davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
TO ASK s5o,oOo, ,ooo FOR
 CONCRETE sHIPRulLDING
Chairman Hurley of Shipping Board
 to Submit Request to Congress.

Washington, April s.-Fifty million dollars will be asked of congress to- morrow by Chairman Hurley of the shipping board for development of con- crete shipbuilding. The plan is to establish at once five government yards, two on the Pacific coast and three in the south.
 Sites for the plants already are un- der consideration and will be san- nounced shortly. The three in the south probably will include one already plan ned for Wilmington, N. c. Transpor- tation facilities and easy access to cement and sand will govern the se- lections.
 The first vessels turned out by the government yards will be 7,50O ton tankers, both because of the shortage of oil carriers and because in the present stage of concrete ship decel- opment the board is more confident of success with the tankers than with general cargo craft.
 AS yet. concrete ships are admitted frankly by experts to be "a gamble because the behavior of such a vesse under load in heavy sea is unknown Success in the experiment is moi guaranteed, but MT. Hurley and Gen eral Manager Piez, of the emergency fleet corporation, hold that in tht present emergency every possible means of adding quickly to the tonnage | available for war purposes should b' l utilized.
 l Greater chance, of success is expect ed from the operation of concret tankers because the liquid load vii constantly seek level and not entai | the strain on the ship that a solid loat | WOuld do in heavy sea.
 The concrete ship Faith" built ol | the Pacific coast for private account is almost ready to undertake voy age. Engines probably will be in stalled by May 1.
 The $50,OO0,00O requested will b
 spent almost entirely for ships, a leach yard can be built for perhap
 $25,000. The yards will have from fou
 to seven ways each. Locations in tn | west and in the south will be sough
 to avoid moisture and cold which re tard concrete pouring. It was said au
 thoritatively that the Pacific coast 10 cations will be in southern Californi; Plans for the new 7.590 ton vessel
 will be ready in six weeks. They wi
 be equipped with oil burning recipro
 eating engines, capable of driving tn
 ship seven or eight knots an hour.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
3s N. E. CITIES EXCEED
 LIBERTY LOAN ALLOTMENTS
Largest Single Subscription Yester- day Was s1,ooo,0oo by Boston Five Cent Savings Bank.

Boston, April 8.-Thirty- eight New England cities and towns had official ly reported subscriptions to the Lib erty loan in excess of their allotments today. Towns which took their places among these leaders included Ash land. Bennington, uittleton, Gilsum, Hancock, Lisbon, East Kingston and Peterboro, N. H.; Sangerville, Orono, Mohegan and Sanford, Maine; Canaan, Winooski and Burlington, Vt; East Greenwich, R. l., and Ashby, Mass.
 The largest single subscription re- ported by the district committee to- day was s1 100000 by the Boston Five Cent Savings Bank. The George E.. Keith Company purchased s350, 900 worth of bonds to be credited in vary l ing amounts to Boston, Broekton, | Middleboro. East Weymouth and North | Adams and Rochester. N. Y.
 I The Pacific Mills of Lawrence an- nounced a special six per cent. divi- dend amounting to $900, 900 and will | the money in Liberty bonds.
 The committee was virtually as- sured of a s10 900 subscription from the town of Marshfeld as a result of the action of the legislative commit tee on municipal finance. which re- ported fayorably today on bill to ipernit the investment of town funds Ijn Liberty bonds.
 The city of Burlington, Vt, put in a claim for an honor flag today i through Charles H., Darling, state chairman, who reported that bonds tt the amount of $S0s ,0O0 which had beer
 set as that eity;s allotment. had al. laeady teen disposed of.-
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
SHORTAGE OF COAL CARS l.
 AGAIN BECOMES SERIOUS.
Vigorous Action Necessary to Avoid ! Another Coal Famine Next Winter.


 Washington, April S.-Shortase of coal cars at the mines has become again so grave that fuel administration officials say that vigorous action will have to be taken at once by the rail- road administration to maintain equal ity of supply at all bituminous mines if another coal famine next winter is to be avoided.
 With the situation more serious than at any time since the height of the freight congestion of last winter, and the coal car shortage greater than in February, Fuel Administrator Garfield, Chairman Baruch of the war indus tries board and Jol>S,~ kelton Williams, in charge of the ~,drchasing division of the railroad administration, have been holding almost daily conferences to determine relief measures Confronted with the necessity of supplying all government needs 100 1 per cent, and. at the same time fhr- nish the railroads a 100 per cent sup 1 ply, the fuel administration also is urging that non government consum- 1 CTS must be taken care of next winter 1 by assuring sufficient cars at the mines now, thus assuring capacity production
 Bituminous coal production in the 1 United States fell off BOT per cent. the week ending March g, according tc the latest figures. compiled by the l geological survey, due chiefly to g | shortage of coal cars at the mines o1 20.6 per cent. throughout the country The actual shortage of cars at the eastern mines ranged from 14.6 pel Ecent. at the Pocahontas field to 59.; in the Fairmount district for the same period.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09

meet the Teutonic attacks. The at tack on the French lines southeast of Chauny is for the purpose of removing a menacing salient and the gaining of better protection to the German left flank.
 This assault is still going on and it has made considerable progress. The Germans struck through the tow CT Forest of Coucy and have reached a point south of the village of Folem- bray. The Berlin official statement claims that 2,0O0 prisoners have been taken.
 Extensive Attack Expected.
 That an attack of large dimensions is planned for the front from Arras northward to Lens is considered prob able by military experts. As long as this front is in it's present position the Germans cannot exert their full strength on the line before Amiens The cannonade in this region may be the prelude of massed attack such as bent the British line during tAe latter days of March
 Notwithstanding the statement made on Friday by Stephen Pichon, the French foreign minister, that "Ameri- cans are now fighting in Picardy, nothing definite, has been learned about where General Pershing's meT are located, or what part they are playing in this battle of battles.
 On the American held sectors neal Verdun, east of Luneville and north. west of Foul, only ordinary trench ac. l tivities have been reported l Little has been heard from the Ital ian front. The concentration of Aus trian troops in that theater of the wal is considered warning that major ac. tivities may be loowed for there probably in the mountainous country but there has been no indication tha, the Feptons plan F uaHlch their at. tack at an early date.
 The Turkish troops are reported tt l be invading the Caucasus. where the, l will take possession of the territorie which were given them .under tn
 peace treaty of Brest Titovsk.
 The landing of British and Japanes
 forces at Vladivostok seems to hay
 been merely for the purpose of polio
 ing that city. No steps toward eject
 ing them have as yet been taken b the Bolshevik. authorities.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
OBJECT OF GERMAN
 OFFENSIVE WAS PARIS
Sent Forces Ahead Prepared For Rap
 i'd Advances in Open Warfare.

Washington, April Statements of German prisoners have convinced military critics that the real military objective of the German offensive was Paris and that so far from expecting 01ecl1s which would make Amiens the goal of bloody and undecisive battles, the Teutonic high command sent its forces forward prepared for rapid ad- vances in open warfare.
 Tn order to alleviate the march of the troops" says an official despatch received today from France, "the or der was given to prepare for their de- parture and to organize the conveys in such a way as only to carry with them what was indispensable The remain ing was to be stored at depot desig- mated by the divisions. The loading carriages, the munitions to be carried the equipment and arming of the men an had been carefully planned as well as the distribution of maps of the country to be invaded. The men tc carry seresves of food, enough to last two days and two flasks, the usual food for day, following them in roll. ing kitchens and provisions for three days in company conveys
 Tn Er0rt, every arrangement showf that the German moccand had decided 10 resort to open warfare. It is certain that the military situation after more than fifteen days of operations is one sf extreme disappointment to the Ger. nan command"
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
SLAV CIRCLES IN AUSTRO-
 HUNGARY ARE EXCITED
Over the Increasing Warlike Attitude of Organs of the. German Party.


 Washington, April S-According to an official despatch from Switzerland today, excitement in Slav riccles in Austro- Hungary has been increased by the warfike attitude of the organs Of the German parties. which, defend sCzernin aand are making violent at tacks against the Slavs as well as the socialists.
 Great meetings, the despatch says, were held at Prague Thursday and Friday. Czech leaders replied to the Austrian minister of foreign affairs, declaring that the Czech nations re- alized that liberty and independence would never come to them from Aus tria Hungary OF her allies, and that in spite of threats the Czechs would in no way modify their national pro- Sramme which is the application of | the principles announced by Presi- l dent Wilson in all his speeches. l In the same despatch it is stated that 1 the labor situation in Austria is so critical that the authorities of Vierna i thave scattered in the factories and or 1 the public highways anonymous leaf lets asking the people to preserve | their calm and continue to fulfill al i their patriotic duties.
 1 The Arbeiter Zeitung is quoted as saying that the people know well that those who are really responsible fol the prolonging of the war are the gen. erals and imperialists who at Berlir and Vienna have for some time as- tsumed the direction of affairs
 It is announced that Count Czernir has been obliged to postpone his triJ to Bucharest in consequence of event. bearing upon the interior policy of thu monarchy.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
GERMANS REALIZING
 AMERICA IS IN THE WAR
Opinion in Germany is Undergoing Change of What That Fact Portends.


 Washington. April s. - Word that American endorsements are moving To the support of the allies in Picardy has revived argument in Germany over the efficacy of the submarine and drawn from Captain Persius, military critic or the Berliner Tageblatt, the comment that after being persuaded to undergraduate America, German opinion is underging a change.
 An official despatch from Switzer- land today reviewing the latest dis cussion. quotes Captain Persius as fol- lows:
 "We were at first a good deal per suaded to underestimate the partici- patton of America in the war. We begin now to note a change of opinion. lt is beyond doubt that it would be we'll to curb at the present time these moro or less fantastic vagaries of per sons discussing the submarine war. We cannot for the moment estimate when the United States will have ready the millions of men which her population will permit her to raise, but it is certain that America will in the very near future succeed in amass- ing armies which in any case, will con- stitute a very valuable aid for our enemies"
 Captain Persius concludes by not Ing that America is preparing for a war of long duration and expresses without great conviction, the hope that the present offensive will attain result which will fruStrate these plans.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
coRoNER's INQUEST ON
 DEATH OF R. P. TRACER,
An Enemy Alien Who Was Hanged by
 Mob at ColEinsviIIe, III.

Collinsville, H., April S.-Mayor J.. H. Siegel of Collinsville was the prin- cipal witness today when the cor oner's inquest into the death of Rob .ert P. Prager opened here. Prager, an enemy alien, was hanged last Fri day by mob after it had been as- serted that he had made disloyal re- marks.
 Today's session was secret, but it was learned that the mayor told the inquisitors he had been informed that Prager had been removed from the city hall by the police because it was fear ed he might suffer violence at the hands of the mob. He said he told the mob that Prager had been removed and that when he opened the door with the intention of admitting one of their number for the purpose of searching for the prisoner, the whole mob rushed in, found Prager and the lynching followed.
 Hearings will be resumed Wednes- day.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09

Facing American, French and Brit ish troops strongly entrenched and well equipped for battle, the German army has for the moment given up its direct drive against Amiens. Follow ing utter repulse. in his efforts to smash right through to his objective, the enemy is now attempting a new manoeuvre which is intended to broad en the field Of action and reduce the menace Of a counter offensive which would nullify all the gains made by the Teutons since March 21.
 Reports from the battle line in Pi- cardy disclose the first stages of this new German offensive aimed at either Side of the salient in the allied lines. From La Bassee Canal, in the north, to the sectors east of Laon. the great artillery forces of the enemy are thun- dering. with the bombardment deep ening at places to the intensity of drumire.
 The length of this front is approxi- mately 12O miles. North of Lens, east Of Arras. along the new front running through BucquOy to Albert, south to Montdidier and thence eastward past lassigny and Noyon to a point far beyond Chauny, the Germans are .ammering the allied lines in an at- tempt to break the defences and pre- pare them for the infantry assault which may be expected at any mo- ment.
 Enemy Forced to Fight Uphill.
 On the western elbow of the sali- ent in the allied lines the Germans art forced to fight uphill. Their advance across the lower ground along the Somme. Amcre AVre and Luce Rivers has carried them up to a parapet ot hills which sentinel the road to Ami eas. Attacks along this natura bulwark have nstted the enemy only insignificant gains at a horsSNs cost At points the German efforts have gained. but these gains have resulted cnly in the formation of sharp salient, which are swept by rife and machin, gun fire and tempests of shells when ever enemy troops are seen formin; for an attack.
 There is a wholesome respect in tn German general staff for the allie reserve army. which as yet appear 10 have been drawn upon lightly t
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
CHANGE IN RULING FOR
 NAVAL STATION DRY ZONES
Naval Station at Key West, Fla, Has
 Been Added to the List,

Washington. April s.-An amend ment to the order declaring a dry zone around the naval academy at Annapo- lis, Md, the training stations at Great Lakes, Ills. Norfolk, Va. and Hamp- ton Roads and Newport, R. L, the training camp at Mare Island. Calif., and the marine corps stations ali Quantico, Va, and Port Royal. S e was approved today by Secretary Daniels. It restricts the serving of liquor to naval men who are mem bers of family or bona fide guests in homes within the zone to such li quor as was on hand when the order went into effect. After that supply is used up no more may be imported.
 The list of dry zones was further extended today by an order prohibit ing the sale or delivery of alcoholic liquor within five miles of the naval station at Key West. Fla.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
GERMAN PATROL ATTEMPTED .. TO SURPRISE AMERICANS
 [ But They Were Dispersed by outposts With Machine Guns.

With the American Army in France, April S-(By The Associated Press).- A large German patrol attempted a surprise attack on the American out posts in the sector northwest of Foul early this morning, but were dispersed without being able to reach any of the American positions.
 A corporal in listening post saw the Germans approaching. He waited until they were within a. few yards of them and then challenged. The enemy answered with rifle fire, whereupon the American outposts opened with heavy machine gun and automatic fire, seat tering the Germans and driving them back to their own lines.
 A violent artillery duel went on all through the night along the whole length of the American front. The Germans threw more shells into the American positions than in any similar period for the past few months. The American batteries replied vigorously
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
STRIKE AT PLANT OF EAGLE
 LOCK CO, TERRYvILLE
Demand General Increase of 15 Per
 Cent.-About 1900 Out.

Terryville, Conn, April S.-About l,SOO employees of the Eagle Lock com pany were embraced in the strikers ranks today and about 300 skilled men remained at their work. This figure was determined during the forenoon by canvass of the departments. The demand is a general increase of 15 per cent. and minimum wage of S4 a day for day and piece workers who are male adults, and s2 for women. A sub committee from the general strike i committee went to the company's of nee during the day to convey the de- mand and conference was held which resulted in rejection of the requests. Meantime, the strikers had been meet ing at the Auditorium, and the sub committee reported back, after which the meeting adjourned until Wednes- day. The company officers issued no statement.
 The strike is being conducted or derly. Those who remain at work are machinists, toolmakers and others who are under contract.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
American Troops to France
THEY ARE BEING sRleADED
 WITH BRITISH TROOPS
TO HASTEN TRAINING
It Is Believed sthe Training Process
 Will be Quicker With the British s Than the French Because the Lang
 uage Difficulty Will Not Exist.


 Washington. April S.-Transporta- ton of American troops to France af- ready is proceeding at the accelerated rate contemplated by the fspeeding-up measures taken after the battle Of Picardy began. Acting Secretary Crowell made this statement today.
 Extent of Troop Movement Secret.
 For military reasons, the extent of the increased troop movement has not been made public
 Following the conferences between Secretary Baker and allied officials, orders were given under which British official statement was issued saying that American forces were to be brigaded with British troops in order to hasten American participation in the war. Officials explained today that the process to be followed was similar to that adopted in placing American l troops in the front lines with the French for training
 Training With British. 1 It has been estimated that thirty | days training of this character with American battalion units assigned with the British organizations will fit the newcomers for active duty at the front All divisions now moved from this side l are composed or men Wno nave nae several months of preliminary training and who need only final instruction tc take their full share in the fighting. l Training Will Be Quicker. 1 The training process will be quicker with the British than with the French it is believed because the languag' difficulty does not exist. American l-units will find every British veteran 1 an instructor and there will be no neet for interpreters.
 | It was indicated that the new plan call for a more extensive trainin: scheme with the British army thai has been the case with General Per shing's original force. There probabl will be no attempt to set up a purel American force within the Britisl
 ranks. as has been done with tn French.
 To Share in Battles.
 The Americans are to be withdraw when trained and turned over t General Pershing as a part of hi army. They will share fully with thei British comrades the battles on thei i, front and the belief here is that the twill not be withdrawn as long as tfler ,lf is pressing need for their service wit ' the British lines.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
ENGINEER KILLED, 20 PERSONS
 INJURED IN NEW YORK CENTRAL
Empire State Express Crashed Into DeraiIed Freight Train Near Amster- dam,

Amsterdam, N. Y, April S-John R. Bolts, of Albany, engineer of the Elm pire State Express, was killed, and some twenty other persons were iniur- ed today when the westbound Em-
 pire State Express on the New York
 Central railroad ran into 9 deraailed
 freight train a mile and a half west oe
 here. Fireman Ballinger and Fire
 man Davis were injured in the crash. Information given out in New Ykyk city by the New York Central was to the effect that three persons were
 killed, but according to the coroner this statement was erroneous.
 Eastbound train No. 16, known as l the New York Express, also plunged into the wreckage and the engine was overturned but none of it's passengers | was injured
 The freight, an eastbound spec;al | food train, was derailed by Token l truck and several of the cars were thrown across the westbound tracks ! The engine of the Empire State Ex- press was overturned in the collision with the derailed cars and Bolts and i his firemen were hurled across the rails to the bank of the Mohawk riy- ] CT All traffic on the main line was
 A>-->--~~-1 eaanu haE1rA
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
U. S. TO PAY FOR ALL
 DAMAGE DONE IN FRANCE
"A Bill With That Provision Has Been Introduced by Senator Robinson.

Washington, April S.-A bill to pro- vide for the indemnification of citizens of France for damage dore by the American army was introduced today by Senator Robinson and referred to the claims committee. The legisla- tion was suggested by General Persh- ing, who explained that such indemni- fication was made by Great Britain and that the failure of the American army to reimburse citizens whose property was damaged in the course of the American army's training or movements created an unfavorable i-pxAAAinas
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
MERCER OF THREE NEW YORK
 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHES
Madison Square, University Place and
 the Old First Church.

New York, April s. - Three New York Presbyterian churches. which are among the most widely known of the Presbyterian Church in America, will be merged in the immediate fu- ture. They are the Madison Square, the Rev. Dr. c. H. Parkhurst, pastor; the University Place, the Rev. George Alexander, pastor, and the old First Church, the Rev. Dr. Howard Duffield, pastor. The presbytery announced today that it had approved of a plan to combine them under the name of the First Presbyterian Church of New York city.
 The three pastors have all rendered their resignations.
Norwich bulletin., 1918-04-09
PRoHI5ITloNIsTs PLANNING
 A STATEWIDE CAMPAIGN
To Bring About Election of Legislators
 Favorable to Federal Amendment.

Hartford Conn.,, April S.-Plans for state wide campaign next fall in an effort to bring about election of leg islature favorable to ratification of the proposed prohibition amendment to the federal constitution were considered at a meeting here tonight of committee of one hundred prominent Hartford citizens, including lawyers, bankers, business men, insurance men, clergy men and others. John T. Robinson is chairman of the committee. It is plan ned to bring into the state more than a hundred speakers. including members of congress and senators, to speak in every town in Connecticut. An effort also will be made to have every can didate for the state senate or house of representatives declare himself on the question