New Britain Herald Newspaper, February 17, 1917, Page 1

HERALD BEST OF ALL LOCAL NEWSPAPERS NEW BRITAIN HERALD /4 ] HERALD “ADS"” MEAL |BETTER BUSINES PRICE THREE CENTS. — NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 1917 —TEN PAGES. ESTABLISHED ' 18 = BUGLE CALL FOR MILITARY , CENSUS TAKERS IS BLOWN; GENERAL MEETING MONDAY “New Britain Contin- gent to Help Gov. Hol- .. comb’s Preparedness Movement ALSOP, LANDERS AND REV. BERG SPEAKERS Big Gathering at Grammiar School * Hall for Purpose of sm-rlng Up Enthusiasm, if Necessary—Hard- ware City Has OChance .to Show What it Could Do in Case of War Against Foreign Invader. Instilling his personality into the work of obtaining a military pre- paredness census of New Britain, Al- bert F. Corbin, chosen yesterday as head of -the general census commit- tee, has already got the work well ALBERT F. CORBIN. N under way. His temporary office in city hall is a scene of bustling activ- ity. * Scores of typewriters in several offices and private homes are clicking off sheets of papers containing names of individuals to be solicited and the printing presses at the Vocational High school are whirring off hun- dreds of copies of circular letters to be sent about the city. Meeting Monday Evening. The general committee, of which Mr, Corbin is ‘ the head, numbers about 400 individuals and they will organize on Monday evening, instead of on Tuesday evening as first planned, in the Grammar school hall. Among others who will address the meeting will be Mr. Corbin, George M. Lan- ders and Joseph Alsop, chairman of the state military preparedness cen- sus committee. Rev. Irving H. Berg, chaplain of the First Regiment will also speak, These men will outline the work that is to be done and ex- plain the methods. Requesting the members-of the general committee to attend this meeting, Acting Mayor M. Irving Jester today mailed coples of the following letter to each. My Dear Sir.— “The governor of Connecticut has ordered a military census of New Britain. “The order is the mandate of the . state, a call and a challenge to the patriotism of each citizen. ““It is your patriotic duty to respond, sacrificing all personal views and in- terests to the supreme tall of the state, ““First meeting, Monday, 19, 1917, at 8 p, m. at school hall. “Your presence will p:\trid?sm and loyalty Proud to Serve. Mr. Corbin gave a brief interview to newspaper men this morning, out- " lining future plans that will be car- ried out. Said Mr. Corbin: “By the gofrernor, through the acting wayor, I have been commanded to act a8 chairman of this special committee and 1 'am going to do it cheerfully, willing'y and proudly, because 1 be- lieve it to be a patriotic duty. I can- not cojceive of any man refusing, al- though I think there are other men February Grammar evidence your in New Britain better qualified for the | position than myself.” Chairman Corbin desired that there be no misunderstanding of the pur- pose of this enrollment census. has nothing whatever to do with mil- itary conscription or even with volun- tary military duty. It is simply an Iinventory of the men resource of the ptate. Later a material inventory will be taken. Mr. Corbin stated that the Vocational High school pupils are do- Ing all the nece: printing. Young women volunteers are doing the sten- ography and typewriting work. Bo; scouts are doing messenger and er- rand work and will later assist in di- secting, folding and mailing letters and circulars. The New Britain (Continued On Second Page), 1t | | GOOD TRUST AMYTH, SAYS SUPREME GOURT Files Brief in Suit to Dis- solve Harvester Com- bination. Washington, Feb. 17.—The govern- ment today filed its bnief in the su- preme court in the dissolution suit against the International Harvester company. Its officers and directors, appealed from the federal court in Minnesota, which ordered the disso- lution of the company. There is no such thing as a good or benevolent trust within the meaning of the Sherman law, the government contends and all corporations which [ break down the competitive system are in restraint of trade. After an ex- | haustive review of authorities and of | declarations made by Senator Sher- | 1nan, author of the measure, at the time of its passage the brief con- tinues: “It is apparent that the objection to substituting a despotic organization of industry for the competitive system was quite as much social and political as economic, and therefore it would not have suffered congress to be told, as we are told in this case, that the power which they fearedgwas thus far being exercised = voluntarily, that prices had not yet been increased, nor wages lowered, nor the quality .of products degraded, nor competitors oppressed. In their minds, the mere existence of such powerful claims was an evil day and continuing in the long run, if not immediately would come disaster. “For, as in the organization of gov. ernment, benevolence can never justi. fy absolutism. Neither can it do so in the organization of industry. The fundamental contention of the defend- ats (that the anti-trust laws prohibits only combinations injurious to the public by raising prices, Hmiting. pro- duction deteriorating quality, decreas- ing wages or oppressing competitors) 1oses sight entirely of the broader purpose and basis of the act. “It falls to take into account that the view of public policy on which congress legislated was not to wait un- til the evils of economic power have occurred or become imminent and then attempt to restrain them, but to prevent them by striking at undue concentration of economic power it- self. “Unless the underlying purposes of the act are to be wholly thwarted, its prohibitions are to be construed to include every combination in what- ever form it threatened or threatens to interfere with the normal and ef- fective operation of the law of any branch of trade either by the com- i prehension that such is a necessary | effect or by the character of the means employed or other circym- stance justify the interference that such an interference is illegal and therefore dangerously probable.” The company’s pleas that three formidable competitors with a com- bined capital of $91,000,000 were en- gaged in the same business and af- forded brisk competition and testi- mony relating to the contentions are reviewed in detail. The competition thus afforded, the brief states, is neg- ligible and the competition of all companies combined-left the defend- ants in possession of approximately the per cent of trade, sufficient, it is contended, to constitute them a mon- opoly within the meaning of the law. The customary request is made that the manner in which the dissolution may be best affected be left to the lower court to devise. FUNERAL OF JOSEPH TOWERS. Services for County Commissioner Largely Attended. The funeral of County Commissioner Joseph Towers was held this after- noon. Services were held at his late home on Stanley street at 2 o'clock and at 2:45 o'clock from the chapel of the South Congregational church. Rev. Dr. George W. C. Hill officiated and in- terment was in Fairview cemetery. The funeral services were largely attended by people from every walk of life and the floral tributes were nu- | merous and beautiful. Floral pieces were received from various fraternal organizations, political groups and pri- vate individuals who had been asso- ciated with Mr. Towers during his energetic career. Those who acted as pall bearers were Senator George W. Klett, repre- senting the Knights Templar; Ernest Humphrey, representing the New Britain lodge of Elks; William Chel- sea, from the Red Men; Charles Wig- glesworth, from Harmony lodge, A. F. ‘& A. M.; Samuel Magson, from the Sons of St. George; George Todd and Robert O. Clark, representing the brick manufacturers, and Represent- tive Richard Covert. NET ACROSS NEW YORK IIARBOR. New York. Feb. 17.—A steel net de- signed to protect the port of New York from hostile submarines and other war craft in the event of war Wwas put in place at the entrance of the harbor today. PROBE AT HALIFAX IS MADE IN SECRET Officials Dumb During Searching of Yon Bernstoril’s Party GOUNTESS ~ REPORTED Frederik VIIL ILL Taking Germans Under Searchiight Night and All Small Home, During Craft Arc Forced to Kecp Off. Halifax, Feb. 17.—Theé task of ex- amining the credentials of the various members of the German party on board the Scandinavian-American liner Frederik VIIL. from New York to Copenhagen, was begun today by corps of Canadian immigration and customs officers. The ship last night was taken to a secluded portion of Halifax harbor for this purpose. A small army of officials_boarded the steamship this morning and the length of time the vessel stays here will depend on whether they find everything satisfactory with the papers of the German party, which includes Count Von Bernstorff, form- er German ambassador to the United States. The most careful secrecy pre- vails as to the operations of the offi- clals and the personnel of the inves- tigating force. Wolf Von Igel Safc. Reports that it was possible that Wolf Von Igel, who figured in the ret- elations connected with the alleged plot to destroy the Welland Canal and reported on the vessel might be removed by the British naval author- ities, were without confirmation this morning. One of the immigration of- ficers said no orders had ‘been issued for the removal of any person from the ship at present and any action credentials had been examined. The Trederik VIII. was under the glare of a searchlight from a patrol boat all night, while this morning the rules about not allowing boats to ap- proach close to the liner were care- fully enforced. ! Members of the German party were early on deck this morning, though their shore view is not inspiring—a jail on one hand and a brewery on the other. The passengers will under no circumstances be.allowed to land. They were reported, well though “Countess Von Bernstorff is said to be suffering slightly from a nervous at- tack due to the circumstances under which she has been called upon to live. CITY ELECTRICIAN CONDEMNS HOTEL and Says It Is Ever-Present Iire Menace. Convinced that the electrical wiring in Patrick S, McMahon’s Hotel Bron- son at Main and East Main streets is so faulty as to constitute a highly serious and ever-present fire menace, City Electrician George Cooley plans to bring the matter to the attention of, New Britain Fire Underwriters’ association. Making a thorough ex- amination of the hotel building today, he expressed himself as greatly sur- prised with conditions and charac- terized the wiring as one of the worst specimens of such work that he has been called upon to note. It shows, he says, inferior work with indica- tions that more than one contractor, or gang of workmen, has been en- gaged there at different times. He is of the opinion that all of the fire escapes manufactured, if affixed on the hotel in great numbers, would not re- move the menace caused by the wir- ing. Patrick S. McMahon, proprietor of the hotel, is defendant in a case now pending before the courts charged with failure to provide the hotel with adequate fire escapes. The reported conditions at this building calls attention to what may consider to be a serious lack of .regulations covering proper fire pro- tection in the way of safe electrical wiring. It has also added impetus to the campaign to have satisfactory sed setting certain standards iring and to have men engaged in this work'placed under regulations and licensed, similar to procedure now in force relative to and plumbers. There are, ent, no statutes or c governing electrical work and Electri- cian Cooley has to issue a permit to anyone who applics to be allowed to do wiring. It is today indicated that the city government, Chamber of Commerce and other organizations will take up this question soon for definite action, either to formulate desired legisla- tion or to support legislation along this line that may be brought up. at pres Demand Wage: ctual Number Tond Handled. Johnstown, Pa., Feb. 17.—Work seven of the largest mining oper: in the aistrict was tied up today a reault of « strike of 3,000 ous coal miners near Portage. The men demand pay for the actual number of tons handled instead of a:- cording to the standard weight of coal cars. of at would be taken only after the party’s i | Cooley Inspects Wiring at Bronson | plumbing | ordinances | s | bitumin- | GERMAN EMBASSY ORDERED STEAMER MACHINERY BROKEN Captain of Kronprinzessin Cecilie| Admits_ Receiving Instructions | From Kaiser's Representative WILL NOT GIVE NAME FOR FEAR OF TREASON Says He Is Officer of Imperial Navy and to Reveal Identity of Person Who Gave Him Orders Would Be Treacherous—Berlin's Hand in Making Interned Liners Useless Clearly Disclosed. Bostcn, Feb. 17.—Charles A. Po- lack of the North ‘German Lloyd steamship Kronprinzessin Cecllie, tes- tified today, at the hearing on a pe- tition for the sale of the vessel, that he had been ordered by a man con- nected in official capacity with the German embassy, to disable its ma- chinery. This was done, he said, to present the ship's use by this govern- ment in the event of hostilities with Germany. He refused to divulge the name of the man giving the order. Captain Polack said he 'was in Ho- boken, N. J., when he received the order and that he brought his chiet engincer herc to disable the engines. The work of destruction was done on Jan. 31, and Feb. 1, he said. £ Fears Trial for Treason. When asked by counsel for the petitioners to give the name of the person from whom the order was re- ceived Captain Polack said: ‘“ Your honor, I am an officer of the German navy and if I should have to disclose the name of this gentle- { man in this hearing, I might be tried for treason when I went home to Germany. I wish you would not | oblige me to answer that question.” The question was not pressed and | Judge Morton decided that it would | ! not be necessary for the captain to | anewer at this time, # Captain Polack said he met the | embassy official in ‘January at the North German Lloyd offices. in Ho- boken. The orders to disable the ship were given at that time in the pres- ence of Captain Moller, superintend- ent of the compuny’s lines in this country, he testified.” Captain Polack was preparing visit Hot Springs, Va., at the time, but changed his plans and returned to this city. Continuing his testimony the cap- tain declared that the embassy offl- cial said to him. “The relations between the two | countries are being severed and the condition is very seriou The witness testified that he in- quired whether the machinery was to be disabled immediately andsthat he received an afirmative answer. Cap- | tain Moller, he said, did not take a | share in this part of the conversation, | Known As “Gold Ship.” The Kronprinzessin Cecilie is in pos- session of United States Marshal John | J. Mitchell, pending the determina- i tion of a suit for damages brought! | against the North “German Lloyd Steamship company by the Guaranty Trust company and the National City Bank of New York far the failure of the vessel to deliver a shipment of gold to bankers in England and France which she had on board at the out- break of the war. After sailing from New York the liner turned back and put into Bar Harbor, Me. The vessel was seized at Bar Harbor, Me., November , 1914, After the crew left the vessel here recently, an exam- inatian by experts showed that the machinery had been so damaged that it could not be repaired and made ready for sea for several months. Polack Explains in Detail. Outlining in detail his actions, Cap- tain Polack said: ome time ago, about the time the Sussex case was up and when difficulties had arisen be- tween Germany and America, I was asked to go to New Yark. It was an invitation from the company’s office. T was told told that I was to meet a gentleman wha wanted to speak to! me. I knew the gentleman. He told | me that since difficulties .had arisen ! here he thought it was about time that 1 should destroy the secret cade of the | vessel, her plans and secret boaks In order that in case of hostilities they should not fall into hostile hands and so that the ship could not be used for any length of time if they should be needed by any haostile power. “When I returned from New York 1 spoke to my chief officer and my | chief engineer that I would leave it entirely to him to do what he thought necessary to do to disable the engines of the ship. I told my chief officer that when I was not on board and he received a telegram from me, the On renth N e e e e, WEATHER. (Continued Page). 3 Hartford and vicinity: and warmer tonight. e or Rain Sunday snow and cold. e e T ) BABCOCK DEFIANT, CALLS NO MEETING Steele and Moran Waste Their Breath in City Building ! THEIR DfidANDS IGNORED 1 Chairman Refuses Point Blank to Call Star Chamber Session to Act On Resignation of Police Sergeant in Spite of Majority’s Demands. Caustically branding the proposed course as “‘too hasty, unwarranted by circumstances and unfair to the tax- payers,” Chairman Edward G. Bab- cock, late last night, thwarted the at- tempts of Commissioners. Frank J. Moran and Howard M. Steele to rush through action on the resignation of Police Sergeant Theodore M. Herting at an emergency-called special session of the safety board. Not only did he refuse point blank to call the requested session but gave his colleagues some straight-from-the-shoulder talk rela- tive to his opinion of conditions. “Moreover, under such circumstances,” he continued, “I will never consent to an executive session. It is unfair to the taxpayers. Neither will I .attend such a session, as is proposed, or call one. You have a quorum and the clerk, go and have your session, if you desire.” Positively refusing to consider the demands of his colleagues he informed them that the resignation will come up for proper action at the next meet- ing of the board and that he does not | propose to act on the matter, even then, but allow those whom he con- siders to be responsible fon the resig- nation take such action as they may see fit. According to Chairman, Bab- cock, Commissioner Moran requested the session so that the resignation could be immediately accepted. Ac- cording to the former, Commissioner Steele agreed that immediate action should be taken “to stop the newspa- per talk.” Chairman Babcock believes that conditions should be thoroughly aired in the press add said that, if the meeting was called last night, he would personally see that newspaper- men were informed so that they could attend. Chairman beock was attending an informal session of the common coun- il when Clerk A. . Magnell of the safety board® cahie to him ag messen- ger from Commissioners Moran and Steele. Absolutely refusing to call a | session, as requested, he was informed that his colleagues desired to see him outside. He went and, according to him, Commissioner Moran demanded that a session be called, reminding Chairman Babcock that two commis- sioners constituted a quorum. “Do vou refuse to call a meeting,” he was asked when Chairman Babcock ad- vised his colleagues that such action would be ill-timed, hasty and that he disapproved of.such action under the | circumstances. He then returned to | the council session. . Quigley to Be Consulted. No hasty action will be taken on the resignation and Mayor George A. Quigley, who is expected home Mon- day from an extended southern trip, will be conferred with before the res- ignation is taken up at a meeting of | the board, if Chairman Babcock has | his way. He announced today that no meeting will be called by him, or will he attend one, prior to Tuesday night, unless an emergency othey than the resignation arises. Firm in the con- viction that Chiefs William J. Raw- lings and Robert M. Dame are compe- tent to handle their respective depart- ments without petty interference from the safety board, Chairman Babcock has actively opposed all apparent at- tempts to tie the hands of the fire and police department heads. Those in close touch with the po- lice department matters admit that there is a near state of chaos existing with officers and men all at sea as to what the safety hoard commission- ers want or will do next. Officers of the department feel that it is all due to the petty interference of the ma- jority members af the safety board in matters ordinarily handled by Chief | Rawlings, recognized throughout the: state as an able police executive and largely responsible for the high effi- ciency of ‘the local department. Al- | though he refuses to make any com- ment on conditions, thase close tQ him realize that he has taken much to heart the repeated interference of his | superiors and is at a loss relative to what is wanted and cxpected of him. | Much speculation is rife throughout | ihe city over the conduct of the safety board commissioners at their meeting Tuesday night when Supernumerary Policeman Ira R. Pierson, Edward B. Kerin and William Souney openty criticised their superiors, accused them of favoritism and, in several in- ! questioned Chief TRawlinas’ | v and openly took issue with | him on department matters. Wonder: ment is freely expressed that the com- | missioners allowed them to do so, even if summary action in bringing charges | of insubordinatian was not taken by | them. Wonderment is also expres ml; that Chief Rawlings did not bring ver- bal charges of the same type at the meeting. Although he is reticent rela- tive to the matter, it is intimated that | he would probably have done so, had he been sure that the commiissioners were behind him in his enforcement | of discipline 1 | Munitions Concern Goes Into TURKEY PREFERS . PEACE WITH U. § THREAT TO BLOW UP HARTFORD BRIDGE ; POLICE GUARD SPAN Hartford, Feb. 17—It became known today that details of state policemen and railroad policemen had been guarding the Connecticut river stone highway bridge between this city and East Hartford day and night for the past three days. Superintendent of State Po- lice Thomas F. Egan was chary this afternoon about giving out information, but said his orders came from,a high state official and he was given to understand that the eauthorities had re- ceived a threat to blow up or damage the bridge. Guards are also on duty at the railroad bridge further up the river. . 5. CONSULS MAY BE DETAINED FOR WEEKS No Arrangements for De- parture—London; Well Treated, Berne. London, Feb. 17, 6:54 a. m.—The United States consuls who still are in Germany may be unable to leave the empire for some weeks, according to an Amsterdam despatch to the Times, quoting an American who has ar- rived there from Germany. This In- formant said that at the time he !cft Berlin the government had not ar- ranged for the special train which it had promised for the use of con- suls and that it was thought some weeks would elapse before the ar- rangements could be made. Geneva, via Paris, ¥eb, 17.—Many Americans who have been living in Germany are reported to be waiting near Singen and Constance for per- mission to cross the frontier into Switzerland. Tt ' is reported from Schaffhausen that only a few Amer- icans have entered Switzerland from Germany since American Ambassador ierard and his party arrived at Berne. The Swiss and Spanish minis- ters at Berlin are said to be giving ¢ assistance in their power to the Americans still in Germany. Considerable financial 1 has been suffered by these Americans who al- ready have reached Switzerland. One hundred marks, which before the war were worth 125 francs, are now valued at only 83 francs. The Ger- mans are reported to have closed and scaled.the American consulate general at Warsaw. SWISS GIVE LIE T0 BERLIN Deny Taking Initiative in Proposing Parley Between Germany and the United States Regarding U-Boa London, Feb, 17.—“There is reason for stating with authority,” tele- graphs Reuter’'s Berne correspondent, “that the note presented by the Sw: minister to the American ment suggesting fresh negotiations regarding the submarine warfare owed its origin to no initiative on the part of the Swiss minister or the Swiss government. The Jatter would take no such action at this juncture, he- ing quite contented to limit its activi- ties to serving as a medium of inter- national communication between the belligerents.” govern- AETNA NEEDS MONEY. Hands of Committee. New York, Feb. 17.—A story of th plight of another war bride came to light yesterday with the formation of a committee of bankers at the re- | quest of stockholders to look into the | financial affairs of the Aetna Explo- sives company, a concern which has taken upward of $30,000,000 of war orders from the Allies and the carcer of which since the beginning of war has been more or less checkered. The company again, as thirteen months ago, is now bad in nced of additional working capital The committee has engaged of expert accountants to go over the compuny’s hooks to ‘ind out just how much moncy is needed, and their re- port Is expected in the next few da It was unofti estimated lust night 1hut (he investigation so far hiad indicated {hat abont $2.500,000 would he needed. firm “Leave the rautine handling of the department to Chief Rawlings and his | subordinates without interference and | (Continued On Seventh Page). ( The principal stockholders to was the stock, aches. reason form disastrous which caused the committee movement of the which has caused many heart- the | Expressions of Frie ! ship and Hoj Against Break Te dered to Elkus. ATLANTIC COAST IS | SEALED BY U-BOA Most Distressing Feature of many’s Submarine Campaign It Effect, Blockade on American F —Britain’s Plan for New N | Arca May Relieve Congcstl(yn‘; New York. ! 17.—Expres ‘Washington, Feb. of friendship for the United. and of the hope that friendly re! may bhe continued have been l o Ambassador Elkus by the Tur foreign office. A despatch from ambassador makes no reference| Turkey supporting Germany's sul rine policy or that she intends te, ply it with the few submatines ki to be under her flag. \ It was disclosed today that af spatch from Ambassador Elkul February 11, described at the tim merely routine, contained a very report on the wish of the Turkish eign office to continue good relaf with the United States and conv; general statements of a very friel nature. I While the ambassador’s advic gratifying, it is recalled that the eign office all through the war been friendly but has been checkn by the opposition of the military § ty, which has been in control n the time. The foreign office ) agreeable to the departure of al 1,000 Americans but the military, fhorities still are delaying it. What has virtually become a bii] ade of American Atlantic po i+ Germany's ruthless submarine i paign was regarded by officials as overshadowing the issues of situation. That President Wilson soon wil before congress to announce step relieve the situation was the geng accepted view but no time set fo: action, The effect onthe country of shipping situation was reflected in receipt of hundreds of teleg by government officials urging something be done to relieve co; tion, I Great Britain’s plan of a new m! area in the North Sea to restrict(] movement of German submarined and from home ports and the to make Halifax, instead of Kirk a port of search for transatl shipping between the United S and northern European neutrals expected to provide some :elief f| the general shipping congesticn. the latter plan vessels might avoid| war zone. Offcials also noted the aggregate tonnage of mubmaf vietims recently has heen only a thousand daily. The idleness of American ships disclosed at yesterday’s cabinet ing and officials emphasized that main problem in the German-An| ican relations now is the submal campaign and its effect on Ame: commerce. i Inquiries concerning the unofl reports that the Yarrowdale prig ers have been released by the Gerr government and in regard to a trj load of American consuls and o nationals long overdue from Mum | have been addressed to the Sp ambpassador in Berlin. Shippers Promise Co-operatio New York, Feb. 17.—Owners agents of ships dcclared today they were ready to do their parf relfeving the railroad {freight gestion. They predicted that exp ers would have no cause for o plaint that they could not find sels to carry their goods—at 1 greater cause than existed before declaration of the German subi rine blockade. Railroad men were inclined agree that the new submarine o paign plaved only a small part the freight situation. They poi out that before the German el went into effect the British steams companies reserved €5 per cent. | their cargo space for the use of U | government. The :aost impo; factor in the situation, they said, {the weather, which has been worst in many vears. Twenty-one merchant ships ari ing here vesterday promised gred cargo space than the port of York nas cnjoyed for fourteen these came through the war zone| BIG GUN DISABL Honolulun, Feh. 17.—A inch gun ut Fort De Russy has b disabled and will be out of comn sion for about three months, ace ing to an unofficial report. The sponsibility for the damage, it has not boen placed. fourte)