davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-16
Babst Tell HotD War Has
 Upset Worlds Sugar BowL

New York, January 15.-(Special) No one ever dreamed that sugar, which the world produces in billions Of pounds yearly, could become so scarce that people would be asked by the government and the sugar refiners to use it sparingly. But the war, which has brought about many extraordinary conditions, also upset the worlds su- gar-bowl.
 Today, everybody is interested in sugar. The housewife is eager to know when sugar will be more plenti- ful. And from a different point of view, the business man is following the sugar situation, interested in the success the plan adopted IS an emergency war measure by the gov ernments of the United States and the allies to regulate and control supply demand and price.
 These facts lend particular impor- tance to an interview with Earl D. Babst, head of the American Sugar Refining company and one of the three United States members of the interna- tional sugar committee.
 Not so many years ago it wasn't the popular custom for men in Mr. Babsts position to discuss their business with the public. But MT. Babst is of the new school of big business managers who believes the public is entitled to know all about 1t.
 MORE SUGAR SOON
 In the interview Mir Babst covered every phase of the sugar situation. First, he spoke of the prospects of the immediate future. which most concerns the housewife. Said he:
 Sugar will soon be more plentiful, with the new crop of sugar cane being harvested in Cuba and Porto Rico. Everything is favorable to a sufficient supply for our needs but not enough to use sugar extravagantly or waste fully. There must be no overbuying , or hoarding."
 And what about the price?" was asked.
 Ordinarily the so-ca1led law of sup ply and demand is a most important
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-16
Race Horse Sale

Lexington, Ky. January 15-Ultimus, a stallion by Comcando. brought s26,0OO at the largest sale of race horses ever held in this city today. when the Wick life stud of J. w. Corrigan was dis posed of at auction. He was bought in by w B. Miller of New York Colin, by Commando Pastorella, familiar name to racegoers of several years ago. was bought in by Capt. P NJ Walker of Virginia for s5100 while Emil Herz of New York succeeded in obtaining the brood mare, Marian Hood Omported), by Magtagon- Maid Marian. for $17,O0O The prices realized were greatly in ex- cess of the expectations of the auction ger according to his own statement. and many different points of the United States were represented.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-16

the other week before the Senate sub committee inquiring into the sugar sit uation, he told what his company as well as the other refining interests were doing to safeguard the sugar sup ply. Among other things, he laid em- phasis on the value of sugar in pack ages as an economical means of distri- button. This especially interested Sem ators Lodge, Jones and Nardaman. ana the subject was brought in the inter view. In reply to questions, MT. Babst said:
 'Yes, I presume the public, being in terested in having the sugar supply conserved, is equally interested in knowing why sugar in packages can be more economically distributed than loose sugar And this is the reason
 .In the first place, package sugars are weighed and packed by machine. This saves the grocer's time and stops his loss by spillage, which occurs when sugar has to be scooped by hand out of barrel, carried to the scales, weighed and tied in paper bags. And when he counts this saving, plus the value of his time and the cost of paper bags and string, he finds he can handle package sugar more economically.
 MAKING SUGAR GO ROUND
 sugar III pdChdScS dioO SiAeAOAO AiAiAt to restrict sales to actual needs. to make it go as far as possible. In our own experience during the recent pe- riod of great scarcity, we were able to distribute sugar more widely because instead of sending a barrel of $50 pounds to one grocer, we could send the same number of pounds, in three cases of 120 pounds to three grocers.
 In conclusion, Mir. Babst said;
 With the sugar refining industry in this country carried on by large busi ness units, the public has benefited. We and the other sugar refiners have fully appreciated our responsibility to safeguard the sugar supply, made espe- cially difficult by present world con- ditions."
 The American Sugar Refining com pany, of which Mir. Babst Is president, refines and distributes about one-third of all the sugar consumed in the Unit ed States.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-16
Huntsville Domestic Coal Situation Is Improving;
 Cotton Mills May Close

Huntsville January 15.-(Special) 1.-The Alabama Power company, through Man ager Childers of Huntsville, yesterday do- mated a car of coal to the city for dis tribution among the destitute people. many of whom had had no fuel in sev- eral days during the bitter cold weather. Mayor Terry had the coal delivered in city wagons under the direction of the Associated Charities and Volunteers of America,
 The domestic fuel situation looks bet ter now, with several cars or coal en route and the promise of railroad off, cials to push them through to their destination without delay. This does not help the mills, and it is expected that one or two cotton mills will be compelled to close down this week unless coal is expectedly received.
 The general superintendent of the Southern railroad, replying to a com munication from the Chamber of Com merce, has given notice that empty cars will be furnished at any time to be sent out to nearby points to be loaded with cord wood, of which there is a great abundance in this section this year.
 The United States food administration has notified the Madison county food committee that the maximum sales of flour, 4S pounds to people in the city, and 9S pounds to people in the country, is compulsory, and must be strictly ad- hered to.
 Rev. Francis Tapey. who recently re- signed as pastor of the First Presbyte- rian church of Huntsville to accept the call of the Presbyterian church at Shell byville, Tenn, was given rousing fare well testimonial of esteem Sunday night, when union service was held in his church, practically every congregation in the city taking part. Dr. George Stoves of the First Methodist church pre- sided. Addresses were made by Dr Stoves, pr. Frank l.. Wear. Rev. H. M. Blackwelder and MT. Lawrence Cooper The speakers expressed regret at the departure of Dr. Tappey from Huntsville, where he has labored for 15 years past.
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-16
SUGAR PRICES TO DROP

After the new supplies are received from Cuba and refined, and prices are lowered under the proposals of the food administration, sugar will be one of the cheapest, if not the cheapest, foods to go on the American table,"
 MT. Babst agrees with MT. Hoover that if the allies nations had not en- tered into joint agreement to conserve the available sugar supply. the price to the consumer would have scared. Said he in explanations:
 "The facts are these: Europes pro- duction of sugar was not only greatly curtailed when the opposing armies swarmed over the sugar beet fields of northern France and Belgium, but England and other foreign countries were forced to turn to other sources for sugar. The logical source was Cuba, from which the United States gets the bulk of it's cane sugar
 This developed competition which, until the international agreement was reached, caused serious advance in price both of raw and refined sugar. But with the international committee acting for the allies and the food ad- ministration in control in this country, the supply will be equably distributed and prices stabilized.
 NO SHIPS FOR JAVA
 Great quantities of raw cane sugar are locked up in far away Java, un- available because ships cannot be spared to transport it. Hence the Eu- ropean allies are asking Cuba and the United States as practical patriotic duty to supply them with sugar. The United States is making every effort to comply with this request for the very interesting reason that if we save the allies from the necessity of transport ing 100000 tons of sugar from Java. it will release shipping sufficient to carry about 100000 American soldiers to France"
 When MT. Babst voluntarily appeared
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-16

In April 1917 the cables told of plan proposed by Herbert Hoover then in London which he described
 plan by which the Allies consolidate under one head the whole purchasing of food staples from market and not only will competitive bidding be abolished, but by cooperative buying side arrange the proper balance the rights of producers and consumers
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-16

factor in regulating the price Of sugar as of every other commodity But thls law has been more or less, if not en- tirely, suspended as the result of the control of the sugar situation by the act of six governments, including our own.
 .'Al1 during the war sugar in the United States has been lower in price, taking the average yearly price, than anywhere else in the world. Today, comparing sugar on the basis of caloric food value, it is one of the cheapest foods
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-16
Rumanian Minister to
 PetrOgrad Is Arrested

London, January 15.-The Rumanian minister at Petrograd and his entire staff have been arrested by the bol- sheviki, the Rumanian legation here an- ncunces.
 The arrests are believed to have been made in reprisal for the arrest of number of bolshevik agitators at Jassy, Rumania.
 on January that committee of noI- sheviki visiting Rumania had been ar- rested and would have been shot except for intervention by Cossacks Several clashes have occurred on Rumanian ter ritory between Russian and Rumanian n troopS
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-16

CO-OpcrdI1Ve Duy1HS OH OUT Si balance between the rights of
 This plan was favorably re- ceived by the sugar refining in- dustry, which had been on a war basis almost from the beginning of the European War.
 The war had brought the Allies into the Cuban market, resulting in severe domestic and interna- tional competition with no in- creased supplies. Naturally prices of refined sugar. both to the American public and to the Allies, rose under this forced draft.
 Domestic sugar refiners. since the outbreak of the European War not only have safesuarded the United States supply but have maintained the lowest sugar prices in the world.
 This brilliant record is due largely to the fact that sugar re- finins is in the hands of large business units, with an excess of refining capacity sufficient to sup ply all domestic needs, and so far all demands of foreign countries.
 In the spring of 1917 there was a serious attempt at the disor- sanization of the sugar refining industry. following long series of attempts at destruction of sugar ships.
 Accompanying these incidents were widely circulated sensa- tional reports predicting sugar famine and sugar shortage. caus- ing widespread apprehension.
 At that time, evenwith the assur- ance of ample supplies on hand. retail sugar prices rose in some sections to 20 and 25 cents pound.
 The efforts of the American Sugar Refining Company to allay public alarm. to check hoardinS. to accept price less than that which it could easily have se- cured, and to distribute its prod- uct fairly and evenly among the trade. were of real public service.
 While there were great supplies of sugar in far-away Java which ordinarily would have gone to Europe. yet the necessity for sav- ing ships became so great that Europe turned to Cuba for even larger supplies than previously.
 It takes cargo ship l50 days to make a round trip between Eng land and Java. while round trip between England and Cuba can be made in so days.
 Under these circumstances and seemingly to avoid paying proposed United States war taxes on refined sugar. the European Allies purchased in Cuba the sugar which ordinarily would have come to the United States in the fall months.
 These conditions. and especial ly the necessity of saving ships.
 In war time and at all tim' interests of the public we ser> AnneriCan St1earE
 "SlUeeten 1t [
 Granulated, Tablet, Powd Ex .:s3 I s7 s75 IaSs
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-16

led the United States and the Allied Nations to urge upon the sugar industry the adoption by voluntary agreement of the original Hoover plan. under the authority of the Food Control Act. passed August 10. 1917.
 The cane-suSar refiners and tho beet-suSar producers unanimously agreed to the Hoover plan as a patriotic act in the interest of the American people and as an aid to the Allies.
 This is the significance of the appointment by the United States Food Administration of the Inter- national Sugar Com mittee to which the Allies send representa- tives for England. France. Italy and Canada, and to which the United States contributes three members.
 Upon the success of the opera ton of the International Sugar Committee under the directions of the Allied Governments. acting for practically half the civilized world, will depend the readjust- ment of the worlds sugar markets.
 This plan is full of promise to all the nations party to the con- vention.
 It is an assurance that sugar. although comparatively cheap in view of war conditions. will not by reason either of competitive or speculative activity be in- creased in wholesale price.
 Sugar will become stabilized in price with sufficient profit to pro- ducers. refiners and merchants to maintain and stimulate produc- ticn and to cover the cost of re- fininS and of distribution.
 The marketing of Domino Cane Sugars in cartons and small cotton bags by this Company has helped amazingly during the pinch of the fall months in giving a wide distribution among the retailers of the reduced sugar supplies.
 While barrel formerly was the unit of the grocer the same amount of sugar put up in cartons and small cotton bags can now be di- vided between two or more Srocers and so serve a larger number of people and prevent hoardinS.
 It will be necessary for grocers and consumers to watch carefully their distribution and purchases during the approaching period of readjustment. The refineries are now starting up and supplies of raw sugar coming forward. but it will take weeks. and possibly months. for the return of normal conditions.
 Housewives can aid in conserv- ing the sugar supply by buying these package sugars. it is our aim to safeguard the }.
 efining Company ith Domino
 ed. Confectioners. Brown
The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-01-16
BANKS HELPING TO
 KEEP GOLD ON HAND
By HOLLAND

New York, January 15.-(SpeciaL) There appeared at the paying teller's window of one of the large trust insti- tutions of New York this morning, a cus- tcmer whose balance is excellent and always well maintained. He placed be- fore the paying teller federal reserve note for $20 and asked that it be ex changed for s2o gold piece. The teller declined to make the exchange, and the customer was at first astonished and then indignant.
 He asked whether the federal reserve banks were refusing to redeem their notes in coin, and the reply was that the notes were as good as gold. He then asked why, if that was so, the trust com pany could not exchange a federal re- serve note for gold coin, and the reply was that the government at Washing ton and the federal reserve bank had re- quested all banks to refrain as far as possible from paying out gold. How then was he to get the gold for which he had especial need? He was told that probably if he exchanged the federal re- serve note for a legal tender, commonly called greenback, and presented that to the subtreasury for redemption in gold. and insisted that he receive the gold, he might secure it.
 The incident is here reported because it affords a concrete illustration of the energy and care with which the banks of the United States are needing the request of the treasury department and the federal reserve banks that they keep their gold paying out paper money in exchange for drafts or checks.
 On Tuesday of last week the national banks of New York held their annual meetings. When those who took part in these proceedings were offered their fees, sometimes $10 and sometimes S20 they discovered that, not as always in the past, was the fee in the form of gold coin, but instead was in paper money. So far as can be learned every national bank in New York, and probably ma jcrity, if not all, of the corporations which paid fees for services last week, instead of gold This is the first time In many years that this method of pay ing fees has been in this form.
 The federal reserve board at Washing ton and the treasury department are anxious that there shall be no more dis trlbution of gold than Is absolutely nec- essary. That desire is partly due to the fact that we are now receiving no new gold from abroad. All the fresh gold that is coming into the possession of the gov ernment represents the output of Amer ican mines.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-02-07

OF the British TO put all shipping IA
ciliues possible at the disposal Of
the United States for carrying SOL
diers. munitions and supplies al
ready has been put into effect.
Reports that survivors were being
taken to Belfast led to the SUPPOSE
ton that the Tuscania was bound
Tor Liverpool by way OF the North
Coast II was suggested by Officials
that rough seas may have separated
the vessel from its conveys. Fear
that survivors may be suffering
acutely from exposure is thought to
have prompted the American embas-
sy at London and Belfast Officials
TO hasten plans for the Immediate
relief of the troops on their arrival
at the Irish port.
Aid for Survivors
The ambassador sent an assistant
military attache and another army
officer to Belfast. Ireland, the Amer.
lean embassy at London cabled the
state department at IL o'clock last
night.
Representatives OF the American
Red Cross and the Y NJ. c. A. also
have fun power TO spend all the
money needed and authorization
from the British Red Cross TO use
their equipment at Belfast.
The lord mayor of Belfast is Civ
ing all the aid possible. The latest
information was that l,9l2 officers
Continued on page 100
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-02-07

Victor Morgan had been warn
ed Of German spies In Switser-
land. lie left his satchel In u
Swiss hotel Inside was n pack
age Of official looking papers
tied with cord. Morgan made n
light pencil mark where the cord
crossed the paper lie went out
and locked his door. When he
returned nothing--apparently-
had been disturbed.
but the pencil mark told the
tale. The cord had been remov'
ed. The Germans had gone thru
his property.
This IL one incident Morgan re-
Iates In his interesting and In
formative series on WHAT Is
GOING ON IN GERMANY TO
DAY. Morgan was sent to Europe
by The Star and other American
journals to get the facts Tor
these stories. which are appear
ing In Seattle In this newspaper.
This IL the eighth article:
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-02-07
EYEWITNESS OF.
SHIP DISASTER
DESCRIBES END

LONDON. Feb. THE TuscanIa
warned by another vessel that had
spotted the torpedo. was in the act
OF turning when the missile struck
an eyewitness declared TODAY.
me eyewitness, n passenger on
one OF the vessels near the trans.
port, declared the captain OF his
snip saw the torpedo and diverted
the course OF his own steamer.
The Tuscania was signalcd: "Tor.
pedo coming, Dodge" Tho traps.
port started to turn. but was cnuyb,
broadside. not having had time Ia
swerve into the clear.
The Tuscania was hit n littIc
astern of amidships.
Most OF the passengers on hoard
the other vessel were not aware ~
what had happened They spent n
merry evening and continued their
customary entertainments.
Another eyewitness stated tina,
the Tuscania sank within As minutes
after she was struck. He said tho
destroyers and other vesseIa bnd
surrounded her. picking up the sur.
vivors.
He said that II was Tuesday when
the Tuscania was struck. He heard
two explosions. the latter apparently
caused by the bursting of the boiler.
He said he saw the Tuscanias lights.
which had been darkened. suddenly
flashed on. that the Tuscania sent up
rockets, burned red flares. and that
her lights then went out.
Survivors arriving at a Scotch port
said that trouble I'm lowering the life.
boats. owing TO the list OF the dam.
aged transport. caused n number OF
casualties.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-02-07
Conveys FAIL
TO STOP Death
Dealing Diver

WASHINGTON, Feb. IA troop
ship, the Tuscania, with 2,179 Ameri-
can soldiers aboard, was torpedoed
Tuesday and sunk with the probable
loss of 210 lives. This includes las Of
ficers and soldiers and IS others.
From out of the war zone, 5000
miles away, this news today brought
sharply before America the grim re-
alization that Germany at last has
struck successfully at this country's
transport service.
1t marked the opening of the long,
expected U-boat drive against the IN
creasing lines of United States troops
being sent to France Germany's
greatest stroke of the war against this
country.
The Tuscania, British Cunarder
pressed into transport service for the
American war department, carried
scattered units of headquarters and
Companies D, E and F of the 10th En-
gineers; 10Th military police; 10Th
supply trains; Tooth, 15Sth and 2l3th
aero squadrons, and replacement de-
tachments and 81 unassigned officers
of the 32nd division.
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-02-07
Teutons Attempt TO
Draw Swiss i'm War

itiative OF the French and British.
He does not distinguish himself
when, as sometimes happens In bat
tie. there is no one at hand to tell
him what to do.
a commissioned officer never
goes ut the head Of German
troops In n trench attack. as IL
the British custom. The German
officer Il always behind. auto
matte In hand. and the private
knows that death awaits him I'll.
ther way. SO he goes forward.
Tricks of treachery have found
their way into the German army.
When | was in France. the Canadian
troops were in n frenzy They had
made an attack on the German line
n few days before. The Germans In
the first trench came running for.
ward dropping their guns. and yell
ed: 'Kamcrfd, republic"
Some Of Their Tricks
The Canadians took this to mean
surrender. and let the Germans pass
ms prisoners back to the British
hind tho fighting the prisoner"
took from well filled pockets hand
grenades and BEGAN a REAR AT.
TACK ON THE ADVANCING CAN.
adams.
The Canadians were so bewildered
that they not only failed to take the
German trenches, but came near los
Ing their own.
Another trick OF the Germans was
tho posting OF placards above their
trenches bearing such messages as:
I'VE are Saxon. SO are you. Why
fight2"
I'VE are socialists. Why fight?"
"Why should working men fight?"
At first the Anglo-Saxon troops
were disposed to meet the supposed
desire al determination half way
But they soon found that the
placards were raised at the order OF
Continued on page 81
The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1918-02-07

THE commander-in-chief of our army and
L navy came forth few days ago with the
definite opinion that, with supreme effort
this spring and summer, this year will see the
end of the war. He knows. better than any
other American, our conditions and the con-
ditions in adversary countries, and nc would
NOT offer us this glorious hope had he not
strong grounds for faith in it.
In Gods name, let us make that supreme
effort and save the world from another win
ter of universal, unprecedented human mis-
cry and loss!
Today of all days, when the tragedy and
sacrifice and heartache of war are brought
home so wildly to us-today, when Ameri-
cans realize the first substantial loss of men
in this world conflict-today let rs ALL SOL
EMMY resolve TO go oVer the top qoiM eVery
dollar and q0nh every ounce OF energy that
qoe can offer.
If President Wilson asks one meatless