The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], January 19, 1913, Image 1

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THE BIRMINGHAM AGE-HERALD
VOLUME XXXXH 0 BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, SUNDAY, JANUARY 19, 1913 54 PAGES (IN SIX PARTS) NUMBER 258
"‘■WAR TO BITTER END” IS
CRY THAT GOES UP FROM
EVERY BALKAN HAMLET
_
Fight “Until Our Eternal
Enemy Is Driven Out of
Europe Forever”
TO GIVE TURKEY TIME
FOR FINAL DECISION
_
If Turkey Then Refuses to Accept
Terms, Balkans Decide That Rup
ture of the Peace Conference
Will Be Inevitable
_
London. January IS.—Turkey’s decision,
as indicated by dispatches from Con
stantinople tonight, refusing to cede
Adrianople and the Aegean islands, it is
believed here, will lead to a resumption
of hostilities within a week.
The Balkan allies, after considering
the whole situation among themselves
earlier in the da.v, already decided to
wait until the middle of next week for
the answer of the porte to the joint note
•f the powers, and if then the reply
was not received or was unsatisfactory
to address a communication to the Tur
kish delegation in the form of a defi
nite ultimatum, allowing Turkey 4S or 7
liours for a final decision.
Rupture Inevitable
Should Turkey at that time be unable
or unwilling to eotne to the allies’ terms,
the Balkan plenipotentiaries decided that
a rupture of the peace conference was
inevitable. Sofia, Belgrade and Cettinje
would denounce the armistice and four
days later the war would be resumed.
The allies do not admit, or to be more
exact, dp not see the possibility of such
proposals from Turkey or the powers as
would allow of a resumption of nego
tiations, unless the pprte openly declares
its readiness to give up Adrianople. So
far, instructions of the Bulgarian dele
gates are categorical on this subject and
do not admit of a discussion of the pro
posal that Turkey retain Adrianople or
of dismounting the fortifications or con
tinuing negotiations on other conditions,
leaving the question of Adrianople to
be disposed or last.
Attitude Is Supported
flervia, Montenegro and Greece all sup
port Bulgaria in this attitude. The suc
cess of Bulgaria would mean an easier
accomplishment of their wishes, especially
in the case of Greece, which in the con
quest of Adrianople by Bulgaria seeks
the Greek occupation of Saloniki less
likely to be disputed. In addition, the j
allies feel that the time will never be
more favorable for them to act.
From the reports received it is evi
dent that the Turkish resources are not
in the best of condition, wrh1le on the
other band the allies, as the result of
their long preparation, are nerved to a
high pitch. The seven weeks’ armlsilco
has restored their armies and they have
been gathering their forces at the im
portant points.
Throughout all the Balkan states, ac
cording to the plenipotentiaries in Lon
don, from the largest towns to the hum
blest hamlets, only one cry goes up:
"War to the bitter end—until our eter
nal enemy is driven out of Europe for
ev er.”
Encounters Reported
Constantinople, January 18.—The Rus
sian ambassador tonignt visited Noradun
ghian Effendi and it is rumored that he
urged the foreign minister to take the
note of the powers under serious con
sideration. The Italian ambassador inter- .
•viewed Noradunghlan Effendi on the eub- j
Ject of the Aegean islands.
It is reported that there have beepi
slight encounters at Tchatalja between
the Turks and the Bulgarians:.
Insists Upon Retention
Constantinople, January 13.—The Turk
ish foreign minister, Noradunghlan Effen
<ii, tonignt submitted to the council of
ministers a draft of the reply to the note
of the powers. It is understood that it
insists upon the retention of Adrianople
for these reasons:
First, because tire Bulgarian inhabitants
aie in the minority in Adrianople, not
only In comparison with the Moslems, but
as compared with other Christians; sec
ond, because of the splendid defense of
the garrison; third, the loss of Adrianople,
containing the temples of the Caliphs,
would ruin the prestige of Islam; fourth,
the loss of Adrianople, which is the gate
of Constantinople, would endanger the ex
istence of the empire.
"The porte therefore prays. ’ continues
the reply, "that the powers take con
sideration of the vital necessities of the1
empire and make representations to the
Balkan states with a view to peace. Tur
key sincerely desires to find a common
ground of understanding ami will even
consent to fresh sacrifices.”
Regarding the Aegean islands the reply
declares that Turkey refuses to abandon
the islands near her coasts, but is
ready to continue pour parlers respecting
the distant islands.
Noradunghlan Effendi lias instructed
the Ottoman ambassadors abroad again
to sound the powers with regard to Adri
anople. The superior council of war has
handed the council of minister a report >on
the military situation.
STEAMERS AGROUND
OFF VIRGINIA CAPES
Newport News, Va., January IS.—The
real steamer Evelyn, from Philadelphia
to Key West, with coal, was driven hard
aground off Cape Henry today in a south
west gule. Captain Hecker and his crew
were taken off safely. The schooner (1 en
eral White from Mobile was driven
aground and on unknown schooner was
sunk. The crew of the latter was res
cued by the Ufa saving crew.
SEA FIGHT BETWEEN
GREEKS AND TU S
NEAR DAME :S
Turkish Flagship Said to
Have Suffered Consider
able Damage
ENGAGEMENT LASTS
FOR THREE HOURS
Both Sides Fight Desperately for
1'ime, When Turks Flee in Dis
order—Greek Battleships Suf
fer But Little Damage
Athens, Greece, January 18.—Another
sea tight between the Greeks and Turks
occurred today about 30 miles south of
the Dardanelles. Greek vessels attacked
and forced the Ottoman warships back
to the straits in disorder.
The Turkish flagship Is said to have
suffered considerable damage.
The engagement lasted three hours.
Only one Greek was wounded, while
the Greek warships W'cre not damaged,
according to a long dispatch sent by
Admiral Countouriotls to the government.
The admiral reports that the Turkish
fleet consisted of the battleships Kheyr
Ed-Din-Barbarossa. Torgut Reis, Messu
dieh and Assar-l-Tew flk, the cruiser
Hadieh and 13 destroyers and torpedo
boats. The Greek fleet included the bat
tleships Averoff, Hydra, Spetsai and Pe
sara and eight gunboats and destroyer:’.
The following description of the engage
ment was. sent by the governor of Tene
dosko:
“The naval fight began at 11:25 o’clock
In the morning. Both sides fought des
perately. The Turks at 12:50 began slow
ly to retreat. At 1:10 the Turkish battle
ships were fleeing in disorder toward the
straits, firing at long Intervals against
the Averoff. which wa* pursuing at a
distance of 5000 metres and rapidly over
hauling the enemy.
“The Ilamideih headed the flight. One
of the Turkish battleships ceased firing
and apparently was disabled by the dead
ly fire of the Averoff. The light ended
at 2:30 p. m.. when the enemy re-entered
the Dardanelles.
"The Barbarossa and Targut Reis
throughout the flight were enveloped In
smoke, but continued to tire slowly. When
they entered the straits they had a list
to «tarboard. The Greek fleet ceased the
pursuit wiieu ifc- eamo within range of
the guns of the forts and remained cruis
ing off the entrance.’’
A later dispatch from Admiral Coun
touriotis* says:
“Have beaten tftfr enemy s fleet, which
was steaming toward Lemnos, and pur
sued it almost Into the straits, where it
took refuge in disorder. The engagement
lasted three hours. We had only one
man slightly wounded. The damage to
the Averoff is insignificant and the fight
ing power of the fleet lias not been af
fected."
SENATOR JOHNSTON
IN BESTOF HEALTH
Reports of Serious Illness
Are Entirely Without
Foundation
Washington, January IS.—(Special.)—
Th.e reports circulated in Birmingham
that Senator Johnston is seriously ill are
erroneous and are without foundation.
Jn fact, Senator Johnston was at the
capitol today, attended the session of the
Senate and to his mail and other duties,
and declared himself feeling better than
for some lime.
Senator Johnston was confined to his
room for several day* last week with the
bad effects from a tooth which has been
giving aim some trouble for a considerable
time. At no time, however, was he very
sick, to say nothing of being in a serious
condition. As late as 8 o’clock tonight the
senator declared that he was “feeling
fine.” and that any stories to the con
trary had been “greatly exaggerated.”
FARMERS MEET AT
MERIDIAN MONDAY
Meridian, Miss., January 18 — (Special.*—
All the arrangements for the conference
of farmers and business men of Meridian
trade terrltorv, to be held m this city
Monday, have been completed and the In
dications are iliac there will be an at
tendance Irom the surrounding territory
fully in keeping with the importance of
the meeting.
This meeting, which has been promoted
by the Meridu i I ‘regressive league, aims
to give expression to the best means of
finding a substitute erop for cotton and
at the same time point out the mistakes
that have been made In other localities, j
. I
PARTIAL SETTLEMENT IN i
GARMENT MAKERS’ STRIKE
Kew York, January is.—An announced
settlement today of the strike in the dress
and Bhirtwaist branch of liie garment
making industry, promising to send 37,000
oj eralives back to work Monday, was fol
lowed almost at once by rebellion among
employes affected against the terms their
lenders had agreed upon with the manu
facturers. Tonight doubt exists whether
Che dress and shirtwaist makers will ac
eept the conditions. In the other trades
thi strike still Is dn, affecting more than
]0ii,OOO men and women.
\\ hen details of the settlement agree
ment were announced simultaneously at
IJ mass meetings, showing that the max
imum ' wage increase waa only 10 per
cant, tfee strikers at many of Urn meet
lags rushed from the halls, protesting
tha* they would not abide by the agree- I
ment. Some of the strikers denounced
the protocol as a "frame up" in favor i
of the manufacturers.
Impatient strikers held an Impromptu
meeting late in the day and appointed
leaders to organize a new union, which
they said would seek affiliation with the
Industrial W'orkors of the World.
Kphralm Kaufman, bualncss agent of
the foiled Male Garment Workers of
America, gave out a letter he said he had
received from Congressman-elect Francis
O. Lindquist of Michigan, scoring whole
salers and manufacturers In the clothing
trades, and promising that as soon as he
had ta'san hie seat In Washington he
would introduce a resolution calling for
a congressional Investigatljn into the
clothing business with a view of regu-1
lailng profits and activities. «
SOME CARTOONS ON THE WEEK’S EVENTS
<«E£p S
ALMOST HOH£jJ
>K
TAKE TESTIMONY IN
SUIT AGAINST MEAT
PACKERSJOMBINE
The Supreme Court of
Missouri Endeavoring
to Oust Alleged
Trust
_
Jefferson City, Mu., January 18.—Daniel
Dillon, commissioner appointed by the su- .
preme court of Missouri to take evidence j
in the suit filed by the attorney sen- j
eral to oust the alleged meat packers' \
combination from the state, reported to,
the supreme court today that he found
the six companies in an agreement to I
control prices.
“But I do not think that the evidence '
is sufficiently specific in regard to the
volume of business it controls and the
volume of business done by others to
warrant the finding that the combina
tion constitutes a monopoly, says the
report.
The six companies named are Swift &
Co., Armour & Co.. Morris & Co., the Na
tional Packing company, the Hammond
Packing company and the 8t. Louis
Dressed Beef and Provisions company.
Tire commissioner makes no recommenda
tion as to whether the packers shall be
ousted from Missouri. Since the suit was
liled the National company has been dis
solved. The commissioner found that the
National was incorporated by Swift,
Armour and Morris interests and was
capitalized at $lf»,00»j.000. The National
company, the commissioner says in turn,
held all the stock of the three firms and
purchased the St. Ix>uis Dressed fjeef and
Provisions company, the Hammond com
pany and the Omaha. Hutchinson, Anglo
American, Fowler and Tinted Packing
companies. Later the .National wan dis
solved because New' York brokers failed
tc raise JfiO.OfiO to form a packing pool.
The suit filed by the attorney general
was directed particularly against tire
Hammond Packing company of St. Joseph
and the Rt. Louis Dressed Beef and Pro
vision company, the ouster of whicn
specifically is sought.
Controlled by Packing Company
These are the two Missouri companies
which the commis*ionet found to have
been controlled by the National Packing
company, the stock of which in turn was '
held by the Armour. Swift and Morris
interest*.
Cases also are pending in the supreme
court against Swift Ac Co., Morris Ac Co.
and Armour Ac Co., and the testimony
taken against the Hammond and St.
Holds companies by commissioner Dillon
aiso will be applicable for the most part,
if Is said, in the cases against the three
Chicago firms.
"While there is no direct testimony."
continues the report "that either Swirt.
Armour &■ t'o.. or Morris & Co. had any
agreement with the National Packing
company as to the conduct and manage
ment of its business, and while nine of
the witnesses testified that they never
knew of any sucli arrangement. I hat ’
no hesitancy in finding that there was |
ah agreement between Swift & Co., Ar
triour A Co.. Morris & Co. and the Na
tional Packing company, and the respond- I
cuts hereinafter mentioned, and the other j
companies whose property and assets
Pave been transferred to the National |
Packing company as to the conduct of !
tiielrbusiness with a view to destroying
free competition In the purchase of cat
tle. hogs arid sheep, and in the sale of
fresh meats and other packing house
products in Missouri and in the Cnlted
States.”
MINISTERliu BOIS
BACK IN BOGOTA
Bogota, Colombia. January II. —James
T. Dubois, rnlted States minister to Co
lumbia. returned here Prlday from
Washington. He was greeted with, a
hearty reception. The Colombian press
unanimously claims that the signs point
to a friendly settlement of the dispute In
jregard t9 Pangm*.
THE CONTENTS OF TODAY'S AGE-HERALD
1— Balkans cry for war.
Greek fleer meets Turks.
Wilson has not selected cabinet.
O’Neal declines to ask Taft to with*
draw veto.
2— Plans proposed for raising more i ave
nue for state.
3— Huddleson calls city committees pro
posal silly.
4— Eight governors of Alabama.
6—Removal of slag pile does not moan
opening of street, says Mnb“n.
Waterworks company to a id to fll*. "T
tubs.
All except Kolb silait, on governors.- j.
More petitions sent to Lane In Bode
ker's behalf.
6—Congress to act on Rockefeller bill.
T—Market getting stirred up over tariff’
-g—Mighty events in Howell’s life.
9— Birmingham sets new pace in granting
of franchises.
10*-Congress takes up oil company fight
for Indian lands.
11—New rector coming early in February.
14*15-Sports.
13—Remove plague spot of Paris.
2<V- Plan to entertain crop growing hoys
21— A call to the country.
22— Meridian to vote for postmaster.
23— Dr. Phillips gives details of plans to
assist poor boys.
26— Society.
27— Ireland again to grow tobacco.
28— 23—Editorial comment.
90—How to be socially attractive.
31—Gold hoard fails to check panics.
32 Swordfish kills shark.
■jJ— A Modern Cinderella, by Dolly Dal*
.vmpie.
The Book Shelf.
36 (josalp of London stage.
37— Theat res.
38- Automobile gossip.
8b—Yarns of the courthouse gang.
40—Judge Jones tells why Posey riot was
bloodless.
41 Markets.
42— Wage earners suffer from monetary
system.
43- 50- Magazine section.
51-64—Comic supplement.
iflilED.j
IN NEW YORK CITY
President Speaks at Several
Banquets—Is Royally
Entertained
. * j
New York, January 18.—President Taft
tonight paid one of his frequent Satur
day night visits to Nev\r York, filling din
ner engagements, chief among which was
thf.t with the Ohio society at its annual
banquet. Earlier in the evening lie at
tended a private dinner given in honor oi
Andrew D. White, former president of
Cornell university, and had a tentative
engagement to drop In later at the ban
quet of the Dutchess County (New York)
society.
Tomorrow the President, who will spend
the night at the home of Ills brother,
lldiry W Taft, will address the.annual
roinention of the Order of b'Nail B’Klth
in this city, and after another night at
lus brother's residence will go to New
Raven, Conn., where he exppets to make
his home after retiring from the presi
dency, for a brief visit. lie p'ans to re
turn here Monday evening, attend the
theatre and board a midnight'train for
Washington. Mrs. Taft accompanied him
on his trip here.
Meet With Phipps
When President Taft entered the ban
quet iia.lL where the dinner to former1
President Andrew D. White of Cornell
was \o be held tonight, the first person
he saw was Henry Phipps, the Pittsbur/
steel man. The President stretched his
hand out and smilingly said: ‘How do
you do. Mr. Phipps?"
Mr. Phipps looked blankly at the Pres
ident a moment. "Pardon me. I don t
seem to recall your face.” he said.
A wave of laughter from the diners'
brought a smile to the President's face,
which had clouded for a second.
"Mr. Phipps,” he suld, “I think if you
take a good look at me you will recall.”
Before the President could complete Ids
sentence Mr. Pldpps, who had continued
gazing intently at him. broke in with:
"Why. President Taft, 1 beg our par- i
don. I really did not recognize you."
The President laughed as he warmly j
shook Mr. Phipps by the hand and
walked lo the place reserved for him. i
Mr. Phipps took the matter good na
turedly and laughed with the rest of
the diners.
President Taft, in his speech at the
Ohio dinner, came out strongly against
the bill before Congress providing for In
dependence for the Philippines in eight
years.
"If I were a partisan I shouldn't ask
anything better than that the democratic
party should pass this bill and go obt of
the Philippines in eight years,” he sab!
“The passage of this bill would make
a mess and a muss that would return *•>
plague the men responsible for It for J5
years.
Would Defeat Own Efforts
”js It possible.” the President asked
"that little as this demoncratlc adm'.n
(CtstlssH ea Pace Sieves)
INFANTRY SEIZES
PIER ALLEGED TO BE
FEDERAL PROPERTY
Coal Trestles in Buffalo
Claimed as Property of
the United States
Covernment
Buffalo, N. Y , January 18.—A company
of the Twenty-ninth Infantry marched
from Fort Porter to the foot of Erie
street today and seized that part of the
Delaware, hr'kawanna and Western coal
trestle which the government alleges en
croaches orf federal property. The land
extends hack 15 feet from the water
along about 1000 feet of the harbor en
trance and is worth several hundred thou
sand dollars. It has been the subject of
litigation between the railroad and the
government for 20 years.
Todays warlike demonstration was
made upon the recommendation of John
I.ord O'Brian, United States attorney,
lie recently submitted a report to Attor
ney General Wlekersham covering the
status of the fight for possession of the
property, and today R. C. Strickland, as
slstant attorney general, came here with
sealed orders from the Secretary of War
to the commandant to place his whole
force, under the direction of Mr. O'Brian
and Mr. Strickland. The soldiers marched
upon the dock equipped for an indefinite
sta>. The next move; Mr. O'Brian said,
rests with the railroad and unless if
moves quickly, he added, the trestle will
be torn down.
Belonged to Government
Washington. January 18. The federal
soldiers were ordered to take possession
of the “North'’ pier at Buffalo by Sec
retary of War fltimson at the request
of Attorney General Wlekersham. The
government has disputed the Lackawan
na's right to the pier for many years.
The department of justice Im said to
have convinced ih* Secretary of War
that the United States had a clear claim
to the property and It. T. Strickland,
an attorney of the department, lert
Washington a few days ago for Buf
falo with Secretary" Stimson'8 order.
United States Attorra y O’Brian at Buf
falo consulted the Attorney General
several times In th government's ef
fort to eject, the railroad.
The government’s claim to ownership
of the pier, it is aid. Is based upon
more than 50 yea’s of continuous un
disputed occupancy. The pier was ac
quired by the United States In 1826
and no question of ownership was raised
until 1818. when it is declared the rail
road became a squatter and acquired
a foothold.
In 1910 an order was i/3ued by the
'Continue* on Pngt Eleven)
WILSON HAS MADE
NO DECISION AS JO'
CABINET PERSONNEL
Has Not Consciously Con
ferred With Any Pros
pective Candidates
THINKS POSITIONS
VERY RESPONSIBLE
President-Elect Anticipates Little De
lay iiftietting Acceptances From
Such Men as He May Choose
for Various Portfolios
# -
rrineeton, .T., January 1S.—Presl
dent-elect Wilson reiterated tonight
that he had made absolutely no decis
ion as to the personnel of his cabinet
and added that, thus far, he had not
conclously conferred with any pros
pective candidates.
‘‘1 wouldn’t do that," he said, "until
[ Had finally made up my mind to pick
a man. I haven’t consciously consulted
with any future cabinet members"—
and added as an after-thought "though
I might have consulted with some men
whom I might subsequently choose."
Mr. Wilson again expressed his be
lief that it was unlikely any of the
men whom he selects for his cabinet
will decline to accept the portfolios
offered them. It had been suggested
to him that many men were loath to
give up their business to enter the cab
inet. He said he realized the sacri
fices that were necessary sometimes.
Responsible Positions
"A cabinet position, too," lie re
marked, "is a very responsible one
where you don't get very much credit
for your successes and catch It hard
for your failures." Fie anticipated lit
tle delay, however, he said, in getting
acceptances from such men as lie might
choose for the various portfolios, and
said that not until he had made up a
complete slate would lie begin to con
sult those whom In* had picked out.
When Mr. Wilson was Informed to
night that people in Washington wero
taking it for granted that a popular
reception will be substituted for the
Inaugural ball, he said he had expected
to receive suggestions along that line.
"I assumed." he said, "that something
would be substituted. I rather hoped
that Mr. Eustis would lay some plan
before me."
William Corcoran Eustis, the inaug
ural chairman, was reported to have
mailed his reply today to the governor's
letter recommending elimination of the
ball. The governor said lie had not yot
received it and probably would not un
til be reached ills office in the itate
tious‘3 at Trenton on Mac.day.
The governor siti<l he expected bury
days next week in the New Jersey leg
islature. He will ask State Senator
Warren Davis to introduce on Monday
the several corporation bills that have
been drafted by the governor, Judge
Bennett Van Syckle and Chancellor
Edwin Walker.
HELEN GOULD WILL
SPEND ONLY $1000
FOR HER TROUSEAU
New York, January 18.—Although she
Is one of Hie richest women In America,
Helen Miller Gould will confine the ex
pense of her wedding trosseau to within
$1000.
The latter figure was that fixed by
Madeline Force, now the widow of Col.
John Jacob Astor, when she was married,
and it was a shock to Fifth avenue
modistes.
Many wealthy brides have spent it)
or 20 times this amount. Whan Alias
Gould marries Finley J. Sheppard at her
Tarrytown home next Wednesday site
will he gowned in ivory white with satin
and rose point lace trimming^ with a
court train and a rose point veil. Miss
Gould's favorite colors are purple and
gray and most of her trosseau is made |
of these colors.
RAILROADS RUN ~
DESPITE STRIKE
Bangor, Ale., January 18. Although
all the J60 locomotiv© engineers and
firemen employed oi. the Bangor and
Aroostock railroad struck today for an
increase in wages, the road's passenger
service was maintained in part. Trains
were manned by men brought here from
outside the state several days ago in
anticipation of the strike. Freight serv
ice, which is devoted largely t«> hand
ling print paper, was nt a standstill
The only disturbance reported in the
day occurred at M illl nock, where, it
was said, an unsuccessful attempt was
made by strike sympathizers to re
move the crew of a train from Bangor.
SISTER MARY SEMMES
DIES IN TENNESSEE
Nashville, January in. The funeral of
rfistei Mary DcSales Semmes, grand
daughter of Admiral Raphael gemmes of
the Confederate cruiser Alabama, oc
curred here todav at St. <*ecilin academy.
It was there she took the veil a month
ago. She wa^ 21 years old and her family
home was in Arkansas.
[O’NEAL DECLINES
10 ASK TAFT TO
Refuses to Officially Aid in
Securing Dam Across
the Coosa River
PURPORTED DAM A
PRIVATE ENTERPRISE
In Letter to J. W. Worthington, the
Governor Doubts Propriety of
Using Official Position to
Help Private Corporation
Montgomery. January 18.—(Special.)—•
Declaring that he does not believe that
the construction of a dam across the
Coosa river by the Alabama. Power com
pany would be a matter of revenue op
interest to the state of Alabama, and
doubting the propriety of using his of
ficial position for the purpose of securing
a federal franchise for a private corpora
tion, Governor O’Neal tonight declined to
use his influence to Induce President Tatt
to withdraw his veto to Senate bill 7313,
providing for the construction of a dam
at Lock 18.
The governor’s letter of declination was
addressed to J. W, Worthington, at Wash
ington, D. Cm who la interested in the
construction of a dam by the Alabama
Power company at Lock 18, on the Coosa
river. Mr. Worthington several days ago
addressed a communication to the gov
ernor, urging him to come to Washing
ton and urge the President to withdraw
his veto to the bill providing for the
construction of the dam. Mr. Worthing
ton's request was reinforced by resolu
tions of several commercial organizations
in the state.
A Private Enterprise
The governor declared that the advo
cacy of a policy beneficial to the people
at large is an entirely different thing
from the support of a private enterprise,
and asserted that his declination to par
ticipate in the effort suggested sprung
from no hostility whatever to the cor
poration interested. The following is the
governor’s letter:
"In response to your request reinforced
by the resolutions of the commercial
bodies of several cities of the state rhat
I lend my aid to the contemplated 11
fort to induce the President to withdraw
ills veto of Senate bill 734J, authorizing the
construction by the Alabama Poh »r com
pany of a dam across the Coo:-a river
or, failing therein to aid in securing the
passage of said bill over said veto, I beg
leave to state that I uin not, for the fol
lowing reasons, able to persuade myself
tjiut the construction of such a dam is
a matter of revenue or interest to the
slate of Alabama. In view of this con
clusion you will, no doubt, agree to the
impropriety of such suggested action on
rav part, as governor, in aid of a private
enterprise.
"While I am firmly committed to the
policy of encouraging the Investment ot
foreign capital in Alabama for the de
velopment of our resources, t do not think
that this would justify me In using suen
prestige as may attend my official posi
tion to actively engage in securing a
federal franchise for a private corpora
tion.
"Eminent lawyers differ as to the right
of the state to tax the power accruing
from the erection of a dam on or across
a navigable stream. Whether the state
has such power or not is. in Alabama,
an academic question, if, under the law.
our slate formerly had such power, it
has already parted with it. By the gen
eral and speefal laws of this state, which
w'e re-enacted some years prior to my
administration, the right to develop water
power was conferred on individuals and.
private corporations by these laws it
would seem that the state has surren
dered or conveyed whatever title or in
terest. or easment it may have possessed
In the st reams of Alabama, and these
laws being granted would seem to con
stitute .* contract by which the state Is
bound.
•'I am. therefore, of opinion that the
only right this stale lias over water power
or hycfro-electrio companies is the light
it possesses under its general power* to
regulate public utilities, to control or reg
ulate and fix charges and rates, and as
this Is in no way connected with the crea
tion of any benefit to the state, I am
forced to the conclusion that th** atat*
has no such interest as would warrant
me, as governor, in pressing the passage
of i his bill.
"The general advocacy of a policy bene
ticlal to tiie people at large is a different
tiling from the support of a specific pri
\ate enterprise, the paramount object
of which is, of course, individual profit,
and from which the public benefit is but
a minor Incident.
• My Inclination to participate in the ef
fort suggested springs from no sentiment
ef hosltllity whatever to the corporation
interested, but. simply from a regard for
the proprieties of my official station."
NO FURTHER RISE
EXPECTED IN OHIO
Evansville, fnd., January IS.- After a
canvass of the Ohio river flood situation
here today it was found that $2000 would
provide relief for all refugees an l that
this amount was set aside by the tit'.
Adjutant General McCoy, representing
Governor Ralston, reported to him tm
state aid was needed. The river wa.'
stationary at a stage of 4K.5 today and
no further rise is expected.
CHAOTIC CONDITION OF
AFFAIRS RULES MEXICO
Fan Francisco, January 18.—The tale of
a lone Mexican patrol who stood on the
beach and opened tire w ith a i ifle on an
ocean liner was brought here last night
by the Pacific mail steamer Han Juan,
which arrived fro/h Mexican ports.
Lewis Cordon, first assistant engineer,
was shot through the side by the vessel a
assistant, who sent a fusillade of bullets
across the bow of the ship as it was
leaving Acapulco.
Complaint was made to Vice Consul
Penguin, and the mart, who gave his
i name as l>r. Jose Avalos, wa* arrested.
Officials and passengers on the San Juan
told stories of a chaotic *tate of af
fairs on the west coast of Mexico. Refu
gee: are crowding Into the coast towns j
and foreigners are being hunted by out- i
laws and revolutionists.
Washington, January lb.—General Bel
tiun, commander of the Mexican federal
forces at Vera Cruz, and Commander
Azuetu. In charge of the arsenal there,
have been removed. Beltran commanded
the federal forces which pot down the
uprising led by Gen. Felix Diaz, now a
Itisoner In Vera Cruz.
Dispatches to the state department to
day tell of rumors of a threatened re
volt in Vera Cruz, having for its object
the release of Diaz, but contain no reason
for the removal of Beltran and Azuetu.
The city of Acapulco, supposed to he
surrounded by rebels, is not entirely cut
oif from communication, and the state
department has been informed that a wire
is still open by way of Manzanillo. A
report from unofficial sources scales that
an attack was made on Acapulco yester
day. but no details were given.
Michael J. Hart of Mount Carmel. Ills ,
is In jail at Hmpalme De Gonzalez for
k'lling a. brigand while defending his own
life. He surrendered to the authorities.
The American embassy reports the case
had been called to its attention.