Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-04-22

In the last few years this matter has
| been investigated under the direction
of the Attorney Generals Department
| Following action by the State Board
of Public Charities and the General
Assembly and thousands of accounts
nave been examined. Considerably
more than $5,000,000 is represented
on the books, but that sum is thought
TO be within reach of legal proceed
ings.
The act under which the State is
proceeding to collect the cost of main
| tenance of such persons from those
able to pay has been upheld in Phila-
delphia and decided against in Della
ware county. 1t is now in the supreme
court and meanwhile suits are being
filed in a number of counties for re-
! covery of money in which patients
are held to be clearly able to pay for
their care. Scores of additional suits
are in preparation.
Jitney Week Arranged.-Nextw week
will be jitney week for the Public
Service Commission as it has applica-
ttons for certificates of convenience
for the operation of such means of
travel and protests against issuance of
such official permission scheduled for
Harrisburg and Wilkes Barre. The
Wilkes-Barre hearing will be held on
Tuesday, Harrisburg cases being listed
for Monday. The commission will sit
here the following week and also in
the week of May 15 with prospects of
Pittsburgh sessions commencing the
29th Twelve electric companies will
ask approval of incorporation papers
on Monday and the Philadelphia and
Garrettford street railway will ask ap-
! proVal of number of contracts with
boroughs.
More Potatoes. - Experts of the
State Department of Agriculture be-
heVe that the acreage devoted TO
potatoes this year will be larger than
! in 1915 in three-fourths of the coun-
ties of the State. In some counties
the acreage is likely to be ten per
cent. greater and in Lancaster and
other agricultural counties the plant
ing of potatoes will occupy much at
tention. The prices now being paid
make potatoes an attractive item for
the farmers.
Crows In TPOuble.-Reports to the
various departments of the State gov
ernment having to do with outdoor
matters are that big flocks of black
birds have been coming into the State
lately and are inclined to dispute
possession of some farming sections
with crows. The crows have been
driven closer to built-up portions by
the late winter and the farmers have
been complaining of them as nuisances
and welcoming the smaller birds.
Roderick I'm West - State Chief of
Mines James E. Roderick has been
spending several days in Western
Pennsylvania where he has been in
curing into accidents. Conferences
have been held during the week with
bituminous mine inspectors.
Pardon Board. - The May meeting
of the State Board of Pardons will be
held on May IS, one day later than
the usual date.
Capitol CIosed.-Except for the Ad-
iutant Generals, Health Public SerV-
ice and State Departments, the Capitol
was closed to-day for a pre- Easter
holiday. The departments will reopen
Monday morning.
Foust's Men Busy.-Agents of the
Dairy and Food Division have put in
a very busy two weeks. They have
rounded up over fifty men for the sale
of adulterated foods and milk and
cream.
Fires Are Troublesomc.-The fires in
the western part of the State which
have been raging close to State re-
serves are giving the Forestry Depart
ment much concern. The new forest
fire protection bureau is organizing
local associations and they have done
good work.
Bair Finds Way. According to
newspapers to-day, r. M. Bair, York
chemist has discovered a cure for
chestnut blight.
Home Next Weck.-Commission of
Fisheries n. r, Butler will return next
week from the national convention of
fishery men at Wilmington, n. C. The
Pennsylvania commissioner is on sew
eral committees.
Attended Meeting. - Commissioner
Jackson and Chief Furman, of the
statistical bureau, attended the meet
ing of the Compensation Board in
Philadelphia this week.