davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
TO ALLAY UNCERTAINTY
AMONG SHIPBU|LDERs
Specifications for Standard Vessel for
Great Wooden Fleet Soon Will
Iic Announced.
STILL At WORK on DETAILS
Question Of Bulkheads for Protection
Against Submarines One Of Ques-
tions Not Yet Determined-Many
Plants Will Work to Capacity.
STILL At WORK on DETAILS
BY Associated I're.s.

WASHINGTON, May To ailay un-
certainty among shipbuiIders who ex-
pest to take contracts fen vessels of
the great wooden ship fleet, the Slip
ping Board announced late to-day that
specifications for Il standard ship would
be ready in the very near future.
The standard ship. the announcemen.
said, vii be abont 2sc feet over all.
with twcnt-four foot depth or hold.
ana With two full dccxs and will he
capable OF developing about :.5C0
horse power. Some details semain 10
be worked out. however. including the
question of huikhcads Eos protection
from submarines. Officials said prep
lr,tion OF the specifications probably
,"ouid be completed withim a teu, iays.
possibly by tomorrow Hon c: l..
Ferguson president o! the Newuor,
Ne"s Shipbuildinr and Dry Dock Com
pany. has conferred with the Shippinr
for the ships
Tho BOARD will submit plans and
specifications as soon rs possible" read
the formal announcement bidders
may propose TO furnish completed shin
or hulis only. Any firm desiring 20
submit proposals TO build compile ed
ships from their Own plan. may do 50.
but such plans Will hove 10 he an
proved by tho boards engineers. and
all are urged to wat until the stand :
ard plans arc ready"
Scores Of shpbuilders have assured
the board that they will take contracts
up TO the limit OF their capacity. and
IN the past few days many of them
nave sent inquiries as TO how soon
specifications would re submitted and
blnS accepted. IL is understood that
some of the delay has been due 10
revisions made at the suggestion OF
the visiting war missions particularly
IN regard TO means ,G protecting the
vessels from submarines. On that fea
ture Of the construction the Naval
Consulting Board also is giving ad
vice
Officials made it clear that every
effort would he made to submit tho
specifications as soon as possible. so
there Will be no Unnecessary delay in
getting the ships into commission.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
MRS. EDWARD JOHNSON SHOT
Found tn Room Perhaps Fatally
Wounded. and Husband Is Held
for 1nvcstlgation.
IRy Associated Press.l

ROANOKE. VA. May 3.--Mrs Nd
ward Johnson wife of "a prominent
travelling salesman, with HEADQUARTERS
at LynchburE, Va, was perhaps fatally
shot by an unknown person in her
room at an carly hour this morning.
She was rushed to a local hospital,
where her condition is considered criti-
cal. Mrs. Johnson was found by per-
sons In the residence. in her night
clothes. in n semi-conscious state, with
a bullet, hole in her breast, from which
she was bleeding profusely. The police
found revolver In her room, and one
of the bullets had been discharged. A
piece of mans watch chain was
found on the foor of the room
Edward Johnson, hush. nd Of the
wounded woman, was arrested at
local hotel at an, early hour this morn
Ing, pending Investigation.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
MAY PAY MEN IN TRAINING
Amendment Would Pay 500 Fer Month
to Citizens Who Agree TO Join
Officers RESERVE Corp,
ily Associnrcnrrcss

-NNsotlFlSi I'TesS.
WASHINGTON. May 2-piscussion
between Senate and House comfcrces
on army legislation conferred to-day on
the SsS0.0oo,0o army appropriation
bill. and did not get to the war army
measure. Chairman Chamberlain. of
The Senate Committee. and Representa-
tive Kahn, Republican confcrcc from
the House. both were hopeful tonight
that the selcctive draft measure might
be taken up tomorrow and agreed to
before night
ne confcrces to-day considered an
amendment to the appropriation hill
which would permit payment of 500
per month in addition to allowances.
to citizens in training camps who agree
10 accept commission in the Officers
Reserve Corps. II probably will be ac-
cepted before the bill is returned to
tho two houses.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
DEMANDS REFORM or
GERMAN POLITICAL SYSTEM
[Rv Associated Press.

AMSTERDAM. May (. (via London).
The Hamburger Fremdcnblatt. at the
end OF Il three column editorial. comes
to the conclusion that the German
political system is u failure. and must
he changed. The paper says:
There is no use theorizing. There
is something wrong with our govern
mental system. as is clearly proved
by Gcrmany's political failures and in
fact, by the whole war. Fresh blood
must he infused in the government"
The Frendenblatt advocates the re-
moval OF the bureaucratic batteries in
order to allow the Parliament and gov
ernmcnt TO work in closer touch.
The Berlin Tageblatt takes up the
statement OF Koelnische Nolks Zeitung
that at a freerasons congress i'm Paris
ii was decided to instigate an anti
monarchical movement in Germany
with the chief aim OF dethroning the
Emperor. The Tagcblatt says that
leaders of German freemasonry have
informed it that they have absolutely
nothing to do with such outgrowths of
so-called internatiuna frecma sonry.
They stand on a strictly national basis,
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
THEIR SUCCESS
|. ADDS TO GRAVITY
Of WAR SITUATION
Hundreds of Thousands of
Tons of Shipping Lost
During April.
CAMPAIGN THREATENS '.,.''
TO SWEEP SEAS CLEAN
Impetus Being Given Plans to
Combat Menace by All Coun-s'
tries Fighting Germany.
~F,e,
NATIONS PROBLEMS OUTLINED
Federal Government Takes Cover.
nUrs and Other State Represent.
tativcs Into It's Confidence.
CAMPAIGN THREATENS .S.1',
TO SWEEP SEAS CLEAN
NATIONS PROBLEMS OUTLINED
fBy Associated Press.I

4.
That Germany's submarine arm. Rol
he: military arm, is the menace which
for the moment is creates; for The f,lc;
ture welfare of the United States. and
the entente allies is recognized by the
chancellories of all the powers which
arc at war with Germany.
The last days of April saw the unGsf
water boats send to the bottom hun
dreds of thousands Of tons of shipping,
which means that huge quantities OF
ammunition and foodstuns have been
irretrieveably lost to the allies. and
made the pinch of want to those coun-
tries. their soldiers and their people
more acute.
These unseen monsters or the UNDER
seas from April 20 to April ~ had their
share with mines in the sending be-
meath the waves, some of them ur-
warned and with tolls of death. thir-
ty-cight British vessels Of over 600
tons and three others OF less than 500
tons-the aggregate in each category
being only two vessels less than the
British Admiralty reported the pre-
vious week. when the high point iilst1le
sinking of British merchantmen since
the reports have been issued. WAS
reached.
Impetus is being given to the plans
to combat the menace by all the coun-
tries at war with Germany, and hopes
are expressed that shortly a check may.
he put to the inroads OF the submarines
into commerce.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
GIRL ATTACKED AND KILLED
mud Nutiiatcd Hody
Found on Fnrm Near
Mcnuhis,
Ry Associated Press.

ffS Associated Press
MEMl'lIlS. TENN, May 2.-A farmer
clearing field OH his farm near A.em-
nhis OF underbrush late 10 day found
tho dscapitated and mutiiated LoGy nf
Antoineue Rappoid. nftcen-year old
schoolgirl, who disappeared yesterday
while on ter way from honie IN a
suburb 10 nearby school. The child's
head, which had been chopped off with
nm aN. was found II short distance from
the body and her bicycle. which she
was riding when attached and ragged
several hundred yearL: into the field.
was round on the opposite side Of the
road.
Tonight a shcrin'& posse with blood
hounds is searching tha countryside
for tie slayer. presumably negro. Up
to late hour no arrest had been made
The girl. acrordins to her parents
left home at the accuston. ed time yes
terday morning. When she did not re-
turn IN the afternoon searching parties
were organized, but a search through
the night and to-day failed to reveal
traces OF the missing child. uTtil the
farmer, made the sruesome find late
to- day.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
lRv Assncia,edpr.ss.l


WASHINGTON, May o.-The rising
sentiment in ConErcss for lcEl.Ia-
tion To meet the nations food prob
lcmn broke out In the senate to-day
I'm II debate that started over the
high price of seeds, hut developed
into dcnuncfntions of food specuia-
tors with predictions that the best
way to deal with them was 10 string
them to lamp posts or put them be-
hind prison bnrs.
Senators from farming State. de-
nicd that there Is amy real shortage
nf staple foods I'm tho United states.
senator John Sharp Williams de-
ciared there had been hyaterla
throughout the country, and that
the cause of high prices was largely
psychological. He said he believed
the German corruption fund recently
uncarthcd In u Federal court In New
York may have been responsIble for
the hystcriR.
Word should 20 straight out from
tho Senate. senator williams said,
that there is no shortage OF food.
Senator's Nelson and McCumber
agreed that there Is no reason to
fear a shortage.
The attack on the speculntorS was
led by Senators Thomas nnd Borah.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
PROBLEMS Of NATIONS
OUTLINED TO GOVERNORS

WASHINGTON. May THE Federal
government to day took into it's con-
fdence governors and other State rep
rcsentatives here for a national defense.
conference. and outlined the problems.
the nation faces in making war on Ger
many Cabinet heads explained the;
situation. and asked aid in putting into
effect the governments war measures.
At second conference tomorrow
the Council OF National Defense svilI
present definite program to tho Skatpx
for co-ordinating their work in carry.
inG out military and economic plans.fs
President Wilson received the d6ts
gates to day at the White House, ard
urged that the States draw all enerHfaa;
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
MUST CHECK SUBMARINES 49,
OR DISASTER IS CERTAIN
IRy Associated Press.l

BY Associated Press.I
WASHINGTON. May 2.--Thc enor-.
nous inroads on the worlds shipping
made by German submarines witirin
the last few weeks has brought to
An: erican government officials I'LL
realization of the disaster that faces
the United States and the allies@if
the undcrsea warfare is rot checked. -
Governor and state representatives.,
her" day for national defense con-
ference. will take home to their pco-
pie message from the government
emphasizing the menace 10 America
ard urging that there must he the
fullest coordination by the Statesrin
war preparation if Germany is 10 be
defeated.
Secretary Lane told the conferences
that the great destruction OF ships Was
threatening the existence OF Great
Britain and France. and mcnacing the
United States. No one, he said, knew
the exact number OF shirs lost recently,
hut estimates put last weeks subn,a.
rine toll at 100000 tons Later he OK
planned that this estimatc probably was
toe high. .gt&
secretary Lansing. il statement
during the day. declared the scrious-
not he exaggerated Hecorts to The
state Department give IL total OF
eighty vessels lost in one week
BRITISH MEMBERS AGREE Sssr
SITUATION IS CRITICAL
The British mission announced that
the rate Of destruction in recent weeks
had continued unchanged. and that ait.
showed no alarming increases. All its
members agree the situation is critical.
Announcing the governments proc
gram for exercising Il more direct con-
troll over the country's shipping and
shipbuilding facilities. Chairman Dem
man, of the Shipping Board. said estt-
mates had reached the board of 30o.- =
900 tons of shipping sunk in one week.
\ bureau of navigation report, pre-
pared recently. estimated the worlds
ship construction in 1916 at slightly
less than 100000 tons. II the Ger
mans keep up their present rate Of de-
struction. officials admit without hesi-
tation that their campaign threatens
to sweep clean the seas.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
THREATEN
FUTURE OF ALLIES
Senators From Farming States
Deny Danger Of Food Shortage

The Colorado Senator declared they
were the real enemies Of the nation,
Expressed the hope Congress would
not adjourn without ieEislatIon that
would remedy tho evil, nnd said the
lamp post II the thing to cure such
spccuIation. before the debutc
turned to other things Senator
Thomns introduced m amendment to
the espionage bill empowering the
PresIdent by proclamation to sus-
pend during the war the operation
of Bosrds OF Trade and Chnmbers
OF Commerce which deuI In futures.
tie had Il vent TO the table for later
confederation.
senator Borah predicted world
famine II the war lasts two years.
md 10 extraordinary and sustained
Efforts are not made here to meet
tho food problem.
senator Nelson nuEEested that IL
some OF the -"statesmen coucernea
about this situatton" would go to
Minnesotn and assure the farmer OF
good climatic conditions, the wheat
crop there could take care of Itself.
Senator McCumber said the nation
should have wheat surplus this
year of more than 2oO,NOO. 900 bushels
after feeding itself and providing
for seeding.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
Submarines Continue
to Take Heavy Toll

LONDON. May :.-I'he British ofH-
ciai announcement OF tho number OF
vessels sunk In the week ending on
Sunday Inst shows TINT thirty-eisht
merchant Sesscls Of over 1900 t0ns
cnrh were sunk. Those Of less than
i.tnn toms numbered thirteen. mud
eight HshInE vessris were vent to
th" bottom by sUbn,nrIncs or mines.
The announcement says,
ARRIVALS OF all nationaiiticn over
100 toms, 2.7IB, sniIinEs. 1000.
"British merchantmen sunk by
submarines or mines over 800 tons,
Including three not previously re-
corded. 3S' under 1.GOO tons, IncIud-
Ing one not previously recorded. IL.
"Hritish vessels unsucceSXfuIIy at
tackled. including two not pre yiousiy
recorded. ~.
"Brittsh fishing vessels sunk, In
"ludinR two mot previously re-
corded. S."
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
JOFFRE HAS LONG
TALK WITH WILSON
Dispatch of Expeditionary Force
to France Among Ques-
tions Discussed.
VIVIANl AL so AT WHITE HOUSE
Members Of Both War Missions
in Conference With Vari-
Gus American Officials.
VIVIANl ALSO AT WHITE HOUSE

W.\SIIINGTON. May ON tho eve
OF their departure on tour Of Middle
Western and Eastern States. members
OF Frances war mission TO day held
further important conferences with rcp-
resentatvcs Of the United States gov
crnment.
Marshal Jonre went TO the White
House aud spent an hour talking with
President Wilson. discussing. among
other questions, tho dispatch of an
eXpeditionary force to France. The
marshal WAS accompanied by Colonel
Spcndcr Cosby. of the United States
Army. who acted as interpreter.
President Wilson also conferred with
Rene Viviani. head of the mission,
during an informal luncheon at the
White House. Emile Hovelaquc gem
erai counselor of the mission, acted AS
interpreter.
Members OF the French naval and
military sections met with representa-
tives Of Great Britain during the day.
and there were talks with various
American officials. Information re-
garding all the conferences was
withheld.
FURNISHED SPECIAL. TRAIN
BN STATE DEPARTMENT
The visitors will leave Washington
at 3:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon for
Chicago aboard special train placed
at their disposal by the State Depart
ment. They will arrive about noon on
Friday
They will pass through certain sec
tions OF Indiana and Illinois Friday
morning" State Department an
nouncement said tonight.
The authorities along the route of
their procedure will be communica ted
with in time to notify the people OF
the various communities 1t is deemed
inadvsabie at the present time TO an
nounce these points. Further an
nouncement will be made from day
to day
After being entertained in Chicago
the party will go to Kansas City. ST.
Louis. Springfield. Illinois (to visit the
tomb Of Abraham Lincoln), Philadel-
phia. New York and BOSTON. From
Boston the visitors will return to
Washington and resume their confer
week or ten days.
CHoCHEPRAT VISITS
ACADEMY At ANNAPOLIS
Vice Admiral Chochepra, spent this
morning comforting with representa-
tives OF the Navy Department and in
the afternoon he visited the Naval
Academy at Annapolis.
Tonight NJ Niviani and NJ. Simon
were guests OF honor at dinner given
by Assistant Secretary of Agriculture
Nrooman, while Henry White, former
ambassador to France. entertained at
dinner in honor Of Marshal Joffre.
Later all the members OF the mission
attended private reception.
Tomorrow the Frcnchmen will visit
the House of Representatives. y DEM
onStration similar TO that which de-
reoped in the Senate when leading
members of the mission appeared there
is expected.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
ESTIMATES THE YEARS
I.l,\ESti ~ Si;.tS GnO OOO
May Insure Lives.

WASHINGTON. May 2.-Secretary
McAdoo has recommended to Congress
that the powers of the government war
risk insurance bureau be enlarged so
as to permit the insurnE Of lives OF
oAiccrs and men on merchant ships.
Liability for loss Of life would be
placed between $500 and $1,000. with
proportionate indemnity for injuries.
owners OF all vessels insured by the
government would be required to take
out insurance upon the lives OF officers
and crews.
To.nIgh,. phllharmontc orches,rs Cit,
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
BALFOUR TO APPEAR BEFORE
10TH HOUSES OF CONGRECS
IRy A associated Press.l


WASHINGTON. May 2.-Foreien Sec
retary Balfour head Of the British war
mission. will appear before both houses
OF Congress on Saturday. a privilege
never before accorded British official |.
In accepting to-day invitations Of
both the Senate and House to address
them at any time that he might prefer,
Mr.. 3alfour suggested Saturday at
1870 r. NJ.
Mr.. Ealfour spent most Of this after
noon with Secretary McAdoo and Sir
Hartman Lever at the Treasury De-
partment. after dcvotinE the morning
TO conferences at the missions head
quarters. British Ambassador Spring
Rice was among those who called, and
Mr.. Ealfour lunched with the French
mission AT the British embassy.
The trade discussions between Brit
ish and American officials are said now
TO have covered practically all the pre-
iiminary ground and TO he waiting on
additional information from England.
The South American trade situation
has received almost no attention as
yet, for the British have regarded il
as question TO be left largely to the
United States because of this country's
superior interests and better facilities
for dealing sympathctically with that
field.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
WILL co TO NEW YORK
FOR RIG WELCOME MI:i;TIS Sc

The british mission will go to New
York in about ten days TO join the
French for the welcome meeting
AIMED there. After that il is posSi-
BILE that the members will take a trip
through the Middle West, and possibly
to Canada. Several experts may remain
permanently in Washington. Included
would probably bc a shipping, muni-
tions, food and trade expert.
Reports OF fresh peace offers from
Berlin brought forth the statement
from the mission to-day that n series of
foelers were expected during the next
few months as an immense amount of
quiet peace effort has been under way
hy Teutonic emissarics, but no cre-
dence is being placed in their acccpta-
bility.
Germany was stated TO have made
advances to the entente proposing sur
rendering her conquests in the cast
and west on condition of.retaining her
Balkan way to Basdad and Mesopo-
tamia, but the allies have been more
united against that plan than against
any other proposal.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
No DIRECT NEWS
COMES FROM GERMANY

Rcyond an officially inspired dis
patch from Berlin stating that no dis
orders occurred in Germany during
May Day, the veil of secrecy which has
been drawn over the situation in the
central empires remains unbroken. as
far as any direct news is concerned.
News dispatches from the German
frontier speak of great strikes and
rumors pile UP on rumors in regard to
the growing unrest among the Tcu-
tonic nations, but there is little that
is tangible on which TO base a judg-
ment. Everything points to a crisis
having been reached in the internal
affairs Of both Germany and Austria,
but the outcome is uncertain.
The demand for internal reforms is
growing louder and more insistcnt in
Germany. and tho newspapers arc
voicinE this demand with Il boldness
never known since the commencement
OF tho war. The one certain thing OF
significance is that the German govern
ment is proceeding to unhoard- of
lengths to prevent the outside world
from learning the truth OF tho situa-
ton.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
j. S. BEING IN WAR ALTERS
FINANCIAL SITUATION
British Chancellor Confident This
Government Will Help Bear
Burdens OF Allies.
LATEST BUDGET INTRODUCED
Contains No Surprises and Fewer
Changes From Existing Taxation
Than Its Predecessor-Money Will
Not Prevent Victory, He Declares.

LONDON. May o.-Great Br'.an's
war budget for the fiscal year, which
..udrew Bonar Law. Chancellor of the
ENchequer introduced in the House or
Commons TO day contained no SUI
prises and fewer changes from the eA-
listing taxation than did the 1t avious
war budget. No new forms of taAatioE
we're proposed. The only changes were
increases in the excess profits tax.
which was raised 10 so pc. crui from
20 pc" cent. the plXciag Of excess profits
on munition works on the same oasis.
an increase Of tobacco duty by Is and
lod in the pound. and increased en-.
tertainment taXe' on the higher priced
tickets. Economy in the employment
OF ships by government imprcsen;ent
Of all vessels except sriall coasters at
fixed rates of pay also was anncIpced.
In beginning his announcement OF
the budget, Bonar Law said:
There is ground for thank :ulncss
that we are able ID bear the financial
strain laid upon us These ;iSurc; rep
resent part Of the price we have TO
pay for tn. greatest act OF madness
the greatest crime ever committcd IN
the history OF the world. We can still
say with our souls and consciences that
IL is a crime in which ". had no
share"
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
Continued on Second Pnge.)
S:nthccrr, naptI.t Csnyentlon.

Through sleeper for virEinia DELEGATES ,.av.
ins Riehmond ii;lS p; n. May - to New
TEN. Fare. 33l.s5. phone Mad 81. for
reNervations--Adv.
Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-03
rAfING BIG SHARI: OF EXPENSE;s
OUT OF HER INCOME

Eonar Law la:ti emphasis on the
statement that Great Britain was pay
ing Il greater share of her war ex-
pcnscs from her income than were the
other be!lgerents
lie proposed to make the excess
profits duty so per cent instead of co
per cont. this new rate 10 begin from,
January last. The muaition levy would
be merged into the excess pr..rt, tax
from that date.
I;onar Law estimated that the addi-
tional yield from the eNcess profits tax
would amount to 100 100000. II was
not intended. he stated. to deal with
shipping profits by means of this lax,
but by the reduisi;ioning Of vessels at
fixed prices.
The Chancellor estimated the cx-
penditure OF the present financial year
at i2,290,3S1 900. Asserting that the
entry of the United States into the
war had altered the financial situation,
lie said:
I'VE knew that to the extent Of her
abilities the government of the United
States would help us to bear the finau-
cial burdens of our allies. In the vote
"i credit for III. p;o.>rni year / put
down E41o.o0o for loans to our allies
and the Dominions. fl50.0o less than
last year, and hope this amount will
not he required
ESTIMATES TtIIs YEARS
IIiNEAlt NT sG:iS SOC, 200
The Chancellor estimated the total
revenue for the year at :63S.60 1000,
leaving fl,61l,7Sl.O00 to he covered by
loan.
Want OF money will not prevent us
from winning the victory" declared
Bonar Law. for we know we can hold