davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15
Equipment Is Deficient and
Ancient, He SayS-Sys-
tenn Is Intellectual in Ham
ding TrdHc-WiH Be-
come Worse
Double-Track Lines in Bel
GUM Torn Up-Situa-
ton Worse in East-Au-
thority Quoted Says the
French Lack Progressive
ness
BY FRANK A. VANDERBILT

THERE were nothing else the
matter with Europe except the
breakdown of railway transportation
most of the European nations would
sui be facing a problem of gigantic
proportions. the early settlement of
which is not only essential to the re-
sumption of industrial life, but / ac-
tuaily essential to maintaining life it
self in some Of the large centers.
Hundreds of thousands OF people
have starved to death in the last twelve
months in Europe. | am not using
figures. as it is said Lloyd George does.
merely as adjcctives. There is com
petent authority for such a statement.
This terrible catastrophe has only in
part been caused by lack of food. In
an important measure the disaster was
directly traceable to the breakdown in
transportation. to the physical inability
to move stores of existing food into 10 =
calities where people were dying OF
starvation.
At one time there were 100 unloaded
cargoes of food in the harbor of Mar
seilles, held there because preceding
cargoes were blocking the lines of
transportation.
The railroads of Spain were. on the
whole. in much better condition than
expected to find them. In France the
system, has wonderfully stood the test
of the enormous movement which has
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15

been imposed upon it. But equipment
is deficient, and much of it unbclievably
ancient. Added to that is the inef
fectual system of handling the traffic.
One of our high military officers de-
scribed the despatching OF freight car
say from Brcst to Paris. as comparable
with dropping letter in a mail box.
Sometimes, presumably, the car would
arrive at it's destination, but in the
meantime there was no record of it's
whereabouts.
No matter how important it was to
have it reach its destination. no way
existed to trace it. and it might get
lost on a side track for a month. The
situation in France or even in Belgium
is by no means illustrative of the situa
tion further east.
1t is true that in Belgium the Ger
mans took up virtually all double track.
even on the principal main through
lines and have left but single track
from all traffic Literally hundreds of
masonry bridges have been destroyed in
Belgium and northern France. 1t is
easy to say that all this damage can
be readily repaired and so it can in
time.
My point is that it has not been re
paired and at the present moment the
tremendous handicap resulting from an
inability promptly to move freight
would alone be an enormously disorgau-
izing factor to the industrial life of
these countries.
As one goes further east, however,
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15
CRAMPS TO FIGURE
IN NEW COMBINE
All Available Stock Of Company
Obtained to Be Put at Dis
posaI Of Merger :

The William Cramp & Sons Ship
and Engine Building Company is
to be made the central figure in new
combination of shipping and shipbuild
ing interests. according to a report in
financial circles.
For the last few weeks combina-
tion headed by Chandler X Co. has
been quietly securing all the Cramp
stock available to place at the disposal
of the merger, it is said.
Virtually all the $6,25O,O00 out
standing stock has been acquired, it is
said, and as soon as some final details
are arranged list of the holding COM
panies taking part in the big combine
will be made public.
The corporation in course of forma
tioh will be named the American Trade
and Shipping Company, according to
the report, with ,0OO,0O shares or
more of stock without stated par value.
The Cramp stock is to go in on the
basis of one share for five of the new
issue. This operation vii absorb 312,
800 American Trade and Shipping Com
pany shares, in case all of those
outstanding are exchanged and a sub
stantial amount of the balance will be
paid out for stock of additional COR
poration which are admitted later.
1t is understood that holders of Cramp
stock who are unwilling to make ex =
change will receive cash offer which
was reported yesterday to be in excess
of $210 per share.
The Cramp corporation was one of
the many to be carried from an indif-
ferent to prosperous basis by the war.
The net earnings of 81 ,497 ,255 in 101G
were virtually double those of 1913, and
later displayed substantial improve
ment. The company owns shipbuild-
ing and repair yard at Philadelphia
which covers forty five acres. Since
the construction of ships was stimu-
lated by the war losses at sea, physical
property has been improved greatly,
and new facilities have been added from
profits, until now the company is one
Of the best equipped in the country.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15

TSurOpe, reveals some startling ldCtS
the deplorable condition of the transportation
system in the Old World.
Among the statements Mr.. Nanderlip makes
are:
A speedy solution to the railroad tanglc OF
Europe is not only essential to the resumption
of industry but to maintaining life itself in some
of the large centers
Hundreds of thousands of deaths of stnrva-
tion in Europe last year were traceable to the
congestion in the transportation system.
The railroad system in Spain is in better con
dition than he expected.
In France the system stood up well under
the enormous strain of war, but the equipment
is antiquated and the system of handling freight
Intellectual. He told of one engine in the
French system built in 1857. which is still being
used.
Mr.. Nanderlip quotes a European railroad
authority upon the situation in England, which,
while not so congcsted, is in "A complicated
labor situation as the result Of pre- election
promises.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15
Against Political Influence

personally, | think the government
ought to get out of the railroad bust
ness. Political influences will always
hamper its policy of management.
doubt II railroads can ever be publicly
run successfully in a democracy, al
though perhaps they can in an autoe~
racy.
II have been spending some time in
Belgium. You can discount somewhat
the Belgian hard luck stories. The
Belgian is inclined to exploit his mis-
cry. 1t is true that certain towns
were wiped out, but all were not. Bel
gian agriculture is better than it was
before the war. The Belgian children
have been well fed. Keep an eye on
Belgium. Her industries may revive
first in Europe, and she has great abil
ity in the industrial field.
Here in France industry is handi-
capped in many ways The Frenchman
is jealous and suspicious of his neigh
bors. He Is an individualist and does
not like to cooperate. The genius Of
the French is for small business. They
y do not want Americans or English To-
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15
BUSINESS NOTES

The American sulphur industry is ex-
pecting to benefit materially from the
RESUMPTION of trade relations with the
Central powers.
Dealers in machine tools are look
ing for revival of trade in their line
this fall. When this expected buying
movement once gets well under way
the prediction is made that it will ex-
tend over n period of several years.
Continued restrictions against the
importation of dyestuffs from Germany,
although the trade blockade against
that country has been lifted, has caused
a decided increase of business in the
local market for coloring material.
Little activity is displayed In the
chemical market. Prices are said to be
adhering to the advancing tendencies
of last week. Among manufacturers
and brokers it is believed that the price
situation is now close to normal
South America, Russia, India and
Egypt are placing large orders with
British mills for mohairs and other
tropica! cloths, according to a cable
received by the agent of an English
textile concern.
As the bids received for the govern
ments surplus offering of 1000 900
yards Of silk cartridge cloth We're
deemed too low. the eighteen proposals
from willing buyers have been rejected
by the War Department.
JObbers expect watch manufacturers
within the next few days to announce
new schedule which will show in
creased quotations.
South American merchants who are
purchasing infants wear, sweaters,
underwear and other similar articles
of wearing apparel have ceased to ask
for credit terms, it is said by manu-
facturers who are selling the South
American trade.
Some sellers are asking and getting
% cents pound for copper, September
delivery. A feature of the market is
increased demand for copper over the
last half quarter of this year but there
is little disposition on the part of sell
ers to name price covering this de-
| livery.
The American consul general at Lon
don has cabled that export licenses for
shipment of wool to the United States
will be issued freely upon application to
the government of the Union of South
Africa.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15
Liverpool Cotton

Liverpool, July 15.--There was an
improved request for spot cotton today
with prices firm on the basis of an
advance of % points for middling at
q. Add. The sales were 5000 bales.
The receipts were 10000 bales, of
which 81 700 bales were American, Fu-
lures were steady in the early dealings,
Spot prices were: American middling,
fair, %. Odd. good middling, 22.51d. !;
fully middling, 22.01d.; middling,
q. Aid; low middlipg, 19.66d, good
ordinary, 1S.01d. old and ordinary,
17.4Sd.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15

SUUtH hWtFFHH T1tr'HHHtN WIN "Io
purchasing infants wear, sweaters,
underwear and other similar articles
of wearing apparel have ceased to ask
for credit terms, it is said by manu-
facturers who are selling the South
American trade.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15

The American consul general at Lon.
don has cabled that export licenses for
shipment of wool to the United States
will be issued freely upon application to
the government of the Union of South
Africa.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15
SEES GRAVE CRISIS
FOR TROLLEY LINES.
Can't Perform Expected Func-
tons Under Present Handi-
caps, j. n. Pardee Declares
FLEXIBLE RATES SOUGHT
BY the Associated Press

Washington. July 15.-Under exist
ing conditions and with revenue they
are now receiving. the electric railways
cannot continue TO perform the func
honS expected Of them, John II. Pardpc.
president Of the American Electric
Railway Association. today told the
federal railways commission. The com
mission was appointed by President
Wilson to investigate the situation con
fronting local transportation interests
throughout the country.
1T is no longer question Of what
return shall be allowed to the owners
of tho railways" Mr.. T'ardee said. lit
is question as to what service, if any,
shall be rendered to the public"
Not Seeking to make Case"
Asserting it was not the purpose of
the railways representatives to make
case before the commission. Mr..
pardcc said they appeared to give the
facts in the situation in the hope
solution might be found satisfactory TO
In" public. employees and owners alike.
interested MS they all were il main
tanning good service at reasonable cost.
control and regulation over us by the
public authorities, which both prescribe
our service and control our rates. we
are unable to Teadjust ourselves to
changing conditions, as every other in
dustry not so hampered is readiusting
itself" he said.
New Burdens Through War
Outstanding phases of the situation
demanding attention. he continued. are
the absolutely uncconomic and in-
satisfactory" basis upon which the re
lations between the public and the cleo
trlc railways have rested since the
inauguration of the enterprise. and
placing of many additional burdens upon
companies by the government as war
exigencies without any sort of relief
Included in the war program, , to
which Mr.. Pardee said the electric rail =
ways readily subscribed. were the
raising of employees wages as much as
| 100 per cent, the control Of the price
and delivery of coal. the fixing of prices
of other commodities and, in many
cases, the prescribing of service to be
given.
Public Cooperation Necessary
eco operation of the public is neces-
sary to the stabilizing of electric railway
conditions" Mr.. Pardce said.
There must be impressed upon the
| public a new conception of the relations
between the communities and the public
utilities which serve them; they must
be shown that the antagonism which
has heretofore prevailed is disastrous to
both interests and that only when the
public and the companies work together
to secure efficiency and economy in
operation can the desired service be
furnished at a reasonable price.
"A second fundamental idea is that
in order to provide through the employ
ment of private capital proper trans
portation facilities for cities and for
rural districts. the basis of compensa
| ton must be so determined as to pro
vide al assured return and rate of
fare so flexible as to readily and auto
matically adjust itself to the cost of
providing the service
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15
English Public Divided

| EngllSn PuDnc Divided
Standardization. CO. operation and
the operation of all the roads as one
system will save about $4,000. 900 per
annum. leaving f55 900 .OGO to be met
by increased rates. Railway econom :
lists agree that this cannot be done. II
means doubling the expense. Winston
Churchill before election promised
naturalization. His unauthorized
promise was not denied until after the
election. Now England is to have a
new ministry of ways and transporta =
ton, but as yet no definite government
policy has been announced.
THE English public is divided upon
the subject of naturalization. The
subject, however, is not so complicated
as it is in America. The difference
between the railroad situation in the
United States and in England lies in
tile fact that there is no vindictiveness
in England between the government
the railways and labor. There have
been no such acts in England as the
taking away of private cars, or the
reducing of salaries of managers. The
English public always stands for fail
play. rs it cricket?' is a question evei
in the minds of Englishmen.
I'm America the policy of legisla
tors and of the Interstate Commerce
Commission has often been vindictive
England will probably be slow in max
ing its final decision in regard to tht
railroads. 1t is the habit there t.
consider public questions carefully
but in the end it will be fairly consid
cred and the owners of railroad securi
ties will be treated fairly.
Ag.,ust noUI...I Va
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15

Continued restrictions against the
importation of dyestuffs from Germany,
although the trade blockade against
that country has been lifted, has caused
decided increase of business in the
local market for coloring material.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15

Jobbers expect watch manufacturers
within the next few days to announce
a new schedule which will show in
creased quotations.
Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-15
EUROPEAN RAILWA vs. FAILURE
CAUSED THOUSANDS TO STARVE
LAST YEAR, SAYS VANDERBILT
LIFE ITSELF DEPENDS UPON
r. r. SOLUTION, SAYS VANDERBILT

LANK A. VANDERBILT president of the
National his industrial situation in
The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-06
MRS. NORMAN SMITH IS
 HOSTESS AT MERRY PARTY

The home of Mrs. Norman Smith, on the Commission reserve, was the scene of a very enjoyable party last Saturday night. The party was given for the younger set and was a thoroughly enjoyable affair.
 Those present at the party were Valentine Anderson, Vera Russell, Muriel Russell, Dorothy Smith, Jean Russell, LaRue Carter, Sam Ivey, Si Calderhead, Norman Russell and Kenneth Mclean and Walter Scott.
 Pleasant games were indulged in by the young folks, some of the games played being of an unique and specially exciting and interest ing character, and these were so thoroughly enjoyed that it was a hard matter to say whether the girls or the boys of the party en- joyed them most. The new games evoked many humorous situations
The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-06
ROLAND ENROU1E
 ID UPPER TOWN

A Roland stage left the Portland at o'clock this morning bound for Fairbanks. Knut Roland him self was handling the ribbons. The stage had the mail on board, some freight and express and the follow ing passengers: Miss Laura Herring ton, Mrs. William Mellish and Roy Blair
 The stage will make the Ohio roadhouse for the night and resume the journey to it's destination to- morrow morning.
 Roland expects to get lighter rig than the one he is now using at the end of the present trip, at Fairbanks. He intends to station horses at points along the trail for relaying purposes and as soon as this is done he will commence a faster service, making the trip be- tween the two towns in one day.
The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-06
STATEMENT MADE
 0F ORPHAN FUND

Mrs. Frederick D. Browne, who is in charge of the local branch of the French Orphan fund, wishes to make the following statement of the work done and of the funds carried on the books of the Nenana branch on January 1, 1919.
 The following have pledged them selves to the support of one or more orphans for the period of one year Dr. Bowen, Joe Connors, A. c. Ellen son, A. St. J. McCauley, Nenana Knitting club, George Markus, w. L. Packer, Nenana club, Presbyterian Sunday school, Luella Shaffer, Rose Smith, w. H. Watson.
 A. D. Pratt, who was lost on the Princess Sophia, had pledged his support of an orphan before he left Nenana, MT. Jesse Brown is carry ing out the pledge.
 The following cash donations have been made toward the fund.
The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-06

Hsnana, Alaska's Interior 1usl Dsp'
The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-06

xsn.na, where Falls and Rivers 1xss,
The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-06
COMMISSION FORGE IS
 REDUCED TEMPORARILY

AS the bulk of the repair work on the mechanical equipment of the Alaskan Engineering commission has now been completed, new engines set up, those in use overhauled and the rolling stock generally put in shape for commencing operations in the spring, half of the forces of the machine shop and roundhouse were laid off temporarily on Saturday.
 The lay-off also affected the gang of men engaged in putting in tele- phone poles along the line south of town. The entire gang of about ten men were laid off for the time being, the foreman only being re- tained in the service.
 The men were laid off by reason of the fact that the work in which they were engaged had rached a stage which rendered continuance at this time, unnecessary.
The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-06
ASSIST SOURDOUGHS ID
 CELEBRATE DAY

At the home of Mir. and Mrs. John H. Flower, on Third street, between E and F, the birthdays of MT. Brown and John H. Flower were celebrated by a dinner last night. The guests at the dinner were MT. and Mrs. Frederick D.. Browne and MT. and Mrs. Lawrence O'Keefe.
 The birthdays of both these genle men occurred within a day or two of each other, and it had been GUS tomary in the days gone by to cele- brate the event jointly, the celebra- tions taking place alternately at the home of each of the celebrants. MT. Brown is the manager of the N C. store here, and Jack Flower is one of the local staff of the big concern. Both Messers Brown and Flower have been closely associated in business for some time past in the Koyukuk country, where they both served the interests of the N. c. Go.
 Later in the evening, shortly after the conclusion of the dinner, a merry party invaded the Flower home to offer their congratulations to Messrs Brown and Flower on the attainment of their umpty-steenth birthday. The party thus reinforced enjoyed games of bridge, during which light refreshments were serv- ed. The invading party was com. posed of MT. and Mrs. M. V. Tyler Mir. and Mrs. w. H. Gilcher, MT and Mrs. A. G. Johnson and MT. and Mrs. R. G. Southworth.
The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-06
ANNOUNCEMENT

Mrs. M. J. Cooney wishes to an- nounce that she will hold recep- tion at the Cooney Hotel on honor of Mrs. w. A. Ryan. who will soon be leaving Nenana, from 2:30 to 5 o'clock, Wednesday afternoon, Janu- ary 9th.
 As there will not be sufficient time to reach al the laides of Ne mana, Mrs. Cooney takes this means of letting them know of the recep- tion, to which all the ladies are cor dially invited.
The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-06
NENANA|1E SAYS
 LIFE IN SEATTLE
 IS NOT ALlUR|NG

Writing from 91G East John St. Seattle, under date of December II, Billy Lawrence, formerly employed at the electrical department of the A. E. C., tells of the high cost of living in the Spirit City.
 He says he pays fifty dollars a month for the four rooms they oc- cupy and considers it very cheap. It took him three weeks to find a place to move into, and thanks the Lord he has lots of relatives aho were able to come 10 his rescue un- til he managed .o find place 60 live in for himself and family.
 Bill admits that Seattle has a few advantages over Nenana, but the very exhorbitant cost necessary for the enjoyment of these advantages more than offset their value, he says, and indicates that Nenanaites are whole lot better off right where they are.
 He picks out the Tavern Cafe and the Gem Waffle House of Seattle and asserts that one can live cheaper and better at the former than at the latter place. An order of hot cakes in Seattle costs thirty cents, with five cents extra for an extra cup of coffee, he says.
 He says: "Why fellow goes into a restaurant and looks over the bill of fare-an elaborate thing to look at-and finally orders tea and crack CTS. Later he meets a friend on the street and tells him of how he enjoyed reading about a good din ner or of how he read of a nice supper at the Rathskeller the even ing before. That is as far as the average fellow can go."
 At the time of writing, Kenneth Case, was on visit to the Law rences, with whom he had been spending week or so. He dis carded his uniform the day after arriving at the Lawrence home, and has sent his things to his home in tendin~ to follow them up in few days. He expected to spend few days at the Darling home at North ! Yakima with Ralph Darling, who has also been discharged from the army
 Grady Sumerlin, who had also been recently discharged from the army, was seen around town. He went on to Portland shortly after Bill Lawrence saw him.
 Drag" Hollerbach and Doc Ehlan, former employees of the A. E C., are frequently met with around town, he says. The former, who owns a six cylinder auto, had had an accidental collision with street car, and the auto, which got the worst of it, is now under repairs.
 The "flu", he says, is bad again Both Mrs. Lawrence and Bill got it. Bill says he nearly went unde, with it, while his wife had only g mild attack. Although it is one month since he recovered. he says he still feels the effects of the attack.
 He extends New Years greetings and best wishes to all his friends in Nenana.
The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-06
RED CROSS TO ELECT
 OFFICERS NEXT MONDAY

A meeting of the local Red Cross vii be held at 7:30 p. m. on Mon- day, January 13, at the Grace Pres byterian church, and all members are urged to be in attendance.
 The meeting is called for the pur- pose of electing new set of offic. CTS for the ensuing year.
The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-06
and lots of fun; and those who

and lots of fun; and those who learned the game for the first time at the party are planning on hay ing some more later.
 The party commenced at eight o'clock and came to a conclusion shortly after midnight. Light re- treatments in abundance were serv- ed by Mrs. Smith. It was a merry party that broke up and wended their homeward way rather reluct- antly.
The Nenana daily news., 1919-01-06
NOTICE

All bondholders of the Labor
 Union Building are requested to
 call on w. c. Gagnon, secretary, at their earliest convenience.