Casper Daily Tribune Newspaper, February 15, 1924, Page 1

—_—_—<$—$—_—————————————————' VOLUME VIII. “- CASPER, WYO., FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 1924 VANDERLIP MINUS FACTS, "m0V81 FF op, A Newspaper for All the Family, Clean, Unbiased, and a Booster for City, County and State’ Che Casper Daily Tritume NUMBER 97 ISCUSSES RUMORS Says Harding’s Name Should be Cleared of Scandal Talk PO) CASPER RELIEF ANS GIVEN OFFIGIAL OKEH Postmaster Succeeds in Mission on. Trip to That it was a paying proposition for the chamber of commerce to finance the trip of Postmaster Edwin M. Bean to Washington, D. C., ii quest of adequate post- office facilities for Casper, is shown in a wire recetyed from him today by Forest G. Wheeler, assistant postmaster here. With the aid of Senator Francis E. Warren and Congressman Charles Winter, Mr. Bean gained the approval of. the secretaries of both the treasury and postoffice de- partments for an extension that ried from the main edge of the small city rear and will give to partment an additional feet of floor space, this new work will pro close to $20,000, mates. Following the completion of the Proposed enlargement, it is likely that the present force of employes wil be augmented in order that he handling of mafl mey be more ‘Prompt. For several years numbers of in- effectual attempts have been made by Casper to“secure either a new Postoffic building or additions to the existing one. Only by awaiting the time when a general omnibus bill was introduced in congress could Casper’s request for a new DPostoffice be attached as a rider. In view of the national urge to reduce taxes at this time, the hope of an omnibus bill for this session one way open and that was to seek an extension of the old building. To bring @ climax to the matter, which so long hasbeen a vexatious last 5 authorized Postmaster Bean to go to Washington at its expense. The investment “brought. an excellent return. DENVER MAN IS SUICIDE DENVER, Colo., Feb, 15—Willlam J. Howard, an engineer’ employed by a local store, today shot and Killed himself at the home of his father in law, A. J. Hansgen, in Edgewater, a suburb, where he had gone in search of his wife. In- formed by a nine year old brother ot the wife's that she was at the home of his own father, Howard is sald to have drawn a gun and Dlacing it to his head fired one shot. Other residents of the house who heard the shot rushed to his body nd found that’ death had been in- stantaneous, According to” Mr. Hansgen, the bey and his wife had been quarrel- ing and it enlminated last night When his wife left and went to the home of her parents. SHLE OF AAILAOAD 1S SET FOR MARCH LARAMIE, Wyo., Feb. 15—M. A, = of Cheyenne, the special mas- adhe. set Tuesday, March 4 at ,clock p. m. for the date of sale Ms the Colorado, Wyoming and Later railroad, extending from mite to Walden, Colorado, 122 holdang” Meet the demands of bond- thie =, The sale will be held in ‘ity. A company to be ca‘led orthern Colorado and Eastern ont, been formed to take he road on {t it can meet the terms of park the local the has OFFICE ADDITION SECURED Treat Is Found|POLAR_FLICHT In Scout Fete Something more than two hours of hard contests in the high school auditorium last night ended with District No. 1 of the Casper Boy Scouts coming out winner in the first annual jamboree. District No. 3 ran the successful district a close race, losing by only one point, while District No. 2 placed third. More than 5600 scouts took part in the events last evening and the gym- nasium was crowded to capacity with spectators while there were many who were turned away be- cause of lack of space. Owing to the great crowd on the balcony it was necessary to caution the spec- tators about moving carelessly for fear that an accident might occur which would seriously mar the eve- ning’s entertainment. The great work which the scout organization is doing among the boys of the city was never better demonstrated bere than by last night's program. While the large number of boys present made it difficult to run off the eyents with- out some confusion the work was handled remarkably well and é¢he rs Were given a good oppor- rete view the different demon- The pep which the scouts sows was exceptional. The different dfs- tricts were well organized for yell- ing and supported their respective contestants with all the vigor pos- sible. The enthusiasm shown by these boys was'a large part of the entertainyent of the evening. The scouts were marched in and were reviewed for their general appearance in formation. They were then permitted to seat them- selves about the gymnasium while the contestants and those who demonstrated different scouting ac- tivities did their work. At the*con- clusion of the jamboree the scouts re-committed themselves to the scout oath. In this they were joined by the spectators who gave the scout sign while the scouts re- peated the oath. “Taps” was then sounded. The winner of an inter-district contest received five points, second three points, and third one point. In the tug-cf-war, fire by friction, fireman's drag and fireman’s lift 1d carry, the contests were not duite complete, though first and second places were announced in most instances, For - scouting demonstrations the districts secured ten, five and two points respectively. District No. 1 secured a total. of 34 points, District No. 3 a total of ———<—<—< SHORT-WEIGHT CANS OF COFFEE SEIZED IN WAR ON COLORADO SHIPPERS CHEYENNE, Wyo., Feb. 15.— Pursuing its campaign against short- weight and adulterated foodstuffs, the Wyoming Pure Food division of the State Department of Agriculture has. seized 300 short-weight cans of coffee packed by the Independence Tea & Coffee company of Denver. ‘The state now holds 2,000 packages of short-weight put out by this con- cern, it is stated at the Pure food division's office. Officers of the company have been cited to appear before Food Commissioner A. R. Smith February 18, The’ state government has re- ceived assurance that the Federal government will cooperate with jt in efforts to suppress short-weight and adulterated foodstuffs. Three lots of short-welght foodstuffs seized by the State’s agents have been turned over to the Federal government, for use as the basis for Federal action. 33 points and District No. 2 a total of 17 points. The following results were of- ficlally announced; the districts tak- ing first, second and third places in the order named: General appear- ance in formation—Districts 3, 2 and 1; review—Districts 3, 1 and 2; pyramid building—Districts 2, 3 and 1; tug-of-war—District 2; fire by friction—Districts 3 and.1; fireman's drag—Districts 1 and 3; fireman's lift and carry—Districts 1 and 3; chair carry—Districts 1, 3 and 2; best demonstration of scouting— Districts 1, 3 and 2. In the scouting demonstrations District No. 1 was considered to have first place because of the first aid work, tree chopping and other work done. District No. 3 pre- sented a signalling demonstration. Judges were R. S. Ellison, H. C. Chappell and George W. Jarvis. The announcer was Marshall Day- ton and the time keeper was Henry E. Perkins. ut Executive H. Roe Bartle had of the whole work while he was assisted by Deputy Commissioners W. C. Good- win, H. D: McCormick and Tracy Shaw. H FREIGHT RATE CASE 0 DENV IS SUSPENDED BY PRESIDENT WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.—Pres!- dent Coolidge-today ordered that Preparations for the navy's polar flight be suspended. ‘The president directed that noth- ing further be done until congress has had opportunity to express its views on the subject. This formal statement was issued by Secretary Denby: “Orders to cease preparat! the polar expedition were for to- day by the secretary of the navy. The president, having been informed that considerable opposition existed to the required expenditure of $350,- 000, instructed the department not to proceed with the expedition at this time nor untll the naval bills have been consiaered gnd congras« given an.opportunity if it desires, to express views ypon the polar ex- Pedition. (Continued on Page Six) 11 BELIEVED DEAD IN FIRE MONTPELIER, Vermont, Feb. 15. —Two persons were killed and nine are missing and believed to have lost their lives in @ fire which des- troyed the Lawrence building on. Main‘ street ¢arly today. Were seriously injured. The loss is estimated at $300,000. The known dead are Walter Washburn.and Mrs. J. F. Water- man. i i* Both sustained fatal injuries when they jumped from windows and } missed the lif net, Fear of Casper Competition Indicated by ‘Appearance at ‘Interstate Commerce Hearing Here of Representative Opposed to Equitable Adjustment for This City An exhaustive inquiry before the interstate commerce commission with regard to more equitable freight rates for Casper was started this morning in the council cham- ber at the city hall. The hearing will probably not be finished before tomorrow even- ing following which the commission will take the evidence under advisement and later deliver a judgment. The complaint as brought by the Casper Chamber of Commerce attacks the struc- ‘ture of freight rates on commodities shipped from eastern points to Cas- per and manufactured and. jobbing products shipped out of Casper as unreascnable, unjust and prejudicial in favor of the: cities which are Casper’s strongest’ competitors. In brief, the Chamber of Commerce hopes to have the Interstate Com- merce commission establish freight rates for Casper that will enable business houses and manufacturing houses to enter into active com- petition with similar establishments BLAME FIXED FOR STABBING DENVER, Cole., Feb, 1’ -A cor- oner’s jury late yesterday after- noon held Frank Barnes responsible for the stabbing to death Monday afternoon of Kay Larson in the Amber cafe, where both of the men were employed, ‘Witnesses said that bot hof the men had been drink- ing and that they engaged in an argument, a'timugh no one saw Barnes inflict the fatal wounds. Larson died in the police ambu- lance late Monday afternoon while being removed to the general hos- pital. ALASKAN COAL LEASE TALKED WASHINGTON, Feb. 15,—Former Secretary Fall and Secretary Denby were declared in a letter laid before President Coolidge today by John E. Ballaine, an Alaskan railroad con- structor to have entered into nego- tiations ineJuly, 1921, for transfer and lease of the rich Matanuska coal reserves of Alaska along the same lines as were later followed in the Teapot Dome ofl lease. « The Alaskan coal lease was not executed, but the letter sald the navy department, largely through the efforts of Rear Admiral J. Robinson, had assidiously refused evér since to permit use of Alaskan coal by the navy. in Denver, Cheyenne, Billings and Crawford, Neb. The testimony which the Cham- ber of Commerce !s offering is voluminous, the result of two years work and investigation by the Gen- eral Freight Service association of St. Louis. W. M. Hezel and John C. Ryan of that organization have Prepared numerous exhibits show- ing in detail just how Casper ts being discriminated against. Mr. Hezel is conducting the putting on of testimony. In addition to this several Casper business men are taking the stand to show how it is impossible for them to actively compete with Denver, Billings and Cheyenne rival concerns when the freight rates are prejudicial in favor of the latter. Bronson Jewell, of Washington, D. C., examiner for the: Interstate Commerce commission, is conduct- ing ‘the hearing. The defendants, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy and the Chicago & Northwestern railroads, are represented by their The Invited Caller We are all familiar with the horde of people doing house-to- house selling of various kinds. ‘We extend a much more cordial reception to salesmen whom we ask to call. The daily newspaper is the in- vited salesman of the advertising merchant; a welcomed -caller at home or office. Many forms of advertising are used but none are taken so cor- dially into the family circle as the favorite newspaper. Thousands’ of people, regular readers of The Tribune and their families invite mérchants of Cas- counsel. The Burlington is repre- sented by Walter McFarland and G. A. Hofelder, the Northwestern by A. F. Cleveland and'D. H. Hoops, all of Chicago. Denver is forcibly opposing Cas- per’s request for lower freight rates, presumably on the ground that their business men do not want to have to compete with local concerns on terms of freight rate equality. Harry Dickinson, counsel for the Denver Transportation com- pany, is actively representing the Colorado interests, his questions in cross examination being even more (Continued on Page Six) >_—_— RAIL BRIDGE LOST IN JAM SHERIDAN, Wyo., Feb. 15.— A span of the Burlington raitroad bridge at Arvaca, 50 miles east of here waa swept out by ico at o'clock this afternqon, it was re ported at the dispatcher’s office here. The span was 125 feet long. road officials sald they expected to repair the bridge in 36 hours. MARION, Ils., Feb. 15.—With- drawal of troops from Williamson County whtre they were sent after ay antli-klan factions last Friday, leaves the neutral element of the citizenry per to present thelr selling argu- ments through thelr favorite aewspaper, The Tribune to'work out their plans for establish: ing an orderly control of affairs. Train service was cancelled. Feat clash between Ku Klux Klan and] are expected to deps Financier Defends Ossining Speech On Ground of “Public Duty” to Bring Out Truth and Scdtch Rumors; Charge ‘Against Oil Probers Is Retracted WASHINGTON, Feb. 15. —Frank A. Vanderlip told the senate oil committee today that he had no facts what- ever to go on when he recently brought the name of Presi- dent Harding into the oil scandal. His Ossining speech, asking for an inquiry into cir- cumstances surrounding of the sale of Mr. Marion Star, he said, was made be- cause he though it a “public duty” to call attention to current rumors 80 as to stop them. : “I don't even know the price the paper sold at,” Vanderlip said, “The current story was 5$50,000" He regarded the rumors, he said, as akin to the “whispering cam- paign that marked the last month of the Harding campaign in 1920. “T had full basis for what I said,” he continued, “that these were cur- rent rumors. “I had never heard any intimation that the money paid for the Star came from oil interests. “I thought that my statements would bring us the truth and kill thoge tumors,” “You thought it your public duty to broadcast rumors which if not true were a reflection on the dead?” asked Senator Lenroot. “I thought it my patriotic duty to bring out the truth and thus scotch the rumors,” was the reply. I was a life long friend of Mr, Harding. I wanted to clear his memory. That ‘was my only purpose.” Questioned about his statement that the committee had not dared to push the questioning of Albert B, Fall, Vanderlip said it was an im. PENED: RFIGHTS ADJUSTMENT HIGH SCHOOL CONTEST IN DECLAMATION AND OPEAK ING TOMORROW The annual contest held among the students of the Natrona County high school in declamation and ex- temporaneous speaking and spon- sored by the Casper Kiwanis club will take place at 8 o'clock Saturday night. The contestants taking first place in humorous declamation and first in extemporaneous speaking will go to Laramle to represent the local high school during high school week at the University of Wyoming. —_—_—_. JOE JACKSON GETS $15,700 THRU VERDICT MILWAUKEE, Wis., Feb. 15.— Joe Jackson, former Outflelder for the Chicago club of the American league, emerged victor in his salary suit and $18,500 bonus claim, when a jury in circuit court here today brought in a verdict awarding him $15,700.40. The jury found In favor of Jack- son on every point in the serles of ten’ questions which the court pre- sented yesterday when it retired. Judge John J. Gregory, however, set aside the verdict after severely scoring th jury for the verdict in the face of the evidence presented and dismissed the action. With the exception of one battal fon of the 130th infantry, all tary forces are scheduled to 1 Herrin today and a number of units and other points where been stationed this wee. Although the non-partisan com- mittee of citizens, working to re Harding’s Pression he got from the newspa- pers. The witness admitted that he had not read in the newspapers that Fall had claimed consitutional im- munity, although that story was published prominently by practically every newspaper in the country. “I would not care to do tha Vanderlip said when asked for the names of some of the persons who repeated the rumor to him. He said there were so many he could not remember them all. Vanderlip said he had never heard of any “million dollar slush fund” until he saw the head lines on {t in the morning papers this morning. Vanderlip’s examination ended after he had been on the stand one hour and 42 minute: RUMORS GENERAL, VANDERLIP SAYS. WASHINGTON, Feb. 18.—Frank A. Vanderlip took the witness stand today as soon as the ofl committee convened. Senator Walsh, Democrat, Mon- tana, opened the proceedings. by reading a newspaper article declar- ing that members of the committee had forced Chairman Lenroot to subpoena the New York banker against his unwillingness. “I talked with Chairman Len- root,” Senator Walsh said, “and he asked me what we ought to do about the Vanderlip speech. I said that we ought to call him and find out what he knew about the matter. There was no difference between us.” Chairman Lenroot indorsed 8 tor Walsh’s statement as Mr. Van- derlip came to the stand represont: ing himself as “a retired business man‘and banker.” Chairman Len- root read an excerpt from the Ossining speech as to “a certain Marion newspaper sold for $500,000 to two young men” under circum: stances that constituted a “chal- lenge to the last administration.” Mr. Vanderlip then began to ex- plain that “in the first instance” some papers had misquoted him. “Substantially I said there were rumors coming from Washington, which went far beyond gossip,” he continued. “You heard it every- where, about this story. “I believed that out of respect to President Harding's memory, this scandal, for I believe it scandal, should be coldly looked at.” He said he considezed it “a patriotic duty te bring the thing to the surface,” because it was “known in ev newspaper office." “Can you give this committee in- formaticn on the subject?” Chatr- man Lenroot persisted. “No legal information,” Vander- lip answered. “I have heard some things about {t in quarters which I respect. I've heard the price was $550,000 for a share in it, with a consideration of $10,000 a year to be paid to a contributing editor.” Under questioning he said he understood that country papers were usually valued on a basis of 12 per cent earning power. “I have heard the Marion Star earned around $30,000 a year,” he continued, “with $69,000 in a par- ticularly good year.’ “That would justify a value of $360,000 for the paper?” Senator Lenroot interjected. “Yes,” Mr. Vanderlip continued. “All the inferences were in these rumors that too mueh was paid for the paper, but I never said anybody connected with the of! business had paid any money in the transaction. I hoped that by bringing out the slander you gentlemen on this com- mittee would get at the truth and clear the memory of President Harding.” “Do. you think it likely that truth would follow on the heels of slan- der?” Chairman Lenroot queried. “That by uttering these things (Continued on Page Ten) TROOP WITHDRAWAL IN MARION COUNTY BECINS store peace, has received assurances of support from many persons are a bit wary of them and fear that all sides, 'NO SLUSH FUND USED IN MARION OAH DEAL, [6 OWNER'S CLAIM Present Publishers of Newspaper Used Own Funds and Borrowed Money, Senate Told. WASHINGTON, Feb. 15. —tLouis H. Brush, one of the men who bought the Marton Star from President Hard- ing, testified about details of the sale today before the ol] committee. “The Associated Press account of Mr. Vanderlip’s speech which was sent to its members throughout the country and the world was verified as correct by Mr. Vander- Up,” Brush said, in beginning his testimony. The Marion publisher testified that he and Roy D. Moore had been the sole purchasers of the Star end that the funds. owere their own excépt such as they borrowed from Ohio banks. “Against these ordinary loans,” he added, “stock of the Star has been deposited as collateral for the loan. RANCH FOREMAN LACKS INFORMATION. WASHINGTON, Feb, 15.—Thomas Johnson, foreman of Albert B. Fall's New Mexico ranch, was called as a witness today before the oil committee, but could give no tnfor- mation as to the cost of the im- proverients made to the ranch sub- Sequent to the leases. Johnson said he had checked against bank accounts for the ranch expenses, but knew nothing of the source of the funds that had been deposited. The witness said he did not get any remittance of $68,000 or some such fund. This was a reference to testimony of Archie Roosevelt that he had been told Sinclair had sent checks in this sum to Johnson. PIONEER OFFICIAL LEARNED OF LEASE WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.—George Thomas of Denver, secretary and treasurer of the Pioneer Oil com- pany, testified before the ofl com- | & from 9 I] WAt=vil BS mittee today that in March, 1922, btjey.,, was toid Harry F. Sinclair was to get the lease for the Teapot Dome. This was about a month, he said, before the lease was signed. Presi- dent Aitken of the Midwest Refin- ing company was his informant, he added. KAHN TO TESTIFY ON ‘SLUSH FUND’ WASHINGTON b. 15.—Otto H. Kahn of New York, notified the senate ofl committee today that he would come to Washington at any time the committee desired, to ques- tion him regarding the story of a million dollar oil slush fund. Inatelegram to the committee from Palm Beach, Fla., Mr. Kahn said he was “amazed and scandaliz- ed at my name being used in con- nection with any such rumor.” PHILADELPH. NAMED AS CO WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.—Owen J. Roberts of Philadelphia, was selected by President Coolidge today the Republican member of the special counsel In the oil land lease prosecutions. He succeeds Silas H. Strawn, of MAN EL Chicago, whos® nomination was withdrawn from the senate by the president yesterday after it had been found unacceptable. The nomina- tion of Mr. Roberts was sent to the senate today. ATTORNEY FLAY PUBLISHER SHAFFER Feb. 15,—Karl C. ttorney, who rep- Leo in enforcing ‘a claim in the Teapot Dome ing controversy, today made resented J. Stac oll public photostatic copies of letters received from John C. Shaffer, news- paper publisher of Chicago and Den- ver, concerning Shaffer's interest in Teapot Dome. as soon as the troops! sot announced he would ap- leave trouble will again break out ness before the senate The feud between the faction, they] investigating committee next Mon- say, is too deep to disappear so|day and would give the commlitce oon. | (Continued on Page Three)