davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16
MAN WHO BID HIGH
THREATENS TROUBLE
Proposes to Enjoin Commits
sioners from Building
Road.

Last week The News told of the
postponed or recess meeting of the
county commissioners to be held on
the 21st inst for the purpose Of fur
ther considering the contract made
with the Cornwall Construction Com
pany of Tampa for the construction
of the special tax road to Orange
Springs, contract made in accord
ance with the alternate bid of this
company, and which provides for the
building of a road Of material diff
fering from that in the advertise
rent.
While the road to be built is Of a
cheaper grade than that on which bids
were called, it is the only kind of a
road that can be constructed and
come within the limits of the bond
issue.
After the contract was let, Mr..
Bryson, who also made an alternate
bid which was some $4,000 higher
than the bid of the Cornwall people,
made "a holler." He wanted another
chance. And he made certain of
the commissioners believe that their
act was illegal. That is question
for their attorney to settle.
But Bryson threatens an lnJunc.
ton. He lives in Duval county, and
is a professional road builder.
Being a professional road builder
he is also acquiring reputation
Here is the sort of reputation he is
getting in Clay county,. We clip the
following from the Clay County
Times of last Friday.
"Is this road district buying 'golo
brick?'
"We hear a great many complaints
from those who have travelled over il
relative to the hard road being con-
structed by the McCreary Company
from Orange Park to Green Cove
Springs. 1t is claimed by many thai
the road as it is being constructed
will not last for any length of time
and that the construction is exceed
ingly poor. Enough money is being
spent on the road to build gooc
road, but many claim that is not wha
we are getting.
zone serious complaint is that thu
road has already worn out in place!
and has been patched. The contrac
:. tors claim this is due to the asphal
surface not being hot enough whel
it was first put on. If the contrac
tors know their business they shoult
know how hot the asphalt should b
in the first place and heat it to tn.
proper temperature. A patched jot
is never a good job, and it shoult
not be. The district is putting lo
of money into this road and it shoule
be a good road when completed"
This road is being built by the sub
contractors, who are Bryson & Bry
son of Jacksonville, the high men il
the Putnam county bidding, and the
men who are making the "holler" ant
threatening an injunction.
The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16
WATER WORKS. SUIT
To RECOVER DAMAGES
Against City ofPalatka Falls
to Pieces--Will he
Appealed.

The Palatka Water Works suit
against the city (of which thcre were
two) aggregating claims for damages
to amount of $4,000, and the first of
which, claiming damages to amount
of a little more than $4,000, has oc-
cupied the attention of the circuit
court from Monday till a late hour
yesterday afternoon, was decided in
favor of the city. The jury said by
its verdict that the water works COM
pany was not entitled TO any damages.
The second suit will not be brought
to trial-at least not now. But the
case lost in the circuit court yester-
day will be appealed to the supreme
court of the State.
If the Judgment of the lower court
is affirmed it is not likc'~ that the
second suit will ever be pushed. The
case has excited considers HE atten-
tion and has been bitterly contested
by Mcssrs. Hilburn & Merrvday, at
torney's for the city. The water
works was represented by Noesrs. Az
lell % hlfSndIJ OIL JdckSN'Nlllc ana
]. V. Walton of this CITY They
are some lawyers, too, ard they let
no point escape them.
The Palatka News certoirlv con-
graduates the city on the ~"ccessful
termination of this suit, "o1 for the
brilliant way in which its chosen at
torney's handled the case. The jury
was one of the most intelligent seen
in the court in some time, and was
COMPOSED of Messrs. T. ]. po~ers, r.
A. Tillis. L. w. Fennell, John Price,
w. G. Merriam and M. A. Fowler.
The suit was for rental of hy-
drants.
Immediately following the DISPOSE
ton of this case the court took up
the case of S. A. Baker VS. The At
lantic Coast Line R'y. Mr.. Baker
claims damages from the company for
loss on car load of peaches sent
from his place near Seville to Tam
pa and which he claims was loss
because of improper refrigeration.
The Coast Line is represented bv c.
D. Lands of DeLand and ]. V. Wal
ton of this city. Hilburn & Merry
day are representing Mr.. Baker.
The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16
COUNCIL MAKES NEW
LIGHTING CO .IaACT
And Passes ordinance e
Amending franchise
Mr.. Bailey Wins.

Alderman Austin chairman of the
lighting committee introduced an Or
dinance amendatory of the city's
lighting franchise at the meeting of
the city council last Tuesday night
which passed Immediately and receiv-
ed the signature of the mayor.
A new contract was also made with
the lighting company which extends
for two years from February 18th,
1917.
By this new contract and under the
provisions of the amended franchise,
the city will get it's 636 candle pow
er street lights for $51 per annum
each.
Up to the present time the city has
been paying an annual rate of $75
per light for this service, rate that
was not permitted under the franchise
Mr.. G. Loper Bailey, in published
statement on Dec. 9Th, pointed out
that the lights for which the city
was paying $75 per annum, did not
measure up in brilliancy, or candle
power, to the specifications. Per-
haps no one else noticed the differ
ence in candle power; anyway no one
else called attention of the authori
ties to it. Mr.. Bailey's was scorned
That very excellent gentleman, who
was only doing his duty as tax pay
er, was not shown the Difference dut
to one of his expert knowledge ant
tax paying interests.
1t is possible the council did no
fully understand the position take1
by Mr.. Bailey, anyway they O. K't
the bills and paid at the rate Of S7'
each for lights of $50 candle power
when under the franchise that was th'
price of 1000 candle power lamps.
But Mr.. Bailey has won.
He hasn't been given credit by th'
council, but all the same, he has won
At the council meeting last Tues
day night Mr.. Weldon Hendly of th'
Palatka Public Service Company il
detail explained lighting matters, anc
all was satisfactory. The contrac
was made and the ordinance amended
The lights that have been costins
$75 per annum each will not b.
changed. They will simply be men
toned in the regular bills for servic
as 636 candle power lights at s5
per amum, instead of much highe
brilliancy at $75 per annum each.
Tt is unfortunate that the counci
didn't give Mr.. Bailey the credit h
deserved, but as long as it has fol
lowed his suggestions, that gentleman
ought to be happy enough to over
look any little omission of that sort
The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16
Mrs. Johnson Entertains.

Mrs. Melville Johnson gave de-
lightful "At Home" Wednesday af-
ternoon at her home at Moonstone-on-
the St. Johns. The trip to and
from was made in the Margaret,
which left the dock at 8 o'clock, re-
turning at $50. The hostess served
a delicious salad course with coffee
and bonbons. The guests included
Mesdames ]. H. Haughton, George D.
Welch, Fred T. Merrill, c. R. D. Crit
tenton, Warner T. Hamm, D. j.
Coughlin, J. E. Lucas, M. T. Haw;
Misses Mable Wilson, Belle Welch,
Ida Leib and Ora Dishroon of Pa
latka, and Mesdames S. c. Warner,
A. M. Probst, Miss Helen Warner
and Mrs. Isaacs from East Palatka.
The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16
St. Marks Episcopal Church.

Next Sunday is Quinquagesima, the
Sunday before Lent. Divine service
will be celebrated at a. M, II a. m
and 7:3O p. m. The rector will preach
both morning and night. Confirma-
ton class at rectory at 3 p. m. Sun
day school at 9:45 a. m.
Lent begins Ash Wednesday, Feb
21st Service for that day at and 1880
a. m. and 7:3O p. m. Thursday, Feb
%, 7 a. m. and 4:30 p. m. Friday
at 1880 p. m. Saturday, st. Mat
thias' Day, 8 a. m. Every one well
come at every service. Ven. c. R
D. Crittenton, Rector.
The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16
Asked For Copy of Contract.

The Palatka city officials yesterday
sent over to City Manager Miller for
a copy of the new lighting contract
recently closed here. This city is
keenly watched by other towns of
the State and requests similar to the
one mentioned are frequently re-
ceived.-St. Augustine Record.
The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16
woman's Club Meetings.

J meeting ofthe literary depart
of the Woman's Club last Fri
afternoon was intensely inter-
and instructive. The subject
'"The Kingdom Comes," with
ne. L. Mann leader for the af-
>on. Mrs. s. ]. Hilburn read a
prepared and intensely instruc-
paper on "Saul, the King"
m George w. Bassett read a pa
the Music of David" which
lead in splendid style. Mrs. T.
srnett gave the "Life of Johna-
l.. and brought out many fine
'l,. Mrs. J. E. Lucas read inter-
extracts on "David."
round table discussion was as
helpful, after which the meet
,ijourned.
l meeting this afternoon will be
J sded by a business session in
II all the members of the club
rged to be present so that they
pI,xpress their views on the sub
# the new club house. S. c.
igs and E. NJ. Earnest will be
IT and will give helpful hints on
uilding idea. After the busi-
n ession the meeting will be turn
o valentine social and a gen.
ood time will be enjoyed. Ev-
member should attend. The
lg next Friday will be under the
ship Of Mrs. S. C. Stallings who
resent the book of Esther.
mi date Of the next musical I'M
g direction Of Mrs. J. E. Lucas,
reSe Friday evening, March End,
clock. Fine talent from Jack
le has been secured and the
I'M is well under way. Tickets
~ cents for the series of -four
.ly. concerts Of which this will
-, second.
The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16
Presbyterian Church.

The pastor, Rev. C. NJ. Afford, D.
D., will conduct the services in the
Presbyterian church at II q. m. and
7:30 p. m. At the morning service
there will be the ordination of elders
and deacons. Evening topic, "Love-
", But Lacking" Sunday school,
with F. T. Merrill, superintendent,
will convene at 9:45 a. m. Midweek
prayer service Wednesday evening at
7:30 o'clock. The public welcome to
all services.
The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16
Meeting of "W. G." Club.

The regular meeting of the "W. G."
Club was held Tuesday evening at
the home of Mrs. Stewart Worden,
Australia being the subject for dis
cussion. Instructive papers were
read as follows: "The Live Stock"
Mrs. J. E. Lucas; animals" DR..
Sarah M. Davis; "Amusements,"
Miss Estelle Mckenzie; Industries" :"
Mrs. Worden; "Plant Life" Miss
Griffin; "Birds," Mrs. J. N. Walton;
Population" Mrs. M. T. Haw.
The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16
The Baptist Church.

Rev. R. L. Bonsteel, pastor, will
preach at the II a. m. and 1880 n
m. services at the Baptist church
on Sunday. The Sunday school
meets at 9:45 in the morning, and
the Baptist Young Peoples Union at
$50 in the evening. A cordial well
come is extended to all.
The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16

EBERT WREELER, Treasurer.
In the first place the city could not
pay 100000 for the plant without
first getting legislative authority. 1t
row has authority to pay 100000 and
no more for it. Added permission
might be obtained.
1t was the unanimous opinion of
those present at the council meeting
and who heard the proposition, that
the taxpayers would never ratify a
proposition involving $4,000 as the
purchase price of this plant.
The Council very properly declined
to order the City Attorney to surren-
der and confess judgment. The prop
osition of Gen. Wheeler that it do so
was audacious.
The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16
Birth of a Nation"

This wonderful picture play, seen
at the Howell Theater on WedneG-
day night and on Thursday at matt
nee and night, drew three packed
houses. All seats were sold. Pe0-
pie came from all over the county to
see it. They all, at least all whom
we talked with. said it was worth
the money asked for the vision.
The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1917-02-16
Church Mems Club.

The Mems Club of the Presbyterian
church will hold its February meeting
in the Wilson Boat House on Monday
evening Feb. 10Th at 1880 o'clock.
The theme for discussion will be.
"The Commercial War After the
War" All men are cordially in
vited
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-11
.BA LIONS VOTED
FOR WAR CHEST
Bond Bill Introduced Today
and Will be Passed by
House Of Congress
Friday.
FIGURES ARE
Staggering Sums Of Money Available
for Uncle Sam to Prosecute
His Dispute With
Germany.
FIGURES ARE ENORMOUS

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service1
WASHINGTON, April 11.-Majority
Leader Kitchin today introduced in
the house the administration bond
bill authorizing the issue Of $4,000
900, 900 in bonds and $4,000, OO0, 900 in
treasury certificates.
Kitchin introduced the record
breaking bill after the meeting Of the
ways and means committee at which
the measure was approved unani-
mously. The bill will be reported IA
vorably and will be passed in the
house not later than Friday.
The bonds will bear 3h per cent
interest and are offered at par for
public subscription. Three billion
dollars Of the issue will be used to
buy three and a half per cent bonds Of
allied governments.
The bond bill also authorized an
additionalfbond issue of $50, 945 AGO to
redeem q three per cent loan of 1908
to 1918, which natures August l, 1918.
In a report accompanying the bill,
the ways and means committee said
that:
Your committee deem it advisable
to authorize the five billion bond issue
at this time in order to enable our
government to extend liberal credits
and in order to provide Immediately
and ample fund to meet such eXpendi-
lures as are authorized for the ma
tional security and defense"
The report concludes:
The total interest bearing debt ot
the United States outstanding Febru-
airy %, amounted to 1913 coo, 900. And
under existing law s472. OO0, goo worth
of bonds are available to be issued.
This bill authorizes in addition bonds
already available to be issued under
the existing law and exclusive of the
three billions bond issue to extend
credit to foreign governments which
takes care of itself. the issue Of ST.
600, 900, 900 worth of bends. Should
this amount of bonds be issued, the
total interest Indebtedness exclusive
of the $4,000. 100000 bearing credit to
foreign governments, will amount to
$3,445,000 900"
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-11
German Army Now Getting Taste of Real War
as British Blows Shatter Their Wall
of Steel.
BEING SWEPT BACK OUT OF FRANCE
Teuton Wa Machine No Longer an Army of
Fighters, but Demoralized, Weary,
Fleeing Troops.
Tey VIM. Philip sImms, United Press

Isy VIM. Philip SImms, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES
|AFIELD, April 11.-Swept forward by
, storm OF shells the like Of which
has v before been seen even In
this greatest Of wars, the British ad-
vance damned its way still farther
| through the German wall Of steel to-
day. :.
il was possible today to understand,
In a way, why the British losses In the
great spring offensive to date, have
been far less than the minimum an
tieipated. British artillery In Its con-
eentrated fury Of discharge, literally
turned the ground the Germans held
Into a muck. II was the same story
over again that was fret told when
tie Germans started their retreat.
They had to 90 back. British artillery
had made their positions a horror;
SAMPLES; a sea OF hummocky earth,
pak-marked by craters.
German prisoners today led back
behind the lines, declared the British
fire was 30 cycionie that many OF
their officers fled for their lives at
III. first titanic outburst. The terrific
hell Of shell fire had a perceptible ef-
ia on the morale Of the Germans.
aAs fighters, they are finished" re-
marked one British officer today, who
had been fighting constantly for two
days. "Picked men faced us-but we
were better men than ! they. The
picked Germans ran both ways from
she middle when the assault began.
|scme ducked towards us, holding. up
their hands. They were hungry, tired
and nerve-shattered by their expert
ence. Some showed VI the black
bread that constituted their ration.
ind complained II was all they had to
eat.
"others declared they were hungry
land tired Of war. More than one
teclared the kaiser was finished;
thers cursed their imperial emperor.
Ard all of them were very we'll salts
fed to remain as prisoners and escape
the hell of British fire"
The British curtains Of fire, perfect
fectly placed, blasted away communi-
eating trenches and frequently cut off
large bodies Of Germans without food
and without ammunition. One British
sffcer related today that his brigade
mad taken two thousand prisoners.
|one of his company commanders
which took a complete German bat
|sery Of field suns-or, rather, what
was left Of it., after the British fire
eaid the battery commander had told
nm his guns had not been fired for
NE last six days because he could not
set ammunition.
So irresistible was the British
weep, SO tremendously strong otis
punch" that the Germans were at
many places literally swept off their
Feet. At n part Of the line, today, I
Jaw a German field gun In action-but
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-11

served by British Tommles and Its
German ammunition fired against the
boches. The gun and a plentiful sup
ply Of ammunition had been aban-
doned In first class condition, by Ger
mans swept away by the dash Of the
British advance.
Not only had the ground been thor
oughly prepared by %incessant artillery
pounding by the British prior to the
advance, u the reasons behind the
sweeping out Of the skies In last
weeks unprecedented aerial fighting
are now apparent. In an afternoon
spent yesterday In the British advance
positions, the United Press CORES
pondent did not see a single German
war plane. The British machines
were swarming up above and beyond.
Still Further Forward.
LONDON, April 11.-Field Marsha,
Haig's smashing blows carried him
still further forward against the Ger
nan today. Capture by British
forces of the village and heights OF
Monchy-Le Preux La Bergere was an
nounced in an early dispatch from
him today.
Satisfactory progress is being
made elsewhere Haig declared. 1.-The
battle front situation is developing
generally in accordance with our
plans"
Monchy LIE Preux lies at the south
ern extremity of Vimy ridge and the
heights Of La Bergere are just ad-
~jacent. The smash by which these
new positions we're gained puts the
British line another half mile south
east of Arras in the direction Of
Cambria.
Occupation of IMonchy had been
forecast by the British commander
in chiefs night statement, detailing
how the froward rush of his troops
had carried them to the outskirts or
the village five miles east Of Arras.
London was prepared for a report or
sanguinary fighting in this section.
Front dispatches indicated no let-up
in the constant hammering along the
whole of the fifty mile front at var
ious sections of which Haig has been
thrusting his forces forward-no dim
unition either in the artillery ham
mering or the sledge hammer blows
by massed infantry forces.
The territory northeast Of st. Quen-
tin is being swept clean. Of German
forces as the British encircling move
ment goes on.
Smash Continues Unabated.
by William Philip Simms, United
Press Staff Correspondent
WITH THE BRITISH ARMIES
AFyELD, April lin freezing. blus'
terry weather, with bursts Of binding
snow storms, the British smash con
tinued today unabated by fiercest re-
sistance from the enemy.
On the blood-soaked crest OF Vimy
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-11
Two Suspects Arrested, While
Officials Are Running Down
Many Clues and
RumOrs.
WORKERS WERE N
First Blast Occurred In the Loading
Room Where There Was No
Powder or Shells and Was
Not an Accident.

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service1
PHILADELPHIA, Pa, April IL
Most reliable estimates early today
placed the death toll of the Eddystone
munitions disaster as high as 14O,
many Of the victims having died hor-
rible deaths during the night at the
various places in Chester used as hos
pitfalls. More than $50 are now placed
in the list Of injured, although an &C
curate count is next to impossible.
It is feared that there may be still
other dead in the ruins Of the plant
and a minute search will be made for
additional bodies today. now that the
fire has subsidized sufficiently.
Work of Identification progresses
slowly. Although many bereaved rela-
tives have identified loved ones as
their town, scores left the morgue and
hospitals in despair. Most identified
tons were made by means Of finger
rings or other trinkets. 1t was utter
" impossible to identify by bodily
marks. Scores of bodies were SO
charred 1t was impossible to ascertain
even their sex
In the Chester morgue alone, there
are still 1O5 bodies to be claimed.
Friends of the dead were let in dur
ing the night by twos and threes and
led down the rows Of sheet-enveloped
forms. laid in as careful precision as
the rows of death-dealing shells that
killed them.
Fathers, mothers, sisters and
friends slowly scanned the bodies,
moving from form to form. The hor-
ror was so great hat many were
awed beyond the stage Of tears. They
merely walked along with pallid
faces, STOPPING over each form, and
proceeded onward in their vain
search. Two or three women tainted,
but for the most part there was a
grim and horror-stricken determina-
ton not to be overcome
Investigation shows the victims
were mainly residents of. this section.
Two suspects of the plot were ar
rested early today. at the Pennsyl'
vania station at Chester by depart
ment of justice officials. Thei'
Am were withheld.
The two men bought tickets for
Philadelphia, went u on the plat.
form, but let the train go by. They
had been under surveillance by Of
ficials who Immediately nabbed them.
Sufficient evidence of their me
ton in the plot was found to warrant
taking the men to Philadelphia for
further examination.
It is thought that further arrests
will be made during the day.
Work will be continued today along
three lines:
Further Identification of the dead.
A more careful search throuen the
ruins for additional bodies.
-
Continued on maze Z
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-11
SMUGGLER IS RUN DOWN
BYTWO u. S. DESTROYERS

Navy and department of justice
officials declined to discuss the mat
ter today, but. it is understood that a
report has been made &c Washington.
According to the stor.r. the Villistas
paid 81, 800, 900 for $4,000 rifles and
500. 1000 rounds Of rifle ammunition,
which was to be loaded by schoon-
ers at some point on the Pacific coast
and delivered at e to a tramp
schooner. Having had knowledge or
the plot, the American ~destroyers
have been on the lookout for sus-
picious vessels. The seizure of the
schooner occurred two days ago., 1t
il said. The destroyers saw the yes
sci running close to the shore n
southbound. They fred a shot across
her bows as a signal to stop, but she
failed to do so. The d~estroyers then
took up the pursuit, firing several
shots at her before the schooner's
CAPTAIN beached his vessel. The
fate of the captain and crew of the
schooner is not known, but it is sup
posed they were taken on board the
destroyers as prisoners.