davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
WEST RIVER SHOWS
EFFECTS OF THAW
Twin State Co. Carries Entire Load from
West Dummerston Plant Little
Change at Vernon.

While the farm weather of yestar-
day and the dav before had slight eff
feet on the volume of water available
for power purposes at the Vernon dam
of the Connecticut River Power Co.
there was q noticeable change in con
dltions at the West Dummerston dam
of the Twin State Gas & Electric Co.
The West river, always susceptible to
temperature changes, came up enough
as q result of the thaw so that the
Twin State Co. was able to carry all of
its local load from the West Dummer-
ston plant Yesterday afternoon and
evening, and is doing SO with even
greater ease today.
At the Vernon plant this noon it was
said that there was a slight increase in
the volume of water yesterday but that
it was hardly enough to amount to any
thing and that the increase seemed to
have ceased. The power company Off
cials, of course, are thankful even for
small favors but it is evident that there
will have to be a decided and prolonged
period of warm weather to greatly af-
feet the volume of water in the Con
necticut.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
WINCHESTER MEN
HAD NARROW ESCAPE
Ton or More of Granite from Library
Roof Fell Where They Stood But
Few Seconds Before.
Especial to Tho Reformer.)
WINCHESTER. Y. H. Feb. |

'l-NNil In ~ H., Gu II.
The 18th came near being an un-
lucky day for DR. G. w Pierce and l..
X. Nelson of this town, who had a
hairbreadth escape from serious injury.
and probably instant death yesterday
afternoon about clock.
They had been standing on the walk
Just outside the main entrance to Con
ant library and had just entered the
building when the granite skew table
and coping 25 feet above, weighing a
ton or more, came hurtling to the
ground, where they lad stood but few
seconds before.
The granite steps were badly
smashed, and both the skew table and
coping broken. These form a part of
an ornamented gable on the front of
the building, the gable being surmount-
ed by a handsome granite pinnacle.
The other side of the gable is several
inches out of line, and will undoubtedly
fall, together with the pinnacle, unless
immediate steps are taken to strengthen
it.
Apparently the granite had been ex-
panded and forced out of position bv
the ice and snow.
The building was erected in 1890,
and is generally conceded to be as hand
some library building as there is in
the valley.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
TWO-DAYS' MEETING
IN WESTMINSTER
Agricultural Program to Be Given by
G. T. Story, w. j. Tubbs and A. w.
Sweeton Friday and Saturday.

Following IS the program for a two
days meeting in Grange hall, Westmin-
oter, Friday and Saturday of this week.
under the auspices of the Vermont Agri-
cultural Extension service and the
Windham County Farm Bureau cooper
ating, to which everybody is cordially
invited:
Friday a. m, Animal Breeding.
George +. Story, professor of dairving
at the Vermont agricultural college;
II a. m, Business Side of Farming. W.
}. Tubbs, farm management demonstra
tor of the Agricultural Extension serv-
ice; l.30 =. m, Dairy Rations, G. Z.
Story; go, More on Business Side of
Farming, w. J. Tubbs; 5, Farm Bureau
Work in 1917 and the Program for
1918, (lantern Slides, \. ". Swecton,
county agricultural agent; 9, Cost of
Milk Production, q. f. Story.
Saturday-l0, Herd Management, G.
r. Story; IL, Animal Diseases, G. T
Stor$; l.30, The Income Tax as it AT.
fects Windham County Farmers. A. W
Sweeton; 2.30 Farm Accounting ant
the New Account Books, ". J. Tubbs
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
WILSON ORDERS
INVESTIGATION
Direct Attorney General to
Find Out About Hog Is
land Shipyard Contracts
S42, 100000 OF
MONEY INVOLVED
Mr.. Gregory to Determine If There Has
Been Any Criminal Misuse of Funds
TO Work in Conjunction with Chair
man Hurley of Shipping Board.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14-President
Wilson today directed Attorney General
Gregory to investigate the much dis
cussed Hog Island shipyard contracts
which had been adversely criticised be-
fore the senate commerce committee
and to determine if there had been any
criminal misuse of government funds.
The President also directed the at
torney general to work in conjunction
with Chairman Hurley of the shipping
board in his investigation. About $42,-
100000 of government money has been
involved in the Hog Island project, in
which the American International cor
pOration, headed by Frank A. Vanderlip,
president of the National City bank, has
figured
Investigation by the department of
Justice was recommended by Chairman
Hurley, who asked that an assistant to
the attorney general be sent to Hog
Island to work with Assistant General
Manager Bowles Of the emergency fleet
corporation Mr.. BowleS was put in
active charge of the yards recently
Mr.. Bowles has been directed by Chair
man Hurley to put the Hog Island yard
on an economical basis. Shipping
board officials are of the opinion that
there has been nothing worse at Hog
Island than inefficient management and
la reckless spending of funds, but they
want TO ascertain all the facts.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
SAYS MORTGAGE WAS
TAKEN BY FRAUD
Mrs Aurilla M. Cummings Makes Al
legation Against Her Brother-Hear-
ing Before Judge Stanton.

Judge Zed :. Stanton of Roxbury
held a hearing on bill III chancery to-
day in the law office of Chase & Chase.
The case was that of Mrs Aurilla NJ
Cummings of Brattleboro against her
brother, Clarence L. Bean of Spring
field, this state.
The mother of the two parties, Mrs.
Della R. Bean, in her lifetime had a
mortgage on $1,000 and mortgage note
on certain property in Woodstock. Aft
er the mortgage was given Mrs Bean
lived with her son, Clarence, and wife
III Springfield. and in the fall of 1916
came 70 Brattleboro to live with her
daughter, Mrs Cummings, where she
remained until her death.
The bill in chancery, which was
brought recently, alleges that Mrs. Bean
before coming to Brattleboro> had the
note and mortgage with her in Spring
field and that she thought she brought
them TO Brattleboro, but was unable to
find them and concluded that she had
lost them. On Dee. /, 1916, by an as
slgnment In writing she assigned the
note and mortgage to her daughter.
Mrs Cummings, and the assignment
was recorded the next day in the town
clerk g office in Woodstock and the
mortgagor, William II. CRANKY of
Woodstock, waJ notified Pursuant to
an arrangement Mr.. CRANKY paid the
| interest due for that year to Mrs Cum
mings.
1t is further alleged that neither Mrs.
Cummings nor Mrs. Bean ever knew
that the defendant had the note and
mortgage or claimed any interest in
them, but that after Mrs Bean S death,
Feb. 23, 1917, the son, Clarence. mott
| fed Mrs. Cummings that their mother
gave him the note and mortgage and
| that he owned them. He also notified
Mr.. CRANKY not to pay Mrs. Cummings
any more interest.
The bill alleges that Bean, without
hls mother 8 knowledge, fraudulentlv
| took the note and mortgage from her
with the intent TO appropriate them to
/ hls own use. Judge Stanton issued an
injunction restraining Bean from sell
/ ING, transferring or incumbering the
| noto or mortgage and from collecting
the note or interfering with the plain
tlit IN the collection of the interest.
At the hearing today Judge Stanton
ordered that the matter be left rs at
! present until March 6. when he will
come to Brattleboro for 4 further hear.
ing IN the case. Attorney Harrie r
Chase appeared for Mrs Cummings and
Attorney Tupper of Blanchard & Tup-
per OF Springfield appeared for Bean.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
To Cover Power Line Exten-
siOns and West Dummer-
StOn Plant
CONNECTICUT RIVER
co. TO EXTEND NOTES
Two Hearings Before Public Service
Commission This Forenoon-Petition
in Each Case Granted-War Affects
Money Market.

Two hearings relative to bond issues
were held by the Vermont public serv-
ice commission this forenoon in the
office of the chairman in the Wilder
building. All the members of the board
were present, consisting of Robert C.
Bacon of Brattleboro, chairman, Viii
liam r. Warner of Vergennes and Wal
ter A. Dutton of Hardwick. Neil d.
Clawson was present as clerk In each
case the petition was granted.
The Twin State Gas Electric COM
pany, which has general Offices in Brat
tleboro. asked permission TO issue SAL
600 of 40-year bonds to cover improve
ments made on the eompany's proper
ties in Bennington, st. Johnsbury and
Brattleboro. The expenditures for these
improvements were largely on exten-
sions of the power lines in the towns
named and additions TO the power plant
on the West river in West Dummer-
ston
The company filed schedules showing
the expenditure of moneys, upon which
dicated. Attorneys Harvey & Whitnev
appeared for the Twin State company
and States Attorney ". r. Daley ap-
peared for the state There was no op-
position to the petition.
hearing also was held on petition
Of the Connecticut River Power COM
pany for a modification of an order of
the commission dated Sept. IL. 1917.
On that date the company was author
lied to issue 100000, par value of new
preferred stock 10 capitalize certain
expenses for improvements, extensions
and betterments in the company s pow
er system, and for retiring S4s6, 900 Of
the outstanding coupon notes
The president of the company filed
with the commission an affidavit stat
ing that on account of war conditions
II was practically impossible to sell the
stock, there having been but very lit
tie demand for it, and the hearing to-
day was on a petition asking that the
order of Sept. IL be amended so that
the coupon notes of S4s6,O00 might be
extended for three years and so that
$iS6,000 of the authorized new pre-
ferred stock might be used for the re-
tlrement of these extended notes. At
torney Harold L. Whitney of Harvey
Whitney appeared for the Connecti-
| cut River Power company and States
Attorney W. R. Daley appeared for the
state
As in the preceding case, there was
no opposition to the petition.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
BRATTLEBOROLOCAL.

Robins seen in Centcrville this morn
ing by K. II. Briggs convinced him that
spring was on the way.
Mrs. Lila NJ. Pike of 81 Green street
has just received a letter from Evan
gelist George w. Anderson of Belle
fontaine, Ohio, stating that while in
France he saw her son, Lauren H. Pike,
who, he said, was we'll located and in
fine health and spirits with plenty to
wear and eat and safe shelter.
The funeral of Clinton F. Pratt was
held this afternoon at clock in his
home on Spruce street. Rev. Douglas
G. Guest, pastor of the Methodist
church, officiated The bearers were
William B. Douglas, Clarence Moore.
Harold Newell and Leon Walker The
body was placed in the tomb at Morn
ingside cemetery.
The funeral of Mrs. Martha F. S. Car
ter was held yesterday afternoon at .
0 clock in her home in West Brattle-
boro. Rev. /. NJ. Compton, pastor of the
West Brattleboro Baptist church, Off
ciated. The body was placed in the
tomb at Meeting House Hill cemetery.
The bearers were John Gale, John Gal
lup, Henry Stockwell and w. j. Haw.
kins.
Mrs. Ellen +. Cobb of Springfield
Mass, widow of Alfred r. Cobb of
Brattleboro, died this forenoon in her
home in Springfield, Mass, where she
and a daughter, Miss Carrie f. Cobb
lived together. Mrs. w. T. Haigh OF
Brattleboro, another daughter, left foi
Springfield on receiving news of hen
mother S critical condition, but did not
arrive there until after her mother had
died. The funeral will be held Mon.
day in the home of Capt. and Mrs
/ IIaigh.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
HAVE NO
FAITH IN TROTZKY
Believe That His Promise of Demobiliz-
tion IS a Sham-No Relations
Without Treaty.

AMSTERDAM, Feb. l4.-Judging from
the latest indications in the German
press much dissatisfaction and suspicion
have been aroused by the latest move Of
Foreign Minister Trotsky. Important po-
itical and military leaders are said to be
conferring busily to find the best solution
to the puzzle.
4 Berlin paper Tuesday declared or
reliable information that Trotzlly's 5
proposal was in no circumstances to be
regarded as peace offer while it is
pointed out by the other papers that
the Russian war theater was mentioned
early in the official army report of Tues
day.
y Berlin telegram to a Cologne paper
Of Wednesday says:
The government is not willing to con-
tinue relations with Russia on any basis
whatsoever unless the present Russian
government signs peace treaty. As
however, it must be reckoned for the
present at any rate that Trotzky does
not think OF signing any formal peace
declaration, a situation is created which
makes necessary a thorough discussion
between the government and the supreme
army command"
The correspondent in an apparently
inspired passage adds:
"The chancellor is resolved under ne
circumstances to conduct further negoti.
ations in ans neutral center and it vii,
be the affair OF the central powers to de-
termlnc where such negotiations may best
be held
Berlin paper says there are proofs
/ that Trotzky's promise OF Russian de
/ mobilization is sham.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
Both Sides Preparing for the
Gigantic Struggle Inter-
rupted by Winter
OVER TWO MILLION
IN TEUTONS' RANKS
Allies Have Accurate Information of
the Enemy's Strength-Both Armies
Continue to Harry Each other, En-
counters Occurring Daily.

FRENCH FRONT, Friday, Feb. |, cor
rcspondenec Of The Associated Press
Like two boxers seated in opposite cor
ners taking deep brcaths and being
spongcd down while awaiting the next
round the German and Franco-British ar.
mie, on the frontiers Of France and Bel
gium az the present moment in their oIr
posing positions are preparing Tor the re-
opening oil the gigantic struggle which
went throughout 1917 and ceased only
temporarily while time was called by
winter Each army has probably a fair
ly accurate idea Of the others strength.
The French and British know they have
facing them lj5 German divisions, S5 OF
which are in front OF the French and 20
in front Of the British lines.
Since this despatch was written there
has been n considerable increase in the
German strength on the western front.
A cable last night from this same cor,
respondent said the Germans now had
on the western front l75 divisions or
about 100000 men.
To give the total forces on the allies
side might possibly afford some informa
tion 20 the enemy. When the initiativ,
may come. for when weather condition.
permit resumption OF fighting on
large scale cannot for the time being b,
predicted, but il appears probable thai
these millions OF soldiers must agaiI
come in close grip carly in the year.
Comparison with " boxing contest is no
exactly correct for in the intervals tn,
armies continue to harry each other
Ever since the battles OF AIalmaison an,
Cambria minor encounters have taken
place almost constantly, each side tryn
to find out the weak spots Of the othc
or making icints to discover the nteu
tious of the opposing army.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
PISTOL DUEL IN CHICAGO.
Holdup Man Killed and Physician Fa-
tally Wounded.

CHICAGO, Feb. l4.-One holdup man
was killed, a physician probably fatal
ly injured and three policemen shot in
pistol fight between three robbers who
had held up a saloon and squad of
policemen on a crowded street in an out
lying district of the city recently.
When the robbery was reported a pa
troll wagon filled with policemen was
sent to the scene. AS the bandits caught
sight of the patrol the robbers separated
and began to run, opening fire on their
pursucrs Hundreds of persons were
i'll the street at the time and these seat
tered.
At the first volley DR.. J. NJ. Hancock,
a spectator, fell badly wounded, while
one of the gunmen also dropped, shot
through the head. His two companions
escaped.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
BILLION DOLLAR BILL.
Record Breaking Deficiency Appropria-
tion in Congress Today.

W WASHINGTON, Feb. IA billion
dollar urgent deficiency appropriation
bill, the largest of its kind in the his
tory of congress, was favorably report
ed to the house today by Chairman
Sherley of the appropriations commit
tee. Debate on the BILL which provides
for the immediate needs of the war,
navy and other departments, is expect
ed to begin in the house tomorrow
Huge amounts were asked for in vari-
or3 military activities. Among these
waa total Of almost $S1 100000 for
mountain, field and siege artillery in
addition to more than one billion dol
lars already spent and contract author
( izations of $4,000 additional.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
w. S. S. PASS $4,000, 900 MARK.
Daily Receipts Expected Soon to Aver
age S5,o00,0OO.

WASHINGTON, Feb. l4.-Receipts
from sale of war savings and thrift
stamps Yesterday passed the $50,000,00O
mark. Officials declared actual sales
probably have amounted to $l0,000,000
more The daily revenue from the ma
tion-wide thrift campaign is increasing
lteadily, and its directors believe that
within a month it will be nearly So
100000 day
f. A. Delano, member of the federal
reserve board and vice chairman of the
national war savings committee, is di-
recting the work in the absence Of
Frank A. Vanderllp.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14

WASHINGTON, Feb IA Diplomatic
Washington was shocked today by the
news of the sudden death in Ottawa Of
Sir Cecil Arthur Spring Rice, who after
nearly five years service as British am
bassador to the United States retired
early last month in favor of Lord Read
ing.
Although it had been known that Sir
Cecil had desired for a long time before
his retirement to be relieved of his heavy
duties in charge of the embassy no in.
timation was given when he left Wash
ington that he was in i'll health.
Officials here pointed out however,
that he had been under tremendous strain
from the responsibilities devolving upon
him. His difficult task here during the
early years of the war in inducing the
American government to accept with
equanimity the oppressive regulations OF
the entente blockade was looked upon as
an unusual achievement.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
SUPERVISOR OF SHIPS.
Kew York Man Appointed to Have
Those Operated by the Railroads.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14.-Coastwise
and Great Lakes steamship lines OPP
Grated by railroads today were placed
by director General McAdoo under
the supervision of w. II. Peasants of
New York, president of the Ocean
Steamship company, who was desig-
mated manager of the marine section
of the railroad administration.
Special attention will be given to or
ganization of water transportation ia
eilities to insure greater movements of
coal to New England next winter and
better use of lake shipping to haul
coal to the northwest.
Independent steamship lines operat
ed by railroads are not involved in the
new arrangement From time to time
the railroad administration will take
over temporarily steamers not needed
by the shipping board for trans Allan.
tic traffic and use them in the coast
wise trade.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
Masonic Temple

Thursday, Feb. u, 7.3o p. m.-Reg-
ular convocation Of Fort Dummer, Roy
al Arch Chapter. Work: NJ NJ. NJ de-
gree.
Friday, Feb l5-The women OF The
Eastern Star will meet at the temple tc
knit for the Red Cross
Friday, Feb Is, 80 p. m.-Brattlebor,
lodge, No. l02, will hold a special commu
nication Business: Fellowcraft degree.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
PEACE DEBATE.
Hertling to Reply to Wilson, Lloyd
George and Premier Orlando.

LONDON, Feb. 14.-An impor-
tant peace debate will begin in the
German reichstag ON Feb. 81, ac-
cordlng to a wireless despatch from
Amsterdam. Chancellor Won Hert-
ling will discuss the treaty with the
Ukraine and will reply to President
Wilson, Premier Lloyd George and
Premier Orlando.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
Red Mems Hall

Tonight Special meeting OF Pocahon-
tas council. Rehearsal.
Friday, Feb Especial meeting Of
Quonckticut Tribe Of Red Men. Chiefs
degree will be conferred on candidates
a good attendance is requested
Al members interested who wish TO
compete in a pool tournament will please
leave their names in II Il Hauss store
In compliance with a request of the
iuel committee dances will be discon
tinucd until further notice
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
CHIEF OF STAFF.
Mai. Gen. Robertson of British ARMY
to Keep His Position.

LONDON, Feb. l4.-Maj Gen. Rob
ertson, the Daily Chronicle declares on
it's own information, will remain chief
Of the imperial staff, with the full ap-
proval and confidence of the war cabi-
net. Maj. Gen. Wilson, the sub-chief
viii continue 10 be the principal Brit
ish representative at Versailles. The
Chronicle adds that if, rs has been re-
ported, an exchange of Offices between
Gene. Robertson and Wilson was con.
templated at any time, it has now been
abandoned
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
NEGRO SOLDIERS
KILLED A PRIVATE
Ralph Foley Died from Knife Wounds
in Hospital at Houston-Court
Martial Ordered.

HOUSTON, Texas. Feb. l4-Ralph NJ
Foley of Martinsville, Ind, member OF
Company G both infantry, died at the
base hospital in Camp Logan from knife
wounds inflicted upon him near the stock
ade yesterday. John B. Mann and Wal
ter Matthews, Negro privates in Company
{, 310th infantry, were arrested. A court
martial will be held tomorrow The Ne
groes said that they planned to kill the
white guard, according to the authorities.
and earlier in the day sharpened mess
kit knife for that purpose.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
EFFECTIVE SUPPORT
BY L. S. BATTERIES
Artillerymen Gave Good Account of
Themselves When Germans At
tackled French Positions.

PARIS, Feb. l4.-American batteries
took part in the artillery bombardment
in connection with the large trench raid
in the Champagne Yesterday, it is an
nounecd officially. Effective assistance
was given by the American gunncrs.
lFhis is the first mention of American
batteries on the Champagne front The
statement follows:
A German attempt against small
French post north of Pargny- -Filain
(Aisne 'front.' was repulsed. There were
lively artillery actions in the region
east of Rheims in the Champagne. In
the last raid yesterday American bat
teries gave very effective support.
French troops organized the positions
captured on that day in the region
southwest of Butte-du- Mesnil The
number of prisoners taken by the
French and actually enumerated ex.
ceeds 100.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
TO GIVE UP PALACES.
King George Offers Three Famous
Homes for National Use.

LONDON, Feb. liking George,
the Daily News says, has offered
three royal palaces for national use.
They are Balmoral castle for
wounded soldiers, and Buckingham
palace and Kensington palace for
public offices. The government has
not yet taken any action on the of
fer
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
NOTED BRITISH
DIPLOMAT IS DEAD
Sir Cecil Arthur Spring Rice, exam
bassador to United States, Expires
Suddenly at Ottawa

OTTAWA, Feb l4-Sir Cecil Arthur
Spring Rice, former British ambassador
to the United States, died this morning
of heart failure at the government house.
Lady Spring Rice and his son and
daughter, Betty and Anthony, aged II
and o, respectively, were with him.
The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-02-14
EXTEND DRAFT MOVEMENT.
Work Will Not Be Completed in the
Five Days Following Feb. %.

WASHINGTON, Feb. H.-Movements
of men to complete the first draft begin
ming on Feb. % viii not be completed
within the following FIVE days as orig
inally planned but will extend over into
March. A movement not included in the
previous announcement will begin March
Z, moving lo,O77 men to Fort Oglethorpe,
Ga. and Camp Funston.