davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1919-05-04
System Equal to
Three Lehigh Valleys

Put into operation in France an
American railway system equal to
three Lehigh Valleys, and prepared
the way for a system the equal of
the Pennsylvania to handle the army
of 100000 which was intended to
be sent from America.
Rebuilt parts of the existing
French railroad tracks so that dis
tances were shortened and trackage
increased and the use of several
systems by through train made
possible.
Transported between June l, 1917,
and November 80, 1918, as much as
6,547,621 tons of supplies for the
a. E. F., and between June and No
vember total OF 1,s65,440 troops
and 53,1i7 animals.
Prepared and had in readiness for
an advance into Germany by rail
huge quantities Of railroad ties,
bridge timbers and rails.
Placed under your immediate di-
rection III ships, which carry coal
from England, potatoes from Ireland,
supplies from Spain and food from
Africa to French ports
Established a waterways transport
via the Seine canal system to four
points close to the American front.
Established a huge organization
which at the signing Of the armistice
included 2,523 officers and 1853
men, many of whom had seen SER
vice on American railroads in grades
all the way down from president
or general manager.
These are some Of the more i'm.
portant results that arose out of the
happy conjunction in Paris Of the
soap box, the packing case anc
Colonel Wilgus.
Yet, large as they are, they would
rave been tripled or quadrupled il
the fortunes Of war had made nee
cssary the dispatching TO France, as
planned, the American Army OF
1900, 900.
The soap box, the packing case
and Colonel Wilgus happened to be
IN Paris in those early summer days
OF 1917, because Colonel Wilgus hac
necn sent TO Europe in advance OF
General Pershing as q member ot
commission to investigate raiIwa,
needs Of the French and report on
the adyisibility Of granting French
request that certain forces and SUP.
plies be sent to them.
The commission, which was ap.
tinted by the Secretary Of War
had not been asked to study the mill
tary transportation needed for the
coming American troops, but merely
70 report on the question Of giving
aid 10 the French.
Inc members Of the commission
we're, in addition to Colonel (thcr
Major) Wilgus, Colonel William
barclay Parsons, the engineer who
oniit much Of the first subway in
New York City; Captain A. -. Bar
per, of the Corps Of Engineers, u
o. A.; w. A.. Garrett, former preei-
New-York tribune., 1919-05-04
Nantes Falls
In line

The city authorities of Nantes al
ways had refused to allow the rail-
road through that city to be double
tracked, but the American Transport
tation Corps procured permission to
do so, with the proviso that the ex-
ira track was to be removed when
peace came. The corps also built a
connection at Nantes between the
Etat and the storage plant at St.
Luce.
Connections also were built be-
tween two systems at Perigueaux.
AS all of the railroads of France, in
a general way, radiate from Paris,
it was necessary for the Americans
to build connections that their
trains might pass from one system
to the other. Such were the connec-
tions already mentioned and others
at Saumur and Nevers.
If the war had continued the
Transportation Corps would have
had in France thirty-six engine ter
minals, with facilities for caring for
the American locomotives. AS it
was, considerable number was
built. Saumur was the terminal
point Of engine runs from Monitor,
La Rochelle and Rochefort. Provi-
sion was made here for inspecting,
coaling and making minor repairs
to sixty-five locomotives.
PerigueauX marked the terminus
of the engine run from Bordeaux.
Facilities similar to those at Saumur
were established there. Other en-
gine facilities were provided at
Gievres, Marcy and Montiorchaume,
while the plans included similar es-
adjustments at Etais, San German
du Puy, Poincoin, Orleans, Troyes
and Litfol lie Grand.
The shipping to France of Amer
lean locomotives, knocked down, ne
cessitated the establishing at st. Ma
zaire of locomotive plant
which soon had capacity of $50 en-
glnes month. Each locomotive was
Grated in sixteen packages. The
New-York tribune., 1919-05-04

freight whose swift movement was
not essential the Transportation
Corps planned to have in operation
on the inland waterways, which had
four different destinations near the
front, at least 81 tugs and 500
barges, with a fair chance that by
June these figures would be doubled.
New-York tribune., 1919-05-04
|Requisition
lumber 6

Requisition No. 6 was cabled to
the United States on Bastile Day,
July IA, by Colonel Wilgus, who
was appointed to General Per-
shing's staff as Director of Military
Railways. The requisition called
for:
$50 American locomotives Tin ad-
dition to the 800 ordered for the
French)
$500 American 3O-ton freight cars.
Sixty electric Gantry cranes Of
100 tons capacity each, of which 40
were to be used at new American
port to be built at Basins, and 20
at some other port.
Several thousand piles.
Several million feet, board meas
urc, of timber for use at the new
ports.
Ten ambulance trains.
Four hundred miles of light rail-
way, 60 centimetre gauge, for the
combat zones.
Locomotives and cars for the light
railways.
Steam shovels, pile drivers, ma
terial for engine houses and eouip-
ment for great locomotive repair
shop.
The whole represented an expendi-
ture of between 100000, 900 and
S2O0,00O,O00.
In August, 1917, General Per
shing ordered that there be always
in France ninety days supplies for
the American forces. Forty-five
days supply was to be always ready
at the base ports, thirty days sup
ply at intermediate storage points
and fifteen days supply at points
within fifty or sixty miles of the
front. This necessitated the con-
struction of enormous STORAGE
warehouses.
Plans were we'll under way and
the whole situation in hand when
Secretary Baker sent to France w.
w. Atterbury, president of the
Pennsylvania Railroad in charge of
operations. When Mr.. Atterbury
reached France in September, 1917,
he saw the work had been we'll
begun and suggested that he re-
turn to America, leaving matters
in the hands Of Colonel Wilgus.
The latter had only the forwarding
of the work in mind, and cheerfully
volunteered to have Mr.. Atterbury
made Director General of Military
Railways. Colonel Wilgus there
upon became Deputy Director Gen
eral.
The problems solved by the or
ganization, which ultimately be-
came known as the Transportation
Corps, affected:
/. Ports.
=. Direction of ships from nearby
countries and inland waterway
transportation.
3. Railroad construction and re-
construction.
4. Repair and erection OF locomo-
tives and cars.
5. Railroad operation.
6. Storage.
Z. Light railways Combat zones).
1t was apparent to Colonel Wilgus
from the start that the northern
ports Of Calais and Boulogne and
other channel ports could not be used
since the British were employing
them for troops and supplies. In this
connection it may be noted that tho
British were using the northern
New-York tribune., 1919-05-04
The Worlds Most
MOderr, Port

The Shipping Board was notified
to issue orders that three-quarters
of the ships sent to Europe should
draw not over twenty-four feet of
water.
One Of the most important ports
of the A. f. f. was at Basins,
France. This may be taken as tvpi-
cal of the rest. A ten-bcrth port was
created. 1t had a length along its
principal docks Of 40 feet and was
served by four tracks. In the rear
of the docks were classification yards
and warehouses. There was a COW
cred storage capacity of 121,9S4
square feet and open storage ca
pacity of 262,17O square feet.
Thirty eight and -tenths miles of
trackage was planned.
The American port of Basins was
the most modern in the world. 1t
was equipped with the famous Can
try cranes and could establish a rec
ord at any time Of the year as port
OF unloading. Its methods were the
most modern in the world and it's
machinery the last word in stevedore
engineering.
AT first the Mediterranean ports
were regarded as impossible of
use. The Mediterranean was infest-
ed with submarines, and the Ameri-
can authorities thought they should
be disregarded in the total equation.
But Admiral Sims stated these ports
would be defended by the American
fleet, and they were opened to the
use of the Americans. Marseilles,
Toulon and Cette, or parts of them,
were assigned to the Americans.
In the end these ports handled
upward of 10000 tons a day. 1t is
believed that by next June, if the
war had continued, about 100000
tons would have been handled. The
port locations were about thirty in
number. At first they principally
included those in the neighborhood
of st. Nazaire or the Loire River
ports and those in the vicinity of
Bordeaux, but ultimately, as will be
seen from the list, the ports in
cluded Channel and Mediterranean
locations.
In many of these ports American
facilities were provided, much of
which had been completed at the
signing of the armistice. The
French were amazed to see the
Americans drive down piles and
erect substantial piers, the French
usually constructing costly and time
consuming stone quays. Upon the
piers lines Of railroad tracks were
laid and huge cranes set up, so that
parts of locomotives and bales and
boxes Of goods were lifted directly
from the hold Of ships to railroad
cars on the piers, and many un-
loading records established
There has been in circulation
story that the American Transporta-
tion Corps built and operated
four track railroad from the sea-
coast to the front. This, however,
was not the case, as the plan and ex-
ecution of the railroad men was
far more canny than this. Parts of
New-York tribune., 1919-05-04
Remouing Track Damaged by Shell Fire

dent Of the Seaboard Air Line, and
vice-president of the Chicago Great
Western and F. de St. Phalle, of the
Baldwin Locomotive Works, Phla
delphia.
The commission started from the
United States May IA, 1917, and
reached Europe May "a. 1t con-
suited with various British and
French ministries, commissions and
official bodies, and then toured the
fighting railroad front and the sup
ply lines in the rear
In a month they were ready to
report. They recommended that
nine railroad engineering regiments,
for which the French had asked, be
sent them. Five of these were con-
struction and maintenance regi-
ments, one shop regiment, and the
other three operating regiments.
The commission also advised that
300 American locomotives, 1850
miles of track material, heavy rail-
road appliances and steam shovels
and rail sawyers be furnished to the
French.
The commission ended it's commits
sion existence in Paris. Colonel Par
sons went back to his regiment, Cap
tain Barber was assigned to general
staff duty, and Mr.. Garrett and Mr..
de st. Phalle returned to America.
So Colonel Wilgus was the only
member Of the commission left in
Paris.
Colonel Wilgus's trip over the rail
roads of France had set him think
ing. Already there was in his mind
a definite realization of the problems
of transportation for the coming
American Army. The necessities of
the case and existing facilities were
thoroughly familiar to him.
At the request Of General PERISH
ing he set to work to formulate the
railroad and transportation needs of
the future American Army in
France. Selecting as his assistant
Captain L. A. Jenny, formerly chief
draughtsman Of the New York Gen.
trail Colonel Wilgus looked for a
place in which to do his work. He
found it in 149 Boulevard Haussman
in room in which some sixty per-
sons did their work. There was
single large table, at which many
persons worked and upon which Colo
mel Wilgus might have made a
start, but papers would have been
unsafe there and any one who left
his seat at the table for moment
found it gone on his return.
New-York tribune., 1919-05-04
Coal consumption
$50 900 Tons a Month

Some idea of the bulk of the car
goes which it was necessary to trans
port by rail and water may be
gained from a consideration of one
item alone. To operate the rail
roads, cook for the army and supply
the heating needs required the hand
ling monthly at the time of the sign
ing of the armistice of 25O,OO0 tons
OF coal. 1t was estimated that BY
the end of June 100000 tons of coal
would be moved during that month,
or 10000 tons day. To carry that
coal to France meant the employ
ment Of a large fleet At the sign
ing of the armistice the Transporta-
ton Corps was handling 112 char
tered ships between British coal
ports and the French ports with
coal, and between Ireland and
France with potatoes, and between
Spain, Africa and France with
other supplies.
TO fit the French railroads to ham
die the large increase of traffic
brought about by the passage over
the railroads of American trains,
operated by Americans, with Ameri-
can equipment, much construction
work was necessary. The building
of the Nevers cutoff by the Ameri-
cans attracted the attention of the
French engineers. Nevers is an i'm
portant junction point, and there
was much freight congestion in the
city.
1t was the idea of the French en-
gineers that if the Americans built
a large yard to the northeast of the
city considerable of the congestion
would be relieved. The Americans,
however, decided to build a cutoff
and not enter the congested city at
all. The Nevers cutoff was accord
ingly built 1t is five and half
miles long and has two tracks. 1t
shortened the route for trains eight
and a half miles. In the Nevers
cutoff is 900 feet of bridging. The
French objected that this bridging
would take too much time, as they
had in mind bridges with steel
spans. The Americans drove piles
and put down wooden bridging in
record time.
Two tracks, 81 miles long, were
built from Bourges to Pont Vert
making four tracks between those
two points. At Pont Vert the lines
from st. Nazaire and Bordeaux
meet, so it was necessary to provide
greater facilities that there might
not be congestion.
Four tracks, making six in all,
were built from St. Nazaire to Mon
toir, where extensive storage facili-
ties were constructed. The distance
is five miles. Two additional tracks
were constructed from Monitor to
Donges, main point for the storage
Of ammunition. A third track was
added from American Basins to the
storage base at St. Sulpice, a dis
tance of 6.5 miles.
New-York tribune., 1919-05-04
Enter the
Soap Boz

There was no available desk in the
room and no one knew of any short
method of getting one. A railroad
engineer who has roughed it in the
field does not worry much over lack
of furniture. So, under the orders
of Colonel Wilgus, the celebrated
soap box and the packing case made
their entrance upon the scene.
Under these circumstances and
amid the confusion Of this crowded
room Colonel Wilgus prepared the
famous Requisition No. 6, which
specified the amounts and kinds of
railroad material to be sent to France
from the United States. But so we'll
was this work done that Requisition
No has ever since been the basis
for ordering supplies and the general
policy under which the Transporta-
ton Corps in France has worked.
To Colonel Wilgus the whole mat
ter presented the aspect of a gi-
gantic triangle whose base was the
American coast, shooting out enor-
nous quantities Of supplies and men.
The triangle narrowed as the men
and supplies entered the ports of
France from their American point of
origin 5000 to 5000 miles away The
apex of the triangle was the front,
600 miles from the coast, where the
men and supplies from the base Of
the triangle (the American coast)
we're concentrated.
In outlining for General Pershing
his general conceptions Of the sys-
TENS to be established, Colonel Will
gus took as his first fundamental
the fact that the French could not
transport men and supplies for us,
as they were short Of both men and
rolling stock. He therefore boldly
concluded that the best solution Law
in the operation under trackagc
rights over French railroads Of
American trains, composed Of Amer
ican cars and locomotives, with
American crews, from the ports Of
France TO the front.
Trackage rights, under which, in
tho United States. railroads use
Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-03-10
Keen In the Good Work.

Future generations will rise up and
call the present Mayor and City Coun-
Gil of Richmond blessed. One more
step was taken Thursday toward
making Richmond a real city. The
sewer and street bonds were sold, and
sold well considering times and condi-
tons. Now let the good work go on.
Bue we must have those unsightly
poles out of the way and wires un-
derground, and White Way. They
go hand in hand with the improve
ments that are coming to Richmond.
Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-03-10

A lot of the country papers seem to
think that Gov. Stanley is not resign
ing as governor yet, although his
term as senator is supposed TO begin
March 4th, in order to keep Lieut.
Gov. Black from assuming the guber-
material chair and thus gaining some
benefit in his forthcoming race for
governor. We do not know what STAN
ley's reasons are for not resigning
now and turning the office over to
Lieut. Gov. Black. Perhaps he may
have some matters he wants arrang-
ed before he leaves the executive
chair. But as for hurting Blacks
chances by keeping him out Of the
chair by not resigning now, If you
ask us, we think that he is really
helping Black, by his action instead
of hurting him ~
Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-03-10
Honors For a Kentucky Soldier

A large number of his friends in
Bowling Green and elsewhere are pre-
pairing to give Col. Henry Denhardt, a
royal welcome when he returns soon
from France, where he has been with
the army for about year. Col. Den
hardt was cited three times for brav-
cry in action and also promoted in
rank. The Elizabethtown News said
last week Of the reception that is be-
ing planned for him:
Kentucky is very proud Of the part
our boys played in winning the war,
and it is especially proud Of the great
gallantry of Col. Denhardt At his
home town of Bowling Green a great
demonstration is planned for him up
on his return about the middle of this
month. The whole of Warren county
viii turn out to do him honor and
many prominent citizens from differ
ent parts of the state, win be invited.
Following this reception, the Red Men
propose to give him a great banquet
at Frankfort, where the leading Red
Men from different parts Of the state,
viii be invited to attend. Following
the Frankfort banquet, the Woodmen
of Kentucky who number over 1000
will give him 4 great dinner in Louis
vile. These demonstrations will have
no political coloring but VIII be but
marks Of esteem Of the two orders IN
which Col. Denhardt has been a lead
er for several years and Of his home
people. Before Col Denhardt went te
France, Gov. McCreary spoke of hin
as the most fearless man m Kentucky
and his record in France demonstrate
ed the correctness Of what Gov. Nc
Creary said.
Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-03-10
7|MPLY? WEL,DON'T Bel
PEOPLE Notice It. Drive Them OF
with Dr.. Edwards
Olive Tablets

A pfupiy face VIII not embafTass you
much longer II you get Q package Of d.:
Edwards Olive Tablets. Tie skin should
begin to clear sitter 700 have taken ne
tablets few nights
Cleanse the blood, the bowels and theliver
with Dr.. Edwards Olive Tablets. the sue
cessful substitute for calomeE there'snever
any sickness OF pain after taking them
Dr. Edwards Olive Tablets do that
which calomel does, and just a. effectively,
but their action b gentle and safe instead
of severe and irritating.
No one who takes Olive Tablets Is
ever cursed with "a dark brown taste. .
a bad breath. q dull listless. no good.
feeling. constipation. torpid hver, pad
disposition or pimply face
DR.. Edwards Olive Tablets are
a purely vegetable compound mixed
with olive OF: you VIII know them
BIZ their olive color.
Dr.. Edwards spent years among pa
tienfs afflicted with liver and boEe
Complaints. and Olive Tablets are ths
Immensely effective result
Take one or two nightly tor week
See how much better you feel and loot
noe and sc per boz. Al druggists
Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-03-10

Vegetable Compound in the newspapers,
and since taking it / am cured and have
q nice baby four months old. feel ike
q new woman, and have recommended
your medicine TO my friends. Iwould
be glad to have everybody know what
your medicine did for me, and II any
write TO me l viii answer all letters. -
Mrs. MARY CALiGuRE, SIT South Main
St, Herkimer, NY.
Every woman at some period or other
in her life may suffer from Just such dis
turbances as Mrs. Caligure, and IL there
is no interested friend 70 advise, let this
be reminder that this famous root and
herb remedy has been overcoming these
.ailmentsofwomenfor more than40years.
II any complications exist, write
lydia E. Pinkham Medicine Co, Lynn.
Mass, for advice. The result of many
years experience IS at your service
Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-03-10
Heard About Town

DIR. Homer w. Carpenter win go to
Lexington, Sunday, the 18th, to assist
DIR. J. Spencer in revival services at
the Central Christian church.
Mrs. G. w. Pickles, IT., win arrive
from Florida Wednesday for visit to
Mr.. and Mrs. George Pickles, on Third
street. Mrs. Pickles has been spend
ing several weeks in Florida and Is en-
route TO her home In Uurbana, NJ
Mr.. and Mrs. Harrison Simrall, Mr..
and Mrs. Newton Combs, Mr.. and
Mrs. Peter Powell, Mr.. and Mrs.
Frank Justice, Mr.. and Mrs- Wallace
Muir, Mr.. and Mrs. Hasting, Mrs.
Sam Bennett, Miss Babe Shankiin.
Mr.. and Mrs. James Combs, Dean
Massie, and Mr.. Robert Brown, all Of
Lexington, Mrs. Robert Pogue and
Mrs. VIM Montgomery, Of Cincinna-
Iii, and Mr.. and Mrs. John Turner, of
ICambellsville, were here Sunday fol
1.-THE burial of Mrs Fred Herschler.
/ Mr.. and Mrs. E. S. Virgins were
quests of Mr.. and Mrs. d. c. Virgins
Jim Winchester Sunday.
Mrs. J. n. Neff. who has been viii
Iher daughter in Paris for the pas
Iyear, is the guest Of her son, Mr.
coleman Neff on Broadway.
Mr.. d. C. Virgins, of Winchester
Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-03-10

met with an accident last week while
driving home from Lexington. In
some manner his car got beyond con-
troll, and was damaged. However,
Mr.. Virgins sustained no injuries
Henry Youtsey, while in Richmond
last week. placed Q number Of books
of poems which he composed while a
prisoner at Frankfort, among the cit
liens Of Richmond and Madison coun-
ty. Cities have spoken very favora-
Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-03-10
CUT YOUR SHOE BILLS

Heretofore. soles never lasted me
more than three months. because my
work keeps me walking constantly on
cement. But | have worn PAIR OF
Neolin Soles now for more than three
months, and judging from their present
condition. they will last three times as
long So says g. L. Kerr. manager
II an automobile organization IN
Geneva, N. Y.
This extra wear given by Ne0lin
;o,es not only makes the shoes soled
:. i'm .hem cheaper by the year than
other shoes. but the price you pay IN
the first place is sometimes less than
Tor shoes of only ordinary wear.
You can get Neolin-soled shoes IN
many STYLES for every member OF the
family. Try these lc2T-wearing. COM
Portable and waterproof soles on your
worn shoes too. Ali good repair shops
have them. They are made by The
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., of Akron.
Ohio, who also make Wingfoot Heels.
guaranteed to outwear all other heels.
ne0:l!l! !! ! |! !. s oles
Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-03-10

OoinpoUnd IOr IL ns
done me 30 much
good. i had female
weakness, infamma-
ton, pains in my
sides and painful
periods. I suffered
for six years and
tried many remedies
W ithout benefit
The doctor said /
must have an opera
don. / read about
lydia e Pinkham's
Richmond daily register. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1917-1978, 1919-03-10

FOR SALE-Five room cottage on
Big Hill avenue; contains five rooms
8 porches, 2 screened and a pantry;
lot 50x27S feet; god cistern and frui,
trees, garden, barn, etc Mrs. L. 81.
Stagner. " II