oc-plain-dealer 1924-12-17

GROWTH OF ANAHEIM SHOWN BY CENSUS Total for 1910 was 2,268 For Year 1920 was 5,525 Today Estimated at 12,000 Mail your Plain Dealer to Eastern friends It may bring them to Anaheim, fastest growing city in Orange County. PRICE Three Cents Per copy 3 year in No. Orange-co. SEN. NORRIS F GREAT SUMS SPENT FOR VILE BOOZE Law Enforcement Rally Postponed Until Friday Night The law enforcement mass meeting which was to have been held last night at the Hi School auditorium was postponed on account of inclement weather until Friday evening at 8 o'clock at the same place. Big Vote Against Mailing Weapons WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.—By an overwhelming majority, the house today passed a bill prohibiting the transmission thru the mails of revolvers, pistols or other concealed weapons, except from one dealer to another... The vote was 282 to 20. TOLL OF TEN LIVES FROM BLIZZARD WHEELER A HEMMI A IMPLICATION J. R. Abernathy Complete Confess Of Mail Robbery Following a complete cemetery yesterday in Los Angeles by R. Abernathy, former superintendent of schools here, at the of J. U. Hemmi, former torney, jail appeared to loot for Hemmi and Charles R. Law Enforcement Rally Postponed Until Friday Night The law enforcement mass meeting which was to have been held last night at the Hi School auditorium was postponed on account of inclement weather until Friday evening at 8 o'clock at the same place. Anahimers and residents of this district interested are asked to reserve that date and hour to attend. The public in general is welcome. Some 200 or 300 were present last evening in spite of mud underfoot and threatening skies. The inside story of the raid, particularly as affecting Anaheim, will be told. New matter, that didn't appear at the Fullerton mass meeting, will be brought to light. The blame for present lack of enforcement of the law will be placed squarely where it belongs, according to one of the leaders of the cleanup campaign. It will be shown that conditions similar to those which existed under a former Anaheim judge and which still exist to a less extent, in spite of the authorities vigilance, prevail outside this city. Evidence will be produced showing that officers drink in cafes. That thousands of dollars which should go for grocery bills is being spent for intoxicants will also be proved. That the recent big county-wide raid was made after the proper authorities had refused to make it is another thing that will be shown. An appeal will be made to all parents and other law abiding citizens to help rectify conditions. DELAY VOTE ON COOLIDGE VETO WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.—The senate this afternoon agreed to postpone a vote on President Coolidge veto of the postal pay bill until Jan. 6. The veto message will come up on Jan. 5, and a final vote is scheduled for the next day. In the meantime administration leaders will seek to consolidate their forces for passage of a bill combining postage increases with increases in galleyes of postal employees. ROB PAWN SHOP CHICAGO, Dec. 17.—Four bands walked into a loop pawnshop shortly after 10 o'clock today, held up six men, disarmed a policeman who walked in while the robbery was in progress, and entered into So. Cal. Mt. Wilson was California's coldest spot early today with a temperature of 16 above. Santa Rosa reported 22 above, Chico 24, Oroville 26, Paso Robles 27 and other points ranged upward to 40. Shippers were warned against 10 degrees below zero weather in Nevada. TULL OF TEN LIVES FROM BLIZZARD DENVER, Dec. 17.—Ten lives, indirectly attributed to the severe weather in the Rocky Mountain region, was the toll reported at noon today. Two men and two young women school teachers were killed yesterday near Sterling, Colo., when the driving snow prevented them seeing a fast approaching train and their auto was demolished. The four bodies were horribly mangled. Poor visibility as a result of the heavy snowfall in Helena, Mont., is believed to have been the cause of a collision between a street car and a Great Northern train that took four lives. Two young children of Mrs. Charles Cady were suffocated in Bozeman, Mont., when fire destroyed the Cady home. The children were found dead in bed after firemen had extinguished the flames. Snow and sub-zero weather prevailed today throuout the Rocky Mountain region. Montana was in the grip of a cold wave that established a record in Butte when the thermometer dropped a total of 77 degrees in 12 hours—from 53 above to 24 below. Thirty below zero was reported from several sections of that state. Snow was failing in Wyoming and Colorado with little prospect of relief today, according to official reports. SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 17.—Heavy to killing frosts with temperatures below freezing are in prospect for the second day of the severest cold wave of the winter in California. Special frost warnings were sent out by the U.S. Weather Bureau today all over the state. In addition to No. Calif., the heavy frost will invade the fruit growing valleys of the San Joaquin, Sacramento and Santa Clara and extend into So. Cal. Mt. Wilson was California's coldest spot early today with a temperature of 16 above. Santa Rosa reported 22 above, Chico 24, Oroville 26, Paso Robles 27 and other points ranged upward to 40. Shippers were warned against 10 degrees below zero weather in Nevada. Federal Judge James bench warrant for the re- Wheeler, who was acquitted former trial on the alleged that J. Floyd Findlay b ennity and on that acco involved him in Findaly's sion. Abernathy, Wheeler are lay, according to the co- of the first and last' such conspired to rob the posto December of approximately 000 in cash, mostly from National Bank. The charge against Hei that he received money stole the mails. He has steadily trained that Abernathy, w $5,500 in a satchel to his Torrance, told him he had the money as commission estate sale. Abernathy testified that he had told the money was part of fun from the mails. The testimony of Abernathy roborated that of Findlay letter carrier, and is best suffice to send both Hei Wheeler to federal prison. Wheeler moved from Whittier a number of mo- and took up another occu- He will be held to the jury of a charge of o money stolen from the ma- Findley recently compi- term at the Orange-co jail. Those from the local p who testified yesterday at Hemi included Posth H.Witkaker, who told off patch of the registered le- R. Deering, assistant po- who told of receiving ther Harry J. Guthrie, who o putting the letters into ther Claire Liebhart, who signing for the letters. Inspectors Rose, Lo Jarvis, who gathered more evidence, also were on the Russell Graham, assist Attorney, again was in o the prosecution. The facts of the robbery fessed by Findlay and o yesterday by Abernathy been published repeatedly lay drove with the mail to Santa Fe station, but o way before reaching the pouch was thrown Abernathy and Wheeler t Santa Ana canyon and op ROB PAWN SHOP CHICAGO, Dec. 17.—Four baudits walked into a loop pawnshop shortly after 10 o'clock today, held up six men, disarmed a policeman who walked in while the robbery was in progress, and escaped with $50,000 worth of jewelry, watches and money. The robbers forced their victims, including the policeman, into a washroom, where one of their number stood guard while his companions riffled the store. Before fleeing, they locked the washroom door, forcing the prisoners to kick their way to freedom. JAPS TO BRAZIL WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.—One thousand Japanese immigrants are expected in Brazil during the two months period ending Dec. 31, and 1500 will arrive between January and March next, according to advises received today by the department of labor. "This active immigration is receiving the assistance and encouragement of the Japanese government and is expected to supply rice workers for the Brazilian rice fields," the report stated. ACTOR RETURNED RICHMOND, Va., Dec. 17.—Charged with failing to support his wife and child, who live here, Stuart Grant, moving picture actor and member of a prominent Richmond family, is to be returned to this city from Los Angeles. A Richmond detective left today for that city to take him into custody. $70,000 FIRE LOSS CARMEL, Dec. 17.—The famous La Playa hotel which for a score of years has been the favorite stopping place of writers and artists, was in ruins today. Fire which started on the third floor swept the structure before aid could be secured from Montever. The loss is estimated at $70,000. OVER MILLION NEW BUILDING The value of Anaheim's new building, for which permits have been issued, passed the $1,000,000 early this month and today stands at more than $1,015,000 for the calendar year. Up to now, including the 15th, 415 people have been issued or an average taking month during the last five months a average value of $88,339. Your own worth was our hush. The first fire in December added only $21,905 to the valuation represented by 17 permits, but Anaheim has done a good deal worse than that even in the boom period of the last three years. One has only to go back to 1920 to find the valuation of building for the year only $879,000. The first quarter of this year, in spite of one poor month, showed a valuation of $556,828.50, the greatest quarter on record except in the phenomenal year 1923 when the total for the quarter renched $695,995. In 1922 this total was $554,-130.50. In 1921 it amounted to but $377,550. FULL REPORT OF INTERNATIONAL NEWS SERVICE—FIRST LEASED WIRE IN ANAHEIM THE ORANGE COUNTY Plain Dealer LEADING NEWSPAPER IN NORTHERN ORANGE COUNTY Anaheim, California, Wednesday, December 17, 1924 IS FLAYS MUSCLE WHEELER AND HEMMI ARE IMPLICATED R. R. Abernathy Makes Complete Confession Of Mail Robbery Following a complete confession yesterday in Los Angeles by Joseph Abernathy, former superintendent of schools here, at the trial of J. U. Hemmi, former local attorney, jail appeared to loom both or Hemmi and Charles R. Wheel- Claim “Wop” Sold Narcotic to Reid NEW YORK, Dec. 17.—The west-side magistrate court this afternoon ordered a man describing himself as Joseph Pinto, 38, held in $5,000 bail after police who arrested him on charges of possessing narcotic drugs illegally said they confiscated correspondence indicating he trafficked in the Hollywood cinema colony and had sold dope to the late Wallace Reid, picture star ruined by the habit. Dr. Carleton Simon, police commissioner in charge of the narcotic division, said Pinto was known to the west coast as George Bruno or "the Hollywood Wop." SAYS NELSON WILL GET HIM OUT Trial of U. S. A. Club Member Next Monday at Laguna Beach Claiming that "his friend," Dist. Atty. A. P. Nelson, had promised "to get him out of it." Frank Goodrich, Anaheim plumber and prominent U. S. A. club member, today pleaded not guilty when arraigned before Judge L. V. Murphy at Laguna Beach on charges Register If you haven't registered for the recall election up the first part of you will find a report the city council headquarters in the lows-bldg. Friday and evenings, or you may 825 and arrange for to call at your home CLAIM MORS THREATENED R. Abernathy Makes Complete Confession Of Mail Robbery Following a complete confession yesterday in Los Angeles by Joseph A. Abernathy, former superintendent of schools here, at the trial of J. U. Hemmi, former local attorney, jail appeared to loom both over Hemmi and Charles R. Wheeler, former postoffice registryerk here. Federal Judge James issued a bench warrant for the re-arrest of Wheeler, who was acquitted at his former trial on the alleged ground that J. Floyd Findlay bore him inmity and on that account had involved him in Findaly's concession. Abernathy, Wheeler and Finday, according to the confessions of the first and last successfully conspired to rob the postoffice last December of approximately $23,000 in cash, mostly from the First National Bank. The charge against Hemmi was that he received money stolen from the mails. He has steadily maintained that Abernathy, who brot 5,500 in a satchel to his home atorrance, told him he had received the money as commission on a real estate sale. Abernathy yesterday satisfied that he had told Hemmi the money was part of funds stolen from the mails. The testimony of Abernathy corroborated that of Findlay, former carrier, and is believed to suffice to send both Hemmi and Wheeler to federal prison. Wheeler moved from here to Whittier a number of months ago and took up another occupation. He will be held to the grand jury on a charge of receiving money stolen from the mails. Findlay recently completed hiserm at the Orange-co jail. Those from the local postoffice who testified yesterday at the trial of Hemmi Included Postmaster J. I. Whitaker, who told of the disatch of the registered letters; E. K. Deering, assistant postmaster, who told of receiving the letters; Harry J. Guthrie, who described outting the letters into the pouch; and Claire Liebhart, who told of signing for the letters. Inspectors Rose, Lowe and arvis, who gathered most of the evidence, also were on the stand. Russell Graham, assistant U. S. Attorney, again was in charge of the prosecution. The facts of the robbery, as consessed by Findlay and confirmed yesterday by Abernathy, have been published repeatedly. Finday drove with the mail toward the Santa Fe station, but on Broadway before reaching the station, the pouch was thrown out and Abernathy and Wheeler took it to Santa Ana canyon and opened it. CLAIM MORS THREATENEDFIGHTER LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17.—For the second time during his trial for the murder of his last sweetheart, Teresa Mors, Kid McCoy broke down and sobbed in court today. As the moving scene of his asserted victim's death, as told by the former pugilist to Officer H. L. Bain the night of his arrest, was recounted by the policeman from the witness stand, McCoy went like a child, tears streaming down his cheeks. LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17.—Alleged threatening letters from Albert A. Mors, husband of Teresa Mors, Kid McCoy's last sweetheart, were tossed onto a table in the courtroom where the former pugilist is on trial for Mrs. Mors' murder, today and offered as evidence for the state. The letters were written to Roy Davis, Los Angeles banker, who is McCoy's brother-in-law. Actual introduction of the letters was held up while defense attorneys were given an opportunity to read them. In the meantime the jurors listened to McCoy's dramatic statement made to the police when he was arrested for Mrs. Mors' murder. "Mrs. Mors told me she was going to end it all," said the fighter's statement. "Mors had hounded her and followed her and would not leave her alone. She was at the end of things." There was a bread knife on the table and she picked it up and said she was going to kill herself and made a slash at her throat. "I grabbed her arms and held her so she couldn't harm herself. She reached with her left hand to the table where the gun was lying, got it and fired it with her thumb. "She fell in front of me. I ran and got water and tried to bring her to, but she was dead. "Then I went out to end it all I don't remember what happened." Trial of U. S. A. Club Member Next Monday at Laguna Beach Claiming that "his friend," Dist. Atty. A. P. Nelson, had promised "to get him out of it." Frank Goodrich, Anaheim plumber and prominent U. S. A. club member, today pleaded not guilty when arraigned before Judge L. V. Murphy at Laguna Beach on charges of possession of liquor and resistance to officers. Judge Murphy set the trial for next Monday morning and fixed bail at $100. The there were men wearing U. S. A. club buttons in the court room. Goodrich stated he would have to return to the north end of the county to raise the ball. He was permitted to go in company of a deputy sheriff. Goodrich's summer cottage at Laguna Beach was raided Saturday night by officers with a search warrant after they declared Goodrich had locked the door in their faces and smashed some bottles in a sink. Officers burst in the door in time to confiscate something less than a quart of liquor. They claim they could see thru a window Goodrich destroy about a gallon. Goodrich declared on the floor of the K. of P. lodge here Monday evening that "his friend." Dist. Atty. Nelson, had advised him to plead not guilty. Nelson owns a cottage near Goodrich's. DECLARE GERMAN MURDERER IS SANE HANOVER, Germany, Dec. 17—Fritz Haarmann, butcher of young men and boys, was declared sane today by two alienists, who took the stand at Haarmann's trial. "It is wrong," said the first alienist, Prof. Schultze, "to conclude that such a criminal must be insane. Even the most bestial deeds can be committed by a sane person." The second alienist was Dr. Schackwitz. He testified: "Haarmann was not insane when he committed murder and he is not insane now. Haarmann, however, is a man of considerable moral inferiority, he is intellectually weak and has feminine traits and a hysterical character. All of these, however, would not prevent a free exercise of his will. There is a strong indication that he killed thru impulse at times, and at other times, merely to get the clothes of his victims." REPORT GAMBLING WILL BE RESUMED TI JUANA, Mex., Dec. 17—The lid will be taken off here and open gambling resumed within the near future, according to rumors affectig him. Instigator of a $100,000 breach of Mrs. Lillian Kohler, viorcee of Los Angles averted the ordeal on herself to public gaze room when she notifffey to plead guilty for tice court at Santa Ana a fine of $650 that w charges of drunkness and driving reckless. This was the second Kohler, reported to be resting officers she w "flippant" life to forcet ular law at Santa Ana months ago she was charge of possessing time a complete still from her Ford coupe her maneuvers on the Orana led to her arrest under occasion she company of Tony Ma Tia Juana police bad. In San Francisco is suing Perey H. Me importor of Kobe, Jail that after she was w under Oriental attitude she was asked to be affection suddenly co wealthy in her own understand her own Franklin W. Kohler manufacturer providing successful at least. She had been at $750 ball. From this taken the fine of $650 day by Justice K. H when Attorney W.P.resenting the divorce court of the wishes Inspectors Rose, Lowe and Arvis, who gathered most of the evidence, also were on the stand. Russell Graham, assistant U.S. attorney, again was in charge of the prosecution. The facts of the robbery, as conceived by Findlay and confirmed yesterday by Abernathy, have been published repeatedly. Findlay drove with the mail toward the Santa Fe station, but on Broadway before reaching the station, the pouch was thrown out and Abernathy and Wheeler took it to Santa Ana canyon and opened it. CHARGE STRESEMAN TO FORM CABINET BERLIN, Dec. 17.—President Albert charged Foreign Minister Stresemann to form a new cabinet. Stresemann was a member of the Marx cabinet which resigned following the German elections. FAN NOLI FLEES LONDON, Dec. 17.—The success of the uprising in Albania was indicated today when it was reported in London that Fan Uoll, president of the Albanian ministry, was fleeing. Fan Uoll had been in power only a few months. MARY XMA SHOPPER NEW DELAY: HER SISTER CAME AND CANNOT SHOP - HER FOOT IS LAME HE WAS A SWELL LOOKER BUT ON WHAT AN AWFUL DANCER! ONLY 6 SHOPPING DAYS BEFORE XMAS "There was a bread knife on the table and she picked it up and said she was going to kill herself and made a slash at her throat. "I grabbed her arms and held her so she couldn't harm herself. She reached with her left hand to the table where the gun was lying, got it and fired it with her thumb. "She fell in front of me. I ran and got water and tried to bring her to, but she was dead. "Then I went out to end it all. I don't remember what happened." Albert A. Mors, divorced husband of the slain woman, was scheduled to take the stand late today as the prosecution closed its case. MURDERED BEFORE TEMPLE OF HEAVEN LONDON, Dec. 17.—Captain Li Yen Ching, head of the bodyguard of Tsao Kun, deposed president was murdered on the steps of the Temple of Heaven, the president's residence according to Peking dispatches today to the Express. This murder as well as the death from exposure of Tsao Jul brother of the former president was laid at the door of agents of Feng Yu Hsiang, Christian general, adherents of Li and Tsao. Gen. Feng and the soviet ambassador Karakhan are reported favoring Sun Yat Sen, southern leader, and planning to weaken future opposition from the defeated forces. Feng and Sun are charged with having the financial backing as well as the sympathy of the Russian soviet. SAESCHNER STARTS FOR U. S. JAN 20 PARIS, Dec. 17.—Emile Saeschner, who will succeed Jules Juseland as ambassador to the United States, will leave Paris for Washington Jan. 20, it was announced officially today. $50,000 FIRE LOSS SEATTLE, Dec. 17.—Fire, believed to have originated from an overheated furnace, destroyed Mines Hall home of the College of Mines, on the campus of the Univ. of Wash., last night. The loss of the building and contents is estimated at $50,000. KILLED BY CYANIDE NEW YORK, Dec. 17.—Cyanide of potassium appears to have caused the death of Mrs. Dorothy Stotheart, the county medical examiner reported this afternoon after an autopsy on the body of the wife of Herbert Stotheart, Broadway composer. Mrs. Stotheart died from a position she drank after a quarrel with her husband. It was the supposition of relatives of Mrs. Stotheart that by mistake she drank a shoe cleaning fluid as a headache antidote in the Stotheart apartment. Chemists said cyanide of potassium might well be one of the ingredients of such a polish. Plain Dealer Classified Ads produce results. Try this medium. A Class Ad is best little salesman. ANAHEIM The American Legion elected the following serve for the ensuing Smith, commander; A Earl, second vice-Jack Hebson, adjutant Charles E. Griffith, fencer; C. W. Chamberlain William and H. D. McFarlin committee; Otto Puch at arms; H. D. Acktorian, and C. W. Conlaln. The county council ed at the next meeting nee members are M.; Dr. H. C. Wilhelm grass; Eva L. Miller Prescott. SLIGHT DECREASE IN EMPLLO WASHINGTON, Do ployment decreased there was a slight fee per capita earnings in Nov. the department nounced today. Seasonal declines in any slump in business sponsible for the decree partaised. Earnings decreased while employment wilt of one per cent. FLETCHER T MEXICO CITY, De bassador Fletcher will morrow for Cuernava health resort where he for ten days, he anno He intends later to vana or Miami. If his health improve return to Mexico later if it does not, it is eased that he will ask Soe Hughes to relieve him ther duty. RECALL MA PEKING, Dec. 17. party of America had been ordered to Kalgan, 125 miles north to protect Americans can property from mutinous Chinese cancelled today when office ad hoc is obtained that the clerics... RE IN ANAHEIM ealer E COUNTY PROGRESS OF ANAHEIM AS TOLD BY BUILDING Year Permits Total 1923 823 $2,269,271 1922 675 1,413,045 1921 564 1,253,870 1920 362 379,950 1919 174 464,500 17, 1924 Fair and cool tonight and Thursday with frost in places. 27th YEAR—No. 78 CLE SHOALS BILL Registered? If you haven't registered yet for the recall election coming up the first part of February, you will find a registrar at the city council campaign headquarters in the Odd Fellows-bldg. Friday and Saturday evenings, or you may phone 825 and arrange for registrar to call at your home. RICH WOMAN PAYS $650 BOOZE FINE Disappointment Wins Film Test CLAIMS PLAN ENORMOUS INJUSTICE Will Make Teapot Dome Look Like Pinhead, Says Nebraskan WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.—Passage of the Underwood Muscle Shoals bill would make "Teapot Dome look like a pinhead," Sen. Norris, Rep. of Neb., charged in the senate today. INSTIGATOR of a sensational $100,000 breach of promise suit, Mrs. Lillian Kohler, wealthy divorcee of Los Angeles, today averted the ordeal of subjecting herself to public gaze in a courtroom when she notified her attorney to plead guilty for her in justice court at Santa Ana and pay a fine of $650 that was levied on charges of drunkenness, possession and driving recklessly. This was the second time Mrs. Kohler, reported to have told arresting officers she was leading a "flippant" life to forget her asserted sorrow as a result of a love failure, had encountered the liquor law at Santa Ana. Several months ago she was taken on a charge of possessing gin. At that time a complete still was removed from her Ford coupe. This time her maneuvers on the road at Orana led to her arrest. As on the former occasion she was in the company of Tony Macias, wearing Tia Juana police badge No. 1. In San Francisco, Mrs. Kohler is suing Percy H. McKay, wealthy importer of Kobe, Japan, alleging that after she was wooed by him under Oriental atmosphere and she was asked to be his wife, the affection suddenly cooled. She is wealthy in her own name, it was understood, her marriage to Franklin W. Kohler, New York manufacturer, proving financially successful at least. She had been at liberty under $750 bail. From this money was taken the fine of $650 assessed today by Justice K. E. Morrison when Attorney W. P. Menton, representing the divorcee, notified the court of the wishes of his client. RAY SMITH HEADS ANAHEIM LEGION The American Legion last night elected the following officers to serve for the ensuing year: Ray Smith, commander; Arnold R. En-Earl, second vice-commander; Jack Hebson, adjutant, re-elected; Charles E. Griffith, financial officer; C. W. Chamberlain, Frank Mauerhan, William Sperber, Jr., and H. D. McCarland, executive committee; Otto Puchert, sergeant at arms; H. D. Ackerman, historian, and C. W. Courtney, chapelist. When Betty Jewel tried to "break into" the movies via David Wark Griffith's studio she was rebuffled by assistants. Disappointed, she fought to keep back the tears and Mr. Griffith himself noticed her and offered a screen test. Betty recently supported Bebe Daniels in "Argentine Love and Little Miss Bluebeard." SEIZE SEVEN BANKBANDIT SUSPECTS SACRAMENTO, Dec. 17.—Five men and two women suspected of complicity in the West Adams bank robbery in Los Angeles were held for the Los Angeles police here today following their capture after a sensational fight with officers in a houseboat on the Sacramento river. Those under arrest are Norma Fouts, Viola Miller, A. P. Meier, F. E. Woodard, Victor Carmichael, Tony Bassett and Harvey Norman. The arrests were accomplished by 12 officers headed by Chief of Police McShane, after exciting physical encounters. Three detectives leveled revolvers at the suspects thru windows while others broke down the barricaded door of the houseboat on the Yolo side of the river. As they entered the stove was overturned and a fire started which occupied the attention of several of the officers. The others finally handcuffed the five men and two women together. A. P. Meier, leader of the gang, is known according to officers, in the coast underworld as "Tex." Will Make Teapot Dome Look Like Pinhead, Says Nebraskan WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.—Passage of the Underwood Muscle Shoals bill would make "Teapot Dome look like a pinhead," Sen. Norris, Rep. of Neb., charged in the senate today. “If this bill is enacted,” Norris said, “It will be known as a rape upon the treasury, a gold brick to the farmers and the giving away of a great inheritance of the American people to some private corporation, a concession, o great indeed, that it will make Teapot Dome look like a pinhead.” Replying but briefly to Norris’ attacks upon his bill, Sen. Underwood, Democrat of Alabama declared the speech was part of a filibuster by a minority group in the senate to delay action on Muscle Shoals. Senator Curtis announced today that he would try to reach an agreement in the senate to vote on the Underwood bill on Saturday. Progressives intimated they would block this effort in order to postpone the whole question until after the Christmas holidays. “Doheny and Sinclair, who spent thousands of dollars in corrupt public officials, will be but pikers in comparison with the reward that goes to the private corporation that get Muscle Shoals,” Norris added. “It will mean giving to some private corporation a government subsidy such as none of its competitors can get. If it is given to some utility company, such as the Alabama Power Co., it will fall into the grip of the power trust, and it will be under the control of the General Electric Co., or one of its subsidiaries eitttner thru the stock ownership or control of directorates.” Norris further charged that steam roller methods were being employed by the administration from President Coolidge down, in an effort to “kill or smother the committee bill (the Norris straight out government ownership plan).” He called upon President Coolidge to withdraw his support of the Underwood measure. “The vote yesterday in defeating the Smith amendment does not indicate passage of the Underwood bill,” Norris said, explaining that numerous senators who opposed the amendment were for the government ownership plan of the committee. “I know the skids are greased and the machinery of the administration’s steam roller is oiled with the idea of putting out the committee bill or smothering the lifefoot of it,” he declared. “I realize the powers and influence of an ANAHEIM LEGION The American Legion last night elected the following officers to serve for the ensuing year: Ray Smith, commander; Arnold R. En-Earl, second vice-commander; Jack Hebson, adjutant, re-elected; Charles E. Griffith, financial officer; C. W. Chamberlain, Frank Mauerhan, William Sperer, Jr., and H. D. McFarland, executive committee; Otto Puchert, sergeant at arms; H. D. Ackerman, historian, and C. W. Courtney, chapel. The county council will be elected at the next meeting. The nominee members are M. W. Martenet, Dr. H. C. Wilhelm, Sam Snodgrass, Evan L. Miller and A. B. Prescott. SLIGHT DECREASE IN EMPLOYMENT WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.—Employment decreased slightly and there was a slight falling off in per capita earnings from Oct. to Nov. the department of labor announced today. Seasonal declines rather than any slump in business was responsible for the decreases the department said. Earnings decreased 1.3 per cent, while employment was off one-tenth of one per cent. FLETCHER TO REST MEXICO CITY, Dec. 17.—Ambassador Fletcher will leave tomorrow for Cuernavaca, a nearby health resort where he will rest for ten days, he announced today. He intends later to sail for Havana or Miami. If his health improves he will return to Mexico late in January. If it does not, it is expected here that he will ask Secy. of State Hughes to relieve him from further duty. RECALL MARINES PEKING, Dec. 17. The relief party of America marines that had been ordered to proceed to Kalgan, 125 miles north of here to protect Americans and American property from looting by mutinous Chinese soldiers was cancelled today when the foreign office alerted the American legal that the ship was in hand. Three detectives leveled revolvers at the suspects thru windows while others broke down the barricaded door of the houseboat on the Yolo side of the river. As they entered the stove was overturned and a fire started which occupied the attention of several of the officers. The others finally handcuffed the five men and two women together. A. P. Meier, leader of the gang, is known according to officers, in the coast underworld as "Tex." Circulars describing his appearance, from the Los Angeles police department, led to his arrest. The daylight robbery of the Los Angeles bank in which $1500 was secured, was one of the most daring on record. Following the arrest of the seveen suspects, the police today detained Evelyn Bishop, who was identified on the street by police, they said, from a Los Angeles description. CLAIM E. G. LEWIS HEAVILY INVOLVED LOS ANGELES, Dec. 17.—E. G. Lewis of Atascadero, former St. Louis publisher, widely known as a promoter of land projects, was named as an alleged bankrupt in a creditors' petition on file in federal court here today. His outstanding oil production contracts, mine notes, loans and other obligations represent an indebtedness of $9,314,000, according to the petition of the creditors, who place their claims at $9,236 Lewis' assets, the petition alleges, are approximately $1,000,000. SLIGHT DECREASE IN AUTO FATALITIES SACRAMENTO, Dec. 17—A decline of 5 per cent in automobile fatalities in California this year compared with last is predicted by L. E. Ross, chief of the state bureau of vital statistics, in an estimate today of the automobile death toll for the year based on the past ten months. Deaths from auto accidents for 1924, said Ross, will approximate 1340 as against 1413 last year. A total of 1115 persons lost their lives in automobile accidents during the first ten months of the year, Ross said. "The vote yesterday in defeating the Smith amendment does not indicate passage of the Underwood bill," Norris said, explaining that numerous senators who opposed the amendment were for the government ownership plan of the committee. "I know the skids are greased and the machinery of the administration's steam roller is oiled with the idea of putting out the committee bill or smothering the lifefoot of it," he declared. "I realize the powers and influence of an executive over legislation. This has not been confined to one president or to one political party." "While I believe this is contrary to the fundamental principles upon which our government was founded, I make no complaint." "The great legislative-ship of state has been maneuvered to turn over Muscle Shoals to a private corporation." "President Coolidge is the leader of the ship of state. Sen. Underwood is his first assistant here in the senate on this bill. Down in the hold, under the leadership of Sen. Curtis, Coolidge senators are tugging away at the oars as common sailors." "The ship is headed for Wall Street and carries a deed of conveyance to the water power trust of one of the great inheritances of this generation of the American people." "Oh President Coolidge, how can you, after the vote of confidence given you by the American people, give the power of your commanding position to this program? How can you after the vote of the farmers, be a party to this scheme?" WASHINGTON, Dec. 17 — Having thus far successfully repulsed all attacks, senate administration leaders today began a spirited offensive to pass the Underwood Muscle Shoals bill before the Christmas recess next Saturday. Their chief hope was to get the bill in conference before the holidays so confertees would have ample time to iron out differences between the two houses and report back a revised measure that would be suitable both to (Continued on Page Eight)