davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17

hereafter It says no individual will be accepted who has not taken the oath prescribed by the national defense act. ''Individlfals who are members of the organized militia," the circular says, and
 who take the prescribed oath, will be accepted and given proper credit for the time served in their existing enlistment contract in the organized militia Provision also is made for the taking into the federal service of certain pro- portion of the state administrative staff of the National Guard of each state to handle administrative questions as to re- cruting,. organization and supply. Com plete federal control of all recruiting and other activities of the guard is contem- plated
 Divisional or brigade commanders of the guard and their staff officers will be taken in as was done before. It is pro- vided, however, that each commander of such higher unit or of any unattached brigade, regiment or company, shall re- port by telegraph to the departmental commander on receipt of the call and await orders The number of officers and enlisted men in each organization will be telegraphed to department headquar- ters, accompanied by reports of all gov ernment property then in possession of the guard regiments.
 The plan also provides for the imme- diate calling out of the National Guard reserve, both Commissioned and enlisted, the latter going at once back to their regiments Reserve officers would be assigned to duty as needed by the de- partmental commander.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17

and Hartford, whose lines are not in cluded among those on which freight en- ployes, yardmen and hostlers will be called out tomorrow and Sunday Not only was an embargo placed in effect on all freight, but it was announced that beginning tomorrow night sleeping and dining car service would be abandoned and all passenger traffic carried in day coaches.
 Reports of disaffection among the mem- hers of the brotherhoods because of pa triotic objection to involving the gov ernment in difficulties through a strike were denied by L. G. Griffing. vice presi- dent of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers. He said that as far as the eastern territory was concerned. he was in position to state that the railroad men had resolved to strike for an eight hour day and pro rata overtime pay, and that no dissenson existed among the members
 I am thoroughly in touch with the situation in the eastern states" he de, cared, "and I have not heard an ex- pression of discontent against a strike If there were any I would have heard of them.'
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
WILSON CONFIDENT CAN AVERT STRIKE
tcontinued from Page One,

ever already considering what may be done if his appeal to the patriotism of involved is futile Legal officers the studying the problem to determine what will be lawful only effort to keep food plies and the mails moving but to deal with situation the country should be drawn into The lat ter phase is being given only minor attention however fcals satisfied that the loyalty of all the rail road men could be depended upon
 Wilson's Act Comes With Dramatic Suddenness
 The action President with dramatic suddenness late this afternoon The council of national defense including it's membership several cabinet members had held meet ing the department and deciding that with the United be national disaster proposed the sending of mediaors
 Against the advice of his physician the President just cred from cold which has kept him in bed for nearly weeks summoned cabinet meeting and in short decisive session approved the
 President his message the representatives railroads and of the brotherhoods
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17

The intention had been to take this step, quietly and without publicity, but reports from various points indicating that 1t was being construed as meaning that mobili- zation was imminent. caused department officials to announce the instructions with the explanation that they constituted purely a routine measure of preparedness, necessary in order to prevent if a call should come, such confusion as attended the assembling of guardsmen for border service.
 It was reiterated that the policy of the administration was to make no move now that could be construed as a warlike step.
 The circular of instruction advises the adjutants general specifically of the Ma tional Guard organizations in each state which would be summoned in case of a call. Mobilization under the plan out lined would be conducted by the regular departmental commanders who would be authorized to designate sites. for mobiliza- ton companies other than those formerly used, if necessary, and ito make provl- sion for shelter recruitment and the formation of the recruit training battal- lions, in the eventuality of war" No units except those designated m the list sent to each state would be accepted, and each unit taken into the federal service would be required to have the full maximum authorized, or war strength, as prescribed for the regular army in the national de- fense act.
 The circular also makes it clear that there is to be no dual status for the National Guard in the federal service
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
DRASTIC ACTION PLANNED

Attorney General Gregory and other law officers, including those in the of flee of the judge advocate general of the army, were busy seeking authority for the President to take drastic steps if mediation and appeals fail to prevent strike
 So far as any attempt by strikers to interfere physically with the operation of railroads is concerned, in the cele- brated "Debs case" the United States supreme court, in most sweeping terms and unanimously, declared that the fed eral government has widest poweas to prevent physical Instructions at least to interstate commerce and transportation of the mails.
 DEBS CASE
 Eugene " Debs and others of the American Railway union were defend ants in an injunction suit filed by the United States district attorney at Chi cago by direction of Attorney General Richard Olney in 1894 during the strike against the Pullman company. An injunc- tion was granted by the federal court enioining the defendants from 'interfer- ing with or obstructing" interstate com merce, even to the extent of soliciting strike breakers or '1oyaI workmen at the Pullman plant Debs was convicted and sentenced to imprisonment for vio- 
 beas corpus proceeding to the supreme court.
 COURTS OPINION
 In dismissing the suit Justice Brewer, giving the supreme courts opinion, said:
 "What are the relations of the gen. eral government to interstate commerce and the transportation of the mails? They are those of direct supervision. con- trol and management Congress has ex- ercised the power in variety of legis- letive acts.
 If a state with it's recognized power of sovereignty is impotent to obstruct in terstate commerce, can it be that any merely voluntary association of indi- vidrals within the limits of that state has a power which the state itself does not possess?
 '.As, under the constitution, power of interstate commerce and the transporta- ton of the mails is vested in the na- tional government ... it follows that the national government may prevent any unlawful and forcible interference herewith.
 "If all the inhabitants of a state or even a great body of them should combine tc obstruct interstate commerce or transpor- tation of the mails, prosecution for such offenses in such community would be doomed to failure. And if the national government had no other way, the whole interests of the nation in those respects would be at the mercy of portion oi the inhabitants Of 8 single state. / But there is no such impotency in the national government. The entire strength of the nation may be used to enforce ir any part of the land the full and free exercise of all national powers and the security of all rights entrusted by the constitution to it's strong arm. .The strong arm of the national gov errment may be put forth to brush away all Instructions to the freedom of inter state commerce or the transportation of the mails. If the emergency arises the army of the nation and its militia are at the service of the nation to compe obedience to it's laws
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17

which says the French attacked east of that town and were successful in enter
 ing German trenches, but at only one point, being beaten off elsewhere. Be- tween Lakes Oehrida and Presba, it is said French attacks were repulsed.
 While the British troops are advanc- ing up the Diala river from Bagdad, Rus sian troops have occupied a height west of Kermanshah, Persia. British forces have taken part of the town of Baku- bah, 30 miles northeast of Bagdad and on the main road to Kermanshah The Turkish forces continue their retreat up the right bank of the Tigris from Bag dad.
 German airships have renewed their at- tacks on southeastern England, London announces, and bombs have been dropped in the county of Kent. A German air plane previously dropped bombs at West gate
 Another British torpedo boat destroyer has been sunk by mine in the Eng fish channel. It is believed that 29 mem bers of the crew were lost.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17

message sent by Secretary Baker, as chairman of the national defense council, to Secretaries Lane and Will son and MT. Willard and MT. Gompers:
 s'At a meeting of the council of
 national defense it was resolved
 that you be requested at once to
 seek an interview with the repre-
 sentatives of the railroad brother
 hoods and railroad executives with
 reference to the differences now
 existing between them. and appar-
 emily threatening to produce a
 general railway strike in the
 country, that you present to the
 representatives of both sides the
 grave peril involved in such a sit-
 uation at this time, and that you
 request them so to adjust their
 differences as In any event to lead
 to pOstpOnement of any acute
 differences during the present na-
 tional emergency"
 Washington. March 16.--(Specialo } Prior to taking up the question with the national defense council, the Presi- dent had been informed that the leaders of the employers and employees were waiting in New York to see whether he would take action, and had also been told of reports that at least some of the brotherhood members weresn not ready to abide by last years strike vote.
 NO BLAME IS PLACED
 Ir the formal communications the gov ernment did not seek to lay blame for the present situation either on the rail road officials or on the brotherhoods It is known, however, that the Presi- dent believes from his intimate knowl- edge of the situation gained while try ing to mediate himself last year that there is no good reason why compromise is not possible
 Both at the meeting of the council ol national defense and at the cabinet meet ing afterward the situation from a mill tary and economic standpoint was can. vassed. With freight traffic just par tially recovered from period of un precedented congestion and with, food prices constantly rising, tie-up of trans portation facilities for only few day would result in terrible suffering. EIGHT HOURS COMING 1 All government officials believe tha | ultimately, through one agency or an other, the railroads will have to aceep the eight hour day. They believe tha Tthe commission headed by Major Gen l eral Goethals, appointed by the Presi dent under the Adamson act, is fai and will settle--sauitably differences owe the application of the eight-hour day
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17

Railroads generally were making preparations to continue operations as much as possible should the strike go into effect. The Louisville and Nash vile made special offer of insurance and other advantages to those of it's employees who refused to obey the brotherhoods' orders.
 The food question which might become serious was the subject of investigation in many southeastern cities from which reports had been received tonight. Mem phis wholesalers said the supply of sta ples there would last two months. In At lanta also it was estimated the supply would last 60 days.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
SOUTHERN CITIES IA V FOOD FOR
 ABOUT MONTH
Reports of Supply on Hand From Various Points Differ, Some Saying Without Additions Suffer ing Would Ensue After Two Weeks -GrOcers
 Ask Housewives Not to Buy in Quantities.

Atlanta March 16-Announcemen today by virtually every
 railroad the south that embargoes had been put in effect anticipation of the threatened nationwide railway strike, brought statements from that food supplies this on will last from two weeks to month at least in the larger cities of this section
 Embargoes announced today limited in effect the South railway, Nashville Chattanooga and St. Lou Louisville and Nashville and others generally refusing dead freight which could not reach its destination by Saturday morning the lines of the road which offered stock per shabe freight generally refused The Atlantic Coast Line and the Central of Georgia had any embargo Ito tonight
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17

Managers of two firms operating chains or grocery stores here issued statements admonishing housewives not to attempt to lay in supplies because of the threatened railroad strike. It would cause an un- necessary drain on the supply on hand, they said.
 Augusta reported that purchases of gro- ceries were heavy today and that short age was feared if the railroads failed to replenish the supply quickly. Grocers there reported an abundance of fancy articles but that the supply of staples already was running short.
 Florida apparently was in the best po- sition of the three southeastern states to withstand the inconvenience of strike, should 1t come
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
Dunn Menace

The commission nav now discuss the dump menace from first-han informa- ton.
 With Mrs. DuPont Thompson and other members of the Woman's Civic board, Commissioners Hornady Barber and Truss, pr. J. NJ. Lowery and Julian Ken drick viewed the dumps in the city which have been the source of complaint The facilities of the city to dispose of the garbage were reviewed.
 It is not known what action will follow the tour
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
Pershing's Former Guide Executed

Fl Paso, March 16.-Jose Maria Flores. a guide and interpreter for General Pershing in Mexico, was executed near the Babicora ranch in western Chihuahua recently by Julio Acosta, Villa leader, because of his friendship for the Amer jeans an American from Babicora re- ported upon his arrival here today. A companion of Flores also was executed
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
Local Data
Hall Heads I. c. Commission

Washington, March 16.-Commissioner Henry c. Hall was elected chairman of the interstate commerce commission to- day, following the custom of annual TO- tation in office. MT. Hall was appointed to the commission by President Wilson in January, 1914, to fill the unexpired term of Charles A. Prouty. resigned, and has had personal supervision of the commis- sior's divisions of law and inquiry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17

German trenches on a front of 5000 yards north and south of the wood also were taken, the communication adds. The St. Pierre Vaast wood lies about midway between Bapaume and Peronne and it's possession by the British would increase the menace to these strong points in the German defense. The wood dominates the outlying positions north of Peronne
 ACTIVITY IN MACEDONIA
 A German attack on a British post northeast of the Somme, London says, was repulsed. Berlin reports numerous German raids on the Ancre, Somme and other sections in France, from which prisoners were brought in.
 French troops continue to make prog ress on both sides of the Avre In Cham pagne the French carried out a surprise attack east of the Butte De Souain.
 Renewed activity in Macedonia in the region of Monastir is reported by Berlin,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
Waterworks Appraisal

The appraisal of Nicholas $. Hill. of the properties of the waterworks com pany is expected this afternoon James Weatherly stated yesterday that he had not received the preliminary report
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
On Arrival in New York for Conference Cabinet Mem
 Der Made It Plain Com
 mittee Had No Orders DESTRUCTION REPORT IS DENIED BY GRIPPING Vice President of LOcomO- tive Engineers Says Men
 Are Not Adverse to
 Strike at the Present

New York, March 16.-A. H. Smith, president of the New York Central railroad, conferred with Governor Whitman here tonight. Im- mediately after he left Ad- jutant General Stotesbury of the National Guard had a long talk with MT. Whitman. The governor refused to dis cuss the subjects considered or to comment on what ac- tion he might take in the event of a railroad strike.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
ACTIVITY IN MACEDONIA

the members of the national conference committee of railroad managers. All the persons concerned in the conference be- lieved it might last all night. When MT. Wilson arrived at the hotel where the meeting is being held he de- clared he brought no mandate from Washington. The medators had no 'cut
 and dried" plan, he said, but it was their purpose to bring about compromise, all
 though they had no idea along what line.
 MT. Lane reached the hotel only few
 minutes before the leaders of the brother
 hoods, headed by w. G. Lee. The hour
 set for the conference was 9:30 o'clock.
 The railroad men went at once to the
 rooms reserved for the meeting.
 MT. Lane declined to discuss the pro-
 gramme of the mediators except that 1t
 was their mission to bring about set
 clement if possible.
 BROUGHT "NO CLUB" N q have not come here with a club in my hand" he said, but to listen and investigate"
 Secretary Lane and MT. Willard held a preliminary conference with the rep resentatives of the men pending the ar rival of their conferees
 I The brotherhood chiefs refused to dis cuss for publication their probable atti- , tude They admitted, however, that they had sent no message to President Will son in response to his plea that they
 strive to bring their controversy with the
 railroads to immediate accommoda- tion'' for patriotic reasons The managers committee made public.
 however, telegram sent the President in which they assured him they would cooperate in "an earnest effort to avert the national calamity which would re- suit from an interruption of railroad service"
 BOTH SIDES RETICENT Both sides to the conflict continued the policy of reticence they had main- tained all day. The mana gers were mak- ing plans to combat theestrke if it is not to be averted through the efforts of President Wilson's representatives, and the brotherhood leaders were simply marking time, as all their plans have been made to meet any emergency Both sides expressed a willingness to renew their joint conferences, but neither would make overtures to that end. It was conceded that the strike would be- gin on the eastern lines at o'clock to- morrow night unless the council of de- fense mediators could bring to bear suf- l ficient pressure to cause delay or mu- tual concessions
 l The chief preparedness measure taken by the railroads during the day was the declaration of freight embargo de- signed to clear their lines in preparation 1 for emergencies.
 l One of the most drastic embargoes was | announced by the New York. New Haven
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
GOMPERS ABSENT

Secretary of the Interior Lane and Secretary of Labor Wilson and Daniel Willard. president of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, arrived here tonight from Washington. No one knew at what hour Samuel Gompers, president of the Ameri- can Federation of Labor, the fourth mediator, would arrive.
 It was the purpose of the defense councils committee to carry their dis cussion with the representatives of the men as far possible and then call on
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
STRONG POINTS ON GERMAN LINE
 BEING MENACED
British Continue to Drive Hole in Front Midway Between Peronne and Bapaume Cities Which Are Considered Prizes of Present Often
 sive-Advance on Tigris River Con-
 tinues-Activity in Macedonia

all fronts follows:
 the center the somme Almost all of battles between French official statement from the LRrits office
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
MA HONAL GUARD BEING PREPARED
 FOR QUICK CALL
Generals of All States Receive Instruc- tions on Method of Mobilization in Event of War With Germany Department Explains
 This is Merely Matter of Precaution

 militia of the department adan generals outlining the National
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
JEFFERSON THEATRE

NfONbfI
 at S:15. For the relief of the Permanently Blinded Sailors and Soldiers of the Bel gian, French and British Armies
 PROGRAMME
 PART ONE Address by Sergeant Major Robert Middlemiss of the Kings own Scottish Borderers, blinded in battle at Galli- poll.
 PART TWO Motion Pictures taken at the actual French Front, with the sanction of the French Government
 PART THREE Song recital by Mime. Alys Larreyne Prinla Donna Soprano of the Paris Grand Opera.
 TICKETS, soc, 75c and s1.OO
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17

While there have been no formal ex- pressions on the subject, the calling of the strike without waiting for the su- preme court to hand down its decision on the constitutionality of the law has hean oeneraIlv condemned.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
THE WEATHER
Weather Forecast

Washington, March 1s.-Alabama: Local rains Saturday; colder north and west portions; Sunday fair; colder.
 Georgia: Local rains Saturday; Sunday fair; colder
 Mississippi: Rain Saturday morning, followed by fair and colder; Sunday fair.
 Tennessee: Fair Saturday, preceded by rain east portion; colder west portion; Sunday fair; colder east portion.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17

Formal word that they had been selected to carry on the mediatory negotiations was contained in this
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17
Statement of the Condition of sThe American Trust &
 Savings Bank

Located at Birmingham, Aia., at tue close of business, March s, 1917.
 RESOURCES.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-03-17

Before me came c. M. Williamson. cashier of the American Trust ana Savings bank. who, being duly sworn, says that the above and ioregolns statement is true and gives the actual condition of said bank. IS shown py the books on file in said bank.
 c. M. WILLIAMSON.
 Cashier. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 18th day of March. 1917.
 w. w CRAWFORD, JR.,
 Notary Public. Attest:
 R. M. GOODALL. G. R. MCCORMACK. J. w. MQUEEN. Directors.
The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-06-15
WICKS

Mrs. John B. Davis and children Of
Rexburg are guests of Mr.. and Mrs
G. A. Powell.
MILFORD Bingham returned tohis
home here on Wednesday after spend
ing a week with relatives and friends
at Ogden, Utah.
j. F. Hall sold a fine team of
horses the first of the week. They
were purchased by government
buyer for war purposes.
We are sorry to report that Dick
Hone was kicked by horse and is
now suffering from broken jaw.
Mrs. Blanche Eldredge, Mrs. J. H.
Early, Mrs. j. o. Morgan, Mrs. G. A..
Hoover and Mrs. F. N. Parkinson
came out from Blackfoot on Monday
and held Red Cross meeting at the
school house. Six ladies joined and
a dance for the benefit Of the Red
Cross is to be given at the school
house on Saturday evening, June is.
J. G. Patterson of Presto will fur
nish the music and good time is as
sured for all who attened. Tickets
will be fifty cents, and knowing that
the proceeds are for a worthy cause
It is to be hoped that everyone will
try to make 1t financial as well as
q social success