The Scranton Truth from Scranton, Pennsylvania • Page 1

MARKET EDITIONv THE gCB ANTON TROTH 30TH YEAR 14 PAGES SCRANTON, FRIDAY AFTERNOON, MARCH 27, 1914. OLMRIK FIGHT STORY OF PEGRlh nnniiT Mimnrn iinnX TBOIM TMM DM II MB llnllll I Ml ml If Hin' nuuui muuuLii imu Man Who Says He Killed Mary Quxjrin NOT RING OF TRUTH i3W "iiiibiiIIi iiijvn Police Skeptical About Tale Told By Colored Man Who Says He Is the Slayer of Mary Quinn. HE IS BEING HELD A PRISONER IN THE CITY OF WILKES BARRE Some of His Talk Is So Maudlin and Revolting That the Authorities Cannot Credit It As True. Special to The Truth. WILKES BARRE, March 27.

"Though they have by no means reached a conclusion, the police of this city and Scranton are today inclined to be rather skeptical regarding the stpry told by William Pegram, a negro, forty two years old, who late yesterday afternoon confessed the murder of Miss Mary Quinn in a West Scranton field June 2t twelve years ago, after had foully assaulted her. The man's actions his demeanor his shrinking, sneaking attitude point him out as a degenerate and his word absolutely unworthy of belief on any other story but his familiarity with the territory where the crime was committed, coupled with the fact that he was in the city at the time, strengthehshevoase against him and raises the hopes of the police that he is telling the truth, and the mystery solved. Told Many Untruths. Sprpral Mma rinrinsr th A prillinsr yesterday some points in his narrative) rang true but in the next instant he would pass a remark or tell a differ ent story which the police knew positively was untrue. Some of his maudlin talk was so reeking with degeneracy that the police say could not have carried out so many crimes and escape undetected.

Pegram was arresteJ yesterday afternoon by Sergeant Hergert and Police Chauffeur Thomas on Academy street on suspicion. He was accused of annoying Miss Litzenberger, a music teacher of Dana street, several nights ago, while she was on her way home. Pegram answered the description given by Miss Litzenberger, and Pegram admitted he was guilty of that offense and that he had been annoying other white women in the city. In giving an account of his life, he mentioned that he lived in Scranton at one time. P.

A Barrett, in charge of the Scranton office of the El mira Telegram, was present and asked Continued on Page Three. Front ami side, portraits of William IVgranu Club with which she was killed. mark In road where Mite shows where body was found in continental nciu. WIL PRESIDENT WINS THEFIBSTVOTE ON TIMS SILL WASHINGTON, D. March 27.

By a vote of 207 to 176, the house" today closed debate on the rule for consideration of ths free tolls repeal resolutions. This was the first test 'Vote, and indicated the passage of the rule in final vote, and the strength of the president's supporters 'on the repeal itself. Speaker Clark noted against closing: the debate. The mere question of repeal of the tolls exemption provision by the house was completely overshadowed by the open breach developed between the titular head of Democracy and the presiding officer of the House. The house this afternoon passed the Panama canal tolls rules, 200 to 1( 2.

This opened up the tolls light in deadly earnest, with twenty hours allotted for discussion, but without nrlvllege of amendment of the repeal foil. Kitchln, prospective successor to Underwood as majority leader, on the second roll call switched his vote (rem "no" to "present." Chairman Adamson, of the interstate commerce committee, was chosen to open the fray. It was decided he would make a fifteen minute speech against Clark, and that Representative Hardwick should follow, attacking the speaker for alleged traitorous conduct" toward the president. The president's lieutenants also decided to fight against amendment of the repeal rule, and against lengthen, ing the debate. They determined to stand pat" on the pending rule, with a decisive vote imminent about 2 o'clock.

Those who enlisted under the Wilson standard at today's conference were Representatives Adam son, Sims, Sherley, Covington. Har wisk, Henry, A. Mitchell Palmer, Hay, Flood Hull, Garrett and Foster. While they were planning their light upon the speaker, the anti.repeal forces conferred. The speaker was considering a speech on the rule which would bring him even more into the open against the president.

His friends aP.o stfted he would make "the speech "'speaker' Clark had his name called and voted "no." mi ix 1 1 1 rn nil IMMLLtUUn D1U051G struck by a D. passenger train at the Scranton street crossing this afternoon shortly after 2 clock John Rowe, aged 60 years, of 918 Pittston avenue was hurled againtrt the bank at the side of the track and instantly killed. He was employed as a laborer by rtnmnnnv and was me ocrimtun vi lo going to the Bittenbender store when f2" 8 or, hardened. He wa3 hank With SUCh tnrowii aaiuo. speed that every bone in his body was broken.

Tho hndv was removed to the morgue of Undertaker Cusick on wr Qvonna find aft1! being prepared for burial was taken to his late nome. Kn Tii Tvifft and one flaughter. He was one of the est known residents of South Scran having "vcu tucjH years. had crossed two tracks and was crossius Btrucit. BIRTHS.

hi Tn Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pierce, of Pittston, a dfushter. Carratt To Mr. and Mrs.

Chester A. Garratt, of Honestuue. a MARRIAGES. a. TX'nc T1t ton.

March 25, 1914. by Rev. J. A. BLhii Honn and MlSS jones.

a in Sickler both of West Pittston. In West Pittston. March 26, oy rtev. Stanley Morris, of Philadelphia, and MUS Ethel Chestnut, of Danville. DEATHS.

Fritsch In Scranton, March 27, 114? Mrs. William Fritsch, of 722 Cedar avenue, aged 65 years. Funeral afternoon at 2 o'clock. Inter ment in Pittston avenue cemetery. CurtiS In Peckville, March 26 1914, James Curtis, of Ridge "oim.tead In Scranton, March 25.

1914. Sarah E. Olmstead. aged 56 years. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon at 3 clock from V'7 Madison avenue.

Interment sn Forest Hill cemetery. Brand In Scranton, March 26, 1914, Jonas Brandt, aged 68 years of 124 River street. The funeral will be held this morning at 10 clock. Interment in the Jewish cemetery. Farrell In Olyphant, March 2a, 1914.

Anita, infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. William Farrell, of Olyphant. Funeral this afternoon at 2 o'clock. Interment In West Side cemetery.

FUNERALS. fhe funeral of Frank Robling, of 634 North Washington avenue, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock with services at the family home. Interment will be made in the Dunmore cemetery. The funeral of Mrs. John Leonard, of 1676 Keyser avenue will be held tomorrow mornis wwti wiia services in Holy Rosary church.

The funeral of Alfred Hatton, of 1406 West Gibson street, will be held tomorrow afternoon with services at the house. Interment in Memorial cemetery at Taylor. The funeral of Evan M. Arthur will be held this afternoon with services at the home of Mrs. Harry Schamberg, of Merrifleld street.

Interment in WaBhburn Street cemetery. The funeral of Lewis Wint, of 160o Capouse avenue, will be held tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock with services at the home. Rev. W. B.

Beach, of the Church of the Good Shepherd, will officiate. Burial will be made in Forest Hill cemetery. The funeral of John Jones, the sixteen year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Simon Jones, of 117 Morris court, will toe Sunday afternoon.

Interment will be mads In the Washburn street ceme tery. The funeral of John Le Roy McKon, Soung son of Mr. and Mrs. William J. IcKon.

of S12 Broadway, will be held BOM A President and His Advisers Con vinced Thai Speaker is Out in the Open to Antagonize Wilson and His Policies. STATEMENT BY CLARK ABOUT DEBATE ON TOLLS QUESTION Is "Dead Against" It He Declares and Will Not Stultify Himself By Voting For IE Could Not Look House in the Face If He Did. BY JOHN EDWIN XEVIX, I niteii Pre Stall Correspondent. WASHINGTON, March 27. Speaker Champ Clark's sensa tional attack upon President Wil son's Panama tolls policy was accepted today in administration circles as a declaration of war.

The attack came in the form of a nuhlic statement issued by the i speaker. The president himself declined to comment upon it in any way. So did Secretary Tumulty. But there was a significant gathering of the clans at the White House prior to the resumption of the session of the house. Senators and representative who have espoused the administration's policy stopped to confer with Secretary Tumulty, and in a number of cases with the presi dent himself.

Although it was cabinet day the president disregarded a prepared engagement list, and such members as had urgent messages were quietly ushered into his private office. War to the Knife. Open war war to the knife, and the knife to the hilt was declared today between President Wilson and Speaker Clark. Their partisans in the house showed the issue clearly. A dozen administration Democrats met in Representative Adamson's of fice and decided to accept the battle gage offered by Clark in an open bitter assault on the speaker for "knifing" the president.

Fight for Party Control. It was very plain from the attitud of the president and his chief advisers that they realized with Speaker Clark in the oen against the president, the long looked for fight for control of the party had been launched. Seceetary Tumulty continued to reflect the president's confidence in a sweeping victory. He insisted that his polls were correct, and that the only effect of Clark's open opposition would be to strengthen certain wavering (Continued on Page Five) SCALDED IN ATTEMPT TO PATCH HOT WATER PIPES I When the hot water pipes bursted in his home this mornhig H. J.

Finnan, of Si'O West Lackawanna avenue, atempt ed to stop the leak and as the result he was badly scalded. The pipes busted for no apparent reason and taking a cloth In his hands he tried to check the flow of water. He was rushed to the West Side hospital where it was found he had been burned seriously about the wrist and fingers of both hands. He was able to go to his home after receiving treatment at the hospital. ASQU1TH AND LONDON, March 27.

The Asquith government still lives. Although the premier was unable to bring about a settlement of the issue issue which threatened most serious results in the army through the resignation of Field Marshal Sir John French and General John Spencer Ewart, the house of commons adjourned late today without an effort having been made to make a concerted attack upon the Asquith cabinet Premier Asquith appeared before the commons at 5 o'clock, and declare! the cabinet was still awaiting the final decision of General French and General Ewart. He indignantly denounced the suggestions that arty member of the gov ernment contemplated active aggres sive operations in Ulster. The statement which tne premier nas promised to make the house of commons as to the commanding officers was postponed for a third time. It was expected last night, but was put over until today.

When the commons convened, the cabinet was still In session. It was then said the Asquith statement might be expected shortly after noon, but announcement was made that it had been postponed until 6 o'clock. In the lobbies of the house of commons there was the liveliest speculation as to whether the further postponement of the Asquith statement foreshadowed the fall of the cabinet. The belief was expressed by many that failure to brlni about a settlement of the new army tanzle would mean the dissolution of the cabinet. Asquith called a special meeting of the cabinet early today again take NR FLOOD Hi ISSUES AS THE RIVERS RISE DEFEAT FOB THE REBELS WASHINGTON, D.

March 27. Charge Algara, of the Mexican embassy has mads public the following message received today from Mexico City: "Rebels decisively defeated at Tor reon being driven back with great loss. Government has rushed 5.000 troops from Saltillo under commani; of General Mours. Rebels also defeated near Monclova, losing more than a thousand men. Government troops victorious in the state of Tarn aulipas, where rebels have been defeated in several minor engagements" To Move on Torreon.

DURAXGO, March 27. (8 a. m. Delayed) Having recaptured this place from the federal defenders after a fierce battle during which artillery was used with effect by both sides, General Francisco Villa at this hour is making final arrangements for the care of his dead and wounded before giving the order for a general assault on Torre jn itself. Claim Big Victory.

MEXICO CITY, March 27. Claims of overwhelming victories in battles which are raging the rebel forces of General Villa are pressing upon Torreon were made by the wagon loads of rebel dead were carried away after the capture of Cuatro Clenegas, Coahuila, it is declared. The rebels have completely cut off wire communication between Torreon and Mexico City and the claims of victory in other battles are nelievea to have been prompted by a desire to Continued on Page Three. TWO LOCAL BOYS QUALIFY FOR REGISTERED DIPLOMAS Thomas P. O'Connor, of this city, and William J.

Morgan, of Peckville, were among those wno successiuuy passed the state pharmacentical examinations held by the state board at Harrisburg recently. The successful ones were: Joseph H. Goodfriend, Fred W. Slo cum, Alvin N. Wilcox, Harry A.

McLaughlin, Viscidi Gerard, all of Philadelphia; Perry N. Black, Pittsburg; Thomas P. O'Connor, Scranton; William Morgan, Peckville; R. A. Eschen 1 TKonrtn' T.

Allftn. SnaJ tansburg: John E. Hamilton, Smithton; Jacob W. Houser. Chambersburg; Maurice Brown, Chester; Alfred G.

Walker, Sewickley; Albert R. Ney, Monessen; Emil H. Allendorfer, Johnstown. The next examinations will be held in Philadelphia and Pittsburg on June 12 and 13. but to get out and hustle.

He also paid his respects to the Scranton school board and politicians generally, and stated that Scranton la the only town outside ot j.unia, ltu. where he was not invited to speak the school children, during the whol of the seventeen years he has been doing religious work. The Iow town, he said, was controlled by ths whiskey gang, but he says he does not know who controls this town ani that he does not care. There was over six thousand people in the tabernacle this afternoon when the meeting was called to order. The platform was reserved for a delegation of five hundred high school students, who were there in all their glory, together with their class colors, flags, and other parphernalia of school life.

The central students. contributed a special collection of $25.70 to the campaign fund. Th Technical students and the i v. .1 Aa.t. oanflr ISAir i.

1 1 II uoya a iu own school songs, and helped to put life into the meeting by their youthful activities and cheerful dispositions. Sunday and his entire party have made a great hit with the high school pupils of this city, and the fact that Continued on Page Two. THE WEATHER. Rain tonight and Saturday, cooler Saturday, light to moderate variable winds. Considerable rain fell over the country during the last twenty four hours owing to the presence of an area of low barometric pressure which extends from the Paelfic coast over the RocKy mountain region to the central valleys.

Moderate rains are reported from the lake region to the gulf coast. There was a fall of more than two Inches in southern, Texas. Some snow fell In the AT TORREO US mm Mi up the resignations or uenerai sir John French and General Ewart. Soon after the cabinet session opened General French was summoned to Down ing street, supposedly Dy tne premier. Continued on Page Three.

Grief Over Death of Her Grandson Ends Woman's Life A broken heart over the death of her grandson, William Koch, who died a month ago. is believed to have caused the death of Mrs. William Fritsch, of 722 Cedar avenue, which occurred this morning shortly after 1 o'clock. The grandson was a great favorite with her and his sudden death caused her intense grief. Soon after his death, she became very ill and she continued to sink rapidly.

Mrs. Fritsch was sixty five years old and had spent the greater psrrt of her life in South Seranton. She is survived by her husband, pne daughter, Mrs. William Koch, and brother, John Fickus. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon at 2 o'clock, at the home.

The services will be in charge of Rev. William A. Nordt, D. pastor of the First German Presbyterian church of Hickory street, and interment will be made in Pltton avenue cemetery. I SUNDAY MAY CUT WEEK OFF HIS CAMPAIGN HERE was first attacked.

A. mart in neiu 18 fet at noon which means that the water wil rilse feet during the day. Yesterday and today were the warmest days of the year. At noon today the temperature was 68, pretty close to summer heat. At 3 o'clock yesterday it was 69.

The warm rays of the sun Rtarted the snow melting fast on the mountainside and with the rain of tonight, Scranton my feel the effect of the swollen stream. The places usually affected in Scranton are the flats in South Scranton and Green Ridge and also the Flats at Priceburg. SiiMauehanna Going V. WILKES BARRE, March 27. Dwellers 'along the Susquehanna river became apprehensive today at the insistent rise of the high waiter crest.

On 'the West Side the traction company's cars to Harvey's Lake and intermediate points were shut off, and compelled to take a longer and round, about route. It is expected that tomorrow will see the highest point reached without any great damage. The ice is passing out freely, but the situation at points north, especially ait Binghamton, N. are dis. couraging.

plan is the engineers have not yet divulged to the members of the Protective association committee. One of the engineers has been here for the past week or two investigating conditions. They will likely remain for the next couple of weeks at least and some tangible plan will likely be bit upon by that time. BRISBANE, Australia, March 27. Eighteen persons were drowned when the French steamship St.

Paul struck a rock and sank as she was entering the harbor here today. The St. Paul was a vessel of tons, and sailed from Noueme. HOBBKHY AT MlBIKIfS M1IXS. vihrr'S MILLS'.

March 27. Thieves last night entered the stores conducted by Rubel Mittleman and Anthony Szlasn in this place A small amount of cash was secured at the former store. No trace of the burglars has been discovered. EM EIGHTEEN PERSONS DROWNED Nil GAU With the melting of the huge piles of snow on the mountainside and the ice choked streams and rain predicted tonight, Wilkes Barre and other places along the Susquehanna river are alarmed today, following the flood warning issued by the weather bureau at Harrisburg. The Lackawanna river, too, is rising rapidly, and the Lackawaxcn and Dy ierry streams in Wayne county are already raising havoc wirti property.

The Lackawanna river rose two feet since yesterday, and is still rising, but no immediate danger is feared. The flood warning from Harrisburg stated the Susquehanna river would reach the maximum twenty two feet this evening, and if it goes any higher, a large part of Wilkes Barre will be under water. It has been many years since so much snow has acumlated on the mountainside and apparently Wilkes Barre and PltteTon and other points along the big streams will suffer thousands of dollars damage. The Susquehanna rose about two feet since 7 o'clock this morning. It is about A committee from the Scranton Surface Protective is in session at Hote; Casey this afternoon, conferring with Messrs.

Rice, McDonald and Knzian, mining engineers and geologists connected with the Na tioal Bureau of Mines at Washington, D. relative to devising some way of settling the mine cave problem in this city. It is believed some tangible plan will be evolved as a result of the meeting, that will be a great boon to the city in allaying the cave evil. The committee from the Protective association is composed of: John F. Durkan, the West Scranton under, taker; John Zimmer, of Zimmer store; James B.

Doyle, William O. Jenkins, Dr. D. W. Evans, William H.

Kil gour and Dr. F. R. Wheelock. The engineers from the national bureau of mines submitted plains tir reinforcing the surface but just what these plans are was not given out by the committee.

They were discussed pro and con by Attorneys Reynolds and Peck and it was contended that the plans were not applicable to local conditions. It is said on good authority that the Washington engineers have a plan whereby all the Coal can be extracted from the workings and still have the surface protected. Just what thla TO DISCUSS "Billy" Sunday this afternoon the beginning of his service made the statement that in all probability his engagement in Scranton will terminate in two more weeks, instead of running the fuil length of the original schedule, as he says he is getting tired of carrying the bulk of the burden, himself, and that he will surely give up the work here if the ministers an others who are supposed to help along in the campaign do not get busy pretty soon and do something, especially in helping to raise the necessary funds to meet the expenses and in doing something of a personal character to win people to Christ. Going to Baltimore. Sunday agreed this afternoon to accept the invitation to conduct a campaign in Baltimore, but will not be able to go there before 1915, as his time is already booked up to that time, and he is to make the date himself and dictate the terms on which he will visit that city.

He also took a rap at the contribu. tors to the campaign tund, and said that he did not intend to take up any more week day collections, but that it has been absolutely necessary on account of the fact that not sufficient money has yet been received to meet the current expenses. It was when he referred to the lack of financial assistance that he brought up the question of his continuance in the work In this In a number of his talks he has repeatedly made statements that fte is tired of "going it alone," so to speak, and he has unmercifully flayed preachers generally for their lack ot enthusiasm and assistance in the work, and time and again no to tell the ushers and personal workers to get busy when people were anxious to hit the trail and pleaded with them to do something and not to stand in the aisles and pathways. i tomorrow auernuon..