1
'IT:
WEATHEE.
PAGES TODAY
ONE SECTION
V,
Showers Tuesday, warmer east por-,
tion; Wednesday fair, cooler west por-
VOL. XCIX-NO. 74.
TEUTONS IN
JOIN HANDS, DRA WIN
CLOSER TO
Berlin Announces Conclusion of
Battle of the Argechu With Aus-tro-
Germans Victors.
RUMANIANS LOSE HEAVILY
r
Central Powers Now Hold Intact
V All Railway Lines Into
Capital Except One.
THIS LIKELY TO BE TAKEN
Town of Gradichtea, 12 Miles from
Bucharest, Captured.
Copenhagen, via London, Dec.
4. According to the Berlin cor
respondent of the National Tidene,
German artillery, which now is em
placed only 11 miles from Bucha
rest, began yesterday to bombard
the city.
The armies of the Teutonic al
lies fighting in southwestern Ru
mania, with Bucharest their main
objective, have joined hands from
the Danube in the south to the
northwest of Bucharest, where,
coming through the mountainous
region, they have reached the town
of Tergovistea. Berlin announces
that the' battle of the Argechu riv
er has come to a final conclusion,
vith the Teutonic allies the vic
tors, and that all along- tite-front-they
are drawing closer to Buch
arest. But One Outlet Left
'- With the capture of Fergovlstea, and
farther south, the driving, of the Ru
manians beyond the railroad junction
town of Titu, the forces of the Central
powers now hold intact all the railway,
lines running into Bucharest from the
west. The Predeal pass line, running
north from the capital into Transyl
vania, is the sole remaining- railway
connection in western Wallachla part
ly in Rumanian hands, and with the
Teutons now nearly astride this ' line
at Breza and rapidly -advancing, this
route seems likely to be taken from
them.
Take Town 12 Miles From Capital
To the south and southwest of Buch
arast, the forces of Field Marshal Von
Mackensen that crossed the Danube
have inflicted a heavy defeat on the
Rumanians and captured the town of
Gradichtea, 12 miles from the capital.
In this fighting, according to Berlin,
the Rumanian army suffered sanguin
ary casualties and on Sunday lost
more than 8,000 men made prisoners
and 35 cannon. Near Titu 13. loco
motives and much rolling stock fell
Into the hands of the Teutons.
In Dobrudja and in the northwest,
along the Bukowina and Transylvania
fronts, violent fighting is in progress.
According to Sofia, in the former re
gion the Bulgarians repulsed heavy
Russian attacks. Berlin admits tslight
progress in the northwest by the Rus
sians north and south of the Tro
tus. in the Carpathians south of Jablont
tza the Russians captured another
height.
Little Fighting Elsewhere
Aside from the Macedonia theatre
"tile fighting of comment has taken
Place. Berlin admits a re-alignment
the Teutonic allied front east of
Cerna river,, while the. Serbian war
0ice as?erts that the Serbs -here have
japtured an entire series of power
TuI1" fortified Bulgarian . positions
north of Grunishte and Budimirtsa and
taken, in addition, guns,' machine guns,
ammunition and prisoners.
British sappers near Ypres and Wyt
chaete, Belgium, by mine explosions.
Paved the way for a raid on German
nches. Sorn of ths TOvltfaVi siinrart-
ffl In entering an advanced trench, but
late
r were driven - out.. . A British at-
ipi against LeSars also failed. - Con
siderable artillery activity-. continues
t various points along the French
- ront, especially in the Somme region
ana on the Verdun sector.
On Austro-Itall an Front
Artillery duels and small maneuvers
y Patrol parties, have featured the
a r?K 0,1 the Austro-Itallan front.
a Russian attack againsthe Ger
0i " Unes "ear Lake Drlsvlaty, south
t m 1lsk' falled wlth heavy casualties
,
T1' 5 Russians, according to Berlin.
d v British cabinet Is to be construct
tor the chanees will not bring a
Li di-eferent from that which has
en pursued since the beginning of
war.
X-nofflciai advices from Athens say
itai Qlet preva"3 in the Greek cap
h The British war trade minister
tJani?0uncei n the House of Com-
atew the Entente allies immedi-
Bt;ln which- h said, King Con-n-ine
and his government are deep-
hibitpri
.., . ""-cu. jreat Rrltnlri Tnnm nrn.
. IIP J
the sailing of Greek steamers
rot British
ports.
R UMANIA
BUCHAFLEST
IIVAL
SAVED BUCHAREST?
Just in Time to Interfere With the
German' Plan of Encircling
the Capital City.
WERE READY TO "BOMBARD
Petrograd Claims That Appearance ot
Russians at Critical Moment Has
Somewhat Changed the It u
manian Situation.
Petrograd, via London, Dec. 4, The
timely arrival of Russian troops before
Bucharest at the critical moment when
the loss of the capital seemed almost
certain, has somewhat changed the Ru
manian situation.
According to military opinion here,
the Rumanians now "have at least a
fighting chance to retain their capital,
and with the aid of the Russians who
rendered their first valuable assistance
to the Rumanian defense by an offens
ive in the Carpathians begun five days
ago, and will now attempt to include
Bucharest in the zone which they 'are
able to defend, establishing a perma
nent line north and west of the capital.
According to information received
here from Bucharest, the Gferman plan
of encircling Bucharest was perilously
near to accomplishment when it struck
an unexpected obstacle in the form of a
Russian force between Bucharest and
the Danube. Strong cavalry columns of
the Teutonic allies had been sent for
ward on both wings of the united front
of Lieutenant General . Kraff t von Del
emstngen andield Marshal. Von Mack
ensen, forcing the Rumanian flanks
backward both north and south of the
capital!
A "flanking movement was 'partially
suecessf ul, when the Teutonic forces
advancing from Lake Greca, encounter
ed a sudden stiffening in the resistance
of the Rumanians, due to the arrival
of Russian troops, and "were compelled
to retire in disorder. Emplacements had
already been, completed for the big
guns, which were to bombard the Bu
charest fortifications. Executing a has
ty retreat, the Germans and Bulgarians
had to abandon guns of all calibres end
a large quantity ofvwar material.'
The northern Teutonic allied group
which is attempting to flank Bucharest
from the side of Piteshtl has proceeded
with greater success, but the Rumani
ans have managed to retreat without
losing connection with the force de
fending the western - fortifications of
the capital.
FOR RIVERS AND HARBORS
OVER 32,0OMOO IS ASKED.
Estimates by War Department Include
$115,000 for Cape Fear River.
Washington, Dec 4. Congress was
asked today to appropriate 532,136,083
for improvement and maintenance dur
ing the fiscal year of 1918 of rivers and
harbors utilized in the nation's water
borne commerce. Thar amount is a re
duction of almost $10,000,000 from the
appropriations for the previous year.
Almost two-thirds of the estimated ex
penditures are for the large rivers, and
the port of New York through which
the greater part of the. country's for
eign commerce passes. For those proj
ects the aggregate estimates, drawn by
the chief of engineers of the army un
der whose charge the work is done, are:
Mississippi river, $10,552,000; Ohio
river, $5,000,000; Delaware river, . $2,
150,000; Columbia river, $1,855,000; Mis
souri' river, $1,085,000; Hudson river,
$375,000; New York harbor, $900,500.
The detailed estimates Include:
North Carolina Beaufort harbor, $4,
500; Beaufort inlet, $14,000; Morehead
City harbor, $2,000; Shallowbag bay,
$500; Harbor of Refuge, .Cape Lookout,
$850,000; Cape Fear river, $115,000.; Con
tentnia creek. $1,000; Neuse and Trent
rivers, $6,000; Northeast and Black riv
ers, $5,000; Pamlico and Tar rivers, $4,
500; Roanoke river, $2,500; Spuppernong
river,-$3,500; Waterway, Pamlico Sound
to Beaufort Inlet, $15,000.
NOMINATION OF 10 NEW
- CARDINALS IS ANNOUNCED
At Secret Consistory in Paris, Attended
by 28 Cardinals.
1 Paris, Dec. 4. At a secret consist
ory held this 'morning, 'which "was at
tended by 28 cardinals, Pope Benedict
announced the nomination of ten new
cardinals, says a dispatch to the Havas
agency from Rome. The new cardinals
are: '.. -a
"Monsignor . La Fontaine, patriarch
of Venice; Monsignor Donato Sbarretti,
former apostolic delegate in Canada,
later bishop of Havana, and recently
assessor of the Holy See; Monsignor
DeBourg, archbishop of Rennes; Mon
signor DuBois, archbishop of Roaen;
Monsignor vj'ttorio Amadeo Ranuzzi
ni pi.nrhi. malor domo of the Vatican;
Monsignor Boggiani, secretary of the
holy office apd former apostolic dele
gate to Mexico; Monsignor Ascalosi,
archbishop offBeneito; Monsignor Man.
rin, bishop of Grenoble; Monsignor Ma
rin!, secretary of the holy signature.
Two more t cardinals are to be nomi
nated shortly.. '
Berlin, Dec. 4.(via Sayville). Brit
ish patrols, following up mine explos
ions, succeeded in entering German
trenches along the front in Belgium
at some points, the war office announc
ed today, but were unable to maintain
themselves there.
W I nif
RUSSIANS
OSr.
: ' C
MM SAYS ONLY
IIIESE ARE DEAD
Government Agents Wire to Wash
ington That a Number of
Foreigners Were Killed.
BY BANDITS IN CHIHUAHUA
Report Says German , Vice Consul and
Two American Citizens Were Kill
ed and Little Girl Taken Into
Mountains by Villistas.
El Paso, Texas, Dec. 4. Reports tele
graphed by government agents to
Washington today that a number of
foreigners had been killed in Chihuahua
City when Villa bandits occupied the
town were met with a statement by.
General Trevino, commanding Carranza
forces who re-occupied the capital, that
"only, a few Chinese were killed during
the time Villa occupied the city."
General Trevino's statement, tele
graphed in response to an inquiry by
Andres Garcia, inspector-general of
Carranza consulates, was taken by Gar
cia to mean that no other foreigners
were killed. The information tele
graphed Washington was' said to have
been obtained in Juarez.
LITTIiE AMERICAN GIRL TAKEN
AWAY BY VILLA BANDITS T
El Paso, Texas, Dec. 4. Government
agents here today sent a report to
Washington saying Carlos Ketelsen,
German vice' consul In Chihuahua City;
Charles Elmendorf, an American citi
zen, . and another, unknown American
had been killed by Villa and that El
mendorff's young daughter had been
carried off to the mountains by Villa
bandits.
The report was said to have been ob
tained from Juarez.
GERMAN CONSUL AT JUAREZ
RECEIVES NO .CONFIRMATION
Juarez, Texas, Dec. V--German Con
sul Max Weber said .late today he had
heard the report that Mr. Ketojsen and
Carlos Elmendorf had been killed but
that he had reeived no confirmation. He
sent a message to Chihuahua City to
get. the. facts.
Carranza -officials insist nothing has
been received over the railroad of mili
tary telegraph lines regarding the re
ported deaths of these foreigners.
FIFTEEN WHITE MEN ARRESTED
IN CONNECTION WITH LYNCHING
Result of Inquiry Ordered by Manning
at Abbeville, S.' C.
Abbeville, S. C, Dec 4. Fifteen white
men were arrested here today following
an investigation of the lynching a
month ago of Anthony Crawford, a ne
gro. The negro was alleged to have at
tacked a white man and the lynching
followed. Subsequently the sons of the
negro were notified to leave the county.
Governor Manning : ordered an investi
gation. .The arrests today resulted from
the Inquiry made.
Preliminary hearings will probably
be granted to the men tomorrow. S,ome
are accused of rioting and other of
murder.
ELECTION FRAUD PROBE
COMES TO ABRUPT END
Judge Adams Would Name Com
mission to Continue if Desired.
Thinks the End Desired Has Been At
. tained, So Far as His Investiga
tion is Concerned Evidence
Goes to Grand Jury.
(Special Star Telegram.)
Asheville, N. C, Dec . 4. Solicitor
Swain's investigation of alleged elec
tion frauds in Buncombe county during
the recent election came to an abrupt
end today, Judge W. J. Adams stated
that he lives 300 miles from Asheville,
but would, upon application, appoint a
commission to conduct the investiga
tion furtlfer, any time it was requested.
Judge Adams said rurther that e
thought the result desired by the in
vestigation had been accomplished, as
he had been merely sitting as a com
mitting magistrate ana that all the evi
dence introduced before him was. now
available for grand jury action, which
body, he explained, would take the final
action in the case.
At the suggestion of Thomas Settle,
the election officials who certified to
the "supplemental returns" were placed
on the stand, but no additional light
was thrown on this subject. Emory
McAbee, of Fairvlew, said that Tom Jeff
Pattilld offered him $5 to vote for Wea
ver, but- that he "kidded" Pattillo and
did not take any money. Several oth
ers testified to knowing of money spent
for election purposes, but no direct
chargesof buying votes were made.
Solicitor Swain said that he was anx
ious to continue this probe, and Judge
Adams again emphasized that the probe
is strictly non-partisan and that all cit
izens should take pains to assist in lay.
ihg any evidence of frauds before the
grand Jury. '
It is believed here that today's pro
ceeding, virtually ' enOs the investiga
tion' of alleged frauds, although there
is a possibility that the grand jury may
act later. .
- Several men prominent politically are
still, absent frojrr their, "accustomed
haunts'..
C, TUESDAY MOBOTNG,
NOTES EXCHANGED'
BETWEEN MERCIER
AND VON BISSING
The Military Governor of Belgium
Denies Allegations Made by
the Cardinal.
LATTER APPEALS FOR PITY
Says German Engagement Has
Been Violated Thousand Times
Every Day for 15 Days.
London, Dec. 4. Documents received
here. give the text of the reply of Gen
eral von Bisslng, military governor of
Belgium, to . Cardinal Mercier's letter of
October 19, and the Cardinal's rejoinder
of November 10.
General von Blssing's reply, dated Oc
tober 26, begins by denying any viola
tion of the assurance the German com
manders gave at' the beginning of the
war that no men wou)d be removed
from Blgium, aeclaring that such re
movals have been Justified by "the clan
destine emigration of large numbers of
young men wishing to join the Belgian
army." He adds:
"The German authorities would have
been quite Justified in following the example-of
England and France, but they
have not done so."
Contending that the' eraployment of
Belgian unemployed in Germany has
nothing to do with the conduct of the
war, but is purely a social and economic
measure General Von Bisslng says:
"Great Britain's merciless economic
isolation of , Germany bears equally on
Belgium; it deprives her of raw mater
ials and prevents the export of manu
factures and thus deals a vital blow,
leaving masses of the people unemploy
ed and bringing a state of public calam
ity to Belgium." . , ,
General von, Bisslng then declares
that the Belgian people realized" the
state of affairs and that tens of thous
ands of "them have? gone to - Germany
voluntarily whefe they could get better
pay. 'Others would follow, he says, but
are deterred by influences systematical
ly brought to bear on them. He con
cludes by Inviting the cardinal to study
the situation from a social and econom
ic viewpoint.
Cardinal Mercier's Reply.
Replying on November 10, Cardinal
Mercier' recalls the promise, made by
Baron von Huehne and subsequently
confirmed by Baron von Der Goltz and
says:
"The undertaking was explicit and
entirely wlthoift time limit that 'young
people have nothing to fear that they
may be sent to Germany either to be
enrolled in the army or employed at
forced labor.'
"This engagement has been violated
every day a thousand times for, 15
days."
In answer to General von Bissing's
charge that England and France have
(Continued oi. Page Ten.) .
$139,000 TO COMPLETE
E
One Item Recommended by Mc
Adoo in Report to Congress.
Estimate for Cape Fear and Other Riv
ersMr. Godwin, on Hand, for
Brief Holiday Recess A. W.
McLean in Washington. '
' (Special Star Telegram.)
V Washington, D. C, Dec. 4. Secretary
of the Treasury McAdoo, in his annual
estimate for appropriations to Congress,
asks for the following for North Caro
lina: Public buildings: Burlington, $20,000;
Chapel Hill, $30,000; Charlotte $25,000;
Shelby $10,000, and $135,000 for the com
pletion of the Wilmington Custom
House.
For the continuation of river and
harbor projects already adopted by the
government, the following estimates
are made: Beaufort harbor $45,000 and
Beaufort inlet, $14,000; Morehead City
harbor, $2,000;. Shallow bay $2,000; for
the continuation of the Harbor of Ref
uge, Cape Lookout, $600,000 is asked for
and $135,000 for the Cape Fear at ami
below Wilmington; Contentnea. creek,
$1,000; Neuse and Trent rivers $2,000;
Pamlico and Tar riyers $4,500; Scupper
nong river $3,500, and the Inland water
way from Pamlico to Beaufort, $8,500.
Mr. Godwin on Hand.
Representative H. t. Godwin, of th
Sixth district, who reached Washington
early this morning and was in his seat
when the House convened at . noon, said
tonight J:hat the people of the Sixth are
highly pleased with the result of the
election and' they were never more
prosperous nor in better spirits than
they are now.
Mr. Godwin agrees with Speaker
Clark, Majority Leader KItchin and oth
er Democratic leaders that the Christ
mas . holiday's allowed by .Congress
should be cut dowji to one day if possi
ble. Mr. Godwin does not believe the coun
try wants to see an extra session of
Congress, which would necessarily i be
(Continued on Page Ten.)
LOCAL CUSTOMS
U
DECEMBER 5, 1916
PROTEST AGIST
'THE SLAVE
Great Britain and Allies Issue De
claration Regarding Present
State of Belgium.
WARNING TO THE WORLD
Declare the Work of Relief Which Neu
trals Have Built Up is in' Danger
ot Falling Say Teutons Dis
regard All Promises.
London, Dec. 4. The British govern
ment, in conjunction with Great Brit-,
ain's allies, has issued a "declaration
regarding the present state of Belgium"
in which px-otest is made to the civi
lized world against the" "slave raids"
conducted by the German authorities in
Belgium and a warning given to the
world that "the work of relief which
neutrals have built up is in danger of
lauing."
The document, after reciting the as
sistance the Entente Allies have given
in the past in the work of relief iii Bel
gium, says: '
"The Allies only stipulated that the
Germans should equally draw no ad
vantage from the operations of the
neutral commission, that they should
not seize imported or native supplies
and that the distribution of relief
should not be tised for the purpose ot
coercing Belgian workmen against their
consciences. The conditions which the
Germans were pledged to obey have
teen frequently violated. But the in
fractions in .the pagt . have been dis
avowed by the German government and
the Allies have been content to rely
upon the neutral commission to watch
and enforce the fulfillment of the con
ditions under whirii it worked.
Situation Now Changing.
"Now, however, the situation is
changing. The Germans have abandon
ed all pretense of respecting personal
freedom in Belgium. They have delib
erately ordered the suspension ot the
public relief works supported by the
commission and openly aimed at creat
ing unemployment,' which furnishes
them an excuse for deportations. They
have become themselves the organizers
and co-operators In man hunts which
they pledged themselves by the Brus
sels convention of 1890 to put down in
Africa. The machinery of Belgian in
dustry is now totally destroyed and ex
ports of Belgian foodstuffs have again
begun on a large scale. ' -
"The Allies must, therefore, warn the
world of what is about tq take place
The Central Empires, as their own sit
uation grows more desperate, intend to
tear up every guarantee on which the
work of the relief commission rests.
They intend to cast aside all their
promises and use Belgian foodstuffs and
Belgian labor to support their own fail
ing strength. The work of relief which
the neutrals have built up for two years
Is about to lose its foundation and is in
danger of falling."
Fayetteville Observer: "Miss Lucy
Murchison, of Wilmington, is spending
several days in the city, the guest of
her aunt, Mrs. E. L. Pemberton."
TRREE RESI6
' OIPLOMSTIC SERVICE
Jno. W. Garrett Will Probably
Succeed Dr. Van Dyke.
Minister to Holland Not Enjoying: Good
, .Health Ministers to Colombia
and Slam Send in Resigna
tionsOthers Expected.
Washington, Dec. 4. The first resig
nations from the diplomatic corps,
which are expected ,to be the fore-runners
of others, "as a consequence of
President Wilson's re-election and the
closing of his first term, were announc
ed today.
Dr. Henry Van Dyke, minister to The
Netherlands, has resigned, and prob
ably will be succeeded by John W. Gar
rett, of Baltimore, formerly minister
to Argentina. Dr. Van Dyke, it was ex
plained, has been concerned over his
health for some time, and also desired
to return to his literary work affer
being abroad nearly four years.
The resignations of Thaddeus A.
Thomson, minister to Colombia, and
William H. Hornibrook, minister to
Siam, also were announced. Mr. Thom
son was appointed in 1913. Mr. Horni
brook was appointed in 1915.
Some time ago it became known that
the government was expecting that
members of the diplomatic corps. would
In accordance with custom forward
their resignations. Many, no doubt, will
be asked to remain.
FEDERAL JUDGES DO NOT
POSSESS INHERENT POWER
To Indefinitely Suspend Execution of
Criminal Sentences
Washington, Dec. .4. Federal judges
the Supreme Court held today, do not
possess Inherent power, . exercised for
a country, but without specific con
gressional authority, to indefinitely
suspend execution of criminal senten
ces imposed in their respective courts.
Suspension by District Judge Killlts,
of Ohio, . Qf . sentence . upon Jomes P.
Henahan. of Toledo, convicted of bank
embezzlement, was revoked.
raids
FROM
HIGH COST OF LIVING
OVERSHADOWS ANY AND
ALL OTHER QUESTIONS
CONGRESS BEGINS
3 MONTHS SESSION
Calendar Overcrowded, Important
New Issues on Hand and Big
Estimates Presented.
TO HEAR WILSON TODAY
Both Houses 4Hold Short Sessions and
Adjourn Out of Respect 'to De
ceased Members Christmas
Holiday to be Short
Washington, Dec. 5. Congress re
convened today for a three months
session with a calendar over crowded
with general legislation, facing rail
road reforms and the high cost of liv
ing as new lssuea, and conf ronteds
with unprecedented estimates aggre
gating $1,654,819,654 to meet expendi
tures of the government for the fiscal
year 1918.
Both houses adjourned early as a
mark of respect to Senator 4arke, of
Arkansas, and Resident Commissioner
Rivera, of Porto Rico, both pf whom
died since the September adjournment.
Tomorrow there will be a Joint ses
sion in the hall of the House to hear
the address of President Wilson,
which will contain recommendations
for legislation sought by the admin
istration before tne 64th Congress
dies March 4 next.
Railroad Legislation
That railroad legislation to supple
ment the Adamson Act will be urged
by the President as the most import
Ant problem, before the Congress at
this time is generally expected. There
is also strong public demand for
some legislative action to curb soar
ing prices of f6od.
In addition the appropriation meas
ures must be passed, the Senate has
the Immigration, the Corrupt Prac
tices bill further to limit campaign
contributions and expenditures, the
Webb bill to grant authority to domes
tic corporations for maintenance of
collective foreign selling agencies, con
servation and other measures. An in
vestigation into expenditures of the
recent National campaign is proposed
and Senator Owen, of Oklahoma, will
Introduce a joint resolution directing
that such an inquiry be instituted at
once.
Hasty conferences of House leaders
today convinced a majority that a
"speed up" programme advocated by
Speaker Clark will be adopted.
No Long Holiday
Majority Leader Kitchln Joined with
the Speaker in declaring that the usual
long Christmas holiday should be dis
pensed with and an earlier meeting
hour than noon, probably 10 o'clock,
set. There is some dissension over
the proposed abolition of the Christ
mas holidays and a compromise holi
day of one week has been suggested.
Although food embargo proposals
are certain to create much discussion,
few leaders are inclined to believe that
any of them will be enacted, into laws.
Representative Kitchin thinks, too,
that investigation of the high cost of
living will be left to the executive de
partments. It is regarded as doubtful that any
of the President's railway legislation
programme will reach the floor before
Christmas. Representative Adamson,
chairman of the Interstate Commerce
committee, who will pilot the meas
ures, said tonight that he would spend
the Christmas holidays at home, re
gardless of any adjournment agree
ment. W. B. & S. TRAIN RUNS INTO
AUTOMOBILE AT BOLIVIA
Occupants of Machine Thrown Out;
One Suffers Broken Rib
(By Long Distance Telephone)
Southport, N. C, Dec. 4. This after
noon as the W.B. & S. passenger
train from Wilmington had just passed
Bolivia and was rounding the curve,
which is crossed by a county road, the
view being partly obstructed by a
growth of bushes, an auto in which
were riding S. F. Williams, Henry Wil
liams, his son who was driving; W. B.
Chinnis and W. G. Adams, of North
west township, was struck by the train
and the car was hurled to one side of
the track, the occupants of the machine
being thrown out with considerable
violence. All were more or less bruis
ed, Mr. S. F. Williams having suffered
a fractured rib. The injured were
brought on to Southport where Dr. J.
Arthur Dosher gave them the neces
sary attention. The car was pretty
badly wrecked.
COMMERCE COMMISSION ORDERS
SUSTAINED BY SUPREME COURT
Permit Lower Rates to Pacific Coast
Than to Inland Cities.
Washington, Dec. 4. Interstate
Commerce Commission orders permit
ting railroads to give lower trans-continental
freight rates to San Francisco,
Oakland, Portland, Seattle and other
ocean ports, while denying them to the
inland citiea of Sacramento, Stockton,
San Jose and Santa Clara, California,
were sustained today by the Supreme
Court.
WHOLE NUMBER 39,785
Assumes Proportions as a National
Subject, With the Reconvening
of Congress.
PROBE IS URGED BY LABOR
Possibility That Wilson Will Deal
With Matter in Special Ad
dress Grows Stronger.
SOME ACTION IS ASSURED
Eleven Bills and Resolutions on
Subject Introduced.
Washington, Dec. 4. The high
cost of living and what steps the
Federal government can take to
control it-assumed proportions a3
a national question with- the con
vening of Congress today, which'
overshadowed all other issues in
the first day's proceedings. Possi
bility that President Wilson will
deal with the subject In a special
address grew stronger, although it
was thought probable that the
President would select a separate
occasion for it, rather than add to
it as a supplement to his general
address tomorrow.
Labor Calls on Wllon.
, Eleven bills and resolutions seeking
to check the soaring prices of food by
stopping shipments to Europe, reducing
parcel post rates on food stuffs or
controlling cold storage, were today In
troduced in the' House.
President Gompers and a committee
of the American Federation of Labor
called on President Wilson and asked
him to appoint a special commission
to investigate the food question. The
President assured them that the gov
ernment would take some steps to meet
the situation. He is understood to pre
fer not to appoint a commission as it
practically would be without authority
to compel testimony; while a congres
sional investigation probably would
mean a protracted delay.
Reports being gathered by the De
partment of Agriculture are being laid
before the President as fast as they arq
compiled and upon them he is expected
to deside on any action, which undoubt
edly will be prefaced by a speciajl ad
dress to Congress.
Points to Middle Men.
One report submitted today by Sec
retary Redfleld and held confidential as
yet Is understood to show a wide mar
gin between prices paid to producers
and those paid by consumers. In a re
cent address the President virtually
charged the middle men with responsi
bility for the high cost of living.
The hills in Congress are expected
to produce a general discussion of the
subject, but none of the administration
leaders thinks any of the embargo
measures can pass. A series of four.
Introduced by Chairman Fitzgerald, of
the Appropriations committee, propose
embargo, reduction of parcel post rates
and restriction of cole storage. x
Varlons Proposals.
Representative McLemore, of Texas,
introduced a resolution to prohibit In
terstate transportation of food prod
ucts, except meats and fruits, that
have been kept in cold storage more
than 90 days. One by Representative
Cabath, of Illinois, would require cold
storage warehouses to file yearly re
ports with the Department of Agricul
ture on July 1, 'showing food products
stored for interstate commerce. An
other would direct the Attorney Gener
al to Investigate the causes of unrea
sonable advances in prices of foodstuffs
cotton goods or fabrics, wood pulp, all
kinds of paper and coal, - in so far as
they are claimed to be affected by any
combination or conspiracy, and to re
port to Congress what remedies should
be adopted.
A joint congressional committee to
investigate the whole food situation,
was proposed by Representative Lind
bergh, of Minnesota, and Representa
tive Carter, of Massachusetts, sought
the appointment of a House special
committee of nine members to investi
gate and to report recommendations
back to,1 Congress within 30 days. Rep
resentative Steenerson, of Minnesota,
proposed free admission of seed wheat
to help the Minnesota and North Da
kota farmers- Representatives McKol
lar, of Tennessee, re-introduced his bill
to regulate cold storage of food, and
Representative Farr, of Pennsylvania,
re-Introduced his measure for a provi
sional embargo on wheat and wheat
flour.
Representative Adamson, of Georgia, '
chairman of the House Interstate and
Foreign Commerce committee, to which
the embargo bills were referred, an
nounced during the day that he would
oppose any sort of embargo.
"The only embargo law we ever pass
ed," Mr. Adamson said, "was the most
unpopular lw ever enacted, save only
the alien and sedition laws. That
embargo law was repealed as soon as
possible. It was a dead letter before it
was repealed."
34 CENTS A DAY WILL KEEP
A MAN ALIVE IN NEW YORK
New York, Dec. 4. Thirty-four'
cents a day is sufficient for the ration
of a male 17 years of-age and over in,1
(Continued on Page Ten.) -
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