davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04
PUBLIC UTILITIES BILL
Interest in the House Today Turns on
the Parliamentary Aspeets-opPon-
ents of the Measure Very Active.

Hartford. May 3.-Aside from the
merits of the public utilities bill,
which has been widely discussed since
last Thursday, the interest in the
opening action of the house tomorrow
turns on the parliamentary aspects
Adjournment was carried after the
previous question had been ordered on
the question of rejection Of the bill,
and a roll call must be taken. The
insurgents" so-called, hat is, those
members who accepted the committee
report and want a chance to act on
the bill, have urged members TO vote
NO" on the question of rejection so
the bin may be before them for
amendment. 1t was ruled by Speaker
Barbour in 1897 that the previous
question could not be reconsidered.
This ruling was sustained in 1899 by
Speaker Brandegee, who also ruled
that no amendment could be entertain
ed after the previous question had
been ordered. In 1904 Speaker Light
ruled thai a member NAV not be given
the floor after the previous question
surgents" try to get the floor against
the ruling of Speaker Banks. it is
thought an appeal may be made.
Since Thursday the opponents Of the
bill have been very active, and IL is
said the county delegations have been
well CanNaSsed. 1t is predicted that
Representative Chandler may lind that
he has not 50 large a following tomor-
row as he had last Wednesday and
Thursday. 1t is known that several
men who followed closely the discus
sion. stated Immediately adjourn
ment Thursday that Representative
Chandler missed his opportunity in not
forcing a vote instead of adiourning.
that the insurgents" lost the moment
adjournment was taken. as it afforded
an opportunity for men representing
various public service corporations to
study the situation more closely than
they had thought it necessary The
insurgents" however. take the ati-
tude that members may have been
misled by the parliamentary debate
and thought that vote not to reject
the bill meant a vote to pass the bill
then before the house. Representative
Chandler. fearing this, had only two
ways out of the snarl, and that was
to adjourn, which was done. or to lay
Oh the table, which would have post
poned action. As a roll call has been
ordered, the insurgents" have a slight
advantage, as Representative Chand-
Ter votes before Representative
Burnes the house leader. and can take
advantage Of any expedient to debate
Rut before Mr.. Chandler votes Repre-
sentative Burke of Manchester a
member Of the judiciary committee.
who also may be able TO forestall Rep
regentattve Chandler.
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04
AT THE AUDITORIUM.
and Motion Pictures.

The bill al the Auditorium on Mon
day scored a hit for every one of its
numbers and a packed house in the
evening stamped every one of the five
vaudeville acts with their approval
by storms of applause. The four mu-
sical Gates in a melodious comblna-
tion of cornets, clarinets, saxophones
and Xylophones that is a topliner were
prime favorites, and there was also
great interest in the temperance on
the stage of John H. Cleary, the local
man, known as Sig Martino, In ira
peze trick balancing. Martino got a
welcoming hand on each appearance
before he climbed up into his trapeZe
and won deserved applause by his
clever moves, although showing some
nervousness. He does some nerve
thrilling work of the perilous kind
and stars in a free head stand on the
trapeze.
BY a funny circumstance. the man
agement presented one act that was
Kidnapped from the Broadway theater
bill, Charles Wright, the comedy
chalk artist. He was found at the 200
o'clock train by scouts from the Audi
under the impression daat he was a
heavyweight juggler they were look
ing for. Before the chalk man found
out where he was he had been on and
done his turn, resulting in a decision
between the two arrangements to leave
him there for the rest Of the week,
as the jugglers are still among the
missing.
Louise Hudson. a ventriloquist. made
a decided hit with her clever work, es-
pecially in a ventriloquial song. and
Grace Lavalle. phenom email soprano
charmed both by her stage presence
and her sweet voice.
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04
The Anthracite Coal Carrying Railroads Gain
Practical Victory.
u. s. SUPREME COURT DECISION
In Important Cases Against the
Did Not Transcend Its Constitutional Authority in
Enactment of Commodities Provision-Long Since a
Supreme Court Decision has Created Such Interest.

ership of stock and prohibits the
transportation of commodities simply
because they have been produced by a
railroad company, regardless of the
fact that the company has parted with
them, is held to be untenable and in
capable of enforcement.
1t thus appears, first, that the COM
modities clause is a vital and operative
statute with respect to all products
such as coal, which the railroad com
panies actually own at the time of the
transportation, and that the railroads
must sell such products to somebody
else before they can lawfully ship
them, and, second, that unless the act
is promptly amended so as to include
stock ownership, the railroads can es-
cape the law entirely by converting
their direct ownership of coal proper
ties into ownership by the organiza-
Effect of the Decision.
The effect of the decision under ex-
isting conditions is favorable to the
railroads and the government lost On
practically every point except the sus-
tsntion of the principle involved. In
holding that congress had not gone fe-
yond its authority in enacting the law
the court conceded the right to legis-
late, and it is believed II so disposed
congress might enlarge and extend the
scope of the provision.
Practical Victory for Railroads.
Hence. while the railroads gain a
practical victory, the government is
not confronted by a constitutional bar
from further acting in the direction of
control of the roads in the matter of
shipment of their own commodities.
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04
THE NEW HAVEN COMPANY
ENTIRELY UNAFFECTED
BY the Commodities Decision-Opinion
of a Prominent Officer.

New Haven, Conn.,. May "A prom
inent officer in the New York, New
Haven and Hartford Railroad company
today, after examination of the COM
modities decision of the United States
supreme court, states that it leaves the
interest of the New Haven company
entirely unaffected. The New Haven
company controls the Ontario and
Western road by a small majority Of
the stock and the Ontario and West
ern takes coal from certain mines in
the Scranton region of Pennsylvania
in which it holds stock. Such stock
holding, in the opinion of the officer
referred to, as he reads the opinion
of the supreme court does not con-
stitute ownership and exempts abso-
lutely the Ontario and Western from
the operation of the Hepburn act.
In railroad circles here also the de-
cision Is regarded as being possibly of
the utmost importance as bearing upon
the question of the right of the New
Haven company to control the Massa-
chusetts trolleys through ownership of
stock in the trolley companies That
ownership is now questioned in the suit
brought by the federal. government un-
der the anti trust act of 1890 as being
a combination in restraint Of trade 1t
appears to be the opinion of railroad
officers here that todays decision of
the United States supreme court fore
shadows its position in the pending
suit against the New Haven company,
should 1t be appealed to that tribunal.
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04
Married Forty.F Four Y,nr,.

Relatives and friends called on Mr..
and Mrs. d. S. Merritt OF West street.
New London. Friday evening The cali
was a complete surprise and therefore
all the more enjoyable. Mr.. and Mrs.
Merritt have been married forty-four
years and Il was In honor OF this fict
that the surprise was planned.
Mr.. and Mrs. Merritt have thrae chill
dren. Fred Merritt and Mrs. Clarence
jeffrey OF New London and Mrr.
Charles Carlisle Of Norwich. Mrs. Mer-
ritt was formerly Miss Taylor OF Ston-
iugtOn
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04

Washington, May Sit has been
many a day since a decision of the
supreme court of the United States has
been received with so much interest
as was manifested today in the de-
cision of that court in what are known
as the commodities clause" cases, af-
fecting the anthracite coal carrying
railroads. These cases had been de-
cided by the United States circuirt
court for the eastern district of Penn
sylvania favorably to the railroads in
that the clause of the Hepburn rate
law which prohibits interstate rail-
roads from carrying commodities man
ufactured, mined or produced directly
or indirectly by the roads was de-
clared unconstitutional, and the gen.
eral impression was that the decision
would be affirmed by the supreme
court. When, therefore, there was a
reversal instead of an affirmation the
interest was much magnihed. When,
again. It was found that the reversal
was based on technical grounds and
that the effect was really favorable to
the railroads. sentiment took another
turE and those who had been anxiously
awaiting the announcement Of the re-
suit found themselves much puzzled.
Judgment Announced by Justice White
The courts judgment was announced
by Justice White, who read from an
elaborate printed opinion, but declined
10 give anything more than a sum-
mary showing the net result of the
courts finding. There was also sur
prise over the fact that there were no
elaborate dissenting opinions and in
deed only one dissenting opinion of
any kind. Because of the courts delay
in announcing it's conclusions ii was
generally supposed that the court
would be found to be much differed.
he dicaav7tive- rr1iTfnr urac TrrGtipp
Harlan, who In few words explained
that he did not follow the conclusion
Of the court on the one point that the
law does not prohibit the railroad
ownership of stock in commodities
producing companies.
The Decision Analysed.
Analyzed. Justice Whites decision is
that congress did not transcend its
constitutional authority in the enact
1nent Of the commodities provision, but,
on the other hand, 1t is held that the
governments construction of the pro-
vision was entirely too comprehensive.
AS construed bt the court, the sole
object Of the clause is to prevent car
riers from being associated in interest
with the commodities transported at
the time of trans portation, hence the
law prohibits only the transportation
Of articles when they have been pro-
duced by railway company which has
not. in good faith, parted with them;
when the company owns or controls.
In whole. or in part. the commodity TO
be transported, and when the company
has an interest, direct or indirect, in
the commodity in a legal sense. 1t
was especially held, however, that the
prohibition does not, apply to the own
ershlp Of stock in a producing COM
pany. but that a carrier may own
stock in such a company and at the
same time transport the product of
that company.
The Act Summed Up.
Summed up the act is held to COM
pei companies to dissociate them
selves only from the nroducts they
carry, and the contention of the gov
ernment that the law o~~lies to own
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04
All His Power as Executive will be Exerted
Against War
NATIONAL PEACE CONGRESS AT CHICAGO
In Letter Secretary of the Congress- Read at the Open
ing Session the President Outlines His Position and
the Attitude of the United States-Address of We'll
by Rev. Eugene Bartlett.

Chicago. May S.-The second Ma
tional Peace Conference was opened
here this afternoon, to continue for
three davs. Robert Treat Paine Of
Boston. president of the American
Peace society presided. Addresses
OF welcome were made by Charles $.
Deneen, governor Of Illinois, and Fred
A. Bussse, mayor Of Chicago. The
Rev. a. Eugene Bartlett, chairman Of
the reception committee, welcomed the
delegates. and told them Of the ar
rangements made for their comfort and
convenience.
A letter from President Taft was
read by the secretary OF the interior.
Richard A. Ballinger, who has been
delegated to represent the admins-
tration. Miss Anna y. Eckstein OF
Boston announced "a world petition to
the third Hague conference" DR.. Ben
tamin F. Trueblood, secretary OF the
American Peace society, told OF the
present poSiuon OF the peace move
ment. and w. p. Rogers. dean Of the
Cincinnati Law school, spoke OF THE
Dawn Of Universal Peace"
Address Of Welcome.
In his address Of welcome today DR..
Bartlett said: We welcome you to the
serious work Of the congress. Large
have been the expenditures but we eX-
pect you TO do your work so faithfully
that the achievements Of this gather
ing will be immeasurably greater than
its expenditures. This congress must
be more than a spasmodir expression
of protest against war, and a resolu-
tiou that disarmament would be desir-
able. II should inaugurate "a still more
effective campaign Of education OF the
people in the interests OF permanent,
worldwide peace. The burdens of war
are borne by the common people. and
in the end the verdict Of war or peace
must rest with the rank and file Of the
people"
President Tafts Interests.
Following is the text Of the letter
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04
WANT A SPEAKER IN
SCHOOLS ON TEMPERANCE.
Idea Suggested at w. C. T. U. Meeting
and MIR. James Suggested as Speaker.


The regular monthly meeting of the
w. G. T. L. was held Monday after
noon at O'Clock at their rooms, in
the Bill block The president. Miss
Harriet G. Cross, conducted the meet
ing. which opened with devotional ex-
ercises. hymn, How Firm a Founia-
tion, 94th Psalm read by the presi-
dent, and the Lords prayer in unison.
Mrs. ]. J. Fields was elected secre-
tary pro tenn. in the absence of Mrs.
M. E. P. Kicker. After an intermis-
sion the vice presidents repnSte,l on
the payment of dues, and the collec-
tion was taken
A report of specially interesting L.
L. l.. meetings waa presented by Mrs.
Fields and a medal contest being ar
ranged for. The Anna NJ Herr Y's
are also successfully conducting their
meetings.
The president reported on the recent
annual free will Offering meeting, at
Which Mrs. Seaberry spoke and $40
was received. The president also sug-
gested several lines of endeavor which
should be taken UP as soon as possible,
among which was the securing of Mr..
James Of Rockville to speak in the
schools upon temperance, and also the
holding of more mothers meetings,
which she considered very essential
the president was named to represent
the w. G. T. U. in connection with the
Norwich 250th anniversary. She re-
quested every member to offer sugges-
tions to help make the w. c. T. U.
in the celebration as valuable and in
teresting as possible.
A paper upon the Power of the White
Ribbon was read by the president, and
another extract by Mrs. William P.
Potter, entitled The Wave Has Come
to Stay, which told of the refusal of
the United States treasury officials to
endorse distillery warehouse receipts
so that they might be used as col
lateral. From this it was argued that
the government is not expecting the
temperance wave to recede very much.
Mrs. Potter also read from a letter of
the Massachusetts president, who is
travelling around the world. She
wrote of the cigarette as the menace
of the youth of China, and told how
American cigarette companies are do
ing all they can to extend the use Of
the cigarette among the Chinese boys.
The meeting closed with devotionsl
exercises.
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04
ITS RESOURCES IMPAIRED.
Injunction Against Boston Banking
Company of Boston.

Boston, May s.-On the ground that
its resources had become impaired,
States Savings Bank Commissioner
Arthur b. Chaplin obtained an. injunc-
tion today in the superior court
against the Boston Banking company,
Rhode Island corporation, which has
been conducting as a day night bank
for the past six years at zoe Wash
ington street, and which has a branch
office i'll Rochester A hearing on the
question of appointing a receiver will
be held Friday. The bank was organ
ized in 1908 by Thomas d. Taylor Mr..
Taylor is now in jail in Rhode Is
land, pending suit for $3.50, 900
brought in connection with the placing
In the hands of receivers of the New
England Trust company and the Prov
idence Securities company, both Of
which he organized. Commissioner
Chapin's last report of the condition
OF the bank, issued ugust s, 1908,
showed loans secured by deposits in
banks, chattel mortgages and other
collateral. Of $128,947 and deposits Of
S127,299.
Cashier H. e. Reynolds refused to
comment upon the action of the state
authorities. The company's principal
business was stated by the bank COM
missioner today to Sbe that of max
ing loans on assignments of wages
ard household furniture,
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04
Naval Militia
Man0euVreS
NAVY DEPARTMENT APPROVES
PLANS FOR COMING SUMMER.
THE GURB0AT MAGHIAS
To Be Used for Cruise of Portion of
Connecticut Men-Prairie and Dixie
Also to Be Used.

Washington, May approval has
been given by the navy department to
the plans submitted by the general
board of the naval militia for the ex-
ercises of the coming summer. Sew
eral states, by reason of lack of funds.
will be unable to take part in any
general manoeuvres. These states are
New York, Georgia and South Caro-
lima. North Carolina still has the mat
ters under consideration.
The gunboat Machias will be used
for the cruise of part Of the Connec-
ticut militia.
The militia organizations from
Maine, Massachusetts,, Rhode Island,
part of Connecticut New Jersey and
the District of Columbia, will be taken
cut on the battleships of the Atlantic
fleet in detachments of sixty, or as a
complete organization on the cruisers
Prairie and Dixie.
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04

written by President Taft 70 Royal l..
Melendy, secretary az the National
Peace Congress. which was read at the
opening OF that body today:
My Dear Sir; / greatly regret that
] am unable to attend the coming Ma
tonal Peace Congress at Chicago. and
there to express my earnest sympathy
with the object OF the assembling OF So
many distinguished men Ia tho inter-
est OF world peace. That progress has
been made In the matter OF peace ev-
eryWhere by International action and
by the pressure OF tho peoples OF the
earth, any one who has examined the
record must admit II e. true that
armaments 90 on Increasing In cost,
but II IS also true that the burdens
presented by this competition in arm-
ament are growing heavier and heav~
Ter and the problems for solution com
sistent with their increase bccoms
more and more difficuit. The POSSIBLE.
tiles OF war now arising come chiefly
from irrespOnsibilitles OF government.
and I'm those countries where stability
OF internal control Is lacking
''fhe United States has contributed
much 10 the ruuEe OF peace by assist
ing countries weak in respect 20 their
internal government. so as 20 strength
on In them the cause ~ law and order.
This relation OF guardian and ward be-
tween nations and countries. IN my
Judgment. helps along the cause OF in
ternational peace and Indicates prog
ress In civilization. The policy OF the
United States IN avoiding war under
all circumstances except those plainly
inconsistent with honor or It's highest
welfare, has been made 80 clear 20
the world as hardly to need statement
at my hands. I can only say that. so
far as my leglticate influence extends
while at the head Of this government.
Il viii always be eXerted IN the full
I'm favor Of peace. not only as between
this country and other countries. but
as between our sister nations. Very
sincerely yours.
WILLIAM II. TAFT"
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04
BAND AND CHURCH
PROPERTIES ARE SOLD.
cheIsa Savings Bank Accepts Offer Of
Thames National for Their Proper
ty, and Buys the Universalist Church
Property.

The board of directors of the Chel-
sea Savings bank at their meeting on
Monday morning voted to sell their
property in Shetucket street, which
was damaged by the fire, to the
Thames National bank, and at the
same time it was voted to purchase
the UniversaIist church property cor
ner of Main and Cliff streets. On the
latter property the church bad in
structed the trustees not to accept less
than s35 5000.
There will be no changes made in
the Universalist church building un-
til after the 25oth anniversary cele-
bration, and then the church will have
to sesure some quarters temporarily
for holding of meetings and Sunday
school This has not been settled up
on, although Buckingham Memorial
has been suggested.
Neither of the banks have any plans
for their new structures, although the
Chelsa bank will erect a building
solely for its own use, with the neces-
sary rooms for the carrying on Of its
business and the accommodation of
the directors and officials. 1t is un-
derstood that it is likely to follow the
plans of bank buildings in other
cities, and that they will erect one
which will be an ornament and a credit
to Norwicbyand the bank. The height
may not be governed by what is usu-
ally thought of as one story.
The Thames bank will change the
newly acquired property so as to make
use of the additional room for their
business their quarters having been
too email for a. long time. Just what
the changes will be have not been de-
cided upon. The new frontage is about
26 feet, and doubles their former 'front.'
age. 1t runs back varying from 125 to
80 feet. Inasmuch as the deal has just
gone through, nothing has been done
about plans, but that will probably be
taken up right away.
The Univers3list church property. on
Main and Cliff streets is about 105
feet. while in width 1t tapers from 80
to 20 feet. The church building is 40x
"a. The new building on that spot will
be one of the beauty spots of the city.
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04
UNcAS POWER co.
Holds Annual Meeting and Re-eIeets
Directors and Officers.

The annual meeting of the Uncas
Power company was held at its office
in this city at eleven o'clock Mon
day morning. The stockholders ap-
proved the contracts made by the di-
rectors and also their acts during the
past two years. The following board
Of directors was reelected: Charles
w Comstock, Zebulon r. Robbins,
Frank II. Smith, Arthur j. Dawley,
Edwin W. Higgins and John D. Hall.
The directors at a later meeting re-
elected the following officers: Presi-
dent, Charles w. Comstock; treasurer,
zebulon R. Robbins: secretary. John
D. HaE
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04
ATTAINED HEIGHT OF 5000 FEET
Balloon Pittsfield Flies from Pittsfied
to Chesterfield, NJ. n.

Keene, n. H., May 3.-After a grand
ard enjoyable fight, the balloon Pitts
field which left Pittsheld at 1915 a.
m. today with H. E. Hughes, Harold
s Sibley and William Van Sleet on
board, landed safely in a meadow at
Chesterfield, four miles from here. at
1 p. m, having covered 10 miles.
The voyage was without incident,
except at the start, when the balloon,
on leaving the ground, escaped, COL
lGing with a building. At one time
a speed of 55 miles an hour was at
tanned and a height OF nine thousand
feet was accomplished. The balloon
vas shipped back to Plttsheld for an
other flight
Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1909-05-04
Target Practice of Atlantic BattIeship
Fleet.

Washington, May 3.-Target practice
OF the Atlantic battleship fleet will
take place this summer off the Chesa-
peake capes instead off Cape Cod
Mass. It has been decided that the
battleships shall hold beth their rec
ord target practice and battle target
practice under actual battle conditions
On the highfseas instead of In still wa
ters. The navy department wants the
ships to do their shooting on rolling
waters such as they would be likely
to have in actual battle.