davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06

future, make good the ea con- tained in his message of Tuesday to discuss governmental control or own ership in another message.
 It is regarded as highly proba able that the action the commission was aken not only with the Knowledge but the approval of the President and that he will so declare when he judges the time opportune. Without state ment from the President to the effect that the seizure of common carriers is necessary for the faeile conduct of the war. It is known that essential legislation could not be enacted With such a statement. however. Legislation could without insurmountable diffi- cult.~ 1t is said, be secured.
 Senators, as rule, declined re- quests to discuss the action of the Commission. This was true of Senator Underwood of Alabama, who has made the study of the railroad problem his special business It was on the susy- Eestion of Senator Underwood that the President in the beginning of the SiXty-fourth Congress recommended the appointment of a joint committee to inquire minutely into the trans portation facilities of the country. 'SA4aIoI C CHueFWOOQ was naue mem her of that committee which, after years work, is preparing a preliln- mary report for January. The nature of the report is not made public, al- though it is known that the commit tees present intention is not to rec ommend government control
 When the special memorandum from the interstate commerce commission reached Congress Senator Underwood along with many other senators was surprised. He expressed desire to hear the President on the subject, but conveyed the idea that if the Presi- dent should declare government con- trol of railroads as a war measure necessary, legislation would be forth coming.
 Save to express surprise that the in terstate commerce commission has taken action and to declare the prob- lem one of great magnitude and na- tion-wfde importance, Senator Bank head withheld comment
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06


 Bob McDavid. secretary of the Real Estate Exchange, issues the following clarion call to ,his membership to be present at the Southern club at 1 bell today, at the regular weekly luncheon:
 But yesterday the name of Barber might have stood against the world; now lies he here and none so par as to do him homage His enemies have said he was ambitious. If it were so, it were a grievous fault and grievously hath Arlie answered it. So goes it in poli- tics.
 Had we the pen of an Anthony we might, in some small measure, do justice to the official virtues of our dis tinguished ex-commissioner, but, alas! 1t cannot be. Requiescat in peace.
 This is not intended for ritual nor an oration at the political grave of our incomparable police chieftan passe, but merely as an announcement of his ap- pearance before the meeting Thursday, We have assigned him that knotty prob lem of Vandalism, and he hopes to unraval it in his discourse. If we adopt MT. Barbers suggestion of a municipal junk yard, we must prepare at once to go before the next legislature and get their permission. Not only must bill be drawn, covering every phase of the situation, but a campaign of education must be instigated to create favorable sentiment among the people.
 By all means be among those pres ent Thursday
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
HOUSE OF MYSTERY, GERMAN SPY DEN, IS
 RAIDED IN GOTHAM
Federal Agents Continue Their Work of Running Down Alien Enemies
 in America

New York. December 5-Several trunks filled with maps, documents and airplane and torpedo models were seized by department of justice agents today after they had arrested Mrs. Anna Werner and Frederick Herwa- gen, Germans, in a house in Hoboken known to the police as "the house of mystery" Both were held as alien enemies. The house was conducted as furnished room establishment Ly Mrs. Werner and is said to be within the 10e-vard barred zone.
 A letter found among the papers of German who formerly held an iln- portant position with a large finan- cial house in New York. but who now is interned at Ellis Island, was made public today by Assistant United States District Attorney Knox. In part it said:
 Gentlemen, remember always, proudly wave the flag, black, white and red, and woe to the enemy who threatens it. What does it matter to us? To - with the Yankee rabble. Do the cowardly dogs think they can lift their hands against our great, hard struggling fatherland in it's sorest hour of need? Let us now, there- fore. endure these humiliations silent Jy with gnashing teeth, but our hour will yet come. We of the younger gen. eration will remember the Star Spangled Banana people too. Hoch the Kaiser and the Emperor"
 secret wireless. valued at 5000, was said to have been discovered at White Plains, N J., by agents of the naval intelligence bureau early today when it became known that man and woman had been arrested and put through a severe interrogation The man was sent to Ellis Island and the woman was held a prisoner elsewhere, it was said. No details of the reported raid were obtainable
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
RAILROAD PROBLEM GREATEST CONGRESS YET CONF RONTE This Is Opinion of Many Members Following Start ling Recommendations PRESIDENT EXPECTED TO EXPRESS HIS VIEWS It Is Thought Drastic LegiS- Iation Will Be Passed
 if the Word Is
 Given
By HUGH w. ROBERTS

Washington, December 5. The recommendations of the interstate commerce com mission that the United States be authorized to seize the railroads of the country in that they might be oper- ated by President Wilson as a unit for war purposes, throws upon Congress, in the opinion of members interviewed, the greatest problem which it has yet been confronted.
 It is the consensus of opinion that President Wilson will, in the near
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
RED CROSS ISSUES CALL FOR HOSPITAL
 GARMENTS AT ONCE
Earnest Request, as Our Troops in France Are in Urgent Need," Says
 w. J. Leppert

"An emergency call has just come from France and all chapters are urged to ship at once the following hospital garments, which they have in stock; ConvaIescent robes. pajamas. bed sheets, bed jackets, bed socks, hot water bottle covers, sheets pillow cases, bedspreads and towels.
 s'This Is a most earnest request as the needs of our troops In France ar urgent. W. J. LEPPERT.r
 The above message was received by the Birmingham chapter of the Amer ican Red Cross last night from w. J. Leppert, executive secretary of the gulf division of the Red Cross, and will be of interest all over the state.
 All hospital supplies in stock must be sent at once to France to be used by our soldiers who are badly in need of these articles. This will aid in awaken ing the people and everyone who can possibly assist in the work being done by the local chapter of the Red Cross arc urged to do so. and in this way help in the great cause.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
|NTERALL|ED WAR
 CONF FERENCE ISSUES
 OFFICIAL SUMMARY

London, December 5-Consderat ton of the question of manpower for the prose- oution of the war was one of the impor- tant matters taken up by the interallied conference in Paris, it became known today when the official summary of tho results of the conference was made public.
 In the permanent committee, which will handle this problem, the United States will be represented, it having been decided by the conference that the United States should appoint delegates to participate in the deliberations of the committee.
 The statement issued by the inter- allied conference in Paris is as follows:
 ''The various committees constituted by the interallied conference dealt as a whole with the technical question of the conduct of the war, the details of which cannot be published.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
Humane Society Report

Forty-two complaints were investigated and properly disposed of and warning was issued in 31 cases of reported in- humane treatment to animals during the month of November. according to the report of the Birmingham Humane society, which met in regular session in the council chamber of the city hall yesterday.
 detailed report of the various cases which were investigated was also made and speaks well for the activity of the society. Two arrests were made re- sulting in one conviction. in which fine of $5 was assessed. The annual meet ing of the society will be held on Jam uarY 2. 1918.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
PERSONAL

Friends of Gen. Robert R. zelI will regret to learn that he is seriously ill at his home, S024 Mountain avenue.
 Mrs William N. Hudiburg and son, Rea S, stopped over in the city last night on their way to Washington from Camp Shelby, Hattiesburg Miss where MT. Hudiberg is purchasing agent for the camp
 Mrs Hudiburg is a sister of Frank Req, publisher of the Birmingham Mag azine of this city, and visited him while here.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
Jefferson County Roads

Some of the roads of Jefferson county appear to be in bad condition until you strike the roads of other countless" said Frank Stewart.
 "I motored to points below Selma the past week, a distance of f60 miles, and found the roads in Jefferson county were the best we had on the trip, which was most enjoyable. With the exception Of couple of punctures we had no trou- ble on the journey
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
Ford Company Ordered to Declare Dividend From
 the Accumulated Surplus

Detroit. December 5-Directors of the Ford Motor company were ordered in final decree today in the Dodge Ford suit to declare within 30 days dividend of $1a275, .96 from accumulated cash surplus on hand July 31. 1916.
 Circuit Judge Hosmer declared that to hold accumulated profits beyond the fixed assets necessary to run the com pany is without authority and is per- manently and absolutely restrained"
 John and Horace Dodge holders of 10 per cent of the Ford stock won their suit recently for a division of the profits ot the Ford company instead of diverting them for construction of huge shelter plant at River Rouge, suburb.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
PREDOMINANT" SIZE
 OF PIES IS WANTED

The Birmingham food preparedness bu- reau received message from Richard M Hobbie, state food administrator, asking all bakers in this city to advise the bureau of the predominant size of pies and to in- vite specific suggestions for both bread and pies.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
SEND IN HOSPITAL
 GARMENTS AT ONCE

Mrs. John London, chairman of the military relief committee, re- quests that all units having pa- tients' clothing please send or bring in all finished garments ns soon as possible. This is done in order to comply with the urgent appeal for hospital garments for our boys in France made by J. ". Leppert. executive chairman of the gulf division of the American Red rnSa
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
BARBER ID ADDRESS
 THE REAL TORS ON
 VANDALISM TODAY
Bob McDavid's Clarion Call to Members to At tend Luncheon Is
 Unique
HONOR ROLL

Here are 20 Realtors in the service of Uncle sam.
 Joseph P. Mudd, F. B. LaRoche H. p. Gallup, John Bethea, Billie Me Cary Melville Davis, Joseph F. Walker. Hugh Martin. M H. Sterne, Rufus Bethea, Winston Anderson,- Walter Brewer. w. s. Pritchard, Ed Allen, EIbcrt S. Jemison, Robert J. Malone, Courtney Henley, w: W. Hazard, Everett Shephard and How ard Terry.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
PERSUASIVE ARGUMENT

The arguments were so persuasive that in the two hours deliberations today of the House foreign affairs committee on the Austrian war resolution only one member, Representative Miller of Minne- sota who recently returned from the western European war theatre, voted for his proposal to include Turkey and Bul- garia in the resolution. On the final vote he joined with all others present in approving the Austrian document.
 The principal debate and strongest de- mand for addition of Turkey and Bull garia to the nations formal foes, is ex- pected in the Senate. One days debate is expected to suffice in the House, where, beginning of consideration until Friday was postponed only because many absent members telegraphed to ask brief delay so they might arrive to vote. Passage of the resolution by an over whelming vote before adjournment of the House Friday is expected.
 Although Senate leaders hope it may be possible to bring up the resolution for Senate debate Friday, it is possible that it will go over Saturday and few leaders believe it possible to conclude de- bate there in one day. Some senators dislike to consider a measure while it is pending before the House.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
THE WEATHER
Weather Conditions

Washington, December 5.---Weather forecast for Alabama and Mississippi: Local rains and colder Thursday; Fri day probably fair.
 Georgia and South Carolina-Prob- ably rain Thursday; Friday fair.
 Tennessee and KentuclSy-Local rains Thursday; colder in west DOT tion; Friday partly cloudy.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
Birmingham People in
 the National Capital

Washington December 5.-(SpeciaL) Among prominent Birmingham people in Washington are the following:
 Brooks Lawrence, Sax Crawford. Le- roy Percy, Fred Fite. s. l.. Ierkts, II. K. White, W. J. Dunn, Ernest Mat thews
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
HOUSE AND SENATE TO ACT PROMPTLY
 IN DECLARING WAR
 UPON AUSTRIANS
Continued from Page one>

the war declarations extended to fur key and Bulgaria, approval of the res- olution as it now stands is regarded as virtually certain. Reasons given confi- dently today to Chairman Stone and Flood, and which probably will be made public in debate, were regarded as con vincing. Senator Stone and Representa- tive Flood both conferred with Secretary Lansing and it was understood to be the secretary's conviction that no circum- stance yet warrants action against Tur- key and Bulgaria.
 Some officials are still said to hope that German domination of her lesser tools may vet be broken.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
Local Data
Discount Rate Raised

Washington, December 5.-To discour- age imitation and promote sound business conditions, the federal reserve board has approved general increase in discount rates of about 1a per cent for most of the 12 federal reserve banks
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
Arouses the Liver and Purlfes the
 RInnd

The Old Standard general strengthen ing tonic, GROVES TASTELESS chill TONIC. arouses the liver to action. drives Malaria out of the blood and builds up the system. For adults and children. COG.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
CLOSE COORDINATION

'I was extremely glad to gather first hand evidence of the close coordination which exists between the French, Amcri- can and British armies. Their direct headquarters are hundreds of miles apart and in direct telephonic communication. The coordination of officers of all na- tionalities has been accomplished and dispatch riders travel back and forth all day long. It was neartening to know that no time had been lost in getting
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
Lord NorfhcHffe
 Tells of Visit to
 American War Zone
With Colonel House Noted English Editor Sees How Pershing's Men Are Making Ready to Strafe the Enemy In the Early Spring
 time and Praises Work Being Done

an energetic and young staff around General Perishing.
 There was a home touch in the great military building, which, with it's court yard, occupies a space four or five acres IS great as that of the White House There were American papers and mag azines and liberty loan posters there. French and British officers both ex- pressed satisfaction to me at the scien- tific and up-to-d te nature of the head quarters organization.
 The one topic in the American army at the moment is that of shipping. Ship ping has overwhelmed other subjects of comment with Uncle Sans boys in khaki,
 PROBLEM OF CONFERENCE
 "The interallied conference will, it is hoped, solve the difficulty. I felt some doubt as to the result of the confer ence on the first day, when several scores of representatives of various na- tionalities assembled in the great hall of the French foreign office to try to CO., ordinate matters.
 When the president of the conference, M. Clemenceau, rose and indicated in a few sentences that business and not speech making was the order of the day the adroit management of the conference by Colonel House was made visible. The whole of the initial proceedings occupied only a few minutes and within a half hour the technical committees, dealing with shipping, finance, aviation and oth- CT matters, had been formed
 "Tne absence of parades, speeches and banquets was due to~the express desires of Colonel House that no time should be lost. The success of the gathering is a great personal triumph for Colonel House and the able young men who form the basic clements of his mission
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
OPERATION OF ALL RAILROADS MUST BE
 CENTRALIZED, SAYS
 THE |. c. COMMISSION
(Continued from Page One)

day to receive executive recommenda-
 tions Decisive action by the government Immediately is necessary, Senator New lands said, to insure efficient operation of the railroads and provide sufficient capi-
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
HOUSE SHOOTS RIFLE

Colonel House manifested his Texas
 origin by some excellent rifle practice in
 the sniping school. Excellent wooden
 models of enemy snipers are half con- cealed among rocks and foliage at distance of some hundreds of yards and
 it is the object of the pupils in this part of the war game to draw a sudden
 b cad on an enemy dummy and get it.
 Many of the Americans are already
 adopts at sniping.
 Our party then returned to the rail-
 way station, passed the grim guard of
 honor and after 8 new journey arrived at General Pershing's general head quarters, a fine French barracks, lately occupied by one of the most distinguished of French regiments which had been refitted, steam heated and electric wired and is in telephone touch with distant Paris and all the various parts of the American army.
 "Interesting lectures were given by leading members of General Pershing's staff showing that American adaptability has very quickly assmilated the best points of the British and French train ing, arrived at after three and a half years of critical warfare to which have been added certain American ideas and certain alterations necessary for an army whose home base is thousands of miles on the other side of the Atlantic
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06
GERMANS REFUSE INITIAL DEMANDS
 OF TIE BOLSHEV|KI
Very First Point in Pro- posed Arrnistice Evaded by the Wiley Hun
 Delegates

London, December 5.-A Russian of fetal communication dealing with the arrnistice negotiations received here by wireless says:
 "The enemy delegates replied eva sively to the two initial Russian pro- posals, Iut promised to consult their governments concerning them. The Russians proposed as the principal points of ali armistice that the enemy should not undertake to send forces from the Russian front to the fronts of Russis's allies; also that the Ger man attachments be withdrawn from the islands of Moon sound. The enemy delegates refused these proposals"
 The enemy delegates submitted a project for an armistice from the Baltic sea, which, in view of their evasive re- plies to the Russian proposals, the Rus sian delegates submitted to the Russian military experts.
 "A fortnight was first proposed for the duration of the armistice. Ultimately 2S days were agreed upon, which may be automatically prolonged. The Russians requested that the next meeting be on Russian territory after a lapse of seven days"
 London December 5.-Quoting an Austrian official statement concerning Rumanian proposal for the nego- tiation of an armistice, a British off cial announcement tonight says:
 There is no truth whatever in this shameful statement"
 A Pacific Port, December 5.-A mes- sage from King Ferdinand of Ru- mania declaring his country would never make separate peace is being carried to President Wilson by mem- bers of the American Red Cross mis- sion to Rumania, which landed at a Pacific port yesterday, according to Q statement here tonight by Lieuten- ant Frank Conner, interpreter of the mission.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-12-06

Paris, December 5.-Viscount North cliffe has written the following impress sion of his visit to the American forces in the field for the Associated Press:
 T saw today the spearhead of the great American army of the future. I had the honor of being invited by Gen eral Pershing to accompany General Bliss, Colonel and Mrs. House, Ambassa- : dor and Mrs. Sharp, Admiral Benson, Mr Crosby of the treasury, MT. Colby, MT. Cravath and MT. Auchenlop on the yong round journey from Paris to the American headquarters and the front.
 DAYS JOURNEY
 Leaving Paris at in the morning we returned at 10 o'clock at night which may give some idea of the distances on the American war map in France. The journey in an excellently appointed spe- cial train brought us to tiny railway station where the guard of honor was waiting to receive General Pershing, General Bliss and Colonel House, and ws passed through half mile of grm, hardest young Americans in trench hel- nets standing at attention. They are in fine health and spirits.
 WORKING ACCURATELY
 Eastern France was under a frost, not the dazzling, keen atmosphere ot New York, but sonny, damp atmos- phere to which Americans are unaccus- toned, but which they are bearing well. The air was full of the thudding or great guns in an artillery battle which, as a young West Point officer told me, had now been proceeding without cessa- ton for three days and three nights some miles away to the east
 Our immediate object was visit to the intensive training camp, or finishing school for the war at (deleteD. Ameri- can planes were circling overhead, lndl- eating our destination, which was also marked by the violent clangs of bursting hand grenades at the bombing school
 Our procession of American automo- piles went straight across the country, ignoring the roads, until we arrived at the crest of a low ravine, where some thousands of the first contingents of the American expeditionary forces are beng trained. First we went to an exhibition of rifle practice with landscape targets It was good shooting, the high average of 75 per cent of hits being reached.
 AIL6TWdIQS CdLl0 SOlllC NSiS dtSaiotS work with a certain trench mortar well known to the British army. The men have mastered the principles of this very handy gun quickly. Later the specta- tors, men and women, were delighted at the proficiency of some of the bomb throwers and noted particularly that the throw is not the baseball pitch, but a complete over-arm semi-circle, some what resembling over-arm cricket bowl ing.
 We tood well out of the reach of the detonating bombs and the throw CTS bent low in the trench after the projection of the missile and until it's force and detonation threw up earth and stone in every direction.
 'Then came an exhibition of trench fighting, bayonet practice and very fine quarter hour of work with the French seventy-fives, three-inch, at a range of mile and half The target was small wood and after the first four shots the gunners got the range almost every time. The spottng was done by an airplane, which hovered over head and indicated the hits by wireless.
 uOrrcr CuNnTC DIET E
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-11-01
GERMANS AMBUSH
PARTY WITH u. S.
ARMY LIEUTENANT

American Headquarters in France
Nov. There is little chance that
the adventurous spirit of a young
American major or captain will re
suit In him leading a party into No
Mans Land.
Strict orders have been issued that
no battalion company commander be
permitted to 60 out with patrol par
ties unless such orders come within
the line of duty
In some instances the patrol has
been led by corporal or sergeant and
in others by lieutenant.
On recent night an American lieu.
tenant accompanied French officers
on patrol. The party was ambnshed
by Germans who opened fire. Some
French officers were wounded but il
Is believed that thru tie return fire
one or two Germans were killed.