davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
"KnOU Truth" Sign
on Trolley Cars

Continued from PaEo One
Mayor Smith and to National Fuel Ad-
minstrator Garfield. Mayor Smith Is
asked to have the stops eliminated In
accordance with the law. Garfield's at
tention is called to the Rapid Transit
Company's insistence on the system after
It's excuse as a war measure has passed
No date has been announced for the
meeting of the special committee of in
fiuential men and women appointed by
Thomas +. Mitten, president of the
Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company
This committee is designed TO review The
skip-stop controversy and decide
whether the company is justified IN
maintaining the skips.
Two of the men appointed to the
committee, are James Il. Lennon. presi-
dent of Select Council, and Dr. Edward
B. Gleason; president of Common Coun-
ell. The question has been raised
whether these officials of Councils are
qualified for the special committee, in
asmuch as they might have to vote in
Councils on an ordinance to abolish the
skip-stops. VI
Mr.. Lennon said yesterday he would
not only serve on the Mitten COMMITTEES.
but he saw nothing in this attitude to
prevent him from voting on any ordi-
nance that might be introduced looking
to the abolition of skip-stops. rts
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
MINISTER'S HERE
DENY GODSPEED
TO PRESIDENT
Opposition to Peace Conference
Trip Is Voiced at Metho.
dist Union

Strong opposition TO President VIII
sons trip to the peace conference was
voiced today at the weekly meeting OF
the Methodist Episcopal Minister'S
Union at Seventeenth and Arch streets.
A motion to send telegram of God
speed to the President which would
reach him as he embarked was voted
down by big majority. storm OF
protests arose and each succeeding sug-
gestion for the wording of the telegram
was voted down.
At this point, Bishop Thomas b.
Neely addressed the meeting, advising
that no message at all be sent as the
sending would be looked at as a, sign
of partisanship. He said politics should
not enter into such a thing.
It was finally decided to take no ac-
ton in the matter.
Recall Of President Wilson as peace
commissioner and appointment Of high
commission on peace problems Is de,
manded of the United States Senate
by DR.. Russell II. Conwell, president OF
Temple University and pastor of Grace
Baptist Church.
Doctor Conwell, speaking yesterday at
Grace Church. characterized the present
peace delegation as "the most fragrant
political junket of the last seventy-fve
years" ...-
Theodore Roosevelt, Senator Hiram
johnson, former President Taft, former
Justice Hughes and Vice President Mar
shall would make an admirable COM
bination for the high commission" he
delared.
"Mr. Wilson is too theoretical and
lacks the finer appreciation of the ethics
of his position"
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
P.R.R. OWNERS
RATIFY U. PACT
Stockholders Meeting Ac-
cepts $53,603, ,427 An
nual Rental
TO CONTINUE DIVIDEND

Stockholders OF the Pennsylvania
Railroad Company today ratified the
Federal control contract with the Gov
ernment, covering the Pennsylvania Rail-
road Company and the subsidiaries
operated or wholly owned by 1t east or
Pittsburgh.
The compensation fixed is s53,603,-
f27.5s year Samuel Rea, president OF
the p r. r. corporation, announced that
this sum will be sufficient to continue the
per cent dividend upon the capital
stock and provide a moderate annual
surplus during Federal control.
The figure represents the average an
nual operating income of the companies
involved for the three years ended June
30. 1917, as certified by the Interstate
Commerce Commission.
Eight companies are covered by the
contract ratified today. They are: Bal
timore hand Sparrow's Point Railroad
Company, Cumberland Valley Railroad
Company. New York, Philadelphia and
Norfolk Railroad Company. Union Rail
road Company OF Baltimore, Barnegat
Rallroad COMPANY 1nIIaoelpnia an au
,' neacH ia.en nar,IVau SoiIpa,s' ,, r'os'
,o,m,e ans,rn rneta ,ra he,na nsooti-
80 e. .,. ,.an,a,,s ,;nes ~ tSa pen.,-
a,.I,,,,,Ja poi,roaa swsta,,os na,t ~ pitts
Sy,rsh Era and RnrfsIn ana also for
those eastern subsidiaries of the Penn
s,I,,a,ia p.ilroad Coronanv which arc
| ovred onIy In mart. such as the West
Jeraev and Sesshore Railroad Company
and the Long Island Railroad Company
No discussion followed presentation OF
! the resolution to ratify the pact, and the
! entire session occupied just twelve min
utes. Fewer than Atty persons were pres
ent. The meeting was held in Room
26s, Broad Street Station. marking the
| first time in nearly seven years that
the Pennsylvania Railroad stockholders
have met in the company's general Of
fees.
In connection with the announcement
of the amount of compensation. Presi
| dent Samuel Rea made the following
| statement:
"'The compensation received from th'
Government under the terms of the con
tract, as we'll as the income derived
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
J.G. JOHNSON LEFT $6,297,3l7
Executors Report Appraises Art
Collection at S4.447.8OO

The estate Of the late John q. John
son. lowyer and art patron, totaled
s6,2s7,317 according to the report Of his
executor, filed with the Orphans court
today. Judge Henderson fixed December
10 as the date for the audit of the eN-
ecutor's account.
Disbursements amounting to S2I3,-
406. 50 had been made, the report stated,
to obtain settlement of all claims against
the estate. About sB,O2t.O0o is left for
distribution among the heirs.
The art collection left by Mr.. john
son. consisting of paintings, etchings, en-
cravings, drawings and statuary. has
been appraised as being worth $f,fi7,-
500. the report stated.
Nothing was said today 10 indicate
what steps will be taken to obtain a
legal decision as to the disposition OF
the famous art collection Two courses
are open, an appeal to the orphans
Court or 10 Common Pleas Court by , {,
bill in equity. The problem of how and
where to house the collection has proved
puzzling both to the city and to the
executors, the latter being the PennsyI-
yanla Company for lnsurances on Lives
and Granting Annuities.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
KEEP UP WAR SAVINGS
McAdoo, Through Regional Director,
Appeals to Public

Director General McAdoo has sent to
regional directors of railroads the fol-
" ut is Of the utmost, Importance that
people shall continue to save In order
that they may help the Government
complete the victories we have gained
in europe, meet the expenses of the
war and provide the means of support
ing our army In Europe until 1t is re-
leased from duty and OF bringing It back
10 American soil. We must therefore
keep up the war savings campaigns and
induce every one to invest to the extent
OF his means In war savings stamps and
thrift stamps which are obligations of
the United States Government and
which are the best of investments for
the savings of the people.
will you not ask the railroad en-
ployes throughout your region to save
their money and invest 1t in war saw
ings stamps and thrift stamps to help
their Government and our gallant sol
diers and sailors who are still on duty
in europe an6 also 20 help themselves
projection to them IN case Of misfortune
or necessityx
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
DIRECTOR DEFTES
ROBINSON'S FOES
Wilson Says Former Police
Superintendent Can
Have Job Back
CHURCHMEN PROTESTED
Federation's Attitude Brings
Statement That Place Is
Held Open for Officer

Captain James B. Robinson is at iib-
erty to return to his position Of SUPER
intendent of police when he is released
from service by the military authori-
ties
Director of Public Safety Wilson made
this statement this afternoon when
asked what action would be taken a.ir,s
the case of Robinson in view of the pro-
test against his return by the Intkr-
church Federation.
The Director declined to say jtitlo>
what duties Robinson would perfor
on returning to his post. In comfnen
Ing on the case. he said:
superintendent Robinson, employe
by the city, is on an indefinite leave o
absence, authorized by ordinance o
councils to those entering the United
states service. The city pays him they
diference in his salary by virtue of the
same ordinance, and when his leave OF
absence expires, by reason of his release
by the United States military authors
ties, he Is at liberty to return to the posi-
ton he occupied at the time the leave
or absence was granted to him, to wit:
superintendence of poice.'
The Rev. DR.. Edwin Heyl DellS, presi-
dent of the 1nterchurch Federation
planned to confer with Lieutenant Col
onel Charles B. Hatch, u. S. NJ c., with
view to finding way to prevent tile
return of Robinson, but Colonei Hatch
was too busy to see DIR. DelS.
A meeting of the Interchurch Fedora
ton will be called within few days,
at which definite action against the re-
instatement of Robinson probably will be
taken.
The federation took an active part
in the vice expose last spring which re-
suited in the removal of Superintendent
Robinson at the demand of the F'edguaf
authorities II. X Y{ssf
Colonel Hatch has revealed that MAyUrl
Smith received a telegram from Secre-
| tary Baker few days ago urging re-
doubled vigilance against vice during
the 6emobilzation of The nations armed
forces
The Mayor admitted receipt of this
caution, but would not comment upon It.
Colonel Hatch has expressed his i'm
tention of insisting upon 100 per cent
| enforcement of the law with regard TO
! vice during demoblizatin
IAN educational campaign should be
started at once to preventive reappoint-
ment Of Mr.. Robinson as Superintendent
of Police" said the Rev. DR.. Carl Gram
mer. of st. Stephens Church. II was
| very sorry to learn his reappointment
was to occur and think everything pos
| sible should be done to prevent it." %
! Doctor Grammer added that meet
! ing OF the committee representing the
Inter-Church Federation would be called
soon when the most practical plan to-
protect the city against the scheme of
Mayor Smith and Director Wilson to
! reinstate Robinson and retire Superin-
tendent Mills would be marked out and
! adopted The committee IL is said may
advise a general pulpit APPEAL
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
President Silent
on Peace Program,


and wireless constant counsel and ad-
vice would he possible.
Much Of the address was devoted to
the railroad problem, for which the
President said he now had no solution
TO offer. He recommended careful study
by Congress- saying it would be a dis
service to the country and to the rail-
roads to permit a return to old condi-
tions under private management without
notifications.
The President declared he stood ready
to release the railroads from Govern
mcnt control whenever a satisfactory
plan OF readjustment could be worked
out.
The President said he hoped to see a
formal declaration Of peace by treaty "by
the time spring has come
No definite program Of reconstruction
can be outlined now Mr.. Wilson said,
but as soon as the armistice was signed.
Government control of business and in
dustry was released as far as possible.
He expressed the hope that Congress-
would not object to comforting upon the
war trade board or some other agency
the right Of fixing export prioritles to
assure shipment of food To starving
people abroad. =
As to taxation. the President indorsed
the plan for leving $4,000, 000, 900 in
1919 and for notifying the public in ad-
vance that the 1920 levy will be
$4,000. 100000.
The new three-year naval buildins
program was indorsed because, The
President said, 1t would be unwise to at.
tempt to adjust the American program
to future world-policy as yet undeter.
| mined.
Paying tribute to the peoples conduc,
In war, he spoke particularly OF the worl
of women, and again appealed for wo.
man suffrage by Federal amendment
| Declaring he had no private though,
or purpose in going to France, but thai
he regarded It as his highest duty, IN,
President added ut is now my duty tt
play my full part In making good wha,
they (American soldiers) offered theil
life's blood to obtain"
silence greeted a reference to tn.
unratifed treaty Of friendship and ad
justment" with Colombia. The Presiden
urged early and favorable action.
Senator Martin of Virginia, Demo
cratic leadar. and Senator Lodge, Re
publican leader, sitting next to eacl
other, held frequent whispered confer
ences as the President proceeded.
The floor was crowded to the outer
most aisies and every seat in the gal
leries WAS occupied hours before tn
President spoke.
. Mrs. Wilson was one of the auditor
in the gallery,
I
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
FIRE ABOARD JAPANESE VESSEL
Third Mishap in Three Days
Alarms Superstitious Sailors

Fire believed to have started from
spontaneous Combusitno amoue rubbish
In the forward hold of the Japanese
steamship Indo Maru this afternoon did
slight damage to the vessel, but strength
ened the conviction OF the crew that
evil spirits are at work.
IL was the third untoward incident
since the ship sailed from French
mort for Philadelphia. When she was
entering the harbor three days ago. one
man of the crew died on board. This
load her cargo, fell over the rail into
the Delaware. He was saved from
drowning.
:, The blaze was eXtingulshed by the
firaboats stuart. King and Ashbridge.
The Indo Maru is at the foot of Queen
street.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
FIRE In WALNUT STREET
Early Morning Blaze in Home of
Mrs. T.. Bowman Lear

A fire In the home of Mrs. L. Bowman
Lear 2027 walnut street, caused the
fashionable section of the city to stir
earlier than usual this moring.
ii was about 1880 o'clock, when sery-
nnte awakened by the odor Of smoke
reused the members of the family and
discovered the ceiling of the dining room
on the first floor and the floor OF the
living room directly above In flames.
They teiephoned an alarm to City Hall.
The flames were eNtinguished with lit
lie difficuity and the loss was slight.
An Investigation showed that insulation
Non electric wires between the floors had
kpared and caused short circuit.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
kROONLAND BRINGS MORE men
Bails From France With l349
Troops Aboard

y WsshIHgton. DEG 2.-(By a. P)--
The war Department announced today
that the steamer Kroonland had sailed
from d French port on November 20
Will, i349 soldiers, including the hetd-
ullarters detachment of the seventy
sixth Division. In addition there are
tacItmenf, Sevsnty-sixtif Division; sick
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
Redeem waste Land

| particularly direct your attention 70
the very practical plans which the Sec
re,ary Of the Interior has developed In
his annual report and before your COM
mittees for tho reclamation of arid,
swamp and cut-oNcr lands which might,
II thC, States were willing and able TO
cooperate. redeem some 3o0,ooo,o00
acres of land for cultivation. There are
said to be 100000 or 20,o0o,ooo acres
OF land in the West, at present arid, for
whose reclamation water is available, II
properly conserved. There are about
23O, 600, 600 acres from which the forests
have been cut but which have never yet
been cleared for the plow, apd which
lie waste and desolate.
These lie scattered all over the Union.
And there are nearly s0,o00,0o0 acres OF
land that lie under swamps or subject
, to periodical overflow or TOO wet for
ANYTHING but grazing which 1t is per-
! fectlv feasible TO drain and protect and
redeem. The Congress can at once d.
rest thousands of the returning soldiers
| to the reclamation or the aria lanos
which it has already undertaken, II II
will but enlarge the plans and the ap'
preparations which it has entrusted tc
the Department of the Interior. 1t II
possible, in dealing with our unused land
to effect great rural and agriculture
deyelopn ent which will afford the bes
sort of opportunity to men who wan
to help themselves; and the Secretary o
the Interior has thought the possibi
,nethods out in a way which is worthy o
your most friendly attention.
have spoken of the control whio
must yet for while. perhaps for lon
while. be exercised over shipping be
cause OF the priority OF service to whic
/ our forces overseas are entitled an
which should also be accorded the shir
ments which are TO save recently III
Grated peoples from starvation and man
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
carry Out Naval Plans

take it for granted that the Con
gross will carry out the naval pro-
gram which was undertaken before we
entered the war. The Secretary OF the
Navy has submitted to your committees
for authorization that part OF the pro-
gram which covers the building plans
OF the next three years.
These plans have been prepared along
the lines and in accordance with the
policy which the Congress established
not under the exceptional conditions OF
the war, but with the intention Of ad-
herring to a definite method of develop
ment for the navy. I earnestly rec
onmend the uninterrupted pursuit of
that policy. It would clearly be unwise
for us 10 attempt to adjust our pro-
gram to a future world policy as ye,
undetermined.
The question which causes me the
greatest concern is the question OF the
policy to be adopted towards the rail-
roads. frankly turn TO you for counsel
upon ii. I have no confident judgment
of my own.
do not see how any thoughtful maj
can have who knows anything Of thu
complexity OF the problem. 1t is ,
problem which must be studied, studie'
Immediately and studied without bia
or prejudice. Nothing can be gsine
by becoming psrtissns Of any particula
plan Of settlement. ~
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02
Whist Is Right:"

Every approach TO this difficult sub
ject-matter Of decision brings us face to
face. therefore, with this unanswered
question: What is it right that we
should do with the railroads, in the
interest Of the public and in fairness
to their owners?
Let me say at once that | have no
answer ready. The only thing that is
perfectly clear to me is that 1t is not
fair either to the public or to the owners
Of the railroads 10 leave the question
unanswered and that it will presently
become my duty to relinquish control
of the roads, even before the expiration
of the statutory period, unless there
should appear some clear prospect in the
meantime of a legislative solution. Their
release would at least produce one elc-
ment of a solution, namely certainty
and quick stimulation of private inl-
tiaLiVe
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02

devastated regions from permanent ruin.
May not say a special word about the
needs of Belgium and northern France
No sums OF money paid by way OF in
demnity will serve OF themselves to save
them from hopeless disadvantage for
years to come.
Must Aid Invaded Nations
Something more must be done than
merely find the money. II they had
money and raw materials in abundance
tomorrow they could not resume their
place in the industry OF the world
the very important place they held
before the hame of war swept across
them. Many OF their factories are
razed TO the ground. Much of their
machinery is destroyed or has been
taken away. Their people are scattered
and many OF their best workmen are
dead. Their markets will be taken by
others. IL they are not in some special
way assisted to rebuild their factories
and replace their lost Instruments OF
manufacture. They should not be left
to the vicssitudes OF the sharp compe-
tltion for materials and for industrial
facilities which is not TO set in.
hope therefore. that the Congress
will not be unwilling, II It should be-
come necessary. to grant to some such
agency as the war trade board the right
to tuh oh ,,rtnriIiac Af
ply for tho benefit Of these people whom,
we have been 80 happy to assist in saw
ing from the German terror, and whom
we must not now thoughtlessly leave TO
shift for themselves in a pitiless comretI-
tive market
Must Tighten Taxes
For the steadying and facilitation OF
our own domestic business readjust-
ments nothing is more important than
the immediate determination of the
taxes that are TO be levied for 1918,
1919 and 1920. As much OF the burden
OF taxation must be lifted from business
as sound methods Of financing the Gov
! erument will permit, and those who con
duct the great essential industries oi
the country must be told as exactly as
possible what obligations to the Govern
ment they will be expected TO meet ir
| the years Immediately ahead Of them
It will be of serious consequence to tn.
country to delay removing all unCer'
tainties III this matter "A single day
| longer than the right of processes oi
debate justify. It is idle to talk of sue
cesstul and confident business recon
a.ruction before those uncertainties ar,
resolved.
If the war had continued it woulc
have been necessary to raise at leas
$4,000. 100000 by taxation, payable II
the year 1919; but the war has ended
and | agree with the Secretary Of tn,
Treasury that it will be safe to reduce
the amount to $4,000, 100000. An i'm
mediate rapid decline in the expense
OF the Government Is not TO be looket
for. Contracts made for war supple
will indeed, be rapidly Cancelled ant
liauidated but their immediate liquida
ton will make heavy drains on tn
Treasury for the months just ahea'
of us.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-02

believe that it will be serviceable
for me TO set forth % explicitly as pos
sible the alternative courses that lie
open to our choice. We can simply re-
lease the roads and go back 10 the old
conditions of private management un-
restricted competition and multiform
regulation by both State and Federal
authorities; or We can go TO the oppo-
site extreme and establish complete
Government control, accompanied, If
| necessary, by actual Government owner
ship; or we can adopt an intermediate
der more unified and affirmative pub.
lie regulation and under such alterations
Of the law as will permit wasteful COM
petition to be avoided and a considerable
degree of unlhcatIon of administration
to be effected, as, for example. BY re-
gional corporations under which the
railways OF defnable areas would be in
effect combined in single systems.
Develop Transportation
The one conclusion that l am ready
10 state with confidence is that II would
be a disservice alike to the country an6
10 the owners of the railroads to return
70 the old conditions unmodified. Thos,
are conditions of restraint without de
velopment There is nothing affirmativ,
OF helpful about them. what the coun
try chiefly needs is that all its meant
of transportation should be developed
it's railways, its waterways, it's high
ways and its countryside roads. SOM
new element of policy, therefore. Is alb
solutely necessary-necessary for tn
service of the public, necessary for tn
, release of credit to those who are ad
, 'ministering the railways, necessary TO
The old policy may be changed muc
) or little but surely it cannot wisely b
left as it was. ] hope that the Con
sress will have complete and impartia
study OF the whole problem instituted a
once and prosecuted is rapidly as pos
sible. stand ready and anxious to re
lease the roads from the present contrt
and / must do so at very early dat
If by waiting until the statutory llmi
I OF time is reached l shall be merei
) prolonging the period Of doubt and UT
certainty which is hurtful to every in
terest concerned.
Announce Peace Trip
welcome this occasion 40 tnnounc
. TO the Congress my purpose to join /
: Paris the representative OF the Govern
i nents with which we have been asst
ciated in the war against the Centri
Empires for the purpose OF discussin
n with them the main features OF II
. treaty OF peace.
a realize the great inconveniences tn,
d will attend my leaving the country. pa
Is ticularly at this time, but the concl
d sion that It was my paramount du,
lr 10 so has been forced upon me by co
hiderafiona which I horo xviu soofu