Omaha daily bee., 1917-06-09
FLOOD DANGER IN
CITY OF DES MONIES
Heavy Rains Increase Stage Of
River and Many Homes in
Capital Already Under
Water.

Des Moines, Ia, June 8.-(Specia
Telegram.)-More rain late today in
creased the food danger here. The
Des Moines river did not rise any
higher today, but it is feared if rain:
keep up and are general the river will
go higher and get beyond control ir
the southeast part of the city, flooding
many homes. Water is now at tht
highest stage since 1908.
Registration Exceeds Estimate. :.
Incomplete returns over the state
indicate that the total registration un.
der the eonscription law Tuesday was
about 2l7,000 men. OF this number
about S8 per cent claim exemption
The registration has apparently gone
considerable ahead Of the govern.
ment's estimate, which was 2l2,885
The highest figures estimated by the
state were 10000. The registration
is recognized as being thorough and
complete in all parts of the state. II
is also taken as an indication that the
population in the industrial centers ol
the state is. growing and that the per
centage of young men working in fac.
tories and big business concerns is
large. OF those who do not claim ex-
emption there are at least 5000 for
eigners, who are not subject TO the
draft. 1t is recognized also that there
will be a number who will not pass
the physical test.
Auto Kills Aged Man.
James Thomas, aged 70 years, was
run down and killed yesterday after.
noon by an automobile driven by E
]. Twitchell, a salesman. Twitchell
was not driving more than fifteen
miles an hour, witnesses stated. The
view OF the old man is said to have
been obstructed by another vehicle
and he stepped directly in front of the
auto. He was knocked to the pave.
ment and his skull was fractured.
Refuse to Register-Arrested.
Fifteen Italians were arrested at a
mining camp near Centerville last
evening by the federal officials on their
refusal to register. They offered nc
resistance to the officers, but ex.
planned that they didn't understand
that they had to register. Three oi
the men gave their ages as beyond
conscription age. The officers state
that there are about thirty more sub
ject to arrest at the Numa mine, sew
eral miles from Centerville.
Taft Discusses War.
William Howard Taft, former presi.
dent, in delivering the commencement
address to the students at the Iowa
State Agricultural college at Ames
last evening declared that Germany
cannot be conquered without heroic
struggle. He declared the conflict
with Germany might continue for
years. 1--WE are engaged in q struggle
on the outcome Of which depends the
liberty which we have been taught to
believe in as the basis Of human hap.
piness," he said. eve may have to
give up million men to free the
world Of Prussian military domina.
Drake Board Elects.
Hill M. Bell, who has been president
of Drake university since 1908, was
reelected president for another period
of five years at the annual meeting oi
the board Of trustees. At the request
of the government the board voted to
discontinue military training at the
university next fall. Athletics, how.
ever, will be continued. Howard ],
Clark Of Des Moines, an attorney, and
Keoth Vawter of Cedar Rapids were
elected to vacancies on the board oi
directors. Theodore P. Shonts OF
New York City was reelected presi-
dent of the board. -.