davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02
CONSCRLPTTON \ WILL CALL FOR
 21 TO 35 YEARS
While No Agreement Has Been Reached Yet by Conference Committee, It Is Thought That This Limit Will Be Accepted Will
 Not Accept the Roosevelt Amendment

Washington, May 1.-Conferences the army bill passed for time by the Senate today probably will begin for several days Conees of the Senate and House will meet tomorrow but they have also the task of smoothing
 differences the annual army appropriation b and they will take up that task first
 There many points disagreement appropria
 on bill and leaders hope both completed in time to have President Wilson attach his signature during the ent week
 The Senate passed the bill again today clear paa nentary tange without any prolonged discussion and without serious effort the struggle the volunteer opposed to the seectve draft feature which consumed most of the time in last weeks debate Senator LaFolette spoke support of substitute with referendum raising army by draft send to Europe but defeated 68 to
 Principal points of difference between the Houses include the Roosevelt volunteer amendment the Senate M the difference the ages subject to seectye draft the Senate bill specifying those between Y and N and the House 21 to 40 and the Senate bills army prohibition section.
 compromise expected the limits possibly fixing the minimum and the maximum at 35 The House repre- senaves probably will accept the Roosevelt amendment would permit the former President to raise four infantry divisions for duty foreign soil
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02
House Makes Neu Record h Voting
 MoneyForWar Use

Washington, May 1.-The House set . record today for quick action of major appropriations, completing debate at a single brief session on an omnibus emer- &ency war bill carrying nearly $s0oO. 900, 10 It will be pasesd tomorrow. proba- 1ly with only a few votes against it. No opposition was voiced during the dis cussion today. and the only important change made was in the adoption of an amendment doubling the pay of enlisted men in the army.
 "Out of a total of $2 s27. .65S,s5S carried by the bill S2.s20. .5sl. .9O7 is for the military stablishment For the navy s50S. .S99. .67s u provided, and the remainder goes to other departments for miscellaneous pur- poses, including extraordinary expenses due to the war. The bill is based on de- pArtmental estimates totalling 8, 460, s4o. ees. the appropriations committee having eliminated more than $6oO. 100000 by par tnG down the amounts requested to the point Of urgent necessity.
 The military appropriation, which Is in addition 10 the regular annual army and fortincation bills and the $SOoo, ,coo.0 600 pro- posed as an Initial appropriation for the new war army includes items of $2$t, ,oo0, 0oo for clothing and camp and garrtspn sauippass; >1so.coo.cQo fer ofdnanct
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02
FOOD LEGISLATION IS
 BE IN t HURRIED BY HOUSTON

Washington, May 1.--To make available quickly an appropriation for food sur vey, the department of agriculture today cultural committees agreed to have the administration food control legislation re- introduced in Congress in separate bills. One measure, expected to pass without delay, will carry s25,000,00O appropriation for the survey and will provide for en- arging the departments staff to permit superevision of seeding operations: an other will include provisions for licensing and controlling storage and distributing concerns. The latter probably will meet with considerable opposition.
 Both the House and Senate committees continued hearings during the day. Sec retary Houston before the House commit tee urged prompt action on the legisla- ton proposed and outlined the govern ment's price fixing measures to be writ ten later.
 The Senate committee heard Governor Frazier of North Dakota who declared he believed farmers of his state would not oppose minimum price fixing. Prices have been set by gamblers. he said. and farmers, he thought, would not object to the government fixing them if prices are made fair and equitable.
 The federal trade commission again to- day heard representatives of state food boards on food conditions throughout the country Most of the delegates blamed high prices on middlemen. Some said a labor shortage had much to do with short crops and suggestions were made that orientals be imported for farm labor.
 The food problem will be taken up to- morrow at a conference with represen- tatives of state defense councils with the national defense council
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02
PLAN nFFFNSES OF
 MISSISSIPPI RIVER

St Louis, May 1.-The relatio of the Mississippi river and its tributaries 10 national defense plans will be eonsiG- cred at the river conference here Mas 8 and g.
 Secretary of War Baker today tete- graphed to the arrangements commit tee asking that the territories of the Red river. the Illinois and the Qua , chita be represented at the meeting Gen. William Black. chief of engineers of the army. will attend the conference as the representative of Secretary Baker.
 The telegram from Secretary Baker said that conference in Washington today attended by Chairman Small of the House rivers and harbors commit- tee. Secretary Baker and General Black. it was deemed that the meeting here was of supreme importance frorl the viewpoint of national defense Plans to operate a transportation line between New Orleans and St. Paul will be announced at, the meeting
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02
Men Training for
 Officers May Receive
 One Hundred Monthly

Washington. May 1NxSpeciaD The Ala bama boys who are anticipating course of military study in the officers train ing camp to be esta blished at Fort Mo Pherson, Ga. May 8, will be glad to know that in all probability Congress will en- act a law requiring the government to pay them sl0o per month.
 Representative Dent, chairman of the House military committee stated this afternoon that the war department had communicated to him it's desire that such y, law be enacted. A canvass of the Committee indicates that 1t will act in accordance with the wishes of the de- partment. When such a bill Is reported, there is no queation but that 1t win be readily passed.
 The payment of $1OO q month will cer- tainly act as an Aspiration and 1t Is ar,- ticipAted that the training camps ':.hroughout the United States will be taxed to their cal 4city.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02

stores; $ss, 100000 for automatic machine guns; $s,750, 000 for civilian training camps: $609, 0oo,o00 for coast and insular foftifica- tions and s4a0o. 600 for fortifying the Pan- anna canal
 More than $125 5.00O, 900 was added by the amendment increasing the pay for en- listed men from $15 to 80 a month. pre- posal already accepted by both Senate and House as part of the army draft bill, but transferred to the appropriation measure today to facilitate final enact ment. It brings up to more than $s25, ,ooO, 600 the total appropriation in the bill for army pay.
 In the aggregate of more than $5O0O0o. : 900 carried for the navy are included items of sl1.0O0oOo for aviation, N,77SoOo for. outfits for newly enlisted men, s200. 100000 for the ordnance bureau. in- scluding ,6O,o0000O for ship ammunition, ss,ooO,Ooo for medical @tores and supplies, and more than s25. .0oo.ota for the marine corps, including N.sls.0o0 for the military stores of that branch Of the service.
 Among tho miscellaneous items is one of nearly No,0oo for additional guards for treasury department buildings through out the country. A total of $4s600O gos, to the bureau of standards. larkely to cover standardization work carried On with the army and navy in the irterest Of defense.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02
United States VIII SendArn1yto Europel Al Earliest Moment

Washington, May 1.-The United States stands ready to send an army to Europe whenever the allies deem it wise to divert the necessary shipping from trans porting food to transporting men.
 It became known definitely today that the government has offered the allies troops. but has suggested that the alarm ing shortage of world shipping may make it impractical to send them at once. In spite of objections of the general staff to putting any American force on the firing line before the great war army has been raised and trained, the admin istration has determined that the small contingent earnestly desired by France for moral effect shall be sent as soon as possible. The general belief here is that the way soon will be. found
 Whether the force first to carry the Stars and Stripes into battle in France shall be made up Of regulars or nation~.. Guardsmen. or both. has not been worked
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02
.CARRANzA NOW CONSTITUTIONAL PRESIDENT MEXICO Simple Ceremony Is Carried Out When First Chief" Takes Over Organized
 Government

Mexico City, May 1.--Venustiano Car ranza late today took the oath of of flee as the first constitutional Presi- of Francisco Madero on February 25, 1913. Backed by a majority of near ly S00.000 votes. given him by the Mexican people at the March elections. President Carranza drove from the na- tional palace to the Chamber of Depu- ties and swore to uphold the new con stitution
 President Carranza left the presi- dential gate at the palace at o'clock in an open carriage drawn by mag nificent team of bays Seated by him was General Obregon, minister of war in the provisional cabinet and the man who more than any other is credited With enabling the President to weather the storms of the last four years. The carriage was escorted by the sur vivors of the signers of the plan of Guadalupe. which formed the basis of the revolutionary scheme.
 The streets were lined by double ranks of soldiers who presented arms as the cortege passed. As the Presi dent emerged from the palace a presi- dential salute of 21 guns was fired ana bands alona the route commenced to play the national anthem. At the Chamber of Deputies President Car ranza was received by committee of congressman. who led him to the ros- rum where the president of the cham trum where the president of the cham
 The ceremony was extremely simple consisting of the reading of the oath and General Carranza's s reply, q swear it.. The President then re-entered his carriage and returned to the palace
 The members of the diplomatic corps attended the ceremony and subse- quently returned with the President to the palace. where United States Am bassador Fletcher. as ranking member. offered the President the congratula- tions of foreign nations on Mexico's return to constitutional government
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02
TRIAL OF PROFESSOR
 VAWTER FOR KILLING .HETH IS STARTED

Christiansburg, Va, May 1.-The story of the shooting of Stockton Heth. Jr., prominent virginian. by Prof Charles E. vawter of Virginia Poly technic institute in the home of yaw- ter at Blacksburg last March, as told by vawter when he gave bond, was -recited by the state at the opening of Vawters trial here today on a charge of murder Commonwealth Attorney Roop said Vawter had admitted shoot ing Heth during a struggle in tie Vawter home early on the morning of March 13. On two previous occa sions, vawter said, Heth had choked him into insensibility when he pro- Mrs. Vawter were too intimate, ac- cording to the commonwealth attorney
 Professor vawter pleaded not guilty at the opening of the trial today. Se lection of jury was disposed of with out serious difficulty. vawter was vis- ibly nervous. but his voice was clear. Mrs. Vawter was not in court
 Attorney Roop. reciting vawters plea before the bailacoinmissioner,- e.. clared the defendant had asserted that he had found Heth and Mrs. vawter in compromising position more than once. Heth, the attorney said, had brought intoxicating liquor to the Vawter home many times in order to get into yawter's good graces One night last summer vawter met his wife coming from the direction of Heth's room and upbraided her Heth ap- peared and choked him into insensi- bility.
 According to the statement, vawter then attempted to have Mrs. vawter avoid Heth and an agreement was. reached that this would be done
 On the night of the shooting, ac- cording to the statement. the Vaw- ters returned from theatre and found Heth in their home. He had a flask of whisky and the entire party took drink, calling in Bernard Williams, Virginia Polytechnic institute student, to join them. They then played cards until midnight and retired
 Prof and Mrs. vawter had been in their room only a few minutes, vawter is alleged to have said when Heth knocked at the door. He entered with a quart and a pint of whisky vawter said he took one drink and Heth two or three. After a brief conversation Heth departed.
 About 3 o'clock in the morning. Wave ter's statement said, he awakened and went into the hall. He saw his wife en- tering the room of the little vawter boy. Vawter said he went downstairs to get his revolver. Mrs. vawter followed and remonstrated with him. He said he re- fused to give her the weapon and upon going upstairs he met Heth near the landing A struggle followed and vawter fired three shots
 Attorney Calhoun. for the defense, de-
 tContinued on Page Two)
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02
JEFF HARR|S0N'S STORY WILL FREE
 MEN CONVICTED.

Montgomery, May 1.-(Special )-Jen Harrison, who pleaded guilty to com plicity in the robbery of Louisville and federal court Tuesday, was sentenced to 9 years in the Atlanta prison by Judge Clayton. After the jury convicted him on his pleas, Harrison told the court John Williams, Frank Moore and Harry Marks, now serving terms for the rob- bery of an Alabama Great Southern train at Bibbville, had nothing to do with the crime. This indicated that he knew who held up the train. An effort will be made to have the three released at once.
 Montgomery, May 1.--(Special.)- J., Henry Grady Webb. Birmingham automobile supply dealer by day and train robber by night, told jury in the United States court Tuesday that Ben F. Mckee. Ala bama City automobile dealer. who was convicted of complicity in the robbery of a Louisville and Nashville passenger train at Greenville, was in the crime; that the others were himself and Jeff Harrison and that Jeff Harriosn led the gang
 It was the first time positive informa- ton had been obtained that Mckee was involved in the crime, although evidence was sufficient to give him sentence of 20 years ill the Atlanta prison. Webb testified that the three held up the train after Jeff Harrisoi in whose case he ap- peared as a prosecuting witness, had agreed to plead guilty He was put on the stand in order that the mystery of the robbery might forever be cleared.
 Webb disappeared from Birmingham shortly after the robbery at Greenville and was arrested In the west recently after having entered a medical school. of train robbery there and pleaded guilty. prison. He escaped while en route to prison, but was recaptured two weeks ago.
 Jeff Harrison's version of the Greenville robbery was slightly different, he main tainins that he was not the leader. out that Dick Harrison. paralytic member of the gang, had ordered another rob- bery on the threat of squealing if he was not provided with money The rob- bery was committed in order that he might be silenced. No one knows how much money was obtained.
 Mckee was arrested at Alabama City and currency bearing serial numbers of currency lost in the robbery were taken from his pockets. Harrison was arrested next. then Webb. As result the entire gang is now behind the prison bars.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02

out. The subject was not discuss-.l today's cabinet meeting but se{retary Baker remained afterward Tor tonser- ence with President Wilson.
 Little doubt exists that the French will gladly put up with any sacrifice neces- sary to have American troops in France as the great plea of their mission has been for troops with the American flag. They have pointed out that this Ia needed to convince the Germans beyond doubt that all America's resources have been thrown into the battle.
 The British also are known to bo anxious to have American troops ln France as final earnest of American participation. but there is reason to ho- lieve that they have taken someWhat more detached view than the French. Overcome by the whole-heartedness of American cooperation in tho war, tnay believe that the one essential is to mar shal the common resources to the ereatest advantage. With their respcnslbllfty fon tonnage their decision about the a1vi6k ability of sending an sxpedition foree v uncertain.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02
Summary of The News
GENERAL NEWS

GENERAL NEWS 1-Witnesses tell court Of easy time given them in Jefferson county tail.
 Trial of Professor VaWter for the murder of Heth is started. Jeff HarrisOn's story will free men convicted. Carranxa now cOnstitutfOnaI pres ident of Mexico Conscription will be for men from 21 to 35.
 Food lcgislatiOn will be heard by Secretary Houston. French army is again victor in great battle.
 LOCAL NEWS 5-Birminaham today pays homage to daughter of nations president. Ihirty-one cann<sag plants at yar;- Ous centern of state. Spring reunion of Alabama's Scot < tfsh Rite Manons. Consoiidation of officers effec- tive.
 Trnss declares streets ef wylnm are In repafF. Tick eradicatipn given setback I,y board of Revenue. 5-Expeet 400e Red Cross naemherx.
 FEATEHES 4-Edttertal ceuam~pt. G--Eeciety. a-e1erts, >11--Aorksts.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02
SENATE TAKES UP
 ESPIONAGE BILL


 Washington. May 1.-The administra- ton espionage bill was taken up by the Senate tonight and made the unfinished business with view to passing it dur ing the present week.
 The so-called censorship section al- ready has been approved by the Senate, but there will be opportunities during the week to consider it again A pro- vision authorizing the President to de- clare an embargo on exports that mig ht go through neutral countries to Germany and Austria is expected to lead to viz orous opposition.
 A similar bill is pending before the House where Representative Kahn oi California announced today he would in- troduce an amendment to place the power of censorship in the hands of committee |consisting of four experienced newspa- per men and one representative each oi the state. war and navy departments.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02

Iohey general.
 t was field day for the state. Dfore the court recessed at 6 o'clock uitil 10 o'clock Wednesday morning eIe state had submitted testimony
 Towing that prisoners were allowed seys, that condemned men were per ihitted to leave the prison and go to 1.-the yard for exercise, that Tony Ma Iona and Sam Macena, condemned Italians, who escaped with Overton, were often in the corridors and yard and were used as servants and painters about the building and that Malona, Macena and Overton visited fellow prisoner in the hospital in the jail yard several times after the three had been sentenced to death.
 MALLS DAMAGING WITNESS
 Charles M. Nails, former circuit clerk of Madison county, who is now under bond on charge of being implicated with Overton in the murder of Probate Judge Lawler, was one of the most dam aging witnesses against Sheriff Batson. In the first place. he admitted that soon after he was placed in the Jefferson county jail he was appointed to keep the books of the inside warden, whose room was just outside the cell division. to reg ister all prisoners confined or released ;,, nrtf If ho n side door, he having key to the so-
 lied inside or second door.
 M SSlls declared that he saw Tony Ma xs and sam Macena, death sentence
 .goners, outside the jail many times.
 ;Tona did painting about the prison for
 Jeral days Joe Fowler, lifetime con-
 jt, had the privilege of the yard and
 hs assigned to duties outside prison hlls, according to Nails
 vtThe witness said Sheriff Batson saw Yony Malona outside the prison at least bne time, but ordered him and all others lagain confined the day Joe Fowler dis fappeared. Nails mentioned that he saw Walter Fogg, death sentence prisoner. outside the prison several times.
 However Nails said no prisoners were allowed OutSlQe the WhiiS WHICH Suliouiiu the jail.
 On cross examination Attorney Burr at tempted to prove that Nails has been promised his liberty. Nails denied that he had been promised his release, but had been assured that motion would be made to have the charges dismissed be- cause no evidence had been found against him.
 VISITED INJURED MAN
 w. c. Clements, who was in jail on a charge of violating the prohibition laws. testifled that shortly before Overton and others escaped his leg was broken and that Overton, Malona and Macena visited him in the prison hospital, building separated from the main prison, sev-l eral times. Clements said he could not --.sf that the sheriff was ever in the jail while liberties were being given to the death sentence prisoners. He testified that Malona did much of the locking up of prisoners at night. M. E. Colson, who was in jail at the time Overton and the other prisoners es- capped. said that on the morning of the escape he and the inside warden with others were eating breakfast in a cell
 (Continued on Page Two) T
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02

for the purpose of observing any possfb movement of the enemy infantry. Oye2 head could be heard at low altitudq whirring motors of German airf trying vainly to locate the Fren/ teries.
 Numbers of tracing bullets tails of light were sent up in outline the flyers, but the al rot fire at them and the Gerns # evidently disappointed over ther fuih cessful search for batteries, went off41 lombard the open towns of Chalons an Epernay
 When the French infantry attack bel gan at 12:40 o'clock today, the FrencH line passed from just north of the Romara read near Prunay, through the Bois De La Grille and along the crests of Carnillet and Monthaut to Moronvilliers. In the west and the center the French advanced rapidly, but on the wooden mountain slopes the fighting was harder and the Germans counter attacked frequently with light fresh troops, at one point re- gaining section they had lost only to be driven out of it later on.
 The French officer at the close of the
 tContinucd on Page Twol
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02
WITNESSES TELL COURT OF EASY TIME
 GIVEN THEM LN JEFFERSON COUNTY JAIL
Charles ". NdZls Tells of Keeping Books In OHlce OtW0rden Prisoners All0Wed 10 Visit the
 Jail Hospital
By FRED Fl. aoRMLEY

tgomery, May ElSpecial) )The story of how David D murderer of w. T. Lawer probate judge of Madi son cny other condemned prisoners released from tne cells the Jefferson county jail after conviction and the liberties of the prison yar and how other prison ers used about the locking other prisoners and in soft stand owned by the sheriff told to court Tuesday afternoon the trial of the mpeach mt case brought against Sheriff Thomas Batson by the at
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-05-02
FRENCH ARMYS
 AGAIN VICTOR M BIG BA TITLE
Germans Are Forced to Engage in Fight Over a Front Extending Six to Seven Miles, and at End of the Day They We're Forced Back
 by Continuous Assaults
rnoM \ STATE conREsroNpENr AssooIATEp rnEss

FROM A
 Grand Headouarters of the French Army the French Front April 3OThe Germans forced to in battle again today along front extending between and miles o inc eastward of Rheims The French attack delivered from short distance souhwar of Bene to MoronvlerE Not wstandng the difficulties of the task confronting them tn French at of the day had tactical victory and
 nred considerable territory although most obstinate fighting continued and every advantage being with the defenders