Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 37, Number 92, 21 February 1912 — Page 1

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AND SUN-TELEGRAM VOL. XXXVII. NO. 93. RICHMOND, IND., WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 21, 1912. SINGLE COPY CENTS.

HOUSTON WAS

SWEPT TODAY BY BIG FIBE Blaze, Starting at One This Morning and Not Controlled Till Noon, Threatened Entire City. 17 BUILDINGS ARE LEVELED BY BLAZE Several Structures Were Dynamited to Prevent Spread of Fire Three Thousand Without Homes. (National Nwi Association) HOUSTON, Tex.. Feb. 21. Seventeen blocks of buildings, many of them manufacturing establishments were burned today, entailing an aggregate lots estimated from five to eight millions of dollars. The fire started at one o'clock this morning and was not brought fully under control until nearly noon. Nearly three thousand perrons were rendered homeless, and fulIv.that number were thrown out of work. The lire was thought to be under control at three o!clock but a fifty-mile ulnd fanned the flames until it became necessary to dynamite many buildings to prevent the destruction of the entire city. Among the buildings destroyed in addition to one hundred and fifty residences, many being homes of working people, were three churches, the Immense plant of the Houston Operative Manufacturing company and Fari ell's lumber yard, covering three blocks, and containing millions of feet of lumber. The city hall was saved with difficulty. A concentrated effort was made by the fire department to gave the principal business section. After starting at one a. ni. in a small building adjoining the Southern Pacific railroad tracks the Are spread, fanned by a high wind, wiping out snore than twenty-five city squares. At three o'clock the firemen thought they had the flre under control but they were saletehem.'- Aftes amiaWi was used to extinguish the lire the fhmes were again fanned Into flerce activity by a sudden shift of the wind, which carried tongues of flames across The streets, causing the fames to spread In several directions. The brunt of the Ire was borne by the residence section, although severe damage was sustained by several large manuwac luring plants. Aid was asked front Galvevton, 49 miles away. At ten o'clock the lire department officials declared the flames were "under control. The mastery was gained by use of dynamite, employed to blow up buildings In the Are swept region. Although seventeen blocks were des troyed before the flames were checked as far aa can be learned there ' has been no loss of life. A PROTESnilTEBED By Steel Company on Rail way Coke Rate. (National News Association) WASHINGTON. Feb. 21. Claiming that, should the Interstate Commerce Commission Uphold the contention of the Pittsburg and Lake Erie and four other railroads operating from the Connellsville coal districts of Pennsylvania to Chicago, that the present rate on coke of $2.50 per ton Is reason able, attorneys representing the Wisconsin Steel company of South Chicago, declared today In arguments to the Commission that it would cost the teel company $69,000 per year. It was also claimed that Independent dealer would be forced out of the steel business and that irreparable Jloss would be occasioned to thousands of employes. Attorney Samuel D. Snow, representing the steel company stated that the rate of $2.35 per ton. formerly in effect, was a reasonable rate and that under it, the independent steel manufacturers of Chicago have a chance to compete with alleged trust concerns. Now, he claimed, the addi tional charge of 15 cents a ton was putting the independent operators out of business. He supplied the commission with figures which showed that the Wiscon sin company handled 460,000 tons of coke during last year from the Con nellsville districts. THE WEATHER HIGH SCHOOL OBSERVATORY. Forecast for Richmond and vicinity: Colder tonight; fair and colder Thursday. Maximum temperature In the last 24 liours 36 at noon Tuesday. Minimum temperature in the last 24 hours 23 at S a. m. Wednesday. Temperature at 12:30 p. m. today J7. Barometer 29.0. Direction and velocity of wind N. E. 1 mile per hour. LOCAL Snow this afternoon and to night. Colder tonight. Thursday fair.

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ppjii;n"BJinn BLANKET OF SHOW And on This Snow Is a Coating of Treacherous Ice Trains Late. Street car traffic is almost suspended, trains are hours off their schedules, and telegraph communication is rendered difficult by the storm of snow and sleet which descended on this city lan night and today. The streets have a snow foundation with a covering of ice and pedestrians can traverse them only with difficulty. About noon the rain changed to snow again. The street car system is completely demoralized, some sections of the city not having car service until late In the afternoon. The snow had to be removed by men with shovels. Some streets are covered with snow to the depth of five and six feet, where it has been shoveled from the sidewalks, and Street Commissioner Genn with his men and wagons will be busy for some time romoving this accumulation. Drifts many feet deep are encountered by the trains in the deep cuts, and the freezing rain, and the sleet make travel very difficult. The telegraph companies have had very little trouble with their wires to date, but expect to have much trouble if the weather continues. Rural mail carriers were affected the most by the weather, some of them not returning from their routes until late this afternoon; the drifts in some places being up above the bottom of the wagons, and the sleet on top of the lee made it both difficult and painful for the horses to rut through the drifts. With only one car into this city from the west and few from the east traffic on the interurban ' lines leading into this city has been tied up today on account of the snow and rain. Cars seemed to be able to leave Indianapolis and Dayton, but it was impossible for most of them to reach this city. Likewise on the Pennsylvania and C. ans-O. railroad lines traffic was demoralized to a certain extent. Persons desiring to leave the city by either lines were forced to wait in the depots for some time before their trains appeared. PLACKES PARENTS OF TEN CHILDREN Evelyn Placke entered the home of Mr. and Mrs. John H. Placke. 330 Biuth Twelfth street, via Stork Route, on the seventeenth of this month, making th tenth child, all living, in that family. Evelyn's father, who is 37 years of age, is a local butcher and has spent his entire life in Richmond. The mother (nee Barbara Klett), was born in Wuerttcmberg, Germany, thirty-seven years ago, but has been in this country for many years. City Health Officer T. Henry Davis maintains that this case is nearly a record for Richmond.

BAIIKH1GPR0BLEMS Commercial Club Committee Appointed to Secure Facts for Members.

A committee, headed by A. D. Gayle, ha;. Just been named by President S. E. Swayne of the Commercial Club, with the purpose of making a study of existing banking conditions, and assisting Prof. Walter Scott, of Northwestern University, in presenting accurate data to members of the club at a meeting, March eleventh. Prof. Scott, who comes to Richmond representing the National Citizens' League, has made an extensive investigation of the banking system In vogue in the United States, and is expected to give an unusually instructive talk on the country's needs of backing reforms. Tbe local committee, which comprises a number of the leading bankers and business men o fthe city will investigate the question independently, and will compile-an outline of banking conditions. The committee is made up as follows: A. D. Gayle, chairman, Rudolph G. Leeds, James M. Judson. E. H. Cates, G. H. Egeemeyer, L. J. Woodard James A. Carr, W. D. Foulke, E. F. Hiatt, W. J. Hutton, B. B. Johnson, J. M. Lontz. C. E. Shiveley, E. K. Comer, W. H. Kelley, J. H. Mills, M. J. O'Brien J. F. Robbins. Officials of tbe club hope to continue the committee to assist the National Citizens' League in inding a practical solution for banking difficulties. CLARK OR WILSON: OKLAHOMA PROBLEM (National News Association) OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla., Feb. 21. On the eve of the assembling of the Democratic State convention, which will meet here tomorrow to select the delegates-at-large to the Baltimore convention, all signs point to a spirited contest for control between .the supporters of Champ Clark and Woodrow Wilson. The name of no other candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination is likely to figure in the proceedings. FOR CLUSTER LIGHTS With cluster lights for at least a part of Main street practically assured the light committee of the Young Men's Business Club, headed by Fred Krone, plans now to push the work. A meeting of the committee will be held some time the latter part of this week to discuss the possibilities Oaprecting lights from Seventh to Ninth streets on Main, at once, and at the same time, to extend the territory- to be covered by the new lights.

Winters Make

jjAyyt SHOES RESULTS III Harry King Fined for Appropriating Footwear After Friend Sold Them. All evidence pointing to his conclusive guilt, Harry King was given a fine of 25 and costs and 100 days in jail when arraigned in police court this morning on the charge of petit larceny. His partner, Herbert Wickett, was discharged. After a "fish feed" at the King home Monday, Wickett bought a pair of shoes from King for fifty cents. Afterwards the entire party, live men, three white and two negroes, adjourning to tbe Windsor saloon where, after vainly trying to sell the shoes to a bartender, Wickett sold them to George Dubois for $2. As soon as the money had been paid over, King wrested the shoesJrom tbe hands of the new owner, claiming that tbey belonged toc-him, and went home with them. King claimed that the shoes had been stolen from his home. After the court had been in' session for a short time, he pleaded to be excused from the court. After being taken from the room he suffered a severe hemorrhage, caused by a blow on his right cheek from the calk on a horse's shoe, received some time ago. The blow cut an artery, and he is in a serious condition, pitting blood all the time. Although circumstances pointed to a p!ot between the men to defraud the p urchaser of both" money and shoes, this was not proven by the evidence and Wickett was acquitted. While on the witness stand he showed that he was laboring under a severe strain for great drops of perspiration dropped from his face and he twisted his hands and feet as if they pained him. PROPOSE PLAN FOR STATE CONVENTION Action on the plan proposed for conducting the state Sunday school convention In Richmond next June, will be taken at a meeting of the executive committee of the City Sunday school association next Tuesday evening at I he First English Lutheran church, according to announcement made today or President E. M. Haas. Work in preparation for the big Indiana religious event is now contned to completing the sub-committees that have been delegated to undertake certain phases of the work. Only a few vacancies remain now unfilled, and the ieaders hope to complete their lists In tune to report at the meeting Tuesday. If the plan of the cabinet is ratified by tbe city executive committee, actual preparation will be commenced at onceand all religious workers in the Hty win help to make the coavenfikm cuccessfuL

TRIAL

WADE ELLIS MAKES

KICK Oil RAILWAYS Former Trust Buster Alleges Roads Discriminate in Coke Districts. (National News Association) WASHINGTON. Feb. 21 Attorney Wade H. Ellis, former government rust buster, appeared as counsel to day for the Coke Producers' Associa tion of the Connellsville Region. Pennsylvania, before Examiner Gerry of i he Interstate Commerce Commission on complaint against the Baltimore & Ohio and ten other roads operating in Central and official territory. Specific allegations were made that tee independent coal operators of the Connellsville district were discriminat ed against in the matter of rates on coke through agreement of the various carriers. Intimation was made by Mr. Kills that certain roads operating from the West Virginia Coal and coke regions, west, were controlled by the United States Steel Corporation and the significant fact was apparent as the rates from this region to Chicago and intermediate points were lower than from the Connellsville districts. A resolution adopted by the Associa tion was read in the record, which stated that the coke interests were J subjected to discriminatory and unijuet rates which greatly curtailed the profits of the members of the association. Particular reference was made that the carriers had mutually agreed by concerted action to boost the price of transportation from the Connellsville district to points in Ohio, Indiana. Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, New York, New Jersey and Maryland. To these ! points, Mr. Ellis claimed, the Steel I corporation has favorable rates not ! enjoyed by independent furnaces and tmelters. FROM THE ROCKIES EAST TO ATLANTIC Blizzard Is Raging with Sleet and Snow Traffic Is Demoralized. (National News Association) INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 21. Central Indiana awoke today in tbe clutches of the worst blizzard in years, which according to advices, extends over the enure wmmxj. lua JiocMes. Steam, interurban and street car traffic was demoralized here. Snow in Indianapolis compelled the abandonment of school sessions. DAMAGE IN CHICAGO. CHICAGO, Feb. 21 Several persons were severely injured in the blizzard which struck Chicago last night. The high wind today unroofed a building on which a fire company was fighting a blaze in an adjoining structure, at 117 Green street. Several firemen were precipitated to the street and all were hurt, none seriously. One man was critically injured when the blizzard broke a plate glass window, near which he was seated. TO GIVE A Y. M. B. C. Is Making Plans for Annual Event. The annual banquet of the Young Men's Business Club, which is planned to bring a number of prominent civic reformers to this city, will be held within the next two weeks. Although officials of the club have not yet determined the date of the affair, it is probable that the banquet will be served at the Westcott Hotel on the evening of February twenty-seventh. T. F. Thieme, president of the Fort Wayne Knitting company, will be the principal guest. The well known state reformer will discuss the "business form of city government." a movement started by the local Commercial Club, t,iiat is now occupying the attention of public organizations throughout Indiana. Willard Rupe, chairman of the committee in charge of the banquet, announces that arrangements are being made to have other men, prominent in the state to respond to toasts. The proErtm will also include talks by leading Richmond citizens. Wilfred Jessup will act as toastmaster at the banquet. Preparations are being made for 250 guests. FATHER MATTLNGLY WEST BADEN The Rev. Father Manning. In charge of the St. Mary's parish, and other members of the church have heard from, the Rev. J. F. Mattingly, who rerigned from the local church recently, and departed for West Baden without notifying members of his parish. The Rev. Mattingly Is pleased with his new charge at , West Baden, although it is not known whether he will remain at that " place temporarily or permanently. The Rer. Edward Cobb, formerly rector at the West Baden church, who will come to this city to assist the Rer. Manning, was here Saturday and Sunday hat returned to West Baden Sunday afternoon to complete prepara

BANQUET

tions to move to this city.

PRESIDENT TUFT BR0ADS1DED BV FORMER PRESIDENT TODAY

MAIIV PYTHIAHS AT DISTBICTJEfTIIIG Several State Officers ofohe Order Attended the Big Conclave. With an attendance of about 250 delegates and several state officers the Knights of Pythias of the Eleventh I'ythian district in Indiana closed their annual session last evening at the K. of P. temple. The program was carried oat as arranged. It was followed by a smoker. Orchestra Opening of Coeur de Lion Lodge, No. No. 8 E. P. Holmes, I). G. C. Surrender to Grand Lodge Officers Roll Call of Lodges Harry Wade, G. K. of R. and S. Appointment of Committees ArtdreBS Wm. P. Hart, G. C. Exemplification of the Secret Work John W. Gaither, G. V. C. Anrwering of Inquiries By Grand Chancellor, Wm. P. Hiatt Reports of Committees Good of the Order Close Orchestra Following the program short addresses were made touching upon work of the lodge by Frank Heller, of Columbia City, Harley Brown, Past Grand Chancellor, of Winchester, and Charles Shiveley, Past Grand Chancel lor of the World, of this city. Every lodge in the Eleventh district was represented by delegates. It is said that yesterday's meeting was the largest ever held. The afternoon session was presided over by Will Bond. Charles Jordan delivered an address cf welcome which was responded to by William P. Hart. Grand Chancellor. Supper was served by the Pythian Sisters in the Temple. Among the visiting state officers were E. P. Holmes, deputy grand chancellor of Connersville; William P. Hart, grand chancellor, of Huntington; John W. Gaither, grand vice-chancellor, of New Albany. EIVEL IS ARRESTED Suspicioned of Stealing Tires From Garage. The case against Morris Fivel, a junk dealer accused of stealing six outer casings and seven inner tubes for automobiles, from the garage of V?illiam Kelley, attorney, was postponed in police court this morning on the motion of Prosecutor Ladd, who asked that the date for the trial be next Wednesday morning. Fivel was arrested last evening at his home, 220 North Fourth street, by Officer Vogelsong, after tbe same officer had found two outer casings and an inner tube at the interurban station wrapped up, and ready to be shipped to an Indfanapolis firm with the consignee's name signed as Morris Fivel. The other missing auto accessories have not been found, and it is thought that they were cut into small pieces and shipped in with other rubber. The value of the total auto tires stolen Is about $50. They were taken from the Kelley garage Feb. 9. Fivel has been arrested several times on account of his alleged lax business methods in buying junk, and on one occasion Kelly was the attorney who defended him. Fivel made the statement that a drunken man gave the' auto tires to him. He has been cotvicted of stealing brass. SET DATE FOR THE TRACTION MEETING Directors of the Richmond and Eastern Indiana Traction company will meet on the twenty-seventh of this month to consider finally the report submitted on the recent survey of the north and south traction line. B. J. T. Jeup, head of the Indianapolis engineering firm that made the survey, will appear before the directors to explain details of his report, and outline the problems confronting the. road builders. The meeting is considered quite important in the development of the new traction road, for the officials will now for the first time, find out exactly what they are facing. No positive action is expected at this time, but another meeting will be held soon to take action on the report, and secure the right of way. MARCIA ECHOLS IS GRANTED DIVORCE (Palladium Special) CINCINNATI, Feb. 2L Mrs. Marcia Echols was 'granted "a "divorce from Charles Echols by Judge Warner yesterday on the grounds of cruelty and abandonment. Her maiden name. Caster, was restored. Mrs. Echols, who formerly lived in Richmond, Indiana, was married In this city in 1908," while she was engaged in the study of music at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music. Mrs. Echols was formerly Marcia Caster of this city, a resident of the West Side. , She has returned to this

j city and wCl rests here perasnaestly.

ROOSEVELT STATES TAPT IDEA OF THE RECALL INCORRECT

Ex-pr,esident Refutes President's Opinion that the People Are Not Competent to Recall Judges. COLUMBUS ADDRESS VERY PROGRESSIVE Speech Before Ohio Constitution Makers Taken as the Colonel's Platform Should He Be Nominated. (Xational News Association) COLUMBUS. O., Feb. 21. Ex-President Theodore Roosevelt rapped President Taft and advocated practically every progressive measure advanced during the last few years, in his address before the Ohio Constitutional convention here today. Using the phrase, "we Progress Ives," Colonel Roosevelt came out with the most complete declaration of his ideas that he has given in many months, and defined the views that wilt probably form the basis ' of his platform in case he is nominated for the Presidency. , . Among the progressive measures urged by the Ex-President, were: Government supervision of corporations. Dlreet election of senators. Tbe short ballot. Direct nominations, by the people, including national convention delegates. .-.' , , The initiative and referendum.' The recall, including: recall of Judges and special recall or specific judicial decisions. Taft Is Broadslded. ' speaking for the recall of Judaea, Colonel Roosevelt delivered sV hroadT side against President Taft'a recent utterance to the effect that the people were Incompetent to decide : when a judge should be . recalled, and therefire should not have the power. "Our aim," Colonel said, is to get the right type of Judge, to keep him on the bench as long as possible; to keep off the bench, and. If necessary, take off the bench, the wrong type of judge. "Many eminent lawyers who more or' less frankly disbelieve in our entire American system of government for, by and of the people, violently antagonize this proposal. They believe and sometimes assert, that the 'American people (quoting President Taft) ; that there must be no appeal to the people from the decision of a court in any case; and that therefore the judge are to be established as sovereign rulers over the people. "I take absolute issue with all those who hold such a position. I regard it as a complete negation of our whole system of government; and if it became the dominant position in this country, it would mean the absolute upsetting of both the rights and the rule of the people.- The only tenable excuse for such a position Is the frank avowal thAt the people lack sufficient intelligence and morality to be fit to govern themselves." f-i Shows Inconsistency. That such a position shows inconsistency was tbe comment of Colonel Roosevelt. The' people are intelligent enough to make a constitution and not Intelligent enough to Interpret It; they are . competent to choose officials but Incompetent to hold them responsible for tbe way they exercise their powers, under such a view, he said. "I do not say that the people are infallible." he added, "but I do say that our whole history shows that the American people are more often sound in their decisions than in the case with any of the governmental bodies to whom, for their convenience, they have delegated portions of their power." : . : v.;. Colonel Roosevelt urged the recall of specific decisions as being even more necessary than the recall of the judges themselves. He cited as an instance, the Ives case, in which the New York State Supreme Court refused payment of damages to tbe plaintiff for injuries received because of technicality. Many of the judges of that court I know personally,'' he said, "and for them -1 have profound regard. Even for as flagrant a decision as this X ' would not vote for their recalL But tbe people should have the right to recall the decision Itself. There are thousands of Iveses; In this country; ' thousands of eases such as this come up every year. As lona as Justice Is kept tnus intrenched by any court, I. will protest as strongly as in me lies ' against such action." - Quotas Lincoln Match. He ctiaracterteed the technical reasoning that formed the haste of ttttvdectskm as "halr-splfttfaa and metles kraa arguments elaborately worked xt

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