davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01

Lewis gun as at present developed is
mot satisfactory arm" also was pro-
duced by General Crozier.
Congressional appropriations for ma
chine guns prior to 1916 after the dec
laration of war, when $12,000,000 was
appropriated, General Crozier said,
had been very meager." Because of
machine gun development and the
large 1916 appropriation, General
Crozier said, Secretary Baker decided
to appoint a special board organized
in September, 1916, and which ar
ranged for the tests of May, 1917.
In the meantime, General Crozier
said, the board ordered $500 Vickers
guns which had been proved the best
for American ammunition. 1t was evil
dent, he said, that good Lewis guns
were made In England for use with
British ammunition and poor Lewis
guns were being made in this country.
GUNS AVAILABLE NOW.
When war with Germany became i'm
minent, General Crozier said he asked
for 5000 Lewis guns. On April IL,
he said, 1900 Lewis guns were or
dered, 4,40O more on June p and 1000
more June IS.
'"This shows" said General Crozief,
that as soon as the Lewis gun was
developed for use with American am.
munition large orders were immedi-
ately given"
Letters from General Pershing last
summer asking for the greatest pos
sible production" Of Vickers guns were
put in evidence and General Pershing
especially asked for Lewis guns for
aviation.
There is good prospect that our
forces in Europe will not be lacking !
machine guns in any way" said Cen
eral Crozier. Seventy-five hundred
machine guns are available for train.
ing purposes in this country, General
Croker said.
Turning to the charges by Colonel
Lewis, inventor Of the gun bearing his
name, that General Crozier had been
prejudiced against him, General
Crozier showed that board which In
vestigated charges exonerated him.
Assertions that he had opposed adop-
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
BUSY RAILWAYS
COUNT LOSSES
RECEIPTS MORE
THAN OFFSET BY EXTRA
ORDINARY EXPENSES.

Chicago, Dec. 31.-T1affic on Ameri-
can railroads passed the $4,000, 000, 900
mark during the past year for the
first time in history according to fig:
ures compiled by the bureau of rail-
way news and statistics made public
today, the figures are based on of6cial
returns to the interstate commerce
commission for the first ten months
of the year and on estimates for the
last two. The gross receipts for the
year are placed at $4,188,227, 1855 gain
of $451 1854 over 1916, but despite
this tremendous increase in business,
there was a decrease of $91, 876,153 in
net income. The net income for 1917
was $1,o22,741,992.
Advancing cost Of fuel, materials
and supplies together with increased
wages is blamed for the loss in the
net income.
Taxes for the year were s222,026,-
753, an increase of $56,770,7s7, accord
ing to the bureaus statistics. A
steady increase in taxes each month
is shown. Starting with $14,520,000
in January they reached $25, SOC, 900 in
when accruals under new
war tax taxation became effective.
Operating expenses were $685..
45S, 44O. an increase of s4S7O10,S04
over 1916. Net operating income per
mile is placed at s3,s43. a return of
5S7 per cent in the capital invested.
In 1916 the net income was 1929,
return Of GAS per cent, according to
he bureaus report.
The bureau points out that the
treat increase in business was handled
With very little increase in equipment
An increase Of 700 miles Is shown in
he mileage.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
CASH HELD UP FROM
ARMY, CROZIER SAYS
Continued From Page ~

la
ed, however, because the boards re.
port showed the Lewis gun TANNED
FOG times, had IS parts broken and Is
parts required replacement, while the
Vickers gun jammed only % times
and had no parts broken. The board
held the Lewis gun inferior to the
Vickers or Bennett MERCER.
DENIES FAvoRI1lsM.
No other Lewis guns, General Croz.
Ter said, were submitted for a test
until April, 1916. The war department
previously asked for a Lewis gun to
test but the Savage Arms company
replied none was available. In the
tests Of April, 1916, General Crozier
said the manufacturers withdrew the
guns because it was said they were
not in condition.
The boards formed to test machine
guns, General Crozier pointed out,
were not subject to his jurisdiction.
The board in April, 1916, found the
Lewis gun had many desirable fea-
lures and offered to again test 1t when
perfected. He produced a letter from
President Borie of the Savage Arms
company stating that the boards &C,
ton had been entirely impartial"
In the summer Of 1916, General Croz-
Ter said, on his own initiative and with
out funds having been appropriated,
he bought $50 Lewis guns for use with
British ammunition on the Mexican
border Letters from officers having
chargs of the guns, criticising the
Lewis guns adversely, were produced
and General Croker said that in the
border service the Lewis gun was
shown inferior to the Ben
net-Mercier and Vickers.
A report last January from the army
school of musketry stating that 1.-THE
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
ENGLAND TRIES
FOOD RATIONS
CARDS MUST BE PRESENTEDEOR
SUPPLIES UNDER NEW
RULE,

London Dec. 31-England's first ex-
perience with compulsory rationing
was had today with sugar. No person
could obtain supplies except by card.
1t is understood that comprehen-
sive plan for alienation of conditions
among the poor, who have been CON-
PEELED to stand in line for hours wait
ing for supplies, will be in full swing
before the new year is far advanced.
With the seizure Of margarine last
week and the introduction of the
sugar system today, the lines of wait
ing persons in the London districts
Gwindled. The allowance of margarine
is four ounces per capita weekly, and
of sugar half a pound.
Other measures may be summarized
as follows:
Potatoes to be used in the man.
ufacture of bread, to economic
in the consumption of cereals.
No calves or heifers to be killed
and the sale of veal and lamb to
be prohibited.
The sale of ice cream and water
ices to be forbidden.
Curers of bacon and ham to
make returns of their output not
later than January 10.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
ARMY Furnishes
FOE OF DRAFT
REBELLlOUS CAMP DODGE SOL.
DER IMPRISONED FOR FIF-
TEEN YEARS.

Camp Dodge, Dec. 31.-Private Har.
old Bruber, member Of Company F.
352nd infantry, has been sentenced to
fifteen years in the FIT. Leavenworth
penitentiary by general court martial,
it was announced today
Bruber was charged first with de-
sertion for failure to report to his To-
cal draft board and later for failure
to don uniform or obey orders.
Private Robert Walker, attached to
the base hospital, was sentenced to
five years in the federal prison after
he was found guilty by general court
martial of forgery and passing bogus
checks.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
PEACE NEGOTIATIONS HALTED.

ASSOCIATED Press Summary
In Petrograd Sunday, the day was
given over to peace celebrations
marked by parades OF the bolsheviki
followers. Members of the German
and Austrian peace delegations were
spectators Of the parades. The heads
of the German and Austrian delega-
lions to the BrestIitovsk conference,
Dr. van Kuehlmann and Count Czernin.
are returning to their respective cap
itals.
Delayed dispatches from Brest-
Litovsk indicate that while the repre-
sentatives of Russia and the central
powers agree on most of the peace
terms, there is difficulty in the pre-
liminary settlement of the question
concerning German retirement from
occupied Russian territory in order to
give the inhabitants opportunity to de-
eide their future for themselves.
eoLsHEvlkI RULE DEFIED.
One of the forts at Kronstadt, the
naval base near Petrograd, has been
blown up by an explosion, according
to a dispatch received in London
Bassarabia and Turkestan are report
ed to have declared their indepen-
dence, while fighting between the boil
sheviki and their opponents Is report
ed to be going on in Hardin and 1rk.
utsk. Siberia.
General Kaledines has been re-elect-
ed hetman Of the Don cossacks by an
Overwhelming majority.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01

ed during the war are to be Cancelled
and all persons thereby affected are
to have their previous rights restored
or be Unidentified.
Payment of war costs and damages
are discussed in long and detailed reg
ulations. Civilians outside the war
area are to be reimbursed for losses
under special provision. Captured
merchant vessels are to be returned
by both sides.
1t was agreed there is to be no
economic war, and the subject of the
resumption of trade relations is dealt
with at length.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
This will be boxed" to the CHAPTER
fovo

ms Will be "boxed' to the chapte
here.
HARD TO REFUSE RED CROSS.
One member, speaking for himsel
and his wife, said, ut is difficult
to refuse to join the Red Cross whel
men all around you are joining ant
you are the recipient Of suspicion:
glances. If we had children to think
OF we could not refuse to do so, bu,
now If one of us were taken the Other
could work"
Contradicting the sentiment insinu
ated, another man spoke up saying as
far as he was concerned he could see
no earthly reason why the supporting
OF the Red Cross or the Y NJ c. A.
work should be in any way incompat
ible with the principles of socialism.
He said that for his part if his son
who was liable to be forced to go"
with the next draft went over he want.
ed him to have all the comforts posi-.
BILE. He declared that all the men
in the trenches were their comrades
and that nearly all of them were
forced to be there. But aside from
that he declared that he wanted to
help the men all that he could, and
that he had contributed to the Y. M.
C. A. and would to the Red Cross
when he could afford it. This met
with no very evident approval except
a murmur of assent when the mention
of the men forced to go" was made.
SEE RosEATE FUTURE.
1t was stated that few things could
SO aid the growth Of the party as
would the government control Of rail.
roads. Also that in Davenport, for in
stance, the growth of the party was so
rapid that the democrats and re.publi.
cans we're so afraid of the socialistic
voters that they had planned to merge
on a citizens ticket, for the next city
election. The growth Of votes for their
party in the Wisconsin legislature was
touched upon.
Roosevelt was criticised for his
statement that man was "either for
the kaiser or against him." They de-
clared that the higher law Thou shalt
not kill" as commanded in the bible
more than justified them against any
evasion of the flaws of the United
States. None Of the seven, however,
was of draft age.
TEST MEMBERS COURAGE.
A plan of study hours was suggested
oy a woman leader, enthusiastic to
spread the doctrines Of socialism, to
oe held each Sunday afternoon. These
ire to be advertised to see how many
'eal socialists would be interested and
laring enough to come to public meet.
ngs. 1t was implied that most of the
chapter had already that malady of
Malignant growth "cold feet" This
same leader promised to find out about
conditions in Chicago, where she is
going this week and to tell all she
earns to aid and encourage the mem.
,ers in OttumWa.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
KAISER PAYS LENINE.

London, Dec. 31-The Times prints
long letter from it's Petrograd CORE
spondent dated Saturday which pur.
ports to substantiate the view that the
bolsheviki revolt was managed by
Germany and that the movement is
essential anti-national and anti-Rus'
sian. The letter says:
TT is a notorious, fact and has been
proved by documents in possession
Of the Kerensky government that Ger
many commissioned Lenine and gave
him money to go to Russia to SOW
disaffection in the Russian army"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
MINIS BOMB CATHEDRAL.

Rome, Dec. 31.-The facade of the
Padua cathedral has been torn down
BY bombs dropped by enemy air
planes, the war Office announces. The
basilica of the Santo and the munich.
nal museum have been damaged.
IPadua was raided for a second time
on Saturday night, three persons beinSs
killed and three wounded. The ancient
Carmini church, the church OF 81
Valentine and the palace, monuments
and private dwellings we're damaged.
The Santo Antonio church common.
" called the Santo, is the sepulchural
church Of ST. Anthony of Padua. 1t has
two campaniles and seven domes, in
the oriental style. This church is visit
ed every year by throngs OF pilgrims
The municipal museum has fine fas-
cade and staircase. 1t contains the
civia Hbra.ry and. collections Of an
Equities and paintihss.]
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
Exports Exceed
Imports In 1917,
$3,15O,O0O,OOO
wv AsHINGTON, D. c., Dec.
w 81. - Americas exports
w were estimated today


w 81. - Americas exports
w were estimated today
at the department Of commerce
to have passed the 5000, ooo, 900
mark in 1917, a new high record.
Imports were less than $1,000, 900
and the trade balance in favor Of
the United States probabIy> will
be more than s., $50, ooo, 900.
Steady increase In coal exports
during the last two years Is shown
despite an equally steady curtail-
ment in fuel supplies to South
American countries in an effort
to handicap Germany's trade car
ried by neutral steamers, is shown
in figures issued by the bureau
Of foreign and domestic commerce.
Canada is receiving the largest
increase In fuel supplies with
smaller increases going to Pan.
anna and Cuba.
Italy has received only 10000
tons in ten months this year,
compared with 1865, 900 last year.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01

he writes that he is anxious to see
the gang pull in"
The village where the regiment
will camp is one Of the prettiest Lieu.
tenant Schafer has seen and is some
distance from the front line trenches
He says that there were two large
bags of mail, bearing ancient post
marks, at the headquarters which
| would be distributed when the com.
pany arrived.
Following is the letter:
Fate is a funny thing"
after taking my medical examina-
ton in Paris for the aviation I stuck
around until thought my order should
be ready and then I pulled out for my
company. Upon arrival was ten.
dered an envelope or telegram, con-
tanning the signal corps insignia.
Now the aviation section is in the sig
nal corps so put Mr.. Envelope in my
pocket and proceeded to bid the boys
goodbye. I did not know, of course,
where was being sent, but did not
care. I knew that must go via Paris
because part Of my property was
there. Under those circumstances,
you see, my final destination made
little difference. thought it might be
Italy or Egypt as there are schools at
both of these places, but as my first
move was to Paris. subsequent moves
were minor matters.
HAS NARROW ESCAPE.
"That evening when inspected the
transfer to the 42nd division, and I
e,1s r1,
that if my aviation order had come
through it had gone to that division.
as my order was dated November 80
and it was then December T. The next
day I got a little Ford truck, threw
my baggage in it and hit it off for the
And division headquarters. Fortu.
nately I retained the truck while
reported, as I received my regimental
assignment and drove across coun.
try to I was nearly killed as
the truck skidded on a hill and COM
pletely turned around twice, j. e., two
different times.
ASSIGNED TO COMPANY.
''The next day I arrived at --
where my regiment was supposed to |
be located and I found no regiment |
but lieutenant colonel and about |
twenty reserve officers. The regiment /
had landed in France three days be-
fore and was on it's way here. think
| am assigned as temporary instruct
or, most of the officers having been ,
assigned to companies and were re-
billets for their companies.
wanted to be assigned to company
as the commanding officer did not !
seem to know that I was intended for
instruction and we prepared the way
for assignment. I spoke Of fate at
the beginning-I am now assigned to
Company G, 16Sth regiment, Ottumwa,
Iowa.
MAIL AWAITS BOYS. |
II took squint over the mail and
saw many familiar names, I am
rather anxious to see the gang pull in.
This is a nice little French village,
one Of the best of the hundreds that I
have SEEN Many Of the houses have
l neglected to state that
his regiment was first slated for a
place twelve miles from the front, but
he fear of air raids. ETC., was the
cause of change. Billets had been
arranged for and everything was set.
The change was made last Friday.
There are two large sacks of mail
1ere from Ottumwa, many Of them
With ancient postal dates.
Now l must hustle my baggage
over to my room, so will close.
Walter"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01

offer, either direct or indirect, would
be no surprise.
No official of this government has
committed himself upon what reply
would be made but there has been
nothing to indicate that it would be
favorable. It has been indicated that
unless it should come through some
official channel it probably would
bring forth nothing more than a for
NAL acknowledgement.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01

Of two North River relief stations that
police reserves had to be called to
maintain order.
To further increase the seriousness
Of the coal shortage, the coal team
sters have threatened to strike for
higher wages. Reeve Schooley county
fuel administrator will meet with the
mem today when he will seek to settle
the dinRculty by arbitration.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
FLORIDA FEELS CHILL,

Daytona, Fla, Dec. 31.-For the Sec
ond time this winter thermometers
this morning registered % degrees
above zero and fee froze to the thick
ness of one-half inch. Vegetation and
winter crops suffered much damage.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
SIBERIAN CIVIL
WAR IS RAGING
IRkUTSH IS SET ON FIRE BY RED
GUARDS; CIVILIANS
SLAIN.

Picking, Dec. 30.-(Delayed)-C
war is in progress at Irkutsk, in east
ern Siberia, on the trans-Siberian rail.
road and in the surrounding districts.
The town was set on fire by red
guards after they had murdered the
French consular agent and three
other Frenchmen. Many persons, in
GLIDING women and children are being
murdered and street fighting is under
way.
The bolsheviki continue to receive
achievements and ammunition from
Krasnoyarsk. The cossacks are offer.
ing determined resistance to the red
guards.
REVOLUTION is WIDESPREAD.
The Siberian railway guards are
outnumbered and are being killed or
driven from their posts. Communica-
tions with Petrograd has been cut off.
\ Bolshevik uprisings have occurred
at Tchita and Verkhne- Udinsk, both of
which towns are in the rans-Siberian
railway.
Hardin is quiet with the Chinese in
full control. They are guarding the
banks, stores and railways.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
ENEMY PLANES DESTROYED.

london, Dec. 3U.-(UeIayedJ-FIVe
German airplanes were destroyed or
put out of action yesterday by the
British, who lost none Of theirs.
1.-TWO hostile machines were brought
Gown in our lines on Saturday" says
m Official statement given out here
today. "A third was brought down
m the enemy's lines. Two other hos
tie machines were driven down out
Of control None Of our airplanes is
missing"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
MODERATION is PROMISED.

Washington, D. c., Dec. 31.-Some
moderation beginning tonight, Of the
cold wave, was forecast for today by
the weather bureau for the country
from the Ohio valley eastward. The
cold wave now is passing to sea.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
BIG GUNS EIGHT DUEL.

Paris, Dec. 31.-"Artillery actions
occurred last night northwest Of
Rheims" the war Office reports.
There were patrol encounters north
Of the Chemin des Danes and near
Bezonvaux on the Verdun front"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
nEpvrN Tells oFLoss.

Berlin, Dec. 31.-The British have re-
covered part of their lost territory on
the Cambria front near La Vacquerie,
the war office announces. The losses
Of the British are said to have been
heavy.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
BULGARIA ACCEPTS.

Amsterdam, Dec. 81 Premier
Radoslavoff of Bulgaria has sent to all
the provisional projects a message
that Bulgaria has accepted the Rus
sian peace proposals. These are:
/. That the war between Bulgaria
and Russia be ended.
2. That the status quo ante bellum
with respect to commercial treaties
and consular and other conventions
be re-established.
8. Regarding the Danube question.
that this be decided today at plenary
meeting of all the delegations, Bull
garia to have representative on the
Danube commission.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
NEW ENGLAND SUFFERS.

Boston, Dec. 31.-New England still
Is suffering from the most severe cold
of any record in this section. In this
city the temperature remained below
zero all night and to make matters
worse today brought stiff northwest
wind. The minimum was below.
In many districts the poor were
faced with the danger of actual freez-
ing in their homes. The scarcity of
coal has forced them to buy in very
small quantities and as the coal yards
were closed yesterday there was no
opportunity to replenish supplies.
NO COAL ARRIVES.
Municipal and charitable organiza-
lions co-operated with coal dealers to-
day in an effort to meet all needs.
The fuel situation in general re-
NAMED serious. No coal arrived in
the city yesterday and it was feared
that the cold weather would result in
delay to supplies known to be on the
way.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
CHILL IS WIDESPREAD.

Chicago, Dec. 31.-Canton, N. Y, re.
ported the lowest temperature at 8
o'clock this morning of any point in
the country. It was 20 degrees below
zero there. During the previous
twenty four hours the coolest was 40
below at Mortified, VT, according to
weather bureau reports.
Another very cold area was at Des
Moines, where the mercury stood at
zero this morning. At Chicago, De.
troit, Louisville and Omaha it was 10
above; Pittsburgh, Cleveland and
Indianapolis, above; st. Louis II
above and Kansas City IA above.
Through the south the range was
from 4 above at Raleigh to "a at Mi
ami and New Orleans. Jacksonville
and Atlanta reporting 10.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
BRlToNs REGAIN LOST GROUND.

London, Dec. 31.-The British in
successful counter attacks in Cam
brai front have regained the more i'm
portant territory on Welsh ridge, ia
ken by the Germans in yesterdays at
tack, the war Office reports. The an
nouncement follows:
ION the Cambria front, as result
of successful counter attacks in which
we captured prisoners and machine
guns we regained the more impor-
tant part of the positions on Welsh
ridge into which the enemy pene-
trated yesterday. The. enemy still
retains a portion of our front trench
In the vicinity of La Vacquerie and
south of Marcoing.
ION the Ypres front by minor
operation last night our lines were
advanced a short distance on both
sides of the Ypres-Staden railway"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-01
between Osteria di Monferena and
Maranzine, the war office announces.
They also captured about 1,4O0 men
and sixty machine guns and seven
cannon.
AUsTRIANs ADMIT DEFEAT.

Vienna, Dec. 31.-Counter measures
against the French are in course of,
preparation in the Monte Tomba area,
the war office announces.