davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
No Claim to Confiscation.
New Envoy Presents Credentials.

Rafael H. Elzalde presented to Secre-
tary Lansing of the State Department to-
day his credentials as minister from Ec-
uador. Minister Elizalde. who formerly
was minister of foreign affairs in Ecua-
dor. succeeded Gonzalo s Cordoba as
minister here.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
HOUSE INSISTS ON
J PER CENT RAISE
Sends District Bill to Confer
ence After Practically Re-
jecting Smoot Plan.
TO CHANGE SPEED LAW

The District bill WAS sent to confer
ence by the House today after what
amounted practically to instructions 10
throw out the Smoot amendment ana
to insert in its place the provision LOT
a horizontal increase in pay for en-
ployes similar to that contained IN the
Legislative appropriation bill.
This means that the House evidently
intends to remain firm on the so-called
) and 10 per cent raise. providing a
horizontal increase for District OF Co
lumbia employees of 10 per cent on sal
aries up to $1,000 and per cent on
salaries between $1,000 and S1,soo
1t will he recalled that the , and
10 per cent paragraph was not placed
in the Districst bill because of miX-up
in which the District appropriation sub
and the rules committee anu
an organization Of District employees
were involved.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
Battleship Under Special Orders.

four-month stay in these waters tho
United States battleship Illinois sud
denly left here Saturday under special
orders.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
Chicago Exchanges Closed.

CHICAGO. February 1.-THE Chicago
Board of Trade and other leading grain
exchanges of the United States were
closed today on account of Lincoln's
birthday
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
Act Sets Fixed Rule.

AS explained by Representative Miller
on the floor. the speed of automobiles
in the District is now regulated by an
act of Congress, which does not allow
the Commissioners to make any kind
of changes to meet any kind of traffic
problem. The Miller amendment allows
the Commissioners to set a low speed
for congested districts and a higher
speed for tho. more open highways. He
declared that it was written after con-
sulting the Commissioners of the Dis
tFict. and is the same proposal which he
put up to the District committee of the
House several months ago.
All the other Senats amendments
We're disagreed to.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
Berlin IS SOUNDING
j. S.PUBL|C OPINION
Will Make No Formal Pro-
posaIs Until Certain of
Their Reception.
PRESIDENT STANDING PAT

Comment among callers at the White
House today served to bring out the I'M
preston that no proposal for confer
ence with the United States will be for
mally made by Germany until it has been
ascertained in Berlin what might be its
probable reception. not only in Washing
ton. but throughout the country
In any event. there is certainly strong
reason for the belief that it would be
useless for Germany or her new diplo-
matte representatives here to make such
proposal unless it We're accompanied
in the first instance. by an indication that
Germany does not intend to pursue her
threat of ruthless submarine warfare
against Americans and American ships.
Secretary Defines U. S. Position. ,
Some very curious things are going
on. on the surface, in regard TO the
German situation. Under the surface
there is nothing unusual transporting.
certainly nothing difficult for the aver
age newspaper reader to understand.
Secretary Lansing of the State Depart
ment made the last authoritative public
announcement of the position of the
United States government in regard to
Germany saturday night at the banquet
Of the Amherst College alumni at the
New willard Hotel. when he said that
the destiny of the nation is safe in the
hands of President Wilson. but added
that the national honor, too, is safe.
also. when he said that the desire of
the Washington government is to keep
out of war, qualifying that statement.
too, with the declaration that the gov
eminent will keep out of war. if il can
do SO with honor: also, when he said
that the President will act justly and
deliberately. but. he said. ''fearlessly.
Just how far German propaganda
movements are going to add to the bur-
dens at this time of President Wilson
and the people of the country as a
whole becomes an interesting problem
The people of the country know by this
time that the President will surely re-
frain from an appeal to Congress for
war powers unless Germanys acts as
sumo the most fragrant character.
| They know. Whine House callers say.
that technical violations of neutral
rights will not force the President TO
appeal to Congress for war powers.
! They know that the temper of Congress
is against extreme measures of an
tagoniSm against Germany, and that
only a fragrant attack on American
rights nd sovereignty could convince
| the President and the people of the
| country as whole that the end had
come.
In this situation. proposals for con-
| ferences-when there is actually moth
! ing upon which to confer-are looked
upon obviously.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
Two Successful French Raids.

PARIS, February L. tnoonD.-The war
Office reports that two successful raids
were made last night. one on the Yer
dun front. in the neighborhood of Hin
3O4. and the other in the Argonne. Pa
trolls were active in the Champagne and
Argonue.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
REVENUE BILL MADE
READY FOR SENATE
Measure as Approved by DEM
ocratic Caucus Perfected
in Committee.
"OLE0" TAX TO BE FOUGHT

The revenue bill. as agreed upon by
the democratic caucus of the Senate
will be laid before the full finance
committee either this afternoon or to-
morrow morning.
Senator Simmons. chairman of the
committee. said today that he hoped TO
report the bill from the committee to-
night or tomorrow. The republicans
will be given two or three days to eN-
anime the measure. and then Senator
Simmons will ask that the bill be taken
up for consideration and passed as
speedily as possible.
While it is not expected that the
republicans will tlibuster against the
bill. they will desire to discuss 1t IN de-
tail, it is understood.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
U-BOAT RETURNED
TO SHELL MANITOBA
Only American Aboard Sunken
Steamer Tells of Harrow
ing Experience.
BRITISH SHIP TO RESCUE

Ry tho Associated Press.
LONDON, February J., $50 pm
Earl NJ. Rice of Portland, Ore, ships
surgeon OF the Manitoba, and the only
American on board her. was among the
survivors of the torpedoed steamer who
arrived in London yesterday afternoon.
He gave the Associated Press the fol-
lowing account of the sinking:
THE first We knew was the sound
of violent explosion which shook the
ship from end to end at lao pm. on
Thursday. The sea was fairly rough.
but the ship maintained an even keel
and excellent order was preserved Capt
Chavas Immediately ordered the boats
launched.
Seven Lascars were killed by the ex-
plosion The remainder of those on
board We're unhurt. Everybody got safe
ly into the boats with the exception of
the captain, the chief engineer and the
wireless operator. who were TO follow
us later
No Sign of Submarine.
Nobody had vet seen the submarine.
and everybody in the boats was peerins
into the haze in vain effort to catch
a glimpse of the teli-tale periscope. An
captain, the engineer and the wireless
man got the wireless working. and began
sending out 5. o. s. calls, giving details
OF the position.
The reply came almost instantly, but
from an unexpected quarter. The sub
marine, which evidently was lying of IN
the haze two miles or so away. picked up
the wireless and began Shelling the Man
lola from four thousand yards distance.
meanwhile approaching at fun speed. so
OF the shells were loaded with shrapnei.
which burst about the Manitoba ana
around the lifeboats- The latter mad re
turned close to the Manitoba. but the
sailors now put all their muscle into the
oars to increase their distance from the
submarines target. Fortunately nobody
was hurt by the shells. although every
body was badly frightened.
Fired Forty-Seven Shells.
by this time the submarine was plain
" visible TO everybody, her guns emitting
angry little flashes as they sent their
missiles toward the Manitoba. A cool
headed passenger on my boat took out
pocket notebook and carefully marked
down cross every time the submarine
fired. His record shows that fortyseven
shells were fired.
.'The submarine was within 200 or 300
Yards of the Manitoba when an unidenti-
fed vessel began to loom up on the haZy
horizon The submarines commander
decided that discretion the better
part of vaior. closed his matches quickly.
submerged and disappeared. TO the I'M
speakable relief of all. The new ar
rival proved to be British sloop. which
gradually picked up the survivors
I'VE were in our boat about six hours.
The Manitoba sank in the evening"
The survivors who reached London
showed plainly the effects of their eX-
periences in their pale. nervous, worn
appearance. The 100 Iascars of the
crew still chung. without exception. TO
their lifebelts and various nautical para
phernalia which made them odd
spectacle in the busy metropolitan sta
ton. Most of the survivors were I'M
willing to talk, displaying a disinclina
ton to let their minds go back to the
narrowing experieuce
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
Twenty Persons Killed.

Discussing the grade crossing and its
effect upon traffic, Mr.. Brown said at
least twenty human lives had been sac
rificed there during a number of years.
He said he could not approximate the
number of vehicles that have been de-
molished or damaged. nor had he the
slightest idea of the number of per-
sons who have narrowly escaped death
there.
The question of widening Benning
road and eliminating the grade cross
ing there has been discussed at many
meetings of Benning Citizens Associa-
ton and other civic orga niZations espe-
cially interested in the Improvement of
the eastern portion of the District. in
Guiding Northeast Washington Citizens
Associa ton. which was originally or
eauized TO fight for the elimination of
grade crossings in the District.
1t is probable that an early call will
be made for meeting of the Benning
association to discuss the question OF
early elimination of the crossing. Mr..
Brown said he thought The grade
crossings of the two roads being
maintained in violation of law and eX-
pressed surprise that the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company had not
been required to have gales to protect
its tracks
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
VISITORS BOTTLELEH
HERE; REBUKES POLICE
Member of Virginian's Family, After
His Experience in Washington,
Writes to Department.

Residents of'dry Virginia. West Vir-
einia and North Carolina and dry por-
tions of Maryland are making fairly
liberal contributions toward the sup
port of the District of Columbia.
Washington being the nearest wet city
to many sections of the three states,
it is stated those of the bibulous popu-
lation who come this way sometimes
remain long enough TO satisfy their
cravings for alcoholic thirst-quenching
beverages, with the result that some of
them fall into the hands of the police
and are assessed $40 for infractions OF
the Jones-Works excise law.
In several of the police stations there
are supplies of wet" goods taken from
persons from the dry states. and it was
because the police held quart bottle
of "firewater" belonging to a Virginian
who had been arrested for intoxica ton
that Mai. Pullman recently received a
cauStic letter from a member of the
Virginian's family
Leaves Bottle Behind.
collateral of $40 was left at the
police station by the man from the Old
Dominion and his quart bottle was put
with bottles of liquor that had been
taken from other prisoners. When the
visitor was sober enough to take care
of himself he WAS released and, it is
stated. he left the station without re-
ouesting the return of his bottle.
All went we'll with the sobered indi-
vidual until he reached home. Home
folks were anxiously awaiting his re-
turn with the quart, and when he
reached there without the bottle il is
stated. disappointment was expressed
about the liquor he had left behind
Then one of the women of the family
wrote a letter to Maj. Pullman ques-
tioning the right of the police to con-
fiscate the quart of liquor.
No Claim to Confiscation.
1t was pointed out in the letter that
there was no intended violation of the
liquor laws of Virginia. the writer ex-
planning that heads of families are per-
mitted to bring home one quart a
month. The police made no claim to
confiscation of the liquor. realizing it
belonged to the visitor to the CITY,
They did not want to return il to him.
however. and have him repeat the Of
Tense for which he had been arrested
they stated, and for that reason moth
ing was said to him about it.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
WELL DRESSED COUPLE
AROUSE PITY, THEN ANGER
Story of How Man and Woman
Work Game on Charitable
Washingtonians.

II well dressed young man and a
well dressed young woman present
themselves to you on the street one of
these cold evenings and say that they
are from Richmond. and are without
funds, and are very hungry. and would
appreciate something to eat. even a
cup of coffee-well. watch your small
change.
One well known business man met such
a couple last night. The young man said
he and his wife were from the capital of
Virginia and that they were very hungry.
The man had on no overcoat Some way
or other the tale sounded plausible. and
there was something appealing about the
idea of u hungry Young woman so far
from her native city. even If her husband
was with her and-well. the well known
business man has a sympathetic heart.
and all that sort OF thing
Proffers Two Bits
So he dug down in his pockets
and came up with two bits. which he
proffered to the man.
Give it to her." gallantly said the
husband. And the hungry young wife
as calamity accepted the quarter which
the business man eallantly proffered.
Then the business man boarded
r.,
deed done. Charity is great thing.
he thought But just then he glanced
back. and saw the couple walking
along the street. making no move to
go in a restaurant. AS the car sped on
the business man saw the hungry"
counle accost another passerby.
out of the car jumped the business
man.
where the couple were, just in time to
ad a
nv another business man. evidently, one
with tender heart and pocket full
of change.
Soon the young couple from Rich
mond made their exit from the store.
The hungry young wife carried nice
large parcel under her arm.
Followed by Business Man.
wifev and hubby hailed a street car
and as they swung aboard the well
known business man was right on their
trail He got up the step just in time
tn see the young husband pull out of
his rocket and tender the conductor
the perfectly good two bits which he
had given him some few blocks back.
righteous anger now was in the
aacendancy in the breast of the bust
ness man Whether or not to expose
these "panhandlers" who ran in a. pair
like q Noahs ark proposition-that was
the question.
He finally decided in the negative
He decided to wither the couple with
a righteous stare as he went out.
Righteous Stare-and Result.
So when his street came he passed
the couple. He gave them a knowing
and righteous stare. IS much as to say:
"You know perfectly well who 1 am"
They knew all right.
And they showed that they remem-
berkd him. too. You bet they did.
They laughed right In his face
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
Might Be a Duplication.

There are some who hold the opinion
that the probe called for by the trade
commission would be in essentials
duplica ton of work which the Depart
ment of Justice has been carrying on
for several months.
These persons point out that all the
Information which the Department of
Agriculture has on hand as to the
Prices of foods has been available to
the Justice Department and that the
trade commission, when II seeks the
CO. operation of the Department Of Ag-
riculture. will be able to get no further
information on the question than that
which the Department of Justice has
already secured.
"All that the office of markets can
furnish in the matter" one man high
In government circles declared, will
be figures as to what the farmers get
for their products. Then it will be the
duty of the trade commission to ngure
out from the figures who gets the in
crease between these figures and the
prices the consumer has to pay. i may
be mistaken. but ] believe this to be
exactly what the Department of jus
tice has been doing for several
months"
How Work Will Be Done.
When the probe gets under way tho
Department Of Agriculture and the
trade commission will work hand in
hand, the former. through it's Office of
markets. assembling statistics. the
greater part of which it already has.
bearing on the storage and distribution
of foodstuffs and the prices received
by the farmers.
This information will be turned over
TO the trade commission for use in de-
termining whether there has been con-
spiracy in restraint OF trade in ham
ding the nations food supply. The
evidence gathered already by the De-
partment of Justice, OF course, VIII
also be available.
In ordering the investigation Presi-
dent Wilson asked the commission to
pay particular attention to manipula-
tons. controls, trusts, combinations,
or restraints of trade out
of harmony with the law or the public
interest.
Information Sent to Washington.
CHICAGO. February 12.-Agents of
the federal Department of Justice ex-
pect to receive instructions today from
Washington to continue an inquiry into
food prices here in connection with tho
Investigation which the federal trade
and the Department OF
have been directed by
President Wilson to make. Agents of
the Department of Justice have already
collected quantity of information
here along this line and have forwarded
il to Washington.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
Cost of Material Causes Delay.

Increases in cost of material are now
responsible for the delay in TIE building
of the Benning viaduct. which will re-
move the last of the dangerous railroad
crossings in the District. The first de-
lay grew out of litigation over the right
of way An appropriation for the viaduct
was made in 1914. in the amount OF s110.-
600. and this amount was renewed in
1915 and again in 1916.
During this delay over the litigation
labor and materials were advancing in
cost with the result that when bids final
" were asked for the lowest estima tie was
49,, 900 in excess of the appropriation
available for the construction of the via
duct. The Commissioners. a result.
have asked Congress to include an item
Of S35. 900 in the deficiency bill
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
Automobile Law Problem.

The salary raise was one of two
amendments on which the House re-
ceived explicit instructions, the auto
mobile law amendment by the Senate
receiving attention through an amend
nent by Representative Miller of Della
ware.
Representative Miller. who is the
author of the Delaware automobile law,
moved to concur in the Senate's auto
mobile section with a proviso which will
upset all existing speed regulations and
allow the District Commissioners to
set whatever automobile speed they de-
sire.
Representative Miller's amendment
reads:
Provided further. that on and after
July l. 1917 the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia be. and are here
by authorized and empowered to make
and enforce all regulations governing
the speed of motor vehicles in the Dis
trict of Columbia, subject to the penal
ties prescribed in the act approved
June %. 1906
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
Time to Organize, She Says.

Mrs. Scott called the meeting to order.
She said that now is the time that the
army women should get together and
form an organization. She explained the
purpose of the organization and said that
the District of Columbia society would be
the parent organization. with branches in
every part of the country where there il
an army post. reports from various
branches are to be sent to headquarters
here.
Other officers were elected follows a:
Mrs. Carroll Devol. first vice Chairman :;
:lrs. William CroZier. second vice chair
man. Mrs. Henry Sharp. third vice chair
man: Mrs Emerson Liscum. fourth vice
chairman; Mrs. William c. Gorgas. fifth
rotary and Mrs. Charles Harvey, treas
urer.
Urged to Join Red Cross.
Mrs. Scott urged that all of the mem
bers of the new organization become
members of the Red Cross. She said
of every woman and man in the coun-
try. 1T Is important that each person
give her personal and moral support
she said. The Red Cross gives aid. not
only in time of war. but in case of a
disaster. Each army woman should be-
long to it" 1t was explained that the
members can Join the Red Cross for 81
a year
Mrs. Scott urged each member to
notify the secretary, Mrs. Duncan. just
what kind of work she will be able
to do and what time she can do such
work. Several subcommittee are to
be selected to do the work of making
bandages and other army needs. These
committees are to meet at and be head
ed by Mrs. Devoi, the Cairo; Mrs. Lis
cum. Mason House: Mrs. Sharp. NJ
street house: Mrs Charles Fenton. Fort
Myer, and Mrs. Mason Patrick, Wash
ington barracks. 1t was voted to make
the dues 81 a year.
Another meeting of the organization
ia to be held in the near future, sub
ject to call of the chairman.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
Secretary to Direct Work.

Secretary Houston is expected to take
direct charge of the Agriculture Depart
ments part in the investigation. the
work to be done by the Office of markets
under his supervision.
All the data in the hands OF the Office
Of markets will be made available to the
trade commission.
Exact steps of procedure have as yet TO
be formulated by the federal trade com
mission and the Department OF Agricul-
ture. and another conference between the
two is expected as soon as the estimates
of the amount required to carry on the
work are submitted to Congress.
Whether the work would be begun In
one city, or whether 1t would be started
throughout the nation simultaneously.
was not ascertainable at the trade COM
mission today. The latter method is
thought more proba bic by those CONVEX
SAINT with the situation.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
oleomargarine Tax Opposed.

One amendment added by the finance
committee which is sure to cause much
discussion is that proposing tax OF
cents pound on oleomarSarine, L"
Supplant the present tax of 10 cents a
pound on colored oleomarsarlne and 4
of cent on uncolored. Farmers or
SaniZationS are opposing the plan.
The democratic members of the com
mittee met today and put the final
touches on the bill as agreed to by the
caucus.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-12
Mr.. Mann Makes Suggestion.

When the District bill was brought
up. Representative Page was asked by
Representative Mann of Illinois !hether
it would not be proper TO take some
action showing the temper of the House
in the matter of government clerks
pay.
Representative Page readily agreed
with him that the best practical way
would be to take stand rlSht now
and bring about a parliamentary sltua-
ton where the and 10 per cent para
graph on the District bill would be pc
fore the House for the first time.
The matter was then engineered III
such a manner that there is now Tor
the first time an actual chance that
District employees may be able to re-
ceive the proposed raise which is
backed by the House, but not yet IA
yored by the Senate The conferees on
the bill will get together on this i'm
portant matter within a day or two.