davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
CONDITIONS IMPOSSIBLE
IN AMERICAN VIEW

Washington. Dec 27-The conditions
surrounding Count sCzernin'sproposal
for a basis of peace cause officials
here to feel some apprehension fo-
their sincerity. There is a disposition
to feel that the object of the German
plenipotentiaries is simply to protract
the negotiations as long as possible
without any expectation of an ilnme-
diate peace agreement with the double
purpose of leading the German people
to believe that their government real
~ is desirous of making peace.
and Of gaining time for the further
strengthening of the German lines in
the West
One condition remained impossible
for the present, at least, is that the
adherence of all the belligrents must
be secured to the peace the Germans
are trying to make with Russia be-
fore 1t can become effective. This IS
accompanied by a demand for the re-
turn Of the Gerrfan< colonies now In
the possession of Russia's allies
It can be stated authorflatfs ely that
the position Of the American govern
ment has not changed in any respect
with regard to It's determination to
enter into no agreement with gov
ernment which, does not represent the
free will of the governed people
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
800 GERMAN SOCIALISTS
HELD AS U-WAR ENEMIES

London, Dec. 27.-More than 400
members Of the German minority So
cialist party were arrested on Christ
mas eve by the German military at
thortties. according to a Zurich dis
patch given out today by the wireless
press.
The German minority socialists com
prise strong faction in the party
which refused to follow the lead OF
Philip Scheidemann and others in
their virtually unqualified support OF
the government.
Their leaders in the reichstnz, sucn
as Hugo Haase, have long been per-
sistent critics Of the government, de-
nouncing the program of unrestrct-
ed submarine warfare, various spha ses
of Germany's diplomatic policy and
the continuance OF the war for i'm
peralistic aims. Recent advices
through Washington have indicated q
pronounced growth in the popular
support OF the minority socialists
throughout Germany, the membership
OF this wing Of the party being rep
resented as expanding tremendously
at the expense OF the majority social
fst branch.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
ALL I RAJ F |C
To B ROUTED
SHORTEST WAY
This Change Will Be First
Effect of Government
Administration Today.
ALL FACILITIES
TO BE POOLED
Speedy Movement of Freight
Is the First Aim of Direc-
tor General McAdoo.
BY Associated Press.

Washington, Dec 27-Soon aftel
The American railroads go under gov,
eInment operation at noon tomorrow
Director General McAdoo will issue
his first official order eliminating com
petitive conditions, providing complete
pooling of traffic. equipment, terminal.
and trackage facilities and for the re-
tention of present officers and en-
ployees.
The Immediate result will be re-
routing traffic over the shortest lines
regardless of the company shipments
originate with. and common use OF
terminals to effect maximum eff
cheney.
The speedy movement of freight
viii be the first aim of the Directo.
General.
Railroad officials will retain direct
management of the roads ana the
railroad war board composed of five
railroad heads, will continue actual
operation under Director McAdoo's
supervision.
The interstate commerce commits
sion and other government and state
agencies which have to do with rail-
roads will continue to perform their
function under the new plan except
that they will be subject to order of
Lhe railroad director.
Although the plan of control is not
outlined in detail, it was the opinion
that the British system would be fol-
lowed closely except in the matter of
paving for government freight. In
England government freight is hand
led free and the guarantee earnings
require an enormous amount of money
from government funds. In the Unit
ed States the government will pay its
freight and will stand increases If
they are found necessary.
Railroad experts estimate that the
government plan to guarantee earn
ings equivalent to average net oper-
ating income of the last three years
will cost the government about
500, 900 next year, which can be
raised by increase in freight rates.
In addition to this cost, the recent de-
nand OF the railroads brotherhood for
a forty per cent advance in wages
calls for answer from the railroads
on or before December 81, and it is
expected that the railroads will leave
ment.
The presidents of many large lines
now receive salaries ranging from
$4,000 to $150,0o0 a year, and one of
the first acts of the director general
probably will be to cut these sharply.
Ten thousand dollars a year is being
discussed as maximum, although
there is no tendency to under estimate
their worth to the government in the
war emergency.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
Gouernaent Operation of
Railroads Boosts Stocks

advances were most pronounced in
shares which recently registered the
lowest records.
Standard rails, including trans con :
tinentals and coalers, made more mod
crate gains but in every quarter or the
list improvement extended from to 8
points
Much of the early advance was
effected at the expense Of a formidable
short interest. This faction rushed to
cover at the opening and was kept
busy throughout the active first hour.
Recessions of 2 to S points from
maximums and as much as 10 points
in one instance succeeded the first
feverish outburst of enthusiasm.
Later trading settled down to more
normal proportions, some stocks con-
tinuing to advance while others re-
flected further realizing for profits.
Sales of the first hour approximared
100000 shares. which is greater then
the toal Of some recent sessions.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
SHIP PROGRAM
FLAT FAILURE
B0WLES STATES
REAR ADMIRAL TELLS SENATE
INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
WOODEN SHIPBuILDiNG PLAN
is ALMOST WORTHLESS.
BY Associated Press.

Washington, Dec. 27-The wooden
shipbuliding program was pictured as
an almost complete failure today By
Rear Admiral F. a. Bowles, assistant
general manager Of the emergency
fleet corporation, testifying at the
senate commerce committees hearing
Of shipbliding
Admiral F. A. Bowles, construction
expert OF the shipping board was the
first witness to testify at today's ses-
sion Of the senate investigation OF
alleged delays in the boards shipbuild :,
ing program.
Three steel ships of $4,000 tons car
rying capacity have been launched,
Admiral Bowles told the committee,
since Saturday. One went into the
water at Seattle, one at New York,
and one at Camden, n. ].
The committee went .nto contracts
let by the fleet corporation for fabri-
Gated steel ships and appeared some
what disposed to criticize their terms
On the grounds that the profits were
to high. Questions brought from Ad-
miral BowleS that the American In
ternational corporation at Camden, N.
J. will profit s6,o00.000 on the con
struction of 120 steel vessels. The
government furnishes all the capital
and pays all bills. Asked what the
corporation furnishes, Adrimal Bowles
replied:
"They put up the know how and
the organization
If it becomes advisable for the gov
ernment to building and operate ships
after the war, the investment in fab
ricating yards, Admiral Bowles said,
will be found to have been a profit
able overture for the government.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
REPORT LOST
PLANE FOUND
AND RETURNED
uNCONFIRMED REPORT STATES
AIRPLANE MISSING SINCE WE'D
NEsDAY MORNING. FOUND WITH
SOLE OCCUPANT ALIVE.

Though no information had beer
received up to late hour last night
by the commandant at the air sta
ton, it was reported in Pensacola
that the -airplane which has beer
missing since nine o'clock Wednesday
morning, and its sole occupant. 6
young student named Grove, had
been found in the gulf and towed te
the navy yard.
According to this unconfirmed re-
port the pilot was alive but exhaust
ed as a result of being exposed and
without food for thirty-six hours. II
is understood that the machine was
not damaged. but the descent was
forced when the gasoline supply gave
out
Details of the accident could not
be obtained, as no one at the station
not even the watchers at the tower,
were aware that the machine was
lost, until some time after it disap-
peared. It is stated, however, that
Grove was completing the southeast
erly arc of what is known as the
northern course around Pensacola
bay. and that as he turned the nose
Of his machine southwestward to re-
turn to the station. he became en-
veloped in fog bank over Santa
Rosa Sound, and lost his direction be-
fore emerging.
If this was the case, the machine
probably went well into the gulf be-
fore the pilot realized his mistake,
and the low gasoline supply rendered
his return impossible.
As soon as the airplane was
missed squads of other planes were
sent out to search for it, speed boats
attached to re station joined in the
hunt, and number of local tug boats
and launches were employed to as
sist. After searching all day We'd
nesday no trace Of the plane could be
found, but the work continued yester-
day. without avail. until late last
night when the first report of sue
cess, though yet unconfirmed, was
brought to the city.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
MANY PROBLEMS
CONFRONT r. r. DIRECTOR

Washington. Dec. 27.-But the prob
lens whose solution must press close
on the heels of actual transportation
questions are equitable reimburse 1.
ment OF the roads for the use Of their
property on a basis of prewar earn
ings, increased wages for railroad en-
ployes. financing the necessary I'M
provements building additional lines
or facilities and the tangled priority
situation.
Before most OF these questions can
be- settled. special legislation will hc
necessary and to urge this, the Pres
ident Is preparing a message to de-
liver to Congress soon after It con-
venes after the holiday recess next
Thursday. The legislation is already
drafted.
Although the railroad war board.
after an all day executive session, is
sued no statements on government
operation The railway executives in
dicated privately that they are pleas
ed with the promised situation and
optimism reflected in the unusual rise
of railroad securities on the stock ex-
changes.
Several Republican Congressmen
expressed the fear that the task was
too big for the government to handle
effectively under war conditions.
The president discussed the labor
question under government operation
with four railway brotherhood heads,
who renewed their pledge of loyalty
10 the government administration. It
is understood that they received as
surance that most of the railway en-
playeswill not be .iable in the next or
even the second draft call by being
placed in second draft classification
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
MORE LIGHT Is
THROWN ON u. S.
WAR TROUBLES
QUARTERMASTER GENERAL
BLAMES LABOR AND MACHIN-
ERY FOR LACK OF PROPER
EQUIPMENT.
(By Associated Press.l }

Washington, Dec. 27.-Criticism of
the system of the war department,
and the council Of national defense
in securing clothing and other sup
plies for the army, was sharply re-
newed by members of the senate mil
itary committee during further exam
nations of Guartermaster General
Sharpe
General Sharpe said his approval of
contracts negotiated by the councils
supplies committee were prefunctory
and none were ever disapproved He
attributed the shortage of winter
clothing largely to labor troubles, lack
Of machinery and the decision to send
American soldiers to France earlier
than was originally planned.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
Germans and
Sluckers are
Behind Mexico?

Ell Paso, Dec. pa reliable
report received tonight states
that Mexican bandit raids into
the Big Bend district OF Texas
was inspired by Germans operaf-
ing south of the border in CON
junction with the American
draft evaders. Federal Officials
are investigating the reports.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
BRITISH AIRMAN TO
BE INSTRUCTOR HERE
New Orleans Burea v
The Pensacola journal

New Orleans, La, Dec. 27-Walk-
ing on two legs for the first time since
being brought down by a German air.
plane near the enemy lines several
months ago Lieutenant Colonel Edwin
Rees, of the English Royal Flying
Corps left New Orleans. Thursday
for the Pensacola aviation school
where he will be an Instructor
The British aviator who has been at
the st. Charles hotel for the past
week discharged his crutches We'd
nesday Lieutenant Colonel Rees, his
machine and two mechanics were
brought down in a fight over the bat
tie line. One mechanic was killed by
the fall and the other. severely injured.
was taken prisoner. Rees escaped
with a fractured leg and dislocated
shoulder
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
NEGROES IN THE U. 8.
OWN MUCH PROPERTY

New York, Dec 27.-Negroes in the
United States own approximately
twenty million acres Of land, wells
and other property valued at a BILL
lion dollars. according to Moorfeld
Story, president OF the National AS
ISOLATION Conference.
The war has given the Negro op-
portunity to fight for his country.
Storney continued. and the conduct
of the black man on the battlefield
viii prove OF great benefit to the race.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
FLORIDA BOY DEAD
AT CAMP WHEELER

Macon. Ga. Dec. cT.-George Mitch
ell, of Live Oak, Fla, died at Camp
Wheeler, of pneumonia today.
Two pneumonia deaths occurred
at Camp Gordon today. They We're
Priyates Walter Lee Mostellar, Of
Roanoke, Ala, and Fred Husch, Of
New York. There has been only five
deaths since the cantonment opened.
the authorities stated.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
UNIFORM SCANDAL
IN NEW YORK.

New York. Dec. 27--Louis Davidson,
proprietor of the Cloth Shrinking
and Refinishing Works here. were i'm
'prisoned tonight charged with en-
bezzling government property in Con-
nection with the disappearance of fifty
thousand dollars worth Of drab uni
form cloth. The conspiracy Is said
to involve at least two quarterma sters
department employees.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
AMERICAN CAVALRY
RETURN OVER BORDER

Maria, Texas, Dec. 27.-Pur-
suing the Mexican bandits who
raided the Brite: ranch Christ
mas morning, for a distance Of
ten miles into the Mexican
mountains, the American cavalry
troops recrossed. the Rio Grande
to American territory.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28

Buenos Aires, Dec. IDS
patches from Florianorolis, Bra
zil, say a large number of Ger
man censpirators have been ar
rested after the discovery Of q
plot to overthrow the local au-
thorities. All Germans were
armed.
L.yN M A:
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
SURVIVORS OF U-BOAT
ATTACK REACH u.

An Atlantic Port, Dec. 27.ASeven-
ty members of the crew Of the Greek
steamer Ioannina, recently sunk By
German submarine, arrived here
today aboard British vessel.
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28
Tax To Pave Bayshore
Road Carries 283-31
How the Precincts Voted

Unofficial
of
IN
Though several of the duly appointed
the Chamber
sured the opening
BY
The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-28

Generally fair Friday and Saturday
northwest portion; moderate north to
northwest winds.
Highest Temperature yesterday, ST de-
rrees, lowest, 20 degrees.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-07
ALI. THESE CHARGES TRUE.

According to StreatOr papers Strea-
tor is booming every louise is occu-
pied and the population is larger than
ever before. Dixon is booming, ev
cry factory is running and houses are
not obtainable Thirty new houses are
in course Of construction. Ottawa is
booming, II bank deposits are any cri-
terion. The school census shows a
slight decrease in the population.
all rentable properties are occupied
but building operations are at a stand
still The prospective builders com
plain that there is lumber trust, a
cement and brick trust, and that If
they build they must buy their ma
terial elsewhere and they do not want
to do this.
The Free Trader-Journal would like
to inquire of the Chamber of Com
merce whether these charges are true.
If they are not true and prices are
the same here as elsewhere then the
public should be SO advised II true,
what is the use of trying to boost
Ottawa in the face Of such handicap.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-07
REPUBLICAN TROOPS
STORM CHINESE CITY

Shanghai July 7-Chinese Republi-
can troops were reported today to
have won their first engagement with
the Imperial soldiers for the posses
sion Of Pekin
This was the fight at Lang Fang,
about 81 miles southeast of the cap
ital
Fears that Pekin may be looted if
fighting breaks out in the city, has
led to the belief in some quarters
that foreign troops win be sent to the
relief Of the capital as was the case in
the Boxer uprising.
Already small detachments Of ia
parese and American forces have
been sent from Tien Tsin to reinforce
the legation guards, but the railway
congestion is SO great that they have
had difficult time to make any prog
res
The King maker" General Chang
Hsun, is directing personally The
movements Of his army and has taken
possession of many miles of all the
railroads leaving Pekin.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-07
Changes in Service.

The strength Of the Illinois guard
Apri, /, after discharges of soldiers
with dependents and others had de-
pleted he ranks the adiutant general
reported was G,672 OF this number
2,55l were in states service and 1921
in federal service.
During April and May there was
gain of e,444, of which 4,979 was in
troops remaining in state service and
l,4G5 in the troops then in fedora,
service During June 3. 1917, more
recruits were added. 2,324 to the
troops in state service and S57 TO the
troops in federal service.
The war department announced to-
day that although the national guard
Of Illinois will be called July q, none
OF the national guard units viii be
drafted into the federal service until
Aug D. BY this plan the war depart
ment will obvate the difficulty of Civ
ing officers Of regiments called out on
July IL enior rank over officers called
cut later. II Is hoped to have full
equipment for every Illinois regiment
at the regimental headquarters by
July %.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-07
PUBLICATION NOTICE.

state Of Illinois, La Sale County. ss.
IN the County Court CT La Sallc Coun,
'ty In the matter Of Joe Purs0ng
and julia pursong, Dependency.
To Joe Pursong and to all whom it
may concern.
Take notice that on the Goth day Of
June, A. H. 1917, d petition was filed
by Mrs. Josephine Wagner in the
County Court Of La Salle County. held
al the Court House at Ottawa. to have
certain children named Joe and Julia
Pursong, declared dependent and TO
take from you the custody and guar
dianship OF said children.
Nov, unless YOU appear within
twenty (2O days after the date of this
notice and show cause against such
application the petition shall be taxi
en- for confessed and decree entered.
A. Il. BACH, Clerk.
Dated this It'll day OF July A. D.
1917.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-07
SQUARE CONSUMPTION.

The young manhood of America
registered willingly for the selectiye
draft. and now awaits the selection
with confidence that II will be, as
President Wilson has insisted it must
be, Just fearless and impartial"
1t will be difficult, Of course, to Sc
lect our new armies from the great
number of men registered without
making occasional mistakes. When
only one man is chosen out Of Is or
20. it will be hard to say in every case
that the choice was right and newt
able. There will be men selected who
believe they should not have beer,
and there. will be men rejected who
believe they ought to be taken, But
Of the honest intent that lies back Of
the CONSUMPTION, and the jealous eff
forts of the war department and the
conscription boards to give every
man squire deal, there will be no
question. And there is every reason
to believe that in the application Of
the Just rules laid down the officers
now undertaking to sift l0.000,000 men
for the halfmillion best fitted for
fighting will do their work with as
much efficiency as honesty Of pur-
pose.
This is very different business
from the civil war draft Old men still
remember with bitterness the injus-
tice and Partially Of those days. The
draft was not applied uniformly. II
was permissible to hire substitutes.
Money or influence gained immunity
for great numbers Of citizens while
their humber fellows were forced in
to the army. Today money. influence,
social or official position, counts for
nothing. No man will be immune UNI
less he Is demonstrably unfit for the
army, or can render the nation better
service where he u.s. Rich and poor,
high and low, will march side by side.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-07
A "BONE DRY" ARMY,

Regardless Of the fate of national
prohibition measures, one thing IL
sure, The United States army is 80
ing to be bone dry" II is dryer to.
day than il has ever been in our his.
tory 1t is dry in law and in fact.
The liquor clause is the conscrip-
ton bill has been interpreted by the
attorney general as making ii INLAY
full to sell or giyey any sort Of intoxi-
eating drink to any soldier in uniform,
This ruling may seem to leave loop
hole for the occasional indulgence Of
troops when Off duty But it must be
remembered that most Of the canton.
ments have been strategically placed
in dry territory, SO that in their hours
OF leisure the soldier boys win not
meet with temptation Besides, as
the Atlanta Constitution sagely re
marks, The occasions when soldier
will be found in civilian Tarb viii
probably be exceedingly rare for many
months 70 come
This is as il should be- 1t is nj.
most universally recognized today
that alcohol has no legitimate place in
an army. 1t may have It's occasional
useses at the front, under the stress
of intolerable hardship and peril.
tho that is debatable matter II has
no place whatever in military train.
ing camps The nation is TIC be con
grtnlated on the firm ana wise stand
taken by the government.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-07

nual bonuses of the industrial and
mercantile life of the land They are
given their working clothes ard
lunches in addition to their salary
Japanese women typists are nuner.
Gus and are said to be the best paid
Of women workers in any Of these new
occupations.
In professional fields, Japanese wo
men are doing well as journalists, az
lists, noyelists, musicians aud 'each
ors. Many women teachers are EN-
plOyed in the government schools and
colleges, which IL indeed Nigh hon.
or
They are interested in the govern
ment affairs, although they take no ac.
tive part as yet.
It's rather d surprise to find the
women of any oriental country cngag,
cd In professional and industrial
work as excessively and successfully
as our own women The wesiorcn wo
man must step lively II she Wishes 70
lead the women Of the world in at
tanning economic and social mao,
pendence.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-07
WOMEN WORKERS IN JAPAN.

Japanese women are not a bit be.
hind their western sisters IN entering
fields of work hitherto open only to
men A Japanese paper recently did
little investigating and figuring and
found that the women Of the country
are now employed in "a different kinds
OF work formerly done by men only.
Japanese women are doing railroad
work as cashiers, bookkeepers and
ticket sellers. -Four thousand OF them
are employed by the Imperial halfway
Bureau Women are doing extremely
hard work in the Imperial Arsoral
Many banks employ them Although
The women are not paid SO wen an the
men. stlll they share III the scmian.