davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29
M'ADOO SENDS
FIRST ORDERS
TORAILROADS
Requests All Officials to
Move Traffic in Most Ex-
peditious Manner.

The railroads of America have been
operating under government control
since noon yesterday.
Without hitch or hindrance and
without formality of any kind, Will
lam G. McAdoo. Secretary of the
Treasury, took charge as Director
General Of Railroads.
His first official act, following con-
ferences yesterday with representa-
tives of the roads. was to send the
following telegram to the president
and board of directors of every rail-
road company in the country:
Wires Heads of Roads.
Having assumed the duties i'm
posed upon me by, and in pursuance
Of, the proclamation of the President,
dated December 26, 1917. you will until
otherwise ordered continue the opera
ton of your road in conformity with
said proclamation.
You are requested to make every
possible effort to increase efficiency
and to move traffic by the most con-
venient and expeditions routes.
confidently count on your hearty CO.
operation. 1t is only through united
efforts. unselfish service and effective
work that this war can be won and
Americas future be secured.
wv. q. McADOO,
Director General of Railroads"
President Wilson has begun the
preparation of the special message
he will read to Congress next week,
asking for the legislation he needs
to make good the guarantees of
his proclamation concerning rail-
road earnings during the period OF
government operation. He DISCUSS
ed the matter fully with his Cabi-
net, and later was closeted for
some time with Attorney General
Gregory.
Members of Congress, pending
the reconvening of the Legislative
body and the Presidents message.
promise hearty cooperation and
prompt action. Here and there,
however. there is a disposition to
criticise the arrangement regarding
guaranteed earnings as far too lib
eraI to the railroads.
After conference yesterday with
members of the Railroads War
Board. Secretary McAdoo announc-
ed that the members of the board
would continue to function under
the supervision of the government.
1t is expected that, in addition 10
the members of this board. Mr.. Nc
Adoo will surround himself with
CONTINUED ON PAGE FIVE.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29
HAIG TOSTAY;
new SEALORD
TO" "CARRYO ON
Replacing of Jellicoe by
Wemyss c ConsideredMove
for Aggressiveness.
BY ARTHUR DRAPER.
Special Cable 10 washinston Herald
and New York TrIhuue


London, Dec. 2S.-The elevation OF
Vice Admiral Sir Rosslyn wemyss to
the ONCE of first sea lord and the
forecasts Of the complete reorganiza-
ton OF the admiralty have naturally
resulted In increased speculation as
to the forthcoming changes in the
general stan of the army.
Once again the rumor that Field
Marshal Haig is to be transferred to
other duties Is rife, but there is good
authority for stating that the reor-
ganization OF the army will leave Sir
Douglas still in command.
Drastic changes in the general stan
are expected shortly, possibly imme-
diately after New Years Day.
Naval Change Sensational
No naval event since Admiral Jel-
licoe's recall from command OF the
grand feet and appointment as first
sea lord has created such widespread
interest as the latest change. For
several months press agitation. con-
fined largely to the Northcliffe organs.
had been carried on against Jellicoe
and what was described as his defen.
sive policy. The senior naval officers
resented strongly the attacks on their
chief. who enjoyed their complete
confidence and support.
When visited the grand feet a few
weeks back it was apparent that the
officers anticipated the event that has
just taken place. The name of
Wemyss was on everyone's lips, and
1t was predicted that he would sup
plant Jellicoe before Christmas.
Wemyss, who Is about the same age
as Jellicoe. is well liked in the navy.
but among the senior officers he does
not command the same amount OF re-
spect, largely because his sea record
does not compare favorably with
Admiral Jellicoe's. II must be ad-
mitted that the belief exists among
the navy that the reorganization
savors OF politics and represents a
victory OF the politicians over the old
line naval officers.
For New Policy at Sea.
The change represents one of policy
more thHn Of individuals, and thus
must be interpreted as an admission
that the British naval position is
unsatisfactory.
It is understood that American ma
val advisers have pressed for an ag-
CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29
HAIG PRAISES WORK
OF u. S. ARMY nurses
Women Have Been Detailed on
Western Front.

London. Dec. 2S.-Field-Mar al
Haig. the British commander-in-
chief, has submitted q list of names
of persons serving on the Western
front as deserving special mention.
The list, which was published to-
day in the London Gazette, contains
the names Of many Americans at
tached to the American A rmy Nurs-
ing Corps.
The names of the women men
TONED are:
Miss B. NJ. Alexander and Miss d.
Arch, Chicago unit.
Miss s. Briggs and Miss I. Mckee.
Lakeside unit, Cleveland.
Mrs. ]. Christie and Miss L. Mars,
Presbyterian Hospital unit, New
York.
Miss C. Cuppaidge and Miss J. C.
Stemson. st. Louis unit.
Miss M. Dunlop and Miss II. J.
McClelland., University of Pennsyl-
vania unit, Philadelphia.
Miss H. NJ. Gerard and Miss C.
Hall. Harvard University unit.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29
Big Guns Begin Prelude
To New Italian Struggle
Special Cable 10 wsshingten Herald
and New York Tribune.

Special Cable 10 Wsshingten Herald
and New York Tribune.
London, Dec. &.-From the Asiago
plateau to the Adriatic the big guns
both Of the Italians and Austro- Hun
garians opened UP a destructive fire
yesterday in preparation for a renewal
of the great struggle. Aside from
the artillery actions, however. there
was little fighting on a large scale.
Gen. Diaz made two efforts to re-
capture lost ground west Of Monte
AsolOne and east Of Monte SoIarolo,
between the Bretna and Piave, but
was repulsed both times, the Vienna
war Office announces.
On the Asiago plateau an Italian
company surrounded the garrison Of
an enemy advance post and captured
= prisoners. Thirty-seVen more were
brought back in a raid by the Italians
between Cesuna and Canova, Rome
reports.
On the lower Piaye Italian gunners
destroyed four bridges thrown across
the river near Zenson, where several
weeks ago the Teutons effected their
first crossing Of tn stream. A power
ful squadron of Caproni airpIanes
created havoc among large hostile
forces in the Ronchi valley, and else
where the invaders works and lines
Of communication We're bombarded
with good results. according TO the
Italian communique
Austrian troops from the Roumanisn a
| front have been identified behind the
enemy's front lines, according TO on
Cial adviCes from Rome. This is the
I first report Of the transfer OF forces
from the Roumanian battle line TO
Italy
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29
NEEDED
By CANADA FOR WAR
That Amount Must Be Raised in
1918 Besides Running Expenses.

st. John, N. B., Dec. 2s-In the next
fiscal year 500. 100000 must be raised
by Canada for war purposes In addi-
tion to the 3i5o,OOO.OcO or sl75,ooO. 900
necessary on the ordinary business of
the country, r. B. Carvell, Minister
Of Public Works, announced at a re-
ception rendered him here Thursday
night.
Mr.. Carvell said Great Britain was
persistently calling for munitions and
foodstuffs, and Canada must answer
the call. But she must do her own
financing, for not a dollar could be
borrowed in Britain or the United
States, said Mr.. Carvell.
Speaking of the prohibition order in
council, Mr.. Carvell said his hearers
need not be surprised about once a
week to learn Of something just as
drastic being done.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29
French Take Prisoners
In Raid on Hun Trench

London, Dec. &.-Local combats In
Alsace and LORRAINE comprised the
only infantry actions reported In the
official statements. today. In Alssce.
Petain's troops brought back prison.
ers in a raid on the German treches.
The artillery hattie continued violent
in the region Of the Caurieres Wood.
north Of Nerdun, where the Crown
Prince delivered two powerful attacks
on Wednesday, but no infantry ac-
tions resulted.
Field Marshal Haig's statement says
there is nothing 70 report on the Brit
ish front, where recent heavy SHOWS
have virtually precluded all large op-
erations
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29
TEUTON DELEGATES
agree To RECESS
Peace Farley with Bolsheviki Post.
poned Until January 4.

Petrograd. Dec. 2S-The delegates
of the central powers to the peace
conference at Brest-Litovsk have
agreed to a ten-day recess in the
peace negotiations, which will be re-
sumed January at a place not yet
determined .r
Leon Trotzky. the Bolshevik foreiaI
minister, is reported to be draftins :
new note to the entente allied err
bassies, again asking them to par
ticipate in the peace conference.
Trotzky Is also said to be preparing
a new message TO the peoples Of the
world. The Russian delegates to the
peace conference will return to Petro-
grad today or Saturday.
An armistice Is reported to have
been reached between the Bolsheviki
forces and the troops of Gen. Kale-
dimes at Rostov, with a neutral zone
between the opposing lines.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29
$40, 900 Khaki Theft
Charged to Prisoner

New York. Dec. 8.-Louls Davidson,
who conducts cloth-sponging estab-
lishment, was today the first to be ar
raigned in court in connection with the
alleged widespread plot to defraud the
government by stealing cloth intended
for soldiers uniforms. Other arrests
will follow.
Davidson was specifically charged
with taking 124 pieces of khaki, val
ued at about 10000. He pleaded not
guilty, and was held in 5000 bail for
examination.
The most prolific results in the loot
ing, officials declared. 70 were accom-
plished by collusion between spongers,
who contract to shrink the cloth, and
auditors and other government ware
house employees.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29
DANES EXPECT
AID FROM U. S,
DR.. Egan, Minister to Den.
mark, Says Country
Needs Help.

An American Port, Dec. S.-"Wo Q
are in Cor n stiff fight and a long
fight. and in the future the brunt of
the fighting is to fall on the United
States" said DIR. Maurice Francis
Egan, United States Minister to Dem
mark. who arrived here today with
his wife on a Scandi SIvian-American
liner from a Danish port.
This is DIR. Egan's first visit to
America in four years. About a month
ago he underwent an operation. He
is here partly to regain his health and
will remain two months. He will
make his home during that time with
his brother at 81 Prospect Park West,
Brooklyn.
DR.. Egan had with him a big bag
of dispatches which he had kept in
his possession constantly on the
voyage and which he will take to
Washington at once.
He expects very soon to see his
son, Capt. Gerald Egan. a captain
of infantry at Camp Lee, Va.
DR.. Egan said he had had a talk
with the king of Denmark the day
he left. Asked IL they had talked
about the embargo. he said:
mo, kings don't talk about en-
bargoesr
I'VE are In a stiff fight and a long
fight. and in the future the brunt of
the fighting is to fall upon the United
States.
I'VE have been terrifically busy in
the legation in Copenhagen. Where
we formerly employed five men we
now employ sixteen.
cat the legation my wife and I have
been using cards for bread and for
butter. There is a general shortage.
Electricity is not to be had, and every
night Is lightless night in Denmark.
In the legation, where we have had
to work every night, we have worked
with candles.
When left turkeys, were selling
for 80 cents a pound, and there was
practically no pork"
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29
STOCK YARDS
DEAL PUSHED
BY F.H.PRINCE
E. F. Martin Tells Federal
Trade Commission Hub
Banks InhuencedHim.

Edward F. Martin. a former
stockholder in the Chicago Junction
Railway and Union Stock Yards
Company, testified late today before
the Federal Trade Commission re-
garding a conversation with F. II.
Prince, the Boston banker at the
latter's office. The commission Is
Investigating the packing industry
in Boston.
Prince, he testified, told him that
the Chicago stock yards were ready
to pack up and move and that
Prince had paid them bonuses to
stay where they were.
Investigates for His wife.
Martin testified that he went to
Princes ofilee ir,Tconnect!on with
a circular which the banker had
sent out, asking stockholders in
the company to turn in their stock.
His wife had five shares OF the
stock at the time, and he wanted
information as to the reasons why
he was advised to sell II. The cir
cular which so advised him was
signed by we'll known Bostonians,
including Mr.. Prince, Richard Oh
ney, Eugene Il. Thayer, Samuel
Carr, Guy Norman, s. X. l. Shoon-
maker and +. r. Hart and others.
The circular proposed that hold
srs of the preferred stock in the
company surrender IL and receive
in return bonds of the Chicago
Stock Yards Company at the rate
of two bonds to each share of
stock.
Prince told him, he testified. that
the stock yards depended upon a
single authority and that the pack
ers might move away which would
injure the stock.
Thought Talk MoOnshIne.
Martin said that he told Prince he
thought this sort of talk moonshine.
He admitted that the stock yards de-
pended upon a single industry, but 1t
as a permanent and necessary one.
He said he did not believe the pack
ers would desert Chicago. which was
strategically and geographically the
ideal location for such a plant. But
Prince insisted that the packers were
ready to pack up and move. Martin
said. and that Prince had paid them
bonuses to stay where they were.
Now he wanted to give them con-
troll of the stock and keep them there.
Martin said that finally he gave in
and turned in his stock.
Evidence was introduced to show
how smaller competitors were frozen
out by the packers combine in New
England in the rendering end of the
business.
Albert E. Keeler told the commits
sion how he had been offered a sal
ary of so a week to go with SulZ-
berger &c Sons rendering company II
he would take with him a small route
Of customers from whose stores he
had been collecting butchers grease.
With more than half a dozen wit
nesses still to be heard the commit
tee will adjourn tomorrow afternoon
and will probably return to Boston at
a later date.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29
Bank President Held
For Cashiers Murder

Peoria, Ill. Dec. 2s.-Edgar A
strause. president Of the State Trust
and Savings Bank, began the career
of an ordinary prisoner today. fol-
lowing the recommendation of tho
coroner's jury that he be held with.
out bond for the killing of Cashier
Berne NJ. Mead, Sunday.
Search for a supposed eyewitness tc
the homicide has been begun since
the testimony today of d. H. Scan
lon, who said that a boy told him
shortly after the shooting that
"Strause plugged some one" The
State wants to know how the boy
knew of the fact.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29
AUSTRIA'SHATE
PERILS KAISER
Desperate Situation in Dual
Monarchy Accents De-
sire for Peace.

Everything indicates that Austria
is turning against Germany.
Nothing can exaggerate the gravity
Of the internal situation of Austria.
an official report received here as
serts.
Following is a paraphrase Of the
report.
THE desire for peace is universal.
and there is general resentment
against the country's dependence up
on Germany.
Livestock is being killed because
there is the gravest lack of fodder,
but despite this the supply Of leather
has not been appreciaby increased,
and the food conditions have not been
relieved.
Famine Is Actual.
Bohemia. Croatia and Central Hun
gary are tolerably well supplied with
foodstuffs, but there is literal famine
in the mountains and less fertile dis
tricts, such as Istria, Bosnia and Ger
man Bohemia
"A census in 30 towns reveals a
large increase in the death rate and
q very large decrease in the birth
rate. Discharged soldiers are begging
in the streets.
'One of the most significant Of the
notable phenomena is the utter lack
Of enthusiasm in Austria over the re-
cent victories in Italy.
The Austrian government through
every means possible is attempting to
poison both the Austrian and Italian
mind against England.
Britain Given Blame.
Lately every effort has been made
to convince the Austrians of the re-
sponsibility of Britain for the con.
tinuance OF the war. and in Italy the
Austrian propaganda has for its pur-
pose the convincing of the Italians
especially the soldiers, of the allega.
ton that England and the allies are
using Italy as their instrument, that
Italy is being sacrificed, and that II
Italy remains in the war she will have
enormous costs to pay.
There is resentment in all parts oi
Austria, where food Is scarce, against
the Hungarians.
There is a feeling of dissatisfac-
ton throughout the country, caused
principally by conditions for which
the war is responsible, and there is a
serious political situation which is
ciosely related to finance. The finan-
cial situation itself Is desperate with
credit shaky and masses Of paper
money"
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29

AIIenby's Purpose Two-foId-
1t is apparent from the British re-
port that the Turks new attack was
delivered almost at the moment Gen.
Allenby had planned TO strike. a.
otherwise It is improbable any such
extensive gain. amounting 10 nearly
twenty-three square miles, would
have been achieved by 1.-The British.
The new British movement north
ward from Jerusalem unQuestionab bly,
has two-fold purpose; to protect the
territorial gains they already have
made in Palestine. and to drive the
enemy from the remaining portion Of
Palestine.
The strengthening Of their lines Of
communication around Jerusalem. 20
prevent a resumption Of Turkish Of
fensive operations. is the first task.
and one that Allenby appears stin 70
be engaged with successfully.
Fslkenhayn In Hiding.
A continuation Of the Campaign
oAN AVNdFQ DdTldtEAE Hnc
Aleppo holds greater difficulties and
this may not be undertaken until the
British army is reinforced beyond its
present strength.
Since the German commander, Won
Fakenhayn, went &c AlepDo many
months ago for the ostenEihle purpose
or mobiiiEtng a barge force ether for
a counter drive into Mesopota mia or
for operations in Palestine, thing
has been heard from him. and IL is
barely possible ne Is lying in wait there
with strong units at his command 20
strike at the British when they move
north from Jerusalem.
The successes Of Gen. AllCnby may
encourage him 20 greater operations
in northern Palestine, but Il is more
likely that he will not risk moving his
forces very far north Of the Holy
City.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29

medium Of the Red Cross, which set
out to establish the identity OF the
prisoner after II was learned that one
has been captured from the destroyer.
The dispatch received last night In
dicated that the Germans have tan-
other prisoner from tl& Jacob Josses,
but. according, TO the Secretary, the
name of the man was so garbled in
transmission as TO make 1t impossi-
bio to tell who It is. The Red Cross,
he said, will make further inquiries
to determine the identity of the sec
ond man.
A total OF nineteen lives were lost
when the Jacob Jones was sunk.
American Engineer Killed.
1t was learned here last night that
a corporal of American engineers was
killed and one private was wounded
Christmas Eve. when a German shell
dropped near a party Of American
engineers working In trenches on a
section OF the French front.
The engineers for several weeks had
been working along the front with
veteran French engineers for purposes
of instruction.
During a recent moonlight night
German aviators dropped bombs near
certain town and two American
privates. who were in a camp in a
wood, were killed. The German air
men flew low and dropped their
bombs accurately.
The Washington herald., 1917-12-29
MAKES
SENATE AWAIT
HIS PLEASURE
Committee, Piqued by His
Absence, Sends Nice"
Telegram to Food Boss.

Herbert c. Hoover. Food Admins,
traitor, upset the investigation Of tht
sugar and coal shortage by a Senate
subcommittee yesterday TO such a de-
gree that the committee sent Hooyel
a mice" telegram asking him to ap'
pear on Wednesday and tell his storS
of the sugar shortage
Hoover was scheduled TO appear se
fore the committee yesterday. bu
failed to appear. In Hoover's steaS
there came a letter from an oficia
OF the Foed ADMINISTRATORS. statint
that Hoover hId been called to Nep
York 10 attend AN important confer
ence."
senator Reed Explains
An executive session was held
which resulted in the mice telegram
to Hoover. Chairman James Reed
Of the committee, then made a state
ment in which he denied that Hoover
had ever been refused the right Il
appear before the committee. Sen
ator Reed also stamped as an untruti
the report that Hoover had beer
obliged to appeal to the White Hous,
TO get his statement before the pub
lie.
The Senator then went into a Ions
explanation OF the various unavoid
able circumstances which had pre-
vented the calling Of Hoover earlier.
Coal shortage Explained.
Entire blame for the coal shortage
was laid upon transportation diff
fculties and psychology by l. A
Snead. OF the Fuel Administration
He testified that rumors of Goa
shortage had caused a 'psychologi'
cal shortage" last summer, witt
people rushing to buy more Goa
than they needed. Then as winter
came on, according to Snead, rail
roads were unwilling to handle
coal in sufficient quantities and al
actual shortage resulted.
Railroads have been clogEeS
COAL" Snead said. Coal has beeI
the last commodity they have
moved"
Haven't we a priority board?
inquired Senator Vardaman.
I'VE have a priority board ant
a great many priorities," answered
Snead. He went on to state tina,
there had been too many priorit!
orders issued and as a consequence,
almost every commodity had pri
ority over coal
Transportation problems form tn,
biggest obstacle to the movemen
of coal, Snead said. He told of
shipment of 100000 tons of coal 70
Ohio points which has been lyin,
for thirty days on a siding of tn,
Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.
Hardest Times Before U. =.
"The hardest season is before us.
said Snead. THE situation is grav,
and although there has been no suf
fering there is most certainly goinI
to be suffering. unless the situation d
improved"
W. B. Colver, Federal Trade Com
missioner. astounded the commItte,
with a statement that there is no neeC
for America to worry about the Goa
supplies of the allies. Colver sal,
Lord Northcliffe has informed him II
"a serious conversation" that ther,
was sufficient coal above ground II
England to take care of "all Europ,
excepting Germany"
Senators Lodge and Reed took ex
ception TO this statement. Senate
Lodge declared members Of the Italian
mission had informed him that Goa
from the United States was vital
Snead will resume his testimon!
when the committee meets today.