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\ 4 \ 1 Abbeville Press and Banner 4 \ j * / Established 1844. $2.00 the Year. ' Abbeville, S. C., Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1919. Single Copies, Five Cents. 75th BROIRH'D CHIEFS! MET MONDAY To Draft Declaration of Principles Concerning Railway Bill* in Con?President Wilson's j Statement' Regarding Strike and Right# of Public, Is Variously Interpreted. Washington, Dec. 28.?The altitude of organized railway employes toward the anti-strike provisioin of the Cummins railroad bill will be formally stated in a declaration ofj principles to be drafted by the heads of all the brotherhoods at a confer-1 ence here Monday with President j Gompers, of the American Fedtra-j tion of Labor. ' Labor leaders declared today t"hat ""nothing drastic was to be expected" \ but the general view among organi-! ped workers was tnat tne amiiaiea i trades would stand by the Railway Machinists' Union, which voted to quit work if Congress enacted the anti-Strike provision. * Senators and j Representatives now in Washington !. expressed the opinion, however, that the House never would accept the bill as it came from the Senate and that even if it should pass President Wil son would veto it. The possibility of a presidential ^to has been given; serious con& sideration by members of Congress, wfco realize the necessity of enact-! ing proper legislation before the roads are handed back to their owners on March 1. Labor leaders in disv -V cussing this eventuality, also called P attention today to this statement by the President in his message to Congress, four weeks ago. Right to Strike. 'The right of individuals to strike is inviolate and ought not to be in> - ijirfj red* with ,"hy any process of. government, but there is a predominant right of the government to protect all of its people and to assert its power and majesty against the challenge of any class." A Variously Interpreted . This o:ie .sentence was variously K-rntViorVinnH officers lUV^lUXVVVU MJ V* ? ? ? f as a virtual announcement by the i'resident that he would not sign a bill denying tho right to strike?and f by Senator Cummins and others asi notice by the President that even the right to strike was inviolate the public stood over and above it. May Kill Section. Regardless of what action might be taken by the brotherhoods, the belief prevailed in congressional circles that when the Senate and the House conferees got through with ? the Cummins and Esch bills no vestige of the anti-strike section would remain. The conference will begin work next week after Senator Cummins and Senator Kellogg, Republican, of Minnesota, return here from North Carolina. House of Senate Differ. All of the Senate conferees voted , for the labor clause and are expected ? to make a hard fight in confer, tee ? for its retention. On straight Senate i test an amendment to elimina; the f section was defeated, 39 to 24. Some : Iidea of the attitude of the House,!, however, was given today by mem-j< bers who said that the anti-string j ( clause could not command fifty jvotes in that body. j] Brotherhood Chiefs Meet. The heads of the four big bro-j; therhoods and the ten affliatedj; trades will be here Monday for the j 1 conference t with President Gompersi, which was called for the specific I purpose of considering pending rail- j road legislation. Committees representing the six shop trades have anj: appointment that day with Director; ^-onnro 1 XTinoo fnv iwiI i demands, but it was saij! this might!] be deferred until Tuesday. To Make Wage Demands. It was emphasized at federation j headquarters that the two confer-j ences had nothing in common, al-1 I though it was admitted that the I situation respecting wage demands j OIL PRODUCERS REPLY EI TO CARRANZA STATEMENT I ON MEXICAN PROPERTIES, * Washington, Dec. 27.?The Mexi-! can embassy is trying to befog the th< issue raised by Carranza's alleged Pr prevention of drilling of new oil wells to Ktr A tviori/>an nnnvnoiiiflte if. V9C tu charged todaj^in a statement issued dii by the Association of American Pro-;**1' aucers in Mexico. The statement was tr? issued as an answer to one given out P? yesterday by the Mexican embassy ('in here. j*? "The Mexican embassy persists in ^ endeavoring to befog the issue raised by the attempt to confiscate Ameri-I can oil properties, through discussion an of what it is pleased to term 'poten- f" tial production,' " the statement said.p* "The only kind of production of pu any interest to Americans is the *u amount of Mexican oil of the kind ^ i t ri absolutely necessary for American industries and mercantile marine pur- ef' poses available after Mexican mili-|f" tary forces have stopped the drilling "l campaign which was being actively conducted by American companies in the effort to keep up available supso ply- to "As to the latter point, the statenaents heretofore issued by the oil producers' association are strictly ^ accurate and the Mexican embassy statement wholly misleading to the' American public. "The Mexican government can not,'m and has not attempted to deny N;he w I W long series of its aggressive acts of tj1 confiscation of whfeh the stoppage of ^ drilling wells by American companies jia is merely an example. These actsQ, have all been made the occasion of j protests by the American govern-! ment." The Mexican embassy in its state- !m JECi ment of yesterday said that the potential capacity of the 310 oil pro6r ducing wells in Mexico is 2,000,000 ban-els a day, of which only 220,000 ^ jarrels are being extracted ..daily.. It said that the Mexican government is not preventing the production of ^ oil oy Americans aitnougn in some cases "it has been deemed expedient to exact compliance in the laws on ' ? su boring of new wells.' Wardlaw Lyon Here. ire Wardlaw Lyon came down from'w^ Greenville this week and brightened pe up this corner of the world for sev-jur eral days. Wardlaw says that of all the nice ^ sh things which happened to him while he was undergoing treatment at ^ Camp Gordon, he appreciated most a se box sent to him and Kempton Billings w< by the Daughters of the Confederacy, p? in Abbeville. Both were too unwell, to acknowledge the receipt of the ] ^ box when it was received, and in fact' j 6 Ti did not know to whom to send their i _ . . 'mi thanks. He thereiore requests tnatj the Press and Banner say to the la-jQP dies who remembered them on that j occasion that he and Kempton will; will always hold them in kind remem-' brance. < Jti< I mi tl was .somewhat changed in view of i President Wilson's definite decision istl to turn back the roads in two mon- en ths. In view of the short period of government control there was a feel- w ing in some quarters that the direct- ^ lib ar general might refuse to saddle a " wage increase on the roads on the S * |a eve Ol L1HMI It'lUlII I.U piivow ujj elation. Most of the leaders insisted, lehowever, that the demands would not be rejected sir.ee President Wilson r had promised to use his influence to ?et more wapes for railway men if' *so the government failed -'educe t'lei tit cost of living. Urge Speedy Action. 4 ,?;il L.I 11 made to expedite railroad legislation, somedoubt was expressed today ^ . whether the Escli and Cummins bills ! could be cut to pieces and put to-; ^ gether again by the time set for thej end of the federal, control of the I roads. Meanwhile great pressure isi being brought to bear on members of the Senate and House to speed up j work, but there is little hope of uvt-jyc ting the bill out of conference be-, at for? the end of January. ' , \v t ^ORMOUS TAX LEVY I THREATENS GERMAN BUSINESS FOR 1920 Berlin, Dec. 28.?The spectre of e enormous emei'gency levy on i operty, which threatens drastically j: reduce German industrial for- t nes in the next ten years, makes it fficult for Germans to forecast < e economic ouuook oi men- coun-i V for 1920. Leaders in financial, litical and social circles are divided j their opinions of the measures r national relief proposed by athias Erzberger, minister of lance. There is a widespread belief long financiers, bankers, and lancial writers in Germany, that two of the Erzbergers plans are t into effect. Germany will face a ture overcast with black clouds, not actual ruin. The most impornt of these measures is the emgency levy on property, which, lancial writers assert, will reduce i dustrial fortune s of 10,000,000 arks to less than 3,000,000 in a dede. The second measure is tfte inme tax, which, it is claimed by me, win "Deggar every moaesi rtune a? well as every great for- * ne." 1 Backers say it all comes 3own to 1 is: "America must come to our ' d." They wish a comparatively small, rect credit and disapprove of the uch-discussed international loan, hich, they believe, would saddle e debts of England and France on e United States and thereby, perips, reduce the amount of credit jrmay might obtain. Erzberger's Days Numbered The opinion appears to be gaining Berlin financial quarters that :zberger's days are numbered, and at he cannnot long continue to ext his influence on the majority ho pay least and therefore support s financial policy. ''R/M.'lfo. r> jjcixxii vviucio ucuaic Liiat uv:i any's political future depends in e last analysis upon the working it of the peace treaty and that unthis document has been con-| mmated in all its technical de-| ils, Germany will be unable to lote her fresh starting point. This is garded here as the crux of the tiole situation, and Germans exict the situation to remain acute itil this has been accomplished. Germany's more conservative po-| ical leaders frankly admit Bolevist gains at the next election hey say the Reds may capture 10 ats instead of the 22 which they jn a year ag-?, and that they may 11 5,000,000 instead of the 2,>0,000 they obtained in the last ttional election. The conservatives. wever, assert that the Independ-j it, Sparticist and Communist ele- i snts will become less popular as the i portunities for work increases in i ?rmany. I Postponement of Elections i Political leaders say that indiea- j >n point to an indefinite po-^nono-: snt of the elections on ;rn?'in " at the present government on i. ! rength of its popular mantlni;\ i j titled to continue with a program i socialization at a pace in keenincl th the nation's economic recovery, is pointed out also that the new teralism may satisfy itself with a e-long president as a substitute for constitutional monarchy. It is agreed by German industrial iders that the German workers c weary of striking and that the bor situation has been improved far as the shortage of coal and; w material permits. The authori-' say that German industries are I irking an average of perhaps four! mrs daily, and that this is the | nit possible with the present under I pply of coal. When the coal situ-1 ion improves it will be possible,! ey say, to make a real industrial J giryiug with raw materials. \ Fine Boy. Mrs. Thomas Pope and her fine! >unfr son, came up from Kinarda! id spent a day or two this week ith Chief Justice and Mrs. Gary. PEACE PROVISIONS J 'AO BE APPLICABLE REGARDLESS OF U. S. Berlin, Via Basle, Dec. 26.?The illied reply to the latest German ^ nnf.p recarHinp' the t.reatv nro- ^ ;ocol, was published here today. The first paragraph of the reply ;xpresses satisfaction that the Gernan government shares the point of riew of the allies that the provisions' )f the treaty of peace are applica5le from the moment of the treaty's ;ntry into force, whether ratification by the United States has or has not occurred. The allies take note :hat Germany "admits in principle no contracting party can refer" to the non-participation of the United States in the first deposit of ratification documents as a ground for questioning any stipulation of the ;reaty. The third paragraph expresses the ietermination of the allies to insist jpon demanding the signing of *he protocol with the provisions regarding compensation for the sinking of :he German warships in Scapa Flow anchanged. The fourth paragraph deals with j the willingness of the allies to re-!< iuce the tonnage demanded if it is ] proved that the demand vitally en- \ dangers Germarry. ? j CLEMENCEAU CERTAIN TO ( . BE ELECTED PRESIDENT , . 1 Paris, Dec. 26.?President Poin- j care's successor wiill be elected on ] January 17, according to the inference generally drawn by the Parisian j press from Premier Clemenceau'sji statement in the chamber that his ( cabinet would definitely resign on'; that date. It is also deduced from the' 1 premier's declaration that he will be12 a candidate for the presidency which ^ means he will be elected virtually i without opposition* Speculation regarding "the Tiger's' | successor as head of the cabinet is consequently eclipsing discussion as to the next president of the republic. Alexandre Millerand, governor, of Alsace-Lorraine, seems to have' great lead so far as predictions are' concerned. M. Clemenceau's acceptance of the; presidency is so far taken for granted: that gossip as to the next occupant; of the Slysee palace has been almost J compivtsly stifled. Iwo Devils Here. !, - I Charley Lyon and Fraser McDill.j each of whom was at one time a devil in the Press and Banner office,!3 and both of whom were devils to-1 gether for a short while, have been* visiting friends and relatives here during the holidays.^ Charley saw service across th* watfers in the Great War and lived up to the fighting re- | putation of his people, while Fraser : was on the way with his gun cocked ; when the Kaiser called "half rope." R r.lFNN IfAY 1 The friends of Mr. R. Glenn Kay, now of Elberton, but who formerly,] had charge of the Opera House at J Aibbeville for Mr. Verchott, will be; j sorry to learn that his place of busi- L ess in Elberton was burned during | the holidays. Mr. Kay has beenj transferred to Athens for sixty days,' after which he expects to return to! Elberton and take charge of the new I building which his employers arc. now erecting. j1 |! new warehouse. I ' Abbeville is to have a new warehouse, Dr. G. A. NeufFer is to be at he head of the new institution. The' books of subscription have been opened at the County Savings Bapik,' and already ? 10,000 htis been sub-j scribed. Home From the City. Miss Caroline Graves is spending the holidays with her father at Lati-, mer. She came down from Wash-: ington last Saturday and is enjoying the quiet of the country after the gay life of the big city. ) SECRETARY DANIELS TO LEAVE ADMIRAL SIMS' LETTER UNANSWERED Washington, Dec.' 2G.?Secretary Daniels will leave unanswered the etter of Admiral Sims refusing tc iccept the distinguished service medtl because of the alleged unfairness n the distriRution of naval war hon >rs, officers close to Daniels be- j ieved today. In view of his official position, Secretary Daniels could not afford ;o enter into "an argumentative correspondence" with Admiral Sims as ;o the right or wrong of his policy in awarding war decorations, these officers said. Secretary Daniels said ;hat he does not know yet whether ie will answer the Sims letter, as le has not considered it fully. It was pointed out, however, that VIr. Daniels' list of awards is not fet closed, no officer except Admiral Benson having been notified officialy of his decoration and there being idditional ' recommendations to be icted upon. ' y GOOD ROAPS MEETING Col Chas. W. Thatcher, New York, 3hief Engineer of Washington and L?ee Highway, who spoke here before ;he holidays will return for other speaking engagements ifi the county. He has promised to be in Abbeville )n Salesday in January, 5th to address the good roads' meeting then to be held. He also announces that le will speak at Lebanon -School, Souse on January 3rd. at 7 p. m. The people of Lebanon section are arranging to give him a good auiience when he appears there. ' i The Washington and Lee Highway according to Col.^Thatcher is to extend from Quebec to Los Angeles md of course will pass through Abbeville, Lebanon and Atlanta. Census Enumerators. The following additional appointments have been made, completing the census enumerators for this, county: Western Division, Abbeville Townships Mrs. James Ferguson. Eastern Division, Abbeville Township: R. S. McComb. Donalds Township: Robert G. Brownlee. Colonel E. H. Aull, of Newberry, who has charge of the census taking in this district, was here yesterday and reports that his machinery is all ready to begin running on time, and he expects to have the complete figures in hand when the call comes from headquarters for the final re-j port. SHORTAGE OF CATTLE WILL j KEEP BEEF PRICES HIGH I I Chicago, Dec. 28.?A shortage of, 1,000,000 cattle in the year just clos-! ing will cause high prices for beef! and beef products for at least seven! years more, it was declared by M. F.i Horine, statistician for the Union | Stock Yards, in his annual report yes^ terday. Mr. Horine said it will be impossi-! ble to make good the shortage ofi 1919 before 1927, and that the De-| jartment of .Agriculture report concerning the number of cattle in' the United tates was too optimistic. ALLAN ROBERTSON HOME. Allan Robertson, another of the( Abbeville boys who is making good! elsewhere, has been on a visit to his; sisters, Misses Mae and Eugenia Rob-1 ertson during the holidays. He madej himself a Christmas present of a; year's subscription to the Press and Banner while here, and will keeD ud with the progress of this tb\vn while away. He is making his home now in Oklahoma City. Leaving Us. Mr. R. H. Kay "left Saturday for Daltimore and New York, where he goes to select his stock of goods for his clothing business. Mr. Kay will p;o to nonea rain wnere ne win open up an up-to-date clothing1 business. His friends in Abbeville wish him great success. Tnanr nnn/iRninnu n in/tut uummio^n WANTS SETTLt MEN! , Public Asked About Guarantee Against Price Decline?After Answers Are Received Compilation to Be Made and Meeting Called?Hearing Will Be In March. Washington^ Dec. 28.?Business interests, labor unions and the public generally are to be sounded, out as to the sentiment in regard to the guarantee against price decline system said to be in use by many manufacturers and wholesalers in the sale ui. j^uuua, me icucicii tiauc tviuunr sion announcing.tonight that it had sent out several thousapd letters inquiring as to ht opinion of the plan. The guarantee against price decline system amounts to a guarantee by manufacturers anql wholesalers in selling goods that should a decline in price occur before delivery of the \ goods the buyer shall?benefit by the decline but if the market should rise before delivery, the manufacturer or wholesaler would assume the loss. Complaints lodfgec^ with the commission assert that working out of the plan tends to prevent a decrease in the cost of living. The commission in a letter to boards of trade, civic bodies, trade organs and papers, labor groups and | farmers' associations, made public j [today says: - "The question of guarantee against decline in prices has been the subject of so many complaints befor? the commission and opinion seems to be so diverse that the com- < mission has determined to go into the whole matter thoroughly. "As a basis for the necessary ex- . Ipenditures attending upon such an , j inquiry such formal complaintsw'have been issued presenting various phases of the subject. To the end that every party at interest may be v fully repx-esented. the commission is iflviting, generally, producers, manufacturers, merchants (wholesale and retail) and consumers to declare their interest so that-the commission may know what parties should be represented. "The?commission is asking you, therefore, to communicate as speedily and as widely as possible with vour mpmhprshin aHvisincr tViom n-f ! r e ? the invitation and to notify the commission of the nature of their interest in the subject, if any. "As soon as this list of the pariic * at interest in the matter be compiled it is the purpose of the commission to invite each or any of them to submit his observations in writing. This ? follows the custom of the commission1^ in numerous other similiar cases. A reasonable time limit for'' the filing of written statements will be given after which they will be assembled and as far as possible classified and each correspondent will be furnished a copy of the whole document. "As soon thereafter as is possible it is the purpose of the commission to call a general hearing at Washington nt urVn/?V* norfino of -?>. II Vt* 4 Ctww C*W? HibClCOb luajr be present in-person, by representative or by counsel, and an orderly method for hearing the matter will be laid out." Members of the commission said the proposed hearing probably would be held about the middle of March." \ Here From New York. Mr. Walter D. Tusten is here from New York spending a few days* with his sisters, Mrs. W. W. Bradley and Mrs. Eugene B. Gary. This is his first visit in some time and his old friends are glad to see him. WV WW VV VV VV ws \ tOTTON MARKET. V V V December 29. V V Spot Cotton _.. . .">!).50 V. ! \ v V January .... 37.75 V V Marc* 35.57 V V * .M.i.i ._ oo.oa V .July 32.20 V N N \