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About Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1903-1919 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 1918)
1 ! i- 4 1 lUOAfS WEATHER 4,500 SUBSCRIBERS (2n , E AD EES) DAILY Only ition in Salem Guw 6m.. :he Audit Bureau of irculations RU LEASED WIRE DISPATCHES SPECIAL WILLAMETTE VAL LEY NEWS SERVICE Oregon: Tonight and Friday fair; moderate winds, mostly easterly, ti -tsw f t -i--.v rr. J FORTY-FIRST YEAR NO. 45 SALEM, OREGON, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 1918 PRICE TWO CENTS ON TRAINS AND NEW STANDS FIVH CENTS i v . Dip f mm m BILL IS NOWL&HED BY COMMUTE President Is Given Supreme Rate-Making Power During Period of War FEDERAL CONTROL IS LIMTED TO TWO YEARS Committee Reports Finance Control Corporation Bill to Senate Today WIN FIRST SKIRMISH Washington, Fob. 21. Ad ministration forces today won the first skirmish on the rail road control bill in the scnato By a vote of 52 to 23, Senator Cummins' amendment reduc ing by $200,000,000 the com pensation to be paid the rail roads was rejectcl. . . Washington, Feb. 21. Here are the outstanding1 - features of the railroad bill now the center of congressional atten tion: The supreme rate making power 'given to the. president by the house bill and to the in terstate commerce commission by the senate measure. Limitation of federal control ta two years after .the war by tho house bill and 19 months by the senate. Compensation on the basis of tho net operating, income of the last three years. A revolving ' fund of $500, 000,000, to increase facilities. Roads to be taxed as hereto--fore. Not exempt from exeoss pro-fits tax. By L. O. Martin (United Press staff correspondent) Washington ,Feb. 21 Congress to day put tho finishing touches on the railroad control bill the first big "win the war" measure to be passed at this session. The senate began voting on amend ments with strong hope of getting a final vote cu the bill itself tonight. From, two p. m. today debate will be limited. Senator Lewis, Illinois, is the only senator with a set speech to make. Debate ami disposition of the largo number of amendments will tako many hours, with five and ten minute speech es on each. Senator Cummins has nearly a doz en amendments, designed to reduce compensation to the roads, and to de fine governmental powers moro spe cifically than the committee bill. Sen ator Townsend of Michigan has offer ed a complete substitute bill, while a eore of other changes will be sought. There is no doubt the bill will be passed and Senator Smilh of SoutJ Carolina, who has charge of it, pre dicted today it will not be greatly amended. Tho house will end general debate on Continued on page two) - Abe Martin Constable Plum has a letter from his son-in-law savin "I've bought a anto so I won't have t' listen t' th' war ar- gyments on th' street cars". Who re- members when th' girls wore side lace ba, where, upon the recommendation of His physicians eonsider his progress to slioesf her physician, she will take a long rest ward recovery satisfactory. ANY RESISTANCE TO GERMAN ADVANCE WAS NOT EXPECTED If Capital Is Defended Hinden burg's Plans May Be Badly Disarranged By J. W. T. Mason (Written for the United Press) New York, Feb. 21. Germany's mil itary advance upon Petrograd is stim ulating the Russians to a resistance that may have important consequences for tho future of events in the east.' Von Hiudoniburg ordered an easy pa rade into Petrograd and it is obvious that hia plans have been disarranged by the spontaneous demand among tlie Russians for a proper defense of their capital. Instead of a sabre-rattling, heel-clicking march in the true spirit of Uerman ruthlessness. Von Hinden- burg has chocked all attempts at speed records and is sending detachments ahead of his army to try to argue th Russians into non-resistance.s This policy, so contrary to the Von Hindenburg militaristic ideal, reveals the fact that the Germans know they cannot afford a heavy casualty list on tho eastern front. A determined show of Russian resistance at this time, in volving the killing and wounding of a large number of Germans, would un doubtedly cause a renewal of unrest within Germany. Even if Von Hinden burg were to reach Petrograd, a series of heavy battles would exact from lain a greater price than he knows he ought to pay for the city's capture. it is impossible to determine in ad vance how serious end how prolonged will be the resistance of the Russian army. Bue new facts are (foming to light concerning events in Petrograd that suggest the existence of a strong offensive spirit. The "willingness" of the Bolshevik! ministry to sign a Ger man peace wag carried by a voto of only live to four. This represents a ser ious division of opinion on so import ant a matter and means the Germans are far from having the game in their hands. The adoption of a new fight ing .policy might easily result in Petro grad, if Russia s new revolutionary ar my imposes no more than a temporary chock on Von Hindcnburg'g new of fensive. TWENTY-FOUR SAMMIES ARE BIIEDIN FRANCE Little Cemetery Close Behind Lines Growing With War's Daily Toll By Fred S. Ferguson (United Press staff correspondent) With the American Army in France Fob. 19. (Delayed) In a little ccine tery immediately behind the lines of tho American army where new- twenty four Americans lie buried, a funeral service was interrupted by a German .155 shell. Swishing in during the ser vices, the shell burst within a few yards of tho burial party. The roar of American guns sounded a requiem for those who have given their lives in the cause of democracy. A stono wall separated the American plots from a cemetery used by the French near a church. A priest was praying when suddenly a German shell exploded with terrific violence. Pieces flew against the stone wall and flattened themselves. None of the party was in jure J, but the services were abandoned when tho prayer had been finished. There lias been heavy artillerying in the American sector during the last 3(5 hours, as well as aerial activity. Ger man airplanes have been driven back after crossing the American lints. The sky was illuminated at night by the artillery fire, which continued through the day. Mrs. Vernon Castle Will Wear Ordinary Mourning New York, Feb. 21 Those who have bcn anxiously awaiting the appear ance of Mrs. Vernon Castle, anticipat ed something new in mourning styles, will be duomed to disappointment- At her home here today the widow of the aviator-dancr declared that the customarr mourning attire would be in order. "Clot host" she queried in a re proachful tone when asked what stvle of mourning she would wear. " Why, T haven t but one dress t my back." The thought of taking occasion to cre ate new Ftvle because of her husband's leath was decidedly distasteful to Mrs. Castle. Only the simplest creation an the ordinary black crepe will be iworn. Of course, the attire will be made along the distinct Castle lines, was stated at the home. Mrs. Castle leaves Saturday for Cu- PRESIDENT WILL BE GIVEN POWER TO CONDUCT WAR Bill Fathered by Administra tion Is Favorably Re ported Today ONLY MINOR CHANGES MADE IN ORIGINAL Executive Given Broad Pow ers For Reorganizing Ail Bureaus Washington, Feb. 21. The sub-com mittee of the senate judiciary commit tee today voted, three to two, to re port favorably the " empowering " bill designed to give President Wilson au thority to slash red tape in the war government. . ... Senators Overman, Nelson and Flotchor voted for the favorable re port, with Senators .Roed and Dilling ham against it. Tho committee amended the bill m several particulars, but did not change its purpose, that of giving the presi dent broad powers of reorganizing governmental agencies in practically any way he may see fit for more effect ive prosecution of tho war. ln!v two amendments limit in any way his power. One eliminates the au thority originally conferred for crea tion of new agencies without congress ional action. The other provides that appropriations heretoforo -made for any exocutive department shall be spent only for the purposes for which appropriated and not mado available as a general fund for all departments. Fear Effect of Women Working In Industries Washington, Feb. 21. Coming gener ations of Americans are endangered by the indiscriminate rush of women into industry. Women should enter only those lines of work not injurious to their health and jnorals. There are plenty of men to take care of the manual labor jobs and when the supply fails men in office and "light" work positions should be replaced by women. llus was tne warning today of Mrs. Hilda Mulhausen Richards, chief Of the women's envision of the labor depart ment. ' ' Don 't try to be conductresses or mu nitions workers because you think it ro mantic," Mrs. Richards said. "There are plenty of floor walkers and ribbon counter and otfico .lobs which can be handed over by their patent leathered masculino possessors. "1 have just returned from New York where I saw women running street cars. I found the picturesque conduct resses working from 12 to 14 hours, un dergoing heavy strain and under very unfavorable moral conditions. ' ' Ther.- is no pressing need for wom en rushing into such jobs now. Only three per cent of tlio male labor supply has been affected by the draft so far" Canned Salmon Supply of Norihwest Is Taken Portland Or., Feb. 21. The canned salmon supply of the Pacifie north west was commandeered today by the government. Orders were sent to all local packing companies by Salmon Administrator Ed B. Dcuiing for hold ing all canned salmon for army and navy use. Prices will be fixed later. The crder covers every sizo ase or can of salmon and all grades and va rieties except the "chum" or poorest grade. All northwest and Alaskan can aeries are affected- Preceding the order, Doming sent requests from Bellingham to all pack ers and canners, asking an immediate report on' the amount of salmon on hand, stating the government desired it tor the army and navy. Shortly af ter the information was telegraphed, the order waa flashed from Bellingham ordering all salmon in the warehouses of canners and packers held for the use of the fighting forces. The method of price fixing has not been outlined as yet by Deming. ' COAL SHIPMENTS CONTROLLED. Washington, Feb. 21. An embargo against lake shipment of bituminous coal to North and South Dakota, except for public utility requirements, is be ing prepared, the fuel administration announced today. By shutting off lake shipments, the Dakotas will be requir ed to draw on the surplus from Montana and Wyoming, thus releasing the dock supply for Illinois and eastern eentera. CHAMBERLAIN IMPROVES. Wellington, Feb. 21. Senator Cham berlain. Oregon, operated upon for an- peiidicitis. continued to improve today. ELI1 ROOT III LETTER OliilATIl SERVICE DISCOUilTSmCE TALK Taft and Other Leaders Join In Urging Nation te Push War Operations Chicago, Feb. 21. Urging America not to ba shaken from war prepara tions by peace, talk and citing "poor Russia 's presort condition " as a warn iug, Elihu Root today addressed a stir ring letter to the Congress of National Service, in opening session hero. ' ' The Bolshevik!, ' ' Root - wroto, wero Tery eloquent about a peace .without annexations - and indemnities. Thov filled the minds of tho Russian peasants with those ideas to such an xtent"th.at thoy stopped fighting and stopped making munitions. When thoy got to Brest;Litovsk they found that .Germany had no intention of making: such a peace. ' "She wanted tk Baltic provinces .of? Russia, and she seized and purposes .to keep them. "We must beware of anything in the rctmostesB dogreo approaching that." Root's position as chairman of the American commission sent to Russia lent his warning added gravity in the minds of the 1500 delegates today. "Sincofe and constructive criticism on the conduct of tho war is a useful thing, " continued Root. "But we all must be careful that neither short comings nor criticisms tend in the slightest degree to divert or decrease tho hcartanoBs with which we all sup port andi reinforce the president and his officers carrying on the war." Urging a permanent policy of uni versal military training and a definite financial program for this war, Gov ernor Frank O. Lowden, of Illinois to day opened tho session of tho congress. Adoption of these two policies now would "shatter the hope of the cen tral -empires that we may become war weary," Lowden said. Former President Taft ami the gov ernors of eight states are expected to address the congress, whose 1500 dole gates will formulate plans to educate the American people concerning war problems and the new- responsibilities if citizenship. Declaring that fi' hio war pafty which hatched this war half a een tury ago is now in supreme control of Germany," London said further: "If our poople understand the war's meaning they will pay tho price, what ever -it may be, for complete victory- "This is a war of democracy; but it is something more- It is the eternal war of good and evil. It is our second war for independence. It is a war bo tweon the spiritual and" the material forces of the uuivorso for supremacy in the world." Universal military training will give America security for tho future, Low den declared. Ian Power at Premixn Says General W. A. White Now York, Feb. 21. "Right now. when tho man power is at its highest premium, the American public has the rowor to netun.lljy -"Create additional forces for tho fight to save civilizaa tion." said Brigadier General W. A White, head of the British and Cana dian recruiting mismon, in an inter view with the Mnited Press. "Under the new convention agreed to by Grc-at Britain and the United States, all British subjects subject to serviee, now residing; in the United State? will be allowed sixty days in which to enlist under the British flag. If they do not take advantage of this opportunity they will become subject to draft into tho United PMes nrmy. "Thus ovury man who enlists during these sixty days actually adds one in dividual unit to the fighting forces arainst the kaiser," explained General. White. "The United States will rai?v an army of .a certain size nnyway. If a British subject remains hero and is classified under tho draft, ho will not add to the siz,vof the American army. But if he joins the British forces he adds one individual to the man power of tno allies. "It is also a fact that wo are in a position to train men much moro rap idly than i3 the United States army. This is very natural for we have been in this war now for almost four years. Our machinery for developing soldiers is complete. Therefore, .a man joining our forces be.-omes an actual fighting unit on the western front much sooner than if he goes into, tho American army. "Now we are launching a national campaign to enlist as many as possi ble during the next sixty days, before they become subject to the United States draft. In this work we ask the k-ooperHtion of the American; public overywhere in urng our citizens to come forward and join tho colors. Ev ery American who helps in this recruit ing will actually increase the forces upon whom has fallen tho task of sav ing civilization ami making the world a decent pla"o in which to live." It is intended to increase the number . of ehaj.lains in the army. There is also' increasing demand for sky-pilots in the. aviation service. AERIAL CAVALRY IS BUSY ABOVE BELLIGERENT LINES BEFORE COMING OFFENSIVE Thirty-Five German Planes Destroyed In Past Three Days by British By William Philip Slmms (United Press Staff Correspondent) With the British Armies in The Fiold, Feb. 21, Aerial cavalry has been suc cessfully and extremely busy during the past few gorgeous days in the high, freezing, sun-fillea heaven. . The kaiser's aerial Uhlans continue to battle Britain's cloud-hurdling lan cers, which are daily observing prepar ations for the German offensive. Thirty five German planes have been destroyed in the past three days and nineteen driven earthward, uncontrol led a total of 54 "quietused" by. the Britishers, of whom only ten are miss ing, despite the severest and almost un ending fighting, day and night. While Hindenburg and Ludendorff are poring over the details of their im SCENES AT BREST-LITOVSK WHERE PEACE NEGOTIATION WERE FINALLY BROKEN OFF Rejection ion of German Terms by Trotsky Caused Dramatic Scene The following dispatch filed last Saturday relates the scenes at the breaking off of peace negotiations at Brent Litovsk the first detail ed account of that dramatic oc currence. , By Joseph Shaplen (United Press Staff Correspondent) '"Petrograd, Feb. 16. (Delayed) Tho central powers' delegates refused tho proposal of Foreign Minister Trotsky to send a German officer to Kieff to prove that the Ukraine Rada (govern ing body) did not exist. The following day the tenth plonary session of the peace conference was called. Foreign Minister Kuehlmann, flushed with his diplomatic victory over the Ukraine, arose to present General Lu dendorff 's ultimatum, directed at tho Bolsheviki. Austrian Foreign Minister Must Aitswer Socialists Washington, Feb. 21. When Count': ( zermn again answers President Wil son s peace proposals in tho Austrian parliament, he will have a new force to consider. This is the belief here to day following publication of a United Press dispatch from The Hague tolling' oi a socialist qeniand for considera tion in Austria of tho American presi dent 's proposals. Tho feeling here is that the wedge between Germany and Austria is slow ly but surely being forced- Whether it eventually will lead to an actual breach between tho two nations is a matter of conjecture, but in circles close to tho situation the belief is it will not at thig time. Military men point out Austria cannot afford to split with her powerful ally. Ihe demand of the socialists, how ever, is a straw, bonding to the cur rent diplomats believe is forming in Austria- It is an indication, they de clare, that President Wilon s state ments are having the desired effect. How much power tho group of social ists has to influence the government is unknown here. I General weariness of tho war, to gether with a growing dissatisfaction with proposals that Austria join a new drive on Russia, is believed to bo re sponsible for the demands. Fast Passenger Trains Taken Off by McAdoo Washington, Feb. 21. Through pas senger service between New York and Chicago will soon be limited to one fast train each way, day and night, it was officially stated today at the railroad administration offices here. This marks the inauguration of a nation-wide clipping of fast passenger service between practically ait the big cities of tho country. Surveys were being made today by the railroad administrator to determine ex act passenger conditions at all points, what service may be lopped, what con ditions must first be altered to permit of tho sweeping curtailments which eventually will come. What line will be used for the reduc ed New York-Chicago Service has been left to Regional Director Smith at New York, it was stated. Fourteen fast thru trains now run between the two cities; four leaving terminals at the same time. None, according to Director McAdoo carried a full complement of passengers. pending forlorn hope, the air is filled with the throbbing of motors, the faint patter of machine guns and the thunder of air bombs exploding in towns and villages behind the firing lines. The British airmen have dropped huge quantities of explosives on billets, am munition dumps, railway stations and aerodomes in northern France. They at tacked enemy quarters from just above the roofs, machine gunned march col umns, disrupted transport trains and wrecked big gun pits. The fine, freez ing weather has aided them greatly. Meantime, British troops are busy raiding and repulsiiigVaids. Short sharp clashes are constantly occurring on the frozen earth of No Man's Land. The ice in shell holes is sufficiently strong to support the death grappling nren. The Britishers are in fine, fettle, not nervous and ready whenever Hinden burg starts. While this may happen any day, the Germans may try to surprise the allies by a sudden shift, or may attempt to produce a state of "nerves" by further dolay. Trotsky, anticipating him, took the floor and read tho declaration, break ing off the negotiations. There was dead Bilonce. When Trotsky had concluded, Kuehl mann and General Hoffman sat appar ently stunned. Kuehlmann finally hinted it was "impossible to quit the war cart without tho propor ticket." "You evidently aro suggesting that your guns are a proper substitute for propor judicial formula," said Trotsky. Hoffman nodded affirmatively. "I don't believe the peoples of Aus tria and, -Cermany , will permit you to do that," continued the Russian minis ter. Nona of the central powers' represen tatives Tcplied. Kuehlmann finally muttered that it was nocesBary to settle the diplomatic details and suggested another session. Trotsky refused, Baying: "We must return to Petrograd; 'we have no more to say. If you have anything to say, the radio is still working." The Russian' delegates departed with out bidding farewell and refusing to shako hands. Former Mayor Mitchel In Aviation Service San Diego, Cal., Fob. 21. For mer Mayor John Purroy Mitchel of New York today reported for duty at tho North Island army aviation station. He has the rank of major and joined the corps in New York immediately after his defeat for re-election. Murdered His Wife and Shot Himself Los Angeles, Cal., Feb. 21. Don Van Dusen, 25, traveling salesman, today shot and killed his wife, Mrs. Anna Van Dusen, 22, in tho heart of tho City and then killed himself. Two men, It. P. Jackson, and J. R. Mintcr, saw the tragedy. They were approaching a street cor ner when they saw Van Dusen raise the gun and fire five shots point blank at his wife. She fell to the sidewalk, dead, a bullet through her heart. Jackson and Minter started in pur suit of Van Dusen who ran a block through tho drizzling rain, as they were about to overtake him, Van Dusen lift ed tho revolver to his head and pulled the trigger. He fell dead. Police are attempting to establish a motive for the tragedy. Germans May Bend But Cannot Break Lines New York, Feb. 21. Tle Germans may bend our lines in some places, but they can never break it, was the mes sage brought back to America by Ma jor General H. A. Greene, today. Greene is commanding the national army div ision at Camp Lewis. "The British will stop any drive mae against them and so will the French," he said. "As for the Amer icans, it goes without saying they will bring to a halt any thrust made at them by the enemy." General Greeno saw Major General Wood in Paris and stated that he was rapidly recovering from the wounds he received while at the French front. Other returning commanders were Ma jor General D. T. Allen, commanding the national army of the southwest, and Harry C. Dale, who command comes from" Kentucky and Indiana. RUSSIAN ARMY CONCEUTRATESTO HALT INVADERS General Bonchbruyevitch Is Placed In Command of Defending Annies . . ' en LENINE IS FOR PEACE BUT COUNCIL OPPOSES Berlin Reports Steady Ad vance Along Four-Hundred Mile Front ; By Joseph Shaplen (United Press Staff Correspondent) Petrograd, Feb. 19. (Dolayed) Th Russian armies are concentrating at Vitebsk, under General Bonchbruyevitch to halt the German invaders. (Vitebsk, is a Russian province, Vo- dering on Courland and Livonia. It capital of the same name lies about 250 miles east of Riga and 300 miles south of Petrograd.) Commanders of the Russian army on the whole front have ordered demobil ization halted und wired the soldiers in Petrograd: "Dp your duty; defend the revolu tion." By an overwhelming majority the Bol sheviki and revolutionary socialists of the left in the central executive com mittee voted to defend Petrograd at all costs. A mobilization of ull workers is being considered. The information flashed to the Smol ny Institute that if the majority so cialists do not break with the German government the independent socialist will start a civil war. The Germans have occupied Hapsal (a seaport on the Gulf of Finland 68 miles southwest of Revnl) and arrested nil the officials and members of the soviet. ' From Dvinsk (125 miles east of Ri ga) the enemy is advancing toward Pskoff (an important railroad center about 100 miles northeast of Dvinsk and 175 miles southwest of Petrograd. The Austro-Gcrinans are concentrat ing along tho southwestern front while forces of tho Ukraine Rada are con centrating at Brest Litovsk under Ger man generals. A report was received from Kioff to day that tho Rada had proclaimed ac ceptance of the Austro-Hungarian pro tectorate COUNCIL PREFERS TO FIGHT By Joseph Shaplen (United Press Staff Correspondent) Petrograd, Fob. 20. (Delayed). American Ambassador Francis and the allied envoys nt noon today were pre paring for a quick departure from Pet rograd. They were overwhelmed by the sudden news of Ldnine's and Trotsky ' "willingness' to sign tho German-dictated peace. They declared, however, that even a separate peace would not mean a break between Russia and the allies. The members of the left created a stormy sceno in the executive council when they heard Lenine's report on tho decision to nnnounco Russia's wil lingness to sign tho peace pact. If the Germans spurn tho offer, they said, there is certain to be a terrible' bat tle. "If General Hoffman continues the war, he will restore the nobles and land lords and bankers," tho Frvada declar ed. "We will fight to the last bullet and the last man." Premier Leuine was tho chief advo cate of the wireless sent out from here announcing Russia's willingness to siga the German peace. Four other commis saries supported Lenine, while four op posed him. The opinion prevails here that Pet rograd 's fate will be decided in a fort night. The commissaries (ministers) peac decision was reached after two extrs sessions. War Commissary Podvoisky reported tho organization of scores of thousands of red guards. Members of the Fetrograa garrison nrenared for a desperate defense and aro throwing up trenches around the city. The BolsheviKi ecnt an uiumaium it tho Don Cossacks, ordering them to surrender. A desperate rifle battle fol lowed. The Cossacks retreated to Ros toff (on the Don river about 25 milea from its mouth) where they are being besieged. The above dispatch said Ambassador Francis and the allied diplomats were to leave for "San Francis" which may have meant "San Francisco" but waa garbled in cable transmission. This would 00 tne only comparatively safe route they could travel. On the north, the Finnish revolution is under way; or flie west and southwest the Austro-Germans are advancing; while on tho south, the Cossacks are threat ening. (Continued on page two)