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.
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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.''