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About Morning Oregonian. (Portland, Or.) 1861-1937 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 31, 1917)
THE MORXIXG OREGOXIAX. 3IOXDAT, rr.CF3IBER 31. 1917. HOME OF ITALIAN WRECKED BY BOMB Palatial Residence of Dr. Ca millo Volini, in Chicago, Is Blown Up. TEUTON HATRED IS BLAMED Indications Tend to Confirm Theory That German or Austrian Com mitted Outrage Reeause of Owner's Activities In -War. CHICAGO, 111.. Dec. 30. fSpecial.) An enemy alien is believed to have set off a bomb that wrecked the palatial residence of Dr. Caniillo Volini at 2929 "VVest Washington boulevard early to day. Dr. Volini said the only explanation he could offer was that a German or an Austrian planned the attack because of Jus long- connection with the Italian Consulate. He also said his activities for the American and Italian Red Cross may have had something to do with it. The police are without any actua clew to lead them in a search for the perpetrator, although it is considered certain that the bomber escaped in an automobile. The explosion shattered windows and tore a pathway through the front of the house. Edward J. Hibncr. an invalid living cross the street, was shocked speech less for eight hours by the blast. It is feared his life is in danger. His wife saw an auto pull away from the curb in front of the Volini residence about a minute before the explosion. Theory Is Teuton Did It. The story told detectives by Mrs. Volini strengthened the theory that a German or Austrian committed the out rage. Four weeks ago today Mrs. Volini's washerwoman, working in the basement, called her and told her that a strange man was looking at the fur "I went down and asked him what he was doing." said Mrs. Volini. "He replied that he was inspecting the fur nace for the Aetna Insurance Company. I told him we did not have insurance with the company and ordered him out. He apologized politely and left. "He was a tall, light-complexioned young man, with "yellow hair, and he talked with a German accent." Dr. Volini denied he was the secret service operative for the Italian gov ernment, but admitted he had , been connected with the Italian Consulate for 28 years, that he was a Lieutenant in the Italian navy before he came to America, and that he had been active in Italian and American lied Cross work since the war started. Dr. Volini Active at Consulate. "It is very possible a German or Austrian enemy seeing me in the of fices of the Italian Consulate or in con ference with Count Guilio Bolognesi, the Consul, decided I was connected with the Italian secret service," said Dr. Volini. "It is also possible that, because of my activities in favor of the Italian and American Red Cross, I became a marked man. I am a member of the Italian Red Cross committee of America and have sent more than $15,000 from Chicago since the war started. Only last week we sent seven ambulances to Italy." Dr. Volini has been twice decorated as a Chevalier of the Crown of Italy for service since he came to the United States. For his relief work for the survivors of the earthquake at Messina he received a silver medal second in honor to the one received by Theodore Roosevelt, then President of the United States. "Black Hand" Xot Thought Gulltr- Both the -police and Dr. Volini dis counted the theory Uiat the "Black Hand" had placed the bomb, despite th fact that 10 years ago he was head of the "White-Hand" society, which for a. time ridded Chicago of the "Black Hand" outrages and sent five Italians to the penitentiary. "The 'Black-Hand' has had dozens of chances to kill me during the last 10 years." declared Dr. Volini. "I know the habits of 'Black - Handera" well, and I can frankly say that the bomb was not of their making. It has been almost five years since I was threat ened by them." The block in which the Volini home is situated showed plainly the force of the explosion. Hardly a house was visible from the wrecked front of the physician's home which did not have one or more windows broken. TRAIL OF VILLIANY SEEN ('Continued From First Pairc.i taken, and felt, that it was hardly the place for curiosity-seekers. So strict were they in this regard, that a very eminent American General, who went to France upon an observation tour, was persuaded not to go to the verge of "No man's Land.'' However, we were taken to a place where we ?aw about everything there was to be seen. This was the famous Vimy Ridge, which was wrested from the Huns in the terrific battle last April. At the foot of the ridge we were presented with steel helmets and gas masks. We were taught how to adjust the latter, and were told to put them on the instant a gas alarm went forth. Big Gun Ik Paused. We then climbed the ridge. On the way ftp we passed an enormous gun which was being adjusted. The Lieu tenant said to me. "I hope that gun does not go off while you are here, as the concussion is quite likely to knock you off the ridge." After we had climbed about 200 yards up the hill, the Lieutenant pointed to an airplane, and said it was wirelessing back the range to that big gun. and that I had better stuff my ears with my fingers. I did so. and when the gun went off, I managed to retain my feet and part of my hearing. By great good fortune, the day was of a high degreeof visibility when we climbed up Vimy Ridge. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and across the plain below us we could see the city of Lens, and on the plain we could trace the front-line trenches of both the Germans and the Allies. Guns were continually firing from both sides, and countless shells were dropping upon the plain and exploding. 1 did not see anybody killed, possibly because I was not close enough. Planes Forced Back. The most interesting thing was to see some eight of our scouting or camera planes going over the German lines to get knowledge of their posi tion and the location of their guns. The Huns were firing at them with shrap nel, and possibly there must have been 200 shells thrown into the air in an attempt to bring down some of these little airplanes. When the shells burst, they threw out wreaths of smoke, some black and some snow-white, until it looked as if there were a hundred air planes up. None of the Allies planes were etruck by shrapnel, but presently three large war planes came up from the German lde. and our boys flirted back home. The Huns' did not come far over our lines because their large planes offered a fair mark for the English anti-aircraft guns, and they were not taking unnecessary chances. It was a beautiful sight and nobody was hurt. Airplanes Value Discounted. In this connection, 1 will say that not so much importance Is attached in army circles to the airplane in Europe as in this country. Over there the planes are splendid for scouting and observation, and for wirelessing back the range to the gunners who man the big guns, but they do not think they will ever amount to a great deal as engines of war and destruction. They point to the fact that London, which has been raided at frequent Intervals during the past two years, has suffered slight damage when the size of the town and the amount of population is considered. Those Army men told me that for observation purposes they would rath er have one ridge than a thousand air planes. They say that a rainstorm clears the sky of all flying machines. and that sometimes for a month it is Impossible for one to go into the- air. This is why both sides have fought so hard to retain or to gain certain high points or ridges, from which ob servations may be made and behind which big guns may be concealed. Huns Don't Like Bayonet. As for myself. I do not underesti mate the importance of the airplane. It is indeed the eyes of the army, and will render enormous service, but, one colonel stated to me that this war will be won by the big guns and the cold steel of the bayonet. He said' the Ger man temperament is such that he can not withstand the steel: that he would stay by his machine gun and fight to the death, or by his artillery, bift the sight of a gleaming bayonet puts fear into his heart. After some hours spent at Vimy Ridge we were driven to the' historic town of Arras, which had been com pletely destroyed by the Germans, and by shell fire from the English and French. This town was one of the most beautiful in all France. Built in the Moorish and Spanish style of ar chitecture, its buildings overlapping the sidewalks, were all arcaded. and its streets were wide. It had a splen did sewer system, and as in Paris, the sewers are eight feet high and four or five feet wide. These sewers have been, extended out to the front, so the French and English have splendid un derground passages, in which are placed their telephone wires, and through which men and supplies may be transported in safety. American Engineers Met. After leaving Arras we made a long drive and came to a camp, of a regi ment of American engineers. Here we found some old acquaintances and were entertained royally. The function was supposed to be a tea. but. much to the disgust of the Englishmen in our party, it was found that the commis sary of the American engineers' camp had no tea. Scouts were sent out, however, and they soon returned with a supply, and the good humor of our English guides was restored. These engineers have taken over a good many miles of road leading up to and along the front, and in one month after taking charge 'of this division they quadrupled its capacity: in other words, they shipped four times as much over the road in a day as had previ ously been done. After tea at this camp, and while we were looking around and conversing with 'the genial American engineers, a large shell, known over there as a "Jack Johnson," fell within 200 yards of the spot, where we were standing. This threw an enormous lot of mud. dirt and gravel up into the air some 75 feet. and. like all the shells which I saw drop and explode during my trip, it did no damage. Plane Flies at Mght. We left the engineers' camp just at dark, and as we drove along we saw a quick, red flash in the air. and an answering green flash from the ground at some distance. Our lieutenant told us that was an airplane about to de scend, and the green light was to give him the landingr place. I do not know how he found the place after Just that one flash In the dark. Going to a chateau that night, we found two distinguished English Generals, and the dinner was a func tion of great enjoyment. I have never enjoyed anything more than my short stay at the chateau, and it was with great regret that we left the next morning on our way to Amiens, where we embarked on the train for Paris. After remaining in Paris one night, or a part of a night, we started the next morning to a channel port, where the party was turned over to the Bel gian officers for a trip to the Belgian front near Dlxmude. It is the regret of my life that I missed this portion of the trip, but the pace for 10 days had proved too much even for my Western ruggedness. and 1 was compelled to remain in the city that day and night while the rest of the party went out and hobnobbed with Prince Albert, of Belgium, and Journeyed to the front line trenches. (To ,be continued tomorrow.) DOWN GRADETO SEA HOW TRI1 MAY PH Shipment of; Freight by Most Direct Route and at Least Possible Cost, Is Desire. WORLD LABOR TO UNITE SOLIDARITY OF WORKMEN OF EN TENTE NATIONS AIMED AT. Vle-irs of American Federation Will Be Invited as Conference Without Partici pation of Tl. S. Would Be TLseless. LONDON. Dec. 30. The British labor party is taking steps to follow up the campaign for the solidarity of the workmen -of the entente allied nations in which a beginning has been made by the French and British labor or ganizations in framing their war aims. The next action contemplated is an as sembly of the interallied labor confer ences. The views of the American Federa tion of Labor will be invited, since a conference without American partici pation would be useless. The Central News says that in yes terday's conference between Fremier Lloyd George and the labor leaders, the Premier made it clear that any pro posal that British labor put forward can be dealt with by the allied govern ments only as a whole. Mr. Lloyd George said that so far as Great Britain was concerned there would "be no separate peace, and he emphasized the understanding between the entente powers that peace was im possible while the militarists ruled Germany. The negotiations that are proceeding between Premier Lloyd George and the Laborites over the government's pro gramme to obtain more men for the army are regarded as highly Important. The' Premier is asking for the cancel lation of exemption of certain classes of labor which the Asquith government gave the Laborites when conscription was introduced. It was then intimated by the government that events might make the withdrawal of exemption necessary. . - ' ' The Laborites now are disposed to urge upon the government the accept ance of their war aims platform as the price for the acceptance of additional conscription. A section of land became detached from the shore at Dexter, Me., during recent severe storms and has become a floating island in Lake Wassoackeag. The land bears many trees. Read The Oregonlan classified ads. SENATOR McNARY PROMPT Attention of Xew Director-General of Railroads Called to Great Waste of Motive Power in Diverting Commerce Over Mountains. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU. Wash ington. Dec. 30. Application of the general principles of transportation laid down by Secretary McAdoo when he became director-general of Ameri can railroads for the period of the war will make Portland the great terminal of the Pacific Northwest, in the opin ion of Senator McXary. Realizing that prompt steps may be taken to enforce the shipment of freight by the most direct routes and at the same time make available the maxi mum number of cars and locomotives. Senator JIcNary today wrote Secretary McAdoo calling his attention to the rail situation in the Pacific Northwest, pointing out essential reasons why. under the new Government policy, Portland must necessarily become the main freight outlet of the North Pa cific Coast. Natural Advantages Pointed Out. The Senator asks the Government railroad director to consider the natural situation and advantages of Portland in prescribing routing of freight through the Northwest. His letter to Mr. McAdoo follows: "My Dear Mr. McAdoo: At no place in the country will there be a. belter opportunity for observing the effi ciency of Government control of the railroads than in the Pacific Northwest. There natural and economic conditions have been made to yield to artificial situations, solely for commercial pur poses. Through you, I assume, the transportation lines will be bo or ganized that traffic will move over the roads best suited for its expeditious and economic handling. Therefore, commerce, which under natural condi tions would be transported down the easy grade of the Columbia River, but now diverted across the heavy grade of the Cascade Mountains into the Pu get Sound country, should be routed over those roads which follow the lines of least resistance and parallel the Co lumbia River in its path through the mountains. Great Savins; Is Possible. "Oregon has two cities served by this natural highway Portland and As toriaeach of which has a splendid harbor, available docks and wharf space, while Portland has a great area of unused railroad yard trackage. By using the- railroads that serve these ports many locomotives now required to pull traffic over mountain grades would be available for use in moving cars -now idle for want of motive power. The utilization of this short route and down-hill haul to its maxi mum capacity would effect the conser vation of motive" power and fuel and relieve congestion now prevalent in other Pacific Coast terminals. "It is your desire, as director, to operate the carriers at their highest degree of efficiency, therefore I submit that the situation briefly outlined should receive your early consideration, to the end that artificially imposed conditions may give away to a Governmental policy based upon sound principles of transportation." SCIENCE TOO SECRETIVE Appeal Made That Time Be Taken to Enlighten Public. ' . PITTSBURG, Dec. 30. That "a mighty conflict between the Old laws of man and the new laws of science" exists at this time, due to the fact that men of science are so engrossed in their work that they have failed to inform the public as to the practical effect that modern scientific investigations were .bound to have on the everyday lives of people, was the declaration made here last night by George W. Perkins, of New lork City, addressing the annual convention of the American Association for the advancement of science. Mr. Perkins appealed that the en of science take time to enlighten the public and thereby eliminate the conflict, which, he said, has existed for 5 years. George F. Kunz, of New York, presi dent of the American Metric Associa tion, in an address before the conven tion, urged the universal adoption of the metric system of measurement. PERSHING DINES WITH KING American General Is Guest of Al bert of Belgium. . HAVRE. Dec. 30. General Tershing. commander-in-chief of the American expeditionary force, yesterday visited King Albert of Belgium. On arriving at a station near tho Belgian front. General Pershing was received by the King, who was accompanied by General Ruquoy, chief of staff of the Belgian army, and officers of the King's mili tary suite and a company of infantry with a flag from the guard of honor. King Albert conducted' General Per shing to the royal residence, where the visitor remained for luncheon. Later in the day the American commander left the Belgian front after further courte sies had been exchanged. Jew Declares Duty to Xation. NEW TOBK, Dee. 30. "It is the duty of every Jew to offer to die for his country." declared' Representative Julius Kahn, of California, in an ad dress at the annual dinner of the In tercollegiate Menorah Association here last night, "because this was the first country among the great nations to allow the Jews to worship their God in their own manner." Progress of the War. Aside from bombardments and re ciprocal artillery duels, littleis going on in the major theaters of the .twar. On the French front the weather Is Btill cold, and this, with the snow that cov ers the ground everywhere, is imped ing operations on a large scale. The Germans Saturday night essayed an attack on the British north of Tpres, where for the last several days they have been laying down a heavy preparatory artillery fire. The attack, however, was" futile, for the British, ever on the watch, raked the Germans with their fire and repulsed them with considerable losses. Likewise?- attempts by the Qermaas to carry out raids on small French posts near St. Quentin. Bezonvaux and Vauquois resulted In failure, and in ad dition the enemy lost many men made prisoners. There is still considerable intermittent artillery activity along the entire French front. In the Italian theater the infantry for the present is idle, but the big guns continue to carry out mutual bom bardment against points in the hill re gion, from Asiago plateau eastward to the Piave River. This activity is par ticularly pronounced on the Monte Tombo section and the upper reaches of the Piave River. The British forces under General Al lenby continue their victorious, march against the Turks in Palestine. . Considerable fresh progress has been made north and northwest of Jerusa lem, particularly in the occupation of Bireh, about 12 miles to the north, where the Turks offered stubbord re sistance, but were finally overcome. MISS POLLAK ARRESTED I. W. W. SECRETARY AT SAN FRAN CISCO TO BE INVESTIGATED. Charge of Eiploaige Preferred After Examination of Letters and Docu ments Found on Prisoners. . SAN" FRANCISCO, Dec. 30. Miss Theodora Pollak, secretary of the state defense league' of the Industrial Work ers of the World, and Albert L. Fox. secretary and treasurer of the local I. W. XV. chapter, were taken into custody tonight at the Central Police Station, where they had gone to secure the re lease of James Price, said by the po lice to be a prominent I. W.- XV., and were booked en route to the United States Marshal's office on a charge of espionage following examination of letters and documents found in their possession. Price had been arrested earlier in the day and bail was set in the sum of $1000. When Miss Pollak and . Fox called at the police station the woman had in her possession a telegraphic money order for $1000, which, the po lice said, she admitted having received today from William Haywood, head of the I. XV. XV. in Chicago. One of the documents seized by the police was a carbon copy of a letter from Miss Pollak to E. F. Dorree, 1001 West Madison street, Chicago, in which she acknowledged receipt of money tel egraphed for the defense of Industrial Workers In Sacramento and Fresno. Re ferring to the men in jail at Sacra mento, this letter said: "Most of them will be released, the Government hav ing found no connection between them and the dynamiting of the executive mansion. No connction will be found unless they frame something." CENSORSHIP RULES GIVEN (Continued From Firwt PBice. ) which Inference might be drawn of any intention to embark them for service abroad, and information of the assem bling of transports or convoys, and in formation of the embarkation itself. Shipping Ncvrn -Taboo. "6. Information of the arrival at any European port of American war ves sels, transports or any portion of any expeditionary force, combatant or non combatant. "7. Information of the time of the departure of merchant ships from American or European ports or infor mation of the ports from which they sailed, or information of their cargoes. "8. Information indicating the port of arrival of incoming ships from Euro pean ports or after their arrival indi cating or hinting at the port at which the-ship arrived. ' "9. Information as to convoys and as to the sighting of friendly or enemy ships, whether naval or merchant. "10. Information of the locality, num ber or identity of vessels belonging to our own Navq or to the navies of any country at war with Germany. "11. Information of the coast or anti-air-craft defenses of the United States. Any information of their very existence as well as the number, nature or posi tion of their guns, is dangerous. Mines Not to Be Known. "12. Information of the laying of mines or mine fields or of any harbor defenses. "13. Information of tht aircraft and appurtenances used at Government avi ation schools for experimental tests under military authority and informa tion of contracts and production of air material, and information tending to disclose the numbers and organization of the air division, excepting when au thorized by the committee on public information. "14. Information of all Government devices and experiment in war ma terial excepting when authorized by the committee on public information. "15. Information of secret notices to mariners or other confidential In- Iliiilitt ' kit:-': I : !!M 1 mm Sil l ' r? ii? teii M1; M ,i mm 1! 141 II litiMii mm mwm -Hi T'ijf m It Records for Your New VICTROLAor " EDISON- Service that satisfies, a stock which approx imates perfection in all that is newest and most desired in Records, courteous and obliging attention, coupled with an accurate knowledge of your needs these are the elements which have made ours the most popular Talking Machine department in the West. It is bur earnest endeavor to give better and more prompt service than is obtainable elsewhere. How well we have succeeded is evidenced by our thousands of pleased customers. We can please you equally well just phone your orders or call. PIANOS B PLAYERS 'MUSIC iTilgBAHeD (. ANOHATmPIANOS- Morrison St. at Broadway Stores Also at San Francisco, Oakland, Sacramento, San Jose, Los Angeles structions issued by the Navy or the Department of Commerce relating to lights, lightships, buoys or other guides to navigation. Warship 3ievrn Important. "16. Information as . to the number, size, character or location of ships of the Navy ordered laid down at any port or shipyard, or in actual process of construction, or information that they are launched or in commission. "17. Information of the train or boat schedules of traveling official missions in transit through the United States. "18. Information of the transporta tion of munitions or of war material. "19. Photographs conveying the in formation specified above should not be published. ' "These requests go to the press with out larger authority than the necessi ties of the war-making branches. Their enforcement is a matter for the press itself. To the overwhelming propor tion of newspapers who have given unselfish, patriotic obedience to the voluntary agreement, the Government extends its gratitude and high appreciation." the two pieces left was torn in three pieces, and .when the sorm had died down it was seen that the pieces had been braided together as though done by human hands-. The flag has two braids, each about SO inches long. 'Portland ; Crematorium WATERWAY CASH ASKED REPRESENTATIVE HMVLBV SEEKS Fl'JiDS FOR OREGON. Projects Approved by Government En gineers for Oregon Rivers and Har bors Total More Than $350,000. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Wash ington, Dec. 30. In view of the fact the Army engineers, in their annual estimates sent to Congress on Decem ber 3 cut the recommendations- for Ore gon waterways to 5315.500, Representa tive Hawley will ask the rivers and har bors committee in framing the forth coming bill to authorize the adoption of several new projects which have been recommended and approved by the War Department, but never sanc tioned; by Congress. The new projects whose adoption he will ask are: Yaquina. bar and harbor, $100,000: Coos Bay. inner harbor. $130. 000; Ooquille bar and entrance. $64,000; Coquille- River to Bandon. $18,000; Siu slaw River, $.15,300; Clatskanie River $4620. These projects having been rec ommended by the engineers, come within the Congressional rule, and are properly subject to adoption. HAVE heard that A in the museum at B o u 1 a k m. near Cairo, it has not in frequently be en found necessary to throw away mum mies owing to the condition that they were in, which shows that even the best embalmed bodies can make themselves tin pleasant after thou sands of years have passed over their c a r e f ully preserved remains. I am con vinced that there is but one way of solv ing the problem of a proper disposal of the dead, and that is to assist nature and not to prevent the execution of her laws." Hugo Erichsen. M. D.. Author "Cremation." Compare the method of placing away the ashes at the Port land Crematorium with any other method of disposition. In what way, can the usually unkept, grass-grown grave or crum bling stone compare to this ever-beautiful flower-decked room which is itself a part of a still more beautiful building? Write, phone or call for booklet. PORTLAND CREMATORIUM Sellwood Car to Fourteenth and By bee. Visitors ?Ss5 to .,. 1 mm Lightning Tears Flag to Shreds. An American flag that was flying from a staff in front' of the Summer home of Oliver B. Poole, at Raccoon Island. Quincy, was struck by light ning recently and torn to shreds. In the exact center of the flag was a rent starting from the staff. Each of ANNOUNCEMENT The name of the German American Insurance Company, incorporated in 1872 under New York State law, has been changed (to take effect on January 1, 1918) to ' rcatAincricetn Ifasxtranir (Tumpaitg STATEMENT JANUARY 1. 1917 CAPITAL $2,000,000 RESERVE FOR AU. OTHER LIABILITIES. 10,954,055 NET SURPLUS 10.759.422 ASSETS 23.713,477 All obligations under German American policies will, of course, continue to be the-(obligations of the Company under its new name. Policies will be issued for the (following classes of insurance. THE OLD RELIABLE UNION 1 ou Will Not Get Burt it Yon l'tnd This It umber. PI.ATFS n OA Porcelain Crowns $3.50 to $5 Porcelain Killings 5K1 L'ik uuiu k,runii9. ....... .gpttJJ t.u J .i J7-'.H l.nlrt Krin c a s:t ll In S V YWri TOrEttractin " " . . ' . V" "TT T;. SO fMr I We Guarantee Our Work. UNION PAINLESS DENTISTS 231J4 Morrison, Cor. Second Entire Corner Dr. Whetstone, Pres. ffg-J LOOK FOR THE BIG UNION SIGN FIRE LIGHTNING TORNADO WIND STORM HAIL. EXPLOSION RENTS PROFITS COMMISSIONS AUTOMOBILE MOTORCYCLE LEASEHOLD MAIL PACKAGE TOURIST BAGGAGE SPRINKLER LEAKAGE USE AND OCCUPANCY MARINE WAR RISK BULLS ARGOES INLAND MARINE INLAND TRANSPORTATION FLOATERS REGISTERED MAIL Home Office, No. l Liberty St. New York City CHARLES G. SMITH. PtmUmi JESSE E. WHITE. Vios Pre.Usat IDWIN H.CKAGIN, SxtMur ALEXANDER R. PHILLIPS. AuL. ftas'y PERFECT VICTOR SERVICE An Entire Floor The First Floor Twelve Demonstration Rooms Constructed for Your Comfort Competent Demonstrators All the Victor Records Victrolos, $20 to $380 Convenient Payment Terms Dealers in Steinvay and Other Pianos, Pianola Pianos, Viclrolas and Records, Player Music, Music Cabinets, etc. Shermanipay.&.C-a llsES Sixth and Morrison Streets lli I III (Opposite Postof flee) gpj! js Il'iHifc PORTLAND gri j j i;B Seattle Tacoma Spokane. jjS