Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1914-06-27
EVENING CHAT


instead of being a cause for scamper-
ing is the object of hunts Time was
not so long ago that a we'll developed
enterprising snake could keep boys
away from any swimming place, and
/ even prevent the enjoyment of bull
frog sticking expedition. Now every
place where snakes are known to fire.
quent is turned over couple of times
a day by boys in the first flush of
vacation, and any snake within fifty
feet who gets away is well entitled
TO the enjoyment of, g-hunting on
another day. Water snakes appear
TO be the particular prey of boys
about the city, and there is hardly a
pand that returns from rambling near
the mountains or along the valleys of
the Paxton, Yellow Breeches and Con-
odogulnet that does not come back
with serpent. The other night two
boys tried to make the poor fright
ened reptiles that had fallen into their
nands engage in duet, and another
boy oHered an amateur gardener a
well-rounded garter snake to clear
bugs from his potato patch for a quar-
ter. If there are any copperheads or
rattlers close to Harrisburg they had
better cover their tracks and hunt new
apartments.
Each of the battle flags recently in
stalled in the rotunda of the State
capitol is to be given number and a
better display than is at present af-
forded in the glass cases. Prepara-
tions to this effect are being made
and next week men will begin a re-
arrangement; so that the flags can be
seen to better advantage. 1t is the idea
10 make as much room as possible be-
tween the flags and to have a number
on each one, key chart being placed
IN front of the case. Eventually some
OF the flags may be moved to new
cases, which the Legislature may be
asked to provide. The Revolutionary,
war of 1912, captured Mexican flag
and various interesting flags of the
| civil War and the flag carried by the
'Ienth Pennsylvania through the
Philippines will be framed after being
covered with silk for better preserya-
ton. 1t is the plan to display these
| flags in the corridors of the State
Capitol.
The rains and hot weather of the
last week, while very uncomfortable,
nave been worth great many dollars
to the farmers of Pennsylvania" says
Secretary of Agriculture N. B. Critch-
held. The land was badly in need
or rain and the combination caused
the corn to grow rapidly, and there
are some excellent predictions being
made about the crop, which looks very
well in southern counties. The wheat
crop shows every indication of being
very large and the reports about the
yield of cherries are that the trees are
loaded with them. Early summer
crops appear to be excellent"
Capitol Hill is having a case of
nerves" over the activities of the
State Economy and Efficiency Com
mission, which after a month or two
of Investigations and inquiry has been
nearing heads of departments of the
State government tell of the organiza-
ton of their branches and of the num-
Der and duties of their subordinates.
In number of instances it has been
found that changes could be made to
the advantage of the public service
and that some of the attaches are not
overworked at certain times. The
commission has also been going care
fully along line suggested bp Gov
ernor Tener, who thinks that a CEN
trail mailing place would be a good
idea for the Capitol, and that it would
promote efficiency as we'll as economy
in the handling of letters and mail
matter of various kinds. Some of the
departments have been more or less
perturbed by the probing into their
operations, and the idea in some Of
fees was illustrated the other day
when in an informal conversation one
man connected with big department
asked to be told just what the COM
mission was driving at" He was
told that the commission was seeking
information to correct lost motion"
and "lapsed time" This appeared to
make the inquirer feel very much bet
ter, for he remarked: "Well, you're
not head-hunters then"
Some of the heads of the State de-
partments are commencing to figure
around about the manner in which
they will ask appropriations from the
next Legislature, and it is expected
that the demand for the conduct of
the State government will be consid-
erably heavier than last year because
OF the extension of State work. The
Department of Labor and Industry
the Public Service Commission, NOV
ing picture censors and other branches
of the State government have gotten
organized and are preparing the esti
mates for their work. Then the State
will have to provide a road-building
program, the proposed bond issue hav-
ing been defeated, and will also have
to arrange to take care of the natural
increase in various older branches
The indications are that the appro-
priations for government next year
will be greater than known :ince
Pennsylvania established itself.
While public improvements are be-
ing mentioned it is Interesting to re-
call the enthusiasm of burgess of a
small town for improvements. He was
discussing them at recent meeting
here and remarked with enthusiasm,
We'll bond the home town for the
limit"
What's your limit now?"
Eight thousand, four hundred dol
lars" he replied proudly.
The discussion of the astronomical
tower at Philadelphia, which is rep-
resented in the newest Abbey paint
Ing at the Capitol has caused a num-
ber of people to ask questions about
1t and the way the guides keep up to
date on such things is worth while.
Yesterday afternoon a guide was
asked to point out the tower paint
ing" He piloted his party to the hall
of the house and then produced a
clipping telling all about 1t.