The Omaha Daily Bee
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Fair; Warmer
VOL. XLVI. NO. 271.-
OMAIIA. TUESDAY MORNING, MAY 1, 1917. TEN PAGES.
On Trains, at Hotels,
Nmi Standi, tto.. 6l.
SINGLE COPY TWO CENTS.
NEBRASKA DR Y UNDER NEW LA W;
GERMAN DffER SINKS U. S. SHIP:
SALOON DOORS :
CLOSE AS WET
REGIME PASSES
Prohibition Law Is in Effect
, Through Husker Common
wealth at Eight o'Clock
May Day Eve.
B29 BARS SHUT DOWN
Large Number of Places Dis
pose of Their Stocks Be
fore the Final Hour.
THRONG OMAHA STREETS
At 8 o'clock last night, 829 saloons,
fifteen breweries and ten rectifying
plant! in Nebraska closed under the
new prohibitory law.
Purchase, manufacture, sale or gift
of liquor is prohibited, but possession
i; not forbidden. A large number of
saloons throughout the state, reports
said, sold their stock before noon
yesterday. .
As a consequencaprices soared until
bottled whisky and beer, retailed in
many towns at prices prohibitive to
the meager purse. Stocks of a few
dealers were auctioned and the bid
ders were eager and the "knock down"
figures high.
- Throng the Streets.
Great crowds thronged the streets
oi Omaha last night when a parting
boot was applied to J. B. Corn and his
several associates.
Curiosity seemed to attract most of
the people down town for there was
very little revelry. Most of the dis
pensaries had so depleted their stocks
that the variety was limited, bottled
beer and plain "booze" being about
all that was left after noon yester
day. There was little roughness. The
great crowds, which did little more
than wander up and down the streets,
alone marked the passing of the "juice
thafchcers.'i - -"" "jf '
Bryan Pardons Offenders.
Mayor Bryan of Lincoln announced
he would pardon all offenders "con
fined in the city jail on account of
over indulgence in liquor." Half an
hour after tire last saloon in the city
had sold out and closed, they were
released.
New Book of Views of
' "Omaha by Night" Just Out
A unique and worthy presentation
of some unusual pictures of Omaha is
made in "Omaha by Night," a novelty
publication, which is just off the press.
Mr. T. Newcomb of New brk has
compiled the collection, which con
sists of views of the principal build
"ngs aijd stree.s taken at night, show
ing the illuminations and presenting
in effect that is as pleasing as it
will be surprising to those who do
not fully realize the great beauty of
some scnes with which they are en
tirely familiar. Fifteen fine views are
contained in the volume, with a cover
page showing a panoramic view of
the city's waterfront, made from the
rast side of the river. The presswork,
clone' at the Omaha Printing com
pany's plant, is a splendid testimonial
to the skill of local workmen.
Two Chicago Elevators Burn
And Federal Inquiry Begun
Chicago, III, April 30. Today fire
destroyed two grain elevators of the
Hales &. Edwards company, contain
ing approximately 75,000 -bushels of
oats and wheat and causing a total
loss of i;o00,000. Federal officials are
'.nvrstjgaijng '
The Weather
For Nebraska Fair and warmer.
lmperaiurrn at Omaha- Yesterday.
Hour. Deit.
5 a. in .f 3ft
WARMER ?t :::::::::::: 5!
N B a. m 40
A JyT 1 I) u. it) 40
XfrOwLrifSr 10 a. m 39
rrrz 11 m 38
i-A-p m i 40
I vwir) 1 p-1,1 '-. 44
ij&i' ti i. in..,,, 4
' 7 p. in , 4 5
1,'uniparathe local Kcconl.
1917. 19)6. 1 9 1 . 1PM.
Htg':ci yesterday.,.. 46 50 Kfl il
lowest yesterday 38 42 5 43
Mean tcmperatura.... 43 4G til' 4
, Pruclpilatl'Jii , 05 .V2 . T ."
Tvinpogutiins tin it precipitation departures
from ' v. iwmsn ;
K. rii'iil Ump iti'.tifc u7
rvr.l-i.ey fr tbotlny..,., 15
TUi iF'-tB-t !- Maruh 1 3
voc'pijtlon ,. ,. .la Inch
r.'itc for iho t)ny...t us inch
Toul m fa) I ftlA't March 1.... 6.31 inches
Cilus hlnt.0 March 1 $1 inch
ftt-teiicy for cor. period, D!(i. S.J3 inches
Deficiency for cor. period, 1915. l.3 Inchea
Keiwrta Train Stations) at 1 P, M.
Station nd but Temp. High- Rain
iZ Weather. 7 p. i.i. ''at. fall.
lsr 42 4i .04
1itun;i:, rain... y-t 44 1.M
Jtt::vv, M.miiV... V. 42 .3t
V,4tit Oiv. clear U 2 .22
.n.;r, .it,y 4 1 4S T
Nui'tti 1'ir u. clear i'z 52 .01
Jinnhn, CWSi', ... 45 4J .06
PUGliia, furl cloudy.... 5ti iiS .00
K(t(i;ii i'.Uj. i-ait r!uuly 4'J 41 .02
ritill lA ;!'.;. cloudy. 0 ;i T
Mult , carMr &tj oh .on
sit-i, : .... !..;, (u t
X.iu i-i-ri cloudy. 4U 4 1
Valnt.i. . icirt cloudy.. 4ft 48 .00
T" i:i.li(tOr trar of precipitation
L. A. WELSH, Melcorolonlst.
Allied Commission to Start West;
Invite Them to Pay Visit to Omaha
BALFOURJOFFRE
PARTY MAY VISIT
OMAHA. WIRESAYS
Telegram from Victor Rose-
water in Washington Ad
vises Mayor Commission
ers May Come Here.
INVITATION SENT BV WIRE
City Prepares to Entertain Dis
tinguished Diplomats Now
Visiting United States,
LEADERS ON COMMITTEES
The Britifh and French commis
sions to the United States, headed by
Hon. Arthur J. Balfour, British min
ister of foreign affairs; Rene Viviani,
French minister of justice and presi
dent of the council of ministers, and
Marshal losenh Tacaues Cesaire
,
Joffrc, former cominander-in-chicf of
the French armies, may visit Omaha.
' Mayor James C. Dahlman yester
day received a telegram from Victor
Rosewatcr, editor of The Bee, stating
that the party would start west im
mediately. He requested the mavor
to telegraph Secretary'of State Lans
ing, inviting the distinguished visitors
to become Omaha's guests.
Mayor Dahlman immediately wired
the invitation and then began to
make arrangements for the entertain
ment of the big party of war experts.
Distinguished Men Coming.
The foreign commissioners are in
this toOTitry for the purpose el -a
sisting in the mobilization of alt
American resources for war.
Marshal JoffrCj hero of the Marne,
will look after the details of armv
mobilization. Besides Joffre, Viviani
and Balfour, the party consist of
Vice,. Admiral F. L. A. Cocheprat,
dean of French admirals and an ex
pert on submarine problems; Marquis
Pierre de Charabrun, member of the
Chamber of Deputies and a student of
international affairs; M. Simon, in
spector of finance; M. Hovclacque. in
spector of general instruction, and
Surgeon Major Dreyfus.
The British Commission.
Members of the Balfour party, each
an expert in some special line, either
military, naval, shipping, food or other
affairs,, are:
Alan Anderson, Lieutenant General
T. Bridges, C. M. G., D. S. O.; Goffrey
Cj. Butler, .Major H. Spender Clay, M.
P.; Right Hon. Lord Cunliffe, Lieu
tenant Colutiel Dansey. Rear Admiral
Sir Dudley De Chair. K. C. B.. M. V.
O.; Hon. Sir Eric Drummond, K,. C.
M.. G. C. B.; Cecil Dormer, transpor
tation: Fleet Paymaster V. A. Law
fprd. D. S. C, R. N. ; W. T. Lay ton,
Stephan McKenna! I. Malcolm. M. P .:
A.-A. Patton, Lord Eustace Percv, M.
Peterson, O. T. Phillips, Major Rees,
V. C, M. C; F. P. Robinson.
The teleuram from Mr. Rosewater.
dated at Washington, said:
1 he war commission will make
western trip and might visit Omaha if
you wire immediate invitation to Sec
retary Lansing.;
The mayor's invitation, addressed
to Secretary Lansing, reads:
"Please permit me through vou to
extend an invitation to the distin
guished war commission to visit
Omaha on their western trip.
"We are the center of a great pro
ducing country and we will assure
them a royal welcome."
To Appoint Committees.
Mayor Dahlman immediately after
forwarding the telegram got into
communication with executives of the
Commercial club, the Women's club
and other civic bodies, as well as
prominent city and state officials.
From these he will appoint a com
mittee to arrange the details of the
entertainment of the party.
Attaches of the United States War
department here began the immediate
compilation of such military informa
tion as might be of use to the pros
pective visitors.
Land Bank Directors to
Hear Lecture on Soils
Members of the board of directors
of the Federal Land bank of Omaha
want to hear a technical lecture on
Nebraska soils and their crop-raising
possibilities. They have invited Dr.
George E. Condra of the University
of Nebraska to speak to them Wed
nesday evening of this week at the
Commercial club rooms at 8 o'clock.
Since Dr. Condra has accepted the
invitation, it has been decided to
make this a general meeting for Com
mercial club members.
Two More Americans
Listed on Casualty Roll
Otlaa. Oi.i April MK-F. D. De
war, t uron.i'l. licuch, Cal., and V.
Kay, Kansas City. Kan., arc listed as
wutiiulcd ill a casualty list of the
Canadian overseas feces made pub
lic here tonight.
POSED PICTURE OF BALFOUR, DEAN OF BRITISH
STATESMEN The Rt. Honorable Arthur James Balfour,
British foreign minister, dean of English statesmen and head
of the British war mission to the United States, posed on the
steps of the State, War and Navy building, Washington, while
nn a visit to Secretary of State Lansing.
t l i i " - aimiimi
Oldest Bartender
As Looks Back
Once Place of Revelry and
Mirth Becomes Vacant Store
Room of Memories.
LAST LOITERER LEAVES
I
By "SERK."
"Awake ye drunkards and weep; and.
howl all ye drinkers of wine, because
of the new wine; for it is cut off from
your mouth. Joel 1:13."
The Oldest Bartender slowly un
tied his apron and carefully wrapped
it up. Then he reached for his hat
and coat and as slowly and carefully
put them on.
the last drink had been sold.
The last drop of liquor and the last
beaker of brew had been disposed of.
The last loiterer had bidden the tav
ern farewell and had stumbled out
into the fresh air, to look, perhaps.
for the first time in years at the shin
ing sun and the workers-by-daylight.
Laborers already had taken down
the big mirror and were removing the
long mahogany bar. The comfortable
settees in the corner where more than
one hot discussion had been ended by
r. bungstarter already had been taken
away.
A drayman had loaded the bie
framed picture of "September Morn"
and other works of art, and the Old
Joint, once a place of revelry, and
mirth, and joy rehned and unconnned,
Railway Police
Heads in Omaha to
Plan Convention
T. T. Keliher of Chicaso. president
of the International Association of
Railway Special Agents and Police,
isin Omaha with other members of
i committee arranging details of a
program for the convention of the in
ternational to be held in Omaha June
to Zl W. L. Pannell ot Balti
more is secretary.
'There will be much attention giv
en to the spy question at the annual
convention this year," said President
Keluier. 1 he subject is particularly
live now, and the apprehension of
spies will be one of the principal du
ties of the railway special agents and
police for some tune to come. We co
operate with the federal authorities in
this work.".
Train in Switzerland
Struck by Avalanche
Davos. Switzerland. April JO. Via
Parih.) An avalanche has over
whelmed a train running from Land-
fjuard to Davos, many lives being
ost., n
I, " .: I .1 t ' " 1 i ' . ' 'J t
"n mi i iriiiiiiiiiiiinim' r "i'Tri u- 'mamm m
V9sV.
i
Swallows Hard
to. Good Old Days
I now was nothing but a vacant store
room a store room of memories.
, The Oldest Barkeep sighed and
walked ' slowly towards the door.
There he paused and looked back. His
eyes were misty;. On' the , wall once
adorned by pictures of the Champion
of - Champions'," Lillian Russell- in
flcshlings and the Pacing Marvel,
were' white, ghoitly clean "squares,
vJiiere the pictures had protected the
space from dust and wear. Those
things brought back memories.
Why, over there was . the place
where the picture of Jesse James used
to hang the picture, that Old Man
G,nk used to come in every morning
to see. 'Member how he'd stand at
attention before it and salute? He'd
always say the same thing to the pic
ture of the black-bearded bandit:
"Mornin, Cap. Hard times, these, ehl
Hard times!"
Then he'd walk to the bar, accept
the proffered free drink (for he was
a habitue) and when the Oldest Bar
keep obligingly turned his back, would
furtively "double-shot" the bottle.
Over there in that corner where
the dent is was where the Oldest
Barkeep had hurled with marvelous
accuracy his bung starter at the drunk
who insulted a Salvation Army lass.
The bungstarter, fulfilling its mission,
had bounced from that head and
nicked the wall. Afterwards the girl
r.arried this very same drunk but
that's another story.
The Old Bartender swallowed hard.
Gee I Those were the good old days!
Balfour Will Solve.
The Irish Problem,
Says Northcliffe
London, April 30. Lord Northcliffe
has issued a statement to the Asso
ciated Press respecting the Irish sit
uation which includes the following
phrase:
"The happiness of Ireland is en
tirely in the hands of Mr. Balfour
and the British mission in the United
States. The differences between the
two parties here have been so slight
that Mr. Balfour's influence can settle
the dilhculty.
Senate Votes Give
U. S. German Ships
Washington, April 30. The
senate unanimously passed a reso
lution tonight providing (or trans
fer to the American government
of title and possession of enemy
ships in American ports and theii
use in commerce under direction
of the shipping board.
Herbert Hoover, Food
Dictator of the Country,
On Way From England
New York, April 30. Herbert
C. Hoover, recently chosen chair
man of the American food board,
is on his way from England on an
American ship snd will arrive
here in a few days, it is an
nounced by the American com
mission for relief in Belgium.
After conferring with members
of the commission here, Mr.
Hoover will go to Washington
to assume his new position. So
far as is known, Mr. Hoover has
no intention of abandoning the
chairmanship of the Belgium
commission.
MUTTERINGS OF
MAY DAY STORM
GROW STRONGER
German Leaders and Press Dis
play Feverish Anxiety Over
What Today May Bring
Forth.
CONCESSION BY HUNGARY
Government Declaration in Fa
vor of Democratic Reforms
Feature of Gossip.
UNREST IN BOHEMIA, TOO
BULLETIN. 1
Copenhagen, April 30. No
Berlin newspapers have arrived
here for two days. Such stoppages
are often preliminary to import
ant military developments.
(Dr AHorlHtrd I'M.) '
On the eve of the general strike
planned for May day the German
press and leaders are displaying a
feverish apprehension as to what the
morrow will bring forth. '
Austria and Sweden are twtt other
storm centers where May day may
evoke popular uprisings of far-reach
ing effect. In the face of the brewing
storm word comes that the Hunga
rian government has declared itself
in favor important democratic re
forms.
On 1 the other hand, the Austrian
emperor is reported to have refused
the resignation of Premier Tisza,
"iron man" of the dual monarchy and
bulwark of pan-Germanism.'
Another curious and unexplained
item from Austria-Hungary says that
in Bohemia, long a hot-bed of disaf
fection, all German papers have been
suppressed.
The entire situation in Europe ap
pears to have reached one of tlio-c
confused stages where conflicting
news makes tho relative importance
of events uncertain and obscure. The
situation is intensified by the increas
ing rigors of the censorship in all
countries.
The military command in France is
under fire and there arc reports in the
Pans press that the appointment of
General Petain as chief of staff
heralds many other changes among
high officers.
"Lenine Should Share .
Fate of Rasputin"
Petrocrad. April 30. (Via Lon
don.) A message signed by "the
party combating German espionage"
has been sent to the Kussian gen
eral staff, saying that a delegation
from the Kronstadt garrison, com
prising supporters of Nikolai Lenine,
the radical socialist agitator, who re
cently came from Switzerland to Rus
sia by way of Germany, has arrived
in Petrograd. Manifestos now being
issued are ur.disyuisedly advocating
that Lenine share the fate of Ras
putin. Three Dollars Paid for
i. Wheat on Omaha Market
Three-dollar wheat is h're. It
came today when on the floor of the
Omaha Grain exchange a carload of
No. 2 spring, raised in western Iowa,
consigned Mo the Taylor-Swanick
Grain company, was sold to the
Holmquist Elsvator compai.y for
milling purposes. It was the highest
price ever paid for grain on the
Omaha market, and while spring
wheat is not the regular trading com
modity, the price is a top that had
been talked, but hardly expected.
State Council of Defense
Named for South Dakota
Pierre, S. D.. April 30. Governor
Norbcck has appointed a State Coun
cil of Defense? to have charge of all
activities of food conservation and
other matters in relation y war in
South Dakota. Charles Anderson of
Pierre, S. D., is chairman.
Recommend Law to Fine
Those Who Rob Gardens
file t'ty council connniltce of the
whole locniniiicndcd for pass.igc
Mayor Dahlmau's ordinance which
imposes a line if $5 to $100 for con
viction of trespassing upon garden
pints within the city limits.
" That is a good ordinance," was the
comment of Commissioner Hummel.
AMERICAN OIL TANK STEAMSHIP
VACUUM SUNK WHILE ON WAY HOME:
GUNNERS AND PART OF CREW MISSING
California Company's Veisel is Torpedoed by German Subma
rine Saturday in War Zone During Its Re
turn Voyage from British Port
of Birkenhead.
THREE GUNNERS AND SEVENTEEN OF CREW ARE SAFE
. :
Another Boat Containing Naval Lieutenant, Nine Gunners, Cap
tain S. S. Harris and Other Members of the
Crew is Reported Missing. K
CONVERTED LAKE BOAT
London, April 30. The American oil tank steamer
Vacuum has been. sunk. The captain and part of the
crew and the naval lieutenant and nine American naval
gunners are missing.
The Vacuum was sunk by a German submarine on
Saturday while it was on the way to the United States.
The chief mate and seventeen men, including three
of the American navy gunners, have been landed.
A boat containing the master of the ship and the re
mainder of the crew, together with the lieutenant and
nine naval gunners, is missing.
BILLS TO CONTROL
FOOD SUPPLIES
ARE INTRODUCED
Administration Measures Pro
. vide . for Standardization -of
Products and
" Packages.. '. 1
LICENSES FOR FACTORIES
Power Given to Board to Force
Sale of Unreasonably
Hoarded Stocks.
PRICE FIXING GOES OVER
Washington, April 30. The admin
istration food bills were introduced
in the house today by Chairman Lever
of the agriculture committee. They
do not confer price-fixing or control
of the jsc of grains for distilling li
quors. These subjects will be cov
ered in a bill to be introduced later.
The bills introduced today are de
signed to- stimulate pfofluction, pre
vent hoarding, make for equitable dis
tribution and suspend the law pro
hibiting the mixii.g of flour. They
contain provisions to prevent conflict
with the anti-trust and interstate com
merce laws.
Provides Food Survey.
The Lever bill, appropriates $25,-
000,000 for. i'.s enforcement and au
thorizes the appointment of two addi
tional assistant secretaries of agricul
ture to administer it.
The measure is designed to prevent
a shortage of food during war-time
by protecting the public against in
jurious spe'i lation. and would pro
vide for a survey of the food situa
tion of the country.
. It also provides for the establish
ment of standards of grades for agri
cultural products and fertilizers and
for their receptacles anil requires
proper labeling of such receptacles to
prevent frapd and abuse.
It authorizes tne license ana con
trol, Alien necessary, of any business
tt'onllnueil on Inir Two, Column On.)
German Army in France Short oi
Shells and Guns to Shoot Them
Teuton Documents Captured by
Allies Indicate Scarcity
of Munitions.
ECONOMIZING IS ORDERED
London, April 30. "Various Ger
man documents that have been cap
tured in the French war arena ur
gently emphasize the necessity of
economizing in the expenditure of
shells of all types, as the dearth of
materia! is seriously minimizing the
output of supplies. It is also urged
that the artillery officers be trained
to employ guns, the inner tubes of
which are worn out, upon targets
which do not necessitate very accu
rate shooting, as the output of new
guns is limited."
Heavy fighting Continues along the
front between Anas and Lens, with
very little change ill the situation
reported, Rcutcr's correspondent at
British headquarters telegraphs today.
The Germans are continuing to
bring up fresh troops and to deliver
CARRIES OIL IN BULK
) New York, April 30. The Amer
ican steamship Vacuum, commanded
by Captain S. S. Harris of this city,
left New York on March 30 for Bir
kenhead, England, and carried i crew
of thirty-four men, of whom .fifteen
were American citizens, including
nine native born.
The Vacuum, formerly the steam
ship Bayamon, was owned by the
Vacuum Oil company of California.
It was built in 19U at Ecorse, Mich.,
and was brought to the Atlantic bv
wayof 4he Great Lakes and the St,
Lawrence river-and converted into a
tank (hip. Since the war begau it lias
made frequent trips to Europe. It
was a ves el of 2,551 tons gross, car
ried oil in bulk and was 24 feet long
and with a forty-three-foot beam.
The Vacuum Oil company today re
ceived this message from its agents
abroad:
"Vacuum torpedoed, 28th, 140 miles
west of Barra. No. 1 lifeboat with
captain and others missing."
Traffic Bureau -
Condemns Raise
In Freight Bates
The traffic bureau of the Commer
cial club condemns the IS per cent in
crease in freight rates proposed by
the railroads.
The governing committee of that
body has been canvassed by letter,
with the result that almost universally
the members felt the increase was too
largei Most of them, however, fa
vored granting the railroads some in
crease, but felt the amount should be
icft entirely with the Interstate Com
merce commission.
It was held by the local shippers
that a flat 13 per cent increase would
not be fair to the various competing
cities, in that it would widen or di
minish 'the spread of discrimination
between them in competition for busi
ness in given territories.
Thus it was pointed out that the
rate on first class freight from
resulted from downing. He had been
while the rate from Chicago to New
York is but 78 cents, am. that a flat
IS per cent increase would lift Oma
ha's rate to New York to $1.69, and
leave Chirigo's rate to J"iw York at
89 ' It is shown in thesr. figures that
while Chicago now has an advantage
of 69 cents on Omaha for business to
New York, it would, under the pro
posed increase, have an advantage of
80 cents.
counter attacks, more particularly in
the neighborhood of Oppy, aud from
their trench system down -to Gav
rclle. The British hold the windmill
northeast of the latter village and
have improved their posts along the
southwestern slope of Greenland hill.
Continuous fighting is in progress
arcund the Roeux Chemical works.
"J n a general way," continues the
correspondent, "the situation this
morning along the front of the at
tack, which began at daybreak on
Saturday, is that we hold the Ger
man f'ont line from the point where
the Bailleul-Biache .loop line crosses
the trenches northwest of Gavrelle to
the fork in the Oppy line between
that place and Arlcux. Beyond this
fork we hold the German support
line for a length of about 1,200 yards.
Thence our front continues just east
of Arleux.
"The weather was too l)uzy this
morning for good air work and the
artillery observation was correspond
ingly poor, but the gunners on both
sides nave plenty of registered tar
gets and the old familiar thunder
waxes and wanes." ,