| Verona Slander Case Heard ALLEN TO-DAY "FLOWER OF THE NORTH" ~ ish Whig LAWSON SUIT at Supreme Court Siting. CHARGE OF IL TRENTNENT "Of Defendant's Wife Was the Charge That Dr. Geddes Resented. Before Justice Mowat, and a jury, ft the sittings of the supreme court of Ontario, on Wednesday motning, the action of Dr. W. J. Geddes, of Verona, plaintiff, and Rev. Dr. James Lawson, Verona, defendant, was taken up. The plaintiff's claim is for $5,000 damages for libel and slander. ¢ Much interest was manifested in the hearing of the case, every sedt in the court room being occupied when the case was called at 10.15 o'clock. The defendant is a well- known Methodist minister, who 'has been stationed at Verona for about four years. : Rev. Dr. Lawson was too ill to ap- pear at the session of the court on Tuesday, and has not yet recovered from his illness. He had to be as- sisted up the court house stairs and into the court room by a couple of his friends. 2. B. Cunningham, K.C., and Am- Bross Shea appeared for the plain-' 2iff, and Nickle, Farrell & Day, for the defendant. The jury empanelled for the hear- ing of the case, is composed of the following: Herbert Johnston, Kingston town- ship; M. G. Orr, Storrington; Vinc- ent Greenwood, Wolfe Island John "Barker, Olden; James Grant, Wolfe Island; Alexander G. Flett, King- ston; Daniel Ferguson, Loughboro; Norman A. Edgar, Kingston; E. E. 'Pay, Portland; Maitland Redden, Sydenham; Wallsce Rouseborn, Loughboro; Willlem McCumber, Hinchinbrooke. rd hk The Case Presentea. - ~ In presenting the ease to the jury, 2 &t commencement of the hearing, A. . B. Cunningham referred to some of the charges made against Dp Law- son, by Dr. Geddes. It was claimed that on or about October 1st, 1021, Dr. Lawson had made a remark to the eficct that 'Dr. Geddes had doc- tored his wife, while he was away and that he had abused her while she wag sick. ..On another occasion Dr. Lawson had made the remark, while At the station platform, in Verona, aud in the presence of several peo- ple, that he had had, Dr. Gedaes in his home, to doctor his wife, and that he had ill used Her. Mr. Cun- _mingham stated that this was not denied by the défendant, and the lat- ter proposed to justify his state- ment. Mr. Cunningham also referred to . Other statements alleged to have been. made. by Dr. Lawson, to the effect that Dr. Geddes had attended his wife, abused her, sent hep jnto Bysteria, and almost killed her. Another statement alleged to have Been made by Dr. Lawson, to a Kingston physician, was to the ef- fect that Dr. Geddes had attended his wife and ill treated her, and that he Was trying to deprive Dr. Geddes of his diploma. Dr. Lawson proposed to justify these statements. too. "We don't admit all," put in W. ¥. Nickle. We admit the language was substantially true." E Member of Dr. Lawson's Church. Dr, Geddes was the first witness called by Mr. Cunningham. He stat- ed that he had been in practice at . Verona for twelve years, and that Rev. Dr. Lawson came to that vil- lage as pastor of the Methodist church on July 1st, 1920. Witness was a member of thls church, and was a former choir leader. When Dr. Lawson took over the charge, ~ Witness was on friendly terms with Aim, entertained him in his home, ~ It was about September 1st, 1921, When conditions changed, and wit- asked Mr. Cunningham. . "Because of things I heard he said about me." * . "And what 'was ° the reason?" EY prominent part in the Epworth Leas gue?" "Yes," replied the witness. Charivari Recalled. "And were you not mixed up in some court proceedings and found guilty? Did you not take part in some charivari?" Mr. Cunningham objected to this question, but his lordship ruled that it was in order, remarking that the whole life of the plaintiff might be exposed. Witness admitted that he had been mixed up in such an affair as Mr. Nickle had referred to, but that he was not guilty, He was simply an "onlooker", and had been summon- ed. The court had found that he would have to pay fine on account of "being present." "A case of curiosity," remarked his lordship. 'Just found there by the police like a lot more people, and taken in charge by the police." "Were you. ever mixed up in any- thing else?" witness was asked. Witness said "No," to this ques- tion. Mr. Nickle questioned Dr. Geddes as to whether or not his practice had not shown a falling off as a result of his conduct, in refusnig to res- pond when he received telephone calls. Witness would not say that he had lost money through this. "Have you not lost money 'busy-body' 2?" "No." Witness could not swear that he had lost patients. "Then how do you fix your loss at $1,000 a year." Witness could not tell Mr, Nickle his earnings in 1921. He estimated that he earned about $4,000 in 1920. 'Witness stated that when Dr. Lawson took over the charge he was an enthusiastic member of his church. He had attended the ser- vices and had taken an interest in the work. His wife and family had also taken an interest, and all con- cerned were on friendly terms. Questioned further, Dr. Geddes admitted being called to Dr. Law- son's home in September, 1921. "And after this, things were dif- ferent," remarked Mr. Nickle. "Why did they cease calling you In as physician? Do you know?" "Dr. Lawson says that I insulted his wife." . "Do you know what Dr. Lawson alleged took place at his home?" "No, I never heard." "Did you not know what was wrong?" ) Witness admitted that he was now getting news, whereupon Mr, Nickie took up a copy of the "evidence for digcovery," which declared that Dr. Geddes had, while attending Mrs. Lawson, "raved about something Dr. Lawson had done." Evidence show- ed that Mrs. Lawson°had been suffer ing from pains in her head, and a fast heart. She was very nervous. (Continued on Page 2.) FEAR THE TURKS OPEN BREAK With the Allies--Angora As- * sembly to Debate Treaty on Thursday. Angora, Feb. 21.-- Turkey's as- sembly met in secret today, and well informed 'observers fear that the legislators . are "determined upon an open break with the Allies. Ismet | Pasha, foreign minister, concluded his report to the council commission aries yesterday, and was invited to appear at a secret session. Mugt- apha Kemal, whose speeches are less warlike than usual, but stress the freedom of the new Turkay, and also to be present. Tomorrow the assembly will debate acceptance or rejection of the Lausanne. treaty. SEEKS TIMBER WOLF. New Yorker Bet $10,000 He Would Get One. Fort William, Feb, 2].---Terming Rimwel? the president of the "New York Big Game Club," Frank Dou dera, of New York, arrived here to- day on a wolf hunting expedition, and left tonight for Ozone, Ontario, with two guides, deterthined to pro- tect his $10,000 wager that he can take a timber woll's e back to Riooklyn. He bas si weeks to fill the contract, : Doudera was first drawn to the expedition by a dispatch describing a story current about a month ago that a trapper and two Indians had been slain by' man-eating packs north of Ignace. His friends dared him to go to the "Wilds of North- 'west Ontario" alone and pick a wolf off with his rifle, -------------- TO CALL AT RELFAST. -- [New Steamship Service : From | land to Canada. London, Fed. 21.--Much interest is being evinced in Ireland at the service by a steamer from England to the Dominion calling at Belfast mails took advantage of the initial sailing. The new arrangement allows of the Ireland-Osnadian mail twenty-four mails from LL ---- Poland places biame for fighting opening of a new. direct Canadian} hours Tater' than the KINGSTON, ONTARIO. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1028 NEW TREATY WITH FRANCE Introduced in the Commons "By Hou... Feld, BECENES/ FIRST READING After Being Given a Slam By the Rt. Hon. Ar- Ottawa, Feb. 21.--After a warm three hour debate, Hon. W, S. Field- ing's bill, providing for the enact- ment of a trade treaty with France, was given first reading in the com- mons yesterday. Rt. Hon. Artur Meighen, government leader, was the strongest critic of the treaty, which he described as "something for nothings' and which he uJdeclar- ed abolished 'the British preference on competing articles. He chargea the minister of finance 'with having felled to live up to the preferentias piatform o 1919. Mr. Fielding, re- Diving, denied thet the treaty was a matter of preference. J. D. Chap- Un, Conservative, Lincoln, feared the the Ontario wine industry would suf- fer under the measure. Sir Hen- ry Drayton also criticised it. Mr. Fieiding's Address In mowing the house into com- mittee to consider the resolution providing for a new commercial treaty with France, the minister of finance, expressed the hope that in this not far distant future the agree- went would result in an increase mn trade with the republic, though at the present timwe and under presem: conditions no considerable volume of trade could be anticipated. Mr. Flelding explained that fu the past the British ambassador had al- ways been a party to agreements with France. The two signatories to the present treaty, however, had b the minister of matine and ries, (the Hon. Ernest Lapointe) and himself. The British ambassa- dor, however, had lent his most cor- dial ¢o-opération throughout the ne- gotiuntions. It would be very desirable if Can- ada dhould secure with France an exchangs of minimum tariff. But this could not, said" the minister, be dome, fixed rates of duty were arranged for and the preneipal vom- modity on which fixed rates were given was on light wines, on which the duty was practically the same as° under the old treacy. In tue case of many other commoulities a discount of 10 per cent. below the intermediate tariff is allowed. . The minister estimated that un der the ¢ there would be a re- auctiohl ii the custome taxation of $850,000. Several other nagrons enjoying the favored nations clause were also entitled to the same treat- ment as was accordef to France under the treaty. Under the agree- 'ment many of the disabilities under which Canada at present labored in competition with the United States for trade with France, under thé treaty no country could get better terms from France than Canada can got, | rs ~ Snes GIRLS OUT AT ALL HOURS, Frequent Toronto Bowling Alleys Till 1.80 a.m. Toronto, Feb. 21.--Girls are be- ginning to keep late hours at tho bowling alleys. They have been seen on Toronto alleys at 1.20 in the morning, according to the resuits of an investigation undertaken to show the Ontario Government that the law fixing the cl hour for billiard rooms and bowling alleys at 11 o'- clock is not being observed. Hon. Peter Smith, provincial treasurer, and O. E. Elliott, the inspector named to enforce the act, have been | ¢ fMicers, 1,163 ee MOUNTED POLICE FOROE °* STILL BEING REDUCED Experience 8hows That Fewer Men Have Accomplished More Work. ------ >: Ottawa, Feb, 21.--Economies con- tinue to be effocted in comnection with ithe Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The estimates for the cori- ing fiscal year call for a reduction of $818,825 in the expemditure for that force, and in the annual report for the year ending September 30th, 1922, important reductions aro re- counted. : : On that date ¢he force totalled 64 non-coms. and con- ttables and 656 TSes, 88 compared with 70 officers, 1,610 non-coms. and constables and 785 horses a veer previous, The reduction in the force, which took place in accordance with the polity of the King government, and which is still proceeding, has been affected without having re- course to dismissals. Overhead ex- renses were cut down by the aboli- tion of the squadrons at Brandon and at MacLeod, Alberta, the reduc- ticn of the force at Ottawa to ome- third its former strength, and by the abolition of the sub-district at Port- age la Prairie, was done in the year ending Sep- tember 30th, 1822, The total in- vestigations, as compared with the ITevious year, are as follows: Fed- eral statutes, 8,285 in 1922, ana 8,676 in' 1021; Criminal Code, 470 in 1922, and 513 in 1921; Provincial statutes and parks regulations, 219 fu 1922, and 172 fn 1921; investign- tions for other departments, 8,10% ir 1922 and 8,286 in 1921; totals, 14,032 dn 1922, and 12,695 in 1921, or an increase in 1922 of over 11 per cent, COMO T0 COPERTE "IW THE ENPRE SCHEME Authority to Participate Will Be Sought From Dominion Parliament. : -- London, Feb, 21--The 'mews that the Canadian government has decid- ed to ask parliament to participate i» the Empire sestioment scheme nas een recelved with jmmense satis- faation dere, It that Canada, | 8' tish Government to a that it was worth Britains while as well as the Dominlon's to assist to co-operate when the opportunity wi- rived. The news that Canada has at last decided to emulate the en- thusiastic example of Australis. was received with great enthusiasm at the British Columbia dinner here on Saturday evening, and {t is hoped that Parliament, will deal with the Proposal . expeditiously 90. that » may 'be possible to reap its benefits in time for the spring movement ot emigration this year. A minor change in the administra- tion of the government's policy for controlling Puropean emigration is understood to be involved in the wr- rival. here of "T. B. Willans, special commissioner of immigration. Mr. Willans will go to Antwerp, but it is understood he will lager take cun- system 'concerning the workings of which complaints have - boen made by some parties affected. -- TO TEACH BIBLE HISTORY, Kitchener, Feb. 21.--As a result of the request of the local Council of Women, the Kitchener school board decided to endorse a move With a smaller force more work | L GIRLS WILL _ LOSE LOCKS If They Fraternize With the French Troops in Ruhr. COMMUNISTS ARE FORMING Military Organizations At Krupp Works<Increasing Disorders Are Reported. Paris, Feb. 21.--Stricter measures to be imposed in the Rubr, including establishment of special money in the Rhineland were descussed by Premiers Poincare and Theunnes to- day. Belgium and France will co-oper- ate in the manufacture -gad sale of confiscated Ruhr products, it is un- derstood. Raports from Rubr an- ./nounce increasing disorder. Essen police general strike tied up everything in Duesseldorf. The tGerman minister of commerce de- fied the Allied order and entered cecupled territory to strengthen the population's resistence. Bavarians in the Ruhr valley have tireatened to cut off the hair of German girls who fraternize with French troops, ' Communists Organize Amsterdam, Feb. 21.--Commun- ists in: the Ruhr are forming mili- itary ' organisations and a strong force already has been raised at the 'Krupp works. Six Weeks of Occupation. Dusseldorf, Feb. 21.--The con- clusion of the sixth week of the "Rubr occupation finds the French resorting almost exciusively .to ' ex- plusions in their efforts to impress upon the.Germans tha, the orders uf goneral Degoutte ar? to be oheyed The Germans. in turn; Have adopted a protest strike as the most effective trol of the whole continental vis: way of showing their indignation. OF PROVINCES OVER ORIENTAL LABOR | Privy Council Decides In Favor of B.O. Government in Racial Case. London, Feb. 21.--The appeal in the case of Brooks, Bidlake & Whit- tall, Limited, against the- Attorney- General of British Columbia was dismissed by the judicial committee of the privy council. The question at issue was as to the power of the British Columbia government to restrict the employ- ment of Chinese or Japanese in con- nection with timber licenses granted to the appellants. The judgment dismissing the ap- peal states that the points raised were: (1) Was the stipulation against employing Chinese or Japan- ese in connection - with Provincial timber "licenses valid, or was it wholly or partly void as conflicting with the British North America Act or the Japanese Treaty Acts? (2) If the stipulation was void, were the appellants entitled to a renewal of their licenses from. the British Co- lumbia government? - Their lordships, dealing first with the contention that the stipulation Is void as conflicting with the Brit- ish North America Act, state that they are unable to egree with the contention that the .act reserves to the dominion parliament the exclu- sive right to legisiaté on the subd- Ject of "naturalization and liens," or that the provincial legislature i» not competent to impose regulations restricting the employment of Chin- ese or Japanese on Crown property held in the right of the province. Section 91 of the act reserves to the dominfon parliament a general right to legislate on the rights and disabilities of aliens and naturalized the dominion is not that section to_regu- agement of the public property of the provinmes or to de- termine | GRAVEYARD GHOST 4 18 JUST A HARMONIA Played by Bill Hartigan for a Dead Friend, With Ald of Demijohn. Chicago, Feb. 21.--Residents in the vicinity of North Clark street #nd Lawrence avenue, where Si Boniface cemetery is located, were the victims of a ghost scare early yesterday morning. James Rimtenhousé, whose Dack windows overlook = the burying ground, rushed out of the house about 1 o'clock and tok! Officer Joseph Murray that he had heard music coming from among the tomb- stones. Murray hesitated about en: tering the graveyard alone and sent 11. a call for reinforcements. Four detectives wore sent to his ald, The five policemon and Rittenhouse then ventured forth to solve the mystery. In front of a tomb not far from the main entrance they found the ghost. He was playing the har- monica and weeping bitterly at his own music. "Go away from me, ghosts," he said to the police, "i'm not playing for you, I'm playing for my old friend Adolph Miller, whe taught me to play this thing." {The ghost paused to seek refresh- went from a black demijohn. "My name is BiMl Hartigan and I play a mean harp. Good old Adolph was 90 years old and just when he heard me vlay be died, So I came out here to blay for him. I won't let him get 'onesome while I have my hamp and plenty of hooteh." Mr. Hartigan was gathered in and taken to a police coll, ; QUESTION I8 SETTLED AS TO OHUROH UNION Rev. Dr. Pidgeon Tells Mont- real Meeting Another Vote Is Impossible. Montreal, Feb. 21.--That the church must unhesitatingly pursue its plan of union until the desired end is accomplished, and that the question of union is no longer opec, were assertions made by Rev, Dr. George C. Pidgeon, of Taronto, a rember of the executive of the Presbyterian Church Usdfon Commit- tee, who addressed a mass meséting culled in the interests of Church Union on Monday evening in the Rose Room of the Windsor Hotel. The stand taken by Dr. Pidgeon throughout his address was entirely uneq A : "Tvs is a time when firm action Is necessary: nothing else can save the church from disaster," he de- .ciared. . "The obtaining of another vote has been suggested. My mind was open- for a long time on the question of another vote, bat I have come to the conclusion it ls impos: sivied It another vote were taken it would imply that the question of Church Union is still open, © "It 1s no longer open; it has been decided again and dgain. If a fur ther vote has to be taken it will mean the collapse of our whole thyrch government, and we will he made the laughing stock of the world." - EX-MINISTERS' MEMOIRS, Premier Admits Privy Council Oath is May Be Violated. Londen, Feb. 31.--At quostion time in the commons the prime min- ister was closely premed to give an opinion upon the question whether An ex-minister should be allowed to publish in a book any information of a confidential kind giined by him in office, The questions were directed ot course, to Winston. Churchill's Yook, . Bonar Law fenced with the gues: t:ons for some time, and when Sir Frederick Banbury bluntly asked whether the pub on of such in- formation did not constitute a breach of the privy council oath, the Prime Minister was silent altogether, But Sir Frederick persisted; "The prime minister has takén the oath himself, snd he ought. to know," he suggest- ed say: "I Lave taken the oath and I would consider it a breach." Bonar Law wae moved at last to | Ad Thea That the Case Would Not Pro- ceed Further, Denee, by William Bird, for $65,000 damages, for criminal conversation, and alenfation of the affections of the plaintiff's wife was dismissed at the supreme court sittings on Tues- day afternoon, presided over by Justice Mowat. The case a not go lo the jury, being dismissed after the wife of the plaintiff had been ou the witness stand but a short time. W. M. Nickle, who appeared for the plaintiff, had conducted his ox- amination of Mrs. Bird, and T. J. Rigney, who appeared on behalf of the defence, was conducting his cross-examination, when his lordship haited the proceedings, stating that tt was most unfortunate that such a case should go on, and asking that the two lawyers in the case met him Ip his chambers. The lawyers did 80 and in a few minutes, the conference . was over, and his lordship announec- ed to the members .of the Jury that the action had been dismissed. "The action had been dismissed on terms - agroed upon between the parties," said his lordship, 'and 'which has no interest to the publie.'* Following this announcement, the members of the jury were dismissed from the case, and as the other case In the docket, that of Dr. W. 1. Lawson, of Verona, in which the plaintiff is asking for $6,0000 for slander, was not ready io proceed, the court adjourned until Wednes- day morning, ---- Mrs. Cora Bird's Evidence Mrs. Cora Bird, wife of William Bird, the plaintiff, was the only wit- ness called. To W, M. Nickle, for the plaintifr, she stated that her mare riagg to Willam Bird took place in 1810. Counsel produced the po riage - certificate. 5 "Do you know Mr. Denee, the do fendant?" asked Mr. Nickle. . "Yes, sir." . "Look around the room and see if he is present." Witness thereby "spotted" the de fendant, who was sitting next to his counsel, T, J. Rigney; K. O. ' "Do you know where his office is?" "Yes, on Brock street, at the rear of C. R. Webster's law office." "How do you know?" "I have been there." "Why did you go to his office?" Witness stated that she had been in the defendant's office four years' tion out. -- At The Fair Witness said that she had been ia the defendant's office on different occasions in the last four years. She recalled that she saw the defendant at the Kingston fair last fall. Wit- ness had her children with her on this occasion, and that the defencant gave one off her cilidren | some money. "Did you ever go to Mr. Denes's office to-borrow money?" « "No, I did not." "Did you ever go and tell him that you could not live with you: busband?" "No, I did not." "Since your marriage wou and your husband have got along fairly well?" Trouble Over Children 'jangles' over the <hildren." "Was there any trouble in you "Was it over the money that Mr Denee gave your children?" "Yes." § + "Were you good friends or b friends?' . ns © "Bad friends." ; "With whom?" asked his chip, : » CWI ., "With my Susband." "When did you and your asoand! "When my Nttle girl La my band thet Mr." Denee, ven money." > Witness said her husband was ployed as a laborer, and that lora- Geddes, of Verona, vs, Rev. James' : 480, but his lordship ruled the ques The action taken against E, @. 4