davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
COMMANDER OF LOST EMDEN
receives THE IRON CROSS

Berlin, Via Amsterdam. to London.
Feb. If sol A. M.-Lieutenant Com.
mander Won Muocke, commander of the
detail from the cruiser Emien which
landed at Cocos Island, has been award
ed the iron cross, first class, while every
member of the landing party has re-
ceived the iron cross, second class.
When the Emden was run down bv
the Australian cruiser Sydney in the
Indian Ocean on November 10, Won
Muecke and forty members of the crew
were on Cocos Island. They escaped
by Communicating the schooner Aysha.
A later dispatch from Manila said thew
had captured collier on which they
had mounted two maximum guns. The
French ministry of marine announced
on December s that the British au-
Hillary cruiser Empress of Japan had
captured the collier. Announcement
came from Berlin on February 5. how
ever, that the schooner Aysha had ar
rived at Hodeida, on the southwest
coast of Arabia, with Won Muecke anr
his men.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Halbert. Bandaged and
Just Out of Bed. Di-
rects Men Battling
$4,000 FIJI e
LAWYERS FLEE
UPPER STORIES
Large Amount of Stock of Walkover
Shoe Company Damaged by Flames
and Water-Market Street Traffic
Halted

Fire starting at 1880 O'Clock this
morning in the ceiling of the Walkover
shoe store. which occupies the ground
floor of 226 Market street, in the
Bergner Building, did damage estimated
at $1,000. Most of the damage was to
the contents of the shoe store but the
flames spread through fiue in the hall.
way of the building which contained
electric wires This caused many occu-
pants to flee from the upper floors of
the building. Many carried books and
papers with them fearing the fire would
spread to the upper floors.
There was a stock of $4,000 in the
shoe store, much of which is declared
TO have been damaged by smoke and
water. Tne $4,000 loss is covered by
insurance. The loss on the building,
which is of semi-fre proof construction,
will reach 5000. The building is
owned by Charles II. Bergner, whose
law offices and those of many other law
yers and other professional men are 10.
Gated in the upper floors of the struc.
ture.
Assistant Fire Chief Edward HaEbert,
who left his bed this morning for the
first time since he was injured at the
blaze at Black stoneyard on Saturday
morning, when he tumbled from the
roof and landed on his face, started to
direct the-wers of the firemen at the
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
RURRIES Rome IN SPECIAL
CAR FROM FLORIDA TO DIE
Mrs. Mary Catherine Meetch, Wife Of
Local Republican Leader, Succumbs
After Long Suffering From Com
plication of Diseases

Following hurried rush in a special
ear from Florids, where she had gone
for the benefit of her health and where
she week ago was informed that she
could not survive her illness, Mrs. Mary
Catherine (Shafferl Meetch, wife of
William B. Meeteh, former prison
warden and leader in the Republican
party, died at her Harrisburg home.
at 2.40 clock, this morning. She had
long been sufferer from complication
of diseases.
The husband and two of the three
children, two daughters, were at the
bedside when Mrs. Meeteh died. Harry
W. Meetch, son, who also was form
erlv a prison warden of Dauphin eoun.
ty, and who has been spending the
winter in Florida, having a cottage at
Kissimmee, that State, has been wired
concerning the death of his mother and
is on his way to Harrisburg.
Mr.. and Mrs. William Meetch, their
daughter. Mrs. Anna Frain and Mr.. and
Mrs. Harry w. Meetch went to Florida
on December 15, last. 4 week ago
Mrs. Meeteh 5 physician said she could
not live and that death would be'a mat
ter of only few days. A special car
at once was chartered TO make the trip
home. DR.. +. f. Darlington. the family
physician, of this city, then was sum
moned to Florida, and accompanied his
patient home.
The party arrived here on Saturday.
two days after the death of Mrs.
Meetch s brother-in-law. Emanuel H..
Miller, of this city, Yesterday morning
Mrs. Meetch was taken dangerously i'll
and she could not rally.
Mrs. Meetch was a daughter of Peter
and Sarah Shaffer, of Halifax township.
and was born November %, 1850. Since
her marriage to William B. Meetch,
forty eight years ago, the family lived
in Millersburg, WilliamStown and Har-
risburg.
Besides her husband, Mrs. Meeteh
leaves two daughters. Mrsi Anna Frain
at home; Mrs. ]. Harry Stroup, 1917
North Second street, and Harry w.
Meetch. PSI Forster street. Also one
sister, Mrs. f. H. Miller, of this city,
and one brother, John \. Shaffer. of
Halifax. She was for number of years
member of the Grace NJ. Z. church,
of this city.
Funeral services viii be held at her
late home on Thursday afternoon, the
Rev. DR.. John D. Fox, pastor of Grace
church, officiating fnterment will be
IN the East Harrisburg cemetery.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Specifies Improvement
Contracts Which He
Says Can Be Under
taken at Once
ACTION LIKELY
NEXT WEEK
Plan to Avoid Disputes With Contractor
AS to Cost of Extras in River
Front Work Is Approved To-day
Job to Be Completed BY July 1

At the meeting of the City Commits
sioners this afternoon, Mayor John X.
Royal offered to the Republican mem
bers what he considers is feasible
plan for providing work for the city Is
unemployed The suggestion came as
a result of resolution adopted week
ago, and while the Republicans to-day
officially made no answer to the chief
executives plan, they declared that
they will make a proper reply at the
meeting one week from to-day.
The Mayor pointed out that he is
not a mindreader and not capable of
knowing just what his Republican col
leagues propose to do along the i'm
provement line during the coming sea-
son but he suggested that there are
many jobs which could be started at
once to give work to the unemployed.
He referred to the Park Department
having acquired sufficient ground for
the extension of the Cameron park
way from the almshouse to Reservoir
Park and said that work had not yet
been started. He suggested that the
contractor could start work on the pro-
posed bridge over Spring Creek, at
Cameron street, job which now is un-
der contract.
He further set out that twenty-one
of the thirty-one sewers authorized by
city ordinance a year ago have not yet
been laid; that number of street grad.
ing jobs can be worked and that he is
advised that most of the frost is out
of the ground and there is nothing now
to hinder starting the work at once.
The Mayor ended by saying that if
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Their Reoccupation of
CzernowitZ. the Cap
ital. Is Reported From
Bucharest
RUSSIA ADMITS
ENEMY GAINING
Petrogrsd Official Report Says Aus
trians Are Making Progress in
Bukovina and That Desperate
Fighting Is on in the carpathians

London, Feb. 16, Il Noon.-The
general offensive of the Teutonic allies
along the extended eastern front is con-
tinuing successfully on both ianks,
Judging from reports reaching London,
but without any visible forward move
ment on the front toward Warsaw or in
the Carpathians.
The Bucharest report that the Aus
trians have reoecupied Czernowitz, the
capital of Bukowina, has not been re-
ported from any other sources, but Pc.
trograd admits officially that the Aus
trians are still advancing in Bukowina
in large force, and that desperate
fighting marks the operations in the
passes of the CArparhians, where the
Russians are claiming minor successes
resulting in the capture of men and mu-
nitions of war.
In East Prussia the Russians have
not yet regained their fortified lines and
the German advance, while not checked.
seems to British observers to be pro-
oeeding with less speed.
Paris reports from the western front
that the sole activity consists in artil-
lery engagements, in which the guns
of the allies have been successful in
silencing batteries northeast of Ypres
and destroying German trenches at
Beauraina.
In diplomatic circles the replies of
Germany 20 notes from neutral powers
concerning Germany's proposed marine
war zone are awaited with interest;
Great Britain's reply concerning the
use of neutral flags is given secondary
Importance. The German press is
limiting that satisfactory assurance by
Great Britain on the question of neutral
flags would constitute the best safe
guard to American shipping
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Police Send Description
of Conte to Neighbor-
ing Cities in the Hope
of Capturing Him
WOMAN SEVERELY
HURT in FIGHT
Mrs. Lauda, However, Will Recover
From Injuries Suffered During Cher
ry Street Quarrel in Which John
Polmuch Is Shot to Death

The police early this afternoon had
not succeeded in locating J. Carlo
Conte, who is accused of having muir
dered John Polmuch at clock last
night during a dispute about board
bill in boarding house at 22S Cherry
street.
Mrs. Vincenza Lauda, who runs the
boarding house, received severe lacera-
tions of the head during the struggle,
but her injuries will not prove fatal.
She was sent to the Harrisburg hos
pital to have her wounds dressed, but
was able to return to her home last
night. The police to-day sent descrip-
tions of Conte to various cities of the
State with the request that he be ar
rested on charge of murder.
The fight started when Mrs. Lauda
demanded of Conte that he pay his
week Is board bill. On his refusal to
do so, the police say, Polmuch tried to
compel Conte to pay the money to the
Lauda woman and an argument started.
Conte, it is charged, then rushed up
stairs, obtained revolver and re-en-
tered the dining room, where the board
ers were gathered, and opened fire on
Polmuch. Two shots were fired, the
FIRST entering Polmuch s temple and the
other. his breast. The police say the
second shot was fred after Polmuch fell
to the floor unconscious.
About that time Mrs. Lauda went to
the assistance of Polmuch, when, the
police say, Conte struck her blow on
the head with the butt end of the re-
volver. The other boarders rushed to
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16

Harry ]. Mueller, former Harris
burger and graduate of the Central
High school, now living in Bellefonte,
Pa, this afternoon was named for City
Forester by Park Commissioner NJ. Har-
vey Taylor, and the appointment was
confirmed by the City Commissioners.
Mueller was one of nine applicants for
the position. He will be notified at
once of his appointment and, Mr.. Tay-
lor said, will be asked to begin work
here on March 1.
The appointee is son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Harry Mueller, 629 Briggs street,
this city. He is 35 years old, mar
ried and has had eight years practical
experienee as a forester. Upon leaving
State College, from which institution he
was graduated, Mr.. Mueller went into
the employ of the State Forestry Com
mission, remaining with that organiza-
tion for five years. Subsequently he
spent year as manager of the South
ern office of the Davey Tree Expert
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16

Company, and since then has been in
the forestry business for himself in
Bellefonte.
The forester is to receive an an
nual salary of S 900. Upon taking the
office he will have 500 available for
the purchase of equipment and Mr.. Tay
lor to-day said that arrangements for
providing Mueller with the necessary
assistants will be made latter the
Forester is on the job
As Forester, Mueller will have charge
of tree trimming, planting and the re-
moval of trees. The Park Commissioner
said it is his plan to have the For
ester in complete control of tine work
just as j.. K. Staples is in charge of the
City's Fairgrounds.
The appointment of Mueller was APP
proved by vote of 4 to o, all Com.
missioners, save Mr.. Gorgas, casting
their ballots for him. Mr.. Gorgas said
he refrained from voting because he
favored the selection of t. A. Woods
for the post
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
RIVER Is RISING RAPIDLY
Warm Weather viii Bring Susquehanns
Up to 13-Foot Mark

The Susquehanna river is again ris-
ing rapidly, due to the long period of
warm weather and slight precipitation
in the upper valleys. The crest of the
flood will be well within the flood
stage, however, but the water here is
expected to 90 higher than it has at
any time since TIL ice>moved off. E. r.
Demain, local weather observer, fore
casts 13-foot stage here by tomorrow
morning.
The stage at clock this morning
was s.5 feet. having risen nearly four
feet in the twenty-four hours previous.
The mGin river is expected to begin
falling tomorrow. There will be a drop
in temperature here tonight to freez-
ing point. The temperature has been
above normal for several days, only
falling to SO degrees last night.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
spain With america IF
latter makes PROPOSALS

Madrid, via Paris, Feb. 16, $50 A.
M.-The Spanish government has
adopted an attitude of extreme reserve
regarding its position on Germany s
note announcing its intention to include
the waters around Great Britain in the
war zone.
While Spain will try to avoid action
which would give any belligerent an
excuse to accuse it of departing from
its attitude of neutrality, it is under
stood the government viii join the
United States if the latter proposes
joint measures on the part of all neu-
trails.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Continued an Ninth rage
CIVIL SERVICE FOR POLICE
Chief Hutchison Recommends 1t in An
nual Report to Council

Chief of Police Hutchison, in mis-
annual report to Council this afternoon
recommends civil service in the police
department, asks for two traffic police
men at Fourth and Chestnut streets and
the Cameron street approach to the Null
berry street viaduct, asks for an ad-
ditional clerk for the department and
wants Council to build sanitary de-
tention cell at headquarters.
He recommends that Council abolish
free trips of the ambulance, saying that
private hospitals should maintain their
own ambulance. During the fiscal year,
which included December, 1913, $12,-
742.19 in stolen property was recov-
cred and 2,175 arrests were made. Pa
trolman McCann led in the number of
arrests with "A, Detective Tbach was
second with So and Chief Hutchinson
made Al.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Charles H. Bergner De-
clares Plan If Adopt
ed Would Be An I'm
position on the People
EX-SENATOR FOX
FAVCRS PROJECT
Former District Attorney Weiss In
dorses Proposal to Provide an Addi-
tional Jurist-Benjamin NJ. Mead
Opposes the Nissley Bill

A wide difference of opinion exists
among the lawyers of the Dauphin coun.
ty bar as to the need of third Judge
for this county, as provided by the bill
introduced by Assemblyman John C.
Nissley which is now before the House
of Representatives. To ascertain the
sentiment of representative lawyers the
Star-Independent has obtained the opin-
ions of about a dozen of them which
are published herewith.
Charles H. Bergner, when asked for
his opinion as to the need of third
judge, expressed himself as very EN-
phatieally against the plan. Mr.. Berg
ner said:
''It is absolutely unnecessary, and
if the bill becomes law it will be an
imposition on the people" Mr.. Berg
ner said he could not express himself
more explicitly.
81 am not sure that have a fixed
opinion on the question of third Judge
for Dauphin county, said B. F, Um-
berger. II think it is up to the Dau-
Phin county court to say whether an sd-
ditional Judge is necessary.
Z. W. Jackson had this to say; cit
is my best judgment that the Dauphin
county court has sufficient judges at
present, without an increase.
Benjamin NJ. Mead said: 81 do not
think there is any need for an addi-
tional Judge in Dauphin county at pres
ent- As ruiz / am opposed to the
increase of judges. -
John E. Patterson said he had no
comment to make other than that fit
is up to the present judges to say
whether there is a necessity for an ad-
ditional Judge
Senator Fox for Third Judge
''I certainly do favor the bill giving
a third judge to Dauphin county. +"
said former Senator John E. Fox, for
/ believe the volume of business in this
court requires a third judge. That was
Continued on Eleventh Page
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Jack johnson to Be Extradited?
By Associated Press.

Chicago, Feb. 16.-Jack johnson,
the nego pugilst, who fed to Europe
after being sentenced to year in the
federal penitentiary for violation of the
Mann act, will be extradited and re-
turned to Chicago on charge of con-
spiracy, according to statement to-day
by Charles F. Cline, United States Dis
trict Attorney.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Man Jumps Overheard and Is Lost

New York, Feb. 16.-The new An.
Choir Liner Tuscania arrived here to-
day on her maiden trip from Glasgow
and Liverpool. She brought 3S3 pas
sengers and more than 5000 sacks of
mail. Thomas Williams, native of
Wales on his way to Canada, jumped
overheard during the voyage and was
lost.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Special Panel to Try .Thaw
BY Associated Press.

New York, Feb. ia special
panel of 200 talesmen from which is to
be selected jury to try Harry K.
Thaw for conspiracy in escaping from
the Matteawan asylum, was ordered
drawn to-day by Supreme Court Justice
Weeks.
Thaw's trial was set for March IL.
1t had been previously set for February
%.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
ANOTHER NEGRO TAKEN
Dorsey Charged With Helping in Hill
Robberies

Charles Dorsey, eolored, was arrested
in the Eighth ward last night bv Oty
Detective White and Policemen Parsons
and Murphy.
The police say that he was an ac.
eomplice of Richard Williams, who ad-
mitted burglarizing three Hill stores.
and charge Dorsey with those crimes.
Williams is being held under 5000 bail
for court. Dorsey was given a hearing
late this afternoon.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Hope for the Totally Dear

Bombay, India, Feb. 16.-It was an
nouneed in Lahore that Professor
Abe, of that city, has invented
"phonoscope' the use of which enables
the totally deaf to perceive sounds,
such as speech and music, by means of
the eye.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
WALL STREET CLOSING

New York, Feb. f6.-Selling of cop
pers affected the active group in the
late dealings. The closing was heavy.
Foreign influences were again upper
most in to-day's dull and irregular
stock markets. Standard stocks were
under pressure.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
ITALY IN WAR within TWO
Weeks, States CARIBALDI

London, Feb. 10. 4.36 P. M.-The
prophecy that Italy would mobilize her
army within fortnight was made here
to-day by Ricciotti Garibaldi, the Ital-
ian patriot.
He said that unless the Italian gov
ernment decided to participate in the
war there would be a revolution.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Exchange of Prisoners Begun

Amsterdam, via London, Feb. 16.
9.55 A. M.-The actual exchange of
wounded British and German prisoners
of war who have been ineapacitated
dor future service is under way.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
By Associatcd Press.

Chicago, Feb. 16.-The Chicago tu-
berculosis sanitarium, termed by experts
the largest and best equipped in the
world, was dedieted to-day Accommo-
'dations for $50 persons will be ready
within month and eventually $50
beds will be installed.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Acquitted of Alleged Malfeasance
By Associated Press

East st. Louis, ILL.,, Feb. 16.-Six
former officials of East st. Louis were
acquitted by jury to-day of charges
involving the misappropriation of
100000 in city funds.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16
Recall of Greek Minister rrom Turtev

Berlin, via London, Feb. .16, 11.0S
A. M.-The recall of Greek Minister
Panas from Turkey is not clearly un-
derstood in high political circles here.
1t is felt that the condition of Grecian
and Turkish affairs is not such as to
justify the minister's recall and the in
clination is TO believe that he asked to
be relieved when he found his personal
position difficult.
The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-16

Continued ON Ninth Page.
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-03-16
HISTORICAL Stone IS
FOUND ON HAWAII

/. An historical stone upon which .
number of the Hawaiian Warriors OF
old were offered up as sacrifices BIZ
their eonqueror, Kamehameha /, has
been found In Hawaii. yThsiiSreiie Of
the days of barbarisra Is now on the
property Of John Scott near Hilo and
Secretary Deyo of the Hilo board Of
trade has suggested that 1t be brought
to the Crescent City and made one Of
the tourist attractions there. The
eurio in many ways resembles the AZ
tee sacrifeial stones found In the Az,
tee ruins in Mexico and archpeologibt
have claimed that it was from the Ar
tees that the Hawaiians first learned
of the weird and cruel sacrihcal rites
which prevailed in these Islands during
the days Kamehameha l., was lighting
to establish his supremacy. y III
The question of acquiring the stone
was brought up at recent meeting 81
the board Of trade at Hilo and II pro
per arrangements can be made IL viii
be brought TO that city and placed II
some public place, probably the hbrar,
lot. s, a. ~. Htl
President G. Il. Wright of the Hils
board Of trade appointed u, II NiehOiI
to consult with Mr.. Scott and arrang'
il possible to have the historic stcn'
brought TO Hilo. .r..ty, 3 IN a;.'3f
The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1915-03-16
SHORT SATURDAY
SENATE SESSION
Lone Bill Swift Routine and Ar
ranuements TO Meet b
Queen

Thirty, minutes was an the time the
senate required Saturday morning 70
handle the .businesa on hand. This
business opened with q Communication
from the territorial secretary, Wade
Warren Thayer, notifying the senate
that the Governor had signed act 8,
which was house bill 6, relating TO the
use Of school funds. q,
Then was received the report Of the
North and South Koha (Hawaii) watet
Investigation, with estimates, maps and
recommendations made by the division
Of autobiography bureau offaaricnltnre
and forestry, In conjunction with the
United States geological survey Il
II is recommended that assnW be
enacted Providing for the forming of
local water users, associations, which
will permit the credit of the Territory
to be used in financing such ptojects 20
may be deemed OF sound enniheeffng
and economic vaide by an administer,
ing board of territorial officials, With.
out the necessity Of direct aPproPria,
tions by the Territory. The report was
submitted by G. X! harrison, snperin,
tendent Of photography.
Senator Makekau introduced senate
bill A, providing for leyying on shsfys
Of corporate stock aid the sale thereof.
The measure was at once referred 70
the judiciary committee, following the
new policy Of the senate TO refer bills
direct to the appropriate committees,
where possible, on first reading BY
title. ~ I'd ~ l. ~. !
Senator Robinson reported the print
ing Of three bills Of the day hefofo,
s. B. Al, AZ and 40, and these were
also sent TO the Judiciary committee.
The first two are Miracles, and deal
respectively with attorneys and magis.
trates in district courts. IS. b. 4S is
Makckau's bill, and has to do with
the terms Of circuit courts. Ten house
bills which had passed FIRST reading In
the senate on Friday, were. yesterday
sent to committee. ~ ( IA 8 a.
Senator Quinn put In petition from
the court reporters, asking for an in;
crease in pay. The Judiciary commit,
tee will look into the matter. TX
Senator Iaukea reported that be had
arranged with Queen Liliuokalani for
the usual biennial call made by the
senate. Wednesday next, at eleven
o clock in the morning, be said, would
be convenient. President ChillingWorth
advised that the fifteen members meet
in the senate chamber at ten!thirty
o clock Of that day, so they could 20
to Washington Place in . body. -