Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 35, Number 10, 17 November 1909 — Page 1

CHMONB PAIXABOTM U ' H H 4ND 3UX-TTCTEGBAM. TOL. XXXV. NO. 10. RICHMOND, IXD., WEDNESDAY EVENING, NOVE3IUER 17, 1909. SINGLE COPY, 2 CENTS.

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DES MOINES PLAN GAVE A SURPLUS THE FIRST YEAR

This Feat Was Accomplished, Notwithstanding the $100,000 Deficit When System Began Operations. THIS SHOWING MADE WITHOUT A "REFORM With the Same Set of Politicians in Control the New Method Was Not Handicapped the Least Degree. (By Carl Bernhardt.) ARTICLE 10. , When the first council which wan elected under the Des Moines Plan came Into office it was confronted with a deficit of $180,000, one. half of which had accumulated the year before. The debt was immediately bonded and the new officials started out with a clean Bheet. At the end of the first year there was an actual surplus of $20,000 in the treasury. There has always been a deficit in the treasury up to this time In the city of Des Moines. In each department there is the same Btory. And yet, as I have explained In Bome detail, these are the same poli ticians In power who have been in politics before. The same politicians who caused Des Moines to go over to the commission form of government. I should call this typical efficiency la ' government called forth by the Des Moines Plan from perfectly, average politicians the real proof of the pudding. It Is more than good government It Is efficient government. Efficiency Is Difficult. "To be efficient is more difficult than to be good. The average citizen, honestly in favor of what he calls pood government does not yet understand that there are an intelligence and efficiency as far beyond the reach of mere goodness as is business efficiency beyond the reach of mere good intention." This is the phrase that John MacVicar1 politician twice mayor of Des Moines under the old plan and councilman under the new form of government Quoted to me with particular emphasis from Allen's "Efficient Democracy" as representing his view point as to what the Des Moines Plan really evoked from the men who are in office under it I am sure that he was sincere in quoting it And these are the things which convinced me of its truth as applied to Des Moines. Interest on Funds. For the first time in its history Des Moines is receiving interest on all its deposits. The time deposits draw four percent two percent The first year the city operated under this plan of typical business-like administration of her affairs the interest on the funds amounted to $9,132.17. The amount is not great but the city for the first time has had a surplus in its general fund which makes it all the more pleasant sensation. Decreased Cost of Public Utilities. Under the new administration the lighting of the city was decreased from $66,243 under the old administration to $60,694 a saving of $5,549. It was the price of lighting and not the amount which was lowered. Litigation is now pending which will reduce the cost $10,332 in the lighting item alone. But that is not all. The city has actually able to gain 1,818 hours per year on 603 lamps a gain of 1,126.254 hours. Paving Contracts. Under the old administration the paving of Grand Avenue Bridge cost the city $4.47 per square yard; the new administration did better paving of the same kind of material (creosote block at $4.09 a square yard. The city saved $1,200. Cleaning 2,272 catch basins cost Des Moines $1.40 now it cleans 3.861 such basins at $1.12 saving the city $1,069.25. Beside this an enormous amount of jetty graft in the street department has been done away with by abolishing dishonest "inspectors" who were placed there for political purposes. Beating the Asphalt Trust. The Asphalt Trust has little reason to look with favor on the Des Moines Plan. It took away an important part of its effective machinery. Several thousands of dollars have been regained by prosecuting forfeitures of paving which did not come up to specifications, A thing unheard of there or any place else where the trust has made a treaty of mutual alliance with the old ward system. This Is practically impossible under the new "Daylight Plan." The asphalt paving combine has been broken even more effectively by: Continued on Page Ten

Pretty Cause of the

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Annie Pelley, the girl slain by the negro, who was lvnched in Cairo, 111., with several women pulling on the rope. The mob, after hanging, shooting and burning the negro, also took a wife murderer from jail and strung him up. The Illinois militia prevented a third lynching.

START CLEAN UP AT CUSTOM HOUSE Small Army of Grafting Employes Slated for the at Can" Today. IN SUGAR TRUST ROBBERY IT IS CHARGED THAT FORMER SECRETARY GAGE OF TREASURY KNEW OF CASE BUT HAD FAILED TO BRING ACTION. (American News Service) New York, Nov. 17. A list of twenty-two assistant weighers and several other officials of the customs house was sent to Secretary of Treasury MacVeagh, today by Collector Loeb, with the recommendations that they be dismissed as undesirables. This is the result of the Sugar Trust Customs house frauds, investigation of which extends back into the Roosevelt administration when it is claimed Secretary Gage had the custom house frauds brought to his attention, but failed to push the investigations. Sensational developments are promised. WILL FILED TODAY Adam Oler Testament Recorded After a Lapse Of Many Years. HOW ESTATE IS DIVIDED The will of Adam Oler, who died at his home in Perry township, December , - . - T. . T. , kUlJ U1UI UlUg M A IU County Clerk Hany E. Penny. It is provided in the will, which was drawn up in December, 1SS4, that his wife, Elizabeth Oler, shall receive a 12 acre farm in Perry township on which they made thsir home, and that anoth er 80-acre farm shall be sold to pay debts and carry out small qualifications of the will, after which the residue shall be a portioned out equallv among his seven children. It is also provided in a codicil that at the time of the death of his wife, her share of the estate, with the exception of $1,000 which was given her, the farm shall be sold to William E. Oler at $35 an acre

Cairo Lynchings

DUST IS FACTOR T This Statement Made in Bulletin Issued by Department of Labor. MUNICIPAL DUST CAUSE TWENTY-FIVE PER CENT OF MEN EXPOSED TO THE SAME CON TRACT DREAD DISEASE MANY OF VICTIMS DRIVERS. (American News Service) Washington, Nov. 17. Dust, as an important factor in the spread of consumption is discussed in an article published in Bulletin No. S2 of the Bureau of Labor, Department of Commerce and Labor. The deaths resulting from consumption where the victims follow occupations which expose them to municipal and general organic dust is the subject that is treated, and according to statistics that have been gathered, 25.5 percent of the deaths of people exposed to municipal dust were due to the white plague. In occupations exposed to general organic dust the proportion was 25 percent. As compared with these proportions, 14.8 percent of deaths of males 15 years of age and over in the area of the United States were from consumption. Among occupations exposed to municipal dust those showing the highest mortality were drivers and teamsters, among whom 25.9 per cent of deaths were from consumption. Among occupations exposed to general organic dust, button makers showed the highest mortality, 3T.8 percent in this occupation being from consumption. In each of the two groups the highest consumption mortality was among persons from 25 to 34 years of age, the proportion of deaths from consumption among persons of these ages being 39.6 percent in occupations exposed to municipal dust and 49.0 percent in those exposed in general organic dust, as compared with 31.3 percent for males of the same ages in the registration area. HUFF WILL ATTEND. Mr. Huff, of Indianapolis, a district officer in the order of Knights and Ladies of Honor, wiil be present at the local lodge's meeting this evening.

CONSUMP

ION

E. M, HAAS NAMED FOB POSTMASTER: DEUKEB IS DEPUTY

Two Well Known Business Men Are Informed by Congressman Barnard That the Fat Plums Are Theirs. BOTH WERE REWARDED FOR THEIR ACTIVITY Haas Managed Barnard Campaign in District While Deuker Looked After Wayne County for the Judge. E. M. Haas, secretary of the Commercial club announced this morning that he had been appointed postmaster of the local office by Congressman W. O. Barnard and that Henry W. Deuker, a prominent business man, had been appointed as his assistant. Mr. Haas and Mr. Deuker will succeed Postmaster J. A. Siekenhier and his assistant, Captain Joseph Smith, to their respective positions, May 17, 1910. The appointment of these two men meets with the entire approval of the public in general and particularly the business men. The present postal administration has built up the office to the highest standard of its existence and the business men of Rich-, mond are confident that in Mr. Haas and Mr. Deuker its present high rating will be maintained. Good Party Workers. Bolh men receive their appointments as a result of political effort in behalf of Judge Barnard.- Mr. Haas successfully managed Mr. Barnard's campaign, being chairman of the district forces. Mr. Deuker was the floor manager of the Wayne county forces for Barnard at the Shelbyville convention and it was largely , due to his efforts that Mr. Barnard's nomination was assuVed. ' Mr. Haas has been before the public as a prominent business man for several years. He has been secretary of the Commercial club for three years and before then was county clerk and business manager of the Palladium. He has always been an able lecder in the republican forces, This is also true of Mr. Deuker. He has been in council under three may ors, covering a term of useful service to the city of over twelve years. Last spring he was a candidate for mayor but withdrew before the republican primary was held. What the Extras Are. The office of postmaster pays $3,200 a year with extras added, providing the receipts of the office are above certain figures. The assistant post master receives half the salary of the postmaster. The postal laws provide that postmasters of the first, clnss shall be compensated annually an extra hundred dollars providing the receipts are between $80,000 and $100,000 a year. It appears as though the receipts of the office this year would be above the former figure and if such results, Mr. Haas's salary will be $3,300 and Mr. Deuker's $1,650. No other changes will be made in the postal department as the other offices are in the hands of the civil service. However, the postmaster is appointed custodian of the federal building and the custodian appoints two assistants, one a janitor and the other a char woman. Whether there will be any change in either of these last two mentioned positions can not be stated. Spekenhier's Record. Mr. Spekenhier, the present postmaster, entered the office July 1, 1906 succeeding Daniel Surface, During the three and a half years as postmaster he has built up the office to greater proportions than anticipated. This is demonstrated from the fact that the receipts of the office for the past fiscal year ending in March will probably be well above $S0.000, while for the past fiscal year the receipts were approximately $68,000, making a gain of $12,000 in one year. Captain Joseph Smith, became assistant during the administration of Perry J. Freeman in 1896. He and Mr. Spekenhier have demonstrated their ability as public servants in the most pronounced manner. Mr. Spekenhier has not determined what he will do. He has under consideration a number of good positions. He is an expert accountant. Just what Captain Smith will do is not known as he is on a few days leave of absence, attending the Scottish Rite Masons convention at Ft. Wayne. BAD C. H. & 0. WRECK Dayton, O., Nov. 17. John Hammond of Lima, a brakeman. and James W. Sweeney of Lima, a fireman, were killed and several passengers severely hurt In a collision in the Cincinnati. Hamilton and Dayton railroad yards near here this morning. . A passenger and freight came together. THE WEATHER. INDIANA Fair and colder Thursday.

JOHN FLETCHER MEDEARIS DIES ON HIS ONE HUNDREDTH BIRTHDAY

SOLDIERS DRIVE THOUSANDS FROM THE MINE SHAFT It Was Feared That the Blasting Process Would Cause Gas Explosions, Resulting In a Catastrophe. CROWDS PRESENT TO SECURE THEIR DEAD Mine Experts Deprecate Use Of Suction Fans, Fearing an Explosion That Would Wreck Entire Town. (American News Service) Cherry, 111., Nov. 17. Fearing an explosion of gas in blasting the St Paul mine, which might cause a great catastrophe, the state militia today drove back crowds of thousands who had gathered at the shaft house, hoping that the recovery of the bodies of three hundred dead miners would begin. Water was shut off this morn ing and the thermometer tests made show that the fire is still raging, as fierce as ever and it is now feared that the mine cannot be entered for possibly a week. Mine experts deprecate use of suction fans fearing that gases may cause an explosion that would wreck the entire town of- Cherry. Meanwhile the disappointment of the grief crazed relatives is driving them to desperation and mutterings are heard on all sides against everybody in authority and in any way connected with the mine. The arrival of several hundred troops has served to increase indignation. PLOT WAS DISCOVERED. (American News Service) Cherry, 111., Nov. 17. The two companies of state troops detrained here early this morning. The discovery of an alleged plot to dynamite a long string of sleeping cars containing mining officials, state inspectors, trained nurses and newspaper men was the development that caused Sheriff Skojlund to ask for state troops. The plot, it is said, had been hatched by grief crazed miners and friends and their relatives of the men whose bodies are now in the tunnels of the St. Faul mine. It also is declared that the lives of President Earling of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and other officials have been threatened by foreigners, who believe they are responsible for the appalling mine disaster. Fearing that the dynamite plot might be carried out in spit of the troops was expressed by all. Cars Are Guarded. Sentries were placed around the cars with loaded rifles with orders to keep all suspicious characters at a distance. Sheriif Skojlund personally warned the officials of the company against being out late at night. He urged all who had not imperative business to keep close to the sleeping-cars. The residents of Cherry woke today after a night of terror. Groups of men gathered in consultation on every street corner during the night and when ordered to disperse cursed the police. Open threats were made that if there was interference with the miners there would be bloodshed. The arrival of the troops did not quell the rising excitement among the men. On the contrary, it appeared to inflame them. Sheriffs Statement. "I am acting under the advice of the state mining inspector, states attorney and the mining company officials, said Sheriff Skojlund. "It was learned that an effort might be made to dynamite the train and so we thought it best to take all precautions. The miners are crazed by grief and are not responsible." States Attorney Eckert backed up the sheriff in his statements and declared that he had advised him to order the dynamite taken from the company's warehouse. The presence of the soldiers Is bitterly resented by the miners, who declared that no disorder had occurred or was contemplated, and that the sending of troops was an insult to the unfortunate people whose griefs were hard enough to bear without this additional reproach. A MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the West Richmond Friends church will be held in Lindley h&ll at Earlham college this evening at 7:30 o'clock. A cordial invitation Is extended to all to attend.

While the Grand Old Man of Wayne County Was Dying at His Home in Greensfork, His Hundreds of Friends Were Paying Homage to Him at a Public Reception, Praying That the Grim Reaper Would Not Call Away the Venerable Pioneer, Who Was Always Known as a Model Man.

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Harmon Kroma Refused to Come Here Without Requisition Papers. MUST UNRAVEL RED TAPE Patrolman Henry Yogelsong has concluded that Harmon Kroma, who was arrested in Dayton yesterday on a fugitive warrant and who is wanted in this city on a charge of grand larceny, is just about the most stubborn individual that exists. When the local authorities were notified yesterday that Kroma had been arrested at Dayton a beam of satisfaction spread over the features of the officers. Yogelsong was dispatched to Dayton with the orders to bring the prisoner back with him. However, this proved to be more difficult than was anticipated. Kroma absolutely refused to return to this city with the officer without requisition papers. So Patrolman Yogelsong returned alone. The neces sary papers were made out this morning by Prosecuting Attorney Ladd and Vogelsong was sent to Indianapolis to ibtain Governor Marshall's signature. He must then go to Columbus. O., and confer with the governor of that state, securing his permission before the prisoner can be returned to Richmond.. Krema, who is a "pal", of Earl Breese, is believed to have been lm- ' ilicated in the robbery of several hundred pounds of brass from the standard Pattern Manufacturing company, and the Wayne Works, several weeks ago. It Is said the evidence against him is sufficient to secure his conviction without much difficulty. INTENDED VICTIMS OF INDIAN BOMB THROWER Lord Minto, the viceroy of India, and Lady Minto, who both had a narrow escape when two bombs were thrown at their carriage as they drove j through the streets of Ahmedabad, India. A dragoon warded off one of his bombs with a sword, dropping it into a sandpile. The second bomb struck a native lieutenant, who was holding an umbrella over the head of Lady Minto. Neither of the Infernal machines exploded. The bomb throwers escaped in the excitement that followed. Lord Minto was governor-general of Canada from 1838 to 1301. ,

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HIS EXCITEMENT OVER EVENT WAS CAUSE OF DEATH v "Father" Medearis Had Looked Forward to Celebration With Greatest Expectancy, Causing a Breakdown.

HE AWOKE YESTERDAY IN DAZED CONDITION And He Remained in a SemiComatose State Up Until The Time of His Death, Late Yesterday Afternoon. Greensfork, Ind., Nor. 17. John Fletcher Medearis died yesterday afternoon, on his one hundredth borthernoon, on his one hundredth birthWickersham, celebrated his first birthday. Mr. Medearis died at 5:30 o'clock at his home in Greensfork. after remaining in a semi-conscious condition during the entire dar. and while the centennial celebration was being carried on In honor of Indiana's oldest man. The homage which was paid to Mr. Medearis by the two hundred and fifty visitors was on!y a small representation of ' his hundreds of friend throughout tha county. Carried Out Program. Despite the euff-ebled condition of Mr. Medearis, the centennial prog ram, which had been arranged, was carried out In every particular, except one, and that was the presence of Mr. Medearis himself at the church. Monday Mr. Medearis signified bis Intention of attending the church and making a short address, and also of having a photograph taken of himself and his great-grandchild on the front porch j of his home. But yesterday morning wnen 31 r. Meaearis awoke, a member of the family mentioned the fact to him that he was one hundred years of age. and he nodded bis head, smiled and made some remark as to the celebration. This was all the aged man said during th? entire day. However, when members of the family enterei his room, he recognized them by a smile and then sank Into a deep sleep. About two o'clock yesterday afternoon. G. B. Medearis, a son of John Fletcher Medearis said to a representative of the Palladium that the chance for the recovery of the aged man were very slight, and asked him to enter the room and see Mr. Medearis. When they were in the room he felt of the pulse of the dying man and stated then that he doubted if he would live until morning. "He has taken no nourishment since last evening and his blood circulation Is very poor.' he stated. At that time Mr. Med ear N was gasping for breath, and three hours later. after "the celebration. "Father" Medearis, as he was known, passed away. Cause of Death. The cause of the death of Mr. Medearis is attributed to the excitement Incident to the celebration of his birthday. He had been looking forward with great expectation to the event and Monday expressed a desire of taking part in the exercises. But even at that time It was noticed that his emotion was so great that be could no longer tal'c without great difficulty. Tuesday morning, when a member of the family mentioned the celebration to him a smile crept over hi face and it is said tears came into his eyes. After that he remained in a semi-conscious state until his death n the evening. The songs sung by the choir, which --ongs had been selected by Father Melearis himself, and the themes of the d dresses at the celebration, followed lis dictates. Each speaker expressed he hope that trey might again be present and do homage to another birthday of John Fletcher Medearis. The centennial exercises were held n the Methodist church in Greens'ork. and the programs consisted of hort addresses by Dr. Milton Mahan, the Rev. M. A'. Harlan, the Rev. T. M. Guild, and Mrs. Ethel Wise. Several selections were given by the choir and Shannon Nff sang. - Or. Mahan Spoke Dr. Mahan is the oldest member of the North Indiana conference and has known Mr. Medearis for fifty-two years. His talk was reminiscent and

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