The Birmingham age-herald. [volume], March 08, 1914, Image 1

About The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950

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THE BIRMINGHAM AGE-HERALD_
VOLUME xxxxm o
BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 1914
.->4 PAdKS (IN^ SIX PARTS) NUMBER 306
r LACY DECLARES HE SURRENDERED
ON STRENGTH OF BARGAIN MADE
WITH GOVERNOR AND ATTORNEY
SAYS IT WAS AGREED
THAI HE SHOULD BE
. TRIED ON ONLY ONE
CHARGE AGAINSTHIM
I _
fudge Brown Places Sen
tence of Ten Years in the
Penitentiary on Former
Convict Clerk
U _
GOVERNOR AND
SPECIAL COUNSEL
DENY AGREEMENT
fssue Statements Declaring Charge Is
Without Foundation—Statement
Causes Widespread Sensation
A Over State—Judge to
Consider Matter
By L. 9. BBTTY
Montgomery, Harch 7.—•(Special.)
Afire He had been Menteneed by Judge
Armatead Brown to nerve 10 yearn In
the penitentiary for the enihennlement
of 150,000 of ntnle fundn, Theodore
l/aey, former ehlef elerk of the eon
vlef department, thin mornlug naked
the court to dismiaa the other eanen
agalnat him on the ground that there
*1 'Ban an agreement entered Into be
tween hla attorney and the governor
of Alabama whereby he ahould be tried
on only one eane provided he n-ould
surrender hlmnelf Into the bandn of
the law.
As soon as it was learntd at the capital
that Lacy hail made this statement, the
governor at once issued a vigorous* denial.
Another strong denial came from Daniel
W. Troy, special coum *1 for the state, i
^ " ho was mentioned by Lacy as on-3 of the ,
parties to the agreement.
LACY’S STATEMENT 1
CAUSED SENSATION
Lacy's statement, the first he has
made in open court, won made immedi
ately after Judge Brown liad sentenced \
t bint to 10 >ears imprisonment, and fur- (
^ nibbed one «>t the sen*1 .-...Kina of the cele
’ l rated trial.
The statement was immediately chal
lenged by Solicitor William T. Seibels of
Montgomery, who declared that no agree- '
fnent had been entered into which would 1
in any way compromise the interest of the 1
state. Mr. Seibels stated to the court ‘
that certain propositions looking to '
Lacy’s return had been made to him, but
that these propositions contemplated that ‘
Lacy would return in good faith, restore
the money he had sto’en, and attempt
to make* other reparation for his crime. .
This proposition, according to Solicitor ,
Seibels, was not In the light of an agree
ment. but one which involved the return
of the stolen property and other evi- i
dances of good faith on the part of the
former chief clerk of the convict depart
ment, towards helping f.: the prosecution
and conviction of anyone who might have
been implicated with him. Under these
conditions, a proposition had been made
lo try I*acy under one indictment.
Since Lacy has not returned the stolen
property, or made any efTort, so far as
» tan be ascertained, to aid the state in ;
\ tonvlcting others, the state is determined ■
to prosecute him under the other indict- ]
merits, and. if possible, to impose the
maximum penalty under each conviction.
A crowd began to gather at the court
house long before the hour fixed for
* the court to sentence Lacy, and when i
ho arose to hear his sentence the crowd i
bent forward in eager expectancy.
MAKES NO ANSWER
TO QUESTIONS
\ When Judge Brown asked Lacy if he :
, had anything to say as to why he should .
I not be sentenced, Lacy replied that he
I had not.
Judge Brown then said: 1
“Lacy, the charfee under which you 1
have been convicted Is a serious one, I
one of the most serious In the history -
of Alabama. You have been convicted i
by a Jury of embezzling the largest sum i
of money that, has been embezzled by ,
anyone in this state during the present ,
generation. The law Axes the maximum t
penalty at 10 years, and I must Impose
that sentence."
Following this statement. Lacy said:
"Judge. I would llktf to ask that you i
have the other cases against me nol I
proceed for the reason that there was <
an agreement entered Into with the gov- '
ernor of this state that I should be tried i
)on one case." ,i
Solicitor Seibels then told the court that
If any agreement had been entered Into l
It was not. one that would compromise ’
the Interest of the state.
Lacy replied that the agreement had i
<Continued on Page Eleven, 1
TODAY’S AGE-HERALD |
1—Lacy declares he surrendered by
agreement with governor.
Date for execution of Frank set.
Steamer crew rescued during
storm.
Another British citizen in danger in
Mexico.
t—Week’s events puts new ginger into
state politics.
S—Madison candidates qualify.
4—Indications in' probable choice of
police chief.
^—Birmingham given encouragement
by Atlanta reports.
Weil forecasts senatorial election.
ty i Harding thinks commistoners too
’] drastic on viaduct.
? Fairfield mill to be best in world.
f—Example of simple life.
, T—Bankhead explains parcel post
Ideas.
I—Conditions of county schools en
couraging.
•--Wall street still finds fault with
democrats.
10— All Inreadlness for suffrage lead
ers,
11— Thomas Haddock found hanging to
■lisle IB store. '
14-15—Sports.
16— Drug crazed man cuts wife's throat
with pocketknlfe.
17— Poultry news.
21—Mrs. Trenton again in serious
straights.
£2—Rate compromise still live topic of
Interest.
23— Woman suffrage serious problem
tof politicians.
24— Church services.
25— 30—Society.
27— Fight coming In Mobile county on
oyster question.
28- 29—Editorial comment and Ned
Brace.
31— Memorable freezes.
32— Dolly's dialogues.
33— Women In the courts.
34— Automobile gossip.
35— The theatres.
36— Growth Of automobiles In Birming
ham.
37— Common sense In the home.
39—Powhattan only Virginian emperor
41— Markets.
42— Britain’s support In Mexico de
pends on repeal of tolls.
43— 50—Magastne section.
rl-54—-Comic supplement.
. ' ’ ; •
'S.: .. '/: .a-*:': A--.. * r, *
Statements Which Caused *
Big Sensation Y&$Crday
jy ^
Montgomery, March 7.—(Special.)—Following aro^jk qQ alternants of the |
governor of Alabama, Theodore Lacy and Daniel ^ which caused a j
state-wide sensation today: O
“There was an agreement entered into w governor of this state !
that I should be tried on only one cose."—Theoo • Lucy.
*'I understand that Mr. Lacy, after being sentenced this morning, stated !
to the court that his friends had an agrement with me whereby he was to be
prosecuted in one case only.
> "I have never made an agreement with his friends, representatives or coun- !
sel or anyone else that he should be tried on only one case, or that he should
receive less than the full measure of punishment which his crime deserved, and
I have had no communication of any kind or character with Mr. Lacy himself
since he stole the state's money."—The Governor of Alabama.
"1 ani informed that Mr. Lacy stated to the court today iiiat his friends
had an agreement with the governor ancl myself, as the representative of the
solicitor, that he should be tried ohly in pne case. I have never represented the j
solicitor in any agreement with Mr. Lacy or with his friends, nor assumed to ;
do so.
"Mr. Lacy's friends approached me with propositions for his return, which 1
understood to involve the return of the money also, and on this understanding >
I did put them in touch with the solicitor. So far as I know no other agree
ment was made than that shown by the statement of the solicitor in court this
morning."—Daniel W. Troy.
LACY’S ATTORNEYS
DECLARE GOVERNOR
MADE AGREEMENT
Pettus and Patterson Give Out Statement Detailing Negotia
tions Between Governor and State Officers and Lacy’s
Friends Looking Toward His Return and Surrender.
Was Promised to Be Tried on Only One Caae
Montgomery, March 7.—(Special).—That negotiations
ooking to the return of Theodore Lacy, sentenced to ten years
n the penitentiary for the embezzlement of $50,000 of state con
vict department funds, were begun in July of last year and that
in agreement was made with the governor of Alabama, Daniel
\V. Troy, special counsel, and Win. 1’. Seibels, solicitor of Mont
gomery county, whereby Lacy would be tried on only one case,
md that he would be allowed to make bond in the sum of $50,
)00 or less, was the statement given out late ght by E. W.
Pettus and Charles A. Patterson, both of S'
The statement was given out in
inswer to statements from the t?ov
■rnor, Mr. Troy and Solicitor Seibels
hat there was no agreement made
■elative to Lacy’s return. The signed ,
statement was prepared in the pres- j
>nce of Ray Rushton and W. W. Hill
>f Montgomery and Col. Jesse F.
Stallings of Birmingham, attorneys
or Lacy, and was verified by these
awyers from correspondence in the
>ossession of the two Dallas county
'itizens.
Details Negotiations
The statement purports to give in de
alt the various negotiations entered into
>y Messrs. Pettus and Patterson with
he governor and other representatives
if the state looking to I.acy'8 return.
\ccordlng to these men, an agreement
.van first entered into In July, 1913, at
vhich time It was proposed that if L,ary
ihould return and give up all money
le had taken, exclusive of what he had
ised for personal expenses, that he would
le allowed to plead guilty In one, case
ind take a sentence of one year and a
lay and all other indictments be dis
nissed.
Tills agreement further specified, ac
ordlng fo the statement, that I.acy would
lot be compelled to testify. Another
igreement was entered Into In January
if this year, according to the two Dal
as county citizens, at which time there
vcre present the governor, Mr. Troy.
O. Miles, a detective, and John Mof
att. recording secretary to the governor.
Phis time it was agreed to have I.acy
iurrender, be tried as early as possible,
md have all cases against him nol
irossel except those charging the tak
ng of money from the banks. It was
urther agreed, according to the state
nent, that l-acy's bond was to be fixed
it $20,000. Solicitor Seibels was not pres
int at this conference but was In a
onference that evening and stated that
he agreement was satisfactory.
Another Conference
On the following day another confer
ence was declared to have been held bc
ween representatives of Lacy, the gov
irnor and other state representatives,
fhe solicitor was not. present at the time
if the conference, but was seen that
light and agreed that there would be
iut one prosecution of Lacy if he came
lack to Montgomery, stating that he
vould recommend a bond of $20,000. a
In closing their statement, Messrs. Pet
us and Tatterson said that Detective
dlles called up Mr. Patterson over the
ong distance telephone the morning after
the third c, 4 tqltl him that
the “govt t pi*, e Ida personal
guarantee Tn **, ^ a.*/* cement was all
right and would y carried out in every
partlculAr.” AU w Ww>ihl>*e tx.i. rf ’-enncs
were held at the Exchange hotel, having
been arranged by E. O. Miles, the de
tective whom the governor employed to
find l4icy. Mr. Miles w’a« present at all
of these conferences. The statement in
full of Mr. Pettus and Mr. Patterson
fol low’s:
“In July, 1913, after Mr. E. O. Miles,
detective employed by the state of Ala
bama, in connection with the convict
department Irregularities, stated to us
that his idea was to find Lacy through
the family and friends, and that he had
the governor’s approval of this plan, j
and in pursuance of this Mr. Ml lea asked
us if we would meet the governor and
try and agree upon some basis for Lacy
to return to Montgomery, provided we i
coud get in touch with him. or if at any
time we could get In touch with him.
We agreed to this, and at Mr. Miles’
request we had a conference with the]
governor. Daniel W. Troy, E. O. Miles
and Mr. W. T. Seibels in a room at the
Exchange hotel at night.
Question Discussed
“During this conference, the question
of Lacy’s return was discussed, a-s well
as the question whether ho would re
turn any money, and what Ids attitude
would be towards testifying in the case
of the state against James Q. Oakley.
We told the governor (hat we did not
known where Lacy was and had no au
thority of any sort to act for him and that
our action would be merely what we
would recommend to Lacy should we at
any time get in communication with him.
After an hour’s discussion an agreement
was readied and was written out In
the handwriting of E. W. Pettus, read
over by the governor and Mr. Seibels
and was agreed to. The original agree
ment is In our possession at this time,
and is in words as follows:
Must Give Up Money
“ 'Lacy to come back to Montgomery
and give up all the money he took, less
any reasonable amount that may have
ueen expended by him for personal ex
penses, not exceeding $6000 to $10,000, and
he shall also tell to the governor, or
his representatives, exactly what was
done with the money outside of the court
room, but without any obligation on
Lacy's part to testify against Oakley.
Then Oakley is to be tried first, and
after Oakley is tried, then Lacy is to
either plead guilty ill one case and take
a sentence of 1 year and 1 day and all
other Indictments to be dismissed, or Lacy
can then plead not guilty and let the law
take its course as if tills stipulation 1 ad
not been made.'
“The day after this agreement was
made, at the suggestion of all parties,
E. W. Pettus wrote to "Daniel W. Troy,
in which letter It was stated that this
agreement had been reached, and the
letter was a confirmation of the agree
ment. It had been agreed verbally that
this agreement should have force and ef
fect from 90 days from the date on
which it was made. After this letter
was written to Mr. Troy, Mr. Troy spoke
to Mr. E. W. Pettus about the letter
and about the time limit.*
Got in Touch With Lacy
"Several months after this, In January,
1914, we communicated with Mr. E. O.
Miles and told him that we had gotten
In communication with Lacy and would
like to have another conference over
the matter and see what arrangement
could be made. as. there were some
changes which we wished in the origi
nal agreement. Mr. Miles came to Mont
gomery and arranged a conference In
the Exchange hotel with the governor,
Mr. Troy. Mr. John Moffet and our
selves, and he also agreed to have at
this conference Mr. VV. T. Seibels, but
Mr. Seibels could not come to the con
ference that morning and Mr. Troy
stated that he would represent Mr. ijcl
bels, although any arrangement he made
on the part of Mr. Seibels would have
to *be confirmed’ by Urm before It be
came binding.
“We then discussed the matter of Lacy’s
return, and had before us the original
agreement of July, ISIS, and a new agree
ment was written In pencil on the sta
•*V t ,
• n. v- - •• ■ ./
jf GOT HIS GOAT
I ‘ ' -f
DATE FOR EXECUTION
OF LEO M. FRANK IS
SET FuRJPRIL 17
Slayer of Mary Phagan
Must Pay Penalty on
tfro Anniversary of
1 His Birth
Atlanta, Marr!f*7.—Leo M. Frank was
sentenced again to death here today
for the murder of 14-year-old Mary
Phagn, a factory girl. His execution
was set for April 17.
.Judge J. B. Hill of the superior court
In pronouncing sentence merely carried
out the order of the supreme court of
Georgia, which on February 17 ap
proved the conviction.
Frank previously had beeen sentenced
to be executed October 10, 1913, but
sentence was suspended pending decis
ion of a motion for a new trial, an ap
peal to the supreme court and a mo
tion for rehearing on the appeal.
The last of these efforts to save the
life of the young factory superintend
ent’s life was defeated by decision of
the supreme court on February 25.
Date la Birthday
The date set for the execution is the
prisoner's thirtieth birthday.
This faot was not known until sen
tence was pronounced, when Frank
turned to a friend and remarked that
the 17th would be his birth anniversary.
Frank was born in Quero, Tex., on
April 17, 1884.
Immediately after the decree of exe
cution was read the condemned man
made a brief statement to tTie court
protesting his innocence. He spoke
with composure varying Ills tone of
voice only to emphasize certain state
ments.
The attorneys for Frank already have
announced their intention of filing spe
cial motion for a new trial on the
ground that the newly discovered evi
dence warrants this.
May Defer Execution
Pending disposal of this motion by
the superior court ths date of execution
may be still further deferred.
While no definite announcement, has
been made nf allegations to be Incor
porated In the extra motion it Is ex
pected to touch upon several affidavits
recently made public by counsel for
Frank. These Include ordinary sworn
statements from two state witnesses at
the trial last autumn that they testi
fied falsely In regard to the movements
of the Phagan girl and Frank on the
day of her murder. .April 28, 1814.
Two other affidavits purport to es
tablish an alibi for Frank.
Still another charges a conspiracy of
evidence against hint.
Frank tonight addressed a card to
the public in which he reiterated his In
nocence and declared that he believed
he was entitled to a new trial.
"The shadow of physical death docs
not dismay me.” he said. "If such he my
end, 1 shall go to It without fear and
without qualm. I am man, born to face
and endure that which the chance of
fate may bring.
"In the sight of God and Hla name,
by the honor which I hope will be re
stored to me, by everything which a
man may hold sacred, I swear that I
am Innocent of crime."
Effio Germon Dead
New York, March 7.—Mias Euphemia
(Efffle) Germon, a popular actress of 70
years ago, died Thursday at the Actors’
Fi^nd home In Staten Island. She waa one
of the principal attractions In Baltimore
and Philadelphia stock companies, and
years ago at Wallace's theatre In this
city. MUa Germon was born in Augusta,
Oa., on June 13, 1341, and waa the daugh
ter of O. C. Garmon, tha original Imper
sonator of Uncle Tom.
- J i . \ • -
A’ '* ' .a If C r. S'. ■
*••••••••••••••••••••*•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
SHOT WHILE MILKING
COW; WIFE KILLED;
SLAYER KILLS SELF
San Francisco, March 7.—While Tony
Klicinovich was milking tils cow today,
Marks Ska rich, with whom lie had quar
reled, appeared and began pumping lead
at him. Klicinovich dodged behind tlie
cow. Skarlch shot the cow and she fell
dead on top of her master. Her body
protected him partially, and us he lay
pinned to the ground Skarlch shot him
through the right »mn, the right leg and
tl»e left hip. He in dying.
Alarmed by the sound of shooting, Mrs.
Klicinovich tan tq the door. Ska rich shot
he HI trough the Mr-ast and sl.o foil dead.
He fled to his lodging house, locked him
self In his room and committed suicide.
1
Survivors of the Sunken
Charlemague Tower, Jr.,
Reach Newport News.
Rescue Mere Chance
Newport News, Vo.. March 7.—Bring
ing Capt. H. C. Simmons and 16 mem
bers of fhe crew of the American steam
er Charlemagne Tower, Jr., which went
down off the New Jersey coast yester
day morning, the whalebaclc steamer
Bayport reached here late this after
noon. The wreck survivors were landed
at Sewell’s Point where they boarded
a trolley for Norfolk, leaving Norfolk
tonight for New York.
With four men half dead from ex
posure, the ship wrecked crew wore
picked up near Barnegat light yester
day afternoon at G o'clock during a
blinding snow* storm, five miles south
of where Charlemagne Tower, Jr.. |
founded. The rescue was effected by the
barest chance, a signal light attracting
the attention of Captain Beranger of 1
the Bayport Just as the steamer was |
In the act of passing the small boat.
Snow Has Falling
Snow' was falling heavily and it was !
fast growing dark. Captain Beranger, 1
who was on the bridge, barely could see
the light as II flared up. The Bayport !
put about and discovered the half I
frozen and snow covered men huddled i
in a 20-foot boat. A stiff wind pre- .
vailed at the time and the men were '
watersoaked and numb from cold. In
order to make room for the over- i
crowded cargo, some of the men were I
forced to lie In the bottom of the boat
and these were In worse condition
than the others, four of them being
restored with difficulty after being
taken aboard the Bayport. The men.
Quartermaster John Dowling, Steward
Cecil Qreen, and Fireman Webb and
Messman Ralph Holmes were finally re
stored rfhd landed with the others this
afternoon.
Lh. rf labelled
The full list of those picked up by
the Bayport follows:
Captain H. C. Simmons. Chief Engi
neer H. A. Wilber. Second Mate il.
Neaves, Third Mate C. I’. Whitney, First
Assistant Engineer II. Albin, Second
Assistant EnKtnecr W. Dobare, Quar
termasters John DowIIiIr and C. Do
cohson. Seamen M. Dochoson and W.
Walla. Goals Edwards. Het Albin and
Ed Elllfon. oilers; Cecil Green, stew
ard; Ralph Holmes, messman, and Fire
men M. Hendrlcksen and W. Webb.
Captain Simmons did not know of
the rescue of First Officer Thompshon,
one fireman and two seamen until his
arrival In port, as when last seen the
men were struggling In the surf, their
small boat having; been swamped. The
larger boat put toward the open sea,
fearing a similar fate. Enable to make
icnttis.4 mm Page Eleven)
»•••••••••••••••••••••••••#••••••••••••••••••«•••••••«
STATE IS READY FOR
TRIAL OF J.G. OAKLEY
AT CAPITAL!MONDAY
Former Head of Convict
I Bureau Faces Charge of i
Embezzling $74,000 of
Stafe’s Funds
Montgomery, March 7.—(Special.)-The
state of Alabama is ready for the trial
of James (3. Oakley, former president of
the convict department, who is under in
dictment in several counties of Alabama
charging the embezzlement and* larceny
of state funds amounting to nearly $100,
ooo.
This announcement was made tonight by
attorneys for the stnte, who will prose
cute Oakley when he is tried in the Mont
gomery city court next Monday on in
dictments charging the embezzlement of
$74,000.
Altogether, Oakley Is under nearly one
dozen Indictments In Montgomery county,
and it has not been ascertained which
case will bo tried tirst.
The attorneys for the state maintain
that lie will bo tried under every Indict
ment.
Whether or not Oakley acted as an ac
complice of Theodore Lacy, sentenced to
10 years’ imprisonment for the embezzle
ment of $50,000 of state funds, will prob
nbly be brought out in the trial of the
former head of the convict bureau.
Public opinion points strongly to Oak
ley’s connection with Lacy’s crime.
Oakley is not expected to offer any ex
cuse for non-appearance in court when
his case is called Monday. It Is believed
that he will be present. He has already
brought upon bis head the condemnation
of the public by ids failure to appear at
court In Shelby county, when he wo* to
have been tried on the charge of embez
zlying more than $3500 of state funds and
by ids failure to appear in Montgomery
for his trial on last Wednesday. Oak
ley’s excuse was that he was too sick to
attend court, but the statement of five
physicians of Birmingham declared that
he wus In good healthj
It Is. therefore, believed that Oakley
will not again attempt to evade the law,
and It Js expected that he will be pres
ent on next Monday when Ids case Is
called. He is charged with complicity In
tlie embezzlement of funds by Lacy and
with the embezzlement and larceny of
funds approximately equal to the amount
stolen by IiIh former chief clerk.
CANDIDATES QUALIFY FOR
COMMITTEE FROM NINTH
Five of Hine Candidates for Committee from Birmingham, th#
Four Remaining Representing Perry, Bibb and Blount.
Five Committeemen Allowed to Each District
_ •
Montgomery March 7.—(Special.>—Nine mlngham: James F. Hawkins. Binniug
... hum; W. D. Nesbitt, Birmingham: W. L.
candidates qualified for members or the wtt8_ Jr fn|ontown: John B. Held. Blr
etate democratic executive committee mlngham: Rugene I). Reynolds. Blocton;
. , ... .. , George B. Tarrant. Utiwiigliam: Marcus
from the Ninth congressional district. Wuj| Hlrm|ng,laln.
Five of the candidates for members of The chairman of the state committee
the committee are front Blrmlningham. announced that the only con
tests for solicitor have developed In north
The remaining candidates represent Bibb. Alabama.
Berry and Blount counties In the latudrrdale Judicial district, Hen
.... “»«>>" a? u iSara-K&A
committee tonight gave out the list of (he Walker-Wlnston district. R. I.,
qualified candidates for committeemen R|u„ton of llalcyvllle is opposing J. B.
from tho Ninth district. Powell. All of the other candidates for
The complete list of the candidates solloltor are unopposed.
# 4| .. iiwi • * The situation in north Alabama with
from the other districts was dlfTHult raf,to ,.OIlteat8 for tha solleltorshlp
to secure. thare being In tbe neighbor )s believed to have been brought about
hood of lo candidates from every district by tho retirement of R. T. Himpson of
in the state. j Florence, representing the Lauderdale
Five committeemen are alloted to each district, who is a candidate for the su
district. The following are the candi-1 preme court, and by the retirement of
dates from the Nintli district: D. R. I Will Bankhead of Jasper, who ie Ml
Blackwood, Oneonte; Borden Burr, Bir-j aspiraut for cungresslonai lionora
m
SAYS SPRING-RICE
Englishman Driven From
Ranch in Mexico and
Life Threatened
SPRING-RICE CALLS
ON SECRETARY BRYAN
Huerta’s Note Protesting Again*!
Lifting of Embargo Probably Will
Not Be Noticed—Help for
Terrazas Is Asked
Washington. March 7.—Another Brit
ish subject 1ms got into trouble In the
state of Chihuahua and the state de
partment again has been called on to
extend its protection. Sir Cecil Spring
Rice called at the state department to
day to Inform Secretary Bryan that an
Englishman named Syndan had been
driven away from his ranch and tha*.
his property was In danger. Secretary
Bryan immediately telegraphed Amer
ican Consul Letcher at Chihuahua to
make an inquiry. Tf necessary a pro
test will be made to Carranxa or Villa.
Technically the commission charged
with investigating tho killing of Wil
liam S. Benton continues in existence
and Secretary Bryan today said Its
functions simply had been rfuspended.
There now is little idea that the com
missioners will proceed to Chihuahua
in tho expectation of uncovering evi
dence of value. It probably will he re
quired to carry out its original instruc
tions, however, merely to establish the
principle of tho right of the United
States to act. Nothing further has been
heard at the state department from
General Carranza regarding his inves
tigation.
Will Not Answer Note
There seems to be no present inten
tion of returning any answer to the
communication from General Huerta
protesting against the removal of tho
embargo on arms. The administration,
it in thought probable, docs not care
to risk the construction that such a
response would constitute a formal rec
ognition of the Huerta government.
Consular Agent Carothers at Chihua
hua was directed by Secretary Bryan
today to intercede with constitutional
ist leaders in behalf of Luis Terrazas,
who. press reports said, had been con
demned to death ifniess a quarter of
a million in ransom was paid by his
family. The American agent was di
rected to use every effort to prevent
the carrying out of this throat., point
ing out that American tolerance might
lie alienated from the Votisttiuttc'nal
1sts’ cause by such an act.
Tells of Battle
Logington, Ky., March 7.—Mrs. Wil
liam Collier ami her three young chil
dren stopped here today on their way
to their former home at Parln, Ky.,
after having passed through a battle
between federal* and revolutionist n
near Tampico, Mex. The battle took
place about a week ago and was fought
almost entirely on the ranch owned
by William thill let*. Mrs. Collier stated
that after the federal* had been driven
off the revoluConlsts looted all of the
buildings on the ranch and burned the
majority of them. She said Mr. Col
lier remained In Mexico, hoping to
gain some redress from General Villa.
—
SAILS FOR PORTLAND
“Chief” Sam to Overhaul
Vessel for Proposed
African Voyage
New Vnrk, March 7.—Aftei long delay
the steamship Curltvba, oil which “Chief"
Hum was to curry a large number of ne
groes to u colony on the gold const ot
Africa. nulled today, hut noi for the prom
ised land. She I* on her way to Port
land, Me., where Sum raid the vessel
would lie overhauled and put Into ehape
for the African voyage.
Home 70 negro men ami women, who
have been uilng the ship us un ark. were
placed naliore before the steamer sailed.
Ham said he would pay their railroad fares
to Portland, where they would lie allowed
to go on liourd again. The Curltybu
sailed under a Cuban flag. The ship wus
manned by a while crew.
The negroes left behind were some of
it number who hud sold all Ihelr belong
ings und homes In the soutli and south
west. After paying their transportation
nml buying shares In the Akim Trading
company at $25 each they had little
money left.