Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-02-03
Ehrntrg Glrat

Its rather comforting in view of the
singular variety OF weather with
which the Lower Susquehanna and its
subsidiary valleys have been favored
the last three months to be reminded
that in other years 1t was worse. A.
friend sends the following data from
record of undoubted verecity and
detail kept at Mt. Joy in 1860, II
would appear that fifty-siX years ago
on February the bees were buzzing
ana the shadfiies sailing. Two days
ago people were finding pansies and
dandelions in their yards and pick
ing out chickweed from walks And
the next day 1t showed. But harken
to the record of 1860. IT says, and
we have the word of the Rev. Daniel
Engle, of Mt. Joy. for it, that on
January 21, 1860, it was two degrees
below zero. On February the bees
were out as aforesaid, and on
February it was nine degrees below
zero. On February 16 1t was SO warm
that the bees were out again. 1t has
not been that violent in the variations
OF mercury lately in this section, but
in 1912, when the mercury went down
around nine and twelve degrees below
zero 1t was in February and the same
month people went around without
oVercoats and took the usual colds.
The number of hearings being held
at the State Capitol lately is almost
as great as in a legislative session.
There has not been a day this week
in which one or more of the hearing
rooms at the Capitol has not been
occupied by hearing and on some
days both of the caucus rooms were
in use. AS a matter of fact it will be
somewhat of serious problem next
winter to take care of the legislative
committees and the numerous other
meetings that haNa No ri
of the daily business at the State
Capitol.
State Librarian Thomas Lynch
montgomery, who completed his thir-
teenth year as chief of the Library to-
day. has equaled the record of tenure
of that Office made by William Mus
grove, who served from 1919 to 1882.
Mr.. Musgrove was the second State
Librarian and died in office. Prior to
1915 there were three or four
libraries, but all except those of the
Legislature were consolidated and the
growth of the present one began. Mr.
Montgomery record exceeds those of
| the Rev. William r. Dewitt, long
pastor of Market Square Presbyterian
church in this city, who served nine
years; Vein Forney. prominent in
newspaper work in Philadelphia, and
this city, eleven years, and the late
DR.. w. II. Egle. Dauphin county his
torian. who served twelve years. The
library expended more in Mr. Mont
gomery's time than in previous thirty
two years.
Half dozen lodges. several
churches, creamery, a coal COM
pany and a tea store were among the
number of applicants for insurance
against employers liability in the
State Workmen's Insurance Fund in
a few days this week. The number
of policies written will so over the
5000 mark by the end of the week.
This represents over three quarters
of million dollars according to esti-
mates made at the Capitol. Scores
of lines of business and activity are
represented in the fund because
| liability seems to hit in every direc-
| ton.
In championing the current stage,
the other day, Charles Burnham,
president of the Association OF
Theater Managers of Greater New
York, who will be remembered as
having announced in 1909 that he
would close five theaters on Broad
way If he had the power, names Mrs.
Frederick C. Martins play 'ErStwhile
Susan" as one of those now on the
boards to which no man need be
ashamed to take his children. There
is one play" declares Mr.. Burnham,
stage-'Sadie Love- But it is wrong
to say the influence of the stage is un-
wholesome. 1t is very much better
now than I have ever known it to be.
Offhand I can point out a number of
plays to which a man could take his
daughter without danger. The Little
Minister" Cock o the Walk" and
"Erstwhile Susan" can certainly not
be accused of being indecent"
Representative Henry I. Wilson, of
Jefferson county, one of the candidates
for speaker in the last House, was
here yesterday to attend the meeting
! of the State Compensation Board for
discussion of the daily wage ruling.
Mr.. Wilson will likely be candidate
again.
The Public Service Commission will
give considerable attention to Middle
town crossings in the next few weeks,
it having approved the arrangements
between the borough and the Pennsyl-
vania railroad. but without apportion-
ing the cost and the damages. These
matters will be given study by experts
of the commission who will make
visit to Middletown and work out the