18 Dec 1918
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Mobile News Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
Dec 18, 1918
Page
1
Reports from the first day of the Red Cross Christmas Roll Call show broad public support as workers visit stores and offices. Branch leaders note high participation, with 51,288 collected and 1,368 members secured in two days, and plans for speeches at several plants and meetings.
Report of a large cash shipment from Southern Express Company that rolled from a merchant truck on St Michael Street. Onlookers watch piles of bulging sacks as speculation about the money’s origin and destination fills the crowd.
An Oklahoma City man was charged after failing to return his quiz. Detected by city police, E B Wart was detained briefly, released, and ordered to rewrite. The case involves county authorities and the department of justice.
The National War Labor Board refused to raise wages for Sawanee street workers. The existing scale of 38 39 40 41 and 2 lente per hour for platform men remains unchanged, despite arguments that higher pay was reasonable.
A Santa Claus appeal urges the well to do to support poor Mobile children. It emphasizes that extra encouragement is needed so about two thousand underprivileged tots receive a Christmas visit the morning before Christmas. Donations of a dollar are requested to fill stockings.
Lieutenant Scott Thompson wowed Mobile crowds with aerial stunts over the landing field at Ann and Tennessee streets. The tailspin and barrel roll drew many viewers from downtown as aviators from Taylor Field, Montgomery, were to arrive for a welcome by the airplane committee. Special airmail stamps 6, 12, and 16 cents were discussed for air service deliveries.
The first eastbound air mail trip between New York and Chicago is set for today at 7 20 a m from Belmont Park Island with a 400 pound mail load on a biplane. Three aircraft will operate to Chicago with a return plan. one plane reached or aimed for Grant Park Chicago as delays and diversions affected the maiden run.
Two mail planes from Cleveland to Chicago attempted landings in Defiance Ohio. One craft wrecked its propeller on a fence after a spectator struck it with a cover. The other plane landed safely. Compass errors sent the first crew off course toward Bryant.
American Minister Vopika reported the Bucharest legation was entered and robbed after his return from Jassy. Goods valued at more than $100 were stolen from twenty two trunks left for safekeeping. The door seal was broken and the building seriously damaged. Germans are believed responsible.
Selected service men stationed as clerical workers at Mobile draft boards will leave tomorrow for Camp Pike to be mustered out. Local clerks D. C. Goldwin J. L. McCarron XN. D. Pittman and J. A. Townsend head boards. Chief clerks retained. registration work to finish before release. District exemption board returns all items to local boards after completing duties.
Comrades of Lieutenant H. J. White of Cleveland report he escaped a German prison camp by flying a stolen German aircraft to Allied lines. White reportedly slowed enemy territory late in August after capture near a detention camp and was transferred to a demobilization camp before the escape.
Mr. R. A. Moffatt, serving in the U S Army, was elected chancellor commander of Mobile Lodge No 67 Peggy of Pythias at the annual meeting. Other officers include J Kittrell vice chancellor G Buhate prelate R D Farnell master of work Henry Simon keeper of records and seal Q S Adams master of the exchequer C A Hayes master at arms W H Martin ome es ms Sete oetee guar Goodman representative to the grand lodge. The lodge named Messrs J D Bloch C A Grayson and Ben F McMillan representatives at the banquet to be tendered Lieutenant Aviator Scott Thompson tonight at the Cawthon Hotel Vine-
W T Stewart of Birtham Alabama and Mrs Alice Gordon of New Orleans were arrested on a northbound L and N train for drunkenness. In Recorder's Court both were fined 25 dollars each. The man paid his fine and left the woman in the precincts as he headed to Birmingham to reach the bedside of a relative.
Washington reports harbor laborers nationwide threaten to strike if the Longshoremen and Harborers Union demand is not met. T. W. O Conn ered ogg Winner told the national war labor today.
Cardinal Mercier the Belgian prelate who defied German occupation edicts will visit the United States next spring officials in Chicago announced. The announcement came from Rev. John de Ville of Chicago.
San Salvador reports the death of Dr. Jose Trigeuros, dean of the Angel Juris Consuls and a renowned international law authority. The government has conferred the rank of general of division and ordered three days of national mourning.
Washington report notes the Senate adopted an amendment to the war revenue bill imposing a prohibitive tax on products of child labor. The 30 to 1 vote was cast with only one negative, by a Democrat.
London reports unconfirmed news that Odessa has fallen to Petlura’s Ukrainian forces. Dispatches state Petlura troops reached Nikoliev near Odessa on December 10, with Russian volunteers retreating and Germans not intervening. Petlura’s leader was said to be marching on Odessa as civilians and refugees filled the port city.
The National Zeitung of Basle reports a Polish plan for a treaty among Poland Bohemia and Jugoslavia to bind militarily railways and trade with entente powers. Poland would include Prussian Polish areas totaling about 39 million people. Hungary seeks inclusion and Vienna shows a similar drift.
The Col Gazette says Warsaw is ready to end military and political ties with Germany and Austria Hungary and join the Entente. A Vienna dispatch notes Karlsbad council sought independence under American suzerainty from President Wilson.
A fragmentary report threads through rumors that Germany desires an alliance with the Allies. The incomplete dispatch mentions shifts in plans and possible negotiations, with no confirmed statements from official sources.
Rome reports from December 17 deny that a Vatican dispute has settled or that Benedict plans to quit Rome after the Amite peace conference. The Osservatore Romano rejects speculation that Benedict would abandon his Rome residence.
Public houses such as motion picture theaters billiard halls and soda water stands opened again Tuesday at 3 30 pm and report normal business minus a dip in patronage except the downtown soda stand which remains crowded. Board records show 629 influenza cases since December 1 and 9 new cases reported Wednesday.
Madrid dispatch reports the government offers to send Catalonia autonomy demands to an extra parliamentary commission. Its report would go to the Cortes with authority to suspend autonomy if the regional government method fails to work satisfactorily.
The Rev. A. D. Betts known as the father of North Carolina Methodism died at his home in Cree SROEL NC on December 14 at age 86 after a broken hip suffered at the recent annual session and subsequent pneumonia. He is survived by five children, two of whom are preachers.
Harry Patterson charged with violating the rat guard ordinance was jailed Wednesday for want of to show a wilful violation. Officer John Crotty testified lines holding rat guards were moved while the vessel was being plucked from one berth to another. The officer asked for the dismissal of the defendant.
Weather page notes unsettled conditions with rain late in the period. It forecasts rain tonight and Thursday, with changing skies and possible showers across the region. Continuous monitoring advised for travelers and outdoor plans.
City health officer reports eleven dairymen violated milk laws in November with bacteria counts over 100000 per cc. Only half the dairies were tested and fourteen of the twenty two failed to meet the standard. One dairy yielded 2.80 percent butter fat against a 3.5 percent standard. One arrest and $10 fine were recorded for adulteration.
A soldier reported a small sailboat matching a missing youths description near Fort Gaines as relatives seek word from Fort Morgan and Gaines. Fishermen scoured the Gulfport Biloxi area but found no clue while seafaring men fear the boys are lost and renewed searches continued with tide and wind favoring potential leads.
The National War Labor Board entered an interpretation in the New Orleans Railway and Light Company case. It holds that a ten cent increase for newer employees, if it raises pay above union craft rates, means the union rate prevails. if not, the ten cent rise stands alone.
Newfoundlanders suffer 3 757 casualties from 6 732 men accepted for service in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. Armistice period deaths total 1 180 with 210 decorations awarded. unit left Newfoundland in October 1914 saw action at Gallipoli and later in France in March 1916.
Polish officers report letters claiming Nicholas II, former emperor of Russia, is alive near Livadia in Crimea. The dowager empress and her household allegedly confirm the rumor, as described by a member of her staff. The transmission notes the letters arrive every ten days from Sebastopol.
Washington December 18 The credentials of William J Harris senator elect from Georgia and Hubert H Bankhead senator elect to succeed himself were presented to the Senate today.
Secretary Daniels commended Richard C. Roberts assistant keeper at Alligator Reef Light Station Wisconsin for diving into icy waters to rescue a seaplane crew member after a crash ten miles from the station.
Premier Lloyd George and Foreign Secretary Balfour cancel plans to go to Paris. President Wilson will visit London December 26 to hold preliminary talks with British leaders before the inter allied conference in Paris. A British communication confirms the plan to host Wilson in England.
Washington reports that no naval forces overseas can return before January 1, 1920 at the earliest. Captain Laning of the bureau of navigation asks for a million dollar appropriation for receiving ships at home and abroad. He cites recruiting 1,200 too many men for aviation as a wartime error.
Secretary Daniels told the conference of state governors that a return to normal peace may take one to two years and urged strengthening the navy to join an international police force. He warned against overoptimism on soldiers’ rapid Homecoming and noted fleets remain needed until a lasting peace is achieved. Governor Lane urged defense councils stay active and guarded calls on state National Guard policies amid debate on future internal military structure.
Shapee 18 New Yi reports the death of John C Calhoun’s grandson, a formerly prominent cotton planter. He died today in his seventy first year, age not precisely stated.
President Wilson has not endorsed any plan for a League of Nations and the opening of the Peace Conference is projected for January 10 to 16. Preliminary meetings will be at the Foreign Affairs Ministry with Clemenceau presiding. Wilson will meet British Prime Minister Lloyd George amid generally favorable reports on his talks with Clemenceau and Feucht.
President Wilson and Marshal Foch discussed armistice terms in Paris during a long session. The first exchange focused on allied defense and the pace toward a durable peace through enlightened action as they seek to end conflict with Germany.
On the Rhine bridgehead Coblenz area American forces hold divisions including the 32nd and First divisions. The Second division holds the right bank near Hi division HQ with lines to Herschbach and Alsbach. The First division lies between Montabau and the French at Montabau with the Laihn river boundary to Ems region and Malmesicht east of Montabau.
Dec 18 report notes visitors to the Murat residence signed the president’s book including Northcliffe Paul Painleve and Meline former French premiers. Brief item mentions Orleans San Francisco and selections by commerce and industry heads for closer ties with Mexico.
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