davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
SEARCH[|GHT WILL
 BE POINTED AT THE PACKING INDUSTRY
Federal Trade Commission Decides to Begin Investi- gation-No Chance for
 Immunity

Washington, December 10. The packing industry will be put under the searchlight of the federal trade commission s investigative powers at open hearings beginning tomorrow.
 Unless they come of their own vo- lition representatives of the coun- try's five great packing families will not be present, as the commission an nounced that subpoenas would not be issued for them. The commis- sion gave no explanation of it's de- cision, but. some officials called at tention to the possibility of immun- ity for persons giving testimony on which future prosecutions might be asked.
 The specific question at issue in the hearings will be the ownership of the Chicago stockyards and the Chicago terminel railroads. The National Cat tlemen's association has at varions times charged intercorporate relations between the yards, the roads and the packing plants. The packers have con tended that they owned no stock in the yards or the roads and that their busi- nesses were conducted without other than legitimate relations with the great cattle market and the terminal trans portation facilities.
 There had been no intimation of the proposed hearing before the formal an : nouncement was made. Since the com mission began it's investigation of food supply conditions, under authority of Congress and with an appropriation of | s250. 900, however. almost its entire force. of investigators has been devoted to the meat industry. Conditions were found to exist which led to the de- cision that extended investigation was necessary as the Biggest factor in the food situation.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
HEALTH OF GUARD
 DIVISIONS REPORTED.
 VERY MUCH BETTER
In National Army Camps, However, There Is Gain of Pneumonia, Measles
 and Meningitis

Washington, December 19.--GeneraI the national guard divisions for the week ending December 14 was report ed today by the division of field san itation. In the national nrmy, how ever. there was an increase in the to- tai cases of pneumonia, measles and meningitis due to renewed outbreak in few of the divisions.
 With the exception of the Thirty fourth. Thirty-fifth and Fortieth divi- sion," said the report, but few new cases of measles are reported from the national guard camps. Pneumonia fol lowing measles is also rapidly decreas- ing in all but three of the divisions in which measles has been epidemic'' ' Those three divisions are the Thirtieth, Thirty-fourth and Thirty-ninth Men, ingitis as increased in only the Thirtieth and Thirty fifth divisions.
 < Marked increases in measles is reported in the Eighty-seyenth and Ninetieth na- tional army divisions, with a slight in crease in the Eighty-ninth. Pneumonia conditions in all divisions except the Ninetieth improved during the week. but r new cases were reported In that di- vision, an increase of 36 over last week. There has been marked increase in meningitis in the Eighty-first divison. but the epidemic in the Eighty-ninth di- vision continues to decline.
 Deaths for the week in the guard di- vision totalled I65. as against 7so the week previous, and those in the national army. N. against "A the week before. Of the guardsmen dying, 14s succumbed to pneumonia and 12 to meningitis. In the national army there were 69 deaths from pneumonia and IS from meningitis.
 There was decrease of 12s cases of pneumonia In the guard camps, the tota for the week being 294, as against 423 the week previous. Cases of measles de- creased from 263S the previous week to 105S, and meningitis from 42 to 30.
 In the national army there was an in cerase of 124 Cases of pneumonia, with 294 this week, aganist ITO the week before. There were 2251 eases of measles this week, against 1869 the previous week, while meningitis cases were 61. against B last week.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
STATE IF SIEGE ]. IN RUSS CAPITAL |S NOW DECLARED This is Done in Effort to Suppress Disorders and
 Looting of the
 Wine Shops

Petrograd, December 19.-The exec utive council of workmen's and soI- diers' deputies has proclnimed . state of siege in Petrograd In an effort to repress disorders due Sto the loot ing of wine cellars and shops.
 London, December 10.--A Reuter- dis patch from Petroxrad says that sle- cree has been iasued turninx over the entire administratfon of the sleets to central committees.
 Petroerad. Decemher 1D.-A goyern- ment or. commissionera from the Cau- caxun has been formed at Hlflis. E. F. GegeohkOri of Kutuais, leader of the xocinl democrats In the Dmusn, kas been ckosen president of the conniis- siOners.
 London, Decemher 10sA Fettsrrnd dispatch to the Post nuyu enc Cos- sackn finally occupied Rentov qn Mon day. The infantry 1oined the Cossacl<x. the rear Euards surrenaerfnx.
 General kaIedlnes. hetman < Of the ,Cossnckn. has proponed to the BoI- shevik govefnnent that civil strife eesse, stipulatinE the ipderendenee Of the Don territory and nenintervcntian by the Maximallntns
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
ALAbAM|ANS DID NOT CARE A WHOOP'
 FOR SUBMARINES Rainbow Division Transport Captain Says They Are
 "Daredevils' WAR ZONE HAD NO
 TERRORS FOR MEN Blackmon Tells of Heroic Words of Lieutenant Melvin, First Officer to Fall---Friends of General
 Steiner Pleased
By HUGH ". ROBERTS

Washington, December 1e- (Special) The cagaasR. of the ship which trans- pcrteds the Aiabana contingent of tfe "RainbG Alaiyiston' to France, heaved a sigh q; reltef when he landed his chargss 1T safety.
 The Nn, in statement to a friend in Was...-7xon explained that whereas he had carried many across. he had car ried none of more reckless spirit. He stated the case in about this fashion:
 "on entering the submarine zone" he said, it is customary for officers in charge of transports to notify the sol diers, urge them to keep as quiet as pos sible. and at nights to refrain from smoking cigarettes. As rule. such pre- cautions arc regarded scrupulously.
 When We last entered the submarine zone Alabama troops were aboard. had heard of their spirit--of how they fell upon negro regiments at Mineola and drove them into their tents, and of how they broke guard one night and saw New York. but I was not pre- pared for what really happened. I sent word one morning that we had entered the sub zone. The boys were shooting craps on every deck They scarcely raised their heads When the word was repeated, enc of them said: "Oh, to h. with the subs and the Kaiser, too.''
 'Frcm that point in, they didn't miss other respect made merry was a lit- tie put out. but couldn't help from realiz-
 (COntfnued on Pare TwO)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
German Strength on
 Western Front Now
 Reported Tremendous
Force Is Said to Number 154 Divi- sions-AngIo-F French Still Have
 Supremacy on Line

Washington, December 19.-Ger- many's strength on the French British front is placed fin official dispatches received here today at J54 divisions, or within one dfvi- sion of the great force amassed there last July when the German military effort against France was at it's maximum.
 Withdrawals from Russia and drafts upon the younger classes of reservists have enabled the kai- ser not only to make up the eBer- nous 1osses suffered in bloody battles with the allies, but 10 re- place the men sent to aid the Austrians fin their invasion Of Italy. Winter, therefore. finds fae Germans with armies facing the allies in France virtually equal to the largest ever before mustered with advertisement of a great of fensive, which may presage am other peace proposal.
 The allies, however, are under stood to maintain n considerable superiority in numbers of the French front.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
WAR DEPARTMENT ACTS QUICKLY ON
 G0RGAS' REPORT
All Recommendations Made to Better Health of the Camps, Save One, AL
 ready Carried Out

Washington, December 19.-Woo1en uniforms for all troops have been pro- vided and are either mt the camps and cantonmcnts or en route there, Sec- retary Baker said today, explaining steps the war department has taken to meet the unsatisfactory health con- dition of the training posts pictured in reports of the surgeon general made public yesterday.
 The secretary announced that all except one of the recommendations of the medical department had been com piled with immediately and pointed out that the reports upon which ac ton was taken were received for the most part two weeks or more ago.
 Geae al Gorgas one proposal that faltsai to be acted upon. Mir. Baker sHia that regarding the establish- Asez Of ohservatipr carnna h which ssis be gathered all new drafts Of
 uits for period of two weeks
 sfore the men pass into their corn- ~ ny organizations at the training ( mps The surgeon general believes mat during this two-week segregation period and with the recruits under close medical observation, it would be possible to prevent the communication of epidemic diseases to the troops in training. Latent diseases would have time to develop and men found to have measles or any other communicable ailment would be sent to the hospital.
 MT. Baker said action was delayed pending decision made as to the wisest course to pursue in establishing the observation camps. It may be nect essary to establish one camp in con- nection with every divisional training center, or, on the other hand. to build several great observation camps at suitable points throughout the country where recruits would be held during the two-week period, to be distributed later to the training camps. The ques- tion also is under discussion as 10 the type of camp to be constructed, whether cantonments or semi-perma- nent type with wooden buildings, or. tent camps as those occupied by the national guard
 Secretary Baker received today per- soHai reports OH coHultlons at three of the northern training centers. Camp Devens, Mass, Camp Upton. N Y, and Camp Meade. Md, to the ef- feet that health and clothing equip ment conditions there are entirely sat- isfactory. He received also an invita- tion to inspect the national army divi- sion at Camp Meade tomorrow. with the promise that he would see every man at the camp clothed in wooden uniform and clad in his heavy over coat.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20


 Again the losses to British shipping through mines or submarines show a decrease According to the weekly statement of the British admiralty F merchantmen were sent to the bottom last week as compared with 21 the previous week. French shipping suf- fered only the loss of one vessel dur ing the week and this small one of less than 1900 tons.
 An enemy submarine, however has torpedoed and sunk in the Mediter- ranean sea the old French cruiser Chateaurenault, which was being used as transport. The submarine which fired the fatal shot was itself destroyed, The soldiers aboard the Chateaurenault were saved, but 10 members of the crew of the vessel were lost.
 Little material damage was done by the Germans in Tuesday nights air raid over London. Essex and Kent Ten persons were killed in London and 70 Injured. Outside the capital i've persons were wounded. One enemy machin was brought down. and another believed to have been destroyed.
 Another Spanish steamer, the No- yember. haa been torpodeod without warninE by { reutonic Allied sub- mar t4e. %
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
NO "SCANDAL IS DEVELOPED WHEN
 NAVY PROBE BEGINS
Daniels Thinks Committee Will Find His Department Has Measured Up" to
 Every Demand

w..hinxton. December 19.-A recital bv Secretary Daniels of how the navy preparcd for war by adding several hundred ships to the fleet and let ttnr contracts for hundreds of oth- CTS. including drendnaushts. battle cruisers, destrcyers and auxiIiaries' ma an explanation of the operation of the navy supply department by Rear Admiral McGownn. pnymaster general marked the opening today of the In- auiry by q House subcommittee intc the navy's war activities.
 The subcommittee adjourned tonight without fixing any time for resuming the hearing and probably will not meet again until after Christmas
 Representative Britten, of IllinoiA asked Secretary Daniels whether the department had received any com plaints from Vice Admiral Sims, com nanding American naval forces in the war zone The Secretary said the ques- lion was improper and that mess gos- .sip" should not be banded about, but he added that Admiral Sims had been given everything possible that the navy could give.
 Later when Admiral McGowan was called to the stand he submitted an order issued by him some months ago directing that Admiral Sims requests for supplies be acted upon on the same day they were received.
 we have 424 ships in course of con struction," Secretary Daniels told the Icommittee That does not include sub- marine chasers, of which we are build- ing $50. and does not include the small craft. The chasers will be in service |bv early spring. Included in the 42A ships. he said, were battle cruisers, battleships.. scout cruisers. destroyers, fuel ships, gunboats, hospital ships, ammunition ships, sea going tugs, mine sw eepers and submarines.
 The navy at the beginning of it's par |ticipation in the war. the witness con |tinued, had at it's disposal the money |needed for most of the expansion i'm. cases where funds were lacking over Obligations were Incurred. Within the |last few days the navy has had to ask Tor sS6, ,000, 900 in addition to the regu- lar estimates, amounting to $1,039,0O0,- 900 for the next fiscal year, now be, fore the House naval committee. S< secretary Daniels said the navy now had more than 1000 ships In commis- sion as against 300 two years ago. and an enlisted personnel of 2S0.000 officers and men compared with 64.6s0. men and 4s76 officers when America declared war.
 Has the navy measured up?" hs ask ed. Ut is my firm belief at the close of the investigation your answer will be It has, and the country has every navy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
Only Five Nonfatal Casual ties Are Reported Out
 side of London
ONE ENEMY MACHINE IS KNOWN TO HAVE
 BEEN BROUGHT DOWN
Crew of Three Captured Alive When Men Fall Into sea--British Ayiators Suffer No
 Losses

London, December 1e-Ten persons were killed and 70 injured in London during last nights air raid Outside of London, five persons were injured.
 The following communication in regard to casualties was officially given out
 Last nights air raid casualties were: Ten killed and 70 injured in London; only five injured outside London.
 Several fires occurred. The material damage was not serious. There was no damage to naval or military estab- lishments."
 The statement issued today by Lord French, commander of the British home forces, reads:
 'The latest reports indicate that from IS to 20 enemy airships took part in last nights air raid. Three groups of raiders crossed the Kent coast between 6.15 and |6:o5 r.. m. Three other groups crossed the Essex coast between 6:10 and 6:4S p. m.
 "All six groups made toward London. Most of the raiders were turned back by gunfire at various places, only about five machines actually reaching and bombing the capital between and Ip. m.
 After the main attack on London had terminated single airplane made it's way over the capital about p. m.
 "One raider, hit by gunfire. finally came down in the sea off the Kentish coast, two of it's crew of three men being captured alive by an armed traw- Ter. There is reason to suppose that anr other enemy airplane came down in the channel, but this has not been confirmed | up to the present.
 "One of our pilots attacked and fired
 two drums of 8TmInition into a raider ], as the latter w7as in the act of dropping lbomha on London from 2 height of ta.ooe feet. Another Of our pilots also engage Ithe enemy oyer London. and a third in the vicinity of the capital at fi,00o feet all our machines returned safely Full reports of tho casualties and damage in London have not yet been received.
 Bombs also were dropped at various places in Kent and Essex"
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
GENERAL SARRA|L IS RELIEVED FROM SAL0N|kI COMMAND. |Guillemet Will Succeed as Head of Allied Armies
 in Macedonia, It Is
 Reported

London, December 19.-General Sar-. rail, commander of the allied armies at Salonili, has been recalled according to newspaper announcement in Athens says a Reuter- dispatch from the Greek capital under date of December 15. The successor Of General Sarrail. in com mand of the Macedonian forces, it is stated, will be General Guillemet.
 Gen. M. F. E. sarrail has been identi- fled with the allied operations base on Saloniki since October 1915. when he was sent to command the French expeditions ary force engaged in an attempt to suc- cor the Servians during the Teutonic- Bulgarian drive that resulted in the ovcrrunning of Servian territory When Saloniki was turned into an allied base. and active operations on the Macedonian front were begun by the entente forces the next year General Sarrail directed the united operations of the allies andA has since remained in command on this front
 General Sarraiis chief services pre- yious to going to Saloniki were per- formed during the battle of the Marne, when he held the German crown prince's army in the Argonne and prevented the investment of Verdun, and in the Har- danelles, where he commanded the French expeditionary force after General Gouraud was wounded there and subse- quertly relieved in August. 1915
 Although there are several officers bearing the name of GuiIlemet in the French army, it seems not improbable that the man selected to succeed General Sarrafl may be General Guillaumat, who commanded the French armies at Ver* dun during their brilliant operations last summer when they completed the recov. cry of virtually all the ground that tho Germans had won in their 1916 drive.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
HEAVY FIGHTING IS AGAIN IN PROGRESS ON ITALIAN LINE NORTH AND SOUTH The Austro-Germans Made Slight Gains in Monte
 AsOlone Region
 - AT ALL OTHER POINTS INVADERS ARE HELD BY BRAVE DEFENDERS Desperate But Futile Efforts Are Made by Enemy to Cross Sile
 River-Some Activity
 in France
ry the Associated Press

Headquarters of the Italian Army fin Northern Italy, December 19.-Ex- tremcly heavy fighting has again de- veIoped both in the northern mountain region and along the lower Piave. The enemy has made five separate att tempts to cross the SiIe, or old Piavc. His main effort was about three miles above the mouth of the river where pontoons and a bridge were used. The first party succeeded in getting across, but after n series of furious attacks were driven back to the waters edge. where it still is held.
 Four other simultaneous attempts in the same region were repulsed in the main but fighting continues. ac- cording to latest reports.
 In the mountain region the enemy concentrated his whole pressure on the heights commanding the pass of San Lorenzo leading down to the plain and Bassano. He was repeatedly re- pulsed, but with heavy endorsements succeeded in making some progress to the summit of one of the heights east of the Brenta river and the Ital- ian line was correspondingly retired.
 The fighting was desperate, as both sides feel the importance of controll- ing this vital link leading to the plains
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
WAR-TRIED CANADIANS FROM "OVER THERE
 RETURN FOR REST
Ship Load of Men Arrive at an American Port and Take Train
 for Home

An Atlantic Port, December ID. Her rails lined with khaki-csa1 soldiers of the Canadian overseas army returning home to recuper- ate from wounds, shell shock and other ailments peculiar to modern trench warfare, n large British steamship, originally bound for Halifax, docEed here late today and work of transferring the men for railway Journey to CaD' was started
 Sight of an occasfonp "A and a limping soIdie, .SS. ,< 4 there gave proof tt cSo acre in France' the .AoSscS bound fighting men o their bit.'
 In all :, 2 l2oe officers and men S0 women and chii- dren aboaA vessel. One Amer ican among them was Capt. Miller R. Taylor, n native of Macon, Ga., who had been attached to the royal flying corps for more faan year. His wife and baby daugh- ter accompanied him. The child was born in London during an air raid by the Germans, October 31.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
Summary of the News
GEN ERAL NEWS


 GENERAL NEWS 1-Heavy fighting is again in prOg- ress on ItaIian front. Tea are killed In air raid on Lon doh.
 Health of guard divisions better, fncreaae of Illness at national army cnmps. slight decrease is shown in British shipn sunk during week. War department acts quickly on Gor9ns report. PetrOgrnd fin state of siege. 3-CFOslern bureau was Indifferent about war supplies. Wheat crop report. 0-Nevys from Montgomery.
 LOCAL NEWS S-vanderIip will arrive today tO boost baby bonds. Red Cross armies secure 47s6 new members. HObbie and Kennedy talk to housewivcs.
 FEATURES 4-EdftOrinl comment. s-society and Dolly DalrynDie.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
Mrs. Abby M. Gwathmey
 of Richmond, Sister of
 Capt. B. F. Manly, Dies

Richmond Va. December 19.--(Special3 Mrs. Abby Manly Gwathmey. widow of pr William H. Gwathmey. for many years a prominent physician of this city. and q sister of Capt. B. F. Manly of Birmingham. died at her home here late yesterday. aged IS years. For many years she was one of the most public spirited women of Richmond. being ac- tive in many civic affairs. She was es- pecially prominent in the Daughters of the Confederacy and served for soma years as vice president of the Confed- crate Literary society.
 She was daughter of the late pr. Basil Manly A former president of tho University of Alabama,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
'14 British Ships of Ouer 16OO Tons
 Sunk During Week
Three Smaller Merchantmen and One Fishing Craft Were Also Sent Down-Losses Slightly Under Those of Previous Period Small
 French Vessel Lost

London December 19-Fourteen British merchantmen of than 1900 tons and three under that tonnage sunk by submarine during the past week. according to the admiralty tonight fishing vessel also sunk the slightly IA of than 1900 and dseven under destroyed 19The losses French shipping by mine sub ending December 15 exceedingly light One
 
 lacked, but No fishing craft sunk
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
FRENCH CRUISER, USED AS TRANSPORT, {,
 SUBMARINE VICTIM
Ten Lives Lost When Con- verted War Boat Goes Down in Mediter-
 ranean Sea

Paris. Tuesday. December lsThe old French cruiser Chateaurenault, em- ployed as transport, was torpedoed and sunk in the Mediterranean on the morning of December 14, and the sub marine which attacked her later was de- stroyed, according to the announcement made late tonight by the French minis ter of marine. The passengers on the Chateaurenauit, all of whom were either soldiers or officers, were saved. Ten members of the crew were lost.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
General Pershing Reports
 Death of Two Alabama
 Soldiers From Disease

WashingtOn, December 10.-Gen- eral Pershing today reported the following deaths,
 Private Absaiom J. Ashcroft, qunrtcrnastcr corps, December II, Anseim A. AshcrOft. Hollins. Ala.
 Private Bryan N. Dutton. infan- try. December 14. perItonitis fol- lowing acnte appendicitis, luther. J. M. Dutton, Huntsville, Ala.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
BERLIN ITALIAN REPoB

Berlin, December f9.-Austro- sertpan forces yesterday stormed the Itsliaa n9- sitions on Monte Asolone ana ttss ad- joining heights, according to slae official statement issued today by tha 4ersnaT staff. More than 2OOo soldiers were ca Y tured.
 The statement follows:
 Throughout the day there was vio- lent artillery duel between the Brenta and Piave rivers. After heavy artillery preparation Austro-H Hungarian troops termed Monte Asolone and the Italian positions adjoining to the northwest and northeast. They took prisoner 4S of ficers and more than POGO men,.
 The Italian attacks east of Monte Solarolo broke down."
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-20
River Tfaffic Resumed

Memphis, December ls. Mississippi river traffic out of this city, inter- rupted for severa1 days owing to an accumulation of lee and the fornia- ton of a gorge near 0s&eola, Ark, tsr Which csrltsd the fspidl ' raSlting