Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-06-12

Archibald T. James, widely known rs
rronrietor of hotel agencies for the sale
n theatre tickets was found dead early
today in the headquarters of the Quaker
city Motor Club, in South Broad street
hotel, Of which institution he was one OF
the founders He had shot himself through
the head.
The discovery of the body was made by
Mr. James son. The failure OF the father
,o return to his home, 1926 Ritner street
last night. alarmed his wife and children
and search was made at Mr.. James offices
and other places.
The son. in the course of his inquiries
visited the Motor Club headquarters. Pass
ing the bathroom he noticed body lying
on the floor, and then discovered it was
that of his father. Mr.. James had been
dead several hours. No one heard the
shot and no person about the building saw
Mr.. James enter the club headquarters.
DR.. H. NJ. Goddard, of 1888 Spruce street
pronounced Mr.. James dead and reported
the case to the Coroner and police.
Mr.. James friends can assign no motive
for his action other than a possibility that
investment in an upstate cigar manufac-
turing concern had not proved profitable
and had preyed upon his mind. He re-
Gently caused dsconnection of a telephone
in his home because he said it annoyed
him
When Mr.. ames' body was found, it was
lying in bathtub which was partly filled
with water 1t was clad only in under
clothing, Mr.. James outer attire being found
neatly folded on a chair. The bullet which
caused death had entered the left temple,
passed through the brain and out the right
side Of the head
According to Ralph James who found the
body, his father had suffered financial losses
M ha milf nP aot-Iyy
ments in an outside business These re-
verses may have furnished the motive for
suicide. the son said. although his father
was in cheerful mood when last seen last
night
Mr. James was about so years old. Sew
eral years ago he engaged in the cigar
business later establishing his theatre
ticket agency in connection with his
stands which were in the Colonnade and
Walton Hotels and the Lincoln Building.
Mr., James was an early patron of auto
mobile racing, and was one of the pro-
moters of the Fairmount Park automobile
contests. He was one of the organizers of
The Quaker City Motor Club
CNTRoVERsY OVER RACES.
Mr. James activities on behalf of the
club, OF which he had been president, in
vowed him In controversy six years ago
with the Fairmont Park Commissioners
over the automobile races then conducted
py the club within the park limits. DIR.
] William White, who died recently, was
foremost in the opposition to the races, and
Win his rellOw-C Commissioner finally over
came the efforts of Mr.. James and his asso-
GATES to continue these contests. In this
nsht Mr.. James was supported by many
prominent motorists beyond the member
ship Of the club.
Funeral arrangements have not been
completed. Deputy Coroner Waldin gave
permission for the removal of the body to
~ Undertaking establishment. Mrs. James,
win three sons and five daughters. COM
pose the immediate family. Mr.. James was
MASON and left home yesterday ostensibly
- - visit the rooms of the Point or Points
Slao Masonic organization, adjoining the
Motor Club headquarters.