davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
WHY STATE IS STEADILY GOING
 DEEPER IN DEBT
Tax Commissioner Corbin Blames ''Liberality" To-
 wards Certain Interests.
NOT EXTRAVAGANCE,
 BUT TAX INJUSTICE
Permanent Income From Tax alton Not Now Sufficient to
 Meet Current Expense.

The state of Connecticut is steadily running behind. It's expenses are greater than it's income.
 A large additional expense has been incurred for permanent investments in highways. and public buildings, but these expenses have been met by bond issues and the proceeds of. other loans. So that current income from taxation is not enough to meet current ex- penses
 Part of thesdeficiency is due to lack of economy, but much of 1t is due to tax injustice. There would be no de- f1ciency,& but a considerable surplus, if Connecticut were not so .1iberaP' to certain kinds of property, in taking it for taxation.
 Liberals is the word used by Tax Commissioner William H. Corbin. in his report from 1918 and 1914, which is just from the press.
 Tax Commissioner Corbin makes very clear recommendations for the ing of the breach between income and outgo.
 He finds that manufacturing cor porat1ons are not paying their fair share of taxes, and he recommends a franchise tax to yield additional revenue.
 He finds that recent legislation has impaired the receipts from the in- heritance tax, and he recommends legislation to place such taxes at least on their former basis of productivity,
 He finds wide disparity betweeen what water, gas. electric light and power companies report their prop erty worth in their statements to the public utility commissioners, and what they represent it to be worth in their statements to the taxing authority. He recommends a franchise ta1 upon such corp orations
 MT. CoFbin dex0tes za number of pages to consid iteration the taxation of the New Haven road, and other rail- roads.
 To the last session the commits sioner recommended a change in the law taxing railroads upon their gross receipts. instead of by the present complicated system, which apparently has been created to relieve the rail- roads of their share of the public ex- pense. The General Assembly did not accept his advice. with the result that | the state in the present year will lose 1 some $600,000 from this source that l it should have. In 1908 the railroads of. Connecticut paid to the state $1,- 452, 165. In 1914 they paid $427, ,211r In discussing the state tax MT. Cor bin admits it's usefulness in keeping l citizens reminded of the necessity of paying careful attention to the busi- ness affairs of the state. He regards a small rate as sufficient for this pur- pose. and opposes the tax in principal because it unduly rests upon the small property owner.
 It is suggested that Savings deposits l in National banks ought to be taxed | at the same rate as deposits in saw l ings banks
 The matters here referred to are by no means all of the interesting mattrs discussed in the report, which presents a detailed program from many Improvements in the valuation | of property, it's assessment for taxa l ton, and the collection of the tax af- 1 ter it is assessed.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
ASK S4I3,OOO
 FOR HIGHWAYS
Committee On Streets and Side walks Liberal With Paw
 ing Program.

The requisition of the streets and sidewalks committee calls for $41S,- oOo In 1918 the committee received a total of $574,18e. Among the items for this year are $48,700 for laying Warrenite on various streets and a total of $1s4,7OO for permanent pave ment. Last year the committee want and $199,694 for permanent pave ment. There is a, bond issue of $2O0,- 900 for pavement other than water bound macadam. It will be recalled that Mayor Wilson and Director of Public Works Courtade tried to take $16O,OOO of this bond issue ito lay Warrenite in certain streets. Citizens who opposed the plan had the con tracts halted by court action.
 The items of the requisition follow:
 Streets and Sidewalks.
 Sidewalk, grading general, $5.Oo0; State highway construction, $2,500; sidewalks curb and gutter, new, $e,- general, $4,OOO; watering troughs, new, $1,OOO; tree removal, setting back curb, etc.. $4,OOO; land damages, gen eral, $1o,00O; total, $37, 800.
 Grading.
 Anson street, French street to Flaw ley avenue, $65O; Capitol avenue, Main street to Brooklawn avenue, and Main Capitol avenue from Madison to Park avenue, $3,6OO; Capitol avenue, Park to Brooklawn avenue, $20O; Denver avenue, Fairfield avenue north, $500; Dewey street, State to Mountain Grove street, $1.OO0; Fox street, Fair field avenue north, SLIGO; Gilman street, Fairfield avenue to Courtland street, $2, 56o; HawIey avenue, Ansor street to Gurdon avenue, s2O0; James street, North avenue to Grand street $9,40O; Laurel avenue, Brooklawr avenue to Roosteri river, including sidewalk grading. S5.5oo; Park avenue from Wade street to Capitol avenue
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
FRENCH

Paris, Dec. 23-The French war office this afternoon gave out an official statement as follows:
 'eYesterday in Belgium. we made slight progress between the sea and the highway from NIeuport to Wes- tende as well as in the region between Steenstrawe and Bixschoofe where we occupied a forest, some houses and a redonbt.
 gro the east of Bethune, working in conjunction with the British army we recaptured the village of Givenchy- Les-La Bassee, which had been lost to us.
 "In the region of Arras a. heavy fog made it necessary for both the enemy and ourselves to lessen our activities.
 s'To the east of Amiens the Aisne and in champagne, there have been ar tillery engagements. stIn the region of Perthes-Ies-H -Hur- Jus, we carried after spirited cannon ade and two assaults, the last section of the line which we occupied in part gain of 800 yards. Tn the last trench which came into our possession we captured section of machine guns, including the gun crews. A violent counter-attack was repuIsed. ttWe also made progress to the north east of Peau where further attacks on the part of the enemy were without success.
 There has been a perceptfble ad- vance on the part of Our troops in the forest of La GTurfe against a front of not less than 250 yards deep. We blew up with mines two of these German lines of works. and occupied the ex- Icavafions
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
ARE KILLED
 IN BATTLE FOR WARSAW
SUMMARY OF TODAY'S WAR NEWS

Although further progress, ap- parently, has been made by the allies in their general offensive movement, the German armies as 8 whole are standing fast, and so far as ds known, have lost no inn portant sections of the long line on which they settled down after the retreat which followed the battle of the Marne early in the war.
 Today's official communications indicate that each side has had it's victories and defeats. The French army chiefs state that they cap tured the last section of 8 line of German trenches near Perthes- Les Hurlus, where fighting has been severe for several days and have made an average gain of 800 yards. The German statement, speaking of this engagement, says that the French attack was partly repelled.'
 French claims to progress in Bel gium are denied in Berlin where it is said the British have suffered defeats at the hands of the Ger mans.
 ; The German war office reports no developments in the east, saying merely the fighting Is continuing. The French statement, however, as- serts that the Russians are press ing forward their invasion of Ger many across the east Prussfan frontier but admits that the Ger mans have made progress in the fighting in Poland. to the west of. Warsaw
 In the whole course Of the war thus fars covering nearly five months, few occasions have been marked by such 9 confusion of
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
BURNS LOSES HIS SUIT FOR LIBEL
 AGAINST PAPER

George Burns of the firm of Burns a CO, has lost his libel suit against the Telegram P41lbIishfng Go, accord ing to a decision handed down today by Judge Burpee of the superior court. The court finds that the article which Burns eIaizne4t was llpelDusg was print ed without malice and he finds in favor of the Telegram company to re-a cover costs. Burns sued for $5, 900 damages.
 In his memorandum Judge Burpee says in part:
 ssIn it's answer the defendant claims
 that this article was published in re- gard to a matter of public interest, concerning public property and pub lie business, and was made in good faith and without intent to innpute to the plaintiffm any wrong act. The plaintiff denies this. Upon t11as issue the evidence decidedly preponderates to the defendants side.
 sIt may be that 1t might be con- strued as criticism of the plaintiff be- cause he seemed to make this demand upon the city for pay for the use of the tank on account of p3cQue or fchagrin oecasioned by his failure to
 be continu sd on the board of fire com however. that this was soi nor did 1 it appear that the defendant acted recklessly Or with any disregard of the reputation of the plaintiff. In any view Of the publication itself or of the circumstances of dts publication. 1t can
 not. without wrenching and distorting It's language, be said to mean what the plaintfn claims it means. Moreover, the occasion of making
 this publication rebuts any prima fla cie inference of malice arising from its publication; that is, the occasion
 was one of privilege, and it does not
 appear that in the use of the occasion
 the defendant was actuated by any malice.
 "As in the case of Osborn against
 Troup. 60 Conn, 491, the plaintiff here
 has not alleged or tried to prove any l special damages nor has he ever re- quested a retraction; but none, of the grounds on which the Judgment 1T 1 that case was placed and sustained l can be discovered in this case There fore, Judgment may be entered for the defendant
 Burns objected to an article printed 1 in te Telegram in which the use by
 the city of a gasoline tank owned by Burfns was mentioned Mention was made that about 1000 gallons of gas- oIine were missing and Burns thought 1 the tone of the article reflected upon
 him. Burns did not request a retrac-
 ton but started legal proceedings in l stead. Former City Attorney Thomas M. CulIinan represented the Telegram.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23

claims and conflict of movements as the present. In the west, where the allies recently were every where on the offensive, they are now confronted at points with se- were German attacks, compelling them to defend their own positions. In the east, as well, the situation is changing swiftly. The Ger mans, who for time were able to push forward swiftly, are now meeting with determined resist ance from their antagonists in their new positions.
 The latest official communication from Petrograd admits that the Russians have been compelled to retreat from some positions anG at the same time, states that the German attacks have been repuIsed everywhere with heavy losses to the invaders. Germany and Aus tria continue to assert that inn portant successes are being achiev- ! ed. One of the great battles of the war is in. progress thirty miles west of Warsaw, and meanwhile the Russian forces to the north are pushing into Germany, pre- senting the possibility of 8 flank dng movement which will menace the main army of General Won Hinden burg.
 It is announced in Lisbon that German forces have invaded the province Of Angola, Portuguese West Africa. A German invasion was said to have been defeated in October. although this report was received in Berlin On the present occasion the Portugues govern ment admits that the troops at the military post of Naulila have been compelled to retreat.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
GERMAN

Berlin, Dec. 28. by wireless to Lon don.-The official statement issued to- day by the German army headquar- ters says:
 Attacks in the region of Lombaert- zyde and to the south of Bixschoote have been easily repulsed by us. At Richebourg LAVoue, the English again were driven from their positions yesterday. Notwithstanding desper- ate counter attacks we have fetained all the positions which we captured from the English on the Richebourg canal from Aire to La Bassee. Since Dec. 20th, 75o British and co1ored sol diers have been captured by us and five machine guns and four mine throwers taken.
 s1n the neighborhood of Camp Cha1- ons the enemy is showing greater ac- tivfty.
 ft.Attacks to the north of SilIerio, southeast of Rheims, at souain and at Perthes have been partly repel1ed by | us with heavy losses to the French. "The situation in east and west Prussia is unchanged. Battles for possession of the branches of the Bzura river (west of Warsaw continue. ssThe situation on the right bank of ] the river. Pilica remains unchanged 2
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
CLASSMATES WILL
 BE FALL BEARERS
 FOR JUDGE FALLEN
City Hall Will Close Through ForenOon-Public School
 Flags at Half Staff.

The funeral of Judge Edward F. Hallen will be held from the home or his brother, Thomas Hal1en, 168 Sher- wood avenue, at o'clock tomorrow morning and from St. Augustine's R. C.. church, where a solemn high mass will be held at 9:3O. Rev. James B. Nihill, P. R., will be, the celebrant of the mass, Rev. J. J. Kennedy, deacon, and Rev E. V. Murphy, sub deacon.
 Three of his classmates from Nashua, IN. H., will be pail bearers: pr. A. w. Shea, Mayor-e1ect James T. Crowley and County Solicitor F H. Sullivan; also pr. James T. Power of New. York, former Police Commis- sioner F.. D. Baker, with whom Judge Hallen served Dr.. Charles W. Deane' superintendent of schools. Edward Fl. Dillon and Attorney Thornas M. Gull bchael's cemetery,
 In honor of the late Judge, the City Hall will be closed all morning while the Probate office will remain closed all day. The funeral will be marked by the large attendance Of city ofH- fciaIs and other prominents people Of Bridgeport and other cities.
 Flags on the public schools and at iCty Hall were at half-mast today. The flags on schools and public buildings will remain at haf-mast until after the funeral. Mayor Wilson today named Aldermen MacF'ayden, Blal1eslee and Walker to represent the board of aldermen at the funeral. The mayor will attend and so will all the Hprincipal city officials. All city bus mess will be suspended during the hours of the funeral. h.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
Desperate Fighting, In Spite of Severe Winter, Marks Final Stand of Rus sians to Save Poland Gap ital Both Sides Lose Many Officers and Men.
Christmas Sentiment May Mean 8 Lull In Fighting Over Holidays Though No
 Formal Armistice Has Been Declared Artillery Duels Mark French Battle

London, Dec 23- The eighty mile front in Russian Poland to the west of Warsaw, where the Germans and Russians are at grips on the banks of the Bzura, Rawka and Pilica rivers, con- tinues to be the scene of the= most desperate fighting in either the eastern and western arenas of the war.
 When the weather condi-I tions under which the troops there are fighting are recall ed the sufferings of the men in the trenches may to some extent be appreciated. The country is experiencing the full force of winter
 Big Losses On Each Side
 Each side has sustained tremen- dous losses in this battle of the rivers and although the Germans claim tq have forced the Russlan line at | number Of points, 1t IS nevertheless fact, according to reports reaching London, that the Russian front has been BtfafghtensE Et out and it is diff cut to visualize which contender has the strategic advantage. Again, there come trtckHng through from Holland reports of vast move ments of German forces from the east and west A despatch reaching here from Amsterdam says that thou sands of German troops have passed through Aix-Ia-Chappelle toward northern France.
 It is believed that notwithstanding the future plan for an armistice over l Christmas, some sort of 1uII will set 1 in on Christmas day itself Christ mas sentiment is deep in the mems hearts and their positions on the line of battle, facing each other in bitter antagonism will not eradicate it The Londons newspapers have de- eided unanimously not to publish on Christmas Day and the official press bureau will suspend its activities for the afternoon. of Dec. 24 until the evening of Dec. 25.
 Thousands of tons of Christmas presents have been sent to all the men.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
BURGLARS TEAR
 OUT PLUMBING;
 FLOOD APARTMENT

The three-story apartment house at Crescent avenue and Crescent place, owned by Dr. M. s. Rosen, was visited by two men yesterday afternoon in broad daylight, who ascended to a vacant apartment on the third floor and ripped out about 30 feet of lead pipe, causing flood in the apart nents underneath. The visit was dis covered when hurry calls were sent in for the janitor, who summoned a plumber in haste. Before the water could be turned off damage to the building, estimated by pr. Rosen at over $2O0, resulted. Considerable loss was experienced by families under meath in water damage.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
COL. GOETHALS ACTED
 AT REQUEST OF NAVAL :. HEADS IN CANAL ZONE

New York, Dec 23-The request made by Colonel George W. Goe&hals, governor Of the canal zone for the dispatch of American warships to the canal to preserve the neutrality of the United states was made at tl1e, sugges- ton of naval officers in charge Of wireless plants and naval affairs in the zone; 1t was forwarded to Wash 1ngton as a nat6ter of form by Col. Goethals acting in his capacity as governor of the canal zone and the incident is ended so far the Col Goe- thals is concerned. So announced Col. GoethaES himself upon his arrival here today from Christobal on the steam ship Panama.
 Col. Goethals said that naval of- hcers had reported to him that there had been two violations of American neutrality but declined to give the names of the vessels involved.
 ''One of the incidents was that of a ship which sailed without clearance papers; the other was a ship that was reported to have been using her wire less within the canal zone" Col. Goe. tlrals said!
 'The naval officers in charge brought the matter to my attention and asked me, as governor, to request the goyernme ent to send warships to the canal zone. transmitted their request as matter of form and there my resp ponstbdfffy ends.
 ''In recommending that the ships be sent was governed by the recorn- mendafions made to me by the naval officers"
 Col. Goetha1s expects to go tc Washington after the Christmas aolf- days to urge Congress to appropriate $10.OOe,0O for the construction o1 drydockS, barracks, machine shops and wharves in the canal zone He l also said he expected to go to Wes1 Point first to see his son, who is 3 cadet at the military academy there 'I also want to ask for an addi. tiona1 dredge when go to washinE. i ton," he sa1d s'I fear that we vii have to keep a dredge working or the canal steadily for a year or more 1 The hills at CuIebra seem to be set. l thng and this is the cause of the ire. 1 quent slides. We have been able, how. ever, to get ships through the cana | in much better time than we thought | we could; for Instance, we calculated
 on a. half hour to each of the three locks but we find that a. ship can be passed through all three locks in 5g minutes
 | Col. Goethals said that there are al
 the present time still 5000 men or the government's payroIls in the cana. l zone.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23

5O-foot roadway, $5,100 or 32-foot roadway, $1,300; Parrott avenue from French street south. $7,5oO; Scofie1d avenue from Fairfield avenue to Ash Creek, $1,500; Salem street, Main street to Anson street, 10 per cent. grade Main street east, $4,100; Salem street, Main street to west end of State street, 375 feet fill make from east of Main street, .--;; State street extension, Dewey street to Fair field avenue to town line, $S,5oo; Whittier street from Fairfield avenue to School, $400; total. $46,000.
 Plain 1acadam.
 Auburn street. Fairfield avenue to Cherry street, $500; Blackman place, $1,400; Cherry street, Auburn street to Hancock avenue. $4.80e; Federal street, Main street to Madison avenue, $6.30o; French street, North avenue to Main street, $7,0O0: Park avenue, Wade street to North avenue, S6, 200; ScoffeId avenue, Fairfield avenue to Ash Creek, $5,100; Wordin avenue, Railroad to Bostwick avenue, $10,200; total, $41,s00. N
 Bttuminous Macadam (Warrenfte)
 Beechwood avenue, entire length, street to Balmforith street, $6,2O0; Linwood avenue, entire length, ST. 300; total, s48, 700.
 Permanent Pavement
 Howard avenue, State street to liar Dor street, $44,400; KpowIton street, East Washington to Berkshire avenue, $42,o0o; Noble avenue, Barnurn ave nue to Beardsley park. $77,7OO; Sea- view avenue, Stratford avenue to ship yard, $20,60e; total, $1S4.7O0:
 Miscellaneous.
 Culvert, Park avenue near Jackson. roadway of 50 feet, $1,3OO; roadway of 32 feet, $500; culvert, Seaview ave nue at Coulter & Mckenzie foundry. $2.700; total, $3, ,5O0.
 Sidewalk Grading
 Laurel avenue, BroolxIawn place to last donici1e north, $1,2OO.
 Comfort Stations.
 Three; one at Congress street bridge east end on city property, one in city center site to come, one at west end Yellow Mill bridge, Stratford ave nue, $50,O0o.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
CHAUFFEUR JAILED
 FOR RECKLESSNESS:
 RAN DOWN LABORER

Howard Avery, Norwalk chauffeur, 21 years old, was fined $50 and costs and sentenced to five days in jail by Judge Coughlin at today's city court session for reckless operation of an automobile at Waterview and Strat- ford avenues, Dec. IS, when he struck and seriously injured Joseph Much, 26 Reilly street. Much was cleaning out a catch basin for the Connecticut Co., when struck.
 Avery contended that it was rain- ing hard, dark and that Much was dressed in dark clothing and not easily seen. Judge Coughlin. who is Intimately acquainted with that To- cality questioned Avery closely be- fore making his decision. Bonds for an appeal were fixed at $SOe.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
BOB BEACH, RECENT BRIDEGROOM, GOES
 TO MOTHERS HOME
Automobile Racer I'll, Gives Up Business Cares-Bride
 Rejoins Parents

Robert P. Beach, the well known au- tomobi1e enthusiast, racer and sales man, who recently married Miss Ma talie Forbes, daughter of A. Holland Forbes of balloon fame, has been com pelled to give up business and seek his health at the home of his fath- CT at California, Mo. It is understood that he will soon go to Southern Cal ifornia. Mrs. Beach has rejoined her mother and father who recently nov ed from the Burr homestead in Fair field to hotel apartments in New York city,
 MT. Beach, who was preceded by his wife, left this city last night, having withdrawn from his business partner ship with William H. Starbuck and bid goodbye to his friends at 6S Wash ington avenue with whom he lived.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
SENATOR PHELAN
 TO INVESTIGATE SULLIVAN'S CASE

washington. Dec. 2s-James D. Phe1an, senaEor-elect from California, received his appointment today as a speosaI commissioner to investigate charges against American Minister Sullivan in the Dominican Republic. President Wilson and Secretary Bryan have given MT. Phelan4 full authority to conduct the investdg gation without further orders. He will work first in the insular bureau of the War de- partment and later make an investi- gation in .Santo Domingo.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-12-23
FRENCH CRUISER HIT
 BY MERCHANT VESSEL

New York. Dec. 2sAThe French cruiser Descartes was damaged, though not seriously, on Noveu1ber g in a. collision with the steamer strath- more in the harbor of St. Lucia The Strathnore reported the accident on her arrival here today
 The steamer touched at St. Lucia on her voyage from Buenos Ayres and while steamiTg out of the harbor heB- steering gear became damned. causing her to foul the French cruiser which was at anchor The Strathmore was obliged to put back for repairs