Amited Armament and Suppression of Conscription Proposed by Vatican to Prevent Future Wars Jfe HARRISBURG iSSflli TELEGRAPH M i * ®lyt otar~Jn&cpcn&ent * - LXXXVI— No. 227 14 PAGES J. WM. BOWMAN MAYOR FOR SIX WEEKS' PERIOD Prominent Merchant is Named by the Dauphin County Court to Act Un til Successor is Elected in November to Serve Out Mayor Meals' Unexpired Term SELECTION MEETS PUBLIC APPROVAL Widely Known as Public- Spirited Citizen; Pioneer For Shorter Hours and Betterment of Working Conditions; Former Chairman Board Public Works J. William Bowman, member of the firm of Bowman & Company, end one of the best-known and most progressive businessmen of Harris hurg, was appointed at noon to-day mayor of the city of Harrisburg by Judges Kunkel and McCarrell, of the Dauphin county court, to fill the of fice for the six weeks' period between now and the general elections in No x ember, when his successor will be chosen. The appointment was made in ac cordance with the recently passed State law which requires the court to appoint, upon petition of ten quali fied citizens, in cases where a council fails to fill a mayoralty vacancy •within thirty days after death or resignation of an incumbent. In this case the death of Mayor Charles A. Miller left a vacancy which council failed to fill in the required period and Colonel Henry C. Demmins, act ing for the Harrisburg Volunteer Firemen's Association, presented the necessary petition to the court. The appointment of Mr. Bowman was announced by the court at noon to day in response to this petition. Mr. Bowman will serve until his successor is selected in November. Whoever is elected at that time will serve out the unexpired term of Mayor Meals and therefore will take office as soon as his election shall have been certified to the courts. Appointment Pleasing The appointment of Mr. Bowman came as a distinct surprise, but met THE CIVIC CLUB'S SECOND FLY—MEASURING DAY SEPTEMBER 29 9 to 12. Prizes awarded: 6 cents a pint for all flies. THE WEATHER For HiirrlMhurK mil vicinity! Knlr to-night and Sunday; not much otannKe In temperature. For Fnntern I'ennnylvaula: Fair to-nliiht mid Sunday; little clianice In trmprraturr; mod erate north tvindx. lllver Tlie lower portion of the main river will continue to fall niowly. The upper portion will licklii to rise niowly to-niKht anil the middle portion Sunday. The lower portion?) of the .North and West branched will rlne Hllichtly to-niKht and prohnbly begin to full Hlowly Sunday. All other Htrennm of the aytcm will fall niowly or remain nearly ta tionary. A Ntiiße of about :t.l feet In Indicated for IlnrrlnhurK Sunday mornlnx. (.ctcral Conditions The uiiNCttled conditions that ob tained over the northeastern part of the country Friday monihiK. resulted In thunder showers Friday In Eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. The weather has cleared gener ally In the Middle Atlnntic and New Fngland States, hut cloudy and unsettled conditions persist In Tennessee, South western Virginia and In Georgia and the Carolina*. Under the Influence of the high pressure area, now central north of the tireat takes, temperatures gen erally have fallen 4 to 12 de grees In the Ohio Valley and from the l.ake Region east ward. Temperature i 8 a. m., Bfl. Sum Rises, 8i54 a. m.| sets, <1:01 p. m. Moon i First quarter, September 27. River Stage I 3.H feet above low water mark. Yesterday's Weather Highest temperature, 7h. Lowest temperature, HB. Mean temperature, 70. | normal temperature, 61 -- J. WILLIAM BOWMAN WILL ACCEPT BUT CAN'T DO MUCH J WILLIAM HOWM.W when notified of his appointment, said: "The honor comes as ti surprise to me. 1 appreciate tlie confidence the court has imposed in me. If 1 consulted my own per sonal inclinations I suppose 1 should decline tlie appointment, bid I believe it is the duty of every Rood citizen to serve when called upon, and 1 therefore prob ably shall accept. But my ac ceptance will IK* with the very distinct understanding that tlie brief period during which 1 shall serve will he entirely too short in which to carry out my own ideas as to the conduct ol' the office. with immediate and widespread ap proval on all sides. The selection was as heartily endorsed by the public as was that of Mayor Miller when council chose the then city clerk to take the place made vacant by May or Meal's death. Mr. Bowman is a Republican, but has never taken an active interest in politics. He is one of the city's most prominent busi nessmen and repeatedly has been urged by men of all parties to stand for mayor but has always pleaded too many other interests. The new mayor is well acquainted with the affairs of the city. He served on the old Board of Public Works, as its chairman, an unsalaried posi tion that during the strenuous period of public improvements in Harris burg required constant attention, sometimes more than the members Were able to give to their own af fairs. The excellence of the work of this board has been proved by time and the low cost of the improvements was remarked at the time and since has brought many municipal experts to Harris burg to see how it was done. He was one of the organizers of the Harrisburg Chamber of Commerce, when that body was formed from the old Board of Trade, and served one term as its president. He has been prominently identified with every city betterment campaign in many years. He was a generous subscriber to the new hotel company and is a member of its board of directors. He took a leading part in Liberty Loan, the Red Cross and the Boy Scout campaigns. He has been as liberal in all movements of the kind as his means would allow and has been a leader among the businessm.cn of the city for shorter hours and the bet terment of laboring conditions In the commercial establishments of the city. He was among the prime mov ers for the establishment of the half-holiday for clerks in the sum mer and in many ways has been instrumental in bringing about a bet ter feeling between employers and employes. Mr. Bowman is an ardent advocate of "Greater Harrisburg" and an en thusiastic believer in the future of the city. He is president of the Greater Harrisburg Navy and much interested in the development of playgrounds and the transformation of the Susquehanna basin at this point into a great recreation place for the people. He is a modest, re tiring, home-loving citizen, whose chief recreation is to slip off from the store where he spends most of his time for an afternoon's fishing in the streams about the city. The Unexpired Term The successor to Mayor Bowman will take office immediately after election and will serve until the un expired term of the late Mayor Meals, which will he until the fall of 1919, when the next regular mayor alty election will be held. Sale of Siberian Point to Americans by Russ Because of Debt Rumored By Associated Press Petrograd, Sept. 22.—The Russkia Volia says that a strange rumor was circulated yesterday that the Rus sian government intends to sell the peninsula of Kamchatka on the northeastern coast of Siberia, to Americans. The report said that Americans were offering several bil lions of rubles for the territory. Tho , project Is prompted by the finances of the treasury and the desire of the government not to Increase the debt. THIUSB TRACHHRS TAKEN County Superintendent of Schools P. E. ShamhauKh announced to-day there are three vacancies to be filled Ir. county districts one at East Han over township, another at Carsonvllle and one in Conewago, because of men i being selected for the National Army, 1 HARRISBURG, PA., SATURDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 22, 1917 THE LOVE OF SUBMARINES WIN GREAT FIGHT AT SEA, IS REPORT Five Merchant Ships and Two Destroyers Said to Have Been Sunk BATTLE NEAR IRELAND England Said to Have Or dered Services to Keep News a Secret lly Associated Press An Atlantic Port, Sept. 22.—Pas sengers who arrived from England to-day on an American steamship brought circumstantial reports that five British steamships and two de stroyers out of a convoy fleet of six which left Lough Swilly,* Ireland, Sep tember 3, were sunk by German sub marines within a few hours of the port of departure. The story was told, among others, by shipwrecked seamen, who were survivors of other submarined ves sels, and by a merchant siiip officer who had been in Lough Swilly. MiiNNed V - Uon t * The five vessels, it was said, con voyed by the destroyers, put to sea shortly after midnight, and they were attacked by massed submarines at daylight the following morning. The news of the disaster was learned when the destroyers which escaped put back to port bringing survivors of the torpedoed merchantmen and warvessels. The closest secrecy was immedi ately thrown about the incident," the merchant ship officer said. "The sur vivors were given positive instruc tions to say nothing about it. and no details as to the names of the ships or the extent of loss of life could be learned. It was reported that one and possibly two of the U-boats were sunk by the destroyers. Churches Will Be Able to Get Steam Heat if Necessary Every effort will be made to have city steam in the churches to-mor row, if heat is required. The work at the heat plant 'las been delayed through the receipt there of sev eral valves in bad condition. The valves are of a special kind, and can Vie obtained only from one source. They have been repaired, and while definite announcement was not made at the offices of the Harris burg Light and Power Company that heat would be turned on to night or to-morrow morning, all plans are being rushed to this end. The giant stack at the plant is nearing completion. It is believed that heat will be available for the entire city beginning Monday. SIXTEEN NEW CITIZENS Sixteen of the twenty-seven ap plicants for citizenship were ad mitted yesterday at the scsston of naturalization court held here, Thomas B. Shoemaker, chief federal examiner, conducted the Investiga tions and had eleven of the ap plication# contlnuod until the men seeking naturallcatlon can answer necessary questions about the na tional, State and local government J URGES PEOPLE TO PLANT TREES EXTENSIVELY Dr. Schaeffer Calls Attention to the Need of Refores tation at Once Dr. Nathan C. Schaeffer, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, to-day issued his Autumn Arbor Day proclamation designating l^riday, October 28, as the date and urging people because of the war to plant trees extensively. "The problems of conservation anil reforestation are more pressing than ever before," says the Superintendent. The proclamation is as follows: "The ravages of war emphasizes anew the importance of observing Arbor Day. J,arge areas formerly covered by foresta have been turned into deserts. New tracts have been robbed of their timber to supply the lumber needed for shipbuilding. The problems of conservation and re forestation are more pressing than 'ever before. The rising generation should be made to see the relation of tree planting to the food problem. Trees produce not merely apples*, peaches, pears, cherries and many other fruits, but indirectly they have much to do with, providing food for man and beast. Forests regulate the flow of water, help to prevent destructive floods and soil erosion, and thus indirectly contribute to abundant harvests. The economic uses of trees in their relation to food, fuel, shelter, shade, commerce and Industry, should be taught along with the best methods of planting trees and protecting them against noxious Insects and other enemies. "Few birds are found where there are no trees. The value of the feathered friends of the farmer should receive due attention in the lessons on trees given at school. Annually the Chief Executive ap points two Arbor Days in the month of April. To perpetuate the laudable custom of observing in the fall an additional Arbor and Bird Day. "Friday, October 26 th, 1917, is hereby designed as Autumn Arbor Day, and the schools are earnestly requested to observe the day by the planting of trees and by other ap propriate exercises." China Wants to Send 24,000 Soldiers to Europe For Trial, if Way Is Paid Hy Associated Press Peking, Monday, Sept. 17. —(De- layed).—The president and the cabi net have agreed to the plan of send ing a trial division- of 24J)00 Chi nese soldiers to France It monfcy, equipment and shipping are avail able. The entente allies have ap proved the proposition and Franco is eager to receive the contingent. The Chlnne probably could reach France by January 1. An abundant number of fairly trained soldiers is' Immediately available for the expo-! dltion. The premier Is In favor of send ing 300,000 men and the provincial authorities are heartily in support of the plan In the event that the Canton provisional government gives Its ap proval to the war with Germany. The Chinese soldiers probably will be used aB a second line force In France until they are better trained In the latest methods of war. ARMED THIRTY THUGS TO BEAT UP THE VOTERS Four More Political Gunmen Trailed to New York and Arrested WEBE PAID TO TERRORIZE Promised Protection and "Easy Money" by Politic ians as Yet Unnamed Philadelphia, Sept. 22.—With six men under arrest, the police authori ties to-day said, they have thor oughly established that a band of Mred men were brought to this city for "strong arm" election work at last Wednesday's primary and are now endeavoring to learn the iden tity of the men higher up who en gaged the men and furnished the money. Two alleged gunmen arc under arrest here, one charged with the actual shooting of Policeman Eppley and the other with being an acces sory. Tn addition Mayor Thomas B. Smith, Isaac Dutsch, one of the can didates in the election row, and Da vid Bennett, a police lieutenant, are to have a hearing Tuesday on a war rant sworn to by another politician charging them with conspiracy to commit aggravated assault and mur der. Dutsch and Bennett vehemently deny they had anything to do with the hiring of thugs to win the pri mary. Mayor Smith, who also de nied when the warrant was issued for him that he knew anything about bringing hired men to the city. The men arrested. Captain Tate said, are Ruggierio Falcone, 37 years; Braunelli, 24; Michael Donnelly, 31, and Fred Burkhardt, 31. Qnntlun Gunmen The two alleged gunmen under ar rest here were examined by detec tives to-day in the hope of learning further details of the alleged plot to murder and terrorize voters in the Fifth ward on election day. Mayor Smith, who, with a local poli tician and a police lieutenant, will be given a hearing next Tuesday on the murder conspiracy charge, is out of the city, having packed up his golt sticks and motored to Atlantic City. The indignation of citizens result [ Continued on Page 2] BRITISH STEAMER SUNK By Associated Press An Atlantic Port, Sept. 22.—The British steamship La Negra, on her way from Buenos Aalres to Havre with a cargo of Argentine beef, was sunk by a German submarine Sep tember 3, forty-five miles off Ply mouth, according to survivors of the crew who arrived here to-day on an American steamship. EVOLVE MILITARY TRUCK By Associated Press Washington, Sept. 22.—Announce ment of the completion of the denlgn' of the new standard military truck) to meet the field transportation prob lem of modern warfare was made to-day by Secretary Baker, The ma chine represents the efforta of about two scoro truck specialists and will he ready by tfle middle of October when final tests will be made, De liveries are exuectud to bosln In Jan uary, SEVENTY-SEVEN ARE BRANDED AS SLACKERS HERE Big Number Fail to Appear Beforo Two Boards; Sonic May Have Enlisted RUMOBS OF GRAFT HEARD Reported That Interpreter | Took Money by Telling Men He Could Release Them Dauphin county has 77 "slackers." This was announced to-day by the Steelton and Paxtang boards. A search of the papers filed away by both boards disclosed the names of 77 men who had failed to put in ap pearance when summoned for ex amination. The Paxtang board has a list of 62 names, which represented those who did not appear out of 867 that were examined. The Steelton board has thirteen, representing those missing from the last 90 men that were called to appear Wednesday. The Steelton board several weeks ago published the names of more than sixty "slackers'" and the ma- I jority of these were rounded up by | the Steelton and State police. The names of the last 15 men published to-day has been sent to the police the rounding up of them has begun. Of the fifteen, fourteen live [Continued on Page 7.] House May Probe Bribes Given by Von Bernstorff; Lansing Not Suspicious By Associated Press Washington, Sept. 22.—Chairman Flood, of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, declared to-day after conferring with Secretary Lansing that he thought there probably would be a House investigation of Count Von BernstorfC's plans to influence Congress by spending $50,000 as re vealed in his dispatches to Berlin. Secretary Lansing sees little that a congressional inquiry • could develop but charges made on the floor yes terday by Representative Helling of Alabama that certain members havo "acted suspiciously" and veiled accu sations made by other representatives in interviews probably will force an investigation Mr. Flood said. Secretary Lansing authorized the following statement: "Jf there is any misunderstanding. I wish to say very emphatically 1 do not see how the Bernstorff message in any way reflects upon Congress or any member. Apparently it was the purpose to employ agencies to influ ence them, of which they would have no knowledge and in case they were influenced would be entirely innocent. I do not know what the organization was. This expose is apropos of Ger man methods of peace propaganda and there is no intention of casting suspicion on members of Congress." Appeals Can Not Go to the Governor State draft headquarters to-day is sued notices to all district and local boards to correct the idea of many people that appeals could be made to the Governor from decisions of boards. Numerous appeals have come to both the Capitol and the State headquarters addressed to the Gover nor objecting to decisions of boards. State headquarters to-day called at tention to the fact that boards have a right to reopen appeals, but that ap peals can bo taken to the President of the United States only from dis trict boards and then only in certain cases, notably agricultural. A number of appeals on agricultural grounds have been taken. Among the letters reaching draft headquarters hi protest against de cisions by local boards have been some from fiancees of drafted men. Potatoes at Market Bring Higher Prices Potatoes jumped flve-cents a bushel In the oity markets this morning. Other produce was practically the same as Wednesday. • Potatoes sold for $1.45 and $1.50 per bushel as against $1.40 Wednesday. Farmers could give no explanation of the increase. Butter and eggs at fifty cents a pound and a dozen, respectively; cel ery at ten cents bunch, corn at twenty-five and lettuce at ten cents were the principal offerings. Apples and homegrown melons made their appearance. Apples sold at twelve cents quarter peck. Melons ranged from fifteen to twenty-five. Apple butter is selling at thirty cents a quart. MORE BIRTHS) FKWER DEATHS Figures compiled by the city health department give the birth figures for August this year as 144 and the deaths, 82. Last year there were 90 deaths and 126 births. Of the births last month, 87 were male and 57 fe male children. POSTPONE HEALTH MEETING Because of the absence of Com missioner Samuel P. Punkle who Is out of the city on an Important bus- Iress trip the conference last night with Health Officer J. M. J. Raunlck was postponed by City Council. HII.E ICI,K >f hecks show payrr.mts aggregating |J J 4* !♦ a jP $6,500 by the German embassy here to the Fairplay ?' & • l Publishing Company, wit receipts signed by Marcus f k <-jh> in a T Braun and J P Bryan. ¥ , "f* Berlin, Sept. 22f.—Jacobstadt, on the Dvina, has been i* ' • # * L captured by the Gennan forces on the Russian front, to- ' T gether with the , * * | miles deep on tj-. • injk of the river, army head- '• 4* '• T r. : i -Yi:n killed !• ■ -Wilbur D. Monf , T a ca( 1 as killed this aftcrtiocn >.* jj J wlv■"> ./'Mind ■ ' the . overn- ♦ .X ment that Mong attempted to '* * 1 b ' birth A ' "-F WITH ASSA"' T J* T '' I' T ' ( 516 Daxiphir- *, <* * in/ mati atW e A 1 L' "dis late this * * | charging City Detective Hyde Speece with assault and v * X battery. The alleged assault occurred in the Twelfth * * T* " i *■ § ward on election day. The hearing will b held Monday. „ J 4 * * MARRIAGE LICENSES I Joae Carlo* Loptii, Ithnrii, N. Y., and Sarah R. Weaber, I.rba- * ' <"j lion I Plilllp Crawford anil Clara 1,. Zell, llarrlsburß) Harry L. JL Kllr, Endrrx, anil Stella M. Krller, I'.lirnhrthvlllr t Enoa W. 7® Burke nnd Lillian llarrlx, Stcclton. DISARMAMENT OF NATIONS TO END WAR,POPE'SPLAN Would Suppress German Mil itarism to Make Another War Impossible HITS AT CONSCBIPTION Big Armies Said to Make Great Nations Beady For Fighting By Associated Press Rome (Friday), Sept. 22.—Cardinal Gasparri, the papal secretary of state, has emphasized to The Associated Press the views of the Vatican re garding a solution of the war by the suppression of conscription and also a joint commercial boycott of ar\y nation which refused to disarm, the occasion being the publication in the Italia, of Milan, of an article on the ptace plan of the Holy See. It Is evi dent from the article that the Vat ican aspires to suppress German mili tarism by securing a peace treaty requiring the permanent disarmament of that nation. The Italia declared that the Holy See in its call for peace out of a feeling of delicacy towards the bel ligerent powers would not indicate practical motions with which to ob tain and maintain disarmament leav ing the nations to decide the means, [Continued on Page 12]