davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-02-12
COMMISSIONERS TO
DENY Owen CHARGE
Hearing On Light and Heat
Case Starts-Will Be
Hard Legal Fight.


WHEELING. w. Va, Feb. 12.-Wm.
E. Glasscock, former governor Of West
Virginia arrived here To-Day expecting
to testify in the appeal Of the Manu-,
facturers Light & Heat Co. from the
ruling of the Public Service Commits
sion that 1t reduce its rates for nat.
ural gas. Governor Hatfield, Glass,
cocks immediate successor, It was
stated, was arranging his affairs at
Charleston in order that he might
come here to refute the charge that
he ordered the Commission to make
the reduction in gas rates after 1t had
decided no reduction was necessary.
The hearing began yesterday be
fore J. w. Vandervort. OF Parkersburg,
master, appointed by Judge A. G. Day
ton to whose court the Manufacturers
Company took its case, In an effort to
overcome the Commissions decision.
A. Leo We'll, of Pittsburg, chief coun.
sci for the Manufacturers Company
was arrested on a railway train re.
Gently at Williamson, ". Va, charged
with attempting to bribe Chas. H.
Bronson. a member OF the Commits.
sion and brother-in-law Of Governor
Hatfield.
The morning session today was
taken up with arguments as to the
competency Of the testimony Of Nor.
gan Owen Of Charleston, concerning
alleged statements by members of the
Commission that they had been
coerced by Governor Hatfield
WHEELING, Feb. 12-The three
remaining members of the Public Ser.
vice Commission. Lee S. OFT, C. H
Bronson and Wade G. Kllmer, are ali
attending the hearing before special
master In this city of the appeal tax.
en- from their decision by the Manu-
facturers' Light and Heat Company
1t Is expected that their testimony
will counteract the testimony Of Nor.
gan Owen. the young attorney who OIL
yesterday gave the impression to the
master that the governor had used
his influence upon the commissioners
to bring about decision in the case
OWENS testimony was bitterly op
posed by a battery OF state legal
lights. including Col. J. B. somerville,
Of Wheeling, ex-Judge Frank W. Mes
bit, Of Wheeling. Congressman s. h.
Avis, Of Charleston, ex.Judge John
H. Holt. Of Huntington, and the Attor.
ney General the State. A. A. Lilly
Of Charleston.
Master Kept Busy
Attorney J. J. Vandervort, Of Par
kersburg, the special master appoint
ed by United States Judge A. G. Day,
ton. who today In Parkersburg will
face charges looking to his impeach
ment Throughout the day was kept
busy overruling counsel for the state
and Governor Hatfield. beginning with
a move when the proceedings started
to ptuthe case over until after March
4, In order that one of the state coun.
sci might answer a telegraph sum
mons from Judge Dayton that he &c
to Parkersburg and help defend him
In the pending impeachment proceed,
ings.
Special Master vandervort, an ap
pointee Of Judge Dayton, in deciding
against the postponement, called at
Etention to the delicate position the re.
quest placed him In. and his voice
broke as he ordered the hearing to &c
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
TENTATIVE PEACE PROGRAM
Berlin Tageblatt Says il Was Un-
dOubtedly Inspired

Berlin. Dec. 3l-The tentative peace
program published by Zurich news
paper and circulated by the Wolff
News Agency. though not an official
statement from the German govern
mcnt, was undoubtedly inspired the
Berlin Tageblatt declares.
The Tageblatt expressed the view
that the possible terms of peace sug-
gcsted by the Nue Zuericher Zeitung
probably were obtained from we'll
informed persons in Germany.
The Tagcblatt directed attention IL
the fact that the Wolff bureau, in cir
culating the peace program, had taken
pains to state that it was not official
This statement Of the Wolff bu-
reau is thoroughly right" said the
Tagebatt Nothing is known about
the article in Berlin. But the person in
question (meanng the writerJ says in
this article what he or she more or
less completely heard in supposedly
well Informed circles in Germany. The
statement of possible peace terms is
doubtless inspired. 1t is dictated by
the thought that it will serve good
cause in bringing about peace
Washington, Dec 31.-The peace
program circulated by the Wolff bu
reau reached America Wednesday. It
suggested the evacuation of Belgium
and northern France by Germany, the
establishment of Polish kingdom
dominated by Germany. the payment
of war indemnity of about $3,601,-
100000 by the allies, restoration of
Germany's seized colonies and GER
tain guarantees from Belgium.
In official circles in London it was
generally regarded as a peace feeler.'
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
WILL Be NO BREAK
WITH AUSTRIA
Danger Of Severance of Dip
lomatic Relations is
Now Past
MEETS CHIEF ISSUES
Disavowal of Ancona's Sinking While
Passengers Were Aboard and In
demnity For Lives Lost.

Washington. Dec. 3l.-Danger OF
Il severance of diplomatic relations
between Austria and the United
States is past. Austria has Sub
stantially" complied with American
demands regarding the Ancona case.
This is practically the unanimous
view taken in Washington today. 1t
lacks only the final formal approval
of President Wilson after he reads
the Austrian reply. Further negotia-
tions and exchange Of notes are prob
able, but only on minor points regard
ing reparation for American lives.
The chief issues are met by Aus.
tria.
A wave of relief swept over the
State Department following pubIica-
ton of the unofficial text Of the Aus
trian reply. The official text is on
tie cables today from Ambassador
Penfeld. Transmitted in sections and
of considerable length, it is believed
that the entire note will be in Sec
retary Lansing's hands by nightfall.
The Austrian reply also bears out
dispatches from Vienna and
Berlin that Austria would meet the
Americans demands anR go as far
as pcas:hlc" to preserve peaceful re
lations.
The three demands o the United
States, dSavowal Of the Ancona's
sinking while passengers were still
aboard. punishment of the submarine
commander and rcparaton for, AM
crican lives lost, officials declare. have
been in effect grantch ny Austria.
officials are especially elated be-
cause Austria went even farther than
the American demands by giving as
surances for future conduct of her
submarine warfare according to in
tcrnationa law in these words:
"'Thc AuStro- Hungarian govern
ment. too, can positively concur in
the principle that enemy private YES
sells, so far as they do not flee or
offer resistance, shall not be destroy
ed before the persons aboard are Sc
cured"
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
RUSSIANS ON OFFENSIVE.
Roumania About to Enter War
Against Central Powers.

London. Dec. 81. -Fragmentary in
formation from various sources in
dicates that great battle is in pro-
gress on the southern part of the Rus
sian front, the most important nc
ton for many months.
Although the official reports state
merely that the battle is proceeding
Petrograd critics regard the situa-
ton as the most interesting that has
developed on that battle line. The
outcome of the gigantic struggle now
in progress. they say, will be COM
plete change in the military positions
there, and probably within few days.
Russian attacks against the Aus
tro-German positions on the Bessar-
abian frontier continue. The Russian
offensive began north of ToporoutZ
where the Russians are attempting to
advance between the Pruth and Top
oroutz forest The Russians have be-
gun another offensive on the DnieSter.
Troops are being masscd also near
Tarnopol in Eastern Galicia.
The Russian offensive has been un-
dertaken at the beginning of what
promises to be the most severe win
ter which Russia has experienced for
several years This is taken here to
be clear indication of its import
ance as bearing upon the war situa-
ton as a whole.
In explanation of this mysterious
movement, the Pail Mall Gazette
prints the following from its Petro-
grad correspondent:
Russian joint operations with Rou-
mania are on the point of beginning.
Roumania will fight with US, although
not for us. Her siding with the en-
tente is not the result of French or
English sympathies. but an endeav-
or to realize the Roumanian dream
of sovereignty over BuHowina and
Pennsylvania.
sylvania.
"As preparation for Roumania'A
entry into the war. Russia's aim is to
reconqucr Bukowina for the benefit
of her new ally. This task can be ac-
in few weeks.
"The RoumananS will then fortify
the new province and march with the
Russians through Bulgaria and Tran
sylvania. while simultaneously the
Italians, French, British and Scrhians
will deal blows on other fronts"
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
NEW YEARS AT RICHMOND.

Marguerite Clark will be the un-
usual attraction at the Richmond
Theatre at both matinee and evening
performances in the powerful and
heart gripping drama of The Cruel
ble." by Mark Lee Luther. the por-
trayal Of a souls ordeal in the melt
ing-pot of suffering. from which fiery
furnace it energies unscathed and
strengthened by its agonies. This
popular and fascinating actress plays
the part of little Jean Fanshaw, at
first hoyden and tom-boy, unjustly
condemned to reformatory. who
later triumphs over the shame of her
Imprisonment and the sordid corrupt
ness of her environment, returning
good for evil to those who worked
ravoc with her life. Miss Clark is one
of the actresses who have made the
Paramount Pictures famous, her re-
putation preceding her. and any pro-
duction in which she appears is pat
ronized by crowds made up, not only
of the usual picture-going public, but
also those who remain at home until
attractions such as "The Crucible''
are offered. A great treat is in store
for all attending the Richmond Thea
ire at both performances tomorrow.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
OPERA HOUSE.
Ready for Initial Performance 10
morrow Afternoon at Three
O'clock.

The New Opera House is now IN
readiness to receive it's initial aud
icncc at the opening matinee tomor-
row commencing at 800 p. NJ.
While the management has tried
to curtail no expense to ensure the
absolute comfort, and congenlal sur
roundings that are so necessary TO
make a success Of such an undertake
ing, andthey feel sure they will re-
ccivc from the citizens of Alexandria
a competent support that will amply
repay them, for what they call III a
modest way, the herculean task OF
revivifying the interest of the inhabi-
tants in this old and historic play
house.
It is intended each week to supply
the best of pictures, combined with a
vaudeville entertainment that cam
not be surpassed, or equalled by any
thing that has heretofore been pro-
duced on this stage.
In brief the policy is, Al. pictures,
Al. vaudeville, and Al. road shows.
In putting this class of entertainment
before the public. care has been tax
cn in regard to the prices of adj
and they have been placed
on such a basis, that they are withi.l
the reach of everyone
The New Opera House will be op-
en- every weekday evening, the. first
performance starting at 7:30 p. m.
and the second show at 9:15 p. M,
and u regular Saturday matinee at
3 p. M.
Advertisements in this paper will
give from week to weel; the different
bills that will be produced for your
enjoyment. and the Management
feels confident that the excellent
standard that they have set with re-
gard to all shows that they will pre-
sent. will meet with the approval Of
the patrons of the house.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
USTRIES OF NEWPORT NEWS
Ward Paid S3,7O0.000 During Past
! Twelve Months

ewport News, Va, Dec. 31-An
Of the immensity Of the opera
| at the Newport News Shipbuild.
land Dry Dock Company's plant
may be gained from figures just
kned. The approximate value OF
i on hand at the yard is $4,000
it is officially stated, and includes
government and corporation con-
etion.
bring the past twelve months the
Foil of the yards has aggregated
it s3,7O0.000, and there are now
R men employed in the various de-
|ments. This is the greatest num-
|of men employed since the ship
! was completed.
He increased work at the ship yard
been the direct cause Of an en-
: l'dinary influx of people Accord,
10 Hills directory, which has just
issued, there are about $4,000 in
tants of this city. This is a min
n figure and shows an Increase O.
per. cent in thirty-fve years, ant
Acrease of 5000 since 1910, wher
government census was taken.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
BRITISH VESSEL
BLOWN TO PIECES
Cruiser Natal Destroyed By
Internal Explosion in
Harbor
300 LIVES ARE LOST
Third English Warship Destroyed,
Presumably by Internal Explosions
While III Harbor.

London, Dee. ;}1.-The British cruis-
er Natal was blown to pieces in its
harbor yesterday AFTERNOON with Il
probable loss of about 800 lives.
The official statement from the ad
miralty says the ship was wrecked
'.by an internal explosion" The adj
miralty statement reported that 400
Of the Natars crew Of about T25 were
saved. 1t is believed many, if not all
of these were ashore when the crus-
er was sunk.
An immediate Investigation was
ordered, but the results have not
been made public. News of the dis
aster was withheld from publication
for nearly tweEty-four hours until
the admiralty had received accurate
statements as 10 tic number OF sur
vivors and the probable loss of life.
This same precantion was taken
last May when the Princess Irene
was blown to bits by similar cX-
plosion in Sheerness harbor. Officials
explained at that time that the news
was withheld to prevent the circula-
ton of wild reports concerning the
origin of the explosion.
The Natal is the third Britis war
ship blown up, presumably by inter
Ia. ~. ,lasiHil, ,,sI:ie Il, i,arDur.
In addition to the vessels blown up
in their harbors, the British hattie
ship Formidable was destroyed on
January /. 1915, by an explosion i'll
the English Channel 1t was never
determined definitely whether 4 mine
or internal explosion sent her to the
bottom.
The Natal displaced 13.GG0 tons.
She was built in 1908 at Barrow and
had speed Of about thirty knots. She
was $50 feet long and had 73-foot
beam.
She carried six 9.2-inch guns and
four 7.5-inch guns. as well rs lesser
armament, and two torpedo tubes.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
MEMORIAL ERECTED

A handsome hand carved walnut
credence table has been placed in st.
Pauls Church as a memorial to
the late Mrs. Bergman, former
rysden! Of this city and a cnmmuni-
can't of the church. The inscription G.!
the tablet is as follows: ''In the glory
Of God, and in loving memory Of
Charlotte Louise CaZenovc Bergman.
Entered into Life Eternal, April ;;3.
1911. the gift of her children"
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
NOTICE TO GAS
CONSUMERS

Gas bills for quarter end
ing Dec. /, 1915, having
been delivered, this is to
notify all gas consumers
that all bills paid on or be-
fore January /. 1916, will be
entitled to a discount Of 30
cents per 1000 cubic feet.
After that date no discount
will be allowed and all de-
linquents will be required to
make an early settlement.
By order Of Committee on
Light.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
REQUiSITION ISSUED
John Henderson. Under Arrest in New
Jersey. Charged With Murder

IN / ralrlaN lCunty
Richmond Dec. 3l-Jack Hcnder-
son, who is alleged to have shot and
killed man in Fairfax county some
time ago, is in custody at Camden, n.
j., and on information received from
the Camden police Sheriff James r.
Allison. of Fairfax, came TO Richmond
yesterday and obtained requisition
for the man supposed to be the fug;-
tive murderer.
The prisoner at Camden answers
the description of the man wanted for
the crime in Fairfax. The indictment
for murder is against John, alias
Jack, Henderson. and the sheriff is
convinced that the man apprehended
is the slayer. The requisition on Gov
ernor James F. Fielder was delivered
to Sheriff Allison yesterday after
noon, and he left last night for New
Jersey.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
REV. DIR. D. a. WILLS DEAD
Hrre.,se.l on. -M::sG. Gsc.,s.on& H,,,.&:,.;; ,,,,.;
cd Pulpit Of Second Presbyterian
Church

The Rev. Dr.. David A Wills. for
many years chaplain in the army.
died yesterday in his apartment the
Cecil in Washington DR.. Wills re-
tired from the service a few years
ago with the rank Of captain. He was
born in Gettysburg. Pa. January Z,
1922, and received his education in
Tuscan College, Tennessee, and tho
South Carolina Theological Seminary.
lie is survived by four brothers and
Two sistcr-Judge j. 7. Wills. OF
Gainesville. Fla; the Rev. Daniel
Wills, Astoria, l.. l.: John Wills and
Nesbitt Wills, of Harrisburg, Pa;
Mrs. Carolina Field. wife of Capt.
John NJ Field, u. S. A., and Miss
Bella Wills.
Funeral services will be held Sun
dag afternoon at New York Avenue
Presbyterian Church. Washington. In
tcrment will be in Glcnwood Cemetery
DR.. Wills had many friends and ac-
quaintances in Alexandria. he having
during the past ten or fifteen years
occupied the pulpit of the Second
Presbyterian Church at different times
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
S13.500 ALEXANDRIA BONDS.

The Commissioners Of the Sinking
Fund will purchase from the bond
holders one thousand dollars. (Sl.-
000) coupon. four per cent bonds, of
the issue of 1902. and twelve thous-
and five hundred dollars, (S12,500) of
coupon four per cent bonds. of the
issue of 1908. Denominations $500 and
$1,000. Bids will be received up to
II o'clock Wednesday, January S,
1915. The payment will be made i'm
mediately, or upon presentation of
bonds. Bidders will bid at fat rate.
which will include the four days end
ed January l-5, 1915.
THOMAS 4. FISHER.
Chairman Commissioners H.
of Sinking Fund.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
NOTICE

The annual meeting of the stock
holders of the Consolidated Quarry
Company will be held at the prin-
cipal office of the Company. No. III
S. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Va,
on Monday January 10th. 1916 at
p. m. to elect Directors for the en-
suing year, and for the transaction of
such other business as may properly
come before the meeting.
F. w. PRATT, Vice President.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
WEST VIRGINIA
AND; THE DEBT
80
Judge Says U. S. Supreme
Court Cannot Enforce
Judgment
ADDRESSES THE BAR
Declares Solution of Proposition De-
pends OH Certain Elementary Con-
stitutiona Principles.

Clarksburg, W. v. Dec. 3l-That
the United States Supreme Court
would not and could not enforce the
judgment for Sl2,000,OO0 against the
State of West Virginia in the Virginia
debt case. and that to attempt to do
so would be revolutionary, was the
opinion expressed in an address de-
livered here this week before the
West Virginia Bar Association by
Judge r. p. Jacobs. of MartinsviIlc
w. Va
Judge Jacobs cited many authori
ties, and declared that solution OF
the proposition would depend on GER
tain elementary constitutional prin.
ciples. This, he said, in the main are:
\ state in the Union is sovereign
ty in all things not delegated to the
central government. that State cam
not be coerced into the payment OF
any debt; that the Federal judiciary
has no power or authority to compel
the levy or collection of taxes either
by Congress or by Il State; that the
debt of State. unlike that between
persons. is only debt Of honor. and
not an obligation; that the judgments
and DEGREES o. the Supreme Court in
such cases are only advisory and aG
dressed 10 the sense OF honor Of the
litigants. that the court has disclaim-
ed any power to compel the levy and
collection of taxes by a State for any
purpose, and that the officers of the
State government are not coerci5le by
any authority.
IF the court shall be called on to
enforce the decree. how and against
what will it enforce the same?' ask
ed Judge Jacobs
a levy of execution upon person
ality owned by the State in its sover.
ign capacity will be fruitless, as we
feel sure the court by no processes
will infringe on State Sovareignity.
THE court cannot by writ of man.
damuS or other writ against the State
Legislature. compel it to levy and col
lect taxes any more than it can COM
pei Congress to levy and collect taxes.
And if so unexpected thing shall
happen the Legislature without con-
tempt, may refuse to obey and decline
to make the levy or authorize the col
lection.
THE Governor Of the State cannot
be proceeded against as for contempt
for he has no power to levy and col
lcct taxes or appropriate the same fol
any purpose. He cannot be guilty OF
contempt for failing to do a thing he
cannot do.
Again, no process can serve to Sc
qucstrate the private property Of the
citizens of the State, for no power
of the national government can con-
situtionally seize upon private prop
erty. The court itself has said this
revolutionary thing cannot be DONE"
Judge Jacobs said that among the
rights not waived by State is the
right to deal with her own debts and
obligations
''lt thus remain forever true that
Il State may repudiate so-called
debt-and sometimes Reputation is
the only remedy against a great
wrong" he declared.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31
AN APPEAL

If those having any small articles
of worsteds or "odd and ends of
like material which they are willing
to devote to a worthy cause, viii
kindly send them to Mrs. Virginia
Smoot, 12G south Fairfax street, the
same will be forwarded TO Rome TIA
ly. 70 be knitted into muflers, wrist
bands, etc, for the Italian soldiers at
the front.
Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-12-31

ACCUSED IN THE PLOT
|)thers Charged Announce Abandon
mcnt of Their Reported Fight to
Escape Jurisdiction.

New York, Dec. 31-Congressman
k,anE Buchanan has capitulated TO
he government. Word came IRON
Washington last night to Federal
district Attorney Marshall that the
EIinois Representative will forego ms
INJECTED immunity battle before the
lwer house of Congress, and If neces-
|h,y IN the District Of Columbia courts
Buchanan will come to New York
I'd plead to the Indictment charging
m with having engaged in unlawful
ITS in connection with the propaganda
e Labor's National Peace Council.
The Congressman reached his decl-
lon after Mr.. Marshall had sent a
f:,rrant for his arrest to Washing
BIN and upon advice OF Representa-
I've Rainey, Of Illinois, who conterrea
his behalf with Assistant Attorney
3eneral Todd, Buchanan is now con-
need, it is said, that eXpediency for
| Ids his seeking immunity from arrest
I,causc of privileges granted Con-
kessmen under the Constitution Of
lc United States.
Former Congressman Fl. Robert
bw!er, Henry 2. Martin and Herman
,hrlteis, codefendants with Buch-
Ian and four others. also announced
5e abandonment Of their reported
Ittle to escape coming into the New
rk Jurisdiction.
fPhe three men viii appear to-day
Washington before United States
mmissioncr Taylor. They will plead
guilty, and will give bond for their
bearance in New York.
Representative Buchanan may come
New York today. He will un-
}btcdly plead not guilty. 1t is un,
stood he will be released either on
own recogniZancc or on nominal
n hond. The accused legislator Is
khous To rcturn to Washington as
on as possible. in order that he may
SIS his impeachment charges against
tied States Attorney Marshall.
because of the change Of front by
defendants, warrants for the ar
of Buchanan and the others vii!
be served.
She decision Of Buchanan and his
@ciateS will expedite their trial.
defendants may be given an op-
Aunity to presenting their case be-
Federal Judge and jury within
weeks
is possible that they will attack
validity Of the indictment which
brought under the Sherman anti
t law. 1t will be alleged that the
trust measure was wrenched when
indictment was drawn.