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Atlanta 5o u vnal
VOL. XXV. NO. 309
MRS. DE BOUCHEI'S
LETTERS ARE BHD
IN BREACH HEARING
Defense Opens With Claim
That Plaintiff Was Not
Legally Divorced From
Adolph Rocquet
That Mrs. Onezima Deßouchel did
establish a legal residence at
Nev., before she obtained a
of divorce from Adolph Roc
quet, of New Orleans, and therefore
her engagement to marry Asa G.
Candler, Sr., of Atlanta, was invalid
because she was the legally wedded
wife of another man, was contended
Thursday afternoon in United States
district court at the trial of the $500,-
000 suit against Mr. Candler.
This contention was outlined to
the jury by Mr. Candler's attorneys
just before court was adjourned for
the day, to resume at 10 o'clock Fri
day morning before Judge Samuel
H. Sibley. The argument was ad
vanced during the introduction of a
number of letters by Mrs. Deßouchel
to Mr. Candler, several of which
were signed “Mrs. Rocquet,” by
which name she was known before
obtaining the devorce.
Other incidents of the second day’s
session, attended by a capacity
crowd, were the introduction of six
additional letters written by Mr. Can
dler and the reading of voluminous
depositions in support of the good
character of the plaintiff. The plain
tiff’s counsel completed the presenta
tion of direct testimony at 12:30
o’clock, and the defense was en
gaged in reading Mrs. Deßouchel’s
letters when court was adjourned
for the day.
Six letters were read by attor
neys for Mrs. Deßouchel Thursday
morning, including two from Mr.
Candler announcing rhe postpone
ment of nis marriage, because of
certain information which had been
furnished him. A letter from Mrs.
Deßouchel, in which she protested
the charges, and asked for an in
vestigation, also was read into the
record. The plaintiff’s counsel then
began the reading of voluminous
character depositions.
Mr. Candler, accompanied by his
son, Asa G. Candler, Jr., and Judge
Arthur G. Powell, of the law firm of
Little, Powell, Smith & Goldstein, as
sociated with Caridler, Thomson &
Hirsch, for the defense, arrived
punctually on the hour. Mrs. De-
Bouchel had preceded him, coming
in several minutes before 10 o’clock,
attended by the same group of
friends who were on hand Wednes
day at the first day’s session.
A special force of United States
deputies, headed by John W. Jones,
and comprising W. F. Haney, Ralph
Johnson and Tom Wallace, pre
served order in the courtroom, un
der the direction of Judge Samuel
H. Sibley, presiding.
Depositions Read
When Attorney Howell completed
the reading of the letters, Attorneys
Moise and Gamble began the intro
duction of depositions from citizens
-of New Orleans regarding Mrs. De-
Bouchel’s character, reputation and
activities in that city.
The first deposition was by Dr.
Albert T. Rocquet, and was to the
effect that he was a brother of
Adolph Rocquet, former husband of
Mrs. Deßouchel, and who, the de
fense alleges, was legally married to
B Deßouchel at the time she be
e engaged to marry Mr Candler.
Jave vou known the n’aintiff in
case?” was the question.
i.’es, I have known her as a per-
Itidv, and have received and
continued to receive her into my
home as such,” wast he reply.
“Do you know her reputation for
chastity? w „
“Yes, it has always been gooa.
“What .fi her general refutation? ’
“It .* excellent.”
“Has ?.n;. thing occurred to change
your cpi’ 'on of her?”
"No. nothing whatsoever. ’
Friend's Deposition Read
The deposition of Mrs. Margaret
Hunt Brisbane, the wife of a New
Orleans physician, was next read.
She testified that her husband was
a nephew of Arthur Brisbane, the
well known, journalist, that she was
I known throughout the south for her
literary work, and that she had en
gaged in literary activity for Georgia
clubwomen.
She said she had known Mrs. De-
Bouchel for six years.
t A few of the questions put to her
by Attorney Gamble, and hex’ an
swers, follow:
“How long have you known Mrs.
Deßouchel?”
“I have known her six years.
“What has been the general na
ture of your friendship?”
“I have never known her to do
anything that I would disapprove
of.” ,
"Can you state in a general way
what has been the general nature of
your intimacy and acquaintance with
ier?”
"Well. I have never known her to
do one thing I disapproved of or con
sidered that she should not do. I
have always known her to be a per
fect lady, and when I say that, that
says everything. A perfect lady is
everything that is just and proper.”
“Are you acquainted with the rep
utation "of Mrs. Deßouchel?”
“I am.”
“Is that reputation for chastity
4good or bad?”
"Absolutely good.”
Mrs. Rttcquet's Deposition
The deposition of Mrs. Corinne M.
Rocquet. wife of Dr. Albert T. Roc
quet. was next presented.
"How long have you known Mrs.
Deßouchel.” was the question, “who
was formerly the wife of Adolph
Rocquet?”
"For twenty-four years."
"What relation is Adolph Rocquet
to your husband?”
* “A brother.”
“Did Mrs. Deßouchel visit your
home?”
“Yes. very foten.”
"Did you see her very often?”
“I did.”
“Is she now a welcome member of
(Certinned on Page 3, Column 3)
Published Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
World News
Told In
Brief
WASHINGTON. Senate rejects
three amendments designed to modi
fy language of Walsh resolution to
annul naval oil leases.
W A S H I N GTON. Republican
members of house ways and means
committee vote reduction in 1923
taxes, payable this year and amount
of reduction may be as high as 25
per cent. Chairman Green, of house
committee announces.
WASHINGTON. Navy depart
ment orders light cruiser Omaha
and six destroyers to stay at Vera
Cruz until further notice.
CLEVELAND, O. Mrs. Emily
Newell Blair tells Democratic women
that direct responsibility for the
Teapot Dome "scandal” rests with
President Collidge and the Republic
an party.
FRANKLIN, Pa. —Three persons
are killed and eleven hurt when Buf
falo-Pittsburg express of the Penn
sylvania railroad, is derailed at flag
station, 22 miles south of here.
EL PASO, Tex. Hipolito Villa,
brother of Francisco Villa, former
bandit leader, reported in the field
with General Manuel Chao, revolu
tionary leader.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. William
G. McAdoo will take no part in Ala
bama presidential preference pri
mary, according to letter received
from David Ladd Rockwell, chair
man of McAdoo committee.
TEGUCIGALPA? Congress
fails again to elect president of Hon
duran republic.
NEW YORK. —Merchant’s associa
tion of New York denies charges of
John R. Quinn, national comman
der of American Legion that it con
tributed to funds to fight soldier
bonus.
LONDON. Negotiations look
ing to recognition of Obregon gov
ernment in Mexico by Great Britain
are expected to begin soon.
WASHINGTON. Woodrow Wil
son’s indisposition of past two days
is pronounced not serious by Dr.
Sterling Ruffin.
MOSCOW. “Krupskaya” Len-
Ine, widow of Soviet premier, asks
that memorials to her husband take
form of endowments for nurseries,
schools, hospitals, etc., instead of
monuments.
HAVANA. President Zayas re
quested authorization of payment in
full of $361,718 owed by Cuba tc
United States for war materials
purchased during World war.
TAMPICO. Torpedo boat de
stroyers of the United States gov
ernment have sailed, leaving port
without any American warships.
SCHENECTADY? - N. Y. Post
humos award of 1,000 pounds ster
ling has been made by trustees of
Benjafnin Franklin fund to Charles
P. Steinmetz, scientist and inven
tor, it is announced.
PARIS. Chamber of Deputies
adopts article limiting revision of
damages allowed for war devasta
tion to cases involving payments of
500,000 francs at present value of
franc.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. For first
time in history, the Pope has or
dered struck a commemorative
medal in honor of an American or
ganization, by dedicating a medal to
Knights of Columbus for welfare
work in Rome.
WASHINGTON? - Samuel Gomp
ers, president of American Federa
tion of Labor, writes President Ob
regon of Mexico that he intends to
hold no communication with rebel
group in Mexico.
WASHINGTON - Republican,
members of the house ways and
means committee approve surtax
and income tax schedules recom
mended in Mellon bill, giving assur
ance that tax measure will be re
ported to the house without sub
stantial change.
DOORN.—Former Emperor Wil
liam is reported slightly ill. but
condition causes no alarm.
WASHINGTON. Representative
Hamilton Fish, Republican, New
York, introduces resolution that Har
ry F. Sinclair be asked to return
from Europe and explain to con
gress and the American people his
$25,000 loan to Albert B. Fall.
WASHINGTON. Senator Pep
per rebukes Senator Heflin for the
latter’s reference to Theodore Roose
velt’s connection with th© oil leaser.
OKLAHOMA ClTY.—Miss Alice
Robertson, former representative
from Oklahoma, is dismissed as wel
fare director of Oklahoma Soldiers'
Memorial hospital at Muskogee.
NEW YORK7=Mrs. O. H. P. Bel
mont pays SIOO,OOO at public auc
tion for abandoned Sands Point
lighthouse on Long Island, thus ac
quiring right of way that will bar
unwelcome visitors from the Bel
mont estate.
SAN FRANCISCO.—Madame- Mar
garet Matzenauer, singer, is granted
final decree of divorce from Floyd
Glotzbach, Del Monte, Cal., chauf
feur.
MANILA.- —Eight religious fan
atics have been captured in Gan
dara, province of Samar, governor
of province announces.
MEXICO ClTY.—Federal cavalry
reaches Fortin, near Cordoba, in its
advance on \ era Cruz, war depart
ment announces.
NEW HAVE.< Conn.—Righ t Rev.
Frederick William Keator, of
Tacoma, Wash., Protestant Epis
copal bishop of the Olympia, Wash.,
diocese, dies.
JERUSALEM.—First attempts at
establishing what may amount to
Arab-Jewish entente cordiale were
made when representatives of both
met in Amman, a Jewish Telegraph
agency dispatch says.
BUDAPEST. Government mus
ters large majority to defeat motion
to dissolve assembly, but it is con
sidered. unlikely that measures for
proposed League of Nations loan will
be passed.
BUENOS AIRES. —Major Pedro
Zanni and Ensign Nelson Page,
Argentine aviators who plan air
plane flight around world, sail for
London to begin preparations.
WASHINGTON.—Organized cam
paigns in support of candidacy ot
William G. McAdoo have been
launched in Mississippi. Missouri
and Georgia, McAdoo headquarters
says.
DEMAND THAT U. S.
ANNUL OIL LEASES
VOTED SENATE
Meanwhile Opposition - to
President's Choice of Spe
cial Attorneys Grows in
Democratic Ranks
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.—The
Walsh resolution directing the pres
ident to proceed with suits to annul
the Doheny and Sinclair oil leases
| was adopted today by the senate.
The resolution demanding the res
ignation of Secretary Denby then
was taken up.
Mr. Denby’s signature is attached
to the leases, which are declared by
the Walsh resolution as finally
adopted to have been made without
authority and contrary to law. A
futile effort to strike out this charge
was made by administration sena
tors.
The Democrats led in the attack
on the navy secretary as the debate
on the second resolution began, with
the regular Republican organization
'ring up in opposition. It was con
ceded, hpw’ever, that enough Repub
lican insurgent votes might swing
over to insure adoption.
The resolution relating to Secre
tary Denby was introduced by the
Democratic leader, Senator Robin
son, of Axkansas, who, with Senator
Walsh, Democrat, Montana, earlier
in the day had been summoned to
the White House.
Final action was taken after all
efforts to modify the language of the
resolution, so as to eliminate direct
charges that the leases were entered
into without authority and in viola
tion of the law had been voted down.
The vote was unanimous. Eighty
eight senators oast their ballots.
An effort to so amend the Walsh
annulment resolution as to call for
Mr. Denby’s resignation led to a de
bate at the outset of the day’s sen
ate session, but the proposal was
withdrawn after the administration
leaders had promised to permit a
vote later on a separate resolution
relating to the navy secretary.
The question of the acceptability
of the two attorneys selected by the
president to prosecute the annulment
suits resulted in a succession of con
ferences at tho White Route. Chair
man Lenroot and other Republican
leaders called Mr. Coolidge’s atten
tion to an effort in the senate to bar
any attorney who had been connect
ed with an oil company, and later
Democratic Leader Robinson and
Senator Walsh. Democrat, Montana,
were sent for by the president.
Democrats not Pacified
After the Democratic senators had
left the White House, Senator Rob
inson renewed his determination to
press for action on the resolution
calling for Mr. Denby’s resignation,
and said he regarded any request for
Democratic advice as to the selec
tion of government counsel as “too
late.”
At the office of the president, this
statement was given out:
"The president conferred with Sen
ators Robinson and Walsh at his
suggestion for the purpose of inform
ing himself as to the trend of the
oil land lease investigation and in
order to exchange suggestions for
mutual help.
“President Coolidge and the two
senators also discussed the matter
of counsel, how to proceed and the
significance of the evidence.”
Silas H. Strawn, one of the special
counsel selected by the president to
conduct the government’s investiga
tion, arrived at the White House
almost simultaneously with the two
senators, but did not go into con
ference with the president with
them. '
The senate oil committee held no
session, but three physicians selected
by it went to the apartment where
former Secretary Fall is confined to
determine whether he is ton ill to
testify when the committee hearings
are resumed tomorrow.
Rumors Fly Thick
In the midst of these develop
ments rumors of cabinet changes, in
volving the retirement of Secretary
Denby and Attorney General Daugh
erty, continued to fly thick and fast
but Secretary Slemp denied flatly
a story that the mem
bers had placed their designations
before the president.
Mr. Coolidge has selected Thomas
W. Gregory, of Texas, a former
Democratic attorney general, to act
with Mr. Strawn, and he is on his
way to Washington. There were
evidences yesterday, however, that
something might have gone amiss
in the plans, and it was even more
apparent today that the make-up
of the government’s counsel was a
subject still occupying a large share
of attention in administration cir
cles.
It was to talk over that subject
that Chairman Lenroot. of the sen
ate oil committee, and Senator Cur
tis, of Kansas, the Republican whip,
made an early morning trip to the
White House. Later Senator Lodge,
the Republican floor leader, also
called on the president before his
conference with the Democratic ■
leaders.
All the senatorsdeclined to say
what trend the discussion had taken.
Hughes Defense Statement
A suggestion in the senate yester
day by Senator Norris, Republican,
Nebraska, that Secretary Hughes, a
former member of the supreme court,
should have called attention to the
“plain illegality” ot the oil leases
when they were discussed by’ the
cabinet, was followed today by’ the
issuance of this statement by Mr.
Hughes:
“The questions of the legality or .
propriety of the oil leases now un
der discussion in congress were never
brought before the cabinet for its I
discussion. My opinion upon these
'questions was neevr sought or ex-I
I pressed either in or out of the cabi- I
i net. If the oil leases were ever re- i
i ferred to in cabinet meetings, and I
!do not recall that thev were, it was
certainly’ only byway of general ref- |
crence and without requiring a re- I
sponsible action, which, of course. I
should not have been willing to take
without examination of papers and ;
statutes. Having plenty of work in '
the department of state, I had no oc- I
casion to consider the questions of
law and fact involved. aid I have not
been called upon to take any re
sponsibility In the matter."
UKR REDUCTION
STILL URGED IN
DEMOCRATIC DILL
i Minority Would Make 1923
Rate 2 Per Cent and Ex
| empt Incomes of $2,000
and Under
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.—Reduc
, lion of the 1923 personal income
I taxes which are payable this year on
the basis of the Democratic tax re
vision scheme which would cut the
normal rates to 2 per cent under $5,-
000 and 4 per cent under SB,OOO, was
proposed in a joint resolution pre
sented to the house today by Repre
sentative Garner, Democrat, Texas.
Chairman Green, of the house
ways and means committee and
author of the proposal adopted by
the Republican members of the com
mittee yesterday to cut the 1923
taxes about 25 per cent as a -part of
the general revision bill, objected
to immediate consideration of the
resolution when it was asked for by
Mr. Garner.
Mr. Garner pointed out that if the
resolution were adopted 2,000,000
taxpayers would be relieved from
making income tax returns on March
15, whereas under the plan suggest
ed by the Repulicans the reduction
in 1923 taxes could not be approved
before March 15 as it was incorpor
ated in the revenue bill.
The Democratic tax program would
incrase the exemption for single men
to $2,000 and of married men to $3,-
000 and revise the surtaxes on a
graduated scale up to a 44 per cent
maximum.
The Green plan would allow flat
reductions on all income taxes.
In objecting to Mr. Garner’s plea
for immediate consideration of the
proposal, Mr. Green congratulated
him on “your happy after thought.”
Secretary Mellon regards as prac- i
tical and feasible the plan of Repub
lican members of the house com-1
mittee to make the proposed in
come tax reductions effective on the
1923 payments. He believes the step
would entail no difficulties on the
treasury.
Under the optional plan of paying
taxes in four installments, probably
90 per cent of the taxpayers take ad
vantage of the privilege of retaining
moneys that might otherwise be
turned into the treasury In a lump
sum on the first taxpaying date. The
mechanics of dealings with a retro
active reduction in Mr. Mellon’s opin
ion would be largely a paper trans
action, consisting of the placing by
the treasury of a credit to the tax
payer on future installments. Little
cash rebate, he believes, would be in
volved.
The treasury has had no oppor
tunity to estimate the decrease in
the total governument income re
sulting from the 'proposed change,
but some officials made the guess
tbday that it would range around
$200,000,000 on the payments this
year if the 25 per cent reduction all
.along the line on tax rates is agreed
upon as suggested in the ways and
means committee.
A reduction in the 1923 taxes,
which are payable this year, was
voted yesterday by the majority
members, and they decided to work
out an income rate schedule of their
own, according to Chairman Green,
because of the refusal of Democrats
to accept their offer to compromise
and draft a non-partisan plan. Rep
resentative Garner, Texas, ranking
Democrat on the committee, insist
ed, however, that the Republicans
had offered no concrete compromise
and therefore none had been re
fused.
The cut in the 1923 taxes came
as a surprise, neither the Mellon
or Garner plans providing for re
ductions to take effect before this
year. Representative Hull, a mem
ber of the committee and chairman
of the Democratic national commit
tee, said last night the Democrats
had intended to present a similar
proposal in the form of a joint res
olution so that it might be consid
ered and passed before March 15
when the first installments on last
year’s taxes are due.
Former Democratic
Leader Is Indicted m
Carolina Bank Failure
GREENSBORO, N. C., Jan. 31.
Three former officials of the defunct
People’s bank, of Salisbury, were in
dicted by the United States grand
jury here late yesterday, it was
learned following discharge of the
jury. Pending issuance and service
of warrants, however, in accord
with federal procedure, no official
announcement was made by the dis
trict attorney and no comment was
forthcoming today.
The men indicted, including J. D.
Norwood, former chairman of the
state Democratic executive commit
tee, and chairman of the board of
directors of the bank; J. K. Dough
ton, president, and M. L. Jackson, a
director, all are said to have left
Salisbury, although the families ot
Mr. Norwood and Mr. Jackson still
are in thac city. Mr. Norwood is
said to be in business in Birming
ham, Ala.; Mr. Jackson, at Rosslyn,
Va., and Mr. Doughton, at Sparta,
North Carolina.
The indictments charge misappli
cation ot $325,131 of the bank's
funds. The indictments contain a
total of sixteen counts, one of the
charges being that bank funds were
used in connection with a chain of
cotton mills in North Carolina.
The Weather
Forecast for Saturday’
Virginia, North Carolina, South
Carolina and Georgia: Fair and
cooler: moderate variable winds.
Florida: No change in tempera
ture; moderate westerly winds.
Extreme northwest Florida, Ala
bama and Mississippi: Cooler; mod
erate west and northwest winds.
Tennessee and Kentucky: Fair.
Louisiana: Fair.
Arkansas: Partly cloudy, cooler in
west portion.
Oklahoma: Partly cloudy, cooler, i
East Texas: Partly cloudy.
West Texas: Generally fair, cool-'
er in north portion.
LOW BRIDGE!
t Ik
'WT /J
drV /
\ lit \ \ f |
— J
GEORGIAN IN CLASH
DN DIL PROBE IN
HOUSE COMMITTEE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31. —Differ
ences of opinion cropped out again
today among members of the house
naval committee as to wether Secre
tary Denby followed the policy rec
ommended by his predecessor, Jose
phus Daniels, for the preservation
of oil for the navy.
As the committee renewed its in
quiry into the Sinclair and Doheny
naval oil reserve leases. Representa
tive Britten, Republican. Illinois, de
clared he preposed to show that Den
by “followed in Secretary Daniels’
foosteps.”
This statement brought the re
mark from Representative Vinson,
Georgia, ranking Democrat on the
committee, that “no one believes that
but you.”
“I’ll prove it to you before we get
through if you will be fair, ’ Mr. Exit
ten retorted.
Admiral Testifies
The exchange came after Rear Ad
miral Latimer, judge advocate gener
al of the navy, had reviewed how Mr.
Daniels in 1920 recommended legis
lation to permit the navy to nego
tiate for tank construction for the
storage of naval oil. Authority then
granted by congress, it was brought
out, enabled Mr. Denby to arrange
with the Doheny interests for tank
construction at Pearl Harbor,
Hawaii, out of royalties for oils from
the California naval reserve.
Admiral Latimer testified that
Denby, after becoming head of the
navy department, saw it was neces
sary to take action to prevent deple
tion of oil in the naval reserves.
“The navy department had no or
ganization,” the admiral continued,
“and Mr. Denby realized valuable
time would be lost in forming one.
At the time the interior department
had’an organization which was han
dling oil production on millions of
acres. Mr. Denby believed this or
ganization was the proper one to
act for the navy.
“You must rememner that at the
time there was a great effort on the
part of various departments to avoid
duplication of work, and to econo
mize.” ... ...
Declaring he was not familiar with
the procedure followed in transfer
ring the California and W yoming te
serves from the navy to the interior
department, .‘.dmiral Latimer said
he understood the executive order for
the transfer was issued “at the re
quest of Secretary Denby.”
"Mr. Denby told me,” the admiral
said, “that he had initiated the trans
fer aftex - investigating the question
and consulting with various ex
perts.”
Admiral Clears Daniels
Secretary Denby “initiated” trans
fer of the California and Wyoming
naval oil reserves to the interior,
Rear Admiral Latimer, judge advo
cate general of the navy, today told
the house naval committee.
The admiral said Mr. Denby had
told him he had “initiated the trans
fer after investigating the question
and consulting with various experts.”
After becoming a member of the
cabinet, the witness explained, Mr.
Denby became convinced of the ne
cessity of taking prompt action to
prevent further depletion of oil in
the navy’s reserves, but had no or
ganization in his department which
could function to that end.
Admiral Latimer said that even if
it was proven that the Denby and
Sinclair leases were "tainted with
fraud and corruption,” it might be
poor policy for the government to
cancel them.
"If the government would lose
money” he added, “the government
would merely be cutting off its nose
to spite its face to throw up the con
tracts. If, however, the contracts
are not to the best interests ot tits
public, they should be revoked.”
Admiral Latimer steadfastly de-
Atlanta, Ga., Saturday, February 2, 1924
Mr. Wilson
Takes Turn
For Worse
WASHINGTON, Feb. I.—W'ood
row Wilson has taken a decided turn
for the worse, Rear Admiral Cary T.
Grayson, his physician, stated to
day.
“Mr # Wilson had a restless night,”
said a bulletin issued by Dr, Gray
son, 'and has lost strength. During
the night he took a sudden and de
cided turn for the worse.
I regard his condition as very se
rious.”
Dr. Grayson was in the Wilson
home attending the former president
throughout the night. He discover
ed the seriousness of the situation
on going to the bedside to make one
of his periodical examinations.
Subpoenas for Klan
Officials Asked by
Mayfield’s Contestant
WASHINGTON. Jan. 31. —Luther
Nickels and Scott Woodward, counsel
for George Peddy, Republican con
testant of the seat of Senator Earle
B. Mayfield, of Texas, today asked
the senate committee investigating
Mayfield’s election to subpoena a
number of present and former of
ficials of the Atlanta palace of the
Ku Klux Klan to testify to alleged
klan contributions sent into Texas
to aid in Mayfield’s election.
Those for whom subpoenas were
asked by Nickels and Woodward fol
low: E. Y. Clarke, former imperial
giant; W. J. Simmons, former im
perial wizard; N. N. Furney, de
scribed as "cashier of the imperial
palace,” at Atlanta, and E. J. Jones,
an official of the Atlanta palace.
Husband, Who Shot Wife,
Dies of Suicidal Wound
HOT SPRINGS, Ark., Jan. 31.—J.
Cox, divorced husband of Mrs. Min
nie Cox, died in a local hospital to
day from a bullet wound in the head,
self-inflicted late yesterday when the
desperate man’s wife scorned his ef
forts to effect a reconciliation. Be
fore turning the gun upon himself,
he fired one bullet at his wife, but
it grazed her temple and was de
flected. She was not seriously in
jured.
clined to be drawn out as to whether
he believed the Doheny and Sinclair
leases as a whole were legal.
Vinson in New Clash
Representatives Vinson and Brit
ten then engaged in an argument as
to the $100,000,000 Doheny and Sin
clair had been quoted as saying they
would make out of the leases. Mr.
Britten declared Mr. Vinson could
not produce a statement under oath
that either of the oil opei-ators had
made the statement.
“I accept your challenge” retorted
Mr. Vinson, "and will produce the
statement at the next committee ses
sion.”
Representative Stephens, Republi
can, Ohio, declared Mr. Vinson had
been unfair in predicating his ques
tions and that "fraud and corruption
are still to be proven.” He said
he had been informed that Sinclair
would make little or nothing out of
the Teapot Dome lease.
“If he claimed he would make
$100,000,000,” continued the Ohioian,
“he did so to sell stock. If Sinclair
made money he did it out of the sale
of stock and those who invested are
holding the bag.
TOKID DIET, IN RIOT
OVER TRAIN WRECK.
ORDERED DISSOLVED
TOKIO, Jan. 31.—(8y the Asso
ciated Press.) —The imperial diet was
dissolved today following scenes of
the greatest-disordei’ in which water
flasks were thrown and fists used.
The disturbance resulted, from at
.tempts of the opposition to inter
pellate the government regarding the
attempted wrecking of a train at
Nagoya carrying opposition leaders
to Tokio.
The turbulent scenes 'which oc
curred in the lower house made fur
ther business impossible. The out
burst came shortly after the repre
sentatives had taken their seats
upon the resumption of the diet ses
sion. Interpellating the government
in connection with the train wreck,
in which three prominent opposition
leaders escaped injury, although the
locomotive of their train was dam
aged, the foes of Premier Kiyoura
and his newly-installed cabinet de
manded that the premier reply per
sonally.
Kioyura, however refused to rise.
Great disorder immediately ensued,
amid which Kenjiro Komatsu, min
ister of communication and a mem
ber of the house of peers, attempted
to reply to the interpellation. In
the confusion an agitator not a mem
ber of the diet, rushed io the plat
form and thrust Komatsu aside.
A riot followed. The legislators
used water containers as missiles
and several engaged in fistic com
bat. Hostilities continued until the
speaker of the house hastily declared
a temporary adjournment, which
was followed by dissolution of the
diet.
Six rallies were held in Tokio by
the opposition this afternoon. The
police, strengthened by the addition
of an extra force, were maintaining
a close watch over proceedings.
Love, Not SIOO,OOO,
Brought Him Back to
His Wife, Lesser Says
MEMPHIS, Tenn., Jan. 31.—Love
for his wife, not the fact that she
had inherited SIOO,OOO recently,
brought Leo Lesser, former Memphis
capitalist, home. He had been a fugi
tive for 10 years.
“Did you know your wife had in
herited SIOO,OOO recently?” Lessei
was asked.
“Sir, I am surprised at you,” Les
ser replied. "I am In love with my
wife.*’
Lesser visited his wife at Sena
tobia, Miss., Tuesday night. Friends
declared that they are reconciled. He
left her Wednesday. She is ill with
the flu.
Lesser has been peeling potatoes
in Los Angeles for a living.
“How does it feel to drop from
millions to peeling spuds?” he was
asked.
“Boy, it’s hell,” was the reply.
“Dora is a fine little woman.” said
Lesser, speaking of his wife. “I hope
she takes me back. I do not know
what I shall do in the future. That
is up to my wife.”
Lesser is in Memphis hiding
at the home of relatives. Criminal
action against him is regarded as un
likely. Charges against him here
were nolle pressed more than a year
ago. The same action was taken in
Mississippi yesterday when he ap
peared at Tunica. Friends say Les
ser has been in hiding here for more
than four weeks, arranging his dra
matic “return.”
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RETDDICTM »
RELIEF PROPOSED
81 BOTH PARTIES
I
Minority Leaders Claim to
Have Originated Plan but
Republicans Take Lead in
Proposing Scheme
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
(Les see! Wire So vice to The Journal.)
(Copyright, 1924.)
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31. When
the American people make out their
income tax returns on March 15 of
this year they can count on. a
straight reduction of one-fourth of
the total tax they otherwise would
have paid.
Both Democrats and Republican*
>are agreed on the proposal, and the
only question now is whether the
present law will be amended by a
joint resolution or whether the re
duction will be made a part of the
general revision of the revenue law«
which have been under consideration
for several weeks. The method is
not important, for the result is as
sured.
In other words, congress- has de
cided to permit the American people
to cut themselves a piece of cake.
Out of the $323,000,000 surplus in the
treasury fully $225,000,000 will be
refunded in the form of lax reduc
tion applied to 1923 incomes.
When tax reduction was first pro
posed by Secretary Mellon, the gen
eral understanding, of course, was *
that the new bill would not apply to
1923 incomes, but would be felt by
the taxpayer for the first time wheii
he made out his income tax returns
in March, 1925. Political leaders
wondered whether a promise of some
thing that was to happen in 1925
would be remembered when the voter
went to the polls in November, 1924,
and the conclusion reached was that
if the taxpayers could , be made
happy when he pays his taxes dur
ing 1924 it would be of far greater
value, politically speaking, than a re
duction in the future.
Democrats Planned Move
The Democrats planned the same
kind of action, but whether the Re
publicans thought of it by them
selves or heard of what the Demo
crats intended to do or whether th®
minds of the statesmen in both par
ties ran afbng the same channel is
hard to determine.
The plan on the Republican side
originated with Represen tativ®
Green, of lowa,, chairman of th®
house ways and means committee,
who obtained the tentative approval
of Secretary Mellon, of the treas
ury department, which, of .
means the sanction also of PresL
dent Coolidge.
It’s a shrewd move, and will hav®
important political effects. Natu
rally the treasury department would
like to see the 25 per cent reduc
tion which applies to 1923 incomes '
made a part of the general tax bill
so that the course of the latter will
be accelerated. Indeed, public opin
ion may now be expected to get be
hind the tax measure with unpar
alleled strength so that the tax
payer may actually enjoy on March
15, next, a reduction in taxes. Th®
Democrats will try, of course, to
separate the new proposal from the
main tax bill on the ground tfiat
it needs quick action, and that the
tax bill which will apply to 1924 in
comes can be debated for the rest of
the present year if necessary with
out doing anybody any harm. In
answer to this the Republicans will
say that business should not be kept
on the anxious seat, but should
know definitely during 1924 what
taxes are to be payable in 1925.
As for the taxes that individual®
will pay next March on their in
comes of 1923, there are many who
pay their whole tax bill in a lump
sum and do not divide it ihto quar
terly installments. These person®
would get a one-fourth rebate later
on if the new proposal isn’t passed. »
by March 14. On the other hand,
the taxpayers who pay one-fourth
on March 15, one-fourth on June 15,
one-fourth on September 15, and
one-fourth on December 15, would,
have the privilege of omitting one
installment so as to get the benefit
of the one-fourth reduction which
they are entitled.
G. 0. P. Assumes Lead I
The Republicans have taken th®
Initiative in reducing taxes fcr 1923.
Both parties are vying with each
other to give •jhe people a tax reduc
tion. Little is heard about th®
bonus. Mr. Mellon’s tentative ap
proval is said to be based upon a
desire tc know what obligations will
be incurred in connection with th®
bonus. The Republican leaders real
ize ih.at to pass the original bonus
bill would prompt the treasury to
say that the tax reduction was not
passible, at least for 1923 incomes.
Under the circumstances the Repub
licans now are discussing among
themselves a plan for a soldier
bonus which is in the nature of a
paid up insurance policy, out with
out the privilege of borrowing cash
on it as provided in the bill which
went through both houses last year,
but which Mr. Harding vetoed.
The Republicans would like to get
a bunus bill through. The chances
ate they will find it necessary to
pass the original bill in order to ful
fill pledges already given, but when
the measure fails to get enough
votes to pass over the president’s
veto tlfen a proposal will be mad®
to strip the bill of the cash features
and enable soldiers to enjoy some
of the various forms of aid which
do not require an immediate cash
outlay. -
Vocational training, land grants
and ether things which ft has hither
to been thought would net be chosen
by the ex-service man when cash
was o'lered would then become more
attractive. A bill which does not re
quire a large cash outlay either <
now or In the future undoubtedly
would get President Coolidge’s ap
proval so that the Republicans might
go to the country in the coming
campaign with a tax reduction apply
ing to 1923 incomes. Another reduc
tion applying to 1924 incomes and a
soldier bonus besides.
Judge Fines His Wife
FORT WORTH, Tex., Jan. 31.
Among other violators hailed before
Municipal Judge Cullen Bailey yes
terday was his wife, charged with
parking in a forbidden area. Ths
judge fined her one dollar. Mrs.
Bailey paid without a word.