davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGED.
Conspiracy to Steal Uniform Cloth Said
to Have Been Extensive.

| New York, Dec. 2s.--Louis Davidson
proprietor of cloth shrinking and re.
finishing works in this city, was locked
up in the Tombs prison last night on a
charge of embezzling government prop
| erty. The arrest was made in connec-
tion with the disappearance of $50 bolts
| of olive drab uniform cloth, valued at
| $4,000; which for several months had
puzzled the quartermaster' department
of the army. The conspiracy to steal
uniform cloth is said to have been ex-
tensive, involving at least two civilian
employees of the quartermaster depart
ment and it is probable other arrests
ants at the army building and one of
the government clothing warehouses are
still under examination.
Davidson was arrested, Assistant Unit
ed States District Attorney Knox said
after information had been received that
he had sold 100 bolts OF the cloth below
the cost price. The cloth, Mr.. Knox
said, was shipped direct from the mills
or sent from army warehouses to David
sons establishment for sponging and
shrinkage The government price is
about So a yard for olive drab cloth.
The quartermaster' department is said
to have known for several months that
cloth was being stolen. Because of the
fact that accounts apparently had been
altered TO cover up the shortage, the
problem was puzzling until information
of sales below cost is said to have been
obtained
Detectives said they believed other
sponging houses would be involved and
that the cloth stolen viii aggregate
100000 in value.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
FIGHTING FOR POTASH MINES.
That Is Excuse Given By Germans for
U. S. Entry in the War.

Amsterdam, Dec 2s Correspondence
of the Associated Press The German
people now are being told that the Unit
ed States went into the war, not to make
the world safe for democracy, but in or
der that American capitalists might
acquire the potash mines of Alsace.
Prof. Roth of Greifswald university, in
an article in the Nossische Zeitung, says:
American troops, we hear, are now oc.
cupying a portion of the French front
u Is quite possible that they will soon
appear along the Rhine -Rhone canal, in
order to establish American claims to
the potash mines there. seeing that
Americas peaceful designs ON our potash
IN l9O9-l0 Thy purchasel were defeated
by the passage of the German potash
law. which prohibits foreign ownership.
along with coal and iron, potash is
Germany's strongest weapon, and if the
best of il should be taken away from
her, she would be deprived of the best
economic club she can WELD against the
United States
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
He Will Continue Existing
Railroad Organi-
cations
SEEKS COOPERATION
OF ALL THE PEOPLE
Thoroughly Unified System
of All Roads Is His
Aim

Washington, ID. C., Dec. 2S-Secretary
of the Treasury W. C. McAdoo last night
made his first public utterances since his
appointment as director general of the
railroads of the country. He said that
az least until he has time to mature his
plans and policies railroad operation
will be conducted through existing rail-
road organization.
"This new task is of great magnitude
and difficulty" said Mr.. McAdoo. ut
cannot be done in moment, and it can
not be done at all unless the people of
the United States, as well as the officers
and employees of the railroads, give to the
railroad director their intelligent and pa
triotic support. | earnestly seek the CO.
operation and assistance of every good
citizen in this great work.
"The operation of the railroads as a
thoroughly unified system is of funda-
mental Importance to the success of the
war. Without it, we cannot get the eff
fective use of our resources. The SUI
preme test in this war will probably
come in the year 1918. Victory will de-
pend upon our speed and efficiency. We
can get neither speed nor efficiency un-
less the railroads are equal to the de-
mands of the situation
II can only say at the moment that
the problem will be taken hold of vigor.
ously and that plans and policies will
be announced from time to time as rap
idly as it is possible to mature them.
Meanwhile the business will be conduct
ed through existing railroad organization
with all the support and power of the
government asserted in behalf of more
efficient and satisfactory operation.
"The director general of railroads, |
upon invitation of the interstate com
merce commission, has accepted offices in
the interstate commerce building. The |
commission has also placed at the dis
posal of the director the entire work
and facilities of the commission"
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
LOST VALUABLE HORSES.
And Came Near Being Killed By Train
Himself.

Fair Haven. Dec. Plinny Patter-
son of Benson lost valuable pair OF
horses here yesterday and narrowly es-
capped death himself. Mr.. Patterson, who
lis employed to transport cream from
Benson to this town for TAFT Brothers,
had delivered his load at the creamery
and drove to the sheds of the r. c. Reed
Coal company. After taking on a load
he drove to the front oi the Office. his
team facing the track and went into
the building.
Hearing a train approaching he ran
out and standing in front of his team
he tried TO hold them. but was unable
to do so. jumping across the track about
a foot ahead Of the engine. One horse
was killed instantly and the other was
so badly injured that il had to be shot.
The train killing the team was the
one due here from Rutland at l:54
o'clock in the afternoon and was in
charge Of Conductor James Collins. The
team was valued az $500.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
DROPPED BOMBS
ON AMERICANS
Two Privates in American
Expeditionary Forces
Were Killed
TWO CASUALTIES
AMONG ENGINEERS
Paris Leave Suspended Tenn
porarily for Ameri-
can Forces

With the American Army in France
Thursday, Dec. 27-(By the Associated
Press During a recent moonlight night
German aviators dropped bombs near a
certain town and two American priyates
who were in camp in the wood were
killed. The German airman flew low
and dropped his bombs accurately.
A corporal of the American engineers
was killed and a private was wounded
Christmas eve when German shell
dropped near party of American engi-
neers working in the trenches on Sec
tion of the French front, The engineers
for purposes of instruction were under
the direction of general headquarters.
Divisional commanders of the Ameri-
can forces to-day issued orders suspend
ing temporarily Paris leave for all Off
GERS and men. No explanation was given
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
CHECKER CONTEST NARROWED.
Only a Few Aspirants for Championship
Are Left.

Out of a mass of complicated computa.
tions, it became known to-day that all
but six of the aspirants for the Yer.
mont state checker championship have
been eliminated, and while the old guard
of the state association is endeavoring to
adjust matters so that the honors may
| be awarded tomorrow, several players
will continue to give battle to the oppo-
nent nearest them. Defamation of the
ranks Of checker players who gathered in
this city on the day after Christmas. and
the promiscuous scattering of individual
score cards served TO complicate the
work of the contest director to-day. and
added confusion to a situation that has
not confronted the checker club in sew
eral years. Two contestants have been
eliminated by reason of their withdraw
ing, and others are no longer recognized
as aspirants.
Nevertheless, there remain four check
er players who are strong contenders for
the championship board, and two Others
have outside chances to win. w. G. Hoag
of Burlington, secretary treasurer of the
organization, and the 1917 champion, has
been eliminated The four whose matches
this afternoon and tonight viii decide
the championship are: David Stephen
and w H. Messer of Barre, w. NJ. Milo
of Montpelier and L. ]. Egleston of Rut
land. The last named has won %, lost
five and drawn IL, with three games to
play. Eleventh hour spurts may put c.
n. Moulton of East Charleston and i. \.
Hyzer of Randolph in the running.
Interest in the tournament has waned
among several of the % contestants who
entered the lists, hut the contest is wax
ing warm among those who are left, and
the outcome is very much in doubt. The
tourna ment committee is faced with the
task of ruling on games won from mem
bers who have withdrawn, and its find |
ings may salter the complexion of the |
present returns. To-day the individual |
score sheets could not be assembled rap |
idly, and for that reason the committee |
was unable to announce an official stand |
ing of the players, From now on until
the first, second and third prizes are
awarded, the games will be played in the
iordon block, where the Barre Chess and
Checker club has its quarters.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
TALKOFTHE TOWN

Harland II. Maxfeld who enlisted as
a mechanic in the aviation section, slg-
lnal corps, early in December, sends word
of his safe arrival in Texas. He is in
training at Kelly's Field, San Antonio,
Tex,
Nelson Brown returned this morning
Ito Aver, Mass. where he is employed by
la large construction concern, after spend
ling the past few days at the home OF his
parents, Mr. and Mrs James Brown, of
| Cliff street.
! James G. Murray of South Barre left
the city last night for Montreal, p, O.,
where he expects to enlist in the Canadi-
an army He was accompanied by his
father, James Murray, sr., who viii visit
relatives in Montreal for few days be-
fore returning home.
The North Barre Red Sox club held
a special meeting last night and voted
to abandon plans for the sleigh ride
which was to have been held next month,
and instead of the outing a banquet will
celebrate the clubs anniversary. 1t ~
to be held in one of the local halls on
the evening of Jan. 25, and after the
banquet CarrolI's orchestra will furnish
music for dancing The committee in
charge of the affair consists of Joseph
Ouattropani, Richard Bizzozero and Jo-
seph Guidici.
Paul Bianehi and John J. Frontini, Off
cials of Barre branch. Granitecutters' In
ternational association. left to-day for
Quincy, Mass, where they are to pass
a few days as guests of Alex Russell,
secretary of the Quincy branch, who ia
his brother, w. w. Russell,
of Barre during the holiday season.
Messrs. Bianchi and Frontini will call
at the international headquarters of the
union to visit the secretary, James Dun
can, while they are away.
Miss Antoinette Righini was pleasant
Iv surprised Thursday evening when
many of her friends gathered at the
home of Mrs Mary Malnati of & Foss
street. The affair took the form of a
linen shower. which was rendered her in
honor Of her approaching marriage To
Dante Riccsrelli OF this city. The even
ng was passed with games and music.
Refreshments Of ice cream. cake, sand
viches and cocoa were served. The party
,roke Up al a late hour. wishing Miss
2ighini much happiness in her new home.
AT Goddard seminary to-day II was
nnounced that an instructor and ath-
piic director had been secured 10 sue
eed Charles L. Hoernle. who left last
reek for a visit in Dorchester, Mass,
efore reporting for duty in the navy.
he new member Of the faculty is Ed
-ard NcGinnis, a graduate OF Dorches-
ar high school and an intimate friend
{ Mr Hoernle Mr Mciinns pursued
purse in commercial instruction in the
ust graduate school If Dorchester high
nd will come 10 the seminary highly
Hc PLAYED with the ST.
ohnsbuFy baseball team IN 1915. when
zach Hocrule captained the club. and
IA try-out uith the Chicago Cubs
-t spring Mr. MeGiuuis viii take
large of tie basketball and baseball
ans on the hill Hr is 90 assume his
.w duties next week
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
BRITAIN WILL NOT
STATE HER VAR AIMS
Such Declaration, Premier George Says,
Could Only Be Made BY Agree
ment with the Allies.

London, Dec. 2s.-Premier LLOYD
George in a letter which he has sent to
the labor conference says that a state
ment of war aims could be made only in
agreement with Great Britain's allies.
The question of issuing fresh joint
declaration, he added, was being kept
constantly in view by the entente allied
governments.
"The achievement of the purpose for
which the allies are fighting is essential
to the future freedom and peace of man
kind, said the premier. The latter is
regarded as the British reply to the Ger
man peace offer.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
MRS. BALLS FUNERAL
Held at Her Home on Hill Street Thurs.
day Afternoon.

The funeral of Mrs Sarah L. Ball. wife
of the late Charles W. Ball, whose death
at her home, l05 Hill street, Tuesday
morning followed long illness. was held
at the house Thursday afternoon at ,
o'clock. Rev. b. G. Lipsky, pastor of the
Hedding Methodist church, was the Off
ciating clergyman. and those who acted
as bearers are; George F. Ball. son.
and Eldon W. Ball, a grandson of the
deceased, Arthur L. Pierce. a nephew.
and his son, Raymond Pierce The Off
ciating clergyman was assisted in the
service by Rev. Leon b. Bliss. a nephew
Of Mrs. Ball. lnterment was made in the
family lot in Elmwood cemetery.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
FRANCE REJECTS
PEACE OVERTURE
Will Not Accept Peace Based on Condi
ditions Before the Outbreak of
the War.

Paris, Thursday, Dec 27.-Franee will
not accept peace based on the condi-
tions before the war, Foreign Minister
Pichon declared in replying in the Cham
ber of Deputies to-day to the peace
terms of the central powers outlined to
Russia. He asserted that Germany was
endeavoring to involve France in the ne.
gotiations but that the war would 90
on whether Russia made separate peace
or not
Referring to the German declaration
that Alsace and Lorraine would never be
surrendered, Piehon said that the ques-
tion of Alsace Lorraine is a world ques-
tion. II is not a territorial problem. II
is moral problem. On its solution de-
pend whether the world shall have dur
able peace.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
MAY LOSE TRAINS.
Montpelier & Wells River to Have Its
Schedule Cut.

Agents of the Montpelier & Wells Riv-
er railroad have received from the re-
ceiver of the Boston & Maine system a
notice to the public relative to the train
service in the coming months, in which,
although they do not say what trains
are TO be removed from the schedule.
they indicate that some of the passenger
trains viii have to be taken off and that
in so doing the company viii try TO sc-
eommodate the public to the best of its
ability under the conditions
They set forth that taking off the
trains will give additional rolling stock
and men for handling freight. which is
very heavy. Also they will not burn as
much fuel as they have. The railroad
companies have large supply on hand,
but they fear for the latter months Of
the winter.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
HELPS COAL PROBLEM
AS Well as Sugar Situation, 1t Is GEN
orally Believed.

Washington, d. c., Dec President
Wilson's decision to take over the rail-
roads will keep the Senate coal inquiry
within narrower limits than originally
planned. Members of the manufactur-
ers committee, investigating both coal
and sugar, are disinclined to 20 into the
transportation difficulties now that they
believe improvement is in sight and in
the hearing yesterday touched only cas-
ually upon the lack of railroad facilities
which has been blamed for most of the
coal shortage.
w. B. Colver, member of the federal
trade commission, the only witness yes
terday, said failure of railroads to place
enough cars at mines had resulted in BIZ
luminous miners of the country being
idle an average of two or three days
week, which not only limits production,
but tends to make discontented laborers.
Had there been plenty of cars this year,
he stated, enough coal could have been
mined to make up the 50,000000 ton
shortage Fuel Administrator Garfield es-
Inmates exists.
Mr.. Colver reiterated, however, the
commissions opinion that no car short
age exists and that mispacing of cars is
what is causing the trouble.
Early last summer, Mr.. Colver told the
committee, the operators had contracted
for so per cent of the estimated output
for the year at prices higher than those
later fixed just before the prices were
fixed there was violent bidding for coal
not contracted for and in many cases still
higher prices were paid. Then, he ex-
planned, the operators hurried to deliver
this high priced product leaving the con
tract coal, the bulk of deliveries, until |
later. In consequence, he said coal
usually shipped to the Great Lakes, New |
England and other sections during the
summer was not sent and in the fall |
when the operators turned to their con
tracts there were no officials for delivery. |
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
BROTHERS UNDER ARREST.
Charged with Uttering Fraudulent
Checks of Some Sire

Burlington, Dec. 2S.--Emeroy Pepii
and George Pepin, brothers, young mel
whose home is at 224 North Champlair
street were arrested yesterday Afternoon
on charges Of utterinc fraudulent checks
ENERGY, alleged TO be the guilty party
| in Montpelier, and George in this city by
Chief of Police p. y. Russell.
ENERGY Pepin, who was lodged in the
Washington county jail at Montpelier by
Chief of Police Connolly of that city OH
an order from Chief of Police Russell OF
this city, it is alleged by States Attor-
ney Martin, "did on June q wilfully
falsely, feloniously and deceitfully make
and forge and cause to be made and
forged certain bank check dated Bur
lington, June @, 1917, and numbered 20,
drawn on the Howard National bank for
the sum of S400.l5, payable to +. A.
Clark & Co., ON order, and purporting to
be signed by Fred Carpenter and to be
endorsed by +. A. Clark & Co, and by
+. r. Arthur, with intent to injure and
defraud Fred Carpenter, or some other
persons unknown"
Another information was filed against
George, the brother, by the states at
torney of the same character as the
above. He was admitted TO bail in the
sum of $500, however, which was fur
nished by an uncle, John Moquin, of this
city, An officer from this city will leave
for the capital city to-day to bring
ENERGY to the county Jail here, where
he viii be confined until Monday morn
ing at 10 o'clock, when the cases against
the two will be taken up.
The method of "frenzied finance used
by the young man or young men, which
ever may prove to be the case, was a
clever piece of work as far as the sign.
ing of the signature of Mr.. Carpenter
entered into the case, ENERGY, who
lately worked for the "butter and eggs"
man, was able, it is alleged, to get hold |
of Mr.. Carpenters check book, from
which a check was subtracted. This |
check he filed out, it is claimed, with |
The foregoing signatures, and mailed to
he Howard National bank from aboard |
/ passenger train, giving neither his
name nor his address, but solely stating
hat it was to start bank account.
This check was mailed only few days
lgo.
d. J. Mcmahon, at whose store George
worked until short while ago, also was
'icked out as a victim for the get rich
aick scheme of the pair, it is further
lleged, his name having been forged to
ne Howard National bank check for the
um of $500 Besides this check, there ;
re eight Others missing, the nine having
cen taken in three sheets from the back /
I Mr.. McMahon's check book some time {
go. +,
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
BROADER RATE STRUCTURE
Recommended By Pres. Rea of Pennsyl-
vania Railroad.

Washington, ID. c.. Dec. 2S.--Presiden
Samuel Rea of the Pennsylvania Rail
road company last night authorized I
statement on the government control %
railroads in which broadening of tn,
rate structure is suggested TO cover in
creased costs and TO avoid the necessity
of congressional appropriations. The
statement says:
Samuel Rea, president of the Penn
sylvania railroad system. said he was
not prepared at present TO make any con
elusive statement on the proposed gov
ernment control of the railroads. The
working features of the plan are not yet
announced and there are many divergent
results in the suggested three year pc
riod preceding June 80. 1917, on the
roads in different parts of the country.
''The plan would, he assumed, be
broadened to provide not only for renew
ing and extending maturing obligations
which would be necessary to stabilize the
financial structure of the country, but
also to provide new capital for additions
and betterments to road and equipment.
This is imperatively required TO prompt
ly move the war traffic on the Pennsyl-
vania system and naturally the rate
structure should be broadened to cover
the increased costs and charges to avoid
the necessity of congressional appropria-
tions which would have TO be rade up
by increasing general taxation In short,
the railroads must be made self-sustain
ing.
Therefore, he felt the present duty
If the railroads was to study the situa
lion and confer with the officers of the
to ascertain the scope of the
proposed plan and especially to devote
heir entire energy to promptly moving
he war traffic; relying upon the recon-
and assurances contained in
he proclamation and statement which |
he president believes Congress will be
disposed to indorse."
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
AN IMPOSING SIGHT
Was the March Of the British Tanks To-
ward Cambrai.

Bene Switzerland. Dec 2S.-D Describ.
ing the battle Of Cambria to German
readers, Lieut. Gen. Won Ardenne. in The
Tsgeblatt, says: Those who fought in
the battle describe the imposing impres-
sion made by the British tanks which
preceded the attack on the widest front
As they advanced ia masses. with very
small intervals between them. they re-
minded one Of Hanuihal's battle ele-
plants or the sirkle chari0ts 81 Pharaoh
The booming rumbling attack was sc-
eompanied. % rather supported. from the
air hy a veritahle cloud Il hattie aircraft.
While closely pressed masses of infantry
aud fed artillery followed the iron vail.
three csyalry divisions bringing up the
rear
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
FORCED INTO BANKRUPTCY.
Contractors Engaged on Building Job in
Brattleboro.

Rutland. Dee. 2S.-Au involuntary pc
tition in bankruptcy has been fled with
the clerk Of the United States court
n. : Platt. against F W Dskin and
y. A. Dakin. a firm Of contractors at
present employed in the erection Of a bic
business block in BTattleboro for Atty.
Gen. II. O. Barber. TIE petitioning cred
itor j. the Pitt>burg Plate Glass com
pauy. with a claim of s24l248 The
creditor claims Tire firm committed an act
IN bankruptcy by transferring some
property. making a preferred creditor of
I.o0mis Dakiu, Ltd. of sherbTooke, p. Y.
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
ARRESTED IN wooDSvILLE.
Edward Bailey Had Goods with McWhor-
ter Store Mark.

States Attorney Davis has received
word OF the arrest of Edward Bailey in
Woodsville. N. H., ON the charge of rob
berry and that Bailey had articles Of
clothing which bear the mark of the Me
Whorter company's store of Barre. The
articles were said to be shirts. Two fur
coats missing from the McWhorter store
have not been recovered. Bailey has
been traced over northern Vermont for
some time and was arrested in Woods
vile Yesterday
The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1917-12-28
WOMEN SMOKE EVERYWHERE.
Those in England Claim They Have
Earned the Right.

London, Dec. 2S.-The conduct OF
young women who smoke in the subway
the moving picture theatres and other
playhouses where it is allowed. is grad.
ualiy putting smoking out of fashion
among English women of refined sensibil-
tiles. 1t is accomplishing more than a
recent semi official entreaty to women
to give up smoking in order that the men
at the front may have more flags" The
women declared, in reply, that they were
doing as much war work as the men and
should not be the ones to make any sac
rifices