Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 40, Number 149, 5 May 1915 — Page 1

THE EICHMOIB PAIXAMXTM

VOL. XL., NO. 149 SonnMd!r-Teleram RICHMOND, IND., WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 5, 1915. SINGLE COPY, 2 CENTS

RICHMOND LOSES BEST PROSPECT FOR NORTH LINE New York Capitalists Fail to Purchase Fort Wayne and Springfield Traction Concern's Road.

ROAD TO CONTINUE General Manager Claims Money to Purchase Line Raised Entirely From Sources in Adams County. Richmond lost -what ia believed to have been the best opportunity for a north and south traction line, when New York capitalists failed to outbid competitors for the purchase of the Fort Wayne and Springfield Traction line yesterday. The purchasers of the line were John Koenig of St. Marys and Charles Dirkson of Decatur. At the Commercial club, it was believed these men represented the New York capitalists who six weeks ago had their engineer and artist in Richmond making surveys and photographs. In a telephone conversation, W. H. Fletterjohn of Decatur, general manager of the Fort Wayne and Springfield company denied this, saying the capital to purchase the line was secured entirely in Adams county and it. would be difficult to raise the amount, $S5,00o, to pay what had been bid. Extension Not Planned. "I am trying to find out the future plans myself," Mr. Fletterjohn said. "I am certain that no extension will be made for a few years. The line will be operated as it now stands." The line extends from Fort Wayne to Decatur, a distance of twenty-two miles. The high bidders are among the promoters of the line and are heavy losers. The road cost $600,000 to build and equip. The promoters originally planned to build from Fort Wayne to Springfield, O. The Commercial club has been in touch with prospective buyers for two years. The sale of the line has been repeatedly delayed became of the high minimum price placed on it by the Adams county circuit court. Late in March, General Manager Fletterjohn brought two men to Richmond who said they were employed by New York capital to make a survey from Portland to Union City, Union City to Richmond and Richmond to Hamilton. The Commercial club gave them all plans and figures which had been made on former local plans for the construction of a north and south line. Photographs were taken of every factory in the city and of many of the streets. The two men were heard from when they had reached College Corner but since that time, they have not been in communication with the club. COMMITTEE DECIDES ON CLEAN-UP AWARD FOR BANNER SCHOOL The clean-up committee on awards will meet tomorrow to determine what school is entitled to the honor flag for obtaining the most clean-up pledges in the campaign this week. The presentation will be made Friday afternoon by a committee consisting of John Nicholson, Mayor Robbins and Police Chief Goodwin. The authentic information on the results of the clean-up campaign is from the trash removal gang in the employ of the city. These reports indicate complete success. Secretary Haas of the Commercial club said today. More than 200 extra loads of rubbish has been hauled from alleys since the clean-up period started. Sales Net $50. About $30 was realized from the sale of clean-up and paint-up buttons Saturday under Miss Florence Bond. The number of buttons sold was satisfactory and the returns exceeded the expectations. Good prices were paid by the purchasers. The remainder of ilie buttons were distributed to school children free yesterday. Pupils at Whitewater school are working hard to capture the flag again this year. No other school has held it although the race has been close pach year. The Whitewater children nave been canvassing every home in IMverdale to secure pledges to observe .-loan-up week. Pupils of other schools ire also showing much interest in bringing in pledges. Weather Forecast FOR INDIANA Generally fair tonight and Thursday; probably frost tonight low part in north portion. Temperature Soon 57 Yesterday. Maximum 57 Minimum 42 FOR RICHMOND Partly cloudy, but mostly fair tonight. Probably light frost in the lowlands. General Conditions The Storm cov?rs the eastern states and is causing ;ontinued unsettled weather east of the Mississippi river. Temperatures ire gradually moderating and another storm is over the Rocky Mountain plateau. V. K. Moore, weather fore-:aster.

PLAYGROUND FUNDS GET FESTIVAL CASH

Schools Apply $400 Receipts to Improvement at Baxter Building. The proceeds of $400 received from the gymnastic festival will be placed with the fund used for the Improvement of playgrounds In the city during the summer according to an announcement made by Superintendent Giles this morning. The total receipts of the festival were $650 and while all the bills have not been met it is estimated that the expense of the Coliseum and Incidentals would total $150. Superintendent Giles hopes to construct two playgrounds this summer but it is possible that because of the lack of available funds, only one, on the west side at the Baxter school will be made. The sum obtained from the festival results will be added to the June levy of $800 because the second draw of $800 from the one cent each $100 assessed value that was appropriated by the city council will not be due until December. STRIKING UNION AWAITS ACTION OF EMPLOYERS Prospects Point to Early Settlement of Peaceful Request of Increase in Scale of Wages. DEMANDS ARE LISTED Carpenters Ask Recognition of Organization Four Contractors Sign New Articles of Agreement. Prospects were good today for a satisfactory settlement of the strike of the union carpenters in this city, which became effective yesterday, tying up a considerable amount of construction work. At the headquarters of the carpenters' union today it was announced that four contractors have signed the new agreement demanded by the union. The names of these building contractors were not announced, however. The principal demands made by the union are: Recognition of-the union. An increase In the minimum wage scale from 35 cents an hour to 40 cents an hour. Fifty-four hours a week work and half-holiday on Saturdays. Kick on Recognition. It is said that the principal objection the contractors have to the union demands is the provision stipulating that the union shall be recognized. No Richmond building contractor has ever recognized the carpenters' union, which has a membership of about ninety, or approximately two-thirds of the working carpenters in the city. Only one or two non-union men have bees employed to take the place of strikers. Not much opposition to the demand for a 5 cent increase in the minimum wage scale has been voiced by contractors, but one or two contracting firms are said to be opposed to the Saturday half holiday demand. It was learned today that the carpenters' union notified the contractors the first of the year that a new agreement had been formulated by the union and the contractors were further notified that they would be expected to sign the agreement by the first of April. At that time not one contractor had accepted the terms of the agreement and the time limit was extended another month. Failure of the contractors to get into line at the end of that time resulted in the calling of the strike yesterday. The carpenters union has appointed the following conference committee to meet with any contractor who signifies his desire to discuss terms with the union: Frank Gustin, Thomas Hlggs and Henry Hasecoster. CLUBS MAY APPEAL IN FRANK'S BEHALF To assist in the country-wide movement to have Leo Frank, convicted recently in Georgia for the murder of Mary Fagan, given a pardon, the executive board of the Federated clubs of Richmond will vote next Wednesday on whether to circulate the petitions in Richmond. It is said by members of the club that hundreds of Richmond women have been reading the Frank case in newspapers and magazines and are convinced of the innocense of the accused slayer of the little factory girl. The movement to be voted on is an effort to secure 1,000,000 signatures to petitions asking the postponement of Frank's execution until other revelations can be made which will entitle Frank to a new trial. Frank has been convicted of the charge in two Georgia courts. Mary Fagan was a young girl employe of a pencil factory owned by Frank's father and it is said she was murdered and thrown into a cellar for trying to resist the attentions of men at the head of the institution.

CHINA EXPECTS JAPAN TO BEGIN WAR WES WITHOUT NOTIFICATION TOKIO, May 5. Japan's ultimatum to China is reported to have been drafted at the foreign office today. It is said to give the Pekin government forty-eight hours to accept the Japanese proposal. The British ambassador called on Foreign Minister Katto today and conferred with him for some time. According to semi-official reports England is trying to induce Japan to make further concessions to China. The Tokio newspapers declare these efforts are useless as Japan cannot alter her attitude now without giving the impression at Pekin that it is afraid to make war. Military movements are under way. Five division commanders called at the war office today.

BEAr TITUDES FOR CLEAN-UP WEEK BY MRS. F. W. STEPHENS. Billboards cover a multitude of tin cans. One medical Inspection in time saves nine doctor bills. Many playgrounds make light-hearted children. One tuberculosis case In camp is better than ten in a tenement. Inspectors that can inspect and won't inspect should be made to inspect. Uncleanliness is next to ungodliness. You'll never miss the microbe 'till the river runs dry. To the smoky city belongs the spoiled merchandise. It's an ill milk that bringeth no baby good. Where there's a will to make a clean city there's a way. BODY CONSIDERS PLANS TO HONOR CITY'S JIRTHDAY Centennial Commission Fails to Act at First Session Because Only Few Members Attend. SECOND DATE SET Leaders Suggest Total Absence of Carnival Features in Celebration to Exploit Richmond Achievements. Richmond's proposed observance in 1916 of the centennial anniversary of Its founding, did not get an auspicious start last night on the occassion fixed by Mayor Robbins as the time for the initial meeting of an executive committee recently named by him. Out of the eighteen members named by Mayor Robbins, but eight were present, and the missing ten with one or two exceptions overlooked the matter of sending regrets. As a result of the failure of a majority of the executive committee to appear, it was decided by those present that an undertaking of such importance should not have its beginning Continued On Page Ten.

Who Will Reign Next?

i . &V VWS J-. I J

Society is wondering who will be the reigning beauty of the younger set at Newport this summer since Miss Margaret Andrews is to be married to Morgan Belmont. She was acknowledged leader at the fashionable summer resort last season, and it seemed she would rule again this summer until Cupid stepped in and upset all plans. Miss Roberta Willard and Miss Elizabeth Sands are two pretty girls in the "under twenty" set who are mentioned as possible contenders for the crown of popularity. Both are c hums of Miss Andrews.

PEKIN, May 5. Attaches of the Japanese legation are preparing to leave

Pekin. Reports are in circulation that Japan will begin war without any further diplomatic notification. A Japanese cruiser arrived today on the coast 155 miles east of Pekin. It is accompanied by several destroyers. A large number of troops said to number 100,000 have been ordered mobilized by President Yuan Shi Kai it is understood and will be concentrated in the suburbs of Pekin. Military preparations are being made for the defense of the capital as an ultimatum from Japan regarding the refusal by the republic of its demands is hourly expected. JAPS LEAVE HANKOW. HANKOW, May 5. Instructions from Tokio have been received by the Japanese consul general directing him to order all Japanese women and children in Hankow to be prepared to leave for Japan by the steamer leaving today. PAPER HANGERS REFUND MONEY ON OVER CHARGE Inspector McKinley Reports Case of Decorator Who Presented Bill in Ecxess of Goods Used. ROOMS ARE MEASURED Ice Wagon Drivers Receive Additional Warning to Weigh Commodity Before Making Delivery. Right in the height of the spring house-cleaning season, last month, when the paper hangers were doing a land office business in many homes of the city, Inspector of Weights and Measures McKinley made an important discovery; that some of the householders were being cheated by men who had contracted to do wall papering. This is a field of activity the industrious McKinley had not hitherto invaded but he has found it to be ripe in possibilities in performing his duty of protecting the public's purse. "If any citizen thinks he has not been treated fairly by a paper hanger all he has to do is to notify me when Continued On Page Ten. MARGARET ANDREWS.

CARRIES LARGE SUM OF OTHER PERSON John Penqutte Picks Up by Mistake Letter Containing $910.50 Order. John Penquite, 121 Chestnut street, a carpenter, shoved almost $1,000 In certified checks in his coat pocket yesterday, threw the coat over a saw buck and went to work unconscious of the trouble he was causing. One of the checks happened to be the property of Mrs. Emma Leiter, 121 Richmond avenue. It was for $910.50. Mrs. Leiter had had the letter which contained the check registered at the sub-postal station at Foster's drug store on Richmond avenue. Immediately after her, Mr. Penquite purchased a money order which he sealed in an envelope at the postal window. After paying the clerk, he picked up Mrs. Letter's envelope and his own. He was much surprised later to learn of his mistake. He was at work in a shed in the rear of his home when the envelope was traced. He denied emphatically any knowledge of the envelope, but offered to look through his coat pockets. He did so and found the letter and check in a pocket with old papers, chaff and shavings.

ACCOUNTS BODY FINDS MISTAKES IN CITHJOOKS Field Examiner's Statement Said to Call Attention to Over-Payments Made by Error. FUNDS ARE RETURNED Nothing Found to Reflect Upon Integrity of Controller and Improvement Reported in City's Finances. It is understood that the report of the field examiners of this State Board of Accounts who have been investigating the records in the office of the city controller of Richmond," which is to be filed with the board in a short time, sets forth the fact that the controller's office has been administered by E. G. McMahan in a fairly satisfactory manner. The report, it is said, contains nothing reflecting in the slightest degree upon the integrity of the controller. It is said that one error detected by the state board of accounts examiners was the sending of a check to local banks to cover certain interest coupons and bonds, which issue had already been met by the city. This overpayment, it is said, was traced by the examiners by checking up the bond records and duplicates. The overpayment in question, when discovered, was promptly returned by the banks, consequently the controller did not have to stand this as a personal loss. Want Greater Efficiency. The system which is new employed in the controller's office in the administration of the municipal finances is an improvement over that in vogue up to two years ago, but the desired standard of efficiency in the performance of the duties of this important office has not yet been attained. About three years ago state examiners discovered a shortage of about $28,000 in the special street improvement fund, which is drawn up to meet bonds issued for street improvements. This shortage had been accumulating over a considerable length of time owing to a practice of placing monies paid in for street improvement assessments into the general fund instead of the special street improvement fund. By special appropriations the city has been able to pay back this shortage to the fund in question. PROF, GILES ANSWERS CRITICISM OF DANCES School Head Advocates Folk Steps as Substitute for Popular Tango. Criticism of the aesthetic and folk dances conducted by the children during the gymnastic festival, is unwarranted and displays narrowness of mind, in the opinion of Superintendent Giles of the Richmond city schools. He also declared his belief today that these dances will be substituted for the modern tango, maxixe and hesitation within a short time. "A few criticisms are always heard when the folk dances are given before an audience," said Mr. Giles, "but I think the persons who protest against this kind of dancing by the pupils do not fully understand what the dances constitute. I think they iend grace to the student, are educational and should be cultivated. "The ministerial association of Indianapolis criticsed the folk dancing about a ye r ago but I consider this protest unwarranted. "Certainly, I believe the time is coming when the folk dancing will take the place of the present ultra-fashionable whirls." ECONOMY TO PLAY. Economy is scheu tled to play the Williamsburg baseball team on Sunday. The game will take place at Williamsburg.

TEUTON DRIVES BRING DEFEAT TO BRITISH AND RUSSIANS IN HOT FIGHT Czar's Troops in Carpathians in Retreat, as Germans Smash Eastward and Southward in Campaign in Western Galicia Toward Dukla Pass Muscovite Southern Wing Crushed on Front of 22 Miles Entire Slav Division Annihilated and Staff Officers Captured or Killed English Defeated at Ypres and French Beaten Near St MihieL

SUBMARINES SINK 9

BULLETIN VIENNA, May 5 All the main positions of the Russians at Dukla pass are being abandoned and preparations are being made for a general retreat from the entire Carpathian front, said the report of the official press bureau at Austrian headquarters. In their rapid retreat from the Galician front the Russians have become inextricably mixed up. The AustroGerman forces are approaching from the northwest. The Russians are trying to withdraw, but it is apparent that great numbers have been caught. BERLIN, May 5. Double victory for the German armies in the east, em and western theatres of war Is claimed in today's official report from the general staff. Russian troops In the Carpathian and British troops at Ypres are in retreat, It asserts. The Russians are evacuating their positions at Dukla pass, as a result of their defeat In western Galicia. The report states that the number of Russian prisoners taken In the western Galician fighting has been increased to 30,000. The British forces at Ypres have suffered heavy losses, the report states. Another success has been won against the French troops In the Ailly forests southeast of St. Mihiel. The general staff reports that in the fighting there ten French officers and 750 men were captured. A French attack in Prlestwald was repulsed.

GUNS AND BLOOD HIDDEN IN PIPES TELL OF CRIMES Mute but eloquent evidence of some grewsome crime was found in a freight car which arrived in this city yesterday over the Pennsylvania railroad, loaded with sewer pipes and consigned to A. Harsh company of Richmond. When employes of the Harsh company were unloading the car they were startled to find in one of the pipes two revolvers, a 32 calibre automatic and a 38 calibre U. S. six-shooter and a number of cartridges, all wrapped in a blood-stained silk handkerchief. Embroidered in one corner of the handkerchief was the name "Ricordo." In another corner of the handkerchief the initials, "R. S." were embroidered. Although dry the many blood stains on the handkerchief were quite fresh. The car in which this murder evidence was found belongs to the C. N. and W. railroad, its number is 116,522 and it was shipped from Urichville, O., on April 28. Although the car was in this city a day before unloading the police, who are investigating the case, do not believe the revolvers and thir blood-stained covering were placed in it while here. They are convinced that some murder has been committed in Urichville and the murderer attempted to hide the tell-tale evidence among the sewer pipes. A telegram has been sent to the Urichville police notifying them of the discovery. ORDERS TENEMENT RAZED IN INTEREST OF PUBLIC HEALTH The first step improve housing in the campaign to : conditions in Rich-

mond was taken yesterday when cityimarines number had been painted

Building Inspector Hodgin served a! state fire marshal's order on James II. Clements, 107 North Fourteenth street, that property owned by him at 802 and 804 North Sixteenth street be torn down. This property consists of a double frame dwelling house and two or three sheds. After the buildings have been removed Mr. Clements will be expected to thoroughly fumigate the premises in the interest of public health. "Two families have been living in this double house despite the fact that a part of it. including a section of the roof, was badly damaged by fire recently," Mr. Hodgin said today. "The building is not fit for animals to live in not to mention human beings. The plaster has fallen off the ceilings In many places and the floors are in danger of collapsing at any time. The building also leans at a dangerous angle. I have asked the health officer to investigate this place. It is typical of conditions at a number of other rattle-tra'p buildings in Richmond. I think tne neaitn onicer w nen ne compieies ms investigation win agree wiin me that this house on North Sixteenth street is about the dirtiest place In the city. Every kind of disease germs should thrive in it." Mr. Hodgin stated that if the owner of the . condemned building did not tear it down within the time prescribed by law the city would do the work for him and charge him with the expense.

TRAWLERS IN 7 HOURS

Dispatches from eastern headquarfe ers state that the Austro-German forces in western Galicia are rapidly pressing eastward and southward toward Dukla pass shattering every effort to oppose their progress. The correspondent of the Tageblatt telegraphs that the Russian southern wing has been crushed on a front of 22 milesAnnihilate Division. "Our advance is everywhere victorious." We have captured Gorlice and are still .pressing on,". says the. dispatch. Gorlice is 21 miles east of the Dunajec river, from which the Austro-German forces started their offensive. They had crossed the Bialla and reached the Ropa according to the Tageblatt correspondent. "The attack of our forces was so determined that the Russians were compelled to abandon their first line as well as the villages back of the front, which they had used as quarters. "They were rapidly driven back to Gorlice which was the only point where the Russians made a determined stand. An artillery bombardment destroyed the town and it was captured by the Germans after a violent fight in the ruins. At Gorlice one entire Russian division was practically annihilated. All the staff officers including several generals were killed or wounded. "The Russian soldiers are very poorly equipped and complained when taken prisoners that they had lacked for tood. Most of the prisoners wore military caps but civilian clothing. ATTACK FISH SUPPLY. German Submarines Sink 9 Trawlers in 7 Hours. LONDON', May 5. German summarines are waging a campaign of extermination against one of England's chief sources of food supply, the English fishing fleet in the North Sea. In operations lasting only seven hours on Monday submarines sank nine trawlers, seven from Hull and two from Grimsby. The crews of all these boats numbering 82 were rescued. They were given an opportunity to leave their vessels before the submarines opened fire. The crews of the two Gromsbv boats when landed today said that although they had been taken aboard the sub marines which sank their vessels they w ere unable to identify her. as the subout. They were hosDitablv treated and when they again took to their small boats they were given some black bread by the Germans who wished them good luck." STORY ABOUT MOTH UNITES CLASSMATES The discovery of a big green moth in the court house by AI Brown, elevator operator, and subsequent newspaper stories, reunited two schoolmates who have not seen each other for almost fifty years. Charles Jergans. w ho was born here, has been visiting in Richmond. He is a resident of Boston. Mass. He read of the discovery of the moth by Mr. Brown. Yesterday he went to the court house and boarded the elevator. Mr. Brown did not recognize his old schoolmate. Mr. Jergans finally introduced himself and a happy reunion took nlarp TH former Rirhmoinl hnv has taken an interest in the study of moths and was able to identify the catch made by Mr. Brown. He declared the moth is almost unknown in this part of the country. He said the name means "moonshine." the moths being unable to see except at I night and coming ot chiefly when the moon is smning. - waiter uatlifT who ! took an interest in the moth yesterday discovered a record of the species and corroborated Mr. Jergans statements