Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922 | View Entire Issue (March 17, 1917)
Wilson Appeals sto mmn m W h " u n . i i . i.n a.,.-.-. ,. , M , . jflF Jl.--, . oads and Trainmen Use the telephone for BEE WANT-ADS Telephone Tyler 1000 Easiest way. fjAHA Daily Bee VOL. XLV NO. 233. OMAHA, SATURDAY MORNING; MARCH 17. 1917 SIXTEEN PAGES. On Iralm, tt HiUU, Nm Sttndt, Ete,, le. SINGLE COPY TWO CENTS. The Z the weather ; ; Fair RAILROADS SEE MUTINY AMONG BROTHERHOODS Wilson Moves to Avert Strike by Calling: on Men and Com panies to Co-operate With Arbitrators. MEDIATORS ON THE WAY Railroads Declare Embargoes Oi freight and Employes Arrange Details. ROADS ASK MEN TO STICK ' BULLETIN. New York, March 16. The following- telegram was sent to President Wilson tonight by the railroad man agers' committee: "In harmony with the spirit of your message, the national conference com mittee of railroads will co-operate with the committee of the national council of defense in an earnest ef fort to avert the national calamity which would result from an interrup tion of railroad traffic." New York,' March 16. Reports re ceived from various parts of the coun try by the railway managers indicated, they declared, organized withdrawal by some of the roads' employes from the brotherhoods' agreement to strike. Reports declared to have been re v ceived from, roads in the east and south were that the engineers and conductors did jiot consider the grand chiefs had authority to call out the men without first submitting the strike question to a new vote. Chicago, March 16. The division chairmen of ' the four brotherhoods ratified the strike order at their meet-; ing here today and adjourned, ' Washington, March' 16. President Wilson late today sent a personal ap peal to the representatives of the two sides in the railroad controversy, urg ing that they tio everything possible to co-operate with the mediation committee. The mediators speaking fof Presi dent Wilson will ask the brother hood) and the railroads to postpone he strike if they cannot avert one, on the ground of national emergency. The president's appeal follows: , "I deem if my duty. and right to ap peal to you in this time of national peril to open again 'the question's at issue between the railroads and their operatives iwth a view to occommo latibn or settlement. ".With my approval a committee of the council of national defense is about to seek a conference with you , with that end in view- "A general interruption of the rail- . way traffic of the country at this time would entail a danger to the nation against which I have the right to enter my most solemn and earnest n,nl,o . "It is now the duty of 'every pa triotic man to bring matters of this sort to immediate accommodation. ' The safety of the country against manifest perils affecting its own peace arftl the peace of the whole world makes a convention absolutely imperative! and seems to me to ren der any other choice or action in conceivable." -Will Remain. I New York, March 16. Upon beingJ lntormea tnat mediators composed of cabinet officers and members of the council of national defense were com ing here from Washington, W. G. Lee of the Brotherhood of Trainmen announced that he had received a message requesting the brotherhood t-hiefs to remain in the city until their arrival. He said he did not know what proposition the mediators were bringing. . "Of course," said Mr Lee, "we will remain here to hear them. Until death comes I am always hopeful. I do not know what proposition they (Continued on Page Two, Column One.) The Weather For Nebraska Fair; tralfa dlminiahlnf , Trmperaturmi at Omaha Ywtrda7. Hour. , ri. In. 36 is 31 68 ..... S8 12 32 I a. a. m T li. m m . . m. 12 m 32 1 ! m 24 3 p. m 35 3 P- m 34 4 p. m 33 6 P. m 32 6 p. m 20 1 P m 28 P. m :i Comparative, floral Record. ' . . 1 "" 1H5. 114. !Uht yesterday.... 41 61 40 67 I,')pal yeaterday 28 - 22 28 40 .Moan temperature.... 34 40 34 48 rrec-lpilatlon 41 .00 T .01 Temperature and precipitation departures from the normal: Normal lenfperature 4 g leriiMency for the day , 2 Total deficiency fines March 1 N'ormal precipitation..,.. 04 Inch Kxreaa for the day....: , .46 Inch .Total rainfall alnce March t.... 1.29 Inches Kiceaa alno Ma!h 1 67 Inch Deficiency for cor. period. 1316, .64 Inch Uxcesa for cor. period, 1916 .36 tncp Reports From Station fci 7 P. At. Station and 8tau - Temp. Htch- Bain, fall. .16 .14 .76 .40 .01 .00 .00 .46 . .20 .18 .06 .00 .06 oi w earner. 7 p. in. Knnaas City, etoudy. ... 36 1'avcnport, cloudy 40 llnnoapfllla, snow .24 Pea Molnea, fcloudy....? .16 ''hlraso, cloudy 40 Floeton. clear 40 New York clear........ 42 Omaha, cloudy 28 St IJpula, clear 66 Raplft City, clear...... 16 . Buffalo, cloudy 38 New Orleans, pt. cloudy 74 llherldan. cloudy 32 est. 62 60 3H ' 42 40 46 I 4t '41 64 Hl.tux ruy, cloudy..... 24 Valentine, iiqw. ... .IK. 1.18 .00 -.13 ... T tmltcatra trace of prectnttalion. L. A. WELSH, Metsorolomt. POWER BEHIND PLAN TO BRINGON STRIKE President Calvin of Union Pa cific Says Sinister Hand May Be Helping. TELLS WHAT TIEUP MEANS President E. E.'Calvin of the Union Pacific before going west yesterday gave out' the following statement on the railroad strike situation: "In connection with the threat of a general railroad strike at this time, the question arises, 'Is some power shrewder and more astute than the brotherhood leaders b,ack of the plan to precipitate a transportation tie-tip at this time and establish in this country a condition which, to the minds of our enemies in Europe, may seem like a revolt against our gov ernment?' "I am in hearty sympathy with Elisha Lee, chairman of the national conference committee of the railways, when he calls attention to the fact that the serious international situa tion should cause every citizen to put every thought of personal right or de sire second to his duty to his country. "In a letter addressed to President Wilson, some days ago, the brother hood leaders gave assurance that in case of war they would render every possible assistance to the government, Overlook One Fact. ' v "They have overlooked the fact that in many ways a railroad strike in this country would be worth more to our enemies than .the winning ot many battles, for the reason that it would paralyze and stagnate all our re sources, and even if the strike be called off should war be declared, the strike tie-up would have resulted in such a congestion of freight in the terminals and1 on the sidings that many weeks and probably months would be required to get this conges tion cleaned up before the railroads would be in normal running condition again. "This would mean that the move ment of troops would be seriously interfered with and the movement of commissary supplies and munitions so seriously interrupted as to give our enemies a tremendous advantage. "A day or two ago an officer of our navy said: 'A tie-up of the railroads for even two days would be a serious blow to the national welfare at this rritiral time. We must keen the fleet fully coaled and equipped with other supplies. 1 . . Might .Mean Much Pelay. "'Moreover, we are rushing con struction work in the navy 'and a two days' tie-up of transportation of the materials urgently needed might mean a two months' delay in the Emergency work we have undertaken.' The rank ana nie ot tne raiiroaa brotherhoods have waited ten weeks for the decision of the United States supreme court- as to the constitu tionality of. the .Adamson law, a de cision which may be handed down al most any day. "In accordance with our agreement at that time, the Union Pacific, in common with the other railroads of the country, has kept separate time records since January 1, scrupulously recording . the . increased pay that would be due its employes in case the Adamson law is upheld. "Further, the strike vote taken by -the men was for a specific time and purpose, and in the minds of many brotherhood members o make use of the strike vote taken last, summer to call a strike at this time would be illegal - More Than Ill-Advised. "When we are on the verge of a decision respecting the legality of the Adamson law and when we stand face to face with the probability of a war which will tax all tfur energy, it seems to me that in speaking of the plans of the brotherhood leaders to tie up the transportation industry of the country the people are justified in using a stronger term than "ill-advised." "To me it seems incredible that the rank and file of brotherhood members would respond to a strike call which must have the universal condemnation of the patriotic citizens of this country. "It is impossible to believe that the brotherhood leaders who have hereto fore shown real generalship will lead those who trust in them upon a fool's errand." German Minister . To Chinese Republic Handed Passports Peking, Wednesday, March 14. The German minister to China and his staff and also all the German consuls in the country were- handed their passports at noon today. A note ac companied the passports explained that the German reply to China's sub marine warfare, protest was unsatis factory. The passports, the . note added, were "for protection while leaving Chinese territory." " Detective Pipkin Arrests ' Shirley on Auto Charge York, Neb.. March 16.-(Special Telegram.) Ralph Shirley 'of Silver Creek, Neb., was bound over to the May term of district court by County Judge Hopkins today, charged with stealing an automobile from Bert Darling of near Bradshaw, in Febru ary. The automobile was found in Shirley's possession, but he says he bought it from a stranger. Shirley was released on $600 bond for his appearance at the May term of court. Immediately after Shirley's release Detective Pipkin of Omaha appeared upon the scene and arrested Shirley and started with him for Omaha, where lie is wanted on sus picion of being mixed up with oilier automobile thefts. VILLA DEFEATS DE FACTO ARMY; OBREGON REBELS Chihuahua Chieftain Bouts General Murguia's Command at Second Battle of Ro sario, in Durango. HE AMBUSHES THE ENEMY Reports Reach Juarez That Carranza's Right Hand Man Has Deserted. NEW REVOLUTION TALKED El Paso, Tex., March 16. Villa de cisively defeated General Francisco Murguia's command at the second battle of Rosario, Durango, Satur day, according to information re ceived here today by government agents. After leading the de facto tr?op.s into an ambush, Villa suc ceeded in capturing one of the three troop trains and killed and wounded five hundred of the Carranza troops, according to this report. A personal encounter between Villa and Murgula was reported to have occurred during the battle, but this was not generally believed by the government agents. Obregon Revolts. Rumors of a new political align ment in Mexico, with General Alvaro Obregon leading the opposition to General Carranza and the de facto government, have been in circulation here and in Juarez for the last twenty-four hours, having been brought here from the interior by Mexican and foreign refugees. The rumors were emphatically de nied by Carranza officials here today and it was claimed General Obregon is loyal to General Carranza and his retirement from the de facto cabinet was because of an atfection of the throat and not because of any po litical differences. . Garcia Makes Denial. Andres Garcia, inspector general of Mexican consulates, denied Obre gon had any part In any new revolu tionary movement against Carranza and said he had retired because of ilt health and his desire to return to private life. . Obregon's name hM . be.n . linked with Felix Diaz in the rumors of the new revolutionary movement, with Villa having a part in the movement in the north, but this was doubted here. The German question is said to have played a part in the supposed movement, as Carranza's. apparent friendship for the Germans has caused a number of his leaders to turn against him, it was said here to day. ' Pershing's Guide Shot. El Paso, Tex., March 16. Jose Maria Flores. a guide and interpreter for General Pershing in Mexico, was executed near the Babicora ranch in western Chihuahua recently by Julio Acosta. a Villa leader, because of his friendship for the Americans, an American from Babicora reported upon his arrival here today. A com panion of Flores also was executed. Pershing Puts ' Army Along Border Upon Field Basis San Antonio. Tex.. March 16. Or ders were issued today by Major Gen eral John J. Pershing placing troops of the regular army in the Southern department on a field armv basia The plan of organization provides for tnree provisional infantry divisions and one provisional cavalrv division. The new method of operating will be come effective March ZD. British Torpedo Boat Destroyer Is Sunk by Mine London, March 16. A British tor pedo boat destroyer of an old type struck a mine in the English chan nel yfsterday and. was sunk, says an official announcement made this aft ernoon. All the officers were saved. One man was killed and twenty-eight sailors are- missing. It is presumed these men were drowned. Lane Says He Has Not Come to New . York With a Club New York, March 16. Secretary Lane arrived in this city at 9JQ o'clock tonight, but came alone. It was believed that Secretary Wilson had missed the train and would come later. Mr. Lane declined to make any statement as to bis mission, except to say: "I have not come here with a club in my hand." Enemy Airmen Raid . The Southeastern . English Counties London, March 17. An air raid on the southeastern counties of England took place last night and still was in progress early this morning, accord ing to an official communication is sued at Z:M o'clock. Bombs were dropped in Kent." ' W RAILROAD HEADS ir?Ml - .PLAN FOR STRiKir I j ,v4 I. la. v I "J I afa& estenl nd Burlington (l ' j r' f I Hl 1 Officials Deolar Time Em- h ' I If " I karf n Shipments. ' I 'iif ' I ALL AWAIT SATURDAY IVE tf,s4 jj GRAND DUKE WICHOMS. Germany Threatens Death to Gunners , On Americsan Ships Berne, Switzerland, March IS. (Via Paris.) The crews of armed American merchantmen who venture to fire upon German submarines be fore a state of war exists between Germany and the United States must expect to meet the fate of Captain Fryatt, warns the Mucnchner Ne meste NachrichtenJ a copy of which has reached Berne, in commenting on the announcement of the State de partment that American merchant men will be armed. "We assume," the newspaper says, "that President Wilson realizes the fate to which he is - subjecting his artillerymen." House. Resurrects Bill To Buy Land fpr Kearney (From ft Staff Correipondent.) Lincoln, . March 16. (Special.) TJie house, after it had killed the ap propriation to buy small tract of land for the Kearney tubercular hos pital the other day, came back and fished it out of the discard and placed it on general file. The house was deluged with a large number of petitions from farmers' unions protesting against voting any money to meet the federal appropria tion for good roads. These petitions were all on the same kind of blanks indicating that the farmers' unions is taking an organized stand against any improvements of this kind. EnclosedPlatforms Bill Recommended for Passage tKrom a. Staff Corroapondcnt.) Lincoln. March 16. (Special Tele gram.) The Shannon bill, requiring street car companies to enclose plat forms of street cars, was sent to third reading in the house by a close vote. It gives companies one year properly to equip the cars. The Royal Actors in the Russian Drama Railroad officials are entirely at sea as to what the next forty-eight hours will bring about. Trainmen are awaiting a strike or der and officials are waiting 'to see to what extent the strike order will be obeyed by members of the four brotherhoods involved in the labor controversy. However, the prospect of i strike of trainmen throughout the United States is having a serious effect upon business, so far as shipments are concerned. No moves with reference to the conduct of the roads or the men come out from the local head quarters. The operating and. labor ends are both being' handled in Chi cago. - Embargoes to East. Freight embargoes dufini, the last twelve hours have become quite the thing with the Omaha-Chicago lines, though up to this time in no wise have they beevunplied to the lines to the west or soum. The Great Western local freight offices are in receipt of sweep ing instructions from the general of fices in Chicago. They inform agents that under no conditions are they to accept eastbound freight of any class ification unless it will, on regular schedule, reach destination by Satur day noon. The Milwaukee is accepting freight shipments, but on each and every ac ceptance, on the accompanying way bill, there are stamped in red the words, "Accepted subject to delav and damage ii. the event of a strike." The embargo laid bv the Burlington is about as drastic as that of the Great Western. It provides that no con signments will be received unless the regular schedule will put then at des tination by Saturday noon. Live stock from the local market, destined for east of the Mississippi river, will not be accepted. No Delay Damages. The Northwestern is receiving class freight and everything except live s.ock and perishable, stamping way bills, indicating that owners must waive all damages caused by delay or loss on account of strike. Live stock and perishable freight is accepted only on conditio., that destination , is reached by Saturday noon. The Rock Island officials are the only ones who are perfectly at ease. They are accepting all classifications of freight and for shipment at any time and to any place on company lines. This condition is brought about by the fact that officials go upon the theory that Uncle Sam will look after them and their business. The road is in the hands of a receiver, appointed by the United States court. Officials say that the road is under the juris diction of federal officers and that the government is bound to continue its operation, even if there should be a, strike. Interfering with shipments, or decaying them by strike, would be contempt of court, they argue. ORDERS SENT TO . ' ALL GUARD HEADS Government Sends Instructions to Adjutants General in Re grd to Mobilization. . PREPARATION FOR" CALL Washington March 16. In prepa ration, for any demand upon the army that may grow out of the German crisis, the militia bureau of the war department has sent precautionary instructions to all state adjutants general, outlining the plan to be fol lowed should the tational guard be called for federal service. The intention had been to take this step quietly and without publicity, but reports indicating that it was be ing construed as meaning that mobilization was imminent caused department officials to announce the instructions with the explanation that they constituted a routine measure of preparedness necessary to prevent such confusion as attended the as sembling of guardsmen for border service, if a call should come. Circular of Instruction!. In this connection it was pointed out that the government is foing to considerahh , expense to demobilize regiments returning from the border and which would be held in. the fed eral service if another demand for their services were expected imme diately. It was reiterated that the policy of the administration in the present status of the crisis was to make no move that could be con strued as a warlike step. This policy is understood to be the reason that mobilization of the navy has not been ordered.. Many navy officials have favored that step, but it has not been approved by the administration. The circular of instructions advises the adjutants general specifically of the national guard organizations in each state which would be summoned in case of a call. Mobilization under (Continued (tm Pag Eleven, Colttma One.) Law Threatens to Appeal to Nation On Irish Question London, March 16. In discussing the Irish situation in the House of Commons today Andrew Bonar Law, chancellor of the exchequer, declared the attitude of the nationalists might compel an appeal to country on the ground that the nationalists were un willing to permit the government to get on with the war. Mr. Bonar Law's review of the Irish situation was a long and careful one, giving the government point of view. "Nothing which has happened in the Hsuse of Commons since I have been a-member," he said, "seemed to me more deplorable than the lament able resalt of our recent discussion of the Irish question. This was de spite the fact that there exists among all parties a stronger desire than ever before to get some settlement of this vexed question." v Mr. Bonar Law later said definitely no orders had been issued in Dublin confining the people to their houses tomorrow. IDOL OF RUSSIAN ARMY LOOMS UP AS MAN OF HOUR Master Strategist is Expected to Take Command of the Army and Lead it to Victory. REVOLT SUCCEEDS QUICKLY! New Cabinet Selected Exclu. sively from' Present and Past Duma Members. FREE PRESS, FREE SPEECH BULLETIN. London, March 16. The abdication of Emperor Nicholas and the appoint ment of Grand Duks Michael at regent has not yet been carried into effect, though it hat been decided on by the executive power, Andrew Bonar Law, chancellor of the ex chequer, announced today in the House of Commons. i (By Aaaorlated Prcw.) Grand Duke Nicholas, idol of the Russian army and ranked at Russia's master strategist, looms up as the big military figure of the hour in the em pire which has just witnessed a suc cessful and almost bloodless rcvolu- . tion and the abdication, of its em peror, i ' The relinquishment of the throne, by Jiicholas II automatically de prived him of his rank as commander-in-chief of the Russian army. 'The heir to the throne is an infant and is not of commanding military experi ence. Thus the nation, the Fetrograd dis patches indicate, is turning to its most tried and "trusted military leader. Grand Duke Nicholas is reported to have arrived at the Capital and the probability is pointed to that he will take command of the troops. Of the complete success of the rev olutionary movement, in which the lead was taken by the Duma, there seemi no doubt. While there have been few advices received as to the attitude of the army at the front, such news as has been received indicates that .the military, with thn annplim of reactionaries among the officers, together with all the popular forcei of the empire, it backing the new government. . ' ; -The civil orces of the nation are .co-operating ' with the ' government most heartily in restoring normality in the life of the empire. The Duma, which is the chief fac tor in shaping the course of the new regime, and the Zemstvo "council are reported co-operating successfully in straightening out the various tangles which have resulted from the momen tous change in government control. The food problem is being attacked and the people themselves seem to be exercising their own authority to re press any elements of the population that might be inclined to indulge in excesses. ' A measure of general political am nesty is reported in course of prepar ation by the new Russian minister of justice. Grand Duke Nicholas is said to have indorsed this move as one necessary to save the empire and bring the war to a sucessful conclu sion. . '. Full Political Freedom, , Petrograd, Thursday, March 15- (Via London, March 16) The old re gime of conservatives has been sup planted by liberals. M. Kerenski, the new minister of justice, is a socialist. He accepted the portfolio on the- stip ulation that there should be absolute freedom of speech and of the press and full political amnesty. The cabi net has been chosen exclusively from present and past . members of the Duma. It was named by the execu tive committee of the Duma in con junction with other deputies and rep resentatives of the working men and the soldiers, which held an all-night session. Prof. Paul Milukoff, the new for eign minister, informed the .Asso ciated Press that the new regime was determined on the elimination of Em- peror Nicholas and the regency of Grand Duke Michael. "We shall not change these de mands," he said. "We shall have this or fall. We can accept nothing less." The new cabinet contains men who led in the struggle against the old government and enjoyed full confi dence of the country. Prof. Milukoff and M. Shingaroff, the new minister' of agriculture, have become especially prominent as champions of the right (Onttntwd on Fag Two Golanm Two.) . ii iiiii lO Proof of Results In the 14 days . of ' ( March as compared " with last year : ; The Bee Gained. ... ... .315 The World-Herald Lost 121 Room tp Rent Ads. The people who tent , rooms are convinced they can secure Best Results at the Lowest ' Rate, lc per word. 1 Call Tyler 1000 Ask for Mr. Addison. k f &miMrmrfU9 1 nam irrtti jnjaKiawi m