The evening world. Newspaper, January 18, 1915, Page 1

—-HINAL Che |“ Circulation | Books Open to All,’ — = PRICE ONE CENT. Copyright, 101 ‘Co. 6, by The Press (The ‘New York World). Poblishing NEW YORK, ‘MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 1 BATTLES RAGE IN MIDST OF STORMS; GERMANS REPORT GAINS IN FRANCE MILLIONS LOST 10 THE CITY ~BY SETTLING OUT OF COURT IN- FRANCHISE TAX CASES CENTRAL PARK Z00 KEEPER 1S KICKED BY BIGELEPHANT Talk About a Mule! Jewel's Foot Nearly Sends Hurton Through Wall. Cut Assessments Made Without Court Review Swell Profits of Interests. MAYOR STARTS PROBE. City Has Lost $20,000,000 in Three Years by the Reductions. ‘Whether the city has probably been losing millions of dollars annually by the settlement of special franchise as- sessments ts being considered by Ma- yor Mitchel. Between 1910 and 1913 there were wettled $1,389,902,323 of special fran- chise assessments without any court | review. The cases pending before the Mayor for more “settlements out of court’ show a remarkable con- dition of affairs that has existed for some years, where such settlements were to tho profit of vested interests. It is estimated that in three years such reductions have aggregated ap- proximately $1,500,000,000, and at the tex rate of 1% per cent. the city las fost over $20,000,000 without having its duy in court to decide whether the amount named was commensurate with the property holdings of the veated Interests, The cases pending were recom- mended for settlement at the death of Mayor Gaynor to Acting Mayor Kline, but he refused to act, and they are now before Mayor Mitchel. ‘This was the day selected for the massage of Jewel, Zoo. However, Jewel was not mas- saged to-day, and Robert Hurton, her keeper, is nursing a large assortment of bruises scattered over his body. Jewel is usually a tractable elephant and in previous years she has ap- peared to enjoy having oil and lamp- black rubbed into the crevices of her skin and polished over her hide until it glistened. Hurton entered Jewel's enclousure and started about the massaging of Jewel as nonchalantly as he might go about painting a wall. He hadn't proceeded far when Jewel lifted up her right hind leg and gave him a kick that sent him spinning the whole length of the enclosure. An elephant's hind legs are differ- ent from those of other quadrupeds in that the knee is in front, and when an elephant sits down on a chair it has a lap. The peculiar [GRIFFINS ADMIT | SWINDLING FRIENDS OUT OF $500,000 Wife Takes All the Responsi- bility In Pleading Guilty In Court. te SENTENCE WEDNESDAY. Decided to Ask for Mercy In- stead of Going to Trial To-Day. Shouldering all the responsibility for the swindling witch is supposed annual neatsfoot oll and lampblack | the larger of the! two elephants in the Central Park) to have amounted to about half a mil- Mon dollars, and for which her hus- band, Francis Hoyt Griffin, was joint. ly indicted, Mrs. Clara H. Griffin, to: day pleaded guilty to using the malls to defraud. Griffin entered a similar plea and Judge Pope, In the United States District Court, announced that | he would take up the matter of sen- tence on Wednesday morning, ‘The trial of the Griffins upon the indictments against them was to have begun to-day, but at the last minute, after a consultation with their at- torney, George “vrdon Battie, they decided to enter the plea of guilty. The details of the swindling charged against the Griffins have to do with a contract they claimed to have to do stenographic work for the Government. On the basis of this they obtained large sums of money from their friends and others Griffin, who is a lawyer, Yale graduate and brother-in-law of the Comtesse de Rochefoucauld, came into court with his closely veiled wife. Mr. Battle told the Court: “Griffin was a lawyer in this city, with a large practice and an excel- lent position, His wife, before her The startigmg fact about the situa- tion which the Mayor now has under advisement is that, if such settle- ments do not stop, the city will con- unue to lose millions annually, to the continued profit of such vested in- terests. ‘This is due to the fact that the State Tax Board has persistently continued to base assessments on pre- vious reductions settled out of court, and has even gone so far as to lower @ome of these, COMPANIES OWN FIGURES USED IN SETTLEMENT. As @ consequence, the very utilities that ere annually Increasing in value and earning capacity have been pay- ing less in asse:.ments every year. In other words, although the value of the franchises has Increased annually, the money received by the city has decreased. This is directly due to the agreement of the city to settle cases out of court upon the basis of the so-called “net earning rule.” The companies have been allowed to present their own figures to the City Corporation Counsel, Instead ot) that official taking such figures before | the courts to ascertain their true (Continued on Second Page.) WHITMAN MESSAGE TO-NIGHT Governoé Still Stands Pirm for Tax Board Reorga ALBANY, — Jun. against Goy, Whity ganization of th forth by Comptr fected Whitman's Leglalature * Whitman deel sage would be to-night without ‘The Governor jantion, The prope 8 ‘ommission went y Travis has not af Intention of urging the ¥ out his ani gextions | to-day that his mes- 1 oto the nee. declared war hy read the letter of proiest aguinst the tax he donot Jegislation sent out by Travis. He intl shigted thut he would take no official Saran 21 tea ceperatere nee falature ja formation of an elephant’s hind leg enables It to kick forward like a man, and the kick Jewel landed on Hur- ton almost bumped him through the side of the elephant house, He saw there was something wrong with the elephant and started to leave the inclosure, Jewel got him again be- fore he could escape, this tlme with her trunk, and again he was thrown across the inclosure, Then the other keepers and Head Keeper Snyder entered the cage with pitch- forks and elephant hooks and rescued Hurton, An ambulance was summoned from Flower Hospital and Dr. Goodman responded. He found Hurton had es- caped with no broken bones. Jewel is under the influence of a bad spell that afflicts elephants oc- casionally. No attempt will be made | to oll her until she returns to her normal condition. eS HAMBURG-AMERICAN LINER PRAESIDENT IS NOW REPORTED SUNK, Tan, 18.—The British eruis- er Berwick sauk the Hamburg- American steamer Praesident off Havana last night, it was announced to-day by Se- | Acaba, Sectetaly of Foreign Relations of the Cuban State Depart- ment. ‘The ship was sent to the bottom nine off Havana while on her way from to Rico to Hay: marriage, had a stenographic bu- reau with a large clientele. Her family, which she had been sup- porting, became a matter of great expense to her on account of iliness, and she unfortunately yielded to the temptation to get money by false pretenses. “She pretended she had business resources which did not exist, On this basis she was able to get large sums of money, Afterward, by ot 0 ting money from Peter to pay Paul she managed to pay off some of th ones from whom she had at first ob- tained It. “fler husband was at first entirely unaware that the pretenses of his wife were unfounded, “As a lawyer he feels that It was his duty to Investigate the state- ments, Therefore he desires to plead guilty with his wife to the three in- dietments.”” Assistant United States District At- torney Hartridge related to the curt the difficulties encountered in getting the Griffins into court at all ani stated that he had witnesses frow Chicago, Denver and Washington he wished to call against the Griffins “If the defendants should change cheir plea and {insist upon going to trial." Pca La dis WILSON GREETS SUNDAY. “Goa BI HAVANA You for Work You Are A TON, Jan, 18.—"Billy" day, ‘alist, members of his family and a number of religious workers from | Philadelphia who can here to-day to Js of the Hamburg-An infor stated from th th nths. ‘The latest report ax | assist Sunday at a revival meeting, were tvted that she Was at| eceived to-dy by President Wilson Gua s, British Bust Africa, on duced (ha Tevivallee ta: ‘The Praosident wae of 1,819 tons. The Rerwick [ow cruiser of 9,800 tons, with 8 you for the work you are peed of 2: nt Tickets outliers. ‘one *| facing [“Cireutation Books Open to All. hf 16 PAGES 915, WEATHER—Rain to-night. Tuesday clearings cold | , FINAL PRICE ONE CENT. Wo oman Who Admits Big Swindle And Husband She Tries to Defend MR. AND MRS, GRIFFIN. RATTLES AND BASKETS FOR WHITE HOUSE BABY; WILSON HOLDS: HM Gifts Flowing in for Sayre Heir, Who May Be Named Wood- row—Father Sees His Son, WASHINGTON, Jan. 18.--President Wilson received a long list of callers at the Executive Offices later than usual to-day because of his desire to | stay as grandson, the child of Mr. Frances B. Sayre, who was born at the White House yesterday If the Sayre baby follows the precedent he set during his first night he will bo a model infant. He gave his attendants little trouble. A large heap of rattles sent by mombers of the Wilson and Sayre families and e friends were ready for the baby us soon ax he should show interest in them. Several baby baskets had also been sent to the White House, but the one used was prepared by Mre Sayre herself. Mr. Sayre, who arrived last night after the birth of his son, vied with the President to-day in pride over the White House family, Much speculation was indulged in to-day as to the name for the baby “Wilson Sayre” and “Wo were the favorites, will occur pro! returns to Williamstown, Baby Sayre was born in th long as possible with his displaying north- east corner room of the second floor, looking out over the broud lawn and Pennsylvania city's main thoroughfare nurses were present with Av nue, the wo tralned Dr, Cary | (yee ee Grayson, th sident’s physicia and Dr. A. P, Davis of Philadelphia, Gynecologist. The Sayre heir came into the word like thousands before him—minus such modern ideas as the twilight sleep. He was described to-day as a pretty baby, with light hair and with eyes which now are blue. The Pri and Mrs, | new addition to the] WANTS $25,000 DAMAGES FOR HER RUINED HAIR Mrs. Davis s Marcelle She Paid for Caused Loss of manent nor pretty, In fact, the jury before Supreme Ice Delany to-day that hair was burned, A | would have been worth $25,000 to her, |she testified, but since she was de- prived of that and her golden tresses burned In the bargain sho wants §: 000 damages, She is suing the Si- she told ‘ourt Jus- ma le wave TRIPLE INQUIRY IN ROGERS CASE, SAYS PROSECUTOR Dr. Hague Recalled as Grand Jury Resumes Investigation Into Double Tragedy. MRS. WALTERS BETTER. Attorney Asks Coroner to Re- frain From Calling Her as Inquest Witness. ‘That Mrs. Ida Sniffen Walters, who Beauty. Mrs. Alice Davis, wife of Ben Wood Davis, of Cineinnatih, saw a hatr-| dresser’ in a theater program, jwhich stated that she could get a marcella wave, a permanent one, for from $15 t so sho called at A. Simonson’s Fifth Avenue halrdress- ing shop, at No. 506 Fifth Avenue. Mrs, Davis submitted to the treat- ment neces but, lo! she alleges, the marcelle wave was neither per-| most of her} Poisoned her two babies and tried to kill herself when she saw that the father of the children, Lorlys Elton Rogers, could not wed her, ja not the only person undor Inveatigation in the proceeding now on before the Bronx County Grand Jury, was made known to-day by District Attorney Martin. It 1s not expected that the Grand Jury will finish with this case before the end of the week. thoroughly," sald Mr. Martin, three lines, One of the lines has to do with Mrs, Walters and her action in killing her children, What the other lines are I cannot reveal now, but they lead in a different direction from that which concerns Mrs. Walters.” Through testimony to be gathered to-day and to-morrow Mr. Martin will learn whether or not he needs the evi- dence of Mrs. Caroline Giddings Rog- ers, the second and legal wife of Lor- lys Elton Rogers. Mrs, Rogers is in New Jersey in seclusion, Mr. Martin knows where she la. If he wants to question her he can reach her through her counsel, Emory Buckner. She muy be called Wednesday. Dr. Willlam Grant Hague was ra- called before the Grand Jury at tho beginning of tho investigation to-day. Dr. Albert E. Woods, who was callea | in by Dr. Hague after the two baoles were poisoned, was also scheduled for examination during to-day's session Abraham Lavy has asked the Lis- trict Attorney and the Bronx Corona to refrain from having his client, Mrs. Walters, presunt at the Inquest “There is no legal necessity for |the accused to appear at the tn- quest,” said Mr. Levy, “Her pres- ence would simply inean that she was |on exhibition to the curiou: Rogers did not sleep in his quar- ters in the hospltal last night, but appeared there early to-day, He re- | fused to discuss a sermon preached ;|imonson concern for that amount, | lust night by Dr, George W. Grin She alleges the machine used was | tol pastor of the Fordham Moth- H| eee i casi emg odist Church, In which men of the overheated and -burned her hair. | Rogers type were denounced as men- = =|aces to wociety: | . . Dr. Hague did not complete his moments this forenoon to fondle Mt tagtimony before the Grand Jury. to- | new grandson day. ‘The doctor has said for publi- | Col. Crook, President Lincoln's cation that if he told all he knew he Widens a nd of many Could establish to the satinfaction of et bs ats and Ri , tied any ny jury that Mrs, Walters should be White House bables,” recalled to | noid” guiltiess of homicidal Intent day th jd legen! when she fed poison to her ohildren. ‘The child that is born on the Sab-| An effort was made to-day to get hath day him to tell his story in full, but he bonnie and blithe and raid he would have to have the per- Is bonnie and blithe and good and Miagion of Mr. Lavy and Mex. W! Bay. ters, He was excused until Wednea- The White House telegraph room| day, when the Grand Jury will take was a busy place to-tay, ‘The joy | 4P SN er ie ilapoasdst of a nation at this hap event was grant Mr. Levy's request that Mrs. shown In the floor or congratulatory | Walters be excused from attending telegrams that arrived the inquest he Coroner takes the ‘A toy Princeton tiger for the Sayre ground that the course followed in all haby Was presented to President hemielde casos should apply in this Wilson to-day by ® committee from voner's Physician John Riegelman the Princeton Alumni Association of d this afternoon to visit Maryland, w called mak the ho hospital, examine pnalannece att RaHUAT BiG s charts and report ner. 4 t she can be baby’s father is a Willams spital without Hiexe mia 1 President anaferred to the 1 therefore E don't W Whether , how nocepr a om tige ” r rete 4 I whould p i'r tiger fc r ter whose pa, iy detaila him f occurrence in c nd Jury But his mot room last) week young man ton x oxcused after stating that he did nformation from th hea « ae of’ gent i Princeton of his mother and boy for the "wnt by of any member his staff or from any member of the Grand Jury, senate + ernteorsd conemat niet “1 am proceeding very carefully and| “along | | —__—_—__- 4 -—__—— FLOODS IN BELGIUM DRIVE ALLIED TROOPS FROM THEIR TRENCHES, French Report Repulse of the In- vaders West of Soissons—Berlin Disputes Claims of Success Made by Paris War Office. THANN IS BOMBARDED BY THE BIG GERMAN GUNS PARIS, Jan. 18.—Violent bombardments by the German artillery are reported to-day as a wind and rain storm raged in Belgium and as a; | great fall of snow covered the Vosges and Alsace. The French War Office says the rain in Belgium was particularly severe. Thann, in Ak sace, was bombarded during the snow storm, but the French report declares little damage was done. The wind and rain storm that swept over the northern battlefield destroyed entire lines of trenches. The troops had to withdraw from them to avoid being drowned. According to the French War Office report to-day two German assaults in force near Autreche, northeast of Vic-sur-Alsne, have been repulsed with heavy loss to thy Germans. The fighting there continues, with the Germans still trying to gain # foothold on the French posiions, ‘The French are reported to be pushing their offensive in the Le Pretre woods northwest of Pont-a-Mousson and to have captured several of the German outlying positions here. {Some of the claims made In the French report are contradicted by to-day’s announcement from Herlin, The Germans report a distinct succes during the fighting of the last seventy-two hours around La Bolselle, northeast of Albert, important railroad centre south of Arras. The Germans assert that the Fre were driven from their trenches In a bayonet charge. The report from Paris of a success on hill 263 In the Argonne is met by the Berlin claim that several French trenches were cap- tured there, It Is declared the French detachments were almost annihilated. Although Paris reports the captare of German positions in the forest northwest of Pont-a-Mouxson, Berlin says the Freueh reached the German trenches, but that the fighting fs still im progress. Vie-sur-Alsne, near which towm the French report the repulse of two German attacks, Is on the Alsne River, about ten miles weet of Solssons.] . Following 1s the text of the report given out to-day by the War Offise in Paris: “From the sea to the Oise there was yesterday a violent storm, particularly in Belgium, The day saw artillery fighting at certain points. ‘ear Autreche, to the northeast of Vie-sur-Aisne, two Germans attacks were repulsed, In the sectors of Soissons and of Rheims there was no change “In the region of Perthes there was very efficient marksman- ship on the part of our artillery on the positions of the enemy. “In Argonne the German attack on Hill 263, to the west of Boureuilles, brought no result, We took possession of several Ger- man field works to the northwest of Pont-a-Mousson, in the only part of the forest of Le Pretre which 1s still in the hands of the enemy. We here later repulsed a counter attack and maintained all our gains, “In the Vosges there has been a heavy fall of snow. ‘The enemy bombarded Thann, but without inflicting serious dam Two Repulses of the French Reported by Berlin War Office BERLIN (by wireless to London, Jan, 18, Associated Press).—The finds that she | German War Office to-day gave out an official announeement as follows: “In the neighborhood of Nieuport yesterday there were artillery duels. British mines have been washed ashore at several places on the coast “At La Botsselle northeast of Albert, our troops, who again had established themselves in the churchyard at La Botsselle and in the hamlet to the southwest, attacked the French with the bayonet and drove them from their posttions, We tock three offi- cers and one hundred men. “Several French trenches have been captured ip the Argoung eaee cones " 4 i ¢ <i es