THE WEATHEB
RAIN TO-NIGHT
AKp TO-MORROW
OMiIM Mtpsrt r«f> •
VOL. 77—NO. 143.
ESTABLISHED
DEC. 4. IS7H.
LEGISLATURE
ADJOURNS
AT 3.22 P. V.
Law-makers End Work
of 1915 Session With
Exchange of Gifts and
Farewells
WILL NOT MEET
AGAIN TILL 1917
Clock Is Put Back More Than Three
Hours So That the Hands Do Not
Point to 12, the Time Officially
Agreed on to Close Biennial Session
At 3.21! o'clock this afternoon the bi
ennial session of the legislature came
to an end, when Speaker Ambler ad
journed the House sine die. The law
makers will not assemble again until
January, 1017, unless called together
in special session.
At 3 o'clock a committee from the
House announced in the Senate that the
lower branch was ready to adjourn,
and this was at once followed by a re
port from the committee to inform the
Governor that the Senate was ready to
adjourn, < report said that the Sen
ate had pi mod its mission and that
the Governor had nothing further to
communicate. With a brief and elo
quent farewell. Lieutenant Governor
McClain thereupon announced the Sen
ate adjourned. This was followed al
most immediately by the. House ad
journment.
Repeatedly during the afternoon, in
both branches, the hands of the clock
were turned -buck so they wouKt not
reach 12, the time that had been agreed
upon for finally adjournment.
The closing hours of the session of
the House were taken up with the
piesentation of gifts to the Speaker
and employes. Each member contrib
uted $lO to a fund of more than
52.000 which was used in the purchase
of the gifts.
A handsome silver service was pre
sented to Speaker Ambler in behalf of
the members by William H. Wilson, of
Philadelphia. He said much of the suc
cess of the session of 1915 was due to
the selection of Mr. Ambler as Speaker.
"Mr. Ambler thanked the members for
their consideration for him during the
session and hoped that members would
have an opportunity to help use the gift
at some time.
Mr. Baldwin, of Delaware county,
piesented to Thomas H. Garvin, chief
clerk, a phonograph, Mr. Ronev, of
Philadelphia, presented to Speaker Am
bler a beautiful electric table lamp in
behalf of Chief Clerk Garvin, who later
presented the Speaker with a gavel.
A grandfather's clock was presented
to William S. Leib, resident clerk, on
behalf of the House, by Mr. Palmer, of
Schuylkill. A rug Was presented to
.lames X. Moore, chief of the Legisla
tive Reference Bureau, by Mr. Kitts,
of Krie. A handsome mantle clock was
presented to I. Dale Meals, assistant
resident clerk. The Rev. Mr. Staley,
chaplain of the House, received a purse;
•lournal Clerk Brackney, cut glass punch
bowl; the assistant journal clerk, dia
mond stickpin; Reading Clerk Falken
stein, a watch. Purses were presented
to the other House attaches.
A long and bitter debate on the
Buck man uniform cold storage bill in
Continued on Second I'agc.
ANIIKIALS DIE_WHOLESALE
Gore Thinks Poison, Not Colic, Killed
His 2 Horses, 12 Rabbits, «
Guinea Pigs and Pigeons
(Special to the Star-Independent.)
Royalton, Pa., May 20.—Although
colic, induced by feeding new rye, has
been alleged as the probable cause of
the death of two of his three horses, a
dozen rabbits, half a dozen guinea pigs
and many pigeons, John R. Gore, a poul
try fancier, to-day declared he is not
yet convinced that his stock was not
poisoned by enemies.
Many of the pigeons died ou Sunday,
the guinea pigs and the rabbits sur
vived until Monday and then the first
of the two horses expired. The second
died on Tuesday and the third now is
very ill and may not recover.
A veterinarian advanced the opin
ion that through the feeding of green
rye th ( > stock became ill from colic.
Baby Swallows Poison Pills
William Buylcr. .Jr., the 2-year-old
son of Mr. and Mrs. William Buyle»,
1115 Kelker street, was to the
llarrisburg hospital at 8 o'clock this
morning suffering from poison pills
which lie swallowed while playing
around the house, Following an ex
amination a caffein chlorate table wap
removed from the child's stomach.
®ie Star- Snkpenktvt
U. S. GIGANTIC ATLANTIC FLEET AS
This Interesting photograph shows itio gigantic ALUuilk fleet ieuving New lurk Liuibur ut the conclusion of Uic monster uavul uuraUe, ou its way out to sea to eujtaite in mauouvre
against an imaginary uaval force attacking New York.
BEIDLEMAN IS ELECTED
AS PRESIDENT PRO TEM.
Harrisbtirg Senator Is Sworn in by
Judge McCarrell and Is Led to the
Chair, Whers He Wields Gavel in
the Closing Session
The Senate this morning proceeded
to the election of President Pro Tem.,
the names of Edward K. Beidleman, of
Dauphin, for the Republicans, and Hen
ry Wasbers, of York, for the Demo
crats, being presented. Mr. Beidleman
received 3& votes and Mr. Wasbers 11
votes.
Mr. Beidleman WHS escorted to the
chair by Senators Sproul, Daix anil
Wasbers. The oath of office was ad
ministered by Judge McCarrell, of Har
risbtirg. On taking the chair the new
President I'm Tom. made a brief speech
appreciative of the honor conferred on
him. He referred to the faet that his
legal perceptor, Judge McCarrell, had
administered the oath of office.
Jn 1893. when Judge McCarrell was
a member of the Senate, Senator Beidle
man entered his office as a la£' student
ard was graduated from fnere two
years later. Beidleman began his po
litical career in the House, serving Iwo
teims, and then retiring, declining all
office until he could be a candidate for
Senator, which came in 1912. when he
was successful in gaining the seat in
the Senate which had once been held
by Judge McCarrell. The latter to-day
beamed with pleasure as he adminis
tered the oath to his former student.
On Senatoi - Beidleman's desk was
placed two huge wicker rases contain
ing roses, the gift of friends in the
Harrieburg Republican Club and,of the
Dauphin county bar.
OPPERMAN DENIES HE
AGREED TO TAKE $16,000
Contractor Declares He Never Made
Offer to Compromise Claim for
Sewer Extras at a Figure Below
That Specified by the Arbitrators
N T ot withstanding the statement of
William H. Lynch, City Highway Com
missioner, that W. H. Opperman once
agreed to settle with the City for $16,-
000 for extra work done on the inter
cepting sewer —$6,767.09 less than
was awarded to the contractor by the
board of arbitrators —Opperman to-day
declared emphatically that he never
presented any offer of settlement to
the City.
The contractor emphatically denied
that he would have settled either for
$16,000 or $25,000, and added that
he is disappointed at not getting a
larger award than the $22,767 which
the arbitrators specified. Further than
that the contractor would say nothing.
As Opperman closed the interview
with a newspaperman, J. William Bow
man and Edwin C. Thompson, members
of the Board of Public Works; City So
licitor 1). S. Seitz, Highway Commis
sioner Lynch and Joel I). Justin, chief
engineer of the Board of Public Works,
went into conference this afternoon.
Their purpose was to discuss the de
cision of the board of arbitrators—
Joseph L. Shearer, Jr., Farney Gannett
and Roy G. Cox-»-in the sewer matter.
Opperman's original claim for extras
under the intercepting sewer contract
was saiil to have been $30,000, but
City officials to-day declared that $25,-
000 was submitted as a later claim.
Will Find Funds to Close '' Gap''
City Highway Commissioner Lynch
said this afternoon that despite the
fact the arbitrators' award to W. H.
Opperman, contractor, for extra sewer
work will use up more than the present
balance in the sewer loan fund, a plan
will be found to borrow funds sufficient
to close the "gap" in the river wall
at Market street.
Portugal's Capital Remains Calm
By Associated Press.
, Lisbon, May 20.—The new ministry
having definitely formed a revolution
ary committee has been disssoived. The
capital remains calm.
HARRISBURG, PA., THURSDAY EVENING, MAY 20, 191*5—12 PAGES.
W 2 OF II
MOFFIEE
Governor Names Suc
cessors For 5 of the
Tener Public Service
Commissioners
NAMES TO-DAY
ARE CONFIRMED
Peniiypacker and Brecht Retained and
the New Members Are Billing, Ma
gee, Monaghan, Kiess and Ainey—
Action Causes a Sensation
Only two of the seven Public Serv
ice Commissioners appointed by Uov
eruor Teucr were retained by Governor
Brumbaugh who last night sent to the
Senate the new board to replace that
composed of the Tener appointee*
whom nominations Brumbaugh reciyit
'ly withdrew. The new commission as 1
nominated last night a>t 11 o'clock
is as follows:
Samuel W. Pennypacker, Schwenks
ville, 10 years.
John S. Rilling. Erie, 9 years.
William A. Magee, Pittsburgh, 8
years.
M. J. Brecht. Lancaster, 7 years.
John Monaghan, Philadelphia, 6
years.
Bdgar A. Kiess, Williamsport, 5
years.
William D. B. Ainey, Moutrose, 4
years.
The Senate Committee on Executive
'Nominations this morning reported out.
all of the remaining nominations,in its
possession, sent in by the Governor up
to the minutes, and all were confirmed
I without opposition, including the new
members of the Public Service Commis
sion. The work of the committee was
then finished.
Former Governor Pennypacker, who
is again made chairman of the commis
sion, and Professor M. J. Brecht, of
Lancaster, are the only ones to retain
their places. The remaining five mem
bers a.re new appointees.
John S. Rilling, who drew the sec
ond yirize, is an Erie Democrat and
served as chairman of the Democratic
v Continued on Mnth Page.
MONTGOMERY AM) HAM BO
AMONG THOSE REAPPOINTED
Governor (BTum'baugh sent the follow
ing appointments to the Senate to-day:
Samuel B. Ramoo, Harrisburg, to be
Superintendent of 'Public Grounds and
Buildings.
William H. Smith, Philadelphia, to
•be State Commissioner of Banking.
Thomas J. Lynch, South Bethlehem,
to be a member of the Water Supply
Commission.
Thomas Lynch Mnotgomery, of Green
hill, Chester county, to be State Li
brarian.
Charles Johnson, Norristown, to be
Insurance Commissioner.
"EQUAL RIGHTS" MEASURE
IS PASSED FINALLY
The Senate adopted the report of the
conference committee on the equal
rights bill, which was sent from the
House in the closing minutes. The bill
provides a fine of SSO for violation of
the law and eliminates damage; and
imprisonment. It applies to all places
of amusement public accommoda
tion, and affects all citizens of every
race, creed and color.
The conference committee on the bill
amended it so as to do away with a
'printer's error and the House adopted
the report. The (bill passed the Legisla
ture finally and goes to the Governor.
Jury Has Barnes Libel Suit
Syracuse, N V., May 20.—The
Barnes-Roosevelt libel suit went to the
jury this afternoon at 3.11 o'clock.
DEMON
UFNAVYVERIFIED
His Statement About
Uncle Sam's Fighting
Ships Meets With
Wilson's Approval
MUCH PLEASED
WITH THE FLEET
President Has Interesting. Journey oti
the Mayflower on His Return to
Washington From Reviewing the
Atlantic Squadron at New York
By Associated Press.
Washington, May 20. —President
Wilson's impressions of the Atlantic
fleet, which he review at New York
early thi& week, were set forth in the
following statement issued at the White
House to-day upon the President's re-!
turn:
''l was greatly struck by the ap
pearance of t.he fleet and the quiet
efficiency shown by the officers and
men, and 1 am sure every one must
have been who had the pleasure of see
ing it assembled at New York. There
could have been no more interesting
verification of Admiral Dewey's state
ment that the navy was never in a bet
er or more eflicient condition and that
the country has every reason to be
proud of it not, only, ibut every reason
to wish to go forward in its policy of
steadily adding to its strength and
equipment."
President x>ack in Washington
Washington, May 20.—The yacht
'Mayflower returning from New York
with President Wilson and his party
docked at the navy yard here at 6.30
a. m. to-day. The President later mo
tored to the White House for break
fast.
The yacht remained anchored
throughout the night in the Potomac
below Washington in order to give the
President another night on tho water
'before returning to work.
Immediately after breakfast the
President went to his study and at
tacked an accumulation of work. He
Continued nn Ninth Page.
SHOOTS WIFUILLS SELF
Double Tragedy Near Schaefferstown
This Morning in Which Thomas
Wike Ends Own Life
(Speciail to the Star-Independent.)
Lebanon, Pa., May 20.—Thomas
Wike, aged 35 years, married, living
at Waldeok, in the Schaefferstown re
gion, this county, shot and dangerously
wounded his wife this morning nt his
home, and immediately afterward' killed
himself by shootng. The wife is ex
pected to die. The couple have a
young child. Excessive drinking is
thought to have crazed Wike and
caused him to commit the double crime.
The family are widely known
throughout the entire eastern end' of
Le-ba-non county and also in the Lan
caster county region.
Supreme Court Herd Next Week
By Associated Press.
Philadelphia, May 20.—The State
Supreme Court finished its Philadelphia
term to-day and adjourned to meet in
iHarriffbnrg next (Monday. No decisions
, were announced.
TUNG WITH
CRAVES IS DENIED
HillsdaleCemetery Au
thorities Invite Full
Investigation of "Im
probable" Story
SO ANNOUNCE
IN NEWSPAPER
Directors Assert Rumors Can "Easily
Be Proved or Disproved by Opening
the Graves," and They Are Ready
to Assist Persons Desiring It
The six directors of the Hillsdale
Cemetery Association, which conducts
the burial ground at Hillsdale, near
Middletown, last evening inserted an
advertisement in the Middletown
"Journal" under the beading:
''To the lot owners of the Hillsdale
cemetery."
The advertisement reads as follows:
"Rumors are afloat to the effect
that a large number of graves in the
Hillsdale cemetery have been tamper
ed with. No authority can be traced
for this improbable story, and an in
vestigation made discloses that so far
as we can there is no foundation
for it.
"While the men whose names are
coupled with it are all dead, thin is
a matter that can easily be proved or
disapproved by opening the graves,
and the association will welcome the
effort of any surviving friends in that
direction.
"Hillsdale Cemetery Ass'n."
S. M. Gingrich, one of the directors,
stated to a reporter for the Star-Inde
pendent to-day that the plan to insert
the advertisement in the newspaper and
also invite a full inquiry into rumors
regarding the cemetery was decided
upon at a meeting of the directors held
at his home on Main street, Mid He
town; on Tuesday evening.
"We place no belief whatever in the
rumors that are afloat," said Mr.
Gingrich, "and we feel absolutely cer
tain that the fullest inquiry will prove
the reports to be untrue.
"I might add that while the direc
tors of the cemetery association, who
have investigated the gossip do not feel
it necessary to open the graves of the
dead to prove the facts, we ,lo not
want to stand in the way of those who
may desire to open the graves to satis
fy themselves. I do not know whether
any family has decided to continue the
inquiry further."
It was learned to-day that the ru
mors referred to in the advertisement
relate to unsubstantiated stories circu
lated in the lower end of tho county
that bodies had been removed from the
cemetery and sold. The cemetery au
thorities say they have convinced them
selves these stories are false and that
they will offer every assistance in their
power to persons ■desiring to investigate
further.
$2,000 FIRE AT HALIFAX
Summer and Dwelling Houses of Peter
Enders Burned—No Insurance
(Special to the Star-fiKlependent.)
Halifax, May 20.—Tho large dwell
ing house and summer house on the
farm of Peter Knders, in Halifax tftwn
ship, caught tire from an overheated
stove on Tuesday and was burned to
the ground.
All the furniture, lard and old meat
were consumed. The loss is about
$2,000, with no insurance.
Terse French War Report
Paris, May 20, 2.50 P. M.—The
French War Office this afternoon gave
out a report on the military situation
which reads: "There has been noth
ing Wednesday mght to report."
BOTH BANKS OF SAN HELD
BY RUSSIANS. REPULSING
ATTACKS OFTHEAUSTRIANS
Petrograd, May 20.—The Russian!)
continue to hold both banks of the
river .San south of .laroslau, according
to an official statement issued from the
headquarters of the general staft' last
night. The bombardment, of Permysl
continues and in the sector between
Pcrmysl and the great Marsh of the
Dniester the Russians claim to have re
pulsed desperate attacks of the Austro-
Oermans. It is admitted that the Teu
tonic allies have consolidated their
positions on the right banks of the
San in the sector between .laroslau ami
Lezaysko.
Berlin. May 20, Via London—The
correspondent of the "Lokal Anzeiger*'
at Austrian field headquarters has sent
in a dispatch reading:
"The Austrians have assembled l re
inforcements behind the river San and
have been making preparations for a
stand. We must therefore anticipate a
big battle in the near future. The Teu
tonic allies already have gained several
strong footholds on the Russian side
of the river San, and the ring around
Permysl steadily is growing smaller."
A correspondent of the paper at
Chernowitz wires that fighting there is
i continuous, an-! that shrapnel is being
used largely against the German and
Austrian positions around this city.
SUBMARINE SINKS BRITISH
TRAWLER. THE CREW SAVED
Peterhead, Scotland, May 20, 1.15
P. M.—The British trawler Chrysolite
was sunk by a German submarine at a
point thirty miles off Kinnaird's Head,
in the North sea. yesterday.
The crew of the trawler took to their
boats and were landed here by a Nor
wegian steamer. It is believed that, at
least two submarines arc operating in
these waters.
FRENCH LAND TROOPS AT 2
PLACES
The Rev. H. W. Hartsock, of Camp
French troops have been landed at
Seddul Bahr at the southern tip of the
Gallipoli peninsula and on the Euro
pean side of the r>ardanelles, and are
now lighting around the Turkish posi
tions at Krithia, according to a dis
patch received by the Grecian news
paper " Messager D'Athens" from
Mudros, Lennos Island. Thin informa
tion was received to-day by the Havas
N<*ws Agency from Athens. The French
troops are being supported by the
French fleet which is stationed in the
bay. »
The British forces which debarked
|at Gaba Tepc are directing their ac-
I tion towards Krithia with the object
of surrounding the Turks. The attack
on the fortified positions at Chibaba
continues. The battle front at the lat
ter point is 3 1-2 miles in width.
ALLIED WARSHIPSANO TURK
FORTS IN BOMBARDMENTS
"London, May 20.—The Athens cor
respondent of the "Times" sends the
following regarding the operations iu
the Dardanelles:
"On Saturday fierce fighting occur-
I red above the villaige of Krithia while
the allips continued their efforts to oc
cupy the heights dominating Kilid
Bahr, operating principally from the
Kirthia side.
' '<Some Turkish forts on the Euro
pean side of the Dardanelles continue
to maintain a spainodic. fire. During the
last few days the fleet has been en
gaged in destroying the enemy's mo
bile batteries at Erekeui on the Asia
tic shore, which were interfering with
our mine sweepers' -work."
POSTSCRIPT
PRICE ONE CENT.
AUSTRIA'S
PROPOSALS
REJECTED
Italian Parliament
Meets To-day and
Declaration of Policy
Is Expected
ITALY EXPLAINS
IN GREEN BOOK
Tells Why She Was Compelled to Ig
nore the Treaty of Alliance With
the Dual Monarchy—German Frew
Admits War Inevitable
Paris, May 20.—Reports have been
received hero from Rome that the Ital
ian Chamber of Deputies by virtually
a unanimous vote to-day granted full
powers to the Minister of War.
Rome, May 20, Via Paris.—'Premier
Salandra introduced a bill this after
noon in the €hanvber of Deputies con
ferring on the government extraordi
nary powers in case of war. A commit
tee was named to give this project im
mediately consideration.
London, May 20.—Austria's final
proposals have been rejected unani
mously by the Italian council of min
isters, and the two nations are a step
nearer war. The Italian parliament
meets to-day. It is generally felt that
the momentous decision of war or peaco
can hardly be postponed beyond this
sitting, although reports are current
that Austria has increased tho com es-
sions she is willing to make in order to
insuro Italian neutrality.
The German press while admitting
that war with Italy can hardly be pre
vented, it views the prospect calmly,
the opinion even being expressed that
Austria, because of the Italian attack,
may be compelled to make a separate
peace with Russia, a course which prob
ably would result in the release of
/nore German troops lor service in the
western frontier.
Amsterdam, Via London, May 20,
3.20 P. M.— "So one in Italy any
longer doubts that war begins to-day."
is the text of a telegram sent from
Chiasso, Switzerland, under the date of
Thursday (to-day) and printed in the
"Berliner Tageblatt."
CREEN BOOK DISCLOSES
ITALY'S RENUNCIATION OF
HERTREATY WITH TEUTONS
Rome, May 19, 10,25 A. M„ by Way
of Paris, May 20, 10.45 A. M. —Dip-
lomatic documents which disclose each
successive step in the negotiations
which resulted in Italy's renunciation
of her treaty of alliance with Austria
and Germany are continued in the green
book issued by tho Italian government
This history of diplomatic inter
changes begins with a telegram sent
by Foreign Minister Sonnino to tho
Duke of Avarna, Italian Ambassador at
Vienna, on December 9, 1914, instruct
ing him to notify Count Von Berchtold,
then Austrian Foreign Minister, that
the Austrian advance in Servia consti
tuted a fact covered in Article 7 of
the Triple Alliance treaty entitling
Italy to compensations. Count Von
Berchtold replied that hi* opinion did
not agree wiyi this view, but on Dj-
Contlaiirtl on Math Page.
LATE WARIEWS SUMMARY
"No one in Italy any longer doubt 3
that war begins to-day," says a presa
dispatch from Chiasae, in Switzerland,
near the Italian border, to Berlin.
A dispatch from Paris says word has
been received there from Rome that
the Italian Chamber of Deputies to
day granted full powers to the Minister
of War.
Renewed efforts against the Turks on
Gallipoli peninsula have been underta
ken by the French and British, with
Continued on Xfntb Page.
WALL SIKEET CLOSING
By Asttvi ialcd Pre**.
New York, May 20.—A sudden ad
vance of 3 points in Missouri Pacific
followed by an equally abrupt decline
of a 1-4 was the only feature of the
late trading. The closing was steady.
Uncertainty, based largely upon the
foreign situation was the dominant
characteristic of to-day's market.
Trading was a trifle more active, but
lacked public interest.