San Antonio Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 54, No. 138, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 21, 1919 Page: 6 of 24
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6
SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS: WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY 21, 1919.
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WEDNESDAY.
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San Antonio.
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dpl3f ttcrc V-. lakill Hotel Building. !fi
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S*rt Worth 7J.J1-
' tution which *ou!d bar the manufae-
; ture and sale of intoxicating liquor
from the State, to be voted on at the
I polls next Saturday.
In some of the communities in which
. intoxicating liquors have been taboo
: for a considerable length of time there
! has been so little use for the jails as
; prison houses that they have been
[ adapted to other purposes, and this is
I one of the strong arguments in favor
! of adoption of the constitutional pro-
hibition amendment to be submitted
! to the voters at the special election,
though it is only one of many. Liquor
has been responsible for more viola-
tions of law ana for populating prisons
than anything or everything else, and
it is not surprising that there should
be such a manifest determination to
be rid of it, completely and perma-
nently.
FIRST ON THE CALENDAR.
'CIRCULATION BOOKS Ol'KN TO
fc ADVERTISERS.
M7;MI!I K <>!• THE ANMIC'IATKII I'KKSS.
:Tbe Associated Press is exclusively en-
titled to the use for republication of all
raws dispatches credited to it or not other-
wise credited in this paper and ulso tbe
ljcul newa published herein. ..
AH rights of republication of speeial dis-
aehes here are also reserved.
BE A GOOD SCOUT.
It should be the hearty desire of
every good citizen to be "a good scout,"
and it only costs one dollar, if that be
all that one can afford to pay, or is
willing to afford.
It is not necessary to particularize
as to the substantial benefits of such
an organization as that of the "Boy
Scouts." Every one now knows how
much the organization has done and is
doing for the boys who have been en-
rolled as members, and how much the
members have done and are always
ready to do for the public whenever
called upon.
If all the boys in the community
were "good scouts" there would not be
any bad boys, because the Scouts know
the value of good behavior, good morals
and good discipline and of honorable
service and have such pride of char-
acter as is the making of good citizens.
Their elders can be "good scouts" by
lining up with the boys and it ought to
be a matter of pride and pleasure to
them to be permitted to wear one of
the buttons that show where they stand.
It costs something to maintain the
organization of the Boy Scouts, to pay
the expenses of camps and hikes; of
equipment, training and the like; and
some pari, at least, of this must be con-
tributed by the friends and wellwishers
of the youngsters who are to be the
future citizens and the future depend-
ence of the country. If we are good
scouts, we want them to be good cit-
izens, and we should all be willing to
do whatever we can to help make them
such. /It is a credit to any of us to
be associated with the Boy Scouts and
the buttons they are distributing look
good wherever seen.
Get one and wear it and help to
raise the fund which is needed to
strengthen the organization and in-
crease its usefulness.
The first resolution introduced in
the House of Representatives after the
! convening of the special session, and
therefore first on the calendar, was
j the woman's suffrage constitutional
amendment measure. It provides that
j "The right of citizens of the United
States to vote shall not be denied or
abridged by the United States or by
any State on account of sex."
The passage of this resolution prob-
ably will be the first business trans-
acted in the House, or in the Senate,
a sulficent number of votes having
been pledged in both bodies to make
sure that the proposed amendment toi
the constitution will be submitted to
the State legislatures for ratification.
It has been a long, hard fight thsrt
the advocates of equal suffrage have
made to persuade Congress to recog-
i nize the equality of citizenship of men
and women alike, but the fight has
been practically won, for there is now
little doubt that the amendment will be
ratified by the necessary majority of
the States very soon after the legis-
latures have had an opportunity to
pass upon it. But the legislatures of
most of the States will not be in reg-
ular session a^ain before 1921, so that
Nation-wide suffrage for women can-
not be accomplished before then, or
perhaps later. In the meantime States
which have not already granted equal
suffrage may do so by amendment of
the State constitution, as will be done
by Texas at next Saturday's special
election, according to the general ex-
pectation.
! the end of the present special session,
partly because it is more or less ir-
i rltatlng to the general public, and
I partly because there may be no need
j for it the end of another fiscal year.
By the close of the present calendar
year the abnormal expenses of govern,
inent will have been materially re-
duced and the current revenues may be
sufficient, when trade and commerce
resume their normal sway, without the
imposition of unusual taxes, such as
are paid at the soft drink emporiums
and at the box office of the amusement
resorts, for it is not the idea to make
the present generation pay more than
its proper share of the cost of the war.
In the meantime the Bureau of In-
ternal Revenue has called attention to
the fact that the law is being miscon-
strued by a large portion of the public
and by dealers themselves with regard
to the tax on soft drinks, which the
collectors of the revenue are now try-
ing to make plain, and it appears to be
cheaper for the consumer to drink
from a closed container on which the
manufacturer has already paid the tax,
than to patronize the fountain mixed
products of which the dealer is meas-
urably the manufacturer, but what is
the difference who pays the tax, so
long as it is paid?
WHAT EXPRESS FILES
TELL
EMI'TY JAILS AND PRISONS.
A CALL FOR HARVEST HANDS.
From Dallas comes the announce-
ment that the city jail is empty, the
last three prisoners having been sent
to the municipal farm.
There have been similar reports
from cities and counties which had
banished the liquor traffic with in-
creasing frequency in the past few
years.
One of the first effects of a "dry"
San Antonio, as a result of war-time
prohibition, was a decided lessening
of the number of prisoners in the city
jail and a decided falling off in the
number of offenders against the peace
and dignity of the community appear-
ing before the recorder's court.
County jails, as well as city prisons,
began to show a considerable diminu>
tion of the number of inmates as soon
as saloons were closed as the result
of enforcement of prohibition laws, not
only in Texas, but throughout the coun-
try, wherever such law enforcement
had removed the temptation to crimc
and disorder. Jails that were formerly
usually filled and sometimes overtaxed
while the liquor traffic was licensed
and upheld, have been reported empty,
or practically so, since the traffic has
been outlawed, and the fact is being
stressed by the advocates of the pro-
posed amendment to the State const!-
West and Southwest Texas farmers
are calling loudly for htlp to harvest
the large crops of wheat and oats. One
community in Runnels County has
asked the Federal Employment Bureau
at San Angelo for one thousand harves-
ters and many West Texas farmers are
said to be fearful that they will lose a
part of their splendid yield through
failure to obtain sufficient help to
gather it.
Uvalde, reporting a shortage of har-
vest hands, has made an appeal to the
high school boys, and a considerable
number of them have responded, volun-
teering to work from 4 o'clock in the
afternoon until dark. This is almost as
patriotic as volunteering for service in
the army or navy in time of need, for
in helping the farmers in such circum-
stances they are serving a public need.
There should never be any complaint
of unemployment at harvest time, es-
pecially when there are such crops to
be harvested as now, and there should
never be any hesitancy on the part of
those who are willing to work to take
off their coats and go to it in the grain
fields. If there are any idlers in the
city there is a fine chance for them
now to enjoy a profitable outing, a
change of scene, and a change of em-
ployment, that can hardly fail to be
conducive to health, for the work is in
the open where the breezes blow and
the atmosphere is fresher and purer
than it is in the pent up lanes and
within the walls of the heated city. It
J is fine to be on the farms in- this pleas-
ant summer season when the help the
farmer so much needs is so much ap-
preciated. The boys of the Uvalde
high school have set a good example
which does them credit and which is
worthy of emulation.
THE LUXURY WAR TAX.
The payment of war taxes is a part
of the price we pay for having been at
war, but it is a temporary incon-
venience that we may be rid of so far
as it affects some of the minor neces-
sities, such as articles of mi-lady's
toilet, and the semi-luxuries sold at the
soda fountains and in the ice cream
parlors.
There are some other things re-
garded as luxuries, such for example
as cigars and tobacco, that have al-
ways been considered favorite sources
of revenue for the Government, and the
extra taxes on these will probably re-
main longer than the war tax on soft
drinks and some of the other things
classed as luxuries by the Government,
but hardly considered as belonging in
that category by at least some of the
consumers.
It has already been intimated that
the Congress now in session will re-
peal the extra tax on luxuries before
THE RIVAL AIRSHIPS.
Another "blimp," the United States
dirigible C-4, sister of the ill-fated C-5,
is reported to be ready to attempt the
transatlantic flight, and her com-
mander avows that she is in better
shape for it than was her unfortunate
sister.
Now that the heavier-than-air planes
have done so well, it is eminently
proper that the lighter-than-air type of
flying machines should be given the
same sort of tryout that the others
have had.
The C-4 is said to have stood sat-
isfactorily the test at the naval sta-
tion which warranted the conclusion
that she can safely go the gaits, as per
schedule, of an oversea flight, if given
a favorable start—with all the crew
on board—instead of trying to go it
ilone and unmanned, as her sister, thi
C-5, did, with only the storm king act-
ing as her guide.
There is some question as to wheth-
er the passenger airship of the future
is to be a balloon, gasbag "blimp," or
whatever we may choose to call it; or
a greatly enlarged edition of the bi-
plane, triplane. or whatever the desig-
nation of the evolution of the heavier-
than-air machine may be. At present
there is an appearance of rivalry in
which the planes seem to have the
bulge. If the dirigible now ready to
he entered in the contest be given a
fair chance to show herself, and shall
succeed in negotiating the oversea
voyage in an entirely satisfactory man-
ner, the rivalry will continue, with
conceded advantages in respect to
each. The dirigible, it may be assum-
ed, will be capable of larger carrying
capacity, subject to equal control and
therefore equally as safe as the air-
planes, but not equal to them in speed.
We shall await the tTial flight of the
C-4 oversea with as much interest as
we have watched the operations of the
seaplanes that have now made history;
and we have a hope, and some degree
of confidence, that she will go across
all right long before that British tri-
plane, with its six engines and its ac-
commodations for 100 passengers,
comes across from the other side. Give
the C-4 a chance, and see if she can-
not perform equal to the NC-4, and
better than the foreign triplane!
THIKTV-H\K vkah< \<.O TODAY—1M4
Regarding complaints of tin* absence of
street lamps in the northern portion or
the city. Mayor French says the council
will authorize the erection of gas lamps
as soon as the gas company puts down the
mains.
4 ♦ ♦
A meeting whs held lust night to or-
ganize a company to build railway from
San Antonio tu 'the Gulf. but the details
were kept secret as the meeting was mere-
ly preliminary.
With all our advantages over other cities,
there is not a garden <>r park worthy of
the name for public recreation, hxcept
for the beauty nature and tradition have
given it, San Fedr<« Springs disappoint®
the tourist. Why < unnot this be made the
finest park In the State?
Marriage license w.i> issued yesterday to
August Schilling ami Mena Frasch.
Professors H. F. Atwater and J. Morden.
eminent scientists sent by l'r. (Jarnier of
London, Canada, to study and observe the
various birds of passage in West. Texas,
as well as Insects and reptiles, are at the
residence of Prof. (J. Toudouze on the Me-
dina. having been t-ngaged in their special
work since February. They have uia<le
many valuable discoveries of bird and in-
se« t species heretofore unknown to science,
besides collecting a very valuable cabinet
which they will take with them to Canada.
♦ ♦ ♦
Among prominent visitors in the city
yesterday were Sam Childress, a Gallinai
merchant; J. 1'. Dashiell of l'residio Coun-
tv, W. C. A gee of 1 Toresvllle. D. It. Fant
of Goliad, S. J. T. .lohnsou of Corsicana,
W. A. Abbey of Longview, editor of the
Democrat; Colonel John S. lWvens of I ear-
sail, Dr. W. II. K.rr of Cotiilla. C. H.
Lockhart, Mrs. Lockhart and Mrs. D. P.
Shepherd of Houston. \\. M. O lirion and
F. W. Odeu of Pleasanton.
FIFTEEN TEARS A<JO TODAY—1904.
Laredo will have a 9100,(NX) pumping
plant for irrigation of l.uuu acres of onion
land.
4 ♦ ♦
The National Government has been ad-
vised that brigands have carried American
citizens from Tangiers iuto the mountains
for ransom.
♦ ♦ 4
Some of Mr Hearst's advisers are now
urging him to become a candidate for
Vice President on the Democratic ticket.
♦ 4 ♦
The Russians are destroying bridges in
Liao Tung Province to delay the move-
ment of forty-five battalions of Japanese
lauded on the peuinsula.
4 4 4-
Aecording to the rendition of assessment
of the Waterworks Company, its posses-
sions in and about San Antonio are this
year worth about $25,000 less than the as-
sessed value of the property It owned last
year. H. K. Ellsworth appeared at the
assessor's office yesterday and gave in a
schedule of the company's taxable property
which aggregated ?7M,<)00.
-4 -4 +
Within ten days the "end seat hog'* will
proceed to vacate his treasured seat at the
entrance of cross-seated street cars. Mayor
Campbell yesterday signed the ordinance
nnd first publication was made. Street
railway conductors will be given authority
to enforce the ordinance.
-4- -4- ♦
The .Taps have met with a reverse on
land that the Russians are inclined to mag-
nify unduly, but there does not appear to
have been any really severe setback. It
was hardly to be expected that the Japs
would march through the entire province
of Manchuria without meeting some ob-
stacle on the way.
STATE ORGANIZATIONS TO
FORM COTTON ASSOCIATION
HIGH PRICES AND ATTITUDES.
Here is a little nut for Congress to
crack, if it feels equal to the task after
hearing the report brought back by
some of its members who have been
abroad, concerning the cheaper prices
of food in England, as compared with
our own markets.
It is alleged by these National law-
makers that foodstuffs raised in Amer-
ica and shipped abroad cost the British
consumer less than the American con-
sumer is compelled to pay, although he
is so much nearer the field of pro-
duction.
There are said to be many reasons
why this is so, chiefest among them
being the difference between the Eng-
lish and the American people in their
attitude toward profiteering; an atti-
tude, we are told, that is not only in-
dividual, but National and government-
al. The whole country is complaining
of the high prices which prevail and
which, instead of going down with
the close of the war, appear to have
gone, and to be still going, higher. If
the reason for the cheaper prices of
American products in foreign than
in domestic markets were merely a
matter of individual attitude, probably
there could be no help for it as long
as fortitude and forbearance were not
strained to the breaking point. But if
the difference is governmental, Con-
gress might be able to find a solution
of the problem by getting a few point-
ers from London.
However, the war taxes may be con-
siderably reduced, if not entirely elimi-
nated, after the new fiscal year, and
then there will be less "excuse" for the
high prices that now prevail, if un-
fettered competition does not do the
work sooner.
P
Meeting to Be Held in Dallas on May
28 Is for Purpose of Organiz-
ing Texas Body.
The Express Austin Bureau.
AUSTIN, Tex., May 20.—F. C. Weinert,
Commissioner of Markets nnd Warehouses,
has returned to h'® office after several
days absence in attendance at the World's
Cotton Conference held at New Orleans on
May 14, 15 and 16.
When asked for an expression concern-
ing the important questions discussed at
the conference, he stated that what will be
known hereafter as the American Cotton
Association was permanently organized,
and that the beneficial results which will
follow such an organization will be two-
fold. The proposed organization of the
gigantic 9100,000,000 eottou export corpo-
ration, fathered by Hon. W. P. Harding,
chairman of the Federal Iteserve Hoard,
is by far the soundest undertaking ever
advocated in behalf of the Southern people
in the marketing of their cotton.
There were present at the conference rep-
resentative farmers, bankers and merchants
from all of the cotton producing States,
iiinl addresses were made by W. P. Hard-
ing. Senator Smith of South Carolina;
Judge Ileflln, member of Congress from
i Alabama ; Governor Pleasant of Louisiana
and many others, who ably pictured and
explained the cotton situation and condi-
tions now prevailing throughout the world,
impressing upon those present that the
time had arrived when the people of the
South were obliged to do something ma-
terial to protect the cotton Interests.
Charter Draft Approved.
A draft of the proposed charter of the
.<100,000.000 export corporation, prepared
by a sub-committee appointed at a confer-
ence previously held at Memphis, headed
by Governor Pleasant of Louisiana, John
T. Scott of Houston and others from the
various Southern States, was presented an 1
approved by Mr. Harding and the American
Cotton Association and adopted by the as-
sociation without a dissenting vote.
Senator Weinert stated that It seemed
that every power was granted the corpora-
tion to carry out the purposes outlined,
namely to stimulate and make possible the
exporting of cotton and incidentally to aid
the markets of the interior, as well as to
encourage and aid warehousing nnd finan-
cing both domestic and foreign buyers and
sellers. While the charter does not permit
the corporation to buy cotton on its own
account, it does permit it to act ns trustee
for agencies, which in effect answers the
same purpose. The original draft con-
tained the buying feature, but as It was
found that bankfe could not become mem-
bers of the corporation if this clause re-
main*!, it was omitted.
The association declared for a standard
bale of cotton and recommended that each
cotton State provide adequate warehouse
laws, thereby protecting the cotton against
weather damage from the gin to the spin-
ner. "I am especially pleased with this
recommendation," said Sepator Weinert,
"as the State of Texas saw the need of
remedies along these lines some time nnd
and provided beneficial laws covering both
ginning and warehousing."
Association Will Be a% federation.
The American Cotton Association will be
a federation of State organizations, and
the meeting called by Judge Ramsey and
others, to be held at Dallas on the 28th of
this month Is for the pnrposa of perfecting
a State organization. Mr. Harding will be
present ami will address the convention.
Senator Weinert thinks that Mr. Harding.
Senator <>wcnR and Judge W. F. Ramsey
deserve the gratitude of the Southern peo-
ple for their efforts and accomplishments,
and it is np to the people of the South to
show a deteriiHnation to carry into effect
the principles advocated by them.
Senator Weinert said he was especially
impressed with the address of Judge Her-
lin, who drew a picture in eloquent words,
of the farmer, banker and merchant stand-
ing with hands locked encircling a bale of
cotton, demonstrating that while neither cf
their individual interests could hold cot-
ton for y remunerative price, their com-
bined interests would.
The stock of the export corporation will
all be subscribed and held by the people of
the South.
NORMAL PRESIDENT A VISITOR.
The Kspres* Austin Hurrau.
AT ST1N, Tex., May 20.—R. B. Blnnlon,
president of the Fast Texas State Normal
at Commerce, was here today on business
with some of the State Departments. Mr.
Blnnlon said the enrollment at the Com-
merce Normal has increased 100 per cent
will reach 1,200 this year. All lines
of business are thrlring In hia section of
the State, he said _
Page's Criticism of Blue
Ridge Farm Deal Reseated
by Attorney for Blakely
Inquiry at Austin Enlivened by Per-
sonal Privilege Statements-Blakely
Denies Prior Knowledge of
Bringing in Well.
The Express Austin Bureau.
AUSTIN, Tex., May 20.—When Walter J. Crawford of Beaumont, attorney
for Bassett Blakely, had concluded his testimony before the legislative com-
mittee investigating the Blue Ridge farm matter this afternoon he arose and
said, referring to a statement made by Senator Page during the morning session
that "the entire transaction bears the earmarks of fraud!"
"One member of this committee has suggested that this entire transac-
tion bears the earmarks of fraud. I trust that this suggestion has no personal
application; and that it is not suggested that I have been a carty to any fraud.
I accepted this employment for my firm in good faith, a firm that has been
established for twenty years; and I certainly am not prepared to hear that it
has in any wise been connected with any fraudulent transaction. 1 have per-
petrated no fraud and have been a party to none, and that I wish to go into the
record and to be fully known to the members of this committee.,,
To this Senator Page replied: "The record is before the people and they
may judge of the matter. I have said that in my opinion the whole transac-
tiop smacks of fraud and I have nothing to retract. I reiterate it as my opinion
that this whole matter smacks of fraud—all the circumstances are indicative of
fraud. I have nothing to retract."
Mr. Crawford then retired to a seat in the back of the room, where he
listened to the examination of Bassett Blakely, the owner of the Blue Ridge
farm, who denied prior knowledge of the bringing in of the well, and who
positively and emphatically denied having been a party to having overreached
the Governor or the Prison Commissioners.
Blakely'» Replies Bring Laughter. message of the Governor to the Legisla-
Mr. Blakely was submitted to sharu ture aud sent a copy of that contract to
questioning by the members of the commit* the Governor.
tee, and gave his answers in a manner that lie discussed the matter in a general
brought laughter several times, more et»pe- way with Low, who told him In a general
daily when ho was asked the direct ques- way of tbe policy as fixed by the Prison
tion of why he had employed Walter Craw- Commission and who inquired if Blakciy
ford to secure the signatures of the com- would be willing to terminate the cou-
missioners to the contract shortening th« tracts at the end of three years. Craw-
leases on all the farms and terminating tbe ford inquired of Blakely if this would be
option of the State on Blue Ridge. It wai satisfactory and he replied thut it would;
Representative Osborne who was conduct- that he was willing to do anything rea-
Ing the inquiry at that particular time, and souable to get an adjustment.
he asked Mr. Blakely: Phone* Winfrey at lluntNviUe.
"Then you employed Crawford to see th« After Crawford drew the contract he left
Prison Commissioners and get taelr signa- the State for some three weeks, going to
tures after you had understood that tin Washington. Shortly after his return—
matter had been all arranged aud that ths within three or four days—Blakely had
policy had been decided upon if" I < ailed him over the phone and asked hint
"Yes, sir." to see what had become of the contract he
"Did you expect any trouble in securing had drawn.
the signatures/" ' °u April 11 Crawford went to Houston
"I did not at first; but there had been t to see about It. Saturday morning, the
delay aud I had been put to a good deal
of annoyance over the matter. 1 aud had
much trouble.''
"Did you employ him," asked Osborne,
"because of his legal ability or becausa
you knew he had iniluence with tne Prison
Commissioners'.'"
"My old uncle told me once never to
send a boy to mill if I wanted any meal.
I wanted someuody who would get the
bacon. 1 wanted these signatures to get
the matter wound up. I wanted no delay.'
"Why did you pay him a fee of $10,001
for getting those signatures V" asked Os-
borne. "I paid him $10,000 because I bad
a well in the middle of a 0,000-acre farm,
and 1 felt rich—mighty rich. Why, ilril
#10,000 was just like u dime to me then."
Bid Not DIhcuss Fee in Advance.
Later Mr. Blakely said in answer to a
question by Senator Page that he had not
discussed the fee with Judge Crawford in
advance, and that he had paid him what
he thought he owed him for all the serv-
ices rendered him.
Fly suggested that Blakely had said he
did. not know he had a well when ho scut
Crawford to Huntsville.
"No," came the answer, "and I hadn't
paid him any ten thousand dollars then,
either."
The day brought out much information
concerning the securing of the signatures;
and Judge Crawford made a direct state-
ment as to his whole connection with the
matter aud what his ideas were.
Mr. Crawford was given a gruelling ex-
amination in which the various member*
of the committee took a hand. Particular
attention was given to the fact |}iat Mr.
Crawford had peen the chairman of tha
executive committee of the Hobby cam-
paign last year; and the size of the fee
which was paid hint by Bassett Blakely to
represent him in the matter of the release
of the State's option and tbe arrangement
of the date for the termination of the
State's lease on the various Blakely land!
was brought out.
Mr. Crawford appeared a very willing
wtiuess and promptly replied to ever.v
question propounded; both as to matters oi
fact aud also of his motives and opinions;
he had asked that he be permitted to ap-
pear before the committee and was not
subpoenaed.
Hassett Blakely, the owner of Blue Ridge,
also appeared today. He did not make
any statement, his attorney, T. H. Stone,
having made the statement in his behalf
Monday. But Mr. Blakely went on the
witness stand and replied to the questions
of the committee.
Nazre Appears Under Subpoena.
Underwood Nazre, general manager of
the Gulf Production Company, did not ap-
pear as a voluntary witness. He was oi
the opinion that this might make it appeal
that he was in some manner appearing at
a friend of some of the parties, and this
he did not desire. He required that the
committee issue a subpoena for him and
the records of the Gulf well on the Blakely
farm so that the record might show exactly
how he got before the committee. It la
expected he will he on the witness stand
Wednesday with the log of the well. This
log Is desired to ascertain Just when the
first Indications of oil appeared to the
driller and when the report was first made
on that point.
Walter J. Crawford appeared before the
committee and stated that he regarded
permission to make a statement as a per-
sonal privilege and thanked the committee
therefor. He wanted to say at the outset
that he had represented Blakely in a num-
ber of matters at various times over a
number of years. The first time was soma
three or four years ago in connection with
a loan which Blakely was securing upon
some business property in Beaumont. He
regarded Blakely botu as a personal friend
and as a client.
His first personal connection with the
Blue Itidge matter was some time in March,
lie had talked freely with Blakely several
times and understood in a general way his
financial and business condition, especially
with regard to tbe lauds under lease to the
Prison Commission. This employment
came after the transmission of the Gov-
ernor's message to the Legislature outlin-
ing his policy in regard to the working of
the lands under the control of the Prison
Commission. As he understood it, the Pris-
on Commissioners and the Governor had
reached an agreement as to the policy and
the message reflected this and informed the
Legislature.
Wanted Lcmm Matters Straightened Ont.
Blakely had asked him to assist in get-
ting the matter straightened out, his
rights and responsibilities determined ex-
actly. The Trison Commissioners had
discussed with Blakely tbe desirability of
shortening the lease periods with a view
to finallv terminating them before the
period originally fixed and Blakely under-
stood that they were ready to proceed,
it was immaterial to Blakely whether the
State bought the lands under lease or not;
but the lenses constituted a cloud on the
title to some 14,000 acres of land and
Blakely could make no financial statement
for the reason that he did not know what
condition these leases would be In; it
wftild break him If all of the leases were
terminated at one time. He wanted the
whole matter fixed up.
Crawford read the Governor's message
nnd, deeming that the exact policy of the
Prison Commission hnd been fixed, he re-
garded the employment teudered by Blake-
ly ns being entirely proper nnd he had no
consultation with the Governor or any of
the Prison Commissioners as to the mat-
ter. He drew the contract shortening ths
time of the leases and relinquishing the
option to buy on the Blue Riage farm in
accord with the policj as outlined 1a the
12th, he had phoned Commissioner Win
frey at Huntsville and ascertained he was
not in the office and he requested the sec-
retary of the commission to ascertain
where Winfrey was and transmit to him
the request to meet him that afternoon;
he had also sent a telegram to Winfrey
making the same request. He had told
the secretary his reason for asking for a
meeting thut ufternon was because he had
a case In the Federal Court at Beuumont
on Monday.
Hearing nothing from either the phone
or telegraphic message, Blakely had sug-
gested to him that It was a nretty day
and that he would loan him his car to
go to Huntsville uud find Winfrey. Upon
his arrival in Huntsville he found that
Winfrey had gone to the Kastham farm
aud was not likely to return for two of
three days; the secretary said he had been
trying to reach Winfrey but wtihout suc-
cess.
Crawford then went to the Eastham
farm and there delivered to Winfrey two
copies of the contract, the original which
had been signed by the Governor and by
Pryor and a copy thereof. Winfrey said
he had known that the contract was In
Huntsyllle the previous Tuesday, but had
not read it or given it any thought. He
had had no time to ponder it or to know
whether it met the conditions. Crawford
asked him to sign it, but Winfrey objected
to doiug so; he wished to read it over and
attend to the matter in the office at Hunts-
ville and have it entered upon the min-
utes in regular form.
Crawford Insists on Signing.
Crawford told him he wanted to get the
matter closed and Winfrey finally signed
ut the insistence of Crawford and then
acknowledged It before a Justice of the
peace. Winfrey had demurred to signing
it, but Crawford saw nothing out of the
way in his doing so as Winfrey agreed
that the terms stipulated therein were
those agreed upon by the commission nnd
approved by the Governor. Blakely had
signed the contract some eight days be-
fore.
Winfrey retained the original and also
the iotter from the Governor in which
Hobby had told him he had signed subject
to any changes which the members of the
Prison Commission might desire to make
in the contract.
Crawford took the copy of it back to
Huntsville and there secured the ack-
nowledgment of Commissioner Pryor.
Crawford returned to Beaumont that
night and tried his case In the Federal
Court on Monday. On Tuesday, the 15th,
he dictated an entry of the contract for
the minutes of the Prison Commission,
bearing in mind what Winfrey had said
about it. When he went to Houston he
bought a paper and found therein a story
about the bringing in of the well at Blue
Ridge. He knew there would be a mud-
dle. The only thing Blakely had ever said
to him about oil prospectlug on the laud
was iu connection wltn some leases; but
he asked him concerning this matter and
Blakely had told him that two weeks be-
fore Nazro had told him he Intended
abandoning the well unless they struck
something within the next 150 or 200
feet.
Surmises Inquiry Would Be Made.
When Crawford saw the story concern-
ing the finding of oil on the Blue Ridge
ho surmised at once that there would be
inquiry in regard to his connection with
the matter of terminating the State's pur-
ported option on the farm. He knew that
he had acted in good faith with the Gov-
ernor and the Prison Commissioners and
he believed that Blakely had done so with
him. But he went to Judge Proctor of the
Gulf Company and to Nazro. whom he
knew well, and asked them if there was
any deal with Blakely in connection with
tbe well. Nazro resented the inquiry, as
was natural, and promptly denied it. He
sent for the log of tbe well and read it
to Crawford, including the day before he
was in Huntsville.
On April 5, the day when the Governor
bad signed, there was no Indication of
oil in the log.
On the day Crawford went to Huntsville
there was an indication in the log that
something might be found.
/tate Offered f800,000 for Option.
He went on to Huntsville to see Win-
frey because he felt that the contract,bad
been Bigned in honest good faith and that
the matter should be proceeded with on
that line. When he got to Huntsville
Winfrey showed him a telegram from Ed
Hussion of Houston offering S300.000 for
the State's option on Blue Ridge; this
telegram stated that oil had been found
ten days before the date thereof. This tele-
gram was dated the 14th.
He gave Winfrey the copies of the entry
for the minutes and told him he thought
the matter should be proceeded with. Win-
frey replied that he didn't feel that wav
about it; more especially since the receipt
of the telegram. He said he wanted to
talk to the Governor about It. He said,
also, that he thought the Attorney Gen-
eral should prepare the entry for the
minutes of the commission.
Crawford told him alright; and left with
him a copy of the entry he had prepared
so that it would be seen that he was act-
ing in good faith and show that nothing
improper bad been attempted.
Winfrey tried to get the Governor over
the telephone, but could not make him
understand, because of bad connection.
Low declined to §ign the contract be-
cause the discovery of oil had altered the
circumstances; though he admitted that
the contract was drawn in accordance with
the agreed policy.
"I did not fftl
discussed the matter
1 felt the Legislature had approved the
that way about it and 1
l— at length with him. I
B '
policy as outlined and that the contract
was carrying out the agreement which had
been concurred in by ail parties. 1 felt tbe
matter had all been determined and that
the discorery of oil should make no dif-
ference.
Made statu* Clear as Attorney.
"I hnd made it clear to the Governor,
to Winfrey and Low that I was acting as
the attorney for Blakely in the matter
when I discussed it with them. They knew
my exact relation in the negotiations."
This concluded the statement by Mr.
Crawford and Chairman Suiter asked Mr.
ltlakely if he desired to make any state-
ment. Mr. HIakely did not, the state-
ment by Mr. Stone on Monday, having in-
cluded everything which he cared to aay.
Chairman Suiter then gave noUce to all
interested parties that they might make
any statement they desired to at this par-
ticular time and before any wuue*»«a aa*
been formally summoned and placed on
the stand.
Stone—R. C. Duff of Houston may de-
sire to appear and make a statement. He
holds some of tahe Hlue Ridge leases and
might desire to make a statement as to
the validity thereof.
Mr. Crawford was then placed on tbe
witness stand and Chairman Suiter under-
took the direct examination.
Suiter—You were employed by Blakely
about March 1.
Crawford—Yea.
Q.—During the regular aesslon of the
Legislature, did you talk to the Governor
about this matter of terminating the lease*
held by the State?
A.—I did not discuss the matter witn
him until after he had sent in his mes-
sage.
Q.—How long nfter the submission of,
that message before there was any dis-
cussion V
A.—Possibly a week after. The first
thing I asked blin was whether the State
was to get three, four or five years la
which to tennlnate the leases.
Q.—Did you ever discuss the matter of
the termination of the leases before that
time?
A.—No.
y.—Have you had personal experience
In the oil fields?
A.—"Some in Spindle Top, Saratoga and
Sour Lake.
Q,—In your experience how long before
a well is brought in are there definite In-*
dicatioaa f
May Show Pay* Bef6re Brought In.
A.—That depends upon the character of
the soil in which the drilling Is being
done; that Is, whether In rock or sand.
Sometimes a well comes In suddenly, at
other times slowly.
Q.—Usually there are positive indica-
tions several days before the well is
brought in?
A.—Yes, usually.
Q.—In your conversation with Biakefar
did he say why he was anxious to get this
contract signed so hurriedly?
A.—Yes; he was anxiods to find OBt
where he was; he wanted to negotiate-s
loan to buy a big tract of land In Duval
County; he could make no financial state-
ment and was all tied up by the leases and
could no nothing.
Q —In the contract ns you presented it
there was a proposition that the State
could no longer exercise its option to pay
the rent of the land In money?
To this question Mr. Stone interpoaed
the following reply: "Not as to the Blus
Ridge Farm; that never had that op-
tion."
y.—That applied to nil the Blakely lajid,
did It not?
A.—Yes; It was in there together with
the release of the option on the Blue Itidge
plantation.
Q.—How long after the matter was dis-
cussed by you with tbe Governor before
you talked with the Prison Commission-
ers?
A.—I talked with Commissioner Low
about the same time here in Austin. I
do not recall whether this was before or
after my discussion with the Governor.
I also talked with Winfrey about the mat-
ter later.
Q.—-How many trips did yon make to
Austin in connection with drawing the
contract?
A.—None; I was here in attendance upon
the Glasscock and Parr case. When I
was through with that I left the State.
Saw Commissioners After Well Brought In.
Q— How long nfter your return before
Blakely took up this matter with you? *
A.—Some three or four days. Blakely
called me up over the phone and asked me
to see what hnd become of that contract.
I saw Winfrey first on April 11. Saw Pry-
or the same night about 10 or 11 sfelock.
Q.—Was it not Sunday morning about 1
o'clock when you saw Pryor?
A.-r-Not in ray recollection. In the jrfter-
noon we had found out that we abeoM
need a notary and spoke to a young lady
about taking Pryor's acknowledgment;
she said she was going to church that
night and we did not wish to disturb her.
So we went to McKinney's house; he ha»l
not yet gone to bed; we went to the offlra
and McKlnney went and took the acknowl-
edgment of Pryor.
Q.—Had you asked McKlnney to wait up
for you?
A.—No; we expected to use the yonnff
lady in Ashford's office.
Q.—-Did you tell Pryor anything of tha
well having come in?
A.—No ; we went to his house and asked
him to make the acknowledgment and ho
did so.
Q.—What time did you know there wat
a well on the Blue Ridge farm?
A.—Monday, April 14, about 8:30 p. m.
Q.—Then you went next day, Tuesday,
to Huntsville to get the contract put in the
minutes and the minutes signed?
A.—Y'es.
Q.—Who was the first commissioner t«
whom you talked then?
A.—All three of them were together.
Q.—They refused to approve the minutes
you offered?
A.—Yes; Winfrey said he wanted to talk
to the Governor about it, and I told him
I alio wished 'to talk to the Governor.
Q.—When you tnlked to the Governor, did
vou urge him to request that the minutes
ba signed?
Thought Matter Definitely Settled.
A.—Yes; I thought the matter had been
definitely settled and in the absence of
any fraud, and that the minutes should
be entered and the matter closed up.
Q.—At the time of your employment by
Blakely you understood that it was tha
policy of the State to get out of partner-
ship with individuals, and the contract you
drew up was based upon that?
A.—Yes.
Q.—I know that ordinarily such matters
are of private concern only, and that It i*
not a matter for Inquiry under ordinary
circumstances; but this being a matter of
public moment and one in which the public
has n lnrge interest, I wish to ask you If
you have any objection to stating what feo
you were paid by Blakely. It is rumored
that you received an immense fee to get
this contract through.
A.—I have no objection to telling what
the fee was; but I wish to say first that
this included some other things. My em-
ployment by Blakely was to get the whole
matter fixed up. lie also wanted me to
secure a loan for him. I was to secure a
determination of his financial status and
also to assist in financing him. I also had
performed a service in connection with
some patents on a gin. He wiehed to or-
ganize a corporation on these patents. I
never dicker with a client as to the fee
and had no previous understanding con-
cerning It in any of these matters. I ha l
for some time known the condition of
Blakely's affairs as regarded these lease*.
Had discussed the matter with him for
some time.
"You asked pointedly a few minutes ago
If I had discussed these matters with the
Governor and the Prison Commissioners.
I do recall having discussed with the Gov-
ernor and Low how lopg the leases shonld
run when they were shortened; I told them
that it should be done gradually; as the
prisoners employed on the leased lands
were released it would be necessary to pre-
pare the State's land to be worked. To
turn loose all the leases suddenly would
be bad for the State and an Injustice to th*
land owners, because they also had to pre-
pare for the change. If I discussed this
matter with the Governor and Low, this
was the only feature.
No Agreement as to Fee.
"I had no contract for a fee from Blake-
ly. When I prepared the contract for
signature I had before me the Governor's
message and as I understood It the mat-
ter had all been arranged.
"The fee was paid two or three days after
the well came in. Blakely gave me a
check for f10,000, remarking: 'Here Is
your fee. I have oil on ray land and want
to compensate you. I want you to help
me carry this thing on through.* I figured
that the fee was not excessive. Blakely
had some rights which were in jeopardy;
he hnd a million dollars of oil land in-
volved and my employment had not ter-
minated. T felt that It was nat an unvea- ,
sonable amount." 1
Q.—When you entered ths employ of
Blakely did you know they wsrs drilling
for oil?
A.—No; the first time I was In
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San Antonio Express. (San Antonio, Tex.), Vol. 54, No. 138, Ed. 1 Wednesday, May 21, 1919, newspaper, May 21, 1919; San Antonio, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth430606/m1/6/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Abilene Library Consortium.