New Britain Herald Newspaper, December 16, 1919, Page 1

News of the World. By Associated Press. | Herald *“Ads” M Better Business ESTABLISHED 1870. NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1919.—TWELVE PAGES '3 PRICE THREE CENT U.S. VOCATIONAL TRAINING ASSAILED BY EX-SOLDIERS IN PROTEST Less Than 25,000 of 180,000 Disabled| Men Have Derived Benefits, Is Claim WHOLE THING SEEMS 10 BE ILL-MANAGED Official Lack of Interes Charged—Those Electri- cally Inclined Taught Bas- ket-Making is Example. Washington, Dec. 16.—Grievances of former service men against the gov- ernment’s vocational training methods were laid before the Amefican Legion conference here today by Cornelius W. Wickersham, New York, who demand- ed that “Definite and concrete action be taken to relieve the situation.” Few Get Benefits. Fewer than 25,000 of 180,000 par- tially disabled ex-service men have been able to derive benefits under the present vocational training laws, Mr. "Wickersham said. He submitted state- ments of men now in training that they were receiving thefr maintenance fees irregularly and in some cases none at all, as one of the reasons the men entitled to the training could not take advantage of it. Thing Badly Managed. “From the information I have” Mr. Wickersham said, “it appears the Wwhole thing is badly managed. Men who desire to take the training are misplaced in so many instances that others are discouraged. Red tape is twined all about the ofganization. There is gencral dissatisfaction among the men because the maintenance pay is so small they cannot live. Tt is tfen the alternative of existing half-starved during the training coarse or jsacri- ficing its benefits altogether. Lack of Interest Charged. “To me it seems there is a lack .of interest on the part of those directing the work. No attention seems to have beert paid to the natural ahility of the individual. They try to make a good basket weaver out of a man whose natural bent is toward electrical , work.” Mr. Wickersham sai ifspectors and adv i ¢hosen from the ranks of the service men for in no other way . could the wevident lack of interest be overcome. After the morning session the dele- ates made informal calls on individ- members of congress. = Hach was trueted to urge action on .changes i the vocational training law and also *in the war risk act. WEMORIAL T0 SOLDIERS of Honor Next Friday. The R. O. T. C. military training class, under the direction of Captain punne, U. 8. A., will march in a body to the Court of Honor, at the en- trance to Walnut Hill park, next' Fri- day afternoon and with brief cises of a military nature will place evergreen wreaths on thes memo “columns erected to the memor the 120 New Britain boys who made the supreme sacrifice fn the World War. Since these columns were erect- for Welcome Home weelk, three more casualties, members of the Polish Legion, have been reported, bringing the total up to 120. The exercises next week will take place at 2:30 p. m. and the R. 0. T. C $¥ill march to the park in a bod Tn to have the wreatl form, 1. Dyson, chairman Court of ITonor committee, hs chased the - required number. these must be paid for by subseription, Mr. Dyson will any domations. The High school R. O. T. C. unit has also obligated itself to Lkeep the memorial columns in the Court of Jonor decorated on all speeial casions, such as Christmas. Wash- ington’s and Lincoln's birthday, Memorial Day, etc. GOES 226 MILES AN HOUR id the vocational ers should be ed uni- the pur- Since popula ord G of / ¥French Aviator, in Wonderful of Speed, Averages About Three and ¢ Fhree-quarters M s per Minute, Pari Dec. 16 of approximately was scored by S SFrench aviidto wirplane test —A hurst of 226 miles an 1i Lecointe, the noted in an officially timed toda Lecointe, holds the French record for helg and broke thc French speed re dast September, cov the distanc of a kilometer in toda test at an erage speed of 307, (about 190 miles) an hour, ing some seconds of his reached a speed (226 miles an hour, miles a minute, speed while dur- flight “or abont unit { Burst hour | who kilometers P he of 364.5 kilometers TO AM. LEGION f | MASS. CONGRESSMEN VISIT BAKER TO ASK EDWARDS’ PROMOTION EALII ‘Washington, Dec .16.—A dele- gation of senators and represen- tatives from Massachusets called on Secretary Baker today to brotest against the promotion of a4 number of officers of junior rank over Majori Gen. Edwards, recently commander of the 26th {New England National Guard) division. UNACCUSTOMED ROLE Owner of Berlin Post Office Building Threatens te Kick Out Pgstmaster, The Town of Berlin bids fair to be without a post office tomorrow morn- ing if tlie threats of Samuel, Coale, the new owner of the post office build- ing are carried out. Just at the time when Santa Claus is depending upon the help of Uncle Sam and the Christ- mas ruge is apout on the heartless landlord of the government has hurled cate the premises which have been used for post office purposes for years. but word or two has effect that the postmaster’s person to be removed immediately, erty he has recently purchased from Postmaster A. B. Goodrich. As far as is know made at the time of the purchase for allowing the post office to remain, but there has been no effort to ob- tain a new one. the office would be moved. Postmaster Barrett has the use of | the Flannery place for a post office | but government aection on the per- * misston to move has so far been lack- ing and it cannot be used until the’| department has taken cognizance pf the request. Just where ,the postofiice will go after the eviction is accomplished, if it s a question. It may have to move into the street as was suggested last week. Quarters will be taken up in the best available place but it may be far ‘distant from the desires of most Berlin people. But'this is the story of a pestoffice without a home; what is to be done is a matter for the future to decide. Action of Mr. Coale is await- | ed by all'concerned. ' | B. & K. LIKELY T0 SELL ‘Will Hold Special Session: of Stock- holders Next Tuesday to Talk Over Proposed Offer. | The officials of the Barnes & Ko- bLert plant held a private session ye: formation given out by one of those present, and decided in favor of sell- ing their entire plant on Bllis street \to the Landers, Vrary & Clark con- cern, which has been negotiating for the factory for the past se From the present indicatien it is very probable that the L. F. & C. concern will occupy the factory by the of the y o the manufacture of clectrical appliance work. A meet of the stockholder the B. & K. plant ha been called i next Tuesday afternoon when it is expected it will be defi- nitely decided as to whether the i plant will be sold and how much will be received for it. Should two-thirds of the stockholders vote to 11, the deal will be put through immediately. of for in the office LANDLORD APPEARS IN | a deflance, so it is said at Postmaster . Barrett telling him that he must va- There have been no papers served, | passed« to the and the government effects will have | as the | proprietor wishes the use of the prop- there was no’ agreement | 1t is understood that | terday afternoon, according to the in- ! first ! FRAUD IS<CHARGED IN WAR CONTRACTS | Representative Grabam Scores Department Expendimres. iALSO FINAL SETTLEMENTS Standard Steel Car Company Contract th Crook- Adjustment Tinctured ; cdness, T Interests Not Properly Guarded. Washington, Dec. 16.—Representa- | tive Graham, republican, of Illihois, | chairman of the select committee in- vestigating expenditures by the War department, in a speech today in the house, reiterated charges he made recently that interests of the govern- ment in many war claim settlements have not been sufficiently guarded, adding that “in many cases the gov ernment has been deprived of large sums of money to which it rightfully | is entitled.” Government Interests Unprotected. Large sums have been allowed con- tractors through unfair salvage values for raw materials, and government officials charged with the responsibil- ity of adjusting claims havegnot exer- cised sufficient vigilance in protecting government interests, Mr. Graham : charged. He urged submission of all "claims settled or pending with the { War. department to an impartial | board for review and final settlement. Baker’s Report Wrong. “From Secretary Baker's report of settlements,” Chairman Graham said, “the original answer was erroneous and the committee instructed an ac- countant to review the figures given by the secretary. After an extended investigation, the accountant reported that the amounts expended by the ‘War department, as given by Secre- tary Baker, are off balance from $171,582.37 as a minimum $184,945,938 as a maximum.” Losses ‘Are Excessive. Fifty per cent. of “informal con- tracts” suspended by have been adjusted with damages fo the War department, Representative Graham continued. 4 “In investigating the warious mat- ters it has not“been possible to find anywhere a complete record of the transaction. There were private con- versations by the various and so- called technical experts with mer- chants and business men and with were allowed and large sums money paid. When it is attempted to ascertain the exact basis of tHese set- tlements, no record is to be found.” On the settlement of the American Can company’s contract, the speaker said, the “government lost fully 17 per cent. on $867,732, the cost of tin plate, or|$147,514 more than it should have lost.” Vast Sales of Copper. Representative the method of sale by the War de- | partntent of 100,000,000 pounds copper held when the armistice was signed. Copper producers, he said, were paid t i copper during the war. Payment Without Audit. Settlement of the claim of the Standard Steel Car company, Mr Graham also charged, was made with- jout an audit “and approtimately $1,200,000 was paid to the claimant i on the final settlement. “The committee is convinced,” ne continued, *that the : alleged settle- ment is unjust and unfair to the gov- ernment and that in its making the interests of the government have not been properly defended. That it is also tinctured with fraud there can : be little doubt.” Gerard Will Not Run If Wilson Decides To New York, Dec. 16.—James W. Ger- ard, formerly ambassador to Germany, announced today that he would not be a candidate for president if President son should scek a third term. He s so telegraphed to friends in South Dakota where a minority democratic nominating petition has been filed in I his behalf. William Trewhella, who conducts a grocery store at 36 Church street, to- day confirmed the report that he had fe complaint to United States Dis- \ttorney Crosby, alleging that Cohn, & wholesale grocer who, whella avers has two carload in this city al present, had sell him any. Mr. Tre- i that the district attofney has d .a stringent Investlg tion in this connection will also investigate the report 1t Samuel Berkowitz another grocer, has 18.- 000 pounds of sugar on hand. The Church street grocer ys that the district attorney expressed Lhe deter- 1 COMPLAINT MADE TO U. S. DIST. ATTY. WHEN WHOLESALER WON’T SELL SUGAR William Trewhella, C;m‘ch S?e:t Grocer, Claims to Have Grievance Against Morris Cohn—Strict Investigation is Promised For City. mination to make every possible effort {to get the alleged strangle-hold on the sugar supply in this city loosened up so that the thereby before days. According to the story told "Trewhella, he received that Mr. Colin had two carloads sugar on hand and called him up to purchase s id that Mr. public may the Christmas profit holi- by Mr. Cohn at first denied having any sugar, | sed remarked some- | but on being pr ¢ to the effect that while he wasn't saying he didn't have any. he was not zoing to sell any to Trewhella. complaint to the district attorney lowed. fol- | Allegation—Government to the ' armistice claimants as a_result of which claims of Graham attacked of large sums in excess of correct amounfs due for government information | of The LIVES JEOPARDIZED * BY RAILAQAD GREED ‘Litle Attention Paid to Laws lor| Safety of Public @E ' BUREAU OF SAFETY REPORT| ‘Wilful Evasion of Laws to Promote safety Charged By W. P. Borland | Bank Commissioner’s Report Shows Savings Bank In- creases of $23,724,669.99— 31,451 New Depositors. —But Few Trains Equipped With Proper Brakes, Washington, Dec. 16. of lhws to promote the safety of pas- | sengers and employes was charged to the railroads of the United States to- | day by W. P. Borland, chief of the bureau of safety of the Interstate Com- merce Commission in his annual re- port. Evasion . Dec. 16.—Bank Commis- sioner Everett J. Sturgis has submit- ted to Governor Holcomb a state- /ment showing the condition of savings banks, state banks and trust com- panies in Connecticut as of October 1, 1919, and also reports of the building and loan associations, Mor- ‘ris plan companies and banks and mortgage investment companies com- ing under the jurdisdiction of his department. Increase, in Deposits. The total assets of the savings banks to October 1, amounted to $419,257,189.89. On the same date in 1918 they were $33393,595,570.28, an increase of $25,661,619.61 for the year. The deposits in the savings banks amounted to $391,582,270 or $28,724,669.99 more than on October 1, 1918. The surplus increased $1,- 618,399.99 and amounted to $17,602,- 264.07 at the close of the year. Various Interests Paid. There were 80 savings banks in the state at the close of the year which the report covers. Of, this number 69 paid a four per cent rate of interest one four and a quarter per cent and one four and a half per cent. Five banks paid five per cent interest and one 6 per cent. The dividends to depositors amounted to $14,558,764.56. There were 596,238 depositors hav- j'ing less than $1,000 each, an increase of 2,854 over October 1, 191S. There were 75,662 having $1,000 each but not over $2,000, an increase of 6,141. There were 710 depositors having over $10,000 each, an in se of 42 from the previous fiscal period. The total number of depositors was 717, 405 or 13,226 mote than a year ago. Morc 'Withdrawals This Year. Including = interest credited the amount of money deposited in savings banks during the year was $127,621,- 682, an increase of $35,797,158.80 for the year. The withdrawals from sav- ings hanks' for the ‘year amounted to $103,796.912.97 or $13,049,397.48 more than in 1917-18. The total amount of assets of state banks and trust companies on October 1, 1919, was $170,633,509.96, an in- crease of $26,933,593.0¢ for the year. The deposits in savings banks de- partments of trust companies on October 1, 1919, amounted to $46.- 951,257.42, an increase of $9,612,023.5¢ for the Depositors Are Increased. The total amount of deposits dt savings banks and savings ‘and, com- mercial «departments of trust com- panies for the year was $532,787,- 730.45, showing an 466,801.36 for the year. The total numher of .depositors in savings banks ang trust companies on October 1, 1919, was 871,684, an in- crease of 21,451 s The a of the 22 building and loan associations amounted to $5,960,- 065.79 and of the Morris plan com- panies and industrial banks $2,373- Men Work Too Long. In the case of the hours of service law, which prohibits train operatives from remaining on duty more than 16 hours except in extraordinary cir- cumstances Mr. Borland's report de- clared managing officers apparently had given their sanction to evasions “to such an extent as to defeat the purposes of the iaw. He charged that safety has been sacrificed to ex- pediency. Have Lack of Brakes. Railroad companies were said to have paid “comparatively little atten- tion” to the maximum requirement of the law regarding safety appliances. They were said to have contented themselves with meeting the mini- mum which orders that 85 per cent. of the cars in any train shall be equip- ped with power brakes, disregarding the maximum requirement that all cars so equipped must be connected and the brakes in operation. Hand brakes also were alleged still to be in use on some railroads for controlling trains on mountain grades, although the law specifies that trains must be controlled by power brakes. ; s Disregarded On some roads employing the man- ual block signal tem, it was said, dangerous practices are followed and the rules violated to such an extent as to render the block signal system en- tirely useless. Log trains which are exempted from safety appliances regulations are be- ing operated over main lines jn Geor- gia and’ Florida without an}’\mfims except: off" éifEines and cabooses, which Mr. Borland said was fully as dangerouge because of the negessity. of passing o¥fer trains, as runMng pas- senger _trains without such sdfe- guards, B of Railroads. “Investigations disclosed,” Mr. Bor- | land said in regard to the 16 hour law, “that certain carriers hadl published builetins containing lists of causes of delays wheh would arbitrarily be con- sidered an excuse for excess service and it was apparent that the privi- leges allowed urder proviso of section three of the act were being exerciser under ordinary circumstances and to such an extent as to defeat the pur- poses of the law. These bulletins sued over the signatures of managing officers for the direction and guidance of subordinate officials, agents and employes and under thesp instructions employes were in many cases kept on duty‘in excess of 46 hours until they arrived at thefr final terminals, regardless: of whether or not they could have been melieved prior to the expiration of the statu- tory period, or whether by the exer- cise of diligence the excess service could have been reduced. These bul- leting were apparently devised with the inténtion of utilizing every plaus- ible pretext legal ju ation for employes to exceed the hours of s ice prescribed by the statute. Other Common I e first mortgage investment com- panies in the state had assets amount- ing to $2,086,164.35. FAMOUS MURDERER DEAD. Boston, Dec. 16.—Joseph W. Blon- din, whose murder of his bride was a bed by the hours of serv-) sensation nearly 20 vears ago, died ice act frequently considered the reg- | suddenly at the state prison today of ular day’s work. but when it i { heart disease. He had been an indus- that some orainaiy incident may delay | trious Prisoner and by the manufac- a train crew, it has become 'c ture and sale of canes had earned practice, when occasion offers, to re- | more than $2.000, much of which was leass that crew for period of one | invested in Liberty bonds. D TR [JQUOR MEN MAY S casions. only 1s the maximum limita- the erew in service 30 as to obtain the maximum 16 hours of active duty. “The infeg@mee is unmisiakable that {hese releasesurc ziven for the pur- pose of breaking the continuity of service, thereby placing the emploves involved on the basis of agsregating instead of continuo service, and permitting them to be retained on duty for a longer period than would otharwise be permissible under the law. Such practice results in sacri- ficing safety to expediency by re- quiring men to remain on duty for long periods and impairing their effi- ciency. alertness and watchfulness. this bureau has disclosed several cases of employes who, although’they had had sufficient time off due to conform to the requirements of the hours of service law, had not had sufficient | rest or rest of such character to place j them in proper physical condition to perform service required by them.” of That Supreme Court fiscates Booze New York, Dec. 16.—Lawyers rep- resenting large liquor interests in New York intimated today that a civil action against the United States government might be the next step in the fight against prohibition and that compensation for losses esti- mated at $300,000,000 would be ught. The lawyer decision of the supreme court Vi tually confiscated the liquor held here T.ocal banking 7ill be but ed b urt’s decision, Large loana.were out- on warehouse receipts earlier but nearly all have been recent montl with which the liquos d the news vesterday So confident favorable in the year liquidated in The dismay inte inere: § §the Hartford, for New Britain Yair and continued night and tomoerrow. 16.—Torecast and ity: | cloudy to- | i i | i i e e wet decizion increase of $45,- Lawyers For New York D asserted that the * were | PLE OF CONN. RICHER BY 23 MILLION THAN LAST YEAR | {Paul Bucco Succumbs * to Wounds Sustained in Fight Dec. 7. VIGTIM OF STABBING Paul Bucco, vietim of the stabbing {affray at 56 Church street Sunday evening, Deccmber 7, died at the New Britain General hospital this morning. His death has been expected since he ; Was brought to the institution, as the nature of the stab wound was serious. Bucco 4vas a participant in the fight that followed a quarrel at the lwmme of Raphael Digrabba, and during yhe melee he received four knife wou yls in the lungs and abdomen. Thomas Cacace, his alleged assailant, is in the county jail under bonds of $3,500, awaiting a hearing in the police court December 29. Cacace is charged with assault with a dangerous weapon. Prosecutor George W. Klett said this morning that the warrant would be changed to a charge of manslaughter. | Bucco, who was 30 years old, lived at 78 Arch street and was employed at the Landers, Frary & Clark com- pany. He leaves a wife and daughter 'in Italy, a sister in the same country and two brothers in Waterbury. Buc ‘co, at the hospital a short time after the fight, when confronted by the other participants, identified Cacace as { his assailant. | The affray which resulted in Bue- co’s death, followed a quarrel which started a short time after Cacace and a ‘pal” arrived at the Digrabba house at 56 Church street. The po- lice at the time arrested Gerona Rel- lantiona, Anthony’ Diferra, Raphael ‘Digrabba and Thomas iCacace. When arrafgned in pelice court December S, Cacace . was charged. with assault with a dangerous w ‘and hetd-for a hearing under $3,500 bonds. The bonds *in the other four men’s case was placed at $500. The case was again con- tinued vesterday by Judge James' T. Meskill to December 20. A DESTRUCTIVE FIRE ! | Tenement of Margg Conway at the Corner of Main and East Streets Gutted This ‘fl’:l‘nuon. A destruciive blazes. aid | Uamage « about $1,000 this afternoon at the home of Martin Conway in the Cianci block ‘at the cdfner of Bast Main and Elm~streets. Before the flames had heen extinguished two rooms in the tenement on the top floor were gutte An_alarm sent in by, Captain Georg | Hoffman of thefhaok and ladder com pany, who was passing the building, brought -the department w'clock. “The @iscovery of the fire was made by Miss Katherine Conway who ran down the back stairs to get assistance. A locked door impeded her and she was forced to go back upst and out the front entrance. The fire v first discovered in a closet adjoinir the kitchen. The flames spread fast and it was only by the dint of ¥ work that . the firemen managed keep it confined to the two rooms. KILLED BY TRAIN. Stamford, Dec. 16.—After two ex- s trains over the New Haven road ed toda man’s body was found on the tracks just east of the station. . It was identified as that of Paul Beicet, ye old, cleaner. | : | I 1 e d to 0 a c UE GOVERNMENT T illery Interests Decision Virtually Con- Held in Stock. would be handed.down that prepara- tions were complete for delivery of tlhousands of dollars’ worth of liquor at short nmotice. The dealers said it would now be physically im- possible to ship the liguor in stock to foreign countries before January 16, The man who had been cultivating highly educated thirst in antici ‘tion of resumption of the sale of liguor over the b bemoaned toda the probability of exorbitant prices for & drink obtained “on the quiet.” Soms unoffleial que the “unoffi ' market t Champagne imported brandy, $150 § tch whiskey, $250 a case; | tye whiskey, $15 a bottle, and Bene- | dictines. $30 & quart. Tndividual prices in saloons depended enfirely upon the | bartender. ci $ I a | DIES IN HOSPITAL Main | out‘at 1:39 Contend | ‘NEW JERSEY LIQUOR MEN CONTINUi ~ WAR ON PROHIBITION: ASK FEDERAL AMENDMENT BE DECLARED ILLEGA Permission To It tute Original Pri ceedings To T End Asked Of § reme Court g. | SEEK INJUNCTION FROM ENFORCEME House Agricultural Co tee Refuses to Consid Bill to Repeal War-Ti Prohibiion Law, Washington, Dec Permis to institute original proceedings have the national prohibition amd ment declared unconstitutional New Jersey and federal uthor enjoined from enforcing it was af of the . supreme court today Retaf: Liquor Dealers’ as New Jersey. First Question Raised. This was, the first question ag the validity of the constitutid amendment to reach the supr court. George W. Tucker of York presented the motion toget with a printed brief prepared by assoclation and the court will nounce later whether permMsion| institute the suit will be granted. In addition to enjoining enfo: ment of the 18th amendment the sociation 0 would ask an inJ | tion agzainst enforcement of the A stead prohibition enforcement act named in the proee ings were the state of New Jer which refused to ratify the con tional amendnient, Palmer, Joseph L torney for New Jersey sioner ‘of Internal Reves | Rover. ~ ! The association’s brief alleged the constitutional amendment was interference with th state pol powers, a violation of the Fifth o stitutiong]l amendment which prol its the “taktod of private prope without just compensation, that ne ér congress nor the state lat had authority to propose or ratify amendment and the amendment w passed by the house did not rece the support of two thirdg of the m bership as the constitution provi but only of two-thigds of the 1ig bers present. No Kepeal in House, An unfavorable raport op the bill repeal the prohibition 1 was ordered tod the house ug culture commit a vote.of 16 3. Represer John Rain { democrat, Iilinois, | consin, and War | licans,. cast the | Wants The only a i was made Dby who urged a ‘“wet uagy 16 when the amendment | and Comfi nag Danie; | | I | Period. for the eniative Raj period until 3¢ 1 Repre constitutional **dy becomes effective it people o 1all means mig stock for medici 1 | government might ‘ revenue o the ‘:«1 we mu { saia My { have laid in , and those of less some opportunits PICKPOG Newington i | | t | 1 et $500,000,000 Since cided the supren i h war ymit 10V stocks ve | 3 have KET GETS §1,000 | | i Ty i Resident Boards Y Depot With P Puvse i Misses Atmost Inunedintely Ao avds. SBebastiano . relleved of pocketbook $1,000 on {he irain leaving at 1:20 &'clock this fterno i to his to the p cording to Jarvis, he was on his w to his home und boarded fhg. t { Which was heavily laden with (h | mas shoppers. He was looking abi for a seat, and when he plaged hand in his rear trousers pocket, 11 pocketbook which was there only | few moments before, was missing. told the police that he drew t) money from a bank yvesterday, inten ing to send it to friend: e T theft is the second that ha ported to the police within the | few days. A I stol ent repor ed the loss of $30 at the depet Saturday. Several other local neop| ire mourning the loss of poekethool | within @& short time. | ' TOREE KILLED IN DU, | columbia, 8. C., Dec. 16,~pr, Pratt, a physician, his brother-inela John Bell,” and, Rovall Cotton Charleston were Killed in a pistal fig Sunday ght at the country home Mrs, J. Bell near St. Stephens, Jcording to. reports day. rvis of Newit W ontaini Je: the de story { paj a received oRe i