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.1 " THE WEATHER. 'Local rln Saturday; colder In north fiortloa. Sunday, fair In north, local rains n central an dsouth portion. Highest temperature yesterday, 56 de greet; lowest, 42 degrees. i WEST FLORIDA HAS MANY ATTRACTIONS FOR THE HOME SEEKER : VOL. XX NO; $63. PENSACOLA, FLORIDA, SATURDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 29, 1917. RICE FIVE CENTS I A II II II I II I II I II I II I II f II I If II ALL RAILROAD SYSTEMS ARE TAKEN OVER BY U. S. 250,000 Miles of American Railway Systems Pass Un . der Direction of the U. S. CLEAR TRAFFIC ! IS FIRST AIM McAdoo Appoints Advisory Board Composed ot i1 we , Biggest R. R. Officials. - By Associated Press ' Washington, Dec. 28. At noon to day approximately 250,000 miles of American railway systems silently j , merged into one great continental j chain for the winning of the war. Under President Wilson's decision, , the great event, regarded by many -as the opening or a new epoch in government operation and control of public utilities, "passed by - without j any formal ceremony. , j Director General McAdoo was con- ferring at the time with line members , of the Tailroads war. board, ana kod ert S. Lovett, chairman of the prior itv shinment ' committee. - Thi members of the war board all railroad executives who have 4 been working, within the limitations of law, to do , what the government itself now proposes to accomplish, pledged their support to tfhe govern ment administration, as nas practic ally every railroad man in the coun try. . ' - " Orders for. the actual unification of the lines, common use of f acili ties and eouloment. which are ex pected to raise the freight jam imm diatelv will be the first results. As the first practical step in the government's operation of railroads, Director General McAdoo drafted the railroad's war board into the government service ; to work out .. plans of unified operation and sub mit them to him for approval. The following five railroad execu tives, each a leader in the business of transportation, will work out the Diana for weldinir 250.000. miles of railroad Into one continental system for winning the war: Farrf ax Harrison, president of the Southern. ' Julius Kruittschnitt, chairman of the board of the Southern Pacific. l- ' Samuel Bea," - president - of sthe Pennsylvania. Hale Holden, president of the Burlington. . . Howard Elliott, of the New Haven. - THe financial question was touched but lightly; in the conference. The railroad executives described the sit uation to Secretary McAdoo and told him just what they need in the way of . government guarantees and "en couragement of security issues. Operating problems were gone into at length. The railroad executives promised their fullest co-operation in 1 carrying out any - measures . the director general may , think neces sary. ' 'Mr. McAdoo said he- had made no arrangements in regard to a staff, but the presence at the conference of John Barton Payne, 7of Chicago, head of the shipping board's legal staff, led to some speculation that Mr. Payne might become an assistant to the director general.' The railroad heads were visibly in a better frame of mind after the con ference than they were before talk ing with the director. At the conclusion of - the confer ence with the railroad heads, Mr. McAdoo announced . that he had called on the members of the rail road war board to work out a gen eral .plan of operation. It is indicated that the war board will continue as the operating board in charge of the country's roads. It will.be assisted . by its numerous committees throughout the country, including the operating committee of Eastern railroads, headed by A. W.Thompson, of the Baltimore & Ohio. sue no orders or directions for the sue no orders of directions for the immediate present, but will await recommendations of the war board before taking, any measures to clear the congestion choking railroad ter minals and tracks in the east. "Whatever ccn be done to make the roads more efficient," said Mr. McAdoo. "will be done as soon as we find out what is necessary.' Tonight McAdoo issued his first formal order designed to speed up the freight movement, telegraphing all railroad presidents and directors, instructions to move freight by the most? convenient and direct route. IT. S. TAKES OVER 200 RUSSIAN LOCOMOTIVES Washington, Dec 28. Two hun dred locomotives under construction in this country for Russia will be taken over as part of the govern ment's plan for the quick improve ment of American railroad equip ment. SUSPECTED SPY HELD I BY THE UNITED , STATES. I "" editor or tre KocKrord,-lllisois, "Ger man la," which was barred from the mails, was turned over to the United Ftates marshal today -by the Camp Sheirdan military police, and Is being held as a suspected German spy. I WILL NOT CALL DEFERRED DRAFT BEFORE FEB. 15 (By Associated PressJ Washington, Lee- 28. Provost Marshal . General - Crowder has notified State governos that there will be no more formal calls for deferred percentages of the present quota of national army men before February 15. All men who have been called, but whose order numbers are so low they are not actually In camp, will get the benefit of the new classification. Boards have been instructed, however, to continue sending; men . to. make up deficiencies In the quota caused by rejection of " men already In the service, until they have enough men finally placed In the first class. They were notified also to ex pect very shortly calls for men skilled In special lines of work. STATISTICS ON ARMY'S HEALTH ARE PUBLISHED GENERAL DECREASE OF TOTAL DEATHS SHOWN FOR WEEK, WITH 248 DEAD FROM DISEASE IN ALL CAMPS. (By Associated Press.) Washington, Dec. 28. Deaths ; from disease in the national army during the week ending December 21st, 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.V---i. . -vvf '- "The non-effective rate of the entire National guard - for - the week," says the report, "was 47.8 per thousand against 46.5 for the preceding week; the . admission rate for disease was 31.1 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, Okla.,' the .sum mary says, but In father divisions , or 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 ail other divisions. Communicable disease . rates are comparatively low in all divisions of the national army except the Slst. Camp Jackson, Columbia, S. C; 82nd, I Camp Gordon, Atlanta; . 87th, Camp Pike, Arkansas, and the 90th., Camp Travis, Texas. Measles has increased at Camp Gordon and large numbers of new cases are reported at Camps Pike and Travis. Pneumonia rates have generally im proved except at Camp Travis where 80 new cases were reported. The number of new cases of men ingitis has been small in all divisions except at 81st, which reported 37. The outbreak of scarlet fever at Camp Pike still continues. A large number of new cases of! mumps are reported in several di-1 visions of the national guard and na tional army. CLAIM GERMAN ART I BOARD LOOTS WORKS ' Washington, Leo. 28 German's cre ation of a so called commission of experts with functions announced a the protection of works art In in vaded Italy is declared by semi-offtciat dispatches from Rome to be only a cloak to conceal the looting of art works. AMERICAN TROOPS IN FRANCE CONTINUE WORK DESPITE SNOW With the American Army in France, Dec 27. (By the Associated Press) For three days anow has been falling intermittenly throughout the Ameri can xone Interfering with the train ing of troops and with communica tions. No serious difficulty has been experienced thus far in supplying the troops In the out lying towns and districts, but it la feared that the sup- Storm wnnu , Motor trucks today were crawling over the hilly roads at a snail's pace because of the drifts and density of the srow. Numerous accidents were reported Md the weather was so cold of GMiffjrs to eouipiiieSt DRIVE Unofficial Discussions Print - ed in London and Paris Reject Proposals. BRITAIN KEEPING "STIFF UPPER LIP" Believe Germany Fears Sep arate Peace Because of Bolshevik Influence. (By Associated Press) " London, rec. 28. A statement pur porting to giveC in broad outline the view taken iniygh British political circles of the German peace terms is printed by the Daily Express. It says that two things are known here, first that Germany does not, want a sepa rate peace with Russia," but a general peace, and second, that Germany fears Bolshevik influence, being afraid of its effects on the German working classes. 'A stiff upper lip is -the attitude in this country at resent," the state ment declares. cThe peace terms are not sufficient to lead us to lay down our arms. We must , be watchful. It is up to Germany td'showthat she is sincere." , . . "-'- , . FRANCE IS OPPOSED r j1 TO.PEACEiANS. Paris, Dec. .28. -France will not ac cept a peace based on conditions be fore the war' foreign; Minister Pichon declared in 'replying in the. Chamber of Deputies . today to terms of the central powers outlined to Russia. He asserted that Germany was endeavor ing to involve France in its negotia tions with the ' Bolsheviki, -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 aher Russians, re-establish ing commercial relations;in the mean Ume. 's-?:? AMERICA'S; WAR AIMS : ? ARE ALREADY KNOWN. Washington, Dec. " 28. : America's war alms are regarded by t' admin istration as sufficiently disclosed in President Wilson's reply to the Pope's last peace proposal and recent, mes sage to Congress. Consequently,- un less they are further developments in the peace propaganda: set afoot by Germans and Austrians through ne gotiations with Russia Bolsheviki, there is no intention on the part, of the United States government of attempt ing to elaborate or expand the state ments of American purpose. SUMMARY OF OPINION . IN ALLIED NATIONS. German terms for a general peace and the suggestions that the entente join the RusEo-German peace confer ence have brought no immediate re- sponse. American, British and French leaders are silent, probably awaiting a direct message from the peace mak ers at Brest-Htovsk. The attitude of the American gov ernment has not changed and it i3 m "5"" r'".,;;': 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 separate peace with Russia. British newspaper opinion is divided. A recess in the peace negotiations hace been taken and the conference will bo resumed January 4 at a place not yet determined. Leon Trotzky, the Bolsheviki foreign minister, is said to be preparing a new appeal to the entente allies to join the confer- ence. It is inaicatea in nussian as patches received in London that the Bolsheviki place most of their hopes In retaining power in the consumma tion of a peace which will meet the wishes of the Russian population, thus (Continued cn Page Three) that many cars were frozen and could not be moved. The troops of a newly landed di vision, composed of former national guardsmen, tonight reached the town 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 than harm, fcr the men are rapidly be coming hardened. Former guardsmen of another division carried on their work in spite of the storm, engaging in bayonet, gteronde and automatic rifle practice without interruption. Troops from the Southern states have been quite uncomfortable in the last few days but Ihey are becom ing accustomed to the cold and snow. PEACE GREBLE S . Camp Bowie Commander Tells Senate Committee of Lack of Necessities. SHIPPING BOARD PROBE CONTINUES Admiral Bowles Outlines ' Legislation Needed; Make Program a uc . ess. Washington, Dec. 28.-Major Gen eral jGreble; commander :-. of Camn Bowie, Texas, testifying before the senate military , committee, ctclared the lives of many menwho recently died there would have been saved if winter- clothing, S?irTTc1ent tents to avoid overcrowding-, and prpper hos pital ..facilities" and sanitation hyi been provided. He said that during Nc-eir:ber a third of Sis command passed through the hospital, w.th deaths .from pneumonia, measles and ether diseases averaging sixteen daily. -;; . y . ; 1 TlID f A T CIITTI MP IC I I UlVUll 1 1 lillj 1Q CONFIRMED BY A. P. (By Associated-iVess.) NewTork, Dec. 28. In -iew of pub lished statements attributed - to Gen eral Tasker H. Bliss, chief of staff of the army at "Washington, to the effect that while in. France visiting Ameri can headquarters he had never heard of the incident of an American sentry being, found with his throat cut after the , German jraW, ,when an American battalion was in the front line trenches and that no such report -had reached the war department, f the Associated Press cabled V its ' correspondent with the American army in France for more definite . information as. to ; the source of. his ' dispatch', on ;' this'subject,- De- cemtr -2Sth,Jiutwi fJhstaiuUng :the tact thaj the " original diapatch" stated tb-Ji Incident had leeiv read from bulletins sent to certain. American units. A reply just received "from the corres pondent says: . "In regard to the .throat-cutting In cident, the matter in my. dispatch wa. copied from an official communication to the troops, issued by' the general commanding the division concernec" A copy of the order Is in ray posses sion. AERIAL OPERATIONS FEATURE FIGHTING Rome, Dec. 28.-Active patrolling and aerial operations took place yes terday but there was no renewal of infantry fighting on 5 a large scale. Following is today's report from army headquarters. "In the,: Ghidicarle ' and Largarinr, valleys patrols were driven back on the; Asiago plateau to the west of Canovodi Sbtto, one of our compa nies surrounded the garrison of an enemy advanced post, capturing an 1 officer, 26 men and much war ma- ' terial. Between Cesuna and Canova, our patrols raided the enemy line, bringing back an officer and thirty six men. . "A powerful aquadron of Caproni airplanes was sent against large hos tile forces in the IToncnT valley and bombarded them with very satisfac tory results. "From the Brenta to the coast there were only artillery actions. Paris Report. Pans. Thursday, Dec. 27. The French war office issued the follow ing official statement tonight: "In the Argonne we repulsed an enemy surprise attack. "On the right bank of the Meuse the activity of the artillery on both sides continued very lively in the re gion of Caurieres wood and Bezon vaux. Northeast of Benzonvaux our batteries caught under their fire an enemy troop construction which was dispersed with loss. WOULD EXEMPT BUILDING FROM TAX Washington, Dec. 28. An outline of the legislation wanted by the shipping board to provide additional powers. for the speeding. up the con struction of the new merchant fleet, Former Rear Admiral Bowles, as sistant general manager of the emergency fleet corporation told the penate committee today that the board desired authorization - to de clare a war xene around TTpyards territory, as well- as to commandeer houses and local transportation fa cilities so as to better care for the workmen at the plants. . - . - . . He also suggested that - congress should protect shipbuilders from the operations of the war excess profits law. The operation of the law is so uncertain now that builders are hav ing : trouble placing contracts at a reasonable price- MEAT MONOPOLY AIRED AT TRADE COMMISSION INQUIRY Boston, Dec 28. The equewdng small dealers out of competition by the alleged grasp of big packers upon the meat and allied industries of the country, was depicted by witnesses before the federal trade commission here investigating the meat Industry and its relation to the high cost of living. Many witnesses gave their version of being driven out of business by what they termed the trust, or or patting into the combine in order to live. Frances J. Heney, special counsel for the commission said that the pack ers controlled the rendering business from its collection of butcher's waaie to the manufacture of valuable by-products. By their methods, he added, the commission sought to show tout a- man who bought a steak or roast paid an unnecessary high price for his dinner. Witnesses engaged in the rendering business asserted that the packers sought to stifle competition by their methods, not only In th rflandering ousiness out iraae in mes.es as wwu. FOOD PROBE BY SENATE IS DELAYED ABSENCE OF HOOVER FROM CAP ITAL PREVENTS INVESTIGA TION COAL SITUATION IS TAK EN UP AND EXAMINED. By Associated Press. Washington, Dec. 28. When the senate committee investigating th1 sugar shortage finally called for Food Administrator Hoover today to glvu his view of conditions, a letter from Chief Counsel Lindley of the food ad ministration, was presented saying Mr. Hoover "had learned through the public press' that he was to testify today but had been called to Xew York. , It is entirely likely that Mr. Hoover will be . subpoenaed ' to testify, prob ably next Wednesday. Committer members believed Hoover had been sufficiently notified and were surprised at Judge Lindleys statement that Hoover learned through newspapers when he was expected. . In view of the repeated attempts of the Food Administrator to - be heard previously ; Senator Yardman called T. A. Ellis, of the food administration to the witness chair, and under: ques tioning Ellis, testified Chairman Reed had.?notif ed..teim. lat. Saturday Mr. Hoover'would be heard today and that he" had given the information to Mr. Hoover. Counsel Lindley's lawyer, however, declared he had gone to the capitol yesterday to notify the committee that he wolud be unable to appear today but found all the se-nators at the funeral of- Senator Xewlands. . As Mr. Hoover did not appear today, the committee - resumed investigation of the coal situation with Y. B. Col- ver, of the l-'c-cierai lrade commission continuing on the stand. Colver did not believe the United States should s-nd coal to Italy or France and paid Iyord Xortheliffe told him that . England had enough coal above ground to supply all Europe ex cept Germany. "It takes fiVe times aa long to send coal from thh United States to Italy J as from Wales to Italy," he said. ! oZZgSS cZ,o coal to Italy," remarked Senator! Reed. "Why .is it people were freez ing in France last year and the Amer ican nmbassarior was unable to keep) his Paris residence warm? "Transportation, I suppose," ans wered Colver. J "I think they could get it across the channel If England had it," said Sen ator Reed- " BIG ESPIONAGE TRIAL OPENS IN CHICACO (By Associated Press.) Chicago, Dec. 28. At the prelim ary hearing on charges of failure to report for the selective draft and of violation of the espionage act against Paul H. Billhuber. until recently an aero engineer employed by the Dayton-Wright Company, of Dayton, Wallace S Whittaker, traffic mana ger of the company, identified a cor respondence file, together with maps, drawings, plans, and secret minutes of the aero company's startegy board outlining war policies, which were found in Blllhuber's rooms when he was arrested several weeks ago. MISSING VISITOR BELIEVED DEAD; LAGOON TO BE DRAGGED Hope that Frank H. Toung, of Broken Bow, ?Ceb., who mysteriously disappeared on the gulf beach near Ft. McRae on Christmas day, would be found alive was .practically aban doned yesterday. Alva Morgan, who accompanied Mr. Young on his trip to Florida, has ex erted , every efrort in an endeavor to locate the missing man but stated last night that he fears his companion was drowned in the big lagoon. . Footprints which were identified as those of Mr. Toung, who had lost sev eral toes from one fot, were tracad from the spot where he was last seen to the point where the gulf cut through the narrow penlnaaftn- during the Sep v i r t POSTMASTER HELD UNDER GRAVE CHARGE W. H. McSWAIN, FORMER POST MASTER AT DEERLAND, BOUND OVER FOR TRIAL ON CHARGE OF EMBAZZELMENT. W. II. McSwain, former postmaster at Deerland, Fla., was taken before United States Commissioner Jerry Sullivan, Jr., yesterday, charged with appropriating to his own use funds of the United States government, and was placed under bond of $1,000. The arrest followed a recent inspec tion of the Deerland postofflce by Postofnee Inspector Smith who re ported a shortage of $527.05 in the money order fund $8.19 in the postal funds- A subsequent checking, ac cording to Inspector Smith, reduced the shortage iri money order funds to $403.44 and placed the postal short age at $18.19. W. A. Jerrnigan, predecessor of Mc Swain as postmaster at Deerland, was convicted of being short in his ac counts a little more than . a year ago and was sentenced to serve six months in the federal penitentiary at Atlanta. ORDERiSTOPS ARMY MEN - SPEAKING IN PRINT By Associated Press. Aver, Mass., Dec. 28. Orders issued tod5r by Brigadier Oeneral William Weigel, acting commandant of Camp Devens, prohibit officers and enlisted men at the cantonment from writing for publication, articles or books deal ing . -with military subjects. Men who have ideas which they think may prove of military value are invited to submit them through their superior officers to the adjutant general. "It is understood that the orders were prompted by indiscreet revela tions concerning military matters made by national army men in let ters written to college and small town papers. WORLD CROP ESTIMATE SHOWS PRODUCTION LOSS Washington, Dec. 28. World crop statistics compiled by the interna- I tional institute of agriculture at Rome ana teiegrapnen. to me atpannini -m agriculture here, show the 1917 wheat production to he 1,864,000.000 biu. which is 3.8 per cent less than last year. This does not Include Germany, Austria Hungary, Bulgaria and Russia, where existing conditions prevented the col lection of reports. TURKS REPULSED NEAR JERUSALEM. London, Dec 28. British troops In Palestine repulsed a Turkish attack north and northwest of Jerusalem and advanced about two and one-half miles on a nine mile front along the Turkish right flank, according to of ficial report. NEW FRENCH WAR LOAN IS OVER SUBSCRIBED. Paris, Dec. 28. The ten billion francs asked for in the third war loan have been exceeded, M. Klotz, minis ter of finance stated in the chamber of deputies. He said the returns are still incomaleta. tember storm and then are lost at tha water's edge. It is believed that after landing on the beach he walked east ward toward Ft. McRae in quests o? gasoline for ths launch on which he and Mr- Morgan had come from New Orleans. It is thought that Mr. Young attempted to wade across the breach In the peninsula, but was caught in the strong undertow at that point end carried into the lagoon. Mr. Morgan engaged a launch an I made a trip to the gulf beach yester day, where ha made a thorough search for his missing friend and early to day he will causa the lagoon to the dragged in hope of recovering Mr. Young's body. , i rv : FORD lilTEO HERE TO SEE ISHIPyilfiD SITE Mayor and Citizens Extend Invitation to Auto Wizard to Visit Pensacola. WILL INSPECT SOUTHERN POMXJ Plans Establishment of Vas8 Shipyard to Build Fleet to Fight U-Boat Menace. Several telegrams and letters from parlous organizations and private 11 dividual, in Pensacola have been itf to Henry Ford inviting him to corott to Pensacola on his trip south to Sm speet Shipbuilding sites, when flfai story from The Journal's WsshlngtcS bureau was published Thursday mora Ing, that the auto wixard was on inspection tour of the south, and h4i been urged by Senator Fletcher t come here, a flood of invitations fo lowed, to back up the Senator's effortsw First on ths list was a letter from Mayor Johnson, extending an invita tion to Mr. Ford to come to Pensa cola. The mayor sent ths following telegram to Mr. Ford yesterday: "Pensacola, Fla., December 3S. "Mr- Henry Ford. Assistant to U. &j Shipping Foard, Washington, D. "We understand that you are Co make a trip south in the near future In behalf of the people I desire to extend you a cordial invitation to In elude Pensacola, the deep water pork of the gulf, in your tour. Wishing you the compliments of the season. THOMAS VI. JOITNSOK. "Mayor. Chas. B. Hervey, manager of the Fan Carlos hotel sent Mr. Ford a telegram inviting him here, and followed the brief message , with the following let ter: ) Dscember 2", 1917. Dear Mr.-Ford: I am enclosing you herewith copy of my telegram to you of this dat. and' also copy of an article published in the Pensacola Journal this morn ing. - . , f I know you will recall the very pleasant incidents of our meeting in Mobile at the C&wthon last spring: also that for some time I was In tha pleasant predicament of entertaining "angels unawares " In connection with your visit south to inspect ship building sites, I am very anxious to have you come and. visit Pensacola and see what we bavs to offer here. I have absolutely noth ing to sell, except hotel accommoda tions, and I do not care to sell aoay of them for I would be pleased to have, you come as my personal guest. Al so, Mrs. Hervey bids me extend an invitation to bring along Mrs. Ford as she was very much taken with her charming hospitality when we lmule you a little visit on your yacht. As you are no doubt aware, Fena cola has a magnificent port, the deep est and most natural harbor on the Citilf coast. Moreover there are a number of excellent locations for shipbuilding plants, and In natural locations whers the hills and the water so meet that it would be easy to immediately in stall plants. I am now permanently located st the San Carlos, being president anAV general manager of the company op erating same. I will esteem it . great favor if you will advise 'roe In ad vanes of the date of your coming, and j assure you that I neiisve inn yuuri coming here will re to tne reai inienfftj of our government and we of Pens- cola will feel honored to have you. very truly yours CHAS. B. HERVBT. GIVE NEW YEAR DANCE FOR SERVICE A dance will be given on New Year's Eve night by the Army and Navy Ldfa Activities Committee In the K. of C. hall on West Garden street, according to Announcement made yesterday. Use of ths hail wa arranged through tha courtesy of the local branch of the K. of C, It being Im possible to secure tha use of any of the other dance halls in the city o-i that night. All service men and their friends in Pensacola are cordially in vited to attend ths dance. JUDGE SHEPPARD TO PRESIDE IN TEXAS Judge William B. Sheppard will leave for Corpus Christie, Texas, in a few days to preside over the federal court for the Southern District dur ing the term which convenes on Jan uary 7th. The transfer of Judge Shep--pard to that district for this term is necessitated through the death of Judge Bums. It is understood that an important murder trial will be brought- up at the term of court over which the lo- cal jurist will perside.