davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
CALLS EXPLOSION AN
"ACT OF TERRORISM
Governor Stephens Thus Characterises
Attempt to Wreck His Residence.

Governor Stephens Thus Charactef1SeS
Attempt to Wreck His Residence.
Sacramento. Cal. Dec. 1s.-Governor
William D. Stephens, whose residence
here was damaged last night by
dynamite explosion characterized the
act in a statement tonight as "proba-
bly, having been done with a view to
terrorism. the chief weapon of the allen
enemy"
Throughout the day Governor
Stephens had refrained from advance
ing any theory as to the probable
motive of the explosion, which wreck
ed the kitchen and laundry of the
executive mansion and endangered the
lives of the governor. Mrs. Stephens
and other members of his household.
Combined efforts of the police. the
sheriff's force and scores of individuals
failed during the day to produce any
tangible clues as to the identity Of the
persons responsible for the dynamiting
A search of the debris likewise failed
to reveal any metal fragments that might
indicate the explosive was in the form
Of bomb.
Explosive experts who examined the
wrecked portion of the building expressed
the belief that a charge Of dynamite had
been set off against the rear basement
wall Charles E. Fearl. a government
agent, declared that between II and IA
sticks of dynamite with time fuse
attached probably caused the explosion.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
RIFLE PRODUCTION
NOW SPEEDING UP
Heads of Private Munitior
Plants Testify before SEN
ate Committee.
HIT ORDNANCE BUREAU.
Private Enterprise, Not Department
Heads. Anticipated Needs Of War.
Witnesses Say.

Washington, Dec. 19.-How production
of rifles and machine guns for the army
Was delayed during the early days Of the
nations entrance into war. but is now
being speeded up, was recounted to-day
in the Senate military committees war
inquiry by heads Of large private muni.
tions plants.
The manufacturers enthusiastically
praised both new types of American
weapons. They told of private enter
prise in anticipating the nations war
necessities and one Of them criticised the
ordnance bureau for alleged indifference
to the probability of war. He said the
department heads brusquely declined tc
consider ordering machine guns immedi-
ately after the German ambassador had
been dismissed.
Orders for rifles placed severa,
months after war was declared, the
manufacturers were agreed, are far
ahead Of contracted deliveries, without
yet reaching maximum factory capac.
ity. Virtually all of the contracts for
rifles. machine guns and cartridges.
they testified, are on the cost plus a
per cent. of profit basis, with machinery
in their plants owned by the govern.
ment
With the testimony Of the largest
private munitions makers the commit
tee virtually concluded it's inquiry into
the ordnance situation. One more arms
manufacturer will be heard tomorrow
and then the committee plans to open
a new branch Of it's investigation, prob
ably tomorrow afternoon. but ques-
tioning Quartermaster-Gener Sharpe
regarding shortage and production de-
lays in clothing and other equipment
and construction and location of the
National army cantonments.
Chairman Chamberlain to-day prom.
ised a searching inquiry into the quar-
termaster-generars department, Of
which Major-General Goethals soon
will be the head.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
COMPLAIN AGAINST
|. j. S. SHIP CAPTAINS
Naval Convoy and Gun Crew
Commanders Say There's
No Cooperation.

Washington, Dec. 19.-Complaints that
American merchant ship captains have
not co-operated with commanders caused
the department of commerce to issue in
structions to-day to merchant officers to
follow the directions of their naval asso-
ciates in every instance where they are
prompted by military necessity. Disobed-
ience of the instructions it is pointed out
will cause the withdrawal of merchant
officers licenses.
The instructions make clear, however,
that in matters relating solely to navga-
ton and to the discipline of crews the au-
thority of merchant captains will be up
held. Attention is called to the necessity
of enforcing particularly sobriety among
the men.
The navy's recent inslstence on manning
all merchant ships with naval reserves
grew out Of an alleged lack of co-opera-
ton by merchant captains and an absence
of discipline among merchant crews. Sea-
men, the navy cOntended. were permitted
to come aboard in foreign ports drunk,
endangering the ships on their return
through the submarine zone.
An arrangement now has been reached
between the navy and shipping board pro-
vidng for, manning by the navy of )all
transports. all ships carrying supplies for
the army and the navy and all vessels
carrying whole cargoes of munitions.
| Operation by merchant crews is left to
passenger ships and to vessels carrying
part munitions and all other cargoes.
The whole controversy as to operation
of merchant ships is expected to be aired
at the Senate investigation of the shipping
board to start later in the week. as we'll
as before the Senate military committee,
where Major-General Sharpe. quarter
master general of the army. will discuss
his recommendation that the crews Of all
army ships be brought into the military
service.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
1000 SHIPS IN j. S.
NAVY At PRESENT
Sec. Daniels, Whose Dept. Is Un-
der Investigation by House,
Gives Testimony.
424 SHIPS NOW BUILDING.
Which Does Not Include $50 Submarine
Chascrs-Navy's Personnel Is $780,
900 OHicers and Men.

Washington, Dec. ia recital by Secre-
tary Daniels of how the navy prepared
for war by adding several hundred ships
to the fleet and letting contracts for hun
dreds of others. including dreadnoughts,
battle cruisers, destroyers and auxiliaries,
and an explanation of the operation of the
navy supply department by Rear-Admiral
MCGOWAN, paymaster-general,m marked the
opening to-day of the inquiry by a House
subcommittee into the navy's war activi-
ties.
The subcommittee adjourned to-day
without fixing any time for resuming the
hearing and probably will not meet again
until after Christmas.
Representative Brtten of Illinois, asked
Secretary Daniels whether the department
had received any complaints from Vice.
Admiral Sims. commanding naval forces
In the war zone. The secretary said the
question was improper and that mess
gossip" should not be banded about, but
he added that Admiral Sims had been
given everything possible that the navy
could give. Later when Admiral MCGOWAN
was called to the stand he submitted an
order issued by him some months ago
directing that Admiral Sims requests for
supplies be acted on on the same day they
were received.
1--WE have 44 ships in course of con-
struction." Secretary Daniels told the
committee. THAT does not include sub
marine chasers, of which we are building
$780, and does not include the small craft.
The chasers will be In service by early
spring.
Included in the 424 ships, he said, were
battle cruisers, battleshps, scout cruis-
ers. destroyers, fuel ships, gunboats, hos
pital ships, ammunition ships, seagoing
tugs. mine sweepers and submarines.
The navy at the beginning Of it's partici-
patton in the war, the witness continued,
had at its disposal the money needed
for most Of the expansion Immediately
required and in pressing cases where
funds were lacking over-obligations were
incurred Within the last few days the
navy has had to ask for $685. 900 In
addition to the regular estimates amount
ing to S1,039. 100000 for the next fiscal
year. now before the House naval com.
mittee.
Secretary Daniels said the navy now
had more than one thousand ships in com
mission as against 800 two years ago and
an enlisted personnel of 280.000 officers
and men, compared with 64,6S0 men and
4,376 officers when America declared war
HAS the navy measured up?" he was
asked.
1T is my firm belief at the close of the
investigation your answer will be, I,
has and the country has every reason
| to repose confidence in the navy"
Admiral MCGOWAN explained the methot
Of expediting naval transportation by q
voucher" system to inform trainmen thai
| carload was for the United States
| navy. discontinued three weeks ago by
the railroad car service committee.
will you get as expeditions shipment.
now?" he was asked.
1--WE do not believe so. The railroad.
claim we will. They claim others abused
the plan.'
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
TURN SEARCHl|GHT
ON MEAT PACKERS
Federal Trade Commission viii
Use Its Powers of Inves-
tigati0n.
WHO OWNS STOCKYARDS?
And who owns Chicago Terminal Rail-
rOndss--Thesc Are Principal IS
sues to he Determined.

washington. Dec 19.-The packing IN
austry will be put under the searchlight Oh
the federal trade commissions investiga-
tive powers at open hearings beginning
tomorrow.
Unless they come of their own volition.
representatives of the country's Ave great
hacking firms will not be present, as the
commission announced that subpoenas
would not be issued for them. While the
commission gave no explanation OF lts
decision some officials called attention
to the possibility of giving immunity to
persons giving testimony on which future
prosecution might be based.
The specific question at issue tomorrow
and in subsequent hearings to be held IN
New York, Boston and probably Chicago,
will be the ownership of the Chicago stock
Yards and the Chicago terminal railroads.
The National Cattlemen's association has
at various times charged intercorporate
relations between the yards, the roads and
the packing plants. The packers con-
tended that they owned no stock in the
yards or the roads, and that their busi-
nesses were conductede without other
than legitimate relations with the great
cattle market and the terminal transpor-
taton facilities.
There had been on intimation of the pro-
posed hearing before the formal an
nouncement was made Since the commits
sion began its investigation Of food sup
ply conditions under authority of Congress
and with an appropriation Of $25O, ,000 how
ever, almost its entire force of investiga-
tors has been devoted to the meat in
dustry. Conditions were found to exist
which led to the decision that extended
Investigation of meat packing was neces-
sary as the biggest factor in the food
situation.
While many men not directly connected
with the packing industry. but intimately
familiar with conditions in the cattle busi-
ness are expected to testify before the
commission. interest in prospective dis
closures centers in documentary evidence
which the commission. has announced will
be introduced. without giving any hint of
Its nature. Francis J. Heney. special coun-
sel, will be In charge Of the hearings.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
FARMERS WARNED TO
HOLD BACK HOGS
More Hogs In Chicago Than Packers
Can Take Care OF.

More Hogs In Chicago Than Packers
Can Take Care OF.
Chicago. Dec. ia warning to farmers
not to ship hogs but to hold them back
for the present in order to avoid falling
prices, was sent out to-day by ]. c. Cotton.
head Of the meat division Of the food ad-
ministration. In written statement he
adds:
ION November 3 stated that the prices
of hogs, SO far as this division could
affect them, would not fall below about
$3.50 per hundredweight for the average
of the packers droves on the Chicago
market until further notice. That state
ment make again.
THE packers inform me they are doing
their best to aid US In that policy. but
largely owing to transportation difficulties
in the East there is now a glut Of hogs
on the Chicago market and more hogs
than the packers can kill and handle.
''The farmers and commission men In
this territory must help by holding back
hogs temporarily. especially from the
Chicago market. If there is cooperation
the minimum will be maintained. Do not
sacrifice your hogs by dumping them on
an overcrOwded markot."
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
MAYOR SMITH
is INDICTED
Philadelphia's Chief Executive
Prominent in Election
Scandal.

Philadelphia, Dec. 19.-Mayor Thomas
B. Smith was to-day indicted on charges
Of contempt of court and violation Of the
election laws in connection with the hold
ing of primary elections in the fifth ward
last September when policeman was
shot and killed by an alleged New York
gunman. Other charges, including one
alleging malfeasance Of office. Will be
considered tomorrow. The action Of the
jury assures the trial of the mayor be-
fore Judge and jury.
Indictments were also handed down by
the grand jury for conspiracy to murder.
manslaughter and conspiracy to prevent
n free and fair election against Isaac
Deutsch, defeated candidate for the fifth
ward leadership; Lieutenant Of Police
David Bennett and five policemen. The
murder charge is in connection with the
killing of Policeman George A. Eppley.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
vERGENNEs.

Vergennes Grange held its annual meet
ing Friday evening and elected officers
as follows: Master. Carlton d. Bristol,
overseer, Cecil A. Bristol. lecturer. Mrs.
Pierre W. Otis,. steward. Ward Merrill,
assistant steward. George Evarts. chap
lain. Frank Burroughs: secretary. Mrs.
Friend Fiske. treasurer. e. s. Bristol,
gate-keeper, Lloyd Evarts Ceres, Mrs.
Mrs. Carlton d. Bristol; Pomona. Mrs. r.
d. Goodrich: Flora. Mrs. Timothy Dillon;
pianist, Mrs. Frank Burroughs.-John A.
Harrington attended the annual meeting
of Mount Sinai Temple. Mystic Shrine
at Montpelier Friday.-Mrs. Eliza Davey
has closed her house on the New Haven
road and has gone to Burlington on an
extended visit to her daughter, Mrs w.
H. Weston.-Miss Grace Z. Kingsland on
her return to her home In Montpelier
from visit to her brother. Earle Brush
Kingsland Of Cleveland, spent the week.
end with her parents. Mr.. and Mrs. II.
l.. Kingsland.-Miss Marjorie Grinnell has
returned to Ticonderoga. N. Y, after
visit to her sister, Mrs. Matthew Daniels.
Miss Helen Clark a student at Middle-
bury College s spending the holiday va
cation with her parents. Mr. and Mrs.
Walter Clark.-Miss Rose Donaway is
making a few days visit to friends in
Richmond.-Mrs Earl Deyo and little
daughter have returned to Burlington
after a visit to her parents. Mr.. and
Mrs. Wesley M. Varney.-Lewis Brunette
has moved from tho Louis C. Cotey farm
In Waltham to the Mincley farm In
Addison.
Ex-Postmaster Thomas Mack has re-
turned from a visit to his daughter Mrs.
w. L. Morse Of Tarrytown. N. Y. Mrs.
Mack accompanied him as far as Fair
Haven on his return stopping over for
a few days visit to friends.-Henry Bond
OF Middlebury has presented the Junior
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
II PASSENGERS
LOST IN YEAR
Not a Large Record for Ameri-
can Ships, Report
Shows.

Washington. Dec. 19.-Only Il passengers
were lost out Of more than three hundred
thousand carried on American ships dur
ing the fiscal year ending June 30. the an
nual report to-day of the steamboat In
spection service shows. The total OF
deaths on American vessels. including
those who went down with torpedoed mer-
chant craft, was 592. but suicides and ac-
cidental drownings accounted for 210 OF
these. The years total was 6S4 less. than
that of the previous year when 800 persons
were lost on the steamer Eastland at Chi
cago.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
INCOME TAX OFFICERS
HERE IN JANUARY

st. Albans. Dec. 19.-Collector Of In
ternal Revenue Seth J. Jones announces
that federal income tax officers will be
sent into this State January 2. 1918. and
will be located as follows: At Norris
Vile. January % to February 2; Newport.
January IA to 26; st. Adams, February IL
to March I. They will be prepared to
assist persons subject to the income tax
make out their returns. without cost for
services.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
MEETS IN MONTPELIER.
National Bar Association President l.
Address Vermont Gathering.

Montpelier. Dec. 19.-The annual meet
ing of the Vermont Bar association will
take place in Montpelier January 2 and 8.
The meeting will be called to order by
President George Young at two o'clock
Wednesday afternoon. the supreme court
having taken an adjournment at noon
during the session Of the association. The
sessions of the association will continue
through Wednesday and Thursday includ-
ing the annual dinner.
w. ]. Smith. president of the American
Bar association. will be the principal
speaker. Governor II. r. Graham and
Chief Justice John II. Watson will also
speak.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
$1S5,OOO SENT BY
u. S. TO JERUSALEM
Is for Relief Of 1OO.OOO Suffering from
Want Of Food.

Washington. Deg. 1s.-The state depart
ment to-day telegraphed to American
Consul-General Garrett at Alexandria.
Eovpt $4,000 for relief of the 100000
sufferers at Jerusalem in want of food
and other supplies.
Consul General Garrett was directed to
proceed Immediately to Jerusalem to take
charge of the distribution Of this fund and
the supplies. The money was collected
by a Jewish organization. but the sup
plies are to be distributed among the suf-
ferers without regard to race.
Major Edward Davis. the American mill
tary attache at Athens, Greece was with
the British troops when they occupied
Jerusalem. Dispatches to the state de-
nartment to-day said Major Davis re-
ported that the city was undamaged and
that the inhabitants received the army
cordially.
ur.,,,,s will not be opened now in Pales-
tine the Commercial Gable company was
notified.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
Operators Get Increase.

Montpelier. Dec. 19.-The Central Ver-
mont telegraph operators have received
an increase In pay. amounting to a min
imum of $500 month and graded up
ward. according to positions which they
occupy with the company on a-26 days
as a basis for month, which also
gives them an increase which, while not
figured As overtime. amounts to practi-
cally the same thing. The agreement
dates from October /. SO that two
months back pay will be due the men.
The agreement was reached between the
employers and employees without trouble
or interference of work.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
SWISS PLEASED WITH
NEW TRADE TREATY

Barne, Switzerland. Tuesday. Dec. ls-
The text Of the new commercial treaty
with the United States was published In
Switzerland to-day and caused an ex-
cellent impression everywhere. All the
Swiss newspapers express the warmest
gratitude of the Swiss people to President
Wilson and the Ame'ican government. The
America has acted toward switssrlandf
a. q real friend In mead" d
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
SMALL PROFIT FOR MILK
ABOVE COST OF FODDER
Testimony Of Chemist Mt Federal Milk
Commission Hearing. Boston.


Commission Hearing, boston.
Boston. Dec 1s.-Testmony as to the re-
lation existing between the cost to pro-
ducers Of feed consumed by the cows and
the price received for the milk was given
to-day by Joseph P. Lindsay. teacher of
chemistry at the Massachusetts Agricul-
tural College. at the hearing before the
federal regional milk commission at the
State House. DR.. Lindsay said the ratio
between the two factors was almost exact
indication that the farmer never received
for his milk a great deal above the cost
Of fodder.
w. P. Davis of the New Hampshire
State Agricultural College and Professor
George F. Story Of Burlington, VT, also
gave testimony at the afternoon session.
The latter will be heard again tomorrow.
AT the morning session. c. s. Bronson,
who made the New England milk survey
for the Boston Chamber of Commerce. tes.
titled.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
w. ]. BIGELOW FILES
BANKRUPTCY PETITION
Liabilities Are Sl4,576.es-Assets sches,
ulcd Mt &17,447.

Rutland. Dec. 19.-Walter ]. Bigelow
editor and publisher of the St. Johnsbury
Daily Caledonian, which some time ago
went into bankruptcy. to-day filed an in
dividual petition In the Office Of Clerk
r. 3. Platt OF the United States court.
HIS liabilities are $l4,576.63. Of which sl3, 800
Is secured and $06.6S unsecured. The
largest creditor is II. M. Tannenhaum of
New York. whose claim totals so 5oo
consisting of note for IS, 500 and 80 mn
interest. The unsecured claims are all
small. The assets are given as s17. ~
Of which $500 is claimed exempt Tha
assets include Sl6.5OO in stocks and neyo.
table bonds and 325 shares of Caledonian
stock valued at $50 a share.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
154 GERMAN DIVISIONS
ON WESTERN FRONT
Within One Division Of Great Force
Massed There Last July.

Washington. Dec. 19.-Germany's
strength on the Franco-British front is
placed in official dispatches received here
to-day at 1H divisions. or within one
division of the great force amassed there
last July when the German military ef-
fort against France was at it's maximum.
Withdrawals from Russia and drafts
upon the younger classes of reservists
have enabled the Kaiser not only to make
up the enormous losses suffered In bloody
battles with the allies. but to replace
the men sent to aid the Austrians in their
invasion of Italy. Winter therefore finds
the Germans with armies facing the
allies In France very equal to the largest
ever before mustered, with advertisement
of a great offensive. which may presage
another peace proposal.
The allies. however. are understood to
maintain considerable superiority In
numbers on the French front.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20

Paris, Dec. 19.-rhe losses to French
shipping by mine or submarine for the
week ending December 10 were exceed
ingly light Only one vessel under
1000 tons was sunk. and none over
1000 tons. One ship was attacked. but
escaped No fishing craft was sunk.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
Montpelier Defeats Bethel

montpelier Dec. 19.-The Montpelier
seminary basketball team defeated the
whitcomb high school team of Bethel
here tonight by a score of 80 to a.
Sranai got ID baskets for Montpelier.
Whitcomb scored on three fouls.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
SHERIFF OF WINDHAM
COUNTY QUITS JOB
Clifford e. Mann Says Income IL Insult
hcicnt to Make Both Ends Meet.

Bratt1ebOrO, Dec. 1g.-Sherim ClinOrd E.
Mann of this town mailed to Gov. Horace
F. Graham this afternoon his resignation
as sheriff Of Windham county to take
effect January /. He says the income from
the office Is 80 small that he cannot make
ends meet. also that he has another OPEN
ing in view. The salary Is $500 a year
and fees. Sheriff Mann is serving his
second term Of two years which does not
expire until year from next February.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20
IL BIG BRITISH
VESSELS SUNK
Shipping Losses Are Slightly
under Those of Preceding
Week.

London, Dec. 1s.-Fourteen British
merchantmen Of more than 1900 tons
and three under that tonnage were sunk
by mine or submarine during the past
week, according to the admiralty
statement tonight. One fishing Ves-
sci also was sunk.
Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-12-20

The shipping losses by mine or sun
marine in the past week are signify
under those Of the previous week. when
IA vessels of more than 1000 tons and
seven under that tonnage were de-
stroyed.