07 Dec 1917
Page 1
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Newspaper
Harrisburg Telegraph
Location
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Dec 07, 1917
Page
1
A naval commander reports about five thousand killed in the Halifax harbor blast and the North Halifax Dartmouth devastation. He says North Halifax was destroyed, three ships sunk, many more damaged, and fires burning as relief work begins with guard support.
Halifax, N S Dec 7 The city bends to aid the wounded feed the hungry shelter the homeless and recover the dead after the Imo Monte Blanc collision and gin detonations. Snow hinders relief yet aids fire fighting as morgues hospitals churches and homes report casualties in the thousands.
For Harrisburg and vicinity fair and cold tonight with near 25 F. Saturday will bring increasing clouds and probable snow. Eastern Pennsylvania sees similar conditions with likely snow further west. Susquehanna and tributaries mostly steady to slowly falling around four feet stage. Temperatures ranged from high 30s to low 20s recently.
Reports from St. John New Brunswick describe the Halifax disaster aftermath. Eyewitnesses recount scenes of severed noses and eyes, burning wreckage, and a baby trapped beneath debris as buildings collapse and casualties mount.
A relief train sent from Massachusetts to Halifax was delayed over an hour by a freight wreck on the Maine Central Railroad at Burnham Junction thirteen miles from Waterville. Five freight cars derailed. tracks piled with debris and telegraph poles down cut communication with Bangor.
Sugar milk and shortening are cut down in quantity as the Food Administration fixes a bread formula. No price is fixed yet. The move aims to stabilize supply and control costs during wartime.
City inspector Harry D. Reel says he finished a full survey of bread prices and loaf weights from local bakeries. He will hand the data to Food Administrator Donald McCormick once the standard bread weight takes effect, noting wide price variation between stores.
Donald McCormick of Dauphin county disclosed federal limits on bread loaf sizes and dough ingredients after a Philadelphia interview with food administration officials. Loaf units include 16 ounces not to exceed 17 and 24 ounces not to exceed 25.5. Ingredient caps apply per 196 pounds of flour or mixture, with sugar limited to a specified threshold.
Nearly all of Philadelphia's firefighting units were summoned to a blaze at the Thames Potter and Sona plant five story building. Dense smoke hampered crews as six alarms were issued. Loss capped at 75000 with service on the New York branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad delayed about two hours.
British forces withdraw from positions west of Cambrai after trussing trenches and Bourlon wood comes under heavy German pressure. The retreat shortens the front and enables stronger defense, with headquarter notes acknowledging higher casualties if hold had continued. Berlin claims Marcoing occupation four miles southwest of Cambrai as fighting persists near Bourlon wood and La Vacque.
A Red Cross membership drive launches in Harrisburg and Dauphin County next week. The campaign uses the slogan a heart and a dollar is all you need as 38 000 memberships are targeted. The local committee plans an all out effort with every weapon of modern campaigning.
Local draft boards worry that declaring war on Austria will send home many Austrians and Hungarians drafted into the army from Steelton Elizabethville and Paxtang boards. If they are classed as enemy aliens and sent home, the Dauphin county boards must call hundreds more for examination to fill quotas. Steelton is said to have forty five.
City health officials seek Susie Jones of 1121 North Seventh Street who has smallpox and is at large. The residence is under strict guard with fourteen others quarantined. three cases have emerged in two weeks. State authorities aid the search amid epidemic fears.
City Council Health Department and commissioners discuss garbage disposal options. A formal recommendation is expected next Tuesday. Bids are considered, including Hagg Brothers piggery bid cut by half, proposing disposal by reduction.
The report cites a large Austro German assault in the north echoing a six week old Gorizia turning move. If successful the push could threaten the Piave line by turning from Meletta toward the plains and threaten the Italian left flank near Asiago.
A Red Cross benefit at the Majestic Theater drew a full house. Mayor Keister praised Harrisburg support as receipts totaled 440.40 with分 proceeds split among Boy Scouts Rotary Club Pretty by Company and box office, all donated to the Red Cross.
Harrisburg society leaders announce a muted winter with no dances or large events. Charity balls and dinners are canceled or replaced by modest efforts such as knitting drives and small theatrical entertainments as residents conserve funds for the Associated Charities.
The Senate approves by 74 to 0 in a near rush vote to declare war on Austria Hungary. Three senators opposed the earlier German war action and La Follette left without voting. House action expected with likely single dissent. Afterward the resolutions may be reconciled or one substituted.
Charles Stroh of the Dauphin County Committee of Public Safety invites soldiers on furloughs to a meeting at the Courthouse Saturday evening. Lieutenant Hector McQuarrie of the Royal Artillery will give the main address about trench experiences and wounds, of interest to those heading abroad. Soldiers on duty at Middletown are also urged to attend.
American Army airmen on the western front suffered their first casualties two men wounded including Corporal Walter A. Warren and Private Edward F. Whsen. Warren’s sister is Mrs. Ida Smith of Dublin Georgia and Whsen’s father is George H. Ebsen of Buffalo Missouri.
London reports that an armed Maximali unit occupied the Marie palace and expelled the all-Russian mission in charge of elections for the constituent assembly. The dispatch from Seebs iateh of Petrograd notes the seizure and political disruption.
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