12 Jul 1916
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Mobile Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jul 12, 1916
Page
1
Weather reports noted a disturbance in the eastern Caribbean with no further updates. In Alabama central flood conditions remained serious as the Alabama River rose seven miles wide near Montgomery and aid reached 300 marooned residents from Selma to Portland.
The article notes river levels falling in southwest Georgia with danger to crops and property thought past. While Mobile and Pensacola recover from last week’s coast storm, a weather bureau report mentions a disturbance in the far eastern Caribbean Sea, though its strength and direction are unclear.
Montgomery flood situation shows the Alabama river rising to near crest today at 51.8 feet, two-tenths below flood stage. The river crosses seven miles wide opposite the city with little current, while back water causes most flood damage. Other area streams have fallen back.
Floods have caused limited fatalities, with losses concentrated among Black residents. Commissioner James A. Wade places Alabama crop damage between 65.6 million and 7 million dollars, possibly rising to 14 million depending on flood duration and northern lowlands. Estimates vary from 10 to 25 percent, Selma and Cahaba river regions needing aid. Tuesday Selma sought a relief dray from the U S engineering office as flood victims aided rescues.
City electrician C S McCosker reported complaints of wire thefts from telephone and electric companies. Chief G M Van Liew said he cannot guard all wire, and warned junk dealers they will be arrested on state charges and bonds refused if found buying utility property.
Mexican ambassador designate Eliseo Arredondo said a Mexico City communication outlines negotiation form for resolving U S Mexico differences. He met Acting Secretary Folk at the state department and expected to announce details soon while a commission structure was discussed. Henry Fletcher may head the American delegation. Arredondo cited progress with Polk on the border issue.
The Mobile Weather Bureau received a telegram from Washington reporting a new storm disturbance in the extreme eastern Caribbean Sea. Further information was promised later today after a special report was received.
The City of Tampico loaded cargo rapidly at Pier 8 in Mobile after its arrival Friday noon. The steamer began loading yesterday and sailed this morning for Havana and Matanzas. Witnesses noted loading was as swift as conditions permitted before the storm.
New York reports 17 infantile paralysis deaths and 162 new cases across five boroughs despite a scorching heat wave. A New York physician announced discovery of the germ and the ability to develop virulent cultures at the board of health offices, though the name was withheld.
New York July 12. The motor ship Glennpool arrived at port with a large cargo of oil. Eleven Americans were aboard. The crew reportedly fled Mexican oil fields after abandoning the cargo at Tampico. A general demanded an export tax of six cents per barrel, prompting the departure from Tampico.
British and French forces press German flanks on the Somme as German assaults fail to gain ground in Mametz and Trones woods. Italian dispatches report Tolmino abandoned by Austrians on the Isonzo front with less activity by the enemy in that sector. A wireless report from Ban notes a Monday night air raid dropping bombs on a port and army encampments.
London reports that despite limited ground gained, England rejoices in General Haig’s twelve days of fighting. Contalmaison Mametz and Troneswood fallen secure a roughly east west line enabling flank attacks as guns move up for a second phase.
South of the river the French and British alignments mirror each other while both sides prepare new positions. German forces renew assaults toward Verdun, capturing Damloup battery briefly at the start of June before shifting focus.
City officials report faster progress in clearing streets. Engineer Wright Smith notes ten washed out blocks are being rebuilt and seventy five workers are on site. Commissioner Pillans visits the bay and confirms rapid garbage removal despite resident complaints about delays.
Lieutenant E. Roy Albright of the First Regiment Alabama National Guard announced the regiment has a recruiting office at the Tourist Welcome Club. He reported three recruits secured that morning and noted a high number of rejections due to strict physical examinations creating a strong need for more enlistees.
London dispatch reports German counterattacks last night dented Haig’s new lines at two points along the Somme. While Belgian and French forces claimed ground in places, most attacks were repulsed. Verdun saw activity with Crown Prince troops advancing near Damloup before being driven back, and Italian action pushed into Trentino and the Isonzo with Tolmino reportedly evacuated by Austrian forces.
Louisville and Nashville trains back on regular schedule north and south of Mobile. Pensacola accommodation back in service. First work train reported track clearance Tuesday night. North of Mobile slower between Mobile and Hurricane but time regained northward. New Orleans trains including last New York and New Orleans arrive Wednesday. Mobile and Ohio and Southern run on regular schedule.
The New Orleans Mobile and Chicago Railroad plans a morning car meeting at 7 15 and a noon departure from Bexley, arriving Mobile by 4 30. Bexley lies 46 miles away with service from Leaf to Hattiesburg to the northern terminus. High water near Merrill, Mississippi, blamed for trouble near Bexley.
A special tug from New Orleans delivered 600 pounds of Fleischman yeast to Mobile after noon Tuesday. Mobile bakeries faced shortages as star and potatoes had been used to make yeast.
The Savannah board of sanitary commissioners appealed to residents to report any recent arrivals from Greater New York. They stressed no great danger of infantile paralysis, but urged providing names and addresses to help trace origins and stamp out any potential cases.
Pat W. Byrne and H. W. Patterson of Mobile left for the Shriners supreme council meeting in Buffalo New York. Storms halted the trip and the men abandoned the journey. Byrne said they could not get direct information in Louisville and returned by train after learning of the hurricane later in Birmingham.
James K. Glennon representing a major Mobile real estate firm opposed all valuation increases beyond October 1914. He said values are lower now and ongoing board annoyances deter investments as buyers grow scarce. A few smaller property assessments were also heard by the board.
The morning session records house and lot sales and property adjustments for multiple names including Mary John Ellen George M E Rose G L Hamberger and Ella Mechem in West Mobile Glendale Park and Whistler. Amounts lowered range from 90 to 1 200 with parcel details and tract descriptions noted.
The Mobile Chamber of Commerce notes rumors that Mobile's ship channel was shallow due to a storm. Local engineers disproved the claim, confirming the channel remains sound. a telegram seeks an immediate official investigation by Senators Underwood Bankhead and Congressman Gray to address the issue.
Henry Hogan known as Hungry Hogan the city’s oldest cabman dies at his Chicago home. In the 112 campaign friends named him a candidate for congressman at large from Illinois, he fell short by about 100 votes of nomination.
Polace reports a forecast of clear to partly cloudy skies with mild temperatures tonight and Thursday. Winds light to moderate from the northwest shifting to variable directions. No significant precipitation expected.
Weather bureau reports river trends with the Black Warrior and Tombigbee above Columbus expected to fall while lower Tombigbee rises and Demopolis sees continued rise for three days. Alabama near standstill tonight through 24 to 36 hours with Selma also rising slowly. coastal Mobile region forecast fair with southeast winds. An eastern Caribbean disturbance is noted with later updates expected.
In a cattle tick eradication case, five defendants including Sam Lyons and Reuben Clark were freed as demurrers to the complaint were sustained. Judge Henry Chamberlain held the complaint defective for lack of written permits and specific factual allegations, releasing the defendants and prompting possible new affidavits by the state.
Democratic and Republican leaders agreed on a program to adjourn Congress before September 1. The plan includes appropriation bills and conference reports, revenue, shipping and corrupt practices bills, with child labor, workmen’s compensation and immigration set for later conference. Daily sessions from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. were ratified.
Henry Ford of Detroit will be nominated for president on the first ballot by the Prohibition party at its national convention in St. Paul July 28 31 and will accept according to party leaders. Eugene Chafin says Ford would be the strongest candidate. If Ford declines the ticket may go to former Governor Frank Indiana or former Governor N Foss of Monmabiatee.
The Citizens Relief Committee of Mobile formed to replace the Chamber of Commerce group expands its scope. Sub committees will solicit funds for storm victims. officers include Batley president McDermott vice president Norton treasurer Clemens Inge chair of the distribution committee Horton chair of the appeals and distribution work.
Officers reported nine bottles and thirteen half pints of whiskey found at William Cuthbert’s site near Commerce and Conti. At 63 Government Street George Flinn’s place yielded bottles of beer. Cuthbert Flinn faced charges under the prohibition law. Sam Griffin and Edward Ryder were fined $50 plus costs for violations.
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