davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
AIRSHIPS FOR U. S.
Navy Department Buys Dirioibles for
Coast Defense; to Be Available In
Four Months.

Washington, D. c.. March 12-Pur-
chase Of sixteen non-rigid dirigible air.
ships for coast and harbor patrol work
at a total cost Of $649,25O was an
nounced today by the navy depart.
ment.
The Curtiss Aeroplane Co of Buffalo,
N. Y. was awarded three for $122,250,
the Connecticut Aircraft Co., New
Haven, two for $4,000: the Goodyear
Tire & Rubber Co., Akron, Ohio, nine
for s360.0OO. and the B. r. Good
rich Co. of Akron, Ohio. two for $S3..
900. Deliveries will begin within 12O
days.
The airships are the first of such
type to be bought by the navy under
the recent $5.00O,00O appropriation for
aeronautics. They will be 100 feet in
length. 311a feet in diameter or fifty
feet high over all, will be equipped
with radio communication and 100
horsepower motors capable Of making
a continuous flight Of sixteen hours at
thlrty-five miles each and a maximum
speed of forty-ive miles an hour for
ten hours.
Under the designs drafted by naval
constructors the dirigibles will be able
to operate from shore bases and alight
on water surface in good weather.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
THINK EDSTR0M
SHOULD Be ONE
Erickson Monument Board
to Ask Congress Committee
to Invite the Ottumwan

The John Ericsson monument COM
mission, made up of representative
Swedish Americans from all over the
country, met Saturday in Chicago:
Charles Hallberg of Ottumwa and
Consul G. NJ. Swan of Sioux City are
the Iowa men on the commission. Mr..
Hallberg returned Sunday from Chi
cago where he attended the meeting.
The session followed a luncheon in
the LaSalle hotel and was called at 2
o'clock, lasting until 8. A dinner was
served the commission by the Swed-
ish club Of Chicago in the club rooms,
at which . very pleasing program Of
music and speeches was given. Dur
ing the meeting Mr. Hallberg offered
motion which was carried in which
the commission was instructed to re-
quest the congressional committee in
charge of the monument to invite Dav-
i'd Edstrom to submit bid and draw
ings for the proposed memorial that
congress has voted $4,000 to erect.
The Swedish American society Of
Iowa in its annual meeting in Des
Moines Friday passed a resolution and
wired the text of IT to the Ericsson
monument commission in which it was
urged that $50.000 be raised by sub
scription In addition to the amount ap-
propriated by congress.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
DISSOLUTION OF
SHOE TRUST ASKED

Washin gton, d. c.. March 12-Denial
that the United Shoe Machinery Co. of
Boston and its subsidiaries monopo-
HE the shoe machinery business is
made in briefs filed today with the su-
preme court by the company in the
federal governments dissolution suit,
begun In 1911.
They ask the court to affirm Massa-
chusetts DEGREES dismissing the fed.
eraI prosecution. The case is sched-
uled for argument next week. Such
monopoly In the shoe machinery bust
ness as the combination enjoys. the
defendants briefs assert, is legally
held under patents on the machinery
from the government Competitors, X
Is declared, are free to enter the field
under their own patents.
The governments charges, it is as.
serted, were made "recklessly and
without foundation
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
GREAT DEMAND FOR
FREE GARDEN SEEDS

Washington, D. c.. March 12.-Since
the home gardening movement began
throughout the country as a means to
meet the increased cost Of food. the
department of agriculture has been
swamped with hundreds of thousands
of requests for free seeds.
officials of the department say that
unfortunately they have no seeds to
distribute as members of congress
themselves direct distribution of seeds
and this years supply of about $780,.
900 worth was long ago exhausted. No
more free seeds will be available until
late in the summer
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
TO PRESS TREATY
Prssldent's Spokesman In Senate
Says Colombian Agreement Ought
to be Ratified.

Washington. D. c.. March 12.-Sen.
ator Martin. the majority floor leader
announced at the democratic caucus
today that an effort will be made to
get vote at the present session OF
the senate on the treaty with Colon
bia providing a payment Of $4,000, 600
for the partition of Panama Senator
Martin conferred with President VIII.
son at the white house this morning
and 1t was understood the announce.
ment reflected the presidents wishes.
Republican leaders have announced
that three weeks debate may be ex.
pected before vote. Republicans op.
pose 1t. No attempt was made in the
caucus today to bind democrats to
support the treaty.
The republican conference develop
ed strong opposition to the treaty and
although no attempt was made to bind
senators. leaders expressed confidence
of its defeat
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
VOTES BEING
CAST IN CITY
Wards L|GH.
Figures of Two and Fot
Years Ago Show Much
Heavier Polling
INTEREST SLOWER
IN SCHOOL CONTES

A very light vote had been east at
late hour this afternoon in the prima
les for mayor and city commissioner
In comparison with the number /,
votes cast at the primaries two al
four years ago. Not a single wa
showed as many votes today as in 19
and 1913. The heaviest year was 191
which was also the year of the hr
election under the present form of cf
government. At 2 o'clock on the afte
noon Of the primary in 1913 there ha
been 2,456 votes cast, while two yea
later In 1915 at corresponding hon
2.313 ballots had been cast. Today /,
2 o'clock It was estimated that onl
1,705 votes had been cast, showing
great falling of. The polls today ha,
Of course been crowded. but thei
does not seem to be the usual thron
even so. The third ward was the hea,
lest at 2 o'clock with $50 ballots, onl
a few less than in the two precedin
primaries. The fourth ward, which Z
2 o'clock in 1913 had cast 326 vote.
and 319 in 1915, showed only 1s0 t,
day.
A comparison Of the various ward
with 1913 and 1915 at o'clock 70
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
CHINA DECIDES ON
DIPLOMATIC BREAK
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE IN
SECRET SESSION AGREES
WITH CABINET.

London, March IL. "A Peking dis
patch to Reuters says that the Chinese
house Of representatives, at a secret
session, approved the governments
diplomatic policy including a rupture
with Germany.
The Chinese foreign office announc
ed on February that it would sever
diplomatic relations with Germany IL
the unrestricted submarine warfare de-
cree was put into effct. On March
the Chinese cabinet agreed that rela,
tons should be broken but President
IA Yuan Hung refused to accept the
decision of the ministers and Premier
Tusn Chi Jul resigned, Three days
later, however. the premier resumed Of.
fee after President II Yuan Hung had
agreed to give the cabinet full power
to frame the country's foreign policy
and also on condition that parliament
should vote on the question of breach
with Germany.
There have been reports from nu.
merous sources that China was con.
templating not merely the severance of
relations but an actual alliance with
the entente. A dispatch from Peking
on March stated that the Chinese
foreign minister was sounding the min
listers OF the entente az to the condi-
tions under which the allies would be
willing to accept China as partner
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
PROF. TAUSSIG TO
HEAD TARIFF BODY

Washington. D. c.. March 12.-Pros.
Frank w. Tanssig Of Harvard, has
been selected by President Wilson as
chairman of the new tariff commission
OF six members. Daniel G. Roper.
democrat of South Carolina, former
first assistant postmaster general and
former Representative William Kent.
republican, of California, are other
probable members, and the following
are under consideration: E. P. COST.
gan OF Denver, Prof. Irving Fisher Of
Yale. e. Z. Pratt. chief of the bureau
OF foreign and domestic commerce. and
Miss Ida Tarbell. writer
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
IMPORTANT RULING
BY SUPREME COURT

Washington, D. c.. March l2.-Par-
amount federal authority over navi-
gable rivers and government exemp-
tion from damage liability in their
improvement. the supreme court de.
cided today in Kentucky test cases,
does not extend TO their non-navigable
tributaries.
Justice Pitney. who gave the opin-
ion. said owners Of land on streams
are entitled to compensation for land
taken when such streams artificially
were made navigable. Many pending
suits and claims turned on todays de-
cision.
Decision on constitutionality of the
Adamson railroad law was again
postponed today by the supreme court.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
EVEN VOTE KILLS
THREE ROAD BILLS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE IN
STATE LEGISLATURE SPLITS
ON EIGHT BALLOTS.
Especial Correspondence. !


Des Moines, March IL - They could
not get Dean of Osceola.
That's why the Harding -Pitt.John
ston forces Went down In defeat on
their Johnston road bill in the house
Saturday.
It was the deadlock Dean established
that killed not only the Johnston bill
but the Elwood- -Mackie amendment and
the Larson-Shortess substitute by the
knotted vote of 81 to 81 = the vote
that nine times kept victory from
either side.
There's bit Of the dramatic In the
way Dean stood by the highway com.
mission. Friday night, after the first
days fight, four men held the balance
Of power. They were Dean, Murray,
Miles and Oertel. The Pitt-Johnston
men needed the four to win the battle.
The Elwood-Mackie men needed but
one to repel the assault upon the high
way commission.
The test vote Saturday morning -
the first deadlock ballot showed
Murray, Miles and Oertel had gone
over to the Pitt-Johnston camp. But
Dean, upon whom more pressure was
brought to bear than perhaps any other
man, stayed by the ship of the high
way commission.
Throughout the day Saturday, O. B.
Harding, the father OF Governor
Harding. sat by Deans side on the
floor Of the house, his guest for the
day The governors father lives in
Deans county. And defeat Of the
Johnston road bill meant defeat for
Governor Harding as well, for he had
taken up the sword in It's behalf.
Dean had been with the progressives
for several weeks. But Governor Hard
ing and Pitt-Johnston leaders brought
their combined influence to bear. Fri
day Dean weakened and told the high.
way commission hackers frankly that
he would have to vote for the Pitt
Johnston bill.
But Dean gave his word that II his
vote would decide the battle, he would
vote for the highway commission.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
RELIEF SHIP SUNK
Morse Vessel In Service OF American
/, Commission, Sent To The Bottom
Without Warning.

London, March IL. The sinking Of
the Norwegian steamship Storstad, in
the service Of the American commits
sio1 ,or relief In Belgium. occurred in
lat de 5l:2o longitude 1l.bo Tin the
Atlantic off the southern end of Ire
land.) The submarine fired about flf-
teen shots at a range OF three to four
miles. The Storstad stopped and hoist
ed the Belgian relief signal. The sub.
marine submerged but half an hour
later the Storstad which had not re-
sumed her voyage was torpedoed with
out warning as she lay stationary In
the water with all the crew on board,
She sank at 12:1 p. m. The crew in.
tluding one American has been &C.
founted for In It's entirety bu the
fourth engineer died Of exposure.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
u. S. SAILORS ARE
FINALLY RELEASED
MEN FROM THE YARRoWDALE
ARE WARMLY GREETED
AFTER REACHING SAFETY.

Zurich. Switzerland, March II, via
Paris, March 12-Laden with cigars
c1sarets and food showered upon them
by the hospitable Swiss, fifty-nine OF
the now historic Yarrowdale prisoners
arrived in Zurich today. They had ar
rived at the German frontier at Lin.
dau yesterday after a continuous trip
OF f1fty-twO hours from the prison camp
at Brandenburg.
Inc sailors, although emaciated
from their Imprisonment and serious
lack OF food since their arrival in Ger
many on December 81, are in fair. con.
ditlon and confident that with nor.
NAL amount of food they will soon be
themselves again. The party was met
here by U. S. Consul General Keene,
who greeted them briefly and asked
them not to forget that they were
Americans and not to bring discredit
on America by yielding to an under
standable temptation to kick over the
traces"
The men were distributed among
several hotels until instructions shall
have arrived from Washington. Their
personal effects were lost when their
ships were sunk and their wardrobes
have been only partially replaced by
makeshifts which render them for the
present decidedly motley crew. New
ertheless their stories were told, not
in tone of complaint but in philo-
sophical way.
The sailors said that they were con-
vinced that the raider which sank
their vessel was the Ritz Of Bremen"
They describe her as a brand new ves-
sci of about 5000 tons, capable of
eighteen knots, equipped with one fun.
mel. two masts, one false funnel, four
torpedo tubes, seven rapid firing guns
and wheel house which was hidden
by the sides of the ship. The tunnels
had device by which the stripes
could be changed at will and the ships
doors were so constructed as to cut of
all light when they were open. The
ships sides were also so constructed
that portions Of them could be auto
matically dropped and raised.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
INDIANA STORM
FATAL TO SCORE
Tornado Sweeps Newcastle
and Leaves Death and
Ruin in Its Wake

Newcastle, Ind, March 12--W With the
coming of daylight, search Of the
ruins left in the wake Of yesterday g
tornado, which caused the death of at
least twenty-four persons here, the Sc.
rious injury of thirty-six others and
about 81 100000 property damage, was
redoubled and it was believed by those
in charge of the relief work that sew
eral more bodies would be found. At
least $50 persons were injured less Sc
riously and were cared for by friends
without being taken to hospitals.
It was estimated this morning that
200 families were made homeless and
that about half Of these would require
immediate financial assistance.
Reports and rumors early today
were that the tornado also killed sew
eral persons in surrounding towns, but
owing to crippled wire service, these
reports had not been verified. Three
were reported to have been killed in
Mt. Summit, three in MOreland and
three in New Lisbon. 1t was also be-
lieved here that these deaths might be
increased when word could be- had
from the rural districts In the path Of
the storm.
The storm broke during warm af-
ternoon. 1t hit the western part OF the
city and cut swath varying from a
few feet to two blocks wide. easterly
across the city. Practically everything
in it's path was leveled Houes at
one side which were torn down COM
plctely had windows smashed and all
doors blown in. 1t is in the poorer sec
tion of the city that rescue workers
expect to find more dead and injured.
Mayor l.. ]. Watkins, his daughter
and mother-in-law were rescued from
the cellar of their home, neither being
injured. The house was demolished.
Many other had the same experience.
Early today rescue work was being
organized rapidly. Three companies OF
Indiana national guard, one from Mum
Gle. one from Indianapolis and one
o. xfordsville, were here before
IS of the storm and narrow es-
uapes were numerous. The Indiana
rolling mills, one Of the larger factor
les here. was demolished G. w.
Mouch, president ofsthe company. was
in the once at the time. He, with Mr..
and Mrs. Harry Newhouse. rushed into
the large office vault. They were unin-
jured. Two freight cars loaded with
iron which were on track nearby
were picked up by the wind and drop
ped some distance away.
Mrs. A. R. Sligar. Bundy avenue, was
in bed when the wind hit her home.
The house was torn down. but the bed
was picked up, carried to street and
dropped. A tree broke over the bed,
but Mrs. Sligar was not injured seri-
ouSly
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
CHURCHES AGREE
NATION is UNITED

New York, March 12.-"Germany, !"
says statement made public today
bv the New York federation Of
churches. Should be made aware of
the essential unity of our people and
of their loyal determination to make
all sacrifices necessary to protect our
liberty and to maintain our honor
To this end the federation urges all
groups of citizens throughout the
country to give immediate public ex.
preston to their convictions regard.
ing the situation between the two
countries.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
LOAN SHARKS ARE
BEING HUNTED DOWN

Chicago, March 12.-Nearly 5000
victims Of loan sharks" have appeal
ed to one law firm for relief from
small loans that have piled far beyond
the principal by the agents applica-
ton of interest, according to report
made yesterday by the firm which has
been pressing a campaign for law
curbing loan agencies. 1t has been
found that street car employees,
switchmen, clerks and firemen are the
principal sufferers from the loan
agents usury.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
Continued on Page 81
CONTINUED on Page s.
INTERNED GERMAN
SAILORS FEARED
PLEA is MADE THAT ALIEN SHIPS
BE TAKEN FROM PHILADEL-
PHlA NAVY YARD.

Philadelphia. Pa. March II. Gov
eminent agents today continued theil
| investigation into the activities Of per
sons under arrest charged with SNUG
Cling ships chronometers from the
German auxiliary cruisers interned al
the Philadelphia navy yard and Of per
sons suspected Of having had hand
in the alleged violation Of the customs
laws.
There are reports that the federal
authorities have discovered plot with
many ramiflcations to damage property
at the navy yard in event there is war
between the United States and Ger.
many. Government officials however,
maintaining silence. neither confirming
nor denying published reports that ex.
plosives have been smuggled on board
the Kron Prinz Wilhelm and the Prins
Etel Friedrich tied up at the navy
yard.
Albert K. Fischer, his wife, Helen
and Henry Rohner head Of Wholesale
grocery concern here. are out on bail
charged with smuggling the chrome.
meters from the two German ships.
Other arrests may be made. Govern.
ment agents are not sure that Rohnef
had knowledge of the alleged Snug.
Cling scheme. His friends declare he
had been persuaded by Fischer to per.
NIT his motor truck to be used for
bringing boxes from the navy yard
when Rohner's employees delivered gro.
ceries to the interned ships.
Many papers and documents taken
from the Fischer home in the suburbs
are being examined by the federal
authorities. It was said the Fischers
are dlstantly related to the Hohenzol.
lern family OF which the emperor of
Germany Is the head. Mrs. Fischer Is
also said to be related to Koerting. the
German iron master. What part she
took in the alleged smuggling has not
been revealed
The arrest Of the Fischers and Rob-
ner has given impetus to movement
started here last week to have the in.
termed German cruisers removed from
the navy yards. 1t is declared that In
the event of war the $50 interned Ger
man sailors would be serious menace
to the yard and South Philadelphia.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
CHANGE IN RULING.

I Washington, D. c.. March IL. Per
mission for clearance of the French
liner Rochambeau from New York. the
FIRST belligerent merchantmen to ar
Elve in an American harbor with guns
Mounted fore, as well as aft, was to-
day granted by the state department,
which ruled that the Rochambeau as a
passenger carrying vessel plying usual
routes, was peaceable merchantmen,
entitled to take adequate precautions
against illegal attack.
Undoubtedly the Rochambeau ruling
will lead to general policy of arming
vessels to the fore 1t was thought
at the time that she had been sent into
>port largely as test of the policy Of
This government and now that wide
armament is allowed, 1t is assumed
ytnat other entente merchantmen will
afollow suit.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
BIG FIRE At BLUFFS.

Council Bluffs. March 12--Fire early
Sunday destroyed four buildings in
what is known as the Sapp block in
the business district, causing loss OF
$780, 900 The buildings were occupied
by the Commercial National bank, the
ticket offices Of the Northwestern and
Union Pacific railroads. the Gunnoude
& Zermeuhlen wholesale and retail
cigar store and 10-cent store. On
GERS Of the Commercial National bank
said all the cash and records were pro.
tected in fireproof safes and vaults.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
ARMED GUARDS
WILL PROTECT
US. SHIPS AND
PEOPLE ABOARD
Formal Notification Sent
to Representatives of
All Alien Nations
CARRIES THREAT
TO FIGHT U-BOATS

Washington, D. c., March 12-For
NAL notice that American ships trav'
ersing the German submarine zones
are to carry armed guard for the pro
lection of the vessel and the lives OF
the persons on board was sent by the
state department today to embassies
and legations of all foreign govern
ments in Washington.
Following is the text Of the commu'
nication as made public by the state
department:
'In view of the announcement OF the
imperial German government on Janu'
ary 81, 1917, that all ships. those OF
neutrals included, met within certain
zones of the high seas, would be sunk
without any precaution being taken FOR
the safety Of the persons on board, and
without the exercise of visit and
search. the government OF the United
States has determined to place upon
all American merchant vessels sailing
through the barred areas an armed
guard for the protection Of the vessels
and the lives of the persons on board =
The navy departments position is
that 1t will equip with arms all ships
whose owners apply to it. -.
The notification, it is expected, will
be sent to Germany by the Swiss lega-
stier y re. !. Nc obstacle will.be placed
sSy of such action. Whether
atrial governments will admit
AN armed ships to their ports
.lestion for them to decide, but 1t
IS not expected here that objections
-, be made Holland is the only
nSltral known to have barred armed
nierchantmen from her harbors.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
STREET CAR MEN AT
CAPITAL ON STRIKE

Washington. D. c., March 12.-Prac-
tically one,haf the street railway
lines Of the capital were being operat-
ed today by strike breakers. The other
half. owned by another company. was
running as usual with regular men
who had come to terms with their
employers Recognition Of the union
was the chief question. Service on the
lines under strike. while infrequent
was being maintained without disor.
der
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
War SUMMARY

The capture OF Bagdad by the
] British points to the possibility Of
a comparatively speedy linking up
of British and Russian movements
against the Turks in this faraway
field Of war, 1t Is said
On the Franco Belgian front vir-
tually each day now brings news
of some active operation OF more
Importance than mere patrol en-
counter or a raid in force Today's
report Of intensive fighting comes
from Paris. recording further
successes in the Champagne,
where gains have been effected in
the region of Maisons de Cham
payne, the scene Of the recent ac-
tivities in this sector.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13
THANKS EXTENDED
TO ITALY BY u. s,

Udine, Italy, via Paris. March 12-
The Italian supreme commander has
received a letter from U. s. Ambassa-
dor Page expressing the thanks Of the
American government for the SYM
pathy and assistance given on the &C.
casion OF the death of Major Elvin r.
Heiberg. American military attache.
Ambassador Page says that Major
Heiberg was treated as a brother in
arms.
Major Heiberg was killed by fall
from a horse while on the Italian
front.