Evening Star Newspaper, May 2, 1917, Page 1

change in temperature. p.m.: Highes ena oweat. th Full report cn page 7. ————SSSS ee WEATHER. Fair tonight and tomorrow; ‘Temperature for twenty-four hours 69, at & pm. 5 a.m. today. Mttle CLOSING NEW YORK STOCKS PAGE 18 he vening Sta. No. 26,671. WASHINGTON, D. MOVE TO DISPLACE HEAD OF LOCAL SCHOOL SYSTEM Board of Education Confers on the Re-Election of Supt. Thurston. NO SUCCESSOR CHOSEN AND NONE PROPOSED Mr. Thurston’s Record and Dr. Van Schaick’s Memorandum—Lat- ter’s Reasons for Change. Last Monday night a conference of members of the board of education was held at the residence of Rev. Dr. John ‘Van Schaick, jr., president of the board, for the purpose of discussing the ques- tion of the election of superintendent of schools for a three-year term begin- ning July 1 next. Announcement of this fact has caused general surprise in ‘Washington, for no intimation had pre- viously been given publigly that a change fn the superintendency was con- templated. At the conference Monday night it was disclosed that three mem- bers of the board were emphatically favorable to the re-election of Supt. Ernest L. Thurston, John B. Larner, Ernest H. Daniel and William T. Galli- her. Those who expressed opposition to Mr. Thurston’s re-election were Dr. Van Schaick and Mrs. Susie Root Rhodes. The other members of the board, Mrs. Margarita Spalding Gerry, Mrs. Coralie F. Cook, Dr. J. Hayden Johnson and Fountain Peyton, the three last named of whom constitute the colored membership of the board, expressed themselves as unprepared to announce their decision on the subject of the superintendency. The confer- ence adjurned to meet Thursday after- noon at the Franklin building, when it is expected that a decision’ may be reached on the subject of Mr. Thurs- ston’s re-election. No Specific Reason for a Change. The opposition to Mr. Thurston's re- election for another term has arisen, it appears, from no speCific cause, but is inspired by a feeling on the part of those strongly favoring his displacement that he is lacking in initiative. As far as known no other person has been select- ed or nominated as his successor by those opposed to Mr. Thurston. Thus the ynusual situation presents itself ef & movement to displace the sopeiatendent,, by di of ion months before expiration of his term, without “his replacement by Meana of an election. 08 changes in the sonnel of the board of education a year = pense le png a ‘Van Schaick, rs. r. Peyton were added to the board, there have been rumors of @ movement to effect the displace- ment of Mr. Thurston by another super- imtendent. No definite action, however, ‘Was taken toward this end until about six @eeks ago, when, after a series of conferences, Dr. Van Schaick prepared and sent to each member of the board education and to each justice of the — Leahey Read Bree court being ie er that appoints the memb. of the board—an extended ‘statement, covering his own position with regard to the superintendency, in which he de- olared that in his judgment Mr. Thurs- ton should be replaced by another man. A copy of this statement was furnished by Dr. Van Schaick to the superintend- ent in order that he might rally his friends to bring about his re-election if that could be effected. This paper secured wide circulation and caused an int agitation in the schools, among the teachers and in those circles of parents through which the word carried that another administrative change was contemplated in the school system. after ‘three years of tranquillity. the longest Pasay of peace the schools have en- joyed for fully a dozen years. Many Protests. Since the time it became known that ®@ displacement of the superintendent ‘was contemplated by certain members of the board a quiet but earnest effort has been made in his behalf by friends and by those who believe the school pyatem to be more in need of freedom from politics and change than of a stronger and more initiative educa- tional head, if such can be found. The Board of Trade, the Central Labor Union, the West End Citizens’ A = tion and other bodies, including parent. teacher associations, have gone already on record protesting against any change and urging the re-election of Mr Thurston. A flood of letters have poured into the Franklin building in protest. from those who have known the more intimate facts of the situa. tion. The sentiment among the school teachers and officers has been expressed virtually unanimously in favor of the re-election of the superintendent. Dr. Van Schaick’s statement of reasons against the re-election of Mr. Thurston and his replacement by anoth ‘3 follows: a Dr. Van Schaick’s Statement. “Memorandum of the views of pr. Van Schaick in regard to the position of superintendent of public schools of the District of Columbia: “The term of Supt. Thurston will ex- pire on July 1. The question as to his re-election is before us. “Two views prevail. I will state each view as fairly as I can, and then have a conference with you, if you de- str “I know that some members of the board have made up their minds that he ought to be re-elected and that some have made up their minds that another man should be chosen. “In favor of the re-election of Mr. Thurston the following considerations have been urged: Points in Thurston’s Favor. "1, He is a clean, honest man. 2. He is familiar with our local sit- uation. . He is reasonably able, growing and bound to do better. 4. He is progressive in his views, but conservative in action—an idea} combination. “5. He has the confidence of the great body of his officers and teachers, “6. He has made some fundamentai changes, organized group principalship, provided for the rerating of teachers. “7. He has made community studies of value. “$, He bas issued reports regularly and had frequent conferences with his fellow workers. “9. He has shown his courage by r. sisting members of the board or citi- (Continued on Fifth Page) | FOR Findings of Public Utilities Commission on Holdings of Local Corporations. LOWER THAN WAS CLAIMED Culminating three years of inves- tigation and in each instance finding a lower value than claimed by the cor- poration, the public utilities commis- sion this afternoon announced com- plete valuations for rate-making pur- poses for the Potomac Electric Power Company, the Washington and George- town gaslight companies and the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company. This winds up the valuation work, except for the properties of the two street railway corporations, now under investigation. Consideration of the rates charged for local utility service next is in order. Findings of the Commission. The commission finds the value of the Potomac Electric Power Company, as of December 31, 1916, to be $11,231,- 170.43. The company had claimed a value of $23,235,387.63. For the Washington Gas Light Com- pany the commission's rating, as of the same date, is $9,097,873.31. This com- pany had claimed a total value, not in: cluding franchises or easements of $18,- 015,094. Georgetown Gas Light Company is given a value of $829,886.59. It had és- can its property as worth $1,566,- a : Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Company’s value is placed by the com- mission at $6,783,932.48. This corpora- tion had claimed a value of $7,784,677. _Where Heaviest Cuts Were Made. The biggest cuts were made in the rat- ings for the Potomac Electric Power and the Washington Gas Light Companies. President Clarence P. King of the former company said this afternoon he could not state what steps would be taken by that company until he had opportunity to go over the report. That one or more com- panies may protest the figures through court proceedings is considered probable. In announcing its findings the commis- sion stated that it would hand down an opinion in each case within a few days. ‘With respect to the Potomac Electric Power Company, the commission gave @ rating of $10,250,000 as of July 1, 1914, when the investigation began, and allowed net additions to invest- ment in company's property up to De- cember 31, 1916, of $981,170.43, for a total of $11,231,170.43. This amount in- cludes some allowances for intangible values, but does not include the com- pany’s claim of $1,000,000 for its Great Falls water power site numerous claims for intangibles which in them- ‘selves totaled approximately $8,000,- we Gorse the tota] bees asserted company up to the twenty- three-million-dollat mark. if Gas Light Companies. In «the case of the Washington Gas Light Company the commission first finds a value as of December 31, 1914, amounting to $8,800,000 and allows ad- ditions to December 31, 1916, of $297,- 873.61, for a total of $9,097,873.31. This company likewise had made extensive claims for intangible values in report- ing a total value of $18,015,094. The Georgetown Gas Light Company was rated at $775,000 as of December 31, 1915, and given additions amounting to $54,886 up to December 31, 1916, for a total of $829,886.59. This com- pany had sought an allowance of $200,- 000 for franchises, including going con- cern and business values. For the Chesapeake and Potomac Tel- ephone Company the rating given as of July 1, 1914, is $6,400,000. Additions to December ‘31, 1916,’ amounting to $383,932.48, were allowed, the resultant total being $6,783,932.43." The commis- sion made some allowances for in- tangibles in this case, but they were much lower than the umounts sought by the company. ARMY DRAFT BILL NOW READY FOR CONFEREES Senate Substitutes Its Measure for That Passed by House—Points of Difference. The new army draft bill is now ready for consideration by the conferees, the Senate having substituted its bill for the measufe passed by the House. There are but three essential points of dif- ference between the House and Senate; first, the age limit of conscripts, the Senate fixing it between the ages of twenty-one-and twenty-seven and the House twenty-one and forty; second, the Senate authorization for Col. Roose- velt to raise four infantry divisions of volunteer troops for foreign service, and the Senate's provision as to prohi- bition, both of which the House re- Jected. The bill probably will conference, however, until the emer- gency army appropriation bill has been completed by the conferees, which will be toward the end of the week. Before substituting its bill for the House measure the Senate voted down, 168 to 4, Senator La Follette’s proposi- tion to submit the selective draft to a referendum of the people. It also re- jected, without division, an amendment loftered by Senator Gronna, forbidding the manufacture of grain into intoxi- \cants. The Senate likewise defeated, lby a vote of 54 to 17, Senator Mc- Cumber’s amendment, exempting those whose religious belief is opposed to war- fare or military service. The conferees on the part of the Senate will be Senators Chamberlain, Hitchcock and Warren. Fire in Milling Plant. CHICAGO, May 2—Fire did $15,000 damage to the plant of the B. A. Eck- hart Milling Company here early today and caused the fall of a 50,000-gallon water tank, which gave rise to reports that the building had been bombed. There was no loss of life. H. B. Wheatley, Author, Dies. LONDON, May 2.—Henry Benjamin Wheatley, a well known British au- thor, died Monday. He was born in 2838 in Chelsea, ‘ not go ‘into FIXES VALUATIONS |PEACE AND BREAD, RATE MAKING} PLEA OF WORKERS Austrian and Hungarian Toil- ers Glorify Russ Revolution in May Day Demonstrations. BERLIN REPORTS QUIET By the Associated Press. LONDON, May 2.—Work stopped com- pletely throughout Austria-Hungary on May day, according to wireless dis- patches from Bern. All of the Vienna munition factories were left idle while the workers gathered at sixty mass meetings, where the food question and the need of immediate peace were the chief topics. Identical resolutions were passed at all the meetings demanding peace without annexations or indemnities. One resolution glorified the Russian revolution, and appealed to soctalists of Russia to conclude peace with their German and Austrian brothers. A procession of 100,000 men and wom- en marched along the Ringstrasse, and from there to the Prater, Vienna's great pleasure park, where a fete was held. The dispatches say that there was no disorder throughout the day. Work Halts in Hungary. In Hungary a holiday was observed in all the towns. The socialists paraded in Budapest, singing labor songs, with frequent shouts for peace and bread. A telegram from Budapest, Hungary, today says: ““Yesterday, being Labor day, there was a cessation of work. All factories and business establishments were closed. No newspapers appeared. ‘The socialists held a number of meetings, which passed appropriate resolutions. There were no disorders.” Great Swedish Demonstration. A Stockholm dispatch says that the greatest spcialist demonstration ever seen in Scandinavia was held through- out Sweden May day. The demonstra- tion was brought to a peaceful conclu- sion, although the result had been an- ticipated with anxiety and nervousne: Great crowds assembled in the streets of Stockholm, carrying banners with inscriptions demanding more food and better conditions of life. Hundreds of children with peace banners partici- pated, and order was maintained by special police appointed by the work- ers. The parade was headed by Hialmar Branting, the Swedish socialist leader; Pieter Troelstra, head of the socialist international bureau, and Camille Huys- mans, secretary of the international bu- reau. The procession passed along the in streets, the enormous. ing “The iurscilinise” and ime ‘A mass meeting was held|” national outside the city, where the Jedi socialists made spi #, stating th demands of the working classes. Order Is Maintained. At sunset thousands of workmen re- turned to the city, but no riots oc- curred. The good order maintained is credited to M. Branting, who promised the authorities that no disturbances would occur. M. Branting, commenting on the demonstration, said: “This May day will never be forgot- ten, for the overwhelming number of demonstrators indicated the peaceful attitude of the Swedish working classes and is a strong justification of their demands.” While no trouble has so far been re- ported, the dispatch, which was dated early Tuesday evening, said that dis- turbances were feared in the night. No reports have been received from the northern industrial districts, where the situation was regarded as grave. At the Stockholm mass meeting, in which 67,000 persons participated, a resolution was adopted declaring that the internationale had been resuscitat- ed and that a durable peace was as- sured. The resolution concluded with an indorsement of an eight-hour day, revision of the constitution and peace on socialist terms. A Christiania dispatch 's that the usual May day demonstrations were held all over Norway and that no re- ports of disorder have been received. The Norwegian newspapers report that much dissatisfaction was expresed ev- erywhere in consequence of the high prices of the necessaries of life. No Strikes, Says Berlin. BERLIN, May via London.—Et- forts of the radical socialists to cele- brate May day by a holiday in the mu- nition factories failed. No cessation of work is reported. No parades were held and no disturbances occurred. In announcing the failure of the plans to create holiday strikes the Ber- lin authorities have offered a reward of 3,000 marks for the prosecution of “agitators in enemy service who are trying to start dissension, especially in the labor ranks, in Germany.” Dutch Ask for Peace. AMSTERDAM, via London, May 2.— An orderly socialist May day proces- sion was held. Banners carried by the marchers bore inscriptions calling for peace and the maintenance of Holland's neutrality. There also was a socialist May day procession at Rotterdam, in which Russians, Poles, Germans and Belgians participated and sang songs in their respective languages. The Russians carried red banners inscribed “Long Live the Russian Republic!” and “Long Live the Proletaria At The Hague, when the May day procession passed the royal palace, th marchers intoned “The International. the hymn of the international social- ists. The police did not interfere. Crisis in Government of Germany Reported; Changes Are Demanded By the Associated Press. "AMSTERDAM, via London, May 2— The Weber Zeitung of Bremen reports that Berlin fs filled with rumors of a crisis in high government quarters. The newspaper says that demands are being made that a strong man be placed at the helm of the state. ‘The Hamburger Fremdenblatt, at the ena of a three-column editorial, comes to the conclusion that the German political system is a failure and must be changed. The paper says: “phere is no use theorizing. There is something wrong with our govern- mental system, as is clearly proved by Germany's political failures and, in fact. 2, by the whole war. Fresh blood must be infused in the government.” ‘The Fremdenblatt advocates the re- moval of the bureaustric batteries, in C., WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, 1917—TWENTY-TWO PAGES. OPPORTUNITIES FOR PATRIOTIC SERVICE. MARKET ECONOMY. ‘\ order to allow the parliament and gov- ernment to work in closer touch. Masons Loyal to Kaiser. The Berlin Tageblatt takes up’ the statement of Koelnische Volks Zeitung that at a Freemasons’ congress in Paris it was decided to instigate an anti- monarchical movement in Germany, with the chief aim of dethroning atk or. The Tageblatt says that {eaters of German Freemasonry have informed it that they have abs6lutely nothing te do with such outgrowths of so-called international Freemasonry ‘They stand on a strictly national basis, are determinedly, jaya to oe" Ga a 4 empire and, the paper says, concern themselves with political machinations. Favor Democratization. LONDON, May 2.—A dispatch to Reu- ter’s Telegram Company from Amsterdam says: “The regional organization in greater Berlin of the socialist party, ret ed to the Berliner Tageblatt, has ado! 2 res olution, which says: Since @ liberal expansion of the Ger- man constitution will faéilitate the speedy infuguration of peace negotiations, we request the socialist party committee to strive for the supercession of the policy of promises of small concessions by a thorough democratization of the German fear emBuch action, according to the resolu- tion, would include equal suffrage and responsible ministries for the empire and the federal states.” Questions von Hindenburg. ‘A dispatch to the Exchange Telegraph Company from Amsterdam says: “The Berliner Tageblatt asserts that Dr. Cobn, socialist member of the reich- stag, proposes the appointment of a par- Mamentary committee to consider the n military leadership. The pan- Géiman papers express profound indigna- tion that a Jewish lawyer like Dr. Cohn should wish to control Field Marshal von Hindenburg, but the extreme socialists insist on a discussion of his proposal, since von Hindenburg’h powers now far exceed those of a chief of.staff.” PLACED AT U. S. DISPOSAL. Industrial Plants With $500,000,- 000 Capital for War Use. PITTSBURGH, Pa., May 2.—Industrial plants in the Pittsburgh district repre- senting capital estimated at $500,000,- 000, and employing more than 100,000 men are at the disposal of the United States government for war-time needs. members of the Employers Associgtion of Pittsburgh had ratified the action of the association's directors in tender- ing to the government the use of their lands; Humphrey, president of Union Switch and Signal Company, i president of: the Employers’ Associa- tion. Many of the plants are already equipped for munition making. Fire Routs Hotel Guests. CHICAGO, May 2—More than 200 guests were driven from their beds to the street early today by a fire which broke out on the fifth floor of the Victoria Hotel, at the corner of Clark and Van Buren streets. The damage all and no one was injured. Many guests In three other large hotels nearby were aroused and much excite- Inent prevailed until it was known the fire had been extinguished. Announcement was made today that! PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN INRUSSIAIS URGED Stanley Washburn, Former War Correspondent, Regards It as Vital Necessity. WANTS U. S. STAND SPREAD Somewhere on the eastern front 11,000 Russian soldiers sat in a grove of trees and for two hours watched moving pic- tures showing the activities of British troops In thé far-off western theater of ywar, That performance .geve most of them the first concrete and authorita- tive news that the English were in the war. Some of them had heard it, and probably many doubted it; but on that occasion they had absolute visual proof and were elated accordingly. This story ts told by Stanley Wash- burn, formerly war correspondent for the London Times, who has been in three belligerent countries since the beginning of hostilities, and who urges as an absolutely vital necessity in war work a publicity campaign to spread throughout Russia the news that America is in the war; is in it “for keeps” and, if only Russia will hold out, will assure victory for the allies. Mr. Washburn, who is now living in Washington, told a reporter for The Star today ‘that England hes already seen and acted on the necessity for a Publicity campaign in Russia; that she maintains in Petrograd a huge office building and a large staff for the pur- pose, and has spent and will continue to spend any amount to make this campaign a success. Now Greatest Factor in War. “America must do likewise,” says the correspondent. “We have voted $7,000,000,000 to kill the Germans, but none to inform the comparatively low intelligence of the Russians of the fact that the economic and military sup- port of the United States is lining up behind them. The immediate effect of ‘a knowledge both by the Russians and the Germans as to what we can and will do will be amazing. America’s in- tention is now the greatest factor in the war. The spending of a sum suf- ficient to make that intentiop plain may prevent the necessity for burying on foreign soil a large portion of the million men we intend to raise. It will give to Germany positive assurance that her ‘corner in men’ is broken, just as the definite knowledge of an intention to plant additional grain will break a ‘corner’ in that grain, based on the visible supply. For Nation-Wide Campaign. “Ours should be a nation-wide adver- tising campaign. If both Russia and Germany fail to appreciate our real intention; if Russia should relax or should retire with an accompanying failure of discipline, or be conquered, and the Germans on the eastern front be released for western work, then the war will revert to the status of before the battle of the Marne, and may last three years. If the reverse happens and may recruiting meeting to ing tonight. It will be the under the auspices of The at 7:30 o'clock. News. = nent RECRUITS FOR NAVY EXPECTED AT STAR MEETING TONIGHT With facilities at hand to enlist any applicants that come forward, many recruits for the United States Navy are expected to be obtained as the result of the be held in front of The Star build- first recruiting meeting held Star since the Senate and House voted for conscription for the army. Addresses are to be made by Representative Lemuel P. Padgett of Tennessee, chairman of the naval affairs committee of the House; Lieut. S. F. Bryant of the May- flower and Yeoman H. L. Thompson of the Mayflower. The band of the Mayflower is to give a concert beginning The motion picture program is to include a special recruiting reel made by the Herald Film Company, a patriotic Mutual film and the latest issue of the Pathe America does her whole duty, I think the war will be over within a year.” Mr. Washburn compares the problem in hand with the advertising campaign nepessary to the merchandising of new commodity. Publicity is necessary to safeguard the original investment and the publicity should not be niggardly nor hazard nor indefinite. It must a the oa consumer, who, in case, represented primarily by Bpssia. He emphasizes the importance of the work to be done by the American railroad commission, an important part of whose labor should be the up of traMc on the trans-Siberian road over which our suppifes must go. The Russians are splendid people, he e: plains, but in the face of recent politi- cal developments are likely to cohesion. Should Profit by Mistake. PRESIDENT GREETS STATE CONFEREES Receives Delegates Here to Plan Co-Operation in De- fense of Nation. “DRY” QUESTION DEBATED President Wilson today received at the White House the representatives from every state in the Union, includ- ing at least ten governors, who were invited here to confer with the council of national defense for unification of the country’s resources and energies for the war by closer co-operation be- tween federal and state authorities. Secretary Lane told the conference that this government had heard that 400,000 tons of shipping had been sunk in the last week by German sub- marines. “The United States must build ships as rapidly as possible,” Secretary Lane told the delegates. “If we don't fight the war on the other side,” he said, “we shall have to fight it on this side of the Atlantic.” The havoc wrought by the German submarines he described as threatening not only the existence of England and France, but as alarming the United States. Study of inventions to combat the submarine menace is being diligently pursued by the Interior Department, he said. Secretary Baker’s Views. Secretary Baker said: “Our part on the other side once determined is sub- ject to revision. No program can be made up that will last beyond tomor- row. The states, said Secretary Baker, can assist the government in three ways in putting into operation the draft law, first, by giving support to the draft; second, by aiding in recruiting, and third, by seeing to it that proper ex- emptions are enforced and that men needed at home are not sent into the army. “We are not going to make war,” said Secretary Baker, “with our right hand or our left hand, but with both hands, and every man in the country can aid.” Secretary Daniels on Recruiting. Secretary Daniels announced that the navy had been recruited to full strength, but he asked the aid of the states in recruiting its personnel to 150,000 men after the new navy bill is passed. He, too, talked frankly of the submarine menace. The danger of the Swore Net Circulation, Month 0° 1917, Daily Average, 92,941; Sunday, 68,788. “From Press to Home Within the Hour” March, ONE CENT. TROOPS TO BE SENT | TOFRANCE SOON AS OUR ALES ADVISE United States Army to Go to Front When Food Ships Can Be Diverted. : NATIONAL GUARD MAY BE ' FIRST FORCE TO EMBARK French Mission Believes These Mem With Border Training Are Ready. ! i Peace Efforts Scouted. } Members of the French war commission today had assurance that the American government is willing to send troops to Francd when our allies believe they can spare ships necessary for transe porting an army and its equipe ment across the Atlantic. Such a course was one of thé urgent recommendations thd French commissioners brought to this country. The fact that the commission is understood to hav@ pointed out that the troops ree cently returned from the Mexicarg border are fit to begin a five+ week training “within sound of the cannon,” resulted in speculae tion today about the possibility of the National Guard being sen into the trenches in France. 4 Discussed at Luncheon. 7 Minister Viviani and Minister Hoves lacque of the French commission toolg luncheon at the White House today; with President Wilson, when the sube ject of such an expedition again came up for discussion, and it is presume@ “I have been in three countries which | submarine, he said, was not dreamed of| that they again urged the project upom started in with the idea, later revised, that the war, to them, was not vitally serious,” concluded Mr. Washburn. “These are Russia, England and Ru- mania. I don’t want to see America pay for such a mistake as they have @ year ago. Judge Advocate General Crowder out- lined to the representatives the gov. ernment’s plans for putting into oper; ation the selective draft and asked full co-operation of the states. chairmen or members of state the President. In spite of objections of the general staff to putting any American forceom the firing line before the great war has been raised and trained, the administration has determined that small contingent earnestly — paid. Financial errors cost money, but| of defense, also heard addresses on this|France for moral airest mistakes in war cost the blood of thou-| 26@4_f concentrated efforts made by |as sands ‘of innocent people. The greatest thing for America is to realize that this Wilson of the Labor \ymond A. Pierso: resident: of the Iowa State ‘Agricultural College, goon as possible. The general bee list hore is that, th way soon will be found. Whether the force first to carry the war ts a deadly serious one. It can be| WhO 1s acting as assistant to Secretary | stars and Stripes into battle in Franae spelled victory for us only if each man realizes his individual respon: and if the whole nation realises treed crisis in the war is imminent this sum= mer and that, if we fail, it then may start all over again. Failure to make Plain our intentions, however good may prove not a mistake but i tragedy. Success in hem pisin will result in a moral factor on I believe the outcome largely testers GERMAN CHANCELLOR’S PEACE TALK PUT OFF Dr. von Bethmann Hollweg to Await a “More Fitting Occasion.” By the Associated Press. COPENHAGEN, May 2, via London, 4:01 p.m.—The speech which was to have been made in the reichstag by Dr. von Bethmann Hollweg, the German imperial chancellor, on peace and in- ternal conditions has been postponed to a more fitting occasion, according to word received here. According to the Berliner Tageblatt, as quoted in a dispatch from The Hague on Tuesday, Dr. von Bethmann Hollweg was to have made a peace offer in the reichstag on Thursday. The speech had betn awaited with the greatest interest in view of the recent reposts. of conditions in Germany, no- tably in connection with labor and so- cialism, and also because of an intima- tion in one of the German newspapers that the moderation of the German peace terms would “astonish the world.” Authentic news from Germany has been so meager of late that it is difi- cult to judge what developments, either internal or external, may have induced the chancellor to alter his re- ported decision to make another an- nouncement regarding Germany's in- ternational relations and possibly her definite war airs. ——— URGES BAN ON GRAINS IN ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES Special Committee Makes Other Sug- gestions in Resolutions Pre- sented Federal Board, Action by the proper authorities to prevent the use of grains in the manu- facture of alcoholic beverages during the period of the war is recommended as a vital step in the conservation of the nation’s food supply, in resolu- tions presented the federal trade com- mission today, and through the com- mission to the nation, by a special com- mittee appointed by the state repre- sentatives who closed a two-day ses- sion at the commission yesterday. Three other recommendations are made by the committee which was headed by Frank S. Lusk of Montana, chairman, and John Paul Lucas of North Carolina, secretary. The com- mittee held a meeting last night, ana Grew up the resolution presented to the commission today. Mobilization of the country’s labor forces for agricultural p 4 ers. of Agriculture Houston, discussed food problems. Speakers for Tomorrow. Other government officials to address this delegation tomorrow will include: ‘W. 8. Gifford, director of the council the advisory commission; Dr. George E. Hale, chairman, national research coun- cil; George Creel, chairman of the com- mittee on public information, recently created by the President; Secretary of Commerce Redfield and Eliot Wads- worth, vice chairman of the American Red Cross. The principal subjects under discus- sion are: Prohibition during the war to conserve the food materials ordinarily used for liquor; encouragement of large crop production and better marketing method; labor supply, particularly for shipbuiiding and farm work; industrial conditions affecting the output of muni- tions and other war supplies. Gov. Nat Harris of Georgia intro- duced the prohibition question and urged the other governors to recommend it as a war measure to the President and to the people of their states. A De- partment of Agriculture report covering an investigation made by Dr. Alonzo Taylor of the University of Pennsyl- vania on the relation of the liquor ques- tion to the grain supply was cited, showing that in 1916 $145,000,000 worth of grain and other food materials were consumed in liquor manufacture in the United States. Fermented liquors took $101,000,000, and distilled liquors $44, 000,000.' The largest items were $75,- 000,000 worth_of malt, $23,000,000 worth of corn and $18,000,000 of molasses. Administration Silent on Attitude. The administration has made no an- nouncement ofits attitude on the ques- tion of wartime prohibition, although some cabinet members, it is known, are in faver of it. Other members are bothered about finding sources of rev- enue to take the place of liquor taxes if a prohibition measure should be passed. Agents of the Department of Agricul- ture explained to the state representa- tives plans for organizing the United Boys’ Working Reserve for summer farm work. City boys, particularly in the east and middle west, would be em- ployed in canning factories, and ar- rangements already have been made with the National Canners’ Association to ascertain what extra help will be needed. Governors who responded to invita- tions to attend the conferences included: Harris of Georgia, Harding of Iowa, Milliken of Maine, Boyle of Nevada, Edge of New Jersey, Frazier of North Dakota, Lister of Washington, Corn- well of West Virginia, Alexander of Idaho and Manning of South Carolina. ‘William H. Baldwin is representing the District of Columbia in these con- ferences. TURKISH MOVE FOR PEACE. j Interest in Visit of Grand Vizier to the Central Powers. | LONDON, May 2, 12:55 p.m.—Accora- ing to Amsterdam dispatches con- siderable importance is attached to the visits that Talaat Pasha, the Turkish grand vizier, is paying the central pow- ‘The correspondent say that after seeing Emperor William and Field Mar- shal von Hindenburg at German head- quarters he went to Munich and con- fered with King Ludwig and the Bavarian ministers. Later he went to shall be made up of regulars or nae tional guardsmen, or both, has nog *Guato Departeacs ent officials have u! continuously. the arg ly the sending of an army, solely for its psychological effect, only in encouraging the allied but in discouraging the Germans. Corte ‘ making them plain}|and advisory commission; members of|Vinced that the diplomatic advant far outweighed the technical and ing difficulties advanced by the general staff, they have felt that such a step would consecrate the United States am a full member of the alliance entitie® to a most honorable seat at the peacw conference. Some of those who have vigorously opposed an early expeditio-ary force a@ interfering with the training of a large? army have modified their views as @ result of the arguments advanced the military experts with the Frent commission that training can be much better carried out in France withim sound of the guns. Nevertheless, the opposition of the staff has not wavered Vast Tonnage Needed. The amount of tonnage that woul@ be required for transport is usually put at about twenty tons per man in @& fully equipped force. For the regular American unit of 24,000 men, nearly half a million tons, therefore, woul® be necessary. It remains for the allieg to figure out if they can afford te divert that amount of shipping. Little doubt exists that the Frenchy will gladly put up with any sacrifice necessary to have American troops im France, as the great plea of their mise sion has been for troops with the American flag. They have pointed out that this is needed to convince the Germans beyond doubt that all the re sources of the United States have beem thrown into the battle. The British also are known to be anxious to have American troops im France as a final earnest of Americay participation, but there is reason to believe that they have taken a somea what more detached view than the French. Overcome by the whole-hearte edness of American co-operation in t war, they believe that the one essenti is to marshal the common resources to the greatest advantage. With theie responsibility for tonnage, their de cision aboyt the advisability of sende ing an expeditionary force is uncertaing To Start Tour Tomorrow. Tomorrow the French party will leav@ for its tour of eastern and midwesterm cities. It is no secret that the counsel of Marshal Joffre was one of the principal, factors in leading the administration decide upon sending an army to France, It also is known that the administrae tion realizes that the effect of the toum of the French commission is likely te have a remarkable effect in crystallize ing sentiment of the nation toward ape proving that course. The British mission expects to be here at least ten days longer. T! the party will leave for New York ai possibly will make a short tour in the middle west. Several experts may ree main permanently in Washington help work out arrangements ag upon and to reinforce the staff of the British embassy. Included would probal be a shipping, munitions, food ai trade expert. Reports of fresh’ peace offers from Berlin brought forth the statement’ from the mission today that a series of feelers were expected during the n few months, as an immense amount quiet peace effort has been under way by Teutonic emissaries, especially by Austrians in Bern, but ‘no credence i placed in their acceptability. Reported German Proposals. Germany was stated to have made Vienna, where he is said to have dis- uussed the prospects of peace and con- Gessions regarding the Dardanelles with Count Czernin, the Austro-Hun- urposes: some basis of federal enlistment and | garian foreign minister. ition, speeding up foodstuffs throughout federal limitation of © nation, tha were the other three recommendations, e use of| ling, the Bavarian prime tin for containers otner than foods | there is considered to be especially sig: transportation | The Turkish premier’s visit to Vienna at the moment when Count von Zeit. inister, was nificant, » vances to the entente, proposing dering her conquests in the east and wes ‘on condition of retaining her Balkin way to Bagdad and Mesopotamia, but the ale © lies have been more united against tha® plan than against any other proposal. Prospects of a separate peace by any the Teutonic countries are wholly,