davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
MAIL BY AEROPLANEj
Government is Planning to Put In Fast
Service Between New York City
and Chicago.

Washington D. c., Dec. 14.-Regulal
aeroplane mail service between New
York and Chicago is being considered
by the postoffice department. An
nouncement was made today that the
plan is regarded as practicable and
might be established with part Of the
proposed 100000 postal appropriation
for experimental aerial service.
Department officials estimate the
fight of 720 miles could be made in
from six to fourteen hours. with an
average time Of eight hours, and a
load of from 500 to 1000 pounds of
mail. Flying would be at night, plane
leaving each city at p. M. alighting
at three regular stations in the vicin-
tiles Of Williamsport, Pa, Niles and
Napoleon, Ohio. where extra machines,
fuel and equipment parts would be
maintained. At Niles second ma
chine would be taken on relay. Even
tually emergency alighting stations
might be established every "a
miles. each equipped with powerful
guiding lights.
Postal authorities suggest that let
tiers dispatched before 8 o'clock at
either New York or Chicago would be
delivered normally before 9 o'clock the
following morning. but under best con-
dition and with special messenger SER
vice might be delivered soon after
midnight.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
FRANCE MADE DRY
Prohibition to Rule In Republic to
Make Country More Efficient in
Prosecuting War.

Paris, Dec. 14.-Total prohibition
throughout France Of the consumption
Of such alcoholic beverages as whis-
kies. brandies and liquors has been
decided upon by the government This
is shown by the text In the Journal OF
fetal today Of Premier Brands decla-
ration yesterday before the chamber of
deputies on the subject The premier
said:
"The government will ask you to
give it the faculty Of solving by de-
crees all questions Of interest in re-
gard to the national defense which the
laws are too slow to regulate. A par
ticularly grave question which can be
regulated only in war time, the solu-
tion Of which involves the life of the
country and its salvation Is the total
suppression OF the consumption of al
cohol."
The premier's remarks were greeted
with loud applause from many of the
benches. Deputy Mayeras interject-
ed:
''In the army also?"
"Yes, In the entire country" said
the premier.
The use of the term alcohol in this
connection is understood to include in
France. such beverages as absinthe,
which already has been suppressed;
whiskies. brandies and liquors, but not
wines or beers.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
WILSON IS DEFIED
ON LITERACY TEST
SENATE PASSES IMMIGRATION
BILL CONTAINING CLAUSE
WILSON OPPOSES.

Washington, D. c., Dec. IA The i'm
migration bill containing the restric
tive literacy test for admission oi
aliens which has caused three presi
dents to veto such a measure, was
passed by the senate today GA to I
The bill as amended in the senate now
goes to conference. 1t passed the
house last session.
The senate reconsidered the clause
designed to exclude anarchists who
teach destruction Of property. as a
propaganda. An amendment by Sen.
ator Hardwick for the committee, per
mitting entry Of persons who advocate
or teach destruction of property "in
war, insurrection or revolution" but
not otherwise was adopted.
Three republicans Brandegee, Colt
and Du Pont-and four democrats
Husting, Martene, Phelan and Reed
voted against the bill Senators Smith
of South Carolina, Hardwick and
Lodge were appointed on the confer
ence committee.
Authoritative statements have been
made that President Wilson intends
to veto the bill second time because
of literacy test. In this event an ef-
fort will be made to pass the bill over
the veto two-thirds majority in each
house being required. The bill pass
ed the house last April by vote OF
308 to 81, more than a two-thirds ma
jority, and the senate vote today, II
would be SUFFICIENT to over
ride an executive veto.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
BRAND SCOFFS AT
GERMAN PROPOSALS
FRENCH PREMIER's DENoUNcE.
MENT WINS APPLAUSE OF
THE DEPUTIES.

Paris, Dec. 14.-Premier BRAND, &C
companied his denunciation of the
German peace offer as trap with an
announcement that he would ask for
the increased power with which to
carry on the war; according to full re-
ports of his speech before the chamber
of deputies today. At the same time
the premier promised that the govern.
ment would not undertake any scheme
OF national mobilization such as that
involved in the German home army
plan.
Evidently" said the premier, re
cent developments are serious but it
is necessary to recall what has hap.
pened in 1916. After eight months it
is not German but French victory
which in truth has been inscribed on
French flags" The premier referred
to the French success at Verdun and
the gains made on the Somme and de-
rided Germany for it's claim of victory
while it was taking such measures as,
what ne termed, the militarizing of the
entire population. The chamber ap-
plauded unanimously when he affirmed
that the war government of France
would not follow the policy of Ger
many. He asked, however, for power
to regulate all questions concerning
the national defense, including the pos
sibility Of requisition but said that il
the latter step was considered ,neces-
sary 1t would not be carried out incon-
siderately. The chamber again ap-
plauded when he announced that the
government would ask for the suppress
sion of the liquor traffic throughout
France.
Premier Brand expressed the GER
tainty that some of the measures TAX
en- by Germany have behind them the
object of intensifying the war next
spring when, he said. she will have
stronger armies to face. He warned
France to be prepared for these efforts
and to have confidence in the final out
come. Then he turned to discussion
Of the German peace proposal.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
BIG LOAN ASKED
New British Government Dodges Argu.
ments In Parliament About New
Cabinets Policies.

London, Dec. IA. In moving a vote
of credit Of 4O0.OOO,00o pounds in the
house Of commons today A. Bonar
Law, chancellor OF the exchequer. de-
cided to confine his speech entirely to
the financial side of the war and, in
the absence of Premier LLOYD George
and former Premier Asquith owing to
illness, it was expected the debate
would be merely along this line. How
ever this will not prevent members OF
the small group OF peace advocates
from asking questions In an effort to
draw out the government In regard to
Germany's peace PROPOSAL. although It
was regarded as unlikely that they
would succeed.
Today's vote of credit is the four
teenth since the outbreak of the war.
bringing up the total for the present
financial year to 1,750,000.000 pounds
and the grand total for the war to g.
532, 900, 900 pounds.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
War Summary

While the warning nations are
awaiting definite developments
from the presentation of peace
proposals by Germany and her
allies the operations on the var
ious fighting fronts are proceed
ing as usual. The Immediate fu-
ture so far as the peace proffers
are concerned Is indicated as like
" to be taken up by consultations
among the entente powers prelim-
mary to the sending of joint re-
ply.
Interest in military develop
ments still centers upon Rumania.
where the armies of Field Mar
shall Won Mackensen are fighting
their way forward. despite the
difficulties of transport caused by
the bad condition Of the roads In
a Rumanian winter.
Whether the Rumanians have
succeeded in establishing them
selves along the line OF the Buzeu,
near the southern Moldavian bor-
der, is not yet apparent. Berlin's
last specific mention In this con-
nection was made In last nights
communication in which the Teu-
tonic forces were reported to be
nearing the Buzeu. In any event,
1t appears that the Rnmanian
evacuation Of southern Wallachia
is virtually complete. as the Ger
man war office announces that
Great Wallachia south of the Bu-
charest-Tchernavoda railway has
been cleared of hostile forces.
Beyond the German report OF
the repulse of French attack
In TIC Argonne. on the western
front and OF Serbian assaults on
Bulgarian positions in Macedonia
the war news presents little else
Of interest.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
Continued on Page 81
GOVERNORS HOLD
ANNUAL MEETIN(

Washington, D. c., Dec. 14.-T
ninth annual governors conferenG7
opened here today with moro thar r
score OF state chief executives preeG1 =
to discuss state administrative pruSS
lens and other questions. About r.
equal number Of governors-elect AZ
former governors were In attendance
One Of the most important subjectS
for discussion today was the executive
budget for which a plea was TO IS
made by Governor Harrington OF MARI
land. The session was opened u
GOV. William Spry Of Utah and a.
dresses were made by Governor Spauls
ding. New Hampshire, and others.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
MINES CLOSE AS
DEAD ARE BURIED

Pittsburg. Kan. Dec. IA. Virtually
all the coal mines in the Pittsburg dis
trict were idle today and owners have
announced that operations wonld not
be resumed until funerals were held
for the twenty men killed yesterday,
in an explosion in the Ryan and Reedy
coal mine at Stone City. Seven men
survived the blast and were rescued,
burned and partly suffocated.
The majority of the dead and wound
ed were foreigners. The catastrophe
rendered at least forty children father
less and in some cases the entire male
portions of families were wiped out.
John Pellegrino, state mine inspec-
tor said his Official investigation would
be concluded by tomorrow.
The loss of life was the second great.
est in the history of Kansas coal min
ing
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
AUSTRIAN CABINET
RESIGNS IN CRISIS

London. Dec. 1.-THE Austrian gov
ernment has resigned. This announce
ment Is made in Reuter- dispatch
from Amsterdam
The emperor has accepted the resig-
nation OF the ministry. according to a
Vienna dispatch received by Reuter-
by way of Amsterdam and has en-
trusted Alexander Spitzmueller with
the formation of new cabinet.
Herr Spitzmueller, who has been
asked to form the new Austrian min
istry. is former minister OF COM
merce and former director Of the
Kredit Anstalt
The ministry of DR.. Won Koerber,
which has resigned, succeeded that
of Count Karl Stuergkh, who was as
sassinated In Vienna October 3.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
THOM HAS PLAN TO
END MAIL PROBLEM
WOULD HAVE ALL INTERSTATE
CARRIERS INCORPORATED BY
THE GOVERNMENT.

Evansville, Ind, Dec. IA. Future
relations of the public and the govern
ment toward interchange Of commerce
in this country was called today by AL.
fred P. Thorn, counsel of the Railway
Executives Advisory committee, ono
of the most important problems with
which society ever has been confront
ed. Mr.. Thorn made the statement In
an address here before the Central
States Conference on Rail and Water
Transportation, in which after review.
ing conditions as to finances and con-
struction, Mr.. Thorn said:
1--WE propose that congress exercise
it's full authority to regulate commerce
In the interests Of all the states and Of
the people. Our first suggestion is
that there shall be system Of com.
pulsory federal incorporation and that
every railroad company that under
takes an interstate or foreign business
shall be a corporation Of and subject
to regulation by the national govern
, ment.
eve favor and shall urge regulation
of the issue Of securities by interstate
carriers by the interstate commerce
commission. We shall ask that the in
terstate commerce commission be
strengthened and its power over rates
increased and that its duties as to de-
lection and punishment shall be placed
in the hands of another federal COM
mission subordinate to the interstate
commerce commission and that the In
terstate commission shall be strength
ened by appointment Of subordinate
regional commissions in various traf-
fic centers. We shall also ask that the
interstate commission be given power
to prescribe minimum as we'll as max
imum rates, in order to prevent dis
ordinations and the railroads will ask
congress to shorten the period in which
rates may be suspended by the inter
state commission from ten months to
sixty days. with the provision that II
the suspended rate shall be found un-
reasonable the carrier shall reimburse
the shipper"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
STEAMERS CRASH:
ONE IS BEACHED

Norfolk, Va. Dec. 1.-THE British
oil tanker Telena was the ship which
crashed into the Merchants & Miners
liner Powhattan IN lower Chesapeake
bay last night Badly damaged about
the bow the Telena came into the ship
yard here early today for repairs. So
far as could be learned none of her
crew was hurt.
Beached on Thimble shoals to keep
her from sinking the Powhatan lay in
shallow water today with great hole
in her side, Four negroes Of her crew
had been injured. All her passengers
had been safely taken off.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
GERMAN SOLDIERS
TOLD OF PEACE TALK

German Great Headquarters in the
west, Wednesday. Dec. 13. via Berlin
to London, Dec. 1.-THE German
day to all the reserves and to the
troops resting behind the front. It's
contents were made known to the SOL
diers at the front or on the way to or
from the trenches through announce
ments or improvised bulletin boards.
The effect Of the announcements
was to call forth spontaneous shouts
of joy. tempered later by doubt as to
whether the entente would agree to
make peace
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
-
MUNLEY LIVES;
H|GDON |SHELD III
FOR ACCOUNT !
South Side Teamster, WI,
Was With Victim on 4
Same Night, in Jail
INJURED MAN NOT &
SURE ABOUT yOICI

Charles E. Higdon, teamster uyin1
at 800 Bardell street. is in the COUNT
! Jail, held there in connection with IT,
holding up and shooting of Martin q
Munley. South Side business ma
near his home on Sheridan avenue
Tuesday night.
Higdon was arrested on the streol
near his home about 4 o'clock wedneGI
day afternoon by City Officer AlYS
Fielder. A warrant was in the hand
Of the sheriff during the early hout
OF the afternoon following a statemeIl
made to that officer by Munley ct
Joseph's hospital where he was r. x
moved shortly after his injuries wuSl
inflicted.
Talked Of AFFAIR. sS
In his talk with the sheriff Munl6
is said to have made the stateme
that he recognized the voice Of the MT
who told him to hold up his hands G
being that of Higdon.
Later in the day when County Al
torney-elect e. r. Mitchell and ]. n
Chapman. the present assistant cou
ty attorney, visited Munley at t.
hospital he said that he knew he "
heard the voice before but would Nd
say who it was he believed to be tn
owner.
Higdon Was Dressed. s5
The shooting occurred about 11:S
O'Clock at night and after the officefH
had been called two Of them made =
skirmish through the neiEhborhoo
and Investigated several trails.
One led by Higdon's home and tlI
policemen say that when they We
to the house they found Higdon sittisl
beside the stove fully dressed with IT.
exception of his coat. It was tA6
about o'clock and when ques1io
the man said that he had sat d0Wn
the fire upon arriving home from taS
and had fallen asleep.
Was With Muniee'. ;s3
Munley says, and Higdon does ~
deny 1t. that Higdon was with ~
when he closed up his pool hall ~
soft drink parlor Tuesday night abOG
II o'clock. sa
AS they left the store though, Nun
ley turned west toward Sherida
avenue and Hfgdon east to Myrtl
street, which would lead him to n
home
The injured man claims he did a
see anyone on Church street nor he
anyone behind him until he was alm0
home when man touched him ON e
shoulder and ordered him to throw 4
his hands
He thinks the man with the 9U
wore light suit, soft hat and Z lieo
mask over his face. According c.
stories told the officers by dilferea
persons who saw Higdon during IL
evening he wore stiff hat and 4 darI
red maclSinaw or short coat. WhG
Wednesday afternoon he wG
wearing these garments.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
SUBMARINE GOES ASHORE.

Eureka. Cal, Dec "A. = Unito1
States submarine H-3. commanded r.
Lieut.. Commander H. r. Boguso&
went ashore ip fog early today T.
shoal in Humboldt bay. The divGl
was rolling heavily this morning at =
angle Of 45 degrees but signalled tn
watchers ashore call SAFE"
A telegraph operator ashore said til
submarine was trying to communicato
In Morse code by means Of its atG
whistle but before he could read It IT,
whistle died away.
Seamen ashore said there is oni
one chance to save the H-3-t1
chance that she will be flung ashor~
further by the breakers. IS
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
PEOPLE ON ISLAND
MAKE WANTS KNOWN

st. Thomas. D. w. l.. Dec. 14-At
a mass meeting held here today the
following resolution was adopted and
cabled to the home government at
Copenhagen:
"'The island does not desire to be
governed by Porto Rico, but wishes
to be permitted to manage its own
affairs under the federal government.
American citizenship to be accorded
Immediately on the transfer. the port
to be free and natives to be given
preference in appointments to govern
ment positions
The delegation probably will be sent
to Washington to support the stand
taken in his resolution.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
EMPEROR'S WILL TO
AID WAR VICTIMS

Munich. Wednesday, Dec. 13 (via
Lordon) Dec. IA. The Neueste Mach.
richten SAYS that 60000,000 crowns
was willed by Emperor Francis Joseph
of Austria Hung gary from his private
fortune for a fund for the benefit Of
wounded soldiers. invalids and rela-
tives of men killed in the war. Two
daughters and one grand daughter re-
ceive 20,O00.000 crowns each. The re-
naming 100000 crowns of the late
emperor's private fortune was divided
among various legatees.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
JAPAN IS SKEPTlCAL
Stock Market Falls After Learning Of
Peace Proposal, but Government
Men Are Unmoved.

Toxic. Dec. 14-News dispatches
from New York were the first intfma-
tion reaching here Of Germany's peace
proposal. The news was complete
surprise and caused a panic on the
stock exchange. Shipping stocks tum-
bled and were followed by other secur-
ities until the governors ordered the
exchange closed until December 16.
Officials of the Japanese foreign Of
fee said today that they do not take
the German peace proposals seriously.
They expressed belief that the entente
allies would have to fight to the end.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
COMMITTEE TO
PERFECT PLANS
Farm Improvement Bureau
and County Agent Move
Will Be Discussed

The work accomplished at the open
session for farmers held in the Com
mercial club will be followed up by the
committee in charge of the county
| agent project at meeting to be held
tonight at the club.
Well pleased at the success of Tues
days luncheon and the enthusiasm
| that was manifest by the men from
continue the work until not only the
100 first set as goal is reached, but
until hundreds of the men from the
farms become active members Of the
Commercial clubs farm bureau
The eighty-four who expressed de-
sire to be part of big community
organization at the open meeting fol-
lowing the address by j. w. Coverdale
of Ames, state leader of the county
agent movement, have become verit-
able missionaries for the farm bureau
scheme then launched. Many of these
took out blanks to get the names of
their neighbors who were not present
Tuesday. More Of them turned in lists
OF names of fellow farmers who will
be reached by literature and some il
necessary in person by the committee.
Wants All the Farmers.
The plans for carrying on the work
now under way to successful compile
tion will be taken up and perfected by
the committee tonight. 1t is the pur-
pose of the committee now that the
movement has been given an impetus,
to launch campaign for the enlist
ment of all the farmers obtainable in
the ranks of the proposed farm bureau.
If 1t proves necessary to make per-
sonal visits throughout the rural dis
tricts, the committee and the forty or
more volunteer workers among the
ranks of the farmers have decided to
visit the various parts of the county to
get members. All of those whose
names have been submitted will be
sent literature on the project by Mr..
Coverdale.
The date of organization of the farm
bureau will depend upon when the
farmers in sufficient number have been
enlisted. When this Is accomplished
officers and directors will be chosen
from among the farmers and not the
urban members of the club It will be
the duty Of the farm improvement bur.
eau and not the club generally, to Sc
lect the county agent and care will be
exercised in making the choice The
bureau will Ak the salary.
The Committee.
The men making up the county
agent committee of the Commercial
club that meets tonight in the rooms
of the club are as follows:
c. l.. Graham, L. r. Clausen, w. B.
Bonnifield, G. F.. Spry, j. X. Dysart, r.
E. Stevens, w. H. Mynard. J. Fl. Shep-
herd. c. F. Rauscher, R. w. Funk. Fl.
L. Pollard c. D. Evans, E. N. Stern
er, L. A. Andrew. Secretary ]. n. Weld
and President c. S. Harper,
the latter two being eX-officio men,
bers of all committees.
Mr. Coverdale before leaving the
city said that the open meeting held
Tuesday was the best organized meet
Ing of that kind he had ever attended
and was quite sanguine for the success
Of the movement. He volunteered to
be Of any service he could to further
the project.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
SENATE ELECTS
PRESIDENT PRO TEN

Washington. D. c.. Dec. IA. -Sena.
tor Willard Salisbury, democrat Of
Delaware. was elected president pro
tempore of the senate today. receiving
Al votes to % for Senator Gallirger,
republican and FIVE for Senator Clapp
Of Minnesota. the candidate of the pro-
gressive republicans.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
REPLY Is AT HAND.

Washington, D. c., Dec. Il. Gl
many's reply to the American rrote
against deportation of Belgians ar14
ed at the state department this mo-
ing. 1t is understood to contend tlI
the United States has not been aecS
ately informed OF the purposes Of I.
deportations which are said to
made on the ground of social necesafI
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
JOBS FOR Ex.PResIpENTs.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 14.-Former
Presidents Taft and Roosevelt and all
future presidents Of the United States
after their terms expire, would be CIV
en- a seat in the house of representa-
.tives without a vote with a salary OF
$25,O00 yearly by a bill introduced to-
day by Representative Moore Of Penn
sylvania. Candidacy for any political
Office would automatically bar such
men from membership in the house.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-15
COLD SNAP GENERAL
Reports at Weather Bureau Show Be-
low Zero Temperature over Great
er Part Of Midwest.

Des Moines, Dec 14.-The first sub
zero weather reported to the local
weather station was recorded today
when at s a, m. the mercury register
ed at degrees below. The mercury
remained stationary until 9 a. m,
when it began to rise.
Temperatures below zero prevailed
throughout Iowa, according to reports
received at a. m. The lowest tenn
perature reported was IA degrees be-
low zero at Charles City.
Chicago. Dec. 1.-THE first real win
ter weather of the season descended
on Chicago today, the mercury stand
ing at degrees above zero. Recent
snow remained on the ground.