davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-01-03

this curtailment will be marked. Com
petition in passenger traffic between
Chicago and st. Paul and Chicago and
the Pacific coast, for example, will be
abolished. This will mean the with
drawal of many trains.
Why Course Was Taken.
In a statement accompanying the
proclamation President Wilson says
that he takes this radical action ''be-
cause it has become imperatively
necessary for me to do So" In order
to mobilize in the shortest possible
time all the material resources of the
nation for the conduct of the war the
railroads, says the president, must be
organized, co-ordinated, and employed
under single authority.
The attempt of the railroads them
selves to provide this single authority
and simplified organization in the ex-
listing railroads war board and it's
special operating committee has
proved failure because of physical
limitations, although the president
pays high tribute to the ability and
zeal of the five rail executives whose
efforts have been devoted to the task.
The organization effected by the
railroads war board will be the foun-
datiOn upon which Director General
McAdoo will build the structure of
government control. 1t is not unlike
ly that some, if not all of the members
of the war board, will be associated
with Mr.. McAdoo in administering the
management of the unified lines.
In his statement the president refers
to the defects of the system of unifica-
ton attempted under private control.
Several railroads have suffered tnan-
cially and physically from carrying
out the orders of the war board which
required them to be utilized in ex-
tremely improbable transportation in
order that the transportation of war
materials might be facilitated.
Need Fear No Losses.
Under government control no rail-
road will incur such losses. The rail-
roads will not be interested in what
class of traffic they handle, will not
care whether it is profitable or unprof-
table If it is improbable the loss
will be made good by the government,
for the government assures the stock
holders the return on their investment
they enjoyed Con the annual average)
for the three years ended June 30,
1917.
Under government control the rail
roads are to be assisted in obtaining
the capital necessary to finance the
vast extensions of trackage and ter
minals and the building of additional
locomotives and cars made imperative
by the demands of war.
The president says that under gov
eminent control ''the financial earn
ings of the railways need not then in
terfere with the borrowings of the gov
eminent" Railroad investments are
to be made attractive to investors by
the government guarantee. Eventu-
ally a loan may be made by the gov
eminent to the railroads.
1t is said, however, in the selection
of Mr. McAdoo for director general of
railroads that there lies the greatest
! promise of government assistance to
the railroads in financing their opera
| lions and extensions.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-01-03
Urqss U. S. to Take stockyards.

Madison, Wis, Dec. 29.-'It is the
hope of the farmers of this state that
the federal government will place the
Union stockyards in Chicago at the
disposal of the farmers, and give them
the privilege of buying and selling
agency" President j. N. Tittemore of
the Wisconsin Society of Equity de-
clared. Mr.. Tittemore is one of the
traffic managers of the state who con-
Quoted the big rate case for the Fox
River Valley shippers. He said he
hoped the taking over o: the railroads
meant government ownership.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-01-03
THIRD BIG FRENCH WAR
LOAN OVERSUBSCRIBED
Ten Billion Francs Asked For, Eek.
ceeded, According to Minister
of Finance.

Paris, Dec. 29.-The 10,OO0O00,O00
francs asked for in the third war loan
has been exceeded, according to a
statement made in the chamber of de-
puties by NJ. Klotz, the minister of
finance.
NJ. Klotz said that the returns for
the loan were still incomplete, but
that the subscriptions, not including
those from abroad aggregated 1926
OOO, 900 francs ($2,055, 100000
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-01-03
RepubIic Formed in "Wh tie Russia

London, Dec. 29.-Th establish
ment of a republic in w bite Russia
has been announced according to
Petrograd advices. A rada, or legis-
lative body, for the terrific fy has been
assembled at Minsk at Which place
a decree will be issued proclaiming
the independence of the s. tate.
River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1918-01-03

While Mr.. McAdoo will not relin-
qulsh MS post as head of the treasury
department he will be compelled to
turn over to others most of the routine
business of the department to which
at present he is giving his personal
attention. OF course he will have a
number of capable assistants to re-
lieve him of some of the responsibility
connected with the duties he will shorts
ly assume.
No Limit to Powers.
In his proclamation the president
confers upon Mr.. McAdoo powers that
will be practically unlimited when he
enters upon the direction of the rail
ways and can be limited subsequent
ly only by the president or by con-
gress.
In the first place, Mr.. McAdOO is au-
thoriZed to control and direct the rail-
ways under private operation by
existing directors, receivers and off
GERS so long and to such extent as
he may determine" The railroad Off
Gals are informed in the proclama-
ton that they will continue the opera
ton of the properties until and except
so far as said director shall from time
to time by general or special orders
provide"
Mr.. McAdOO will have power to dis
charge existing directors and other Of
ficials and appointed new ones. How
ever, it is expected that generally the
executive forces of the various roads
will continue in their Offices In fact,
there is supposed to be no one else
available for these jobs, from presi-
dents down.
Can Decide on Rates.
The director general is to WELD au
thOrity paramount to that of the inter-
state commerce commission and state
railway commissions. The statutes
and orders of these bodies are to re-
main binding upon the railroads only
so long as Mr. McAdoo approves.
When he decides that rates should
be. revised upward or downward, or
that national or state regulations
should be charged, all he will have to
do is to issue an order putting the
change into effect, and that order, I'M
der the presidents proclamation, ''shall
have paramount authority and be obey
ed as SUCH"
The regular dividends hitherto de-
clared and the interest upon bonds and
other obligations are to be paid as
usual, unless Mr.. McAdoo should de-
ternine otherwise, but all renewals
and extensions of maturing obliga-
tions can be made by the roads only
with the approval Of the director gen.
eral.
Why McAdoo Was Chosen.
The president says he and Secretary
| Of War Baker, in whose name the ex-
ecutive takes possession of the lines,
are agreed that existing circumstances
make advisable the appointment Of Mr..
McAdoo, whose practical experience
peculiarly fits him for the service and
| whose authority as secretary Of the
| treasury will enable him to coordinate,
as no other man could, the many fnan-
| cial interests which will be involved
and which might, unless systemat-
] ically directed, suffer embarrassing en-.
tanglementg."
The Cordova daily times. [volume] (Cordova, Alaska) 1914-1947, 1918-08-07

ana lie w,.s equ:::y ;-7,lsea ~ncn
there. In addition there were II Chi
narnan and myself from the U. s. A.
1t was quite Il cosmopolitan group,
md az one typical Irishmnn said,
Sure, and We have every nation that's
worth mentioning, Including the darn
Germans with us whites" OF course
this was not translated to the Ger
mans. nor was Il even spoken in their
hearing. or We probably would not
have had quite so cosmopolitan bunch.
Each man In the prison was ready to
uphold his native country in any argu-
mIrni that could possibly be started,
md II goes without saying that | never
took back seat in any OF them with
my praise for America with the Cana
dian and Chinnman Ginning in on my
see. But they were friendly argu-
mcnts; we were all in the same boat
and that was no place for quarreling.
Every other morning, the weather
allowing, We were taken to large
swimming pool and were allowed to
have bath. There were two pools,
one for the German officers and one
for the men. Although we were Off
GERS, We had to use the pool occupied
by the men. While we were in swim
ming German guard with "A rifle
across his knees sat at each corner of
the pool and watched us closely as
we dressed and undressed. English
interpreters accompanied us on all of
these trips, so at no time could We
talk without their knowing what was
going on.
Whenever we were taken out of the
prison for any purpose they always
paraded us through the most crowded
streets-evdently to give the pnpu-
lace an idea that they were getting
lots of prisoners. The German sol
diers we passed on these occasions
made no effort to hide their smiles
and sneers.
The Belgian people were apparent
ly very curious to see us, aud they
used to turn out In large numbers
whenever the word was passed that
we were out. At times the German
guards would strike the women and
children who crowded too close to us
one day l smiled and spoke TO n
pretty girl and when she replied. n
German made n run for her. Luckily
she stepped into the nous" hcfor" he
reached her. or l am afraid my Snlu.
tatiOn would have resulted seriously
for her and | would have been power.
less To have assisted her.
Ito be Continued
The Cordova daily times. [volume] (Cordova, Alaska) 1914-1947, 1918-08-07
CHAPTER V.
The Prison Camp at Courtrai.

From the intelligence department |
was conveyed to the officers prison
camp ut COurtrai in an automobile. 1t
was about an hours ride. My escort
was one of the moss famous flyers in
the world barring none. He WINS later
killed in action, but | was told by an
English airman who witnessed his last
combat. that he fought game battle
and died herO's death.
The prison. which had evidently
been n civil prison of some kind before
the war, was located right in the heart
of Courtrsi. The first building we APP
preached was large and In front of
the archway. which formed the main
entrance, was sentry box. Here we
We're challenged by the sentry, who
knocked on the door; the guard turned
the key in the lock and l was admit
ted. We passed through the archway
and directly into IL courtyard. on which
faced all of the prison buildings, the
windows, of course, being heavily
barred. After l had given my pedigree
my name, age, address, etc.-I was
SHOWN 10 ii ttIl Win JuIS bll lllt w IN
dows overlooking this courtyard. |
was promptly told that at night we
were to occupy these rooms, but | had
already surveyed the surroundings,
taken account of the number of guards
and the locked door outside. and con
cludcd that my chances of getting
away from some other place could be
no worse than In that particular cell.
AS had no hat, my helmet being the
only thing | had worn over the lines,
l was compelled either to go bare
headed or wear the red cap of the
Buvarian whom | had shot down on
that memorable day. II can be i'm
agined how l looked attired in n Brit
ish uniform and bright red cap.
Wherever / wac taken my outfit
The Cordova daily times. [volume] (Cordova, Alaska) 1914-1947, 1918-08-07

"1ll drop it over -" declared one
of them, naming my airdrome. which
revealed to me that their flying corps
IS as efficient AS other branches of the
service in the matter of obtaining valu-
able information.
And right here | want to say that the
more l came to know of the enemy, the
more keenly | realized what difficult
task we're going to have to lick him.
In all my subsequent experiences, the
fact that there is Il heap of fight left
in the Huns still was thoroughly
brought home to me. We shall win
the war eventually, If we don't slow
up too soon, in the mistaken idea that
the Huns are ready to lie down.
The flying officers who questioned
me were extremely anxious to find out
all they could about the part America
is going to play in the war, but they
evidently came to the conclusion that
America hadn't taken me very deeply
into her confidence, judging from the
Information they got, or failed to get,
from me.
At any rate, they gave me up as n
bad job, and l was ordered to the Off
GERS prison at Courtrai, Belgium.
The Cordova daily times. [volume] (Cordova, Alaska) 1914-1947, 1918-08-07
OuTWITT|N
1.-THE HEN: =
HL|EuTENANT -
II PAT 0'BR|EN. -
<{SSz9S> / 49,

AROUSED considerable curiosity among
the BelglanS and German soldiers.
| When | arrived ut prison that day |
still wore this cap. and as / was taken
into the courtyard. my overcoat cover
ing my uniform. all that the British
officers. who happened to be summing
themselves in the courtyard. could see
was the red cap. They afterwards told
me they wondered who the bug Hun"
was with the handnge on his mouth.
This cap | managed to keep with me.
but was never allowed to wear 1t on
the walks we took ! either went bare
headed or borrowed cap from some
other prisoner.
| At certain hours each day the pris-
oners were allowed to mlngle in the
courtyard, and on the first occasion of
this kind l found that there were II
officers imprisoned there besides my
self.
/ They had here Interpreters who
could speak all languages. One OF
them was mere boy who had been
born in Jersey City. n. J., and had
spent all his life In America until
the beginning of 1914. Then he moved
with his folks to Germany, and when
he became of military age the Huns
| forced him into the army. | think If
the truth were known he would much
rather have been fighting for America
than against her.
| ] found that most of the prisoners
remained at Courtrai only two or
three days. From there they were in
variably taken to prisons in the intc-
rl0r Of Germany.
Whether it was because l was an
American or because ! was flyer.
/ don't know. but this rule was not fol-
lowed in my case. l remained there
two weeks.
During this period Courtrai was con-
stantly bombed by our airmen. Not a
single day on night passed without one
or more air raids. In the two weeks
l was there I counted 81 of them. The
| town suffered great deal of damage.
| Evidently our people We're aware that
the Germans had lot of troops con-
ccntrated In this town and besides the
| headquarters stan was stationed there.
| The kaiser himself visited Courtrai
while / was In the prison, | was told by
one Of the Interpreters. but he didn't
call on me. and for obvious reasons
couldn't call on him.
/ The courtyard was not a very popu-
lar place during air raids. Several
| times when our airmen raided that
section in the day time went out and
watched the machines and the shrap-
mel bursting all around; but the Ger
mans did not crowd out there, for their
own antiahcraft guns were hammer
/ ing away to keep our planes as Sigh
in the sky as possible. and shells were
I likely to fall in the prison yard any
moment. OF course | watched these
battles at my own risk. Many nights
! from my prison window | watched
with peculiar interest the air raids
carried on, and it was a wonderful
sight with the German searChlights
'2ying on the sky, the Flaming on
IONS" firedxhigh and the bur-. of tn.
The Cordova daily times. [volume] (Cordova, Alaska) 1914-1947, 1918-08-07
Sell At A Bargain

Ford's latest improved Ton
Truck, worm gear drive, extra
wide wheels on rear e inches
wide), solid Duval tires; built
for hauling fuel. Has platform
top, hickory stakes. Practi-
cally new. Runs a few times
as a jitney from Seward to
Bear Lake. Have had load Is
to 20 people. Was bought last
winter before the advance in
automobiles. I can and will
sell at a bargain, as war re-
quires me to go Outside. Can
be seen at Ford Garage, Sew
ard.
INDEPENDENT FUEL co.
Seward
The Cordova daily times. [volume] (Cordova, Alaska) 1914-1947, 1918-08-07
Copper River
and Northwestern Ry.
FOUR TRAINS WEEKLY BETWEEN
CHITINA AND KENNECOTT

FOUR TRAINS WEEKLY BETWEEN
CHITINA AND KENNECOTT
Leave Cordova Second Street Depot, on Mon
days, Thursdays and Saturdays
Leave Chitina for Cordova Sundays, Tuesdays
Thursdays and Fridays
Leave Chitna for Kennecott Sundays, Tuesdays
and Fridays
Leave Kennecott for Chitina Mondays, Wednes
days, Thursdays and Saturdays
The above schedule subject to change without
notice.
Dining Car in Connection with all Regular
Passenger Trains between Cordova and Chitina
Freight received and delivered at Cordova
Wharf from 9 a. m. to p m, except Sundays.
Tickets on sale at Second Street Depot office
one hour before departure of trains.
New-York tribune., 1918-10-27
AMERICAN

WASHINGTON (Oct. 25).-On the
Verdun front the battle has con-
tinued with violence cast of the
Meuse. Late yesterday our troops
enlarged their important gains south
Of the Consenvoye- -Damvillers road
and occupied completely the Bois
d'Ormont. To-day the enemy counter
attacked repeatedly and with strong
forces on the front from the Bois
d'Ormont to the Bois d'Etrayes.
Although supported by violent ar
tillery and machine gun fire his at
tacks were srepulsed with extremely
heavy losses. Only in the Bois Belleu
did he succeed in slightly pushing
back our line. At this point after
three assaults had failed before the
stubborn resistance of our troops the
fourth attack forced US to withdraw
from the eastern part Of the wood.
Hostile forces which attempted to
penetrate our positions northwest of
the Bois Belleu were driven back af-
ter severe struggle lasting through
out the day
West of the Meuse our troops have
advanced in the face of determined
resistance on the slopes northwest of
Grandpre and have entered the
southern portion of the Bois de
Bourgognes
New-York tribune., 1918-10-27
Crossing Must Be Prevent
ed Absolutely, Order on
Captured Enemy Reads
Americans Go Along,
Making Daily Gains
Germans Keep Up All Night
Artillery and Gas Attack
Without Effect

WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY
NORTHWEST OF NERDUN, Oct. rs
re y. m-) (By The Associated Press
The gains made Friday by the Ameri-
can troops east and west of the Meuse
we're maintained to-day. in spite of
violent enemy opposition and haras-
sing artillery FIRE against the Ameri-
can front lines and areas in the rear.
On the extreme left the Americans
have strengthened their hold on the
high ground in the southern part of
the Bourgogne Wood. The position
there is such that the Germans no
longer are able to harass the Ameri-
cans with machine gun fire from the
ridge at the edge of the wood.
In the centre of the line west of the
Meuse the German artillery is bonn
harding the American lines heavily
with high explosive and gas shells.
On the right the enemy made an un-
successful counter attack during the
night From to o'clock this
morning they shelled the American
lines there heavily, the bombardment
at times reaching the intensity Of
harragc. but there was no further in
fantry action.
New Troops Oppose Ours
One new division and one new regi-
ment have been identified as having
been added to the German strength
against the Americans. The division
is reputed to have travelled more than
any other in the German army. 1t has
been successfully on the Eastern front
the Italian front, on the Somme and
before St. Mihiel. The regiment be-
'ongs to tie crack 28th German
Division.
Violent enemy reactions continue
east of the Meusc and there has been
desperate lighting all along the line.
The American position now runs
through the clearing between the
Belleau Wood and the Etraye Wood.
The enemy's determination to hold the
high ground east of the river is shown
by the fact that he has thrown in one
OF his last remaining reserve divisions
to check the American advance IN the
Belleau Wood, where the enemy is
counter attacking persistently.
Stop Crossing of Meuse
The following document has been
captured:
The enemy's crossing of the Meuse
is to be prevented absolutely. Should
ne succeed in crossing he is to be
thrown back into the Meuse at once.
The enemy must not get foothold on
this side of the Meuse under any cir
cumstances."
The last three words are capitalized
Not only in a defensive way, but by
counter attacks the Germans are fight
ing desperately to carry out this order
This IS shSwn by the futile attacks
made Friday in the region south OF
Bantheville Wood, north of Rappes
Wood and N the valley north of
Bantheville
New-York tribune., 1918-10-27
St. Quentin Sacking
Deliberate, Is Charge
Ancien. Documents Destroyed,
Cathedral Pillars Mined,
City Officials Say

PARIS, Oct 25.--Deliberate destruc-
ton Of property and documents of his
toric nature was carried out by the
Germans at st. Quentin, according to
report made by Premier Clemenccau by
the municipal authorities Of that city
Ancient city documents which had
been walled up under control OF the
German command and placed under
seal, we're found TO have been removed
or burned. Evidence showed that this
occurred shortly after the inhabitants
fled from St. Quentin in March, 1917.
At the cathedral an attempt was made
to mine the great pillars, but the rapid
advance of the French prevented the
Germans from carrying out their de-
sign.
In stripping every factory in the city
the Germans carried off all models and
designs, and even the accounts of the
various companies were removed. The
municipal authorities ask that an Al
lied or neutral commission visit the
city soon to establish the falsity of
the statement made by DR.. W. S. Solf,
tkc German Foreign Secretary, that the
city was destroyed by shells from the
Allied artillery. Such a visit would
also, they say, establish that the Ger
man depredations were actuated by Il
determination to crush the economic
life Of France.
The report asks that the armisticc
with Germany, when arranged, will Sc
cure the return of all the people of the
city from occupied districts of Ger
many. and that germany be compelled
to pay and indemnity and supply work
ers, material, machinery and furniture
to enable the city to rehabilitate itself.
New-York tribune., 1918-10-27
FRENCH

PARIS (DAY).-Duning the night
there was heavy artillery lighting be-
tween the Oise and the Serre. Contact
was maintained with the enemy all
along the front reached yesterday.
On the south bank of the Serrc
k!ver the French attacked the village
OF Mortiers, which fell into their
hands after a violent fight, in which
they took 1877 prisoners.
East of the Souche the night was
marked by energetic reactions on the
part Of the enemy infantry. Rather
iively lighting occurred, especially in
the outskirts of Petit Caumont. In
spite of German counter attacks the
French maintained their positions
east of the river.
The battle continued until the end
OF the day between Sssonne and
Chateau Porcien. The French, break
ing up the resistance of the Germans.
earned the strong positions organ
ized IN 1917. and which the Germans
mad continued to reinforce between
Bannogne, Recouvrance and the
Hcrpy mill, on front of seven kilo-
metres, attaining depth of three
kllometres at certain points. The
French pushed forward their line as
far as the road from Recouvrance to
Conde-lez- Hcrpy. More to the right
the French captured the Herpy mill
and several centres of resistance.
We took number of prisoners and a
considerable quantity ct material.
New-York tribune., 1918-10-27
GERMAN

BERLIN (DAY).-There have been
tremendous and, thanks to the brill
iant courage of our troops. success
full struggles on many parts of the
front. After violent fire the enemy
launched strong attacks in the Lys
lowlands southwest of Deynze and
between the Lys and the Scheldt.
From the north wing Of the attack
to the Courtrai-Audenarde railway he
was repulsed.
North of the Scheldt the enemy
after slight initial gains Of territory
was soon brought to a standstill.
The new line between Ingoyghem
and Avelghem held against repeated
assaults in the afternoon. On the
battlefield throughout the day the en-
emy artillery directed its fire on
places lying behind the front, which
up until now had been untouched by
the war. They, for the most part.
were destroyed by this fire, and the
Belgian population suffered heavy
losses in killed and wounded.
Between the Scheldt and the Disc
the British yesterday confined them
selves to violent partial attacks.
oSuth of Famars we threw back the