VOL. XC. HARRISBURG NEWS LETTER Democrats Present Opportunities for Rea! Public Service In a Number of Bills, Democrats have presented the notor- foua'dc-nothing session of the Penn- Yaylvania legislature with some few pp- portunities for public service which have been laid plainly befgre it. Last week’s hearings before House committees of the four ‘‘ Democratic bills ”’ introduced by Assemblymen Wilson G. Barig, of Berks and Ira T. Erdman, of Lehigh, showed plainly that the way lies straight for some ac- tual legislation of great and direct public benefit, Bo far there has been none at any time this year, nor is any in sight from the msjority. Among bills of such unusual iwm- portance as the four introduced by Erdman and Barig after being drafted by the Democratic State Legislative Committee, it is not easy to pick out the chief. But the anti-trust measure, which could be used as a powerful and effective weapon to lower the cost of necessary foodstuffs, is the one which appeals most forcibly to the average man because it would bave a direct and beneficial influence upon his household purse. The voters’ assistance, the corrupt practices and the * hospital day” charities bills, however, cannot under any circamstances be classed as second ~-rate measures. When District Attorney Humes ar- gued before the House Corporation Committee for report of the anti-trust bill, which would give producer and consumer & equare deal on the cost and profit and send the food gambler and gouger scurrying for cover, he was joined by 8. R. Tarner, of Pitte- burgh, chief of the railroad trainmen’s brotherhoods’ legislative committee. Tarner is one of the recognized union lavor leaders of the state, “ Pennsylvania is one of only seven states in the Union which hss no anti-trust legislation,” said Humes. My brief experience in prosecuting violations under the Bherman anti- trust law has revealed the fact that much sky rocketing in prices and great increases in costs of foodstufls is due to combinations in local distribut- ing concerns which are engaged sole- ly in intra state trade and are there. by immune fiom the Bherman law, Pennsylvania bas no lawa by which this condition can be remedied. Food gambling and price fixing can go on in this State without fear or punisb- ment. Tarner said that while prices ol foodstufls has risen from 100 to 300 p .r cent. he found that is was not the farmer or orginal producer that was gpecuring the increased price, but that the real profits were gotten by middle- men who apparantly were permitted to make whatever combinations and prices they thought the local public would stand for, m— i, Tarper in behalf of labor, placed special emphasis on the provision of the proposed bill which declares that lab- or of & human being is not a commod- ity or article of commerce, and urged ite passage as a recognition by the State of Pennsylvania of the distinct- fon between property rights and hu- man rights. The Barig bill is the only one pending in the Legislature which attempts io any way to control the soaring prices of food stufls and the high cost of living. { Purely from the legislators’ staod- pointe, the Democratic amendments to the election laws attracted more at- tention at the Capitol itself than the otuerse, This is because politics is a part and parcel of the life of the aver- age legislator ; he consumes it in large doses daily ; anything that is likely to disturb the existing order of politics may result in a gonvalsion thruout the universe. Humes supplied some of the convulsions right on the ground, The pres¢nt system 6f apportioning state moneys among local charities was held up by District Attorney Humes a8 perhaps the greatest evil of the legislative and fiscal machinery of the state. Bpeakiog before the House Judiciary Loeal Committee, Humes said : “We have been taught to believe that all government desires ite just powers from the consent of the govern ed but those of us who have had the rivilege of obegrving the operations f the Government of this Common~ wealth at close rangé know that scores of upjust powers are usurped and exer- olsed by the dominate political bose and the manner in which appropris- tions are made to private charities contribufes mote to the accomplish- ment of this usurpation of power by the bass than sny other lofluence. or practice in this State. Many people of the State have been persuaded by the bees that the efficiency snd fidelity of (Vontnued on inside page.) HALL, PA., PINE GROVE MILLY LADY A SUI VIDE, SATURDAY MORNING, Miss Ida Bowersox, Aged 52, Found by Mother Hangisg to Bedpost.--Strap About Npck Unuses Strangulation, The town of Pine Grove Milla was startled on Saturday morning when it was learned that one of its respected maiden ladies—Miss Ida Bowersox— had ended her life. It was the mother who made the terrible discovery of her daughter’s lifeless body hanging from a bedpost with a trunk strap around her neck, The body was cold, indicat- ing that the deed must have been committed at the time of retiring the evening before, or a short time there- after. Ilinese, which started with a severe case of grip last winter while in York state, made its attack upon Miss Bowersox’s mind, and while many were of the opinion that she had im- proved, her most intimate friends knew that she was not her former self, The night before Miss Bowersox car- ried out her desperate act she retired in her usual manner, her actions dis piaying no intention of the terrible deed her mind was fostering. When the mother received no response to her call for breakfast after several attempts she entered the bedroom of her daugh- ter and was horrified to find her cold in death—a suicide. Deceased was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs, Franklin Bowersox and was born near Millbeim, March 10, 1865, mak- ing her age past fifty-two years. Be- sides her parente she Is survived by these brothers and sisters: Harry, Oscar, Mrs. J. B. Rockey, of State Col- lege: Mre, John Ery, Mrs, Charles Weaver, of Laurelton; Mre. T. D. Gray, of Bloomsburg ; Elmer, of Fort Worth, Texas; Mrs. G. E. Harper, of White Hall; Dr. Frank Bowersox, of Millheim ; Edna, of Altoona; Prof. A. L., of Pine Grove Mills, and John, of Baileyville. Funeral services were held at the home on Tuesday morning and burial made in Meek’s cemetery, Rev. Vietor Nearhood officiating. ——— I ———— The High School Play. The High school play, given by the class of 1917, with the assistance of under-gradustes and alumni, in the Grange hall last Thursday evening, was a signal success from every view- point, The small admission fee of ten cents netted the cisss treasury a sum of $35.90, which will serve to ligui. date the numerous items of expense incident to commencement, The bistrionic ability displayed by a pumber of the amateur performers in the presentation of the play, * Civil Hervice,”! was a matier for praise- worthy discussion, The play bad to do with the workings of a country post office, whose force consisted of the well-lc-do postmaster ; a money or- der clerk who lived beyond his means and who later yielded to the tempta- tion to remove $100 from a letter in order to meet the urgent demands of his clothing and jewelry creditors; a mailing clerk who was ever casiing up to his fellow worker his dereliction in meeting his financial obligations as well as his hopeless love affair ; * Old RB. F. D., a mystery,” whose heart was in the right place snd who willingly would have spent the remainder of his days behind the bars to shield a son who had made his first step on the downward road ; the country boy with bair like the setting sun who js a sub in the post office and who doesn’t like to wear ‘store shoes” and who was always aching to be back on the farm with its simple life ; and last, but not least, the stamp clerk, who is as pure as the driven snow, and who after having apparently lost her lover, handies a difficult situation in a man- ner which brings everything to a happy end. The cast of characters was published in this paper two weeks ago, those taking part being as follows : Robert Neff, Lewis Wolfe, Thomas Foss, Dwight Fose, James Bweetwood, Lynuo Bitner, Ethel Rowe, Elisabeth Bweetwcod, Adaline MeoUlenahan, Mrry Whiteman and Lillian Emery. ————— A ————— New Raliroad fchedule, Begioning Monday morning of pext week the east-bound psseenger traip, on the L. & T. raliroad, will leave Bellefonte 26 minutes earlier, arriving at Centre Hall at 6:45 a. m., instead of 7:11. The new schedule applies only to the morning run, ———————— 84,5000 for His Wheat, H. R. Slifer, of near Watsontown, recently sold his crop of 1600 bushels of wheat for $4,600, or three dollors a bushel, _, O11 Befiner Leaves §3,000,000, Levi Bmith, the oil refiner, who died two weeks ago at Warren, left an estate valued at $2,000,000, The need of road oll becomes more apparent every day duriog this dry weather, WILL ARRANGE FOR HOLDING FARMERS INSTITUTES, Uounty Board of Farmers’ Institute Man- ngers to Meet at Bellefonte on June 12th Open to Fublie, The County Board of Farmers’ Ine stitute Managers will meet at the County Commissioners’ office, Belle- fonte, on Tuesday, June 12th, to ar- range for the placé where institutes are to be held this season. All of our people who desire institutes, ought to attend this meeting and present their claims. This board is composed of the local member of the Btate Board of Agriculture, and one representative from each County Agricultural Bocie- ty, the Pomona Grange, County Alli- ance and other kindred organizations, If you fina that you cannot attend this meeting, address a letter with your re- quest to the Chairman of Board of In- stitute Managers, care of County Com- missioners, ———————— Fire Brick Plant for Port Matilda, Port Matilda citizens are very much elated over the faot that a new fire brick plant la to be erected at that place, and that work on the same will be commenced at once. The Laurel Run Refractories Co., recently incorporated, will operate the new plant. The incorporators are I. Harvey and C. W. Keller, About 200 hande will be employed. tire farm of the Beckwith estate. —— ST ——— Driving New Bulck Hoadster, coal merchant, is driving a handsome new Buick D44 six cylinder roadster car, which he purchased lst week. To speak absolutely correct, it sbould be sald that Mre. Foreman is driving the car. Bhe has become quite expert with the wheel. — A AS ——— $171.72 tor a Big Ball disposed of a big bull last week to A. M. Riegel, buyer for the Lock Haven packing house, that weighed 1008 Ibe, | The price pald was nine cents per pound, live weight, which netted Mr. money for one animal for beef, ——— A A AANA Odd Fellows Galn Membership, A total membership of 174,388 of Odd Fellows in the state was reported by Grand Secretary Asher A. Ball, of Philadelphis, at the anpual meeting of the Grand lodge In session week at York, A gain of 6,062, record- years, Eighteen new instituted during the year, 234 in sick and death benefits in Penn- sylvania during the psat year, while the Rebekahe, with 51,408 members, paid out $11,614. ———— AS ——— Sparrows are unusually numerous thisjyear and many localities report an unusual scarity of robine, where they had been plenty heretofore, The pesky little immigrants watch the nests of the native birds and in the absence of the old ones kick the young nestling out to death, In England the local government boards and the board of agriculture aanthorize and encourage the children to kill the sparrow to keep their number down. The same practice here would save the native birds from early extine- tion. a a — Levi A. Miller, of Pleasant Gap, was appointed tax collector of Bpring township, last week, to succeed David Miller, who resigned owing to oon- tinued ill health. ———— A ————— There appears to be a contempt for the speed ordinance on the part of many local sutolste, on the streets of thre borough. Prominent Speakers Discuss Sunday-School Problems at Millhelm Uonvention. The fourteenth annual district Bab- bath School convention met at Mill heim on Thursday and was a success in all respecte, due to the untiring efforts of the president, the able corps of speakers and others who took an active interest, At the opening session there was a good attendance of citizens and sl- so delegates ; at roll call twenty-seven delegates answered to their ‘names. After devotional services, Rev. Bhuey of Bellefonte spoke on ** Planting snd Cultivation in the Bunday Bchool.” He emphasized these points: that the work of the Bunday Behool is not yet finished, at times old methods can be used to good effect, get to work as you would in other work, take ap equal interest in the boy and girl, at least as much as the stock about you, and remember the Bundsy Bchool traine the young people for future life, Thomas A, Adams, the next speaker, on “Idle children, idle churches,” held that parents have no right to go where they would not have their chil- dren go, the teacher should know the standing of each of his scholars, and “don’t be nobody, going nowhere for nothing.” At the afternoon session the first speaker could not be present, then Prof. W. F. Ziegler addressed the sudience on ‘The Bocial Prob- lem and the Bunday Fchool,” laying largely on political and religious prin- ced we can~ pot see any good in the other unless goes because the parent goes and thue tion whenever we speak of habit we usually think of evil or bad habits, with the proper training these will be just as well good habite as bad habits ; from thie age to nine the child is more commanded to go, still habit forming, after the habit forming period is Mre, 8B. W. Smith, superintendent of the Home department, gave a fine oul- when carefully hbandled ; too many At the evening session the Millhelm evenings solo by Miss Musser who has shown marked training and her execution proves unususl culture. The speaker of the evening, Prof. Whorten, of State College, who was pent as a substitute, sald if we may sc- t or look for a decline in our Bup- day Schools, he sees four causes ; first, lack of competent leadership ; inade- quate equipment, and failure to under- stand the real gain. Ho far for Bun- day Bchool work. The subject includ- ed the argicultural problem ss we hear and see it at this time, * Bome Raur- al Problems in War Times.” In ag- riculture be advanced this: produce more, consume less and waste nothing. All present expressed that this wae the most instructive convention ever held in this district, The following officers were elected : A. N. Corman, re-elected president ; 8. W. Gramley, vice pres., sec’y ; and Boyd W. Hszel, treasurer. ——————— Odd Fellows State Ofeials At the York connvention these offi- cers were elected by the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania, I. O. O, F. : Robert W. Montgomery, of Philadelphia, grand master ; Jacob Weaver, York, grand warden ; Roy D. Bremen ; Ush- er A. Hall, Philadelphia, grand secre- tary ; Fred C, Hanyep, Scranton, grand treasurer ; grand representative to the sovereign grand lodge, James H. Avery, Philadelphia. — a ——— Tuesday, June 5, is draft registry - "0 day. port, 3rd. He: local armory, tration camp. oH, 1 : = ——— DIED IN ILLINOIS, Levi A, Stifier Left Tusseyville Thirty. Eight Years Ago. Levi A, Btiffler, a native of Potter township, died at his home in McCon- nell, Illinois, Saturday, May 12th, He wae born near Tusseyville, October 18, 18566, hence was in his sixty-second year. In the epring of 1879 he depart- ed for the west in company with hie brothers Leslie and William, settling in the vicinity of McConnell, Illincle, where he spent all his remaining years, following farming as an occupa tion. He was united in marriage to Mise Busan Yeager, of McConnell, on March 18, 1881, and seven children were born to their union, afl of whom are living, as follow : Mrs. Clema Long, of Bridgeport, Wisconsin ; Mre. Miouple Frit'e, of Washington state ; Alfred Stiffier, of Grand Island, Ne- braska ; John Btiffler, of Bt. Paul, Minnesota ; Mre. Eithlyn Brown, of Freeport, Ill; George BStiffler, and Mre., Cora Pennypacker, of McCon- nell, Ill. Also ope brother, Peter Stiffler, and one gleter, Mrs. Tamer Fetterolf, bith of Yesgertowp, Pa. His pareote, two sisters and three brothers preceded him to the grave. The funeral was held at McConnell on Tuesday of last week, conducted by Rev. J. O. Neal of the United Breth- ren church. Nearly 400 people paid their last respects to the deceased. LA —— Centre Hall, 9 ; Millhelm, 8. The Millheim and Centre Hall base- ball clubs engaged in a hotly contested game on Grange park on Baturday sf- ternoon, Centre Hall coming out of the fray a 9 to 8 victor, chiefly through the potency of their bate. Very sel. dom, indeed, is such free hitting seen at the opening of the season, in the face of pitching which was far from being of an inferior quality. This ap- plies to both teams, Centre Hall col- lected seventeen safe swats off Weaver and Waite, the latter player haviog a minor lesgue reputation, earned at Bunbury, Millhelm wss only three hits ehort of the number amassed by the locale, but pitcher “Curly” Aum- an displayed more grit with men on bases. This was best shown in Mill- heim’s last turn at bat—the ninth ip- nirg. Thanks to Waite's elephantine movement he got only to third basse on & drive which bad all the force and pep to entitle ite owner to a home run. Only one band was down ; a sure tie and possible victory looked rosy for the visitors but Auman kept his nerve and retired the remaining two batlers on strikes, The players engaged were as follow : Mililbeim—H. Meyer, 2b; Weaver, ps 10 ; Goodhart, 3b ; Kessler, ¢ ; M. Meyer, sa ; Waite, 1b, p ; Bmith, If; Wilson, of ;: Garis, rf. Centre Hall—Kuarr, s ; Bradford, 3b ; Stahl, 2b; Garis, ¢ ; N. Crawford, tf ; Auman, p ; A. Crawford, of ; Foss, 1b ; Bailey, of ; Mitteriing, rf, SOORE BY INNINGS, Milheim—~ 30101003 0-8 Centre Hall-4 1 02010 1 x9 MM A —— Writes from McoConnell, iL J. H. Jordan, of McConnell, Iili- noise, wrote the Reporter under date of May 10ib, enclosing an obituary on the late Levi Btiffler, whom Mr. Jor- dan knew since school-boy days back in the '70's at the old “Loop” school at Uolyer. Concerniog farm work in that sec tion of Illinois, Mr. Jordan reports that farmers are trying to plant corn after a long delay, due to the most backward spring in years, *‘ Prices of foodstufls are the highest I have ever known,’’ he writes, “and cannot quote figures because by the Lime this is io print prices will undoubtedly be higher," ———— I —————— Former State College Man Killed in France Harold Williamson, formerly con- nected with the animal husbandry de- partment of The Pennsylvania State College, has been killed on the British front in France. Word of his death came to Dr. E. E, Sparks Inst week, Williamson, who left two years age, was struck by a shell while bringing German prisions era from the front. He was identified by a clipping from the State College Times announcing bis departure from the college and enlistment with the Canadian troops. IM A AA—— Flowers for Memorial Day, Children should brivg flowers for Memorial Day to the local P, O, 8B, of A. rooms, in the bank buliding, on Wednesday afternoon. A register will be kept of the names of all the young people bringing flowers and will be published in this paper the following week. Governor at State College, Governor Martin G. Brumbaugh will preach th the auditorium to the senior class at the Pennsylvania State College, on Banday, May 27. The public fa cordially invited to attend, TOWN AND COUNTY NEWS, HAPPENINGS OF LOCAL INTEREST FROM ALL PARTS J.Q A. Miles, of Marthe, visited his daughter, Mre, G. O, Benner, for several days Inet week, The nickel cigar is said to be in dan- ger owing to the increase of tax on cigars for war purposes, Col, and Mre. W. H. Bhoemaker re- turned from their New York home to “ Restless Oaks ” at McElhattan, Juries may be empowered to decide whether the penality for first degree murder shall be death or life imprison~ ment, Lewis Wolfe, who moved with his parents to New Berlin, two weeks 8go, mssisted the local High school play in Grange hall,, on Thursday evening. The greater part of the corn hes been planted. The planting was done at least a week later than the average, little of the crop having been planted prior to the 15th. In making exemptions from military service the dependent wife in many cases may be the bread-winner, but the government won't look into de- tails close enough to make such a dis- covery. The old family Bible is being thumbed over by more sons of their mothers than for some years. The parte that are being read most are those bearing the records when they came into being. It appeared that every Tin Lizzie and sutomobile that could run wae on the road on Bunday. It was time for the “excuse my dust’ pennants to be displayed on the back, but very few were in evidence, Millbeim High school graduated a clase of four member on Tuesday even- They are Maragret B. Mensch, Mar- ion I. Adame, Franklin J. Heckman and Paul J. Meyer. A good soaking rain is sorely need- ed. The protracted rainy spell of a few weeks back failed to yield a great precipitation, as is shown by the local government recorde. Only an inch and a quarter cf rain fell over a period of six rainy days. While driving on Pine creek road a horse owned and driven by W. B. Hostermanp, near Woodward, dropped dead. Colic also caused the death of a valuable horse belonging to Bruce Weber, of Rebersburg, and one the property of Thomas Bennage, of near Madisonburg, made sa narrow escape from death from the same disease, Last week mention was made in these columps of the contemplated move on the part of D, Milton Brad- ford from Centre Hall to Keymar, Maryland. My, Bradford has since accepted the position of railroad agent atl that point snd will move with his family the latter part of this month. He will ship the greater part of his household goods this week. A number of the colony of fifty or more martine that for a number of years have been nesting in the bird house at the Fisher store, Penn Hall, have died. Mr. Fisher, who is much interested in the birds, thinks the mar- tine are starving, owing to the lack of insects caused by the cold weather. The martin is one of the most useful insect-eating birde, and feeds entirely while on the wing. Burely an individual who would committ so disbolical a deed as to hurl a whisky flagk, with half its con- tents rewsaining io the flask, through a church window should suffer most se vere penalty. Bome one in Millhjem is guilty of such an offenses, the act having occurred Saturday night a week ago, at the United Evangelical church. The officials are offering a reward of $10 for the arrest of the guilty person. Miss Lizzie Harpster, of Harrie burg, a guest at the Arney home dar ing the past week or more, was a oall- er at this office, and expressed delight over the good work being done by Mies Rankin, she haviog been 8 next door peighbor when living in Missouls, Montannos. Since coming into public life Miss Rankin on a number of oocoa- sions has stopped with Mise Harpeter's sister, Mre. (Dr.) G. H. Widder, who aleo made her aquaintance when a girl and lived in the far northwest. The past week has been one of the worst in many years for forest fires in the state. Thousands of acres of wooded land were burned over in Huntingdon aed Mifflin counties. Bee sides the timber loss small game le said to have been destroyed to a great extent, Centre county suffered cone siderably too, the greatest fire being in the “barrens,” above State College. Farm buildings were often in and for several days the entire force of the MoNiut-H Lumber company, at Waddle, t fame,
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