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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 4, 1910)
THE MORNING OREGOXIAN. FRIDAT, FEBRUARY 4. 1910. BOLD WAS USED TO KEEP WOMAN QUIET PRINCIPALS IN EXTORTION TRIAL NOW IN PROGRESS. DAUGHTER LOSES FIGHT ON ESTATE Warriner Tells of Practical Looting of Big Four Treasury. Judge. Holds Miss Speckart Was Under Woman's "Baneful Influence." - i k - ,:. SALACIOUS LETTERS READ COMPLAINANT MERE TOOL if t Keferences to Cooke's Conduct to Mrs. Ford Have to Be Omitted ' From Reading of His Letters to Her Warriner Raffled. CINCINNATI, Feb. 3. A chain of em bezzlements involving: three men. extend ing; over many years and finally culmi nating: in the almost -wholesale looting of the Blt Four Railroad treasury, was the startling story told ' by Charles L. "Warriner. defaulting local treasurer of the road. In his testimony today in the trial of Mrs. eJanette Stewart-Ford for blackmail. Warriner represented himself as a man pouring out gold with both hands and in ever-increasing amounts to keep sealed the mouth of the woman, who through her Infatuation for one of the accused embezzlers. E. S. Cooke, had learned the secret. Frank Comstock, Warrlner's predeces- sor as local treasurer, was declared to be the third man. Warriner Knew of Shortages. According to the witness, when he as sumed office as local treasurer in 1902, he learned that Cooke was short In his accounts $24,000. He aleo learned that his predecessor. Comstock, was short $10.- BOO. lie himself was a defaulter, and ' to prevent his crime being discovered, he engaged to conceal the thefts of the two former officials. In the story of the gigantic thefe there Is one question that has never been de finitely answered and attorneys for the defense today made another futile at tempt to- obtain an answer. Made Another Futile Attempt. What Became of Money? What became of the $643,000 that War riner has confcpsed to have stolen? The witness declared he had paid $168.- 000 in blackmail and that $3 ,000 had been stolen by others than himself. The re mainder, $443,000. is explained by him as Staving been lost in speculation. Although he knew exactly the amount embezzled and the approximate amount of "hush money" paid, to all questions1 as to his investments lie replied that he could not remember how much money he had put Into any particular enterprise. He reiterated monotonously that he "could not recollect," until his questioners be came discouraged and abandoned their efiorts. Cooke Called Wife "Old Hag." A lurid light was thrown on. the strange tale when the letters of Cooke to Mrs. Koixl voire read to the court. In the let ter CWTe wrote that "O. H." was threatening to expose htm if he did not abandon Mrs. Ford. Warriner stated that "O. ." stood for "Old Hag" and was the name Cooke used for his wife in his communications to Mrs. Ford. In another letter Cooke advised Mrs. Ford to have nothing to do with other men unless "there is big money in it." In tne reading of the letters Mrs. Ford endeavored to conceal her face and wept continually. When, however, her attor ney began to question Warriner'"as to the extent of her intimacy with him, she raised her head and, gazing at the wit nesr, smiled slightly. Letters Too Salacious to Read. Practically the entire afternoon session was occupied with reading letters writ ten by Cooke to Mrs. Ford. The letters were written In an extremely passionate vein and teemed with salacious expres sions and suggestions. These expres sions were, of such a nature that the judge ordered them omitted in the read ing. . Frequent Inferences were made by Cooke to Comstock, who. according to the writer, was on intimate terms with Mrs. Ford. Several other persons were mentioned, all of them, it is said, being on the same foong with the woman. At torneyhorndvke endeavored to force from YflTrriner a. confession tlmt his re lations with Mrs. Ford had been more than friendly. At the first direct ques tion to. that effect, Warriner laughed heartily and said: "That is absurd." Warriner Ixses Control. While being questioned about his ex penditure of the embezzled money, Warriner for the second time in the day lost his extraordinary self-control. 'ou say you are 50 years of age, and that your defalcations probably extemled for 25 years?" said Attorney Thorndyke, for the defense. "Then you have been stealing since you were prac tically a. boy?" Warriner replied in a high, shrill voice: "I will not answer these questions; 1 am not on trial." One of the most startling develop ments in the case came this afternoon, when Warriner. under rigid question ing, admitted that he had handled funds placed with him for the payment of rebates; that he paid out comparatively large sums in rebates, and that the simple auditing of his accounts at any time woulit have disclosed his shortage to the company. Auditor Knew of Defalcations. After testifying that Auditor P. K. Hewitt had checked over his accounts, Warriner was asked by Attorney Thorndike. 'Then how did it come that lie never discovered this great short age of yours?" "That's for Hewitt to explain." was the complacent answer of the wit ness. Mr. Hewitt declined to discuss War riner's statement that his shortage might easily have been discovered. It was learned today that Mr. Hew ettSs connection with the railway ended February 1. It is said he is to become auditor of the New Tork. Cen tral Clearing House at Buffalo. COOKE FAMILY GOT NO MOXEY Deny Warriner Paid Them SI 00, 000. as He Testifies. CHICAGO. Feb. 3. (Special.) "We never received a dollar from Warriner. He lied when he testified that he gave us more than $100.tX." This statement was made today by Mrs. Krtgar SL Cooke and echoed by her hue band in their apartments In the Lessing. Charles L. Warriner. ex-treasurer of the iBig Four Railroad, had testified in the Ford case In Cincinnati that he gave more than tlOO.OuO to the Cooke family in the last seven years. v :. Cl Mr. JeniiDette Ford. TARIFF IS SETTLED Germany and United States Exchange Minimums. THREATENED WAR AVERTED Inspection of Livestock Shipments Reserved for Separate Diplo matic Action Both Sides Are Satisfied. (Continued from tlrwt rage. not only the rates at present enjoyed, but the entire remaining schedules of minimum rates now accorded other countries. "The basis of settlement is that Ger many grants to the United States her full conventional tariff rates in return for the minimum tariff of the United States. This is an exchange of mini mum for minimum. It places the United States on exactly the same terms as all other countries to which Germany grants conventional rates under her various commercial conventions or most favored nation treaties. "In the President's opinion, responsi bilities devolved upon him the Payne Aldrich act requires him to demand an agreement from all countries to grant to the United States substantially their lowest tariff rates. It is a source of gratification to 'the President that Ger many finds it possible to extend to the United States her complete mini mum schedules without reservation or qualification." Minimums Are Exchanged. The statement says that the solution was largely due to the conciliatory spirit of the German government. Both sides recognized that although some points of divergence between the two Nations would be encountered, tTieir nature was not such as to preclude an agreement that would be beneficial in mutual markets. "In return for the concession of her full conventional or lowest rates, Ger many will be accorded the minimum tar iff of the United 8tates," the statement continues. ' "This pate Germany In the position of the most, favored nation In her tariff re lations with the United States. The maximum tariff of the United States, which, as the basic tariff, would other wise apply after March 21, will, therefore, not go into effect, the minimum being granted in return for Germany's full minimum rates. The result is to give Germany the same assurance under the L'nited States tariff law that she has secured by her treaties with other coun tries. Pure Food Law Explained. "In reaching a settlement, .some ques tions which had arisen regarding the ad ministrative features of the Payne-Ald-rich law end some misconceptions as to a possible unfavorable treatment of Ger man imports into the United States have been dispellled to the satisfaction of the German government. A collateral mat ter relating to the interpretation and ap plication of the pure food law also has been explained satisfactorily." It was "President Taft's opinion, says the statement, that, in view of the tnorough inspection of pork products now made under the United States in spection law of 1!, the healthfulness of these products Is o fully established be fore their exportation that the results of this protection should be accepted in for eign countries. No objection is made to a microscopic inspection of their own pork by foreign countries, but the in sistence on certificates of microscopic in spection from the United States and the failure to recognize the present inter state inspection, which was substituted for it. was a bar to the admission of these products into some German ports. Pork. Rules to Be Modified. The reasonableness of this position was recognized by the German govern ment and. under the agreement, the imperial authorities will take steps to modify the present regulations under ?3 f j ' -illtf I'll C. li. Warriner Cat right and Hi Attorney. which aome ports have refused to ad mit American pork products. The re port goes on : "The admission of American live cat tle for slaughtering and regulations re lating to the importation of meat pro ducts of various . kinds, the German customs rules governing the drawback of duty-allowed on flour when exported from Germany, all of which are of . ex ceeding interest from the American standpoint, have been treated on their merits as questions entirely aside from that of equivalent tariff adjustment. "These questions have been entirely eliminated from the negotiations. The Government of the United States, how ever, will present them separately hereafter in a diplomatic way to the German government and the other governments involved, with the con fident expectation that those govern ments will investigate the American claims 'fully and fajrly in the light of the existing facts." Many Products Affected. The following figures show some of the principal articles of importations into Germany from the United States according to German statistics for the calendar year of 190S: Raw cotton, $91,045,000; copper and manufactures, $43,859,000; wheat, $29, S23.000: lard. $22,675,000: mineral oils, $18,480,000; hides and skins, $9,910,000; wood and manufactures, "$9,452,000; mowing machines. $3,060,000; dried fruit, $3,225,000. The following shows some of the principal articles of im portation into the United States from Germany, according to United States statistics (fiscal year 1$0S.) Chemicals, etc., $19,366,000. Cotton and manufactures, $18,037,000: paper nnd manufactures, $7,817,000: silk and manufactures, $7,411,000; earthenware, etc., $5,287,000; iron and steel and man ufactures, $4,995,000; beet sugar, $4', 4.16,000; leather and manufactures. $4. 653,000: wool and manufactures, $4,461, 000; hides, $3,415,000; fertilizers, $3,336,. 000; rubbers and manufactures, $3,166, 000; wood and manufactures, $2,606,000- BLADES PROVE SUICIDE GRANDE RONDE VALLEY HER MIT XOT SXOW VICTIM. Coroner Finds William Boyd Cut Throat Wltli Knife and Razor. Recluse Thought Deranged. PENDLETON. Or., Feb. 3. (Special.) That William Boyd, a Meacham wood chopper, committed suicide and was not frozen to death, as reported, was discovered today by Coroner Folsom, who returned iate this evening from the scene of the tragedy. When Boyd's body -was discovered yesterday about a quarter of a mile from his lonely mountain cabin, it was reported that he had lost his bear ings in a storm and froze to death. When the Coroner investigated today he found the man's throat cut, a large butcher knife in one hand and a razor in the other. Both razor and knife were covered with blood, and ' it Is supposed that both were used in end ing his life. Bovd was about 65 vears old. un- f married, and had lived in the Grande Konde valley the greater part of his life. A brother arrived from Union this evening to take charge of the re mains. The dead man's mind is sup posed to have become deranged as the result of his lonely life. MARQUIS FACES CHARGE Mysterious Frenchman In California Wanted for Felony. SAN JOSE. Cal.. Feb. 3. Marquis Robert de Courcelle, the mysterious Frenchman . who was arrested Tuesday in ,a cabin on the Alviso Marshes as a burglar suspect, was taken by an officer to Richmond today. The Richmond Chief of Police states that he is wanted there on a felony charge, but declines to divulge th enature of the alleged crime. Head Chosen for "Pan-Pac" Fair. SAN FRANCISCO. Feb. 3. W. B. Bourn, president o fthe Spring Valley Water Company, was chosenchairman of the finance committee of the Panama-Pacific Exposition this afternoon. It was decided that all the representa tives of Western cities should have places upon the executive committee of the exposition management. Logger Shot At, Saloon Man Held. MARSHFIELD. Or.. Feb. 3. (Spe cial.) "Gumboot" Kelly, the proprietor of the Cold Tea Saloon, was today bound over to await the action of the grand jury for shootinfr through the front door of his saloon at a logger. He furnished bond in the sum of $250. Neither Kiotlifulness. Imprudence Nor Dishonesty Marked Management by Executrix, Is Decision of the Federal Court. TACOMA. Wash., Feb. S.-(8pee1al. Judge Hartford in the Federal Court to day handed down a decision in the suit of Harriet F. Speckart ' against Leopold F. Schmidt, of Olympia. her uncle. Hen riette Speckart, her mother, the Olympia Brewing Company and the Rellingham Bay Brewing Company. The court holds adversely to the plaintiff. Suit was brought by Miss Speckart to set asids the will of her father. Adolph apeckart. who died in" 1893, leaving estate valued at $400,000. the widow being executrix and Schmidt her advisor. Equal amounts were - left to the children when thev became of age. Harriet Speckart charged her mother and uncle with breach of trust and gross mishandling of the estate funds and with concealing from her prop erty to which she was entitled under the will. Woman Doctor Is Companion. Suit was filed in September, 1907. The evidence showed Harriet Speckart to be a close companion of Dr. Aqui, a woman who seldom left Harriet's side, and who possessed great Influence over her. In the course of findings Judge Hanford says: "From the evidence, the court finds that neither slothfulness, imprudence nor dishonesty can be justly charged against -irs. speckart s management. I ii tne court snouid render a decree in plaintiff's favor for all that is de manded in her bill of complaint and in the brief filed by her lawyer, and if her brother were equally greedy, her aged mother and her kind uncle would be stripped of their last penny. The court finds the harsh accusations have not been sustained by evidence and that the con trary has been proved affirmatively. Baneful Influence Charged. "From the evidence It appears that the complainant is not heartless or avari cious, and that heK unnatural conduct in prosecuting this suit is actuated by the baneful influence of a meddlesome person who dominates her by the exertion of a mysterious psychological power. The com plainant is not the real litigant In this case, but s a mere tool of one who has no rights as against any of the defend ants and for that reason the court finds that there is no equity in the bill." Accompanying the decision is another by the court fixing the fees of attorney Kdwin El Heckbert, of Portland, who ap peared for the- plaintiff, at approximately $15,000. Heckbert hadf experienced trouble trying to collect his fees and appealed to the court to fix the amount due him. MINERS MEET OPERATORS Both Parties Express Confidence Wage Scale Will Be Adjusted. TOLEDO, O.. Feb. 3 -Hope of an ami cable adjustment was expressed by Thomas L Lewis, president of the miners, when acting as temporary chair man of the joint wage scale conference of the operators and miners of the Ohio Indiana and Pennsylvania district-" which opened here today. John H. Jones, president of the Pittsburg-Buffalo Coal Company and one of the principal operators present, expressed a belief that a peaceable agreement would be reached. After preliminary business the conven- All Jewelry and Silverware at ONE-HALF OFF FRIDAY, SATURDAY, MONDAY Will De Banner Days in the Suit Dep't Every Winter Garment One-Half Price or Less Stock-taking begins tonight. We want every Winter garment out of the store at that time. To close out every Suit, Dress, Costume and Coat, we make the final stupendous reductions quoted below. Come in this morning if yoil possibly can. On no account should you miss this wonderful sale. . FRIDAY, SATURDAY and MONDAY All one-piece $22.50 "Cloth Dresses at. 8.95 All Women's and Misses' Fancy Wossted and Broadcloth Coats values to $30.00, at HALF PRICE All Cloth and Sealette Jackets, formerly sold at $10.00 to $15 00 at:..... $3.95 All Furs at ...HALF PRICE SPECIAL SALE OF 2000 SILK PETTICOATS Immense variety of wonderfully low prices, an event of great est importance, for the savings are extraordinary, and patrons will have the choice of the largest variety of styles ever offered in a special sale. We closed out these garments from one of the largest silk petticoat factories in the East, at an average of about one-half usual prices, and pass them on to you at the same ratio. All perfect in every detail and are cut-full width' and length. Beautiful All-Silk Skirts, with silk dust ruffles, accordeon pleated, ruffled, tucked and plain tailored effects, many fin ished with ruchings, in black, white and 20 leading Oil Mr colors, made to sell at $10 and over ; in this great sale at. 0f if 0 MISSES' COATS HALF PRICE Misses and Girls Box Coats, all sizes, 12 to 18 years $ 8 COATS how . . $ 4.00 : $10 COATS now . . $ 5.00 $15 COATS now . . $ 7.50 $20 COATS now . . $ 10.00 AUTOMOBILE CONTEST closes Feb. loth. Votes with every purchase. Help your little friend secure one of these cars without cost to you :n selling tion adjourned until tomorrow morning. Mr. Lewis said that a demand should be made of the railroads that they pay mlneowners more money for coal they consume, that the latter might spend more money for the protection of their employes. The miners In their convention at Indianapolis made a demand for a wage increase from 90 cents to $1 a ton. While they have not formulated their demand, it has been generally understood that the operators want a decrease of 10 cents a ton. The operators are expected to force to some conclusion the 12-year-long project of organizing the nonunion field of West Virginia as a preliminary to increasing or maintaining present wages. Three Sew Firms Formed. SALEM. Or., Feb. 3. (Special.) Articles of incorporation have been filed in the office of the Secretary of State as follows: Provident Investment & Trustee Co.: principal office. Portland: capital Fifth and Alder. TRA SPECIAI stock. $50,000; incorporators, C. P. Lit tle, Miller Murdoch and W. A. Lovett. J. A. Wuest & Co.; principal office, Hood River; capital stock. $25,000; in corporators. John A. Wuest, George A. Wuest and Ksther W. Wuest. The Deschutes Banking & Trust Co.; principal office. Bend; capital stock. $15,000; incorporators, L. B. Baird, M. G. Coe and Prank O. Minor. TRAINS REPLACE HERDERS Klamath Falls Ships Cattle by Car loads Driving Obviated. KLAMATH FALLS, Or.. . Feb. 3. (Special.) Nineteen carloads of cattle and horses went out of Klamath Falls yesterday morning following a num ber of like shipments made" heretofore. Before the advent of the railroad about 20.000 head of beef cattle from the rang country from east and north of Fifth and Alder All Women's and Misses' All-Wool Mannish Mixtures and Broad cloth Coats, sold up to $15.00, at $4.95 All Women's Tailored Suits, sold up to $40.00, at $14.95 All Women's Tailored Suits, sold up to $30.00, at $10.00 All 3-piece Dresses, in navy and brown broadcloth, formerly sold at $25.00, at ( '..$8.90 $1.49 WAIST SALE On display and sale for the first time Friday, a shipment of 1000 Spring 1910 Lingerie Waists, in many different styles, at a price which yon would expect to pay at the end of the season rather than at the beginning. Each J1.49 Fine dainty Batiste Waists, with very pretty fancy yokes, full fronts, trimmed and embroidered Val.. Venise and Cluny laees and heavy medallion tueked backs, fancy high collars and new, long, trimmed sleeves; all sizes 34 to 44. Starting Friday at, each $1.49 ALL FANCY TAILORED SUITS THAT FORMERLY SOLD FROM $40.00 TO $125.00, AT ONE-HALF PRICE EARLY SHOWING OF SPRING MILLINERY Blue and Black Turbans, special $10.00, at . . $5.00 the Klamath . Basin were finished for market here in the alfalfa tie Ids and were then driven over the mountains late in the Fall or were kept and fed until Spring before they were driven to market. . Since the completion of the .railroad it is practicable to ship cattle at any time when the markets are ready for them at remunerative prices. The rail road gives great impetus to the busi ness for which the Klamath region is eminently suited on account of the ex tensive areas of grazing lands adjacent to the alfalfa fields. Especially will this be the case when completion of the Natron cut-on will bring Klamath prac tically 200 miles nearer Portland than by the present lines. "Then, too, reason able competition will arise between San Francisco and Portland markets. A building which, it is believed, holds the record in this country In antiquity as a Presbyterian church is still standing: at Southampton. Long Island. Its erection was besun in 1707 and it was dedicated as a church in 178. Cravenettes and Silk Raincoats ONE-HALF OFF