The river press. [volume], December 11, 1912, Image 1

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The River Press.
Vol. XXXIII.
Fort Benton, Montana, Wednesday December 11, 1912.
No. 8
FAVORS SINGLE TERM.
Taft
Senator Works Criticises Both
and Roosevelt.
Washington , Dec. 9.—In a speech
today in the senate upon his resolu
tion for a constitutional amendment
that would provide a single six year
presidential term, Senator Works of
California, identified since his entry
into the senate with the progressive
republican faction made a strong cri
ticism of Theodore Roosevelt and the
progressive party and their affiliation
with George W. Perkins and other re
presentatives of large corporations.
Senator Perkins said both Roosevelt
and Taft deserved defeat. He assert
ed that Roosevelt, when president,
had withheld action against the har
vester trust with the natural icsult
that Mr. Perkins had been uùb of the
chief Roosevelt backers In the fight
this year for the progressive nomina
tion; and, withemphasis, said Prési
dent Taft had "lost the respect and
good will of many good people by go
ing upon the stump against Colonel
Roosevelt."
A single presidential term, Senator
Works said, would prevent the use of
patronage and the power of office In.
the way it Is now used. He urged
that campaign contributions be made
only by the state or nation, declaring
that "large campaign funds however,
raised, are dangerous menace to the
free institutions of the country."
Mr. Works in conclusion, said it
would have been much better for the
country if President Taft and Colonel
Roosevelt bad been ineligible for re
election.
Will Protect Desert Entrymen.
Washington , Dec. 9.—After a long
conference with Assistant Secretary of
the interior department, representa
tive Pray said today that in his opin
ion desert land entrymen in Montana
who are proving up on lands in vicin
ities where other lands have been
taken up under the homestead law, will
not not be denied patent if they can
show they have fully complied with
the requirements of the desert land
act. In several localities where dr^,
farming is now being successfully
practiced desert land entryman who
made filings before the advent of dry
farming, have been fearful that the
success of the dry farming homestead
ers might cause the department to hold
their lands to be agricultural and not
desert in character.
Secretary Adams told Mr. Pray no
injustice would ba done any desert
laud entrymen, who made his entry in
good faith and could show full com
pliance with the law under which he
made his entry.
Preparing For Parcels Post.
Washington , Dec. 8. —Postmaster
General Hitchcock has apportioned
among 1,600 postoffices having city
delivery, $300,000 of the parcels poet
appropriation to be used for equip
ment for the delivery of parcels post
business. In additon to this emer
gency allowance, the postmaster gen
eral has authorized postmasters to
employ as many temporary and auxil
iary clerks and carriers as may be
necessary to handle the volume of
business.
After the parcels post system has
been in operation fifteen days from
January 1, the postmasters are direct
ed to submit reports showing the vol
ume of the parcels business, the addl
tional cost and an outline of the plans
for handling the new business.
Through these reports Mr. Hitchcock
expects to obtain a close estimate of
the cost of the parcels post, so that he
may inform congress what appropria
tions will be necessary for the new
system.
Relief For Col. Wilson.
Washington , Dec. 9. — Senator
Myers has introduced a bill to revoke
the recent order of the secretary of
war holding Col. R. W. Wilson per
eonally responsible for the loss of
17,181,64 at Fort Harrison. The bill
seeks to exonerate the colonel from
responsibility personally for the loss
of the money, and appropriates the
sum given to cover the loss Incurred
by the government, and to relieve the
colonel from its payment.
Urges Dress Reform.
New York , Dec. 9. —"Make a bon
fire of your hats; throw away your
corsets and wear trousers Instead of
these ridiculous tight skirts," is the
recommendation of Mrs. Carrie Chap
man Catt, the suffragette leader, to
the equal suffrage league in her re
port of her two years round the world
campaign in behalf of the votes for
women.
"My trip around the globe convinced
me," says Mrs. Catt, "that my own
country women are the most fettered,
sartorially, to be found anywhere.
Compared with the Chinese women the
American women are almost as help
less as a baby. It is time for the
western woman to kick herself free
from the swanddling draperies which
the Parisians send over to us. We
should declare our independence in
dress as we h<»ve in politics and the
sooner we do it the better for health,
happiness and the cause."
Cheaper Money For Farmers.
Washington , Dec. 7.—President
Taft, in a speech to governors, urged
today the adoption of uniform state
legislation which would make possi
ble in this country the adoption of a
system of rural credits aDd low in
terest-bearing loans to farmers,
similar to that in vogue in many Eu
ropean countries.
"We are not going to adopt a
system overnight," said the presi
dent. "It is going to take a consider
able time before the country Bhall re
ceive the full benefit of it, but the
earlier we begin the agitation the
earlier we shall achieve the purpose
we have in brioging the matter to the
attention of the public."
There is no subject," continued the
president, "of greater importance to
the people of the United States than
the improve of agricultural methods,
the securing of profits to farmer», the
attraction of young men of the coun
try to farming as a lucrative position,
and & lowering of prices to the con
sumer.
"We have great capital in this coun
try and we have a farming country
that Is producing farm products of im
mense value. It would seem clear that
with these two elements it would seem
possible to introduce a third in which
the farmer engaged in producing the
crops should be able, in view of the
vaiue of what Ithey produce and the
value of the land on which it is pro
duced, to obtain money on the faith of
the land and the faith of the product
which will enable him to better his
methods of cultivation and produc
tion."
WEALTH FROM FARMS.
Secretary of Agriculture Reviews
-«Growth of G real Industry.
Washington , Dec. 6.— After six
teen years, a record of service in the
cabinet, Secretary of Agriculture Wil
son submitted today to President Taft
the last annual report be will make as
head of the United States department
of agriculture. The report is more
than a review of the past year's work;
it contains a summary of the agricul
tural. advance of the country during
tbe venerable secretary's term of pub
lie service.
Therecord of sixteen years has been
written," he says. "It begins with a
yearly farm production of $4,000,000,
000 and ends with $9,532,000,000. Six
teen years ago, the farmer was a ioke
of the caricaturist; now he is like the
stone that was rejected by the builder
and has become the headstone of the
corner." The tillers of the soil were
burdened with debts, he adds, "but
prosperity followed and grew with un
exampled speed. Beginnings have
been made in a production per acre
increasing faster than the natural in
crease of population. There has been
an uplift of agriculture and of country
life.
During the past sixteen years the
farmer has steadily increased the
wealth production year by year, with
the exception of 1911. During the six
teen years the farmers' wealth pro
duction increased 141 per cent.
Most productive of all agricultural
years In the country bas been 1912
The earth has produced Its greatest
annual dividend. The sun and the
rain and the fertility of the soil heed
ed not the human controversies, but
kept on working in co operation with
the farmers' efforts to utilize them
The prices at the farm are generally
profitable and will continue the pros
perity that farmers have enjoyed In
recent years. The total production of
farm wealth Is the highest yet reached
by half a billion dollars. The grand
total for 1912 Is estimated to be $9,532,
000,000. This is more than twice the
value of the farm wealth in 1899.
More than $105,000,000,000 Is the
grand total of farm wealth produc
tion, the report says, during the past
16 years, an amount equal to about
three-quarters of the present national
wealth.
Egg Corner Is Broken.
Chicago , Dec. 7.—Another avalan
che of cold storage eggs was thrown
on the market today and the price
dropped from 22 to 19 cents, wholesale
This was in addition to a decline of 2
cents yesterday, when more than
half million dozen eggs were sold at
a loss to speculators. When the mar
ket opened yesterday there was 1,670
000 cases of eggs in storage. The
transformation of the butter and egg
board into an open market is said to
have precipitated the selling.
RESPECT FOR THE LAW.
Governors' Conference Rebukes De
fender of Lynching Parties.
Richmond , Va., Dec.—A sweeping
resolution repudiating the remark of
Governor Blease of South Carolina in
support of lynch law was adopted to
day by the governors' conference by a
vote of 14 to 4.
Governor Blease, defending his re
marks, snapped his fingers in the
faces of the other governors and de
clared that he eared out one whit
what the conference did or left undone.
The conference hall was thrown into
uproar.
The governors' conference appoint
today a committee of five to draft
uniform state legislation under which
Id style farm mortgages could be re
placed with short or long term farm
farm bonds. A chain of new state
banks throughout the couutry to be
authorized by the various legislatures
under a uniform law and listing of the
bonds on stock exchacges are contem
plated.
Under the terms of the resolution
the bill to be drafted by the commit
tee shall be submitted to the governors
all sta'es and must be approved by
two-thirds of them before it shall be
sent to the legislatures.
Many Leap Year Proposals.
Los Angeles , Dec. 6.— Of toe 6,973 |
applicants for marriage licenses so
far this year," said Clerk Sparks of
the marriage license bureau today,
more than 200 admitted that the girl
poke first."
Spark's comments was elicited by
the realization that but twenty-five
more days remained of leap year.
He said that leap year always showed
healthy increase in the number of
marriage licenses issued but he did not
look up the divorce records for the
corresponding periob.
Snowstorm Delays Traffic.
Minneapolis , Dec. 6.— A heavy
snowstorm accompanied by a high
wind, has been sweeping over the
northwest, according to dispatches re
ceived here. Canada, Montana, the
Dakotas and Minnesota being the
storm region. The snow began fall
ing here early yesterday aDd it is be
ing piled into drifts by a high wind.
According to advices from North Da
kota, the tftorm has affected railway
traffic and trains are several hours
1 ate.
Democratic Campaign Fund.
Washington , Dec. 5.— It cost the
democratic national committee $1.159,
445 to carry the election for Wilson
and Marshall, according to its final
statement of contributions and ex
penses filed with the house today.
Charles P. Crane of Chicago was the
heaviest contributor, with $40,000, and
Cleveland H. Dodge of New York was
second, with $35,000, and Herman Rid
der of New York third, with $30,074.
The total of $1,110,952 contributions
received by the committee came from
89,859 separate contributors.
Increases Pension Roll.
Washington , Dec. 6.—Nearly 5,000
widows and minor children of veterans
of the Spanish war are to receive pen
sions under the Scrago bill passed by
the house without debate. The bill
provides that the widow of any officer
of any enlisted man who served 90
days between April 18, 1898, and July
4, 1902, on certain conditions shall re
pension of $12 a month. For
each minor child the widow will re
ceive $2 and in case of widow's death
would be paid to the child or children.
Physical Valuation of Railroads.
Washington , Dec. 5.—Amended to
authorize a complete investigation in
to the question of stock and bond
issues of interstate carrier corpora
tions, the bill by Representative
Adamson, empowering the Interstate
commerce commission to make a phys
ical valuation of the property of rail
roads and other common carriers, was
passed by the house today without f
dissenting vote.
The measure, asked for by the in
terstate commerce commission, would
provide for a far-reaching inquiry
with a view of having railroad rates
fixed on the basis of income on actual
investment.
Would Harness Big River.
Washington , Dec. 6.— "Harness
the Mississippi and make the water
power development pay for the ex
penditure of improving the river,"
was the gist of tbe message brought
today by Secretary of War Stimson
to the national rivers and harbors
congress. Mr. Stimson declared that
when the nation assumed a responsi
bility as great as that of expending
950,000,000 for improving a river, the
taxpayers of the country should get
tbe benefit of the incidental profits.
Representative SpurUmr.a of Flor
ida, chairman of tbe houte committee
on rivers and harbors, did not agree
with the assertion of President Taft
yesterday before the congress, that the
Mississippi should be improved under
the general welfare clause of the con
stitution for, said Mr. Sparkman, it
would be a sad day for the country
and he feared it would lead to a wide
system of "log rolling" if appropria
tions were made always on the claim
that they were for the general welfare.
He asserted that river improvements
should be made only for the benefit of
commerce.
Liable For Registered Mail.
Salt Lake, D^e. 5.— The govern
ment ha? won a point in its contention
that railroads which carry mail are
liable for damages to registered mat
ter de-tro^ed in wrecks. The Union
Pacific demurred to the complaint of
the government, asking $12,000 com
pensation for posta! losses in a dis
aster seven years ago. Judge John
A. Marshall in the United States dis
trict court overruled the demurrer to
day. _
Politicians Were Grilled.
Washington, D c 7.— The land
slide of 1912, how it happened and the
futility of an Htt^mpt to reorganize the
"g. o. p." "n the old liues, were the
themes upon which played the wit and
humor of the Gridiron club at the
annual fall dinner tonight. Events of
political importance and actions upon
which turned national issues were
treated in a spirit of levity and fun
Underlying each jest and quip and
skit were touches of human sympa'by
and kindness for the victims of the
November avalanche, as well as some
bits of homely advice and warning for
the victors that kept everybody in
good humor.
Not even his late political enemies
failed to welcome the pathetic tribute
to President Taft in the song rendered
by the Gridiron quartet, appealing to
him, "Not to forget us when you go
away " The president sat aud listen
ed with the members of his cabinet
seated about the banquet hall.
Steer Sold For $815.
Chicago , Dec. 6.— Glencarnook Vic
tor, named the world's champian steer
at the international livestock exposi
tion has been sold to a Chicago de
partment store for $815, or 50 cents a
pound, the animal's weight being 1,630
pounds. The steer was owned by J.
D. MeGregor of Brandon, Manitoba.
The champion sweepstakes lot. of
steers will be shipped alive to New
York, having been purchased for 14
cents a pound. They averaged 1,180
pounds.
Increases Its Capital Stock.
St. Paul , Dec. 4. —The Great
Northern Railroad company has in
creased its capital stock from $210,000,
000 to $231,000,000, an amendment to
the articles of incorporation being
filed late today at the office of the
secretary of state.
It was stated that the increase of
$21,600,000 was made primarily to ac
quire the stocks, bonds and other
securities of the Montana Eastern
Railway company, and stocks, bonda
and other securities of any other road,
tbe acquisition of which may be auth
orized by the board of directors.
Would Harness Mississippi.
Washington , Dec. 5.—With Sena
tor Martin of Virginia as the first
speaker, the National Rivers and
Harbors congress began the second
day's session of its ninth annual con
vention today.
"Harness the Mississippi and make
the water power development pay for
the expenditure of improving the
river," was the gist of the message
brought by Secretary of W ar Stimson.
Mr. Stimson declared that when they
assumed a responsibility as great as
that of expending $50,000,000 for im
proving the river tbe taxpayers of the
country should get the benefit of the
incidental profits.
New Federal Buildings In Montana.
Washington , Dec. 4. —Three bill
introduced by Representative Charles
N. Pray may be included in the om
nibus public buildings bill to be re
ported to the house by the committee
having this matter in charge. Mr.
Pray's bills are for a building at
Kalispell costing $150,000, the site
having been already acquired, and for
sites at Glendive and Anaoonda cost
ing $20,000 each. The buildings are
to be used for the postoffice. The de
partment bas estimated for the Kalis
pell building, and agrees with Mr.
Pray that $150,000 will be necessary
It estimates 820,000 for tbe site
Anaconda and 915,000 for that
Glendive. I
at
of
GOVERNORS' CONFERENCE.
The Name Adopted by the Govern
ors at their Annual Meeting.
Richmond , Va. , Dec. 4. —Permanent
organization of the. various states of
tue United States in an association to
be known as tbe "Governors Confer
ence" was effected here tonight at the
annual conference of the state execu
tives.
Annual meetings of tbe organiza
tion will be held, and its active mem
bers will embrace governors and gov
ernors-elect.
Former governors will ba admitted
to the conference as (honorary mem
bers with all privileges of the organi
zation except the right to vote.
Colorado Spricgs Colo., was select
ed as the place of meeting for the con
ference next year. The date will be
decided later.
In announcing the formation of a
permanent organization the govern
ors made public tbe following state
ment:
"The functions of the Governors'
Conference shall be to meet yearly to
exchange views and experiences on 'sub
jects of general importance to the peo
ple of the several states: to work for
greater uniformity in state legislation
aud greater efficiency in state adminis
tration.
"No permanent president is to head
the conference. A temporary chair
man will selected for each half day
session when the conference meets.
The conference, however, will have a
permanent secretary-treasurer, who
will receive an annual salary of $2,
500. An executive committee is to
guide the affairs of the conference
Officials as Engine Drivers.
Salt Lake City , Deo. 5.—A loco
motive hauling a special train, carry
lug a number of Denver & Rio Grande
officials pulled into the Salt Lake sta
tion last night manned by A. B. Ap
person, general superintendent and N.
A. Williams, superintendent of the
Rio Grar.de system.
The officials had been on a tour of
inspeotiou over the lines and when
their train reached Mid vale, 1? miles
south of Sal'. Lake Oi'y, discovered
that the fireman aud engineer had
been on duty lü hours, the maximum
time allowed by the regulations of the
interstate commerce commission.
Rather thau wait for another train
another crew, General Superintendent
Apperson donned the engineer's over
alls and took bis seat at the throttle
and Superintendent Williams secured
the fireman's i^hovel and proceeded to
"fire up." The run to Salt Lake was
made on time with the officials in
charge of the engine.
May Make Wholesale Arrests.
Chicago , Dec. 4.— Indictments and
arrests of more than a score of persons
in Chicago and the middle west are ex
pected soon as a result of the arrest
of Dr. Nicholas H. Kern, Dr. Edward
B. Stalhutte and two alleged accom
plices, charged with being members of
the largest band of thieves ever or
ganized in this section of tbe country.
It developed today that every rail
road entering Chicago has been the
victim of the systematic thefts of valu
ables from freight cars. At least one
large department store in Chicago and
many smaller merchants and commis
sion men are expected to be drawn into
the case as receivers or purchasers of
the stolen goods, innocently or other
Twelve men In Chicago arc under
surveillance, and operatives in St.
Louis, East St. Louis, Cincinnati, De
troit, Sioux City, Iowa, Memphis,
Pittsburg and other cities are watching
at least 50 more persons who may be
arrested at any moment, according to
investigators for the railroads. The
thefts from the roads are estimated to
have reached more than $250,000.
Among the stolen articles 125,000 fine
cigars are reported to have beeu sold
to one Chicago department 6tore. De
tectlves have a statement and leaf
from a ledger of another merchant
showing the purchase of 87,000 cigars
from Dr. Kern. An alleged communi
cation from Kern to another customer,
in which tbe doctor said he feared de
tectives had suspicions of their deal
ings, but "not to be alarmed," also is
in the investigators' hands.
Protest Against Bryan.
Hamilton , Bermuda, Dec. 4. —Gov
ernor Wilson is beginning to hear
from the democrats of the United
States in protest against the appoint
ment of William Jennings Bryan as
secretary of state or to any posi
tion in the cabinet. There has been a
veritable flood of letters on this sub
ject, all mailed with 2 cent stamps in
stead of 5-cent ones, for which be was
[compelled to pay $6 in excess postage.
J Most of the letters are a protest
against Mr. Bryan's becoming the
premier of the cabinet and some of
them are said to go into minute de
tails as to the reason the three-time
candidate for the presidency should
not be given so Important a place in
the administration.
Some of tbe letters are said to advlM
strongly that Mr. Bryan be relegated
to the rear, so far as the Wilson ad'
ministration is concerned. In addition
to the letters are many editorial clip
pings from American newspapsrs pro*
testing against the selection of Mr.
Bryan.
May Not Confirm Appointees.
Washington , Dec. 4.—There is lit
t le likelihood that the senate this ses
sion will confirm the nominations of
J. C. Peters as register and James W.
Roberts as receiver of the Great Falls
land office. These men were given
recess appointment« shortly before
election, and it became necessary to
send their nominations to the senate.
These nominations will be referred to
the public lands committee and prob
ably will remain there until adjourn
ment, thereby rendering both offices
vacant on March 4.
If it is done, Senators Myers and
Walsh will be called upon immediately
by President Wilson to recommend
other men for these positions, and that
means that two democrats will be
named. Senator Dixon was not con
sulted with reference to these two ap
pointments and, while he &is not pre
pared to make a fight against them,
probably will acquiesce in the general
plan of the democratic senators to hold
up all nominations to which there is
objection.
TO IMPROVE WATERWAYS.
President Favors Large Expenditure*
On Navigable Rivers.
Washington , Dec. 4.-President Taft
told the delegates to tbe National River
and Harbors congress here today
that be personally was opposed to any
scheme of improvement for the Mis
sissippi river which did not contem
plate as a primary object the preven
tion of floods.
The president made the opening ad
dress at the congress. He favored the
expenditure by the United States gov
ernment and the states in the Missis
sippi viilley of between forty and fifty
million dollars for the Mississippi's
improvement. He said that before all
considerations must be placed the idea
of preventing floods likethose of last
spriug which caused great destruc
tion from Cairo to New Orleans. Ha
declared furthar his indorsement of
improvements would be forth com
ng only if the work was placed in the
hands of army engineers.
So far as other waterway projects
were concerned,the president said, bis
approval would be lacking unless
their backers could show as good •
case and as dire necessity as controll
ed tbe Mississippi valley states.
Many of the delegates were startled
by the president's speech. So far as
they knew it was the first time he re
commended appropriations for water
way improvements contingent upon
flood prevention.
Rates on Wool Shipments.
Washington , Dec. 4.—In a sup
plemental opinion on the subject of
the alleged unreasonable rates and
practises of transcontinental railroads
in the transportation of wool, render
ed today by the interstate commerce
commission, it was held:
'That a minimum carload of 24,000
pounds prescribed by the commission
imposes no unreasonable burden on
the shippers, but actually increases
the car efficiency and economy of
transportation.
"That the contention of shippers
that baled and sacked wool should
take the same rates is not sustained.
'That wool In the western territory
should take the fourth class rate."
This decision finally disposes of
cases instituted by the railroad com
mission of Oregon and the National
Woolgrowers association which, in
one form or another, have been pend
ing for several years.
World's Champion Steer.
Chicago Dec. 3.—A Canadian steer
was awarded the world's champion
ship at the international livestock ex
hibition here today. The winner is
Glenmarnock Victor, a 2-year-old
grade Angus steer, raised and ex
hibited by James D. McGregor of
Brandon, Manitoba. Second prize
went to last year's champion, Black
rock, a crossbred steer exibited by the
Iowa State Agricultural college.
Glenmarnock Victor was fed on Can
adian barley, oats and hay, a feature
of his fattening beiug that the animal
never has tasted corn.