Norwich Bulletin Newspaper, November 10, 1917, Page 9

FREIGRT INCREASE BEING OPPDSED Tlifford Thorne, Representing Livestock, Grain and Gil Ship- pers, at Hearing ‘Before the Interstate Commerce Com- mission; Chellenges Comptroller of the Currency Will- jams-to Appear in Support of His Efforts to Have the Washington, Nov. 9. Cliftord Thorne, representing livestock, grain and ofl shippers before the Interstate Commerce Commission in the re-open- ed fifteen per cent. rate case, made public tonight a letter to John Skel ton Williams, comptroller of the cur- reacy, taking issue with a recent statement by the comptroller suppor ing the efforts of the raflroads to ob- tain bigher rates. He challenged as- sertions of the comptrolier and dared bim to appear before the commission and question the accuracy of state- ments of fact offered there in behalt of the shippers cpposing the advamce. The letter follow: Mr. Thorne's Letter. “Dear Sir: I have read with inter- est your statement in support of the raflroads in their present uttempt to increase the freight tex en the Amer- ican people another $50,000,000 an- You have given this state- ment to the newspapers of the coun- try oh the very eve of the trial of the case before the Interstate Com- merce Commission. 1 will not even suggest that you are iending the prestige of your great office to help the railroads stampede the commis- slon, for I know you would aot stoop tc such a base undertaking; and if you did so_ it would be useless, for I have confidence in the courage and tegrity of that great tribunal to be- eve that it cannot be stampeded. If they were mot true the time has ar- rived to abandon the regulation of the railroads in America. “I wonder, perchance. if the idea has ever occurred to you that one de- partment of the government should not try to dictate to another depart- ment of the governntent what is its duty on matters of grave import. Would you welcome a public state- ment from the Interstate Commerce Commission teliing you what you should do on o matter of importance which you were called upen to de- cide? Perhaps the commission is cap- able of deciding this case upon the facts presented to it and not apan newspaper interviews and pronuncia- mentos. “In regerd to the value of our rail- roads as reflected in the market prices on securities vou are quoted a: saying that raiiroad ‘securities have sustained the heaviest shrinkuges and that they have been the leaders in the downward movements of prices’ 1 challenge that statement as- untrue. If you have facts to stbstantiats such a &laim it is your dut yto present them to the Interstate Commerce Commis- sion at once. But vou kfiow that you dare ot attempt to tesfify to such a statement under oath on a witness stand. There is not an iota of evi- has been offered by the railroads or any hireling of the railroads, in this proceeding. The facts are precisely the opposite of what you clpim and we are zoing to prove ii. If you doubt this I invite your attendance at the hearing next Frld%‘ Inter; Lrtwsir s Sake o0 %o auertion § a solitary statement of & be offered on behalf of the national organizations of livestock shippers, grain shippers and the independent oil men of the United States, who are fighting this advance. These orzani- zations have an aggregate member- ship of over a million shippers. They are entitled to a respectful hearing before a tribumal not wubjected to pressure or outside influences. you can substantiate these statements on the witness stand, under cross ex- amination, your statements are not entitled to the confidence either of this commission or of the American people. 3 ‘Representdtive railroad securities as a class have declined in value at a less rate than those of industrial ublic utilities or even bonds of thi Tnited States government. There is & world-wide financial situation that has affected the borrowing power of all men and of all nations. The de- cline in security values is not due to redit inade- : it is due to know that fact to_be true. “This great human catastrophe, that is pardlyzing so mwanv manufacturing and industrial enterprises mot direct- Iy connected with the making of war munitions, has tirely fafled to in- Jjure our railroads, for the record, when completed. will show that the reil- roads during tas past two years, while this great siruggle has been waging, have prospered better than during any other yeir since the steam engine was invented. “You state: If a way cannot be fourd now to reduce the prices of ma- als and the cost of labor to a nor- m:1 basis and this for the present is hopeless, it seems clear on the facts before us that a revision and modifi- QUIT MEAT IF YOUR HIDKEYS AGT BARLY TAKE TABLESPOONFUL OF SALTS IF BACK. HURTS OR BLADDER BOTHERS—DRINK LOTS OF WATER. defice in support of your claim mu‘ ‘We are a nation of meat eaters and our blood is filled with uric acid, sayi a well-known autherity, who “varns us te be constantly on guard against kid- pey trouble. y The kidneys do their utmost to free the blood of thie irritating acid, but become weak from the overwork: théy get slugzish; - the eliminative tissues clog and thus the waste' is retained in the blood to polson the entire syii- tem. 5 ‘When your kidneys ache and f! like lumps of lead, and you ha.e stinging pains in the back or the urine cloud; or the is . full of sediment, biadder is irritable, obliging you to seek relief during the nignt; when you have severe, headaches, nervous and diszy spells, sleeplessness, acid omach or rhéu ¥ in bad weath- cation of the fabric of rates to meet these new conditions has become im- perative. You seem to overlook two Very sailent facts: first, the purpose of the surpius, over one thousand mil- ion dollars, which our railroads have been permitted to accummlate during the past 25 or 30 vears: and second, the enormous increase in traffic du ing the past few vears. “It is true that the cost of labor and of raflroad supplies has gone up; but it is 8lso true that there has been le increase in traffic that over and above ull these added expenses, American railrcads as a whole during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1917, earned net more than in any other year, with only one ex ception in their entire history. “The Interstate Commerce Cummis- sion on June 29, 1917, rendered their decision in the 16 per cent. case. The record showed that the eastern rail- roads a whole lasht year earned over ten and a half per cent. on all thelir capital stock; this was net above all expenses, above all taxes and above all interest on bonds and debt And yet the commission gave thes eastorn carriersc an advance of ap- proximately $100,000,000. Last year was a phenomenal vear and the com. miegion undoubtedly anticipated a de- cline to some extent, especially during the coming winter. You cannot have a ‘peak yeay’ everv year. This never has been and nover Wwill be In any industry on earth. A careful esti- mate of future earnings was made by the commission and the amazing fact has developed sitice that deeision, that ke aetual net earningzs of these east- ern railroads, instead of falling be- low or equalling, have actually ex- ceeded the expectations of the com- mission. This fact will be conclusive. Iy _established in record. n this wild scramble for profiteer- Ing and In the constant placing of ad- ditional tax burdens of all kinds and character, aggregating hnndu? and even thousands of miilions 5f dollars. upon the American peopie, would it not be wise to be sure of your ground before recommending -an additional tax equivalent to five per cent. on an- cther billion dollars to be paid by the shippers of this countrv? “Before reaching conclusions . it would be well for you, as well as oth- er public officials, to learn to wait until you have heard both sides. “Most respectfully vours. “CLIFFORD THORNE. such e re Correspondence from towns in eastern Conmecticut and western Rhode Island which has heretofore been exclusively used on Sa is now being prirted in each of The Bulle Fire' Loss at O'Conmell Horme $2,000— Sunshine Society’s Whist—M J. C. Watts Recovering From Accident. The_blaze at the home of Mr. and Mrs. William O’Connell at Mentville Center broke out Thursday evening about 8 o'clock and was discovered by Mrs. O’Conmell who .was alone, Mr. O’Connell being out of towg. The cause of the fire s no: known, but it is thought to have been started from the explosion of an oil heater. Neigh- bors came to the assistance but little could be done as the fire hed ed great headway. Some furniture was saved. The loss is estimated to be about two thousand dellars. The barns and an out-building were in the op- posite direction from the wind so no fiying sparks went their way This property was bought by Mr. O'Connell a few yvears ago ffom Dwight Kelsey whose hume it was at the time. Hallowe’en Whist. The Hallowe'sn whist ziven by the Good Cheer Sunshine society in Su shine hall was well attended. _The highest scores were made by Mrs. Mar- vin omstock and George .Frit! the consolation award went to Mrs. Grace Maliory. The committee In charge was Miss Laura Wondworth, Mrs. Francis P. Robertton and Mrs. Augus- tus C. Stearns. The regular meeting of the society was held Thursday aft- ernoon at the home of Miss May J. ham. A social time was spent. During the afternoon ns were taken up for the society’s Christmas sale and supper. Mre. Peter Taylor has been enter- talning Mrs. Frank Neff of Springfield, Mass. House Quarantined. A case of diphtheria has been placed ‘Under quarantfne by Health cer M. E. Fox, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis Coman. A few wceks ago one or two cases was discovered in Oak- and were given immediate atten- tion: the school at the Center was closed to; & while and ziven a thorough 2. & :ar—i Goods in Norwich. e household goods of Mrs. Electa €ardner were sent to Ncrvicr): Thurs- aay fnuz storage, Mrs. Ga Son, Roy Gardner leaving t wititer in Newark. X. J. Mrs. J. C. Watts Injured. Mrs. Jesse C. Watts is im after a recent aecident. Mrs. v"v'."z‘fi',"i former resident, now lives in’ Hartford. he was returning home when an auto- moblle driven past skidded, striking ; ‘allin . e g three ribs GALES FERRY -4 Four Join Red Croes Auxilibry— Farmers’ Institute to Be Carried Out Originally Planned—Death of Mrs. Timothy Gilbers. ¥ The Thursday afternoon meeting of the Red Croes was heid at the home of the Misses Mathewson. Making ban- dages was the work of the aft- \ Iner and spend the ernoon. A Four new members kave joined re ;::ntlm !;'.hllgles H. Chapman, H. Win- rop urlbutt, Mrs. Marfe Catl and Mrs. John Harold. sisans Arranging For Farmers’ Institute. At_the monthly business meeting of P mperis toame, Sooses evarias programme fo were with Mre, Ru- 2'ine leaimue b parece) T Pomaen 3 I Home Furnishings - For Thanksgiving ; Create an'atmoaphere of your personality where your Thanksgiving guests will be at home as soon as they enter your door, where th;y will breathe an air of refinement and restfulness that makes your home, the home they love to visit. This will take only a little skillful man~ agerhent on your part. The Lahn Furniture Company has done its part by placing the best find of value in this Thanksgiving Sal . - 1 . .o glvmg o Fumub‘ ings that you will need to brighten up the dining or living room can be had with a small outlay of cash. Furniture is not a matter of cost, but of selection. Let us show you how to combine Dignified Credit Terms. China Cioset In Genuine Quartered Oak Golden and Fumed Oak, bent glass A value beyond com- cut glass sides, door. parison while they last. We Furnish Homes Complete from $145 up. Get .the Habit Go to the Genuine Fumed Oak Adams Period 10-Piece Dining Room Suite $89.50 LAHN'S EASY, DIGNIFIED CREDIT ture in this suite of the best guaranteed quality. { This wonderful suite consizts of a 54-inch Buffet with lazge French plate mirror, 48-inch Round Top Extension Table, Serving Table with large drawer, largs size China Closet and 6 Solid Fumed Oak Chairs. Each and every piece of furni- Home Remember these days good quality, style, service and true economy. Ask about Lahn’s Genuine Quartered Oak BUFFETS Special $24.95 This Buffet is of Cclonial design, 48-inch top with heavy plank top. Your inspection invited. L.ahn Furniture Co. rd Main Street, Norwich, Conn. et schools_of the town of ledyard at Ledyard Center. Coroner Franklin H. Brown of Nor- wich was at his cottage, Red Fern, on ‘Wednesday afternoon. Mrs. Delphine ¥ish returned Monday from & visit of several weeks at the home of her daughter, Mrs. William Brooks, of Hartford, and with her sis- ter, Mrs. Horace Sears of West Ha- ven. . Miss Sarah T. Latimer spent several days in New London. The Ploneer, the cottaze of R. D. Fitzmaurice, of Bost on the Bluffs, is beigz shingled and put in condition. A well attended cottage prayer meet- ing was held at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Charles H. Comstock Wédnes- day evenming. V!(vfe'l Death Follows That of Husband Advices received by Noyes B. Al- Iyn Thursday morning from Rocky HIll informed him of the death of slrs. Timothy Gilbert of that place.. Allyn attended the funéral of her hus- band, but two weeks n1go. They were esteemed friends fc, fifty vears of Mr. Allyn and the late Mrs. Aliyn. Mrs. Mary C. Watrous Jeft Thursda: to visit Mrg, Ambrose Sullivan of Mo- for a week, rs. Latham E. Smith was the guest of Mrs. Lydia Gardner 1x New Lon- don, Thursday. “ Mrs. Charles H. Comstock, accom- nanied Mrs. George H. Babcock to her home in Ledyard, who had been 2 guest of Mrs. Comstock for a week has arrived home, Mrs. Charles P. Pierce and daughter, Miss Mildred Emily Pierce, of Allyns Point, and Charles H. Chapman of the Lester district, with Miss Coca Allyn of Groton, were guests of their rela- tives, Mr. and Mrs. Charies Winchest- er, of Laurel Hill, Norwich, Wednes- day. The same party were guests of Mrs. at her’ home at Alyn's Point, Thursday. Sunday Services. Rev. James M. Potter will Speak in the M. E. eHurch Sunday morning on the Supreme Moment, cn the Life of Martin _Luther, continuing his series on Luther 'in the Reformation. Rev. Mr, Potter will alse conduct the Ep- worth League evening service at seven , Taking Men Wilbur Marriage—Slight Gain in School tion—Turkeéy Grow- ers Expecting 60 Cents for Thank: ving Birds. )\ The Christian Endeavor meeting §‘"‘3‘K evening wi.; led by '.*hn; ‘:ml. ient, Archie ridge. The was e ing will be led b; I('L‘:;Y!l::; even! e Goodenough. T Delegates to Convention. At the close of the morning ice Sunday delegates were chosen at- tend the meeting of the general con- ference 6f Congregational churches o of Connecticut which will be held in Mid- dletown next week. Rev. G. F. Good- th and Henry A. All - fiatod, with Deadon isase . Geer 55 alternate. 3 &5 Wills—Wilbur. ' Rév. G. F. Goodenough on Saturday lage Wi vening united in marr! i Wols ana Nellie I Wilbur, both of ; They will reside In Led- wns a fine herd of Jersey cows, and who has been selling gilt-edge butter in Mystic for several years, has given up the making of buiter and is now retailing his milk in Mystic. Mr. Al- yn thinks there is more made in sell- ing milk than in butter. Attorney F. B. Hinckley of Mystic was a_ business caller at the probate office Monday. The Ledyard Thimble club met with Mrs. D. D. Taylor Tuesday afternoon. This was the first meeting of the club in about two months. Refreshments were served at the close. The next meeting will be held with Mrs. Fannie Ciark. The reguiar meeting 4of the town schc®d committee was held in_the Bill library building Tuesday afternoon. "There were many bills presented and ordered paid. All orie were present. School Enumeration. Samuel E. Holdridge, secretary of the town school committee, has com- pieted tuking the enumeration of chil- dren between the ages of 4 and 16. There are 227, a gain of three over last year. After Bulletin Prize, Local turkey raisers are expecting to receive 60 cents per poumd for their turkeys for the Thanksgiving market. Isaac G. Geer and Charles A. Gray have the largest flocks. P, the members but Billings 7. avery, who has been very fortunate in capturing thefrst Bulletin prize many times in the past, has his eye on i again, and turkey raisers will have to produce some extra large ones to win from him this year. Mrs, Sarah H. Main has been the z [ suest of her daughter, Mrs. Clarencs Lavis, of North Stonington. LEBANON Chicken Supper Given For Mr. and Mrs. Everett W. Chappelle. A chicken supper was given Satur day evening, November ord, by Mr. and Mrs. George, C. Chappelle of Leb- anon for ‘Mr. and Mrs. Bverett W. Chappelle. The dining room was decornted With American flags and rea berries. After the supper was served the wedding cake was cut by Mrs. Fverett W Chappelle. Miss Bliss_rendcred sev- eral pieasing solos. Howard Bush- nell played several selections on the violin accompanied by Miss Bliss on the organ. eveniug from -ebnnon and Gilead. PRESTON 7 | 1 of Philadelphiz “ongregationa A very ble Gue sent North B ! Town, Goshen A supper was ser by the ladies of the Baptist church day evening, a good crowd being | nt. A number from here attended the conference of churches in rlainfield Wednesday. William 1 trip to Ayer camp, to vi There” will be the grange next 'ma sisters made a to the soldiers is there. an open meeting at Tuesday evening. Clothes and Shoe Store In Norwich FOR MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO TRADE IN For not alone are our values absolutely unmatchable, but every customer receives all the benefits of our great foresight. We are able to do this because of sixteen years continued business prosperi- ty. Big cash purchasing power and very low rent due to the factthat we are on one of Norwich busiest squares, yet out of the high rent district means great savings to you. SHOES FOR WOMEN $2.50, $3, $3.50, $4, $5, $5.50, §6 YOU SAVE $1.00 ON EACH PAIR SHOES FOR BOYS SIZE1TOS $2.00 up to $4.00 KLYN OUTF - BROO The Store That Satisfies OVERCOATS AND SUITS $10, $12, $15, $18, $20 and $22 YOU SAVE FROM $2.00 TO $5.00 BY BUYING HERE . SHOES FOR MEN ~ $2.75 up to $6.00 ITTERS 266 to 270 Haic_l Street, Norwich