New Britain Herald Newspaper, February 13, 1920, Page 1

- and a present value L2 B E— { ews of the World ‘ \ - By Associated Press. | | N NEW \ / alll Better Business. AdS Ea ESTABLISHED 1870. NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1920.—TWENTY PAGES PRICE THREE CENTS WOULD PREVENT “SALE OF SHIPS BY EXTRA RESOLUTION Senator Ashurst Moves to Direct Shipping Board to Cancel Proposed Auction LETTER READ FROM JUDGE PAYNE EXPLAINING MOVE! i Why | Pas- Director States Many Reasons U. S. Could Not Compete in S senger Lines With Other Countries —Prohibition Onc of Them—W. R. Hearst Would Prohibit Sale Court Injunction. Washington, Feb. 18—A concurrent | resolution directing the shippin, board not to sell the 30 former Ge fwan liners which the board plans to dispose of at public auction here TAXPAYERS® ASS’N A MYTHICAL BODY? So It Would Seem, Visa Versa—Whom At 3 o’clock this afternoon the ex- ecutive committee of the New Britain Taxpayers association appears before | the board of relief for the purpose of asking for a new factory assessment throughout, the result of which is to be increased valuations in this item of the grand lists, with a subsequent lowering of the tax rate, according to the association's claims. With the announcement that [he! executive committee of the Taxpayers’ | association is to begin its campaign for the year-there arises a question as to who and what the organizition is. From information given’out this} morning from a creditable source, the person and place of which is being withheld, there is not now nor has there ever been such an organization as “The New Britain Taxpayers’ as- sobiation.” Only Few Members. If such is the case there can be no such group as an executive com- mittee, and P. S. McMahon, president, | and Isador Simons, treasurer, are self- styled officers of a mythical organ- ization. It was further explained that an executive committee appointed by | president”, consisted of seven Monday except through lic bidding after three vertising, and then regular pub- months’ ad- if proper offers are received was introduced to- | day - by Senator Ashurst, democrat, | | Arizona. | ¥The resolution was offered in the | midst of a debate on the sale of tho ships. Senator Ashurst declared that it was a fact that the shipping board | and emergency fleet incorporation in- tended to sell the vessels to the In- ternational Mercantile Marine Corp for $28,000,000. He said the vesse had a pre-war valuc of $154,000,000 of $300,000,000. | only Chairman Jones of the commerce | committee, previously had told the senate that he had no idea that the ips were.to be sold to the Interna- mal Mercantile Marine under a ecret understanding between the poard and British interests was tru After mare than an hour's debate Chairman Jones of the commerce committee objected to immediat consideration of the Ashurst resolu- stjon on the ground that a cancurrent | resolution should be referred to com- mittee. The resolution then was re- | ferred to his ecommittee. ' While debate was proceeding in Yhe senate, Representative Mead, demo- | érat, New York, made pullic a Jette from Chairman Payne explaining the ' reasons for the sale of the ships. It was learned that Mr. Payne had writ- n a similar letter to President Wil- son. The letter to Repr: follows: “Answering your inquiry sale of the German ships, the reasons were these: *“1—1It is the opinion of the ship- ping board that we will probably not | be able to operato passenger ships un- der prohibition successfuily in compe- tition with foreign ships which sell | liguor. The reason why is: In Decem- | ber we fitted out the Moccasin to sail to South America. Her births were all sold. When I the policy country, be permitted the sailings celled. entative Mead ding passenger principally | announced that in view of of the congress of the government ships would not to sell liquor, half of were immediately can-' Offered $20,000,000. 1 2.—We advertise hips and for 0,000,000 We a culation made as to the conditioning these ships and reached In view of it did not seem re Justified in incurring pens i onditions world are such tion that there e b German were offered careful c cost of re- | for passen- | the sum of | the present to us that so largs in- the shipping | that it is our convie- will never be a time when we can sell ships to better ad- vantage than now and since it is our | conviction that the ships can be suc-1| cessfully operated in private owner- | ship, we believe the hould made. Would Protect United States. 4-—Two conditions are insis upon by the board: (a) That the ships shall remain under the American flag; (b) That they are to sailed in the routes indicatc the Shipping board. This, we lieve, will ade-; quately protect the United States. be b s { Will Not Prevent Sale. H Washington, Feb. 13.—Application | for an Junction the hip- | ping board and the Emergency Fleet | corporation to prevent sale of 30 for- | mer German liners at public’ auction | next Monday was filed in the Dis- | trict of Columbia suprcme court to- | day by William Randolph Hearst, of | New Yorl, acting in his capacity as| a taxpaver. H Chir? Just McCoy issued requiring th defendants to cause Monde/ morninz why porary injumction = shouid lssued. Chair ce rule | show | em- be ! a not f-\ Payne, of the Sh rd, dinouniced that the application | for an injuneilon would not preven the offering of the ships for sale said tenders would be received Mo day as planned but that final on them would:be deferred unti injunction procdedings had been posed of fnally’ - e A, | actively i meeting, held | ings | assemb four of which have subse- refused to serve on that o that when the committee is hearing this afternoon it can only of Messrs. McMahon, mons and Sweeney of the original committee, supplemented possibly, by other individuals who have interested themselves in the increased assess- ments of factories and l6wering of city | tax rates, according to the Herald's | informant. No Officers Ever Elected. In explanation of his claim that the association has never been in exist- ence, the person who was interviewed connected with civie move- ments for strict frugality in city of- fices, has stated that no meeting was ever called for the election of officers | and that at no time during the coursa | of business at a regular session has a set of leaders been chosen. Tt will be remembered that at the first mass in Booth's hall, P. S. his own initiative, | McMahon on | opened the meeting with an addrass' and was, by acclamation, declared the | temporary chairman. ] Declines. A local clothjer was named secre- Simons became er through the same course. The secretary sifice that time has re- fused to serve on the executive com- mittee, it is sald. In one of the meet- that followed, it was proposed l i | committee on publicit; | formant, has positively As All Members Are Officers And Does It Represent? that an executive committee be ap- pointed and a time and place set for the election of officers. The executlve committee was named to consist of Messrs. McMahon, Simons, Le Witt, Sweeney, Ciecynski and Halloran. McMahon, Sweeney and Simons agreed to serve on the group and the others, including a seventh member whose name could not be secured, declined, the informant claims. The matter of electing officers or supply- ing the committee with additional members was never again brought up, according to information received to- day. Memberships Taken. Memberships in the ‘‘organization” were taken and a fee of a few dol- lars for each was required. The money was spent in advertising the plans of‘ the organization and distributing hand-bills calling attention to mass meetings and proposals of the group. At one time, after the president and | had present- | ed “copy” to the newspapers for ad- | vertising, Treasurer Simons called at | the office with new ‘“‘copy.” When in- | formed of the action of McMahon and | the press committee he replied, “I am ] paying the mone; The advertise- | ent produced by Simons appeared that | evening. | Mr. Simons. the treasurer, explain- | ed that ‘the assoclation has no char- ter, but has officers who were elected for an indefinite period last year. The executive committee consists of seven mermbers all of whom are still serv- | ing, he thought. J. M, Hallinan, whose name was mentioned as a member of the execu- tive commiitee, was asked if he stiil served on that group and replied “I have nothing to say: It is a pri- | vate matter. I'll neither deny nor af- wed | firm it.” | this morning and who was at one time | George LeWitt, another mcmber of the committee, according to the in- refused to serve. At 1:30 o’clock this afternoon, an hour and a haif hefore the scheduled {ime for the hecaring, Anton Ciecynski, who was a mamber of the executive | committee last yeaf, had not Feen in- formed of the meetin and didn’t know just what his status was. Atty. M. A. Sexton. who was prom! nent in the activities of the taxpayers’ group last year as attorney, was asked this morning if he could explain the organizdtion of the New Britain Tax- | payers’ association He replied that | his cannections last year werc as an attorney for the group but he knew hothing of their activities tnis vear. He added that Mr. McMahon would have to be consulted on th~ matter. "~ ASKS HORE EVIDENCE District Attorney Martin Would Have | Charges of Sedition and Criminal ; Anarchy Investigated. - New York, Feb. 13.—District At- | torney Martin of Bronx county, today directed his William F. Quigley, to consult with counsel of the committee, which is investigating the ‘fitness” of the five suspended socialist assemblymen, } and to present to the grand jury at the earliest possible moment any evi- dence supporting charges of sedition or criminal anarchy. action followed publication vesterday of a brief submitted by ju- diciary committee counsel in connec- tion with the investigation at Albany, charging ‘“‘the five assemblymen by their pledges and speeches have ren- dered themselves amenable to the terms of the espionage act and should | be convicted under its terms.” Dis- patches from the state capital last assistant, judiciary ! night said it was reported there tes | timony presented at the investigation would be placed in the hands of the district attorn of Bronx, Kings and New York' counties, with a request that the quintet be prosecuted. CANADA OBJECTS IF VOTE IS DENIED ves Great Britain Notice That She Will Not Be Deprived of Full l Membership. | Ottawa, Feb. 13.—Canada has given Great Britain notice that it objects to any change in the covemant of the! League of Nations which will prevent | Dominion being fall- | fledged member of the league and| having a vote in the assembly. After a meetinz of the cabinet last night urgent representations were forwarded to the imperial authorities | protesting against acceptance by | Great Britain of the Lenroot reser tion to the peace treaty which now is being comsidered by the United States | the from a s announced the matter has been considercd several times by the cabi- nec¢ and a uumber of communications the subject have been forwarded Great Britain. estion hes been made that should withdraw from the it it loses its vote in the as- but no official action has been this connection. [ quentl. HAVE LONG RIDE | Newfoundland Express Train Throe | Weeks on Trip of 516 Miles—Pas- | sengers on Scanty Rations. St. John's, N. F., Feb. 13 press train on the Reid-Newfoundland | raillway, a narrow guage line has ar- | rived here after being three weeks on | the way across the island from Port- au-Basques. The train was sched- uled to make the 516 miles in 29! hours, Several storms wWere en- countered and it was snowed in fre- An ex- Passengers reported that at some exposed points the snow drifted to a height of 20 feet. They were on canty rations much of the time with | fish as the principal food. | The perils of cross-country travel | have increased so much that it was, said today service probably would be | suspended until the storm season | passed, passengers being sent by | steamer along the southern coast from Port-au-Basques to St. John's. Suspect Incendiarism 1 In Blaze Early Today | Feb. 13.—The fire depart- ment house at Fort Trumbull Beach was burned early today. Evidence is that the fire was The firemen saved their apparatus. The fire loss is 000, Milford, | pers { effect unkindly Next door. in Elliot’s garage, were stored 13 automobiles of an aggregate | value of $25,000. Snow on the roof proved an efficient protection and | while fire got through side openings only one machine, that belonging to F. W. Lyon was damaged. { wearing throusl PRESIDENT WILSON MAKES AN “UNALTERABLE” SETTLING RAIL MILLERAND INSISTING ON EXTRADITION TERMS A New Note to Holland May Be Sent Tomorrow. Paris, Feb. 18, (Havas.)—Premier Millerand of France who is attending the meeting of the supreme allied council in London, is energetically in- sisting upon the execution of the tradition clause of the Versailles treaty angd urging if the Germans re- fuse to surrender men accused of war crimes, that they be tried by de- fault, says the Echo de Paris. Germany's proposal that she tr the alleged culprits is “no more likely to be adopted at London than in Paris,”” sa’ the Petit Parisien which adds the council will establish the cul- pability of former Emperor William and again demand his extradition from Holland. On the other hand the Matin says it is informed that al- though a firm rote will be sent to Germany the door will be left open for further discussicns consideration being taken of Premier Lloyd George's sugsesticns and the political ! situation in England. Discussing the fiancial phases of the London conference several newpa- vy moral help and occasional material assistance will be given na- | tions in serious straits. Surrender *“Tmpossibility.” Berlin, . Feb. ‘13.—General Rein- hard, commander-in-chief of German forces, has published an order of the day, saying: “Germans regard the surrender of men accused of war crimes an im- possibility, an opinion with which the army agrees and will in no case aban- don.” T.ondon, Feb, 12—A new Allied nate to Holland regarding the extradition of former Emperor William will be | dispatehed tomorrow according to the S, Standard today. e note save the newspaper makes a stronz appeal to the Duteh govern- ment not to create greater diffieu ties in Burope by insisting on the right ef asylum for the man charac- terized as the author of the world’s present troubles. From other sources it was learned this afternoon that the council was engaged in Holland. The note was being drawn, | it was stated in a form to emphasize the concerted view of the Allies that | | the presence of the former émperor in Holland was a danger to the peace | of Europe. It is hoped f{hat the Dutch govern- ment will be drawn into reopening the negotlations which they ended with the refusal to give up the ex- ruler. It is intimated that Holland has not received a suggestion to this and that she might be willing to intern the former emperor | outside of Europe. A new note to Germany with re- gard to the allied extraditions de- mands is also being prepared. The council is represented as being in agreement on this document, which, it is intimated, may give Germany an opportunity for further negotiations. | Disabled Motors May Reduce Trolley Service Wit the preseut-snowstorm adding more to the troubles of the Connec- ticut company therc is a possibility of reduced service on a number of the locil lines it was stated today. The snow has become packed beneath the rails to such a height that the motors are dragging on the ice en- crusted snow resulting in the burn- ing out and disabling of a number of motors. The motors are protected ordiparily by a pan. but the pans are due to the constant rubbing againsi the ice and snow al- lowing the motors to be exposed. Several cars were lifted off the rails owing to the motors resting on the ice between the tracks. tion is becoming acute and is giving | the trolley officials much concern. Governor Perrigault Reported Assassinated Panama, Feb. 12.—Governor Perri- gault of the province of Chiriqui which lies along the Costa Rican frontier was assassinated at seven o'clock tonight, according to advices received in this city It is said that Governor Perrigault had befriended W. G. Chase, an Amer- | ican in a htigation over land and that this Jed to his assassination. Governor Perrigault was Panaman consu] general in New York city for a number of year: SINN FEINERS ARRESTED. Dublin, Feb. 13.—Several Sinn Felners were arrested in the course of 2 roundup by military forces in this city early today. | New Haven Papers Resume Publication : New Haven, Feb. 13.—Afternoon newspapers here which temporarily suspended publication yesterday, went to press as usual this afternoon. Thes papers are the Leader, the New Haven Register and the New Haven Union. The publishers said they had statement to make bearing upon the situation h WEATHER. Forecast for New Britain and ow or rain tonight; Saturday fair and colder completing the note to| The situa- Now Haven Times- no | s % Report Massacre ! Of 2,000 Armenians London, Feb. 13.—The Ar- menian Tnational delegation here states that it has re- ceived a message from Con- stantinople saying that during the recent attacks by nation- alists forces on Marash and Aintab, in Asia Minor about 2,000 Armenian civilians were murdered in cold bloed. * VETERAN EMPLOYES MAY BE ALLOWED PENSIONS Traut & Hine Co. Adopts Plan At Stockholders And Directors’ Meeting. The Traut & Hine Manufacturing company has taken a step which will be of benefit to the employes who by long years of service have proven their faithfulness to the concern. The company has appointed a committee’ to formulate plans for a fund to be used in pensioning old employes. Just what the service must be is now being worked out by this committee. The adoption of the pension fund plan was completed at the annual meeting of the directors and stock- holders last Tuesday. There are several employes of Traut & Hine Manufacturing company who are eligible to the fund, by contin- uous service in the concern for about 25 years. The pension fund has been effective in several other concerns in this vicinit and it is considered an- * other step toward progress that the ! Traut & Hine company is making. At a banguet tendered the office -force, timekeepers and offisials of the plant last night at the Elks’ club, steps were aken to organize a club among the women employes of the factory. Skart ! talks w officials. , The annual meeting of the stock- holders held rocently was reported | and the statement of the officials was Iread and accepted. The stockholders i elected the following directors: George W. Traut, Frank L. Traut, Henry C. Hine, Ernest N. Humphrey, Henry S. Walters, A. C. Sternberg and Harry {C. Brown. At a subsequent meeting of the directors, cers were elected: President and treasurer, George W. Traut; vice- president, Frank L. Traut; secretary, Henry C. Hine; general superintend- j ent, Efnest N. Humphrey. THREATENS TO FIRE ON BRITISH SHIPS Bolshevik Commander Would Have Men o’War Move Out of Harbor Within Three Days. Constantinople, Feb. 12 (By The ! ‘Associated Press.)—General Ubere- viteh, the 28-year-old Bolshevik com- | mander at Odessa, has threatened | that he will open fire upon the Brit- ish warships there within three days if they remain in the harbor, accord- inz to a message received here from Rear-Admiral McCully, command- ing the United States naval forces op- erating in Russian waters. The m sage was sent after the Amer had conferred with revitch, who expressed ihat the British warships upon his troop. Gencral Uborevitch, the | reports, said he understood jritish had made a treaty with the Bolsbevik government. He declared merchant ships would be welcome aut Odessa for commercial purposes. The general stated that he sup- pressed looting immediately upon his | arrival and had molested nobody but | spies and thieves. | Odessa apparent v is quiet at pres- | ent. The shops are reported open and the people moving about freely. A sufficient amount of food is on hand. The weather, however, is so cold that ice is forming far to sea-} Gene surprise had fired message ! that the ward. The Bolsheviki who captured Niko- | laiev are said to have been fairly well-.| equipped troops, many of them wear- | ing British uniforms. | 1 | “most pre: i ishment of a naval base in California. | Secretary Daniels told «u delegation from Alameda, Calif.,, today in ac- cepting tentatively a deed for a busu‘ site at that city. Cites Navy’s Most “Pressing Need” Now ro pgiven a2t the banquet by | the following offi- | j today by Hugh S. Magill of Spring- field, Ill, field secretary of the Nation- al Education association and George D. Strayer of the Teachers’ college of Columbia university in addresses be- | | | { { h DECISION IN ONTROVERS Meets Brotherhood Representatives at Wi House and Outlines to Them aPolicy “Ba S on Justice to all Interests’; Understood Have Refused Increases in Salary Demat ed, But Substitutes Suggestion. UNION CHIEFS WILL PLACE MATTER BEFORE ALL MEMBI Probably Will Be Decided in Secret Whether It Is ceptable Or Otherwise; ficials Or Railway Men Neither White House Willing to Discuss W Latest Proposal Contains. Washington, Feb. 13.—An “unalterable” decision in the- road wage controversy was made today by President Wilso conference with representatives of the brotherhoods. The p: dent said the' government’s policy was “based on justice to interests.” , The president’s decision was House. Officials said it was “a not announced at the decision containing a prope From this it was assumed that the president had refused to g | general wage increase, but had made a counter proposition to| | men. Secretary Tumulty declined to say whether the president refused the wage demands, saying that “everyone wants to si portunity to consider the out outside interference. The president’s statement that “based on justice to all interests,’ i the strike,” and that the brotherhood chiefs should have’an president’s suggestion or proposal v the government’s policy > is in line with the final presented to the union leaders by Director General Hines af last conference with them. Mr. Hines was understood to have told the mén that the return of the roads to private bill an/impartial tribunal for would be created. URGES TEAGHERS TO | BETTER THEMSELVES i Take Cause Before People, Connecticut Instructors Are Told. Hartford, Feb. 13.—Urgent appeals to teachers that they should carry their cause actively before the people generally and that they should sup- port the Smith-Towner bill now be- fore congress, specifically were made fore the general meeting Connecticut State Teachers’ tion at the Hartford High school. Stanley H. Holmes, of New Britain, president of the association presided. The attendance taxed the capacity of the hall. “We are facing such a serious sit- uation educationally,” said President Holmes in his brief introductory ad- | dress, “that it has seemed proper to offer a program _entirely different | from the usual. Our schools are suf- fering from a lack of a sufficient num- ber of competent teachers. “Educational opportunity is not as it should be, equal for all. The sit- | uation of the teacher must be made more satisfactory to the good of’ali more attractive to the téacl It gone by when we should sit and wait leaving it to the public to do what needs to be done as we have in the p: The time to begin in Connecticut is here and now. And I have great hopes that such action will be taken herc as will lead to the Instit on of an active campaign for the betterment of educational condi- tions throughout this state.” May Be Possibie To Tow Steamer to Port Bridgeport. Feb. 13.—Wrackers who have taken off cargo from the Long Island Sound steamcr Maine which is en & reef at Execution 1 report that the vessel rests in an right position. There is some evi- dence of buckling amidships but with moderate weather chances are good for towing the steamer to port. A barrier of ice prevents divers from examining the hull. The Mai forced on the reef by an ice field ing the blizzard of February 4. of the associa- Lost For 13 Years, Found By Wireless ¥ 3.—Located " rothe mat Cleo Archer, 17 years old, lost for i ears, has been restored to her moth- | 's home here. by consideration | presentea | eration to 1 control under. the new of their dem Hines’ Argument Futile. JMr. Hines was understood suggested to the president th increase in pay were granted tH the roads would seek an in freight rates which would_m creased living costs. 'This & was presented to the union le several occasions by Mr. Hin said at the railroad admin In as much as the unions werd ing strongly for a reduction & costs, officials said there was to believe the president had ‘em this in his answer to the union men. President Locking Well When the railroad men gri president they told him he ing very well. “I have just been shaved,” president. “That helps a bit.” The president, sitting in chair in a corner under the wrapped in a blanket, sheo with the men when Secretary? them. They throughout the confercnce W. overcoats on but their hats hands. The presidqnt pressed put their s on beca dampness, but they refused. After reading his statemd president asked them to give s suggestion promised to da so The brotherhood men would what the proposal was, Time! acting president of-the brothe| firemen and er an that they would no sf today. The ¥ issue Meantime ether th titute n ke House was exp in no i pr Lad for an increase in £ 2 continuatiol hizh cost ‘of sed the worke their demands returned to *h 1. Up to Men. B Jewell, president of way department of the Federation of Labor, anne the president’s proposal W sub the tight wheth lay pres railroads wi vate owners M | to be “put up to the men’ ! announcement could be union representatives. E Besides Mr. Jewell and E. J. Manion, president of of Telegraph Operators, \w at the conference. Ths the reprosentatives on tico of the White statement which after a stu wago negotiations by Director-Gen ted he pre: ral