Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Medford mail tribune. (Medford, Or.) 1909-1989 | View Entire Issue (May 9, 1917)
WEATIIEE Maximum Yesterday 77; Minimum Today 50. FORECAST TonlLt and Tomorrow Tartly Cloudy. nn IViEDFORD UNE Forty-seventh Year. Dally Twelfth Yetir. MEDFOTCD OKFXiOX, WEDNKSDAY, MAY 0. 1917. NO. 41 E 1S0HMLS I I MATT BRITISH TAK WAR REVENUE! BILL WILL YIELD $1,800,000,000 LEADERS PLANS GROUND OS OF WAG NG WAR AT With Massed Reserves and Increas ed Artillery, Germans Desperately Strive to Halt Allied Advance French in Brilliant Action Capture First Line of Trenches Over Front of Three .Quarters of a Mile at Chevreaux. LONDON, May 0. Par! of the ground lost in the vicinity of Fresnoy on the Arras battlefield, was regain ed by the Hi'itish last night, it is an nounced officially. With massed reserves and every available pun at his command, Crown Prince Rupert of Bavaria is striving to halt the ceaseless British assaults on Drocourt-Quennt line, the last bul wark protecting the richest prize of the Germans in northern France the coal fields of Lens. The reckless expenditure of human ILCc by the German commander has hiA at least a temporary reward in the capture of Fresnov, at the north ern end of the line. Its capture marks the first tune in the present offensive that a German counter attack has succeeded in wresting an important position from I lie British. Everything indicates that the present struggle on the Brit ish front is considered on both sides as ono of the most important action of the war, but it may be luanv days before any decision is reached. The French last bight in a brilliant action captured first line German trenches over a front of three quar ters of a mile in the region of Chev reuux, taking 1G0 prisoners. Lost Ground Regained. (From a Stuff Correspondent of the As sociated Press.) BRITISH HEADQUARTERS IN FRANCE, May !). Most of the ground lost by the British in the vi cinity of Fresnoy bus been regained. The Germans arc barely holding Fres 'jy village itself. Heavy fighting was continmd last night and early today about the vil lage of Fresnoy from which the lint ish were compelled to withdraw yes terday after resisting several Ger man counter attacks in force. The British launched a counter attack and the Germans now are barely holding the village proper. Still Counter Attacking. The Germans are not yet through with their counter attacks against Gavrelle. Today, under cover of a very heavy bombardment, they as saulted the Gnvrclle windmill and an outpost of the village which already hail changed bunds about JO tunes Today's attack was broken quickly by artillery and machine gun fire. Germans put down a heavy barrage against tho British positions in the southern and western portions of Bullecourt last night, but made no at- l....,..lo (., tl,,..L- ultl, inTnnlrv it,, I. ,.... I'. ; ...... ..... fourt is now in o rather strange con dition with British and Merman post scattered through it. The htistil posts are being gradually absorbed however, and a number of prisoner! are being taken. German counter attacks ore being delivered with greater forces nil the (Continued on pgo six.) AMSTERDAM, May n.-r'icl Marshal Von llindciibiirtr is again predicting victory, according to the Berlin Tagceblnlt. The paper quote; the field marshal as saying in reply to an ndilress from the Saxon sec ond chamber : "The soldier spirit, which is al wnvs cultivated by the all Indies War Lord, has again proved its strength. If the home nnny holds on then we are certain of victory. President Summons Leaders of Con gress to Discuss Merchant Fleet Plans Effort to Invoke Senate's New Cloture Rules to Force Thru Espionage Bill to be Made. WASHINGTON, May 9. President Wilson began taking congress into confidence on the administration's plans today by summoning 30 leaders to tlie White House. At tho capitol It was said the presi dent had recognized the criticism that congress was not being taken into the president's full confltleuco on the measures ho is asking to have passed for the conduct of tho war. Among the subjects discussed to day, it was said, were the billion dol lar appropriation to build the mer chant fleet which is to overcome the submarine menace and the disputed points in tho new army bill on which house and senate conferees are dead locked, principally over the senate amendment to permit sending Col onel Roosevelt division to France. The espionage bill and subjects were also taken up. To Invoko Cloture. An effort to invoke the senate's now cloture rule to force through the administration espionage bill with its drastic newspaper censorship and em bargo sections, was under way today with Senator Williams of Mississippi leading the attempt. To invoke the rule support of two- thirds of the senators present is nec essary. Senators who heard about the plan said today such a number could not be obtained. The bill has been before the senate ten days and admin istration leaders are anxious that it be disposed of. Debate on the bill continued today with the chief export embargo section as adopted Monday unchanged, de spite efforts to modify it yesterday after the question had been discussed in executive session. loro Modifications. Before the bill is finally voted on however, further efforts will be made to modify the section by Senator La ollette who has an amendment pend ing and possibly others. The senate late yesterday voted down Senator Cummins' amendment providing that the embargo should not operate In violation of any treaty with a neutral as it did his motion that the whole question be debated in open senate. Al PUPIL KILLED NKWI'OKT NKWS, Va., May f. Victor Carlstrom, aviator instructor of the Atlantic, coast aeronautical station hen; and Carey H. Eppes of Newport Xews, an amiy student aviator, were almost instantly killed today when their machine collapsed at an altitude of ahout 3."fl0 feet. Hundreds of persons saw the aeci dent and children at one of the pub- lie schools watching the fliers durinp their noon recess were panic stricken Carlstrom reached the zenith ot hi fame when lie flew from Chicnun te New York several months ajio. !li fore that he had flown from Newport News to New York without a htoj setting a record for cross-country flvimr. Carlstrom also held the Am erican record for altitude pilot nm one passenru'e, having ascended to a height of h"0() feet hero n year ngri NKYV YOKK, Mav 11. The tU'h tons ltriti.-h tank steamship San I'r ham which left a Mexican oil pur April 1J for the t'nited Kingdom, hit. hcen sunk hy a submarine, accord inir to cable advices received here today by her owners, the Anulo-Mcx iean Petroleum company. The sink iiK occurred prior to April 20 and no mention was made as to the fat of the 4S men uu board. Left to riiriit lUiU-rt Lansing, secicttuy of state: Xewton I. lijiker, s ltene Vivbtnl, IVencli inliiLster of justice TO MOBILIZE FOR iL County Pathologist Cnlc aniioiiuced Wednesday the times and places of meetm-is to be held next Saturday in Jackson county in observance of Agricultural Defense Day. With the exception of nt Soilu Springs and Central Point, ' whore the meetings will be held on Friday at 2 p. in. the following meetings will be held Sat urday: licdford, public library, 2:30; Iiellview, 8 p. in.; City hull, Ashland, p. ni. ; Valley View' 8 p. m.; Phoe nix 3 p. in.; Talent 8 p. in.; Jackson ville 2; Much 2; Applegate 8; Willow Spring Orantre 8; Kast Side Commu nity Club, 8; Table Hock school 7:31); Griffin Creek school 8; Sams valley 8: Gold Hill 2:30; Hague Hiver 7:311; Winter Grange 2; Hcagle 8; Kngle Point 7:30; Lake Creek 2; 1 tut t o Kalis PORTLAND, May 9. Push the onslnictioii of paving on the Sis kiyou grade in Jackson county nnd of a road near Sheridan as soon as pos sible were orders given to Stnte En gineer Nunn yesterday by the stale highway commission. Mr. Nunn has recommended concrele puvenien't for both these roads. There is a six mile stretch on the Siskiyou grade which will be paved nine feet wide with tvvo-l'oot shoulders. EGG DEALERS CALLED 2 ON 10 EXPLAIN AC1S WASHINGTON', May 0. 1; dealers in Kansas, Nchraska, Okla homa and Texas were ordered today to apjK'ar before the department of agriculture to answer to charges of shipping immature eirus into interstate commerce. The order was prompted hy investigations hy the department' experts last winter. The food and drills net elapses bail ei!rs adul terated food. WASHINGTON". Mav ".--Senator Cbauibcrlain Iiik been notified of the following appointments of npprais under the farm loan bank act for Oregon: William Galloway, Salem; S. A. Sanford, Hoschurg; Charles K, Widloes, Klamntb Kails; N. C. Urock, Hoed Hiver; C. K. Crosiio, Toledo. J- i.oJi tt jl :;.if ,. ii2L DOR MAN v J- l" TT . i&M anil niciiilwr of Hie French camnil COPKNIIAGKX, Slay !). The P,a varian Staats Zeitung, Ihe Henii-ol'fi-cial Ilavarian newspaper and the per sonal organ of Count llertling, pub- lisbes an inspired article denying the necessity of Gcrniajiy's demanding a cash imlennmy as one ot her peace conditions. Count llertliin; has just returned from a visit to Vienna where had conference with Kmpcror Charles and Foreign Minister Czer- iiiii, J he Uennan newspapers claim that the conferences were intended to 'ind a common ground between Count Cernin's suggestions of peace without annexation and Chance! lor Von llethinann-1 lollweg's peace pro gram. The article in the Stuals Zeilung is regarded, in view of the terms as im portant as reflecting the ideas of the Bavarian prime minister. It suggests that an agreement to supply needed raw materials at a low price or per haps free might be a substitute for i cash indemnity. The writer goes on to declare that an agreement to permit German trade on its former terms in old markets, the return of Gorman ships and the surrender of German colonies would he the equiv alent of billions of imlcmuitv. Word comes from Portland that in the opinion of tin general staff of the Oregon national guard, which held a meeting at Portland la-t Sunday, a call to active duty of the coast artillery corps ami other national guard orgaiii.nlinn-i need not be ex pected until congress has finally de cider! upon the terms of the selective conscription law under which the new anny will he raided. Colonel C. C. Ilmiimond of Kugene, commander of the coast artillery corps, is quoted as of the opinion that the coast artillery companies will not leave their home- for at lea-d a week after the call is actually re ceived. Iesiite this all companies of the corps are ru-hing preparations to be ready for the call. The stteniith to which the compa nies are to be recruited has not yd been deti'imined bv the war depart ment, whether tiny are to lie held at 10! men, the peace strength, or iucreaed to HO, war strength. BRITISH MINE SWEEPER TORPEDOED AND SUNK LONDON', May !. A IlritMi mine sweeper was torpedoed and sui k on May ;) with tlie loss of two officers ami twenty men, the admiralty announced. J n Jit -J1 ! m Tl wwtury of war, and Uva. hukii hcoit, anion to tho United States. OF NKWt YOUK, Way !). CraiiiblliiB prices nt tlie opening of tho Block market today extended during the forenoon trading into a severe break which curried the market down from 2 to points in virtually all purls of tho list. Tho liquidation appeared to bo provoked chiefly by tho publication of tho government's war taxation pol icy. Tho market was feverish and un settled. United Slates seel broke over two points to 112, Ilethlehem Steel old stock 10 points to 12r nnd other Industrials, including tho principal munitions and equipments two to six points. Soino of tho dividend paying rails fell to lowost prices of recent years. Net losses from last night's closo In cluded 4 points for St. l'aul, Union Pacific 3V4; Canadian Pacific 1; Southern Pacific 2. Motors and shippings joined ill tho recession with losses of two to flvo points. Half recoveries in steel and other leaders accompanied tho nioro orderly dealings of the last hour hut minor rails and specialties niailo llttlo head way. Tho closing was heavy. PKKING, May !t. Premier Tunn Chl-.Iut and the entire eabliiet ad dressed a secret hchhIoii of the parlia ment toduy nnd urged tho adoption of reHolulion decIariiiR war iiKaliiHt Germany. The resolution was re ferred to the standing committee for consideration on Thursday. In the Bcnate. the resolution came up Informally and caused a stormy session. The opposition takes the ground that It does not want war un til tho cnhlnct Is reorganized nnd strengthened. WASHINGTON, Mav !. Itv agree ment of hiwyei-. on both Mdc. Ihe In cal supreme emu I tnd.i v m wa i 'ded a verdict of li cent-- ilaiiiitc- and cost: to 1 1 en iv Ln lie Wilson, former juu ba.-ador to Mexico, in his libel suit again-t Norman I lapgood, former editor of Collier's Weekly. Mr. Wil miii sued on mi aiticle dealing with tlie killing of President Madero of Mexico, the uiir pnlion of Ihierta and Mr. Wilson's alleged connection with events in the Mexican capital at that time. CRISIS M CHINA FOR MERCHANT SHIPS vmvt 01 stair of Uio V. H. Anny; ' INCREASE PAY OF A WASHINGTON, May 0. Sonfer ees on the war army bill today agreed upon a provision to increase the pay of enlisted men to $2') per month and increase the pay of other grades below commissioned officers, lnt not proportionately. Conferees sought to compromise their differences over the question of whether Colonel Hoosevelt shall be permitted, as provided by n sen ale amendment to raise a volunteer force for service in France. Prospects of an agreement, however, on this, the main issue, seemed slight. i'he only hope held out for a com promise was said to he based on the hance that (he senate might recede from its position on (he question. In that case it was said tho house con ferees might accept the senate amend ment fixing the age limit of those subject to selective draft at 21 to in lieu of the house provision fix ing it at from 21 to 40. Kaiiure to reach an agreement prob ablv will necessitate the sending o the hill hack to house for further in sliuctions. I WASHINGTON. May tl. President Wilson today lienan work on getting tho $1,000,1)011,11111) appropriation for merchant ships and sent for several senators on tho appropriations com nilttco. The coininllteo Informally (IIbcush- ed before going to t!: White House tho nucHtion of putting tho new up piopriation on tho $'J,SOO,000,000 army and navy deficiency Mil already passed by the bouse. That bill has been almost completed by the corn initteo and could bo reported to the senato for action In a few days. WASHINGTON', May !l.-Klor were token by the federal eimm-il of eblirelo-H todav In phlt'C till' fofie ot lYoli-titlit rliun lies ill Aineiii-n be bind a i;ir program calling for mi tiotuil proliilnlion, t,rovei'iiiiii.-nl control lltid lvL'iilnlloll of food, heavy Inxa tion of l.ne incomes npd inheri tances, hi'rr crop production and maintenance of labor standariN. At (lie close of the inccdiur toniubt, n slaleiiient. will be issued to nil afl'il- iuted churches defining the iittituib of the IVilci.il council. Tariff Duties Increased Ten Percent Flat Letter Mail Rates Increased From Two to Three Cents, Postal Cards From One to Two Cents- Newspapers Mulcted $19,000,000. WASHINGTON, May 9. The new war tax bill was ready for congress today, proposing probably the most extensive and greatest line of taxation ever faced by the American people. Doubling of normal Income tax rntos, with reduction of exemptions and increases of surtaxes on great In comes, absolute elimination of all ar ticles on the tarirr free list with the imposition of a minimum duty of ten per cent and a horizontal Increase of ton per cent on all new taxable arti cles together with increases of taxes on Internal revenue and new taxes which reach to the remote depart ments of business and household life are proposed to make up a yearly In come of $1,800,000,000. Increased Postage, Increases on postage rates Include newspapers which it is proposed to charge on the parcol post plan system. Publishers who are hurrying to Wash ington and some ot those who con ferred today with ways and means committee members said that such a ' line of taxation as is proposed upon them practically will force many out of business. Mailing charges for pa pers of average circulation, it was said, would be Increased majiy thou sands ot dollars yearly. , .-. , Ono draft of tho bill proposed to Impose a tax of flvo per cent on re ceipts from advertising, but as finally prepared for the house this tax was made not to apply to newspaper and periodicals, Taxes on I.lttlo Things. V " The now taxes Include levies on life and flro insurance, on household electric light bills, telephone bills. railroad tickets, admissions to amuse monts, club dues .automobiles, ploasi ure boats, Jowolry and practically ev orytbing that enters into the life of tho family. In an effort to spread the taxation over tho business life as welt as the social life of the nation, new taxes aro proposed on corporations, on x cess profits and other elomenta of commerce. f.eller mail rales would be increas ed from two to lliree cents an ounce and postal cards from one cent to two cents, while $19,000,000 would bo added to charges against news papers under n new system based up on the present parcel post zones, In- lernal revenue taxes upon ll(Uor and tobacco would bo materially increas ed and thero would bo taxes on amusements, and stamp taxes of wide scope. War Income Taxes. The war ineoiuo lax section would double the present normal tax of two per cent on individuals and Ihreo per cut on corporal ions. It would low er the exemption of individual in comes from $1,000 to $2000 in the case of married iiersons, and from $:itmo to $1000 for tho unmarried. In uddiliou, beginning' with incomes of $."1,000, graduated surtax Would be imposed in addition to the normal four per cent, ranging tip to 33 per cent on all incomes over half a mil lion dollars a year. Tho surtax ' schedule follows: One per cent from $.1000 to $7500; two per cent $7")00 to $10,000; three per (.nt $10,000 to $l'2,.r)00; four per cent $l',.'iliO to $l.'i,000; five per cent $ I. -i.oiio to $20,000; six per rent $20, 000 to $10,000; eight per cent $40, 0011 to $(iO,O0tl; 11 per cent $(10,000 to $HII,0II0; 14 per cent $80,000 to $1 00.011(1; 17 per cent $100,000 to (Continued on Pag. 8U.) CHICAGO, May 9. Advances In wheat nt tho opening today roflected tho bullish government crop report which was Issued Just after the cloitl yesterduy. May sold from $3.07 to $.1.11, which was from 10o to 140 higher than yesterday's close, .Inly advanced 7c to 9c; soiling at $2.40 to $2.4$.