The Mankato free press. [volume], December 18, 1908, Image 1

About The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924

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VOLUME XL.VI
WHITBIG RING FIGHT
Heavyweight Championship Mill
But Nine Days Away.
TOM BURNS VS. JOHN JOHNSON
Australian Has Boon Telling Things
About Himself to the Newspa
pers in That Country.
[Special to The Free Press.]
New York, Dec. 16.—With the
world's heavyweight championship
battle lielween Tommy Burns and
.lack Johnson now only nine days in
(he future. the light fans of New'
York are beginning to sit up and la te
net ice of the affair. Although the
bout will be staged in far away Aus
tralia a locality about as indetinate
as the moon to the average Broadway
sport —the distance has only served
to add enchantment to the battle. Al
ready several wagers on the result
have been made, with the big moke
as a favorite.
Johnson Is Chesty.
Johnson lui' been telling things
about himself to The reporters for the
Australian newspapers —yes, 80. they
have newspapers in Australia. and
good ones, too and in everything bo
say* there is an assurance of certain
victory that amounts almost to con
tempt for hi* doughty antagonist, if
you want to call Burns that. Among
other things. Jack announced that he
could whip Marvin Hart any time
easier than any man he ever met, and
contended that the decision against
himself when he met Hart was most
unfair; and he was willing to submit
that question to any American sport
ing writer. That decision was a dis
grace to the ring.
Johnson said he had been prepared
to tight Burns under any conditions,
and had chased Burns out of London,
Paris and America; and hoped that
he would not chase him out of Aus
tralia. He did not think he would,
but that it would be a good fight and
show who was the better man.
Knock at Tommy.
The reporter remarked that Burns
said he would settle in Australia after
his fight with Johnson.
The latter’s manager remarked:
‘•Tommy is a great leg-puller. • He
said something similar in Ireland,
England and France and now pro
posed Australia, the greatest country
on earth.”
Johnson also expressed a hope that
he would meet Bill Squires whom
rre considered a good man and true
sport.
Among the metropolitan sporting
authorities there is a wide difference
of opinion in regard to the coming
battle of the heavyweights. Bob Ed
gren thinks the match is on the square
and that Burns will put it over the
moke.
DEATH OF AN OLD RESIDENT
Andrew Granlund Succumbs to Old
Ago at Lake Crystal.
Andrew' Granlund, 86 years old and
for many years a resident ot Lake
Crystal, died yesterday at his home in
that city shortly after noon of old age.
The deceased had been a farmer
nearly all his life, with the exception
of the past few years which he spent
in Lake Crystal. He came to this
country from Sweden in 1855, stopping
in Illinois over winter. In the spring
of 1856 he with his family moved to
Minnesota and settled in Carver county.
In the spring of 1866 he moved to Blue
Earth county and has resided hen*
since, in the town of Lincoln, and la
ter removing to Lake Crystal.
The deceased leaves a widow and
seven children, four boys and three
daughters. The three daughters, Carrie,
Mary and Irene, who reside in Man
kato. Garden City and Minneapolis re
spectively. The three daughters mar
ried three bothers and are: Mrs. An
drew Swenson. Mrs. Swen Swenson, and
Mrs. Peter Swenson. The sons of the
deceased are: Peter, of Lake Crystal;
Andrew. John and William of Calif
ornia.
Mr. Grandltind was highly respected
by all who enjoyed his acquaintance.
He was a member of the Baptist
church.
CENTENNIAL OF A CHURCH
First Presbyterian Congregation at
Naw York to Calibrate.
[Special to The Free Press.]
New York, Dec. 16. —With an ini
tial service tomorrow a live days’ cele
bration will be commenced to commem
orate the centennial anniversary of the
founding of the Fifth Avenue Presby
terian church. In the third week of
December. 1808, the founders of the
church met and formed themselves into
the “Presbyterian Church in Cedar
street.”
The Rev. Dr. Edward F. Hallenbeck,
associate pastor, will preach, and other
ministers will take part in the serv
ice.
The anniversary sermon will be
preached on Sunday by the Rev. Dr.
Ross Stevenson pastor of the church.
The following evening will be mission
ary night and the celebration will con
clude with a reception the next night
by Mr. and Ms. Charles B. Alexander
to the members of the church at their
home. 4 West Fifty-eighth street.
Descendants of the early members of
the church are expected from all parts
of the United States during the five
days’ celebration.
Mrs. I. S. Young and daughter, Eliz
abeth, left yesterday for Alva, Okla.,
where they will spend the holidays as
guests of the former’s parents.
... J, _ 1 . '■ I ■ ' - -•-- - - ....
Mankato Free Press, r
MAY HAVE TO USE OLEO
BUTTER PRICE IS TAKING A TRIP
TO THE SKIES.
M. Ilion Dollars Worth of the Article In
Storage Is Cause of the Balloon
Ascension.
[Special to The Free Press.]
New \ ork. Dec. 17. Boor people
of the cities, who are unable to
"keep a cow,” may soon have to eat
their bread -straight, or spread it
with oleo, if plans now being made
to effect a monster "corner” in but
ter are .successful. According to
stories which have leaked out regard
ing the heinous attempt to monopolize
the nation's butter, the "corner” will
become effective in about two weeks,
and by the first of the New Year all
of the big cities of the land will be
writhing in the grasp of the hydra
headed butter octopus.
A million dollars worth of butter
in storage is the means, it is alleged,
by which the price of butter will be
made to take a balloon ascension.
I’he butter is June creamery stock
the best of the storage product, and
enough has been taken in by men in
the "corner” to dominate the price, it
is alleged by commission men.
A little price juggling during the
time the July supply was marketed
enabled those on the inside to buy,
it is alleged, while other dealers were
frightened away and did not lay in
the usual supply.
Commission dealers in New York,
Boston. Chicago and Elgin are cred
ited with being connected with the
(leal. They are said to have 10,000,-
000 pounds in storage.
It is predicted that the retail price
that now rules will seem modest after
the happy New Year arrives.
POLITICIANS DO GOSSIP
TALK OF JOHN NYQUIST FOR
MAYOR OF MANKATO.
A. G. Meyers Favorite to Fifth Ward
Aiderman to Succeed Aiderman
Atchison; the Start.
Hie municipal election next spring
has for some time past been a topic of
conversation where people have met
together, but no definite moves have
been developed. Dilling the last few
days there has been more definite talk
along lines.
There is a general feeling among
republicans that a contest in the pri
maries is to be avoided, as the lesson
of the November election shows what
effect such a contest has at the elec
tion. If such a contest can be avoided,
it is felt that the, republican ticket
would be a winner, provided good
judgment was used in.the selection of
the candidates, that none but strong
men should be named.
It is said that very likely Mayor
Andrews and most if not all of the
present aidermen will not he candidates
to succeed themselves. Aidermen At
chison. Gary and Mahowald have made
no secret of the fact that they do not
propose to seek re-election. In this
(“vent, it will l>e proper for the voters
to be casting about for the services
of the l>est men that they can find.
While Mayor Andrews has made an
admirable chief executive, it is be
lieved that lie ha* aspirations for high
er honors than the office of mayor
confers, and his friends will all be
glad to turn in and help him climb the
ladder of fame.
Several business men have been men
tioned for mayor, but most conspicu
ously have been the names of C. L.
Oleson and John Nyquist. Mr. Ole
son. it is understood, will under no
circumstances la- a candidate. Mr.
Nyquist is in many ways the logical
candidate of the party. His great
and unselfish services for the Com
mercial club entitle him to recogni
tion in a substantial wav. He is
broad minded, public spirited, careful
and conservative, and it is believed
that he would give the city a good,
practical administration.
Aid. Atchinson having given it out
definitely and in no mistakable terms
that he will not be a candidate for
aiderman again, there has been a
great deal of talk of A. G. Meyer,
who filled the office with such busi
ness ability and fidelity to the in
terest of the tax payers several years
ago. He was a. power in the council
and would be again if the fifth ward
was to decide to place him there
again. There is a feeling expressed
that he is a sort of logical candi
date, in the city’s present situation.
It is not thought that he would have
opposition if he would consent to
take the office. Aid. Atchison, it is
understood, is favorable to Mr. Meyer.
The best business men should be
selected, to carry on the improvements
that must be made to keep Mankato
advancing and progressive and to en
sure its healthfulness. While con
siderable expenditures must be made
they should be wisely directed.
LADIES GYMNASIUM Y. M. C. A.
Cla*« to Bo Organized Tonight at 8
O'clock! Been Hand.
The ladies’ gymnasium class in the
V. M. C. A. gymnasium twill meet for
its first class session this evening at
eight o’clock. Ihe season will continue
until the middle of May. The class
fee" will Im* $3 for the entire term and
those intending to become members
of the class are requested to be present
tonight to enroll. Over forty have
signified their intention of coming into
the class, so that- a large attendance
is looked for.
PRESIDENT BRANDS THE CANAL
STORIES FALSE AND LIBELOUS
IN A RED HOT MESSAGE TO CONGRESS HE DENOUNCES
NEWSPAPER PUBLISHER SEVERELY.
Editor Is to Be Prosecuted; Attorney General Now Considering the Form
Off Procedure; History of the Entire Transaction Is Furnished
the Senate and House.
Washington, Dec. 15.—President
Roosevelt, today transmitted to con
gress a special message regarding the
charges published by certain newspa
pers that several Americans profited
by the purchase of the property of the
Panama Canal company of France.
The text of the message follows:
Special Message to the Senate and
House of Representatives:
In view of the constant reiteration
of the assertion that there was some
corrupt action by or on behalf of the
United States government in connec
tion with the acquisition of the title
of the French company to the Pan
ama canal, and of the repetition of the
story that a syndicate of American
citizens owned either one or both of
the Panama companies, 1 deem it wise
to submit to the congress all the in
formation 1 have on the subject. These
stories were first brought to my at
tention as published in a paper in In
dianapolis, called the News, edited by
Mr. Delavan Smith. The stories were
scurrilous and libelous in character
and false in every essential particu
lar. Mr. Smith shelters himself be
hind the excuse that he merely ac
cepted the statements which had ap
peared in a paper published in New’
York, the World, owned by Mr. Jos
eph Pulitzer.
It is idle to say that the known
character of Mr. Pulitzer and his
newspaper are such that the state
ments in that, paper will be believed
by nobody; unfortunately, thousands
of persons are ill informed in this
respect and believe the statements
they see in print, even though they
appear in a newspaper published by
Mr. Pulitzer. A member of the con
gress has actually introduced a reso
lution in reference to these charges
and 1 therefore lay all the facts be
fore you.
Sums Up Newspaper Charges.
The story repeated at various
times by the World and by its fol
lowers in the newspaper press is sub
stantially as follows: That there
was corruption by or on behalf of the
government of the United States in
the transaction by w’hich the Panama
canal property was acquired from its
French owners; that there were im
proper dealings of some kind be
tween agents of the government and
outside persons, representing or act
ing lor an American syndicate w hich
had gotten possession of the French
company; that among these persons,
who, it was alleged, made “huge
profits,” w’ere Mr. Charles P. Taft, a
brother of Mr. William FL Taft, then
candidate for the presidency, and Mr.
Douglas Robinson, my brother-in-law;
that Mr. Cromwell, the counsel for
the Panama Canal company in the
negotiations, was in some way impli
cated with the United States govern
ment authorities in these important
transactions; that the government
has concealed the true facts and has
destroyed, or procured or agreed to
the destruction of. certain documents;
that Mr. W. H. Taft was secretary of
war at the time; that by an agree
ment between the United States gov
ernment and the beneficiaries of the
deal all traces thereof w r ere “wiped
out” by transferring all the archives
and secrets to the American govern
ment just before the holding of the
convention last June and at which
Mr. Taft was nominated. The state
ments sometimes appeared in edi
torials, sometimes in the news col
umns, sometimes in the shape of con
tributions from individuals either, un
known of or known to be of bad char
acter. They are false in every partic
ular from beginning to end. Th«
wickedness of the slanders is onlj
surpassed by their fatuity.
Brands Stories Utterly Baseless.
So utterly baseless are the stories
that apparently they represent in part
merely material collected for cam
paign purposes and in part stories
originally concocted with a view of
possible blackmail.
The inventor of the story about Mr.
Charles P. Taft, for instance, evident
ly supposed that at some period of
the Panama .purchase Mr. W. H. Taft
was secretary of war, whereas, in
reality, Mr. W. H. Taft never became
secretary of war until long after the
whole transaction in question had
been closed. The Inventor of the
story about Mr. Douglas Robinson had
not taken the trouble to find out the
fact that Mr. Robinson had not had
the slightest connection, directly or
indirectly, of any kind or sort with
any phase of the Panama transaction
from beginning to end. The men who
attacked Mr. Root in the matter had
not taken the trouble to read the pub
lic documents which would have in
formed them that Mr. Root had noth
ing to do with the purchase, which
was entirely arranged through the de
partment of justice under the then at
torney general, Mr. Knox.
MANKATO, MINNESOTA, DECEMBER 18, 1908.
Now, these stories, as a matter of
fact, need no investigation whatever.
No shadow of proof has been, or can
be, produced on behalf of any of them.
They consist simply of a string of in
famous libels. In form they are in
part libels upon individuals, upon Mr.
Taft and Mr. Robinson for instance.
But they are in fact, wholly and in
form partly a libel upon the United
States government. 1 do not believe
we should concern ourselves with the
particular individuals who wrote the
lying and libelous editorials, articles
Jrom correspondents, or articles in
.he news'columns. The real offender
is Mr. Joseph Pulitzer, editor and
proprietor of the World. While the
criminal offense of which Mr. Pulitzer
has been guilty is in form a libel upon
individuals the great injury done is in
blackening the good name of the
American people; it should not. bo left
to the private citizen to sue Mr. Pulit
zer for libel. He should be prose
cuted for libel by the government au
thorities. In point of encouragement
of iniquity, in point, of infamy, of
wrong doing, there is nothing to
choose between a public servant who
betrays his trust, a public servant
who is guilty of blackmail, or theft,
or financial dishonesty of any kind,
and a man guilty as Mr. Joseph Pu
litzer has been guilty in this instance.
It is therefore a high national duty to
bring to justice this villifier ot the
American people, this man w r ho wan
tonly and wickedly and without one
shadow of justification seeks to
blacken the character of reputable
private citizens and to convict, the
government of his own country in the
eyes of the civilized world of wrong
doing of the basest and foulest, kind,
when ho has not one shadow’ of jus
tification of any sort, of description
for the charge he has made. The at
torney general ba* under considera
tion the foynj in which the proceed
ings against Mr: Pulitzer shall be
brought.
History of Whole Transaction.
Meanwhile 1 submit to you all the
accompanying papers so that, you may
have before you complete information
on the subject. 1 call your attention
to my communications in my mes
sages Io the congress of Jan. 20, 1902;
March 11, 1903; Dec. 7, 1903; Jan. 4,
1904, and Dec. 17, 1906, in which I set
forth at length the history of various
phases of the whole transaction.
1 recall your attention to the report
and opinion of the attorney general
lendered to me, dated Oct. 25, 1902,
with the accompanying documents
and exhibits, l call your attention to
the correspondence of the officers and
agents of the Panama company with
the president and other officers of the
United States printed in senate docu
ment No. 34, Dec. 10, 1902; also to
the copy of the official proceedings of
the new Panama Canal company at.
Paris on Dec. 30, 1903, together with
a report of the council of administra
tion of that company, printed in sen
ate document No. 133, Jan. 28, 1904;
and to the copy of the general con
veyance by the new Panama Canal
company to the United States, also
copies of certain telegrams from the
president of the company making an
offer of sale and Attorney General
Knox’s cablegram in response, print
ed in senate document No. 285, March
23, 1906. I call your attention further
more to the exhaustive testimony
recorded in public document, senate
document No. 401, Fifty-ninth con
gress, second session, which contains
the searching investigation into the
whole transaction made by congress
for its information and fully consid
ered by the congress before it. took
action.
Tn the act approved .lune 29, 1902,
“To provide for the construction of a
canal connecting the waters of the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans,” the con
gress provided as follows:
“That the president of the United
States is hereby authorized to ac
quire, for and on behalf of the United
States, at a cost, not exceeding $40,-
000,000, the rights, privileges, fran
chises. concessions, grants of land,
right of way, unfinished work, plants
and other property, real, personal and
mixed, of every name and nature,
owned by (he new Panama Canal com
pany of France on the isthmus of
Panama, and all its maps, plans,
drawings and records on the isthmus
of Panama and in Paris, including all
the capital stock, not less, however,
than 68.R63 shares of the Panama
Railroad company, owned by or held
for the use of the said canal com
pany’, provided a satisfactory’ title to
all of said property can be obtained.”
It thereupon became the duty of the
president, in execution of this statute,
to purchase the property specified
from the new Panama Canal company
of France, provided he could obtain a
satisfactory’ title. The department of
justice was instructed to examine the
title and after such examination At-
Authority Granted by Congress.
/
torney General Knox reported that a
satisfactory title could bo obtained.
Payment of the purchase price was
thereupon made to the now Panama
Canal company in accordance with
the act of congress and the property
was conveyed by that company to the
United States. It was no concern of
the president or of any officer of the
executive department to inquire as to
what the new Panama Canal company
did with the money which it received.
Money Divided by French Court.
As a matter of fact the New* Pan
ama Canal company did distribute the
money between its shareholders and
the shareholders of the preceding
Panama Canal company in accordance
w ith the decree of a French, court and
the records of the French court show
who were the shareholders who re
ceived the money. But that is no
concern of ours.
I call your attention to the accom
panying statement as to the attempt
to form an American company in 1899
for the purpose of taking over the
property of the French company. This
attempt proved abortive. There was
no concealment in its effort to put
through this plan, its complete failure
and abandonment being known to ev
ery one. The important, points set
forth in the accompanying papers
and in the papers to which 1 have re
ferred you are as follows: The inves
tigation of the history of physical con
dition and existing value of the enter
prise by the congress, resulting in the
enactment of the law of 1902 authoriz
ing the president to acquire the prop
erty for the sum of $40,000,000, upon
securing a satisfactory title and there
upon to undertake the work of con
struction; the failure of the Ameri
canization of the enterprise in 1899;
the transmission by me to the con
gress from time to time of full in
formation and advice as to the rela
tions of this government to transit
across the isthmus and under the
treaties: as to the negotiations and
final acquisition of the title and later
ns to the progress and condition of
the w’ork of construction; the previ
ous authorization of the sale to the
United States by the stockholders of
the new’ company and their subse
quent ratification; the examination
and approval of the title by Mr.
Knox; the arrangement, for payment,
through J. P. Morgan & Co. as the
fiscal agents of this government, and
the payment accordingly at the Bank
of France upon proper official re
ceipts to the liquidators acting under
the decree of the French court, the
French government, and body having
jurisdiction in {he matter; and, fi
nally, the subsequent apportionment
and distribution of the fund to the
creditors and stockholders of the two
companies under that decree.
Knox Managed the Deal.
The canal transaction was actu
ally carried through not by either the
secretary of state, Mr. John Hay, or
the then secretary of war, Mr. Elihu
Root, both of whom, however, were
cognizant of all the essential features,
but by the then attorney general, Mr.
P. C. Knox, at. present senator from
Pennsylvania. I directed or approved
every action and am responsible for
all that was done in carrying out the
will of the congress and the provi
sions of the law enacted by congress
after exhaustive examination and dis
cussion were scrupulously complied
with by the executive. While the
transaction was pending I saw Mr.
Cromwell but two or three times and
my communications with him were
limited to the exchange of purely for
mal courtesies. Secretary Hay occa
sionally saw him in the same manner,
i doubt whether Mr. Root held any
conversation with him. The attorney
general saw him frequently, as he was
counsel for the Panama company, and
their communications were official as
representing the two sides. I enclose
•opies of my correspondence with Mr.
William Dudley Foulke, who first
brought these scandalous stories to
my attention, and which Senator Knox
and Mr. Cromwell, to whom I wrote
in response to the request of a gentle
man who wished to know about the
stockholders in the Panama Canal
company. The title to the Panama
canal properties was vested in the
new Panama Canal • company of
Erance, which was the legal owner
thereof, and the old or so called De
Lesseps company had a large equity
I herein. The title was not in a New-
Jersey company nor any other Amer
ican company, nor did this govern
ment have any dealings with anj'
American company through the af
fair. The exafrt legal status, to the
most minute details, appears In the
exhaustive opinion of Attorney Gen
eral Knox, approving the title to be
given to the United States, which
clearly established that the only
party dealt with was the new Panama
Canal company of France (with the
concurrence of the liquidator of ths
on Page Four.l
SARDINE CROP IS SHORT
REDUCED SUPPLY OF THAT DEL-
ECTABLE DAINTY.
Combine Has Packed Twenty-Two
Per Cent Less Than Was Antlcl*
pated; Fishermen Trouble.
[Special to The Free Press.]
Portland, Me., Dee. 17? —That de
lectable dainty, the American sar
dine, which isn’t really a sardine at
all, may become decidedly scarce in
the near future owing to the short
age of the crop along the Maine coast,
where nearly all the domestic sar
dines are packed. The “combine”
which is alleged to be in practical con
trol of the business, ami which was
recently the subject of an official in
vestigation because of alleged trust
like proclivities, produced this season
22 per cent less than was anticipated,
and the independent packers also re
port a shortage.
This was said to be due to differ
ences with the fishermen during the
early part of the season.
As a result of the falling off in
prices offered by the trade, the pack
ers have been storing heavily and
every available storehouse was filled,
but even at that there probably will
be no more goods than the trade will
demand this winter and next spring
'as the mid-season buying was light
because of the general condition of
trade.
The Maine Mercantile company ex
pected to pack 1,800,000 cases, but
instead produced 1,404,000 cases. The
independent factories packed 90,000
cases. There are 300,000 cases in
storage.
DRAMA IN REAL LIFE
HUSBAND, WIFE AND CHILD ARE
UNITED AT FAIRMONT.
Lost Child Is Found and a Pretty Wife
Is Forgiven by Her Husband; All
Hearts Happy Again.
Martin County Sentinel: For about
a year or more a young woman named
Mrs. Broch, who had with her a little
son, has worked in East Chain and
other places in Martin county, recently
being employed at one of our hotels.
She claimed that she could not earn
enough to support the little boy and
the county has been paying $2 per
week to Mrs. Thompson who lives in
the. Svedinan house to take care of
the little fellow.
After “considerable effort Commis
sioner Betz learned that the woman's
husband lived at Warcester, Mass.
He wrote the man, whose name is
Nicolay John Broch, about his wife
and child.
On Monday Broch arrived in Fair
mont overjoyed to have found where
his little son was. He said his wife
deserted him about a year ago, tak
ing their little tw T o year old son and
he had been able to get no trace of
them until he received Mr. Betz’s
letter. The man is a Dane and had
been in this country but a short
time when his wife deserted him.
Co. Att’y Palmer, Mr. Betz, the father
and C. N. Petersen, as interpreter,
went to Mrs. Thompson’s home to
get the little boy. The delight of the
father at finding his lost, son was
extremely pathetic and dramatic. As
he seized and hugged the child while
tears of thankfulness ran down his
cheecks and other men present were
so affected that their eyes moistened.
While the father still clasped the
child in his arms another striking
scene in the true < life’s drama was
presented when the wayward mother
walked unannounced into the room.
Both husband and wife were too sur
prised to speak. So strained was the
situation that Mr. Palmer asked the
man and wife to step into the next
room alone and partially pushing and
urging them in closed the door behind
them.
In about fifteen minutes the two
came out with tears in their eyes
but looking happy, and said they
would take their little son and go
back home together. Broch after
wards told Mr. Betz that as they
stood in the room alone his young
wife threw her arms around his neck
and said, “Won’t you take me back
with you, Nicolay? I will always be
a ' true wife to you!” What man
could resist such an appeal from a
pretty woman of twenty years, especi
ally when she was the mother of his
child and the one he had vowed to
love, cherish and protect!
The man is a factory hand and
said he had worked since the panic
a year ago but little and had only
money enough to take himself and
child back but. was greatly delighted
when Mr. Betz gave him the money
needed.
Those who know all the circum
stances ami some of the history of
the woman fear that there is still
many days of trouble in store for
poor Nicolay. His wife is much young
er Ilian himself, is romantic and fair,
loves to dress well and the ways of
the world are evidently more familiar
to her than the church pew, but let
us hope that the reconciled pair will
nevertheless “live happily ever after.”
State Treasurer Clips Bonds.
State Treasurer Dinehart yesterday
clipped coupons bringing in sll,lßO to
the state of Minnesota. These were
cut from the state’s $6,109,000 worth
of bonds, which includes the largest
amount of state bonds held by any
state in the union. Bonds are in the
list representing Massachusetts, Virgin
ia. Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, De
laware and Utah.
NUMBER 30
GLAD HAND TO TAFT
Augusta All Ready to Receive the
President-Elect.
WILL STAY THERE FOR AWHILE
Their Dwelling Will Be Near the Golf
Links; Inaugural Message Is to
Be Written There.
[Special to The Free Press.}
Augusta, Ga., Dec. 16. —Augusta
will extend the glad hand of greet
ing to William Howard Taft and hia
family when they arrive here tomor
row to take up their winter residence
in this beautiful Georgia city For
several days the president-elect and
Mrs. Taft will be the guests of Mr.
and Mrs. Landon A. Thomas. Mrs.
Taft is a close personal friend of Mrs.
Thomas. Next week the Tafts will
take up their residence in the Ter
rett cottage on The Hill, Augusta’s
most exclusive section, where they
will remain until about the middle of
February, when Judge Taft will pro
ceed to Washington and prepare to
assume the highest office in the land.
Will Be Kept Busy.
If the hopes of Augusta people are
realized, the Tafts will be kept busy
during their stay in this city. Prac
tically every society woman in town
entertains an ambition to have the
president-elect and his better half as
their guests at some social function,
and it is feared that many bitter
rivalries will result. Already Augusta
has become more popular than ever
as a tourist resort, in view of the
coming of Judge Taft. It is expected
that many prominent statesmen and
political advisors of the president
elect will spend the Christmas holi
days here, and t the most brilliant
social season in Augusta’s history is
anticipated. Many important politi
cal conferences will be held in Augusta
during the next few months, and this
city will attain even greater impor
tance than Virginia Hot Springs or
Oyster Bay in their palmiest days.
Near the Golf Links.
The Terrett cottage, which the Taft
family will-occupy, is adjacent to the
Bon Air hotel. Augusta’s most fam
ous hostelry, where the Taft’s will
take their meals. The house is not
pretentious, but is commodious and
comfortable, and is furnished in the
old style peculiar to well-to-do south
erners.
It is adjacent to the Country club
golf links, probably the finest in the
south. Mr. Taft will spend much
time on these links. In the Terrett
cottage Mr. Taft will write his inaug
ural message, complete the selection
of his cabinet and foreign ministers
and decide other important matters
preparatory to assuming the office of
president of the republic.
CEMENT MEN MEETING
CONVENTION WILL BE HELD IN
MINNEAPOLIS, MARCH 2 TO 4.
Twenty-Five Thousand Square Feet
of Exhibits Expected at Armory;
Will Display There.
The Fifth Annual Convention of the
Northwestern Cement Products associa
tion, to be held in Minneapolis, March
2-4, promises <to be the largest ever
held in the northwest.
Manufacturers of cement product
machinery in large numbers have al
ready applied for space in the Armory
which will contain about 25,000 square
feet of exhibits.
The former members have been cor
responding with the secretary in Min
neapolis, sending in 1909 membership
fees and many new men, recently en
gaging in the business, have already
applied for membership.
Cement as a building material of this
age. and its wide and varied uses, es
pecially as regards the small user,
makes of it a very interesting study,
the properties of which, are not gener
ally understood so that the coming con
vention with its long program of inter
esting papers, covering nearly every
use to whoch cement has been or can
be put, together with discussions by
members on the floor, makes it of par
ticular interest on the opening of a
season looked forward to as the great
est building season of the entire coun
try and especially of the prosperous
northwest.
From the outlook at the present time
there will be nearly one thousand mem
bers attending this convention from all
parts of the country, in addition to the
exhibition of every kind of machinery
that can be used.
Martin T. Roche of St. Paul is presi
dent of the association, J. C. Van
Doorn secretary, and J. M. Hazen, of
Minneapolis treasurer. Chicago will hold
a similar show at the colliseum on Feb.
18 to 24.
GETS SOME BIG RETURNS
A. G. Laack, the Druggist, Haa Im-
menie Sale on Chocolates.
A. G. Laack, the popular druggist at
325 South Front street, a few days
ago advertised exclusively in The Free
Press the sgle of the famous Fenway,
chocolates at 60 cents a box of which
he had a big supply and has up to
date had such a demand for them that
he has been obliged to telegraph an
order for more. Many people from out
of town have ordered from him. He
hopes to be able to supply all.
I