New Britain Herald Newspaper, January 24, 1921, Page 1

CSTABLISHED 1870. NEW BR:TAIN CONNECTICU'I MONDAY, JANUARY 24, .25 PERSONS KILLED AND 50 INJURED WHEN TANK CAR OF Flying Sparks From Chisel Of Workman Engaged In Calking Steel Tanker Causes Explosion WENTY HOUSES ARE BLOWN TO SPLINTERS indows in All Buildings Within Radius of 15 Blocks Are Shattered— Fire is Checked Before ~Spreading Far. Memphis, Tenn., Jan. 24,—Police tfimates placed the dead at 25 and pjured at 50 as a result of the ex- losion 'here today of a tank car of aline. A row of dwellings, most of m occupied by negroes, were med. A number of Inmates are ing. Spark Causes Explosion A fiylng spark from the chisel of a orkman caulking the car is supposed caused the explosion which ’d in the center of a densely ted part of the city and a short nce from a gus plant endangered the fire. 20 Houses Destroyed nty nearby frame houses were rally splintered by the force of the jplosion and set afire while windows n a radius of 15 blocks were pken. Two er three negro workmen ing the car were killed while the escaped without injury. fire was checked before it boyond the dwellings in the iate vicinity of the blast. 7 ‘Bodies Badly Mangiled. bodies, torn almost beyond rec- jon, were removed within a few putes and every wmbulance In the summoned to remove the in- to hospitals. A number of the rsons given treatynent were ser- hurt. hie the police estimate the dead bout 25, the toll of fataliti it s'\'ed several hours after the ex- on, may be larger when a com- ck s made of the occupants 'nmnln and the ruins are ex- first bodies found were of four women and a baby. They were i & ahort distance of their home, or bodles were scattered over a he of a block or more. ually no trace of the tank car left. HACOMBER PROMOTED nmnn Trust Company Direct- [after February 1, Eilcet Popular Banker as Treas- Other Officers Named Today. derick W. Macomber, for the 2 years connected with the New Trust company, received a honor today when the direct- the bank elected him to be r. It 48 'a position he has filling with the bank since last when R. R. Healey resigned to the United States Bank at prd. Treasurer Macomber came 12 years ago to the New W ommans o Vi fome National Bank, of e, Mass. His first position was f bookkeeper. He was later ving and paying teller, and his place of responsibility he rther advanced to assistant or ¥ officers elected today by the rs of the bank are as follows: t, Willlam E. Attwood; vice- Int and secretary, Frank G. s; assistant treasurer, Charles ; trust officers, Frank G. Vib- Harry H. Howard. DRIES WORKING AGAIN Metallic Co., War- ros. and Locomotive OCo., port Resume Operations on-Union pport, Jan. 24.—Work was re- t the Remington Arms-Union rtridge Co. plant today, shut down since Decem- About 3,500 reported for morning. The plant will be three days a week and the will receive a 15 per cent. ule of hours and wages ACCOUNTANT BACKS UP ABADIE"S CLAIM| Says His Clerk Found Schwab’s | Youcher for $260,000 GOYT. TO PAY $100,000 ey Witness Says Paper Was No. 699 and $100,000 Was to be Charged to Ship Con- truction. Note Specified that the New York, Jan. 24.—Perley Morse, whose accounting firm audited the books of the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Co., today appeared before the Walsh committee investigating affairs of the U. 8. Shipping Board and corroborated testimony of Col. E, H. Abadie, for- mer general comptroller, concerning discovery of a voucher for $260.0090 alleged to cover personal expenses of Charles M. Schwab for October, 1918. Another Voucher Found Mr. Morse said he told Col. Abadic, under whose direction the audit was carried out, of the discovery of the voucher by one of the accountants and of the existence of other vouchers. One of these, was for $18,000 paid to Paul D. Cravath, attorney for the Bethlehem Co., and was charged to overhead, he said. Did Not Sce Paper While Morse seaid he has not seen the voucher, is was reported to him by one of his men and he mentioned it to Col. Abadie after the audit had been called off by Chairman Payne. The information given by his ac- countant, he declared was that the voucher was in the office of the Bethlehem Corp. and on their books on February 18, 1918, The voucher, he told the committee, was entered in the trial balance which his auditors made under the heading of “administration and ex- pense In general.” He said the number of the youcher was 699. A memorandum was at- tached showing that $100.000 was to be charged to ship construction, he said. Ttem Was Disallowed The matter was called to the at- tention of one of the Bethlehem em- ployes by one of his accountants, and the shipbuilding employe, he said, told his auditor that the item already had been disallowed. Mr, Morse explained that when the audit was resumell his firm had the auditing of only the material and la- bor acounts. He had no knowledge of how the item was handled on the booke of the shipbuilding corporation after his work was interrupted, he said. Friendliness Ended. Declaring he knew nothing of what took place on the Bethlehem books 1920, Mr. Morse said his relations with the Bethlehem people had extended o\cr two or three years and were ‘‘very pleasant |nnm after the finding of this vouch- ler.” Previous to making an audit of |the Bethlehem books for the Shipping | Board Mr. Morse declared he had 'audited them for the Standard Oil Co. and the Luckenbach Steamship Co. in connection with .the construc- tion of ships for these two corpora- tions. What the object of these audits was, the witness declared he did not know but explair that both concerns paid him and that before undertaking sim- ilar work for the Shipping Board, he got permission from both companies as matter of ‘“professional ethics.” Audit Is Expensive. The audit of the Shipping books still continues, he said, and has al- ready cost the board nearly $400,- 000. The board pavs for between 70 and 80 men at this work at scales varying from $60 a day for super- intendents to $20 for junior ac- countants, he explained. a GOVERNOR LAKE INVITED Eddy-Glover Post American Legion, Asks Governor to be Present at Ball Feb, 11, Commander Harry C. Jackson of the Eddy-Glover Post, American Le- gion, announced today that he had forwarded an invitation to Governor Everett J. Lake and his staff to attend the ball to be held at the state armory in his city February 11. Invitations have also been sent to Lieutenant Governor Templeton, General Cole, Lieutenant Colonel Howard, Past Commande b IbiR TF ORD A VEIVUE SAL OOIVMAIV FINED $150 FOR SELLING TONIC AS DRINK GAS BLOWS UP AT MEMPHIS | First Prosecution Here on This Charge When Police Raid Tutko’s Place—Gamblers the sale of alcoholic tonics, came be- fore the local court this morn when John Tutko was tried on that charge. His place, formerly the Volz saloon at the corner of ‘Hartford ave- nue and North strect, was raided Sat- urday and a bottle of Pela Tonic, the alcoholic content of which was 25 per cent. was seized. The accused admit- ted having scld drinks from the bottle for 15 cents. Judge John H. Kirk- | ham found the accused guilty and im- posed a fine of $150 and costs. Judg- ment was suspended on a reputation charge. \ Policemen William J. McCarthy and TWO FATAL SHOOTINGS IN NEW CRIME WAVE' New Yorker Killed Ry Gang- | sters—Storekeeper Kills Burglar. New York, Jan. 24— A revolver duel in which one man was killed and the shooting to death of a burglar were the latest additions to the renewed outbreak of crime in New York carly today. Dominick Ponti, aged 7 walked into the Oak street police station with three bullet wounds in his back and said he had been shot by one of three men with whom he quarrelled two weeks ago over ten barrels of wine. He died soon after- ward. The men, Ponti told the police came upon him unexpectedly and one of them opened fire. Ponti fired three times but his bullets evidently did not reach their marks. Two men have been arrested bu the police say the man who fired the shots has dis- appeared. Paul Laudman, a Jamaica store- keeper, aroused from his sleep by the sound of hreaking glass, saw two men attempting to enter his store. He commanded them to put up their hand but when they approached him, he fired three shots, two of which struck and killed an unidentified man. His companion escaped. In the clothing of the dead man was found an American Legion mem- bership card made out to Joseph U, Smith ot Yorkville Pést. - There was ¢ilso fcund in his pockets six cen's and a pnw_n ticket made out 1o C. HINE RESIGNS Secretary at Traut and Hine's Man- | | | ufacturing Company Plans to Re- | tire From Active Business, Henry C. Hine, for over 30 years prominently identified with the Tmnt] and Hine Manufacturing, company, resigned as Secretary of the company | last Saturday. . Mr.\#Hine's; decision L-‘ based on his intention to retire from active business. He retains his place | on the directorate of the company. Succeeding Mr. Hine as secretary, is Frank L. Traut, a son of the late Justus A Traut, one of the founders of the company. Mr. Traut has been for several years, vice-president of the company. Ernest N. Humphrey has been clevated to the vice-presi- dency of the company, and A. C Sternberg, of West Hartford, was named assistant treasurer. The an- nual meeting of the company will be | held on February 8. IS AWARDED D. §. C. Harry Licbeskind of Waterbury, 102nd | Regiment Veteran, Receives Coveted Decomation at Hands of Col. Alloe. ‘Waterbury, Jan. 24.—The mayor's office in the City hall was the scene of an interesting ceremony this morning. The distinguished scrvice cross awarded to First Class Private Harry Liebes- kind of this city, a veteran of the 102nd | infantry, was pinned on the ex- soldier’s breast by Lieut. Col. Alfred" Alloe of the United States army, sta- tioned at Springfield, Mass. Col Alloe extended congratulations on behalf of the war department and addresses were given by Mayor Sandland and Lieut. James Hurley, president of the local Yankee Division ociation. Liebeskind served in the medical detachment attached to the 102nd and an act of bravery for which he wx cited was pofformed at Bois de Ffiuro\ north of Verdun, in 1918. | | 1 Kills Self By Shooting | New York Society v Man New York, .Jan. 24.—Max Everhart Smith, 72 years old and socially prominent, committed suicide by shoo:- | night « Workouts Will Begin Next '"roole of Macon, Ga., Assessed—Other Cases. A. Walenczius had received numerous reports of liquor sales in that cafe during the past six weeks, they testi- fied- Tutko had come into possession of the premises in the latter part of December, shortly after the former owner had been brought before the local court and fined on a charge of selling booze. The new owner, ac- cording to reports, had not improved | conditions. After the raid was conducted last by the policemen on the beat and Sergeant W. C. Hart (Continued on Third Page) |NATIVE AFRICAN ARMY DEFEATED BY BRITISH] Power of “Mad Mullah” Crushed By 200 Airmen and 11 Airplanes. Washington, - Jan. 24.—Complete destruction of the power of “Mad Mullah.,” native ruler of Somaliland, Africa, and for 34 vears a problem to British authorities, are accomplished within three weeks by less than 200 airmen and 11 fighting planes, accord- ing to an official report on the oper- ation just received here. Bombed out of their strongholds, the natives were pursued and all the leaders ex- cept Mullah captured or killed, the report stated. The air expedition was sent out in 1919 but details were kept secret. The situation was so serious in 1919, the report stated, that some military ac- tion was necessary but the govern- ment hesitated because of the cost estimated at $25,000,000 of dispatch- ing 5,000 troops to re-esetablish order. The air force was called upon and 32 officers and 164 men in addition to the medical detachment set out. An advance party. masquerading as engineers in search of oil wells, land- od and set up a base. Then the ma- chines appeared and for a week Mad Mullah's stronghold in the interior was bombed _.and_shot .up, while the native eame} corps co-operated, hold- ing a lne aboiut the scene. The Mul- lah finally broke through this line, heading south. and the planes pur- sued for two weeks more, bombing and shooting up the fleeing natives, scattering their stock and utterly de- stroying the power of the rebel lead- er. Two casualties in the camel corps were the only British losses. YALE BASEBALL PRACTICE Week— Schedule Will Have 10 Dates, Lonz- est On Record. New Haven, Jan. 24.—Baseball praciice at Yale will begin next week. Coach Lauder announced that no can- didates for the varsity squad wao is deficient . in preliminary . training will be taken south in the Easter recess. The schedule to be announced shortly will be the longest ever pre- pared for Yale. It will have 40 dates. Word has been received from Mayor that Yale’s' ver- manent training field is now well de- veloped. The grandstand and bleach- eors are going up and will be ready by March 21. The city will welcome the Yale team upon its arrival. AUTO GOES | GOES INTO RIVER Six Persons Believed Drowned When Machine Plunges Into Waters of Chicago River. Chicago, Jan. 24.—A big black automobile which is believed to have held six persons when it plunged into the south branch of the Chicago river Saturday night was sought by police equipped with grappling hooks to- day. Thomas Hanlon, watchman for an engineering company nearby, told the police he watched the automobile traveling at high speed when it swerved off 22d stre& and porting it for 24 hours because of fatigue. Hanlon said there were at least six persons in the car when it passed. ‘' Two Boys Shot After Cork Curfew is Rung| Cork, Jan. 24—Two boys Mounded, one of whom later died, when troops enforcing the curfew ordinance fired at some persons in the vicinity of Shandon street last eve. ning, presumab g were and Patrol- | plunged | into 18 feet of water, but delayed re- | 1921. —TWELVE PAGES ALLIED ENVOYS IN IMPORTANT MEETING {Assemble at Paris to Discuss Reparations and Disarmament NOTHING IMPORTANT TODAY | Appeals from Austria Will Also Be ! Heard, As Will Proposition to Alter the Treaty with Turkey—Greece Another Problem Paris, Jan. 24.—Representatives of : | Great Britain, France, Italy, and Japan gathered here today for a conference which seemed second . in importance only to that preceding the signing of the treaty of Versailles. The principal figures of the megting were David Lloyd George, British who last week assumed the post of | republic. In importance the questions to be settled ranked as follows: Questions to Be Settled. Reparations, disarmament of Ger- many, enforcement or alteration of the treaty with Turkey, relief for Aus- tria, and policies to be pursued in dealing with Russia. All of them were questions on which the differ- | ent participant nations were more or | less divideq and the settlement ut’ which was viewed with great concern. Arrangements for the first session this morning contemplated d,scussion of German disarmament by Allied mil- itary experts, who are understood to} have agreed on a solution which would grant a short period of grace to Germany in which to executthe en- gagements she made at the Spa con- | ference. Reparations Coming Up. i This business onpe out of the wny! the conference : be. free to de- | vote 4ll its €imé to the question of ! reparations, which evidently was the ! most important to come before the| meeting and upon which much de- | pended. The situation that ‘arose in Greece following the return of nstantine to Athens also scemed to hove a direct bearing on the conference. It is no secret that France would not resist alteration of the treaty of Sevres, and there has been a rumored desire, on the part of the Allies to ‘deal directly with the Turkish national government at Angora. Appeals From Austria. Appeals from the government of the Austrian republic, reflecting a crit- jcal situation in Vienna were ready to- day for submission to the Allied rep- resentatives. Danger of an absolute governmental collapse in Austria with its sequel of anarchy and Bolshevism, is realized in every Allied capital and some means of granting ossistance to Austria, it is believed must be devised before the conference cloes. The session began at 11 a. m. At 1 p. m. the council adjourned after having devoted nearly all the time of its first. session to hearing Marshal Foch, Field Marshal Sir Henry Hughes Wilson of the British imperial staff, and Gen Nollett,” head of the French military mission in Berlin, on the dis- armament question. WORKING FULL TIME Finishing Company Mills Go Back on Old U. S. /at sterling, Conn., Schedule 'Today. Sterling, Conn., Jan. 24.—Mills 4f the U. S. Finishing Co. at Plainfield, the cotton mills at Ballouville, Atta- | waugan, Pineville and Occum, and many others in Windham county went on full time today. An estimate' is that 90 per cent of the force in all industries in this section now are on fuil time schedules, SUPREME COURT DECISIONS Rules Alien Property Custodian May Seize Securitics Deposited in This Country by German Firms Washington, Jan. 24.—The supreme court today upheld the authority of the alien property custodian to seize securities deposited in this country by the German ipgurance w i to protect policy. T Belgium | Mmen in g! | word that two cars wit { but failed and it got away as no shot prime minister, and Aristide Briand, | nit two tires. president of the council of the French | jumped. { Peter Salomone NEW GRAND LIST WILL’. 70 THAN NINETY MILLION D AN INCREASE OF ABOU Average Jumps In Valuation C Year Is 65 Per Cent, Though A: Declare That These Figures 2 Cent Below Present CAPTURE WHISKEY RUNNERS But With One Carload Caught, Gets a Second Away in Brush Police at Willimantic. Willimantic, Jan. 24.—Whiskey run- ners had a brush with the police early toduy. One car got away but the second one was captured after the | it ‘had fled. The police got h whiskey were on the way from New Haven. One squad waited at North Windham road and there tried to stop the first car fired hit a tire. ‘When the second car did not stop the officers opened fire and The driver turned into went through a set of bars, and The officers found that two tires were flat. There were 20 cases | ey on board. The car was 755 and a 1921 model. AUTOIST IS BLAMED, of Hartford Held Re- a path, sponsible for Decath of Frank Sut- ton in Waterbury Last Month Waterbury, Jan. 24.—Coroner John T. Monzani today filed with the su- perior court his finding on the death of Frank Sutton, a member of the Waterbury fire department. Sutton’s death, which occurred December 14, | 1920, was caused by a fracture of the | skull sustained by reason of being . struck by a car driven by Peter Salo- mone of Hartford, a member of Hatch's orchestra. Sutton had at- tended a firemen’s ball in Naugatuck on the night 6f Novembef 24 and had Market 'Big Thre payers | Protest Term TENEN) Complain 1 Taxes They er l’l'(‘.sc‘ ably Have Is and Talk inz Heard. Provin Irritated p by what the| in their pro; the city’s ne erally swarn ing to regi of assessors, were held i of the hall w freely Pre their grieva Assessment and 'his ass morning. an cards for th the assessme; i those of o the office of hardt of thel packed thro Just alighted from a jitney bus in this H 'l | city when struck by the car driven by Salomme, which was on its way to:. Hartford. The coroner finds that the phce where the accident occurred was pro- perly lighted but that Salomone' did not take proper precautions to insure perfect observation, keeping his wind- | shield closed and his side curtains up. “insuring' his_own personal cemtort rather than the safety” of ° persons crossing _ the street.”” . Coroner Mon- zani ‘holds that the death was caused by reason of the gross and criminal carelessness of Salomone and the lat- ter, who is now at liberty under bonds of $3,000, will be notified of the find- ing and ordered to appear for arraign- ment, in the Waterbury city court. LAKE HAS NEW IDEA Ask Legislature With | ‘Governor Wil to in | Have State Join Others Commission on Commert Hartford, Jan. 24.—Governor Lake is going to ask the legislature to give authority to the State of Connecticut te join with other New England states | in a commission on foreign and do- mestic commerce. Massachusetts has | had such a commission for two years and Governor Holcomb of Connecti- | cut appointed some delegates to con- fer with it but they did not have au- thority officially to represent the state. Jewitt Cltv Boy Falls Throug‘h Ice, is Drowned Jewett City, Conn., Jan. 24.—Paul Swebeck, 10, ran out af school at noon recess today and chased a foot- ball on the thin ice of Slater’'s mill pond close by. He broke through the ice and was drowned. Another boy who went through was rescued. LYCEUM CORPORATION At a recent meeting of the stock- holders of the Lyceum Amusement company, incorporated, new corpora- tion managers were elected. Walenty Lech was named as corporation man- ager and will have complete charge of all business of the company as well as overseeing the coming productions. The following are-officers of the new corporation: Presicent, 3 sky; secretary, Fflnk treasurer, akow- | and, ] {ing that $32,000, b mt 18 ‘accordings city governm system. % “p, 8 Among the of Director Patrick S. John P. Swe all of whom with the New sociation. dent and Mr the organizaty one of the o with Mr. Simj paver signed presented to last, ments be go view to equal nations places eof private After a ses fice, the low shook . the dir gratulated hid the system an cd. Among the cuartet fg parison was (B bank’s figure, approximatels business hou tablishments the assessés Yt The equity comes in thé quired to pa ward the expe as. under the paving but amouaat paid has ne ithe'grand I b teim om Due te th Mayor €y end th the amg any indi Do