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iUatchman ana irattoriro* WATCHMAN, Established April, 1850. ?Be Jaet and I?r not?Lwt Ml tot nods Thon AUM't M be thy Country's, Ibj Uod't aad Treta's." THUS TB?M SOUTHRON, BltabMnhSS JPeaJ, 1' Consolidated Aug. 2,1881. SUMTER, 8. C, SATURDAY, MARCH 17, 1917. VoLXLIV. No. 9. Four Big Brotherhood Leaders Direct Train men to Quit Work Tomorrow. Itch Side Rejects Offer* Proposed by The Other and Ooly Hope to Avert Traffic Tie-up is Intervention of President Wilton, Which, Poeaibly, Would Not Prove Effective? Soathern Part of United States to Be Affected by Sunday. Now York, March 15.? "pro strike"' of the 400,000 mem af the four great railroad broth to begin at ? o'clock ( central ) Saturday on Eastern roads was otwsroa here late today. The walk will extend to all the railroads in country within Ave days. Chiefs of the workmen's organisations sot Use strlks machinery In motion within n few minutes after sn ultimatum de Hfsael to the conference committee sj| railroad managers had been re? jected. A compromise proposal offer? ee ay the managers was declined without debate. Only successful intervention by President Wilson. it appeared to? night, can avert a strike. The broth? erhood lsaders gavs no Indication that even an appeal from the nation's executive can change their pur to obtain a basic eight hour day and pro rata time for overtime through the use of the "protective feature'* of their organlaztions. They refused flatly to submit their case to the eight hour commission headed ay i J. Oen. Ooethals or to await the decision of the supreme court on the constitutionality of the Adarason law. freight employes, yardmen and en? gine hostlers on the New York Cen? tral IIaso east and west, the Nickel Plate and the Baltimore A Ohio and In the great yards in Chicago and St. will be the first to leave their They will be followed on Sunday by the same classs of workmen on the Southern railway, the Norfolk * Western, the Virginian, the Chesa? peake A Ohio and a group of North? western railroads. The time when the walkout will ex? tend to the other lines was uncertain. It was said, but the men will be ailed out In groups svery 13 or 24 hojrs. Eltsh.i Lee. chairman of tho nation? al conference committee of the rail? roads, mads the following statement: "We have offered to leave to the Ooethals sight hour commission re? cently appointed by the president any question that may remain unset? tled by the decision of the supreme court In the pending Adamson law oass. We regret that tho leaders of the organisations hsve refused to accept this offer end that trey have notified us that they huve ordered a series of strikes on the railroads of the country beginning Saturday night at f o'clock. 5 'The ultimatum presented to the railroads by the organisations was that ws must immediately put Into effect their interpretation of the law now before the supreme court for a determination of the constitutionality and meaning without waiting for the decision of the court. "Wo declined to accept this propo? sition, feeling thst we must await and abide by the Judgment of the court, and we thereupon made the following formal offer for a settle? ment of the Issues involved: "(I) If th? supreme court holdi the Adsmson law to be constitutions' and the two sides can not agree oi the application of any of the point, ws will agree that the eight houi commission shall determine how th< law shall be applied. **(!> In case the law is declared unconstitutional we offer to Join yo to determine the whole controveis In asking the eight hour commlssior eny settlement arrived at to be effc< tlve January 1. 1917. "This offer for a feasible adjust ment was refused." The brotherhood s side of tho con troversy wss msde public in a state ment signsd by the four brotherhood chiefs. W. L. I^ee for tho trainmen W. S. Carter for the firemen. L. I Sheppard for the conductors und W S. Stone for the engineers. "Ws presented a proposition t< piece ths Adamson eight hour law into effect slong the lines miggoete? ey President Wilson last August which eras that in sll rond service ex sent pstsjsnger where schedules nnv read 1x1 huedred miles or less. nln< HpT ten 'lo'ir or lein, overtime ,tt \< or 11 miles per hour,' insert eight j hours or iess, for a basic day and 12 1-2 miles per hour for speed basis for the purpose of computing over? time, overtime to be paid for not less than one-eighth of the daily rate per hour. In all yard, switching and hustling service where schedules now read '10, 11 or 12 hours or lers shall constitute a day's work' insert 'eight hours or less shall constitute a day's work.' Overtime to be paid for at not less than one eighth of the daily rate per hour. In passenger service the present mileage basis will be maintained provided that tho basic paasenger day will not be in excess of eight consecutive hours. Overtime to be paid for at not less than one eighth of the daily rate per hour. "The conference committee of the railways took our proposition under consideration at the afternoon meet? ing, notified us that they could not accept it and aubmitted in lieu thereof the following: " 'If the supreme court holds the law to be constitutional and the two sides can not agree on the applica? tion of any of the points, we will agree that the eight hour commis sclon shall determine how the law shall be applied. "In case the law is declared un? constitutional we offer to join you In asking tho eight hour commission to determine the whole controversy Any settlement arrived at to be ef? fective from January 1, 1917.' "It will be noted that In eventuality the managers' committee have declin? ed to negotiate any settlement of the eight hour day. that if the law is held constitutional they will not agree to our Interpretation of the law am'* desire to submit the applicatloa of the law to arbitration, the members of the eight hour commission being the arbitration board. "On the other hand, If the law Is declared unconstitutional they de? cline to mako any settlement of the. matters in controversy with us and again offer to submit the matter to arbitration, the members of the eight hour commission being the arbitra? tors. "If the railroads are willing to sub? mit either of these propositions to (arbitration it is evident they are will? ing to give their employes an eight hour day if the arbitration board so decidos, but the roads themselves will never grant the request directly. "We submit that this is an unfair attitude for the conference commit? tee of tho railways to assume, for if they are willing to grant the eight hour day through any method they should be willing to grant it directly to their empoyea and not prolong the controversy. "Tho public should remember that ufter having tailed to reach an agreement with tho conference com? mittee of tho railways last August, President Wilson intervened and at tempted to mediate our differences und, ufter hearing both sides of the discussion and considering the matter for several days proposed a settle? ment which set.lenient is practically the same as wo have Just proposed to the railroads. Tho railroads re? fused to accept the president's prop? osition, when the president recom? mended to congress the enactment of a law similar to his proposition. This congress did when tho railroads again refused to accept the decision of congress and have not yet observed the law in a single instance. "It If apparent to us that tho pur? pose of the lallroads Is to IVOMsny settlement of the matter until such time as the country becomes Involved in w^r, when they expect to escape any settlement of whatever charac? ter. Bvejfl though the supreme courl decide that tho law was constitti t?on;d, we have noticed that they will not accept our interpretation thereof, which In practically the same as tho president proposer! when he recom mended the enactment of the law. therefore decision of the supreme court upholding tho constitutionality of the law would not e*; en Indirectly REVOLT IN RUSSIA. STARTLING NEWS OF REVOLU. TION IN CZAR'S EM? PIRE. German ami Swedish Newspapers Pub? lish Reports or Widespread ami Successful Uprising Against Russian Government. Berlin, March 15.?The Overseas News Agency says there has been a successful revolution in Russia. Stockholm, March ^5.?Reports of serious disturbances in Russia are ap? pearing in Swedish newspapers. It is reported that the railroad bridge over the Neva at Petrograd Was dynamited and that mobs stormed the shops thero Saturday. Travelers from Mos? cow say thcro has been open revolt in many Russian cities since Thurs? day. obtain for the employes the purpose of the law. I "It goes without saying that imil road employes have been patient ^.nd loyal to the Interests of the couijtry and in the event of war have offer? ed their services to the government. It must not be overlooked that dur? ing this period when the railroads have persistently denied their em? ployes that which wa3 intended by the president in his proposition and which was intended by the congress in the Adamson law, the railroads during a year's period show net earn? ings of over $1,000,000,000, while the employes with no Increase in wages have suffered an increase in cost of living equal to more than 10 ..<et cent. "If after more than a year we have failed to get some relief and train and enginemen conclude to fold their hands and starve in reality rather than by degrees, should they be con? sidered as disloyal to their flag? "Why not place some of the re? sponsibility on the employers who can very easily stop all talk of stop? page of trains by recognizing that . such employes must either lower their standards of living or they must work longer than ten hours out of each ?4 in order to retain American standards." Joseph Hartigan, city commissioner of weights and measures,; who had appealed to the brotherhoods to per? mit the movement of food trains-into thi3 city, received a letter signed by the chiefs of the four organisations in which they said the strike call had been so arranged that the movement of food and fuel into New York city would not be stopped for several days after the strike begins on certain Eastern roads. The letter follows: "Every indication now seems to war- j rant the statement that the freight) train-?, engine and yard employes on certain railways entering this city will I peacefully withdraw from service at 7 p. m. Saturday, March 17, and that the employes on other lines will con? tinue service for several days there? after, making it possible, In our opin? ion, to furnish this city food and fuel supplies for several days after the strike becomes effective. "We regret exceedingly the neces? sity of Inconveniencing the public in any way and have declined to give our approval for the stoppage of the work of regular road passenger em? ployes for a period of five days after the strike becomes effective, the re? sult of which will be that regular milk trains and passenger trains handling only passenger equipment can oi erate as usual." In his statement to the New York j Central employes, President Smith said "Concerning the controversy now in progress regarding wages of employes in train service, | \Vjah to give you the following facts for your informa? tion: "The position of this company Ui j that we should properly await the decision of the supreme court which i now has the Adamson law under con I sideration. We have joined with the other railroads in saying to your rep? resentatives who are in session here that if the Adamson law is declared eonstitutional you are automatically taken care of. Should any question arise o? to the interpretation of the law which wo can not readily agree upon among ourselves, we shall be glad to abide by any award made in the matter by the Goethals commis? si??! which WOS appointed by the gov? ernor id to Investigate the question, "Should the Adamson law be de? clared unconstitutional, the Goethals commission shall act as intermediary and drclare what is equitable and we shall abide by its decision, which shall date from January l, 1917. 'You are ull aware that the people EDWIN W. ROBINSON OF COLUM? BIA WIRES ARMY OFFICERS. Columbians Raise $50,000 to Purchase Land for Army Encampment?Tin? man's Aid is Appreciated by Com? mittee. Columbia, March 15.?Gen. Leon? ard Wood and his staff were notified! yesterday that Columbians have con? tributed $50,000 to purchase a site for the United States army cantonment. A telegram announcing the result of the meeting was sent by Edwin W. Bobertson, chairman of the central committee, in charge of the move? ment to secure the army for Colum? bia. The result of the meeting WHM telegraphed to Senator B. R. Tilhnan and August Kohn, who returned yes? terday from New York. He signed the pledge to contribute $1,000. Mr. Robertson wired Maj. C. E. Kilbourne, member of the staff of Gen. Wood, as follows: "Had a rousing meeting of our sub? stantial citizens last night who quick? ly, gladly and enthusiastically put up $50,000 to buy and donate to government 1,200 to 1,500 acres of the land over which you have been. We await the pleasure of the army offi? cials and extend a royal welcome. If there is anything we have not done which ought to be done just say the word. Senator Tillman has pledged his active support and his word is as good as old wheat. I have excellent reason to believe Washington much impressed by condition and personnel of our two regiments on the border which is ascribed to the healthy con? ditions and climate surrounding Columbia. Please file with our re? port. I feel this morning as good as a game cock." The following message was sent to Senator Tillman: "Had rousing meeting of our sub? stantial citizens last night who quickly gladly and enthusiastically ?put up $50,000 to buy and donate to government 1.200 acres of land for arfny cantonment and have wired this information to headquarters, Gover? nor's Island. Your indorsement and support wonderfully and sincerely ap? preciated by all of us. Wish you could have been present and witness? ed temper of crowd." Until the year 1874 the Japanese used to vaccinate on the tip of the nose. of this country are confronted by many critical situations at the pres? ent moment. These include food for its people, supplies for the millions of laborers engaged in manufacturing plant 7, as well as the safety of the nation itself. "In view of the foregoing facts, 1 ask nou to remain at work pending a conclusion of the matter as above outlined, which we trust will be rea? sonably prompt and equitable, and we trust that the government and the people will sec to it that the railroad companies themselves are in some way fairly reimbursed to met these new requirements as well as the very high cost of all material and sup? plies we now are using and which is causing much embarrassment and re? tarding their development." No formal outline of the brother? hood's programme beyond the plans for these two days was made either to the managers or to the public. It was said, however, that the freight employes on the other roads in the country would be called out in groups at 12 or 24 hour intervals after Sun? day. If the paralysis of freight traffic thus caused does not result in sur? render by the railroads before that time the employes on all passenger trains will be ordered out Wednesday. The railroad managers said tonight they expected that enough of their imn would remain loyal to enable them to operate a skeleton eervtea on most roads. The members of the managers' committee Will remain here until to? morrow. If the men ask another con? ference it will be granted. They said they would make every effort to operate their roads in spite of theii strike. Preference will bo given to the movements of trains carrying foo<! and fuel. When the managers offered to abide by any decree of the Goethals commission if the Adamson act were declared unconstitutional, w. G, i^e, president of the Brotherhood of Kail road Trainmen, spokesman for the employes, declared; "That would be only another form of arbitration and our men are lick and tired of arbitration." ID IP HIB The Algonquin Sailed from New York for London With Foodstuffs. Sunk by Shell-Fire From submarine at 6 O'clock Monday Morning. Attack Made Without Warning. Submarine Re? fused to Render Any Assistance to Crew. London, March 14.?The American steamer Algonquin was sunk by a German submarine, without warning, on March 12th. According to a re? port from American Consul J. G. Stephens at Plymouth, all aboard were saved. Consul Stephens reports that the captain of the Algonquin stated that his ship was sunk by shell fire. The steamer was submarined at o'clock in the morning and the sub? marine refused to render any assist? ance. Twenty-seven of the men have been landed. LOSS ABOUT $2,000,000. Algonquin Had Cargo of Foodstuffs Valued at $1,700,000. New York, March 14.?The Algon? quin, which was owned by the Amer? ican Star Line, sailing from New York for London February 20th, was submarined March 12th, according to cablegram to the owners from Pen zance, England. Where the sinking occurred was not mentioned. The officers of the line said the Algonquin was a vessel of 1,830 tons, and was worth approximately $450, 000. She carried a cargo consisting mostly of foodstuffs, worth more than $1,700,000. There were ten American in the crew Including Captain A. Nordberg, a naturalized American, of Norwegian birth. The steamer was one of the first American vessels to sail after Ger? many announced the submarine cam? paign. The steamer was expected to reach the submarine zone on March 8th. It is assumed that she went out of her course. Docs Not Change Situation. Washington, March 14.?The offi? cial view is withheld in the absence of official dispatches confirming the sinking of the Algonquin, but it is the unofficial opinion that the incident does not change the German situation. FIRED TWENTY SHELLS. Submarine Mado Thorough Job of Algonquin. London, March 14.?Later advices from Plymouth said that the subma? rine opened fire at a distance of four thousand yards, firing twenty shells. When the Algonquin did not sink German sailors boarded the vessel and blew it up with bombs. The crew was given time to leave the ship. SEVEN LIVES LOST. Cunard Freighter Folia Sunk by Sub? marine? Nash villo Man Escaping Unharmed. Washington, March 13.?Seven lives were lost and one American olaced in jeopardy in the sinking without warning by a submarine of %.e Cunard freighter Folia off the Irish coast Sunday. Consul Frost at Queenstown cabled the state depart? ment today this report: "Seven lives lost out of crew of 78 in sinking Cunard Folia. Folia bound New York to Avonmouth. Tor? pedoed without warning five miles off Ram Head, County Waterford, in heavy fog Sunday, 7.20 a. m. Dr. Core and officers reached Bristol this morning." Earlier in the day Consul Frost sent a report as follows: "Cunard non-passenger Folia sunk off Waterford 10th. Survivors land? ed Lungarron. Sole American, Boat's Surgeon W. J. Core. Nash? ville, Tenn., saved, uninjured. ? CHINA FOR WAR. Has Severed Relations With Germany and Seized Interned Ships. Washington, March 14.?China has Revered diplomatic relations with Germany and taken possession of six German ships interned in Shanghai harbor, according to advices from naval officers In Chinese waters. American Minister Ueinseh. at Pe? king, reported that China has severed relations with Germany and the Ger? man minister has been handed hie passports. SOLDIERS REACH HOME STATE SECOND REGIMENT OF SOUTH CAROLINA BACK ON OWN SOIL. Short Stop is Made in Greenville by First Detachment of Troops, Who arc Jubilant at Their Return. Greenville, March 14.?Brown as berries, but with jubilant smiles, 700 soldiers comprising seven units of the Second regiment, South Carolina in? fantry, passed through Greenville to-> night en route to the State concen? tration camp near Columbia, after a tour of duty on the Mexiccn border. Traveling from 12 to 14 hours late most oi the way, the first section of I more than 20 cars pulled Into Green* j ville shortly after 10 o'clock, and re? mained here until 10:55 o'clock, de? parting for Columbia via Spar tan burg. All the men in full uniform, were awake and just as enthusiastic as the exultant throng that welcomed the troop train to Greenville. Lusty cheers were exchanged and out of the din was heard the shrill note of the bug? ler, then the regimental band struck up a martial air that sent a thrill of patriotism into the hearts of the happy hundreds. Whether the Palmetto guardsmen where happy to be on the homeward stretch, or whether their patriotism was inspired by the report that they would again be called to arms on April r., in view of the international crisis is not known, but the report was current tonight among the toop ers that officers had received orders to the effect that a call would be Is? sued to the National Guard on April 6. It was said afterwards that local officers also received such intimation. Although the second section left El Paso only 15 minutes behind the first section, it is now traveling ten hours behind. This section, like the first, experi? enced delays in sidetracking all along the route. Just as Col. Holmes B. Springs, stepped aboard tonight he was hand? ed a telegram, advising him that the second section was held up on account of a wreck ahead somewhere in Ala? bama. This train is scheduled to reach Greenville at 7 o'clock tomor? row morning. According to Capt. J. D. B. Myer of Charleston, regimental adjutant, Lieut. William B. Walker, Company I, Timmonsville, was taken from the train at San Antonio and operated upon in a hospital there for appendi? citis. A case of measles and a case of mumps were also found in the second section and the two patients were left in San Antonio. LATEST WAR BriiLETINS. New York, March 15.?With excep? tion of the German retirement on the French front, which still continues, the most interesting military develop? ments are progressing in Persia and Mesopotamia. The Turks continue their retreat up the Tigris river and by the last re? port were thirty miles north of Bag? dad. Two Russian columns which are presumably expecting to form a junction with the British are moving rapidly westward along the Persian border driving other Turkish forces before them. Petrograd officially an? nounces that one of these columns has captured Kcrmanshah, ninety miles i as! of the Persian border, while tho other has- reached Banes, only ten miles from the Mesopotamian fron? tier. Both Russian forces are thus threatening the main Turkish army retreating from Bagdad, both on tho Turkish Hank and In the Turkish rear. London. March 15.?An Amsterdam dispatch aaya Chancellor von Beth mann-Hollweg In a speech before the Prussian diet predicted the political reorganisation of Germany after tho war. Involving a greater participation by the people in the conduct or Im? portal affairs.