Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 42, Number 34, 21 December 1916 — Page 1

B pax,: VOL.XLII..N0.34Palladium and Sun-Telrm ConolMtd 110? RICHMOND, IND., THURSDAY EVENING, DEC. 21, 1916. SINGLE COPY. 2 CENTS

MOW

LAJM UM

HOME EDITION

FEmIE

DUNCAN SENDS MOTE AGAINST METER CHARGE That the Richmond City Water Works company had received a letter from Judge Duncan, chairman of tho Indiana Utilities commission, informing that company it had no authority lo make a meter rental charge and instructing the company to discontinue such practice, was the statement made today by City Attorney Bond. City Clerk Bescher a few days ago, when it was learned that the Water Works company was making a meter chareg in the statements now being issued for the quarter ending January 1, inquired of the company why it was violating the instructions of Chairman Duncan and was informed, the clerk states, that no instructions on this matter had been received from the commission chairman. No Formal Order Issued. "I know that the water company did receive personal Instructions from Chairman Duncan," Mr. Bond haid today, "because Judge Duncan sent to me a copy of the letter he addresseo to the Water Works company. It is true, however, that the commission has never Issued a formal order prohibiting the charging of meter rentals and I suppose that is the reason the company is making these charges." The city attorney states that several weeks ago he filed a petition with the commission requesting the issuance of an order against meter rent charges and ways assured at that time that such an order would be immediately forthcoming. Up to the present time the order has not been promulgated. "The recent water rate order had in its closing section a paragraph reading, in effect, that all rules for the Richmond City Water Works company not modified or revoked in the commission's rate order were to remain in effect as hitherto. That section is the basis for the company's action in charging meter rentals, because in tho order no mention is made of mete. charges. The company advanced the contention that its former rule for such charges had not been modified or revoked," Mr. Bond stated. "I have several times called the commission's attention to this matter and each time have been informed that tho commission, in its rate order, had Intended to eliminate meter ch?rges by the substitution of a minimum rate t barge, and Chairman Duncan promised to issue an additional order prohibiting meter charges, but we are Vtill waiting for the issuance of that order." I Weather Forecast ! For Indiana by United States Weather Bureau Fair tonight and Friday without decided temperature change. Temperature Today. N'oon 22 Yesterday. Maximum 32 Minimum 1 For Wayne County by W. E. Mooro Probably fair tonight iuid Friday. Near zero or possibly below tonight. General Conditions The storm which caused yesterday's heavy snows now covers the south and southeastern states. Cold wave continues over Minnesota and North Dakota. Temperature 20 to 30 below zero. Zero In iiorthern Oklahoma. A storm of great diameter crossed the Rocky Mountain j.Iatexu and will probably reach this section Saturday or Sunday with Enow.

WHY NOT HELP THIS TO COME TR UE.

MAYOR WANTS WEST MAIN STREET EXTENDED; WOULD ANNEX EARLHAM HEIGHTS ADDITION

Isaac Dougan, mayor of Spring Grove, the small suburb which adjoins Rfchaionti-oa-tha north, has discussed with Mayor Robbins the question of the annexation of that hamlet by the City of Richmond, Mr. Robbins said today. Mayor Robbins stated that if the residents of Spring Grove desired annexation he would favor such action providing it did not impose a heavy expense upon the city in the form of providing numerous public improvements within the annexed district. Oppose Annexation. Spring Grove has about one hundred residents, the majority of whom have been vigorously opposed for years to a merger with their large neighbor. Spring Grove's one street is improved, the hamlet has water service and street lights. Mayor Robbins expressed the hope today that ultimately the city could annex its largest and most populous suburb, Earlham Heights, which adjoins Richmond on the west. "I am afraid the Earlham Heights people , are opposed , to annexation at this time and probably it would be unwise, on the city's part, to attempt such action because there would be many demands for public improvements in that district," Mayor Robbins remarked. BERTSGH COMPANY PROMISED INCREASE BEFORE MEN QUIT CAMBRIDGE CFTV, Ind., Dec. 21. Officials of the Bertsch company where molders are on a strike today said that the men had been promised an increase in wages before they walked out. Only two men in the plant were being paid $3 for nine and onehalf hours work, the other workmen receiving from $3.30 to $3.60 for nine and one-half hours work, the pay being graded as to their ability. All of them had been promised better pay January 1, 1917. The company refused to meet the demands of some of the men because it believed that other men employed in other departments also were entitled to an increase, which the company planned to put into effect with the beginning of the year. A uniform scale for all the men in the foundry was held to be unfair by the company, which wanted to pay its skilled workmen better wages, and yet be able to Five unskilled and inferior workmen a chance to work at a lower rate. This, some of the molders refused, so officials of the company said. Wages above the scale demanded would have ben paid by the first of the year. None of the men now employed at the plant is housed in the factory. Some of them are living in a house near the factory. Some of the strikers h?ve resorted to indirect intimidation of the men who are at work. ELECTRICIANS ORGANIZED Final organization meeting of the Electricians' union will be held at 7:30 o'clock tonight in Carpenters' hall. After tonight no more names will be placed on the charter and the initiation fee will be increased greatly over tho present $2 rate, itobert Graham is the organizer.

"I would like to see a more direct line of communication between Richmond and EarlhamJEJejgMs. M ; this time. 1 have suggested to several residents of that suburb to prepare a petition for the opening of Main street from its present western terminus, West Eleventh street, the corporation line, west to Easthaven avenue. The extension of Main etreet would not be a costly improvement "A bridge would have to be placed over a creek and land condemned from West Eleventh street to the east bank of the creek. There is now a road between the west bank of the creek to Easthaven avenue. There would only be about 800 yards of new road word. A large part of the land which would have to be condemned is owned by the city. "Residents of Earlham Heights must now enter Richmond by a side door route, along the National road, and the extension of Main street would be a great benefit to them. Also this improvement would greatly stimulate the building up of all that district."

GANG OF LABORERS SHIVERS IN COLD; RETURN TO SOUTH An offer of lower wages than had been promised to them and the bleak northern weather were causes which prompted the ninety southern negroes to refuse employment with the company which is enlarging the local Pennsylvania yards and depart for their sunny homes within twenty-four hours after their arrival in Richmond. With the departure of the- small army of colored laborers the question of securing an adequate number of workmen for the yard extension work looms up larger than ever. The laborers who were brought to Richmond at an early hour yesterday refused to work when told that their wages would be $1.80 per day with a small deduction for board. They declared that the men who had engaged their services had promised them $2.25 a day and board. The contracting firm was further notified that the men were not any too anxious here for $2.25 a day and board because Richmond was entirely too cold. JOFFRE SIGNS SUMMONS PARIS, Dec. 21. The official letter summoning General Nivelle to the command of the armies of the north and northeast was signed by General Joffre as commander in chief of all the French armies. General Castelneu, General Joffre's chief of staff, having reached the age limit, has been retained on the active list by a special decree signed by President Poincare which' is preliminary to his appointment to the command of an army group. ROCKWELL'S BROTHER WEDS FRENCH LADY PARIS, Dec. 21. Paul Rockwell, formerly of the foreign legion and brother to Kiffen Rockwell, the American aviator who was recently killed on the French front, was married yesterday to Jeanne Leygues, daughter cf Georges Leygues, former minister of public instruction.

BOND FLAYS UTILITY BODY FOR NEGLECT IN GAS CASE

Cites Fact That Counsel for Benefited Corporation Are Serving as Attorneys for the State. BERT NEW IS IN DARK Chief Council for Commission Admits Ignorance of Details But Permits Use of Name by Jessup. Angered by efforts of John T. Beasley counsel for the United Gas & Electric company, and Wilfred Jessup, president of and counsel for the Richmond Light, Heat & Power company, a subsidiary of the former corporation, in putting forth every energy to delay a court decision on the city's appeal of the 70 cent gas rate order, promulgated by the state utilities commission last September, City Attorney W. A. Bond gave the state commission a verbal drubbing today. Bond's attack on the commission followed a hearing of the -appeal case in circuit court last night before Special Judge Fred Gause of New Castle, at which hearing Attorneys Beasley and Jessup declared that it would be impossible to prepare answers to 64 interrogatories submitted by the city before next August. . Uses Corporation Lawyers. "Why Is It that the wealthy state of Indiana cannot afford to be represented at the hearing of this appeal case, the outcome of which Is of such vital interest to .the citizens of Richmpnd, Us utility commission contenting itself wiw ine leeai servtees or the two at. the sole beneficiary of the rate schedule which the city rejects as unreasonable?" City Attorney Bond remarked today. "One would imagine that the defendant to the appeal case filed by the city was the Light, Heat & Power company. As a matter of fact the state utilities commission is the defendant and the Light, Heat & Power company is not a party to the suit in any particular. Bert New's Name Used. "Bert New, chief counsel for the state commission, has informed me that he is not familiar with any of the features of this case. He has never attended a hearing but his name is signed to all the pleadings filed by Messrs. Beasley and Jessup. "I also wonder if the average man believes that the State of Indiana, through its utilities commission, is properly conserving his interests by delegating to the attorneys for the benefited corporation the authority to represent the state in the hearing of this case?" City Attorney Bond sharply reminded Attorney Jessup at the hearing last night that the state commission and not Jessup's own corporation was the defendant in the action. Strikes Out Two Clauses Judge Gause had 'indicated that he intended to strike out two paragraphs of the answer to the suit filed for the ; commission in which event a way would be open for the city to introduce additional evidence, not considered when the rates were formulated, for the purpose of sustaining the city's assertion that the new rates were unreasonable. Attorney Jessup remarked that the Light, Heat & Power company would object to the admission of additional evidence and City Attorney Bond then reminded him that he was in court not as the representative of that company but as the attorney for the commission. Mr. Bond vigorously insisted upon a prompt answering of all the city's interrogatories declaring that the court should issue an order fixing a time limit for the commission to answer his questions. Judge Gause advised consulting with the commission on this matter, stating that he would be ready then to issue such an order. "I belisve if the commission was represented in this case by a commission attorney there would be an effort made to bring about a prompt court decision; at least I should think the commission, if it had acted in error in formulating the rates our citizens complain of, would desire to rectify its error as soon as possible," Mr. Bond said today. "However, the commission is only represented by the Light, Heat & Power company's attorneys and they are making every effort to delay a prompt ruling." MAKE CIRCUITOUS ROUTE NEW YORK, Dec. 21. To avoid the high exchange rates on Argentine due to the prohibitive insurance rates on shipments to Buenos Aires by the Atlantic Route bankers here are now transferring gold to San Francisco, whence it is sent by the Pacific to Chile. Erom Valparaiso the gold is shipped by fast express over the Andes mountains to Buenos Aires. The new plan involves a trip of thirty days ten days longer than over the Atlantic route but the saving in the marine risks offsets the interest thus lost.

EXCERPTS FROM ADDRESSED TO SUGGESTING

Salient points from President Wilson's note addressed to neutrals and belligerents suggesting that a peace conference be held follow: "The President suggests that an early occasion be sought to call out from all the nations now at war such an avowal of their respective views as to the terms upon which the war might be concluded and the arrangements which would be deemed satisfactory as a guaranty against its renewal or the kindling of any similar conflict in the future as would make it possible frankly to compare with it. He is indifferent as to the means taken to accomplish this. He would be happy himself to serve, or even to take the initiative in its accomplishment, in any way that might prove acceptable, but he has no desire to determine the method or the instrumentality. One way will be as acceptable to him as another if only the great object he has in mind be attained. "He takes the liberty of calling at tention to the fact that the objects which the statesmen of the belligerents on both sides have in mind in this war are virtually the same, as stated in general terms to their own people and to the world. Each side desires to make the rights and privileges of weak peoples and small states as secure against aggression or denial ; in the future as the rights and privi- j leges of the great and powerful states now at war. Each wishes itself to be made secure in the future, along with all other nations and peoples, against the recurrence of wars like this, and against aggression of selfish interference of any kind. Each would be jealous of the formation of any more rival leagues to preserve an uncertain balance of power amidst multiplying suspicions; but each is ready to consider the formation of a league of nations to insure peace and justice throughout the world. Before that final step can be taken, however, each deems it necessary first to settle the issues of the present war upon terms which will certainly safeguard the independence, the territorial integrity, and the political and commercial freedom of the nations Involved fn t&nesr to be taken to & cure the future peace of the world, the people and government . of the United States are as vitally and as directly interested as the governments now at war. Their interest, moreover, in the means to be adopted to relieve the smaller and weaker peoples of the world of the peril of wrong and violence is as quick and ardent as that of any other people or government. They etand ready, and even eager, to co-operate in the accomplishment of these ends, when the war is over, with every influence and resource at their command. But the war must first be concluded. The terms upon which it is to be concluded they are not at liberty to suggest; but the president does feel that it is his right and duty to point out their intimate interest in its conclusion, lest it should presently be too late to accomplish the greater things which lie beyond its conclusion, lest the situation of neutral nations, now exceedingly hard to endure, be rendered altogether intolerable, and lest, more than all, an injury be done civilization itself which can never be atoned for or repaired. "The president, therefore, feels altogether justified in suggesting an immediate opportunity for a compari son of views as to the terms which ! must precede those ultimate arrange-j ments for the peace of tne worm, which all desire and in which the neu tral nations as well as those at war are ready to play their full responsible part. "It may be that peace is nearer than we know; that the terms which HOLLAND SUGGESTS LEAGUE FOR PEACE AS WAR SOLUTION THE HAGUE, via London, Dec. 21. The peace resolution passed by the Netherlands anti-war council and which has been sent to all the belligerent governments declares that the chief war aim of all the fighting nations being apparently a wish to protect themselves and the rest of the world against future wars an understanding is not wholly impossible. It calls attention to the fact that the leading statesmen of Britain, France and Germany have repeatedly avowed a willingness to join an international peace league and that thus a safeguard is obtainable that right instead of might may govern international relations in the future and Europe be delivered from militarism. "Wre beseech the belligerent governments and people," the resolution says, "to make at least an endeavor to discover whether an agreement is possible now with a view to the establishment of a just and durable peace and a free Europe." The meeting of the council at which the resolution was passed was attended by many members of parliament, university professors and representatives of peace organizations. COURT REMAINS ACTIVE Wayne circuit court will not adjourn for the holiday week. ' Christmas day is the only time that court will be closed.

WILSON'S NOTE WORLD POWERS PEACE CONFERENCE

tho belligerents on the one side and on the other would deem it necessary to insist upon are not so irreconcilable as some have feared; that an interchange of views would clear the way at least for conference and make the permanent concord of the nations a hope of the immediate future, a concert of nations immediately practicable. "The president Is not proposing peace; he is not even offering mediation. He is merely proposing that soundings be taken in order that we may learn, the neutral nations with the belligerent, how near the haven of peace may be for which all mankind longs with an intense and increasing longing. He believes that the spirit in which he speaks and the objecta which he seeks will be understood by all concerned, and he confidently hopes for a response which will bring a new light into the affairs of the world." PRESIDENT'S NOTE DDES NOT PROPOSE MEDIATION COURSE Wilson does not propose peace or offer mediation; note merely takes "soundings" to learn depth of peace sentiment in all countries. w Document Insists that step was taken Irrespective of proposals from Germany and that mediation Is not attempted. Foreign diplomats and official Washington astounded on news of action in view of recently declared intention of keeping hands off. Latest reports from White House indicate that Wilson has no Intimation of reception to be accorded note in belligerent capitals. Germany Embassy pleased by President's action; Count VonBernstorff declares that move means peace conference will take place. British Embassy taken by surprise; Spring-Rice declares that nothing has transpired through diplomatic channels looking toward recession from entente attitude that any peace offer from United States would be regarded as next to deliberately unfriendly. Note sent to all governments of the world. Note to entente group will be delivered to Great Britain, France, Russia, Italy, Japan, Belgium, Montenegro, Portugal, Roumania and Servia. Note to central powers will be delivered to Germany, AustriaHungary, Turkey and Bulgaria. All neutral governments will receive the note for their own information. LEARNER MAY HEAD CHURCH FEDERATION; NICHOLSON RESIGNS Because of ill health, S. Edgar Nicholson has resigned his position aa President of the Richmond Federation of Churches. Mr. Nicholson was elected head of the newly organized association early last fall and his term does not expire j for eight months yet. To accept the resignation and to appoint a successor, the executive board of the federation will hold a special; called meeting in the Y. M. C. A. tonight. The three vice-presidents of the organization are Rev. J. J. Rae, Horace Kramer and Dr. A. L. Bramkamp. The constitution does not provide that the vice presidents shall be automatically elevated into the presidency. Because of the illness of Mr. Nicholson and his many other duties, Ellis M. Learner, secretary of the Y. M. C. A., has had general charge of plans for the church survey during the past two months and he is spoken of favorably as a successor for the retiring president. TAGGART RETAINS POST Clem Carr, sheriff-elect, said today that he has not decided whom he will appoint as his deputy. Carr takes office January 1. It is understood that John Taggart, deputy under Sheriff Steen, will continue to servo in that capacity under Sheriff Carr for an Indefinite period. LITTLE OILING DONE Street Commissioner George Knollenberg reported to the board of public works today that during the past spring, summer and fall a total of only 411 blocks were oiled in Richmond. Oiling was done by the city at a cheaper rate than ever done by a private contractor.

PEACE MEET IS ASSURED SINCE I). S. TOOK HAND

Von Bernstorf f at Loss to Explain President's Note See Hope for Conference Soon. NATION IS SURPRISED Even Official Circles Had no Intimation of Wilson's Plea for Discussion of Terms by Belligerents. WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 Distinct surprise was apparent among diplo matic officials in Washington today over President Wilson's plea to European belligerents to discuss peace terms. Publication today of the note, finished. Monday and dispatched Tuesday to American diplomatic representatives abroad, gave most officials the first notice that such a step was even contemplated at this time. Opinion here inclined toward the view that the action would give strong encouragement to some sort of exchanges which might result in discussion of definite peace terms between the belligerents. It was believed further that Blnce the president seeks only a clarification of peace views and does not offer mediation, the United States will not be placed in an embarrassing position if the European nations should be unable finally to develop a basis on which to approach each other. Officials of the British embassy declared they were wholly unable to explain the action. Count Von Bernetorff. the German ambassador said: - "Now I am perfectly convinced that there will be a conference." He may confer with Secretary Lansing today. The danger of the United States itself being drawn into the war, by reason of its increasingly critical position as a neutral, was one of the moving considerations in President Wilson's dispatch of notes to all the belligerents urging them to discuss terms of peace. Secretary Lansing today authorized the statement that the material right of the United States had not been the paramount consideration. America's rights, he said, were being' more and more envolved by the belligerents and' as the United States was "drawing nearer the verge of war," it was entitled to know exactly what each belligerent seeks. "In order that we may regulate our conduct in the future." Lansing Issues Statement" Secretary Lansing's statement follows: "The reasons for the sending of the note were as follows : "It Is not our material interest we had In mind when the note was sent, but more and more our own rights are becoming envolved by the belligerents on both sides, 60 that the situation is becoming increasingly critical. "I mean by that, that we are drawing near the verge of war ourselves and therefore we are entitled to know exactly what each belligerent Beeks In order that we may regulate our conduct in the future. No Nation Sounded Out "No nation has been sounded. No consideration of the German overtures or of the speech of Lloyd George was taken into account in the formulation of the document The only thing the overtures did was to delay it a few days. It was not decided to send it until Monday. Of course, the difficulties that face the president were that it might be construed as a movement toward peace and in aid of the German overtures. He specifically denies that that was the fact In the document itself. j "The sending of this note will lndi- j Continued on Page Twelve EXTREME WEAKNESS SHOWN BY MARKET; STEEL IS OFFERED NEW YORK. Dec. 21. Extreme weakness bordering upon demoralization, marked the opening dealings oa the stock exchange today. The socalled war 6hares broke from. 2 to 11 points, these being extended in the ' course of the first ten minutes. ' The most sensational feature was ' the offering of 60,000 shares of United States steel at 104 to 105 against yesterday's closing price of 108. Never before in the history , of the, Exchange has a single block of such i volume been recorded. .- ' The market continued to break dur- j ing the noon hour, steel declining to 102 witi 2 to 5 point losses in other; stocks which were exempt from the , early onslaught, including some of iho' rails. The weakest industrial waaj ' Gulf State Steel which made aa nJ treme loss of 20 points. - - : j