davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
Question Will Be Fought
Out on Ground that Un-
dertaxed Property Of Mo-
nopoly Should Be Fairly
Reached.
Or Gordian Knot Might Be
Cut by Adoption of Reso-
luton Similar to the Cor
bin Excess Tax Bill
Which Was Turned Down
In 1909.
Especial to The Farmer)


Hartford. Feb. 1.-THE movement to
prevent another levy Of a direct State
tax on the property Of towns is be-
ginning to be regarded by the govern
ing junta Of the General Assembly as
of serious proportions and likely to in
terfere with the plans that have been
laid for raising the revenues Of the
Commonwealth. When it was first
announced that Mayor buckingham,
the young chief executive of Bridge
port, had taken up shield and sword
with the purpose of giving It's death
blow to the state tax the news was
received with amusement or derision.
The announcement Of single execu-
tive does not count for much in a
government in which the largest city
has but two representatives, which is
no more than the smallest town may
have. But that Mayor Buckingham
would succeed in combining all Of the
mayors Of the cities of the state was
not anticipated, and the fact that he
has done SO makes it appear that the
State tax Will have to be abandoned
and the half million which 1t was In
tended to raise in this way levied up
on other property.
To make a bad matter worse it is
understood here that Mayor Bucking-
ham is now quietly enlisting and has
been for sometime the selectmen and
the tax. Reports have been coming
into the capitol to this effect from
representatives who have been seen
by their fellow citizens in some OF
the small places, as a result Of the
work done by the Bridgeport mayor.
It is recognized that the State tax
is not defensible in the face of real
20 =, q
place where it had to raise more
money. The money could be had by
increasing the tax on public service
corporations or by adopting the So
called Corbin corporate excess bill.
But neither Of these plans was Sc
lected because it was so much easier
to inflict the tax on the small prop
erty owners by the medium of direct
levy on the equalized grand lists Of
the towns and cities.
The cities are generally recognizing
the fact that the state has taken from
taxation by them the propery of rail-
road, railway, telephone and tele-
ginning to see, under the tuition Of
the Bridgeport men, that this prop
erty is taxed at a less rate than it
would be if taxed in the communities
in which it actually exists
The average local rate is Is mills,
taxed by plan that represents rate
of not more than one per cent, and,
in the case Of street railway corpora.
tions especially, the property is often
valued for purposes Of taxation at less
than its owners swear that it is worth.
The question to be fought out is
whether additional revenue should be
raised by increasing the tax on under
taxed monopoly or by increasing the
tax on homes and farms.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
JENNINGS AUTO
SHOW SUCCESSFUL

The automobile show and opening
of the e. M. Jennings Co., 277 Fair
field avenue, which opened yesterday
has attracted large crowds of auto
mobile enthusiasts from all parts of
Fairfield and New Haven counties.
Over 10000 worth of new cars in
Guiding the various 1911 models of
the Stevens-Duryea, Haynes and the
Hudson are on exhibition, and this is
without doubt the largest showing
ever made in the state by any private
concern.
Groups of admirers may be seen
any time during the day around the
1911 model cylinder, Berlin type,
enclosed limousine Stevens-Duryeau
This Is the first occasion a car of this
type has been exhibited in Bridgeport.
1t Is the same type car which at
tracted SO much interest among the
leading ladies of the land at the Madi-
son Square show in January.
The Haynes Torpedo, with fore
doors, is also a center of great in
terest; also the Hudson roadster, call
ed the most widely copied car in
America"
The Jennings Co. deserve great
credit for assembling such a fine line
of cars for this occasion. and the
magnificent equipment Of their build
ing which is the finest of it's kind in
the state.
The show continues all this week
and should be visited by every Bridge
porter who is interested in the rapid
strides made by the most progressive
automobile manufacturers in Ameri-
ca.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
M'NEIL BRINGS
ABOUT PASSAGE
OF BANKS BILL
Committee to Investigate Trusts
Designed to Raise Price of
Coal, Ice and Necessities
Penalties Provided For Persons
Who Attempt to Fix or Raise
Prices of Necessities
Especial to The Farmer.)

Hartford, Feb. 14-On motion OF
Senator Archibald Mcneil. Jr., OF
Bridgeport, the resolution to appoint a
committee to investigate trusts and
corners designed to fix and raise the
prices Of ice, coal and other necessi-
ties of life was taken from the table
in the Senate today and unanimously
passed.
The resolution comes from Judge Ell
more S. Banks of Fairfield. leader Of
the House, and was passed in the
was considered in the Senate and laid
upon the table.
This morning Senator Mcneil called
it from the table and moved for It's
passage. He said:
'In all probability Mr.. Banks be-
lieves that there is possibility that
some communities are suffering from
exorbitant prices in coal and ice and
other necessities OF life.
''To my personal knowledge, So far
as Bridgeport Is concerned the price
Of coal is fair, reasonable and justifi-
able by conditions. Bridgeport re-
ceives coal at price that is prob
ably the lowest in the State. and far
lower than any other city at an equal
distance from the coal-producing CEN
ters.
However the other localities 11ay
be suffering from prices that are too
high in this and other commodities,
so I favor the passage of Judge Banks
resolution"
Upon the taking of a vote, the res
oIution was unanimously passed and
now needs only the signature of the
Governor to become law.
The resolution calls for the creation
Of a committee Of one Senator and
three Representatives to be appointed
by the Senate and House presidents
respectively. The committee is en-
powered to investigate the price Of
ice and coal and all other necessities.
Penalties are provided for persons and
corporations engaging in combinations
for the purpose of fixing the price on
any necessities.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
YOUNG ENNIS
ARRESTED AS
BLACK HANDER
Stamford Youth, Son of Fa-
nous Pedestrian, Charged
With Writing Threat
ening Letters
One Was to President Mel
len from Whom He De-
manded 5000, or He'd
Blow Up Railroad.
Especial from United Press.)


Stamford. Feb. 14-Because he is
alleged 10 have written letters of the
Black Hand type to President Mellen
of the New York. New Haven &,
Hartford Railroad. to Contractor Will
liam Arthur. to Herman Hoeffer. and
TO Gustave Ehlers. of this city, Hugh
Ennis, u years old. son Of John En-
mis-. the contractor and pedestrian.
was arrested this forenoon. The po-
lice say Ennis admitted writing the
letters and claimed they were intend
ed chiefly as practical Jokes.
President Mellen received four let
ters. Mr. Arthur at least one. Mr..
Hoeffer two. and Mrs. Ehlers at least
one
OF President Mellen and Mr.. Ar
thur. IS 900 was demanded. of the
others smaller sums. $25 in the case
Of Mr.. Ehlers. In all the letters
dreadful things were threatened in
case the money was not placed in the
designated spot. In Mr. Mellen's case
threats were made to destroy the
freight houses here by fire. to blow
up railroad bridges and do other harm
10 railroad property as we'll as to the
person of the railroad president, un-
less the $1,000 was placed on the Main
street railroad bridge.
Railroad detectives had been here
for a month or two guarding railroad
property against any such possible
damage for. while there was no dis
position to treat the letters too seri-
ously, 1t was deemed wise to be on
the lookout The railroad detectives
worked with the local police in find
ing the author Of the letters.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
MIR. BUCKLEY SPEAKS
ON LINCOLN AT
DINNER IN NORWALK

Francis N. Buckley, superintendent
Of schools, of Ansonia, whose home is
in this city, spoIe on Abraham Lin
coin, last night, in South Norwali, at
the banquet Of the Catholic club.
Mr.. Buckley's address on Abraham
Lincoln was a statement of that pa
triot's place in the history Of his coun-
try and an analysis of his character.
length and showing where Lincoln
showing the difficulties he encounter
ed and the way he surmounted them.
He explained at length the intellectual
and moral side Of Lincoln's character
and showed how he prepared himself
for his gigantic life work
He then took up the two solemn
questions of human slavery on the
one side and the sovereign rights Of
the individual states on the other set
ting these forth historically at some
length and showing where Linvoln
stood on both of these questions. Then
followed an explanation Of the origin
Of the Republican party and Lincoln 8
part in the formation Of it.
Mr.. Buckley then took up the sub
ject of the Lincoln-Douglas debates
and showed how Lincoln displayed his
superiority over Douglas in submit
ting the capital and leading question
in the debate at Freeport, ILL.,. which
involved douglas IN the dilemma OF
interpreting the Dred Scott Decision.
Lincoln in the Civil War and the mag
nanimity Of his soul at this period
were then treated.
'oThe Emancipation Proclamation %
Mr. Buckley said, twas unquestion-
ably the greatest act of Lincoln's life;
the act that will be always coupled
with his name as a benefactor Of the
human race" He pointed out that
this was a war measure demanded by
the exigencies of the times and that
it was Lincoln's own thought primar-
lily. 'By this act of JUSTICE" he said,
Lincoln reaffirmed the Declaration Of
Independence and gave truth in the
nineteenth century to that principle,
which the founders of our govern
ment set as the foundation stone of
Democracy, that life, liberty and pres
ent happiness are mans unalienable
rights. He closed with a fervent an
alysis Of Lincoln's character.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
BRIDGEPORT BOYS
TOOK THE WADUCT
BY MAIN STRENGTH
StOrming of the Walls of Pekin
Had Nothing on the Battle
That Took Place Yesterday

The storming Of the walls Of Pekin
had little on the storming of Bridge
ports Chinese wall, the railroad via
duct, in East Bridgeport yesterday,
when 20 schools boys, on a frolic for
the holiday, scaled the stone wall, and
hurled railroad ballast down upon a
gang of laborers in the street below.
The battle ragged furiously until a
pedestrian ran into the Second Pre-
cinct station with a bulletin from the
front. Doorman Burke rushed out
with group of war correspondents,
and reaching the center. of hostilities,
pursued the youngsters down the via
duct, overhauling Harold Ryckman.
Harold Is but 15. He was released
after a short time in the Second pre-
cinct station, his\ parents promising
to have him in the city court today.
Judge Wilder fined him 81 for tres
passing upon railroad property
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
RECIPROCITY ENDORSED
IN SENATE BY II TO {;
M'NEIL SPEAKS FOR IT
Local Senator Demands Keeping Of Party
Pledges For Lower Cost Of
Living

and bring these things more easily
within the reach of the average man
in the working class.
"I believe that we are but carrying
out our party pledges.in doing all that
we can do to reduce the cost of liv-
ing. and therefore we should vote In
favor of this resolution"
Senator Garry Paddock Of Bridge
port also spoke in favor of the reso-
luton endorsing the reciprocity agree
ment.
"I have read much concerning this
matter and have considered it care
fully" declared Senator Paddock,
land I think it should pass"
Senators Alsop, Fem and Hooker
made speeches in opposition to the
endorsement of the reciprocity meas
ure, their arguments being based up
on a supposed fear that reciprocity
will injure the Connecticut farmers.
Nothing was said in their speeches
about the cost Of food to the peop.e
of the state as a whole
When the vote came. those voting
against the endorsement were four
Republican senators, Messrs Alsop,
Fem, Hooker and Elliott. and two
Democratic senators, Messrs. Donovan
and Foster.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
POLICE
STOOL PIGEON
IS NOT GUILTY
City Court Finds "NOt Probable
CauSe"-DecisiOn Given
This Morning
Inciting Boys to Steal For the
Purpose of Arresting Them
is Not a Crime

John Verne, also noted in the po-
lice records as John Venar, was exon
Grated Of the charge Of theft by De-
putty Judge Wilder In the City court
today when that official found mot
probable cause" to hold the state po-
lice stool pigeon for the Superior
court as an acoomplice in theft of a
quantity of metal from the American
& British Manufacturing Co. last
week.
Judge Wilder's decision was made
only after several days of investiga-
ton into the criminal cases Of many
states, of kindred nature, and after
spirited arguments advanced by AS
sistant Prosecutor Redden for the
State and Attorney James A. Marr fol
the accused.
Incidentally Judge Wilder took q
slight fling at the local police. He
intimated that behind the arrest OF
Verne might be seen a tendency to
criticize the methods employed by the
state police "But this isn't the place
for that sort of thing" said Judge
Wilder. ''If there is criticism of the
method employed, the proper thing
is to lodge a complaint with the chiei
Of the state police department This
court is only concerned with the guilt
or innocence Of the accused"
Attorney Redden argued that Verne
melted ybuths to the commission o1
thefts, and that under the laws Of the
state as well as the common. law. he
was equally guilty with the boys, sew.
eral of whom have been held for tria
in the Superior court.
Attorney Mari declared that the
state must show that Verne intended
to commit the crime of theft, tc
benefit thereby, and he cited as ar
instance of how far a detective coulG
go to the activities Of a private de-
tective in the famous Molly Maguirt
uprisings of Pennsylvania years ago
when the sleuth, mingling with des'
peradoes, figured in murders and
other glaring crimes, to gather evi.
dence for the extinction of the an
archistic organization.
Attorney Redden advanced the
argument that Verne, according to the
testimony of the boys, had defrauded
the state police who employed him
by overcharging the police for the
junk he bought from the boys, thus
making the thefts of the boys mat
ter of profit to himself.
But Judge Wilder declared he didn't
believe the boys, and ordered the man
discharged. Verne has been at lib
erty under the surveillance of the
state police, since last Friday. The
state police used every effort to effect
his discharge, Verne's arrest having
been made by Prosecutor Redder
against their wishes.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
FELT THAT HIS DEATH
WAS CLOSE AT HAND

Possessing a divination that his
earthly existence was soon to cease,
Herbert Lynch, resident Of Long
Hill, only three days ago drew up his
will while on visit to the home Of
his nephew, James Lynch of 50 George
street The time worn proverb, Com
ing events cast their shadows before, %
held true, for yesterday morning Mr..
Lynch suffered a shock, passing away
in the afternoon. He was So years Of
age. and had been a resident Of Long
Hill practically all his life. He was a
retired farmer and considered we'll
supplied with the worlds goods.
When Mr.. Lynch came to his
nephews home he stated that he was
not feeling very well. His illness was
not of such a character that ordinarily
would necessitate the calling of a ply
sician.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
LOCAL MEN ASK
WAR DEPARTMENT
TO SAVE CHANNEL

Harbormaster Morris had letters from
the Lake Torpedo Boat Co., Hitchcock
Marine Motor Works. East End Coal
Co., Va1voline Oil Co., and the VOL
VERNE Motor Co.. of Bridgeport pro-
testing against the filling In Of that
part of the harbor known as Johnson's
Greek by the wash from Long Beach.
:, Both the .Harbormaster-s sand--Attor-
ney Judson were of the opinion that a
series of jetties erected by the gov
ernment along the Long Beach shore
would protect the Johnson's Creek
harbor where the government has
thousands of dollars. in development
and where there is a branch Of the
harbor that promises to develop rapid
ly in connection with the city s
growth.
Mr. Judson called on Senator
Brandegee and enlisted his support.
Lieut.. Col. Taylor expressed surprise
when Harbormaster Morris testified
that the sand has washed in to such
an extent that what is supposed to
be a 9foot channel is really only and
one-half feet deep. This is a condi-
ton, he says of which he was un-
aware.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
Especial from United Press.)

Especial from United Press.)
Washington, Feb. 1.-THE assertion
that vast timber trust, dwarfing
Standard Oil by comparison, is in the
making, and startling statistics show
ing how the government has lost mill
lions in disposing Of timber lands, are
contained in a special report sent to
Congress. today, by Herbert Knox
Smith, commissioner of corporations.
Four-fifths Of the standing timber In
this country, Smith says, is now pri-
vately owned and three vast holdings
alone, those Of the Southern Pacific
Company, the Weyerhauser Timber
Co., and the Northern Pacific Railway
Company, Gncluding their subsidiary
companies,) together have $4,000, 600, 900
feet, or nearly IL per cent OF this pri-
vately owned timber
These three holdings the report
says, "haYe enough standing timber to
build an ordinary five or six room
frame house for each of the 10000, 900
families in the United States in 1900.
If sawed into lumber and placed in
cars their timber would load a train
about 100 miles long.
1.-THE largest holders are cutting lit
tie of their timber. They thus reserve
to themselves those incalculabIe prof
it's which are still to accrue with the
growth Of the country, the diminish
ing timber supply and the further con-
.centration and control thereof Many
of the very men who are protesting
against conservation and the National
Forest System because Of the tying
up OF natural resources, are them
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
MOTHER FEARS SON
HAS FLED WITH CASH.

Joseph Povelige, aged Is, of 239
Railroad avenue, was reported at po-
lice headquarters this afternoon as
missing. A little later his mother, a
washerwoman, called at headquarters
to report that $50, representing many
weeks of savings. was also gone.
She fears Joe has fled to a little
town in New York state where he
has distant relatives with whom ne
kept up q correspondence. The po-
lice have sent out q warning for his
approhension
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
Especial to The Farmer)

(Specldl TO Ine FdrIneTj
Hartford, Feb. 14.-By a vote OF q
70 the Senate today endorsed the
proposed reciprocity treaty between
the United States and Canada The
endorsement came after a lengthy de-
bate in which the reciprocity bill was
attacked on the ground that it might
be prejudical to Connecticut farmers.
1t remained for Senator Archibald
Mcneil, Jr., of Bridgeport, to call the
attention Of the Senate to the fact
that the vital subject concerned in the
question of reciprocity is the matter
of lowering the cost of food, and that
the question: of the cost of living
for the hundreds of thousands of
workmen dwelling in the cities is OF
more importance than the opening OF
Connecticut farms to competition.
II believe that the taking off the
Canadian duties on food stuffs means
n lower cost of living" declared SEN
ator Mcneil. especially to the work.
ing class which has suffered very
much The removal of the duties on
potatoes, eggs, poultry and other inn
portant items would necessarily pro-
duce an ebb Of prices to a lower level
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
UNITED DEMOCRACY
STANDS BY TAFT
ON RECIPROCITY
Especial from United Press.)

Washington, Feb. 1ESeeking light
on the reciprocity situation at the
White House today. Representative J..
Sloat Fassett. (Rep.. N. Y.), said the
thought uppermost in his mind was:
when President Taft and Champ
Clark agree on the tariff. I'd like to
know who follows the other"
Later. emerging from the sanctun1.
he said:
'sThis Canadian reciprocity treaty
will go through both branches of Con-
gress as the result of the combined
efforts Of a united Democracy and a
Republican President The credit
will go to President Taft for what
ever it is WORTH
Senator Cullom, (Rep.. In.), an
nounced today that he would vote for
the reciprocity bill.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
MAINE ANNIVERSARY
COMES TOMORROW
Big Observance Planned Wiffrj
Work of Raising the Wrecked,
Battleship
Especial from United Press.Y

NSpeclaH TON UH1ted Preo0.J
Havana. Feb. 14-Owing to the in
terest aroused by the work OF raising
the wreck Of the battleshipj Maine,
the Maine anniversary tomorrow will
be more generally observed than ever
before.
Vice President Zayas will deaiver
the memorial Grafton Ia this city.
The wreck Of the Maine Will be sur
rounded with boats for the accommo-
dation OF spectators. A marine guard
Will be placed on the wreck and min
ute guns win be fired from Cabanas
Fortress during the services. Cuban
army bands will furnish music. Past
Commander NGihon. Of the Spanish
American War Veterans. is here, to
assist the local camp.
The Cuban warship Hatuey, with
President Gomez aboard. will take
part in the exercises.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
MANSFIELD To
BE INSURANCE
COMMISSIONER
Especial from United Press. }

Hartford, Feb. 14.-Burton Mans
field, of New Haven, was nominated
for insurance commissioner, in place
of Theodore Macdonald, of New Ha-
ven, by Governor Baldwin, today.
The Senate received this nomination,
also the reappointments of Edward
d. Robbins, of Hartford, to the state
board of education, and DR.. Edward
K. Root, of Hartford, and Lewis
Sperry, of Windsor, to the state board
of health.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
Especial to Tho Farmer

Especial to Tho Farmero
washington, Feb. 14Harbormaster
Charles Il. Morris. representing Bridge
port and States Attorney Stiles Jud-
SON representing Stratford. appeared
here yesterday before the board OF
engineers on rivers and harbors of the
war department. IN support of the ap-
neal taken from Lieut.. Col. Harry
Tayior's refusal to build jetties for the
protection of Long Beach. Stratford.
Col. Taylor was found by the Har-
bormaster to be a member Of the COM
nittee. The Colonel said he did not
intend to take any part however In
deciding the case in question.
Congressman E. J. Hill appeared
In favor of building the jetties but
said he was unable to stay and be
heard. He was given permission to
file a written statement later on. The
committee will withhold its decision
until IT. hears from him.
Attorney Judson represented that
the Steeplechase Island breakwater
has caused a change in currents which
threatens to wash away Long Beach.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
CARBUNCLE SECURES
RELEASE FROM JAIL

Annie Fehn, serving a Jail sentence
here for theft of a dog in East Nor
walk, several weeks ago, was trans
ferred from the county Jail to st. Vim
cents hospital this afternoon.
The woman is suffering from a
large carbuncle on the chin. DR.. ..
Lincoln Banks, the Jail physician, or
dered her removal to an operation.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-02-14
MOB SPIRIT AT
BREAKING POINT
Feared That Attempt Will be
Made to Batter Down
Jail Doors
Especial from United Press)

Oklahoma City, OKLA, Feb. 14-Fear
that more blood may be shed in the
Swanson County seat war, today.
caused Governor Cruce to order Sher-
iff Daniels Of Kiowa County to pro-
ceed to Mountain Park and take any
necessary steps to prevent another
outbreak.
Mob spirit is running high and to-
day many farmers are gathered in the
vicinity Of the Mountain Park Jail.
where three officials. G. E. Bull and
J. T. Thompson, County Commission
ers, and G. B. Bristow, County Clerk,
aer held prisoners, charged with lille
gally moving the county records from
Mountain Park to Snyder. w. L..
Staples was killed during the raid.
1t is feared that unless drastic steps
are taken an attempt will be made by
the Snyder adherents to batter down
the doors of the jail tonight and set
free the three county officials.