davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
TEST OF WAR ARMY TRUCKS
NC" Experimental Transport Service
Bei"E Carefully Watched by
OniciaIs.
iBy a aoGated Press


WASHINGTON. December Is-Thc
frs; section of the American Army's
new experimental! truck transpor, SER
Vice has been started from Detroit on
It's way 20 the Atlantic seaboard TO
test the army's plan for relieving con-
s.s;!om in freight terminals by the
overland use OF motor trucks
In statement tonight. Quarternlas
ter-General sharpe said ii the plan
proves successful, it Is estimated that
the total relief 20 the railroads. through
the shipment TO the coast under their
own power of the 10000 war trucks the
army has under construction, Will
amount to $4,000 tons. and also will
permit the transportation Of 5000 tons,
OF government materials 10 the coast
from the interior storage depo;s.
The plan will serve also another
urgent need" said General Sharpe.
The training our men will receive in
driving loaded army trucks from fac
tory 10 seaport under the trying con-
ditions which will be encountered this
winter will. as nearly as possible. re-
produce the actual service conditions
abroad.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
100000 Tobacco
Fire at Norfolk
Plant Of British american Com
oany Destroyed Origin
a Mystery.
[ Ry Associated Press.I

NORFOLK, VA. December l6--The
plant OF the British American Tobacco
Company. composed of two x-story
buildings. OH Water Street, was COM
plctciy wiped out by fire early this
evening. The loss will he at least $500.
600
The fire originated on the second
floor Of The new building. facing on
Water street, and quickly spread TO
the Old structure in the rear. Tho new
building was completely destroyed. The
old building was Euttcd. An immense
stock OF tobacco and several floors Of
cigarette machinery were destroyed
Several explosions OF bag rum carly
after tho discovery Of the fire caused
the flames TO spread rapidly At ono
time 1t looted like tho United states
customs house would so, and guard
OF marines WAS thrown about tho
structure by request OF officials
Tho origin of the fire is a mystery
Fire department officials declare il va,
probably the work OF an inccndiary
The entire plant u'cs used for the
manufacture Of cigarettes for eXporta-
ton 10 England and France. Thrce
hundred and ffty people will bc thrown
out Of employment
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
COAL FAMINE IN NEW YORK
PARTLY NTITIG A.rI.u

NEW YORK. December :6.-The coal
Famine in the city and the suffering
incident thereto were mitiSated 10
some extent to-day by the recent of
part OF 10000 tons hurried in by the
LehiSh Valley Railroad. and the promnt
distribution OF the coal in small ouan-
titles among needy householders and
apartment houses. Further relic, 10
promised for Tomorrow, as the au
thorities are facilitating in every nos
siblc manner the transportation Of fu.,
TO the city.
BY no means all whose bin, ,ycr.
empty to-day received even an in.
ilntcsimal replenishment Of their cx
hausted coal supply Thousands OF
homes and many apartment houses
were without heat OF any kind save
Such as could be obtained from gas
ranges and gas and kerosene stoves
Many churches had congregations OF
unusual numbers. both at the morning
and evening services. owing 10 tho
promise OF warmth TO people whose
own hresides were cold.
FURTHER relief Of the coal shortage
is expected tomorrow, when more coal
is TO be delivered in the city.
So far as was possible to-day, coal
dealers made consignments Of coal re-
ceiVed by them serve to relieve only
the most urgent necessity. To no ono
was given a large supply
One OF the results OF tho coal short
age and the recent heavy snowfall has
been such a demand for men to re-
move tho snow and deliver coal that
the municipal lodging house has shown
(Continued. on Second Page0
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
SLIGHT ADVANCE AFTER
HEAVY SACRIFICE or, @,pv
BY Associated p-es.1

BY Associated Press1
lEADIeCARrERS OF THE ITA1,.
IAN ARAlf IN NORTHERN ITALY
saturday. December 15.-Aftcr a heavy
sacrifice Of men and five days Of con-
t'huous lighting. the enemy has s,c-
ceeoed IN making another slight ad.
vance. bringing his position uD I.
Capri!le Hill. just east OF the Hr.,+.
RIVER. This represents an adyanc. ~
ABOUT three.quarters OF a mile ~.
ehief Importance being that Capri,,.
Is one OF the dominating: heights a,
the mead OF San Lorenzo Valley. Iona
'Hs southwark TO the plains toward
which the enemy is persistently exer,.
ing all his pressure.
AS his chief effort tho previous week
was to gain command OF the pas.e,
west or tho Brenta River. so all b,.
attention in the last week has been
gwen 10 the passes on the east bank,
the hSht;ng during the las, five days
mas neen heavy and at times desperate
'o' control OF strategic positions
Inc struggle yesterday and to-day
look on double aspect. with tho Ital-
iahS attacking on the right OF Mount
fertica' occupied by the enemy while
the Austrians concentrated their at
lacks on the lctt around Mount Bc-
Teit" and is neighboring hill. Ca
prii!c. The Alpinia again distinguished
themselves in charges UP the stones
OF Pcriica In an effort to redeem the
hill. but while all reports agree that
heaps OF enemy dead marked the course
Of the ..lpin! assaults, they were un.
able TO maintain their positions at the
n t,o
enemy batteries.
Austrian attacks on the left were
twice repnlsed. but late yesterday, with
large addition OF fresh troops. the
Aus;rtans reached tho summit OF Ca.
prilie. while the Italian lines were
correspondinSly drawn back. AL
though Capriilc is 1T tho head of san
Lorenzo Valley, the passage along tbi.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
FIERCE FIGHTING
ON ITALIAN LINE,
lnterned Cruiser Relays Messages
as Band Plays to Drown Out Sounds

cisco recently so completely in n plot
10 establish (. revolutionary soverp-
ment In India.
\ !ermap secret agent knows rs
"h-1I" ~aA said In the diary TO
hnve aided In the trsnsnlsslos Of
these messaEes. and also to have
advised the German government OF
the sailing time OF Danish vessels
from here and elsewhere. The diary
hints mt piot to stir up reyoIts In
China against the British. in fur
therauce OF which quantities OF
arms were supposed to have been
secretly f'urfcd In Shanghai md
Manila. II also reveals supposed
orders from, the German embassy nt
Washington following the destruc-
tion OF the Lusitnnia TO dcstroy
German vesseis in hmerican and Ia
suinr ports. N inlm edtate war was
feared. TIE diary states thnt these
orders were cancelled subaeaueptIy
by certain "H. v. b. presumed
10 be Won BernstorT, but sucb cap-
collation. came only after the mn
chiner! In those vesseh had been
deatrsyed.
Orders TO the .ailors Of the Geier
10 returu 10 German! through the
use "f false passports also were
issued, the article stutes.
The article says that Grasshof was
court martiaied after the dIscovery
OF the diary. and is now in solitary
confinement heading hi. removal to
Fort Douglas. Utah.
On February 4. 1919, the Geier
was set ahre by her crow and bndly
damaged. Afterwrrd nhe wn. towed
TO the Pacific CoaHt for repairs.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
tBv Associated rreczl

tBy Associated Precs.l
HONOLULU, December I6.-While
the ships basd was riuyine lively
tunes to drown out all teIItaIe
sounds. the wireless apparatus OF
the German cruiser Geier, while In
tersed In this harbor. reIayed nen-
-nEes between German agents iu the
United states and J.pnn In further
ance OF plot TO enabroii The two
countries in war, according 20 an
article printed 4. the Star Bulletis
here.
The article. which Is published
with the authority of the naval In
teiiiEenee bureau. declares that the
seal placed on the Geier's wireIesS
by the Americas gorern.ent wa>
broken by the Germans In order
thst the messages might be trans
mitted. This isformaties was oh
tnined from the diary of C,ptaip
Grnsshof.. of that resxcl, the article
stntes.
Grasahors diary says that In No
rember. 10ii. and February, 1917.
messages ordering widespread pro-
mitigation OF reports that Japanese
f"vees were to land In Mexico. and
German forces In Cnnaaa were hnp-
died by the Geier's wireless. the
operators working night and day.
According to the dInry. Count yon
RernStorT asd Captain, Boy-Ed and
ros Papen. his principal aid..
figured prominently In the plot.
George Roedik and ". 4. Schroeder.
former German consuis at Honolulu
md Mnniin, were MISC implicated,
Roth pleaded guilty In San Fran
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
AERO MEN BURNED TO DEATH
Three. COnhned In Guard Ueuse for
Minor Onenses, Perish when
RuiIdipE II Destroyed
BT Assoclsten Pre3n

HARRISBURG, PA, December l6.-
Il. L. Gallagher. Munhall, Pa: W. j.
Kramer. Detroit Mich. and w. l..
Wiley. Rockford, ILL.,, NIL members OF
the One Hundred and Thirteenth Aero
Squadron, L. S. A., were burned to
death when tho guard house at the
government aero warehouse at Middle
town. near here. was destroyed hy fire
to-day. The fire was caused, II Is be-
liercd, by gas generated by burning
tar roofing paper, which tho men. the
only inmates OF the small frame strue-
ture, were using to heat the building.
The men were confined for minor
offenscs.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
CLEMENT DENIES HE
HAS ANY OTHER CHARGES

IuGSc Frank Osborne. OF counsel for
the defense. then asked Solicitor Hay
den Clement if he had any further
charge against the defendant. to which
tic solicitor replied: Il have not"
Judge Osborne then formally asked tn.
court to release the defendant from:
custody, and Judge Cline said
The defendant j.. re lcas cd
CASTOR l.. Means then entered upon
the first day OF full freedom sine, he
went to jail in September. waving
preliminary hearing before maEiS-
tratc.
Probably no trial ever conducted in
North Carolina has held the wide in :
tcrcSt of that of Means. nor has any
brought more attendants from other
-f"tcs. number Of witnesses IRON, chi
.dGo and New York testifying.
Assistant District Attorney John ~.
pooi1nG. OF New York City, assisted
III the prosecution. coming to Con.
cord at the request OF Solicitor Glenn
"nt because both Means and Mrs King
We're regarded as citizens Of that State
Mr. poolnS brought with him mass
OF papers and documents of various
hh'ds Scized at Means's apartment in
New York. These. Mr.. Doolinr tool,
last night. some Of them being sub.
'' % the order OF the New Yort,
-ourts.
1t has bccn rumorcd that in the even,
of acGuittal OF the charge of murder
Means might be prosecuted in New
York on other charges. When asked
about this, Solicitor Clement said this
afternoon that he did not anticipate
any such action. but that he could
not speak with authority
WET DEATH WHILE
At PISTOL PRACTICE
Mrs. King. who was on visit to
Mcans's relatives. met death at Black
welder Spring. lonely spot In tho
country near here. early en- the even.
ing OF August 80 last. With Means
and party of his friends. sho had
Continued on Third Pagc.)
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
CONGRESS TO GIVE Time
TO WAR AT TER HOLIDAYS
Domestic Legislation to Be Cleared
From Calendar Before Recess
for Christmas.
NATIONAL PROHIBITION TO-DAY
Temperance Forces Confident House
Will Adopt Resolution Submitting
Matter to Statcs--Sufrrage Amend
ment Seems Impossible.
tBy Associated Press

| WASHINGTON. December lS-With
IN unusual record for business accom-
P!!shed at pre-holiday session al
ready made. Congress turns tomorrow
to cleanup Of domestic legislation
before the Christmas holidays, after
winch II proposes TO devote itself eX-
c!usively TO war problems. ADJOURN
inent Tuesday unit! January S--a holi-
day recess somewhat longer than
usua!-is planned under House reso-
luton which comes before III. Senate
tomorrow.
Since the session began fortnight
ago, Congress has declared war against
.AuStria-HunSary. extended the Presi-
dents $l00.0oo.001 war emergency fund.
made progress on natural resource leg
;slation. recommended BY the Prcsi-
dent. passed the s3SS. 100000 post office
appropriation bill through the House,
and launched several important inves-
legations, including those into the army
and navy war preparations and the
sugar and fuel shortages.
TO be squeezed into the two days
before the recess is much other i'm
portant legislation. and during tho re-
cess committees will proceed with in
restisations and drafting of appropria-
ton bills TO follow in the new year
NATIONWIDE PROHIBITION
BEFORE HOUSE TODAY
Chief in interest now i3 the nation
wide prohibition question to be voted
on by the House tomorrow afternoon
at . o'clock. Prohibition advocates are
ni nv do I,t,
moro than the necessary two-thirds ma
jority. OF the resolution for Submis-
sion to the States OF a national pro-
'ibition amendment TO the Const!tu-
tion. The resolution was adopted Au-
gust last by the senate by Il vote Of
Go to 20 Action By the States-three.
fourtha OF which must approve before
the amendment becomes cfective--is
required in seven years by the House
resolution and six years under the SEN
ate resolution.
If the House acts tomorrow the diff
ference must be adjusted in conference
and the conference report adopted by
both bodies before the resolution is
submitted TO the States. Lively de-
bate is expected in tho House. with ad-
mission by the prohibition forces
which have fought for years to get
action from Congress-
Disposal before the recess OF the
proposed woman suffrage movement
is regarded as impossible. A vote may
bo taken in the House soon after tho
holidays. Polls conducted b. the lead
ers indicate defeat OF the resolution, in
which event a Senate vote would not
be necessary, though one might be
sought for record and its effect on
public opinion.
The Senate tomorrow will resume
consideration OF the Walsh -Pittman
coal and oil land leasing BILL which
probably will pass Tuesday in. fur
therance OF tho program Of legislation
for natural resource development.
Investigation BY the Senate Military
Affairs Committee into the War De.
partments operations will be resumed
tomorrow. with Major General Gro
CONTINUED on Seventh PaEc.)
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
WOULD ADMIT MEXICANS
Southern Food Administrators Seek RE-
m0Nni OF "IIepd Tn1" ms In
duce ement to Lnborers,
[By Associated press.1

10y aSsociatcu PrcSS.I
NEW ORLEANS, December lG.--Food
administrators for the Southern States
and several agricultural and livestock
experts at meeting hero yesterday
adopted resolutions looking towards
unifying the work OF food conservation
end production and promotion Of in
creased livestock raising In the South
Among the resolutions adopted was
one calling on Congress to at once re-
move the head tax" so that Mexican
liborers may freely enter this country
to work on farms during the period
Of the war.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
~ Dt.E ORDERS tEI;i:NTs
i'ou .NI pi:NOHsTUt trIU\s

~ '."" "'oio"h th unruluc tn lury
sent :'h"rin Caldwell, 80 Jud-c clinc's
hotel to rvg!ost th.t lac appear I'm The
courtroom 'rhc judge va. u, break
fast. and IL wns TO. v'ciucl before hc
reached che courthouse. To the crowd
that had assembled. hc made known
the f,ct tina, the ju'.y WAS ahou, 20
appear. bat that ne had not been ap-
prtfod whether it was ready 10 hu-
uolucc decision. IN the even; such
was the case. hc said. there must not,
Is, ANY demonstration. regardless ot
Nha, the jury's nnLnS might be. Then
he directed tho sheriff TO arrest any
one violating his Instructions. lie also
cautioned against any attempt 10 talk
with any OF the jurors before they wcrc
discharged
Whcn the jurors had fled into the
courtroom Judge Cline told them ;ha;
during his charge OF the dav before
he had inadvertently referred to the
time OF tho shooting as lin the even
ing" ana asked ii they Interpreted that
10 mean AN expression Of his opinion
a. TO the fac, OF the time OF tho trns
cdy. In unison, the juror. replied they
had not.
The clerk OF the court then asked
the formal question as 10 whether
verdict had been arrived at. J. Frank
Goodman. who had been chosen fore
man, answered in the Affirmative. Iii
rccting the defendant TO stand and
raise his right hand. the clerk then
asked tho jury ii they found the de-
tcndan, guilty or not guilt Of the
crime charged.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
ARMY TRANSPORTS DELAYED
RE MORE PAY DE;NA

lie cites scvera! instances where
army transports ready TO sail with
war material and supplies had hccn
the crews. These demands had TO be
met he said. before the ships could
sail.
with the rate OF wages liked by
law" the report says, "ths department
has found itself seriouSly cmbarra Ssed
and Handicapped in undertaking to ac-
cedc 10 the demands for mcrcaac.S.
and in several instances an adjustment
TO meet the requirement OF the crew
has only resulted in u similar requcs,
from the same crew il very siort
period. that the department has been
placed at the mercy of it's employees"
The generals recommendations fol
low:
the best type OF American citizens
available. who are experienced IN the
work OF maintenance ard operation
Of vessels of this service.
Second--That the tenure OF services $
OF such employees shall be Of such
duration that they cannot be tar:nin-
ated At the Will OF the employees.
"ThIrd-That all members OF the
crew shall he subject to military dis :
ciLline. thus enabling Il pro,npt anG
strict compliance with such orders as
may be given
NO plan other ;han an enlisted ser
vice can possibly be suggested urder
Continued on Second Page.5
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
RAILROADS TRYING
TO ACCOMMODATES All

All these interests are pulling against
each other. The railroads, meantime.
are trying 10 accom- modate everybody.
They want coal to move. bu, want it
for themselves before anybody else
gets any. They are willing to hau;
food, bu; they are being given orders
by scores of quartermas;er officers to
the effect that army supplies must
move ahead OF everything else They
are struggling with government in
terests. on the one hand. while trying
TO meet their own operating difficulties.
on the other.
As result OF this condition. the
great volume OF railroad traffic Is IN =,
jam And as = result OF the jam there
is fuel shortage in almos, every c!tv
and town in the Eastern section Of the
United States. That the emergency
must be met. however is patent to
everybody in authority here. and new.
method Of dealing with the crisis NAV
be expected within few days
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
MAN ALL ARMY VESSELS
WITH MILITARY CREWS
onartermaster-Generai Would Bring
Into Service; Men OF Transports
and Mihe Layers.
GREATER DISCIPLINE REQUIRED
Civilian Scamen Continually Give
Trouble With Demands for In.
crensed Pay Saiungs Delayed
and Grave Danger Threatened.
FRy Associated Press. J

WASHINGTON, December 1G.-Im-
mediate legislation to bring the crews
OF transports, mine-layers and other
army vessels into the military service
is urgently recommended by Quarter
master-Gcneral Sharpe in his annual
report. made public tonight Con
tinual difficulties with civilian crews
are described. with the conclusion that
grave danger can be averted only by
making officers and men subject to
military discipline
The report adds Il new element to the
controversy over the manning OF ships
carrying troops and supplies to Europe.
\ proposal TO have all American over
seas merchant craft manned by naval
reserves has been rejected by the Ship
ping Board, which recently announced
that the navy would operate troop
ships and vessels carrying solely mill
tary supplies but that all others would
retain their merchant crews
General Sharpe probably will appear
this week as witness in the Senate
Military Committee investigation Of
army war preparations, and his testi-
mony. with its proposal OF still an
'tHcF pIdil may result IN general
airing OF the subject before the COM
mittee.
Since the war in Europe created An
abnormal demand for seamen. General
Sharpe's report says. there has been
trouble. The chief difficulty cncoun-
tered for several years was with the
constant changing OF crews rs men
were drawn away by offers OF higher
pay in the merchant service intcrfer-
ing with the speed and precision Of
such important duties as harbor min
ing and troon noverncnts
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
TOO MANY INTERESTS
PtLLING AGAINST EACH nrHEI,

II is apparent 10 anybody who ha.
studied the fuel problem as il is ad-
:A'niSi"Ted in Washington that There
are too irany interests pulling .,sa!ns,
each other. There Is no one Official
who is boss OF the job, except the
Pre3iden, hims and obviously he
cannot turn his other duties over TO
somebody else while he directs the
delivery OF coal 20 Baltimore or Clcvc-
land or New England.
Dr. Garfield spends large par, OF
each day lighting for the consumer or
coal. Herbert Hoover is willing tha,
the country should have fuel. provided
u does not interfere with the delivery
OF food products to the market. The
War and Navy Departments arc willing
that both food and fuel should trave;
over the railroads. but they are no,
willing that supplies for either branch
of the service should be DELAYED one
day thereby. The Shipping Boaro
wants il clearly understood that ship
materials must not be sidctracked for
anything, whether it be food. coal or
what not.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17
PLANS FOR RELIEF
OF COAL SHORTAGE
Radical Change in Federal Dis
tribution of Supply About
to Be Made.
PRESENT POLICY Is ALLURE
Washington Sees There Are Too
Many interests Pulling
Against Each Other.
PRESENT POLICY Is FAILURE
Especial to The Times-Dispa,ch 7

WASlITECTON December 1s-A
radical change in the Federal distrihu :
ton o: the country's coal supply is
about 20 bc made. The whole policy
of the government in dealiu: with tho
pressing problem OF fucling the Amor:.
can people has failed. and rev meas
urcs must be taken TO relieve famine
conditions.
This change MAJ not come until ,h.
President has determined u7on n rail-
road policy, but it will not be longer
delayed than Is necessary for him to
decide 10 ahat extent II is cxpedicnt
for the government to extend It's war
powers over the nations trausporta-
;ion system.
Even nov there arc definite rlans
before the fuel administration looking
Ia "a relief from prevailing conditions.
The most practica bic il that submitted
h. the coal operators themselves pro-
NidinE. first for an immediate priority
Tor the movement of all available coal
cars into tho coal fields, and second.
for An order which will give coal
preferential movement for period OF
thirty days.
Thts plan has been formally sub
'n:ttcd TO the fuel administra ton. and
it is knoun that Or. Garfield is in
sympathy with il. In fact, he has
AsHed Judge Robert s. I.ovet,. priori,y.
commissioner. for an order tina. would
EiTc indefinite priority to all coal
movements, but this request has boon
denied. Instead OF pla cling coal a, the
head OF tho list. II is at the bottom,
The transportation Of. railroad fuo,
comes first; war supplies, second: food
supplies, third: coal for coke, fourth.
ar'i finally coal for Industrial md do
mcstic consumption Is given such IA :
ciiity OF movement as may be left
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-17

Continued. on Second Page.)
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-05-29
A Great Adventure.

Davenport Democrat: Life is an
adventure and this will be my part in
it." remarks Charles G.. Dawes, presi-
dent of the Central Trust company
of Chicago, as he accepts commits
sion to go to France and lend his
financial experience to the manage
ment and reconstruction of the rail
roads behind the allies lines on the
west front.
as the waves crept up the sides Of
the sinking Lusitania: why fear
death? 1t is the greatest adventure
of life Gradually, we are coming
to new outlook upon life, that sees
greater things TO be done than the
making of profits and the enjoyment
of luxurious living.