davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
GREAT NEED FOR COAL

Portsmouth. Va, Dec. 1s.-City
Manager Bates told the city council
last night that from an investigation
which he made Yesterday he is con-
WINGED that the coal situation In Ports
mouth Ia acute
The council adopted resolution
requesting the fuel administrators TO
rush q supply OF coal here.
The city manager detailed Detec-
tive Sergeant Land to make an in
yestigation of the facts, and the re-
suit of this investigation was given
the council. The aggregate amount
Of soft coal held by Portsmouth's six
coal dealers was 265 tons. Five Of
the six dealers had no anthracite coal
at all, and the sixth man had only
twenty eight tons,
Orders are In the hands of the deal
ers for 1880 tons OF coal and only
5ts tons are expected to arrive in the
next ten days.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
GERMAN PRISONERS uAv
AID FUEL SITUATION
state Administrator BYRD Recon-
mends That informed Men Ire
Made TO Cut Tire Wood,
CoSyJCTs May ASSIST
Fuel situation in State Stiu Serious
Through No Actual suffering or
Closed Industries Reported.

No discomfort 70 passengers on cars
ana other vehicles OF ;ransportatio
will be permitted. but the state fuel
administration and the state corpora
ton commission In conference yes
;erdav decided that If an investigz-
ton proved that any fuel could be
conserved by economic use for heat
ing purposes. that coal would be dis
trieuted those needing il most. at
cost. -
AS other means OF alternating the
coal situation in the State Admiristra-
tertiary Flood Byrd yesterday re-
commended TO the authorities at
Washington that German prisoners
row interned irs the southland be put
10 work cuttinN cord woo6 TO be de-
yivered 70 the poorer glasses at the
cost OF production. Emulsting the eS-
simple OF Captain John smith OF the
colonial DAYS who issued tho ultima
TOM tina. all who ate must work, the
authorities may make these prisoners
ssv for their keep. and the fuel fur
ished to the poor az the cost Of about
S2ee per cord st a saving FOR them
81 about sIo.0e.
In the states Of Virginia, North
carolina. and south Carolina there
are about 4, 500 informed German pri-
.soners who are 6oing nothing. This
source OF Ia Dor would TO q large ex-
tent STATED Mr.. BYRD, alleviate the
serious condition in many OF the por-
fjors OF the state Between 500 and
eco of these prisoners have been as
signed 20 Virginia. they could do
great deal 10 relieve the present crisis
Yesterday Mr.. George J. Coleman
81 the state highway com mission and
Major J r. wood. superintendent OF
the state peniteuitary, held con
ference IT which the practicaoility or
placing the state convicts TO cutting
sre wood at the camp near Fred
erickxhnrs 10 lift the near fuel Ia
mine among the poorer Glasses OF that
ritz One hundred cords Of wood
coald be cut al once. and no
charge would he added except that
Of an extra guard or two. They could
furnish wood delivered at the homes
or the needy AT the cost OF S2oe
Der cord >, IL this plan at Freder1css-
burg should prove successful others
could he utilized for the same PVT
poses This plan would not inter
fere with the road wotG IN any degre e
whatever since this work would be
cone on such GAYS in which the snow
ana bad weather would not allow woF
ON thc road
This plan will have 10 meet the
spproysl Of the governor. and II was
Impossible 70 bring the proposition
before him yesterday, II Will receive
Isis attention sometime today and II
Je approves the camp will immediate
ly begin the work.
The fuel situation in the state IL
s,iii serious though there is no actual
suffering reported and no industries
closed down for lack Of coal Those
81 nd
tnvdav morning as being IN dire straits
lave received the necessary orders
Appeals however are coming from al
l,artS of he state. and the local of
ice il doiDr great work In diverting
ears into the much needed places.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
aWOMAN'S WORK
TODAY OUT SATURDAY

"woman's> Work Today" the single
issue wartime newspaper. will appear
tomorrow, December Is. A committee
Of girls will have the distribution and
sale of the paper In charge, but read
ers who prefer may purchase from
orthodox newsboys. Three cents has
been fixed as the price Of the paper,
and the money obtained win so to-
wards covering the expense OF It's pro-
duction.
Prominent Richmond women are
editing the paper under the general
auspices of the bureau Of vocations.
II is issued in order to clear UP the
war situation as II affects women In
business and professional life.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14

'JA kleF"
What was the fDeswsae IN freight
tonnage shipPed9
80 1-t0qe"
Then tbs increase in freight
shippsd VIVA much less than the IN
crease in carrying capacity provid-
ID By ro&dsi
y a. Decidedly 30! 90 s-10Ts
Isss."
Why ssssn 10 people complain that
hsse h . sAor8ags II cara, il the
earring capacity has increased so
much moro than the tonnage
ThsG n he big Q~esxioa--!ts
saswsr h ~ sslstioa Il the problem.
The ears ass MT loaded ~ heavily a
tAsy should b. TheSefoes the In.
crease In capacity docs NOT take care
Of the increase in tonnage to be
shipped. Most cars go forward
loaded to less than half capacity
That means other freight must
wait until the empty space In tina,
car, a. well ~ the loaded space. is
released. In 1907 the average car
capacity was q bit more than q
tons: the average load for that year
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14

cssvs ~ more freight oars! Give
III faster freight trains!
Tha ary Is going up FROM esss to
west snd from north TO south. The
railroads are doing oil In their
powsr 10 appsase this demand
schedules ars revised; passenger
trains taken of; excursion trains
sltminatsd; fast freights given
ySxh&- o4-wny. Sttl there remains
epnrsstjon and demand feg freight
ears. Ths railways say. "Shippsss,
61 yovr earn - capacity"
1o Rive Q clear idsa Of tAs sieustion
Q tsaMc chisf Of he Canadian Pa
siAe-1ue Of tAs men who b doing
nucA 70 solve this problsaa, not only
aox CsnAds and his own road, but Tor
tho United States as wall, answered
the following qusstions:
How long 3 period DO yvur
Canadian Freight Statistics cover I
Eight years, 1907 to 1915, is<iu-
gaws."
What was the increase In number
al freight cars in that pertodT
'pf i-i0F"
What was the increase ia carry
ing capacity
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
Get TO WORK soon
Az 4 ll- llll.IDl, nrM l llIl.
g fs& Sss- ssL u So S~ss GssG

C.ts Engineer Boiling will today pre-
Sent to the administrative board list
Of selected prospects for needed sew
cTs IN the city. His recent estimate.
which included many sewers and con-
lteotious which may be delayed with.
t'ut special inconvenience, and which
fpta3e1 the sum OF 100000. appalled,
she board. oS Yesterday the city en-
2ineer was directed TO make careful
selection OF the sewers most specially
desired and needed. and hand in the
report as soon as noseible
The board viii make every effort
10 get favorable report from tho
finance committee on this important
question, said Commissioner Hirsch =
berg yesterday. We have been trying
to set sufficient funda for tho relief
% fhe people OF the west and south
west ends FOR long time. The terri
tory south Of Broad street and west OF
LON hardy. is badly in need OF relief.
sind we wilI try to give II to them"
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
NEW STORE OPENS
WITH GREAT RUSH

Many hundred shoppers thronged
the sidew alks AT the. corner Of Fourth
and Broad streets yesterday at noon
when the w. r. Grant company opened
its doors TO the shopping public. Sew
eral police officers were ON duty to
guard against accident and Heep the
large crowd In order. Incidently. about
as per cent of the barsain-seekerx were
women, however few men who did
allow their curiosity 10 get the better
OF them. once inside. were as eager to
secure good bargain as the omen
The big store had It's new tnerchan-
disc attractlveiy displayed and about
100 saiesw omen were ready for the
opening rush The first days business
spoke well for the enterprise and
capacity of the management.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14

Ashland, Va, Dec, 1S--Mrs. Al
verda Gordon. widow of John d. Cor
don, expired this morning in the home
OF her son, J. Palmer Gordon. Mrs
Gordon Is survived by two sisters,
Mrs. J. s.. Robinson and Miss Annie
Jeffries, of Baltimore. and three
grandchildren, Misses Lizzie and Lou
ise Gordon and william Gordon. The
funeral services were held this after
noon in the home at z O'Clock The
burial was in Woodlawn cemetery.
The following we're palibearers: T. +.
". Meyberg, ". c. Puryear. l.. U.
Fox, j. NJ. stone, 4. r. Scott and c.
A Barnes. Mrs. Gordon was in the
sixty eighth year of her age,
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
OBITUARY
James Monroe Howell,

James Monroe Howell died at 1905
o'oIook Wednesday night In the resi-
dence 1888 Holiday street, Park
View, Portsmouth after an Illness OF
eight months duration. lie was Atty
nine years old.
He Is survived by q widow, Mrs.
Olivia A. Howell, and four sons. Ser
seant n. q. Howell. OF Camp Lee, r
M, Aiwyn and X. O. Howell. 81.
The body will be forwarded over
the virsinian railway today 10 Purdy.
where burial will take place,
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
Fire Scurc at CITY Hall.

stanton, Va. Dec. 1s.---Caught
without their gas masks on. and
wholly unable to find the source OF
the attack, the force of the City Hall
late Tuesday afternoon. fighting It's
way through dense clouds OF smoke.
searched for fully an hour for a fire
IN the building
The smoke which created the stir
is described as having been very thick
on the lower floor and to have smell
ed like that OF burning paper After
a thorough search no fire was dscov-
cred, and while a close watch was
kept on the building through the
night, no damage has yet been found
as "a result OF the scare.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
NENELAOS yEKRAKOS MAKES
CHARGE AGAINST POLICEMAN

-as1Tke BaKsF. sometimes known as
Meaelaos Vekrakos." who was arrest
I'd on January ~. 1917, by Policeman
II. Aubrey Frayser. and who was bad
n Injured during the process, having
broken leg by falling down stairs,
hss instituted suit for $1,000 against
frayser. Tire papers In the suit have
been filed in law and equity court by
Smith q Gordon. and it is probab BILE
that Edgar Il. English will represent
Frayser when the case comes TO trial
1t Is said that Baker resisted arrest
ard that Frayser In atteni pting to
lake him TO the patrol wagon, pushed
him down the steps. He claims that
be was incapacitated for several
nsorshs. and that he will never be
Aamask physically sGain-
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
FIRE DAMAGES
HUB CLOTHING STORE

Danviile, Va, Dec. 13-F'ire, which
broke out probably at about 1880
o'clock and which was discovered at
$50 A. NJ, did approximately $1,000
damage to the Hub clothing store on
Main street Newman, proprietor.
said tfis morning that his insurance
policies would probably cover the loss,
most Of which Is due to smoke which
permeated the two floors densely and
scorched and hlackened large stock
OF mems garments.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14

Danvilie, Va. Dec. ls.--The first
case in court of concealed, weapon
being carried on the streets since the
grand jury made its recommendation
to the mayor that the penalty imposed
be somewhat heavier. resulted in a
Portsmouth man. Al Jones, being
fned $40 and sent to jail for sixty
days by Captain Wooding this morn
ing. A warrant charging drunken
ness and dieordsriy conduct was dis
missed
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
Sefph Is Discharged.

c. w Selph. charged with taking
S3i from Clinton webb, was dismissed
in police court yesterday. Seiph had
surrendered himself 10 Policeman
Wyatt, at First station, upon hearing
there was Il warrant out for his arrest
He was bailed and there being no evil
dence TO connect him with the alleged
theft, the case was dismissed.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
Mrs. James n. Harriet.

Portsmouth, Va. Dec. I3--The
hods. Of Mrs. xIlulira Harren. wife OF
4.ess y u ss ~ i y 81 died Monsay
morning in the residence 6s9 Florida
avenue. Port Norfolk, was forwarded
Wednesday morning over the Atlantic
Coast Line railroad to Suffolk, where
the funeral services and burial took
place
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
Fined for Assault /.

Edward August was assessed $40
by Justice Maurice for assaulting Col
die Leion yesterday.
Walter Gee, charged with assault
ing II. l.. Minor. and Cosby Parker,
alleged to have assaulted Carrie Bak-
err were dismissed.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
Nat NJ. wills Buried

Nat NJ Wills. the noted com edian
and impersonator of tramps on the
stage a native of Fred ericksburg, Va,
who was asphyxiated by gas from his
automobile, was buried Wedn esday in
Woodlawn cemetery. New York city
He was forty-four years old.
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14
Mr@. &av1h r.. &otseY.

Funeral services for Mrs. Sarah r.
Sotzev, who died Wednesday after
noon In the home of her daughter,
Mrs. e. d. Redo. 7o6 North avenue,
Barton Heights, win take place from
the hons this afternoon at 3:3oI
O'Clock
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14

Marriage licenses were issued ny
Clerk Walter Christian yesterday to
the following couples:
II. w. Johnson and Sallie A. Jones.
Isaac r. Bowies and Violet Il. Jones.
John w. Barrett and Stella T. Mar
The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-12-14

Postmistress Appointed
Miss Maud M. Powell was yester-
day designated as postmaster OF
the Office at Ryan. Va, the appoint
ment to take effect December Is.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-07
TWO GERMAN AIR
 RAIDERS BROUGHT
 DOWN IN ENGLAND

London, December G.. After several weeks of res pite London, in the early hours of this morning, ex- perienced another German air raidone of the most determined, but the most futile, yet attempted.
 The first warnings were received shortly after 1:30 o'clock, when a group of Gothas crossed the coast of Kent. Apparently they intended to make for London, but after dropping bombs along the coast they made off seaward again.
 About two hours later warnings were given again when anatheregroup of raiders started up the Thames. But. like their predecessors. after flying over Kent, they returned the way they had come.
 It transpired that these were only object of drawing forth gunfire and disclosing the locationzo the defenses, preliminary attacks. made with the for an hour later five groups of ma chimes crossed the Essex and Kent coasts and flew direct to London. at tackfng the city from two directions
 BARRAGE WAS EFFECTIVE
 Tho raiders were met with the tre- mendous barrage of the London ue
 tContinued on Pore Two,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-07
PNEUMONIA DEATH TOLL AT MACON
 CAMP NOW 110

Macon, Ga, December 6-The death from meningitis of Andrew s. Langley of the 106th ammunition train. and of Privata@ w. Lee southward, Princeton. Ala, from empyema, was announced at Camp Wheeler headquarters tonight. Six additional deaths from pneumonia during the last 24 hours also were re- ported at the base hospital. The pneu- monia victims are: Privates James 10. Kirby, Ballground, Ga: Alex Scar borough, Tallahassee, Fla: Frank A. Lacy. 124th infantry; Ivey Sapp, 12ith infantry; Eugene Tucker 124th infantry. and Walter T. Thompson, 117 field artil- Iery
 Including the list made public tonight there have been no pneumonia victims at the camp during the last 24 days in the hospital the last few days. it was announced today.
 Governor Hugh Dorsey of Georgia visited the camp today and spent some time inspecting the conditions at tha base hospital.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-07
CONFUSED SIGNAL
 WHISTLES CAUSED
 HARDOR COLLISION


 Halifax, N. S., December 6.-The re- lief ship which col1ided with the Mont Blnnc has been identified as the Imo. The steamship Imo, which collided with the Mont BIanc in Halifax har- b0r, was a Norwegian vessel of 3161 tons, last reported to have arrived mt an Atlantic port of the United States October 9.
 Halifax, December 6.--Two members of the crew of the Canadian cruiser Niobe were killed by the explosion and several were injured.
 Halifax, N. S., December 6--The crew of the Mont Blanc escaped safely from the blazing vessel. The pilot asserts the collision was due to confusion of signal whistles.
 The Mont Hlanc Is of 22JO net tons burden.
 The Mont Blanc arrived mt n United States Atlantic port on November 3. No detniIS nre available of her move ments since that date. The vessel was owned by the Campagnie Generaie She was built at MiddIesbro in 1899 and her gross tonnage was 3121. She was 23O feet long.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-07
COAL OPERATORS
 ARE ALARMED Al
 GARF F|ELD'S MOVE No New Contracts Allowed Without Approval of Fuel
 Administrator THIS MAY LEAD TO MORE DRASTIC ACTION Existing Contracts Will p.ossihly Be Abrogated and Government Take
 Complete Control Under Pool
 Arrangement Outlined
By HUGH ". ROBERTS

Washington, December 6.-(Specia1.) The fuel administration decreed that no new contracts be entered into be- tween producer and dispenser of coal without approval of Dr. N. A. Gar field, administrators.
 The decree is regarded as pre- cursor to the plan of the government, first, to abrogate all existing con- tracts; and, secondly, to pool Tor equitable distribution all production throughout the United States.
 Operators of the country are prac- tically unanimous In regretting the or der of today and in preparing to op- pose further steps of an inclination to Governmental control.
 s. L. Yerkes of Birmingham, repre- sentative in Washington of the Ala bama Coal Operators association, speaking of the order preventing new contracts, said:
 VIEW OF s. L. YERKES
 '.The force of the decree is directed, in my opinion, against the broker. Pending contracts between producei. and broker submitted to pr. Garfield will, think. be disapproved Thts will put the broker out of business. Secondly. it will work a serious handf- cap against the smaller producer who Is dependent on the broker not only for the disposal of his coal, but for emergency finances
 "The governments plan to pool coal production will revolutionize the coal industry. Under the plan the govern ment will buy all production at the mouth of the mines and will endeavov at a uniform price to secure equitable distribution. Obviously the result will be ruinous as far as individual eii- terprises are concerned Furthermore, it is not practical to assume that the government, on the spur of the mo- ment. could better serve the public
 tContinued from Pare Two,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-07
AMERICAN SAILOR
 K|[LED|N SEAPLAN
 M|SHAP OVER THERE

Washington. December 6.-vice Admiral sims reported to the navy department today n seapIane acci- dent in the war zone in which one American sailor was killed and a gunner's mate injured.
 Seaman Claude Albert Baker was killed and his body has not been rccovevl It is nssumed the acci- dent at sea. though this was n{ initely stated in the dispacd .s .saixer enlisted at Nash- vilIe, Tenn, December 27, 1Bl6. His father Is Willia,n B. Baker. Sparrows Point. Md.
 Richard ". Thompson, arst-cIaxs gunner's mate. suffered fracture of the right thigh. He re-enlinted in France August zS, l817. fills father is F. J. Thompson. ST.. Raleigh. N. c.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-07
Summary of the News
GENERAL NEWS

GENERAL NEWS 1-Death I.st from Halifax. explosion may exceed 1000.
 War resOlutf0n will pnss C0n- Rress within 24 hours. Thirteen American aoIdierw res ported syeunded on French bat tie front
 Pneumonia deaths at Macon caml, now no within 24 days. Air raid on England. c-Genernl Bynx withdrnws his forces to strnighten line. Austro-Germann are making des- peratc effort to break Italian
 LOGAN NEWa 6-Baby bonds cnh be bought in all business houses. Twenty-two selectmen to leave. Alabamians will not leave Camp Wheeler ChFistmas. 5-D. A. R. will send ambulance to France. s-All patriotic citizens should attend one of the Red Cross matinecs.
 FEAYUREs 4--Icditorial comment. < 6-society and Dolly Dalrymple.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-07
7hriuing Metropolis Turned
 Into One Vast Death Place

Temporary have been established buildings which vehicles all bodies of and children Most of them chared that they necognze Thousands of seeking trace o rea
 ves and friends passed by the long, silent attempting by the ferng light of lamps lanterns identify the ones they sought
 Virtually building the which could be converted into hos filled with wounded them desperately that there hope their Scores have already died in these temporary hospitals number being taken from the completely devastated Richmond district the relief station An army of rescue searching the ruins for bodies and for those who nave amidst the wrecage left by the explosion and fire
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-07
General Morton Returns to
 His Division in AnnistOn

Anniston, December Especial. )-vM Maj Gen. Charles C. Morton. permanent com mander of Camp Mcclellan. has re- turned to Anniston to resume his com. mand of the large number of soldiers here after an extended visit to tho American expeditionary forces fand othei fronts in France. During his absepca Brig. Gen. ". c. Rafferty has been in command of the local camp.
 General Morton arrived from Atlanta on a late train and went immediately to his headquArters. Few persons in the city knew of m comins,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-07

 Lieutenant Cone and Il of the enlisted men were seriously and one man slightly wounded.
 LIST AS SENT
 Seriously wovuded:
 second Liey Allie l.. Cone, en- sineers, emt tgency address, [. C. Cone, father, Artemasa, Cuba. Sergt. Frank Haley, engineers; emergency address, J. l.. Frank, friend, New York city.
 Sergt. Patrick A. Long, engi- neers; emergency address. Joseph Long, brother, Bayonne. N. J. Corp. Philip A. Berky emergency address, Mrs. Bertha Kinsiner, sis- ter, Brooklyn, N. Y.
 Corp. Charles J. CritchIey, ensi- neers; emergency address, Mrs. Rose Critchley, mother, New York city.
 Corp. James Angus, engineers,
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-07

emergency address. James Angus, brother, Aberdeen, Scotland.
 Private James Grognn; emer- gency nddress, Mrs. Mary F. GrO- gun, mother, Brooklyn, N. Y.
 Private Isador s. Eisenbigcl; emergency address, David Aegen. COtesviIIe, Pa.
 Private James A. Eagen; moth- CT, Mrs. John Eagen, Great Neck, N. Y.
 Private William l.. Barnes; sis- ter, Mrs. Angcs NJ. Barnes, Port land, Ore.
 Private Charles A. Geiger; mother, Mrs. Elizabeth Geiger, Chicago.
 Private George E. Jones. fath- CT, Thomas H. Jones, Scranton. Pa.
 Slightly wounded:
 Private Louis o. Rohland; father, H. H. Rohland, Brooklyn, oN. Y.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-07
Two Birmingham Lawyers
 Stand Examinations to Enter the Aviation Service

Washington, December -tSpecial) ) Leroy Percy and Fred Fite, Birmins~ ham attorneys, have stood physical and mental examinations as appli- cants for service in the aviation corps of the United States army, The result of the examinations is not as yet an-
 nounced.