22 May 1917
Page 1
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Newspaper
Monroe News Star
Location
Monroe, Louisiana, United States of America
Date
May 22, 1917
Page
1
A five million dollar blaze tore through an Atlanta resident district, starting in an obscure Negro section and spreading to homes in Reich Avenue, causing extensive damage. Firefighters battled the flames through the night, with unknown cause under investigation and several families displaced.
A massive blaze in Atlanta destroyed three thousand homes and damaged many more, with estimates of losses ranging from two to five million dollars. The disaster left 10 000 to 15 000 homeless, sparked by Decatur Street fires and aided by troops, Red Cross, and volunteers, as authorities feared the flames would spread toward Piedmont Park.
In Memphis area a mob of about two thousand seized Bri Persons, the confessed killer of Antoinette Rappal, from sheriff custody en route to trial. They tarred and hanged him from a tree, burned his body, and reportedly pressed him to repeat his confession and name two other suspects. A later report said Dewitt Fords, another Black man, was captured and headed to the scene.
The federal trade commission proposed regulation of the coal industry including price fixing in a report to Congress. It accuses producers and brokers of excessive profits and coal shortages from inadequate transportation. The commission argues bituminous coal prices should be set like public utilities. The Supreme Court upheld the Interstate Commerce Commission power to compel railroads to provide a reasonable coal car supply.
The sheriff grants free registration on patriotic duty grounds prompting public interest. Officials say the measure removes fees for qualifying citizens. Community leaders debate eligibility and implications for local voter rolls and civic participation.
Sheriff Grant in the parish seeks voluntary civilian registrars to conduct the 21 to 31 year old draft survey on June 5. Volunteers in Monroe and West Monroe pledge support. several wards lacking responders. Some residents demand pay, while officials emphasize voluntary service and legal penalties for evasion.
The notice requests military service details including rank branch years and nation or state. It explains how to claim exemptions at registration and notes that exemption grounds must be stated then. It mentions registrars at each polling place and that their list will be provided later.
In El Paso on May 22, Andres Garcia, inspector general of Mexican consulates in the United States, outlined a plan for Mexican consuls and consular agents to work with US governors. They will gather manufacturers needs and supply lists to state leaders, who then pass them to producers of required goods. Mexico exports rubber fiber cotton wool foods and native woods.
The Master Oilers Association of the United States held its annual convention in Richmond Virginia with several hundred delegates attending session through Friday to discuss how members can best serve the nation during the war.
Captain R A Young of Company D requests more volunteers to reach full wartime strength. The telegram from New Orleans dated May 21 1917 cites war department orders to recruit toward regiment strength. Monroe News Star notes the appeal for a few more good men to fill the company.
President C. W. Phillips of the Police Jury in Ouachita parish received a letter from the Federal Reserve Bank in Dallas requesting a mass meeting of citizens at Ouachita city hall on Friday May 25 at 11 o clock. The gathering aims to build support for the Liberty Loan to finance early war expenses with speakers explaining all aspects of the issue.
The Ways and Means Committee backed a compromise on the second class mail tax setting rates from 1 1 2 cents per pound in the first parcel post zone to [cents in the eighth zone.
Major Fiske urges immediate steps to fulfill a two year old pledge to build docks. The call comes amid criticism of delays and calls for a clear timeline from authorities.
Major Harold C. Fiske told Monroe city council that unless the city provides dock and wharf facilities, the government may abandon further Ouachita river locks and dam construction. He noted past promises, current open-channel operation, and estimates a modern dock plant costing ten to fifteen thousand dollars could be repaid by cargo fees over time.
The council moved to meet government demands and honor a Monroe citizens agreement from two years ago to promote a surge in river traffic, enabling local shippers to extend their operations and benefit the city as a whole.
Washington May 22. The Senate approved a bill providing fifty million dollars for the government war risk insurance bureau and authorizing life insurance for crews on American merchant ships. A similar bill is pending in the House.
A bill passed to raise the Interstate Commerce Commission from seven to nine members, expanding the regulatory body. The action reflects legislative moves to bolster oversight of transportation and related industries.
The will filed in the surrogate's court provides an estate of about 3 million dollars, largely to relatives. The widow receives 250000 outright, 75000 yearly, the Stockbridge Massachusetts home, and life use of his New York residence, with large bequests to children grandchildren and nieces.
Officials say reports of a hostile submarine off the Maine coast are being investigated. A searching patrol has been ordered after a periscope sighting on Monday and fishermen and coast guards reported seeing what may be a submarine this morning.
Philadelphia report says America found a perfect answer to German submarine terror a merchant submarine standardized and simplified so the first unit can be built in four months with three or four more weekly thereafter according to the Philadelphia Press set to publish tomorrow.
Clarkeburg May 22 twelve men aboard a passenger and freight train were killed and several others injured in a wreck at Wallace. Rescue crews and investigators began work as details remained unclear.
In San Antonio on May 22 Col Omar Bundy ordered all reservists in the Southern Department to report at Fort Sam Houston immediately. About 600 men, furloughed after three active years and still under seven year service, face desertion if not reporting. Also affected are those released on furlough due to dependents. a planned camp for 600 medical reserve officers at Leon Springs was cancelled due to a War Department order.
The report notes a looming Russian crisis with chances of withdrawal from the Entente or chaotic fallout. German forces retreat slowly under French and British pressure while Entente armies hammer German lines on a broad front. Russian radicals reject the war program but avoid a set timetable.
President Braz today sent a message to Congress recommending the revising of the neutrality decree in the war between the United States and Germany. It is expected Congress will accept the recommendation.
Berlin dispatches say the Mexican minister to Germany handed a note to the German government protesting the submarine campaign after a conference with Foreign Secretary Zimmermann on Monday.
A Hungarian source reports continuous strikes at Budapest munition factories since May 1, with workers in all plants walking out. The action began on May 1 and spreads across the city’s munitions sector.
A three day conference in Chicago opened at the Auditorium on May 22 with manufacturers bankers and business men. The Western Efficiency Society sponsors the event focusing on efficiency and preparedness and how the human factor influences industrial readiness.
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