Newspaper Page Text
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VOLUME XII.
•ATLANTA, GA., FRIDAY, APRIL 11, 1913.
. NO. 58.
L
HK III SENATE
Ratification of Constitutional
Amendment Renders Geor
gian’s Commission Techni
cally Invalid
BTT RALPH SMITH.
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 10.—As
r result of the ratification of the con
stitutional amendment for the popular
election c: United. States senators an
interesting- situation has been devel-
o 'd in Georgia with reference to Sen
ator A. O. Bacon, chairman of the for
eign relations committee and dean of
the Democracy in the upper house of
congress.
Senator Bacon will have to go before
tho people of Georgia at a special elec
tion. or depend upon Governor-elect
.Joiin M. Slaton to appoint him to serve
until the next general election. In
that event, two United States senators
will be chosen at the next general elec
tion, as the term of Senator Hoke
Smith will expire in the meantime.
Senator Bacon says he is not dis-*
turbed over the development. He holds
that as the nominee of the Democratic
primary last fall, he will have no oppo
sition before the people 'either in a
special or a general election. He does
not believe that Governor-elect Slaton
should appoint him, buti thinks that the
legislature which meets this summer
should jrovide for a special election.
Senator Bacon is now serving in the
senate by virtue of a commission given
to him by Governor Brown, and the
unusual condition created by the rati
fication of the popular election amend
ment to the constitution may cause
ebarrassing complications with refer
ence 10 the validity of the senator's
present commission.
The term of Senator Bacon expired
on March 3. and although he was nom
inated in the Democratic primary to
succeed himself, he has not yet been
elected. His nomination in the prima
ry was an instruction to the state leg
islature to re-elect him, and the legis
lature would have carried out this
mandat-- of the people when it met.
It was the recognition of this fact
that caused Governor Brown to ap
point Senator jBacon for the interval
between March 3 and the date of the
meeting of the legislature. Senator
i-»acon’s credentials thus Issued by
Governor Brown, were presented to the
senator by Senator Hoke Smith shortly
before the adjournment of the last
session of congress. The credentials
were accepted without question, but it
was learned today that there is a close
legal question as to the right of the
governor of a state to appoint sena
tors under such circumstances.
It is the contention of many able
lawyers and strict constructionists that
aer the institution it was the right
only to appoint a United States senator
in case of vacancy by death or resigna
tion. It was never contemplated that
a state executive should have the right
to fill a vacancy occasioned by the ex
piration of a term of office. That right
rested exclusively with the legislators
and now it rests with the people, since
senators are to be elected by direct
vote.
Since, however, Senator Bacon's cre
dentials as issued by Governor Brown
were accepted without question when
they were presented by Senator Hoke
Smith, it is hardly probable that the
Senator’s right to membership will be
challenged at this late day. Governor
Brown’s, commission should keep Sen
ator Bacon in the senate until the Geor
gia legislature meets. Then the legis
lature must arrange to fill the vacancy
in one or two ways:
A special election /nust be called, or
the authority must be conferred upon
the governor to appoint a senator to
serve until the next general election,
which occurs a year from November.
It Is not believed that John M. Sla
ton, who becomes governor with the
meeting of the legislature in June
would make an appointment to extend
for such a length of time, and it fol
lows therefore that the legislature will
call a special election to fill the va
cancy. Hete arises a pretty question:
Does Senator Bacon’s nomination In
the primary last August, which nomi
nation was intended to bind the state
legislature", obligate the Democratic
party to accept him as its standard
bearer in a special election to be held
this summer or the general election to
be held next November year?
The question is one for the Demo
cratic committee to decide.
MARYLAND SITUATION.
The situation with reference to the
Maryland senatorship is similar in
many respects to the case of Senator
Bacon. Some of th eleading lawyers of
Baltimore contend that William P.
Jackson, the junior senator from Mary
land has been legislated out of office
by the ratification of the amendment
for popular elections of senators.
Jackson, a Republican, was appointed
by Governor Goldsborough to succeed
to the vacancy occasioned by the death
of Senator Isador Rayner. Arthur W.
Machen, Jr., who married Miss Gresh
am, of Macon, daughter of the late
John J. Gresham, in a notable opinion
holds that Senator Jackson’s commis
sion from Governor Goldsborough is
worthless.
IMIOO’S "GAG RULE”
Secretary of Treasury Wants
to Pass on Subjects Before
Public Is Informed
(By Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON, April 10.—Secretary
McAdoo’s “gag order” has been ex
tended from the assistant secretaries of
the treasury, to whom it originally ap
plied, to every bureau and division chief
state h»s, or had, un- of that -extensive departraent. -Noth
ing whatever concerning government
business there may become known un
til the secretary’s office has passed on
the advisability of its publication.
Surgeon General Blue, of the public
health service, Is forbidden to give out
any news whatever of the progress of
the government’s test and investigation
of Dr. Friedmann’s tuberculosis vac
cine, or to warn the public of danger
of disease, or epidemics; the life saving
service is forbidden to make known
news of a vessel in distress or of meas
ures taken for the relief of an endan
gered crew.
The revenue cutter service is forbid
den to send public warnings of dere
licts in the path of navigation or give
the news of sending one of its ships
to a distressed vessel.
All such information now is sent
first to the assistant secretary in
charge of the division of bureau in
which it originates, and then to Secre
tary McAdoo’s office, where it is made
public or suppressed.
The treasury is the only department
of the government in Washington
where a “gag order” has been issued.
Secretary McAdoo’s new policy is a
complete reversal of that of former Sec
retary MacVeagh, who Instructed his
subordinates to give out news of the
public business with accuracy and dis
patch except where it would defeat the
ends of justice or in the case of deter
mination of important policies.
Chinese Consul
Asks Deportation
Of Tong Members
SAN FRANCISCO, April 10.—Lai
Wing Yew, Chinese consul general, vol
untarily gave testimony at the Tong
inquiry today. He declared that If of
ficials here, in order to put an end to
Tong warfare, would break up the
Tong organizations, the Chinese govern
ment would approve the action. He
added that his government would co
operate with federal officials in the
effort to disband the Tongs, "which are
not 'permitted to e'Xist in China he
said.
“What is a Chinese Tong?” he was
asked.
He said that originally a Tong was a
form of family organization created to
aid members in a benevolent manner
but he added that they had fallen into
bad purposes here and he said many
good merchants had been forced into
Tong membership as a matter of pro
tection.
“I think that deportation would be a
good method of breaking them up,”
he added.
The Inquiry officially is an inquest
in connection with the murder of a vic
tim in the present Tong war,
MISS HILLIARD NAMED
UNION POINT POSTMASTER
(Special Dispatch to The Journal.)
GREENSBORO, Ga., April 10.—Miss
Josephine Hilliard has been appointed
postmaster at Union oPlnt. Miss Hil
liard is the daughter of a well known
contractor, H. C. Hilliard, of Union
Point.
Ben L. Bryan, the present incumbent,
was reappointed to the position by
President Taft, his time having expired
in February. However, the appoint
ment was not confirmed by the senate.
BRAZIL JOINS IRE U. S.
Brazilian and Chinese Flags
Float Over Government
Offices in Pekin
(By Associated Press.)
PEKIN, April 10.—The Brazilian gov
ernment, anticipating similar action on
the part of the United States, has ca
bled to the Chinese government its
recognition of the new republic. The
Brazilian and Chinese thugs w*re -dis-
played together over the government
offices today.
Reports circulated abroad yesterday
that Li Yuan Hung, vice president of
the republic and long the rival of Presi
dent Yuan Shi Kai for the leadership,
bad been assassinated, are declared un
true. Both the president and the vice
president are constantly closely guarded
in fear that their political opponents
may be plotting against them.
Georgians Bare Plot
To Withhold Office
From William Harris
\
BY RALPH SMITH.
WASHINGTON, D. C., April 10.—A
movement to delay the appointment of
William J. Harris, of Georgia, as di
rector of the census was uncovered to
day by members of the Georgia delega
tion. The purpose of the scheme is to
keep E. Dana Durand, the Republican
incumbent, in the office for a fertv months
longer. The name of Harris has been
certified to the president for appoint
ment by Secretary of Commerce Red-
field, and unless the movement to hold
Durand on the job succeeds, Harris’
name should be sent to the senate for
confirmation in a few days.
Members of the Georgia delegation,
headed by Congressman Hardwick, pur
pose to see Secretary Redfield about the
matter at the earliest possible moment
and protest against any unnecessary de
lay. It is believed that the secretary is
unfamiliar with the concerted movement
to keep Durand in office, and it is feared
that the scheme may succeed through
the very fact that Mr. Redfield knows
nothing of it. The friends of Durand, it
is understood, have adopted as the meth
od of saving him the argument that the
census of 1910 has not been completed,
and that no change should be made in
the bureau until the work, l.as been fin-
ished.
SENATE TO GIVE NO
REARINGS ON TARIFF
Manufacturers Have FI ad
Their Last Say-Flouse Dem
ocrats Continue Caucus
LARGE AND POWERFUL NAVY IS
NEW ADMINISTRATION’S POLICY,
SAYS SECRETARY DANIEL’S AIDE
Franklin D, Roosevelt Says
United States Navy Is to
Become an Educational In
stitution
(By Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON, April 10.—An ef
ficient navy, large ana powerful enough
to maintain the nation’s prestige, is the
policy of the new administration as
outlined today to the Navy league of
the United States in its eighth annual
convention by Franklin D. Roosevelt,
assistant secretary of the navy. His
statement created enthusiasm.
It was regarded as directly reflecting
the views of Secretary Daniels and the
White House.
Mr. Roosevelt called on the members
of the league to aid in the popularizr
ing the naval establishment and de
clared that as effective work could be
done outside the navy as within it.
He dwelt on the need lor the support
of the secretary of the navy and the
administration’s naval policy.
“This is not a question of war or
peace,” he said. “I take it there are
as many advocates of arbitration and
international peace in the navy as in
any other profession. But we are con
fronted with another condition—the fact
that our nation has decided, in the past
to have a fleet and that war is still a
possibility.”
FACTOR FOR GOOD.
Mr. Roosevelt told of the thousands oi
men engaged "in manning the ships and
in attending to the mechanical work
of the department ashore. He said
the service was being developed with
the intention of making it a factor for
the national good.
”We want the country to feel that in
the maintaining of a fighting force or
the highest efficiency,” he said, “we are
at the same time educating thousands
of young men to be better citizens and
to be in a position to help themselves
when they leave the service. We want
to give them industrial education under
ideal conditions. Most of all, we will
help create a mercantile marine owned
by us and run by us.”
The convention was devoted to discus
sions today, but tomorrow, the delegates
vf which there are several hundred
will be entertained by. a special cav
alry drill at Fort Myer.
The convention will end -tomorrow
night with a banquet in honor of Secre
tary. Daniel.
(By Associated Press.)
WASHINGTON, April 10.—The senate
finance committee has determined not to
have hearings on the tariff bill. Manu
facturers in many lines of industry
have appealed for an opportunity to
present arguments against the rates pro
posed in the UnderwLfod bill. The sen
ate committee members take the posi
tion, however, that the hearings conduct
ed by the house ways and means com
mittee i n January was sufficiently thor
ough to cover practically all points the
senate needs to consider in connec
tion with the tariff revision.
It is believed now that the tariff bill
after it finally reaches the senate will
not remain i n the committee more than
ten days.
The senate was not in session today
and members cotninued the study of
the tariff bill in private. Republican
forces are preparing for a united attack
upo n the Democratic revision on the
ground that it not only destroys all
protection to many American industries
but that in many features it practic
ally is a free trade bill.
It is expected there will be a con
ference of Republicans to discuss some
of the more drastic features of the
proposed revision.
HOUSE CAUCUS.
House Democrats met to resume con
sideration of the tariff bill in caucus
when the house adjourned. The chem
ical schedule having been approved ex
actly as written by the ways and
means committee, the earthen and glass
ware schedule was next. Considerable
opposition to some of the cuts on pot
tery come from New Jersey and Penn
sylvania members.
The house Democrats have demonstrat
ed that a good working majority is sup
porting Chairman Underwood and the
ways and means committee and this
seems to indicate that the caucus event
ually will ratify the schedules as pre
sented, including free raw wool and the
25 per cent cut in sugar with the provi
sion for its going on the free list in three
years.
There are assurances, however, that
such a result will not be accomplished
without a fight. Opposition forces are
preparing for a struggle for a duty on
raw wool and to eliminate the free su
gar provision.
Opponents of free wool are making the
argument that the party went to the peo
ple in the last election committed to a
duty on raw wool as based on he wool
schedule passed in congress and vetoed
by the president. They declare that
when the house agreed to a duty of 20
per cent and later accepted 29 per cent
in conference it went on record before
the public.
Opponents of the textile schedule had
a test vote in the caucus yesterday when
they made an effort to put indigo on the
free list. They were defeated by a vote
of 112 to 35.
Postmaster General Burleson, who was
an early caller at the White House to
day told the president he favored a tar
iff revision schedule by schedule bill.
HARDWICK’S AMENDMENT.
After a conference with President
Wilson today. Representative Hardwick,
of Georgia, declared he would submit to
the house caucus an amendment to the
tariff bill to put sugar on the free list
in March, 1916, instead of three years
from the date of the passage of the
bill as now proposed.
Mr. Hardwick predicted a fight for
free sugar in the house and. told the
president he believed it to be discrimi
natory to give sugar three years’ time
to adjust themselves, while other pro
ducts were immediately to become
free.
Democratic members of the senate
finance committee held another meeting
today to further consider their pro
gram.
Aged Pontiff Rested Well Dur
ing Night But Had Several
Coughing Fits During the
Early Hours of Morning
(By Associated Press.)
ROME, April 10.—Dr. Andrea Amici
declared today that he hoped by next
week Pius X would be convalescent. An
entirely contrary opinion, however, is
expressed by some of those immediately
surrounding the pope, who depict the
situation as grave. They assert that an
examination made by a specialist show
ed the presence of from 10 to 12 de
grees of albumen.
The sisters and niece of the pope re
mained with him this morning three
hours.
Just before 11 o’clock Cardinal Merry
del Val entered the bed chamber. The
pope said in reply to the cardinal’s in
quiry that he felt better. He then spoke
about the pilgrims who had come to the
Vatican from Venice and expressed his
regret that he would be unable to see
them. Cardinal Merry del Val informed
him that the pilgrims had been separat
ed into groups and were being escorted
about Rome, visiting various churches
and basilicas where they prayed for
the pontiff's recovery.
MORNING BRINGS NO CHANGE.
The condition of. the pope was round
to be practically unchanged when his
physician, Professor Marchiafava, paid
the pontiff an early morning visit today.
He had passed a comparatively calm
night, disturbed only by occasional fits
of coughing and periods of great per
spiration.
The pope rejoiced to see the morning
bring a change in the weather. A splen
did sun streamed through the ample
window of his bedroom. Although this
seemed to encourage his spirits he con
tinued to feel nauseated and averse to
taking nourishment, notwithstanding the
efforts made by his own cook, Stefano
Inchiostro, an old servant, who came
with him from Venice. Inchiostro keeps
a special cow in the Vatican garden for
his master’s milk.
Professor Marchiafava said after his
morning visit that he considered the
unchanged position as auguring well
for a decided turn for the better. The
only specific apprehension is heart
weakness.
I
CONTROL STRIKE
3,000 Soldiers Unable to Quiet
Motormen and Conductors
in Buffalo
CHEER WILSON TO THE ECHO
IIEE HE DELIVERS MESSAGE
(By Associated Press.)
BUFFALO, N. Y.. April 10.—The
fifth day of the strike of the Interna-
tonal Railway company’s motormen and
conductors began with the entire city
and interurban service still practically
suspended and the railway officials de
manding irom both civil and military
authorltiesp reoinforcements for the
3,000 members of the Fourth brigade
of the national guard now on duty here.
Troops with fixed bayonets held no
terror for the striking carmen of the
International Railway company and
their sympathizers yesterday, and the
riotous scenes of former days of the
strike were not only as numerous but of
a more serious nature. All efforts to
resume traffic were blocked, and all the
cars were withdrawn at nightfall after
an intermittent operation of less than
four hours.
Once during the afternoon the troops
used their rifles. A woman and man
were wounded and a boy received a
thrust from a bayonet. The woman
probably will die.
Efforts of the mayor to bring about
a settlement by arbitration met little
encouragement from the company’s side.
William D. Mahon, of Detroit, president
of the Amalgamated Association of
Street and Electric Railway Employes’,
outlined to the mayor the men’s griev
ances and offered to lay them before a
board of arbitration. President Connette,
of the railroad company, conferred with
the mayor, but neither would divulge
what passed between them.
The fact that the calling of more
troops was under serious consideration
tonight was taken as an indication that
a peaceful settlement still was a re
mote possibility. With over 300 miles
of street car tracks to patrol, the 3,000
men under command of Brigadier Gen
eral Welch proved an ineffective policing
force.
If more troops are to be brought here
the order must be issued by Governor
Sulzer.
An early settlement of the strike of
the carmen of the International Rail
way company appeared this afternoon
when President Connette, of the compa
ny, announced that he would accept the
offer of Mayor Fuhrmann to act as me
diator, and would recognize the union,
providing car service was immediately
resumed.
Official Washington Witnesses Most Unusual Ten Min
utes in Which History Was Made -Mrs, Woodrow Wilson
and Three Daughters, Admiral George Dewey, Diplomatio
and Court Officials Among Spectators Present
(By Associated Press.)
W ASHINGTON, April 8.—President Wilson stood on the speak
er’s rostrum in the hall of the house today and personally read
his first message to congress, the first president since John
Adams to exercise that privilege.
The renewal of a custom abandoned a century ago and now sur
rounded by such wide differences of opinion among members of con
gress, attracted to the capitol a large assemblage.
G.alleries were packed with national figures, Mrs. Wilson and her
three daughters and the women of the cabinet circle prominent among
them. The diplomatic gallery probably contained a representative of
every nation with an envoy in the foreign corps here.
President Wilson slipped away from the White House quietly after
today’s cabinet meeting, accompanied only by his secretary and one se
cret service man, and upon arriving at the capitol was escorted to the
rostrum in the house where Speaker Clark sat at one side and Vice
President Marshall at the other. The president, speaking with hia
usual clarity of tone and notable diction, read his message while the
company, actually packed into the chamber, gave the closest attention.
The president was cheered as he mounted the rostrum and shook
hands with Speaker Clark. He began to speak immediately. There
was intense silence in the great room, the president talking in an ordi
nary tone as he explained his coming in person to deliver his message.
EVERY EYE RIVETED ON THE PRESIDENT.
As the president read on, every eye was riveted toward the speak
er’s stand with its new occupant. Never in the life of any man pres
ent had a president occupied that historic place in such a capacity.
Here was the head of the nation, come to assert that he was a per
son, “a human being,” come to deal with his fellow-men in control ol
the nation’s destiny as a man of force, not a mere department of gov
ernment.
It was so unusual that to many it seemed almost unreal, but the
president, smiling as he spoke, and talking to the great assemblage as
man to man, soon developed in the gathering a fellow-feeling.
Throughout the message the president read in a clear voice which
carried his words to every corner of the big hall. Members of the
house and senate sat throughout in rapt attention following every word
closely. A murmur of conversation that swept the gallery when the
president began was soon hushed as the tall, imposing figure at the
clerk’s desk read on in his commanding but conversational style. As he
closed his introductory remarks, explaining his presence before them,
senators and representatives Joined in the applause.
The president concluded the reading at 1:08, amid a wave of ap
plause, and immediately left the chamber.
When the president concluded, he said: ‘‘I thank you sincerely.”
As the house and senate members arose and applauded, the pres
ident stepped quietly down from the clerk’s desk and, escorted by his
reception committee, left the hall.
The vice president left the speaker’s stand and headed the proces
sion of senators as it left the chamber. The visit of the president had
lasted ten minutes and become history.
CABINET MEMBERS PRESENT.
The president tarried a few minutes
in the speaker’s room after leaving the
chamber, and talked with Representa
tive’s Underwood, Palmer and Mann and
Senators Kern, Bacon ad Gallinger. He
then left the capitol for the White
Secretary Lane, McAdoo, Daniels and
Garrison took seats in the executive gal
lery of the house for themselves and
families Vo hear the president read his
message. Secretary Bryan said he had
another engagement for the same hour
and could not go until Mrs. Wilson and
her three daughters also took seats In
the executive gallery.
The house galleries were packed with
the wives, families and friends of sena
tors and representatives two hours be
fore the president was scheduled to ap
pear.
Admiral Dewey was escorted to a seat
on the floor of the house.
He called on Speaker Clark and was
cheered as he entered the chamber.
Members of the diplomatic corps filled
the private gallery allotted to them.
So unusual was the event that Super
intendent Woods of the capitol installed
a moving picture camera to take moving
via
*
pictures of the extraordinary scene. The
fllms will be preserved as a historic rec
ord of the day’s proceedings.
After the house had been called-to Or
der Speaker Clark announced that the
president would be received by a com
mittee of three. He appointed Represen
tatives Underwood, Palmer and Mann.
’The chair would admonish the mem
bers,” said Speaker Clark, “that, unless
otherwise Indicated by the president, to
keep their seats during the delivery of
his message and until he departed. If
the president should desire to shake
hands with you before he goes, I sug
gest that you pass by him at the right
of the rostrum and then into the lobby
to avoid conjestion.”
The hour for the joint session was set
for 12:30 o’clock and about that time the
senate moved over to the house chamber
and occupied the front rows of seats.
About the same time the cabinet meeting
at the White House adjourned and the
president got ready to go to the capitol.
At 12:60 o’clock the vice president and
members of the senate got seated in the
house chamber. President Wilson reach-
td the speaker's office at 12:65 o’clock.
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DUTCHESS OF CONNAUGHT
UNDERGOES OPERATION
LONDON. April 10.—The , Duchess of
Connaught was operated on today by
William Arbuthnot Lane, chief surgeon
of Guy’s hospital.
The operation was a severe one, but
was borne well by t>* duchess.
400,000 LABORERS TO
STRIKE FOR FREE BALLOT
Working Class in Belgium De
mand an End to Plural
Voting
(Sy Associated Press.)
BRUSSELS, Belgium, April 10.—
Troops today occupied most of the
great industrial centers of Belgium in
preparation for the general strike or
dered for Monday, when 300,000 or 400,-
000 men will quit work.
The Socialist strike leaders in the
various localities have offered to the
authorities the services of special con
stables drawn from their own ranks
to aid in preserving order. They af
firm that any outbreak of violence will,
delay; their cause for half a generation.
BREAKING OF *A HOARY CUSTOM WAS
NOT ALL THAT MR. WILSON DID
■ m
He Will Take Stump Against Party
Bolters—This Frightened J.
Sharp Williams.
BY RALPH SMITH.
WASHINGTON, April 10.—Wodrow
Wilson, breaking the presidential cus
tom of more than 100 years, today de
livered in person to the two houses of
congress sitting in joint assembly his
message declaring the purpose for
which he has called congress into the
extraordinary session.
But the breaking of a hoary custom
was not all he did.
To the members of congress it has
come that the president’s purpose lies
far deeper than that which shows up
on the surface. It was the discovery
of this purpose which led so loyal a
W’ilson supporter as John Sharp Wil
liams, of Mississippi, yesterday in the
senate to voice open disapproval of
the course the president is to pursue.
That course lies in first speaking his
mind directly to the members of the
legislative branch of the government
on all matters of first importance.
This is that there shall be not the
possibility of misunderstanding the to
tal earnestness with which the presi
dent proposes to insist upon the re
demption of the platform pledges of
his party including the whole tariff
program, and not excepting free wool,
and free sugar.
Having impressed congress and the
country by his speech to congress that
he will not submit to compromise, he
has permitted this further interpreta
tion of his intentions to be known.
If either house of congress, or any
Democratic members of either house at
tempts to frustrate yie redemption of
the pledges of the Democratic party, the
president wijl carry the fight home to
him or them, in person, as he has done
in Jersey and exactly as he has carried
the initiative to congress in person to
day, and will do again as occasion
arises.
This means that he will upon the
stump, in the states of the recalcitrants,
if necessary, and make personal ex
planation of the conduct of these who
are posing as Democrats and who are
declining to make good the word of the
Democratic party. The president has
left no room for doubt that this is his
intention. Neither has he left any doubt
that his speech today is to be the fore
runner of the militant program he has
in mind should the necessity arise. The
intimation is that he will even go so far
as to deliver personal denunciation of
those whose conduct makes of them
what he considers traitors to the Demo
cratic party.
STREET GAR SERVICE
Gas Plant Cut Off But Flood
Otherwise Does Little
Damage to City
MEMPHIS, Tenn., April 10.—Absence
of rain and occasional splashes of sun
shine today brought renewed hope to
the thousands of workers who spent a
night in anxious watching along the
levees that are holding the Mississippi
flood from the fields and forests of
eastern and northeastern Arkansas.
These are considered the most critical
along the river at the present time.
This morning’s reports show what with
the exception of the crevasse at Wil
son all the embankments were holding.
The gauge at Memphis showed a fall
of one-tenth at 10 o’clock from the 7
o’clock reading of 46.5. At Wyanoke,
just below Memphis, a six-inch fall
was reported, while at Mound City, just
above this city, a fall of two and one-
half inches was indicated. According
to forecaster, the river will be about
stationary with a falling tendency in
this territory, for the next twenty-four
hours. River experts, however, state
that the break at Wilson will relieve
the situation considerably and should
show a drop in the river at Memphis
of four to six inches.
Reports from Osceola, where the sit
uation was critical last night, today
i were that he additional labor had been
! secured and 'the banks were holding.
The same information was received
was received from Luxora, about three
miles farther north on the same stretch
of levee.
At Wilson the break was reported
widening slowly. The water from this
crevasse will flood about 300,000 acres
of farming and timber land and to
gether with the waters from the
Graves bayou crevasse, is expected to
cover about 40 per cent, of the St.
Francis basin, which comprises about
1,600,000 acres.
Rain had been falling throughout the
valley today and work on all the levees
was being pushed rapidly. South of
Memphis efforts are being made to
raise the embankments from two to
three feet above the line of last year,
in expectation of a greater quantity of
water.
I