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Newspaper
Harrisburg Telegraph
Location
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Dec 31, 1917
Page
7
AP dispatches report Guatemala City devastated by a major earthquake with widespread destruction. US officials prepare to send aid aboard naval ships as officials confirm casualties and mass demolition, while diplomats and consular buildings are severely damaged or destroyed.
Washington, Dec. 31. The Committee on Public Information led by George Creel announces a revision of July 30 requests on concealing military information for press and editor censorship. Future versions will align with military needs. The goal remains to prevent vital military info from enemy access and to keep it from print, with mail as the covert path.
Revival services began in Dauphin Pennsylvania at United Evangelical Church on Saturday led by Rev J M Shoop with presiding elder W F Heil from Allentown. Services continue nightly with a union watch night service at 8 40 PM featuring a song service and sermons by Rev W H Zweizig and Rev Shoop extending past New Year arrival.
Dr Samuel G Dixon Pennsylvania Health Commissioner warns families to use care with medicines to prevent fatal mistakes. He cites mismatched labels and unlabeled bottles as common causes of blindness and death, urging labeling, locking up drugs, and careful reading of every container.
Knights of Columbus halls in training camps number sixty five with fifty secretaries at work. Two hundred fifty representatives expected to aid soldiers with reading desks benches phonographs and entertainment facilities. Meetings planned in Harrisburg diocese including Carlisle Chambersburg Lanaster Lebanon Lykens and Williamstown to boost Liberty Loan and Red Cross campaigns. Committees named and headquarters set in Harrisburg with Mrs H F Lucas in charge.
New York on December 21 faces a New Year shaped by war with moderation in hospitality. Hotels and restaurants will host as many guests as in peacetime, but menus must pass food administrator approval and prices remain high under wartime controls. One o'clock closing will curb wine toasts and watch parties for soldiers and sailors are more numerous.
Rome report states William Marconi, wireless telegraph inventor, is appointed Italian High Commissioner to the United States. He previously joined the Italian mission that visited the U.S. last spring and later served on General Diaz’s staff focusing on the wireless system at the front.
West Shore coal administrator Robert L. Myers reports very limited coal in West Shore towns with New Cumberland and Enola in the worst shape. Homes lack coal after the cold snap while industries in New Cumberland have about thirty days of run time. Shipments expected this week may restore reserves for residents and schools after vacation.
In Enola Pennsylvania near zero temperatures a fuel coal famine grips the town and surrounding areas. Coal dealer Samuel Mumper says shipments are blocked though his yard serves Enola West Fairview Sum merdale and Overview. Only six cars totaling 200 to 250 tons have arrived since December 1 while monthly consumption runs about 1250 tons. County Fuel Administrator Bedford and West Shore administrator R L Myers visited and promised help. Coal is rationed to a quarter ton per customer, but supplies are being stretched to keep schools churches and buildings functioning with shortened services and reduced fires.
Marysville ministers begin the annual week of prayer with 7:30 p.m. services in local churches through Friday. Notable speakers include Rev Wesley Wright and other Marysville pastors sharing duties at Trinity Reformed, Zion Lutheran, Bethany United Evangelical, Methodist Episcopal, and Church of God. The Marysville Schools reopen after a Christmas break due to fuel supply. In Camp Hill, Trinity Lutheran Church holds catechetical class at 7:30 p.m. with choir rehearsal at 8:40, plus a midweek prayer gathering at G W Wallace home.
Auditor General Charles A. Snyder plans to audit the State insurance fund to assess if current and future payroll rates keep the fund solvent by June 1. He doubts the fund can operate without a deficit absent a major workforce reduction and may pursue court action amid a clash with Miles A. Dawson and the fund’s refusal to provide books.
West Shore towns report visits and travels of residents including Mr and Mrs Norman Goodyear and others from New Cumberland to Philadelphia Relatives attend Mrs George Rhodes funeral in Harrisburg Burial at Mt Olivet Cemetery Marysville and New Cumberland residents host and visit family members with several trips noted Also a Fry Heishley wedding announced in Marysville with Margaret Marie Heishley marrying Jacob Ruth Fry of Lancaster ceremony by Rev M W Stahl in Glenvale The couple to reside in New York City
Dickinson College Carlisle Pa announces a special telegraphy instruction addition to the curriculum after the holidays. The program covers commercial and wireless work, mapping lines, and line laying to prepare students for war. The Carlisle Y M C A has established a radio school directed by secretary John Byrne, an experienced operator and Boer War correspondent.
The city council will meet Wednesday for the last session before next Monday’s reorganizing, with the budget ordinance and the ten mill tax rate ordinance set for final passage. Commissioner Morgenthaler plans final passage of an ash collection by contract bid ordinance, with bids opening January 12.
Associated Press reports a gas explosion at the Underwood Mine of the Pennsylvania Coal Company near Throop, six miles from Scranton. Officials silent and information scarce, noon reports list seventeen bodies recovered, some alive.
The Court named Allison Hill Trust Company guardian for Ceylon 8. Melhenny, who is in camp at Camp Hancock, Augusta Georgia. Young Melihenny was bequeathed $500 in the will of the late John H. Melhenny.
Funeral services for Mrs. Mary A Rambler age 82 will be conducted at her son Dr R A Rambler’s residence 1297 North Sixth Street Wednesday afternoon. Burial follows at Paxtang Cemetery with Pastor H W A Hanson of Messiah Lutheran Church officiating. She is survived by a son Dr R A Rambler.
Dr. Joseph Kalbfus of the State Game Commission notes heavy snows shortened the season but expects deer and bear kills to exceed last year. He cites Clinton County bear totals of 55 and reports strong bear hunting statewide, while warning of potential moves to close counties to grouse shooting. Data from wardens and license holders, including about 300,000 to 400,000 hunters, will inform the commission's January 3 meeting and the ongoing evaluation of the new game code.
Obituaries report Elizabeth A. Ammon 28 dies at her father John Ammon’s home with services at Augsburg Lutheran Church, burial Terre Hill Cemetery. Mary Carr 77 dies of pneumonia at 1211 North Front Street, burial Harrisburg Cemetery. David Galbraith 84 funeral in Saltsburg. Civil War era railroad man active in Harrisburg circles. Delmar Wills 29dies of pneumonia in Harrisburg Hospital after two weeks. Bridget McGovern 75 dies at 1048 South Cameron Street with Sacred Heart Church rites. John Hain 58 dies at home in Hainton. burial at Shoop's Church Cemetery.
December proved a banner month for Harrisburg M Recruiting district officers with an estimated gain of over 3000 Army recruits. Most were signed before December 15 as draft registrants could not enlist. Daily picks ranged twenty to thirty men outside draft ages, sent to training camps, plus about six men recruited for the United States Guards, all over 31. A post New Year drive for this branch is planned.
KE L McColgin Chamber secretary praises Post Office for handling a heavy Christmas rush amid labor shortages cold weather and impassable streets. He notes the smooth operation with high mail volume baby bonds thrift cards and 41 399 automobile licenses processed on time by Postmaster Frank Sites and staff.
John C. Orr chairman of the first district exemption board reported the first man appeared before the board for voluntary induction rather than awaiting a ruling. The registrant had been before recruiting officers to enlist but was barred for physical disability. Draft boards may draft without waiting for a quota, with infantry aviation and field artillery open for immediate enlistment through the local draft board.
Dauphin County Law Library Committee filed its annual report with Prothonotary Henry F. Holler. The committee lists M. W. Jacobs as chairman and other members. Treasurer Bergner reports 1739.76 spent on new books with 1687.50 remaining. Librarian Young notes 546 new volumes added, totaling 8351 volumes.
Harrisburg churches called for aid to 400000 destitute Armenians and Asyrians. The American committee for this cause in Harrisburg plans a $20850 contribution as part of a larger need estimated at $30 million to feed clothe and shelter 2140000 survivors for winter. Also, George Elmer Danish of Philadelphia was ordered into the National Army after evading a draft and using an alias. He was to report to his home board in October. He fled to Harrisburg, worked under the name George Daniels, and was arrested. He then left for Pap Meade by order of the City Board.
Washington on December 1 reports a House balance with 435 total seats. Democrats hold 209, Republicans 206, independents 6, and vacancies remain, signaling an unsettled post election composition as Congress prepares to reconvene on January 3.
The City School District begins condemnation to acquire a dozen properties for remodeling and an addition to the Technical high school. Solicitor M W Jacobs seeks appointment of viewers. Properties include eight brick and several frame buildings on North Fifth and Walnut streets, many tied to the Simonetti estate with mortgages and judgments. Viewers named James D Saltzman Paul G Smith and Karl G Graeff. first meeting January 26.
Preparatory to the Union Revival of the Interdenominational Ministers Conference cottage prayer meetings will be held in homes during the week prior to the revival opening at Harris A. M. E. Zion Church on Sunday January 3 at 3 p.m. Meetings are scheduled Tuesday through Friday at listed homes across Harrisburg with a union prayer event Wednesday at Wesley A. M. E. Zion and Friday gatherings hosted by Rev. Briscoe and others.
General Crozier testifies to tobacco gun board fairness and lists rapid Lewis gun orders from April to June 1917. Pershing urged maximum production of Vickers and Lewis guns for aviation, with continued orders expected as American ammunition use expands. Also notes a board exonerated Crozier on Lewis range finder claims and records the death of Mrs Ida M Cramer, wife of Ira A Cramer, at 30.
The city paid the county 1960 dollars and 40 cents for maintenance of prisoners at the county jail during the year. Defendants arrested on city ordinance charges and given jail sentences are sent to the county prison. A parents teachers meeting will be held January 2 at the Geyer school in Londonderry township with speakers F. E. Shambaugh W. RR. Zimmerman and H. G. Niesly from county offices.
Large crowd attends a Sunday Y M C A mass meeting to hear Dean Arthur Holmes of State College discuss milestones on the road to eternity. Musical club numbers precede the address, a service flag with forty eight stars is unfurled, and a twilight song service follows with Beethoven and old favorites.
John Kremer, eighteen, son of Philadelphia insurance man, served on the destroyer Fanning. He helped locate and sink a German submarine on November 24 after a depth charge and gunfire forced the periscope submarine to surface. The Fanning then rescued many crew members.
Dr. Clayton A Smucker urged wartime Christians to rely on God rather than man. In a Stevens Memorial Methodist Church service he praised rising church crowds and warned that days ahead depend on spiritual strength and the Bible’s promises.
Evangelist David Hughes drew a growing congregation at Ridge Avenue Methodist Church. The Welsh speaker preached on Christ the King in the morning and Is Life Worth Living in the evening, delivering a strong sermon and engaging the audience with a dramatic style. He also organized a large choir, promising efficient worship. Watch night service begins at 9 30 with a sermon at 10 20. Meetings continue daily at 7 45 p m.
Civil war rages in Irkutsk and surrounding districts along the Trans Siberian railway. Red Guards burn the town after killing the French consular agent and three others. Bolsheviks gain reinforcements from Krasnoyarsk while Cossacks resist. Communications with Petrograd cut off.
Harrisburg Academy alumni plan the fifth annual Academy Night in the University Clay rooms at Front and Market Streets. An expected large turnout will hear addresses by James Wickersham Yale Robert Shreiner Tafayette Willant Oenslager Harvard and John C Herman Jr Yale.
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