1 p pv.lf
THE WEATHER
Cloudy Tonight and Saturday;
Cold Jf'ave Saturday
O'CLOCK
EDITION
8 PAGES
VOL. XXII. . NO. 324.
ASHEVILLE, N. C, FRIDAY AFTERNOON, DEC. 28, 1917
PRICE FIVE CENTS j
U. S. ENGINEERS
AGAIN UNDER FIRE
CORPORAL KILLED
German Shell Dropped Near
Party of Engineers On
Christmas Eve'
BOMB KILLED .
TWO PRIVATES
Snow Falling In American
Zone and There Is
"Little Doing"
With the American Army in France,
Dec. 27. (Delayed.) (By the Asso
ciated Press.) A corporal of Ameri
can engineers was killed and one pri-
'When a German shell dropped near a
party of American engineers working
In trenches on a section of the French
front. The engineers for several -weeks
had been working along the front
with veteran French engineers for
purposes of Instruction.
Bomb Kills Two.
With the American Army in France,
Dec. 28. (Delayed.) (By the Asso
ciated Press.) During a recent moon
light night German aviators dropped
bombs near a certain town and two
American privates, who were in
camp In a wood, were killed. The
German airmen flew low and dropped
their bombs accurately.
Quiet In American Zone,
With the American Army in Franec,
i.ec. 6i lueiayea;. yay ine Associ
ated Press). For three days snow has
been falling intermittently throughout
tho American zone, Interferring with
the training of troops and with, com
munications. No serious difficulty has
been experienced thus far in supply
ing the troops in the outlying towns
and districts, but it Is feared that the
1 n-nKlnm t.m'11 nt,r. ivmMa i t (ha
storm continues.
Motor trucks today were crawling
over the hilly roads at a snail's pace
because of tho drifts and density of
the snow. Numerous accidents were
reported and the weather was so cold
that many cars .were frozen and could
not be moved.
The troops of a newly landed divi
sion, composed of former national
guardsmen, tonight reached the towns
in which they are to be billeted tem
porarily after marching for two days
through the storm. Notwithstanding
the severe weather their experience
seemed to have done them more good
nath harm, for the men are rapidly
becoming hardened. Former guards
men Of another division carried on
their work in spite of the storm, en-jbe
gaging in bayonet, grenade and auto-
matio rifle practice without interrup-j
Hon.'
Troops from the southern states I
have been quite uncomfortable in the
last few days, but they are becoming
accustomed to the .cold and snow.
A. C. L., S. A. L. and N. S.
Railways Profit by Fuel
Administration's Order
By GEO. H. MANNING
Washington, Dec. 28. As a means
of securing a better coal supply for the
territory in eastern North Carolina
and Virginia lying generally between
Norfolk and Newborn and including
Wilmington, the fuel administration
Issued orders late yesterday to the coal
producers to provide an adequate sup
ply of coal to the Atlantic Coast line,
Seaboard Air line and Norfolk South
ern railways.
Under the present contract system
the coal operators have failetl to sun
ply the roads with sufficient coal. The)
railroads. In order to continue opera -
tlon, have taken advantage of the pro-
vision of common law which permits
them to seize coal wherever they can
find It when necessary.
In thus stating advantage of the
common law the railroads have been
seizing coal consigned for commercial
coal distribution in eastern North
Carolina and Virginia and causing a
shortage to the public. The fuel ad-1
ministration expects that the order!
will give the three railroads mentioned
an adequate supply, make it unneces
sary for them to take the coal intend
, ed for the public, and give the public
sufficient fuel for their needs.
French Statement. '
Paris, Deo. 28. The French' war
) office Issued the following official
-, statement last night:
"In the Argonne we repulsed an
. enemy surprise attack.
: "Belgian communication 'During
the last 48 hours there has been lit
tle activity on the Belgian front.
During the nights of December 26-27
the artillery fighting; was rather in
ns la the Dixmude se tor."
GERMANY'S
NOT SATISFACTORY
TO ALLIED LEADERS
Purposes For Which the Allies Are Fighting Must Be
Achieved, Says Lloyd-George France Does Not Want
Any Status Quo Ante Bellum Peace, According to the
Foreign Minister Washington Suspects Hypocrisy
London, Dec. 28. "Achievement of
the purposes for which the allies are
fighting is essential to the future free
dom and peace of mankind," said
Premier Lloyd George in a letter
which he sent today to the labor con
gress. The premiers statement is
regarded as the British reply to the
German peace offer.
The premier said that a statement
on war alms could only be made in
agreement with Great Britain's allies.
The question of issuing a fresh joint
declaration, he added, was being con
stantly kept In view by the entente
allied governments.
' Gives France's Position.
Paris, Dec. 28. France will not ac
cept a peace based on conditions be
fore the war. Foreign Minister Plchon
declared in replying In the chamber
of deputies today to the peace terms
of the central powers outlined to Rus
sia. He asserted that Germany was
endeavoring to involve France in Its
negotiations with the Bolshevik! but
that the war would go on whether or
not Russia made a separate peace.
The foreign minister said Germany
was seeking to protract the negotia
tions with the Russians, re-establishing
commercial relations in the mean
time, believing that In this way the
Bolshevik! might be checkmated later.
Referring to the terms which the cen
tral powers offered to the Russians as
published today, he said:
"Germany Is trying to Involve us in
her maximalist negotiations. After
suffering as we have, we cannot ac
cept peace based on the status quo.
By agreement with our allies we are
ready to discuss direct propositions re
garding peace, but this is indirect.
"Russia can treat for a separate
peace with our enemies or not. In
either case the war for us will, con-1
tlnue. An ally has failed us, an ally
who in preceding years carried off
great victories. It is a great success
F-
TEUTONSV REPLY
Some Papers Think Central
Powers Sincere in Peace
Proposals Others Believe
It Is Trap To Catch Allies
London, Dec. 28. Opinion here on
the reply of the central powers to the
Bolshevik! peace terms as far as can
Judged from the editorials In the
morning newspapers follows two main
lines. On one hand it seems to be felt
that the central Dowers have mnrin
a perfectly sincere offer to end the
war Immediately, while' on the other
hand it is declared that they have set
a cunning trap in which they hope,
although vainly, to catch the allies.
The former view is not confined to
papers generally regarded as having
pacifist leanings. It Is supported
strongly, for instance, by the conserv
ative Daily Express, which stands un
compromisingly for victory over the
central powers. In all papers taking
this view the statement of the central
powers is regarded as being addressed
less to Russia than to the allies col
lectively, and the offer made through
Count Czernin is assumed to be an
initial proposal which the central pow
ers probably are prepared to modify
in the course of bargaining, for no
where are the terms of the central
powers regarded as entirely acceptable
in their present form. The Express
says:
"The terms may be taken as Ger
many's first bid. The proposals are,
of course, wholly Inadequate, but It Is
significant that the idea of conquest
i has been abandoned completely. This
Is the first indication that Germany
has be?un. to realize the true position
with which she is confronted. '
. "At the same time the demand of
the allies for reparation Is Ignored
totally. There Is no doubt that the
negotiations are a form of camou
flage by which Germany is attempting
to talk to the allies through Russia.
It is a general peace that Germany
and Austria-Hungary want and be
1 hind czernln's words there Is, we
i think, a perfectly sincere desire to end
I the war at once. The offer for what
it is worth Is obviously genuine,
"Germany is pledged definitely to the
principle of restitution, thereby blunt
ly repudiating von Tirpltz and the
other pan-Germans.
"An authoritative allied reply to
Count Czernin might be a demonstra-
Hon to the German peoples that the
allies have no wish to contrive their
destruction, hinder their development
or threaten their independence, When
they once understand what the allies
stand for and what really are their
intentions, the German people them
selves will complete the destruction
of that militarism which has set out
to conquer the world."
The Dally Chronicle says it is a
Striking fact that the central powers
have accepted the formula of no an
nexations and no indemnities, and con
tinues: "The new peace offensive of the
central power is meant, not primarily
for Russia, but for the allies at large
(Continued on Page I)
I
Ell
TERMS
for our enemy but another ally has
come: from the other end of the
world, a democracy has risen against
Germany's appetite for conquest.
"At the conference in Paris a pro
gram was drawn up and in conse
quence unity of action on the part of
the allies will make itself felt, even
to Macedonia. Germany and her al
lies have undertaken the impossible
task of conquering the world. The
world will conquer them.
"In this war Fi ance will have play
ed a great role, for, as Roosevelt h''
said, she will have saved humanity!'
M. Plchon declared that the secret
treaties published by the Bolsheviki
had not compromised France. He said
the German diplomots who were pre
tending to show indignation were the
verv men who sought to negotiate a
secret treaty with the old regime In
Russia; who attempted to draw Mex
ico into war against the United States,
and organized plots In Argentina. Af
ter referring to the German declara
tion that Alsace and Lorraine would
never be surrendered, M. Pichon said:
"The question of Alsace-Lorraine
does not affect France alone. It-Is a
world question. It is not a. territorial
problem but a morale problem. On
Its solution depends whether or not
the world shall have a durable peace."
The statement was greeted with ap
plause. The occupation of Jerusalem, M.
Pichon said, was a victory for the
civilized world. Ho added that the
city would be given an International
status. -
Our Position fnchanged.
Washington, Dec. 28. The attitude
of the American government has not
changed, and it is felt in Washington
that the present German promises of
no annexations and no indemnities
are insincere. An alleged view of the
German peace terms in high British
circles says that Germany desires a
'general peace and does not want a
i separate peace with Russia.
I
Major-Generals Wright and
Greble Examined By Com
mittee in Executive Session
Sharpe Testified
Washington, Dec. 28. More first
hand information regarding equip
ment, ordnance, clothing and other
supplies of General Pershing's forces
and also at national army cantonments
was received today by the senate mili-
ttry committee from Major-Generals
William Wright and Edwin St. J
Greble, commanders at Camp Doni
phan, Okla.. and Bowie," Texas, re
spectively. The officers who recently
returned from a visit to the French
battle front were examined in execu
tive session by the committee which
recently heard similar confidential
testimony from Major-General O Ryan,
commander at Camp Wadsworth, S. C.
Examination of Quartermaster-General
Sharpe was resumed yesterday
afternoon by the committee.
Sharp criticism for shortage of win
ter overcoats was made by tha sena
tors who declared orders for clothing
were not followed up to insure deliv
eries. . General Sharpe said he had
the Information in the files but could
not recollect details.
"It Isn't a question of details," said
Senator McKellar. "Its a question of
coats. Thousands of men are without
them. Why is it?"
General Sharpe reported that delay
in deliveries was largely the cause.
"You practically surrendered your
power over contracts to the council
of national defense, didn't you, except,
that you had a representative meeting
with the board?" asked Senator Cham
berlain. .
General Sharpe answered In the af
firmative, and explained that the
council had nothing to do with mak
ing uniforms but only with getting
cloth for their manufacture.
General Sharpe said manufacturing
contracts were placed in sufficient
time for making clothing but that de
layed deliveries of cloth held up cloth
ing manufacturers.
Tracing the cauBes for delay In get
ting clothing to the troops. Senator
Frellnghuysen declared it was due in
part to changes In cloth specifications
resulting from a conflict of authority
between the quartermaster general
and council of national defense.
Practically every contract for over
coats was delayed, General Sharpe
said, by trouble In getting cloth, and
strikes In the clothing factories. The
decision to send forces to France
sooner than expected was another
cause.
Senator Weeks brought out that the
supplies committee of the council of
national dofense recommended a con
tract for sorting scraps from army
cloth at six cents a pound and that it
was found excessive and annulled.
Two cents was later reported as a
fair price.
Two French Vessels Sunk.
Pairs, Deo. 28. In the week ending
December 22 one French steamer of
more than 1,600 tons and one of less
than that tonnage were sunk by sub
marines and mines. No fishing vessels
were lost
MORE INFORMATION
SUPPLES
238 uEAIpf
VJ-iWMU
VVLLft
Slight Increase In National
t Army and Decrease In
National Guard
SUMMARY OF ARMY
HEALTH CONDITIONS
Pneumonia Cause of Large
Percentage Measles In
Southern Camps
Washington, Dec. 28. Deaths from
disease in the National army during
the week ending December 21, num
bered 118 against 97 the week before
and in the National guard 120 against
165, as shown in a summary of army
health conditions made public today
by the war department. Of the Na
tional army deaths, 77 were due to
pneumonia and of those in the Na
tional guard 87. -
"The non-effective rate of the en
tire National guard for the week,"
says the report, "was 47.8 per thou
sand against 48.6 for the preceding
week; the admission rate for disease
was 81.1 per thousand against 32.6.
The non-effective rate for the National
army was 41.8 'per thousand against
40.4; the admission rate for disease
was 34.3 against 34.7."
In southern camps measles has con
tinued to spread in the 34th division
at Camp Doniphan, Oklahoma, the
summary says, but in other divisions
of the National guard, the number of
new cases is small.
Many new cases of pneumonia are
still being reported from the 31st di
vision at Camp Wheeler, Macon, Ga
and the 36th division at Camp Bowie,
Tex. .
Meningitis has increased at Camp
Doniphan and has decreased in all
other divisions.
Communicable disease rates are
comparatively low In all divisions of
the national army, except tho 81st,
Camp Jackson, Columbia, S. C, 82nd,
Camp Gordon. Atlanta, 87tn: 'fm'
PARflnn
fine, ArKansas, ana me utn umpins of raiiroad construction. The
Travis, Texas. Measles has increased ; licens6 f,ven t was the first granted
at Camp Gordon and large numbers; to a foreipn bank to do business in
of new cases are reported at Camps
Pike and Travis. Pneumonia rates
have generally, improved except at
Camp Travis, v. here 80 new cases were
reported.
The number o' new cases of menin
gitis has beei small in all divisions ex
cept the 8 1 nt which reported 87.
The outbreak of scarlet fever at
Camp Pike si ill continues. A large
number of new cases of mumps are
reported in several divisions of the
national guard and national army.
61 YEAHS OF AGE TODAY
Washington, Deal 28. Coincident
with the taking over of the railroads,
President Wilson today Is celebrating
his sixty-first birthday. No special cer
emony is planned at the White House
as the war time rush of work makes
impossible any xdeivation In the presi
dent's daily routine.
The wearing experiences ho has
gone through since as guide of Amer
ica's destinies in the greatest war in
history have left him practically un
touched In appearance. His health is
much better today than it ever has
been. His cqmnlexion is ruddy, his
eye clear, his step firm. As he left
the White House for a drive with Mrs.
Wilson, ho looked every inch a stal
wart American citizen in the prime of
life.
Congratulatory letters and messages
piled into the White House all day.
This morning the president played
golf with Mrs. Wilson and later work
ed on tho railroad address he will de
liver to congress next week.
Fraternity Dinner.
New York, Dec. 28. Vice-President
Marshall and Secretary Baker will be Petrograd from the Ukrainian rada
the principal speakers tonight at the : and forwarded by Reuter, have occu
89th annual convention dinner of the j pied the headquaters of the fourth,
Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. Secre- j eighth and eleventh armies on the
tarv Baker is a former president of
the fraternity and Vice-President Mar
shall has been a member for many
years.
Bomb Did Little- Damage.
Washington, Dec. 28. Previous re
ports of a bomb being thrown into
tne American consulate at Odessa, onjUtsk, Siberia. Cossacks and military
December 18, have been supplement- oadets have engaged the garrison
ed by a dispatch from Consul-General . there for two days with alternating
Ray, who said little damage was done Riirress
and no one was nurt as the building
was empty.
mtHKHf.H"! Mat
n n
i K CoW Wave Coming. 5
S Washington, Dec. 28. A mark- t
t ed cold wave has overspread the 5
H upper Missouri and upper Mis- ?
C slssippt valleys and is extending H
H eastward and southward toward t
si the Atlantic coast where the
, weather will be much colder Sat- H Boston, Dee. 28. The investigation
t urday in all sections porth of mt0 the packing house industry, be
lt Florida, Snow in the north and H Bun by the FcdWal .trade commission
rain In the south precede the 5 in Washington last week, was resum-
cold. tied here today. Francis J. Heney,
H .- Highest barometric pressures special counsel for the commission,
H of the winter accompany a dls- 5 said the commission came here "to
H turbance extending from Mlnne- ! develop a few fag-ends of the lnvestl
H sota northwestward into the Ca- gation regarding the Chicago Stock
nadian northwest. The move- H Yard's company's control" .nd to de
t ment of this disturbance south- H velop the question 'of competitive con
st eastward is being preceded by the ? ditions in the meat industry partlcu
t cold wave. ? larly In Boston anil vicinity. Victor
H V Murdock, a member of the commls
tltPlltltltttt'tltttltttt slon, presided at the hearing.
E CONFERENCE
TAKES 10-DAY RECESS
Petrograd, Dec. 2'. 6:30 p. m.
(Delayed). The delegates of the
central powers to the peace con
ference at Brest-Lltovsk have
agreed to a ten-day recess In the
peace negotiations which will be
resumed January 4 at a place not
yet determined.
Leon Trotzky, the Bolsheviki for
eign minister, is reported to be
drafting a new note to the entente
allied embassies, again asking them
to participate in the peace confer
ence. Trotzky is also said to be pre
paring a new message to the peo
ples of the world. The Russian
delegates to the peace conference
will return to Petrograd tomorrow
or Sunday. An armistice is report
ed to have been reached between
the Bolsheviki forces and the
troops of General Kaledines with
v neutral zone between the oppos
ng lines.
Manager of Russian Branch
of National City Bank of
New York Arrested and
Detained for Time
Petrograd, Dec. 28. Soldiers acting
under the orders of Finance Commis
sioner ; Menshlnslty yesterday sur
rounded and seized all private banks
in Petiograd, Including the branch of
the National City bank of New York.
The manager, B. R. Stevens, was ar
rested and detained for a short time,
Many bank directors were arrested.
Several surrendered the keys to the
bank vaults, but Stevens refused.
J. B. Wright, counsellor of the
American embassy, called upon Mr,
Stevens during the afternoon,
The National City bank of New
York was granted a license last Janu-
to commence business m Russia,
Russia since 1879
At the time of the opening of the
banks detachments of the red guard
gathered in the streets and barred the
entrances. Later the banks were en
tered, under the leadership of M
Menshinsky.. Orders were given that
Work cease and that the banks sur
render their papers and the keys to
their vaults. In most instances no
resistance was offered. Mr. Stevens
declared his bank had no vaults but
only small safes.
After his arrest he was permitted to
return to tho bank, which was placed
under guard. The bank directors who
were arrested were accused of "sabot
age". Telephone service throughout
the city was stopped for an hour.
In explaining the seizure of the
banks M. Menshinsky said
"We let it be known long ago that
private banks should send reports
weekly to the state bank. This was
done but !he reports were incorrect
I It was then decided to occupy the
uunha, levi.-sti Liitir iicLivny hiiu irien
see that they resumed business. The
keys are in tho hands of Commission
er Cbolensky, of the state bank, as
are the books and documents which
have been seized."
It is reported that a special com
mittee will investigate the closed
banks, spending a week In the pro
cess, and that the Institutions will not
be permitted to resume business In the
meantime. The city is facing a serious
financial shortage, especially In cur
rency of small denominations which
has been unavailable for several days:
London, Dec. 2 8. --Ukrainian forces,
according to a report received from
i Rumanian and southwestern fronts.
AMERICAN BANKIN
PETROGRAD RAIDED
Those who resisted were disarmed abnormally low, by authorizing the
and a quantity of guns and rifles wasjPayment of dividends in excess of
seized. The Ukrainians have occu-those amounts on approval of the In
pied the station at Bralloft and dis-l terstate Commerce commission,
armed the guards. Railroads will continue to provide
A teleerain received In Petrornrt ' for their own issues of securities, but
'from Tomsk reports fighting In Irk -
GOVERNMENT TOOK
OVER ALL RAILWAY
SYSTEMS AT NOON
Without Formal Ceremonies, 250,000 Miles of,
Railroads Merged Into One Great System for.
Winning of War Railroad Men Pledge Their
Support to Country Orders to Pool All Traf
fic Expected to Relieve Congestion
Washington, Dec. 28. At noon to
day approximately 250,000 miles of
American railway systems silently
merged Into one great continental
chain for the winning of the war.
Under President Wilson's decision,
the great event, regarded by many as
the opening of a new epoch in govern
ment operation and control of public
utilities, passed by without any formal
ceremony.
Director-General McAdoo was con
ferred at the time with the members
of the railroads' war board and Robert
S. Lovctt, chairman of the priority
shipment committee.
The members of the war board
ail railroad executives who have been
working, within the limitation of law,
to do what the government itself now
proposes to accomplish, pledged their
support to the government administra
tion as has practically every railroad
man in the country.
Mr. McAdoo's first official order was
designed to pool all traffic, equipment
and terminals to relieve the conges
tion which has gripped the country
since the outbreak of the war. The
immediate result of the order will be
to wipe out competition and re-route
traffic over the shortest lines.
In a statement issued last night, Mr.
McAdoo said he had given almost no
thought to the personnel of his staff
but made it clear that until his plans
mature railroad operation "will be
conducted through existing railroad
organizations."
Critic-ism in Congress.
Although approved by the great
majority of railroad men, there was
some disposition toward criticism in
congress principally on the ground
that the government proposed to allow
the railroads too much, but there was
no indication that . the president's
plans would be seriously opposed and
everything was prepared for enacting
necessary laws soon after he explains
the situation in an address to con
gress.
Many members of house and senate
predicted that the step was only the
beginning of government operation
and control and that it would soon
extend to telegraph and telephone
lines, if not, indeed, to the distribution
of life's necessities.
. McAdoo Studying Situation.
Director-General McAdoo bpent the
day in intensive study of problems
which must be solved at the outset.
President Wilson conferred with the
heads of the four great railway broth
erhoods. It appeared probable that
the latest demand for increases in pay
would be handled by a committee of
managers to be appointed by Mr. Mc
Adoo. The criticism In congress was heard
from the republican side. Senator
Cummins In a stutement declaring his
doubt that the president had author
ity, thought it would have been wiser
to wait for legislation by congress.
Senator Weeks, also a republican,
declared the president had ample au
thority, and added that while it was of
no effect to criticize, the question
might well arise as to whether the se
lection of Secretary McAdoo was a
good one.
Acting Republican Leader Gillett, of
the house, also assailed the selection
of McAdoo.
"I think it proper," said he, "to ex
press my regret that this great ap
pointment has not been a less partisan
one and was not given to one whose
experience and impartiality would in
sure more confidence."
The Interstate Commerce commit
tees in congress began a survey of
the legislation they will prepure to
carry the president's plans into ef
fect. Saving May Be Billion a Year.
Some officials even estimate that the
saving will be a billion dollars a year,
and that the government will be able
to garner revenue rrom the govern
ment operation plan in addition to in
suring railroad securities holders
against loss.
Although In most cases earned divi
dends exceeding the guarantee will re.
vert to the government, congress will
be asked to make provision for rail
roads whose pre-war eurnings were
Iwi11 bo compelled to obtain the ap
proval oi me uirecior-senei-Hi utuure
going to the Interstate Commerce com
mission for final sanction. The com
mission will puss on the size of the
issue and the director-general will de
termine the interest rate, which could
not be less than four per cent under
tho proposed plan.
As To Mr.M'Adoo's Duties.
In his dual position of secretary of
the treasury and director-general of
railroads, Mr, McAdoo would be in
the best position to pass on questions
of securities and Interest rates. It
also would be his duty to determine
when the government should pur
chase new securities issued under his
approval, and this plan would prevent
the rail securities from interferring
with future Issues' of Liberty bonds
without necessitating actunl govern
ment financing of the roads.
The legislation which will be recom
mended to congress would specify that
roads should remain subject to all ex
isting laws and regulations of the InJ
terstate Commerce commission. Those
who have giv'on careful thought to
the situation believe the director-general
will not modify the existing order
radically at first, but eventually will
go far toward centralizing authority
under the federal government.
Railroad Commissioners Give Support, j
The Association of State Railroad
PnmmkQlnn.ra will sHvA full AUnDOrt
to the new plan as long as their func-
tions are not reduced materially, out
they are expected to protest against
being deprived of adjusting minor
questions of rates and rules within
their territories.
Until Mr. McAdoo outlines his plana
the status of express companies under
government operation of railroads will
not be fully determined. Rolling stock:
owned by the express companies,
which is comparatively little, will pasa
automatically under direct government
supervision tomorrow when tne pres
ident's nroclamation goes into effect,
and eventually it may be necessary for
tect their own rights as wen as to pro
tect their own rights as well as ot pro
vide the proper measure of co-operation
with railroads and with each
other. :
The status of the railroads' war
board also is dependent on- the direc
tor-general's plan of organization. It
has been the medium of transmitting
government orders to all the roads,
but this function now will be assumed
by the director-general. :
Big Salaries of Presidents.
The presidents of many large lines
now receive salaries ranging from
$50,000 to $150,000 a year, and one
of the first acts of the director-general
probably will be to cut these sharply.
Ten thousand dollars a year is Deinsji
discussed as a maximum, although 13
there is no tendency to under -estimate ;J
their worth to the government in tne
war emergency. Some railroad men
nrerlirted that the officers would ac
cept these reductions willingly in view y;
of the fact that tney are virtually
fifiorl for wnr work.
The savings' In salaries "Would" tri
applied to raising the pay of members j
of the four railway brotherhoods,
whose officers conferred today with ;J
President Wilson, and also of other -
railway employes. The president wb
expected to ask the brotherhood heads
to give the fullest measure of sunpow
to government operation and to leave
their pending demand for higher
wages for determinate .1 in the fu
ture. -
May Cut OfT Some Fjnployes,
Under government control every ef
fort will be made to interfere as little
as possible with the personnel of the
companies-, but it is considered in
evitable that some employes will be
cut off. This applies particularly to
the large staffs maintained by many
roads for soliciting traffic. These re
ductions probably will be more than
offwet by the employment of more men
for operating.
The effect of government operation
on drafting railroad employes for
army duty is a question to be worked,
nut. hut it seems nrobable that under
the new draft regulations recently put
into effect by Provost Marshal General,!
Crowder a large proportion of the era-J
ployes will be considered too vaiuaDia.!
in their present worn to oe urtuiou ir
fighting. ' . '
One of the immediate etiects oi mo
new plan will be the re-routing of'
much freight now passing over con-!
gested lines, particularly in the east.)
The railroad war board has sought to
(Continued on Page 2)
POLICE ARREST NEGRO
ion GUILTY
Efforts Being Made To Iden
tify Young Woman's
Assailant
Police officers arrested a negro man
about 3 o'clock this morning whom
they hope to identify as the one who
attacked the young - white woman
Wednesday night, but at noon identi
fication had not been made. The offi
cers ransacked the city and surround
ing country yesterday and last night,
and the trail first taken by Arthur
Taylor's bloodhounds toward the Wea
verville section was the one which led.
to the arrest early this morning. Th
suspect will today be taken before the
young woman to see if she recognizes
him as the man who attacked her.
Citizens of Ashovllle today called on
county and city officers, It is stated,
to offer a reward for the arrest, of the
guilty man. One of these men stated
that the county would be asked to
make the first move in this direction
as the affair occurred outside the city,
and that he had assurance that the
city commissioners would also offer a
um of money for the apprehension of
the negro.
"If the county and city do not offer;
a reward," said this man, "a private,
subscription will be taken for the pur-
pose. Such outrages must not go un- i
punished without making every ponsl- I
ble effort to find and convict th.
criminal. To ferret out the right man
and give him the proper punishment;
according to law will be a protection
io innocent men wno are oiten in aan- :
ger of lynch law at the hands of out- ;
raged citizens." r
5