4
K
VOL.
I,lYn IS ( Entered at Portland (Oregon,
-A-v p0yl0ffe as Seeonl-C a Matter
PORTLAND, OREGON, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1920
PRICE FIVE CENTS
FIRST STRAW VOTE
BAD FOR DEMOCRATS
SENATE-OLIGARCHY
CHARGE HELD ROT
CLEVELAND BOWS TO
WHITE SOX'S, ATTACK
IXDIAXS LEAD CUT TO HALF
GAME BY CHICAGO.
IDAH0AN FOUND DEAD
WITH GUN AT SIDE
15,
000 GUY FANS
OREGON PRUNE CROP
CUT DOWN BY RAINS
STATE'S OUTPUT BELIEVED RE
DUCED ONE-HALF.
CAPITALIST SLAIN;
3 WOMEN SOUGHT
PRICES LET
TAKE
IN ROUND-UP
LONG LEAD FOR REPUBLICAN
CANDIDATES SHOWX.
R. M. HOLT, PROMINENT IX
POLITICS, HAD BEEN ILL.
MANY GOMNIQDITY
din
Big Mail Order Houses
-Announce Cuts.
RANGE 10 TO 60 PER CENT
Reductions by Manufacturers
Passed to Consumers.
CHEAPER APPLES LIKELY
Spokane Growers' Union Kcports
Opening; Prices Materially lie
low Those of 1910.
CHICAGO. Sept. 23. Price cuts
announced today by Scars, Roebuck
A: company, and Montgomery "Ward,
& comapny, two of the largest mail
order houses in the country. Sears,
Ilocbuck reductions ranged from 20
to 60 per cent and those of Montgom
ery Ward from 10 to 20 per cent.
Some of Sears Roebuck's cuts:
Sheeting 45 per cent; muslin 60 per
cent; automobile tires 5 per cent;
women's shoes 20 per cent; men's ov
eralls 40 per cent; lumber 10 to 20
per cent. Prices of sugar, rolled oats,
prunes and a few other articles of
food --were reduced from 5 to 10 per
cent.
In discussing the reductions. Julius
Rosenwald. president of Sears, Roe
buck & company, said: "The material
reductions which manufacturers have
made within the last week or so we
are passing on to our customers. We
do this gladly, because it is made
the means of lowering the living
costs all along the line."
Cut In Clothing; Coming;.
Prices of men's clothing will not
conio down more quickly than the hih
cost of materials and labor, and there
fore no violent changes may be ex
pected, declared Eli Strouse, president
of the National Association of Cloth
ing Manufacturers, at the National
Association of Clothiers" convention
tonight. Mr. Strouse promised that
the 20 to 23 per cent in price cut an
nounced by the textile manufacturers
would be reflected in spring prices.
APPLE PRICES GRAVITATING
Opening Sales
Interest
of Spokane Fruit
Consumers.
SPOKANE, Wash., Sept. 23. (Spe
cial.) The Spokane Valley CJrowera'
union has sold 50 cars of Spokane val
ley apples, representing the first im
portant sale of the season of fruit
Brown in the Vera and Opportunity
districts, according to announcement
b.v Edward Fierce, president and gen
eral manager of the union.
Spokane people will secure this
year's supply of apples at prices
ranging from 25 cents to 81 a box
under those of last year, if the open
ing prices established by the first
sales are maintained during tho sea
Fon. A decrease in prices under the
1 !' 1 9 figures prevails in ail apple dis
tricts. Extra fancy Jonathans are selling
at 2 to $2.25 on the cars at Oppor-
ttinity. which is about 25 cents under) 12th naval district, said that the
tho opening price of last season. Dc-j guards are there "to insure protection
licious are selling at 82.25 to 82.76 ' of the navy's interests and to see that
for extra fancy grades, which is 76 I the needs of the fleet are supplied in
cents under the first prices of 1919, ! order to avoid interruption of its ma
and extra fancy Winter Bananas are ; ncuvers."
selling at 82.25 to 82.50 a box, which
is about 81 under the price a year ago.
BOYCOTT ON MILK IMPENDS
Seattle Housewives to Quit Buying
If Price Goes Up.
SEATTLE, Wash., Sept. 23. (Spe
cial.) An unofficial boycott will be
declared on milk if the price goes to
16 cents. It will be called by Seattle
women. -
This was the announcement made
today by Mrs. Edgar Blair, living at
Brighton Beach. "It will be a boy
cott of housewives," Mrs. Blair said.
"We did it when they boosted
sugar," she said, "and the price came
down. And we'll do it again if they
boost milk.
"We will not organize, nor will we
hold meetings. Each of us will tele
phone to five of our friends, asking
them to stop using milk. Each of
these will be asked to phone five of
her friends, thus we will have an end
less chain. This is the method we
pursued to reduce the price of sugar."
Retailers announced today that they
would not Increase the price nor pay
producers more. Producers say that
if this is the final word they will not
produce for the retailers. They will
meet again tomorrow.
SPOKANE GETS ARMY GOODS
$50,000 Slock or Surplus Meats to
Be Put on Sale.
SPOKANE, Sept. 23. A $50,000 stock
of army surplus stores of meat will
be placed on sale here within two
weeks under arrangements with the
city. Mayor Fleming announced to
day. The stock consists of six car
loads of corned beef, roast beef and
bacon, he said. The city, he said, is
financing the arrangements.
A reduction of 40 cents a barrel In
the wholesale price of flour, from
813 to $12.60, was announced by mlll-
iConcludeu on Puce I Column i..
Vote Taken in Movie Theaters of
Eifstc-n Cities Shows Adminis
tration' Unpopular.
NEW YORK, Sct. 23. (Special.)
If surface indications count for any
thing, straw balloting will predom
inate as the favorite indoor sport
from now until the eve of election
day. No man or woman in the en
joyment of personal liberty may hope
to escape solicitation to register his
or her presidential preferences.
A drug company which claims 8000
stores throughout the United .States,
has already Installed ballot boxes, and
promises to make results public
every night. The votes of men and
women will be recorded separately
for the purpose of getting at the sen
timents of the new unknown quan
tity in politics. The same stores, con
ducting a straw ballot on. a smaller
scale four years ago, foraet Wil
son's victory in California and New
Hampshire. The claim is made that
the total results differed from the
actual vote for president by one-half
of 1 per cent.
First returns were made public to
day of a straw vote taken in 3000 mo
tion picture theaters in Boston. New
York, Brooklyn, New Haven, Water
bury, Richmond, Faducah, Kj South
Bend. Vincenncs and other Indiana
centers, Columbus, Akron and other
Ohio towns and cities. The totals
are:" ,
Harding 3S.300. Cox 11.794. In fa
vor of the league 10,258, opposed J
31.722. For beers and light wines!
28.018, against 20,826. For woman
suffrage 39,S2s7 aga'nst 12,562.
Results thus far in New York city
were reported as follows: Harding
8267, Cox 3533. For the league 3816,
against 7190. For light wines and
beers 6848, against 4352. For woman
suffrage S941. against 2r38.
HOARDERS GET NO LOANS
Government Will Not ' Finance
Speculation In Necessaries.
WASHINGTON, Scot. 22. Gradual
return to the law. of supply and de
mand as governing ' influence over
prices and the end of "war charges"
for necessary commodities was pre
dicted today by government officials
In explaining the government's atti
tude on credit extension.
Secretary Houston declared requests
for credit wcould not be listened to
where such aid might mean preserva
tion of high prices. He added that
many persons complaining of what
they term the restrictive policies of
the federal reserve board wish credit
to enable them to hold their commodi
ties until market conditions produce
higher prices. Mr. Houston said the
government could not lend its aid
under such circumstances without be
coming a party to a conspiracy
against the consumers.
MARINES GUARD OIL TANK
Refusal of Shell Company to Supply
Navy's Demands Is Cause.
SAM FRANCISCO, Sept. 23. Be
cause the SIk-11 Oil company failed to
day to deliver 35,000 barrels of fuel oil
in compliance with tho demand of
naval authorities, armed marine
guards tonight were stationed at the
valves of the company's plant at Mar
tinez, Cal.
Admiral Jayne, commandant of the
POST GIVEN OREGON MAN
Accident Board Association to Meet
Next in Chicago.
SAM FRANCISCO, Sept. 23. Chi
cago was selected for the 1921 meet
ing of the International Association
of Industrial Accident boards and
commissions which closed its con
vention here tonight with installation
of officers.
Charles S. Andrus, chairman of the
industrial commission of Illinois, and
former vice-president of the associa
tion, automatically became president
tonight. Officers elected included:
Member of executive committee, W. A.
Marshall of Oregon.
WATER BOND ISSUE LOST
Ashland, Or., Voters Defeat Move
to Buy Lake.
ASHLAND, Or.. Sept. S3. (Special.)
The special election called for to-
day by the council on initiative peti-
tion to vote for. the city to issue $100
000 bonds for the purchase of Buck
lake, 35 miles east of here-as an
auxllliary water supply, defeated the
proposition by a vote of 833 to 60.
A $100,000 bond election to conserve
the waters of upper Ashland creek
for auxllliary water supply, held
September 19, carried 4 to 1.
NEWBERRY APPEAL FILED
Convicted Senator Attacks Validity
of Law Held Violated.
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23. The ap
peals of Senator Newberry of Michi
gan and 16 other defendants convicted
last March at Grand Rapids, Mich.,
on charges of corruption in connec
tion with the 1918 Michigan senatorial
election were filed in the supreme
cuuit.
SP.natfir KP.P.ri. Democrat. I
, , I
-T- i i lii-n n 1
iaKes issue wun uox.
IRE IS AROUSED BY SGRIPPS
Millionaire Publisher Testi
fies to Propaganda.
SERVICE IN WAR DODGED
Governor or Ohio "Writes Letter
Used by Youth to'Obtain Mil
itary Exemption.
OR EG ONI AM NEWS BUREAU,
Washington." Sept. 23. "I want to say
right no v.- that I think, speaking from
the inside, that all of this talk about
a senatorial oligarchy is rot."
This protest against an oft-repeated
charge of Governor Cox, demo
cratic presidential nominee, was ut
tered with much emphasis this after
noon by Senator Reed, democrat of
Missouri, during tho session of the
senate campaign investigating com
mittee.
Reed's Ire Stirred.
Senator Reed's ire was stirred up
by a copy of some press matter sent
out by the Scripps league of news
papers to all members of the league.
In behalf of the election of Cox
for president. Robert Scripps, son
of E. W. Scripps, millionaire publisher
of 21 newspapers, four of which are
In Tortland, Spokane, Seattle and Ta
coma, was on the witness stand.
Mr. Scripps was brought before the
committee because of recent revela
tions in connection with his exemp
tion from military duty which showed
that Cox, as governor of Ohio, wrote a
letter early in the war which was used
to procure the exemption of both the
witness and his brother. Jamas G.
Scripps, both of whom were of mili
tary age.
Cox TJraea Exemption.
Late "In the campaTgii'oI 1918, when
Cox was charged with having writ
ten such a letter, he denied it by say
ing: "1 never spoke or wrote a word
to the president. 1 he secretary of war
nor to any draft board asking the
exmpiio: of Mr. Scripps or anyone
In his organization." This denial. It
is now pointed out, was very cunning
ly framed and was true. Cox did not
write to the president or a ;- mili
tary authority, but did write, as is
shown by the war department files,
a letter, to Earl Martin, editor for the
Scripps league papers, in favor of the
exemption of James Scripps, which
was sent to the war department with
the appeal from the local and district
rom-ludfd on raffe 6, Column 1.)
: . .
1 1 How Arxoo "me
: u M
4. . .. - ae. - .... ... a ,, .-4
V
l American League rennant Race
Sees Thr Teams Bunched
lor Season Burgee,
NEW YORK, Sept. 23. Only a half
game separated the Cleveland Amerl
cans and their Chicago rivals after
the White Sox's victory today In the
first game of their important series.
It was the first defeat in eight games
for the Indians and Chicago's seventh
consecutive victory.
By winning tomorrow Chicago
would go Into first place with .62838
as compared with .62758 for Cleve
land. The New ,York Yankees, who
are two and one-half games behind
Cleveland, start a. four-game series
here tomorrow with Washington to
bo followed with three games at
Philadelphia.
In the National league Brooklyn
and New York rested today for their
two-games series starting in Brooklyn
Saturday The two rivals also will
play three games at the polo grounds
next week. Brooklyn has a lead of
five games and can clinch the pen
nant by defeating New York twice.
ALAMEDA COUNTY GROWS
Oakland District, Cal., Gains
19.8
Per Cent in Population.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 23. Census
announcements today were:
Alameda county, California (re
vised), containing Oakland. 344.177;
increase. 98,046, or 39.8 per cent.
Las Vegas, N. M., 4304; increase.
649. or 14.6 per cent.
Marinette, Wis., 13,610; decrease,
1000, or 6.8 per cent.
Palestine, Tex., 11,039; increase, 577,
or 5.3 per cent.
Fort Dodge, la. (revised), 19,347;
previously announced, 19,333.
Bryan, Tex. (revised). 6307; previ
ously announced, 6295.
Bismarck, N. D. (revised). 7122;
previously announced, 6951.
WILSON WILL ENTER FRAY
Action in Campaign "When Proper
Time Comes" Promised.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 23. President
Wilson will actively participate In
the democratic campaign when "the
proper time comes," it was stated
today at the White House.
He probably will not make any
speeches, officials said, but will con
fine himself to statements on cam
paign issues particularly the league
of nations.
WOMAN JUMPS TO DEATH
Plunge Made From Elercnth Floor
in San Francisco.
SAM FRANCISCO, Sept. 23. Mrs.
Annie E. Jones, 39, of San Jose, was
killed in a fall from the 11th floor
into a light well of the Flood build
ing today.
Eye witnesses said she Jumped to
her death, according to morgue authorities.
ONE REASON W HY THE COX CAMPAIGN IS
President of Seed Company at Cald
well Nominated Four Years Ago
for Lieutenant-Governor..
BOISE, Idaho. Sept. 23. (Special.)
B. M. Holt, a prominent business
man of Caldwell and southern Idaho,
was found dead today near Long
mont, Colo., where he had been visit
ing his father. There was a bullet bole
in his head. At his side was his gun.
' Information of the tragedy reached
Caldwell this morning. Mrs. Holt
and two children are in Caldwell and
have been notified.
Mr. Holt had not been well the last
few months. He contracted the flu
while on a trip to New York last
spring and never fully recovered. Re
cently he went to Colorado to visit his
father and to hunt.
Mr. Holt was president of the Holt
seed company of Caldwell and was
widely known In southern Idaho and
eastern Oregon. He was nominated
for lieutenant-governor by the re
publican par.ty four years ago. Dur
ing the war he was in the service of
the Red Cross in France.
FIRE IS BEING PROBED
Chief Breaks AVay Into House and
Arouses Occupants.
KLAMATH FALLS, Or.. Sept. 23.
(Special.) The police are probing a
suspected arson fire at the home of
E. R. Kroesling. Last night neighbors
saw the blaze and quenched it with
buckets. Fire Chief Ambro says he
found a can of kerosene and some
hay, evidently used, he eays, for
kindling a flame.
Kroesling, his wife and email child
were In the house but did not awake
until the fire chief entered their room
and turned his flashlight on the bed
NO DEMOCRATIC BALLOTS
Lewis County, Wash., Poll Book
Done Up in Crape.
CHEHALIS, Wash., Sept. 23. (Spe
cial.) When Lewis county commis
sioners made the of ficialccuint of the
vote at the recent primary they found
the democratic poll book from Lewis
precinct, which is located in the Ex
treme eastern part of the county,
neatly tied up with crape.
On opening the book it was found
that not a single member of the party
of the unterrified In Lewis had ap
peared at th- polls to cast his vote.
SHORTRIDGE'S LEAD 22,896
Official Announcement Made by
California Stale Secretary.
SACRAMENTO, Sept. 23. The vote
for Samuel Shortrldge exceeded that
of William Kent by 22,896 for the re
publican nomination for United States
senator. This announcement today
by secretary of State Jordan was
based on the complete state count,
Jordan said.
The vote follows: Shortrldge 132,
165; Kent 110,269; A. J. Wallace 64.
711. A FAILURE.
Epic of West Opens With
Record Attendance.
SHOTS MINGLE WITH WHOOPS
Pendleton Streets Jammed by
Festive Crowd.
3 BUCKAR00S BITE DUST
Stiff-Legged, Swerving, Rearing
Mounts Bring Pleasure-Seekers
to Their Feet Cheering.
PENDLETON, Or., Sept. 23. (Spe
cial.) Threatening skies did not
dampen the ardor and enthusiasm of
15,000 Round-up fans who packed the
huge grandstand and partially filled
the extensive bleachers of the grounds
this afternoon for the opening per
formance of the 11th annual cowboy
event.
With more than 100 contestants, 300
Indians and hundreds of horses, steers
and other livestock taking part, events
followed each other In quick succes
sion and left no doubt that the per
formance is indeed the epic of the
west.
Attendance Breaks Record.
Despite the fact that a continual
downpour last night and up until the
early forenoon, today's attendance was
larger than that of any preceding
opening day and with hundreds arriv
ing in the city on each coming train
and with several special trains sched
uled to arrive early tomorrow morn
ing. Round-up officials are confident
that this year's attendance will be
record breaker. No rain fell during
the performance and bits of blue sky
andsunshine brightened up the early
afternoon. Early clouds disappeared
during the afternoon- and clear
weather is the prospect for the re
mainder of the show.
The huge crowd began to surge ino
the grandstands shortly before noon
and from then. on until long; after 1:30
o'clock, when the opening event was
announced, Pendleton's streets were
jammed -with a packed, mass of hu
manity, all moving toward the
grounds.
Phots Mingle With Whoops.
It was a festive audience that filled
tho long circles of seats. Shouts and
shots mingled with the whoops of
cowboys and the incessant music dis
pensed by three bands. There were
no dull moments. The gaudy dresses
of Indians camped in tepees behind
the Round-up grounds, the festoons of
decorations of the Round-up pavilions
formed a contrast of "the newly
threshed wheat fields of the horizon
and an admirable background for the
nerve-tingling events of frontier life
passed in a great kadeidescope around
the track and in the arena.
The grand march of cowboys and
cowgirls, the spectacular Indian pa
rade, relay races and bucking-horse
contests claimed the major portion of
the crowd's attention, but there was
not an event of the 24 listed but what
met with the fancy of the pleasure
seekers.
New ItceordM Forecast.
The time made" in all events, to
gether with the class of performers
and animals present, augur well for
the establishment of new world's rec
ords during the next two days of the
show. Riders and gladiators from all
parts of the United States are here,
but the majority of the participants
and the relay strings are from Pa
cific coast states, many of them from
Portland.
Mable Strickland, riding George
Drumheller's string of relay horses
from Walla Walla, made a lightning
change at the end of the first lap and
won the cowgirls' relay race, her time
for the two miles being 4:01 1-5; Lorr.a
Trlckey, last year's winner of this
event, riding C. B. Irwin's string from
Cheyenne. Wyo., took second; time
4:012-5. Donna Card, riding the
Harry Walter's string, Cheyenne, took
third; time 4:08 1-5. This race is for
the cowgirls' championship of the
world and is a three-day event. A
purse of $1000 is the prize money.
Three Bnrkarooi Bite Hunt.
Eleven bucking horse riding con
tests were one of the main features of
the afternoon. Gilbert Fagano, on
Leatherneck, first event, showed the
crowd that "they all don't ride 'em,"
for the trigger-heeled bucker sent his
would-be rider skyward. Edward
Mitchell, on U-B-Dam, also bit the
dust, and Red Pruett. on the famous
Culdesac, played in hard luck when,
after sticking for the first few jumps,
his angry mount somersaulted and
pinned his would-be rider to the
ground under him. Other riders all
rode their stiff-legged, swerving.
rearing mounts in exhibition, which
brought the packed audience to its
feet with cheering, with the exception
of Buffalo Brady o: Bill Hart, who
was disqualified for pulling leather.
Riders and the horses they drew were
Tex Smith on Lightning Creek; Ray
Bell on Mrs. Wiggs; Bck Lucas on
Sam Jackson; Benny Oakes on Okan
G. L. Gibbs on Domino, and Bob Hall
ogan; Jess Coats on Black Diamond
on Monkey-wrench. This event is for
the championship or the world. A
purse of $750 Is offered.
Yakima Canute and Hazel Cowan
tied for first honors in today's steer
.iCoavluded pa Page itf. Column 2.)
Loss of $3,000,000 Indicated in
Reports From Various Sections.
Potatoes Also Arfected.
The continued fall rains have done
great damage to the Oregon prune
crop. Allowing for exaggerations in
reports, which are usual when a crop
.is in danger or injured, prune men
nevertheless believe that this year's
crop has been cut down one-half. If
this Is true t will mean a loss of
about $3,000,000 to the prune growers
or Oregon.
There were prospects in the spring
of a crop of 80,000,000 pounds of dried
prunes In the state. The estimate
was cut down to 60,000,000 pounds
when the June drop came and now
the rain damage has reduced the crop
probably to 30,000,000 pounds.
The situation may not be as bad as
that, however, according to some
prune authorities, who say that
things always look worst when It is
raining, yet they do not have hopes of
much more than half a. crop being
saved.
In the southern Oregon districts
the largest part of the crop was in
before the heaviest rains came, but
in the central part of the valley ar.d
in Clarke county, Washington, the
harvest only began Monday and It Is
in inese sections where the worst loss
was reported yesterday. Prunes were
badly split in many places and else
where were blown from the trees and
rendered unfit for drying. As far as
possible the prunes that fell were
saved for the driers, but in many
cases their quality was impaired.
There were also numerous reports
of pears and apples being blown from
the trees, but the damage in this re
spect was, not as great as that suf
fered by the prune growers.
The steady rain Is also having a
bad effect on the potato crop except
where the potatoes are not fully
grown. These have been benefited.
Matured potatoes still In the ground
are likely to take on added growth
and knobby potatoes cannot be mar
keted except at low prices.
VANCOUVER, Wash.. Sept. 23.
(Special.) Rain has fallen to the
depth of .73 of an inch in the last
24 hours and has done considerable
damag.e to prunes, in some sections.
Last night a heavy rain storm lasted
nearly two hours. It is said that if
the rain continues there will not be
a third prune picking this year In
many places, as these will all bo
cracked.
The packing plant of the Washing
ton Growers' Packing association will
start October 4.
TRAINS COLLIDE; 30 HURT
Intcrurban Cars in Smashnp Near
Brandon, Ion a.
BRANDON. Iowa. Sept. 23. Two In
terurban trains collided three miles
east of here today and many passen
gers were seriously injured. .
One report gave the number in
jured as 30. Relief trains left from
hero and Waterloo.
INDEX OF TODAY'S NEWS
The Weather.
TC5TERDAT Maximum temperature, 60
desree: minimum, 51 desrees.
TODAY' Rain; westerly winds.
Koreisn.
Mlllrand benmes eleventh president of
France. rase 3.
Four frlMi tfwns undergo night of terror.
Page 0.
National.
Prohibition enforcement ofrielnln and Antl-
tealoon league flayed. Page 3.
Iometle,
Slain capitalist found burled in pealed room
under three tons of earth. Page 1.
Prices of clothing, autos and sugar tum
ble, rase 1.
Scotland Yard does not confirm report of
warrant for Captain William Barrett,
who Is released. Page
Se fork police find dynamite package.
Page Z.
Politics. .
Harding is three-toone favorite in straw
balloting. Page 1.
Senate oligarchy charge called rot by Sen
ator Reed. Page 1.
Harding - Coolid re argument filed for
voters' pamphlet. 2'age 9.
Harding opposes Cnlted States meddling
officially In Krln. . Page 4.
War service evader revealed as principal
Cox booster. Page 4.
Cox rejects offer by dry nominee. Page 3.
Harding and Root In complete accord on
plans for world justice court. Page 2.
Five political parties to be represented on
state ballot in November. 2'age S.
Pacific Norshweet.
Branding believed result of personal griev
ance. Page 8.
Highway engineer reports forests along
roads ruined. ' Page 7.
Debonair ex-captain accused of embezzle'
ment. Page 4.
B. M. Holt of Caldwell, Idaho, found dead.
Page 1.
Fifteen thousand attend opening of Pen
- dleton Rounn-up. Page 1.
Bank superintendent called . to account.
Page 4.
Sportn.
Chicago now within half game of American
- league lead. Page 1.
Heavies matched for fight at Milwaukle
Wednesday. Page 15.
Chase said to have made 840,000 betting
on world s series, page 14.
Coast league results: I.os Angeles S. San
Francisco 3; Oakland 1, Vernon 8:
Portland and Seattle, rain. Page 14.
Two double-headers scheduled for Beavers
this week-end. Page 14.
Cleveland cracks and Sox score ten tallies.
Page 14.
Commercial and Marine,
Domestic market suddenly relieved of ac
cumulation ot calfskins. Page 23.
Corn sells under dollar mark for first
time In 'three years. Page 23.
Dock commission wants J08.1.839.96 for
fiscal year beginning December 1. Page
French bark here to load grain. Page 22.
Portland and Vicinity.
Complaints charge Sims with larceny.
Page 12.
Portland man elected president of Pacific
' Coast Gas aociation. . Page 9.
Serious damage done to prune crop by
continued fall rains. Page 1.
Case agains't woman charged witb killing
hupband weak, says Judge Gatentt.
Page 16.
Propobed new fire ordinance aims at old
buildings. Page 16.
Sunstroke defence is' made by Alvln Be
boil Page IS.
Three Tons of Earth Cov
er Body of Promoter.
SEALED ROOM HIDES GRAVE
Barrow Loads of Soil Give
Clew That Reveals Murder.
VICTIM GONE 4 MONTHS
Search Is Began When Attorney
Seeks Client to Make Changes
in Will.
LOS ANGELES, Cal., tept. 23.
(Special.) Discovery of the body of
J. C. Denton. Los Angeles capitalist,
who disappeared four niontbs ago,
buried under three tons of earth in
a hermetically sealed room in the cel
lar of a house at 67a Catalina street,
today, brought to light the most weird
murder mystery ever encountered by
the Los Angeles police.
I Denton had been dead three months.
the police said. Circumstances clear
ly indicate murder, but the manner in
which he was killed lias not been de
termined.
The body was found by A. J. Cody.
private detective, who was engaged
after Denton's disappearance, by his
attorney. Judge Avery.
Room Built About Grave.
Denton's body was wrapped in a
cotton comforter. The murderer had .
dug a deep hole under the cellar
stairs, buried the body there, thrown
he earth back upon it and then built
l little room about the spot.
Discovery was made through the
fact that about two barrow loads of
earth were left outside this room.
This aroused the suspicions of the de
tective, who broke open this parti
tion, dug under the mound of earth
and discovered the body.
Will Revealed Foul Play.
Denton made his will last June, and
it was In this connection that Judge
Avery started the search for him, be
cause the attorney wished to commu
nicate with him regarding details of
this w-ill and consequently made the
discovery that he had suddenly
dropped from sight.
Denton had been living in a fash
ionable apartment house, but there
was no clew there as to where he had
gone or why.
The house In which the body was
found was owned by Denton and had
been rented. Two families had been
tenants there since his disappearance.
Divorced T'tfe Survives,
The first tenant was Mrs. R. C. i
Keet. 1576 Sherman street, Denver.
Colo. Mrs. T. T. Miller and family
rented the house August 10 and have
lived there since.
Denton is reported to have had a
large fortune'. He is survived by a
daughter. Krances, who lives in
1'hoenix, Ariz., and nis divorced wife.
w ho is represented In Los Angeles by
Attorney R. M. Blodgttt.
Apparently without a substantial
clew at the beginning, within a few
hours the police had pieced together
a chain of circumstances throwing
suspicion upon three women.
These three women, friends of
Denton, are known, according to the .
detectives, to have visited him fre
quently and one at least they say
was very dear to him.
One M Inning With Victim.
This one disappeared about the
time Denton dropped from sight and
the authorities now are trying to
trace her. In a little room on the
upper floor of the house in which
Denton lived the officers found let
ters, a Bible, business cards, blood
stains and a pistol.
At first glance the pistol appeared
to be fully loaded and mouldy from
disuse, but detectives on closer in
spection turned it into a mute symbol
of evidence and claimed it as the
instrument that brought death to the
promoter.
One of the cartridges in one of Its
five chambers was shown to have
been made for a gun of a different
caliber. This, the detectives say, in
dicates one shot was fired, probably
mortally wounding Denton, and the
slayer, unable to obtain a cartridge
of the exact size, attempted to throw
any possible investigators off the
track by inserting the smaller one.
Murder Occurs In Room.
The blood stains, according to the
officers, show the effects of much ef
fort with soap, water and scrubbing
brush, but enough of them remain to
brand the room as the locale of the
tragedy and to show the murderer
draggefi the body from the room into
the cellar, placed it under its burden
of earih. which was hauled there es
pecially for the grewsome purpose,
and sealed it up with boards and
mortar so that only the freaks tha
prove "murder will out" revealed it.
The letters told of romance and
threw the limelight of suspicion upon
the three women involved. Their
names are withheld until the police
locate them.
The Bible was a depository for the
memory of a younger romance. In it
were tributes, in Denton's' writing, to
the memory of his second wife, mar
ried in 1909, and lost In death a few
years later, and to tneir oniy oaDe,
who died a few weeks after its birth.
These tributes showed that, no mat-
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