davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
SCHOOL MASS
MEET TONIGHT.
Large Attendance is Expect
ed At the Meeting Tonight
in the City Hall.

Persons interested in better schools
are expected to crowd into the city
hau tonight at 1880 o'clock where a
mass meeting, to decide the uuestie
of making a school tax district of the
clty and suburbs, is to be discussed.
This movement, fostered particularly
by the City Teachers Association.
and having the corporation OF a mum
Der of citizens widely interested in
lettering school conditions. is a non
ular one, and there should be a large
attendance tonight.
Last night, meeting with the teach
ers and school officials. r. p. Reese.
10 whom was referred the question of
making the school tax district OF the
city, Informed them of many details
and cleared up many phases OF the
question which were not quite gener-
ally understood
One result of the meeting Of last
night was the conclusion to bring into
the proposed district suburban set
Elements. All that portion of the
county between Bayou Grande and
Bayou Chico; the settlement az
Brownsville. and East Pensacola
Heights, viii be included. if present
plans are carried. No further north
than the city limits may be included in
the district, from the fact that lust
beyond the limits of Pensacola on the
north, everything is included in the
Brent special school tax district
1t developed after a short investiga-
ton that the city of Pensacola Is prac-
tieally surrounded by special school
tax district boundaries Throughout
the county, the special school tax has
been made use of by many communi-
ties, and schools therein are developed
to a degree not possible with regular
school board allowances. Pensacola.
1t Is stated, may, from taxable re-
sources, secure a revenue sufficient to
build and equip a school of whicl, this
part Of the state could and would feel
proud of, would provide it with addi-
tional teachers, would make it posi-
BILE to provide additional depart
ments, vocational, elemental. etc.
and would provide a school cap
able OF caring for many more pupils
than is now possible.
At the mass meeting tonight, il is
proposed to show conclusively the
good which will result from the bet
terment of schools in the city It viii
also be shown just how it will be
necessary to go about in getting the
school tax district legislation: just
what steps will have to be taken. and
just what the cost will probably be.
All this, it is expected, win be succint-
~ explained by r. P. Reese who has
thus far been ready with advice 70
the teachers association, the originat-
ors of the school district tax matter.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
ANSWER MADE.
ON COLUMBIAN
Germany States That Vessel
Was Torpedoed Because
She Carried Contraband.
~ AssocIATED PRnsa.

Berlin, Dec. 19.-The German an
swer to the American inquiry regard
ing the sinking of the American
steamship Columbian off the Spanish
coast has been handed American
charge grew
An outline Of the note by the Over
seas News Agency says the German
submarine commander dismissed the
Columbian because of heavy weather
when he learned she was American,
only to find the Columbian was send
ing broadcast wireless information on
the location OF the submarine.
Because OF this he made a second
examination and 'ound the Columbian
was carrying a cargo of steel and cop
per contraband bound for Genoa and
determined to sink the ship after he
provided for the safety of the crew.
The crew landed in Spain
Germany assures the United States
that the American information that
the Columbian was in ballast when she
sunk is not true
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20

Decision in Federal Court
Here Involving $4,000
Reversed On Appeal.
SPECIAL, TO THE JOURNAL

New Orleans, Dec 19.-"The decree
Of the district court is reversed with
direction to dismiss at trustees cost.
If there is an equity In the securities
in controversy over and above what
the executors were compelled to pay
On account of their intestate endorse
ment, the trustee, on proper appltca-
ton and tender should be permitted
to redeem them from the executors"
said the United States circuit court Of
appeals today in deciding the case OF
Thomas w. Brent, Israel e. Brent and
George S. Brent, as executors of the
last will and testament OF F. c. Brent,
deceased, VS.. r. B. Simpson, as trustee
in bankruptcy of the estate OF Knowles
Brothers, a corporation bankrupt
The case was appealed from the
Northern District of Florida. w. H.
Knowles turned over to F. G. Brent
certain securities to secure the pay
ment of note OF $4,000 of the Pen
sacola Investment Company.
Simpson sued TO recover these Sc
curities. The Brents claimed trey had
to pay the note
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
. SEAMEN LIBEL ALBYN
AFTER BEING ARRESTED
ON CHARGE DISCRETION

The Russian bark Albyn was ibelled
by Harna Lisalele and Frank Fregias
in the federal court yesterday for ST.
600 each, following the issuance Of a
writ of habeas corpus by Judge Will
liam B. Sheppard. releasing them from
custody on the charge of deserving
from the vessel.
The libel recites that the men were
unlaYfully deprived OF their liberty
and asks the court 20 allow them dam
was settled yesterday, though no addi-
tional papers were filed.
The libel was the direct outgrowth
of the release Of the men earlier in
the morning, when Judge Sheppard
granted the writ of habeas corpus. The
writ was issued after complete inyes-
tigation was made and advices from
Secretary of State Lansing STAYED that
the treaty with Russia, under which
the arrests were made had been abro-
gated since January /, 1913, after due
notification had been given the Rus
sian government.
The treaty was entered into between
the United States and Russia in De-
cember, 1892, and a section provided
that a seaman off Russian ship in
the United States or an American
seaman from an American ship in
Russia, could, upon complaint of the
consuls of the respective nations to
the local authorities. be arrested as a
deserving seaman. When it was found
that this treaty stipulation was no
longer effective and that arrests had
been made for several years under a
law which did not exist, the men were
Immediately released.
The case was started when ship
runner at New Orleans, named Swartz.
brought the men tc Pensacola to ship
on the Albyn, upon the representation.
they claimed that it was 4 neutral
vessel. When they arrived and discov-
cred that the ship was Russian, they
left and were arrested as deserters.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
German Embassy Still Hope
full That a Conference
May Be Arranged.
u. S. WILL ONLY
TRANSMIT NOTES
Speech is Believed to Show
Wiseness of United States
Refusal to Mediate.
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Washington, Dec. 19.-The first Of
nclal impression here that LLOYD
Georges reply to the German peace
proposals, with the announcements Of
Russia. Italy and France is that ii
does not foreclose further moves for
discussion of peace.
This view is held by administration
officials and the German embassy Of
ucialdom is unanimous in the opinion
however that Lloyd. Georges speech
has shown that positive action by the
United States would not only be pre-
mature but might embarrass such ac-
ton later.
It was stated authoritatively for the
present the United States would act
only as an intermediary transmitting
the communication.
The German embassy interprets the
premier's speech as an opening door
TOR further discussion, although Ger
man diplomats do not conceaI their
uncertainty regarding the outcome of
such negotiations.
Won Bernstein declared, TT appears
that the answer of Grea. Britain win
not end the matter It looks to me as
Il there may be at least one more ex-
change of notes"
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
ROUMANIANS CONTINUE
TO FLEEBEFORE GERMANS

The Russo Roumanian troops are
retreating before the Teutons in Dob
rudja, seemingly at a point where
they must make a stand or cross the
Danube in Southeast Bassarabia or
into Moldavia in the region OF Galatz.
Berlin says the Russians have re-
treated past the newly fortified posi-
tons in the north and the Teutons are
advancing toward the lower Danube
Aside from the capture of O thous-
and additional prisoners Berlin says
there is little of advance in Moldavia.
In the Carpathians, heavy fighting
continues. Berlin says small attacks
of the Turks and Bulgarians in the
Struma region of Macedonia. were
successful.
The Germans and French engaged
in a spirited artillery duel on the right
bank of the Mouse. Verdun sector
Tuesday.
Bombardments continued on other
fronts.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
War Secretary Gives Quail
fed Support in Statement
to House Committee.
GEN. SCOTT MAKES
ANOTHER REPORT
Asserts That SO Per Cent of
Modified Guard Never
Fired Military Rifle.
BY AssoCIATED PRESS.

Washington, Dec. 19-Secretary of
War Baker today gave his qualified
support to the agitation for some form
of compulsory military service.
Replying to a direct question as to
his views on compulsory service before
the house military committee, Secre-
tary Baker said: THE obligation to
serve the country is a universal one.
The question of how to bring about
the preparation for national defense
is one of policy. Whether universal
military service or selective conscrip-
ton is the correct answer, do not
know"
gress rejected the continental army in
favor of the national guard, the militia
should be given a fair trial.
His utterances encouraged the OPP
ponents of the volunteer system to
predict that legislation for a change
might be framed which would be sane
toned by Secretary Baker and also
President Wilson.
General Scott told the committee
that his report on the national guard
mobilization that out OF the $4,000
mobilizsd, So per cent were either
transferred from units not called out
or were raw recruits. More than S.
600, he said, never fired military
rife
General Scott made 1t plain that the
general staff had no quarrel with the
officers and men of the guard, but
only with the system and argued that
it's defects were inherent in any plan
that was based on the inclination OF
individuals toward military training.
Before the naval committee, which
resumed consideration of the 1918 es-
Inmates after a weeks delay, Captain
William s. Sims, commanding the new
super dreadnaught Nevada, was the
first man from the active fleet to
present his views. He told of the
condition OF modern battle practice at
sea and the progress being made by
the fleet toward battle efficiency
Brigadier General Weaver, chief Of
coast artillery, continued before the
house military committee his explana-
ton of items for the coast defense I'm
the 1918 bill.
The national guard force modified
on the Mexican border would have re-
quired nearly a year of intensive
training 10 prepare II TO meet trained
troops, Major Scott declared before
the senate subcommittee.
Fortunately the Mexicans were UNI
trained troops he added. land our
purpose to protect the border was ac-
complished by the mere presence Of
our men on the border without firing
a shot. We never contemplated send
ing the national guard over the border
until they had been trained. although
sat up until and 8 o'clock every
morning at the war department ex-
pecting message saying that the
fight was on, that Pershing's force or
the border guard had been attacked.
I'VE feel that the national guard
troops would have destroyed them
selves in marching had they been sent
through that hard country.
General Pershing's troops made
phenomenal marches. There was not
a national guard organization that
could have done it. 1t would have
killed both men and horses"
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
j. s. WORKERS
GET INCREASE
Bill Passes House for the In
crease of About $1,000
Employees Salaries.
az AseoCrArED PRESS.

Washington, Dec. 19.-Wage in
creases of from five to ten per cent
for about $4,000 government en-
ployes receiving less than $500 yearly
is provided in the legislative, execu-
tive and judicial appropriation bill
passed by the house today without a
record vote.
Congressmens secretaries will get
$500 annual increase through the
measure or $500 annually.
An effort to provide each congress
man with an extra stenographer at SIS
monthly failed
The bill which carries thirty-nine
million dollars was vigorously opposed
by Chairman Fitzgerald. the appropri-
alton committee and Representative
Rainey of the ways and means COM
mittee on the ground that the govern
ment is already facing A huge deficit.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
CARNIVAL FLOAT SHED
COMPLETELY COLLAPSES

Report was made to Hunter Brown.
president of the Carnival Association.
yesterday that the large float shed in
the western part of the city, which
had been used for some time for con-
structing the floats for the pageant
during Mardi Gras, had completely
collapsed. without cause
1t is the third disaster which has
occurred to the building this year. II
was damaged severely in the July
storm which necessitated rebuilding
parts OF the shed. Later the October
storm entirely demolished the building
and when rebuilt, collapses.
The Phunmakers shed was demol-
ished by fire early Tuesday morning.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
COMMISSION AWAITS
CARRANZA'S REPLY
BIT ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Philadelphia, Dec. 1S.-The Mexican
American commission adjourned to an
indeterminate date awaiting the reply
from Carranza to the counter COM
munication made by the Americans.
1t is expected that Carranza's an
swer will be received within two
weeks, when it is planned for the
commission to reconvene probably in
New York.
American communication places the
responsibility on Carranza for decid-
ing whether the efforts for an annie
able settlement shall continue.
The United States explains that
there is no intention to violate the
sovereignty of Mexico but the attitude
of this government as outlined in At
lantic City protocol is not altered
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
BRITAIN SAYS MARINA
WAS NOT TRANSPORT

Washington, Dec. 19.-Announce-
ment was made by the state depart
ment today that Great Britain has
forwarded complete information show
ing that the British horse transport
Marina was sunk without warning by
a German submarine with the loss of
six Americans was not at that time
and never had been in the British
government service.
The United States about ten days
ago sent Germany a statement of its
belief in this case, but has been await
ing the final British statement on the
subject.
Germany had informed the United
States that her submarine commander
sank the Marina believing her to be a
transport
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
GENERAL JOFFRE HANDS
OVER HIS COMMAND
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS.

Paris, Dec. 1S.-General Joffre hand-
ed over the command of the French
armies of the north and northeast yes
terday morning to General Robert G.
Nivelle, recently appointed comman-
der-in-chief of those armies. In "a
brief speech, General Joffre congrat-
ulated General Nivelle upon his APP
pointment. The principal officers OF
the grand heade uarters STAFF who. will
remain at their posts until General
Nivelle forms his own staff. likewise
rendered their congratulations
General Nivelle replied, expressing
admiration for the high military quail
tiles of the victor OF the Marne, whose
selection as president of the allied
military council he alluded 10 as a
merited Ss@,notion.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVE
SEATED OVER REPUBLICAN

Raleigh. NJ c., Dec. Ex-Governor
Craig today commissioned Zebulon
Weaver, democrat. as congressman
from the Tenth North Carolina dis
tricts to succeed James J. Britt. Re-
publican.
The commission was issued after
the supreme courts dismissal Of
BIRTHS appeal that certain returns in
the recent election were illegal Britt
is expected to contest Viewers seat
before congress.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
SPINAL MENINGITIS IN
TROOPS ON BORDER

Ell Paso, Dec. 1s.-Four companies
of Georgia troops, e and G First In
fantry; NJ of Second Infantry and B
OF Fifth Infantry. have been quaran-
tined because of the discovery OF
spinal meningitis among them. This
was announced at military headquar-
tiers today. It is announced that there
are four cases in these companies.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
THE PREMTER's FIRST
ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT


London. Dec. 19.-when the house
assembled every seat on the floor and
IN the galleries was filled. TIL diplo-
matte representatives of Great Brit
aims allies occupied seats IN the gall
terry Tor distinguished strangers.
Many members OF the upper house
who took prominent part in bring
ing about the recent change of gov
eminent, also were present. They IN
cluded Lords Northcliffe, Reading.
Burnham, Islington, and Pirrie,
There was also a scattering of Do
minion ministers. including Premier
Massey OF New Zealand.
When the premier entered the house
Just before o'clock he was cheered
enthusiastically from all quarters
Former Premier Asquith, who en-
tered nom mt later also was cheered
vociferously by the Liberals.
After declaring that peace without
reparation was impossible, the pre-
mier asked whether 'all the outrages
on land and sea-" has been liauidated
by "a few pious phrases about human
Ity."
The premier said: I'VE will await
until we hear what terms and gusran-
tees there are surer than those which
Germany broke. Meanwhile we put
our trust in our unbroken army"
Lloyd George said there were nc
proposals for peace To enter into
proposals of which they had no know
ledge was to put their heads into 4
moose with the rope end in the hands
OF Germany.
Much as they longed for it. the pre-
mier added, the central powers note
and the speech preceding it afforded
small encouragement and hope for an
honorable and lasting peace.
Lloyd George said: sour answer
will be given in full accord with oul
allies. Each of the allies has sep
srstely and independently arrived al
the same conclusion. am glad of the
first answer given by France and
Russia"
Lloyd George said the allies would
insist that the only end of the wal
must be complete guarantee against
Prussian Inilitarism disturbing the
peace of Europe.
The formal reply OF the allies. the
dIHOulCCus VIII bC SANCh II
the course OF a few days.
Dealing with the war situation, thu
premier said he had to paint stern
but not gloomy picture. The Rou.
manian blunder was an unfortunate
one, but at the worst it only prolonged
the war. and could not afford it. 1
might have a salutatory effect h
continued, in calling the attention o
the allies to obvious defects Of or
SANITATION. To prevent the Rouma'
nian situation from becoming wors'
they had taken strong action. II
Greece they were taking no risks
They had decided to recognize thu
agents of Former Premier Venizefos.
Speaking of the western from
Lloyd George referred to the growth
Of the British armies there and con
tinued:
II am convinced ultimate victory i
sure il the nation shows the SAM
spirit OF endurance and readiness Il
learn as the mud-stained armies at thu
front"
Turning to the more purely politica
of the domestic problems before TIL,
new ministry. Lloyd George said.
we are anxious to avoid all con,
troversial questions. The functions o
the premier and leader of the honse n
commons have been separated haca ,,s,
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
BIG CONTRACT LET
FOR MACHINE GUN

Washington, Dec. 1s.-The war de-
partment today contracted for four
thousand Viekers machine guns and
accessories to cost five and half mil
lion dollars.
It was announced that an additional
contract viii soon be let to bring the
expenditure to nine and a half million
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
BOSTON GOES WET
BY BIG MAJORITY

Boston, Dec 19.-Boston today voted
to continue the licensed sale of liquor
by majority of %. 49, votes. This is
a much larger majority than the sa-
looms received year ago.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-12-20
MURDERERs HOUSED FOR
SAFETY IN JAIL HERl

Jim, Percy and Brady Roberts. r.
der Mitchell and John Barbsree. AZ
concerned in the murder OF the aged
Wyman couple, soon after their arrest.
We're hurriedly transferred from santa
Rosa to Escambia county fail. and
they We're all here when The .ndief
ment charging them with the muir
der. was returned.
The Roberts boys were tried first ar
special term Of the Santa Rosa
county circuit court, and were con-
victed Of murder in the first degree
when il was proven that they had fe.-
oniously and with malice aforethouehf
brought about the death of Mrs. wv
man. The trial went over three da.vs
and was attended with the most sen
sational details The recommendation
for mercy was not made a part az
the verdict.
The deaths Of Peter Wyman AMI
wife. brought about in the most horry-
BILE manner, shocked the western part
of the state. The victims, aged par-
sons from Illinois, who had son in
the United States army, and who at
the time was stationed in the Philip
pines, were provided by that son WITH
home Of their own choice in. the quiet
and peace OF the Santa Rosa Sot,nd
country, where they proposed to spend
their remaining days in peaceful SEE
curity and happiness, raising chickens.
cultivating a little garden. fishing as
they desired
Residents Of the peaceful settlement
gained the idea that Mr.. Wyman ana
wife had large sums of money hidden
about their home, and one night. the
case was proven, two of tho Roberts
boys and Barbaree, crept Up 10 tho
home and murdered the aged couple
They shot the old gentleman as he
slept.
Hise wife, evidently awakened BY
their presence, sought safety in flight,
evidently after having seen her. husband
slain as he lay in the same room she
occupied. Fleeing. she was shot down.
not once, but twice and perhaps three
times, for later investigation developed
the fact that at least two and perhaps
three charges Of shot mad been sent
through the 66-year-old victims body.
Her husband was 81 years old
For three days the victims Law cold