German Peace Proposals May Pave Way to HARRISBURG TELEGRAPH M sl)e Stor-Jn&cpcnbcnt - . W i LXXXVI— No. 309 20 PAGES FRANCE REJECTS GERMAN PEACE; WAR WILL GO ON By Associated Press Pact Based on Before-the-War Conditions Not Satisfac tory, Declares Foreign Minister Pichon in Consider ing Terms of Central Powers Outlined to Russia; Be lieve Aim of Huns Is to Protract Negotiations London, Dec. 28.—"Achievement of the purposes for which the allies are fighting is essential to the future free dom and peace of mankind," said Premier Lloyd George in a letter which he sent to-day to the labor congress. The premier's statement is regarded as the British reply to the German peace offer. Paris, Thursday, Dec. 27.—France will not accept a peace based on conditions before the war, Foreign Minister Pichon declared in reply ing in the Chamber of Deputies to day to the peace terms of the cen tral powers outlined to Russia. _ asserted Germany was endeavoring 1„ involve France in its negotiations with the Bolsheviki, but that the war would go on whether or not Russia made a separate P e * ce - The foreign minister said Ger many was seeking to protract tne negotiations with the Russians re establishing commercial r f la . U " n " the meantime. believing that in this way the Bolsheviki might be check mated later. Referring to the terms which the central powers offered to the Russians, as published to-daj, he said: , , "Germany is trying to involvei us In her Maximalist negotiations. After suffering as we have we can not accept peace based on the 8 | quo. By agreement with our a lli we are ready to discuss direct, propositions regarding peace but th . is indirect. "Russia can treat for a separate peace with our enemies or not. in either case -the war for us will con tinue. An ally has failed us, an ally who in preceding years carried ott great victories. It is a great success for our enemy, but another ally has come; from the other end of the world a democracy has risen against Germany's appetite for conquest. "At the conference in Paris a pro gram was drawn up and in conse quence unity of action on the pait of the allies will make itself felt, even to Macedonia. Germany aiV her allies have undertaken the im possible task of conquering the world. The world will conquer them. "in this war Franca will have played a great role, for, its Roose velt has said, she will have saved humanity." M. Pichon declared the secret treaties published by the Bolsheviki had not compromised France, i'o said the German diplomats who i"Ci*o I'i'o Landing to show indignation were the very men who sought to negoti ate a secret treaty with the oIJ regime in Russia, who attempted to draw Mexico into war against the United States, and organized plots in Argentina. After referring to the German declaration that Alsace and Lorraine would ne v er bo suirtndered, M. Pichon said: "The question of Alsaci-Lorraino does not aff'Vt I'r in" al'ne. It is a world question. It is not a terri torial problem but a moral problem, tin its solution depends whether, or not the world shall have a durable peace." This statement was greeted with applause. The occupation of Jerusalem, M. [Continued on Page IS.] THE WEATHER For Ilarrisburg mwl vicinity: Fair iml collier to-night, with low cut temperature about N de grees; Saturday fair and eolder with a cold wave; the tempera ture will probably fall to zero or below Saturday night. For lOastern Pennsylvania! Partly cloudy and colder to-niu;ht, snow In east portion; Saturday fair and colder, with a colli wave; fresh northwest wind*. River The t'liMfinchaniin river and all It* branchcM will remain ncnrly sta tlonary. and the quantity of lee will probably InereaMC In all stream*. General Conditions The disturbance from the I'pper Mississippi Valley has moved northwest to the St. Lawrence Valley during the last twenty four liourM, nttended by preclpl tation, mostly snow, on both *ldcs of the northern boundary from Minnesota to the New Knglnnd const. Snow and rain occurred also In the Northwest ern States and the Wfltcm Canadian provinces as a result of a new dlsturhaace moving In front the North Pacific ocean. The strong, IIIKII pressure area from the Northwest Is now cen tral over Western Minnesota, moving; south west ward attended by a severe cold wave. Tem peratures have fallea 15 to 50 decrees In the Lower Missouri and Vppcr Mississippi valleys, and arc now far below r.ert In the northern tier of states from Mlchignn to Montana, and in f'annda from Ontario westward to Alberta. The lowest tem perature reported is 50 degree* below r.ero. Temperature! 8 a. m., !!(!. Sun: Rises, 7i2S a. m.; sets, 4:45 p. m. Moon: Rises, Btlfi p. m. River Stage: 4.2 feet above low water mark. Yesterday's Weather Highest temperature, 25. I/owest temperature. 15. Mean temperature, IS. Normal temperature, 51. WAR FLOUR TO BE IN THE CITY WITHIN WEEK New Product of Whole Wheat Will Save Much Now Used as Feed CANNED GOODS PLENTY Government Regulates Prices to Protect Consumers in Winter "Merchants of Ilarrisburg who have closely observed the operation of the United States Food Conserva tion organization are to-day satisfied that the public will not be gouged by food hoarders or profiteers, no mat ter how long the war lasts. If th food administration had not taken lirm hold of the situation, flour would now be S3O a barrel and sugar selling for 40 or 50 cents a pound. As it is the consumer linds himself thoroughly protected and the pro ducer is not being forced to give up his reasonable profits." The purchasing agent of one of the biggest wholesale establishments in the city made this emphatic state ment to-day on being asked if it [Continued oil Page 15.] Charged With Theft of Narcotic Drugs, Man and Woman Are Held by Police Joseph Keister and Sue Eberly, al leged by the police to be users of narcotics are being heard in police court this afternoon for the alleged larceny of morphia tablets and pow dered opium, valued at SIOO, from the wholesale drug establtsrhent of Bowman, Mell <& Co., 1249 Howard street, some time since Sunday last. Keister was in the employ of the drug establishment as assistant ship per Thursday and Friday of last week, but was discharged for in capability. Wednesday one of the employes of the store discovered I that a box of 500 one-eighth grain i morphia sulphate -tablets, and that about 800 sugar-coated morphia sul phate tablets were missing. Accord ing to the provisions of the drug law a report of the missing articles was turned over to Federal Revenue In spector Frymire, who turned the case over to Detective Speese. Sam uel 1). Wilson, colored, in the em ploye of Bowman & Moll, made in formation to the authorities that Keister had approached him sev eral times, once as late as yesterday, and asked him to steal drugs for him and sell them to him. or at least tell where he could find certain drugs if he could enter the building. Detective Speese arrested the Eberly woman last evening at the corner of Third and Market streets, knowing that she was friendly to Keister. Keister came out later in the night in search of the woman and Officer Bulthaser arrested him. Three oflicers reached his room and found the morphia tablets and a small quantity of powdered opium, and eight or nine hvpodermic needles. It was afterwards found that about two pounds of powdered opium was missing from the whole sale house. It is alleged that Keister gained entrance to the stock room through the shipping room or the elevator shaft some time Christmas day or night. The missing drugs were last seen Sunday. THIRTY NORWEGIANS KILLED By Associated I'rcss London, Dec. 28. Thirty Nor wegian sailors are believed to have been killed in the sinking of five Nor wegian steamers by German subma rines, according to a statement issued by the Norwegian foreign office and forwarded by the Copenhagen corres pondent of the Exchange Telcgrntih Company. MANY ARE Slv ATI N't; With extreme cold weather fore casted . for to-night and to-morrow the City Par)k Department is prepar ing to accommodate large crowds at Wildwood Park lake, which has been opened to skaters. The department has been presented with a new red (lag by Bowman and Company, which was flown this afternoon from thf Union Trust Building, to replace the old one which was raised vwt" v j WHY HE WANTS PEACE O 1017 TTw ButteifiHd Syndicate. "You agreed to take me up to World Empire." "Agreements are scraps of paper, Highest. You're going straight to Hell.' EMPEYTOGET BIG RECEPTION HERE TONIGHT Author of "Over the Top" and New Serial to Give Trench Demonstration Sergeant Arthur Guy Empey, who will give his famous war lecture in Chestnut street auditorium this even ing before an audience that promises to be one of the biggest of the win ter, will be introduced by Major Liv ingston V. Rausch, superintendent of the state arsenal, and well known in military circles. The event is re garded as of great importance among young men who are within the draft age, as Empey will dem onstrate with gas masks, "persuad ers," the bayonet and otherwise just how trench warfare is carried on. Jn addition Sergeant Empey, who [Continued on Page IS.] Cabaret Frequenters Must Do Their Bit For Soldiers Through Extra War Tax I Diners at cabarets soon will have I the satisfaction of knowing that they arc contributing towards the support of the boys in the trenches. Rules governing the collection or I war revenue lax on cabaret admis | sions probably will be issued by the ! Treasury Department next week, B. F. Davis, collector for this Internal Revenue District, said to-day. Regarding 2D per cent, of the bill for refreshments as the cost of ad ! mission, where no admission fee is | charged, the proposed tax is one cent lon each tin cents or fraction thereof of such 20 per cent, of the total 'charge. If, for instance, the check | handed by the waiter is for $, you j will find at the. bottom an additional ten cents for war revenues. I The term cabaret is held to Include J "every hotel, restaurant, ball or other public place at or in which, in con nection with the service or sale of i food or other refreshments or merchandise, there is conducted any vaudeville, or other performers or di version in the wry of acting, singing, declamation or dancing, either with or without instrumental or other music." Where there is only instrumental music by an orchestra the tax docs not apply, it does apply, however, if dancing is permitted. The tax is paid by the person paying for the liquors. Borrowed 'Exemption Wife' to Dodge Draft, Is Charge Philadelphia, Dec. 28. And now the "exemption wife!" Agents of the Bureau of Criminal' Investigation of the Department of Justice testified yesterday they ex pect to prove that George Bernhardl, of Overbrook, whom they arrested yesterday in a draft case, "borrow ed a wife" in order to be exempted from military service. Bernhardl lives at 210(1 North Fifty-fifth street, which is in the jurisdiction of local board 34, sitting in Overbrook. Bernhardt? arraigned before United States Commissioner Long yesterday, was held in SI,OOO bail for a further hearing next Thursday. Bernhardi's case, according to the Secret Service, is the first of its kind with which it has had to deal. Bern hard! was accepted for the draft and claimed exemption. It is said, on the ground that ho was married and had a wife who was a dependent. Persons who know Bernhardl claim that the woman witli whom he is liv ing is not his wife. HARRISBURG. PA., FRIDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 28, 1917 DEAF, DUMB AND BLIND BOY LEARNS TO WRITE QUICKLY Little George Watkeys, State's Ward, Surprises Parents by Sending Christmas Card LITTLE GEORGE WATKEYS From picture made at Mt. Airy Little George Watkeys, of Wicon isco, deaf, dumb and blind, who has been made a ward of the state and a pupil at Mt. Airy, through the In strumentality of Senator Beidleman, bids fair to become one of the brightest boys in the institution. Al ready he has been saved from the state of hopeless idi6cy toward which he was drifting when Senator Beidle man became interested in his case. The Legislature appropriated suf ficient money for his instruction and the lad was sent by his parents to Mt. Airy last Tall. Then he could not make his wants known in any way except by signs. He was utterly cut off from communication with the outside world. . Just before Christmas his mother received from Dr. A. L. E. Crouter, superintendent at Mt. Airy, a letter in which hj enclosed a Christmas postcard on which little George had written: , ',' Papa." j "Mama." And signed with his initials— "G. W." This card, Dr. Crouter says, was written by George entirely without aid and shows the rapid progress the lad has made in the few months he has been at the institution. "George j keeps well and is making rapid strides in his school work," says Dr. Crouter. Mrs. Watkeys sent the Christmas] card to Senator Beidleman who re gards It more highly than any other holiday gift he received. With it came a grateful letter from the mother of the lad, "with the prayer that God will grant your success In all your undertakings" and ex r ess- Ing joy over the rapid strides her boy is making in school. DISTRICT CITY FOR BIG K. OF C. WAR FUND DRIVE Committee of Businessmen to Work For Country's Fighting Men In addition to the large general committee named some time ago to raise Harrisburg's quota for the Knights of Columbus war camp fund a number of prominent Har risburg men have been elected to serve with the original members. The names follow: Henderson Gilbert, William Jen- I nings, J. William Bowman, George S. Reinoehl, David Kauffman, Thomas Lynch Montgomery, Donald McCormick, Charles E. Pass, George W. Heily, Andrew S. Patterson, J. H. Wallazsc, Captain George Lumb, W. H. Hennethum, jr., B. P. Blough, James Lentz. John Dapp, Francis J. Hall, C. H. Hunter, S. P. Dunkle, Frank Brady, Superintendent J. K. Johnson, R. Boone Abbott, Thomas J. Lynch and Arthur Bacon, all of Harrisburg; Quincy Bent. William- Nell, K. M. Rutherford and W. E. Abercrombie. all of Steelton. The election of these Harrisburg- I ers took place last night at a nieet- I ing of the original general commit- I tee. Reports received from various (sources show that the Khights of Columbus will have no more diftl culty in raising its war tamp fund quota than did the Y. M. C. A., In which campaign many members of the Knights of Columbus were ac tive. Both organizations are main taining buildings in all training camps for the soldiers. Meeting Next Wednesday A public meeting is to be held in the Board of Trade hall next Wed nesday night, the campaign opening the following morning. Among those who will speak will be the Rt. Rev. P. R. McDevltt, Bishop of the Har [Continued on Page 18.] No More Calls For Selected Men Until Middle of February By Associated Press Washington, Dec. 2 B.—Provost Marshal General Crowder has noti fied- state Governors that there will bo no more formal calls for deferred percentages of the present quota of National Army men before February 15. That, is, all men who have been called but whose order numbers are so low that they are not actually in camp, will get the benefit of th' new classification. Boards have been instructed, liow- I ever, to continue sending men to j make up deficiencies in the quota | caused by rejection of men already | in the service until they have enough 'men finally in the first class. [ They s were notified also to expect very short calls for men killed, in I special lines of work. MA SONS APPOINTED William rt. Hnyder, attornev. has been reappointed district 'deputy' grand master by James B. Krame I grand master of the Grand of I Masons of Pennsylvania. Frederic A. Godcharles, Deputy Secretary of the Commonwealth, lias been reappointed! district deputy for the twelfth tfnie. R. R. POOLING TO BE INITIAL MOVE BY GOVERNMENT New Order Should Wipe Out Competition and Relieve Congestion WANT QUICK MOVEMENT Shipments Will Co Directly to Destination, Regardless of Company By Associated Press Washington. Dec. 28.—At noon to-day the approximately 250,000 miles of American railway systems silently merged into one great con tinental chain for the winning of the war. Under President Wilson's decision, the great event, regarded by many as the opening of a new epoch in government and control of public utilities, passed by without nial ceremony. At the lirst practical step in '.he government's operation of railroads which began at noon to-day. Direc tor General McAdoo drafted ihe.i railroads' war board into the govern-' ment service to work out plans of unifled operation and submit them to him for approval. The following live railroad execu tives, each a leader in the business of transportation, will work out ihe plans for welding 250,000 miles of j railroad into one great continental! syriem for winning the war: Fairfax Harrison, president of the] Southern Kail way. Julius- Kruttschnitt, chairman of! the'board of the Southern Pacilic. Samuel Kea, president of the. Pennsylvania. Kale Holden, president of the Bur lington. Howard Elliott, of the New Haven. Complete control of American railroads for the duration of the war to-day passes into the hands of the United States government.. At noon, the hour fixed by Presi dent Wilson's proclamation for ef fecting governmental possession, Secretary McAdoo, the new director of railroads, was ready with his Urst official order designed to pool all traffic, equipment and terminals to relieve the congestion which has gripped the country since the out break of the war. The immediate result of the order will be to wipe out competition and reroute traffic over the shortest lines. Shipments will move directly to their destination regardless of the company with which they originate and terminals will be used in com mon to effect maximum efficiency. [Continued on Page 18.] Railways Company Gives Its Answer to Charge Cars Do Not Heed Signals The Harrisburg Traction Company through its president, Frank B. Rlusser, made an answer to-day to the Public Service Commission in reply to Lila A. Hamill, who charged that the Third street cars failed to stop for passengers arid that the operators had orders froni head quarters to do so. The Traction Company denial says "No instructions have been given by the company such as alleged in the complaint. On the contrary the company's orders to its employes are that they shall be exceedingly care ful not to pass any intending pas senger. The only exception is where for some reason one car is ini-' mediately followed by another and the delay involved cannot then ex-1 ceed the fraction of a minute. "This happened in the complain ant's case when she wished to board a car at Third and Maclay streets. The car that passed her, however, was followed by another car less than half a block distant upon Which she became a pasenger within less than thirty seconds after pass age of the lirst. car. "There are no instances, so far as I know, where three or four cars, as stated by the complainant, would not stop for passengers or where pass engers were kept waiting the length of time stated by the complainant. "I might add that during the heavy recent snows operation of the Third street line has been particularly dif ficult on account of traffic blocking the tracks." French Repulse Enemy Attack in the Argonne; Artillery Activity Lively Jiy A.-socictrd Press Paris, Thursday. Dec. 27.—The I French War Office issued the follow* j ing official statement to-night: • "In the Argonne we repulsed an enemy surprise attack. "On the right bank of the Meuse the activity of the artillery on both sides continued very lively in the re gion of Caurieres wood and Bezon vaux. Northeast of Bezonvaux our batteries caught under their fire an enemy troop concentration which was dispersed with losses. "Belgian communication: During tho last forty-eight hours there has been little activity on the Belgian front. During the night of Decem ber 26-27 the artillery fighting was rather intense in the Dlxmude sec tor. "Army of the east: December 26. —Nothing of importance occurred. Bad weather continues." PRESIDENTS BIRTHDAY Washington, Dec. 28.— Coincident with the taking over of the railroads j President Wilson to-day is celebrat ing his 61st birthday. No special ceremony is planned at the White House as the war-time rush of work makes impossible any deviation in the President's daily routine. Sipsle Copy. 2 Cents HOME EDITION . $119,000 ADDED TO 1918 BUDGET BY COUNCILMEN Commissioners to Pass Com pleted Measure on First Reading Tonight MANY SALARY INCREASES Police to Get SIOO a Month at Suggestion of Mayor Keistcr Provision for extensive salary in creases, not quite equaling the amounts asked in a number of in stances, items for Fourteenth ward Improvements and other increases for labor and materials for all city departments will be provided in the budget ordinance which will be passed on lirst reading at a special meeting of Council to-night. The t°t<il budget- estimate, for 1918 is tB7-5.453.78. This year it was $755,- 1 he increase in the cost for main taining the city departments next' year is $119,471.53 to bo provided! lor by increasing the tax rate from I nine to ten mills and raising the ' water rates both to householders and I manufacturers on a proportionate! scale. Although a few minor changes may be made in' the budget ordi nance before tinal passage the com missioners said to-day all the im portant work had been done and all [Continued on Page 18.] Dr. Harry P. Eisenhart Dies After Short Illness Dr. Harry I*. Eisenhart, 1122 North Second street, a widely known phjsician, died to-day of acute ode mia of the lungs. He was 57 years old. Dr. Eisenhart took cold from a recent snowstorm when his auto mobile stalled. He is survived by his wife. Funeral services will be : held Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock j the Rev. Dr. J. Bradley Mark ward! | pa-dor of Bethlehem Lutheran | Church, presiding. Burial will | )e [ miide in the llarrisburg Cemetery. ■■ i ? „ f f IDENT'S FRIEND IS DEAD j rtT B.— Dr. Charles W. Mitchell, noted jj e £ r ' Iren's diseases and a member of the fac*' - jfl - X University of Maryland died to-day of 3 $• ie was a i lassmate of President Wilson- at jj •XP:ir • i. : nivet-.ity. 3 | EX-SENATOR THORNTON DEAD Jj X La. Dec. 28.—John R Thornton, former 4 B f Ur.i ' Sehator for Louisiana, died at hi.4 home J 1 7* J ' 71 years. T AMERICAN PAINTER DEAD 4 0 -4* {Jam Dec. 28. The death of Toby Rosenthal, J§ X :* r *, i reported by the Tageblatt of Ber- ♦f s ' • mL •' 1 ~t'a! was born in New Haven 69 years 4. ■ • ed ;.tt in San Francisco and subsequently 4 too' - i'lencc in Munich. KI, X BABY JIM" SIMONS DEAD j T "" ■ 1 Dec, 28.—"Baby Jim" Simons, colored, m T (1 ch< iviest man in the.world, died ' ere to-day. T X bed 800 pounds. J 4 £ t f ARTILLERY FIGHTING CONTINUES T J"'.:-.; Dec. 28.—Artillery fighting continued during 4 'b oh tlie Verdun front near Cauricres wood, X 1 Germans made an unsuccessful attack' on w Km T W( tl:- wai office reports. There also was L heavy v :n Lorraine. £■* M ENDORSE COLLEGE ATHLETICS X T ' 1 28 Encouragement of college ath- T ( ! benefit physically all students, instead ' * pecialists, bo as to increase the vigor of j3 1 J jtour. A rican manhood for war service, was endorsed It "*by I .1 i ;y of War Baker and Secretary of the 's • 1 Nat iels in letter* received by the National Col- £ * JI • • Association in session here to-day, |* • OMTIN.UES ; THOUSANDS HOMELESS 8 * ! ! Washington, D-c. 28,—At 6 o'clock -last night the It • |0 earth , ' - vhich destroyed part of Guatemala City • ! 'X 4 v ' uing; destruction of .property was unabated lj* ar.-l ' • v ere without shelter. Americans anc? * * 1* ' * Ml ,iic*is ".ere safe. > 1 —i | • MARRIAGE LICENSES;; (' Ilnymond W. Merrrll. !> York, noil Marvellii >l. Hell, Jrrarr > At Shore! Wllllnm A. tillbert, HarrlHhnrit. nnil .MiWlretl A. Kchaubln, * IT iirllnle; Irvln 11. Hubln unit I> It. Friedman, llarrlnhurif | John L. * " 7 l.'ellx ind torn H. (iuntrr, IlarriMburK. )Si tf*. 3 U.S. SOLDIERS KILLED BY BOCHE SHELLS IN FRANCE Corporal of American Engi neers Christmas Eve Vic tim; Companion Wounded DROP BOMB ON CAMP Enemy Aviators Kill Two Privates at Camping Place Near French Town By Associated I'rcss With the American Army in France, Thursday, Dec. 27.—A corporal of American engineers was killed and one private Avas wounded Christmas even when a Gernu.n shell dropped near a party of American engineers working in trenches on a sec tion of the French front. The engineers for several weeks lia'l been working along the front [Continued on l*agc 11.] IIIISII WOULD E!VI.IST . IN UNITED STATES By Associated Press London. Dec. 28. A number ol young men in middle and westerr Ireland according to a Dublin dis patch to the Times have applied to j passports-to enable them to go to th< t'nited States to Join Irish regiment! in the American Army. The govern inent authorities up to this time. It li added, have refused to grant sue! permits. DROPS (iKIIJIAX MSGtAGK Reading, Pa., Dec. 28.—The hos tility of youns members led to ai epochmaking step by the Reformet Church consistory at Deesport, thi; county, made up chiefly of Pennsvl vania Oernians, when It was an nounced yesterday that there will hi no more German preaching at serv ices. At one time all the service; were in German. The Dutherai Church there is expected to follov suit.
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