davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21
WILL FIGHT. To
CHANGE RULES
INDEPENDENTS IN THE
HOUSE FORM COMBINE
May Vote Jointly on the
Speakership- Both Sides
Claim Victory.

WASHINGTON. d. e.. Dee. 2p.--
Independent members OF the incoming
House of Representatives are planning
an organization 10 work apart from
both Democrats and Republicans. with
the avowed purpose of enforcing radl-
Cal changes III The rules.
Thus far no plans have been made
for voting as Il body in the Speaker
ship fight. bur it is not impossible that
such an arrangement will be attempted
later. Informal conferences among in
dependents now in Congress have re-
suited in an agreement that something
should be done 20 give more publicity
to committee work
At least ont Of the independents has
conferred with Col. Roosevelt over the
situation and will seek further advice
from him on how tn proceed.
Representative Randall. OF Callfnr-
MIA, a Prohibitionist. Indicated to-day
the nature of the Immediate plans.
We are anxious that the rules be
amended so that the people may know
what their representatives are doing,
he said. The present system OF vo-
ting in the committee Of the whole
makes it possible for membsrs 10 fire.
Quently conceal their votes on very ln-
portant proposals. think if We can
remedy this situation and make some
changes in the method OF reporting
bills from committees. an independent
organization will be- worth while"
-Four independents. Representatives
Schall. OF Minnesota. and Martin. OF
Louisiana. ProgresSives; Randall. OF
California. ProhibitiOniSt. and London,
of New York, Socialist. are in the pres
ent house They hope that Represent
atire-elect Fuller. Of Massachusetts:
Kelly, OF Pennsylvania. and Rankin. OF
Montana. viii, join them.
MeSSrS Fuller and Kelly were elect
ed rs independents. Miss Rankin Is A
Republican. but hope Of her independ.
ence is based on the fact that she was
opposed By the Republican OrganiZa.
1ion in the primary.
The personnel Of the coming House
is still in doubt. Both Speaker Clark
and Republican Leader Mann declared
to-day tha. their respective sides
would have at least c1S votes. a ma.
jori;y. on the Speakershtp
We will control the House unless
the Democrats buy L. anu they are
trying to do that now Representative
Mann said. indicating his belief that
promises Of organization favors were
being held ont TO independents BY the
present ma ajority.
Speaker Clark said the Democrats
already were assured Of o16 Democrat.
ic members and that he is certain two
more will be seated in pending con-
tests.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21
REPUBLICAN, PARTY
LACKS A LEADER

NEW YORK, Dec. 20. Declaring
that the Republican party lacks a
leader. Charles D. Hilles, former
chairman Of the national committee,
urged at a meeting Of the Republican
club here tonight that a conference OF
men. prominent in the party councils
be held in Washington within a few
months TO plan for the next presl.
Dental campaign.
Other speakers urged the need or
organization. Senator John W. Weeks
of Massachusetts asserted a man OF
Iexperience, trained in the party coun-
ellis, should be made national chair
man. He suggested that the various
state chairmen meet and elect one OF
their number 10 the Craftsmanship.
Senator Weeks contended the present
methods of conducting campaigns
were both wasteful and inefficient.
The national, congressional and SEN
atorial committees should work to-
gether and not separate, he said, and
funds should be collected by central
bureau.
William NJ: Calder, senator elect
from New York, expressed the opin-,
ion that if James R. Sheffield. preSi-
dent of the Republican club, could
have accompanied Charles E. Hughes
on his western tour in the last cam
paign, he would have kept the Repub-
lican candidate out Of complications
which were in measure responsible
for his defeat.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21
.KOLLWEG HAS FULL
POWER TO NEGOTIATE

LONDON. Dec. 20, 11:1S p. m.-A
despatch to Reuters Telegram Com.
pany from Zurich says information
has been received there from Berlin
that DR.. Won Bethmann-Houweg the
German imperial chancellor, in q Sc
cret conference with the party leaders
preceding his announcement Of Ger
many's peace offer in the Reichstag,
was given full powers TO conduct
peace negotiations without further
consultation even with the party
leaders.
THE chancellor says the despatch
refused point blank to give the lead
ers any detailed particulars of his
peace terms, although he stated blunt
ly that these terms would not take
any consideration of The various en-
pressed wishes of the numerous par
ties within the empire. When the
leaders objected TO granting the
chancellor's demands Ior full powers
to negotiate. Dr.. Won Bethmann.H oll'
deg countered with the statement that
he would resign forthwith unless has
demands were met.
After long argument ths leaders
voted the powers the chancellor
wished, explaining later 10 followers
that they we're compelled to do this
owing TO the fear that If DR.. Won
Bethmann-Hollweg resigned he would
be succeeded by Admiral Won Tlr-
nj ~
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21
BLUNDER DELAYS THE
VOTE. ON PROHIBITION
LOST IT'S PLACE ON
CALENDAR BY ERROR
Senate Agrees to Vote on the
Bill January 9 May
Be Defeated.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20--A parlia
mentary misplay by one Of its friends
late today upset plans for an immedi-
ate vote on Senator Sheppard's Dis
trict of Columbia prohibition bill and
advocates OF Ne measure were oblig-
ed to agree that it go over until after
the Christmas holidays, for final ac-
ton.
The Senate agreed to final vote
on the measure on January 9, after its
opponents had been sustained by the
chair In contending that it lost its
place on the calendar by the action or
Senator Ashurst in securing unani-
nous consent to consider land bill
Friends Of the prohibition bill have
admitted a fear that postponement Of
the vote until after the Christmas re-
cess would imperil il ;IInces of pass
age.
The bill fell into 4e tolls of a fill
buster late today when Senator
Ashurst then sought TO withdraw tho
land bill and did so physically by
stepping to the desk and putting the
document in his pocket.
Senator Reed of Missouri, insisted
that. such a method Of withdrawing
bills was new in parliamentary pto-
cedure.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21
NATIONAL GUARD
IN |NCONTROvERSY
BIG CLASH LIKELY TO
COME IN CONGRESS
Champions of Guard Will Not
Admit 1t is a Failure
Strong Evidence.

WASHINGTON. Dec 20. - Sharp
controversy in congress over the
future OF tho National Guard in the
federal military system was ioreshad-
owed today al hearings before COM
mittecs III both the house and senate.
Major General Hugh l.. Scott. chief
Of staff of the army encountered Vlgor-
GUS cross examination by several
members OF the house military conf
mittee when he touched upon results
of the mobilization Of tho state
troops for border duty as shown IN
the Cenral staff report based on III
formation furnished by regular army
inspectors. Conclusions. drawn from
the figures 10 support the contention
that the guard system is lneftlclent
and unreliable, were promptly Ques-
toned.
The senate subcommittee in charge
OF the Chamberlain universal training
bill decided to recall General Scott,
who already has presented the report
on mobilization in full TO that com,
mittee, and Major General Leonard
Wood. commanding the eastern ae-
partment, who described the moblliza.
ton as tragedy" in his direct hear
ing before the committee. Both Off
GERS have ben asked 10 appear for
cross examination by Senator Blair
Lee, champion OF the National
Guard. AN effort yesterday by the
Maryland senator, who is not a mem-
her Of the committee. to question Col.
u. C.. Brown, one Of the officers who
compiled tt,s report, resulted IN a
CLASH with Chairman Chamberlaln.
The latter determined today, how
ever. 10 give Senator Lee every oP-
portunity t. bring out the facts as 10
the mobilization
In preparation for the cross eXamln-
alton, il is understood that stall OIL
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21
STATE RECEIPTS
T ARE ST., 100000
AUDITOR REPORTS
A NEW HIGH MARK
IDarst Renews Agitation for
Amending Law on Sale Of
Delinquent PROPERTY.

: CHARLESTON w Va. Dec: 90
Reaching: the highest: mark in history,
the State OF. West Virginia in the fiscal
year. of 1916, which closed June 80,
last, collected. from taxpayers and per-
sons and. corporations doing business
In, the State in excess of $11 100000.
This is disclosed in the report of State
Auditor John S. -Darst, for the biennial
period which has just closed.
1.-The State fund showed total" re-
ceipts.. of $S.310,0 0,097.87, the money
which is refunded to the several coun-
ties. districts and municipalities.
Receipts In the Eorkmen'S s -compen-
sation fund for the last fiscal year
amounted to s1,S16,2S1.52. while the
general school fund showed total re-
ceipts of $1,13o,973.62, and the irredu-
chile school fund receipts Of S38,T00,
making the total receipts in the four
funds Of the State government SILL
296 ,O53.01.
=. Among tho receipts into the State
fund as general revenue, the largest
item is the State tax on real and per-
sonal property, amounting. TO S1.146,-
50TS0. The State direct tax on the
property OF public service corporations
raised $436,S5025. Among other re-
ceipts Of revenue were automobile IL
cense taxes, amounting to $162, 2,820.52;
collateral inheritance tax. S156,443.16:
fees, auditors office, S54,615.95; fees
from Secretary Of State. S16.259.93:
fees from examination of banks, s1o,-
$50: marriage licenses, S12,S56; IL
cense taxes from sheriffs, S1S4.070.99;
license taxes on charters, 1927. 455.T@;
penitertiary earnings, 100000; cor
poration excise taxes. $234.9lS.OS; tax
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21

careful and delicate moves of the bel
ligerents
The whole tenor Of official opinion
throughout Washington, when the
Presidents action became known was
that it inmeaSurably improved the
prospects for some sort of exchanges
looking toward an approach to peace
discussions between the belligercntS,
without impairing the position of the
United States should they finally be
unable TO find It ground on which 10
approach one another.
At the White House no statement
whatever could be obtained as to;
whether any OF the powers even had
intimated how they would receive the
note. and there was every indication
that the same careful secrecy which
prevented anything whatever becom-
ing known about the Presidents ac-
tion until it had been taken, would sur
round any of the succeeding moves.
Nowhere on the surface appears any
indication Of The history making events
which diplomatiStS generally are con-
vtnced must have trAnspired since the
German allies brought forth their pro-
posals to ,lislel the generally preva-
lent belief that such an action on the
part Of President Wilson would be ac-
ceptable to the Entente powers.
Taken by Surprise.
British embassy officials declared
they were utterly taken BY surprise.
were wholly unable to explain it, and
were emphatic in their statement that
no exchanges whatever had passed
through the embassy here as a prelim-
mary.
The wish and hope Of the German
powers that President Wilson would
intercede in some way has long been
we'll known and has been conveyed
in different WAYS to the White House.
The attitude of the Entente allies. as
expressed by their statesmen, and until
recently in official advices to the Amer
lean government. has been that a
peace offer by the United StateSSwould
be considered almost the next thing TO
unfriendlr.
All that however. was before the Ger
man allies of their own accord brought
forward their PROPOSALS for discussion
of peace. President Wilson specific
ally SAYS in the notes he is somewhat
embarrassed in making the suggestion
at this particular time because 1T may
now seem TO have ben prompted by 4
desire to play q part in connection
with the recent orertures OF the Cen
trail powers.
To the Central powers the President
saws his action was in no way "suS-
gested" by thu Tsu'onir proposals.
while to the Entente allies he says his
(Couttnued on Page Eleven)
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21
REPLY
BEFORE XMAS
IS THE PREVAILING
OPINION IN LONDON
British Reply Will Go Simul-
taneously with Her Allies
Send to the y. S,

LONDON, Dec. 20. 9:21 p. m.-There
Is strong possibility that Great Brit
aims note in reply to the German
peace proposal will be made before
Christmas. This was the opinion in
well informed government circles TO-
day. where il is also believed the reply
will be brief and will likely follow the
lines OF Mir. Lloyd Georges maiden
speech as prime minister. insofar as II
will leave the door open for Germany
10 make concrete peace proposals.
Great Britain's official reply 10 Ger
many will be dispatched simultaneous
~ with that Of her allies. Ever since
the German note was handed TO the
foreign office BY the American amhas-
sador il has been the subject OF dis,
cussions between Premier Lloyd
George and his cabinet council, which
meets daily. The note and the nature
of the reply also have been discussed
with Great lIritain's allies. and II Is
stated that these conversations have
progressed. So rapidly that rrelimina-
ry drafts have already been made.
I, would. therefore. not be surprts-
ing if the allies replies were ready by
the end Of III" week. Especially. II
Is said. would his be true in the case
Of Great Britaln'S note. which the
prime. minister is declared To be anx-
ious to dispatch without delay.
When The terms Of the note are defl-
nitely agreed upon and the document
Is signed by Lord Robert Cecil. who IS
acting foreign secretary in The absence
Of Mr. Balfour. It may be- handed to
Ambassador Page. with the request
that h. forward it to the State Depart
mcnt at Washington ful Transmission
to Germany. This is said 10 BE- the
most likely method. inasmurh AS Tho
United States represents the allies in
terestS in Germany. II is just poSSi-
Bile. however, that Great Britain may
(Cout1nued on Page FouItcen.)
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21
'B|G DEFICIT IN STATE TURNED
INTO SURPLUS IN TWO YEARS
Audit of Tax Commissioner
Shows What Has Been.
Done Under Hatfield. ]
FILED WITH REPORT
From Shortage Of 100000,
States Exechequer Will
Have $4,000. i.


CHARLESTON, W Va, Dec. d.;
From general deficit of $780,.
151.OS OH July l, 1915, to a surplus.
Of $56,162.23 on July l, 1917. Is the
wonderful record OF Governor Henry
D. Hatfleld's administration for the
last two years. as shown by the sec::
ond annual audit Of the finances. Of
the State of West Virginia which has:
Commissioner and is being circulated
from that Office. :.
In transmitting the report to Gov
ernor Henry D. Hatfield, Mr.. Blue
makes these recommendations
First. Proper expenditures and
improper expenditures from appro.;
priations for maintenance and con-.
tingent expenses of the several ofices3
and departments, by the heads OF
such Offices and departments, are.
largely matters Of individual opinion,
in the absence of specific limitations
of the expenditures When one per-:
son may honestly believe is necessary
for the proper administration Of. an
office or department, another may take
the opposite view. =
1T has been our endeavor to set
out the States expenditures in SUM:
cient detail to enable anyone to, see
the purposes for which the State Is
expending her money. ~:
at is recommended that this report
be carefully studied by all. particu::
larly the members Of the legislature,
and II expenditures are being made,
that are not considered proper Or,
necessary for the proper discharge hot
the duties Of any Office. that Law, be
enacted, prescribing limitations and
making 1t unlawful for officers disA
bursting appropriations to eXpend the
same contrary to limitations. y
Second. Premiums on the bond IT
state officers are in some instances
paid out Of the public funds while in
other instances they are paid by they
officer. Only in few instances does
the law specifically provide for the
payment Of such premiums out Of pl
lie funds. This question stGieid nd
be left to a matter of individual OplrN
lon, aud il is recommended that a law
be enacted designating with particI.,
larity just what premiums on such
bonds shall be paid out OF public
funds.
Not Created BY Law
Third. Many voluntary organiza-
tons Of state officials and employees
exist, being national or International
in their scope, and not created by
law: generally the meetings of such :,
organizations are held out Of the
state. Some of the state officers, at
tend such meetings at state expense.
while others attend at their personal
expense or do not attend at all: This
practice has existed for many, years. "
Doubtless, many of these organizA.
tions are beneficial to the officers IN
the discharge of their public duties
and the public probably receives
value for the expenditure. But the
practice of such expenditures has
opened the door to possible abuse.
and there should be some authority
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21
RUSSIAN ALLIES
MAKE A STAND
But TO WHAT EXTENT.
IS NOT DETERMINED
Teutons Repulse Attacks in
Macedonia little Fight
ing Elsewhere.

aside from the Rumanlap theatre,
iittle fighting Of moment is taklns
.,!ace on any Of the numerous fronts.
In the Northern Dobrudja the Rus
slams and Rumanians have faced
ahout and are giving oalue to the
rcutonic Allied forces which have
hcru pursuing them. Just how strong
ne stand they are making has n9e
>.t been made known, the German OF
ricial communication announcing II
merely saying that they have aSnn
offered fighting resistance.
Petrograd reports that attacks by
rho invaders near Parlita. JG the left
:.;,nk of the Danube were repulscd
md says also that operations success
= ,,l for tbs Russians and Rumanian5
arr being carried out By scouting paI'
los in the direction OF RmnIka-
Huzdu.
On the front in France ths British
rear Gommecourt and Arras have car
led ou; successful raids against Ger
nan trenches and bombarded other
instile positions at Gommecourt anu
rear Loos and EIulluch. The Germans.
nr their part, shelled the British
ines north OF the Somme near TeStu-
,erl and Ypres and south Of the SON.
re bombarded the rF'rnch at nutnHr-
,us points, the French replying ener-
.etically.
Berlin reports tho repulse OF at
acks against the positions of the
rrutontc Allies after S.heavy bonn
,ardment of Russian trenches ts-
ayed an infantry attack but were
orced by the fire Of the Russian guns
% seek their own trenhes again. Pet
lngrad reports the breaking through
Il harbeL wire entanglem.niS on the
',.Stritsa river sector BY tho Russ lans
nd compelling the Teuton!c Allies
hnre TO flee.
The Austrians are again actively
;tom bardinc the Italian advanced po-
Ra rxhirtAAn
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21
(continuAd on Page Fourtss1.) }
RUSSIAN SUNK;
NOT WARNED.
RESULTING IN LOSS
OF " AMERICANS
Details Reach the United
States-VesselNot Under
Admiralty Charter.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20-A detail
ed account Of the sinking OF the Brit
ish horse ship Russian. In which II
American muleteers lost their lives.
reached the State Department today
by cable from Consul Keplinger 1t
Malta. It says the steamer, fighting
through strong gale and drenching
rain in the Mediterranean, was struck
astern by what was believed to have
been a torpedo, though 10 submarine
was seen, and that twenly-elght men
including the Americans were drown.
ed through the capsiZing OF life boat
when the crew left the ship. Later Z
trawler came to the rescue and took
the Russian in tow but the steamer
went to the bottom the next day.
The consul said he4was informed
that the Russian was not under ad-
miralty charter, although she had de-
livered q cargo OF nlufes AZ Saloniki.
the Allied military base IN Greece. :.
The American government Will
make Inquiries at once TO determln.
definitely the status OF the ship. IL II
develops that she actually was prI'
vate vessel. the German and Austrian
governments Will be asked wpS1hef
one of their submarines made at
TACK. UnleSS one ol LHo oeiiiS- "Its
admits responsibility, It Is regarded
as probable that the nature OK the ex'
plosion that wrecked the Russian may
remain a mystery. since no one saw 9
submarine or torpedo and the ship Il
at the bottom Of the sea with her eTt
dence.
II was officially stated at the State
Department today that final informa.
tion showing that the Britis b Steamer
Marina, torpedoed with the loss of sfx
American hostlers. was not and had
not been in admiralty service, haJ
been forwarded to Germany. In :e.
Dlv to an inquiry from the United
States, Germany recently stated that
her submarine commander sank lha
Marina without warning. believing
her 10 be transport, and asked foi
any information on that point avalf
able to the American government.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21
SECRETARY OF STATE
COMPLETES REPORT

CHARLESTON, w. Va, Dec. 20
The report of business done during
the month of November was COM
pleted today by the secretary OF state.
1t shows that 43 resident and ten non
resident corporations obtained char
ters. Eight corporations increased
and two decreased their authorized
capital stock. Seven foreign corpora
tions were authorized to do business
IN the state and eight corporations
surrendered their charters: The in
come OF the office exceeded $1,000
The report shows that the Black
Betsy CONSOLIDATED Coal company,
with an authorized capital OF $I50.000,
was the largest resident corporation
chartered, while the MononCalia Coal
company OF New York. with an
authorized capital of s4.500,o00. was
tho largest nonresident corporation.
The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1916-12-21

WASHINGTON. Dec. 2o-Pres-
ident Wilson has appealed to all
the belliaerents to discuss terms
Of peace.
Without actually proposing
peace or offering mediation, the
President has sent formal notes
to the governments Of all the WAL
rlno nations suggesting that ian
carly occasion be sought to call
out from the nations no" at war
such an avowal Of their respec-
tive views as to the terms upon
which the war might be conclud-
ed and the arrangements which
would be deemed satisfactory as
a guaranty against its renewal or
the kindling of any similar con.
flict in the future, as would make
it possible frankly to compare
then."
Wholly without notice and en-
tirely contrary to what admins
tration officials have described as
his course, the President last
night dispatched the notes to all
belliqerents, and to all the neu-
trails for their information. Sum-
married. in the Presidents own
words as contained in the notes
his attitude is as follows:
THE President is not proposing
peace; he is not even offering roe
diation. He is merely proposing
that soundines be taken in order
that we may learn, the neutral
nations with the beiliserent, bow
near the haven Of peace may be
for which all mankind longs with
an intense and increasing long
inq. He believes that the spirit
in which he speaks and the OBJ
iects which he seeks will be un-
derstood by all concerned, and he
confidently hopes for response
which will bring a new light into
affairs Of the world"
This latest development in the
rapidly moving world events TO-
ward a discussion of peace was
not permitted to become known
until tonight when the roses were
well on their way to the Aner'-
can ambassadors in the belli9er-
ent capitals and probably already
in the hands Of some Of them.
A Distinct Surprise
II was a most distinct surprise
Il official Washington. which ha
cen led to believe that with the TO
tal transmittal of the proposals {
- Central Powers the offices OF N
.oitet States would await furtne
,oves between the bellise-cnts then
alves. and that certainly, in view
=. speech OF Premier Llc"d Geors'
nd The announcements in Russ t;
'rance and Italy. further action b
cutrals would depend upon The ne'