AMERICAN ITEMS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 May 1924, Page 2

AMERICAN ITEMS.

[Reuters Tei.egkams.] -MADMAN IN CHURCH. .NEW YORK. May 11. A stevedore, who became violently insane while kneeling in prayer, terrified 1000 youngsters who had just received communion at a children’s Mass in a local Roman Catholic Church. The combined efforts of two priests, eigne adult parishioners and seven policemen were necessary to subdue tlie man. who was removed to a hospital. The stevedore had sprung to his feet shrieking, and ran down the aisles of the church, causing a stampede. A policeman who arrived succeeded in handcuffing the man, hut’lie snapped the handcuffs apart and resumed his fight against those who wore attempting to quieten him. More police arrived and somone brought a rope with which the man was tied and held until an ambulance could bo summoned.

CURK FOR WAR. WASHINGTON, May 13. Appreciation of the principles of Christianity to the solution of international problems was urged by speakers at the opening session of the world’s committee of the Young Momen’s Christian Association. \ iscouutess Gladstone, introduced by Mrs Montague Waldegrnvc (President of the World’s Committee) as the daugh-ter-in-law of a British statesman, declared the nations must cultivate an international mind to prevent war. A World Court was civilisation’s alternative for war. GRAFT IN CANADA. OTTAWA. May 12. Amelins Jarvies and Son. ot the Bond firm of that name, one of tho best known firms in Toronto, with their manager Harry Pepall. have been arrested :ii the instance of the Ontario Government oil a charge ol conspiracy to defraud arising out of the recent investigations before a Public Accounts Committee of the Ontario Legislation, which also resulted in the arrest, some weeks ago. of the Hon Peter Smith, the former Provincial Treasurer in connection with the sale of bonds.

COTTON SLUMP. NEW YORK. May 12. In regard to reports that the textile industry is suffering a serious relapse, both the cotton and wool mills are generally running at hall time, and unemployment in the New England textile centres is widespread. Senators Lodge and Walsh have therefore introduced a resolution asking the Tariff Commission to enquire into the industry.

Senators Deal and Smith, discussing the motion declared that a buyers’ strike might be responsible for the de-

pression. Representative Rogers asked for :”i increased tariff on woollen and cotton goods, in order to protect the American manufacturers from the English importers. Reports from Lawrence, .Massachusetts, indicate that the millowners there are facing the same difficulties as the Manchester proprietors, the textile markets being uncertain, and the retailers are purchasing only small quantities. The high price of cotton and the shifting market are seriously embarrassing the manufacturers. who are making proposals further to reduce the wages of mill hands who in 1922. accepted a 20 per cent, reduction, which met with bitter oppositiou from the unions. The manufacturers claim that, unless further wage reductions are accepted, the industry will be completely demoralised, and workers become wholly unemployed.