Reading Times from Reading, Pennsylvania • Page 7

FIRE DAMAGES SHRIHE HOME Destructive Blaze Breaks Out in Rajah Theatre Building At 4 A. M. Fire of unknown origin broke out at 4 m. in the Rajah theatre build ing and did damage entimated from 150,000 to $75,000. Five employes of the News Times, had quit work shortly before were on the scene before the alarm was turned Together with the policemen and a fireman they carried much of the fine furniture to a place of safety before the fire apparatus arrived.

The origin of the blaze Is unknown, although some believe that it was caused by the careless flinging aside of a lighted match or cigarette by an attendant of the dance held in the building last evening. Mayor Stauffer, however, advances the theory that the building was set afire by thieves who had first pillaged the cigar and candy booth in the lobby of the theatre. i While the interior of1 the entire building is damaged, the smallest loss is likely in the theatre proper. The floor in the theatre was flooded to a depth of four feet: Had it not been for the timely discovery of the rising1 water, more damage would have re suited. As It is, only the opera chairs in the private orchestra boxes were in the path of the rising water.

OUTLET FOUND FOR WATER. It was discovered by Sergeant Bowman that an outlet was possible if the partition of the orchestra box was punctured. This was done, and the water passed into the basement toilet apartment and thence into the sewer. This relieved conditions and prevented a further flooding of the theatre. WHERE FIRE STARTED.

Midway between the women's rest room belonging to the theatre proper, and the lunch room connected with the Shriners' apartment for the accommodation of the women, seems to have been the starting point of the fire. The flames then spread both ways. These apartments are on the north Bide of the building, separated by a small areaway from a building which is now being razed to provide space for an annex to the Shriners' home. i The fire had vey little start when discovered by Sergeants Bowman "and Maloney. They individually fought the fire.

It was seen instant ly that it was too large a matter for them to handle and a still alarm was sent to the Junior fire company. This was about 4 a. m. Shortly afterward an alarm was sounded from the box connected with the building. Fire Chief John H.

Neithammer turn ed in a general alarm soon after Ward. CHEMICALS OF NO AVAIL. Flames shot from the windows of the upper story Into 6th street and into the alley te the north. Chemical streams failed to halt them and water in large quantities was pumped into the theatre. While the fire proper was confined to the northeastern "end of the structure, smoke and water damaged, more or less, every room and apartment in the place.

The section which suffered most from fire, according to the charred embers, was in the wo men's toilet connected with the svirinova' anartments. and. the rest of the theatre section. From this nolnt.the fire spread east and west. Apparently the west wind and the draft caused a circulation in that direction.

A WATER SOAKED BUILDING A building water soaked from the basement to the dome is the result of the fire, in short. From the point where the fire started there is trace hle evidence of how it traveled. There is little doubt that the fire or iginated in the rest room. The theatre proper was not occu pied Monday night. There, however, was a dance in the hall, to the front of the theatre.

W. O. Heckman, man ager of the theatre, is of the opinion that the fire was caused by loungers in the rest room, either from a lighted match or a burning cigarette. Manager Heckman was notified at his home of the fire by the News Times and arrived before the sound ing of a general alarm. This part of the building Is not connected with the dance hall.

The patrons of the dance hall have no first floor privileges. But it was learned that some of the young folk will often wander to this quiet section. The tossing of a match or cigarette by some one one of the dancers may. in the belief of Manager Heckman, have caused the Are. BIG LOSS BY THEFT Adjoining the rest room, near the entrance to the corridor, is a candy and tobacco stand conducted by W.

J. nobinson. While his damage by fire may reach more than $100, his greatest loss was by theft. He had some $80 in change for Tuesday's an some $S0 in change for today's anticipated business, placed in a case in his apartment. The desk case was not even touched by the flames, but the money bag and contents are missing.

He ulso regrets to report the theft of 40 boxes of John Hay 15 cent cigars. The cigars represent, together with chocolate and other candles alleged to be taken about $600, beside the cash sum. In the front part of the third floor I E. C. Horn Sons, architects, were engaged "for some time in preparing blue prints and plans for the proposed alteration to the theatre.

The plane and prints are water soaked and represent the loss of about three weeks' labor. It will require three more weeks to do the work. All the architects' tools and utensils wci" destroyed or damaged beyond repair. front part 'of the building, with entrance beside that of the theatre, in occupied Uie Shriners' pool ami MUioj a room, TUe table, fix in num (Ann. u.iW ber, are "either ruined or so badly damaged that it will equal the cost of new ones.

1 SAFE CARRIED TO LAWN To the rear of this apartment is the recorder's office. The furniture from this place was carried into the lawn of the Quaker Meeting house. The safe, intact contained $1100, representing applicants' initiation fees. Just under the rest room where the fire is supposed to have started at the kitchen. It was first thought that the origin of the blaze might be traced to this spot.

But, according to the direction which the fire traveled it could not possibly have started there Every thing was in order and only water damaged. LITTLE SIGNS OF FIRE. While the fire is believed to have started in the public rest room, which adjoins the women's toilet, there is little evidence of fire, in the latter apartment. The large plate glass mirror is unharmed, the frame not even showing signs of having been scorched. The wardrobes to the left on entering, however, are badly burned.

In the basement had been prepared a bounteous feast in honor of the event which is to mark the visit of Supreme Potentate Ellis Lewis Gar retson, of Tacoma, Wash. This is spoiled by the water drippings and smoke. NOT COVERED BY INSURANCE. While there is insurance on the building, Andrew Levengood said that it would not entirely cover the amount of damage sustained. The recorder's office has been re moved to the Quaker meeting house, also occupied by the Red Cross.

Edward Yeager, the recorder, has trans ferred his documents. Nothing in the office has been destroyed. The paraphernalia of the Shrine was secure from fire. The gorgeous robes of the Arab Patrol ttre cared fo in steel cases. These, compartments were not touched by either fire or water.

The dance hall on the upper floor was covered with water from the streams poured into the burning building. The balcony to the nortn was also burned. Empty bottles of soft drinks were strewn about the place, evidence of the social function of night before. After the fire lines were established these policemen were on constant duty: Reinert, Reeser, rear; Lieut. McKinney, Sergeants Whitman and Lloyd; Policeman Milliard, linnis, Follmer, Frankowiak and Fox, at the front SENT GENERAL ALARM When the district firemen arrived and chief Neithamer found th fodceu and Chief Neithammer found the force inadequate to meet the emerg ency, a general alarm was sent in at 4.46 a.

m. The police responding were: Fry moyer. Hohl, TomazewsKi, rimme, H. Templin, Haggerty, Knop, E. Biehl, J.

Young, C. Dillon; Sergeants Hol lenbach and Stott. ALARM IN HOSPITAL The heat of the fire caused much alarm among the inmates in the hospital across the way. The nurses found the window panes getting warm, and notified Chtef Neithammer. He advised calmness, and at the same time suggested that the nurses prepare for the transfer of the patients suffering from serious illnes to a safer place, if found necessaryM Shortly afterward the fire was under control and the anxiety of the patients subdued.

While there was some excitement among the patients, there was at no time enough commotion to fear of a panic. ERIE MAYOR GOES FREE Erie, May 10. On the ground that women are ineligible to serve as members of jury in this state Judge Joseph Bouton, of McKean county, this morning dismissed the indictment against Mayor Miles B. Kitts, who was charged with failure to enforce city and State laws. Indicted by a special session of the Grand Jury in February, attorneys for the mayor yesterday asked that the indictment, be quashed.

Among the arguments advanced was that a recent discislon of the State Supreme court ruled that a man must be tried by 12 men. This morning after arguments were finished Judge Bouton announced that he would quash in dictment on the technicality, but would not have an official decision ready until tomorrow. FIVE WOMEN ON JURY There were five women on the jury which indicted Kitts and 39 other citizens of Erie for failure to enforce the law or for breaking cer tain laws of the State. The foreman of the jury was a woman. This is the first time that the le galty of women serving as jurors has been attacked in this county and it may affect all of the cases which are now awaiting trial as women have been on both grand juries which have met this year.

Two negroes charged with murder will not be tried on account of the ruling. The district attorney has asked for a continuance of the case until the September term of court Special Prosecutor OUson, who handled the Kitts case before the grand Jury, announced that an appeal will be taken to the Supreme court for a decision in the matter. 1 3 AUTO STOLE N. N. H.

Garman, 108 Neverslnk street, reported that his rora car was stolen while standing on Penn street between 8th and 9th. The car was later recovered at 9th and Penn streets. It had been taken by mistake by another Ford car owner. 10(B Pure Paint HOSTETTER 220 Dougla St. THE READING NEWS ESTATE LEFT BY HOMTZINGER The Late Pastor of St.

Luke's Had. Property Valued At $17,500 Many minute bequests are contained in the will of the late Rev. Dr. F. K.

Huntzlnger, pastor emeritus of St. Luke Lutheran church. The will which was filed for probate Tuesday, disposes, of an estate worth $17,500, of which $14,000 are In personal property and $3,500 in real estate, his dwelling at. 136' South 4th street The original will gave the bulk of the estate in trust to his wife, Mary M. Huntzlnger, who died several years ago.

He had directed that, the household goods and dwelling on South 4th street go to her for life, together with the residue of the estate in trust. i 1 TWO LATE CODICILS. The will contains two codicils, one dated April 9 of this year, and another dated April 29, which was written shortly before his death. Under the present of the will and codicils he gives the sum of $2,000, which is later raised to $3, 000, to his housekeeper. Miss Lizzie Bleber.

She also gets part of the furniture and other household effects. George S. Kressly, a friend, is to get $1,000. Most of the estate is td be divided between his four brothers, five sisters and his wife's four nephews. The original will was dated March 18, 1916.

The Reading Trust Company is named executor, and is directed to provide suitable tombstones for the graves of himself and his wife. Under the provisions of the will, now that his wife is dead, the estate is to be disposed of as follows: $500 TO TOPTON HOME. Topton Orphans' Home, of which he was president of the board of trustees for many years, $500. Charles Evans' Cemetery Company, $300, which is cut down to $260 in a codicil. The money is to be used to keep the Huntzlnger lot and the lot of John Hassinger, his father in law, in repair.

The residue of the estate Is to go to the following brothers, sisters and nephews in equal shares: Benjamin K. Huntzlnger, William Huntzlnger, Adam Huntzinger, Henry Huntzinger, Eva Landis, Elizabeth Hassler, Mary Hertzog, Amanda Stuber and Emma H. Fisher, and sisters; Ell wood S. Hassinger, Harry B. Hassinger, Thaddeus Hassinger and John Hassinger, his wife's nephews.

$500 FOR ST. LUKE CHURCH In the codicil dated April 9, i he gives $500 to St. Luke Lutheran church to create an endowment fund which is to be used for the general maintenance of the church. This codicil also directs that $500 be given to the Mt. Airy Theological Seminary.

TABLET IN HIS MEMORY He also directs his executors to "place a suitable tablet to my memory in St. Luke Lutheran church Reading, whose first and only pastor I have been, and which I have been permitted by grace of God to serve for so long a period of time." The codicil of April 9 also makes the following provision: "I give to Miss Lizzie Bleber, my housekeeper, the sum of $2,000, also any bedroom set In my house that she may select, together with other furniture, pic tures and carpet In the room In which such bedroom set is; my chiffonier the cedar chest in the rear room third floor, with all its contents, and such bedding, linens, dishes, cooking utensils, knives, forks, spoons as she may select, provided she is In my employment at the time of my death for hei long and faithful services." By reason of the death of John Hassinger, all bequests made to him are revoked in the codicil. PAIR LEFT TO DECIDE The codicil of April 29 directs that George S. Kressley and Miss Lizzie Bleber, his housekeeper, "shall take care of my body after my death, and make all arrangements for my fun TIMES, READING, eral and burial; In this matter their discretion shall not be interfeired with by anybody. This codicil also directs as follows i "I give my books to my friend George S.

iCressley. I give Miss Lizzie Bieber, my housekeeper, the additional sum of $1,000 for her faithful services to me. I give my friend, George S. Kressley, $1,000 for his kindness to me. I direct that all federal and state taxes shall be paid out of my estate." ANNUAL FEAST FOR OLIVET CLUBS The senior department of the Olivet clubs is planning to hold its annual banquet on Thursday, May 26i The feast will be served1 by Olivet Mothers' club No.

2. Tickets are selling for 80 cents. All members of the senior department of the several Olivet clubs will participate. The banquet, is generally held in February, tut is a good deal later this year. The mede banquet will take place a week later, on June 2.

Tickets for this will be 50 cents. It will be in charge of Olivet Mothers' club No. 4. NO. 1 TO HAVE SHOW.

Next Monday and Tuesday nights the annual minstrel show of Club No. 1 will be held in the gymnasium. This is being directed by Paul Kramer, and promises to be a huge success. There will be four end men and many bright skits will be Introduced. Next Sunday will be basketball Sunday in the various clubs.

At the evening meetings the members of the various teams will be on hand, and cups and pennants will be given to those who earned them. At thi9 time also will be given out to those who made a good record In gymnasium classes. The Olivet Service Men will at tend church in a body on Sunday, May 29. The Rev. Robert M.

Blackburn will preach to them at the First Presbyterian church. This organiza tion, with Leroy Trupp as president, was formed several monins ago. There were over 100 Olivet men In the service during the war. THE SUNDAY MEETINGS. On Sunday Club No.

1 waH ad dressed by Frank E. Miller, Club No. 2 by Peter Schrack, Club 3 by William" McCormick, Club 4 by Prof. S. W.

Kerr, and Club 5 by Freeman Boas. SUIT TO KEEP A JOINT LANE OPEN Gabryel Kilek, of Robeson town ship, has started equity proceedings against Harry Kilek to restrain the latter from placing obstructions in a lane between their two properties in Robeson township. In the plaintiff's bill, which was filed through Attorney Charles K. Derr, it Is set forth that the plaintiff and defendant own and occupy ad olning farms and that the use of the lane had been enjoyed" from time immemorial. The plaintiff says that the defendant has placed bars across it and has also placed rocks, stones and other obstructions in It and that, as often as the plaintiff removes them, the defendant replace3 them.

The court granted a preliminary Injunction in the matter. 1 Tom Melghan and his cast in "Cappy will make many scenesalong the coast in the vicinity of Boston. Friendship's Perfect Gift Your Photograph! NIEBEL STUDIO (Closed en Sunday) 237 N. 6th St. a You will be pleased with thee.

Ol yfindQ1 7C D3.t70 up OXFORDS Soles, at $3.95 SHOES Good $4.95 at. tan, $1.95 Ad Up SUEDE PUMPS, QC WO' fiCf And JOC Up SPECIAL PRICES ON SHOES It Will Pay You To Attend This Sale of High Grade SHOES at Such Reduced Prices: LADIES' BROWN KID PUMPS One and A two trap, $5.00 value, at PO sTJ LADIES' OXFORDS Military and low heels, QC $5.00 value, at PC 0 CHILDREN'S OXFORDS Regular price, $2.50. Special. MEN'S OXFORDS Goodyear welt, rubber heel BOYS' BLACK AND TAN Neolin Sole and Leather MEN'S U. S.

ARMY WORK year welt, $6.50 value, WORK SHOES Black and at LADIES' TAN AND BLACK $6.00 value, at BABY SHOES (A Complete Line), at. You will be pleased with the styles and the satisfaction you get will make you a regular customer. Popular Shoe Store 104 North 9th Street SINGER HIESTER, Props. WEDNESDAY MORNING, MAY If 19'2T WHEAT AND RYE CROPS LARGER May Forecasts of the Depart ment of Agriculture So Indicate May 10 This year's, winter wheat and rye crops will be; larger than last year, while the hayj crop will be about the same as a year ago, the. Department of Agri culture's May forecasts today; Indicate.

Winter wheat acreage showed much less than average abandonment as a result' of favorable weather during the winter and a crop of 629, 287,000 bushels, or 8,000,000 bushels more than forecast a month ago Is i estimated on the acreage figures of the May 1 canvass. Kansas reported an "abandonment of eight per cent, Which was the heaviest of any of the important producing states and her crop, this year promises to be about a million bushels less than last year. Abandonment in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri and Nebraska, ranged from two to three per cent. The crop in Ohio is forecast at about 13,000,000 bushels more than last year, while in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri it Will be atiout 10,000,000 'jshels more than the 1920 crop. Nebraska's crop will be about 1,500,000 bushels smaller, and Oklahoma's about 10,000,000 bushels less than last year.

READING MUSIC CLUB ENJOYS BACH NIGHT One of the most delightful programs ever rendered by members of the. Reading Music Club was given on Monday at the home of Mrs. W. G. Edmondson, 1045 Penn street.

An entire Bach program was rendered. There was an attendance of 33. The guest of the evening was Raymond Bard. It had been planned to give the program in the First Presbyterian church as a tribute to Hrtiry F. Seibert.

organist of Trinity Lutheran church, who will shortly sail for Italy. This was interfered with by the death of Mrs. Se.ibert'8 father. Arrangements wpre made for the annual June frolic of the dub, which will be held about 20 at the river home of Otto Witlich. A pplcndid program for this event is now being arranged.

The Mild Weather DRESSES In Organdies, Voiles, Crepes, Printed and plain effects. Prices as low as $5.95. JERSEY SUITS And English Tweeds Another shipment has just arrived of these values, whkh have teen our leader this season. Other utarea have tham at $14.95 and $19.50. But we are selling hundreds of them at, Two Big Specials WAISTS SWEATERS Tri colettes and Georgettes in blouse effects, $2.95 This sale is the talk of Reeding.

It is to your advantage to call these two days. ENGINEERS HEAR VALUE REPORTS Preliminary reports, on estimates of property valuations in connection, with the various plans' submitted for! the elimination of the grade cross ings of the city were made at a meet ing of the engineers held in the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce on Monday morning and These estimates were presented by! H. H. Althouse, grade crossing en gineer retained by the Chamber of Commerce, and E. F.

Dawson, assist ant to the chief engineer of the P. R. Railway company, ho have been assigned to this task by the committee of engineers. T. G.

Krouse engineer of the Public Ser vice Commission, presided at the! Samuel T. Wagner, chief, engineer of the railroad company, i and E. B. Ulrich city engineer, were' also preset at this meeting. ''The work of preparing the esti i mates of property valuations on all! plans submitted will continue until the next meeting of the engineers, which will be held on May 23.

It is! expected that the property valuations will be completed by this time and every effort is being made toward that end. HALF HOLIDAYS FOR STORES A resolution endorsing the propos ed celebration of the 175th anniver sary of founding of tjhe city of Reading was unanimously adopted at the regular meeting of the Merchant's Bureau of the Chamber of Commerce held at a noon luncheon on Monday I at the American House. The resolution further expressed the desire of the merchants to co operate with the proper authorities in the proposed celebration and authorized, the appointment of a committee to represent the merchants in any arrangements that may be necessary. This committee will be appointed as soon as the occasion requires. W.

A. H. Relder presided at the meeting. The merchants decided that during the summer months the stores would close for a half holiday on Friday afternoons as has been the custom in Reading for some years. The first Friday half hpliday will be June 24 and will continue during July and August including Friday, September 2.

Cards advertising these closings will be distributed among the members of the bureau in good time before the first Friday closing. A general discussion was held on the plans of the streets committee of the Chamber of Commerce to have all obtstacles rem'oved from Pen street A committee of merchants has been appointed to represent each block along Penn street and to cooperate with the streets committee of the Chamber in this movement A meeting of the committees and others interested will be held tn the rooms of the Chamber of Commerce this evening at 8 o'clock t6 make preliminary plans, A report was made by the Shop in Reading committee that signs had been placed throughout the county bearing the slogan, "Shop In Read ing' as a part of the general campaign which the committee and the bureau has been conducting for some time' to encourage patronage of the stores of this city. These signs are being placed at prominent places in or near the larger centers of population throughout the county. Eugene D. Whitman, Instructor in salesmanship In the.

Reading schools, outlined the program of the' various courses that will be conducted in his department during the next school year. The new courses provide for an extension and sub division of the work and will include more facilities for the employes of the stores who desire eiich training. i In connection with these courses an effort is being made by the merchants to co operate with the school authorities to have a series of motion pictures conducted throughout the mm 71 CONTINUES IN FULL SWING For Wednesday and Thursday We Have Grouped Together One Rack of and One Rack of SUITS An extensive array of the newest Tricotine, Poiret Twill and French Serges. All silk lined and hand tailored, high grade garments that sold up to $55.00, at Latest $9.95 Qj.S0 That are worn as waists lace vests at $2.95 (I COATS Wraps, Capes and all this ean's ff hade! i fashion. If you haven't purchased your coat yet, visit this sale and jhare in these $40.00 and $50.00 1 values, at White Dresses for Graduation Showing many of the prettiest All sizes for Juniors and Misses.

$19 Tony Sarg puppeteerand cartoonist, is making a screen comic called Tony Sarg's Almanac Maura (over detUas) aaal will wad yuu oa for trial. PoaUc prepaid. NEMO HYdZMC FASHION P181HU1I. DeX.H tllrfMPha HwrTwt. ROLLAND'S TRUNKS money aad raiat STAND THE TEST ROLLAND'S Umbrella and Luggage Shop 635 Penn Street Rolland Repairs Umbrellas, Trunks and Leather Goods.

17 A Special Display of MEN'SSUITS In our main windows will convince Dad and the boys that 'The Star" offers the newest suits at styles in Silks and Cottons. Wfm n((r til mml darin or values in the city. We defy competition and we guarantee high grade value at the lowest prices. Make it your business to see these during this sale. Seeing, means buying.

BOYS' SUITS In all styles and colors are a big JQ feature, at 7 17 year. It Is felt that visuel instruction ef this sort Will make this department of vocational education more effective. The plans for this work as presented to the merchants evoked great deal of favorable comment.