davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1918-02-14
TEAMWORK NEEDED
BY ALLIES ON THE
DIPLOMATIC SIDE
By DAVID LAWRENCE.
(continued from First Page J

Il AAgAA EAINN A8CsN
standing on other war aims Is begin
ming to be apparent here. Too long
there has been the feeling IN wash
ington' that while Lloyd George was
no. doubt attempting 10 deal with I'M
ternal political opinion. he may at re
same time seem to be>commIttinE the
whole allied cause to measures which
the United States. for Instance. might
not in the last analysis be ready to
indorse In entirety.
Some intimation that British public
opinion has upon occasion felt the
same way about the broad altruism Of
President Wilson has reached here
from time 70 time. principally through
those who come to Washington from
the eontinent-as very little criticism
Of Mr.. Wilson has appeared IN the
British press.
Net to Affect President.
The President is not likely. how
ever. to be affected by the failure OF
Lloyd George to use the czernin
speech as an offensive atroks 70 de-
tach Austria from Germany. Rather,
1t is expected, on the other hand, that
the British premier viii take occasion
to remove any doubts as to Britain'B
willingness to meet the peoples OF
the central powers half way.
Any other course It II feared here
will destroy all the good effect which
has been admittedly accomplished BY
the drive which the entente under Mr..
Wilson's leade7)hip has made to make
the German people understand that it
Is their militaristie government which
Is the sole barrier to peace.
Mr.. Wilson's war address OF last
April was the frst definite statement
OF the allied cause as war not to
crush Germany or the German peo-
pie, but to rid the world OF mIlitAr.
ism fostered by their present leaders.
Shall this line OF argument be now
abandoned? This is the question that
IL really coming to the surface now.
No one here believes II Is proper
to characterize the divergence OF
views between British statesmen and
President Wilson as critical for on
the prosecution OF the war military
force, there Is the most practical
sort OF unity. but the need for CO.
operation and team work on the dip
lomatic side Is being eysrywherS
talked about as no less vital q step
toward achieving the ultimate VIC
tory.
The Washington times., 1918-02-14
BALL PLAYER KILLED IN WAR.

FLORENCE, n. J.. Feb. 14-"Jack"
Rasner, well known to the baseball
fans" of the country. and who played
baseball ten years ago. according to
reports received by relatives at Bev.
erely and here, met death while fight
ing in France. Rasner was one of the
fastest second basemen in semi-pro-
fesslonal ranks and covered that po-
sition for the p. Burd Grubb team, of
Beverly. Jack" for a number OF
years played ball in the Pacific Coast
League. Two years ago he went to
France and enlisted in a French reGi.
ment
The Washington times., 1918-02-14
S9O,4OO ASKED
FOR D. c. GUARDS
REORGANIZATION

The District Commissioners sent
to the House, through the Treas
ury Department. incFeased estimates
for the District OF Columbia militia
for the coming fiscal year.
They ask an appropriation OF $90.-
400. This is an increase OF more than
SG5,OOO above their original estimates
They explain that the increase Is
cessary because OF the development
of plans for a new militia organiza.
tion in the District.
The Washington times., 1918-02-14
Water Over PIern.

The water Is above the piers at the
highway bridge, reaching to the cap
stones on the two south piers. This
win throw the moving lee against the
thin steel supports. II it jams there.
Colonel Ridley, superintendent OF
public buildings and grounds. stated
today Il will bring a dangerous sltua-
ton.
The Washington times., 1918-02-14
CAMPERS ON SHORE
SEE POTOMAC ICE
RUIN THEIR HOMES

Two old women and a man camped
out since midnight and watched the
Ice demolish their home. A faithful
dog huddled close to the group, while
all four endeavored to keep warm
near a small wood fire the soldiers
made for them.
This was only one OF many un-
usual sights along the District bank
OF the Potomac, west of the Aqueduct
bridge, which for a stretch OF sew
ersl hundred yards is dotted with
houseboats and shantIes built by the
waters edge. The ice is slowly
crushing these tiny homes.
Women Go To Hospital.
Mrs. Tillie King. aged sixty-eight,
a cripple: Miss Cecilia King, seventy
three, and Harry Sarn, forty, son OF
Mrs. King. were the three in the
group who refused to leave their
improvised camp. standing watch
with their dog until daybreak show
ed them their house demolished. The
two old women became heart-broken,
and were sent to the hospital, suf-
ferinE from exposure.
\ half dozen camp fires dotted the
shore all night and at sunrise the
scene resenbled a camp in a mining
district.
Mrs. Margaret Moore, wife OF
Frank y. Moore. with two Cocker
spRniels, who was routed out OF her
bungalow at o'clock this morning.
tearfulIy viewed her home next to
Moore's boat house, owned by her
husband. The house was caved in on
one side and the entrance surrounded
by ice jammed up against the foun-
dations. The boat house is demol-
ished on one side and Moores loss Is
estimated at about $4,000.
Another Party.
Just above them. at another camp
FIRE. were Mrs. n. Champion and her
two children, suffering from throat
trouble. They were found by the
police this morning and taken to
shelter near by. Further up the
river, men and women were dlscov.
cred sitting near fires built OF drift
wood and debris.
The Washington times., 1918-02-14
WANTS TO AVENeE SON.

JACKSON, Mich. Feb. 14-when W.
4. Clark, OF Jackson, learned that his
nineteen-year-old son, Wilbur, was
drowned on the Tuscania he immedi-
atsly went to a recruiting station and
tried to enlist in the artillery service.
Clark, who is forty-seven years old,
was not accepted because OF his age.
The Washington times., 1918-02-14
LITTLE DAMAGE DONE
AT WILLIAMSRoRT, BUT
DANGER NOT YET PAST

WILLIAMSPORT, Md. Feb. IL
With cloudy weather today, the flood
danger is not yet past. The river is
swollen but has not gone out Of its
banks. Aside from the sinking OF a
few small boats, little damage has
been done.
The Washington times., 1918-02-14
Il GInEers You Up.

IL GInEers You Up.
II the old system isn't fit as a fiddle,
and you want to speed up some. take
a dash OF AIM in your fountain
drinks. It's good for you. Costs
nothing extra. Everybody needs iron.
--Advt.
The Washington times., 1918-02-14
NOMINATION IN SENATE.

The President this afternoon nOmi q.
mated Col. Charles L. Potter. corps en-
gineers. TO he a member OF the Cali
fornia debris commis Ion.
The Washington times., 1918-02-14

ALEXANDRIA, Va. delayed by
ice-in d-Potomac) The old col
ored man, who swears his name is
Uncle Amos" is tugging at the oars
as this is being written, shortly be-
fore noon, with an ebb tide and a
stiff northwest wind blowing.
See, young un," says Uncle Amos
to The Times reporter, this Ill
'norwester' keeps de waters of de
yonder shores and blows EN- all Of
into de ocean"
The reporter had met Uncle Amos
at the foot of Cameron street and Cor
half a pound of ginger cakes and a
quarter induced him to borrow" a
boat and risk alongside the floating
ice foes. Amos, whose age. by the
way, is problematical, didn't mind
the quarter, but the ginger cakes
turned the trick. He ate the cakes
before he ventured near the to-be-
borrowed craft.
Amos Could Chew.
Amos could chew tobacco-and
row almightily. He soon reached
mid-stream between the channel,
where the big fee sheets were mov-
ing, and the shore.
With the ice moving, It felt as
though we were stationery. although
beads OF perspiration were already
upon the old darky's brow. All of
the ice looked alike, and the only
way you could tell you were moving
was by the landscape, which Amos.
took great pride In describing.
Right down alongside ice OF such
proportions and at a place where
the Potomac is wide, one sympathizes
everlastingly with an Arctic explorer
Amos kept the boat alongside the
moving ice. AS far as eye could see
in both directions was the ice. the
most, Amos said, that he had ever
seen before-millions OF tons Of It.
Ours was the only boat in sight.
except for a naval tug away down
the river. bound for Indian Head, and
it was already disappearing.
Alexandria Safe.
The sun was shining and the
floating ice melting from the top,
but, according to Amos, who knows
the river well, Alexandria was in no
danger. We came alongside. The
ice was several inches thick. Ev-
erywhere on both sides Of the chan
mel hundreds of little icebergs were
stealthily surging forward, dotting
the river like whitecaps do the
ocean at Atlantic City.
All along the river front men
were tugging at ropes and chop
ping into the melting ice, olsen
tangling their boats, which have
been frozen in all the winter.
"Ain't been no small boats moved
since December TO-" said old Amos.
"See thar" he continued, at the
same time pointing out a boat in
dock, "thar's de ole d. P. Mulford;
she's a good ole oyster smack. Once
she had a eighteen-sailor crew.
Now look at her stuck in the ice.
Dat ole boat hab run on de Indies
(only Amos said Indeez) line. Vas,
sah."
Boat Leaks.
The irst-class rowing of Amos
soon brought the boat opposite the
Virginia Shipbuilding Corporations
big plant. Here a plank was noticed
Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-10-08
DR.. Riley Sums up Relief
Work--Gen. Blue Takes
Control ofHeaIth Situation
US. MEN TO BE- I'M CHARGE

In q statement made this morning,
DIR. Thomas ]. Riley, general director
of disaster relief work in the Amboys
and surrounding territory, said:
There are a few homes in South
Amboy which are not safe for occu
pants as yet on account of the dam
aged condition of electric and gas con-
nections and flues.
Families returning to these homes
will not be allowed to turn on lights
sirable that they report to the Red
School for food and lodging until such
safe for occupancy.
and all stoves will reach South Am
boy this afternoon, In which case some
OF the families might be able to return
to their homes. For information on
this see the Red Cross headquarters
at st. Mary's school,
The health situation in South AM
boy is we'll in hand. There is a first
aid room In Red Cross headquarters
at st. Mary's school and the local hos
pital has been repaired and is In use
for influenza and pneumonia patients.
and the armory has been converted
into an auxiliary hospital and will be
opened as soon as possible. DIR. Buck
Ter. of Baltimore, is in charge and has
the very cordial and hearty assistance
of the local physicians
"a large force of glaciers began
work yesterday in South Amboy and
are doing their work very rapidly.
''In this city the local health con-
Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-10-08

ditions are acute. telegram from
Surgeon General Blue at Washington
has been received and directs the es-
tablishment of control by the Public
Health Service in Perth Amboy. A
representative of the Public Health
Service is momentarily expected to
arrive here.
Meantime the Red Cross has put
force of doctors and nurses at the
disposal of the local health authori-
ties and has opened a small emer-
gency hospital at st. Peters Parish
House.
the Red Cross does not have CONF
prehensive information as to the ex-
tent of influenza and pneumonia In
Perth Amboy Every precaution Is
being taken by the local health au-
thorities and the Red Cross to handle
the health situation until the arrival
of the representative Of Surgeon GEN.
eral Blues
Most of the people who fed from
their homes In South and Perth AMI
boy after the explosion will have re-
turned to their homes either today-Ur.
tomorrow. They have been adequates
ly fed and comfortably housed and tho
Red Cross will spare no pains to caro-
for them and to prevent physical suf1
fering.
"It would seem that the good win
efficiency and all resources of the peo-'
pie OF this stricken community have
been applied in an united effort in th&
name of the American Red Cross 4
care for these families and reston
them to their accustomed manu
living as soon as possible"
Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-10-08
PLANT BEING CLEARED
READY FOR REBUILDING

The T. A. Gillespie Company.
which is rushing the work OF rebuild
ing the huge shell plant at Morgan,
has opened temporary Offices in the
Raritan building o. Smith street and
Madison avenue, employment ofnces at
the main gate to the Morgan plant, en-
gtneering offices at the Raritan build
ing and in the administration build
ing at the plant, work has been going
on constantly since II was cleared OF
wreckage and made habitable. The
ordnance corps officials and Gillespie
executives have temporary offices at
the residence of George j. Haney in
High street, which was thrown open
to them.
Yesterday the workman who report
ed were put to work cealrink up the
wreckage. They were blasting the
ruins with dynamite. to clear away
the tangled wreckage and make the
ground ready for the reconstruction.
Pending action from Washington.
1t is doubtful IL any actual rebuilding
will be done Immediately. There Is
tremendous quantity of work to be
done in cleaning up the plant condi-
tions and 1t will be some time before
the units will again be reconstructed
The employment Offices at the plant
had thousands of workers ready to
turn to yesterday morning. Many Of
them were returned refugees whose
families were scattered to the seven
Winds but they were confident that
they were in good hands and so turned
to in an effort to assist In again open
ing the plant and making their living
Col. Spraunce of the ordnance de-
partment, Is in charge of the work as
1t relates to the national interests. T.
A. Gillespie Is in charge of his own
company's interests. d
BY noon yesterday truckloads OF
lumber were drawing up to the main
entrances, while workmen were being
admitted and assigned to tasks.
No one would predict just how long
Il would be before ammunition would
again be started on the first leg Of
the journey to France. The problem
is largely one of getting materials.
but many employees are confident
that within three months the plant
will be in full operation.
The first work undertaken was the
stringing OF telephone wires and the
hitting up Of temporary administra-
ton headquarters In one OF the
wrecked buildings. Following this
will come repairs to barracks OF the
working force and the clearing away
OF debris preparatory to erecting
Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-10-08
RED CROSS To
HELP REBUILD
Citizens Committees of Two
Amboys Meet With Officials
to Discuss Plans

AS the result of a conference at the
East Jersey Club last night between
! officials of the Atlantic Division of the
American Red Cross and representa-
tive citizens of communities affected by
Red Cross will at once begin the work
of reconstruction of the damaged
homes.
Alexander M. Wilson. director of ci-
william relief, presented a proposition
whereby 1t will be possible to begin
work at once in reconstructing resi-
,dences and other buildings damaged by
the explosion.
1t is proposed that the George A.
Fuller Construction Company of New
York, will Immediately put as many
workmen as It Is necessary on the re-
pair work. Car loads of material will
be shipped at once to the stricken
towns. By this plan it will be possible
to do the work quickly and on large
scale.
The meeting last night was attended
by DR.. Thomas J. Riley, in charge of
the Red Cross work here, o. w. RAM
say. heading the Perth Amboy commit
tee and Judge George 8. Silzer, chair
man of the South Amboy committee.
The South Amboy committee is COM
posed of George s. Silzer, chairman,
John 4. Coan, Mayor Alfred T. Kerr.
Richard c. Stephenson and Rev. A. B.
Strenski.
The Perth Amboy committee is COM
posed of Oliver w. Ramsay, chairman.
Mayor John r. TenBroeck, G. G. Bald
win. Robert Fowler, w. p. Pratt, An
drew ]. Wight and J. Logan Clevenger.
Details of the plan whereby the Red
Cross will stand sponsor for the work
will be worked out at a meeting an
nounced for this afternoon.
While 1t Is generally believed that
the United States government will
make good all the losses caused by the
explosion. as 1t has done In similar in
stances In other parts of the country.
1t will take some time for the claims
to be adjusted. In the meantime the
homes in South. Amboy must be made
ready for occupancy at once.
The citizens Committees of the two
places have therefore requested the
Red Cross to assist the people in I'm
anctng the rebuilding. as even those
who have the money are unable to and
workmen. while the Red Cross. by>do-
Ing the thing on a large scale. could
command the services of q large con-
tractor. The matter Of insurance and
government reimbursement are details
that are to be settled later. The first
thing is to get the work started and
rushed with all speed possible.
A conference between the Red Cross
officials. Col. Spruents, representing the
u. 8. Ordance department and Messrs.
T. A. and III. H. Gillespie was held yes
terday relative to the reconstruction
program at the shell loading plant.
DR.. Thomas II. Buckler of New York
Is here In charge of sanitary problems
for the Red Cross.
Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-10-08
RESOLUTION BEFORE CONGRESS
To INVESTIGATE THE EXPLOSION
By Special Correspondent.

By Special Correspondent.
WASHINGTON, Oct. S:-Repre-
sentative Thomas ]. Scully, of the
Third Congress District. introduced in
the House of Representatives yester-
day resolution calling for an inves-
tigation of the causes. of the explosion
at the T. A. Gillespie Shell Loading
Plant at>Morgan, N. j.. with the idea,
IL the plant is reconstructed, of ade-
quately safeguarding life and proper
ty in the vicinity, and of reimbursing
persons who have suffered losses In
the recent explosion.
South Amboy, N. j.. which is one
of the places that suffered most from
the explosion, Is Mr.. Scully's home
town. The congressman went there
Immediately after the news of the ex-
plosion reached him, and worked
hard to alleviate suffering and allay
the anxiety of the citizens of South
Amboy and the surrounding district.
While the reconstruction of the
plant Is understood to be already un-
der way Mr.. Scully feels very strong
ly that additional efforts must be
against the danger of another out
break such as that which occurred
last week. and to reimburse those
who suffered property losses.
The resolution which Congressman
Scully introduced today Is as follows:
Resolved. that the Speaker Of tho
House of Representatives appoint a
QNmmittee of fiye members Of the
11se oss Hep4 - - invest.
gate the caezses and ascertain The
losses sustained by the people of
Morgan, South Amboy and Perth
Amboy, N. j.. and vicinity. from the
Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-10-08
BRIDGE STANDS
UP UNDER STRAIN
Believed Unsafe at First, But
is Supporting Stream
of Traffic

Word was sent into relief headquar-
ters this morning that the county
bridge between this city and South
Amboy was unsafe and would have to
be closed.
This was found to be untrue. and all
day long. heavily laden trucks have
gone over the structure in a continual
stream. carrying lumber and materials
as well as lighter cars with refugees
and ambulances and canteen supplies
for the stricken city of South Amboy,
AS soon as the word was sent that
II was thought the bridge could not
Withstand the constant strain of so
much traffic, DR.. Riley and William B.
Pratt, acting for the civilians commit
tee, called on Freeholder +. William
Hilker and County Engineer Morgan #.
Larsen.
The latter two declared that they
had examined the bridge and found 1t
to be safe.
II such a thing occurred as block
ing the bridge 1t would wreck untold
hardship. in view of Its importance as
an artery of traffic between the two
cities. Inestimable injury would be
done were 1t to collapse or be rendered
useless.
Repairs are constantly being made
to the structure to keep II up and
where planks are broken, new ones re-
place them almost Immediately, so that
there will be no cessation of transpor-
tation
Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-10-08
SOUTH AMB0Y IS
gl 0lku YanI NI\IIl
olUSS AND Military Au-
thorities In Charge--People
Returning to Homes
~ Special Correspondent.

>
SOUTH AMBOY, Oct. 8:-Condi-
tions in this city are being bettered
hourly under the efficient direction of
the military authorities, the RED
Cross and the citizens committee
which Mayor Kerr has named.
At o'clock yesterday afternoon
DR.. Thomas III. Buckler, of Baltimore.
arrived on the scene and Immediately
took charge of The sanitary condi-
tions. He called all local doctors into
q conference and Ii was decided that
when persons we're found to be sick
that the local doctors take charge and
IL sickness of a serious nature should
develop DIR. Buckler should immedi-
ately be called.
The local Red Cross under the SUI
pervision of Mrs. Edward Whitehead,
of South River, and Mrs. William p.
Nichols, of South Amboy, has charge
OF the canteen service. which Is feed
ing upward of 1900 persons day.
Two large army kitchens have peen
set up back of st. Mary's Hall, doing
ali the cooking, and are in charge of
Capt. Hullenback, Lieut.. Pond ana
Lieut. Roll, of the Montclair Machine
Gun Battalion.
Alderman William @. Wilson, or
Perth Amboy, after looking over the
situation, decided that 1t would be
advisable to have another auto pump
ing fire engine stationed here for fur
ther fire protection. He Immediately
called upon Mayor TenBroeck. OF
Perth Amboy. for apparatus and Nc
Clellan Engine Company was dis
patched here to give the necessary
assistance, in charge of Chief Nixon,
until the danger from chimney fires
is believed to be over.
Captain Meehan and thirty-nVe
civilian police from Newark arrived
yasterday afternoon to work In con-
junction with the local police.
Perth Amboy evening news. [volume] (Perth Amboy, N.J.) 1903-1959, 1918-10-08
Statement by the Company.

structures.
Statement by the Company.
The first comprehensive statement
of the extent of the damage and the
casualties come from the T. A. Gill
lespie Company yesterday after the
officials. accompanied by Col. b.
Spurance. Jr., assistant to the Chief
OF ordnance u. 8. A., has made an
inspection of the entire property.
This statement was:
The T. A. Gillespie Loading Com
pany plant consisted of 700 buildings.
of which s25 were destroyed. There
were thirteen complete units for the
loading of shells. Twelve of these
units we know to be destroyed. The
thirteenth unit we have not been able
to examine thoroughly. but 1t has been
damaged somewhat. All of the cot
and their families, together with the
administration building and mess halls
and so forth have been destroyed. The
labor camp, containing forty buildings
is practically intact The power house,
docks and trackage system through
houses and magazines have not been
damaged to any great extent
THE first explosion occurred on FRI
day evening at about TAO In the 81
plant. From there II Travelled to tho
6-2 plant, and 1t is our opinion that
that plant was destroyed by nre caused
by the exploding shells from the No.
plant.
"In the No. / plant seventy-six men
were working; twelve being United
States inspectors. OF these seventy
six men, twelve are accounted for In
Guiding two inspectors: the balance
or total OF sixty-four. are missing.
Less than this number OF bodies have
been recovered.
Doubt as to Cause OF FIRST Blast
"After a careful inspection of the
site OF the plant IT is clear that the
initial explosion in all probability did
not occur eithe~ in the INT service
magazine or in the low pressure
steam jacketed amatol kettles. as
previously reported in some of the
press dispatches. All the available
evidence points to the initial explosion
having occurred IN one Of the regular
operating rooms In which the 7b-MM.
shells are handled under established
(Continusd on page 81