New Britain Herald Newspaper, March 19, 1917, Page 1

fiEARLIE THREE ; Presrdent Wilson Silent in Reference to firs Prop Ao V ALID BY SUPREME COURT IN FULL RETREAT) GITY OF MEMPHIS WAGE FIXING LAW | Mvm Van nun-q- Declare 1 mwm Betore uhmmuwmaw- MIOWAIWOQP"- +The decision makes eight hours the. mdard of a day’s work and W B NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, MONDAY, MARCH 19, 1917 —TWELVE PAGES. SESSION OF CONGRESS EXPECTED; ; 7 -on All Disputed Pomts in Preference to Causmg Chaos During Internatlonal Crisis - 'ADAMSON LAW UPHELD AS MamgasMakeCmnpleteSnnendaRxfl:er'fllmTwUp GountryianeotIntamhpflal Crisis—] End Comeés After Hours .of Dispute When Sxtlutmn.Ap- puudDarkest. ¢ ‘New York, March 19 —The railroad strike has been averted. Yielding to the appeal of President Wilson and facing the probability of this country’s entrance into the world war, the railroads early today four employes’ brotherhoods fo anted the demands of the. or a basic eight hour day. The telegraph wires. this morning are carrying throughout the United tes messages from the ‘brotherhood’s chiefs escinding the orders for the inauguration of - the - great strike at 7 o’clock ‘tonight. - . The decision is re the brotherhoods, brou -triotism of the railroa garded as a complete surrender to t about, however after. the pa-- managers had been put to the Zor inen 15 operation of trains and 1e. | test. The president’s mediators, playing what they con- galises the wage increases which went tentative effct on its passage. - e immediate temporary wage in- | W won by the railroad employes M 400,000 u-unmcn, as of Janu- 1 and are estimated to t.nhl be- n $40,000,000 and $50,000,000 he court’s decision. was five to % with Justices Day, Pitney, Mc- I Reynolds' and Van Devanter dissent- 4“‘nat.!ce na concurred in the E majority opinion, but'on siightly dif- ferent grounds. Justice Day read his own dissenting opinion, and Justice | Pitney. delivered the other dissenting ,,«‘.plnlon in wlnch Justice Van Devan- =-ter joined. ustice Dny said in his dissenting @gpinion on the ground that legislation )-onnted to “deprivation of ‘the rail- ‘roads' property without due process of Jluficu Pitney and Van Devaanter, in their joint dissenting opinion, held * that the law should be held unconsti- i tutional and void' ‘“Dbecause congress, although confessedly hot in:possession 'of information necessary for intelli- it and just treatment of the con- arbitrarily imposed upon an In dissenting, Justice McReynolds 1d that congress did not have pow- ‘er to enact the law but that the ma- Jority of the decision gives it author- 4ty to' fix trainmen’s maximum and ‘minimum wages “to require compul- f sory arbitration of labor disputes which may seriously jeopardise move- ent of traffic, and to take measure effectively to protect the free flow of against any = combination, r of operatives, owners or ngers."” Tn concurring, Justice McKenna dif- Zered In that he believed the law “an [ hours of servige” statute and only “secondarily “a wage fixing law, lld m within the power of congr: Decision of Chief Justice. n announcing the opinion the chief n-uce reviewed the negotiations lead- to enactment of the law. He did read from a prepared opinion, giv- “4ng it apparently from memory. He d of the president's efforts to avert the strike last September. " “He suggested arbitration. The em- Plovers accepted and the cmployes re- used,” -said the chief justice. “He en suggested a basic eight hour day “standard. The employers rejected that -and the employes accepted.” ‘How the president won‘ to congress ‘wecited. o passed the law. that s &e!on us, .and the carriers refused to 3 te it.,”> he continued. He uld‘ f Sthe wmt to expedite the cage’ “very latdable”. 6.In the early course of the opinion § % chief justice said the Jaw was both ‘eight hour act and also a wage fix- setatute. ‘He said it -'.mpg the { ouflnucd Oon Elcvdnch M). sidered their last trum trump card, were not successful in the; mission until after more than fifty hours of anxious ‘co ferences, all of which pointed, within a' short time before the decision was announced, Magnificent, Lane Tells Lee. Becretary of the Interior Lane and ‘the other mediators were visibly af- fected when told"of the action of the railroad managers. Mr. Lane sent immediately for the committee of the rallroads and turning to Elisha Lee, their spokesman, said: “This is a magnificent thing you have done for your country. It will go down in history as one of the greatest things you ever did.” The brotherhood chiefs, who, ‘al- ready had left the.hotel where the conferences were being held and re- tired’ for the night, apparently con- vinced that a settlement of the differ- ences could not' be reached, were summoned next. The faces showed the relief they felt from the strain under which they had labored since early Friday eve- nihg, with the president's committee. W. G. Lee, head of the trainmen, an- nounced. for them that orders would g0 forward at once informing all dis- trict ‘chairmen of the brotherhoods of the successful outcome of the con- ference. By the terms of the .et{lemem. the, combined salary list of the railroads will be inéreased approximately $60,- 000,000, & year according to conserva- tive estimates. The number of work- men profiting by /this increase will be more than 300,000. Patriotism Prevents Chace. That the crisis resuiting 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 rallroad managers, who, until a late hour last night, had held out against the brotherhoods, had been dismissed temporarily by the presi- dent’s mediators, who made no secret of the fact that they viewed the out- look with pessimism. Secretary Lane, a short time before word came that managers had yielded, issued a state- ment that the conferences would be resumed today, but intimated that he ‘was none too hopeful of a settlement. The rallroad managers and the brotherhood chiefs had been told of the seriousneds of the international situation, but the warning apparently had fallen on deaf ears. It was evi- dent that the strike which originally ‘ad been set for Saturday evening at 7 o'clock but had postponed to per- mit of further negotiations undoubt- edly would become effective unless something Thore intervened than ‘the mere suggestion that the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany might lead to open hostilities, to an inevitable deadlock. The president’s m/ahtors again communicated with the railroad man- agers, however, with the resuilt that they are said to have “oted unan- imously to yield to the demands of the brotherhoods dén order ‘“that neither at home nor abroad should there be fear or hope’that the effi- cient operation of the railways of the country would be hampered or im- paired.” Review of Negotlmom. #The ‘mediation negotiations and their result are summed up in the following statement issued at 6 a. m. by the committee from, the Council of |, National Defense: “We desire to express our appre- clation of the large and patriotic ac- tion of the railway managers’ com- mittep which has put beyond perad- venture ‘the possibility of a nation- wide railroad strike. “The railroads have met the fuill demands of the Adamson eight hour’ law: This concession was secured as the culmination of two days\ and nights of negotiations. “‘Our first effort was to secure a Dostponement of the strike which was fixed for Saturday night. This post- ponement was secured by presenting to the railway managers a memoran- dum agreement ‘drafted by the broth- erhoods, which with some particular- ity, expressed the provisions of the Adamson law. ‘We asked the rail- roads to agree that, if the Adamson law was héld to be constitutional, this construction and application would be given to it. The railroads agreed to this at a joint session between the brotherhood chiefs and the managers. And with much difficulty the chiefs stayed the strike, an act that was vital to our effects at further mediation. “We next sought some adjustment that would be effective should the law be held to be unconstitutional. In this regard many propositions were made to both sides until the railroads expressed a willingness to place the | whole matter in the hands of the committee. This action proceeded, as the letter of the railway managers states, from a desire to* demonstrate’ to the country that the railroads would not allow their own conception - of | railroad policy to stand in the way of the fullest use of the roads at a time of severe national strain, The committee considered the matter and decided that in view of the action of congress in passing the Adamson law j and the necessity for immediate ; tion that it was best to adopt, on the memorandum agreement of thq previous day as applicable under ail (Continued On Eleventh Page). GERMANS IN WEST Abandon m Square Miles of French Temwry, Is Report . Von Hindenburg’s Soldiers Apparent- ly Withdrawing to Fortified Lino From Lille to Laon—Russiniis Forge on in Persia. : The greatest military movement on the 'Franco-Belgian front since the Lattle ‘of the Marne is still in full swing, with the Germans in retreat or a front of nearly 100 miles. French territory approximating 620 square miles has been abandoned. The retircment ‘of Field Marshal Von ' Hindenburg’s western armies al- ready has virtually resulted in the straightening out of the famous Ar- rae and Noyon salients and apparent- ly the retrograde movement is still cxpectulm “of many be realised, the re- stop short of the pow- lle to' Laon, through the strong. de- fensive positions of Cambral and St. Today’s German official statement sreaks: of the movement" with a cer- tain note :of finality, as if it were en- tirely completed. Both the BritisK and the French are sharply following up the tetreating Germans. Move- ments’ of fmportance are in‘progress in other flelds. In Persia both the Rubsian columns, advancing to hem in the Turkish retreating before the British up the Tigris from Bagdad, have made fresh progress. - WIRELESS CHIEF ON VIGILANCIA A BOY . Paul T. Platt’' Only 19 Years Old—} Operator on Tlinols “Took | Another Chance.” Somerville, Mass,, March 19.—Paul T. Platt, wireless operator: on the seteamer Vigilancia," sunk by a Ger- man submarine, is a son of Charles 7T. Platt of this city. The boy, 19 years old, obtained a government license last summer and this was his second trans-atlantic voyage on the Vigilancia. 2 Promised to Avoid War Zone. Fitchburg, Mass., March 19.—Mrs. Walter A. Scott of this pity expressed doubts today whether hfr son, Walter Scott, Jr., was the second assistant engineer of that name listed among the crew of the sunken steamer vVigilancia. She said her son had served in that capacity on the Ameri- can line steamer New York but at her request had promised, after his last return trip from ' Europe, - that he would not ship for England again but would sail.on a vessel bound through the Panama Canal. ( Sccond Mate Malden Man. Malden, Mass., March 19.—J. H. Smith, second mate of the - steamer Vigilancia, is the adopted son of Mrs. J. F. Milliken of this city. ~He has been a sailor for several years. Took Another Chance, Boston, March 19.—“I guess I will go once more,” Melvin P. Beckevold, radio opefator on the sunken steamer {INlinois, replied to members of his !family when they urged him not to risk’ another trans-atlantic voyage. He is a son of Matthias E, Beckevold Iot the Dorchester district, Walter | Pitts, cook on the steamer Vigilancia, !is @ son of Willlam J. Pitts of East Boston. BRESCIE S o PR N A A WEATHER. Hartford, March 19 ~—For Hartford and vicinity: Fair | Weather NINE MISSED FROM Gaptain and Four 0ther Ameri- cans in Crew Not Heard From &IllllwinW'hlch They Deft Is ,Found—New Type of Submarine With Heavy Guns Responsible for Attack. 7 ‘Washington, March 19—The follow- ing despatch, undated, from Cogsul Frost' at . Queenstown * reached ' the state department late last night and was given out today: ““Thirty-three “survivors City of Memphis do not include Captain L. P, Borum and four other Americans and four non-Americans, but indications are that they are safe on. board some merchant or admiralty vessel which has no wireless. Captain’s boat did not separate from others until 1 a. m. today and was picked' up -empty st 10 = m;, weather meanwhile re- maining moderate. 2 “‘Vessel cleared Cardiff 16th in bal-{ last, with 58 persons, including 29 Amerigans.” ‘At 3:56 p. m. submarine fired warning shot from three miles on starboard quarter. - Vessel was stopped, SGbmarine approaching to one mile fired once more, fragments "striking vessel, ship then only being able to read submarine’s signal. to abandon ship. Instantly captain re- plied by long blast whistle signifying comprehension, then gave four short blasts, signal to crew to take to boats immediately which was done, in five minutes, about 4:15. No injuries. Submarine then came up, hailed cap- tain's boat, fired eight shots, sinking vessel 40 p. m. Weather heavy, swell, moderate southwest sky squally. improved = during night. First notice of.the boat picked up by admiralty ship 8:45 a.. m. today, chief engineer’s boat 6:30 a, m. today by same vessel. Landed Queenstown 4:30 p. m. today without accident. City of Memphis, carried wireless but did not use it. Carried no gun. No ‘attempt resist escape. When captain is located he may have further evi- dence. “Survivors here include. First Officer Charles G. Laird, Chief Engineer 'W. 1. Plercy, Assistant Engineer . Fred Bevill, Third Officer M. J. Dierlam, Third Engineer W. M. Thompaon, P. J. Donohue and T. J. Welch, wireless operators, ‘and eight other Americans, ten Spaniards, two Danes and one each Swede, Russian and Chilean. “City of Memphis was stopped by submaripe Feb. 4, off Scilly Isiands. Failure to uge wireless this time was due. to experience on former occa- sions' inducing belief that ship would probably be passed . if wireless not started. “Survivors are assembled at Queens- town pending instructions from own- ers (Ocean steamahip Company, New York)."” Officers of the 'City of ' Memphis who have been rescued state that the submarine which sunk the vessel was of the latest type,) being equipped with ‘heavy guns. The first warning shot was fired from a distance of more than three miles. The vessel at once reversed the engines. The sub- marine then came up to a distance of about a mile; when she fired again. Fragments of the shells struck the ship, but no one was injured. The captain was able by this time to read the signals which the submarine was fiying, conveying the message:' “Aban- don your ship immediately,” the cap- tain ordered 3 long blast of the whistle, signifying that the order had been comprehended and five minutes later four blasts were blown, mean- ing “crew, in boats.” The submarine then fired eight shots, sinking the vessel, MAILBAGS RIFLED ON SAXONIA. New York, March 19.—Twentyasix mail bags addressed ,to Wnlhl { and the British embasay at We ton ‘were found to have béen rifiad ‘on | b board’the Cunard liner Saxonia upon; ‘her arrival here today. { tired munition: workers but South African war. ln HERALD "ADS” M BETTER BUSINE ; ESTABLISHED | AMERICAN SHIPS SUNK BY U- BOATS osed Course in Answer to. Germanys Latest Attack on Our Commerce - Which Vessels Flying Stars and Stripes Are Destroyed While on Way to Home Ports—Railroads Surrender Govemment, to Push Construction of Motor Boats for Coast Patrol—Demobil tion of All Troops in Central Dep Stopped—Danger in Russian Situatioi Washington, March 19.—New and aggresswq- 2 to protect American shipping against German subn appears certain as a result of yesterday’s sinking o unarmed American Merchant-men with possible* Ie American lives. Calling of congress in extra session before -loomed as the strongest probability, ajthough., ‘ resil Wilson was understood to have other courses under eration. No comment was made at the White, Hbuse yond the statement that the president was gettmg and considering the question thoroughly: Secretary Lansing was called to the White Hi President Wilson early today, icy of the government. ZEPPELINS RAID LONDON - German Dirigibles Beard British Lion Berlin, March 19, (via London).— An attack on London, lasting one and one-half hours, has been made by Zeppelins, the war office. announced today. Bombs were dropped success- fully and the airships returned safely.’ London, March 19.—Despatches from southeastern towns indicate that the Zeppelins penetrated inland but reached no important points. Severaf bombs were droppd in rural districts. No accounts have ‘reached London of any casualties. HIGH EXPLOSIVE IS ENGLISH GIRLS’ GUM Cordite, Used in Making Munitions, Produces Same Effect As r: v London, -March 19—Officials of the ministry of munitions have discov- ered that a good deal of the “drunk- enness” attributed to womem and comparatively young girls is due to amother and hitherto unsuspected cause—the chewing®of cordite, the smokeless explosive is ‘being used as a sort of “pick-me-up” by the its ef- fect on their health is very injurious and remedial measures are being tak- en by the authorities.’ Cordite, when chewed, has an the exhilirating effects of a highly stim- ulating drug and cannot be tam- ‘kpared with except at great risk. Its effect on the nervous system are im- mediate and ultimately deadly. Be- sides, like all such drugs it has to be taken in increasing quantities if the exhiliration is to be maintained. The effect of cordite as an “intox- icant” was first discovered during the Somc British soldiers found to their surprise that by eating cordite they could get all | the excitement of thé most powerful narcotic—and all the terrible effects, too. Cordite consists rol/thly of about fitty-eight parts of ‘nitro-glycerine, thirty-seven parts guncotton and five parts of mineral jelly. Each car- tridge contains sixty cylindrical stands of cordite. g An official of the ministry of mu- '8 _experimented on himself by icking a strand. He found that it ‘tasted sweet, pleasant, and pungent it resulted in giving him . the most racking, splitting headache) & #t:lasted for thirty-six hours, s “the and thefly‘,gly'sr‘.hssed ummm pened by the mavy o yeants ai;[ icholas bf* Russig. self . andson, indicitions :th ing :onnrchy of any" sort anding a social rep z’md to the state, 8 %‘ in a cablegram Francls, dated Marcha) Officials were deeply the reference o] ot mands ‘because Qanger’ further efforts” fn. the. felt to le as much . 1calism as in counter-res court party. Later ul spatches have indieated’ promise has been reachéd the Duma and the workin Chicago, March 19. issued today by Major G as H. Barry, commander tral department, U, all mustering out of Central department *m Moodus, March 19.—John aged 60, les dead in the Old stead, on the Westchester 3 day, the:victim of self-use of 2y gun after .he had shot and wo hiz brother, Jeremiah, aged n. ¥ is now at the Middlesex ho Middletown. The brothers had a quarrer day afternoon. What it was Jeremiah will not say.. He mit that both had been Jeremiah left the house to cowg Jchn followed with a shot -him in the arm. ' Then went upstairs, seized a shotgui a charge into his body, walked stairs and fell dead at the f his mother, who s 82. 5 CHINESE TAKE OV} GERMAN TERRITS Peking, March 19.-—Chinese. have occupled without oppositios German concessions at Tien Tain Hankow. The Dutch have “t over the German consulates.