SAT MERCER CONFESSED. THEN DENIED C«atiaa«4 Froa Fl*at P««* rapher, who said it was taken by her. in the presence of the County Prosecu tor, one of the defendants' attorneys and a New York detective named Fitx simmons. Attorneys for Mercer, while cross examining the stenographer, hinted that the District Attorney had made a prom ise to Mercer that sentence would be suspended provided he would plead guilty, but Miss Miller denied that, say ing that no such agreement had been suggested or even hinted ftt so far as she knew. The police in three other cities have lodged detainers against Mercer, so the authorities here say, and another de tainer has been entered against Leßron. It also is said here that Mercer is wanted in New York-City to testify in a case involving a member of the New York bar. The Alleged Check Transactions The defendants are charged with having had two SI,OOO bogus checks, one on each of two Jacksonville. Flor ida banks, atid depositing them, —one in the Mechanics Trust Company and the other in the Dauphin Deposit bank in this city,—taking out accounts and later drawing checks on the local banks, which, however, were too wide awake to be duped and communicated with the Florida institutions from which thev learned the SI,OOO checks were worth less. it is charged that Mercer and L.a- Brun arrived in this city from Philadel phia in the early morning of November 7, last, deposited the checks with the local banks and were arrested at 5 o'clock on the afternoon of the same day, for trying to check against the de posits. They were taken into custody less than two hours after complaint had been lodged with the police by one of the local banks which had been iu formed that the Florida banks would not honor the SI,OOO checks. Mercer, in hij confession, according to the testimony, began by describing his partner Leßrun, saying Leßrun is a non-English speaking Frenchman, and that he gave up a profitable cigar busi ness in Chicago 111., to join Mercer iu the manufacture and sale of a certain type of automobile tire. Wanted Cash to Tide Them Over Mercer then went on to say, it was alleged, that they had met a stranger in Philadelphia on November 5, last, and induced him to give them a number of blank Florida bank checks. Later, he said, Mercer and Leßrun got this same stranger to draw up the SI,OOO checks. Mercer said he knew the checks were fictitious, but he "deposited them in the 'Harrisburg banks for collection to tide over a temporary embarrassment." Before the banks would learn that the checks were bad. Merser said in effect, lie thougiit he could get money to "fix matters up'' and to make the checks good. "What we wanted to do," said Mer . er. according to the statement as read, "was to locate permanently in Harris burg, begin the manufacture of the i>uto tires and our aim was first to es tablish credit with the business men. more than anything else. We gave checks for articles we purchased at the stores. We didn't need the goods: we just wanted them. Continuing. Mercer explained that he got a batch ot Harrisburg bank blank checks on the counter of the t'opinionwealth Trust company, ''just because we thought we would need them, since before we had suffered busi ness losses because we did uot have proper bank checks at hand." Further on Mercer said the stranger from whom he obtained the Florida .hecks in Philadelphia was a stock salesman, named Clairmont. and that "so far as I know Clairmont did not have a rep."' Miss Miller Enlightens Court The statement that the bond sales man does not have a "rep" was made after Mercer wa* asked bv Fitzsiin inons. the detective, if Clairmont "has a police record!" Several times, while the stenographer was reading her notes of the alleged confession, it wasn't al together clear to the court and attor nev-t just of the trio. —the District At torney. Detective Fitzsimmons or Mer cer.—was represented as doing the talking. Each time Miss Miller was called upon to ofter enlightenment and she did so. One of the many questions put to Mercer was: "What in the devil did you draw against that SI,OOO wcount for?" It wasn't clear who had asked the question, but before Miss MiKer could be asked to explain the District At torney had remarked: "That was Fitzsimmons who asked that.'' After making the statement to the District Attorney. Mercer file,! with him a copy of what purported to be a story of Mercer's former conviction. It was typewritten and contained the caption, '• My former <x>nviction.'' It set forth that Mercer had served three years in the Missouri State Penitentiary on a charge of grand larceny. He set forth in his story that he was innocent of the offense for which he served time and that his "married brother" was the real thief. He added: "I served the sentence to save my brother and his familv." Repudiates His "Confession" In his supplemental statement repu diating his confession to the forgery an i false pretense charges. Mercer de clared that he and L»eßrun received the SI,OOO checks from "C. E. Williams" and "J. T. Redmann." Florida meu. in consideration for the right to sell auto tir,:s which, the defendant declares he intended to manufacture in this city. He added that he believed the checks were good and opened the account with the Harrisburg banks, and began check ing against the accounts, in good faith. James E. Madigan, a bookkeeper and hand writing expert, connected with the Barnett National bank, of Jacksonville, Florida, one of the institutions on waieh one of the alleged bogus checks was drawn, this morning testified that the fictitious checks were signed b\ one and the same [>erson. One was signed by C. E. Williams and the other by J. T. Redman. The Florida banks have no depositors bv that name he said. •Several packs of blank checks, bank books and several receipted bills were offered in evidence at the trial this morning. Among the Harrisburg mer chants who accepted the defen.iant's checks in payment for goods purchas ed were the Begal Umbrella Company, W. N. Kniseiv and the Harrisbur? Harness and Supply Company, At the Kelly shoe store and the store of J. Harry Messersmith, the defendant's checks were refused. LAWYERS' PAPER BOOKS Printed at this office m best style, at lowest prices and on short notice. HARRISBCRG STAR-INDEPENDENT, FRIDAY EVENING. JANUARY 15. 1915. VICTIMS OF 'QUAKE MAY BE 100.000 Caaliaurd I'ron Flnt still comes in slowly but enough is known to show tliat the disaster closely appears that which bct'el Messina six years ago. Estimates of the killed and injured vary from 25,000 to 50,000, and It will probably be days before ex act figures are available. Avevino. sixty miles east of Home, and Sora, 15 miles south of Avezzano, were the worst sufferers, so far as loss of life is concerned, but about sixty towns and villages in all suffered either total demolition or serious damage. Reports to-day from the north say that the shock was felt as far as the Swiss frontier and that in the Alps in that region there were numerous avalanches, the result of the earth quake. This would make it appear that the earthquake extended through out the entire length of Italy with the exception of the extreme southern end. The Italian government and people have quickly responded to the call for help from the stricken people. Thou sands of troops have been sent to the scene and the work of rescue and relief is going on night and day. Supplies of food, clothing, blankets and medicines have been despatched by train where possible and by motor cars where the rail*>ads are blocked. ITALY'S KING BRINGS BACK TO ROME 40 EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS Paris, Jan. 15. 4.15 A. M.—King Victor Emmanuel arrived in Rome from Avezzano at 9.30 last night, says the Rome correspondent of the Havas Agency. He had three cars attached to his special train, in which forty bad ly injured persons had been placed. Three of them died on the journey. Premier Salandra and other members of the ministry and the Mayor met the King on his arrival and drove with him to the palace. The Havas correspondent at Avez zano wires that Deputies Biasolati, Chiaraviglio, Federmeoti and Celli have arrived there to examine the situation. They found that all the streets had been blotted out and that the principal square alone was distinguishable. POPE VISITS INJURED WITHOUT TOUCHING ITALIAN GROUND Rome, Jan. 15.—Some of the news papers announce that Pope Benedict in visiting the wounded at the Santa Mar ta Hospital, left the Vatican, thus in terrupting the traditional imprisonment of the Pope always adhered to by Popes Pius IX., Leo and Pius X., after the fall of the temporal power, meaning thus to protest against the occupation of Rome. In reality the Pontiff did uot leave the Vatican but passing through the Apostolic palace inside of St. Peter's he reached the hospital without touch ing Italian soil. His predecessor did the same thing when he visited the wound ed brought to Santa Marta Hospital after the earthquake in Messina. CAUSE OF ITALY'S DISASTER AS TOLD BY METEOROLOGIST Paris. .lan. 13. 3 A. M. —The "Pet it rarisien's" Rome correspondent says that the number of earthquake victims exceeds 30.000 and that this list would have been greater, since the earthquake was more violent than that of Messina, had it not been for the fact that no large cities were effected. The center of the disturbance, according to this correspondent, was situated in the dty and ancient lake Fuccino, which was drained in 1875 by Prince Alexander Torlonia at a cost of about $5, 000,000. As to the cause of the disaster, the "Petit Parisien " correspondent quotes an eminent meteorologist as saying: '•The most likely hypothesis is that continuous heavy rains resulted in fil trations which formed gTeat bodies of steam by contact with incandescent matter. This hypothesis seems con firmed by the fa>-t that the spring at San Gniuliano has almost doubled the volume of its flow since yesterdav.'' AMBASSADOR PAGE PLACES DEAD AT 12,000 TO 15,000 Washington. Jan. 15. —Dispatches from Rome from Ambassador Thomas Xelson Page place the dead between 12,000 and 15,000 and the seriously injured at about the same number. The Ambassadoivsaid he had inquired of the Italian government if aid were needed but was told that Italy was not accept ing assistance from any foreign coun try. No Americans have so far been reported among the killed or injured. The dispatch from Mr. Page says: "Latest reports of the earthquake from semi-official sources place dead at between 12.000 and 15,000 and serious ly injured at about as many more; press reports both considerably larger. I have expressed our profund sympathy. To informal inquiry whether more sub stantial aid is needed, am told by gov ernment that while deeply gratified for inquiry, Italy is not accepting offers of aid from any foreign country. No Americans so far as vet reported" among injured. Owing to interruption of rail way penetrating devastated zone in formation difficult. Have sent members of staff to region to report." Big Landslide During Earthquake Naples, Via Rome, Jan. 15, 12.45 A. M.—Near Montecorvino Rovella, 14 miles east of Salerno, an immense land slide from a mountain occurred during the earthquake shock. It was 1,500 yards long and invaded the river there, forming in its center a small lake of 250 square yards. The peasants in the neighborhood escaped in safety but they were greatly terrorized over the occurrence. U. S. Supplies for Quake Victims Washington, Jan. 15.—Fifteen hun dred pounds of choloroform many cases of serums and anti-toxins and thousanifo of yards of adhesive plaster and bandages, will go forward to Am bassador Page at London to-morrow from the American Red Cro&s on the steamer Minnetonka sailing from New York. The executive committee of the organization met to-day to consider the Italian situation. HIATT SECRETARY TO NEW GOVERNOR Cutlaafd From "teat Pa«c. Legislature and that advance copied would be given out to the newspapers in confidence to be held for release when submitted to the Legislature. An incident of Dr. Brumbaugh's visit was his posing with Governor Tener for a photograph in front of the Execute e Mansion. Dr. Brumbaugh called during the afternoon at the home of E. J. Stack pole. former postmaster and publisher of the "Telegraph." Mr. Stack pole, who has been very ill, was sleeping and could not see Dr. Brumbaugh when the Governor-elect called at the Stack pole home, 1825 North Front street. The call of Dr. Brumbaugh started a rumor that Mr s name may be uuder consideration for a post on Capitol Hill. Dr. Brumbaugh also went to the home of Senatoi E. E. Beidleuian, Mar ket and Evergreen streets, to see the Senator, who also is ill. Beidleman is chairman of the Legislative commit tee in charge of the inaugural exer cises to be held next Tuesday. Dr. Brumbaugh also devoted some of his time while in Harrisburg to a conference with .1, George Becht. sec retary of the State Department of Edu cation. _ HEAD OF APPROPRIATION COMMITTEE IS IN DOI'BT i Special to the Star-Independent.! Philadelphia. Jan. 15. —Desire on the part of the Republican leaders to co operate for the present at least with Governor-elect-Brumbaugh towards the consideration of his program for the legislature caused another delay yes terday on the part of the Senate State committees in arranging the commit tees of that body. The leaders have taken over the motto "safety first" for their own welfare and are proceeding with caution so as to humor the Gov ernor-elect in the distribution of Capitol Hill patronage. Dr. Brumbaugh will return to the city to-night from Harrisburg and de vote the greater part of to-morrow in considering the few appointments ex pected to accompany his inauguration. The selection of a chairman for the Appropriations Committee is giving par ticular annoyance. At the last session this important committee was headed by Senator Kline, now President pro tem., and consequently out of the race. The place is sought bv Senator Kurtz, of Jefferson, the ranking member, and Senator Buckman, of Bucks, who has the backing of Joseph R. Grundy. A lively rivalry has been in progress as a result. It was yesterday suggested as a solution that Senator Snyder, of Schuylkill, who ranked after Kurtz on the old committee, be made chairman, and that some/other member be given his place on the Judiciary Special Com mittee, which acquired much odium in the 1913 session as "the pickle com mittee." , The committee chairmanships in the Senate, which arc understood to be practically agreed upon, are: Finance, Sprout; Judiciary General. Clark; Mu nicipal Affairs, Vare; Law and Order, Salus; Elections, McXichol, aud Cor porations, Crow. William W. Smith, a new Senator from this city, may be named chairman of the Committee on Banks and Building and Loan Associa tions. Senator Smith is particularly interested in legislation to further pro tect investors in building and loan as sociations. Speaker Ambler has already submit ted his general plans for committees of the House to Dr. Brumbaugh, but is finding trouble in completing his lists, owing to the problem of pleasing, as far as possible, the 207 members, a number in ex ess of the Senate by 157. It is practically understood that Wil liam H. Wilson, who was active in the Ambler campaign, will be chairman of the Judiciary General Committee. Thomas F. McNichol is expected to head the Judiciary Special Committee; Edwin R. Cox. Manufactures, and E. E. Jones, of Susquehanna. Pnblie roads. The House slate committee was also in session yesterday, and will continue to to-dav. $2,424.85 RAISED IX \ DAY Workers of St John's Church Go Far Above Mark in Yesterday's Canvass Two thousand, four hundred and twenty-four dollars and eighty-five cents raised in one day to purchase a pipe organ is the record of forty-eight canvassers who yesterday conducted a campaign in the interests of St. John's Reformed church. The goal set for the day had been $1,500, but the contribu tions went almost a thousand dollars above that mark and a better organ can now be secured than had been planned. The congregation of St. John's church, which numbers little more than 350, had petitioned Andrew Carnegie to give them a pipe organ about a year ago, but had been disappointed. The workers, getting tired of waiting, de cided that they could raise sufficient funds in one day if they tried hard enough, and they" did. No preliminary announcement had been made that the canvass was to be conducted yesterday, but the forty eight solicitors stormed their prospects with neatly printed cards all ready to be filled out as pledges, and how well they succeeded in their requests for aid is evidenced by the large total they reached, so far above their expecta tions. There were in all 455 subscrip tions made. The canvassers them selves pledged $524 to start the ball rolling. E. J. Hockenbury, State Y. M. C. A. secretary, gave his services without recompense in the conducting of the campaign. The committee in charge of the canvass consisted of the Bev. George W. Hartman, pastor of the church; Dr. G. W. Hartman, F. G. Mock, J. W. Dechant, G. W. McWil liams, H. J. Fornwalt. Mrs. Carrie Mil ler and Mrs. L. A. Faunce. The captains of the four teams of ten members each were Mrs. A. L. Gar man, Mrs. H. M. Weaver, C. L. Hoak and H. W. Keitel. National Rifle Matches in Florida By Auociated Press. Washington, Jan. To.—The National Board for the promotion of rifle prac tice, now in annual session here, has selected the Florida State range near Jacksonville for the biennial national rifle matches between army, navy, ma rine corps and National Guard teams whitfi will begin October 15. Artistic Printing at Star-Independent. CERMANY AN EXPORT FIELD AFTER CLOSE OF DIG WAR Harrisburg Budnsaa Men Hear Talk by George S. Atwood. Secretary of American Association of Trade and Commerce, of Berlin George 8. AtWood, secretary of the American Association of Commerce and Trade in Berlin, Germany, which organ isation represents American interests in Germany, spoke to a hundred members of the Harrisburg Chamber of Com merce at a luncheon meeting at the Harristuirg Club at noon to-day. "The United States cannot in the long run do without export trade and we are going to become one of ihe greatest export nations in the world," he said at the begiuniug of his ad dress, the subject of which was I"American Trade With Germauy Aft er the War.'' After going into detail about the forming of a export company for doing 'business in Germany he went into a discussion of relative values of Ameri can and German made products, specify ing what goods can be sold in Germany with a profit. Wages are on an in crease in Germany and will be a stand ard with those iu this country some day, he said. He discussed the finan cial and industrial situation in Ger many, showing how the prices ou food stuffs are regulated by the goverrment. In an effort to show' that the pit-sent war has not crippled Germany to any great extent, he dwelt on the German situation as it was when lie left there in October. He said in part: "During the few weeks I have been in the I uited States the usual greeting I receive is. "Well, you are lucky to get awav from Germany just at this time. I mention this as indicative of the erroneous impression concerning present conditions in Germany. I say erroneous, as, if you were to-day in the city of Berlin you would not imagine that the country was engaged in one of the most formidable wars Germany ever undertook. It is remarkable to what extent normal conditions have been maintained in Berlin since the be ginning of hostiliti». "The theatres: arc all open and well attended, although manv of tliem have reduced their prices and most of them are giving patriotic plays or such bear ing on some event in German history. The moving picture shows are going on as usual and, as usual, are packed. The retail stores especially the great department stores, are still doing a goad business. "'Factories, other than those for mil itary ueeds, are working on halt' time, half wages and half force. The great retail houses, including American firms, are paying half wages during the war, but not a murmur is heard on the part of the employes. Those working for the army, in any capacity, are making hay while the sun shines, and the av erage shoemaker, saddler and petty tailor has for years not reaped such golden harvests as at the present time. No landlord has the right tb evict a tenant during the war, and should some refuse to pay who can afford to do so, the matter is submitted to an umpire j and his decision is generally abided by. We must also bear in mind that both officers and privates receive double pay during the war, and each year of serv ice counts douule. Never was Ger many so uni'.ed as at present, all party differences are in abeyance and all are working to defend their country. The mines have contributed no men to the army. The copper mines in Eisleben. Manfeld and Hettstadt are working to their full extent and there will be 110 dearth of copper, at least for military purposes. Krupp has 60,000 men at work turning out war material." LATE WAS NEWS SUMMARY CMtlnunl From First P«r«- spent its force and the War Office an nounces that Russian forces b:ive made i gains along tie Vistula. General Von Hindenbnrg's troops are now occupy ing strongly entrenched positions, however, and there are no indications that they are threatened seriously by the Russian attacks. The Turkish forces which penetrated Persia, occupying Tabriz, are now ad vancing into the interior. Russia ex- I plains her evacuation of Tabriz as ! due to strategic reasons, which necessi ■ tated a regrouping of her troops. The Porte is said to have offered to with draw its forces from Persia if Russia I also would do so. To-day's Trench official statement ' says that German positions near Arras ; were captured by zouaves in a bayonet , charge. There is no important change in the Soisson3 region. The Russian general staff expects a ; concerted attack by the German forces ' west and southwest of Warsaw. Ger ' man troops have been sent to the assist ance of the Austrians in an effort to relieve Bukowina and northern Hun gary from the danger of further Rus sian advances. Germans Preparing for Aggressive Move Petrograd, Jan. 15, \ia London, I 2.50 P. M.—The Russian General Staff has reacher the opinion that the Ger mans are preparing for a general ag gressive movement to the west and southwest of Warsaw. Staff offiers say that this opinion is borne out by the fact that the Germans have removed their «k*k and wounded from Lodz and Piolkow into Prussia and have changed their ammunition bases. Britain Will Hold Up Letters London. Jan. 15, 3.50 P. M.—Great Britain has decided to hold up letters destined for countries with whieh she is : at war if they are enclosed in letters 1 being forwarded to neutral countries unless the envelope is unsealed. An nouncement to this effect was issued to day bVf the Brifi?h War Office. Here tofore consitlwable mail from England has been sent to Germany by way of the United States. May Amend Colombian Treaty Washington, Jan. 15.—Senators Root, Swanson and (Hitchcock were named to-day members of a foreign re lations sub-committee to confer with Secretary Bryan on amending the pend ing treaty to pay Colombia $25,000,- OOt) for the (.artition of Panama. There is some sentiment for redueing the sum and to strike out the clause in which the United States would express "sin cere regret'' to Colombia. Cabinet to Hold Night Sessions Washington, Jan. 15. —President Wilson has broken another preredent and will hold night cabinet meetings. 'Beginning to-night the cabinet will meet in the President's study every Pridav at 8 p. no. for informal discussion of government's 'business. ALL LEMONS FOR TUMULTY President's Private Secretary Throws Up Hands In Despair When Pro hibition Tale Is Told By Associated Press. Washington, Jan. 15. —Secretary Tumulty threw up his hands in despair and henved a sigh to-day when he read a published story saying he had gone to the Capitol to work against a bill for prohibition in the capital. He de clared it a climax to a run of hard luck which contaiued the following in stances: A Methodist clergyman sat on liis silk hat at Indianapolis. A policeman refused him admittance to the Indiana Democratic Club recep tion to the President because of the aforesaid battered hat. In New YOTU, later, he stopped at one hotel and the proprietor of another wrote him a letter of protest, contend ing that because he was a good Demo crat \Mr. Tumulty should have slopped with him. He went to Jersey City with his wife for a social visit and the newspapers said he weut to settle an appointment light. lie went to the Capitol and talked informally with several Senatorial friends and somebody said he was lbb bving. At the earnest request of a Demo cratic member art Congress he wrote a letter endorsing a man for office and later discovered the man was connect ed with the "lemon trust." "I seem to get nothing but lemons," sighed Secretary Tumulty to-day as he finished the recital. WAS WOOLLY WORM WRONG? Early Forecasts of a Hard Winter Are Discredited by the Chirping To day of Spring Birds Boer's almanac holds that winter, should have been ushered in this season on or about December 22, lust, and should continue for three months. The goosebone man. early lust fall, prodict ed that winter would be a trifle tardy in its beginnings but he save assurance that there would be plenty of cold weather before the close of the season to make up for lost time. Coinciding with the goosebone man, grandfathers declared that the latter part of the winter season would be the more severe, they basing their prognos tications ou "readings of the woolly worm." These overgrown caterpillars, they say, have light brown heads and black bodies this year, tho inference be ing that the black is the danger sign. With all these cold weather signs at hand no*- comes the spring bird with the early chirp. A number were hoard singing and chirping this morning and the aforesaid prognostics tors are at a loss to know how they stand uu ad vanced weather forecasts. One of the chirping spring birds was perched on a sapling in Uoyalton this morning. Another made Camp Hill resi dents believe that the grass suddenly had become green and that warm weath er again had arrived. Both persons claiming to have heard these birds out of season vouch for it that they are not nature fakers. FAVORS POLITICAL WORKERS Secretary Bryan Not Averse to Re warding Them for Services By Associated Press. Washington, .Tail. 15.—When his at tention was drawn to a publication to day of a letter addressed by him Au gust 20, 1913, to Walker W. Vick, re eeiver of customs of the Dominican re public which figured in yesterday's investigation in New York of the charges against American Miuister Sul livan, Secretary Brvan said: '"I am glad to have the public know that I appreciate the services of those who work in politics and feel an inter eat in seeing thera rewarded. I think that is the only charge that can be based on that letter and, as Mr. Vick received his appointment as a reward for political work. I thought he was a good man to address in expressing my opinion on the subject." U. S. MILITARY PREPAREDNESS Fatai Deficiencies in Our National De fense, Says Senator Lodge By Associated Press. Washington, Jan. 15.—1n urging upon the Senate the need for a com mission to report on military prepared ness, or for a permanent council of na tional defense, Senator Lodge to-day declared that the national defense of the country "is not only imperfect and unbalanced, but that it has grave and in some instances fatal deficiencies." He designated what he termed many of the defects and said they were "al most wholly due to Congress." Josiah Monn Josiah Monn, 1604 North Third street, died last niight at his home after a lingering illness. Mr. Monn was born in Pranklin county on December 25, 1843. He has been a retired resident of Harridburg for the pa«t twenty years. He is survived by his wife. The funeral services will be held from his late home on Monday after noon at 2 o'clock, which will be pri vate. Interment in the Harrisburg cennetery. The Rev. B. H. Hart, pastor of the Fifth Street Methodist church, will be in eharge. Muhlenberg Heberlig Muhlenberg Herberlig died yesterday at the State hospital aged 60 years. Undertakers T. M. Mank & Son took the remains to his home in Carlisle to day where the burial will be made later. Curtis E. Host The funeral of Curtis E. Host, 4 9 years old, 1816 Green street, a Penn sylvania railroad brakeman, who was taken ill last Friday and who died early last night, will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev. Amos Stamets, pastor of the Augsbung Luth eran church, and .the Rev. Rofoert W. Runyan, pastor of St. Paul's Methodist church, offioiatinig. Burial will be pri vate in the Harrisburg cemetery. Mr. Kost is survived by his wife, Miarv, and daughter, Margaret. Garrett H. Evert The funeral of Garrett H. Evert, 98 years old, who died yesterday morn ing at his home, 1429 North F'ront street, was held from the home this morning at 10.30 o'clock. He is surviv ed by his daughter, Mrs. H. A. Robin son, this city, and Garrett B. Everts, of Reading, CAPITOL SUIT AGAINST COMMISSION The Public Service Body Will Meet Next Tuesday For a Week's Session The Public Service Commission will begin a week 's session on Tuesday next, but will have very little to do on that day, its members desiring to attend the inaugural of Governor Brumbaugh. It is expected that it will make arrangements far conducting its side of the suit brought against the commission to ptevent it from rednciug the rates on anthracite coal from the mines to Philadelphia, and that Chief Counsel Trinkle will be authorized to act on behalf of the commission. It is aiscf expected that some action will be •taken in the petition of the Philadel phia commuters to give them another hearing on the appeal from the rates fixed by the railroad companies for passengers in and near Philadelphia and for round trip fares over the line. Halt on Committees It was said ou Capitol Hill to-day that the Senate and House committees meeting in Philadelphia have gotten into n wrangle over who shall be chair men of the different committees and it looks as if no agreement could be reach ed until the legislators get here on Mon day, in which case there would be 110 announcement before Tuesday after the inaugural exercises are held. Secretary W. Harry Baker, of the who was here for a few hours to-day, having spent the week in Philadelphia, return ed to the latter city at noon. Ho said that as yet uo announcement of com mittee chairmanships had been made, and he was in the dark as to when a conclusion would be arrived at by the presiding officers and the slnte commit tees. Money From Dauphin Recorder Wickersham, of Dauphin county, yesterday paid info the State treasury $123.19 fees 011 writs. No tary public commission fees to the amount of $1,375 were received and the automobile license fund yielded $16,921. Railroad Policemen Commissions were issued to-day to Howard 'H. Treese. Nicholas Spallone and Charles Duck to be policemen for the Pennsylvania railroad on the Mid dle division. Cabinet Guessing Capitol Hill guesting 011 the Brum baugh official family to-day included James Scarlet, of Danville, and former Speaker George W. Alter, of Pittsburgh, 11s being considered for Attorney Gen erai. BNOLA CELEBRATES 10TH BIRTHDAY THIS EVENING Interesting Program Will Be Rendered in P. B. R. Y. M. C. A.—Harrisburg Artists Will Participate—Judge Mc- Carrell to Speak (Special to the Star-Independent.) Enola, Jan. 15. —A tenth anniversary celebration, commemorating the open ing of the big classification yards of the Pennsylvania Railroad at Enola, will be held this evening in the Enola Y. M. C. A. The building will be taxei to its capacity to accommodate the crowd, which has been invited to at tend. A large committee has been ac tive for weeks arranging the affair. Additional Law Judge S. J. M. Mc- Carrell and W. B. McCaleb, superinten dent of the Philadelphia division of the Pennsylvania Railroad, will speak. Miss Ruth Conkling and Miss Edna Sher man, of Lemoyne, will be accompanists for the musical program. The program follows: Invocation, the Rev. M. S. Sharp, pastor Lutheran church of Enola; "America," audience; anniversary ad dress, Judge S. J. M. McCarrell; instru mental duet, "On Blooming Meadows," Rive-King, Misses Edna and Alva Sher man; baritone solos, "Three Fishers Went Sailing" and "When Love Is Kind," Stanley G. Backenstoss; Enola Car Shop Quartet, "Some of Those Days," Hall, Messrs. C. A. Wenrich, A. Z. McNear, P. E. Zorger, G. W. Woodward; soprano solo, "Killarney," Balfe. Mrs. Frank Smiley; baritone solo, "There Is a Little Spark of Love Still Burning," Erwin Brwwneagle; reeitation, selected. Miss Helen Riegle; vocal duet, "In Springtime," Newton, Mrs. W. K. Bum'baugh and Miss Belle Middaugh; song, "Marching Through Pennsylvania," audience; address, the Rev. S. F. Rounsley, pastor Methodist Episcopal church of Enola; song, "God Be With You," audience; address, Samuel Hepford, secretary of the Y. M. C. A.; bass salo, f'Song of Hybrias, the Cretan." Elliot, A. W. Hartman: so prano solo, "Croole Love Song," Edgar Smith, Miss Hilda Famous; duet, "Mother Machree," Olcott-Ball, Miss Caryl Schooley and A. E. Jeffries; trio, "Run Up the Sail," Smart, Mrs. W. K. Bumbaugh, Miss Belle Middaugh, A. W. Hartman: Enola Shop Quartet, selected, Messrs. C. % Kautz, E. S. •Seiple, F. L. Hutter, A. E. Jeffries; song, " Auld Ijang Synej" benediction, the Rev. D. M. Oyer, pastor First U. B. church. Fatally Wounded by Son-ln-Law By Associated Press. Williamsport, Pa., Jan. 15.—Eman uel T. aged 70 years, a veteran of the Civil war, was shot and fatally wounded by his son-in-law, Charles Phillips, aged in an argument over money that the latter owed Leib. The shooting occurred in I<eib's home near 'Muncy. Phillips escaped after being wounded, probably fatally, by Leib'3 son. Immigration Bill Up to Wilson By Associated Press. Washington, Jan. 15.—The confer ence report on the immigration bill, which includes the literacy test, was accepted by the House to-day by a vote of 227 to 96. It already has been adopted by the Senate and now goes to the President, who will hold public hearings. Explosion in Meadville College By Associated Press. Meadville, Pa., Jan. 15.—An explo sion of chemicals in the chemical lab oratory of Meadville College here to day caused a fire which did damage estimated at $50,000. Students fought the flames for hours and prevented them spreading to other college struc tures. FINANCE NEW YOBK STOCK EXCHANGE QUOTATIONS. Furnished by H. W. Snarely, Broker. Arcade Building, Walnut and Court Streets Niew Yurrk, Jan. IS. Open, Close. Alaska Gold Mines .. . 28% 28% Amal Copper 55% 55 Amer Beet Suga' .... 34'/, 34.11; American ('an 29',1 30' . Am Car and Foundry Co 46' . 4«' * Am Cotton Oil 4.1% 44% Am I co Securities . 23'/, 23 Am?r l.oco 27''. 27% Amer Smelting ,">9% tit) Amer Tol and Tel .... 118% 118',, Anaconda 26''.. 26'.. Atchison 94% 94% Baltimore and Ohio .. 72 72% Bethlehem Steel ..... 51'/, 52'., Brooklyn R T 85% 85% Canadian Pacific 159 "VtiO'/, Central I.eat her 35 35% Cltosnpeake anil Ohio . . 43 43 Chi, Mil and St l'aul .. 88 8814 t'liino Con Copper .... 34 34% Col K110! and Iron .... 23% 25 Cousol Ons 118'., 120'., Com Products 9% 9% Distilling Securities ... 10", II Erie 21% 22% Erie, Ist pfd ....... 34 34% General Klestric Co ... 144', 14-t , Goodrich B F 29'.. 32 Great Nor (rfd 114', 114% Interboro Mot 10% 10% Interboro Met pfd ... 50% 50% Lehigh Valley 133'/* 134 Louis and Nash 51 54 IMo, Kan and Texas ... 27',, 27',, Mo Pacific ........ 6% 9% Nev ('onsol Copper ... 12% 12% New York Central .... 88% 88% NY. N H and H 53', 53% Norfolk and Western.. 104% 104'.. Northern Pacific 101% 101% Pacific Mail 20% 20% Penna K K 105% 105 People's Gas an' Coke 120", 120% Pittsburgh Coal ... ». 18% 18% jqi i(4tM ont| tij 4111 si '|KiidKoi( ,nui|.> Press Steel Car Ray Con. Copper 16% ig% Reading 147 147.1 1 Repub. Iron and Steel . 2(1% 20*% '•o P'd 76% 76% Southern Pacific 85 85% Southern Rv 15% 15"' Tennessee Copper 31% 31 i'i Texas Company 133% 134 Union Pacific 118% 119% U. S. Steel 511, 51% . (1 o pM 107% 108 " Utah Copper 51% 5^ Vir.-Carolina Chem. ... 18 18 Western Maryland .... 15', It>% W. U. Telegraph fio% 60-'', Westingliouse Mfg .... 72% 72% Bx-d'iv. Pittsburgh Coal, Pfd., 1% per c 0111. Ex-div. U. S. Rubber 1% per cent. Philadelphia Closing Prices Philadelphia, Jan. 15.—Stocks closed steady. Cambria Steel 441 • General Asphalt pfd 68 * Lake Superior Corporation .... 1(1 Lehigh Navigation 75 Lehigh Valley ' * «7 Penna R R *52 9. | k iPhila Electric Phiia Company 331 Phila Rapid Transit II * Reading 733 do Genera! Mortgage 93% Storage Battery 49 Union Traction 38% United Gas Improvement .... 82',.. U S Steel 511J ( lo pf<t 108% Chicago Grain Market Closing Chicago, Jan. 15.—Close: Wheat—May, 145; July, 127',,. Corn—May. 78; July, 79. Oats —'May, 56%; July, 54%. Pork—January, 18.35; May, 18.97. Lard—January, 10.42; May, 10.70, Ribs—January, 9.80; May," 10.22. COURT HOUSE Kreiser Begins $3,500 Suit Alleging that, he had been knocked from a wagon by a steam shovel op erated by employes of the King, Evans and Reily Construction Company at the excavation work now being done on a trolley line near Hershey, Jacob Kreiser began a suit for damages yesterday. Kreiser asks for $3,500 damages. Hartman Will Probated The will of Jacob Hartman, late of Berrvsburg, was probated to-dav and his widow, Katy Hartman, was made executrix of the estate. ACTION ON TAX RATE DELAYED Illness of Eby Prevents County Com missioners Passing on Budget Because John H. Eby was prevented from attending the regular semi-week ly meeting of ihe County Commission ers to-day, no action was taken by thai body with respect to fixing the county tax rate for 1915 and compiling the annual county budget. The amount of tiie annual appropria tion bill will not be determined until the Commissioners decide how much is to be expended during 1915 for new bridges and bridge repairs. Also the Commissioners first want to know the exact amount of money the county will be required to pay to county constables as back fees under a recent court de cision. The tax rate for several years has' been four mills and it now is believed that there is a possibility of it being made slightly lower this year. ( Protests Against Carranza Embargo By Associated Preys. Washington, Jan. 15.—The British Ambassador, Sir Cecil Spriivg-Rice, made urgent representations to the State Department to-day against the Carranza embargo on oil exports from Tampico, from which the British navy : draws some of its fuel. Democrats Again in Harness By Associated Press. Nashville, Tenu., Jan. 15.—After four years of Republican udministratiou in Tennessee, the Democrats resumed , control to-day with the inauguration of Thomas C. Rye ;a Governor. lu the legislature the Democrats have a large majority. Queen Victoria Has Scarlet Fever By Associated Press, Madrid, Jan. 15, Via I»ndon, 5.30 P. M.—lt was made known in Madrid this afternoon that Queen Victoria of Spain is confined to her apartments with scarlet fever. IT PAYS TO USE STAB INDEPENDENT WANT ADS. 9
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers