208

POINT FOR THE PROSECUTION.

Important Victory for the State in the Sheedy Case.

M'FARLAND'S CONFESSION ADMITTED.

After a Strong Fight Against it by the Defense the Judge Decides to Admit the Negro's Story as Evidence.

Lincoln, Neb., May 13. -[Special to The Bee.]- The presidential visit this morning had the effect of postponing the opening of court in the great Sheedy murder trial until 10:30 o'clock. The witness who attracted the most attention was Dennis Sheedy, the brother of the murdered man. Mr. Sheedy is one of Denver's millionaires and is vice president of one of the Denver banks, and secretary of the richest smelting company in Colorado. He is a very agreeable and approachable gentlemen, and when seen outside the courtroom expressed himself very freely in regard to the case. He said:

"You have no idea how much this terrible crime has concerned me. I wish it could all be buried at the bottom of the sea. The great mistake of my brother's life was in marrying that woman, but she evidently got around him in a moment of weakness and induced him to yoke himself with her for life. But a brief life it was for him. Do I believe her guilty of murdering my brother, her own husband? Just look at that face of hers. Note the cold, cruel expression and you have my answer. That look of hers reminds me of a passage in one of the letters of Junius in which he says 'if you wish to lie successfully put on a cold, hard stare.' I do not wish to be vindictive, but I want the guilty person punished."

One of the interesting things brought out this morning was the cordial hatred which ex-Captain Carder cherishes for Detective Jom Malone, the officer who untangled the mystery surrounding the murder and arrested Monday McFarland and Mrs. Sheedy. Carder was very anxious to inform the court why he has disliked Malone since the Sheedy murder, but the court was not desirous of being enlightened in that regard.

When the prisoners were brought in this morning a larger crowd than ever before was assembled.

The mooted point as to whether the confession of Monday McFarland should be admitted was again taken up, testimony being presented both in favor of it and against it.

Ex-Captain Carder was the first witness called. He represented the defense. He related the incidents in connection with McFarland's arrest and declared that Detective Malone went to McFarland's cell the night of his arrest and extorted a confession by making the prisoner believe that there was a mob of fifty men after him and that the crowd would be increased to a hundred later. On cross-examination Mr. Hall asked Carder:

"Didn't you say to McFarland: 'Keep your d-n mouth shut; you have said enough already to hang yourself.' "

This caused a tilt between the opposing lawyers, but finally the witness was allowed to answer and he admitted that he had told the negro to keep his mouth shut, but had said in addition, "You have already been scared enough." The witness further testified that while Malone was talking with McFarland he (Carder) attempted to go in, but was "fired" by Malone. The witness was inclined to be hard on Detective Malone, and finally Mr. Hall asked the witness if the relations between him and the detective were of a friendly character. Carder declared most emphatically that they were not, and not only volunteered to give the reasons therefore, but instead on giving the reasons therefore, but insisted on giving them. "The are awful good ones," said Carder, even after his proffer had been refused.

Ex-Marshal Melick was put on the stand. He testified that the following question was put to McFarland at the time of the confession:

"We already have enough to convict you of that crime and it would be best for you to make a clean breast of it and tell whether any other persons were connected with the crime."

This, the marshal declared, was asked really before the formal arrest of McFarland.

On cross-examination Melick testified: "I met McFarland opposite Carr's saloon on the day of the arrest. I asked him to step into the doorway near by. I then asked him: 'What do you know about buying a cane at a pawnshop? who did you buy it for and for what purpose?' "

The defense objected to the answers to these questions being given, and the objection was sustained. The witness then continued:

"I then asked McFarland to go to my office, and Malone escorted him to that place."

Mr. Hall then asked: "Didn't you say to McFarland, 'you'd better tell the facts in this case, if you do it will go better with you'?"

"Yes, sir."

In reply to question the witness declared that McFarland's talk at first was a general denial.

A question was then asked concerning the confession that followed, but this was ruled out. Mr. Melick was the excused.

Dennis Sheedy, the brother of the murdered man, was then put on the stand and shown the manuscript containing the confession of McFarland. He was asked if he had put a certain question to McFarland, Mr. Hall designating the same. He admitted that he had put the question.

The question was the one which Mayor Graham testified yesterday was withdrawn by Mr. Sheedy at his suggestion. The witness was then asked if he had not withdrawn the question. Strode objected, but his objection was overruled.

The witness then testified that at the request of Mayor Graham he had withdrawn the question.

This caused another outbreak on the part of Strode, Mrs. Sheedy's attorney. Shaking the typewritten copy of the confession almost under the nose of SHeedy he demanded if he saw anything about the withdrawal of the question recorded there.

"No, sir," replied Mr. Sheedy, "I do not, I have read that copy a number of times and I find not only that withdrawal but a number of other things were omitted."

Strode looked crestfallen, and the witness continued: "Several times mayor Graham said, 'Now in telling it you have not been under any undue influence. You have made this confession voluntarily.' Mr. Graham said substantially the same at the beginning of the conference." After some minor testimony the witness was excused.

Detective Jim Malone was then called. He testafied that he was the man that took McFarland in charge on the Saturday night following the murder. He said: "I had some conversation with McFarland that night, but no confession was made."

At this juncture Philpot, counsel for McFarland, arose and objected to Malone testifying as he claimed that Malone had said to a Bee reporter that he proposed camping on this case, and that yesterday Malone was in a room adjoining the courtroom where he was probably listening to Graham's testimony. He even charged that Malone had been listening at the door and when he (Philpot) went into the room Malone dropped on a lounge and pretended to be asleep. Philpot's motion, however, was overruled.

Malone then continued. "McFarland said nothing of any material importance to me early in the evening. About 1 o'clock in the morning Officer Kinney came to me and said that McFarland wanted to see me. I went to his cell but before he had talked much Captain Carder came in and said, 'Keep your mouth shut. You have said enough already to hang you.' But little more was said by McFarland that night."

Malone was then asked as to the relations between himself and ex-Captain Carder, and Malone replied:

On cross-examination witness said: "Nothing was said about a mov that night. On Sunday morning Monday said he was afraid of being mobbed. We said to him that we would protect him in case such an emergency should arise."

Strode, counsel for Mrs. Sheedy, then asked: "Didn't you say Mrs. Sheedy has given the whole d-d thing away and you had better cough up?"

"No, sir," was the reply.

"Didn't you say to Detective Pinneo that you got McFarland to confess by getting him into a sweat box?"

"No, sir."

"Weren't you in the corridor leading to Monday's cell more than twice that night?"

"No, sir."

The witness was then excused and the court adjourned for dinner.

The afternoon session was consumed mainly in finishing up the testimony concerning the influences that had been used in securing a confession from Monday McFarland. The crowd in attendance was larger than ever and standing room was at a premium. A large percentage of the spectators were ladies.

Frank Walter, an attorney, was the first witness called.

He testified that Malone said to him that he (Malone) had put McFarland in the sweat box and made him believe that there was a mob there after him that scared it out of him.

Detective Pinneo was the next witness. He testified that Detective Malone told him that he had McFarland in the sweat box and told him that a mov was going to hang him and he could take his choice in being hung by the neck or otherwise. Witness testified that this statement was made by Malone about March 25.

The opposing attorneys then proceeded to argue converning the admissability of the confession Monday McFarland, in whcih he declared that Mrs. Sheedy was the moving spirit in the murder.

Mr. Stearns, counsel for Mrs. Sheedy, declared that any confession secured when a prisoner was not in a calm and unimpassioned condition was not admissible. He cited a number of authorities in support of his assertion. Mr. Weir, attorney for Mrs. Sheedy, reiterated at length what Stearns had said in brief.

Mr. Hall, counsel for the prosecution, then arose and thus spoke: "Every confession must stand on its own merits. No two confessions are alike and given under similar circumstances. No rigid rule therefore can be applied to all confessions. It is necessary to first settle in our minds what inducements were held out to secure the confession. Mr. Stearns has declared that when a confession made the prisoner should be in a calm and unimpassioned condition of mind. It is impossible to find a man who is guilty of murder who will not be in a perturbed state of mind. If Monday McFarland had believed the night of his arrest that a mob was after him would he not have confessed at that time that he was connected with the crime instead of waiting until next day when he knew positively that there was no mov?"

Mr. Hall then touched the various questions asked at the time of the confession, and declared that no promise or guarantee was made to McFarland to secure the confession.

It was made in freedom and perfect willingness. It was not extorted either through intimidation or promises. Mr. Hall cited numerous authorities and cases in which confessions were obtained through officers or other persons by assuring criminals that the best course was to tell the truth. He then declared that all Malone and the other officers had done was to merely advise McFarland to tell the truth.

Mr. Woodard, counsel for Monday McFarland, arose and in a melodramatic tone declared that his client, McFarland, was taken as a lamb to the slaughter on that eventful morning and the confession was extorted from him. "Will this court dare," said he, "in the light of the nineteenth century allow this confession to go in as evidence. Will it endorse the action of those detectives and hounds that after keeping my poor colored client in torture all night extorted the confession from him? Malone said to my poor colored client, 'I'll get you before morning.' He also said to my client, 'the mov is here.' Wheeler, the shorthand reporter, declares that he did not hear Dennis Sheedy withdraw the question, which he claims he did at the time of the examination.

For about a quarter of an hour Woodard discoursed eloquently about Mr. Hall practicing deceit in reading only part of certain decision in which a confession was secured. Mr. Lambertson suddenly called Woodard down and asked him if he knew what he was talking about.

Captain Woodard declared emphatically that he did, whereupon Lambertson called the attention of the court to the fact that Woodard had got two cases mixed, the one quoted by Hall being from New Jersey, while the one that Woodard was quoting was from Alabama.

Woodard colored up and an audible smile went about the courtroom.

Woodard then cited a number of cases in which testimony was excluded through threats, promises or advice. He declared that the burden of proof lay on the prosecution. Even in case of murder, said he, the counsel for the defense has only to arise and say my client is insane and the prosecution has to prove that he is not.

The decision of the court was breathlessly awaited and when the judge decided to let the confession go in as evidence, there was not a little excitement in the crowd of spectators.

Strode immediately jumped to his feet and entered exceptions, but the judge, apparently not noticing the interruption, continued:

"The jury is instructed to consider the testimony as it affects the person making the confession. Other persons are not to be affected by it."

Court then adjourned, for the reason that the confession was too vile to be read in the presence of so many ladies. The confession is to be read immediately on the convening of the court tomorrow morning.

Will Investigate the Remor.

Lincoln, Neb., May 13. -[Special Telegram to The Bee.]- At the meeting of the State African-American league roday a committee was appointed to investigate the rumors ocncerning the attorneys of Monday McFarland in the Sheedy murder trial entering into a conspiracy to hang their client, the negro, in order to save Mrs. Sheedy.

WESTeRN PACKING INTERESTS.

Increased Business Shown for the Past Week.

Cincinnati, O., May 13. -[Special Telegram to The Bee.]- Tomorrow's Price current will say: The past week shows enlarged marketing of hogs. The total western packing was 195,000, against 155,000 the preceding week, and 285,000 last year. Total, 2,200,000 since March 1, against 2,315,000 last year. Leading places compare as follows:

Cities. 1890-91 1889-90

Chicago............................815,000 785,000 Kansas City............................276,000 340,000 Omaha............................212,000 125,000 St. Louis............................113,000 105,000 Indianapolis............................87,000 83,000 Cedar Rapids............................70,000 78,000 Milwaukee............................68,000 80,000 Cincinnati............................63,000 65,000 Sioux City............................59,000 112,000 Wichita............................53,000 47,000 Nebraska City............................37,000 38,000

GAGGED BY A BURGLAR.

A Young Girl Brutally Treated by a Midnight Visitor.

Springfield, Ill., May 13. -Miss Lillie Sheehan, a handsome young lady of this city, the daughter of a Wabash conductor, was yesterday morning found bound and gagged and almost lifeless on the floor in her room. A burglar entered her room during the night and after tying her hands and stopping her mouth with a towel threatened to kill her if she did not inform him where the valuables were concealed. He was frightened away by some noise outside and left her. Miss Sheehan was partially paralyzed, the result of an accident which happened to her some time ago, and was unable to offer much resistance to the brute, who hauled her out of bed and kicked her as she lay on the floor. The young lady is in a critical condition there is no clue to the identity of her assailant.

Retail Lumber Dealers.

Chicago, May 13. -The United association of retail lumber dealers, composed of the presidents and secretaries of local associations in various cities throughout the country, was in session here today, and received a report from the committee on competition by wholesale dealers who also sell at retail. The report recommended a blacklist of such dealers to be distributed to all members and that they be boycotted. It was discovered that such a course would render the members liable to prosecution for conspiracy, so the recommendation was merely ordered spread upon the minutes as a recommendation to the various local bodies.

POINT FOR THE PROSECUTION.

Important Victory for the State in the Sheedy Case.

M'FARLAND'S CONFESSION ADMITTED.

After a Strong Fight Against it by the Defense the Judge Decides to Admit the Negro's Story as Evidence.

Lincoln, Neb., May 13. -[Special to The Bee.]- The presidential visit this morning had the effect of postponing the opening of court in the great Sheedy murder trial until 10:30 o'clock. The witness who attracted the most attention was Dennis Sheedy, the brother of the murdered man. Mr. Sheedy is one of Denver's millionaires and is vice president of one of the Denver banks, and secretary of the richest smelting company in Colorado. He is a very agreeable and approachable gentlemen, and when seen outside the courtroom expressed himself very freely in regard to the case. He said:

"You have no idea how much this terrible crime has concerned me. I wish it could all be buried at the bottom of the sea. The great mistake of my brother's life was in marrying that woman, but she evidently got around him in a moment of weakness and induced him to yoke himself with her for life. But a brief life it was for him. Do I believe her guilty of murdering my brother, her own husband? Just look at that face of hers. Note the cold, cruel expression and you have my answer. That look of hers reminds me of a passage in one of the letters of Junius in which he says 'if you wish to lie successfully put on a cold, hard stare.' I do not wish to be vindictive, but I want the guilty person punished."

One of the interesting things brought out this morning was the cordial hatred which ex-Captain Carder cherishes for Detective Jom Malone, the officer who untangled the mystery surrounding the murder and arrested Monday McFarland and Mrs. Sheedy. Carder was very anxious to inform the court why he has disliked Malone since the Sheedy murder, but the court was not desirous of being enlightened in that regard.

When the prisoners were brought in this morning a larger crowd than ever before was assembled.

The mooted point as to whether the confession of Monday McFarland should be admitted was again taken up, testimony being presented both in favor of it and against it.

Ex-Captain Carder was the first witness called. He represented the defense. He related the incidents in connection with McFarland's arrest and declared that Detective Malone went to McFarland's cell the night of his arrest and extorted a confession by making the prisoner believe that there was a mob of fifty men after him and that the crowd would be increased to a hundred later. On cross-examination Mr. Hall asked Carder:

"Didn't you say to McFarland: 'Keep your d-n mouth shut; you have said enough already to hang yourself.' "

This caused a tilt between the opposing lawyers, but finally the witness was allowed to answer and he admitted that he had told the negro to keep his mouth shut, but had said in addition, "You have already been scared enough." The witness further testified that while Malone was talking with McFarland he (Carder) attempted to go in, but was "fired" by Malone. The witness was inclined to be hard on Detective Malone, and finally Mr. Hall asked the witness if the relations between him and the detective were of a friendly character. Carder declared most emphatically that they were not, and not only volunteered to give the reasons therefore, but instead on giving the reasons therefore, but insisted on giving them. "The are awful good ones," said Carder, even after his proffer had been refused.

Ex-Marshal Melick was put on the stand. He testified that the following question was put to McFarland at the time of the confession:

"We already have enough to convict you of that crime and it would be best for you to make a clean breast of it and tell whether any other persons were connected with the crime."

This, the marshal declared, was asked really before the formal arrest of McFarland.

On cross-examination Melick testified: "I met McFarland opposite Carr's saloon on the day of the arrest. I asked him to step into the doorway near by. I then asked him: 'What do you know about buying a cane at a pawnshop? who did you buy it for and for what purpose?' "

The defense objected to the answers to these questions being given, and the objection was sustained. The witness then continued:

"I then asked McFarland to go to my office, and Malone escorted him to that place."

Mr. Hall then asked: "Didn't you say to McFarland, 'you'd better tell the facts in this case, if you do it will go better with you'?"

"Yes, sir."

In reply to question the witness declared that McFarland's talk at first was a general denial.

A question was then asked concerning the confession that followed, but this was ruled out. Mr. Melick was the excused.

Dennis Sheedy, the brother of the murdered man, was then put on the stand and shown the manuscript containing the confession of McFarland. He was asked if he had put a certain question to McFarland, Mr. Hall designating the same. He admitted that he had put the question.

The question was the one which Mayor Graham testified yesterday was withdrawn by Mr. Sheedy at his suggestion. The witness was then asked if he had not withdrawn the question. Strode objected, but his objection was overruled.

The witness then testified that at the request of Mayor Graham he had withdrawn the question.

This caused another outbreak on the part of Strode, Mrs. Sheedy's attorney. Shaking the typewritten copy of the confession almost under the nose of SHeedy he demanded if he saw anything about the withdrawal of the question recorded there.

"No, sir," replied Mr. Sheedy, "I do not, I have read that copy a number of times and I find not only that withdrawal but a number of other things were omitted."

Strode looked crestfallen, and the witness continued: "Several times mayor Graham said, 'Now in telling it you have not been under any undue influence. You have made this confession voluntarily.' Mr. Graham said substantially the same at the beginning of the conference." After some minor testimony the witness was excused.

Detective Jim Malone was then called. He testafied that he was the man that took McFarland in charge on the Saturday night following the murder. He said: "I had some conversation with McFarland that night, but no confession was made."

At this juncture Philpot, counsel for McFarland, arose and objected to Malone testifying as he claimed that Malone had said to a Bee reporter that he proposed camping on this case, and that yesterday Malone was in a room adjoining the courtroom where he was probably listening to Graham's testimony. He even charged that Malone had been listening at the door and when he (Philpot) went into the room Malone dropped on a lounge and pretended to be asleep. Philpot's motion, however, was overruled.

Malone then continued. "McFarland said nothing of any material importance to me early in the evening. About 1 o'clock in the morning Officer Kinney came to me and said that McFarland wanted to see me. I went to his cell but before he had talked much Captain Carder came in and said, 'Keep your mouth shut. You have said enough already to hang you.' But little more was said by McFarland that night."

Malone was then asked as to the relations between himself and ex-Captain Carder, and Malone replied:

On cross-examination witness said: "Nothing was said about a mov that night. On Sunday morning Monday said he was afraid of being mobbed. We said to him that we would protect him in case such an emergency should arise."

Strode, counsel for Mrs. Sheedy, then asked: "Didn't you say Mrs. Sheedy has given the whole d-d thing away and you had better cough up?"

"No, sir," was the reply.

"Didn't you say to Detective Pinneo that you got McFarland to confess by getting him into a sweat box?"

"No, sir."

"Weren't you in the corridor leading to Monday's cell more than twice that night?"

"No, sir."

The witness was then excused and the court adjourned for dinner.

The afternoon session was consumed mainly in finishing up the testimony concerning the influences that had been used in securing a confession from Monday McFarland. The crowd in attendance was larger than ever and standing room was at a premium. A large percentage of the spectators were ladies.

Frank Walter, an attorney, was the first witness called.

He testified that Malone said to him that he (Malone) had put McFarland in the sweat box and made him believe that there was a mob there after him that scared it out of him.

Detective Pinneo was the next witness. He testified that Detective Malone told him that he had McFarland in the sweat box and told him that a mov was going to hang him and he could take his choice in being hung by the neck or otherwise. Witness testified that this statement was made by Malone about March 25.

The opposing attorneys then proceeded to argue converning the admissability of the confession Monday McFarland, in whcih he declared that Mrs. Sheedy was the moving spirit in the murder.

Mr. Stearns, counsel for Mrs. Sheedy, declared that any confession secured when a prisoner was not in a calm and unimpassioned condition was not admissible. He cited a number of authorities in support of his assertion. Mr. Weir, attorney for Mrs. Sheedy, reiterated at length what Stearns had said in brief.

Mr. Hall, counsel for the prosecution, then arose and thus spoke: "Every confession must stand on its own merits. No two confessions are alike and given under similar circumstances. No rigid rule therefore can be applied to all confessions. It is necessary to first settle in our minds what inducements were held out to secure the confession. Mr. Stearns has declared that when a confession made the prisoner should be in a calm and unimpassioned condition of mind. It is impossible to find a man who is guilty of murder who will not be in a perturbed state of mind. If Monday McFarland had believed the night of his arrest that a mob was after him would he not have confessed at that time that he was connected with the crime instead of waiting until next day when he knew positively that there was no mov?"

Mr. Hall then touched the various questions asked at the time of the confession, and declared that no promise or guarantee was made to McFarland to secure the confession.

It was made in freedom and perfect willingness. It was not extorted either through intimidation or promises. Mr. Hall cited numerous authorities and cases in which confessions were obtained through officers or other persons by assuring criminals that the best course was to tell the truth. He then declared that all Malone and the other officers had done was to merely advise McFarland to tell the truth.

Mr. Woodard, counsel for Monday McFarland, arose and in a melodramatic tone declared that his client, McFarland, was taken as a lamb to the slaughter on that eventful morning and the confession was extorted from him. "Will this court dare," said he, "in the light of the nineteenth century allow this confession to go in as evidence. Will it endorse the action of those detectives and hounds that after keeping my poor colored client in torture all night extorted the confession from him? Malone said to my poor colored client, 'I'll get you before morning.' He also said to my client, 'the mov is here.' Wheeler, the shorthand reporter, declares that he did not hear Dennis Sheedy withdraw the question, which he claims he did at the time of the examination.

For about a quarter of an hour Woodard discoursed eloquently about Mr. Hall practicing deceit in reading only part of certain decision in which a confession was secured. Mr. Lambertson suddenly called Woodard down and asked him if he knew what he was talking about.

Captain Woodard declared emphatically that he did, whereupon Lambertson called the attention of the court to the fact that Woodard had got two cases mixed, the one quoted by Hall being from New Jersey, while the one that Woodard was quoting was from Alabama.

Woodard colored up and an audible smile went about the courtroom.

Woodard then cited a number of cases in which testimony was excluded through threats, promises or advice. He declared that the burden of proof lay on the prosecution. Even in case of murder, said he, the counsel for the defense has only to arise and say my client is insane and the prosecution has to prove that he is not.

The decision of the court was breathlessly awaited and when the judge decided to let the confession go in as evidence, there was not a little excitement in the crowd of spectators.

Strode immediately jumped to his feet and entered exceptions, but the judge, apparently not noticing the interruption, continued:

"The jury is instructed to consider the testimony as it affects the person making the confession. Other persons are not to be affected by it."

Court then adjourned, for the reason that the confession was too vile to be read in the presence of so many ladies. The confession is to be read immediately on the convening of the court tomorrow morning.

Will Investigate the Remor.

Lincoln, Neb., May 13. -[Special Telegram to The Bee.]- At the meeting of the State African-American league roday a committee was appointed to investigate the rumors ocncerning the attorneys of Monday McFarland in the Sheedy murder trial entering into a conspiracy to hang their client, the negro, in order to save Mrs. Sheedy.

WESTeRN PACKING INTERESTS.

Increased Business Shown for the Past Week.

Cincinnati, O., May 13. -[Special Telegram to The Bee.]- Tomorrow's Price current will say: The past week shows enlarged marketing of hogs. The total western packing was 195,000, against 155,000 the preceding week, and 285,000 last year. Total, 2,200,000 since March 1, against 2,315,000 last year. Leading places compare as follows:

Cities. 1890-91 1889-90

Chicago............................815,000 785,000 Kansas City............................276,000 340,000 Omaha............................212,000 125,000 St. Louis............................113,000 105,000 Indianapolis............................87,000 83,000 Cedar Rapids............................70,000 78,000 Milwaukee............................68,000 80,000 Cincinnati............................63,000 65,000 Sioux City............................59,000 112,000 Wichita............................53,000 47,000 Nebraska City............................37,000 38,000

GAGGED BY A BURGLAR.

A Young Girl Brutally Treated by a Midnight Visitor.

Springfield, Ill., May 13. -Miss Lillie Sheehan, a handsome young lady of this city, the daughter of a Wabash conductor, was yesterday morning found bound and gagged and almost lifeless on the floor in her room. A burglar entered her room during the night and after tying her hands and stopping her mouth with a towel threatened to kill her if she did not inform him where the valuables were concealed. He was frightened away by some noise outside and left her. Miss Sheehan was partially paralyzed, the result of an accident which happened to her some time ago, and was unable to offer much resistance to the brute, who hauled her out of bed and kicked her as she lay on the floor. The young lady is in a critical condition there is no clue to the identity of her assailant.

Retail Lumber Dealers.

Chicago, May 13. -The United association of retail lumber dealers, composed of the presidents and secretaries of local associations in various cities throughout the country, was in session here today, and received a report from the committee on competition by wholesale dealers who also sell at retail. The report recommended a blacklist of such dealers to be distributed to all members and that they be boycotted. It was discovered that such a course would render the members liable to prosecution for conspiracy, so the recommendation was merely ordered spread upon the minutes as a recommendation to the various local bodies.