100 Years Ago This Month

February 1925

February 6

Chickens Stolen

A large lot of chickens were stolen from Noah Babylon, of New Midway, on Monday night, the thieves leaving 21 of the original flock of over 400, this being the second time this year that his flock was visited by thieves. It seems almost incredible that such wholesale thefts can be successfully carried out, at a comparably public spot, like Mr. Babylon’s farm.

Of Interest To Automobilist

The variation in the efficiency of brakes on a long trip is due to several things, but the condition of the brake lining is perhaps most important. Sometimes the lining will become polished, in which case the brakes will not be very efficient. In other instances, the lining may be roughed up, in which case the brakes will suddenly begin to be more effective. The application of them going down long grades will cause the lining to become polished, whereas a few sudden applications of the brakes will rough up the linings. Dust and water will also alter stopping conditions.

That an engine will sometimes heat up on a hill for lack of oil is dependent largely upon the position of the oil pump, the type of oil in the system, and the conditions of the oil. The pressure on the bearings during a pull uphill makes greater demands upon the oiling system, and if the bearings do not receive the proper amount of oil, they will heat up, and perhaps stop the engine.

The flickering of the oil pressure gauge when descending a steep hill is simply due to oil in the crankcase flowing away from the oil pump in cases where it is located at the rear of the engine. There is no particular danger if the pressure is affected in this way, since the engine is usually under its own power descending hills, and therefore does not need a constant high-pressure supply of oil to its bearings.

To clean spark plugs, soak them in a mixture of alcohol and kerosene overnight. Then in the morning the carbon can be wiped off with a clean rag. Because of the highly glaze surface of the plugs, emery cloth or sandpaper, should never be used. When the glazed surface becomes roughened, the plug quickly fouls and stops firing.

Radio Sales Tax Proposed

As it means of improving radio broadcasting programs, Secretary of Commerce Hoover has declared himself in favor of imposing a tax of 2%, on the sale of radio equipment. His views on this subject, Mr. Hoover said: "I’ve heard only one very reasonable suggestion, that is to fix a certain tax – say 2%, on the sale of radio equipment. One company reports sales running over $2 million in 1923, and that will be a good deal higher this year. You could probably provide enough that way to pay for daily programs on the best skill and talent.

"Radio is becoming more important in the life of the country every day. It is already one of the necessary adjuncts. Right now I think the most important thing is improvement of what is put on the air. It isn’t so much a question of growth, because that takes care of itself, as long as the material put out is really worthwhile. That is the most vital thing of all."

Gasoline Advances Two Cents

The fourth advanced this year in the price of gasoline – this time two cents a gallon, was made this week; making the advance for the year of six cents per gallon. The failing off in sales, seems the best reason offered, but it is back by a rise in the price of crude oil.

Winter Wheat Concerns

Just what may be the effect of the heavy coating of snow on winter wheat is causing some concern. Ordinarily, a snow blanket is good for it, because it prevents the rising up of the ground and the killing of the roots. Strange as it may seem, a snow blanket keeps the roots warm and protects it from with the freezing cold air – keeping the roots in a dormant state.

But the present snow is very heavy and has laid on it for over a month, and under it there is a coating of ice, and dormant wheat needs a certain amount of air; besides, much of the wheat was planted so late it did not get a strong growth before the winter set in. Of course, there is nothing to be done about it now, and it is useless to worry, but the common theory that snow is good for winter wheat, may prove to have its limitations.

Woman Struck By Husband, May Die

George Hahn – keeper of the fish hatchery in Lewistown, is in jail pending the recovery of his wife brought to the city in a serious condition on Sunday morning, following an alleged attack upon her by Hahn, on Saturday night. Mrs. Hahn is in the Frederick City Hospital with the entire left front side of her skull crushed. A large blood clot was removed from her brain on Monday.

The State’s Attorney stated that no charge would be placed against Hahn until the exact condition of his wife can be determined.

The attack, which Hahn is accused of having made on his wife, in which he is said to have struck her over the head with a shotgun, breaking the stock, occurred on Saturday night in the Hahn’s home near Lewistown. No one but Hahn and his wife were at the home at the time.

Hahn, who is nearly 60 years old, broke down at the jail on Sunday, when informed of the condition of his wife. He told officials that he had been drinking wine, and did not know what he was doing.

Mrs. Hahn, who is about 45 years of age, was found by a neighbor following the alleged attack. She was not brought to the hospital until Sunday morning. Little hope is held for her recovery.

Reports from the State’s Attorney on Monday night stated that the state would bring charges of murder against Hahn in case the wounds sustained by his wife proved fatal. Hahn is confined to the county jail without bail, and will be kept there until Mrs. Hahn’s condition can be determined.

February 13

Troopers Raid Rocky Ridge Home

Swooping down upon the home of Lewis Wegaman, of Rocky Ridge, Sunday afternoon, state police uncovered 30 bottles of high-powered beer and a half-gallon of moonshine liquor. The beer was found in the cellar, while the liquor was found in a room on the first floor of the home. Wegaman was not at home when the officers raided his place, but came in, while the search was in progress. His wife and two men were in the house, when the officers presented their search warrant and ceased the beverages.

To verify that they were in fact intoxicating liquors all the officers sampled the beverages, many doing so twice. Wageman was charged with the illegal possession of intoxicating liquors and posted a bail of $1,000 and has a preliminary hearing before the magistrate on February 21.

The Problem In Radio Service

"In view of a very rapid change in radio technology within the last six months, and to give greater clarity to departmental policies, it seems to me desirable to review the situation." Secretary Hoover of the Commerce Department said.

"There can be made one point of view in the consideration of radio regulation and development. That is to assure increasing service to the listener. The radio is steadily enriching our homes. More practically to our farmer folks, it is bringing more of those contacts that the town populations have alone enjoyed up to this time. The road of progress is to stimulate the development of the art, to prevent interference with and between broadcasting stations; to secure greater perfection of reception, and increase the number of alternative programs and better programs.

"There are today 563 broadcasting stations either in operations or under construction. Of these 455 are Class A (500 watts power or less) and 108 Class B (over 500 watts).

"It is generally believed that Class A stations have a radius of reception of not more than 25 or 50 miles, while Class B stations with her larger and increasing power, have a much wider radius. By practical reception, I do not include reception which radio listeners are able to secure by playing radio golf, but the effective serviceable, reliable reception program, which must be the real purpose of radio.

"The recent policy of the department of allowing the increase in power towards a possible maximum of 5,000 watts will mean that the radius of service reception will be greatly increased, and the reception itself within the present radius will become more reliable. This is of practical importance to our agricultural people, especially in summer and during daytime. The present plan is to allow advances in power use in stages of 500 watts, resting at each stage to determine if there is interference with other stations. Probably 20 or 30 Class B stations are now increasing or planning to increase their power. It is quite possible, that good service reception will be obtained for a radius of several hundred miles from each station, thus increasing their alternative programs to listeners.

"The most difficult problem in radio regulation and development is the distribution of wavelength use, so as to prevent interference between stations. There are in all 80 different wavelengths available, if we keep the stations 10 kilocycles apart, and stagger the assignment of wavelengths geographically so as to prevent overlap in the area of effective reception. The recent experiment of the department in attempting to increase the number of wavelengths by decreasing the difference to seven kilocycles, proved unsuccessful, with the present development of industry.

Class A stations were assigned the wavelengths of 278 meters and below, by recommendation of the Radio Conference Board, and there are in this area 30 possible wavelengths. Owning to the limited and the irregular character of their programming - largely churches, educational institutions, &c.. Class A stations have not represented as many difficulties in wavelength assignment as Class B stations although there are 455 of them.

Class B stations present a far more serious situation because of the radio signal radius and their regular performance. There are 47 wavelengths to be divided over a total of 108 stations now operating or under construction. That is, there is now an average of less than one wavelength for each two stations, which means that they must divide their time of operation. Class B stations are the ones which furnish most of the regular programs, and from which the public receives the most effective service. Most of them naturally desire, and need to operate continuously, as the cost of overhead is much increase by dividing time.

One of the greatest difficulties in the distribution of wavelengths arises from the concentration of stations in large centers of population. The worst conditions are at Chicago and New York. In Chicago five wavelengths are available for 10 operating Class B stations, and there are several others in the course of construction. For New York, there are six wavelengths available for eight Class B stations, and more under construction.

it is practically impossible to increase the number of wavelengths available to the cities because they are all in use in other communities, and because it is absolutely necessary to maintain a wide kilocycle separation between stations so close together. Otherwise they will destroy each other’s signal.

Loses Load Of Hay On Main Street

While coming down Main Street in Union Bridge, Grover Davis ,with a load of hay, ran the wheels up on the snow bank, to break the force of the descent, causing the wagon to upset and spreading the load of hay over the street.

Elmer Pittenger, driver for the Fairfield Farmers’ Dairy, was bringing a load of milk from Detour to Union Bridge when the large truck cut through the new macadam road, sinking to the axles, making it necessary to summon help to relieve the truck.

February 20

Said He Was Collecting Money For Other

A man, giving his name as Pierce, was arrested last week in Walkersville, and committed to jail on a charge of vagrancy. He claimed to be begging funds for a destitute family near Taneytown named Brendle. He had also been begging in Taneytown, where he said he was collecting money for an Emmitsburg family. Once the Sheriff of Frederick County being communicated with, it was found that Price has served jail there for the same offense. The destitute families seem to be a myth.

Woodsboro Play Largely Attended

Not withstanding inclement weather; a large crowd attended the comedy drama "An Early Bird", given in the Woodsboro Opera House, Wednesday night by the Lutheran Church Sunday School class, of which Miss Ethel Fogle is teacher. The play was given in three acts, all of which were appropriately set with scenery.

There were 14 students in the cast, and they rendered their parts in a very credible manner. The play abounded in interesting and amusing situations and the young performers were given rounds of applause.

Several Seek Open County Commissioner’s Seat

That there is no lack of applicants to fill the unexpired term of the late County Commissioner Warren Dudderar is evident by reports of the number of persons who are said to be willing to accept the appointment.

Frank Stevens, of Creagerstown, a former member of the Board, is said to be willing to accept the appointment. George Thomas of Libertytown has expressed interest also. Emmitsburg is also said to have a candidate. It is understood that friends of John Jamison of Walkersville have urged his acceptance of the post, but it is understood that Mr. Jamison does not desire the appointment.

In addition to the number of Democrats seeking the appointment, there are number of Republicans who are bringing pressure to bear in their own behalf.

Glade Valley Plans Big Bazaar

The Glade Valley Council, Number 113 of the Junior Order United Americans Mechanics of Walkersville, is planning, and has definitely made every arrangement to have one of the largest bazaars ever held in Walkersville. The bazaar will be held in the old school house, well adapted for the purpose. The dates have been fixed for Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, February 26th, 27th and 28th. The wives of the members of the Order will be in charge of serving a supper each evening. The entire proceeds will be given to the Maryland state organization of the W.O.U.A.M. who are erecting a building to be known as a Maryland Building at the National Orphans’ Home in Ohio.

Former Garage Man Arrested

Robert Black, the former owner and operator of the Thurmont Motor Company, for whom the State Motor Vehicle Commission has been searching for for the past three months, was arrested last Friday afternoon on warrants of false statement charges in obtaining titles, coming into possession of cars with obliterated serial numbers and selling cars with changed engine numbers.

Black was arranged before magistrate Sherman Bowers, Friday afternoon and released on $1,000 bail. Black is charged with having in his possession or having sold, at least a dozen cars with defaced engine numbers. Officers of the state police have been on the trail of such cars for many months, all of which were traced to Black’s garage. Investigations which led to the arrest of Black have been in progress for nearly 2 years it is said.

The reasons for Black’s alleged effort to deface the engine numbers on the cars and substitute new ones is a mystery. All efforts of the state authorities to learn the identity of the machines have failed, but it was said by them on Friday night that they had some evidence in reserve, that could throw some light on the situation.

Shortly after the investigation was begun by state officers, the Thurmont Motor Company went into the hands of the receivers. Black left the state, it was said, and was not located until several days ago when he returned to Thurmont. He told the officials on Friday that he had been in Tennessee.

Black claim that the engine numbers which had been removed and replaced with new numbers, were put on by him last winter, when a number of his cars became frozen, breaking the engine blocks. By a special process in photography, the officials were able to obtain the original numbers, it is said.

February 27

Refuses To Testify Against Husband

George Hahn, caretaker at the Lewistown Fish Hatchery, indicted for assault with intent to kill his wife, pleaded guilty to assault and battery and was sentence to six months in the House of Correction and fined $25 and costs. Upon the payment of the fine and costs the court suspended the prison sentence.

During the trial, it was said that both Hahn and his wife had been drinking, and a quarrel ensued. During the progress of the quarrel, Hahn ceased a shotgun and dealt the woman a hard blow over the head with it. At the trial, the woman refused to testify against her husband, and did not appear in court, And even when so far as to refused to come to court saying that she did not feel able to make the trip and had no testimony to give.

Two witnesses testified that Hahn was a hard-working man and provided for his family. It was brought out that both had been drinking, and were evidently under the influence of liquor at the time of the trouble. Hahn’s attorney said that Hahn was very sorry for what occurred and could only account for it by reason of drinking.

The judge stated that it was a serious offense for a man to strike a woman, particularly to break a gun over her head. After reviewing the case, he imposed the sentence and fine. He added that while the prison sentence would be suspended, it would stand against Hahn and if he ever again struck his wife or misbehaves towards her, he would be re-arrested and the sentence imposed.

Arrest Made In Train Station Robbery

A man giving his name as Reinhart, was apprehended in Woodsboro on Wednesday, on suspicion of being implicated in the recent robbery of the railroad station in Taneytown. In being brought to Taneytown he was identified as a man who had been seen there on the date of the robbery. Reinhart denied all knowledge of the robbery, but was held for further examination. Detectives have been working on the case since the robbery.

Transportation Of School Pupils

Transporting pupils to and from school at public expense has raised some common sense questions that need to be answered, in the opinion of the Assistant Specialist In Rural Education of the Department of the Interior.

All the states and the District of Columbia are transporting some school children. Pupil transport has been the subject of a generous amount of legislation, and back of it lays the fundamental principle that the state must provide means for an education to every resident child, either by causing a school to be placed within his reach, or by transporting him to one.

Where does responsibility of the parent cease and that of the public begin? The question is asked about most school activities. The answer to pupil transport is generally expressed in terms of distance from homes to school, and the range under present law is 1/2 to 4 miles.

Such transportation is not a new item in the expense of education. It is handled in different ways in each state and the cost carefully recorded. 22 states report that 446,226 children were transported in 1924 at the expenditure of $14,536,000 or an average of $32.50 per pupil for the year. The costs range from $9.36 in Georgia to $73.15 in some sections of Maryland. Costs differ with conditions, but for safe, comfortable transportation, of any considerable number of pupils a state will probably need to expend from $30-$40 for each child per year.