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Newspaper
Seattle Star
Location
Seattle, Washington, United States of America
Date
Dec 27, 1917
Page
1
Eighty five thousand Seattle residents join the Red Cross, while hundreds of Seattle women sew weekly in preparation for blood drives to support the nation’s war effort and the goal of making the world safe for democracy.
President Wilson proclaims federal control of all railroads and related lines starting January 1. McAdoo to direct operations with 20 billion dollar railway system under government administration. Widespread labor and rate questions to be addressed by talks with unions and shippers.
The piece describes Germany’s no annexations and no indemnties stance as a clever peace feeler aimed at destabilizing the Allies. It notes potential consequences for Alsace Lorraine Belgium and territories in the East and warns Britain could face evacuation of Mesopotamia and Palestine under German terms. The Evening News calls it a cunning peace gambit.
Washington reports travel luxuries face cuts as McAdoo imposes wartime economy measures. Private cars and extra fare specials have ended, dining coaches and club cars may follow, Pullman cars removed on many lines, and touring troupes urged to use standard passenger equipment. A Patriotic Education society push seeks to curb race horse transport.
The proposal names Hazen J. Titus as dining car director of all U S railroads. The idea gained momentum nationwide with Seattle backing Titus who has aided two Red Cross campaigns locally. As dining car superintendent for the Northern Pacific he put the line on a war footing months ago.
In Chicago on December 27 Western railroad heads pledged full cooperation with federal wartime rail control. Hale Holden of the Burlington stated public rates may rise, noting England saw a 50 percent passenger rate increase and referencing possible 3 cent U.S. rates.
Local railroad officials report no communication from central offices about a possible United States government takeover. They say they know only what the newspapers have reported and have not received any directives or details.
Washington December 27. A. B. Garretson chief of the Brotherhood of Conductors says if the government can operate the roads more efficiently in the public interest than private interests the roads will not be returned to private management. He adds the history of the world does not show retrograde movements.
Helen Collier star of Turn to the Right secretly marries Lieut. Valiant on Christmas day. He hubs at Camp Lewis while she tours with the Metropolitan company and they plan a July reunion before wartime duties pull them apart. A London dispatch notes Christmas weddings among soldiers near Ypres as hostilities continue.
Amid world tensions, wartime marriages surge as thousands enlist or train. New York reports 277 licenses, nearly double 1916, with many brides accompanied by soldiers or sailors. Cities like Philadelphia Chicago Columbus and Portland also set records, many featuring groom soldiers.
Washington reports that central powers peace overtures to Russia miss essential Wilson and England demand for ending Hohenzollern rule and restoring Belgium. The blanket no annexations formula fails to address vital issues and signals bait to Russia while Wilson pushes elimination of the present gaming system as non negotiable.
Berlin dispatches report peace meetings between Germany and Russia resumed in Amsterdam on December 27. Earlier notices had suggested a postponement of the talks.
War brief reports Vice Admiral Sir Rosslyn Wemyss appointed to replace Admiral Sir John Jellicoe as first sea lord in London. Sub losses for the week were near record lows with eleven ships of 1600 tons or more sunk. In Petrograd the Delsheviki announced defeat of the Kaledines rebels at Hielgorod.
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