New Britain Herald Newspaper, February 25, 1921, Page 1

News of the World By Associated Press NEW BRITAIN HERALD '@ TABLISHED 1870. NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1921. YDICIARY COMMITTEE GIVES “DECISION IN FAVOR OF PAY ]NCREASE FORB ERLIN COUR r Former Food Administrator Will gislators Have Brief And Business-Like eeting—Creedon And Elsner, Hartford Judges @ ST FRIDAY SESSION FOR SOME TIME nittee Reports Adverse-] ly On Measure to Require Individual Cughs for Drink- ing Purposes. Hartford, Feb, 26.—Brief and bus- ss-llke was the session of the gen- 1 asspmbly today. This was the last [day session for some time. The at- pdance in both branches was falr. I'he senate adopted a resolution ap- ting George L. King deputy e at Meriden, and tho house ted one appointing Thomas P. ne judge In the same court, the lution " in behalf of Willlam ller being withdrawn in the lat- hody. t der Creedon and Solomon were chosen judges at Hart- d by the menate resolutions which pn went to the house, Friday Sessbons lesas there should be a pressure business neither branch will sit in on & Friday until near thé end the session. Hearings will not be igned for Fridays either. Only cities and boroughs and judiciary nmitiees held hearings today. The named had before it several rélating to meter charges by gas electric companies. bill reported in provides that an act takes effect upon its age the secretary of stato shall d a typewritten copy of the cach town clerk. Committee Reports \ ¥ senate, eomniittoes made ; o which included these: ‘ itles and boroughs: favorable on' dment to Memiden charter con,' ng biennial . election of olty ors @ftor December next. ! nsurance: providing for pertodical my jon at least ovefy four years h 'alte of insurance companies rporated Uin this state; extending time for organizing the Rossia ualty Company ‘and the Life and tee Company of Hartford; nding the charter of tho Travel- Insurance Company allowing it to capital stock to $25,000,000; amending the charter of the velers Indemnity Company allow- it to incremse capital stock to 000,000, Berlin Court Decision he judiclary committee’ put In rable reports on bills to increase salaries of the Jjudge, deputy and prosecutor In the Green- borough court; incrensing salar- in the Enfleld court; the Berlin and the city and police court in iden, After Delinquent Judges. nother bill will give right to bring mptory mandamus proceedings st a delinquent judge of probate Ignores the rulings of the tax missioner as to reports from his Another would make it possi- to have a mortgage discharged Seventeen years in which it is 6 principal and interest havo 1 but discharge neglected. | Other Bills, I il another bill reported will aid elleving court dockets of trial % by permitting state referees to A caso pending In superior court stipulation agreed to by all par- in the action. verse reports were on bills to ire the attorney general to pro- against any person or corpora- who would cause pollution of the jatuck river: to drive bootblacks hat and clothing cleaners out of r 8hops as a sanitary measurc; | equire manufacturing companies pply individual cups for drink- ' rposes instead of having a com- drinking cup; and to establish nary hospit for isolation of of glanders and farcy senate adopted from its cal-. bills increasing the salary of warden of Wallingford borough 4004 allowing Wallingford bor- %o losue thirty-year refunding Upsto five per cent. of its grand ng the name of the First ,_"- 1 soclety in Middletown ! Church of Christ: mak- ble to enter peremptory proceedings \by the tax mer against judges of pro- disregard the tax law the gharter of the Central o it da 1 wh SIGNAL WAS LIGHTED PASSENGER SAYS Bridgeport Crew in Shelton Wreck Had Done Duty, Mailman Testifies. Bridgeport, Conn., Feb. 25.—Fur- ther evidence that the crew of the Bridgeport car, northbound, turned the light at Cook's Switch as they entered the block Tuesday, just prior to the collision in which eight lives were lost and many per- sons injured, was introduced at to- day's hearing before Coroner John J. Phelan and public utilitles com- mission engineers. Burton G. Canfield of this city, letter carrier, who was a passenger | on the northbound car, said: *“I am positive #bout the motorman our car approaching the signal box and lighting the light. I saw the light go on with my own eyes. There is no question in my mind about that fact. Just where the conductor was when he turned on the light I wouldn’'t swear to. I do remember the conductor giving two bells to go ahead after the light had been | lighted. “I was looking out of the car win- dow towarg the river a' few minutes later when I heard some one say: ‘What's this?" Then a shout ‘Look out! At that I looked toward the front of the car. I saw the other car just a few feet away coming to- ward us. Then came the crash. After the crash came the flames. It all happened so suddenly it is hard to remember any further details.” This morning’s session was given up for the most part to trying to establish the exact time which elapsed after the sbuthbound car, Derby to Bridgeport, left the South Shelton switch, until the light at the switch was discovered out by the crew of the snowploy standing near the switch, and to get at the facts’ relative to the numerous reports and telephone messages between crews and dispatchers in the Derby and Briageport divisions. All the early morning testimony was corroborative or explamatory of that given by witnesses yesterday. In the course of the hearing it was brought out that the watch used by the Shelton dispatcher in keep- ing his records of advancements of cars generally ran slow about a min- ute a day, making it necessary to re- set the watch every morning. The charred body of the eighth vic- tim of the trolley collision and fire in Shelton on Tuesday was identified today as Willlam Waldron, 57, of Sey. mour. The other seven dead in the wreck had previously been identified. Waldron’s body was identified by his son, Chester Waldron, who came to the morgue here and established iden- tity by examining the teeth of the dead man. The son also obtained from Chief of Police Donovan . of Shelton a watch and khnife which had been found at the scene of the collis- fon. He was able to describe the arti- cles as oneg he had given his father the day before the accident. Under cross examination by E. I | Rydd, chief engineer for the public | utilities commission, Mr. Canfleld said | that from his personal knowledge the | signal system on the Derby line was practically the same sixteen years ago as now. § George Mills of Stratford, conduct- or of the northbound car, was the next witness. He told the coroner he call-, ed the dispatcher three times belwccnl Bridgeport and Cook's switch, as in- structed by Inspector Baker before leaving Bridgeport at 12.20 o'clock. | At Cook's Switch, Mills said, there ! was no light against his car and when the key was turned in the signal box a light appeared which would give him the right of way to South Shelton. FIRE! FIRE! WATER! City Hall Drenching Today After Two Fires In & Weok Makes Tenants Wonder What Comes Next. City Hall received its baptism of water early this morning after being twice baptized in fire in less than a week when one of the water pipes on the third floor burst and sent a flow of water down through two floors. Strangely, the break was in a direct line, though three floors higher, with the spot where firés have broken out on signal a of yesterday and Tuesday morning, and ) a part of the water soaked through | the ceilings to the heap of scorched HARDING SAYS HOOVER ACCEPTS Be Secretarty of Commerce IMPORTANT CABINET POST President-Elect Finds With Himself In “Perfect Accord”” Ideas of Appointee As to Conduct of That Department, He States. St. Augustine, Fla., Feb. 25.—Pres- ident-elect Harding's selection of Herbert Hoover to be secretary of commerce in the coming administra< tion finally was confirmed by Mr. Harding today after a series of de- velopments that at one time seemed likely to lead to cancellation of the appointment. Mr. Harding announced that he had found himself in ‘‘perfect with the policies urged by Mr. Hoov- er as a condition of his entering the ' cabinet and that the entire incident had been closed with a definite ac- ceptance from ministrator. At the same time the president- elect virtually confirmed also the se- lection of Henry Wallace of Iowa, to be secretary of agriculture. The se- lection of Mr. viously Mr. discuss it. Mr. Harding broke his silence re- garding . Mr. Hoover after efforts had been made without re- sult to confirm the statement issued by the former food commissioner in New York last night. No formal statement was issued here, Mr. Hard- ing simply saying that the whole Harding had declined to | question had been closed satisfactor- | ily. In Accord With Hoover. Asked about the condition laid down by Mr. Hoover, which includ- ed indorsement by Mr. Harding of a definite policy for re-organizing the commerce department, the president- elect replied: “We are in perfect accord about accord’$ | the formetr food ad- | Wallace has been well | known for some time although pre- | | { | i | repeated | ! mer New Yorkton, Sask., Feb. 25.—A dog which accompanied Manuel Ries when he wandered from his farm home here ten days ago, returned today with a note tied around his neck asking that the young man’'s parents have funeral services conducted for him by the minister of the German Baptist church. Sus- pecting suicide, police at once organized parties to search for the body. MRS. K. HOFFMAN BURNED TO DEATH Former Iocal Woman Loses Life In Accident at Hartford Home. News of the death of Mrs. Kenneth J. Hoffman, which occurred in Hart- | ford yesterday afternoon, after she had sustained severe burns from a gas range, was received with much grief among her friends in this city, where she had lived practically all of her life. Mrs. Hoffman was in the kitchen of the new home of the for- Britain couple at 33 Mag- nolia street, Hartfoca, when she re- ceived her fatal burns. ‘became ignited when she reached over the gas stove to take something from a shelf. Her screams attracted the attention of neighbors who ex- tinguished the blaze and ;she was rushed to the Hartford hospital, where death occurred a short time later. Mrs. Hoffman was Miss Gertrude Buol, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. Buol, of 19 Forest street. She mar- ried Kenneth Hoffman several years ago and two infant daughters, Jan- nette and Martha. are left in thé fam- ily. She would have been 30 years old next March 21. The deceased was born in Dubuque, Iowa, but the fam- ily moved to this city when she was quite young and she attended the lo- cal schools. She was valedictorian i of her class in high scnool, graduat- { uated from the Normal ing in 1910. Two years later she grad- school in | South Manchester and for a time aft- | what the departmemt ought to be' made. I wouldn't want Mr. Hoover or any secretary to take a depart- ment unless he intended to do things with it," . of the ordinary about the case cept the publicity given it. BEvery other prospective cabinet appointee, er that taught school here. She leaves, besides her husband, parents and daughters, two sisters, Mrs. Haz- | en Hinman, of Hamilton street, and Mrs. Logan Page, of this city, and a brother, Robert, who is a medical student at the University of Michigan. Mrs. Hoffman was a member of the local Congregational church and had recently received a letter to transfer to Hartford. The funeral will be held | at 2:30 tomorrow afternoon from the | home of her parents, where she and Hée added that he saw nothing out ’ ex- | her hushand formerly < made . their home.. Rev. H. W. Maier will offici- | ate and interment will be in Fairview heé said, had discussed with him the | matter of permanent department pol- icies. Asked About Stipulations. ‘“Has any other laid down stipula- tions as Mr. Hoover has?” he was asked. “I don't like the form of your ques- tion,” was the reply., “I wouldn’t call them stipulations.” In the course of his comment Mr. Harding also expressed surprise that Mr. Hoover had made a statement on the subject in New York last night. The president-elect said he had in- T0 BQUIP NACHINE GUNNERS Mecting Will Be Held This Evening at Armory for That Purpose—Non- Com Officers Picked. Measurements for equipment and uniforms will be taken this evening ‘at a meeting of the newly organized tended to announce the appointment ° today but that his prospective secre- tary had acted entirely within privileges in taking the initiative. The reference to Mr. Wallace's ap- pointment came in reply to a chance question relative to an " article the Iowa editor recently published on pol- icies he might pursue as secretary of agriculture. “Unless there shall be some wun- looked for development,” was Mr. Harding’s only comment, “I have strong suspicion that Mr. be serving in that capacity.” No News From Hoover. New York, Feb. 25.—Herbert Hoov- er today declined to amplify his statement of last night that he had accepted President-elect Harding's appointment as the new secretary of commerce. George Barr Baker, his assistant, ' million dollars was voted today in announcing that his chief had be- | the senate to defray gun a hard ““14-hour day,” said: ““The matter now is in the hands of official Washington. It would prob- ably be inappropriate for Mr. Hoover as a subordinate to talk on the prob- lems that beset the administration or those he will be obliged to meet when he takes his post.’” THINGS AREN'T RIGHT Poor Mrs. Lowd of Iondonderry, N. H, }i-n Buttons Jump Out of Her Workbasket. Londonderry, N. H., Feb. 25.—A representative of the Pyschic Re- search Library of Boston and First Selectman Edward E. Kent started independent investigations today of mysterious happenings reported at the home of Mrs. Sedley Lowd. Ac- cording to Mrs. Lowd and others, | department today rece(ved' a check | hairs and heavier pieces of furniture | for $50 from Philip Corbin, to buttons | donated to the Firemen's [P¢asion perform sudden gyrations, jake flight from a work baske his * 1 a Vallace will | machine gun company and a sergeant | and corporal will be named. An en- tertainment will follow the meeting. The unit has been federalized and commissioned officers were announced last week. In addition, the following non-coms have been named: First duty sergeant, Albin Backiel; ser- geants, Pizer and Slater; corporals, Kalish and Suess. An effort is being made to enlist 12 more men to bring the company up to required strength, which is 42 men. Of that number, two must be cooks and two buglers. SENATE YOTES MONEY One-half Million Dollars Appropriat- ed for the Transportation of Grain to China. 25.—One-half a by the costs of moving across the Pacific grain do- nated by American farmers for the famine sufferers of China. Senator Kenyon, in offering the bill, said “this act is not only one of great humanity but one of good diplomacy.” Under the bill the navy or the ship- ping board is to furnish the vessels required. It is the plan to use idle merchant craft and to man them with naval reservists - ‘Washington, Feb. LOCAL MAN HONORED. Henry N. Wheeler of this city, a! student at Rensselaer Polytechnic In- stitute, at Troy, N. Y., has been elected vice-president of the Life Officers of the class of 1921. He is the editor-in- chief of the college publication known as the Polytechnic, and is the holder of a Ricketts' medal in the Life Saving corps. CORBIN DONATES $50. Chief William J. Noble of the fire be Her clothing | SALISBURY AND HIS PARTNER GET 4 YRS.! < | Heads of War Risk Insurance Grait Get Eleven Indictments ; LOCAL MEN ARE INVOLVED i No Word Has Been Heard From ' O’Keefe | ! ! ? | | i and Young, Who Mixed Up In the Sam,e Case—Were ; In Washington. i ; N | Washington, Feb. 25.—Four-year sentences were imposed today in.the ; district supreme court on William F. | ' Salisbury, Jr., of Buffalo, and David { W. Griswold of South Hold, N. Y., former claim examiners of the war risk insurance bureau, who pleaded guilty to have defrauded wounded world war veterans out of several | thousand dollars. They were indict- ;ed on eleven counts of having ob- tained money for advancement of claims before the bureau and pleaded guiity on two counts, receiving the maximum sentence. Local Interest. Local interest has been attracted | to the case of the above men through the connection of two - local men, | Lawyer Danicl E. O'Keefe and Aloysius Young, with the affair. Both O’Keefe and Young have been under bonds for some time, and the disposi- tion of their cases is being eagerly watched. Lawyer O'Keefe was engaged in practice here, and at the outbreak of the World war, he enlisted in one of the local companies. While over- seas he met with an accident which for a time threatened the loss of one of his eyes. Treatment in this coun- try saved the sight. and after he was ustered out of service, he again took up his profession in the Stanley building. It was in his office last fall that secret service. men made the ar- rest. Young up to the time he fell into the meshes of the law, held a posi- | tion at the Stanley Rule and Level company. He has not been seen of late much in public. The local men were chums for many years. LABOR VS. OBREGON President of Mexican Republic Exer- cising Stern Hand In R. R. Strike— Will Not Recognize Demands. Mexico City, Feb. 35.—Full prep- arations have been made to meet any situation resulting from the strike of railroad workers, President Obregon told a joint committee from the chamber of deputies and the strikers last night. He reiterated the govern- ment’s refusal to recognize the unions | as they are at present constituted, and said full protection would be af- forded volunteer workmen and rajl- road property. The situation created by the gov- ernment’'s firm stand indicates the imminence of the first real test of | strength between General Obregon | and organized labor. BONUS BILL UP TODAY —_— Legislation Passed by Hous. Last May is Taken Before Finance Com- ; l mittee Today for Action. Washington, Feb. 25.—The long delayed bonus bill, passed by the house last May, was before the senate finance committee today with leaders planning to report it late today after eliminating the provisions for special taxes. It was the plan to let the tax ques- tion go over until the next session. The five-fold optional plan of the house bill was to be retained. This ncluded the imediate cash bonus for length of service, service certifi- cates payable in the future, voca- tional training, loans for farm or home purchases and land settlement. “HOME BREW” SEIZED Federal Agents Bridgeport Bottllng Works—7 Cases Seized. Stamford, Conn., Feb. 25.—Seventy cases of *“home brew” were selz(;d at the store cf the Standard Bottling Works here by federal agents last night. Aquantity of malt and hops also was taken and Samuel Vochss, head of the concern, was arrested and held for the United States com- missioner. Can’t Send Inaugyral ' Address By Radiophone ‘Washington, Feb. 25.—The plan to have President-elect Harding’s in- augural address broadcasted g th Swoop Down on ¢ isting wagé scale, the owners believe, | PRESENT NAVAL PLAN * ! roll of the Western Union from L. E. —TWENTY-TWO PAGES PRICE’ SEAMEN’S STRIKE i POSSIBLE MAY 1ST| 1 Sailors on American Ships May Protest Against Eliminating Expenses, Says | Admiral Benson. New York, Feb. 25.—Possibility of a nation-wide strike May 1 of officers and | seamen on American ships, upon ex- | piration of existing working agreements | between owners and deep sea unions, | loomed up here today. The American Steamship Owners’ as- sociation, which represents virtually | all American-owned tonnage, advised ; Rear Admiral Benson, chairman of the shipping board, that it was ‘‘adverse to entering into a general conference | with the unions at this time.’’ Admiral Benson, ship owners were advised, had | been requested by the unions to call such a conference to consider agree- ments fo rthe coming fiscal year. i Ship owners, according to one of the | association members, wish to eliminate some of the expense which they claim is making successful competition with foreign flag vessels impossible. The ex- is too high and the provisions for over- | time pay is seriously objectionable. | FAVORED BY HARDIN President-Elect Tells Senate Leaders He is in Accord With Program. { Washington, Feb, 25.—(By the As- | sociated Press)—President-elect Harding sent word today to senate | republican leaders that he esired | adequate appropriations for the navy | and favored .continuing the present | building program without material | reductions. i ‘With this definite statement of whag was regarded as the new adminis- tration’s naval policy, senate republi- can leaders declared they would in- sist upon the senate increases over the house totals in the naval appro- priations bill, evep at the risk of de- | feating the bill at this session. Mr. Harding’s views were given in response to inquiries regarding the ! reduced appropriations made by tho| house. The president-eloct replied ! that he was in complete sym- pathy with the action of the senate naval committee yesterday. in in- creasing the house totals, | The presidenteeléct; it was said, did not indicate his position with reference to Senator Borah's dis- armament proposal. Some senate leaders said, howeyer, they felt ‘as- sured that he would favor disarma- ment provided a generzl agreement could be obtained. Leaders expressed doubt whether the house would 'yield to the senate | increases. proposed in the naval bill and sald it might be that the bill would not be passed before March 4. ! | THIEVES GET JEWELRY | $20,000 Worth Carried From Ratkoff | Brothers of N. Y.—Get Loot Be- | low Famous “Dead Line.” New York, Feb. 25.—Two well- | dressed men today entered the jew- | elry shop of Ratkoff Brothers and ' company, on tke ninth floor of a broadway office building near Ciuwy | hall, below the famous ‘“dead line for crooks,” knocked Joseph Maior- | ana, a member of the firm, ) scious with the butt of a { uncon- revolver jand escaped with $20,000 worth of | jewelry. The bandits escaped by running down the nine flights of stairs. Al- though adjoining offices were tenant- ed, none was aware of the thef until | a woman customer entered the Rat- koff shop, found Maiorana uncon- scious and fled to the corridors, | screaming. i’ost Office Ap;rogp;iatiofl Passed By Senate Today ‘Washington, Feb. 25.-—Agreeing to all house amendments, the senate completed today passage of the an- nual post office appropriation bill and | sent it to the president. It carries | approximately $507,000,000, including $1,260,000 for trans-continental air mail service. l $10,000 Payroll Taken By Automobile Bandits Chicago, Feb. 25.—Four automobile bandits today seized a $10,000 pay- Plomgren, cashier of the concern, in front of the offices of the union on the West Side. Plomgren fired four shots after the fleeing robbers but without effect. Y DYNAMITE i\ . quiry RioTS INH OVER £0 Causes Troub CONSULATE IS Angry Mob Causes .Territory of Repul Near Cota—Anotl History. ; Panama, Feb., Costa Rican demon in this city last nigh culmination in an f Costa Rican consuldt arms was torn fromiy consulate and was feet of the crowd. -, ‘The . demonstrations'. the evening and a sk cheering ‘crowd appean tional palace and call Porras for a speech. made a patriotic “‘loyal Panamans' ' elves today for the tary forces in case be necessary. (R Late in the evenin office made public tel reports that Coto, &' Pacific end of the Pa frontier, had been o Rican forces. Unlecs charp devg the conflict of Pan: over the disputed ter state department W visive move, it was the department. Secrethry Col“y hi suggestion of tha. that, the Tnited Stal bhecausc of the pen ministrations the oml} plated is to set on fo the facts. KISH L8 London, Feb. 25. egations to the Near here accepted today | bitration of the su between Turkey an termining the status) Thrace. When the confes this morning the tives made this stated they were suggestion of the & that a commission pointed to verify th population. 3 They gave notice reply this afternoond points at issue conc3g Premier Kalogero: appeared before th expressed surprise should suggest a o and o cessati which was one of # the offer. He said it of the greatest difficuli government o Arr: army in its advance. would telegraph the | Athens and submit the allies. ® BOILER CAUSE Low Water Was th Switch Engine | Fegling Against, | Men, Investiguions § Jersey City., Feb. of the plosion W Lehigh Vulley Railre here last night, killin of its crew, cxpress that low water in th to dynamite thrown 1 The Lehigh Valley § official statement, - “was due entirely the engine's boiler, was placed upon “th crew to watch .the The engineer in had been in the and “his record was.