davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
Haven Swept By
 Big Blaze
Business Block Near Center Razed By $1, GOO, 900
 Fire

New Haven-Fire starting at mid night in the basement of the five story Mendel & Freedman department store on Chapel street in the heart of the business section, was con- trolled after a four-hour battle of the entire local fire department in weather close to the zero mark The flames were confined to the block of business buildings surrounded by Chapel, Orange. State and Crown Sts., with damage estimated at s1.OOO,oOo.
 The fire ate it's way through the Mendel and Freedman building with lightning-l:ke rapidity. It was only by the hardest work in a wind that was blowing at gale force from the north that it was prevented from spreading through a large part of the central business section
 HEAT CRACKS WALLS
 The ive-story warehouse of the B. M. Builard Furniture Company in the rear of the Mendel and Freedman stores, was a complete wreck this forenoon and damage resulted to a dozen large firms which hae their iSdouudTIeTS III the lInIneulale Vi cinity.
 The cause of the fire is as yet un- determined.
 The Charles Monson Co.,. dry goods and department store one of the largest business houses in the city center, and situated next to the Mendel & Freedman building took fire before the blaze was controlled but the fire in this store was controlI- ed with great damage to the stock and fixtures
 Hose Through Offices.
 A portion of the plant of the c. s. MerSick Co.,, wholesale dealers in hardware, on State and Crown streets, was badly damaged. A storehouse in the rear of the Western Union build ing, also caught fire and much dam age was done here by water. Lines of hose were laid through the West ern Union building in fighting the flames.
 The Chatfield Paper Co. also suf- fered heavy loss, rear of their build (Continued on Page Six.)
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
GOV. LAKE TAKES
 FIRST STEP FOR
 REAL PORT HERE
Will Boost Plan to Develop Bridgeport Harbor
 Facilities

Bridgeport will observe with great interest Governor Lakes efforts to se- cure legislative authority whereby Connecticut may join with other New England states in a commission on foreign and domestic trade and com merce- The ultimate plan of the commission is to build up greater ports of entry in New England. Un- der the tentative scheme, Bridgeport is one of the ports which will re- ceiHe considerable attention.
 The movement has been widely dis cusSed for some time by New Eng land states other than Connecticut, but for some unexplained reason this state never officially co-operated with the rest. Governor Lake wishes Connecticut to share in the scheme, and for this reason will ask the leg islature for power to create a real official representation from this state.
 If the ideas of the commission are carried out, it is probable that much money will be spent in developinS Bridgeport's natural harbor facilities. Docks suitable for sea-going vessels would be constructed and every at- tempt made to bring Bridgeport up to the standard as a real port for foreign as well as domestic trade.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
OFFICE FILES
 COUNTER SUIT

The affairs of Lieutenant Antonio Nag Montiero Comes of Sound Beach who was made a defendant in q di- vorce action by his wife last week took on new interest today when the Portuguese army ocer filed a counter suit and asked the Superior Court for g. divorce on the grounds of adultery committed at his home January 1o-11 last
 In addition to this action Lieuten- art Comes also sued his wife and her m other. Emily H. Conover. for pos session of their palatial residence at Sound Beach. According to the com plairt Comes asserts that his wife and her mother represented to him that they were owners of the prop cray when he married the daughter He spent $500 for Improvements and learned that his mother-in-Iaw W and wife weer not owners and was forced to buy the place at S13, 1000 to protect his eXpenditutres. He asks the court to determine the owner ship of the premises now claimed by the defendants in his action.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
Say Notes
 May Cover
 Up Losses
Board of Aldermen Decide to Make Thorough Probe
 of Finances
(By Times Staff Writer)

Shelton-An oil portrait of Edward W. Kneen, first Mayor of Shelton who is considered responsible for the pres ent condition of the Shelton Trust company, albeit the gilt frame hung somewhat awry, smiled down be- nignly last night on the Board of AL dermen and Mayor Nettleton whiie wrestling with the problem of pro- yiding money to run the city until taxes arc due in May.
 BORROW $a5,ooO
 The outcome of the deliberations was the authorizing the mayor and treasurer to issue notes and borrow money to the amount of s25,00o. funds of the city are tied up in the institution which, until less than a month ago, has been source of great local pride, profit and convent ence: It was made possible by a special act of the Legislature put through under a suspension of the rules on the first day of the session.
 A mild, denatured sort of sensation was. sprung when motion from the Democratic side of the Board was of fered calling for the appointment of q committee to consist of two Demo crats and two Republicans for the purpose of conducting an invesiga- ton into all the city departments. After, considerable discussion the mo- 1ion was carried and Mayor Nettle- ton, who said he welcomed any sort of an investigation desired, appointed Aldermen Robert F.. Weinmann, Clement I. GriggS, Michael Gaynor. and Matthew McNulty to serve as in- vestigators. Of these four Weinmann and Griggs are Democrats.
 The motion as first presented car yied a clause at the end empowering the investigators "to act as they saw fit" Discussion developed the fact that the Board could not delegate any such power to committee and lC,nntinued on Page SiXl
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
MERIDEN WINS IN
 GAS METER FIGHT

Hartford-In a decision handed down today the state public utilities commission orders the Meriden Gas Light Company to restore the rates for gas effective before the increase announced September. 1920. and to discontinue the service of meter charge of 50 cents monthly which has been also in force since September l.
 The action is taken on petition of the Meriden City Council and is of statewide interest in view of the fact that similar charges have been the subject of protest in New Haven, Bridgeport, Hartford, Middletown, Stamford and other places in the state. The commission declares that the rates are unreasonable.
 After showing that the company continued for ten years to pay 8
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
AUTOIST SUED
 FOR $lO;OOO

Clark E. Anderson, of Brookeld Center, as administrator of the estate of his wife, Annie A. Anderson, who was killed in an automobile accid dent on August 12. 1920, has brought suit for $1O,000 against Mary A. Lynch of Broollfield.
 It is claimed that Mrs. Lynch's IT year old son, Raymond A, was op- erating the Lynch car recklessly and without a license at the time of the accid ent which caused Mrs. Ander- sons death,
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
STEAMER HELD
 FAST IN ICE

Hartford-The steamer Hartford of the Hartford and New York Trans portation Company line has been frozen fast in the ice in the Connec- ticut river just south of the Glaston- bury dock and about ten miles below this city, since Monday evening.
 There were only five passengers aboard the steamer Two of these Middletown boys trusted to the ice and got ashore this morning, making their way home by trolley. The ice is from five to six inches thick nor
 nally. but is badly broken and damned.
 Point this morning on her way up in an effort to break her way to the steamer.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
City Lacking Coal
 While Railroad Delays Shipments
Dealers Say Bold Business Stroke Prevents Move
 ment of Cars Here

That the reported inability of Bridgeport coal dealers to obtain shipments by either rail or water Is caused by an impending war between railroad and marine transportation factions today was the claim of those in close touch with the situation. The swinging of the business pendulum in favor of the railroad over marine freighters, and the gradual increase in the transportation of coal ship ments by rail has whetted the appe- tite of the railroad magnates. it is claimed and has led them to attempt to secure all the coal shipments.
 For some time dealers have report ed difficulties in securing shipments. Barges which averaged 5 to 20 a week have gradually decreased until only three or four with approximately 2,000 tons have reached Bridgeport in the last ten days Attempts to se- cure shipments by rail have met with no success. An occasional carload, !, several weeks late, constitutes the weekly average.
 Get No Shipments.
 Dealers claim they have placed heavy orders but receive no ship ments. Mines in the coal regions have been forced to close because or inability to unload their products; Advices from New Jersey still tell of
  piled on the Jersey waterfront in storage while dealers here wait In vain for shipments to relieve their re- ported scarcity.
 The action of railroad magnates to permit the movement of coal by rail l only is held responsible for the sus- pension of transportation. This is strongly opposed by the marine
 freight lines. And while the two factions fight for control. shipment: are held up and coal traffic On botf the railroad and water is delayed in | definitely.
 Plenty of Docks.
 Practically every coal company 1T Bridgeport has docks'se facilities, bu orly one is equipped to receive ship uents by both rail and water. Trans portation by rail is quicker than b! water but is far more expensive and 1 until late, had been seldom used II this city, where an excellent harbo, and fine water facilities led dealer 1 to favor the marine freight lines. TODAY'S PROFILE.
 Today's profile and identification
 will be found on page six.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
MUST CHANGE STYLES
 IF COLD SNAP LASTS; THERMOMETER AT ZERO

Fur coats and wooien stockings. two articles Of clothing which are popular with the "deah young things" this season enme in handy today when the mercury took lis second dive within q week. If the cold snap Sh, Soea hotntng & eise. mas st ieass -women's styles and comfort. Have to change the styles if the cold weather hangs on.
 Last weeks warm spell fooled Q lot of folks into thinking that win ter was about over. but if gentle spring was hanging around Tn the near vicinity. she certainly took to the timberlands yesterday afternoon when young gale started to climb out of the northwest. The wind in
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
FAILS TO
 ASK FOR RE-TRIAL
Lawyers Say His Defence Gives Him Little Chance
 to Upset Verdict

At press hour today no mo- lion had yet been filed asking for a new trial for ElwoOd E. Wade, now awaiiaing execution in Wcthersfield prison. for the murder of George E. Nott on Aug. %. 1920.
 Well informed attorneys arc gen eralIy of the opinion that there is lit tie chance for any rehearin=. or al least Of any possibility of his Sen- tenoe being comrnuted. as in his trial no defensive evidence of any nature was offered, the defense admitting his guilt and only seeking to save his neck on the insanity defense.
 This was 6isrcsarded by the jury. who voted to a on the first ballot for murder in the first degree TOO COSTLY. | The trial was a costly affair for the defense and it Is doubtful if finances hearing necessary in a second r-ial. even if it should be granted. Tie only move which has been made was the preliminary motion filed on Jan 15. the day Wade re- ceived sentence. that being merely a protective motion which safeguards -he rights Of the defense 10 ask a day of filing.
 Aside from this motion. the at1or- neyS for Wade refuse 10 discuss the Q probabilities of n new trial
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25

per cent. dividends to stockholders with 10 per cent. in 1912. 3 per cent. in 1913, and 12 per cent. in 1916, on the capital of S500.000 and that the company reports showed a profit and loss surplus in 1913 of $545, 5,373.14, the decision says:
 Tt would be an unjust and unfair rate making policy to permit stock holders of a utilities company dur ing prosperous years to receive eS- tra dividends over and above a fair return on the value of the property and regular patrons during the lean years to pay increased rates in order to maintain fair standard of re- turn.''
 The price of gas March will go back from s1-50 to s1.40 per thous- and fet and the meter change vii l be discontinued by the decision.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25

creased in violence during the even ing. and the mercury took a car So- inZ down.
 Thermometers registered close so zero during the early morning hours today, and at S o'clock the mercury stood at just six above IL registered 10 degrees at 10 o'clock. and the weather warpaeG ID little more during the daN
 The cold snaA is welcomed by ics Tiealers and skaters. No ice has been cut in Bridgeport as yet this season. but it IS expected that good crop will be harvested if present conditions prevail a few days longer All skating ponds are in fire conc-- ton and this popular winter sport will probably he enjoyed by thoGs- ands within the next few days
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
SAYS COMPANY FAILED TO PAY

Charging that the company has failed to live up to the terms of a contract made with him as superin- tendent of production. Herman F. wittstein. of this city. has brought suit for se5,000 against the Morris Metal Products Company. Of Bridge port Yittstein was engaged last fall at a salary of ST.5OO n year and re- ceived but three months pay accord ing to his complaint He seeks dam ages of S22.OOO
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
WARNER BROS. TO RAISE
 STOCK

Hartford-Among the bills intro duced in the Senate this afternoon was one which would auth horize Warner Bros. Go. of Bridgeport to increase it capital stock to $10,000,- 900.
 Another bill would amend the charter of the Bridgeport Gas Light co. with reference to the election of directors.
 Another would increase the capital of Bridgeport Hydraulic Co. to s1o,- 100000.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
EMPHATIC NOTE
 SENT TO MEXICO

Washington - The State Depart ment has sent ar emphatic n0fe to Mexico protesting against encroach- ment upon the rfghis of American oil producers, it was learned today.
 MexicanS are alleged to have taken advantage of a announcement system put in effect in Mexico when claims aree optested to take American il claims and reap profits from them it was learned, and it Is this practice which the State Departm ent has protested against
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25

London A Red revolution is brewing in Finland according to an Exchange Telegraph dispatch from Copenhagen today quoting reports received there from Finland.
 The dispatch added that Finnish grave.
 Allahabad, India-Violent rioting was reported today from the Faiza- bad or Oudh province. Sixty houses were burned. A mob of ten thou sand natives is arming. Heavy forces
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
HOLD MAN ON
 TWO CHARGES

Facing what may prove charges by the Post Office Department involving g a money order fraud, Adif Arnet, an Armenian, is held by the local police under bonds of $500 pending com plete investigation.
 Arnet also is accused of having swindled Berger Esiand, of Worces- ter, of the sum of S200 on a. pro posed restaurant purchase in Bridge port.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
38 WORKERS
 KILLED AND
 26 INJURED

Berlin-Thirty- eight workers were killed and twenty-six seriously in jured in an explosion in a mine near Ooelsnitz, Saxony, today.
 One hundred and fifty miners were entombed by the explosion, but were later rescued.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
THINK FIRES
 WERE NOT SET

Fire Chief Daniel E. Johnson is still Investigating the fire at Barnum & Bailey,s winter quarters last night when a bout twenty tons of hay were destroyed Although officials of the department are suspicious of in cendiar,sri in connection with this blaze and another three weeks ago Insurance adjusters have expressed opinion that the fires were not set.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25

of police have been sent from Luck now, 65 miles distant, but the gover- nor fears to send soldiers as actual warfare might result.
 Seven arrests were made following an outbreak of .rioting here- The rioters were quelled by policemen and firemen.
 Later reports from Faizabad said that the natives were threatening to annihilate the police and that the governor had been persuaded to sum mon troops from Lucknow.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
POOR BOXES
 ARE L0OTED

Two men described as about 25 and 30 years, robbed the poor boxes at St. Anthony's R. c. church in Colorado avenue today. The amount they se- cured is unknown.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
SAY CONTRACT WAS VIOLATED

Harry BreSSy a a.. wholesale gro ccrs of this city. have sued Lena Perl ct al of DanbuTN for S1.eso- Dam
 ages are claimed as- the result of the defendants failure 10 keep n con-
 tract made for the purchase of -four.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
Shelton Dep0sit0rs May Yet Be Repaid Z11 Full
ITALY. FINLAND
 AND INDIA IN GRIP OF REVOLT


  on CT TIT by the non-
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
THE WEATHER.

New Haven-Weather forecast for New Haven and vicinity: Fair and continued cold tonight: Wednesday increasing cloudiness and warmer.
 Conditions favor for this vicinity s,r weather with continued. low tenn perature tonight followed by increas- ing cloudiness and rising tempera- tnre on Wednesday.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
Builders Sue
 Danbury Firm

The Danbury Felt Mills. of Dan bury. were today made defendant in two suits for SIS. 900 brought by con tractors who have ben working on the companyss buildings in the Town Of Hats. Kirk & Parchen filed a vlaim for se.5OO and stephen AL Burr seeks to recover S10.50o.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25
TODAY's PROFILE.

Todays profile and Identification will be found on page six.
The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1921-01-25

By subscribing for The Bridgeport Times. Write or telephone The Bridgeport Times.
 Business Department: Barnum 1908.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-16
Alleged False News
Tip Leads to Arrest
Paper Accuses photographer
of Submitting Wrong Pic
ture in Divorce Action

William J. Howard, thirtyfve years
old, of 1875 Lefferts Place, Brooklyn,
news photographer, YVES arrested and
arraigned yesterday in Tonlbs court be-
fore Magistrate Joseph E. Corrigan on
charge of furnishing libelous infor
nation to newspaper. He was held
in $500 bail for examination to-day
after pleading not guilty.
This is the first time in the history
Of the state that newspaper man has
been arrested for furnishing alleged
false or misleading information to a
newspaper, although convictions have
been obtained against persons not d.
rectly employed by paper. The pen
atty is prison term, fine, or both
The complainant against Howard is
Philip A. Payne, city editor of The
Daily News. who alleged that early in
December, 1920, Howard delivered to
him statement concerning a person
in a divorce action. and photograph
which he falsely stated was photo
graph of the woman who was the re-
ported defendant in the divorce case.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-16

der one of those tomato plants Old
Mr.. Toad stopped and squatted close
to the ground. The earth was rather
soft there, for Farmer Browns Boy
kept 1T we'll hoed around those plants.
At first Peter thought Old Mr.. Toad
was doing nothing but squat there
and wondered that he didn't begin to
dig hole. But in a minute Peter saw
that Old Mr.. Toad's stout hind feet
were moving. A little earth was
thrown out first on one side then on
the other. Old Mr. Toad WAS digging
with his hind feet. He changed his
only by watching sharply that Peter
could see that he was digging. He
seemed to simply sink in.o the
ground.
In few minutes only the top of Old
Mr.. Toad's head and his bullying eyes
could be seen. Peter sat up to look
down the garden to make sure that
Mr.. Blacksnake was not coming. When
he looked back under that tomato
plant Old MIR Toad had disappeared.
Peter hoped close. The loose earth
moved ever so little as if something
was at work down below. Then this
stopped. Peter blinked as he stared
at the spot where Mr.. Toad had been.
11ASlc WASH Sign OF mole Cnere.
You see, the earth had fallen IN on
top of him as he dug in.
well, / never!" exclaimed Peter.
Then he started back. lipperty-lip-
perty-lip, to see if Mr.. Blacksnake
was still under that board in the
shady corner of the garden.
Copyright. 1921. by T. w. Burgess)
The next story: "Mr. Blacksnaks
Worries Peter Rabbit"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-08-16
Bandits Seal His Lips, Pull
Out Mustache, Hair at Time
Brighton Beach Concessionaire Gagged With Adhe-
sive Tape and Tortured; Forced at Gun Point to
Open Safe; Masked Trio Flees With 50, 100

Three masked men entered Stephen
Vassassilopoulous's living quarters, in
the rear of one Of his fifteen orangeade
stands on the Brighton Beach board
walk. before dawn yesterday. When Mr..
Vassassilopoulous awoke they were
aiming revolvers at him.
One of them produced roll Of adj
hesive plaster, and after his compan-
ions had tied Mr.. ssilopoulouss
hands and feet and placed him on his
bed the man with the tape began to
wind it around their victims head. He
envelcped Mr.. Vassassilopoulouss head
almost completely in the layers of
sticky bandage, gagging him most eff
fectually.
He stood guard over Mr.. vassassi-
lopoulous while his two companions set
to work on safe in the next room in
which were $500 in Liberty bonds and
$1,700 in currency. Mr.. Vassassilopou-
lous's eyes were not covered, however
and in his anxiety concerning his saw
ings he twitched and rolled on the bed
to see how the safebreakers were pro-
crossing,