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