davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
LEWIS GUN UNFIT.
Official Condemnation Given by War
Secretary Baker.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10. = Official
condemnation of the Lewis machine
gun extensively purchased for the Brit
ish and Canadian armies is expressed
in formal statement issued by Secre-
tary Baker, assuming full responsible
ty for the action of the war department
with respect to the much discussed
weapon and directing that controversy
among army officers over it cease.
Whatever responsibility attaches
to the condemnation of this gun as a
service gun belongs to the war depart
ment, y the statement asserts, land
not to the chief of ordnance or the ord
nance departments. The proceedings of
the boards which tested the rifle have
been in each case duly approved by the
secretary of war;
The statement shows that the inspec-
tor was directed to investigate the
whole matter of the treatment of the
Lewis gun named after its inventor. a
former army officer, when the contro-
versy reached the stage where open let.
ters from high ranking army officers
were published. =
A board of officers already had
agreed with previous boards that the
gun was not suitable for extensive pur
chase for the army.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
CHRISTMAS TREE
COMMITTEE MEETS
Plans Yet Incomplete, but Festival Hall
Probably Will Be Selected
Contributions Desired

The committee in charge of the mu-
nicipal Christmas tree celebration in
a meeting yesterday afternoon did not
complete final arrangements for the
celebration. 1t is planned, however, to
have it on some date Immediately after
Christmas and probably in Festival
hall. 1t is hoped to arrange for some
form of entertainment as well as to dis
tribute popcorn and other good things
to the children.
Subscriptions for the fund have been
coming in very satisfactorily, but the
committee announce that the more
money obtained the more pleasure it
will be possible to give the youngsters.
Anyone who has not been seen by a
member of the committee and desires to
contribute may do so by sending the
money to 0. +. Benson or Miss Florence
Hemenway- Wells.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
MOODY SCHOOL MAY
LOSE $4,000 LEGACY
Appeal Entered Against Admitting Will
of Middletown, Conn, Woman to
Probate.

MIDDLETOWN, Conn, Dee. 10
Mrs. Charles H. Robinson of Pittsfeld.
Mass, has entered an appeal in the su-
perior court in this county as the re-
suit of an order of the probate court
admitting the will of her aunt to pro-
bate, in which Mrs. Robinson is cut off
without a penny and the estate left to
charity. Among the charities which
would profit il the will is sustained in
the Moody school at Northfield, which
has a legacy of $4,000 in the will. The
others are the Middlesex County hos
pital of this eft; and the North Con-
gregational church of this city.
Joining with Mrs. Robinson in the
appeal are Noble S. Blatchley and Lii
lie Crane of New Haven, nephew and
niece respectively, of the decedent
Charles f. Scranton of Madison,
another nephew, and Mrs. Emma S. Da-
Wis of Riverside, Cal, > sister. They
allege that the deceaent, Mrs. Annie
Harris, was incompetent az the time of
executing the will Mrs. Harris died
last spring and the will was drawn
two years before, on Nov 2S, 1914 The
estate involved is appraised at more
! than $25, 900, but if the will is sus
tanned all will go to the public institu
, tionS named.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
Liveliest Fight on Liquor
Question City Has Ever
Experienced
LICENSE PARTIES
ADMITTEDLY ANXIOUS
No License Advocates Have Been
Aroused to Fresh Efforts by the
Evangelistic Campaigns and Action of
the Temperance Societies.

BOSTON, Dec l9.-The liveGest fight on
the liquor question that this city had ex-
perienced in its Il years of license was
on today The no-hcense advocates had
been aroused to fresh efforts by the evan
gehstic campaigns and action of temper
anee societies The license parties admit
tedly anxious over the outcome, left moth
ing that was proper undone to influence
public opinion and bring out the votes IA
vorable to license No-license workers re-
joiced when the day broke without the
storm that had been predicted and which
would have made it more difficult to get
out voters. The polls opened in the 223
precincts at o O'Clock and were to close
uniformly at p. m Al the opening the
vote was about normal, but before noon
at most of the polling places voters were
in line in greater numbers than at the cor
responding hour in other years.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
Both Single Light and Clus-
ter Posts to Be Shown by
Twin State Co.
COMMISSIONERS
AND EXPERT MEET
Cities Having Tried Clusters Said to Be
Changing to Single Lights Post
Each so Feet on Alternate Sides Of
Street Contemplated.

The Twin State Gas & Electric Co.
will install soon, probably in front or
the offices of the company, two styles
of ornamental post lighting in order
that a practical demonstration may be
given for the benefit OF residents of
Brattleboro and to aid in determining
which of two styles-the cluster or the
single lights the more practical and
the more to be desired.
Some time ago the Twin State com
pany made a proposition to the village
commissioners to install modern street
lighting system IN the business section,
or at least on Main street, the installa-
tion to cost the village nothing. Last
evening the commissioners had a long
conference with D. E. Cogan, lighting
expert of the General Electric Co., who
was brought here by the Twin State
company for the purpose of giving the
most detailed information possible.
The expert informed the commission
ers that the two principal systems of
ornamental street lighting were the
cluster lights on posts and the single
post light. He said that many of the
cities which installed cluster lights were
having them taken out and were in
stalling the larger single light. The
single lights give more candlepower for
less expense than the cluster lights.
Among the cities which has had ex-
perience with the cluster lights is Rut-
land, and that city is considering plan
to make the change TO the single post
light.
No figures as to the cost were given
the commissioners. In general it is .sug-
gested that the new lights be placed on
Main street from the vicinity of the
railroad station to the Federal building
with the posts 100 feet apart on each
side of the street, but with each post on
one side placed so that it will be mid
way between two posts on the other,
giving post light every 80 feet.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
E. o. YOUNG so YEARS
IN RAILROAD SERVICE
Bellows Falls Man, Oldest Employe of
the Rutland Railroad, Honored on
Anniversary,

BELLOWS, FALLS, Dec. 19.-Fifty
years ago yesterday Edward 0. Young
began his railroad career and he is
now the oldest employe in point of ser
vice OF the Rutland railroad. He was
born in Roxbury and after attending the
district schools in that town he began
work on Dee. is, 1866, for the old Ver-
mont Central railroad as freight
brakeman. Six years later the Central
Vermont leased the Rutland road and
Mr.. Young began work on that divis-
ION. He served as a freight brakeman
for about year and was then pro-
noted to be freight conductor and
later to passenger conductor and has
since served in the latter capacity.
Mr.. Young came to Bellows Falls in
1872 and on May 2S, 1873, he married
Miss Edna Snow of Roxbury and they
have always made their home in this
town.
At one time Mr.. Young was a con-
duetor of the famous Saratoga Special
which ran between Boston and the New
York watering place when high living
there was in its prime.
His present run is between Bellows
Falls and Alburg, n. Y. On alternate
days he leaves this town at 1905 a. m.
Returning he leaves Alburg at 8.25 the
same evening, arriving home at a. m.
Mr. Young is member of the Order
of Railway Conductors and of King
Solomon s Temple lodge, T. & A. NJ. of
this town.
He received yesterday reclining chair
and box of cigars from the Brother
hood of Locomotive Firemen and En-.
ginemen, a sum of money from the
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.
He also received an 0. R. c. watch
charm by special delivery, tn, donor Of
which he did not know tonight
General Superintendent G. L. R
French of Rutland called on Mr.. Young
to extend congratulations and to bring
bouquet of pink and white carna-
tons Mr.. Young received a letter
from Mr.. French extending congratu.
lations on behalf of the railroad com
pany.
Mr.. and Mrs. Young have three
daughters, Mrs. II. B. Underhill of Bel
lows Falls, Miss Iva Young, librarian
at the Manchester, \. H., library, and
Miss Mildred Young, who is employed
b. the National Acme company OF
| Windsor.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
Central Powers Note AT
fords Small Encourage
ment for Lasting Peace
WOULD PUT NECK INTO
MOOSE BY ACTING NOW
Lloyd George in Address to House of
Commons Expresses Confidence in Ul-
innate Victory If Nations Show Same
Spirit IS Mud Stained Armies.

LONDON, Dec TO- = Premier Lloyd
George said in the house of commons to-
day that il was felt that they should know
before entering ON negotiations that Ger
many was prepared to accede to the only
terms whercupon it was possible for
peace to be obtained and maintained in
Europe The Premier said that without
rcpaation peace would be impossible
Mr. Lloyd George said there were no
proposals to enter into peace OF which
they had no knowledge and it was to put
their heads into Moose with the rope end
in the hands OF Germany.
Much as they longed for it, the Premier
said, the central powers note and the
speech preceding it afforded small encour-
agement ard hope for an honorable and
lasting peace,
Mr.. Lloyd George said: Our answer
will be given in full accord with our allies
Each Of the allies has separately and inde-
pendently arrived at the same conclusion.
| am glad Of the first answer given by
France and Russia
Mr. Lloyd George said the allies would
insist that the only end of the war must
be a complete guarantee against Prussiaa
militarism disturbing the peace OF Europe.
The formal reply of allies. the Premier
announced, will be given in the course
Of a few days.
The Premier said: eve win wait until
we hear what terms and guarantees there
are surer than those which Germany
broke Meanwhile we pus our trust in our
unbroken armies
The speech OF Chancellor Won Beth
mann Hollweg before the German reich.
stag was characterized by Mr.. Lloyd
George as constituting in substance a de.
NAL of the only terms upon which peace
was possible.
Premier Lloyd George announced it hac
been decided to give recognition to the
agent Of Former Premier Nenizelos oi
Greece.
After declaring that peace without rep
aration was impossible the Premier asked
whether ''all the outrages on land ant
sea had been liquidated by "a few piou:
phrases about humanity"
Dealing with the war situation the Pre-
mier said he had to paint stern but not
gloomy picture The Ruman;an blundei
was an unfortunate one, but at the wors
it only prolonged the war and could no
affect it.
Speaking of the western front Mr.
. Lloyd George referred to the growth of tn,
British army there and continued:
Il am convinced that ultimate victory
sure if the nation shows the same spiri
of endurance and readiness to learn as tn
mud-stained armies at the front
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
italian Foreign Minister De-
livers ImpassiOned Speech
to Deputies
1--WE ALL WISH PEACE
AND A LASTING PEACE"
Appealed to Members of All Parties, in
Words of Premier BRAND, Not to Let
Move of Central Powers Poison
Mind Of the People.

ROME, Dec. Is, via Paris, Dec. 10. 10y
Foreign Minister Sonnino, speaking to-
day in the chamber of deputies on the
speace proposal, said: "It should be un-
alerstood clearly that no one of the en-
tcntc allies could take into considora-
tion any condition whatever which by
hypothesis might be eventually offered
10 him under separate form.
"We all wish peace and lasting
peace, but we consider a lasting peace
TO be q careful settlement whose dura-
tion depends on an exact balance
among the states, based on respect for
the principal nationalities, rules laid
down in the laws of nations and rea-
sons of humanity and civilization.
'lf we were in the presence of gen.
uine proposals of u nature to satisfy the
general postulates of civilization and
Justice none would reject them abrupt
ly, but there is nothing to show even
family that this is the case. l do not
desire TO use exaggerated language,
but the accent of boastfulness and the
lack of sincerity which characterize
the preamble to the enemy note certain
" inspire no belief that these mysteri-
ous peace conditions which the central
empires announce they have the inten-
tion Of exposing later on with the object
of guaranteeing the existence, honor and
free development of their peoples do
constitute an answer to the postulate
we have laid down.
Baron Sonnino appealed to the depu-
ties Of all parties in the words of Pre-
micr BRAND of France not to permit
the move Of the central powers to
"poson the mind of the people. - The
chamber passed a vote implying con
idence in the government and further
ordered that the foreign minister 5
speech be plaearded throughout Italy.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
TWIN STATE co. AND
MRS. DOYLE SETTLE
Latter Was Injured in Street Car Ac-
cident on Pine Street Last June
Terms Not Public.

A satisfactory settlement was made
this morning between Mrs. Catherine
i. Doyle of South Main street and the.
Twin State Gas & Electric Co. Mrs
Doyle was injured June while pas
senger on open trolley ear No. ., which
jumped the track on Pine street at 11.45
4. m. She was thrown between the seats
and injured about the back and abdo-
men. Others slightly injured at the
time were Mrs. Melvin Chapman Of
South Main street, who was thrown off
the car, and Conductor Benjamin Blod-
gett, who also was thrown off The
settlement was made through Attorney
William R. Daley, representing Mrs
Doyle, and Attorney Harold Z. Whitney
for the Twin State company. The terms
were not made public.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
Mr.. Mellen's Statement
About Notes of st. ].
and Lake Champlain RI.
ASSETS
ARE NOT AVAILABLE
Said If He Owned the 1T Shares of
Concord & Claremont Railroad He
Would Not Sell Them for $1,000 a
Share-Have a Nuisance Value'',

BOSTON Dec. l9.-Charles S. Mellen
appeared today as witness in the federal
court hearing on the question of making
permanent the temporary receivership Of
the Boston & Maine railroad Asked nv
Conrad ". Crooker minority counsel
about his opinion Of list of securities
owned by the road he gave summary an
swers. Il would take a dollar ior the
whole bunch, he said, referring to
S94O, ,434 OF notes of the st. Johnsbury &
Lake Champlain railroad company and
Sl6.l54 OF notes of the Conway Electric
Railway company The Fitchburg rail
road was not an asset available for any
financial purposes when the Boston 4
Maine assented TO reeeivership last An
gust, he said
In the case Of IL shares Of the Concord
/ 4 Claremont railroad however, MIR.
Mellen stated that If | owned the Boston
Maine | would not sell that stock at
! $1,000 a share, explaining that it had "a
nuisance value
/ Efforts by minority counsel to obtain
I from Mr.. Mellen his opinion of the fair
ness Of rental charges paid by the Boston
Maine to certain lines were ruled by
the court as irrelevant to the question of
solyeney.
The book statement Of the cost Of Bos-
ton & Maine construction was "far less
than the actual cost, he stated, adding
that the figures should be at least 5 per
cent greater. Similarly he held the
$50, lOS,520 did not represent fully the
roads investment in equipment Regard
ing the roads total operating revenue dur
ing the last fiscal year Mr. AIellen agreed
with counsel that it was abnormal. The
great boom IN business in this country, in
has opinion, Is not permanent or reliable
The Boston & Maine railroad in thu
opinion of Mr.. Mellen, was in com
mand of sufficient credit to pay its OBJ
legations on Aug. %, last, when the
/ directors consented to receivership pro
eeedings. Mr.. Mellen expressed him
self as sanguine for the future of the
property. - believe the Boston s
Maine capable of maintaining through
thick and thin dividends of 5 per cen
on its common stock, = he said. "Thi
stock ought to be and l believe it vii
be worth $125 share.
Quotations on the local exchange to
6ay We're at $44. Under cross exami
nation the witness said the leased lines
system must be changed for the roat
would be ''on its knees whenever i
struck hard times -
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
SHIP MAY HAVE BEEN
THE GERMAN RAIDER
Craft Answering General Description
Sent Out in Warning Chased
White Star Liner

NEW YORK, Dee. l9.-An unidentified
ship, having one funnel and two masts
and in general answering the description
Of the German raider Of which entente
vessels have been warned by wireless dur
ing the past 10 days, followed the White
Star liner. Adriatic, last Friday morning
according to passengers when she arrived
here today from Liverpool. The ship was
sighted off the grand banks OF Newfound-
land The Adriatic, under full speed
changed her course and her wake indicat-
ed that she steamed in great circle The
stranger for time followed and then
drew away
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
POSTAL CAR AND
TENDER DERAILED
Left Track at Crossover in Local Yard
Yesterday Afternoon - Mail Car
Delayed Until Sic.

AS the engine drawing the 4.23 ex-
press southbound yesterday afternoon
was taking the cross over to the Bos-
ton Maine tracks south of the sta
tion the tender jumped the rails and
the mail car followed. The mail car
tried to continue down the Central Yer
mont tracks with the result that a
wrecking crew from Bellows Falls was
called to straighten out matters.
Another Boston & Maine engine drew
the passenger coaches back to the sta
tion and then hooked on in front OF
them and shortly before 6 o'clock the
train, minus the mail ear, continued its
journey. The wrecking crew finally got
the mail car back on the rails in time
to have it connected with the SIG. No
one was injured and not much property
damage was done.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
BIG HOTEL IN PROSPECT.
New York Capital Said to Be Interested
at Middletown Springs.
Dec. 10, 1916.

RUTLAND, Dec. 10. = 1t is learned
on good authority that a large hotel is
to be built at Middletown Springs, II
miles west of this city Brainerd Avery,
who owns real estate in the village,
has interested Astor capital at New
York in the project and the site of tho
Montvert hotel, which was dismantled
n few years ago because of its an
tiquity, has been decided upon. Per
sons close to Mr.. Avery say that capi
talists have been looking this state
over as a good field for investment for
some time and have selected Middle
town as presenting the best possibilities
because of the springs existing there
The new building viii represent an out
lay of several hundred thousand dollars.
The hotel men have had experts ex-
anime the waters and they are pro-
nounced equal to the best in America
and Europe for curative properties. The
medical properties of the springs were
recognized more than century ago
and formerly people from miles around
gathered there.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
TEN PERSONS INJURED.
Trolley Car Jumped Track on a Curve
in Fitchburg Mass

FITCHBURG, Mass, Dee. 19.-Ten
persons who We're aboard trolley ear
were injured, one of them very seri-
ously, when the ear went off the tracks
at 9.45 O. clock last night at curve at
the foot of a Hill on South street, near
Coggshall park, and toppled over on
its side. The police and fire depart
ments and a dozen physicians were
summoned to the scene of the accid mt.
The most seriously injured was Miss
Hilda Sippola, who sustained frac-
tured skull. Miss E. L. Smiley's right
arm was broken and her face cut. Sew
eral others suffered from severe cuts
and bruises.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
TODAY'S WAR SUMMARY

Interest in war operations was large
ly swept aside today, attention center
ing on the speech of Premier David
Lloyd George in the British house of
commons. Military developments have
been few in number and unim9ortant
for the most part. On the Verdun
front there have been only lombard
ments since yesterday.
In the Rumanian war center Petro-
grade yesterday reported a holding up
Of the Teutonic offensive and Berlin
announced no new advances except in
Dobrudia where the Russo Rumanian
forces have fallen back some distance,
conforming TO the retreat in Walla-
CHA.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
SUGGESTS VENEER
FOR PLAZA WALL
MIR. Crosby Thinks Mountain Stone
Would Better Harmonize with New
Holstein-F -Friesian Building.

Editor of The Reformer:
The new Holstein building is nearing
and the home Of the Holstein
association artistically exceeds anything in
this part of the country.
In appreciation of the patriotic work
certain public spirited citizens did to re-
tain this wonderful organization in Brat
tleboro, and also the heavy expenditure
necessary to complete their home, steps
should be taken Immediately to place that
part of Park Square in condition fitting
this enterprise.
The unsightly wall and fence should be
removed. OF course the road must have
a retaining wall, but it should be veneercd
with mountain stone surmounted by a
heavy iron fence
Yours truly,
c. Il. CROSBY
Dec 10, 1916
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
HIS COUNSEL ALLEGES
BRITISH CONSPIRACY
Charges That the German Consul Gen
eral in San Francisco Was Vic
tim of Frame Up.

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. l9.-United
States District Attorney Preston was
hopeful of concluding today the presen-
tation of evidence against Franz Bopp,
German consul general here, and six
others who are on trial for conspiring
to violate American neutrality by de-
stroying munitions and vessels engaged
in trade with the entente allies.
Counsel for the defense promised
that testimony would be introduced
tending to show that if any conspir-
acy existed it was inspired by 4. Car
negie Ross, British consul gaenral who,
counsel alleges, engaged a private de-
tactive agency here to devise means to
discrcdit the German consul general.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
First Baptist Church

This evening at 7.30-Christian En-
deayor meeting in the chapel. Topic,
Big Jobs Awaiting Us. Ex. 3:l-l4.
Leader, Rev. G.. \. Tomltinson. All
young people are cordially invited.
Wednesday, Dee 90, at p. m.-Sale
of homemade candy in the store for.
mcrly occupied by G. F. Thomas.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
ARREST OF VENIZELOS
ORDERED BY ATHENS
Leader of Revolt Is Accused of High
Treason and Libeling the
General Staff.

LONDON, Dee. ia warrant has
been issued at Athens for the arrest of
Eliphtherios Venizelos, the former Pre-
mier, on charges of high treason and
of libelling the Greek general staff in
articles published in a newspaper sew
eral months ago, says Reuter- de-
spatch from the Greek capital.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-12-19
MISS LAW RECEIVES $4,000.
Gift for Record Air Flight Presented
at Dinner.

NEW YORK, Dec 19.-For setting a
new record in her flight from Chicago
to New York Miss Ruth B. Law last
night received a gift of So 900 at din
ner given in her honor here by the
Civic Forum and the Aero Club of
America. Rear Admiral Robert f.
Peary, Capt. Roald Amundsen, the ex-
plorer, and many army and navy Off
GERS and acronautical men were among
those present at the dinner.
Announcement of a gift of $4,000
by the Chamber of Commerce of Erie,
Pa, to be expended by the Aero Club
of America in a proposed trans-conti-
mental airplane contest was made by
T. f. Diffen Of Erie.