Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1918-02-09


valuable aboard transports. they have
been provided with bookcases holding
collections of books which are used
as circulating libraries on the way
over. The cases are emptied at port
of debarkation and the books sent to
the men in the field.
As means of further increasing the
supply of books among the overseas
forces. the association plans to- have
each soldier carry a book In his kit,
to be put in circulation when he
reaches the other side.
Secretary Houston OF the depart
ment of 'rriculturn has set forth the
policy which he thinks should be fol-
'cwcd in highway construction during
the war:
$50 far rs it is practicable to do so.
this department will urge the main
terance Of the highways already con-
Structed; the construction and com.
ple:ion Of those highways which are
vitality important because Of their
bearing upon the war situation or for
the movement Of commodities; the
postponemcnt of all highway construc-
ton relatively less essential or not
based upon important military or
economic needs. The department Is
preparing to suggest to the state high
way departments the preparation OF
schedule of work for the federal aid
projects for 1918 In line with this pol
ICY"
Road construction and maintenance
In the United States involve an annual
expenditure Of about $500. O00.0 600.
The department Of labor is arrang-
ing to bring into the United States
10000 laborers for railroad and farm
work, from Porto Rico and the Virgin
islands, according to, Louis F. Post.
assistant secretary Of the department
Of labor.
Mr.. Post declares there is no neces-
Sity for importing common labor from
Mexico or China. Porto Rico is an
agricultural territory and yet has
density of population exceeded by only
three states. a considerable surplus
# workers exists on the island. 1t
can furnish 100000 laborers. and the
Virgin islands can send 10000 more.
Arrangements are being made to
bring over $4,000 men as soon as ton
,age is available.
A recent report made by the United
In N
state Of Australia, includes the follow
ing:
"The general scheme for the repatri-
alton of returned soldiers contemplates
placing them upon the land. At re-
cent conference between the common
wealth and the state authorities, 1t
vas decided that each state would
have to find the land. while the COM
m0nwealth government would advance
up to $2.433 to improve the holding of
each returned soldier and to procure
lie necessary stock and implements.
In this state it was deemed that the
crown lands would prove too difficult
20 improve to attract returned SOL
Tiers, and it was decided to purchase
arge estates and divide them up into
small farms and to use the money ad-
.anced by the commonwealth govern
lent for buildings. fences and tools.
The money expended by the state In
purchasing the land. as well as the
money advanced by the commonwealth
Tor improvements, is q lien upon the
property and must be repaid in small
annual payments. 1t was also decided
nv the commonwealth to advance
Money to returned soldiers who may
lesire to rent land. Bills will be in
reduced into the various parliaments
It once so that this scheme can be
put into operation throughout Aus
tralia.'
For purposes of operation railroads
Of the United States have been placed
| in three divisions as follows:
Eastern RailrOadS.-The railroads In
that portion of the United States north
Of the Ohio and Potomac rivers and
east of Lake Michigan and the In
| ana-lllinois state line; also those
| railroads in Illinois extending into 1t
| from points east of the Indiana-Illi-
nOis state line; also the Chesapeake
| Ohio, the Norfolk & Western, and
| The virylnlan railways.
Southern RailrOads.-All railroads
in that portion of the United States
south of the Ohio and Potomac rivers
and east of the Mississippi river, ex-
cept the Chesapeake & Ohio, Norfolk
4 Western, and the Virginian railways.
and also those railroads In Illinois and
Indiana extending into those states
from points south of the Ohio river.
Western RailrOads.-All railroads
not included In the above definitions
and, broadly speaking, all railroads In
the territory west Of Lake Michigan
and of the Indiana Illinois state line
to the Ohio river and west Of the Mis-
sissippi river from the Ohio river to
the Gulf of Mexico, excepting those
railroads in Illinois included in east
ern territory and those railroads IN
Illinois and Indiana included in south
ern territory, as above stated.
According to information received in
Washington, butter is selling In Ber-
lin at 1925 pound. sugar at Sc cents
pound, ham and bacon at $2.11 a
pound, and white soap at five bars for
SLIP.
For the unit of women telephone
operators to be sent TO France dis
tinctive uniform is being provided.
Salaries range from $50 to 1925 a
month, with allowance for rations and