The Bismarck Tribune Newspaper, March 19, 1917, Page 1

Generally Fair. THIRTY-SEVENTH YEAR, NO. 66 AVERT STRIKE ON EVE OF WAR WITH GERMANY Patriotic Motives Inspire Railroad Managers to Effect Settle- ment With Men MEANS AN ADDED SALARY TO EXPENSE OF $60,000,000 More Than 300,000 Employes Throughout Nation to Receive Increased Pay TO GET BACK PAY. Bi (Associated Press.) oe New York, March 19.—Confer- ences will be held tomorow be- Ne tween the railway managers and the brotherhood chiefs to decide the basis of computation of back t pay, inasmuch as the new agree- u ment is to be retroactive, begin- = ning January 1. It is estimated unofficially that the men have coming to them between $12,000,- 000 and $13,000,000 in back wages. The record of every man’s work by mileage- and hours has been kept since January 1, in case the ‘United States supreme court up- held the Adamson act effective on that date as constitutional. (Associated Press.) New York, March 19.—The railroad strike has been averted. Yielding to the appeal of President Wilson and facing the probability of. this coun- try’s entrance into the world war, the railroads early today granted the de- mands of the four employes’ brother- hoods for a basic eight-hour day. Tel- egraphic wires this morning carried throughout the United States mes- sages from the brotherhood chiefs rescinding the orders for the inaug- uration of the great progressive strike | at 7. o'clock ‘tonight. ‘Complete Surrender. The decision is regarded as a com- plete surrender,,to the..brotherhoods, brought about. however, after the patriotism ofthe railroad managers had been put ‘to the test. The presi- dent's mediators, playing what they considered their last, trump card, were not successful in their mission un- til after more than 50 hours?of anx- ious conferences, all of which pointed, within a short time before the de- cision was announced, to an inevitable deadlock. ‘Secretary of the Interior ‘Lane and the other mediators were affected when told of the action of the rail- road managers. Mr. Lane sent for the committee of the railroads, and ‘ turning: to Elisha ‘Lee, their spokes- man, said: Grand Duke Michael: Alexan- drovitch, brother of the czar, Is the new power behind the throne of Russia, approved by the neo- ple. He is regent, while the new czar is former Grand Duke Alex- is, 12-year-old son of the deposed raler. BANSHED DUKES WORANATIC. WIFE: WAY BE GZARIM Michael's: Regency: Recalls Army Scandal of Years Ago and Flight to England New York, March 19.—Russia’s rev- olutionary coup places in power a brother of the czar who preferred the woman of his choice to recognition by royalty, and so was virtually ban- ished from court circles. - Grand Duke Michael married in 1910 the divorced wife of a fellow officer in his regiment of cuirassiers. For this he was banished from the czar’s circles, and took up his resi- dence in England, with his wife, born Countess Natalie Scheremetersky, who had first married Capt. von Woulfert. One story is that Capt. von Woul- fert married the Countess Natalia Magnificent Thing. “This is a magnificent thing that you have done for your country. It will go down in history as one of the greatest things you ever did. W. G. Lee, head of the trainmen, announced that orders: would go for- ward at once informing. all district chairmen of the brotherhoods of the ‘ successful outcome of the confer- ences. ‘UNITED PRESS THREE SHIPS. GRAND) DUKE.MICHAED By the terms of the settlement, the combined salary list of the railroads will be increased $60,000,000 a year, according to conservative estimates. The number of workmen profiting by this increase will be more than 300,- merely to please the czar, and take her out of the life of Grand Duke Michael. This. was displeasing to Michael, who claimed fatherhood of two children born to Natalia. He made the young beauty his wife soon after her divorce. He was then 33, she 31. After Natalia married von Woul- fert according to Russian gossip here, the grand duke in pique turned to the daughter of a wealthy Ukrainian landowner; but she left the country at the instance of the czar, so Mich- ael returned to his first love. When war broke out, Michael offer- ed his sword in Russia’s defense, and hastened from ‘his English home to join the army. He is one of the three outstanding heroes of the Russian populace that the war has produced, the others being Grand Duke Nicholas and General Brussiloff. The czar conferred the title of Countes de Brassow on the morgan- atic wife of the grand duke after his return to war, and while Michael led his soldiers at the front she remain- ed with her children in England knit- ting mittens for British soldiers. * Michael, as regent for, the. czare- vitch, Alexis, may yet become czar,, for the young heir to the throne is be- lieved to have an incurable disease. In that case Countess Natalia. un- doubtedly will become czarina of all the Russias—for the manner in which the grand duke, now _ regent, has stuck :to her. through.demotion and disgrace leads to the belief he will wipe-the institution of “morganatic” marriage off the books in Russia. It is a suggestive sidelight on the state of mind and morals in the re- cent. Russian court that the ignominy heaped on Grand Duke Michael was not because he claimed he is the fath- er of Countess Natalia’s children, but because he evidently gave her ‘his name as well as his heart. EXTEND CONGRATULATIONS (United Press), ‘ London, March 19.—Premier David Lloyd. George indicated in an an- the house of:commons, Crisis a Factor. That the crisis resulting from the sinking of three American ships by German submarines was the prime factor in clearing the situation and re- storing the country to normal condi- tions insofar as its transportation fa- cilities were concerned, was conceded by all. The president’s mediators had made no secret of the fact that they viewed the outlook with pessimism. It was evident that the strike would undoubtedly become effective unless something more intervened than the mere suggestion that the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany might lead to open hostilities. Unanimous Action. The president's mediators again communicated with the. railroad man- agers, with the result that they are said to have voted unanimously to yield to the demands of the brother- hoods, in order “that neither at home nor abroad should there be fear or hope that the efficient operation of the railroads of the country will be ham- pered or impaired.” <The mediation negotiations and their results were summed up in a statement issued_today: Issue Statement. . “We desire to express owr appreci- ation of the large and patriotic action of the railroad managers’ commitee, which has put beyond peradventure the possibility of a nation-wide rail- road strike, the railroads have met the full demand of the Adamson eight- hour law. This concession was se- cured at a culmination of two days and nights of negotiations. “Our first effort was to secure a postponement of the strike, which was fixed for Saturday pight. This postponement was by pre- senting to the railroad managers, a memorandum agreement drafted by, the cdserchegyrie Ne expressed | the provisions of the Adamson law. ; ?, —o— Strike “Of f--=A damson iy Regent and Crown Prince 'rOURT RULES EIGHT-HOUR (STEPS 10 GUARD CAW VALIOVAMERICAN CRAFT Wage Increases Bffective by Rail- road Managers Now Fully Legalized é THREE JUSTICES GIVE DISSENTING OPINION Chief Justice White Personally Reads Decision and Gives Lengthy Review of Issue (Associated Press.) Washington, March 19.—The Unit- ed States supreme court today held the Adamson. eight-hour law consti- tutional. The Adamson eight-hour railroad law was held constitutional and valid in all respects today by tho supreme court. The decision makes eight hours the standard for a day's work and wages for men in operation of trains and legalizes the wage in- creases which went into tentative et- fect on its passage. The immediate wage increases won by the railroad employes affect 400,- 600 trainmen-as of January 1, which will total between $40,000,000 and $50,- 000,000. Tho decision was 5 to 4, Justices ‘Day, Pitney and Vandovanter an- nounced their dissent from thé bench, and later Justice McReynolds art- nounced his. Justice MoReynolds delivered a sep arate opinion, saying that congre: did not have the power to pass the law, but that he now bows to the ma- jority’s ruling. a WHITE READS DECISION. (United Press.) Washington, March 19.—Shortly be- fore convening for a decision at noon today, the supreme court began read- ing its decision in the Adamson eight- hour lay. Chief Justice White person- ally read the dicision. He began with a Jegnthy review of the pro- ceedings and circumstances which led up to the passage of the law. White held the right to fix wages inherent in private parties. Besides declaring it constitutional, the decision gives congress the power to legislate wages. It is a reversal of Judge Hook of Kansas City, who held the law unconstitutional, the de- cision was not unanimous. The court held the law constitutional by a de- cision of 5 to 4. Those dissenting were: Justices Pitney, Day, Van De- vanter and McReynolds. Those in fa- vor of the law were: Justices White, ‘MicKenna, Holmes, Brandes and Clark. Justice McReynolds last night was against the bill, but today conceded giving congress wage Exine wage fixing powers. PETITION ASKS PURCHASE OF A MOTOR TRUCK Liberally Signed by Represent- ative Citizens—Filed With Commission Today A petition, largely signed by repre- sentative citizens, asking for a bond issue to purchase a fire motor truck, wag filed with the city commission this morning by Fire Chief Thomp- The truck would cost about RATE EXPERTS AND CRAIGHEAD'S JOBS. COT CUT No Appropriations for Salary of James A. Little and Commis. sioner of Education ‘The railway commission, through Governor Frazier’s veto of the item of $4,000 provided for the salary of James A. Little for 1917 and 1918, is left without a rate expert. The rail commission is the only one of the sev- eral. state boards and departments which is subjected to a deep cut. Rate Expert Little, with Commissioner Johnson, incurred the displeasure of ‘the powers that be by pointing out some of the dangers of Representa- tive Dupuis’ rate bill, No. 298. The head of Secretary Walter F. Cushing fell from the same cause, and now it seems that the official scalp of Mr. Little is to be added to Big Chief Townley’s collection. Dr. 5. 'B. Craighead, who came here from Missoula, Mont.’about a year ago to become commissioner of edu- cation, and who assisted in the state educational survey, also gets the axe, his salary being eliminated by. the governor’s veto. SHOW GIVE) iT OF ANAMOOSE BOOSTER CLUB (Special to The Tribune) Anamoose, N. D., March 19—Crowd- ed houses greeted both performances of the minstrel show given here last week for the benefit of the Commer- cial club.’ The production” was staged under the direction of Director Mit- chell and Miss Mitchell, pianist. TWO-DAY FARMERS’ INSTITUTE FOR ANAMOOSE Anamoose, N- D., March 19—A two- day farmers’ institute will be held here on March 23 and 24. In addition to the regular ‘institute talent, Mr. Hall, farm expert. of Pierce county, will be in attendance. One session ‘will be of: special interest to the la- dies; at which time: the high school glee: it si sing... Phe Anamoose ‘According to Mayor Mayor Lucas, the proposition cannot be voted upon at the approaching municipal election because the time is too short, but he stated that a special election will be held. The law provides that a bond issue must be voted on at a regular election and that the proposition be before the electors 15 days. Bis- marck’s city election takes place Tuesday, April 3. Engines, similar to the one petition- ed for, have been purchased at Valley City, Fargo. and, other points in the northwest. Fargo bought its truck last year and its run was one of the features of the firemen’s convention. Valley City will have its truck for the firemen convention to be held there in June. EXPECT TO OPEN LINTON BRANCH BY TOMORROW The Linton-McKenzie line of the Northern Pacific which\ has been blocked since last Friday’s storm, is tomorrow, according to word given outtat the Northerm Pacific station this afternoon. The freight on the Mott line did not leave this morning and as a result eee Salone who intended ‘to make that Te- this afternoon BISMARCK, NOETH DAKOTA, — MONDAY, MAROH 19, 1917. K--WAR MAY RESUL! aw Is Valid expected to be opened to the public] progre: ASSOCIATED PRESS EXPECT VIGOROUS; 3é# Pash Calling of Extra Session Before April 16 Looms Up as Strong Probability Now NO PLANS OF AMERICAN PART IN WAR FIXED Problem Now Is to Secure Num- ber of Light Craft to Chase Submersibles (Associated Press) Washington, March 19.—New and aggressive action to protect American shipping against German submarines appears certain as a result of yester- day's sinking of three unarmed Amer- ican merchantmen with possible loss of American lives. Calling of congress in extra session before April 16 loomed as the strong- est probability although President Wilson was understood to have other courses under consideration. Fight Submarines. With American ships already being med, the most probable step would be an active campaign to clear sub- marines out of the shipping lanes. There appeared to be no plan to have the United States enter the war in the sense that the European nations have entered it. The fact that some American ships are on the other side of the ocean, unarmed, is a factor in the situation and as large warships are ineffective against submarines, the problem for the government is to get small submarine chasers. Announced Last Night. The sinking of the American steam- ships City of Memphis, Illinois and Vigilancia was announced. last night.. ity of Memphis, in ballast, froti-Cardif tor New York; was sunk by gunfire. «The second officer and 16]- -{men of the crew have been landed. A patrol boat has gone’ in search of the other members of the crew. The Illinois, from London for Port Arthur, Texas, in ballast, was sunk at 8 o'clock yesterday morning. The Vigilancia was torpedoed with- out warning. The submarine did not appear. The captain, first and second mates, first, second and third engin- eers and 23 men of the crew have been landed at the Scilly Island. London Is Attacked by Zeppelins (Associated Press.) Berlin, ‘March 19—An attack on London by Zeppelins lasting one ond one-half hours has been made, the war office announced today. (Bombs were dropped successfully and the airships returned safely. CHINESE TROOPS TAKE TIEN T5IN (Associated Press) Pekin, March 19.—Chinese troops have occupied without opposition the German concessions at Tien Tsin and Hankow. The Dutch have taken over the German consulate. ' TO LOAN MONEY TO FARMERS AT 5 PERCENT (Associated Pre: Washington, March 19.—The Farm loan ‘board announced today that the interest rate on all loans made to farmers throughout the country by federal land banks would be 5 per cent. A rate of 4 1-2 per cent on bonds to be issued by land banks also was officially announced. o———_—_ { WAR SUMMARY Qo—. (Associated Press) The greatest military movement on the Franco-Belgian front since the battle of the Marne is still in full swing, with the Germans in retreat on a front of nearly 100 miles. French territory approximating 620 square miles has been abandoned. The retirement of Field. Marshal von Hindenberg’s western armies has already virtually resulted in the straightening out of the famous Ar- ras and Noyon salients and apparent- ly the retrograde movement is still in 88. Should the expectation of many mil- itary observers who have been watch- ing the operations be realized. the re- treat will not stop short of the pow- erfully fortified line, running from Lille to Laton, h the strong de- fensive position of Quentin. Nets 500 Sq. Miles Great Gains Made by British in the Region About Bap- aume GREAT REJOICING OVER ADVANCE OF TROOPS By ED. L, KEEN. (United Press Staff Correspendent.) London, March 19.—The greatest occupancy of territory by a belliger- ent since the German sweep toward Marne accomplished by the British near Bapaume gladdened England to- day. The Allies forced the German line to give way. Nearly 500 square miles between the Arras sector and the Oise have been added to the Al- lies’ holdings. Although there was general rejocing over the success to- day, the Allies’ “push” experts were inclined to put the soft pedal on pop- ular tendency toward over enthusi- asm. One hundred towns and villages were occupied by the French troops during three days’ advance on the western front, it was officially an- nounced today. The German retreat 13 miles from Chaulnes to the Oise is in progress. It is of an entirely different character than the German retreat north of the Somme. .Today the French troops are comparing the German retreat with the retirement on the Marne. Only machine gun and bicycle squads were left behind by the enemy to cover up the retreat. Many of these have been captured. Never were women made happier than those of England today as the men pressed forward boring in to make the greatest gain any army has achieved in two years’ fighting on the western front. The speed of the Brit- ish “push” is best illustrated by the fact that at several points the Brit- ish had their long sought opportun- ity of going into action. Poisoning was discovered in several wells by the British. army surgeons along the Ger; man retirement. ALL MUSTERNG OUT OF TROOPS IS SUSPENDED Commander of Central Depart- ment Issues Orders to Mil- itia Heads FIRST MINNESOTA ORDER UP FOR INSPECTION NO ORDERS HERE. No orders of any kind have been received at the office of the adjutant general in regard to any contemplated move which might be ordered by the war depart. ment from the state regiment. Dispatches reaching Bismarck to- day state that the mustering out of certain regiments had been stopped, pending further word from Washington. (Associated Press.) Chicago, March 19.—Orders were is- sued today by Major General Thomas H. Barry, commander of the central department of the arm, suspending all mustering out of troops in the central department “subject to further no- tice.” Mustering out of militia troops throughout the central military de- partment was ordered discontinued to- day, it was admitted at the adju- tant general's office. PREPARE FOR INSPECTION. Minneapolis, Minn, ‘March 19.—Four days after the First Minnesota in- fantry had been mustered out of ser- vice and the men back to work, Col- Luce received orders to prepare his regiment for inspection by federal of- ficers. The fact that the regiment was inspected at San Antonio and that an opportunity was given for another inspection last week, caused consider able conjecture. FULL CITIZENSHIP GRANTED TO JEWS (United Press) Petrograd, March 19.—Full right of citizenship to Jews and the abolition of the pale was the further progres- sive step which democratic Russia took today. Petrograd is astir+ with enthusiasm today. Public utilities are now running as of old and news- papers are publishing again with en- tire freedom of editorial power. Many of the newspapers which resumed publishing today, commemorated with special editions full of eulogies, poems.and long articles. Dispatches rai and St. {from Moscow said that workmen there have resumed their occupations. MANY AMERICAN SAILORS KILLED BY SUBMARINE Freighter Shelled Without Warn: ing and Believed Nation on Verge of Hostilities WILSON MAY CONVENE CONGRESS AT ONCE Number Missing Is Placed at Twenty-four—Thought Kaiser Wants to Force Fight (United Pre: Washington, March 19.—The United ‘States and Germany are today on the verge of open hostilities. With a vir- tual state of war existing between the two countries, as a result of the sinking by a German submarine of three American freighters, it is now believed inevitable that the first meet- ing between an armed United States boat and a U-boat will make the open- ing of the hostilities. In official .cir- cles, Germany's destruction of the three vessels with a possible loss of 20 American lives, leaves no doubt that the kaiser has forced a state of war, The state of armed neutrality in which all American vessels are now being placed as ordered by President Wilson continues, although it had ap- parently failed in its object in pre- venting the sinking of the Laconia, Algonquin, City of Memphis, Illinois and Vigilancia. May ‘Convene Congress, That the president's next step would be to call an extra session of . congress before the scheduled date, April 16, was deemed likely by some, though the general view is that he would have them meet ag scheduled, and then inform them that a state of war has. existed since Méreh “18> anet-"~ ask for real war measures, It was expected would consult other: au- thorities during the day.’ The aavy maybe called upon to take a vigorous hand, Any call will await the’ full ‘authorization of congress. The presi- dent: studied dispatches from abroad up-to an early hour this morning, and is still awaiting further details from Consul Frost at Queenstown. Visits Departments. ‘President Wilson made another per- sonal visit to the state, war and navy building this afternoon and there were outward indications that some new definite action was impending as the result of the latest destruction of American ships by German subma- rines. President Wilson conferred with Secretary Daniels, it was understood, about the issue of $150,000,000 in bonds for the hurrying of naval con- struction because of national emerg- ency. There was no official announce- ment, however, to confirm this. Aggressive Protection. Immediate announcement by Presi- dent Wilson of the course of action he intends to take in reply to Ger- many’s latest affront on the high seas was forecast by officials today. Some believed that he would call an extra session at once, to have that body on hand for consultation. Others be- lieved he might issue a proclamation empowering Secretary of the Navy Daniels to use the emergency fund ap- propriated in pursuit of a policy for the aggressive protection of Ameri- can shipping. May Be Prisoners, Fear that Captain Borum and nine missing scamen, from the City of Memphis, American trader, are now possibly prisoners aboard the submar- ine, which sank the ship, was con- veyed in the second of two dispatch- es received today from Consul Frost at Queenstown. The message read: “The captain’s boat was found at 11 o'clock which, indicates a hasty abandonment. The captain’s papers were found in a biscuit tin in the boat.” ‘Lansing in Conference, At 11 o'clock Secretary Lansing went to the White House for a con- ference with President Wilson. The situation is too serious to dis was the only official word from the state department previous to Sec- retary ‘Lansing’s departure to the White House. He left shortly after noon, refusing to comment in any way. Commandeer Craft. Mobilizing of forces today, Syeg by the navy department to. American boat builders for construction of sub- marine chasers, to patrol American waters, and preparations being put into effect for the commandeering of all private motor boats of sufficient size and speed to meet the require- ment of a submarine warfare, indi- cate that the navy department wants to act swiftly. Bids for new torpe- does will be opened Wednesday. Usu- ally some time is given between the announcement and the day when they are opened. In addition to the com- mandeering of all private craft, it be came known that the naval boards of every coast state have listed all avail ble vessels, and that tentative com tracts for their transfer to naval 3 -vice have been issued. Telegraph of- ders to close the. contracts and take we all_ necessary craft is i ae