton’s sequicentennial cele- bration of Washington's crossing of the Delaware. Speaking before the Trenton his- torical society, he urged the United States and world to be ready to make sacrifices for. peace as the colo- nies made for independence and de- clared himself sure that “we ate strong enough and brave enough to resist another domination of the world through our own. independent action.” President Coolidge urged “moral disarmanent,” upon the world to pro- the attainment of such an end would have to be hastened by international treaties for the Himitation of ar- maments. “I do not believe,” he said, “that we can advance the policy of peace by @ return to the policy of com- petitive armaments. While I favor an adequate army and navy, | am oppesee to any effort to militarize the nation. PRESIDENT OF CLOSED BANK DIES SUDDENLY Harry Cohn Collapses While in His Memphis Institution This Morning Memphis, Tenn., Dec. 30.—)— Harry Cohn, president of the Amer- icarf Savings Bank and Trust com- pany which recently closed it doors, collapsed in the bank today and died within a minutes. The closed two weeks ago after the suicide of ClarenceHenochs- berg, an assistant cashier who, be- fore firing # bullet into his head, told a friend his accounts were $300,- 000 short. Before Henochsberg’s death, Rush Parke, bookkeeper, had disappeared when examiners found shortages of $105,000 in Parke'’s accounts, Parke surrendered after the suicide of the assistant cashier and told officers he had been the tool of Henochs- pee. Two ather clerks in the closed \bank were arrested later on charges er embssslement and are now on ond. Mr. Cohn was 78 years old. The widow,: and six sons and daughters, all of Memphis, survive. Bernard ‘Cohn, one of the sons, was formerly ublisher of the Memphis News jcimitar. Ship'Is Rudderless, ut Not in Danger New York, Dec. ish freighter Clearton, which sent out an last night when its rud- der was goné and its engine disabled, today was reported in no immediate danger and’ drifting between 200 and | 800 miles off the Virginia coast, the Independent Wireless company re- ported. ‘The frejghter sailed December 26 for Qui | Weather Report | Weather conditions at North Da- kota points for the 24 hours ending at 8 a. m, today. (#)—The Brit- night .. Eighest wind velocity” WEATHER FORECAS For Bismarck and vicinity: Fair tonight and Friday. Colder tonight. For North Dakota: Fair toni one eer. Colder tonight east and jons. i sontFSEATHER CONDITIONS The low pressure area over Alberta yesterday morning has moved south- eastward and ie centered over Min- Bie tanain wae eats ora ral id nortitwestern re- Danger to World in Policy ‘ | Australia, with a mote permanent peace and said that | When ure! turing formu BISMARCK, NORTH DAKOTA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1926 POISON LIQUOR KILLS 800 IN N.Y. THIS YEAR Twice as Many Deaths From Alcoholism as in Wet Eng- land and Wales LAST YEAR’S TOTAL 513 Other Cities Report Heavy Liquor Death Toll—Gov- ernment Is Criticized New York, Dee. 30.—()—Indica- tions today were that the death toll in New York city from liquor this year would exceed 800, including 34 since Christmas. Health Commissioner Harris an- nounces there were 724 deaths from ‘alcoholism for the first 51 weeks of the year, a figure which, he said, represented more than twice as many deaths from alcoholism as in the whole of wet England and Wales, with a population of 38,000,000 and nearly four times as many es in wet population about equal to that of this city. fhe total of alcoholic. deaths in New York so far this year is greater since 1910, the next ar being 1916 when 687 recorded. Last year's deaths we total was 5 328 Deaths in Chicago Reports to New York newspapers tabulate victims of liquor in other cities during the year. Unofficially, 898 deaths have ben reported in New York state; in Chicago there have been’ 328. In Philadelphia, Coroner Frederick Schwartz, Jr. said that while only 150 deaths from alcohol were shown by official records during the year, he had evidence that at least 150 more died from that cause, Reports from other cities were Boston 145; St. Louis 56; Pittsburgh 130; Baltimore 71; Los Angeles 30; Minneapolis 38; Seattle 23; Cincinnati 43; Columbus 8; Omaha 10; Detroit 121. | Orville S. Poland, head of the legal department of the state Anti-Saloon League, has offered the services of his organization to relatives of per- sons dying from alcoholic poisoning with the aim of securing legal redress for them from bootleggers. § | Senator James A. Reed of Missouri, | ina telegram to the New York Ameri- can today, criticises the government for poisoning of alcohol and says that “only one possessing the instincts of ‘a wild beast would desire to kill or render blind the man who takes a drink of liquor, even though he pur- chased it from one violating the pro- hhibitory statutes.” CHEMISTS PREPARE NEW YEAR SURPRISE Washington, Dec. 30—(4)—Having scrapped perhaps half a dozen or more’ fomulas for denaturing indus- trial alcohol because bootleg chem- ists found a way to make it palatable, the government's prohibition tube- testers are surprise on the rum Fanning, but not without loud orders fr wet forces. Announcement of the surprise, which will be in the form of a new denaturant with a more powerful alcohol wallop, followed a statement by James M. Doran, chief prohibition chemist, in which he took exception gentry ‘om the to claims that wood alcohol now used to adulterate commercial alcohol had caused the numerous holiday deaths among drinkers, and held that too rapid drinking and too much of it at one gulp was the chief cause of the fatalities. Less Posionous But Distasteful The new formula calls for a double wood alcoho! content, or four per cent, but with the extraction of |prodines and other chemicals now used, chemists hope to make the in- dustrial product less poisonous and at the same time so distasteful that bootleg clients will seal a disdainful pair of lips if offered a flash of the doctored liquid. The effect of tl ange, however. Dr. Doran said, will make it impos- sible for boot! ‘3 to completely distill the wood hol out of the industrial product. He added that such a small quantity of wood alco- hol, even if drunk, would not cause serious injury, but Senator Edwards, Democtat, New Jersey, a wet leader, took another view, charging the gov- ernment with forming an “unholy al- liance with the undertaker” in plac- ing poison in {ts denaturing form- ulae, “T call it legalized murder,” the senator said, “and the government is an accessory before the fact.” “Those who wish to violate the law and obtain booze are eisly commit- ting suicide,” said Wayne B. Wheel- er of the Anti-saloon e. G. C. Hinckley, national secretary of the Association Against the Pro- hibition Amendment, thought Wheel- er was taking a “callous and fanatic view of the situation.” MELLON WOULD ELIMINATE POISONS AS |ATURANTS. Washington, Dec, 80.—()—On the theory that more effective prohibition enforcement is bound to drive drink- ers to the use of.industrial alcohol, ‘Secretary Mellon announced a deter- mination today to eliminate the use of ons as denaturants. e secretary's attitude, made known today at the treasury, is that I=} does nob oes at St a ey of 16 paceramnen permi soning of citizens in order to enforce the law. He expects government chemists soon will be apie ‘to denature alcohol a6 sea 18 ‘be too distasteful to drink rather than too poisonous. new government d ‘ ’ a PM rye tls aoe uary 1, certain ellie substance: Peeciepely included in it will be ‘const | © . wood “alcohol a git Oe arr me RBIS W. ROBERTS, - | not chink that percentage injurious, Official ie Y mals age three) reparing a New Year State’s Attorneys Committee Favors Death Penalty Bill Support of a proposal to restore murderers was voiced by the legisla- tive committee of the North Dakota Association of State’s Attorneys, mest here ee veda A bill restoring the death biter will be drawn by Attorney General George Shafer and submitted to the association at a meeting to be held here January 19. It was agreed that Shafer should prepare numerous other bills whi the organization may support at the ‘next session of the legislature and submit them to the association for approval. Most of them will deal with changes in criminal statutes, recommended by the attorney general in his biennial report. DENIAL OF OATH 0 COL. SMITH ‘WILL BE FATAL’ Illinois Democrat Warns Par- ty That Such Action Would | Be ‘Big Blunder’ | Chicago, Dee, 30—()—The powers that guide the Democratic party have been warned by one of their own political faith that denial of the oath of a United States senator to Colonel Frank L. Smith of Hinois “will be fatal to the party.” The prediction was made by Edward F. Dunne, former Democratic gover- nor of Illinois, who declared that such an act “would be the biggest blunder by the Democrats since the civil wer,” and the death knell of state’s rights. Protesting the proposal of Senator Ashurst, Democrat, from Arizona, that the senate withhold the oath of Colonel Smith, the Ilinois Democrat- ie leader appealed to the representa- tives of his party at Washington to keep their activity in the controversy over Smith’s seating in strict accord with Jeffersonian principles. | The senator-elect should be given | his oath and allowed to present his credentials, after which he could be regularly refused a seat by a two- thirds vote, Dunne argued. “Any ‘other method, particularly in view of ‘his appointment to a vacancy, will be fatal, in my judgment, to the Democratic party.” BEN PURNELL TO BE TRIED IN CIRCUIT COURT Date of Trial Will Be Set at Opening of Term in Febru- ary—Bond Continued Benton Harbor, Mich., Dec. 30.—() Benjamin Purnell, leader of the House of David colony, was bound over today for trial in circuit on charges of criminal assault made by Mrs. Bessie Woodworth of Ben- ton Harbor, a former member of the colony. Date of the trial will be deter- mined at the opening of the February term of circuit court. Meanwhile Purnell is to be rearraigned January 12 on criminal assault charges pre- ferred by Ruth Bamford Reed and Gladys Bamford Rubel, sisters, and also former members of the House of David colony. Purnell’s bond of $5,000 ih the Woodworth case, given at the time of his arrest in November, was con- crowded the small court room and packed the corridor. \ SINKING OF ASTORIA IS CONFIRMED Dispatches Fail, However, to Identify Lost Ship as Being American —— Odessa, Ukrania, Dec. 30—()— Dispatches received here today con- firm the sinking of the vessel ‘Astoria in the Black Sea near the Rumanian coast with the loss of 21 lives, but fail to identify her as American. The sinking of the Rumanian freighter Protus, with her crew of eight, is also reported. leavy snowstorms accompanied by violent winds are menacing shipping on the Black Sea, and scores of. mers have canceled their sail- ings. MYSTERY IS FURTHER COMPLICATED TODAY Paris, 5 ‘The mystery over the reported sinking of an American steamer ngmed Astoria in the Black Sea was further compli- cated today by'receipt of a message the death penalty as a punishment for|’ the senate pages during his annual GOVERNMENT OFFICERS ARE STANDING PAT Announced Policy of Protec- tion For American Lives, Property Maintained threatening the al positions of the! conservative forces of, President American government officials tanding pat on their announced y of protection for American} and property. | While conferences continued today! botween high officials in Washing-| ton, late despatches from the war zone in Nicaragua told of the re- treat to El Bluff from Las Perlas of the Diaz troops, their disarming in the neutral zone, and the dispatch! of 200 conservative soldiers to Mon-| key Ridge to save that strategic point. | Statement Refuted | | While denials continue to be made that Mexico, which has recognized! Sacasa, is aiding the liberal leader in| his fight, reports from Managua say that airplanes reported having sight- ed what the pilots believed to be a Mexican gun runner north of Corinto, | and add that Diaz has sent a com- munication to Minister Castrillo here in refutation of the statement by President Cylles that no help has been furnished by Mexico to Sacasa. ‘Another report from Managua said that the Tropical Radio company had been advised that American censors were established at Puerto Cabezas, seat of the liberal government, Rio Grande and El! Gallo. Latest advices to the state department, however, de- nied that Admiral Latimer had effect- ed a censorship, MEXICAN SPOKESMAN CLAIMS | DR. SACASA‘18 PRISONER ! Mexico City, Dec. 30—(#)--The charge that Dr, Juan Sacasa, head of the liberal government in Nicaragua, is virtually the prisoner at Puerto Cabezas of Rear Admiral Latimer, American nayal commander, was made here today by Pedro J. Zepeda, liberal spokesman in Mex “Without right or reaso Zepeda said, “the United States authoritic have established a strict censorship on the radio stations at Puerto Cabezas, El Gallo, and La Cruz. All honest Nicaraguans protest against tinued. the unprecedented fact that the Purnell was again borne on a| United States virtually is holdin: stretcher into Justice Ara Weldon’s soner the legitimate president and court by bearded members of his|whole cabinet, of a country with cult. He appeared undismayed by|which the United States is not at the throng of curious onlookers who} war, having cut off all commun tion service between Dr. Sacasa and the outside world. Zepedo said Admiral Latimer had disarmed Dr. Sacasa’s personal guard, and he feared an uttempt might be.made against the liberal president's life. Presbyterians of Jamestown Seeking Pastor From Ohio Jamestown, N. D., Dec. 30-—)- Rev. John Calvin McCoy, pastor of the Presbyterian church’ of Marys- ville, Ohio, was extended a “call” by the members of the First Presbyter- ian church of Jamestown to come to this city and assume the pastorate here-at a meeting of the congregation last evening. Graduate of McCormick Theolog- ical seminary, Lake Forest college and Northwestern university, Rev. McCoy was selected as the outstand- ing Presbyterian minister available from a large number of pastors con- sidered. Rev. McCoy was a recent four-day visitor in Jamestown, com- ing here at the request of » commit- tee of the church, and while here made a very favorable impression upon the church constituents. Girl Starves Sel to Send Money to Parents in Russia Chicago, Dec. 30.—(#)—Three hours after she collapsed at a suburban from Vienna saying: elevated station, a pret: artist’s “tthe lous of thatAstoria is. not re-| model, Mist Sophle Strandan, was re: ported here, but the foundering of | vived to tell police how she starved Feported American vessel from herself during Christmas to send tum, named Ki ith the I Is to relatives in Rui of 3 Hise and ai eared on the Bi Knowing t! garian coast. jo other particulars| and sister were starving in are obtainable,” she said, she religiously denied Shipping registérs do not list aj self food, sending them money while vessel named either Kaukasus or|she came to the point of collapse. She Caucasus, x ‘ie expected to recover, Washington, Dec. 30.—-(P)--White Pt the Sacasa liberals continue to forge ahead into the interior of Nicarag It was for such valor that Vice President Dawes was awarded a huge replica of the Christmas dinner to them at the included two dolls labeled “Helen” and “Maria.” Here is the vice president a Albert B. Fall’s Condition Takes Turn For Worse Dec. 30. ner secret is ill at his (P) ry of th ne hi EL Paso, bert B. interior, with pneumonia, suddenly took a turn for the worse during the night, necessitating the calling in of Dr. a. t. ford at an earlier hour than usual this morning. Fall was report- ed yesterday as being practically out The ex-senator spent a very rest- d was coughing a great familys ‘all’s temperature had little. Dr. Safford, who previously ha fused to Aiscuss the ill man’s dition, could not be located his ¢ nination of Mr. Fall. CONDUCTOR IS KILLED WHEN TRAINS CRASH Five Passengers on Omaha Limited Injured When It Runs Into Freight after Chippewa Falls, Wis. Dee. 30-—() A freight conductor was killed and five passengers received minor ii juries when the Arrowhead, a fast passenger train on the Omaha road from Duluth to Chicago, crashed into the rear of a stationary treight about a mile from here, at 2 o'clock this morning. The passengen train engineer saw the rear of the freight about 400 feet ahead as he was rounding a curve and applied the brakes, but crashed into the train, splintering the ca- boose and almost completely demol- ishing it. C, W. Cartwright, the freight conductor who was in t boose, was fatally injured, : passengers in the limited were cut and bruised, but none of them se- riously injured. MANKATO LAD ARRAIGNED OX MURDER COUNT Attorneys Demand Prelim- inary Hearing, Which Is Set For January 5 Manbato, Minn, Dec. %40.--(4)— Harry Flomming, 17-year-old Man- kato high school student, today was arraigned on charges of second de- gree murder in connection with the shooting to death-of Henry and Frank Jacobe. Attorneys for the youth demanded a preliminary hearing, which was set for Wednesday, January 5. No bonds were fixed and Flemming was re- ‘manded to the custody of the sheriff, Flemming, who claims that he fired in self def when the Jacobes rushed up as @ hunting party rested near the Jacobe property, was wr- raigned on two charges, one growing out of each death, Funeral services for the Jacobes were conducted this morning. Henry Jacobe, father of Frank, is survived by his widow and nine children. Last Minute | | News Bulletins | Galveston, Texas, Dec. 30— hopped oft from Tampico at it ol rom Tam| a. m. Tampico time, today for. Trom Tampice by tye alt Amer rom mer- fean cab! oftice, here said. Fargo, N. D., Dec. 30—(AP)— Rrostion of a chemistry buildit Concordia page Mg cn Al THE BISMARCK TRIBUNE [aeom | . “For Bravery in the Face of Senate Gas” prize medal by | rs he receive: the turkey Othe out to carve pitol, WOMAN SWIMS — ICY RIVER AT CELEBRATION Is; | . Schoemmel’s Feat Contrast to Washington's Crossing 150 Years Ago | | Trenton, No J 30) What George id 150! years ago. in) a . Lottie | Moore Schoemmel done in bathing suit, She crossed the Dela- wal | ‘There was ice in the river when she swam yesterday, just as there was ice when Washington crossed to} win the battle of nLon, | In contrast to her swim was a} pageant reenacting © Washington's | historic crossing in which men clad] in Continental Army — uniforms) pushed a small boat” across the) stream through floating cakes of ice. Mrs. Schoemmel completed her swim of 1,200 feet in 10% minutes, and said she felt no il! effects from | ithe cold. e rature of the| water : Mrs. Smoemmel, who Is 28 and the mother of two children, was attired in a bathing suit, having consented to wear togs rather than create -un- necessary comment during the visit of the governors here nd other person- ages celeb I she is cout for . Ordin ed simply ACROSS OCEAN | TO BE REALITY Service Will Be Available to, Public Next Month—$75_ | For Three Minutes London, Dec. 30,-(P)--When you talk across the Atlantic, don’t shout, ict, even tones, ion’ of this ti British postoffice officials, together with the drilling of telephone girls here in the names of the New York exchanges, indicates the proximity of the opening of the new trans-Atlantic radio-phone service, which is to be made available to the public early next month, The proposed cost of telephoning across the Atlantic is about $75 for the first three minutes and $15 for each additional minute. Many applicants will speed to book calls for the opening day, newspapers and business men vieing for first places. It is understood the first call has been reserved for Sir Alex- ander Roger Sherman of the Tele- phone Development Association, who will speak to W. S. Gifford, presi- dent of the American Telephone and Telegraph company. $16,000,000 Wanted For Construction of Vets’ Hospitals Washington, Dec. 30.—()—A vet- erans’ hospital construction pro- gram calling for an appropriation of $16,000,000 for new structures or additions to existing ones is usked in a bill drawn up by Chairman John- son of the house veterans committee. It would authorize 5,000 additional beds and, with a few exceptions, they would be used for world war vet- erans suffering with mental disor- ders. The measure follows recom- mendations made at the Philadelphia American Legion convention. “The additional hospital Mr. Johnson said today, “has found necessary because the number of former service men suffering from mental diseases attributable to the war has incre: at the rate of 1,000 past four years. Under special treatment, the government may be able to cure a substantial number of these but pital facilities are not spmsnils placed upon th e advice by St. Cloud, Minn., 200 $300,000, and Fort Snelling, Minn., 250, beds, $375,000. | man-Sielaff, her principal accuser, is ., ants are withdrawn, a motion also A dish: slapped across the face of 8. bul far’ by a housewife in Indianapolis, Ind., recently put him to flight, PRICE FIVE CENTS KEYES CLAIMS CONVICTION 18 ‘TMPOSSIBLE’ Mrs. Lorraine Wiseman-Sie- laff, Principal Accuser, Is Termed Perjurer DISMISSAL IS EXPECTED If Charges Are Withdrawn, Keyes Will Also Drop Pros- ecution of Ormiston Los Angeles, Dec. 30.—)—The state’s conspiracy case against Mrs. Aimee Semple McPherson has col- lapsed with the announcement from the office of District Attorney Asa Keyes that conviction of the noted woman evangelist is “almost impos- sible” because Mrs. Lorraine Wise- urncoat” and a “perjurer.” Dismissal of the charge against Mrs. McPherson and others involved in the case is declared to be immin- ent. Coincident with the announcement from the district attorney's office came a cable to the Times from Syd- Austral quoting Mrs. Ruth ts Ormiston, estranged wife of Kenneth G. Ormiston, former radio erator for Mrs, McPherson, as say- ing she had received a “most imper- tinent” letter from the woman evan- gelist. Letter Mailed May 18 The dispatch said the letter had been mailed to Mrs. Ormiston May 18, last, the date of Mrs. McPherson's strange disappearance. while bathing at Ocean Park, near here 's. Me- Pherson was absent for days, part of which the state charges she spent in a cottage at Carmel, Califor- nia, with Ormiston. The conspiracy case is based on a story which she told the grand jury here after her reappearance that she had been kid- naped and taken into the Mexican desert, escaping later, Vhile refusing to dise tents of the letter, Mrs said t of us $s to, Los Ang early xt year to institute divorce proceedings Egainst the form. er Angelus Temple radio Mrs. Ormiston said she rece} letter following her arrival in Syd- ney. where she went to live with her father after leaving California last January. Free to Seek Divorce Mrs, Ormiston revealec, however, that the letter informed her that she was “free to seek a divorce,” whilo Ormiston would be content to “live on in memories” of a happy married ife. In the event the charges against Mrs. McPherson and her co-defend- would be made to quash th eonspir- acy indictment against Ormiston, the district wttorney’s office indicated. 200 BLOCKS IN NASHVILLE ARE FLOODED 4,000 People Driven From Homes — Soup Kitchens Opened—Charity Starts Nashville, Tenn., The greatest floo: ince the white man came to whet is now Nashville, was spread over the city today and the Cumberland river stood at a stage of 508 feet, The river, which was expected to continue its rise for the next day or ‘two as the result of unprecedented rainfall here and in its upper reaches in Kentucky, covered approximately 200 oy ilocks today. 000 Property Damage Property damage was estimated ut $200,000 and the mighty lake that spread out from the river bed covered a large area of the manufacturing and warehouse district and the homes of at least 4,000 persons who dwelt in the low part of town. Police, in mak- ing this latest estimate, said that some 1,600 persons had been throwm out of work by the flood. Weather bureau officials would not venture to predict when the crest of the flood would be reached but they did not exvect any appreciable fall before next Tuesday. The flood-stricken populace -has withdrawn to whatever homes it could find. Churches and private homes have been thrown open to the sufferers, Horse and motor drays carry salvaged furniture to make- shift places of storage. No loss of life has been reported. The Cumberland continues to rise after breaking the 1882 highwater mark record of 55.3 fect. Today ad- ditional families. were preparing to abandon their homes. Soup kitchens have been opened for refugees and charity organiza- tions are busy. River Still Rising < vice throughout Tennes- sippi and Kentucky showed ht improvement in the flood ‘oday, while many of the smaller streams have reached their e Cumberland, Ten- and smaller rivers con- is Columbus, Miss., is in the clutches of the worst flood known in many years and the adjutant general of the state has dispatched a plane to Dec. 30.—)— Train see, Mi: only sl that city to aid rescue work. The yy | 1e inundated. %) in - x For buy a dance pe hg RET s Cee % Ae eet Se