Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 39, Number 136, 18 April 1914 — Page 1

MIC

MOM)

AND SUN-TELEGRAM

OL. XXXIX. NO. 136 CITY OFFICERS FILING WATER RATE REPORT Alfred Bavis Declares Works Board Not Consulted by Attorney Before Sending Commission Brief. nf.'TRES PRESENTED Compiled by bond Shifts Payment of 5 Per Cent Profit on Consumers in Greater Proportion Than in Other Estimates. Frenzied finance and clever manipulation of the preferred stock issue of $400,000 a year ago, with the juggling of figures representing the physical valuation of the Water Works company's holdings, are pointed out by Alfred Bavis as the basis on which the Richmond City Water Works company has based Its high rates. The filing of a brief with the state public utilities commission yesterday by City Attorney Bond came as a complete surprise to Mr. Bavis and other city officials who have not seen the data, they say. In his supplementary report filed yesterday, Mr. Bond points out that the city made a mistake in permitting the issuance of the $400,000 preferred stock issue a year ago, which officers of the company asserted at the time, was required to take up $250,000 bonded indebtedness paying five per cent interest. The $400,000 .stock issue was accumulative and paid six per cent. He points out that this, as an example of the methods used by the company. The stock was sold at ninety-seven per cent of its face value to stockholders and the three per cent difference is charged against the consumers who are really partially pay. ing for part of the stock held by the company. Board Puzxled. Why Bond did not consult with the city officials or mention to them the fact that he filed or was ready to file the brief pointing out the financial methods of the company, is not understood by the officials. It is bejieved, however, that Bond's reversed opinions have something to ;do with the matter. Alfred Bavis, ithen a private citizen, protested ; against the stock issue of the Water j Works company, coming as it did one day before the public utilities commission law was effective and urged that the city, through Mr. Bond, secure an injunction against the sale of the stock until after an investigation by the new commission. Bond's reply then was, "It makes no difference if the company makes a $1,000,000 stock issue," and in a long article, pointed out that this could have no effect on water rates. Alfred Bavis stated this morning, from what he has learned of the brief Bond filed, the city attorney points out the error of the city in permitting this financial manipulation and even admits that the citizens of Richmond are paying for three per cent of the stock Its common stockholders purchased last April and at other times have actually paid for in rates, entire stock Issues for which the holders of the company's stock paid nothing. Jordan Not Consulted. Mr. Bavis and Charles Jordan, secretary of the Commercial club, were not consulted during the last few days of the preparation of the brief, although both are close students of the question and have been studying (Continued on Page Six) BOYER NOT GUILTY, U, S, JURY DECIDES C. & O. Conductor Charged With Rate Cutting Escapes Fine and Imprisonment.

BOND OOREWlffiMW

In an hour the federal jury at Cincinnati yesterday pronounced William A. Boyer. formerly of this city, and conductor on the C. & O. railroad, not guilty of the charge of accepting 'short" fares between Clncinati and Chicago. George B. Dougan and Charles Blair, ticket agent at the local C. & O. station, were called to testifies character witnesses. 1 Boyer's wife, who stayed by his jv,js during the entire proceedings v Vi almost prostrate from suspense when the jury filed into the court room to give its decision. Before th verdict was read she burst into tears andf as unable to check their flow evrfyafter her husband had been acquit-tid. Boyer's many friends who attended Ihe trial congratulated him and thanked the jury for the decision. With the testimony of Fleetwood Pierson, railroad detective, against Boyer there had seemed at first litle hope of acquittal. It was charged Boyer was .one of a group of men operating a cut rate system. Ticket Agent Blair will return to fCinclnnati Monday where he will (testify in the case of Elmer Crist, another C. & O. conductor indicted on ithe same charge and facing similar pvidenc. l i - . .

caucus imm OrtlOM 'GOMIESr

G. C. Tague on Resolution Committee By Asking Plank For State-Wide Prohibition in Party Platform GETS PLACE-BY SE VOTES

Leeds Believes Problem Should Be Divorced from Politics and Submitted to a Vote of the People of the State, Either by Constitutional Provision or by the Initiative and Referendum. Chairman Lee Believes Wayne County Will Not Be Only Progressive One in State After Fall Election. Sees Democrats Joining Bull Moose Ranks.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 18. Echoes of the recent local option election In Richmond were heard Friday night at the caucuses of the delegates to the Progressive state convention from Wayne county and from the Sixth district when the district's representation on the resolutions committee came up for consideration, and the "prohibition" candidate for membership on this important committee, C. C. Tague, of Morristown, Shelby county, was victorious over R. G. Leeds, of Richmond, Progressive national committeeman from Indiana. Mr. Leeds advocated the adoption of the liquor plank incorporated in the tentative platform drafted by a sub-committee of the state committee yesterday afternoon, which provides that the question shall be entirely diyojrc.ed from politics and "submitted to a vote 6f theTSeopI TJfthe-state; either by a constitutional provision or by the initiative and referendum." Mr. Tague .was elected the district's representative on the resolutions committee for the sole reason that he championed a state-wide prohibition plank in the state platform. Mr. Tague and Mr. Leeds were the only candidates nominated for member of the resolutions committee at the Sixth district caucus. The vote was as follows: Tague. Leeds. Fayette 6 7 Franklin 1 6 Hancock 2 8 Henry 7 7 Rush . 10 1 Shelby 9 0 Union 4 0 Wayne 17 15 Totals 56 44 At the caucus of the Wayne county delegates, held prior to the district caucus, a motion was made to indorse Mr. Leeds as Wayne county's candidate for district members of the resolutions, or platform, committee. A vive voca vote was in order and there was a chorus of ayes and noes, J. W. Judkins, of Cambridge City, the only Progressive member of the lower house of the last legislature, acting as chairman, ruled that "the noes have it." It was then suggested that some men who were not accredited delegates to the convention had voted, and it was further suggested that another vote be taken with only the delegates participating in it. Before it could be ascertained what members of the crowd in the room were convention delegates, E. F. Warfel, of Richmond, who had made the motion to Indorse Mr. Leeds, withdrew his motion, supporters of the anti-prohibition platform plank having decided to take the fight to the district caucus. When the district caucus was called to order Councilman Frank Howells, of Richmond, placed Mr. Leeds in nomination as the district's representative on the resolutions committee, and Mr. Tague was nominated by a Shelby county delegate, representing the "prohibition" faction. Before the vote was taken each of the two candidates was asked to explain his position on the prohibition question. Mr. Leeds arose and stated that he advocated the tentative liquor plank drafted by a special committee of the state organization. The plank dealing with the liquor question which Mr. Leeds favored was as follows: "We hold that the traffic in liquor is a moral question and that its solutions rests in the moral attitude of the people themselves; that the moral attitude of the people of Indiana can and will be honestly expressed upon this question only when it is divorced from partisan politics. As a permanent solution, we believe that the question of this traffic should be submitted to a vote of the people of the state, either by constitutional provision, or by the initiative and referendum. In the meantime we favor the rigid enforcement of the laws, and the passage of such laws as will effectually prohibit the shipping of liquor Into" dry communities either from wet communities within the state or without the state." In explanation of his indorsement of the above plank Mr. Leeds said that he believed the initiative and referendum and the constitutional convention would afford adequate methods for a solution of the liquor question on non-partisan lines. The liquor question, Mr. Leeds contended, should be submitted to the people free from partisan politics. To make it a partisan issue by the Progressive party, he said, would be inviting disaster to all the other great principles

RICHMOND,

of Progressivism in the crucial year j of its existence. Mr. Tague had no explanation to make regarding his position on this question, but Oscar Hall, of Shelby county, acted as his spokesman. Mr. Hall said Tague stood squarely for a state-wide prohibition plank and the vote was then taken. State Chairman Edwin Lee was a busy man last night, and a very optimistic one. "Wayne county will not be the only overwhelmingly Progressive countyi in the state after the fall elections," he remarked to a group of party workers at headquarters in the English hotel. "I have just completed a tour of the state and the Progressive party, I found, was growing in strength every day, and most of our recruits are coming from the Democratic party. The Democrats who are coming over to the Progressives are those who are sick And- ilred of Taggart machine rule, and who " are dispTeaBeff'wItlrT' business conditions existing since the inauguration of President Wilson. I think we will elect our ticket next fall. I make this statement not as a partisan but as a man who has been making a careful study of political conditions in Indiana." Mr. Lee admitted that former Senator Albert J. Beveridge had announced that he would, under no consideration, accept the nomination as candidate for United States senator, but ne added with a laugh, "maybe some sixteen hundred delegates will overrule his decision." It was learned last night that Mr. Beveridge desired the convention to nominate Judge James B. Wilson, of Bloomington, Ind., for United States senator. He has been judge of the Monroe circuit court for twelve years and, Mr. Lee states, if he is not nominated for senator he will be nominated as congressman from the Second district and will be elected. Quite a large number of Wayne county delegates made the trip to Indianapolis yesterday afternoon in a special interurban car. They were: Dr. Roy D. Morrow, S. L. Ladd, Centerville, George Frazer, of Williamsburg, Roy Fry, J. N. Stover, of Hagerstown, J. B. Stanley, of Williamsburg, Dr. A. O. Martin, Lucius Harrison, Will Floyd of Dublin, William Dillman, Albert Anderson, R. A. Davenport, Washington Township, W. O. Jones, Hagerstown, W. P. Krom, Wayne Township, Walter McConaha, Levi Peacock, McWhinney, S. E. Reid, Washington township, J. O. Edgerton, E. E. Oldaker, Cambridge City, J. M. Burt, Bethel, J. T. Harmeier, Kitchell. J. P. Hunt, Fountain City, W. A. Walls Richmond, W. P. Doddridge, Washington township, W. B. Barton, Wayne township, Charles Wallard, Hagerstown, Will R. Tugh, Clarence Hunt, Henry Siekman, Frank Howells, Albert Chamness, Claude Keever, Ancil Dwiggins, Fountain City, Ben Hunt, Howail Brooks, Edward Warfel and Harry Hodgin. TORE UP DIVORCE. NEW YORK, April 18. Suing for annulment of her marriage, Mrs. Sophia T. Erber charged that her husband tore up her former decree of divorce and made her swallow the pieces.

Wednesday, Next Week, Will Be DOLLAR DA Y On This Day Richmond Merchants Will Demonstrate To the Buying Public What One Dollar Will Buy. In Tuesday's issue of the Palladium the merchants in Richmond will advertise the power of the Almighty Dollar. It will be a real bargain day. Merchandise that is valued at two, three and four dollars and in some cases more will be sacrificed on this day at One Dollar. You will be able to buy more for One Dollar on Wednesday than any other day in the year because the merchants intend making this one day a big event. Read Tuesdays Palladium Wednesday Will Be Dollar Day in Richmond.

IND., SATURDAY EVENING,

u-i j ; :: -

Greets Progressive Leader

, i t ALBERT J.

I GETS

H Congress to Act if

OURS TO

To AOItinfatunr ot Wilson

Demanding Reparation For Insult PRESIDENT TIRES Of WAITING

WASHINGTON, April 18. President Huerta has defied the United States by refusing to salute the American flag at Tampico unless an American salute is given the Mexican flag at the same time. President Wilson has given the Mexican dictator until 6 p. m. Sunday to comply fully with the American government's demands. Unless the salute is fired by Huerta's men before the expiration of the time limit. President Wilson will present the matter to congress for action. The gravity of the situation was fully divulged today when President Wilson authorized the statement that Huerta is still insisting upon doing something less than has been demanded and this "something less" would not constitute an acknowledgment that his representatives were entirely in the wrong in the indignitaries they have put upon the United States. Thirty Hours' Time. "The president has determined that if General Huerta has not yielded by six o'clock on Sunday afternoon he will take the matter to Congress Monday," said a memorandum issued at the White House today. The decision of the president threatens war. This action in giving Huerta thirty hours in which to comply with the United Stateiy demand followed the receipt of Huerta's refusal to fire the salute according to naval customs. Huerta demanded that the United States salute the Mexican flag at the same time he salutes the American flag at Tampico. The United States flatly refuses to grant this demand. Although the administration officers were optimistic as to the outcome,

APRIL 18, 1914

: cu: ' 99

:wyr t it,

- - ST . . . .'t. iryJr.- -s.'i 1W . BEVERIDGE. Dictator Refuses they clearly indicated that they are determined that Huerta shall be made to toe the mark of reparation and there shall be no quibbling. Calls on Reserves. This attitude was reflected in the statement of Secretary of the Navy Daniels, that the Virginia and Connecticut of the Third division of the Atlantic fleet probably would be ordered from dry docks to sail for Mexican waters on April 26 or 27. These ships are undergoing slight repairs, he said, which will not be completed until that time, and until the ships are ready no orders will be issued to them. He stated that the seven ships of the Pacific fleet to reinforce Admiral Howard will be distributed at Mazatlan, Acapulco and Topolobampo, but said no further vessels of that fleet would be dispatched south at present. Senators Restless. Impatience with the attitude of the Mexican leader was the keynote of the talk in the senate cloakrooms and around the house corridors at the capitol. Every one discussed the Mexican situation in preference to lawmaking, and every one apparently was agreed that no temporizing with Huerta was in order. The senators especially were a unit in approving the administration's demand. The invasion of Mexico, beyond the landing of marines at Vera Cruz and Tampico, was not discussed as a probability. Sentiment favored the idea that the United States should in case of hostilities, allow the Constitutionalists to drive Huerta from power while it contented itself with holding a few ports and thereby cutting off Huerta's chief source of revenue for the maintenance of his army. RUSH TO VERA CRUZ. VERA CRUZ. Mex., April 18. A rush of Americans from the interior of Mexico to this port is expected as a result of warning notices sent from relatives and friends in the United States that they ought to leave before "dangerous developments make their departure very difficult." It is said here, that the Tampico crisis will reach a climax within twenty-four hours. The transport Hancock has arrived at Tampico with 950 marines from New Orleans, and Rear Admiral Badger's squadron of dreadnaught has entered the Gulf of Mexico. This news has convinced the Mexican officials here that the United States means business. WEATHER FORECAST FOR INDIANA Unsettled and colder tonight and Sunday. . Probably rain. TEMPERATURE. Noon 81 Yesterday. Maximum ; 77 Minimum ...... - . 40

kl If 11 mM.IIe,

NIOR. lISTIii)

Progressive State Gathering Adopts Plank Submitting Liquor Question To Decision of People at Polls DEFEATS STATE-WIDE PLAN

Report of Resolutions Committee Puts Question Squarely Up To People, and Prevented .What Was Expected to Be the Hottest Fight on the Floor of the Convention. Delegates Begin Nomination of Candidates for Office at Late Hour This Afternoon. Beveridge Attacks Democratic Stand on Tolls Question and Assails President Wilson's Method of Handling the Mexican Problem.

BULLETIN INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., April 18. Theliquor question plank in the platform adopted this afternoon was a victory for the opponents of state wide prohibition. It declares in favor of submitting to the people of the state the question of whether intoxicating liquors shall be sold in the state and advocates the national prohibition and prevention of the shipping of liquor from wet territory Into dry territory. BULLETIN. INDIANAPOLIS, April 18. Former United States Senator Albert J. Beveridge was nominated for the United States senate by the Progressive convention this afternoon. A wild demonstcation attended the nomination. When Chairman Headrlclr arm on need that it was time to nominate a candidate for the United States senate, the delegates began marching around the room and shouting for Beveridge. The band played "Hail, Hail, the Gang's All Here," and confusion was rampant, which the chairman was unable to check. When quiet was finally restored, Frederick K. Landis of Logansport, in a speech in which he praised Senator Beveridge, placed his name in nomination. Amid shouting and cheering a motion to close the nomination was carried, and Beveridge was nominated by acclamation. Another demonstration was started with five brass bands leading all the delegates in the convention hall, and marched around the floor for fifteen minutes. State Chairman Edwin M. Lee this afternoon was elected a member at large of the state committee. He received 1,620 votes to 1,220 given Alva L. Kitselman of Muncie, and 508 votes for Charles E. Thompson of Lafayette. . Mr. Beveridge arose to speak when order was restored. He said: "I did not mean to. but I will accept the nomination, with a full heart. I have been sure for some time that we are going to carry the state and I had hoped to give my services to the party this year without having a personal interest. I accept at this tim ein the spirit of manhood talking to manhood and I want you to pledge me a full county ticket in every county in the state. INDIANAPOLIS. Ind., April 18. The Progressive party owned Indianapolis today. Delegates to the state convention of the party assembled in Tomlinson hall long before time for Chairman Edwin M. Lee to issue the call to order at 9 o'clock. Amid band music and shouting the convention was opened with the huge hall packed to capacity. The enthusism displayed today was as great or greater than marked the state meeting of the Progressives two years ago, when the party was organized in Indiana. The leaders from different sections of the state Interpreted this enthusism as indicative of increased strength. They claim a more solid organization than the haphazzard organization of two years ago which ran second best in the state campaign. Whether their claims are true or not it was manifestly certain that they have instilled an extra charge of enthusiasm into every delegate, and hope in the minds of thirty-eight aspirants who are seeking nominations to eleven offices. Wayne Conspicuous. Wayne county played a conspicuous part in forenoon session of the Progressive state convention today. The Sixth district shared with the Seventh, the most desirable section of the big convention hall, directly in front of the speakers' platform, while the Wayne delegates sat at the head of the Sixth district delegation. Occupying this advantageous position, it was easy for the Wayne delegation, headed by County Chairman Price, to start a demonstration for Albert J. Beveridge when he arose to speak, which stampeded the convention. Headed by the convention band, the Wayne delegates, while , the hall rocked with the cheers of greeting to Mr. Beveridge, paraded along the aisles, and in an instant delegation after delegation joined in the parade. Sing the Battle Hymn. Delegates and spectators waved small United States flags and sang "Onward. Christian - Soldlasftt r r$f

SINGLE1 COPY 2 CENTS

cheered themselves hearse. The demonstration lasted nearly fifteen minutes. Wayne county again got into the limelight when the roll of counties was read. When Secretary Harvey Stout called Wayne, the forty-six delegates from the Progressive stronghold of the state arose and shouted "Here." The thousands in the hall gave the Wayne delegation a mighty cheer. E. E. Oldaker, of Cambridge City, announced the withdrawal of his candidacy for nomination as state superintendent of public instruction. It was 9:35 before Chairman Lee succeeded in getting order and clearing the aisles of delegates. Rev. Geo. F. Henniger of Indianapolis, pronounced the invocation, and delegates repeated the Lord's Prayer with him. Secretary Harvey W. Stout read the official call of the convention and called the rdlt of delegates by connties. As each county was called to answer the roll small parcels of delegates arose and shouted present in concert. Each response was the signal for a general cheer. Reads Greetings. Chairman Lee read to the delegates several telegrams of greeting from Progressives of Kansas. Louisiana and Maine; James R. Garfield, of Ohio: Victor Murdock. Progressive candidate for United States senator in Kansas, and all the Progressive members of Congress. When former Senator Beveridge was introduced as temporary chairman, wild disorder reigned for fifteen minutes. The crowd was not quieted until the band struck up "The Star Spangled Banner." After a few strains of the music the delegates and spectators took up to words of the song. As the song ended a monotonous chant, "We Want Beveridge," was started and grew into a roar. With the word Beveridge being shouted at the topmost pitch of several hundred lusty throats. The demonstration had been on for fifteen minutes when the band started the Progressive hymn, "Onward, Christian Soldiers." A few minutes later silence was obtained and Mr. Beveridge was allowed to proceed with his speech. Beveridge at the conclusion of hla speech introduced Charles Sumner Bird, twice Progressive candidate for governor of Massachusetts. Mr. Bird's speech was followed by that of United States Senator Miles Polndexter of the state of Washington. Get to Work. It was 12:35 o clock this afternoon before the convention got down to routine business. On the recommendation of the committpn nn ml ok fha convention named W. D. Headricks, of Indianapolis, permanent chairman of the convention. Chairman Headricks was given an enthusiastic greeting. He made a very brief address, the keynote of which was "We have Just begun to fight." George W. Freeman, of the Ninth district, was made permanent secretary of the convention. The credentials committee reported that there I was no contest for seats in the con vention. W. A. Bastian of Indianapolis, chairman, of the resolutions committee, presented the report over which the committee had debated for more than fifteen hours. The clauses of the platform which followed closely the lines mapped out by the national organization, were frequently cheered, but an unusual demonstration followed the reading of the plank dealing with the liquor question. The resolutions committee report put the liquor question squarely up to the people, giving them the right to vote on whether state-wide prohlbition should exist tn Indiana. Mr. Bastian'a motion that the report of the committee be adopted, was carried amid cheers' and .-without a dissenting vote. The committee's decision on the liquor plank prevented what bad been anticipated as the hottest fight on the floor of the convention. Friends of the liquor interests' In Indiana were present to- fight to the last against the party declaring in f--vor of state-wide prohibition. - The nomination of a Progressive candidate for United . States senator was first on the program ' following the speeches. The plan was to offer the unanimous endorsement 'of the delegates to Albert J. Beveridge. ForI jtCoaXlaued on Fag Three). . i