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Newspaper
Harrisburg Telegraph
Location
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States of America
Date
Dec 17, 1917
Page
1
City welcomes scores of volunteers as men women and children join the Red Cross to give time and labor for the war effort. The appeal is understood by all ages as they eagerly do their bit for the fighting men.
A dollar once retired in 1900 and stored for 17 years was revived by Mary Russell who gave her bill to Red Cross at Market and Court Streets to aid the Halifax Fund. The bill, once a passive piece of currency, resumes active life to bring a dollar’s worth of comfort to a local sufferer.
Harrisburg began a Christmas Red Cross membership push with a 30 000 quota. House to house canvassing started at eight with George Reinoeh’s industrial committee predicting big results tonight. Despite early success many solicitors faced refusals and re visits while firms like the Harrisburg Pipe and Pipe Bending Company boosted totals by buying 2800 memberships for employees and families. Totals reported at 1 30 p m included 134 at headquarters and precinct tallies across wards and precincts. A bogus solicitor was reported to police headquarters this morning.
A coal shortage caused by railroad tieups forces a complete suspension of Henry Disston and Sons operations in Tacony. About 4,000 workers are temporarily laid off, with plans to resume by Wednesday as the plant continues manufacturing bayonets for the Army.
Fair and very cold tonight with lows near 18 degrees in Harrisburg area. Eastern Pennsylvania mostly cloudy with continued cold. light snow possible Tuesday as temperatures rise. Susquehanna River largely frozen and stable at about 4.5 feet Tuesday morning. High pressure east, low pressure over Alberta, light snow in Middle Atlantic states. Temperature up 2 to 32 degrees since Saturday. northern New England exception.
Earl BE Aurand of Harrisburg aged is reported dead from wounds received in France while serving with Company I of the 26th Infantry. The American forces relay General Pershing's note to his mother Mrs Emma Aurand at 1625 Logan Street expressing sympathy and detailing disposition of personal effects. Dysfunctional wording preserved.
The three city draft boards mail daily questionnaires to all registered men. Questionnaires must be sworn and returned within seven days, with many already marked enlisted. County boards delay due to envelope shortages, and movers who fail to notify will be counted at fault and face possible one year imprisonment. Five percent of quotas are mailed daily except Sundays and holidays, by order number.
A telephonic metal detection device described in dispatches to the Department of Commerce. The instrument moved over the patient emits a humming sound over shrapnel and shell splinters and guides a probe to the metal. It may indicate magnetic metal for removal without incision.
The December 17 Washington report notes the House set a vote on the Federal prohibition amendment resolution for today at an hour to be announced. Prohibition leaders seek a two thirds majority, with ratification by three fourths of states within seven years as presented to the House, while the Senate version has a six year limit. If the House approves, differences must be settled in conference and the report adopted by both houses before submission to the states.
Milton H. Plank of 1421 North Front street sent Mayor Keister a $100 check to aid in the police quick charity fund. He said the money would help assist families suffering from coal shortages.
Orders issued by General Pershing introduce a promotion system from the ranks. Any private showing ability can win a commission, with all noncommissioned officers, including corporals, eligible for a training center’s school for candidates. Privates seeking officer status must first earn NCO appointment.
London reports from the British war office that during aerial operations on Saturday strong wind and ground mist limited recon and artillery, but several clashes resulted in three hostile aircraft brought down and two driven out of control, with none of the British planes missing.
Ross A. Hickok coal administrator for Dauphin county will travel to Philadelphia tomorrow to meet William Potter head of the state fuel administration. He plans to lay out the acute coal situation and seek guidance from the state commission on possible actions.
London reports a German raid on a Scotland bound convoy in the North Sea sinking one British and five neutral merchantmen, a British destroyer, and four mine sweepers. Total merchant tonnage lost was about 8,000 with Norwegian Swedish and Danish vessels among the sunk.
Washington December 17. Secretary Baker named officers for the war council and Major General Goethals, builder of the Panama Canal, was offered the post of quartermaster general to replace Major General Sharpe. Pro vost Marshal General Crowder remains with his current duties.
The Telegraph reports ongoing Red Cross membership offers at the Telegraph building. The first 25 wives sisters or mothers of men in service can obtain memberships for 25 cents each, funded by Harrisburg Rotary Club president Captain George F Lamb. Dr C E L Keen pledged to match Mary Russells dollar with 25 if 100 more Harrisburgers contribute.
Chicago police report more than 14,000 burglaries and 20 payroll robberies plus 10 bank thefts since January. The total haul exceeds 2 million dollars, described as the largest criminal “harvest” in a year for the city.
Alderman Kramme's free lunch sign is gone as a Scranton visitor, muddy with coal dust, explains he came to enlist but was refused for being underfed. The exchange over pie and coffee ends with the alderman buying him a cup and sharing Christmas spirit.
Secretary Baker in his weekly military review debunks German propaganda about a looming great offensive on the western front. He says the enemy seeks to force acceptance of a supposed decisive victory, but Allied initiative remains with the Allies and no shift in momentum is evident.
Chicago December 17 The death of Toledo Ohio millionaire Lucius B Berdan in a city hospital last Wednesday is believed by Dr F J Port to have been caused by poison The doctor who attended him during convulsions preserved the stomach contents and notified the coroner The other four physicians at the post mortem suggest intestinal neophritis but concede the possibility of poisoning
Thieves have grown bold in the Upper Allen district with district wide break ins. The school board authorized a $25 reward for arrest and conviction. Burglars rifled stockrooms, stealing stationery and coal from several schoolhouses.
Secretary McAdoo will address the "Sedition Slammers" who travel the state promoting loyalty and denouncing German propaganda. They meet at the Union League with Edwin N. Hurley Governor Brumbaugh and others. County chairmen include George M. Pomeroy Reading Charles C. Stroh Harrisburg Benjamin C. Atlee Lancaster and more.
In Rome on December 16 a procession of about 15 000 students and 20 000 scientific association members marched to the Sant Onofrio Tasso convent to honor the delivery of Jerusalem from Turkish rule. Bells rang as Cardinal Lega blessed the crowd in the tomb of Torquato Tasso. Congress plans a recess from tomorrow until January 3 after Senate approval of the House resolution.
Petrograd reports a 28 day armistice with no troop transfers until January 14 and limits on fronts and sea zones. Exchange of newspapers and mail allowed for groups of 25. Talks toward peace to begin, with Allied sentiment softening toward the Bolsheviks.
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