davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
preparedness" in Parade.


War Department is a part of the curric-
day at pm, with Maj. Gen. Devo, the
adjutant general for the inaugural pa
rade at which matters VIII be talked
over relative to the participati ton of the
states militia and the schools through
out the United States in which military
training under an instructor from the
War Department is part of the curri-
ulum. This effort to emphasize pre-
paredness'' is to be an outstanding fea-
ture of the military sections of the pa
rade, according to Chairman Harper.
That the Women's Wilson Union,
whose president and organizer are the
first women ever named on an inau-
gural committee, will be conspicuous
in the parade was emphasized at
meeting in the oxford Hotel yesterday.
which was presided over by Mrs. James
H. Boggs of the inaugural committee
Mrs. Wesley Martin Stoner. the other
woman named on the inaugural COM
mittee, also was present.
To March in a Body. g.
1t was voted for the Woman's Will
son Union to march in a body in the
inaugural parade, led by band COM
posed entirely of women. who will be
handsomely costumed.
The Woman's Wilson Union also is
going TO nt out permanent nedQqudr-
ters in the hotel and hold open house
there during the inaugural period.
Among those making speeches at the
meeting were Robert T.. Mattingly,
chairman of the state central commit
tee for the District of Columbia;
Charles w. Darr, vice chairman of the
inaugural committee; National Com
mittee Representative Stacey, who was
in charge of the headquarters here
during the campaign; Walter Costello
and Harry NJ. Martin.
Chairman Arthur Peter of the finance
committee stated today that, though
contributions to the inaugural fund are
coming in encouragingly he will not
announce any more contributions until
the first meeting of the general inau-
gural committee Wednesday,.
Printing and Souvenir.
The personnel Of the committee on
printing and souvenir is as follows:
Cornelius Ford. chairman: o. r Wright,
vice chairman; John l.. Alverson. Joseph
Auerbach. Edward T. Bates, Richard j.
Beall Harry C. Birge, Edward S
Brashears. Wallace Bassford, Jim V.
Barros. Bruce A. Bielaski, Bernard NJ
Bridget. William F. Brooks, Walter A.
Brown. Fulton NJ. Brylawski. Aaron Bry-
lawski. Joseph A. Burkart, James Buyer,
Joill W. tHiluTesS, F-uSeHe p cochran,
Max Cohen, Meyer Cohen. Daniel " CHS
holm. Guy Collins. Arthur Copeland
Charles +. Crane, Jacob J. Decker, VIII
liam II. De Lacy. II. Bradley Davidson.
Louis A. Dent, Daniel J. Donovan, Robert
+. DOYLE, K. Golden Donaldson. George
w. Driver. r. Howard Duckett,
! George J. Easterday. Charles H. Evans,
w. Gwin Gordon, Charles E. Cross,
DR. w. S. Harlan, Albert Harper
George w. Harris. Frank c. Henry,
John Hodges. John J. Kelly, John Nc
Donald. William f. McEvoy, T. Frank
Morgan, Joseph z. OLone, w. w. Price,
Joseph +. Ralph, Andrew Randall, w.
f. Roberts. John =. Smallwood Will
liam B. Shaw. +. y Shugrue, II. c. c.
Stiles, c. F. Sudworth, Eugene Thomp-
son. Leon Cllman, Edward Voight. jr.;
William II. Walker, Robinson White,
Harry Wells, Alexander Wolfe, Edwin
Fl. Walker and Frederick J. Waight.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
No Proffer of Help.

Unlike the Swiss government, which
offered to help in any way. mo matter
how modest" the Scandinavian coun-
tries make no direct offer of co-opera-
ton. This fact attracted particular
interest because Norway, particularly,
has been one of the greatest sufferers
from the war among the neutrals.
The State Department made public the
Norwegian note without comment
The official copies of the Danish and
Swedish notes also reached the State
Department today. being similar in
teens TO that from NORWAY
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
Assurance of Future Peace.

The last point has aroused most COM
ment. and the first was emphasized by
Secretary Lansing's statement. after
ward modified, that the United States
itself might be drawing near entrance
into the war.
The administration, however it was
learned today, thought the suggestion
for an arrangement TO preserve peace
in the future would attract more atten-
tion among the entente allies than ii
apparently has, and furnish a means
through which these nations could en-
ter with perfect propriety into seri-
Gus peace discussion.
If such an arrangement could be
made. the administration feels. there
would be no ground for the fear that
agreements over terms made between
the belligerents would not be kept aft
er the present war ends. 1t was point
out today that such fear has been
one of the main objections of the en-
tente allies to entering into peace dis
cusSions.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
Teutons Fail in Champagne.

PARIS, December 80, 2:10 p.m.-The
following official announcement was
made here today:
I'm the Champagne detachment of
the enemy which attempted, after a
spirited bombardment, to capture one
of our posts in the vicinity of Beause-
jour was dispersed by our fire. West of
Tahure we carried out a successful sur
prise attack on an enemy trench.
"On the left bank of the Meuse (Ver-
don 'front.' the night was relatively
calm. There is nothing to report from
the remainder of the front"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
CARRIES A TOTAL
OF $40O,0O0,000
Value of Land and Buildings in
District on Which Taxes
Will Be Levied.
SMALL INCREASE is SHOWN

Carrying a total of Sioo. 100000, Wash
ington's first biennial assessment, made
under the provisions of the law passed
September 1 last. was announced today
This is the customary two-thirds fig-
ure for assessment purposes. so that
the total value of all land and buildings
in the District, as found by the board,
is S6O0.0OU.Uoo.
The findings are only S10,oOo,ooo more
than the triennial assessment reported
three years ago. in the amount of S3?"'-
100000. This small increase includes
new buildings. it being estimated that
the increase in land values, during the
past three years is but approximately
S5.OOO.OOO.
The last triennial assessment show
ed an increase in property values OF
$40. 900, 900 for. the three years preced-
ing.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
OE'SAHACKS CHECKED
AT VERDUN, SAYS BERLIN
French Unable to Regain Lost Dead
Man Hill Positions, Accord
ing to Report.

by the Associated Press.
BERLIN, Decebber 80, by wireless to
Sayville.-Several attacks were made
by the French yesterday on the Yer
dun front, says todays report from
army headquarters. All efforts to re-
take positions in this sector were re-
pulsed by the Germans. The statement
reads:
Army group of Crown Prince Ru-
precht: Northeast of Lille and on the
Somme, especially on the north bank,
and i'll isolated parts of the Aisne front
the artillery fire temporarily increased.
advances by British and French patrols
REPEATEDLY repulsed.
Army group of the German Crown
Prince: On the left bank of the Meuse
(Verdun front! the French during the
day launched several attacks. preceded
by strong waves of artillery fire, against
the new lines on Dead Man hill cap
tured by US. All the attacks were re-
pulsed
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
Officials Decline to Comment.

officials Of the assessors office would
not comment upon the small increase
of the last three years as compared
with the s4O.000.OOOI increase in the
three-year period before that. but opin-
ions communicated to the office by local
business and real estate men indicate
general belief that the agitation over
the organic act and the Borland amend
ment for street assessments have had
a depressing effect upon the realty
market.
So much complaint has been made to
the assessors office over the inability
of owners to obtain prices for property
which would have been offered three
years ago that a wholesale appeal on
the boards findings is expected to be
made. 1t is considered probable that
the $500. 900 assessment may be
considerably reduced before the board
of equalization and review concludes
consideration of the appeals.
The board will meet next Tuesday to
take up appeals. 1t will continue it's
sessions for five months. In that time
every owner who feels that his prop
erty has been rated at too high fig
ure will be given an opportunity to lay
his complaint before the board. After
the first Monday in June no appeals
will be considered.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
Proposals Reach Berlin.

BERLIN. December %, via London
December 30 The Scandinavian
peace notes were presented today
to the foreign office in Berlin and
Vienna, the Swedish minister in Berlin
and the Swedish and Danish representa-
tives in, Vienna being the first to de-
liver the documents. The text agrees
with outlines telegraphed from the
Sea pdinayiao canitalS
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
When Taxes Are Payable.

Taxes under the new assessment will
not become due and payable before
May. 1918. In May of the coming year
the same taxes that were paid a year
ago will be due under the old assess
ment.
The assessment announced today is in
reality the last of the old triennial sys-
tenn and the first of the biennial. 1t
was begun nearly a year ago. under the
law of August IA, 1894. but in the
meantime Congress passed the law for
biennial assessments. The triennial as
sessment. under the old law, would
have been opened for examination on
under the new law it will be opened at
the same time as the first biennial as
sessment.
Under the new law the assessors
Office acquired five field men. and this
additional assistance greatly facilitated
the carrying out of the provisions of
the law According to Assessor Will
liam p. Richards. the business section
between the Capitol and 18th street
and B and I streets has never been
more exhaustively inspected for as
sessment purposes. Not only were 15
per cent of all the buildings in this sec
tion cubed and factored for valuation
purposes. but all sales of property in
this section made during the last six
or seven years were considered when
the assessment figures were being es-
tablished.
In the residential and other sections
buildings have been carefully examined
and sales and rents have been closely
canvassed and tabulated, so that the
Office has had a better guide in this
respect than in any previous assess
ment
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
Committee Meets Tuesday.

The committee is to meet Tuesday, he
said, when a hearing will be given on
the two measures advocated by the
President, one to make it unlawful for
strike or lockout to be ordered in
case of trouble between the employers
and the employees until after a thor
ough public investigation has been made
of the matters at issue, and the other
giving the President the power to op-
crate the roads under certain circum-
stances. Senator Newlands said that
the railroads and the brotherhoods had
been invited to send representatives
to be heard. but that he had not yet
been informed what witnesses would
appear.
There is strong opposition on the part
of some members of the committee to
the bill compelling an investigation be-
fore an organized strike can be called.
Senator Cummins of Iowa is one of those
who has expressed disapproval of such
a measure. and has questioned the con-
stiutionality of such an act, on the
ground that it might violate the consti-
tutional prohibition against involuntary
servitude. A number of the other sena-
tors have expressed similar ideas, and
today it was said that SO strong was
the opposition such a bill might never
be reported favorably from the commit
tee.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30

Land values apparently have remained
stationary in the suburban sections in
the last three years. and few changes
have been made. The principal in
creases were on corner sites in the busi-
ness section. Values in many old
buildings were reduced by the board.
Apartment houses throughout the
District. it is stated. have received spe-
cial attention as to condition, rental,
cost. etc. the gross rental of some 700
or 500 apartment houses having been
compiled. so that the office is able to
make a comparison by means of these
gross rentals
So far as the board has been able
they have made extra effort to euualize
and obsolescence in the various classes
of old structures; however. il is almost
impossible to cover this field with the
utmost thoroughness in the time al
lowed for assessments, and data in the
way of appeals is invited by the board
OF equalization and review: particularly
in Georgetown and the southwest sec
ton of the city has there been a special
effort in this direction. Most of the
buildings in those localities have been
reduced. but in some few cases raises
have been found necessary in order TO
establish proper equalization.
Altogether some 115,000 separate
pieces of real estate have been assessed
improved by approximately 10000 ,lif-
ferent structures. so that the board be-
Geves that "A proper examination OF the
present assessment and a full and clear
appeal will still further help to equalize
these vast numbers Of properties, and
IL is desired that the books be examined
as early in the appeal period as possible
and that the blanks supplied by the
assessors office filled out with full data
and explanation which will help equal
ize assessments with as much dispatch
and accuracy as possible.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
Statements Sent Abroad.

Secretary Lansing also refused to M
dicate whether he thought the Berlin
report might have arisen out of the
sending abroad for the information of
American diplomats of his two state
ments authorized the day the note was
published 1t is known that these
Statements were transmitted to the
American diplomats to acquaint them
fully with what had taken place here,
but that they were not instructed 70
present them to the various foreign
Offices
Secretary Lansing has been most em-
phatic ever since his two statements
were issued in saying that the Prest-
dents note was absolutely self-expian-
atory and required no 1urtner COM
rbenf He has stated also that no spe-
cfaT instrucrfons were sent the Amera-
can diplomats as to the manner of pre-
senefng the note. -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
Surprised at misunderstanding.

The American government. it became
known authoritatively today, believes
there are three principal points in it's
note to the belligerents. and is surprised
that they have not been more clearly
understood, particularly by the press
of the entente allies.
These points, taken in their order Of
viewpoint. are:
The fear that the position of neutral
nations be rendered altogether intol-
erable'' if the war continues:
The suggestion that arrangements be
made as a guarantee against similar
conflicts in the future;
The proposal that means be found for
comparing the concrete peace terms Of
both sides.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
Some Leaders Prefer Force.

Il have talked with many members of
the railroad brotherhoods and l am con-
WINGED that the great majority of them
are strongly in favor of the adoption of
some plan whereby questions arising be-
tween them and the railroads may be
settled peaceably. Some of the leaders
of brotherhoods. however. appear to
favor force the means of obtaining z
their desires. They seem to prefer to
hold over the heads of the railroads
the threat of a strike and the paralysis
of commerce in order to gain their ends,
which seem just to them"
Senator Newiands insisted that the
proposed law for an investigation into
differences between the railroads and
their employees before strike could
be called did not in any way violate
the constitutional prohibition of invol-
untary servitude- He pointed out that
il would not interfere in any way with
a mans quitting work. as an individual
II he desired to quit. 1t would. however.
prevent combinations or conspiracies to
tie up commerce and prevent the OPP
Grafton of the trains until "A thoroue h
investigation had been made by the
government and the public thoroughly
informed of the facts in the case. This,
he contended. was perfectly lawful
Senator Sherman of Illinois said to-
day that he did not look for "A strike
on the part of the railroad brother
hoods He said that public opinion
would not be with the strikers and tina I
a strike could not succeed under such
circumstances.
There used to be time when rail-
road heads believed they could control
the country, said Senator Sherman,
and now il seems that some of the
labor union leaders have the same
opinion. Let them try it, and they will
find out differently. would rather
see strike called than to see such a
humiliation of Congress and the execu-
tive as took place here last September -
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
Delivered in Paris.

PARIS, December 3o.-The Swedish.
Norwegian and Danish ministers de-
livered notes to the foreign Office last
night supporting the initiative taken
by President Wilson. The notes are
identical, and are couched in terms
even more platonic than the Swiss note.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
WEATHER.

Fair: continued cold tonight and to-
morrow; lowest temperature tonight,
about 16 degrees: gentle shifting winds.
Temperature for twenty-four hours
ending pm: Highest, 35. at 1880
pm. yesterday; lowest, 20, at am
today.
Full report on page 10.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
Strongly Urged by President.

The President has strongly recommend
ed such legislation, however, and if the
administration is determined to put it
through it seems likely that the Presi-
dent will be able to force the hand of the
Senate, as he has in the case of other
legislation which he desired. If the ad-
ministration is not determined in its ef
fort to obtain this legislation. which, by
the way. is strongly opposed by the rail-
road brotherhoods, then the measure may
die in committee.
Senator Underwood of Alabama has a
plan whereby the interstate commerce
commission would have jurisdiction in
fixing hours and wages of employees of
the roads, just as it now passes upon
rates charged for service. He is a
member of the committee on interstate
commerce and is expected to urge
strongly this plan upon the committee.
One remedy has been suggested by a
republican senator for threats to tie up
the commerce of the country by gen.
eral strikes, and that is to enact law
which would make it a crime to inter-
fere with trains in interstate commerce.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
Must Endure MISUNDERSTANDING.

Intimations that the misunderstand-
ing abroad, particularly in the public
mind, might be dIspelled by official
statements from here have met with
an unfavorable reception. 1t has been
said that no matter What the public
misunderstanding just at present. this
situation would eventually clear OF it,
self and must he suffered as part of tho
results of keeping the negotiations abb
solutely confidential
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-12-30
Thinks Plan Might Win.

Senator Newlands was the author of
a proposed amendment to the eight
hour law, when il was under considera-
ton in the Senate. making it a mis-
demeanor to obstruct interstate trains.
At that time about a dozen senators,
democrats and republicans. supported
his amendment.
81 do not regard the vote at that time
as a criterion of what the Senate might
do If another vote were taken on this
matter" said Senator Newlands. Con
gress at that time was intent upon one
thing, and that was to grant the railroad
employees an eight-hour day.
THE United States mails have been
protected by making il a misdemeanor
punished by fine or Imprisonment to
tamper with them. How much more
important il is to protect interstate
trains which carry food and necessa-
ries of life. where the mails carry only
information.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-12
RIFLE CLUB Is
QUITE ACTIVE
ADD NEW TARGET AND IMPROVE
THE RANGE WEST OF TOWN;
INTEREST IS KEEN.

If interest in the work of the~organi-
cation will make the Ottumwa Rine
club the best in the state. then 1t is
only question of time until the local
club is heard from. Since it's organiza-
ton some months ago, the club has
been growing and getting more active
ly interested in the work every day.
Having got the use of the guards
mems range west Of the city, the club
members have done much to improve
it and are still adding to the improve
ments with view to making 1t the
last word in aNrifle range. Scarcely
a day passes but there are some OF the
members on the range shooting to get
marking. A number have already
attained the rating of marksmen and
sharp shooter and more are striving
to qualify for these ratings.
A number Of the members in the
past week visited the range and al
most completely transformed it from
the old haphazard affair. into a more
modern target range The various dis
tances. 200. 300, 400 and 500 feet have
been measured and marked of. the
bunting at the range renewed and an
other target added making two now
for the use of the members. Posts
have been installed forthe marksmen
where they can rest their guns and
make better results in their practice
work.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-12
Stock Market

New York. Dec. n.-Moderate pre-.
sure sufficed to wipe out many "a .ne
early gains In today's stock MARI =,
steel recording an extreme decline y.
over a point with similar reversa's ~ -,
leading metals, equipments ano tn ,.,a"
,nrnnoinent utilities and speclaite &c.
rails were slightly more active. nus
mainly at impaired quotations. Tfaosn OIL
nroceeded with much caution ana con On
saouent curtailment Of operations. .ne
turnover OF the first two nouls ,rrsa,,s
relatiyelyslight. Prices hardened lT tS
iarIy before noon, Steel. Centrai ,sent
az and Ohio Gas leading the hes 1n.
ra,lv New minimums Tor ~.
french SIS and Paris SIS featufoo VIC
bond market. .,a GEM
New York, Dec. l1.-Prices We' !. At
.rallvs higher at today's OPENING, l az
SATURDAYS bank statement ano FOR
United states steel tonnage NJ .ss,nn-
November acting as speculative s. n.ann
lants. steel rose a substantial .,non
with gains of / to points IN An ITn,.aa
smelling. Anaconda Copper. ,d
states Rubber, international rApe 4
peat sugar. Ajax Rubber rose osea
.,nin+c 10 the new record Of 81 ano Sem
t p '.ather was in steady delhanu
aa;n,nr over points. The new sn mars
of Mercantile Marine were I tan.
Cd in with a 8 point advance ~ n,nved
tir Gulf and. West Indies. Rams lhu ,srs
narrowly and international bonus
heavy 24tf