davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-02

Continued on Second Page.)
MEXICAN TROUBLES ARE
PUzzL|NG C0Mn|SS|0n'
Carranza's Refusal to Sign Protocol
VIII BE Subject Handled
To-day.

Washington, Jan. 1.-The latest re-
meet the views of the United States a.
set forth in the protocol prepared by
the American members of the joint
commission seeking settlement OF
the Mexican troubles will be formally
considered at a meeting of the Ameri-
can commissioners here tomorrow.
Judge George r. Gray and joan Mott
will come to Washington tomorrow
and will meet with Chairman Lane.
of the American section Of the COM
mission.
The American commissioners will
go over in detail the apologetic re-
fusal of Carranza to sign the protocol
and will agree upon a concrete and
unanimous attitude toward the Car
rama communication. The commits
sion will formulate their views to be
submitted to the Mexican comnlis-
sioners, Seniors Caberea. Bonillas and
PAM. at a joint meeting OF the COM
mission to be held later in the week.
Meanwhile the Mexican situation Is
said to be drifting" as usual. Tha
State Department is in receipt of Of
ficial and unofficial dispatches recit-
ing the progress of the anti-Carranxa
movements in various parts Of Mex
leo, and hopes of the ultimate success
OF Carranxa In composing the gem
eral condition of unrest in his troubled
country diminish hourly.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-02
GASOLINE FUMES KILL
PA. RAIL WAY OFFICIAL
O. j -peRnus~e- Appreciated by Aapor
While Putting Tag
On Car.

Philadelphia. Pa. Jan. 10. J.
DeRousse, assistant to the president
of the Pennsylvania Railroad. died
about 1880 this afternoon at Phila-
delphia as a result OF being overcome
by gasoline fumes. II is believed that
he was asphyxiated by the vapor from
the exhaust while he was endeavor-
ing to place a new license tag on his
automobile Mr.. DeRousse is sur
vived by his widow and one daughter.
The funeral will take place on Thurs
day afternoon.
Mr.. DeRousse was born February
Is, 1857. He entered the service of
the Pennsylvania Railroad July Is,
1880, as telegraph operator In "PO,"
office. Philadelphia. June %. 1885,
he was transferred too the New York,
Philadelphia and Norfolk Railroad in
the office of A. j. Cassatt. president.
Upon the election of Mr.. Cassatt to
the presidency of the Pennsylvania
Railroad June .. 1899. Mr.. DeRousse
was appointed chief clerk 10 the
president. serving in that capacity
through Mr. Cassatt's administration
and also that of his successor. Mr..
James McCrea. on Mr. McCrea's re-
tirement January 1. 1918, and the
election as PRECEDENT of Mr.. Samuel
Rea, he was appointed general as
sistant in the office OF the president.
Mr. DeRousse was appointed assistant
to the president September 80, 1915.
Mr.. DeRousse was also secretary of
the New York. Philadelphia and Nor
folk Railroad and secretary of the
Norfolk and Portsmouth Belt Line.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-02
DISPOSITION OF NEGRO
CONGREGATIONS TALKED
Adjustment of Church and lnstitu-
uonal Properties Before
Commissioners.

Especial to The Richmond virginian)
Baltimore, Md. Jan. What are
regarded as two of the most vital
questions to be settled before any
thing like a mutual agreement can
b reached by the two Methodist
Hpiscopal commissions looking TO
union were discussed at length at two
Methodist Episcopal Church. These
are the adjustment OF the church and
lnstitutional properties and the dis
position Of the negro congregations,
most Of which are identified with the
Northern Church.
From what information that could
be cleaned after the adjournment. the
negro question occasioned lively dis
ctassion. with the two colored min
lister members CT the Northern COM
mission taking an active part. 1t ap-
NqunY6 TO be the concensus of opinion
Sfnong the white commissioners. es-
Specially the bishops, that the negroes
HShould be allowed to have a separate
church organization of their own and
pre1ided over by colored bishops. such
.chufches to be on friendly and fra
skernal relations with the white Meth
g0dist Churches.
One OF the negro commissioners
realised that such action would be
sN1QGBtAB IAotc thdi otdWIus tHc COIOI
Silna, but said he was not afraid OF it,
md that one OF his chief reasons for
favoring the union OF the two de-
hpminations was the great benefit to
10 accrued by the negroes of the
south.
One OF the colored commissioners
EtOld the Southerners that they should
net be skeptical about negro domina-
Hon with the present ratio OF whites
10 negroes In the church-l5 to l..
I4A sid further that II permitted to
IevArn their own churches there
would be no disposition on the part
'6x the colored bishops to preside over
~ Of the white conferences. but
1auld be content to confine their au-
4Sprity to the colored congregations
Both churches have real estate val
qQ cumming up into the millions. and
Ie disposition of these will require
Sosnnost accurate sort Of adjustment
order that each denomination may
able to retain al much of its
nnty and individuality a. possible.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-02
TO PREPARE AGAINST
T|E-UP OF COMMERCE
Administration Senator's Ready to
Rush Notion on Presidents
Railway Bills.

Washington, Jan. Legislative
consideration of the recurrent strike
crisis in the railroad situation will
begin here tomorrow when the Senate
Interstate and Foreign Commerce
Committee opens hearings on Presi-
dent Wilson's program OF railroad re-
form measures. The hearings will
center about the Presidents recon-
mendation for a law suspending in
terstate commerce strikes pending in
vestigation by the Federal govern
ment, and his suggestion that he be
empowered to take over and operate
the railroads in time Of military ne
cessity.
Administration Senators will make
every effort to rush action in the COM
mittee and in the Senate on the Presi-
dents bills. in order that effective
legal weapons may be at hand If a
general tie-up of the commerce of
the country becomes imminent as a
result of the strike situation.
Labor leaders headed by Samuel
Gompers. president of the American
Federation of Labor. will conduct a
bitter fight before the committee to
defeat the bills. which they charac-
terize as instituting involuntary SER
vitude" and as 'conscription."
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-02
HIGHLAND PARK GIRL
DIES IN AUTO WRECK
AUTO TURNS TURTLE
KILLING MINING MAN

Especial to The Richmond Virginian.)
Lynchburg. Va. Jan. ii ID. Coin.
who was interested in mining opera
tions at Pittsville, Pittsylvauia Coun-
ty. was instantly killed Sunday after
noon near Altavlsta, when five-pas-
senger automobile turned turtle with
him. lie was pinned TO the ground
by the car, and WAS dead when the car
was removed from him ten minutes
later Mr.. Coin was about 20 years of
age and he WAS returning alone from
Gladstone to pittsville when he was
killed He went to Gladstone with
his wife. who was called there by the
serious illness of her mother. His
body was sent early this morning to
Gladstone for burial
The accident happened Sunday after
noon at 2:30 O'Clock about mile east
of Altavista, the only witness being
young boy, who said that the car
was being sent at a rapid speed. The
tracks of the wheels showed where
the car left the road and where II re-
turned, at which place the car turned
over.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-02
We're Tunnciing Under River Bank
when Tons of Earth Buried
Them.
BODIES STILL WARM WHEN
DUG OUT BY RESCUERS
Failure of lads to Get Home For
Supper Led To Discovery of Trag-
cdy-Riyer Had Eaten Into
Bank.

Especial to The Richmond Virginan. J
Newport News. Va, Jan. i.--Three
small boys were killed here this after
noon when section of the river bank
in which they were tunneling caved
in, sending tons of earth down upon
them. One had his neck broken and
the other two were suffocated The
water had eaten into the bank. leav-
ing an overhang, under which the lads
were tunneling a cave.
When the boys did not show up
at their homes for the evening meal
the parents instituted a search. In
quiry led to the information that the
lads had been seen playing on the
bank. An investigation showed that
a section of the bank had caved in.
Recovered Bodies Still Warm
A score of men removed the earth
with frantic haste. The lads, still
warm -Mere-:aken- te-their- homes
They are between ten and fourteen
years Of age. One is the son OF Fred
Sanford. prominent wood and coal
dealer "Buddie" Warren and Will
lam Hartung were the othEr two.
Fred Sanford, Jr.. one OF the boys
left his home early in the afternoon
with shovel and a Ratchet, The
other lads met him at the bank. and
the three, after playing awhile on the
bank, started tunneltng a cave.
The boys had tunneled six or eight
feet into the bank when the cave-in
occurred. Physicians stated that the
boys had been dead but compare
lively short time when discovered
which leads TO the belief that the
cave-in occurred late In the day
The catastrophe occurred on what
is known as the Casino. The property
Is owned ny the Old Dominion Land
Company. Plans for concrete break
water to protect the river bank in
this section were prepared by the
company nearly two years ago.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-02
Measure Limits National Com
mittee Expend itures to
About ST 100000
BETTING ON ELECTION
TO DRAW HEAVY FINE
Jail Sentence Also For Viola
tons Of That Section of Bill.
Doubts az to Its Constitution
ality Expressed

Washington, Jan. 1.-The owen
corrupt practice bill was today COM
pIeted by the subcommittee of the
Senate Committee on Privileges and
Elections to which the measure was
referred to have teeth put into it
The subcommittee waS-cnmp posed Of
Senators Reed. Walsh and Kenyon
who cola borated with Senator owen
In the revision of the bill as original
ly framed by him.
aHan-Said- tndaXthat- he
was convinced that the bill. in its
present form will be speedily passed
by the Senate He said he had been
assured by Republicans that there
would be no filibuster against the bill.
The measure as it now stands limits
expenditures of national committees
80 an amount equivalent TO / l-2 per
cent of the entire population of the
nation or approximately sl.5oo.o00.
Contributions from corporations are
prohibited. No individual contribution
NAV exceed $1,000. All expenditures
moreover have to be made through
campaign committees and these com
mittees must account with Strictest &C
curacy for all items. The expenditure
by individual candidates in their own
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-02
LAWSON IN WASHINGTON
TO AWAIT LEAK PROBE
Declares II It's On the Square Tie WIN
Give Full Co-opera-
ton.
SAYS THREE WEEKS WILL
SEE THOUSANDS RUINED
Predicts Next Leak Within That
PeTiod-Expects To See Chairman
Henry Today and Is Ready For
Either Fight or Froiic.

Washington, Jan. 1.-"President
Wilson and other high government Of
ficials in close touch with the Presi-
dent know every circumstance con-
nected with the leaks that played hob
with the stock market and they can
check up to certainty every state
ment have made in respect to them"
declared Thomas w. Lawson. Of Bos-
ton, as he stepped from an afternoon
train at Union Station today
Lawson had come to Washington
with the expressed intention of re-
naming until something definite is
done with regard to the proposed In
vestigation of the recent leak of con-
fdential information on international
matters which had occasoned the
slump of December 81 on the New
York stock and Cotton Exchanges. He
will confer tomorrow morning with
Chairman Henry, OF the House Com
mittee on Rules, Following his open
ing statement to the reporters Mr.
Lawson said:
Cooperative III Above Board.
when / see Chairman Henry l will
above board. serious and on the square.
will cooperate with him. How
ever, II I see 1t Is only the usual poll
teal clap-trap / will have nothing to
do with 1t. / have come prepared for
fight or frolic and IL this thing Is
taken up whole heartedly the most
sensational revelations will be forth
coming. I doubt II the wary iegisla-
tors will want to go very far with it
though"
Lawson is most pessimistic--in his
expressions-with regard to the future
trend of the stock list. Referring to
his promise of another sensation he
said:
The next leak will happen in three
weeks and will bring financial ruin
to thousands. 1t will tumble stocks
until all are dizzy from the fall.
Aimed Artillery Too Low.
Lawson declined to explain the
matter OF the leak he promised for
holiday, week. which failed to ma
terialize Perhaps l WAS pointing my
artillery too low" he admitted with a
wink.
Representative Wood. of Indiana. au-
thor of the resolution calling for a
congressional probe of the alleged
leaks of December 30 and before. call
ed upon Chairman Henry today. He
explained to him in considerable detail
the suspicious upon which his resolu
tion was based and indicated what
should be the course OF the investiga-
ton. After the meeting Wood said;
Il could not get much satisfaction
out of the chairman with regard to
his intentions. endeavored to i'm
press him with the necessity OF making
this a committee matter rather than a
matter for his personal review and
judgment. but. L.. don't think Henry
wants to commit himself until he talks
to some OF the people upon whom he
relies to give him the latest views of
not they are prepared. TO stand for q
full and free investtgktion of the stu
atio1~
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-02
Only Skillful Handling of Sit
uation Can bring European
Slaughter to Close
DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS
NOW CLOSED INCIDENT
High officials Believe That
United States Can Make It.
self Heard Above Din of the
Struggle

al Washington. Jan. Hope for
peace in Europe tonight rested soleiy
on President Wilson'S mediation, as
s4he world greeted the new year 1914
Diplomatic Washington tonight was
convinced that direct negotiations be-
tween the two groups of nattnre
European nations is Impossible ana
that only the most skflful handing
OF the situation by the United states
can bring the slaughter to an end.
Diplomatic circles here tonight
were prepared te.-4ee- tA.-4i pcAca
negotia tons disappear into the dark
and mysterious depths OF secret diplo-
macy II WAS predicted. however that
these secret negotiations, properly
conducted will hear fruit ultimately
and one we'll informed diplomat deS
clared that the peace terms would
come to the surface in two months.
With the direct peace negotiations
initiated by Germany now practically
n closed incident and attention center
ed on the attitude TO be assumed by
the entente powers toward the tresi-
dents peace plans. a high official of
one of the beilieerent embassies here
tonight outlined the peace situation
n follows:
No Direct Negotiations.
"Gsrmaay's proposition xGr peace.
ana the reply of the entente allies
base made IL clear by their tone that
there is no hope for direct negotiations
sor peace. The exchanges show that
the battgerents have no common
ground uron which they can get to-
gether for the mutual compromises
which must mark the Anal peace
negotiations Neither side is willing 10
make the preliminary motions which
must prees de The formal discussion of
Z eaces terms ~
X Mediation by strong neutral power
Us the only other means OF securing
peaee. The European neutrals by their
close proximity to the conflict, and
their vital interest In it's outcome are
plainly barred from, efsectual work in
the direction OF mediation Only the
all, is In q position 10 make itself ef-
fectively heard above the din of the
struggle. The Presidents peace pro-
posais already under way will he the
basis OF the final negotiations for
peace.
These negotiations will be carried
on In secret Following the expected
reply OF the entente allies 20 tAe Pres
idents peace note, II ia TO be expected
that opportunities Will develop for the
preliminary confidential communica
ton OF peace terms by both sides TO
the President direct These negotia-
lions will necessarily be tenuous and
slow. but the peace movement can be
expected to take definite diplomatic
Continued on sixth Page
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-02
THREE NEWPORT NEWS
BOYS DIE IN CAVE-IN
INCREASE WELCOME FUND.

The entertainment OF the First
Virginia Regiment today at
Brownsville To return to Virginia
shows the urgent need of the pcO-
pie of Richmond to respond to the
request that funds lpc sent in inn
mediatcly to aid In giving the sol
drrs proper welcome. They
Will reach the city about the end
of this week, and but little time
remains to complete tho arrange
mrntS.
Richmond cannot fail to mani
fest its welcome In an emphatic
manner. II must be- a welcome,
warm. enthusiastic and overflow
ing with pride In the Virginia boys
who. in the face OF great sacrifice,
gave mp all the comforts that
home means, and subjected them
selves To the har,iships OF the Dor
der, bringing glory TO their city
and State, and advancing the Sc
crrity Of the nation.
To show them that you appre-
ciatc what they have done. send
n contribution to Colonel Thomas
B. McAdams. at the Merchants
National Bank. or The Richmond
Virginian.
All members of Mayor AinsIie's
reception committee will meet to-
day ut 1918 at the Business Mems
Club.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-02
Alleged irregularities in Affairs
OF Missing Realty Man to
Be Probed
DEVELOPMENTS AMAZE
BUSINESS ASSOCIATE
II. K. Franklin. Who Had
Been Out of City Returns to
Hear OF Disappearance-Ex
travagance Blamed

Facts in the case Of the alleged ir-
regularittes of w. b. Pizzini. against
whom suit for $e4, 500 was filed in
the Chaneery Court of Richmond last
Saturday by w. r. Nuchols, of New
Jersey, will be laid before the grand
jury of the January term of the Hust-
ings Court, when 1t convenes this
morning, by -Commonwealth's Attor-
ney George f. Wise. 1t Is said that
the jury will return an indictment,
and a warrant Will be Immediately
issued for the missing man
Last night no further request had
been made OF the police to start q
search for Ptzzini, and they will not
set the machinery of the department.
In motion to apprehend him until
this morning, when the warrant Ii
issued. From what could be learned
yesterday. the whereabouts of the
missing real estate dealer are yet a
mystery To his family and friends.
1t has been limited that other suits
Will be instituted against him. Tn
til the court has ordered an auditing
of the affairs of Pizzini, it will be
impossible to say just what his OBJ
legations are, but 1t has been stated
that they total more than half mil
lion dollars. according to estimates.
Member of Firm Amazed.
H. *. Franklin. a member of the
Arm of william b. Pizzini Il Company.
returned to the city yesterday from
Bowling Green. Va, where he went
last Friday morning to visit his wife,
who ia i'll there. on account Of Mr..
Franklin being out of touch with
newspapers, he had not heard of Mr..
Pizzini's disappearance. and was
astounded when he arrived at his
apartment in the Gresham Court and
WAS advised of the affair
Mr.. Franklin stated TO The Virgin
ian last night that he was amazed by
the developments. He left the city
Friday morning. not knowing of Mr..
Pizzini's departure. and remained un-
informed until he arrived in Rich
mond.
Il have been connected with MIR.
Pizzini for fifteen years" declared Mr..
Franklin "and in that time / have
seen nothing to indicate that there
were irregularities in his affairs. OF
course. / knew nothing of his per-
sOnal transactions. but in his business
dealings I have always found him
perfectly straight. While it Is too
early for me to say now. | do not be-
lieve that when the books of tho COM
pany are checked up there will DO
any discrepancies found believe
the firm will not be affected by Mr..
PiZzinis disappearance"
Banks May &c Affected.
It is said that Mr.. Pizzin made
numerous notes for loans before he
left the city. Various banks. 1t Is be-
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-02
VIRGINIA TROOPS WILL
TAKE DEPARTURE TODAY
Members of First virginia Regiment,
Who Have Been Encampcd at
Brownsville, Turn Homcwarx1.

The First Virginia gegiment at
Brownsville, Texas, will begin their
trip home this morning. according to
information reaching the city yester-
day. The regiment wtl leave in three
sections, carrying 800 officers and
men. and are scheduled to arrive in
Richmond by the latter part of the
week.
Colonel 10 Lane Stern yesterday re-
ceived a communication from Colo
mel William ]. Perry, commander Of
the First Regiment, stating that the
sections would be made UP as follows:
First section, Major Thomas p. Pey-
ton commanding: Companies d. of
Charlottesville: G, of Alexandria; H,
of Covington, and L. of Lynchburg,
all OF the Second Battalion. The ma
chinc-gun company and hospital de-
tachment will also come on this Sec
ton, making a total OF $50 enlisted
men and about fifteen officers.
The second section will carry. the
Richmond GrayA. in command Of
Major J. Fulmer Bright. This section
win carry the usual sanitary detail,
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-01-02
ALLIES Do NOT WANT
PEACE BERLIN FEELS
Rcyentlow and His Like Assert They
Must Re Forced 10 Peace
by the Sword.
HOPE FOR EARLY PEACE
DROPS TO Low LEVEL
Conservative German Press Tells
There IL Chance Entente Note to
Wilson May BE More Mildly
Phrascti.

Berlin. via sayville. Jan. l.-"They
do not want peace
Such. briefly was the impression
which the entente governments re-
ply to the central powers peace prof
fer made upon the German press and
public Immediately upon the arrival
Of the document today.
This impression may he modified.
some papers state. when the full and
accurate text of A.e note reaches
Berlin. Thus far the only version at
hand here is that sent by the Havas
News Agency. French bureau which
during the course OF the war has re-
peatedly incurred the suspicion of the
German Ffess-f,cf this reason ifa.t
hope is held by some of the conser-
vative organs that when the full text
of the note arrives 1t may become evil
dent that after all the allies are leav-
ing the door open for peace.
Force Peace by sword
On the face of what is known of
the note thus far. however,, there
seems no reason for doubt that the
quadrupie entente has hurled the
gauntlet to the central powers. and
their allies. fiat-footedly rejecting the
proposal to come together and talk
peace. Already the leading military
experts, and particularly "firebrand"
journalists such as Count Ernst Re-
ventlow. are proclaiming war to the
knife" asserting that now since the
allies have declared their determine
ton not to accept peace by diplomacy
they must be forced to accept peace
by the sword.
Sarcasm and irony feature the frst
comments of this element Of the press.
The entente note 10 generally char
scterixed as "hypocritacal" and as a
rare collection OF empty sophistries.p
Bitter ridicule is expressed, particu-
larry upon that passage of the docu
ment which refers to small nationali-
ties" the case Of Greece. and the inter-
ference with neutral commerce and
mails being held up as giving the lie
to the entente claims on this score.
Peace Expectations Drop.
The entente arraignment of "Prus-
sian militarism." and alleged lust Of
conquest Is met by reference to the
avowed object OF the entente to con-
auer Constantinople and the Dardan-
elles for Russia.
To be,sure. there are some influential
organs like the Frankfurter Zeitung.
which warn against rash Judgment of
the entente note. pointing to the
obvious necessity Of phrasing the note
for home consumption" These papers
point out that the entente reply to
President Wilson may be moro moder-
ate both in verbiage and demands. and
may yet weave on the thread OF
peace" On the whole. however. there
is no denying that expectations of an
early peace have dropped to the mini
mum as a result OF the allies answer
to Germany as far as IT'S known here
today.