Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 40, Number 130, 13 April 1915 — Page 1

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VOL. XL., NO. 130- 1d,,,rtindlS,TnTlr, RICHMOND; IND., TUESDAY EVENING, APRIL 13, 1915. SINGLE COPY, 2 CENTS Y JV 0) (ft JV Dr. Gofer Suesta City

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RICHMOND GETS LOWER FIRE RATES; BUREAU PLAGES CITY IN CLASS TWO; CITIZENS SPEND $457,42 1 IN FIGHT

Success, Which Means Saving of $35,000 Annually to Business Men, Rewards Efforts of George Eggemeyer and Members of Commercial Club Insurance Committee, After Campaign Covering Period of Seven Years to Decrease Hazards in Business District.

HEW CLASS GIVES BEST RATES IN STATE

Engineers Will Revise Schedule for City Which Will Become Effective as Soon as Fire Truck Arrives Reduction Amounts to 13 Per Cent on Brick Buildings and 6 Per Cent on Mercantile Property in Congested Sections Business Men Praise Work of Committee.

After seven years of toll on the part of the Commercial clal- insurance committee and the expenditure of half a million dollars by the city and business firms, Richmond has been placed in Class 2 of the Dean rating system by the old line Insurance companies. This announcement was made late yesterday by the Sellers insurance rating bureau over long distance telephone, and a letter followed today. According to the letter, there are no "strings" to the promise, but as soon as the new aerial ladder truck, ordered by the city, is in operation, the bus!-" ness men pass up Class 3 and Class 22 and go into the highest rating class of the state. The aerial truck is to replace the

present service truck and must be manned by six men, four to be taken from the present truck and two additional. Members of committee believe the city will adequately man the new truck and secure the lower , rates at once. Requirements that overhead wires be placed undergrund were waived. According to E. M. Campfield, vice chairman of the insurance committee, speaking for George Eggemeyer, the chairman, the new class will mean a saving to business men of approximately $35,000 a year. Mr. Campfield and Atwood Jenkins were commissioned last night to secure the exact figures. The reduction on brick buildings, according to the information sent here by E. M. Sellers, will be 13 per cent; frame, 7 per cent, and mercantile property, 6 per cent Engineers Survey City. Insurance engineers will arrive here April 20 to 25 to re-rate the entire city. If the aerial truck is in service by May 15, the new rates will begin then, and all who have paid in advance of that will be given a rebate to correspond with the new rates. Business men are praising the work of the insurance committee in getting the reduction. Because of the unsatisfactory adjustment of rates under the Dean schedule seven or eight years ago, when generally lower rates were expected, the members of tbe committee probably will start work next to have the terms of this rating " system used in many states, re-adjusted on a more equitable basis, it was announced last night. Part of the report of the insurance committee's activities in seven years reads: "Since the beginning of this effort for the lowering of insurance rates. our citizens have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars, .and owners have individually spent thousands of dollars in improving their risks by putting in sprinkler 'systems, fire walls, doors, etc. In addition, the !Mub has paid attention to the matter f fire prevention by giving in6trucions in the schools and by public lecures at the club rooms and distributig literature. Requires Seven Years. t "This has taken about seven years, nd our business men generally feel that they have failed to receive fair consideration by the rating bureau, and that these improvements have brought them no reduction in rates ana that the attitude of the rating bureau is unjustifiable and unreasonable. "Summarizing the things accom(Continued on Page Twelve.) HARRY NOLAND DIES AT HOME IN DETROIT Harry F. Noland, son of Mr. and Mrs. V. D. Noland, 119 North Sixteenth street, died at Detroit yesterday afternoon from pneumonia. Noland was formerly yard clerk for the Pennsylvania railroad in this city. He had resided in Detroit two or three years. The body will arrive in this city at 9:20 o'clock this evening and will be taken to his parents' home. Funeral services will be held at St. Mary's church Thursday morning at 9 o'clock, and burial will be in St. Mary's cemetery. Besides his parents, Harry Noland is survived by his brothers, Nelson of Detroit, and Dorsey A. and Thomas G., of this city, and his sisters Misses Mary and Marguerite of this city.

DAVIS PRESIDES OVER SESSIONS OF PRESBYTERY Thirty Delegates to Whitewater Meeting Elect Richmond Pastor as Moderator Body Admits J. J. Rae.

The Whitewater Presbytery, comprising the Presbyterian cMurches of the southeastern section of the state, opened here at 7:30 o'clock last night at the First Pesbyterian church and continued . in session today until the close of the program held this afternoon. Almost the entire membership of thirty delegates was present. Rev. E. E. Davis, pastor of the Second Presbyterian church of Richmond was elected Moderator of the Presbytery to succeed Rev. Homer M. Campbell of the Kingston church. The retiring Moderator delivered an interesting and eloquent sermon last night on the subject, "Individual Service." Admitted to Presbytery. The program today opened with devotional service of a half hour led by Rev. W. D. Lewis. The following pastors were received into the Presbytery: Rev. D. Ira Lambert of Cincinnati, Joseph John Rae of Chicago, Rev. David R. Moore of Cincinnati and Rev. John L. Hartsook of Portshmouth. Thomas Campbell of Rising Sun and Edward W. Lodwic of Bright were elected clerks of the Presbytery. The the Richmond church and Rev. John L. Hartsook to .be pastor of the church at Liberty were formally presented and accepted. Rev. Rae assumed the local pastorate about a month ago. Papers read this morning by Rev. G. M. Whitnack on "Narrative of Life and Work" and by Rev. G. M. Whitnack on "Education" were given close attention. The various reports made to the members of the Presbytery were also accorded interest on the part of those present. No services will be held tonight because practically all of the ministers :., return at'tho rinse nf the sos sion this afternoon. Weather Forecast For Indiana Fair tonight and Wednesday; rising temperature. Frost tonight. Temperature. Noon 47 Yesterday. Maximum 50 Minimum 27 For Richmond Fair tonight. Frost or a freeze. Wednesday fair and warmer in the afternoon. Warm wave by Thursday. General Conditions Crest of - the cold wave is over the Great Lakes. Snow last night in Buffalo. The wind's velocity was forty-two miles an hour there. A aera of low barometric pressure over the Rocky Mountain plateau will cause a reaction to much warmer weather before forty-eight hours. A storm is developing in the west and probably will cause unsettled weather with rains the latter part of the week. W. E. MOORE, 'Weather Forecaster.

REPORTS DATA ON FIRE RISKS FOUND IN CITY I. G. Hoagland Says Business District Weak in Fire Prevention Due to Light Construction.

EXPLAINS SPRINKLERS Frame construction buildings, "conflagration breeders" and other forms of construction not proof against fire, can be made as fire proof as especially constructed buildings by the installation of interior sprinkler systems, declared I. .G. Hoagland, secretary of the National Automatic Sprinkler association last night at the Commercial club. An an instance of the fire hazard reduction caused by the installation of the sprinkler systems, R. G. Leeds, chairman of the meeting, quoted tbe F. and N. Lawn Mower company's factory. Swept by a $200,000 fire a few years ago on which f 125,000 fire Insurance wag collected, the new' plant was provided with the automatic sprinklers. The insurance rate' reduction was approximately ninety-Seven per cent. District Breeds Fires. Mr. Hoagland declared Richmond's mercantile section is subject to local fires and to conflagrations in certain points which depends on the congesttion, prevelence and direction of high winds, and adequacy, efficiency and reliability of fire fighting facilities at the outbreak of a small fine. "In the principal mercantile district of Richmond construction is generally weak from a fire prevention standpoint," said Mr. Hoagland. "There are several locations where large areas of high combustibility form conflagration breeders, threatening a large section of the district. "In the warehouse and mercantile district, the construction is light and the entire section subject to a sweeping fire. In the manufacturing group, several large plants are subject to local conflagrations, and in some cases these might involve other sections. The residential sections are subject to the normally serious flying-brand hazard of shingle roof districts. Shows Several Persons. Mr. Hoagland showed a number of stereopticon views illustrating the efficiency of the sprinkler systems and showing how the fire-subject areas of Richmond can be made fire proof and proof against conflagration by the installation of the automatic sprinklers. "The time will come," he said, "when a man who fails to make proper provision for stopping fires in their insipiency, will be liable by law to his neighbor and no one will com(Continued on Page Nine.) GAMBLERS CONFESS; FOX ASSESSES FINES ON TRAPPED BUNCH Thirteen gamblers pleaded guilty to gaming or visiting a gaming house in circuit court today. Twelve were fined $5 and costs and the thirteenth received $10 and costs and a ten day jail sentence. The prosecutions resulted from a raid on a gambling den conducted by Cosgrove, Newton and others in a deserted house on the Lackey sale property in Cambridge City Saturday night. There were twenty-two in the line that filed out of the den Saturday night but eight of them dodged down alleys and escaped. The name of another was not given out. Frank Newton was most heavily dealt with because of his numerous previous offenses against the law. He will serve ten days in jail in addition to a $10 fine. List of Offenders. Those who received $5 and costs are John Marson, Arthur Cosgrove, Frank Adams, Charles Wissler, Grover Winters, Buddy Campbell, Leslie Evans, William Basson, Chal Cope, Asher Winters, Michael Ingerman and Calvin Rathvon. Marson and Adams were not gambling but were waiting for others who were participating in the games of dice. Because of their presence in the place, o discrimination was made. All of the gamblers paid their fines or had them stayed by friends.

MAKE RICHMOND MODEL FOR WAR AGAINST PLAGUE

Dr. L. E. Cofer, Federal Expert, Advises City to Become Experimental Ground for Health Bureau. EXPENSE IS LIGHT Work in Wayne County Seat Would Become Example for Anti-tuberculosis Work of Nation. To be the first city In the United States to have the aid of the United States Public Health service at Wash ington in eradicating tuberculosis conditions under an original plan, is the opportunity presented to Richmond by Dr. Leslie E. Cofer, assistant surgeon general, and Dr. Hurty, secretary of the Indiana state board of health. Their proposition was made to Mayor Robbins and the city officials at a meeting held in the city hall Monday afternoon and to the members of the Federation of Women's clubs at an informal reception to Dr. Cofer last evening. It is proposed that Richmond accept the services of a government expert of the .public health service in charge of Surgeon-General Blue, who will take a re-survey of the city and work in co-operation with the local health authorities in eliminating entirely or at least reducing to a minimum the conditions causing tuberculosis and other contagious' diseases. . ro Make-CTty-TKoaet--The officials of the government health service at Washington will give close attention to the campaign conducted here by an assistant with the expectation of referring to Richmond as an example of the success of this plan when other cities of the country seek the aid of the United States government is eliminating tuberculosis. Literature containing data and statistics on tuberculosis will be sent (Continued on Page Two.) WOMEN MEET TO JOIN TOWN WITHJJOUNTRY Under Auspices of Domestic Science Association Clubs of County Draw Much Closer Together. Women of the town and country, will have a better understanding of the organized work which is being done in each community, for the betterment of home life, following the union meeting of the women's clubs of the country districts, which will be the guests of the Richmond Domestic Science Association tomorrow afternoon. The meeting will be known as the "Reciprocity Meeting," and was arranged for nearly a year ago, by Mrs. A. D. Cobb, a local organizer of farm women, and officers of the Domestic Science Association. By holding such a meeting they hoped to be able to bring about a stronger union between the women of the country and of the city. Meets in Day Nursery. It is significant that this meeting will be held in the new Day Nursery, recently opened by the Domestic Science Association . at 207 North Twelfth street, as this will serve to introduce the project to the country women, and they will be invited to make use of the nursery, while shopping In the city. The women of the Home Economics club of the Columbian Farmer's Association, plan to attend the meeting in a body, and many members from clubs in other parts of the county will attend. On the program will be women from the Columbian Farmers' club, the Woman's Auxiliary of the Centerville Farmers' Institute, The Farmers club of Jefferson township, and the Richmond Domestic Science Association. Representatives of these organizations have been meeting with Mrs. Cobb for several weeks, and have completed plans for the program. Complete Program. The address of welcome will be made by Mrs. A. W. Roach, president of the Domestic Science Association, and Mrs. Edna Pike of Centerville will respond for the country women, after which the following numbers will be given: "Domestic Science in the Rural (Continued on Page Twelve)

REPORT OF S. FLEMING EXPECTED TO RECOMMEND RE-ORGANIZATION OF BIG $30,000,000 CONCERN

AWAITS VALUE UTILITIES BODY ASSIGNS PLANT Assessor Delays Assessment of L. H. & P. and Water Works Properties Until Board Makes Estimate. RATES GO UPWARD It was announced from the office of the township assessor today that no action would be taken on the part of assessors to assess the valuation of the water works plant or the plant of the Richmond Light, Heat and Power company. The word of the public utilities commission will be awaited. Unless the utilities commission fixes the assessed valuation, an assessment will be made at the close of the assessing period and the adjustments will be made by the board of review. Last year as a result of the work of the utilities commission in fixing valuations, members of the board of review raised the water works assessment from $209,390 to $425,000 and the Light, Heat and Power from fMQQig0jUo,$225.00L ... Predicts General Increase. Township Assessor Howarth declared be is unable to give out figures on real estate assessments in tbe city of Richmond as the seven teams of real estate assessors will not make a report until May 15. The general township report will follow on May 28 and the first Monday in June, a thirty days session of the board of review opens. "I know that there will be a general increase of ten per cent in real estate values," Mr. Howarth said. "No real estate is being lowered but in some cases, thirty per cent addition is being added to equalize Richmond property." "At what do you think the Dickinson Trust property at Eighth and Main streets should be assessed?" Deputy Charles Potter asked. "About $50,000," was the reply. "ir that is assessed at $50,000, the assessors will have to leave town," the former township assessor replied. This property was assessed at $47,000 four years ago and $9,200 for the buildings. Since then, the property was purchased for $135,000, or $1,000 a front foot by the Dickinson Trust company from the Vaughan heirs, and some of the buildings razed. Farm Owners Protest. Farm lands are causing the assessors some trouble because of the general attempt to keep the values down. In trying to equalize and make new assessment values, the assessors have aroused the ire of farmers. The township real estate is being assessed by Orville Boyd and Jesse Meek for the south portion and Joseph Reid and Charles Bulla for the north portion. There has also been much difficulty in the assessment of Richmond real estate because of one assessor. This assessor, whose name was withheld at the assessor office, has had three other assessors working with him, but all refused to continue because they said he made assessments too high. The assessors are divided as follows : Howard Riggs and Charles Bell, North A to South A, east and west from river to east corporation line. Isaac Gause and John Worrell, south of South A street and east of South Eighth street and south of South E Btreet from river to east corporation line. Work North District. J. B. Howes and Joseph Medsker, north of North A street and east of North Eighth street. Simon Weddle and Edward Ellebarger, south of South A street and west of South Eighth street and West Richmond as far north as Richmond avenue. William J. Hiatt and Charles Dana, north of North A street and west of North Eighth street and Fairview as far south as Richmond avenue. The assessment of personal property has been good,. Assessor Howarth said. Non-taxable investments have always been popular with citizens of Richmond, he said, and therefore, in spite of the trend of such discussions, there is no more money tied up against assessment in , non-taxables than ever before. Dog tax collections are causing as much trouble as any thing else in the assessor's office. The dog tax is collected by the assessor according to law, but as so many of the dogs are owned by families whose head has been out of work, there will likely be much dellnauency.

Former Officer of M. Rumely Concern Receives Trustworthy Information That Co-Receiver Will Advise Creditors to Rejuvenate Company and Activity of Stock Market Indicates That Stock Is Growing in Strength Creditors Agree to Accept Report of Stephen Fleming.

CO-RECEIVER STUDIES

Disposition of Gaar-Scott Plant Not Known New Organization If Perfected Has Backing of Financiers and Will Continue Business of Plant Probable Local Factory Will Be Sold Final Report Expected to Be Submitted in a Few Days New Officers to Be Elected.

A re-organization of the ill-fated M. Rumely company, a corporation organized a few years ago with a capital stock of $10,000,000 and placed in the hands of a receiver appointed by the federal court in Indianapolis just a few weeks ago, is to be effected. A former officer of the Rumely company today received from trustworthy sources information that within the next two or three days Stephen Fleming of Fort Wayne, appointed co-receiver for the corporation at the request of the creditors committee, will report to this committee in favor of a re-organization of the concern and taking it out of the receiver's hands.

DEMAND PROBE OF EARLHAM'S MORrUSTATUS Prominent Friends Petition Trustees to Investigate Conditions Attacked by Elbert Russell Who Resigned A request for a thorough and exhaustive investigation of the charges of Prof. Elbert Russell, pertaining to the religious life and discipline maintained at Earlham college, preferred by him after his resignation as the head of the Biblical department of that institution, last week, is to be filed with the Earlham board of trustees. The petition for such an investigation was being circulated today by friends of Professor Russell and by noon the signatures of twenty-six prominent members of the Friends church had been attached to It. This petition reads: "To the Board of Trustees of Earlham College: "As friends of Earlham college, vitally Interested in Its welfare, we have looked with deep concern upon" the development of the present critical situation. Under the circumstances we do not desire to offer any criticism of the action of the board of trustees in accepting on April 7. the resignation of Prof. Elbert Russell as college pastor and head of the Earlham Biblical department. But we do feel that the acceptance of his resignation has done nothing to settle the vital issues which it has raised. Professor Russell makes some very definite statements relative to the existing conditions at Earlham college. Some of these are at variance with the ideals for which the college has long been supposed to stand. "Believing that the welfare of the college should be placed above the interests of individuals, we hold that the facts in the case should be obtained and the truth of the situation established. We therefore respectfully ask that you proceed at once to conduct a thorough investigation of the existing situation, on the basis of the charges made by Professor Russell and on the basis of the general welfare of the institution as affected by the acts and policies of the administration." As was anticipated lively discussion followed the announcement that certain officers of the North A street meeting, a meeting affiliated with the Hicksite or conservative branch of the Friends church, had approached Professor Russell to ascertain if he would accept the pastorate of the meeting if offered to him. VILLA BEGINS FIGHT EL PASO, April 13. Announcement was made at Villaista headquarters in Juarez today that Gen. Villa at the head of 28,000 men had opened an attack on the army of 20,000 men commanded by Gen. Obregon. It was stated that the artillery under command of Gen. Apgeles began a bombardment of Cellaya last night after Gen. Obregon had refused to lead his army into the open country.

CONDITIONS OF PLANTS

Creditors of the big corporation at the time Mr. Fleming began an Investigation of its affairs, agreed to act In accordance with Mr. Fleming's recommendations. As he is to report favorably upon the rejuvenation of the company the creditors, who represent large financial Interests In New York and who have heavy holdings In the company, are prepared to re-finance the concern, completely re-organize it and elect new officers. What disposition will be made of the local plant of the Rumely company, formerly known as the GaarScott company, is a question which will be left to the new management for settlement Immediately after the re-organization is affected it is quite possible that operations at the Laporte and Battle Creek plants will be resumed on a moderate scale. It is probable the company will dispose of its Richmond plant. The fact that Rumely common stock, which has been down to rock bottom for several months jumped four or five points yesterday indicates that the Fleming report recommending re-organization is no secret to stock traders. At the time the Rumely company went into the receivership, one faction of the creditors committee favored disposing of the property, while a stronger faction favored its re-organization. It was finally decided to have Mr. Fleming make a complete Investigation of the affairs of the concern, the creditors agreeing to act in accordance with suggestions outlined by him in his report. LIGHT SUCCEEDS W. B. FREELAND IN CHURCH POST The congregations of the three Methodist Episcopal churches in Richmond will unite to tender a farewell reception to Dr. "W. B. Freeland, formerly superintendent of the district, who was assigned to the pastorate of gM. E. church. Kokomo, by the Northern Indiana conference' at Auburn. The reception will be held the latter part of this or the first of next week. The churches will also unite for a reception to welcome the new superintendent of the district, Dr. Somerville Light, and his family, who will arrive late this week. Plans are now being made for the receptions. Upon the urgent requests of the congregations of the First and Grace Methodist churches, the Rev. Harry C. Harman and the Rev. U. S. A. Bridge were returned to these churches for another year. To fill the place made vacant by the resignation of the Rev. Sylvester Bilheimer of the Third M. E. church. Bishop McDowell appointed the Rev. Mr. Chamness, formerly pastor of the Methodist church at Lynn. The Rev. Mr. Chamness will take charge of the local church at once. The Rev. Arthur Cates. formerly pastor of Grace Methodist church of this city, was returned to the Tipton church. Following are some of the assignments for the Richmond district: Somerville Light, superintendent; Cambridge City, R. C. Jones; Centerville, L. P. Pfeiffer; Economy, Preston Polhemus; Fountain City, Leroy Huddleston; Modoc, J. H. Richardson; Richmond, First church, H. C. Harman; Grace church, U. S. A. Bridge; Third church. Rev. Chamness; "Williamsburg, J. W. Zerbe-