The Independent-Record from Helena, Montana • Page 1

Snow and Sirocco Clash in Italy, Venice Canals Freeze as Rome Swelters THE WEATHER Weather for Montana: Partly cloudy Friday and Saturday, probably snow west portion, somewhat colder northeast portion Friday. VOL. 60--NO. 364--FIVE CENTS Full Associated Pnu From md Wnt Member of tht Enterprise Auociatiom SUN'DAY HELENA, FRIDAY, JANUARY 15,1926. Gov.

Erickson Reduces Dixon Debts $211,727 in 12 Months OFFICIALS FEAR THAT ALL IN PITS HAVE PERISHED Fairmont, W. Jan. The fate of miners in the Jamie- ton Coal and Coke company, No. 8 mine, at Farmington, near here in an explosion occurred shortly before midnight, will probably not be known for several hours. The rescue workers are making but slow progress, it was said, because of the density of the smoke, and piles of debris that are blocking the passageways about 2,800 feet from the foot of the hoist shaft, where it is believed the explosion took place.

Whether the men are dead, none of those in charge of the rescue work would say, but the fear was expressed by some of the company officials that the men have perished. Blast Not Severe. The blast was not of great violence. Its force was felt only in the vicinity of the mine and was followed by a puff r.f smoke from the hoist shaft. Twelve or more men were brought out of the mine immediately following the explosion, having been at OPTIMISM CHARACTERIZES ANNUAL MEETING OF COMMERCIAL CLUB, ALL SPEAKERS PREDICT PERIOD OF GOOD TIMES IS COMING.

That Montana is now well on way through a period of prosper-! ous business and industry, in which Helena should share in full measure, was declared in reiteration by several prominent speakers at the annual meeting of the Helena Commercial club last night in the Shrine temple. However, it Helena is to have her share of better times, it was as emphatically declared, there must be a shutting oft of loose talk and looser thinking on the part of pessimists and chronic "knockers," the shoulder of everybody must be put to the wheel, and outside money seeking investment given a cordial welcome and co-operation, instead of being scared away as often as it is these days. Tribute to Boyer. S. V.

Stewart, president of the club, presided. He paid a high (Continued on Page Five) HE SAYS HE WILL ENTER BUSINESS Albany. N. Jan. the eve of the democratic state committee meeting, which is scheduled to lay out democracy's program for the coming year through the election of a state chairman, Governor Smith has decided that business presents a better future than politics and a result announced definitely toda3 that when his present term expires, he will enter some business Washington Drank, Danced, Cursed and Gamed, Says Scion San Francisco.

Jan. -George Washington was "well up" on the follies of his time and although it is questionable whether he ever indulged in many of them, he "cussed and drank like a gentleman and made some of the best whisky in Virginia," John Thornton Washington, great-great grand- SEYBOLDT. IS TO FACE FIRING SQUAD Salt Lake City, Jan. Ralph W. Seyboldt, 26, slayer of Patrolman D.

W. Crowther, in October, 1923, must face -a firing squad at the Utah state prison early tomorrow morning. Five times sentenced tc death, he was a stay of execution at 8:15 o'clock tonight by the board of pardons. His counsel sought to show that a juror disqualified himself at a previous trial by expressing himself as opposed to capital punishment. Seyboldt asked for commutation to life imprisonment.

His parents reside at Defiance, Ohio, and his wife and child at Columbus. nephew of the general, said here today in sponsoring Rupert Hughes' address to the Sons of the Revolution in Washington last night. John Washington, who is the great-great grandson of Samuel Washington, brother of the general, is a retired San Franciscco newspaperman, now approaching 80 years, and a veteran of the Confederate armv. Sure! "Why certainly George Washington drank," John Washington said. "Every gentleman of his day drank and smoked, danced and (Continued on Page Five) IN TOILS OF li Boston, Jan.

14--(AP)--Calendonio Boston representatives of Charles Ponzl, in his new Florida real estate, development project, was arrested here today on a charge of violating the blue sky law. Alviti, specifically charged with selling securities without being- registered in the state as a broker or salesman, was arraigned In municipal court and required to furnish ball. His case will be heard next week. Investigation has been made by Attorney General Benton into the Charpon land syndicate operated by Ponzi and the arrest of Alviti today resulted. Dancer Wins Battle to Dodge California Court Chicago, Jan.

Burrows Fontaine, dancer, today won her fight against removal to California on a citation for contempt of court in connection with her breach of promise suit against Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney. Federal Judge Wilkerson. rendered an opinion refusing her removal, previously or- dered by United State Commissioner J. R. Glass.

The dancer who, after losing, in one action against young Whitney, who since has married, was enjoined by the California courts from starting'any legal action against the young man, filed a suit in the New York courts. As a result the contempt citation was issued in California. tribute to the late Isaac Boycr, president for three years, as a gentleman and constructive citizen. A tribute was also paid to the Woman's division for the work they are doing so loyally for the advancement of the community. Mr.

Stewart said Helena is now enjoying a fair measure of prosperity, and will have it in greater degree as time goes on, providing there is a united in that direction. Farm Immigration. Montana can look forward with confidence to an influx of farm settlers this year, declared H. W. By- crly, of St.

Paul, general immigration agent of the Northern Pacific railroad. Recent reports from his field men indicate an increased movement to farms this year, by experienced farmers instead of an activity of speculators. The Korth- crn Pacific's results so far are encouraging, said he, three times as many settlers having been located in Montana in 1925 as in any previous year since 1920. Four Essentials. Conditions essential to the settling up of farms, said Mr.

Byerly. arc: First, people living in the (Continued on Page Ten) Nogales, Jan. is intense suffering in flood devastated districts of the gtate of Nayarit, Mexico, and hundreds of homeless persons are without proper food, clothing and shelter. Telegrams received from the stricken area say that altliough flood waters have subsided, after the most disastrousJlood in the history of that region, the relief problem is a serious one. Estimates are that about persons are homeless and the loss of life is now placed at 2,000.

Property loss is estimated at $5,000,000. The fled Cross has been effecting some relief but lack of good transportation and the inaccesibility of the flood region 'has prevented aid from reaching many of the sufferers. OF STATE FICTDEBTIS RE1L1 DEFICIENCY CLAIMS AND LEGISLATURE DEPRIVE GENERAL FUND OF AN ADDITIONAL $225,000 AND THE MINES TAX PROCEEDS ARE NOT YET CREDITED TO THE PROPER FUND. MTfflL BASKETBALL EVENT FLASHY PLAY SEEN--THIS AFTERNOON'S GAMES WILL SEE TOURNEY IN FULL BLAST Onaway, Jan. persons were burned to death, a fourth is missing and three were seriously injured by burns in a fire which desroyed two plants of the American Wood Rim corn- here today.

The known dead are L. D. Smith, Fred Van Phoff and Eugene Precour. The missing man is John Tatc. THURSDAY'S RESULTS 21; Buttc Central, 14.

Deer Lodge, 12. Today's Games--Afternoon Session. vs. St. Charles.

3 Lodge vs. Bozeman. Evening Session. Charles vs. Bozeman.

vs. Butte Central. By AL. GAS KILL Helena High school's 13th annual invitational tournament opened last night, the two Helena entries winning by safe margins in games that were fast, despite wide in the score. Sparkling team play on the part of BEFORE CIMIT1EE Washington, Tan.

of the original evidence against Aluminum Company of America, gathered by the federal trade commission, has been obtained the department of justice in its investigation of that company, J. E. a special agent of the department, said today before the senate judiciary committee. HURT IN CRASH both Helena and St. Charles were responsible for their splendid showings, St.

Charles defeating Butte Central in the first game by a score of 21-14, and Helena i wild over Powell County high school of Deer Lodge to pile up a 32-12 count. The tournament will swing into full bias: this afternoon when two of the (Continued on Page Seven) W. C. Durant, the automobile manufacturer, was injured and a trainman and two colored attendants on his private car were killed when two trains collided at Frontcnac, Fla. The railroad supplied a special train to rush him to New York.

TWO NAVAL AIRMEN LOST IN ACCIDENT San Jan. Frederick G. Kahn and Seaman, first class, B. L. Law, U.

S. navy airmen, both attached to the battleship West Virginia, met death here today when the airplane in which they were flying fell 1,000 feet into San Diego bay, New York, Jan. 14-- (IP) The Greek freighter Nircfs, apparently has been lost at sea off the British coast with all on board, the royal mail liner Orca, reported upon her arrival today. The Orca picked up calls for help in the evening of January 3. the position of the Niref indicating that she was 60 miles dist a Subsequently a radio message from the British freighter Hector stated that it then was in the position given by the Nirefs, but that there was no sign of the Greek boat or any trace of wreckage.

SPECIAL STUDY OF AIRCRAFT COMING Jan. H--(AP)--The relative position to bo assigned to aircraft as a -weapon in the national defense organization is to "ho given still further by congress. While the house naval committee today pressed forward with its I i to determine the. potential war power of dirigibles, the house, i i a committee decided to open hearings next week on a number of bills proposing revision of defense- system to accord aviation greater recognition. Wilburton, Jan.

Wilburton Lions club, the only civic organization in the city, tonight appealed to citizens of the United States for $100,000 'to be used for the care of destitute widows and i of the 91 miners who died as a result of the explosion in the Dcgnan-McConncll mine No. 21, near Wilburton yesterday. The Lions club sent a telegram to Governor Trapp requesting him to aid by appealing 'to citizens of Oklahoma. Jan. Mcrcicr i in a very enfeebled condition.

A a consultation of a i physicians this evening, no bulletin was issued, which is i as an a orable sign. FIND MAN DEAD IN A REFRIGERATOR CAR Buttc. Jan. D. Schots, aged about 47.

of Washington, D. was found dead of asphyxiation by ammonia fumes at Harrison, 60 miles from Buttc. trainmen opened a refrigerator car today. James Gregg, 33, of Buttc, was unconscious and in serious condition though it is believed he will recover. Schots was i i i bv two telegrams found in his pocket filed at Washington by his mother, but they gave no address.

Recover Bodies From Oklahoma Coal Mine Wilburton. a work at the wrecked mine of the Degnan-McConncll company near here tonight had been resolved into the dreary task of removing the bodies of the victims. The bodies of 34 men, most of them negroes, had been taken early tonight from the mine, which was damaged by a gas explosion yesterday. Hope went up early today when Cecil McKinuey, a young white miner, staggered from the air shaft, 23 hours after the explosion. He walked with national guardsmen and friends to mine hath house where he was treated by a physician and later sent home.

Crawls Long Ways. McKiuncy said he had crawled constantly on his hands and knees after the explosion and that he finally made his way to the in the passageway where he was found by rescue workers. Shortly before noon, word came to the top that a negro miner had been found alive in the 14th level. He was brought to i top and placed im- (Continued on I'ase Five) Montana's general fund debt has been reduced nearly one- quarter million dollars during the first 12 months of the administration of Governor J. E.

Erickson, according to fig-, ures compiled by State Auditor George P. Porter. To be exact 1 the Erickson administration has been able to reduce the debts left by the administration of former Governor Dixon to the tune of $211,727.30. This was accomplished despite the fact that the deficiency claims left by former Governor Dixon and the cost of the legislature of 1925 totalled $225,000. On January 1, 1925, when Governor Erickson assumed office, the overdraft of the general fund amounted to $3,770,838.18.

On January 1 of this year the overdraft was $3,559,110.88. While the general fund has received $450,000 from the heirs of the late W. A. Clark as an inheritance tax, the fund has been deprived of $48,000 by reason of a falling off in the actual amount of state taxes paid and remitted through county treasurers and by the further fact that the treasurer has not been able to credit the general fund with the $200,000 paid as a metal mines tax. Outstanding general fund warrants on January 1 amounted to $3,986,880.30 and cash on hand in the general fund amounted to $427,769.42.

Great Falls Woman Cleared, Killing of Hubby, Self-Defense Great Falls. Jan. coroner's jury this afternoon justified Mrs. Elsie Young in the killing of her husband, Charles E. Young, at their home in Black Eagle, a Great Falls- suburb, Wednesday evening.

She was released. Mrs. Young, the inquest testimony showed, shot her husband while he was flourishing a butcher knife. Mrs. Young, at the inquest, said ATTACKS DEBT that her husband had repeatedly threatened to kill her and their four children and a he had frequently assaulted her.

Her testimony was corroborated by her 13-year-old son, who witnessed the shooting. Young was 48 years of age and employed i the wire mill at the Great Falls smelter. FIB) 6UTTE PART OF PENINSULA IN SNOW, THE REST IN HOT BELT Rome. from the ice-capped Alps and from the sun-baked Sahara fought a drawn battle over Italy today. Rome sweltered under a hot blown across the Mediterranean, while Venice was swept by such frigid blasts that a large section of its lagoons and canals were frozen solid, cutting off the city's milk and meat supply.

Tuscany, including Florence, was covcrrd with snow and held in the grip of a cold wind from the northern mountains, but Rome, only a few miles away, was experiencing a sticky heat. North Hard Hit. All of North'Italy has been hard hit by snou- and freezing weather, which continues at Milan, Genoa, Trieste arid 'Turin. of deaths from the severe conditions and scores of 'minor injuries are reported. Venice is entirely blanketed by snow, part of its surrounding waters arc frozen over.

Two boatmen were marooned for several hours on the small island of Bottinigo Vecchio, i firemen, using an ice breaker, rescued them-. Similar conditions arc reported from the Dalmatian and Albanian coasts. Many Messages from Via Reggia say that fix fishing boats carrying a total of 25 persons have been missing since Jan. 11, and that 26 other craft have reached port badly battered by the storms. Jan.

CAP)--Tim liouse i its debate over i Italian war debt settlement throughout today's session, with leaders unable to bring- about an agreement for a vote. representative Hull, democrat, Tennessee, asserted the called for a a a i nf so large a part of the a due a I acceptance ivas a i American tax payers. He Paid settlement exceeded point -where generosity to I a ends and a i ness to America, begins. president nominated Thomas J. Smith, Spok- ane'', for postmaster.

Biittc, Jan. for 696.85, alleged due as income and i taxes for 1918 and 1919. wa i today in federal court liy C. A. i a revenue cui- for a a against Charles E.

llcaghcr, as trustee of I bankrupt brokerage firm of the Hcil- bronncr company. Interest at one per cent a month, beginning yesterday, also is asked by the in its suit. OTTAWA PREMIER CARRIES COMMONS Ottawa. Jan. The of Premier MacKcnzic- King was Riven a vote ot confidence in the house of commons early morninjr.

The victory was won by a a i of three. Railroad Labor Probably to Get by Washington, a 14--(AP)--The a a association will an- Watson-Parkcr railroad bill was endorsed today before the senate interstate commerce committee by representatives of both railroad operators and employes. Manager of the lull predicted it would he reported by Hie committee without delay and would tm passed by congress, i a it would mean the enrt ot railroad strikes and the protection of public i First opposition to the- bill is expected to he hoard tomorrow when representatives of the. National ONE WAY TO AVOID ROW OVER ESTATE Chicago, Jan. relatives of John Kehiar will quarrel over the $4,000 he had saved in his 63 years of life.

He made sure of that before he slashed his wrists and throat and died. He withdrew the entire amount from the bank, asking for it in new $10 bills. Then he made a bonfire of the currency. pear before the committee. STORM PUTS AN END TO AIR SERVICE Paris, Jan.

Paris to sunny Rivera, through the central part of France, the rivers are frozen; the Marscilles-Pcrpignon air postal service has been interrupted, storms forcing down the planes, in Ihc Jura valley the mercury has fallen as low as 22 below zero Fahrenheit, and a tempest rages in the Mediterranean. Deaths Due to Cold. France is undergoing another period of unusual weather, with reports of a train wreck and five deaths directly due to the cold "at various points. The Mcdifeiranean storm forced the hospital ship Grcassie, transporting wounded from Morocco to Toulon, to change her course and seek shelter in a port on the Spanish coast. An Italian two-master was wrecked near Sah'ns D'Hycrcs, but crew w'crc saved.

Denver Society Folk Held in Booze Mess Denver, Jan. "blue book" of an alleged society bootlegger late today led Denver police and state investigators on a winding trail through the exclusive Capitol Hill and Seventh avenue residential sections. Nearly a fashionable homes were raided and large quantities of liquor of so-called bonded variety were seized at several of the places. State charges of prohibition violation were filed against three men mid one woman, but none of the society leaders were actually arrested. They will be expected to appear when summoned.

J. M. Covington, 40. the alleged vendor of the liquor, and his wife, Edna, 34, however, fared not so well. They locked up, facing federal charges.

The arrest of the Covingtons last night occurred after federal officers stumbled on the alleged bootlegging business during an investigation of a suspected Chinese opium smuggling plot. The list of Covington's alleged customers among Denver's elite found in his pocket. Homes of society and. business leaders raided today included those of W. G.

Fisher, Edwin A. (Continued on Twt).