6 (Ettahluhed m 1876) Published fa • THr STAR PRINTING COMPANY, ' r BuildJn*. M-20-22 South Third Street, Marrtebttrf. Pa. . gvf y gv»«Hn| Eiojpt Sunday Ottierrß.- Dirtcftrt i """"" ' L. L. W*. W, VTallower, Vice President. w * K *«»«»». W*. K Mirths, Secretary and Treasurer. Wii. W WauLowm. Wm H Warnkk, V. Hummel Buchaus. Jit , HuiiutM Manager Editor. All coramunlca'ions should be addressed to Star Independent Business. Editorial. Job Printing or Circulation Department' according to the subject matter Entered at the Post Office in Harriaburg as second-class matter Benjamin & Kentnor Company. New York and Chicago Representatives. New \ork Ollee, Brunswick Building. 220 Fifth Avenue. Chicago Office, People's 4>as Buildiag. Michigan Avenue, Delivered bf carrier* at 6 cent* a week. Mailed to aubaeriban lor Three Dollar? a year iu advance. * THE STAR INDEPENDENT The paper with the largeac Home Circulation in Harriaburr and Searby towns. Circulation Examlnea by THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN ADVERTISERS. TELEPHONES Private Branch Exchange, Mo 3280 RHvate Sranol, Eachanae. c UMa Et tLAND VALLEY Saturday, December 2<i, lilt I. DECEMBER Sun. Mon. Tues. Wed. Thur. Fri. Sat. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 MOON'S PHASES— Full Moon, 2nd; Last Quarter, 10th; New Moon, 16th; First Quarter, 24th. WEATHER FOEECASTS f ■ ■ TTWgfW Harrisburg aud vicinity: Kair, con tinned cold to-night with lowest tern perature about 5 degrees. Buudav fair t and somewhat warmer. VJ??, *1? Eastern Pennsylvania: Fair to-night. Sunday fair with rising temperature. j Moderate variable winds. YESTERDAY'S TEMPERATURE IN HARRISBURG \ Highest, 29; lowest, 15: Ba. m., 25; Bp. m., 15. CHORAL SOCIETY'S TWENTIETH SEASON Persons who recall with pleasure the musical treat afforded by the liarrisburg t'hroal Society's work last season, under the direction of Dr. J. Fred. Wolle, will welcome the announcement made to day that this conductor of tlie famous Bach chorus, of Bethlehem, Pa., is to direct the local organiza tion's work again this winter. This announcement, together with other condi tions, make most promising the prospects for success of the twentieth season of the Choral Society. Rehearsals will start on January 5, and the fact that Handel's "Samson - ' has been selected as the vehicle for the Harrisburg vocalists,—a composi tion regarded by experts as the equal of the same composer's ''Messiah" sung here in other years,— is assurance enough that the qualities of voice will be brought out to the best possible advantage. In the announcement given out by the officers of the society special emphasis is placed on the desire lo have persons who sang iu the great choir of the Stough evangelistic campaign, some of whom have not heretofore been affiliated with the Choral So ciety, enroll for the work of the coming winter. The tabernacle choir brought forward many vocal ists whose ability was not previously recognized outside of the circles of their own particular churches, and thus a far wider held than usual is presented from which to select singers of the ora toria that Dr. Wolle is to conduct here. THE REAL CHRISTMAS SPIRIT Unofficial reports from local charitable organiza tions are thai Ilarrisburgers never before were so generous as in this Christmas season in the matter of giving to the needy. Not only has the total value of gifts to the poor at home and abroad bceu far greater than usual, but the donations at home, standing alone, exceed by far the usual number,— which is the more remarkable from the fact I hat the requirements of Belgians and the other sufferers from the war in Europe constitute an extraordinary drain on the resources of those whp are cliai'itably disposed in this city. Ilarrisburgers have recog nized the extraordinary demands and it will doubt less be shown when statistics are available that this Christmas they have more than redoubled their efforts iu giving. Although earing for the unfortunate requires self denial and self-sacrifice, especially in the Christmas season when there are so many demands on the pocketbook aside from those from organizations which look after persons who are in actual want, it is dirtlbtful whether Ilarrislnirjfers ever experi enced a happier Christmas. This goes to prove that the real spirit of the Christmas.—the desire to make others happy,—is after all Ihe greatest source of joy in the yuletide. Hut the people of this city will not quit their charitable work now that Christmas Day is past. Tfie work of the Home and War Relief Associa tion, which is being so intelligently and so ef fectively conducted, will continue, in addition to Ihe work of the permanent charities and the Red Cross Anti-tuberculosis Society, which latter organ ization will carry on its sale of Red Cross seals here until Ihe end of the present year. CHRISTMAS TREES IN HOMES It would be difficult to compute the number of Christmas trees that are to-day brightening homes HARRISBURG STAR-INDEPENDENT, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 26, 1914. in this city, yet there are enough of them to have eitjausted the local supply, and the supply was not a small one. In many homes, it appears, where trees were wanted badly at the last moment, they could not be had. The demand for pines and spruces at Christmas time is hardly diminishing. And why should it? The municipal Christmas tree idea is spreading rapidly throughout this country. On Christmas of last year there were more than a hundred cities in the United States which had celebrations about mu nicipal trees aud there are many more this year. There are those who hold that the municipal Christ mas tree will replace those in the homes; —that a community will rally about a lommon tree, and do away with the pines and spruces in the parlors,— but we doubt the accuracy of the predictions. A municipal Christinas tree brings forth the holi day spirit of a community, and in that capacity serves a noble end. The more municipal Christmas trees the better. Yet it seems that they cauuot fully replace the parlor pines. Christinas trees in the homes embody the domestic spirit of the season, and nothing else can take their place to fulfill this purpose. For several centuries Vhristmas trees have adorned the homes of Christian people at this season of the year. Mechanical .contrivances of recent in vention have now made possible remarkable specta cles in connection with the ornamented trees. Elec tricity has come into service to illuminate the ever greens aud to propel toys on platforms beneath their spreading branches. Meu are in many instances making Christmas tree exhibitions their passion, and work on their plans for weeks and months before the holiday. The trees appear to better advantage at the present day tliau ever before. They ran hardly become less popular from year to year under these conditions. DEATH OF A SCOFFER An account of how an educated Chinese strangely met his death not long ago. after scoffing at the superstitions of his people, is coming through the avenues of publicity from a seemingly reliable source. There is something very mysterious about it. bordering on the supernatural, hence the atten tion it has been attracting. A rich young Chinese we are told, who had been educated at Cambridge University and therefore knew a thing or two, was one evening taking a walk with a friend through a forest in his native land, and noticing some joss sticks burning at the roots of the sacred trees to which the faithful coolies were paying homage, he contemptuously kicked aside the little tokens of devotion. His friend remonstrated with him, for this friend was one of the persons who do not fully believe in spirits in trees and other superstitions, yet who think that "after all there might be something in it. The friend said that he had heard of fatal accidents which had happened to persons who inter fered with the trees which the coolies worshipped. Several days later when the scoffer,—the gradu ate of Cambridge University,—passed in an auto mobile the very tree whose invisible spirits he had offended, a heavy branch of the tree fell across the speeding car and crushed out his life. It seems most likely that the coolies in the vicin ity of the accident are now industriously (yarning joss sticks as never before. Now the doctor lias his innings. Now Santa Claus is begging tor a moratorium 011 the debt he contracted before Christmas. The Illinois Central Railroad has ordered 6.". locomotives. That is the kind of news that cheers. The proposed Christmas truee did not materialize, but we hope there will be a permanent trr.ee before next Christmas. More than half the incoming members of the Pennsyl vania Legislature never served iu a legislative body before. Here is a chance for some really independent law-making. TOLD IN. LIGHTER VEIN WHEN THE TIDE COMES IN Congressman Henry D. Clayton, of Alabama, on many oc casions delights his friends with humorous tales of his personal experiences and otherwise. Here is ore he told recently: "A Confederate reunion was in progress in Savannah, and among those in attendance were two Kentuckians who, by way of variety strolled around, finally visiting the shores and viewed the Atlantic ocean for the tirst time. " 'Say, pard,' one of them remarked, 'what ought 1 carry home to the children for a souvenir?' " 'Why, eap'n, it 'pears to me that some of this here ocean water would be right interestin'.' " 'Just the thing,' exclaimed the captain, delightedly. Prom an inner pocket he produced a flask, and, with the assistance of his friend, soon emptied it. Then, carefully treading his way down to the water's edge, he proceeded to fill it to the neck and replaced the cork. " 'Hi, there!' yelled the other, from his position on the bank. 'Don't do that! Pour out about a third of that water. If you don't when the tide rises she'll sure burst!' " —National Monthly. THE LORD NEEDS HELP A certain preacher, in one of the Southern States, was prearhing away one Sunday night when a fire alarm broke the attentive stillness of the sanctuary. "Sit still!" ho cried to hir disturbed congregation. "If there is a fire, the Kor.l will take vare of His own, and not let anything hftppen that shouldn't." Just then two children, who had stepped outside, shrieked: "Oh, it's the parsonage! It's the parsonage!" Without a word of farewell that preacher made a wild bound from the pulpit and-struck out for his burning residence. "They is times, it seems," said a lean member of the congregation, "when th' Lord needs he'p."—National Monthly. N NOT OVER THERE An old couple emerged from tho station and started up the street. As they passed up a newsstand the old gentle man stopped, his eyes glued to the great headlines of the papers. His wife pulled insistently at his sleeve in a vain endeavor to lead him on. Finally he turned toward her. "Mary," he said excitedly, "the papers nay there's a big war going on in Europe!" "Well," she replied, "they're having fiue weather for it!" —Exchange. [Tongue-End Top ics]| Dog Saves Lives After Battles More than twenty lives already have been saved by a black collie dog belong ing to a German ambulance corps on the East 'Prussian battlefield. In peace times the animal is a humble watch dog in tho railway station at Halle. The dark winter nights and tihe snow make the work of 'finding the wounded espe cially difficult but since the ambulance parties began using doga in their search, few wounded men have been overlooked. The dogs carry a red cross on both sides of their collars. As soon as night comes, generally the only time in whit-h t'he wounded can be searched for, the leashes are slipped and the dogs are sent across the battlefields. Instead of barking when they find a wounded soldier, they bring back some article of the victim's equipment, such as a cap, helmet or glove. They are then put on the leash and they lead the ambulance men to the spot where the wounded soldier lies. Iu this manner hundreds have been saved on the dif ferent battlefields. At first some of the animals led the searchers to men al ready dead, but they learn with sur prising rapidity to confine their atten tions to the living. ... Jap Soldiers for Europe? The project of sending a Japanese army to Europe is gathering force in Japan. It is understood that France and Russia favor the idea, but that Great Britain hesitates to call upon her ally to go to Europe. It is estimated that an army of 300,000 —the num ber under consideration—would cost 5 yen per soldier daily, or about J1,500,- OOU for all. The fleet of transports would go by way of Suez and, in addi tion to a total equipment of arms, would have to convey food for manv mouths, including vast quantities of rice. The idea is that the expenses would be covered by a European loau. Baron Kato, Minister of Foreign Af fairs, is quoted as being opposed to the project. ♦ . * Says War Is Uniting the Classes Mrs. Waldorf Astor, wife of the | member of the >House of Commons from | Plymouth ami formerly Miss Nau»;y | banghomc, of Virginia, was among the women who greeted the American , Christmas ship Jason upon its arrival at Plymouth, England Mrs. Astor also ) made an address at the opening of a j relief fund bazar at Laira Wesleyan | church. "I hope hatred will go out of the world," Mrs. Astor said. "A soldier once told me that he once believed in God, but since lie had been in the trenches he does not. 1 told him that it was not God who put him in the trenches. This war is bringing all classes together, and in that nay it is doing much good. If we could only make up our minds to replace hate with love and endeavor to think that our neighbors are doing their best, we would all be happier." * ft * Turkish Banks in London The two Turkish banks in London, the Imperial Ottoman bank and the Xatioual Bank of Turkey, which were placed under government control at the outbreak ot' war with Turkey, have now been granted an extended license. They will, therefore, be treated as ordinary banks so far as business outside Tur key is concerned, but will still be un der a supervisor ot the British gov ernment. Preaching night after night in a tabernacle such ns was used in tijis city during the Stough campaign is no easy matter. When Dr. Stough came to Harriswurg his firs; concern after establishing his domicile was making the acquaintance of an osteopath, a leading member of that profession said this morning. Dr. Slough frequently, after preaching at the tabernacle would go to his osteo)>ath for treatment. On one occasion the practitioner worked on Dr. Stough's throat from 11 until 2 o'slock in the morning. Other times the evangelist was under treatment for more than an hour. During the seven weeks' campaign ten out of the twelve members of the Stough party were treated 'by the osteopath. When the party left Harrisburg they obtained the name of an osteopath in Altoona and one in Lancaster, who wil'l be en gaged to treat the members during campaigns in those places. Billy Bun day, who is perhaps the best known evangelist who uses a tabernacle with a "sawdust trail," always has an os teopath attendant upon him in the various cities he visits, a member of the profession said. What Lacked Buttons An English colonel at kit inspection said to Private Flanigan: "Ha! Yes, shirts, socks, flannels, all very good. Now, can you assure me that ail I the articles of your kit have buttons on them*" "No, sir," said Private Flaniijan hesitatingly. "How's that, sir}'' "Aren't no buttons on the towels, sir!"— Kansas City Star. PORE RICH BLOOD PREVENTS DISEASE Bad blood is responsible for more ailments than anything else. It causes catarrh, dyspepsia, rheumatism, weak, tired, languid feelings and worse troubles. Hood's Sarsaparilla has been won derfully successful in purifying and enriching the blood, removing scrofula and other humors, and building up the wholo system. Take it —give it to all the family so as to avoid illness. Get it to-day. Adv. um FAVORS NEW SAFEGUARDS Investigator Tells Serv ice Board How to Eliminate More Dan gers on Railroads 13,361 PERSONS HURT N YEAR Report Shows That Commission Is Ta king Active Steps in the Direction of Reducing the Number of Grade Crossings in State While recommending no drastic leg islation in his report issued to-day to the Buihlic Service Commission for the period 'between July 28, 1913, to June 30, 1914, John P. Dohoney, Investiga tor of Accidents for tie Commission, makes suggestions in the direction ot' the conservation of human life with so cial reference to protection of railroad workmen, passengers aud the general public. He presents interesting figures regarding accidents on the rail, es pecially to railroad workers. 'Mr. l>ohoney's work was taken up when the State Railroad Commission went out of existence and was succeeded by the Puiblic .Service Commission. The newer Commission, in the matter of rail road accidents,'has continued that phase of t'be work instituted by the original Commission. The report is a voluminous one dealing with all of the accidents that have occurred, and as briefly sum marized in the' letter of transmission from Mr. Dolioney, is as follows: "This report shows that during the time indicated 13,351 persons were in jured on the steam railroads and the street railways of this State. There were 10,19<J persons injured on the steann railroads. Of this number 991 iverc killed. The latter embraced 328 employes, 15 passengers, 555 trespass ers and 93 others. "There were 3,161 persons injured on the street railways. Of this number 170 were killed, the fatalities including 15 employes. 19 passengers, 20 tres passers and 116 others. 79 Killed at Grade Crossings "Included in the total number of accidents are 79 persons killed and 222 injured at grade crossings of rail - roads and 2 killed and 70 injured at grade crossings of street railways. '' According to the accident reports of railroad companies 53 trespassers struck by cars were under the influence of intoxicating liquor, and of this num ber 24 were killed. The street rail way companies report tlhat 9 intoxicated persons were killed and that 80 were injured. "The above summary will give the Commission an idea of 'the vast field for activity along the line of protection and the necessity for the adoption of every practicable method with this end in view. It is more important to safe guard t'iie lives of people than it is to determiue whether a passenger is over charged or whether a shipper is unjust ly assessed for the transportation of his goods. "There are approximately 10,000 public crossings of steam railroads at grade in this State anil it is gratifying to know tliat the Commission has he gun the work tending to their elimina tion. Watchmen, gates and bells do uot constitute absolutely reliable protection. "Our reports show that during the period embracing January Ist and June 30th of this year 44 accidents occurred at protected crossings, by which 15 people were killed and 34 were injured. During the same period 17 were killed and 58 injured at unprotected cross ings. Urges Safer Street Cars . "Since the public service connpany law came into full force and effect the Commission has issued protective or ders that have doubtless brought bene ficial results. The requirements that the cars of street passenger railway companies >be equipped with jacks, that conductors [precede the cars over the tracks of steam railroads and that passengers be no' allowed on the front platform of street i-ars are being ob served. There was an apparent dispo sition on the part of some of the em ployes to disregard these regulations, but when informed that the orders were issued to be obev"d their indifference was no longer displayed. "There are other measures, however, concerning the operation of street cars the adoption of which are essential to the comfort and the safety of passen gers and employes. "Complaints have been received that the steps and running boards of the cars of some of the lines are too and are not only the cause of accidents, but are a source of inconvenience. In vestigation shows that these grievances are well founded. I have, in conse quence, held conferences with represent atives of the Pennsylvania Street Rail ways Association with a view to the adoption bv the Commission of such regulations as will remove this objec tion and will make further provision for the enclosing of the front platform of cars so that the employes may have that measure of protection to which they are entitled. "The equipment of all cars with power brakes, as well as hand brakes, and the daily operation of both brakes; the installation of automatic couplers; a safe and proper method of heating cars, and. the maintenance of lights at highway crossings and at points on the line of the railway, such as the ap proaches to sharp curves, bridges, steep grades, etc., in country districts, and a reasonable control of the intensity of headlights of cars 011 public highways will all contribute to the elimination of elements that figure in accidents of var ious kinds. The Problem of Tunnels ''The accident which recently oc curred in the IPhoenixville tunnel on the line of the Philadelphia & Beading railway emphasizes the necessity of giv ing the matter of tunnels our prompt and serious consideration. I have» therefore, sent a communication to the steam Tailroad companies operating in Pennsylvania, requesting thciu to fur nish information regarding dimensions of tunnel, with degree of curves and percentage of grades; when construct ed; character of construction as to in terior lining, bracing, etc.; method of OFFICE-TRAINING SCHOOL Divilops Accuracy and Efficiency WINTER TERM BEGINS MONDAY, JANUARY 4 Day and Night Sessions Get the Education that will Get You the $ MONEY $ POSITIONS SECURED FOR ALL GRADUATES 15 S. Market Sq., Harrisburg, Pa. A Testimony From Exper= ience and Observation If every man, woman and child knew tbe satisfac tion and real happiness of having monev at a specified time —accumulated by small and regular savings made each week and not missed—they would join the Security Holiday Savings Fund and have money for Insurance, Taxes, Coal or any oilier needs, and not be worried when these payments become due. If von have upent, during the year, money that you really have nothing for, which is an experience of many, don't do so the coming year. Make up your mind to have something at the close of 1915. If you listen to this you will have. Join now. SECURITY TRUST COMPANY :Mi and :5H NORTH THIRD STREET Open Saturday Evening Near the Fostoffice I AMUSEMENTS | AMUSEMENTS \JirTORIA~- The War erf V* Special To-day ! Hogan's Annual Spree ~ Keys , tone '»s . Recent Battles m & r Comedy Europe. * * ventilation, and nunvber of tracks in tunnel. "Our investigation shows that dur ing the period embracing January Ist j and June 30th. 1914, 7 peoiple were j killed and 105 injured by overhead or ! side obstructions on the line of steam roads. The co-o.perntion of people in-j terested in 'safety first' work is invited j to Hie end that ail dangerous conditions I may he inspected, as it is more essen tial that these obstructions be removed bofore an accident occurs than it is to • investigate after the injury has been ; done. "Complaint* have been received as. to the height of tenders on shifting engines. It is the practice of some J roads to attach a large tender to an en- ! gine of this kind and it is impossible for the engineer to obtain a view o! the track without leaning out of the cab to an extent that endangers his, own life and the lives of others." HANDEL TAM' CHOSEN FOR IHE CHORAL SOCIETY Continued From First rage. operation ended' in a blaze of glory. ' And after the splendid achievement of last April it would be strange indeed if we do not find ourselves iu this, the 1 twentieth season of the organization, moving on to even greater things than ' have been done in the past. "The call has now gone out for the 1 resumption of work. No singer of Har risburg, worthy of the name, can well j afford to refuse this summons. 1 am glad to learn that former members are. | SB y _ _ Do Your Part IF YOU would be a success in life you must contribute your share of effort and hard work. Most prosperous people owe their suc cess to habits of thrift—to a system of saving that meant many sacrifices. We are now in the season of good will and while wishing everybody a Happy and Prosper ous New Year suggest that if you do your part by saving regularly—the little amounts as well as the big ones—prosperity will be your inevi table reward. Certificates of Deposit are a popular form of saving—they pay 3 per cent, interest for periods of four months and longer. Q213 Market Street Capital, 9a00,000 Surplus, $;i00,000 i Open for deposits Sat. evening from O to 8 , re-enrolling, but we ought to have a I large number of new members from Harrisburjj's list of vocalists. Kacji j musical organization, including every | church choir, should send its quota of I new members. "Although 1 am a teacher, T do not I hesitate to say to each individual sing j er that the intimate acquaintance with a choral masterpiece is worth dozens of private lessons, and many precious hours often wasted in practicing in I solitary confinement. Such acquaintance | gives the singer ideas in interpretation; it enlarges the musical horizon; it in | duces stability in time and accuracy in rythiff, to say nothing of the knowi j edge of musical structure which is un : consciously gained. "The work chosen by the Board of : Directors to be studied this winter and rendered at the next annual festival is | Handel's Oratorio 'Samson.' lam sure ; all are familiar with the power of tho | solos and choruses of Handel's ' Mes ,siah.' Immediately upon tli£ completion lof this oratorio II an del wrote bis j'Samson' which is ranked as high as the 'Messiah' by uo less a judge than I tho composer himself. For, when ho | was asked which of the two oratorios j ho considered the better, he replied that ! he actually did not know to which ha i could give a preference. The work has ! been sung to crowded houses is tuneful land dramatic, and thus appeals to sinjJ ,: er and hearer alike. | "I am looking anxiously forward to I this year's work, and 1 hope we cau 'start off with a big, well balanced chor us on January 5. I will do my be<t. |to make this term the most successful in the Society's history, and 1 am sure j the chorus will do likewise.''
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