48 PAGES
Third Section
PAGES 1 TO 18
VOL. XL, VI.
PORTLAND,' OREGON, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 1 1, ' 1908.
NO. 14.683.
TH1NKSGRED1TDRS'
-QE1N0S DRASTIC
W. M. Ladd Asks Time
for Consideration.
TWO CONFERENCES ARE HELD
Surety Company Ijrges Early
Payment of $395,910.
DEPOSITORS FOLLOW SUIT
Pioneer Banker Who Has Agreed to
Assume Obligations of the Title
Trust. Bank Also Considers
the . Interest Too Heavy.
i Final terms of the Ladd guarantee
of the Title Bank deposits will not be
.reached before tomorrow afternoon.
Mr. Ladd has asked for time in
which to consider the demands of two
parties, the American Surety Company
and a committee of depositors.
The surety company demands his as
sumption of ita obligation to pay the
state 1-95.910.68, on or before Decem
ber 31, 1909, at 6 per cent interest,
that being the balance for which the
company admitted liability under Its
i bond; also payment within reasonable
time of 1100,000, which the company
has paid the state.
The committee of depositors de
mands payment of all deposits of $100
or less, within 0 days; deposits be
tween $100 and $500 In two annual in
stallments, and' deposits in excess of
$500 in three annual installments all
such deposits to bear 4 per cent in
terest.' These demands are regarded by Mr.
Ladd ns rather drastic, and some of
his advisers urge him to. resist thsm.
He conferred yesterday wich W. C.
Bristol, attorney for the surety com
pany, without reaching an agreement.
In. the Conference, with the depositors'
committee he was represented by W.
B. Ayer, who also reached .uo-settle-ment.
District Attorney Manning's accoun
tants in the wrecked bank, will ascer
tain ths aggregate claims of the three
classes of depositors to supply data
for the next conference.
Payment of the claims will require
very large advance of money on the
part of Mr. Ladd before he will be able
to realize from the bank's assets, and
this is what is causing him to seek
tasler terms than those demanded. The
and S per cent Interest demand he
regards also as too heavy.
It seems likely that Mr. Ladd will ac
cede to the surety company's demand and
to the depositors' demand with some
modifications.
Decision has not yet been reached as
to whether to continue the receivership
of the bank, but should it be retained, E.
C. Meara may be superseded by a re
ceiver of Mr. Ladd's choice.
District Attorney Manning continues
to gather evidence for Indictment of the
officers of the bank next Monday.
Ross refuses to cancel the $17,000 credits
which he caused to be entered on the ac
count of his $31,000, November 2, during
ths holidays. But he delivers as col
lateral for remaining $14,000 debt, 30
shares of Commercial building, worth
perhaps $30,000. .
Ross resorted to a neat trick last Sum
mer, after the new banking law went
Into force, to evade the provisions gov
erning loan of money of a bank to its
officers, and then borrowed $31,000 on
one note.
Ross will get nothing out of the Com
mercial building earnings, at least for a
number of years, because the Title bank,
owning a controlling Interest, will turn
the earnings to payment of $100,000 mort
gage and Improvements. ,
The bank's "suspense earnings" ac
count, made up of tnflatidns and "en
.hanced values," carries $128,000, which
had not been drawn out to cover losses.
This surplus was not actual value nor
money but wind, and made Ross think
the bank was rtch.
The state code contains nine sections
for punishment of the alleged offenses for
which the bank officers will be indicted.
The punishments prescribed are Imprison
ment for from three months to one year
and fine of $50 to $1000, for wronful con
version of money or falsifying of records;
Imprisonment for two years and fine of
$1000 for receiving deposits when a bank
Is insolvent; imprisonment from one year
to 15 and fine of twice the sum of money
Involved, for larceny of public money;
and Imprisonment from two to 20 years
for altering the accounts of the bank.
Mr. Bristol brands as false the story
that he has tried to coerce Mr. Ladd by
threats or otherwise. Into accepting the
surety company's terms.
Demands were made on Mr. Ladd yes
terday by the American Surety Company
and the committee of depositors, which he
asked until tomorrow to consider. The
surety company wants htm to take its
place In making good the state funds that
went down in the wreck of the Ross
bank, and the depositors' committee
wants him to guarantee payment and In
terest on their claims In such a way as
will enable them to realize money at
once.
' The surety company on December 7 paid
the state $100,000 of its money and agreed
to pay the balance, $235,910, within two
years with S per cent Interest. The surety
company wants Mr. Ladd to assume these
same obligations but Is willing to allow
reasonable time for payment of the $100,
000. The part objectldnable to Mr. .Ladd
is the short time for payment of the bal
ance. " Mr. Ladd, accompanied by W. B.
Ayer, conferred with Mr. Bristol two
-hours in the afternoon and is understood
to have promised a. definite reply tomor
row. ; The surety company is steadfastly
adhering to its terms.
Depositors Submit Demands. .
The depositors' committee met with Mr.
Ayer and Mr. Manning in ths morning at
9:30 and soon afterward withdrew to draft
their formal, demands. These they sub
mitted at 11:30 to Mr. Ayer, who promised
to submit them to Mr. Ladd. Members
of the committee say Mr. Ayer regarded
the demands as rather excessive, espe
cially that for 4 per-cent interest The
demands were as follows:
1. That all accounts of $100 or less shall be
paid In cash within 60 days from date hereof.
2. That for all accounts In excess of $100
and not exceeding $300 certificates of deposit
shall be given, payable to the owner of said
account la two equal annual payments.
3. And on all tuna In excess of $500, cer
tificates of deposit shall be given to the owners
of such-account, .payable as follows: One
third ox said sum payable In one year, one
third of said sum payable at the end of two
years, .sad the remaining one-third payable
at the end of three years from date hereof.
All certificates of deposit shall bear Interest
at the rate of 4 per cent per annum. Interest
payable annually, and Mr. Ladd shall cause
said certificates of deposit' to be Issued by Ladd
& Tllton, as herein contemplated.
This meeting recognizes the fact that in sat
tafylng the- depositors Mr. Ladd has assumed
a responsibility which, under- existing cir
cumstances, is not as easy' to meet as it
would -have . been two years prior, but the
committee also recognizes the fact that 00
per cent of the depositors of the Title Guar
antee &. Trust Company deposited their money
In said Institution with the lull understanding
and -belief that . Mr. Ladd was the heaviest
stockholder In said Institution, and was known
to be president and a director of such insti
tution, and that his name appeared on all the
literature of said institution as an officer, and
recognizing the true condition - of the defunct
bank, this committee nevertheless believes the
depositors should . be dealt with according to
their wish, . and you are authorized to accept
thia proposition and no other. - Very respect
fully, , J. O'B. SCOBEY, .
' S. J. BARBER,
NATHAN SOLOMON,
C. EX MOt'LTOX.
Mr. Ladd Given Time. .
After parley, it was agreed that Mr.
Manning's accountants, in the bank should
ascertain the aggregate deposits in each
of the three classes. This will inform
Mr. Ladd what payments be will have
to make In 60 days, what in one year,
what In two years and what , in three
years. Mr. Ayer . explained - that ; Mr.
Ladd could, not be expected to reach a
decision until knowing what 'the' pay
ments would be. This, seemed reasonable
to the. committee" and action deferred un
til tomorrow.' ;
In Mr. Ladd's pledge of November 9, he
agreed to pay savings depositors within
two years, and also interest according to
the rate stipulated In their passbooks
the total deposits- being $405,000. - -,jt
wa represented to the committee
and Attorney Bristol that Mr.' Ladd does
not wish to assume obligations that will
Impose excessive "payment ,huidns , with
in the first year or two years. As it will
take him tiros' to work out the assets, he
wanted time to meet the obligations as
they should fall due, without, severe
pressure on himself.
Both Mill Stand Pat.
The chairman of the vcomraittee,- Mr.
Scobey, said last night that he did not
believe the committee will recede from
its demands. This Is also the attitude of
the surety company. Mr. Ladd will ask
for modification of the terms demanded
by both parties, and it remains to be
seen which side will yield. The two par
ties pressing Mr. Ladd appear confident
that he will come to their terms.
On Mr. Ladd's side there Is difference
of opinion whether to continue the re
ceivership.' Some of his advisors think
it best to continue . it, : while others be
lieve It' would be better terminated and
followed by the bank's officers turning
over the assets to Mr. Ladd. Some per-
(Concluded on Page 8.)
CONTENTS : TODAY'S PAPER
The Weather. -
YESTERDAY'S Maximum temperature, 48
- degrees ; minimum. 41. . .
TODAY'S Rain, southerly winds.
. . - Foreign
Contradictory evidence before Stoessel court
martial. Section 3. page .
Sentence -on signers of ' Viborg , manifesto.
Section 3, page 3. - . ..
Terrible explosion wrecks stock exchange
and causes panic at Rome. Section -3,
page 1.
Closing argument in Harden trial begins.
Section 8. page 4. .
National.
President pardons S. A. D. Puter. Section
. 3. page 3.
Rldgeley tells eause and cure of financial
stringency. Section 3, page 3.
Government will appeal from dlsmlsssl of
coal-land fraud cases. Section 3, page 1.
. Domestic.
Peculiar will- causes' contest for $500,000
estate. Section S. page 2.
New York landlords offer compromise on
rent, but strikers- hold out.- Section 3,
page 3.
Alabama celebrates Inauguration- of prohl-
. bitlon. Section 3. page 1.
Brewers attack validity of Georgia prohibi
tion law. but can't delay operation. Sec
tion 3, page 1. ' '
Mrs. -Hull admits false Identification of mur
dered woman In New Jersey; now says
body Is her sister's.' Section 3, page 3.
Pacific Coast.
Hoquiam Council calls for resignation of
Marshal McKenney. Section 3, page B.
State says defense fears to continue Petti
bone case. Section 3. page 5.
Sports.
Multnomah ind St. Louis footbsll teams In
fine condition for today's game.. Section
3, page 7.
Spokane wrestlers and boxers win from
Multnomah. - Section 3, page 7.'
Commercial mnd Marias.
Active wheat buying expected soon. Section
3, page 17 '
Wheat closes higher at Chicago, after wide
fluctuations. Section 3, page 17.
No year-endmoney squeeze. In Wall street.
Section 3. page 17.
Portland and Vicinity. " ' '
Vf. M. Ladd and Title Trust Bank deposi
tors not yet agreed concerning terms of
settlement. Section 3. page 1..
Stat Railroad Commission files first annual
report. Section 5. page 16.
Tax levy will be kept - down to 14 " mills.
Section 3. page 17.
All depositors In closed banks'wtll be pald
In full. Section 3, page 10.
Ironmolders will strike tomorrow unless
open-shop policy Is abandoned. Section
3. page lo
Republican chieftains In large numbers call
on Senator Fnlton. Section 3.-page 10-.
Portland greets the new year with noisy
welcome. Section 3. page 7.
Choice of site for new crematory may .be
left to voters. Section 3, page 7.
EXPLOSION PUTS
ROME
T
Shakes Stock Ex
change to Pieces.
PANIC THROUGHOUT THE CITY
Ancient Temple of Neptune Is
Scene of Wild Disorder. .
MAY 5 BE CAUSED BY BOMB
Generally Attributed to Gas, but Ex
change Officials Skeptical About
SO Persons Are Injured- by
the" Falling Roof..
ROME, Dec. 31. The Temple of. Nep
tune, built by, Hadrian and standing In
ths center of the Forum of Agrlppa,
now occupied by the -Stock Exchange,
was the scene this afternoon -of a tre
mendous explosion, causing a sensation
almost as great as the explosion of a
bomb in ' St, Peter's, on November 18,
1906. The concussion was so great that
many persons throughout the city were
terrified and great crowds rushed to the
scene. Within the building there were
many people, but fortunately a great
majority of the brokers had left. No
one was killed, but 20 persons, chiefly
clerks, were Injured. ..
The explosion resulted in collapse of
the roof of the exchange and a number
of those injured were caught in the
wreckage, but later were released by
firemen. ; " ' ''..'
- Explosion Due to Gas.
Although first impressions were .that
the explosion was caused by & bomb
thrown by some one who wished. .either
to prevent the end of the month liqui
dation or take advantage of the con
fusion to commit an extensive theft,
it was generally accepted later that the
disaster' came - from- an, ..explosion of
gas. 'Officials, however, .who made an
investigation, - do not admit such a
possibility, but, as there is no evidence
to show that a. bomb was thrown, the
probability of a gas explosion has been
given out by the police. . , .
, Within half an hour of the explosion
hundreds of brokers were 'gathered
within the exchange, when money and
securities to the amount of several
million dollars changed hands. Luckily
the business of the day was over and
most of the brokers were returning
to their homes, leaving behind the
clerks and exchange officials to com
plete their labors. ;
Whole (City in Panic. .
The detonation was terrific and, when
the roof fell, : clouds . of dust , were
thrown high in the air. Police, fire
men and troops hurried to tie scene
and had difficulty in calming the ex
citement of thousands who rushed to
the temple. Later, when another ex
plosion was feared,-- the. crowd again
became panic-stricken, and many per
OLD rjvFFER WPD
UFHVC- THIS Job
FOR ME'."
sons received minor injuries in the
crush. .
Most of those who -were taken from
the ruins had received injuries about
the head and upper part of the body,
although none was known to have been
injured' fatally. Soon there was a-procession
of injured in open cabs and
ambulances to the hospitals, travers
ing the crowded thoroughfares amid
pitiful scenes. . ,
BLOWS UP A FISH STORE
Thought ; Disgruntled Son-ln-Law
Takes Summary Vengeance.
'. - ' ' , ..
NEW-; YORK, Dec. 31. A bomb thrown
against the front of a two-story frame
building .In Bast One-Hundred and Forty
ninth street, in-the Bronx, before day
lighttoday, badly wrecked the building
and endangered the lives of eight per
sons . who were asleep therein. A fish
store kept by Joseph Rae on the first
floor ; was almost demolished-: and his
Bishop Edward ' C 'Andrews, of
Methodist Episcopal Church. Who
Died Yesterday. '
living rooms , back of the-' store were
wrecked. A door ; was - blown off its
hinges and, - striking Raj's . married
daughter on the head, inflicted a. painful
wound.'' ' '- .
Rae has. asked the police to search for
his son-in-law, Antonio Bottisano, who,
he -said, had threatened. to blow up' ths
store because -hist wife had left him and
taken refuge, with her father. -
STEAL CHEST OF NICKELS
Robbers in Auto Impoverish Roch
ester -CarllneV of '$2859.' M.
ROCHESTER, Y.,- Dec .11. Two
men stole a chest containing $2859 from
a street car standing In front of the
Main 'street east carbarns at 6:25
o'clock this ,morning ' and got safely
away -with-it In -an automobile. The
stolen - money' represented the .-earnings
of theiRochester Railway Company yes
terday.. or -kWhat"' is -known- as the east
ern' division. It was being transferred
according to custom from vthe Federal
street carbarns to -the State-street of
fice -,to be counted. - -
TACOMA MAN DROPS DEAD
Louis D. Campbell, "Winterlne in th
South, Dies In California.
. - -". i " r . - . ' , ,:
' SANTA' CRTJZ.'Cal:, Dec. SI. Louis D.
Campbell, a prominent Tacoma attorney
and for years Mayor of that city, dropped
to the sidewalk as he was about to take
a car for Capltola, in company .with his
wife and daughter, at 6 o'clock Sunday
evening, . and was . dead of heart failure
before he could be' taken to a sanitarium.
The Campbells Intended - to go to Okla
homa after staying a day in Sequel,- but
the .unexpected - death- of- Mr. Campbell
caused .them to start for Tacoma with
the body. - - ' .-'
L '&" Vfs . '
r , . -
SUNDRY NEW YEAR REFLECTIONS
GOVERNMENT DOES
T
Right to Appeal May
Be Used.
LAND OFFICE DOES NOT AGREE
Hinted That the Department
Upholds Judge Lewis.
MORE SUITS TO BE FILED
Land Office About Ready. 11 Bring
Many Cases Before Grand Jury,
Some of Them the Very Per
sons Who Were Discharged.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31. At the last
Cabinet meeting of the year 1907. held
today,' the decision was reached by the
President and Attorney-General that
the Government will use every meas
ure In Its power to bring about in the
higher court its disapproyal of the de
cision rendered In Colorado by Judge
Lewis that there-Is no law. against citi
zens agreeing in advance to purchase
coal or other public lands .that may be
acquired by others under what Is
known, as the dummy entryman sys
tem. Attorney-General Bonaparte said,
after the Cabinet meeting, that it was
fortunate that' Con stress last year
passed a law giving the Government
the right to appeal in a criminal case,
as undoubtedly the Government would
appeal ; to its fullest extent against a
decision quashing Indictments against
men charged., with illegally acquiring
coal lands.. . - 1 -
Land Office Did ; Not' Begin Suits.
The Commissioner of'' the ' General
Land Office said today that his depart
ment had not initiated the land fraud
cases, which have, save in a. few in
stances, been dismissed by Federal
Judge Lewis at Denver.- although the
Land Office Is co-operating in every pos
sible way with the Department of Jus
tice In bringing fraudulent entrymen
to justice. ' There are Intimations that
the . Interior Department partially
agrees with Judge Lewis In his ruling
that the persons, accused 'of. illegally
acquiring lands cannot be held under
the indictments as drawn, at least as
they apply to violations of-the timber
and stone act.
New Suits to Be Filed.
It is understood that the Land Office
Is about ready to call from 60 to 80
violations of the land laws In the Colo
rado region -to the attention of the
grand jury. Some of these 'may involve
a number 'of the very persons whom
Judge-Lewis has discharged.
Commissioner Balllnger holds that a
man may change' his mind as to the
disposition of the lands he seeks to ob
tain from the Government. The new
cases which the Land Office will bring
are largely built upon perjury and false
allegations as to character of lands. A
special .officer ot the Land Office is
LIKE DECISION
busily at work at Denver on these cases
and is acting entirely Independent of
the Department of Justice.
REGARDLESS OF THE DECIalOX
Work on Colorado Land-Fraud Cases
to Be Continued.
- DENVER, Dec. 31. There are now
but twT" cases left of .the score or more
indictments returned by the grand jury
last May for alleged Colorado land
frauds, and unless the Supreme Court
reverses the decision of Judge Lewis,
more than $200,000 expended by the
Government In collecting evidence will
have been wasted.
L. C. Wheeler, m charge of the fraud
investigations in Colorado, depaited
yesterday on a secret mission to Wash
ington in response to a telegraphic call
from Chief Wllkle. , He will have a
conference with Department of Justice
officials as to the evidence obtained in
Colorado of alleged land frauds with
special reference to the indictments
quashed by Judge Lewis. From all
appearances the Government has no In
tention of abandoning its work in Colo
rado. Federal officials here have been
ordered to continue as If Judge Lewis
had rendered no decision.
NEW POINT OS LAND FRAUD
Rush Says Colorado Cases Will Go
.! to Supreme Court.
OMAHA, Dec. 31 Sylvester R. Rush,
special -assistant to ' the Attorney
General, who has. been active In the
prosecution of land frauds In the West,
arrived here today from Denver,
where he has had charge of several
Government cases. He declined to
criticize Judge Lewis' decision, but de
clared that the decision had raised an
entirely new point, which would have
to-be decided by the Supreme Court,
He said that a number of Federal
Judges and Supreme Court Justices
had ruled entirely opposite to Judge
Lewis and he declared the Colorado
cases would be carried to the United
States Supreme Court,
Rush has had charge of the numerous
land cases prosecuted in the Federal
Court- In Omaha, where Jail sentences
and fines .have been imposed on several
of the large and prominent ranchers of
Nebraska and South Dakota,
UNION MEN-0N DEFENSIVE
Excuse for Deportation Is Non-Payment
of Backsliders' Dues.
HELENA; Mont., Dec. 31. Four Butte
laboring men, Joseph Shannon, president
of the state union of the. Western Federation-of
Miners;. William Cutte, R. S.
Scott,- business ' agent of the Working
men's Union, and A. E. Edwards, busi
ness agent of the Butte Building Trades
Council, appeared in the Federal Court
today to show cause why they should not
be punished for contempt. It being al
leged by the Rocky Mountain Bell Tele
phone Company that, the men violated
the Injunction . Isssued In October by
judge Hunf,: restraining certain persons
from Interfering with the operations of
the company.;
The most Important points were elicited
this morning on cross-examination of
Woodmancy and Foster, two ot the al
leged deported men. It was brought out
that . Woodmancy was a member of the
Butte Miners' .Union. He waS behind in
his dues and testified he had decided to
drop out of the" union, but admitted that
he had. told no one of his Intention until
Mr. Shannon came to the building and
asked him to come up to the miners'
ball ' that evening and bring his card
along. The committee which took Wood
mancy to the hall used no more violence
than was necessary to make him- come
along, the witnesses stated.
STEELWORKERS WORK AGAIN
Illinois Steel Company to Resume in
All Departments.
JOLIET, III.. Dec. 31. After being
shut down since December 32, the Jo
liet plant of the Illinois Steel Company
will resume operation tomorrow morn
ing in practically all departments.
About 2500 men will be called back to
work, and the prospects are good for
a steady run.
The Rockdale plant of the American
Steel & Wire Company, closed since
last. Saturday night, will resume Thurs
day morning.
NINE MORE MINERS KILLED
Explosion in New Mexico Shakes
- ' Country for Miles Around.
ALBUQUERQUE, Dec. 31. At least
nine miners were killed and three fatally
injured in an explosion of gas or coal
dust at noon today in the Bernal mine at
Carthage, Socorro . County, New Mexico,
one of three large coal mines owned by
the Carthage Fuel Company. None of
the bodies have been taken out and, al
though the mine Is still filled with gas. It
is believed that no more victims remain
in the workings.
Of the dead the only Americans are C.
L. Wilcox, mine boss, and C. T. Naster
son, miner." '
AH of the men had ' apparently been
killed -instantly and some of the-bodies
were mangled beyond recognition. The
explosion shook the country for miles
around and several of the bodies were
thrown clear out of the main entrance
to the mine.. The men were blown 100
yards away.. '
FOOD AND WATER GIVEN THEM
Imprisoned Miners May Be In Shaft
at Least a Month.
I ELY,' Nev.; Dec ' SI. About 10 feet of
debris was removed during the last 24
hours from the Alpha shaft, where three
miners are entombed. The prisoners
have been supplied through a six-Inch
water-pipe with sufficient food and water
to last them at least a month, in which
time, it is thought, they will be released.
The men r continue cheerful and in good
health.
Brownson's Successor Doubtful.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 31. It was ex
pected that on the President's .return
from- Pine Knot, Vs., some announce
ment would be made as to the suc
cessor to Admiral Brownson as chief
of the Bureau of Navigation. It was
said today. - however, that the matter
had not been decided at the Cabinet
session and -that possibly a change
might not be made before Thursday. .
NEW YEAR BRINGS
50 DRY COUNTIES
Alabama Local Option
Takes Effect.
ENTIRE STATE DRY NEXT YEAR
In Birmingham 120 Saloons
Close Their Doors.
CHAMPAGNE AT HALF-PRICE
Families Have Been Laying in
Heavy Supply of All Liquors.
Georgia Also Prohibition, but
Dealers Promise a Contest.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., Dec. 31. With
the Bhrlll shrieks of the hundreds of
whistles of industrial Birmingham an
nouncing the advent of the New Tear,
every saloon In the city closed Its doors
tonight sine die. This was the time set
for prohibition to go into effect In those
counties of Alabama in which local
option elections have been held during
the year.
There were exactly 50 counties of the
state that closed the doors of the sa
loons permanently tonight. This leaves
17 counties In the state in which liquor
can be sold for another year. One year,
from tonight the entire state becomes
prohibition by statutory act. '
Of the wet counties for the next year,
only four are exclusively saloon coun
ties. Mobile, Montgomery, Dallas and
Baldwin. There are 12 exclusive dis
pensary counties. Macon, Winston, El
more,' Rlbb, Limestone, Madison. Cle
burne, Percy, Barbour, Colbert, Coving
ton and Coffee. Marengo County lias
both dispensary and saloons. Jefferson
County, in wElch Birmingham Is lo
cated. Is by far the largest county In
the state, and in Birmingham alone 120
saloons went out of business at mid
night, . A remarkable -feature of the Inst day
under' the liquor regime is the fact that
there was less drunkenness noted than
for-many nionthsi. ': ' .
At many places today brandies and
champagnes were selling at half price
and even cheaper.
Many vans of liquors have been de
livered to private residences, and stocks
on hand with the dealers are small.
The larger number of the best saloon
locations In the heart of the city have
been rented, but many places which
bring 3100 to $125 a month cannot be
rented for halt that amount.
HOLD GEORGIA LAW INVALID
Brewers Say Prohibition Contrary
to Constitution of State
ATLANTA, Ga, Dec. 31. A bill was .
filed In the United States Circuit Court
tonight asking that tne Georgia prohi
bition law be declared unconstitu
tional. Judge Norman has taken the
matter under consideration and will
render a decision probably tomorrow.
. It was at first believed that 'a tern-'
porary injunction would be aeked, but
the lawyers handling the case decided
not to do this. Consequently Georgia
will go dry tonight without interfer
ence from the courts.
' The action was In behalf of the
Christian Moerleln Brewing Company
of Cincinnati and the Chattanooga
Brewing Company of Chattanooga,
Tenn. The defendants are the sheriffs
and other state officers. -
Judge Newman tonight, indicated
that he wo'uld render, a decision to
morrow, but this decision will not
have the effect of opening the saloons
In Georgia. - '
It is claimed that it is mandatory
upon the Legislature to levy, special
taxes fbr- the support of the schools
and that these taxes should come from
the sale of liquor. Authorities In sup
port of this contention are under con
sideration by Judge Newman tonight.
CALLS Y0UTSEY A CRANK
Powers' Counsel Says He '. Killed
Goebel on Own Motion.
GEORGETOWN, Ky., Dec. 31. Judge- J.
C. Sims, of Bowling Green, chief counsel
for Qaleb Powers, spoke for three hours
today In defense of his client. His ar
gument was based on . the -theory that
youteey was .a political crank. Imbued
with the excitement of the times and that
he fired the shot that killed Goebel on
his own responsibility and? that no con
spiracy had been concocted by Powers or
anyone else.
When Judge Sims concluded his address,
scores of men and women crowded to '
the bar where the prisoner stood with bis
aged mother to shake his hand. Jailer
Finley was compelled to wait a quarter
of 'an hour for Powers, ' who' was sur
rounded by friends, holding an impromptu
reception In the courtroom.
Mrs. Sage's .Latest Gift.
' - NEW YORK. Dec. 31. The Gover
nor's Room, in which probably there
Is more historic Interest than in airy
other room in New York, is to be
again "restored."
The city has accepted Mrs. Russell
Sage's offer of $25,000 for the purpose.
The room was the office of New York's
Governors for many years after 1803,
when the building was erected.
V
J