The West Virginian. [volume], December 15, 1914, Image 1

About The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974

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TODAY's NEWS today.
FAIRMONT WEST VIRGINIA, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15, 1914.
'price two
MEMBER ASSOCIATED':
v -
Wi *;
llowing Violation of Law in Sale of Road
"Bonds at $28,000Discount?Another Raw
Deal is Put Through.
rders on County Fund for $5,533,44 Have
Already Been Issued for the Work?Tax
; Payers of County Pay the Bills.
harges of Graft Have Not Been Either In
vestigated or Denied?Tax Payers Said to
Have Lost Many Thousands of Dollars in
Use of Cheap Mater ial on Road Work.
j| That the Marion County Court seems to believe that
tKe State laws were not made for its guidance was shown
-....fieri it completely ignored the law and sold the Manning
ton and Fairmont district road bonds below par in direct
"olation of law, and at a loss to the tax payers of these
~tricts of $28,000, which was the tidy sum the Ohio bank
ers jnade in the deal, but there is still greater evidence that
the County Court is a law sufficient unto itself, and that is
?lie fact that it has paved the streets of Mannington at the
expense of the tax payers of the entire county.
Jig A contract was let for this paving to The French-Allen
<|bristruc'tion Company and the work paid for out of the
bounty fund. On Oct. 6,1914, order No. 624, amounting to
*2,183.23 was allowed this company for part of this work,
nd,on Nov. 5,1914, another order, No. 882, amounting to
,350:21, was allowed them, making a total of $5,533.44.
? The contract was let on Sept. 5 for this work, the Court
dering that the streets of the city be paved and paid for
out of the county fund.
KT|ils.is another outrage upon the tax
payers of Marion county, and If tliere
flwas'ever a good reason for a recall the
iCounty Court of this county has fur
nished it. The taxpayers should en
join the sheriff from paying these or
ders, -if they havo not already been
" ild,-.and force the members of the
Otthty; Court to make. good this con
ct on their official bonds.
If'm'embers of the County Court are
?ermltted to go on unmolested in their
il disregard for law, why not de
s stroy the law books and let the bosses
~'o3.gittter? run the county's buslneBB
Ith'i'tffe'high-haniled methods ot the
Sudal Despots of ancient times?
SpjSWgj have had the spectacle of this
*""~L Tiocratic County Court openly and
ntly violating the laws of the
Btate In road matters, selling bonds
below par that the law says shall not
be sold at a discount, and now we find
Bern applying county funds unlawfully
iJivth'e lmprovement of a district munic
ipality.
fie charge has been made, and never
denied, that those In charge of the road
urork-in Mannington district and who
;THE WEATHER?West Virginia?
Fair, tonight and Wednesday. Not
nuch change in temperature. West
^pi^Peiinsylvania?Fair tonight and
Wednesday. Probably snow flurries
iear.Lake Erie.
iA'.' It l? on tale each evening at
fSfcti
''*>**? ? ? ?
THE WEST VIRGINIAN ?>
Ml
.the following places:
FAIRMONT.
Fairmont News Agency,
Monroe street.
Marlon Newa Agency, Main
street.
A. G. Martin's News Agency,
Main street.
J. H. McCloskey, Drug Store,
Locust avenue,
Hamilton Drug Co., Tenth
' .street.
*; Moran and 8prlnger, Water
5 street.
U. B. Rote, Main St. and
Parks avenue.
Holt's Novelty Store, Main
'street.
Clarence Fisher, Grocer, Mar
ket and Columbia Sta., First
jjward.
Howard C. Cunningham, Gr?
CjS-.cer, Morgantown Ave., near
ft* Owens' Works,
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I MANNINGTON
Smith and Mlllan News
O^-Agency.
ysr FARMINGTON
F. G. Gray, Srocer.
ar being paid by the county, are also
being paid regular monthly salaries by
the road contractors.
The West Virginian demanded an
investigation of theso charges, but
none has been made and no denial has
been made except from a few of the
contractors, who were not at all impli
cated, and In the rerusal of the County
officials, who are paid and sworn to pro
tect the tax payers, to Investigate these
charges, we find the best possible evi
dence that the charges are true.
The charge has been made, and never
denied, that Inferior materials were
being used in the construction of these
roads, and that the tax payers were be
ing defrauded of thousands of dollars
In this manner.
The charge has been made, and never
denied, that a 17 year old, inexperienc
ed boy was employed as Inspector on
the Fairmont district road work?$400,
000 road Job for political purposes.
These charges reflect upon the honor
and integrity of tho county officials
who have had this work In charge, and
their refusal to deny or investigate
them points the finger of suspicion to
a well planned system of graft and
?many believe that the toll the tax
payers will pay on this ?work will
amount to something like $100,000, In
cluding the loss of tho J2S.OOO in the
sale of the bonds. Where the other
$70 000 goes to is yet a Matter of specu
lation.
Chicago's Model
Policeman Quits
By Associated Pbess.]
CHICAGO. Dec. 15.?After 32 years
of service, Wm. S. McGuire, who Is
called Chicago's model policeman, re
signed from the force today. He is de
clared to be the wealthiest man on tho
force and is reputed to own property
valued at more than $100,000.
McGuire Is planning to spend the
winter on his country place at Palm
Beach, Fla.
Atlanta Lawyer Is
Killed by Burglar
By Associated Press.
ATLANTA, Ga? Dec. 15.?Chas. B.
Reynolds, a lawyer, -was shot and al
most instantly killed today in a re
volver battle with a burglar In his
home here. Reynolds fired four times
before he was killed. The burglar es
caped.
2 Newspaper Plants
Burn at Elizabeth
By Associated Press.
PARKERSBDRG, W. Va., Dec. 15,
Flre of unknown origin oarly today
caused a damage of $35,000 In the
business section of Elizabeth, coun
ty seat of Wirt county. Among the es
tablishments destroyed -were two
newspaper plants.
Turkish Troops Aiding Teuton Allies
COMMERCE BOARD GRANTS
5 PER CENT. HATE INCREASE
THE VOTE WAS TAKEN SATURDAY AND IT WILL PROBABLY BE
OFFICIALLY ANNOUNC ED NEXT SATURDAY.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.?From ail
official whose knowledge of the situa
tion is believed to be unquestionable
it was learned that the last serious
opposition to an. increase in freight
rates on the Eastern railroads was re
moved and the Interstate Commerce
Commission formally voted to permit
the 5 per cent advance.
Announcement of the decision will
be made within ten days, probably
next Saturday afternoon. The Com
mission's practice in the past has
been to make public in Its rulings at
such times in order that business men
may be given an opportunity to di
gest them.
Under Consideration Long.
The increase in rates now declared
to have been allowed has been under
consideration for eighteen months.
The flrst application was made in
May, 1913, and was denied. A montn
later the Commission, on its own ini
tiative, ordered an investigation into
the conditions on which the railroads
based their claim to consideration. It
was begun and continued for the en
suing year.
On July 29 last, just as the flrst days
of the European war were working
havoc with the financial markets of
the world, the Commission denied the
application so far as It concerned
trunk line or Eastern rates, rail and
lake rates and international rates in
ofTloial classification territory. In
creases were allowed in Central
Freight Association territory, but the
conditions complained of chiefly by
the railroads were not materially af
fected. 1
On September 19 the Commission
granted a petition for a rehearing,
which was held without delay. With
out in any wise offering suggestions to
Roumania Is
Purchasing
War Supplies
THE COUNTRY, ALTHOUGH NOT
A BELLIGERENT, IS GETTING
READY.
Br Associated Prbbs.]
CHICAGO, Dec. 15.?Roumania has
entered the American field for the
purchase of war supplies, according to
information reaching Chicago mer
chants today. The country, although
not a belligerent in the European war,
has sent a commission here to place
orders for arms, ammunition and cot
ton and sanitary supplies to cost.|10,
000,000.
the Commission President Wilson has
in the meantime privately and public
ly intimated his belief that the rail
roads should be allowed to raise their
rates. , ?
It Is an .aren more significant fact
that Secretary of the Interior Lane
has been/in tjje company of members
of the Commission on a number of I
occasions during the past two weeks.
Before entering the Cabinet Mr. Lane
himself was a member of the Com
mission. and Washington generally
has credited him with being "the man
who put the punch in the Commis
sion.'
Denied Increases Two ears Ago.
Commissioner Lane wrote a deci
sion two years ago which not only
denied increases in rates, but served
notice on the roads, or some of them
at least, that they would have to cease
many of their practices before they
could be regarded as entitled to ad
vances. Railroad men looked on the
Lane opinion as "radical," but chang
es in keeping with his recommenda
tions have come, just the same.
It is understood that Secretary Lane
has taken occasion in his recent talks
with Commissioners to advise them
of theso changes, and ot his belief
that the roadB are entitled, in great
part at least, to the increases he did
not believe were justified two years
ago. It is understood, furthermore,
that several present members of the
Commission who voted with Mr. Lane
to refuse the increases havo now con
cluded that they should be granted.
President Wilson, It is said, has
been apprised ot the Commission's
decision and is delighted. On a basis
of 6 per cent the Increases in the
East would make a difference of $50.
000,000 in revenue to the roads.
Life Termer
Is Released
HAD BEEN SENTENCED TO SERVE
EXTREME PENALTY FOR
STEALING A HAM.
By Associated Press.
LANSING, Mich., Dec. IB.?Gover
nor Ferris has ordered the praole ot
Michigan's most widely known pris
oner, Lewis Oliver, a liter in Mar
quette, known as the man who was
sentenced for life for stealing a ham.
Oliver was sent to Marquette by. Judge
WyWt under the habitual criminal act.
It was Oliver's third conviction for
burglary.
Roy Stewart, of Mannington, was a
visitor ? In the city yesterday.
2 More Days Of
Cold Weather
Is Predicted
DROP IN TEMPERATURE GENER
ALLY EAST OF THE MIS
SISSIPPI.
By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 15.?Two more
days of cold weather for the eastern
section of the country was predicted
today by the weather bureau. The
coldest weather of the season thus
far prevailed today generally east of
the Mississippi river and in the North
west. Below zero temperatures were
reported from West Virginia, Pen?
sylvanla, Ohio, Indiana and the North
west, while below freezing tempera
tures were reported from all other
states. east of the Mississippi as far
South as Florida and East Gulf states.
By Associated Press.
CONNELLSVILLE. Pa., Dec. 15.?A
temperature of 15 degrees below zero
was reported in the mountains west
of here today.
Bootlegger
In County Jail
FRANK ROLLINS, COLORED, IS
CAUGHT WITH WET GOODS IN
HIS SUIT CASE.
After a search of several weeks the
prohibition officers succeeded today
In landing in the county Jail Frank
Rollins, a negro, who has obtained no
toriety in the last few weeks as a boot
legger.
Rollins was arrested this morning
Just after he stepped from the train
at the B. & 0. passenger station.by
B. & O. Officer Ice, who immediately
turned the negro over to the county
authorities. Rollins had a large suit
case with him at the time of his ar
rest. This was searched by Con
stable Riggs and found to contain two
one-gallon Jugs of whiskey which the
negro had Just brought from Point
Marion.
Rollins, who Is better known as the
"Overalls Kid," has been wanted for
?some time by the county officials, as
It was known that he was engaged in
the peddling of liquor not only among
tho people of his own color but white
people also. He has been very suc
cessful in evading the officers up
until this time. He was placed in the
county Jail-to await a hearing before
Justice Fleming which will be given
him in a few days.
NOTICE OWLS !
There will be Election of
Officers on Thursday, Dec.
17,1914. All members are re
quested to be present.
W. H. RANDOLPH, Sec.
Col Roosevelt
May BeCalled
As A Witness
ex-president may be called
before the house NAVAL
COMMITTEE.
E> Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.?Colonel
Koosevelt loomed up today as a pos
sible witness beforo the House Naval
Committees fn its discussing of the
p:*epardness of national defenses. At
todays'session Representative Hobson
pressed Chairman Padgett to call lh<*
former President and after some <71 >
cusslon the question was left to be
decided in an executive session of
? ommittees. "Why invite him," de
manded Representative Butler. "He's
been assistant secretary of the nuvy
and President, a commander In chief
and has been in a position to know the
facts about national defense." Re
turned Mr. Hobson, who protested
that his suggestion was being yrcat
in a "cavalierly" way.'
Wants More
Information
PRE8IDENT WILSON HAS NOT DE
CIDED TO COMPtY WITH GOE
THALS REQUEST.
By Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. D. C.. Dec. 15 ? 1
More information Is being awaited I
before President Wilson decides!
whether the request of Gov. Gootlials
fcr destroyers to enforce neutrality ?
at Panama, shall be granted. Sugges-1
tions of differences between Sccre-1
taries, Garrison, Daniels and Bryan, I
o\er the question were met by Presi
dent Wilson with the statement that :
there could be no real difference since
to would flnanlly decide.
German Converted
Cruiser at Guam
Br Associated Press.}
WASHINGTON, Deo. 15.?The ar
rival of the German converted cruis
Icr Cormoran in the harbor of Guam,
an American possession in the La
drone archipeligo, was officially re
ported to the navy department today
by the commanding officer of the nav
al station there. It is presumed that
the German vessel sought the harbor
to Interne during the war.
Tho Cormoran has been given 24
hours from 10 a. m. yesterday In
which to leave the port or interne
for the war. She was short of ooai,
provisions and water.. The Cormor
an needed 1,500 tons of coal to roach
the nearest German port, according to
Captain Maxwell.
She was offered 100 tons of coal
and fresh water and her captain was
given until 10 a. m. today to decide
what his future course would be. Sec
retary Daniels has approved Captain
Maxwell's action and has Instructed
him not to allow the vessel more eoali
and provisions than can be properly
spared. ? *
R. E. Charged With
Violating Liquor Law
TOLEDO, O., Dec. 15.?District At
torney Denham brought 30 cases for ac
tion against the New York, Chicago and
St Louis railroad into Federal court
today, charging violations of the Inter
state law, as to the number of hours
that trainmen may be worked. He al
leges that, on two days the railroad
worked 30 men approximately 18 hours
each day.
He asks the court to line tho defend
ant
RITISH COMMANDER P U? H
THEIR HEADQUARTERS-FUR
THER EASTWARD.
FRANCO AUGLICAN TROOPS HAVE
MADE MORE PROGRESS THAN ??
THAT CHRONICLED. < ?
SERVIAN SUCCESS MAY HAVE IM
PORTANT BEARING IN EAST
ERN ARENA.
LONDON. Dec. "--"J?, "ta?SK^'|;
isued today by the British o-.-.--,?
on Durenu
r'ombino l attack by the aUlea yester-^ -
dov against the German line waj ?;
tcrpreted In Homo quartors as,mar^,
ing the beginning ot the much dtec^s
?.;l attempt to make
'i lie point of the combined attack ^en
tinned In tho statement Is to the south
of Ypres. It. will bo Mtlced moro
over that the statement refers. to
fighting In northorn France as ?W{M
Belgium. This Is taken to
the offensive movement strei
ever a considerable area.<lt.^Mjbe?i
known for some time that the Brit
?rmv headquarters has been pusnea
to tiie eastward, and It consequently
assumed by British observe^gggpSM
allies have made more^progres^,
has been chronicled. The
ot Belgrade by the Servians ?ay _r
have an Important bearing
nation In the east ehouldM^goggM
the Austrians to make a? ? -
tense campaign along thelt^pwngp
pju to prevent a Servian lUTagMno]
Tho definite statement Is made
Rotterdam that the
cun a retreat falllng bacl<^ln_>?el|
inward a.-prepared line furtberir
the Coast Official contlmaftw'
lacking, however...
Meat Dealers
Label Beef Saip^
NEW CASTLE,
prletors of meat markets,injjtgjsg.ci
hereafter must label
ducts 'properly or standprosTCution.p
Dr. H. C. Harper, city healUrofticei
has found that much ao-eaUed^m
pork sausage" contains beef,:.and 1
rnands that It be labeled accordingly
Chicago's New Yjjjpjp
To Be Tamed??
CHICAGO, Dec. 15.?Noise _
Instruments, confettiacd'OthercU
ing devices win be barred fromgj.
go's streets New Year's eve'. JJTO
sons desiring to celebrate :may|
or sing to their hearts' content;,;^
This announcement was ^maae
Mayor Harrison today and-'waa-acc
panted by a statement th&t.cafesv
restaurants could dispense liquor c
up to 1 a. m.
Lafayette Collegia
Has New Preside
EASTON. Pa., Dec. iBr^OTp
Henry MacCracken, professor of
cal philosophy at New YorkyTJnlve
was today elected preBldentSe
ette College. He succeedL
Warfleld, who resigned som'
Tho new president 16 8;"*
MacCracken, formerly;^?
New York University, andg?
time head ot Westminster,
Missouri,
8'CO MINERS CUT OFR'B??
SION.
Ev Associated Press.
TOKIO, Japan, Dac. ';15:
sion occurred today In a co'
Fukuoka, as a reapltSptS
laborers are Imprisoned In
lugs of the mine. Fuknoka
sea coast, 65 miles north^oj
?
NOTICE TO TAXgA?i
City taxes are now auatg^
at the office of the Treaj
Ing December only no lnt?
charged. After Decembe
Interest will be charged
paid taxes. . ''rigi,
Taxes will be collected,
possible by the Treasure
uary 1. 1916. -?$sSL
Why not call at the offlee:
your Interest and a' vlslt]
Treasurer.
12-5-tf