davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
F FA(1TORY
VISITED BY
BIC BLAZE
VIM. Graver Tank Works
at East Chicago Meets
With Destructive Fire
Today.

A destructive fire, uhquestionably In
cendiary in its origin. broke out in the
heart Of the Graver Tank company
plant, East Chicago. at about $50 last
night and as result a large building,
1s5 by los feet. containing valuable
machinery. is a mass of ruins.
when the FIRE department arrived,
flames were bursting from all parts Of
the large frame building. As the fire
men approached the plant. the last OF
sa eral heavy explosions blew out the
sduth end Of the burning building
After it was found that their efforts
we're not going TO DO Of any avail IN
saving the construction, the fremen
turned their attention to adjoining
buildings and by so doing effectually
prevented the flames from spreading to
adjacent parts of the plant
While the lo~s viii run into thou
sands OF dollars. yet no figures arc OBJ
tajnable today and the exact loss viii
not be known unil final checking is
made.
The building was one of the oldest
on The grounds. but had received a num-
her of additions in successive gears as
the business of the company demanded
more and more room. II was of wood
construction throughout
That the FIRE was iucendiary is CYL
dent from the fact that there was no
heat of any kind in the building Not
3 half hour before the watchman had
PASSED through the structure and
everything seemed TO be all right But
when the fire started. il got under
headway immediately. Within fifteen
minutes the flames were shooting nun
dreels OF feet into the air.
The ruins were searched this morn
ing but no evidence of the nature Of
tho cause Of the fire could be found.
Il was a hard fight for the f1rcmen
With geo feet of hose out and ,vith
the mercury registering from SIX 70
eight degrees below zero. the boys
were under a great handicap. Not
vithstanding the adverse conditions,
the nrc was kept from spreading and
This meant a good deal g the company
P. S Gravcr. general manager. be-
licxes that a large part Of the machin-
cry can he successfully salvaged and
that the loss viii not be as great as ap-
pearancos would indicate
Tho work of the company viii not be
crippled cxcepr for a few days which
viii be required to make the necessary
shifts in their operations.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15

M|SQUOTEO
Especial to The Times J

INDIANAPOLIS Dec. 15.-The Indf-
ana state council of defense has been
asked by the state food administration
10 give publicity 70 a message Just re
ceived from Herbert c. Hoover. quoting
telegram from Chicago packing
house denying the published statements
that its representatives had stated thai
the Live Stock Producers association
representing nine different states. We're
opposed TO the national program OF
meatless days. The telegram charged
that the speaker had been misquoted
and that the firm and others represented
at the meeting We're in sympathy and
supporting not only the meatless day.
but other details Of the food admins
tration's program. Press association
and newspapers publishing the reported
opposition to the rneatless day program
have been asked officially to print the
denial.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
CENTRAL ALLIES
AWFUL LOSSES
Csy UnItea Fress cablegram.l

WITH THE ITALIAN ARMIES, Dec. Is.
--Austro-Gorman troops are being driv-
en- TO the attack against the Italians
Prisoners taken today declared losses
in their ranks had been increased to
staggering proportions by their own ar
tlllery which under orders had put
curtain OF fire behind the attacking
waves to force them into the charge.
Commanders of the Teuton forces
they also asserted, are adopting other
ccercivs measures. All Austrian and
German troops have been coaxed with
great promises Of better food and
quarters when they reach the rich Ital-
ian plains,
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
First Boy in Gary Dead at
Elk Mayors Home of
Heart Trouble.

Ben p. Knots, is years old, who was
the little boy OF six that used to delight
the rough and ready men who IN 1906
hocNed 70 the tents and shacks in the
new settlement OF Gary. is dead.
The first boy IN the steel city. the
little fellow who came with his daddy
from Hammond and lived with him in
a tent until the Knots shack. the first
in the new diggings,r until his mother
and the rest OF the family came, died
last night at the home OF his father.
eN-Mayor Thomas L. Knots Death
had been expected and the boy. or rath-
er the young mantle old timers still
think Of him as the chubby-faced little
chap, who used to watch them lay out
Gary-had been suffering from leak
age of the heart. lie. too, knew chat
he was to die.
Born In Hammond
Zen was born in Hammond on March
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15

engineer officers have been offered tho
boIshesiki government for rcorganiza-
tion of railroads aud motor Iorrics for
transport of food. Trotzky declared To-
day In Sn address TO Russian reSi-
mcnt.
cit il Impossible 10 reform not,,ir,I
and social construction in n month >, h.
said. I'VE have already stated our
program. We have given Land To thc
peasants. We have authorizes tho
crushing of those who seek 10 prevcr.
uS i'm our aims. We have star,cd =.
ward peace Nobody will he abIo "a
undo what is already been done.
"cermany il seeking peace brc,u.o
the discomfort of the masses has forc.,,
her to it,"
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
DON'T FEED THE LAZY
tBy United Prcss.)

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind. Dec. 15.-Do
not feed hoboes.
This was the advice to housewives
OF the state by the State Council Of
Defense today
The council pointed out that en-
ployment at good pay may be had in
practically every city and on farms.
Military service is open to men phys
icalIy fit With the call for workers
in practically every line OF industry.
there is no good reason for encourag-
ins the bum By feeding him accord
ing 10 the council
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15

MR.. SLICE O'BREAD.
am a Slice Of Bread.

oAAA q OAA(N VI ~ OdN4s
measure three inches by
two-and-a-a-half and my thick
ness is half an inch.
My weight is exactly an
ounce.
am wasted once a day by
46,0OO.0O0 people of Britain.
I am "the bit left over" the
slice eaten absent-mindedly
when really I wasn't needed; I
am the waste crust.
If you collected me and my
companions for a whole week
you would find that we amount
ed to $3.50 tons of good bread
WASTED!
Two shiploads of good breadl
Almost as striking an
average-as twenty German
submarines could sink-evcn if
they had good luck.
When you throw me away or
waste me you are adding TWEEN
ty submarines to the German
navy.
(Copy Of handful sent out by VA
tionai War Savings Committee, Eng
.and)
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
MRS. RAY TALKS TO
INDIANAPOLIS BOARD

INDIANAPOLIS. Ind, Dec I4-Mrs
Kate Wood Ray. park commissioner or
Gary and representative from Gary
to the state war council. addressed the
Indianapolis park board here today. She
was also the guest at luncheon yes
terday given by Mr.. and Mrs. Charles
Coffin in honor of their guest. Miss
Anna Studebaker Carlisle. chairman OF
the woman's committee. Indiana State
Council of Defense Miss Birth. sister
OF Mrs Coffin. was the other guest.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
Six Below This Morning.

Those who got from under the eomfys
early this morning were greeted by s
below weather. Thermometers made a
decided decrease during the nj ght.
Today the weather opened bit and
the weatherman promiss ~ above tenn
perature for Sunday.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
tsy United Press cabiegran,., 4,

LONDON, Dec. 15.-British troops In
hot local lighting around Polderhoek
yesterday evening regained a consider
able part of the British trench which
the enemy had penetrated in the morn
ing, Haig reported today The British
commander reported active enemy artil-
lery fre east of Messines and northeast
of Ypres.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
WE'LL, HERE TT rs NOW
TIMES BUREAU,
AT STATE CAPITAL.

INDIANAPOLIS IND, Dec I5.-The
Lake County Daily News company of
Hammond was incorporated here to
publish newspaper with capital stock
Of $4,000. The directors are ;. T.
Swain. Flota &. Swain and Joseph
Aubrx.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
(By United Press,

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-Tacing In
vestigatton by the senate military COM
ln1ttee next week, the army quarter
master generals department announced
today a delinquency in delivery in
clothing, shoes and blanket contracts
from TO 40 per cent.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
Cnr united Press cahlcrram.l

PETRoGRAD, Dec. Is. - Generals
Kandine and Pototsky and their stats
have been arrested by BoIsheviki forces,
1t was officially announced today. The
Bolsheviki now safely hold. Roston and
two other cities, 1t was declared.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15

WASHINGTON. Dec. 15.-Tbe Reed
Sugar-cOai Investigating committee to-
day denied HoOycr's request for per-
mission 30 crOss-examine witnesses.
Senator Reed sRid counsel for the food
administration might submit questions
to the committee which would take
them up with witnesses
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
Omitted Press CabIeEram.D

GENEVA, Dec. 15.-I&aiser WiIheIm's
Christmas message to the German
people Will contain his final peace Of
fer. according 10 unofficial report
received here today from Berlin.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
GRIFFITH MAN DIES.

George Diefenbach, father OF Mrs
William Miller OF Griffith. died at the
home OF his daughter yesterday after
noon Of bronchial pneumonia. seventy
five years Of age The funeral will be
held Monday forenoon from the Scher-
erville Catholic church to the Scherer-
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
MAI. MENZIES IS DEAD

MOUNT VERNON. Ind. Dee 15.-
Major G. Y Menzies. Democratic leader
and lawyer. died here today He was
prominent in Democratic conventions
for nearly 80 Years.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
DEATH OF BABE.

Mary. four-year-old daughter OF Mr
and Mrs Joseph Flrek, 56 Compane
House. East Hammond. died yesterday
and was buried today in this ST John
cemetery
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15

LONDON, Dec. 15.-Prenier Lloyd
George Will follow up his speech with a
more specific discussion of war aims in
commons next Thursday, according to
authoritative information today.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
United Press cnhlerran,-, ,

PARIS. Dec. i5.-An artillery duel
around Baumont was all the French
official statement had to report from
tho western front today
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15
u. S. STEEL
OFF TWO POINTS
"a united PraasN

NEW YORK. Dec. I5.-Inited states
steel closed at SIS OF Is. and
Bethlehem e77s.s of 2ls.
The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1917-12-15

Omitted Press CabieEramD
PETROGRtD Dee 15--AmcrIcap
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-10

TOWN.
M HELPS
WHEN LAYING OUT A CITY.
Proper Planning, by Adding to Its Ap-
p%esrance, Bound to Bring Desir-
able Financial Results.

Are we laying out, for instance, a
new suburb? Is it not better and more
businesslike, and more likely to pro-
duce adequate financial results If we
determine beforehand which of the
streets are likely to become great traf-
&c thoroughfares and to give them am
pie width Of broad macadam of paved
surface, providing only in the resi-
Dental streets sufficient paved surface
to allow two tradesmen's carts to pass,
and laying down the remainder in trees
and grass, in a way which will save
the rate-payers large sums and at the
same time make the street or boule-
ward a more desirable place in which to
live?
Such instances could be multiplied
a thOusandfold. The results, so far of
practical city planning will convince
anyone that the scope, influence and
finance of city planning are so much
n subject for the earnest consideration
Of every man who is a good citizen and
loves his city and his fellow citizens,
that zone can afford to neglect it. Nay,
more than this, any city which does
neglect this great subject, cannot hope
to continue in these go-ahead days. to
compete with other cities and towns
which are wide awake to take full
advantage of the opportunities for adj
vancement and betterment which it
proyides.-EXchange.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-10
First Mint In America.

When the Spaniards landed in what
is now the Republic of Mexico they
found themselves in an Indian state
having many of the institutions of civ
ilization. One of these was a mint
operated by the Aztecs, coming fiat
copper pieces of an odd shape. These
we're called siccapili, and two pieces of
lesser denomination were known as the
zontle and oiotl. Cacao beans served
the purpose of small change, 20 beans
equaling the value of n olotl, 20 olotl
making one zontle, and 20 Zontle n
siccapili. Following the conquest of
the country in 1921 by Cortez, the
Spaniards set out to establish a stable
system of government and finance for
the new colony. So they took over the
Aztecs' mint and remodeled it to suit
their own purposes. They also sought
out every possible source of gold and
other valuable metals.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-10
COMBINING CITY AND COUNTY
BY Cutting Expenses There Would Be
More Money to Spend on Public
Improvements.

Mayor Campbell of Houston has
started a discussion of a proposal to
combine city and county governments,
and eliminate one set of officers. The
writer advocated that several years
ago, but plans to reduce the expense
of government were not Their as much
in favor as plans to increase it.
There is no sound reason why a
commissioners court and a city COM
mission should both be required for
legislative service, nor is there any
apparent need for the double service
of a city and a county police force.
Many other Implications could be sug-
gested equally wasteful.
The city and county of st. Louis
are identical. New York and London
are under the same single system of
government. So it cannot be urged
that the plan will not fit a city.
The truth is that the American sys-
TEN seems to be based on a demand
that provision shall be made for every
man to hold an office who wants one.
1t has multiplied offices to a degree
unknown in any other country, and
has, as a result, driven the cost of gov
eminent to a figure which exceeds
that Of any other country IN the world,
If the military branch is excluded
from the comparison.-Waco (Tex.)
News.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-10

water and the wetted surface of the vessels I'M
derbody. This resistance follows a law of its own
and 1t is necessary to tow another model which
consists of a thin plate just as long as the small
craft and with a submerged surface exactly equal
to that of the model.
From these two tests, that of the plane and
that Of the model, the designer has the informa-
ton he wants and this information covers vari-
Gus trials over n wide range of speeds, so that
the naval architect knows both the maximum and
the cruising speeds at which the vessel can be pro-
PEELED most economically. The cruising speed is
ar important one, because it is at this ratio of
travel that ships of war go most of the time. Full
speed is really a battle reserve or something to be
called for only when urgency demands. In this
particular, fighting ships differ radically from the
ocean greyhound of commerce.
But don't think that the naval designer has an
easy task even with the model tank at his dis
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-10
Dwindiinu Wool SuppIy.

War and embargoes are making tex
tile men uneasy as to the wool sup
ply. World demand is increasing
while the supply is growing less. Our
own needs are twice what we raise
and the chasm between domestic up
ply and demand is widening. Our pro
duction is less today than % years
ago, while the population has in
creased 60 per cent. The difference
between what we produce and what
we use must be made up by imports,
with the world bidding against us.
The British embargo on wool shows
how precarious is u position. Yet,
in peace and in war, wool is an absO-
lutte necessity. Several years ago when
alarm was taken at the declining beef
supply many felt that the situation
could not be remedied. But today cat
tie are increasing in the United States.
More sheep and wool can be raised al
so If proper attention be given the
industry.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-10

posal. The speed trials of the full-sized ships are
not less important to him because they give him
a check upon his model work. This check is very
necessary inasmuch as it enables the designer to
bridge over the gap between his model and the
real vessel year by year with more e%xactness.
The builder of the hull structure, the naval ar
chitect or naval constructor, has only a share in
the final product. The naval engineer must take
up the problem where his brother ends. That is
to say, the engineer knows just what energy his
propellers must exert effectively against the water
in order to force the ship along at her several
speeds. He, too, must work from the outside OF
the ship inward up to q point.
The position of the propeller in relation to the
hull and the very form of the propeller must be
suited to the particular craft in question. These
can be tried in miniature in association with the
model for the determination of some data, but after
that the engineer draw upon experience and his
carefully tabulated records of other performances.
The average annual expenditures for the main
tenance of the model basin at Washington are I'M
der $25,OCO, and this is a trifing sum compared
with the savings which have been effected through
careful designing. In the case of the three scout
cruisers, Birmingham, Chester and Salem, by mere
ly lengthening their hulls it was found possible to
save in those three ships q combined total of 1900
horse power over that required for the original
design. Figured at $50 a horse power, this repre-
scented an economy of machinery cost amounting
to 100000.
The model experimental basin is no longer looked
upon as an investment of doubtful value; every
~frst-cIass naval power has one of these establish
ments, and like that at Washington most Of them
lend their aid TO the merchant marine as well.
Such Is the development of private experiments
which DR.. William Froude began, so to, speak, in
his own backyard. All of the successful ships of
today are indebted to his pioneer work.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-10
Bicycle May Come Back.

Is the bicycle coming backF Manu-
f~acturers who are here from all over
the country to confer over the outlook,
say Il is. From this conference much
may result bearing on the future of the
vehicle. Within the present year manu-
facturers are going to spend a large
amount Of money advertising the BIZ
cycle. They are not going to be waste
full or try to force the bicycle beyond
what they believe to be Its real field.
This includes: Workmen, and pro-
fessional men who live a short dis
lance out Of town and might with
profit use the bicycle. Messenger
boys and delivery clerks. Persons of
sedentary habits requiring mild and
healthful exercise. Youngsters. The
big appeal In the lads" is to the young
sters. The production this year is ex-
pected to be 100000 wheels.-New
York Times.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-10
Soldiers successful Device.

The devices of the soldier at the
front for evading the censor are le-
gion. The carefully-thought-out ar
rangement of words to indicate, TO the
eyes of the initiated, his whereabouts,
and the judicious disposal of pinpricks
to serve the same worthy purpose, are,
of course, the elements of the trade,
and have been practiced everywhere.
1t was, however, reserved for a certain
regiment, in a certain place, to make
use of the censor to gain promotion.
The corporal had ideas on bayonet
fighting, and, lacking opportunity to
win recognition for them, he wrote a
long disquisition on the subject to his
mother. Within a few days he was or
dered to take the whole company in
bayonet fighting. He was an instant
success, got his third stripe, and was
placed in charge of that branch of the
company's training.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-10
American Foods In Russia

Russian workingmen who are build
ing the railroad from P~etrograd to
Kola. the Arctic port on the White
sea, are living largely on American
dried vegetables. They are being ex-
norted to England and to South
America. Practically the entire prod
ucts of the three plants, which are In
New York, California and New Jersey.
are at present being exported for use
under conditions which make the most
of their special virtues of being easily
transported and of being able to re-
sist decay indefinitely.
The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1917-03-10
TRUE AS
STEEL
Blu GEORGE N CODE
Copyright, 1917, by W. G. Chapman.)


Hickory SLIM" they called him, a
humble member of a humble COM
munity. Hickory" because he was
sinewy and strong "Sllm," for the rea-
son that he was trim, tall and straight
as an arrow. He was by all odds the
most popular man In Brocton-without
pretense, plain and truthful In his
speech, helpful and accommodating to
all he met or knew.
His correct name was Jasper, Jasper
Downey, and he deserved recognition
and admiration, for he could not re-
member a mother and his father died
when the son was only six. Some good
people had cared for him until he was
2 double that age, moved away from
Brocton and then Hickory was thrown
on his own
Eor eight years he led a rugged,
hardy life with a quaint old trapper
down Beaver creek. When his bene-
factor died Hickory got lonely, sold off
the few traps and belongings inherited
and came into Brocton. He had a team
of horses, arranged to get a stout,
roomy wagon, and went into the bust
ness of delivering freight to Brocton
and a few surrounding towns from the
nearest railroad point, forty miles
away.
At the rear of the covered wagon he
had fitted up two cushioned seats, and
there were few trips that he did not
have two or more passengers, caring
more for their company than the small
compensation he acquired from this
feature of his business as a public car
rier.
I've met my fate. She's the finest
woman l ever knew" declared Hickory,
as he finished the most delightful trip
of his life delivering a passenger at
the n boarding house In Brocton.
She was not "his Sort in dress and
manners, but that there was a mysteri-
GUS mutual s%oulfulness between them,
Hickory knew the minute she climbed
up into the drivers seat by his side.
She was fair and thirty, chatty, smiling
and friendly. She interested herself in
everything along the route and in all
that a~ppertained to Hickory. She was
a widow, Mrs. Almeda Royce, she in
formed Hickory, and had come to Broc-