davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
Charles Piez of Chicago
Made General Manager of
Emergency Fleet Corp'n
SUCCEEDS HARRIS,
WHO RESIGNED
Ship-Building Program Is in
Best Shape Since 1t
Started

Washington, ID. c., Dee. lS.-Charles
Piez of Chicago was to-day appointed
general manager of the emergency fleet
corporation, succeeding Rear Admiral
Harris, who resigned. The general re-
organization of the fleet corporation will
follow. Former Rear Admiral Francis
T. Bowles. aide to Admiral Harris, will
be given an important place in the new
organization. James Hayworth will take
full charge of wooden construction and
Charles Day will become manager OF the
production department.
Admiral Harris resignation was ac-
cepted, Chairman Hurley announced be-
cause of his insistence on moving the OF
fees of the corporation to Philadelphia.
Previous reports had it that Harris and
Hurley disagreed over the immediate
spending of money for housing war ship
workers. The ship building program,
Chairman Hurley announced, is in better
shape than at any time since it was
launched. At present there are under
construction and under contract more
than 100000 tons of shipping.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
JUMPED JUST IN TIME.
As Train Struck Automobile Carrying
Ora A. Ferguson.

Rutland, Dec ls.--Ora A. Ferguson, an
ice dealer, formerly of Burlington, had a
narrow escape from death yesterday
when the automobile in which he was
riding alone was struck at crossing
a mile south of the city by Rutland
railroad train and demolished. Mr.. Fer
guson turned his automobile to pass a
team just before reaching the crossing
and his attention was momentarily away
from the track. When he regained the
highway he saw the on-rushing locomo-
tive thirty feet away. He swerved the
machine towards ditch and jumped, es-
Gaping injury. The engine struck the
auto at the door and tore one side COM
pletely away. The road approaches the
track through deep cut, obscuring view
Of the track. There was fatal accident
there a few years ago
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
TALK OFTHE TOWN

The graduation of Miss Margaret NJ
| Murphy from the nurses training class
at the City hospital. which took place
to -day. was made the occasion last even
ing of getting together of her fellow
nurses, when many gifts were presented
her and the best wishes of her friends
were extended for her future. Miss Muir
ply recently passed the state board ex-
aminations, and will remain in the city
for time. but expects eventually TO en-
| ter upon Red Cross work, intending TO
make her application soon.
Berlin street was stirred from its win
ter quiet yesterday afternoon when ru-
NOR went down the thoroughfare that a
small boy had been killed by rife bull
let. While the story was gaining cur
rency, an investigator learned that a
Young lad named Spinelli had been shot
in the thumb by the premature explo-
sion of a small -calibre rifle in the hands
of an older companion. 1t developed
that neighbor's boy called on the Spi-
neli family and that the two youngsters
were fooling with the gun when it was
accidentally discharged. The bullet
crazed Spinelli's thumb. iniicting there
on a rather slight flesh wund, which
was carefully dressed.
The American Cheer club and a few
invited guests met with one of its mem
bers. Mrs. Florence Marion of 45 Maple
avenue. last night and were most heart
lily welcomed. The evening was passed
in playing different games. Cards were
played by some while others gave piano
solos and after refreshments of sand
witches. waters and tea were served, Mrs.
Marion was reminded that she had just
passed one more milestone and was pre-
sented a beautiful birthday gift and car
nations. The guests on leaving wished
Mrs. Marion many more happy birth /
days. and the hostess appropriately .
thanked them for their gift and thought (
fulness.
Patrick Massie is in receipt OF an in
.crestinC letter and accompanying photo +
graph from some of the Barre boys who
.ailed for France few weeks ago. An
interesting tale Of brothcrly reunion told
N the letter tells of a meeting between
Private Thompson Of the American army
md Private Thompson Of the Canadian
Irmv. \ party Of American soldiers
which included Privates James Devers,
.ouis Cook. Webster and Thompson were
,assing a concert ball in London. when
nc latter thought be- recognized = Cana
ian Tommy nlst then emerging from
he theatre \ second glance convinced
ini that u wa his brother. and the re-
uion hat followed was ono Of unusual
-armtb The brothers had not met for ,
lore than two wears aud the Canadiani
riyate = few hours hence would have
eparted from London without seeing
is relative After the first greeting.
he soldiers repaired % studio and or
cred group picture rcplies of which
now in the possession of Mr. Massie
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
BRITISH AROUSED
OYER BIG LOSS
Admiralty Is Likely to Come in for Much
Criticism Because of Destruction of
IL Vessels by Germans.

London, Dec lS--The successful at
tack by German warships on convoy in
the North sea, resulting in the sinking of
II vessels, is expected to cause a revival
of serious criticism of the admiralty The
painful aspect of the affair from the Brit
ish public's point of view is that appar-
emily all the attacking vessels escaped
and returned to their bases. Another un
pleasant feature is that the British cruis
er squadron detailed to protect the con-
voy from surface attack for some uneX-
planned reason was not on the scene.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
GERM4N-MADE
PEACE ADVANCED
German and Austrian Foreign Ministers
Expected To-day to Negotiate
with Bolsheyiki.

Petrograd Monday, Dec. 1.-THE Ger
man and Austrian foreign ministers, DIR.
Won Kuehlmann and Count Czerin, have
notified Leon Trotzky, the Bolsheviki
foreign minister, that they will arrive at
Brest -Litovsk, Tuesday, to begin nego-
tiations for general European peace.
Evening papers announce that Trotzky
has notified the allied embassies that the
has reached definite results
and that peace negotiations will begin
by asking them to participate or to state
whether they wish peace. Up to this
evening the embassies had not received
the communication, and the informal
conference of the allied diplomats is said
to have reached no definite decision.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
HARRIET VARNEY
VAS ACQUITTED
Was Charged with the Murder of Mrs.
Pauline Keyes-Jury Deliberated
More Than Four Hours.

Dedham Mass. Dec ls.-Miss Harriet
A. Varney, nurse of West Upton, was
found not guilty of the murder of Mrs.
Pauline Keyes, the l0-months bride of
George H. Keyes, Boston real estate
man, by jury in the Norfolk county su-
perior court here early yesterday. The
jury delberated more than four hours.
All day yesterday the prisoner sat
calmly at the bar and heard her life re-
viewed First by her own counsel, who
excused her faults, and again by the dis
trict attorney, who denounced them
Judge Philip j. O'Connell completed his
charge at sos o'clock and after a slight
delay, during which the court officers
assembled the exhibits, the jury retired
to begin deliberations.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
SOLDIERS WANT LETTERS.
Ernest Anderson Feeling Wen, Except
for Cold Which Most Soldiers Have.

Private Ernest v. Anderson writes rs
follows to his brother. Edward NJ An
derson Of l34 Elm street:
Somewhere in France, Nov %. 1917.
Dear Brother and Family: Well, ev-
crything Is a. well as usual. Am feeling
pretty good except for a little cold, which
most everybody has Weather is about
the same a. ii would be iu Denmark,
maybe a little warmer We are having
a little rain once in a while. bat not
enough TO keep anyone from working
out side
Have not received any mail since We
left home Don't forget 10 writc every
now aud then. ~ ] do like to hear from
bone Thursday j. Thsnksrit iBr dsv.
Wish I could b. there with ron We
arc hoping to have turkey the same ss
usual Win close with msnv regards 10
everyone know. Ernest Z. Anderson
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
FORMER ST. JoHNSBURY MAN.
DR.. Martin C. Benedict Died of Gas As
phyxia tion in Garage.

st. Johnsbury, Dee ls-Word was re-
ceived here yesterday of the accidental
death in Plainfeld, n. j.. Saturday of
DR.. Martin G. Benedict, the principal for
eight wears Of st. Johnsbury academy.
DR.. Benedict was asphyxiated in his
garage, and the body was found there
Saturday forenoon.
He resigned last juno as principal Of
the academy and went in the early fall
TO Plsinfield to take charge Of boys
school. lie leaves q wife aud a son, Paul.
who is employed by tho STANDARD oil
company and who recently went to
China
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
CUTTERS REFLECT
ALL THEIR OFFICERS
Alderman Henry Alexander Chosen Presi-
dent at the Annual Meeting Last
Evening.

Present officers of Barre branch, Gran
ite Cutters International association,
were reelected at the regular meeting of
the local last evening in the opera house.
After the election there was routine busi'
ness and then adjournment.
The officers are as follows: President,
Henry Alexander; vice president, John
Geals; recording secretary, Joseph D..
Will; financial secretary, James Smart;
treasurer, William Mcdonald; grievance
committee lappointedl. John Geals, An
drew Mitchell and John J. Frontini;
auditors, s. L. Card, Alfred Milne and
Ironside; trustees Of the local
fund, Paul Bianchi, James Kidd.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
cLERGYMANS JUBILEE.
Is Being Held at Swanton, Rev T. NJ.
Aubin Being Honored.

Swanton, Dec. ls.-The 25th anniver-
sary Of the ordination of Rev. T. NJ Au-
bin. S. ;. t., TO the priesthood is being
celebrated here. An entertainment was
given in Colonial hall yesterday after
noon by the children OF the parish, and
last evening a public reception took place
there.
There were speakers for the parish.
the &. .. +. and the citizens Of the town.
\ chorus of children from the high school
and the parish choir sang. and the Swan
ton hand also furnished music. Rev. Fr
Aubin was presented purse Of money
by the parish, and chalice by the
Swanton court Of Forcstcrs.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
FIVE MORE FOR NAVY.
And Twenty Recruits Go to Naval Train
ing Stations.

Burlington, Dec. ls-Fire recruits were
enlisted into the naval service of the
country yesterday, two of whom had GER
tificates of exemption from their local
boards, one holding over since last week
on a waiver and the remainder being
under the draft age, or between the
ages of Is and 81.
They are X. T. Harvin of this city, c.
\. Newton of Milton, f. G. Blair of Rut
land, 7. d. Coonan of Champlain, l. T..
Robinson, also of Champlain, and L. j.
Goudette of Milton.
Twenty recruits who enlisted last week
1t this station left last night. five for
Bay Shore, l.. l., and The other for the
training station at Newport, r. !.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
SAVED The FURNITURE.
But House Of Oscar ]. J. Divoll at Rock
ingham Burned.

Bellows Falls Dec lS.-The home Of
Oscar j. r Divoll in Rockingham vil.
lage. four miles from, Bellows Falls, was
completely destroyed by FIRE about 10
O'Clock yesterday morning. The furni-
lure IN the house was saved. The lo-s
is about $500 with insurance af SI0n
The cause Of the IRE j. unknown. The
Divoll family j. enc 81 the oldest in town
and the house which uas burned vas
enc Of the eldest in the village.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18

Robert ". Simonds. state commission.
er Of Industries. was visitor in Barre
yesterday
J. II Stalker of Zanesville. o. Who
conducts 3 retail monument establish
msnt. Is registered al Hotel barre while
passing several DAYS in the Barre gran
tie belt on business.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
Notice to Public

All uuinn stores viii BE- closed tuesday
and Wednesday nights at usual hours.
Open every night until Christmas begin
ming Thursday.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
Supeuntendent's Report.

IoOntinued on hfth Pazsl
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-18
slO.O44qa

The hospital has also received from
Mrs Laura A. Aiusworth Liberty bond
amounting to 81 600 to be used toward
the purchase of an N-ray outfit.
The Barre Savings Bank & Trust Co.
holds as trustee the Elizabeth Smith on
doWment fund. amounting to Sl,00500.
The Granite Savings Bank & Trust CO.
holds securities amounting 10 Sl00O0,
being part of the Ira c. Calef endow-
ment fund
There has been collected during tho
wear thc sum Of sl6G.74 on account Of
the building fund pledges, which with
S. % cash on hand az the beginning of
interest due. W 4. Drew. Treasurer.
The courier-index., 1917-12-07

Express companies are concentrate ing their efforts to insure prompt and safe handling of all food products of a perishable nature
 s&**
 Furloughs for Yuletide week will be granted all men at army canton. ments whose absence can be permit ted in the opinion of the division commanders. to enable them to spend Christmas at their homes
 The sugar used for making candy in the United States, according to the Food Administration, is sufficient to meet all requirements of England under the rationing system adopted there.
 Since the war insurance plan be- came operative in October more than 45,000 soldiers have applied for insur- ance. amounting in all to nearly half billion dollars and averaging about sS,000 man.
 ssss
 The 1917 potato crop is estimated to consist of 453, 900 ,000 900 bushels, or half again as much as last year. Reparts from the commission on car service indicate that more than 750,000 cars will be needed to handle it.
 Newton D. Baker, secretary of war, estimates the losses up to June 1 of the British expeditionary forces in deaths in action and from wounds at z per cent of the total of all men sent to France since the beginning of the war. He adds that the ratio of losses of this character today, be- cause of improved tactics and swift ly mounting allied superiority in ar tillery, is less than 2 to every 100 men.
The courier-index., 1917-12-07

Wartime Demand for Cotton is En.
 Recent Investigations in the use of cotton in the war show.
 A 12 inch gun disposes of half bale of cotton with every shot fired; a machine gun in operation will use up a bale in three minutes; Tn naval battle like the one off Jutland over 5000 pounds a minute are con sumed by each active warship; more than 10000 bales year are needed to provide absorbent cotton for the wounds of the injured; one change of apparel for all the troops now en- gagged in the war represents more than a million bales.
 Promise of thrills in "FIame and Gas" Service Brings Many Recruits
 A boy just out of school. feeling himself qualified by special study of gas engineering. rode a bicycle 200 miles to join the pioneer flame and gas battalion. A number of chemists, electricians. and mechanics well known in civil life were among the first to respond to the call for this service.
 American soldiers, largely recruited from professions and trades. such. as chemical, and mechanical engineering, plumbing and carpentry. are being trained in this service to meet enemy fire and fumes with flame and deadly gas There is opportunity for linn tied number of enlistments of men with mechanical knowledge, gas ex- perts, carpenters, clerks. and muscu- lar. quick-thinking men between the ages of IS and 40 years Men posses sing the necessary qualifications may volunteer at any recruiting station by asking to join the Thirtieth Battalion. flame and gas. forming at Washing ton.
 Even Food Administration Men Can't
 Get Their Sugar
 Members of the Food Administra- ton at Washington, D. C., now have an added personal reason for urging conservation of sugar.
 A recent canvass of the retail stores of the city showed that of 22 stores 15 had no sugar Three, had only a small supply of cube sugar in packages. Every store had less than 100 pounds and none had prospect of an immediate supply. Of three wholesalers and one jobber two had no sugar. One had a three day supply
 No relief is promised for at least six weeks. and Washington will be on a short sugar ration until after Christmas at least
 In the middle west and on the Pa eific coast, where reserve stocks are heavier. dealers generally are re- spending to the cry for help by plac- ing the same limit on sales in use in the hard hit eastern district-two pounds to a customer, providing other purchases are made
The courier-index., 1917-12-07
Weekly War News Digest

been arrested and are now being held under government regulations for various reasons.
 The principal detention camp is at Fort McPherson, Ga, where approxi- mately $50 war prisoners are held. At Fort Oglethorps, Ga, there are 165 alien enemies; at Fort Douglas. Utah, there are 517 prisoners of war and 80 interned Germans. Small de- tachments are now temporarily quar- tered at army posts throughout the country, but their number is relative ly small.
 Altogether there are 2,364 actual prisoners of war in the custody of the War Department and about 400 in termed aliens held at the request of the department of justice.
 It is estimated that Germany is now holding 150 sailors taken from American ships by commerce raiders and other German vessels.
 Each Infantryman Gets 62 Ounces of Brass in His Ordinance Equipment
 Including the equipment furnished each infantryman by the Ordinance Bureau of the War Department are 62.7 ounces of brass. This is ex- elusive of the uniform equipment provided by the Quartermaster Corps.
 Used in the haversack are Is ounces of brass; in the bayonet scabbard, 0.5 ounces; in the canteen cover, 0.2 ounces; cartridges (100) 47.4 ounces; cartridge belt 10 ounces; gun sling. l ounce: oiler and thong case, Is ounces: pouch for first-aid packet, 0.3 ounce.
 Equipment from the Ordnance De partment Bureau for 100000 infantry men, contains almost 196 tons of brass.
 Percentage of Sick at Army Camps
 less than two per cent
 Returning from inspection trips to 10 army and aviation camps, Col Weston P. Chamberlain, of the Sur geon Generals Office. reports that the per cent of sick ranges from be- low 1 per cent to slightly below ? per cen. s
 Among the conditions leading to treatment in hospital are severe colds, tonsilitis. slight injuries, and other comparatively slight ailments About the only serious disease found at any camp was pneumonia.
 Each national army camp has a thousand bed hospital, equipped in accordance with most approved mod ern practice.
 American Engineers Install Entire
 Railways in French War Theatre
 
 The Corps of Engineers of the American Army since April has not only been supplying the engineering equipment for more than 00,000 ,000 men, but the members of the railway section have undertaken to install and put in operation overseas a com plete railway equipment.
 The cost of materials ordered to date is approximately $70,000, 900, including some hundreds of locomo- tives, more than 100000 tons of steel rails, more than 5000 complete turn outs. 500,0O0 ties, 12,000 freight cars, 500 fill and ballast cars, 600 miles of telephone wire and apparatus and
The courier-index., 1917-12-07

vast quantities of construction and repair equipment
 A duty imposed upon the engineers has been the purchase of the neces. sary engineer equipment for more than 10000 men. Within fifteen days after the engineer corps, follow ing the declaration of war advertised for equipment awards had been made covering the requirements of this vast force-a total of S,700,000 articles, including among other items five miles of pontoon bridge.
 The engineers also have under taken the work of organizing and equipping troops for special service, such as lumber supply, road con struction, sanitary construction, cam ouflage service, gas, and flame serv- ice, mine work and mapping. Playground and Recreation Associa-
 ton Does Work in Towns Near
 Camps
 The work of the Playground and Recreation Association, but one of the many organizations working for the comfort and welfare of the men in army camps, forms partial an swer to the mothers question: What is being done to protect the morals of my boy in the army?'
 The association has committees in each war camp community to protect the soldier from exploitation and make him feel at home.
 An accommodations committee pro vides adequate drinking fountains, comfort stations, sleeping and res taurant accommodations for visiting soldiers and relatives and downtown rest rooms (soldier's clubs).
 The church cooperation committee holds special open air services Sun day evenings; arranges week night socials and receptions by Sunday schools and clubs: furnishes speak CTS for religious exercises; sees that soldiers are entertained in the homes of church members makes use of down town church basements for rest rooms.
 The commercial relations commit tee provides for a fair deal between men in the service and tradesmen of the city.
 The education committee furnishes teachers of French, German and other languages to the Young Mems Chris tian Assocation and other agencies for camp classes.
 The fraternal organizations and club committee has charge of socials and smokers given for brothers and other soldiers by Masons, Elks, Knights of Columbus, Rotarians and others.
 The girls and women's committee organizes the girls and women into clubs for patriotic work and arranges receptions and socials by these clubs places hotels in or near camps for women visitors and cares for women relatives visiting at camps or hos pitals.
 The information committee is clearing house of information regard ing soldiers; makes announcements of community camp activity and furn- ishes hand books and maps of the city giving locations of leisure time facilities, such as parks and play grounds.
The courier-index., 1917-12-07
MONEY IN EGGS

Eggs are not bankable but t money from their sale is. This na ey is yours for the effort How you treat the hen that lays the 3 den eggs? B. A. Thomas's Poa1 Remedy will keep the poultry in ga
 condition and increase the yield eggs. We guarantee this and refn your money if not satisfied. For I by M. D. Daggett.
The courier-index., 1917-12-07
A THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

I know of no safe dep0sitOr the ultimate powers of society the people themselves; and fl think them not enlightened enoq to exercise their control with wholesome discretion. the remedy. not to take it from them, but to form their discretion by educau' This is the true corrective oi aOu' of constitutional powers -Ihon' Jefferson,
The courier-index., 1917-12-07
Germans Held in the United States
 Number Nearly 2,800

Two classes of German prisoners are now detained in this country. One is comprised of sailors taken into custody. when the United States en- tered the war; the other consists of 'alien enemies," civilians who have
The courier-index., 1917-12-07

The Dardanelle Post Dispalch V offered a reward of $25 Tor li,O's x, tion leading to the arrest anu hss s viction of persons who nave Ss, I circulating in Dardanelle anu 'as s's, ity the report that the goseln]s aas intends to confiscate 50 per cen X all bank deposits. This IS one onai % lies that has been going the r0''' during the past few weeks
The courier-index., 1917-12-07

The postoffice department annoa. ces that the profits of the oepA., ment for the year ending on Jans s, last. amounted to more than Ntw 900; and that sum has been palo V the treasury departrent as cOhu' button to the general fund.
The courier-index., 1917-12-07

The garbage can is probably " only article of commerce on "ns the increased sdemand' mas N boosted the price.