Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-04-07
Great Activity Among All
Governmental De-
partments.
SEIZED TEUTON
SHIPS TO BE USED
Officials Determine to Utilize Vessels
in Government Service - All Radio
Stations Seized and All Except Those
Needed Will Be Closed - Sixty or
More Germans Long Under Suspicion
Placed Under Arrest.

Washington, April Z. - The second
day of war with Germany found every
government agency in action along
pre- determined lines, with congression-
al committees at work on the new
army bill and finance measures.
The navy and it's newly organized
power boat coast patrol squadron was
being mobilized; naval militia and re-
serves were complying with orders to
join the colors.
From many cities came word that
United States marshals had carried out
orders for the arrest OF sixty or moro
Germans whom the government be.
lieves it dangerous to allow at large.
Officials had about determined to use
the German merchant ships. nearly lOO
Of which have been seized for govern
ment service, tho no announcement
was made. whether they, would be con-
fiscatad or paid FOR at the close of the
aadie sfatIsSs ssizsd.
Government seizure Of all radio sta
tions and the closing Of all except
those needed for naval communication
was authorized by the president.
Both war and navy departments
were arranging with contractors Tor
enormous supplies; steel manufactur-
ers agreed TO- furnish the navy their
products at last years prices. affecting
an SIS, 900, 900 saving in the navy In the
1917 steel bill, the treasury department
devised means Of raising funds subject
to congressional authorization, and the
department Of agriculture set forth on
a movement to increase and conserve
the nations supply Of foodstuffs.
MANY other similar activities were
started after the cabinets councli OF
war last night.
Planning War Taxes.
The house military committee met
today to hear Secretary Bakers ex-
planation of the general staff bill to
draft and train 100000 young men IN
n wear. and the accompanying $3,0oo'- :
600 900 budget. The senate mintarS
committee also had the army bill under
consideration today.
without congressional action, aoou'
the only thing the war department can
do is to increase the nations authorlz-
ed armed forces Is to order the regular
army expanded to its full war strength
# seemed likely today that a large
mart Of the wars cost. which for the
first wear alone may RUN above the *o'-
,oo 900 900 already asked OF congress.
even to $4,000, 100000, will be raised by
htgher taxes on incomes, inheritances
and excess profits.
An announcement from Secretary
McAdoo on details Of the $474,o0'ooo
bond issue already authorized put not
;ssued was expected at any time. Con-
ferences on the finance problem were
hegun today between Secretary NC
Adoo and members Of the house ano
senste ways and means committees.
announcement will be made soon
that free admission to American mar
,,o,s has been granted vessels OF the
allies.
No Mail to Germany.
Postmaster General Burleson today
snspended mail service to Germany
during the war and instructed postof-
eces to refuse mail for Austria, Hun
gary Luxembourg, Bulgaria and Tur-
kcv. as 1t can not be dispatched at
nresent without passing thru Ger
many. 49,
postmaster General Burleson also
ha. suspended postal money orders be-
tween the United States and the Ger
man empire. International postal Of
aces vii! decline to pay Ge-!!:a" or
ders drawn on them after, April s.
Food Problem Paramount.
The food problem OF the coming year
being one Of the paramount questions
afrecting the United States in the war.
extraordinary interest centered in the
government report today.
The extent OF the winter wheat crop,
usually about two thirds Of the entire
productiop of wheat in this country is
a vital question inasmuch as the al
lies will depend to a large degree upon
American supplies as Argentina has
placed an embargo on wheat and -four
exports.
The winter wheat area last autumn
was 10000. 900 acres How much OF
this acreage. will have to be aban-
doned because OF conditions which pre-
vailed during the winter has been a
cause Of much speculation. Reports
reaching the department of agricul-
ture have indicated there was winter