davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-01
MORGAN ). KEANE
 DIES AT HOME OF
 HIS PARENTS HERE

Death. this morning, cut short the -areer of Morgan J. Keane, one of this ctty's promising architects, who vithins the last IS years had been rapidly pushing ahead, and was fast attaining fame as one of the best architects around this part of the country. MT. Keane died at the home of his parents, MT. and Mrs. M. G. Keane, No. 293 French street at 10 o'clock this morning from a complica- ton of kidney and heart trouble with which he had been a1ling for some months past
 Mr. Keane was associated with E. K Rossiter of New York, one of the prominent bidders on the new Bridge port High school job who was in the running on that job until the very last selection The Bridgeport man had done most of his work within the past 12 or Is years in New York state and had handled many important jobs, some of them in this city as well as in New York.
 He was only 39 years old, right in the prime of his career, so his death seems especially regrettable. He is survived by his parents, his wife. and a number of brothers and sisters. The brothers are Dr. Robert B., Henry and Carroll, and the sisters are Mary, Catherine. a school teacher, Elizabeth and Agnes.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-01
SIMPSONS CLAIM TO HAVE SUPPORTED HER
Son Disputes Claim and Probate Courts Com mission Hears Testimony From Many Wltnesses--Mrs, Downs Died With- out Leaving Will and Her Only
 Son Is Sole Heir

ing the rents from a number of house. on Lafayette street. which come in every month
 Morton B., the son of Mrs Downs fu appearing with the present adrninfstra- tor, fighting the claims of the step sons for the s7,oO0 which they asgere is due them from the estate
 The probate court has appointed a commission to hear the claims against the estate, the commission being com posed of Judge Morris B. BeardsIey. George Finn the well known real er- tate man, and Alderman Peter J Car roll. TRis commission has held sev- eral hearings on the case. listening to much testimony, but arriving at no decision yet, as to which side is right
 The commission met in Judge Beardsley's office this morning for a hearing on the case and the entire morning vszs taisen 41Ip listening to the testimony of witnesses. An adjourn ment was called at noon and after lunch, the hearing was resuuied at 2:3O o'clock this afternoon and was in progress at press hour.
 Attorney Robert H. Gould Of the law firm of Gould and Gould appeared for Frederick H. and William F. Downs, and Attorney Charles S Garfield of the law. firm of Garfield, Judson, and Pullman appeared for the adminiEtra- tor of the estate and Morton B. DoEna
 
 hearing this morning tended to show that there was a tentative agreement between the stepsons- and Mrs. Dowus that they would provide her with e home and support her during her life time, the estate passing into their hands when she died.
 Most of the witnesses examined at this mornings hearing appeared for the stepsons. These witnesses 1n- cluded Mrs. George B. Summers, of 365 East Washington avenue, a per sonal friend of Mrs. Downs; Mrs Mary Margaret Hamilton, of 31 Kossuth street, who worked as a domestic In the Downs household; George M Bald win of 232 Courtland street, a neigh bor of Mrs. Downs; Mrs. Ida Parm1ey of Uncowa Hill, a personal friend of Mrs Downs, all appearing for the stepsons; and Mrs. H. M. Anger, a sis ter of the deceased Mrs. Downs. who testified for the estate.
 The testimony brought out the fact that the stepsons always appeared to have the interest of Mrs. Downs at heart, and that she had many times stated before her death that she ''dodn't know what she would have done without these boys, who were having her remain mistress of the house while she liVed.''
 The testimony of the side opposing the stepsons was just beginning to be taken up at press hour.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-01
Grand Treasurer Leach, B. P. Q. E.
 Is Here Tonight

One of the biggest events in the his tory of local Elkdom will take place this evening when Bridgeport Lodge. No. S6, will be honored by a visit from Edward w. Leach, grand treasurer of B. P. O. E.. of the United States of America. MT. Leach is an active can didate for Grand Exalted Ruler at the Grand Lodge reunion at Rochester, N. Y, in July next, and he is very much in demand at the present time from all of the largest lodges of the order throughout the country.
 Great preparations have been made by the local lodge for the reception of tion will be held promptly at o'clock in the club parlors, and will be fol- lowed by a rousing old time social ses- sion at which talent from the different theatres in the city will appear. Spei- deFs orchestra of 12 pieces will fur nish music
 Guests will be present from Hart ford, New Haven, Waterbury, Derby, Norwallx and Stamford lodges, and no effort has been spared by the several committees who have been working for the past few weeks to make this event one of the biggest in local Elkdom.
 MT. Leach will be accompanied on his visit here hy a large delegation from New York Lodge, No. 1, and will be received upon his arrival in this city by the officers of Bridgeport lodge and all of the Past Exalted Rul- CTS, together with many city officials. His headquarters while in Bridgeport will be at the Stratfield Hotel.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-01
EASTERN ROADS
 REJECT NEWS
 WAGE REQUEST
''PubIiC Interest as Whole" Prevents
 increase
Petitions of B. R. T. and 0. R. 6. Turned Down With ExpIan-
 atOry Statement

New York, May 1.-The conference committee of managers of eastern rail- roads declined, today, to grant the re- quests made by their conductors and train men for higher wages. The der of Railway Conductors and Brotherhood Trainmen, says that present rates of wages are liberal and in many cases excessive and that the request for an increase is declined 'in the interests of owners of railroad se- curities, in the interests of all railroad employes-in the interests of the pub lie as a who1e.'
 The wages and working conditions which you request,'' said the reply, would increase the pay of the 1O0,- 900 conductors and trainmen of the proximately $17,OO0,OO0 CT 20 per cent. per annum. The increase would be equivalent to placing on these prop critics a lien of $425, 100000 of four per cent securities which would have preference over first mortgage bonds.
 If the railroads are forced to pay exTayagant wages to men in train service, the burden must fall on the public. You will readily see, there fore, why, in considering your de- mands, we hold the public in the para mount.
 
 country has overtaxed the existing ia cilitieS and the heavy burdens in- cured through iIl-advised legislation, such as extra crew. bills-for which the Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen is alone responsible-have forced on the railroads aAnd consequently on the public, needless expenditures of mill lions of dollars annually All of these factors are making it impossible for naany of thesSroadz to provide those facilities which prudent foresight de mar1ds and which the interests of the public require.
 "In making demands for extrava- gant wa ges-wages entirely out of ac-, cord with the railroads obligations as a who1e-rai1way, employees apparently, act on the assumption that a strike that would tie up traffic would never be permitted by the public. They seem to think that if a strike is to be avoided the railroads must give way that the public will force them to give way, believing that arbitration must take place and that in the end the splitting of differences between what they demand and the wages they receive will resultF in their favor. In other words, the employees have every thing to gain and nothing to lose"
 The submission of the railroads an- swer, today, followed series of con -ferenceS between the committee of rnanagers and a, committee of the con ductors and trainnen' organizations. Upon its receipt, the conductors and trainmen's committee went into con ference to consider what further ao- ton would be taken.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-01

ranging from $10 to SOS. Varying amounts were secured through local practice of medicine.
 A card bearing high-sounding titles was freely circulated in the Italian American section of the city proclaim ing Prof" c. B Yosa as not. only a medical practitioner, but a surgeon. having received his degree from the Royal University of Naples in 1888. It also credited him with having rep resented his government ambassa- dor to France. England, Australia, Canada, Argentine and the United States.
 It would appear from investigations being made by County Health Officer George E. Hill, he failed, however, to record his certificates in the State of Connecticut, although practicing here.
 Many came to him ailing with dis ease. To these he always advised treatment under the highest known specialists, securing, it is claimed. large amounts in advance upon the promise that it would pay the trans Iportation of such men as F'riedmann, Koch and others to this city. Among those still looking for such arrivals Ns Pasqua1e Ricucci, 435 Hallett street who claims to have paid $85. A dozen other names are in the hands of the authorities who assert they are/out of pocket to amounts running as high as $35o, the latter being a loan from an East Side barber.
 On Friday last, one Of the notes not having been met at the bank, Dr. Ci- polla went to the store, where he de- rnan6fed an accounting of the stock or payment. The proprietors pleaded ex- treme exhaustion and need of an ev- ening meal. They never returned, and it is alleged before leaving they took all the moneys in the cash register and also an amount of SAT from the drawer of the sub-posta1 station To- cated at that point. The government sheets returnedS the following day showed a, large Shortagestzitgis alleged, and inspectors were immediately de- tailed to look for those responsible.
 Search in Waterbury where a. note to Cipolla said they had gone,. failed to reveal their presence and although the post offices of all surrounding cit ieS were guarded yesterday, neither had shown up for mail.
 Complaints have been made to Pros -ecuting Attorney Alexander L. De- Laney and County Health Officer Hill. who is asked to prosecute the Doe tor'' for illegal practice in Bridgeport Civil. suits will undoubtedly result should either of the erstwhile proprie- tors of the Cosmopolitan Pharmacy return. pr. Cfpol1a has against as- stunned proprietorship and to him the complaints are being registered by those who still believe that the aris- tocratic Doctor will return with Friednann, Koch and other special ists.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-01

If the late Belle Morton Downs, widow of Theodore s. Downs, at one time consuI-generaI of the United States at Quebec, Canada, had req ized the complications which were to grow out of her failure to make a will before she died, she undoubtedly would have seen to it that the will was made, disposing of her property as she thought it should be disposed of.
 Belle Morton Downs was the second wife of ConsuI-GeneraI TheodoAe S. Downs of this city, and died at the Downs home, No. 254 CourtIand street in February, 1912. Her husband, Con- suI-GeneraI Downs, died some years previous to this date and between the time of her husbands death and her own death, she lived with William P. and Frederick H. Downs. sons of the consul general by his first wife, atsths Gcurtland street home left to her by her husband.
 Consul General Downs had one son by his second wife, Belle Morton Downs, this son being Morton B. Downs, who was away in Canada much of the time while the two step sons of Mrs. Downs lived with her in this city.
 When Mrs. Downs died in February 1912,s the one son. Morton B., was de- clared the sole heir of the estate, there being no will to deed any of the prop erty to the stepsons who had lived with her and kept up the estate since the time of her husbands death.
 Morton B. was appointed admins trator of the estate being the only natural heir and he held the position of administrator for son-e months, or until Frederick H. and William P. Downs, the stepsons, produced evil dence to show that the esEate was be- ing misnanaged by him, and petition ed the probate court to have him re- moved from the position of adminis- trator.
 The court on the petition of the stepsons, removed Morton from the position of administrator after investi- gating the charges brought against him, and appointed F. T. Staples ad- ministrator in his place.
 Frederick H. Downs one of the steEb- sons then put in a claim against the estate for $7,00O claiming that this amount had been expended by him and his brother in paying his step mothers bills for clothes and food, supplying her with cash, paying in terest on mortgages on the estate, and in fact providing for her every need from the time her husband died until she herself passed away.
 These claims are now being contest ed by the administrator, Frank T. Staples, who represents the estate as being insolvent, the only assets be-
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-01
PROUTY SCORES BOOKKEEPING OF
 THE NEW HAVEN
Mellen's Appearance Before Examiner Is Awaited
 With Interest

Boston. May 1-when the interstate te commerce commission hearing was re- stunned today. it was learned that President Mellen had decided to ap- pear as a witness later with the pur- pose of defending his management of the New York, New Haven & Hartford railroad and subsidiary lines.
 MT Mellen heretofore has refused to appear as voluntary witness
 It was said today it was probable Mir MeIIen will not be called before next week Arguments will be made in Washington next Wednesday.
 The bookkeeping system of the New Haven was criticised by Commissioner Prouty in connection with the first subject taken up today. This was the transfer of the steamers Rhode Island and Connecticut from the Prov iderce and Stonington Steamboat Company to the New England Naviga- 1fon Company subsidiaries Of the New Haven, in August, 1904, at an apprais- e6 value of S65O,OOO. In December, 1906. the vessels were transferred to the United States Transportation Com pany for the same price. In 1908, the navigation company bought the steam CTS back from the transportation com pauy for $932, GOO
 MT. Choate asked Accountant Brown to asume that the transportation com xzany had spent $282.0OO on them and then say what was the amount rep resented by the steamers. The W1t- ness answered $9S2, ,OOo
 In July, 1s10,a the witness said, ad- 5ustments were made which placed a book value of $225,0g0 on the Connec- ticuk and S15o, 900 on the Rhode Island When the Connecticut was broken up in 1911. $S.o00 was received from sal wage $26, GOO on her boilers that were installed in a freight steamer, and the balance $191, 500. was charged against income
 Have you any criticism of our method of charging off in adjusting the value of these steamers ?'' the law yer asked ''I am not making critt- S.isnas of ana 15fnd,'' said the witness .'I think have,'' interposed Commis- eioner Prouty Your methods of bookkeeping are open to serious crit 4csenn My criticism of your book keeping Is that 1t does not represent real values Your books ought to be arspt in such a manner as to show ac-' tual value of property. You ought not to charge your property $3oo, 900 up or S300.o0O down as you wish, for that does not represent real value. Do you think that these boats were worth SsSz GOO when they were turned back to the navigation company?
 'T do not know anything about that replied the attorney.
 We'll commented the commission CT, T think you can make a pretty shrswd guess These boats were used for several years and were then turn ed back without any charge being made for depreciation.'
 A discussion between Mir. Choate and the commissioner followed regarding the manner in which various other en- tries were made on the books Of the navigation company and the transpor- tatton company
 The railroad attorney held that 1t made no difference whatever whether
 
 steamers were written off by the nav igation company or the transportation company since the latter company was owned by the navigation company.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-01
TWO BRIDGEPORT HOSPITALS TO RECEIVE SS7, ,OOO FROM
 STATE IN APPROPRIATIONS

Senate for action within a few days.
 It is understoor that the same com rnittee has decided to recommend an appropriation of $20,O00 for the Bridgeport hospital and $17,O00 for St. Vincents hospital which is in keep ing with custom of the state to allow institutions of this character funds ap- propriated at each session of the Gem eral Assembly. These appropriations are intended to help defray the ex- pense incurred in the care of public patients the hospitals charging for their care considerably less, to the various towns responsible for them, than it actually costs to care for them
 Senators McNeil and WhitcoInb and Representatives McMurray and Wilson appeared before the committee and advanced irrefutable arguments in favor of allowing a generous amount for the proposed building projects.
 Senator McNeil as chairman of the appropriations committee did much good work to bring about the granting Of the special appropriations. He is quite elated at the outcome.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-01
NO COERCION
 OF MONTENEGRO
 BY THE POWERS
King Nicholas Is Not Ready to Yield to
 Demand
Little Kingdom Reserves Right to Bring Up Question In the
 Balkan Peace Negotiations

London, May 1-The powers will not take steps to coerce Montenegro. The ambassadors at their meeting this af- ternoon came to the conclusion that in view of the conciIatory attitude shown by Montenegro 1t was unueces- sary to proceed with immediate mes sages of coercion. Another meeting of the diplomats was arranged for Monday, May 5.
 London, May IA proposal that Montenegrin seaports of Antivari and Du1cigno shall be occupied by a joint force of Austrians, Italian and British troops as a further demonstration to King Nicholas that the European powers are resolved to ca Fy out their decision in regard to the inclusion of Scutari in the future state of Albania Is to be made at today's meeting of the anbassad dors in London of the European powers. Should Aurstia- Hungary accept the middle course. its adoption would allow time for furthe CT pressure being brought to bear on
 Montenegro for the making of an ar rangernent to provide her with com pensation of some kind.
 The reply Of Montenegro to the de- rnand of Europe for the evacuation of Scutari has been received by the pow CTS. It is non-committaI in character and keeps the door open for further negotiations.
 The little Kingdom of the Black Mountain tells it's big neighhors that it has the greatest deference for them and declares the capture of Scutari to be in no way connected with their announced decision. At the same time Montenegro suggests that there is room for discussion and reserves the right of bringing up the question of Scutari in the course of the peace negotiations when the definitive de- limitation of Albania comes before the Balkan allies and the European pow CTS for settlement.
 King Nicholas thus, while he has not consented to yield Scutari, has opened the way for, further discus -sior.
 In the meantime, arrangements are in progress for the definite conclusion of peace between the Balkan. allies and Turkey. The European powers have requested the respective govern ments to appoint plenipotentiaries who on meeting in London will be invited to sign a draft of the preIini- naries which the powers have already drawn up. This course has. been adopted in order to prevent prolonged discussions.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-01
R Our Staff corres.)

Hartford. May 1-The committee on Appropriations of which Senator Arch ibald NGcNeil of Bridgeport Is Senate chairman, and Representative Magee of Watertown is House chairman, at an executive session held last night agreed to recommend an appropria- ton of $25 900 for St. Vincent's hos pita1, and a like amount for the Bridgeport hospital for their building projects.
 It Is well known that each hospital contem plates enlarging their present quarters to meet tho demands which are made upon them by increased bus mess. They petitioned the General Assembly for aid and the committee recently visited Bridgeport to make an inspection of both institutions, and the members were practically of one mind that both hospitals are doing splendid work and should be encour- aged by the State. The report was nracttcallv unanimous. It will be transmitted to either the House or the
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-01
STRIKE TIES
 UP CONF PLETELY BUFFALO STORES
Over 2,5O0 Employees Make Demands for Increased
 Wages and Shorter Hours

Buffalo, May lover 2,5OO depart ment store employees, involving every store of the kind in the city, went on strike this morning for increased wages and shorter hours. Elmployes Of hardware and five and ten cent stores participated in the strike
 The demand is for minimum wage of sS for women clerks and $15 for men clerks, with a minimum for boys of sS and for drivers and chauffeurs SIS per week The employees also de- mand an eight hour work day, Satur day half holiday with full pay in June, July, August and September. and the closing of the stores at 5 o'clock each evening. The present average weekly wage for girl clerks is said to be $5.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-05-01
FRIEDMANN CURE AS BAIT IS EFFECTIVE FOR PHARMACISTS
 WHO FLEE WITH THOUSANDS
GuIIibIe East Bridgeporers Victimized by Smooth Strangers, Who, in Old Estab shed Store, Do Big Specialist
 Business

What appears to be one of the larg- est swindIes perpetrated for many months in the city Of Bridgeport, in volving investiga ton by civil, crim- 1nal, medical and government authori- ties came to the ears of the authori- ties yesterday, and though search has been made for the alleged principals in this city, Waterbury and New York, no trace of their whereabouts has yet been ascertained.
 Though for some unknown reason every effort on the part of the author ities has been exerted to. keep the de- tails from the local papers The Far mer is able tonight to publish the de- tails in full, though the extent will not be known for some time, of the gigantic swindle which up to the pres ent time has disclosed victims from which more than $1,2OO has been taken. It is thought that when full reports are made losses little short of $5 900 will be uncovered. An amount of $49 Is alleged to have been taken from the post office authorities. Those vic timized are among the most proIni- nent residents of the East Side.
 The principal sufferer is pr. c. P CipolIa, proprietor of the Cosmopolitan Pharmacy, at Pembroke and Steuben streets He stated to a. reporter for The Farmer yesterday that his loss cannot be fully estimated as the quan-
 
 of his store cannot be accurately com puted. He places his loss in the neighborhood of $500 to $1 .O0O
 Several months ago, Dr. CipoIIa, who, besides a regular practice in medicine, owns the pharmacy, decided that he would return to his native country for a year or so as rest .frorc his years of labor here. At this tirne a. gentle man whom he had met on several oc- casions and whom he believed high in the diplomatic service of. his country, approached him in behalf of a friend Andrea De Pietrosss who it was said desired to purchases the pharmacy. The 'tdip1omat'', c. B. Yosa, finally in fluenced pr. CipolIa to accept an amount of $400 and several joint notes, payable monthly, in exchange for a conditional bill of sale. Possession of the business was taken about month ago, and Doctor Yosa took occu- pancy of the physicians office in the rear of the pharmacy while De Pietro assumed with a local pharmacist clerk the duties behind the counter.
 According to the allegations of those who now seek to tell their grievances was brisk in both departments. Large sales were made over the counter, but stocks were. not repIenished.
 Inside the sanctum of the Doctor s office the F,riedmann cure was widely exploited and guaranteed to be secured upon the payments of cash amounting from $50 to $50. Other cures were dispensed, it is reported at sums