The Washington times. [volume], February 24, 1915, HOME EDITION, Image 1

About The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939

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NUMBER 8455. WASHINGTON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 24, 1015. PRICE ONE CENT.
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CAPT. HARDING,
MARINE CORPS,
KILLS HIMSELF
Former White House' Aide and
Popular Member of Wash
ington Society Leaves No
Note Explaining His Deed.
He Was Ordered to League Is
land Yard Three Weeks Ago
From Cruise Married Since
Leaving the Capital.
Capt. Arthur E. Harding, of -the
Marine Corps, fonjier aid at the
White House and a popular mem
ber of Washington society, shot
and killed himself early today at
the Racquet Club, in Philadelphia
Military circles here were shocked
to learn ' of the marine officer's
suicide.
He left no note explaining the
reason for his deed, and friends
with whom he had .been associat
ing since he took up his residence
at the Philadelphia club several
days ago declare that he showed
no signs of despondency and gave
no intimation of being tired of
life.
Captain Harding was a member
of the Metropolitan, Chevy -Chase,
and Army and Navy clubs of this
city. He was attached to the office
of the Judge Advocate General of
the Navy until the American occu
pation of Vera Cruz, when he was
assigned to duty in Mexico.
Married Since Leaving Here.
Iater he was assigned to duty aboard
the gunboat Hancock, which has been
cruising In Southern waters. About
three weeks ago Captain Harding was
ordered to duty at the League Island
Navy Yard, at Philadelphia.
Since removing from this city Captain
Harding married. His brother officers
of the Marine Corps, who were his as
sociates while he was stationed here,
declared today they did not know who
Mrs. Harding was prior to her marriage
to Captain Harding, and that they had
never met her.
Liked In Social Circles.
Coptain Harding while here lived at the
Metropolitan and the Army ami Navy
Clubs. He was of a genial disposition
and for that reason was much in de
mand at social functions. Only meager
reports of his marriage were received
by his friends here, which, it is said,
occurred several months ago. None of
the marine officers queried this morn
ing icmembered Just where the cere
mony was performed or the exact date.
Captain Harding was In Washington
for several days the latter part of last
vcek and left neie to go to his post in
Philadelphia. He was an army-navy
member of the Racquet Club and as
such had the privilege of living at the
club house. He conversed with other
members of the club last night and re
tired, apparently. In an entirely normal
stocof mind.
' Found By Valet.
When he did not arise at his usual
time this morning his valet went to his
loom to call him. He found the cap
tain 1Iiik across the bed with a bullet
wound through his temple. The weapon
with which the deed had evidently been
committed was lying by the side of the
body.
Captain Harding had a brilliant record
as a marine officer. He was In the front
or the American marines at the battle
of Tientsin, China, during the Boxer
troubles, and was brevcte.1 for gallantry
In that action.
He was born April 15, 1873, In Adams
county. 111. He entered the Spanish
American war as captain In the Fifth
Illinois Volunteer Regiment, and on July
1, 18U9. was appointed a first lieutenant
in tho Marine Corps.
Hu was sent to the Philippines shortly
after entering the service. He put in
most of his time as a marine officer,
with the exception of that spent In this
city. In foreisn serv Ice. Mrs. Thomas
Harding, the dead officer's mother, is
living in Quincy, Mass. She has bci
notified of his death, ami la understood
to bo on her way to Philadelphia to
tako charge of the body. The Phlludel- ,
phla police have also communicated .
with the dead man's wife, and she, too,
is en route to Philadelphia to make ar
rangements for the funeral. I
Accused of Hold-Up,
Two Men Are Released ,
Benjamin Maddox and Clarence Cur
ran, who have been held to answer
charges of bavins held up two clerks in
the Washington Railway and Electric
car barn offices and stealing $1&.29.
were released bv Judge Mullowny, In
Police Couit today when they were
given a preliminary, healing, the court
holding that theie wag insufficient evi
dence to send the case to the grand
jury.
IN PHILA. CLUB
flteff
W Tell Probers
UsssssHsW ' a -3MPHB
L. f.v'awfl'V biiiiiiiiiiiiiik
t'lioto by Edmoi3lon.
A. E. SHOEMAKER.'
POSSE UNABLE TO
Son-in-Law of Old Polk Shot
During the Night Marshal
Takes No Chances.
CORTEZ. Col.. Keh. ?J .lt.n.,..h
shots were being Interchanged at Inter
vals and another Indian was probably
fatally wounded during the night, the
posse engaged with tho Piutes at Bluff
today was no nearer being able to over
power the renegndes than on Sunday,
when they first arrived.
It developed today, according to re
ports from Dolores, that Marshal Xe
teker acted as a real eominandlntr dm.
eral up to Monday night. He directed
Sunday's fight over long-distance tele
phone from Grayson.
As a cons-;quence. considerable feel
ing was aroused In Dolores when the
body of Joe Akin was brought back,
that the marshal'dld not tnko rhn.rn.oa
with his men in attacking the Indians.
ihe Indian shot during the night was
Havano, son-ir.-la wof Old Polk. Ho
surrendered Sunday, but allnneri hi
shackles during the night and made a
aasn ror nrerty. Two shots brought
him down. The people of Bluff arc be
coming more wrought up over the ftght
inE about town, fearlner the Indiana uiu
attempt a raid upon them.
inc 1'iuies are declared to have slip
ped from Hnitnnvimnrl ranr,M nM.l -
now intrenched it Butter Wash. There
is little chance of the posse being able,
to diflod'.-e tho Indians from their po
rtions by direct assault.
Unconfirmed reports reached here that
Old Pnlic rflrr ,'Htii- tUa iMlatnnnii
against the posse, had been wounded.
a ei"w ana papoose naye neon added
to the death list among tho Indians.
They were drowned while endeavoring
to cross the river.
OVERPOWER PIUTES
District Is Ordered To
Give Back $750,000
General Deficiency Bill Reported to House Upholds
Chairman Johnson's Fight for Bond Refund to
Federal Government.
The general deficiency appropriation bill, carrying deficiency ap
propriations for all Government departments and embodying legisla
tion requiring the transfer of $750,000 from the District to the Federal
Treasury, was reported to the House today.
The legislation digging into the till of the District is in pursuance
of decisions recently rendered by the Comptroller of the Treasury
that the District was liable for a refund of the interest paid on its
londs by the Federal Government in the fiscal years of 1877 and 1878,
before the half-and-half law was enacted, and must pay Uncle Sam
5158,437.50 on account of the rental the District has collected from the
Washington Market Company from 1879 to 1914. The bond pay
ment refund amounts to $586,067.23. Language directing the pay
ments is carried below.
RESPONSIBLE FOR AGITATION.
Congressman Bon Johnson, chalunan
of the District Committee, was target
responsible for tl'o agitation le.-niltlng
In decisions concoiniuu tefuiul of tho
amount the Onornment unlil toward
the intercbt on the i.onds of the District
and a repayment of a pait of the
amount the District collected as rental
on the market. The hearings show that
Anti-Saloon .League Leaders
Explain to Senators Why
They Resitted Applications.
EVIDENCE IMPRESSES JONES
Committee Intimates It May In
spect Places Where There Is
Protest Filed.
Reasons for the Anti-Saloon league
resisting numerous applications for IN
censes before the Excise Board and
evidence In support of the league's
charges that the board disregarded the
law In some case were recited to the
Senate committee investigating the con
duct of the District Excise Board at
today's session at the Capitol.
Andrew Wilson, president of the
league, and Albert E. Shoemaker, the
league's attorney, were the witnesses.
Senator Jones, co-author of the Jones
Works excise bill, regulating the duties
of the board, questioned Mr. Shoemaker
at length on the failure of the District
officials to prosecute on evidence pro
cured by the league. Mr. Shoemaker
said he had requested the corporation
counsel's office to act but that the work
of that office was too great to permit
of additional cases.
Evidence Looks Good.
"It seems to me that the evidence you
have could win any case In the matter
of saloons In residential districts," said
Senator Jones, who read Into the record
the portion of the excise law prohibiting
saloons in districts that are purely resi
dential. Touching on bars in clubs and hotels
In the northwest section, Senator Jones
asked what the excise board had to say
with reference to them. Mr. Shoemaker
replied that the board held that Con
gress did not intend to prohibit bars In
hotels and olubs in residence districts.
"It was a case of legislation by the
board for Congress," commented Senator
Jones. "Would you call them a Senate
annex or what?"
Present at the hearing were Chair
man Sheppard and Senators Thompson
and Jones, numerous ministers, and rep
resentatives of the retail and wholesale
liquor dealers of the' District
Senator Jones announced during ' Mr.
Shoemaker's testimony that the commit
tee intended to personalty Inspect many
of the places where the league asserted
violations existed.
Telli of Two Bar.
Upon resuming the stand this morn
ing Andrew Wilson told the committee
that the Excise Board permitted
licensees to operate two bars on one
license, citing the cases of O'Hanlon A
O'Connor. 1942-1444 Fourteenth street
northwest: Geyer's, 1523-1625 Fourteenth
street northwest, and Xander's, In Sev
enth street northwest, as places wherein
two bars were presided over by bar-
(Continued on Tenth Pare.)
Wants Aero Bureau
In Militia Here
Navy Department Suggests Or
ganization of Division in Dis
trict National Guard.
The establishment of an aeronautic
division of the naval militia of the DIs.
trlct is suggested in a letter received
today at District National 0uard head
quarters from the Naval Militia Di
vision of the Navy Department. The
letter was referred to Commander Jo
seph A. .Dempt, of the Naval Battalion.
It is the plan o fthe Navy Department
to establish lu the naval militia In the
United States aq aeronautic corps which
will be a reserve body, which can be
colled upon to re-enforce the Aeron
autic Corps In cases of necessity, It
was stated today.
Mr. Johnson appeared before the Ap
propriations Committee.
The deficiency bill contains no appro,
prlation for the payment of a iudgment
rendered in favor of Samuel T. Kalbfui,
formerly an assistant assessor of the
District, who was removed byJthc Com
missioners and who won his case lu
(Continued on Tenth Pass.)
HTNEY BUSES
PERMUTED TO
OPERATE BY
D.C.
Decision Reached by Com
missioners Following Con
ference With Promoters of
New Service.
License Fee of $6 for Vehicles
Over Regular Route, and $9
for Public Hacks Pro
vided. Jitney buses will be allowed to
opeiate in the District under two
sections of the license law, one
providing for an annual license
fee of $6 for vehicles "operating
over a route sufficiently defined
to enable the public to ascertain
the streets and avenues on which
vehicles can be found en route,"
and the other providing a license
fee of $9 for public hacks.
This decision was reached by
the Commissioners today, follow
ing a conference with representa
tives of the Jitnay bus companies
concerning their plan of operation.
Present at Conference.
Those present were W. D. Davidge,
representing Barry fulkley and
Frank P. Morgan: Ferome Fanciulli.
sales manager of the Miller Brothers,
agents for the Ford car; Andrew I.
Hlckey, representing the Washing
ton Jitney Bus Association, and L.
B. Schloss, general manager of Olen
(Continued on Second Page.)
Business Men's Committee in
Session to Distribute Sacri
. fice Week Fund.
With 97.17 more turned In today, tl.e
grand total of the District Donation
week was brought to $2,S42.8o by noon,
and more boxes from Petworth, and
from several other suburbs, are yet to
be reported. By tonight It is hoped that
thr full returns for the. six days' work
will be brought to $3,000.
At 1:30 o'clock this afternoon the busi
ness men's committee assembled at the
Raleigh to arrange the distribution of
the funds. H. B. F. Macfarland is chair
man of this committee, and Dr. Abram
Simon its secretary.
Not more than $1,000 of the funds were
designated to particular charities so that
the remainder is left for distribution
among those organisations dealing with
Immediate relief among the poor and
unemployed.
Workers were elated today with the
success of the campaign. Except for the
checks In Miss Janet Richards' box on
the first day not more than ten contri
butions exceeded 110.
"We feel that this money came from
those persons who must economize
themselves, and who feel a real sym
pathy for those in urgent need," said
Mrs. Ellis Logan. "Our one handicap
was a shortage of workers during the
latter part of the week. So many
of the women had worked valiantly
for other causes and they did not
feel they could give the time for the
entire week to this crusade."
A collection at Keith's Theater mark
ed the wind-up of the campaign last
night. Mrs. Kate Waller Barrett, who
has been speaking at Keith's and
(Continued on Fifth Pate.)
TO COlTlifinL
Court-martial of Ave officials of the
United States armored cruiser Kan
Diego to fix responsibility for a re
cent explosion In which several lives
were lost, was recommended by Ad
miral Howard to the Navy Depart
ment today. Secretary Daniels will
approve the recommendation.
Admiral Howard advised that the
following be court-martialed: Lieu
tenant Hill. Chief Machinist O'Don
nell. Chief Water Tender W. I. Apple
by, and W. B. Redmon and A. Prlddy,
water tenders.
The original report declared spe
cifically that low water was respon
sible for rupturing the fore boiler at
the close of speed trials.
Trial of the five officers will prob
ably be held at the permanent court
at Mare Island, after Navy Depart
ment officials have drafted the specifications.
RULERS
WEEK'S DONATIONS
NEARING 3.000 MARK
FIVE EXPLOSION
REVEALS ROMANCE
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WOVfOS)
MRS. LAWRENCE ROBERTS.
ELOPED ON DEC. 26;
SECRET IS JUST OUT
Piaza Commission Clerk Breaks
News That She Is Bride.
Played Joke on Friends.
.MUs Margaret MtClaln. of iiffi Rhodo
Island avenue northwest, clerk to Pres
ident Wilson's plaxa commission, eloped
to Alexandria December 36 and became
the bride of Lawrence Roberts, of 925
Rhode Island avrnuo northwest.
The young woman broke the news of
her marriage today when Guy Mason,
member of the commission, went to her
desk tj ask:
"Miss Margaret, hae joii time to
take a little dictation?"
"Mrs. Roberts, not Miss Margaret. If
you please," the bung bride responded.
Then she explained that she and Mr.
KoberU went to Alexandria to be niar
rjed the day after Christmas, and aH
no one found It out she thought It would
be a good Joke on her friends and her
associates In the plaza commission of
fice If she "kept them guessing" for a
tlmo.
Mr. and Mrs. riobcits ate living at
9U3 Rhode Island avenue northwest.
BODYlTlMER
IS
Floating In the rler near the Dis
trict naval battalion wharf, off the
Arsenal, the body of James V. King,
fifty-seven, a prominent member of the
Philadelphia bar. and newspaper man.
was found shortly alter noon today.
Police of the harbor precinct woic no
tified and remoxed the body to the Dis
trict Morgue, where it Is being held
pending the .arrival of relatives.
King was formerly managing editor
of a ITilladelphla newspaper. He dlfc
appearcd In this city during the early
hours of Sunday, January 10. Accom
panied by a friend, he had come to
Washington to take the "rest" cure.
For weeks previouslv King had been
a sufferer from a nervous trouble.
British Armed Merchant
Cruiser Believed Lost
LONDON. Feb. 24. The British
admiralty announced this afternoon
that the Clan MacNaughton, an
armed merchant cruiser, has been
missing since February 3 and it is
feared she has been lost.
The vessel is under command of
Robert Joffrys.
Major Cosby's Paris Bill
For Heat and Gas Pruned
decision of the Comptroller of the
Treasury today pruned light, heat, and
gas account of Major Spencer Cosby,
1. S. A., attached to the American em
bassy at Paris, from 17293 to 117.22.
i hi
FOUND
n
Leo. M Frank's Own Story
In the State of Georgia there still exists common law that
gives a man accused of a crime the right to tell his own story
without taking the oath. The prisoner makes his statement in
his own way, without interruption or subsequent cross-examination.
Under these conditions Leo M. Frank took the stand near
the close of his trial. His story was almost as dramatic as that
told by Jim Conley, his accuser. The statement as he made it
will be printed
Next Sunday, February 28th
IN-
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
1RD VESSEL
IN DAY SUNK
,S.
German Submarine Torpedoes
Merchant Ship as British
Cabinet Prepares Drastic
Measure of Reprisal.
Two Liners Withdraw From At
lantic Service to Transport
British Troops to the Conti
nental Army.
AMSTERDAM, Feb. 24. The
Holland-American liner Noon
dcrdyk has gone ashore near
Poortershaven, according to a
dispatch from the Hook of Hol
land. Tugs have gone to her as
sistance. Rumors are current
here that the vessel struck a
mine and had to be beached.
LONDON, Feb. 24. Within a
few miles of the British coast,
German submarines have torpe
doed three vessels within twenty
four hours.
It is officially admitted that the
British steamer Oakby, of West
H'.tlepool, was torpedoed and
sunk by a German under-sea raid
er in the English Channel a few
miles off Folkestone.
More 'than""500 Americans are
marooned in London because the
government today took over the
Atlantic Transport Company's
li.iers Minncwaska and Minneapo
lis as transports to carry British
troops to France.
The liners were scheduled to
sail for the United States today.
The Oakby's survivors were
landed at Ramsgate, no .'.Kast of
Dover, today. They said that the
steamer was struck without warn
ing. The submarine shot a torpedo
against the port side of the vessel.
The explosion was so terrific that
the Oakby's main haiches were
blowi, off and the binnacle thrown
into the air.
The boats were lowered at once.
Sank Rapidly.
Before the ciew left the Oakby's dock.
It wis awash and she was clearly in -i
stnklnc condition. Ten minutes .if tor
they pulled au.ty from her side, the bin
vlvors said, she plunged beneath the
waves.
A flslilne smack rescued part of the
err w.
Accordlnpr to the crew of the smack
she was four miles from the Oakby
when tho torpedo struck, but thu ex
plosion was so severe that the iijhln,;
craft was herself rocked.
A second flslilnp vessel picked up ths
tcmalnder of the crew nnd landed tliem
at Dover. This led to the reporv that
two vessels had been sunk oft Folke
Ftone. but the Admiralty was certain
this afternoon that the original report of
the sinking of two steamers was an
in or.
The captain of the Oakby smashed one
of his llnKers. but this was the onl In
jur v suffered by any one.
After the crew entered the boats, one
of them was swampoJ, but Its occupants
were pulled into a flsrilnK smack.
FROM U
MAROONED
u. s. likely to ask
GREY FOR FACTS
ON LOSS OF SHIPS
Carib and Evelyn Both Sunk Wttile Off
Course Prescribed By Germany and
Possibly Because of British
Officers' Advice.
NOTES GO TO LONDON AND BERLIN
Government Seeks Way to Protect American
Lives and Vessels War Risk Bureau
May Increase Rates, as All
Earnings Are Lost
Grave consideration is being given by officials today
to coincidences reported in connection with the destruction
of the Amercan steamers Carib and Evelyn by mines in) .
the North Sea.
Because of the almost exactly similar circumstances
surrounding the sinking of the two vessels, official opinion
is not quite so ready to believe that the disasters were the
result of accident or the willful disregard by both, captains
of instructions given them as to the course they should fol
low through the danger zone.
While it is realized that the greatest delicacy will have
to be used in any steps taken by the United States in the
way of a more thorough investigation, it J thought not at
all unlikely that Great Britain may.be called upon for some
pertinent information.
In the first place, it is pointed out that both vessels
were bound for Germany, and both laden with cotton.
While England has not officially proclaimed cotton to be
contraband, it is a commodity sorely needed in Germany.
For that reason, it is accepted as a fact that Germany her
self would have every reason to deplore the sinking of the
ships.
AWAIT ANXIOUSLY FOR FACTS.
On the other hand, according to the
meaner information thus far obtained
in ofllclal dispatches, both vessels were
destroyed In tho German mine area and
both while off the route laid down l
the German government for the guid
ance of nciitial ships bound for German
ports. And In the third place, officials
recalled that in the llrst unofficial mt
ires received here tcKardlng the de
stiuctlon of the Eveljn. her captain
stated that he had taken the fatal
cc rse at the suggestion of a British
naat officer.
Where this advice was given, if at
all, and under what circumstances, of
ficials of the American Government
would very much like to know.
In the meantime Administration of
ficers aic awaiting with sonic anxiet
for news concerning the missing , life
boat from the Kveln. It is tcallzcd
that If elthci "accident" was unom
panlcd by u loss of life the tituatiou
would be far more serious than If only
the vessels were lost. It was supposed
that this lifeboat had headed for the
coast of Holland, but so far. according
to Secretary of State Brau. no news
has been revived that it had landed.
Both Insured By U. S.
On the other hand, I'nltcd States
Minister Henry Van Dyke cabled Wash
ington today from The Hague, tcpoit
Ing the loss of the Carib. His message
was exceedingly bilef, leading as fol-
lcws:
"American steamer Carib reported
sunk in North sea outside loute pre
scribed by German government."
Both vessels were Insured by the Gov
ernment War Risk Buicau. Secretary
of the Trcasuiy McAdoo and Assistant
Secretary Andrew Peters had a long
conference today wjth the President.
They stated that so far the earnings of
the bureau in the way of premiums
weie Just about enough to meet thu
losscaon the two vessels, although they
hope(t to recover something In the way
of salvage.
In other words, they indicated that
British Delay Beprisal;
Checked By U. S. Note
LONDON. Feb. 21 The cabinet ni"t
again lo.lay and adjourned aftei a
two-hour si'sxioii without making ai.y
announcement as to the retaliatory
methods to be used against German j.
The action of tho United States In
reopening diplomatic negotiations
over the "bread war" mini Its icsult
ant peril to ueutiai shipping, may
further dela the expected pioclamn
tlon declaring an embargo upon food
anil raw ninteiiais consigned to UeT
inanv. !
While government officials decline i
to comment for publication toda.v
upon the American action, it was
plainly intimated hat Germany hadi
the bureau, having lost in two days a
I sum equivalent to all earnings, faced a
serious .sltuntlon. It Is understood that
, they discussed with the President the
Pionosltlons of inerensliip- tlio min: r-
'liilrlng policy holders to take the course
laid down bv the German government,
or in torac other way meeting the prob
lem before the bureau.
No To Abandon Bureau.
'There was no suggestion, it Is under
stood, of abandoning the Government In
surance enterprise.
Although Secretar.v of State Bryan re
fused to confirm, or otherwise comment
on. the report that the I'nltcd States
had directed "notes of Inquiry" to Ger
many and Great Britain regarding the
war zone situation, follow In', the de
struction of the Evelyn. It is known that
this has been done.
Infoi mation obtained toduv fiom au
thoritative soiu ces was to' tho effect
that In order to manifest to Gonnanv
j the good faith of the United States in
ii.i iiiBiaiiTiiLi.- upon immunity ror
Anieiican ships passing through tho
war zone, the State Department had
se'zed upon the suggestion in the Gcr-m-iii
note of replv to the war zone pro-,
test that the United States, through its
consular officers In Germany, under
take to supervise the dlstilbution of
food shipments among the civil popu
lat'on of Germany
Makes Suggestion To Britain.
Get many offered this as a. means nf
persuading England to abandon her pol
icy of starving out Germany, as a le
sult of which policy, the Kaiser's gov
ernment contends, it has been necessaiy
to establish the war zone nnd under
take submarine attacks on commerce In
Kncl'sh waters generally.
While Administration officials gener
ally have not much hope that England
will accept the suggestion, and while
tho United States is admittedly not In
a position to insist upon Its acceptance,
tilts country has informally laid the
matter before Downing street for what
It is worth, and has so informed Oer
m any.
curled her submarine wai too far
to permit England to change her re
taliation plans concerning which the
foreign office is now communicating
Willi Potrogrnd and Pails.
British Press Bolder.
In the meantime the British press Is
becoming bolder in its demands for ag
giesslve action by England. The Globe
na8.
"The (Unman? have shown us that
their blockade threat ix not merely bluff
and theie Is not u slued of excuse anv
longer for delaying the establishment
of a strict blockade over the enem 3
coast Let him feel the piessuie against
which he la perpetually proUsUui, but
u