12 May 1917
Page 1
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Newspaper
The Mobile News Item
Location
Mobile, Alabama, United States of America
Date
May 12, 1917
Page
1
The Senate by one vote entirely struck the administration's newspaper censorship provision from the espionage bill and then defeated a bid to reinsert it in another form. If final passage allows it, the House remains pro censorship while the Senate is anti, likely sending the issue to a conference committee. The measure would apply only for wartime.
John Sharp leads a protest in the ongoing legislative clash over censorship, listing Democrats Culberson Fletcher Gerry Hollis Hasting James Jones of New Mexico Kendrick King Kirae Myers Overman Pittman Pome Ransdell Robinson Shafroth Eppard Simmons Smith of Arizona Smith of South Carolina Stone Thompson Trammell Walsh Williams Wolcott and Republicans Brady Colt Hale Lodge McCumber McLean Nelson Poindexter Sterling Warren Weeks for a total of 38 lawmakers.
The weather bureau predicts fair conditions and gentle northeast winds in Mobile tonight and Sunday with cooler temperatures. Last night’s low reached 55 degrees and a high of 62, while the Cotton Belt shows only slight changes and readings 5 to 10 degrees below normal. The Tombigbee River and its branches are expected to fall over the next two days.
The News Item corrects a misidentification by reporting that P J Cooney of Foley is not the defendant. Judge N R Leigh sentenced J J Cooney of Foley to five months hard labor for violating the prohibition law.
Farm demonstration agent G A Mauloney reports that early vegetables are in good condition in the county except Irish potatoes. After a trip to the Fowl River district he notes corn is promising but needs underplanting fertilizer within ten days to avoid poor output as blight affects many potatoes.
Miss Elizabeth Fonde argues Mobile must train its citizens for civic duty. She urges systematic use of leisure under capable leadership and emphasizes juvenile boards of health, junior civic leagues, boys' clubs, and playground recreation to unite sentiment and drive port development and Chamber of Commerce reorganization.
Mobile churches plan a city wide Mothers Day program with sermons and Sunday school activities. Pastors from Government Street Presbyterian Saint Francis Street Methodist and several Baptists will lead services and Carnations will be provided. The observance emphasizes acts of kindness letters to distant mothers and public participation across many congregations.
Washington May 12 Train dispatching on the Southern Railway between Washington and Atlanta will be done entirely by telephone, it was learned here today.
May weather report from Washington predicts cool tonight and Sunday in Alabama and Mississippi. Forecasters expect temperate conditions with no severe storms noted.
The Alabama Bankers Association selected J. Kirk Jackson of Montgomery as president with Val Taylor of Uniontown as vice president and Henry T. Bartlett of Montgomery as secretary treasurer. Officers from groups across the state were named and a five member committee appointed to study land title reform. The gathering pledged support for the Liberty Loan and discussed penalties for circulating damaging remarks about banks. A country club reception with golf and dancing followed.
Flag raising exercises are planned at Derby grammar school on Conti street Monday at 7 30 oclock under the Junior Order United American Mechanics. An elaborate program has been prepared and invitations were issued Saturday by the order.
Mr. M. W. Spotswood of Mobile departed Friday for Fort McPherson Ga to report for training at the officers reserve training corps instruction school. He received preliminary military tactics instruction in Barton Academy class led by Major W. L. Guthrie and is known locally for his lumber business background. He is brother of Robert Spotswood, cashier of The News Item.
Post office officials announced about 500 packages of vegetable seed were distributed free through the general delivery window before noon Saturday. Each package contained five smaller packets of collards okra lettuce bean and turnip seed. Some packages remain for first callers at the office.
Chicago on May 12 reports a dramatic wheat advance with July and September options rising 27 to 32 cents. July wheat closed 2.73 to 2.75 after 2.46 yesterday, while September bids ranged 2.44 to 2.46, up from 2.14.
Over a thousand kindergartners will dance sing and play around a large red white and blue Maypole at Luyens Park in a festival led by Uncle Sam and Columbia impersonators. The event organized by the Kindergarten Study Club was postponed once due to weather and will start at 5 pm with no admission fee. A Whistler kindergarten special bus will depart at 4 pm to transport pupils, with Miss Laila A Peterson coordinating and assistants aiding.
The probate court recorded a deed for ten acres on Chickasabogue Creek near the Southern Railway line. Captain Variant Scott plans a wooden ship building plant with his brother Captain Edward Scott of the West Indies joining as partner, construction to begin at once.
The Mexican Gulf Realty Company filed incorporation papers in the probate court to engage in general real estate business and land transactions. Capitalized at $5,000 the firm will begin with that amount, with W. H. Beard as president and Anna D. Hojompeon as vicepresident.
British forces pierced the Hindenburg line near Bullecourt and pushed forward despite heavy German resistance. North of the Scarpe and along the Arras Cambrai road gains were made as several hundred prisoners were captured in operations praised as very successful by the London official report.
Reports say French artillery remains destructive on the Aisne and Champagne fronts while engaging German guns along the front held by France. Verdun area sees violent big gun action near Avecourt wood as Turks withdraw north of Baghdad to the Jebel Hamrin range, 60 to 80 miles away.
May 12 reports in Petrograd that the executive committee of the control of workmen and soldiers delegates voted 23 to 22 against joining a coalition government. A plenary meeting will decide. It is understood ministries of munitions labor and relief would be created in the coalition.
London dispatch reports flashes of light indicating another aerial attack on Zeebrugge observed between 3 and 4 this morning. Details continued on page two.
Copenhagen May 12. The German Germania reports Chancellor von Bethmann-Hollweg does not plan a Reichstag statement on peace terms. He has won over centrists and part of the liberal delegation, and may seek a discussion. Socialists may abandon a forced peace debate amid socialist leaders' general stance.
At a May 12 meeting in New York the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs discussed wartime issues. Topics include government tax on gate receipts, possible player conscription, roster reductions, and reorganized scheduling amid the season.
Alabama Governor Henderson issues a yearly proclamation urging citizens to observe Mothers Day by wearing white flowers and writing letters to honor mothers. He extols the moral strength of mothers and the duty to cherish their virtues across the state.
Federal investigators report North and South Carolina mill families increased food supply by gardening. 548 families produced about $30 worth of produce on .15 acre, with labor and fertilizer costs averaging 3.54. Livestock including chickens pigs and cows boosted output. hens yielded about $1.08 per fowl.
Mr Will Ensor superintendent of the Mobile Plantation at Mann Station was injured yesterday when his automobile overturned near the farm. He remained unchanged in condition at the Southern Infirmary with internal injuries. Passersby found him pinned beneath his car and rushed him to the city for treatment.
Judge R. T. Ervin with United States Marshal C. C. Gewin and Clerk Virgil Griffin along with Assistant District Attorney H. D. Pegues of the Southern District arrived in the area this morning for ongoing federal court matters.
May 12. Ten million U S men 21 to 30 are slated for the sole conscription on July 1 under the war army plan. Bureau director Rogers reports the eligibles equal about 10 percent of the national population, with Alabama 209 900, Georgia 255 400, and Oklahoma 213 00 among state totals.
A stormy House debate ends with a 215 to 178 vote to restore the bill and appoint conferees to permit Colonel Roosevelt to go to France. The house finally defeats the bill, which the senate previously passed.
The bill of sale for the marine way on Blakely Island opposite Daupht street in the Cleveland property was filed in probate court. H. C. Nan sells to the Murnan Ship Bi Corporation the entire plant including machinery, though figures are not stated in the deed.
Major William J L Guthrie of the Engineers Corps at Mobile reports a telegram from Fort McPherson Georgia stating that men who had not been run of their acceptance have been withdrawn from the enlistment contract. The list is not available here.
A called Mobile C Knights of Columbus meeting will be held Sunday at 11 AM to finalize initiation funds. The initiation ceremony is planned for an early date.
Washington May 12 continued cool weather expected to give way to a general rise in temperatures. Forecasters predict showers for Wednesday and Thursday as a southeast region faces unsettled conditions.
The packet John Quill, carrying a heavy mixed cargo, departed from the municipal wharf early Saturday afternoon bound for Tuscaloosa. The vessel’s captain reported arrival plans at Tombighi She.
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