davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
French ADMIT Losing A
NUMBER OF TRENCHES TO
Germans. REPORT TODAY

Paris, Lee. 2S, 2.45 P. M.-The
French official statement given out to.
day comedies the losing of certain
trenches to the Germans, but otherwise
it claims advances for the forces of the
republic. Advances have been made in
Belgium, and near Lens the French pro-
gressed 500 yards In the Meuse there
has been slight progress and German
attack in upper Alsace was driven
back. The French lost trenches to the
Germans near Ypres. The text of the
communication follows:
I'm Belgium we have continued to
advance. To the west of Lombaertzyde
we are actually at the foot of the sand
dunes on which the enemy has estab-
lished his line of resistance. At point
south of Ypres we have lost section
of trenches near Hol'ebecke. In the re-
gion of Lens, neal Carency, the enemy
yielded under our attacks 500 yards of
first line trenches
''In the valley of the river Aisne
and in Champagne there has been inter-
mittent artillery fighting, which was
particularly severe in the vicinity of
Rheims and around Perthes. Here the
enemy directed. their artillery fire es-
peeially against the positions to the
west of Perthes conquered and occu-
pied by us. Or the heights of the
Meuse there has been slight progress
by our troops along the entire front.
In the Vosges the enemy lombard
ed the railroad station at st. Die, but
the railroad service has not been inter
rupted. In Uppe. Alsace to the north
east of Steinbach, counter attack of
the Germans was repulsed.'
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
FRONT ST. FILL ABANDONED
viii Not Be Undertaken Before Next
Summer-Cost of Material Would
Be $1,000

Because of lack OF funds the City
Commissioners to-day admitted that
they have practically abandoned the
plan of buying additional filing ma.
terial to place along the river front
from kelker to Maelay streets. The
offer of the Brown, King Company, con
tractors, who are doing the excavating
preliminary to the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company constructing its massive
warehouse just south of Mulberry
street along Second, to furnish the city
with clay filling material at the rate of
forty cents cubic yard-provided not
less than 10000 yards be taken-the
Commissioners say would net an expense
which they cannot meet at this time.
1t had been suggested to the Com
missioners they make the desired
fill with money to be appropriated out
of the 100000 park loan voted in
1913, although it now is held this
money all will be needed for the i'm
Trovement of parks and Fairgrounds.
Commissioner Taylor to-day said he can
not fairly recommend the purchase of
the dirt at a cost of not less than
$4,000.
Inc commissioners now say they will
be contented to wait until next sum
mer to make fill along the river front
since 1000 or 5000 cublic yards of dirt
will be available at that time due to ad-
ditional street grading. Plans are now
being laid for placing light standards
along the river wall and some action
may be taken at the meeting of the
Commissioners tomorrow.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
Leaders Predict wilson
Will WIN SPEAKERSHIP
Confidence Expressed by Politicians
That He Will Be Accepted AS
mpromise--Wilson Amber and
Baldwin to Open Headquarters Here
Continued on seventh Page

Republican leaders were said here
to-day to have agreed to the selection
of Representative Henry I. Wilson, of
Jefferson county, as the next Speaker
of the House. Mr.. Wilson has served
as member of the House for two
terms and was Reading Clerk of the
Senate. 1t is believed by the party
leaders that Wilson will fill the bill as
a compromise candidate, and can win
out over Charles A. Amber, of Mont
gomery, who was reported to be the
choice of Governor-el Brumbaugh,
and the other candidates who have
been mentioned including Richard J..
Baldwin, of Delaware; Robert P.
Habgood, of Mexican; Henry Williams,
of Tioga, and Fred J.. Ejrhardt, of
Lackawanna.
Mr.. Wilson has engaged headquar
ters at the Commonwealth hotel, and
will have them open on January l. He
is an attorney by profession with a
large practice in Jefferson and adjoin-
ing counties.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
Fightingin Progress To
day. According to Ad-
vices Received by
Washington Officials
ZAPATA ELEMENT
REMAINS A THORN
General Situation Not Altogether En-
couraging AS Friction Becomes Ap-
parent Between the Former Rebel
Bandit and Gutierrez-Villa Faction
By Associated Press.

Washington, Dec. 2S.-General Viii
la S forces have suspended their at
tacks on Ebano, near Tampico, and
have concentrated their attack on the
seaport of Tuxpam, where fighting is
in progress to-day according to ad-
vices to the State Department.
Reports issued earlier to-day by the
Carranza agency here saying that Gen
eral Gutierrez had resigned and left
Mexico City, were contradicted by dis
patches to the State Department from
the Brazilian Minister in Mexico City
who yesterday had conference with
Gutierrez.
The general situation as reflected in
official dispatches was viewed as not
altogether encouraging. Friction is re-
garded as apparent between the Zap
alta element and the Gutierrez Villa
faction, which thus far, has not result
ed in any serious break.
The chief trouble seems to have
arisen over the question of execution
and punishment of former federals.
Gutierrez and Villa have been in favor
Continued on Fourth Pare
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
costs PUT ON P. KUNKEL
Court Dismisses Exceptions Raised by
Him Following His Contest of Dis
trict Attorneyship Election

Judge s. j. NJ. McCarrell this morn
ing gave decision dismissing the ex
ceptions raised by Paul A. Kunkel to
the bill of costs, which have been
placed upon Mr.. Kunkel, incident to
the court action by which Mr.. Kunkel
sought in vain to show that he, and
not Michael +. Stroup, had been elect.
ed District Attorney in 1911.
Mr.. Kunkel said he will not take an
appeal from the court s latest decision
that he will pay the costs that have
not yet been paid by him and that he
now considers the contest proceedings
at an end.
1t is understood that large part of
the costs incurred by the court pro.
ceedings already have been paid by
Mr.. Kunkel. He will shortly make set
tlement for the remaining claims which
total several hundred dollars.
j. Edward Wetzel, deputy sheriff
who subpoenaed many of the witnesses
when the original contest was on in
court, and who recently made demand
on those who petitioned the court for
the contest to pay his fees amounting
to more than hundred dollars, saiC
this morning he will not bring suit as
he intended, now that the court has
rendered decision.
kunkel was defeated for the District
Attorneyship by less than a hundred
votes. After he carried the contest tc
the courts and lost he took exception
to the bills of costs, alleging that the
county paid the deputy sheriff mileage
for the same trip in which he served
subpoenas in the election ease, and
also that witnesses were not sum
moned in good faith, but for the pur
pose of oppression.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
UNCLE SANS employees
Climb LADDER TO WORK
Even Dignified Judge of District Court
VIII Have to "Shin Up'' Unless
Some One Revi7ifies Balky Eleva-
tor in Federal Building

To be federal employe, whether a
United States District Judge or a floor
sweeper, and have business, in the Sec
ond floor of the Federal building, which
is being altered to make more room
for the postofice, you must be an ath-
lete of no mean ability. The weather
forecasters, railway postal employees, in
ternal revenue collectors and many 9th
ers are now using muscles that haven t
been used since their apple stealing
days,-for they have to climb ladder
to get to work.
The steps in the front part of the
building have been torn away and a
lone elevator is supposed to carry the
human freight, but just now the ele-
vator has habit baking and refus-
ing to bulge.
The thoughtful contractor, however,
has seen to it that employees can reach
the upper floors even when the lift is
in contrary state of mind. He has
cut hole in the concrete floor and
erected ladder from the first to the
second stories through that opening.
Erected is the word Two two-by-fours
were set up and some rough boards
nailed across and now it is called a
ladder.
Meterorologists, secret service men
and others must climb the ladder when
the elevator gets out of breath which
it does quite frequently. E. R. De-
main, head of the local Weather Bu-
reau, who spends his days on the Sec
ond floor among his barometers, rain
gauges and other mysterious things,
says he soon will be a hod carrier of no
mean ability. William S. Bricker, in
ternai revenue collector, finds himself
quite out of breath after negotiating
the uncertain stairway" The troubles
of these officials and their subordinates,
however, are mere trifles when the diff
ticultes of United States Marshal
Harvey 7. Smith are considered. He
has an Office on the third floor and
must climb two ladders.
The present elevator was put in the
Federal building when United States
Judge Robert w. Archibald did not fan
cy the climb to the court rooms on the
third floor. The present judge will have
to climb to the court room on a ladder
along with the marshal, inspectors and
prisoners when the next session is held
in Harrisburg,-unless, of course, some
one puts new life into the elevator.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
Others Still in Fight

Especial to the Star independently
Philadelphia, Dec. 2S.-Candidates
for the Speakership of the State House
of Representatives and particularly
Charles a. Amber, of Abingdon, and
Richard j. Baldwin, of Chadds Ford,
Delaware county, rested their campaign
the last few days, but will start lining
up supporters in earnest this week.
Mr.. Ambler will open his headquar:
ters in Harrisburg on Saturday. He
will hold a conference tonight with
some of his most powerful supporters
and campaign committee will be Or
ganized.
Mr.. Baldwin will open his headauar.
ters on New Year night in the Com
monweaith hotel, Harrisburg. Among
the prominent men from Delaware
county who are represented on Mr..
Baldwin s campaign committee are Re-
corder of Deeds j. Lord Rigby, Regis
ter of Wills Theodore +. Kreeeer.
Sheriff John Il. Hepburn, Isaac E,
Johnson, H. J. Makiver and County
Commissioner j. P. Pierson.
There is very little change in the
situation" Mr.. Baldwin said last
night. All the candidates understand
each other pretty well. Each of them
knows just where Henry L. Wilson IS
support lies, and that of Mr.. Williams.
Mr.. Ambler and myself. The man who
gets most votes wins, and we re all
endeavorlng to pile up the majority.
During the week just past l have been
assured of the favorable feeling to me
from many agricultural centers."
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
SUNKEN ships OFFICERS
SENTENCED FOR NEGLECT

Copenhagen, via London, Dec. IS,
4.15 A. M.-According to the Ham
burg "Echoe,'' a court martial has
been held at Wilhelmshaven to try the
captain and the commander of the
German cruiser Yorck, which was sunk
by a mine in Jade bay in November.
Three hundred members of the crew
were lost.
The officers were charged with dis
obedience, negligence and manslaugh-
ter, and were found guilty, according
to the "Echoe.' Captain Vieper was
sentenced to two year. confinement in
a fortress and Commander Cleve to one
year 5 imprisonment.
The Yorck, according to an official
dispatch from Berlin, struck a mine in
the chain block from the entrance to
Jade bay November 4, during a thick
fog. Jade bay is an inlet of the North
Sea near Wilhelmshaven.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
IF YOU WOULD like TO
co TO ORPHEUM FREE.
watch The Want ADS. F!

DON forget that the Star-Indepen.
dent gives away, absolutely free Of
charge, two reserved seats to the Or
pheum every day!
The persons to whom they are Civ
en- are selected at random from Boyds
directory of the city and vicinity. You
are just as likely to get them as any
one.
Every day the award of the tickets
is announced in the form of a classified
ad among the wants, for rent, for sale,
ETC., in the classified columns.
SO far the Star-Independent has Civ
EN- away 30 tickets. Thirty were called
for and two were forfeited because the
person to whom they were awarded did
not apply for them according to in
structions.
Two tickets will be given away daily
until the Orpheum closes for the sea-
season.
Watch the Star-Independent want
columns! Perhaps You will be among
the lucky ones.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
American Cruiser Is
Transporting NJ a ny
Refugees of Various
NationalitieS
PERMISSION OF
TURKS is GIVEN
No Reply to State Department on the
Unofficial Report That an Unnamed
American Warship Had Threatened
to Bombard Tripoli

Washington, Dec. 2S.-The cruiser
Tennessee, with the permission of the
Turkish government and at the request
of American Ambassador Morgenthau,
is transporting 500 refugees of various
nationalities from Jaffa, Syria, to Alex.
andria, Egypt.
Captain Decker, of the Tennessee, re.
ported the departure of his vessel from
Jatfa in message filed last night and
received to-day at the Navy Depart
ment. Secretary Daniels summarized
the report in this statement:
"The Tennessee is transporting
about 500 refugees of different nation
Rlities from Jaffa to Alexandria. These
refugees were unable to get passage
from Jaffa by any other means. Cap
tain Decker states that his action was
taken at the request from the consuls,
which requests, approved by the Amer
lean Ambassador to Turkey, had been
made after permission had been given
by the Turkish authorities"
No reply came to-day, however, from
either Captain Decker or Captain Oman
of the North Carolina, to the request
for full information regarding the unof
fetal report that an unnamed American
warship had threatened to lombard
Tripoli. Athens dispatches said the
Turks attacked the crew of an Ameri
can commercial ship which permitted
foreign refugees to board her in the
face of protest from the Turkish au-
thorities and threat to open fire on
Tripoli followed.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
ACADEMY ALUMNI TO MEET
Second Annual Reunion Will Be Held
at School Tonight

Former students and alumni of the
Harrisburg Academy viii this evening
hold their second annual reunion at the
school building. The toastmaster will
be John Smith, of Princeton, who will
call for toasts on Vance c. Mccormick,
John Fox Weiss, Headmaster Arthur E.
Brown and George Kunkel, Jr.
The old graduates will meet, with
the honor guests who include this year s
graduating class and trustees of the
institution, in the gymnasium of the
school at 7.S0 O'Clock. The trustees
who will be present include: Vance
G. Mccormick, president; John P. Mel
lex. treasurer; DR.. Hugh Hamilton,
secretary; Edward S. Herman, f. Z.
Gross, Charles Kunkel, James Boyd,
Henry Mccormick, Jr., and Judge
George Kunkel.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
KILLED BY FALL ON ice
Steelton Mans Skull Is Fractured and
He Dies Few Minutes Later
in His Home

The first fatal accident of the pres
ent cold snap in Steelton occurred last
evening shortly before clock when
Pete Dolino, residing at GA South
Third street, fell on the icy street near
his home and died shortly after enter
ing his house from a fractured skull
which he suffered in the fall.
A few moments after Dolino fell he
staggered to his feet and managed to
reach his home. He then told his wife
to look after the bringing up of their
son as Dolino would soon be dead. A
physician was hastily summoned but
before he arrived the man had sue
cumbed to his injuries.
Funeral services will be held in st.
Mary's Catholic church tomorrow
morning at 8 clock and interment will
be made in Mt. Calvary cemetery.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
LATE War news SUMMARY

The Russian forces which have been
attacking the Calician fortress of Cra-
COW have been driven back fifty miles,
and Cracow is now free from imme-
diate menace. It is asserted in Petro-
grad that the Russians have improved
their strategic position by falling back.
The capture of Cracow, however, long
has been sought by Russia, being re-
garded as an important step on the
way to an invasion of Germany across
the Silesian border.
Elsewhere in the east few changes
have occurred, the Germans having re-
laxed for the present their assaults on
the Russian line west of Warsaw.
The French war Office says to-day
that further progress has been made by
the allies, particularly in the Meuse
region. The admission is made, how
ever, that trench south of Ypres was
lost to the Germans. The Berlin COM
munication states that Nieuport has
again been under bombardment by
British warships and that a few CIV
ihans were killed or wounded. 1t is as
serted that attacks by the allies have
been unsuccessful.
The American cruiser Tennessee is
transporting 500 refugees of various
nationalities from Jaffa, Syria to
Egypt. Captain Decker, of the Tennes-
see, reported to Washington that per
mission to remove the refugees had
been granted by the Turkish authori-
ties.
The initiative in military operations
Continued on Fourth Page.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
Chief Marshal


The orders issued to-day by Clarence
o. Backenstoss, chief marshal and
Francis H. Hoy, Jr., chief of staff, fol-
low:
The Route of Parade
All organizations composing the first
division must report promptly to the
chief of staff at Front and State
streets, not later than 12.45 o clock,
to be assigned to their proper positions
and clubs, teams, individuals, floats,
etc, will report to the marshal of their
division on streets hereinafter mention
ed.
The parade will move promptly at
lis p. m, at signal of court house
bell over the following route and in the
following formation: Down Front to
Market, to Fourth, to Walnut, to
Third, to Reilly, to Sixth, to Hamilton,
to Second, to Market, to Front and dis
miss. All paraders must go either
north or south on Front street when
dismissed at Front and Market.
Chief marshal and his staff will re-
view the parade in Market square,
west side. Following is the order Of
parade:
Herald, mounted police, band, chief
marshal, chief of staff, assistant mar
Continued ON Tenth Page.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
RUSSIANS Retreat Fifty
MILES SAWAY FROM CRACOW

Petrograd, Dec 2S, via London, SIG
P. M.-The investment by the Rus
SLAMS of the Austrian fortress of Cra-
cow has again been raised. Following
the discovery of an attempt made by
the Austrans to divide the Russian
forces in Galicia, the Russians retreat
ed eastward for a distance of fifty
miles.
Russian forces, according to adviees
received to-day from Galicia, have sue
ceeded in crossing the Biala river and
in taking possession of 20-mile strip
of territory south of Tuchow, thereby
separating the two Austrian armies.
The forces of General Boelm- -Ermolli,
the Austrian commander, are claimed
by the Russians to be retreating pre-
cipitately and the western Austrian
army is said to be badly crippled.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
Economy Board Rec
ON m e n d S a More>
'BusinesSlike' Ba sis
forState Government
WOULD READJUST
METHODS OF PAY
Favors Departmental and Divisional
Consolidation. Civil Service for EN-
ployes. Elimination of Dual Posts
and Other Radical Innovations

Civil service for most of the State
employees, pensions for old employees, de-
partmental and divisional eonsolida-
tlons, economy in the purchase of sup
plies by one board for the entire State,
hXed hours of service, increase OF
clerks in some departments and de-
creases in Others, abolition of certain
useless offices, bigger appropriations
for the care for the port of Philadel-
phia and other radical recommendation
were made by the Pennsylvania Econ
omy and Efficiency Commission in it's
report to Governor Tener, an abstract
OF which was made public last night.
The Commission, created by the last
Legislature primarily to investigate
dual ofiiceholding, but given wide pow
ers of inquiry, studied the whole State
government, finances, administration
and personnel. Visits were paid to
Washington and to the capitals of Is
States, correspondence being had with
men engaged in similar work for States
and with business experts, while the
head of every department was accorded
a hearing for suggestions and was ask
ed questions The Commission was com.
posed of Harry s. McDevitt, Philadel-
phia, former assistant executive control
Ter of the State, as chairman; Jacob
Soffel, Pittsburgh, secretary, and w.
II. Fisher, Brownsville. Henry d. Jones,
Montrose, served a short time, but re-
signed. The Commission was voted
$4,000 for all expenses, but this was
reduced by the Governor to $4,000.
The work has been done in less than a.
year. The report will be transmitted
to the Legislature by the Governor, who
will refer to it in his farewell message
to the General Assembly, when it meets
on January 5.
For a Public Property Board
That body will be asked to create a
Board of Public Property to handle all
building projects and to purchase sup
plies for the State; re-route the States
main highway system; consolidate or re-
organize certain departments of the
State government; create all positions
by legislation, instead of by appropria-
ton; uniform hours and bookkeeping
for all departments; an office building
Continued ON Tenth Page.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
Chief Marshal Backen-
stosS Issues Final Or
derS to Assistants
and AidsTo-day
PLAN TO START
AT t.15 O'CLOCK
Signal From Court House Bell to Tell
Waiting Crowd That Shooters
Are Coming-Long Route Mapped
Out Does Not Include Hill District

Final arrangements for the mum
mers parade to be held at 1.15
o o'clock on the afternoon of New
Years Day, were completed yesterday
afternoon at meeting of the parade
committee of the Harrisburg Mum
mers' Association and were issued to
the assistant marshals and aids to-day.
Everything has been done to take care
of late entries up until the day of the
parade.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
WALL STREET CLOSING
Bu Assnninted presa

New York, Dec. 2S.-Further short
covering was resorted to when It was
seen that the weakness in isolated is
sues had no effect upon the more sea
soned stocks. The closing was strong.
stocks made material recovery to-day
from the low level Of the previous week.
gains ranging from I1s to 3 points in
the better known issues, including the
International list.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1914-12-28
Arrested ON an Old Charge

For larceny committed September 29,
1913, Clarence Hines was arrested
this afternoon by City Detective Harry
White. He is charged, according to the
police, with entering the store of Hill
Brothers, butchers, 171S North Third
street, and taking $14 from the cash
register. He was juvenile at the
time of the robbery.