HARRISBURG TELEGRAPH LXXXVI— Xo. 78 16 PAGES PRESIDENT TO KEEP HIS POLICY SECRET UNTIL CONGRESS MEETS Chief Executive and Cabinet Members Agree Without Division on Counts Nation Will Pursue in War BEGINS WORK ON HIS CONGRESSIONAL ADDRESS Provisions Worked Out For Raising an Army of 1,000, 000 Men If Need For Them Comes By Associated Press Washington, March 31. President Wilson, having decided fully with his cabinet upon a course of action to meet the national emergency, to-day set about the task of reducing the con clusions to writing. Exactly what these conclusions are will be disclosed officially when the President appears before Congress next week to deliver his momentous message. Indications to-day, however, were that a formal recognition of the exist ence of a state of war between the United States and Germanv would re sult. The disclosure that a definite de cision had been reached, was made following a tinal conference between (Continued on Page 2) Those 18 Submarines Were Only Harmless Naval Targets in Tow By Associated Press New York, March 31.—The mys tery of the eighteen submarines reported captured by an American warship, in an anonymous cable message from Panama said to have been seen by passengers on the steamship Advance off Watling Island was cleared to-day by the Rev. and Mrs. Thomas 11. Candor, of the Presbyterian Board of For eign Missions, passengers tro the steamship Carrillo, from Panama. The clergyman said the report ed U-B6ats were merely a proces sion of harmless naval tagets in tow of seven warships, each war ship having lines attached to two or three targets. The Carrillo. bound for New York, passed the "captured subma rines" oft San Salvadore about the time the Advance, steaming south ward, did likewise. Directors Approve Final Plans For Penn Harris; Will Award Contract Soon Final plans for the new Penn-Har ris Hotel were approved this afternoon by the directors of the Harrisburg Ho tel Company, which will erect the mil lion dollar structure at Third and \V alnut streets. Contracts for construc tion of the big building will be award ed soon. , Incidental to the meeting this after noon of the directors it is interesting to note that the United Hotels Com pany. which will manage the Harris burg hotel, is already operating an im portant chain, including the follow ing: The Ten Eyck. Albany, X. y, : Hotel Utica. Utica. X. Y.; The Onon daga. Syracuse. N. Y.; The Xonotuck. Hol.voke, Mass.: The Bancroft. Wor cester. Mass.: The Jefferson. Peoria, 111.: The I-awrence. Erie, Pa.: The Portage, Akron, Ohio; The Tutwiler. Birmingham. Ala.; Royal Connaught, Hamilton. Ont.. and The Robert Treat. Newark, N. J. The company is also committed un der contract to the operation of the Penn-Harris, in this city, and the Dev onshire. at Toronto. It is also inter ested in the company awning the Sen eca. at Rochester, N. Y.. and has other projects under consideration. TAFT URGES ARMY IX EIROPE Kansas City, March 31. Actual par ticipation with the entente allies in righting Germany was advocated yes terday by William Howard Taft, for mer President, in addressing the Cham ber of Commerce at its noon luncheon. I THE WEATHER] For llarrlnhurg nnd vicinity: Part ly t-loutly, proliably howern to ■ilKiit and Sunduy; narniFr to- • nlKht a>iew York and Michigan. and In the Ipper Mla alaaippl Valley: elaewhere fair weather prevailed, except In ex treme Southern Florida, where moderately heavy rain fell. Tem perature* have rlaen - to 20 de m-rea eaat of the Mlaalaalppl river. Including the Weal tJulf States. Temperature! 8 a. M.i 44 decrees above aero. Sum Rlaeat 5:40 a. m. Moon t Full moon, April 8. River Staffei 8.1 feet above low water mark. Yeaterday'a Weather Hlffheat tempera tore. 34. lowest temperature, it*. Mean teatperature, 4. .\ormal temperature, 44 -• * - ■"> "f'FS '• *?■*- ■ •- - t ,-r vra*n*>-. .n.i~.v* '" >' • • • " German Raider Sends Nine Vessels to the Bottom in South Atlantic AMERICANS LOSE LIVES WHEN TWO SHIPS ARE SUNK I BY SUBMARINES Both Freighters Badly Dam aged by Torpedoes and Shell Fire Before Sighting Ger.nan U-Boats inAtlantic NO TIME GIVEN TO USE GUNS ON DECK Scores of United States Citi zens on Board Vessels As Members of Crews; Many Reported Saved By Associated Press Washington, D. C.. March SI. —Two 1 British steamers, the Snowden Range and the Bocth liner Crispin, both with Americans aboard, of whom a number arc unaccounted for, were reported to ihe State Department to-day to have been sunk without, warning by a sub -1 marine. On the Crispin the torpedo, which struck the engine room, killed five men. two of whom are believed to have i been Americans. A dispatch from Swansea said the \ collector of customs there reported that forty-nine Americans from the British cattle affected but in the future when vacan- 1 cies occur as the result of death, resig- ' nation or removal the civil service! commission will hold open competitive examinations. The name of the high- j est eligible candidate will then be sub mitted to the President. Although the order is framed to remove post- I masters from politics the Senate, how ever, has the right to reject the Pres ident's appointees. Railroads Ask Public Service Commission to Approve Rate Increase By Associated Press Philadelphia, March 31.—The Penn | sylvania Public Service Commission was to-day asked by the railroads op erating in Pennsylvania to consent to a flat increase of 15 per cent/in freight rates within the state. Officials repre- j renting the Pennsylvania. Reading and ! Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Com panies appeared before members of i 1 the commission and urged Immediate •and favorable action. Rates on coal, | coke and ore are excepted in the j petition. Commissioners Say City Will Carry Own Insurance i Council will notify the State within ' the next few days that after April 1 — j to-morrow —it will carry its own in- i surance for city employes as required I I by the wormen's compensation act. Because of the tangle which resulted 1 when ordinances were introduced to ! change from insuring In the State fund to a private stock company, this decis ion has been reached, commissioners said to-day. The United States Fidelity and Guar anty Company, of Baltimore, will be paid 11,000 for insuring the city for the first quarter of the year. Begin ning to-morrow the same plan will be followed as HARRISBURG, PA., SATURDAY EVENING, MARCH 31, 1917 N PUZZLE PICTURE—CAN YOU TELL WHAT AILS THIS MAN so'z -v?A - \ x jf FRENCH LAUNCH NEW THRUST FOR FURTHER GAINS Gen. Nivelle Pushes German Line Back Three-and-a- Half Miles French troops in northern 'Franr'* ; continue to push back the Germans along the southern end of the Ger man field of retreat. A new thrust was delivered by Gen eral Nivelle's forces last night north east of Soissons, forcing the hostile j line back on a three and one-half mile front between Xeuvilie and Vreg ny. The French forged ahead east iof this line, making important prog ress and capturing several points of {Continued on Pago 3] BIG BUILDING IN MARKET ST. CHANGES HANDS Structure at Market and Court Streets Purchased by J. C. Soutter John C. Soutter. owner of Soutter's! l-cent-to-25-cent department store,has taken over the property at 215 Market' street, occupied by the store. The! transfer was made through Miller Bros. & Co. from the Johi; Graham estate, XewviUe, Pa. No consideration was given. The building at 215 Market street [Continued on Page 3] GERMAN CONSCI. TO COME HERE By Associated Press Amoy, China, March 31.—The Ger man consul ans his family sailed yes terday from Shanghai on board the Chinese steamer Taishun. They will return to Germany byway of Amer ica. GREAT AMOUNT OF IMPROVEMENT WORK IS NEEDED Three Commissioners Shoul dering Work of Four; Parks Demand Attention Through the death of Commission er Harry F. Bowman and the serious ilness of Mayor Meals, the manage ment of the several municipal depart ments of Harrisburg now devolve upon three men—Commissioners Gor gas, Lynch and Gross. These are the days when plans for the year are go ing actively forward. Much is to be done especially in the out door de partments. Fortunately for Commissioner Gross the recent secondary flood in the Sus [ Continued on Pago 2J &hf 3tor- BnittpmbrnL HEARS ONE CAN G UNDER SUN AT R SO TRIES TO BU Wildly Waves Yellowbacks as He Works Way Through Crowd in Search For Mate; Meets With Failure but Gets Extensive Lin e of Winter Clothes Instead "Who would ever think of going fo' a rummage sale to get a wife? And one marked down to $100! Isn't it perfectly ridiculous? The crazy thing was in earnest about It. too." So ran the conversation of two in dignant young salesladies as a reporter caught a few quips of it in the vicinity of the notion department of the big sale this morning. • "Somebody told me yesterday, and 1 read it in the papers, too, that a fel low could get anything under the sun at this place t-nd at big reductions," observed a husky, middle-aged gent PROVISIONS OF ESCHEAT LAW ARE UPHELD BY COURT Judge Kunkcl Renders Opinion That May Net Millions For the State ! Billing that the Commonwealth has the'right under the "escheat" law of I 1915 to require a report of property ! presumptively escheatable, President Judge George Kunkel to-day handed down three important opinions in which he dissolved preliminary injunctions and dismissed bills of complaints which three banks in Pennsylvania had filed against Auditor General A. W. Powell. The ruling effects every banking In stitution in the State. The "escheat" law gives the State the right to require from persons and corporations organized or doing busi ness under the laws of the State a report of deposits of money received and held, which have not been increas ed or decreased, and on which interest [Continued on Page 3] 76-YEAR OLD PATRIOT KEENLY DISAPPOINTED WHEN HE IS RE FUSE 0 AFTER PASSING TEST Philip Laney, Eager For Service Goes Through Army Examinations With Perfect Marks But Age Is Against Him; Expresses Desire to Fight Not only are young men responding to the call to Old Glory, but those of advanced years are anxious to enter the service. This morning Philip Laney, aged 76, of 192 9 North Sixth street, applied at the Army recruiting office for enlist ment. He told the officer In charge that he wanted to bee real service and wanted to flght. He put a great deal of emphasis on the flght. The aged recruit was given the physical and academic examination and passed without a flaw. When told that he ceuld not be taken into the service because of hid age he was very much disappointed and asked the officer what branch of the service he could enter. He was referred to the local National Guard companies and left the office, saying "1 am going to do my beat to enlist; I am anxious to serve my country and have lots of light left." He later applied to aev eral of the local companies, Apr Only Dr -.vbuck Captain Harrell and Lieutenant Lpaher, In charge of the recruiting, who halls from somewhere In the' mountains to the north, as he strode up nnd down the atsles displaying a | fat roll of greens and yellows. "A wife's what 1 want and I'll plank down a cool hundred on the spot." "Get His Money. Anyhow"' The would-be husband was Informed that the management could not help him out, but that some wonderful bar- j gains In men's clothes—"Back this way. —were still obtainable, j [Continued on Page 2] PHILADELPHIANS PLEDGED LOYALTY TO UNITED STATES Patriotic Citizens Reconsecrate Themselves Reforc Historic Independence Hall By Associated Press Philadelphia, March 31.—Patriotic citizens of Philadelphia turned their faces toward Independence Hall to day to reconsecrate themselves to their country and to pledge loyal sup port to the national government in [Continued on Page 31 TOO MICH HEJART BALM Pittsburgh, Pa.. March 31. A new trial was granted yesterday in the fam ous heart balm suit of Miss Nettie M. Bichardson, of Mount Washington, against Henry Denlston. the Swissvale recluse, whose wealth is estimated at $2,000,000. The verdict for $170,000 damages for breach of promise to marry—the larKest ever granted to a woman in this country--awarded by the jury which heard the evidence, was set aside by Judge Evans, who presided at the trial of the case. The Court held that the verdict was excessive. | office, commended the old gentleman I for hit spirit and stated that they would have taken him in a minute had he been of military age. Lieu tenant Lesher stated that Mr. Laney passed the examination splendidly for a man of his years. "He was almost perfect and better physically than a great many of the young men who ap ply for enlistment," he said. Mr. Laney lives with his son, who conducts a grocery store at 1924 North Sixth street, and he left his home early this morning, stating that he was go ing to enlist In the Army. He was told by the family that he was too old, but stated that he could do no more than try. The aged patriot Is well known in this city and for many years was out side foreman for the Lykens Valley Coal Company. he engaged In the tinsmith business. He is a master mechanic and thirty years ago built an automobile. His attempt waa success ful so far as power was concerned, but the steering apparatus would not work. He Is an expert marksman and a treat hunter, Single Copy, 2 Cents NEW GERMAN RAIDER PREYS ON IN SOUTH ATLANTIC Nine or More Allied Vessels Sent to Bottom by Daring Teuton Commander; Provisions and Munitions For an 4 ... Eighteen Months' Cruise; 285 Men Saved From Lost Ships Are Landed in Brazil ~ . .' Rio Janeiro, March 31.—A new German raider, slipping past the 1 iritish warships on guard in the North Sea, has reached the South Atlantic and sent nine or more merchantmen to the bottom . Ac cording to survivors from the sunken vessels the raider is the Sec adler (Sea Eagle) a formidable armed craft operating with the same success and daring as its predecessor, the Moevvo, which recently returned to a German port after playing havoc with shipping in the same waters. News of the activities of the raider was brought to Rio Janeiro by the French bark Cambronne which arrived here yesterday. She had on board 285 men from the crews of vessels sunk by the Seeadler. I he Cambronne encountered the raider on March 7 at latitude 21 south, longtitude 7 west, a point in the Atlantic almost on a line with Rio Janeiro and about two-thirds of the way to the African coast -\fter the survivors had been put on the Cambronne she was ordered to proceed to the coast of Brazil, a voyage of 22 days. * Loaded With Mines According to the Jornal do Brazil, the raider was loaded with mines, which explains the destruction of ves sels off the coast of Brazil. The com merce destroyer is .eported to be armed with two guns of 105 milli meters and sixteen machine guns. The vessel has three masts Mid is equipped with wireless. Its crew consists of sixty-four men under the command of Count Ukner. According to the refugees, the raider left Germany on December 22 escorted by a submarine. They say that the commander declared that the. German emperor and the crown prince alone knew of the expedition. No complaints have been made as to the treatment of the sailors while they were prison ers on board the raider. They gave the name of the boat as the Seeadler and say that she was provisioned for eighteen months and £ - OPEN BIDS FOR I -B( AT CHASERS- 1 # 1 I 1 & ) I. W. W. CALLS STRIKE | J Wilkes-Barre, March 31.—The I. W. W. have called m S a general strke ior Monday in this district as a pcou I 1 against a declaration of war by Congress State C I the Sheriff have made arrangements to prevent distur- \ % bances- K i rl SCORE AN ADVANCE I Paris, March 31. French troops last night success- C % fully attack* C 1 river and made i A number V of points were brilliantly, captured by the I C 1 RAILROADS ASK FOR AN INCREASE J % sylvania to-day a?ked the Public Service C mmis I ' consent to a flat increase of 15 per cent. in. freight rate*.' F within the State. Immediate favorable action was urged C REPUBLICANS LOSE BY SICKNESS J i Washington, March 31.—Democratic organization of C ■ the House seemed assured to-aay when it became known a 1 that illness wi|l prevlnt the att T V sion of H. T. Helgesen, Republican, from N< # ■ Representative Capstick, of New Jersey, also is on the sick a Ilist. With-the loss of these two votes the Democrats will g have control. 9 ONE AMERICAN KNOWN TO BE DEAD £ Washington, March 31.—A late dispatch J Frost, establishes that it least ne American was killed in # the sinking of the Crispin by a U-Boat. Others probably M have been killed, hp said. # Harri;;burg.— An effort to have Gen. Wood address C , hl|>. Mnrtln l.arrrlt. Ilummelatovrn, anil Snrnh Kllubvth Shell- ([ 9 hanier, Kt Hanover. William Dimeter, llnrrlxhuric, nail Sarah Jane % ' llltgrl. Slff Itnn. John Mtover Miller nnd Annie \ Iriclnln Mill*. Ilorkvllle. J ('rank Alyouxla Hleker nnd Klorenee Eva Hltner. Ijnraaler. Frank Karl M I !>u(ery aad Margaret Olla Kulaon, llarrUhurti. Hubert Vallnea and % Helen Mearle Cookley, Steelton. ff HOME EDITION had a great supply of munitions and explosives. On sighting < merchant man the raider hoisted a Norwegian Hag. which was. replaced by the Ger man ensign when her prey was within reach of her guns. Among the refugees [Continued on Pace 3] Central Empires Still Hope For Peace Meeting By Associated Press Amsterdam, March 31, via London. —A Vienna— dispatch quotes Count Czernin, the Austro-Hungarian foreign minister, as saying in an interview with the Fremdenblatt that the en tente could conclude an honorable peace with the central powers at any time and that the proposal of the cen tral empires for a peace conference still held good.