Newspapers / The Commonwealth (Scotland Neck, … / July 28, 1916, edition 1 / Page 1
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THE OMMG VOLUME XXXIII. BURLESON AIMS BLOW AT THE BANK EXCHANGE Orders Postmasters to Collect Checks To Save Exchange. Outrageous Says Claude. Washington, July 27. Postmaster General Burleson who has again thrown w monkey wrench into the smooth run ning Democratic machinery by issuing an order ordering postmasters through out the country to receive and collect checks from the federal reserve banks when drawn upon non-member banks for collection. In the opinion of practically every Democrat here this will not only work a hardship upon the patrons of banks in small towns butwill result in at least S,000 of the 14,500 small state banks and trust companies throughout the country going out of business. It is contended that the small banks in the towns and villages make the most of their profit on the small fee they get from the exchange of checks. T cut this revenue off will make it impossible for these institutions to do business. Majority Leader Claude Kitehin de hnunceA the order as one of the most butrageous proceedings he had ever heard of and declared that it was the most unjust proposition that any head of any department of the federal gov ernment had ever issued. In a ptdtmPht prepared for the Daily News in which Representative Page concurred, he said: "In my judgment this is the most revolutionary and unjustified order ever issued by any department of this gov ernment. If enforced, it will deprive four-fifths of the state banks b at least 50 per cent of their net income, and out of the 14,500 state banks in the United States, at least 8,000 of them will be completely destroyed. The banks destroyed will be those in the smaller towns and villages, and of course, will deprive the farmers and dthefs living in the rural districts of the lencfiiii t the banking system. "It is simply an outrage and when the people interested in the state banks find out what the order means they aro going to raise Cain atul ought ta. If the department insists on the enforce ment of this outrageous order, the state banks can evade it by printing on all checks the following! 'Payable in New York exchange at current rates.' "Then when the postmaster pre sents one of these checks for collection he can only get the New York exchange in payment, less the cost of same, and not the current funds as is contempla ted in this infamous order." The order issued by Mr. Burleson follows: "Notice to all postmasters: "Office of the postmaster-general, Washington, July 19, '16. "The chairman of the federal re serve board has transmitted to this de partment the following letter, dated Julv IS, 1916: " 'I have the honor to give below copy of a resolution today adopted by the federal reserve board, as follows: ' ' Whereas, it is necessary and desir able to facilitate the collection of checks presented through member banks, in cities and towns where there may be no member bankB to act as collection agencies; now, therefore be it resolved, that the honorable secre tary of the treasurer, chairman of this board, he officially requested to pre sent to the honorable postmaster gen eral the desire that the honorable post master general shall authorize post masters to receive checks from federal banks drawn upon state banks non members of the federal reserve system that they be requested to collect these cheeks in currency and remit the cur reney to the federal reserve bank by registered mail; the federal reserve bank of the district to pay all expen ses for postage and registration foes upon funds thus remitted. " 'As you know, the clearing and collection plan, covering the country wide collection of checks at par by federal reserve banks went into effect on July 15, 1916. The request con tained in the resolution is intended to enable the federal reserve board to make use of postmasters for the pre sentation of checks at 'the counter of banks which refuse to remit the fed eral reserve banks. It is desired that having received payment of these checks, the postmasters remit the pro ceeds to the federal reserve bank of the district. While it is not anticipated that it will be necessary, to make use of this expedient to any wide extent, the permission to do so is much desir ed tv the board as part of its clearing and collection plah. It will be neces sary only in towns or ities where there is no member bank of the sys tem to make the collection.' ' ' Postmasters are authorized to re cpive checks from federal reserve banks drawn upon state banks non-members of the federal reserve system and they must comply promptly with the request of the federal reserve board to collect TWICE-A.WEEK MAJ. GEN. JAS. I. METTS Wilmington, N. C. Commander N. C. Division United Confederate Veterans. General James I. Metts who was Un animously re-elected Wednesday at the State reunion at Wilmington aa com- mander of the North of Confederate Veter reconstructed rebel" a. been prominent in the State Division; General given a most enthiisia's? the meetings yesterday na Division is an " un as for years 'airs of the Metts was veicoiiie at NEW U-BOAT WAR STARTED BY RMANS Are Waging a Relentless eaittpalga Against Timber Laden Ships Tra versing the North Sea. London, July . 27. German subma rines have started a relentless war against timber laden vessels in the j North Sea. Four ships, ali Norwegian, were retried to Wave been euuk to day. They were the Bams, Siebrid, Juno, and Kentgern. The captain and twelve men of the Kentgern were landed today at shields, where they gave details of the destruc tion of thei vessel. The German sub marine commander, after examining the Norwegian vessel 's papers, is quo ted as by members of the crew as say ing: "Well, I suppose I must do it. I am very sorry, but it is my duty. I am sick of and tired of the whole busi ness. ' ' The ship was then saturated parafin and act on fire. with MORE THAN 700 VICTIMS OF THE FLAGUS. New York, July 27. Only a. slight decrease in the epidemic of infantile paralysis was noted today in the health department's report of the 24 hours ending at 10 a. m. During that period there were thirty-one deaths and 151 new cases. More than 700 children now have been killed by the plague since its in ception on June 26, and there have been more than 3,000 cases reported. CRUISER NORTH CAROLINA ' ORDERED TO NEUTRAL DUTY Washington, July 27. Aroused by an official report from the commander of the battleship Louisana that a mys terious ship, purporting to be a Britsih cruiser, had entered the Virginia capes early yesterday morning, the navy de partment today ordered the armored cruiser North Carolina and three de stroyers to neutrality duty off Cape Henry. Officials maintained unusual seerecy regaramg the matter and wouia not disclose just what instructions were sent to the commander of the North Carolina. It was assumed, however, that he had directed to see that the Ger man merchant submarine Deutschland, now preparing for her return trip to Germany is not attacked by allied wa vessels within the three mile limit and that American neutrality is not other wise violated. SUING SECOND HUSBAND AT 17 Although not 18 years old, Mr. Asta Asche is believed to hold a record for matrimonial misadventures. She al ready has had one marriage annul ed and is now pressing action for separa tion against her second husband, Her man T. Asche, a member of a big New York food importing firm. She has been awarded $250 a month alimony pending trial of her case in the New York Supreme Court. these checks in currency and to remit the currency to the federal reserve bank by registered mail. (Signed) "ALBERT S. BURLESON, P. M. G." It is expected that a powerful pro test will be made againstth order as soon as the public learns of its significance. A Family Newspaper: For the Promotion SCOTLAND DENIES A BRITISH CRUISER ENTERED VIRGINIA CAPES English Ambassador Received a Mes sage from the Admiral Commanding the Squadron on the Atlantic Coast Making Positive Refutation. Navy officers who were aboard the Louisiana last Tuesday night when a vessel within the capes was reported to have signaled that she was an "Eng lish eruiser" today received the state ment of Sir Cecil Spring Riee without omment, insisting that it would be manifestly improper under the eircum-t stances for them to say anything. Washington, July 27. Sir Cecil Spring Rice, the British ambassador, informed Acting Secretary Polk today that ho had received a message from the admiral commanding the British squadron on the Atlantic coast deny ing that a British warship had entered Chesapeake Bay as reported by the commander of the battleship Louis iana. " The ambassador said the British ships had strict orders not to enter the three-mile limit of American territor ial wate tf waylay the German sub marine ..chland or for any other purpose, and the admiral had reported that these instructions had not beer, violated at any time. Mr. Polk was told that the British admiral was very indignant over the report that one of his cruisers had made an incursion into Chesapeake Bay under ctiVef of darkness early yester day morning. The statement of the ambassador will be accepted by the State Depart ment but the commander of the, Louis iana is being pressed for fur further details on his report that a craft which passed hirti at Lynnhaven Inlet signal ed "English cruiser'. " Officials do not know what to make of the case, biit some are led to believe that the Ameri can officer was the victim of some land of hoax. The armored cruiser North Carolina and the dttreyers sent out to the cvja-s for neutrality duty yesterday will con tinue their patrol. ELEVEN BODIES MAY NOT BE REMOVED IN A WEEK Cleveland, Ohio, July 27. The bodies of the 11 men entombed in the west side waterworks tunnell may not be recovered for a week, as a result of investigations today which disclosed that gas continues to pour into the tunnel and that there" is great danger of a second explosion wrecking the tunnel and the outer crib. Gustav A. Van Dusan, superintendent of waterworks construction wrho is re covering from the effects of his trip with a rescue party into the tunnel Tuesday, declared in a statement to day that electrical equipment in the crib No. 5 section of the tunnel was responsible ofr the first explosion. VILLA DEFEATED IN CLASH NEAR PARRAL Mexico City, July 27. Constitution alist forces in the vicinity of Parral have defeated the forces of Villa at the San Isidro ranch, according to an announcement today by General Obre gon. Pursuit continues. Villa's cavalry is heading toward the State of Durango, where General Mai cotte is expected to deal with it. Seven cars, on which arms were be ing transported, were taken by the Constitutionalists. MEN OF BUT 25 STATES FIT, DECLARES GARDNER Washington, July 27. Claiming the troops of only twenty-five States have been found in condition for border ser vice, Representative August Gaidner, Republican, of Massachusetts, introdue introdueed a resolution today request ing Secretary Baker to advise the House how many troops of the National Guard are now in service of the United States. Mr. Gardner said: "From 25 States, 94,043 men had been sent South, and yet the prescrib ed war strength of these identical or ganizations is 161,913." REGULAR ARMY AGE LIMIT CHANGED BY THE SENATE Washington, July 27. increased pay for the officers and men of the regular army an i national guard in active ser vice for the Mexican emergecy, improv ed camp conditions to safeguard their health, and authorization for them to vote in the field at the coming presi dential election were provided in a mendments to the army appropriation bill agreed today by the senate By a vote of 44 to 13 the senate also suspended the. rules to adopt the amend ment changing the- age minimum for enlistment in the regular army from 1 to 21 years without the consent of par ent ro guardian. Under the provision, boys under 21 now serving in the army would not be retained in the service unless they filed within SO days the written consent of, their parents or guardians. The amendment was adopt ed without a roll vail, i i of the Political, Social, Agricultural NECK, N. C, FRIDAY, JULY 28, GRAPHIC RECITAL OF SITU ATION ON SOMME FRONTIER Kaiser Vsiiting Baden and Saxon Plen ipotentiaries Gesticulated With Re newed Vigor Evidently Considers Conditions on Somme Front in Satis factory State. Headquarters of the German Armies on the Somme, July 24. (By Courier to Berlin, July 25, via London, July 27.) Emperor William in his talk with the Saxon and Baden military plenipotentiaries today when he de scribed the impressions resulting from his recent visit to the trenches, punc tuated and emphasised his discourse vith vigorous gestures. With the fresh- 88 of his color and' general vivicity oc energy, his bearing showed plainly that his health had not suffered under the long strain cf the war. The emperor's departure for the eastern front, accompanied by General Erich von Falkenhaven, chief of the general staff, immediately after the religious services at army headquarters is taken as a sign that the responsible heads of the army consider the situ ation on the Somme front now well in hand, and that there is no occasion for apprehension. Th'j Associated Press correspondent spent part of the morning at an artil lery observation station near Peronne, waiting of the weather to clear suffi ciently to permit military operations to begin. No one, however, saw any lift to the clouds, and as there was no prospect of witnessing anything inter esting of importance the watch was abandoned. The weather was not too thick, how ever, to prevent the general line of the opposing positions being traced from the observation point. Seemingly al most at the observer's feet was the point of the wedge when the Frencn had driven against Peronne. Bitches, on the west bank of the Somme, which the French for a time occupied, but whieh now was again in German hands, lies too low in the valley to be seen, but the height of La Maisonette, stood out plainly against the backgrounds, of clouds A Homeric ftrpgg'e f,r its possession had been waged tor long days. 2 us tr. a ership now was shared, the Germans holding the park while the French held the chauteau on the southern edge. Even n othis day of inaction shells and shrapnel was seen bursting fre quently over La Maisonette and a new struggle for complete possession of the height which is considered the best ad vanced post for artillery observation, apparently was about to begin. From La Maisonette the lino ran generally southwest to the villige of Belloy, the corner bastion on which it bends almost direetly westward to Soyecourt where it enters the original front beforo the beginning of the of fensive. What, details of the trace could not be made out with the eye assisted by the ocrassionally dropping shells, were supplied by an artillery observer who who stated that the village of Barleux which the French repeatedly had en deavored in storm, was in German hands w! ile Belloy was a French stronghold. ;md the village of Estrees was divided in possession. The French had this morning twice attempted to push forward the lines here by vicious attack with hand gre nades, and bayonets, but without suc cess. Barleux and La Maisonette were the storm renters in this sector. To the nortwest the square tower of Peronne cathedral arose from the valley. The house of Peronne, which is completely in German hands, and separated from the river by its natural French powers, also were discernible to the observer. Officers who recently visited the city stated that Peronne was remarkably little damaged in view of its proximity to the battle front. All the civillian inhabitants of Peronne have evacuated the eity, though great ly against the wishes of many. In most towns and villages exposed to French fire, the population manifests an obstinate desire to remain in their dwellings no matter how great the dan ger. Children and babes scarcely able to totter frequently were seen playing carelessly in villages where the next morning a shell might be expected to drop The battle line teuehes the Somme to the north of Blanches, runs wept along the canal to Hem, where it cross es the river, and swings northward to the vicinity of Guillemont and Water lot farm. The gains of the entinte allies are roughly included between this base line and the point of the wedge at La Maisonette, the greatest depth gain ed being about 4 miles, The correspondent had no opportun- i ity juring his stay of inspecting the front opposite the British troops. Ho was unable by either personal inspec tion or conversation with participants to learn indefinitely how the situation stood there, London, July 27. Lloyds announce: that the British steamer Olive of 2,396 tons has been sunk. Her crew was saved. t and Commercial Interests of Iff People 1916. READ IT FIRST IN THIS PAPER A TREATY WITH DENMARK WILL BE ANNOUNCED This Government Acquires the Danish West Indies at a Price of $25,000,000. Washington, July 27. Only determi nation of a few minor details remain to complete negotiation of a treaty be tween the United States and Denmark providing for acquisition of the Danish West Indies by this government at a purchase price of 25,000,000. So nearly in agreement are the two governments that an official White House announcement this morning pre dicted that the treaty probably would be signed during the day. Tonight tha delay in closing the negotiations was not explained, but it was indicated that no material barrier to their successful outcome had developed-. It was suggest ed that the signing might await the re turn of Secretary Lansing from his vacation early in August. The exact provisions of the agree ment are being closely guarded in the belief that publicity at this time might place the negotiations at a disadvan tage. Officials relucantly confirmed that the purchase virtually had been consummated and betrayed displeasure that reports of the advanced status of the negotiations had been circulated in last night's press dispatches. Their chief concern is understood to be the possibility that some third nation micht bring pressure to bear to defeat the project. In general terms the treaty is under stood to follow one negotiated in 1502 by the two governments but whieh laps ed when the Danish parliament failed to ratify it after the United Stacoi senate had acted favorably. It is said to contemplate complete American ac quisition of the group, which lies east of Porto Rico and is regarded as of great strategic military value. Relin quishment of undefined American claims through right of discovery in Greenland, a Danish colony, also is said to be included. , . . - Whether the Danish parliament might again defeat ratification is understood to be a matter of speculation among officials here. General confidence on fa favorable action is felt in most quar ters, but diplomatists are sensitive to the fact that Denmark hemmed in as she is among the great European pow ers, some of which have desired the Danish Indies for themselves, might feel strongly any pressure for neigh bors brought to bear to prevent the sale. It is recalled that failure of the 1902 treaty was attributed to German influences. Difficulty is anticipated on the other hand, in securing ratification of a pur chase treaty by the United Sates sen ate. An effort probably will be mn'ie to secure favorable action there before the present session of congress tnd?. WATCHING FOR BREMEN OFF BEAUFORT INLET At Least One Allied Cruiser Has Taken Up Position There Bremen May Try to Enter Beaufort. Beaufort, July 26. At least one crui ser of the allied powers was believed to be standing off Beaufort Inlet tonigt in an attempt to prevent the entrance of the German submarine merchantman Bremen, now due at an American port after s, voyage similar to that made by her sister, the Deutschland. The keeper of the Fort Macon coast guard station reported tonight that a strange warship was in sight off the in let throughout the afternoon. The ves sel according to the keeper, cruised back and forth about 10 miles at sea until just, before dusk when it .dissa- peared. The cruiser's movements, it was said, indicated that it was keeping a close watch on the inlet. It was rumored today that the Bre men would arrive here tonight. DEATH IN A RUNAWAY. New Bern, July 27. Augusts Wat son, the fourteen year-old-son of Mr. and Mrs. J. E. Watson of Swansboro, met a horrible death at that place yes terdav morning when a cart in which he was riding, overturned, caught his body beneath it and he was dragged along a shell road a considerable dis tance. ASSERTS GIRL BATHERS' BARE LEGS LURE SHARKS Washington, July 27. This year's fad of stockingless girl bathers at the Atlantic seashore resorts is responsible for the prevalence of sharks, in the opinion of Howard Elliott, of Sarasota, Fla., who says he knows all about the monsters of the sea. "It is a scientific fact that a shark will not attack a person wearing clothes." he says. "A shark will touch nothing dark, and I think that if the girls would discontinue going in bath ing bare legged the sharks would soon ! dissapear. Eiiiot says tb'at he intends to call his theory to the attention of the Fed eral authorities. . ENGLAND CONSENTS TO THB ADMISSION OF FOOD Will Allow it Shipped to Occupied Ter ritory Under American Supervision London, July 27. Great Britiaji will eonsent to the admission of food inro the territory occupied by the central powers under the supervision of a neu tral commission appointed by President Wilson. This will cause surprise in re lief circles whieh have been working hard to procure some form of relief for Poland as the belief had become general that the negotiations between the entente powers and Germany had reached an impasse which offered no hopes of agreement. The full details of the British offer will be sent to Walter Hines Page, the American Ambassador, in the form of a letter for transmission to Presi dent Wilson. Therefore, they cannot be disclosed until the letter has been received in Washington. But the gen eral nature of the plan as outlined at the British foreign office will give the Wilson commission a chance to work with the support and approval of the entente powers in provisioning the oc cupied areas, provided the Austro-Ger-mans take no more native food supplies from these districts. THE FIRST CASE OF PLAGUE AT NEW BERN. New Bern, N. C, July 27. Although every precaution has been taken to pre vent the epidemic of infantile paraly sis, now prevalent in the North, from reaching this section, and particularly this city," all efforts seems have proved futile and the first case was reported today. The patient is the little four-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin MeKinney, whose home is on Shoit street and the little girl is cricically ill and her recovery is in doubt. The case was discovered by Dr. J. F. Pat terson, the city physician, and he im mediately called Doctors Jones and Gibbs into consultation and they a greed with him that it is a bona fide case of infantile paralysis. NINE-YEAR-OLD BOY KILLED BY c Automobile. v Petersburg, Va., July 26. John Fos ter Meacham, aged 9 years, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Ridley Meacham, died at the Petersburg hos pital shortly after 12 o'clock this morning of a fractured skull sustained when the youth was knocked down by an automobile owned and driven by F. A. Hood of 15 North Dunlop street, about 8 o 'clock last evening. Mr. Hood, According to witnesses, was driving at a moderate rate of speed castwardly on Washington street and turned to the left to pass another machine going in the same direction. The child, who was wait ing with his mother to take a trolley ride, suddenly ran in front of the ma chine and was knocked to the briek pavement. ARE DETERMINED TO PASS THE CHILD LABOR LAW Washington, July 27. Child labor legislation found a place on the Sen ate legislative program today, its pas sage determined in by leaderH after an urgent request had come from the White House. Senate Democrats at a caucus last night decided over the pro tests of Southern senators to put it ahead of the shipping bill. A long de bate preceded the decision. Southern senators insisted that the caucus stand by a former decision to let the child labor bill go until De cember. They said Republicans had agreed to this, but that after Presi dent Wilson's visit to the capitol last week to urge child labor legislation Republicans declined to delay consid eration. An effort to include immi gration legislation program failed. Senator Kern notified the Senate today of the determination of the De mocratic caucus to call up the child labor bill as soon as the District of Columbia appropriation bill is pass ed. "The minority is gratified at that decision," said Senator Gallinger, speaking for the Republicans. "We are axious for passage of that meas ure." President Wilson insists on the bill being included in the Democratic leg islative program. BIG JUNK PILE During the year of 1915 secondary metals were removed from scrap, sweep ings, etc., in the Unied States to the value of $114,304,930 according to the annual statement on Secondary Metals issued by the U. S. Geological Survey. This report is now available for distri bution. TWELVE KILLED; FIFTEEN IN JURED. El Paso, Texas, July 27. Between twelve and fifteen persons were killed and more than twenty injured when a naothbound trriu on the Mexican ra i road turned over into a gully near Mon terey, according to dispatehes reaching El Paso today. NUMBER 48. PATE OP NAVAL BILL IS A VERY D0UBTPUL THING Leaders Have High Hopes That it Will Suffer Less at Hands of Conferees Than expected. Washington, July 27. Senate lead ers encouraged today by President Wil son's stand for the Senate naval pro gram, were in high hopes that the Senate bill would suffer less at hands of a conference than had been expect ed. Whether the President's influence was strong enough to put through the full Senate program was considered uncertain. The House probably will name con ferees when it meets again Thursday. Senate members have been named. Re presentative Buchanan, of Illinois, fight ing reference of the measure to con ference on the contention that it is too important to be disposed of that war succeeded yesterday in preventing nam ing of House conferees, but the rules committee is prepared to force leader' plans for a conference. President Wilson will personally urge the House naval committee to support the naval bill as it now stands with all the branches added ii the Sen ate. He will wee the Democrats and later the Republicans at conferences to be arranged later. The bill is ready for conference be tween the two houses for adjustment of differences. The President particu larly wants the building program to stand, including the four dreadnaughts and the four battle cruisees. There ars indications that the House managers want to reduce the Senate increases. GOLD ON THE APPAM WORTH ABOUT $185,000.- The captured Elder-Demster liner Appam is a lawful prize according to the decision of the German prize court just rendered at Berlin, amounting to 7:59,000 marks, about $185,000, which was transferred to the raider Moe before the Appam was carried into Hampton Roads, has been ordered turn ed 'over t tli Reichstag, in ac.cwdaiu-e with the decision of tho court. RIVERS AND CREEKS IN EAST NORTH CARROLINA ARE RISING New Bern, July 27. The waters in the rivers and creeks east of New Bern and mainly in Carteret county and th lower part of Craven continue to ris- rapidly and all the streams are out cf thiir banks and the lowlands are be ing flooded and crops badly damaged. Newport river traversing Carteret coun ty is as far above the high water mark. Slocums creek is on a rampage and it is feared that the damage will be much greater than at present unless the wa ters soon begin to fall. So far the wa ters of Neuse and Trent rivers around New Bern have not risen, the floods up state having but little effect on thes heavy rains continue falling and thes i"id much to the seriousness of tho situ ation. Berlin, July 27. Captain James Montague Huggins, a war prisoner in the camp at Doeberitz is probably ths youngest British officer of his rank. H is not yet eighteen years old and com manded a batallion as a brevet major when he was captured in one of th battles near Loos. The captain entered the army as a volunteer shortly after his sixteenth birthday and at seventeen was a first lieutenant. lie fought with distinc tion in many engagements and is treat ed with the greatest respect and con sideration by the German military au thorities. COMPLIMENTS ON SHELL THE HALF "Ye Editor" Hears Many Favorable Remarks on the Red Headed Edition this Week. The Commonwealth had no idea that a little red ink scientifically smeared o the front page of the "old reliable" would pull so many compliments, but it did, just the same. Shortly aff. it going to press Wednesday with the be lated edition of Tuesday, a fresh copy of the paper was placed on the plats glass which protects the writer from the curious stare of the populace, and yuddorter have seen 'cm coming up. Very few who were lucky enough to get hold of a copy have up to this writ ing failed to slap "ye Editor" on the back and say "some class, kid." Most everybody was "shooting the bull" so to speak about this class edition. But before closing this artiele, it is sad te relate that it still takes money to rua a business, dingbustit, but the cheer ing remarks caused a temporary lull in tha battle betwwen output and in take. Maybe the boys will come up later and subscribe to the paper that has been here since father was a boy. . .. - rx
The Commonwealth (Scotland Neck, N.C.)
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July 28, 1916, edition 1
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