What Can
Best Bo for Salisbury During 1919?
TA3DIIN VALLEY HEEAL
VOL. 9. NO. 19.
$1.50 A YEAR AND WORTH IT.
SALISBURY, NORTH CAROLINA. TUESDAY. DEC. 31. 1918.
$1.50 A YEAR AND WORTH IT.
PRICE TWO CENTS,
will wnm wm m..
WfflKR
"America
Six Out of Eight Favor a Change in
the City Government of Salisbury
These Reports Show That There is a Decided Interest in Commission
Form of Government
Can Do for Salisbury
Sent Out and and Replies Coming In.
Of the first eight replies coming
in to the Post's inquiries "What Shall
We iDo For (Salisbury During 1919,"
with special reference to a change of
municipal government, commission
form or city management six were
favorable to a change and two ex
pressed opposition to a change. The
replies indicated a very earnest inter
est in the city and the best interest of
all the community. Local government
and matters pertaining to city govern
ment claim first attention with those
who replied, perhaps largely because
they were given this cue in the ques
tion asked.
The majority indicate their interest
in a change of form of government
and inan immediate agitation for this
change. Other matters touched cn
were such as indicated civic progress.
lA moral and physical cleanup of the
city, co-operation for a divinity cf
industries and street improvement
were- set down as matters which
should occupy the attention of Salis
bury for the coming year.
Heartily in Favor Commission Form.
Mr. J. F. Somers, the proprietor of
the Yadkin hotel, sets himself down as
favorable to a commission form of city
government. Mr. Somers favors a con
centration of the city administration
and with this a very vigorous policy
to make" good our opportunities dur
ing the yeaT. We quote his letter:
'l am heartily in favor of Commis
sion form of government for Salis
bury. I Hved two years in Greens
boro under this form of government
nd know from experience that it is
far ahead of out present form of gov
ernment. It is more efficient and
more economical from a financial
standpoint. Salisbury at present has a
superintendent of water works with
his office in one 'part of the city, a
city treasurer with his office at an
other part of the city and a city clerk
with his office still in another part of
the city, and a mayor with no office
except his private law office. Yet all
these men drawing salaries with their
clerks and office expenses, and the
public subjected to all these incon
veniences brought about by lack of
concentration of the city administra
tion. On the other hand the commis
sion form of government places the
business of the city in the hands of
three men who devote their entire
time to the welfare of the city.
I wish to state further that there
is no city the size of this in North
Carolina that has not a city hall in
keeping with the size and progress of
the city. Now is the opportune time
for Salisbury to take a stej forward
and put on new life. We have all the
advantages necessary to make a wide
awake and progressive city, and we
have the citizens necessary, to do the
job if they will only wake up and take
advantage of the opportunities now
before them."
Mr. Peacock Does Not Favor Change
"Wie following indicates a dosposi
tion to regard the change as altogether-
Unnecessary. The writer, of the
wholesale grocery firm of Simnson
Peacock 'company, wants a mayor to
give his whole time to the office and
five the city a business administra
tion. This writer also refers to our
need of a modern, creditable municipal
building, and as we read further into
these expressions of public opinion
we will find that there is a very de
cided sentiment for a municipal
building which would be creditable to
the city. Here is the expression sub
mitted by Mr. Peacock:
Answering your inquiry as to what
is the "Best Thing We Can Do for
Salisbury iDuring 1919" I beg to say
that I do not think it (s necssary to
have a changeSn the form of oar city
government. It appears to me, how
ever," under our present form it would
be wise to have the head of our city
government fire his whole time to the
administration of Its busines son ade
quate salary. '
"Our schools are being well devel
oped, and this must still occupy con
siderable attention. The urgent need
at present is the extension of street
improvement. - Almost as urgent is
our need of sv modem municipal build
ing, prominently located.
"Toun-truly, .
T.N. PEACOCK."
Not Interested in
in the City What is the Best Thing That We
During the Year 1919? Many Inquiries Being
Another Favorable Expression From
a Leading Banker.
Mr. W. F. Snider, cashier of the
Wachovia bank, wants the change agi
tated now and the city government
changed. He wants the entire citizen
ship behind the government and an
untiring effort made to make great
advancement during the coming year.
Mr. Snider writes as follows:
"I favor the Commission form of
government for our city, and I- think
now is the time to agitate it.
"Any sensible business plan that
wil ltake the management out of poli
tics would be acceptable. We want
the entire citizenship behind our gov
ernment. "With a united effort there is no
reason why our beautiful city, with
its admirable location and splendid
surroundings, should not make great
advancements during 1919.
"W. F. SNIDER."
Mr. H. A. Rouzer answers the in
quiry about the change of city govern
ment in the affirmative; says he is in
favor of the change and sees no rea
son why the change should wait.
Speaking of the best thing we can do
for the city during the year 1919,
Mr. Rouzer says briefly, "Clean up,
morally, physically and otherwise."
State Senator Savs'the Quicker the
. Better
State Senator R. Lee Wright says
he is in favor of change in the city
government and the quicker the bet
ter for him. Here is the letter which
came from Mr. Wright:
"Dear Mr. Hurley:
"In reply to your inquiry I will say
that I am very much in favor of a
Commission form of government for
Salisbury, and think the quicker we
get it the better. ,
"Other cities and towns in our
state seem to be well pleased and are
on the road to progress. Why not we ?
"Very truly,
"R. LEE Wl RIGHT."
Father Anthony Says Need Is Vari
ety of Interest
Declaring that he does not favor a
change of government for Salisbury,
that he does not favor a commission
for mand sees no benefit of agitation,
Father Anthony, of the Catholic
church, writes that what we need now
for the coming year, is to "promote
a variety of industries and to place
names of streets at lal intersections."
Mr. Overman Favors' Change to Com
mission Form.
Mr. Ed. Overman, of the wholesale
house of same name, favors a new
form the commission form and be
lieves that it should be pushed with
out a bit of delay, Mr. Overman takes
only a few words to express his posi
tion, but there is no mistaking his
position.
Peeler Company Write Favorable to
to Change.
The wholesale firm of Peeler Com
pany expresses the opinion that to
keep up with the march of progress
the city must adopt a more progress
ive form of government and take its
place along with the more progressive
cities of the land. Their letter follows
in full:
"We have your letter asking us for
Opinion of a change in the city govern
ment. "In our opinion a Commission form
of government would be better for our
city than the present one.
"As the world war has changed
things, we can no longer do business
as we did 40 years ago.
"It is our honest opinion that the
only way we can go forward would be
to have a Commission form of gov
ernment, whose busines it would be
to look after the interest of the town
and make it so attractive that outside
capital would want to come in.
. "if we want to keep pace with the
times, we must wake up to the -'tuition,
or we will be counted a back
number.
"We truly hope that through the
columns of your good paper that you
will start now to educate the people
to the new changes in the world that
is bound to come.
"Yours truly,
"PEELER COMPANY."
DISASTROUS FIRE
AT LIVINGSTONE
Huntington Hall, Three Story Frame
Structure, and Old Original College
Building Completely Destroyed To
gether With Practically All Furni
ture. At 3:30 o'clock this morning an
alarm of fire called the department to
Livingstone college where a blaze had
gained considerable headway in Hunt
ington Hall, the old original frame
college building, and within a short
time had eaten its way through the
entire building which was completely
burned to the ground, together with
practically all of the furniture and
fixtures. This building was occupied
is a boys' dormitory and had been
since the regular boys' dormitory,
Dodge Hall, was burned some months
ago. The fire had gained sueh head
way when discovered and spread so
rapidly throughout the building that
many of the students had to hurry for
their lives and many of them lost
much of their wearing apparel.
Just what caused the fire is not
Dositively known but it is supposed to
have started in the top of the rear
wing and must have been caused by a
Icfective flue. The building 'was a
lanye one, three stories and the 'fire
marie a big blaze and lighted up that
whole section "of the city. The fire
men were handicapped at first by
low water pressure but the blaze had
gained such headway when they ar
rived on the scene that it would hardly
have been possible to have saved the
building. The fire had a good start
when discovered and was a mile or
more distant from the fire station.
The fire was one of the hottest the
firemen have had to contend with in
vears and at one time a frame build
ing some distance off and used as a
laundry caught but was extinguished
with only slight damage. Large burn
ing cinders fell several blocks away
and other houses in that part of the
city were in danger for a time.
Huntington Hall was the oldest of
the string of college buildings, having
been the original home of the school
and was built more than 30 years ago.
In it was formerly the girls' dormi
tory but had been vacated by them on
completion of the large new brick
zirls' building and the boys had oc
upied it since their dormitory was
burned.
Just what the loss is has not been
estimated but it will be $10,000 or
$12,000, partially covered by insur
ance. The boys are now housed in
the -various buildings until some ar
rangements can be made for a per
manent dormitory for them.
OBJECTS 10 ENTRY
German Government Takea Exception
to Demonstrative Entry of Ignace
and Paderewski "Union With Po
land Accomplished.''
(By Associated Press.)
Berlin, Dec. -30. An objection to
the demonstrative entry into Posen
by Ignace and Jan Paderwiski has
been made by the German govern
ment, according to the Tageblatt
This objection has been made on
the ground that safe conduct was
granted Paderwiski only for the trip
from Dancig to the Polish frontier.
The Prussian government authori
ties hove been instructed to induce
PaderwieU to renew his journey to
Warsaw.
In discussing the riots occurring in
Posen the Ikal Anzeiger says im
mediately after an automobile bearing
the American flag was attacked a
Polish guard emerged from the castle
at Posen and proclaimed to the crowd
the "union with Poland has been ac
complished."
INTO CITY POSEN
European
E
E
French Premier Makes It Plain
That He Adheres to the Old
System "Balance of Power."
DECLARES HIS ATTITUDE IS
SUPPORTED BY WILSON
During Stormy Debate in Cham
ber of Deputies War Aims of
France Are Outlined.
(By the Associated Press)
Paris, Dec. 2!).' Premier Clemen
ceau was given a vote of confidence,
380 to 143, in the chamber of depu
ties today after a stormy de'jute In
which the war aims of France were
outlined by Stephen Pichon.
The foreign minister and prmiei
has indicated his adherence to the old
system of alliance called "the balance
of power.'' It was indicated by the
premier that the formation of a
league of nations might be carried co
incident with che signing of the peace
treaty.
Premier Clemenceau States His Posi
tion Paris, Dec. 30. In addressing the
chamber of deputies last night 'Pre
mier Clemenceau made it plain that it
was his intention to support Great
Britain in the ipeace negotiations on
the question of the freedom of the
seas, and he declared his attitude in
this matter was assumed by President
Wilson.
'Premier Clemenceau said his con
versations with President Wilson had
been profitable although he added: "I
should not be telling the truth if I
said I always had been in agreement
with hira on all points."
In summing up his argument for
full confidence and exercise of pati--nce
by the chamber the premier de
clared :
"There will be claims to be set forth
and others which will have to be given
up. If I mounted the rostrum to elab
orate on the subject I would be the
worst premier in Europe. That does
not mean we are not working hard to
prepare a line of action for the peace
congress."
The premier earlier had expressed
lis belief in efficiency of the sys
tem of alliance called the "balance
of power," but indicated he was not
opposed to a league of nations. Such
a league, he said, might be organized
at about the time the treaty of peace
was completed.
The British premier, Lloyd George,
said to me one day 'You will admit
without the British fleet you could not
have continued the war.' I answered
;n the affirmative. He then asked me
if I was disposed to anything in op
position to British ideas on the free
dom of the seas. I answered in the
negative. Concerning this question
President Wilson said to me: 'I ap
orove cf what you said. What you
have offered the allied governments
will change in no way your answer to
Premier Lloyd George.' "
WOULD DEPORT ENEMY ALIENS.
Department of Justice Will Recom-p-rd
Th"t 3.000 to 4,000 of These
Men Be Sent Back Home.
(By the Associated Press)
Washington, Dec. 30. Deportation
of most of the 3,000 or 4,000 enemy
ilins now interned in the United
States will be recommended to con
gress by the department of justice.
Special legislation will be required
for the deportation and it was learned
'oay that the department of justice
will ask also for authority to prevent
the re-entry of these men into this
country later. Some of them are not
considered dangerous permanently
and no effort will be made to deport
these. A careful investigation of the
records, however, convince officials
that the larger proportion of those in
terned should not be left in this coun
try to foment future trouble.
PILLAGING IN FRANKFORT.
Moba. Engage in Unlawful Acts and
the Authorities Are Powerless to
Prevent Trouble.
London. J)ec 80- Pillaging on a
large scale- is being carried out by
mnbs n Frankort, Germany, and the
thoorities are powerless to prevent
It, according to a Central Newt dis
patch from Amsterdam. Troons in
the city refuse to fire on the rioters.
Sinn Feiners Blow Up Cork Soldiers
Monument.
Cork, D-e. 2S.-By the Associated
Press.) Sinn Feiners on Saturday
night, after the announcement of
election results, blew up the-monument
erected by public subscription
to the Cork soldiers who had fought
in the South African war.
OEM
A
1
PP
NGLAND
Politics."
E
Department of Justice Win Not
Tolerate Any Violations of the
Anti-Trust Law.
ATTITUDE DEPT. JUSTICE
SET FORTH BY GREGORY
When War Industries Board
Ceases to Exist Jan. 1st Price
Fixing Will Be Watched.
Washington, Dec. 30. Concerted
price fixing by any industry after the
government ceases to exercise price
control January 1st will be regarded
by the department of justice as in re
straint of free competition, it was
stated today.
1 he explanation was made in- reply
to a question as to what happens to
war time price fixing when the war
industries board ceased its functions
at midnieht Wednesday.
The attitudes of the department of
justice as outlined by Attorney Gen
eral Gregory is that the anti-trust
laws still in effect will be enforced
vigorously by the department. Thev
have been in full effect during the
war but the department did not re
gard the action of industry In main
taining prices fixed by the govern
ment as contrary to law.
In making his explanation the at
torney general did not refer to any
industry STtofliiically but stipulated
his explanation that no violation of
the anti-trust laws would be permit
ted.
L0SS$p,000
Evidence Accumulate to Show That
Destructive Blaze in Virginia-Tennessee
City Was Incendlarj Origin.
IBristol, Va.-Tenn., Iec. 30.--Discov
ery of a large hole in the rear of the
uins of the Mitchell-Powers Hard
ware company, apparently made with
a saw and crowbar, strengthened the
lheory that the million dollar fire last
night wasj the work or firebugs.
Three other serious fires occurred in
'he business district within the past
nonth. One entailed a loss of more
han $500,000.
Lack of water and explosion of
lynamite and small munitions in the
stock of the Mitchell-Powers concern
rreatly handicapped the work of the
fifiremen.
Most Disastrous Fire in City's His
tory Destroyed Much Property
Sundav Fourth Fire in a Month.
iBristol, Va.-Tenn., Dec. 30. -Fire
onight, which originated in the inve
ntory building occupied by Mitchell
Powers Hardware company in State
street, on the Virginia side, completely
'estroyed that structure and four
ither biuldings in the heart of the
'nusiness district, at ah estimated loss
-if $1 00,000, partially covered by in
urnnce. The other buildings destroy
d were occupied by the Bristol Gas
ind Electric company offices, the
T,yrm-Kayor offices, and the other two
by rolthing stores. ,
The fire which was the most disas
trous in the history of the city was
rotten under control shortly after
midnight when it reached the Domin
ion ,'Natonal bank building on the
north and the Strauss Department
store on the south, damaging these
buildings.
Lack of water and the explosions of
powder and shell in the Mitchell-Powers
building greatly handicapped the
firemen and when the blaze began to
spread on either side of this build
ing, an appeal was made for assist
ance from Kingsport and Johnson
City. Water was Anally -obtained
from a small creek ,th rough a pump
and this, it is said, probably saved the
entire down-town district from de
struction. No one was injured, al
though; one fireman became overbal
anced on top of a three-story building
where he was lighting the flames.
Turning somersault in the air, he
landed head downward between the
staves of a ladder, standing on the
first floor. Other firemen ran to his
assistance thinking he was dead.
When pulled loose he was unhurt
For the fourth time within a month
Bristol has been visited by four large
fires, two of which were the most dis
astrous in the history of the city. The
one tonight broke out in the same
manner in which the other three start
ed. All of them were within a few
blocks of each other in State street.
An investigation, it ie thought, will be
made by the city officials.
CONCERTED PRIG
FIXING WATCHED
BRISTOL HAS A FIRE
- ! resident
SPENCER WOMAN
ENDS LIFE WITH GAS
Mrs. Joseph Steadman, for Years In
III Health, Takes Her Life at Her
Home, Using Rubber Tube and Gas
Range.
Mrs. Joseph H. Steadman, wife of
a well known engineer on the main
line of the Southern, running from
Spencer to Moroe, Va., was found
dead in her kitchen this morning when
Mr. Steadman came in off of his run
and went to his home. It was evident
that the unfortunate woman had tak
en her own life and had planned out
the means of suicide. Coroner Sides
was called but it was a such plain case
or self destruction that an Inquest
was not deemed necessary.
When Mr. Steadman entered the
house he did not see Mrs. Steadman
and he went through to the kitchen
There he found her lying prostrate on
the floor, dead. She had secured a
rubber tube and attached this in some
manner to the gas Jet on the range
and turned on the gas. Then securing
a pillow she placed this on the floor
and lay down with her head on it,
placing the tube In some manner over
her face and Inhaling th f limes of the
gas. ,
Just how long the woman had been
dead is not known but she was cold
and stiff when discovered.
Mrs. Steadman was 49 years old
and had for a number of years been
in ill health and It is believed this
brought on a spell of melancholy and
resulted in her planning self destroy
turn. - . -e -11,11-3
The remains will be taken
to her old
home at Carey, near Raleigh, tomor
row morning on No. 44 and the inter
ment will take place there. The hue
band and several children survive.
Mr. Steadman is one of the most
popular engineers on the Southern
and has a host of friends in Salisbury
and" Spencer who learned with deep
sorrow of his bereavement.
RAID IN STANLY
A Wo Hslt an Automobile Containing
Blockade Dr. Fitzgerald Gives Up
Central Hotel.
(Special to the Post.)
Albemarle, Dec. 29. Dr. W. C.
Fitzegarld who has run the Central
hotel here for the past number of
vears will five it ud January 1 and
move his family into his magnificent
residence on ast Fourth street, lhe
owner of the property has just closed
n lease to k. K. Bland who will take
charge January 1 when it is given ud
by Dr. Fitzgerald. Mr. Bland will con
tinue to conduct his music store which
is located in one of the rooms m the
hotel buildiiur.
Revenue Officer S. P. Dry. Sheriff
O. D. Blalock, Chief of Police J. D.
Love and Deputies Thomas Blalock
and Frank Crisco made a raid the
other night in western .Stanly and got
a still hot, together with two men
who were running it After the offi
cers captured the still and men they
then started back to Albemarle and
overtook a Maxwell car which they
decided was an Albemarle outfit. They
hailed the driver and demanded that
he stop. He stopped, and Iq and be
hold it was driven by Rich Wall, a
negro man of this iplace, who Is rather
will known and the owner of consid
erable Albemarle real estate. Rich's
car was taken in charge together with
Kich and eight gallons of the mean
est whiskey ever seen in -Stanly coun
ty and that is saying a lot. The men
arrested will be given a hearing with
in tne next lew days.
.Many an Albemarle man's Christ
mas was ruined when those officers
made that raid on 'Rich Wall's auto
mobile. GREENSBORO SCHOOLS OPEN
Closing oan tor scaoois is urtea and J
Inuenza Epidemic Well in Hand in
Raleigh-Greensboro.
(By Associated Press.)
Greensboro. Dec 80. Schools re
opened here this morning after having
been closed since early in the session
because of influenza. Theaters and
churches were allowed to reopen sev
eral weeks age. The epidemic situation
is now believed to be under complete
control. ' . ' "
Raleigh New Feels Safe.
Raleigh, Dee. 80. The public
schools of Raleigh, closed since Oc
tober 7, on account & influenza, re
opened today. While the disease has
not entirely disappeared the health
authorities believe the situation is un
der control. . -
REVENUERS MAKE A
BBSS fBSSM-Jv
NOT INTERESTED
EUROPEAN POLITICS
America is Not Concerned in Pol
itics Overseas But in the Part
nership of Bight.
SO DECLARED PRESIDENT
WILSON AT MANCHESTER
United States Will Join No Com
bination of Power Which Is
Not a Combination of All.
(By Associated Press.)
Mtnchester, England, Dec. 80.
America 1s not interested in European
politics but she is interested in the
partnership of right between America
snd Europe, declared President Wil- .
son In receiving the freedom of the
city of Manchester fh Free Trade hall
here today. America is not interested
merely In the peace of Europe but the
peace of the world, he added.
"If the future had nothing for us
but a new attempt to keep the world
right and poise by a balance of pow-
er," the President added, "the United ,
States would take no Interest in it
because she will join no combination ,
of power which is not a combination
of us all."
-Uf we remain a body of frlen.1i,
the President said, there must be an
easy and constant method of confer
ence so that the troubles could be
taken when little and none allowed to
grh until they were big. s
"I- wish we could for the whole
world" enter"' league and covenant and
declare ourselves friends of mankind," ,'
the President added. ,
The President said he was not hope-
ful that immediate items of settle
ment which was about to be attempt- ,
d would be altogether satisfactory.'
"Only one has to apply his time," he
continued, "to any one of these ques
tions of boundary of altered sovrelgn
tv of racial asperations to do some
thing more than conjecture. There is
no man or body of men who knows
best how they ought to be settled And
yet if wo are to make satisfactory
settlement we must see to It that they
are rendered more satisfactory by
subsequent adjustment which is made '
possible. We must provide the ina-
chinery for adjustment In order that
we may have the machinery of good
will and principle."
There was a feeling of cordial fra
ternity and friendship between Amer
ica a.-.d Great Britain, declared the
President, which was based on the
principle of friendship and patriotism.
that led men to give more than was
demanded. The partnership of inter-
est which had tempted the govern
ments of the world had broken down
he said, as interest did not bind men
together but separated them. A com
mon devotion to right, he said, was
the only thing that could bind men to- - '
gether.
In the settlement which Is Just -ahead
something more difficult than
was ever attempted before had to be
accomplished- genuine concert of
mind and pu.pose, the President said, ,
but a keen international conscious
ness would rnaxe it easy. There is a r
great voice of humanity abroad m
the world "which he can't hear if
deaf," he added. . . ,
"We are nut obeying the mandates
of parties or politics," the President
continued, "but we are obeying the
mandates of humanity." .
Soldiers and Workmen's Council
Names Men to Replace Haase and
Dittman Who Retired Saturday
Night . .. (
(By Associated Press.)
Conpenhagen, Dee. 80. The Central
Vnnpil of SnMiara anil vnrlcmni nt
Germimy has appointed Herr Noake
governor of Kielr Herr Loebe, Editor
Brenlau of Volkiwacht, and Herr
Wishel members of the reichstsg and
cabinet members to replace foreign
minister Haase, minister of social
policy and Demobilization Minister
P'ttmann, who retired Saturday night,
according to Berlin advices pecetved
here. ' ; ; ; :
- -' A, P. of L. Rejects Proposal
New York, -Dec 29. The executive
eocncil of the American Federatoa of
Labor, at a Special session here today,
rejected a proposal calling for the for
mation of a national political labor
party, but to ted to send delegates to
the lnternatonal labor conference to
be held at Versailles next jnontb.
CENTRAL COllflCL
APPOINT MINISTERS