V
9
M a Year In Advance
"FOR GOD, FOR COUNTRY AND FOR TRUTH."
v
V
VOL. XXVIII.
TAX BILL
PASSED BY SENATE
ONLY FOUR MEMBERS RECORD.
ED AGAINST BIGGEST SINGLE
TAX MEASURE IN HISTORY.
LEVY NEARLY$2,4QO.OQO,000
Carried $1t867,870,000 as Passed by
. House Senators Borah, Gronna,
'-a Follette and Norris Being Re
corded in Opposition.
Washington. The war tax bill
the largest single taxation measure In
American history was passed by the
senate. It provides for a levy some
what under $2,400,000,000 as compar
ed with the $1,867,870,000 proposal in
the bill as it passed the house May
23. The vote was 69 to 4, Senators
Borah, .Gronna, La Follette and Nor
ris being recorded in opposition.
Voting on amendments to the bill.
preparatory to final passage, began
(n the senate with the adoption, 51
to 27, of a motion by Senator Brous-
sard to strike out the first consump
tion tax clause, levying two cents a
pound on coffee and its substitutes
and designed to raise $18,500,000.
Another motion by Senator Brous
sard to strike out the one and two
ceuts a gallon taxes on molasses, ac
cording to grades, was adopted, 50
to 28.
Then the senate voted, 52 to 28,
to strike out all consumption taxes n
.the bill, including those on sugar, tea
and cocoa, all designed to raise $86,
000,000. By a vote of 69 to 11, the
provision for repeal of the present
law allowing. "drawbacks," or manu
facturing re-export allowances, to
sugar refiners, was eliminated.
Senatof Owen's amendment provid
in gfor a tax ranging from one per
cent on inheritances of $100,00 to
100 per cent on those over $95,000,000
was rejected by a vote of 51 to 39.
The Jones' amendment, revised by
the committee to levy a 10 percent
upon corporations' undistributed sur
plus was adopted on a viva voce
vote. A substitute by Senator Jones
to eliminate an exemption in the
committee's clause of income actually
invested and employed was defeated,
45 to 36.
Senator La Follette's substitute war
tax bill, .proposing to raise about $3,
500,000,000 solely from income, war
profits, liquor and tobacco, ,was re
Jected, 65 to 15.
The senate adopted, 40 to 34, Sena
tor Smoot's motion to -strike out th
McKellar amendment providing a
one cent inciease in second class
postage rates beyond 300 miles and
designed to secure $12,600,000. The
house zone provision and the finance
committee's special publishers' prof
its provisions already had been elim
inated. Senator Hardwick's substitute to
provide a zone system increasing sec
ond class postage rates on advertis
ing portions of publications, estimat
ed to raise $16,500,000 next year, was
rejected, 48 to 20.
KORNILOFF DEMANDS FULL
CONTROL OF GOVERNMENT
Wants Supreme Power In Russia Ke
rensky Votes for "Blood and
Iron" Methods.
The Russian government is again,
facing a crista, but apparently with his
usual "blood and iron" methods Pre
mier Kerensky has taken vigorous
steps to combat it and to punish se
verely those of the opposition elements
who brought it about.
Succinctly, General Korniloff, commander-in-chief
of the army, backed
by group of political agitators, has
demanded for himself dictatorial pow
ers by the surrender of the govern
ment into his hands. Kerensky re
fused to comply with the demand and
has had incarcerated in the Petropav
ksk fortress M. Loft, member of the
duma, who acted as Korniloffs medi
ary, and who under a severe exam
ination has had wrung from him the
details of the plot to overthrow the
government and bring about a return
of the despotic regime.
TWO AMERICANS HURT.
ON DUTY IN FRANCE
Washington. The war department
announced that Sergt. M. G. Calder
wood and Private W. F. Brannlgan,
both of Company F. 110th Railway en
gineers, had been slightly wounded by
shell fragments while on duty in
France. This Is the army's' first cas
ualty announcement of the war except
that concerning Che members of the
'tneddcal corps killed when German
avlaors bombed a hospital.
BIG WAR
VICTOR MURDOCH
Victor Murdock, fprmer congressman
from Kansas, was nominated by Pres
Ident Wilson to be a member of the
federal trade, commission.
WAR CREDITS BILL PASSED
GREAT AUTHORIZATION OF
BONDS AND CERTIFCATES
PASS UNANIMOUSLY.
Not a Material Amendment Was Add
ed to the Bill By the House. Total
Amount Which is Authorized Is $11
538,945,460.
Washington. The great war credits
bill, authorizing $11,538,945,450 in
bonds and certificates, passed the
House unanimously. Action by the
Senate as soon as the pending war
tax bill is disposed of is planned by
administration leaders.
inoc a material amendment was
added to the bill by the House. Rep
resentative Moore , of Pennsylvania,
led a group of republicans in a futile
fight for consideration of his proposal
for a war expenditures committee,
which was thrown out on a point of
order.
Every effort of republicans to limit
the control the bill would give Secre
tary McAdoo over the bonds and cer
tificates resulted in failure. t The last
fight, made by Representative John
son, of Washington, to direct the sec
retary to spend at least $2,500,000 for
newspaper advertising in disposing of
the bonds, was defeated overwhelm
ingly. If the secretary desires under
the measure, he may use some of the
$17,600,000 appropriated for disposing
of all the bonds and certificates in
newspaper publicity.
Representative Cannon, of Illinois,
obtained the adoption of a compro
mise amendment to exempt from tax
ation forever interest on bonds not in
excess of $5,000. He wanted to make
It $10,000, but Democratic Leader
Kitchin would not agree.
The bill authorizes the issuance of
$7,638,945,460 worth of convertible 4
per cent bonds, .subject to super-taxes
and war profits taxes, and to term!
nate at the discretion of the secre
tary of the treasury. Of this total,
$4,000,000,000 worth is for a new al
lied loan; $3,000,000,000 worth to take
over a 3 1-2 per cent issue already au
thorized and the remaining $528,945.-
460 to be used for converting certain
outstanding bonds, Including the Dan
ish West Indies, Alaskan railway, Pan
ama canal and naval construction is
sues. RUSSIANS FLEE WHILE
ITALIANS HOLD AUSTRIANS
German Fleet Is Active as Slavs are
Pressed from Riga.
The Russians and Austro-Itallan
theaters continue the centers of inter
est in the world war. In the former
the Germans are still pressing the
Russians in their retreat from the
Riga region; in the latter the forces
of General Cadorna continue to harass
the Austrlans but with the enemy of
fering stout resistance on the major
sectors north and northeast of Geor
gia and along the Carso plateau.
With the Russian front already brok
en over a distance of about 45 miles
between Riga and Frledrichstadt, the
province of Livonia is fast being over
run by the Germans. Everywhere the
enemy is pressing the retreating Rus
sians, among whom the disaffection
that permitted the easy taking of Riga
daily becomes more apparent.
Although the Russians have fallen
back with great speed all along the
line ,it seems evident that they have
not bee nput to rout and thta the
loyal troops are fighting splendid
rear-guard actions. This seemingly Is
borne out by the fact that the German
bag of prisoners thus far has been less
than eight thousand and their capture
in guns only 180
PLYMOUTH, N. C, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 1917
VIOLENT FIGHTING
III VERDUN SECTOR
FRENCH AND GERMANS AGAIN
ENGAGED IN EXTREMELY
FIERCE STRUGGLES.
PETAIN'S MEN HOLD TEUTONS
Germans Returned to Fray With New
Vigor Haig's British Troops Deliv
er Successful Attacks Lull in
Northern Russian Fronts.
Again the French. and Germans are
engaged in extremely heavy fighting
In the Verdun sector, with the Ger
mans trying to recoup their loss of
the end of last week on the right
bank of the Meuse, but with General
Petain's forces holding them back al
most everywhere and covering the
ground with their dead.
Over a front of nearly two miles
the Germans, following unsuccessful
attacks in the sector of the Bois Des
Fosses and the Bois des Caurieres, re
turned to the fray with renewed vig
or, especially around Hill 344. At
some points French trenches were
captured by the Germans but they
later were driven out and the French
line was entirely re-established. In
the fighting around the Bois de Fosses
Saturday night the Germans left near
ly one thousand dead on the ground
before the French positions.
At various points on the front held
by Field Marshal Haig the British
troops have delivered successful at
tacks, especially northwest of St
Quentin, where German positions on
a front of several hundred yards were
captured and prisoners taken. In
Flanders the British guns are still
roaring in . the mighty bombardment
that has been in progress more than
a fortnight, but as yet the infantry
has not been loosed for the impend
Ing dash Into the enemy territory
There has been a considerable
slackening in the German advance in
northern Russia, due in large measure
to the Russians making stands at sev
eral points, particularly on the front
of the Pskoff railroad line leading
eastward from Riga. Here the van
guards of the Germans and Russian
cavalry are engaged in fighting, the
result being that the invaders are
held back while theRussians are pre
paring defenses in which to make a
stand.
LANSING EXPOSES BREACH
OF SWEDISH NEUTRALITY
Develops Another Cass of 8lnister
Teutonlo Diplomacy.
Washington. Copies of three brief
dispatches made public by the estate
department revealed another case of
sinister German diplomacy, this time
directed against Argentina and involv
ing the Swedish foreign office la an
apparent grave breach of neutrality
and diplomatic propriety.
They were messages to BerHa from
Count Luxburg, the German charge at
Beunos Aires, forwarded by the Swed
ish legation there as its own commun
ications. Besides advising that no
concessions be granted Argentina in
the submarine controversy, they sug
gest that the South Amerioan coun
try's ships be sunk "without leaving
any trace" and gave information as to
the sailing and positions of certain
vessels.
The department's announcement
was sent to the Argentine embassy
and the Swedish legation here at the
same time it was given to the public.
There was no explanation as to how
the messages came into the hands of
the United States nor discussion as to
what may be the result.
The action createa a sensation, par
ticularly among the neutral diplomats.
Baron Akerhielm, the Swedish charge
in the absence of advices from his gov
ernment, would not comment further
than to say 'it was improbable the
Swedish minister at Buenos Aires
knew of the contents of the dis
patches. Axel Robert Nordvall of the
special Swedish economic mission, de
clared that he was certain that Baron
Lowen, the Swedish minister to Argen
tina, had no knowledge of the contents
of the dispatches.
May Recall Baron Lowen.
Mr. Nordvall was of the opinion
that Baron Lowen would be recalled
by the Swedish government and said
he looked for an explanation and a
disavowal of any intention to commit
an unneutral act.
What effect the disclosure will
have on Argentina's relations with
Germany could. only be guessed at
both by state department officials and
by Ambassador Naon. The ambassa
dor already has transmitted messages
to his government and until ilnstruc
tlons are received he will not comment
cn the Incident.
MRS. IRA COUCH WOOD
l y 'Pr:W So. t-
Mrs. Ira Couch Wood, executive sec
retary of the Woman's committee,
Council of National Defense, was grad
uated into the public service field
through Alteration, sewage and other
reforms in the village of Wlnnetka,
III.
AUSTRIANS LAUNCH ATTACK
GERMANS TAKE ANOTHER SLAV
PORTRESS WHILE RU83IANS
CONTINUE FLIGHT.
Attempted to Stop Cadorna's Furthe
Approach to Trieste. Nearly 1,700
Men Have Been Captured By Ital
lans hi Corlxia.
While the Russians continue their
flight before the Germans in the re
gion of Riga, the Italians, after a few
days of comparative idleness, again
have started their great offensive on
the Bainsisza plateau against the
Austrains and to the northest of
Gorilla.
In the south, however, from the
Brestovizza valley tQ the sea, the Ital
ians have been compelled to with
stand violent counter-attacks by the
Austrlans, who are endeavoring to
hold baek General Cadorna's lines
from a further approach to Triest
The Austrlans at one place momenta'
rily forced the Italians to cede tor
ritory. A counter-attack by he Ital
ians not alone retrieved the lost po
sitlon but resulted ia - the capture of
more than 400 prisoners. On the
Bainzizia plateau, northeast of Go-
rizia, the Italians have made further
gains, capturing an important Aus-
train position near Ocrogto.
No details have been vouchsafed
concerning the battle which Is in
progress northeast of Gorizia, and no
confirmation is at hand of the re
ported capture by the Italians of
Monte San Gabriele, the last dominat
ing position held by the Austrlans
north of Gorizia.
Nearly 1.700 men have- been cap
tured by the Italians in the flighting
in the Gorizia sector.
Again the Italians have sent their
airmen over Pola, the Austrian naval
base in the Adariatic, dropping bombs,
the explosions of rrhich have added
materially to the damage done in pre
vious raids.
In the region of Riga the Russians
are retiring eastward and northeast
ward all along the line, pursued by
the Germans. t
SENATE'S BITTER PROFITS
BATTLE BROUGHT TO END
Committees Compromise Provisions
Are Adopted.
Washington. The Senate's bitter
fight over war profits taxation virtual
ly ended with adoption ofthe finance
committee's compromise provisions for
a total levy of $l,286,O00,'O0O or about
one-third of this year's war and nor
mal excess profits.
This is an Increase of $1,060,000,000
over present taxes. The high-tax ad
vocates failed to secure adoption of a
single amendment.
Action on the war profits section
the largest revenue-producing provi
sion, w as taken technically in com
mittee of the whole and is subject to
final review later. Today's decisive
rout of the high-tax element, however,
may prevent further efforts along this
line and Senate leaders say it fore
casts defeat for the fighting for heav
ier Income taxes..
GREATEST CORN
CROP III HISTORY
GOVERNMENT'S SEPTEMBER
CROP REPORT FORECAST8
MANY BIG CROP8.
IS 3,248,000,000 BUSHELS
Spring Wheat Shows Favorable In
crease, Oat Crop Is Expected to Set
a New Record Along With Ryt and
Potatoes.
Washington. Corn, the country's
greatest crop, needs only a few weeks
freedom from frost to mature into the
largest production ever known in the
history of the nation. The govern
ment's September crop report fore
casts a production of 3,248,000,000
bushels, which is 124,000,000 bushels
more than produced in the record
year, 1912.
Corn prospects improved to the ex
tent of 53,000,000 bushels as a result
of good weather during August, the
Kansas crop showing improvement to
the extent of almost 40,000,000 bush
els, and Missouri 23,000,000 bushtls.
eclines were recorded in other states.
Spring wheat yields are turning out
better than expected and the Septem
ber forecast showed an increase of
14,000,000 bushels over the "produc
tion forecast in August with a total of
250,000,000 bushels. Adding the win
ter wheat production, a total yield of
663,000,000 bushels ofwheat was an
nounced. That is 28,000,000 bushels
more than last year's harvest, but
133,000,000 bushels less than the aver
age of the crops for the five years
1911-15.
Besides the record crop of corn,
larger production than ever before
will be harvested in oats, with 1,533,
000,000 bushels; rye with 56.000,000
busehls; white potatoes, with 462,
000,000 bushels; sweet potatoes, with
88,200,000 bushels; tobacco, with 1,
221,000,000 pounds, and hay, with 91,
700,000 tons.
Oats prospects increased 79,000.000
bushels during August but' tobacco
lost 49,000,000 pounds.
Virginia 61,752,000 bushels; North
Carolina . 65,393,000; Georgia 71,344,
000; Tennessee 117,273,000; Alabama
89,014,000; Mississippi 86,333,000;
Louisiana 42,246,000; Texas 81,806,,-
000; Oklahoma 36261,000 and Arkan
sas 71,307,000.
CHICAGO OFFICIAL8 THINK
MRS. KING WAS MURDERED
Will Investigate Tragic Death of
Wealthy Woman at Concord, N. C.
Chicago, Findings of a midnight
postmortem! here over the body of
Mrs. Maude A. King, who was killed
at Concord, N. C, August 29, were
communicated to the attorney general
of North Carolina by Assistant State's
Attorney Sullivan in a telegram. The
tleegr&ni reads :
"Postmartem examination by Coro
ner Hoffman of this county on body
of Maude King, killed at Concord N.
C, August 29 ,1917, by pistol shot, re
veals that shot could not have been
self-inflicted and also reveals that her
left ankle was broke nshortly before
her death. Coroner believes that
in your state. Coroner and state's at-
crime of murder has been committed
in your state. Coroner and state's at
torney of this county await your di
rections.
The postmortem examination of the
body of Mrs. King Indicated that Mrs.
King was murdered, in the opinion of
Coroner Peter M. Hoffman. The body
was removed from the masoleum here
and te examination conducted just
before midnight last night by order
of Judge Kersten, of the criminal
branch of the circuit court. Dr. Wil
liam Burmeister, pathologist of North
western University conducted the ex
amination in the presence of repre
sentatives of the police and coroner's
office.
Ashevillp. Rmnha.tir.n.,',Jtf!(nvinr
any complicity in the dr Mrs.
Maude A. Kinr. widow S C.
King, late Chicago milllf Von
B. Means, the dead woml J.fw.
Will ttillVCU UC1C IU
4
the
tragedy at Concord,
D9.
PRESIDENT WILSON
EMBARGO ON GOL
Washington. President
at "nVilson
placed an embargo, effective Septem
ber 10, on the exportation of coin,
bullion and currency. At the same
time he authorized the secretar yof
the treasury to license such exporta
tions where, in the opinion of the
federal reserve board, they are not
harmful. The effect of the embargo,
which applies to all nations, will be
to place In the hands or Secretary
McAdoo.
Single Ooplee, ft Cent.
NO. 11.
STATE PATRIOTIC;
FROM PEAKS TO SEA
GOVERNOR BICKETT SAYS DEVO
TION OF MOUNTAIN EER8 16
100 PER CENT PURE.
IN ADDRESS AT SALISBURY
Chief Executive After Three Week's
Stay in Mountains Returns to Of
fice in Raleigh.
Salisbury. Governor T. W. Bickett
made a war speech in Salisbury. He
was heard by about 4,000 people from
all sections of the country and his ad- '
dress made a deep impression for
patriotism. . .
The speaking was in a large taber
nacle and Mayor Walter H. Woodson
presided while Postmaster A. H. Boy.
den introduced the speaker. Patriotio
music was discoursed by a band. Tha
Governor was given a rousing wel
come. This ia his first visit to Salis
bury since becoming Governor.
Governor Bickett has just completed
a stay of three weeks in the moun
tains rusticating and declared that he
is profoundly impressed with three
things: The grandure of tn scenery
around Mount Mitchell, fife vastness
of the corn crops and the intensity of
the patriotism of the mountaineers.
He asserted that in three weeks he
has not heard a word , savoring of un
patriotism and the devotion of the
mountaineers is 100 per cent pare.
In discussing the war Governor
Bickett defended the draft as emin
ently fair and businesslike. Saying '
that "the time for debate has ended
and it is now a time to fight," ho
branded as a traitor and murderer
any man who says or does a thing f
weaken the cause of the United
States. . '
The only time the speaker referred v
to politics was when he declared that
the fellow who squalls loudest about
equal rights takes to tall timber when 4 .
equal duty is mentioned. He brought '
a sever arraignment of Germany aa
responsible for the' war, and praised
Wilson for his calm, deliberate decla
ration that the world must be mada
"safe for Democracy." The Governor
declared he has been in every one of
the counties in the state and there) "
is not a yellow streak to mar th
patriotism from the mountains to the .
sea. Governor Bickett appeared at hia
best. He wore a light summer suit,
straw hat and no suspenders and was
a fine mixer while here. In Salisbury
he was entertained by Mr. and Mrs. R.
L. Bernhardt. Immediately after the
speaking he left by automobile for
Barbers to catch a western train,
Has Four Boys in Army.
Fayetteville. When the West Point
graduation ceremonies came to a close
another Fayetteville woman could sy
that she had four boys in the active
service of the United States army.
Dr. and Mrs. J. W. McNeill have three
sons and one grandson in the army
Norman McNeill,., who received hla
commission as a second lieutenant at
the hands of Secretary Baker at the
military academy recently; Kenneth
McNeill, a corporal in company 1, '
second ' North Carolina infantry;
Lauchlin McNeill, private in company
A. North Carolina , engineers, and
George Stanclll. a private In company
P of the second regiment. The last
named is a grandson, but has always
lived with Dr. and Mrs. McNeill and
the relation is practically that of pa
rents and son. Young Stanclll tried
to Join the navy, but was too young.
Both he and Kenneth McNeill are un
der draft age. , ,
Fayetteville Provides Ambulanee.
Fayetteville. A check for $1,000 was
forwarded to Francis C. Boyer, North
Carolina director of the Red Cross,
for the American Red Cross ambu
lance to be sent to France by tke
people of Fayetteville.
An inscription on the ambulance
will bear witness that It is presented
in honor of the Marquis De Lafayette
by the citizens of Fayetteville. N. C,
U. S. A.
Drafted Man Is Killed.
Elizabeth City.-One of the most
deliberately done and diabolically
planned murders ever committed In
thi3 section occurred when Daniel L
Jones, night fireman at the plant of
the Elizabeth City Power Co., was
shot from ambush. The load was fired
at short range and entering the un
fortunate victim's side tore a great
hole in the lower part of his body. He
was rushed to the hospital but it was
evident that no medical or surgical
skill would save his li?. Fie died
three hours later.