INK SLINGS.
——Anyway the Republican ma-
chine is well oiled up for the cam-
paign. :
—1It took them a long time to do it
in New York, but they made a good
job of it.
—If all W. J’s friends vote for
“brother Charley” Davis and Bryan
start off with a very potential asset
of votes.
—Of one thing we are reasonably
certain: John W. Davis will get more
Republican votes than La Follette will
get from the Democratic ranks.
—With oil going down in price and
wheat going up the prospect is pleas-
anter for the farmer, at least so far
as operating his tractor in the fields
and his Lim. on the highways 1s con-
cerned.
—1If the western country where the
most destructive forest fires ever
known are raging, only had a little of
our rains it would save millions of
feet of lumber out there and thous-
ands of tons of hay here.
—1In all the attributes that to our
mind are necessary in the man who is
to be made President of our great
country John W. Davis is so far more
splendidly endowed than Calvin Cool-
idge that it seems to us comparison
would be ridiculous.
—If the right people with the right
spirit are in it there will be just as
much happiness rattling about in a
Ford as there could possibly be in a
Rolls-Royce and there will be just as
much happiness in the bungalow that
the one is parked in front of as there
can be in the palace to which the oth-
er turns.
—The United States aviators are
on the last leg of their around the
world flight. Let us hope that it won't
be a broken leg. After success in the
frigid storms of the Alaskan coast
and the hot blasts of Indian sands it
would be too bad if an accident were
to befall on the easy part of the rec-
.ord making journey.
—At last we have heard from our
private bootlegger. The stork has
forced him back into the bottle game.
“Now he is toting a real bottle, not the
fanciful kind we have pictured his
having delivered to us on the eve of a
fishing expedition. And, ere long, he
will come to understand that there are
others than tanks who can find mean-
ing of praise as well as supplication
in that old song: “How dry I am.”
—Mr. George A. Stuart, of the State
Department of Agriculture, has just
issued some advice to farmers of the
‘State, that looks good on paper, but
not so in practice. He says they could
-get from three to six dollars more a
ton for their hay if they were to har-
-west it at the proper-stage of maturi-
‘ty and give more attention to curing
it in the field. If all sections of Penn-
:sylvania have experienced the kind of
.season Centre county has farmers had
to mow their hay between showers
.and get it into the barn when they
could, irrespective of what it will be
worth on the market later.
—Just now the International Asso-
ciation of Chiefs of Police, in session
in Montreal, are concerned most about
‘the pistol menace. Some want the
manufacture and sale of small arms
prohibited. Others want the laws
against totin’ guns enforced. Some
time ago, in briefly discussing this
question, the “Watchman” expressed
the opinion that if officers of the law
were to occasionally stop and search
all pedestrians for concealed firearms
and knives there would be an end of
the menace that threatens every one
on the streets today. The quick tem-
pered man or the temperamental wom-
an carrying a gun needs only a word,
sometimes, to convert them into mur-
derers when they have the weapon
handy.
—What has become of the laugh
that our friends, the Republicans,
‘were giving us while our convention
was fighting in the sweltering heat of
Madison Square Garden to find a par-
ty standard bearer? Sober, second
thought has revealed the true mean-
ing of that remarkable gathering to
every mind. It was a triumph of De-
mocracy. A victory of the people.
Unbossed, unguided, those delegates
sat there until they determined for
themselves who gave most hope for
their country’s redemption from the
slough of corruption and business
‘stagnation into which it has fallen.
It was a question of your delegate
representing you and not being told
by some over-political lord what to
do. It was the exemplification of De-
mocracy.
—Arthur Pound’s book, “The Iron
Man in Industry,” asks the question,
hypothetically: Do we want more
goods or more leisure? It’s a simple
little inquiry, yet trenchant with
meaning for those who have serious
thought of economics. The tendency
of today is to work less and play more.
‘This means only one thing: Less pro-
duction and greater consumption, for
the less we work the less we produce
and the more we consume. It isn’t
that the man who works eight hours
‘today produces so much less than he
did a decade ago. It is the dispropor-
tion in which he spends of that in se-
curing the play desired. Amusement
parks, movies, automobiles, tea rooms
and what-not are within the reach of
every one today and few there are
who can resist the lure to spend out
of all proportion to what they have
produced. Truly does Mr. Pound say:
“Theoretically, the capacity of the
human race to consume goods is in-
finite; but actually it is at all times
‘in competition with the universal hu-
man demand for leisure.”
“VOL. 69.
Our Candidate for President.
Upon receipt of the information
that he had been nominated for Pres-
ident by the Democratic party in Na-
tional convention John W. Davis said:
“There can be no compromise with
reaction. Liberal principles must and
will prevail. This is the mandate of
the hour and I shall obey it.” Out of
the tardy and tiresome deliberations
of the convention and the distressing
monotony of roll calls there has come
the hope, if not the certainty, of the
fulfillment of the pledge given by the
candidate. It was an extraordinary
convention. Not only in the time giv-
en to deliberation but in the number
of ballots taken previous records were
broken. But the result justifies the
effort.
John W. Davis has ability, exper-
ience, character and courage to meet
the obligations of the office of Presi-
dent of the United States. He has
served in the Legislature of his na-
tive State, in the Congress, as Solicit-
or General of the United States and
as Ambassador to Great Britain. In
each of these important stations he
acquired distinction and won popular
approbation. He is a lawyer of high
standing, a citizen of the best type, a
gentleman of unsullied reputation.
He “has been weighed in the balance
and not found wanting.” Upon his
departure from London at the expira-
tion of his tenure as Ambassador, the
London Times said, “his head is right,
his heart is right and in a world over-
full of folly and uncharity he stands
out as a consistent, witty, charming
pleader for sanity and good will
among men. It is of such stuff Pres-
idents should be made.”
Mr. Davis was nominated on the
103rd ballot and his first expression
upon the result was that quoted.
That indicates the manner and the
measure of the man. His mind was
fixed on the interests of the people of
the country. He had no thought of
selfish victory or personal triumph.
His nomination opened the way by
and in which he may contribute to the
promotion of those principles upon
which the future prosperity of the
people and the perpetuity of our gov-
ernment must depend. He is a su-
perb candidate; the wisest choice of
an admirable group and in his nomi-
nation the convention fulfilled its ob-
ligations to the party and the people
of the country. It couldn’t have done
better.
——The world girdlers are doing
fine but the most difficult work is still
before them. The span across the At-
lantic holds the greatest menace for
the daring flyers.
Question of a New Constitution.
The decision of the Supreme court
forbidding a popular vote on the sol-
diers’ bonus amendment to the consti-
tution, increases the need of a new or-
ganic law. Our obliging Attorney
General expresses the opinion that
other pending amendments may be
voted upon and approved, notwith-
standing the declaration of the court,
but it may be assumed that he knows
more about the rules of out door
sports than those of law. If the bo-
nus amendment is outlawed because
less than five years have elapsed since
another amendment was considered it
would seem that all amendments
should be held to the same conditions.
In that case the amendment providing
for a bond issue to purchase forest
lands must fall.
The constitution of 1873 was the
work of a group of distinguished law-
yers and laymen and has served its
purpose well during the half century
that has elapsed since. But it has
been amended so frequently and
patched so amazingly that parts of it
have become confusing. Because of
this several attempts have been made
within the last few years to call a con-
vention which have been defeated for
one reason or another. The last at-
tempt was properly defeated for the
reason that it contained an absurd
provision vesting in the then Gover-
nor of the State power to appoint one-
third of the members of the proposed
body. No sane community would be-
stow such authority on any man.
Now conditions are propitious for
drafting a fundamental law in touch
with the developments of recent years.
The public mind is in proper frame
for such a purpose. There is neither
the spirit of radicalism nor inclination
toward reaction among the voters and
the women voters, for reasons satis-
factory to themselves, are urging it.
The social and industrial life of the
Commonwealth are favorable to some
changes in the instrument and in view
of the court decision there is no oth-
er way to accomplish that result. It
is not desirable to load it down with
provisions which may better be dis-
posed of by the Legislature... But no
harm and much good might come from
a new constitution.
As — A ———————
——William Jennings Bryan is
probably entirely willing to serve as
a target so long as Republicans waste
‘ammunition firing at him.
, appropriate periods, reaffirms the fun-
! wagon at the start.
STATE RIGHTS AND FEDERAL UNION.
Our Candidate for Vice President.
If the delegates in the Democratic
National convention were physically
weary as the result of fourteen days
of balloting for a candidate for Pres-
ident, their subsequent deliberations
revealed no mental fatigue. In the
selection of a candidate for Vice Pres-
ident the best possible result was ac-
complished. Naturally the eyes of
the convention turned toward the dis-
tinguished Senator for Montana who
had so ably presided over the body
during the long drawn out balloting.
But he having dedicated his time and
service to an uncompleted work of ex-
posing the venality of the present ad-
ministration he was obliged to decline
the honor, and it was necessary to
seek elsewhere for a candidate.
There was a wide field and abund-
ant material from which to choose.
The office is one of much distinction
and vast possibilities in these times of
stress, and while there are plenty of
fit men the allurement appeals to
those not quite so well qualified. It
was up to the convention to pick the
right man and it cannot be denied
that it fulfilled its obligation. Charles
W. Bryan, Governor of Nebraska,
farmer, business man and statesman,
was selected on the first ballot and
acclaimed by unanimous vote, as the
favorite of the convention. He meas-
uures up to the Jeffersonian standard.
He is honest and capable and geo-
graphically properly located. What
more could be required or desired?
Charles W. Bryan is the brother of
William Jennings Bryan, but that re-
lationship brought him no favor,
though naturally it did him no harm.
He was nominated on his own merits
and they are ample to command the
favor. For years he was the publish-
er of The Commoner, of which his dis-
tinguished brother was editor. Sub-
sequently he was elected presiding
commissioner of the city of Lincoln,
Nebraska, and two years ago was
made Governor of the State by 50,-
000 majority. In his city and State
administrations he achieved such re-
forms and improvements for the peo-
ple as to secure a renomination for
Governor, which he will now relin-
quish to accept the higher honor be-
stowed uponi him at New York. -
——Banker Morgan is not the only
litigant who employs the best lawyer
attainable. “Mother” Jones and Eu-
gene Debbs also employed John W.
Davis to take care of them in law
suits.
BR ——
The Democratic Platform.
The only fault that can be alleged
against the Democratic platform
adopted by the New York convention
is that it is too long. If every voter
would read it the time thus expended
and the mental energy required would
be well spent. But the average voter
doesn’t read long statements, and
long platforms deprive many of the
valuable information that might have
been obtained if fewer subjects had
been treated or less prolixity had been
employed. Nevertheless we hope
every voter in Centre county will read
the platform in full. It expresses the
principles of the Democratic party
and the aims and purposes of the
coming Democratic administration in
fine if not exactly concise form.
The platform fitly pays tribute to
the memory of Woodrow Wilson in
damental principle of “equal rights to
all and special principles to none,”
and challenges a comparison of Dem-
ocratic and Republican administra-
tion as shown in the Wilson and Hard-
ing-Coolidge administrations. It de-
nounces corruption and pledges integ-
rity in the event of Democratic suc-
cess and favoring the League of Na-
tions proposes a referendum on the
subject at an election free from par-
tisanship. It denounces the Fordney-
McCumber tariff “written in great
part to aid monopolies” and promises
a revenue tariff and decrease in the
cost of living and pronounces the
Esch-Cummins railroad law a failure.
It favors conservation in all direc-
tions.
Every other topic of governmental
activity is touched skilfully and the
attitude of the party defined. Deep
and inland waterways are favored,
fraudulent stock sales condemned,
private monopolies denounced and
aviation and child welfare pledged.
An American-owned merchant marine,
betterment of educational facilities,
civil service and adequate wages for
postal employees are recommended
and activity of women in politics wel-
comed. War veterans are assured of
proper care, law enforcement is guar-
anteed and the freedom of religion
assured. In fact every conceivable
subject is covered in splendid form
and we sincerely hope that every line
of the platform will be carefully
studied.
A ——
———The Pennsylvania delegates in
the New York convention distributed
their favors as widely as possible but
only a few of them were on the band
BELLEFONTE, PA.. JULY 18S. 1924.
Davis Sets a Good Example.
It is said that John W. Davis has
never failed in anything he has under-
taken. There are reasons for this
splendid record in achievement. The
principal one is revealed in his activ-
ities since his nomination. During the
balloting he was not seen in or around
the convention hall. His friends
maintained headquarters at the Wal-
dorf-Astoria hotel but he was not seen
there. Yet within a few moments of
the announcement of the result he
was on the platform thanking the del-
egates for the honor they had be-
stowed upon him. He had no prepar-
ed speech but his language was as
well chosen and appropriate to the oc-
casion as if hours had been spent in
preparation.
Before the reassembling of the con-
vention on the morning following the
nomination Mr. Davis was in confer-
ence with the party leaders for the
purpose of selecting a running mate.
As soon as the ticket was completed
the active party managers were gath-
ered at his temporary home in the
city for the purpose of laying plans
for the campaign. A number of gen-
tlemen were considered for chairman
of the National eommittee and ar-
rangements made for opening head-
quarters. Within a week a date was
fixed for the formal notification and
before two weeks had elapsed the
campaign machinery was in motion.
That is the way to command success.
It is literally “taking time by the
forelock.”
In his action, moreover, Mr. Davis
is setting a wholesome example to all
Democrats throughout the country.
If we all adopt his method of taking
hold of the job with promptness, en-
ergy and intelligence the most sur-
prising results may be achieved. In
this county, for example, a substantial
majority for the Democratic ticket
may be obtained if each Democratic
man and woman voter will begin now
and consistently keep up the work un-
til the polls close on November 4.
Now is the time to make an impres-
sion upon open and unprejudiced
minds by presenting the facts. Inthe
heat of a campaign little can be ac-
c lished, but now while reason
gover the mind, good work may be
one.
——Several weeks ago the “Watch-
man,” in commenting upon the “get-
out-the-vote” caravan which the
League of Women Voters will put on
in October stated that it had “all the
earmarks of being arranged in the in-
terest of the Republican candidates.”
Officials of the League assert that this
is not the case. That the League
“cannot be used for the special bene-
fit of any party, but for the benefit of
all parties.” In other words, that its
primary object is to get out the vote,
especially the women voters, and thus
increase the political power of the
people at large that they may be bet-
ter prepared to choose between the
rival candidates.
Beavers Rebuild a Dam.
A colony of beavers have rebuilt
the old Blackwell dam on Mosquito
creek, in the Philipsburg region, a job
that fishermen have long contemplat-
ed but hesitated in tackling on ac-
count of the estimated cost of the
work, which was placed in excess .of
one thousand dollars.
Last winter hunters in that region
came across a spot on the side of the
mountain where beavers were cutting
trees, but they were unable to deter-
mine what they did with the logs as
there was not enough of snow to make
a trail. Quite recently a party of fish-
ermen on Mosquito creek visited the
old Blackwell dam and were amazed
to find the breast rebuilt and the dam
full of water. An examination dis-
closed the fact that the dam had been
rebuilt by the beavers. Good sized
timbers had been planted end down in
the ground and these had been braced
with other timber and then interlaced
with small timbers. Against these
timbers was a compact mass of stone
and mud. Inasmuch as the dam is 200
feet long and six feet high one can
hardly imagine the amount of work
the beavers did in rebuilding it.
——Filling in along the steep em-
bankment for the opening of north
Water street is proving a bigger job
than was at first anticipated. The
closing of the pike quarries of the
American Lime & Stone company left
the work of completing the fill entire-
ly in the hands of the Street depart-
ment and with the limited means at
their command it is proving a slow
job.
——————
——Bald Eagle creek has been
closed to fish baskets and eel racks
because of the experiments the State
fisheries department will conduct
there in connection with yellow perch
and other game fish.
——The New York convention cost
a lot of money, probably two million
dollars and possibly more. But it was
worth the price. :
NO. 28.
Old Guard in New Uniform.
‘ From the Philadelphia Record.
Make way for the new candidates
for membership in the Order of Snake
doctors. See them falling over each
other in their eagerness to qualify!
Try to count them as they line up for
proper disguises.
Of course, you recognize them, gen-
tle reader, even though they may look
somewhat startling in their new dem-
agogic hoods, their whited sheets of
faked alarm, as they light their oil-
soaked crosses in an effort to arouse
the countryside against the “House of
Morgan.”
Yes, gentle reader, these new apos-
tles of economic hate and bucolic prej-
udice are the gentlemen of the Old
Guard press. They are the same im-
peccable standpatters who clapped
their lily white hands in dignified
glee when Robert M. LaFollette, al-
leged radical, was kicked out of the
Republican party. They are the self-
appointed guardian angels of this Re-
public who have been so inexpressibly
shocked because the poor, simple far-
mers of the west, benighted by un-
scrupulous agitators, have refused to
forget their own poverty and bank-
ruptey in contemplation of the glories
of a high protective tariff.
See them rush for their hoods and
masks and oily crosses and enlist un-
der the banner of Unadulterated Ho-
kum to “save the country from Wall
street”—a direction in which they
would have their simple readers be-
lave the Democratic party is leading
it.
Despite assurance to the contrary,
the Republican party was not freed
of Snake Doctors when Mr. LaFollette
and his crew walked the plank at
Cleveland. In fact, those who remain
within the fold promise to teach “Bat-
tling Bob” new legerdemain in their
allied onslaught against the Money
Devil as personified by John W. Da-
vis.
Some may comment. on the unex-
pected garb of these new preachers of
discontent, but no one who has fol-
lowed the course of Republican ed-
itorial reasoning should be surprised.
These devoted disciples of the God of
Things as They Are can always be de-
pended upon to be chamelion-like in
their service to rank and bigoted par-
tisanship. They are, it should be re-
membered, the same gentlemen who
denounced Walsh and Wheeler,
ged their editorial shoulders
Forbes and Fall; winked at'D
and actually wept over Denby.
An Unhappy Retrogression Begun.
From the Cincinnati Enquirer.
The blackest day in all American
history would be that one definitely
inaugurating renewed active political
conflict between citizens of different
faiths. For that would mean the
blind abandonment of the noblest
fundamentals of civil government and
a repudiation of the basic essentials
of the faith whose cardinal theme is
“Love one another.”
It is with sad misgivings that the
tolerant, patriotic citizenry of Amer-
ica can look upon this evil recrudes-
cence of passion and bigotry, designed
to destroy the supereminent tolerance
of the incomparable American consti-
tution and hurl this people backward
into the cruel and perverted spiritual
atmosphere of the ages of ignorance
and oppression.
This gravely harmful menace in-
‘volves the Republican as well as the
Democratic party. Men are losing
sight of, forgetting the splendid in-
spiration and meaning involved in
that matchless rallying cry of human-
ju, “Liberty, fraternity and equal-
ity.
. Why should men so bitterly differ
in matters of faith as to lead ‘them
to distrust, hate and harm one anoth-
er? Such a spirit negatives all that
right religion could mean. In its ul-
timate analysis it again inevitably
must lead to unjust proscriptions, tor-
ture and human slaughter—to evils
and horrors long thought dead and
damned by a people which for more
than a century and a half has enjoyed
the manifold blessings of the world’s
greatest democracy.
Being mortal, we must be in dis-
agreement about many things. This
would be a colorless world, a nerve-
less life, if all men thought alike on
all matters. But controversy should
be kindly. No political group may
monopolize all the virtues of govern-
ment; no human group ever has mo-
nopolized of right, or ever will Tio
ly monopolize, all spiritual authority
and virtue. To inject religion into the
politics of America would mean to re-
tard the progress of civilization, to
discredit the only philosophy which
ever has given to mankind a sustain-
ing hope.
Americanization.
From the Pittsburgh Post.
The public schools are by far the
best agency through which American-
ization can be conducted and there is
satisfaction in noting that they are
alive to their responsibility in the
matter. The announcement of Dr, J.
George Becht, State superintendent of
public instruction, that sixty cities
and boroughs of Pennsylvania have
arranged to organize Americanization
classes in the schools during the com-
ing scholastic year and the emphasis
which he lays on the importance of
appropriations in the school budgets
to take care of this work show appre-
ciation of the situation.
——The German Crown Prince is
now selling threshing machines and
his experience in France as a victim
ought to qualify him for that work.
SPAWLS FROM THE KEYSTONE
—Dominic Salvatore, of Clearfield, was
drowned in the Clearfield creek Sunday
night, when a boat in which he and a
companion were riding upset. The body
has not been recovered by searching par-
ties.
—Sparks from a smoking pipe set fire
to the clothes of Charles Corbey, of Wil
liamsport, as he was taking a nap upon &
couch and damaged a roll of paper money
to the value of $50. He took the damaged
notes to a bank and after the pieces were
carefully assorted it was found that they
had a redemption value of only three doi-
lars.
—The snake eater and the wheel of for-
tune have been placed under a ban by &
committee of Pennsylvania fair secre-
taries, acting with the Secretary of Agri-
culture and Attorney General. The com-
mittee placed the prohibition on the snake
eater by classing it as an “immoral show,’
while the wheel of fortune was among &
list termed “gambling devices.”
—The Rev. Harry F. Rector, pastor of
the Church of Christ, of Lock Haven, of-
fers a bargain wedding to the first couple
appearing at the parsonage on the evening
of August 29. On that date the pastor
will have a barthday anniversary and by
way of celebration he will perform a mar«
riage free of charge and in addition will
pay for the license and a taxicab for the
lucky couple.
—Police officers throughout central Penn-
sylvania have been asked to assist in find-
ing Rosa Hangar, 14 years old, of Ber-
wick, who left her home because her par-
ents whipped her when she refused to
marry John Jerk, 50 years old, a well-to-
do resident of the foreign section in that
place. The girl lived with neighbors for
several days after leaving home and told
her story to them, but on Saturday left
town. »
—Leo Lang, aged 30 years, of Pottsville,
killed himself in a dramatic manner.
Climbing a steel tower on Lawtons hill,
he threw himself on three wires carrying
23,000 volts of electricity. He stood on the
high steel tower apparently a live man,
but in reality dead. The body was reveal
ed by searchlights. When he touched the
current, Lang temporarily short-circuited
the wires, and for a brief period the lights
went out in thousands of homes.
—Lightning during a thunder storm
which passed over White Deer valley, Ly-
coming county, last week, performed
queerly at the home of Harris Fegley, of
Alvira. A bolt struck the barn and ap-
parently ran under the foundation, com-
ing up again in the horse stable, two feet
distant from where the farmer was stand-
ing. Then jumping from the barn, the
same bolt entered the hog pen, killed two
pigs, maimed a third, but missed a fourth
in the same pen.
—After eating breakfast, prepared by
himself in the kitchen of the home of John
Henry, at Perrysville, Allegheny county, a
burglar, who climbed in through a win-
dow early Sunday morning, ransacked
rooms in which members of the family
were sleeping and escaped when his move-
ments aroused Mrs. Henry. He took arti-
cles valued at $200, including a diamond
ring, money and the trousers belonging to
Mr. Henry's father, which contained a gold
watch and some money. i ad
—Three persons were injured and dam ar -
timated at $15,000. was caused. by an
ont of gas In an oven of the Haller
Baking company, at Pittsburgh, on Sun-
day. Carl Senk, a baker, suffered burns
and lacerations, while Miss Virginia Ever-
ett and Mrs. Evaline Thomas, who were
sitting on the porch of their home nearby,
were thrown from their chairs by the force
of the explosion. Their injuries were not
serious. The explosion occurred when
Senk struck a match to the oven.
—While endeavoring to save Mason
Shaffer, 53 years of age, of Tunkhannock,
from drowning in the Susquehanna river
on Sunday afternoon, John Holcomb, 45
years old, also of Tunkhannock, was
drowned with the man he attempted to
rescue. Mr. Shaffer was seized with
cramps and cried for help. Holcomb, who
vas swimming nearby went to his assist
ance. In the struggle that followed both
men went under. The bodies were recov=
ered after two hours’ diving by volunteer
rescuers.
—A pair of sweethearts have eluded a
decree of court which would have placed
one in a State institution on a charge of
incorrigibility. When a special session of
the juvenile court at Lock Haven commit-
ted Freda Driver, 16 years old, to Sleigh-
ton Farms, she escaped the probation offi-
cer and eloped to Cumberland, Md., with
James Styers. They took up their resi-
dence with the parents of Mr. Styers near
Lock Haven. Police officials arrested the
bride as a fugitive from justice and after
a night in jail she was released on parole
in custody of her husband.
—Is a widow a widow after she remar-
ries or how long does a widow remain a
widow ? Controller William Irvin, of Nor-
ristown, had this question to solve when
a “widow” of a soldier made application
for approval of a bill for $70 toward fun-
eral expenses of a soldier. The widow,
after the soldier-husband died, married
again, and Irvin ruled the woman had
changed her status from widow to wife
and refused to approve the application
for funeral expenses. The woman, how-
ever, contends she is the widow of her
first husband and the wife of her second.
—Prisoners are escaping from the
Schuylkill county prison through secret
passageways constructed forty-five years
ago, when numerous Molly Maguire pris-
oners were there confined, it is alleged.
These passageways are unknown to pres-
ent officials. In no other way can the dis-
appearance of such prisoners as Walter
Krevis and his companions be accounted
for. Escapes from the jail have been nu-
merous. Krevis and others disappeared
from the interior of the jail, with all doors
tightly locked, leaving no indication what-
ever regarding their means of departure.
—Fred Briggs, aged 30 years, president
of the West End fire company, of Ber-
wick, was taken to the county jail at
Bloomsburg last. Thursday on a charge of
misappropriating $613 the company had
raised toward new apparatus. Briggs
made a denial and said his books would
balance with the money he had received.
Members of the company testified at the
hearing that whereas the bank book of the
company should show a balance of $408,
there was an overdraft of about $78, while
$127 received at a recent festival had not
been deposited. Checks drawn by Briggs,
which other members of the company said
had been unauthorized and which he did
not explain, were shown. Briggs is chair«
man of the committee which has been so-
liciting funds for the purchase of the new
truck. He was held under $1000 bail, in
! default of which he was committed.