davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-13
WILLING 70 GAIL
SPECIAL SESSION
# NECESSARY
Governor CornwelI Writer
An Answer to the Nc
Kinney Article
WANTS Law TEsTEDFIRsI
Has Been Trying to Cope
With Gas Situation in
: Quiet Way.
WANTS law TESTEDFIRSI
Especial to The WAIT virsinian.)

Especial to The Want virsinfan.)
CHARLESTON. Dec, 12.-At the Of.
flee of Governor Cornwell today. ccpies
of letter which the Governor haa
written to Hon. O. s. Mckinney, q
Fairmont, in reply to an article wrik
ten by Mr.. Mckinney which was print
ed in The West Virginian Of that citg
were given out for publication. The
Governors letter which was writtep
Tuesday. December II, follows:
Hon. o. S. Mckinney,
Fairmont, West Virginia, q
Ny Dear Sir:-I have read with In
terest your letter to The Fairmcu1;
West Virginian few days ago which
has been widely published and com
mented on. Inasmuch as the question
discussed is one Of vital interest to the
state and its people, ] feel that you and
they are entitled to know what ! have
done and what my views are as to the.
gas problem, hence ! am giving q ccpI
Sf this letter to the press for pnblico
ton. y. i
The last paragraph OF your letter d
as follows: ;5i:s.
"If Governor Cornweii q alive e
to the necessity for relief from III
present very serious cot1df dom, 8
and is anxious to further popu-
larize himself among the people Of
the state he will not hesitate D day
in calling q special session Tor
action that will provide against
its continuance" IA n sSas " z
am being urged to convene the
Legislature and ask It to pass 4 tlau'
that will compel the gas companies t.
furnish sufficient amount OF natural
gas for the needs Of the people AMI
factories at the source OF supply ~.
fore transporting any out OF the state.a
The thought of obtaining popularitDI
OF even the desire to render serytcest ri
the state and its people, will NOT war
rant me in convening the Legfslatufa
for the purpose Of passing an ~
which, in my honest and mature judfs
ment. would be void and ineffective
because Of violation OF the Federal Con
stitutior Tor any clause OF it, which
have taken an oath to sustain AM
support. would not be honest n 4
cid not say very frankly that, undes
the conditions now existing and with,
out legal limitations imposed when tlig
gas companies were admitted to do
business in the state, ] do not believe
the Legislature can fatty and defiant,
ly provide for "gas for West virginid
first" that is. enact a valid statutl
which will compel the gas companies
tc supply all the demands .'of citizens
and industries Of the this state before
transporting any Of 1t out OF the state
or as condition precedent thereto. /
am morally certain such q statute
would be held to be interference win
interstate commerce. as was some
what similar statute enacted by tho
Oklahoma Legislature.
However, l am not pnmindful that
WREN the Federal Constitution wa
! framed the states reserved to them,
selves their inherent police powers ail
that by the Tenth Amendment a
CONTINUED on Page (4)
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-13
BLOODY FIGHTING
IN ITALIAN HILLS
Austro Germans Heavily
Reinforced From the
East Front.
tBy Associated Press,


ITALIAN ARMY HEADQUARTERS,
ITALY, Wednesday, Dec. 12.-General
Won Beulow's German troops have
icined the Austrians and Bohemians
under Field Marshal Won Hoetzendorf
in a series Of heavy assaults during the
last few days between the Brenta and
Ii ePiave rivers north Of Monta Graf.
ia. The fighting has been severe and
Las been attended with large losses.
but In the main the Italian line has
been sustained with one slight linden.
tation at Monta Spinongia where the
enemy secured temporary foothpld
which Is still being contested bitterly.
Artillery preparations today were
followed by infantry rushes with the
:Austrians on the right and Germans on
the left. The fourth Austrian division
o. the right had number of Bohemian
regiments in the front line. These
zen are fresh from tho Russo alacian
front. A desperate struggle went on
around Monta Beretta where the Aus.
TRANS were aided by fire from batter
les on tile west bank of the Brenta in
the position where the lines reformed
last week..
For some time the Beretta positions
we're in the hands OF the enemy but a
brilliant countr attack has restored
rearly all the Italian positions. Ger
man reserve forces were engaged for
/, tho first time since they were used on
tn big Isonzo offensive.
The fighting was bloody around
Monta Spinoncia and Bear Hill with
the enemy obtaining foothold.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-13
PENNINGTON HAS
CAMPAIGN ON
Both Tickets in Field are
Out for Local Improve
ments.

Two tickets are in the field for the
Pennington town election which will
be held in January. The Peotles I'm.
|provement ticket was put in the field
Monday night by citizens at a mass
Meeting held there and the following
night the Liberty Improvement ticket
was put in the field. Politics. 1t is said,
bave been eliminated from the tickets
hut lively interest Is already mani.
tested and an interesting contest is
predicted. The tickets are:
Peoples Improvement ticket - For
Mayor, A. G. Fisher; for Recorder,
Chas. Swisher; Councilmen, L. l..
Hupp, John Matthews, T. G. Gray, ]. F.
McDougal and w. H. Veach.
Liberty Improvement ticket = For
Mayor W. e. Mapel; Recorded, H. L.
Kuhn; Councilmen, l.. L. Hupp, H. j.
Batel, W. n. veach, ]. H. Coleman and
U. s. Vanzandt.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-13

Senator Charles Humbsrt, editor of
theSfaIis Journal. has been indicted
by grand Jury In Paris on charge
OF being confederate OF Solo Pasha,
the sly.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-13

Mute swore that he .labored under the
Impression as he did o, thes.imc the
first .alleged confession Commute
swore that;if he had known he was not
to receive partial immunity he certain
ly would not have made the confession:
Prosecuting Attorney W. r. Haggerty
showed that he had made at least one
correction to the written confession.
He wanted "whistling" changed to
listening"
Prosecuting Attorney Haggerty ad.
dressed the court Us to the admissa-
bility of the second confession notwith.
Standing that the court had ruled out
the oral confession. Attorney Hagger-
ty contended that Commute had suffi-
Gent time to think the matter over.
He contendedr that the second comics.
zion can go before the jury. He claim
ed that Commute had seen his father
two times before the second COMES
sion was made. In conclusion Prose-
cutting Attorney Haggerty said that
Commute had sufficient time to think
the confession over from September
IL to September 1S. Attorney Hagger.
ty emphasized the fact that Commute
was asked, will you make it." and
COMMITTEES reply was "yes, I'll make
| it"
Major Nicely then addressed the
court. He contended that the State
lad extorted the alleged confession
while the accused labored under the
same improper influences which were
| first applied. He contepded that the
State had failed to warn Commute
that the confession would be used
against him. Major Nicely submitted
an Iowa case where five months had
elapsed between the original and sub.
sequent confession. That court ex.
Guided the second confession. Major
Nicely said he believed that additional
inducements were held out to Con.
Mute at the time or the second comics.
s.on rather than none at all.
] Attorney Meredith then addressed
!, the court. He argued that the subse-
qaent confession resulted after GER
tain remarks Of ieniency had been
made. Commute confessed 70 Attorney
Miller only. which he contended shows
that he labored under the impression
tnats he was to be benefited by I'm
Esunity.
In deciding yesterday afternoon
that the alleged confession OF Con
Mute was inadmissable- as evidence
Judge Raymond stated that It was a
difficult problem for the court to
solve. At considerable length he re.
viewed the various facts about the
arrest and confession secured as well
as the general procedure of obtaining
It. He told how Commute was not
permitted to see the codefendant.
with whom he had made his home, or
his next kin, his father, prior to the
time the confession was made. u
the course of his remarks, the Judge
alluded to the murder as one Of the
most heinous crimes ever perpetrat.
ed in Marion county. He commented
on the decisions on adjudicated
cases and how various higher courts
and those of similar courts Of impor.
lance had ruled out alleged comics.
sions" from going into the Jury box.
In his ruling he commented upon the
latitude Of the law on the point, which
depended largely upon, the facts In the
Continued on Page SKI
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-13
]. Ellis Merrifeld
Buried at Woodlawn

Funeral services over the body Of
J. Ellis Mortified whose death oc
CURED on Tuesday we're held this al
terroon at 2:ao o'clock from his
home on Cleveland avenue. Rev. G.
e. Goodwin Of the First NJ. E.
church. conducted the services in the
absence of the pastor OF the deceas
ed, Or. j. c. Bloomfield. Members
Of Meade Post No. 6. G. A. R., at
tended the services in a body, the
deceased having ben a prominent
member. The body was inferred In
Woodlawn Cemetery,
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-13
CASEY COMPANY
GETS CONTRACT
FOR BIG BRIDGE
Will Get Nine Per Cent Ov-
er the Cost of the Struc-
ture.
nor MORE Than $4,000
Work on Structure Will Be-:
gin Early Next
Spring.
NOT MORE THAN $4,000

The John F. Casey Contracting
Company of Pittsburgh, the same
company that is constructing the
( bridge across the Coal run ravine, will
construct the handsome new concrete.
steel structure that will span the
Monongahela river. The contract was
let yesterday afternoon at o'clock
. at an executive session OF the Board
bids at 1880 o'clock.
Ottoman LANCE and John F. Casey,
owners of the company, both of whom
attended the meeting yesterday af-
ternoon proposed to construct the
bridge for nine percent. of the cost.
their compensation not to exceed
! 100000.
The proposition offered by the four
different contracting companies were
Gonaidered at an executive session
which convened at o'clock yester-
; day afternoon, all of the bidders be.
Ing absent. 1t took but one hour for
the Board Of Affairs to award the
contract to the Casey Company, a mo.
ton Offered to this effect and pass.
ed unanimously.
Within the next few days the con.
tractors, represented by John F.
Casey. will meet with the proper city
authorities and the. formal CONTRACT
drawn up and signed.
The plans and specifications state
that york on the bridge must begin
within ten days after the contract is
let, unless time for beginning is ex.
tended by the Board OF Affairs. It is
the plan to do little on the bridge un.
til next spring at which time the
work will start in full force.
After four o'clock yesterday after.
noon, Engineer E. H. Harder, of the
New York Concrete Steel Engineer.
ing company arrived in the city with
architectural drawing of tho new
(. bridge. The drawing, which is a most
handsome one. was tackled up IN the
office of the Board of Affairs yester-
day evening, but this morning was
taken down. The drawing is not vet
complete. but when finished will he
placed in one OF the store windows Of
the city for public inspection.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-13
Odd Fellows :.
IT,. Big Meeting Here;

Big doings are expected at the Odd
Fellows booster meeting on Saturday
evening in Odd Fellows hall. Between
200 and 800 members are expected to
attend.' Marion Lodge No. II and Pala.
tine Lodge No. "a, have committees at
work arrangin gfor the entertainment
Of members.
The Grand Lodge Degree will be con.
ferred upon past grands at 3 o'clock
IN the afternoon.
The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-12-13
Man That Bosses
His Own Boss

One man in Marion county is boss of
his boss. This is rather an unusual
circumstance.
When w. E. Michaels is teaching at
Fairview District Superintendent w.
E. Tomblyn is his superior, but when
MIR. Michaels is acting county super.
intendent OF schools he is MIR. Tom.
blyn's superior.
The Washington times., 1917-05-21

partment; Edmund Msllet, Inspector
Of Plumbing: c. Birch, Water Depart
ment; c. f. Watts, Water Depart
ment; T. T. Tyler. Water Depart
ment; Watson Daley. Inspector OF
Buildings: L. Z. Lewis, superlnten-
dent OF repairs.
The Washington times., 1917-05-21

office OF municipal architect; n. E.
Matteson, office chief clerk, E. D.;
william L. Hart, Playground Depart
ment: ]. p. Parry. office OF inspector
of buildings; II. ID. Mankin, Electrical
department; F. c. Lyman, electrical
department.: Gloria Smith. assessors
office; H. w. Davidson. assessors
Office; z. I. Mack. assessors office:
h. c. Berry. assessors Office: II.
Burns, assessors office; S. D. Gage.
assessors office; Daniel W. Bride.
Collector ofTaxes ofrIce; Jefferson L.
Ford. Collector OF Taxes Ofiiee; Philip
n. Ward. Collector OF Taxes Office; W.
TIndall, Executive Office; S. Phillips,
Health Department; J. p. Turner,
Health Department; A. c. Patterson,
Health Department.; W. II. Voss. pur-
chasing office: Nathan ScanIand, pur-
chasing office; c. c. Donaldson, pur-
chasing office; N. G. Metz. Fire De
partment; c. C. Achstettsr. Fire De
partment; Jessie Logic. Board of
children's GUARDIANS: N. z. Jeherles.
Board OF ChilorenS Glardians; >. Z.
Ebert. Surface Division. r. D.: W. N.
Barton. Surface Division. Z. D.:
Henry Storey. superintendent Of re-
pairs; J. A. Brashears. Office OF super
intendent OF repairs: J. p. Schrodt,
public utilities; p. R. Rogers, public
utilities; c. B. wallace. trees and
parking: c. C. Baden. Sewer Division,
e. D.: H. Garner. Sewer Division, z.
D.: II. c. Eddy. Sewer Division. +.
D.: W. V. Holmes, Sewer Division. Il.
D.: NJ. d. Smith, Sewer Division, Z.
D.; A. G. Dunn. Sewer Division, E. D.;
II. Donovan Sewer Division. L. D.:
C. E. Woodson, Sewer Division, z. D.:
Anton Karl, surveyors Office; q. +.
King, Water Department.: 7. W.
Bowles, Water Department: J. Bres-
nahan, Water Department.: II. Cos
tello. Water Department.; l. w.
Brashears, Water Department.
The Washington times., 1917-05-21
BRITISH APPROVE
WARPLANSOF US.
Believe America Profits by
England S BIunders.
ACTION HERE STIRS INTEREST
Arrival Of Medical Unit and Naval
Fighters Change Views.

LONDON. May 21.-England IL glad
TO know America is making haste
slowly" Popular understanding II
everywhere manifest today that the
United States Is doing exactly as
Premier Lloyd-Georgs in his House
Of Commons speech suggested. TAX
ing advantage Of EnEiand's mis-
takes.
The British viewpoint today 10
quite q change from that held during
the FIRST few weeks succeeding
Americas entry. Then there was APP
parent an undereurrent OF dis&p-
poIntment at delay in the United
states-at the failure Of America and
Americans possibly to appreciate the
magnitude Of the task ahead Of
them-or to understand the neees-
sity for exerting every ounce Of of-
fort at organisation for war in the
most prompt and thorough manner.
Britiahers privately recalled their
own inability u grasp the full mean
The Washington times., 1917-05-21

ing OF the struggle in those early
days Of 1914
welcomes DeatrOyers.
But the news from America OF the
past few days has seemingly changed
this view. Foremost perhaps was the
passage, OF President wilson's con-
scriptIon plan. and the announcement
Of Pershing's expeditionary force OF
even more effect. possibly. has been
the actual arrival in England Of an
American army medical unit. and OF
the American destroyer hotilla taking
its place on the lighting line At sea-
A big audience in London crowded
every performance Of q special movie
show yesterday displaying films
showing arrival Of the American de-
stroysrs, and cheered the pictures
just as other Britons at Queenstown
cheered the men themselves.
Pleased VITA U. 3. Plans.
British comment on appointment Of
Herbert c. Hoover a. food adminis-
traitor In America. and outlines Of
what the United States plans 70 do
in this Fundamental line Of war prep
aration and administration is ex-
tremsly favorabIe. The marshaling
Of resources in all lines, the selection
Of General Gosthais a. master ship
builder" and scores Of other indiea-
tIons Of systemiEation, all nave
served to bring about the change OF
view in England.
The Washington times., 1917-05-21

IOsNLIN INTIOOIsT
cath and F Streets n. w.
Chief Registrar-F. c. Lee. Engineer
Commissioner's Office.
ReKistrars-N. i. Robertson, Water
Department: T. L. Lyddane, water
Department.; X. II. Berkeley. Street
Cleaning Department: r. z. Beckhsn.,
Health Department.: r. c. Kilmartin,
ST., Health Department.: i. II. Greer,
Engineer Department (chief clerkE.
L. 3. DuFisf. Purchasing Office; c. +
Beatty Water Department; H c.
The Washington times., 1917-05-21

vision, Engineer Department.: r. 1.
Smith, Water Department.: c. A. Ana.
dale, Purchasing Office; Lucille Gardi-
ner, Health Department.; A. C. Cole,
Health Department; ID. H. Edwards.
Assessors Office; a. c. Parker, Water
Department; S. G. Waite, jr., Elecs
tricsl Department; G. A. Crawford,
Offce OF Inspector OF Plumbing: II. ID.
Yates, Water Department.: f. NJ. Fer
Maid, Sewer Division, Z. D.; N. ].
OCallaghan. Office OF Inspector of
Plumbing; C. J. Maddox, jr.. Health
Department
The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1917-07-06
HIGH COST OF 4 SOLDIER
II Requires 81 900 a Year to Keep Him,
and Much More TO Kill
Him.

Measured by their debts, it has cost
England, France and Germany about
$1,000 year for every soldier and sail
or on duty during the war, 'Girard''
writes in the PhiladeiI hia Ledger.
French writer's say that Russia has
still 100000 good soldiers to equip.
The United States could equip and
maintain in the field half that force,
or 100000 Russian troops. for a year
at an expense of $1,000, GOO. 900.
And that $4,000, 100000 would not
more than equal the sum which the
United States has already made out of
this war.
Lincoln called for 5000 troops to
suppress what was then thought to
be modest Civil war, and 100000 vol
unteered In a day.
That rate of volunteering now would
bring million and a half men under
the flag Immediately.
A few years ago French military
critic said it cost $4,000 to kill one
soldier in war;
It has cost the allies about S23 OOO
to kill one of their foes In the pres
ent war.
These estimates take no account of
the wounded and prisoners who go into
the bloody scales for excess measure.
1t cost England nearly $4,000 to
kill an American soldier during the
Revolution.
The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1917-07-06
Makes Sales Record.

OF the 5000 electric irons put out
on trial by an electric company recent
ly at Youngstown, O., only three came
back. The men in the sales depart
ment believe the company's policy of
requiring customers to return irons
themselves is responsible for this en-
viable record. The irons are put out
on Is days free trial, and If the Gus
toners ask for terms the payment is
spread over two or three months.
While it is thought that many irons
would be lost through this method, the
records show that the money for only
four irons out of the 5000 could not
be collected. The people who had ac-
copied these four irons on trial moved
out Of town before the first payment
was due.
The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1917-07-06
HIS HOME IN STATE OF WAR
No Peace for q Teuton Whose House
Was Divided Against
Itself.

A policeman found a man leaning
weakly against lamp post the other
night. He was carrying lopsided load
of alcohol. Fearing he would overflow
and freeze, the cop gave him gentle
nudge with his night stick.
sect out of here and go home" he
ordered.
81 can't" wept the man with a
strong Teutonic flavor, 81 wish was
dead. come from Bavaria, my wife
she is French, and her mother, who
lives by US, is Swiss. My eldest girl
got married to an Italian, and my 9TH
er one to Dane, and now since this
country looks like it goes to war, my
three sons say they are Americans.
What do I want to go home for-to
get killed."
The cop rubbed thoughtful finger
across his face.
"Well," he said, ''it's agin regula-
tons, but you got to go somewhere -
and he eased him gently into the
back entrance of saloon and put him
in chair.
The 1woe-begone Teuton wept loud
ly as the policeman went away.
The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1917-07-06
FEEDS 100 "TRAMPs" A DAY
They Are Feathered Hoboes, However,
and Demand Only Light
"Snacks."

Judge Orlady Of the superior court
has undertaken the task of feeding
several hundred hungry pigeons each
day outside the window of his Offices
on the fifth floor of the city hall.
The pigeons have learned to distin-
guish it from the other windows.
When Judge Orlady arrives at his Of
fee the pigeons already are there to
wish him a 'good morning and beg
for their breakfast.
In the corner of his Office the judge
has large box, which he keeps filed
with cracked grain. He scatters the
grain on the window ledge, and re-
plenishes the supply frequently, as
hundreds of the birds come and go.
Sometimes the birds return during
the day for another "snack." If the
Judge isn't looking, they peck on the
window pane to attract his atten-
,tion.-Philadelphia North American.
The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1917-07-06

The Oeala friends of Mr.. Whitney
Wood of New York city are interest
ed to hear of the announcement of his
engagement to Mrs. Emily Garfield
of Williamsport, Pa, the marriage to
take place in the summer.
Mr.. Wood spent several weeks in
Ocala this winter with his sister, Mrs.
j. r. Herndon and made many friends
who extend the best of wishes. Mr..
Wood is travelling man whose head
quarters have been in New York city
for several years, but they have re-
Gently been changed to Williamsport,
where Mr.. and Mrs. Wood will make
their home.
The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1917-07-06
siIos in Argentina.

Drought and the ravages Of locusts,
says Commercial Agent Frank 81. Won
Motz, Buenos Aires, have so reduced
pasturage and the available supplies
of fodder in Argentine that the atten-
ton of planters and stock raisers has
been focused on the feeding stuff ques-
ton and the advantage of sflos dis
cussed with vigor. 81 am told that
many silos of REINFORCED concrete are
being erected by local contractors.
The machinery for preparing ensilage
and for filing the silos will have to
be imported and several American fac
tories already have made arrange
ments for the sale Of this class of ma
chinery."
The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1917-07-06
The Spirit Of Scotland.

I went into Cupar (writes cor
respondent to make business call
in a small Office, and in the course
of conversation asked the Scotswom-
an I was talking to, a perfect
stranger to me. if she had anyone
"at the front" The answer of this
noble and heroic woman (who was
evidently unaware that she was Civ
ing expression to the spirit of Scot
land springing up eternally through
the centuries1 was:
''Three sons have / given to the
wars. Two have been killed, one at
Loos and one later. The third is safe
as yet, though he is in France. Sorely
I grieved when I heard, but / do not
grudge them. If / had ten sons /
would give them all gladly for the
defense of the country. think shame
of the women who hide away their
men folk"