davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12

reported having transacted business
in the state during 1915 and this com
pany reported that risks had been
written TO the amount of $4,000: pre-
miums collected, $3,SO5.6S and losses
incurred in the sum of $4,000, with
business in force at the end of the
year of $4,000.
Five West Virginia companies and
60 companies from other states, trans
acting miscellaneous lines of insur-
ance other than fire and life, reported
collection OF 1891 ,254 in premiums
il 1915, with losses paid aggregating
$414,565.
Tht West Virginia fraternal socie-
ties and AZ foreign societies reported
they had written insurance to the
amount of $7,976,325; collected precur
ed premiums of $73S, 1871; losses of
$472,S00, and had insurance to the
amount of Scottish in force at the
end OF the year
Thirteen West Virginia farmers
mutual fire insurance companies wrote
risks in the state during the calendar
year to the amount Of $5,958,111; re.
ceiyed cash income of $103,2 and
paid fire losses during the year of
$56,765. Insurance in excess of $24,-
100000 was in force at the end of the
year.
The increase in the volume of fire
and life business also brought a cor
responding increase in the revenues
of the state, the Insurance Commits.
sioner collecting in taxes from the
several companies the sum of $685.
553.68, the largest amount since the
establishment of the insurance de-
partment. The insurance companies
also contributed SAC, 1850 in fees to
the state treasury, and the foreign
corporations paid $2,917 in statutory
attorney fees. The expenditures OF
the department for the same period
were $8,31S.36. of which $7,024.42 was
paid in salaries.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12
MACADAM ROADS
TOO EXPENSIVE
For City Streets or Rural Byways.
Uncle Sam Says
Go

Washington. Aug. 9.-"The maca-
dam road said the United States Of
fee Of Publis Roads today, us parti,
cularly adapted to main highways
connecting centers of population, but
is not satisfactory for city streets
and is too expensive for rural roads
other than main highways or pixies"
The department has been investigat-
ing.
From II to Is feet is recommended
as a suitable width, provided the ROAD
is tlanked on each side with firm
shoulders from to feet wide, to
prevent shearing off by wheels.
The macadam method of road con.
struction was first introduced about
the beginning of the nineteenth cen,
fury in England by a Scotchman nam
ed John Louden MacAdam.
The chief features of this construc-
ton, which has since become one of
the foremost methods of road-build-
ing in every country of the world,
are: raised, thoroughly drained. and
crowned earth foundation "a sub-sur-
face of broken-stone fragments, not
larger than 12 inches in diameter,
and of Uniform size; surface bind
ing of stone dust and screenings.
During the last forty years thrs
method has been modified and the
stone fragments are graduated in size
with the coarser stones at the bot
TOM
Recently bituminous preparations
have been added to the surface of
binders. Heavy, petroleum oils. as
phalts, bituminous cements and tar
mixtures are now used largely for
this purpose. The addition of some
such binding material renders the
road impervious to the damaging ac-
ton of water and forms a hard,
smooth, resilient surface.
Although it formerly was though
necessary to surface the road with
a layer of macadam from to II
inches in depth Uncle Sans road eX-
pers declared the surface should be
as thin as is CONSTANT with durabili- |
ty-no over inches deep in any case |
and often only three. This saving of I
surfacing material greatly lowers the !
cost of the road, without detracting
from its wearing qualities in the least,
they contend.
The road-bed should be of porus |
material, well-drained, and should be |
free from clay or loan.
Grades exceeding 6 feet to every |
100 feet of road are considered ex- |
cessive for heavy traffic Curves |
with less than 200 feet radius should |
be avoided. Build around the clope of !
a hill-n0t over it. Build as straight |
as possible, always considering grad |
ing first A special recommendation |
Is made by the Office of Public Roads |
that the surface crossing of railroad
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12
PENNSY EMPLOYEES
ALMOST PERFECT.
Efficiency Tests on Lines East Of
Pittsburgh Show o9.9 Per Cert
Perfect.

One Of the chief factors that has en-
ahled the, Pennsylvania railroad to
maintain a long record for the safe
transportation of passengers is re-
vealed in the report of efficiency tests
on the lines east of Pittsburgh, which
has just been compiled for the first
six months of 1915.
From January LIST to June 30th OF
this year, a total of 2,496,5O4 tests
and observations were made on the
Pennsylvania railroads eastern lines
to determine how well signals were be-
irg obeyed and the train operating
rules followed.
The results Showed perfect perform
ance in more than 1913 per cent OF the
cases. To be exact, in only one IN
stance in each 1924 trials was there
any failure to follow implicitly the sig
nal indications or to obey the regula'
tons governing train operation, THESE
efficiency tests are conducted under
the strictest rules. For instance
an engineman runs his locomotive one
foot past stop" signal, his action
counts as a failure.
In the period during which THESE
tests were made, z6,7OO,OOO passen'
gers were carried on the lines east OIL
Pittsburgh, and not a single one was
killed in g train accident.
The Pennsylvania railroads east
ern lines now have continuous rec
ord of IL years during which better
than 99.9 per cent OF, perfection mas
been shown by 16,65S,549 tests OF Ih7
efficiency, fidelity and discipline OF '"e
men who operate the trains In IHa'
period 396,000,000 passengers nave
been carried on the lines east OF Plus
burgh, Erie and Buffalo, and not one
has lost his life in a train accident
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12
TUESDAY

Miss Anna STREET, of Winchester,
who has been visiting her nephew,
Mr.. and Mrs. James STREET., of South
Raeigh street, returned home this
morning.
Mrs. j. w. Fansler and Miss Avis
Bogger, of West John street, is visit
ing friends in Stephen City, Va.
Mr.. William Johnson, clerk at S.
V. Fiery's shoe store, is off duty, on
his annual vacation.
Miss Mamie Jones, of Remington,
Md, is visiting Miss Belle Browning,
at the parsonage of the M. E. church,
south.
Mr.. and Mrs. Addison Hoffman and
children, of Frederick, Ma, ara spend
ing some time with Mrs. H 5ffman's
parents. Mr.. and Mrs, Il. e. Lyle, of
West Race street.
Mrs. G. B. Geyer, of South Raleigh
street, left today to visit friends in
Franklin, w. Va.
Mr.. Fred w. Payne, of Pikeside,
was in the city today, Ell route to
Moorefield, where he will spend sever
al days on business.
Mr.. c. w. Henderson, of Washing,
ton. well-known here, was in the city
today, on his way to Mountain Lake
Park, Md, where he will spend sew.
eral days.
Miss Monte Grove. of South Queen
street, left today for Frederick, Md,
to spend some time with Miss Mary
Dean Zeiler.
Miss Rose Sherrard, of Washington,
returned to her home this morning
after spending some time with rela,
tives and friends.
Miss Sudie Carver, of Charlottesville
Va, is visiting Mrs. T. A. Parkinson
of West King street.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12
GREAT DECREASE
IN FIRE LOSSES
DURING THE YEAR
ACTIVITY BY STATE FIRE MAR
Shall PRODUCTIVE OF
RESULTS
EDUCATION AND CLEANUP CAM
PAlGNS HAVE HELPED A
GREAT DEAL
LOSSES PAID BY INSURANCE COM.
PANlES DURING YEAR
VERY LOW

Cooperative efforts between the
State Fire Marshals Department, mu-
nicipal authorities throughout the
state, campaigns of education, clean
up campaigns, better inspection of
risks and the closer cooperation be-
tween insurance agents and the pub
lie, combined to make a striking de-
crease in the fire loss in West Virginia
during the last calendar year.
The rate of losses incurred to pre-
miums collected in 1912 was 50 per
cent; in 1913, SO per cent; 1914, SO
per cent, and in the past year the
ratio of losses fell to AZ per cent.
The loss ratio was decreased, not
withstanding the fact that the year
1915 was the banner year in the his
tory of fire insurance in West Vir-
ginia. This fact is disclosed by the
annual report of State Auditor J. S.
Darst, who is also ex-officio Insurance
Commissioner of the State, which is
now being distributed from that Of
fee.
For the first time in the states his
tory the insurance companies opera
ting in West Virginia wrote risks ag-
gregation more than $2O0,O0O,0O0, and
for the first time collected premiums
in excess of $3,000,000, while the
losses paid were lower than in any
year since 1909.
Tables in the auditors report show
that the fire insurance business i'll
West Virginia has practically doubled
in 10 years. In 1905 risks were writ
ten to the amount of $106,58S,S91. In
1915 the risks written totaled $210,1
729,041. In 1905 premiums collected
amounted to $1,77S,929, and these col
lections were increased in 1915 to
$3,014,499 Losses paid in 1905 were
S750,338 and in 1915 were 81 ,254,30
The gigantic amount of fire insur-
ance business done in West Virginia
in 1915 was transacted by 145 COM
panies, including one West Virginia
company, SO other United States COM
panies, exclusive of West Virginia and
55 companies from foreign countries
admitted to transact business in the
state.
The prosperous condition of the
state and the growth of the life in
surance in West Virginia is also re-.
vealed in the insurance report two
West Virginia companies and So COM
panies from other states showing by
their reports to the Insurance Com
missioner that risks to the amount
of $36,722,275 were written during the
last year, the largest amount of risks
written in any single year of the
state, and an increase from $780,
037 in 1914 The premiums collected
OF $5,419,4 10 and the losses incurred
of $1,615,021 were also the largest
since West Virginia became a state.
AT the end of the year 1915 life in
surance to the amount of STA, 266, 72O
was in force in West Virginia. Ten
years before life insurance to the
amount of $77,0OO,OOO was carried by
the citizens of the state, showing the
volume of business to have been more
than doubled.
Only one assessment life company
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12

one of these so-called bridges and
fall on top our neighbor and kill him.
Five hundred dollars is 5 per cent
interest on $4,000. Would it not. be
good economy and wise business to
borrow $4,000 and replace num-
Der of these old culverts and bridges
with modern concrete structures that
would safely carry the loads imposed
upon them and give us something for
our money rather than pay the inter-
est on that amount patching around
and getting nothing? Concrete bridges
cost money, but have yet to have
anyone prove to me that they are
not an economical investment.
You will at once say that all this
sounds very well, and that you agree
with me, but Get us. the money;
our income is limited and the people
will vote down bond issue that
we might bring up for these things"
cannot agree with you on this lat
ter point. My own expert
ence in my own county shows
that the tax payer is a wise
business man, and if he is shown
that the money is being handled wise
ly and that he is getting somewhere
near value received for what he pays,
he will vote right.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12
w EDNE SDAY

Mr.. Joseph Miller, of Bunker lIm
is a business visitor TODAY in .-
city.
Mrs. Fanny Couchman, Miss ssrsa
Couchman, of the county, and Ms,
Couchie Gardner, of East Burke sfrae.
will leave tonight for Cleveland obi,
where they will visit Mrs. Fmorn
Howard.
Miss Mary Comrey, of West Martin
street, has gone to Charleston. NJ
Wa, where she will visit Miss Tucy
Saunders, and later she will 20 IN
Phillip, w. Va. to spend sometime
with her uncle, Attorney Ralph Start.
~.
4. Deputy Marshal f. w Athey return.
ed today from Jefferson county. where
he attended to official business for tho
past few days.
Mrs. Frank Mullin and children. Of
Washington, who have been visiting
Miss Ella Martin, of West Burke
street, left this morning for Oakland.
Md, where they will spend some time
with her grandparents, Mr.. and Mrs
Herman w. Hesen.
Miss Eva Williams, of Frostburg.
Md, is visiting at the home OF Mrs.
Emma Williams, of East Liberty
street.
Miss Eleanor Crowell, one of SheD.
herdstown's popular young ladies, il
the guest of Miss Adele Martin. Of
West Burke street.
Mrs. Jennie Zimmerman and son.
James, of Johnstown, Pa, are visiting
Mrs. H. M. Ashcom, of West John
street.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12
WHAT IS NEEDED IN
ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
Illinois Highway Superintendent
Writes Interesting Article on
Question

BY d. o. Thomas, Highway Superin.
tendent of st. Clair County, Ill.
If business man handled his pri-
vate business in the way we have
been running our road buiness, he
would go broke inside of a year 1t
is lucky for us that we can't break
the tax-paying public; for no matter
how lax we are, the coney continues
to come and the taxpayers continue
to pay. Is it not our serious and
bounder duty to spend this money
wisely and in a scientific and bust
ness-like manner.
In my county, we spent 100000 on
our roads and bridges, through our
highway commissioners, and as yet
| have been unable to find out what
it actually costs each township a year
to maintain it's wooden bridges and
culverts and it's steel bridges, or what
| it costs per mile per year to grade
road or to drag roads. One township
did know what it cost to drag roads,
viz: $1.35, which, however, represent
ed the total for the year spent for
raging; yet even there | could not
reduce it to mileage unit cost basis.
The hardest job l have is to per-
suade some of our township officials
to keep an adequate set of books.
| have even been told by one COM
missioner that his township did not
! need to keep books, because every
body was honest in that particular
township | would pity this particular
commissioner if somebody accused
him of being dishonest and he had no
records to fall back on to prove his
| honesty. This latter case actually hap
pened in another township, where a
thoroughly honest man, commission
er, was accused of paying out money
to somebody for something that was
not done, and he had no record or
receipt at all from the man.
l would like particularly to call
your attention to the fact that | said
ito keep an adequate set of books y
Statistics and figures are all right
but if they are not the right kind
OF statistics and figures they are not
worth the paper they are written on.
Foor instance, | find that most of the
books simply show that John Jones
to their credit for hand labor of team
labor SThat tells us nothing. What
the people want to know is what John
Jones did with his shovel or what
Bill Smith did with his team; how
long it took linn to do it, and what
it cost to do that particular kind of
work. That is what we call distribus
ton of accounts and unit costs.
If you follow this kind of book
keeping you will soon find where the
leaks are Take one example: Sup
pose we knew that he were spending
$500 a year patching up a lot OF
wheezy, decrepit, old wooden culverts
and bridges, and that when we were
through sweating and patching and
spending our $500 we still had nothing
and that we were still lying awake
night worrying that some 201horse
engine was going to break through
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12
MISS GRIFFITH AND
HARRY WEST Welded
Popular Young Couple United This
Morning at Christian Par
sonage

Miss Mary Griffith and Harry West,
both we'll known young people of the
city, were united in wedloek this
morning at 8 o'clock at the parson.
age of the Christian church, by the
pastor, the Rev. Roy Schmucker.
Mr. West is employed in the knit
ting department of the interviewer
mills, and is popular with his fellow
workmen. His bride is a charming
young lady, and also enjoys much
popularity. Mr.. and Mrs. West viii
reside in South Raleigh street.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12
MONDAY

Miss Elsie Thornburg, of North Ma
pie avenue, left this morning for Nc
Keesport, Pa, where she will visit
relatives for two weeks.
Justice J. H. Mcbride, of Gerrards-
town, is a city visitor today.
Miss Grace Bentz, of North Queen
street, has returned from ten days
vacation at Atlantic City and Bal
timore.
Messrs. C. w. Houseworth and Mel
son O'Neil, who are camping at Fall
ing Waters, were in the city Satur-
day evening, and report having a
great time.
Master Daniel Diauto, of South
Queen street, who has been with the
scouts near ,Hedgesville, has return
ed home, and will accompany his par
ents to Atlantic City this week.
Mr.. William Richardson, of Balti-
more, who has been visiting his grand
mother, Mrs. William Kantner, of
West King Street, has returned home
accompanied by her.
Mr.. Edgar Hollis, of South Raleigh
street, has returned home after spend
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12

Mrs. Florence Coyle, Of wesr r.
street, is spending some tina -
relatives in Summit Point
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Lebberz ana
son, Harry, of Frederick. are vis,,,-~
Mr.. and Ms. Roy Cove, of West prrLs
street.
Mrs. E. j. Mcdonald. of DuHals.
was shopping in the city yester5s,.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12
That Band Picnic

Speaking about preparedness are
you ready for that picnic Aug. 18th.
II not then you have only nine more
days So get ready and be prepared
to follow the Band. S-3tf
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12
PERSONAL
SATURDAY

Hon. Samuel S. Cline, of Bunker
Hill, is a visitor today in the city.
Mr.. w. r. Spikec. of Gerrardstown,
is spending the day in the city.
Mr.. George w. Keesecker is a city
visitor today from Falling Waters
Mr.. Calvin r. Tice. of Falling Wa
ters, is attending to business here to-
day.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. A. Lamon, Of Bak-
erton, are city shoppers today
Miss Edith Files, of North Raleigh
street, is visiting her parents, Mr.
and Mrs J. E. Files, of Johnstown
Mrs. Mary Williams, of South Wa
ter street, left last evening for Great
Cacapon to spend some time with
her sister-in-law, Miss Laura Read
er.
Miss Lottel Byers. of North Raleigh
street. is visiting her parents, Mr.
and Mrs. Henry Byers, at Johnstown.
Mrs. r. V. Lancaster, of Hedges
vile, who has been spending several
days with her father-in-law, r. T.
Lancaster, of this city.
Mr.. and Mrs. F. O. Nieman, of Pitts
burgh, Pa, spent yesterday with Mr.
and Mrs. George w. VanMetre, of
North Maple aevnue, and left for
Hedgesville to visit Mr.. and Mrs.
A. r. Myers.
Mrs Kate Fleming, of Berkeley
Station, who has been visiting Mrs
Charles Pitzer, of Winchester ave-
nue., returned home this morning.
Mrs. Charles Houseworth, of Rose
mont, went to Hagerstown this morn.
ing to spend week with Miss Carrie
Fridinger.
Mr.. and Mrs. Lee Mauck, of Win
chester avenue, left for Bentonsville,
Va, to visit Mr.. and Mrs. D. F. Cul-
lers.
Master Arnold Durham, of North
Church street, went to Inwood this
morning to spend several weeks with
his aunt, Mrs. A. Milder.
Mrs. George Ambrose and children
of Faulkner avenue, will spend Sun
day with the formers paretns, Mr..
and Mrs. c. A. Lonas, at Ridgeway.
Miss Meta Lonas, of Faulkner ace
nue., is visiting her parents, Mr.. and
Mrs c. A. Lonas, at Ridgeway.
Mrs. Norman Maybury, of Peaks's
Island Md, and Miss Ada Dutrowi of
Baltimore, are spending several days
as the guests of Mr.. and Mrs. Ben
jamin Dutrow, of South Water street.
G. w. Talbatt, well known paint
er, of Bunker Hill, was a business
visitor in the city today.
Miss Elnora Hardy of West Martin
street, is visiting her father Captain
f. M. Hardy, at Cumberland.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12
H A U L | N G.

Having purchased large two-ton
Auto Truck. we are prepared to do all
kinds of heavy transfer work
Belmont Orchard Company.
For further information call up
Smith Studio, 1876 w. King st.
s s 1w
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12


Mrs. Hills and baby will return in
a few days.
Miss May Porter, of Hagerstown,
returned home this morning after a
visit with Mrs. w. S. Little, of East
Liberty street.
Miss Virginia Moses, of North
Queen street, went to Hagerstown
this morning to spend a wee kwith
friends
Mrs. Anna Dreamer, of Baltimore,
returned home this morning, after
spending a visit with Mr.! and RMS.
Chris. Baker, of Moler avenue.
Mrs Ezra HORNE and daughter,
Miss Adelaide, of jefferson, Md, who
have been visiting Mr. and Mrs.
c. J. Thatcher, of Winchester ave-
nue., retudned home this morning.
Master Arnold Durham, of North
College street, has returned home
after spending several days with Mrs.
Ananias Miller at Inwood.
Mr. Seaton Miller, of West Martin
street, is visiting friends at Williams
port, Md.
Masters Harry Quinn, of North Col
lege street, Frank McKeefer, of Com
merce street went to Clearbrook, Va,
this morning to visit relatives.
Mr.. George P. Walters. of East
Burke street, has returned from
business trip to Keyser.
Mr.. Archie Coates, foreman of The
Worlds mechanical department, re-
sumed his duties this morning, after
spending a week in parts of Mary
land and at Berkeley Springs.
Mrs Robert Barrett and children
have returned to their home in Wash
ington. after spending the week with
Mrs. Robert Gordon, of West Race
street
Mrs. William Shamball and son,
OWE, of Orleans Cross Roads, are
visiting at the home of Mr.. and Mrs.
F. M. Light, of East Martin street.
Mrs. Sarah Smith, of Cumberland,
is visiting Mrs. Floyd Province, of
East Burke street.
Mrs. Charles Boarman and children
Of Little Georgetown, spent Sunday
with Miss Lydia McGary. of West
Burke street.
Miss Gertrude Haas, of Winchester
avenue, popular saleslady at Spill
mans drygoods store, left Sunday to
spend her vacation at Philadelphia
and Atlantic City.
Mr. "Enrico' Whitehill who is con.
nected with the Martinsburg Manu-
featuring Company, spent Saturday
and Sunday with relatives in Balti-
more.
Mr. Howard r. Smallwood spent
Sunday with his parents at Shenan-
doah Junction.
Mr.. P c. Neidmyer, manager of the
Woolworth 5 e 10c store, left Sunday
morning for Lancaster, Pa, to visit
friends He will return this evening.
Miss Freddie Fellers, of North Ra-
leigh street, has returned from Wash
iEgton and Baltimore, where she has
been spending her vacation.
Miss Ethel Thompson, OF West John
street, is spending two weeks with
Miss Lillian Chanler, of Hamilton,
Va.
The Misses Sale and Mildred Aler
Of South Queen street. are spending
ten days vacation in New York and
Boston.
Miss Marjorie McElwee, of Wash
ington, is the guest of Mr.. and Mrs.
John p Warrenfeltz, North Raleigh
street.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12

The day of harsh physics is gone
People want mild, easy laXau'e''
Doan's Regulets have satisfied lho"'
ands. CSC at all drug stores.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12

For Group or sore throat, use Dr.,
Thomas Eclectic Oil. Two sizes, 25c
and soc. At all drug stores.
Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1916-08-12

The longest time on record ~
which a swimmer has remained uhu'f
water is six minutes "a AS SECONDS