Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1915-08-31
Ehent1g Gfrat

These hard rains have been the
cause of expenditure of many dollars
by contractors and some of them have
been losers because of the damage
done by storms and the necessity OF
reconstructing walls and opening up
new excavations" declared one or
the city's merchants to-day In fact,
there has been so much reconstruc-
tion work made necessary that sew
eral builders have declared that few
such seasons and they would quit.
1t appears from what the merchant
says that many houses in course of
construction were damaged by the
frequent heavy rains, roofs which had
not been completed letting in tons OF
water. In some cases houses which
had advanced to the plastering stage
were struck by the rains and have to
be gone over. The worst damage has
been done to the construction work
which has been advanced to the first
floor. Some cellar walls were badly
warped by settling and in some cases
had to be rebuilt incidentally, it
might be added that the rains have
been the cause of the city spending
considerable money to clear off streets
which have been covered with mud,
to repair those scanned by the water
and to fill holes. In addition there
have been pools of water formed in
many parts of the city which are
chock full of mosquito larvae and
which ought to be treated with coal
oil to kill them, which, expense must
be borne by property owners.
Just now the glory of the gladiolii
is de:ighting the eyes in the gardens
about the city and some of the speci-
mems to be seen are very handsome in
deed. The market stalls are filled with
the long stalks and the variety of
colors and the new combinations show
the advances that have been made in
Horticulture in the last few years. Ten
OF hfteen years ago red, white and
pink gladiolii were almost the only
ones to be seen in this city. Now
there are a score of varieties. includ-
ing some which are spotted and others
which are tiger-striped. The white
variety has been crossed until 1t has
some very fine colors.
Speaking of flowers, the petunias
in the Capitol Park, fronting on the
plaza in front of the building, are very
pretty these days. More of these
plants have been set out than usual
and the good care has resulted in
some choice blooms.
The Western Union Telegraph Com
pany the other day removed the last
of the old-style wooden sockets from
use on its switchboard. The socket
was at least fifty years old and was an
interesting relic alongside the porce-
lain affairs now in service. The West
ern Union has been in its present loca-
tion for over half century and is one
of the few business places to remain
unchanged so long.
Canoeists throughout the city are
| busy getting their boats ready for the
big water carnival. Fully a dozen
canoes in the "Hardscrabble" boat
| houses are now being repainted and
recushioned in preparation for the big
! fete next month. The number OF
canoes in use here has nearly doubled
in year.
| The Japanese ambassador, Viscount
| Chinda, was among the guests at the
Commonwealth Hotel to-day. The
ambassador accompanied by the Wis
! countess and servants came here from
| Blue Ridge Summit by automobile g
on trip to this part of the State and
spent several hours visiting the city.
| He also visited the Capitol. The
Japanese embassy has its summer
home at Blue Ridge.
Friends of M. Hampton Todd, for
mer attorney general, to-day tele-
graphed to him their congratulations
on his birthday. Mr.. Todd was a
| prominent figure in Harrisburg social
life during his term.
Ex-senator John J. Coyle, of Phila-
| delphia, who represented SchuylkiIl
| for several years. was in the city yes
| terday on business connected with the
State government.