davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
SENATE'S HEARING
TELLS OF ARM|NC'
Ordnance Makers Testify Today Re.
garding Difficulty of Getting
Contracts.

Washington, Dec. 19-Ordnance
matters were called before the senate
committee investigating army prepa-
rations here today to give details Of
government contracts and past and
future deliveries Of guns and ammu-
milton. The committee also proposed
to seek causes for recent explosions
in munition plants, reported due in
some cases to neglect of safety pre-
cautions and the award of contracts
to inexperienced manufacturers.
How ordnance manufacturers, an
ticipating the governments war
needs, spent millions In preparations
on the chance that war orders would
follow while the army ordnance bu-
reau refused to act, was related to-
day by manufacturers to the senate
committee conducting the war in
quiry.
The manufacturers agreed, how
ever, that the war departments deci-
sion to change the type Of army rife,
even though 1t involved delay in de-
livery, was a wise one, because 1t en-
able the American army to use a very
superior grade OF ammunition.
But the efforts of the manufactur-
ers, their witnesses said. to get the
ordnance bureau to give its orders for
guns on the certainty that war was
: coming were futile and after the war
was started delaying changes in
specifications were made.
Vice President Stoddard Of the Mar
/ line Arms company declared that when
he offered to begin work on guns on
/ the certainty that war was coming
! Colonel Rice of the ordnance bureau
told him: We're not interested"
at was utterly impossible to make
{ the ordnance department realize the
possibilities of war" said Mr. Stod-
dard, land we simply folded our tents
and went home"
After the manufacture Of rifles be-
gan, it was testified, Colonel Thomp-
son wanted to delay production sew
eral months by insisting on new
standards, but the manufacturers ap
pealed to General Crozier, chief O.
the bureau, and went ahead with tbs
work
All the witnesses agreed that thu
new Browning machine gun nov
being manufactured for the army il
superior to any other weapon of it
kind in existence
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19

LORRAINE HONORS
FIRST u. S. SOLDIERS
TO DIE FOR FRANCE

Pittsburgh, Dec. Editions OF
Lorraine, France, will erect a. monu-
ment to the memory of Corporal J..
B. Gresham OF Evansville, Ind, and
Private NJ D. Hay Of Glidden, Iowa,
and T. F. Enright Of Pittsburgh, who
we're the first of the American expe-
dictionary force to fall In France, ac-
cording to a letter received yesterday
by Mayor j. G. Armstrong of this city,
from the project of the village near
which the Americans are buried. The
project IN his letter says:
All three fell facing the enemy, de-
voices Of duty, sons of your grand and
noble country.
II salute them in their death. I
salute them in the name of the
people of Lorraine. In the person of
their chiefs, their valiant comrades in
whose midst died those first three
heroes of this grand war of independ-
ence,''
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
SUMMARY OF WAR
ON BATTLE FRONTS
GREAT STRUGGLE

The Germans, In their latest air
raid on London carried out last even
ing, harmed no naval or military
property and did little other damage.
They caused the death, however, of
10 persons and their bombs injured
10 others, besides five persons injured
outside Of the capital.
Reports from Athens state that
General Sarrail, who has commanded
the entente forces on the Macedonian
front since the allied base was estab-
lished at Saloniki, has been recalled,
to be succeeded by General Guile
met, also of the French army. 1t Is
not known whether this move pres
ages any change IN the policy the al
lies have pursued at Saloniki, which
for months past has been sufficiently
aggressive to keep the central pow
ers uncertain of the entente intention.
On the Italian northern front the
Austro-Germans persist in strong eff
forts TO find weak point in the Ital-
ian defense and through it to rush
south to the Venetian plains. Checked
east OF the Brenta last week. the in
yaders despite the heavy losses in
fiicted on them by the Italians, have
struck at two new points on the lire
between Asiago and the Piaye.
Monte Solarolo, between the Brenta
and the Piave has become the center
of fighting in the sector. Berlin
claims the capture of some Italian
positions there and the repulse oil
Italian counter attacks. Vigorous at.
taeks in this region, Rome says, were
repulsed by the defenders. West oil
the Brenta the Austro-Germans have
attacked in the mountain region and
Berlin says more than one thousand
! prisoners were captured
There has been no change on tbs
front In France. Infantry fighting has
not increased and the artillery con,
| tinues to be active in certain sectors
| Field Marshal Haig, the LondoI
Times says, is making importan
changes in his headquarters staff
! London and English coast towns
again have been visited by German
raiders. Numerous bombs wer,
! dropped on London and in Essex ant
Kent by the enemy airplanes whicl
crossed the coast early Tuesday even
| ing. British airplanes met the enem,
in the air and the anti-aircraft de
| lenses subjected him to a heavy fire
Russian representatives have beer
ordered by Leon Trotzky. the Bolshey
Xxi foreign minister, to demand of tn
central powers at the peace confer
enee at Brest-Litovsk whether the,
agree to make peace without annexa
tons and indemnities and ION tn
principle of self-definition of nations.
The old French cruiser Chateau Re
nault was torpedoed and sunk In tn
Mediterranean last Friday and tn
submarine which attacked her ais
was destroyed. The cruiser was be
ing used as transport and carrie
military passengers, all of whom wer
rescued. Ten members of the crew c
the cruiser, which displaced 1898 tons
were lost.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
PLANS ADDITIONS
/ FOR u. S. IN WAR
Capitals Scheme for More Buildings
VIII Require IS Millions Of Dollars
In New Expenditures.

Washington, Dec. 19.-Expenditure
of more than $5S,000,000 for land and
building for housing all the govern
ment activities in Washington, with
an outline Of general building plan.
has been recommended to congress by
the public buildings commission in its
first report. The buildings proposed
are in addition to the permanent gov
eminent buildings already occupied
The report disclosed that in the last
Is years the members OF government
employees here has increased about
one hundred per cent. This increase
does not include the vast inflow OF
new employees since the war began and
the building program does not take
into account the expanded war organ
ization. At present the government is
paying about 81 059,000 a year in rents
for private buildings in Washington.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
COSTELLO TELLS OF
LOOP POLICE GRAFT

!. Chicago, Dec 19-Thomas F. Co.'S
tello talked at the rate OF $500 words
an hour for six hours in Judge Sab
athis court yesterday, but it wasn't
enough to tell what he claims to
know of the police graft system of
which he was the active manager,
he says, during Is months of the
period in which Charles c. Healey
was chief of police of Chicago.
He took UP his story at the open
ing Of court today. He said that in
Is months he turned $4,000 over to
Healey for the protection Of vice
gambling and for the restoration OF
saloon licenses which had been for
feited for infractions of the law. His
own bit out OF the collections aver.
aged 800 week, he said.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
GIRLS WILL TAKE
WORK ON FARMS
Hundreds of Young Women to Go Into
Training for New Duties-Will
Replace Men for War.

Chicago, Dec. 19-Seyeral hundred
girls will replace men on farms next
summer if plans announced today by
the Woman's National Farm and Gar
den association are successful. A
girls reserve is being formed and its
members, after several weeks of spe-
cial training in farm work, will re-
place men who are called to war.
Two farms in Illinois already have
been donated for the work One of
these is owned by Miss Paula Carus
at Golf, Ill. The girls will be trained
on these two experimental" farms.
Truck gardening and poultry raising
will occupy most Of the training per-
iod. Special cottages will be built to
house the girls and they will be paid
small salary and receive their board
and lodging free.
Renting Of another experimental
farm" of 40 acres is being considered
by the association. and II the work
proves successful other farms will be
rented as training camps, it is said
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
WAR TRUCKS TO
Be RUSHED NOW
Experiments Indicate Three Glasses OF
Vehicles T.. >. win Take-Thou-
sands WIN BE Ordered.

Washington. Dec. 10. 49, Completion
t'designs for standardizing all the
motor trucks and trailers needed by
NE government for peace as well as
war work. was announced today by
Tue quartermaster corps.
Three classes of trucks have been
provided, OF which the class AA, with
,hree-fourths ton capacity, was the
lasI 10 be worked out by the zoo mo-
'or engineers who have contributed
Many new ideas. Manufacture OF the
eiass b trucks. having rated capac-
ny Of three tons. already has started
after exhaustive tests OF the sample
cass,
Three sample trucks Of the class A
ssrety, capacity l12 tons, now are be-
Ing tested.
urders for the three classes OF
trucks will run into the tens of thou
sahGs. All OF them with trailers., will
se run overland to the seaboard, fully
.oaded, and are expected to relieve the
sa'lroads OF carrying several hun
VISA thousand toms Of government
supplies.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
HOW BEST TO HELP
NATION DURING WAR

Newark. n. J.. Dec. ia conven-
ton of 1000 New Jersey manufac-
turers to consider measures by which
they can best serve the government
during the war was opened here to-
day. Closer cooperation between the
manufacturers and the government
was urged as one means OF attaining
the desired aim.
State Senator E. R. Alderman urged
federal adoption of the daylight saw
ing idea next year as one means OF
conserving the coal supply. He called
upon manufacturers to show their
patriotism by giving temporary en-
pioyment to men called to the colors
under the next draft.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
SPANISH SHIP WAS
SUNK; NO WARNINGS

Paris, Dec 19.-The torpedoing by
a submarine of the Spanish steamship
Noviembre, 1854 tons gross. is re-
ported in dispatch from Bierritz to
the Excelsior. quoting advices received
there from Bilbao.
Thirty Of the crew have been land
ed. They say the ship was torpedoed
without warning at night and that
thew we're all thrown into the sea-
After swimming about for an hour
they were picked up by French patrol
ships which put the submarine to
! fight.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
THE WEATHER

Forecast Till p. NJ. Tomorrow, for
Rock Island. Davenport, Moline
am. Vicinity.
Generally cloudy and unsettled
weather tonight and Thursday, not
much change in temperature with the
lowest tonight near freezing.
Temperature at a. NJ, "a. High
est yesterday. SO. Lowest last
night, 80.
Velocity Of wind at Z a. m. II miles
per hour.
Precipitation. none.
Relative humidity at 7 p. m. 50. al
7 a. m, 81, at p. m today. 81.
Stage OF water, %, no change in
last "A hours.
J. n. SHERIER, Meteorologist.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19

Complete reports of the casualties
man airshfps in last nights raid have
not been received, says an official
statement issued today All the Brit
ish machines which went up to en-
gage the raiders have returned safely.
Another Drops Into Sea.
There is reason to believe another
raider dropped into the English chan
mel, says the report.
A British pilot fired two drums OF
ammunition into raider as it was
dropping bombs on London from q
height Of $4,000 feet After the main
attacks of the raiders ceased a single
airplane few over London at about .
o'clock
The raider known definitely to have
been destroyed was hit by the fire Of
anti-aircraft guns and finally dropped
| into the sea off Kent. Two of the
crew of three were captured alive by
an armed trawler.
No Military Damage.
The following official communication
in regard to the German air raid Is
given:
Last nights air raid casualties
were: Ten killed and 10 injured in
London: only FIVE injured outside
London.
Several fires occurred. The mate
rial damage was not serious There
was no damage to naval or military
establishments"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
DEALERS GIVE SUGAR
CREDIT TO MR.. ROLPH

Washington, Dec. 19.-Many sugar
dealers in the west and middle west
today telegraphed Food Administra-
tor Hoover and George NJ. Rolph of
the food administration that there
would have been sugar famine In
their territory during October had not
the California Hawaiian Refining COM
pany provided them with cane sugar
1t has been charged at the senate
sugar investigation that Rolph, pres
ident of the California Hawaiian COM
pany. using his official power as di-
rector of the sugar division of the
food administration. declined TO al
low 10000 tons Of raw sugar to come
east when the shortage was first felt
on the Atlantic coast.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
5 Per Cent Camp
Dodge Men viii
Haze a Fur1ough

Camp Dodge, Ia, Dec. 19.-Christ-
mas Burroughs, extending from Dec
"a TO Jan. 1, inclusive, will be given
five per cent of the officers and men
at this cantonment, it was announced
mere today, upon receipts of orders tc
that effect from Washington.
These leaves of absence will be in
addition to those granted men who
will be able to use other than steam
transportation for the holiday trip
Men who have planned to be married
during the holidays also will be giyer
leaves, 1t was stated.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
KILLS HIS MOTHER;
GIVES HIMSELF UP

Chicago, Dec 1s.-Vesta Destito, a
member Of the orchestra of the Chi
cago Grand Opera company, who shot
and killed his mother. gave himself
up today to the police.
Mrs. Destito told the police that her
husband had become morbid over con-
tinued i'll health. He was unable to
tell connected story of the shooting
and appeared to be in a state of ner-
vous breakdown.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
LIMIT PROFITS MADE
ON DRUGS IN FUTURE

Washington, Dec. 19--Limitation of
profits on drugs manufactured in this
country on licenses to use German
owned patents, is being exercised by
the federal trade commission to reduce
the high prices which have prevailed
since the war began.
In announcing today that the Alb
bott laboratories Of Chicago had been
licensed to manufacture ''ver0nal," q
hypnotic and nerve calmative, the
commission said that the drug would
be produced for $40 pound and sold
at a Is per cent profit.
The present price Is $40 pound.
The drug hereafter will be known as
"barbital'
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
RED CROSS TANK
LEADS IN DRIVE
Nation Wide Campaign for Christmas
Membership Making Great Pro-
gress-Chicag0 After Quota.

Chicago, Dec. 19,-Indications are
that the central division will deliver
100 per cent on its quota in the Red
Cross Christmas membership drive,
according to reports today TO head
quarters here. Returns from Miehi-
gan, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and Wis
consin report unexpected progress in
nearly all localities.
An armored tank manufactured In
Peoria and identical to the ones used
on the western front, is leading Chi
Cages drive for its quota of 10000
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
WAR PATTERNS LOST
WHEN PLANT BURNS

Albany, Dec Invaluable patterns
for the manufacture Of special equip
ment for British, French and Italian
submarine chasers were destroyed
early today in fire of undetermined
origin which ruined much of the man
ufacturing plant Of the George H.
Thatcher company. The loss is esti-
mated at 100000 Besides its con-
tracts for the allies the plant was en-
gagged in turning tut work for the
United States government
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
us. Diver is
SUNK; 10 DIE
BY ACCIDENT
Collision With Sister Ship
During the Fog Cause
of Mishap.

Washington, u. C., Dec. 49,
Nineteen lives we're lost when the
American submarine FL was
rammed and sunk By submarine
F.3 In home waters during a fog
on Monday afternoon.
The F-3 was unchanged and
picked up i've survivors of ifs
victim. Secretary Daniels an
Hounced the disaster late yes
terday.
Lieutenant A. f. Montgomery, COM
handing officer Of the FL, was among
The I've ayed His mother. Mrs.
Julia Montgomery Pratt, lives at Fort
H G Wright n. Y.
Other survivors:
Schssailter, j. NJ, machinist
father Charles G.. Schissauter, Hills
City Tenn.
Brown, Henry L.. gunner's mate
father. II p. Brown. Macon, Ga.
Burns Joseph J., chief gunner
mate, wife, San Pedro, Cal.
Stewart John j., ships cook,
mother Mrs. Celia B. Campbell
Huron, $. D.. Ohio.
The Dead.
The list OF those lost was an.
nounced by the navy department as
follows:
BELT, JOHN r., seaman. mother
Mrs, ] E. Belt. Sigsbee, Texas.
BERNARD, FRANK NJ. machinisi
mate, sister Amelia Quintal, Oakland
Cal
CARTWRIGHT, WILLIAM L., sea,
man, mother Amanda Cartwright
Fresno, Cal.
CORSON, HARRY L. chief electri,
clan, next OF kin, Hazel n. Corson
Long Beach, Cal
GOONAN. James, chief gunner!
mate. mother Mrs. Minnie McClain
Lima, Ohio.
GREENBURG. SIMON, electrician
first class, mother Sophia Greenburg
Philadelphia.
SLOUGH, DUDLEY. chief gunner
mate, wife Marie Slough. Vallejo. Cal
VINCENT. CHARLES T., electri
clan, father Philip S. Vincent, Exeter
Cal
WALSH. THOMAS A., machinis
mate, mother Mrs. Anna A. O'Brier
Hilyard. Wash.
WYATT, CLYDE W. machinis
mate mother Mrs. Nellie Martin
Venice. Cal.
HALL. EDWARD e.. machinis
mate, wife West Seattle, Wash.
SCOTT. RAY f.. electrician, wifi
Vallejo Cal.
SMITH ALBERT P. machinis
mate, sister Florence S. Stebbeni
MERGED. Cal
STEWART. GUY r., chief machin
tst mate. father Grant Stewart, 10
Angeles. Cal.
LOVELY. LYMAN F.. machinis
mate, father Lyman Lovely, Denyel
Colo.
NCLUER. RALPH f.. electrician
mother Mrs, Josephine McCluer, Dc
jroit. Mich.
MRAE. DUNCAN A., electrician
sister Florence NJ. McRae, Blail
Wash.
MESSANGE. JOHN P. chief me
chinists mate; wife, Philadelphia.
METZ. GROVER E., machinist
mate; wife, San Francisco, Cal.
Father Gets News.
FroepGrt. H.. Dec. 19.-John
, MessauEe. chief machinist mate, VIII
lost his life when the FL was ramme
and sunk. was born in Freeport
1884 and enlisted in the navy II year
ago. His father. Emil Messange, VIII
\ lives here, received word OF his son
D death today.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
RITTER s:as7 POUSn.

Washington. d. G.. Dec. 19.-Presi-
dent Wilson has received pound of
butter for his Christmas dinner which
cost 1851 1t was made by Mrs. c. E.
yesterday Of Marble Rock. Iowa, and
auctioned at a fair by the Red Cross
auxiliaries to Union and Scott town
ships.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
APPEAL TO MINERS

Indianapolis, Ind, Dec. 19.-Coal
miners of the country are called upon
to forego their usually extended hoii-
day this Christmas time and take only
two days-Christmas and New Year
day-in a statement issued here to-
day at the international headquarters
of the United Mine Workers OF Amer
lea
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
PLAN FOOD SAVING.

Springfield, Mo-, Dec 19.-The CO.
operation of $4,000 retail grocers in
$50 cities and towns of Missouri in a
movement for greater conservation of
food is to be sought by the Missouri
Retail Merchants association. it was
announced today.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
.SHARKr Bill. VALID.

Springfield. H.. Dec 19.-The SUI
preme court before adjournment today
held valid the loan shark act passed
by the Ffftieth general assembly in
tended to regulate the business Of
making loans of $500 or less.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
GEORGE WILL
D0IT;CANAL
HEAD ON JOB
General Crozier No Longer
Is Chief of Ordnance
Service.

Washington, Dec. 10. - See.
rotary of War Baker tonight ap-
pointed Major General George W.
G0ethals, builder OF the Panama
canal, acting quartermaster gen.
eral of the army.
He also announced the appoint
ment of Brigadier General Charles
B. Wheeler as acting chief of ord
nance.
These appointments were taken
here to indicate firm purpose on the
part of responsible heads of the gov
eminent to reiuvenate the supplies
bureau of the war department, now
under investigation by the senate
committee on military affairs.
Encourages congressman.
The announcement of the recall Of
General Cocktails, who has been on the
retired list, TO serve as active head OF
the quartermaster's department In
place Of General Henry G. Sharpe
who goes to the new war council, ant
the selection OF General Wheeler tt
succeed General Crozier as directing
chief of the ordnance department
served to encourage congressional
leaders. who are convinced that wal
supplies have not been coming for
ward as rapidly as they should.
Although there are some member!
who feel 1t still will be necessary t
reorganize the supply divisions Of th'
army upon a greater scale, they lool
particularly the choice OF Goethals a
Quartermaster general, as sign OF
general awakening to the serious sit
uation which the nation is facing.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
Flock of 20 Raiders Flew
Over Channel Bound
for Capital.
London, Dec. 19.-Ten
persons were killed and
20 injured in London DUR
ing last nights air raid.
Outside of London FIVE
persons were injured.

London, Dec. 19-Dne of the
German airpianes which took part
in last nights raid over England
was brought down and another is
believed to have been destroyed.
the war Office announces. From
16 to 20 raiders, divided in;o six
groups, endeay0red to reach Len
don, but only five succeeded In
dropping bombs on the city.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19
BRITISH DROP
BOMBS UPON
ENEMY BASE
Italians Lost Men When
Hills Were Stormed
in Fight.

Rome. Dec. Northumberland
forces on the Italian mountain
front made determined effort
Yesterday to advance on the line
between Col Caprille and Monte
Petica. The war office an
neuneed today that only In the
Monte As0l0ne zone did the en-
envy gain ground and maintain 1t.
London, Dec. 19s-The success
ful bombing by British naval air.
craft of the EngeI airdrome, be-
hind the German lines in Fland-
ers. is announced In t0day's adj
niraIty statement, which says
one enemy aircraft was brought
down abIaze and one out of con-
troll.
Berlin, Dec. 49, Austro-Germal
forces yesterday stormed the Italian
positions on Monte AsolOne and tn
adjoining heights, according to the OF
fetal statement issued today by tn
German staff More than two thousan
soldiers were captured
German Patrol Active.
London, Dec. 19-German patrol
were active last night in Flanders nea
Passchendaele, the war office reports
The statement follows:
Hostile reconnoiters endeavored {
APPROACH our posts southeast an
northeast Of Passchendaele. The
were driven out by our fire. We Sc
cured a few prisoners. Elsewher
there was nothing of special interest.
French Defeat Foes.
Paris, Dec. 19.-Two attempts b
the Germans to approach France
position in the Argonne near Four d
Paris, last night, were defeated wit
losses, the war office announced toda,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-19

Continued on Page Fifteen.)
Arizona republican., 1917-03-17

FOR SALE houses on large lots.
Price 500. See Mr. VIM. E. Beck, on
premises. 1907 Z. Monroe. id