Bellefonte, Pa., August 30, 1929.
EE EE Em
TATE FINANCE FOR YEAR 1928
The Department of Commerce an-
ounces a summary of the financial
itatistics of the State of Pennsyl-
rania for the fiscal year ending May
i1, 1928. The per capita figures for
928 are based on an estimated pop-
lation of 9,781,000. These statistics
vere compiled by George A. Nally,
fice of Auditor General, Harris-
urg.
Expenditures.—The payments for
)peration and maintenance of the
yeneral departments of Pennsylvania
mounted to $93,583,350, or $9.57 per
sapita. This includes $26,484,843 ap-
ortionate for education to the minor
sivil divisions of the State. In 1927
‘he comparative per capita for ope-
-ation and maintenance of general de-
sartments was $8.51, and in 1917,
$3.32. The payments for operation
ind maintenance of public service en-
-erprises in 1928 amounted to $94,-
347; interest on debt, $4,247,403; and
>utlays for permanent improvements,
$24,064,819. The total payments,
‘herefore, for operation and mainte-
aance of general departments and
oublic service enterpriss, for interest
ind outlays were $121,990,219. Of
-his amount $822,954 represents pay-
ments by a State department or en-
:erprise to another on account of
services. The totals include all pay-
ments for the year, whether made
from current revenus or from the
proceds or bond issues.
Of the governmental costs report-
ad above, $38,468,779 was for high-
ways, $20,477,095 being for mainte-
nance and $17,991,684 for construc-
tion. ,
Revenues.—The total revenue re-
ceipts were $147,910,5697, or $15.12
per capita. This was $49,985,197
more than the total payments of the
year exclusive of the payments for
permanent improvements, and $25,-
920,378 more than the total pay-
ments including those for permanent
improvements. This excess of revenue
receipts is reflected in reduction of
debt, ‘and in purchase of investments
and increased cash balances, not
shown in this summary. Of the to-
tal revenue receipts $822,954 repre-
sents receipts from a State depart-
ment or enterprise on account of
services. Special property and other
special taxes represented 40.9 per
cent. for 1927, and 52.8 per cent for
1917. The increase in the amount of
special property and other special
taxes collected was 197.5 per cent.
from 1917 to 1927, and 13.1 per cent.
from 1927 to 1928. The per capita
special property and other special
taxes were $6.19 in 1928, $5.54 in
1927 and $2.13 in 1917. The increas-
ed receipts from special property and
other special taxes for 1928 was due
in part to the collection of $4,300,000
deliquent coal tax.
Earnings of general departments,
or compensation for services rendered
by State officials, represented 6.8 per
cent. of the total revenue for 1928,
7.2 per cent, for 1927, and 10.7 per
cent, for 1917.
Business and non-business licenses
constituted 40.6 per cent. of the to-
tal revenue for 1928, 39.8 per cent.
for 1927, and 35 per cent. for 1917.
Receipts from business licenses
consist chiefly of taxes exacted from
insurance and other incorporated
companies and of sales tax on gaso-
line, while those from non-business
license comprise chiefly taxes on mo-
tor vehicles and amounts paid for
hunting and fishing privileges. The
sales tax on gasoline amounted to
$15,811,923 in 1928 and $9,181,873 in
1927, an increase of 72.2 per cent.,
principally due to an increase of one
cent per gallon in the rate.
Indebtedness.—The total funded or
fixed debt outstanding May 31, 1928
was $93,586,920. Of this amount
$93,221,000 was for highways.
The net indebtedness (funded or
fixed debt less sinking fund assets)
was $87,995,726, or $9.00 per capita.
In 1027 the per capita net debt was
$9.46, and in 1917, $0.06.
STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
RIDES MANY MILES IN JUNE
Members of the Pennsylvania
Highway patrol rode their motorcy-
cles a total distance of 472,567 miles
during June, reports on file in the
State Department of Highways indi-
cate.
During the approximately 15 com-
plete circuits of the earth at the
equator, represented by this mileage,
the patrolmen stopped 56,634 vehi-
cles and inspected brakes.
It was found, the records show,
that adjustments were necessary in
44.612 cases.
In the battle against glaring head-
lights it was found that 12,578 of
the 55,320 machines stopped for
that cause needed adjustment of the
| lamps. It was pointed out by officials
of the patrol that if this ratio holds
good throughout the State, that
‘there are approximately 400,000 auto-
mobiles
lamps.
During June the patrolmen arrest-
ed 102 persons for operating ma-
chines without proper license plates.
In some instances the machines car-
ried no plates at all. In other cases
the owners were using 1927 plates,
that were similar in color to those
now in use, evidently in the belief
that the patrolmen would not detect
in the State with faulty
' the difference.
It was found that at least 337
drivers thought they could drive on
the highways without a license as
that number were taken into cus-
tody.
Violations of the “Through-High-
way-Stop” system resulted in the ar-
rest of 824 persons, while 442 were
taken into custody for reckless driv-
ing and 421 were stopped and arrest-
ed for failing to signal.
Two hundred and ninety-seven ar-
rests were made of persons operating
machines with illegal headlights.
Wilson C. Price, superintendent of
the highway patrol, has issued an ul-
timatum that during the remaining
months of this year the patrol will
wage a reientiess war against motor-
ists who violate the rights of pedes-
trians.
PENNSYLVANIANS MAKE
....- GOOD USE OF TELEPHONES.
A recently completed statistical
survey of the world’s telephone de-
velopment shows that Pennsylvania
had on January 1, 1928, nearly as
many telephones as France, Belgium
and Bulgaria combined.
There were about 1,063,485 Bell
telephones in operation in this State
on that date. This e was sub-
stantially increased during 1928 and
the first six months of 1929; however,
so that today there are more than
1,185,407 Bell telephones in Pennsyl-
.vania alone.
France, Belgium and Bulgaria had
on January 1, 1928, a total of 1,094,
455 telephones. Another indication
of the extensive use of the telephone
in this State is afforded by the fact
that it had practically as many in-
struments in operation at that time
as Italy, Austria, Belgium, Hungary,
Norway, Spain and Czechslovakia
combined.
Not only in Pennsylvania, but
throughout the nation, telephone de-
velopment is shown by the survey
figures to be well in advance of the
expansion of this form of communi-
cation in Europe and the rest of the
world.
New York, for instance, had almost
as many telephones as the whole of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Chicago had more than all France.
Los Angeles had almost as many as
Austria and Belgium combined. The
eight American cities with popula-
tions of 1,000,000 or more each had
more than half as many telephones
as the whole of Europe.
Not only had the United States
more telephones than the total for
the rest of the world, but Americans
used them, as they do now, the tele-
phone more often than the inhabi-
tants of any other country. There
were 224.7 telephone conversations
per capita in this country in 1927.
Canada came next with 221.5 tele-
phone conversations per capita. Ger-
many reported 35.5 conversations,
while Great Britain and Northern
Ireland had but 28.6 per capita, and
France only 17.2 per capita.
The time necessary to obtain au-
thoritative data from the more re-
mote countries of the world made it
impossible to get strictly comparable
figures for a later date than Janu-
ary 1,1928, the compilers of the sta-
tistics explained.
On that date there were 30,990,304
telephones in the entire world, and
of these considerably more than one-
half were in the United States. This
country’s 18,522,767 telephones com-
prised 60 per cent. of the world’s to-
tal.
Europe had 8,623,407 telephones, or
less than one-half of the number in
operation in this country, and only
28 per cent. of the total for the world.
The remaining 12 per cent. of the
world’s telephones were widely scat-
tered over the globe—in Asia, Africa,
Oceanica, South America and those
countries in North America outside
of the United States. During 1927
there were 1,583,743 telephones add-
ed to the telephone system of the
world, which was nearly as many
instruments as were in service
throughout the world at the begin-
ning of this century.
It is interesting to note that in
relation to population, the extent of
telephone service in the United States
is markedlv greater than in Europe.
Out of 21,374,633 telephones operat-
ed by prviate companies, through-
out the world, 18 522,767 were in the
United States.
There were 15.8 telephones per 100
population in this country as com-
pared with only 1.6 telephones per
100 population in Europe, where
nearly 88 per cent. of the telephones
were under government operation.
Th only country approaching the
United States in point of density of
facilities was Canada, which, on Jan-
uary 1, 1928, had 13.2 teléphones per
100 inhabitants . .
New Zealand ranked third with 10,
followed by Denmark with 9. 3, Swe-
den with 7.7, Australia with 7.2, and
Norway with 6.4. Germany ranks
next to the United States in the to-
tal number of telephones, but had
only 4.4 telephones per 100 popula-
tion. In Great Britain and Northern
Ireland there were but 3.6 telephones
per 100 inhabitants, while France had
only 2.2 telephones per 100 citizens.
Extension of telephone service in
the rural districts and the smaller
towns has been a feature of the de-
velopment in the United States.
There were 12.2 telephones per 100 in-
habitants in communities of less than
50,000 population, which means that
residents of the smaller cities and
towns are provided with a more ef-
ficient telephone service than are the
citizens of most of the large cities of
Europe—despite the fact that tele-
phones are concentrated almost ex-
clusively in the European metropoli-
tan centres.
For example, London has more
than one-third of all the telephones
in Great Britain, and Paris has more
than one-third of those in operation
in all of France. Generally speaking
rural telephone service in European
countries is almost negligible.
SOME CENSUS FACTS.
Enumerators and supervisors ap-
pointed to take the 1930 census wil
receive correspondence school in-
structions in their duties from the
United States census bureau at
Washington, under plans which are
being outlined at Washington by
Director of the Census W. B. Stewart
who will also ask an advisory commit-
tee of business and civic leaders to as-
sist him in the selection of qualified
census takers in each community
and to advise and cooperate with the
workers in the field after their ap-
pointment. Householders will be call-
ed upon to respond to more search-
ing questions in 1930 than in the case
of any previous census. It is pos-
gible that an inquiry as to the an-
nual income of all persons working
for wages or a salary will be includ-
ed in the questionnaire so that the
number of wage earners and sala-
ried persons in each community may
be ascertained and classified accord-
ing to income groups, without re-
vealing the earnings of individuals.
It is also planned to obtain in the
next census accurate statistics on
the extent of the movement from
the farms to the cities.
| MECHANICAL TRAFFIC SIGNAL.
Science has stepped into the field
of traffic regulation and her latest
and most extraordinary offering is
a new trafic robot or mechanical
policeman who is now directing traf-
fic in many of our large eastern
cities.
Our modern age has delivered over
to us many thousands of mechani-
cal “slaves” but only recently hasit
begun to approach the more valuable
one of creating mechanical “brains.”
During the last two or three years
some devices have come on to the
market that have showed symptoms
of having the creative germ, but un-
fortunately most of them have per-
formed only minor functions.
Recently a group of Yale engi-
neers brought forth a mechanical
“brains” that actually accomplishes
a useful function—a tremendously
useful function, that of directing
traffic. It is not a hit and miss prop-
osition, it is a ‘mechanical police-
man” that directs traffic far more
efficiently than a highly trained traf-
fic officer and operates a standard
signal light in exact accordance
with the varying volume and flow of
traffic in the streets. It enjoys,
furthermore, a tremendous advant-
age in that it admits of no errors.
To fulfill the claims made by these
inventors the device necessarily had
to possess a “brain” that would
make it superior to that of the hu-
man being. It seemed highly im-
probable that any mechanism could
be devised which would be capable
of “remembering,” “thinking,” “see-
ing” and “receiving instructions” and
skepticism therefore prevailed.
Those who have seen the system in
operation in a number of eastern ci-
ties, however, maintain that it does
everything but smile, give the motor-
ist a cheerful “good morning,” arrest
speeders and give tickets to court
functions. What this mechanical
“brain” lacks in amenities, it makes
up in smoothness of operation.
The ‘“electro-matic” traffic control
was conceived in New Haven, Con-
necticut, when a young Yale profes-
sor, Henry A. Haugh, Jr., hurrying
home late one night, was stopped at
a pretimed traffic signal which was
giving the right of way to an empty
street. Chafing at the unnecessary de-
lay, Professor Haugh began to rumi-
nate upon the possibilities of regu-
lating traffic by mechanical means to
its own volume and flow. In other
words, allowing traffic to run itself.
In collaboration with three Yale as-
sociates, Eugene D. Stirlen, Charles
D. Geer, and Wallace G. Garland,
the new mechanical “brain” with its
mechanical “eyes” was developed.
The systm which has been install-
The system which has been install-
the eastern States is directing traf-
fic far more efficiently than ever has
been directed before by other means,
either human or mechanical.
The mechanical bluecoat does not
operate according to any set rule
nor does it adhere to any particular
schedule. Thoroughfare traffic is
“remembered” and sent along at the
earliest moment consistent with
safety.
Drivers who pass frequently are
amazed when they discover that the
lights blink different under what ap-
pear to them to be similar condi-
tions, yet using more than human
intelligence.
The secret lies in ‘“vehicle-sensi-
tive” units in the pavement of the
streets adjacent to the intersection.
Automobiles passing over these sen-
the changing of signals.
These units are the “eyes” of the
mechanical policeman. They “see”
the presence and movement of traf-
fic and transmit this information to
a control mechanism. The control
mechanism of “brain” receives this
information, “remembers”
val and presence of the vehicles, and
with real intelligence operates the
traffic signal to meet the exact situ-
ation existing at that moment.
. Just as the traffic officer keeps
traffic moving with as few delays as
possible, so does the robot change
its lights to eliminate all delays ex-
cept those essential to safety.
MUST OBEY RULES COVERING
OBJECTS ALONG HIGHWAYS.
Erection and maintenance of mail
boxes and milk stands within the
right-of-way limits of State highways
must be in conformity with regula-
tions of the Department of HigZways,
W. A. Van Duzer, Assisant Chief En-
gineer, says. The Department of
Highways, under the law, prescribes
regulations governing the erection of
mail boxes, milk stands, etc., within
the right-of-way limits of State high-
way, the department having estab-
lished such regulations.
Explaining the Department’s regu-
lations, Mr. Van Duzer said: “A sur-
vey of our State highways shows that
sufficient regard is not shown for the
regulations governing the erection
and maintenance of mail boxes and
milk stands within the right-of-way
limits.
“The Department of Highways has
a regulation that no mail box shall be
within four feet of the improved road.
For safety’s sake, it would be better
to have this six feet. The post should
be firmly imbedded in the earth, and
it would add considerably to its ap-
pearance if it were painted white.
“The milk stands are another eye-
sore along the highways, as the ma-
jority of them are not plumb and
very few, if any, painted. It issug-
gested that the farmers could add
materially to their property and to
the road in general if they would
erect milk stands about six feet
square on posts placed plumb in the
ground and paint the structure
white. These stands should not be
closer than six feet from the edge
of the improved road.
“From a strictly practical stand-
point these posts and milk loading
platforms present serious accident
hazards to night drivers unless they
are painted white. Many are cover-
ed by snow in winter and not only
hamper snow removal but actually
endanger the crews driving snow
plows.”
sitive unis in the pavement govern |
the arri- |g
| the news.
AN ALTOONA DRIVER TO
HAVE HIS CHANCE.
i
It may require a keen imagination
to hold down a job as scenario writ-
er. It may be tough to satisfy the
folk who pack the theatre houses
each year and to keep them from
feeling that your imagination is a
little far-fetched. !
But any of the Hollywood colony a
little shy on “fodder” will find an
honest-to goodness true-to-life cli- |
max when the knights of the gas,
trail battle it out on the Altoona
speedway Labor day.
The script bringing about this cli- |
max is unwritten. The events leading :
up to the “finis” are not in manu- |
cript form but are written deep in|
grease, heart-aches, pain and disap-
pointment.
It is the story of a youth who was’
seized withthe urge of speed. You
know the rest—he is one of the
home town boys—he does his level
best to get on top— he finds some |
success on the dirt track—then there
is a crack-up and more disappoint- |
ments—he tries to pull out of the
small time and get into the major
events but finds the pulling hard—
then he gets his big break and all
eyes are on him, win or lose. !
Sure, you have heard it. It is the |
old, old story told and flashed on the
screen time and time again. But this
time the story is true. |
“Gordy” Condon is one of Altoona’s
boys. He started out with an old
“crock”—as the speed boys call them
in 1921, playing the fairs and small
time dirt events. Around on the
home town corners, the followers of
the speed game talk of Condon as
the “bozo who can spill ’em pretty.”
Two years after Gordy started on
the gasoline trail a group of Altoona
men got together and built the Al-
toona oval. But Gordy couldn’t hope
to take a fling at that—he didn’t
have the car nor the finances to
delve into the more sunny side of
automobile racing and was forced to
be content with wheeling his crock
around the dirt paths.
After busting fences, turning
somersaults and otherwise going
through the acid test handed all the
speed knights, Gordy began to climb
to the front. He got on the small
time board tracks and in 1927 raced
before his home town folk for the
first time in “high class stuff” when
he entered the semi-pro event pre-
liminary to the major Altoona cham-
pionship race that year. But he
threw a connecting rod and was un-
able to finish the event.
Not discouraged Condon contin-
ued on the small time once more.
Then Earl DeVore lost his life when
the Vestris sank and the Chrimilite
Special wheeled by Earl was without
a pilot. The car was owned by
Frank Cramer, Altoona speedway
president, and Condon made a bid for
the seat in Cramer’s buggy. He was
given promise of the job and he went
to Indianapolis for the Memorial day
classic this year and his first big
chance. But that “break” was soon
blasted—Cramer sold the “job” to
“Speed” Gardner, of Pittsburgh, and
Condon was without a mount.
_ But now another big break has
come. Mrs. Marion Batten has elect-
ed Gordy to wheel the mount of her!
husband, Norman, who also lost his
life in the Vestris disaster. |
It will be the apex of Condon’s
climb to the top.
Gordy is going to perform before
the home town folk, on the home
town oval, in his first big chance.
GAME BOARD IS PURCHASER
|
OF IMMENSE TRACT. |
One of the largest real estate |
transactions to take place in this]
section in years is under process of
completion, the deal being closed |
when survey and abstracts are com-
pleted. By this transaction the state
ame commission is given title to
about 8,000 acres of land, most of
which has been the property of W.
N. Conrad and a portion the point
property of Mr. Conrad and his
brother-in-law, Floyd M. Rhed.
The tract lies in Heath and Polk
townships, Jefferson county, and
about 800 acres in Spring Creek
township, Elk county, near the
Clarion river. It is surounded by na-
tional and state forests lands and
embraces one of the finest game
sections in this part of the country.
The transaction was brought about
through the efforts of Richard E.
Reitz, member of the state game
commission. For a number of years
past Mr. Conrad has had plans for
formation of a huge rod and gun
club, with these extensive holdings
as a hasis.
He has received proposals from a
number of wealthy citizens of Pitts-
burgh and other cities in this section
for the formation of such an organi-
zation, and only the efforts of Mr.
Reitz in presenting the public as-
pects of the question induced him to
abandon these plans. It was pointed
out to him that this great tract
should be preserved to the use of
the sporting public of this and fu-
ture generations.
The tract has quite generally
splendid soil conditions and excellent
coverage and forage for all sorts of
wild life. Some of the finest deer
and bear crossingsin the State are
located on the tract. It is traversed
by a branch of the North Fork,
Daugherty, Stoney and Bear Runs
and part of Maxwell Run, and em-
braces the tract known to old time
hunters and fishers as the Dayton
& McDonald mill site. It is travers-
ed by Clear Creek, Portland Mills
and Silver City roads.
It is bounded on the north by the
Allegheny national forest and on the
other sides by State forest lands.
It is understood that as soon as
the State gains title to the land, the
tract will be thrown open to public
hunting. In the future it is possible
that certain portions will be used for
game refuges, while the streams
may be stocked with fish by the
State.
—Read the Watchman and get all
RES
National Banks as
Trust Companies
FTHIS bank is equipped for the trans-
T action of any business connected
with banking. An important part of bank-
ing now, is the care of Trust funds and
the settlement of estates.
We have a Trust Department, and
can act as Executor, Administrator or
Trustee. We can assure a proper admin-
istration of all Trust business.
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
BELLEFONTE, PA.
As we pause to
Rest on Labor Day
we are mindful of the good
results attained by workers
in all lines of endeavor, and
we wish them all a very hap-
py and prosperous career.
TuE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
STATE COLLEGE, PA.
MEMBER FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM
—=
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