Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 42, Number 108, 19 March 1917 — Page 1

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VOL.XLII., NO. lOS-g'JSU-Aw1

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RICHMOND, IND., MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 19, 1917.

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PATRIOTIC SURRENDER OF RAIL MANAGERS IN GRANTING EMPLOYES BASIC 8-HOUR DAY AVERTS THREATENED NATION-WIDE STRIKE

(By Associated Press) NEW YORK, March 19. The railroad strike has bten averted. Yielding to the appeal of President Wilson, and facing the possibility of this country's entrance into the world war, the railroads early today granted the demands of the four employes brotherhoods for a basic eight-hour day. The telegraph wires this morning are carrying throughout the country messages from the brotherhood .chiefs rescinding the orders for the inauguration of the great progressive strike at 7 o'clock tonight.

Regarded as Surrender.

COLUMBUS WAITER WANTED BY U.S.

(By Associated Press) COLUMBUS, O.. March 19. Harry Cattle, 29 years old, waiter at a Columbus hotel was arrested late last night at the request of Bruce Bielaskl, head of the bureau of criminal investigation of the department of justice at Washington. It is said Cattle is wanted in New York to answer a blackmail charge, but government agents would not say.

The decision la regarded at a comJjfete surrender to the brotherhoods brought about, however, after the patriotism of the railroad managers had been put to the test. The president's mediators playing what they considered their last trump card, were not uocessful In their mission, until after more than fifty hours of anxious conferences, all of which pointed within short time before the decision was announced to an Inevitable dead-lock. Secretary of the Interior Lane and the other mediators were visibly affected when told of the action of the railroad managers. Mr. Lane sent Immediately for the committee of the railroads and, turning to Elisha Lee, their spokesman, said: "This is a magnificent thing that you have done for your country. It will go down in history as one of the greatest things you ever did." Faces Show Evident Relief. The brotherhood chiefs, who already had left the hotel where the conferences were being held and had retired for the, , night, apparently, convinced, that a settlement of -the differences' could not be reached, were summoned next. Their faces showed the relief they felt from the strain under which they had labored since early Friday evening with the president's committee. W. G. Lee, head of the trainmen, announced for Ibem that orders would

go forward at once informing all dls-

trlct chairmen of the brotherhoods of the successful outcome of the conferences. By the terms of the settlement, the combined salary list of the railroads will be increased approximately $60,000,000 a year according to conservative estimate. The number of men profiting by this increase will be more than 300,000. Crisis Brings About Action. That the crisis resulting from the sinking of the three American ships by German submarines was the prime factor in clearing the situation and restoring the country to normal conditions In sofar as its transportation faduties were concerned, was conceded by all. The railroad managers, who tmtfl a late hour last night, had held out against the brotherhoods, had been dismissed temporarily by the president's mediators, who made no secret of the fact that they visited the outlook with pessimism. Secretary Lane, a short time before word came that the managers had yielded, issued a statement that the conferences would be resumed today but intimated that he was none too hopeful of a settlement. Warning Palls on Deaf Ears. The railroad managers and the brotherhood chiefs had been told of the seriousness of the international situation, but the warning had apparently fallen on deaf ears. It was evident that the strike, which originally had been set for Saturday evening at 7 o'clock, but had been postponed to permit of further negotiations, undoubtedly would become effective unless something more intervened than the mere suggestion that the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany might lead to open hostilities. The president's mediators again communicated with the railroad managers, however, with the result that they are said to have voted unanimously to yield to the demands of the

brotherhoods in order "that neither at

home nor abroad should there be fear or hope that the efficient operation of

the railroads of the country will be hampered or Impaired." The mediation negotiations and their result are summed up in the following statement issued at 6 o'clock this morning by the committee from the council of national defense: Praise Patriotic Actions "We desire to express our appreciation of the large and patriotic action of the railway managers committee which has put beyond peradventure the possibility of a nation-wide railroad strike. The railroads have met the full demand of the Adamson eight-hour law. This concession was secured as the culmination of two days and nights of negotiations. "Our first effort as to secure a postponement of the strike which was flx- . ed for Saturday night. This postponement was secured by presenting to the railway managers a memorandum agreement drafted by the brotherhoods which with some particularity Continued On Papa TasvJ j

Four of Five Justices Dissent From Opinion; Costs Lines$50fi00fi00

(By Associated Press) WASHINGTON, March 19 The eight-hour standard for railroad wages provided for in the Adamson law was held constitutional today by the supreme court. In deciding the Adamson eight-hour law test case today the supreme court's ruling was announced by Chief Justice White. The court's decision was five to four, with Justices Day, Pitney and Van Devanter dissenting. Justices Day, Pitney and Van Devanter announced their dissent from the bench and later Justice McReynolds announced his.

400,000 Trainmen Affected.

T ..immediate . temporary., wage in,;

GRAND DUKE QUITS POST AS REGENT

(By Associated Press) PETROGRAD, Via London, March 19. The renunciation of the Grand Duke Michael was signed at his private residence, whither he went with a large part of the duma committee, headed by Prince Lvoff, Prof. Milukoff and President Rodzyianko. The Grand Duke addressed the committee and declared that the responsibility devolving upon him found him undecided because of the existing differences of opinion. He added that since the happiness of Russia was the consideration he believed it would be best assured by the abdication and therefor surrendered his authority.

Wilson Believed Crisis Would Prevent Strike

(By Associated Press) WASHINGTON. March J9. Administration officials were highly elated today over the announcement that the threatened railroad strike had been called off. President Wilson received irst reports of the agreement on arising. The news reached here during the night after the president and most officials had retired. President Wilson who has kept In close touch with the mediation negotiations in New York has from the first apparently been confident that a way would be found for avoiding a tie up of the nation's commerce through a railroad strike, and especially in view of the International crisis.

Weather Forecast

Por Indiana by United States Weather Bureau Fair and warmer tonight Tuesday partly cloudy in south. Probably rain or snow north portion. Warmer. Temperature Today. Noon 38 Yesterday. Maximum .v, ... ...31 Minimum . 20 Por Wayne County by W. E. Moore Increasing cloudiness tonight and Wednesday probably followed by rain. Warmer Tuesday. General Conditions The severe lake storms has moved toward the Atlantic ocean. Another storm is in the northwest and will cause unsettled weather tonight and Tuesday with rising temperature

crease won by the railway employes

affects 400,000 trainmen, as of Jan. 1, and estimated to total about $40,000,000 and $50,000,000. Justice McKeena concurred in the majority opinion but only slijhtly different grounds. Justice Day read his own dissenting opinion in which Justice Van Devanter joined. Justice Pitney and Van Devanter In their joint dissenting opinion held that the law should be held unconstitutional and void "because Congress, although confessedly not in possession of information necessary for intelligent and Just treatment of the controversy, arbitrarily imposed upon the railroads the enormous cost of an experimental increase in wages." Justice Day in his dissenting opinion said the legislation amounts to "deprivation of the railroads of property without due process of law." In concurring in the majority opinion Justice McKeena deferred in that he believed the law "and hours of service", statute and only secondarily a wage fixing law, and thus within the power of Congress." Justice McReynolds delivered a separate opinion saying that Congress did not have the power to pass the law, but that he now bows to the majority's ruling. Federal Judge Hook's ruling in the Missouri, Oklahoma and Gulf test case, enjoining enforcement of the Adamson act and holding it "unconstitutional, null and void." was reversed by the majority opinion. In announcing the opinion, the chief Justice reveiwed the negotiations leading to enactment of the law. He did not read from a prepared opinion giving it apparently from memory. He old of the president's efforts to avert the strike last September. In the early course of the opinion the chief justice said that law was

both an eight hour act and also a wage fixing statute.

Palladium Will Publish Stories By Ackerman

Beginning next Saturday, the Palladium will publish a series of articles dealing with conditions in Germany and the relations of the United States to that country by a Richmond man, Carl Ackerman, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Ackerman. Since shortly after the war began, Mr. Ackerman has been in Berlin as correspondent for the United Press. While there his signed reports on the world conflict were followed closely

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CARL ACKERMAN by students of public events. It was in this capacity that Mr. Ackerman made a reputation as a war correspondent in journalistic circles. But the Germans censors prevented Ackerman from sending to the United Statea much "inside" information. Now that the young correspondent is in America,, as a member of the New York Tribune syndicate staff,, he will

"tell -freely much that will be a; revela

tion to American citizens. In his first article Ackerman deals

will Germany's readiness to fight the

United States.

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(By Associated Press) WASHINGTON, March 19, New and aggressive action to protect American shipping against German submarines appears certain as a result of yesterday's sinking o three unarmed American merchantmen with possible loss of American lives. Calling of Congress in extra session, before April 16, loomed as the strongest probability, although President Wilson was understood to have other courses under consideration. With American ships being armed, the most probable step would be an active campaign to clear submarines out of the shipping lanes. There appears to be no plans to have the United States enter the war in the sense that the European nations have entered it. The fact that some American ships are on the other side of the ocean unarmed is a factor in the situation and as large warships are ineffective against submarines the problem for the government is to get small submarine chasers. Most of the American fleet is needed at home to guard against operation of German submarines in American waters. There seemed to be no doubt that steps to supplement arming of American ships would be taken and the only question was whether the president would take such steps on his own responsibility or wait for Congress to grant specific authority. No comment was made at the White House today beyond the statement that the president was getting reports anad considering the question thoroughly.

FRENCH EXPECT GERMAN EFFORT TO MAKE STAND

(By Associated Press) PARIS, March 19. While there is general satisfaction over the progress of events in Picardy, there is no tendency to exaggerate the probable effects of the German retirement. Most commentators consider it certain that the Germans will attempt to arrest their retreat before the basic line which runs through Lille, Cambrai and St. Quentin. Military ; critics are confident that the German general staff did not abandon with light heart the western heigh t3 which were so firmly held. The plain into which the retreating forces have gone is on a much lower level than the evacuated positions.

0. K. PARKER DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS

FLAG PRESENTED CHURCH

An American flag was placed in the chancel at St. Pauls Episcopal church yesterday morning. The flag was given by Mrs. Paul Comstock.

After an illness of many years, O. K. Parker, 829 Main street, died at his home Saturday afternoon. Mr. Parker was a printer by trade. He was a member of the order of Modern Woodman. He leaves a widow, and three sons, Horace, Russell and Oran. The '-funeral will be private and will be held from 432 Southwest Third street Tuesday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock. The Rev. Francis S. Anscombe will officiate. Burial will be in the Earlham cemetery. Friends may call any time. ;

New Government Regulates Prices

(By Associated Press)

PETitQGRAP, IMareh J.-PjBflk of the first-measures of the new govern ment was the naming of a commiss

ion to regulate prices. After consider

ing all possibilities including the cost of production, the commission has announced an approximate scale which consumers might reasonably be asked to pay. The prices in this scale are from twenty to fifty percent lower than those formerly demanded..

ARMY FUND HELPS NEWCASTLE RELIEF

Contributions to the Salvation Army kettles, placed on principal street corners Saturday, amounted to $12.14. This sum, with other donations to the Palladium Help Newcastle Fund, brings the total contributed through this newspaper to $782.29. More money is needed by the Newcastle Relief Committee, however, to prosecute its work of permanent rebuilding. Following are contributors to the fund : Previously Acknowledged $737.15 Jonas Markey. 20.00 S. G. Curtis 5.00 M. T. Nordyke 1.00 Louis Wrede, Sr. 2.00 Louis Wrede. Jr 1.00 Salvation Army (kettles) 12.14 Walter Rossiter . 1.00 Cash 3.00 Total.......... : $782.29 EMPOWERS STATE TO HOLD RESOURCE (Ey Associated. Press) WASHINGTON, March 19 In sustaining injunction ousting Utah hydroelectric power companies from Federal forest reservations the supreme court today upheld Federal and limited state sovereignty in developing resources in western "public land states." - ;

WILSON (V1AY SEND WARSHIPS TO CLEAR LANES- OF TRADE

REFORE U. S. DECLARES WAR

(By Associated Press) WASHINGTON, March 19 The United Statea today faced the pressing question of war with Germany over' the immediate Issue of the ruthlesa destruction of three unarmed American merchant ship. Technically an armed neutrality existed, but unofficially it was admitted Germany has committed the "overt act" which precipitated a virtual state of war. The next step beyond the arming of merchant men, now going forward, Is the dispatch of warships to clear the trans-Atlantic lanes of submarines. Considers All Courses Open. President Wilson was considering carefully all courses open to him. He might continue arming merchantmen, as at present, until the special session of congress called for April 16; he might summon congress to meet immediately to authorize him to take ag

gressive action against the submarine

menace, or he might declare forthwith

that a state of war exists. Some of

the officials state he already has

ample power for the last course, but

ANDREWS' FIRM REPRESENTATIVE MAKES DENIAL OF CORRUPT PRACTICES CHARGED BEFORE BOARD

MEXICAN MINISTER LEAVES FOR STATES

jr f that this woujd be subject to approval by congress. Dispatches from the various battle fronts took, on added interest today, as officials realized that the United States Is practically certain to become involved In hostilities with Germany The war and navy departments particularly were confronted with problems of precisely what plans they shall follow if war comes. Many senators and representatives who rema fried In Washington today expressed the opinion that the German submarines' latest acts constitute a clear-cut case for war.

JOHNSON PINS FAITH IN MEN WHO FORM GUARD

(By Associated Press) MEXICO, City, March 19. Ignacio Bonillas, Mexican ambassador to the United States will receive his final instructions from President Carranza today and will probably leave for Washington tomorrow. He will.be accompanied by Juan B. Roje. Senor Bonillas said today that he regarded two objects of his mission as the establishment of the cordial relations which ought to exist between the two countries.

FARM LOAN BODY SETS INTEREST RATE

After lannlo A. Thomas, 1400 North F street, had testified to the board of public works that he had been offered $75 by representatives of the Andrews Asphalt company of Hamilton, O., if he would secure the signatures of himself, his wife and William R. Milton, 1410 North F street, to petition to have North F street, from Tenth to Fifteenth streets, paved wlh asphalt, and Milton had testified that he had interpreted statements mads to him to mean that ha would receive $40 If he signed the same petition, Charles 8pindler, representing the Andrews company, today entered a complete denial to all charges of corrupt practice on the part of agents of his company. Under the state law only resident property owners have a voice in the selection of the paving material to be used on any street to be the kind of paving material It favors. If a majority of Hm affactad msirfant nrantr

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ty owners oppose the choice of the board and petition for another kind of material, then the board must order the street paved with the material selected by the majority of the effected resident owners. Only Four Resident Owners. There are only four resident property owners on North F 6treet between Tenth and Fifteenth streets, all colored people. Two of these are I. A. Thomas and wife, who hold a joint deed on their property; W. R. Milton and a Mrs. Jenks. The board of public works, about ten days ago, after receiving bids for the improvement of this street ordered that it be paved with brick. s The low bid on brick was submitted by Linus P. Meredith. After this action on the part of the board representatives of the Andrews company, low bidder on asphalt, at once put forth

an at ion to have the four resident

property owners petition to have the street paved with asphalt. Saturday, following information obtained from I. A. Thomas and W. R. Milton, a representative of The Palladium submitted charges to the board of public works that Andrews company agents had offered bribes for signatures to a petition to have the street paved with asphalt. The board Immediately ordered a hearing of these charges, Monday morning. Tomorrow was the day designated for the awarding of the contract and it is almost certain that the contract will go to Meredith, low bidder on brick. Thomas states that he and his wife and Milton have signed a petition for brick, these three constituting a majority of the resident property owners. Mr. Spindler admitted to the board (Continued On Patje Two.J ' . ,

'By Associated Press) WASHINGTON, March 19 The farm loan board announced today that the interest rates on all loans made to farmers throughout the country by Federal land banks would be five per cent. A rate of 4.5 per cent on bonds to be issued by the land banks also was officially announced.

CONGRESSMEN CONTINUE RAILROAD HEARING

Fred Bates Johnson believes the National Guard troops who served on the border will form a strong nucleus of a citizen army in case of war. He served with the First Indiana Infantry as second lieutenant and later as first lieutenant, first in the quartermaster's department and then as a line officer. He was mustered out last Wednesday and he came to Richmond over

j the week-end to visit his parents. Mr.

and Mrs. B. ' B. Johnson, and his friends. He expects to return to Indianapolis tomorrow and in event war comes he will devote his time to his company. "We have added 100,000 men to our. military establishment." he said. "Reg-1 ular army officers were enthusiastic in praise of the guardsmen who went through service on the border. These men, many of whom are qualified for non-commissioned officers, first sergeants and such, can be distributed among volunteer units if a call is issued and will be of immense value in building a real army." Johnson praises the spirit of the regular army officers with whom he was associated. He believes Secretary Baker's order admitting civilians into the reserve corps as second lieutenants to receive training after enlistment will bring the right sort of men into army executive jobs. Johnson was practicing law in Indianapolis before he responded to the border call "and before that he was

(By Associated Press) WASHINGTON, March 19. Hear ines on the general subject of trans

portation were resumed today beforel dean of the Indiana university journal-

the joint congressional committee appointed at President Wilson's suggestion to investigate railroad problems. The committee's list of witnesses Included Howard Elliott, president of the New Haven, Robert 8. Lovett, chairman of the board of the Union Pacific, and other railroad executives.

LARGE CLASS GRADUATED One-hundred and twelve pupilawill be graduated from high schools in small towns of Wayne county this year. County Superintendent Williams reported todajsv

ism department and a widely-known Indianapolis newspaper man. -

LOW ESTIMATES COST OF CONFLICT (By Associated Press) LONDON,-March 19. Replying to a question in the House of Commons today, Andrew Bonar Lew, chancellor of the exchequer, said the daily average expenditures of the British government from April 1, 1916 to March 31, 1917, would work oat at poaada sterling rqukux : -