Harrisburg in 1914
[Continued from First Page.]
some effect on building the coming twelve momhs, as those forced
out of homes in the Eighth ward will seek residence elsewhere.
NEW CHURCHES.
One of the large structures now in course of erection is the
Mechanics Rational Bank at Third and Market streets, which
will be completed about April ist, and the Moorhead knitting
mill is another model structure that may be regarded as a 1914
product, since it was completed and dedicated during the early
part of the present year.
Neither must one overlook the beautifully designed and in
other ways model factory of the Elliott-fisher Typewriter Com
pany in South Harrisburg, especially since it is currently reported
that another such building is to be built shortly by the same
firm, due to the rapid increase of its business both at home and
abroad.
AT STEELTON.
But Harrisburg will have to take a back seat to Steelton in
the way of new buildings. It is of current report that nearly
$4,000,000 is to be spent there by the Pennsylvania Steel Com
pany in the way of improvements and enlargements. Already
the company has put into use this year one of its new furnaces
and its new office buildings. This was followed only a day or
Izuo ago by the announcement that the company has asked that
the tenants of fifty houses on the West Side be vacated in order
to give space to a new mill and the extension of the company's
railroad shifting yards.
That adds to the joy of the real estate men of both this city
and Steelton as the fifty families must find quarters elsewhere
and new dwellings will have to be built, as every house in Steel
ton and practically every one in Harrisburg is nozv occupied.
SCHOOL AND CHURCHES.
The year 1914 will see the erection of several large churches in *
Harrisburg and others are making preparations along the same
line. The latest to make an announcement of the kind is the
Messiah Lutheran church, which will put up a building to cost
not less than $150,000 as soon as a proper site can be obtained.
A large sum of the necessary money has been raised.
The Bethel A. M. E. church, one of those within the Capitol
Park zone, lias taken out a permit for the erection of an edifice
to cost $19,000 at Ash and Briggs streets, and the zvork trill
start with the opening of spring.
St. Lawrence German Catholic church is another within the
park zone that must soon look for a new home. Wherever it
goes will go the expenditure of several hundred thousand dollars,
for the congregation will in all likelihood include in the plant to
be built a parish house, parochial school and residence as well as
church.
The Harrisburg school board has plans made for a new school
on Allison Hill and this will unquestionably be built this year,
beginning early in the spring. 7he new structure will contain
besides a gymnasium and domestic science rooms, an auditorium
intended for social center zvork in the evenings. The school
house will embrace all of the very late ideas in educational work.
NOT ALL IN DOLLARS AND CENTS.
But not all of the zvork for the upbuilding of Harrisburg in
1914 can be redkoned in dollars and cents. There is for in
stance, the Chamber of Commerce, a nezu and efficient body
which has taken the place of the old Board of Trade. This
body is planning a campaign of advertising that will bring the
advantages of Harrisburg as a manufacturing, and more par
ticularly as a distributing center, and desirable place of residence
before every community in the country. Eventually the city will
reap its reward from this in business and money, but at present
it is educational and constructive instead of being immediately
profitable from a cash standpoint.
1 here is also in the West End a very liz'cly civic body known
as the West End Improvement Association, zvhich has for its
purpose the construction of subways beneath the tracks of the
Pennsylvania Railroad at Division street and other points, but
at the first named place especially. The West Enders will during
the year take up many subjects for the betterment of the large
and rapidly extending section of the city which they so well
represent.
I lie Church federation's activities come along the same line.
The members are aiming at a "dry" tozvn, free from vice and
strong in church membership. The new Federation promisss to
be very busy during 1914.
'1 he school board will renew its agitation for a nezv high school,
in an attempt to educate the voters up to the passage of a loan
sufficiently large to enable the directors to erect a building com
mensurate with the needs of the city. Another old theme that
has been rentwed is the erection of a new hotel, this time by
New York capital, largely, and with no local boosting. It looks
better than any one of the schemes so far suggested along this
line.
'I he city will have at least two gatherings of stse here this
year—the Odd fellows of the State and the Pennsylvania Fire
men's Association. They give the hotel project interest, in view
of the fact that we are going to have difficulty in caring for our
visitors. The Central Pennsylvania Methodist conference will
meet here in March.
Home-building will continue throughout the year, but on a
somewhat limited scale. Contractors and builders say the out
look is good but they see no "boom" in sight anywhere and they
will be content if the year is as good as that of 191j.
All told Harrisburg has not much to worry about during 1914 '
and very much to be thankful for. No matter how times may
go'with other communities we are in a measure assured of be
ing able to provide work for all who zvant it and the outlook is
good for a fairly prosperous twelve months which is about all
that any municipality has a right to expect in times as unsettled
as these.
Men Storm Church and
Demand Place to Sleep
By Associated Press
New York, Feb. 28.—Several hun
dred men out of employment, marched
to the Second Avenue Baptist Church,
near Tenth street, last night and, in
terrupting a prayer meeting, demand
ed that they be allowed to sleep in
the church for the night. Their atti-
tude was so threatening that the sex
ton telephoned for the pollco while the
pastor, the Rev. R. F. Pierce, was par
leying with them. They were per
suaded to go away by the police, who
threatened to make wholesale arrests.
The advance on the church followed,
according to the police, a mass meet
ing held late yesterday. The men de
cided to go to a different church each
night and demand shelter. The Sec
ond Avenue Church was selected as
the first point of attack.
Natural History Society Field Excursion to Top of RockviUe Mountain
t ***** *'' k ■ «-. jSBI fvjft.
_. . "Jij° abov « group represents one of the many Held trips taken last summer by the Natural History Society
The trips are taken bi-weekly and accompanying every party there are always several "leaders," each of whom
Is thoroughly familiar with some particular kind of out-door life, such as wild flowers, birds, trees, rooks, etc.
each V V th« Wiuarrf l^ifrt? 1 ! Bo , c ' et . y J B carrled on in il s section meetings, of which three aro held
each in the Wlllard ■qnool building. Varied programs are presented, covering many phases of plant
and animal life, geology, astronomy, physics and chemistry. A broader educational phase of the Natural "Win
tory Society's activities is found in the monthly free public lectures on Se topics b>"
out-of-town speakers eminent In their chosen field, held in the Technical High School auditorium. The quali
dM« Th°» r of nfflnnri fnr V i%?s g n^ a a fJ? B ? iI? r tereS Jt «n natural history and payment of the annual
dues. Tho board of officers for 1914 are. President, Wm. R. Denehey; first vice-president, Boyd P. Roth
rock; second vice-president. Prof. Wm M. Fahnestock; treasurer, Miss Alice E. Glngher; corresponding sec
retary, Prof. James J. Hamaker; recording secretary, Prof. J. F. Rees. P 8
HARRISBURG SCHOOLS WILL
SHOW DEVELOPMENT IN 1914
THE year 1814 will see another
marked increase In the public
school enrollment of Harrisburg.
Another attempt will be made to get
the new high school building project
launched and a new grade school em
bracing all the latest features in school
construction—not to mention a social
center assembly room—will be erected
on Allison Hill. This Is designed to
meet the rapid growth of the eastern
section' of the city. * —••
The . total Bqhool enrollment during
the year just passed was 10,813;- aver
age number belonging, 9,871; average
daily attendance, 8,842: perceitage at
tendance, 91. The total high school
enrollment was 1,211, of which num
ber 60.5 were boys and 606 were girls.
The Central high school enrollment
was 916 and the Technical high school
295. The teachers' training school
enrolled 37.
During the year the Cejitral high
school losses were 146; the Technical
high school losses, 52. The extent of
losses in the former institution is un
usual, being no doubt due to the un
satisfactory physical conditions exist
ing there during the past year.
This shows the vast educational
problem with which the School Board
has to deal and the large number of
pupils seeking instruction. In this
connection figures for the past decade,
illustrating the increase of attendance,
has required the constant building of
new schools, may be interesting. The
following statistics show this growth:
In 1903-04. 9,540; 1904-05, 9,529;
1905-OG, 9.701; 1906-07, 9,843; 1907-08,
9,918; 1908.09. 10,094; 1009-10,
10,611; 1911-12, 10,561; 1912-1.3,
10,813. The loss in enrollment during
1911-12 was due to the change in the
time of closing the school year, as
provided by the new school code. The
above statistics indicate a continuous
and healthy growth, though not an
unusual one.
High School Needs
The high school conditions are such
as to make the early construction of
a new building almost imperative. So
much has been said of this that it
need but be mentioned. The Tech
nical high school, however, is a model
of its kind and its size and importance
will be given a proper setting when
the new Capitol Park extension is
completed..
Open-Air Schools
Another feature of Harrisburg pub
lie educational facilities Is that ot
open-air study, there being two such
schools now in operation. A special
committee was appointed in the Fall
of 1911 to visit certain eastern cities
for the purpose of studying open-air
schools and gathering data bearing
upon the general problem ol caring
for tubercular children in the schools.
The first outcome of this committee's
investigation and report was the es
tablishment in September, 1912, of
an open-air school In the old Lochiel
building. In planning this school an
effort was made to incorporate the
best features of the various instl- I
tutlons visited by the committee, as a
result of which we are able to boast of
a thoroughly equipped and up-to-date
school.
Accommodations were at first pro
vided for an enrollment of twenty-five,
but before the year closed it became
necessary to provide for a larger num
ber and to supply a% assistant teacher.
A total of thirty-nine pupils were en
rolled during the thirty-four of
whom were enrolled when the school
closed In June. Kven these enlarged
facilities, however, were Insufficient to
meet the needs of the district, and an
other school has been opened.
Upon entering the schools pupils
PURE ICE CREAM
KEYNOTE OF TDIS
FIRM'S SUCCESS
Walker & Messimer Follow High
Standard of Purity In
Their Product
One of the best known enterprises
in the city is the ice cream business
of Walker & Messimer, 411 N. Sec
ond street. This stand was estab
lished about forty years ago, during
which time its ownership has twice
changed hands, the present firm ac
quiring the business four years ago.
To the progresslveness of the firm
and the high quality of Its product
must be credited the enviablo patron
age which It now enjoys. Constantly
increasing trade has made necessary
the building of a larger and strictly
modern plant at the rear of 409 North
Second street, which property was re
cently purchased by Dean F. Walker,
a member of the firm. The new plunt
will be rushed to completion In order
to be ready for the usual summer
rush.
Only lngredlonts of absolutely un
questioned purity are permitted to en
ter the product of this Arm, as a re
sult of which an unusually high grade
of ice cream and Ices Is manufactured.
Not only is special attention devoted
to the retail trade, but this enterpris
ing firm also enjoys a largo wholesale
output to many local soda fountains.
—Advertisement.
fiAFRISBURG TELEGRAPH \
are supplied with individual blankets,
i soapstones, towels, wash cloths and
, tooth brushes. They are given light
lunches at 10.15 and 12.15, consisting
principally of milk and egg prepa
• rations In varied forms. Their car
fare, whtjn necessary, is furnished by
the Associated Charities from the
Christmas Red Cross funds. Careful
medical attention is given to each
pupil 'by the medical inspector and
the school nurses. Weight and tem
perature are carefully noted and re
corded. In fact, no detail in a pupil's
; physical interests is overlooked. The
average gain in weight of pupils who
enrolled prior to January 1. and. who
were therefore in attendance six
1 months or over, was T pounds. The
greatest individual gain was .13%,
pounds. In practically all Cases'tested
the condition of the blood ifnproved,
| the hemoglobin in some instances in
creasirtg . from 15 : fo 20 per cent;
Pupils have become mentally and
physically alert and the general health
of njost of them has greatly improved.
The teacher also reports that pupils
are in better condition at the end of
the day than at the beginning.
Reports from parents are also grati
fying. One mother states that her
son's health was better during the past
year than in any previous year of his
life. The family physician is delighted
with this Improvement. Reports are
general to the effect that pupils sleep
very much better at night that] they
I did before entering the open-aiH
| school.
j Most pupils enjoy their work thor
oughly. The rest period gives oppor
tunity for necessary relaxation, after
wMcjL_U?py. are ready and anxious to
New Idea
Hosiery Company
■ The -New Idea Hosiery Company.
South Fourteenth street, Is not only one
of Hurrlsburg'S youngest and "most
prosperous industries, but it may bo
sa.d to have attracted the attention or
industrial experts all over the coun
try by its economic claim to represent
' the most advanced ideas of manufac
! turniK- and distribution to be met with
anywhere.
j The name of the company "New Idea,"
lis njore than iustified by Its business
I methods,which are a distinct break away
from tradition, as well as by introduc
tion of many far reaching advanced
I manufactured product.
I Tho company was incorporated In
August, 1911, and started business Jan
,22, 1912 > succeeding to the es
tablished business of the Wellknit Hos-
I lery Company of which W. G. Starrv
was proprietor. Mr. Starry going with
the new company as president and
managing director.
I Mr. Starry was the new company's
greatest asset as it was upon the success
of Ills somewiiat revolutionary plans, to
i be carried out under his personal dlrec
t tion, that the suocess. of the company
depended.
The authorized capital of the com
pany is $100,000.00. On December 31st
last, exactly one-half of this had been
issued. The company had just finished
year's trading. Bales over
I * .?'OOO.OO. and in the two years had
I paid to its stockholders from net earn-
I ings I I per cent, in dividends besides
carrying over undivided profits aggre
gating over $5,000.
Such are the bnre facts—some of the
broad details must necessarily be in
teresting.
For instance, outside of Mr. Starry's
personal holdings, most of the capital
stock is held, not, as might be sup
posed. by private investors interested'
only in obtaining a return on their in
vestment, but by retail men's furnish
ers In almost every leading citv in
Pennsylvania. New Jersey, New York,
Rhode Island. Maine, New Hampshire.
Vermont, Massachusetts and some parts
or Indiana.
Every Stockholder Merchant becomes
f.F tn fr a special profit-sharing
basis with the company on the goods
which he purchases. The advantages
of the special proposition to the mer
chant are such that it pays him to ad
yertlse and popularize the demand for
iilfiJ n 21 v ? ea j ne - Tllo company has
little direct advertising to do, yet gets
I?.!L advantage of the permanent and
i , '"creasing business from the
stockholder dealers and thus the output
and production of the mill is not oniv
assured but GUARANTEED. Tt ls ob
vious that this makes the company
'"dependent of fluctuations
TJ ? ** ian Its competitors.
the r® ,s , another aspect. The
S«TSJVJJJ 4 f. e rl ? ht - . The °t |ier e"seil
- feature therefore is scientific man
agement and supervision in the inanu
. Product which
will hold its own in the finished mar
thii iJ * V ,e . Iflea Hosiery does
this is conclusively proven by the fact
l« a L n 'n i lr . } Vps ' t nnd s °uth—that
ntniui iS It 1 " ,? n,,t w "fked by the
R&}«S r uMerchant plan the lino
is handled by the largest buyers in
preference to all other makes, and the
demand for the goods to-day is far
supply powers of their mills to
The New Idea Factory on Four
i J street, is a larife three-storv
daylight' building: with a floor space
of 15,00n iiduarc feet. Over one hun
2™?!™ ™ ty mac 'Hnes are in dally n P .
eration. The company makes a full line
of men s and women's hosiery in cot
ton, lisle and silks, giving emplnv
ment to oyer a hundred workers. Two
branch out-of-town mills are also on
eratc<T which give employment to over
nn> people.
At the present time ,the directors of
?JT ipan5 * «jre seriously contemplat
out-of-town branch estab
isliments to take care of the rapidly
increasing demand. In this respectthe
shortage of local skilled labor ami
the fact that other sections are more
enterprising in offering attractions in
the way of capital, have to be con
sidered on their merits.
The company's-home office and mill
Fourteenth street and Mayflower ave
nue .estimated as to space to take car.*
of the company's growth for some years
to come, has all been utilised in les»
than two years. It Is certainly a mat
ter for congratulation to the company
and its officers, that they have mad*
good In so marked a fashion and the
future certainly looks very bright.
begin again. A few, however, have
been found to be physically unable to
do much. These have been subjects
of special care, everything possible,
under the circumstances, having been
done for them. The lunch periods also
give change and diversion. Pupils as
sist in setting the table and in remov
in anil washing the dishes. In fact,
they have learned to be very tidy
housekeepers. Many of them go home
able to tell their parents how to make
cocoa, and puddings and soups of vari
ous kinds. These incidental lessons
in domestic science are no small item
In estimating the value of the school.
The following, a typical weekly menu,
will doubtless prove interesting, the
average cost per pupil per day being
about 6% cents:
Monday —10.15, cream of tomato
soup, toast; 12.15, farina pudding,
toast, cocoa.
Tuesday 10,15, macaroni soup,
toast; 12.15 cornstarch or tapioca
pudding, toast, cocoa.
Evans-Burtnett Company
Wholesale Grocers
\
Fourteenth Year of a Busi ness Which Has Enjoyed a
Steady Growth
Forging ahead steadily and rapidly,
the Evans-Burtnett Company marks
the fourteenth year of their exist
once us one of the most successful
wholesale grocery lirma in the State.
Started in Itlnls lluildlug
Starting fourteen year* ago in the
rink building in Chestnut street, non
occupied by the Central Automobile
company, the company was composed
of Mahlon Evans and Charles W.
Burtnett.
For eight years, tliey conducted a
steadily Increasing business, until the
quarters then occupied became so
cramped and congested, that It was
decided upon to erect a new building.
Work was accordingly started In the
Spring of 1908 on a large plot In
South Second street, measuring 210
feet by sixty feet, and before the next
winter, they were installed in their
new home. The building Itself is one
to be proud of. It Is a three story
brick structure equipped with all the
modern conveniences of this business,
besides having 50,000 feet of floor
space which is entirely taken up In
YEAR 1914 BRINGS
CITY CHEAPER GAS
The Opening of the year 1914
brought with it a very welcome an
nouncement by the Harrlsburg Gas
Company to the effect that henceforth
this city is to have dollar gas. Up to
that time the price had been sl.lO.
This reduction is expected to greatly
increase the use of gas in the city, es
pecially during the summer time for
fuel purposes.
The (fas company has been steadily
cutting rates for the past six or eight
years, cutting down the price as rap
idly as increased consumption made
a reduction possible. A year ago the
cost was reduced to large consumers,
but they did not come under the head
of the 1914 decrease. •
Under the new rates all consumers
of gas up to 10,000 feet are charged $1
per 1,000 cubic feet! for the next
20,000 feet, 90 cents; for the next
20,000 feet 80 cents, and all over
00,000 feet, 70 cents. This applies to
all city consumers. In the county
districts the rates are $1.06 per 1.000
cubic feet up to 10,000 feet; 95 cents
for the next 20,000, 85 cents for the
next 20,000,-and 75 cents for all over
50,000 feet.
There is a minimum charge of SO
cents per meter per month, owing to
the fact that over 5,000 consumers
burn less than 30 cents' worth a
month. This charge is made as low
as could be consistently done and
maintain the service. Elsewhere the
minimum charge is about 50 cents a
month, and In some cases sl. Most
electric companies have a minimum
charge of $1 per month.
Gas Ranges
It is a comparativly few years but
nevertheless a long cry back in point
of results since the old Harrlsburg
Gas Company ilrat attemptd to install
j domestic and industrial gas operated
! equipment in Harrlsburg homes and
factories. The number of the con
sumers was at that time extremely
limited and gas sold for just twice
what It brings to-day—s2 per 1,000
cubic feet. It Is Interesting to note
In this respect that while the price
of coal has steadily Increased, the cost
of gas to the consumers has been cut
in half.
In 1883 the local gas company first
went into the business of selling gas
ranges for the home. It did a total
business of exactly four ranges for
that year and congratulated itself
upon this as a splendid achievement.
To-day, thirty-one years thereafter,
there are a total of about 15,000
ranges served, with gas daily from
the Harrisburg plant, and while the
price of gas has gone down and the
service has been very much improved,
Wednesday—lo.ls, milk, eggs; 12.15,
vegetable soup or baked macaroni,
toast, cocoa.
Thursday—lo.ls, lentil soup, toast:
12.15, cream of wheat pudding, toast,
cocoa.
Friday—lo.ls, cream of pea soup,
toast; 12.15, rice pudding, toast, cocoa.
The matter of induntrial education
has been frequently discussed and will
, the handling of trade and merchan
i disc.
• ltapid Growth of tlie Business
l After the complete installation of
. the business, the Increase In trade be
came so great that extra employes
i were taken into service, and two largo
automobile trucks were added to the
) delivery facilities. At the present time.
I the company operates three large au
. tomoblle trucks, and four teams.
Twenty-eight persons are employed In
L addition to the road salesmen,
i The Gvans-Burtnett Company han
> die only the highest grade goods, and
i the assortment Is one of the best In
. Central Pennsylvania. They have the
i exclusive agency of many of the na
i tlonally Advertised foods and food
i stuffs.
i Their operations not only Inolude
' the city and Immediate vicinity, but
i also towns In a radius of from ten to
' seventy-five miles.
i Their reputation for prompt and ef
i flclent service has won for them an
' enviable name, and brought them Ut
ever increasing trade.
the gas range has been remarkably
developed in point of efficiency, econ
omy and quality of material and
workmanship.
The first gas ranges sold here were
little more than gas burners so con
structed as to permit of the house
wife using them for cooking purposes.
To-day, the gas range Is as scientifi
cally perfect as It is possible to make,
combining a minimum of gas burned
with a maximum of heat attained,
and rivaling in elaborate equipment
and wearing qualities any heating de
vice known.
The popularity of gas stoves and
gas water heaters is illustrated very
well by the fact that fully one-fourtii
of the houses now constructed in Har
risburg are provided with no other
means for cooking or heating water.
On cold days in autumn or as an
auxiliary in parts of houses little used
or very much exposed, gas logs and
the gas heaters arc growing steadily
in popularity.
Industrial Uses
But is is in industrial lines, perhaps,
that the greatest progress has been
made in the education first of the pub
lie to the advantages of the gas as a
fuel. As an instance of the extent
ito which this form of heating has
grown, it was announced to-day by a
gas company official that he is at
; present arranging to install in a local
manufacturing concern two gas ap
pliances which it is estimated will
consume each about 700 feet an hour,
and there are other concerns drawing
I their gas from the local plant that uso
! as much as 1,000 feet an hour.
These firms find it profitable to use
gas in such large quantities for the
reason that it gives them the advan
tages of cleanliness and wen heat
and does away with a large amount of
unskilled labor. They figure that in
Iho end they have better service at
an expense which compares favorably
with that of any other fuel they might
use.
Oat" is now used as a fuel In printing
offices for 2 large baking ovens, big
candy makers, in all manner of intri
cate tool tempering processes and, in
fact, in evory industry where the high
est point of efficiency is demanded.
The use of gas is growing more rapidly
now than ever before. The reduction
in price noted herewith has added
fresh impetus to the business. More
houses than ever are being equipped
for it and there is scarcely an Industry
in Harrisburg or vicinity that does not
use it to some extent, and most of
them are figuring on gas equipment
that will add to their efficiency and
reduce their expenditures.
be taken up again this year. Its in
stallation is regarded as assured at an
early date. Especially is this impor
tant in the grammar grades. The
Technical high school now provides
industrial opportunities for those boys
who are able to continue their
cation into the high school. In n new
general high chool like opportunities
will be provided for the girls.