Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 41, Number 246, 1 September 1916 — Page 7

THE RICHMOND PALLADIUM AND SUN-lELEGtCAM, ritlDAY, &ri. 1, m6

The Iron Claw

Read this story in tha Palladium and ee It at the Palace. Side "by sjae with a Flemish nun walked a Paris Apache, then came a Montenegrin peasant and a flowingrobed Oriental Swami, then a redsashed pirate and a velvet clad Venetian Doge. Then, following a man on "lifters," who laughingly proclaimed . himself to be Hully Gee, the Chinese Oiant, came an equally tall figure in a gold-braided Arabian burnoose. This figure, for all its height, was strangely stoop-shouldered, moving with a dig nity of step which went well with the voluminous drapery in which It was clad. And Manley watched closely as this stately Arabian chieftain, bowing gravely to Golden, reached out two ungloved hands to greet the two hands which his host extended to him. About these hands he saw at a glance, there could be nothing doubtful. But Manley had little time to give further thought to the scene, for at that moment he became aware of the fact that Da Espares had slipped away to another part of the house and during that night, Manley had determined he would keep an eye on his enigmatical foreign friend. "But instead of following Da Espares, on discovering him stepping quietly into the deserted library, the alert-eyed young secretary promptly retreated to the quarter where the receiver of his dictaphone was concealed. There, on placing this watch-case receiver to his ear, Manley had the satisfaction of catching the faint hum of voices. Much of that guarded talk taking place in the library Manley could not overhear. But he caught enough to arouse his curiosity. "Then the plan has worked?" asked the anxious voice of Da Espares.

"Without a hitch," answered the other voice. "The girders have been cut through and the bomb placed!" "And the clock fuse adjusted?" "Yes." "But what was it set for?" "For the stroke of twelve!" answered the unknown voice. "By that time the crowd will be at the table, eating!" "But how," asked the anxious voice of Da Espares, "could we get Legar inBide?" The sound of a triumphantly quiet laugh came over the little instrument. "Legar is already here!" announced the other. "Hush! Not so loud!" warned Da Espares. And from that point on it was only broken phrases that trickled into the hidden listener's ear. . . . "Came as an Arab chief. . . . Nlcchia the Dago acrobat on his back . . . yes, under cloak . . . could hold out both hands . . . and never even suspected. . . . being watched . . can't afford to lose this time!" Again came the sound of the quietly triumphant laugh. And it waB De Espares voice that sounded clearly the next moment. "But how did he work that bridge

fall?" j . . . "long dive . . . came up under a lumber schooner's stern and hung to j rudder chain . . .down with tide . .

an hour later . . . swam asnore . . . launch to Oyster Joe's!" Manley did not wait for more. Midnight, he knew, was already too perilously close for half measures. By the time he reached the upper floor, in fact, he found Enoch Golden already heading the grand march to the great table running almost the' full length of the huge room opening off the conservatory. The next moment he Baw Da Eepares himself step hurriedly, yet smilingly to the side of Margery Golden and take their places in that gaylycolored line that rippled with laughter and movement as the orchestra once more struck up. Then, remembering, what he had overheard about mysteriously weakened girders and planted bombs, Manley likewise remembered the newly installed vault and the fact that Legar'a final object was the possession of a certain paper which that vault held. And he slipped out through the door, and on through the empty conservatory, frantically wondering Just what his first move to avert that impending catastrophe should be. The figure which intervened in that crisis, however, was a much more picturesque one than the slight figure of a young private secretary in somewhat disheveled evening clothes. For when the merriment about the great crowded table was at its height an unexpected and uninvited guest strode in

through the wwe door ana conrrontea the company there assembled. This figure wore a dust-stained motor coat and cap. But the most conspicuous feature of his attire was the yellow mask which covered his face. Equally conspicuous was the huge blue-barreled revolver which he firmly held in his right hand. This weapon, in fact, glinted menacingly in the strong light as the stranger's left hand was suddenly lifted for silence. "Ladles and gentlemen," he proclaimed in a clear voice, "this intrusion, I fear, may shock you. But you are about to be shocked in a much more serious way. On the stroke of twelve there la to be an accident here, perhaps something much graver than an accident, in which it is my great desire that you should not participate! So I must ask each and every one of you to leave this room, and this house, as quietly yet as quickly as possible! Every one," repeated that authoritative-voiced Intruder as Da Espares and the tall man In the Arabian burnoose rose to their feet, "except these two gentlemen here." Out of the silence that ensued on that declaration arose a small murmur of wonder, a stir of nervousness, and one shrill laugh from a woman holding a wine glass. Then Enoch Golden himself called out an angry expostulation, followed by a sharp word or two of command. But the company had already risen. For the masked stranger, stepping still closer to Da Espares and he figure in the flowing burnoose, had coolly intercepted them as they moved in unison towards a side dear. "Get back, both of you," the clear voice behind the yellow mask had called out, "or before God 111 shoot you down where you stand!" .

That sudden threat of violence was the spring which released the tension. There were mingled shouts of resentment and fear, followed by a quick and unreasoning rush for the door, courtiers and nuns and peasants and Apaches and Geisha girls in contending flurry of finery and frightened faces. For a minute or two the master of the house struggled in vain to stop them. Then his attention was directed towards the Laughing Mask, for the latter, advancing with a quick stride to the man in the burnoose, Jprked aside that flowing garment ad revealed Legar himself, Legar with a sinisterly seared face and an iron claw at the end of his right arm. And the same moment that this movement was taking place, Da Espares himself, with his eyes always on the Laughing Mask stole quick step by step towards the door on his left. He had reached that door before his enemy detected him. The man with the revolver wheeled about and fired as the Spanish knight in silk and lace dived through the opening. Legar, seeing his chance in that division of interest, charged bodily through the damask-laden table, scattering silver and glass and flowers as he went. In another breath he had reached the conservatory, where, a second or two later, his iron-shod arm could be heard flailing through the fragile barrier of glass between him and the outer world. And by the time Enoch Golden reached the spot his

enemy had vanished. Tet in almost the same breath the Laughing Mask had leaped in the opposite direction, in pursuit of the fleeing Da Espares. But that flight, wherever it led or might have led, was interrupted by a sudden detonation that shook the great house to its foundation. There was a roar of falling girders, the splintering of wood, the rum

ble of a great avalanche, as a seventon steel vault, deprived of its supports, crashed down through the flimsy flooring, carrying dust and debris and tumbling pieces of household furniture as it went. Nor did that massive thing of metal stop until it bedded itself in the broken cement flooring of the cellar below. Then above the rattle of falling plaster and echoing showers of scattering bric-a-brac rose the quick cry of human voices calling for. help. To Be Continued. DRINKS BARREL A WEEK.

MUNCIE, Ind., Sept. 1. Romeo Smith testified that although a barrel of beer was being shipped to his house once a week he was not running a blind tiger. He said the beer was for his own consumption.

A

m

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4T. Louis, MOT

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OMER G. WHELAN, Distributor RICHMOND, IND.

"lit

The Sandman Story For Tonight

It was cold, rainy and the water dripped down through the roof on the bare floor, where the mother lay 111 with two sick children in the bed at her side. Olga, the eldest girl, was

busy trying to cook a bit of porridge

on a few chips. After ten minutes'

work she gave the mother a bowl of steaming gruel, swept the floor and, covering up the sick carefully, put her

snawl around her head.

"I am going out to get some rushes and weave a couple of baskets," she said. "For I am sure that I can sell them for a good price at the Easter market. Do not worry; sleep till I

come back, and all will be well."

Olga hurried down to the bank of

the stream, and was about to get an armful of reeds when she spied, far out in the marsh, some beautiful

rushes of an unusual color. They were tall and straight, and of a bright, glossy green. "I will get those," said Olga, aloud. "They are so exquisite that a basket made "of them would sell for a big price. It is muddy and wet, but then how nice to earn the money for mother." " Out into the cold, wet mire she plunged, and floundered about for a long time before she reached the dry spot on which grew a large field of the lovely reeds. Just as she was about to cut down a bunch there sprang out of a hole in the ground a tiny brown dwarf, whose white beard touched his knees. "What right have you to steal my rushes?" he demanded in an angry voice. "Oh! pardon, sir," exclaimed Olga. "I did not know anyone owned them. I was trying to get some pretty ones, in order to make a few Easter baskets to sell to get money for my mother, who Is sick. But I would not have come for these had I known they were yours." When the dwarf heard Olga's sad story he smiled, for he, really was a kind soul. "That's all right, little girl," he said, gently. "I have far more than I need. Some of these rushes are very peculiar, and have a habit of playing tricks on people, but on kind ones it is aldays a pleasant one. Take all you wish; you are welcome." And the good little dwarf helped Olga bind together a large bundle of

the pretty rushes.

It was growing cold by this time,

and the girl started home. The wind blew, and the rain turned into snow. Then the bundle on her back seemed to grow heavier every moment. Stumbling at every step, she crept slowly home, and was glad to fall, almost exhausted, at the door. Warming up the tea and feeding the two sick chil

dren with bread and milk, Olga then lighted the lamp and set about weaving the baskets. She took up the reeds and laid them over on the table, but she found they

on't Endure

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were so heavy she could hardly stand up under the burden. "1 must be getting ill," she said to herself. "And who, will wait on mother then? I must work, and not give up. So she tried to bend the rush, but it would not bend. It was hard and cold and stiff. MOh, mother!" exclaimed Olga,

bursting- Into tears. "The reeds are no good, and all my walk was for nothing I can make no baskets." Just then one of the logs on the hearth broke into a bright flame that lighted up the room in a brilliant glow. "Why, Olga, child; these rushes are of the purest gold," cried the mother,

in surprise. "The good dwarf has rewarded your own goodness.' And they were every one of the big bundle of rushes was a long, shining rod of gold. There 'was enough, to sell for a big sum, and with it Olga made her mother and family comfortable for life. But never did they forget the brown dwarf. Nor did they lose a chance to do like him a good

act. In their new home they helped the sick and poor, and often on summer evenings, when Olga was walking near the - shore of the stream, she would call aloud, and soon across the marsh would coma running the dear, little brown dwarf, who bad brought them such good luck. Tomorrow's story "How Bessie Saved Bobby."

FOR

THE INFORMATION.

OF THE PUBLIC:

The Railroads9 statement of their posttionon the threatened strike, as presented to the President of the United States A strike on all the railroads of the country has been called by the Train Brotherhoods for 7 o'clock Monday morning, September 4. This strike was ordered from Washington while the President of the United States was making every effort to avert the disaster. The Final Railroad Proposal The final proposal made by the railroads for a peaceful settlement of the con? troversy, but which was rejected by the brotherhoods, was as follows:

(a) The railroads will, effective September x, ioi6", keep the time of all men represented in this movement, upon an 8 hour basis and by separate account, monthly, with each man, maintain a record of the difference between the money actually earned by him on the present basis and the amount that would have been earned upon an 8 hour basis overtime on each basis to be computed pro rata. The amounts so shown will be subject to the decision of the Commission, provided for in Paragraph (c) of this memorandum and payable in money, as may be directed by said Commission in its findings and iecision. (b) The Interstate Commerce Commission to Cpervise the keeping of these accounts and report the creased cost of the ft hour basis, after such period of

actual experience as their judgment approves or the President may fix. not, however, less than three months. (c) In view of the far-reaching consequences of the declaration made by the President, accepting the 8 hour day, not only upon the railroads and the classes of labor involved directly in this controversy, but to the public and upon all industry, it seems plain that before the existing conditions are changed, the whole subject in so far as it affects the railroads and their employees, should be investigated and determined by a Commission to be appointed by the President, of such standing as to compel attention and respect to its findings. The judgment of such a Commission would be a helpful basis for adjustments with labor and such legislation as intelligent public opinion, so informed, might demand,

Statement of Executives to the President In submitting this proposal to the President, the fifty railroad executives called to Washington and representing all the great arteries of traffic, made this statement to aim of their convictions:

The demands in this controversy have not been presented, in our judgment, for the purpose of fixing a definite daily period of labor, nor a reduction in the existing hours of labor or change in methods of operation, but for the real purpose of accomplishing an increase in wages of approximately One Hundred Million Dollars per annum, or 35 per cent, for the men in railroad freight train and yard service represented by the labor organizations in this matter. After careful examination of the facts and patient and continuous consultation with the Conference Committee of Managers, and among ourselves, we have reached a clear understanding of the magnitude of the questions, and of the serious consequences to the railroads and to the public, involved in the decision of them. Trustees for the Public As trustees for the public served by our lines and for the great mass of the less powerful employees (not less than 80 per cent, of the whole number) interested in the railroad wage fund as, trustees also for the millions of people that have invested their savings and capital in the bonds and stock of these properties, and who through the saving banks, trust companies and insurance 'companies, are vitally interested to the extent of millions of dollars, in the integrity and solvency of the railroads of the country, we cannot in conscience surrender without a hearing, the principle involved, nor undertake to transfer the enormous cost that will result to the transportation of the commerce of the country. The eight-hour day without punitive overtime involves an annual increase, approximately, in the aggregate of Sixty Millions of Dollars, and an increase of more than 20 per cent, in the pay of the men, already the most highly paid in the transportation service. The ultimate cost to the railroads of an admission in this manner of the principle under contention cannot now be estimated; the effect upon the efficiency of the transportation of the country now already under severe test under the tide of business now moving, and at a time when more, instead of less.

effort is required for the public welfare, would bt harmful beyond calculation. The widespread effect upon the industries of the country as a whole is beyond measure or appraisement at this time, and we agree with the insistent and widespread public concern over the gravity of the situation and the consequences of a surrender by the railroads in this emergency. In like manner we are deeply impressed with the sense of our responsibility to maintain and keep open the arteries of transportation, which carry the life blood of the commerce of the country, and of the consequences that will flow from even temporary interruption of service over the railroads, but the issues presented have been raised above and beyond the social and monetary questions involved, and the responsibility for the consequences that may arise will rest upon those that provoke it. Public Investigation Urged The questions involved are in our respectful judgment, eminently suitable for the calm investigation and decision by the public through the agency of fair arbitration, and cannot be disposed of, to the publie , satisfaction, in any other manner. The decision of a Commission or Board of Arbitration, having the public confidence, will be accepted by the public, and the social and financial rearrangements made necessary thereby will be undertaken by the public, but in no less deliberate nor orderly manner. The railroads of the country cannot under present conditions assume this enormous increase in their expenses. If imposed upon them, it would involvt many in early financial embarrassment and bankruptcy and imperil the power of all to maintaia their credit and the integrity of their securities. The immediate increase in cost, followed by other increases that would be inevitable, would substantially appropriate the present purchasing power of the railroads and disable them from expanding and improving their facilities and equipment, to keep abreast of the demands of the country for efficient transportation service.

In good faith we-have worked continuously and earnestly in a sincere effort to solve the problem in justice to all the parties at interest. These efforts were still in progress when the issuance of the strike order showed them to be unavailing. Problem Threatens Democracy Itself The strike, if it comes, will be forced upon the country by the best paid class of laborers in the world, at a time when the country has the greatest need for transportation efficiency. The problem presented is not that alone of the railroad or business world, but involving democracy itself, and sharply presents the question whether any group of citizens should be allowed to possess the power to imperil the life of the country by conspiring to block the arteries of commerce.

HALE HOLDBN, Chicago, Burlington Quleay Railroad. W. W. ATTERBURY, Pennsylvania Railroad. FAIRFAX HARRISON, Southern Railway.

R. S. LOVETT, Union Paeifio System B P. RIPLEY, Atchison, Torek & Santa P Syitca

A. H. SMITH, New York Centra! Lisas.' FRANK TRUMBULL. Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. DANIEL WILLARD, Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.

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