davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
WILL ELECT OFFICERS.
Board of Governors Of Retail Mer-
chants Association to Meet Feb. l.

officers of the Retail Merchants As
ISOLATION are to be elected by the board
of governors at meeting called for
the afternoon of February l. At this
time the board of governors also Is to
consider recommendations of President
Andrews, in his annual report. sub
mitted at the annual meeting of the
organization Tuesday night.
The credit mems section Of the asso-
citation this week is to vary its pro-
gram of meetings. with a session
rooms of the association in The Star
building.
during the past year in connection
with luncheons at the Raleigh Hotel.
but tho attendance and the business are
growing to such proportions that they
have decided to hold ono meeting q
month in the evening. beginning
Thursday night, and the succeeding
ono on tho second Thursday Of each
month, at the Raleigh Hotel
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
SYSTEM FOR VALUATION
OF R. R. REALTY SOUGHT
I. C. C. Officials Hold Conference
With Baltimore Board and
Other Appraisers.

| With a view Of selecting the system
Ito be followed in the valuation of the
real estate holdings of the railroads
of the country. officials of the valua-
/, ton division of the interstate commerce
| commission today held q conference
| with representatives of the realty
! board of Baltimore and of the National
Association of Real Estate Exchanges,
Representatives of the Sommers system
| of realty valuation and realty apprais-
ers in the employ of the commission.
reports were received on the valu
alton of certain railroad holdings in
Baltimore. which were selected by the
commission with a view of ascertain
ing the merits of the several systems
in Use throughout the country. The
National Association of Real Estate EX-
changes has advocated plan whereby
the realty holdings of the railroads of
the country will be appraised by the
organized realty boards in the various
cities. BY this plan the railroad hold
inSs of city would be valued by the
appraisal committee of the realty
mems organization in that city.
Baltimore Picked for Tests.
Baltimore was selected as a typical
commercial city in which to test the
various systems. Certain railroad prop
critics there have been appraised dur
ing the past few months by the valua-
ton committee of the Baltimore real
estate board. by representatives of the
SommerS system and by valuation eX-
rserts employed by the commission. BY
the Sommers the valuation of real es-
tate is ascertained mathematically.
The valuation figures arrived at by
the committee of Baltimore real estate
men, by the experts of the commission
and through the operation of the Som
merS system were compared at the
conference today. An announcement
with regard to the system to be fol-
lowed in the great work to be under
taken by the commission is to be made
later.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
GOODS FROM U. S. SEIZED.
Cases Labeled Hammer" Contained
Conner. Brass and Aluminium.

LONDON. January %. 2:30 p.m.-A
statement given out today by the Brit.
ish Official press bureau says:
Among the cargo found aboard the
Swedish steamship Urna. from New
York to Gothenburg and Copenhagen.
are goods described on the bill of lad
ing as fifteen cases of hammers, sent
from the United States to a Danish
forwarding agent.
They were found on examination to
consist of fifteen cases. each containing
a bag Of copper. brass and apparently
aluminium filings and turnings.
The consignee does not know for
whom the alleged hammers are intend
ed and the goods have been placed in
the prize court"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
Urges Replacing Items in Bill.

Engineer Commissioner Kutz was be-
fore the subcommittee of the Senate
COMMITTEES on appropriations handling
the urgent deficiency bill today. He
urged upon the committee the need of
replacing in the bill those items which
were estimated for. but which were
left out Of the bill in the House.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
Thieves Active in Nearby Maryland.

Special Correspoudeuce OF The Star.
ROCKVILLE. Nd. January Is
Thieves continue their activities in
this county and scarcely a day passes
that one or more robberies are not
reported. Within the last few days
The stores of Herbert Wilson at Be
thesda and T. A Sonnemann at Chevy
Chase and the Baltimore and Ohio sta
ton at Washington Grove have been
broken into. but very little of value
and his deputies have made a number
of arrests.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
BRITISH AND RUSSIANS
ARE NEAR IN PERSIA
Juncture of Forces Would Be Posi-
BILE by a March Of Ten
Days.

LONDON, January 25.-The British
force at Kut and the Russian troops
west of Hamadan are SO near that If
there were no difficulties in the way 1t
might be possible to effect juncture
within ten days.
In spite of the fact that there is
much fighting yet to be done and a
difficult country to be crossed the Brit
ish press already is beginning to
speculate about the results of the ex-
pected juncture. The Chronicle says:
Hope for Joint Action.
ut will be a happy day when the
British and Russians begin to fight
side by side in this theater of war. and
it ought to contribute to a better I'M
derstanding between the two peoples"
The Times. however, notes that the
Turks appear to have stopped the Rus
sian advance in this district, and 1t
fears Russian setback If Turkish re-
ports of the retaking of Assadab bad
from the Russians are correct, as this
would threaten the Russian occupation
of Hamadan from more than one direc-
ton.
Floods Halt Fighting.
Gen. Sir Percy Lake. commander-in-
chief of the British forces In Mesopo-
tamia, has sent the following report of
the situation there:
During the last forty-eight hours
the Tfgris river has risen seven feet at
Kut and two and one-half feet at
Amarah. preventing all troop move
ments by land.
"An armistice was concluded for two
hours on the ed for the collection and
burial of the dead.
Gen. Townshend reports from Kut-
El-Amara that he has sufficient sup
plies and that his troops have not been
further engaged"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
.SCUTAR| IS TAKEN
BY INVADING ARMY
Montenegrins Conduct Gueril-
la Warfare as They Retreat
Before Austrians.

BERLIN, January IS, by wire
less to Sayville, N. Y.-Scutari
has been occupied by Austro-
Hungarian troops, according to
announcement issued by the Aus
tro-Hungarian headquarters.
Several thousand Serbians who
formed the garrison retired to-
ward the south without offering
any resistance.
Peace Negotiations Unlikely.
LONDON, January 25-The Austrian
occupation of Scutari appears to con-
firm previous statements that no nego-
tiations are now proceeding between
Austria and Montenegro, as. according
to the reports concerning the original
Austrian offers of peace, 1t was un-
derstood that the Montenegrins were to
hold scutari as compensation for Aus
tria's occupation of Mount Lovcen.
The occupation of Scutari, according
to italian reports, followed a desperate
battle that had been raging for the
last two days, the Montenegrins max =
ing their final violent resistance on the
Tarabosch mountains before Scutari.
The Austrians in their invasion are now
in possession of all the chief ports and
towns OF Montenegro and in addition
the most important trading town of
Albania.
Nicholas on French Soil.
LYON France January Eskimo
Nicholas of Montenegro. accompanied
by Crown Prince Danilo, by Prince
Peter and by Princess Militia and by
seven officers and thirty soldiers of his
staff, arrived last evening from Italy
in King Victor Emmanuers private
car.
He was received at the railway sta
ton by the municipal authorities, who
welcomed him in the name of Presi-
dent Poincare. A military escort at
tended him to the hotel, where his
wife and two daughters, Princesses
Battle as They Retreat.
ROME, January 25.-Active guerilla
warfare is being waged by the Mon
tenegrin troops in their retreat south
ward, and particularly in the Tara
bosch mountain west of Scutari, ac-
cording to reports here today.
In advance of the Austrian troops.
who are in pursuit, a number of Aus
trian aeroplanes have been harassing
the Montenegrins, flying low and
using machine guns against groups of
the poorly equipped soldiers of Gen.
Martinovich.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
j. S. EXPORTS GREATER
BY TOPPER CENT IN 1915
Reach Total Of 1855, 000, 900,
Breaking All Previous Records,
Report States.

American exports increased 70 per
cent in 1915 and reached a total of
s3.555. 100000. breaking all previous
records.
Figures today by the Department of
Commerce show that heavy exports
and declining imports together set a
new American trade balance record at
s1.772.ooo,ooo. Imports were the email
est since 1912.
Total Foreign Trade.
The countrys total foreign trade
exports and imports-passed the five
billion dollar mark during the year,
until DEFENDERS reached $359,000, 900.
The trade balance of close to $4,000
000, 900 was FIVE times greater than in
1914. when it stopped at $4,000, 900.
Exports have grown steadily and
rapidly for the last four years. the Eu-
ropean war checking outgoing ship
ments only for a brief time.
What the Figures Show.
The figures show that the war not
only cut imports, but changed their
character as well. Seventy-two per
cent of last DEFENDERS imports were
duty free. against so per cent free the
previous December
This Is attributed to the British
blockade, which has cut off highly
dutiable manufactured products from
central Europe.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
FAVOR WIRELESS TORPEDO,
Secretary Garrison and Others Urge
Abortion Of Hammond Invention

pedo invented by John Hays Hammond
jr. was urged yesterday by Secretary
Garrison. Maj. Gen. Scott and Brig
Gen. Weaver at an executive session
of the House Notifications subcommit-
tee. Mr.. Hammond also was present and
explained the workings Of the torpedo.
Tho War Department estimates contain
a proposed appropriation Of $s46.000 for
putting the torpedo into use.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
NooRDAM's FUEL GIVES OUT.
Holland-America Liner Puts in at
St. Johns.

ST. JOHNS. Newfoundland. January
25.-The steamship Noordam of the
Holland American Line. with its fuel
supply exhausted because of delays
during stormy weather, arrived today
to replenish her bunkers. A large
number Of the Ford peace delegates
are on board.
The Noordam encountered bad
weather of the coast of England
shortly after leaving Rotterdam for
New York
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
|COL. HOUSE IS ON WAY
| TO GERMAN CAPITAL
Teuton Press Plays Up Visit Of the
Presidents Agent as News Of
First Importance.

GENEVA. Switzerland. January "a. via
Paris, 11:10 p.m-Col. E. NJ House,
President Wilson's personal represent
alive. arrived here this morning and
left at o'clock in the afternoon for
Berlin. He was accompanied by two
secretaries of the American embassy IN
Berlin who had come here to meet him.
Col. House said to the Associated
Press correspondent that many misstate-
ments had been published in the European
press concerning the motives of his visit
and that he desired again to affirm that II
was in no wise connected with any
peace movement or any peace propos-
ais. but that its purpose continued to
be that which had been announced be-
fore he left the United States
From Berlin Col. House will return
to Paris through Switzerland. and will
visit no other capitals of continental
Europe.
Featured in German Press.
LONDON, January Fisherman news
papers which have just reached Lon
don lay great emphasis on the impor-
lance of the mission of Col. Edward
NJ. House, President Wilson's personal
representative to Europe. The news
that Col. House definitely has decided
to visit Berlin is displayed as informa-
ton of the first Importance, and the
newspapers publish long preliminary
letters from the United States concern
ing his mission.
The Hamburg Fremdenblatt declares
that Col. Houses errand is to restore
harmony among the American ambas-
sailors in Europe, and expressed the
hope that the efforts to restore peace
will be successful.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
Must Work Even on SUNDAYS.

Even a Sunday off is denied to the
workers on the staff of custodians of
public buildings over the United States
The firemen. charwomen and other la
borers are not entitled to a day Off
The controller of the Treasury. W. w.
warwick. in a decision today. sets
forth that there is no provision in law
that will permit them to take leave
with pay: even . Sunday of must be
with loss Of pay for the time.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
Lecture on Temperance.

Temperance" was the subject of an
address BY Rev. DR.. c. W. Childs. mem
Der Of the board Of education, last
ovening at Howard University. under
the ausptcss Of the Temperance So
eiety Of the Institution.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
Oppose Present System.

Representatives Hensley. Missouri,
and Tribble. Georgia, opposed the
plucking system Mr.. Tribble said that
the members who objected to the pres
ent plucking board system never have
commended for system of selection, but
have insisted that the officers plucked
should be put in the subordinate Offices
to which they are fitted.
Chairman Padgett said the estimates
submitted for the building program
contemplate s217.0O0,o00 in the pending
bill.
"If we adopt the estimates" suggest
ed Representative Galloway, Texas,
wed be swamped."
Paymaster General MCGOWAN resumed
his testimony today.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
NEW FLOOR IS ORDERED
FOR AQUEDUCT BRIDGE
Commissioners Aim to Reduce Vi
bration, Thus Lessening
Strain on Piers.

Determined to do all within their
power to increase the safety of Aque-
duct bridge, and not restrict traffic
over the structure more than is neces-
sary, the Commissioners have ordered
that a new floor be laid on the north
half of the bridge. The present floor
ing is considered safe. but on account
of the timbers being worn in places
considerable vibration Is caused by the
passage of vehicles over them. A
smoother floor will reduce the vibra-
ton and lessen the strain on the piers
This action may be the Commission
ers' answer to the suggestion of Col.
Flagler of the United States engineer
office. that the capacity Of vehicles per-
mitted to use the bridge be reduced to
three tons for horse drawn convey
ances and four tons for motor trucks.
The present limit Is six tons.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
New Outbreak of Cattle Disease.

A new outbreak of foot and mouth
disease has been discovered by the De-
partment Of Agriculture in Christian
county. Ill. The county has been closed
against cattle shipments.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
Final Proposals and Conces-
sions in Lusitania Case
Before Mr.. Lansing. !
EXPECTED TO CLOSE
LONG NEGOTIATIONS
Regret Expressed for Loss of Ameri.
can Lives and Indemnity Is
Offered.

Secretary Lansing had before him to-
day another written proposal from Ger
many designed to bring about a settle
ment of the controversy over the sink
ing Of the liner Lusitania 1t was sub
mitted through Ambassador Won Bern
storff
Although strict secrecy surrounds the
negotiations. IT was indicated today
that the proposal might result in
satisfactory ending to the long stand
ing negotiations on the subject:
1t is understood that in the latest
proposal Germany has agreed to eiimi-
nate from tho text OF the agreement
any mention of the warning issued by
the German embassy the day the LUST
tania sailed and has left out her pro-
posed general reservation CT admission
or wrongdoing on the part OF her sub
marine commander. Those two points
1t is understood, were contained in pre-
vious proposals, and were objected to
by President Wilson.
Wants q. S. to Take Action.
1t also is said that in its latest pro-
posal the Berlin government expresses
a desire to have this country take
ing the freedom of the seas. Germany.
1t Is said. reiterates that the torpedo
ing of the Lusitania was an act of re-
prisal for the British blockade of the
German coast. Regret is expressed for
the loss of American lives and indcrn-
nifty is offered. Attention is directed to
the fact that such forms of replisal
have been discontinued as the result
of negotiations with the United States.
Anxious for Settlement.
The German government is under.
stood to be most anxious to settle the
matter in manner mutually satisflc-
tory. 1t is said, however, that the pro-
posal now before the administration is
considered to be final. Germany is said
to hold that she has gone as far a she
possibly can honorably to meet the
views of the United States.
Speculation Not Justified.
Secretary Lansings only comment
today on the published description of
Germany's latest proposal was that
it was speculation not justified by
the facts"
Mr.. Lansing went early to the cabi-
have a separate conference with Pres
ident Wilson on the latest turn in the
negotiations.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
May Not Reduce Limit.

The Commissioners. while recognising
the dangerous condition of tho bridge.
do not want to restrict trafac more
than is necessary. and II the now floor
reduces the vibration to a satisfactory
extent. they probably will allow the
six-ton limit to continue in force, for
the present, at least.
The new floor will cost about $4,000.
Ordinarily, the Commissioners would
not have considered 1t necessary to
make this improvement before next
fall. The south half of the bridge re-
Gently was given new flooring.
Col Flagler also has recommended
that not more than one street car be
permitted to use the bridge at one time.
This matter is under consideration, and
probably will be acted upon at an early
date
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT
THEME OF LECTURES
James Hugh Kelley to Speak Under
Auspices Of Parents League of
Public Schools.

The first Of q series of five lectures
on The History OF the District of Co
lumbia and Its Government" is to be
delivered tomorrow night at $50
o'clock by James Hugh Kelley, vice
president of the SelfGovernment
League of the District, at the Wilson
Normal School. The series of Ave lee
lures will be given under the auspices
of tho Parents League of the public
schools, Of which Mrs. Ida E. Kebler is
president.
THE History of the District of Co
lumbia Before There Was a Federal
City" is to be the title of the first lee
ture. delivered by Mr.. Kelley tomor-
row night. The meetings are open to
the public.
Another series Of lectures under the
auspices of the Parents League OF the
public schools is that on Foods" Last
night DR.. Cora Smith King gave an ad-
dress on Food Values" The meeting
was so largely attended that larger
room, it is announced. will be secured
for future lectures. The subject next
Monday night will be Balanced Ra-
ton"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
DR.. Harvey Wiley to Speak.

Dr. Harvey Wiley Is announced to
speak February Z.
Under auspices of the league a moth
ers' meeting was held at the normal
school this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, to
which all mothers were invited.
Vocal music classes open to anybody
meet Monday night at the normal
school, under the direction Of the d.
rector of music in the local schools, DR.
Hamlin E. Cogswell. Mrs. Kebler
president of the Parents League of
the public schools, is lending the move
ment her support. and is very enthus-
iastic about the work. A chorus of 500
voices. for community singing, is ex-
pected to result from the class now in
progress.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
ALLIES IMPACT
, FOR WORLD TRADE
France and Italy Fall in Line
t., With Proposals of
!, England.
PEACE is NOT TO END
s WAR AGAINST GERMANY
Governments Expected to Give Sup
=, port to Plans of CONNER
cial Bodies.

PARIS, u nuary e5.-A commercial I'M
Outstanding among the entente allies and
plans to como uer the foreign markets were
among the important economic questions
discussed at a meeting here of the pres
,sents of the chambers of commence OF
France More, than 100 chambers were
represented.
The alliance of business interests which
has been proposed by Great Britain and
France intends to devise ways and mean
of effectively opposing Austrian and Ger
man industry and commerce while the
war continues and after peace has been
arranged.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
Plucking Board Discussed.

Plucking board operations were dis
cussed by the committee. Chairman
Padgett said that for the last two or
three years every naval officer pluck
ed" had received his commission and
rank by virtue of the operation of the
same plucking board law.
There are two methods-the rule of
elimination and the rule of selection
said Mr.. Padgett. I'm every country
where the selective law prevails. the
officer who Is up close to the court
gets promotion regardless of merit
This is the complaint against the navy
in Great Britain"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-01-25
SAFETY FIRST" SHOW
APPROVED BY PRESIDENT
Voices Wish for Success of Exposi.
ton at New National Museum
Next Month.

In a letter to the Secretary of the
Interior the President of the United
States today expressed his thorough
approval of the objects and methods
Of the safety first exposition" sched-
uled to open in the New National Mu-
scum February 81 and to be in session
for week. President Wilson also ex-
pressed hope that he might find oppor-
tunity to be present on one Of the
days of the exhibition and demonstra-
ton OF the means by which Uncle Sam
conserves both property and life and
which has been arranged through the
cooperation of more than twenty fed
eral bureaus of the government, the
terstate commerce commission and the
District police department.
Particularly at this time it is wise
and wholesome that the federal gov
eminent should call the attention of
the people of the country to what the
government is doing to preserve life,
the greatest of all the resources of the
Various Types Of Hero.
THE rescuer of the bureau of mines,
who braves the poisonous gases of a
mine and saves a miner from death;
the coast guard who at the peril of
I is own life saves the passengers of a
helpless vessel from death; the sur
geon of the public health service who
stops a dreaded scourge in its incip-
iency and saves thousands of lives; the
engineer who succeeds in reducing the
hazards Of his industry to its men,
and the man who brings about better
conditions Of living among the people
i consider all types of the hero who
will be most regarded in the near fu-
ture.
The federal government is doing an
exceedingly helpful work along just
such lines, and l doubt if the public
appreciates how extensive and import
ant that work is. l especially like your
idea of making this as much as pos
sible a national affair. Every manu-
facturer, every railroad man, every
miner, every operator, every workma n
and every humane person in the coun-
try ought to be interested. 1 sincerely
wish you success in this undertaking."