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About Eagle Valley news. (Richland, Or.) 191?-1919 | View Entire Issue (May 10, 1917)
WORLD U-BOAT WAR ALARMS YANKEE INVENTION FOOD BILLS OFFERED Secretary Lane Says Existence of Hrl tain and France is Menaced Tons of Shipping Sunk in Week. Measures Designed to Stimulate Pro ductlon, Put n Stop to Hoarding nnd Kiiuallzo Distribution. OF CURRENT WEEK I F HAPPENINGS DENOUNCE 10 END II 00 SPECULATORS Brief Resume Most Important Daily News Items. COMPILED FOR YOU Events of Noted People, Governments and Pacific Northwest and Other Things Worth Knowing. A delegation of Chinese gardeners called on the state pure food commis sioner of Idaho and complained that the vacant lot gardening movement threatens to ruin them. Except for an intensive bombard ment by the Germans near Mechishuv, there have been only the usual activi ties along the Russian front and in the Roumanian war theater. The German ship Steinbok, seized by the United States government after lying in Eagle Harbor near Seattle, since the beginning of the European war, has been ordered repaired after survey by a United States official. The Arizona governorship contest between ex-Governor G. W. P. Hunt and Thomas E. Campbell, de facto gov ernor, who has held the office since early in the year on order of the Su preme Court, was decided in favor of Governor Campbell. All students except 30 seniors have "struck" at the Colorado School of Mines, and most of the approximately 140 "strikers" have left the institu tion, as a result of the faculty's re fusal to reconsider suspension of sev eral students for rubbing a professor with sand. A blizzard of midwinter proportions swept the upper peninsula of Michigan Thursday, completely tying up railroad traffic and causing great damage to telegraph and telephone wires. Six inches of snow fell in Marquette and vicinity. Great damage to crops is predicted. In the fisheries of Alaska the United States may find millions of pounds of food for the war emergency. Fish Commissioner Smith told a senate com mittee that the supply of cod, salmon, herring and other edible fish was prac tically unlimited and that the govern ment might well go into the fishing business. Secretary McAdoo has announced that the first offering of bonds author ized under the war finance law would be a $2,000,000,000 "liberty loan" issue, open to popular subscription at par, and that subscriptions would be received until June 15 next. The bonds will be dated July 1 and will be ready for delivery on that date. Pooling of American war risk insur ane'e with the allies is proposed in an administration bill introduced in con gress. American ships and cargoes would be reinsured by the allies and the United States would reinsure al lied ships and cargoes. An appropria tion of 25,000,000 is to be asked, which will include insurance on the lives of seamen on American merchant ships. Notably increased activity, particu larly by enemy scouting parties, is re ported on the Russian front in Wed nesday's war office statement. No Berlin newspapers have arrived in Copenhagen for several days. Such stoppages are often preliminary to im portant military developments. A German who spoke slightingly of the Flag in Helena, Mont., recently, was seized by a dozen soldiers and forced to kneel and kiss the Stars and Stripes. He then was ordered to start somewhere and keep going. His name was not learned. Three hundred Villa soldiers surren, dered to General Eduardo Hernandez the Carranza cavalry commander, fol lowing the battle of Hacienda de Car men on April 23, General Francisco Murguia announced Wednesday before he left Juarez for Chihuahua City. General Murguia also announced ho would continue his campaign against Villa with Chihuahua City as a base. A war measure designed to raise not less than $1,500,000,000 by direct taxes during the coming year, will bo reported to the house ways and means committee by n sub-committee which has been drafting tho bill in secret sessions. Reduction of the income tax exemptions from $3000 and $4000 to $1000 and $2000 for single and mar ried persons respectively, and an in crease of the excess profits tax from 8 per cent on all amounts over 8 per cent and $6000 to 16 per cent are two ofjtbe sub-commltteo's proposals. Washington, D. C Secretary Lnno told tho governors conferring hero Wednesday with the council of national defense on tho part state governments will take in the war that tho Federal government had heard 400,000 tons of shipping had boon sunk in tho last week by German submarines. Tho destruction, Secretary Lano said, was not only threatening tho ex istence of England and France, but was alarming the United States. Study of inventions to combat the submarine menace is being diligently pursued in the Interior department, he said. England's Losses Great. London Admiral Lord Beresford, speaking in London and complaining of tho incompleteness of tho official re turns of the submarine sinkings, said that the losses were appalling. He declared that he was so keen on the matter that he was inclined to risk the penalties of tho defense of tho realm act and tell tho people himself, because until they were informed they would not realize the importance of economy. American Schooner Sunk. New York The American schooner Woodward Abrahams, 744 tons, has been sunk by a German submarine, ac cording to a cable message received here. All of the crew of nine men were saved. Two British Ships Lost. Baltimore The British steamers Swanmoro and Dromore, of the John son line, plying between Maltimore and Liverpool, were torjedoed and sunk last week, according to cables re ceived here. AH on board the Dro more were saved, but one lifeboat, containing 11 of the crew of the Swan- more, is still unaccounted for. U-Boats Get Two Norwegians. London According to the Central News, the Norwegian foreign office has announced the sinking of the Nor wegian steamers Hectoria and Lang- land by German submarines. The crews were saved. GERMANY DRAINED OF MEN 1,300,000 Have Died in War Decrease in Population Enormous. Amsterdam, via London One mil lion, three hundred thousand Germans have perished in tho war, according to a statement made by Joseph Friedrich Naunann, formerly a Conservative member of the reichstag. Herr Nau nann, lecturing on the "Influence of the War on Population," said in part: "Until now the war has caused a loss of 1,300,000 dead. This, together with the decrease in births, gives a re duction of 3,500,000. The surplus of females has increased from 800,000 to far more than 2,000,000. The nation has bled as never since the 30 years war." WIRE CENSORSHIP DECLARED Cables and All Lines Into Mexico Are Affected by Wilson's Order. Washington, D. C. An executive order signed by President Wilson pro viding for the censorship of cables out of the United States and of telegraph and telephone lines into Mexico, to gether with regulations governing the same, were made public Wednesday by the committee on public information The objeet of the censorship is to pre vent the sending of information which might be of value to the enemy. J he committee announces that ar rangements have been made to put tho executive order into effect immedi ately. "Conferences with tho heads of the cable, telegraph and telephone companies have been held in Washing ton during the week and all plans have been worked out in detail," said tho committee statement. An expert personnel, previously so Iectcd, and generous and complete co operation of the various companies combine to assure expedition and effi ciency from tho outset. The order was signed by tho Presi dent under the authority vested in hirn by the Constitution and by the con gressional resolution declaring tho ex istence of a state of war. Enforce ment of tho regulations is delegated to tho War and Navy departments. Manila Battle Recalled. Washington, D. C. Secretary Dan iels and high naval officers made their annual May day observances of tho an niversary of tho battle of Manila bay. Since the victor in that fight, Admiral Dewey, noionger lives to receive tho congratulations of his associates, they were paid to his widow. Tho anniver sary wbb marked also by the placing of flowers at tho tomb in Arlington Na tional cemetery, where tho admiral's body lies. Submarine Problem Solved by Baltimore Engineer. FOUR MONTHS LIMIT Plan Has Confidence of Naval Con sulting Board Inventor Refuses to Talk Assures Success. Baltimore, Md. Despite official at tempts to discredit the statement made Saturday by William M. Saunders, chnirman of tho Naval Consulting Board, that an invention practically had been perfected that would end the submarine menace, there Is such an in vention. 'This was learned in Balti more Monday where the invention was discovered by a Baltimore engineer, Emit Gathmann, the inventor. Mr. Gathmann, seen at his home in Walbrook, was loath to discuss tho invention, but ho authorized this state ment: "I can only say this: "Within three or four months there will be no submarine menace. Tho plan that will mean the eradication of the German U-bout as a real menace will take about that time to bo worked out. When it has been worked out and is in actual operation, then a state ment of some kind may be made. "But I cannot Bay anything now, nor do I think anyone else has been authorized to say anything." From sources other than Gathmann, it is known definitely and authorita tively that tho Invention and tho plan which now has tho approval and tho confidence of tho Naval Consulting Board is of recent birth. It was com pleted by Gathmann at the plant of tho Gathmann Engineering company at Texas, Baltimore county, about three weeks ago. At that time Mr. Gath mann went to Washington for a Sun day night conference with naval offi cials, and as a result naval engineers came to Baltimore the following day. The invention, it is understood, was approved and then tho naval authori ties got into touch with other engi neers who had submitted other plans and these other engineers were told of the Gathmann invention. Tests of the whole plan on tho At lantic coast then followed, and, ac cording to the statement made by Mr. Saunders Saturday and the hints made by Mr. Gathmann Monday, they proved the invention an entire success. Gathmann is well acquainted and closely associated with Mr. Saunders, tho head of the Naval Consulting Board. He is an activo member of the American Association of Mining En gineers, of which Mr. Saunders is the president. SNEERS AT UNION OF STATES Berlin Calls U. S. Pan-American Policy "Imperialism on March." Amsterdam The Kolnischc Volks zeitung, in an article under the cap tion, "American Imperialism on the March," in which it reviews tho at titudo of the Central nnd South Ameri can republics toward the war between the United States and Germany, says "President Wilson's diplomatic cam paign had successful, but it cannot bo said magnificent, results. Ho appar ently planned to compel tho various re publics to follow in his wake. "That the scheme failed in Mexico is a matter of course. Mexico, with Japan's backing, takes up a special po sition and we will not bclievo that Mexico ever will fight against us. "In the other Central and South American states there is olways moro or less chance of hucccbs for President Wilson, and that tho results are so poor shows that the spirit of independ ence there is still a powerful factor." The paper treats also of President Wilson's "diplomatic failure" in Vien na, which it says had this advantage, that in Vienna. Sofia and Constantino ple no American agents remain to spy and intrigue against Germany. Pay Rise Extension Asked. Washington, D. C. Secretary Dan iels Monday recommended to tho houso naval comrnitteo that an Incrcaso in pay of $15 a month, already agreed on for enlisted men, of tho navy, bo ex tended to men of tho naval militia, the reservo and naval volunteers. Mr. Daniels has also asked for six months' pay for a widow and children or dependent relatives or retlrcu officers or enlisted men on activo duty. i Wnaliltitirnn. I). O. .Tim ikIiiiImIhI m tion food bills were Introduced in thu house Monday by Chairman Lever, o tho agriculture committee. Thoy d not cover price fixing or control of tin in nf I'rnlii for (lUtllllliL' ltmiors rt - i Theso subjects will bo covered In a bill to bo Introduced later. Tho bills Introdcucd are designed to stimulate production, prevent hoard tng, maku for equltablu distribution and suspend the law prohibiting thu mixing of Hour. They contain provls ions to prevent conflict with tho antl trust and Interstate commerce laws. Tho Lever bill appropriates $25,000, 000 for its enforcement and authorizes tho appointment of two additional as sistant secretaries of agriculture to administer It. Tho measure Is tie signed to prevent a shortage of food during wartime by protecting tho pub lic against injurious speculation and would provide for a survey of food situation of the country. It also pro vides for the establishment of stand arils of grades for American products and fertilizers and for their recep tacles, and requires projwjr labeling for such receptables to prevent fraud and abuses. It authorizes tho license and control, when necessary, of any bus! ness or manufacture, storage or illstrl button of foods, food materials or feeds, and gives similar iniwer to com pel licenses to disgorge unreasonably hoarded Htocks to refrain from unjust or discriminatory practices or charges and to exact fair prices only. It gives Kwer to control the market movement and distribution of perish able products, to prescribe percentages of Hour which shall be milled from wheat, and to permit or compel whole sale and economical mixtures of wheat A bill to bo introduced later will confer plenary rower on tho President to more adequately handle the sltua tion, including the fixing of prices, both minimum and maximum; to pro scribe national prohibition in thu l'res ident's discretion; regulate transixirta tion of food products and deal with produce exchanges and boards of trade to prevent undue speculation. ROOSEVELT READY TO START Colonel Says Division Ought to Go to Frnncc Immediately. New York Theodore Roosevelt, upon his return here from Chicago Tuesday, declared ho hoped, as Mar1 shal Joffro had urged, that the people of this country would realize thu ne cessity for sending without delay an American force to thu French front. He added that those in congress who oppose the raising Immeiliately of somu divisions of volunteers for such service "will bo repudiating thu advicu of Marshal JofTre, will be voting against speedy and efficient action by tho United States, nnd will be endeav oring to the extent of their action to make this n paper war a war in which we make speeches and let other men do the fighting." Men and Women Riot in Chicago Bakers' Strike Chicago Rioting marked the open ing of the bakers' strike in Chicago Monday morning. The worst disorders occurred in the Ghetto district, where mounted police were called upon to protect the smaller bakery shops from strikers and their smypathlzers. At many places men and women threw kerosene on bread as it was brought to tho wagons for delivery. Meanwhile the shortage of 1,000,000 loaves of bread caused much concern to householders and city, Htato and fed eral officials exerted every efTort to end tho walkout, which was caused by a demand for higher wages. Ties Interlaced on Track. Mnrysvillc, Cal. An attempt to wreck a Western Pacific passenger train one milo south of hero was dis covered by Albert Berg, a county bridge watchman, Monday morning. Berg happened to walk up tho track a short distance from tho bridge and found four tieH interlaced on tho track. Tho ties wero found near where tho southbound limited was wrecked two weeks ago. Tho authorities are making an investigation. Wall Street Bomb Mark. New York Two German employes of tho Roosevelt Hospital Wolf Hirsch, an assistant chemist, and Gcorgo Moyrlnger, a general utility man wero arrested Tuesday, charged with having n bomb in their posses sion. Tho polico say thoy had received information of an alleged plot to ex plode a bomb In Wall streot, with tho object of creating a panic. Cherries S12.G0 a Pound. Sacramento, Cal. Tho record prlco of $125 was paid for a 10-pound box of California cherries shipped to Detroit. A box weighs 10 pounds, and tho price, therefore, was $12.50 a pound. Noose and Prison Prescribed as Proper Penalty. BORAH SEES FAMINE Idahoan Attacks Price Jugglers nnd Advocates Seizure of Supplies Trnile In Futures Scored. Washington, D. C. - Tim rising sen tlment in congress for legislation to meet tho nation's fcxid problems broko out In the sonatu Thursday In a debate that started ovur tho high prlco of seeds, but developed Into denunciations of food speculators, with assertions that thu best way to deal with them was to string thuin to lamp Kstt or put them behind prison bars Senators from farming states denied that theru Is any real shortage of sta ple fKxl in thu United States. Senator John Sharp Williams do dared theru has been a hysteria throughout thu country and that thu coursu of high prices was largely jwy etiological. He said hu buluved thu German corruption fund recently un earthed in a Federal court in Nuw York may liavo been resmHibU'. Word should go straight out from thu senate, Senator Williams said, that theru is no shortage of food. Senators Nelson and McCumur agreed that tlioro Is no reason to fuar a shortage. Thu attack on tho speculators was led by Senators Thomas and Borah. Thu Colorado senator declared they were thu real enemies of tho nation; expressed thu hopu that congress would not adjourn without legislation that would remedy thu uvil and said thu lamp Hst Is thu thing to cure such speculation. IIu Introduced an amend ment to tho espiunagu bill etnMwuring thu President by proclamation to sus pend during thu war thu operation of lMiards of trade and chambers of coin mercu which deal in futures. Senator Borah predicted a world famine if thu war lasts two years and If extraordinary and sustained efforts are not madu here to meut thu food problem. Hu attacked thu packurs, declaring thoy madu enormous profits, anil said speculation and monopoly In foodstuffs made millions for tlmsu who wero responsible and madu "peons of tho eoplu." Ho favored conscrip tion of food ami government iiosscssion of tho packing companies. Food spec ulation, hu said, would not bu ended until thu speculators "aru put in stripes behind thu bars." MEXICO ASSURES GOODWILL Desire of People to Keep Out of War Asserted In letter. Washington, I). C. Iouis Cabrera. General Carranza's mlnltserof finance, n a letter to Secretary Lano, with whom ho sat on the Mexican-American commission, pledges not only Mexico's neutrality, but his government's In tention to do nothing to embarrass thu United States in tho war with Ger many. A part or Cabrera's letter, mailo public by Secretary Lane, follows: "All Muxicans who know and appre ciate thu United States aro now striv ing to keep Mexico absolutely neutral n tho present world conflict, which unfortunately has extended to Amer ica. Although I believe that the war between tho United States and Ger many will actually take place in Eu rope, and not in America, tho United States can bo tiuro that thu presunt government of Mexico will do evory thnlg in its power to mako the United States feel absolutely confident that there will bo no reason at all U fuar from our sldo. "Mexico has gone through a civil war, and there is nothing tho people desire moru than to remain in peace and without being engaged in an In ternational war." Borah Would Join T. It. Washington, 1). C If congress de cides to permit Colonel Roosevolt to ralso a division of volunteers for serv ice in Europe, Senator Borah, of Idaho, wants to join that division. Senator Borah telegraphed Roosevelt offering his services In any capacity for which his qualifications may fit him and ex pressing the hopo that congress will authorize tho Colonul to ralso n divis ion or moro. Senator Borah has yot had no reply from Colonel Rooaovolt. .Seaplane Torpedoes Ship. London Tho admiralty announces that tho British steamor Genu was sunk May 1 by a torpedo discharged from n Gorman Bcaplano off Aldeburg (Suffolk) England.