Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 36, Number 311, 16 September 1911 — Page 1

THE MICHMOHB FAIX ABIUM

AND SUN-TEI.EGR A M. VOL. -UXXVL HO. 311. XUCHMOXD, IND SATURDAY 'EVENING.' SEPTEMBER 16, 1911. t SINGLE COPT 8 CENTS CHIEF G0RM0II now , 01 WARPATH AFTER TRACT10II CQMPAIIY Ready to Forget Missing Wife A NEGRO ATTEMPTS ASSAULT Ofi YOUNG WHITE GIRL TODAY CITY ROUTE SPRECKLES IS FOR A WARM GREETING IS GIVEII TAFT DY A SYRACUSE CROWD IS ONE CHOSEN BY THE STOCKHOLDERS , LA FOLLETTE TO SUCCEED TAFT

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SEI

ISHe and County Commissioners Inspect Main Street Bridge and See Danger From High Power Wires.

CONDITION NOW IS MENACE TO PUBLIC Same Wires Go Through the ' Business District, Constituting a Great Danger in ' the Eyent of a Fire. - In an examination of the Main Street bridge this morning by the county commissioners and county engineer . Mueller, It was discovered that the high tension wires of the T. H. I. & E. traction company were within two feet of the walkway across the bridge, and ttbat the Insulation on the wires was so '.decomposed that the wires are left exf posed in many places. These wires cartry over 13,200 volts, or about 4 times tthe amount of current carried by either of the electric light companies. It fwas found that a person standing on fehe bridge could each out and touch one of the high tension wires, which tof , course, would cause Immediate death. The police department of the kit: was Immediately notified of the condition of the wires and Chief Gorinon stated that Jhe wires were a-men-'oe to public safety and if there was i any possible way for his department to ,prosecute the company for such negligence he would take Immediate action. The matter was taken up by the legal idenertment of the city and it Is very k prefab le that steps win be taken late roday to compel the company ' to rertf .-.vlettpset .the. Briefs , ' -. The county commissioners met this taornlng at, 10 o'clock and at the request of county engineer Mueller adjourned to make an examination of the condition of the Main street bridge. 'Mr. Mueller pointed out to the commissioners the return wires of the 'traction company which are connected ,with the bridge and which allow the .current to pass through the bridge. It was found that a large part of the insulation of both the high tension and return wires of the traction company iWas defective; that the insulation ihung from the wires in strips several Inches In length. In fact the condition ,of affairs at the bridge was such that 'the engineer would not, allow the commissioners to climb - up under the 1ridge to make an examination on account of the current passing through the bridge. He said that one day this week he had tried to make a close, examination of the bridge and had received a very severe shock from the Iron work and he did not think it was safe to make a further examination this morning as the dampness made conditions much worse. Engineer Mueller has been trying to get a colt meter that would be strong enough to test the current now passing through the bridge, and has been able to ind only two In the state. One of the volt meters belongs to Purdue University and it will not allow the .Instrument to be loaned. The other beeongs to the traction company at Indianapolis, so Mr. Mueller will secure ''this one and, with a. representative of the traction company, will make an examination of the bridge one day next reek. ; Engineer Mueller pointed out the pact that the company by not providing sufficient drainage along Its tracks over the bridge had allowed the water "to .seep through and damage the fbrldge. The bridge was found to be .very badly rusted on the south side fWhere the water is allowed to seep ' through and run down on the iron works. He explained that electricity took the path of the least resistance ' and when the Joints of the bridge wore continually damp tt caused a decay of the steel work by allowing the electricIs Preparing a Report. Mr. Mueller Is preparing a report whlch will be submitted to the county , commissioners recommending' certain changes which will remedy the damge which has been done. Mr. Mueller today also pointed out the fact that the same high tension wires that pass through the bridge are also taken up Main street and on examination It was found that in a great many places the insulation on these wires on Main sireet had worn off. The condition of these wires was call ed to the attention of the police department and Mr. Mueller remarked that it was strange the insurance com panies allowed this condition to exist bight In the heart of the business dis trict. In most cities they require all olgn tension wires oi me traction com pany to be taken around the outskirts of the city and that they are in very few cases allowed in the business dis trict. He said that in case of a fire It would be very dangerous for the rcneA tP combat the blase. ,

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Walter Suydam, Jr., his wife who Is missing, and her pet dog. The young millionaire of New York at his summer villa, weepingly declares that he will forgive his wife if she will only return to him. She disappeared from the Long Island cottage at the same time, approximately, as ..Frederick Noble, eon of a Brooklyn plumber.

TEACTERPOHTirawES

: HIGH SCHOOL MET Discuss Methods of Conducting the Classes During the Ensuing Term. All high school students will assemble in chapel hall at half past eight Monday morning, where they will receive the assignment of classes at the close of the exercises. Students will arrange to enter Monday morning, as locker and session room assignments will not be held for them if not present I. E. Nef f, Principal-of the High Shcool. .This is a formal announcement of opening of the year's activities in the Richmond high school, which Mr. Neff issued this morning. The principal is looking for a record breaking enrollment next Monday morning, and expects an increase of fifteen percent in the number of students over last year. This will bring the enrollment at the beginning of the term close to six hundred, and will mean that about six hundred and fifty will be on hand before the year is well advanced. The teachers of the high school held their first meeting of tbresent school year, in the high school' library this morning. All but one of the instructors were in attendance, and all declared themselves ready for their work. Principal Neff called the meeting to order at half past nine, and presented his views on ways to improve the work of the institution during this term. The first matter that he brought up was his proposed campaign to "weed out" indifferent students in the school. Mr. Neff said that he was going to make every possible effort to raise the standards of scholarship, and to get more thorough work from the pupils. He has prepared a system of weekly reports, whereby the teachers will report to the principal at the end of every week, a list of all existing delinquencies.. Mr. Neff will at once look Into each individual case, and will consult the parents of the pupil as to the best way to remedy the trouble. If the student continues to do poor work. Mr. Neff will either advise him to take an easier course of study, or will demote him to a lower class. By this method, the faculty "hopes to abolish indifferent work. TOOK FRENCH LEAVE Some years ago, Herman Krull departed from his Lome, leaving a note for his wife which told that he was going to leave her. In the Wayne Circuit court this morning his wife Elizabeth Krull was granted a divorce and the custody of a minor child. The allegations were abandonment and failure to provide. Krull when he had residence in this city was a traveling salesman,

;t side people

APPROVE OF STAND Taken by the City and County in Regard to the Traction Company. The stand which the city and county authorities are taking in regard to the traction company was approved last night at the first fall meeting of the West Richmond Improvement Association. The members of the association were unanimous in their belief that it was time for the civic bodies to assume a firm position toward the company, and to show it that no corporation could own Richmond. The first resolution passed regarding the traction situation was in reference to the action of the city council at its meeting last Monday night. The West Side organization thought that the city was following the right course, and that the only way to force the traction company to grant the city's request was to revoke the company's franchise. After this, a resolution was passed approving the position which the county commissioners were assuming with regard to the traction company, and urging them to force the corporation to concede some of the points in dispute. City Engineer Charles told N. C. Heironimus, one of the prominent workers in the west side civic body, that the traction company was planning to run Its high tension wires, about a hundred in number, on the south side of the National Road through the branches of many of the . beautiful, large trees along that street. According to the city engineer, any such action would immediately kill all the trees touched, and would thus destroy one of the biggest assets of the highway. A resolution was adopted asking the traction company not to resort to any such course and. calling the attention of the city officials to the proposed action. A committee, composed of Charles Carpenter, President Kelly, of Earlham. College,. Timothy , Nicholson and Benjamin Johnson, was appointed to take charge of the associations interests in this matter. Members of the association also expressed regret over the death of Caleb King, who was one of the leaders In the work of the society. SUIT FOR DIVORCE Suit for divorce was entered in the Wayne circuit court Saturday by Margaret Johnson. In the complaint, she states that she believes her husband, who deserted her in June 1894, is now dead, but the fact is not established. Abandonment and failure to, provide are the allegations. The couple were married in Richmond, November 16, 1893. Mrs. Johnston petitions to prosecute her cause of action as a poor per-

Harrv Frazier Seizes Vera

Pfafflin, 12, as She Enters Woodshed and a Fierce Struggle Ensued. screams of child brinq Assistance Mother and Sisters Rush to Her Aid and Frazier Fled But Was Later Arrested in Pool Room. , Harry Frazier, alias Harry Ralston, a coal black negro,4 aged about 20 years, is held at the city jail on a charge of attempting an assault upon Vera Pfafflin, 12-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Pfafflin, 108 North Sixth street. The attack took place In a blind alley back of the Pfafflirl residence at 8:15 o'clock this morning. Frazier was arrested at the pool room of Harm Skillens on Fort Wayne avenue this morning at 10:40 o'clock. He was taken to police headquarters where he was positively identified by the little Prafflin girl and her younger sister, Ruth, aged about 9 years. He was also identified by an employe of the Whelan store-room, between North Fifth and Sixth streets on A streets, as the negro who has been loafing in the alley recently. Just as the little Pfafflin girl was entering the woodshed of her home from the alley after a trip to the grocery store, the negro sprang from the shed, where he had been hiding and grabbed her. , ; 1 v Threatened Her Life. He threw a 'handkerchief over her mouth and then warned her that If she made an outcry, he would kill her. The child, struggled -valiantly against

ys4ltfefc a fierce

scunie ot several ; minutes rreea ner mouth from the handkerchief held by . . , . , . the negro. So terrified as not to heed the threat of Frazier, she screamed with all her might, while still struggling in the man's grasp. Her outcry reached the ears of her mother and sisters in the house and they came running towards the alley. Frazier heard the slamming of the screen door as Mrs. Pfafflin and the children left the house, and their footsteps upon the cement sidewalk. He released the little girl and ran from the alley towards North A street. No men were attracted by the scream ing and the negro made his escape. In the scuffle with-the negro, the little Pfafflin girl received a severe scratch on the left, shoulder. She i3 also suffering from the nervous shock. Frazier has admitted to the police of having been in ' the alley at the rear of the Pfafflin residence at the time of the attack. He i was adopted when a child by Frank Ralston of North Sixteenth street.' His reputation has not been very good. -. Identified the Negro. Rutb Pfafflin, the younger sister of the girl attacked, has identified Frazier as the negro she saw loafing in the alley near the Pfafflin home a couple of days ago, and who asked her for an old umbrella laying near the woodshed. Frightened, she told him to take it, . and ran into the house. Frazier had been loafing in the alley for several days, according to an em-, ploye of the Whelan store-room. The Pfafflin girl was told to go to the Bullerdick grocery, corner of Fifth and A streets, by her mother shortly after 8 o'clock. She left by the back way, reaching A street through the alley, and was no doubt seen by the negro at the time. She returned the same way, and was about to enter the woodshed, which is located at the rear of the Pfafflin residence and affords an entrance into the rear yard, when the negro sprang out at her. The employe of the Whelan storeroom learned of the attempted assault and later he saw Frazier, whom he recognized as the negro who had been loafing in the alley, on Fort Wayne avenue. He notified the police and patrolmen Lawler and Wenger were detailed on the case. They located Frazier at Skillen's pool room in a short time and made the arrest. TOO LARGE SALARY; PREACHER RESIGNS CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo, Sept. 16. It is so seldom that a minister quits because of too much salary that the members of the First Presbyterian church here were surprised when their pastor, the Rev. Eugene F. Abbott, gave that as one of his reasons for resigning the pastorate. He received 2,000 a year here. , - The Rev. Mr. Abbott says a church should not pay its pastor a large salary unless It can also expend propor tionate amounts In charities and in i

church upbuilding. He has accepted a call tfi Fulton at I1.&00 a yeart 7

New Richmond & Eastern

Line Will Pass Through a Rich Country Having No Rail Transportation. IS PREFERRED OVER WINCHESTER ROUTE People Along New Line Are Enthusiastic and Have Promised Right of Way and Cash Donations. The promoters of the proposed interurban line to run between this city and Portland, Ind., met last night at the Commercial club, and made final plans for putting through the project. The most important step taken at the meeting was the decision to have the route go through Union City, to the east of Portland, rather than through Winchester, located to the west of the terminal point. Besides the bus iness of settling this question, the articles of incorporation for the company were adopted. These state that the object of the railway shall be to operate cars carrying both passengers and freight between Richmond and Portland, and shall also supply power for lighting to the points along the route. Many points entered into the discussion of which direction the line should take in getting to Portland. Along the Winchester route, it was agreed that larger towns would be included. However, there is already a railroad going through this territory, and the new traction line would doubtless have to divide the traffic with the steam line. On the other hand the people along the Union City route have no good means of transportation, and the proposed lino could handle all the business without competition. There is a fine opportunity for developing the land along the eastern route, and the business would grow to large proportions, ,the promoUrs believe. . The committees that .made the tours of in- , e""7" """J B .1 ' from which to decide on the course of the line, furthermore said that the people in Union City were more enthusiastic over the project than the people of Winchester. For these several causes, the stockholders voted unanimously to run the road along'' the Union City route. Support Is Promised. The, towns along the eastern route promised much better support to the project than did those on the western line.' Several large donations of money were offered to assist in the construction of the line. Subsidies as high as $35,000 are promised from the several towns and townships on the Union City route and numerous small villages offered liberal inducements. In addition to the financial backing, these enthusiasts said they would guarantee to secure the right of way for the line. In many places this can be had without expense, and with no difficulties to overcome. In fact, about 80 per cent of the first estimated cost of getting the right of way will be eliminated for this reason. Although the new line will probably cost in the neighborhood of $800.00, the promoters are confident that the deal can be put through with little trouble. The company has already dis posed of the $50,000 capital stock. ' The dual purpose of the corporation is fully outlined in the articles of incorporation which were presented and agreed upon yesterday evening. The principal duty that the concern assumes is, of course, the carrying of passengers and .freight between points on the line. The company is going to try to give service that will bring forth as few complaints as possible. The other object of the interurban line will be to furnish electric lights to the people living near the tracks. This will be a great convenience for the residents in the district. New Style of Cars. The cars that the new line will opoperate will be quite unusual in this part of the country. They will be of the gas-electric type. These cars are equipped with appliances that generate the electricity as the car goes along and obviate the objectionable over-head trolley wire. The generators are operated by gasoline, and make the electricity just as needed. One of the good points of the gas electric cars fs that they do away with the central power house. This means that there is no chance of the cars having to stop running as a result of power house trouble. Each car will be run an entirely independent system. Even if a single car goes out or com mission it will be much easier to run in an extra car than it would be to repair a power house. This was the principal cause for the selection of this kind of cars by the stockholders. Although these cars cost more than the usual type, the promoters of the Richmond and Eastern Trtctlon company believe that they are worth the additional expense and that they wii; soon prove their efficiency. . A meeting has been called for next Tuesday evening, at which time the stockholders will convene to adopt the constitution and by-laws. -

Wealthy San Francisco Graft Fighter in an Interview Says His Is Republicans' One Chance.

HOLDS LA FOLLETTE IS VERY SAFE MAN Spreckles Says that as a Business Man He Would Not Be for Wisconsin if He Was Dangerous. (National News Association) WASHINGTON, Sept. 16. "Beyond any question the vote of the California delegation at the national Republican convention will be cast for Senator La Follette for president." said Rudolph Spreckles of San Francisco, the leader of the fight against graft in that city. "It is my belief that Oregon. Wash ington, Wisconsin, Minnesota and the two new states. New Mexico and Ari zona, will also send La Follette delegates. La Follette will make a formida ble showing in the convention and unless the Republican party wishes to invite certain defeat the convenUon will nominate the Wisconsin man. "I believe it is inevitably doomed to defeat if President Taft is chosen, and while I am not prepared to say that I think he will not be nominated, I certainly hope that the party leaders will forsee the unwisdom of nominating a candidate who cannot win. The Democratic party is stronger than it was some years ago, stronger in leaders and in brains, and if it once gets into power it . will remain : supreme for a long time. . ;: ,. .;. .l. :' Strong All Over Nation. "I really believe that the sentiment for progressive Republican policies is just as strong among the voters of the east as it is )n the wst.The difference is 'that in the east the rogrs'siv8 have lacked leaders. Senator La Toi lette would make a great president.. He is not a dangerous man. If I , thought so I certainly would not as 1 a "business man be in favor of his nomination for I have corporate interest 'and would not want to place a man at the head of the nation who would be a menace to business. Before deciding to support Senator La Follette I ma'de it my business to -investigate conditions In Wisconsin where he has been supreme for fifteen years and through whose influence many laws have been placed on the statute books. I found that Wisconsin is prospering as perhaps no other state, that municipal bonds of Wisconsin cities are selling in Wall street at better figures than those of other states. I am honest in my belief that La Follette is a constructive states man and that he ought to be nominat ed. If not I tremble for the future of the Republican party., DANIEL MEDEARIS ENTERS THE RACE One more candidate for the office of county treasurer at the primary election next February has been added to the list of ."hopefuls." He Is Daniel Medearis, a prominent farmer of Cen ter township and a well known man in Wayne county. ? Mr. Medearis has not yet personally announced his candidacy for the office, but s activities of late are taken to mean that he is an aspirant for the position.' He has been investigating the situation for some time . and conferring with his friends. The latter have taken up his cause and are lining up in his behalf. An exciting race is anticipated for this office and others at the primary election. The candidates who have so far announced themselves are Thomas Ahl, present deputy treasurer, Nimrod Johnson, superintendent of the Richmond Municipal Light Plant, Frank Jenkinson, living south of the city, and Jerome Shurley. It is understood F. L. Torrence is also a candidate. DISPUTE OVER FIDO BY NATHAN EDWARDS. ECONOMY, Ind. Sept. 16. A "dog trial" here, just concluded, has caused great excitement. The case came up in 'Squire Frasier's court and was atended by a large crowd. It was Jake Williams and a Mr. "Bales of GreensforS who were contesting the ownership of a long eared and long tailed hound dog, and it took the jury of good men and true but fifteen minutes to decide that the "dorg" belonged to Jake. Those on this jury were: David Jordan, Charley Atkinson, Morton Horter, Joe Haxton, Joe Cain and Mr. Mason. The 'Squire announced in a little preliminary speech that it was the first dog trial that had come up for adjustment in 35 years. At that two spectators yelled out at the Court, "You're a liar.! Then His Honor .was informed by each one that called him a liar they had been before him with two trials of the same kind. All enjoyed the joking and the Court laughed the bjggest of any of them.

Chief Executive Makes; His First Stop on His Coast to Coast Trip and Talks on Agriculture.

DENIES THAT TRIP IS POLITICAL MOVE Says That If Talking on Governmental Problems Is Politics, Then There Are Grounds for Reports. (National News Association) SYRACUSE. N. Y Sept. 16. A big crowd gave President Taft a hearty greeting on his arrival here this morning despite his early arrival, as six: thirty. The President breakfasted as ' the guest of the chamber of Commerce at the Onondago hotel where another crowd greeted him. A feature ot the day was his speech at the fair grounds. There he was introduced by Supreme Court Justice Andrews. Prefacing his speech with a few remarks In reply to newspaper insinuations that he was "defending his poll cies on his trip," the President remarked that he was not going to dls- v cuss politics unless talking on the problems of government Is considered politics. He declared he Intended talking on perplexing questions before tho legislators today. The President spoke briefly on state rights, declaring as an individualist, he favored the states having privileges of government, but with full unity of the federal government : The .burden of the President's speech related to the agricultural interests of the country and important developments ot egricultural industry as a result of the encouragement and the assistance ot -the department of agriculture,' which spends fifteen millions annually sad which, "he said, should have increased appropriations each succeeding year. Talks of Agriculture. v ..H ' am xnild.e.tjf rom looking , late , : the future of the department that there' are pressing needs of expansion of its, work; that an increase of appropriations each year for that depart ment may be and ought to be expected in " the - intereat of the government. This is where the expenditures of the government might well be increased each year and each' decade. "As I say, the chief functions of the department is advisory and educational, and includes that of scientific investigation. The department has some f uncUons that are governmental and executive, like the inforcement of -pure food laws, the inspection ot meat, interstate commerce and the conservation and preservation of the forests. But its distinctly agricultural features are not executive in that the department has no authority to tell farmers what they must do, has no authority to regulate argriculture schools established under the authority of the state, but is merely an assistant to the agriculture of the United States. No one familiar with its work, can be ignorant of the enormous benefit which it has conferred upon the agriculture of this county and therefore upon ev-". ery individual living under the gov ernment by the, work of the agriculture department. - "Farming has become a. scientific business, dealing with elements, the peculiar operation of which was very little understood 25 or 50 years ago. The amount of information which thefarmers have received and acted upon in their farming business from the bureau of plant industry, from the bureau of soils and the bureau of animal industry in the department of agriculture can hardly be overstated, and , the dependence of the welfare of the country on the continuous spread of this information for the improvement of agriculture ought to be emphasised whenever opportunity arises." POLICE FORCE WAS BUSY WITH TAILOR The members of the local police force were busy this morning at head quarters planning their fall and winter wardrobes. A member of the firm of Pettibone Bros., military tailors in Cincinnati, was on hand to take the orders of . the police for suits, over-, coats and caps. The officers this year have decided that it will pay them to get the best uniforms they can. ; The cops will put on a dazzling front when they appear in their new caps, for which they, paid $3.50 each, and their heavy overcoats, costing $25 apiece. OPENING OF SPA . Work on the "Spa" at the local T. XL C. A. is completed and everything, ready for the reopening of that ' restaurant Monday. Although no additions will be made to the "Spa" every part of it is being overhauled and put in' good repair. THE WEATHER STATE Fair tonight Probably how era. lata tonight and Sunday. . . LOCAL Fair tonight end Moderate temperature