The Omaha Daily Bee
VOL. XLVII NO. 223
OMAHA, TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH 5, 1918 TWELVE PAGES.
O Tralot, at Hotili.
ftiwt Standi. Elo.. t
SINGLE COPY TWO CENTS.
THE WEATHER
Unsettled ?
eh mm
t- : c . - . -
i
governor insists new
draft plan unfair to
pmrioticunties
Neville Asserts Proposed Change In Selective Method,
Basing Quotas on Class One, Will Force Communi
ties That Sent Volunteers to Do More Than
Share for the Army.
Washington Bureau t
Of the Omsh B,
1311 O Stret. .
Washington, March 4. -(Special Telegram.) Governor
Neville of Nebraska is considerably exercised over the rumor
that the provost marshal general is seriously considering mak
ing the number of men in class one the basis for the apportion
ment of quotas to the states and counties in the next draft.
In a letter to members of the Ne-O
braska delegation, Governor Neville
says the rule, if adopted, "would be
most unfair and unsatisfactory." In
support of his contention he says:
"For instance, in Nebraska, in spite
of our best, efforts to secure uni
formity of classification, in some
counties a class of men are placed
in one class and in another county in
a different class. To base the ap
portionment of quotas upon the num
ber of men in class one would penal
ize the patriotic communities in which
men waived deferred classification
and. exemption, and it would lessen
the burden upon the communities
where the men claimed deferred clas
sification and exemption.
. '. WOULD BE UNFAIR.
'There are two bases of appor
tionment or allocation which would,
in my judgment, be fair to all," con
tinues the governor. "One would be
to base it upon the number of regis
trants in a county, less''the number
of alien registrants; another would
be to base it upon the poullation in
the community, less the alien popula
tion. , "We can hardly believe that any
one who has an intimate knowledge
of the workings of the selective draft
service law would advocate basing
the quota upon the number of men
placed in class one.' -
When the question raised in Gov
ernor Neville's -letter was presented
to official of the " provost ' marshal
generaroffice," ' they readily agreed
that the governor's suggestions would
be right were it not for the fact that
class one selective are to be taken
into service irrespective of th pdulij
tion of-the community. -
This scheme is in line with the an
nounced policy of Provost' Marshal
General Crowder respecting all four
classes, and as sanctioned in a sen
ate joint resolution recently passed
by that body. ,
The house military affairs com
mittee has a similar resolution pend
ing. Provost Marshal General Crow
der being before the committee today
on the same subject. '.
' See Authority Vanish.
Members of the Nebraska state
railway commission are considerably
exercised oer certain provisions
in
the federal control of railroads .oil'
now in conference. They see in one
of the sections of the bill a gradual
.diminution of their authority and
have sent forth a Macedonean cry for
relief in conquence.
In a telegram to members of the
congressional delegation the Ne
braska state commissioners say "we
understand the railroad bill eliminate
the state's authority over interstate
commerce J to . the ' regulation of
rates, expenditures of revenue, addi
tions and improvements of properties
' and issues cf stocks and bonds. If
this is true, and the bill passes as out
lined, the states will be powerless to
protect the interests of interstate
shippers. This proposed " grant of
power is too broad. Exclusive fed
eral control within the states should
be confined to the movement of
troops, war materials and government
supplies.
Section 11 of the house bill rests in
(Continued on Page Two, Column Fonr.)
The Weather
For Nebraska Unsettled; snow,
cold wave north and west portions;
conditions dangerous to live stock.
Temperature at Oman Yesterday.
-Mw IT Hours. De.
,S 7 a. m i
H 8 a. ra 42
, a. m ...43
T10 a. m 46
ii . M .it
)i nm
L 1 P. m 54
ix t :r::::::::
U 6 p. m 67
V 2yCf- , P- m .
7 p. m ,oi
S p. m S3
, Comparative Local Krrord. .
- 1918. 117. 131. 1I1S.
Highest yesterday. . . . 68 15 47 28
lowest yesterday .... 40 2 21 22
Mean temperature... 41 - ' I S4- 2
Precipitation T. T. .90 .71
Temperature and preclnttatlon departures
from the normal:
Normal temperature ........30
Excess for the day ...1
Total excess since March 1 .....,..(3
Normal precipitation - 0.14 inch
Deficiency for the day .......... 0 84 lnh
Total rainfall since March 1 -T. Inches
Deficiency since March 1 0.16 Inch
Deficiency for cor. period. 1117.. 0.14 Inch
Deficiency for cor. period, UK., 0.08 lech .
Beports from Stations at 7 F. M.
8tatlon and Stats Temp. High- .Rain
of Weather. .T o. m. , est fall.'
Cheyenne, cloudy. .."... .48 . 68 . .
Davenport, clear 46 48 .04
Denver, part cloudy-.... 58 s -.00
Dee Moines, clear. .54 - 68 .02
Chicago, cloudy. 60 62 .03
-tur.der. cloudy 48 54 .00
North Plate, cloudy 60 76 .00
Omaha. Dart cloudy. .. .65 68 .00
Pueblo, cloudy ....68 68 .00
Rapid City, cloud 34 6 .01
Salt Lake City, cloudy. .50 62 .00
Banta Fe. cloudy 52 - 66 . .00
Sharidan. rain.. ..36 44 T.
. Rloux City. Dart cloudy. .64 63 .01
Valentine, cloudy 60 70 - .00
"T" indicates trace of precipitation.
U. A. WELSH, Meteorologist
am
"HOP TO IT," SAYS
MAYOR IN REPLY
TO RIVAL PARTY
"Political Pretenders After Po
litical Pie," is Dahlman's
Characterization of Pro
moters of Meeting.
"Hop to it, , mates," was Mayor
Dahlman's comment in connection
with the declaration that the "bolshe
vik! should be swept out of the city
hall."
He referred to the promoters of the
meeting as a "bunch of political pre
i i ... . i:: i :
iciiucis wiiu aic aiii (ungual ju.
The mayor issued tltt
statement of his estimate
following
A the situa-
tion: , ';. ' ;
"Yes, I rea,d an account of the meet
ing and banquet of the Jacksonian
club at the ' Paxton hotel Saturday
night and th outcome was just-what
I had exoecfed it would be. It was a
little, bunch, .of the old lacksonian !
the times, tretttnir lio; a hmauet and
making a hoorah play as 'tHey nsefld"
uu ' it, cs auu uiii vnc
speeches were f along "the same old
lines 'please let us com up to the
crib'; we are gettinghungfy; we have
beeniway from jt long epfcughl "
."They had nothing new to offer
there is nothing new to offer; because
no city in the nation is rated higher
than the city of Omaha from every
standpoint, and nobody is heard bawl
ing except the fellow who wants to
break in. ','
. Defends Patriotism.
"I was glad to read about the great
patriotism they displayed. That is
commendable? because we are all in
terested in the welfare erf our nation
and expect to make all the sacrifices
necessary to win this great war. One
of the speakers said they intended to
clean out - the bolsheviki in the city
hall. This is an insult to the loyal
men and women who make up the city
administration. We have a service
flag hanging in the city hall with 61
stars on it, and not a call has been
made but what everyone in the city
(Continued on, Pars Two, Column One.)'
AMERICANS IN ROLE OF CAVE
' Sammies in Germans' abandoned dug-outs
enjoy many comforts of modern homes.
MEN BEHIND FRONT TRENCHES
(By Associated Press)
- With the American Army
Some of the American troops in the Chemin des Dames sector
are having an experience of cave life behind the front trenches,
their billets being deep underground quarries and natural re
cesses beneath the surface.
OLD GERMAN QUARTERS. O,
The correspondent, on a visit to this
sector,' found them thus quartered,
occupying positions held by the Ger
mans less than a year ago. Most of
the Americans, however, are living in
the trenches and accompanying dug
outs. The front line trenches here
have been cleaned, strengthened and
improved and are well protected with
barbed wire entanglements.
The underground billets, some of
them old limestone quarries and oth
ers partly natural in formation and
improved through blasting operations
by the Germans who occupied them
for nearly three years, are variously
named. One of them is called (the
"Pantheon." It accommodates ' a
thousand men. The correspondent
found French and American soldiers
living there in perfect harmony.
Air Through Pumps.
The living quarters" of 'the Ameri
cans in this cave are 72 feet under
ground. - The . cave consists of Jong
galleries with cement ceilings. Fresh
air ' is supplied by large air pumps.
The cave is in part electrically lighted.
Elsewhere acetylene . lamps and oil
lanterns are employed. The men
usually" remain . in this cavern' from
four to six days each, a company be
ing assigned a certain portion of the
excavation. Then men are not per
mitted to roam about attyvill for fear
of their being lost, or to go outside
except on duty, lest they be detected
by enemy airmen.
The troops here sleep on low, dcu-ble-tiered
wooden bunks, covered with
straw. The company officers are pro
vided with small rooms with' wooden
partitions. A sms.ll railway for car-
(Coatinned raje Tws, Celima Twe.)
IER
TO UNLOAD EGGS
UPSETS MARKET
Witness in Packers Hearing
testifies Confidence of Trade
Badly. Shaken; His Firm
Lost Money in Complying.
(By Associated Press.)
Chicago, March 4. The effect of
orders of the food administration rel
ative to the disposal of cold storage
poultry and eggs entered into today's
hearing of the federal trade- commis
sion's investigation of the packing
house industry.
H. S. Jone?, a Chicago poultry, egg
and produce dealer, testified in re
sponse to questions by Francis J.
Heney, counsel for the commission,
that "there seems to be a lack of con
fidence among the trade" in the food
administration rules. The witness
told of the experience of his company
in connection with the food adminis
tration's ruli that cold storage poul
try of 1917 si ould be disposed of De
cember 1, January 1 and March 1.
Firm Lost Money.
The witness declared that a stock
of small poultry, classed by the trade
as lights, was sold by his firm in
obedience to the administration rules
at a loss and that the firm had not
re-stocked iis storage house. "We
would not try it again after that ex
perience," he said.
"My judgment is," said the witness,
"that the trade will take any rule
without queU'on. But that since thi
investigation began the full confidence
of the trade has been disturbed. If
the trade slioiild lack confidence in
the honesty of the present investiga
tion by you, Mr, Heney, the lord only
knows what would happen. We might
have another bolshevik movement. If
the honesty of the present investiga
tion is proved the trade will go ny
limit to co-operate."
Passing attention was given by Mr.
Heney to newspaper comment on the
reading of correspondence tending to
show that a package of toilet prepaia
tions had been sent by Armour &
Co., to Major; General .4VSliiinr
mer af the: "Camp Dodge earrtohmen(
where Armour &. Co. , have ' been
permitted to ' erect a -temporary
depot at the camp. - The correspond
ence between Armour officials made
reference to -the position of the war
department that exclusive concessions
to private enterprises were not want
ed at the cantonments. After the
reading of the correspondence, Mr.
Heney said:
Plummer Not Blamed.
'This subject is not introduced
for the purpose of reflecting on Gen
eral Plummer, but to showthe metl
ods adopted by Armour & Co., in con
nection with securing government
business. ' "
Heney introduced letters dealing
with plans for the compilation of sta
tistics touching the packing house
trade to be assembled in book form,
and which were intended to furnish
ready means to packing house em
ployes for confuting misstatements
concerning the business. The letters
discussed persons qualified to assist
in the compilation of the booklet.
in France, Sunday, March 3. -
POLITICAL
Topic Touching on City Offensive
SHRAPNEL
Ed P. Smith in his talk Saturday
night told this story on himself1 "Ten
years ago I made a speech in this ho
tel. On the following day several
friends called at my office to inform
me that my parents had made an
egregious mistake by burdening me
with the name of Smith; that my name
should be Dennis. I took it that they
j were not for me in that campaign."
Some of Smith s present-day friends
believe-he made a mistake by an
nouncing his candidacy for mayor, in
stead of for city commissioner, as they
contend that it is not in accord with
the letter or spirit of the city com
mission law to make the race for the
specific office of mayor. It is recalled
that this was one factor that brought
grief to certain candidates in the last
city contest V ' .,
The Falconer Commissioner club,
which is behind Thomas Falconer for
city commissioner, is - getting its or
ganjzation in fighting trim. Captains
are being elected for every precinct.
A systematic campaign is being
planned.
Recent filings:-John W. Cahill,
5101 Decatur street; J. Frank Burgess,
4023 Hamilton street; Robert Hough
ton, 1324 North Forty-first street;
James. Allan, 110 South Thirteenth
street.
George B. Dyball lets it be known
that he will enter the race.
HOOVER URL
The Near Side!
.
FRENCH PREMIER
PRAISES TROOPS
UNDER PERSHING
M; Clemwicean Visits Sammies
" After Friday's Victory Over
Germans; U. S. Soldiers
; Decorated for Bravery.
. (By Associated Press.) :
Paris, Sunday, March 3. Premier
Clemenceau visited the American
troops today and reviewed the sol
diers who repulsed the German attack
Friday., The premier left Paris Sat
urday evening and returned this eve
ning, when the following semi
official note was issued:
"The president of the council de
sires personally to congratulate the
American troops in the sector where
they have? just repelled brilliantly a
strong enemy attack. The battalion
which took part in this operation was
reviewed by the premier, in whose
presence the general commanding the
army decorated witn tne war cross
certain officers and privates whose
bravery had been particularly re
markable. "This check 1 to the enemy attack
was, moreover, far more severe than
first informatioii showed. The Ameri
can government had modestly an
nounced that some of the enemy had
been killed and some made prisoner.
As a matter of fact, the latest recon
naissances have shown that in addi
tion to these losses the Germans left
a large number of corpses between the
lines. -
Reflects Honor on Troops.
"It was a fine success, reflecting
great honor on the tenacity of the
American infantry and the accuracy
of the artillerv fire, which have thus
shown they are capable of attaining
the maximum effect from the French
material which they have adopted.
"After visiting the field hospital,
where he admired the morale of the
wounded, the premier went to the
front lines to examine the scene of
this operation. During his conversa
tions with American generals, officers
and privates, the premier noted in
everyone a feeling of absolute confi
dence, which, if possible, has been
heightened further by the brilliant re
sults of their first serious meeting
J with the enemy, over whom our allies
have thus clearly shown their su
periority. "The premier also saw on his way
some of our own troops at rest. He
conversed with the officers and men,
warmly congratulating and encourag
ing them. Our poilus had but one re
ply: "'They shall not pass 1'"
Premier Clemenceauon his return
to Paris was too occupied to give the
Associated Press an interview on his
visit, but a prominent governemnt of
ficial, who accompanied the premier,
said:
"I cannot, of course, say what
section the premier visited, nor give
any military detail, but your gallant
General Pershing came to meet him
and accompanied him on the entire
visit.
. "Your army made altogether an ex
cellent impression on the premier. He
found the men in perfect physical con
dition and their morale thoroughly
satisfactory, showing calmness, confi
dence' and implacable resolution.
Their evident desire is to rival in
courage their elders in the struggle.
"The premier equally was struck by
the fine bearing of your officers and
their skill in handling their men, and
also by the extreme cordiality of thei
relations with their French comrades."
LOVETT QUITS
AS II. P. HEAD TO
ASSIST MOO
Appointed Chief -of -ffe Divi
sion of Betterment antj Addi
tions to Government Ad- '
ministration at Capitol.'
(Bjr Associated Press.)
Washington, ' March 4. Robert S.
Lovett, former chairman of the board
of the Union Pacific and priorities di-
rector of the war industries board,
has been appointed by Director Gen
eral McAdoo chief of a new division
of betterments and additions of the
railroad administration, it was an
nounced today. ' ' '
He has resigned from the Union
Pacific and from the war industries
board and has given up all his other
corporate interests to take charge of
railroad shipment, under government
operation.
Position Very Important.
Judge Lovett will hold one of. the
most important positions in their ad
ministration. He will supervise the
big program of extensions con
templated for this . year, particularly
relating to terminal constructions and
will determine what ' improvements
are essential and what should: be
postponed until the close of the war.
Reports of railroads, now, being
tabulated by the Interstate Commerce
commission and railroad administra
tion officials, show the improvements
railroads had planned for this year
if private ownership had continued.
These reports also are being '. ex
amined by a committee of railway en
gineers, acting for Director General
McAdoo, with a view of trimming the
estimates in , the . light of . emergency
war needs.
Heads National Body.
Judae Lovett is expected to form a
national organization including rail-
(Continaad on rage Two, column inree.j
UNIQUE CASES DISCLOSED IN
Figures show one man in every eighteen
in Nebraska is unnaturalized German.
RETURNS OF ALIEN ENEMIES
"The startling fact shown in the
returns of registration blanks from
alien Germans," said Postmaster Fan
ning, "is that there are between 15.
000 and 18,000 unnaturalized German
men in the. state of Nebraska."
This far exceeds the estimates made
before the government . registration
was ordered.
Another fact is that fully half of
the alien Germans whose registration
blanks have been received at the
Omaha federal building are former
German soldiers. Some of them have
been high officers in the great Prus
sian military machine. Several for
mer soldiers in the 172d Prussian
grenadier guards are among the regis
trants, t
About 4,500 registration certificates
have been received by Postmasier
Fanning from postmasters thtouih
out the state. They are being ar
ranged alphabetically as fast as they
come in and a tabulated list will be
made and the originals filed.
The .figures show that about one
man in every 18 in Nebraska is an
unnaturalized German. At MilUcd.
Neb., a town of 373 men. women and
children, there, are 47 German l!en
men alone. A Pieice, Neb., a town
of 770 meu, women and children,
SLAVS BEND TO HARD
PEACE TERMS TO HALT
RAPID GERMAN MARCH
Russians Give Up Three Turkish States By Forced Agree
ment With Teutons; 63,000 Prisoners and Enor
mous Booty Fall Into Kaiser's Hands
As Result of Invasion.
BULLETIN. "
London, March 4. A Russian official announcement
rigned by Premier Lenine and Foreign Minister Trotzky ay
that the Bolsheviki delegation, after 'signing peace with Ger
many, is proceeding toward Petrograd, where the text of the
agreement will be immediately published.
Ratification of the treaty has been fixed for Thursday next
and it depends on the decision of the All-Russian congress of
councils of workmen's, peasants' and Cossacks' deputies which
wilt annstmfil at Maipaw MarrK 12. -
(By Associated Press.) . '
Russia's delegates at Brest-Litovsk have halted the German '
invasion of Great Russia by agreeing to the peace terms offered
February 21. Peace was made, they report to the Bolsheviki
government, because every day of delay meant added demands
by the Germans. .. -'.'
New provisions require the Russians not only to retire from
Turkey's Asiatic provinces, but also from territory in the re
gions of KarsJ Batoum and Karabagh, taken from the Turks
during inn wsiii
-O
RUSSIANS WRECK
RAILWAY; DETAIN
U.S. AMBASSADOR
Members of Allied Staff Held
as Hostages; Diplomats
Finally, Make Getaway " ;
: After Hindrances; r '
i . (By AsMMlftted Ttm.
'Washington MarchThe TH&i
sians have begun destroying bridges
on the trans-Siberian railroad between
Lake Baikal and the Chinese fron
tier. , . . . -. ;
John F. Stevens, chairman of the
American railway mission, reported
this today to the State department.
This may prevent Ambassador Fran
cis from reaching Vladivostok. ,
While without details, officials here
believe the Russians are destroying
the bridges to prevent an expected ad
vance of Japanese troops. A large
number of other structures have been
mined, Mr, Stevens also reported so
they could be readily destroyed.
Learned from Japs,
Mr. Stevens, who sent his dispatches
from Yokohama and therefore un
doubtedly from Japanese intelligence
sources, said it was reported tne
(Continued on Para Two, Column Five.)
Poker Profits Hard
Hit by New War Tax
Washington, March 4. Poker
profiteers were hit today by the in-
: ternal revenue bureau's informal
ruling that earnings from the game
were subject to the income tax.
but losses could not be deducted
from income in - figuring the tax. '
Thus there is a tax lor the winner
and no relief for the loser. The rul
ing was given in answer to the fol
lowing letter of inquiry: 4
"Kindly tell me whether poker
losses are deductible from net in
come in figuring income taxes. I
have lost large sums in the last year
and the question with me is vital.
For the information of a friend who
has had good poker profits please
tell me whether these are to be in
cluded in income." .
there are 54 unnaturalized Germans.
A large number of the rigistrants
have relatives fixhting against the
United States. One registrant had to
have an extra sheet of paper to write
in the names of his nine relatives
who are all in the kaiser's army.
On the other hand, there are many
German aliens who have sons and
brothers and nephews fighting in
Uncle Sam's army and. navy.
Georsre Stoltz. Belden. Neb.', is an
unique case. He is 19 years old and
a member of the Home Guards at
Belden. while, his father is a soldier
in the German armv.
The work of tabulating the thou
sands of returns is colossal and a
force of clerks is attacking the moun
tain of registration papers, sending
back those that are made out wrong
and tabulating those that are com
plete. With every mail several nun
dred more come in.
One alien enemy from Waco, Tex.,
came in and reported to Postmaster
Fanning Monday morning, it being
required that alien enemies when
traveling must report to the registra
tion officer in whatever place they
stop. The posmaster sent hiin to the
chief or police, who is thj reeis'ra
tion official in Omaha.
GERMAN BOOTY ENORMOUS,
Berlin also announces the signing
of peace terms and the cessation of
operations. When th. German for
ward movement halted the invaders
were at Narva, 100 miles west of Pet
rograd, and approaching Luga, 88
miles southwest ,
The greater part of the Ukraine
also has been cleared of the bol- .
sheviki. Much war material and more
than 63,000 prisoners have been cap
turned by the Germans in the Rus
sian campaign.
Germany aparently is determined
to give the bolshevik but a narrow
strip along the Gulf of Finland and at;,
the request of the Finnish govern- "
ment is to undertake the expulsion of
the Finnish revolutionists and bol
sheviki red guards from southern Fin-
jsna. .......,,- m-T' rw.i4
' With Esthonia under German con
trol and Finland freed from bolshevik
wayr the bolsheviki will have Jess
than 200 miles of, coast line along the
Finnish gulf. ' , 'V"''SvA"f,;-J-'
German troops already have landed
on the Aland islands, at the en nnce
to the Gulf of Bothnia, and will make
the island the base of their opera
tions in support of the Finnish gov
ernment. , ,, ' . ...
, Swedes Make Protest. :
Germany advised Sweden, the dis
patches .say, that it was necessary
temporarily to occupy Finland to re- -store
order, put gave assurances that
It had no intentions to take perma- 1
nent possession of the . territory
Sweden protested also against th
Aland islands peing placed in the wat
zone. ' ' i-'y - .
Germany has assured Sweden that
it has no territorial interest in the
Aland islands. .! . ( ' ;
On the western front the Germans
. . rt-. ;j!
are becomina active. ineir raining
operations have increased in scope
and are approaching the size of
planned attacks. The attacks on the
American sector, against the French
in Champagne and elsewhere, and
against the British lines were in
greater strength last week than has
been usual heretofore.' ,
1 Great German Blow Due. '
The enemy artillery fire also is in
creasing on all ttie fronts. Except in
Flanders the weather has been more
favorable to military operations and
the heralded German blow or blows
ntsy be made soon..
American officers and privates who
distinguished- themselves in the re
pulse of the German attack northwest
of Toul last week have been deco
rated by the French government, war
crosses being given the men in the
presence of Premier Clemenceau. .
While visiting the American sector
Sunday the French premier went into
the front line trenches, inspected the
hospitals, talked with officers and
men and returned to Paris satisfied
that the Americans were able to hold
their own against the common enemy.
Supplementary Treaties Signed,'
London, March 4.- Supplementary
treaties between the? central powers
and the bolshevik government were
signed at Brest-Litovsk in addition to
the main peace treaty, according to a
telegram from Brest-Litovsk by way
of Vienna and Amsterdam, which
gives no details of the treaties.
GERMANS HEADED .
T0WARDFMAND;
SWEDES PROTEST
Washington, March 4. Germany's
occupation of the Aland islands is
only a preliminary to the total occu
pation of Finland. Official dispatches
to the . Swedish legation today say
Germany has announced to the Stock
holm foreign office its intention - to
occupy Finland and that Sweden has
protested.- ".
The occupation, of the Aland islands,
the dispatches say, is to make them a
base for supplying the German occu
pation of Finland.- ' '
There are 500 Swedish '. troops on
the islands for police purposes. Theii
commander was notified by the Ger
man commander of his intentions, and
while so far there has been- no clash
reported! the Swedish troops have not
been withdrawn and the feeling is lie
scribed here as being teuse. ,
