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Newspaper
Seattle Star
Location
Seattle, Washington, United States of America
Date
Dec 28, 1917
Page
1
Director General McAdoo announced after a 90 minute meeting with executives that control of the nation’s rail system shifts from private to federal hands starting at noon Eastern Time. The move marks a key expansion of federal management in wartime logistics amid freight concerns.
Puget Sound Traction explains wartime labor shortages threaten daily transit. Officials say government control of steam roads and city streetcars is probable soon as workers quit at high rates. Union leaders demand higher wages and better conditions. women conductors remain uncertain. Ballard lines also face crew shortages amid expanded service.
The document lists totals for the rail industry including about 1 million employees and equal number of locomotives and freight cars, around 250 000 workers in plants, 700 embracing railroad companies, 2 500 000 CAFs in service, capital stock and funded debt at 17.6 billion dollars, gross operating revenues 4.06 billion, expenses 2.0 billion, annual freight 1.59 billion tons, and passengers carried 1.235 billion.
The great American railroads, nationalized and run by the United States government, begin federal operation at noon. McAdoo as director general will centralize control with three chiefs to run operations while war freight takes priority over all lines. Dispatches note plans for a centralized organization and distribution of freight, equipment, and terminals to ease congestion. Italian troops repulsed west of Monte Arolea and Soloralc, per the war office.
German assaults near Verdun limited to shelling. Lorraine bombardment intensifies through the night. Maj. Mayo to Rochester Minn as medical adviser. Haig reports nothing special on the British front. German bombers kill two American soldiers with the woodcutters division in France.
Berlin reports increased firing on the Tombia ridge plateau. The war office says French soldiers were captured east of Luneville as German forces advance.
Washington reports the next draft call will use questionnaire classifications including deferred percentages of the first quota. No further formal calls before February 15. deferred men will be drawn only if in Class 1, with old regulations still used to fill deficiencies. Technical and engineering calls also anticipated.
On December 28 an average of 30 men daily arrive at Camp Lewis as part of the first draft. Local boards send men to fill vacancies from the discharge of unfit servicemen. With hundreds of vacancies remaining, a second draft seems likely before the first is fully mobilized.
Two hours of street fighting ended with the Bolsheviki surrender to Chinese forces in Harbin. About 2100 Bolsheviks were disarmed and supplies seized from Kuselan barracks. Foreign consuls were notified of no further trouble as factional strife in Harbin continued despite Chinese intervention.
Amsterdam December 24 Russian peace negotiators accepted Count Cernin’s German terms as the basis for general peace discussions and will renew conferences at a location in Litovek. They also urged immediate negotiation of matters affecting Russia alone.
Dec 28 report that all private banks in Petrograd including foreign branches were closed by order of the Bolsheviki government. Soldiers and sailors occupied banks and many directors were arrested. National City Bank of New York has a Petrograd branch likely affected, while its New York office reports no word yet.
From theater proprietor on Kearney Street to foreign affairs minister in Russia, Leon Trotsky reportedly moved through San Francisco in 1912. Miss Ludmila Pomernko, who knew Trotsky here, says after city rules closed his theatre he opened the city’s first independent film exchange.
In San Francisco on December 28, Laurla A. Borris held U.S. citizenship papers but denied entry to the national army. District board chair Warren Oldney Jr ruled that with Austria now an enemy, Borris must remain home despite readiness to depart with a delayed contingent for Camp Lewis.
Dec 28 the American cavalry patrol pursuing bandits into Mexico under Captain Sprinkle is en route to Marfa Texas with several bandit prisoners and virtually all loot from raids on American ranches, according to word received here today.
The Woman's League of National Service will present the first in a series of banana in French evenings at the Soldiers' and Sailors' club Friday night.
The Star captures Seattle’s moment as Uncle Sam takes over railways at noon Eastern time, nine a.m. Seattle time. The Olympian, Milwaukee’s transcontinental train, departs at 10:35 a.m. Seattle time, the city’s first under government operation. A porter features in the shot and is asked if he enjoys working for Uncle Sam.
A tribute lauds Woodrow Wilson as president of the United States on his birthday. The message extols his vision and courage guiding the world toward lasting peace and asks the free people to support him. May he stay strong and see far.
Paris reports a humorous Sammy story from No Man's Land where enemy soldiers fired at skaters crossing a frozen canal while American troops retaliated with a bombardment of tin cans. Sergeant M Richardson, formerly of 210 29th Ave, now in the ambulance corps at Macon Georgia, suffers pneumonia.
Prime Minister Lloyd George told the Labour War Aims Congress that Allied aims are not imperialist or vindictive but seek future freedom and peace for mankind. He stressed a renewed declaration of war aims would come only with ally agreement, echoing Arthur Henderson’s call to renounce conquest.
In Tacoma on December 28, Thomas Carstens a local packer said his company holds more hides than it can sell. He noted four carloads of hides in Kansas City sitting idle for months and reported willingness to sell at 50 percent below prior values due to the surplus.
A heavy sleet storm Friday impaired communication between Seattle and Vancouver British Columbia. Telegraph and telephone lines linking the two cities were in poor working order, disrupting wire service and messages.
The Green River rose rapidly with five to six inches an hour and six feet overnight, flooding outlying Kent areas. Officials warned of further increases unless weather improves, as County Engineer Humes noted likely floods on White and Green rivers.
London dispatch reports the German Kaiser and staff narrowly escaped bombing while moving from Verdun toward Mannheim. Bombs fell near Mannheim station, in the palace district, and on the Nekkar suspension bridge, causing heavy damage and casualties.
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