'NiA L "V - il - i -r- j- 'j 4'v r ., rs? NIGHT uentmj EXTRA EXTRA A VOL. IV. NO. 89 PHILADELPHIA, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 27, 1917 CtrTRianT.lSlT. t Tni I'cbuo Lraotx Coumm PRICE TWO CI f M .tcl WiJlW-EH Public iUoacr K l NS SEEK PEACE IN NEW VIENNA OFFER Agree to "No Annexa tions and No In demnities" CZERNIN SUBMITS PROFFER TO SLAVS Proposal Understood to Have Indorsement of Kaiser U. S. DEMAND IGNORED Elimination of Hohcnzollern- ism Essential Element, Washington Declares COPENHAGEN, Dec. 27. The Central Powers arc willing to make an immediate peace on the basis of "no annexations and no in demnities," according to an official statement received from Vienna, via Berlin, today. All that is asked is that other belligerents pledge the same policies. The proffer of such a general peace was made in the formal reply to the Russian peace overtures. According to information received here, tho peace proffer which was submitted by Count Czernin to the Brest-Litovsk conference has the indorsement of tho Kaiser nnd the Emperor of Austria. The belief is held in neutral diplo matic circles that the Austrian Min ister was virtually making a peace offer to the Allies and that his re marks did not refer specifically to the terms of a separate peace with Ki'ssla. The peace conferences between Rrssian and German delegates were resumed today, according to Berlin dispatches received here. Previous reports had indicated n postpone ment of the meetings. The Central Powers' delegates to the Brest-Litovsk conferences for mally assert that their nations "be lieve the principles of the Russian proposals form the basis of peace." The reply likewise joins with tho Russian condemnation of a contin uation of the war with tho solo ob ject of "conquest.". The delegates solemnly declare their willingness immediatoly to sign a peace ending the war on tho condition of "no annexations and no indemnities." They demand in return, however, that all nations par ticipating in the war accept these same principles. A guarantee to this effect will be necessary, it was stated. Regarding the Russian proposal that a vote of the people in the Cen tral Powers would be necessary to determine the destiny of certain na tional groups, the reply asserted that this "was not a question to be set tled internationally, but ono which concerns the country to which such groups may belong." "U must be settled independently and constitutionally in every State by its people," the reply asserted. CAPITAL SEES GERMAN GAME IN PEACE TALK WASHINGTON', Dec. 27. From certain neutnl legations and various unofficial quarters, today there filtered peace suggestions. All wero elab orations upon tho declaration of a "peace with no Indemnities and no forci ble annexations" mado by the Austrian Premier, Count Czernln, to the Kusslan peace conference at Brest-I-ltovsk. N"ne professed to carry anything of an offi cial character. The State Department maintained Its attitude of refusing to discuss the sub ject In any way. Secretary l.n lg made It plain that ho"as without any official knovvledgo whatever that Count Czernln had mado any such statement as was credited to him. Tho arlous propositions which were wandering through official and diplomatic circles here were wholly without confirmation. Such outlines as filtered Into the Stato Department from the unofficial sources were quickly recognized as full of loop holes and catch phrases, designed. If they really did emanate from Berlin, principally to bojdvvlnk the Russians. ' Officials, were reluctant to discuss the reported moves. They wero anxious to avoid appearing to refuse to consider i matter of such tremendous Importance, but they were nevertheless firm In their belief that all the peace talk now cir culating Is only a continuation of the usual German game. UKRAINIANS CAPTURE 3 ARMY HEADQUARTERS PETROORAD. Pec 27. The Ukrainian Kada tod ly announced capture of the Rumanian front staff Continued on race Fife Column Four CHEMICAL BURNS CARPENTER Quick Leap Saves Life of Mata Affected at Fertilizer Plant , tjeorge Stoops, a carpenter, of COS North Tenth street, la In the Methodist Hospital undergoing treatment f li'ini by salammonlac, used In preparing fer tilizer at the plant of Baugh, Son & Co., Morris street wharf. Stoops was working abeve i big tank of the chemical when lie felt himself toppllnr over. With quick determina tion he Jumped Into the tank feet first, thua preventing a fall head first and aavtafUJaWa' GERMAN AIR RAID ON U. S. CAMP FAILS Enemy Aviators Beaten Off in Attempt to Bomb Sammees VIGILANT FLIERS DETECT ENEMY Quick to Give Battle Sky to Hun As sailants in TROOPS REMAIN CALM . Interruption of Their Supper Only Damage Done by Incident By NEWTON C. PARKE WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE, Dec. 27. German airmen tried to bomb the Amorlcan camp last night, but were driven away before they reached their destination. This was the first time that the Germans have made an air attack upon the Americans in France. The Germans approached the camp in the darkness of early evening, but were detected by the vigilant patrols. The guarding aviators were swift to give battle, and the Germans had fo retire before their attacks. The men accepted the incident with tho calmness of veterans. "This is a belated Christmas gift from the Kaiser," declared one. The only damago done was to the feelings of the doughbos, who suddenly found all lights shut oft while they were eating their supper. Hating In tho Inky darknes was difficult, but some of them went on as though nothing had happened. A heavy i-nowfjll had been succeeded by a bright moon, which made an Ideal night for an air raid. Tho Clermans were not slow to take ndvantago of tho opportunity. A buglo call suddenly rang out aharply on the frosty night air, giving warning that danger was ipproachlng In the air. The m-n did not shove any fear, but thero waB a whole lot of curiosity ex hibited. Some of them emerged from tho barracks with their steel helmet on and pe-red Intently skynartl In an effort to get a glimpse of the hostile lItors. Across tho snow machine-gunners were scurrying to their positions, pre pared to give tho visitors a hot re ception. "I'd lllto to got a slant at Fritz," ex. claimed onov raw-boned doughboy who was straining his eyes cloudward. The attempted raid marked tho end of tho Christmas holiday festivities, dur ing w)tch thousands of bags of mall from home had been distributed to tho Americans. Truck Hits Fire Chief's Auto John Crucoln, driver of a motortruck belonging to the Wltls-Jores Dairy Company, wan held under $100 ball this morning for his part In a cblllslon with Rattallon Chief Frederick I.. Hunting, of tho I'lro Department, thin morning at Dauphin street and (icrmnntown avenue. Considerable damage was dono to tho chief's roadster. SURVEY OF CITY FOOD ORDERED Wholesale Grocers' Sales Company Strikes Blow at Profiteering INVENTORY OF SUPPLIES A comprehensive survey nnd Inventory of all food In Philadelphia for the benefit of tho Department of Agrlculturo and tho nation was outlined this afternoon at a meeting of the Wholesale Grocers' Sales Company of Philadelphia, com prising twenty-four great wholesale grocery houses, with Special Agent Kcr bey, of the Department of Agriculture. The entire organization of the sales com pany and the organizations of the twenty-four grocery houses. Including all their salesmen, will co-operate with tho Government to the end that the exact food situation in Philadelphia may be learned. With th'.s Information In hand tho nation will be able to deal with tho food problem of the war both here and In Europe as Intelligently nnd effectively as a great prlvato business corporation such as the Standard OH Company,. Like surveys will be made throughout the United States. The other important aspect ot tho food situation today Is seen In reports that unscrupulous fish dealers aro victimizing lcyisewlves by selling to thorn cheap nsh under tho names of high-priced fish. Huge prices, compared with actual value, are being obtained for whiting, or Instance', which costs the dealer five to six cents a pound. The fish Is rep-re-ented as st ver trout or snapper mackerel to obtain twenty and twenty five cents a pound. The" grocers' meeting was held this afternoon In Room 690. Bourse Bulldle With a view to acertalnlig as near' m possible tho exact amount of food that there Iff In the country the Depart ment of Agriculture has sent out to every retail grocer a Bet of blanks pro pounding questions as to their stocks of goods, the answers to which show how much of all kln-ls of food products they have on hand. As the salesman of the wholesale grocer Is In more direct per sonal touch with the retailer than any Government official .could possibly be. It was felt that he was In a position to 0tlad on Pat live, Olaua lire P H111111111111H HH1111111111111111H& RAYMOND T. BAKER Director of the Mint of Nevada, who is slated for the appoint ment as United States Senator, to succeed the lato Senator Francis G.'NcwInnds. PICK "DESERT RAT" FOR U.S. SENATOR Selection of Raymond T. Baker for Nevada Vacancy Caps Varied Career WASHINGTON, Dec. 27. Tho appointment of Ilaymond T. UaKcr, of Nevada, director of the Mint, to be a L'nlted States Senator, succeed ing the late Senator Francis G. New land", which now seems assured, will add another Incident to the long list of casts In which Americans havo won high places after strnugo vicissitudes. From tho position of "desert rat" of tho western silver country to that of a Senator will be tho Jump, If Governor Boyle, of Neada, appoints Mr. Raker, as Is now planned. Ray Iiaker for many weary jear1 tramped the Nevada deserts with pros pector's pick and shovel In search t . sliver nnd gold. He won and Ion mar foi tunes and became the sort of a llgi which carries tho lead in a six-reel west ern movlu show to perfection. Later was appointed warden of Reno I'enl. tentlary, Introducing man) reforms. At times when he was Hush with go'd dus ho circled tho world and Is known to many l'uropean courts; when he l0 his fortunes ho went back to he desen His appointment a director of f Mint placed him lit the position of ha lng been at both ends of the trold ga me dio mining with pick and shovel and th minting In coin. COLD TO CONTINUE, FORECASTERASSERTS Temperature of 15 Degrees May Be Expected at Midnight Skating Still Good Continued fair nnd cold weather Is the promlsa for Philadelphia today and to morrow. From a temperature of Si de grees at 3 o'clock, the mercury is ex pected t" rise only a degree higher, sev eral degrees below estrdav's temfi'ra ttires. Tho local forecaster said that tempcraturo of 22 degrees may bo ex pected after midnight, one point lower than tho mercury hit early this morn ing, registering lfi d grees at 5 o'clock. Skating continues on all the lakes In Falrmount Fark, on Hunting l'nrlc I.ako and on tho WIssahlckon Creek. The Ice Is In good condition. ITALIANS ROUT ENEMY BY RUSE White Uniforms Against Snow Background Deadly Xmas Day Camouflage FOE FORCED TO FLEE ROME, Dec. 27. Eight of twenty-five enemy air nlnnes which attempted to bomb the aviation camp at Trelso were brouph down, the War Office an nounced today. The remaining ma--h'nes were driven off. In a later attack three additional cnemv ran. 'nines were forced to descend, the statement said. All Italian machines returned safely. ITALIAN HEADQUAItTI'IlS. Dec. 27. Clad In white uniforms, Invisible against tho background of snow I'nllan rops attacked and routed t body of Austrlans ten times their number on a Christmas day surprise, eart of Mont' Grappa. It was announced today, Tho Italians, resembling a band of P'errots, swooped down upon the Aus trian positions scattering defenders of "t mountainside. The Austrlans were nl'r ly unprepared, apparently enjoying t Christmas day rest, LONDON, Dec. 27. Mtfcough e Hill ins have b?en com pelled to glvo un two more fortified heights to the Austro-German Invaders, a mountain wall Ave miles wide still e-'arates the Teutons from the northern Border of the rich Venetian plain. Advices from Rome today adm'tted that the Italians had abandoned Col del Ifsso tnd Monte Valbella In the face of savage Austro-German attacks, but they fell back to previously fortified positions of great strength. The Austro-German attacks, directed personally b'y Field Marshal Daron Con rad von Hoetzcndorff, the Austrian chief-of-staff, were carried out by a tre mendous force of troops, supported by vast, concentrations ot artillery. Tho Invaders are driving down the Brenta Valley In the direction of Car pane, but their ultimate objective is Uassano, at the foot ot the Venetian Alps. n SUGGESTS THREE WHEATLESSDAYS t Historical Association Speaker Would Triple Weekly Abstinence APPEALS TO PATRIOTISM Scientists of Nation Hold Meetings to Discuss Con servation of Energy Threo whentless days a week Instead of merely one should be ob sered by tho peoplo of this nntlon If they d- their full patriotic duty. This, the opinion of ono of the 300 scientists at tho three-day convention of n. dozen scientific nssoclatlons which opened In this illy today. Is an example of the spirit of patriotism underlying the ses sions of the learned bodies. Tho man who .idvnmed the plea for three "wheatless" dns weekly Is Pro fessor Louis 11 Schmidt, -of rovva State l College, who addressed the morning sex tsion of the American Historical Associa tion In tho ltellcvuc-Stratford on the Influence exerted by wheat and lOtton on Anglo-American rclatlins during the I Civil War In an interview after his ad. 1 dress Professor Schmidt drew a lesson l from the nation's experience In tho 60's to apply to the present world struggle. "Wheat is undeniably a world power today as It never was before," said he. "Heretofore we havo held a provincial view of our own history, llut now we munt not lose sight of tho great eco nomic forcfs that mut influcme our 1'uropc.in diplomacy. NOllTII CONTItOLI.r.D WHHAT IN '61 "The fact tint tho Northern States controlled the wheat supplv In the Civil War was the most powerful factor In preventing Creat Britain from recogniz ing the Confederacy. Although the Con federacy controlled the cotton supply. It was proved definitely at that tlmo that vhiat was a more powerful f ictnr than ittnn. Wo cannot Imagine what tho result of tho Civil War might have been had not tho North controlled tho wheat supplv. Kven then the United States supplied Kngland with 41 per cent of tho wheat and Hour consumed by Kngland. v f ct which was too potent to disregard. And If this was the condition of affairs fifty years ago America's wheat Is atlv moie Important today. "V aro not having enough 'wheat- less' daj s. Wo could easily get along If we abst lined from eating wheat prod ucts three das a week. Instead of one. Tho great duty of tho Mississippi Valley is to proddco wheat, and, what ever may bo said, tho West Is standing solidly behind tho administration. Mr. Hoover, an Imvun, Is doing splendid work, but ho must put oven moro rigor ous regulations Into effect. He will find us all supporting him. "Thero Is no way In which wo can estimate tho present wheat supply of Germany accurately, although, I believe the reports of tho amount of grain ob tained from Rumania have,bceu greatly exaggerated by Germany.'" It was brought nut at tho ses-Oon that tho National Board for H.storlcal Ser vice, sponsored by tho association, has been reorganized with Dr. 1'varts B. Grceno ns chairman and Professor Dana C Munro ns vlco chairman. Tho board will provldo lecturers who will explain to tho men n cantonments tho histori cal background and the origins of the war. Other speakers at the morning session were Dr. J. Franklin Jameson, of Washington, D. C. : Professor Frederick J. Turner, of Harvard University; and Professor Herbert 13. Bolton, of tho Uni versity of California. An announcement received by the s convention with deep regret was tho retirement of Dr, Clar ence, W, Bow en, who has been treasurer of the American H.storlcal Association since Its foundation, thirty-three jears ago. A featuro of the noonday luncheon at the Bellevue, at which Provost I'dnar Fahs Smith, of the University of I'enn- Contlnued on l'ate Too, Column One RAIL STOCKS GO jCITY FUEL CHIEF UP IN FLURRYi WILL NOT CONFER Wild Scramble for Shares Refuses Interview on Pro Follows Edict of j posed Fifty-Cent Raise Government ! in Coal Prices BEARS HUNT FOR COVER .NEW YOItK, Dee. 27 Spectacular ndvauces wero recorded by railroad shar-s at fhe opening of the New York Stock IScchango today as a result of President Wilson's action In taking over operation of railway ss. terns cf the nation, with assurances of net earnings equal to tho average of tho last threo ears. It was a sorry day for tho bears, who had been In a li'bllnnt mood all day yesterday when they expected to rean harvests with tho Idea that thero could be no such quick change In the market, and they scram bled to cover In wild confusion. At the same time bulng orders poured Into Wall street from all parts of tho country, with no supply to meet the Increasing demand. There was also tin Inci easing demand, and brokers crawled on each other's shoulders to reach some one far away who seemed to have stocks to sell. Thero was also a hurried scramhle for other stocks, while tho market showed advnees ranging from S t more than 18 points on Initial sales of dv'dnd paying rail roads, while non-dividend paying rail roads, like Erie a"d Southern Ilallway, made gains of 2 to 4 points. Delaware and Hudson opened 8 points up at 100, and on the next sale Jumped to 106. St Paul preferred mado a gain of 17 points to 81 on the penlng transaction. New York Cen-t-nl advinced 8 to 72 St. Paul com mon rose 12 to 49, Baltimore and Ohio opened up lSi points at 55, followed by a short reaction. Southern Pacific made an opening gain of CU points to 84, Atchison 10 points to 88, Union Pacific 7U to 112. Chest peake and Ohio 4H to 47. Lehigh Val ley 6',i, to 59, and Northern Pacific opened more than 9 points higher at 85. These advances were followed by vio lent recessions of 2 to 6 points, but gen erally the market held at advances of to 15 points. ' In the tllvldend-paylng rails at the end Ontlaoe4 u Face rite Cclraa star NATION'S COAL SUPPLY GOES ON WAR BASIS i - .i i Garfield's Action Puts Fu , hire Contracts Under Government Control PRESIDENT TO FIX PRICE i Strict Limitation Placed Upon All Deliveries of Fuel ! in 1918 WASHINGTON, Dec. 27. Fuel Administrator Garfield today placed the nation's coal supply on a war basis. Terms of nil future contracts have been made subject to cancellation either by the Presi dent or the fuel administrator. Strict limitations are placed bn all con- i tracts for coal delivery in 1918. No contracts hereafter can call for delivery of cither coal or coke I over a period longer than one yenr. I Prices fixed by the President and the t fuel administration shall govern in all cases, and coal contracted for shall at all times be subject to requisi- ' tion or diversion by the Government. Doctor (Jul Held stated that by this I method of lipid supervision over opera - tors' contrarti the (Jovernnient will be Insured agalnt-t a reeuriencc of present j conditions, under which no "free" cuiil has been available for distribution by the Pi esliU nt's llxid piin-s Now con tracts also villi .liable large coal con i SHtners to make iiiiuiis'tiiii-uls In ad vance, at least tintallvely, for tho regu lar delivery tif their cnal Mippl). Gar field declaied that he would not ap prove contracts If the Involve railroad cross-hauling of io.il, except In the case I of gas coal, or coal to bo used for by i product purposes. It Is predicted that I this will remove ono of the transporta j tlon dlfllcrilties now confronting tho fuel administration, nnd will make possible tho movement of coal from mine to con sumer by the shortest possible routes Plans wero rapidly maturing todav to establish zone sjstem of distribution throughout the country, under which tho output of a certain coal field will bo assigned generally to a particular consuming territory I'nder this ss tem the producing Held and Its consum ing territory will bo connected bv the shortest transportation distance, thereby tending to tlimlnnto all i'rns.s-lmull"g of coal on Its way to market and groatly relievo the congestion of tr.ifl.lc. TROLLEY HITS POLE, .4 TWO .MEN INJURED Suffer Broken Legs and knoc When P. It. T. Emergency Car Jumps Track I'lmer c Smith, llftj-four yirs old, of HIS Hlslug Sun avenue, suffered a rictured left knee cap and Charles Krouskopf, foity-threu ears old. of Fort Washington, compound frnctures of both rtgs, a fracturtd ankle nnd severo lac erations of the head early this morning vhen an emergency car of tho Phlladtl. ilila Hapld Transit Company on which hey wero riding Jumped the track and rushed Into a telegraph polo on Itlslng I -un avenue south of Wellens avenuo. i They were taken to the Jewish Hospital I by tho patrol of tho Thirty-fifth dis trict. I Both men are employes of the transit company. Smith being a division super ! intendent, and tho car on which the were riding was cm Its way to replace a car that had gone off the track. Tho car was badl damaged by tho colliblon with the pole DEALER IS ARRESTED Francis A. Lewis, c'ty fuel admin istrator, refused definitely today to con fer with the United Dullness Men's As sociation as to tho proposed fifty-cent r.i so In coal prices. His refusal was contained In n letter to Edwin M. Ab bott, chairman of the league comm tteo of tho Huslncss Men's Association, mail ed to him th's morning. But the matter will not be permitted to drop here, but will bo fought through to a finish, Mr. Abbott declares. In mak.ng a second re quest to the city chief for a conference tomorrow. If Mr. Lewis preslsts In his refusal, the matter will be taken up next with Washington, it Is hinted. This, with the nrrest of ono coal dealer on a charge of selling coal nt exorbitant rates nnd the contemplated arrest cf several others, mark the day's dramatic developments. Mr. Lew s early In the day was asked in his office as to tho nature of his reply to Mr. Abbott's request for a conference of the Huslncss Men's As sociation, but refused steadily to divulge It. Any correspondence or controversy between himself and Mr. Abbott, he pro iou"ced a matter purely "between gentlemen." "Nor Is the Fuel Admin istration office being run for the ac commodation of the newspapers," ac cording to Mr. Lewis. The city fuel chief gave voice to these sentiments In no uncertain terms shortly after having dispatched the letter to Edwin M. Abbott, In which he curtly declined the latter'a request to receive a committee from the Business Men's Association In conference tomorrow. When asked the nature of his reply ho responded curtly: "It Is a letter from one gentleman to another, not a matter of Interest to the newspapers." "Hovw about the public have they no Interest In the price they pay for coal?'' was the next question. "I have nothing more to say," Mr, Lewis still Insisted. "But the matter will not be dropped here. We propose to push It to a satis- CMUnned on Pace Sire, Column Six M'ADOO TO CLEAR GIVE WAR RIGHT OF WA1 WILSON'S RAILROAD EDICT TOLD IN SHORT SENTENCES 1 Congress has declared a slate of war between tho United States f and the Gcrmnn and Austro-Hungarian Governments. 2 It has now become ncccssnry in tho national defense to toko possession and nssumc control of certain systems of transportation. 3 Therefore I, Woodrow Wilson, take possession at 12 o'clock noon on the twenty-eighth day of December, 1917, of each and every system of transportation and the appurtennnces thereof located wholly or in part with! the limits of the United States. 4. William GMcAdoo is appointed director general of railroads. 5 Until and except as otherwise designated, present officers nnd directors shall continue to operate. 6 Nothing herein shall in any way impair the rights of stockholders, bondholders or creditors. AS& POLYCLINIC-UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL MERGER A petition nhklng- Tor a merger of the Philadelphia Poly cllnlo and tho College for Graduates in Medicine and tho Uni voifcity of Pcmifcylvniila Hospital was filed today in Couit of Common Pleas No. 5 liy Attorneys John C. Bell and Henry W. Moore. Counsel took the petition away with them, presumably to find a Ju'dge, the court not being in session. LITTLE GIRL BADLY BURNED PLAYING AT BONFIRE Seven-year-old Besbie Levin, of 712 SoutU Ninth street, is in a critical couditiou in the Pennsylvania Hospital bufferiufi from burns received when her coUhing caught tire while playing' nonr a bonfire. SUGAR TRUST WILL ELIMINATE GO-BETWEENS N'RW YOHK, Dec. 27. Tho American Sugar Ileflnlng Company an noimccd today that, beginning January , It will sell Its sugars to tho domes tic trade by means of ItB own selling organization Instead of through brokors. This silling policy was Inaugurated several years ngo and Is already in force. This policy Is occasioned by the desire of tho company to deal directly with Its customers Instead of through Intermediaries. In the trado this action Is considered an effort to do away wllth U. S. CONSULATE AT ODESSA DAMAGED BY BOMB WASHINGTON, Dec. 27. The American consulato lp Odessa, Itussla was badly damaged December 18 Gcnedal Hay today cabled the Stato Department. The messago said tho at tack occurred at 1 o'clock In tho morning, and that ltay was not In the build ing fit tho time. No mention Is made of casualties, and it 1h assumed there wero nonc Tho attack Is supposed to : l EARTHQUAKE REPORTED PANAMA, Deo. 27. An earthquake Is roported to havo occurred near 1 Amntltlan, fifteen miles south of Guatemnlo, Guatemala. Telegraphic com munlcntlon has been Interrupted. No BRITAIN MAY OPEN LONDON, Dec. J7. Steps to States making up tho Urltlsh Emplro ment, it was learned today. It Is suggested that representatives of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and India bo JAPANESE COUNCIL DEBATES RUSSIAN SITUATION LONDON, Dec. 27. An Important termine what attltudo Japan ltould separato peace with Germany, hns Just como to an end at Osaka. Those tak ing part In It wero iho Emperor, Viscount Matono, tho Foreign Secretary; Prince Yamagnta, General llatsukev.i three are members of tho Jupaneso . KAISER NEAR DEATH LONDON, Dec. 27. England's tlrst greatest success of tho war In that Mannheim bofoie tho bombs began to printed by tho London Dally Express today. The Kaibcr and his staff were returning from tho Verdun front, where last 'neck the Kaiser called God Ger many's avowed ally, and passed through Mnnnhelm shortly before several bombs wero dropped on the railroad $250,000 DAMAGE IN riTTSBUHGII, Dec. 27. Damage fire early today when tho Southsldo storo was destroyed, together with buildings. Although a scoro of persons wero mado homeless no ono vaa Injured. JANUARY 6, PRAYER DAY FOR ALLIED CAUSE LONDON, Dec. 27. Kins George has set January C as a day of national prayer for the success of the allied cause. Tho recommendation Is mado that all places of public entertainment bo closed on that date and Chancellor A, Bonar Law declared today that ho had no doubt that tho King's wish wop Id bo met. A great rovlval meeting will bo held In Albert Hall, when a sermon will bo preached on the "Reawakening of Christianity as Caused by tho War." U. S. PRIVATES BARRED FROM OFFICERS' CARS LONDON, Dec. 27. A military regulation was issued by tho American authorities today forbidding privates from riding with officers on British rail ways. A similar order referring to British toldlers was already In effect. When tho Americans 'began to arrive In England tho soldiers frowned on tho second and third class compartment nnd took first-class passugo in the cars with tho officers. BOSTON TELEPHONE OPERATORS VOTE TO STRIKE BOSTON, Dec. 27. By tho overwhelming voto of 2C92 to 151' tho tele phone operatora of metropolitan Boston have voted a strike to enforce tholr demands for an Increase ofcJl a week. As a result of the voto the wage con ference committee of the union and International Vice President G, M. Bug nlazct aro empowered to call a strike of tho operators on forty-eight hours' notice, , . CLEMENTS DEFINITELY DROPPED FROM WAR SERVICE WASHINGTON, Dec. 27. General Clements, formerly commander of 'the Pennsylvania National Guard troops', has been definitely drooped from war service for physical disqualifications. After falling to noar a first physical examination ordered by the army plucking branch he failed tho second time In a test given at his own request GERMAN COMMISSION. TO GO .TO PETROGRAD AMSTEItDAM, Dec, 27, Tho German commission provided for In the appendix In tho Russo-German armistice will leave for Potrograd next Tues day to negotlato an exchange of civilian war prisoners unfit , for military purposes, according to Berlin dispatches today. The German delegates, who are headed by Count von Mtrbach, former German Minister tp Athens, will likewise seek re-establishment of Russo-German relations, according to Ber lin's announcement. brokers. when a bomb was thrown at It, Consul have boon mado by anarchists. zs. t - SOUTH OF GUATEMALE details havo been received. CABINET TO COLONIES brliiK about closer unity between tho nre being considered by tho Govern taken Into the British Cabinet. crown council, which was held to de take In tho event Itussla concludes a and Viscount SalonJI. Tho last named war council. IN MANNHEIM AIR RAID reprisal nlr raid camo near being tho tho German Kaiser barely got out of drop, according to n Genova dispatch siatlon nnd tho tracks. PITTSBURGH FIRE estimated at J2J.U.000 was caused by warehouso of tho Rosenbaum dej.irtment five residences and several binall Mtore RAILS; Efficiency Keynote Plans to Make Interests Seconds Purposes of Natic Sweeping Econonil Will. Strip Traffic! Nonessentials to i Munitions Eoom - Conerress and Count -T -r-. V Agree iew Jb-roerri Should Solve Ma'ife Pressing Problems? WASHINGTON, Dec. ttb t Industrially America todajrg virtually under Federal war co as a result of President WI1 proclamation for Government op tlon of the railroads. a President Wilson and Sec McAdoo conferred for some tinw'J ranging linal details for taking. the nation's railroads tomo Afterward it was learned that McAdoo would devote virtually I of his time for the next three mo to bringing the railroads up tocjl( highest possible point of efficie Questions of detail in the Trea Department will be left to tho" sistant secretaries, Secretary M Adoo having divided most ofi work among them in order toag iicc Lu quivu me luiiiuuu inuuivm, rj Administration officials decla that they were highly pleased the manner in which the country,! accepted the action of the Presid in taking over the roads. Congratulatory telegrams wer Ing Into tho White House, whlla-'jj manner In which the railroad Btockajl sponded to tho general upward ment In the stock market showed Wall street alRo was gratified wai an undercurrent cf crltlcU certain quarters In the Senate and' becauso tho President .had anno that earnings wero to be guaranty a basis of tho last three years, 0 radicals making the point that this I the roads the benefit of wartime lngs. However, the majority ' leaders oil both sides made it Blah In their opinion 'the "President had I wisely and that the outcome would'' far better national financial sit WAR BOARD IN SESStOtf,?Jjj ins raiiroau war uouru, maae is railroad presidents, of which Falj Harrison, of the Southern, was chair was In session today. The me stated that they expected to bo contl at least for the present, to act la's advisory position to Director McAi Members of the board expressed tl selves as well pleased with the actio tha PMaM.nt TIiav on Id that ttiMT ' certain that with the roads operaUj as a unit and tho financial proh solved, tho highest possible point of i clency easily can bo attained, 4Wi Members of the board and trea officials expressed the belief that no t cral plan for financing obligations wi be necessary nt present. They decjl tho majority of the roads could i on their own bottom" and their pr financial plane would be auffll with Rovernment backing. Aa for,. weaker roads, they must of n benefit by tho new plan. . Sim A statement will be mado by sec McAdoo later today concerning policy which he will adopt In placing carriers under Government controi.'tj McAdoo Is of the opinion that ll necessary to acquaint the, pub'lOijj homers of the stocK in the rail to the Government's policy. Leaders of commercial enti working here for the Government.,' eral officials nnd representatives of I agreed that the nation Is place, i on a war footing under the central! gutdanco of President Wilson and (I retary of tho Treasury McAdoo: Jji,' McAdoo u laying the foundatj the stupendous organization fore him. Railroad officials her; throughout the country assured ,hlj their hearty -support. Rise In raW stocks, marking early returns cm' Stock exchange, merely ' reflect'? j 'oads confidenco In the new order.B declared. ifc McADOO'S FIRST MOVEviT The firBt act of McAdoo, prel to actually starting operation ;o roads January 1, will bo selection board of directors. This will 1: representatives of the railroad board. Interstate Commerce Co: priority board and other agenda engaged directly or Indirectly nf tion or transportation worn nere., of the actual administration of the must bo clone, tor tne time at through existing agencies. lAt need for further co-ordination de McAdoo will alter his working a: ment. ' All Industrial enterprises are by tho President's order. Drastl 'at'ons to supply and accommi those commercial enterprises war work are expected. Railroad employes stand r Government. Questions- of I to protect th'lr Interests, was problems ana otner matten n Ctaitautd en Tate 1t, I THE WEAT1 FOREOA.BT Jif For Philadelphia ani- vfofoltW tonight, with loxcett Tfynperan -. ... .j. tl degrees; Friday Jlarttti a somewhat icannhr; gentle Hinds. ; Y.wtfnTH nv niv ' Sun rises.. . 7tft .m. I Bun wt. .'.".I DELAWAE KIVKR TtOH . vCHEaTNUT 8TRK HUta wtUr.132Za.rn. I llUrb wi uai; wir. .. ui. i uow wan Taa rmm v m Mi AT mwhs 101 11 121 i oi tti-iii un . w; :t ' ft $ -.' M L'V . . .. 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