THE WEATHER FAIR TO-NIGHT AND TO-MORROW Detail** Rf»«t Pace • SK A r;™° VOL. 77 —NO. 88. 100 FLEE AS NIGHT FIRE RUINS ROW Families Escape in Night Clothes Dur ing Big Blaze in Pro gress ■■ + FIVE HOUSES ARE WRECKED Two Others in fiarly Morn ing Fire—Friendship Au'ro Engine Makes Quick Bun From This City —Water Scare—Loss 9f1,0(H) Vsing a thousand feet nt' hose at tached to (he only available fire plu* in 'be community, the I'en'brook fire fighters assisted bv the crew of tli" Friendship Company's auto truck of this city, fought a b'aze starting about ".15 o'clock this morning, which com pletely destroyed five houses in "Hoak's Row," Progress, a suburb of Harrisburg. Two other houses were damaged. About 100 people living in the row fled to the street, most of thein in their night clothes. At least two of the structures could have been saved, it is believed, if fhere ihad 'been another tire plug in the vicin ity. It was only recently that efforts were made to get additional fire pro tection in Progress. The houses destroyed were two-story frame structures owned by Charles Hoak, and yalued at a total of a.'bout $6,000. They were partly covered by insurance. Most of the occupants saved their furniture. The houses were in a row of twe\ve. The end one was occupied by William Beidell, the second by John Bectol, the third by Christ Himmelbright, the fouvff was unoccupied ami the fifth was tenanted by Manuel Weitzel. The homes of Daniel Irvin and John Byers, adjoin ing, were badly damaged by smoke and water. Friendship Auto Makes Fast Bun The fire started at 3.15 o'clock in a bed room on the second story of the Himmelbright home. The occupants say that bed clothing was aiiire, and that they tried to smother the flames in a closet but that the entire room was Boon ablaze. When thj alarm of fire was given, all the residents of "Hoak's Row" got into their clothing as quickly as possible *nd began to save their valuables. Few, if any, were fully clothed. The trip to the scene of the fire was ft rough one for the Friendship auto truck, but it made the long run in less COTttnoed on Seventh Pare SING AGAINST LOCAL OPTION lawmakers Shout. . "It's a Long, Long Way" to Passage of Law Many members of the Legislature who attended tihe Legislative St. Pat rick's Day dinner last night in the Board of Trade sang with a vim a ditty to the tune of " Tipperary." One verse had something to say about the dashed hopes of any Legislative junkets to the Panama-Pacific Exposition, rnd ran as follows: "It's a long way to San Francisco, It's a long way to go. It's a long way to San Francisco, To the dearest town I know. Good-bye, Tom and Jerry, Farewell, Rock and Rye, it's a long way to San Francisco "When Harrisburg goes dry.'' Another verse dealt with lo.;al op tion, as follows: "It's a long way to Local Option, it's a long way to law, It's a long way to Local Option, To the stiffest drink I draw. Good-bye, dear old Doctor, farewell, you drys, It's a long way from Local Option, For my vote you'll cry." Associated Press Not a Trust By Associated Press. Washington, March 17. —Attorney General Gregory in a letter addressed to James M. Beck, counsel for the bun Printing and Publishing Associa tion of New York, holds that there is no ground for action bv the federal authorities against The Associated Press under the anti-trust law. Wilson Wears His Green Necktie By Associated Press. Washington, March 17.—President Wilson appeared at the executive of fices to-day wearing a sprig of sham rock and a green necktie. The sham rock was presented to him by Miss Sue Marcon. of Jersey City, N." J. Boy Fractures Arm While roller skating on 'Hunter street at noon to-day, Charles Ring, 1 545 Swatara street, fell and frac tured his right arm. He was admitted to the Harrisburg hospital, wlyere the l'racture was reduced. ••: , • . f : * ' •T, vr\ ■ ■ - • /: '• •* •". f v •• ' '••"•• ■• ,•„ ... .1' - ' 1 JL t. FIRE REFUGEES FROM THE CITIZENS' ENGINE HOUSE **"* tM V f lliff i ' KILLED fiSJOUSE TILTS Middletown Man Crushed Between Beam and a Hoisting Jack That He Was Operating (Special to the Star-Independent.) Middletown, March' 17. —Charles Bubb, 34 years old, one of a gang of men moving a frame house from the section where the .Middletown Car Com pany proposed to extend its ear build ing plant, was crushed to doath short ly after tl o'clock this morning when the buildingf titled, pinning his chin and' chest a floor beam and a hoisting jack. The accident happened on Pine street, at a point about 200 feet south of Water, while preparations were being made to shift the structure around to place it upon its new site. Dr. J. C. I ..ingle, who was hurriedly summoned, said that death was in stantaneous. The building is a two and-one-half story structure owned by Harry Baumbach and had been moved half a dozen blocks or to within a few feet of the new foundation. Bubb was working beneath the south side of the house, adjusting blocks and a hoisting jack, when the building tilted. In a moment the jack fell over, Bubb slipped and plunged across it and the dwelling toppled on him. CHILD LABOR BEARING TO-DAY It Will Be Held Late This Afternoon in the House of Representatives The three child labor bills at pres ent in Senate and House will be the subject of a hearing before the Senate and House committees on Judiciary General at a meeting to be held late this afternoon in the hall of the House. Large delegations from the various societies interested in children are here to hear the arguments, and will have some of their ibest speakers bo represent them. The manufacturers of the State will also be represented, along with the newspaper publishers and the represent atives of the telegraph companies, who will be heard in an argument for amendments modifying the bill so that the age limit in certain occupations may be reduced. The speakers for the respective sides had not been selected up to noon to-day. TENER WILL DO THE HONORS Chief Guest To-morrow at Dedication of Pennsylvania Building in 'Frisco The Pennsylvania building at the Panama-Pacific Exposition will be dedi cated to-morrow with appropriate cere monies, and a large crowd of formei Pennsylvanians who now reside on the Pacific coast is expected to be present. The State will be officially represent ed by former Governor Tener, at the request of Governor 'Brumbaugh; former Senator Ernest L. Tustin, of Philadel phia, and Chester P. R r, of Philadel phia, all members of the State Commis sion to the exposition. Former Gov ernor Tener will make an address and a poem written by .Harvey M. Watts, a Philadelphia newspaper man, will be read. Civil Service Bill Passes House The Walton civil service bill for cities of tbe third class, of which Har risburg is one, passed finally in the House of Representatives this" morning, amended in such a way as to make the establishment of a paid fire department not mandatory. The vote was 172 to 2. The bill now goes to the Senate. Lehigh Valley Declares Dividend By Associated Press. Philadelphia, March 17.—The di rectors of the Lehigh Valley Railroad Company to-day declared the regular quarterly dividend of 2 1-2 per cent, on its'common and preferred stock. Beading Declares 2 Per Cent. Dividend By Associated Press, Philadelphia, March 17.—The di rectors of the Reading Company to-dny declared the regular quarterly dividend of two per cent, on the common stock. HARRISBPRG, PA., WEDNESDAY EVENING, MARCH 17, 1915—14 PAGES. AUTOMOBILE SHOWS ARE ATTRACTING BIG CROWDS Business Has Picked Up Steadily and Exhibitors Are Pleased—Special Entertainments To-night Myton Has Publicity Bun Cup on Display Harrisburg seems to be supporting two automobile shows in good form and the backers of the enterprises are more than pleased with the impetus given the automobile business. The crowds are encouraging and friends tor the motor are 'being made each day. St. Patrick's Dav lent a holiday air to the already brilliant shows anil ev erywhere a spot of green was added to the decorations on the coats of the ex hibitors and tlie visitors as well. Spe cial programs were prepared at each show for the side entertainment of the onlookers. At the Kelker Street Hall While they are having St. Patrick's Day at the auto shows there is one-time honors custom at automobile shows that will be missing from the Capital City (Motor Dealers' Association shpw in Kelker street hall, Fourth and Dela ware streets—"Society day." 'No special arrangements have been made for any such day this year and the full evening clothes will not take the place of working clothes. This is strictly a show for the advancement of the auto 'business, and while the cars are dressed up for every class of person the exhibitors will not do any special turns in banquet regalia. Crowds con tinue to pour into the hall each after noon and evening and give the deinon >Startors plenty of work. The special musical program arranged for to-night follows: "Same Old Town," Gilbert ard ftmith; "When Dreams Come True," Silvio Hein; "Morenita," E. Murillo; Continued on Fourth Pace ICE PLANT SITE IS BOUGHT Newly Formed Merchants Company Ac quires Land at Berryhill Street and the P. & B. Railway The newly > organized Merchants Ice Company announced to*lay the purchase of a plot of ground, 192 by 128 feet, at Berryhill street artd the Philadelphia & Reading railroad, wihere it will erect a large ice manufacturing plant this spring. The ground was purchased in part from the Philadelphia & Reading and in part from the Commonwealth Trust Company, as trustees for the Cal der and- Turner estates. The total cost was $6,700. G. E. Hewitt, organizer of the com pany, said that an 8-inch well 400 feet deep has already bueu dug on the site, wihich produces a total of 150 gallons of water per minute. He said water from the well had been analyzed by the city bacteriologist and declared free from impurities. There is a small percentage of lime, which will not inter fere with ice making. Another well, to be 10 inches in diameter and 200 feet deep, has been started, of which ICO feet has been dug. This well, ;t is estimated, will produce 200 gallons c-f water per minute. At the next meetinglof the building and machinery committee in the Metro politan hotel March 23 M. P. Johnson, chairman, will report the bids on the machinery and building, which, Hewitt says, will together' cost close to 550,- 000. It is the intention of the company to produce ice as early in the season as possible. Hewitt says tihe company will be able to manufacture ice within 60 days after the contracts for the plant are let. C. Harry Kain, the archi tect, has the plans drawn up. A rail road siding will be built to th*. plant. 44 TOTS. BURNED OUT, PASS NIGHT 1 Ell HOUSE Children Rescued With out Mishap From Flames That Ruin Nursery Home IT WAS THE OLD WATTS MANSION Mrs. David Watts Places Loss Above sls,ooo—At Least Partly Insured —Firemen Seriously Handicapped —Shelter Sought for Refugees Following the destruction by (ire last evening of the Nursery Home, ThirU street and Reel's Lane, the women who have charge of the mainte nance of the institution were busy to day trying to tind shelter for the 44 "refugee" children inmates until the new home, which is under construction on South Cameron street, is complet ed, which will be some time in the sum mer. The youngsters, after the fire, were hustled into automobiles and taken to the Citizens' fire engine house, Fourth street, near Walnut, where they passed a comfortable night despite the strange quarters and improvised beds. Every fireman of the company who was in the building last night tip-toed about so as not to disturb the rest of the little ones, but despite that all of the chil dren were awake at the crack of dawn clamoring for breakfast. Later in the morning they were removed to the Children's Industrial Home, on Allison Hill, where they will be quartered un til other temporary shelter can be ob tained. With the destruction of the Nursery Home there was wiped out a historic old landmark that for years before thie City extended to its present northern limits stood as a solitary sentinel in a wide territory devoid of buildings. The three-story structure was made of brick but had a frame outer covering. It was erected as a family mansion by Kby Byers, more than 75 years ago, and about 45 years ago was purchasod' by the late David Watts. Loss More Than $15,000 The property still is in th e posses sion of his widow and until a few years ago ivas tho Watts fumily homestead. Mrs. David Watts, who uow lives at 112 State street, turned the building Continued on Sixth Pace. A BRITISH MINE SWEEPER IS BLOWN UP WITH LOSS OF LIFE Paris, March 17, 4.55 A. M.—A British mine sweeper was blown up in the Dardanelles yesterday with the loss of several lives when a mine ex ploded as it was being removed from the straits, says A special dispatch [ from Athens. JOHNS. WEAVER VICTIM OF PNEUMONIA IN 65TH YEAR Long Established in Confectionery Business in This City—One Tim* Part Proprietor of tbe "Sugar Bowl" Store John S. Weaver, for more than forty years actively identified with business interests of Harrisburg, prominent in chuTOh circles Mid widely known as one of Harrisburg's most progressive citi zens, died at his residence, 205 Pine street, at 11 o'clock this morning after a week's illness from pneumonia from which developed after heart attacks. >Mr. Weaver was in his 65th year. He was born in Highspire, where he at tended school and when a boy of 15 came to Harritfburg where he entered the employ of the late Henry Felix, manufacturing confectioner in Market Square. Later he connected with the late Jacob Buehler as clerk in his leather ;.nd findings establishment. In 1868 he was engaged by the firm of Continued on Seventh Page. SO/VO OF ME A GHERS IRISH BRIGADE AS IT WMS SUNG DURING CIVIL WAR BY DR. LAURENCE REYNOLDS Professor J. Howard Wert has written the following explanatory lines in connection with the publication to-day, appropriate to St. Patrick's Day, of the Inspiring lines of the Civil war "Marching Song of Meagher's Irish Brigade," written by Dr. Laurence Reynolds and published below: ["On the battlefield of Gettysburg, July, 1863, Dr. Laurence Reynolds, surgeon of the 63d regiment N. Y. S. V., handed me a pamphlet copy of his poetical address delivered before the Irish Brigade of the Potomac Army at its celebration of St. Patrick's Day, March 17th, 1863, which was held in their camp at Falmouth, Va. That pamphlet is now in my possession and amongst the most valued of my many war treasures. "Appended to it was the marching song of the Irish Brigade also written by Dr. Reynolds. This marching song lam now presenting to the roaders of the Star-Independent because it is possessed of merit in itself, and, at the same time, will be new, in all probability, to nearly all. "The celebrated Irish Brigade, which went into the field under the com mand of the gallant Trisli patriot. General Thomas Frances Meagher, varied a little in its composition during the war, but remained substantially intact from the beginning to the close of the conflict. Itß regiments, at the time of the Gettysburg battle, were 28th Massachusetts, 63d, 69th and 88th New York, and 116 th Pennsylvania. It was a part of Hancock's fighting Second Army Corps."] The Stars and the Stripes which our forefathers loved, When this nation arose, now float over our head; Not one star shall be clouded, not one stripe removed Tho' our blood round the banner we guard, may be shed. As the sea is tossed back from the spray-covered rocks, The foe that assails us shall sever and fly; The sons of Montgomery, Barry and Knox, In the land where they triumphed, shall conquer or die. CHORUS—Hurrah! for the- hearts that are loyal and true, Hurrah! for the soldiers who are never afraid— A cheer for the flag of the Red, White and Blue, And the brave gallant boys of the Ir,ish Brigade. In the front of the fight, side by side, shall be seen The Stars and Stripes of Columbia's great land, And a banner, the Harp wreath'd with shamrocks so green, Both upheld by the might of the Irishman's hand. Those stars may be dimmed by the fire of the foe— The green of the Shamrock in bloodshed may fade; But the stain of the coward, no foeman shall throw On the brave gallant boys of the Irish Brigade. CHORUS—Then hurrah, etc. That England, our tyrant, more vassals might gain— Ireland fought, till our hearts' blood in rivulets ran; She conquered for strangers—for Prance and for Spain— Now she fights for the sole friend of Ireland and man. This land—that from ocean to ocean extends, Shall be one like the sun, like the sun ne'er shall fade; And when foes assail her, she shall ever find friends In the brave loyal boys of the Irish Brigade. CHORUS—Then hurrah, etc. -> WEIGHT IS LICIT nuFffiiun Crooked Hucksters Sentenced to Pay $25 Each For Each of Six Offences COSTS ALSO ARE IMPOSED Court Gives Them Choice of Paying or Going to Jail for One Day for Each Dollar of the Penalty—Tlxey De cide to Produce Money Confessing to half a dosen charges of cheating their patrons by selling by short weight. John Kusig aind Wil liam Brady, hucksters this morning were sentenced by Judge Kunkel to pay 'fines of $125 and the costs in each case or take the alternative of serv ing one day in jail for each dollar of the fines and costs imposed. The de fendants both told the Sheriff that they will pay the fines and costs. The sentences were imposed under a city ordinance which reqpulates the department of the Sealer of Weights and Measures. Had the defendants not decided to make payment under the sentences it is figured that their jail term would have run well on to a year since the costs in each case will amount to as much if not more than the fine. Oliver Brady, a dairymam, ww con victed of selling cream that waa below the standard of butter fat require ments, but sentence was deferred and the court asked District Attorney Stroup to get additional information concerning the defendant. Brady ap- Contlnurd on Fourth Pan LATE WATNEWS SUMMARY Along the 000-mile eastern front great activity prevails and Petrograd believes that the opening of the spring campaign Is at hand. At no previous time since the war began has there been such continuous fighting over the whole front. The official German communica tion shows that in the extreme north the Russians are again on the Prussian border. The report mentions a Russian attack on Laugazargen, which is Ger man soil. An official dispatch from Petrograd says that the fall of Prezemysl, the Ga liclan city which has been holding out since early in the war against the Rus sian attackers, Is expected within a few days. French and German accounts of the fighting in the west are at complete variance. Each official statement an nounces success in Champagne and near Continued on Fourth Page POSTSCRIPT PRICE, ONE CENT. TWO BRITISH SHIPS HIT BY TORPEDOES Fingal Sunk Off North umberland Coast and Six Lives Are Re ported Lost OTHER VESSEL MAKES HARBOR Steamer Atlanta Attacked by «. German Submarine on the West Coast of ' County Oaiway, Ireland Crew Landed on Inishturk Island London, March/ 17, 12.4'8 P. M.— Official announcement was made to-dlay that the British steamers Atlanta and Fingal have been torpedoed. The text follows: ''The British steamer Atlanta, 519 tons, owned by J. and P. Hutchinson, of Glasgow, was torpedoed by a Ger man submarine off Inißhturk on the west coast of County Galway, Ireland, about noon on March 14. The crew was landed on Inishtnrk Island and the vessel is now in the harbor. "The British steamer Fingal, 1,562 gross tons (661 net tons), owned by the London and Edinburgh Shipping Company, of Leith, Scotland, -was tor pedoed and sunk at 10.50 a. m. March 15 off the Northumberland coast. Twen ty-one members of her crew wore land ed at North Shields, but six lives are reported to have been logt, including the chief mate and the stewardess." North Shields, Eng., March 17. The survivors of the Fingal were land ed here to-dayv They declare that tke casualties on board were due to thi fact that the vessel went down before the star-board 'boat could 'be freed. The Fingal, as she sunk, dragged this boat under with her leaving the occupants, including the captain, struggling in the ■water. The port boat picked up the captain and several others but six men lost their lives. Tlie Fingal was proceeding in a northerly direction with fine weather when she was struck by a German tor pedo. She at once began to settlfe and went down quickly. GERMANS POUND NIEUPORT WITH 16-INCH HOWITZERS Paris, March 17.—"The enemy is again furiously bombarding Nieuport, this time with 16-inch howitzers," says an undated message from the "Petit Parisien's" war correspondent, who adds: "Thirty shells have fallen in the town making enormous holes and demolishing several buildings, but nu one was hurt. "Belgian troops profiting by a slight recession of the waters in the district they occupy, carried two German ad vanced positions. The first the Kloostcrhosk farm near skevkc, while the second was a line of trenches on the road from Pervvse to Schoorbakke. "Warships and monitors of the al lies vigorously bombarded Westenile. The Germans replied feebly but none of their shells took effect. Torpedo boat destroyers protected the bombard ing ships, shelling a German subma rine which attempted to approach. The fire against the shore positions was di rected by aeroplanes." ITALIANS KILL 100 REBELS IN UPRISING IN TRIPOLI Rome, via Paris, March 17, 5.15 A. M.—An Italian punitive expedition sent out from Bengazi under Colouol Paiola dispersed a strong force of ro'bels near Gebadia after a hard fight. The insurgents lost 100 men killed and many wounded, while the Italian losses are placed at forty killed and forty-live wounded. The expedition from Bengazi, capital of one of the administrative districts of Tripoli, was sent out in connection with another from Cyrenaiea to put down a rebellion of natives which is reported to have reached considerable propor tibns. ' WALL STREET CLOSING By Associated Pros. New York, March 17—Announcement of the regular Reading dividend caused a further advance in that stock to the best price of the day, after which it receded again. The general list shaded later on profit taking. The closing was easy. To-day's stock market was dull and narrow with some hesitation In the final dealings.