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