Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 40, Number 302, 1 December 1915 — Page 1

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t: HOME EDITION H02 rniori rrt YI Mfv ir" Palladium and Sun-Telegram RICHMOND, IND., WEDNESDAY ;EVENING, DECEMBER-1, 1915. SINGLE COPY, 2 CENTS Consolidated 107 IU1 UU31AJ Great Britain M 3 American Ships

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FALSE STORIES CAUSE DEMAND FORJIG NAVY Congressman Kitchin in Letter Published Here in the American Friend, Opposes Wilson's Program.

FACTS ARE DOCTORED Declares Nation Is Preparing for Conquest Because of Unwarranted Agitation of Military Fanatics. Tbe American Friend In its Issue to day contains publication of a two thousand word letter to Thomas Newland, president of Guilford college, writ ten by Congressman Claude Kltc-en of North Carolina, newly chosen chair man of the Ways and Means commit tee of the lower House of Congress and Democratic floor-leader, in which the writer denounces the national de fense plan of the administration. He declares he is opposed, unalter ably, to "preparedness" and will do all in his power to defeat those who favor national increase of aimament. The congressman charges that the press and the Navy Year book is "manipulated and doctored" to mis lead the people. Our navy he says Is superior to every nation except Great Britain. Kitchen Gives Reasons. Following is the letter as It appears in the American Friend with the consent of S. Edgar Nicholson, editor: "Dear Mr. Newland: "I have read your letter with inter est. I am grateful to know that you endorse my position on the "preparednest" craze which seems to be dominating the ff.'ghtened thought of the crv-nfy 'I am' unalterably opposed to the .I;! p&rjim- ,i;iKprepar8dneear, which -4t Kevins the President has endorsed and will Incint upon pushing through Congress. I believe if the . people really knew the facts the fabulous increase Continued On Page Three. SERVIANS FLEE ACROSS BORDER INTO GREECE LONDON, Dec. 1. Serbian troops who abandoned Monastir to the victorious Bulgarians are reported in a dispatch from Rome to have sought refuge on Greek territory. This development, the dispatch adds, will bring to a head at once the negotiations between Greece and the entente allies. The Athenian government will be forced to decide immediately whether the Serbians shall be Interned or shall be permitted to reorganize their forces for further operations. Demands by the allies for freedom of movement of the forces resisting the Bulgars have been the chief issue in the representations made at Athens by representatives of France and England. While these demands related specifically to the Anglo-French expeditionary forces, they are understood to have included also any Serbians that might be driven across the Greek frontier. "Roumania will send an ultimatum to Austria as soon as the allies gather 600,000 men in the Balkans," says what purports to be a dispatch from Bucharest, given out by the Central News agency today. ASK ADAIR TO SPEAK In an effort to effect a reconciliation between the Indiana State Automobile association and Hoosier Motor club, two rival associations which have made proposals for an organization in this county, a committee from the local branch of the Indiana State Automobile association went to Indianapolis today to attend the state convention. The committee is composed of Richard Sedgwick, president of the local club, George Dilks and Joseph Mills. C. & O. CONDUCTOR CALLED TO COLORS OF GREAT BRITAIN R. M. Stewart, C. & O. conductor, who has been running through Richmond for a number of years, and who is well known here, has been drafted into the British army, and has left for St. Thomas, Canada, to join his regiment. Mr. Stewart lives in Peru and is married. His wife will await his return in that city. Mr. Stewart had neglected to take out his final naturalization papers at the time he was drafted, although he had made application for citizenship.

Notable Figures of Congress; Old War Horses Back into Fray

(Above, left to right) Representative McKinley of Ohio; Representative Mann of Illinois and Representaaive Kitchen of North Carolina. Representative Cannon of Illinois; Senator Underwood of Alabama;, and Senator Gallinger of New Hampshire. Representative " William B. McKinley, manager of the 1912 Taft campaign and recognized as one of the strongest political strategists in the country,' returns to Congress after being unseated in the 1912 Democratic landslide. POPE HOLDS PEACE PLANS ROME, Dec. 1. Pope Benedict XV has learned the conditions on"" which Franco and Germany are willing to consider peace proposals, according to reports here today. The French terms were made known to the pontiff by Cardinal Amette, archbishop of Paris, nearly a month ago, it is said, while those of Germany were brought to Rome by Cardinal von Hartmann, archbishop of Cologne, who is now here. As a result of the information the pope, according to the Idea Nazionale, hopes to find the basis for an armistice, acceptable to both countries. The Idea Nazionale asserts it has received authoritative information from Vatican circles showing there is no foundation for the denials of reports that Cardinal von Hartmann brought peace proposals direct from the kaiser. PREACHES IN APRON WORN BY BARTENDER Illustrating his lecture by wearing the apron of a bartender, flashing a near diamond as large as a pigeon's egg, and throwing whiskey bottles and glasses in true "Ten Nights in the Barroom' style, Rev. "Billy" Williams, drummer evangelist, held the interest of a large audience, in New Paris, last night with an address on the subject, "The Last Romp With the Tiger." Including the lecture last night, Rev. Williams has talked on the same subject 2,673 times. He will deliver the same address next Sunday afternoon at the Gennett theatre, before the men's meeting. He speaks in Eaton, Ohio, tonight. Yesterday , noon the evangelist addressed the shop meeting at the Reliance Foundry. At noon today he spoke at the American Seeding Machine company factory and tomorrow noon he will speak to the employes of the F. & N. Lawn Mower, company.

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Representative James R. Mann is the minority leader in . the House of Representatives. His attitude toward the administration preparedness program is watched with great interest. Representative Claude Kitchen, senior member and chairman of the Ways and Means Committee and so by custom Democratic leader in the House, has declared his opposition to the proposed defense measures and may close his chieftainship in consequence. Representative Joe Cannon ("Uncle

CLOTURE RULE FIGHT MAY DELAY READING OF PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

WASHINGTON, Dec. 1. The Democratic senators who are wrestling with the problem of preventing debate being used as a weapon for filibustering can secure ' assistance from the Republicans. But to do so they must abolish for all time the caucus system. Senator Borah of Idaho made this plain today. He said he was opposed to gag rules of any kind, but that he would be willing to accept any reasonable plan which would check unlimited debate. When the Democratic cloture committee resumed its sessions today, it was found still to be widely divided. Senator Owens, who is leading the cloture fight, said: "I believe we will be able to agree upon a rule which, when it becomes PLAN STUDENTS' DAY Students' day will be observed with athletics and debates at the high school on Dec. 17. Chapel will be held in the morning of this day and a tryout for a debating team to enter the contest against the Marion high school debating team will be conducted. The Thorntown basketball team playa against the local high school squad on that evening. Thorntown won the championship last year. GIVE MOCK WEDDING. "A Society Wedding" was the title of a playlet given last night by the little folks of the Fairview Methodist church, which was well attended. Robert Speakman and Elizabeth Sharp, 4-ear-old children, were the hit of the evening in a take-off on President Wilson and bis fiancee, Mrs. Gait

Joe".) long Czar of the House of Representatives returns after a period of exile' and his vigorous .personality is bound to assert itself again: Senator Oscar Underwood comes to the senate after leading his party in the House in a way to Justify the prediction that he will be a figure worth watching in the more deliberative body. Senator Jacob H. Gallinger is the minority leader of the upper Chamber and is expected to assist the Democrats in furthering national preparedness for war.

apparent that a filibuster is in progress, the majority will be able to fix a time for taking a vote on the pending measure within a two-day period. Such a restriction would have no effect upon legitimate debate and would prove an effective weapon, against filibustering." Senator Owens said it was entirely possible, that the fight against any cloture plant might delay the presentation of the president's message. He said a fight against the adoption of the rules might last through several days. Meanwhile the senate could not be organized to recefve the president's message and it would be withheld. Such a contingency would be entirely without precedent. Weather Forecast United States Report Fair tonight and Thursday. Colder tonight and in south portion Thursday. Temperature Noon . 36 Yesterday Maximum Minimum. 31 For Richmond Colder tonight and Thursda . Snow followed by fair with southwest winds shifting to brisk westerly tonight. General Conditions Tbe western etorm moving rapidly arrived here early but will soon - pass. Another western storm over the Rocky mountains will cause lower Temperatures within the next 36 hours. - W. E. Moore, Weather Forecaster.

U. S. DEMANDS GREAT BRITAIN GIVE REASONS

State Department Cables Am bassador Page to Investigate Alleged Seizure of Three American Ships. READY TO PROTEST Violation of International Laws Seen in Latest Move to Cripple American Shipping. WASHINGTON, Dec. 1. It was officially announced at the state department today that this government has cabled Ambassador Page at London requesting him to ask the British foreign office if it is true that Great Britain intends to requisition the American ships Genesee, Hocking and Kankakee, which have, been seized by British warships before prize courts had passed on their seizure. Officials Indicated that if the British foreign office gives an affirmative answer, the United States will at once register the most vigorous protest it has lodged with a foreign government since the outbreak of the war. The report that Great Britain has already pressed the Hocking and Genesee into service has reached the state department only in unofficial form. Await Official Report. No action can be taken on these reports it was stated. The inquiry was made through Ambassador Page so as to have ground for immediate action. It was pointed out that Great Britain is violating international law and even its own prize court in commandeering the vessels before formal condemnation proceedings are taken. A rute- tjf the-Britiah prize court Is said to expressly stipulate ' that no vessel or its cargo shall be requisitioned by the government until the seizure is upheld by a prize court. Unofficial reports that have been received here say the British appropriated both the Genesee and its cargo at Saint Lucia. CADBURY TO SPEAK All members of the congregation of South Eighth Street Friends church are invited to an open meeting of the Men's Social Union tonight, when the Rev. Henry A. Cadbury of Earlham college will speak on "The Critical Period in Friends History in the Past Century in America." Carried Big To Pay

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Carrying a $10,000 check signed by Mrs. Henry Ford, of Detroit, to pay for between 8,000 and 10,000 telegrams to women's clubs in all parts of the country asking them to send telegrams to President Wilson, begging him to make an active move for peace, Miss Rebecca Sheeley executed the plan at New York.

COMPANY'S ATTORNEYS

ARGUE THAT $225,166 IS TRUE VALUE OF PLANT

As a purchase price for the electric plant of the Richmond Llgnt. Heat & Power company, City Attorney Bond, in the brief he has filed with the Indiana public utilities commission, estimates the plant's used and useful value to the city of Richmond not to exceed $150,000. The Richmond Light. Heat & Power company, in the brief It has filed with the commission, values its electric plant at $225,166. Commission engineers last June placed a present value of $167,084 on this property. Briefs of both the city and company were made public today. The company's brief has Just been filed with the commission. The city's brief was filed several weeks ago, but City Attorney Bond refused to make it public until the company had submitted its brief, notwithstanding the fact that the company obtained possession of a copy of the city's brtaf shortly after it had been filed, through one of the commissioners. President Bavis of the board of public works said that the city's complaint over the unusual action of the commission in supplying; a copy of the city's brief to the company, before the company's brief bad been filed was well taken as indicated by the arguments advanced by the company, many of which were based on arguments contained in the city's brief, the board president declared. It is anticipated that the commission will make a ruling In the case before January 1. It is believed that the company would have continued its diliatory tactics had it not been for a threat recently made by Commission Chairman Duncan that a ruling would be made within six weeks, even if the company's brief had not been filed in the Interim. In his brief City Attorney Bond devotes much space to protesting against an item of so-called 'going value" being considered in establishing a purchase price. The brief Is extremely able and well supported by authoritative opinions. The company in its brief lays much stress upon the importance of the commission considering a "going value" in establishing the purchase price. It advances the somewhat amusing argument, in support of its demand for provision for a "liberal going value," that the company is entitled to this compensation for loss of profits resulting from the establishment and operation of a municipal electric plant, which, the brief asserts, there was no need of because of the "reasonable rates" offered by the company prior to the construction of the municipal plant.

BRIEF OPPOSES DEAL. L. H. P. Attorneys Hint at Unfair Competition and Attack Watt's Testimony. In the brief filed by the attorneys of the Richmond Light, Heat & Power company, Wilfred Jessup of Richmond, the law firm of Beasley, Douthitt, Crawford and Beasley of Terre Haute, and George H. Oinejrof New York, much emphasis is placed upon the im portance of the commission of incorporating into a purchase price for the electric plant of the company, "a liberal allowance for going value." As a prelude to this demand the brief recites the fact that the company was the first to engage in the electric service business in Richmond. supplying, before the construction of the municipal plant, "all public needs for electricity for light, heat and power at reasonable rates." Then the assertion is made that there was no public necessity for the establishment of a municipal electric plant in competiContinued On Page Two. Check for Message

DENIES VALUATION OF $167,084 City Attorney Contends Value of Electric Plant of L, H, A Power is Less Than $150,000. In his brief City Attorney Bond takes exceptions to the present valuation of the physical property of the electric business of tbe Richmond

Light, Heat ft Power company as established by the engineers of the state public utilities commission, a total of 1167,084, up to June 10, this year. After an analysis of each Item incorporated in the appraisal of this property, Mr. Bond contends that actually the present value of the property is less than $150,000. Attacks Wyer Estimate. The plant values, as testified to by S. S. Wyer, one of the company engineers, are referred to in the city's brief as "outrageous and exhorbltant". and the commission is Informed that Wyer's testimony "ought to so discredit him In tbe minds of an Impartial tribunal as to Justify the exclusion of all his testimony." The city attorney vigorously opposes including "going value" as an item in determining a valuation of the plant. On this subject he says: "Not only did Mr. Wyer try to boost the value of the physical property of this plant by his excessive figures, but still unsatisfied, his Insatiate greed, aided, perhaps, by bis unholy desire to assist his client and. If possible, to bring more dollars to Its coffers. Induced him to add thereto an unreasonable amount under the vague, indefinite and indescribable title usually called 'going value.' which should properly be named 'the haven or corporate greed. Into wbich It satis and where it casts anchor whenever all other methods and items of value are exhauled. No other term In legal Jurisprudence Is less understood or more extensively used by corporate Interests than is 'going value.' Denounces Term. "They seem to feed upon this term with entire satisfaction and use H. whenever and wherever possible, as a panacea for all their ills and as a sort of indefinite and uncertain hocus pocus expression In order to wrench from courts and commissions some especial benefit to which they are not entitled. But nearly all Judicial tribunals are trimming this phrase of aU unreasonable meaning and oppressive force, and Its old meaning as formerly understood, under old economic conditions, which seemed to Justify as high charges by public service Corporations as the community would stand, are rapidly passing away, and under present economic and Industrial conditions a new era is dawning; in fact. It Is here now, and present-day questions affecting tbe public interest and welfare are being considered and decided with equal and exact Justice both to tbe public and to the utility concerned. "We realize, however, that it may require an oozing out or a gradual slipping away from the old methods, and an adoption of the new. but ere long some fearless, thoughtful and clean reasoning commission or court will walk boldly out or the darkened and lop-sided past Into the bright sunshine of an awakened, present-day consciousness, and when this time comes this term "GOING VALUE will be relegated to the scrap heap, where It rightfully belongs to the realm or innocuous desuetude, where it will slumber through all the ages yet to come; and ever after the arrival of this hour, no positive and definite sum will be specifically added to the value of the physical property of a public utility and called GOINO VALUE,' but the full force and effect of this term will be regarded as sufficiently satisfied and given all the consideration to which It Is entitled by valuing the plant as a going concern and one in successful operation. Continued en Page Two.