davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
WILLIAMS HIRES LAWYER TO FIGHT MURDER CHARGE
Bridgeport Man Accused of Cases Death Confers
 With c. 1T. Shapiro

Isaac N williams of this city, who is held in the Litchde1d county jail on the charge of nurdering County Com missioner Hubert Case in Barkharn- stead last month, has retained Attor- neys Shapiro & Shapiro to defend him. Attorney Charles Shapiro if that firm spent yesterday afternoon in confer ence with Williams at the Ldfchheld county jail. The accused maintains his innocence.
 Attorney Shapiro, when seen today, admitted that he had been retained. ssFrom what I learned in my talk with Williams yesterday,'' he said, the ev- idence against Williams Is purely cir cumstantia1. We will make a. hard fight for his freedom.''
 Williams trial is assigned for the April term Of the LAtchheId county criminal superior court. It.wi1l take at least two weesk and Attorney Shap- fro is anxious to have it finished with in that time as he plans to start on a trip to San F'rancisco April 24.
 It has been learned that Williams was studying to become a railroad brakeman at the time Case was nur- dered. Mrs. Williams is employed in . West End store and the accused also has other relatives in this city.
 The murder of County Commissioner sations in the criminal annals of the state. It was found that the dead man had been struck down by crow bar. Williams was captured in Pough- Aeepsie, N. Y. Witnesses from that city and from Winsted will be intro duced by Williams, Attorney Shapiro stated
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
TAX LIKELY TO BE l9 MILLS,
 IS PREDICTION
Permanent Rate Fixed Feb 23Hard Task Awaits
 Tax Board

That. the tax rate will be at least IS mills for those who pay in both dis tricts and Il or 12 mills for those who pay in the First district only is the opinion of several large property own CTS and operators in real estate. Their opinions are based on the known in crease in valuations made by the as- sessors and also, on the acquisitions which the various boards have filed with the tax board. The board Of ap- portionnent will meet tomorrow to fix the preliminary tax rate. Mayor Will son hopes it will be less than IS mills but from the amount of acquisitions fled it is. likely that the rate will be more than 19 mills.
 Before the board of apportionment makes the permanent rate it's various subcommittee will have private ses- sions and there will be considerable pairing from the appropriations to get the rate below that of 1913 which waA 19.2 in both districts.
 The permanent rates will be h11ed at a meeting on Feb. 2s. John T. King, William E. Seeley, president of the board of appori ionnnent. and J Alex H. Robinson, city clerk and chairman Of the RepubIican town committee, were in consultation today over the tax rate but they would not disclose what they discussed.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
COL DEN HILL ST.
 APARTMENT HOUSE
 TO BE MADE HOTEL


 It. was reported today that the Crest apartment house at goa Golden Hill street owned by Architect Fred erick A. Cooper, has been sold to Charles Williams, formerly steward at the Stratheld. The new proprie- tor will transform the apartment house into a. modern hotel.
 Williams has been identified with the hotel business for long time and is we'll qualified to conduct a hostelry. He believes the location is ideal for a hotel as 1t is in the center of the city and at the same time is situated dn a quiet street
 The Crest was originally intended to be a bachelor apartment house but lately some of it's apartments have been rented for light house keeping.
 The purchase price is said to have been $20,00O, although Architect Cooper could not be located today to confirm this fact
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
TEN BILLION COST OF WAR
 TO ALLIES

London, Feb. 15-In a statement explanatory of the arrangement made at the recent conference between the finance ministers of France and Rus sia and himself in Paris, David Lloyd George told the House of Commons this afternoon that the expenditure es of the allies on, the war would be two billion pounds sterling (-1o. o.00O.OoOs- 900 of which Great Britain was spend ing more money than were her two allies. The present war, MT. Lloyd George said. was the most expensive in material, men and money that had ever been waged.
 Great Britain, the chancellor of the exchequer told the House of Com mons, could finance the war for five years out of the proceeds of her in- vestments abroad. France was able to do so for about two or three years with something to spare. Russia, he said. although prodigiously rich in natural resources, was in a different position.
 MT. Lloyd George said it was decid- ed at the conference of the finance ministers in Paris not to issue joint 1oan-
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
Sues Vaudevilian
 For Money Spent to
 Make Wife Actress

Thomas Ray, a. vaudeville sharp shooter who gave an imitation of Will liam Tell by shooting from a lady's head at Polls the latter half of last week. fell into the clutches Of Deputy Sheriff WaeIer just as he was about to 20 on for the second show Saturday night.
 Mrs. Frank W Shea. of New Haven, The lady who holds pipes in her mouth and otherwise acted as a human tar get, had given notice that she intended to quit and her husband sued Ray for SsO Shea claimed he had advanced Ray $s0 for which the sharpshcoter was to teach Mrs. Shea the rudiments Of the vaudeville business
 He took Mrs. Shea as partner and for three weeks they elevated the vaudeville stage, winning much ap- plause and considerable money. Dur ing the engagement here a misunder- standing arose and Mrs. Shea gave nos- eice that she would no longer work with Ray
 Her husband wanted the money he had advanced for her instruction but Ray refused the demand He declared he had spent almost $80 for Mrs. Sheass costumes and for ammunition used in rehearsing her. When Sheri1 Weller arrived behind the scenes and attached Rays stage equipment the sharp shooter was considerably disturbed hut he was allowed to go on with his act and later bond was furnished for the release of his property. The salt ls returnabIe to tfe New Haven city court. An the parties live Tn the Elm City.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
AGED WOMAN'S PLEA FOR DOPE
 PEND IS VAIN
Bent and Gray, Mother Tearfully Begs City Court
 Judge to Be Lenient.
ALLEGED PURvEYOR
 OF DRUGS SENTENCED
Prisoners Claim to Have Bought Big Stock in An
 ticipation of Shortage.

With tears streaming down her kind 1y old face, Mrs. Mary DOWd, of New Haven told Judge Wilder. in jolfee court today, that Jails and sanita- riums couldn't break her boy, Dennis. of the habituaI use of cocaine. Den his. who is thirty, was arrested yes terday with James Devine, alias Jim my the Barber,'' also Of New Haven, for violation of the state law relative to narcotics. Each had several hun dred grains of cocaine in his posses sion when arrested by Detectives Bray and DooIey.
 Mrs. Dowd is silver-haired and close to sixty years of age. Her plea to knew "aer boy'' couldn't be cured or the drug habit, and she tearful1y beg ged for 1eniency in his behalf 1 Dowd himself was also placed on the stand. He confessed to being drug dend; said he had been arrested before for violation of the state law on nar- cotics.
 'T had to get the stuff," he cried as he burst into tears The federal law prohibiting it's sale becomes effective March 1, so I tried to stock up. I bought $50 grains of the dope and had l it with me when was arrested.
 I've been Jailed and sent to sanitar- riunas, but can't be cured of the habit I must have the stuff g 1 Judge Cough1in thought he would l give the jail cure a. final trial and sem fenced Dowd to six months in the county Jail Dowd and his mother wept bitterly when sentence was l passed
 Jimmy, the Barber got off bit luckier. It WIS his first o1fense and he drew a sentence of three months in i5aiI. He said he, too. was stocking up against the federal law and admitted having vast supply Of cocaine on his l person when he was arrested. 1 Prosecutor Delaney asked tJixnInys'
 if he was an agent for dope and T issJimnys' denied this.
 How comes it, then. that you had a letter in your pocket from New Ha- l'ven woman, asking for her supply o1 the sdruE? the prosecutor asked
 tJimnay', said he could never figure out why the woman wrote him in such
 vein. because he The didn't ever know her.s'
 He said he got the drug from a man named Cox residing in New Haven.
 He has 9 wife and three children re- Isiding in the Elm City.
 The charge of breach of the peace } against F. E.. Squires, 27, of New Lon
 don, who was arrested in connection
 with the dope ratd, was nol1ed.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
FRENCH

Paris, Feb 15-The French war of ice this afternoon gave out re- port on the progress Of the war which reads as follows:
 sIn Belgium yesterday the German bofnbardment of our trenches was uninterrupted. From the dunes heavy artillery inflicted damage on the enemy. We Occupied for g. dis tance of about 250 yards a German trench along the roadway from Be- thune to La Bassee.
 Yesterday there were very spirit ed artillery exchanges in the vicinity of Lens around AIbrt, between the Ayre and the Disc. in the suburbs of Soissons at verneutl, northeast of Vail1y. Tn the Argonne, in the di- rection of Bagatilla and Maria The rese the fighting goes on with energy from trench to trench but there have been no movements Of infan- try.
 .sBetween the Argonne and the Mouse an attempt at attack by the German forces at a. point between the village of Ma1ancourt and the forest of the same name was prompt ly repuIsed.
 .'In the vosges. the offensive movement which began along the two banks of the river Lauch was not pursued on the south bank. The enemy bombarded our positions on the north bank of this stream. The Germans are being held in check by us in front of our advanced line at I.angenfeldkopf. In the forest of Renpach. French troops on skis have executed a very brilliant coun-
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
REPUBLICANS IN SENATE WILL
 KEEP UP FIGHT
House will Pass Bill To- morrow, But Senate Op-
 position Remains

Washington, Feb. 15-The fight to break up the Republican d1ibusters in the Senate against the administration ship purchase bill was continued to- day. The Democratic leaders were determined, when the Senate met to vigorously press for an amendment to the rules which would limit debate. Success in this, however. which Is in accordance with the party caucus agreement, appeared doubtful inas- much as Democratic Senators are far from being unanimous on the pro- posaI.
 Tn the meantime, on the House side, the Democratic leaders are complet- ing arrangements for a caucus. The plan is to pass the bill as amended tomorrow under 8 special rule limit ing debate to six hours
 Passage of the bill virtually is as sured. Regardless of the House ac- tions Republican Senators say they will keep up their fight against the shipping bill indefinitely.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15

The German government, in a note presented to-day to the state department at Washington, an- nounced it's willingness to con slider receding from it's intention of attacking British merchantmen provided Great Britain would de- sist from efforts to prevent food stuffs from reaching the civil pop u1ation of Germany. The Ger man plans this note sets forth, Is in retaliation for what is termed Great Britain's violation of inter national law by attempting to cut off food supplies of non-combat- ants.
 David LIoyd-George, British chancellor of the exchequer, esti- mated the cost of war to the al- lies at S1O,00O, 900, ,00o. He said Great Britain could finance the war for five years out of the pro-. ceeds of her investments abroad.
 German troops are advancing rapidly everywhere in East Prus- sia, the Berlin war office says in its statement to-day. In north ern Poland also considerable gains are reported. Petrograd military commentatories assert that Russia will gain an advan- tage by falling back to her own territory by sdepriving GermAny of the use of the railroads which she employed effectively in trans porting troops along the front when the fighting was, on German soil.
 Tn French Lorraine the Gerz mans achieved a local victory, oc- cupying positions which the allies were able to recover only in part by counter%attack. Trench warfare continues with varying degrees of intensity elsewhere
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
SUMMARY OF TODAY'S WAR NEWS


 along the front and both French and German war offices in to- days communications, claim, small victories.
 After a long period of inactiv- ity in the fighting between Aus tria and Montenegro has been resumed. An Austrian fleet has bombarded the Montenegrin port of Antivari, and Austrian aero planes attacked with machine guns the palace in which were King Nicholse and other mem bers of the Montenegrin royal family.
 Of the great struggle in Poland. Galicta. and Bukowinas there is little new informauon. A de- cisive battle in northern Poland is looked for whez the retreat ing Russians reach positions on which they decide to make their stand. In Bukowina another important contest is Tn progress.
 The 1ong-drawn struggle in the Carpathians shows no sign of approaching an end. Both the Austrian and the Russian war offices claim victories along this front.
 : German newspapers continue to comment on the American notes, some of them taking the stand that this country's repre- sertations to Great Britain are less vigorous than those to Ger many It is asserted that the fault is England's.
 A Rome newspaper states that Prince Won Buelow, German am- bassador to Italy. will shortly make proposals for the interven- ton of Italy in the war on the side of Germany in return for territorial concessions.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
DIPLOMATIC NOTES
 ABOUT ALL LONDON

London, Feb. 16-The threatened submarine blockade of ports of tho British Isles is still an absorbing topic of discussion for English newspapers and the English people and, Judging from despatches reaching here from the continent, Germany is equally in terested.
 The fact that James W. Gerard. the American ambassador, has been re- quested to meet Emperor William at once in the eastern battle front is talk en to mean in London that Berlin probably will maka a. prompt reply to the American note toe Germany. Ger man comment on the situation which has arisen since Germany declared a war zone around the British. Isles in- sists that Washington should prevent the use of the American flag by Great Britain and g strict observation. or the declaration of London as the best guarantee for the safety of American shipping.
 At the same time. the Germans en-
 Continued on Page 3.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
WESTPORT HOTEL MAN
 IN COURT AFTER HIS
 AUTO RUNS DOWN MAN

J. M.Levy, proprietor of tHie Compo Inn at Westport appeared in the city court this morning to stand trial for having struck Andrew ToInasky, aged 36, living at 106 Garden street, as the latter stepped in front of Lewis car at the corner of State street and Fair field avenue last Saturday night.
 To1nasky, who was sent to the Bridgeport hospital with Iacerations of the scalp, shock and possible inter- nal injuries is reported to-day as rest ing comfortably and on the road to re- covery. Levy was allowed to depart upon his own recognizance.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
Names Legislative Committee After the
 Legislation is Made

Mayor Wilson today named Alder men Whitney, Blakeslee, Cole and matters anad charter amendments that are to come before the general assembly. His appointments at this late date were severely criticised by some officials in the city hall today because already one important char ter amendment, that of dividing the city into two tax districts, has pass ed both branches of the general as senbIy after a hearing before the committee on cities and borouehs. Other important charter changes have been discussed by legislators and are ready for committee reports
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
WILL PROBE SHIP BILL LOBBYING, BY
 SENATE ORDER

Washington, Feb. 15-Investi- gatfon of all charges of influences at work for and against the admin istration ship bill wasOrdered today by the Senate.
 Administration Democrats and fIfbustering Republicans unani- mousIy voted for a resolution to look into charges of lobbying by the socalIed shipping trust and to inquire into negotiations of the ad- mfnistration officials to buy beIIi- gerent ships.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
WIFE ILL. HE STOLE
 TO RAISE MONEY TO
 REACH HER BEDSIDE

Orland D.. Davis, thirty years old. of 130 West 104th street, New York, told Judge Coughlin in police court today that he stole a camera from the r. M. o. A. rooms yesterday in order to raise money to get to New York where his wife is in delicate health. Davis tried to sell the cam era at drug store and the police were called. His case was continued until tomorrow in order that his story might be investigated.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
Gill Expected Here
 To Begin New Duties

Former Tax Assessor Lawrence J. Gill who has been employed in the department of Commerce at Wash ington, D. C., is expected to return to Bridgeport tomorrow or Wednes- day. MT. Gill will have headquarters in the Federal building and will con- duct the manufacturers census which is to be taken in Fairfield county.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
LIGHTED CIGAR CAUSES DANGEROUS
 FIRE IN CAPITAL
Blazing Gasoline From Oil Truck In Collision Runs
 Into Cellars

Hartford, Feb 15.-Fol1owing the collision of an oil tank motor truck and an electric truck on Pleasant street hill to-day. somebody threw a lighted cigar into the stream of gaso- line flowing down the gutter and start ed a conhagration that did much dam age and presented a dangerous situa- ton for a. time.
 Flames leaped 20 to 30 feet into the air and paint on houses was scorched, and windows broken for hundreds of yards and in some cases the fiery stream found it's way into cellars.
 The police are looking for the man who started the blaze with his cigar,
 The Italian government appropriat
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
BRITISH SHIP, BOUND
 FROM D. S. HITS MINE

London. Feb. 16-The British steamer wavelet, 1,s18 tons. Captain Cole. Pensacolas Fla. Jan. IS, via Newport News. Jan 2S, for Leitlas Scotland. encountered a mine in the British Channel and was badly dam aged The skipper, by prompt ao- ton, succeeded in bleaching his steamer near Deal.
 A small boat from the Wavelet carrying the first officer and a. mum Der of the crew left the ship when it appeared as if she would founder. The boat was capsized in the heavy seas and all the men in 1t were drowned.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
Mayor Will Open
 Auto Show At Armory

Mayor Wilson will officially open the Automobile show at the armory tonight at o'clock. He will be ac- companied by Mrs. Wilson and Judge and Mrs. Henry c. Stevenson. After ward the mayor and his party will at tend the annual ball of Bridgeport chapter, Knights of Columbus.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
Flooded Rivers Pound
 Walls of St. Peter's

Rome. Feb. 15-The flood waters in the streets around St. Peters have risen to a height of four feet and eleven inches. Several walls have collapsed but without. serious conse- Iquence.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
OFFICIAL REPORTS ON THE WAR

ter-attaek against the German posi- tions on the sides of the mountain
 at this point. r esterday afternoon a heavy snowstorm blew over this To-
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
WAR BULLETINS.

Cettinje, Feb. 15-The Austrian fleet on Sunday morning made a sor- tie from the Gulf of Cattaro and be- gan the bombardment of the port of Antivari. Montenegro.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15

London, Feb. 15-The issue of 10 million pounds sterling ($5O, O,0OO.000l of Russian treasury bills, has so at tracted bankers and insurance houses and the applications having been so large, that the lists were closed at noon today instead of being kept open until next Tuesday, as was the or ig1naI intention.
 the royal family of Montenegro were subjected yesterday in their residence at Rieka to machine gun fire from two Austrian aerop1anes. Rieka is a village near Lake Sutari, where the royal family passes the winter. King. Nicholas, the Queen and Princess watched the aerial raiders from their palace windows. Several of the bull lets fired from the aeroplanes fell near them
 London, Feb. 15-In a statement to the House of Commons today, Winston Spencer Churchill. first Lord of the Admiralty, intimated that fur ther action would be taken by the allies to prevent the importation of foodstuffs in neutral ships to Ger many.
 Washington, Feb. 15.-Russia. will not give pilotage for cotton ships through the bine fields at Libau, R1- val or Riga, according to a cablegram from Ambassador Marye at Petrograd. The only practical way for cotton shipments to Russia, the American minister reported. appears to be etth- CT via V1adivostok or Norwegian ports and overland
 |
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15

Petrograd, Feb. 15-Emperor Nich- olas today returned to Tsarskoe-Selo from a visit to the Russian army headquarters at the front
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15

Governor George A Carlson of Col orado, is seriously il at his home from pneumonia
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
WEATHER FORECAST

Rain tonight; Tuesday cloudy and cooler; strong south winds.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
Not RetaIiatorY NEeasure


 The note declares that Germany'8 plan. to attack British merchantmen was a retaliatory measure adopted because of the alleged violation of the international law by Great Bri- tain in trying to starve the non-corn- batant population of Germany. and that the latter government is ready to withdraw from it's p1rpose as esl- pressed in the naval war z5ne decree. as far as it anpESse to sfelerchsnt vea- sels. as soon as Great Britain. either of its own volifion or as a result Of representations from the netltrals. ex- presses a willingness to return to the usual practices of international law on the question of foodstuffs
 The German note adds that the Berlin government has information that English merchant vessels are be- ing armed and have orders to sail in groups for protection anad further that they would try to sink subns.- rines. It declares there was now no question of searching them but the result would be that the German ships would fight them because they are held to be warships.
 Warning to NeutraIs
 The note declares further that Great Britain. according to the in formation of Germany intended to use neutral flags and that, therefore. neutral shipping would be in danger in the war zone It was urged therefore, that neutral shipping Oo- serve the request of Germany and go around the north of Scotland, in the course which had been declared outside of the war zone. It was stated that the note, re- cefved by the ambassador today from his foreign office and promptly ear ried by him personally to the state department, was. not a reply to the recent American note to Germany in regard to the war zone decree A more comprehensive and detailed re- ply to that communication is expect ed soon although it was not known of ficially here when it might be look ed for.
 Todayss note from Germany, it was pointed out, constitutes a sort of iu 1 termediary reply, possibly presented to this government because of the fact that the date when the war zone de- cree goes into effect, Feb. Is, is so close at hand.
The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1915-02-15
Free Passage for All Food stuffs Wanted By Ger many If Submarine Block ade Is to Be Raised Heavy Fighting In East ern and Western War Areas Grips Europe.

Washington, Feb. 45-Count von Bernstorff, the German ambassador today presented te the state department note from his government announc- ing that Germany stands ready to consider reeeding from it's announced intention of attack ing British merchantmen if Great Britain will withdraw its efforts to prevent foodstuffs from going to Germany for the civilian population.