Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 34, Number 65, 12 January 1909 — Page 1

AND SUST-TEIilEGRAM. RICHMOND, IND., TUESDAY EVENING, JANUA11V 12, 19K. SINGLE COPY, Z CENTS. VOL. XXXIV. NO. CV SUSTAIN DEMURRERS POLITICIANS ARE WILL RAISE FUNDS Believed That E. M. Campfield Will Lift Mortgage on Colonial Block. PERRY DEFENDS

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PROVIDE PLUG FOR LOOP-HOLE OSEO BY THEGRAFTERS Special CCommercial Club Committee Wants Amendment to Law Governing Allowances by Commissioners

Wily Thomas Is Feared By All the Candidates BOOSTING THEIR FAVORITES HARD MUTUAL SYSTEM OF INSURANCE Starr Piano Company in Its Action Against City Will Appeal-Supreme Court.

AMENDMENT WOULD BE A BENEFIT TO THE STATE Permitting Allowances in "Cases of Indispensable Public Necessity" the Leak For Public Funds.

To amend a state statute which has a loophole which constantly permits a steady, but unnecessary flow of revenues of each county in the state, is the proposal of the special committee appointed by the Richmond Commercial club to consider the reform platform drawn up by the Indianapolis Merchants' association. This platform is heartily endorsed by the committee which is composed of Sharon E. Jones, John I Rnpe, W. J). Foulke, Howard A. Dill and R. L. Kelly, but the committee goes further than the Indianapolis organization in Its recommendation for plugging the loop hole in the law which governs allowances : made . by boards of county commisioners. . The loop hole in .question has been a boon to dishonest public officials, but no attempt has ever been made to remedy the evil. The local committee will co-operate with the, Indianapolis committee. Where Leak Is Located. The statute In question provides that commissioners shall make no allowances of public funds, "unless in cases of indispensable public necessity." This quoted phrase Is the loop Jiole referred to. Mr.-Kupe in commenting on this faster ' stated that he "believed that here is no law on the statute books tinder which more money is taken from the public treasuries which ought to remain there. It is the ho'e which ought to be stopped and if it is not, much that is desired to be accomplished in line with the suggestions in the platform will fall. There is 'no use building a stone wall and leave a hole like this through which money is continually flowing." v Committee's Recommendation, The committee's ' recommendation on this question follows: "This club in addition to its endorsement of the proposed reform set forth 5n such platform of the Merchants' as sociation ; of Indianapolis, specifically , recommend to that association and any the reforms suggested, that it, include in its reformatory efforts, the changes or modification of section 0016 Burn's Statute, 1B08. which is the statute un ler which boards of commissioners make contracts and allowances of questionable character. This Is commonly known as the "Indespensable Public i Necessity' provision of law. and provides that the board of commiasionare shall, unless in cases of in dispensable public necessity, to be en tered as part of the orders, make no al lowanoe not specifically required by law to any county auditor, clerk, sher Iff, assessor, either directly or indl- ,. rectly or to any clerk, deputy, bailiff, or any employe .: of such officer; nor shall they except in cases above pro vided, employ any person to perform any duty required by law of any offi cers, or for any duty to be paid by cotnmision or percentage. "This is a provision of the law un der which graft is permitted and is a much over worked provision of the law. "The Commercial club of Richmond recommends that a change in this law be especially looked to in bringing about the reforms in the conduct of public business,; and this club would suggest that this statute be so amend ed as to require in any case of sup posed or claimed indispensable public necessity, that the board of commissioners should file its petition to the circuit court of the county settin forth the reasons therefor, and that in euch court there should be a full hear Ing, with a right In any citizen ..to Intervene In his own behalf or for him self and others, and that the prosecut ing attorney be charged with the duty of appearing in any such proceeding and resisting the same on behalf of the citizens, and that no order should upon such full hearing, and under the judgment of the circuit court" Platform Endorsement. The report of the special commit tee endorsing the platform of the In dianapolis Merchants' assiciation fol lows: "Your special committee to whom was referred the so-called platform of f he Merchants association of India apolm for s ! investigation and report euch recommendations as to your com mlttee seem wise and proper, respect fully , report: , That In the judgment of your committee the said platform recommending concerted action to seore a uni-iCanttaued'on-raga Eigbk) v 4

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THOMAS FARMERS SAY NO "CORIIER" EXISTS Deny Report Circulated by the Grain Dealers About Grain "Hold-up." RIGHT TO DO SO CLAIMED AGRICULTURISTS STATE THAT IF THEY DESIRED TO HOLD BACK GRAIN FOR HIGHER PRICES, IT'S NOBODY'S BUSINESS. Farmers who were asked this morn ing regarding the assertion of the grain dealers that they were holding back their corn and oats for higher prices laughed at the idea. They had heard no such reports in their communities and attributes these as sertions of the grain dealers to a desire on their part to scare the farmers into selling their produce. One farmer said that he could not blame the farmers for holding their grain if they believed that better prices could be obtained later in the year. This is done, , he said, in , all kinds of business and he said, farming is just as much a business as any other. He said that" the' farmers should not be characterized as unbusiness like when they wanted to feed their produce to cattle and hogs. Farmers usually know their own business just as well as anyone else," stated this man. - As far as those interviewed were concerned they knew of no effort on the part of any of their number to organize an association which would control the grain market. Local business men scout the story of the grain dealers that the farmers have effected a "corner" on grain. Tinkle- Tinkle"

People of Richmond Heard an Unfamiliar Sound Yesterday and TodayThe Noise of the Sleigh Bells. .

Last evening, storm bound in his own home and toasting his shins before a sparkling - coal fire $8.00 per ton while his wife, reveling in the unusual event, cast admiring glances at him and the house dog stared in frank astonishment.' the " lord, of the ' little frame cottage suddenly emerged from the most exciting part of Senator Tillman's eulogy of Mr. Rooseveltthat part where he affectionately called the president a liar to listen intently,- to ao unfamiliar sound. "Tinkle-tinkle, tinkle-tinkle." It was faint at first, but it gradually grew more distinct. . The . lord of the cottage pitched the

nmpaper on top-of- the indignant 4ojaj

TAGGART.

(OFFICIALS TOR ELECTION NAMED Commissioners Appoint Judg es and Clerks Chosen by Temperance People. "WETS" LIST IS NOT IN AFTER , . CONSIDERATION OF EX PENSES INCIDENTAL TO SPEC IAL ELECTION COST IS EST! MATED AT $2,500. Inasfar as possible economy will be practiced by the county commissioners fn the expenditures Incident upon the local option election. The optionists have announced they intend to try to induce their representatives to donate their services, if they see fit. While not bound to do so. it is expected a number will comply with the request. The commissioners have decided upon a plan for shaving the expenses and will save a considerable amount of money in this way. The county council , will be asked to appropriate more money than it appears will be "needed, so as to provide for any emergency that may. arise. ' , . Additional Expenses. . In a few ways the local ojition election will require expenditures that were not a part of the general election cost. . In other ways there will be less expense. It is estimated the election will cost the county approximately. $2,500. ; V The commissioners will allow inspectors pay for only three days services instead of four, as done at the general election. This will mean $6 to each inspector instead of $8. Pay will be allowed for one day's service In securing the ballots and material, one day for service on the board and one day for making report to the commissioners. Each judge will be ( Continued on Page Two.) Is Heard Again and sprang to the window. His glance rested upon a sleigh a real-for-sure sleigh. " There were many of them on the streets yesterdays afternoon and evening and there were bob-sled parties dashing recklesly here and there. To day the snow was in splendid condi lion for sleighing and every Tom. Dick and Harry, who has a vehicle of this almost obsolete class was out parading before his less fortunate fel low townsmen. If the present weather continues exMayor Zimmerman's celebrated North A street snow racing ' ordinance will be resurrected by the owners of speeders and the old tiiu'vt will

FOR STREET IMPROVEMENT

The demurrers to the complaint in the case of the Starr Piano Company vs. the City of Richmond, and George Schneider were sustained by Judge Fox in the Wayne circuit court this morning. I ne attorney ror me plain tiff excepted to the verdict and will appeal the case to the supreme court. This will be the second case in which the same plaintiff has appealed as the result of the Improvement of South First street. The other case is upon the petition to . reassess benefits and damages. The constitutionality of the municipal code as applying to public improvements is involved in each case. WOULD COMPEL EVERY VOTER TO CAST HIS RALLOT Law Introduced in the Senate Today Requiring Citizens to Exercise Their Suffrage Right. POLICE LAW REPEAL INTRODUCED TODAY Measure Provides That Every City Over 10,000 Popula tion Have Home Govern ment. ... Indianapolis, Jan; 12. If a bill in troduced into the senate today- be comes a law, every voter will be re quired to vote at every election un less ill or absent from the state at the time. It is the intention of such a measure to compel Indiana voters to exercise their right of suffrage. A number of other bills was brought be fore the attention of the "senate, among the most important being those to amend the metropolitan police law and to provide for a uniform system of bookkeeping. To Repeal Police Law. McCullough introduced the bill to take the police boards of cities of more than 10,000 population out of the hands of the governor and put them in control of the mayor and common council, jointly. It will be remembered that in the last session! McCullough led the fight to have the metropolitan law repealed. A total of thirty-three bills was in troduced. Among the number were two providing for the uniform system of bookkeeping, one providing for state employment agencies, one for amendment to road law, one registration of voters, one to revise the char ter of Hanover college so as to make it coeducational and nondenominational; one for an inheritance tax; one permitting railroads to collect 10 cents in addition to the regular fare when the fare is paid on the train; one to amend the depository law; a resolution calling upon Indiana congressmen to urge the national congress to maintain a nine foot stage of water the year around in the Ohio river from Pittsburg to Cairo was passed. The senate adjourned until tomorrow morning. Lincoln's Birth Observance. A movement was started in the House for the observance of Lincoln's birthday, February 12. A committee was appointed, but no plan was decided upon. It is probable some legislative action may be taken to commemorate the centenary. The house appropriated $115,000 to defras" the expenses of the session. This is $5,000 leas than was appropriated at the opening of the last general session. Two years ago $10,000 was appropriated in addition to the original amount. Speaker Honan will announce his committees Thursday. PLEASURE IS ALL OURS. "To the Editor, Richmond Palladium: "Dear Sir The members of the Red Cross Stamp committee wish to express, to the editor s of the Palladium an appreciation of his earnest co-operation in making the sale of stamps a success. . Sincerely yours, "The Com mi tie-." THE WEATHER PROPHET. INDIANA Fair and . rising tempera-

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From All Over the State Demo

cratic Moguls . Assembling In Indianapolis to Take Part In Senatorial Contest. DISPUTE NOW RAGES OVER THE BALLOTING Kern and Lamb Want Open Balloting at Caucus, the Others Want Secret BallotingMessage a Hit. Palladium Bureau, Indianapolis. Jan. 12. Even in spite of the fact that there are boosters in town from all over the state working for the various candi dates for United States senator, there has b(?n little change in the situation during the last twenty-four hours and there is not much prospect of there being any change. The hotels are full of politicians, all of whom are button holing members of the leg islature to vote as they request. Henry A, Barnhart, of Rochester, congressman from the Thirteenth di3 trict, is here. He was the first con gressman to arrive on the scene and take a hand in the senatorship fight. He began to swing his right and then his left and then his right again for Shively and he has put in some telling licks for the tall statesman from St. Joseph county. Barnhart, by the way, says he likes to be a congress man and thinks he is going to be well satisfied with the job. He is working like a beaver, he says. It would not be such a hard job, he said, if Con gressman Brick had retired at the end of a term, but the fact that Brick died while in office and thus left many things . unfinished has added addition al burdens on the shoulders of Barn hart, who has to clean up the docket But he is getting on w ith the work all right, he says, and will soon be even with the game. - Dixon Works For Slack. Lincoln Dixon, of the Fourth dis trict, was the second congressman to blow in from Washington. Dixon is one. of the cleverest politicians in the state and he no sooner lit in the Denison house than he began doing things in the interest of L. Ert Slack, who comes from his districtCyrus Cline, of Angola, congressman-elect from the Twelfth district, is here working for Hoffman, and he insists with all the solmnity that becomes a congressman-elect that Hoffman is going to win. And Cline was not the only one present from Fort Wayne and the Twelfth district not by a good deal. - A delegation came in last night from the First district, headed by Mayor Boehne, of Evansvllle, congressman-elect from the First district, and they are yelling for Menzies. And it was said that a delegation numbering at least a hundred would arrive today to whoop things up for Slack. Kern Still in Lead. Xo one has been able to see any change in the situation, however, in the face of this great lot of hard work. ' Kern is still in the lead, with Slack and Shively giving him a race for his life. The question will not be settled in the hotel lobbies. It will have to be done in the caucus tomor row night. The question of whether the voting in the caucus shall be by open ballot or secret ballot is still bothering the candidates and their friends. Kern and Lamb have declared for an open ballot, while the others have all favored a secret ballot. Kern believes he will get a good many votes in an open ballot that might be controlled by his opponents if the voting were secret. On the other hand Slack thinks he will get some votes on a secret ballot of men who wish to vote for him in spite of instructions if they are sure they will not be found out. Shlvely's friends say a secret ballot will help him wonderfully. Shlvely's opponents insist that it is the brewery " element that wishes a secret ballot in his inter est, because they can control votes on a secret ballot that they could not control if the members knew it was to become public that they voted as the brewers dictated. So there are the two sides of the case. It is likely that a test of strength will come when the question of open or secret ballot is voted on in the caucus. ; If Kern and Lamb are able to force an open ballot it will then be practically a cinch that Kern is , going t to win, because Lamb will drop out of the race before many bal lots are taken. But if the secret bal lot fellows , succeed in having their rule adopted it will not look so good for Kern. And, by the way. it looks like the secret ballot mill be adopted. Address Was Pleasing. Governor Marshall's inaugural ad dress and message to the legislature. yesterday, received many com pH ment s. eve n from republicans. - It (Continued on Pace Four.)

JUDGMENT WAS GIVEN It is believed more- than probable that Edwiu M. Campfield will succeed in his attempt to raise funds to lift the mortgage ou the Colonial Block. Judgment was given in the Wayne circuit court against Campfield recently for the entire amount named in the mortgage which is In excess of $70,000. The Colonial Block is the only modernized office structure In the city. It was partially destroyed by fire last April and has not been entirely rebuilt.

JESSUP AIID LADD ARGUE OVER THE CARD GAME ORDER Prosecutor and Former Prose cutor Each Deny Responsi bility for Ordering Sunday Card Games Closed. . "YOU KNOW" SAYS ONE; "I DO NOT" SAYS OTHER Commonly Reported That There Is Plan Afoot to Tighten Richmond Up Like A Drum for Time Being. At a restaurant this, noon Prosecu tof Charles Ladd and ex-Prosecutor Wilfred Jessup were deeply engaged in a heart-to-heart talk when a reporter approached them. "What's this about stopping Sunday card games in saloons and the alleged intention of making Richmond a tight towin in the Sundays yet to come?" queried the newspaper man. "I expect Ladd can tell you," replied Jessup. "I know he can if the same people called on him last Sunday that called on me. When they found out I had nothing to do in the case they asked me where they could locate Ladd. If Ladd tells the trnth I expect he can shed some light on who caused the Sunday card game closing order." Ladd Denies Responsibility. This statement of his predecessor caused Ladd to bridle somewhat, and he sharply said, "If you know so much I suppose you would no believe me if I told the truth." "I would know if you were not tell ing the truth," was Jessup's retort. "Well, the fact of the matter is I was not in town Sunday and I did not know such an order had been Issued until I returned to Richmond. I under stand that the reason Chief Bailey is sued the order was because one cigar store near the police . headquarters brazenly permitted card playing right where every passerby could see the players." Ex-Prosecutor Jessup stated that he thought it was a mistake to issue such an order. He advanced no reason for this belief. Liquor Dealers Blamed. Liquor dealers ol the city were charged by the cigar dealers with being behind the movement requiring that no cards be played in cigar stores on Sunday. The saloonists are accused of this method in the hope of creating sentiment adverse to voting the county dry at the local option election. The saloon men deny vigorously the asser tion and declare it absurd. They say they would not attempt such tactics. Nevertheless some of the cigar men remain firm in their convictions and avow openly their belief the saloon men are responible. To Establish Blu Laws. It? is 'maintained further that the saloon men will endeavor to have old fashioned "blue laws' put into effect if the county goes dry. Again the saloonists laugh at the assertion and say they would not atempt retaliation in this manner. It was reported about the cigar stores and saloons today that a period of "blue laws" is bound to come. The saloon men attribute the notice to the cigar stores to aban don Sunday card playing to the minis ters and say the crusade is to be car ried to the restaurants also. The cigar , men - say they expect a closed period, but blame the saloonists It was declared at . one of the leading cigar stores today by a member of the firm that he expects an order to close his store - and keep it 'closed. It is charged that ; the crusade will be car ried further and that-an attempt at injunction will be made to rvent the (Contimuad on Page Eight.)

Convinced Commercial Club

Members System Was Good But Not Superior to Old Line Insurance. CROWD SMALL BECAUSE OF INCLEMENT WEATHER President McCarthy Makes Announcement That Club Has No Intention of Entering Insurance Business. Mutual fire insurance proposition was outlined last evening by a paper on the subject read by K. E. Perry or Indianapolis. Although the small number of members present were pro bably satisfied that it was a good thing, yet the address failed to Impress upon them apparently that the old line insurance was not satisfactory. The inclement weather no doubt was resjKinsible for a large number of the club members remaining at home. The audience was largely made up of fire insurance agents of this city who were present in defense of their business and also to prepare for the meeting next Monday evening, at which time P. E. McGregur of Chicago, an insurance man of much repute in the "Windy City" will discuss the advantages of the old line insurance. President McCarthy Talks. Before Mr. Perry was called upon for his address President McCarthy spoke briefly on the insurance question which the club has given Its most earnest and thorough attention. He declared that it was not tbe inicuuuu vi me ciuu iu go into me insurance business or to advise aa to which system - was the best. It was pointed out that the club began the' consideration of the insurance ques tion at the time the Deaa schedule went into effect and which raised the rates of the majority of local business -concerns. " " " " ' Charles G. Carpenter was then Introduced and he stated he had carried mutual insurance for some 20 years and found it satisfactory. He introduced Mr. Perry of Indianapolis. After giving a general outline of theMnutual insurance system the latter said in part: Perry's Mutual Defense. There are. then, what we call local mutuals. confining their writings to dwelling houses and store buildings In the large cities and farm properties in the country, the latter known as farm mutuals. These companies have all been successful, for they bare been more or less clannish and it has beea purely a co-partnership proposition. Few of these companies fail. - "We have what may be termed a general mutual, one - doing business through agents and paying the regu lar agent's commission and in other ways subjecting Itself to the expensive manner of doing business Incidental to an agency company and having no way of eliminating the moral hazard. These companies are usually formed for the purpose of meet ing the demand for those in need of positions, or salaries, rather, and. as a general proposition, their organization throughout the west is without regard to safe conservative underwriting prin ciples, ror our pan. we nave sever been able to understand what excuse a mutual company dolnc an asrrnrv business had for being hi the Held. The other companies referred to conduct their business, direct with the property , owner and employ, almost without .exception, only salaried people who have an object other than commission, and have means of Investigating other than through their owa members concerning the local standing of the applicant for Insurance. We admit there have been a number of failures, but principally among those companies insisting on doing a business on the same lines and Is the same manner as the joint stock companies, and, as before staled, we see no excuse for their existence. These Agency mutuals we claim do not properly represent those operating on the purely mutual plan. yet. when one fails, the whole mutual system Is charged with, the failure. " "Many confuse : the Underwriters Association with mutual companies, which is a mistake, as they are no more to be compared than mutuals with stock companies. ' Liability in Lisa Capital. "In a mutual company the liability, about which there- has been so much controversy, stands in ilea of capital in a stock company. la other word, it is merely - a guarantee -behind the contract In case of unforeseen or unusual looses, but bear in mind that ia rase of a mutual Insurance company there is ao capital stock on- which to provide dividends, but in case of earnings, after providing a proper reserve, this goes to the policy bolder. If la a stock company tbey, en secure from (Continued on Page Four.)

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