AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

Otago Witness, Issue 4031, 16 June 1931, Page 24

AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

PATIENT CONGREGATION. WASHINGTON, June 8. The Rev. George Brown, the coloured pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, claims the world’s record for the -longest sermon, 12 hours 10 minutes, which he preached on Sunday, using 88,794 words. Four lamb chops, a leg of chicken, and a glass of milk sustained him through the ordeal. His first subject, gambling, occupied three hours, and companionate marriage carried him along until dark. Prohibition and the evil of dancing occupied the early evening, and the subject of famine carried him along till 10 o’clock, when he finished the chicken. He then resumed strongly until midnight. CHICAGO BANKS FAIL. NEW YORK, June 8. While the announcement was made that six of Chicago’s largest banks had merged to create one institution called the Central Republic Bank and Trust Company, with resources of 1,250,000,000 dollars, it simultaneously became known that six banks, of which two are national and four are State with deposits of approximately 25,000,000 dollars, had failed to open their doors to-day within the metropolitan area. June 9. Twelve more banks have been closed by the State Auditor’s office because of depleted reserves caused by heavy withdrawals. The institutions were known as the Bain Banks. Mr Bain is a pioneer banker. June 11. At Chicago five more local banks, with total deposits of approximately 15,000,000 dollars, shut their doors to-day. Some of Chicago’s largest financial institutions came to the aid of other banks upon which there has been steady pressure for several days. Well known bankers have issued reassuring statements expressing confidence in the soundness of the city banks.

SHOT BY" A SHERIFF. NEW YORK, June 8. A message from Ardmore, Oklahoma, states that two Mexican students who were on their way home by motor from United States colleges were tragically killed by the gunfire of a deputy sheriff, who said he believed he had encountered desperados. The students were Emilio Cortez Rubbio, a cousin of the Mexican President, and Manuel Comez. The sheriff and his companion officer are held on a charge of murder. It is stated that the shooting occurred after the youths refused to answer questions when found sitting in a motor car on the highway. The students allegedly drew revolvers, which were not used, however, whereupon the sheriff fired. A third student member of the party, who is also a relative of President Rubbio, was unhurt. GAS HEATER EXPLODES. NEW YORK, June 12. A message from Weston, Connecticut, states that Miss Eve le Gallienne, the founder, "'director, and leading woman of New York’s famous Civic Repertory Theatre, Josephine Hutchinson, a member of her company, and her maid servant were burned in an explosion of a gas heater at Miss le Galliennc’s country home, when water was being heated to give a dog a bath. Miss le Gallienne was removed to hospital, where she will remain for a lengthy period. It is feared that she will be scarred from serious burns on her face, hair, shoulders, arms, chest, and thighs.

THE PRICE OF SILVER. WASHINGTON, June 13. Senator King (Democrat, Utah) states that the State Department on Saturday received unfavourably a suggestion that Britain should be requested to stop the sale of silver at less than 50 cents an ounce until after an international silver conference had been held. Senator King, who urged the remonetisation of silver through the world, expressed confidence that such a conference would be called were such a request made, and if Britain acquiesced he contended that Canada, Mexico, and the United States would join her, and silver would be maintained at that price. He contended that the action of Britain in dumping Indian silver upon the market was largely responsible for the rapid decline in price during the past two years. “If England persists in her policy of dumping additional silver upon the markets a further decline will follow,” he said,. adding that an effort was now being made to prevent the holding of an international conference because of opposition from some countries. The peqple of Canada “do not support the views of the British Government,” and it was certain that Canada would I attend if such a conference were called.