davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16

her dll1oS lIlLO sSpdI dIC PO1oC'
 The sensation created by the news of the successful revolution, the turn ing out of the ministry and the ar- rest of pro-Germans was followed by another more profound when press dispatches announced the abdication of Emperor Nicholas. The revolution was not wholly unexpected and before noon today the State department re- ceived meagre official information about it from Petrograd. But the ab- dication of the Emperor was dumb founding to both official and diplo- matic circles.
 It had been assumed that in spite of the belief that the Emperor, in- fluenced by his German wife and pro- Teutonic advisors. was lukewarm or worse in support of his allies, he would be permitted to continue nominally as the head of the new government Nei- ther officials nor diplomats could un- derstand what the revolutionary lead CTS expected to accomplish by shifting the crown.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
ADMIRALTY WAS BESIEGED
 AND WAS SOON TAKEN

In the admiralty building the coun- cil of ministers secretly assembled for conference and the last regiments loyal to the old government were drawn up as guard.
 While the council sat in the last meeting that they were destined o hold, the building was surrounded and the besiegers poured rifle and machine gun fire upon the defenders. For a few hours the fiercest battle of the day continued: the streets were swept by a steady fusillade and the crowds scattered for the nearest shelter, some of the people being compelled to spend the night in courtyards or corridors of office buildings or wherever they found relief first
 Toward morning there was sud- den lul. broken by exultant shouts. which deepened into a roar and was succeeded by the Russian revolutionary Marseillaise. The regiments defending the admiralty had surrendered and gone over to the side of the revolu- tionsts.
 The ministers in the admiralty build ing were then arrested and the Rus sian national colors were replaced by the red flag of the revolutionists. Although sporadic fighting con- tinued between small groups until Wednesday the cause of the people, had triumphed.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16

ment with the conference committee of the railways last August, President Wilson intervened and attempted to mediate our differences and after hearing both sides of the discussion and considering the matter for sew eral days, proposed settlement, which settlement is practically the same as we have just proposed to the rail- roads. The railroads refused to accept the Presidents proposition. when the President recommended to Congress the enactment of a law similar to his proposition. This Congress did, when the railroads again refused to accept the decision of Congress and have not yet observed the law in a single in- stance
 PURPOSE OF ROADS
 "It is apparent to us that the pur- pose of the railroads is to avoid any settlement of the matter until such time as the country becomes involved in war, when they expect to escape any settlement of whatever character. Even though the supreme court should decide that the law was constitutions al we have noticed that they will not accept our interpretation thereof, which is practically the same as the President proposed when he recom- mended the enactment of the law; therefore. decision of the supreme court upholding the constitutionality of the law would not even indirectly secure for the employees the purpose of the law.
 'It goes without saying that rail- road employees have been patient and loyal to the interests of the country. and in the event of war have offered their services to the government
 ''It must not be overlooked that dur ing this period, when the railroads have consistently denied their employees that which was intended by the Presi- dent in his proposition and that which was intended by the Congress in the Adamson law. the railroads during a years period show net earnings ot over a thousand million dollars, while the employees. withs no increase in wages have suffered an increase in cost of living equal to more than 40 per cent.
 "If, after more than a year we have failed to secure some relief and train and enginemen conclude to fold the!r hands and starve in reality rather than by degrees. should they be con- sidered disloyal to their flag?
 Why not place some of the respon- sibility on the employers. who can very easily stop all talk of stoppaga of trains by recognizing that such employees must either lower their stan dard of living or they must work long CT than 10 hours out of each A in order to retain American standards of living?"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16

According to one usually well in formed Grand Duke Michael Alexan- drovitch, proclaimed regent. has been a bitter personal antagonist of the Emperor since the latter refused to recognize his marriage to divorcee some years ago. Moreover, the grand duke is said to have opposed the Elm peror on every public question that has arisen.
 The overthrow of the government by the Duma is interpreted here as the continuation of efforts made through out the war to rid the country of Ger man influence. Russia's court and bureaucracy, permeated both by large influx of German nobility from the eastern frontier and by German tech nique and leadership, has been very German in spirit and sympathy. The great majority of her commercial classes have been anti-German. a.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16

of the men themselves. He was asked what effect this would have.
 Why do you ask me that?" he de- manded. We have heard nothing from the President of the United States. When we do hear we will take up that ques tion"
 Warren s. Stone declared that if the President made an appeal to the men 'it would be considered" He added, however, that there was no bluff about the strike.
 Joseph Hartigan, city commissioner of weights and measures, appeared just be- fore the conference ended and urged that, in the event of strike. both sides un- dertake to guarantee continuous and un- interrupted transportation of food and fuel supplies to all destinations of all railroads. He~asked that the brotherhoods furnish proper working crews for such freight and transportation"
 Elisha Lee for the railroads assured the commissioner the railroad officials would protect food and fuel shipments as far possible.
 The brotherhood heads said the strike call had been so arranged that the move ment of food and fuel supplies into this city would not be stopped Tor several days after the beginning or the strike on certain eastern roads.
 The brotherhood chiefs announced that vice president of each organization would remain here to take charge of the strike on eastern lines. They re- fused to divulge their plan in detail. It is known. however that everything is in readiness to carry their programme into effect.
 The organizations will expedite as far as possible, it is understood. the move ment of food and fuel on the various roads until the men are called out The brotherhood chiefs tonight refused to grant interviews and went into seclu- sion.
 The railroad managers remained in con- ference until nearly Il o'clock making plans to combat the strike. They refused to make any intimation as to whether an effort would be made to employ strike breakers
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
BRITISH MAKE MORE GAINS ALONG FRONT NEARING BAPAUME

London, March 15.-Another import ant gain has been made by the Brit ish troops between Perrone and Ba- paume, according to the official state ment issued tonight. Trenches on a front of two and half miles, run ming from south of the St. Pierre Vaast wood to the north of the village of Saillisel have been occupied
 Southeast of Arras the Germans en- tered British trenches.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16

No statement was authorized by the White House and all officials pro- fessed to be ignortant of what the President might intend to do. Some thought that, having appealed again and again to both sides to adjust their differences there was no step left for him to take Others believed he cer- tainly would make some move before the hour set for the strike.
 The President is known to regard the strike as inconceivable in view of the international crisis. the already congested condition of freight traffic and the ever rising cost of food. Ap- parent1y, however he feels he practi- cally is powerless unless it becomes necessary for him to adopt measures to keep the mails moving.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
GENERAL EMBARGO ON ALL FREIGHTS IS WOW EXPECTED

railroads of general embargo on prac- tically all classes of freight is believed by officials of the car service commission of the American Railway association to be imminent, in view of the calling of a strike.
 The commission will consider at it's meeting at noon tomorrow the advisabil- ity of suggesting to all the railroads that such an embargo be issued Commission officials say it is imperative that the railroads reduce to minimum the amount of perishable freight on hand in
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
BOARD OF REVENUE
 SEEKS FEDERAL AID
State and Federal Officials Will Accompany Board on Tour of
 County Roads

w. s. Keller, state highway engineer and J. T. Bulen, federal aid inspector, Will accompany the board of revenue this morning on a tour of the roads of the county The officials are here on the invitation of the board, which is seek ing to secure at least $25,0O0 from the federal aid, which, with the same amount appropriated by the board, will give the county $50000 for road building. Jere Gwn, president of the board, stated that they would take the matter up in all it's details with the experts including the proposition of a paved highway
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
Local Data
PEOPLE OF GREATSLAV
 NATION RISE IN WRATH
(Continued from Page One)

(COntinued from Page One) lution.
 The regiments had received an order from the commandant to fire upon per sons assembled in the street. This caused immediate dissension among the troops, who did not understand why they should be compelled to take violent measures against fellow citizens, whose chief of fense was that they were hungry and were asking the government to supply bread. Several regiments ceserted and pitched battle began between the troops who stood with the government and those who, refusing to obey orders, had muti- nj
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
N., c. & St. l.. Gives Its
 Right-of-W Way for Gardens

Nashville, March 15.-The Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis railway has rendered the use of its right-of-way to it's employees in the maintenance of way department for vegetable cultivation There are some 1500 employees in this work and this action on the part of the road is to encourage cultivation of gardens to bring down the high cost of living to the men. Several hundred acres of pro- ductive agricultural land will thus be opened to cultivation along the road
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16

'aThe conference committee of th2 consideration and at the afternoon meeting notified us that they could not accept it and submitted in lieu thereof the following:
 "If the supreme court holds the law to be constitutional and the two sides cannot agree upon the applica- ton of any of the points, we will agree that the eight-hour commission shall determine how the law shall be applied.
 "'In case the law is declared uncOn- stitutionaI. we offer to join you in asking the eight-h0ur commission to determine the whole controversy. Any settlement arrived at to be effective from January 1. 1917.'
 Tt will be noted that in any even- tuality the managers committee have declined to negotiate any settlement of the eight-hour day; that if the law is held constitutional they will not agree to our interpretation of the law and desire to submit the application of the law to arbitration, the members
  Arbitration board.
 "Cn the other hand, if the law is declared unconstitutional, they decline to make any settlement of the matters in controversy with us and again of- fer to submit the matters to arbitra- ton, the members of the eight-hour commission being the arbitrators.
 ,"If the railroads are willing to sub init either of these propositions to Arbitration it is evident that they ara eight-hour day if arbitration board so desires. but the roads themselves will never grant the request directly
 UNFAIR ATTITUDE
 We submit that this is an unfair attitude for the conference committee of the railways to assume. for if they are willing to grant the eight-hour day through any method they should be willing to grant it directly to their employees and not prolong the con troversy.
 "The public should remember that. after having failed to reach an agree
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16

case of strike. While individual roads have issued embargoes there has been no concerted action.
 The commission today considered the situation briefly, but decided to defer any action until tomorrow.
 It was indicated that the commission might simply suggest empargoes, rather than call upon the roads formally to inn pose them. The commission is vested with plenary powers by virtually every road in the United States with reference to meeting the situation caused by the car shortage, but there is some doubt as to whether it's powers extena beyond af- fairs relating to this situation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
UNFAIR ATTITUDE
JEFFERSON THEATRE
MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 18th.

MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 18th,
 at S:I5. For the relief of the Permanently Blinded Sailors and Soldiers of the Bel Eian, French and British Armies
 PROGRAMME
 PART ONE Address by Sergeant Major Robert Middlemiss of the Kings own Scottish 'Borderers, blinded in battle at Galli- poll.
 PART TWO Motion Pictures taken at the actual French Front, with the sanction of the French Government.
 PART THREE Song recital by Mime. Alys Larreyne Prima Donna Soprano of the Paris Grand Opera.
 TICKETS, soc, 75c and S1.OO
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
Want Possession of Appam

Washington, March 15.-1mmediate pos session of the liner Appam in custom of the United States marshal al Norfolk. is sought by the British owners who today asked the supreme court to waive it's usual 30-day delay and issue it's man- date at once. The court decided on March 6 that the ship and cargo should be restored to the British owners The Appam was brought in to Hampton Roads by a German prize crew year ago.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
STREET SCENES FOLLOWING
 DESCRIBED AS REMARK ABLE

The scenes in the streets were by this time remarkable. The wide thoroughfares where the troops were stationed were completely deserted by civilians except for few daring in dividuals who, creeping along walls and ducking into courtyards, sped from one side to the other But the side streets were choked with people,
 Groups of students, easily distin- guished by their blue caps and dark uniforms, fell into step with rough units of rebel soldiers and were joined by other heterogeneous clements united for the time being by cause greater than partisan differences Unkempt working men with ragged sheepskin coats, covering the conventional peas ants costume of dark blouse and top boots, strode side by side with well groomed city clerks and shop keep CTS.
 This strange army of people, must cred on the street corners shouldered their newly : acquired rifles and marched out to join the ranks of the deserting regiments.
 At nightfall only one small district of the city. containing the war office the admiralty buildings. St. Isaacs cathedral and the Military hotel, still resisted the onslaught of the revolu- tionary forces and the battle for the possession of Petrograd came to dra- tif.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
HEADS ISSUE FORMAL STA A7ENENT OF SIDE
 OF CONTRO VERSY BLOWING PROPOSITION TURNED DOWN
HE WEATHER
Weather Forecast

Washington. March 15.-Weather forecast for Alabama; Partly cloudy Friday and Saturday, probably local rains; somewhat colder Saturday.
 Mississippi: Local rains Friday; Sat- urday somewhat colder and probably fair.
 Tennessee: Fair Friday; Saturday fair west, rain east portion; colder
 Georgia: Partly cloudy Friday; local rains at night or Saturday.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
TRAMlNEN BEGIN
 STRIKE SATURDAY
econtinued from Page One,

tene how many would refuse strike This resulted
 said varying percentages ranging from very few roads to from 50 to 60 per cent others.
 The managers estimated that between 3000O and 40000 employed the roads in which the strike begin Sun day night
 The members of the managers committee will remain here until If the ask another conference it will be granted They said they will make effort to operate their roads spite of the strike Preference will be given the movements of trains carrying food and fuel.
 When the their proposition final president Railway Tanmen declared
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
Powder ExplOdes

Wilmington, Del. March 1.-Two thou sand pounds of black commercial pow der blew up today in the Hagley yards of the DuPont Powder company and killed one workman. The city and sur rounding territory for miles was tremen- dously shaken.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
Claim Men HdUe Waited Long Enough for Eight Hour Day, Which EDen FdU0rdble Court De-
 cisi0n Would NOt
 GiDe 10 Them

New York, March 15-The brohehoods' side of the troversy made public statement signed by the four brotherhood chiefs w. G. Le for the tranmen w. S. Carter for the remen L. Sheppard for the conductors and Stone, for the engineers.
 sWe presented proposition to place the Adamson eight hour law into effect along the lines suggested by President Wilson last August which that in all road service except passenger where schedules read One hundred miles less overtime 10 II miles per hour hours less for basic day and 12a miles hour for speed basis for the purpose of computing overtime Over paid for less than eighth of the daily rate per hour. schedules p
 
 
 mileage provided will not be in paid not dailu hnur
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16

That would be only another form of ar bitration and our men are sick and tired of arbitration
 The brotherhood chiefs contend their demand for the basic eight-hour day Sols all classes of work, with prorata time for overtime, would give them only what they would gain under the provisions of the Adamson law. They have abandoned half for overtime
 SAY MEN IMPATIENT
 Declaring that the rank and file of the brotherhood membership had become inn patient and would tolerate no further de- lay in enforcing their demancs MT. Lee said the supreme court might adjourn without handing down a decision on the Adamson act. In that event, he declared, there would be no decision until next win- ter and the men would not wait
 The managers refusal to comply with the ultimatum of the brotherhoods was based upon the contention that they must await and abide by the decision of the supreme court on the Adamson act. They asserted their willingness to submit the whole controversy to the eight-nour com mission if the law is declared unconsti- tutional and agreed to accept any decree of the committee.
 Pointing out to the four chiefs the grave international crisis which confronts the nation, they appealed to their patriotism to prevent strike at such a juncture in national affairs.
 FORMAL STATEMENT
 The brotherhood chiefs, in a formal statement prepared after the final break, expressed indignation at the attitude taken by the railroads In declaring strike would be unpatriotic.
 ''It goes without saying the state ment declares. that the railroad em- ployes have been patient and loyal to the interests of the country. and In the event of war have offered their services to the government. 1t must not be over looked that during this period when the railroads have consistently denied their employees that which was intended by the President in his proposition, and that which was intended by Congress in the Adamson law the railroads, during years period, show net earnings of over a thousand million dollars, While the em- ployes, with no increase in wages, have suffered an increase in cost oi living equal to more than 40 per cent. NO BLUFFING
 If. after more than a year, we have failed to secure some relief and train and eginemen conclude to fold their hands and starve in reality rather than by de- grees, should they be considered as dis loyal to their f1ag?"
 l w. G. Lee was informed tonight of the announcement from Washington that President Wilson would du everything in his power to avert strike and probably would appeal directly to the patriotism
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16

After a telephone conference with Secretary Wilson it is understood tho President decided to make no move tonight.
 There is disposition among some administration officials to believe that even if begun Saturday the progress sive plan for the strike will never be carried to conclusion. Before next Wednesday, the day by which it is proposed to make the walkout effect i've throughout the country, they be- lieve a compromise will have been reached.
 Precedents under which the govern ment might take a hand in the situ- ation were being searched tonight. A proposed law under which the Presi- dent would have been empowered to take over and operate the railroads in time of emergency failed to reach a vote during the last session of Con- greSS.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
RUSSIAN REVOL r
 IS CONSIDERED
 ASANTEGERMAN
This Is View in Washington Following News From Petrograd- Revolution Not Unexpected, But Abdication of Czar Was Profound Sensa-
 tion-Plan of Duma Not Understood

autocrac was a ani5ermah sentiment empire virtually all chance of Russia being oa~n away W
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
PRESIDENT HEARS NEWS OF STRIKE
 WL7'HAMAZEMENT
While Chief Executive is Watching Situation He Has As Yet Given No IntimatiOn of What Action He Will Take to Prevent Indus
 trial Tie-up Throughout Country

railroad strike had been President Wilson tonight
 expected that the meeting between the would result with transportation a lea he of
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-16
CLASH WAS LONG IN
 COMING TO REAL HEAD

Suddenly a few volleys were exchanged; there was another period of silent sus- pense and the government regiments finally marched over to join the revo- lutionists. A few hours after the first clash this entire section of Petrograd, in which are located the Duma building, artillery headquarters and the chief mli- tary barracks, passed into the hands of the revolutionary forces and the warfare swept like a tornado to other parts of the city, where the scene was duplicated
 At first it seemed a miracle that the revolutionists. without prearranged plan, without leadership or organiza- tion, could in such short time, with comparative ease. achieve a complete victory over the government But the explanation lay in the reluctance of the troops to take sides against the people and their prompt assertion to the ranks of those who opposed the crOUaru01a nj