Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 40, Number 209, 14 August 1915 — Page 1

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DAVIS REFUSES TO TALK TERMS

WITH JEFFERIES Board President and Traction Official Clash" in Discus sion of , Temporary Bridge Over River. CITY STANDS BACK May Refuse to Bear Any Ex pense to Relieve Conges tion Citizens Dissatisfied With Attitude. Although it Is imperative for the city i to relieve the congestion on the Doran bridge, caused by the closing of the Main street bridge, following its con demnation by the county commission ' ers, and it is equally important for the T. H.. I. A E. Traction ' company to ' make temporary arrangements so that there will be no hindrance to Its ser vice, the city government and the traction company are as far apart as the two poles on .an agreement - for the placing of a temporary structure across the river adjacent to the con demned bridge. President Bavis of the board of works, asserted today that G. K. Jet feries, general superintendent of the traction company, had attempted to bluff the administration into construct' lng a temporary bridge across the river for the benefit of the traction company. Bsvla Oescribes Action. "Jefferles came before the mayor and board of public works and impu dently demanded what arrangements had been made for providing a tern porary right-of-way for traction cars across the river. He never suggested what the company would be willing to contribute toward the cost of such a structure." wrathfully exclaimed Presi dent Bavis of the board of public works, today. "He also had the nerve to blame this administration for the condition the bridge 1s now in." I told him he was talking to the wrong body, that he should appear before the coun ty board, as the county board was responsible for giving the company' the franchise right to use a bridge which had not been built for even street cars to use. Then I told him that electroly sis, resulting from fugitive current from the company's trolley wires, was alone responsible for the most vital damage which has been done to the bridge." Interested citizens who were present at the meeting between Mr. Jefferles and the board of works members, do not agree with President Bavis. however, that Mr. Jefferles attempted to bluff the city officials into shouldering the entire expense of building a temporary bridge. Shares Fair Expense. These citizens said today that Mr. Jefferles informed the board members that in bis opinion the traction company would be willing to assume a fair share of the expense of such a structure and they are curious to know why the board has not arranged to Continued On Page Five. LONDON DENIES PEACE RUMOR LONDON. Aug. 14 The Internatlon al News Service is authorized to state that peace rumors circulating here and abroad are entirely unfound ed. This authorization comes from the highest government quarters. From the same source it learned that no reason is known for the cancellation of great wheat orders in the United States. Whatever the cause of the cancellation is, it is not an indica tion that peace is imminent. LINES SALE MEANS EXTENSION TO CITY Unless the judge of the court at De catur. Ind., orders the receiver for the Fort Wayne, Decatur & Southern Traction company to sell the traction line at the price offered by several New York financiers, instead of ac cepting the price offered by two wom en at the sale yesterday, Richmond can not hope for an extension being made to this city. Yesterday when the traction line was up for sale at public auction at the court house in Decature the representatives of Mrs. Dlrkson and Mrs. Oerke, bid $78,000 for the line, which was the highest bid received. The New York financiers the day before told the receiver they would yap $130,000 for the property. This was rejected by the receiver, and It remains for the court to decide whether the purchase price as stated In the bid will stand. If the New York financiers purchase the line at their figure, they intimate that they will extend the line south through Richmond. Engineers have already plans and specifications for the proposed extension.

Plan of

West Main Street

N 1 I Cft 2 Howard Street. IS v . . tr . z - -J nd NaUnal J ...... TTn Avft- : -

The drawing shown above was made by former County Surveyor Howard Horton after he had gone carefully over the ground at the south side of the Main street bridge. The sketch shows a plan according to which a temporary structure could be built at a cost of not more than $5,000 that would be capable of taking care of all the traff ice that is now congesting the Doran bridge.

GOMPTON ONCE SOLD BOOKS IN RICHMOND The rumored engagement of Miss Margaret Wilson, third daughter of the chief executive and Frank Elbert Compton, head of a Chicago publish ing house, brought direct interest to Richmond. Mr. Compton has a number of friends and acquaintances. No official denial of the engagement has been issued. Mr. Compton is now 42 years old, a widower and has two children, a son eight years old and an adopted daugh ter. ,. When he was a student in his twen ties at a Wisconsin university where he studied civic history he made several annual visits to Richmond. On the first visit he was selling the encyclo pedia which' he now publishes. The next year he came to confer with Robert Study and William Dudley Poulke regarding a subject wjiich he was to discuss in a debate. He became a friend, too, of James F. Griffin and Dr. and Mrs. SchiHinger, besides meeting many other residents of this city. All of those who know him, say that he was exception ally pleasant, able and ambitious. John Compton, a brotner or jrranK E: Compton, declared the other day in speaking of the reported engagement, said that it was entirely too premature to discuss. ARMY OF CARRANZA ATTACKS TORREON EL PASO, Tex:, Aug. 14 General Carranza's reply to Gen. Villa's proposal of an armistice for discussion of a compromise by the Mexican factions was an order for an assault on Torreon. Reports received at Juarez to day state that the Carranzistas have already begun their attack on Torreon. Villa is expected to leave for the south at once, though he claims his forces at Torreon are strong enoueh to repel the enemy. Since his arrival, at the border he has sent to Torreon great quantities of ammunition. No details of the fighting at Torreon have been received here yet, but it is understood that the attacking Carranzistas number 18,000 men. Villa's defending army. Is said to contain over 25,000 men. WILSON CANCELS CHICAGO VISIT WASHINGTON, Aug. 14 President Wilson's contemplated trip to Chicago this month to visit the colored race's jubilee exposition has been abandoned, it was announced today at the White House. On this trip the president had planned to make several side excursions. International affairs were regarded too pressing at this time for him to leave the capital. FRENCH HOLD TRENCH PARIS, Aug. 14. Crown Prince Frederick William is continuing his attacks against the French front In the Argonne. This afternoon's French statement report and assault last night on all the fronts of the Marie Theresa section. ' ' ' Like previous attacks this also was repulsed. Another attack on the same front was made early today but this was less violent than the night as. sault. The trench to trench fighting in the Arras region continues. Both sides using grenades and petards.

Temporary

BRIDGE

TEMPORARY

BRIDGE "JITNEY BUS" LINE OF MARX STOPS TONIGHT Discontinuance of the "jitney bus" service, operated under the management of Marion Marx will be made tonight, It was retorted today, at the Bethard garage Where the automobiles which Marx fressed Into jitney service are hoiisetf;! terviewed today to confirm the rumor. That the enterprise was proving un profitable' is the reason assigned. Marx, recently, it Is said, has been compelled to pay out considerable funds for repairs, new tires, and dam ages made by his drivers. Added to this expense- was a fine of $14.90 assessed against Marx in a justice of the peace court in Hagerstown two or three days ago when he pleaded guil ty to the charge brought against him as a result of a collision between his car and an automobile driven by Chester Lock of Hagerstown. Smashes Plate Glass Recently one of his jitneys broke down and was hauled to the Bethard garage by another one of his cars. As they were pulling into the entrance a plate glass window was broken and the proprietor of the garage had to be reimbursed for a large amount of money. Five jitneys have been operated by Marx who was confident that the service would prove very profitable. That the jitneys operated by Marx have not followed schedule time and that the drivers have run east and west on Main in excess of the speed allowed under the law, are some of the charges made against the manager. Today Marx had only two of his five cars in operation and the report says that these will stop running this evening. John Parrish, who operates one jitney bus on Main street, east and west and runs to Reid Hospital, declared emphatically that he would continue the operation of his service. Howell Rich, too, it is understood, will continue to operate his bus indefinitely. FINDS LOST CHECKS. ANDERSON, Aug. 14. After having reported to the police two weeks ago that her purse containing $$1,800 in checks had been stolen, Mrs. Elizabeth Hunt, notified the department that the purse had been found on the top of the piano.

ARMY AND NAVY MEN FEAR CARRANZA IS GETTING READY TO FIGHT U. S.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 14. General Carranza is getting ready to fight the United States. That he will prove a formidable obstacle to a settlement of the Mexican trouble by force of arms was admitted in official circles today. Consequently the persuasion to have him enter the peace conference and abide by its decision is being redoubled. Information reached the administration today from a good source that a number of the insurgent bands who have been fighting his force are surrendering to Carranza. They make only one stipulation in throwing down their arms, that they be employed by the first chief in resisting armed Intervention by the United States or any other alien force. , , .' Bands Well Armed. Officials of the army and navy who have insisted all along that the proposed policy of diplomatic readjustment is doomed to failure, say these bands are weU armed and equipped t ' - 1 .

Bridge

l-SS I - C M bq . : I E. Main St. " 3 H Lh Is St I M 2 I 7 oT3 u Fill : 'J ...

AUSTRIANS RESIST PASSAGE AT LUNA ROME, Aug. 14. The strong offensive begun by the . Austrians on the crests flanking Luna pass in the upper valley of Cordovale has resulted in the transfer of large bodies of Italian troops to strengthen the front in that region. In consequence the zone of bard fighting was shifted to that sector from the vicinity of Gorizia. The Italian positions along the mountains were bombarded with heavy mortars. ' "4 WAR BULLETINS BERLIN, Aug. 14. One of the outposts of the Russian fortress of Novo Georgvesk, the last stronghold of the Russians on the Vistula, has been stormed by the Germans It is officially announced today. The Germans captured 1,800 men and four machine guns. The outposts stood to the north of the fortress. One of the armies of the group under Von Hindenberg has reached the section penetrated by the Slina and Nurzec rivers. The army of Von Mackensen has made further progress reaching the highroad that runs through Adzyn Brarey and Vioday. In the western thea tre further progress is reported from the Argonne. Five of the forts defending the great fortress city of Vovno are re ported in unofficial dispatches to have been either smashed or else badly damaged by the fire of German artillery. The order to spare the German troops and use artillery, in the operations to take Kovno is said to have come directly, from Kaiser Wilhelm. Despite the strong rally of Grand Duke Nicholas' Russian army, the German progress is unchecked. East and southeast of Warsaw the AustroGerman forces are sweeping all before them. DESTROYS MUNITION PLANT IN PALESTINE PARIS, Aug. 14 A French cruiser has shelled and destroyed the principal buildings of the Wagner munition factory, a German concern, at Jaffa, Palestine, it was officially announced by the ministry of marine today. and are seasoned veterans. Under the leadership of Carranza and Obregan they would make any work of pacification by American soldiers a very difficult one and one that would cost thousands of American lives. A report that created a stir in army circles was received' from- General Funston to the effect that the majority of the raiders in Texas were Carranza soldiers and officers. He made it clear, however; that" he believed they were acting without orders. This report was made public after it had been submitted to President Wilson. - The Carranza agency here was quick' to deny the Funston report. They declared that Carranza has offered' to co-operate with the United States in every way In preventing armed bands crossing into Texas or any place else. ' They say he has issued orders that all bandits attempting to flee to safety in Mexico shall, be rounded up and turned back to the United States. Any who resist are to be killed, it is said.

WRECK-IN ENGLAND KILLS 8; HURTS 60

LONDON. Aug. . 14. Eight persons were killed in a double train wreck on the London and Northwestern railroad between Rugby and Blisworth today. More than sixty persons were injured. Six bodies have been recovered and there are others buried in the wreck. : -. ' : . The wreck was caused by the derailment of the Irish mail. While the work of removing the dead and Injured was going on, another train crashed into the wreckage killing three of the rescuers. - The wreckage caught fire but the flames were put out by firemen from Rugby. The hospitals in both towns are filled with injured and private houses are now being utilized. TRACTION LINE AWAITS REPORT FROM ENGINEERS Jef feries Discusses Erection of temporary Structure With County OfficialsExamines Doran Bridge. NO ACTION IS TAKEN Commissioner Anderson Favors Erection of Span to Relieve Congestion at Cost of About $4,000. The construction of a temporary bridge at Main street at the site of the old National road bridge to relieve the present congested traffic over the Doran bridge, which it is feared is not strong enough to stand the strain for the next eighteen months during the repairing or rebuilding of the Main street bridge, seems to be the most feasible plan In the opinion of the county commissioners. Superintendent Jefferles of the Terre Haute. Indi anapolis Eastern Traction company appeared oerore the board this morning and virtually, promised to pay a portion - of the cost of a temporary structure, provided this plan seems the most advisable. J. C: Troyer, expert bridge engineer, employed by the Traction company, Is making an inspection of the Doran bridge. If he reports to the traction company that with a reasonable amount of expenditure, the Doran bridge can be placed in condition for heavy interurban traffic, the company will make application to the city coun cil for permission to run interurban car across the span. Await Expert's Report. This report will be completed by to morrow afternoon, according to Superintendent Jefferies. As soon as the report is made negotiations will be opened with the city. "If our expert engineer reports that the Doran bridge can be made strong enough, the Traction company will stand the expense of reinforcing it, providing the city will grant us the right to use it during the emergency," said Superintendent JefTeries. "If our engineer reports that it is unsafe, the Traction company will join with the county in building a temporary bridge over the Whitewater where the old ontlnued on Page Twelve. CHAUTAUQUA POLICE ASSIGNED TO BEATS Notwithstanding the steady rain which fell this morning, several parties of campers moved their belongings and equipment to the Chautauqua grounds in Glen Miller park, where they housed them in the tents they will occupy for the next ten days. Many persons, however, decided to wait until the weather cleared to some extent before attempting the removal. Practically everything is in readiness for the opening of the Chautauqua. While the rain has softened the ground and wet the grass and trees, the managers of the Chautauqua intend to eliminate, if possible, all discomfort which would otherwise fall to the lot of those who will camp out and those who attend the events. J. F. Davenport has selected the following men to serve as police during the ten days of Chautauqua: Henry Westenberg, chief; J. M. Elliott, Frank Thomas, Thomas Haley, Fred Bartel and J. C. Campbell. Weather Forecast U.' S. Report Unsettled tonight. Sunday probably fair. Temperature Noon ;. . 6S . -Yesterday .' Maximum ................ .... 77 Minimum 61 ' For Richmond Today's rain which arrived on schedule time, according to Thursday's forecast, is general over the . central states.. Although the sun will probably shine some time during the next thirty-six hours, there are no prospects for settled weather for some time, as another storm is forming in the west which will cause more rain the first of the week. 1 ?v ' W. EL Moore. Weather Forecaster.

85,000 WOULD EKT TOP0HAE1Y STRUCTURE TO BELIE! COflGESTW Howard Horton, Former County Engineer, Views Site of Old Covered' Bridge and Pronocacei Abctcitnts and

Approaches in Serviceable Condition.

CITY LOSES MONEY WHILE SPAN IS CLOSED After groin? over the ground adjacent to the Main street bridge this morning with a representative of the Palladium, former county surveyor, Howard Horton, stated that in his opinion a temporary bridge could be erected south of the present structure at a cost to the county of not more than $5,000.00 providing that the contractor would be allowed to dismantle the present bridge and use what material he cared to. Just south of the bridge is the old National road in a fairly good condition. Formerly there was an old wooden bridge that crossed the river at this point and the abutments arp still in

fairly good state of preservation. I PUBLIC OPINION TO SETTLE WAR BELOW BORDER Lansing Believes Note of Pan-Americans Scattered Among Mexican People Will End Strife. PROMISES R E FORMS Wireless ' and " Telegraph Flash Communication Along Coast and Carriers Take It Far Inland. BY JOHN EDWIN NEVIN. I. N. S. Staff Correspondent. WASHINGTON. Aug. 14 Mexican public opinion is the administration's trump card. It is depended on, either to force Carranza to accept the peace conference plan or to be deserted by his chief generals. State department officials admitted today that this is the real reason why the appeal, signed by the United States and Latin-American, and endorsed by the European nations having large financial interests in Mexico, is to be sent to every section of Mexico for publication. And, until the appeal is in the hands of the governors of the various states, and the military leaders, it will not be made public here. The appeal, it is stated here today simply says in conciliatory language that Mexico must become tranquil and promises that a provisional government, decided on at a peace confer ence, and to which pledges of support are made, will receive immediate recognition by the nations of the world, and so be able to finance a plan of generation. The note to the Mexican people was going forth today in every conceivable manner. United States warships off the western coast of the republic were flashing it by wireless to consuls flong that part of the country. To Monterey and other points where telegraph wires are working the message was sent over them. Further south and throughout the interior the message was being sent by courier. Gen. Funston reported to the war department today that it had been established beyond all doubt that' a majority of the marauding bands that have been causing trouble in Texas recently came from Mexico. They were soldiers and officers of Carranza's army, though he believed they were acting without the knowledge of their chief. POISON BOTTLE EXPLAINS DEATH RED KEY, Ind., Aug. 14The mystery surrounding the sudden and simultaneous deaths of J. B. Jones of Hartford City and "Shorty" Hall in the latter's meat shop here was partly cleared up by the finding of a threeounce bottle which had contained carbolic acid. Although the two men frequently indulged in whisky, and a bottle containing liquor was found, none of the liquid had been taken. , A letter found in Jones' pocket indicated that he had contemplated suicide. It was learnedc that Jones, first drank and then handed it to the butcher.' The police believe Hall who leaves a widow and four children, was not aware of the - contents of the bottle which Jones gave him to drink from, but believed it to contain whisky.

Weeds Cover Road.

The road on the west side is now covered with weeds but on going over it. it was found to be in such shape that by the expenditure of not more than $1,000 it would be able to handle all the traffic that might go over It, The abutments that are now standing could be strengthened with piling and capped and the span over the river which is only about 150 feet set on them. The span in the present bridge could be used and if necessary strengthened with a pile bent in the center. If it was found that the I beams were badly rusted there are a sufficient number to place them close enough to give them the necessary strength. Starting from the lowest point under the C. & O. bridge the roadway could be lowered to the grade of the present fill of the old bridge, making a temporary bridge across the C. O. siding -nsed-try the fisht plants. Crossing on the span as suggested the road follows the river bank to National avenue at Southwest Second street. This structure would be strong enough to carry the Interurban and all other traffic. Traction Shares Cost. In the event of such a bridge as suggested being erected to relieve the congestion of the Doran bridge half of the expense would have to be borne by the Interurban. providing of course, if they used the bridge. Either the city or the county whichever would build the temporary bridge would only face an outlay of about 92,500 and if it was found that the city would have to do it, there Is no question but that it would be a good investment. It will be a year or more before a new bridge can be built to replace the old one and in the meantime both the merchants and the Interurban will be losing money, to say nothing of the great inconvenience that the public is being put to. A temporary bridge as suggested by the Palladium in the sketch shown on this page could be erected In about thiry days and it is up to the city and county to get together and relieve the situation. While the Doran bridge Is In fairly good shape and no doubt strong en ough to handle the traffic a terrific strain is being put upon it and its life shortened. There is more or less a congestion of traffic at ,this point, especially when long freight trains are going by and stop to take on or leave off cars. CHICAGO IRISH VOICE HATRED FOR ENGLAND CHICAGO, Aug. 14. "As we said from the beginning 60 we now stand, opposed to the plan of Ireland being offered up as a sacrifice to save the British Empire, and we protest against the action of Irish leaden In striving to rescue their ancient enemy from destruction by offering up to an alien god of war the use and manhood of their country, her only treasure that remains." The above paragraph taken from a resolution that is to be presented today at the fortieth annual demonstration of the United Irish societies here was only one of many indicating that Irishmen of Chicago have lost nothing of their hatred for England. The resolution declares for a strict neutrality by the United States and condemns activities of "recruiting agents and subsidized newspapers of Ireland and America in deceiving their followers as to the attitude of Irish people of America toward the European war. -. . : V: TOADSTOOLS ARE FATAL. VALPARAISO, Aug. 14. Solomon Ramsey, a business man here for forty-five years, is dead. . County Clerk Barnhold and Prosecutor Heard are In a precarious condition, ' the result having mistaken toadstools for mut rooms