21 Jun 1916
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Mobile Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Jun 21, 1916
Page
1
Property owners challenged county tax equalization at a Wednesday session urging appeals to arbitration or direct court action. The board refused most reductions, with only one granted during the morning, drawing a large turnout and signaling stiff resistance in the third day of hearings.
John W. Rutherford and Felix A. Cirlot challenged assessments of five thousand and thirteen thousand two hundred dollars respectively on their Dauphin Street properties. The board refused reductions and offered later hearings with witnesses. If unresolved, arbitration can proceed with assessor notice, representation, and a three member panel finalizing the decision.
Arbitration course not followed by those deeming assessments unfair. several cases heard Wednesday morning by the equalizers. Foreman and Meador real estate agents represented property owners as they challenged roughly 200 parcels regarding city assessments. some reductions granted, others denied.
During Wednesday morning's session the board raised Johanna Koral's lots 36 and 40 in Dauphin Place by 60 dollars each from 300 after review with the neighbor hood. Other action included Fieldness reduction from 400 to 300 and Reynolds auto assessment adjusted from 100 to reflect underreporting. Big property cases to appear next week as equalizers move through minor matters first.
Postmaster J Blocker Thornton announced that Rural Mail Route No 2 will receive mail six days a week instead of three. The increase comes from an order from James S Blaksley fourth assistant postmaster general and covers Toulminville Spring Hill and western suburbs including Dauphin Street outside city limits and areas west of the loop district.
A Chamber of Commerce briefing states the Mobile Gulf coast commuter rate is now equal to New Orleans. The Louisville and Nashville railroad faced Mobile merchants' objections on May 1, and the report lists adjusted schedules for trains serving Mississippi City Gulfport Ocean Springs Biloxi and adjacent towns. The committee deems the rates just and equitable and notes no extra train or Irvington stop due to steep grades.
Mobile's fourth summer open air concert by the Drago band drew a crowd in Bienville Square. Most attendees were children, who danced to My Little Dream Girl after Red White and Blue. The chairman urged boys off the platform to avoid accidents.
The American schooner Sadie C Sumner a three masted vessel part of the Whitney Bodden Company fleet was sold yesterday for 35000 The purchase values the ship highly and expands the company fleet to rival others along the gulf coast The Skoda bark is also listed among the company assets slated to depart for Galveston to load cargo for Italy
Headquarters expect orders any moment directing soldiers to leave for Montgomery Friday morning. The exact hour of departure is not yet announced.
Colonel F M Maddox of the First Regiment A N G announces a parade this afternoon at 5 20 on Government street opposite the courthouse. He asks spectators to stay on sidewalks and avoid crowding the troops to ensure the parade proceeds.
London dispatch reports German pressure shifting from Verdun to the eastern front while artillery activity remains around Verdun. A German assault northwest of Rheims and an attack south of Berry au Bac failed as Paris notes the French defense held.
Workers at the Whistler shops of the Mobile and Ohio railroad petitioned for a semi monthly pay day. A signed, detailed document claimed by all employees was presented to officials. The appeal emphasized convenience and benefit to the men in courteous language.
Mobile prepared a fervent farewell as First Infantry officers awaited departure orders for Friday. The parade drew thousands while many residents awaited details on the route, wanting to honor Mobile’s soldiers headed to the front.
The petition claims semi monthly pay reduces living costs by cash payments and cites transportation workers in Mississippi moving to Alabama receiving semi monthly pay. It notes the Louisville and Nashville Railroad and the New Orleans Mobile and Chicago Railroad also pay semi monthly.
Businessmen pledge to publicly show pride and appreciation for Mobile's soldier boys the First Infantry A N G. The note mentions a lack of knowledge about the exact hour.
A petition presented to General Manager Taylor at Whistler shops gathers support from blacksmiths machinists moulders pipe-fitters painters and car repairers. A spokesman predicts Mobile and Ohio will follow other railroads into the city though it may take some time to implement the order.
The weather bureau forecasts a Thursday high near 86 degrees with tonight and Thursday cloudy conditions. Salt Lake City lingered among cooler spots while Winnemucca Nevada reached 32 degrees and Phoenix Arizona held its hot spot at 102.
The Magnolia brought 200 crates of Baldwin cantaloupes to the port this morning from Zundles and Fish River landings, with market sales prices reported as good.
Peter Jones was arraigned in city court on two forgery charges. He was acquitted on one count and found guilty on the other. The accusation stated he forged the name of Captain James Thompson of the steamer Tarpon.
The Ameri can steamer Seaconnet, wrecked after an exterior explosion, was abandoned and declared a total loss. Captain Butcher and officers reported to American Consul General Skinner, whose affidavits add little. Metal fragments are being examined to determine if from a mine or torpedo. British admiralty also investigates.
Orders directed Lieutenants Harrison and Warren to San Antonio Texas and Lieutenant Series to Eagle Pass Texas for duty on the Mexican border.
General Pershing sent a detachment about 35 miles east to Guzman to verify a Mexican concentration report. The unit returned without locating any Mexican troops and noted Mexican threats to attack if he shifted position, which were not acted upon.
Reports reach department headquarters of fresh troop arrivals at Ojinaga opposite Presidio and at Piedras Negras opposite Eagle Pass. General Murgia leads 2000 troops to Piedras Negras while US Colonel Gaston commands the American side and anticipates meeting the challenge.
General Funston announced that search lights were added to army equipment today and that the war department sent detailed instructions for organizing four infantry regiments and two cavalry regiments under the army reorganization bill. The plan calls for experienced noncommissioned officers to lead recruits from recruiting stations, with promotions and officer commissions to be filled by July 1.
The weekly crop report for Alabama covering the period ending June 20 notes generally favorable conditions for all crops. Cotton growth is limited by cool nights and boll weevil pressure in the south, with some damage reported. Rains hinder cultivation, fields are grassy in places, and corn along with sweet potatoes beans peanuts tomatoes gardens and truck crops are doing well.
Rear Admiral Caperton, commanding the American expedition, proclaims that U S forces will occupy Santiago, Moca and Lavega in Santo Domingo. He calls on Dominican natives to cooperate in suppressing the revolution and restoring order, noting force will be used only if islanders oppose.
A tornado at Allendale Illinois killed Mrs Joanna Reed and demolished several houses and barns about a mile east of the town last night. The total extent of damage remains undetermined as crews survey the area.
In Chicago stock yards dealers present cavalry and artillery horses for U S inspection instead of French and British agents. About 2000 horses slated for European service have been examined by the federal army quartermaster to assess availability in Chicago East St. Louis and Kansas City.
Petrograd reports Russian offensive in Volhynia and Galicia has captured 172,484 men up to last Thursday. A dispatch from Petrograd says Letchitsky's reserves pressed the retreating Austrians at Czernowitz and forced Pflanzer's forces to be split midway between Kuty and Sereth at Stroginet.
Paris reports a German assault on French positions north of Rheims at Hill No 108 and toward Berry au Bac. French artillery repulsed the attack after the Germans detonated two mines before infantry assault. Verdun sector infantry action not detailed.
The city court draws jurors for the week of June 26 naming Robert G. Diard Gustave Chaudron John J. Bailey Edward J. Delahanty Harry D. Childers Patrick J. Tuttle Clarence P. Dumas Thomas H. Martin Thomas E. Kelley William T. Leonard Louis J. Arata Emil C. Noel James E. Strickland Harry W. Ollinger George E. Peppers Leo Pollock Christopher C. Coffee Robert A. Johnson Robert J. Pearson Henry Relmer Charles E. Dupree William G. Busch Hoffman George William J. Barnett Robert K. Pierce Samuel C. Alidor David C. Williams Jr. John R. Courtney Eldridge Crocker Vincent P. McVoy Alexander Leland Marshall Bosarge Ernest L. McGowin Edward P. White Frank E. Prendergast Edward J. Phelan Knox J. Roe John Shearer John E. Rolston Arthur J. Parsons George A. Michael Frank Burnett James M. McLean Jr. Frank Busch Walter Daly John M. Cowart Edw Warren Rabby John A. Lamey Elmer E. Nichols Harvey W. Brown.
Representative Hay of Virginia said in the house that the president has the Mexican situation well in hand. He praised the president for pursuing a course that will bring peace and honor to the United States and peace to Mexico, noting the rush of men to join the national guard as evidence of correctness.
Berlin dispatch reports Verdun battle not mentioned in today’s official western front update. The June 21 bulletin from London notes no Verdun reference and signals a pause in the engagement for the time being.
Liverpool cotton exchange will be closed Saturday July 1.
Washington reports say European powers including the Entente are pressuring General Carranza to avoid breaking with the United States. They fear German influence seeks to inflame Mexico against U S aims and disrupt trade in Mexico and beyond as Washington braces for potential war.
The piece notes a proposed 1848 treaty border commission as a path to avert war, but Mexico has offered no such step. U.S. officials expect Carranza to act to support or limit American interests, with unofficial translations circulating in Mexico City.
Military authorities sought the de facto Mexican government stance amid threats near the border. The War Department readies response to General Funston for dispatching national guard units, with Secretary Baker and President Wilson to decide which organizations go. Rapid statewide recruiting and enthusiasm reported, though muster into federal service may take days.
Discussion favored a rapid border to interior advance up to 100 miles, a fortified line held with volunteers arriving, shifting fighting into Mexican territory and securing the border by policing areas behind the main line.
A definite statement says General Carranza acts to protect Americans in Mexico from attacks. He allegedly gave Special Agent Rodgers in Mexico City full aid to arrange trains carrying frightened refugees from Veracruz. Some quarters view this as evidence against provocations.
A fragmentary note from state officials confirms some action, though details are unclear due to garbled text. The snippet mentions Rodgers and a request for confirmation amid a blare of vague references.
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