The Franklin County observer. (Washington, Mo.), 1919-01-24

              WWII Vol. 73-No. 44 WASHINGTON, MO., FRIDAY, JANUARY 24, 1919 $1.50 Per Year Cliff EXPLOSION WRECKS BIG ENGINE AT SHOE PLANT F-MIL KOSSMANN HAD NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH. Bolt From Piston Rod Forced Out Cylinder Head Company Suffers Los of About $5000. The local branch factory of the In-' ternational Shoe Co. wai ahut down : last Saturday as a result of an accident in the engine room. The cylinder head of a 90-h.p. steam engine was blown out and other equipment in the engine room badly damaged. The engine is a total wreck and the company suffered a loss of about $5000. The two reserve engines were put into use and the factory resumed operations Monday morning. Emil Kossmann, who is employed in the engine room, had a miraculous escape from instant death.' He was making some adjustments on the engine and had just gone across the room to get a wrench when the cylinder head blew out. Every person n the factory and nearby was alarmed by the noise of the escaping steam, and the smoke that emerged from windows and doors of the engine room added more to the excitement thut followed the explosion. The Observer is informed that a bolt on the piston rod of the engine broke loose and became lodged in the cylinder between the head and piston. When the piston came forward, the bolt forced out the cylinder head. The heavy piece of steel struck the witchboard and badly damaged it and the lighting system of the factory. The engine had been in use since the factory was built in 1007. The broken engine will be replaced by one of a later type. Tom Houston Back In Jail. Tom Houston, the negro who shot and killed four negroes in a quarrel at a picnic at Moselle aVoui...wo years ago, is in the county jail at Union awaiting trial on a charge of assault with intent to kill. He was found not guilty in the circuit court on the previous murder charge, his plea being that he killed the four negroes in self-defense. Three weeks after his trial at Union, Houston wan in Pacific and badly injured Marshal Ed Holland by striking him over the head with a piece of iron pipe. He escaped, and was captured last week at Edwards-ville, 111., by railroad detective Death-eridge of Pacific. Detective Deather-idge had his prisoner in our city jail last Thursdty night and took him to Union the following morning. First To Return From Overseas. Private Orlando Horstmann is the first soldier to return to Washington from France since the armistice was signed. He had been overseas for five months and his company was ready to go into battle when hostili ties ceased on November 11; how ever, he .was well up to the front and heard the roaring of the big guns. Private Horstmann relates many interesting stories of his trip to France, but, like all the American soldiers, he is glad to be back home. Private Horstmann is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Wrn. Horstmann, who reside, on South Jefferson Street. He was drafted for the Army from Wind-side, Neb., and went to camp on May 27, 1918. Private Horstmann was a member of Company A, 338th Infnn-try, 28th Division. He was discharged at Camp Dodge, Iowa. Increase In Rates Granted. The State Public Service Commission Wednesday authorized the Union Electric Light & Power Co. to make an increase of one-half cent a kilowatt hour in its rates to consumers of current amounting to less than 1000 kilowatt hours a month. This applies to all residence consumers. The order goes into effect February 1. ; fVMrs. Otto H, Dieckmann (nee Mey-Mr) died Monday at her home in St Louis at the age of about SO years. S7f yls survived by her husband, one ' nj if her parents, six brothers and sisters. The deceased was adaughter-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. H. Dieckmann of this city. lira. J. W. Schroeder returned to her home in Alton, 111., Saturday after spending several days with relatives in Washington. She was hers to attend the funeral of her nephew, Clarence AltemueHer. DRY COUNTRY NEXT JANUARY Thirty-Sixth State Ratified Prohibition Amendment Last Thursday. The United States last Thursday completed the legislative process of voting itself dry. Nebraska was the thirty-sixth slate to ratify the national prohibition amendment. Ratification by Nebraska was followed at 11:12 a. m. by similar action in the Missouri Legislature. The amendment to the Federal Constitution, prohibiting the manufacture and sale of intoxicating beverages, becomes effective one year after the date of its final ratification. Meanwhile the nation goes dry next July 1, by presidential proclamation, as a war measure, unless the President rescinds it before that date. Discussion as to whether the prohibition amendment becomes a part of the Constitution now that 36 states have ratified it, or whether it becomeR a part of the basic law only when each state has certified its' action to the Secretary of State, led to a search for precedent, which showed that the only two amendments ratified in the last half century, providing for income taxes and direct election of Senators, were considered effective immediately the thirty-sixth state had taken affirmative action. Senator Sheppord, author of the prohibition amendment, holds that prohibition becomes a permanent fart January 16, 1920. Proclamation of the ratification of a new amendment is made, but this is said to be a formality. Laws for enforcement of the amendment will have to be passed by Congress. City Will Lose $2700 Revenue. The anuual revenue to the City of Washington from the nine saloons is $2700 a year and, when prohibition is enforced, this revenue will be entirely cut off. Mayor J. J. Ernst says the loss of this revenue will be a great obstacle towards the street improvement work lontemplated for this year. Mr. Christina E. Kemner. . " Mrs. Christina Eliza Kemner died January 11 at her home in Boles after a lingering illness. Mrs. Kemner (nee Meinershagen) was born at Warrenton, Mo., Dec. 1, 18!50, and at the time of her death had attained the age of 68 years, 1 month and 11 days. She was married in Augusta, April 21, 1870, to Frederick Kemner, and this union was blessed with twelve children, three preceding the mother to the grave. Shortly after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kemner moved to Boles, then lived for a while at Dundee, later going to St. Charles County, where they resided from 1885 to 1896, when they went back to Boles to live. The deceased is survivedt by her husband; four sons, Edwin, of La- baddie, William, of Augusta, Frank and Fred, of Boles; five daughters, Mrs. Eleonora Buddemeyer, of this city, Mrs. Olivia Witt, of Metropolis, 111., Mrs. Melita Heater, of St Louis, Mrs. Lillian Worthington, of Labad-die. She also leaves three brothers, Christ Meinershagen, of St. Charles, Chas. Meinershagen, of Brunswick, Mo., Henry Meinershagen, of Boles; two half-brothers, Theodore and Alfred Mallinckrodt, of Augusta; one half-sister, Mrs. Dora Sehrt, of Fem-me Osage. Mo.; 22 grandchildren. Funeral services, conducted by Rev. J. N. Schuch, were held at the residence, Monday, Junuary 13. Interment was made in Bethel Cemetery. Circuit Court In Session. The circuit court met in adjourned session at Union Monday with Judge R. A. Breuer on the bench. The principal cases disposed of, up to the time we go to press, are: State of Missouri vs. Jos. Nier-mann; assault with intent to kill. Defendant fined $100 and costs. Curlee Clothing Co. vs. E. H. Breckenkamp; suit on account Judgment for plaintiff in sum of $340. State of Missouri vs. Albert Pruitt; burglary and larceny. Sentenced to serve two years in the penitentiary. Pruitt is the youth who was shot while attempting to rob a store at Catawissa several weeks ago. State f Missouri vJ. John Reed; rape. Continued. One More Liberty Loan. Only one more big war loan drive is planned by the Treasury Department, Secretary Glass announced. It will be the Victory Liberty Loan, to be floated probably the last three weeks in April. The amount will not be more than $6,000,000,000 and may be $5,000,000,000. CLERICAL FORCE PRACTICING By MEANS RAY. Jefferson City, Jan. 23. The old, olu song about Missouri going dry is at last effective but the fctnte will not go on the water wagon alone but will join the nation. The national prohibition amendment was adopted by the Missouri Legislature in a few minutes after it was brought up Thursday morning. In the Senate, where it had been predicted that the fight to delay action would be marked, failed to materialize and it was adopted by a vote of 22 to 10. In the House the vote was: For 104, against 36. One of the surprises of the vote was Representative ' Frank H. Farris, of Phelps County, voting dry. Before casting his vote, Mr. Farris made a short talk: "My position hus many times been misunderstood", Farris declared. There was not a noise in the house as the Phelps County man spoke. "I have always been against prohibition," he continued, "because first I thought it was a police power which properly belonged to the States, and. secondly, I felt that the proposition was fraught with great danger and would not result in the benefits that its advocates claimed. "But we stand confronted with a great change in conditions, and it is apparent to us all that the consensus of opinion is in favor of prohibition. I recognize the right of the majority, and I bow my head in humble submission to make the will of the majority successful. "As to mv own personal judgment, Mr. Speaker, and contrarv to former feelings, I shall vote for the ratification of this measure. "And I mnUe the declaration that I will give my time, energy and money to enact a mc3ure that will make prohibition in truth and leully make Missouri a bone-dry state." 201 Clerks In House. Regardless of the extravagant Claims of economy made by Republicans regarding the clerical force of the House which have appeared in Republican newspapers, the Lower House starts with 201 employees on the clerical force against 149 at the last session. The cost of the force for this session will be $81,540. Another special feature of this session is the employment of 16 negroes, 11 of whom are from St. Louis, on the clerical, doorkeeper andserjeant-at-arms force at salaries of $3.50 per day. This is the first time in Missouri history that they are placed on the payroll except as janitors. It has developed that the walk-out last week by Republican memters from St. Louis was occasioned by the opposition of some of the country members to their naming the negroes on the payroll. It was at first intended for them to be cloak room attendants and paid $2 a day as janitors but the negroes rebelled as did the Republican members from St. Louis. It was framed by some Republicans to keep the pay down to $2 per day but when a caucus was called in behalf of the negroes they were given the $3.50. In addition to three doors, which have white doorkeepers, they must look after coats belonging to 142 members. This insures safety for the coats, Republican leaders claim, as there will be one man for every eight coats and hats. In paying the negroes $3.50 per day it was claimed that men could not he secured for $2 as prescribed by law for janitors. An investigation 'of this matter proved they are mistaken, for the Permanent Seat of Government Commission, composed of Governor Gardner, Attorney General McAllister, Treasurer Middlekamp, Secretary of State Sullivan and Auditor Hackmann, has employed eight white men as required by law at $2 per day. These eight men look after the entire capital building, while the sixteen negroes at $1.50 per day more look after the House. In an effort to make political capital out of the number of clerks employed this session. Auditor Hackmann and Charles U. Becker, chairman of the Committee on Gerical Force, breezed forth with a statement concerning the number of clerks employed "by the Democrats" at the revising session ten years ago. This session also was controlled by the Republicans. In speaking of the matter, the St Louis Republic said: COMMITTEE FALSE ECONOMY Probably Both. Representative Becker of the Clerical Force Committee of the House at Jefferson City and Auditor Hackmann, another Republican office-holder, are either the two most ignorant men in Missouri politics or the silliest A few days ago Becker called on Hackmann for figures on number of clerks hired by the House in 1909, the last revision session. Hackmann reported that the Democrats at that time employed 235 clerks, 14 janitors, a "superintendent of ventilation", two sergeant-at-arms, one folder, 22 doorkeepers, 10 stenographers, 23 pages, two bill clerks, one postoffice clerk, two official clerks, three ushers and a chaplain a total payroll for the session of about $150,000. Having received these figures, Becker gleefully announced that the Republicans would not stand for such Democratic extravagance. It happens that in 1910 the House was controlled by Republicans. Alfred A. Speer, of Jefferson City, a Hadley lieutenant, was speaker and the outrageous number of clerks placed on the payroll at that time were put there by the Republicans. If Becker and Hackmann did not know that the House was Republican in 1909 they were childishly ignorant. If they did know and are trying to deceive the voters out in the state their silliness is remarkable. Should the 1919 session of the House resemble the 1909 gathering, the chaplain had better be instructed to take one look at the Legislature and devote the rest of his time to praying for Missouri. Increases Interest Earnings. Treasurer George II. Middlekamp's report shows the largest interest earnings for state moneys deposited throughout the state than any former treasurer. The total amount received from this source for 1918 amounted to $190,827.31 against $162,676.03 for 117, or an increase of $69,015.89, or more than enough to pay the entire expense of his office for his time. McCallister Is Economical. Attorney General Frank W. McAllister hus also shown keen business ability as well as exceptional legal talent in the conduct of his office. The total appropriation for his department, for contingent expenses for the two years past was $67,000 but by the practice of strict economy $26,484.08 was returned to the state treasury. McAllister has received word from Washington to the effect that the United States Supreme Court has upheld the state grain weighing law and hereafter the Merchants' Exchange in St Louis and Board of Trade of Kansas City will be unable to make two charges against grain shippers for weighing their offerings. This will result in quite a saving to the farmers of the state during the run of a year. Dies After Short Illness. Edwin Henry Heuser, 21 years old, died Tuesday after a short illness at the home of his parents on Lafayette Street. He was born at Dutzow, June 20, 1897, and came to Washington with his parents about a year ago. He was employed at the shoe factory until a few days before his death. The deceased is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Julius Heuser; two brothers, Eugene and Eli; one sister, Frieda. The remains were shipped to Mar-thasville, his former home, and burial took place Thursday afternoon. The influenza vaccine perfected by the Public Health Laboratories of the University of Missouri is proving successful, according to reports received from different parts of Missouri. The vaccine was perfected during the influenza epidemic at the University last December. As soon as enough could be made it was sent to prominent physicians in this country for trial. Reports from these say that the vaccine was a success. It is now being sent free upon request to physicians applying for it It is given similarly to the typhoid serum except that the injections are given at periods of three days until completed. The Bible Class of the St Peter's Church had its business meeting Tuesday evening at the St Peter's Hall and elected the following officers: Walter Pfautsch, president; Louis Baumann, vice president; Miss Nora Vick, secretary; Jul H. Conrads, treasurer. JOBS FOR RETURNING HEROES Should Be Given Positions In Which They Are Most Proficient The U. S. Employment Service has started a move to establish in every community, from the small town to the largest city, a bureau where the returning soldier or sailor may ascertain what employment is open for him. Many soldiers are returning home; many are going to cities where they are relatively unknown. Wherever they go, it is the duty of the community to see that every possible opportunity is given to them to get jobs to get the best jobs for which they are qualified. These men gave up their work at the country's call without hesitation. To some of them their old positions remain open; with others such is not the case. Still others have acquired new purpose and strength, and in many cases new skill, which fits them for better work than they had formerly. It is both a national and a community duty to see that as they come buck everything is done to enable them to return to their livelihood in the positions where they can do the most effective work. A complete outline of the plan is (riven in a recent bulletin published by the U. S. Employment Service. SCT. PAUL THATER DIES OF PNEUMONIA AT TOUL SEVERELY WOUNDED IN ACTION ON SEPTEMBER 26. No Word Received By Relatives Since He Was Wounded Formerly Employed on Snagboat Mr. and Mrs. Anton Thuter of this city last week were notified of the death in France of their son, Sergt. Paul Thuter. The news was disclosed in letters from the War Department and Red Cross. Sergt. Thater died of pneumonia October 10, and was buried at Toul, France, at sunset the same day. Sergt. Thater was ' born in St. Louis, January 8, 1894, and came to Washington with his parents in 1900. He received his education at the St. Francis Borgia School in this city. Before entering the Army he was employed on the snagboat Missouri. He was one of the draft contingent that departed from Union on October 3, 1917. While in training at Camp Funston, Kans., he showed rare adaptability at military tactics and was soon promoted to corporal, and later to the rank of sergeant. Paul was a young man of splendid type, both physically and morally, and it is to be regretted that he met such an untimely death; but his relatives and friends are consoled in the thought that he made the noblest of all sacrifices he gave his life while in the service of his country. Sergt. Thater was a member of Company M, 35th Infantry, 89th Division, and arrived in France, June 27, 1918. He was severely wounded in action, September 26, 1918, and no word from him was received by relatives since that time. Paul spent a short furlough in Washingon last March. The deceased soldier leaves his parents; three brothers, Otto, Leo and Frank; three sisters, Misses Mary, Florence and Hilda. The Washington Flour Mill Co. on Monday received a new two-ton motor truck to be used in delivering the mill products to consumers 1 m SGT. PAUL THATER FEDERAL BUILDING MAY BE ERECTED THIS YEAR VENDOR ORDERED TO START CLEARING THE SITE. Treasury Now Drawing Up Plans and Specifications For Washington's $60,000 Postoffice Building. Washington's $60,000 Federal building will in all probability be erected during the coming year. One of the big features of the Government's reconstruction program after the war is the immediate construction of all public buildings. Jas. I. Jones, of St. Louis, the vendor of the Federal building site on corner of Second and Lafayette Streets, this week was instructed by the Treasury Department to have the site cleared within 60 days from February 5, 1919. Mr. Jones will let out by contract to the highest bidder the work of razing the buildings and otherwise clearing the site. The Treasury Department has already obtained such information in regard to sewer connections, heating facilities and electrical appliances available.MANY BREAKS IN PIPE LINE Caused By Contraction of Pipes at Joints Farmers Burn Oil. The dense smoke cloud that hung over Washington several days during the last week was caused by burning-oil in the creeks on nearby farms. The oil comes from the Yarhola pipe line, which passes through this county. Farmers set fire to the oil fearing that the creeks will raise and their lands inundated by oil and made infertile.A representative of the Yarhola Pipe Line Co., Tuesday told the Observer that those farmers whose lands have suffered from the oil will later learn that very little actual damage .was do to the lands. He said thut the breU8 In the pipe line were most frequent in Franklin County, fourteen breaks having occurred this week. The breaks are caused by contraction of the pipe at the joints due to weather conditions. The company Monday installed a heating plant miles south of Washington, in order to reduce the number of breaks in the line. The oil, as it passes through the pipe, is heated to a temperature of 110 dgrees, the fuel to produce this heat being obtained direct from the pipe line. The Yarhola pipe line, completed last summer, was built at a cost of $7,000,000. The line carries oil from the fields at Cushing, Okla., to the refining station at Woodriver, 111., a distance of 426 miles. An average of 12,000 barrels of crude oil is car ried through this pipe line every day. The oil is forced through the pipe un der a pressure of 800 pounds and pumping stations are maintained about 40 miles apart along the line. The Yarhola Pipe Line Co. is a trans portation concern and makes contracts with owners of oil lands to carry the oil to the refining stations. Sportsmen's Convention. Twenty - five thousand Missouri sportsmen will be represented at the tncetine of the Missouri Fish and Game LeHgue to be held at Sedalia, Mo., January 23 and 24, at Hotel Perrv. as Kuests of the Sedalia Cham ber of Commerce and Sedalia Gun Club. W. W. Henderson, chairman of the Legislative Committee of the I.pntme. states there are a number of changes proposed in the Missouri game laws, and the purpose or the convention is to prepare a bill to pre sent to the Legislature for enactment that has the united support oi tne members of the League. Th Leame is the only active or ganization in the state looking after the interest of the sportsmen in their endeavor to improve outdoor sports and recreation. Demobilisation of Divisions. Tt demobilization of the entire Tenth Division stationed at Camp Funston, Kans., with the exception of regular Army men, was ordered this week, according to word received ny Major-General Wood, commandant of the central department ana oi inp Funston. -Immediate demobilization of the Nineteenth Division, stationed at Camp Dodge, la., was also ordered. These divisions are made up mostly of Missouri and Iowa men.