19 Apr 1917
Page 1
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Newspaper
Monticello Express
Location
Monticello, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Apr 19, 1917
Page
1
A Des Moines farm expert urges the legislature to approve 200000 to intensify farming over two years with two supervisors per county, urging more corn, less garden truck, centralized seed lists, and mobilizing youths for farm work to ease wartime food shortages.
Ground has been broken for a $100,000 addition to Voorhee quadrangle at Coe College in Cedar Rapids. The fireproof wing will mirror the present structure and include space for seventy five girls, a large commons with dining room parlors kitchen infirmary and sleeping accommodations for twenty five.
A dust explosion in the shaving room at Farley and Loetscher Sash and Door Co in Dubuque kills James Reed and fatally injures Maurice Hoyne. The plant loss is about 25 000 dollars with over 700 workers left unemployed.
Omaha Earl Caddock of Anita Iowa defeated Joe Stecher of Dodge Nebraska in a multi fall bout after Stecher refused the third fall. Caddock won the second fall in 1 40 10 with a full nelson while Stecher took the first fall in 1 22 05 via a scissors hold and hammerlock.
John L. Griffith dean of men at Drake organizes a university battalion for military training. W. A. Graham former captain of Company B and drillmaster of the noonday drill squad will command the unit and prepare Drake men for service.
The Bank of Solon, serving a 450 person town, reports deposits up $100,000 in the past year to total $527,000, equating to about 1190 per resident. This highlights a record level of prosperity for the small community.
A blaze gutted the Merrell Canning factory in Harlan destroying 150 bushels of seed corn and two carloads of box material. The loss is estimated at about 15000 dollars. Firefighters fought the flames but the origin of the fire was not listed.
The Boy Scouts of North McGregor organized a flag collection and ordered a large flag to fly from a hill north of town. The emblem will greet visitors from the highest nearby point overlooking the Mississippi River. The scouts reported strong support and enthusiasm for the project.
The American physicians committee names Iowa doctors to form a state medical preparedness group. Dr W W Pearson chairs with John F Herrick T B Throckmorton David S Fairchild Jr J J O Keefe J C Rockafellow C J Rowan named to head county units and recruit others to assist.
Des Moines dispatches show Iowa cities and towns rapidly enlisting hundreds of men for army navy and national guard. Fort Dodge reports 150 men for Companies F and G with faster growth toward 200 total. Webster City lists 184 signed for Company CG and the Second regiment band, many taking the federal oath. Ames mobilizes with drill ground on Main Street as Company T expands guard recruitment and Company I splits between Boone and Ames.
Ames director Bliss urges boys and girls to boost food conservation by doubling garden output, testing seed corn and potatoes, spraying and caring for orchards, assisting livestock and poultry, and supplying 60 000 hands needed on Iowa farms.
Des Moines police hold W E Ward at Polk County jail after his confession to the First National Bank of Diagonal robbery. Ward says others aided him and $490 in currency, some on new Diagonal bills, was found upon arrest.
Grinnell plans for military training at once with faculty plans in operation. Captain Mumma of Town University visited Grinnell to assess ground and if a company of one hundred men is raised he will supervise weekly training and instruct in military strategy. He then went to Des Moines to arrange for two men to oversee the program during the week.
Waterloo water trustees announce no new extensions for 1917 beyond those ordered last year due to high costs. Water main price around 50.95 per ton laid, lead over 0.10 per pound, and higher labor charges than last year.
Richard Henry Sheldon aged 16 is fatally burned while filling a gasoline stove after a gas leak soaked his clothing. The fire erupted from the burner and was extinguished too late.
About two thousand people gathered in Forest City for a patriotic meeting headlined by Judge Clark. The event featured a street parade led by Civil War veterans and a band, followed by the ceremony raising the Stars and Stripes.
Four searchlights illuminate the stars and stripes atop the historic old capitol building now used for university administration. The flagstaff flies at night as lights cast a bright glow over the scene in Iowa City.
James Mooney, a soldier guarding the Great Western railroad bridge over the Coon River, was ambushed. A bullet shattered bones in his left hand as he blew his nose and fired at a skulking figure in the weeds. He doubts he hit his attacker due to pain and erratic aim.
Alta has adopted the city manager plan and elected F. N. Sipe as first manager. He acts as exclusive purchasing agent and oversees all public work and city employees. Street work is under his control, and last year the town’s three municipal plants handled about $22,000 in business, showing a net gain.
Washington reports outline a forthcoming Anglo French high commission led by Arthur Balfour to advise on war needs and policies. The mission will discuss food and munitions, may include a small Belgian front force, and outline U S credit to the Entente while noting no political alliance.
A Western minister decries dining as a lost art while Abyssinia wages war. He jokes that eating habits mock civilization, and notes onion breath shifting from vulgar to refined in current manners.
Backyard potato planting this spring is encouraged as a prudent, simple activity to deter engagement in other foolish acts. The suggestion frames gardening as a constructive use of time and space.
A dispatch from London April 12 reports the Stars and Stripes flew in action at Vimy Ridge during the Allied assault in France. A young Texan wounded in hospital is credited with carrying the US flag on his bayonet, leading the American entry as a belligerent in Europe.
Washington reports Mrs Woodrow Wilson and Mrs Thomas R Marshall along with cabinet wives inaugurating a simple life movement. They will omit formal entertainments and calling while pledging to buy inexpensive clothing and simple food and curb waste. They urge all American women to join.
Chester Pa April 12 1917 a series of explosions in the Eddystone Ammunition corporation shrapnel building killed 121 people many of them women and girls with hundreds injured fires hampered identification and rumors of plots circulated as officials awaited details of the disaster.
British forces push along the Arras front despite slush and sleet. North of Vimy ridge they reach near Givenchy and advance on the Souchez river. Canadians overtake a mile of German trench south of Farbus wood. South of the Scarpe Haig’s troops take Hill 90 and drive toward Wancourt and Heninel.
Herbert C. Hoover, named head of the American food board, reports U S France England and Italy cooperate to meet the current shortage. He plans to return to lead duties while launching a broad inquiry into crop prospects, imports, and food regulation in allied nations.
The Chicago butter and egg board voted unanimously to end futures trading in butter and eggs. The rule change, tied to the inquiry into food speculation, shifts all trades to immediate delivery as Assistant District Attorney Robert W. Childs questions grand jury witnesses.
Applicants at the Pittsburgh marriage license bureau faced a sign warning that a man who marries to shirk his duty to his country will not value his duty to his wife. The bureau has seen record numbers of applicants, mostly men aged twenty to twenty five.
On Thursday afternoon at the Goodyear Tire & Rubber plant in Akron three men were killed and seven injured when an elevator plunged three stories to the basement.
Maj John M. Burke aged 74 died of pneumonia in Washington. Burke was a former scout in Indian wars and spent nearly fifty years with Col. William F. Cody Buffalo Bill. His death ends a notable military and frontier career.
Chicago April 14 distilleries will cease whisky production and repurpose their machinery to make denatured alcohol for the government. Denatured alcohol is used in the manufacture of high explosives.
The American liner New York struck a mine five miles off Liverpool bar at 7:40 p.m. Monday. No casualties reported. The vessel proceeded to Liverpool.
The Minnesota state senate approved the Sullivan bill without dissent on Tuesday, appropriating one million dollars for war purposes in Minnesota. The measure moves forward with broad support from legislators and across party lines.
Fritz Kolb, a German convicted of possessing bombs, was sentenced in Jersey City to not less than three years and four months and up to five years in state prison.
The governor of the Bahama Islands informed the state department that he has issued an order forbidding any person to land without a passport containing a photograph. The measure aims to regulate who may enter the islands.
Joseph Knapp of New York cabled Sir Arthur Conan Doyle offering $1,000 to start a fund for translating President Wilson's war address and distributing it behind German lines by airplane.
Secretary Baker orders state guard contingents into federal service for police duties and calls for about 500000 volunteers to augment the regular army and National Guard. Recruits since war declaration will be wartime volunteers and discharged at war’s end. Analysis suggests 517856 volunteers needed with 150000 drawn from regulars and guard for the first 500000 incremental force.
Vice Admiral Browning of Britain and Rear Admiral de Grasse of France met with Secretary Daniels and Admiral Benson in Washington to coordinate allied naval operations. The first US move will be to assume Atlantic and Caribbean patrol duties from British and French forces. No results were announced as discussions continue with entente ambassadors and upcoming war councils.
The British sailing ship Treveul under Captain Williamson was sunk by a German submarine off Cienfuegos Cuba four days earlier. All crew landed at the Cuban port hours later. C Peterson, a crew member, says he is a naturalized American of Norwegian birth. Germans destroyed the ship with bombs.
Washington April 14 The army and navy will be supplied by the American Telephone and Telegraph company with picked engineers to plan set up and operate telephone telegraph and radio plants for war use.
An accidental powder blast at the Frankford government arsenal killing Philip McNally and fatally injuring Joseph Miller. The incident occurred during munition manufacture in Philadelphia on April 14.
Berlin reports Germany has stopped all mail service with the United States including direct and indirect channels. Telegraph service between the two nations is also suspended.
Detroit April 13 A B Hall wealthy attorney declared himself too old and fat to enlist now pays 50 dollars a month to the family of a young man who took his place by enlisting in the navy.
Heads of major railroads formed a five member board to direct American railway operations for mobilization. Fairfax Harrison chairs with Howard Bulott Samuel Rea Hale Holden and Julius Kruttschnitt named. Ex officio member Daniel Willard and an additional member from ICC planned. The board will coordinate with six national defense subcommittees and army quartermasters.
Rio de Janeiro reports the government may sever diplomatic ties with Germany but delay a war declaration. Seizure of German ships in harbors is postponed while the cabinet keeps neutral stance, unless Chilean ships are targeted, prompting possible change. The German minister received passports at Petropolis. The Chilean government maintains neutrality for now.
Washington reports construction of the armor plate and projectile plants will begin at Charleston after Secretary Daniels announced the site selection. Congress appropriated 11 million for the armor plate plant and 1.7 million for the projectile plant, chosen for military safety and access to materials.
Recruiting officers report many men who deserted or failed discharges seek reenlistment. Current rules bar their return, but they hope the president may allow reentry to clear records through honorable service. They recall a similar chance at the start of the Spanish American War.
The text notes forced drill in munition plant districts where workers react to pins dropping. It then mocks gaining credit by onions and breath, and ends with a gripe about skirts and shoe prices, suggesting men back shoe dealers over fashion.
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