The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, January 10, 1918, Image 2
/ 'OAROING OF WOOL1
MAKES HIGH PRIOE5':
NO SCARCITY IN WORLD SUPPLY '
EXISTS NOW ASSERTS THE
WAR TRADE BOARD.
TEST FOR THE ARMY TRUCK
Delivered to Atlantic Seaboard Under
Its Own Power-Liberty Theaters in
Cantonment Camps Are Corhpleted
Naval Aircraft Factory.'
(I"rom-the Comnmittee on Public. Informa
tlion.)
Washington.--Iu a recent staterent
the war trade board declares that nu i
wool shortage exists, either in ine
world's suiply or in the amoullt cn p
hand In the t'i toi States, hotwith- a
standing the increasei coansumption 1a
for military piurposes. The clip in t
most countries has steadily increased s
sinee the outbreak of the war.
"The price of wool has advanced t
in the United States by a percentage t
greatly in excess of such price ad- a
vances in other countries," says the t
statement. "The price in the United I
States has advance(d 200 per cent r
above the prewar level. The price in 1
england is fixed at 55 per cent in
excess of prewar prices.
"Cloth manufacturers (in the Unit
ed States) have been impelled by fear }
to carry abnormal stocks of wool, and
to contract with dealers and i- n
porters for unusual quantities for far
forward delivery. Manufacturers of
clothing have been infected by a like n
dread, inciting the purchase of cloth n
exceeding in volume their reasonable a
needs. 11
"The consumaption of wool during a
1918 will be little if any greater than n
it was during 1917."
Army trucks for use in France are
being delivered to the Atlantic sea- a
board from Interior storage depots y
under their own power. a
If the plan is successful, the deliv- s
Arf' of the 30,000 war trucks under r
construction under their own power
will release 15,000 freight cars which
would be required to transport them r
by rail. It will also provide adequate i
effective corps of transport drivers t
and oillcers, who will reach France
with a minimum of training to be re
quired. Wear and tear on the trucks
will be slight compared with the ben
efits derived from their use.
The government "Liberty" theaters
at the 10 National nriy' cantonments
are all completed,' and in a few per
formntces have been given. TheI
buildings, which ire supervised by
the war department '-commission on
training camp activities, are 120 feet
wide and 171) feet long, made of i'ne
boards, unpainted, but . aced with
heavy building paper, which makes
the sides airtight. Complete ventilat
ing systems have been lnstallel aind (
heat is supplied by steam 111(1 small t
stoves.
There are fiye large entrances and
15 exits, andl the theater, seating
8,000 men, may -be- emiptiedl in about 4
one inute.
The stage is 65 feet wvide. The floor I
of the audlitorium is salucer-shlapedl and
sloping, so every seat provides a clear
view of the stage. The seats are
benches fitted with~ comfortable I
backs, and sections will be0 reserved
so tickets may be purchased in ad
Vance. The "soallage" books, soon1 to
be placed on Male, will ibe good for<
all these theaters, as well as chautau- a
*qua tents.
Tihe mnotion-picture booth, housing
two machines, Is asbestos lined, The a
stage has an asbestas curtain. Light- 4
ing effects are similar to those of 4
standard city thleater's.
The theater is placed on the highest I
point of ground~ in each camp, andl in
many camps the post ofmie, main
library building .111nd hostess houses
are near by, making a sort of towvn 1
cente:' where large iumbers of men 4
gathler each nighlt. -
The tower on top of the stage loft, I
about 75 feet from' the ground, serves<
as a signal tower for -wigwagging. F
The recently comnpletedl naval air
cragdtrti'ycovers three acres, the s
undng'heng400 by 300 feet. The v
* keel of the first flying boat was laid 90 I1
days after building work was begun. t>
The plant, with -equipment, cost 11
$1,000,000.
*There is opportunity for employment
at the aircraft factory for 2,000 skilled I
workmen from :almost every trade,
Women can sewv covers on the wings
and perform sople of. the lighjter wood-J
working operation~s, and it is expected
that several hynd1red women will be
employed.
The post olflce department has estab- I
liahed coastwise parcel-post water I
routes td facilitate service for the can- I
tonmients, which will operate to relieve 4
war-time railroad congestion,.
The working hours of clerks in the
Interior Departient building at Wash- I
ington have been changed to run I
from 8:45 to 4:15 Instead of 9 to 4:30,
to relieve congestion in street railway
care of the overcrowded capital.
Mrs. Jason Dole of Northfleld, Vt., is I
knitting for the Soldiers. This is thei
third conflict she has been actively in.
terested in, as her brother was In the
i Civil war, her son Arthur in the Span- I
ish-American war and her grandson, 4
fle Dole, ts now in France.
The foll(owIng paagraph of Army
Riegulaton.: is the only rule now exist
ng regardiug the relatinship between
dflicers and cn'isted uiren:
"Su rioi it re f'otrl.1i In to injure
hose utinder their altt iuthoity by tyran
eal or capricious rwuiiuieit or by abu
sl ae iziging ". r Ii' 1unu intatinting dis
ipline andi the il riough and prompt
terfornmtnt e ol tilltsry duty, all otil
'ers, in denting w hit enlisted men, will
>ear in mind the blus.lite necessity of
ro trenting (lbin ts to preserve their
elf-respect. t tIlicers will keep in as
'lose touchi ;s poe sihh- with the men
dreer thi-r co1nnanil. will strive to
tuild up such reiltions of contflIence
rid syrtait hy as will insure the free
piprtnth.' of their men to them for
"dunisel an aissistance. This relation
hip tmtay be gained and maintained
ritho'ut relaxati in of the bonnds of di1
-lpdine and1(1 with great benefit to the
erg ie ais at whole."
;ali ng tmder American names in the
i'rvice of the United States are 109
4'rmattn ships daaged by their crews
rIor to their seizure by the govern
oent when war was declared. They
dd more than 500,000 gross tonnage
the transport and cargo fleets in war
ervice for the United States.
There is evidence that a German cen-,
ral authority gave orders for dhatago
a these ships, so that none could be
perated in less than eighteen months,
1nd d(iocumentary proof that the enemy
elleved mnuch of the damage was ir
eimrahle. In less than eight inonths
11 the ships were in service.
The former Germtan liners, sailing
lder distinctly American names, are
ow fitted as troop and cargo ships,
tn(h is convertible to a completely
quilped hospital ship for return-voy.
ge service.
Distribution of allowance and allot
tent checks to dependents of enlisted
ten of the United States has required
n extra night shift of clerks and typ.
Its in the bureau of war risk isur.
nee. The first checks represent allot
tents made by enlisted men from theib
rovember pay, together with stipu.
ited government allowances.
Every enlisted man in the militar3
nd naval forces of the United Stnte
iho has a wife and children dependent
n him is required to allot for their
upport at least $15 a month, but not
uore' than half his pay. To this the
overnient adds monthly allowances.
Commissioned otlleers are not re
mired to make allotments, and the
;overnment does not provide allow
maces for their dependents.
The next examination through which
;raduates of approved engineer schools
nay apply for commissions as provi
;lonai engineers, corps of engineers,
vill be held about the middle of the
Coming summer.
Students in approved technical
Ichools who are considered as rating
n the upper third of their classes may
titer the enlisted reserve corps, and
to enlisted will be permitted to remain '
)n the inactive list until they have
ompileted their college courses. When
hey leave their colleges these students
vill be called for active service in
oime branch of the engineer service
"f the army or will be discharged to
ake their chances tinder the selective
ervice law.
Regulations made public by the air
raft board corresp~onding to those ob
aining in Great Britain providle that
hould a military avintor make a
orcedl landing, the public, after ascer
aining that the aviator is not injured,
ihall keep clear of the machine to
ninimi ze danger from inexperienced
tandlinig of control wires and instru
nients.
When there is no military post or en
ampm~tent near the scene from which
guard may be sent the police from
lhe nearest town are requestedl to pro
'(de guard at once. Railroad and
teamship companies have been re
iuestedh to instruct employees to ren
Ier ali assistance to .aviators who may
>e forced to land in remote places or
n the water.
S6 diers at the cantonments woulet
ather see service at once on the battle
ines as [privates than go later as ofil
ers. In many instances enlisted men
~ligible for admission to officers' train
ng schools have refused to apply be
'ause they feared the work would les
en their chances of immediate active
ervice in E~urope.
In one division, with 380 men to be
elected for training schools, only 40
gould apply. The rumor was abroad
tcamp that the division would sail
efore the work at the school was comn
leted, and not until the men were as
uredl that the schools would move
vith the divisions were the quotaas
Illed.,
F~liers and balloonists, although sub- I
ect to the selective-service law, may
tnlist as heretofore upon passing the I
lxamitnation at the nearest aviation er,
imining board. Nonflying officers un, I
ier thirty-one years of age are not now I
>eing accepted, except a limited num-n
>er of graduates of recognized engi- I
ueering colleges or others who can
iualify as expert engineers, Aerial I
ibservers are not now being accepted.1
Estimates show the government
irinting office will use 100,000,000
toundis of paper, costing about $4,000,.
'00, thin year.
Men working in many coal mine.
hroughout the country voluntarily
rut down the Christmas holiday to
ceep factory fires burning and house.
rarm.
The heaviest food contracts in the
tistory of the world have been let re
ently to 14 of the great packing
tnnses ot the Uinitedaes.
1--Belgian engineers repairmng
rine chasers operating in the upper
4-Scene in Bethlehem, birthplace<
NEWS REVIEW OF
THE PAST WEENi
Wilson's Assumption of Control
of Railroads Is Long Step
Toward Efficiency.
GREAT POWERS FOR M'ADOG
Secretary Baker Prodded by Senate
Committee-Teutonic Peace Sug
gestions Made by Count Czernin
in Reply to the Russiani Bol
sheviki Proposals.
By EDWARD W. PICK AIRD.
The great event of the wve k, for the
United States and, indirectly for the
allied cause, was President Wilson's
action in assuming control of the rail
ways and steamship lines within the
borders of this country. This step,
Mr. Wilson said, had become implera
tively necessary because this is a war
of resources no less than of men, and
in order that the resources of America
be completely mobilized the transpor
tation systems of the country must he
organized and operatt d under a singlc
authority.
This single authority is William G.
McAdoo, secretary of the treasury,
wniho was appond indirector general
because, as the President expressed it,
"his practical expierience peculiarly
fits him for the service and his author
ity as secretary of the treasury en
ses him to co-ordinate as no other
man could the many financmil inter
ests which will be involved." Mr. Mc
Adoo assumed control at noon Friday,
Not only rail and steamship lines
are included in the president's proc
lamation, hut also all terminals, sleep
Mng and parlor cars, private cars and
car lines, railroad elevators and ware
houses, railroad telegraph and tele
phone lines and interurban electric
lines carrying freight only. Stockhold
ers of railroads are guaranteed a profit
equal at least to the average profits
diuing the three fiscal years ending
June 30, 1917, which wvill be about 5.21
per cent on the capital investment.
Step Is Generally Commended.
General and hearty approval was
given President Wilson's action, alike
by railway officials, financiers and the
public. Th - first named gave assur
ance of their earnest co-operation with
Director General McAdoo, and in near
ly every instance declared their be
lief that the plan adopted would be
entirely satisfactory. They had known
for some time that some such thing
must be done, for the committee of
executives that has been in large meas
ure directing the operation of railways,
though doing excellent and disinter
ested work, had been unable to solve
the problem of equitable distribution
of earnings. Complete unity of opera
tion will permit of this, and will re
miut in more efficient conduct than has
ieen possible heretofore.
It is probable that, under Mr. Mc
idoo's direction, competition for earn
ngs being eliminated, many competing
rains will be withdrawn and passen
rer traffic will be largely curtailed.
rhere will be a general shifting of
niling stock and much freight equip
nent wvill be sent to eastern terrn
ory from the South and West to re
love the congestion of transportation
ft war materials. Naturally, every
hing else will be subordinated to the
var needs of the nation. It is not uin
ikely that passenger rates will be
'aised to three cents a mile.
The one element of the population
hat may not entirely approve of gov
rnment control is the railway broth
'rhoods. Their opportunity to en
~orce by strike their demands for In
~reased pay has vanished, though it
s only fair to assume that their loyal
~y and patriotism would not have per
nitted them to tie up the country's
transportation. The heads of the
brothierhoods were called to the White
Elouse to confer with the president on
their requests for higher wages. The
increases askled average about 44) per
sent. What the government will grant
af course is not yet knom.,. In thi
1 roadway over which heavy guns are in
Adriatic. 8-Regiment of Cuban infantr
if Christ, now occupied by the British fu
matter, as in all others, Iirector Mc
Adoo has plenary powers. Indeed,
next to the president, he is now the
most powerful oflicial in the nation, his
authority being paramount to that of
the Interstate commerce comnission
and the state railway commission.
He can revise rates, deterimne divi
dends and even discharge and apipoint
directors and other oflicials.
Senate Committee Prods Baker.
Bureaucratic methods and the red
tape in which they are entangled were
rather mercilessly exposed in the in
quiry conducted by the senate commit
tee on military affairs, and as one re
sult the committee did preclsely what
President Wilson successful Iy opposed
last summer when he defeated the
plan to create a congressional commit
tee on the conduct of the war. After
hearing that more than 20,000 men in
the army camps are without overcoats
and nearly 47,000 without winter
blouses, the committee adopted a reso
lution asking Secretary Baker to sup
ply these deficiencies at once and to
permit camp commanders to cut the
red tape and purchase the garments
wherever possible. The secretary of
war also was requested to ascertain
whether any other serious shortages
existed and if so, to obtain the sup
plies at once. Mr. Baker said he would
take the action requested.
Th'le committee has been finding out
a great many things that explain much
of the exasperating and perilous delay
in equipping our troops with arms, mu
nitions and other supplies and the
good effects of the investigation are
already apparent in the speeding up
that is being shown.
Interesting Developments in Chicago.
Without betraying government plans,
it may be said that arrnngements are
being made to devote a great part of
Chicago's manufacturing resources to
the making of large caliber guns and
finished shells. It was stated a local
director of muniteons might be appoint
ed to ap~portion the war contracts.
Another event of importance in Chi
cago-mportant to the whole country
---was the definite settlement, dlurlIng
the wvar, of all labor troubles at the
stockyards. Through the efforts of
goveranmen t officials an agreemuen t was
reached that there shall be no more
strikes or lockouts and that all dif
ferences that cannot be adjusted by
the companies' general managers shall
b~e referredl to tihe. United State's ad
ministrator, whose dlecision shalml be
final. John Es. Williams of Streator,
famed1 for his success in handling la
bor troubles, was appointed admainis
trator by Secretary of Labor WVilson.
It is understood that the agreement
reached in this case represents the
policy the government intends to pur
sue in all pending labor disputes that
affect the making or handling of war
supplies. Union labor won a big point
Iat Chicago in that the agreement pro
vides that the men and women at the
yards can belong to unions if they so
desire,
Conscription of labor to buIld shIps
was suggested by Senators Sherman,
Nelson and Bankhead when Vice
Chairman Stevens . of the shipping
board told the senate commerce corn
mittee that between 200,000 and 800,
000 more men were needed to com
plete the boarn.'s program within the
next year. Mr. Stevens, however, con
tended that conscriptIon of labor would
never be accepted by the American
people.
Christmas Peace Offer.
Kaiser Wilhelm did not make his
predicted Christmas peace offer. He
did, however, deliver another of his
bombastic proclamations to his armies,
In which he gave the German soldiers
high praise and added the statement
that if his enemies would not consent
to such peace terms as he has sug
gested in the past, Germany's Iron
fist and flaming sword would compel
them' to yield, At the same time
Count Ozernin, the Austro-Hfungarian t
foreign minister, was telling the peace t
conference at Brest-Litovek that the j
central powers were resolved to sign e
terms Immediately which will termin- ~
ate the war on conditions that will be r
just to all belligerents, Without forcible i
annexations and indemnities. They e
approved, he said, of the basic princi
pies uttered by the Russian delegates,
but insisted these proposals could be J
realized only if all the belligerents ob-a
ligated themselves to adhere .to the m
terms of such a peace. He said Ger
many could not allow the right of 5
self-determination of conirol to be ap
plied in her colonIal possessions, .
V~~
4.,.
/: 4s
la
oveed. 2-Flotilla of Italian subma- by
y in training in an American camp. bc
ca
The chairman of the Russian dele- WE
gation declared Czernin's reply to the at
liussiani p roJosals was Ilcomplete and to
in saune respects unsatisfactory. The
bolsheviki leaders still seem to tope
the entente allies and the United
States will participate in the negotia- cr
tions they have started, but there are tic
no present indications that this hope
will he realized. Meanwhile Germany
continues to remove vast numbers of th
troops from the east front to the west, :r
calmly ignoring the impotent protests th
of Trotsky.
Though Czernin's statement was 01
made on behalf of all four of the Teu- er
tonic allies, it is not at all pleasing m
to Bulgaria. King Ferdinand declares ed
his country intends to hold what she th
has won. tb
During the week the bolsheviki he
made little if any progress in their m
civil war against the Cossacks and the
Ukrainians. The former kept up their er
fight in southern Russian and the lat- ar
ter were reported to have occupied the di
headquarters of the Fourth, Eighth is
and Eleventh armies on the Roumanian a
and southwestern fronts, disarming wi
the troops that resisted them and seiz
ing quantities of arms and supplies. fr
Bolsheviki Accuse United States.
Trotsky and his followers attempt
ed to fasten on Ambassador Francis
and other American officials guilt of w
engaging in a plot to assist Kaledines,
by sending to Rostov motor cars and ?I
money consigned to the American Red a
Cross in Russia. Colonel Kolpash- to
nikoff, who had bought the cars in
America, was thrown into prison and v
the bolsheviki newspapers railed
against the Americans. Trotsky de- A
manded an explanation from Mr. Fran- IF
cis, and when it came it l.rft him with dt
no leg to stand on. However, he kept SC
the colonel locked up, and then it de- or
veloped that Kolpashnikoff was one of ni
those who strictly examined Trotsky P1
at Ialifax when he was on his way to C!
Rusmsia-enter the clement of personal
enmity. The whole affair was a mnre's al
nest, b~ut on Thursday Trotzky tele- be
grap~hed Commander in Chief Kry- ra
lenko: "New sympathy has beein mani- w
fested between the American implerial-. e
ists and~ Kaledines."o
As was to be expected, Japan is pay- os
ing serious attention to the efforts of de
the boisheviki to make peace with Ger- ei
many. The emperor andl some of his ~
most trusted advisers conferred the ta
other (lay On the steps Japan should
take to protect her interests. .I
China's increasing interest in the war
was demonstrated by events at lHar-t
bin, Manchuria, where Chinese fought
and defeated the Maximnalists, disarm. bE
ed thenm and took possession of them
city.
*Fierce Fighting in italy. c
Military operations for the week ~
were in the main confinedl to Italy, butr
the fighting there was bitter enough th
to do for all fronts. The Teutons hav- Co
lag failed to break* through to the oI
plains between the Piave and the
Brenta, renewed their attacks on the Id
Asiago plateau west of the latter river. Itr
Positions on the Col del Rosso and~ Am
Monte del Val Bella changed hands e1
three times, the Italians finally being to
forced'to retire somewhat. But their , o
apposition was so determined and the ('e
losses of the enemy so heavy that the Si<
latter could not follow up their gain.
Bvery day increases the probability ur
hat the Teutons will be held or wvill ac
ie compelled to fail back to preserve bil
heir lines of communication. The be
pirit of the Italians is high and help as
~rom France and Great Britain is be
'teadily flowing to them-.c
Apparently Von Hlndenburg had not .pr
~et found the soft spot on the west de
ront at which to strike, for the only be
erious attack the Germans made oc
here was in the Verdun sector east of or
he Meuse. Five successive assaults WI
vere made, but the French beat them WI
LIl off with heavy loss to the enemy. og
Alarmed by the growing strength of
he minority Socialist, in Germany, pg
hat branch of the party that refuses to
ollow Scheidemann and that persist
ntly attacks the war program of the
:overnment, the kaiser caused the ar- i
est on Christmas eve of more than
00 members of the faction in a large
umber of cities, thp
Another shakeup in the British ad
airalty started with the retirement of
kdpnirah Jelicoe from' the post of first of
en lord. He is succeedeud by. Vice Ad- o
airal Wemnyss. ti
The senate inst a valuable and hard- i
ror'king member last week in the death
it Francis (I. Nedlands of Nevada.
Re died in the haress, auddenhy.
I&.SON ASKS FR4
NEW LEGISLATION
NTS TO REGULATE THE GOV- I
ERNMENT OPERATION OF
RAILROADS IN U. S.
APPROVED BY CONGRESS
ks That Carrier Be Guaranteed
ompensation on Oasis of Ayerage
)perating Income for the Last
rhree Years.
Washington.--Legislation to regu
,e the government operation of rail
ads and to guarantee the carriers
mpensation on the basis of their
erage operating income for the
it three years was asked of Congress
President Wilson in an address to
th houses in joint session. Bills
ibodying his recommendations and
rrying an appropriation of a half
Ilion dollars as a "revolving fund"
re introduced immediately and an
tempt will be made to rush them
prompt passage.
While the president's address met
th general approval among demo
ate and republicans alike, opposi
n is expected to develop to a pro
sion in the administration bill that.
[leral control shall continue after
e war indefinitely or until congresa
lers otherwise and other details of
e compensation basis.
The plan will affect immediately
ly the wage requests of the broth
hoods but demands which may be
ade later by other classes of organis
labor probably will be handled in
e same way, Mr. McAdoo reserving
e right to make whatever decision
i chooses without regard to recom
endations of the advisers.
Some increases, both to the broth
hoods and to other railway labor,
e generally considered certain. The
rector general in a statement prom.
ad every employee "that his rights
d interests will be justly dealt
th," and appealed for a hearty
>ilt of enthusiasm and co-operation
m every one.
Efforts to speeed the movement of
al and other freight continued along
th the legislative and labor phases
the railway movement and special
ders were h.sued providing that 500
Iditional cars shall be furnished daily
a certain specified bituminous and
thracite mines, mainly in Pennsyl- 4
nia, for supplying New England.
These problems forced Mr. Mc.
1oo to postpone action on eastern
seenger traffic officials' reconimen
tions for curtailment of passenger
hedules but he is expected to issuc
ders then for abandonment of a
imber of trains and elimination of
rlor and sleeping cars to a great
tent.
Mr. MoAdoo explained today tha4
though no general prooisions .can
made under the law for exemnnting
ilroadl employes tromi the draft, he
Il not hesitate to anneal to local
emp~tion boards to defer the calling
these workers if the boards of their
vn violition do not dianlay a ten
ncy to regard the railroads as an
sential industry from which em.
syees should not be taken for mill
ry service.
When the president concluded, the
ministration hill was htitroduced in
e senate by Senator Smith, of South
trolina, ranking Democratic mom
r of the interqtate commerce com.
ittee. In addition to nnnropnriatin
00,000,000 and nroviding for --the
mnpensation basis under which the
'vernmnent guarantoo~s an. agr'egate
turn of some $900.000lf 000 a year
e measure sets forth in detail the
liditions upon whfroh erovernment
oration is to be carried on..
Under the last provision the pres.
ant is expected to issue an order
insferring to Director. General Mo.
loo all functions vested in the chiel
acutive. This will enahle the divec.
r general to organize a cornoration
r handling railroad securities in ao.
rdance ulth a plan now under con..
leration.
Railroad officials are exnectedl to
go a number of mod'fications of the
counting method prescribed by the
I for reachinal the standard return
isi. but officials exnect the scheme
outlined in the bill nrobably will
followed -in the main. Some di.
elon is looked for over. the bill'e
ovision that new federal taxes un;
r the war revenue act are not tq
charged against the revenue 111
mputing the standard retturn as ar
dinary taxes. The effect of tis
11 be to reiquire railroads to pay
tr taxes out of their 'goverrimentaj
mpensation.
ANS REVEALED FOR TWO
BILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM
Washington-Plans for a two-bit
a dollar government ship-building
agram were revealed when the ship.
ig board asked Congress for an..
nrity to place $'701.000,000 worth of
Sitional ship contracts. At the
ne time an Immediate appropriation- .
$81,000,000 .was asked for the exs
talon of shipyards and for provid..
r housing facilities for workmen
us far the board has been authon.
4 to upend for shipst$1234,000,00I