Casper Daily Tribune Newspaper, January 25, 1921, Page 1

(as he Casper 3 a VOLUME V. CASPER, WYO., TUESDAY, JAN, 25, 1921. aitly Gribune NUMBER 90 AGREEMENT IS R EACHED IN JAP COMTROVERSY League Is Refused Authority In Austrian Crisis, Commissi=n Is Appointed LEGION RUSHES TO oUPPORT OF BILL REDUCING METERANS TAX Opposition to Measure Passed by the House Takes Form in Senate; Soldiers Are Aroused (By a Staff Correspondent) CHEYENNE, Jan, 25.—Inten- sive lobby campaigns by several state officials and the attitude of a small group of senators is be- ing directed against the House bill which exempts war veterans from taxes on $2,000 in property and the payment of poll taxes. The meas- ure, which passed the house without a dissenting vote, also exempts wid- ows of veterans of the Spanish-Amer- ican and recent war during their wid- owhood. The only members of the house not voting on the measure pre former soldiers. They asked to be excused on the grounds of being interested parties. The bi! was then sent to the senate, where it has been buried. Immediately after its arrival the senators were presented with a problem. Campaigners against the measure sserted the heroes of thé récent war ppose the passage of the bill. Rea- sons given declared that few soldiers of the recent war own property and that the exemption of poll taxes / means little to the former.soldier, Veterans backing the bill passed by the. house replied to this argument with the statement that _Sanpish- American war veterans when ds charged under siinilar conditions to the world war vets did not have prop- > erty at that time, but that the ma- jority have since marvied, become fa- thers and are home owners. Aroused by the activity of the op- positionists former world war veter- ans in the house have enlisted the aid of the American Legion thruout the state, and yesterday telegrams and telephone calls were received {yom various posts urging steps to fring about the passage of the meas- ure in the senate. It is quite likely, it this sentiment becomes general, senators anxious to reward world war veterans knowing a cash bonus {s im- possible, wjll pass the measure. Several of the veterans in the logis- lature openly accuse the lobbyists of using the measure as political capital, insisting that they desire to mislead the legion into believing they aro trying to defeat the measure with the idea of forcing a larger reward for the heroes of the recent world con- flict. ID ‘OR DIES HAZLETON, Pa., Jan. 25—Stephen D. Engle, aged 83, inventor and buil- der of the famous Engle stronomical, musical and apostolic clock, famous a generation ago as a theatrical attrac- tion, died at his home here last night. He was also the inventor of a device for fastening porcelain teeth to silver and gold plate and numer- ous other devices, Solution Reached by Embassies to Be Submitted to State Officials WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.—Ne- Morris and Shidehara for the gotiations between Ambassadors seltlement of the California ques- tion and the defmition of the rights of Japanese in the United States have been successfuly con- cluded. Approval of the conclusions of the two ambassadors must be given by their governments before any further action looking to a settlement of the controversy that has arisen over the California antialien land law can be had. Baron Shidehara has submit- ted his report to the foreign office-at Tokio and Mr. Morris has his report ready for consideration by Secretary of State Colby, who is expected to return to Washington Thursday from Suth America. Members of the senate foreign re- lations committee have been kept ad- vised by Mr. Morris of the various phases of the negotiations so that if the committee desired to consider in the remaining days of the present ses- sion any draft treety which President Wilson might submit, the way would be cleared for prompt action. Administration officials have had no assurance that it is the purpose of the Republi ledaers to endeavor to dispose of al American-Japanese treaty at present, but it is understood that some representations have been made from Republican sources that it might relieve the Harding adminis- tration of a considerable burden if such a treaty could/be concluded dur- ing the present session. These representations are said to have been based upon the theory that the so-called California question can be considered by the senate, and by the house as well, as a purely non-partisan question. DISARMAMENT HELD UNLIKELY IN JAPAN. TOKIO, Jan. 24.—Restriction of ar- maments would be considered by the Japanese government, should -it be proposed ‘by another nation, but lit- tle hope is held out by Viscount Uchi- da; foreign minister, that there will be any immediate movement toward disarmaments. ‘The foreign minister was interpollated in the lower house of parliament by members of the op- position, and admitted that the limit- ing of armaments was-being discussed by the powers. “Some practical men abroad, how- ever,” he declared, ‘do not approve of immediate disarmament, although they agree in principle. The exist- ing German situation is one factor which prevents a complete agrve- ment on the subject. Some people believe Japan has no intention to restrict armaments’ because Viscount Ishii, apanese ambassador to France, favored the opinion of practical men who object to reduction. Japan's naval policy is not one of expansion, but is onc tht cannot be avoided in the interests of self-pro- tection. Japan, however, is ready to consider the subject of curtailment, in ordr to assure world peace, in case lany power should make such a pro- posal. ope for an early beginning of direct negotiations with China relative to the restoration of Shantung, was ex- pressed by the foreign minister. He clared the inauguration of trade with Russia might be cofisidered after a stable government had been estab- (Continued on Page 8) REPORT ON COAL PRICES [3 SENT TO LEGISLATURE BY oTATE GilEF Gross Profits on Coal Run as High as $4.15 Ton; No Charge of Profiteering Is Made CITY VIOTATORS ARE HELD FOR HIGHER COURTS DENVER, Colo., Lan. 25—A blow aimed at the bootleggers was struck by Chief of Police H. Rugg Williams today when he issued an order Ali recting the re-arrest of all persons fined in police court for bootleszing an¢ confinement in the city jail to await further action by District At- torney Philip Van Cize. The order virtually constitutes a double charge against all violators of the prohibi- tion law. ‘The order reads: “In the future, in the case of all violators of the prohibition law that are taken to police court and ar; fined, the evidence shall be kept tact and the defendants immediately rearrested and put in the city. jail and held for the district ttorncy. - “Kindly see tht this order is strict-] ly enforced.” CHEYENNE, Jan. 25.—The result in the lo¥er house of the Wyoming Legislature of a report by the State Public Service Com- mission to Governor Carey that gross profits of dealers on coal retailed to Wyoming consumers ran as high as $4.15 a’ton, and the Gov- érnor’s transmission of the report to the Legislature, is a bill by Represen- tative William Platt and L. R. Brew- er of Goshen County, constituting the Szate Public Servjce Commission ex-officio a coal sommission, with au- thority to investigate prices, compel the production of books and other ev- idence and fix prices where such ac- tion would appear from: evidence to be necessary to terminate profiteer- ing. The bill, jt & stated, will have the support of the Governor’s influ- ence. An effort will be made to ex, pedite its passage. Senate refiection of the Governor’ message’ transmitting the public ser_ vice commission's report was the ap_ pointment of a committee of Senators to confer wigh the governor, invest;_ gate coal prices and report to the Senate regarding ‘action, if -any, deemed ni C ‘The public service commission's re- Port to the Governor follows: “Enclosed herewith statements showing prices for coal prévailing at the mines December 1, 1920, together with the prices charged consumers by regailers in the principal towns and cities of the State. “The mine prices in the southern fields, you wil! note, are $5,75 and $5.50 for lump coal; $5.00 and $5.25 for nut coal; $4.50 for mine run, and $8.0 for slack. These prices are per ton of 2,000 pounds. ‘i “While under the’ jurisdiction of the Federal fuel adminjstration the mine prices for the majority of Wyoming coals were: $3.65 for lump, $3.00 for mine run, and $1.85, for slack. ‘These prices were effective until about April 1, 1920. From shat date to the pres- ent time the trend has bn upward until the prices have reached their present level. “In other words, the price of lump coal at the mines has increased from 33 to 60 per cent during the past ejght months. Lump coal constituges about 80 per cent of the coal used for domestic purposes. ‘he mine price for lump coal just prior to the reign of the federal fuel administration, i. e., January, 1918, was $2.25 per ton. “The staicjnents herewith disclose the fact thai the domestic consumers of this state! are paying from $5.25 to (Continued on Page 8) CASPER POST FIGHTS TAX EXEMPTION BILL AFFECTING WAR VETS Measure “Ineffective as Relief” Act And “Unsound in Principle” Former Service Men Wire Representatives At the regular meeting of George Vroman Post No. 2, Amer- ican Legion, held in Casper last night,,the local representative or- ganization of ex-service men went on record as being unanimously opposed to the Beach world war veteran tax exemption measure, nown as House Bill No. 4 in the Wyoming State Legislature. The bill has been passed by the House, and is in the hands of the Senate revenue committee at the time. The result of the vote on the pro- posal by the local legion post was wired to Natrona county representa- tives in the legislature Monday night and receipt of such telegrams has been acknowledged by State Repre- sentative Harry Free and J. EB. Fris- by and State Senator J, W. Johnson. It read as follows “George Vroman Post No. 2 in regular meeting decided that pro- present, posed tax exemption legislation in- effective as relief measure and un- sound in principle. Vote shows post unanimously opposed to bill.” There is strong objection to the measure in the state sengte, the members of which are being subject- ed. to a propaganda drive favoring its enactment. The action of the Casper post, it is understood, marks a departure in the attitude taken by a majority of Legion posts which havo taken an interest in the meas- ure, CONSUMERS OF COAL BILKED, SENATOR SAYS WASHINGTON, Jan, %5.—The opinion that the’ American people were “mulcted” of = billion and a half dollars Jast year by men in the coal trade was cxpresneid today by Senator Cald« Republican, New York, who was # witness before the senate committe considering his bil for texeral regulation of the coal indust: a HARDING SAILS OFF COAST ROCK LEDGE, Fla., Jan. 25—Leav- ing here early this forenoon, Presi- dent-elect Harding’s houseboat, Vic- toria is expected to reach Vero fifty miles to the south in time to Permit the passengers to go ashore for a game of golf during the after- noon, The schedule for the day again called for letsurely nailing and it is now expected that the party will delay it’s fishing until after arrival at Miami, is, POLICE OFFICER IS ROUND OVER TOU.S.COURT Trial Date for Hatry Devine and Inez Collins Set for May 9 in the Federal Court at Cheyenne lice Aarau’, Harry J. Devine, ant in Fecently by revenue agents and held under bond of $1,- 000, on a charge of violating the fed- eral prohibition laws, the alleged p2s- session of a still for the manufacture of Mquor “and: intended “for tse in yiolation of the prohibition amend- ment, has been bound over for trial at Cheyenne on May 9. Inez Collins, arrested with Devine and held on the same charge will be tried ut the same time. No counsel for the defense has been obtained and whether or not Je- vine who has studied law wiil at- tempt to defend himself is unknowr. All but three of the ten arrested have furnished bond and will be giv- en hearings here and in Cheyenne on March 14. The charges which those bound over to the United States court | for trial face, have been preferred} by the federal authorities who co- operated with the county authorities| in the sweeping raids. FRANK MILLER - - ASSUMES BLAME. In an affidavit produced late today by Devine and sworn to before a no- tary public. Frank Miller, who was ar- rested on January 19 for having pos- session of materials with which to make whisky, assumes full respon- sibility for the still which federal agents charge was owned by Devine and Mrs, Inez Collins. This, it is ex- pected, will be made the basis of Devine'’s defense when his case is called for hearing in Cheyenne. Miller declares he “lived with hig! family in the basement of the house} rented by Mrs. Inez Collins,’and at) which house H. J. Devine rooms,” and that “all materials found in the house belong to me solely and to no one else.” ‘Miller sets forth in the afi- davit that he rented the bascrnent about January 5 and that Devine was a stranger to him until “the fed- eral authorities told him of the case.” “I alone am guilty of possession of the still and materials for making} whisky,” Miller states in his af™fda- vit. ESPIONAGE LAW HEARINGS ARE RESUMED TODAY (By Associated Press) WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.—The sen- ate judiciary committee resumed its hearings today on charges against Attorney General Palmer and the de- partment of justice in connection with the administration of the es- pionage law. A number of promin- ent attorneys, critics of the attorney general, as well as some of the agents of the department were to be heard. The charges were filed by members of the National Popular. Government League who claimed that the attor- ney general had violated both the law and the constitution’ in conducting raids and arresting certain radicals. ‘This Mr. Palmer has dented. Aiden tend Maa Secon Earle D, Holmes of the Holmes hardware company and president of the Camber of Commerce here, has left for Denver, where he will arrend the annual convention of hardware and implement dealers of the Rocky Mountain region. Weather Forecast Fair tonight and probably Wednesday. Not much change TWO CITIES ARE SWEPT AY FIRES WITH LOSSES OF THREE. MILIOLNS Entire Block Des- - troyed by Night Blaze Theatening the Whole City of ‘Athens, Ga. (By Associated Press) NEW HAVEN, Conn., Jan. 25.— Fire, which destroyed the building of Mendel & Freedman, a depart- ment store in Chapel street and spread to several adjoining struc- tures, early today did damage esti- mated at $1,069,000. The fire was brought under control after three hours’ hard work by firemen in zero temperature. (By Associated Press) ATHENS, Ga., Jan: 25.—Fire which for a time threatened the entire business section here early today and destroyed one city block, and damaged buildings on adjoining squares caused a prop- erty logy of approximately |000, aceording to Selig Bernstein, president of the People’s bank and owner of a number of the buildings destroyed. porte. nearby cities succeeded tn. getting it under control. At its height the tire appeared as if it would wipe out the entire downtown section and it was then that calls for outside assis! ce were sent. Rapid speed of the blaze was said to" have been due to the «xplosion of gasoline drums in the Max Joseph building on Wall street, the lower floor of which was occupied by the Denny Motor company. This scat- tered the flames beyond control and the fire spread down the east side of (Continued on Page 8) $2,000,- No loss of life was‘ re- Fire, of undetermined origin, broke out shortly before’ midnight an it was five hours later %efore the vom: bined efforts of firemen trom thisand All Europe Would Be Involved, Say ‘Allied Heads, in Austrian Wreck PARIS, Jan. 25.—After re- jecting today a proposal to tun the Austrian financial problem over to the League of Nations, the Allied Supreme Council de- cided to appoint a commission to make a thorough inquiry into the entire question of the eccuuuaic situa- tion in Europe with particular refer- ence to Austria, The council took this action in view of the opinion of the conference that, as the ustrian situation involved the entire Eurcpean economic situation, it was advisable to have this situation thoroughly inquired into through the most competent representatives of the Allied countries obtainable. These representatives, it was de- cided, would be Sir Robert Born, pres- ident of the British Board of Trade; Louis Loucher, France; Signor Gian- nini, the Italian economic expert, and probably the ininisters of commerce of other allied countries including Bel- gium. The commission was appointed this afternoon. It was expected to meet before the day was over and ex- Pedite it’s work in order that definite decisions might be aken before the close of the conference here. During the discussion in the council today ,the general opinion was devel- oped that it was useless to try to do anything for Austria apart from the solution of the economic problems of the neighboring countries, with which Austria’s future is bound to be closely connected, nad the suggestion from the Austrian section of the re- pérations commission for an advance fo-pstria of $25,000,000 yearly for ten years, guaranteed by pledges on Aus- tria’s resources, was not adted upon. The tendency is, it appears, to reject any proposition likely to {nvolve in- creased taxation fdr France and: Great Britain. The Italian viewpoint is that Austria should not be allowed to bind herself to any particular country or group of countries through internat: ional agreements. In connection with the other work of the council it was reorted this morn- ing,that the Italian government had sent a’note to tho council regarding Smyrna, which would be considered in connection with the Greek and Turk- ish questions, AUSTRIA MAY BE GIVEN CHANCE PARIS, Jan. 25.—Conditions in Aus- tria, which are described as “critical (Continued on Page 8) LUMBER CONTROL IMPOSSIBLE | THRU ANY ORGANIZATION, SAYS | MANUFACTURER AND OFFICIALS | MILWAUKEE, W: in Milwaukee, January 27, in a reply to a query from the convention divis- sion, Milwaukee Association of Com- merce. ‘ “There are some 40,000 mills in the United States,” said Mr. Swan. “They are in active competition. The Southern states and North Middle states ate in competition with the West. Lumber from the Soilth, West and orth all meet in active competi- tion in this region. “‘it is understood that the data com- piled by the federal trade commission was secured about a year ago, and it is based upen a period when lumber, in common with every other commod- ity, was on a constantly increasing upward grade. Relative ‘supply and demand did it. “This fact may have given rise to the thought that the price movement was due to artificial control. That it was purely an economic adjustment is amply proven by the fact that lum- ber was the first of the great commo- dities to fall in value along with farm products to the price levels of several years ago. “Lumber has declined during the Past few months from 40 to 60 per cent under the values prevailing last spring. Mill work and interior finish for houses have shown the same de- cline, so that today no one need hesi- tate about building a home on account of the lumber and mill work." ioe ahaa laste ates Russ Policy Approved. WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.—Presi- dent Pessoa of Brazil has assured the state department of his “hearty con- currence” in President Wilson’s communication to the League of Na- tions regarding the policy which Mr. | Wilson believes should be adopted toward Russia preliminary to any me- in temperature, @iation in Armenia, (By Associated Press) » Jan. 25.—It would be practically an im-, possibility for the National Lumber Manufacturers’ Association or any other organization to control either the output or the prices of lumber if they should attempt to do so, according to O. T. Swan of | Oshkosh, Wis., secretary of the Northern Hemlock and Hardwood Manufacturers’ Association, which will hold its annual convention Cut by Ope Wyoming oil operators were started on its downward trend. two commodities are filling all avail- able storage space. The refiners with heavy stocks of fasoline and high grade Jubricants are finding themselves caught in the decline and with an outlook of heavy losses to come, several of the larger |oil producers in the Mid-Continent | flelds have been unloading at a very rapid rate’ in order to reduce their crude stocks as much as possible in anticipation of further declines, Largest Cut Affects Salt Creek Produc- tion; No Surprise Manifested Over “"TER parently Hopeless paign to sway the present session sion is anticipated. Several senators and representa- tives, opposing the repeal of the law, openly denounced the efforts to have the law removed from the books as A measure threatening the industrial future of the state, and as a move perpetuated merely to serve selfish in- terests. They assert the data ayall- lable on the carbon black industry is sufficient to convince anyone that it will bring about complete devastation of one of the state's most valuable natural resources with no other sup- port than the fact that a small por- tion of citizens, interested in the car bon bleck industry, seek the law’s re- peal. Other senators and representa- tives back these arguments with statements regarding the operation of the company in defiance of the state law which has been upheld by the United States supreme court and makes the company lable to FIGHT OVER CARBON BILL IS SEEN Supporters of Measure Mobilize for 'Ap- Battle for Repeal of State Measure (Spect«! to The Tribune.) CHEYENNE, Wyo., Jan. 25.—Facing opposition that even now may be estimated as a safe majority in both, House and Senate boosters for the repeal of the carbon black law began their dam- of the Legislature. So strong is the determhination on both sides that the bitterest battle of the ses- providing the method of distribution of federal leasing act revenues. Bishop N. S. Thomas of the Epis- copal diocese of Wyoming, addressed an informal joint assembly of the two’ houses regarding advisability of this legislature making provision for the erection of a building to house the state library and _ historical . collec- tion, stating that if a fireproof build- ing were provided a number of his- torical collections of priceless value would be presented to the state. It is said that if such a building is pro- vided W. R. Coe of New York, who owns 4 big ranch in Park county and who has made numerous gifts to that county and the state, will pre- the most valuable private collections of books in the nation, The house received reports today from special committees appointed to ‘ialt und inspect the state hospital for the insane and the state: library. reach more, than $1,000,000. rs of "the) measure ~ from and Worland, however, declare are determined’ to have a car- bon black plant which will mean to them a gas supply obtainable in no other way. Backing the lobby from these two sections are several sena- tors and representatives, who assert they will fight for repeal to a finish. BILL TO REPEAL LAW 1S INTRODUCED. (Special to The Tribune) CHEYENNE, Jan. 25.—The first open move in what, promises to be one of the most interesting fights be- fore the Wyoming legislature was made this morning when Senator Chassell of Campbell county, brought | In Senate File No. 36, providing for repeal of the “carbon black” act, which is the natural gas conservation law. ‘The bill was referred to the committee on mines. ‘The committee of the whole of the house favorably recommended House Bill No. 65, the Deloney-Story mens- vre legalizing bexing under state su-/ pervision, by a vote of 27 to 11, six- teen members being absent. There was little discussion in the conimit- tee but it is forecast that a deter- mined drive against the bill will be made when it comes up for second reading. The Oviatt primary election repeal bill, Senate File No. 27, came before the committee of the whole in the senate at a time when the author was presiding in the committee session and consideration of the measure ‘SAFES HOLDING BUILDING TRUST EVIDENCEFOUND (By Associated Press.) NEW YORK, Jan. 25.—Two steel safes, believed to contain important records wanted in connection with the trial on extortion charges of Robert P, Brundell, head of the building trades council, were ordered opened in criminal court here’ today. Samuel Untermyer, special proseeu- tor in the case, has sought the min- utes, books and cash account records of the council for several weeks. Ros- well Tompkins, permanent secretary of the council, could not be found by process servers. Other officials said they did not know the combinations of the safes. Trucks were sent to the council's offices tor the safes and an expert brought into court to open them, PRESIDENT OF BOLIVIA QUITS LIMA, Peru, Jan. 25.—Bautista Saavedra, provisional president of Bolivia, has resigned, placing the office in the hands of a person of therefore was postponed one day. ‘The senate passed on second read- ing Senate File No. 24, the Lee bill neutral politics, who will call for elections without delay, says a dis- patch received here from La Pas. rators Here notified this morning of a cut in crude prices that has been expected here since Pennsylvania crude Market conditions relative to the oil industry are gradually assuming the pre-war schedules, and the consumers of petroleum products have cut down on the consump- tion of kerosene and gasoline until at present the stocks of these j, Some crude was offered last week in Tulsa at $2.50 per barrel including | ¢ the tankage and this was at that time more than 60 cents under the market. The Midwest today posted a straight reduction of 50 cents per barrel on Salt Creek, Elk Basin. Bix Muddy, Lance Creek, Grass Creek, Pilot Butte, Osage, Torchlight and Greybull, and a 25-cent reduction on| WYOMING CRUDE OILS CUT FROM 25 TO50 CENTS BARREL TODAY Neen Posted a notice of a reduction of price on all grades as listed by the Midwest and in addition the Ohio Oil company’s schedule reduced Rock River oil 40 cents. The Ohio Oil company is the only purchaser of Rock River oil and therefore the Mid- west ‘schedule does not carry this crude. The new quotations will read as fol- lows and for purposes of compari- son the old prices are shown: Old Price, New Price. Salt Creek — $2.25 Grass Creek 2.60 Elk Basin 2.60 Lance Creek 2.55 Rock Creek \ 2.33 Big Muddy B 2.25 Mule Creek - 2.05 . 1.80 Torchlight and Greybull were fe- duced the same as Grass Creek and Elk Basin. A reduction in the price’ of gaso- line and kerosene is now expected to follow in the next few days and other petroleum products will gradually’ be- come easier to accommodaty ‘the re duction in crude prices. The henyler products are becoming a drug on the | market in other centers and a Ireak may be reported very soon im the Mule Creek, The Ohio Oll company prices of these stocks. sent to the state his labrary, one of,