The Houston Post. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 31, No. 263, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 23, 1916 Page: 1 of 14
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CHRISTMAS'
is ctoM at Hand again and much M to be
dona. O- It now.
111 TOUSTOM
FREE AUTO SCRIP i;
This Coupon Oootf tor On IS ploeV
f Mtrehonea Ovtrtsnd AutomoMlo
crip whh prttontod at tho rftoa of 3
THE MOU8TON J0T 'Zfxtg-
IT PY TO READ THf POai"-
apeak tt Prtat It
Wrn It Buffalo River.
VOL. 31 NO. 263.
HOUSTON TEXAS SATURDAY DECEMBER 23 1916.
PRICE 5 CENTS
POST.
000
IN NORTH DOBRUDJA
TEUTONS CONTINUE
TO PRESS FORW ARD
Under Heavy Attacks From Numeri-
I caDy Superior Forces Russians
Admit Giving Ground.
FORCE OF BULGARIANS DRIVEN
INTO LAKE AND MANY DROWNED
Several Were .Also Made Prisoner
El-Arish in Egypt Captured by
British Turks Had Strongly
Fortified Place.
The Associated Press thus summa
riies the war news:
Except in Northern Dobrudja where
the troops of the central powers con
tinue to drive the Russians and Ru
manians towards BesBarabia there
has beA little important activity on
the battle fronts of Europe.
The Russian troops In Dobrudja Petro
grad announces were forced to retire
northward under heavy attacks from
numerically superior forces. Berlin states
that the Teutonic army in Dobrudja
continues to advance successfully! and
announces the capture of 900 Russian sol
diers. East of Lake Badadagh a Russian
regiment Petrograd records drove
force of Bulgarians into Lake Ibolata. A
great many Bulgarians were drowned
and 115 were made prisoner.
The artillery bombardment continues a
various points on the Western front
Berlin reports Increased activity in the
Somme sector and on the east hank ;
the Meuso in the Verdun region l'1
scene -of the latest French advance.
In Galicia near the Zlochoft -Tarnopi
railroad there has been a rpirll il in
gagement.
Berlin reports the break ing of ' 10 ail
anccd Russian line northwest of Z.i
lostsc. while PetroKrad says the Austin
Germans were compelled to reti:-; aft"
occupying some trenches. Some tight
ing has taken place in the Trot us v.l
ley on the Moldavian frontier and ulony
the Bystritza river in the Carpathian'
i.l-Arlsh. 0 miiVs east or tti-"s Suo
canal in Egypt has been captured l
the British troops. The town had been
occupied for two years by the Turk-; win
1 ad built strong entrenchments around it.
The defenders lied from Kl Arish on ihe
ppBpach of the British army.
RELIEVING COAL FAMINE.
France Will Put German War Prisoners
Handling Joal.
(.-(.!. I.;. . '.. Keport.)
PARIS December Tic energetic
methods of the new men in the socrn-
ment are beginning to make themselves
felt already. M. llerrio' minister of na
t tonal subsistence and labor and M. Al-
bert Clavellle under secretarj for public
works have taken a series of measures
which promise to remedy the coal famine.
To increase the output of the Kronen
mines a number of miners are belnj re
tailed from the army r.nd in addition
fcOOO German prisoners will be used to
facilitate the importation of hard :oal
lrom England.
Kvery means which ingenuicy can sug-
gest is being pressed into service to dis
tribute coal. Among other methods ev
tensive use is being made of tne Paris
street car system whlcn was neer used
Deiore tor- ireignt purposes.
BRITISH TOOK EL ARISH.
Fortified Town In Egypt Hai
Wrested From Turks.
Been
Associated Press Report.)
LONDON December 22. Kl Arish. SO
miles east of the Suez canal was cap
tured yesterday by the British.
El Arish is a fortified town of Egypt
on the Mediterranean near the frontier
of Palestine. Jt is a town of less than
10000 population in territory which has
oeen neia oy tne JarKS since the time
or tneir invasion or Kgypt and unsuc
cessful auacK on me Suez canal
OIL WELLS DESTROYED.
Rumanians wrecked Refineries In Princi
pal i-ieio.
(Associated Press Report.)
LONDON December 22. An official
Matement Friday night sas:
A report nas Deen received from the
British military mission in Rumania of
me destruction under orders of the Ru-
manian government of the oil wells and
:ef1nerles in and near the principal oil
I lems.
EASTERN RAILROADS FAILED
TO OBEY COMMISSION ORDER
Lines Haled to Hearing for Not De-
livering Excess Cars.
Associated Press Report.)
WASHINGTON. December 22. An or-
der was issued by the interstate com-
merce commission Friday requiring the
railroads to show cause at a hearing De-
cember 8 why they should nqj return
at once to their ow ners without diversion
or misuse all foreign coal and refrigerator
tars immediately after unloading at their
destinations.
The commission's brder follows an an-
nouncement by the American Railway
Association's' Car Service commission that
eight of the larga railroads seven of them
in the East b4 failed to comply witli Its
Instructions UtjeUver a designated ex-
cess of box cars to Southern and Western
connections above- Ue number of such
uirs received. K
The car service commission has estab-
lished headquarters here and for weeks
l as been working In co-pperation with of-
ficials of the interstate commerce com-
mission to relieve the almost nationwide
ear shortage.
TWO SUDDEN DEATHS OCCURED
NEAR VICTORIA ON THURSDAY
Wendlin Urban Was Found Dead in
Bed Chas. Hamjin Dead.
(llouslon Post Special.)
VICTORIA. Texas. December 22.
Wendlin I?rbah aged 72 years was refund
1. ad in his bed at the Urban home noar
Victoria Thursday morning and three
hours laterAChark-H Ilnmiin dropped dead.
Their deaths were pronounce due to
heart trouble.
Mr Hamlin hud been in por health for
Some time and the shock of Mr. lirban s
(Iciili Ills brolher-ln-luw is supposed to
In vc hastened his end.
SUMMARY OF NEWS
THE WEATHER.
Associated Prist Report.)
WASHINGTON. Decenber 22. Eut Texu
Saturday fair warmer; 8onday partly cloudy.
West Texas Saturday and Sunday generally
fair. -
Louisiana Saturday fair warmer; Sunday
Dart It cloudr. warmer.
Arkansas Saturday and Sunday partly cloudy
Christmas Weather Uncertain
. Associated Press Report.)
WASHINGTON. Decemtier 22. Warmer
weather now over the Middle West will jnore
eaetward Sunday saji the weather bureau but
a storm appearing now in the North Paelne
and likely to awing acmai the country make
cnriatmaa weatner uncertain.
There probably will be no anow In tbe Kast
however and ttnuteraturea will be moderate
weatner men say.
Forecast for Houiton ' and Tlclnlty Saturday
Temperature extremes and precipitation
HouHton for 24 honra endlna FtidaT 7 n. m
Maximum 48. minimum 23: precipitation none.
Atmoupberlc pressure at Houston at 7 p.
Friday :W19. tea 1ptJ readinx.
Hunrlse Saturday 7:15 a. m.. aunaet 6:28 p. m
Comparative record at Houston for Decern
Der zi:
1916.
1015.
4.
Ml
00
72
1914
6 a. m 24
45
10 a. m
Noon
a p. m
R p. m
7 p. in
Relative humidity: 7 a.
31
41
47
47
. 44 70
. 40
m. 65 per cen
p. in. U4 per cent.
Day in Congress.
Senate.
Senator Gallinger blocked another ef
fort of Senator Hitchcock to get consld
eration of the resolution indorsing IYesl-
dent Wilson's peace note.
House.
Took up the diplomatic appropriation
bill.
Considered the emergency bill for add!
tional diversion of water for power at
Niagara Falls.
The war department asked $28400000
appropriation for army supply deficiencies
this and $11260000 for clothing and
csiino eauipage for 150.000 national
guardsmen at the border.
rassea diplomatic ana consular appro-
priation bill carrying J5 165.746.
The agricultural appropriation bill car-
rvine $25614685 was reported.
The llighes vocational educational bill
was considered.
AMUSEMENTS.
Rex theater "One Day."
Key theater "The Intrigue."
Zoe theater "The Wharf Rat."
Liberty theater "Ashes of Ember.'
Isis theater "he Stolen Triumph."
Majestic theater Vaudeville afternoon
and night.
Prince theater Vaudeville afternoon
and night.
Queen theater Douglas Fairbanks and
Chester Conklin.
Domestic.
on. tin
stock cxi-haiure ant! tn
of tbe recent !om.
wi-it iwnvpred.
PLANS have been completed for 'V lilc I'hrkt
in tree for tbe troops Willi l.euerul Per-
sliinff hi MpxIco.
TKN PERSONS two of I loin physicians were
indicted hi Uleaao In connection willt an at-
tested medical license fraud.
ltKSIDKNT WILSON 1ms nominated tlireo
democrats and two republican to be mem-
bers of tbe Rovernment ablppimt hoard.
CHARLES s. MILLER convicted of using tbe
malls to aerraiMI. rell dead at vtllmluRton.
Del. a few hours after being aeaieuced.
. r. BEDFORD on Friday was elected presi-
dent of the Standard Oil company of New Jer-
sey to succeed tb late Jobn D. Arcbbobl.
IT IS I NUEffSTOOD that Houston Is being fa-
wraoi cousioere-ti me leoerni ittnii hmu
bank board as tbe location for taie of t lie
banks.
STOCKHOLDERS of a defunct bank at New-
Ion. Alius. bave been sued under a new Ian
for $11.1.000. the difference lietween tile lia-
bilities and assets.
SOVEHNOK CAPPER of Kansas lias asked the
mine oterators and miners lo work ihroutrh
tlie holidav season so tbe sbortae of coal
will not bocMHiie more actitc.
Peace.
INK TRENCH uewspaiier lliinks Wilson'b
leace note will utiset t lie scheme of lier-
many aud mill fotx-e a showdown.
MANY of tbe English uewspapers print hostile
comments on itson s note out some or titem
take a bmader view aud laud the presidents
effort.
THE EFFECT of President Wilson's note on
tbe nations at war is lielng watched closely
and the matter was discussed t i-'rlday's
ineetluK of tbe cabinet.
Texas.
KOI AKlANS r i .Timw riiristri will .i.eu a Im.
StH I lMII llft Wffl. WlitTt' will tu- to
the poor at
MISS KU.A STONK. wb lmt 1uM idihp Ik. me
f rni scliol a t 1 eo tun. w s f ouihI dead iw&i
her liame in Coke couut.
FORTH WORTH and Dallas iMier.pno the
rniiifnt wathtr JhiUfHlay inoruin iiuce lwtt.
A wanner ware (a exec(e(I.
R K P R KS K XT A TI V K 8 of the cmplovern at Texna
couierrvn with tue Inous trial actMilotit board
at Austin Kridav about the workmeu's l-oiu-IrenKatioii
law.
TH K Texas antl Paeifl' i-ailnad did n t take
kindly to the onler r th1 railroad coniniH-
sion to mom lakliiK riial in run trains. Com-
plaint may te tiled Monday.
TWO HI' DO F.N DKATHS N'rurrd TUursilav
near It tori a at the name home within throe
hours ol each other. hn iiihd na foumU
ufiu nuu a unnin-r-w-jaw tueit iirlHSj lieuu.
Houston.
II K PKDKX Iron and Steel com pa ny gave U-
iui!eB io it employes 1 riday lu the form of
eheeks.
ASH and other present n given to employers of
the Werthara Baa; .ontpati.y aa a I'briattuis
present.
THK SALVATION ARMY Is planning eren a
larcer dinner ror the HNr man lhal siTen hi
former years.
HROrOll tlie pattsase of an ordinance hv the
elty eolinrli more than UK arrea were hWiUhI
to Ilennalin park.
THK ltOTAWANS oujnynl theV aunual ChrUt-
maa party at the Bender rrhlay ntjrht. The
ladle ami children were cited presents.
INK out of twelve defendants enterli.tr plen."
of cut My to felony charge in the criminal
court Friday were given miieuded sentences.
UK W KATH KR will continue to jjrow warmec
on 11 1 t nriMimas. aceoruing to prediction.
The mercury dropped to degreea Frldar
mornlug.
THE SCHOOL CHILDREN pflTe a liberal dona
tion lo tne poor Friday. Tbe offerings were
t timed over to t Ive KoundH t ion a nd to t be
phitmiiou riuy lor uiairiutllioil.
WILSON INDORSED CHURCH.
At Foundation of Steadfast Charac
ter Said President.
(Associated Press Report.)
MASSILLUN III.. December 22! Presi-
ent Wilson in an autograph letter in
dorsing a newspaper church advertising
campaign conducted by the Masslllon
hamoer of commerce said:
"1 need not tell you that your effort tn
quicken tho churchgolng habit among our
peopie meets wnu my warmest sym-
lathy. Jt has always seemed to me that
he habit of churchgolng somehow lav at
the foundation of steadfast character nd
maintenance of the standards of life."
JEWEL THIEVES NERVY.
Bobbed Window Before Crowd of
Shoppers in Washington.
(Associated Press Report )
WASHINGTON locemhcr 22 Two
men pushed their way through n throng of
C hristmas shoppers near the Capitol on
I riiiinjivuiiin airimn rrtuliy llll'eW l
brick Into the Plate elasa window r .
Jewelry store and made off with several
toiisanu miliars worm 01 jewelry
aiaiiaa
GARNER PROPOSES
HORIZONTAL TAX
ON ALL IMPORTS
Texas Member of Ways and Means
Committee Believes This Would
Raise Enough to Meet Deficit.
THREE HUNDRED MILLIONS
MORE MONEY MUST BE RAISED
Chairman Kitchin Bitterly Opposed
to Levying Tax on Tea and Cof
fee or Other Necessities and Ex
pects Democratic Support.
(Houston Post Special.)
WASHINGTON. December 22.
Chairman Kitchin of the ways and
means committee which will have to
meet the question of Taising sufficient
revenue to care for the treasury de
ficit of some three hundred million
dollars is bitterly opposed to the pro
posal to tax tea and coffee and sim
ilar necessities in order to raise the
needed money. It is said that he will
have the support of the democratic
members of his committee in this
stand.
Where the money is to come from
yet a mooted question. Secretary
of the Treasury McAdoo is said to
be without a plan as yet save that he
is balking at the suggestion of a bond
issue.
Representative Garner Texas niomber
of tlie ways and means committee has
:i plan which lie will propose in Lie form
of a Joint resolution soon after congress
reconvenes following the holiday recess.
His idea is to levy a horizontal import
tax and In addition to dispose of tiic
5100000000 worth of Panama canal bonds
till on hand. According to his calcula
Lon a 10 per cent ad valosein tax on all
imports those now coming in free of duty
well as those now taxed would give
the government an additional revenue ot
UOO.OOU.OOO sufficient to meet the esti-
matd deficiency.
If we must collect this lare? sum'
l:e said "I tliink it ought to come through
the customs house as being the lea.st
norous lax we could levy it would no.
he undemocratic for It wooid be a tarift
tax solely to raise revenue and would he
levied equally upon all. A 10 per cet t
duty on articles now on tlie free list ard
l.'osslbly a slight lower tax on articles
now dutiable would afford the necessary
relief. This would not be a permanent
tax nor would it be a scientllic one but
it would meet the emergency until the
tariff board can report to congress i
scientific schedule of tariff duties framed
to meet possible contingencies growing
out of the war. The horizontal tax 1 am
going to suggest would supply the needs
or the treasury until a bill revising the
turlff could be passed and it is to be
hODed that the war in Kurona wnuM hi.
ever by that time and congress could
legislate wiui more certainty than is now
possible.
The Income and inheritance taxes
have been made about as high and far-
eacning as it is now practical to make
them and It will be my contention that
the funds needed by the government
should be secured through the customs
houses.
"It Is Impossible to reduce expenditures
n theJace of pressing demands fur adi-
quate preparation for delense and to
meet the constantly growing needs of tin-
country. The democratic idea ot tariff
duties levied solely to ruise revenue i
he only one that meets the situation.
"I have talked with members of con
gress and officials of the administration
and have not yet found any one with n
plan for raising the needed funds as nrc-
loal or placing a lighter burden titii n
the people as the one 1 shall propose.''
STOCKHOLDERS OF DEFUNCT
BANK ARE SUED ON HOLDINGS
Law in Mississippi Makes Them
Liable for Double Their Stock.
(Associated Press Repot!.)
JACKSON. Miss.. December 22. Tlie
Mississippi State board of bank examiners
Friday filed suit the Hinds county
chancery court against the stockholder
of the defunct hank of Newton. Miss. for
$65000 said to be the difference between
the assets and liabilities of the institution.
The suit was the first tiled In the State
under the double liability clause of the
recently enacted State hanking law. The
clause provides that the stockholders of
an institution in event of its failure are
liable to double the amount of the par
value of their stock. Tlie Hank of New-
ton went into the hands of tlie State hoard
of hank examiners last February for liqui-
dation. rORRECN WAS ATTACKED BY
VILLA MEN EARLY FRIDAY
Americans and Other Foreigners
Quit City Week Ago.
(Associated Press Report.)
VAm I'ASU. Texas. December 22 All
American and other foreigners have left
Torreon which Villa is reported to be
attacking according to tin American ar
riving here Friday night from that dis-
trict by way of. F.agle Pass.
The attack is said to have staffed at
daylight Friday and reports received in
Kl Paso at noon said the fighting was still
In progress.
The last of the foreigners who intended
to remain as long as they dared came out
about a week ago he said. On his way to
the border rlie American passed eight
troop trains which were said to be des-
tined for Torreon to reinforce the garri-
son there. This' garrison is under the
command of General Palamantrs and is
composed of 2000 Yiuiul Indians accord-
ing to the same authority.
There has been a considerable Increase
in rebel activities In North Central Mexico
the past few weeks the refugee said in-
cluding the capture of the large town of
San l'edro. cast of Torreon on the rail-
way line to. Monterev. A rebel leader
named Salinas was credited with this ex-
ploit. -
Other passengers arriving here from
central and lower Mexico say that rebels
have made- train service hazardous be-
tween Mexico Cltj and Vera Crux by de-
railing trains although the reports of the
fsll of Puebla and Orixlba are untrue
tarranxa troops still hold Ctiernavaca
they said but Zapata guerillas are them-
selves felt at Isolated spots. Hands sym-
pathising with Felix Diss were reported
to be largely in control of the isthmus of
1 thauntepec.
- - - nnr jnjnnnnr -
FIYE GOVERNMENT
' SUPPLYMEASURES
HAYE BEEN PASSED
Congress Made Record for Speed
for Brief Period Preceding
Holiday Recess.
RAILROAD LEGISLATION TO
BE TAKEN UP JANUARY 2
Efforts to Be Made to Enlarge In
terstate Commerce Commission.
National Prohibition Bill Wil
Not Get Two-Thirda Vote.
(Associated Press Report.)
WASHINGTON December 22. Con
gress adjourned Friday for the Christ
mas holidays to reconvene January 2
In the three weeks of the session the
house passed five government supply
measures the urgent deficiency legis
lative Indian District of Columbia
and diplomatic and consular appropri
atlon bills more than ever were
passed before in the brief period pre
ceding a holiday reces3.
Conspiracy to operate a confidence game
and conspiracy to obtain money under
false pretenses are charged. Dr. Drake
asserted that an investigation is being
made in several States in' connection with
the affair mentioning Texas in particu
lar.
"Illinois Is only the first step in our in
vestigation" he said.
Those indicted were Dr. Fred Fellows
and Dr. Frank Achat. Chicago physi
cians; John Sharp president; the Kev. I
O. Uemielt principal arid J. B. White in
structor of the Davenport College of
Chiropractic. Davenport la.; Charles Wil
Hams a Chicago salesman of medical up
pliances; R. D. Moore and I'hillip tiregg
Princeton 111.; Silas Wesley Chicago and
Miss Artilla Judd Waterloo la. all inedi
cat students.
Dr. Drake charged that the so-called
medical diploma ring induced at least 41
medical students to pay money for
guarantee that influence would be used
that they might pass the examinations re
quired for a license by the Illinois State
board.
Dr. Achatz was accused of supplying
fraudulent medical diplomas. Dr. Drake
charging that in one case a diploma from
Marquette university .Milwaukee was
supplied a student. Dr. Fellows he al
leged was the "brains of the ring."
It was said that most of the victims of
the alleged conspiracy were students at
the Davenport school and that for sums
ranging from JoO to JOM) guaranteed that
they would pass the examinations.
Williams also Is charged with unfold
ing the plan to students at the college
whih? the indicted school authorities are
charged with acting for the "ring." The
students named in the Indictments are
said to have paid to have influence ex
erted and then having induced other stu
dents to pay. The alleged "ring'' is said
to have obtained J-'-O.UOO in its operations
Dr. Drake told the grand Jury that
Moore whose Identity other than hi
name is not known here was introduced
as the man higher up to delegations of
students who feared to pint with their
money. One meeting took place in a
Springfield 111. hotel and another in Clii-
ago he said.
Cif 41 students who paid to have influ
ence exerted according to Dr. I 'rake. 36
took the examination and none of them
passed.
GERMANY INDUCED TURKS
TO LIBERATE AMERICANS
Von Bernstorff Secured Action Af
ter United States Failed.
(Associated Press Report.)
WASHINGTON December. 22. Uelease
by Turkey of the 20u Americans detained
at Syria and Palestine as brought about
through Germany at the request of the
I'nited Stales exercising its gootl offices
with tlie Ottoman government.
ll became known Friday that Count
Bernstorff. tne German ambassador at
the suggestion of Secretary Lunsing com-
iiiunicatccrwith his government after tho
I'nited States had made many unsuccess-
ful efforts.
Amtmssador llkus now is endeavoring
lo persuade the Turkish government to
modify its order so refugees may be freed
immediately in.steud ofl)ting detained at
Jaffa tor a month to render useless any
military infermation they may possess.
MONSTER PEACE MEETINGS
TO BE HELD NEW YEAR'S EYE
Chicago Denver San Francisco and
New York in List.
t Associate.! Press Report.)
XKIV YoKK. December 22. Monster
peace demonstrations at which will be
read a manifesto "frpm the American
people to the world in tlie cause of
peace" will bo held at midnight on New
Year eve in Chicago Denver San Fran-
cisco and this city it was announced here
Friday by the American neutral confer-
ence committee.
Messages are expected to be received
from neutral conference committees in
Kuropean countries.
TEMPERATURES ARE RISING.
Texas Points Reported Warmest
Weather to Kansas City.
(--Ijjdi inirif Press Report.)
KANSAS CITY December 22. Clearing
weather and rising temperatures were
evident Friday night over the entire Mis-
souri valley and extending lntt the Texas
Panhandle according to tlie reports re-
ceived by the local weather bureau. The
coldest spot in Missouri was St. Unit
where the mercury went down lo 20 above
xero. Kansas City at 7 o'clock regis-
tered 26 degrees a drop of 4 or .1 degrees
from the temperature which prevailed
throughout the day.
Abilene-and Aniarlllo. Texas recorded
readings of i4 and 4i degree the high-
est received here. St. Jonepli Mo re-
ported 2 degrees 'Friday night and
Springfield. Mo.. S degrees.
Continued wanner with clearing skies
was forecast
by the weather biiieau
Kriday night
riTrhrisrLnufuyju-
EFFECT OF WILSON
EUROPEAN NATIONS
British Comment Is Hostile
to President Wilson's Note
Many Papers Criticise Him Severely Some Grow-
ing Caustic a Few Leading Papers Take a
Friendly Tone and Think His Attitude Is
Correct.
(Associated Pttss Report.)
LONDON December 2. President
Wilson's note is given fhe honor of the
biggest display in the morning papers
relegating the war news to a minor place.
Headlines uch as '."President Wilson's
Strange Peace Essay" "President "Wil
son's Peace Feeler" "AmaziT.g Note''
Indicate In slight measure the astonish-
ment caused by the communication. Much
speculation is Indulged in as to the mo
tive or causes which Inspired the presi
dent to send such a note after his as-
sumption of the attitude that he would
cot mediate unless invited by both groups
of belligerents.
One section of the press utterly re
jecting any idea of the possibility of
peace negotiations as to the outcome of
the recent German note attributes the
president's action to the success of pro-
paganda cdnducted by Count von Hern-
storff in America and what they describe
as the masterly Inactivity of the late
British government. The mote general
ED L. AYERS BACK
FROM MEXICO TRIP
Plans' Upset by Sickness and Villa's
Occupation of Torreon.
Department of Agriculture Men
Will Return to Southern Repub-
lic During January if Con-
ditions Permit.
Owing to the occupation of the Laguna
district by the Villa forces and the ac-
companying disquiet and disorder coupled
with the severe Illness of Professor Ayers
the expedition of Prof. Ed L. Ayers and
Prof. O. J. James of the Texas State de-
partment of agriculture was not' able to
fully investigate the ravages of the pink
boll worm.
Professor Ayers relumed to Houston
Friday night and to a .reporter for Tho
Post he related his experiences in the
southern republic and told of the diffi
culties they had encountered.
Owing lo the food they were compelled
to eat. Professor Ayers said he suc
cumbed to a severe attack of dengue fe-
ver shortly after he entered Mexico and
for two weeks lay in a hotel at Monterey
unable n be up. During that time he
said. Villa and his force of bandits en
ded the Lagura district which the boll
worm infests making it impossible for
them to enter.
WORM UNKNOWN OUTSIDE
OF LAGUNA DISTRICT.
Mr. Ayers said from the investigation
they were able to make he learned that
he boll worm is unknown outside of the
l--it;una district. This district he said.
surrounds Torreon and San Pedro in the
States of Coahuila Durango and the
southeastern portion of Chihuahua.
He said lliut they planned to go lo San
Pedro and Torreon and after waiting for
i e davs fo- a train to Torreon learned
hat Villa had lak.n possesion of both
Torreon and San Pedro vowing death to
II Americans.
They will return
to Monterey duiins
a unary to continue tlpir investigations
nd If conditions will permit they will go
on to Torreon and San Pedro to penetrate.
tne miestcii aistricis.
Mr. Avers was appalled at condition!.
which confronted him in Mexico. He said
t
hat while the officials of the Mexican
government were i xceedingly courteous
o thetn. tlie general lAipulacc- made them
feel almost regretful that thy were
Americans while in tlie republic.
"Chinese and Americans are placed on
the same plane down there. be said.
with the odds ill l.ivor ol the Chinaman.
The people refer to Americans as 'white
unese. and 1 uni telling you right now
on feel like one too.
IPS WERE NECESSARY
TO MAKE ANY HEADWAY.
From the time we crossed the border
Laredo it was just one tip after an
other. We had to pay the agent at Nuevo
Laredo a dollar to Induce him to sell us
our tickets to Monterey. Then we had
to pay three or four tips to get our bag-
age handled and another tip lo be al
lowed to take it on a train. Then we had
to tip the Pullman porter to make down
our berths and tip the conductor to allow
s to get in them.
However what obstacles we encoun
tered excepting ilia are not going to
deter us from making the trip and inves
tigating the boll worm as we had
planned."
Professor Ayers said that he and Pro
fessor James left Monterey. Wednesday
rternoon at o ciock and tie arrived
ere Kriday night. Professor .lames
topped in San Antonio lo spend Christ
mas with his relatives.
C. PEDFORD BECOMES HEAD
OF STANDARD OIL COMPANY
Was One of Early Associates of John
D. Rockefeller.
(Associated Press Report.)
NHW YORK. December 22. A. C. Led-
ford was Kriday elected president of the
Standard Oil company of New Jersey to
succeed tbe late John D. Arclfbold. Mr.
Bedford has for some years been lcc
president and treasurer ofthc company.
Mr. ;$edford nas been virtually the ac-
live head of the Standard Oil com na" v I
for tho last year or two and has l-een
regarded as tho logical successor Mr
Archbold. who for sometime was onlv in
non.lnal charge of the company's man-
agement. I lie new i-iesldent is a cousin of I-: T
Kodford. one of the early associates of
John D. Rockefeller in huildinir nn Hie
okl Standard Oil combination.
tuKamm
Impression is that the agitation in Amer-
ica for an embargo on food exporis had
much to do with Mr. Wilson's action.
It Is also suggested that the president
may have received Bpecial information
from the German government and is
aware of the extent to which Germany is
prepared to go towarjl "reparation res
titution and guarantees." This Is th-
view expressed by the Daily Chronicle.
Some dlscuBtion is also devoted to thi
chances of congress passing food export
measures and possibly an embargo on
cotton and war materials.
In official and diplomatic circles in
London it was generally predicted thnt
President Wilson's note to the be!l!ger-
ents would be met by an identical reply
from all the entente powers
This method of answering the nolo will
differ from the reply to be made by tins
entente nations to the German peace
note In which it is understood that while
agreeing to its general pronciplcs each
(Continued on Page Five.i
SUSPENSIONS ON '
PLEAS OF GUILTY
Nine Out of Twelve Defendants in
Felony Cases Freed.
Christmas Atmosphere Was Reflect-
ed in the Verdicts Returned
in the Criminal Court
Friday.
A dozen defendants entered pleas of
guilty' to felony charges in the criminal
court Friday and all but three were re-
warded with their freedom on suspended
sentences both the Juries and the prose
cuting officers reflecting the Christmas
atmosphere In returning their verdicts.
The total penalties fixed aggregated 61
years In 14 cases one defendant facing
three charges.
Jlra Nelms an old negro was more
fortunate than any or the others as a
charge of murder against him was dis-
missed by the State. An Investigation
by District Attorney Crooker convinced
him that Nelms had a good legal case
of self-defense. Nelms killed a negro
named John Mickels following an argu-
ment regarding candidates for mayor
several weeks ago.
The highest penalty of the day was
assessed against If. W ilcox alias .Lee
Whitten who was charged with pander
ing and given 1.1 years on his plea of
guilty. He was accused of placing a
young woman In the restricted district
of the city and Ihlng from her earnings.
Bill Johnson a negro was given seven
years on his plea of guilty to a cliaige
of burglary lie has a prison record so
the suspended sentence law was inopera-
tive in his case. Allen Marshal a negro
was given two years in ca. h of three
cases of burglary to hich he pleaded
guilty.
The other defendants !io pleaded
guilty and received suspended sentences
were as follows: .1. li. Ileeves. alias J
esc theft ftum the peibon. two
D. II Cook assault lo murder.
(yea r
. two vears: Will Gaines assault to mur
der two years; Joe Gaiy assault to mur-
der five years; Jim MiGowen. assault
to murder two years; I.yniis Hodge
burglary five years; Horace Kort bur-
! glary five ears; Siiiand r Williams
burglary five years lied McG
theft
five years.
GOVERNMENT MVY RESENT U. S.
MOVE BUT PEOPLE REJOICE standing between Secretary Lansing and
the president and whatever might nave
Bertrand Russell Appealed to Ameri-1 aptarfd as liscod ' interpretation or
C- MT I ln """ tH tie bell'serents had been dls-
Ca tO BtOp War. posed of by the issue of the secretary's
(As.-C'ctii'cj I'trs. PrFvi :.) ; se--ond statement and the steps to inform
Ni-:W YORK December -- A gl.l w y the foreign governments of the facts
came to America as a messenger from The notes to the belligerents. Secre-
Iteitrand Russell an Kngll-h t-acif-si fn- ""'"' Lansing's explanatory staK-merits
. ' 1 and recent German suomartn" activities
moils as a philosopher de ivered t. de furnished the chief topic of discuss on :tt
American neutral confern.-c here r'iid-iy I
an ofen letter from Mr. Russell addressed
lo President Wilson appealing to h in to
' bring peace to Kurope :
The letter was sent by messent-r t.i
evade the British censor. The name of
its bearer was not disclosed through fear
of making trouble for her should she re-
turn to Knglaud.
Three members of the conference com-
mittee George Foster Pea hotly. Paul Ke'-
logg and Miss Kinlly Greene Balch le't
here Kriday for Washington Willi the
letter.
Mr. Russell who is the heir of Ki rl
Russell asserted that The I'nited States
ha:i the (lower not onlv lo compel th K i-
ropean governments to make peace but
also to reassure Ihe populations by mak-
ing itself the guarantor of the peace.''
"Such action" .Mr. RitsseTl wrote "even
if it were resented by the government
would be hailed with joy by the people."
ARTIFICIAL SNOW IN STREETS.
Banks Four Feet Deep Resulted
From Steam at Fire.
( isxociate-i Press Report.)
ST. LOl'IS. December 22. Waiei
thrown into the burning seven-ston
building of tbe Atlantic lea companv here
toilav. turned to .steam and as the va-oi
poured from the windows it congealed
into snow Hake which drifted in tho
street to a depth of four feet-
I he Are destroyed great quantities of
tea sugar ami spices causing 1200000
1--SS.
- yjjjj. J U1J. J1JLrLri-
NOTE OBJ
WATCHES
EXTENDED ANSWER I
IS EXPECTED FROM; :
ENTENTE ALLIES
In Response to United States' Re-
quest for Specific Demands May
Deal With Peace Subject.
AmtKiiAfl KlLATIUNS WITH
GERMANY WILL BE IMPROVED
Care Has Been Taken to Avoid Mil
interpretation of President'! Ob-
jectsPress Comment" Eagerly
Read hy Members of Cabinet.
(Associated Press Report.) .'
WASHINGTON December 22.
While nothing official came from Eu-
rope Friday to show when the bellig-
erents will reply to President Wil-
son's note urging the discussion ot
peace or what the nature of the re
sponses might be. Tendon news dis-
patches indicating that an early reply
was unlikely because of the necessity
of consultation between the allies
agreed with the view prevailing here.
Apparently the administration hay
ing dispatched the note and in the In-
terest of caution having taken steps to
see that no misconstruction abroad
was placed on the president's pur-
poses now is carefully watching tbe
expressions of opinion particularly la
the British press.
As the attitude of the Teutonic allies
had been clearly foreshadowed in advance
and the president In the note specifically
disclaimed any association with thst at
titude the interest of American officials
centered on the reception of the note In
the entente countries and among the -Kuropean
neutrals.
It was recalled as the London dis-
patches most of them hostile arrived
that similar expressions greeted the origi
nal proposals of thecentral allies but
uiai ine views were moderated in the
Hritlsh press and 'among the entente
"'plomats here after reflection and dis- '
i. ussion.
BOTH LANSING'S
8TATEMENT8 CABLED.
. To preclude any possibility of miscon-
struction of the president's purposes from
the flurry of Thursday caused by Secre-
tary Lansings two statements both
statements were cabled Friday to Ameri-
can diplomats abroad in neutral as well
as belligerent countries so they might be
prepared to correctly state the president's
attitude to the governments to which they
are accredited. They are intended to offer
official evidence If it be needed that the
president's note is exactly what it pur-
ports to he on its face.
The sugsfstion from London that the
manner of replying to the president's note
will differ from the form of replies to
proposals of the German allies corre-
sponded with official expectations. It Is:
thought here that the entente allies might
not make extended answer to the pro--posals
of the central powers but would
deal with the whofe peace subject in their
response to tlie i'nited States.
Tlie German view here is that whatever
the reply of the entente allies the rela-
tions between Germany and the l'nlte-1
; States will have been immeasurably im-
"":...' . L" y'e.P0"u 01 assurinc
avoid any such conditions as led ud to a
crisis which threatened a break In diolo.
math: relations. That view is that the
advantage of comity with the greatest of
neutrals will be so forcibly Impressed upon
the people of ti? central empires that it
will not aain he endangered.
Knu-nte diplomats while they appar-
ent lv had decided to accept the prcsi-
j (lent .1 annua- in good ralth. had not
wholly disused of their fear that it might
redound to the advantage of their
enemies. a
j WHOLE SUBJECT DISCUSSED
i AT CABINET MEETING.
It was reiterated Friday in all official
Krlday's cabinet meeting ljiter it wtts
said that the discussion was directed to
ward no particular end. b'Jt merely
brought forth the' views of cabinet mem-
bers. After the cabinet meeting Secretary
Lansing said that full information con-
cerning the sinking of the British liner
Arabia was not at hand.
The American government Is anxiously
awaithig word from Berlin regarding the
This Morning
Before
The Rush
It Will Make the Day Easier for
All Concerned .
sew
. t-
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Johnston, R. M. The Houston Post. (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 31, No. 263, Ed. 1 Saturday, December 23, 1916, newspaper, December 23, 1916; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth608833/m1/1/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .