davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
warm Y. N. c. A. HUT
MECCA OF SOLDIERS
Christmas Night Comparatively
Dreary for Service Men.

Warmth OF the Y. N. c. A. 'ht,"
Ninth street and Pennsylvania avenue,
attracted throngs of soldiers and
sailors last night. Reading. entertain
ment. writing facilities and general
sociability were provided. There was
practically no other entertainment
place open to them Christmas night.
Soldiers lucky enough to be the
guests of Washington families were
about the only ones who might be
said to have spent q satisfactory
Christmas night.
Yesterday night was in this respect
much different from the one preceding.
Everything for the entertainment OF
the military men was then in full
blast. Churches held socials, the Y. M.
c. A. gave special entertainments, and
throughout the city the day was char
acterized by attention to the boys in
the navy blue or army drab.
Several minor entertainments were
held during the evening, but nothing
particularly for soldiers.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
Serious Crimes Decrease in DC
Say Records of Criminal Courts

While crime Is apparently on the in
crease. the records Of the criminal
courts for 1917 say something entirely
different.
Where the actual increase Is, IS in
near-serious crimes and not in the Sc
rious crimes. The United States
branch of the police court has wit
messed all this year an increase in Of
lenses. such as assaults. petty thefts.
threats, violations of the food and
drug acts, cruelty to animals, etc.
Serious crimes, such as housebreak-
ing, joy riding. grand larceny, rob-
berry, assaults to kill. rob and rape.
violations of acts of Congress and the
d. C. code, murder, manslaughter. per-
jury and similar offenses appear to be
on the decline IL we are to compare
the records for 1916 and 1917.
During 1917, 591 criminal cases were
tried and convicted. The number of
years in sentences imposed total 81.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
BARGE LINES
TO Be OWNED
BY UNCLE
Plans Under Way for Water
hauled Freight Systems
All Over Country.
By L. HARPER LEIGH.

Government owned fleets OF barges
and towboats to transport coal. steel
and heavy freight on the rivers and
intra-coastal waterways will probably
be in active operation before the end
OF the war.
The precedent Of government owned
and operated ocean steamships paved
the way months ago.
Only = the scarcity Of construction
steel has prevented the building Of
government river fleets.
Planned BY Brent.
On account of the submarine mem
ace. the shipping board has been
obliged to concentrate on building
ocean carriers, but early in the year
under the direction OF Theodore Brent,
former member of the board, plans
were laid forl building government
barges.
Since the admitted breakdown OF the
railroads the question has forged to
the front. and, regardless OF the ulti-
mate plan adopted for the solution Of
the railroad tangle, the operation of
government fleets on the waterways
will be undertaken.
Secretary Of Commerce Redfield has
actively promoted every private move
ment for the increased use of the
waterways In the past few months and
some actual results have been
achieved. But q definite sentiment
has now arisen in Congress for legis-
lation to provide for government aid
to the resumption Of waterway traff1c.
Middle West Impressed.
This sentiment Is strong among the
Senators and Representatives OF the
Ohio and Mississippi valleys, whose
constituents are faced with a coal
shortage because of railway inef-
hciency. In years past the coal moved
from mine to consumer by river and
canal. Then the railroads killed much
Of the river traffic with their low long
haul rates and their terminal policies.
The roads either hogged the termi-
mails and refused to interchange freight
with the water carriers, or used their
political influence to prevent the de-
velopment Of public terminals.
In the past two years sentiment in
the river cities has reached the boiling
point on this question and many pub
lie terminals have been built.
Roads to Cooperate.
Paper promises have been exacted
from the railroads to cooperate with
water carriers But private capital
has been afraid to invest in water
freight lines and risk another throat
cutting from the railroads.
In the meantime actual demonstra-
ton of railroad methods has shown
that not only Is the expense of carry
ing freight by rail much higher than
The cost by water, but the actual speed
Of rail freight now is less than that
Of the ancient canal boat pulled by
; flea bitten mule.
Senator Mcclellan, of Tennessee, has
his intention to introduce
4 bill to provide for construction of q
heet Of government freight carriers
for rivers. or to provide for govern
nnent aid for private enterprise.
Government operation Of the rail-
roads will make no difference in the
Of the waterways, as the
existing ran lines, even when operated
IS a unit and at the highest efficiency,
cannot take care Of the nations needs
without the waterways.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
HIGH OFFICERS
FROM OVERSEE
TO AID PROBE
Will Tell What Supplies
Gen. Pershing Has and
What He Lacks.

The quartermaster departments
contentious regarding supplies sent
TO France has been heard in part by
the Senate Committee on Military AZ
fairs. and It is probable the com
mittee today will hear the other side
the testimony OF high officers just
back from the European battle front.
Mai. Gen. Edward st. John Cradle,
of Camp Rowie. Tex; Mai. Gen. Will
liam n. Wright, OF Camp Doniphan,
Okla. and Mai Gen. John F. Organ.
of Camp Wadsworth. S. C. are eN-
pected to testify as to Just what
Gen. Pershing has and just what he
has not.
we are not taking sides in this in
quiry,'' said Senator Chamberlain.
chairman OF the committee.
There is a possibility that Quar-
termaster Gen. Henry G. Sharpe will
be examined further.
Herbert Smyth will be heard. also.
He is New York attorney who rep
resented Capt. Hans Tauscher, for
merly american agent OF Krupps. and
also the husband OF Johanna Gadski.
Tauscher was tried on a charge o;
conspiracy TO blow up the welland
Canal He later went back 10 Ger
many with Count Won Bernstorff.
Gen. William Crozier, Chief Of Ord
nance, is said so have written a let
fer for Tauscher which was offered
in the trial. This letter gave Tau
scher a good character II is also
said that Tauscher boasted that he
prevented this government from re.
leasing to Great Britain several thou
M Tn,.panea,
zier may be asked about the letter
and the rifles.
1t is likely Gen. Crozier will soon
return TO the stand to answer the
testimony OF Col. Isaac Y. Lewis,
inventor OF the famous Lewis ma
chine gun. Col. Lewis alleged that
it was Gen. Crozier who was respon-
sible more than anyone for the in
adequacy and obsoleteness" OF the
American ordnance.
Gen. Crozier last night made public
the letter which he wrote TO Judge
Hand OF the United States District
Court in New York at the time Capt
Hans Tauscher was tried. Under
date OF June 26. 1916, the letter said:
AT the request of counsel for Capt
Hans Tauscher. / write to say to
cher for 10 years or more and that
have had frequent dealings with him
on behalf of the United States gov
eminent. During this time / have al
ways been impressed with the integ-
rity and reliability of his personal
character, my belief in which has
never been disturbed by anything
which has transpired between us.
should. OF course. be willing TO testify
in person TO the above effect, but /
have informed Capt. Tauscher's coun-
sci that at the present time it is not
possible for me to be absent from my
post in Washington"
Gen. CroZier said in an interview
last night that in writing the letter.
he did not know anything about the
merits of the case involved and did
not undertake to say anything about
that.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
COUNTESS JAILED
ON Theft charge
Minister of Public Instruction Mis-
appropriated Funds. Charge.

Petrograd, Dec. 5.-Countess Panin,
Minister Of Public Instruction in the
Kerensky Cabinet, was convicted on
Monday of Misrepresentation of pub
lie funds and sentenced to imprison-
ment until the return of the money
and to public censure. An employee of
the department spoke in her behalf
and the Countess, speaking for her
self. said:
Il have not misused the funds.
consider myself responsible for their
safety and will deliver them to the
Constituent Assembly, to winch alone
1 must account for my actions. Since
the converting of the Constituent As
sembly has been postponed the money
has been deposited in the State bank
until 1t assemblies"
The small courtroom In the palace
of Grand Duke Nicholas was filled
with friends and sympathizers of the
countess. The Bolsheviki judges, I'VE
workingmen and two soldiers, all were
members of the Petrograd workmen's
and Soldiers Deputies. They sat at
a long table draped in red. To the
left. near the wall, the defendant sat,
a soldier with a bayonet on either
side.
An elderly man. formerly an employe
at the Ministry OF Public Instruction,
arose and spoke of the great philan-
thropic and educational activity of
Countess Panin. He denied the mis-
use OF funds and said that the countess
had refused to acknowledge the right
of the present government to demand
the money, He declared that she
would return the funds to the Constit-
uent Assembly, which was the sole au-
thority over her.
Next a young workingman, speak
ing for the prosecution, made a cIum-
sy and heated speech to the effect
that nobility Of character and educa-
tional activity need not cloud the fact
that the countess took public funds
and opposed the authority of the
Snd soldiers government, ,
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
WARM WEATHER AIDS
IN COAL CONSERVING
Administrator Declares Against
Eghtless Night" Evaders.

Marked Improvement In the coal
situation 10 ascribed by John L..
Weaver. District fuel administrator, to
mild weather. He urges Washing
tonians to save coal now so that when
the prospective cold wave comes no
acute shortage will result.
Mr.. Weaver favors strict observance
OF ''ightless" nights. Many stores are
brilliantly lighted after business hours
and their owners will be called to &C.
count, said the fuel administrator.
Plans are being made by the fuel
administration to push the tag your
shower day to success. Not a single
coal shovel In Washington should es-
cape tagging. the administration head
quarters state.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
FOOD QUESTIONABLE
To GO over COUNTRY
Survey Authorized by Congress
About to Be Started.

Uncle Sam Is about to look through
his larder.
The nationwide war emergency
food survey. authorized at the extra
session OF Congress last summer, will
shortly get under way, according to
an announcement tonight by the Bu-
reau Of Markets Of the Department
Of Agriculture. "A QUESTIONABLE is
being sent by mail to practically
every dealer in foodstuffs. every food
products manufacturer, and every
holder Of foods in more than family
quantities. throughout the country.
The returns" explained Charles J.
Brand. chief Of the bureau, tonight,
must show the stocks on hand De-
cember 81. 1917, and December 81,
lsle. and estimates Of quantities in
transit outward by freight and ex-
press December 81, 1917. The sched-
ules provide for answers in regard
to eighty-six items. covering more
than 100 different foods.
TN addition to the survey by mall
ed schedules which will cover most
commercial holdings of food in the
country. intensive surveys will be
made by agents in forty-th. 90 typical
counties in various parts # the
United States, In order that the fig-
ures obtained by mail may be check
ed. Estimates will be maC also
OF stocks Of foodstuffs on fai , by
the Bureau Of Crop Estimates,
The complete survey will yielo he
most accurate information ever :.
lected in regard to the extent
the nations food resources, and l..
considered by officials an important
step In the effort to place the coun-
try on a safe footing insofar an the
food supply is concerned. The fig
ures obtained will permit the maxi
Ing Of intelligent plans for adequate
conservation and distribution Of ex-
istins food: fupplies and for produc-
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
President ATTENDS
Soldiers Matinee
Doushboys Have Time Of Their
Lives at Keith's.

1t was a sight, and sound too. long
to be remembered when President VIII
son came face to face In B. F. Keith's
Theater yesterday afternoon with more
than 1000 dough-boys and rockies,
pam everyday "Sammies" every
mothers son OF them, with not a Z.
o. near, all gathered in from the city
and surrounding camps as the guests
OF Mrs. Armistead Peters, Jr., who
had bought every seat in the house
at the second matinee. beginning at
SIS .. m.
To outsiders and passers-by the
cheering OF the high privates in the
rear ranks" sounded much "a thew
nave ina g1ned 1t will be when the
'Sammies'' go "oVer the top rat
hunting the Huns. Inside the theater
the noise Of the reclamation was deaf
ening. Indeed, the fact that the event
was altogether unanticipated by the
boys in khaki seemed to add a thou-
sand fold to their lung power. There
was nothing rowdyish in the uproar
Rather it was like the battle cry Of
thousands in sight OF the foe.
President Attends-
President Wilson. Mrs. Wilson and
their guests, Mrs. W. H. Boiling. Mas
Margaret Wilson, Bertha Bollinr and
Mr.. Sayre, the Presidents son-in-law.
evidently were delighted beyond meas
ure and the Presidents usual good
natured smile had, a gleam of more
than its ordinary pleasure.
As a matter OF fact the encounter
was practically unanticipated by the
PRESIDENT who had planned to spend
family Christmas at home, which in
deed he had until then, having fore
gone morning church and afternoon
golf playing But. learning that Mrs.
Peters was the hostess to the bows
going onward to the front and being
invited to be present. he jumped at
the opportunity to do honor to the
lads.
There was Christmas for the show
folks at Keith's last night and all the
players. from "starliners' to dumb
acts" met Santa Claus and danced
around the Christmas tree, something
many Of them have not done In years
past and something they hardly ex-
peeted to do. for years to come, per-
haps.
After the last and third show the
people from the mimic world and
eit'ohe rest Of the tout enscramble"
assembled in the promenade lounge.
There they found Q Christmas tree
~ tnh Room Of ornaments and
iightA Ntth timely gifts peeping
from the boughs. There was dane
ING and then a feast Of good things,
the celebration continuing until af-
ter the midnight hour.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
AWARDS COAST YARDS
4 MORE STEEL Ships
Hurley Asks Senator PheIan 10
Convey His Compliments.

The Shipping Board has awarded
the construction Of four S.so0-ton steel
ships to the United States Shipbuild-
ing Company Of San Diego, Cal.
Chairman Edward N. Hurley, Of the
board, yesterday told Senator Phelan.
of California, the board was so pleased
with the work Of Pacific Coast steel
shipbuilders that it wished to encour-
age them to extend the facilities OF
their yards. and would award them
further contracts.
Expansion Of the yards for wooden
ships Is not now desirable, said the
chairman. but he added that as soon
as present contracts for wooden ships
were completed, others would be made.
Mr.. Hurley asked Senator Phelan
10 convey these messages to the Coast
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26

an average Of one and a half years in
each case.
Compared to 1916, zoe cases were tried
and the total number OF years i'm
posed on offenders was So7. an average
of one and one-third years in each
case.
This appears to be contradictory to
the opinion of the police department
and the prosecuting authorities, but
nevertheless these figures actually
show what has been done in the two
years.
1t is true that many of the offenders
apprehended during this year have
senn men in uniform. These are as a
rule turned over to the military au-
thorities for punishment. This applies
to the police courts as well as the
criminal courts.
There are. OF course. pending before
the grand jury and criminal courts
quite number Of cases not enumer-
ated here.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
Rescues Kaiser from
Hades and Is Arrested

Los Angeles. Cal. Dec. 1.-F.
Vandergrift was arrested here
when he attempted to end the
miseries Of Kaiser Wilhelm burn
ing in Hades and was brought be-
fore a Judge.
A, film company claimed Van
dergrift turned a hose into a thrill
ing hell" scene where the "Kai-
SER was sizzling at the expense
OF quantities Of crude petroleum.
and. besides. considerably damp
ened the temperament Of the &C
tors.
Police Judge White released
Vandergrift under a suspended SEN
tence.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
THE HUNS DRIVE ON
CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

CONTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.
western front, the onslaught in Italy
is taken as fresh evidence that the
central powers are determined. by a
series OF intense artillery offensive.
coupled with "hussar thrusts" and a
prodigious use Of gas shells. to win a
great victory in Italy before winter
sets in. A triumph now is regarded
in many quarters as indispensable to
the Hohenzollern plans. because only
the shining sword" cleaning in ap-
parent success. can mollify the rising
fears Of the people that. after all. the
allied strength cannot be broken.
The Central Empires are paying
dearly for their italian successes. not
only in killed and wounded. but in
internal strife as well. While the Teu-
ton victories. local and temporary
though they be, are not calculated to
hearten the foes Of the Kaiser, still
encoura cement Is found In the height
ened morale OF the italian army and
the determination of the Italian peo-
pie to offer the stiffest kind Of a sup
port to the men in the field.
Hungary Wants Booty.
The italian campaign has served
to reveal anew the distress in the
dual monarchy. The victories for
Teutonic arms have widened the gap
between Austria and Hungary. Sto-
ries Of booty taken from the Italians
have made the Hungarians Jealous
of Austria, and from Hungary is
going up a cry for the vast stores
Of food the Teuton armies are said
to have captured.
The leading political and economic
circles in Budapest urge that irnme-
diate steps should be taken by the
proper authorities to insure that Just
proportion of the rice. oranges, chest
nuts and oil seized should be handed
over to the Hungarian capital, where
these things have long been rarities.
In other words, the Hungarians want
booty commensurate with the blood
they have shed.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
TWO INTERNS ESCAPE.

Salt Lake City. Dec B.-Ferdinand
Kube and Kurtz wilkins, German
civilian prisoners interned at Fort
Douglas. have escaped. according to
a statement made by the military au-
thorites.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
400 SOLDIERS RUNAWAYS.

Macon, Ca, Dec. 25-Four hundred
enlisted men at Camp Wheeler have
overriden orders and left for home
to spend Christmas without permits
sion. Many Of them have been appre-
hended and viii belreturned to camp.
Nearly 800 were ab&cnt from the 12sd
Infantry.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
NUTSHELL NEWS.

Fire in the basement OF the house
occupied by Bertha B. Qormack, 1741
Thirteenth street northwest, yesterday
caused damage.
John Brown, 1926 Ninth street north
west reported to the police last night
the theft OF wearing apparel valued at
$2S.75. taken from his home Monday
night.
An automobile. operated by James
p. Bland. II Fourteenth street north
east, collided with an automobile be-
longing to Andrew J. White, sos Ninth
street northwest, at Tenth and H
streets northwest. Both machines
were slightly damaged.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26

placed: machinery went wrong and
trucks had to be truSsed UP; while the
bitter cold. swept by the wind of q
northern lake. made the mems faces
red and tender.
That didn't matter much.
With song and Jest. the ninety
drafted men laid each new mishap up
as one more count against the Kaiser.
lover There" was a favorite. Sec
ond best, ran that well known mel
ody: We Won't Get Home TIL
Morning"
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
THEY CAN BUY COAL.

Clarksburg. W. Va. Dec. 25.-Fifty
dollars and sixty cents was one days
wages made by two coal miners at
the Burrows coal mine, near here.
They loaded forty-four cars and re-
ceived $1.15 a car.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
I. R. Lauds Kiddies in War.

Oyster Bay, L l.. Dec. a-col.
Theodore Roosevelt at the Christmas
Festival Of the Sunday School OF
Christ Episcopal Church talked Of the
war and urged everyone to take an
active part He eomplimented the
children in giving I'D presents In or
ger to send money to Belgium, where
ne church has adopted three cbil.
dren. - S'n-
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
Representative Loses Watch.

Rcpresentative Walter Kehoe, Of
Florida, reported to the police last
night the theft Of his watch and a
Masonic emblem key ring from his
room In the House once building.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
To Prevent the Grip,

Colds cause Grip - LAXATIVE BROMo
QClNINE Tablets remove the cause. There Is
only one "Bromo Quinine.'' E. ". GROVES
signature m bdJ. 0c-AST.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26

witches and hot coffee. prepared en-
route in the Kitchen truck attached
to the caravan.
In some towns-where there had
been sufficient notice of the trains
unprecedented Cross women had
lunches prepared in churches or hotel
dining-rooms.
Our course was suddenly changed
after one large city was passed. New
orders directed US to q seaport 600
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26
Ties Dog to 'Flivver'-
'Tm-Canned,' Says Court

Salina. Kan. Dec. S.-when
Henry Ward, prominent in SalinA
business affairs. tied his viciouS
bulldcs TO his ''fiivver." merely
as a protection to dogs with bet
ter dispositions, he was arrested.
Guilty." asked the court. after
Informing the defendant he was
charged with violating q city or
dinance against attaching Q tin
can TO a dogs tail.
Yes. sir" was the reply.
Eleven dollars" said the court.
And Mr.. Ward paid.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-26

A New Service
The Washington Herald want
ad department serves those who
use it-because it reaches more
homes than any other morning
newspaper.
I That The Herald may more
fully serve its readers. the
stranger, who have come
amongst us, and its advertisers.
it will begin a Free Listing serv-
ice whereby those in search of
homes may be placed in i'm
mediate touch with those who
have homes to lease or sell.
/. This service is intended to
benefit those who are at their
wits end" on the Room. Apart
ment and House hunt. now in
vogue in Washington. See The
coupon on the classified ad page.
Use it'll 1T is FREE.
1Let US help you to help your
self. .......:
Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-02-15
WISCONSIN'S FIRST POET

Like the famous question who struck
Billy Patterson, the query, who was
Wisconsin's first poet, still awaits a
definite answer. Some years ago the
State Historical Society published an
article by Henry E. Legler, the we'll
known Chicago librarian, which gave
TO Mrs. Elizabeth Mears Nellie Wild
wood) the credit Of writing Wiscon-
sins first book of verse Mr.. Henry W.
Bleyer believes, however, that Ebert
Herring Smiths lengthy and curious
poem on the Black Hawk War was
first published in Wisconsin a dozen
years earlier than was Mrs. Mears's
book IF this recollection of the veter-
an Milwaukee journalist is correct no
copy of this first edition of Smiths.
poem seems to have been preserved
Whether actually published in the
state or not, Smiths poem was written
in Wisconsin as early as 1848. Now
comes Mr.. Oscar Wegelin of New York
City with information concerning a
book of poetry which was undoubtedly
both written and printed in Wiscon-
sin in 1848. Oddly enough it is "The
Poetical Geography, With the Rules
Of Arithmetic in Verse" 1t waswrit-
ten by George Van Waters and print
ed at Milwaukee by Wilson and King.
Another Wisconsin book of verse
written in the same year, butnot,
apparently, printed in the state is by
German author and entitled ''Lieder
aus Wisconsin,"
The State Historical Society would
like to hear from anyone who has cop
les of these early volumes; or who
knows of any other Wisconsin book
Of verse ofsimilar early date.