PIN HOPE O HOUR CONFERENCE [Continued From First Page] v reported had already been communicated informally to the man agers and had met with unofficial approval, Samuel Gompers. appointed as one of the mediators, failed to appear at the conferences and his whereabouts were unknown. New York, March 17. t - The mediation committee was still in conference with the brotherhood chiefs at 1.15 o'clock. At that hour Daniel Willard, one of the mediators, asked for reservation in the hotel where the conferences are taking place, of a room to accom modate thirty people. This was taken to mean that a joint con ference between tli four mediators, the four chiefs, the railroad man agers' committee and the railroad executives was contemplated. Xew York, March 17. The mediators without Samuel Gomp ers being present, resumed the conferences, meeting the four brotherhood chiefs shortly before 10:30 o'clock. Samuel Gompers, one of the four mediators, did not arrive at the hotel where his i colleagues are stopping and his whereabouts this morning were un known to them. Secretary Lane, declining to discuss last night's meetings, was asked if any specific plan was under consideration to-day looking toward an adjustment. He replied: "There are various plans before us. We Want to find out what will be acceptable to both sides. They have been fighting it out with a great deal of ability on botli sides between themselves for some time. We are working sincerely and earnestly to find a solution of the problem. After we have talked to the brotherhood chiefs we will see the representative sof the railroads again." Mr. Lane said it had not been determined whether both sides would meet with the mediators in a eeneral conference. He indicated tins'was a possibility. When asked whether there has been a "get together spirit" manifested by both sides, his only reply was: "T'hdre has been on my part." PRESIDENT SEEKS MEANS TO PREVENT GENERAL STRIKE May Resort to Drastic Steps if Mediation Fails of Results 11 v Associated Press Washington, D. C., March 17. — President Wilson early to-day began a sUidy of ways of stopping the strike if mediation fails. The legal experts of the government have informed the President that there is no specific law giving liim authority to use drastic steps, but it was realized that in times of national crisis the power of the President is such that he can do almost anything in the public interest. In this connection a conversation between Mr. Wilson and ex-President Cleveland years ago was recalled to day. At the time llr. Cleveland, who settled the railroad strike in Chicago, and Mr. Wilson were discussing at Princeton a threatened strike in the anthracite coal fields of Pennsylvania. Mr. Cleveland remarked that if he were President bo would Btop tho strike. Mr. Wilson asked him under ■what authority. Mr. Cleveland replied that he did not. know, but that he would find the authority. BAUPAMEFALLS TO BRITISH ARMY [Continued From First Page] this week the British forces stood at the very doors of the town, occupy ing the commanding ridge lying just west of it. Its fall was then consid ered a matter of the choice of a time for the British assault. Of Vital ImiHJrtancc Bapaume is considered a position of vital importance in this region of the Franco-Belgian front. It lies at the limit of the Artois hills which afford support for the defense in attacks from the west and south, for beyond it lay the plains of Flanders, with Cambrai, Valenciennes and Douair in view. The capture, it has been held by military writers, will probably serve to make Peronne untenable and render St. Quentin an unsafe place for the shelter of the German staff. Bapaume is connected with Cam brai, eighteen miles further east by a railroad passing through Marconing and also by a road of superior con struction running in a direct line be tween the two towns known as the Tlouen-Valenviennes route. The town which had a population of 3,000 before the war, is a place of historical note. It was the scene of a hard battle between the Grench and Germans during the Franco-Prus sian wa ron January 3, 1871, the Ger mans after the struggle falling back behind the Sommc. Armies have struggled in or near it in wars since the time of Louis XI. 200-Horsepower Aircraft Motor by Packard Co. The 200-horsepower aircraft motor which the Packark Company has been developing in the past two years is about ready to take flight. The pro cess of installing the engine in spe cially constructed planes is now go ing on rapidly, and the flfst ascen sion probably will be witnessed with in a fortnight. Final work on the motor has been hastened by developments in the in ternational situation that may create an urgept need for aircraft in Amer ica. The flying tests of the now engine will be made at the Joy aviation field, near Mt. Clemens, Mich., where there are unusual facilities for trials over both land and water. W. B. Stout, chief engineer of the Vackard aircraft division, says that the machine will not be capable of more than 90 miles an hour, because of the peculiar construction of the Ijlanes made for it. but it will bo capa ble of mounting quickly to great heights. His observation is that the machine promises ability to ascend with at least six persona. Mere Announcement of Operation Effects Cure When I.,eroy Dixon, colored, 328 Muench street, saw everything ready to operate on him he decided It was all wrong and that he wasn't sick at all. Dixon had been taken to the Har rlsburg Hospital as a very sick man, so sick that he couldn't walk from the ambulance to the dispensary. When the doctors examined him ihey could find nothing wrong. One of them suggested an operation, Dixon forgot about his Inability to walk and started pacing the floor. However he decided the hospital would be a fine place to have a rest. He positively refused to leave. Patrolman George Ketro was called, who saw that Dixon got homo safely as soon as he was furnished with shoes. SATURDAY EVENING, LITTLE CHANCE LEFT TO AVERT RAILWAY STRIKE Country's Commerce to Be Paralyzed Unless the Un expected Happens By Associated Press Chicago, March 17. —Unless the un expected intervenes, the greatest rail road strike in the history of the world will send St. Patrick's Day, 1917, down in history with a significance hitherto unattached to the occasion. At 6 o'clock to-night the first steps destined unless checked to paralyze the commerce of the country, are to be taken by the 400,000 members of the brotherhoods of train service em ployes to attain, as the unions claim, the eight-hour- day in train service. According to the railroad managers, it is a flat stand-and-deliver order for more pay amounting in the aggregate to millions of dollars—a burden, which they claim is too great to be borne out of present revenues. The situation confronting the coun try Is eo big and so unusual that no one has been able confidently to pre dict just what it will do, nor just bow the strike order will work out. The railroads do not pretend to know how many men will be working to-morrow, nor what trains they can run; the brotherhoods do not know how many will obey the strike order. , To Take Stock Account Next week both sides will take ac count of the stock and settle to or ganized combat unless intervention by the President is successful to-day. Both sides are relying on the loyalty of the men —the brotherhoods to mem bership obligations and the principle of unionism; the railroads to the fam ily feeling of the old employes, the self-interest engendered of the better paying posinons, and a patriotism which may halt some from Wblking out in the face of a grave international situation. The program of the brotherhoods is well understood among the members. It was settled in detail at a mass meet ing hero last January, it was made public this week and the local chair men, who on each railroad division are in active command in the field, after a final ratification meeting here yesterday are to-day on their way to all parts of the country to take leader ship in the field. Cling to Hope New York, March 17. For more than six hours, until 3.40 o'clock this morning, th£ committee from the Council of National Defense labored with the railroad manage-.? and the brotherhood chiefs without finding a way to prevent the national railroad strike called for 7 o'clock to night. Hope of a settlement vw not abandoned, however, for the media tors continued their efforts a few hours later. It is probable that these peace conferences will continue all day. ; When the night session ended in the I Hotel Biltmore none of the wearied conferes would discuss the situation. The only announcement made came ! from Secretary Wilson of the Depart- I raent of Labor who said that the medi ators T\ould meet the brotherhood rep resentatives again at 9.30 o'clock to day and the railroad managers at 11 o'clock. The committee from the Council of National Defense sent from Wash in ,J --i ton by President Wilson consists r>f i Secretary Lane, of the Department of the Interior; Secretary of Labor Wil son, Samuel Goinpers, president of the American Federation of Labor, and Daniel Willard, president of the Bal timore and Ohio Railroad. Mr. Goin pers did not talco part in last night's conference, and his whereabouts could not be discovered. Government Has No Club The mediators negan their labors at 9 o'clock with the arrival of Secretary Lane. Sir. Wlllard had reached New York earlier In the evening and Secre tary Wilson Joined them at 10.30. The first session wan with leaders of the railroad brotherhoods. They declared they had come here with no definite plans and with no commands. As Sec retary Lane exprcssued It, "I have not come here with a club in my hands, but to listen and to Investigate." At 1.15 a. ni. the railroad managers, who had been watting in their quarters at the Grand Central Terminal, were called into the conference. The meet ing of the representatives of employ era and employes lasted barely liaif an hour. Before 2 o'clock the brother hood men left the room and It 1 believed began a conference of their own which lasted well toward day light, The manager remained with the mediator# until 3.40 a. m. It Is understood that the Council of National Defense Committee appealed to both sides on the ground of pat riotism and urged them to avert the strike on the ground that at suoh a time BH this It would be a national calamity. There were rumors that the brotherhoods might,be asked to accopt the terms of tlio switchmen's award whloli would give the men nine hour*' pay foe eight bourT work, in- i "BEFORE AND AFTER TAKING" mm&mm&mmm These -aung men joined the naval training station at Newport a few days since. The upper photo shows them, lean, lanky and without ambi tion. The lower picture shows the same four ten days after they had be gun training. Note the difference. They are erect, clean and purposeful. In fact, in ten days they were almost made over. 'SAKAFRAXTOM' BRINGS BREA TM OF SPRING HERE "Sakafrax Tom," one of the.surest harbingers of Spring, was in town yesterday with his little packets of sassafras bark. Although he has quite a husky voice you can smell the frag rant od-or of his burden long before he accosts you. Torn Weaver, is really his name and Tom is quite an interesting character. Ho hails from Speeceville and has a real backwoodsmen's distain for rail road trains, usually walking the en tire distance. Although morally not quite on a level with "The Harvester" ho has many of his other traits. He earns a living almost entirely by harvesting the products of the deep woods. The location of every root and bark that can be sold is cataloged long before harvest time comes. In huckleberry season George carries a big galvanized tank on his shoulers that holds thirty quarts. He sells them usually in Dauphin. Tom had a little experience with a horse once that made him a confirmed pedestrian for life. Most of his neigh bors had- horses, so when Tom had a chance' at a good bargain—only $7 for a real live horse—he purchased the nag, but found that although he had life, he wasn't very lively. He also purchased a good spring wagon chqap and set out for his initial joy ride to the Capital City. stead of the ten hours' pay provided by the Adamson law. No inkling of what transpired in the conference room, however, came from any of those present. Hail roads Issue Kmbargo In preparation for the strike all the big railroads have issuecj embargo or ders on freight. The New Haven an nounced that beginning to-night all sleeping and dining car service would be discontinued unless meanwhile-the strike was declared off. Most of the railroads announced that efforts will be made to continue the movement of food and fuel. Prior to the resumption of conferences with the brotherhood representatives this forenoon one of the mediators said the situation was devoid of develop ments. Neither side has made over tures, he said, and he did not consider the outlook promising at that hour. HARRISBURG TO BE SELF-SUSTAINING [Continued From First I'agc] rail connections with the seaports were severed, would be cut off. Men acquainted With conditions in the surrounding country say there is a sufficient numbef of mills run by water power near here to grind enough wheat to keep the city supplied with a re duced amount of flour, so there will bo no bread shortage. Month'* (How of Groceries If the Pennsylvania Railroad and the Philadelphia anl Heading Railway freightmen go out Monday night, in accordance with the strike schedule, a month's normal supply of groceries will be foundi in the warehouses of local' wholesale grocers. Meats will be avail able for the next three months' de mand, according to representatives of Swift and Company. If the strike con tinues longer than that live stock on the surrounding farms could be slaugh tered. No serious trouble Is expected in the city for at least several months be cause stocks can and are being re plenished hy express. By that time Spring vegetables will be comlilg In. Tho lack of coal for the steel mills and Industrial plants Is ex pected to prove the most serious han dicap. Keboch Closes Big Contract For Jackson Cars in State P. 11. Keboch, factory representa tive of the East for the Jackson mo torcurn, closed n distributing contrnct with K. U. Hobbs, of Pittsburgh, for Western Pennsylvania. This contract calls for two hundred cars, fifty of them for immediate delivery. This business totals $52,312.50. For one day's work, that is not bad, eX Pete? \ ftXRHISBURG SBSI TEtEORXPH When Tom arrived he was advised on the outskirts of the city that the physical appearance of his nag wasn't exactly In conformity with the ideas accepted by the S. P. C. A. as regards trotting horses. Hauls Horse 'Home Knowing it wasn't necessary to tie the "nag," he allowed him to stand near Riverside. After trudging Into the city to buy his monthly supply of "grub." he loaded tho wagon and ,ported his outfit toward Speecevllle. Not speaking of a burr that came off and dropped the one end of the wagon to the ground, everything went fine until the last crest of Red Hill had been surmounted. | The day was hot and the road was | dusty, so Tom's horse decided to lay i down for a rest. Tom's creed forbade f deserting a in distress. Not only that; a man accustomed to the stride that gets you there didn't like the idea of a slow caravan to Speece vllle. Finally a brilliant idea dawned unon him. Why not load the horse on the wagon and pull the horse? Securing a couple rolls, Tom slowly pulled the tired animal to the wagon, i Taking the shafts in his hands he set off In true coolie style for home. (When he arrived the horse and wagon | were disposed of at cost. that time Tom has taken his joy Jaunts on I foot. ASK BIDS FOR COURIER PLANT To Start Work Soon 011 New Fireproof Building in North Third Street Bids were asked forthis week' by- Harry and Leon Lowengard for the erection of a four-story building at 210 North Third street. The sstructure, when completed, will house the Courier Publishing Company. It will be constructed along modern designs, brick and con crete, and fireproof. Work will be started as soon as the contract is awarded. Five buildings permits for small improvements and for a row of three brick houses to be built at Cumber land and Monroe streets were issued to-day by Clerk Joseph W. Ibach. Benjamin Henderson Is the con tractor and is in charge of the con struction work for William H. Wash ington. The houses will cost $2,500. The other Improvements include: Addition to one-story frame building at the rear of 1341 North street, owned by J. W. Morris, cost, $150; one-story brick-garage for O. It. Givvin at the northwest corner of Third and Gelger streets, $1,000; one-story brick garage, rear 217 Woodbine street, owned by George Burton Stull, $500; one-story brick building, 309 Blackberry street, foe G. and C. A. Doehne. S2OO. . STREET CAVES IX Melting snow and heavy rains dur ing the last week caused a small cave in last night at Boas and Susquehanna streets, which will be repaired at once, city highway officials announce. About a month ago a water main under the street bursted undermining the as phalt, xvhlch was removed. Owing to weather conditions this could not be properly repaired at once, it was ex plained. GAS INSPECTION' DELAYED Inspection of all gasoline measur ing pumps used at city garages will be started next week by Harry D. Reel, Inspector of weights and measures. In spector Reel planned to start this work two weeks ago, but delay In the de livery of an automobilo for his de partment prevented him from beeln niftg the Inspection, POWELL SAYS HE IS "CHECKING UP" Auditor General Engages Out side Accountants to Go Over His Office Records Auditor General A. W. Powell to day Bald that expert accountants wfere going over the books of his depart jnent for the purpose of "checking up" but denied that they were out of bal ance with tho State Treasury. The Auditor General said that the books balanced every night, but he wanted to "check up" and asserted that there was nothing unusual in the 'work, although men are working un til far into the night. "Wow many men are employed on this work?" was asked. "I do not know. 1 turned that over to the head of the bureau, Mr. Biin dle," answered Air. Powell. The Auditor General suid that he did not know the men but understood that they had come from officer of the Pennsylvania, the Elliott-Fisher Company and the International Har vester here. They came in after 4 o'clock In the afternoon .when the regular force quit work, todo the "checking up." "Is tho State going to pay the bill for this checking up?" was then asked. "Certainly," replied Mr. Powell with a smile. , The story has been going the rounds that tho books of the Auditor General are out of balance on tax accounts a couple of hundreds of thousands of dollars, but this was emplmitcally de nied. There Is no charge of shortage of cash. It is said that the money for the payment of the expert accountants is contained in the deficiency bill, but State Treasurer Robert K. Young may ask the opinion of the Attorney Gen eral before paying fo the extra work. Railways Company Files Its Reply In Linglestown Case The Harrisburg Hallways Company to-day tiled an answer at the office of the Public Service Commission on the informal complaint of Dr. M. G. Schantz, of Linglestown, who objected to the forty-eight-minute schedule to Linglestown In which the company so'ts forth Its new schedule and calls attention to the improvement In the service on that division. By the new schedule says President Musser, the company has avoided the "bunching" of cars and there Is now six-minute service to Penbrook Square, 12-ininute service to Progress, 12 and 24-minute service to Paxtonia and 48 to Linglestown. The service, he explains, meets the demands of the greater part o ftlve traveling popula tion along the line better than evet before. The average dally travel be tween Market Square and Progress he said, has been 6,969 since the change went into effect and the greater part is from Progress into the city and out again to that town. The six-minute service to Penbrook Square, he says, is much better than the seven and a half suggested by the complainant. As to service to Linglestown he says that It is the same as that to con siderably larger towns which originate much more travel and thrft forty-min ute minute service did.not work. Schumann-Heinke Will FiH Engagement in Fall Fred C. Hand, of the Keystone Con cert Course, made this announcement to-day: "The accident which compelled Ma dame Schumann-Heinke to cancel all engagements, naturally left a musical void in my Keystone Concert Course here which I confess I am unable to till. I have considered other musical celebrities to till the canceled date, but after all —no one can take the place of Schumann-Heinke —and I feel there fore, that it is better to give up the concert entirely than to offer any other i artist —no matter how good—because I am convinced there would be more or less disappointment and dissatis faction. I wa". to give the public what I promise- so it is with pleasure that I announce that I have secured Mine. Schumann-Heinke for her ap pearance lnHarrlsburg next October to make good the cancelation due to her accident. The season tickets now out will be good for that concert —please keep that In mind. The closing num ber of the Keyntone Concert Course for the present season wil be the San Carlo Grand Opera Company, fresh from their greatest season of triumph which will appear at the Orpheum Theater In "Rigoletto" on Friday evening, March 23. This is an opera that always creatps enthusiasm. It is worth golgg miles to see and hear—- the music is by Verdt, a master com poser. Holders of season tickets oan secure an exchange of same by calling at Sigler's Music Store, 30 North Sec ond street. "I desire In this way to express my sincere thanks for the hearty support j I have received at the hands of the | music-loving people of Harrisburg and to assure them that in tho future I shall strive as In the past to give them only the beet tho world of tnuslc has to offer." Velie Makes Record Production of Biltwels It has been considered an Inherent factor of the automobile industry that buyers should wait until spring had really dawned to place their oiders. anr that they should store their carß away with the llrst approach of win ter months. In the one case the eager purchas er was compelled to wait ofttlmes until the season was ell along before his car as deliveerd to him; in the other, some of the most pleasant and invigorating motoring of the year was lost altogether. But with -the development of the automobile industry has come a [change in the habits and thoughts of the used. Now, he placeM his or der as unhesitatingly in the winter months as in the spring or summer, and, as a result benelits through the Joys of prompt delivery and all-year driving. Absolute evidence of this fact is shown in the deliveries of Velle "BUt wel" Sixth the last three months, usually the lightest of the year from the "standpoint of shipments. Decem ber, January and February have proven the largest months in the his tory of the Velle Company with Feb ruary capping the climax with a smashing record. The mile of Velie factory at Mo line, Illinois .has ben working Inces santly to keep up with the ever-In creasing demand and shipments by trainloads to all points of the com pass have become a dally occurrence. M&TIVH row 10It WINS I<a*t night the P. R. R. Motive Power five defeated the lOnola representative quintet In a game played on the as sociation floor. The final score was 38 to IS. Fellows, Pparver and Wlnne featured for the Motive Power five, while the Wall brother* played the best game for the Enola , MARCH 17, 1917. LOCAL OFFICIALS READY FOR STRIKE; P. R. R. EMBARGO Wliile v both Pennsylvania Railroad and Philadelphia and Reading Hail way officials said they firmly believed there would be no general strike, every precaution Is being taken to guard against trouble. Many steps are being taken to prepare for eventualities. Members of the four brotherhoods in Harrisburg are watchfully waiting They refuse to talk. Engineers, con ductors and trainmen who are vital ly interested in the struggle now go ing on in New York and Washington are silent, too. The usual groups of railroad men are not to be found. Lodge rooms were opened this after noon and the brotherhood men, it is said, will await orders behind closed doors. Awaiting- Final Word Superintendent William B. McCaleb, of the Philadelphia division, said, "We must await the final word. The only thing that can be done Is to prepare to take care ot' our men and see that they are protected in case a strike comes." Similar precautions afe be ing taken on the Reading. H. K. l'lans Embargo Officials of both railroads called at tention to the embargo orders issued late yesterday and expressed the be lief that there would be no serious tie-up in the transportation of food stuffs. Indications are that if a etrike comes local industries may be obliged to shut down until a reorganization of train forces is affected and freight shipments can be handled promptly, ly. Effective Here Monday According to the plans outlined by the brotherhood heads, Pennsylvania and Reading employes are scheduled to quit at 6 o'clock Monday night. This means 48 hours to clear the yards of all important freight, and the Penn sylvania and Reading crews will be kept moving to-night, to-morrow and Monday. Harrisburg men who intend to go out on a strike must return to this city before going out. The em bargo orders issued by the Pennsy fol low. The I'. R. R. Kmlmrgo "Effective close of business Friday, March 16, on account of threatened strike, Pennsylvania Railroad, Phila delphia, Baltimore and Washington Railroad, and the West Jersey and Seashore Railroad embargo all freight of all kinds from all points for all destinations, except live stock and foodstuffs for human and animal con sumption (domestic), shipmments consigned to officers of the United States Government, fuel arid supplies for Company use of Pennsylvania Railroad and affiliated lines, and news print paper. "All freight as above described which may be in transit will not be SALESMEN'S CLUB PICKS OFFICERS Executive Committee Elected; Prominent Speaker Will Be Here Wednesday Members of the Salesmanship Club of Harrlsburg met last evening at the Boar dof Trade building and elected an executive committee that is to per fect the permanent organization by nominating officers. The ntfmes of the candidates will then be submitted to the members for balloting. This insures a club where every member has a voice in the selection of tjio officials that are to govern the club. Four of the executive committee who are to serve two years are S. S. Miller', C. H. Hunter, C. K. Deen and C. \V. Burtnett, and J. J. Shirley, John Her man and E. R. Eckenrode were chosen for one year. By this method there will always be men on the committee holding over after the first year thor oughly familia with the affairs of the club. Pending tli eelection of the permanent officers S. S. Miller will continue to act as president, E. W. Gilpin as secretary and Anton Benson as publicity manager. A speaker of national repute will be here Wednesday evening. Ijee Ander son, vice-president of th Hupp Motor Corporation, will addrss the members and all who are interested in sales manship as practiced by tho leading industrial establishments of the world are welcome to attend this meeting. Mr. Anderson nas for years been asso ciated with the leading automobile in dustries of Detroit In executive capaci ties and is well <iuallfied to impart in side Information that any executive, sales manager or wide-awake sales man will be glad to hear. Men of this caliber will be secured from time to tilie with, an "open forum policy," winch makes It possible to learn about salesmanship from all reliable sources. Low-Gear Run by Franklin Proves Air-Cooled Ability Icy roads proved no handicap ,to the first 100-mlle low-gear run ever at -1 tempted In lowa, when, on February 16, a Franklin touring car left Des Moines,on a trip to test the cooling ability of the air-cooled engine. In spite of the slipping and skidding, the car averaged 13% miles per hour, and just for good measure, rail 135% miles on low-gear without stopping the engine. Better than thirteen miles per hour on low-gear for ten hours without a stop, is a real test of an engine's ability. It is the equivalent of forty-two miles per hour on high-gear for ten consecutive hours. A careful examination at the conclusion of Its trip showed not the slightest sign of overheating or any other trouble. This run recalls to mind the low gear tests made by the Franklin, Sep tember 2". 1914. At that time 11# cars participated, each going 100 miles In low without stopping the engine. These cars were in the hands of Franklin dealers all over the country and were under the observation of automobile club and press representatives. J. W. McCormmacb. of Pendleton, Oregon, took part In this run and after ward decided to put the Franklin to an even more severe test. Ho he removed the high and intm-mediate gears and Healed the transmission. Then, on Au gust. 1, 1915, he started with two com panions for San Francisco from Walla Walla, Washington. The route led through Pendleton, Oregon, across the 1 r.O niilps of the Harney Desert, through the Slskivnu Mountains and Burney Pass and down the Sacramento Valley; 860 miles on low-gear without stopping the engine. It took 83 hours and 40 minutes to make the nonstop run. THANK nONATORS At a meeting of the Board of Di rectors of the Philadelphia Division Mo tive Power Athletic Association, last night, a resolution of thanks was ex tended to ,T. 11. Trop for the use of a piano; Edward llolbert, for the use of decorations, and Floyd Hopkins, for a spotlight used In connection with the opening of the new gymnasium and reception for the soldiers of the P. R. R. Motive Power Department, held centbu accepted from the New York, Phila delphia and Norfolk Railroad, Cum berland Valley Railroad, Cornwall and Lebanon Railroad, Susquehanna, Hloonisburg and Berwick Railroad, Pennsylvania lines west of Pittsburgh, or other connecting lines at any junc tion point after date and hour above named, regardless of date oil which shipment was accepted as indicated by date on billing. "Ali bills of lading issued on and after Saturday, March 17, 1917, and until further notice, must bear the following notation: " 'This shipment uccepted sub ject to delay, loss and damage account of threatened strike.' " "Jt is the belief of the manage ment of this railroad that the placing of this precautionary embargo will pef-mit the clearing up of tho lines, and afford the best opportunity to re organize the service with the greatest practicable speed, in case it should be interrupted by a strike. The embargo, in that event, will be modllled to per mit the acceptance of additional freight as rapidly as It is possible to reconstruct the operating force. In the event that the strike is averted, the embargo will be cancelled by wire im mediately upon receipt of definite in formation to that effect." No embargo has been announced by the Reading. Officials said orders would come to-day similar to those Issued by the Pennsy unless the situ ation was cleared by this evening. Reading Guarding Bridges The tlrst steps by the Reading were taken to-day when special officers were ordered out to guard the bridges on the Lebanon Valley branch and Main Line. In the event of a strike Reading railway property will be closely guard ed and employes who will have ac cess to the property, will be given spe cial passes. Orders have been issued to keep outsiders off railroad prop erty. The Reading Company has also called in surplus passenger cars to be fitted up for housing purposes. About the local shops and yards of the Pennsylvania Railroad extra precautions were taken to-day to pro tect the property and men. Old Pull man cars litted up some time ago. will be used for housing yard men and other employes who remain loyal. Arrangements were made to-day to furnish food supplies. If the strike starts to-night on the New York Cen tral, local firms will be busy to-mor row delivering coffee, vegetables and other food supplies to the Pennsyl vania RailroaU and Reading Railway at various points. Already large or ders of canned goods have been de livered at the local shops of the P. R. R. SCHOOL "EXAMS" MAY BE DROPPED Recommend to Board That Pupils Should Be Promoted on Class Work Promotion semiannually, examina tions in intermediate and high schools only when desired by the principal or superintendent and abolishing of ex aminations in the elementary grades were some of the Important changes in public school rules recommended to tho School Board yesterday by the teachers committee. The amendments to the rules will probably be acted upon at the next meeting of the board. Other changes include promotion in Intermediate and high schools by subjects as much at possible; final term mark in inter mediate and high schools to be deter mined by counting the term examina tion one-fourth and the class record three-fourths. Pupils failing in any subject by no! reaching the ranuired standard of 7< per cent, will either be "conditioned' or "drppped," at the discretion of th< principal, when the new rules an passed. A student who is "conditioned' may continue in a more advanced clas: in the same subject and the conditio) will be removed by satisfactory work if "dropped," a student must repea'. the subject. Commencements will be held as fol lows: Teachers training school, Fri day evening, Juno- 8, Technical hig! school; Technical high school, Thurs day evening, June 21, Technical hig' school; Central high school, Frida. morning, June 22, Orpheum Theater. XII More Food Sales Because of the dissatisfaction result ing from the sale of cakes and cand. by pupils and teachers in the sehoi buildings, the board has forbidde such sales after the close of the pret ent term. To prevent complications when th new teachers' salary schedule bccomi effective in September the rules ha\ been amended so that teachers alread in service shull receive the neare: scheduled salary above that receive In Itarrlßburg prior to April 1 of tli previous year. It is provided, how ever,- that should the new schedul give a teucher less salary than unde the old system still in use, thp increas will be made under preserit provision The board authorized Secretary 1 D. Hanimelbaugh to communicate wit counsel to take legal action which wl" prevent dumping of ashes and refus on the Shimmeli school buildin. grounds. Students of Technical high scho have sent a petition to the'board asl< ing the directors to give permission t' establish in the school a military train ing organization. This was not prt sented for action. ('miiltmn Military Training Dr. F. K. Downes, city superintend ent, in speaking of his receJit trip 1 the convention of school superintend ents, called the board's attention t" the report on military training by : special committee and almost unani mously approved. .In the report. Dr. Downes explained any attempt at military training 1> public schools was condemned, but : need of more phvsical education wa pointed out. The report, howevet 'aVored military training beginning a' the age of 1 9 years. Copies are beim printed and will be sent to schoo boards all over the country. Mrs. C. W- Shelly Dies At Home of Daughter Mrs. C. W. Shelly, aged 68. 1931 Greet street. died this morning at the fiomi of her daughter, Mrs. W. S. Black, <■ Washington Heights. Funeral servlce> will be held Tuesday morning at ! o'clock from the home, the lie v. Wil liam N. Yates officiating. Burial will be made In the Newberry town ceme tery. Mrs. Shelly is survived by her hus band, four daughters, Mrs. W. S. Black, Mrs. R. F. Baker. Worinleysburg; Mrs. R. W. llby, Paradise, and Miss Mabel, of e4ty; three sons, K. Ray, of Co lumbia; .Silas A., Hunter's Run; Harry, ■ Tamaqua, and David A., of this city. 13
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers