davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24
Facts About the Recent
Telephone Hearing
McIndoe Falls, Feb. %, 1919

McIndoe Falls, Feb. "a, 1919
Editor of The Caledonian:
May l supplement your report of
the recent telephone hearing? It is
fully as important, for the final SOL
ution of the telephone problem, that
the people should know what was said
as it was that the facts should be put
before the commission
Thanks to Senator Carr, the hear
ing was organized in an unusually eff
ficient manner, with the community
represented by able and efficient coun-
sci, ready and willing to write into
the record every bit of evidence sug-
gested to them by any humblest per-
son present.
The Telephone Company naturally
took the lead in presenting the evil
dence, since they were the sDnes ask
ing for change in the rates. They
called upon their officials and experts
to testify under oath to the need for
those changes. Two reasons were
given. The company must get moro
revenue, and the community deserves
better service.
Charging toll between St. Johns
bury and surrounding towns would cut
out three quarters of the talk over
those lines, and thereby make the re-
naming calls easy to handle. The
suggestion was made that a toll
charge be made for all time over
three minutes, and the question rails
ed whether this would not stop the
gossip complained of, and give SUI
ficient relief. No answe. was given
Nothing was said by either side about
the dimindtion of service which
would be measured by this cutting
off of rs percent of the communica-
ton between st. Johnsbury and the
surrounding towns, and by the re-
moval altogether of 5 per cent of the
telephones in the territory, which was
also predicted by the company.
Increased pay rolls, tax-bills, mat
erial costs, ETC., and the government
guarantee of stable dividends, wert
cited to prove the need for more
revenue No account whatever wa:
made of the possibilities of new bust
ness. Whereas the company showed
that their new business, under tht
old Passumpsic company, from 1907
to 1917, was more than 80 per cent
Continued on page four)
The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24
AMMUNITION TRAIN
Lieut.. Hartwell and Lieut.. Lang and
Many Local Boys Were in This
Train

Frank P. Sibley, war correspondent
of the Boston Globe, has written an
extremely interesting article on the
101st ammunition train of the 26th
division. This is the first real story
of what the ammunition train has
done in France and it's record is
one to be proud of. The train, which
was organized in Westfeld in August,
1917, was made up of 18 officers and
700 enlisted men from the First Yer
mont, and six officers and 234 men
from the coast artillery corps of
Massachusetts,. Mr.. Sibley tells a.
bout the early hardships of the train
and its lack of equipment and how it
surmounted these difficulties. It had
a record of never losing a truck and
never keeping the guns waiting.
s f"In the matter of losses the train
was very lucky" says Mr.. Silby.
During the entire service up to the
armisitce it lost from shellfire,
wounds and disease just II men. Then
in II days from Spanish influenza it
lost Is men-five more than the
whole battle service had killed Dur
ing its service $50 men were slightly
gassed. Only one of them died. His
death is included in the II. Before
the division left Toul sector recogni-
ton of the ammunition trains excel
lence was already made. General
Lasiter sent the noncoms of the first
corps park to the train for instruc-
ton.
The train had the best horses in
the A. E F., and the Vermont men
had charge of the horses because they
knew most about them. At Chemin
des DANES, Dead Mans curve, Chat
eau-T hierry and st. Mihiel the train
performed great work.
In respect to the great advance he
said: "Then came the supreme test
of all the train had learned Supply
ing ammunition to the batteries that
were here today and gone forward to
new positions tomorrow, doing work
in the dark over strange roads and
under fire, was the hardest thing that
could be asked of the train. From
the time the advance began, July Is,
to the end. it was just one long night
mare for the ammunition train as for
the artillery they served Nights got
mixed up with days. The hauls got
longer and longer. Guides posted at
the roadside to guide the trucks to
battery positions failed to turn up or
themselves got lost OH the way back.
The dumps were always abreast of
Continued on page fourl
The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24
Thousands of People from
New England See
Steamer
ARRIVED LAST NIGHT
President Landed This Forenoon and
Steamer Proceeded to New
York

BOSTON, Feb. 24-President Will
son is a guest of Boston today. His
welcome was extended by thousands
from all parts of New England. The
steamer, George Washington, anchor
ed off quarantine shortly after dark
last night, but as had been previously
arranged they were to be landed this
forenoon so that the George Wash
ington could proceed to New York to
land. Two thousand troops, aboard.
Presidents speech set for 2.30 this saf-
ternoon. He will leave for Washing
ton at 4.30.
The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24
PLOT TO KILL WILSON
Anarchists Plan to Kill President with
Bombs-l4 Arrested by Secret
Service Men

NEW YORK, Feb. 24-Acting on
information that two Spanish an
archists had agreed to kill the Presi-
dent, and would arrive in this city
Sunday on the way from Philadelphia
to Boston, secret service operators
raided two resorts of Spanish radi-
Gals Sunday and arrested Ia men
Two of those arrested are suspect
ed by the police of being the pair
who were pledged to attempt the life
of the President. They were said to
have arrived in the city Sunday from
Philadelphia and to have planned to
leave last night for Boston.
The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24

A social dance will be held at Green
Mt. Grange Hall St. Johnsbury Ctr,
Thursday evening, Feb. 27, music by
Mrs Wilkes orchestra. A barge will
leave Brunnelle's block on r. r. st.
at 7.30. 301-4
The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24

got to stop talking, so much and do
some work. These everlasting ar
mendments will never get them their
rights They want to state what they
want and stick to it,
The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24

the slogan by the Essex Trades
Council of the same city, represent
ing in all about $4,000 trade unionists
in New Jersey. These organizations
have called a strike for July 1 if the
sale Of beer is prohibited.
The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24
Arrested for Breaking Into
Canal Boats
Especial to the Caledonian)

BURLINGTON, Feb. 24-Carl
Billideau, aged 16, and John Jerome,
aged 18, were arrested Friday morn.
ing charged with breaking into. canal
boats and stealing clothing and bed
ding. Billideau admitted, it is said,
having broken into the Combination
Cash store last Tuesday night. Both
boys were lodged in the Chittendcn
county jail.
The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24
18th Annual Conference of
Vermont Schools
(special to the Caledonianl

BURLINGTON, Feb. 24-The 18th
annual conference of the schools of
Vermont with the state university
will hold it's annual conference to be
held here at the University on FRI
day and Saturday, March IA and 15,
when the subject "The High School
Curriculum and College Entrance
Requirements" will be discussed.
The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24
ERNEST BONN.

Corresponding Secretary.
The threatened "no beer, no work"
strike was first proposed by the
Building Trades Council of Newark,
which later secured the adoption of
The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24

Rev. j. J. Bennett of MorrisviIIe
was a guest a few days last week
at the home of Mr.. and Mrs. George
Chamberlain.
The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-02-24
BUY WHEAT CROP AT.
GUARANTEED PRICE
SELL ON MARKET
House Passes Bill Empower
ing the President to Buy
Wheat
GREETING PRESIDENT
Sec. Daniels Talks with President
Wilson by Naval Radio 5000
Miles Away III,
GREETING PRESIDENT

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24-The
White Guarantee bill, authorizing the
President to use existing agencies or
create new ones to buy wheat Of
nineteen eighteen and nineteen crops
at government guaranteed price, and
dispose of it at market prices was
passed by the House.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24-Secrc-
tary Daniels transmitted telephone
greeting to President Wilson by ma
val radio from his desk at the navy
department. The secretary's voice
was carried to Transport George
Washington, nearly 800 miles off the
Atlantic coast. AS the George
Washington was not equipped for
long distance radio telephone trans
mission, Daniels talked without re-
ceiving direct reply and acknowledges
ment of greeting came by ordinary
radio.
The Washington herald., 1919-01-02
ONE Gun DAILY
NAVy'S OUTPUT
2,S4l New Cannon Pro-
duced Complete by Ord
nance Bureau.

From the day the United States en-
tered the war until the signing OF the
srmistice 2,S41 new naval guns weru
delivered to the navy and 1857 placed
In service against the enemy, accord
ing to a statement made yesterday by
Secretary Daniels.
The guns were all produced in their
entirety and complete with mounts,
sights and all accessories by the Bp
reau of Ordnance, the great majority
Of these guns being made by new
plants placed in operation since the
beginning OF the war.
The statement shows that the guns
delivered included 602 OF the 3, and s.
inch caliber placed in service and 2s3
held awaiting orders; 133 3-inch anti
aircraft guns in service and 123 held
at navy yards: 557 3-inch-caiiber guns
used largely on submarine chasers;
l50 3-inch Davis nonrecoil guns for
aircraft, 595 ''Y'' guns for small craft
and 40s other guns not placed in serv-
ice.
The rate OF delivery was speeded VI
until at the close of the hostilities d
5-inch S1-caliber gun was being deliv'
cred to the navy daily. The figures
given do not include a large number
Of guns I'm reserve before the war and
which were used for the arming OF
merchantmen before the United State,
entered the war
The Washington herald., 1919-01-02
kIDDIES
CRY FOR FOOD
Section Devastated by Huns
Needs 10000, 900 Pounds
Monthly.

Actual destitution exists among
fully sixty per cent of the popula-
tion of Northern France as a result
of the wanton and widespread dew
astation by, the Germans, reports
Herbert Hoover in a cable message
made public here yesterday.
The destruction wrought by the
defeated and desperate armies upon
their retirement from French soil
was so complete that the Commits
sion for Relief in Belgium feels
compelled at the request of the
French government to greatly en-
large its organization in order to
continue Me task of rehabilitation.
The work as planned will not only
include the distribution of food and
clothing but the housing of home
less inhabitants over a considerable
area. Gen. Pershing has released
from military duty at least twenty
Americans formerly connected with
the commission in order that they
may take up the work in Northern
France where it was left upon the
entry of the United States into the
war.
Thirty million pounds of food
stuffs monthly from the United
uation. At present Mr.. Hoover re-
ports the total food shipments for
both Belgium and Northern France
from America amount in value to
more than $3o.000,000 a month.
The Washington herald., 1919-01-02
D.W.BAKER DEAD,
VICTIM OF "FLU'
Former u. S. District At.
torney Gets Death Germ
Buying Xmas Presents.

Daniel w. Baker, former United
States District Attorney and one of
the most popular lawyers in Wash
ington, died at IL 80 last night at his
apartments in The Netherlands.
Mr.. Baker died of double pneu.
monia, which set in after bad attack
of influenza He was in his fifty-first
year.
His wife, Mrs. Nettie Lewis Baker,
is also seriously i'll with influenza
Mr.. Baker caught cold the day be-
fore Christmas while shopping. Fri
day he left his office with influenza
and Tuesday double pneumonia set in.
Friends remembered last night tina,
Mr.. Baker, who was in the disastrous
Terra Gotta wreck in Brookland sew
eral years ago. was the first one to
reach a telephone to tell of this fatal
occurrence. Although he had lost q
part of his heel when he was flung
from one OF the derailed cars, he
hobbied to a nearby telephone and
spread news Of the wreck
Mr.. Baker was a graduate of Mount
St Mary's, at Emmetsburg, Nd. and
the Georgetown Law School Later
he served on the Georgetown faculty
Immediately before he assumed his
torney, he had for several years beer
a member Of the widely-known firm
of Lambert and Baker.
He is survived by his wife, a broth
er, Andrew, and three sisters.
The Washington herald., 1919-01-02
Baker Gables for Probe of
Brest Camp Conditions
Story of Correspondent that u. S. Soldiers Are
Underfed and Forced to Live in Mud Cen
orally Discredited Here-Secretary Baker
Points Out that Camp Is Merely Temporary
and Rains Fall There Five Times Daily.

Secretary of War Baker yesterday
sent a cablegram to Gen. Harbord,
commanding the embarkation camp at
Brest. France, for a report on the
conditions in that camp. The mes
sage of inquiry was prompted by the
publication here of an article by a
correspondent recently returned from
France, to the effect that 10000 Amer
leans in the camp are inadequately
sheltered. badly nourished and knee
deep in mud.
Secretary Baker said he visited the
Brest camp last October and that in
November another inspection was
made by Assistant Secretary Keppel.
Conditions at that time, he declared,
were excellent, the men being COM
Portable and well fed and the camp
entirely sanitary.
Rains Five Times Daily.
I'm the meantime it must not be
forgotten said Secretary Baker,
that Brest and all the western ports
of France are essentially wet places.
officers stationed in Brest told me that
it rained there regularly five times a
day, and on each of my visits there
something like this average has been
attained. The mists, fogs, rains and
squalls from the Bay of Biscay are
constant, and it will be wholly impos-
sible to find dry place for the as
The Washington herald., 1919-01-02

sembly of the soldiers who are to re-
turn to the United States"
Attention was called by Secretary
Baker to the fact that the men are
detained at Brest only long enough to
obtain accommodations on the return
ing transports.
A similar statement was made by
Secretary of the Navy Daniels before
the House Naval Affairs Committee
yesterday. His attention was called
to the article by one of the members,
and he replied that reports received
by him from Brest were to the effect
that the men were made as comfort
able as possible, considering the cli-
maate and the prevailing rainy sea son.
Gen. Barnett Reports.
Secretary Daniels said that Cen
Barnett of the Marine Corps made
a report to him on the conditions
in the camp at the time of his re-
turn from France. Gen. Barnett
visited the camp about six weeks
ago, and at that time an epidemic
of the influenza was raging; 900
men were taken on stretchers from
the ship on which Gen. Barnett ar
rived in France, and Brest being a
temporary camp there were no ac-
commodations for the permanent
care OF the men so incapacitated.
The Washington herald., 1919-01-02
CHARGING
ON To BERLIN
10000 Infantrymen Sup
ported by Cavalry and Ar
tillery Ready for Battle.

Geneva, Jan. 1.-Between $1,000 and
5000 Polish infantrymen. well sup
ported by artillery and cavalry, are
mar ching on Berlin, the Polish news
agency at Lausanne learns from
Posen.
Polish cavalry have entered Frank
fort-on-the-O and Posen, the re-
port says.
One dispatch says that Ignace Pad
erewski, the famous pianist. is lead
ing his countrymen in street fighting
in Posen.
Polish infantry have occupied the
railway centers of Gnesen, Beuthen
and Bromberg. capturing much rail-
way stock and booty. They met no
resistance.
Sanguinary battles are expected, as
the Germans are rearming demoilized
troops.
1t is considered likely that the Poles
will reach Berling. because many Ger
man soldiers refuse to serve. The
German railways are badly organized.
The Washington herald., 1919-01-02
CHINESE GOVERNMENT
WANTSLOOT RETURNED
Instruments Stolen By Hun During
Boxer Rebellion.

San Francisco, Jan. 1.-The Chinese
government will ask at the peace ta-
Bile that ancient bronze astronomical
Instruments stolen by German troops
during the Boxer rebellion from the
Chinese Imperial observatory at Pek-
ing and which were taken to Pots
dam as loot, be returned to the Chi
nese government
This announcement was made here
today by DR.. w. w. Willoughby, ad-
wiser to the Chinese government who
has lust arrived from that country
en- route to Washington. The in
struments, consisting of globes, as
trolades and highly engraved and or
namented brass pieces, were made by
the Chinese artisans under direction
Of French Jesuits in China in the
Seventeenth Century. Some Of the
pieces were taken to France, but were
returned by the French government
when the circumstances of their sefz-
ure became known.
The Washington herald., 1919-01-02
President Dodges Reception
for Conference with House,
Lansing and White.
PLAYS GOLF In RAIN
Poincare and Wife Pay New
Year Respects During
Afternoon.

Paris. Jan. president Wilson up
set the American peace commissioners
program this afternoon when a re-
ception had been arranged at the Ho-
tel Crillon.
Instead of attending the reception
Mr.. wilson conferred personally with
Col. House, Secretary Of State Lam
sing and Henry White, the delibera-
tions lasting an hour and a quarter.
Col. House is understood to have
recounted to the President the results
Of his interview with Foreign Minister
BaIfour. The President and his fell
low delegates also delved minutely
into the full text of Premier Clemen-
ceau's speech before the chamber Sun
day, which was forwarded to the, Pres
ident at London, but reached there
after he had already left.
The President, it is understood. i'm
pressed upon the commissioners the
necessity of closer cooperation.
President Wilson's trip to England
has resulted in no change or deviation
OF his original program on the gen.
eral principle of freedom of the seas.
1t can be stated authoritatively to-
day that the Presidents so-called
coalition" with Lord Northcliffe, as
a result of which the full force of the
Northcliffe press seems to have been
lined up behind the general Wilson
program has not been brought about
by any Wilsonian backdown on the
free-seas proposal
Northcliffe has long been an advo-
cate of the league of nations. He has
not even opposed German membership
since it has been clear the German
military machine really is wrecked.
He has not. however, committed him
self to Wilson's ideas of the freedom
of the seas.
The President today enjoyed his
first relaxation since coming to Eu-
rope. Despite a cold rain he played
golf early this morning at the
famous St Cloud links. He was ac-
companied by Mrs. Wilson and Rear
Admiral Grayson.
Grayson has ordered the President
to take two days absolute rest. He
will spend one of these days in,Paris
and one on the train en- route to
Italy for which he will depart at Z
O'Clock tonight.
President and Mrs. Poincare called
upon the Wilson's at the Murat Pal
ace this afternoon.
The Washington herald., 1919-01-02
LONDON BACKS
WILSON POLICY
Liberal Newspaper Laments
Characterization
Schism.

London, Jan. 1.-The Manchester
Guardian, the most liberal and pro-
gressiye newspaper in Great Britain,
says editorislly:
The debate in the French Cham
ber of Deputies shows that CIemen-
ceau and Pichon are directly and
avowedly opposed to the very prin-
ciples on which President Wilson's
policy is based and upon which de-
pend the prospects OF European
peace.
President Wilson might ask Pin
chon French Foreign Minister:
is, France prepared to 60 back
on the agreement upon the faith of
which America sssented to the arrnis-
tice and Germany laid down her
armg'"
The Guardian adds that the Wilson
formula for the preservation Of peace
is difficult. but that its application
must be essayed, since no other So
luton has been offered that holds
even a prospect of escaping from the
ancient evils and menaces that have
become intolerable-
1T is the policy of America" con-
cludes the paper, ''it is. we are well
assured. the policy OF this country,
and il our friends and allies reject
it-well. they will have TO make their
own peace and dispense with our as
sasslnation."
The Washington herald., 1919-01-02
Government in Statement
Promises Pursuit Of
Democratic Principles"
WILL REVISE CABINET
Victory Of 0rlando-Son-
nonio Faction Similar to
That of Clemenceau.

Rome, Jan. Ion the eve of Presi-
dent Wilson's arrival here the cabi-
net crisis has been settled.
An official statement has Just been
Issued assuring the people of Italy
that the governments policy remains
unmodifed. pursuing the democratic
principles which inspired our en-
trance into the war"
This Is taken to mean the swinging
in line of the last of the Big Four
governments which will play leading
role in framing secure world peace.
Victory for Cabinet.
The Orlando-Sonnino cabinet has
emerged from a serious crisis with
flying colors. 1t has scored a vic
tory similar to that OF Premier
Clemenceau. in the French chamber
and that Of Premier Lloyd George
in the British. elections. The, So
cialists and Reformists who had op-
posed the government with an ardor
equal to that with which the French
Radicals and Socialists fought the
Tiger" and to that of the Hender-
sonftes against Lloyd George, Were
converted in the eleventh hour, and
all Is now harmony.
The portfolio OF Minister Bis
solati, who resigned last week on
account Of differences of opinion
with Foreign Minister Baron Som
nino, will not be filled for the pres
ent, the War Minister having taken
over the functions of Bissolatfs
Office.
Reformist to Remain.
slgnor Berenini, a Reformist, re-
mains in the cabinet, though he had
threatened to resign. Signor Benoni,
independent. replaces the Conserva-
tive Minister Dari in the portfolio of
public works.
President Wilson will visit Naples.
Florence, Venice and probably Milan,
In addition to Rome, it was semi
officially announced today.
The Giornale D'Italia declared today
that Premier Orlando has decided to
postpone reorganization Of the minis.
try until Wilson's arrival
The Washington herald., 1919-01-02
Biblical "Oil on Waters"
Saves Foundering Ship

Halifax, N. s., Jan, 1.-The steam-
er Carib. which arrived here today
after being forced to abandon tenn
porarily her trip to France, was
saved from possible foundering
through oil poured on the waves
Leaving New York for Nantez,
Christmas Day. the Carib ran into
a gale three days later that tossed
her about and loosened her deck
load. She was in imminent danger
Of captisizing and sent out s o )
calls, which were received on land.
Meanwhile several casks of oil were
broaehed and poured in steady
streams from her bow. Her head
was kept into the wind and the film
OF oil broke the force of. the waves.
AS soon as the wind abated she
made for Halifax.
The deckload was refastened here
and repairs made to her steering
gear.