Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 41, Number 68, 29 January 1916 — Page 1

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HOME EDITION HOE edition vol. xll, no. 68 sTirRICHMOND, IND., SATURDAY EVENING, JANUARY 29, 1916. SINGLE COPY, 2 CENTS Foolish Security

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Gas rates in Richmond may jump on February 15, if the supplementary petition of the Richmond Light, Heat and Power company, filed with the state public utilities commission today by Attorney Jessup and Nimrod Johnson, superintendent, is granted at a hearing set for February 7. The petition of the Light, Heat and Power company, sets out that after the light utility has been taken over by the city, the company will still have $740,000 outstanding in bonds and notes on the gas plant. The company sets out that the present gas rates will not pay even the interest on these outstanding obligations, much less pay interest on the common stock. In order that it may meet these obligations, it wants the new rates petitioned for on December 23 last .to go into effect on February 15. The company asks for these rates as a temporary measure, promising to refund the difference between the new increased rates and the present rate, if the commission finds that the company is not entitled to the increase or if it lowers the rates. The hearing on these temporary rates will be on February 7.

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PITTSBURG, Jan. 29. President support be given the administration Wilson this afternoon laid bare the program to bring the army and navy United States utter unpreparedness UP to a condition where it could meet for -war before 4,000 men and women an invading force on terms that were who jammed Memorial hall. He pic- at least somewhere near equal, tured the country's unprepared con- Before noon the hour set for opendition as deplorable. He urged that Continued On Page Ten.

Fund Reaches $483

The Jewish Relief fund has reached a total of 1483.75 with the addition of $154.50 received yesterday. Contributions will be received by the committee until Monday night. Following is a list of contributors who gave donations yesterday: A. H. Bartel $20.00 Hutton & Co 5.00 James Carr 20.00 Jones Hardware Co '20.00 Arlington Hotel 5.00 E. Louck 2.00 Theodore Hill 1.00 Miller-Kemper Co 5.00 Walter Reid 5.00 John Lontz 10.00 Miller Bros 10.00 Lou Iliff 5.00 Cash 100 Walter McConaha 5.00 Cash 5.00 John F. Holaday 5.00 A. N. Roberts 50 Sara Baron 100 Goldia Fisher 1.00 Horace Hadley 50 Roy Babylon 100 Mike Quigley 2.00 Lee B. Howes 1.00 STARR INSPECTS NEW SITUATION ON VISIT HERE Harry C. Starr, of Indianapolis, formerly of Richmond, was in this city yesterday in the interest of Harry S. New, candidate for the Republican nomination for United States senator. As a result of his visit, it is understood, all details are now provided for In connection with the certification to the Republican primary election ballot of a list of candidates for delegates to the Republican state convention who will support the New Candidacy. A few days ago it was discovered that while Linus P. Meredith had been rounding up candidates for state convention delegates who could be depended upon to support the senatorial condidacy of James E. Watson, the New organization in Wayne county had put forth no effort, to secure candidates for delegates to the state convention pledged to support New. When this information reached the Continued On Page Ten.

Lee B. Wright 2.50 E. H. Jaeger ; i.oo S. W. Hayes 20.00

BRANDEIS' FRIENDS FEAR SENATE MAY BLOCK APPOINTMENT

WASHINGTON, Jan. 29 Official Washington was recovering today from its surprise over the nomination by President Wilson of Louis D. Brandeis of Boston, to be a justice of the supreme court. Brandeis himself refused positively to discuss his appointment or the report that his confirmation will be fought in the senate. Friends of the president insisted that a canvass of the senate has shown that there are more than enough votes pledged to Brandeis to confirm his nomination. Fear Committee Action. 4-

One serious problem confronting Brandeis' friends was the possibility that the judiciary committee would either decline to report out the nomination, or, if it did report it, would do so unfavorably. Chairman Culberson is ill. Acting Chairman Overman frankly is opposed to confirmation. So also, it is claimed, are a majority of the committee, but exact figures were unobtainable as senators were very reluctant in admitting their opposition to Brandeis. Reasons for Opposition. Opponents of Brandeis insisted that his nomination would be opposed on the following grounds: First, because he is recognized a radical reformer with strongly partisan views on important federal questions. . Second, his appointment will weaken the supreme court because he will be unable to sit in judgment on some of the most important cases to come befoic It on account of having served as counsel for the government in these cases. Third, he has antagonized the railroad interests of the country because

LOYAL COMSTOCK MEM LAUNCH BOOSTER CLUB WITH MANY MEMBERS

The Cofristock Republican club of Wayne county was formally organized last night at a meeting of voters held in the council chamber at the city hall. Despite the fact that weather conditions were extremely bad, there was a large attendance and the enthusiasm that was displayed indicated that the friends of J udg& Comstock throughout Wayne county are active in the work of furthering his candidacy for congress from riie Sixth district.

Robbins Opens Session. Byram C. Robbins acted as temporary chairman, called the meeting to order and briefly outlined the purposes of the proposed organization. The meeting proceeded at once with the election of officers, naming the following: President Alonzo M. Gardner. Vice president 3. R. Richardson. Secretary Howard Brooks. Treasurer A. N. Chamness. The meeting authorized the president to appoint an executive committee of seven members to proceed with the organization in each of the fifteen townships of Wayne county. Rosters Continued &n Page Two. of his activity in seeking reductions in railroad rates. Fourth, he has antagonized the shipContinued Oh Paye Ten. Weather Forecast United States Report Rain tonight. Sunday partly cloudy and somewhat colder. Yesterday. Noon 41 Temperature. Maximum 41 Minimum 34 Local Forecast Rain tonight and Sunday. Turning colder by Monday or Tuesday. , General Conditions The western storm now has a diameter of nearly 2,000 miles and is causing rain and snow over most of the United States. The weather remains very cold in the northwest with temperatures ranging from 20 to 45 degrees below zero. W. E. Moore, Weather Forecaster.

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OPINION IS DIVIDED ON NAMING BRANDEIS: LOCAL MEN COMMENT

That public sentiment was startled by the news of President Wilson's nomination of Louis D. Brandeis of Boston to the Supreme Court was frankly shown in editorial comments of leading newspapers, today. While many papers praised the democratic instincts and fearjessness of Brandeis, others assume a grave doubt that the spontaneous nature of the man can be calmed into the judicial poise for the nation's chief tribunal. Some papers are plainly antagonistic to the appointment and a fight over the nomination in the senate

is presaged. What They Think. Following are comments of representative Richmond men regarding the nomination of Mr. Brandeis: C. B. Beck, postmaster: "I know Mr. Brandeis very well by reputation. I have read his speeches and watched his investigations conducted for the government. Mr. Wilson made a very good selection, 1 believe, though it was a complete surprise. He will make a very competent judge." S. E. Nicholson, editor of the American Friend: "I know so little of Mr. Brandeis that I don't care to express an opinion." George LeBoutillier, Superintendent Richmond division, Pennsylvania railroad: "I believe President Wilson could have made a wiser and more fitContlnued On Page Two. COMMONS DIES AT CENTERVILLE CENTER VILLE, Ind., Jan. 29. Horace Commons, 33, former ice cream merchant and confectioner in Richmond, died at his home, two miles northwest of here at 8 o'clock this morning after two years' illness. His death was primarily due to pneumonia. For the last year or more he had been in broken health: Mr. Commons is the son of exState Senator Walter Commons of Centerville, and besides his parents, is sur vived by his wife, two children and j two Drotners, cnaries Commons of Chicago, and Dr. Ernest Commons of California. Mr. Commons was born in Centerville, and was in business for three years in Richmond, where he is wellknown. For a year he was in Ann Arbor, Mich., in the piano business. For the past year he has been overseeing his farm on which he lived. Funeral arrangements will be announced later.

KAISER RENEWS ATTACKS UPON BELGIAN FRONT

PARIS, Jan. 29. Over a front forty miles long in northern France the Germans are again attacking the allies at numerous points between Arras and the Belgian frontier. Violent bombardments of the French lines north and south of Arras and infantry attacks on the St. Niclo-las-St. Laurent highway indicates that the Germans are making a determined effort to capture the city of Arras. 'Farther to the Jnorth, on'ttfe Neu-ville-St. Vaast-Guinchy line the Germans are fighting to win back territory lost to the French more than a mass of ruins now but it commands important roads which the Germans need for the supply of their arms.

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"The Wayne County Republican committee cordially commends to the voters of Wayne county and the Sixth Congressional district, Judge Daniel W. Comstock, for the office of representative in congress. His experience, learning and wise judgment eminently qualify him for the discharge of the duties of that important office and we pledge to him our active support for the nomination and election."

Resolution Offered. At a meeting of the Wayne county Republican central committee at the court house this afternoon a resolution indorsing the candidacy of Judge D. W. Comstock of Richmond, for the Republican nomination for representative in congress, was offered by A. M. Gardner, who was elected president of the Comstock club at a meeting held last night Prior to the meeting various committee members gave assurances -of their hearty support of the candidacy of Judge Comstock, whom they look upon as the best qualified man In the district as congressional nominee of their party. In pledging their support to the Comstock candidacy the Wayne county central committeemen made it plain that they harbor no malice against P. J. Lynch of New Castle, who is also an Continued On Page Ten.

BY W. R. POUNDSTONE. For the purpose of ascertaining the sentiment of his constituents on the question of national military and naval "preparedness," Representative Finly H. Gray is conducting a referendum vote. Today several hundred citizens of Wayne county received letters from Representative Gray explaining the action he is taking and inclosing a return letter containing a list of eight questions, to be answered "yes" or "no." Questions Misleading

ULTIMATUM TO GERMANY IS DENIED WASHINGTON. Jan. 29. After refusing at first to discuss the report that the United States has demanded that German specifically disavow the sinking of the Lusitania not later than February 5 next, Secretary Lansing re considered his determination and specifically denied the report. He said: "There is absolutely nothing to this story." That was all that the secretary would say about the matter for publication, but he made it plain that he has made no engagement to see Count von Vernstorff in the immediate future and probably will not do so until the latter hears from Berlin. The administration, it was said, still is waiting for Germany's reply to the communication presented to Count von Bernstorff by Secretary Lansing last Wednesday. SAN FRANCISCO. Jan. 29 With a death list of at least fifty persons, scores missing and twenty-five farm houses swept away, the floods in the Otay valley continued their devastating rampage today, according to advices received here from Los Angeles by wireless, the only remaining means of communication between here and southern California. About half of the flood victims in this section were Japanese. They were swept to their deaths when the lower Otay valley dam broke and a wall of water thirty feet high swept over an area fifteen miles long and two miles wide. A total of 11.000,000.000 gallons of water was released when the dam went out, and residents of the valley I had no warning. Rescue parties organrui n

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RESOLUTIONS LONGER Resolutions protesting against Superintendent Giles' proposed plan to lengthen by fifteen minutes tbe hours of study in the grade schools, and urging .that the present arrangement be continued, were adopted by the Federation of Richmond Teachers. These resolutions which embody reasons why the teachers are against the change, were read before the executive committee of the Federation of Women's Clubs recently. No action

Representative Gray plainly tadi-

cates In his letter that be is still opposed, to any sound, scientifically prepared policy of national defense. Several of the questions be asks bis constituents to vote upon are also misleading and so phrased as to prejudice citizens to answer them as Mr. Gray would desire to have them answered. His first question reads: "Do you favor an increase of taxation to enlarge the navy to enter the contest for world power and control of the seas?" This reflects the view Mr. Gray holds of the naval defense program of the general board of the navy, the chairman of which is Admiral Dewey. In fact, Representative Gray, who Is a pronounced "litUe navy" man. even regards President Wilson's compromise five-year naval building program an effort aimed at having the United States "enter a contest for world power and the control of the seas." It is to be anticipated that nine out of ten of Representative Gray's constituents might vote "no" on this quesContinued On Page Five. START WOLF DRIVE. MEDARYVILLE, Jan. 29 Hunters from all parts of Indiana will be invited to participate in a great wolf drive to be held here Feb. 4 in the swamps and timber regions In northern Jasper county. Movie men will take pictures. ized to go into the flood swept section were stopped by washed out bridges and streams that were swollen to such proportions that the Continued On Page Ten. 1 3 DROWNED BY FLOODS IN ARKANSAS ARKANSAS City. Ark.. Jan. 29 Seven persons are dead, 13 dorwned. as a result of a flood here. Thousands of acres of land in the rural districts about here are inundated as the result of the flood. A family of six. Including the father, mother and four children were drowned last night in Watson. A rescue party reached here with fifty men. women and children who were taken from the roofs of houses and tree tops in the vicinity of Watson. At Egbert seven hundred persons are being cared for after they had fled from the flooded section. Conditions in this state along the Arkansas, White and St. Francis rivers were alarming today. - Pine Bluff, the largest city except Little Rock In the Arkansas river valley, was threatened with flood because of the weak ened condition of the levy. HORSES CATCH GRIP. VALPARAISO. Jan. 29. Four hundred horses are ill in this locality. Local veterinary surgeons say the disease very much resembles the grip. PROTEST SCHOOL HOUR was taken by tbe executive board. The resolutions are printed below In fulL January 21. 1918. Resolved, That we. the Federation of Richmond Teachers, urge that no change be made in the length of the present school day for the elementary grades. The reasons follow: First We believe that for the sake of the child's health, he should reContlnued On Page Ten.