davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
SAYS BURLESON
HAS OPPRESSED
POSTAL CLERKS
Thomas F. Flaherty Blames
Head of Department for
Shattered Morak.,"
BY CHARLES JARVIS.

In refutation OF charges made in
Postmaster General Burleson's re-
port to Congress that the organiza-
tions Of postal employees are n men
ace to public welfare and should be no
longer condoned," Secretary Thomas
F. Flaherty. of the National Fedora
ton OF Postal Employees, declared
here yesterday that the Postmaster
General is attempting to hold the
employees up to public scorn in order
to cover up his administrative short
comings.
Mr.. Burleson states a. strike
among the postal employees is in
evitable, and that threats to strike
have been made" said Flaherty. 81
challenge him to name the instance
when such threats were made. He
cannot point to any group Of his EN-
ployes who have threatened to strike
neither can he name an accredited or
ganization representative who has
even remotely suggested it.
Calls BurIeson Autocratic.'
"By alluding to the postal employees
as potential revolutionists he is seek
ing to discredit them and east odium
upon their present agitation for a
badly needed wage increase. II the
postal employees were not strike
proof they would long ago have re-
sented the repeated invasion OF their
rights by, Burleson In his autocratic
disregard of the existence Of hu-
man element in the service"
In his report Mr.. Burleson deplores
as dangerous the tendency Of the pos
tai employees to affiliate with the
American Federation Of Labor OF this
Mr.. Flaherty says: "If affiliation with
the American Federation OF Labor is
the menace that Mr.. Burleson pic
lures, then he is largely responsible
for this menace. 1t is a significant
fact that more postal employees have
joined the American Federation of
Labor in the past year OF Mr.. Burle-
sons administration than in all the
preceding years Since Benjamin
Franklin established our postal SER
vice 142 years ago.
City carriers, railway mail clerks.
postoffice clerks and even rural car
riers are clamoring to join the labor
movement. And why? Because they
realize-after four and a half years
of a Burlesonized service-that they
must have some strong influence to
offset the repeated encroachments
upon their rights as citizens and wage
earners. He views the service as a
money-grubbing institution and the
CONFINED ON PAGE FIFTEEN.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
Leak To germany
FOUND IN ARREST
News Sent Through Holland by Sec.
retary of League.
pedal to The wasaington Herald.

Special to The washington Herald.
New York. Dec. THAT reports
upon economic and military conditions
in this country have been going from
New York to Gen. Won >Mackensen
ever since the United States declared
war against Germany. was one of tho
startling discoveries made by head
quarters detectives and government
Secret Service agents today. following
the arrest yesterday of Otto Julius
Merkel. self-styled secretary OF the
German University League. Mcrkel
was arrested in the public library and
sent to Ellis Island for internment.
Another sensational fact alleged to
have heen revealed by the mass Of
correspondence and private papers
seized at the office OF the German
University League. No. 22J Fifth
avenue, was the definite intimation in
copies Of Merkel's letters that a mill
tary organization OF Germans for
defense" throughout the country was
in process of formation.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
AMERICAN AIRMEN
Victims OF RAID
Casualties Reported by Gen. Per
shing TO Department.

The first American casualties in the
air since war was declared were ar,-
nounced by the War Department yes
terday afternoon.
Private Edward P. Ebsen was
severely wounded and Corporal Wa.
ter A. Warren was slightly hurt.
The casualties were reported by
Gen. Pershing. commanding the
American expeditionary force. Al
though the report was not definite on
the subject, it is believed at .the War
Department that the men wei,
wounded by a stray shell or in a Ger
man air raid, rather than in actual
flight.
Ebsens next of him is his father,
George H. Ebser. OF Buffalo. Mo.
warren's sister. Mrs. Ida Smith, re-
sid<s at S03 Smith street. Dublin. Ga.
Five deaths of American soldiers
in France arc noted in a report re-
ceivSd late last nigh: from Gen. Per-
shing. They are:
Adolph Biedzycki. private Engi-
neers. November o: heart failure;
brother, Eddie Biedzycki, 1856 Monna
avenue, East Chicago, Ind.
Paul Lindley. private, Engineers:
December 4, measles complicated with
acute pneumonia; mother, Mrs. +.
c. Lindley. Addy. Wash.
Charles c. McNott. mechanic field
artillery: December 4, rupture
spleen traumGtic intro abdominal
hemorrhase; uncle. Harry Beales
Casper. wyo.
William S. Matthews. private
stevedore regiment; December 4,
fracture of skull; mother. Mrs. Nina
Matthews, 1880 Riggs avenue, Balti-
more.
Abner L. Clark. private, infantry:
December (no cause given)
mother, Mrs. H. d. Clark, Park
street, Easthampton. Mass.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
SAW MRS. KING
TAKEOWNLI LIFE,
MEANS SWEARS
Accused Man Recites De.
tails of Woman's
Death.

Concord, y. c., Dec. T.-Unanfected
and without a trace of emotion, Gas
ton B. Means today told his story OF
the death of Mrs. Maude A. King.
the woman he is accused of murder
ing. Then the storm broke. When
Assistant District Attorney John T.
Dooling, Of New York. began his
cross-examination, Attorney Cansler
for the defense Immediately opened a
strenuous objection to the manner of
cross-examination. Dooling objected
to the manner of answer from the
witness and a general hubbub follow
ed. The climax came just before ad-
journment when Dooling was inquir-
ing of Means about a safety deposit
box he had rented some few months
ago. The defendant claimed that he
failed to remember.
Don't you know that you got a
dunning letter from them a little
while ago."
IF I did you stole It," shouted the
defendant dehantIy.
Means Counsel Apologies.
Dooling Immediately appealed to
the court. Cansler conceded that
his client should not have made the
remark and apoIogized. Solicitor
Clement demanded that il there was
any apology it should come from
the defendant.
Judge Cline sat calmly through
the storm and then dictated a note
into the records on the truth that
all men make mistakes" in which
he gently reprimanded Dooling for
the manner of question and as
gently reprimanded the defendant
for his answer. The defendant then
apologized to the court. made an
eloquent apology to the jury. in
cluding Solicitor Clement and for
CONTINUED on PAGE TWO.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08

British Strengthen Lines.
This effort will be Germanys final
and supreme bid for a military deci-
sion over her foes. observers predict
Further. it is declared that the British
command. cognlzant of the enemy's
prodigious preparations. ordered the
withdrawal of Gen. Byng's line before
Cambria for the sole purpose of giving
him a better position from which to
meet the coming blow.
Coincident with these rumors and
speculations come reports that Hais
Is making ready for a renewal of his
great drive in Flanders for the pur-
pose OF forcing a general retreat of
the enemy before the beginning OF
The spring campaign. 1t is an accepted
fact that the battle in the west will
continue throughout the winter months
with little dimunition. although it will
be impossible for the British to con-
duct any EXTENSIVE operations in
Flanders until the ground has frozen
sufficiently to permit of the free move
ment OF heavy artillery.
On the Verdun front today the
Crown Prince made two powerful
attempts to pierce the French trench
lines, in the regions Of Bezonvaux
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
Death Toll Remains at 1000 as Burials
Are Hurried to Avoid Pestilence,
While Fire Sweeps the City.
SCORES NOT ACCOUNTED FOR
American Bluejackets Help Patrol Stricken
City-Mercy Workers Hampered by
Snowstorm, Which Aids Firemen.

Halifax Nova Scotia, Dec. (Saturday)-A all h.
mosues early this morning showed that thus far leeo dead have
been eIheated from the ruins. Hundreds still buried
regarded certain that the total death toll exceeds marx
with approximately 5000 injured.
As night fell Halifax rent sunder yesterday by the blast that
followed the collision between Belgian food ship and floating
sena resenbed huge battlefield after the carnage
Samarhans have set to work.
They have been busy than thirty hour, now terrible
the havoc wrought BY the 1000 Of explosives that
the harbo and city, fghu the misery and suffering caused
to Thousands, that real relief is just beginning
STORM TEMPERS DISASTER.
Over the northern of the city the sky still red sru
beautiful rehef with the heaVensn blanket below. But all
danger of the flames spreading thanks largely the
storm.
Two thousand stI conservative estimate of the death toll
The actual figure may exceed Hundreds still for
Into the eadn atmosphere of grief and suffering all day
long like Of sunshine proofs of the sympathy of whole
from every of Canada and the United States
Trains poured into the bringing loads of goods
medicines blankets and supplies Going back they took nearby
and villages hundreds of wounded
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
Fifty Charred Bodies
Piled Like Cordwood

St Johns. New Brunswick, Dec. u
Some Of the horrors of the Halifax
disaster were described by =. B. FriE-
zell upon his return from the stricken
city. He told of seeing fifty charred
bodies piled like cordwood on the
Campbell road
From Halifax to Needhsm. he said.
be counted l5S bodies scattered In
fields.
He saw two women. walking along
railroad track, one leading a little
child and the other carrying the head
less body OF an infant
AS our train proceeded" said Mr..
FrizZell, lit Was met by continuous
stream Of men. women snd children.
terrified and benumbed crying out
for assistance. We took aboard If
teen in all, one of whom, a little boy.
had lost his legs.
In Halifax I saw men going about
crying for water. and women scream
ing for help. ST. JOseph's Church had
been destroyed and 200 school children
killed in Richmond School,
r. G. March WAS among the pas
sengers on the Halifax express which
left here on Wednesday night and
escaped being destroyed on account OF
a delay OF about ten minutes. AS soon
as the train arrived all the passengers
Immediately started to do relief work.
The sights" he said. were most
heart-rending and appalling. In one
case a mother was standing in the
street calling for help. which could
not be had. to save her husband and
four children, who were imprisoned
and in their burning home. In another
instance ] saw four dead bodies in one
room piled on top Of One another by
the force OF the explosion
''One singular instance l witnessed
when ] entered the caboOse Of
freight train standing on a side
track near the scene of the disaster.
was horrifed at receiving no reply
from a brakeman who was sitting on
a chair, apparently in the act OF
smoking a cigarette which was held
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
BIG OFFENSIVE
ON WEST FRONT
IS TEUT0N aim
Scene Of Fighting to Be
Shifted from East by
the Huns.
By FRANK w. GETTY,
Special cable to The Warrington
Herald and New York Tribune.


London, Dec. There is reason
and good reason to expect a big Ger
man offensive in the Vest this
British. the French or the Italians
and it is not inconceivable that it may
be launched against all three.
Today Germans began a ten-day
armistice with the Russians and Ru-
Baltic to the Black Sea. During ths
longer period, II Germany so desires,
the central powers will not need to
employ any active fighting forces
enemy. and she will be able to move
her lis divisions still on that front at
will
approximately 100000 men at his
disposal. For enemy divisions on the
East front average only about 5000
men and the Russian front has been
used as a sort of a rest camp for
battle-weary troops. battered by the
British and French on the Western
front.
Germany Pushes War.
Germany Is rushing the wsr. She
Is hattiipg against an opponent whose
strength Is growing with every round
and who in the course of time Will
inevitably be the stronger.
Therefore. Germany's only hope lies
in the much discussed knockout
blow" only this time Germany is the
one trying 10 deliver the blow. BY
spring Americas weight will be felt
on the fields of France and by fall
the allies will be definitely stronger,
provided. of course. no other ally fol-
lows Russia's example and goes den
niteIy out OF the war
Time, as Lloyd George said, is on
our side. Therefore Germany, whom
no one will accuse of being blind or
even near-siShtcd, when it comes TO
such matters. will certainly make
really big effort to take time by the
forelock and bring things TO an end
before America full weight is thrown
into the balance against her.
Expect New Offensive.
So, instead of winter inactivity,
rest and preparation. II looks today
as though the allies are in for a
strenuous time in the near future.
A German offensive may come
against the British salients either
CONFINED ON FACE FIFTEEN.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08

and Beaumont, but both attacks fail
ed. according to the Paris commu-
nique. In the region Of Rheims and
the Rhone-Rhine canal artillery ac-
tivity was marked.
The third day of fighting in the
tremendous battle on the Asisgo pla-
teau brought the Austro-German drive
to a temporary halt. though their
desperate defensive efforts cost the
Italians the loss of 1000 men pris-
oners. The struggle is continuing
without interruption along the re-
stricted mountain front in the seven
communies. Field Marshal Conrad:s
troops. according to the Rome war
office. have been unable to extend
their gains beyond the Sisemol- Me-
letta- a-Badinecchi line attained yester-
day.
Huns Storm Monte SisemoI.
Today's German official statement,
besides claiming captures which bring
their total bag of prisoners for the
three days up to 1900. reports the
storming of Monte Sisemol, the last
stronghold which the Italians reached
in readjusting their defense line. The
CONFINED ON PAGE FIFTEEN.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
BRITISH TROOPS READY
FOR FINAL HUN DRIVE
Hindenburg Expected to Make Last Desperate
Assault on Western Front; Italians Lose
1900 Prisoners in Their Retreat
special Cable to The washin

Special washinstOn
London Dec 7-Foowng the retirement of Gen. Bns troops
from the northern of the Cambria salient has distinct
u the fighting that region The British commander reports today
that infantry the last tentou hours has been confined
patrol encounters which the British took prisoners.
EXPECT NEW MASSED ATTACK
The Berlin office makes mention of any fighting activity
n this important
Unofficial dispatches from the British 'front.' however,. reflect the
opinion that Hndenbus preparing with every his
mand for the greatest stroke delivered against the allies the
Western front.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
STORM TEMPERS DISASTER.
BuriaIs by WboIeSaIe.

Burials by Wholesale.
With the staggering death toll. the
greatest fear OF the authorities is that
Of pestilence. Wholesale buriaIs hsvS
begun. Salvage corps. working amid
1.-THE wrcckage, bent every effort TO ex-
tncate the dead The snoWstorm
added ominously 10 the pail that
hangs over this ruined city. II made
relief work doubly hard
OF the property damage no estimate
can yet be ventured, so great is the
havoc.
The government has instituted q
thorough investigation into the cause
OF the disaster. The harbor and city
are virtually under martial law, the
military being in charge OF the Te-
construction and relief work.
American bluejackets took a lead
inE part in the work OF mercy. They
are from the crew OF an American
warship lying in the harbor.
Three men were appointed by the
Canadian government TO conduct an
Official inquiry into the deaths and
injuries Of the 500 victims or the ex-
plosion tragedy. according TO a late
message from Ottawa. The commit
tee is composed OF one Judge, one
naval expert and one mercantile eN-
pert. Justice Drysdale, the only ad-
miralty judge in Nova Scotia, has
been named to head the commission.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
HALIFAX DEATH LIST MOUNTS ---H0RRIFY YING DETAILS
President Wilson Signs Declaration OF War on Austi
President Sends Message
OF Sympathy to Canada

Americas people President Wilson Yesterday
stricken people of Halifax
brought disaster of Thursday
telegram Canada, he saidt
HaIfax Of
brethren DeHncn their
bonds
the devotion the duties
naton tence.,
aster Canadian
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
TRAFFIC BOSS"
MAY Be NAMED
BY PRESIDENT
Rail and Water Lines to Be
Under One Head,
Is Report.

With the railroad operators ob-
viously drawing together for stub
born resistance to government con-
troll. and members Of Congress only
awaiting the hint from President Will
son as to what TO do. there was a
well-based rumor last night that out
OF the whole muddle would evolve a
transportation board co-ordinating all
the possible systems OF the country
for war eXpediency. Such a board
would organize and operate:
!. Railroads Of aI systems under pri-
ority regulations that would move
the most essential war supplies first.
.. Waterways throughout the coun-
try with millions of available tonnage
to supplement the faster travel; with
elimination Of the competition with
the railways for the period of the war.
3. Highways. running principally
from the West to the East through
the great manufacturing and supply
districts and the employment OF
the thousands of motor trucks almost
instantly available; roads to be put
in good condition by simple. practi-
cable methods.
Traffic "DIctator."
This plan would provide a trans
portation dictator" The country
already has its "dictators" for some
Of the large problems-Hoover for
food; Hurley for ships: Garfield for
fuel: McAdoo for finance and the
other experts Of the American War
Council, as nominal dictators of their
various departments. In the coun-
Gil is Deniel Willard. transportation
chief. But he has nothing to do with
anything but railways. There was
CONFINED ON PAGE FIFTEEN.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
Fl Survivors of Lost
Actaeon Reach Madrid

Madrid. Dec. 7.-Twenty-one surviv-
ors of the American steamer AGtaeon.
which was torpcdoed and sunk on
November 25. have arrived here. They
suffered severely from exposure.
This dispatch probably refers to SUI.
viyors reported November q to have
landed at Cape F'inisterre. Sixty-three
others. in three boats, !. were reported
missing.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
Meyer London, Socialist, Only Member
of Congress Voting ''No"-Miss
Rankin Supports Bill.
LA TOILETTE QUITS CHAMBER
Senator Says He Would Have Opposed Meas
ure; Wanted Amendment Guarantee
ing No Dismemberment

America last formally and actually at war with Austria
gary President Wilson last signed the declaration that
mae waived and opposition virtually erased had been adopted by
the Senate and House of Representatives less than four hours The
declaration dates from SOB when the President affixed
and from that hour all the of the country pledged
to push the to a successful conclusion.
NEW YORK SOCIALIST VOTES mo"
Only raised against the declaration either branch
of Congress- being that of Meyer London. the New York Socialist
He voted no against the by 365 other members of
House. In the Senate raised against the sevenyour
mav Senator Laoee did being the Senate
chamber
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08
.R0UMANIA MAKES
TRUCE With HUNS
Signs Ten-Day Armistice-Peace
Promises and Food Win Russians.

London. Dec. 7.-obeying the COM
mand Of self-preservation. Rumania
has officially Joined In the armistice
agreement between Russia and the
central powers. A ten-day truce on
the whole front from the Baltic to
the Black Sea went into effect at noon
today.
Not a word Is said in the formal
agreement regarding the transfer OF
German troops from the eastern to
ether fronts. &
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08

nosriNUEp ON PAGE TWO.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08

Confined on PAGE FIFTEEN.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-08

Delivered to your home
for. 30 cents a month.
The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1917-12-06
COAST ARTILLERY
ASKS FOR MEN

The Coast Artillery Companies Of
Oregon are appealing Tor men to bring
them to full war strength. 18th Co.
needs II additional recruits. The fol-
lowing appeal from the Office of Adju-
tant General Williams has been sent to
the Glacier:
The Oregon Coast Artillery needs l3l
recruits to bring it up to full war
strength, and it needs them right away.
Here is a chance for patriotic young
Oregon men to enlist in one OF the
most attractive branches of the army
service, the heavy atillery, before the
ban goes on voluntary enlistments by
men of draft age on December 10.
On and after that date no man Of
draft age will be permitted to volun-
teer in the Army, and he may volunteer
in the Navy or Marine Corps only when
he has certificate from the chairman
of his local board that he is SO far
down the list he will not come within
the current draft quota.
The Oregon Coast Artillery, in conn
mand of Colonel c. &. Hammond, of
Eugene, is one of the crack heavy ar
tillery organizations in the United
States. II is now in training in the
forts at the mouth of the Columbia
river.
Col. Hammond hopes that every town
in the state having company in the
Coast Artillery will make it a point of
honor to see that its company is filled
up before December Is. And he hopes
that othr towns will do their part.
The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1917-12-06
CASCADE LOUHS.

A son was born to Mr.. and Mrs. /.
M. Remick "a hours late for Thanks
giving.
Thanksgiving dinners were quietly
eaten by the people of the Locks. In
the evening fineIprogrsm was given
by the Sunday school at the M. E.
church.
Rev. T. W. Atkinson preached a
Thanksgiving sermon Sunday morning
atthe M. E. church.
James Henderson has been appointed
postmaster to succeed A. O. Adams,
who resigned last August. Mr.. Adams
has held the Office IA years and will be
glad to be relieved.
R. s. Shelley and family have moved
to Portland.
The dwelling house occupied by L.
P. Day and known as the old hospital
burned to the ground Thursday night.
Mr.. Day saved nearly all his furniture.
Attorney Baker and Sheriff Johnson
were callers last week.
The Lox Trading Co. has sold out to
the Wind River Lumber Co. We un.
derstand Mr.. and Mrs. Wait, who have
been managers of the store, will oc.
cupy their house on the hill.
Mrs. Eva Anders is quite i'll at the
hospital in Stevenson.
Rev. Eugene Burr and family left
for Jefferson, Ore., Monday. We are
sorry to lose them from our commun.
ity.
Mr.. and Mrs. d. w. Chamberlain
took Thanksgiving dinner with Mr.. and
Mrs. j. F. Joyce.
The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1917-12-06
H. N. williamson Passes

E. l.. Smith, for many years presi.
dent of the Oregon State Horticultural
Society, expressed deep regret on hear
ing of the death of H. M. Williamson,
of Portland, the horticultural Socie-
ty's secretary for many years. Mr..
Williamson. who died in Portland Thurs
day. was a Hood River visitor just a
year ago, having come here to attend
the annual meeting of the horticultural
society. Mr.. Smith sent telegram Of
his sympathy to Mrs. Williamson.
Mr.. Williamson for nearly Is years
edited the Rural Northwest, publica-
tion devoted to agriculture and horti.
culture, Portland being the home of the
journal. Of recent years Mr.. William
son has devoted his attention more par
ticularly to horticulture, doing much
writing on this subject and being rec
ognized as an authority.
Minneapolis was Mr.. Williamson's s
birthplace. He was born there in 1851.
In the early 7Os he was graduated with
the first class sent out from the Uni
versity of Minnesota. For about two
years he practiced law in Minneapolis.
He then moved to Flandrau, s. d..
where he edited newspaper until he
came to Portland in 1891.