davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
President Explains
SeIeCtive Draft Plan
IN LETTER TO REPRENSENTA-
TIVE HElvERlNG
CALLS FOR SUPPORT
to Enlist Without Due Regard to
Responsibilities-Ad is
to Insist Upon Enactment of Sc
leetive Conscription.

Washington, April 10. = President
Wilson today sent a letter to Repre-
sentative Helvering of Kansas explain
ing and strongly supporting the ad-
Iective conscription plan. The letter
indicated the purpose of the admins
tration to insist upon enactment of the
measure vigorously. 1t follows:
Il welcome the inquiry Of your letter
of April 10, because 1 have realized the
truth of what you say from my owr
observations, namely, that what is
meant to be understood by the Sc
lective draft is not generally under
stood throughout the country
The process of the draft is, I think
very clearly set forth in the bill
drafted by the war department, and
which I so earnestly hope the congress
will adopt, but it is worth while to
a little more fully.
Patriotic Service Open to All.
81 took occasion the other day in
an address to the people OF the coun-
try to point out the many forms OF
patriotic service that were open to
them and to emphasize the fact that
the military part of the service was
by no means the only part, and, per-
haps. all things considered, not the
most vital part. Our object is a
mobilization of all the productive and
active forces of the nation and their
oeNelOpmenL 10 Ine nlSneSI point OF
cooperation and efficiency, and the
idea of the selective draft is that those
should be chosen for service in the
army who can be most readily spared
from the prosecution of the other ac-
tivities which the country must en-
gage in and to which it must devote a
great deal of its best energy and ca
pacity
Weakness of Volunteer System.
The volunteer system does not do
this When men choose themselves they
sometimes choose without due regard
to their other responsibilities. Ien
mines or from the factories or centers
of business who ought not to come, but
ought to stand back of the armies In
the field and see that they get every
thing they need and that the people of
the country are sustained in the mean
time.
"The principle of the seIective draft.
in short, has at its heart this idea
that there is a universal obligatio to
serve and that a public authority to
choose those upon whom the Obliga-
ton OF military service shall rest and
also in sense choose those who shall
do the rest of the nations work. The
bill If adopted will do more believe,
than any other single instrument aIity
service in the army and out of it, and
II properly administered will be a
great source of stimulation
Those who feel that we are turning
away altogether from the voluntary
principle seem to forget that some
OOO.0 men will be needed to fill the
ranks of the regular army and the
national guard and that a very great
Held of. individual enthusiasm lies
there wide openo
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20

The southern part of the Hindenburg
line in France continues to crumble
or fall back before the forces of the
French General Nevelle. Thursday
witnessed additional important gains
by the French at numerous points
from Scissors eastward to the old
Champagne and also the capture of
men and guns.
In the latter region northwest of Au-
berIve the French captured strongly
fortified German trenches on a front
of mile and quarter and made pris-
oner $50 Germans. Northwest OF
scissors the villages of Aisy, Jouy and
Iaffaux and Fort De Conde were cap
tured by the French. while to the east,
near HurtebiSe, another point of sup
port fell into their hands and with it
500 prisoners and two cannon
Violent Artillery Actions.
Violent artillery actions are in pro-
gress between the Somme and the Disc,
in Champagne; near LIE Mort Homme,
In the Verdun Sector and in Belgium
around Dfxmude.
The French war off7ce reports that
Wednesday night the Germans threw
fray between scissors and Auberive in
an attempt to hold General Niveue's
forces back. but that their efforts were
anavailing. The Berlin official state
northwest Of Auberive compensated
for the enemys gain of terrain" It is
admitted by Berlin that the Germans
near Vi1le-aux-Bois retreated to new
lines, being unable to Withstand the in
tensity of the French fire.
Comparative quiet. Eauged by the re-
cent intensive fighting. prevails on that
part Of the line in France held by the
British. The latest communication
dealing with the Arras-Lens sector re-
ports slight gains for Field Marshal
Haig's forces south of Monchy-le-
Preux and Fampoux and also to the
north of the Loos sector, where pris-
oners were taken
On the Russian Frint.
While the Petrograd war Office an
hounces that the activity on the eastA
ern front has consisted merely of rife
firing and scouting operations, reports
from Petrograd. said to have been
made public by the Russian general
staff backed by their fleet. are prepar-
ing for a great attack on the Russian
right wing probably with the intention
of attempting to isolate Petrograd
from the main Russian armies.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
LOSS TO British ARMY
THRoUcB PETTY T6
Annually Supplies Estimated at ozs,
: 100000 Are Pilfsred.


London. April 1S-The annual loss
70 the British army through petty
thievery and Dilfer1nR Of st0res and
Supplles has been estimate dat 8z5, Il
100000. Some account Of the manner
In which this huge sum disapDeara b.
given by the auditor general Of army
accounts.
The supervision Of the auditor gem
eral does not extend 10 cases 10 which
waste has occurred through carrVing
out some approved policy. He is con
ccrned only To point 10 the leakakea
which occur In matters carried out
contrary 20 or Without proper Banc-
Ion. ,hn ne therefore touching only
cases he cites cover a wide field
The 26tb division ammunition coll
lmn had n lot OF mules plcketed at
Eordon camp In soil that was too
sanay 10 hold the picketing gear. one
night the mules broke loose and IS 900
worth Of mules we're never recovered.
lot Of horses mysterlOusly dlsap-
pehred at Abbass!a. leaving a deficit
Or $4,000. a civilian foreman at Rom
sey careiessly gave 10 horses an over
dose Of sulphur and the horses died
loss 1000.
Pistols worth S1,75O we're lost on
tne way to Egypt Troops smoking in
barn In France set FIRE 70 the barn
and destroyed $1,000 worth OF stravv.
scores OF cases are cited where the
mysterious disappearance of blankets
uds coSt the army thousands Of dollars.
Condensed milk worth $1,000 dfaaD-
peared from cargo between AIexan-
dria and Sollom owing TO pllferlng by
tne mercantile marine crews on board
Since the appointment OF conductors
to accompany ships these losses have
virtually ceased.
Military clothing worth 81 900 was
sent to Winchester, where aOne og7n
VINO signed himself Corporal Barnee'
TOOK 1t over. The consignment was
lost at this point, and so was Cor
Doral Barnes.
The Royal HighIanders show a de-.
hciency Of $14,500 which was errono-
ously paid to them while at Dundee
Eleven thousand empty petrol tins and
cases were lost in transit between
france and England, with a loss ~
$4,000. An overissue Of pickles to In
s1.7OO. -
Failure Of the war ohi0e TO properly
circulate a notice as TO the fees Of
doctors for examining Derby recruits
cost $4,000.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
INSIGNIFICANT FIRE IN
ALLYN HOUSE, HARTFORD.
Gave n Scare TO Members of Lesisla-
ture and Other Guests.

significant hre In the basement OF the
Allyn house early today. which filled
many of" the rooms with thick smoke,
rave q scare to members OF the legis-
Iature, the legislative clerks and other
guests ali Of whom were aroused from
heir slumbers and sent downstairs in
aasty attire. where they remained for
about half an hour. The fire was
quickly extinguiShed and the guests re-
lurued to their rooms. The incident
was the cause or much joking among
he members OF the legislature, while
here were numerous inquiries OF the
agisla2ive CLERKS as to the safety OF
ne woman suffrage bills which were
m&AnAAA hV the house yesterday.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
CONFIDENT ADMINISTRATION
ARMY BILL WILL PASS
The Fight Against II Probably Will Be
Made in the Senate.

Washington, April 19.-As one ster
toward meeting opposition in congress
othe administration army plans
President Wilson today sent letter
to Representative Helvering of Kan
sas explaining what is meant by selec-
tive draft. and expressing earnest hope
that the bill drafted by the war de-
partment would be passed.
The president and administration
leaders in congress are confident of the
ultimate enactment of the army bill
without material changes The fight
probably will begin in the senate.
where the bill will be taken up as soon
as the espionage measure is disposed
Of Chairman Chamberlain, of the
military committee. submitted his IA
vorable report today.
Chairman Dent of the house COM
mittee, formally presented during the
dav the report of his committee offer
ing the bill in amended form, author
izing the president to call for volun-
teers in increments of 100000 and pro-
yiding for the seIective draft only aft
g rthe volunteer plan has failed.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
MEXICAN SNIPERs FIRED
AT AMERICAN SENTRY
One Mexican Seen to Fall When q
Squad Returned the Fire.

FL Paso, Texas, April 19.-snipers
who fired at an American sentry sta
toned at the Niaduct in the suburbs OF
this city, were, fired upon in return By
squad Of United States soldiers late
today. One Mexican was seen to fan
after the volley had been fired across
the border.
The sentry was patrolling his beat
when two shots were fired from en-
trenchments on the Mexican side, ac-
cording to the official report received
at military headquarters. The sentry
returned the fire and called the mem
bers of his squad. They fired more
than twenty shots across the line.
When Mexican Consul Bravo re-
ported the affair TO Brlgadier Genera
George Bell, Jr., General Bell informed
the consul that the American sentry
had been fired upon and had oioeyed
orders in returning the f1re.
II have ordered the outposts TO shoot
to kill when fired upon" said General
Bell later. 7 Will cOurtmartlal a man
who fires across the border first and
also will cOurtmartia1 one who falls
to return the fire when he is fired up II
on"
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
COMPENSATION URGED FOR
MEN IN TRAINING CAMPS
In kilograms Sent by Willard Straight
to Secretary Baker.

New York, April 19.-TeIegrams 1rg-
ing that compensation be provided for
men who wish to take the three
months course in the officers reserve
training camps to be established bv
the war department were sent tonight
oy Willard Straight, chairman of the
executive committee of Mayor Mitch
efs committee on national defense, to
secretary OF War Baker and to the
chafrmen of the military AFFAIRS coTo
m1ttee Of the senate and house of rep
resentatives.
Not to do this, the telegram zaid
would mean that men who are fortu,
comes will be abe to attend tba
camps, while those dependent upo1
their earnings will be practica Iiv
forced to forego the training so yffaI1v
necessary. The effect on the entire
system or military preparation, it wa :
asserted, "is bound to be most depIora-
ble."
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
TAP" DAY AT YALE SIX
WEEKS AHEAD OF TIME
Highest Honor Was Accorded to
Charles p. Taft, End.

New Haven, Conn. April 1s.-"Tap"
Day exercises were held at Yale Col
!ege today, six weeks in advance of
the customary day-the last Thursday
in May-because of the extraord;nory,
conditions created by the war. Eleven
OF the undergraduates elected to the
senior societies were tapped at Palm
beach. Fla, where they are training
with the Yale terial coast patrol INIT
among these. five were tapped for
Skull and Bones and six for Scroll and
Keys.
A feature of the exercises was the
tapping OF Charles p. Taft, End. son
of Former President Taft. as the fif-
teenth or last man, to Skull and. Bones
the highest honor that could be ac-
corded Newell Garfield of West Mem
to, Ohio. a grandson of the mtrtyred
president, was the first man tapped for
"Bones," the next honorary choic.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
MRS. GEORGE TAcHER GUERNSEY
PRESIDENT GENERAL OF .. A. r.
EIsetsd by a. Majority Of So en- the
Firsf 6aIiet-Other New Officers.

washipgtoi, April 1s.-Mrs. George
Tachef Guernsev of Kansas was, elect
ed president general of the Daughters
of the American Revolution for the
next three years tonight over three op-
ponents by majority of SO on the first
ballot Mrs: Guernsey received 6Ti
votes, Mrs. George G. SQuierS OF Min
nesota 363, Mrs. John Miller HArton OF
New York 235, and Mrs. James Ham
ilton Lewis Of Illinois lei.
In one Of the most vigorously con-
tested lights in the history of the So
ciety, the entire ticket headed by Mrs
Guernsey, defeated at the last election
Sy Mrs william Cumming Story, was
The other new officers are: Miss
iizabeth F. Pierce, District of Col1m-
bia, chaplain general; Miss Emma L.
Crowell, Pennsylvania, recording sec
retary general: Mrs. Duncan U,
FLETCHER, Florida, organizing secretary
general; Mrs. Robert ]. Johnston, Iowa,
Mrs. Woodbury.
Pulsifer. Maine, corresponding secre-
tary-generai; Mrs. Grace NJ. Pierce
New York, registrar-general; Ars
George K. Clarke, Massachusetts,, his
torfan general; Mrs. BENJAMIN d
Heath, North Carolina, director general
IN charge Of the report to the Smith
sonian institution; Mrs. James NJ
FDwler Indiana, librarian. general;
Columbia, curator general; Miss Nata-
lie Sumner Lincoln, Connecticut, edi-
tor of the magazine.
Vice presidents elected were:
For three years: Jeanie D. Black
burn, Kentucky; Mrs. Fred H. H. Cal
houn. South Carolina; Mrs. Sheppard
W. Foster, Georgia; Mrs. James B.
Grant. Colorado; Mrs. Samuel Mex
Green, Missouri; Mrs. Charles E
Longiey, Rhode Island, and Mrs. Will
liam H. Talbot of Maryland.
For one year: Mrs. G. Wallace W.
Hanger of the District of Columbia,
Mrs. William c. Robinson of Maine
and Mrs. Edward P. Moody of Della
ware.
For an unexpired term: Mrs. 2. B
Ietton of Nebraska, vice president
general for the unexpired term.
Mrs. George NJ. Sternberg of the
District of Columbia received the
vote for honorary vice
president-generaI
Mrs. William Cumming Story. who
retired as president general at the
close of this congress, was elected hon.
orary president-generaI by acclama- :
ton and was continued at the head Of
the committee which is seeking to
have the government purchase Moati-
cello, the birthplace of Thomas Jeffer-
son.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
THREE-DAY DRIVE FOR
NAVY RECRUITS IN HARTFORD.
Governor Heleorb Spoke at Monster
Outdoor Rallies.

Hartford, Conn, April 19-Public
exercises here today marked the open
ing of a three-day drive for navy re-
cruits- Governor Marcus H. Holcomb,
Mayor Frank A. Hagarty and other
prominent men spoke al monster rail-
lies held in the plaza beside the city's
new municipal building. The bands
played both afternoon and evening.
Naval moving pictures thrown on a
screen on the side of the old Connecti-
cut statehouse, dedicated in 1898 at
tracted great throng in the evening.
Society women in automobiles took
applicants for enlistment from the
rallies to the recruiting stations
Hartford is making this drive to secure
500 men for the battle fleet within three
days.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
WAR TAX ON BASEBALL WOULD
CLOSE PROFESSIONAL PARKS
Claim Made by President johnson of
the American League.

Chicago, April 19-Club owners in
the American league VII be forced to
close their parks if a war tax on base
ball, suggested in the administration
revenue program, is demanded from
them instead of from the patrons of
the sport, President Johnson of the
American league said today. '1 have
figured that the tax would amount to
about $250,000 for the season." Mr..
Johnson said That would more than
wipe out our profits. We would have
to close our gates.''
Because of the danger facing the
game, half a dozen minor league pres
idents plan to go to Washington next
week to oppose the legislation which,
they said, would drive the smaller
leagues out of business.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20

Hartford, Conn. April 19.-EnIist-
ment of an army of food producers in
Connecticut was opened by the state
food committee this afternoon at a
gathering in the capitol. This COM
nittee was named by Governor HoI-
comb few days ago and it's first ap-
peal and recruiting was to and among
the tobacco growers, whose aggregate
crop, in value, is the most impOrtan.
on the states agricultural HIST. A nor
mai crops value AZ harvested Is estl .
mated at about eight millions.
Governor Appeals to Growers.
Governor HoIcomb, who made the
hrst appeal to the growers. said that
he did not expect them to abandon to-
bacco, for he himself used the leaf and
found II pleasure and a consola ton.
What he did ask Of them was that they
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
GERMAN PREPARATIONS To-
MARCH TO PETRoGRAD
With View to Cut Of Russian Cap
itai From the Active Army

Petrograd. April 10. via London, 11.4s
o. m.-German preparations to attack
the northern front, supported by a
German fleet, reports of which appear
to be well founded. bear out the war
office warning recently issued Chat the
enemy means to march to Petrograd.
The preparations corsist-o< the mass
ing of troops on the DEinsk-Riga front
and the concentration of transports,
warships and shallow draft ships in
Raltic sea ports A portion of the
German feet is reported to have moved
from KieI to Libau.
It is regarded here as extremely
probably that the plants to cut of
Petrograd from the active army. The
German efforts to spread discomfort
in the Russian army have developed
an ingenious device of loading shells
with copies of Chancellor Won Beth
mann-Hollweg's speech of March %
and firing them into the Russian lines.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
12,45o RECRUITS FOR NAVY
AND THE MARINE CORPS
Since President Wilson Issued ProcJa-
nation Declaring State of War,

Washington, April 1e.-Since Presi-
dent Wilson issued the proclamation
declaring that a state of war existed
between the United States and Ger
many, the navy and the marine corps
have recruited a total of 12.45O men.
The navy's gain is 10,060 and the ma
rine corps $50 On February Is the
total strength of the navy was "a 469:
today it was 74.026. On the same date
the marine corps totalled 1920 men:
today it has 1856.
The net increase in the enlisted per
sonnel of the navy yesterday was 4
$50; that Of the army 2,37Sa
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
AM ARMY
OF FOOD PRODUCERS
EnIistments Opened by the State Food Committee Al
a Gathering in the Capitol, Hartford
FIRST APPEAL is MADE TO TOBACCO GROWERS

here Was a Liberal Response Governor HoIcOmbfs A
peal Many Tobacco Growers Agreeing to Devote
Much Attention Possible Other Crops-Recruitns
Blanks Were Distributed in Which the Sgner Agrees
State How Many Acres He Woud Devote to Various
Crops-Pledge is Exacted Patriotic Duty That the
Signer Increase His Food Production - This After
the Committee VIII Meet Farmers Who Produce
Other Crops-Committee is to Supply Seed Potatoes
and Seeds at Cost.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20

do their best as "A patriotic duty tc
give as much acreage as possible ~
other additional crops which Will sup
plement the states food supply and aid
in lifting the burden imposed by the
war.
Recruiting Blanks Distributed.
Joseph w. A1sOp OF Avon, himself a
tobacco grower. and chairman Of che
committee, presided. Recruiting blanks
were distributed. These were headed
AN enlistment in the army of food
producers Is just as efficient a way TO
serve your country az 20 enlist in tie
military forces"
Blanks to Show chabsss IN Aerseos.
Then followed blanks ln which the
si8ner was 10 state how many acres
Continued on Page Q, 9th COLI
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
HINDENBURG Line IN |
FRANCE CRUMBLING|
Additional important Gains Made by the French at
Points Between scissors and Champagne
CAPTURE OF MEN AND GUNS MADE THURSDAY

In the Region Northwest of Auberve the French Captured
Strongly Fortified German Trenches a Front of a
Mile and Quarter-On the Part of the Line in France
Held by the British Comparative Quiet Prevails-Re
ports From the Russian Capital Indicate That the Ger
mans on the Northern Front Are Preparing for
Great Attack the Russian Right Wing, With Petro
grad Their Obiectve-Teutonc Allies Resume Aggres-
sive In the Macedonian War Zone.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING
NEW HAVEN RAILROAD.
Denat ProuIx of HoIyoke Held Under
$500 Bonds for Hearing.

New Britain, Conn, April 19.-
Charged with defrauding the New
York New Haven and Hartford rail-
road by falsifying accounts for ship
ments of goods. Donat Proulx Of Hol-
yoke, Mass, local manager of thu
Newark shoe store, was held under
$500 bonds for a hearing after ar
raignment in the city court today. The
authorities assert that the accused has
made a confession admitting theft of
shoes to an amount estimated at about
$500, but his employers claim the
figure may be higher.
Railroad special agents and the state
police intimate that this arrest may be
the beginning of similar activities
against other persons on charges of the
same nature and involving in the ag-
gregate thousands of dollars.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
EXPLOSION OF PICTURE
FILMS IN INDIANAPOLIS
Six Persons Killed and a Score of 9th
ers Injured.

Indianapolis, Ind. April 10. = Six
persons are dead ana a score Of others
are suffering from minor injuries as a
result of an explosion of motion pic
ture films in the office of a downtown
district here tonight
Forty persons were in the building
when the explosion occurred and a
score of women were hurt in the panic
which followed a rush for the stair
ways,
The flames spread to the Linden and
Royal hotels, across an alley, but the
guests escaped and the property ram
age to the hotels was slight
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
HOUSES DISAGREE ON
$7.ooo. 100000 WAR BOND
Confsrees Will-Teday Resume Efforts
to Reach an Agreement.

Washington, April 1s.@Senate and
house conferees ON the administration
$1,000, 100000 war bond bill failed to
reach an agreement today and will re-
sumo their efforts tomorrow
All the minor differences In the
measure as it passed the two houses
were smoothed out today except those
on the section relating to the deposit
of moneys secured from the bonds The
senate conferees are insisting on the
senate provision, which they say gave
greater discretion to the secretary OF
the treasury In making such deposits.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20

vessels from coast and West Indian
ports arrived safely at New York
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
HERBERT c. HOOVER
IS COMING HOME
To Assume His New Position as Chair
man of the American Food Board.

London, April 1s. 6.24 p. m.-Herbert
c. Hoover will start for Washington
Immediately to assume his new posi-
ton as chairman of the American food
board The executive work OF the
commission will be carried on under
w. L. HocoId, director in America: w.
B. Poland, director in Europe, and w.
L. Brown, director in HOLLAND
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
BEES IN GREAT BRITAIN
RAVAGED BY DISEASE
That Has Been Known to Kill Millions
Within Few Days.

London, April 19.-The output of
honey in Great Britain has been cut in
half since 1910 by the ravages of a
scourge known to beekeepers as the
Isle of Wight disease. 1t has been
known to kill millions of bees within
a few days. The boar dof agriculture
declares Itself helpless until it can
obtain power to order the prompt de-
etruction of infected hives.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20
NAVAL COLLIER BEAcHED
IN HAMPTON ROADS
To Prevent Her From Sinking-Had I'd
Been Rammed.

Washington, April ia naval COL
Her, the name of which is not dis
closed by the authorities, was beached
in Hampton Roads tonight to prevent
her from sinking after being rammed
by another vessel
The collier now lies in water up TO
her second deck and with a great hole
in her hull. Navy officials say, how
ever, that she can be fioated and re-
paired quickly.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-20

The Maryland and District of Co
lumbia State Federation of Labor has
passed a resolution opposing selective
conscfiption.