Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 40, Number 141, 26 April 1915 — Page 1

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VOL: XL NO 141 5nd.,n

Consolidated, 107

L. II. & P. GOES ON WITH PLANS FOR NEW UNITS corporation Proposes to Double Capacity of Plant Despite City's Purchase of Electric Equipment. PfllCE GOES HIGHER Approach to Limit of Bonded Indebtedness Raises Question of . Funds to Consummate Deal. Engineer Selig of the United Gas and Electric corporation, which owns the Richmond Light, Heat and Power company, announced on his arrival in Richmond today that work on doubling the capacity of the electric plant of the Light, Heat and Power company would start the first of May. "At least 160,000 will be spent for new buildings, generators, turbin en gine6 and other equipment, and the plant will be placed in first calss condition," Mr. Selig said. The Improvements the Light, Heat and Power company intends to make on its electric plant will increase its value at least a third. . Changes Increase Value. The city officials, in working out their plan to purchase the electric plant of the Light, Heat and Power company, had anticipated the Indiana public utilities commission would establish a selling value of approximately $200,000 for this plant as it now stands. However, with the enlargement of the plant it is now believed a selling value of between $275,000 and $300,000 would be established by the commission. Mr. Selig says that the improvements to be made at this time will increase the plant's value $75,000, figuring in $15,000 for engineering and superintendency in addition to the amount to be expended for new building and equipment, $60,000. In the general and sinking funds of the city light plant there will be by next September, it is anticipated, at least $100,000 to be applied toward the purchase of the electric plant of the competing company.. Therefore, tho city, tp. carry out its purchase project, would quite probably have to float a bond issue of at least $175,000. f - City Approaches Limit r - There is a serious doubt as to whether this city's limit of bonded indebted' ness," $320,000, would permit: the floating of such a large bond issue. Such an issue could be floated and the city still remain inside its bond limit if it was not necessary to authorize ' the floating of another large bond, issue 'or permanent street improvements and sewer extensions to be made this year. A bond issue of at least $100,000 will be required for such purposes. The city already has a bonded indebtedness in excess of $150,000. Whether the city's acquisition of tha electric plant of the Light, Heat and Power company at a cost of $275,000 Dr more would be a profitable invest ment is a question which will be seriously considered by the public service committee of the Commercial club it a meeting this evening. MING FINDS CITY STREETS IN FINE SHAPE Streets of the city this year are for the most part in a better condition than they have been for some time, but there are some streets which should not be kept open for traffic. Councilman Howells today informed the beard of public works that North Twentieth street, which has not been remade or repaired in twenty years, was now in such a condition that recently, after some hard rains, four automobile trucks stuck fast. It was necessary to use a block and tackle to extricate one of these trucks. The street car company has just reconstructed its line on North Twentieth street, leaving the street in a little worse condition than it wa before. The board is to make an inspection of this street at once. Open Street Bids. The board today opened bids on the contract for the paving of South Fifth street from Main street to South A street. There were seven bidders. Cronin and Meredith were the low biddrs on brick paving. They bid $1.84 for metropolitan wire cut, $1.80 for pebbles and $1.84 for Vetersburg. T. J Connell was low on the concrete bid, $1.58. The board voted to have the street paved with brick but the prop erty owners can select another kind of pavement if they act within ten days. The question of having a water main extended on South Twenty-third street from South B to South E was settled today. The board agreed to order fire hydrants placed at the cor ner of South Twenty-third and Main and South Twentylthird and E.. The additional, revenue the company is en titled to receive from the extension, $146 a year, will be paid by the Reeveston Realty company until that section is. built up. The main will be put down at once o that the placing of a concrete, pavement on the street will not be delayed unnecessarily. City Attorney Bond was instructed to inform the T. H. I. A E. traction company that it would have to place the brick pavement on North E street and on Fort Wayne ave. ia the same coadition It -was before the company made repairs to Its tracks.

and Sun-TelesTam

COMMITTEE STUDIES MERGER OF PLANTS , A meeting of the public service cor poration committee of the Commercial club called for tonight to take up the advisability of the purchase of the Light, Heat and Power company's electric holdings In this city by the municipal light plant, has been postponed by Chairman Seidel until Tuesday night at 7:30 o'clock, when a full attendance is expected. BANKS GIVEN RIGHT TO ACT ASJEXECUTOR Second National Gets Special Function Allowed by Federal Reserve Board Upon Firm's Application. PERMITS COMPETITION Power While Giving Little Additional Profit Enables Concern to Meet Emergencies Which Arise. Granting an application filed some time . ago, the Federal Reserve Board has conferred power upon the Second National Bank of Richmond to act as trustees, executors and administrators of estates under the laws of the new currency act. The ruling goes into effect immediately. A. D. Gayle, president of the First National bank, said today that his bank would probably be granted its request this week. The Union National bank has not filed application. The local bank officials were notified that their request was allowed through a letter from the district deputy Federal Reserve agent, W. T. McLallen of Chicago. The letter follows: "I have the honor to inform you that the Federal Reserve Board has acted favorably upon your application for permission to act as trustees, executor, administrator, registrar of stocks and bonds, and this will be your formal advice to that effect" - . Cecal Banks Apply. 7 . The Richmond bank and .two national banks at Evansville are the only members of the Federal Reserve system in Indiana who up until this time have had applications granted by the Board. It Is presumed that nearly every national bank in the country will seek this power. Under all former congressional banking acts, the national banks have been prohibited from competing with trust companies in the matter of serving as administrators or guardians of estates and the laws limited and re-! stricted their movements in legal business of this kind. The Second National bank under the ruling of the Federal Reserve Board now enjoys full rights to enter competition with the trust companies. The local officials say that administrative duties in the care of an estate are not financially profitable to national banks, in many instances, and that the Second National bank will not become active immediately to take advantage of their power. They appreciate, however, the opportunity afforded to meet any contingency or emergency which might arise. LIBERTY MAN DENIES CHARGE OF MURDER Anderson Thomas of Liberty pleaded not guilty in circuit court today to the murder of Louis Rader in Union county last August. To atone for the length of time spent in jail awaiting trial on the indictment of first degree murder, Judge Fox said he would give the case priority over the case of Gaitano Camarco, and May 20 was fixed as the tentative date. Camarco's case was to have been heard May 20, but the Italian slayer of Antonio Lapenna, indicted for first degree murder, probably will be tried a week later. Camarco said he wanted to secure aa Italian attorney from Cincinnati. Thomas, who reached here last Wednesday from the Union county jail, was arraigned at 9 o'clock in the circuit court room. Prosecutor Reller read the indictment and Thomas replied to Judge Fox's query that he entered a plea of not guilty. He will be defended by Attorney Pigman of Liberty, while the state's case will be handled by Prosecutor Edwards of Connersville and Prosecutor Reller.

CLEVELAND BOOSTERS WILL VISIT RICHMOND MAY 4, ON TRADE TOUR

A special booster train with 125 members of the Cleveland Chamber of Commerce will spend five hours in Richmond Tuesday May 4. To entertain the Cleveland boosters a meeting of the publicity committee of the Commercial club will be called this week. The matter has been turned over to Chairman Lee B. Nusbauam. In advance of the boosters train, Charles J. Crockett, who is in ths employ of the Cleveland commercial organization, spent today in Richmond. He is an expert retail garment man, and he visited the merchants of the city to discuss the Bale of garments. Mx. Crockett does not sell anything,

RICHMOND, IND

ROOSEVELT RECOGNIZED T. PLATT AS "BOSS" OF POLITICS IN HIV YORK

SYRACUSE, N. Y., April 26. Refreshed and re-inforced by their weekend rest. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt and William M. Ivins, William Barnes' chief counsel, faced each other again today in round five of their amazing duel of wits. The Barnes-Roosevelt $50,000 libel suit entered its second week today, and the end was not in sight. That he recognized the late Senator Thomas C. Piatt as the boss, and consulted him as such about appointments was today admitted by "Colonel Roose velt. The musty letter files of the late senator, brought into court by William Ivins, told the story of Roosevelt's consultations with Piatt about, appointments, and cross-examination of the colonel corroborated the letters. From the time he was nominated for governor in 1898 Roosevelt had many meetings with Piatt, some of his own solicitation. Not only did he admit the consultations, but he recognized him as the boss. Recognized Boss. "You asked for an appointment with Senator Piatt?" Roosevelt was asked. . "I did." "What for?" "I wanted to consult him," was the reply. "As the boss?" asked Ivins. "As boss," replied Roosevelt. "As the recognized head of the- organization." Throughout the morning's drilling the colonel was very pettish and answered sometimes sullenly. Roosevelt denied that his consultations regarding appointments constituted invisible government, and said CZAR'S FLEET ACTIVE CONSTANTINOPLE, Via Berlin and Amsterdam. Anril 26. Russia's Black sea fleet bombarded the outer forts of the Bosphorus for a second time Sunday,' shelling at long range the fortifications of the eastern gateway to Constantinople. The attacking fleet showed extreme caution, however, at no time coming, within range of the guns of the forts! . ..iJRIUMPH DAMAGED. 4 MALTA, April 26. The British battleship Triumph wa$ struck by three Turkish shells while bombarding the Dardanelles forts on ' April 16. Two men were' wounded by one of the shells which struck the bridge and passed through the deck, but the battleship was not seriously damaged and continued the bombardment. WORKS BOARD FEARS TO LET PLAYERS USE DIAMONDS IN PARKS Members of the board of public works were brought face to face today with a very serious situation The city officials were informed that there, were about ten amateur baseball teams ot every baseball diamond in the city and as long as such a condition existed the best interests of the national game in this city would not be properly served. At first the board seriously considered dedicating the Roosevelt field at Glen Miller park as a baseball diamond but President Bavis recalled the fact that when this was attempted at Muncie much ill feeling resulted as a result of disputes over what teams would have use of the field. "The boys have as much right to use the Glen for their baseball matches as the Chautauqua association had to use the park," suggested one citizen. The board members agreed that this point was well taken and they decided to take the matter under 'advisement before deciding what action to pursue. Perhaps if the small army of local baseball players would swoop down upon the board of public works some day they might be able to induce that body to dedicate several pieces of municipal property for baseball diamonds. DISCUSSES CHARITY The principle of the work of the Central Charity bureau, the Riverdale sit uation and other charity and social service problems were discussed by the Young Married Friends' society at the home of Mrs. Amasa Jenkins last night by John Melpolder, secretary of the bureau. but represents the garment makers industry of Cleveland. He travels through Indiana and Ohio giving advice where it is wanted on any questions relating to this line of business. The Cleveland boosters passed through Richmond three or four years ago and were favorably impressed with the city. They stayed only a short time but next week will be here from 10 o'clock in the morning until 3 o'clock in the afternoon. A noon luncheon probably will be arranged, which will be followed by talks by members of the local club and their guests. Arrangements also probably will be made for an automobile sight seeing trip.

MONDAY EVENING, APRIL 26, 1915.

his government was visible as could be. A letter from Roosevelt to Piatt January 22, 1899, said Roosevelt hoped Piatt "would give the Nally bill a lift." The letter also asked Piatt about the appointment of one Williams as tax commissioner. A letter of January 25, 1899. from Piatt to Roosevelt was read, as follows : "In regard to Williams for tax commissioner, you must have been misinformed; I never suggested his name. Root is interested in him." January 28, 1899, Roosevelt wired Piatt that he could not meet him next day for luncheon. "Why were you to lunch with Senator Piatt?" asked Barnum. "To consult him." "As the boss?" "As the boss," answered Roosevelt. "The organized head of the party?" "The recognized head of the organization," said Roosevelt. A letter from Roosevelt to Piatt of January 31, asked Piatt to use his influence in obtaining a contract for Trowbridge. The letter did not specify what kind of a contract. "Did you mean to ask the senator's aid in something wrong?" "Emphatically not. I wanted to be 3ure Trowbridge got the work if he were the lowest bidder." The great antipathy of William Barnes to Charles E. Hughes, and the fact that Colonel Roosevelt was not strong for Hughes in 1908, but knew no stronger man to nominate for governor, was brought about this morning. Roosevelt wrote to Barnes and Herbert Parsons that "there are many currents against Hughes, but I do not see Continued On Page Three. BENEVOLENT SOCIEiY I RFR4ILS FOUNDING IM OPCPIil CCDlIPC 111 OrLUlAL ULllllUL High praise for the splendid organization of St. Joseph's Benevolent society, was made by Rev. Ignatius Rauh in a congratulatory speech during the observance of the fifty-fifth anniversary of the society held at St. Andrew's church Sunday morning and afternoon. Approximately two hundred members of the society took part in the celebration which began at 7:30 o'clock Sunday morning at high mass Holy communion was observed after ward. Rev. Rauh delivered an inspiring sermon, showing the necessity of leading a Christian life at all times and working for the good of the church. At 3 o'clock Sunday afternoon, the society assembled at the lyceum and marched around the streets in the neighborhood of the church before attending the Vesper service. INDICTED OFFICIALS WANT INDICTMENTS AT MUNGIE QUASHED MUNCIE, Ind. April 26. Arguments on the motion of attorneys to quash the indictments against Mayor Bunch and other city officials under indictment charged with conspiring to accept bribes, began this afternoon before Judge Ellis in circuit court. The defendants allege that there is no such crime on the Indiana statutes as "conspiring to accept bribes." They also alleged that the indictments are faulty because the regular prosecutor J. Frank Mann was not in the grand jury room when the witnesses were examined. Should the indictments be held valid by the court it is rumored that a sensational plea in abatement will be filed by the defense, in which it will be charged that the Law Enforcement league and other "reformers" have conspired to blacken the names of city officals by bringing false charges against them. Besides the mayor, assistant Prosecutor Williams, Police Chief Mcllvaine, Secretary Simms of the police board, and several members of the police commission are under indictment. A. S. M. SHUTS DOWN FOR ANNUAL INVOICE One of the city's largest manufacturing concerns, the American Seeding Machine company, will close down the first of next month and may remain closed for two or three weeks. The annual invoice is to be taken during that time and repairs will also be made. The company, which has been employing about 550 men, is practically up on its orders. Its business so far this year has been an improvement over the business transacted the same period last year. CHURCH WILL RAISE MONEY FOR REPAIRS A financial campaign to raise money for painting and repairs will be launched at the Earlham Heights Presbyterian church in about two weeks, H. S. Weed announced yester day. The church, which was formerly a branch of the Second Presbyterian church on Nineteenth street, is now a thriving organization. The Sunday school membership is 130.

STINSON TO SERVE TERM FOR THEFT

Alfred Stlnson, 19-year-old boy, was sentenced to thirty days in jail and given a fine of $10 In circuit, court today. Judge Fox handed down the order after taking the case under consideration. Stinson was said to be the evil influence for his brother and other young boys living east and southeast of Richmond and Judge Fox will arrange to have him put under special care when he is released from jail. A position probably will be secured for him and he will be surrounded by good Influences. He and his brother with a neighbor boy recently broke into a schbol house at Elliott's Mills and residences in that vicinity and stole some cash and supplies. The younger boys were released. GERMANS PUSH DRIVE TOWARD CITY OF CALAIS Attack Northeast of Ypres and Fight Violently With Opposing Canadian and British Troops. KAISER GOES TO FRONT French Make Progress on Right Bank of Yser Canal and Repulse Teuton Invaders. LONDON, April 26. Only three miles from Ypres, according to the ofnciai claims made m Berlin, the German troops are continuing tremendous attacks on the Allied forces. By capturing the village of St. Julien and a little strip of woodland between Pilkette and St. Julien, they have straightened out their front between the two towns. Here they are opposed by the British troops, who have apparently withstood the first fury of the German attacks, the Canadian troops having inflicted severe losses upon the Kaiser's soldiers. Continue Attacks. Repulse of two German attacks by British troops, northeast of Ypres, is announced in today's official report from the Paris war office. The Germans were debauching from Paschemdaele and Brodseulde when they came into collision with the English forces. The Germans have renewed their bombardment of Ypres which has been almost completely destroyed by previous sbfU fire. The French troops have made progress on the right bank of the Ypres canal and have also repulsed the German at Motre Damede Lorette. Paschemdaele is more than eight miles northeast of Ypres. This town and others along the battle front extending to the French frontier are held by the left wing of the German army in Flanders. A Rotterdam dispatch states that the great German offensive at Ypres is being directed by Field Marshal von ! Hmdenburg, transferred by order of Emperor William from the eastern theatre. Military experts are inclined to doubt this report, although it is understood that German troops have been transferred to Belgium from the eastern fronts in Poland and East Prussia. Emperor William Is rushing to the Flanders front on his special train to direct the operations against the Allies at Ypres and along the Yser front, according to advices received at Amsterdam from Berlin. These unofficial reports state that the Kaiser was at Crakow when the new Flanders battle opened and that he immediately hastened to Berlin, where he stayed only a few hours before continuing his Journey to Belgium. J. P. REID RESIGNS AS DEPUTY TRUSTEE James Patterson Reid, for six years deputy township trustee, gave ten days notice of his resignation to Trustee Edgerton Saturday night. The resignation is the result of the new law passed by the 1915 legislature, which provides only $50 a month for deputies for township trustees. Mr. Reid said he had taken the matter up with Mr. Edgerton before and after consulting the township attorney., and it was found that the township trustee would be required to pay additional sums over $50 a month from his own salary, which is $125 a month. The resignation will become effective May 4 or 5, when Mr. Reid will take a short vacation. He has not decided where he will locate in the future. The matter of a successor has been taken up. Chauncey Edgerton, son of the trustee, has .been assisting in the office and probably will be offered the place. If he refuses, two young women will be employed. Mr. Reid became deputy when James Howarth was elected to the office in 1908. After serving six years under Mr. Howarth he was re-employed by Mr. Edgerton. He has made out six annual reports to the township advisory board without an error, and has done all the clerical work in the office. COMMEND NEWMAN W. R. Newman of this city, a section foreman on the C. & O. railroad. is commended in this month's issue of the Employe's Magazine for noticing a brake beam that was down and dragging under a passing train. He stopped the train and the defect was remedied before damage was done.

BAVIS SHOWS FALLACY IN LEASING PLANT OF CITY TO L, H. & P. CO. President of Board of Works Shows Municipalization of Light . Plant of Competing Company Could Not Bring Rate Increase as Public Utilities Commission Governs Service Charges If LH. &P. Leased Municipal Plant, It Would Still Remain Under Political Control

CITY CAPABLE OF MANAGING UTILITY MERGER Reviews High Rates Charged by Old Company Before the Municipal Plant Brought Stiff Competition Inflexible Policy of Company Made Necessary Entrance of City Plant to Reduce Rates Surrender of City Plant Now Would Be a Blow to Enterprise.

Alfred Bavis, president of the board of works, has submitted the following statement concerning a statement that it might be profitable for the city to lease the light plant to the L., H. and P. Mr. Bavis-points out the fallacy of such a step and shows the advantage of the city acquiring the plant of the L., H. and P. His statement is ap pended: The proprieties of a public official contributing to a public discussion may be questioned, and justly so, by a good many of our citizens. Yet I feel that this question of the city seeking a merger by acauirinK the electric plant of the Light, Heat and Power company is of such importance as to call forth a full and free explanation why It would be to the city's interest to take advantage of the option she holds and obtain thereby a monopoly of the electric business of the city. To any student of economics it must be apparent that the operation of two plants as two separate and distinct units involves unnecessary duplica tion of costs, especially when the en ure business could be taken care of by the city plant with practically little or no additional cost of operation. There has been some objections raised and some suggestions offered as a substitute to the proposed purchase of the plant of the Light, Heat and Power company. These objections BLUE'S LETTER ASSURE CLUBS HEALTHJURVEY Haas Receives Message From U. S. Health Department Which Corroborates Telegram Sent Last Week. Members of organizations interested in bringing a specialist here from the government service to make a sanitary survey of the city are convinced of the sincerity of the public health J department in its statement that the request for an officer would be granted, since Secretary Haas of the Commercial club received the following letter today: "Commercial club, "Richmond, Ind. "Sirs: "I desire to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram of the 17th inst. transmitting a joint request from the civil associations of your city for the detail of an officer to make a sanitary survey of your city. "In view of the deep interest shown by the citizens of Richmond, in this work, I am desirous of complying with ! this request. A definite decision must, however, be necessarily delayed on account of the fact that the number of officers available for this kind of investigation is somewhat limited, and they are all at present engaged in important investigations of this character. "I shall communicate with the authorities of your city again as soon as the detail of an officer becomes practicable. "RUPERT BLUE, "Surgeon General." "The letter corroborates the tele-1 gram which was sent Saturday," Mr. Haas said. "I feel sure that there will be no delay in sending a man here."' WeatherForecast FOR INDIANA Partly cloudy tonight and Tuesday; probably showers in north portion. Temperature. Noon 85 Yesterday Maximum 85 Minimum 1 59 For Richmond Mostly fair but somewhat unsettled tonight and Tuesday. Possibly local thunder showers. General Conditions Unseasonable war weather continues east of the Mississippi river with temperatures of 94 degrees at Washington and 88 in New York. Much cooler in the far west with temperature near freezing. Heavy rains In the southwest. No immediate prospects of any cooler weather for Richmond. W. E. Moore, Weather Forecaster.

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and suggestions coming from the sources they have justifies recognition and If I, as an individual, differ from them it must not be accepted as the sentiment of city officials or the committee that was appointed to help work out this problem, as I am in no sense authorized to speak for them. The first objection offered is: "It would be unwise on the city's part to buy the plant, as in due time their being put out of business is inevitable, and paying the purchase price would be a waste of money." No doubt this suggestion was made in all seriousness, but evidently without thought as to its practicability. The United Gas and Electric company, of which the Light, Heat and Power company is a subsidiary, value too highly any franchise privileges they may have to relinquish them so easily; on the contrary, in my humble opinion, they would rather invest $150,000.00 6r $200,000.00 in modernizing their plant that they might be better fitted to compete with the city plant, all of which sums would be added to the valuation and said valuation used for rate making purposes. To provide returns on such an investment would necessitate an increase in the light and power rates. The physical value of the plant has been fixed by the engineering staff of the public service commission and forContinued On Page Two. 103 MEMBERS TAKE WORK OF DRUIDS' ORDER Supreme Officers Attend Big Initiation Exercises Marking Acceptance of Additions to Richmond Grove. PARADE BIG FEATURE 200 Added to Membership in Richmond Within Last Six Months by Organization. Fully six hundred Druids held sway in Richmond Sunday when they met to confer the second and third degrees upon 103 candidates for membership in Richmond Grove. No. 28, U. A. O. of Druids. Besides the initiation exercises, which were held in the Eagles hall, a big parade and banquet-smoke featured the day's enjoyment. The visiting delegations from Indianapolis, Anderson, Dayton and Lafayette numbered about one hundred members of the lodge, and these included Grand Secretary Geider, Supereme Representative Dittmer and Grand Marshal Steineger of Indianapolis. Supreme Arch Ruckelhaus of Ini dianapolis, who had made plans to be present, was unable to come to Richmond, because of illness. Hold Big Parade. The lodge members assembled at the D.ruld? naI1 on West Main street at 1 o'clock and formed the line of march. Two bands headed the parade, and for aDout on hour the members marched around Richmond streets, following a line of march which had been prepared by the committee having charge of arrangements. The local officers of the lodge were arrayed in lodge regalia and occupied seats in the Hoover-Bond automobile truck during the parade. Taxicabs and autos filled with Druius brought up th rear, while hundreds marched, deriving the greatest enjoyment from their outing. The parade was witnessed by many people. Work Exemplified. At the Conclusion of the parade the . Druids went to the Eagles' hall, where j the Anderson team exemplified the sec-! ond degree to the candidates, and the ' Richmond team conferred the third degree. The banquet and smoker was held in the Druids' hall in the evening, and probably was the most enjoyable event ' of the day. A general good time followed this part of the program. With the Initiation of the candidates yesterday a total of two hundred mem-, bers have been secured by the lodge ia the last six months. 1

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