davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1918-07-07

but is about to launch q publicity cam
paign to exploit.
A shark provides about one square foot
Of hide for each foot Of length. By pa
tented processes the little teeth which
cover the entire skin are removed, leaving
equals cattle leather for all parts Of shoes,
including soles and heels, for leather bags
and trunks, harness and all purposes for
which leather is used.
There are over fifty types Of shark
leather for varied uses. At the reduction
plants the meat is separated and sent to
the markets. The so-called bones (carti
lage) are ground up for cattle food. The
fms are preserved and sent to China, where
they are eaten as a delicacy. The oil is
extracted and sold at from 80 cents to So
per gallon for medicinal uses, fabrication,
etc. All available crews are being char
tered for netting sharks. Shark leather
products, including shoes, will be rs per
cent cheaper than those made OF cattle
leather.
The whales most sought by Canadians
anu AuCIlCdub lOI ltdln6T COHpEloo luc
order Dolphinidae, which include the pOr-
Doises. dolphins, white whales, etc. Their
hides are best adapted for cattle leather
substitutes The other and larger whales
have q softer epidermis-according to Dr.
Roy Andrews-porous, with severAl inches
Of biubber attached to the inside, hard to
scrape of. Some process for cheapening
the preparation Of larger whale skins will
undoubtedly be invented by the numerous
Government and institute chemists, thereby
releasing a million square feet OF whale
skin annually.
About one thousand large whales were
captured last year, and q large increased is
expected this year, as the use OF whale
meat for food has already so extended in
the United States that the demand ex-
ceeds the supply. So far. whale meat has
only reached as far East as Chicago. from
the Pacific Coast, the Western cities haV.
ing eaten the entire output.
The white whale, from which women's
high boots have been made during the
past Winter, ranges some fifty feet In
length and is captured in. considerable
numbers in the Gulf OF st. Lawrence and
the Arctic waters. Enormous numbers OF
porpoises are being caught by the Cana
dian Government fishermen and their hides
made into leather
The shark tribe alone could furnish as
much leather as the normal annual cattle
supply. 1t is the most plentiful animal Of
the seas. Its tendency to go in large
herds makes for easy netting In quaint
ties. The Pacific Ocean waters in particu-
lar swarm with sharks having the dimen-
siohs OF the largest man-eaters, but none
Of their ferocity.
There are several sharks which approx
mate the size Of whales and II hunted as
whales are and with the same equipment
would vastly increase our leather supply.
DR.. E. w. Gudger, professor Of biology Of
the North Carolina State Normal College,
calls attention to the gigantic whale-shark,
The Washington times., 1918-07-07

feet In length. assume for It some 30
square feet Of skin.
Mr.. J. Russell Coles, of DanVille, Va, q
tobacco merchant, who hunts them, pre-
diets a great leather industry from the
manta, Q giant ray, or devil FISH" One
Of his specimens In the American Museum
measures IS feet across. The ray is some
what triangular IN shape. II often goes In
herds In the Gulf Of Mexico, near the
shore It is easily pursued and hsrpooned,
but is not 80 easily towed to shore because
Of its nat shape, like q founder. II this
animal could be domesticated all OF the
existing tugs could be released for war
purposes.
A specimen harpooned at Tarpon. Texas.
near the Government breakvater put up
one OF the liveliest sea fights In history.
Even Nelson and Farragut would have
been filled with Joy to participate. After
being harpooned it started out into the
gulf, towing a big motor boat An alarm
was sounded, and other motor boats sped
up. one after another attaching to the
Copyright 1915 by the Star Comp
The Washington times., 1918-07-07

procession until there were sixteen being
towed out to sea- Word was sent to the
local hotel for firearms.
big motor boat responded and the devil
fish was finally slaughtered by carbines.
It's body would have sunk had not the
boats succeeded in dragging 1t to the
wharf.
The hide OF a devilish comprises two
sections, both useful and tough.
The back is Of slaty color, the belly
white, The latter section is as fine for
white shoes and boots as the skin Of q
white whale. II Is difficult to estimate the
area Of the two skins OF q devil fish, but
there should be at least forty square feet
Of back skin and thirty square feet of belly
skin.
The coast 10 fairly infested In Summer
with smaller rays-the skates. They pro-
vide the best Of all known types Of leather.
They are also triangular in shape, from
foot wide to q yard and upwards Thou
sands Of them will yield two square yards
Of tough hides, taken from above and be-
ny. Great Britain Rights Reserved.
The Washington times., 1918-07-07

low OF these. the stingaree Is the chief
prize, but beware Of its sting when han
ding It. II was the sting Of q stingaree, &C
cording to history, that laid low Captain
John Smith, In Colonial days in Virginia.
Il was then that his forest admirer, Poca-
hontas, Indian princess. came to the rescue,
sucked out the poison with her fair lips,
and nursed the victim through long months
back to health
The enormous interest aroused by the
Governments demand for sea hides Is re-
iected In the newspaper dispatches, sew
eral of which may be quoted. Captain
J. R. Healy arrived at Seattle. from Nome,
Alaska. with 1853 walruses, a previous trip
netting 341, and another trip So. Their
hides brought S4s.270. The Corwin's last
trip brought 33s barrels Of walrus oil, which
sold for 5000, and four tons of walrus
ivory tusks, which brought $4,000.
Captain Healy states that the number
Of wAlruses Ii beyond facilities Of trans
portation. The natives have merely to
knock them on the head, as they do not
fight. and the hide cannot be penetrated
with q bullet.
He adds that the hides comprise the
toughest leather next to the elephant and
rhino. Besides being made into trunks,
The Washington times., 1918-07-07
By w. II. BaIIOu, Sc. D.,
Member Of the American Society Of
IehthyoIosIsts and HerpetoIosists.

Member OF the american SocieIy OF
IehthyOIosIsts and HerpetoIosists.
THE United States Government has
taken over all the existing and future
cattle and horse leather to keep its
soldiers shod, its horses and mules har-
messed and for the innumerable other uses
In war equipment.
Such action put It squarely up to the
manufacturers Of shoes to utilize such sub
stitutes as exist, in order that the public
may be shod.
These substitutes, wearing perfectly
good and durable hides, include porpoises,
sharks, the giant ray, sea lions, walruses,
large snakes, and such scaleless fish as
members of the cod family, surgeons, cells,
etc. Tanneries are now organizing every
where to prepare such skins for utility.
AT a recent meeting of the American
Chemical Society a committee reported as
follows: 'The present scarcity of leather
is an obvious and necessary corollary Of
the war, since leather Is an animal product
and is therefore affected by the same con-
ditions that have led to the scarcity and
high price Of meat. The prices of
leather and footgesr have risen enormously,
and diligent search is being made for both
leather substitutes and new sources Of sup
ply. The skins of marine species offer
practically pndeveloped resources, and 1t
is not unlikely that before long we shall
be covering our eKtremities with the skins
of the shark and the sacred Goldfish.
Recent experiments at the Pratt Insti-
tute, Brooklyn" according to Major Allan
Roger, U. S. A, chemist, have demon
z'rated that marketable leather. equal to
o. inc leather, can be obtained from these
.aurces."
o. Large quantities OF many types Of shark
=, her are already being delivered to shoe
Ann lecturers Shark reduction plants
-a z being established at intervals along
. Atlantic Gulf and Pacific coasts, and
a. M are already in operation. At New
'; tanneries all the sharks received from
t fishermen from all coasts have been
5nned and the hides are now being made
~ . varied types Of shoes for men, women
and children.
Beginning July / the new reduction
plants will handle from $1,000 to 10000
sharks weekly, with the intent Of turning
out at least 100 900 hides this year. The
Newark tanneries pay at present 10 cents
per pound for shark skins to all corners,
opening a new industry for any persons
who care to hunt sharks. 1t is statd1 10 be
vital that every shark skin should be saved
and anglers are cautioned not to waste
sharks they kill for sport, as the markets
also pay a good price for shark meat,
which the Bureau Of Fisheries at Wash
ington is not only urging people to eat,
The Washington times., 1918-07-07

WV N IN 9 wv - -
The basking shark
Of the Pacific en-.
tangled In the fisher.
mems nets Of Saan
Diego was even larger,
by q ton, with q
weight eCtimated by
scientists OF $4,000
pounds. His skin
would easily cover
1000 square feet and
provide 1888 Is pairs
OF average size shoes.
These monsters are
readily hunted and
found, owing to their
habit Of basking on
the surface Of the
ocean for hours at a
time sfte. feeding In
the Gulf Of Mexico
man-eating sharks
weighing 5000 pounds
are common. | my
self saw one In Pen
sacola Bay. which /
also saw killed BY q
bull purpose. Fisher
men toWed It to the
wharf for exhibition,
where Il measured Is
The Washington times., 1918-07-07

Rhpeodon typus. He describes one cap
tured weighing fifteen tons, and on It
bases our FIRST correct knowledge OF this,
one Of the most interesting Of existing
monsters. A summary follows:
81 saw the skin Of this huge animal. the
most enormous thing OF the kind had ever
seen. at Miami, Florida, and had q talk
with its captor, Captain Charles Thompson.
The skin was IN fair condition for later
mounting BY q taxidermist, although some
what riddled with bullets and harpoons.
The general color was brownish with large
white spots. perhaps a. large ~ Q silver
dollar A tall man could stand under the
tip OF the upper lobe Of the tail IN. The
Jaws we're so large that man could enter
between the teeth. Its hide was three
inches thick. The skin was probably Of
The Washington times., 1918-07-07


valises and boots, the hides are the best
polishers of big guns in the armies of
Europe. big walrus weighs four tons
1t is dangerous because It's weight may
demolish a small craft, and II not killed
before taking on they will smash the bot
tom Of an ordinary boat with their tusks
Captain J. L. Loop is bringing numbers
Of California gray whales into Long Beach,
California, and adds that here Is an animal
that may be had tor the taking In any
number on southern California He goes
after their hides largely for auto manufac-
turers, to be made into tires. He states
that the skin Is exceedingly tough and has
the elasticity of rubber. 1t is more than a
half inch thick This statement, however,
does not accord with the view of men Of
science in reference to whale skins.
Snake skin tanneries and skins, OF
course, have long been in existence, also
alligator hides and tanneries It Is inter
esting to note, however. that Keeper
Snyder, of the New York Geological Park,
has invented a new system Of tanning
snake hides. by which every shade Of their
natural and wonderful colors is perfectly
and enduringly preserved. His system will
probably be standardized BY the Govern
ment.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-07-02
RUSSIANS OF
BETTERCLASS
CRAVE HELP
WEALTHY AND MIDDLE CLASSES
WANT INTERVENTION TO SETTLE
ILLS or UNHAPPY KINGDOM
SEE NO HOPE FOR PRESENT
BETTERMENT
|ARE APERSECUTED PEOPLE

Vologda, Russia, July 2.-If the En-
tente allies will not intervene. let the Ger
mans come. j. the attitude of the formerly
wealthy and middle classes of the people
Of Russia Most of them here would frank
iy welcome foreign Intervention.
This feeling has been the greatest OBJ
stacle in any attempt ~ bring the Rus
sian internal and political revolution out
of the whirlpool Of disorder, according to
information in the foreign embassies here
Now that the peasants and workmen
are having their innings, the property
classes are beginning To feel the pinch ~
denial even of starvation. experienced by
the poorer classes In Russia for centuries
This j. frustrated by the experience cf the
"bourgeois' family in whose home the As
sociated Press correspondent lives az
"paying guest"
This family, once one Of the wealthiest
in the Vologda government, owned thou
sands of acres Of timber land, several
lumber mills, dozen ships. two glass fac
tories and more than 1000 acres Of land.
This j. what has happened to those
holdings in the past two months:
The lumber land has been declared 4
government monopoly and confiscated
likewise the shipping. The glass factories
and lumber mills have taken over and are
operated by the workmen. The peasants
have taken the land
A few days ago the city government
tsoviet) imposed a special tax on the cap
ital site class The family was assessed
81. 600 rmbles.
Prices for foodstuffs, when obtainabie,
are enormous even when figured AZ the
present rate Of international exchange
which these Russians don't get. because
their money il old money. invested or
made when the exchange was two rubles
to the dollar Compared with old stand
ards Of prices in Russia. where living was
cheap. the prices now are almost unbeliev-
allc
White flour cannot he bought, except bv
stealth and in the tmiest qualities. The
black flour which all use now makes the
blackest Of bread. The poorest peasants
formerly ate something similar The cost
of this flour formerly was the equivalent
Of about % cents per pocd t36 pounds
AT present in Nd'ogda, each person i
allowed 5 pounds Of this flour q month
enough to permit about three thin slices Of
bread per day But more l. procurable
through irregular channels. The cores
pondent's host bought pood yesterday
for one hndred and fifty rubles; just three
hundred times the old price
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-07-02
BANDITS ROUTE GARRISON ATT
REYNOSA At DAYLIGHT TODAY
CAPTURE SUPPLIES AND LEAVE

At daylight this morning 200 men,
thought to have been members of General
AImazan CabaIero forces, captured the
town Of Reynosa, Mexico, opposite HIdaI-
90, Texas. The town was garrisoned by
about SO federal soldiers and after brief
defense, the garrison retreated from the
town.
The rebels took possession of the town
and occupied II until about 10 O'Clock,
when hearing a report that larger band
of federals was approaching, they retreat
ed into the brush. Details of tine battle
If there was really a battIe-are lacking
and II Is not known whether or not there
were any casualties.
Before evacuating the town the rebels
are reported to have looted stores for
food supplies and to have taken every
available horse in the community.
Later this afternoon 1t was learned that
there were no soldiers on either side killed
and that the only casualty of the engage
ment was the w0unding of an old Mexican
woman. The invaders were commanded
by Captain Eugeno Lopez, follower of
AImazan and an adherent of Felix Diaz.
The Carranza garrison was commanded
by Captain David AIvarrette.
Although remaining in the town from
4:30 until 10 o'clock, the rebels conducted
themselves in an orderly manner, none of
the civilian inhabitants were harmed and
no stores were looted. The only property
taken by the rebels, SO far as could be
learned, was a number of saddle horses.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-07-02
Correspondent Outlines
Conditions In Russia

Nologda, Russia, july 2.-The topsy-
turvy change which has taken place in
Russian fife. with the advent Of the rule
Of the Bolshev:ki i graphically shown by
the situation in tl,e governors palace herb
where the forrsgm embassies. including
that Of the United States, have made
their headquarters since leaving Petro-
grad.
In that palace, where now sits the No-
logda government soviet there i q sailor
who l. in command of an important mill
tarv post-onCe held by general Two
months ago the sailor wore his open
throated kouse and balled trousers and
was rnshaven. A month ago the cores
pondent saw him. this time, in trim, light
grey uniform. with slidk, shining high
boots.
Yesterday, carriage, with two flne
horses passed the correspondents izvos-
chik on the Riverside Drive Of Nologda
Seated in the carriage was an elaborately
uniformed young man, his right arm
Russian fashion, clasping the waist Of 0
very pretty girl.
Our sailor friend out for mn airing
with his lady love.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-07-02
Cabinet Officers Say
Control OF Telegraph
Is A Public Necessity

Washington. u. C., July 2-Secretary
Daniels, Secretary Baker and Postmaster
General Burleson appeared before the
House Commerce Committee today regard
ing the taking over M telegraph and tele-
phone companies Secretary Daniels ad-
yocated q permanent ownership Mr.. Bur-
lesson said that III the system was conduct
ed a. efficiently a. the postoffice. IN
would never 20 back to private owners
nd present minute there was III military
necessity for taking over the line. hut
that there might De 4'thc next minute He
said he could not say whether the gov
ernment could suppress the improper com
munications, but 1t could suppress such
communications better than under Che
present laws. Mr.. Baker opposed any time
NIT being set for the surrender VIZ the
lines to their owners.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-07-02
EnqIand And America
Will Observe Day

London, July 2-Preparations for the
celebration Of the Fourth Of July
throughout England are complete In Lon
don q mass meeting in the Central Hall Of
Westminster Abbey will see the movement
launched to erect permanent American
memorial, probably statue Of Washing
ton. near Honse Of Parliament.
King George VIII pitch the first baseball
at an American bali game at Sheffield.
Fifty thousand are expected to see the
baseball game There will be numerous
dinners for American soldiers throughout
the kingdom All British and American
soldiers viii be given a holiday.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-07-02

HOSPITAL SHIP
SINKING IS A
DELIBERATE
POLICY OF
THE HUN

London, July 2-That the sinking OF
hospital ships is a deliberate policy on the
part of the Germans, is indicated beyond
all doubt BY the sinking of the Llandovery
Castle, says newspapers. The excuse
that eight American army officers were
on board as given by the captain of the
submarine is called lie. ''If it had been
true" says the Daily Mail, ''the Germans
would have taken the Americans off as a
proof to Justify the future sinking of hos
pital ships"
The submarine commander who ordered
the captain of the landovery Caste, sew
eral of his Officers and Major Lyon of the
medical corps, aboard, declared he had
sunk the ship because she was carrying
American aviation officers and others in
the, fighting service of the Allies. He ad-
pded to this later by asserting the vessel
was carrying munition stores, because Of
an explosion which had occurred aft. All
lights were burning when the Llandovery
Caste was tcrpedoed These included d
huge electric cross over. the bridge and
strings of white and green lights on either
side The red crosses on the sides of the
vessel were Illuminated by electric lights
According to Red Cross information
many men were killed in the engine room
There is hardly any doubt of this, a. there
was no response to Captain Sylvester
struck. As the enginemen were either
kted or left at their posts, there was no
one TO shut off the power and the shin
kept on her way notwithstanding the
great holes torn by the torpedo, not begin
ming to slow down until the water rushed
into the boiler room, extinguishing the
fires.
This added TO the confusion in launching
the lifeboats. But there was no panic and
by the time the Llandovery Castle lost her
momentum most of the boats were over
the side Those above deck began climb
ing into them in good order. But many
were unable TO reach the boats and the
ship was sinking rapidly. They jumped in
to the sea and few Of them were picked
up.
According to information received by the
Canadian Red Cross here. Major Lyon
from the Eiandovery Castle. was forced
to stand in the coming tower despite an
injured foot, while the German submarine
off cers question him. The Germans insist
cd that Major Lyon was an aviation off.
Ger, Notwithstanding the officers strenu-
ous dcnialS. The Germans even threat
ened to shoot Major Lyon. contending tha
he wassan officer Of the fighting unit. ant
not a medical officer. as he claimed.
The admiralty report on the sinking de
scribes the cruel treatment Of Major Lyor
and declares that the submarine afte1
sinking the vessel, shelled an unknown
target which the report intimates nigh
have been the missing boats.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-07-02

With the American Forces AZ the
Marne, July I'm addition 20 VanI.
General PerShing reports the capture by
the Americans of large slice of the Par
H. highway and two patches of woods. He
says the Americans took 2T5 prisoners.
guns and equipment.
The AM leans went over the top AZ six
o'dock va ierday evening under protection
Of a machine gun barrage. When the Ger
mans saw the formidable attack underway
the outposts yelled and ran 10 the rear.
American automatics cut them down.
After disposng VT the uutp0sts the
Americans ran In An eagerness for hand
io hand fighting The Boches hurled gas
she's but the Americans gained alI their
obiectires. Aerial fighting accompanied
the assault and the planes again were
busy this morning Dar' IT, rnw n tho
Americans digg a. in ulGHfurbed this
morning.
In the vanx region the AmeFnaAs took
the Germans bv surprise Most ot sne pris-
oners were taken in cellars and dugouts.
Now many Germans were killed H. un-
known. but from those ian sight the number
l. believed considerable
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-07-02

Austin, Texas. judy "A proclamation
for the organization nj once of three brig
AIDES Of infantry, totalling four thousand
officers and men, has been issued by Gov
ernor Hobby.
The. infantry organizations will be in
charge of the same men who organized the
cavalry brigade
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-07-02

PARIS, July 2-The village OF fauH.
west OF Chateau Thierry, and a height
west Of vaux, were taken by American
troops, cooperating with the French CIV
the Marine front, 800 Germans, including
five officers, were captured.
The success resulted in the Improvement
of the Allied line betwea Hill NO. 204 and
vaux. The French carried out raids be-
tween Montdidier and Noyon and east OF
Rheims. Prisoners were taken by the
French. German raiders were driven of
near BeIIoy and in upper AIsace.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-07-02
CASUALTIES

Washington, ID. O., July 2.-The army
casualty list contains 81 names as follows
Killed in action. 8.
Died of wounds, 10.
Died Of disease, i.
Wounded severely, Az.
Wounded slightly, 2
Wounded. degree undetermined, ?.
Missing in action, TO-
Jeff Clarke of Rockland, Texas. died Of
wounds and Benjamin Birmingham Of Cor
pus Christi j. reported missing in action
The marine list contains three names,
.l missing in action.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-07-02
Telegraph Control Is
Submitted The House
Military Affairs Board

Washington. ID. G., MY 2.-The house
has taken the Aswell resolution providing
for federal control of telegraph and tele-
phone lines from the commerce committee
and gwen it to the military affairs com
lee. II is believe it viii be reported fav-
orably.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1918-07-02
Paris To CeIebr ate
American Holiday

Paris, July ALI France i preparing
10 celebrate the Fourth of July. AT Ven
dome, the birthplace Of Rochambeau. and
at Nancy, celebrations vii be held Cele-
brations have also been arranged az Nancy
and Brest. President Wilson's name will
be given to the largest suarqe in the city.