TURKISH ATROCITIES, TURKISH DENIALS, POPULATION GROWTH, SCIENCE CLUB, NARROW ESCAPE, IMPERSONATIONS, AND FAMILY REUNION IN TRUXTON, N. Y.

 

Magazine illustration of Macedonian refugees crossing into Bulgaria.

Cortland Evening Standard, Saturday, September 12, 1903.

TURKISH ATROCITIES.

Fugitives Slaughtered Near the Bulgarian Frontier.

ALBANIANS BURN AND MURDER.

Fears For the Christians In Constantinople—Mussulmans Excited by Accounts of Bulgarians Dynamiting Trains and Blowing Up the Steamboat Vaskapu on the Black Sea.

   Sofia, Sept. 12.—The revolutionary headquarters here has received from Burgas news of fearful atrocities committed by the Turkish and Albanian soldiers in the vilayet of Adrianople.

   A squadron of Turkish cavalry which has been operating near the Bulgarian frontier has intercepted and slaughtered 60 fugitives attempting to cross into Bulgaria.

   The whole district of Losengred is filled with Albanian troops who are burning villages and massacring the inhabitants. They have killed over 100 persons. Eighty families fleeing from various villages towards the frontier have been literally cut to pieces.

   A large body of infantry and cavalry, with three mountain batteries, attacked an insurgent band in the mountains above Vasililo and lost 20 killed and many wounded.

 

TURKISH DENIAL.

Embassy in London Declare It Is the Bulgarians Who Burn Villages.

   London, Sept. 12.—The powers are evidently exerting pressure both at Constantinople and Sofia to avert a Turco-Bulgarian war, apparently with some temporary success; but meantime an increasingly terrible tale of atrocities committed in Macedonia shows the situation is daily becoming aggravated.

   The news that a French squadron is going to the Levant is also considered ominous and this step by the French government will probably be followed by similar action on the part of the other powers.

   The Turkish embassy in London, in its denial issued daily, of Turkish atrocities today declare it to be "absolutely false that Ottoman troops are burning villages, the truth being that it is the Bulgarians, who at the approach of the troops use explosives to burn the villages before leaving them and then accuse the Turkish troops of such abominable deeds."

   The same communication maintains that there were only eight persons killed and 15 wounded in the affray at Beirut and that many fugitives to the Lebanon are returning to their homes.

 

Agitation in Constantinople.

   Paris, Sept. 12.—Reports received by the foreign office here from Constantinople say there is renewed agitation among the Mussulmans within the city and fears are expressed of a possible Mussulman attack on the Christian population. This agitation followed the appearance in the Turkish papers of accounts of the Bulgarians dynamiting trains and blowing up  the steamboat Vaskapu.

   The official report says the Mussulmans are eager to avenge the outrages and states the feeling is so intense that if the Bulgarians commit further destruction the Mussulmans are likely to take redress by attacking the Christian population.

 

Bulgarians Lost Heavily.

   Salonika, Sept. 12.—Accordlng to official reports, one hundred and three Bulgarians were killed in a fight at Resna on Wednesday. Severe fighting has taken place at several other points.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

The Growth of Population.

   A fresh bulletin issued by the [United States] census bureau makes some interesting deductions from the census figures of three years ago. It shows that our increase in population during the ten years between 1900 and 1890 was 20.7 per cent, which is a higher rate than can be claimed by any other civilized country in the world, with the one exception of Argentina. It is twice as high as the average rate in Europe. The greatest growth by groups is that credited to the Rocky Mountain states; the smallest progress is charged against the northern central states which profited less than the rest of the country from their birth rate or from immigration. It is also worth noting that in this one decade the growth of population in the southern states exceeded the growth in the northern. It is to be regretted that the census bureau, says the Brooklyn Eagle, can submit no statistics showing the relative value to the country of the various classes of immigrants that are dumped on American soil mainly by way of Ellis Island. They form a large proportion in the estimate of each year's additions to our population. We involuntarily or reluctantly take them into account when we consider the constantly increasing size of the nation. Many of them are undesirable citizens and will bequeath to us au undesirable progeny. Others, again, reach here with no better purpose than to accumulate a little money with which to return whence they came.

   In the face of these people we cannot shut the door, because their uselessness to us is not to be proved at the immigration office. The acknowledged presence of them here should serve, however, to moderate the enthusiasm with which we are accustomed to regard the figures and statistics periodically presented for our consideration by the census bureau.

 

SCIENCE CLUB.

Lecture by Dr. F. W. Higgins—Subject, "X Rays and Radio Active Bodies."

   At the meeting of the Cortland Science club last Saturday night, Dr. F. W. Higgins spoke on "X-Rays and Radio-active Bodies." This lecture made a very auspicious opening for the Science club for the year of 1903-04. Dr. Higgins is the veteran scientist of the club and he naturally selected the most difficult subject of the year. "X-Rays and Radio-active Bodies" is a subject of great interest and of practical value, and it has the charm of uncertainty and sublimity about it which renders investigation of absorbing interest.

   The X-Ray is one of the products of electricity. The name X-Rays was given it because it was not known what was the nature of the rays and so they were given the algebraic symbol of the unknown quantity.

   The doctor showed an X-Ray tube to the members of the club and explained its use. Roentgen discovered their photographic activity in 1893. A few years later the Becquerel rays were discovered. These are the invisible rays given off by uranium.

   French scientists in studying uranium and the different rays discovered the presence of a still more energetic radio-active body. With infinite trouble this new substance was separated and named radium. It has proved to be a most surprising element. It is described by the doctor as an X-Ray tube in the open air.

   The study of radium has let in a flood of light on our conceptions of the nature of electricity. It looks as if the atomic theory of matter is to be overturned. The atom is described as the smallest quantity of an element that can exist. It is indivisible and indestructible.

   But now the X-Rays and radium scientists are telling us about electrons whose diameters are a minute fraction of the atom. For example, if a drop of water was magnified to the size of the earth, an atom of hydrogen would be the size of an orange, and an electron would be the size of the smallest needle point, less than one-two hundredth in diameter.

   In the next place, we know that physics is built upon the foundation of the conservation of energy. It says: "Energy can not be created: it can not be destroyed." Radium seems to be an exception to the law. It gives off X-Rays continually and maintains itself at 3 degrees Fahrenheit above its environment, furnishing heat enough to melt its own weight of ice in an hour. This it does without any chemical changes, without any measurable loss, without any outside influence and apparently forever.

   Radium is an extremely rare element. Not more than a teaspoonful has been manufactured, yet a half million dollars would not purchase it.

   The doctor secured a specimen of radium from Philadelphia and exhibited it to the members of the Science club. It has a very brilliant sparkle in the dark.

   Mr. Edison's ideas of radium were quoted as follows:

   Mr. Edison's theory eliminates this contradiction of accepted natural laws, and indicates the possibility that the energy emitted by radium is merely reflected, as it were, from some unknown source.

   "I have made extensive experiments with the Roentgen ray and with radium, and have come to the conclusion that these new substances are not the sources of energy, but are rendered fluorescent by the action of same hitherto undetected ether vibration or ray.

   "My theory of radio-activity is that the rays which the new elements emit are set up in the same way, the substances being rendered fluorescent by some form of ether vibration, which is undoubtedly all-pervading but has not yet been isolated or measured, and which may have some extra planetary origin. To accept any other theory is to declare one's belief in perpetual motion, in getting something for nothing.

   "I believe my theory is capable of proof, but I shall be content to let some one else prove it. I am through for all time with experiments in radio-activity. Two of my assistants have been maimed for life by their close association with the Roentgen rays, and I myself have one eye badly out of focus and am suffering from severe stomach disturbances from the same cause. The new dark room laboratory, which I have just completed for such experiments, will remain unused or be converted to some other use."

   The doctor exhibited a number of photographs taken by the X-Rays in his medical experience. Photographs of the dislocation of bones, of bullets as the result of gun shot wounds, and of coins swallowed by a child were shown and explained. X-Rays have been successfully used in the treatment of cancer, eczema and other diseases. Stripped of all scientific terms the X-Rays photograph is based upon the principle that X-Rays are very short and pass through all substances to a greater or less degree according to the density of the subject. It takes from two to five minutes to take a photograph of the hand, accordingly to the force of the electric current.

 

A NARROW ESCAPE.

Coach Nearly Run Down by a New York Central Train.

   Arthur R. Peck, brother of F. J. Peck of this city and a former resident, was one of a party of nine upon Dr. J. L. Wentz' coach "Faugh-a-Ballah" which came within three feet of being run down by a New York Central locomotive in front of the Yates hotel in Syracuse at 1:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon. The coach had just pulled out of Montgomery-st., from the Yates' side entrance and turned into Railroad-st. and was not fully under control when a train approached from the east. The engineer stopped the train within three feet of the big coach. The party was badly scared.

 

Will Give Impersonations.

   Mr. Benjamin A. Nichols, who has on several occasions in the past, delighted Cortland audiences with his impersonations, will on Wednesday evening, Sept. 16, render "The Sprightly Romance of Marsac" for the benefit of the King's Daughters in John L. Lewis lodge rooms.

   Mr. Nichols will be assisted by the Misses Rynders in violin and piano duets, and Mr. Grenville Bowker, baritone soloist.

   Tickets are on sale at McKinney & Doubleday's store and may also be obtained of the ladies.

 

Family Reunion in Truxton, N. Y.

   A pleasant family reunion was held on Tuesday last at the home of James Smith of Truxton. The day, though cool, was fair and a good many were present from out of town. The guest of honor was Charles H. King of Metomen, Wis., who is visiting friends and relatives in this state after an absence of thirty years. Covers were laid for forty, and after the usual greeting the guests partook of the bountiful and pleasing viands that only farmers know how to prepare and serve. The day was most enjoyably spent and pleasant reminiscences were frequent of other similar occasions.

   One Who Was There.

 

BREVITIES.

   —There will be dancing at Cortland park tonight.

   —The Binghamton high school registered 543 students this year.

   —Fifty automobiles participated in the automobile parade in Syracuse last night in connection with the State fair.

   —There will be a special meeting of the Ladies of the Maccabees in the K. O. T. M. club rooms Monday night at 7:30.

   —The corner stone of the addition to the Memorial Baptist church will be laid at 6:30 o'clock next Tuesday evening, Sept, 15.

   —The new display advertisements today are—C. F. Brown, Hand mirrors, page 6; F. E. Brodgen, Toilet paper, page 6.

   —A valuable cow belonging to E. J. Buchanan, who lives on the Gulf road was killed by lightning during Thursday evening's storm.

   —B. H. Barton of Alleghany, Pa., will speak at the W. C. T. U. rooms tonight on "God's Plans and Purposes Concerning the Future."

   —There will be a regular meeting of the W. C. T. U. in the rooms on Tuesday afternoon, Sept, 15, at 2:45 o'clock. A large attendance is desired as business of importance is to be brought before the meeting.

   —A regular meeting of Tioughnioga chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will be held with Mrs. N. H. Gillette, 20 West Court-st., on Monday afternoon. Members are requested to come at 2:30 o'clock sharp so as to make plans for "Chapter day."

 

SUNDAY FILLER: SCHEHERAZADE

 

MEETING OF DRUGGISTS, H. C. RANDALL RETIRES, MEDICAL SOCIETY, LIGHTNING'S WORK, AND DR. CARPENTER THROWN FROM A WHEEL

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, September 11, 1903.

MEETING OF DRUGGISTS

Of Three Counties Beside the Waters of Little York Lake.

   The meeting of the Tri-County Pharmaceutical association including Cayuga, Tompkins and Cortland counties was held at Little York yesterday. Cortland, acting as host, met their fellow druggists at the station and, after friendly greetings, conducted them to the York Hotel, where carriages were in waiting to conduct them to the hospitable Hotel De Raymond on the shores of Little York lake. After a bountiful dinner had been disposed of the druggists congregated at the water's edge under the shade of the willows where the visiting druggists were welcomed in well turned words by B. C. Quick, who spoke in behalf of the Cortland druggists. Voicing the sentiments of the assembled medicine men he asked D. W. Burdick of Ithaca to act as chairman. Mr. Burdick called upon A. H. Hamilton of Auburn, J. B. Todd of Ithaca and Dr. H. D. Hunt of Preble for remarks and all responded in a most felicitous style.

   I. E. Nichols of Cortland was the poet of the occasion and read an original poem which so largely concerned the druggists present that it decidedly brought down the house. A copy of the manuscript has been secured and it will be published soon for the edification of their friends who are anxious to learn all possible about the members of this association.

   After a pleasant afternoon beside the lake, as well as in many cases on the lake, the meeting adjourned, having accepted the invitation of Ithaca for the next place of meeting.

   Those present were D. W. Burdick, Fred Blackmer, J. T. Egbert, A. B. Brooks, J. G. Brooks and J. B. Todd of Ithaca; F. D. Lewis, M. D. Culver, A. H. Hamilton, Edw. McGovern, W. G. Odell, A. L. Smith and W. H. Signor of Auburn; J. W. Carr, Freeville; Charles Rhodes, Groton; C. A. Watson, Homer; H. D. Hunt, Preble; J. C. Wiegand, Truxton; and G. W. Bradford, Fred I. Graham, C. F. Brown, B. C. Quick, A. F. Sager, Geo. I. Watson and W. H. McGraw of Cortland.

 

H. C. RANDALL RETIRES

As Chief Train Dispatcher—Former Resident of Cortland.

   Henry Clinton Randall, a one-time Cortland boy, now chief train dispatcher on the Lackawanna railroad on the Utica and Syracuse divisions with headquarters at Syracuse, has resigned from the service after nineteen years in the train dispatching department of the road. Mr. Randall's resignation becomes effective on Nov. 1. He entered the railroad's employ as operator at Cortland and was promoted to be a dispatcher at Syracuse. Two years ago when Trainmaster G. C. Ferris was promoted to his present position from chief dispatcher, Mr. Randall was appointed to succeed him. Mr. Randall's health is impaired and he intends to recruit [sic] at his farm in Lisle, Broome county. Mr. Randall's successor has not been named.

 

MEDICAL SOCIETY

Of Cortland County Held its Quarterly Meeting Thursday Afternoon.

   The regular quarterly meeting of the Cortland County Medical society was held in the supervisors' rooms yesterday afternoon. In addition to the routine business papers which formed the basis for profitable discussions were read as follows:

   Fractures of the Leg and Their Complications, Dr. Henry Field, Marathon, N. Y.

   The Tendency of Modern Medicine and Surgery, Dr. S. J. Sornberger.

   Appendicitis, Dr. F. W. Higgins.

   A resolution was adopted setting forth the benefits to be derived from a consolidation of the State Medical society and the Medical association of the State of New York and urging the officers of the two societies to use their best efforts toward uniting the two organizations.

   The following were present at the meeting: Drs. H. T. Dana, F. W. Higgins, F. D. Reese. P. M. Neary, S. J. Sornberger, C. D. VerNooy, and P. T. Carpenter of Cortland; Dr. L. C. Andrews of Pitcher, Dr. J. D. Whitney of Homer, Dr. F. H. Forshee of McGraw, Dr. S. Halsey Stevens of Truxton, and Dr. Henry Field of Marathon.

 

Her Tenth Birthday.

   Mildred Masterson was given a surprise party at her home at 38 Pendleton-st., Cortland, Wednesday afternoon, by fifteen of her friends, the occasion being her tenth birthday.

   Louise Clineburg and Lola Masterson assisted in the diningroom. The following were present: Mildred Masterson, Mildred Hicks, Mary Dexter, Carlene Delevan, Marie Turner, Evelyn Taylor, Hazel Parker, Louise Barber, Gertrude Blaney, Elinor Dexter, Marjorie Morse, Mildred Wadsworth, Lucea Case, Hazel Hitt, Collena Morse, Elizabeth Vanderbilt.

 

LIGHTNING'S WORK

Big Barn of J. J. Albro Burned at South Cortland.

THE WHOLE HEAVENS LIGHTED UP.

Thirty-five Tons of Hay and Oats from Eighteen Acres Consumed—Cows had Just Been Driven from Milking Stable When Bolt Came—Barn Well Insured and Some Insurance on Contents.

   Cortland was visited by a terrific thunder shower at about 6:30 o'clock last night. For three-quarters of an hour the rain fell in torrents while the flashes of lightning were startling and the reverberation of thunder deafening. At just about the height of the storm the first State fair train arrived from Syracuse and the hundreds of passengers, most of whom had gone away under bright skies without a thought of rain or a means of protection, were landed at the station under very disagreeable circumstances. The special train got in at about 10 o'clock while another shower was at its height, but this was not as violent as the first one.

   At 6:40 o'clock lightning struck the big barn of J. J. Albro, Jr., on his farm of 108 acres a half mile west of South Cortland on the Dryden road and with all its contents it was burned to the ground. The barn was 30 by 92 feet in size with posts 14 feet high and with a basement under part of it. From foundation to the ridgepole it was crammed with hay and oats. There were over 35 tons of hay and the oats from eighteen acres, and a heavy crop at that. The flames lighted up the heavens with a lurid red light for miles around and inquiries were heard on every side as to whose barn it was that was burning. In almost every other direction out of Cortland there are well patronized farm lines of telephones, but South Cortland has not yet waked up to the desirability and necessity for telephones, and there was not a telephone in all that region through which inquiry could be made. Finally some one drove into town with the report that Rideway Rowley's big barn in South Cortland was in flames. About this time the rain began to abate a little and a number of people set out for the scene of the fire.

   A half hour before the barn was struck the cows which had been in the milking stable in one end of this barn were turned out and Mr. Albro had gone with the milk to the Gracie creamery. He had reached Sweetlove's corners on his way back when the bolt fell. At the house at that time were Mrs. Albro and Mr. Albro's father. The former said as the flash came, "I believe the barns are struck," and both went to the rear of the house and looked out toward the barn, but all was dark. Two minutes later they looked again and then a bright light was seen from the end of the big barn away from the house. There was no livestock of any kind in this barn. Mr. Albro went out at once and took the horses from the horsebarn which stood between the house and the barn on fire and put them in another barn across the street. Then he opened the doors to one of the floors of the burning barn and ran out the big lumber wagon with its hay rack upon it. The wagon box which stood on the floor was also dragged out but before this was accomplished fire had begun dropping down from the blazing grain on the scaffold over the floor. Nothing more was saved from the barn. The farming tools were all in another barn so that nothing was burned except the hay and grain in the barn aside from a few forks, handrakes and shovels.

   Mr. Wagner, a neighbor living in the second house east of the Albros, chanced to be looking out of the window when the destructive flash came. He said it struck the northeast corner of the barn and the bolt appeared to be in the form of a ball as it descended which seemed to burst and scatter in all directions as it struck the barn, Almost instantly the whole end of the barn seemed to be in flames. Mr. Wagner asked his wife to ring the big dinner bell to rouse the neighbors, while he started at once for the fire.

   The horse barn stood nearest to the blazing big barn and was a little nearer the street so that diagonally from corner to corner they were about 25 feet apart. This was in great danger for some time. The rain which was falling in sheets soaked the roof so that sparks had little effect and prevented the fire starting, though it steamed from the great heat, but the rain did not touch the side of the barn. Mr. Albro had a force pump that would throw a good sized stream of water twenty feet in squirts when operated like the working of a bicycle pump. A dozen neighbors quickly assembled and took turns in operating the pump and in bringing water in forty-quart milk cans from the trough by the roadside. Though the heat on the near side of the barn was great, the structure was saved. There was very little wind at the time and what there was was away from the other buildings. The fire burned till late into the night, for it took a long time for the hay and grain packed together as it was to be consumed.

   Mr. Albro had an insurance on the barn of $1,000 which will not cover the loss, for the barn was a large and fine one. The place is generally known as the Niles farm, though a few years ago it came into the possession of Samuel Keator, who four years ago sold it to Mr. Albro. Before selling it Mr. Keator had put this barn in a fine state of repair, so that it was practically as good as new. Mr. Albro also had a few hundred dollars insurance on the contents of the barn. He could not tell the exact amount last night, but it will fall far short of covering the loss.

 

THROWN FROM A WHEEL.

Pedal Struck an Obstruction With Disagreeable Results.

   Dr. Paul T. Carpenter was the victim of a peculiar bicycle accident Wednesday evening which resulted in a badly torn coat, some painful bruises and two fractured ribs.

   The doctor was riding along Grant-st. about 6 o'clock.. The pedal of his bicycle struck some obstruction in the road in front of Cone's grocery, throwing the handlebars out of his hands. The doctor thus lost control of his wheel, and was thrown violently forward striking the platform in front of the grocery upon his left side, with the results as stated. The doctor is able to be about, but it will be a month or more before he fully recovers from the effects of the accident.

 

BREVITIES.

   —The new display advertisements today are—Opera House, "The Minister's Daughters," page 5.

   —Cazenovia seminary opened on Monday and 100 boarders are registered, sixty-two gentlemen and thirty-eight ladies.

   —The All-Cortland baseball team went to DeRuyter this morning and played the DeRuyter team at that place this afternoon.

   —The Geneseo Normal school reports about 200 in the entering class. Miss Anna W. Blackmer of Cortland is the teacher of methods in that school.

   —A number of men and teams are engaged in grading the new street to be opened through the Randall flats between Main-st, and Pendleton-st., near the Lehigh Valley railroad tracks.

 

PENSIONERS, ANDREW WHITE, THIRD RAIL, AND DRYDEN TROLLEY

 

Eugene Fitch Ware.

Cortland Evening Standard, Friday, September 11, 1903.

996,545 PENSIONERS.

Suggestions of Commissioner Ware In His Annual Report.

FIVE ON REVOLUTIONARY ROLL.

Unpensioned Survivors of the Civil War Number 200,000, But 14,000 of Them Are Annually Applying For Pensions—Burden of System Greatest In 1893, Shrinking Since.

   Washington, Sept. 11.—The annual report of Commissioner of Pensions Ware places the total number of pensioners now on the rolls at 996,545, of which 729,356 are soldiers and 267,189 are widows and dependents.

   Five of the pensioners are on the roll on account of the war of the revolution, 1,116 on account of the war of 1812, 4,734 on account of the Indian wars and 13,874 account of the Mexican war.

   The average annual value of each pension is now $133. The annual value of the Spanish war pension roll has reached $1,765,310.

   Commissioner Ware makes the following recommendations:

   Laws forfeiting the pension or right to pension of any man convicted in court of an infamous crime; prohibiting the giving of pensions to those who marry soldiers after the soldiers become old pensioners; and a different method of examining applicants for pensions, stamping the present system as uncertain, expensive, unsatisfactory and generative of an enormous amount of political friction.

   Mr. Ware suggests boards constituted of experts under civil service rules which should go from place to place on fixed days, giving examinations and receiving testimony regarding the condition of applicants and making reports thereon.. He also recommends a law providing for superannuated clerks, vigorously urging some law of retirement and provision.

   Mr. Ware says that the bureau has gained upon the current work 100,000 cases during the last two years.

   An interesting historical analysis of pension figures shows that the actual total of disbursements in pensions on account of the revolutionary war, war of 1812, Indian wars, Mexican war, civil war and the war with Spain was $3,038,623,590.

   It is estimated that $16,000,000 was paid in pensions for disabilities and deaths due to military and naval service in the wars of 1812 and with Mexico and during the time of peace prior to the war of the rebellion, making the payments of pensions to soldiers and sailors of the war of the rebellion and of the regular military and naval establishment since the close of said war of the rebellion, and their widows, children and dependent relatives, amount to $2,862,240,500.

   The cost of the pension system per capita of population for 1903 is given as $1.75. The system, according to Commissioner Ware, was the greatest as a burden to the people of the United States in 1893, since which time it has shrunk from $2.24 to $1.32 per $1,000 of taxable wealth, and in 10 years he says the burden will cease to be noticed.

   Mr. Ware estimates that the unpensioned survivors of the civil war, exclusive of deserters, is in round numbers 200,000, and says that this unknown army is meeting with disease and misfortune to such an extent that it is applying for pensions at the rate of over 14,000 per annum. In 10 years, Mr. Ware predicts the unknown army will have ceased to be a factor.

 

Andrew D. White.

Andrew D. White Will Go to Germany.

   Ithaca, N. Y., Sept. 11.—-Former Ambassador Andrew D. White, instead of lecturing in Cornell and Yale during the coming year, will sail for Germany about the middle of October. He will spend the winter with his family in Italy.  The executive committee of the board of trustees of Cornell university has announced the following appointments: John A. Wheeler, instructor in experimental engineering; Walter Rautenhanch, instructor in designing; Dr. R. C. Wilson, assistant in materia medica [healing materials] and pharmacology; James A. Trueman, assistant in animal husbandry and dairy industry; S. Pearson, professor of dairy industry.

 

PAGE FOUR—EDITORIAL.

Is it Third Rail?

   When Attorney George M. Diven of the Lehigh Valley R. R. asked for an adjournment of the hearing on the Ithaca-Cortland electric railroad project at Dryden on Wednesday, he requested that the adjournment be for at least thirty days, as the Lehigh Valley railroad contemplated some changes in operation and service on its local branches, and arrangements for these might be made public by that time, and these changes would perhaps have a bearing on the attitude of the railroad commissioners toward the proposition for the electric road. A leading point made in Attorney Given's cross questioning of witnesses was as to whether there would be any need for a new trolley road if there was more frequent train service on the Lehigh Valley R. R. between the three places concerned. Many who heard remembered the statements published a few weeks ago that the Lehigh Valley R. R. was planning for a third rail electric service on the Cayuga lake division between Ithaca and Auburn and wondered if this is the project of that railroad for bettering the service between Ithaca, Dryden and Cortland. There is not a doubt but what that would be a very acceptable change if it were to come, but whether it would answer the purpose of a trolley road in the minds of residents of Dryden and of the people along the line of the proposed trolley road is another question altogether.

 

THE DRYDEN TROLLEY.

Much Interest Manifested in the Project by Residents.

THE APPLICANT'S TESTIMONY.

Claims of Insufficient Train Service Between Dryden and Cortland or Ithaca—The Proposed Line of Electric Road—Twenty Minutes Service— Opponents to Present their Case on Sept. 28.

   The whole village of Dryden is greatly interested in the project for the building of an electric road through that place from Ithaca to Cortland, and when the hearing occurred there Wednesday before the railroad commissioners, as briefly detailed last night, the Dryden opera house was nearly filled with men eager to watch the proceedings. Many of the people came from the country districts east and west of that village along the line of the proposed railroad and speculation was rife as to what the commissioners would decided. But if they have any doubts as to the outcome, it would appear that one man at least has little of that feeling, for George M. Chandler, the vice-president of the new company, testified when last on the stand that already his company had bought many thousands of ties and a large quantity of rails for the new road.

   "You must have considerable confidence in the outcome of this hearing if you have gone so far as that," remarked Colonel Dunn, the chairman of the board of commissioners when he heard this statement. "We have," was the reply.

   The hearing Wednesday was quite in the nature of a judicial inquiry, in which the three commissioners participated in the capacity of both judge and jury. They sat side by side behind a large table at the front of the hall, Chairman George W. Dunn of Binghamton at the right, Frank M. Baker of Owego in the center and Joseph M. Dickey of Newburg at the left. At times they would get their heads together for quiet consultation and then Chairman Dunn, or perhaps one of the others, would ask a pointed question that clearly indicated that their minds trained in many such inquiries had grasped on the instant the full bearing of certain testimony or the leadings of some question. Close to Chairman Dunn's right elbow sat the official stenographer of the commission, John J. Farley of Albany, who made a full and accurate minute of every word said by any one.

   Assemblyman George W. Monroe of Dryden, who represented the petitioners acted as master of ceremonies, summoned the witnesses, questioned them and finally turned them over to the opposition, which appeared to be representatives of the Lehigh Valley R. R. for cross examination. Mr. Monroe was assisted by E. H. Chandler of Jersey City and George E. Goodrich who represented the village of Dryden. Congressman John W. Dwight was present at the entire session and appeared to take a lively interest in the whole matter and occasionally offered a whispered suggestion or word of advice to counsel.

   General George M. Diven of Elmira, one of the directors of the Lehigh Valley R. R. and its attorney for this division, was officially noticed as appearing in opposition to the petition and as representing the Elmira, Cortland and & Northern R. R., the Lehigh Valley R. R., and the Lehigh and New York R. R. He was assisted by J. F, Schaperkotter, the general attorney for the Lehigh Valley system, while Superintendent H. D. Titus of the Auburn division and Chief Engineer Knapp were interested spectators.

   There were also present for the electric railroad company E. H. Chandler of Atlantic City, H. L. Chandler of Philadelphia, George F. Archer of Camden, N. J., C. D. Harrington of New York, and Prof. Henry N. Ogden of Cornell university, who had made the surveys and maps of the proposed railroad.

   There was a fair sized delegation from Cortland, some of whom were actively interested for or against the road and others were there merely to watch proceedings. Among those present were State Comptroller Nathan L. Miller, Mayor C. F. Brown, L. J. Fitzgerald, T. H. Wickwire, O. U. Kellogg, E. H. Brewer, Edwin Duffey, B. F. Taylor, Ward Wickwire, H. B. Darling of the local Lehigh Valley office, A. L. Bouton and a Standard representative.

   Ithaca was represented by former Mayor William R. Gunderman, W. D. Burdick, C. D. Bouton, D. C. Lee, Fred McWhorter, Edwin Gillette, L. H. Van Kirk, George E. Priest, R. G. H. Speed, O. E. Wood, J. T. Newman, O. L. Dean, Jacob Rothschild, George B. Davis and David Roe, Jr.

The Line of the Road.

   It was shortly after 10 o'clock when Colonel Dunn called the hearing to order and inquired of Mr. Monroe what he had to present. The attorney presented the proofs of publication of legal notices concerning the hearing and then called as the first witness Prof. Henry N. Ogden of Cornell university, the engineer who had made the surveys. Prof. Ogden submitted maps of the proposed railroad which were introduced in evidence and were examined with interest by the commissioners.

   The route proposes to start from the north end of the campus of Cornell university at Ithaca and proceed about a mile to Forest Home, thence  through Varna and Etna to Freeville. At that village it proposes to cross the tracks of both the Elmira and Cortland division and the Southern Central division, using an under crossing in both instances. It will then pass in a southerly direction near to the George Junior Republic to the vicinity of the Willow Glen crossing of the Lehigh Valley R. R. Two routes are possible from that point to get to Dryden. One contemplates crossing the railroad twice by overhead crossings to reach Dryden by way of Willow Glen. The other would swerve to the east and not cross the railroad at all. From Dryden the road would follow the highway the greater part of the way to McLean, taking in Malloryville by the way. The Lehigh Valley R. R. would be crossed again one mile west of McLean, but the crossing would not be at grade. Then the highway will be followed till a point is reached near the Lehigh Valley railroad crossing just east of the Gillett grove, and about two miles west of Cortland. There the track will swerve to the north through a private right of way and continue parallel to and north of the Lehigh Valley track, till that railroad crosses Tompkins-st. This will avoid twice crossing the Lehigh Valley tracks. The tracks will then continue through Tompkins-st,, to the end of the paving, which will be the terminus unless some arrangements can be made to proceed through cross streets to reach the tracks of the Cortland County Traction Co, near the Lehigh Valley station.

Witnesses Testify.

   The next witness was Jesse B. Wilson, president of Dryden village, and for five years supervisor of the town of Dryden. Mr. Wilson testified to the lack of facilities for reaching either Ithaca or Cortland by train without making an all day trip of it. The distance is 12 miles to Ithaca and 10 miles to Cortland, but to reach either place one must leave Dryden at 8:47 a. m. and cannot get back till 6:20 p. m. Prior to four months [ago] one must have been absent from Dryden twelve hours to make the trip, but a change of time had bettered the service a little. The round trip fare to get down into the city of Ithaca is 90 cents and to Cortland 80 cents. Many Dryden people go to both Ithaca and Cortland each day for shopping and other business. Many Dryden students would attend Cornell university and the Cortland Normal school and would live at home if they could get to and from with convenience and speed.

   Webb Corbin, the present supervisor of Dryden, gave much the same testimony.

   Mayor Charles F. Brown of Cortland testified that Cortland doesn't get the trade with Dryden, Freeville, McLean and the farming districts in that vicinity which it would have if the railroad facilities were better.

   O. U. Kellogg of Cortland thought the railroad facilities inadequate for the population affected, The county is largely engaged in dairy and agricultural pursuits and an electric road would prove a convenience in aiding in the shipping of milk and farm products. In reply to a question of General Diven, Mr. Kellogg said that if there were more trains on the Lehigh the service would be improved, but he added that from his own office teams were frequently hired to drive to or from Ithaca where one could go one way by train and had business requiring but a short time to transact, and then wished to get back at once without staying all day. As it is there are but two trains each way each day, from Cortland to Ithaca at 8:40 a. m. and 5:30 p. m. and returning arriving at 9:40 ą. m and 6:20 p. m.

   T. H. Wickwire of Cortland referred to the fact that labor was in great demand in Cortland and rents are high. His own mill employs men living out as far as McGraw, Homer and McLean. In the first two places mentioned trolley cars furnish transportation. In the last the men drive to and fro. If there was a trolley service families could live out where there could be a small farm or at least a large garden to work which would help furnish supplies for the family table and where rents were cheaper, and the men could get to and from the mill on the cars while the children took care of the garden.

   L. J. Fitzgerald of Cortland testified much along the same line, declaring the present service inadequate to a place the size of Cortland.

   Major D. W. Burdick, Jared T. Newman, and Edwin Gillett of Ithaca testified in much the same line for their own city.

   Dr. H. B. Genung of Freeville told of the large number of visitors to the George Junior Republic which now has a resident population of 125. He said that even if visitors came by train they were a mile from the Republic, while the trolley would take them to the doors.

   County Clerk L. H. Van Kirk of Tompkins county told of the large amount of business transacted at the county seat by residents of Dryden and of the inadequacy of transportation facilities.

   George W. Monroe introduced in evidence a Lehigh Valley time table.

   George M, Chandler, vice-president of the railroad, was the next witness. He started to tell of the plans to build a $125,000 hotel in Dryden and of the desire for this road to furnish a better means of reaching it, but this was objected to by General Diven on the grounds that it did not concern the franchise for the road itself and it might not be built and it is hardly fair to ask for a franchise on the basis of something that was thoroughly an uncertainty. The question was then withdrawn. He said that estimating the population in a strip one mile each aide of the proposed line the road would serve a population of 37,800. The witness is not engaged in building trolley roads as a business but was a bond holder of this road. He was one of the incorporators of this road. The incorporators had paid to the treasurer in cash as required by law the 10 per cent of the capital stock, and the money had been used for no other purpose than the construction of the road and the necessary disbursements therefor. The witness said if the road were to be built he should favor a twenty minute service of cars between Dryden and Cortland and Ithaca, certainly cars at least as often as every half hour. He promised to furnish the commissioners a verified statement showing the company's ability to construct the road if the franchise was granted.

   George F. Archer of Camden, the treasurer of the road, testified to the same thing and that each stockholder had paid his own percentage, and that the money had been regularly deposited to the credit of the road. He promised to furnish the commissioners within a day or two as soon as he could make the record from his books with a detailed statement of the finances of the road, the same to be duly verified.

   Prof. Duncan C. Lee of Cornell university said that the Lehigh Valley R. R. had done much to improve the efficiency of the branches leading into Ithaca since taking possession of them, but train service was still inadequate. Ithaca is practically isolated. Cornell university has over 3,000 students and might have many more under different conditions. It is now getting to be a problem to house the students. Many would live a little distance out of Ithaca as rates would be cheaper than in the city if they could get to and from their work. Resident students in the surrounding country would live at home. The proposed railroad would go into the midst of villages east of Ithaca, not on the hills above them.

   Bradford Snyder of Etna said Ithaca had tried to secure milk from his town and Cornell university had done the same, but they couldn't get it there. If sent by the Lehigh Valley it would land high upon the hills above Ithaca and transportation would eat up the cost of it.

   H. J. Bool, a manufacturer of Forest Home, told of the difficulty of getting help there and of transportation between his home and Ithaca. Trolley cars would treble the population of Forest Home in two years.

   Attorney Monroe stated to the commissioners that he could add to the evidence indefinitely, but it would be largely cumulative and perhaps he had presented enough. He accordingly rested his case.

   "I don't see but what it is up to you now, General Diven," remarked Colonel Dunn, but the attorney for the opponents asked for an adjournment. He said that the evidence introduced by the applicants had been a little different from what had been expected and a little time would be required to bring together the witnesses for the opposition. The applicants had promised to furnish them maps of the road and they should like to examine them in detail and make investigations concerning statements made as to the population to be served by the proposed road. They would like the delay to be as long as possible, thirty days at least, as the Lehigh Valley railroad is contemplating some change in the service on the local branches and perhaps by that time it might be possible to have arrangements for these changes made and these might have a bearing upon the situation in the minds of the commissioners.

   The commissioners said it would not be needful for them to return to Dryden as they had learned the sentiment of that place and perhaps the parties had better come to them next time at some place where they were sitting upon other business. The attorneys for the two sides then agreed upon Monday, Sept. 28, at 10 a. m. at the Rathbun House in Elmira, where the commissioners had a date, and Chairman Dunn so adjourned the hearing.