The Montgomery Advertiser
- Wisconsin Voters to Express Wishes on Dry Law Change
- Liberty Bonds Traced to Bank of Harry Daugherty's Brother
- Rescuers Spurred by Signs of Life from Mine Depths
The Montgomery Advertiser of September 28, 1926 reported three unresolved stories. In Wisconsin, the court rejected an attempt to block an advisory referendum on asking Congress to permit 2.75 percent beer. In the Daugherty–Miller conspiracy trial, testimony traced Liberty bonds and their sale proceeds along the government's alleged bribery trail. At Ironwood's mine, a miner who made a dangerous descent heard sounds that gave him hope for 43 trapped men, despite unanswered signals on water pipes.
Translation
Wisconsin Voters to Express Wishes on Dry Law Change
Referendum Authorized by Resolution Adopted at Last Session of Legislature
MADISON, WIS., Sept. 27.—(AP)—Wisconsin voters can express their opinion at the polls this fall on whether they desire a restoration of 2.75 per cent beer. Probability of court action to prevent a referendum of legalization of 2.75 per cent beer faded with today's action by the Supreme Court which refused to interfere with voting on the question at the November 2 election. The court denied a petition for an injunction against putting the question on the ballot for the election. S. A. Fulton, West Allis, a director of the Wisconsin anti-saloon league had sought the restraining act. Fred W. Zimmerman, secretary of state already has ordered the question placed on the ballot. The voters will be permitted only to express their opinion on whether congress should amend the Volstead act to legalize 2.75 per cent beer with the provision that the beverage should not be consumed on the premises where purchased. The referendum was authorized by the last session of the legislature by resolution. Counsel for Mr. Fulton contended the action was illegal, arguing that the legislature should have provided for the referendum through legislative enactment. The opinion of the high court was not disclosed today when the decision was announced by Chief Justice A. J. [?]
Liberty Bonds Traced to Bank of Harry Daugherty's Brother
[?] United States Attorney Buckner brought out in the conspiracy trial of Harry M. Daugherty, the banker's brother, and attorney general of the Harding cabinet, and Thomas W. Miller, alien property custodian at that time, that four of these bonds were sold on order of Mai Daugherty and the sale price credited to the account of Harry Daugherty. The other bond was shown to be still in possession of the Ohio bank. The government claims that these bonds comprised a part of $150,000 bribe money paid Harry Daugherty to release to Richard Merton, German metal magnate, proceeds of the impounded assets of the American Metal company. Evidence has been completed for the purpose of substantiating the government's allegation that Miller received $60,000 for putting the claims through his office. The principal witness today was Vera Veall, assistant cashier of the Midland National bank. She told of being given the four bonds in question, which were shown by their numbers to be part of the Merton-King property, by Mai Daugherty to send to the Cleveland, Ohio, brokerage firm of Otis and company, for sale. [?]
Rescuers Spurred by Signs of Life from Mine Depths
[?] IRONWOOD, MICH., Sept. 27.—(AP)—Certain that he had heard signs of life, Alfred Maki, a grim and gaunt miner, was hoisted to the surface tonight after a trip through G shaft of the Pabst mine here to obtain communication with 43 imprisoned men. Maki, who was lowered 400 feet into the shaft, dangled from the end of a rope, tied about his wrist, carrying a flashlight which aided him in penetrating the wreckage and debris for a distance of 50 feet. "I heard men working," he declared, "like men working in the earth far off. I could not tell where the sound came from. It was far off. I tapped the water pipes but got no answer." He stayed down on his expedition for about 15 minutes. Maki, one of the group of workers who claimed to have heard distinct signals on a water pipe late in the afternoon was unable to get responses to signals while in G shaft. The miner blinked in the glare of the floodlights about mine head. Tired after a day of work and the nervous excitement in the face of his dangerous descent, he smiled satisfied that he has received two communications during the day from his imprisoned friends. [?]
Context
An advisory vote aimed at Congress
Wisconsin’s proposed vote sought federal legislative change: the article expressly limits it to an expression of opinion about amending the Volstead Act. The distinction explains why allowing the ballot did not itself authorize beer sales. A later Congressional Record passage reproduces the question, specifying alcohol by weight and government supervision, and records 349,443 votes for modification against 177,602 on November 2. That subsequent result shows how the procedural victory reported here allowed supporters to demonstrate a majority for modification among those voting and use the result to press Congress for change.
Following bonds into personal accounts
The prosecution used bond numbers, sale instructions and account credits to connect the alleged payment with particular recipients. The Advertiser reports that evidentiary chain, while identifying bribery as the government’s claim. Later trial coverage, published February 10, 1927, describes bank records tracing bond interest into Daugherty’s account and an exchange of numbered Merton bonds by an official in Miller’s bureau. These transactions explain the importance of the securities: they supplied traceable links in the prosecution’s case about the release of seized property.
Signals, excavation and organized rescue
Maki’s descent tested for contact; reaching the men required a larger operation. September 27 reporting described several approaches and a diamond drill intended to open a food passage. A September 30 Detroit News account, reproduced by MIGenWeb, subsequently reported the rescue of all 43 men and identified an engineer, mining captain, safety expert and miner in the rescue party. It also described Bureau of Mines first aid before hospitalization. These arrangements placed individual reconnaissance within an organized excavation and medical response.
Original
WISCONSIN VOTERS TO EXPRESS WISHES ON DRY LAW CHANGE
Referendum Authorized by Resolution Adopted at Last Session of Legislature MADISON, WIS., Sept. 27. - (AP) - Wisconsin voters can express their opinion at the polls this fall on whether they desire a restoration of 2. 75 per cent beer. Probability of court action to prevent a referendum of legalization of 2. 75 per cent beer faded with today's action by the Supreme Court which refused to interfere with voting on the question at the November 2 election. The court denied a petition for an injunction against putting the question on the ballot for the election. S. A. Fulton, West Allis, a director of the Wisconsin anti-saloon league had sought the restraining act. Fred W. Zimmerman, secretary of state already has ordered the question placed on the ballot. The voters will be permitted only to express their opinion on whether congress should amend the Volstead act to legalize 2. 75 per cent beer with the provision that the beverage should not be consumed on the premises where purchased. The referendum was authorized by the last session of the legislature by resolution. Counsel for Mr. Fulton contended the action was illegal, arguing that the legislature should have provided for the referendum through legislative enactment. The opinion of the high court was not disclosed today when the decision was announced by Chief Justice A. J. [?]
LIBERTY BONDS TRACED TO BANK OF HARRY DAUGHERTY'S BROTHER
[?] United States Attorney Buckner brought out in the conspiracy trial of Harry M. Daugherty, the banker's brother, and attorney general of the Harding cabinet, and Thomas W. Miller, alien property custodian at that time, that four of these bonds were sold on order of Mai Daugherty and the sale price credited to the account of Harry Daugherty. The other bond was shown to be still in possession of the Ohio bank. The government claims that these bonds comprised a part of $ 150, 000 bribe money paid Harry Daugherty to release to Richard Merton, German metal magnate, proceeds of the impounded assets of the American Metal company. Evidence has been completed for the purpose of substantiating the government's allegation that Miller received $ 60, 000 for putting the claims through his office. The principal witness today was Vera Veall, assistant cashier of the Midland National bank. She told of being given the four bonds in question, which were shown by their numbers to be part of the Merton-King property, by Mai Daugherty to send to the Cleveland, Ohio, brokerage firm of Otis and company, for sale. [?]
RESCUERS SPURRED BY SIGNS OF LIFE FROM MINE DEPTHS
[?] IRONWOOD, MICH., Sept. 27 - (AP) - Certain that he had heard signs of life, Alfred Maki, a grim and gaunt miner, was hoisted to the surface tonight after a trip through G shaft of the Pabst mine here to obtain communication with 43 imprisoned men. Maki, who was lowered 400 feet into the shaft, dangled from the end of a rope, tied about his wrist, carrying a flash light which aided him in penetrating the wreckage and debris for a distance of 50 feet. " I heard men working, " he declared " like men working in the earth far off. I could not tell where the sound came from. It was far off. I tapped the water pipes but got no answer. " He stayed down on his expdition for about 15 minues. Maki, one of the group of workers who claimed to have heard distinct signals on a water pipe late in the afternoon was unable to get responses to signals while in G shaft. The miner blinked in the glare of the flood lights about mine head. Tired after a day of work and the nervous excitement in the face of his dangerous descent, he smiled satisfied that he has received two communications during the day from his imprisoned friends. [?]
Source: Holding institution