Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1916-07-13

claims in the anthracite region, in
which new hearing was granted on
an appeal from the decision of Ref
cree G. w. Beemer, of Scranton. TAX
en- by Mrs. Annie Catharine Michaels,
or Wilkes-Barre, against A. Pardee &;
Co., coal operators. The decision
says that it was uncontradicted that
employees of the defendant company
were not required to purchase sup
plies needed in their work from the
company, but could buy them where
they pleased. Before a practice or
usage can rise to the dignity of a Gus
tom it must be certain, uniform and
compulsory. In other words, a custom
which is optional is no custom at all, -
says the opinion. II holds that there
was no contract and therefore the
sum deducted should be included in
the computation.
The Board in an opinion by Chair
man Mackey refuses Referee Jacob
Snyder, of Altoona, in the case of
Selman Swanson against John c.
Sharkey. Windber, holding that the
claimant must not only show responsi-
btlity for death or injury, but prove
that an accident caused death. 1t is
held that in the case the burden of
proof was not met by the claimant
and that the deceased died of heart
disease not superinduced by injuries.
Compensation Referee William B.
Scott, Of the Philadelphia district, is
upheld by an opinion filed to-day by
Compensation Commissioner James
w. Leech, in refusing to allow COM
pensation to a claimant whom II was
found had settled case and released
rights of action without knowledge
or consent of the employer of her
husband. The case was the first Of
the kind to be appealed. The hus-
band Of Anna Osuszt an employe of
James D. Dorney, of Philadelphia,
was killed by a motor truck belong
ing to an ice cream company while
he was working for Dorney. The
widow settled her claim against the
ice cream company for $500 with
out knowledge or notice to Dorney or
the company in which he had insured
his liability and incidentally paid the
adjuster $500. Referee Scott found
that had no settlement been made
the widow would have been entitled
TO S1,S47.50 for herself and her son
and 500 for funeral expenses. He
refused to allow compensation.
School Inspection Ruling-Inspec-
tors Of the State Department of La
bor and Industry will hereafter in
spect public school buildings within
the Commonwealth and make rec
concentrations in respect to fire risk.
AS a, result of a conference between
Mrs. Samuel Semple and Otto T NAL
lery, members of the Industrial Board,
and DR. \. c. Schaeffer, State Super
intendent of Public Instruction, it has
been decided that inspectors of the
Labor Department shall deal with
fre-escape problems and similar fire
hazards in school buildings. Though
the Department of Education desires
this service of the Department of La
Dor and Industry the school authori-
ties will remain active in the same
direction. Other faulty conditions in
spectors may observe will be reported
to Commissioner Jackson and refer
red to superintendent Schaefer for
the information of the school authori-
ties.
To Attend En-, Officials
OF the National Guard here will at
tend the encampment of the Third
brigade next week at Mt. Gretna. 1t
will be commanded by Brigadier Cen
eral F. W. Stillwel.
Water Case Next-The Wyoming
Valley Water company case, a quo
warranto proceeding, is scheduled for
hearing on July IS by Attorney Gen
eral Brown.
Board at Pittsburgh. The State
Compensation Board is at Pittsburgh
to-day and may make some rulings in
regard to what shall constitute major
and minor operations and other i'm
portant matters.
Bridge All Right. - In an opinion
by Commissioner Killing the Public
Service Commission holds that the
bridge of the Lancaster, Elizabeth
town and Middletown over the Penn
sylvania railroad is adequate for or
dlnary travel 1t was found that while
in fair time the bridge does get crowd :
ed yet it would be unreasonable to
force large outlay of money for ad-
diuons Just for a brief period of the
year.
Stewart in Washington. - Adjutant
General Thomas J. Stewart went to
Washington to-day.
More Decisions To-night.-It is ex-
pected that the remaining cases in the
full crew series will be announced to-
night.
To Meet Saturday.-The Public serv-
ice Commission will meet here on Sat
urday for executive sessions.
Mumma'S Payment.-County Treas
urer Mark Mumma to-day paid the
State sl5,359.s4 as Dauphin's share of
licenses.
Wasson Visits HILL - Henry G.
Wasson, Pittsburgh attorney, was at
the Capitol to-day.
Consulting OniciaIs.-Adjutant Cen
eral Stewart and Assistant Adiutant
General Beary were at Washington to-
day in consultation with War Depart
ment officials regarding recruiting of
Guard regiments.
Trustees Named. - The Governors
office to-day announced the appoint
ment of the following mothers pen
sion trustees for Northumberland
county: Mrs. Richard H. Simmons,
Mrs. Frank a. Gable, Miss Annie
Schabo, Shamokin; Mrs. Raymond B.
Tobias, Mrs. Pater A. Steif, Mount
Carmel; Mrs. Mary z. Macdonald
Sunbury; Mrs. !. Hunter Miles, Milton.
New Justices.-These justices of the
peace were named to-day: John M.
Scott, Beaver, and William E. White,
Beaver Falls.
Drake Annuity Ends.-An opinion
given to-day to Thomas A. Crichton.
cashier OF the State Treasury. by
Deputy Attorney General Kun closes
an annuity which the Commonwealth
of Pennsylvania granted to e. l..
Drake and wife by act of 1873. The
grant was made to Drake because "he
discover ed large quantities of petro-
leum" in the state, which greatly
stimulated various industries" and
also added directly to the revenue of
the Commonwealth more than one
million dollars" The annuity was
$500. Mr. Drake died some wears
ago and his wife has been drawing
the annuity since. Her death occurred
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