SAYS GERMAN CRUISERS VIOLATE EXCISE LAWS

Portsmouth Pastor Complains That He Bought Beer on Eitel Friederich and Kronprinz Wilhelm Sunday.

NORFOLK, Va., May 24 — Declaring he bought beer Sunday on the German cruiser Eitel Friederich and Kronprinz Wilhelm, interned at the navy yard, the Rev. L. Judson Westfall, pastor of Court Street Baptist church of Portsmouth, today made written report of the matter to Commander Lang, acting commandant of the naval station. He said beer was served by men wearing white aprons and was sold indiscriminately to anyone who wanted it. Commander Lang said he had known of the dispensing of beer on the German ships, but he could not prevent it. He said American sailors had obtained beer on the interned vessels and had become intoxicated.

The report of the preacher, with one from Commander Lang, was forwarded to the navy department. — Knickerbocker Press, May 25.

Rev. Westfall is a native of the town of Berne and is widely known throughout this section of the country.

LOWER FARE ON D. & H.

And Better Train Service Promised — More Trains for Suburban Towns — To Take Effect Next Month

Frank L. Tolman of Slingerlands, the chairman of the grievance committee considering complaints against the Delaware and Hudson railroad, has received a lengthy reply to questions submitted to it several weeks ago, in which definite promises of improvement in the service on the Susquehanna division are made. Thomas C. Boswell of Troy, as chairman of the committee of twenty-seven, also has received a reply from the company setting forth what it is willing to do in respect to the northern and Champlain division complaints. It is understood that the railroad officials offer substantial improvements and to correct some of the more flagrant evils made public in the past.

Among the things promised to the committee are more trains, especially running to Albany from nearby points, used as commuters. Instead of charging fare to passengers at the regular three-cent a mile rate on local trains between Albany and Altamont and intermediate points, the company now offers to sell a ten-ride ticket good for thirty days at the rate of two cents a mile. This plan, if accepted, will go into effect June 15.

Some of the through trains will now stop at important points like Altamont and Voorheesville to accommodate passengers at these points. More trains will be put on the Susquehanna division, it is stated, and a genuine effort made by the company to meet the wishes of patrons on branch lines like the Schoharie and Cooperstown lines.

It is believed that the recent filing of complaints with the public service commission by the committee has hastened definite action by the railroad company.

Memorial Day Like All Souls’ Day.

Memorial day is in truth nothing more than a secular All Souls’ day. It owes its origin, according to some accounts, to the women of the south, who began the practice of decorating their graves less than two years after the close of the civil war. That struggle of four years had kept our country in a constant of commotion and excitement. Every part of the nation had contributed its men, young and old, to the conflict. When peace was restored there was scarcely a village or town that did not have a grave to remind it of the fearful cost.

A New York newspaper first published a paragraph stating that a few women of Columbus, Miss., had strewn the graves of the dead soldiers, Union as well as Confederate. This touching tribute caused a thrill of tenderness to pass through the north, and it aroused, as probably nothing else could have done, a feeling of national amity and love.