Medford Mail Tribune from Medford, Oregon • Page 1

1'Ht, lib, Medford Mail Tribune The Weather prediction. Generally cloudy Maximum yesterday 55 Minimum today 29.S Weather Year Ago Maximum 52 Minimum 42 n.uy Seventeenth Tear. JfVjkly Flfty-Seoond Year. MEDFORD, OUEGOX, THURSDAY, MAKC1I 22, 1923 XO. 308 Jewish Athlete Able to Boston Beats Out Omaha In Beauty Lizzie Wizard Buys Kentucky Coal Lands; Contest At Spring Hatmakers Meet SUGAR PIE GOUGE UNDER FEDERALOUIZ LADY II PIRATES IN i6.C.

WATERS Women Traffic Engage in Liquor From Canada Wandy With Gun Smugglers Men of Education-Lonely Isles Used as Signal Bases. TACOMA, March 22. Whiskey Johns and Rum Jennies hijackers and hljanea are infesting the waters of British Columbia along the imaginary boundary line of the United feuites, according to a special dispatch to the Tacoma Ledger. Women are following close on the heels of the men In rum runnins ventures and nearly 25 per cent of the trips made with cargoes of liquid refreshments are engineered by women or have women indirectly associated with them, It is declared. During the past week a small boat was "knocked over" in the Gulf of Georgia close to San Juan island, and thirty cases of liquor taken and the leader of the "knockover" gang was a woman.

Hailing the rum runner, the maid leaped from her boat to the deck of the carrier, colliding with the owner of the runner In such a manner that she had to be supported. So engrossed was the young Bkipper in as sisting the young lady to keep her feet that he failed to notice two men leap from the other boat to the deck by his side until it was too late. One covered the engineer with his gun while the other commenced to move the cases of whiskey from one boat to the other. The owner of the cargo reached for his 'gat," only to find tho young lady. wiiuii biiu itiuititeu to his boat, had quietly re-Tnioved the gun and was standing guard over him.

'NEW YORK Alyce'McCormick was only "runner-up" in the beauty contest held by the Kotail Milliners' Association at their Spring Fashion show at the Hotel-Astor, but you can make Omaha, Nebraska, believe she shouldn't have been first. They point with pride" to the fact that Alyce looks do not suirer in the least by comparison with Winifred Blair, queen ot the Montreul Winter Carnival, and Helen Morgan, chosen "Canada's fairest daughter." Letitia Marvin of Boston was most handsomely and originally gowned" contestant. Bite Thru Steel Bars; fiends Rails On Head LONDON. Mar. 22.

That a Jowlsh athlete named Breltbart, 4- 34. six feet 3 Inches in height, and weighing 210 pounds, can bite through steel, is vouched for by a medical correspondent of the Lancet. Ureitbart's performances astounded a committee of cngl- needs, smiths and athlotic heads 4 who saw him sover with his teeth several iron and steel chains one- fifth of un inch thick; bend into a circle Iron rods half an inclt square; using his mouth us a fill- crum to bend over his head a rail four Inches thick by two and a half Inches. The corresionilont says: "The committee are satisfied that he accomplishes these tasks by means of extraordinary nuts- cular power, coupled with excel- lent scientific training and mus- culaf energy." SAYS WALL SI. Piggly Wiggly Head to Figh Ten Million Used to Cor ner Stock, Profits Unknown Grocery Clerk Now Mil lionaire.

NEW YORK, Mar. 22. While dozens of Its members were Bcurrylng around In quest ot Piggly Wiggly stock to cover their short accounts, the New York stock exchange this afternoon by action ot Its board of governors struck Piggly Wiggly Stores, permanently from the list ot securities traded in upon the floor. MEMPHIS, Mar. 22.

Clar ence Saunders, Memphis groceryman and head of Piggly Wiggly Stores, Inc. stood today with a demand that "short sellers" in Piggly Wiggly stock settle with him on the basis of $160 a share by three o'clock this afternoon as his answer to the riddle which came as a sequel to a hectic day's trading on the New York stock exchange which terminated in the banning of Piggly Wiggly temporarily at least, from the "big board." Mr. Saunders made his demand In a statement In which he scored what he termed "Wall street and Its gang ot gamblers and market manipulators," and declared that, as a result of the battle in the sotck market Tuesday, more than 25,000 shares of Piggly Wiggly are "short" to him on delivery. Three o'clock this afternoon was fixed by Mr. Saunders as the time limit tor the $150 price.

After that, his statement in effect an ultima- tum'declared the price would be $250. He Indicated that recourse In the courts would-be brought If settlement is not made. "A razor to my throat, figuratively speaking, Is why I suddenly without warning kicked the pegs from under Wall street," Saunders declared in detailing his fling in the stock market with Piggly Wiggly, which, he declared, was his first experience In trading In the Now York exchange. "It was strictly a question of whether I should survive, and likewise my business and the fortunes ot my friends, or whether I should be 'licked' and pointed to ae the 'boob' from Tennessee," he said. Mr.

Saunders, who came to Mem phis aa a grocery salesman and at tained wealth on his idea of a self- serve grocery, christened Piggly Wig gly, asserts in his statement that, as a result of his drive In the 'streot ho now holds 108,872 of the outstanding 200,000 Bhnres ot the corporation, 105 000 of which ho accumulated within the last few days. Thus the situation stood today with tho next move necessarily to come from traders who Saundors asserts are Bold "short" to tho extent of 26,000 shares. Mr. Saunders has not made public any estlmato of tho anticipated profits to hlniROlf and his associates. He doclared, however, that $10,000,000 In cash was required to handle his operations on the stock exchange.

Saunders doclares he is through with stock exchange trailing. "Our compnny never will allow Its shares to be traded In again on tho New York stock exchange," he declared. ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. Brigadier General Caleb Honry Carlton, U.

S. retired, civil war veteran, died. GROCERT IA KING RAZORATTHROAT Figures in Millions LEXINGTON', Mar. 22. It was learned today by the Lex- Ington Leader from what It con- 4- aiders reliable sources that Henry Ford had bought a tract of coal and timber land covering about 125,000 acres In eastern Kentucky.

The purchase price is said to be between ten and twen- ty million dollars. The tract was owned by the Peabody interests of Chicago. ON TOE EVE Extravagance Charged in Use of Money Deluge Chain Stores and Cafeterias Pur chased at Fancy Prices Started On Small Capital Advertising Reaped Harvest TOLEDO, Ohio, March 22. Leon ard R. Steel, 43, of Buffalo, head of the L.

R. Steel corporation, died suddenly on a westbound New Tork Cen tral train near hero early today. Mr. Steel was found dying in his berth by Ernest Mattey, his chauffour, When Mattey reached his stricken employer the latter was unable to speak and died before the tram reached the Toledo station. Heart disease is believed to have caused BUFFALO, N.

Mar. 22. Leon ard K. Steel, founder of the L. R.

Steel corporations, which went into receiv- ership on March 8, died early today on a train enroute to Chicago. Mrs. Steel was advised of her husband's death in a telephone message from Toledo. Steel's sudden death came on the eve of Investigations Into the stock selling and other financial methods of his promotions by county and state authorities. Carl B.

Herman, state attorney general, yesterday notified the receivers that he desired to make a thorough examination of the books of the various Steel corporations and District Attorney Guy B. Moore announced last night that on account of reports of gross extravagance in the handling of the $20,000,000 invested by 50,000 stockholders, he would Join In the inquiry. Federal agents are also in touch with the receivers but have taken no action, Starting -with a small capital in 1919, Steel, personally directing advertising and stock selling campaigns, disposed of more than $20,000,000 in L. R. Steel, and its various sub sidiaries.

As the money poured in new corporations were founded, chief among them being the L. R. Steel Service corporation which had to do with stock sales; the L. R. Steel realty de velopment, handling all leases and real estate owned by the various branches, and other interlocking cor porations, both in the United States and Canada, Mr.

Steel, his former associates say, ruled the policies and destinies of the house of Steel with a high hand. Any suggestion from a subordinate In oppo sition to Steel's plans for expansion rRsnlted in immediate dismissal, it was said. Chain stores were purchased at what were alleged to be exorbitant prices, restaurants and cafeterias were opened and run at a loss; a large sum was invested In a coal mine ana about $180,000 was spent in exploiting a permanent international exposition at Niagara Falls before the enterprise had advanced beyond the blue print stage, The first sign of distress bo far as the nubile knew came in January, when it was announced that Stoel had surrendered the presidency of the narent and several subsidiary corpora tions. It was said at that time that ho was broken in health and was retiring virtually without a dollar except Ills large investment in L. R.

Steel stocks A financial audit in progress since then is reported to have disclosed scarcity of quick assets in volume maii fraction of the f'n nnono Invested by stockholder. The audit, it was said today at the re ceiver's office, will not be completed until About April 1. Steel was born In MIddletown, Pa. In 1878. He was employed by a chain cnrnnrnilnn in 1918.

when he concelve(j ln0 jca 0t branching out for himself. nFM.IN The Cologne police are reported to have run down the Basalt 'ants of Joseph Smeets, the separatist STEELPROIVIOTER DIES DAViEER PROMINENT MEN NABBED IN FILM TOWN BOOZERING Vague Fear of Shortage Sole Basis Gamblers and Profiteers Reap Benefit To Call Spreckles As Witness Hoover Rouses Iowa Senator to Demand Probe. WASHINGTON, March 22. Demands tor an investigation of fluctuations In the sugar market during the closing days of congress by western senators were revived today by publication of a letter written to President Harding by Basil Manly, director of the People's Legislative Ser-, vice, charging that the Amoricnn people were In a fair way of being robbed of $500,000,000 "for the benefit of sugar gamblers and profiteers." "It is suggested," said Mr. Manly, whose organization was formed by members of the progressive bloc In congress, "that as one of the first witnesses the federal grand jury should hear Claus Spreckles, president ot the Fedoral Sugar Refining company, who has publicly stated that the sugar gamblers, aided by the department of commerce, "have been enabled to rob the American people of millions of dollars." Mr.

Manly declared tho rise In prices bad its sole basts, "so tar as the public Is informed," In a statement Issued by the department ot commerce on February 9, which was interpreted by all the newspapers, as "predicting a great shortage of sugar during tho coming year," and that al-, though Socretary Hoover had declar ed the statement was misinterpreted the opening sentence was so worded as to "Bend prices leaping upward." "Even' after this statement had aroused an orgy of speculative activity on the sugar exchange, and its evil otfects were known," the statement continued, "the department ot commerce further 'bulled' the market by issuing a statement particularly di recting attontlon to the Increased consumption of BUgar In the United States during the past year." The letter cited what It described as efforts to reduce the sugar crop ot Cuba, declaring that Mr. Hoover played an Important part In that plan. Correspondence between Senator Smoot, republican, Utah, described as "undertaking to represent beet sugar Interests," and General Crow-dor, then the president's representative In Cuba, relating to the prices, was quoted. "You may not be Informed," Mr. Manly continued, "that Secretary Hoover has on other occasions displayed a readiness to use the powers and resources ot the federal government In order to maintain artificially high prices at the expense ot American consumers." Declaring that an attempt ot Senator Brookhart, republican, Iowa, to socure a senate Investigation of sugar prices was blocked by Senator Curtis ot Kansas, the republican whip, who plodged an investigation by the commerce department, the letter assorted that since that time Secretary Hoover had announced that his department did not intend to make an inquiry, and suggested the grand jury also should summon Mr.

Hoover and Senators Smoot, Curtis and Edge, republican; of New Jersey, to ascertain "what they know regarding influences that were exerted to block the senato Investigation." Action of Basil Manly, director of the Peoplos' Legislative Service, formed by the progressive bloc In congress, In writing to President Harding that department ot commerce statements had assisted sugar speculators, was characterized by Mr. Hoover as the circulation ot a 'le gend. "As I have repeatedly stated, there Is no economic justification -for the high price of sugar as there is an es- (Continued on page eight) TAX LAW PORTLAND, Mnrch JJ. Headquarters wore opened here yesterday by an organization calling Itself tho Oregon stnto Income tax referendum league. Its purpose la to Invoke the referendum against the stale Income tax law enacted by the recent legislature.

There was no disputing the fact that she was first in command and her deputies did nothing but follow instructions. Backing away from the owner of the cargo as the last case wos transferred the young lady held him under cover until she had safely negotiated the Jump to her own boat and then tossmg a kiss from the end of her fingers she and her boat dissolved in the darkness. BELLINGHAM, March 22 smugglers operating In San Juan waters, south of British Columbia boundary lino, have a system of lookouts and signals and follow fixed courses in their efforts to evade federal prohibition enforcement officers, according to a story appearing in the Herald todny. It is declared that lookouts recently stationed on Obstruction island, near Orcas, moved later to a point near Deception Pass when the owner of the place refused to renew the lease on the property and that Inter an underground cache, largo though for 100 cases of whiskey, was found. Entrance to the cave was effected through a small outbuilding.

Suspicious lights have been rcport-' ed on Shaw, Frost, Blakcly. Cypress. Lopez, San Juan, Jones and Sucla iHinnrtn. Thev nre so nlaced that a runner by night is always in view of one or more of them. If the light is turning, it signifies that the coast is clear, if it does not appear, tho whiskey runner, usually in a luunch, lays his course toward a burning ngni Hmtin nthni ehnnnol.

Some of the lookouts are declared to have the appearance of persons of means and education and considerable personality. One now poses as an invalid from the east. The liquor usually is transferred nt the boundary because tho British boats as a rule will not cross the line, but some transfers have been reported as far south as Peapod rocks, near Orcas Island. Various courses are followed. Much of the liquor is unloaded by boats in river channels on the mainland.

Occasionally a smuggler, hard pressed to revenue cutters, secretes his cargo on the Islands. ANOTHER PARON BY SALEM. March -w. A. Ausnlund.

former i-orunna slt-lan, who was received at the stiito prison here March 15, 1921. to serve from one to fifteen years on conviction of manslaughter, was granted full pardon on December 6 msi. hore vesterday. It also was revealed by the records of thej secretary of states omce mi und had previoumy m-i-ii i.u.. Governor Ben W.

Olcott on condition that he leave the United States and "rLsTow returned to Portland, it PUTCASH1N DEAL FOR SEATTLE TEAM LOS ANGELES, March 22. William Wriglcy, owner of the Los Angeles club of the Pacific Coast league, declared today ho had "not one nickel" invested in tho Sonttlo club and declared ho woleomed any Investigation of the recent purchase of the latter club by Wado Klllifer, Angel manager, and Charles Lock-hard. This statement was made after Mr. Wrlgloy was informed that Ed R. Maler, president of the Vernon club, had wired William H.

McCarthy, league president, urging an investigation of the sale. "Charley Loekhnrd Is wealthy," said Mr. Wrigley, "why, ho could borrow enough money to buy tho Seattlo club, using his Catallna island property as security. Ho did not have to borrow tho money, howover. Lock-hard hnd cash enough to swing his end of tho deal.

"Wado Klllifer Is putting his own money in tho club also. All tho boys around tho ball park know where ho got tho money. Ho sold his walnut grove near Whittier and hiB homo in Los Angeles to muke ends meet." The Noted Dead WASHINGTON, Mar. 22. Milo D.

Campbell of Michigan who recently became the "dirt farmer" member of the fedoral reserve board, dropped dead today whllo playing golf at the Columbia country club. Mr. Campbell, whose homo Is at Coldwator, was president of the National Milk Producers' association and was widely known as a practical farmer. He was named a member of the reserve board by President Harding under a new law authorizing farmer representation on the board and took office about a weok ago. Willamette Debaters Lose APPLKTON, Mar.

22. Lawrence college negative team won from tho Willamette university team of Sulem, last night by a two to one decision. $100,000 In paper currency. Indicating an intention to bring tho suit to a speedy close, Judge John E. Bator ordered counsel for the plnlntlfrs to conclude their this afternoon.

AND 40 GIRLS Left Men's Suits in Each Room to Leave Impression They All Had Husbands Cult Founder Rolled in Wealth Feared Counterfeit Money GRAND RAPIDS, March 22. (By the Associated Press.) How Benjamin Purnell, head of the Israel ite House of David colony at Benton Harbor, Is alleged to have herded 40 girls in Shlloh, -his home, into the attic of the residenco when he feared a visit by federal Investigators, was revealed In federal court here today during the trial of the suit against the colony Instigated by John and Margaret Hansell. The testimony wub given by Mrs Hazel Wuerth, high priestess and preacher In tho cult, who Is a witness for the plaintiffs. "Benjamin told the girls in Shlloh that there was to bo a special investi gation and that officers were coming to make medical examination of Mrs. Wuerth testified.

"He put a coat, a pair of men's trousers and a vest In the room of each girl to give the impression that we had husbands living with ub. Mary, the wlfo of Purnell, gathered the girls whom Benja min feared would talk and hid them in the attic Forty or fifty of us were kept there. While this was going on, others carried Benjamin's beer bottles away so the Investigators could not find them. "After we had been In the attic two or three hours, Mary brought us down. Benjamin said 'that's the time wo fooled That Purnell was the possessor of large fortune in money and jewels which he kept hidden In Shlloh was declared by the witness.

"One time," she said, "Benjomln heard that counterfeit bills were being circulated In Benton Hnrbor. Ho took me to help him examine his money which ha kept In a private vault in his clothes press. He examined every bill. There was more than SAYS PRIESTESS Member of Liquor Landing Party Drowns Seize Seven Autoes and $20,000 Worth of Scotch Whiskey Two Japs Make Getaway. LONG BEACH.

March 22. One man Ih believed by the police to have been killed In a raid early to dav on a liquor landing party whlcl also resulted in tho arrest of throe promlnont Long Beach men and fou others Buspoeted to ue momuora 01 Ilnllvwuod smuggling ring. Tho nolli-o fired upon a launch seen pulling awny from the dock of the Curtis corporation, fish pacKors One man waa seen to fall ovorboard "His hodv was not recovered. Tho men. arrested wore Alexander Stewart, president: V.

C. Lord, saloB manager, and Albert C. Leahy, gene rnl manager of the Curtis corporation all of Long Beach; G. O. Hogan, Joo Morris, Lewis Edwards and Joh Johnson of Hollywood.

The raiding officers seized seven automobiles belonging to the Curtl corporation and 160 cases of liquor they said wos worth $20,000, nHfcgod to havo been landed from the launcn Tho cases hnd been billed from Scot land to Ensennda, Lower California, vln Vancouver H. C. Tho polleo said they bollovod the man who disappeared in tho water was a Jananoso. Two other men nlso said to bo Japanese, escaped' from one of the seized automobiles. AMOY, China, Mar.

22. (By Associated Press). In a threatened Invasion of Fuklen, province, Sun Chuan-Fan, the general from Klang-Si province, in reported to have entered Shaowu and to bo proceeding to Klonnlng In a drive toward Foochow, the cnpltal. ghaowu and Klonnlng are In Fuklen. was said.

Jeader,.