About Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 16, 1919)
Atlanta JBemMWeeWto Sawrnal VOL. XXII. NO. 22. . ATLANTA, GA., TUESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1919. ' lUETT PEB CEWT OF COAL IMEFIS BACK IT WOOK MONDAY Hundreds of Vessels Clear U. S. Ports as Fuel Ban Is Lifted by Rail Adminis- > t rat ion CHICAGO, Dec. 15.—Restrictions “* on the use of coal made by the re cent strike of miners in the bitumin ous fields were removed today and industry throughout the country ap proached a normal basis. Regional fuel directors continued to exercise supervision over distribution, how ever, in order that restoration of the reserves may be equitable. From nearly all of the coal fields reports came that fully 90 per cent of the miners were at the pits today and heads of the United Mine Work ers of America predicted 95 per cent of the men would be at the mines by tonight. Operators said nothing like a nor mal output could be expected for sev eral days, as it was necessary to clear away debris, which had accum ulated in a large number of proper ties during the forty days of the strike, before hoisting of coal could begin. Shipments of newly-mined coal ' have been started from a few mines, and were expected to be in the ■ hands of distributors by the end of \ the day. INVESTIGATION OF STRIKE SETTLEMENT IS RENEWED , WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.—Investi gation of the settlement of the coal strike was renewed today by the senate sub-committee headed by Senator Frelinghuysen. Republican, of New Jersey, who called a meeting to consider measures to secure docu tments which Dr. Garfield, former ’fuel administrator, declined to sub mit last Saturday. The committee y also planned to hear other fuel ad ministration officials regarding the Garfield recommendation for a 14 per cent wage increase to the miners. Attorney General Palmer and oth ers who figured in the strike settle ment negotiations are to be heard later. Senator Frelinghuysen said. Mr. Palmer asked to be heard today in reply to Dr. Garfield, but the com mittee decided to defer his testimony probably until late this week. Restrictions against supplying fuel coal to foreign ships were rp laxed today by the railroad admin istration to permit the departure of 'hundreds of foreign vessels which .have been held in Atlantic and other ports since the shortage of coal be - came acute. Director General Hines ordered that should be supplied in the following order: ’ (1) Inland and coastwise vessels, ’(2) American overseas vessels, (3) foreign overseas vessels. Heretofore, the only foreign ships which have been allowed to obtain coal were fast mail and passenger liners. Coal production was expected by railroad administration officials to be 80 per cent of normal today, re ports showing miners were returning to work rapidly in all fields except „in Ohio and Kansas. It was indicated at the White House the commission which is to investigate the coal industry with a view to adjusting wages and prices would not be named until the mine workers had carried out their agreement to return to work. U. S. Flag Restored to 41 of World’s Great Ocean Trade Routes l WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.—The American flag has been restored to 41 of the world's great ocean trade routes, the shipping board records in its annual < report to congress. Most of the ships are plying trans- Atlantic and South American lanes, the report said, but some of them are in waters where the Stars and ’Stripes has not been seen on com mercial vessels for more than a gen r eration. Jiistribution of the government fleet of 1,230 vessels, aggregating 6,791,080 tons, shows vessels in the northern Europe trade. The trans- Atlantic trade was next with 197 ships of 1,204,953 tons engaged in the food relief service and 176 ships Vith a tonnage of 1,175,614 were still in use by the army on June 30 ■last. Another 188 vessels were engaged k in the South American trade; 73 ply ing to Brazil, 92 to La Plata and 23 to the West Coast of South America. Sixty vessels were making regular * sailings to Southern European ports, 14 to Africa, 6 to India, 77 in the trans-Pacific. 143 to the West In dies and 44 in the coastwise and New England qoal trade. The total gross revenues for the year were approximately $500,000,- 000 as compared with $80,000,000 for 1918, but no comprehensive state ment showing the profit or loss was available. Expenditures totaled $2,512,692,002 compared with $770,694,057 for 1918, $1,971,367,078 being for* ship con struction. Next heaviest was for inventory of materials amounting to 8177,734,648 and plants and property expenses wepe placed at $167,786,559. It cost $62,065,935 to furnish ade quate housing accommodations for the employes of 24 shipyards and 1 ’turbine plant, 8,644 houses, 94 dor mitories, 3 hotels, 6 boarding houses, 849 apartment houses, stores and other structures having been built, the report said. Loans to utility companies on housing projects aggregated more than $955,009. . "No Irish Bill Now, Lloyd George Declares LONDON. Dec. 15. —Premier Lloyd George announced In the house of commons this afternoon that no Irish bill would be introduced at this ses sion of parliament. He promised a statement Monday next giving an out line of the measure. PRESIDE WISON ” NET TO »E FDD ; PACTCOMPROMISE s White House Statement , Places Blame for Ratifica- b tion Failure at Door of Republican Majority i WASHINGTON. Dec. 15.—President Wilson's statement that he had “no compromise or concession of any : kind in mind,” and that he would make no move toward disposition of 'gs the treaty but would continue to hold senate Republicans responsible for the delay in its ratification, to day again brought the treaty and f i the League of Nations to the front Sjj in congress. Revived Saturday by a proposal of Senator Knox, Repub- gii lican, of Pennsylvania, debate on the & peace question promised to consume jgi much of the time of the senate dur- || ing the next day or two, although si leaders declared the White House announcement had no effect in changing the situation. a j President's Statement Al The president’s position, regarded of as peculiarly significant in view of Os the recent discussion in the senate Tig of a compromise, was set forth in na nc the following statement issued today - ( from the White House: 1 ’• “It was learned from the high est authority at the executive offices today that the hope of the Republican leaders of the senate that the president would presently make some move which will relieve the situation with re- I gard to the treaty is entirely , without foundation; he has no ' compromise or concession of any kind in mind, but intends so far as he is concerned that the Re publican leaders of the senate shall continue to bear the undi vided responsibility for the fate of the treaty and the present condition of the world in conse quence of that fate.” The White House statement appa rently had no effect in changing the treaty situation. Democratic lead ers, endorsing the president’s view, declared that it did not preclude a senate compromise and that com promise efforts would proceed. Re publican leaders reiterated that the president was responsible for the present status and must make the first move toward a solution. Sena tors hoping to kill the treaty alone expressed satisfaction. Qn one point only apparently, were all senate factions in harmony, namely, that decisive action on the treaty probably would b’e deferred until next month, after the proposed holiday recess- of congress, planned to end January 1. Senate debate probably centered about the White House statement, is expected to be reopened tomorrow with fresh vigor. The Democratic compromise cam paign also is to be pressed accord ing to Senator Hitchcock, of Nebras ka, administration leader, but unless some unexpected development this week ensues, the leaders believe the final cannot be reached until next month. Hitchcock's Position Senator Hitchcock, commenting on the White House statement, de clared that the Democrats would continue efforts for compromising the reservations and that the and not the president must act first. “The president says the whole mat ter is in the hands of the senate and I agree with him,” said Mr. Hitchcock. “The president says lie has no compromise or concession to make. That is for the senate. We' are ready to negotiate at any time and will Continue to seek a compro mise between the Lodge reservations and those I offered last November.” Senator Hitchcock declared posi tively that the Democrats never would consent to ratification of the treaty without the League of Na tions and would not accept tlie plan offered yesterday by Senator Knox, Republican, of Pennsylvania, to rati fy the peace terms and leave the league question for decision by the voters. Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts, and other prominent Republicans, re served public Comment on the White House statement, but the Republican viewpoint, indicated beyond doubt, was that the president must continue to be held responsible for the dead lock and until he acts the treaty must remain at a standstill, probably until January, at least. Senator Borah, of Idaho, Repub lican member of the foreign rela tions committee and prominent among the treaty’s implacable foes, in a statement tonight charged that large financial interests were engaged in propaganda favoring a senate com promise and also propose to keep the treaty and the league from being passed on by the people during the ensuing presidential campaign. American Kidnaped by Villistas Is Released; No Ransom Is Paid EAGLE PASS. Tex., ec. 15.—Fred G. Hugo, of El Paso, manager of the J. M. Dobie ranch, near Muzquiz. Mexico, has been released by the Vil listas who kidnaped him last week and held him for SIO,OOO ransom, ac cording to advices received here to day. No ransom was paid. U. S. EMBASSY IS TOLD TO INQUIRE INTO CASE WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.—The American embassy at Mexico City was directed today by the state de partment to jnake representations to the Mexican government regarding the kidnaping of Fred G. Hugo, the American manager of the Dobie ranch near Muzquiz, by Villistas last week. The embassy and the American consul at Eagle Pass, Texas, have been instructed to make an in-. : dependent investigation of the in ! cident and also to investigate re ports that the Villistas carried off another American named Philips. Information of Hugo’s release was contained in a telegram received by the Carranza garrison at Piedras Negras from Generol Alfredo Ricaut, commanding Mexican government troops sent to intercept the Villa band. D’Annunzio's Son Who Will Attempt to Fly From Italy to America : 4 * ? ;, |r B IJ W | ® i 3 w -»■ j <1 Wk - C.Y ». k Gi> ti .iAWf aZi-j To make preparations for an airplane flight from Italy to America Capt. Ugo d’Annunzio of the Royal Italian Artillery, son of Gabriele d’Annunzio, Italy’s fighting poet, is returning to his native land. Before starting home he said he would use a 5,000-horsepower, eight - engined triplane. He would not discuss details of his plan or his proposed' route. TRAINS RESUME OLD SCHEDULES; COAL DELIVERED Witli the fuel consumption restric tions removed and the passenger train schedules restored the south on Monday morning was operating on a normal basis for the first time in several weeks. The old passenger train schedules ■were put into effect on all railroads in the southern region one minute after midnight Sunday. The curtail ment of the schedules and the in terrupted service which the flood caused had contributed greatly to the congestion of the passenger traf fic in the south which at the Christ mas season was taxed more than usual. Numbers of the trains on the various roads are carrying extra coaches in order to handle the in creased traffic. The lifting of the fuel restrictions took effect upon the issuance of the order Friday night but it was Mon day morning "before all of the rep resentatives of the railroads in the thousands of points in the region were able to begin th© movement of tlie coal on hand under the control of the regional coal committee. De liveries of coal to consignees began Monday and thousands of tons were released. With’ practically ninety-five per cent of the miners of the region at work the production of coal increas ed substantially and the demand for ■ empty cars to carry the output away from the mines was great, it was stated. The restriction on the sale of do mestic coal to household consumers of one ton at a time is still in effect and will serve, it is thought, to pre vent any immediate exhaustion of the local domestic coal supply through orders caused by the cold wave which has come upon the citv and vicini yt. Retail dealers stated Monday that they expected ter get in consignments of coal during the week which would greatly inci-ease their supply on hand. Despite the coal wave, it was reported that there has been no flood of coal orders from Atlanta consumers. The. orders have, increased but’ they can be handled, it was stated. Man and Girl Are Drowned in Flint; Another Girl Rescued AMERICUS. Ga., Dec. 15.—Mr. Georg* Lindley and Miss Allene Wright. his young niece, were drowned, late Sunday afternoon in Flint river, at the site of the Mur ray’s ferry bridge, on the Vienna road, fifteen miles from Americus. Mr. Lindley, who came here from north Georgia to reside some time ago, was driving from* the Charlie Hogg place, where he had been liv ing. to Dooly county, accompanied by Misses Louise and Allene Wright, when the accident occurred. Miss Louise was saved from drowning through the heroism of Roy Crabb, an Americus boy, who returned re cently after having served an enlist ment in the navy. Reese Horton, an Americus aiderman, also assisted in the rescue, and friends of these two men today started for them a move ment to secure Carnegie hero medals. How to Prepare Caycium Arsenate to Beat Weevil AMERICUS, Ga., Dec. 15.—George O. Marshall, county farm demonstra tion agent, has issued a warning to farmers against buying inferior cal cium arsenate. This poison it is cer tain will be used in large quantities in the fight against the boll weevil this year, and Mr. Marshall is con ducting a campaign of education as ■ to its use among farmers of Sum ter county. According to Mr. Marshall calcium arsenate in order t obe effective as a weevil poison should contain not more than three-fourths of 1 per cent of water soluable arsenic pentoxid, on account of the danger of burning plants. It should contain not less | than 40 per cent total arsenic, and ■ if it contains much less, Mr. Mar i shall says, it win not control the | weevil. Its density should be be | tween 80 and 100 cubic inches to • the pound, according to the county ! demonstrator. Polish Cabinet Reported LONDON, Dec. 15.—A dispatch from Warsaw today reported that M. Skulski, former mayor of Lodz, had succeeded in forming a new Polish cabinet, following resignation of Jgnace Jan Paderewski. ■ID ME. SAYS I DANKER. SHOULDGO.I BACK TDGDLD BASIS Restoration of Approximate Equilibrium of Imports and Exports Between U. S, and •Europe Also Held Essentiali NEW YORK, Dec. 13.- —Restoration of an approximate equilibrium of imports and exports between the United States and Europe and returri i I of European currencies to a gold basis are« needed before foreign ex- . change will return to a normal basis, ■ according to James S. Alexander, president of the National Bank of Commerce, and an authority on for eign trade. Mr. Alexander, officer and director of many important banking institu tions who served as chairman of the committtee on credit, finance at the International Trade Conference at Atlantic City, and who is chair man of the executive committee of the national committee on European finance, was asked today by the As sociated Press to reduce to plain terms the highly complicated inter national business problem presented by the present condition of foreign exchange. He prepared a statement in which he explained that foreign exchange is a commodity, and the present demoralized depreciation in rates for sterling and other Eu ropean exchanges is a normal expres sion of the law of supply and de mand. The statement follows: “Depreciation of the foreign ex changes is primarily only a reflec tion of deeper problems in relation of exports and imports between America and Europe. The problem may be simply stated as follows: “When exporters sell to foreign, buyers, they draw checks, drafts, etc., on those foreign consignees or their banks for the amounts due. These bills are drawn in foreign money, preponderantly pounds sterling—that is, on houses in London, long the world’s international clearing house. Americans drawing these bills sell them in the foreign exchange market for what they will bring, which, un der normal conditions, fluctuates within narrow limits of face value. The total volume of such checks and drafts coming into the foreign ex change market constitutes the sup ply of foreign exchange in exist ence at that time. The foreign ex change market consists of foreign exchange houses whose function is to buy exchange, say in New York on Londwon and send it there for collection, or the establishment of : balances. Normally About Equal “Ordinarily, at the same time Americans are selling goods to for eigners, foreigners are selling goods to Americans who therefore have re mittances to make abroad. They therefore buy from the foreign ex change dealers drafts or checks, against the balances those dealers have established abroad through the purchase 'of foreign exchange. Thus, while American exporters sell for eign exchange, American importers buy foreign exchange. - The one creates the supply; the other creates the demand. , “Normally this supply and demand were about equal because the total volume of goods and services sold to Europe about equalled the total volume of goods, and services bought from Europe. In pre-war times the difference in the two volumes fluct uated between narrow limits and the excess one way or the other was settled by shipments of gold. “The foregoing states in general terms what normally took place in the foreign exchange market, ignor ing many technical details, which, however, do not alter the main tli ought. Gold Kept Up Values “During Europe’s war purchases from us before America’s entry in to the war, foreign exchange on 'Eu rope was kept from depreciation to present levels by the great -'Glume of gold she sent us in cash liquidation of her adverse balance, until she sent about all the gold she Qould spare. At this point America en tered the war and government cred its were extended to our allies serv ing to keep a large volume of for l eign exchange for Europe’s pur chases out of the market. Drafts and checks which would otherwise have come into the market during this period were, in effect, funded in a consolidated long time credit. This postponed the depreciation. The ex tension of government credit, how ever, has ceased, and there is noth ing new to prevent foreign exchange from coming into the market in greater supply than there, is demand for, due to the continuing excess of Eu ope’s purchases from us over her sales to us. “The question as to what will correct the situation can be an i swered on general principles with i out any attempt to prophesy. For ! eign exchange cannot come back to i parity until the restoration of the gold standard in Europe corrects the depreciation of European cur rencies, and until the restoration of approximate equilibrium, between our exports and our imports in re i spect to Europe again makes the i demand for foreign exchange ap | proximate the supply.” Griffith and His Actors Arrive at Nassau After Delay of Three Days MIAMI, Fla., Dec. 15.—Wireless | messages received from Nassau, Ba i hama Islands, early today announc ing its safe arrival there, apparent ’ ly cleared all doubts as to the safety lof the yacht Grey Duck with its i complement of forty persons for which a search has been in progress in the South Atlantic near here for i the past two days. The yacht, which had aboard among others David W. Griffith and a party of motion picture actors, was blown from its course shortly after leaving this port last Wednes j day, according to the advices, and ■ was three days over-due when it reached the Bahamas Saturday. The navy department had ordered an active search with destroyers, seaplanes and other craft and prep i arations for the quest were being j made when news of the safety of j the party was received. WEST POINT'S PLEA FDR AID GENEROUSLY MM CITIES No Limit Placed on Amount to Be Raised LaGrange Gives* $20j000; Frank Lanier, AmericuS) $5,000 . The appeal of West Point. Ga. . for money to rehabilitate it from the flood that submerged the city last week has met with Instantaneous re sponse from all parts of Georgia. In Atlanta a fund is being raised that began with a rousing mass meeting Sunday afternoon and has already passed $15,000. Atlanta has ; pledged itself to raise $25,000 at least, but it is believed that this I goal will be materially over-sub- I scribed as soon as committees ap pointed by the mayor get in their 1 reports. The city itself will be ask ed to give $2,500, when Councilman J. R. Nutting introduces a motion to that effect at the meeting of city council Monday afternoon. LaGrange Ga., West Point’s neigh bor city, has raised the sum of $20,- 000. West Point itself has pledged $50,000 to its own cause. Frank Lanier, prominent citizen of Amer icus, Ga., sent an individual contri bution of $5,000 Sunday. The town of Jonesboro has sent SI,OOO from its citizens. Decatur’s West Point fund was more than SBOO Monday morning. Albany and many other Georgia cities and towns are sub- | scribing generously. GOVERNOR DORSEY ISSUES STATEMENT Seconding the appeal from West ; Point published Saturday, Governor ; Hugh M. Dorsey Monday morning is- I sued the following statement: To the People of Georgia: Citizens of West Point, I through the mayor of that city and the chairman of the relief committee have wired that con ditions are most serious, ar»l that damage to merchandise and household effects amounting to 81,509,000 has been sustained. This is regarded as a conserva tive estimate. The seriousness of the situation is also vouched for by the Red Cross officials,, who have for the last five or six days been attending to the im mediate wants of the unfortu nate people of the community. I have communicated with the I mayors of the larger towns of the state, requesting that this matter be called to the attention of their citizens and that contri butions be solicited- It is sug gested that those living outside our large municipalities also join in extending relief. Contributions should be sent direct to Hon. Mark McCulloh, mayor, West Point; Colonel Phil Lanier, chairman of the relief committee, or Mr. Charles I. Ryan, vice president of the Fourth National bank, Atlanta, who will act as treasurer, and receive and transmit such funds as may be contributed. Although it was a cold and bleak | afternoon, the mass meeting 1 in At lanta Sunday was attended by about 150 citizens, representing nearly ev ery business and profession in At lanta, and from the outset there was no doubt that every man present had come prepared to give. MANY DOUBLE FIRST SUBSCRIPTIONS to fund Before the meeting was over, too, ! many present doubled their first sub scriptions. Major John S. Cohen doubled the previous subscription of $250 by The Journal to SSOO. The Dinkins & Davison Hardware com pany doubled its subscription of $250 to SSOO. The Beck & Gregg Hard ware company doubled $250 to SSOO. J. P. Allen & Co. doubled SIOO to S2OO. So did the Chamberlin-John- I son-Dußose company, and M. Rich I & Bros, company. The George Jduse Clothing company, G. F. Willis, Har ry Schlesinger and others increased their subscriptions. The meeting Sunday afternoon was held in the assembly hall of the At lanta chamber of commerce. Lee Ash craft called the meeting to order and stated briefly the purpose of the gathering, declaring Atlanta business [ men would respond freely and joy- | fully to West Point’s appeal. He j asked Mayor Janies L. Key to pre- i side. Mayor Key said that when news of the flood first came, he offered the help of Atlanta to West Point, but at that time West Point citizens felt they could cope with the situation themselves. Their resolution to do this makes their appeal now come with double strength, he said. He asked Ely Callaway to tell the meet ing exactly what were conditions in West Point. Mr. Callaway, a prominent citizen of LaGrange, had come to Atlanta at the request of West Point citi zens, none of whom could be spared from relief work. He was in West Point Saturday, observing the con ditions and conferring with leading West Point citizens, and he declared that the town was ruined, the peo ple had held out until they could hold out no longer, and that Atlanta could not do too much to help. Steel Strike Leaders Plan Long Campaign WASHINGTON, Dec? 15.—As a re sult of the almost unanimous deci sion of the national committee of organized iron and steel workers to continue the strike of steel workers, leaders of the unions today were go ing ahead with plans for an active field campaign, which they said would be carried on for at least four years if necessary. Members of the committee, which is composed of 24 presidents of la bor unions connected with the steel industry, conferred here last night and it was at. this conference the de cision was reached. Chairman John Fitzpatrick stated the meeting •was the most enthusiastic held since the original declaration of the strike and he expressed confidence in ultimate victory. Leaders admitted' there had been defections in the strikers’ ranks and that many plants had resumed op erations but said steel production had been far below normal and the plants were running under the dis advantage of heavy overhead . charges. ASKS DIVORCE BY POPE Si Hr % " Kip ' ft S Vv-;' ; •• z'’- mgs', i WASHINGTON—Mrs. Dorothy McCombs, daughter of the late Colonel John R. Williams, has asked the Vatican to annul her mar riage to William F. McCombs, President Wilson’s campaign manager in 1912. * In Seven Weeks The Semi-Weekly Journal Is Going to Divide SI,OOO Among Readers What Is Your Share Going to Be? On January 81 The Semi-Weekly Journal’s Figure Puzzle Game will come to a close. Just as soon as the judge can decide the winners, SI,OOO will be divided among the successful players. You still have plenty of time to enter thenjoyable game and secure your share of the splendid awards. The time of send ing in your answer or entering the game will have no bearing on the results. Any one starting to play the game now has exactly the same opportunity to win the first prize as those who started when the Figure Puzzle was first announced. Only do not wait too long or you may be too late to work out a good answer. The sooner you start the more time you will have to play the game. You will get a lot of fun out of it and in addition you can share in the awards. On page 3 you will find the Figure Puzzle Chart, the prize list and instructions as to how the game is to be played. START TODAY and go after some of the Gold. GERMANY’S REPLY TO ENTENTE NOTE GIVEN TO ALLIES PARIS, Dec. 15.—The German peace delegation this morning handed Germany’s reply to the entente note to faul Dutasta, secretary of the peace conference. The general representatives here will not be permitted to discuss tlie note orally, it was understood. Aft er considering the German note, the allies will send a final reply, fix ing the exact date when the protocol must be signed. Foreign Minister Mueller, of Ger many, in an interview published in the United States’yesterday, said that Germany had made “substantial con cessions” in regard to the protocol, in the interest of a speedy return to peace conditions. He denied re pdrts that the action of the American senate in refusing to ratify the peace treaty had made Germany recalci trant. “Naturally, we attach the great est value to America’s "co-operation in the matter of the treaty,” he said, “but the idea that we intend to make political capital out of America’s present attitude is preposterous.” “We realize, that in common with the whole world, Germany needs nothing more urgently than estab lishment of peace,” Mueller declared. “Consequently, we have decided to withdraw practically all our objec tion to signature of the protocol,” Mueller said a commission of Ger man experts would be sent to Paris to discuss the terms of reparation for sinking of the interned German fleet at Scapa Flow. Premier Clemenceau returned yes terday from the “unofficial peace conferences” in London and was giv en a great ovation. It was learned that when he was crossing tlie chan nel on his way to London he was thrown against the iron railing on the bridge of the destroyer Temer aire, severely bruising his chest. Foreign Exchange ' Shows Improvement NEW YORK, Dec. 15. —Foreign exchange showed improvement at the opening today. The pound usterling advanced 4 l-4c to 372 l-2c, while franc checks jumped 23 cen times to 11.12 and lire checks 16 centimes to 13.32. Stomach Trouble or Tape- Worm Banished Many persons who suffer from stomach trouble really have a tape worm and don’t know it. A guaran teed remedy which has proven to be remarkably effective in expelling tapeworms and giving quick relief in all forms of stomach trouble is being sent on free trial by the Schoenherr Co., Dept. 55, Milwaukee, Wis. They guarantee it to remove, in less than one hour, any tapeworm with its head. No pain, no dieting, no danger; also, to relieve any form of stomach trouble or it costs noth ing. Take advantage of their free trial offer. Write them today.— (Advt.) SUPREME COURT !TO PASS ON AUTO CONFISCATION LAW With the view of obtaining a de- I cision from the supreme court of i the United States on the question I whether an innocent owner of an I automobile shall forfeit his machine ito the government, if contraband ; whisky is found in it, records were | perfected and a test case started to the United States supreme court Friday by D. C. Hopkins, the law firm of Dorsey, Shelton & Dorsey and the law firm of Bell & Bills, a group of prominent Atlanta attor neys who have been retained by a committee of automobile dealers in Atlanta appointed by the Atlanta Au tomobile association. The question is one of general interest to the public and of partic ular interest to every automobile owner especially automobile dealers. The United States circuit court of appeals for the Fifth judicial circuit recently has held that it makes no difference whether the true owner of the machine, in which the liquor is found, knew that it was put in hjs car, and that the fact that it was found by the revenue officers in the car would be sufficient to forfeit it under an old federal law which was passed in 1866. It is contend ed that this law never was intended to confiscate vehicles* of innocent people, but recently has been resur rected by federal officials in their l prosecutions of violations of the in ternal revenue law. It is claimed by the automobile dealers that if this decision stands their business will be seriously jeopardized, in view of the constitu tional amendment which makes the country bone dry. As it stands now every automobile sold by the dealers on credit will be subject to for feiture regardless of the innocence of the dealers. In practically all credit sales of automobiles the title to the machine is retained by the dealers until the purchase price has been paid by the purchaser. The tset case that will be taken to the supreme court of the United States is identical to numerous oth ers which have arisen recently. In this case automobile dealers sold a machine on credit, retaining title in themselves, Subsequently moon shine liquor was found in the ma chine. Upon the trial of this case, United States District Judge Newman, be ing obliged to follow the decision of the United States circuit court cf appeals, directed that the auto mobile be forfeited. This was in spite of the fact that under an agreed statement of facts it was conceded by the government that the real owners of the machine did not know of the presence of liquor in the car and had no opportunity to discover its presence before the car was seized by revenue officers. This federal decision which has been handed down in other circuits than the fifth judicial circuit is in conflict with the decisions of the Georgia courts on this point. The Georgia decisions allow the confisca tion of only that interest in the automobile which the violator of the law holds. Because of its far-reaching effect the decision by the supreme court j of the United States will be watched | for with unusual interest. Scents a coi’v. $1.25 A YEAE. WAR PROHIBITION CONSTITUTIONAL. SAYSJLS. COURT Proclamation of Peace Held to Be Necessary Before ' State of War Is Ended, 2.75 Beer Not Mentioned WASHINGTON, Dec. 15?—War time prohibition was held constltu tional today by the supreme court in a unanimous decision. Thus van ished the hopes of many for a “wet’ holiday time. No decision vas rendered on the cases involving the constitutionalitj of the Volstead \law, the prohibition enforcement act, framed to carry ou the intent of tiie’prohibition amend mer.t t othe constitution. In passing, however, Assooiat, Justice Brandeis <h<hold that tn< prohibition amendment was binding on the states as well as the federal government. The court entirely reversed the contention of the “wets" that war time prohibition was outside the war-time powers of congress and pointed out that war-time control of food and railroads still were in ef fect. The decision added one of the final milestones to the long fight to make the country dry. After giving decisions today, the court recessed for the holidays and does not meet again until early in January. The prohibition constitu tional amendment will become effec tive January 16. Upon the court’s decision on the prohibition enforcement law, which is expected early in January, will depend whether the federal govern ment has at hand any legal means for making the amendment effective. The constitutionality of war-time prohibition, however, the "drys" are confident, will keep the country dry until the amendment is carried ihto effect by law of its own. The decision read by Justice Bran* diees before a court crowded with at torneys for the liquor interests and the prohibition forces took up the contention of the liquor interests in their attack on the law and then flatly declared that there was no sound foundation for them. Justice Brandeis, deviating from the usual custom of the court, did not keep the large crowd in suspense until after th'e reading of the opin ion, before announcing the final de cision, but announced immediately that the decision of the Louisville court is reversed and that of the New York court affirmed. The four contentions of the liquor interests, which the court swept aside as not having a legal founda tion were: That the war-time pro hibition law deprived the citizens of their property without just com pensation in violation of the fifth amendment; that it lias become void through the cessation of hostilities? that it was repealed by the provision of tlie constitutional amendment al lowing liquor interests in a year to dispose of their stocks; that it ex pired with the termination of de mobilization. Idquor Interests Knocked Ont The refusal of the court to agree to any of these contentions makes 4 the decision so sweeping that the liquor interests, it is believed, have now no way of knocking out the law. * Answering the first contention the court held that the liquor in terests cannot expect the govern ment to compensate them. The opin ion indicates that the court thinks tlie period between the tjipe war time prohibition was passed on No vember 21, 1918, and the date it went, into effect, July 1, 1919, was ample to dispose of these stocks and in addition pointed out that the liquor can be exported. “We cannot say that seven months and nine days was not a reasonable tune,” Justice Brandeis said. Regarding whether the war-time emergency has passed the court held ! that the statement of the president I that the war is over does not con stitut’e a proclamation of peace. Neither has demobilization been com pleted, the court held, referring to a statement of Secretary of w;ar Baker on December 1 that the army was 94 per cent demobilized. “It is clear, at 'last probable, that the reason why the president did not declare demobilization Complete, though not favorable to the con tinuance of the law, 'was that he felt he could not accurately and legally so state,” Mr. Brandeis sSid. “There is no basis for the contention that the president’s words vetoing the Volstead act constitute a proclama tion. Justice Brandies pointed out that the Lever food control act, the guar anteed wheat price, control of sugar and the action of the president in vetoing the bill taking away his pow er over railroad rates, all indicated that the war has not been concluded, and that the government is still exercising its war powers. The contention that the year’s im munity granted under the constitu tional amendment repealed war-time prohibition, the court disposed of with the declaration that it is “clear ly unsound,” Mr. Brandeis pointing ouE that if this view were accepted it would repeal all state prohibition laws, since the constitution is bind ing upon all the states. In conclusion the court flatly de clared that only the proclamation of peace can officially end the war in the legal sense of the prohibition law. War Not Ended The armistice and the signing of the peace treaties at Versailles, the court definitely declared, do not con stitute “the conclusion of the war.” “The conclusion of the war 'clear ly did not mean cessation of hos tilities, because the act was annrov ed ten days after the armistice signed,’ ” Justice Brandeis concluded. Tennessee Had 92 Strikes in 1919 NASHVILLE, Tenn., Dec. 15. Since January 1. 1919 ninety-two recognized strikes involving between 12,000 and 14,000 men have taken place in Tennessee, according to rec ords of the welfare committee of the Tennessee Manufacturers’ associa- The wage loss to th.? workers during tlie period is estimated at $3,- 000,000 and the Joss to indu-jtfies due to suspended or impended produc tion at about 6,000,000.
