davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
EARTH
RUNNING TRUE
TO FORM so FAR
WithStandS Big Pull of Planets and CiUeS
EUery Indication Of Continuing Business
at old Stand Notwithstanding Prediction
of Some Wise ScienHsts-StudentS Offer
20 to This is Not Last Day"

Moment by moment the world re-
volved upon its appointed path through
space today, on what some astrono-
mers have predicted to be the last day
before the terrestrial globe falls into
the sun or some such trlning conclu-
sion.
Shortly after midnight tonight is the
tine when Mercury. Venus. Mars, Jupi-
Ter, Saturn. Neptune and the sun all gcl
in a stra ght Line and give a lO-g pull,
a strong pull. and a pull altogether
upon the little old earth. Mean 90
pick on a little fellow Ike that. isn't It?
Sir Isaac Newton discovered the sun
IS pulling the earth toward IL just as an
apple in the ar is drawn to the earth.
Now with six planets helping Pro-
fessor Albert POrt3 thinks the sun may
succeed in pulling old earth into lts
fiery furnace.
As the optlmist who fell from the
roof OF a skyscraper remarked when
he passed the ninth story on the way
down, Everythlng's all risht so far. "
Certainly the temperature hasn't warm
ed up sufIlc emily to give any indication
that the earth is getting nearer the
sun than usual
Delaware College students have so
much faith that irigonometry and lit
erature classes will meet tomorrow,
that they are betting 90 to 1 that the
word won't end tonight II II don I
end, they'll win the bet, and II they
lose they won't have TO pay anyhow,
say the reckless gamblers.
Wilmington generally manifested a
skeptical air, and remarked. "Bosh r
and what rotr' when interviewed
upon the likelihood OF the world end
ing today. So far. no notices have come
in Of watch-night parties 10 watch the
Resurrection morn come In. All stores
report the crowds Of Christmas shop
pers TO number more persons TO the
square inch than on any day in the past
two weeks.
One Wilmingtonian, at least. is firm
~ convinced the world will crumple
up some time today. She is Mrs. Laura
B. Young, Of the hOOdOO address. No.
i3 West Thirteenth street Mrs. Young
has seen white hearses. piled up with
ghosts and drawn by white horses. pass
her door every midnight for a week
past, so she told the police last night.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
LOOkINGFOR
WAY OUT Of
TREATY maze
Democrats Willing to Com
promise, But Fear VIII
son May Balk at
Last Minute
KNOX SEPARATION
PLAN MAY WIN

WASHINGTON. Dec. i7.-An unofn-
clal committee on cancellation Is at
work IN the Senate IN an effort TO
compromise the treaty controversy
This committee, composed OF one Re
publican and one Democrat and seek
ing 10 negotiate a basis upon which
ratification can be arranged. Is lgnor-
ing senator Lodge. Republican leader
and Senator Hitchcock. Democratic
leadeF
The flrst step OF the committee. now
being taken is 10 sound out sentiment
among Senators on both sides In an ef-
fort 10 crystallze their Their views into
compromise proposals TO be used In
frsming a set OF reservations 10 the
treaty. Progress along this line has
been slow, but according 10 one mem
Der Of the unofficial committee has been
encourag ng.
The compromise spirit Is stronger to-
day among Democrat c Senator'S than q
has been since the treaty failed on
Nov 49, Senators declared.
Hitchcock adm n'stration leaders
said today that Democrats are going
10 arrange a compromise n they can
and take a chance" that President WI.
son WI accept H.
Hitchcock said before progress can
be made toward this compromise some
systematic. orderly method must be de-
vised for going about 10.
I'VE cannot settle this question hap
hazard" said Hitchcock. I'VE must set
up machinery OF compromise A con-
committee therefore. should be
appointed at once. Of course, we VIII
have 10 take a chance on President WI
son OF rejecting whatever settlement
we succeed in making"
Hitchcock declined TO outline In de-
tall, his own views concerning the sort
OF compromise that would be acceptable
10 the President or 10 Democrats gener-
ally. 1T would be unwlse 90 lay down
any dennke compromise program at
this time" said Hitchcock For the
treaty opponents would seize upon Il
and attempt 90 compromise H."
Article ten stll is the big stumbling
block In the way oknegotiators, Hitch
cock said
Senator Underwood. who has taken
the lead In advocating compromise,
made plain In his nrst statement on the
subject since the White House state
ment. that he Is for ratification. even
II 10 involves leaving the league Of ma T.
lions cOvenant\Out Of the pact.
peace we must have" said Under I
wood. III we don't. something Isl
going 10 crack In the business world /
know we can't get unreserved ratification
because tried II last session and got
licked That Of course. Is what / want. /
But as IL Is impossible, / think we
ought TO try mild reservations. Not
he Lodge reservations, because they
ant get a twO-lhirds vote. but a new
Continued on Page Two.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
FIRST SNOW OF
WINTER COVERS CITY

Snow covered Wilmington today
when the city awoke.
Il was the first real snow storm Of the
Season.
incidentally hundreds Of children
were late for school today. They could
not resist the temptation to give their
sleds the FIRST dip Of the winter. While
there was a little snow last winter.
there was only about one chance for a
ride. so the youngsters grasped tOday's
opportunity. Lots Of Christmas money
was earned by boys who were out on
the job early with shOvels and brooms.
The temperature at a. m. was 81 de-
grees. giving the day a little warmer
start than yesterday. The weather pre-
dictiOns are fair and cold. provided. OF
course, the earth doesn't crack before
tomorrow.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17

They advised her TO get religion. but
she said she already had Il. She init
mated that II took a powerful lot OF re-
lIglon to face the end OF the world with
serenity.
I'VE don't care II the world does end
tomorrow. What difference does Il make
with the Supreme Court decision keep
ing the country joyless Sahara? say
the vets.
After all, nobody can say with GER
tainty that the world won't come TO
an end today. Il will be a Joke on lot
OF d0ubters II the world should fall In
10 the sun. The weather man has pre-
dicted fair and colder" but II may be
warmer" for some OF US II this Is the
last day.
Just imagine what may happen-sud-
denly an awful noise; lights out as per
order Of an interplanetary fuel admin
istration; a rush through dark space.
the bright ball Of the sun drawing
nearer and nearer. hueer and hotter,
an awful sizzle as the globe and every
thing upon II melts and evaporates into
nothing at all.
However all scientists Of reputation
say there Is not the slightest need TO
worry. nothing but a big spot on the
sun. and perhaps more stormy weather
than usual upon earth.
Mr. Bliss. the weather bureau man
OF Philadelphia, says Bunk"
other prominent scientists gave slml-
lar expressions.
"NonsenseF says Professor Wood.
Middle Ages nonsensei I'm busy"
NOnsenser n says Mr.. Thiessen. Moth
ing on the weather map. II the moon
can do more than make the water bulge
out from the earth a bit and the mag
netic currenis-Oh, shucks ~
"Nonsenser' SAYS Mr.. Hartnell. whose
equipment includes an earihc a ke-re-
cOrding instrument. "The inst uments
here are not even nervous"
"NOnsensefr exclaim Professor Hall
Those planets may look as II they
were close together, but there Is a lot
OF room out there in space. They are
merely lined ur so that they appear TO
be close. The condition recurs every
twelve years Sun spots? Common
enough. Nothing 10 worry about"
over In Washington there is an as
trologer. Frank Theodore Allen, who
Cont iuai on Page Two.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
SURE DEATH
TARANTULAS
PLAGUE MEN
Scorpions, Snakes Also Add
to Harlan Mems Woes
on Last Day"
FEAR MONSTER REPTILE
MAY BE In HIDING

Drawing the line when called on to be
come snake charmers or admirers OF
the horrible death dealing swift strik-
ing scorpion or tarantula, shipyard
workers Of the Harlan plant OF the
Bethlehem shirbu.lding Corporation are
giving a wide berth 10 the good sh 2
Copan which is lying at the plant
wharf. That the vessel is a veritlble
;rOpic swamp alOat is sworn to Dy
nupdreds OF shipyard workers who beat
a hasiry retreat from the ship several
days ago when they saw q real snake,
fourteen feel in length
The snake was seen the day the war
time prohibit on act was declared con-
silt u. Onal and hence none OF those who
Witnessed the snakes glide across the
deca Of the vessel had been drinking.
The vessel which is owned BY the
Tu! amel Fruit Company arrived here
firn New Orleans Tor repairs.
shortly after the boat reached here
workmen were sent aboard to tear
away some OF the inside works to
enable repairs 90 be made. Then the
trouble started. First, scorpions crawl
ed about the ship deck and after the
fright occasioned by the rivet heaters.
caulkers 3nd ether workers had sub
sided, the deadly. DANCE Gus tarantulas
which infest bananas. came into view.
According 10 the workers. there were
thou 1nds Of the scorpions and tarant-
ulas aboard the ship. and as they were
driven into the open they made for
cover. The atmosphere appeared 20
daze the deadly Insects and those which
were not killed outright by the crew
and workers with clubs o. managed 10
conceal themselves in the ship, died
OF exposure.
While no one had been bitten by the
insects, the workers were on the look
out for On attack and on Monday when
force OF men were tearing out The
$ de Of o bunk hold they almost died
fOm fright when a monster snake,
rccn in color and with long N ioirud-
ing fangs was seen crawling acrCss the
Csck.
Panic struck, the wOrkm took to
cover leaving the snake in possession
uf 90, ship. The crew who had come
la"n ON the vessel from New Orleans,
sluddcred as they thought Of the mar
r'W escape they had while at sea from
al acks by the insects.
Finally q few Of the more daring
worimcn armed with pixies, shoyels and
TOMS boarded the vessel but the snake
lad disappeared by that time. Since
then it has not been seem and while
some think IL has died from the eX-
t"cme cold Of the past few days. others
believe it has hibernated until a warm
day when it will crawl forth again.
At all events. the workers at the plant
who o-are repairing the Copan are keep
ing their eyes open foT the deadly pests
and forgetting about the various planets
that are pulling on Old Sol today
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
IN CAMnLLI cIANFAnRA.
-nIled Press slaR Correspondent.

United Press SIAN Correspondents.
ROME. Dec. i6 lDelayed.l-Gaunt
fam ne strides through Austria. crush
ing Innocent women and babies and
threatening the entire nation with an
nhilatlOn one OF the greatest caias-
trophies In history is imminent and can
only be ayerted through ~ ompt aid az
Austrla's eistWhile enemies
This was the word picture pa ntod to-
day by Cardinal pm. archbishop Of VII
emma. In describing conditions In bis
country In an unlmpass oned manner
he told OF The suffering and hopc ss-
ness which war had brought upon AUS
trla, once the most powe ful nat'ol IN
The world and now only an obscure
state politically and economically az
tho mercy Of the Allies.
The Ca. dinal made no effort 10 gloss
over The fact H. believed the peace
terms imposed upon Austria we're
largely responsible FOR present condl-
TONS. An economic relation with Ger
many he said. was imperative II Aus
ira continued as an Independent stale.
While we are not desperate as a
nation. W. are crushed forever Car
dinal pm SAID. Under the treaty.
Austria cannot live The enormous
injustice done my people will on many
a page In history, and one day II viii
be written.
First OF all, the compllers or the
treaty made an enormous blunder In
deprivlng a nation Of six million in
hab.t7nis OF The means Of living A.
constituted at present, Austria can pro-
duce only enough TO feed its popula-
ton for three months. The mines left
us do not even furnish sufficient coal
to heat our homes In the coldest
months Of the year.
Every house in Vienna Is now
house Of sorrow In which ylu will nnd
disheartencd women suffering from
cold and hunger and emaciaied babies
dying a slow but certain death from
lack Of nOurlshment The older chill
dren are dying a slower but no less
painful death. I speak for these lnno-
cents They must be saved.
'NeXt In point OF suffering are the
middle classes. The new order and
changed economic conditions have de-
prived thousands and thousands OF
families Of the chance OF making q de-
sent living They have been reduced 10
ekirg out a precarious existence In any
manner that may present itself and
most OF them have been compelled 10
Continued on Page Sixteen
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
S23,OOOFROM RED
CROSS SEAL SALE
Campaign Managers Expect
Grand Total to Be Close
to $4,000
TO USE MONEY IN
FIGHT ON DISEASE

Receipts from the sale Of Red Cross
Seals to date total about $4,000. Con-
sldering the length Of time the cam
paign has been in progress and the
many other efforts TO raise money for
worthy purposes that have been going
on at the same time, this toal is looked
upon as being quite satisfactory.
Answers have been received from
about one-fourth Of those who have
be appealed TO for funds by letter, and
II the remainder do as well in proper
tlon as the FIRST replies. the goal for
The state, which is $4,000, will be at
tanned
As a result Of a meeting held with
he business men OF Milford, that town
his pledged itself 20 raise 5000 for
the total in addition to what the sale
Of the Christmas seals will bring in.
At FIRST there was some opposition to
campaign because Of the approach
Of the time for the hospital campaign.
But the business men realized that il
would not do for the place not TO be
represented in the state effort and they
decided 10 plunge into the campaign and
do their part.
NATIONAL THEATRE.
See Drake and Walkers Big Show
All this weekday.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
PUSEYS TO BUILD
ENGLISH TANKERS

II was announced today by William
G. Coke, vlce-presldent and general
manager Of the Pusey and Jones Com
pany. that The company had received
an order for four 80 S5O0-ton tankers
from the Anglo-SaXon Company. Of
London, England.
These four vessels are duplicates OF
the vessels built at the Harlan plant OF
the Bethlehem Shipbiuldlng Corporation
about three years ago for the Shell
Line.
The vessels will be built at the
Gloucester plant OF the Pusey and Jones
Company and the first two keels Will
be laid within the next two weeks.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
COAL SITUATION
NORMAL SOON
Director Baldwin Removes
Some Restrictions as to
Deliveries
TAKE CARE OF PLANTS
WITH SHORT SUPPLY

The bitumlnous coal situation as far
as Delaware is concerned will be nor
NAL within a week or ten days at the
most.
This announcement was made this
morning both by Z. B. Rittenhouse.
representing the Baltimore and Ohio
and Philadelphia and Reading Railroads
and II. A. Cssperson representing the
Pennsylvania Railroad, who under the
direction OF l.. w. Baldwin OF Philadel-
phia. Regional Director OF the Allegheny
Region. have had entire charge OF the
distribution OF soft coal in this state
for some weeks.
II was announced that coal is now
being moved rapidly from the mines
and that none Is being held up in
transit Empty cars are being rushed
back 10 the mines as quickly as pos
sible. Il expect 10 see conditions as 10
coal normal within ten days" Mr.. Rt-
tenhouse said this morning aud Mr..
Casperson made a similar statement.
Much credit Is due these two men for
The way the soft coal situation was
handled during the days OF the strike.
when conditions were serious. Il has
been necessary for some time, 10 Sc
cure permits through them to get coal.
As far as can be learned. no industry
has been allowed TO get entirely out OF
coal II either Mr.. Casperson or Mr. Rit-
tenhouse was appealed TO and the situ-
alton explained TO them. In some cases
coal was cOnflscated and turned over
TO concerns that needed II TO keep their
plants going. Only yesterday Mr. Rit-
tenhOuse cOnlscated a carload of coal
for an industry In rural New Castle
county. when told that the plant had
only enough TO last until today.
Coal at present is allowed TO come
through to the consignees. Under an
order issued by Director Baldwin to-
day, the first five classes, A to d. on
the priority list, II their reserve stock
is not in excess OF 30 days require
ments, will not have 10 secure a permit
for coal and the same applies TO classes
CONTINUED IN Page Two.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17

ROADS IN NEW
STATESYSTEM
Ultimately 1922 Miles VIII
Come Under Highway
Department Pro-
gram
CLEARINGHOUSE TELLS
OF STATE WIDE PLANS

Delaware State Highways: The story
OF Roads IN Delaware from the days OF
the'Bcasts Of Burthen' 10 The Road Of
Tomorrow.
That Is the title OF a most interesting
pamphlet pertaining 10 the operation
and accomplishment of the State High
way Department. just pr pared and
published by the Clearing House Of the
Delaware State Program, which has SUE
perylson oych the postwar rocOnstruc-
ton activities IN Delaware under sane
ton OF the Legislature. The pamphlet.
which IL eXcellently printed, contains
many attractive Illustrations OF Della
wares roads before" and after" the
State Highway Department took them
over and converted mud courses into
smooth concrete strips.
Under the caption Of Outstanding Ac-
oompllshments." The pamphlet says
"Of the 27O miles Of the proposed
trunk-line system. the status OF the
Highway Departments work Is az prfs-
ent November. 1919. briefly as follows
Construction completed this year
and last. % miles Including the 30 miles
OF the dupont BOulevard).
"Uncompleted. but under contract, 81
miles.
Number OF contracts now under way,
22 mills
miles of road now under state main
tenance. - miles.
"S'nce the organization ~ the Depart
ment. $50 miles Of road had been sur-
veved. Al the present tine, the state
H'ghway Department Is anout 10 begin
the survey Of from 50 10 Is mites for
state work. this being IN ADDITION 10
surveys made recentlv FOR state a'd
roads IN the various counties. As noted
In Secilon IT, i90 miles have hem
plotted N small scale. and detailed plans
mad NJ i90 miles.
''The phuadolrh'a pike Is an "out-
standing accomplishment m every nol-
awarean. n Is q rnmarkable fact that
IN sn't, of the d'flrnliies ~ wartime
in getting materials the Transportation
emharrnes the rulings OF The United
Siatas Highwavs Council and The Can
ital Issues Committee. an NJ which
causpd ddlav. the work IN the Phlladcl-
mia PUte was. nevertheless. never en-
tIrHv shut down
"The comnlotlnn ~ the n0ver-Smvrnl
road virtually opens up the southern
part of the State. by-product Of this
road. also has been n certain improve
ment IN dra'nagc south Of SMYRNA"
Discussing How the Good Roads
Movement Started In Delaware" SAYS:
"A number OF Delaware citizens in
Guiding notably Mr. T. Coleman dupont.
have for several years called attention
TO the fact that the advent of the auto
mobile had made a Statewide system
Of good roads not only important but
even imperative IN the DEVELOPMENT of
an agricultural and industrial State Ike
Delaware. Obviously the first necessity
would be a north and south trunk-llna
road passing through The whole state
Continued on Page Two.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
GERMANY SOON TO GET
FINAL PROTOCOL ORDER

PARIS. Dec. ~ UNITED Press The
peace conference expects 10 submit a
final note to Germany this week, fixing
a me limit for the signing OF the pro-
tocol, II was learned today.
A United Press dispatch from Paris
yesterday, said the supreme council
hoped TO obtain Germany's sign ture
10 The protocol and complete ratiflca-
tion OF The treaty before Christmas.
Some dlsagreements have arisen be-
tween the Allied and German agents
as 10 the amount Of compensation Ger
m9ny Is able 10 pay for the sinking Of
The Scapa Flow fleet, Il was learned
today. but these were not expected TO
prove serious enough TO delay signing
Of the protocol.
The supreme council today decided
10 grant Austria a loan Of seventy mil
lion dollars. Each Ally viii be asked
TO contribute.
The council also decided all Germqns
VIII be paid in gold in The future. This
is necessary because OF the varying
rates Of exchange and the depressed
value OF paper money The United
States heretofore had been the only
nation paying in gold.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
End of the World
Weather

This Is the day the world was
scheduled TO come 10 an end because
five planets were ranged on one
side of the sun.
End of the world weather. as re-
ported TO the Government fOrecas-
ters at Washington was featured by
below normal temperatures in near
~ all sections. But this morning the
forecasters had no adviceS indicat-
ing terrible storms were Scourging
the earth as unofiiciaIly predicted.
The iuxtaposition Of the planets had
nothing TO do with the cold wave II
was said.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
BABES ALREADY
DYING SLOWLY

austria faces AN immediate faminc.
Cecil Harmswonh, under secretary for
foreign alTars declared In the British
Parliament that there Is barely enough
food in Austria 20 last out the week.
The supreme council IN Paris, after
Chancellor Renncr pleaded for aid Tor
his country, decided 10 ship a great
quantity Of wheat TO Austria at once
and declared that only through Amer
ica"s as stance could great catas-
trophe be ayerted. Following IS a
or phic description OF conditions In Aus
trla by the best known churchman OF
that cOuntry.o
Evening journal., 1919-12-17

WASHINGTON, Dec. a. United Press
Secretary Of the Interior. Franklin X.
Lane contemplates res.gnlng from the
cab net. but has not sent his reslma-
ton to President Wilson or discussed
It with him, Lane said today In formal
statement.
Lanes statement was issued follow
ing reports that ne had laid his resig-
nat on before the President, and that
he wished TO leave the cab net because
Of difficulties with the President and
other cabinet members.
The statement follows:
"With refercrce 10 my talked OF res
.ignation, have not sent lt 10 the Pres
ident nor even written IL. but ! do con-
template going out OF the cabinet and
withheld talking 10 he Pres dent about
Il because did not want 10 add 20 his
burdens OF worries at this time, nor
do | know when the time VIII come
when ] can. This IS a fun statement
Of all the facts. have thought % un-
kind to say anything to the President
about the matter and that any mention
Of this now by anyone would be
needless annoyance TO him."
Lane has been secretary Of the in
terror since President Wilson's FIRST
iuauguration AT various times there
have been rumors that Lane had split
with the President. but administration
officials sad his statement today was
a complete answer 10 these rumOrs.
The reasons for Lanes wishes TO re-
sign. II was learned today is that hC
finds the salary Of a cabinet officer in
sufficient for his needs. This was the
reason given by Former Secretary OF
the Treasury McAdoO and other cabl-
net members who resigned recently
Lane. Il is understood has a very at
tractive offer to enter private business.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
rnEsPAss CHARGE DISMISSED.

John Mitchell was dismissed on a
charge OF trespasslng on the property,
No PIG Walnut street. by Deputy
Judge Finger in Municipal fCourt this
morning. when II was brought out that
he had been taken into the house by
a boarder. However. John has yet
charge Of l3rceny OF a coat from Thom-
as Laffey, another boarder at the house.
TO answer in court on Satu day morn
ing.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
PROTEST AGAINST INCREASE.

Protest Of local sporismen against the
increased registration fee OF dogs will
be brought before City Council at
their meeting tomorrow night A petit
tiOn with a large number Of signers
has been presented to Council. The reg
lstratlon fee for dogs was increased 81
last wear.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
DEGREES FOR PYTmANs.

Members Of Calsnthe Lodge No. 2i.
knights Of Pythias. viii visit Morning
Star lodge OF the same order at Grubb's
Corner tonight and conferr degrees
on a number Of candidates. The trip
viii be made by the local lodgemen
in automobiles.
Evening journal., 1919-12-17
TNKTs sTlIRs PLINGE-

Falling down stairs nj his home In
the dark. early today, Harry Yanowitz.
Of No. 1904 p street. was badly injured.
lie was removed 10 the De aware Hos
rital in the police ambulance II Is
thought that the man sustained inter
nal injuries.