Newspaper Page Text
AMERICUS SPOT COTTON
Strict Middling 22 l-2c.
- <
WEAHER— F air and warmer to- I
night; Thursday, cloudy and warm
er; Friday, probably showers.
FORTY-SIXTH YEAR—NO. 280
Practice Economy and Make Tax Reduction Possible
President Coolidge Advises Congress in Message Today
' PERMANE NT COURT
OF INTERRATIONAL
JUSTICE DEMANDED
Coolidge j Renews Plea For
American Participation In
Annual Message '
(By Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON. Dec. 3.
The Senate and House met in
joint session this morning at 1 I
o'clock to receive the annual
message on the state of the un
ion from President Coolidge.
President Coolidge advised
congress in his annual message
today that perhaps the most im
portant work it could do at its
present session would be to
practice such) economy as to
make possible a reduction of
taxes for the next-fiscal year.
“The government can do
more to remedy the economic
ills of the people by a system of
rigid economy in oublic expen
diture," he said, “than can be
accomplished through any other
action."
Although stressing economy,
Mr. Coolidge presented a wide
range of other recommenda
tions, some new and others re
iterations of proposals made a
year ago in his first annual mes
sage.
Most of these related to do
mestic affairs, but the president
went in to the field of international
relations to renew his plea for
American adherence to the Perma
nent Court of International Just
ice; to declare the United States
* UQt ±p bp. disposed to join the
League of Nations; to appeal for
support by public authorities and
private citizens for the European
reparations settlement plan, and
to repeat his declaration of oppo
sition to cancellation by the Unit
ed States for the debts owed the
country by foreign nations.
Two new pronouncements mark
ed the president’s discussion of
foreign affairs. One touched on
reduction of world armaments, and
the other had reference to the out
lawing of war.
“It has been and is my expecta
tion that we might hopefully ap
proach other great powers for fur
ther conference on this subject as
soon as the carrying out of the
present reparation plan as the
established and settled policy of
Europe has created a favorable op
portunity,” he said with regard to
armament reduction. “But on ac
count of proposals which have al
ready been made by other gov
ernments for a European confer
ence, it will be necessary to wait
to see what the outcome of their
actions can be. I should not wish
to propose or have representatives
attend a conference which would
contemplate commitments opposed
to the freedom of action we desire
to maintain unimpaired with re
spect to our purely domestic poli
cies.”
Proposals to outlaw aggressive
warfare, the resident asserted,
should be carefully studied and
sympathetically Aiewed.
Combining discussion of tax re
vision with his statement on econ
omy the executive said that if
congress at this session kept with
in the budget he had presented “it
will then be possible to have a
moderate amount of tax reduction
and all the tax reform that con
gress may wish for during the
next fiscal year.” He declared
publication of income tax payments
to be “detrimental to the public
welfare and bound to decrease pub
lic revenues,” and urged the re
peal’of that section of the revenue
act.
Aside from his declarations rel
ative to economy and taxation,
the outstanding recommendations
on domestic affairs made by ( the
president included:
Continued on Page Three
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THETIMESBRECORDER
PUBLISHED IN THE HEART OF DIXIE
In California Murder Mystery
H .*f IM 1
William S. Fee, owner of banks a/ ,
in San Bernardino, Alhambra and
Los Angeles, Calif., found murder
ed near his cabin not far from San tioning in an effort to solve the
Bernardino, and Mary Watkins, mystery-surrounding his death
whom authorities have been ques-
LITTLETON WILL
case is resumed
Superior Court Comoletes Crim
inal Docket—Judge Greer
Is Presiding
With the hope of settling the Lit
tleton will case before Saturday,
Judge Robert L. Greer, judge of
the city court of Oglethorpe, pre-j
siding in place of Judge Littlejohn
who is ill, got down to work prompt
ly with the convening of court at
9 o’clock this morning.
Already two days, Wednesday and
and Friday of last week have been
devoted to the trying of the case»- It
was transferred Wednesday so that
Judge Littlejohn could dispose of
the criminal docket on Monday and
Tuesday.
William Littleton, son of the mak
er of the will and who contested the
document is critically ill and did not.
appear in court this morning for the
trial. A j
GRAND JURY
IN SESSION.
The Sumter County Grand Jury
went into session Wednesday morn
ing after recessing since Tuesday
of last week. It is stated that noth
ing of importance is before this
body for investigation or discussion
hut .that the meeting is held pre
paratory to the winding up of tho
affairs of the November term of
Superior court.
MANY NEGROES
RECEIVE SENTENCES.
Monday and Tuesday of this
week was devoted to the trying of
criminal cases in the Superior court,
with Judge Littlejohn presiding.
Comparatively few criminal cases
were listed for the November term
of the court and the entire docket
consisted of negro offenders.
John Carr, colored, guilty of in
voluntary manslaughter; given from
10 to 15 years in the penitentiary
for stabbing Ed Floyd, another ne
gro to death with a knife.
’Charles Harris, colored, guilty of
murder with a recommendation of
mercy; given life imprisonment.
Harris killed Aaron Anthony, color
ed, with a pistol last June.
John Healy, Jr., colored, indited
on six counts; guilty on four and
dismissed on two. Hilsy got. into
all the trouble from carrying a con
cealed weapon and creating a dis
turbance at Shady Grove Baptise
(colored) church. He received a
total sentence of 28 months.
Cliff Wallis, colored, received a
sentence of 12 months or a fine of
$125 for stealing tires and auto
mobile accessories from the garage
in the rear of the home of P. R.
Cannon.
Walter Mack, colored, received
twelve months or a fine of $75 for
stealing knives from the store of J.
W. Harris. Sr.
John .FL Warren, colored, tried
so ra misdemeanor for stealing a
pair of overalls and shoes was given
a fine of S4O or a sentence of S
months at hard labor.
W. B. Coney, colored, charged
with bui-glarizing the residenc of
T. F. Jones of groceries anS jewel
ry; received 12 months on the gang.
Clarence Sheffield, colored, plead
guilty to stealing an automobile be
longing to W. G. Hocks and was
ordered to serve 12 months or pay
a fine of $l5O.
Butch Rhodes, colored, charged
with carrying a concealed weapon;
12 months or paying sls on one
charge and to serving ol 6 months
or pay S4O on the other.
Freeman Jones and Johnnie Wi’
(Continued on Page Two-)
is bh.es mu
■ OMBEDBIEIBE
Tuesday Blaze In Local Ware
house Controlled by Sprink
ler System, Says McArthur
Efficient work of a sprinkler
system in the New Commercial
Warehouse, located on Hampton
street, probably saved some 1000
bales of cotton up in
smoke late Tuesday evening, when
fire of an unknown origin broke out
in the warehouse.
Twenty-five bales of cotton was
slightly damaged by thg fire and
'(Jus” was fully covetedTyinsurancC;
Firemen reached the warehouse
and found the fire virtually under
control. Chief McArthur stated
that the fire had no doubt been
burning for half an nour, but that
the automatic sprinkling system had
kept the flames under control sc
that the heat was not intense
enough to sound the alarm that is
connected with the warehouse and
the department.
CEMBffifflT
LESS TRAN HILLffl
Capipaign Expense $903,908;
Total Coii(b>butions $845,-
520; Deficit of $57,388
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3. The
democratic national committee has
filed with the clerk of the house, a
report showing total campaign con
tributions of $845,520 from July 1
to November 20, inclusive.
The committee also reported a
lean of $120,000 from the New
York Trust company, which made
available for the campaign a total
of $965,520.
The eport listed total expendi
tures for this period at $903,!*08,
and showed a balance of $61,612.
LEAGUE TO HEAR
EGYPTIAN CONTROVERSY
t
(By Associated Press.)
LONDON, Dec. 3—Austen Cham
berlain, British secretary for for
eign affairs, will personally lay
before the League -of Nations, in
Rome next week, any information
he may be able to give regarding
the Egyptian situation.
This statement was made by the
foreign secretary today in his speech
in London.
U. S. NATIONALS GIVEN
RIGHTS IN PALESTINE
(Bv Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.
American nationals in Palestine
are accorded full and equal rights
and privileges enjoyed by the citi
zens of the allied powers. This de
cision is the outcome of the agree
ment signed today in London by
representatives of the British and
American governments.
HIGHT FACES JURY
ON MURDER CHARGE
(By The Associated Press)
MOUNT VERNON, 111., Dee.
—The trial of Lawrei.ee M. Hight,
deposed Ina, Illinois, pastor, joint
ly indicted with Mrs. Williford
Sweetin for poisoning his wife and
the husband of Mrs. Sweetin, was
scheduled to begin today.
Last week a change of venue was
denied Hight, .
AMERICUS, GA., WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON. DECEMBER 3, 1924
12 PtainsS top a t Americus
In Dawn to DusltfFligltt
(By A««ociated Pre»».)
MT. CLEMENS, Mich.,
Dec. 3.—lt has just been an
nounced that Americus, Ga.,
will be one of the two stops
made by twelve airplanes
which will attempt a dawn to
dusk flight from here to Mi
ami, Fla. The other stop will
be at Dayton, Qhio. The
flight will be attempted by
the twelve planes some time
in February.
mOscleshoals
DOMINANT ISSUE
BEFORE COMGRESS
Disposition of Alabama Prop
erty Comes Before Senate
Today
(By The Associated Press)
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.—Secre
tary of War Weeks today instructed
both the army engineers and ordi
nance officers to begin study of thq
Muscle Shoals bill, a copy of which
was submitted to the War Depart
ment for that purpose.
Senaator Underwood’s plan for
the operation of Muscle Shoals, was
laid before President Coolidge to
day by Senator Curtis, Republican
leader, and Senator McLainley, Re
publican of Illinois.
Senator Underwood-say s the Pres
ident has agreed) to express his
opinion of the Underwood bill after
the War Department experts have
reported on the measure.
The Muscle Shoals problem which
has been the subject of'controversy
for years has became for the time
being tlie dominant issue before
congress.
It comes< up by unan.mous c«>n
sjent in the senate today for action
and it appeared the subject maj'
be debated for several days. Later
it is probable that an entirely new
>proposal may be submitted with
the backing of the administration.
President Coolidge is known to
favor the appointment of a com
mission to study the whole subject
and submit a plan of action. It is
regarded as highly probable that
sufficient votes can be mustered to
carry out his idea.
FORD DECLINES
TO COMMIT SELF.
(By The Associated Press)
WASHINGTON, Dec 3.—Henry
Ford today declined to commit
himself on a proposal to renew his
Muscle Shoals bid.
FURNACE MYSTERY
REMAINS UNSOLVEE!
Attorney Has Positive Proof
Mrs. Sheatsley, Was Dead
When Body Put In Furnace
(By The Associated Press)
COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 3.—The
Bexley furnace mystery still is as
much of a puzzle as ever. How
ever, F'rosecutor King says he is
in possession of what he considers
positive proof that Mrs. Addie
King Sheatsley, wife of Rev. C. V.
Sheatsley, was dead before her
body entered the furnace.
WORLD PEACE BEFORE
COUNCIL OF CHURCHES
(By Associated Press.)
ATLANTA, Dec. 3—The part
that the church can take in bring
ing about world peace, was the
principal subject before the Coun
cil of Churches of Christ in Amer
ica at its opening session today.
Approximately 500 delegates are
present, coming from all parts of
the United States,- as well as from
many foreign countries.
SLIGHT FIRE DAMAGE
AT GOODMAN HOME
A defective chimney in the home
of Mrs. L. B. Goodman, on Reese
street caused fire early this morn
ing which damaged her r< sidenee to
the extent of SSO. The heaviest
damage suffered was the walls from
water which had to be Thrown into
the house,
Corliss and Brewster Sail
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Cugene Brewster, New York pub- to Bermuda, accompanied by Cor
lisher who has figure lin the news ’* ss I>al,r * el '. winner of alieauty con
test conducted by one of his muga
through divorce proceedings, sails zines.
PHILLIPS ATTACKS)
AND BADLY BEATEN
Inspector For State Highway
Department Waylaid By 3
Men Near Brown’s Mill
Clarence A. Phillips, division
road inspector for the state high
way department, was the victim of
a holdup by three automobiles fill
ed with men at midnight Tuesday
on the River road near Brown’s
Mill. The men, about eight in
number, jumped from their auto
mobiles and running to Mr. Phil
lips’ car demanded that he hold up
his hands. On his failure to obey
their orders he was hit on the head
with a heavy instrument.
Mr. Phillips was returning from
his home in Camilla, where he had
been spending a vacation, and had
with him in his car several suit
cases and a shotgun. The holdup
men took the shotgun but made no
effort to molest the luggage. Mr.
Phillips’ keys were taken from him
and the kit which he carries on his
car was plundered, but nothing was
taken.
The men after hitting Mr. Phil
lips in the head fired three pistol
shots at him, all of which wept
wide. Before permitting him to
continue his way to Americus, the
holdup men shot the rear tires off
of Mr. Phillips’ car.
Due to the intense darkness Mr.
Phillips said he was unable to rec
ognize any of his assailants, but
he stated that he is positive (hey
were all white men and that when
they talked they used a decided
northern brogue. '
Mr. Phillips received a severe
gash in his head when he was struck
by one of the holdup men, and he
arrived in the city early this morn
ing suffering from loss of blood. A
doctor was summoned and it was
found necessary to take several
stitches in order to close the lac
eration.
BOY OILEOi
STEWART MURDER
Hesterly, 16 Year* Old, In Ful
ton County Tower Charged
With Murder
ATLANTA, Dec. 3. —Stea’.man
Hesterly, 16 years of age. of Haral
son county, was placed in Fulton
county tower this morning on a war
rant charging murder in connection
i with the fatal shooting of MrsJ
Robert Stewart. The boy refuses
to make any comment, iwiatevar.
Mrs. Stewart, wife of a Metho
dist minister, was slain at her home
near Draketown, by moinshiners,
or whisky runners, whet the at
tempted to prevent the abiuction of
her husband by them.
B. S, PRYOR DIES
SUMI 111 IT DIME
Prominent Farmer and Business
Man Had Been 111 Only
Fews Days
Robert S. Pryor, 65 years of age,
died this morning, at 9:30 o’clock,
at his home near Smithville, after
an illness of only a few days. Mr.
Pryor was taken ill Saturday morn
ing, but his condition then was not
thought serious, and his death-came
as a shock to many friends through
out this section.
All of Mr. Pryor’s life has been
spent in this community, where his
friends are numbered by the thou
sands. For many years he had
been recognized as a successful
farmer and an able business man.
Since early manhood, he has been
a member and an official of the
Mount Zion Methodist church lo
cated near Smithville, taking an ac
tive part and being a leader in
church work, from which he will
be greatly missed. He was a man
who was greatly esteemed and this
section will feel his loss, as well as
his many relatives.
Surviving are his widow, Mrs.
Lizzie Gate wood Pryor; three sons,
C. S., Francis, and Gatewood; and
eight daughters, Mrs. A. M. Zellner,
of Forsyth; Mrs. Ernest Andersen,
of Summit; Mrs, Henry Cliatt, of
Lincolnton, Mrs. George Marshall,
of Americus, Miss Julia Pryor, Miss
■Eliizabeth Pryor, Miss Nell Pryor
and Miss Elinor Pryor. Four sis
ters, and two brothers, also survive,
they are, Mrs. J. F. Usry, of Smith
ville, Mrs. J. J. Wilson, and Mrs.
F. H. Wilson, of Leslie, Mrs Ed
Braddy, of Dublin, and S. G. Pryor,
of Fitzgerald, and G. S. Pryor, of
Leesburg.
Among those related to Mr. Pryor
in Americus are Mrs. R. L. May
nard, T. M. Furlow. A. D. and T. F.
Gatewood, Mrs. M. M. Eldridge,
Mrs. Ida Sargent, Mrs. T. H. McGil
lis, Mrs. L. F. Rodgers, Stewart
Furlow.
No definte announcement of
funeral have been
made, awaiting the arrival of rela
tives.
RECOMMENDS LOVETT
TO SUCCEED KING
.... (By The Associated Press) ....
WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The
appointment of Archibald D. Lovett,
cf Savannah, to the vacancy in the
fifth district, United States Circuit
Court, was recommended today, to
Attorney General Stone by Senator
George, of Georgia.
The vacancy was caused bv the
resignation of Judge Alex C. King
of Atlanta.
Pc Open Ham Close
Jan. . .. |2K.05 23.10|22.91|23.04
Mar. ...!23.44’23.48|23.80|23.47
MaV ..|23.78|23,'77 j23.65|23.81
July 123.83123.78(23.76(23.91
Dec 122.90i22.9522.80JJ2.93
Strict Middling
PRICE FIVE CENTS
BWffIHH BBCTOP,
MEP MSI FOR
■BIP Bf SPBUSE
Physician Has Been Watched
For Some Time—Actions
Said To Be ‘Queer’
(By The Associated Press)
BIRMINGHAM. Ala., Dec.
3.—Despite the closest .secrecy
among the authorities concern
ing the evidence which caused
the arrest of Dr. George T. Ed
wards lase Tuesday in connec
tion with the death of his wife,
it was learned todav that medi-'
cal associates of Dr. Edwards
had been watching the physic
ian closely for several weeks.
His actions for some time are
said to have been "queer."
Dr. Edwards, prominent Bir
mingham physician, was arrest
ed last night . charged with
chloroforming his wife and beat
ing her to death with a hammer.
Mrs. Edwards was drugged
and slain while asleep in het
home in Fairfield, fashionable
suburb, early Tuesday morning
Dr. Edwards, his left hand
shattered with a revolver
wound, is lying in a local hospi
tal, a police guard standing over
him.
The physician claims he and
his wife were attacked by an un
known marauder, and his story
was at first given credence by
the authorities.
Dr. George T. Edwards, new
being held on a coroner’s war
rant in connection with ths
death of his wife, was today re
moved from an Ensley hospital
to the Jefferson county jail at
Bessemer,
Dr. Edwards is still suffering
from the wound in his left hand
which he clafrns was inflicted
by his wife's assailant when she
was slain early yesterday.
According to his version of the
tragedy, Mrs. Edwards vas drugged
and beaten to death by an intruder,
who sought to dispose of the phyci
cian in a similar manner. Edwards
awoke as the drug was being ap
plied to himself and grappled' with
the murderer, whose gun wan dis
charged in the struggle, the bullet
hitting the doctor in the left hand.
Authorities discounted the physi
cian’s story after a 12-hour investi
gation and declared that the kill
ing was “an inside job.”
Bits of tell-tale evidence left in
the wake of the tragic slaying were
woven together by the officers into
a case against the physician, who
is now accused of murdering his
wife and framing up an elaborate
alibi to cover up the crime.
Two bottles, half empty, cf a
sleep-producing drug were found on
the floor of the slain woman’s bed
room. .
The authorities charged also there
was nothing to indicate that any
cne had broken into t u e house, a»
claimed by Dr. Edwards
A bullet hole in the back door
was further evidence uncovered by
the officers to discredit the physi
cian’s story. This indicated, they
said, that the door was not ajar
when the intruder fled, the doctor
claiming he fired three sbotft at ths
murderer as he ran through an open
doorway in the rear cf the house.
*
They say one man has deserted
the army 41 times. Let s matTy him
to a movie star.
Wear your hat while thinking up
Christmas gifts or you r ay scratch
yourself bald headed.
| LITTLE JOE j
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