Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 42, Number 39, 28 December 1916 — Page 1

PAIXAB HOME EDITION VOL. XLI I .. NO. 39- r.4nf Jr RICHMOND, IN P.; THRU SPAY EVENING, PEC. 28, 1916. SINGLE COPY. 2 CENTS

RICHMOND

OAKENSH RAINS HARD BLOWS UPON ENEMY LINE

Recent Attack Results Marked Gain in Region Rinnik-Sarat, North Buzeti. in of of OTHER FRONTS QUIET Field Marshal Von Mackeasen Is continuing bis sledge hammer blows upon the Russians in northeastern Wallachia and is rapidly pushing them back to the line of the river In Moldavia. He won a new victory yesterday and captured an additional 3,000 prisoners. The most recent attack appears to Lave scored its greatest success In the region of Rtnnik-Sarat, on the railway 20 miles north of Buzeu. Toward the Danube to the southeast, the Russian linn also were pierced and the AustroGnnn forces Advancing northeasterwardly, In the direction of Important Roumanian grain and store houses at Braila, on tbe Danube. Germans Make Headway Across the Danube from Baila the German-Bulgarian-Turkish forces made headway in their attacks upon the Matchln bridge head, when the last remaining Russian forces in Dobrugja, are hanging on to the northwestern corner of the province. East of the Matchln, fortified heights were taken. Military correspondents report that the Teutonic gains In the Dobrugja side at this point are able to reach Braila which is doubtless under heavy Are of hostile artillery' On the other war fronts the lighting has been of a minor character. The French on the Somme front have been successful in rather extensive operations and report the repulse of a Ger man surprise attack on Hill 304, norm west of Verdun. Berlin. In Its report on the western front of the lighting, announces the loss of eight aeroplanes by the entente DECEASED VETERANS' LEFT RICH HERITAGE PARKER TELLS POST In memory of the fifteen members of Sol Meredith post G. A. R. and the two members of the Women's Relief Corps who have answered the final call of taps during 1916, Joint memorial services were held at the post room in the court house this afternoon. The . most impressive part of the ceremony was when the roll was called for each member of the organizations who bas died during the year. Vacant chairs for them, decorated with flowers and flags, occupied a prominent place near the speaker. Rev. Addison Parker delivered the address. "The average age of those members of the G. A. R. who died this year was 78. The average age of those who survive is about the same. Our days here are necessarily numbered. We belong to an age which is almost past. "The principles for which we fought summarized as they were by Lincoln as 'government of the people, for the people and by the people,' are today getting a new grip on the nations. England is becoming democratized as never before. The new minister of Germany has already heralded the apapproach in his war-tied country of a better representation of the people. Russian absolutism has at last been compelled to heed the voice of its peo pie through the Duma," Rev. Mr. Par ker concluded. PRESS OF GERMANY LAUDS QUICK REPLY BERLIN, Dec. 28. Germany's answer to President Wilson and the promptness with which it was made have caused a good impression gen erally in the press. .Only the anti American newspapers show a. tend ency to dissent and express the view that Interference of any kind by America is intolerable. The latter papers find a certain satisfaction in the proposal that delegates of the bel ligerents meet on neutral territory which is interpreted as clearly exclud ing the participation of neutrals in the conference. Weather Forecast For Indiana by United States Weath r Bureau Fair. Colder tonight .Friday fair. Temperature Today. Noon ..33 Yesterday. Maximum 50 Minimum 28 For Wayne County by W. E. Moore Fair and colder tonight About zero or below. Friday probably fair. General Conditions A cold wave has now overspread the central states with Its center over the north. It reaches as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. Temperatures range from zero to 26 below over the north and west. Temperatures near freezing in southern California. Extensive storm Is moving into the United States from pie Pacific ocean.

PROPOSES CONGRESS ON TRADE PROBLEMS

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28. Representative Hull, of Tennessee, declared in a statement issued today that neutral nations should exert their influence to secure the ' adoption in any peace treaty that may be negotiated be tween ' the belligerent powers, of a provision for an international trade agreement . congress. Mr. Hull announced his intention to introduce a resolution in the house embodying bis Idea. OBLITERATE SCARS OF TERRIBLE FLOOD FOR YEAR'S WORK "Public Improvements in Wayne county this year, outside the various corporations, have largely been con fined to bridge construction work." Deputy Surveyor Horton said today. "Approximately $20,000 has been expended for bridges and all scars of the 1913 flood have been erased. For the first time since 1909 there was no large road work done during the year. AU the road work has been confined to repairs made under the direction of County Road Superintendent Jones and preparations for the large improvement, program of next year. CITIZENS WATCH FOR FURTHER DATA ON RATE COMBINE Richmond citizens who have been connected with the long and generally unsuccessful effort to secure lower fire insurance rates for the city by providing such improvements as would advance the city's classification, an effort which included the expenditure of $200,000 for re-equipping and motorizing the'fire department, are interested in a report charging a combination of interests on the part of fire insurance companies. This report, just submitted to Attor ney General stotsenburg by H. ti. Klayer, special state insurance inspector, charges that companies operating In Indiana have combined to control rates in violation of a permanent injunction issued against these compute. '..-..'. t i- -' Mr. Stotsenburg has decided to take no action on the report, but will turn over all the evidence collected to his successor, ' Ele Stansbtrry, ' who takes office the first of the year. ; Legal action against the fire Insurance companies that might result from the investigation would be taken, if any is taken, by Mr. Stansbury. Letters from fire insurance companies and agents of companies are cited in the report as proof that a combination does exist in Indiana to control fire insurance rates. Same Conditions, He Says. Mr. Klayer declares conditions that exist now are practically identical with those existing prior to 1910 when, in what Is known as the Weir case, the companies were permanently enjoined from entering into a combination to control the premiums payable on fire insurance policies. FEDERAL COUNCIL ON LABOR PROBLEMS MAY BE PROPOSED NEW YORK, Dec. 28. Creation of a federal commission to decide disputes between railroads and their employes, regardless of whether the United States supreme court may hold the Adamson act constitutional, was the suggestion which the chiefs of the four railway i brotherhoods indicated today they might place before the conference committee of railroad managers. The national conference committee of railroad managers and representatives of the four brotherhoods of railroad employes resumed here today their conference relative to the application of the Adamson law in the event that it is held constitutional by the United States supreme courtThrough an agreement between at torney general Gregory and the railroad attorneys the effectiveness of the Adamson law has been suspended pending the outcome of the test suit Therefore on January 1 the employes will continue their work without any immediate benefit from the law which was to have gone Into operation on that day. The railroads, it is understood, will not withdraw the suit or permit any thing to halt the decision of the court It was stated also that the railroad managers would decline to enter into an alliance with the unions in return for their support in the effort to de feat President Wilson's proposed pol icy of compulsory investigation of la bor disputes. The railroads also will decline, it was stated, to co-operate in any plan to have the Adamson law repealed. . A possible outcome of today's conference was the appointment of a joint board to determine the operation of the law if its constitutionality is established. JURY FINDS FOR BEESON After being out a few minutes, the jury in circuit court today returned a verdict in favor of the defendant in the suit of Oliver J. Wentz, near Cambridge City, against Edward Beeson, Dublin. The suit was brought to collect $250 for services as a nurse. Before the same jury, trial of the suit of Margaret A. Wentz, wife of Oliver J. . Wentz, against Mr. Beeson asking $3,000 for "extra care" services was started todaj-

PRESIDENT OBSERVES SIXTIETH BIRTHDAY

i WASHINGTON, Dee. 28. President Wilson was 60 years of age today. He was the recipient of many congratulations and congratulary messages from all parts of the country and abroad. - No special celebration was planned for the day. FIRE CREWS FILE PLEAS FOR HIGHER WAGE SCALE Assistant Chief Carter and Twenty-five Firemen De mand $5 More Pay Each Per Month From Board. BRINGS UP QUANDARY A petition, signed by every member of the fire ' department, including Assistant Chief Frank Carter, twentyfive in number, asking an increase of $5.00 per month in pay. was sub mitted to the board of public works today. It will probably eo to council without any recommendation on the part of the board. At the present time each member of the fire department, with the ex ception of Chief Miller and Assistant Chief Carter, receive $75 per month Chief Miller receives a salary of $120 a month and Assistant Chief Carter $S0 a month. Means Increase $1,500 President Bavis pointed out that if this increase in pay was authorized it would mean an expenditure of an additional $1,500 for the fire depart ment next year, an increase which is not provided for in the 1917 budget ordinance. All the board members and City Attorney Bond expressed the opinion that it would be unwise for the city to meet the firemen s demands because the city's expenses are already abnormal. ", r Members of the board of public works also realize that in the event the increased pay asked for By 'the firemen was authorized the board of police commissioners - would quite probably authorize an increase of $5 per month for each member of the police department, which would impose another unanticipated expense. . A movement for increasing the pay of the firemen was launched at the annual Christmas holiday dinner served by the members of the city hall fire companies. DENY RETIREMENT OF PREMIER TISZA BERLIN, via London, Dec. 28. The administration papers in Budapest deny a report published In the Opposition organs that Count Stephen Tisza, the Hungarian premier, is about to follow Baron Burian and Dr. on Koerber into retirement. The possibility of the withdrawal from public life of Hungary's "strong man" haa however, been in the air clnce before the death of Emperor Francis-Joseph. ARRANGE TO DIKE RETIRING OFFICIALS In keeping with the long established custom, incoming and "stay-over" county officials are planning a large farewell banquet for outgoing officials. Plans are to hold the affair between 11:30 and 1 o'clock Saturday in the lower hall of the court houes. All of ficials, incoming and outgoing, and all their assistants and deputies will be invited. Lewis Bowman, county auditor, will act as toastmaster and practically all the officials will be called upon to say a few words. JUDGE FOX APPROVES MRS. MARTIN'S WILL; CHURCH WILL BENEFIT Judge Fox in circuit court today approved the will of Margaret E. Martin, deceased. The estate of the former Richmond woman is valued at $11,000. Luther F. Symons, Lewisville, was named as executor. Dora Baird Wanee, a sister receives a life interest in $3,000 of the estate and Joseph Baird, a brother, receives a life Interest in a residence property at Lewisville. The remainder of the estate goes to a son, Ersa Martin. After the death of Dora Wanee and Joseph Baird -the parts left to them goes to the Lewisville Meeting of Friends to be held by it as long as it continues to be a separate "meeting. At any time the meeting ceases to exist this share goes to Ersa Martin or his heirs. . : OWNERS MAY ARREST i AUTOMOBILE THIEVES PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 28. A new plan to check thefts of automobiles in this city went into operation today when one hundred motor car owners began service as volunteer automobile police. They are empowered by the public safety department to make arrests for automobile law violations and for the larceny or attempted larceny of automobile

GERMANY WILLING TO SUBMIT PEACE TERMS TO PRESIDENT; INTIMATION GIVEN TO U. S.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 28. Germany, it was made known here today, will not permit the road to peace negotiations to be blocked by a refusal of the entente belligerents to enter a confer ence without prior knowledge of her terms. It has been forecast that the entente powers would base a refusal on such a condition. The central powers are represented as willing to permit a confidential exchange of broad tentative terms with President Wilson should it become necessary to So so to bridge the gap which threatens to prevent a gathering of peace delegates. There were broad intimations today that a statement of this position by Germany AL WHITE STILL HELD AWAITING HIS TRIAL Young Man Repeatedly Refused Hearing by Guard Court Martial Charging Him With Desertion. MOTHER MAKES PLEA Albert H. White, a member of the senior class of the Richmond high school, who has been promised an appointment to the United States Military academy at West Point by Rep. Finly H. Gray, is now confined in the guard house of the army barracks at Columbus, O., on a charge of desertion from an Ohio Bational guard regiment awaiting his court martial. , In the meantime his friends are wading through reams' of official red tape in hope of securing the young man's release, ; asserting that there is no basis for the charge which has been preferred against White. White Complains of Delay. In a despairing letter to Chief of Police Goodwin, written In the guard house at Columbus on Christmas, White says that his court martial has been indefinitely postponed and adds that he is fearful he will not be able to graduate from high school next June and secure his appointment to West Point. He states that it was necessary for him to have his letter smuggled out of the guard house. Prosecutor Reller and Chief Good win have done everything in their power to get White out of his unpleas ant predicament but without success A petition has been filed with the secretary of war asking for White's Continued on Page Eight SAYS GERMAN REPLY EVADES U. S. NOTE PARIS, Dec. 28. The German reply to President Wilson's note is regarded as an evasion by the Lausanne Gazette, which says: "The Berlin government pretends to welcome President Wilson's initiative, but It evades answering the American note as well as the Swiss one. It suggests a conference between the belligerents, a conference held behind closed doors and at the conclusion of which each of the negotiators would be free to boast of extensive concessions made and accuse his adversary of secret reservations and bad faith."

YOUNG PERSIAN SHOCKED BY SOME SIGHTS

IN AMERICAN THEATRES HE TELLS FRIEND

William Y. Sayad, not yet 22 years old and a senior in Davidson college, North Carolina, three and one-half years from the land of philosophers, astronomers and harems, addressed Webb Lodge of , Masons last night His step father, John Sergis, a medical missionary, was a classmate of Dr. A. B. Price and Dr. O. A. Martin In Indiana Dental college. Sayad's home is the spot where the greatest philosopher of his country was born, Urumiah, Persia. Sayad, himself, beat 54 men for the Junior oratory medal and caught the essayist medal of his school on the side. He ' knows five languages, but he is strong for American life. Sayad Learns Football. When Sayad began his American education in September, 1913, he did'nt have a word of English at his command, but be was lonesome so he strolled down to the school athletic field where others in tracks suits for limbering up and members of the foot ball squad 'were taking their preliminary tumbles. - Sayad appeared the next day in a white suit of American underclothing which to his untrained eye was the same as the suits worn by the track men. He failed to. gee that the mad-

either had been communicated to the

United States government or soon would be. i Look to President Wilson Germany, it was said today, is looking to the United States to make every effort to bring about a peace conference and to that end is ready to consider any suggestions from the president As the case stands now, a German government considers it has met an the suggestions in the president's note and a statement to the effect has been made by Count Von Bernstorff, the German ambassador. Germany, it is said authoritatively, never has believed that acting alone, she would be able to bring about a conference and now that the influence of neutrals has been brought to bear for one, the German officials have taken their view a step further and believe they cannot be successful without the assistance of the United States. It was said today that Germany had no intention of asking the entente to make nubile its terms and at the same time would not publicly divulge her own on any consideration. The view exnressed In German circles here is that the Teutonic terms, when laid before the entente delegates will be such as to admit of their acceptance. 250 HOGE APPETITES DEVASTATED TABLES LOADED WITH FOOD Oliver Twist Kot in bad when he asked for a second helping but there was no hesitancy, wnan u came iu i asking for "more," on the part of the two hundred and fifty youngsters who were the guests of the Penny club to day at the annual Penny club Christ mas dinner for boys and girls. It kept the rood women of the club mighty busy for an hour serving sec ond helpings to ravenous young appetites and they delighted In the service - Sixty-five chickens were served to the youngsters and they left only the bones. With the chickens went sweet potatoes, gravy, cranberry . sauce, ice cream and cake. . - Chicken Highly Flattered. The reception accorded the chicken was flattering, especially from the din ers at the table reserved for colored children, but it was trivial in comparison to the outburst of enthusiasm which greeted the advent of the ice cream and cake. "Jiminy cracks! look what's comin', kids" shouted the first lad to discern an approaching waitress with a tray laden with well-filled dishes of ice cream. Then there arose a shout which rattled the rafters. "I wouldn't a eat so much chicken if I'd knowed this was comin'," almost sobbed a tiny and completely gorged miss of seven, but she managed to find room for the ice cream placed be fore her also the generous slab of cake. Pastors Talk to Diner. Children from every section of the city attended the banquet, and for some it probably was the first square meal they had enjoyed for a long time. Needless to say they paid full tribute to the club's hospitality. Real tribute to a cook is an appreciative appetite and here was no other kind of appetite present. The banquet was served at the K. of P. hall. The Rev. Francis Anscombe and the Rev. C. m. woodman spoke to the children. EAT ONLY BROWN BREAD WASHINGTON, Dec. 28. Scarcity of wheat flour in Holland has made probable another period of compulsory brown bread and no white bread as there was for two months last spring. PRIMER EXPLAINS BILL WASHINGTON, Dec. 28. A brief primer to answer inquiries on the Fer ris Homestead bill, which is before President Wilson for approval was pre pared today by the house public lands committee for public distribution. ness of the foot ball squad was organ ized, so he plunged in. He played under protest, but made the Freshman team. "I like the American life," he said today, giving his views on the socio logical conditions of various countries. "1 was shocked when I came here and saw your theatres and your other forms of amusements. In Persia, no one ever sees anything like this, never, just a picture sometimes.' He was looking at a photograph of an actress who was demonstrating healthful exercises for a newspaper syndicate. Will Help Revolution Aside from his medical missionary work, Sayad expects to use his powers of oratory to help the Revolutionists, who a few years ago placed the king in bondage and ran the country for six months. In that time 40 news papers were started, but the monarch came to his own, the editors were stoned, killed, or otherwise perman ently disposed of, and the country is again newspaperless and without free dom of speech. He will be in Richmond for about a week as the guest of Dr. A. B. Prfco. v. . .

MITT I'M BEJUI

BULK OF EXPENSE FOR 1IEIV 0R1DGES: Taxable property outside the city of I Richmond in Wayne county will have to stand approximately fifty-seven and six-seventh percent of the cost of the South G and Main street bridges over the Whitewater river if this year's ! proportion of taxes paid on the one cent South Side bridge sinking fund levy can be taken as a criterion. j.uw wan tonaa wa&y wnen mo pro M J i J i I portion was worked out from the county auditor's books. The total amount paid in the eotmty for the one cent levy was $3,739.34. Of this, Richmond paid $1,593.93. This shows that Richmond will pay about forty-two and one-seventh percent of the expense. -The same proportion may be used to show the share Richmond bears of the expense of running the county government CHARRED BODY TORN BY HOGS FOUND IN LOT HOLLANSBURG, O . Dee. 28. Tie body of an unidentified man about sixty-five years old, which had been charred by flames and partially de voured by hogs, was found yesterday morning by Lew Horn in a woods near bis home, one and one-half miles north of here. It is not known whether the man set fire to himself or his clothing was ignited by a campfire. The aged man's clothing was burned off obliterating means of identification. The body was brought to a Holla nsburg undertaking parlor. . Mr. Horn was going through the woods when he noticed the hogs gnawing and tearing something. On inves tigation, he found the body. One arm had been pulled off by the hogs and the flesh of one leg had been torn to shreds. The stranger's shoes were nbt damaged. They were of a good quality and practically new. A small piece of clothing on his back escaped the fire. This was clean and of good quality. The man was five feet and six inches in height gray naIrei and wore B gray beard. The coroner's investigation revealed that the man had passed through Hoi la nsburg, Christmas morning. He stopped at a grocery to purchase two bottles ( of kerosene. The empty botties were found, near the body. NICHOLSON PREDICTS SUCCESS FOR DRYS; GET 7,000 SIGNERS Success will be reaped by the dry forces of Wayne county and more than 50 per cent of the voters will have signed petitions for a dry state by January 1. This word was issued by the president of the Indiana Anti-Sa loon league and the leader of the county campaign, Timothy Nicholson. All hope for changing the intentions of representative-elect, William H. Bartel, Jr., has been abandoned, Mr. Nicholson said today. He will be presented with the facts and a copy of the petitions, expected to have 7,000 male signers, and then the petitions will be forwarded direct to the legislature. "We don't expect to need him," said Mr. Nicholson. "We would welcome him, but I believe his mind is made up ana he win vote wet." Revelation Comes Too Late. The revelation to the voters of Mr. Bartel s strong wet stand came too late, Mr. Nicholson said. It was after Mr. Bartel was elected, and as a resuit the dry forces believe that the Republican candidate's political standIng is considerably altered today. Mr. Nicholson was very oDtimistic when discussing state chances for legislative action and he expects success with a combination of Democratic and Republican dry votes. REPORT POOR HARVEST WASHINGTON, Dec. 28. Argentina's grain harvest this year will be one of the poorest the country has ever seen, due to injury by drouth and locusts. CARRANZA PARRIES TQ PROLONG PARLEYS WASHINGTON, Dec. 28. General Carranza's answer to the request that he either sign or repudiate the pend ing protocol wnicn will be delivered late today to Secretary Lane by Louis Cabrera, chairman of the Mexican commissioners, is understood to con tain suggestions for modifications which have been carefully worded to avoid ending the negotiations. CHURCH OUTLINES UNION BALTIMORE, Md., Dec. 28. With

plans mapped out for its procedure made today by G. Harold Powell, gentheh joint commission on the unif ica- ni manager of the California. Fruit

tion of the Methodist Episcopal Growers' Exchange. He said the volchurch and the Methodist Episcopal time of shinments would not be r.'

cnurcu souia convenea at tne irst Metnoaist jspiscapoi church here to day. PAGE, EXPLAINS NOTE ROME, via Paris, Dec. 28. United States Ambassador Page had a long interview with Baron Sonnino, " the Italian foreign minister today in re gard to President Wilson's note. Am bassador Page elucidated passages of tne note which have been the subject I oi controversy.

SAY MAYOR WILL BREAK TIE BALLOT ON SALOONS

- i t ... .. . , ttOJTIiniSirariOn UlllCiaiS rTC-4 diet Division in Council! Over MelpolderV Thirdl Ward Petition. ' EXPECT DIG PARADE Comreflmen are antteipettag that af petition will be submitted either at the first or , second council meeting! next month asking the passage of an ordinance declaring all that part of th third ward north of the railroad a resi dential district, thereby dosing tbe two saloons now operating in Riverdale. This movement is being directed by Secretary Mel polder of the Social! Service Bureau and several social, workers. A warts Opportune Time. Secretary Melpolder and his assist' ants have sounded out the council members and Mayor Robbins on tbetn attitude toward this project but Meln polder has declined to state when the question will be formally brought to council's attention. "We win submit the petition at the right time," Melpolder informed one inquiring city"1 officlaL It was generally believed when fber question of declaring the north half of the third ward a residential district, was first broached that it would re ceive scant support in council but well ' informed administration officials said, today that they would not be surprised) if the proposed ordinance received the support of at least six of the twelve councflmen, in which event it would, be up to Mayor Robbins to cast the deelding vote. Of the six councflmen who are not listed as supporters of the proposed ordinance one of them is, believed to be on the "fence," but inclined to support the so-called liberal t faction. . Demonstration to Fellow. 1 It was reported today that the sub-; mission of Secretary Melpolder's: petition in council is to be accompanied by a demonstration on the part of north end people who want the two Rlverdale saloons closed. George Carter, councilman from the third ward and resident of Rlverdale, is said to be leading the fight in council for the closing of the two saloons. FIRES ACROSS RIVER AT MEXICAN BANDS EL PASO, Tex, Dec. 28. Several hundred shots were fired across the Rio Grande into Mexico west of here early today by members of the Ken tucky National-Guard whose officers declared that the fusillade was a reply to shots fired from the Mexican side. So spirited was the American fire that residents of the district thought a machine gun was being used but this was denied by the Kentucky officers There were no known casualties. CITY PLANT SUED FOR $697 DAMAGES BY ASHE INTEREST Two claims against the Richmond Municipal Electric plant were filed with the board of public works today. one by the Liberty Light & Power company, through Robert Ashe, owner, for $697.15; the other by the Wash ington Theatre company for $41. The Ashe claim grows out of an al leged loss of business suffered by the Liberty Light & Power company wbesi it was unable to furnish current tv the town of New Paris, O., and a quarry near that town as a result of the destruction of a transformer sta tion by lightning last August The theatre company alleges destruction of motors by excess voltage. The city plant contends it was not given the opportunity to repair the motors the company at once providing new motors and demanding that the plant assume the expense HEALTH COMMITTEE MEETS The Commercial club public health committee will hold a meeting tomor row afternoon at 4 o'clock at the club rooms to complete its work on the full time health officer bill for presentation to the state legislature next month. ORANGE CROP SUFFERS LOS ANGELES, CaL, Dec. 28. A statement that the orange crop "as a whole bad not suffered" from the low tpmnpmtiiresi nrevailine last nlrht In th southern California citrus belt was duced. WAR REDUCES DUTIES CHICAGO, Dee. 28. Duties collected at the port of Chicago this year were less than for five years as a re-' suit of European war. Rivers McNeill, collector of customs, announced today. He reported: that the 1916 collections amounted - to . $6,052,659 as compared with $6,44L343 in 1915. the vt MAO R$2S value of the goods imported being $: 194430, as against fZijMj8 la