davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
Assumes Full Responsibility For
Success or Failure of Ship
building Program.
OUTLOOK IS HOPEFUL
Tells Senate Committee But One Yes
sell Has Been Finished to Date
But Prospects For Future Are
Brighter.

Washington, Dec. 24.-Chairman
Hurley of the shipping board, testify
ing at the Senate commerce commit
tees investigation, shouldered full
responsibility for the success or fail
ure of the governments shipbuilding
program.
Called as the first witness Mr.. Hur-
ley admitted that there have been de-
lays, but declared that the recent re-
organization of the boards emergency
fleet corporation for the first time
gives the chairman of the board prop
er authority and fixes responsibility
where it belongs. "The dual organiza-
ton of the board and the corporation, y
he said, has been done away with
and the present general manager OF
the corporation answers directly to
the chairman"
Accepts Blame n Plans Fail.
After testifying that he personally
approved and accepted all ships con.
tracts as president of the emergency
fleet corporation, Mr.. Hurley was ques.
liOhCu ny ocHhtOI I1hiulHB.
"All the finances of this big pro,
gram rest in your, hands,"
Eyes, sir"
mot in the hands Of the shipping
board?"
mo, sir"
Then, if the whole thing fails. II
will be your fault?"
Absolutely" said Hurley firmly.
New Legislation Not Needed.
"The present Organization" Mr.
Hurley said, ''is the only way that
ships can be built. We do not need
additional Legislation. II the head Of
the institution does not build ships II
is because of his inefficiency and moi
because of faults of the organization.
From Mr.. Hurley and from John A
Donald, who has been a member of the
board since it's creation, the commit
tee drew a long story of the trouble!
Of the board and the fleet corporation
starting with the row at the outse
between William Denman, first chair
man of the board, and Major Genera
Goethals, first general manager of tn,
feet corporation.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
Abandon Defensive for Offensive
on Northern Front and Meet
With Success.
HOLD ALL POSITIONS
Terrific Artillery Fire Falls to Dis
lodge Them From Recaptured
Terrain-comparativ Quiet
On British Front.

London, Dec. 24.-With signal sue
cess on several sectors, the Italians
on the northern line in. Italy, between
the Brenta and Piave rivers, have
ceased defensive warfare against the
Austro-Germans and assumed the Of
fensive.
Attacking positions which the enemy
had captured near Monte Asolone, Gen.
eral DiaZ's troops have gained a con-
siderable portion of terrain and held 1t
Notwithstanding terrific artillery fire
which was turned on them.
Berlin Tells Of Action.
The German war office, in endeavor.
ing to belittle success of the offensive,
which 1t asserts was repulsed, shows
that the effort Of the Italians was a
determined one, the troops to the west
OF Monte Asolone delivering seven at
tacks against the enemy front.
Admission is made in the German
communication that Italians have TAX
en- the initiative in fighting on Ponte
Pertica and Monte Solarolo, but 1t is
declared their attacks on these sectors
as on Monte Asolone, were without
success.
Quiet on British Front.
Comparative quietude prevails or
the British front in France and Bel
gium and along the French line run
ming from the region of st. Quentin
to the Swiss border, except for bonn
bardments and minor infantry opera
tions.
From the Verdun region to Hart
mansweilerkoff, in Alsace, the artillery
activity has been pronounced on vari
Gus sectors.
German Forces Tripled.
With the French Armies in Nerth
ern Italy, Dec. PA careful compila
tion OF the strength and disposition o
the tremendous Austro-German forces
which, originally concentrated for thu
Italian offensive probably. have beel
augmented by troops from the Russian
front, has just been completed by tA
French military authorities.
The summary shows that between
the middle of November and the mid
die of December the bulk of the enem.
forces has been steadily shifted from
the lower Piave line to the sector be
tween Vicor on the upper Piave an
the Asiago plateau, the part that 4
held by the French-until forces nov
trying to battle their way into tn
northern Italian plains have been neal
ly tripled.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
UKRANIANS FORM ALLIANCE
Rebels Have Cast Lots With Cossacks,
Defylna BoIshevikl.

London Dec. 24-The whole OF the
Ckraine is reported swept by the
fiaSaes of rebellion. This vast land,
inhabited by $4,000, 900 souls that form
the sixth race of Europe, apparently
has found the hour ripe to drive home
its centuries-old urge for independence.
Moreover, its leaders see chance to
lead their home land from the dark
days of enslavement under the car
to the most powerful, and-possibly rul-
ing racial entity in Russia.
The Rada, the governing body of
the Ukraine, apparently is maintaining
its determined stand against the Boil
sheviki government. 1t is reported
that it has converted its sympathies
with the movement of General Kale
dimes, the Cossack leader, into a defin,
lite alliance.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24

Maestricht, Holland, Dec. "a
British Admiralty per Wireless
Press) Workmen from Essen, Ger.
many, say that the Krupp plant, the
great German munitions establishment
has been ablaze for "a hours.
Expanded During War.
The plant at Essen, the main estab.
lishment of the Krupps, the largest
manufacturers in Germany of arms
and munitions employed about 80,
600 men before the war. 1t has been
expanded greatly during the war.
Facts relating to its present size and
the number of workmen are kept Sc
cret by the German government. II
was reported unofficially in October
of last year that about 10000 persons
including several thousand women
were at work there and that 10000
were to be added to the force.
Early this year there was a strike
at the Krupp works, said to have beer
due to lack OF food. 1t was reported
that 10000 workers were involved, anC
that the authorities combatted 1t b!
sending many of the men to the front
but little authentic information wa
permitted to come out of Germany.
Town Guarded Carefully.
Essen is In Rhenish Prussia, abou
40 miles from the Dutch border. Few
places in Germany are guarded mort
carefully. No persons unknown to tn,
German authorities are permitted Il
visit the town. The plant has beer
raided several times by French ant
British airmen, Notwithstanding it
formidable antiaircraft defenses. Pres
dispatches last July said 100 person
there had been killed in a raid b,
French airplanes and that considerably
damage had been done to the works.
Stockholm, Dec. ga great battl
| in the streets of Petrograd is re
ported from the Russian capital. Fou
army corps refused orders of tn
bolsheviki government to leave til
city. The bolsheviki sent othe
troops against them. The fighting wa
still in progress as the dispatch wa
sent from Petrograd
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
SUSPEND WEEK TO SAVE FUEL
Request 10 Made of Factories In
MIchiQan.

Washington, Dec. 24.-Fuel supplies
In Michigan have reached such low
ebb that Administrator w. X. Prudden
has asked manufacturers In that
state to suspend operations Of indus
trial plants from midnight tonight un-
til midnight December %. The only
exceptions are factories making war
munitions needed for prompt ship
ment.
Mr.. Prudden's request was con-
tanned in kilograms sent after a con-
ference here with Fuel Administrator
Garfield.
"A patriotic response and adapta-
ton of within request may obviate Is
suing positive orders covering long,
er period" the message said.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
Collision Of Planes In MLdalr.

Ft. Worth, Texas. Dec. 24.-One OH.
Ger and two cadets of the Canadian
Royal Flying corps were killed in
stantly when the two airplanes in
which the men were flying collided In
midair. The aviators were flying at a
height of several hundred feet when
the crash came, throwing the ma
chimes to the ground. The dead are:
Second Lieut.. r. G. Genner. Kingston
Ont, Cadet C. A. Baker, Kent, England
and Cadet A. Eden, Kingston, jana
ca. The three came from the British
aviation training fields In TorontA
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
Educator is Believed Suicide.

Palo Alto, Cal, Dec. 24.-Prof Ern.
est w. Pioneer, professor of mathema-
tisc at Stanford university, was found
dead in the kitchen of his home with
big shotgun wound in his breast. A
shotgun, with which the wound was
evidently inflicted, lay nearby. The
police believe Poncer committed sui.
eide. Professor Poncer was of German
birth and before America entered the
war was strong defender of Ger
many's cause. In recent months, how
ever, he has been silent, moody and
despondent.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
No More Fuel for Whistles.

Mitchell, s. D., Dec. 24.-For the
first time since the c., M. & st. p. rail-
road established division point here,
locomotive whistles will not announce
the arrival of the new year. Orders
to deviate from the custom are based
on the assertion that use of steam for
whistles wastes fuel.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
PLACES BLAME FOR SHORTAGE
Food Administrator Official Says Pro-
hjbition Makes Sugar Scarce.

Washington, Dec. 24.-Prohibition
was blamed for part of the sugar
shortage by George M. Ralph of the
food administration in his testimony
in the senate investigation.
Dropping of the use OF liquor by
soldiers and sailors and their natural
turning to soft drinks and candy that
require SO much sugar, had added
greatly to consumption.
The spread in the states of prohioi-
tion by local option has made steady
increase in the consumption of sugar.
he said.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
U-soat Crew Captured at Sea.

Paris, Dec. 24.-The captain and 21
members of the crew of the German
submarine which destroyed the old
cruiser Chateaurnault were captured
by French torpedo boats, according to
details received. The Chateaurenault
wos escorting several ships when at
tackled. The torpedo struck the star
board engine. French torpedo boats
bombarded the submarine which quick.
ly disappeared, reappearing NOM
ent later on the left. Gunners on the
cruiser fred as . second torpedo
sTuQk th4 shin
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
Cleveland Bank Robbers Get $4,000

Cleveland Bank Robbers Get $4,000.
Cleveland, Dec. 24.-Bandits held up
and robbed the East Seventieth street
branch Of the Garfield Savings banks
and escaped with $4,000 in money in
an automobile. The driver of the ban.
dit automobile was captured by the
police an hour otter the robbery. The
driver said the robbers employed him
to drive them to the bank and that he
did not know their identity.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
TO TRADE VESSELS FOR FOOD
Hollands Agreement With Y.
Contemplates Use Of Ships.

The Hague, Dec. 23.-Holland' 3
agreement with the United States
over food supplying contemplates
the use of a great part of Dutch ship
ping, Foreign Minister Loudon told
the chamber OF deputies He an
nounced his belief in an early con.
clusion OF such an agreement.
The pact, 1t was stated, would
provide Holland with necessary food
stuffs from the United States, In re-
turn for Holland placing at Americas
disposal q great part OF Hollands
merchantmen.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24

La Crosse, Wis, Dec. 24-Fred
Hahn of Cashton arrested and brought
here today for refusing to pay the war
tax on a railroad ticket emitting him
to ride from Tomah to Sparta, waived
examination and was released ON a
bond Of $1,000. He will appear before
United States grand jury.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
Great German Munitions Estab-
Iishment Afire, Workmen
Tell HoIIanders.
BATTLE IN PETROCRAD
Four Army Corps Defy Orders OF
6olsheviki To Leave City-En-
gage Troops Sent to Carry
out Command.

London, Dec. 23.-The report Is
reiterated that the Russian deIega-
ton to the peace conference at
Brest-Litovsk has been recalled
because the Germans would not
accept the Russian terms.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
German. LAYING for sanmIes.

acTmAHo 6SyuS iOt SsU"U'Vs.
Berne, Dec. 24.-The Germans are
boaSting that they intend to seek out
American troops on the west front and
"give them a lesson" according to
Bulgarian officers now here.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
Peru Put Embargo on Food stuffs.

PerU PUt Embar0o on roou otUnt.
Lima, Peru, Dec. 24.-Ths exporta-
ton of foodstuffs necessary for home
consumption is prohibited by bill
adopted by the senate. Sugar is the
chief product exported from Peru.
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
New loan Rumor False.

Washington, Dec. 24.-Denying re-
ports that the next Liberty Loan,
March Is, would be for $4,000, ,000, 900
at Az per cent, Secretary McAdoo de-
clared such rumors "mischievous and
hurtful." The report is wholly un-
founded" said McAdoo. Il wish l
could make the patriotic newspaper
men in America realize how mischiev.
Gus and hurtful to the interests OF the
country such speculative statements
are. When decision has been reach.
ed about the next Liberty Loan It VIII
b officially announced"
The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1917-12-24
Austria Backs Berlin In D

Austria Backs Berlin In Demand.
Paris, Dec. 23.-The captain and 21
pledged to support Germany In reten.
ton of Alsace-Lcrraine, according to
a dispatch printed in the Matin, pur'
porting to reveal the text of the agree
ment between the two biggest Central
powers. The Matin also asserts Ger
many had determined not to evacuate
Belgium and France unless her colo
uies were restored
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-11-22
SMALLEST WEEKLY TOTAL YET
RESULT OF ACTIVE MEASURES
TAKEN BY THE BRITISH AND
AMERICAN NAviEs.
Only Six British Merchantmen Sunk
During Week and Only One Of Those
Above 1900 Tons--itaiiaps Hold on
70 New Line Along Piave.

Cermany's submarine campaign Ia
waning as the result Of the stringent
measures that have been taken to
combat 1t by the British and American
naval forces. Last week only six
only one of these was craft exceeding
900 tons.
| This Is the smallest total OF vessels
sent to the bottom during any week
since the submarine warfare began.
the lowest previous figures having been
twelve merchantmen, eight OF them in
the category of 1,6O0tons and over.
and four of less than 1000 tons.
While the Italians continue to hold
tenaciously to most OF the new line
along the Piave river -rom the Adri-
attic sea to the region OF Feltre and
through the northern hills westward
from Feltre to Lake Gorda they again
have been compelled To give ground in
both sectors to the Teutonic allied
armies.
| Upon the shoulders or the Italians
alone for several days must rest the
security or the Piave line and Of his
toric Venice, for the information has
been vouchsafed by Major General
Maurice. chief director Of military
operations at the British war Office,
that 1t will be some days yet" before
British and French lighting forces can
be placed in the field to reinforce the
Italians
Meanwhile. the enemy is striving
eEergetically to force passages OF the
Piave at various points and again has
been successful on southern reaches
in crossing the stream at Grizola, four
miles distant from it's mouth and some
twenty miles northeast OF Venice
Here. however, in the swamp regions
the Teutons are being neld by the de.
Tending forces frsm further gains.
| The north around Zenson, where
the stream was negotiated by the
Austro-Germans Tuesday. fighting IFS
still In progress with the Italians hold
ing the upper hand, but not yet hav.
Ing been able to drive back the invad-
ers to the eastern bank of the stream.
Still farther north attempts to gain a
foothold on the western bank of the
Piave between Quero and Fenere were
repulsed with heavy casualties.
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-11-22
. SERWHEIMiNo ENDORSEMENT
GIVEN SAMUEL GoMPEns
: E. Of L. Delegates Approve His
Support Of President.

Buffalo. ". Y.--Union labor put its
stamp of approval on the attitude Of
Samuel Gompers. president OF the
American Federation of Labor, In
working hand in hand with President
Wilson and placing the needs OF the
nation above all other considerations
in questions involving the working.
mems part in a vigorous prosecution
OF the war against Germany.
The vote OF confidence came after
more than three hours of debate. in
which the pacifist element at the con.
vention OF the federation was given
ample opportunity to express itself
Out OF a total of 450 delegates. only
Is were recorded in opposition. The
garment workers OF New York, under
the leadership of Rose Shapiro, was
the only organization refusing to go
on record on the roll call.
The test OF strength came upon a
report from the committee on resolu
tions. The committee reported favor
ably resolution hdorsing the "pa
triotic work OF the Alliance for Labor
and Democracy which Mr.. Gompers
took an active part in organizing as an
Offset to the Peoples council, pa
cifist organization.
The attack on the resolution was led
by Delegate Barnes. OF Philadelphia.
He was supported. in addition to Miss
Shapiro. by Delegate Burke. OF the
Sulphite workers; Joseph p. Cannon,
of the Mine workers. and few others.
The alliance and Mr.. Gompers were
defended by Delegates Walker. of H..
linois; Brown. of Washington; Mat
thew Wall. OF the Photo Engravers;
George Barry, OF the PressmenS Max
s. Hayes. OF the Typographical union.
and Vice-President James Duncan.
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-11-22
AMBASSADOR FRANCES AND CON.
SUI GENERAL SUMMERS
MAKE A REPORT.
CONDITIONS ARE NOW CHAOTIC
Recommended That All Unattached
Women and Men Accompanied by
Children Leave-About 200 Ameri.
cans in Petrosrad.

Observation-Disclosures from Am.
bassador Francis. at Petrograd, and
Consul General Summers, at Mosco.,
received at the state department, said
all Americans in the two principal
Russian cities were safe. Conditions
In both places were represented as
quieter. but still chaotic.
Ambassador Francis reported that
he had obtained transportation from
Petrograd to Harbln over the trans.
Siberian railroad for Americans who
wished TO depart from the capital.
He had recommended that all unat.
tached women and children leave. or.
hcfals have estimated that there were
about zoo Americans in Petrograd.
No suggestion was made OF moving
the Americans from Moscow, although
the fighting in that city appeared to
have been more general and sanguin.
ary than that in Petrograd. During
the fiercest of the street battling
many Americans were gathered In
the Hotel Metropolis.
Ambassador Francis dispatch said
the Petrograd city duma had not rec.
ognized the Lenine-Trotzky faction
and that many OF the government de.
partments were closed while overs
were operating under subordinate Of.
details. A few Bolsheviki newspapers
were appearing at intervals with fire.
Quent changes OF names and banks
were open part of the time Dis.
patches from the state department
were beginning to reach Mr.. Francis,
the first one being dated November 8
aud containing the American-Japan.
ese agreement regarding China.
Conditions in Moscow. Consul Gen.
eral Summers dispatch under date. of
November IL, said. had somewhat
improved after q week OF lighting.
The maximalists had taken over the
government.
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-11-22
NEW CABINET ANNOUNCED
BY M. CLEMENcAu
Formation Is Completed Within 20
Hours.

Formation Is Completed Within oi
Hours.
Paris.--M Clemepceau presented
the ministry 10 President Poincare
the ministry to President Poincare.
The new ministry follows:
Premier and minister OF war.
George Clemenceau.
Minister of foreign affairs, Stephen
Pinchon.
Minister OF Justice. Louis Nall.
lainister of interior. Jules Pans
Minister Of finance. Louis Klotz
Minister of marine, George Ley
gues
Minister of commerce. Etienne
Clementcl
Minister of public works. Albert
Claveille.
Minister OF munitions, Louis Louch-
eur
Minister OF instruction, Louis Laf-
ferre.
Minister OF colonies. Henri Simon
Minister of agriculture, Deputy Col
tiord
Minister OF labor. Victor Boret.
The rapidity OF the formation OF
the ministry establishes a record In
French politics. Premier Clemen-
ceau began his task at o'clock In
the afternoon and completed il
within "a hours.
A committee OF radicals and radi-
cal socialists, by vote OF SO TO 26.
approved OF members of the party
participating in the ministry.
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-11-22
PREDICTIONS MADE az SPEAKER
AT NAVAL ARCHITECTS AND
ENGINEERS MEETING.
DEUTCHlAND'S TRIP IS CITED
Speakers Believe That Submarins Il.
self VIII BE Best Defense Against
German undersea eoats--other EN-.
ampIes.

New York.-Predict.ons that enemy
submarines will soon make their ap.
pearance of American ports, that the
submarine will be found to be tha
best antidote for the submarine. and
that the great world powers In the
near future will have fiotillas of ICON.
tra-submarines" especially built for
operating against undersea craft, were
made by speakers who addressed the
annual conventions of the Society OF
Naval Architectes and Marine Engt
neers here.
Simon Lake, the inventor. pointed
to the possible danger to American
shores from the submarine menace.
He cited the transatlantic trips of
the merchant submarine Deutschland
and the activities OF the U.53 OF the
North Atlantic seaboard as examples
OF what is possible with the submn
rine
Commander r.. s. Land of the Unit
ed States navy. took issue with Mr.
Lake when the latter said he did not
believe the submarine could be ef-
fectively used against the submarine
"A submarine can fight a subma
rine as we'll as a battleship can fight
battleship," said the commander
Though he said foreign tendencies in
submarine construction were toward
displacements of 1000. 5000 and
even 5000 tons, Commander Land
declared his belief that craft OF tho
SO0-ton type are now being most
generally built because OF their
adaptability for ell-year use.
Marely F. Hay predicted the do
velopment of "contra-submarne,"
or submarine-fighting umdersea boat
which would do most of its work
while submerged.
Estimates that Germany had In
commission over 700 submarines last
May and that she would have in serv-
ice total OF 1900 under sea craft by
the end of the year, were discredited
by Mr.. Hay.
1T does not seem possible that
Germany had more than 200 subma-
rines in commission last May" he
! said. Information at hand would
indicate that the actual recent output
has been approximately ten subm.,
rines month"
Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1917-11-22
ITALIANS ARE NOW HOLDING
INVADERS IN CHECK
Italian Northern Line Has Evidently
Been Strengthened.

Been strenethened.
With the Russian situation still OBJ
scure by reason of the fact that no
direct advices are being received
from Petrograd or Moscow. the Ital.
ian situation remains OF transcendent
interest in the news OF the world war
Everywhere along the battle front
from Lake Garda eastward, and
thence southward along the Piave riv-
er to the Adriatic sea. the Italians
are holding the enemy in check, ex-
cept in the hiliy region I'm the Vicinity
OF the Asiago plateau. where addition.
al gains have been made by the invad.'
ers. The new advances by the Teu.
totnic allies, as observed on the war
maps. do not indicate that points OF
extremely great strategic valu have
been won. but rather that the Italians
on various sectors have given ground
before superior numbers and at the
same time have straightened out and
lessened the length OF their front.
In the hills north OF the Venetian
plain. General Diaz. the new com
mander-in.chief OF the italians has
withdrawn his advanced posts south
OF Monte Tomatico.