Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 40, Number 207, 12 August 1915 — Page 1

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CITY DRAWS CRITICISM FROM TRACTION OFFICER FOR BRIDGE CONDITION G. K. Jefferies Denies Effect of Electrolysis in Causing Disintegration of Girders Municipal Authorities Blamed for Failure to Paint Ironwork.

DETOURS HANDLE TRAFFIC OVER RIVER To say that G. K. Jefferies of Indianapolis, general superintendent of the Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern traction company, is provoked over the action of the city authorities yesterday in closing the Main street bridge over the river to traffic is stating the case mildly. Mr. Jefferies and other traction officials arrived

in Richmond this morning and?at once hurried to the city building. Someone remarked that with the jitney buses and the closing of the Main street bridge, the traction company, which also operates the street railway system, was having its troubles. "The company has not much love for Richmond," growled Jefferies. "Some of us wish there was no such place on the map. There is neither pleasure nor profit for the company in Richmond." Traffic Detoured.

With the closing of the Main street bridge yesterday, all street cars to West Richmond and Fairview were cpeiatrd .over the Doran bridge at North I) street, hut the hsavy traction pass rr ar.d fr.Mg'if cars could not be cent over t'.ili tridso, because it. is not strong enough to be useu for nuch purposes. West bound freight cars were unloaded today at the freight station on North Seventh street, and the freight placed on flat cars, which were then hauled over Doran bridge by a street car. At the traction barn this freight was transferred to other freight cars and taken on to its destination. The same method was used In transferring freight consigned to points east of Richmond. All passengers on interurbans were transferred tostreet cars at the company tarns in Wost Richmond and at the traction passenger station east of the river. This afternoon the company abandoned its plan of operating Earlham and Easthaven street cars over the Doran bridge route. Cars on the Easthaven and Earlham lines were operated up (o the Main street bridge, and passengers had to walk across the condemned bridge to transfer to other cars. City officials say that, they believe tlio I. ridge la safe for pedestrians, hut at: general precautionary measure it has been closed to all traffic. At each end of the bridge a logchsin har- been stretched and padlocked. Barricades have also been placed across Main street at West West First street and East First street. Superintendent Jefferies said that it was decided not to operate Earlham and Easthaven cars over the Doran bridge because that route has only one track, and it would be impossible to handle all street cars and traction service over the route. Mr. Jeffries flatly denied today that electrolysis has had anything to do with the damage done to the Main street bridge. "Our tracks across that bridge have been 'bonded for years, and the bonding system carries off all waste current. The rails do not even carry off any part of this waste current, and it would be impossible for the current to get into the framework of the bridge," Jefferies declared emphatically Neglect Caused Condition. The condition the bridge is now in Is due to only one thing," he continued. "That is the neglect of whoever has been responsible for the upkeep of the structure to have it painted. I have been informed that the last time the bridge was painted was in 1 ft03. twelve years ago. Think of that! Is it strange that the bridge has been eaten up by rust during, that time? I wonder why it has stood up as long as it has. We paint our bridges every three years." Company engineers were busy today looking over the plans of the Doran bridge to see whether it could be strengthened to permit the operation of traction cars over it. They believe that if Iron stringers were placed under the bridge flooring the structure will then have stability enough to bear up under very heavy traffic. They Intend to ask the city to improve the bridge in this manner. Weather Forecast U. S. Report Fah tonight and Friday. Warmer Friday. Temperature Noon '.....; C6 Yesterday Maximum T4 Minimum 63 For Richmond There will be a short fair spell on Friday, followed by vain Saturday or Sunday. The rain of the last few days is due to a storm which has moved northeast from Arkansas to the Atlantic ocean. Another storm is developing rapidly in the west and will cause a reaction to warmer -veather, followed by rain. W. E. Moore, Weather Forecaster.

DIRECTORS DEAL WITH PROMOTERS FOR BIG PLANT J. T. Watkins Proposes Session With Company to Discuss Conditions for Obtaining Factory Location.

WANTS COMMISSION Commercial Club Remains in Dark as To 7&milTP Corporation and Nature of Product. Directors of the Richmond Commercial club recently caused it to be announced that negotiations were on with an industrial promoter to secure for this city a manufacturing concern employing about 2,500 men, the company to be located in the abandoned plant of the M. Rumely company. In the announcement no mention was made of the name of the company Continued On Page Two. PAN-AMERICANS DEMAND STRIFE END IN MEXICO Back Up United States in New Wilson Note to Warring Factions Demanding Peace. NEW YORK, Aug. 12. While Secretary of State Lansing today was reporting to President Wilson the result of the Mexican conversation at the Hotel Biltmore several of the Pan -American diplomats waited in New York subject to the call of the state department to sign the note agreed upon to the warring factipns in Mexico. When the meeting here adjourned after the representatives of this country and six of the leading nations of Central and South America had agreed on a plan of action, Secretary Lansing told the Pan-Americans he would call them together again, to sign the note which he would draft. He also informed them there would be other 'meetings when replies have been received from Carranza and the other Mexican faction leaders to whom the note will be sent."" The proposed note it was understood will embody President Wilson's last word to the Mexicans. The note will demand that a government be established immediately and will deal with the recognition of that government by the United States and the Pan-American governments. United Siates supervision of a constitutional election in Mexico is one of the details. The note will be signed by this country, Argentine, Brazil, Chili, Guatemala, Bolivia and Uruguay. It was made certain that all the Central and South American countries would pprove the note by the announcement of Minister Pizet of Peru. He was not a party to the conversation but with Minister Cordova of Ecuador called at the Biltmore to pay his respects. "All of the governments of Central and South America will acquiesce in what Secretary Lansing and the diplomats agreed upon," Minister Pizet said.

Pictures Show Danger

In this picture the spot marked (X) shows one of the steel braces which has been decomposed one-fourth of the distance across, and the balance of the brace can be punctured by the sharp point of an umbrella. In front of the girder will be noticed an electric feed wire which rests against the steel, the insulation on the wire has fallen off and the wire is exposed. The center girder shows marked signs of decomposition. At this location the water from the car tracks above continually drops over the steel work and together with the electric current passing through the bridge is the cause of the disintegration. The picture shown is only one of the sections which has been badly damaged, the more dangerous portions are directly over the river which the photographer could not reach.

Photos by Bundy. In this picture the large rock marked (X) is the main support of the South-east end of the bridge. The giving away of the steel parts of the bridge has caused the weight of the bridge to crack the large rock support which will be noticed just to the left of the (X). The rock being broken allows the weight of the bridge to hang on che girder above and throws the bridge in n unnatural position.

Y A FOR DASH BULLETIN. NEWPORT, R. I., Aug. 12 The armored cruiser Montana has arrived here from Portsmouth, N. H., and is taking on marines from the various battleships. It is reported that their destination is Vera Cruz. Orders for the Atlantic fleet to leave Vera Cruz for ".southern drill grounds," has been changed to read Monday, August 23. The collier Cyclops sailed this morning for the south. . The fuel ship Jupiter also sailed for Vera Cruz this morning. Washington, Aug. 12. "We have no "idea at all of sending any more vessels to southern waters at once than the three already there, the Louisiana, -New Hampshire and Connecticut," emphatically declared Secretary of Navy Daniels today. He added that me orders for the entire Atlantic fleet to go south for the annual drill has not been changed from August 29. Part of the fleet will go to Boston, Mass.. August' 23, for inspection by the governors, who meet there on that date. Secretary of War Garrison this afternoon called upon General Caspar H. Bliss, chief of staff of the army, for a complete list of all troops in continental. United States available for duty along the Mexican border. This includes all the soldiers in the country except the coast artillery and engineering corps. , The-three most powerful goveinment departments, personally directed by President Wilson, ware preparing to.'.ay for any eventuality: in the critical Mexican situation. Two; the army and navy, were putting on the final touches

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MEXICO on their program for preparedness, if forco is necessary. The department of state was bringing into play every plan known to diplomacy to settle the problem without an armed clash. Secretary Lansing, returning from New York soon after midnight, worked far into the early morning on a report to be presented to President Wilson later in the day. The report cited the attitude of the South American diplomats as revealed at yesterday's conference in New York. It emphasized the opposition of these men, and the countries they represented, to any armed interference in Mexico. And it also revealed that Carranza, despite his open defiance of the plan of conference, has the sympathy of most of the Latin-Americans. If Secretary Lansing has his way, only the Louisiana will go to Vera Cruz at once. The Connecticut will be kept in Haitian waters, and the remainder of the fourth division, when ready for duty, will make Guantanamo, on the Cuban coast, their headquarters, where they will be available for service, but will not aggravate the si'tKation in Vera Crujr ' - SecretaryGarjJii3i5i-still await3 a request from 3e)f.'?,Funston before starting the.$$mainder' of the regular army, now in this country, to. the Texas border. Funston's report that the various bands of raiders apparently, are work-.i ing along similar lines with the intention of endeavoring to seize the .entire Rio Grande territory,- has surprised officials, who believed that the conspiracy with that object in view was stamped out more than a year ago.

Of Bridge

BELL TO STAND TRIAL, SEPT. 7 INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 12 Judge W. H. Eichhorn, sitting as special judge in the criminal court in the Marion county election fsaud cases,' today overruled the motion of the defense to quash the indictments on all but five miner counts. The trial of Mayor Joseph E. Bell, the first of approximately 125 officials and politicians to be tried, was set for September 7. All the defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit a felony in connection with the registration, primaries and elections in Marlon county in 1914. It was suggested by the attorneys for the defendants that Thomas Taggart, Democratic national committeeman? be the first man brought to trial, but Prosecutor , Ruckers said he had decided on Bell. 4 GERMAN FAMILIES GIVE FORTY SOLDIERS BERLIN, Aug. 12. The Flensburg correspondent of the Berliner Tageblatt writes: "Four families of the CchleswigHolsteia -have sent forty soldiers to the tront. Christian Petersen, a farmer of Anslet, has ten sons in the field: Mrs. Amelia Moeller, a wodow of Segeberg, .gave nine sons and two sohs-ih-law to the fatherland; Peter Spetc, a beer bottler of Shoenberg, is the father of nine soldiers, and Klaus Peters, a laborer of Hellschen, has eight sons and ''two sons-in-law on the battlefields of France and Poland."

MEMBERS ANTICIPATE IMMEDIATE MEASURES TO RELIEVE SITUlTIOf Estimate of $150,000 for New Structure Made in Budget Figures Forms Virtual Recommendation of Commissioners for New Main Street Bridge.

COUNCIL WANTS DISINTERESTED ENGINEERS Statements made today by members of the county council indicate the board of county commissioners will have little difficulty in having any proposition they present for the rebuilding of Main Street bridge, acted on favorably by the council, which meets September 7 to make appropriations for next year. Lee B. Nusbaum, president of the county council, said today that he would insist on that body taking immediate action on the commissioner recommendations, providing their action is based on the reports submitted by the county engineer and on reputable engineering authority not financially interested in bridge building. it k

BOND'S RULING STRIKES BLOW ATLJ. &P. City Attorney Rules Private Company Without Right to Furnish Outside Towns With Current. UP TO THE COMMISSION Company Operates Under Permit After Surrendering Franchise to Public UtilitiesRuling Wanted. It is probable that the city will soon seek to enjoin the Light. Heat and Power company from distributing electric current to points outside the city. The company has already constructed a distributing system to New Paris, O., and to Liberty, Ind., and is operati g both. Now the company is plann:ng the construction A a distributing svstem to Brookville, Ind. City Attorney Bond today informed the board of public works that the company had no franchise right to encamber the streets of Richmond with loles and high tension wires for the purpose of providing electric service to any point outside the city limits. Company officials when informed of r'ity Attorney Bond s statement to the board, called attention to the fact that Continued On Page Two. WILSON FAVORS PLAN ACCEPTED BY DIPLOMATS No Armed Intervention Promised Carranza in Statement Issued by Argentine Government. WASHINGTON, Aug. 12. Not only was the possibility of armed intervention in Mexico definitely removed before the Latin-American diplomats entered into the recent conferences with Secretary of State Lansing, but was agreed beforehand that there should be "no act or design which might mean an interference in the internal affairs of Mexico." This was the official statement of the Argentine government to General Carranza in reply to his protest made public by the Carranza agency here today. President Wilson today apporved without a single change the plan arrived at in New York between Secretary of State Lansing and the South American diplomats. Following a conference with the president that lasted over an hour, the secretary said: "There has been no change in the plan. AH that remains to be done is the physical vork of transmitting the appeal to the Mexican people and their factions." The secretary said he could not discuss details at this time. "All of us are anxious that the widest publicity should be given to our plans as soon as they have been communicated to the -Mexican people. Until then we must, refuse to say anything in addition to the state I made public in New York last night." PAYS FOR BONpS A check for $60,000 was received by County Treasurer A. N. Chamness this morning fro?i the Dickinson Trust company in payment for the bonds purchased from the city last week.

nraiuco uanger. All members of the council realize the dangerous condition of the bridge, but there is a diversity of opinion regarding the best method of improving it. Clayton Hunt, of Richmond, is in favor of constructing a new bridge, eliminating the incline. He said that he opposed the construction of the present structure when It was built, and he has always feared that some catastrophe might result there. Bridge Cost Included. At the last meeting of the county commissioners County Auditor Bowman was instructed to include in the legal advertisement of the commissioners estimates of expenses for 1916 an appropriation of $150,000 for a new bridge. This has been done by the auditor, 60 under the statute It is now possible for the county council to appropriate any amount of money it may deem fit for the new structure. Had this notice not been given, It would have been necessary to delay the matter until a special meeting ot the council afer the regular meeting on September 7. "For the commissioners to take this action, it is virtually the same as recommending to the county council that a new bridge be constructed." said Auditor Bowman today. "It is not obligatory, however, for the commissioners to make this recommendation until after a more complete investigation has been made." Means Recommendation. Even if it were found necessary to build an entirely new bridge, it would be impossible for the work to begin before next spring, according to the county auditor. Specifications would have to be drawn up and bids asked. This would require at least ninety days and If the contract should be let by November 1 it would not be possible for the contractor to begin work until next spring, because of the impossibility of building a concrete structure in the winter. This would mean that the bridge will be closed to traffic for at least one year. The opinions of members of the county council who could be reached today follow: Lee B. Nusbaum, President of the County Council I understand that the county commissioners will ask for an appropriation in some form at the meeting of the county council on September 7. Before the council has that matter before it officially, I do not think it wise to pass judgment on account of not having all the facts and conditions at hand. Want Expert Advice. If the bridge is unsafe and dangerous, the only thing for the county to do is to remedy" the matter. Whether that can be done 'by repairing the bridge or building a new one would be determined in my mind when the matter is presented to the council, based on the reports of our local engineers and on reputable expert engineering authority, not financially Interested in either bridge architecture or bridge building, if such expert Information can be secured. Clayton Hunt I was in favor of a concrete bridge'when the present iron structure was talked of. It is impractical for a bridge to be built on an incline as the present bridge has been built. Before I shall make a decision Continued On Page Two.

4 DEAD; 50 INJURED IN EXCURSION TRAIN ACCIDENT ON B & 0 COLUMBUS. O., Aug. 12. Four persons were killed and fifty injured, some fatally, when an excursion train on the Baltimore and Ohio Southwestern railroad was telescoped by a freight train at Orient, Ohio. J5 miles south of here at 3 o'clock this morning. The train bore members of the Knights of Pythias anJ their framillea from Bloomingburg, . Fayette county, who bad been on their annual picnic to Cedar Point near Sandusky, and were on their way home. ' The two rear coaches of the excursion train ' were smashed by the freight which ran into it from behind when the passenger train stopped to take water. The coaches were wood en. '