Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 34, Number 100, 16 February 1909 — Page 1

u iook over issir ut sarins 1 1 t: RIGHMOM) FA AS SUN-TEILEGKAM. RICHMOND,; INI)- TUESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 16, 1909. SINGLE COPY, 3 CENTS. VOL. XXXIV. NO. 100.

is. Admiwion nov .' mi City bowling alley, 22 Ik9th;

WALTER RATLIFF WAS DISMISSED FROMJHiS PARTY Almost Unprecedented Action Was Taken Last Night at a Cauous Held by the House Republicans.

DECLARED DEMOCRAT BY FELLOW MEMBERS U Was Pointed Out That Ratiiff Has Always Supported Democratic Measures He Treats It Lightly. Palladium Bureau, Indianapolis, Feb. 16. Walter S. Ratliff "Our Walter," as he Is sarcastically called by his constituents in Wayne county has been formally read out of the republican party. This action was taken last evening at a caucus held by the house republicans. Several speeches were made by indignant brother-members of Ratliff and he was openly denounced as an ouUahd-out democrat. It was the decision of the house republicans that in the future Ratliff will be considered - a democrat and that he will not be invited to attend republican caucuses, as was the case last evening, and he will not be asked to support any republican measures. s Action is Unique. This is the first time in years that any member of the legislature, either branch, has been publicly kicked out of his party. The grounds for the action of the republican chieftains in the Ratliff case is based on his record during the present session, the special woaiwii iodi tail cuju kuo icdbiuu uviu AM.f AM 11 cnncUn l.Alt two years ago. Walter "Bawled Out." At the caucus last evening It was pointed out that two years ago Rat liff voted with the ' democrats on the $1,000 liquor license measure. It was pointed out that at the special session last fall he was absolutely compelled toroMorha--:repuMc measure- the county local option bill and then he . sided with the democrats until the eleventh hour. It was also pointed out that during the pres ent1 session Ratliff voted, with the democrats for the repeal of the county local option law and for the democra tic platform measure, the Kleckner ward and township bill. Has a Bad Cold. . When Ratliff was seen this morn lng and asked for his opinion of the action taken by the republican house caucus, his only comment was, with a grin, "I have an awfully bad cold this morning but I expect that I will be entirely recovered by tomorrow." LARGE MEETING FRIDAY EVENING Whitewater I. 0. 0. F. Initiate Big Class. Will Whitewater lodge, Odd Fellows, will bold a big meeting next Friday night There will be twenty-fire candidates to take the first degree and a large at tendance of the nmbership is expect d. The famous first degree will be used In the Initiatory degsee. Notic es have been sent out by Secretary Handley requesting -the presence of every member. Besides the work. It Is probable something in the nature pt surprise will be given. WE KILLS THIRTY Six Thousand Stricken With Fear as Earth's Death Shivers Are Felt. BUILDINGS ARE SHATTERED Constantinople, Feb. 16. A number of houses and government buildings at Sivas, Asiatic Turkey, collapsed today as the result of earthquake. Re ports say thirty persons were killed . The town has ' six thousand inhabi tants. WANT SCHOOL REPORT. . The school board is to be asked by the board of public works upon the recommendation of council to report an Invoice of the moneys on hand and the property of the School City ' Richmond. The council wants know something about the manner in

which rthe financial affairs of,.th ( mending special privileges for the entTT?? conduct -j t JBnL-ctstfbarnhBA dtiseoa,

URGE BUSINESS DOHIEYESTERDAY The Y. M. C. A. Spa Proved a Popular Place.

The Spa did the largest business of its history yesterday and the Y. M. C- A. officials say that snow, ice and rain may be a blessing under disguise some times. Many new patrons were made yesterday and the popularity of the place and Mrs. Fitzgibbons' cooking is proving profitable to the association. TRIED SLIP ONE OVER Oil COUNCIL BUT GAME FAILS Hospital Board Offers to Al low Council to Take Responsibility for Treatment Of Orphans. CITY FATHERS FELL INTO THE OPEN TRAP The Councilmen Were Ex tracted by City AttorneyWould Have Established a Bad Precedent. 'You may do as you like about it," appeared as the attitude of the board of trustees of the Reid Memorial hospital in a communication to council re ceived last evening. The communication was in regard to the treatment of 28 patients from the Wernle or phans home at the hospital last summer. There are peculiar circumstances and conditions involved 'and the board suggested to council that the cost of treating the children either be left unassessed, reduced or made at the regular rates. But council upon the suggestion of the City Attorney resuch sort notice and deferred action for two weeks upon the motion of Mr. Bartel, seconded by Mr. Wettig. Mr. Williams had moved that the Wernle authorities be sent a receipted bill for the entire charges, but his motion was not seconded. Treated 830 Days. The communication pointed out that the patients were treated for a total period of 830 days. It was suggested that the council recommend that the hospital board provide this treatment snouia De accoraea at nan rates or ao solutely gratuitous. It was suggested that inasmuch as the Wernle home is a charitable institution in which many Richmond citizens are interested, it might be deemed worthy special con sideration. The letter said the board did not feel as if the orphans' home should receive any special considera tion, but was willing to award it, if council recommended it. It was stated that the charge of $1 per day for each patient would cover the actual expense of their care and treatment Study Gives Advice. Hold on a minute, now, go a little slow," advised City Attorney Study af ter Mr. Williams had made his motion that the treatment of the patients be accorded gratuitously. "You are liable to establish a dangerous precedent, continued the attorney. v "Now, I know the Wernle home is a charitable Institution, but at - the same time it is a private one. We had best be careful. Suppose Ceaterville, over here should have an epidemic and couldn't care for the . patients. They might bring their sick over to this hospital, and then after it was all over, they would say, Yes, we are out of the city, but you ought to reduce the charges or not charge at all. That's the way you did for the orphans' home. They are out of your city and don't pay to support the hospital.' Simply because it is a charitable institution does not make it necessary that its sick should be treated free." , Let Board Settle It. "And then there is something else, Mr. Study added. "Why not let the hospital board settle this matter it self. What's the use of calling coun cil into itv The board has always before attended to its scale of charges without asking council anything about it. They know how much money they have better . than we do. They know whether they can treat these patients and not charge them and still get through. - It doesn't seem to me that it is necessary for council to shoulder the burden and decide this matter, There are too many possibilities for the future involved in it." Glad They Didn't , After adjournment some of the coun cilmen approved the views of the city attorney. Some seemed to fear that any action might result in the estab llshment of a bad precedent. It was declared that the city gave the hospi tal 6,000 and there was doubt as to the propriety in the council recom

PHOHE COMPANIES ANXIOUSLY AWAIT COURT DECISION

Should Agreement Between Two Local Companies Be Dissolved, Bell Will Continue in Local Field. MAY ERECT BUILDING ON TENTH STREET SITE This Action Will Almost Certainly Be Taken Should the Ruling Be Made Against The Bell Interests. That the decision of Judge Taylor of the United States District Court of Toledo, relative to the telephone injunction proceedings and in which both the local telephone companies are interested will affect the Bell tele phone company of this city is almost assured. Reports are current that the Bell telephone company will move from its present headquarters in the Odd Fellows building either to the Home Telephone company's building or erect an office building on its lot, corner of Tenth and Sailor strets, Should the injunction of independent telephone companies' against other like companies co-operating with the Bell system in its long distance busi ness be sustained, It is understood the local branch of the Bell system will make a fight for new business and es tablish its office on its site on North Tenth street. Court's Decision Soon. Judge Taylor ha; had .the injunc tlon proceedings under consideration for some time. He is expected to make his decision soon and the local managements are expectantly . and anxiousy .awaiting it. The injunc tion proceedings in the United States district court were brought by an in dependent company ggainst other in dependent companies which had con tract agreements with the Bell - system. The independent company bring ing the action seeks to have it dehandle business over ' independent lines. Probable Action. It is rumored that if Judge Taylor holds the injunction proceedings un just and against public policy, as Nebraska couft has done, the Bell company will move to the Home com pany's building and establish its long distance business there. This would practically mean that the Bell system would abandon the local field only doing long distance business. At pre sent practically the same condition prevails. Should Judge Taylor rule that the injunction Is a just on, the contract between the Home people and the Bell system would be void and no ex change of business could be done by the two companies, when the inde pendent company could make other connections. In this event, it Is understood, the Bell system will 'make a fight for new business and, it is even suggested, a war between the two companies might ensue. It is also said that the Bell company will then erect a building on North Tenth street and establish headquarters there. HUNDREDS KILLED MEXICAN FIRE Moving Picture Film in Thea- , ter Causes Destruction Of Building. VICTIMS BURNED ALIVE SCREAMS FOR HELP - BY THE WOUNDED AND DYING MAKE THE NIGHT HIDEOUS, BUT THEY WERE ALU IN VAIN. City of Mexico, Feb. 16. Owing to impossible identification it Is not yet known whether any Americans were killed in the horrible theater fire of last night. The total casualties will reach at least two hundred. SCENE OF HORROR. Destroyed Theatre Was Structure. a Wooden Mexico City, Feb. 18. Between 250 and 300 people were burned to death and niacy were Injured in a fire which destroyed the Flores Theater la ibe city of Acapulco, Sunday night. The news of the disaster reached here yesterday afternoon, telegraphic com munication with Acapulco having been destroyed last night and todav owing

FRUIT CROP IS SAFE

Ice on the Trees the Past Two Days Will Not Effect Any Damage. BUDS ARE STILL DORMANT It is not believed by fruit growers that the ice on the trees during yesterday and. today will affect the fruit crop. The buds are still in a dormant state, and the growers say they are sufficiently protected to withstand the freeze. Also in the rural district 4Jy wind blew hard enought to crack the ice and allow the air to get in. The ice is very heavy and many trees have been damaged by limbs being broken off under the great weight. LOCAL BOYS WILL ASSIST IN FIGHT FOR GOOD CAUSE Youthful Members of Rich mond Y. M. C. A. to Lobby Against a Vicious Child Labor House Measure. TWO OTHER MEASURES ARE GIVEN SUPPORT Communication Points Out Deplorable Conditions Ex isting in State Glass and Broom Factories. Even the boys of the Y. M. C. A, will in a way lobby against certain measures coming before the legisla ture. At a meetingof the boys' depart ment Saturday, a communication from ETlward N. Clopper, secretary - of the Ohio Valley section c of the National Child Labor committee,' will be considered ana probable resolutions drawn up and sent to Representative Rat liff an'" neWehthtle t3ardrier,TWt vote for bill 425 and against bill number 50; and , to Senator Kirkman asking that he support bill number 332. All three bills touch upon child labor legislation. House bill No. 50 benefits the employers of children. Indiana Child Labor. According to the communication sent to the association this morning, there are a large number of industries in Indiana which employ child labor. The glass factories come in for the wors censure. Some of these referred to in the communication are located at Munoie and Marion and employ boys 14 years old to work at night. The conditions such as the erection of large fences around the plants and the use of vicious dogs to intimidate the youths and compel them to stay at their work are referred to in the communication. Also the conditions in the broom factories where young boys are allowed to operate dangerous machinery, is mentioned. The organization would like to have some law passe.! wherein it would compel the employment of messenger boys in the day time only and prevent youths from being on the streets at 11 and 12 o'clock at night. Two Satisfactory Bills. House bill number 425 and senate bill number 832 have been reviewed by the Children's Aid society of In diana, and also many leading manu facturers and met with their approval Both bills are now before the educa tional committee. The , only bill introduced which would tend to injure the present child labor conditions is bill number 50 introduced in the house. It provides for doing away with a truant officer. The child labor committee believes this would hurt effective compulsory education. - - adjoining the theater was burned and all wires put out of commission. The Flores Theater was a wooden structure and more than 1,000 persons had crowded into it to witness a special performance, given in honor of Governor Damian Flores of th'e stata of Guerrero, who was visiting the post. - . ' One of the numbers of the program consisted of a series of moving pic tures. While the operator was exhib iting these a film caught fire and a blaze was communicated to , some bunting which had been used for dec orative purposes. In a short time the flames spread to all parts of the structure. There were but three narrow exits and the panic-stricken audience rushed to them, many falling to be crushed to death, their bodies choking the way of escape to others. - Literally Roasted Alive. - The ' screams of those imprisoned were terrifying. Owing to the rapidity with which the fir spread, it was Impossible to attempt rescue work, and those imprisoned were literally

ADVANCE GUARD

OF -VISITORS '-AT" HAMPTON ROADS Thousands of People Have As sembled at Old Point Comfort to Greet Retumtof the Atlantic Fleet. HAnOOR WAS SWEPT BY STORM YESTERDAY Effort Is Being .Made to Have President Attend Dinner Given in Honor of Officers Of the Fleet. Fortress Monroe, Va., Feb. 16. The advance guard of visitors en route here to view the notable naval demonstration of Monday next and to participate in the welcome home of the battle ships under command of Rear Admiral S perry has begun to arrive. Hotel accommodation's at Old Point already are at a premium and quarters are now being sought at T Norfolk, Hampton and other cities bordering Hampton Roads. The interest excited by the sailing of the fleet fourteen months ago naturally has been accentuated many fold during the remarkable cruise, and excursions are to be run from most of the Eastern cities. The fair way of the roads, where the fleet will anchor next Monday, was swept today by a stinging southwester that set whitecaps on the tossing waves. Small crafts did not venture out and the great stretch of water appeared gaunt and empty. There was nothing to indicate. the .near approach of the home-coming ships. . . . The program of entertainment here is still indefinite, as .it is not known as yet just how many of .the ships will be detached following the presi dent's review and sent to the navy yards. Some 3,000 of the bluejackets from the fleet are to be sent to Wash ington to participate in the inaugural parade of, March,- 4 ,? and ; the Easels from wnicn tney are to De arr.yn undoubtedly will remain here, for the men are to be taken to the capital on naval transports. Roosevelt May Attend Dinner. Efforts are to be made to have Pres ident Roosevelt and his guests on the Mayflower come ashore the evening of the review to attend the dinngr in honor of the flag and commanding officers of the fleet by the Navy lea gue, of which Gen. Horace Porter is president. This dinner will be followed by a ball and during the stay of the ships in the roads there will be a round of gayeties. Officers of the army at Ft. Monrc are preparing to have a share in the welcome of the fleet. The ships are to anchor in practi cally the same positions from which they started on their voye of the world December 16, 1907. They were anchored before sailing in two long lines, but fell Into singl; column to follow the Mayflower to 'the reviewing water off Thimble Shoal light. Anchoring Maneuvers a Feature. As understood here, it is Admiral Sperrys Intention to-bring the ships in the capes and past the president's yacht In two lines of eight ships each. The anchoring maneuvers after the ships pass the government pier probably will be the prettiest part jot the fine spectacle. Just what formation is to be taken by the escorting ships of the third squadron under Admiral Arnold Is not yet known. These ships have been on detached duty and have had little opportunity to drill. They may however, be disposed of in double line formation to conform to the fleet's sailing order. In this way the line of ships, which in a single column would stretch over five miles of water, will be shortened to just one-half that distance. A num ber of the "navy widows," or officers' wives, who witnessed the departure of the fleet from here, and since that time have followed or preceded the ships all the way around the world. hare arrived to see the close of the history-making voyage. MILK REPORTJIOT MADE Committee Has Not Complet ed Its Investigation. ' No report on the proposed ordinance was presented to council last evening. Chairman Deuker of the committee of franchises and ordinances said the committee had net had the chance to Investigate the matter m far s It would like. He asked for snore time and promised an early report- The committee has had the matter "under

SH1VELEY SPEAKS 0HPYTH1AH1SM Will Deliver an Address at Lebanon Tonight.

Charles E. Shiveley of this city will speak this evening before the Lebanon lodge,, Knights of Pythias on "Pythianism." The occasion is the celebration ofthe anniversary of the 4."th period oftbe order. The orders in Lebanon have a large membership and a large crowd will no doubt be presoo RAM PLANS SELL I I OF GLEN MILLER Organization Proposes Project of Selling Old Cemetery And Buying Tract of Land East of Park. "WILL SPRING SCHEME AT MEETING TONIGHT Section of Park Club Proposes To Dispose of Desirable Residence Location Options Are Secured. The Young Men's Business club will consider a proposition this evening at its meeting at the city build ing, to sell the front part of the Glen bordering North Twenty-second street and purchase 60 acres to the east of the Glen, on which the club has secured long term options. This propo sition the club will put up to its mem bers and the citizens at large, and it is believed that the public will acquiesce with the plan proposed. Study Favors Plan. , Several prominent attorneys have been consulted in regard to the sale of this piece of ground. It was held by some that the city had no authority to dispose of the land in question. Thom as J. Study, city attorney, was one of the attorneys consulted and he said that he saw no reason why the city could not sell the ground. The land on which the club has options lies east of the Glen and is owned by Henley and R. R. Van Sant. It includes approximately 60 acres. It is commonly known as "the thicket.1 The land is covered with native trees and is situated between two ravines. It extends to the road tot the west of the old fair grounds. Two other small tracts extending from this land to the National road are Included in the proposition the club has to offer. Those who have Inspected these tracts say that they are as beautiful as any part of the Glen and'would aid much to its attractiveness. Expense Nominal. It is believed by the club officers that at a very nominal cost the land could be cleared and roadways con structed. One road could have an outlet on the road to the west of the fair grounds and two other roads could run through the property, touch ing the National road. This would give the Glen four, out lets on the Na tional road; one at Twenty-third street, another at Twenty-fourth street and the other above mentioned ones. At present there are but two exits from the Glen on Main street; one at Twenty-Eecond street and the other at Twenty-fourth street. The club believes that after the sale of that part of the Glen cut oft by the freight line, sufficient funds would be received to purchase the tracts on which it holds options, n the sale of the west section of the Glen, the club is willing to take the respansibility on a commission basis and believes it can be done in a week's time if the proposition is pushed as the - club is capable of doing. " . Is Desirable Place. The old cemetery has been regarded for some time as a very acceptable place for residence purposes and many proposals have been made for its sale. However the city would not entertain the question and was supported by many citizens who claimed that it would spoil one of the prettiest parts of the park. Now. however, this support has been withdrawn since the board of works permitted the traction lines to construct a freight line along North-Twenty-third street. . :; PROPHET. INDIANA AND OHIO Wednesday

PORTIO!

T. H. I. k E. WII1S

A FINAL VICTORY , Ill ANCIENT WAR Last Evening Council Consented to Allowing Company to Keep Its Feed Wires on Trolley Poles. IN UNDERGROUND FIGHT IT WAS ALSO WINNER When the Wires Were First Placed It Was Anncunced That the Arrangement Was Only Temporary. After months of. discussion, wasted words of argument and .considerable ill feeling, council by an all. but unanimous vote last evening concurred in the report of the committee on franchises and ordinances that the or dinance providing a penalty for the retention of the electric feed wires on Main street be postponed Indefinitely. The ordinance was to become effec tive April 1. The committee reported that no material benefit would follow the removal of the wires. These wires have been the bone of contention between . the council, board of public works and Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern; Traction company for several months. Council ordered, by ordinance that all overhead wires be removed from Main street. The telephone and electric , light companies complied. The trac tion company erected iron poles and during the nightime placed their feed wires on these poles. The board of works entered a protest and was told the wires were put there only ternporarily. Later anchor wires were attached and the fed wires firmly tied to glass insulators. I ' The. City Was Tricked. , The city had' been, tricked. Vigor- .- ous protest was entered in the council chamber and the ordinance was ordered enforced. Then it was discovered that no penalty had been provided. A new ordinance was, ordered . prepared which fixed the penalty. It f was" prepared and submitted to coun- -- cil, but tbe latest turn came last night -wben a report was Introduced recommending that the penalizing ordinance be postponed. ; TMs leaves the traction company -sole possessor of the field. It has been able to keep-, from putting Its wires underground or placing them in alleys, although all other public utilities corporations hare been made to comply with the original ordinance. Messrs. Deuker and Engelbert ea- t gaged In a lively word tilt over the adoption of the report of the committee. Mr. Deuker returned the report as chairman- of the committee on franchises and ordinances. lie Yeviewed the history of the affair "and said ' the committee had concluded that nothing would be gained .by -requiring the feed wires to be' taken off the street and placed in the alleys. He 1 said the alleys are so narrow that in creased danger would result. He spent the most of his time in discussion of the electric signs across the sidewalks claiming they will prove a greater danger to fire fighting than the feed ' wires. He said that in case the lira and the feed wires are found to bo in the way.; the fire department has the privilege of cutting them. Engelbert Was Wroth. Mr. Engelbert was quite wrought up over the matter. He avowed that there has been constant complaints against wires of all kinds on. Main street and asserted it' will be a dirty shame af (t having compelled the telephone and eleceric light companies to remove their wires to let the traction company keep it up. Me said Mr. Deuker went around among the merchants circulating a petition asking the remoTal of wires. He said after the merchants have signed it will be hard to explain to hem why the traction company is given favors. He declared that any man with any common sense knows that ladders can't -be raised across the sidewalks on. ae count of the wires. He said be believes they ought to he removed and not go in alleys but in North and South A streets. He said he favored , that and had just enough backbone to , stay with It. His was the only vols against tbe adoption of the report. - JORDAN PROPERTY 7ASPURCIIASED John Townsend, Near Chester. Is the Buyer. John Townsend. residing near Chester, has purchased the residence of County Superintendent Charles Jordan, South Eleventh " street, and will move into the dwelling soon. Mr. and Mrs. Jordan rid family have rented another property which they -.will JptttaydtQjsregU

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