VOLUME XIV. VALDEZ, (ALASKA. SATURDAY, MARCH 10, 1017. MMIIKit AH
BEEN PAYING THE
WRONG CONOUCIOH
IS RKMARK CRKIHTKI) HI GHX
Billingsley Testifies Mayor Made This
Remark .As He Slip|»ed $4,000 Into
His Pocket—Spectators Create a
Riot in Anxiety to Hear Trial.
SEATTLE. March 10.—Continuing
his testimony yesterday afternoon Lo
gan Billingsley detailed the alleged
bribery of Mayor Hi Gill. He assert
ed that he called on the Mayor at his
office and while the Chief of Police,
Beckingham. who was also at the con
ference, was out of the room for a
minute he slipped four thousand dol
lars in currency onto the table jeside
the Mayor. The latter picked up the
roll and calmly slipped it into his
pocket, stating that they (Billingsley
and associates) had been paying the
wrong conductor. He asserts that
Gill had shouted "To hell with the
r>fOsecutor'' when served with sub
poena papers.
The case has aroused widespread
interest and the attendance at the
trial is taxing the capacity of the
courtroom. Yesterday afternoon the
rush to gain entrance became a riot
in the corridor of the federal build
ing, and the police were called to
suppress the mob. Two women tann
ed during the crush and were carried
out into the street.
TRANSPORT SUNK
IN COLLISION
J^tAXY AFRICANS ARE DROWNED
Liner Mendi Goes Down Following a
Collision and 025 African Natives
Find Watery Grave—Were Going
North to Enter Army.
LONDON, March 10.--The Admir
alty announced this morning the sink
ing of the British transport Mendi by
a collision February 21, and that six
hundred and twenty-five South Afri
can natives went down with the ves
sel. The natives had volunteered for
service in the British army and were
on their way north. The Mendi was
a steel steamer of 4230 tons burden,
belonging to the British &■ African
Steam Navigation Company and had
been commandeered by the Admiralty
as a transport.
CHICAGO BOYCOTT
HITS SPUD PRICKS
CHICAGO, March 10.—Results of
the general boycott by consumers of
the articles of food which have risen
to almost prohibitive prices recently
were seen here when potatoes dropped
5 cents a bushel and other foodstuffs
showed corresponding setbacks in
price. It is said a further drop is ex
pected today. Seventy-four carloads
of potatoes, the heaviest receipts here
lor more than a week, helped to lower
the prices.
An investigation of stocks of meat
held in storage at the stock yards
showed millions of pounds.
Notice Gym Classes
The girls and ladies gymnasium
classes which have been held in the
afternoon at Moose Hall have been
changed to Tuesday evening at 7:30
o’clock.
“Hob” Harmon, the genial ticket
taker on the Government railroad
trains at Seward, is a visitor in town,
having come over from the terminal
)■ city to appear as a witness in the Dis
trict Court.
A full and complete line of Cigars,
Cigarettes, 3moking Tobacco and
Pipes. Valdez Drug Co. tf
The launch T. N. B. left this morn
ing with a load of freight for the Cliff
mine.
All of the latest Books, Magazines
and News Papers received ou ea^h
boat. Valdez Drug Co. tf
I
diet squad rests after seven cent meal
'_ ___—— - —— —— —' 1 • 1 I
Photo by American Press Association.
Police rookies of New York city taking it easy between meals in tbe diet teat of the Life Extension Institute,
which seeks tn convince the public that It eats too much. The cops have gained weight in the test.
Em SESSION
EXPECTED SOON
PKOIIABI.Y CALLKI) I’OR 20TH
President Will Issue Call for a Spe
cial Session Within Next Few Hours
—Leaders Say American Commerce
Resume After Session Opens,
WASHINGTON, D. C„ March 10.— I
It is hourly expected that the Presi
dent will issue a call for ar. extra ses
sion ot' Congress, the date being ten
tatively set at Marcli 20. Administra
tion leaders declare the sea commerce
of the United States will be resumed
when Congress convenes, as the pas
sage of the closure rule makes the
President’s grip upon Congress coin-1
piete. The next Congress Is expected !
to pass a constitutional amendment
making the Inauguration the la:-: |
Thursday In April.
GERMAN DEFENSE
IS FULLING OFF
BRITISH STEADILY ADVANCING
British War Office Reports Further
Gains Along the Somme Front—
Several Positions Captured Practi
cally Without Opposition.
LONDON, March 10.—The War
office this morning issued a bulletin
announcing the further retirement of
the Germans on the Somme front, and
the occupation of the German posi
tions by the British. The recent ad
vance of the British along this front
and to the north is the greatest since
the outbreak of the war. The Ger
man defence is reported to be falling
off and the British have advanced at
several points practically without op
position.
The regular Saturday night Moose
dance tonight in Moose Hall. It
FARM MACHINERY 18
ON WAY TO RU881A
SAVANNAH, Ga. March 10.—Two
hundred carloads of farm machinery
have arrived here from the works of
the International Harvester company
and will be sent by steamer to Nor
way and thence overland to Russia.
The value is placed close to $1,000,
000. The shipment includes reapers,
binders, tractors and motorplows
This is the second shipment of this
kind by the company via Savannah,
the last going to Liverpool on the
steamer Rosalie several months ago.
Mrs. Hogbloom and Mrs. f elson
left this morning for Ellamar on the
Pathfinder.
Moose dance this evening. Don't
overlook it. It
COl'RT TO FIX
RAILROAD RATES
WASHINGTON, u. C„ March 10. —
The matter ot' the physical valuation
of the railroads of the country will
probably be left to the cour's. The
plan of Senator LaFollette making
the valuation of the roads a basis for
making rates, is a failure, and the
courts will undoubtedly be called
upon to adjudicate the affair.
FREIGHT MEN
ASKJNGREASE
TlE-l'l* OF LINES IMMINENT
Freight Handlers on New York, Cen
tral in New York Demand Increase
of Wages and Strike May Follow
Refusal to Grant.
NEW YORK, March 10.—A serious
tie-up is threatening the railroad
lines entering this city through a de
mand of the freight handlers on the
New York Central for an increase of
wages, it is expected that unless the
demand is immediately granted a
strike will be called which will in
clude the men on all the lines in this
vicinity. Considerable pressure is be
ing brought to bear upon the railroad
officials to grant the demands of the
men.
OCEAN FORDS 10
BREIOLOGKADE
ADMIRAL FISKK ORIGINATOR
Advocates Flock of Cheap Merchant
men as Merchandise Carrier'. Thru
the Proscribed Zones—Would Cost
but Little.
NEW YORK, March 10.—Admiral
Fiske of the United States navy, in
an interview this morning, advocated
the construction of a large feet of
flivver merchantmen, motor driven
and with a speed of about fourteen
knots, costing about $100,000 each,
and with a capacity of about 1.000
tons, as a means of breaking the
German blockade. With a fleet of this
character the Admiral asserts that the
German submarines could sink et best
but a small proportion of them, and
they could be built as fast or faster
than they could be sunk, an-1 when
sunk the loss would not be great.
FARRAGUT SAILED FOR
VALDEZ LAST MGHT
SEATTLE, March 10.—The steam
er Admiral Farragut sailed last night
for Valdez and way ports. The only
passenger booked for Valdez was Mls8
Martha Hermann, while those for La
touche were Morris Fitzgerald and
one steerage.
SAY PRESIDENT
IflAYJRM SHIPS
WITHOUT AUTHORITY CONGRUSS
Attorney General Gregory and Scire
tary of State I dinsing Assert Wilson
Hoes Not Need Permission of l.egis
lators.
WASHINGTON, D. March 10 —
Attorney General Gregory and Secre
tary of State Lansing have rendered
an opinion in which they uphold the
authority of the President to arm
merchant ships without special au
thorization so to do from Congress.
It is expected that the President will
issue orders within a short time, in
structing Secretary of the Navy Dan
iels to furnish American merchant
vessels with arms and gunners from
the navy.
UNUSUAL CHARGE
I. W. W. TRIAL
DEFENSE ATTACKS T H E OR V
Prosecution Sets Up That Prisoner Is
Guilty of Constructive Murder,
Though He May Not Have Fired a
j
Shot During Fight.
--
SEATTLE, March 10.—In the I. W.
W. trial, now in progress here, the
prosecution has set out a rather unu
sual charge of constructive murder,
claiming that the party on trial, tho
he may not have fired a shot is still a
party to the killing of the officers.
The defense attacks this theory on the
ground that any man in a crowd
might kill an enemy, yet such an act
could not be so construed as to em
brace the whole party in a murder
'charge.
Jackies Quell Riots In Cuba
WASHINGTON, D. C.. March 9.—
Two squads of American bluejackets
were sent from the American naval
station at Caimanera, Cuba, into the
town of Guantanamo Monday to
quell a small riot and protect for
eigners and their property Jf it be
came necessary. Reports received at
the navy department today se id order
was restored without violence and
unless there is a recurrence of trouble
the bluejackets will be withdrawn.
The incident is not regarded as im
portant.
Doughnuts Going I'p.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 8.—It is
announced here by the master bakers
that the price of doughnuts would ad
vance to 20 cents a dozen tomorrow.
High School Burns.
PUEBLO, Colo., March 9.—Fire
early today destroyed the central
high school, with an estimated loss
of $150,000. The cause is unknown.
PLOTTED TO
VON IGKI. I'IjANK RK VOLITION
Seci'et Service Men Inearth Kvidrnre
that (Germany Was to L'lnancr l{e
hellion Komented hy I'hakialKTty
and Sakunna.
NEW YORK, March 10.— Evidence
lias been unearthed by the Federal se
cret service men showing that Wolff
Von Igel. a member of Count Von
Hernstorff’s staff gave Dr. Ernest Sa
kunna and Dr. Chakiaberty. the Hin
dus arrested here a few days ago on
the charge of violating the neutrality
of the United States, the sum of S00,
000 to foment a revolution in India. I
was plotted that these men were to
raise an army of discontented natives,
and invade India from China, Ger
many to finance the expedition. As
a result of this exposure the bonding
‘company which had given bail fur the
1 prisoners has canceled the bond and
(surrendered the accused to the au
| thorities.
HI1ISH SURE
I
WITHIN A KKW HOI KS OK CITY
Advices From Mesopotamia State
That Turkish Defense Has Keen
Cnablc to Stay the Advance of the
Kritisli—Capture Is Assured.
LONDON, March 10.—Advices re
ceived from Mesopotamia sta'o that
the utmost defensive of the Turks has
been unable to stay the advance of
the British troops, who are now with
in a few hours of Bagdad and the cap
ture of the city is assured. General
Maurice, commander of the British
troops, says the army will occupy this
most important city within a short
time.
BEGIN ACTION
DISSOLVE IRUST
ALLEGE CONTROL OF PRICES
__
Government Alleges Steel Trust En
joys Monopoly—Defense Asserts
Country Benefited by Standariza
tlon of Manufacture.
WASHINGTON, D. C„ March 10—
Action has been commenced in the
federal court to dissolve the steel
trust and the hearing is now under
way. The government alleged mon
opoly and price control as cause for
the dissolution. The defense denies
killing competition, asserting that
competition is stronger now than at
any time in the history of the trade,
and that the standarization of manu
facturing processes perfected by the
company has been a decided benefit
to the country, resulting in lower
prices than have ever been known.
Oregon Lumberman Dead
SANTA CRUZ. Cal., March 9.—
The body of George Stoddard, an
Oregon lumberman, who died here
suddenly last night, was shipped to
day to La Grande, Ore.
England Buys Tea.
LONDON, March 9.—The govern
ment is just now buying 50,000,000
pounds of tea. a year’s supply for the
army and navy. It constitutes one of
the largest tea purchases on record.
Deutschland Visits Turkey.
CONSTANTINOPLE. March 10
The submarine Deutschland arrived
at this port this morning with a load
of munitions for the Turkish armies.
Mils. KWITZ IS IN CtSTOIIV
Grand Jury Returned Indict moat
Against Otto kanit* and Wife Caro
line of Seven Counts in Connec
tion with l ire on January 2.
Shortly alter 11 o’clock this morn
ing the grand jury in the district
court returned an indictment charg
ing Otto Kanitz and Caroline Kanitz
his wife, with arson, in connection
| with the conflagration here on Janu
ary 2. Otto Kanitz has been in cus
tody since the day of the fire, and at
a hearing before the commissioner
some time ago. was bound over to the
grand jury under bonds of $17,000.
Unable to raise this bail he has since
remained in custody of the marshal.
Mrs. Kanitz has not been connected
with the affair up to this time. Fol
lowing the returning of the indict
ment a bench warrant was issued for
Mrs. Kanitz and she was arrested
and taken to the court house, but
was released on her own recognizauce
until 2 o’clock when she was brought
into court to plead.
SAYS WISHED
PREMIER DEAD
NKVKK rONSIMKKl) TO KILL HIM
Mrs. .Mice Wheeldon Testified That
She Had Often Wished for Death of
the Premier, Hut Denies She Plot
ted to Take 1 jfe.
LONDON. March 10.—Mrs. Alice
Wheeldon, who with her two daugh
ters and son-in-law, were arrested re
cently on the charge of conspiracy to
murder Premier Lloyd George, testi
fied today at Old Hailey court thf.t siie
had often wished Lloyd George dead,
but that she had never entered into
any conspiracy to kill him.
TRAMPS MAKE RAH)
ON APPLE TRAIN
HOOD RIVER, Ore.. March 10 —
E. V. Gamps, chief inspector of the
Fruit Growers Exchange, just return
ed from Boston, the destination of a
special trainload of heated box cars
loaded with Hood River apples, de
dares the transcontinental journey
one of the most interesting experien
ces of his life. Mr. Gamps says that
he hopes he will never again have the
responsibility placed on his should
ers of saving a $25,000 cargo of fruit
from the penetrating frost of weather
9 degrees below zero.
The fruit train was comprised of
18 box cars, each equipped with spe
cially built coal buring stoves. Night
and day the men were busy constant
ly going from one to the other of
the cars, watching the thermometers.
At one point in Wyoming their train
was set on by a party of tramps, who
entered one of the cars and feasted
on Hood River Spitzenbergs. Due to
the alertness of the tenders, the fruit
train reached Boston, whence the
apples were exported to England*
without the slightest damage.
advance date: ex*r
anchorage: sailing
SEATTLE, March 10.—The Pacitic
Steamship Company this morning an
nounced an advancement ot the (list
sailing from here to Anchorage from
April 9 to April 1. Advices received
here yesterday from the Cook Inlet
country stating that the Anchorage
harbor and Cook Inlet were free frern
ice are responsible for the change in
date. A vast amount of freight is ac
cumulating here for Anchorage.
Evans Due Late Tonight.
The steamer Admiral Evans is now
at Katalla unloading a quantity of
frieght and is scheduled to reach Cor
dova at 5 o’clock this evening. She is
expected to arrive here somewhere
|about midnight.