BY P. GRAY MEEK.
EE ———————————————SS
INK SLINGS.
. This week last year was rainy and
cold. :
—Anyway, the new street committee
of council can’t be accused of not being
on the job.
—If Mexico has a few more Torreons
there will be no Mexicans left to fight
over who shall govern them.
—Anyway our English cousins might
expect something warm in an Ulster they
seem willing to go to war about.
. —We know that March came in like a
lion and the balance of the proverb held
good because it went out like a lamb.
—Spring hasn’t been doing so badly,
thus far. The farmers will be plowing
next week if weather conditions are all
right.
—The fellows who are howling loudest
for intervention in Mexico would be the
first to personally help intervene, we
don’t think.
—Candidate McCoRMICK has come and
gone and he was silent as the Sphinx
about his actions when BRYAN was run-
hing for President.
—Dr. DixoN will never elongate the
American quick lunch until he takes
tome of the dexterity out of the great
American lunch book.
. —The President is still in the saddle
dt Washington and we opine that those
who would unhorse him will find that he
knows his mount and knows how to
sit it.
—Really it was a big wonder that one
of those nosey commerce commissioners
didn’t step in and tell the Pennsy that it
didn’t have a right to issue retrenchment
orders.
—Different exigencies require different
treatment. Now the President didn’t
employ the “watchful waiting” remedy
to oust the ship subsidy usurper in the
canal tolls bill.
—The extremes to which people will
go in bidding at public sales was illustrat
ed at a sale in Centre county a few days
ago, when the thoughtless buyers ran
lard up to twenty cents a pound when it
can be purchased in any store in the
county at fourteen.
—April 1st found the street cleaners
still carting ice and snow off Bellefonte
thoroughfares. That's something for
your youngsters to remember against the
time when you are old folks and will be
talking of “the long hard winter fwe had
away back in 1914.”
—Mr. DupLEy FIELD MALONE, col-
lector of the customs at the port of New.
York, like most of ‘the pets, gets fresh
occasionally. His last excursion into the
realms of unsophisticated arrogance
has promptly and, verv properly, been
called down from Washington.
—Up to this writing no Republican has
had the temerity to announce for Con-
gress in this District. It will be all the
better if a victim is not secured because
the Twenty-first must send a Democrat
to Congress next fall and it would be
pleasanter to do it without the slaughter
of some innocent.
—Torreon has been taken by the
Mexican rebels. Of the 9000 federal
soldiers defending the city it is reported
that only 1000 escaped death or wounds.
The same fatality has been reported on
the other side so that the sanguinary
nature of the five day’s battle is some-
thing terrible to contemplate.
—Ohio’s new mother’s pension law is
not to stand for moving picture shows.
In other words, mothers who attend the
movies will not be granted pensions. |
The theory is that if they have the movie
habit they neglect their children. But
why couldn’t Ohio look at it from the
other angle and impose the condition
that the mothers take the children along,
as the movie seems to be becoming an
essential part of the American life.
—OQur ambitious friend Mr. VANCE C.
MCCORMICK is greatly interested in hav-
ing the public know how vigorously he
has been fighting the “bi-partisan Ma-
chine”—whatever that is—the past three
or four years. If he would only turn on
a little light on the expensive and bitter’
fight he made against Mr. BRYAN each
time he was the Democratic nominee for
President, the public would have a much
better idea of the fighting qualities of the
would-be Democratic candidate for Gov-
ernor.
—All good Democrats are with Presi-
dent WILSON in his fight to maintain the
honor of the country. If our treaties
with foreign counties are being violated
by the exemption clause in the Panama
canal bill then the only thing we can do,
with credit to ourselves, is to repeal the
exemption clause. It is unfortunate that
some able Democrats in Congress have
taken issue with the President on the
question, but the preponderance of opin-
jon in all parties is to theeffect that his
is the high and honorable ground. No
matter what the Baltimore convention
may have promised in its platform phras-
ing certainly that great body of Demo-
crats could not have deliberately planned
the stultification of the national honor.
We are inclined to think the plank was
adopted there without considering that it
might have been in conflict with the obli-:
McCormick Has Not Explained.
—
Mr. VANCE C. McCorMICK has made
a good many campaign speeches in sup-
port of his ambition to be Governor of
Pennsylvana but he has not, thus far,
given a substantial reason for voting and
working against WEBSTER GRIM, the
Democratic nominee for that office in
1910. We are informed by residents of
Harrisburg that Mr. MCCORMICK was
very earnestly opposed to the nomination
of Mr. BERRY at that time. One of the
reason he gave for his activity against
that gentleman was that Mr. BERRY,
while State Treasurer, allowed his bonds-
man to hold a large amount of State
funds without paying interest. “I don’t
added, “but this incident shows that he
is mentally unfit for such an office.”
The Harrisburg Trust Company was
Mr. BERRY’S bondsman while he was
State Treasurer. An officer of that ccm-
pany was Treasurer of the Capitol Build-
ing Commission. As treasurer of the
Building Commission he drew from the
State Treasury a large sum of money
which had been appropriated by the
Legislature for building purposes and
deposited it in his own bank. The law
requires custodians of State funds to pay
interest at the rate of two per cent. on
funds. The custodian of this building
fund, who was Mr. BERRY’S bondsman,
didn’t pay any interest while Mr. BERRY
remained in office. Mr. BERRY’S succes
sor instituted proceedings and collected
two per cent., which amounted to a con-
siderable sum.
After the defeat of Mr. BERRY for
the nomination and the nomination
of Mr. GrRiM, VANCE MCCORMICK sup-
ported BERRY for election. He had
revealed no change in mentality or
temperamentality during the interval.
Pending the primary campaign Mr. Mc-
CorMICK had referred disparagingly to
He said that he had borrowed consider-
able sums from his bondsman who held
State funds without paying interest, and
he had borrowed from Colonel GUFFEY
and others. After the nomination BERRY
showed no" signs of a change in business
habits. Yet Mr. McCoRMICK ‘supported
him against GRIM whose life, as JOHN
HARMAN said ‘in his notification speech,
“was as clean as a hound’s tooth.”
Men who aspire to party favor ought
to pay respect to party obligations. If the
party should nominate an unfit man there
would be excuse for bolting. No man
has ever had the temerity to even cast
the shadow of a doubt upon WEBSTER
GRIM’s qualifications. Neither Mr. Mc-
CORMICK nor apy other man has ever
heard his integrity or his capacity ques-
tioned. Mr. McCORMICK has said some-
thing about the manner of his nomina-
tion. But he certainly had a majority of
the convention and the convention
was regular and orderly. If he had
been forced upon the party, as MCCOR-
MICK is being now, there might have
been reason for protest. But nothing
like that happened and Democrats who
opposed him then have no right to ask
for party favors now.
Increased Enrollment in Pennsylvania.
The increase of Democratic voting
strength in Pennsylvania, said to be
shown by the new enrollment, cught to
be most gratifying. If that statement is
correct it must indicate ‘a revival of civic
spirit among the electors. In 1912,
‘though our’candidate: for President was:
most popular, the Democratic vote was
‘lamentably small. There were two rea-
sons for this. - The Democratic manage-
.ment was stupid, selfish and insincere.
From GUTHRIE to 'BLAKESLIE the only
thought was to promote personal ambi-
tion. The election of our candidate for
President was inevitable, however Penn-
.sylvania voted, and ‘the State organi-
zation spent its time and energies de-
vising schemes to distribute ‘the spoils of
office among those who composed it.
Such leadership is neither inspiring nor
encouraging and conditions which ought
‘to have brought a full vote to the polis
yielded only disappointment. The vote
was the smallest in a Presidential year in
a quarter of a century. The scramble
for office which followed the election
converted the disappointment of 1912 to
disgust in 1913 and the enrollment re-
vealed a falling off even from the vote of
the year before. The hungry hucksters
had no personal interest in the contest of
1913 and devoted all their efforts to wid-
ening the party breach and promoting
factional quarrels. The office brokerage
business absorbed all the time of Mr.
PALMER and Mr. MCCORMICK, GUTHRIE
having been eliminated by -his appoint-
ment to an Ambassadorship. ~~
This year, however, it is different.
Many of the would-be leaders have a
personal interest in the contest this year.
‘They are running for office and want
gations of the HAY-PAUNCEFOTE treaty.
help at the polis. They have exhausted
oa
J
say that Mr. BERRY was dishonest,” he
Mr. BERRY’S habit ‘of borrowing money.
‘upon a false pretense.
claimed that it was in the interest of the |
-worse. Under the circumstances it was a
‘the border may be secure. But he can
ing” is available and he is adhering to
that with a pertinacity that indicates
‘both patience and benevolence. After
every expedient to get voters enrolled)
and imagine that the increased enroll-
ment means an increased vote for them. |
But in this they may be sadly mistaken.
In great proportion it is the result of
Democratic determination to rebuke
their selfish arrogance. The increased
enrollment means that the Democratic
citizens of the State mean to take the
leadership out of hands which have not
only betrayed the party but have violated
every principle of honor and honesty.
Ship Subsidy Strangled.
The vote of the House of Representa-
tives on the Sims’ bill, repealing that
clause of the Panama canal legislation
which exempted American coasting ships
from tolls,guarantees the ultimate passage
of the measure. The only surprise in
the matter was in that the opposition was
able to muster so large a force. Demo-
cratic members of the body who had
been fighting gag rule for years had some
excuse for voting against the rule limiting
debate and prohibiting amendments. Con-
sistency is a jewel in the estimation of
some men even in this age of emotional-
ism. But there was no reason why a
Democrat should vote against the main
proposition, notwithstanding the declara-
tion of the Baltimore platform.
The effect of the exemption upon
British commerce had nothing to do with
the subject. The obligation imposed
upon us by the HAY-PAUNCEFOTE treaty
was a matter of secondary importance.
The principal reason why the exemption
clause should never have been enacted
is that it worked the subversion of an
honored Democratic tradition and policy
against ship subsidies. It achieved by |.
indirection a result for which the late
Mark HANNA was paid by the Ship trust
in 1896 but was prevented from con-
summating by Democratic vigilance ever
since. It was the fulfillment of one of
the most corrupt bargains ever made in
the interest of politics in this country.
The passage of the repeal bill is a tardy
remedy for an evil.
Moreover the exemption was predicated
Its supporters
American people. There could’ be noth-
ing further from the “fact. - The exemp-
tion would have benefitted the Ship trust
and nobody else. The people of the
United States paid the cost of construct-
ing the waterway. They will be taxed to
meet deficiencies in its operation and
there are certain to be deficiencies. The
exemption would have cut out the most
prolific source of revenue and benefitted
the most exacting monopoly in the coun-
try. The endorsement - of it was a
“snake” in the Baltimore Democratic
platform and the repudiation of itis a
token of intelligence and patriotism.
The Situation in Mexico.
There is no longer any uncertainty
and confusion concerning Torreon. Last
week fighting in or about the town contin-
ued several days, and at the end of the
period both sides claimed victory. The
Federals who had possession declared that
they were still in control and that the Con-
stitutionalists were held some miles away.
The dispatches from VILLA’S army alleg-
ed that much of the fighting was in the
streets of the city and that his opponents
had been driven from one point toan-
other and were exhausted. Out of this
confusion has come the real story of the
VILLA victory there with its awful cost
in human life. ;
As has already been indicated in these
columns HUERTA is impossible. Recent
developments indicate that VILLA is no
better and may be, possibly, a shade
matter of indifference to the American
people which side won at Torreon. If both
forces could be extinguished it would be
different. The reputable people of Mex-
ico might then proceed to organize and
establish a government that meant some-
thing to civilization. For there are repu-
table people in Mexico. There are men
and women there who mean well and if
opportunity presented itself would fulfill
the mission of good government as ration-
al citizens understand the subject both
in America and Europe.
Necessarily the public is kept in the
dark respecting some of the affairs in
Mexico. President WILSON is striving to
restore order and establish authority to
the end that property on both sides of
make little progress while a usurper of
criminal impulses is in control of one
force and a bandit of homicidal tenden-
cies is the principal figure on the other
side. Only the policy of “watchful wait-
the smoke of the battle of Torreon blows
away there may "be an opportunity to
read the horizon with some measure of
STATE RIGHTS AND FEDERAL UNION.
BELLEFONTE, PA.
APRIL 3, 1914.
Real Cause of the Quarrel
The present more or less acrimonious
disputes among Democrats in this State
are ascribable to a misinterpretation of
public opinion upon the part of A.
MitcHELL PALMER, VANCE C. MCCORMICK
and those who follow their factional
leadership. For some years before the
so-called reorganization movement set in,
there were rumblings of dissatisfaction
among certain ambitious politicians who
were not accepted by the old party lead-
ers at their own estimates. These per-
sons usually bolted the party tickets and
then blamed the party leaders for the de-
crease of party strength, measured by
‘the defection they were able to organize.
These tactics ultimately resulted in the
revolt which followed the disaster of
1910, when they bolted to the Keystone
party.
Easily the greatest menace to party
prosperity are the twin evils, hypocrisy
and demagogy. The bolters were abun-
dantly supplied with both. They bolted
the nomination of BRYAN because, as
they alleged, that party leader and candi-
date was obsessed with Socialistic and
Populistic heresies. Yet the moment
they assumed leadership they adopted
‘the heresies and howled BRYANisms from
the housetops. They decried political
methods as immoral which they now
shamelessly practice in aggravated form
and denounce those who held up Mr.
BrYAN’s hands as political recreants.
Professing righteousness they imagine
the people can be deceived intc the belief
that that which they formerly denounced
is now the sign-manual of party fidelity
-and political purity.
Possibly there was some reason in a
demand for a re-organization of the
Democratic party following the tragedy
of 1910. The old leaders were growing
old in years as well as in service and it is
expedient to bring new blood into party
management at intervals. It was in
obedience to this conviction that Mr.
BERRY was catapulted into party leader-
ship and financed in his ambitions for a
time. It was on this account that Mr.
PALMER was aided in his ambitions by
‘Ye old leaders. It was because of this
that Mr. CREASY was nursed on the pay
roll for many years. But after practically
kicking themselves out of the party these
gentlemen sneaked into the tent under
the ropes and immediately invoked the
most atrocious methods to crowd their
sponsors out.
The old leaders of the Democratic
party in Pennsylvania were singularly un-
selfish. When the party succeeded they
treely and cheerfully distributed the
favors and divided the awards among
the party workers. In contrast with this
custom the new leaders, the self-righteous
directors of the organization, grabbed all
the important offices for themselves and
handed the others to sycophantic and
servile followers. This selfishness dis-
gusted thousands of Democrats, not of
the hungry and office-seeking breed, but
the sturdy, self-respecting believers in
the faith. Mr. GUTHRIE, a party recreant,
got first choice. Mr. PALMER, Mr.
BLAKESLIE and finally Mr. MCCORMICK
got what they coveted and the Demo-
cratic people got disappointment and dis-
gust which is now expressed in revolt.
—The Buffalo of the United States and
Canada are slowly, but surely, being ex-
terminated. There are but three thousand
of them left. Tabulation of the recent
enrollments in this country go to show
that the Bull Moose will also be extinct
in another year or so.
——So long as the official records show
that imports are decreasing it will be
hard for the tariff mongers to convince
the public that the UNDERWOOD tariff law
has made this country the dumping
ground for the pauper made products of
Europe.
~——The Society, recently organized,
the mission of which is to discourage
the wearing of new and attractive cos-
tumes on Easter, will be popular only
among those who are shy in funds, or
clothes.
——The disintegration of the Bull
Moose party in this State, as shown by
the party enrollment, isn’t bothering the
party. In the wilds and wildernesses of
South America it hasn’t heard the reports
as yet.
— If the “watchful waiting” policy
shall result in the extermination of # both
sides in the Mexican imbroglio it is cer-
tain to become popular with the people
of all civilized countries.
——The quick lunch may be a national
menace, as Dr. DIXON, Commissioner
of Health, states, but so long as it re-
mains a public convenience, it will en-
dure. : :
——So long as the British army enjoys.
the right to do as it likes Great Britain
will never be a formidable foe.
ATI
Set-Back to Clark’s Ambition.
From the Harrisburg Star-Independent.
The mistake that Speaker Clark and
his following made in attacking the
patriotism of President Wilson was force-
fully demonstrated Friday, when the
House voted, 207 to 176 and 200 to 172,
on motions preliminary to the passage of
the Panama tolls repealer, which is sow
practically certain to pass the House
next Tuesday or Wednesday. It is
significant that there was a defection of
only 57 votes from the Democratic
strength of 286, and that eight Republi
cans voted with the majority. “3
While on the face of things the issue
is the question of whether the adminis-
tration is to be sustained in its contention
that the provision exempting the Amieri-
can ships from tolls inthe Panama canal
should not be permitted to stand, the real
issue is between the President and that
faction of the Democratic party which un-
der the leadership of Speaker Clark bolted
from the administration making the tolls
fight an excuse for such action. In the
discussion Friday all the speeches had to
do with the question of whether Presi
dent Wilson was acting patriotically when
he took the stand that he did with re-
gard to the tolls exemption clai and
the result of the vote shows the confidence
that a majority of the House have in
him. It is especially significant, perhaps,
that Speaker Clark’s colleagues from
Missouri voted with the followers of the
President. een ;
The decisive endorsement that the ad-
ministration received should be sufficient
to convince Speaker Clark of the hope-
lessness of his attempt to wrest the party
leadership from President Wilson, and to
convince him that unless he ceases in his
apparent effort to embarrass the admin-
istration it will mean his own political
suicide and, what is of far greater con-
cern to the nation, greatly diminished
chances of the Democratic. party’s win-
ning in the next Presidential: campaign
which would result from handicapping
the party in its thus far successful efforts
to carry out the platform promises the
fulfillment of which the people of the
nation demand.
The Trade Commission Bill.
_From the Springfield Republican
. The revised interstate trade commission
bill, reported unanimously by a subcom-
mittee of Democrats and Republicans, at
least fulfills the promise made early in
the session that the proposed b- legis-
lation would be the product. of common
counsel. Criticism for weeks; has
directed against the administration bi
and it appears that the critigei3=’
been valued at its real worth ‘actual-
ly made use of in revising the measures.
The latest draft of the trade commis-
sion bill provides for. an administrative
body with larger powers than the present
bureau of corporations, which at first
made it so objectionable to private busi-
ness interests fearful of e secrets
becoming known to competitors. With
its large powers of investigation and of
recommendation, the commission would
be able to perform much useful service
to business men desirous of knowing
where they stood with reference to the
Sherman law. As an agency for provid-
ing the courts with information during
the prosecution of antitrust suits, the
commission could perform another useful
function. Its range of activity is limited,
wisely perhaps, to corporations having a
capitalization of $5,000,000 or more.
If no other trust legislation is passed at
this session, this bill would mark pro-
gress. Such a commission is approved
already by all parties, according to their
national platforms and other declarations
of policy, and it is sure to be established
at no distant day. All trust legislation
is still experimental. The Sherman law
itself, in its present form, is experimental.
The sure thing is that the interstate
trade commission will be needed in the
future under any system of regulation,
whether “regulated competition” or regu-
lated monopoly. ia -
The Lessen of the Parcel Post.
From the Johnstown Democrat. :
Trust defenders who have so much to
say about the benefit of monopoly should
be asked to take a look at the express
business. Less than two years ago the
sender of a package of more than four
pounds paid a heavy rate, had his ques-
tions frequently answered in a surly man-
ner and had to show signs of contemplat-
ing a lawsuit before a just claim against
the express company would usually re-
ceive serious consideration. Today’ ex-
press rates furnish the one exception to
‘almost universal advancing prices:. In
the matter of express transportation
there has been an unmistakable decrease
in the cost of living. Express companies
are even resorting’ to advertisements to
inform the public of that fact. It is well
known what has done it—the parcel post,
the establishment of competition where
a monopolistic combination had il-
ed before. It was not necessary to send
express magnates to jail or to bring ex-
pensive anti-trust suits against them to
accomplish that result. ‘The parcel post
once established, express companies
simply had to do something to attract
shippers to them.
While competition of the parcel post
with the express companies has given
the public better service than would ever
have been obtained from the old monop-
olies, competition of these companies
with the parcel post will also tend to in-
sure better service from the government
than we would be likely to get without
competition.
——Those who hoped that differences
‘of opinion among Democrats in Congress
concerning the Panama canal toll ques-
tion would create a fissure in the party
ranks are likely to be disappointed
President WILSON isn’t built that way,
The wish was father to the thought.
SPAWLS FROM THE KEYSTONE.
—The steward of the Saxton branch of the °
Mystic Order of the Sphinx has been placed un-
der arrest on the charge of selling liquor without
* | license.
— A liberal-minded citizen of Williamspcrt has
offered a reward of $5 for the killing of each and
every dog caught running deer in Lycoming
county.
—According to the Newton Hamilton Herald,
General John P. Taylor, of Reedsville, is in fine
health and not likely toneed his $1,000 mausole-
um soon. :
—Mrs. Anna Gross Schriver, of Trout Run, has
been lodged in jail at Williamsport to answer the
charge of attempting to poison her husband.
The accusation was made by the man.
—The Rev. Samuel Cranston Benson, pastor of
the Patton Presbyterian church; has challenged
Matthew B. Nairn, anti-local option aspirant for
Legislative honors from Cambria county, to a
joint iri which the merits or demerits of lo-
cal option are to be discussed.
—L. A. Fischel, of DuBois, is the owner of a
volume of recipes for the cure of all manner of
ills, said to have been written by Martin Luther,
the great reformer. It contains 133 pages and is
written with ink that has faded some, although
the owner is able to read much of it.
—The Harbison-Walker Refractories company,
Mt. Union's largest brick plant, has received an
order for twenty-four million bricks, which, with
other orders, will mean two years’ employment
at good wages for seven hundred men. This or-
der aggregates in value about five hundred thous-
and dollars:
—Peter, the 19-year-old son of James P. Bra t,
of Brothersvalley township, Somerset county,
was in the act of felling a tree when it sudden-
ly toppled and fell in an unexpected direction.
“One of the limbs struck the young man on the
head and another fractured his left leg. He died
in a short time.
—Ralph, the 10-year-old son of Edward Welsh,
of Orviston, Centre county, fell into the swollen
Bald Eagle creek the other day and would have
drowned had it not been for the presence of mind
and courage of Charles Bowes, who plunged into
the rushing waters and succeeded in dragging
the lad to firm ground.
, - —Charles H. Wurster, an invalid residing with
a daughter in Newberry, Lycoming county, while
temporarily alone, set fire to a newspaper he was
reading, the fire having been kindled either by a
spark from his pipe or by a lighted match, and
was badly but not fatally burned before he could
‘be rescued from his perilous position.
- —Relatives of Keith Dalrymple, of Port Alle
gheny, are searching for. him throughout the
‘country to inform him that $265,000 is awaiting
him on his return home to Port Allegheny. Dal-
rymple, who is 23 years old, disappeared from
"his home seven years ago. Since that time no
"trace of him ever has been found. The fortune
was left him by his father.
—James Dunn, superintendent of the Loyal-
hanna Brewing company, of Latrobe, was sen-
'tenced a few days ago by Judge Telford, of In-
diana county, to pay a fine of $1,500 and serve
three months in the Allegheny county work-
‘house. George Coshey, agent for the same firm,
‘was sentenced to pay a fine of $1,000 and serve a
similar term. They will appeal the case.
~ —Charles William Stoner, of Fermanagh town-
ship, Juniata county, who has already served two
‘terms in the penitentiary, one for forgery and
one for horse stealing, ison the road to a third
term. He isnow in jail for forging a check and
securing the money on it at the First National
bank of Mifflintown. The man admits his guilt
and says he needed the money to keep his family
from starving.
~The will of the late Alfred D. Hermance pro-
vides after the death of his wife and the
payment of a few bequests, the income’ from the
residue of his estate shall be applied to the edu-
cation at Cornell University of boys who have
graduated from the Williamsport high school and
who could not go to college unless aided. The
sum of $500 a year is to be given each student.
It is believed the fund will educate forty pupils
annually.
—A masked bandit on Sunday stole $45 from
the till of a grocery store in the northern section
of Philadelphia, after holding the proprietor and
his wife at bay with a revolver. An hour later,
20 blocks away, a pedestrian was shot in the leg
when he hesitated to comply with a demand to
hold uphis hands. The police believe that the
same man was responsible for both hold-ups.
He is described as being about 24 years old, 5
feet, 6 inches tall and weighing about 160 pounds.
—George Homer Johnston, a Senior at State
College, has been detailed to take charge of the
spring surgery in Capitol park, Harrisburg.
This arrangement has been made with the col-
lege by Superintendent S. B. Rames, of the De-
partment of Public Grounds and Buildings, and
the State receiving the services of Mr. Johnston
free. Only expenses are paid, the college fur-
nishing expert advice free to the State in return
for the State support.
—The Windber Moose have decided by an al-
most unanimous vote to abolish their sideboard,
this action being taken at a meeting last week in
which nearly the entire membership was repre-
sented. The members of the order have also de-
cided to organize a ladies’ circle and a Junior de-
partment. The members of the Beneficial Union
and other organizations of Windber have also
taken up the question of sideboards and they are
expected to take action at meetings in the near
future. >
—In a wager of $10 George Konterline perform-
ed a brand new beer feat at Beaver Falls Satur-
day midnight in a clubroom. Just as the hour of
12 began to strike from the big clock in the tow-
er of a bank building nearby, Konterline downed
a glass of beer in a couple of gulps. He followed
this with another glass at each stroke of the
clock until he had emptied twelve glasses. Then
‘he swallowed his watch, holding the chain in his
teeth. The amazed spectators were invited to
place ears against Konterline's breast and hear
the watch tick. When Konterline held the end of
the chain between his fingers and jiggled it the
submerged timepiece could be heard splashing in
the beer. 3 :
—Howard Straw, aged a little over 11 years,
who made his home with his grandfather, Uriah
Straw, at Blue Ball, and Carl Stonebraker, aged
12 years, son of William Stonebraker, of the same
‘place, went out to the woods near town on Mon-
day evening about five o’clock to gather tea-ber-
ry leaves. By mistake they ate some laurel, and
about one hour later young Straw was a corpse,
dying in agony. His companion was not taken
ill until in the night, when he worked in violent
convulsions. He has very materially improved
and hopes of his recovery are entertained. The
death of the Straw boy, who was so generally
liked, has cast a gloom over the community. His
funeral occurred on Wednesday.
—The Fire Marshal's department, at Harris.
burg has received information that P. W. Coggin,
who represents himself as an assistant State fire
marshal and secures advertising for a fire alarm
card, operated in Steelton on March 20 and took
away $52 from people of the town. The depart-
ment admits that the man’s methods are in the
interest of safety, but objects to him using the
pame of the department to get advertising and to
his posing as an assistant fire marshal. He car-
ries a regular card from the department, but he
must have obtained it surreptitiously, asit was
not issued by any authorized official. About 3,-
000 notices warning people to beware of him have
been sent all over the State, and his business has
evidently been nipped in the bud, as he has not
been heard of lately. . |