CLP BN Bal Turk Sarit Ari Au A A, AE A Ay VOL. XXXVII MEYERSDALE PA., THURSDAY. I 3 5 FRE ~ NO 52. DECEMBER 28. 1916 WORKMENS ~ COMPENSATION Decision of James W. Leech Makes Radical Changes. | ar—— —— Compensatio Board Member James W. Leech of Ebensburg, in the case of Mrs. Watson of Moon Run against the Pittsburg Coal Com- pany, has made a ruling which has caused widespread comment and which is believed to have been one of the most notable and important: so far handed down since the com- pensation: law was enacted. One view of Mr. Leech’s decision is thus , set forth in the Pittsburg Dispatch: “The decision of Commissioner + Leech of the workmen’s compensa- tion board, in the application of Mrs. Mary Watson of Moot Run for a ‘claim for the death of her husband in a mine of the Pittsburg Coal com- pany, takes the matter of death in- demnity out of the old field of legal technicality and lists it among the social | obligations. The, time hon- ored bar of negligence, even if gross or eriminal negligence, and act of a fellow-servant, have been set aside by this opinion of Commissioner Leech and the workmen’s compensa- tion law brought closer to what the public mind had in view when’ it was enacted. The decision in the Wat- son case declares the only escape from liability is when a workman takes his own life or is the victim of the act of another workman for per- sonal reasons, and not directed “against him because of his employ- ment. “Watson lost his life through an explosion of oil which he had taken ‘into and secreted ‘in the mine where ~ he worked. The facts were admitted, gi ii : ered other than negligence. » and Commissioner Leech holds that the man’s acts could not be consid- / There was no evidence that he intended to take his own life, the commissioner - says, and while what he did was in gross ‘and wilful violation of the 5 “mine code and regulations of the mpany, cannot be taken as other bot nore negligence, which has been | eliminated as a bar, whether the act of the man killed or a fellow-work- man. ’ ) “In other words, the opinion of the compensation board is that the ob- ject of the compensation law is to provide for the dependents of indus- trial workers killed or injured at their _ calling. Dependency is as great un- der one condition as another. It makes no difference to the helpless little children of a man killed wheth- er it was through his own ignorance of a fellow-workman, or failure to protect by the employing concern. The big facts are that the bread- winner is dead and dependent widows and orphans must be taken care of, either through a compensation law or by charity. “Since the money for the awards is charged against the product, the same as any other cost item, and paid indirectly by society at large as con- sumers, the opinion of Commissioner " Leech goes straight to the heart of things by declaring that is all the more reason why only the fewest de- fenses should be bars to compensa- “tion.” It is interesting in this connection to announce that the compensation board now has on press a report giv- ing all decisions so far made in the enforcement of the law. The vol- ume will contain all the evidence, arguments, etc, in each case, with ‘the rulings thereon, and is certain to be in great demand among attor- neys. The book will be issued from the state printery some time within the next few weeks, it is under- stood. . Lost Shadows in Oklahoma. Durant (Okla.) Democrat. When you see a man trying to convince his shadow that it is Jm- proper to follow a gentleman, it’s a sure sign that prohibition isn’t alto- gether a success. ’ Now Is the Hour for High Resolve. From the Philadelphia Record. The only really valuable city char- ter is the determination of the citi- zens to have good government. Boston Barkeeps in Jovial Mood. Boston saloon men may be par- doned for feeling that the drinks are on “Billy” Sunday. i _«The movies have done a great deal for me.” “Are you one of those big salaried actors?” “No, but I do almost 'as well. I'm a pie manufac- turer.— Louisville Courier-Journal. Fifty-Fifty. By J. J. Montague, in N. Y. American Mr. Bryan has decided to quit Ne- braska, Nebraska having decided some time ago to quit Mr. Bryan. ' The Grim Reaper. JESSIE J. COOK Jesse J. Cook, a well known farmer, died at 1:30 p. m. Wednes- day at the Cook homestéad near Wel- lersburg, Pa., Somerset county; his death, which was unexpected, was due to pneumonia and heart trou- ble. The deceased was born Sep- tember 18, 1856, and was a gradu- ate of Mt. Union college, Alliance, Ohjo. For many years the deceased: taught school- in the various parts of Somerset county. At one time he was mercantile appraiser of Som- erset county and was justice of the peace of Southampton township for 25 years. The deceased was aged 60 years, 3 months and 2 days. The funeral took place at 2 o'clock Fri- day afternoon from his late residence near Wellersburg, Pa. The services were conducted by Rev. J. H. Wise, of Buffalo Mills, Pa., and Rev. W. H. Cramer of Ellérslie, Md., of the United Evangelical church. Burial was made in the Cook cemetery. In May, 1892, the deceased and Miss Belle C. Long, daughter of Justice Long of Wellersburg, were married by the Rev. S. Milliron of the U. E. | denomination. Mrs. Cook survives her husband with six children, all single and at home, Harry Ellsworth, Ella Grace, Laura Pearle, Charles Bruce, Bertha Blanche and Viola Gertrude. Edna May died Novem- ber 14, 1904. The brothers and sis- ters surviving are Mrs. Catherine A. Wilhelm and Mrs. Martha E. Car- penter, both of Hyndman, Pa.; Ed- ward L. and William H. Cook, both of Johnstown, Pa.; "Mrs. Charles Smouse of near Cumberland, Md., Mrs. Williarh H. Deal, of Meyersdale, Pa, and Jones M. Cook, of Somerset, a. JACOB A, HITE The Grim Reaper claimed another in the depleted ranks of the local vet- erans of the Civil war yesterday morning when Jacob A. Hite of 637 Bedford street was called to answer the final summons. Mr. Hite’s death was ‘due to old age and general de- bility. He was aged 77 years, 10 months and 20 days, and was born in Bedford county. The deceased served two enlistments in the Civil war, first as a private in Company H, One Hun- dred Seventy-First regiment, under ‘Capt. John Bierer. He served about la year in this regiment and when his enlistment expired, entered the service again in Company G, One Hundred One regiment, under Capt. Conley. He made his second enlist- ment in May, 1864, and served until the end of the great struggle, in June, 1865. ; ~ , Mr, Hite is survived by his. widow,’ who was formerly Miss Mary Old- ham, and by three sisters: Mrs. J. P. Hasselbauer and Miss Amanda Hite of 806 Oak street, Seventh ward, and Mrs. Mary Mock of Hboversville. The deceased was employed until about 20 years ago by the Cambria Steel company. He left the employ- ment of the steel concern to take up farming on a place near Hoovers- ville. He lived on the farm until a few years ago, when he retired. . The funeral will take place. at 1:30 o’clock tomorrow afternoon at the Hite home, 637 Bedford street, when services will be conducted by the Rev. J. N. Schoes, pastor of First Chris- tian church. The services will be in charge of the members of Emory Fisher post, No. 30, G. A: R., of which: the deceased was a member. Burial will be in Sandyvale ceme- tery.—Johnstown Democrat. , Ben Bittner. Ben Bittner, a former resident and has been, engaged in Pittsburg for some time, died at his home in ‘that city on Saturday, December 23, of en- idycarditis. His remains were brougnt here to the home of his sister, Mrs. ‘Milton Meyers, where services were services. were held on’ Tuesday by Rev. Franc, followed by intermentt in the Union cemetry, He is survived by his mother, his widow, his sister, Mrs, Meyers, and by his seven child- ren, The funeral was conducted by undertaker, J. L. Tressler. At the Bijou. On Christmas afternoon the Bijou Theater was crowded to capacity, and pictures : were shown continuously from two o’clock in the afternoon to 12 o’clock at night, and part of the time the aisles wera filled by persons who were unable to get seats. The people who were present speak in the highest terms of the picture shown and also attest the popularity of this show house, where prices are always moderate. “It’s a long time from nuts to soup.” “You mean ‘soup to nuts.’” “No, I don’t. I'm referri time from one good other.””—Buffalo Express. business man of Meyersdale, but who |, RUSSIA REFUSES PEACE TERMS The Russian Docum discusses Peace Terms. The first expression of Russia’s official attitude toward President Wilson’s note was obtained by the Associated Press in the form of the following statement emanating from a high official source and approved by the foreign office: “We pay tribute to the humanitar- ian motives which actuated President Wilson in turning to the warring na- ‘tions with the wish to conclude peace. These motives are not for- eign to us. “The initiative of Russia in the domain of peaze conferences which would have placed a limitation upon destructive wars has always met with opposition from Germany. We were the defenders of peace in 1914 to the very last moment, when Ger- many declared war on us. “We also understand to what ex- tent war reacts on the interest of neutrals, principally on account of the manner in which it is being con- ducted by our enemies. But we can- not help keeping in view the fact that the American declaration was made almost simultaneously with the German one. ” “In.its true sense the German offer is now known to all. Germany con- siders herself a victor and thinks to dictate to us terms of peace. Under such conditions the beginning of peace negotiations with Germany would signify our acknowledgment of-such a belief. We are not van- quished and cannot therefore make an acknowledgment of defeat. We deeply believe in the triumph of right and justice for whjch we are fighting come the time for sincefe peace ne- gotiations.” g Community Tree. under the community Christmas tree of Somerset: Selections were ren- dered by the High School band, and the male quartet gave a number of vocal numbers. The Christmas tree was beautifully decorated and i'lum- inated with colored lights. A large star adorned the top of the tree. Rev. Edgar F. Hoffmeier. The musi- cal part of the program was under the leadership of J. J. Walker. A large crowd attended the services. ' A Christmas concert was given this evening in the Somerset opera house under the direction of Prof. Wehland Young. A capacity crowd attended. Wittenberge Mrs. Joseph Braugher 3d daugh- ter of Akron, Ohio, are visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. G.-W. Caler of Deal for a few days. 2 Miss Florence Pedenbrink of Con- nellsville is spending the holidays with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Petenbrink of Mountain Valley. Mr. Roy Deal of Smithfield is spending Christmas with his grand- parents, Mr. and Mrs. Simon Deal. Mr. Dewey Smith and Mr. Elmer Petenbrink were shoppers in Mey- ersdale last Friday: : Mrs. Charles May and daughter Beatrice of Connellsville are spend- ing the holidays with the former’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Mankamyer. Mr. Albert Fair of Akron, Ohio, is spending a few weeks with his par- ents, Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Fair. Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Smith left on Saturday for Braddock to spend Christmas with the latter’s sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. John Dove. Mr. John Slagle of Akron, Ohio, is visiting friends and relatives for a few days. Misses Orpha and Blanche Manka- myer of Connellsville are visiting their parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Mankameyer. Mr. Norman Petenbrink of Akron, Ohio, spent Sunday afternoon at the home of his brother and sister-in- law, Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Petenbrink. Mr. Lewis Bittner of Garrett spent Sunday and Monday with his wife at the home of J. E. Geiger. Miss Lydia Smith was a caller on Sunday evening and Christmas at the home of C. C. Housels of Deal. Must Have Mouth Open, Too. New York Telegram. Mr. W. J. Bryan's portrait to be hung with other former secretaries of state represents the statesman with one hand full of peace treaties and the other thrust into a trousers pock- et. It’s lifelike. A “Dry Fact. Philadelphia Inquirer. A state is “constructively dry” when every man in it can get only a gallon of liquor each month. er cr =. err mere and when this will prevail then will | “® rab ER : the st ‘advice and then the | Soierset, Dec. 25. Christmas| docjor, diceovtfs. cht these 1s some services. were conducted this evening|'profound #p@nic: disturbance that | | recitations, and an address by the DOCTOR AND HIS PATIENT Do you know how to aes doe. tor? When yo} re il you send for him of course. He has an automobile to go to see people who wait so lo before seeking his advice that vd must go to them. He begins by ask- ‘ing all sorts of questions which may seem to have little to do with the matter in hand, Suppose you .did go to a banquet and eat and perhaps drink a little more than usual. © Perhaps - have Deen Jording ‘extra long hours at e office and naturally you haven't had time to : Ion . gE The important thi sick dnd it is th give you medic E Promptly ly. You haven’ stay in Bed 3 id he kn it. ‘There- fore, thing’ for him to do is to give you 3 isaspe paspoonful of somethi three times & day before meals that will set eyerything. straight forth- with. This is ‘an. ordinary man’s conception ‘of a doetor’s duty to his patient. F Now as’ to’! ¢ doctor's side of it. 5, is careless about his dzily habits] feels a little fatigued and resorts to a nip two or three times a 'ddy to “buck himelf up,” his i ng are overworked and Is'is a change of habit n of his method of living. A little'rest if I insist upon it, a tonic and some restriction of his diet for a few days, will pull him through this spell. He will probably take the medicine I have prescribed] but the advice he will forget in a ie doctor’s side of the o be sick.” Finally may have gone so far that less to aid. If you are going to build a house you call in an architect who acts as your adviser, makes your plans and sees that they are carried out. If you go into a business deal your lawyer draws up the contract, sees that your interests are protected and advises vou how to proceed. But your doctor you call in when the: damage is done and you expect him to give you some- thing in a bottle that will undo the results of weeks, months or years of indiscretion. : he is help- Elected Officers. At the last meeting of M. C. Low- ry post, No. 214, G. A. R., the fol- lowing officers were elected for the the regular meeting of the Post on January 4; 1917: Com., H. C. McKinley; S. V., Eli Hair; J.'V., John Daubert; Q. M., M. A. Rutter; O. D., Samuel Huffmeyer; Chap., Rev. W. W. Wagner; 0. G.; Joseph Wagner; Surg., August Rosen- berger. r The Adjutant, S. M., and Quarter Master Sergeant will be appointed at the regular meeting and installed at that time. : Marriage Licenses. Cumberland, Md., Dec. 25.—Mar- liage licenses were issued here Sat- urday as follows: - . Walter Pebley, Dunlo, and Frances Catherine Cower, Beaver Falls. Burean Vance Shaffer, Johnstown, and Clara Burkett, New Buena Vista. | Claude Arnold Williams, and Vir- ginia Frances Deneen, Hoblitzell. William Franklin Day -and Saline. Jane Largent, both of Meyersdale. David Richard Lamberson and Marie Smith Resevetz, both of Johnstown. Greenville. The Christmas service given by the Sunday school in the Hostetler church on Christmas eve was the first one given in: that edifice, al- though the church has been erected for half a century. The house was filled to overflowing and a program was rendered by the scholars and teachers consisting of music and superintendent. The program was an unusual one and was well rend- ered and well received. The affair will add interest in the school, in the objects, as well as in the attend- ance. Doings at Pocahontas. | The Willing Werkers of the Re- | formed church at Pocahontas | hold a box social and oyste coming year and will be installed at | F armers Institute. The annual Farmers’ Institutes under the auspices of the Pennsyl- vania Department of Agriculture will start in Somerset county on Saturday Dec. 30, and continue until Jan. 6, with meetings at Boswell on Dee. 30; Meyersdale on Jan. 1 and 23 Berlin on January 3 and 4, and Somerset on Jan. 5 and 6. * County Chairman Robert L. Lohr, of Boswell, Pa., has arranged attrac- tive programs for all of the meet- ings and subjects vital to the agri- cultural interests of Somerset coun- ty. will be discussed by the state ex- ‘| perts who have been assigned. J. T. Campbell of Hartstown is the sec- tion leader and one of the State Farm advisers.” Mr, Campbell is a successful poultryman and soil ex- pert. Other spegkers will be Prof. Franklin’ Menges, of York, Pa., who is a soil and geperal farming expert, and Dr. John Rosenberger, of Wy- combe, Pa., who will speak on: Some Cattle Diseases and How to Handle Them; Feeding the Dairy Herd; Co- operation to Improve the Dairy and Community Building. Some of the subjects Mr. Campbell will discuss—are: Restoration and Maintenance of the Productive Power of the Soil; Lessons from Experience in Tile Drainage; Poultry Feeding and Care of Chicks; Problems of the Large Poultry Farm, and two evening lectures. Prof. Menges will, speak on: Natural Ways of Maintaining the Fertility of the Soil; Soil Moisture and Humus; Nitrogen Fixation; Ways of Introducing. Clovers Into Rota- tions; Corn Breeding and Selection of Seed, Wheat and Wheat Raising. These meetings. are held for the special benefit of the farmers and their families and the instructors are practical farmers who have made a success in the lines of agriculture about which they speak. Farmers who have any problems should at. tend these meetings and get the ad. vice of the experts. Farmers and the general public interested in agri- culture throughout Somerset county are urged to attend these meetings as they offer much advice that will be profitable in increasing and pro- ducing better crops on the farms. Ridge View. « We are very glad to see the Mey- _ersdale Commercial step out again as it is‘a very lively and interesting paper and we don't want to see it go down again. Our three stores report a rushing business during the holiday season. Mr. Earl Tunney who has been employed at the rubber factory at Akron, Ohio, is home for the holi- days. Mrs. Mariah Stark sold her prop- erty to Thomas Cunningham and had a sale of her household goods Satur- day and will leave here on Thurs- day to go to her son Robert, who has been engaged in business for sev- eral years at Chester, Pa. The Christmas services at St. John’s’ Lutheran church was very largely attended and their annual treat to the scholars as heretofore. The music furnished by the choir was excellent. . W. F. Null, teacher of our gram- mar school, is getting along fine and has a good attendance. Miss Reba Bender, daughter of G. Bender at Listonburg, won the sil- ver set given away at Addison by the Indian show which was here for over a week. i Miss Gussie V. Rishberger who has been quite ill for the past two weeks is convalescent. Mrs. Camp and son Arnold has re- turned home after a two weeks’ visit at Connellsville, visiting friends. Mrs. T. P. Heavener and grand- daughter Mary Heavener was calling on Addison friends Saturday. Glencoe. Family reunions at Christmas time were epidemical-——such took place at F. Webreck’s, J. T. Leydig’s, H. M. Poorbaugh’s and W. H. Bittner’s. The Charles Love family of Pitts- burg are guests at the J. L. Snyder ome. C. S. Poorbaugh left Tuesday for Johnstown where he probably will lo- cate instead of returning to Montana. Mrs. Lewis Little and the Harry Hensel family of Friedens were dis- appointed visitors in our town Mon- day night. The railroad accident a mile west of Glencoe delayed No. 40 several hours, thereby making it im- possible for travelers to hear the Christmas services. Dr. Spicer and wife of Cumber- land spend Christmas at I. D. Ley- dig’s. Archie Tressler and Samuel Bitt- ner of Akron, are home for the holi- days. Alice Webreck and a classmate, Miss Hindman of Pittsburg, are here for the week. They hardly know which “conveyance” of the Big Boss they like better. COMMON DISEASE OF POULTRY Discription of Poultry Dis- eases and Treatment. : The prevention of poultr diseases is much more rR han on to effect a cure. A great many farm- ers and poultrymen invite disease in- to their flock by keeping weak stock under unsanitary conditions. Doe- toring, except when treatment can be applied to the whole flock, is not advisable. Extension Circular No. 47, of the Pennsylvania State College school of agriculture and experiment station, has the following to say of the treat-’ ment of olds, and roup, so common in: fowls during this season of? the year. Simple colds are caused by over- crowding in the roosts at night, ex- Herd; Selection of the Dairy Sire; | posure to draughts or dampness, and aie characterized by watery eyes, , Sneezing and a discharge from ‘the . nostrils. The discharge from the nostrils does not have an offensive odor. ‘Colds are usually cured by dipping the heads of the fowls in the following solution: alcohol, 50 per cent, water 36 per cent, boracie acid, 4 pér cent and glycerine 10 per cent. Roup occurs in several forms, as nasal or eye roup, diphthereti¢ roup ‘or: canker, and chicken pox or sore head, and is highly contagious. With nasal roup the eyes are swollen and an offensive discharge is given off from the nostrils. Diphtheretic roup is characterized by yellowish mem- branes in the mouth and throat. In chicken pox the unfeathered parts of the head become covered with reddish brown nodules. In all forms roup is very difficult to cure, and when found in a flock the killing of infected birds and thorough disinfec- tion of the house is to be recommend- ed. a St. Paul Robert Engle, who had been work- ing in Pittsburg, is spending the Christmas season with his mother in St. Paul, A Christmas program was ren- dered by the teachers and pupils of the St. Paul school to an apprecia- tive audience last Friday afternoon. A treat, distributed by Mr. and Mrs. “Santa Claus” followed the exer- cises. : Some of our people attended the Christmas - exercises ' in Grantsville, and Summit Mills ‘:on. Christmas Eve. FY The St. Paul’s Reformed church was filled to its capacity on Christ- mas evening to hear-the cantata “Around the Manger.”” Many were the expressions of appreciation by those attending the services. . Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Sipple fccom- panied by their children, spent Christmas with the former’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Sipple. Mr. Ross Sechler spent Christmas with his wife, who is a patient in a Cancer hospital in‘ Richmond, Vir- ginia. Some thought provoking questions for Christmas: Can a man be consistent who preaches and supports a system that leads to war? Does. not the system that makes profits out of the needs of the people inevitably lead to war? Are not the big interests of this or any other nation organized prin« cipally for the purpose of making profits out of the needs of the peo- ple? Are not vast military organiza- tions mainly for the purpose of hold- ing and securing advantages for these profiteers of society? Are you sure that a law compelling our children to be trained in the arts of war is not fathered by those who make profit out of war? Is it possible that 98 per cent of the people will allow 2 per cent of the people, owning 60 per cent of the wealth of this nation, to use them as cat’s paws? viM Thomas Swindell is reported to be improving slowly. Byron E. Nicholson who is attende ing F. and M. college, is spending his Christmas vacation at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Nicholson. a, Miss Harriet Nicholson is staying at Cyrus Hochstetler’s. Mr. and Mrs. Walter Herring spent from Saturday to Monday at the home of the latter’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Hiram Beck at Bakersville. Henry Suder and family spent Christmas at the home of Peter Bowman. P. W. White and family of Lari- mer township ate their Christmas dinner at Vim. Mr. and Mrs. William Engle spent Monday in Salisbury at the home of Frank Thomas. Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lee of Ran- James L. Poorbaugh and family of Somerset spent Christmas with their brother Calvin. Annie Sharp of Sandpatch hung her stocking with her Delozier cousins here on Dec. 25. “Candy” C. W. Poorbaugh, Meyersdale was home for his Chris oo Uv | Saturday evening December a) which everybody is cordially invite d. WA lp mas feed and incidentally rer his acquaintancey with the love ladies of our township. Ser — | of | | dolph spent over Christmas at Vim | visiting relatives and friends. | Mr. and Mrs. John Ball of Frost- | burg, Md.; spent over Christmas at the home of their son-in-law, Henry | Engle. 3 ~ Irvin Engle is'visiting in Frostburg, Md., this week. { W. W. Nicholson's | him twin calves on week. cow brought Wednesday of ire — —————— en, a. n -