davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
CONCERNS HERE
ORDERED TO PAY
U. S. WAGE SCALE
Seven Plants Must Adopt Seized.
ules in Force at Frank
ford Arsenal

Seven local machinery concerns to-
day were ordered by the war labor
board at Washington to pay their en-
ployes the same scale of wages as ts in
force at the Frankford arsenal
The arsenafs scale Is considerably
higher than those in effect at the plants
Several thousand men will benefit nv
the wage boost. The increase in wages
are TO be retroactive to September Z,
the men
The concerns named are the Merchant
Il Evans Company, Twenty-first street
and Washington avenue Carlson Wends
strom Company, Erie avenue and E
street; the Fox Gun Company, ]. s.,
Johnson. Kruse-S Slattery Company, the
Emerson Engineering Company, Erie
avenue and B street, and the Standard
roller Bearing Company, FlftIeth street
and Lancaster avenue
The decision is unexpected" said
rowell Evans, OF the Merchant g. Evans
Company. "Of course, we will do any-
thing that the Government orders ana
charge 1t UP to the Government. The
people will pay eventually. That was
tho agreement made with the Govern
ment by firms taking war contracts.
Al best the profits are very small, and
with huctuating wage scale they were
liable to be wiped out entirely The
Government did not intend TO buy mate
rlals at less than cost, so where wages
ere increased the selling price Is cor
respondingly increased" ~
w. II. De Wolf. production manager
OF the Standard Roller Bearing Com
psny, said tae decision had not been
pany would comply al once wiiths the
order ~ soon as an oficial copy had
been received. 1lN. r'ft'|''I|
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
SLAYER USED SHOTGUN
IN WEICHMAN MURDER
Police Find Shotgun in Home
of Milo H. Piper, Accused
of Staying
By the Associated Press
MuskegOn, Mich, Dec, 21

The girl identified as Freda WEIGH
man, for whose death Milo II. Piper,
local insurance agent, is held here on
murder charge. was killed by shot
gun according to announcement by the
police this forenoon.
Investigation shows, the police say,
that the weapon with which the shot
was fired was held close to her head.
In making this statement this morn
ing, the police said also that in their
search of P1per's home here they found
a shotgun.
The oriyin of what the police believe
are hoax letters, purporting to come
from Freda Weichman, are being in
vestigated.
In one of these letters. written re-
Gently on ~ stationery of Chicago
hotel and inclosed in an envelope from
another hostelry. the writer, purporting
to be Miss Weichman, says she Is alive
and well. She adds that she was not
married to Milo II. Piper, but had be-
come the wife of Goldberg, and that she
will not show herself unless 1t should
be necessary to prove Pipers innocence.
The silent watch being kept over
Piper was continued today, a deputy
sheriff being placed before his cell with
instructions not to converse with him
in any circumstances.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
PORT KENNEDY FOLK
FEAR DOOM OF TOWN
Residents Believe Valley Forge
Commission Will Add 1t
to the Park
Norristown, Pa, Dec. 81.


The razing of the former home of the
late Rev. Mr.. Riddle. at Port Kennedy
by direction of the Valley Forge Park
Commission, by the use of dynamite,
has caused the residents of the village
adjoining Valley Forge to fear the
crack of DOOM" 1t is understood in
Port Kennedy that it will not be long
before the village will be included in
Valley Forge Park, by condemnation
proceedings, and many of the old prop
critics be destroyed In clearing the
ground.
AS to the two hotel buildings at VAL
ley Forge, 1t is said that nothing will
be done until after the expiration of the
present licenses. They are tho WASH
ington Inn and the Mansion House. In
both cases there will be no renewal of
the application for liquor licenses, 1t Is
said, in conformity with a policy of the
Valley Forge Park Commission, and
along park regulations of both State
and nation. to omit the sale of intoxi-
cants within the park areas. The
Washington Inn will be used as res
taurant. 1t Is asserted that a part of
the Mansion House was used by the
Continental army as sospital and this
portion is to be restored to its oSginal
condition.
The two hotels have thus far not been
included in condemnation proceedings.
Those properties at Port Kennedy
that have been acquired by the State
and not wanted will be removed during
the winter in preparation for new work
in the spring.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
76O Big GUNS SURRENDERED
Germans Turn Over Artillery to
Americans Near Coblenz

American Army of Occupation. Fri
day. Dec. 20.-(By A. P.)-The German
authorities today began turning over to
the American Third Army large guam
titles of war material which will re-
qure several trains to transport.
Included in the artillery given up by
the Germans are 760 guns of large CAL
iber and nearly 1000 machine guns 1t
will tage one train TO carry the machine
guns alone.
The other guns ranging from 1908
to 2l0s, will require at least three
trains for their transportation.
Metternich, just outside Of Coblenz,
Is the assembling point for this material,
Today American officers began checking
up the guns as they came in.
Eight battalions of French soldiers
assigned to duty In the American bridge
head sector were reviewed on their way
through Coblenz today by Major Gen
eral Dickman. commander of the Amer
lean army OF occupation. The French
are taking positions on the right of the
Americans in the territory east of the
Rhine,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
BRIGHT FUTURE FOR SHIPMEN
Foreign Orders Promise to Keep
Workers Busy

with the Governments of France,
Italy Norway and Denmark eager TO
for vessels that will guarantee many
Of them from failure and abandonment
ID to some of them prosperity. ship
workers in this country will escape a
period of idleness or employment at
low wages that otherwise would have
been inevitable.
Charles Piez, director general OF the
Emergency Fleet Corporation, admitted
today that many foreign contracts with
American yards from shipping interests
overseas await only the outcome of the
Peace Conference at Versailles.
Just how many Of Americas 166 ship
yards will be permitted to accept foreign
orders will be determined at the Peace
Conference, where also, will be settled
the question of whether the United
States navy shall enter upon great
building program. Unless at least a
tactical agreement Is reached between
the Allies on the proposed league Of free
nations, and national disarmament to a
limited extent, many of the country's
shipyards probably will be turned over
to navy work entirely.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
10000 TO GET GIFTS
OF SANTA CLAUS GIRL
Mrs. Birchall Hammer Started
Distribution Today-Boys'
Toys Needed

Children everywhere will be happy to
hear that Mrs. Birchall Hammer, the
original Santa Claus Girl has completed
her lists of Christmas presents and
began distributing them this afternoon.
She has wrapped up approximately
10000 packages to date, and every pack
age contains Christmas cards. toys and
candy-the toys all made in the U. s. A.
She desires the generous public to know
that the toys she purchased this Christ
mas season have cost considerably more
than they did year ago. Things she
bought last year for thirty-five cents
che had ito pay as much as $3.50 for
this year
Presentation of the toys. of course
will not be made till Christmas Day.
They were carried to different dis
tributing points from the home of Mrs,
Hammers parents, Mr.. and Mrs. Samuel
II. Wilson, 5151 Morris street, German
town, today In motorcars which friends
offered her for the service. Thence
at the proper time they will go TO or
phanages Of this State and Of New York,
as we'll as to the thousands and thou
sands of young applicants for presents
from all over this country and even out
side. -,
Many Lost Parents
great many of the requests that
came by mall stated that the little
writer's fathers were overseas or else
the father or mother had died of in
fuenza. And to orphanages OF this
state or New York and, in fact, to any
place in the world whence she has re-
ceived a request present will go.
Mrs. Santa Claus" has but one COM
plaint to make. Many of the persons
who aided her in handing out presents,
she says, seem to think that the only
children who want presents are girls,
Tor whom she has plentiful supply.
She has enough games But she can
show you hat box full of letters from
boyI asking for gifts.
F2r these she needs about 500 mechan-
zeal toys. She hopes that some kind per-
sons will come to her rescue TO make
these boys happy. She has run out of
toys for boys.
At Philadelphia Hospital
At the Philadelphia Hospital there
are 200 presents to he distributed,
great many will go to the Italian quar-
ter of New York city, one of the poorest
districts in the world. Notwithstanding
the shortage of sugar during the year,
the candy manufacturers have given TO
her as bountifully as in any previous
year. There will be no shortage of
candy. Mrs. Hammer has received
thousands and thousands of pounds of
chocolate.
Reader, rich and grown-up, doesn't it
almost make you wish you were a poor
child?
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
YULETIDE ICE CREAM
FOR EASTERN PRISON
Criminals Who Knitted for
Soldiers Remembered by
Logan Emergency Aid

The Emergency Aid Of Logan, as a
mark of appreciation of the war relief
work done by the men at the Eastern
Penitentlary, will supply ice cream for
every prisoner as a special Christmas
day treat.
The society has received and distrib-
uted neny socks knit at the penitentiary
The eagerness of the men to have
their share in helping TO win the war
In spite of many obstacles, Is in Keep
ing with the general spirit Of the place,
which Is felt by all who come in con-
tact, even for a short time with Warden
Robert McKenty.
THE boys are to have good feed
this year" Warden McKenty said this
afternoon, "and ! think they will have
a happy Christmas day. The dinner
will consist OF roast beef. with potatoes.
turnips, oranges. apples and an indi-
viduhl mince pie for each one.
Then there will be the ice cream, and
another of our kind friends has asked
IL he might supply cigars, so that each
of the $4,000 men may have a good
smoke to top off with"
Warden McKenty was interrupted at
this point by the entrance Of man
from outside and jumped up to greet
him as he would an old friend.
why. Jim. my boy, you are posi-
lively growing fat" he said jocosely.
taking a good look at him from top to
toe. Jim is one of our old boys" he
added, speaking in the tone of pride
which a college president might use In
telling of a graduate who had turned
out we'll"
Jim Is now driving truck, and he
lgA
run up around Twenty-tirst street and
Fairmount avenue. so he could drop in
for a word with the boys and to give
them his Christmas greetings.
They all try to come In to see us
once in a while" the warden said. Jim
is getting along in fine shape"
The old gray stone building was not
a cheerful place, to be sure. Yet the
boys in their gray-hlue uniforms, a
neat and well-kept set. did not wear
that expression of gloom which the
uninitiated might well expect.
In the woman's corridor stood dec
Grated Christmas tree, indicating that
the spirit of Christmas was given full
play within these gray walls.
There was also an undercurrent of
excitement in the air. and the men
showed, perhaps, a bit of extra eagerness
to do their work thoroughly and quickly,
for today is Saturday. Saturday for
the men means but one thing: The
weekly moving picture and vaudeville
show.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
JAPANESE VISIT HOG ISLAND
Guests Say Their Country Is
Ruled by Business Men

A business administration now prevails
In Japan and war makers are in the
background
Statements 10 that effect were made
today by several Japanese merchants
VINO made an inspection OF Hog Island.
The visitors guests OF the PhlIadeI-
phia Chamber of Commerce, were great
work.
s; Sheba, secretary for the visitors,
In Japan and the Anglo Saxon party,
which Is opposed 10 war. Is supreme.
Late this afternoon the visitors went
TO New York city.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
FOREIGN LABOR BARRED
Mexicans and West Indians Can
not Be Imported After Jan. Is

Washington, Dec. 21.-(By A. P.)-
No more permits for the impcrtatio
of Mexican and West Indian labor will
be granted, the Department Of Labor
announced today, and permits already
granted will be void after January 15
Aliens permitted to enter temporarily
for war work will be repatrlated gradu-
ally, without interfering with agri-
cultural or other work now in progress.
The admission of semi-skilled laborers
from Canada will be discontinued, but
present arrangements whereby skilled
laborers are admitted only when they
cannot be employed in their own coun,
try and when those countries have
given consent to their departure. will
be continued for the present. Confer
ences on this subject are under way be-
tween the United States and Canadian
Governments.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
CHRISTMAS MAIL FLYER LOST
Canadian, Who Left New York,
Never Reached Bustleton

Lost-A United States mail plane and
cargo of Christmas greetings.
a fleet Of airplanes, seaplanes and
naval patrolboats have searched all the
territory adjacent to the avIators route,
No trace of hip has been found so far,
g. The missing fiier is Irving Graeb,
former lieutenant OF the Canadian arrny'
now an aerial postman.
He left New York yesterday in a big
mail plane. carrying sacks of Christmas
mssives for Philadelphia and WASH
lngton.
The first leg of his journey should
have ended at the aviation field at
Bustleton. He never arrived
When he failed to come on schedule
and the hours passed, the postal au-
thorities made the wires hot all along
his way from New York, trying to And
a clue to his whereabouts, but without
result.
1t Is believed the pilot met with engine
trouble and has landed in woods. or
he may have gone on TO Washington by
another course.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
RACING CARS HIT
NEARNAVY YARD
Autos Meet With Crash
and Mans Skull Is
Fractured
BADLY HURT
Other Passengers Sustain Cuts
and Bruises, but Hurry
Away From Wreck

Two automobiles racing down Broad
street at high speed early this morning
crashed together within few hundred
feet Of the Philadelphia Navy Yard
gate, throwing their occupants into the
street.
One man> was injured severely in the
crash and several others received cuts
and bruises. The machines were headed
directly for the closed gate of the navy
yard, and would have catapulted against
the barrier had not the collision oc-
Cured.
When the motorcars came together
the noise of the impact brought marine
sentries rurning to the battered cars.
All of the occupants of the racing ma
chimes were able to rise except Joseph
De Pianio. 535 Washington avenue, who
lay unconscious in the street. Another
man, Joseph Evans. Emily street above
Twelfth was bleeding profusely from
deep gashes in the head.
De Pianio and Evans were hurried to
the Methodist Hospital, where physicians
said that De Pianio's skull was frac-
tured Evans left the hospital after his
injuries were treated.
De Pianio revived for few minutes
after reaching the hospitals receiving
ward. He was able to give his name.
but could recall no details OF the acci-
dent He couldn't remember, he said,
whether or not he had been driving one
of the automobiles.
Five hours after the accident occur
red the police of the Fourth street and
Snyder avenue station had no details
of the accident. They explained that
their district detectives were still inves-
tigating. ...
Several men who had been in the rae
ing automobiles were slightly injured.
but refused to go to a hospital. They
hurried away as quickly as possible.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
HUNT JOBS FOR SOLDIERS
knights Of Columbus Adopts System to
Aid Heroes

knights of Columbus secretaries at
all debarkation points are meeting trans
ports on which are returniny troops and
giving them double postcards, one-half
of which Is sent to their relatives and
the other half Of which contains aucs-
tions regarding their employment.
The cards containing answers regard
ing training and chances for work are
sent to Knights of Columbus councils in
the cities in which the men reside, with
the request that steps be Immediately
taken to provide employment for those
who expect to be mustered out of serv-
ice.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
HELD ON CHECK CHARGE
Two New Workers Detained Here
Awaiting Extradition

Stephen and Charles Curry, brothers,
who give an address in New York, were
held without bail by Magistrate Me-
cleary TO await extradition by New
York authorities, on the charge OF pass
Ing a bogus check for over $1,000
They were arrested in Atlantic City
a few days ago by Federal authorities,
who believed that they might be Inn
plicated in the robbery OF the New York
bank In which two watchmen were
killed Freed of that charge they were
brought TO Philadelphia and turned over
II 10 alleged that Stephen presented
a check for &121885 at tins Colonial
bank m New York. made out IN the
name Of the Harris, Forbes Company.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
RAINY HOLIDAY WEATHER
Forecast for Next Week Anything but
Reassuring

woshinEton. Dec. 21.-(By A. P.)--
weather predictions for the week begin
ming Monday issued by the Weather Bu-
reau today are:
North and Middle Atlantic States :
Rainy and warm weather Monday and
rain again about the middle OF the week,
probably fair closing days OF the week.
south Atlantic and east Gulf States ;
Fair Monday; rain about Tuesday; tenn
peratures above normal; generally fair
second half Of the week.
west Gulf States: Rain Monday and
probably also on Tuesday In Arkansas
and Louisiana.
ohio Valley and Tennessee: Rain
nrobably Monday night or Tuesday fol-
lowed ny generally fair weather the Sec
ond half of the week,
Region Of Great Lakes; Rain or snow
quite frequently during the week.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
WINTER Due TOMORROW
First of Season May Arrive in
Rainstorm, Says Weathernan

Winter will arrive tomorrow but with
coal at sl1 a ton few persons are in
terested in its coming. Incidentally. 1t
may arrive in a rairstorm the weather.
man says.
According to astronomical figures, II
is due here at 1912 a. m. Its arrival
will not be marked with any especial
reception, as many realize that when
winter comes II has a habit of making
many things increase in price.
Many are glad that 1t is coming on
Sunday, for they will be able to remain
in bed late and defy winter from cover
let's, while they browse over the morning
paper, .. 81.
year, which, however, brings Christmas
still nearer and makes tIe tardy shop
pers realize that they will have TO stir
themselves into full activity.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
EVENTFUL WAR EXPERIENCE
Philadelphian Back in Gonzales.
cent Hospital at Camp Meade

Drafted and sent to Camp Meade in
May of this year, sent overseas, In sew
eral battles and now back at Camp
Meade again. all in less than seven
months, constitute the war experiences
of Joseph Sgro. twenty-four years old,
of l6 North Robinson street
Sgro, suffering from the effects of
German gas. reached this country last
Monday, and was sent to a convalescent
hospital at Camp Meade. In a long
distance telephone conversation with his
uncle, Thomas Morinelli, 10 North Fiji
ty-ninth street, last night the soldier
said he would be home tonight or to-
morrow morning.
The young man denied an official re-
port that he had been wounded and
shell-shocked. He said he was Bassed.
Sgro was in Company g, 10sth Machine
Gun Battalion. He was rejected six
times when he tried to enlist, but was
accepted by draft board.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
SCALEMAKERS CELEBRATE
Henry Troemner Company's EN-
! ployes Give Victory Supper

A Victory supper was given by the
Independent Protective Association,
composed of employees OF the Henry
Troemner Scale Manufacturing Com
many, 911 Arch street
4 The supper was followed by a vaude-
Vile show. The covers OF the center
thbies were so arranged as to represent
large American flag, while those
around Il formed the colors of the Allied
uations.
James Gum acted as toastnaste and
me speakers included Samuel Peterson,
dcneral manager OF the Arm; Louis
Iroemner, Henry Troemner, Harry Stone
md Corporal Louis Ksssel
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
BALTIC BRINGS 2O42 MEN
Liner Passes Sandy Hook With
Big Contingent of Fighters

New York, Dec. 21.-(By A. P.)-
Bringing home 2042 officers and men of
the American expeditionary force. the
British steamship ana gatiS fo Gf the Wits
a. m. today.
Among the officers were Major Au-
gust Belmont, Captain Larry Water
bury, the famous American polo player,
and Major Percy d. Haughton, former
Harvard coach.
Lady Constance Stewart Richardson.
noted as a big-game hunter. was one of
more than 200 civilians in the first
cabin.
The army transport Metapan, with
officers and twelve enlisted
men, discharged from the American ex-
force and bound for their
homes, docked. here today. The vessel
sailed from Pauillac. France.
The Cunard liner Walmer Castle, with
several hundred passengers. including
many Red Cross, Y. NJ. C. A. and
knights of Columbus workers, also came
into port.
Washington, Dec. 21.-iBy A. P)-
Sailing OF five transports bringing home
troops from France was announced to-
day by the War Department. The La
France sailed December II with 36S
fifteen French mission officers and sew
eral civilians.
The Tjisondari, sailed on the 18th
with eighteen officers and seventy en-
listed men, the Samland on the 18th
with eight officers and four civilians and
the Terante on the 18th with one casual
enlisted man.
on the 18th the Aeoluls sailed with
2929 sick and wounded, including 1o5
offirera
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
Child's Leg Crushed Under Train

While hooking" ride on the Hog
Island train, Joseph Wishaofsl<i, six
years old, slipped underneath the wheel
and had his lift leg crushed. Sergeant
Loesch and Detective Hardimon, OF the
Seventh and Carpenter streets police sta
tion. removed the boy from beneath the
train and hurried him to Mount Sinai
Hospital, where II Ia believed he Is in a
serious condition. The boys home is at
l2l Washington avenue.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
HELD ON SUSPICION
Four Alleged Pickpockets Are Placed
Under Bail

Four pckpocket suspects. one from
this city and three from New York, had
hearings before Magistrate Mecleary at
Central Station today and were placed
under hsavy bail to hold them in jail
during the holiday season.
Benjamin Gross, Arch street above
Seventeenth street. was arrested late
yesterday in a crowd at Thirteenth and
Chestnut streets, during the FIRE in the
Adelphia Hotel. He was held in 5000
bail for court, on the charge Of at
tempted larceny.
Three New York pickpockets were ar
rested on suspicion at Sixteenth and
Chestnut streets. They were held in
$1,000 bail for further hearings on jan
uary 3.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-21
THE REV. DIR. CHAPMAN I'LL
Evangelist TO Undergo Operation in
New York Tomorrow

The Rev. Dr. j., Wilbur Chapman,
prominent evangelist, is TO undergo an
operation tomorrow In New York This
will be the third operation for an old
The Rev, Mr. Chapman formerly was
pastor OF the Bethany Presbyterian
church, Twepty-second and Bhihbrfdge
streets He IL aigo former moderator
oK ne Pres1y tefinn cnurch. He1off tho
ministry 70 take w 0Yankfilam.