davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
West to Have New
Oil and Coal Era
Great Development Predicted
When Bills Pass Opening
Government Lands

WASHINGTON, Dec. IA new era
Of development in the West by tAe
unlocking of natural resources was
predicted to-day by Western members
o. Congress in charge of :he coal and
oil land leasing bills ard the water
power bill.
About 100000 acres OF coal lands
in fourteen states, chiefly in the West
and Alaska. ana many water power
sources in navigable and non-nayiga-
bic streams viii be thrown open 10
private development. In addition the
government also proposes to spend
millions Of dollars itself in developing
California oil resources for naval use.
Although the legislation provides
that most Of the development shall be
By private enterprise, except the Fed
eral development Of the California oil
reserve, it also provides for govern
ment receipts from sales and rentals
of coal and oil lands. No direct gov
eminent development is planned, ac-
cordng to Senator'S interested in the
legislation, except in the California oil
feds.
Liberal leases Of tracts Of coal and
oil lands up 20 $3.50 acres are proposed
IN the pending bills.
Outright sale Of coal lands to private
individuals or companies also is con-
templated under certain conditions,
while TIE hydraulic development for
power, light and irrigation purposes
would be under Federal permit on q
royalty basis.
Consideration of the coal and oil
leasing bill will be resumed Monday
by the Senate. under a virtual agree
meut for elimination Of the long con-
troversy over the naval reserve in
California.
Senator Swanson. of Virginia. ex-
rccts 70 introduce Monday a bill
drawn by the Navy Department, either
separately or as an amendment TO the
coal and oil bill, proposing an appro-
priation OF sljO,00O.O00 for the devel-
opmert of the California reserve, Of
which 100000 would be Immediately
available TO condemn properties in the
reserve claimed By private individuals
and corporations, with a view to i'm
mediate government development.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
James F. Koran


BRoNXvILLE, y. y. Dec. i5.--Jsmes
T. Koran. Of the law firm OF Geller'
Rolston & Koran, 20 Exchange Place
Manhattan, died to-day at his home
here. following short Illness. lie
was ifty-six years old. His profe'
SIGNAL career began in the early
'sos in the Office OF Turner, Lee
4 Mcclure. In 1900. with the Iato
Herbert Il. Turner and Louis y. Rol-
ston. no organized the firm OF Turner
Rolston g. Koran. which in 1909 was
succeeded by the present firm.
Mr.. Hornn had been for number Oh
Years president and director Of tho
County Trust Company OF Whites
Plains. a director OF the First National
Bank of White Plains. trustee OF
the Home Savings Bank OF White
Plains. a director Of the Westehester
and Bronx Title and Mortgage Guar
anty Company and member OF the
Wes.chester County Bar ASsoclatiopn'
lie leaves his wife, a daughter, VINO
ia the wife Of Colonel Leon 5. kou-
diez. L. s. A.. and two sons, Lieutenant
Earl Campbell Koran, L. S. A.. ana
STANLEY Gray Koran, U. S. y. r.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Judges Charge Is Not Con-
sidered Favorable to the
Defendant
Motive Is Dwell On
Veniremen Are Told They
Can Find Either First or
Second Degree Verdict
(Sfnf CorrespoHdeEccl

CONCORD, y. c., Dec. 15.-The life
OF CASTOR b. Means, on trial for the
murder Of Mrs. Maude a. King, was
placed in the hands Of the twelve farm
ers and weavers who constitute his
jury precisely at 7 o'clock this evening
by Judge l.. u. Cline. Late tonight
the court was still awaiting word from
the little room atop the courthouse,
where the jury is celebrating. CASTOR
Means, his wife and father were to-
gether in the accused mans cell, also
waiting for the verdict.
The last day of the trial began with
L. T. Canoler. chief of the defence
battery, closing his imprisoned appeal
20 the jury to recognize the existence
Of reasonable doubt that Means
killed the wealthy New York widow in
the darkness Of Blackwelder Spring on
August 90 and acquit him of the charge.
Then came Leroy Campbell Caldwell
renowned throughout the state as a
Jury speaker" who summarized the
states case. lie depicted with homely
phrase and telling force the rise to
aff'uence OF CASTOR Means, the fall
TO comparative poverty OF the once
wealthy widow and her subsequent
death while she was alone with Means.
"A verdict OF murder in the first de-
gree is demanded and expected by the
state" he concluded.
Iudne Cline heOa hi4 oh roro n n
jury ct 1880 p. VI. lie made no at
tempt 70 review all the voluminous and
complicated evidence which has been
rdduced, but summarized and analysed
the salient points OF the testimony
which supports the contentious OF
prosecution and defence. The Jury, he
said, could find the defendant guilty Of
murder in either the first or second
degree. The states contention that il
had shown generalization by intro
ducing evidence OF Mears's purchase
CT the cApath-dealing pistol. his So
ca He'd rehearsal" oi the crime at the
tragedy scene q few hours before Mrs.
King was killed and his action in hay
ing the pistol oiled and put in perfect
condition before the fatal target
shooting party, should be carefully
considered. he declared.
Similarly, great attention, he said,
should be given TO evidence touching
upon Heans's administration of Mrs.
Kings financial affairs. By this evil
dence the state asserts il has shown
a strong motive for crime. Judge Cline
impressed upon the jury that, under
the law, it is not necessary for the
prosecution to establish a motive for
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
New York Draws
On Last Supply
OF Reserve Sugar
Part of Purchase by Ex-
Gar Nicholas Help Make
Grocers Cheerful

The corner grocer emerged yesterday
morning from tho cloud Of suspicion
which has OF late surrounded him.
There was sugar in his boxes. sugar in
his barrels, and sugar was his smile
rs he dealt out his fair allotmcnts 10
his patrons. For new supply Of sugar
had arrived, and hc was passing Il
along.
Il was indeed cheerful day in the
grocery trade. this opening day of the
great sugar sale. Tnetown had just
about struck rock bottom, so far as
sugar was concerned. Thousands OF
families were without any At all. Poo
pic were reduced to buying rock candy
az 25 cents a pound 20 find an nm
favored sweetcning for tea and cofee
The sugar that appeared yesterday
in Manhattan groceries Is part OF the
1000. OOO-pouud final reserve Of New
York City. Part Of il came from the
refneries and part from the ware
houses. The latter was the last OF the
Russian consignment. bought by Mich
olas Romanof, former Graz of all hte
Russias. The sugar. which had been
stored in New York City for more than
a gear. was Communicated about
month ago by the government.
BY next Monday or Tuesday there
will be sugar in the groceries OF other
boroughs. The distribution had not
reached all sections OF Brooklyn or
Queens yesterday.
The onus Of boarding and profteer-
ing was further removed from the
mantle OF the grocery guild yesterday
by the arrest OF 4 shirtwalst manu-
facturer in The Bronx on the charge OF
boarding sugar. The arrest was made
at the instigation Of District Attorney
Swami. who said that the next few
days might lead to the uncoverlng OF
clique Of men, not connected with
the grocery trade at ALL boarding sugar
and other prime necessities.
The man arrested is Hyman BorrOk.
u naturalized citizen living in 1860 Dos
ton road. Borrok was found 70 have
i,fty-twO barrels Of graduated sugar
stored in warehouse OF the +. I.
Linde Company, 636 Greenwich street.
He was arraigned before Justice John
j. Freschi in the Court Of Special Ses-
sioHs. sitting as a committing magis-
trate. and was held over IN bond OF
500 for a hearing on December %.
He admitted that he was the owner Of
the sugar. which he had bought IN two
lots in 1916. paying : cents for one
lot and cents for the other. lie said
he had intended going into the syrup
business. but admitted
never having made any. Borrow said
he had sold two barrels at $50 cents
per pound.
Federal Food Administrator Williams
said that he would order the sugar
seized tomorrow, and that It would be
distributed at government prices.
Mr.. Williams had large signs nailed
yesterday on the doors Of the two East
Side wholesale grocers, Herman Dwor-
ks and Goldberg g. Cohen, whose places
Of business We're closed By the Federal
Food Board The inscription on the
igns is "Closed by the Federal Food
Board"
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Gompers to Hear
East Side Charges
Will Meet Committee of
Unemployed Garment
Workers

Samuel Gompers, president Of the
American Federation Of Labor viii
take up this afternoon the question Of
unemployment on the East Side with
committee OF union cloak makers APP
pointed at a mass meeting Of unem-
ployed in Webster Hall on Friday af-
ternoon.
These unemployed, members OF the
International Garment Workers Union,
affiliated with the Federation, charge
they are Disseminated against by
the Amalgamated Clothing Workers
Union, which they allcge is favored BY
the Board OF Control Of Labor Stand
ards of Army Uniforms. This board
has the final say on all contracts for
uniforms.
Sidney Hillman, general president Of
.he Amalgamated Union, sent ou, a
letter yesterday denying that his is a
pacifst organization or affiliated with
the PEOPLES Council, though two Of his
associates in the national executive
committee of the union were elected
delegates to the Peoples Council con-
vention which finally met in Chicago.
These two were Joseph Schlossberg,
general secretary, elected delegate
&c the peace convention by Local 156 OF
the Amslgsmated, and Harry Cohen,
general treasurer. who was elected
delegate by a Brooklyn local.
Jacob Panken, counsel, a leader OF
the Amalgamated and the dominant
figure in the Workmen's Council, the
labor subsidiary Of the Peoples Coun-
Gil. was also a prominent figure in the
pacifists' council in the Middle West.
in his letter Mr. Hillman in part sus-
tains the charge Of the $4,000 unem-
ployed garment workers that their con-
dition is in part due to "the attempt
OF the Amalgamated 10 hog all the
4.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Baltimore & Ohio to Buy
Little Kanawha Railroad
[SpeciaL Coresnondencel

BALTIMORE, Dec. 14.-Nearly three
thousand acres of valuable coal land
are included in the deal which the
Baltimore G. Ohio Railroad is about
20 close for the purchase Of the Little
Kanawha Railroad, in which It now
owns a one-quarter interest. The re-
maining three-quarters interest is
owned by the New York Central and
the Pennsylvania.
The purchase Of the Little Kanawha
Railroad, which operates in West Vir-
ginia, recalls the efforts OF George j.
Gould to make the Western Maryland
Railway transcontinental system,
with the Little kanawha road as part
Of the general scheme.
The Little Kanawha road is approx
mstely thirty miles long and extends
from Psrkersburg to Owensport,
w Va
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Spreckels Angeredb by Cut
In Profits, Says Hoover

20 write q letter 10 President wilson
suggesting that the suit be dropped;
Babst declared he had only ash'u
Srrcckels " he would join IN such "
request u other competitors did.
Company Had Been Good
Spreckcls testified that on or about DC
tober / Babst came TO him and said;
I'VE arc good now. and We have al,
intimation from the Attorney Genera
that II you will write a letter 10 inc
President saying We arc good the sur
will bc dismissed
What makes you think ! nave such
influence with the President?' Sprech-
els said he replied
Because you are one OF our primer
pal competitors" was stated Rs the an
sNcr. a.,
Spreckels stated that Babst said
again that I'VE are good now ana VIII
DC in the future" and that he lSpreck-
ais answered: 81 am not Wiling 10
take a chance on the future. -.
Spreckels said be declined TO "tlVe
such a letter
Babst gave his version Of the CONVEX
sation. and said nothing about the re-
quest for a letter
w. ASH I 8UNL DllE odih Ab'SN ="
20 the PRESIDENT" asked Senator feeo'
NO
POintblsnk Denial
Spreckely. sitting few feet from
Babst. quickly faced about and ques-
toned:
Didn't you ask me to write q letter
to President Wilson"
az did not" said Babst, firmly.
Turning 20 Senator Reed, Spreckel Is
declared that NY statement was made
under oath. and / am willing 10 repeat
it,"
$50 was mine" snapped Babst.
II explained to SIR. Spreckcls,' Bsbst
said, that a. VIC were all under gov
eminent control. 10 had been suggested
that possibly the dissolution suit
against US might he dismissed. ] asked
that if such a proposition was made by
our competitors would he join IN the
request that il be done. He said he
would think il over"
When Spreckels testified that the
price wholesalers should pay the re-
inerS was fixed by three American
members Of the international commit
tee OF the food administration having
charge Of the American supply and
added that the three men were sugar
refners, Senator Reed asked:
"Was the public represented at this
price-tXing meetin?
NO" replied Mr.. Spreckels.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Trolley Fares Increased
Conditional Raises Granted to
PeekskiIl and Putnam Lines

ALBANY, Dec. 10 Conditional fare
increases from five TO seven cents were
granted to-day in the Peekskill Light
ing and Railroad Company and the Put
nam and Westehestcr Traction Com
pany By the Upstate Public Service
Commission az Albany. The increases
were granted upon petitions Of the
companies, but subject TO the sbroga-
ton OF a contract between the tvo com.
panies which provides the issuance OF
transfers from either limo for continu-
Gus rides over ire entire systems oi
the two companies.
Recently the upstate commission
granted applications for fave increase 3
filed by six companies operating IN
Hornell. Ithaca and Long Island.
Twenty-four trolley fare cases still are
pending.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Pittsburgh Faces Its
Most Serious Coal Famine

PITTSBURGH. Dec. l5.--The most
serious coal shortage in the history OF
Pittsburgh and vicinity prevails to-day,
with no immediate relief in sight, ae-
eording 20 ID. ". Kuhn. local fuel ad-
ninistrator. Dealers who reported to
Mr.. Kuhn stated that II no relief is
obtained soon more than half the city
will be without fuel.
Mr.. Kuhn's Offices here were besieged
all day By hundreds OF men, women and
children, who begged for coal for heat
ing and cooking purposes.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Youngstown Streets Dark;
No Coal for Electric Power

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio. Dec. 15.-All
streets in the city were dark and
streetcars were idle for three hours
last night. owing to lack Of fuel TO
produce power. Steel plants filing
government orders here face critical
conditions. due 10 the coal shortage,
ard further suspensions are predicted.
Between 5000 and 10000 steel work
ers are idle to-day a. a result Of plants
being forced 10 close down.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Germany Gets Hawaiian Sugar
Profit, Says Ex-Governor

san FRANCISCO, Dec. 15.-Charges
that persons living in Germany con
trolled large sugar interests in the
Hawaiian Islands and that. according
10 information, the incomes from these
enemy interests were placed to the
credit Of the German government were
made here to-day by George Carter,
former Governor Of Hawaii.
Mr.. Carter said he had so Informed
the authorities at Washington.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Major C ". Menzies

Mt. LEBANON, Ind, Dec. 16.-Major
G.. V. Menzies, lawyer, prominent Dem
ocratic politician, soldier and naval Of
fcer, died at his home here to-day
after long illness. lie had attended
practically every Democratic National
Convention since 1880. lie served in the
Civil War as 4 soldier and later was
graduated as a midshipman from the
Naval Academy
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Coal Shortage Curtails
Work on Federal Order.

QUINCY, Mass, Dec 15.--Because of
a shortage OF coal the Fore River plant
Of the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Com
psny, which has been running night and
day for some time, was not in opera
ton last night. officials OF the COM
psny said that the plant would be OPP
Grated during the day only until fur
Their notice.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Lack of Coal May Force
II. s. Arsenal to Close

WATERFOWL, Mass. Dec. i5.--Ms-
jor Tracy G. Dickson. commsndsnt OF
the government arsenal here. said last
night that. unless he could obtain def.
rite assurance by next Monday night
Of a renewed supply Of coal, the arse
nal would be forced 10 suspend work
on December is.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16

Of lack Of weight, Was received Al q.
local Marine Corps recruiting st.s;.r
to-day rom Washington.
Hamilton is son Of = banke,k.
Cheyenne Wells. Colo. Marine Co.,.
officers said he was under weight b,
cause Of too much athletic training
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
LAWYERS Offer to Aid Draft

ALBANY, Dec. 1.-THE services Of
approximately three hundred attor-
neys, at present engaged in work for
State Controller Travis, have been Of
fered to expedite the work incident TO
the enrolment for the next military
draft. it was announced to-day.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Mexico Bars Exports of DYES

1IEXICO CITY, Dec. 1.-THE Treas
ury Department announced last night
prohibition of the export OF aniline and
coal tar dyes and natural and arti-
fetal vegetables dyes.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
J. II. Woodward

BIRMINGHAM, Dec. 15.-J. II. Wood
ward, seventy-fve, retired millionaire
iron and steel operator, father-in-law
Of Senator Underwood, died at his
home here TO-DAY.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-12-16
Wilson's Cousin Enlisted,
Although Under Weight

DENVER. Dec. l6.-Authority 20
enlist Harry Woodrow Hamilton, a
distant cousin Of the President, who
was rejected several days ago because
The public ledger., 1917-12-08
OFFICER SENDS REPORT
On Ship Blast-U. 4. Warshlp Rushes
10 Halifax When Explosion
IL Heard.

Washington, December - Five
thousand dead In the Halifax disaster
was the unconfrmed estimate naval
commander forwarded to the Navy
Department here overnight.
He had seen and heard the horrl-
BILE explosion while SO miles at sea,
and reaching the hsrbor, learned of
the holocaust.
He said the munitions ship crew
reached shore safely by abandoning
their craft when the fire started.
The Navy Department announced
the following has been received from
g commander:
while So miles at sea, the exElo-
sion of munitions ship was seen
and heard. On arriving, assistance
was offered the authorities and the
following learned concerning the cir
cumstances leading up to the explo-
sion:
"A Belgian relief ship collided with
a French munitions vessel loaded
with 5000 tons of "T. N. T." and a
large quantity of benzine.
due to an explosion the benzine
caught fire, and as soon as the fire
started the crew abandoned ship,
reaching shore before the explosion
took place.
Practically all of north Halifax
was destroyed, and all windows and
doors in Halifax and Dartmouth we're
demolished.
Tonight 1t is believed there are
5000 dead, but these figures canr .. be
confirmed.
"The explosion sank three ships
and badly damaged many others. The
ruins of buildings are now burning
fiercely in North Halifax"
The American Consulate at Hall.
fax is within two and a half blocks
Of the water front and close to the
custom house.
The departments anxiety was
heightened by the fact thai Watts is
always prompt to report such mat
ters. He is father of Constructor
Watts, of the navy, and was Ameri
can consul in Brussels at The out
break Of the war.
That no American ships were IN
volved in the Halifax disaster ap
peared more likely this forenoo.
from the fact that no mention of an,
vas included in the Navy Depart
ment's reports.
The public ledger., 1917-12-08
TURKEYS

We notice in one of the local pa
pers the advice to farmers that this Is
their last chance to sell their turkeys
for the Christmsa market and advis-
ing early delivery as 1t appears that
prices may yet be lower. We see no
indication whatever of slump in the
turkey market so don't get uneasy
and sacrifice your birds. There will
be a big demand for turkeys until
New Year day and we will not only
buy every day until then, but will con-
tinue buying right along after the
holiday markets.
F. G. DAY & co.
The public ledger., 1917-12-08
RESIGNS AS RURAL MAIL CAR
RIER

After twelve years of faithful SER
vice as rural mail carrier on Mays
vile route No. /, Mr.. Ben H. Greenlee
will on next Monday sever his con-
nection with the postoffice department
TO accept a position with the Standard
Oil Company, having charge of the
distributing plant here under Mr.. H.
c. Holmes, district manager. Mr..
Greenlee has had fine record while
in the rural carrier service, never
missing a day on accounta of sickness
and being absent only on vacations.
He is one of Maysville's finest young
men and there is no doubt but that
he will make good in his new posi-
tion.
The public ledger., 1917-12-08
FINE TRIBUTE
Paid TO Judge Z. d. Newell by Editor
Of Mayfield Messenger.

A case OF wide general interest and
one of peculiar local interest because
OF It's financial concern to many Ma
son countians, Is the case OF the City
OF Mayfeld against Mayheld Water
and Light Co., ct ais, decided last
week by our own Judge, Hon. G. d.
Newell, acting as special Judge at
Mayfleld, Graves county, Ky. Speak
ing edltorially pertaining to the case
and to the presiding jndge, under the
caption Of Judge Newell the May
field Daily Messenger of Monday, De-
cember 3, pays this fine tribute to our
worthy Judge, which It is our pleas
ure to here repeat: ."
Judge Newell is young-looking
man but is SO years old. He was
born in and lived in Mason county,
Kentucky, and after arriving at young
manhood, he chose the law as his pro-
fession.
when he was about 80 years old
he was elected county Judge Of that
county, position which he held for
IL years He was liked 80 well as q
county Judge, the people of Bracken
Mason and Fleming counties took him
up and elected him circuit Judge OF
the Ninteenth Judicial District
"He served them so we'll the first
term that at the end of that term he
was reelected and is now serving his
second term as their circuit Judge.
"He is very popular as such among
his people and they all delight to hon
or him when he offers himself for al
office.
"He is a Democrat and has alway!
taken big hand in both local ant
district politics.
HE has strong voice, is stout
healthy-looking man and seems to b.
good mixer.
HE came to Mayfield as a specia
judge, an absolute stranger to tn
people of this town. He came here t,
try an important case of the cit
against the Mayfield Water & Ligh
Co., which has been case that tn
people have wanted tried for som
time.
"As soon as he took his seat on tn
bench, he began to look direct int
the case, and from the beginning O
The trial until the end, which was tw
days and two nights, he took live
ly interest in the contentious of bot
the plaintiffs and the defendants.
"The case was closely contested b
the attorneys on both sides and on ac
count of the peculiar evidence an
contentious, it was a hard matter t
properly fix the value of so impor
tant plant, but the Judge finall
came to the conclusion that the plan
was worth $272,00O, and so fixed tn
'alue and made the order.
"The Judge made quite a number G
good friends while here and left Sun
day morning for his home in Mays
vile, where he opened his own cour
Monday morning."