THE
WORLD HAPPENINGS
OL CURRENT WEEK
HERMISTON
HERALD,
HERMISTON,
OREGON.
“A Little Group of Wilful Men,” Said the President
Railroad Trainmen to Walk Out if
8-Hour Demands Are Not Met.
"VTTTI
New York—Information received by
the national conference committee,
composed of managers of the great
railway systems, and made public
Tuesday evening, indicates that the
four railroad brotherhoods have com
pleted arrangements for a progressive
series of strikes, to begin at 6 o’clock,
Eastern time, on Saturday night, if
the conference on the eight-hour ques
tion held here fails to reach a satis
factory agreement
The proposed strike program, ac
cording to this information, is as fol
lows:
Saturday, March 17, 6 p. m., call
out all trainment in freight service on
the New York Central, Baltimore &
Ohio, Erie, Altantic Coast line, South
ern railway, Louisville & Nashville,
and Seaboard Air Line.
Such an or
der would involve 40,000 men.
Monday, March 19, 6 p. m., call out
the freight trainmen on the Lehigh
Valley, Lackawanna, Jersey Central,
Pennsylvania, Long Island, Maine
Central, Delaware & Hudson, Reading
and all other roads in the southeastern
territory or extending to New York.
Tuesday, March 20, 6 p. m., call out
all freight trainmen in the Northwest
ern gourp, including te Hill roads and
all those centering in Chicago.
Wednesday, March 21, 6 p. m., if
the railroads still refuse to grant the
men’s terms, extend the strike to all
other freight trainmen and call out the
passenger trainmen on every road in
the country.
Brief Resume Most Important
Daily News Items.
27
COMPILED FOR BUSY READERS
we
Eventa of Noted People, Governments
and Pacific Northwest and Other
Things Worth Knowing.
Walter Clark, American landscape
painter and winner of many art med
als, died Tuesday in New York.
President Carranza has re-established
the capital in Mexico City. It is esti
mated that Carranza received 1,500,-
000 votes in the election for the presi
dency Sunday.
According to reports current in the
financial district of New York, Russia
is contributing largely to the continued
heavy imports of gold for account of
the entente powers.
President Wilson sent to the senate
about 1300 nominations which failed
of confirmation at the last session of
the senate. Almost all are army and
navy promotions and postmaster ap
pointments.
About 60 German submarines were
captured and destroyed between Janu
ary 1 and February 15, according to
reports reaching Washington, the first
authoritative word of the entente suc
cess in coping with the undersea boats.
An appeal for the pardon of Maury
I. Diggs and F. Drew Caminetti, con
victed in California of violation of the
Mann white slave law, and whose case
reached the highest court in the land,
where the conviction was upheld, has
been made to President Wilson.
The funeral of Count Zeppelin was
held Tuesday at Stuttgart.
Many
years ago the late inventor erected his
own vault and therefore Countess Zep
pelin declined the offer made to her by
the king of Wuerttemberg to give the
body a tomb in the royal cemetery.
Notwithstanding the German sub-
marine menace, exports from New
York for February, 1917, were only
$1,470,805 less than for February,
1916, which was one day longer, ac
cording to figures made public. The
total for the month this year was
$223,464,135.
Navy recruiting continues to show a
great increase.
For the first eight
days in March the net gain was 716
men. On March 1 there were 59,037
enlisted men in the navy, and on
March 8, 59,753. There are still need
ed for mobilization, including regulars
and reserves, 102,295.
Scores of German reservists have
crossed into the Mexican state of So
nora from points in Arizona within the
last week, an agent of the department
of Justice announces. Many of them,
he said, are known to have had mili
tary experience. The agent said they
appeared to be scattering to all parts
of Mexico.
A recommendation that 15,000 In
dian boys of the various Indian schools
and reservations throughout the coup-
try be organized, armed and equipped
and drilled under regular army officers
was unanimously adopted by the Unit
ed States Board of Indian Commission
ers, which met at the Sherman Insti
tute at Riverside, Cal., in special ses
sion recently.
By a vote of 81 to 47 the Minnesota
house indefinitely postponed action on
the Anderson statutory prohibition bill.
The vote killed any chance for further
legislation at this session to abolish
the liquor traffic.
Postmaster General Burleson has an
nounced that after April 1 the appoint
ments of all postmasters of the first,
second and third class will be subject to
competitive examinations.
Nomina
tions will be sent to the senate as in
the past, but in making selections the
President will be guided by the results
of examinations and will send in the
names at the head of the lists. Wheth
er a civil service commission, under
which fourth class postmasters are
now named, will conduct the examina
tions, has not been determined.
2.
WILLIAM J .STON E , MO!
JAMES A.OGORMAN, N.Y.
HARRY LANE, ORE.ESLEY UONES, WASH,
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This is the "little group of wilful
men,” according to the statement is
sued by President Wilson after the de
feat of the bill directing him to arm
merchant ships in the last hours of the
session of the United States senate. I
Each of the men has an explanation of
his own to the effect that he opposed
the bill on constitutional or public
grounds.
HUGE POLICY PROTECTS MEN
“The Lady From Montana.”
Forty-One Thousand Railroaders Are
Cared for by Single Contract.
The biggest insurance deal ever con-
sumated was that whereby the Union
Pacific Railroad company took out a
thirty million dollars insurance policy,
which went into effect January 1, 1917,
and under which forty-one thousand
persons are beneficiaries of the plan.
These include all employes of the com
pany who have been in the service for
one year, but does not apply to those
whose salaries are over $4000 a year.
The premium on the policy amounts
to $800,000 a year.
Group insurance is not a substitute
for individual insurance, but is meant
to provide some insurance to those
not otherwise protected by it, and to
be a substantial addition to the indi
vidual insurance which all are en
couraged to provide for themselves.
The plan has been found to work best
only as it is operated on an exclusive
basis, namely, to include everybody
employed, or all those in that class for
whose benefit insurance is desired.
Under the Union Pacific plan, in the
event of the death of an employe from
any cause, accidental or otherwise, the
insurance company pays one year’s
salary, with minimum of $500 and
maximum of $2500 on any individual.
If the employe meets with accident
al injury in the course of his employ
ment the insurance company pays two
years’ salary if it results in the loss of
any two limbs or two eyes.
It pays
one year’s salary for the loss of a
single limb. For loss of time result
ing from the period of disability, not
exceeding two years.
The foregoing are occupational acci
dents. Disability resulting from non-
occupational accidents and disability
resulting from disease are put upon
the same basis, and payment is made
for the entire period if it exceeds
one week, up to twelve months. In
addition, if the employe becomes to |
tally or permanently disabled within I
twelve months by reason of disease he I
geta further payment for twelve
months more. In other words, if per-
manenty and totally disabled, he gets
an entire payment of twenty-four
|
months.
The employes of the Oregon-Wash- |
Democrats and Republicans of the
Poison Plotters Convicted.
senate in a recent caucus cleared the
London
—Mrs. Alice Wheeldon, her
way for early modification of senate
procedure so as to make filibusters daughter, Mrs. Winifred Mason, and
such as defeated the armed neutrality the latter’s husband, Alfred George
bill impossible in the future.
Mason, were found guilty Monday of
conspiracy to murder Premier Lloyd
Herbert A. Meyer, of Ohio, has been
George and Arthur Henderson, mem
appointed assistant to the secretary of
ber of the war council. Miss Harriet
the Interior.
Mr. Meyer, who has
Ann Wheeldon, another daughter of
been private secretary to Secretary
Mrs. Wheeldon, who also was tried on
Lane, will have administrative charge
the same charges, was acquitted. Mrs.
of the Alaskan railroad now being
Wheeldon was sentenced to 10 years’
built.
penal servitude. A sentence of seven
The immediate breaking off of rela years was imposed upon Alfred Mason,
tions with Germany is expected in while his wife got five years.
Pekin, and it is generally predicted
3000 Ship Workers Quit.
that China will join the entente.
Oakland, Cat — Nearly 3000 un
The jury that is to hear the evidence skilled laborers, representing more
than 85 per cent of the total employ
in the trial of Mayor Gill, of Seattle, ers' roster, employed at the Union Iron
and others indicted by a Federal grand Works of Alameda and the More &
jury for alleged conspiracy to violate Scott shipyards of this city, have quit
the statutes of the United States by work, practically tying up all ship
importation of intoxicating liquor into building operations.
The walkout followed the submission
the state of Washington, was complet
ed in the United States District court of a compromise wage by the ship-
Thursday and the opening statements building companies involved, which
was refused by the employee.
of counsel were begun.
DATE FOR GREAT STRIKE SET
?
MANY ARE REPORTED SLAIN
Cuban Revolutionists Destroy Cane
Fields and Bridges.
Santiago—Major Rigoberto Fernan
dez, leader of the liberal forces, has
left Santiago with his troops and many
civilians. Before leaving he liberated
all political prisoners, including Ro
driguez Fuentes, the ex-governor. The
city continues peaceful under the pro
tection of American sailors.
An engagement is reported in the
vicinity of San Luis, and many com
batants are said to have been killed
and wounded.
The cane fields at Satillo and San
Ana have been destroyed, as well as
all railroad bridges of the Cuba Rail
way company and three locomotives of
the same railroad.
Babies Reported Slain.
London—"Thus far only fragmen
tary reports of the remarkable debate
in the Prussian Diet on the food crisis
have been printed in the German news
papers,” says a Reuter’s dispatch
from Amsterdam.
"The Vorwaerts
contains the following passage from
the speech of Herr Hofer, a Socialist
member of the Prussian Diet: "The
mortality among elderly people is in
creasing at a terrible rate, while epi
demics are spreading everywhere, ow
ing to the decreased powers of resist
ance. The situation is much more
serious than admitted. The number of
suicides is increasing and parents are
killing their children owning to their
inability to obtain food for them.
Navy is Preparing to Build
100 Small Boats for Patrol
Washington, D. C. — Preliminary
steps were taken by the Navy depart
ment Wednesday toward contracting
for the quick construction of 100 of
more high-speed coast patrol-boats of
a new type for scouting against sub
marines. At a conference, in which a
score of builders were represented, as
surances were given that deliveries
could begin within four months.
There was no announcement, but it
is understood the contracts will be
awarded shortly. Plans prepared for
the patrol-boats call for craft 110 feet
long propelled by powerful steam en
gines. Details of their armament and
equipment are now being worked out,
but probably will not be made public.
They will be more seaworthy and
have a much larger cruising raidus
than the standard “submarine chaser,”
an 85-foot gasoline motor-boat.
Some of the companies represented
in the conference have turned out large
numbers of "chasers” for the British
government.
They will have to make
changes in their plants in order to
build the larger boats wanted by the
American government.
Representatives of the major ship-
builders also appeared at the depart
ment bringing data concerning their
corporations and plants for which Sec
retary Daniels recently asked.
GERMAN PLOTS IN
MEXICO APPARENT
Banking Heads Guide Financial
and Diplomatic Affairs.
KAISER FORMS CLOSE ALLIANCE
Teutonic Legation in Mexico City Vir
tually Directs Country’s Policy—
Purpose to Oppose U. S.
Washington, March 16.—Confidential
diplomatic reports from the represent
atives of a neutral government in
Mexico passing through here on their
way to Europe say the German bank in
Mexico City and the German legation
there are guiding virtually the entire
financial and diplomatic affairs of
Mexico.
According to these reports, the ac
tion of Mexico in sending recently to
the American repubic a note on the
subject of peace in Europe was direct
ed by the officials of the German lega
tion, while the German bank is said to
have come into control of the Mexican
financial situation.
It is declared that the German bank
has accepted quantities of the paper
issued by the Mexican government and
that the institution appears to have at
its disposal unlimited resources. From
the tenor of the reports it appears that
a large quantity of German money has
reached the Mexican government
The German legation is said in the re
ports virtually to be directing every
move of the Mexican government, both
internally and externally.
Considerable attention is given in
the reports to the new Mexican con
stitution, which goes into effect May
1, it being declared that several of its
provisions apparently were devised as
means of assisting the cause of Ger
many in Mexico at the expense of the
interests of the entente allies and the
United States.
Article 27 of the new constitution,
which provided for the confiscation of
concessions or property of foreigners,
is regarded as especiallly dangerous to
the entente allies and neutrals in gen
eral. Developments in the near fu
ture, the reports indicated, will be di-
‘rected at ousting from control of the
oil fields American, British, Dutch and
other interests.
Although it is not specifically stated
in the reports that such is the fact,
the diplomat forwarding them has rea
son for believing that in return for the
favors done for the Mexican govern
ment certain promises and conditions
have been imposed which will serve to
bring about a close alliance, which ob
viously could be used against the Unit
ed States in event of war.
\
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......
German Ruthlessness To Go
Labor to Stand by America
On, Says Ambassador Gerard
if Crisis Comes With Germany
Washington, D. C.—Organized labor
in America, through its representa
tives in conference here Wednesday,
offered its services to the country in
every field of activity.
This offer is made in the event that
despite all endeavors and hopes, the
United States should be drawn into
war.
The action was taken by unanimous
vote of more than 150 delegates from
National and international trade un
ions affiliated with the American Fed
eration of Labor and five unaffiliated
.organizations, including the great
railroad brotherhoods. In all, about
3,000,000 American workers were rep
resented in the conference, called to
determine and announce the part to be
claimed by labor in National prepared
ness plans.
British to Control Fats.
London — It is announced that the
ministry of munitions, by arrangement
Miss Jannette Rankin, the first wo
with
the minister of agriculture and
man elected to the house of represent
atives, comes from the sturdy state of the food controller, is assuming control
Montana. She is now in Washington of all fats, oils and oil seed, and their
waiting to be seated as one of the products, including oil cake, soap and
members from that state when Presi margarine. For this purpose a new
dent Wilson calls the extra session of branch of the ministry of munitions
has been organized under Alfred Big 245 Oregon Convicts Earn
congress April 16.
land, member of parliament, who for a
$12,757 in Month of February
year has had charge of the work of the
ington Railroad & Navigation com ministry of munitions in the matter of
Salem, Ore. — Convicts on parole
pany, operating in the states of Ore
oils and fats required for extracting from the State penitentiary during
gon, Washington and Idaho, are all glycerine.
February earned an average of $52.07
affected by the insurance plan, the line
each at their respective employments,
being the western unit of the Union
Dynamiter Joins Marines.
according to the report of Parole Offi
Pacific. Over 5000 will be affected.
Chicago—Robert S. Phillips created cer Keller to Governor Withycombe.
During the month of February the
employes of the road were paid a considerable excitement at the Marine The report probably is the best show
month’s salary as extra compensation Corps recruiting station here Saturday ing yet made by the convicts since the
for service during the year 1916, and when he applied for enlistment, assur law went into effect. The total amount
over $336,000 was disbursed in this ing the enlisting officer that he could of earnings for 245 men for the month
"blow up anything from a tin can to a was $12,757.56.
manner.
battleship.”
He was accepted for
service, however, when he explained
"Healer” Sent to Prison.
Loan Officials Named.
that he was a professional dynamiter.
Los Angeles — A sentence of 18
Washintgon, D. C.—Officers of the
He left for the East, where he will
Federal Land bank, of Spokane, were join a mining company on the sea- months in the Federal prison on Mc
Neil’s Island, Wash., was imposed up
appointed Monday by the Farm Loan board.
on "King” Francis Schlatter, self-
Board as follows:
styled divine healer, found guilty Sat
Villa Ammunition Found,
President, D. G. O’Shea, of Red
Lodge, Mont ; vice president, C. E. i Chihuahua City, — A large quantity urday in the United States district
B. Roberts, of Rupert, Idaho; secre of hidden Villa ammunition was found court on a charge of using the mails to
tary, George C. Jewett, of Palouse, Saturday by the de facto troops follow defraud. Schlatter called down the
Wash. ; treasurer, George M. Dreher, ing the battle at Cusihuiriachie, Chi maledictions of God upon all concerned
in the prosecution of his case and pre
of Spokane. The officers and A. W. huahua.
Cauthorn, of Portland, Ore., also were
A prisoner captured by the Carranza dicted they would "die within two
appointed directors.
Turner Oliver, forcee in the battle, revealed the hid years” when asked by Judge O. A.
of LaGrande, Or., was appointed reg ing place of the ammunition in return Trippet if he had anything to say be
istrar and attorney.
for a pardon.
The cache contained fore sentence was pronounced.
several thousand rifle cartridges and
Irish Members Are Back.
Bernstorff in Norway.
artillery shells, according to an official
London—The Irish Nationalists made
London—Count von Bernstorff, for report received here.
mer German ambassador at Washing
their reappearance in the house of
America's Aid is Small.
ton, arrived at Christiania Monday
commons Wednesday and assured them
New York—The United States has
morning, according to an Exchange
selves
of another early debate on the
Telegraph dispatch from Copenhagen. contributed a total of $9,980,602 to
On reaching the quay several hundred Belgian relief, according to a state subject of home rule for Ireland by ob
members of the German colony and ment made by the Commission for Re taining from the government a prom
representatives of the legation gave lief in Belgium. This sum, the state ise that the Irish estimates would be
the returning passengers an enthusias ment said, was less than 4 per cent of introduced some day next week.
The estimates will provide an oc
tic welcome.
Passengers on the liner approximately $250,000,000 that has
said that bad weather prevailed been expended by the commission in casion for a debate on the whole Irish
administration.
throughout the voyage.
Belgium and Northern France.
Washnigton, March 16.—Ex-Ambas
sador Gerard, fresh from Berlin, re
portad to the State department that
when he left there was evidence that
Germany fully intended carrying out
her ruthless submarine campaign, re
gardless of the prospect of war with
the United States, and that the talk of
peace had been abandoned.
The Ex-Ambassador did not see
President Wilson because the Presi
dent is still confined to his room, but
he conferred at length with both Sec
retary Lansing and Counsellor Polk,
and went over with them in detail
events leading to the break in diplo
matic relations with Germany.
Germany Holds Two Americans
As Prisoners of War
Copenhagen, March 16.—The deten
tion of two Americans in Germany, one
of whom at least is apparently classed
by the German authorities as a bellig
erent, is reported here.
James Moore, an American member
of the crew of the unarmed Norwegian
ship Storskog, which was sunk by a
German submarine, is being held in an
internment camp together with three
Russians and one British subject, who
were also members of the Storskog’s
crew.
The Norwegians and Danes
who formed the remainder of the
ship’s complement have been released.
China Severs German Relations.
Washington, D. C.—American Min
ister Reinsch at Pekin has reported to
the State department that China had
severed diplomatic relations with Ger
many and that the government has
handed the German minister his pass
ports. The Chinese government has
taken possession of all German mer
chant ships in Shanghai, about six in
number, placed their crews on shore
under guard and placed armed guards
on the vessels. Advices to the Navy
department from officers in Chinese
waters gave no further details.
French Session is Secret.
Paris — The chamber of deputies
voted to go into secret session for the
discussion of the aviation service.
Deputy Raoul Angeles, opening the de
bate, said the superiority at Verdun
and Somme with regard to aviation
was not because the French had a large
number of machines, but was due to a
very small supply superior to the Ger
man airplanes. At this point Deputy
Angles demanded a secret session,
which was adopted.