New Britain Herald Newspaper, February 24, 1916, Page 1

HERALD BEST OF ALL LOCAL NEWSPAPERS NEW BRITAII HERALD “ADS” A { BETTER BUSINES ~ PRICE THREE CENTS. NEW BRITAIN CONNECTICUT, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 1916 —TWELVE PAGES. ESTABLISHED 18 'GERMAN AND AUSTRIAN SHIPS AT LISBON ARE SEIZED B Y PORTUGUESE Thirty-six Vessels Lying at Anchor Taken Over and Portugal’s Colors Run Up by Naval Commander ACTION MAY PRECEDE DECLARATIO OF WAR ON THE CENTRAL EMPIRES Authorities Unaware of Fleet's Inten- . tlon—Portuguese Congress in Au- gust, 1914, Decided to Co-operate With Allies When Called Upon— Must Furnish England With 10,000 ! Troops Under Treaty. Lisbon, Feb. 23, via Paris, Feb. 24, 12:40 m.—The commander of tae “naval division here at 4 o'clock this afternoon, apparently of his own initi- ion of thir- a. ve, took forcible posses ix German and Austrian Iving in Rortuguese colors on them and salut- ed them with a twenty-one gun salvo from the Portuguese fleet. It is id that the act of Captain Leotte Rego in scizing the German and Austrian ships interned at Lisbon was totally uncxpected by the governing authorities, who were unaware of the step until it had been carried out. Captain Rego directed the operation from the destroyer Guadiana. Despite many rumors since the out- dbreak of the war that Portugal was on the point of declaring a state of war with the central empires, on ac- count of her treaty relations with Great Britain, no such declaration was ever made. The Portuguese congress by resolutions on August 8, 1914, and “Ton November 23, of the same vear, de- cided that Portugal would co-operate with the allies whenever that step ghemed necessary The Portuguese treaty with Great Britain requires that the latter be supplied with ten thou- sand Portuguese troops when she is at war. Barly in the war, it was an- nounced that Portuguese forces were fighting with the Germans in Angola, West Africa. Angola belongs to Port- ugal and had been invaded by German tfoops. The Portuguese casualties at that time were reported as 800, while the Germans were said to have lost 200. Tt was later announced that the Germans had evacuzted Angola. The latest official Portuguese refer- ence to the attitude of the nation with regard to the hostilities was a state- ment made on January 3 last by the president of the republic at a recep- tion of members of parliament, when | he manifested a desire that “The sa- cred union of all parties be maintained during the war, so that the allies may have reason to be satisfied with the services rendered by the Portuguese nation.” BABCOCK WILL ACCEPT | IF HE IS CHAIRMAN Local Business Man Will Announce Decision Tomorrow—Confers With Mayor—Won’t Run to Fires. The speaking of the final word is all that separates Edward G. Babcock and the chairmanship of the board of public safety. This was announced this afternoon by Mayor Quigley, fol- Jowing a conference with Mr. Babcock, after which the latter asked until to- morrow to announce his decision on the matter. - The safety board possibility was in- terviewed this afternoon and he gave out the following statement: “I con- ferred with Mayor Quigley this morn- arding the appointment as a member of the board of public safety. In the discuss where I stood regarding my accept- ance of the office, and if 1 did it would pelwith the provision that I would act as chairman. T also informed him that it would not be Wwith political views that the board would be con- ducted by me, as I am politics in the running of the police and fire departments. I also told him that T would not get up in the middle of the night to run to fires, as T be- | li've that the heads of the fire com- of looking after | England, Ireland and Scotland Under panies are capable these matters in a more efficient man- ner than the board of public safety I have been greatly Interested for many years in both of th ments, and if T accept the will mean that the members police and fire department will re: ceive fair play if they devote them- | as is expected. be found or ! complaints to register I want the men their dutie: fault to gelvies to If there is any to come to me with them. If T acceNt the chairmanship of the board, T will be boss.” A request from Mr. Babeock that A. 1. Magnell remain as clerk. M made chairman and would fill th: unexpired term of former R.- R. Heale years to run. vessels the Tagus river, hoisted the ion I told the mayor just opposed to FLEET TO DOMINATE PACIFIC, BADGER URGES Panama Canal Slides Make Impossible Quick Passage of Warships. Feb. 24—Rear Ad- miral Charles J. Badger appeared be- ngton, fore the house naval committee in ex- sion today to disclose the international which ecutive s considerations prompted the navy general board last vear to change its policy and declars for a United States navy to equal the strongest afloar not later than 1925. He was also to discuss the time re- quired to get the American fleet ready for action against a first class naval power. The discussion of the board’s views of dangers that may confront the na- tion was brought behind closed doors at the request of Admiral Badger vesterday when his examination in open session was concluded. Repre- sentative Stephens of California, asked if the board, in altering its time-honored policy, did not have in mind the possibility that the country might have to face simultaneousty foes in the Pacific and Atlantic. Admiral Badger refused to discuss the subject in detail in open session. He declared, however, that the only sure protection for ths Pacific coast was a fleet capable of dominating the Pacific ocean, He sald that earth slides in the panama canal made im- possible for at leas: another year the expeditious passage of flects from one ocean to the other. e deferred fur- the discussion of the camal situation to the closed session. While the committee was examin- ing Admiral Badger the senate and house military eommittees were at | work on the details of the army part of national defence legislation. | HAINES ON TRIAL FOR KILLING WIFE Alleged Murderer Displayes No Con- cern While Court Is Selecting Jury —Son Bursts Into Tears. | Bridgeport, Feb. 24.—Jacon Haines, of Trumbull, was placed on | trial in the criminal superior court be- fore Judge James Webb, of New Ha en, charged with murder in the first degree. The crime was committed on September 27, 1915, at the home of | the accused. His wife was shot to | death. | The morning session was devoted to empanelling a jury. All IPairfield ju- rors were excused by the court. Per- emptory challenges were frequent up- on both sides. At noon time only four jurors had been chosen from a vanel of 35, and 17 were left. Haines is defended by Attorneys Jacob | Klein ana Robert E. DeForrest ot | Bridgeport. State's Attorney Homer | 8. Cummings is conducting the pros- ecution. ! Haines, during the preliminaries, displayed no apparent concern and hardly moved during the course of an ho! His two sons, Jason, Jr., and | William, were interested spectators in | a well filled court rocm. William, the ; youngest son, burst into tears as his | father was brought into the court { room, and sobbed throughout the morning session. depart- | place it | of the was or Quigley admitted that if Mr. Babcock accepted the offer he would Chairman | yessels which has about two | lifeboats wer: i BRITAIN STORM SWEPT Snow—Ships Along Coast Help- less, London, Feb, 24, 12:04 p. m.—The { British Tsles today are in the grip of severest snowstorm of years. Reports from the continent show that severe weather prevails throughout Europe The snowfall in England began yes- and this morning the snow from one to several inches in Scotland has suffered more ngland or Wales. Telephone have beer. broken down gen -1 depth. than wires erally. Along the coasts pping is in dif- ficulty, owing to blinding sleet companied by a strong everal sent out distress but unable to them e thick weather. ac- | Te signals locate MIX FINDING POINTS T0 ENGINEER CURTIS Why Should He Run Past Signals and Kill Flagman? QUERY BASIS OF DECISION| Coroner Puzzled By Actions of Man | in Charge of Local That Smashed Into Express at Milford—Commerce Commission Probe Is On. New Haven, Feb. 24.—Some facts were established by Coroner Eli Mix | in his inquiry today into the rear end | collision of trains at Milford on 'Fues-} day which may leaqd to the placing of responsibility for the wreck h‘ce‘o( ten Ii He has found that | Engineer Curtis of train five, the lo- | eal, 1"3n past a point on the track on the line east of the wreck at a rate es- | timated between twenty-five and fifty | miles an hour; that at the same speed he went by his distant signal set at caution which was seven thousand | feet behind the stalled express 79; that | IMlagman Tourtellot wa: struck by No. 5 as he was stooping over the rails to ace a torpedo six hundred feet be- | hind No. 79, and that Curtis without diminishing speed ran by his “home” semaphore signal which was set both with danger and caution colors. Af- ter passing the latter signal brakes were applied because trainman Charles ort testified that he felt air applied just an instant before the crash. The question which has arisen in Coroner Mix's mind is ‘what was the matter with Curtis that he ran by two sets of signals and killed a flag- man before applying air, presuming that he was able to apply air upon see- ing the rear of No. 7 and sacri- " ignals Set Against No. 5. Coroner Mix that old rule Flagman went train seventee# poles. After the Bar Harbor exprds Wrcck the distance was made optional. The testimony shows that Flagman Tourtellot went back as soon as the train was stalled. Engineer Kennedy of 79 says he did not “whistle out” the flagman be- cause, first, he thought his stay due to the leaky alr pipe would be short and secondly; he knew Tourtellot to be reliable and would get out whether “whistled out” or not. Kennedy said that signals behind his train were set against any other train. The corener finds that Tourtellot had gon= up the track and was fikir a torpedo to the rails when struck by | No. with a force which ser the | body into a ditch long distance away. The coroner says that upon going to the wreck he found a gang foreman with a piece of broken air pipe which he ordered saved. The coroner had this today and sent it to the interstate commerce commission inquiry. Mr. Mix will close his inquest after exam- ining several witncsses, mostly railroad men, who are at the federal inquiry. Victims Improving. The condition of about twenty wreck victims who remain in hospital was reported today as excellent. Frank McNamara of Ansonia, who yesterday was in a grave state, has rallied finely from shock, and in ite of a punctured lung his relatives ave been told that he will recover. The final list of dead will probably stand at ten. The representatives state commerce commission inves- tigating the wreck who sat as a board were H. W. Belnap, chief of the di- vision of safety, F. A. Howard, spe- cial agent, G. Ellis, signal expert, J. S. Hawley and J. P. McArdle, inspectors. Public utilities Commis- sioner C. C. Elwell and Vice Presi- dent A. R. Whaley and General Man- ager (. L. Bardo of the New Haven road sat also by invitation. under the back from a a a of the inter- Three Minutes Scparate Trains. Paul Sterling, division engineer, cx- plained a diagram of the scene of the wreck, and on it were marks to show conditions immediately after the wreck. C. P. Melick, signal man at Tower 73, the Wcodmont tower lo- cated east of the wreck, on duty Tues- day, consulting his time sheet showed that train 79 (the Connecticut River Special) passed the tower at 11:19 a. m., at 36 miles an hour. The freight train which was involv- ed in the wreck passed the tower at a rate of 15 to 18 miles an hour. | Train 5, the extra which ran into the express passed the tower at 11:22 at a 35 miles an hour rate. “Was there much smoke from the freight engine?” asked Mr. Belnap. The witness could not say. | Asked as to the position of the signals he said that he did not notice them until 15 minutes after the trains passed. Then he noticed they were set at danger. Witness explained that the signals were automatic and not connected with the tower. Signals Dependable Previous The witness said he had been sta- tioned at the tower since August. 1914, and had not known of any fail- ure of the signals to work. He would have known of it as it would have been called to his attention. The witness said trains not infrequently passed his tower three minutes apart | when they were late. | hey are not scheduled to rur that way” he added, “but it happen some times when they are late.’ “Did notice any Xtra person you { show LOGAL GIRL VIGTIM OF MATRIMONY GAME Gatherine A. Muskewitz Is Sep- arated From $400 and Watch ' GAY LOTHARID IN TOLS Mect New Britain Woman at Summer Resort and After Making Impres- sion—Told Her He Needed Funds to Secure Police Appointment. Boston, Feb. 24.—With fast fading toward middle age, Jonger having a boyish look, smooth speech ,a correct habit of dress, Jolhn | Kelley, alias Walter Francis G. Curtis, so popular with | his youth no Maynard, ali; young women that he was able to be- | come engaged to two of them at the same time and get them all to loan money, is in the hands of the police. Kelley, also known as Roy J. Kelley and Lawrence : R. Ellsmere, was ar- rested by Detective Sergeant Irwin and Special Offi Morrissey and Gaffney of the Fast Dedham street police station at a postoffice in Ja- maica Plain, where the poiice have been watching him for nearly two | weeks: e was taken into custody on an in- dictment charging him with larceny in four counts, but as a result of let- ters in the possession of the police other charges may be brought against him a Had 2 “Taking” Manner. The warrant charges that on Octo- ber 9 Kelley stole $275 in money from Alberta Elderkin of Revere and October secured $125 in money, a $5 gold chain, a $20 watch and two rings worth $50, from the same woman; that on Septemer 29 he stole $300 and on October 23, $106 and a watch from Catherine A. Mus- kewitz of New Britain, Conn. ETE 29 Meet at Summer Resort. According to the police, Kelley was employved last summer in a garage in Falmouth, Mass.,, where he met Mis Muskewitz, who was spending her va- cation there. Ie used his pleasing personality and became engaged marry her. He told her that he had a friend who could get him on the i ‘0 | PATHETIC FEATURE OF THE END OF THE L-19 Commander Facing Death, Writes to Parents, Wife, and Little Son. Tondon, Feb. 24, 11:40 a. m.—A bottle has been picked up from the sea containing last messages from the commander of Zeppelin L-19, which was wrecked in the North Sea, and addressed to the commander’s wife and little son. sage stated that the airship had dropped and the crew was drown- ing, says a Reuter ~despatch from Ccpenhagen. The vacht Stella Tottle containing the Ccmmander Uhle near There were four of the letters, two addressed to ‘the parents of the Zeppelin commander and one each to | his wife and child. The letters were written at successive periods. The | third states that the airship was then one hundred metres above the water, and picked up the messages from Gothenburg. | that the motors had failed to ac that all were expecting at any | moment to drop. The fourth letter tates that the airship had dropped land the crew was drowning. Boston police force. ever .he would need several dollars to pay his friend and a uniform He also intimated that would use part of the n to fit a home for hisx bride The police say that came to Boston and was taken to place on Tremont street which, Kel- ey alleged, was “the political club.” He cntered, leaving Miss Muskewitz waiting on the outside, and in a few minutes he returned and exhibit- ed a receipt written on paper with a Boston police department letterhea.l. purporting to show that Kelley had paid some one some money “to buy a place on the force.” In the meantime, the police claim, Miss Muskewitz had given him $100, and later she gave him $300 more in cash and jewelry, which brought the total up to $418. Meanwhile, the police made the acquaintance of M kin to marry her. Telling much the same tale he told Miss Muskewitz, he suc- ceedd in getting cash and worth $475 from her. One of the rings she gave him he turned over to Miss Muskewitz as an engagement ring. Saved Her $600. He toid the girls, it is claimed, that | he had once run a goose farm in South America, and also that he had highly connected and wealthy rela- tives in England. Facts in possession of the police in- | dicate that Kelly so became en- hundred to buy he oney up Iiss Muskew Kelley iss Elder- Police To do this, how- | . | Duteh of Revere, and became engaged | jewelry | ed in the North raid The 1.-19 was wrec ortly after fhe Zeppelin lover England on January 31. Tt is | helieved to have one of the Zeppelins which took part in the raid, baving been damaged either by the British anti-aircraft guns or by - defense guns which fired |en a dirigible that flew over Dutch | territory at a low altitude. The captain of the British King Stephen reported he countered the L-19 in a | dition in the North Sea, but did not attempt to rescue the Germans, as | they outnumbered his crew. | ~ BIG GRAIN CONTRACT 100.000 | ses been trawler had en- sinking con- | Rumania Agrees to Deliver Carloads to Austro—German Syn- dicate, Milan, Feb. 24 5:05 a. m.—The Bucharest correspondent of the Secolo says that the second contract for 100,- 000 carloads of corn, oats, barley and other cereals has been settled between the Austro-German syndicate and | Rumania, and that it only remains to | arrange the method of pa ment. The delivery of 50,000 carloads of the first contract will be made a month earlic than was e s the Danube has not frozen over this year. The correspondent adds that the Austro-Germans have also undertaken to purchase any surplus left over from gaged to marry a young woman now | living at the KFrankiin Square House, who was on the peint of giving up | $600 when the police 21rived and ad- | vised her to wait awhile. This voung ! woman, whose name remains a secret | with the police, ‘s nursing a broken | heart, but still has her cash in Lhe} bank. : Letters in pos sion of the police | that, using various names, Kelley advertised in matrimonial | Dublication for a vife, He gave post | office addresses in Dillerica, Jamaica Plain, Falmouth ard Scituate. | When the matter wa: called to the attention of the pol re they set traps at Falmouth and Scituate But Kelly | did not appear to claim his big mail | there. Neither did he appear at Bif- | lerica. Accordinly Capt iin Triscoll of the | Fast Dedham-st Police station ar- ranged a trap at Jamaica Plain. Ser- geant Trwin, and the two special of- ficers were sent thera to watch. For nearly two weeks, however, he did not appear. Girl Threatened Vengeance. In the meantime, however, the po- lice were getting his mail. Letters | from girls in Somerville, Everett, (Continued on Tenth page.) WEATHER. Hartford, ¥eb. Hartford and vicin or rain tonight and y: Snow | Friday. | (Continued On Eleventh Page,) e e [} | a. [ the position !a commission | acmiral on January factive | ceedea the 1915 crop above the 100,000 car- | loads mentioned and after Rumania’s cwn needs are supplied, VON POHL IS DEAD; NAVY HEAD SINCE '09 | Entered German Service at Age of 21 and Quickly Climbed Ladder, Reaching Supreme Command. 130 re- Berlin, Via, London, Feb. 24, m.—Admiral Von Pohl, whos tirement on account of i1l heaith from of commander of the German battle fleet was announced iwo days ago, has died in Berlin Huga Von Pohl was born at B 1 on August 18 He received ieutenant at the age of 21 and at he was made senior lieutenant and placed in command of | the corvette corola. He was pro moted to the rank of commander in 1894 and four years later to that of captain. He was made a commodore in the new navy in 1905 and a vice aamiral in 1909 and was made full 27, 1913. He saw service in command of the cruiser Hansa at the hombardment of ke Taku forts, China, in 1900 Vice Admiral Von Pohl was ap- peinted chief of the admiralty staff in 1909, In February, 19 he suc- Admiral Von Ingenchl as com- of the German battle fleet Berlin despateh, dated Febru- ast, announced his retirement that position the appoint- of Vice Admiral Reinhard Scheer to succeed him 1l mander and a ary from and The last | TENSION IN CONGRESS OVER EFFORT TO KEEP AMERICANS OFF BELLIGERENTS’ VESSEL Senator Gore’s Resolution Advising Countrymen Refrain From Dragging United States Into Dan- ger Kept Out by Senator Brandegee REVOLT AGAINST PRESIDENT IS DENIED BY AD ANSONIA STRIKERS ON PARADE GHEER MAYOR Applause Also for Prosecutor Who Threatened Agita- tors’ Arrest. Ansonia, Feb. 24.—The mills of the American Br: company were not reopened today and a condition which trouble did vesterday brought stated might have on not exist. It was that many of the skilled workers who wcre rushed but of the plants by the 2,500 striking laborers a week ago to- day would try to get into the mills to work as they were tired of enforced idleness, and the strikers to meet this posted pickets in every direction. No one attempted to go to work to- duy but the strikers to an estimated number of 1,200 paraded the city sireets for an hour. The crowd as in good humor. In the vanguard were police officers in street’ clothes. Joseph Grohal who has been coun- sollor for the strikers was in front rank but he did mnot act as Icader. The strikers stopped fre- quently to cheer (prominent citizens, ouce giving a hearty ovation to Prose- cuiting Attornes McOrmond who issued warrants Joseph Fttor and Miss Gurley I'Iynn to be served in event either at- t.mpted to lead street demonstr: ticns. The strikers went to the Coe Erass plant, the Farrell Foundry, the Ansonia company, and then retraced their steps to the west side of the city ard dispersed. viiled and after the parade there no congestion of strikers on street. The strikers cheered mayor. It is said that each rvmber of guards mber brought eighty. was the the factory has a inside, the total in being about stop was made in front of the main office of the American Brass Co. Here some of the men wanted to hold meeting but Grohol jumped up on brewery wagon and mmde a speech several languages urging the men keep quiet, and the column moved on Mayor Schumacker had notified of the parade and he hurried after the crowd. In the upper end of the town he made a short speech coun- selling the men not to act in which later they might regret a L n to been a way ‘ WIRELESS OPFRATOR UNDER INDICTMENT Stamford Man Alleged to Have ducted Station Without Permi; sion From the Government. New Haven, Feb. 24.—William T. Schofield, Stamford, a telegraph oper ator at the Grand Central Terminal | in New York, was indicted by the federal grand jury here today under the penal code which relates to the operation of a wireless telesraph sta- | tion without governmental authority | under the act of 1912. The allega tion is that Schofield been ating a radio station His indictment is the brought in the federal jurisdiction. Schofield's will be taken up at next term of court In connection with the court case it has been learned that Henry Gaw- ler, United States radio inspector, has been here for two days locating radio has oper. Stamford. to be of this at first court case | outfits, and he has found four stations which have not been licensed. The law was passed after the Titanic ¢ aster because amateur operators with outfits caused interference with the naval station at Newport which was | trving to get information from the | Carpathia about the wreck 500,000 FIRE. Pa. Feb. the plant of here today, warehouse Fire Union the completel and of in the Pitishurgh, through Storage destroying one ing another with a Twenty-five nien at believed to have swept Co., wreck 00,000 work escaped. plant | | | were the ! The best of order pre- | During the march of the strikers a | | the I ement | representatives who have been | bered among Mr MINISTRATION M I Stand by President” Is Their App During Crisis—Friends of ¥orn Secretary Bryan A Feared—W son's Opposition to Congress P Prohibitive Act 1Is Still shaken—Canvassing House, Washington, Feb. 24.—Congress gembled today with the agitation action warning Americans off bel ships overshadowing all ot Wilson’s sf porters, apprehensive that the smol suddes s the diploma wd gerent questions. President dering sentiment might blaze up to embarra with negotiations rermany, working to hold the administrati ferces in line and from the floor of senate. The legislative | houses favored for The senate was in the leg lative day of vesterday, which pi | vented the subject from coming [tithout unanimous consent situation in the house was similar, B not so secure. keep the ques both house ‘& situation in the administra es. President Still Opposed. Word Iy went to the capital agi Wilsod congrg Chairm commit , could e today that President opposition to any action by and that of the gn affair fully. that was {was unshaken Stone and Flood, dealing with fore! plain his position It was apparent much of # chafing in congress due to lack of information of the president aititude The foreign affairs coj mittee, accordance with its actid of last began a canvass of sel |timent in the house to develop cxatent to which resolutions of wary ing would be supported and at same time disclose the opposition |sach propo The republicans gei |erally were opposed to such actig lard, aside from the &core of demig crats who yestérday showed signs @ | breaking over the administration K | straint, the majority forces today ag ently were being held the aj | peal, “stand by the president.” ° in night als. by No Revolt in Progress. that proportions the agitation of hi revol we) all and the evidence to suppel them. Likewise, statements that th mocrats had given the presidenty | eccrtain time, forty-eight hours, it Wil change denied by every were attributed One possibility which stood out Wil that the whole situation might be 18 duced proposal that congress ex| press sentiment that American should not bring their country it danger of war by traveling ship| which Germany has announced sh will sink without warning It was pointed out that such would be quite different than legisla tion prohibiting Americans from tal8 ng passage on such ships, as some @ pending bills resolutions pre and could be viewed as nder of rights. § extent to which the political &k enters the present situll not disclosed. Admin however, recal State Brya nd left tha Statements the the denied tained a |against president’s policy flatly we on hands no outward stated, to his policy, were one to they whi to a the on actiol pose, not sur The into heen tion has istration that former Secretary broke with the ’ Jinet over the question of warniis Americans off ' belligerent shig Among those who now are supportiiil the agitation some senators aldf nums Bryan's admirers. supporters president are Brandegee Shuts Out Gore. Senator Gore announced today {hat his of D h A bilE it the 8 sought to introduce tion expressing 1t t> congress that Arnerics off armed bellirercnt resolution would d for the purpo; would approval president to remon cause for American on ship Senator Gore k the hould Su ns ships from his that me not require 1t sesks th nju of any refit war in roduc his s con= republi- shut tor “on lition 4 il but Senator Br of objected Gaore e ne v sent ndege ecticut and (Continued On Tenth Page.)