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The Times-Recorder is the ONLY paper in the Third Congressional District with Associated Press Service. tfHIRTY-MNTH YEAR. CHAMP CLARK ELECTED SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE BY VOTE 217 AND 205; WILSON TO SPEAK ON WAR President Wilson’s Address is Ready To Be Delivered as Soon As House is Organized TELEGRAMS ARE POURING INTO NATION’S CAPITAL Ex-Pres. Taft Says That The South Is Ready For War And Unity Must Be The Moue WASHINGTON, D. C„ April 2--| Champ Clark, of Missouri, was 're flected speaker of the house of repre sentatives over Representative Mann, of Illinois. The vote stood 217 to 205, and the naming of Clark as speaker gives control of the house organiza t’on to the democrats. President Wilson’s address, to be delivered late this afternoon, it is un cerstood, will refer to the traditional friendship existing between Germany and America, but will differentiate be • tween the German government and German people. Copies of the address , will be furnished all foreign diplomats here, and Paul Ritter, the Swiss min ister, will be provided with additional copies to be transmitted to Berlin. At 3:30 o’clock this afternoon, it appeared so certain that congress will declare war between the United States and German, that Representatve Flood, chairman of the house foreign affairs committee, had already prepared a resolution formally declaring a state of war now exists, and authorizing the (president to make war on Germany. Republican delayed the house organ ization somewhat by demanding roll .. , calls as each officer was selected, but otherwise there appeared little friction between the two dominating parties. Both houses of congress assembled in extraordinary session here today, to decide the momentous question of war oi peace with Germany, with every in d'eation that war is inevitable. As congress assembled at noon Pres ident Wilson practically decided to make his address today, soon after or ganization of the house is completed, even if this should be deferred until late in the afternoon or early even ing. This became known when demo cratic house leaders received word to’ h<:rry the organization work a musch as passible. Senator Simmons, chairman of the senate finance committee, conferred with Secretary McAdoo this morning. The two went over estimates to de termine the amount of money the gov ernment needs immediately to carry on its plans, but no information re garding conclusions reached was made public. It was agreed .hoover, that no action would be taken on the pend ing appropriations bills until after congress has defined the attitude of the i'nited States toward the European wai and Germany’s ruthless subma-' rine activities. President Wilson's message, which j i; expected to be delivered as have • all his previous addresses, personally before a joint session of congress, was completed Sunday', and went to the public printer early this morning. Cop ic's of the address, it is anticipated, will be laid upon the desks of sena tors and representatives when the president delivers his message. As soon as the struggle between democrats and republicans over the house organization is concluded, con gress is expected to take up the task ol solving the most serious national crisis which has confronted the United States since the civil war. The senate has already completed its organiza tion. this having been done at the be- i ginning of the usual senate extra ses-| TRY A WANT AD IN THE TIMES-RECORDER.'JT’S PULLING POWER WILL SHOW YOU THE BESTJIEDIUM VERY QUICK sion immediately following the pres ident’s organization, at which time tlie body, for the first time in its history, adopted a cloture rule, designed to limit debate, thereby preventing a re petition of such reprehensible filibus ters as marked the closing days of the last congress, resulting in the failure of important appropriations measures to pass, as well as killing President W’ilson’s armed neutrality measure. While the predominating sentiment here today, undoubtedly favors either an out-and-out declaration of war with Germany, or a declaration that a state of war already exists, which would amount to the same thing, the pacifiist element throughout the country is ex pected to be heard in congress before final action is taken. Both pacifists and patriots came to Washington in force last night and early today to try and influence congressmen, while letters and telegrams, for and against war, continued to pour into the white house from all directions, as well as great numbers of similar communica tions addressed to various senators and representatives. Before the lower house assemble, all indications pointed to democratic con trol of its organization. Champ Clark, unanimous choice of the democrats for speaker, will be opposed by Repre sentative Mann, of Illinois, who was minority leader in the last congress, but a "split” which developed in the republican congress when it was pro posed to make the action of the as sembly binding upon those participat ing, is expected to result in the choos ing of Clark. Representative Augus tus Gardner, of Massachusetts, one of the most ardent war advocates in the house, and previously a warm oppon ent of the democratic polities, an nounced Saturday that he would vote for an independent candidate for pre siding officer of the house, while sev eral other republicans left the caucus upon passage of the resolution making its action binding upon participants. The membership is equally divided be tween democrats and republicans, with five so-called independents holding the balance of .power, and two republican epresentatives prevented by illness from attending the opening session to day. Taft Says Enter “Whole Heartedly.’’ NEW YOR. April 2. —Former Presi- Call For Red Cross The temporary organization of the Americus and Sumter County Red Cross chapter has received authority from the American Red Cross to perfect a permanent organization, and a meeting is hereby called for this purpose at the Carnegie Library auditorium. Wednesday afternoon, April 4th, at 3:30 o’clock. At this meeting the Committee on Member ship will report, officers will be elected and all other business necessary to permanent organization will be transacted. For some years the American Red Cross has carried on educational work with the intention of improving the efficiency of the people in time of war, civil disaster, or emergency, in their homes, and every person in Americus and Sumter county is invited to be present at the meeting, and aid in this important work. e. A. NISBET. STEPHEN PACE. Temporary Chairman. Temporary Secretary. 1 ' f AMERICUS TIMES-RECORDER MEMBER ASSOCIATED PRESS dent William Howard Taft returned here today after a tour of the South r>i»d Southwestern states, which he characterized as the most strenuous be had made since he occupied the white house. The former president is a warm advocate of the United States entering the European war, and says the people of whole South and Southwest favor immediate entrance of America into the conflict in support of the Entente. There must be no procrastination, Prof. Taft stated, this country must enter into the war with Germany "whole-heartedly.” H MOTOR POMP TESTED OUT TODAY *. I ■ The new motor pumping engiae which has been purchased for the Americus Fire department, was given a preliminary test this morning, al though the formal demonstration of the apparatus is to be made on Thurs day morning. Mayor L. G. Council and Aiderman R H. Horton were on hand to see the result of the test, and both expressed entire satisfaction with the work done by the powerful pump. The engine throws 1,000 gallons of water per minute when in operation at fi.ll capacity and this morning a tre mendous volume of water was hurled from the corner of Lee and College streets almost to tthe viaduct over the Seaboard Air Line tracks. On Felder street and on Brooklyn Heights the machine could not be tested out satisfactorily, for the 4- inch ( mains in those section could not provide sufficient water to keep the pump going) at full capacity. Where the mains were large enough to supply plenty of water, the motor pump proved its efficiency beyond doubt, however. When only one stream was used, three men had difficulty holding tho nozzle, and with two streams going, two men were required for each noz zle. At one time 300 pounds pressure per square inch was produced. "Now that we have this splendid pump, we should have a sub-station, and then the city of Americus will have a completely up-to-date fire de partment,” said Mayor Council, as he left the scene of the demonstration. CHAMBERS WORK WILL BE HANDLED TODAY Judge W. M. Harper will hold a session of the City court tomorrow morning for the purpose of disposing of several matters which are to be heard in chambers. It is expected that sundry orders will be passed in various civil cases pending on the docket, and it is not improbable that a. the conclusion of the session today. Judge Harper will adjourn his court for the term. AMERICUS, GEORGIA. MONDAY AFTERNOON, APRIL 2, 1917 ♦ PRESIDENT'S PROCLAMATION. 4 ♦ 4- ♦ Whereas, Public interests re- ♦ ♦ quire that the Congress of the 4 4 United States should be conven- 4 ♦ ed in extra session at 12 o’clock, 4 4 noon on the 2d of April, 1917, to 4 + receive a communication concern- 4 ♦ ing grave matters of national pol- * ♦ icy which should be taken im- 4 ♦ mediately under consideration; 4 ♦ Now, Therefore, I, Woodrow ♦ 4 Wilson, president of the United 4 ♦ States of America, d. 6 hereby pro- 4 ♦ claim and declare that an extra- 4 ♦ ordinary occasion requires the 4 ♦ Congress of the United States to ♦ ♦ convene in extra session at the + capitol in the City of Washing- 4 4 ton on the 2d of April. 1917, at 4 ♦l2 o’clock, noon, of which all 4 ♦ persons who shall at that time be 4 ♦ entitled to act as members there- + 4 of are hereby required to take 4 ♦ notice. 4 4 Given under my hand and the ♦ ♦ seal of the United States of ♦ ♦America the twenty-first day of 4 ♦ March, in the year of our Lord 4 ♦ one thousand, nine hundred and 4 ♦ seventeen, and of the independ- 4 ♦ ence of the United States the one 4 4 hundred and forty-first. 4 ♦ (Seal.) WOODROW WILSON. 4 4 By The President: 4 4 ROBERT LANSING. 4 4 Secretary of State. 4 ♦444444444444444 Senator Lodge Hurls Quick Jab WASHINGTON, D. C., April 2. Alexander Bannwart. a prominent citizen of Dorchester, Mass., and Senator Lodge, of Massachusetts, en gaged in a fisticuff here today, the for mer being arrested at the conclusion of the encounter. The fight occurred in the capitol corridor shortly before congress assembled, and was precip itated by Bannwart’s action in calling Senator Lodge a coward, after the Massachusetts statesman had said he would vote to declare war if President Wilson asked congress to do so. Bannwart, who heretofore has sup ported Senator Lodge’s pacifist views, thereupon called the senator a "cow aid.” Immediately Lodge retorted Bannwart was a "liar.” Bannwart then struck the aged senator, who I promptly knocked him down. Senator Lodge, who is more than sixty years of age, was persuaded to desist by friends, and the police at once took Bannwart in charge. He was carried out of the capitol under guard, but later was released, after giving bond for his appearance to an swer to a minor charge in police court. FIRST RECRUITS TD DE SENT TOMORROW Henry D. Stevens, son of D. J. Stevens and Robert W. Greene, son of E. L. Greene. will leave tomorrow morning for Atlanta to stand their final examination for enlistment in the United States navy. Both young men have passed their preliminary’ examinations at the re cruiting station now located in this city and if accepted by the Atlanta sta tion, will be immediately transferred to a receiving ship. A. M. Ferrillo. who is in charge of the Americus recruiting station, is much encouraged over the results se cured during the past few days. R. S. Hall, a young man living near Friedship in this county, walked 11 miles on Saturday to apply for enlist ment and this morning walked the en tire distance again to interview the recruiting officer. 4 DAILY WEATHER FORECAST ♦ ♦ The weather forecast for Amer- ♦ ♦ icus and vicinity follows: 4 ♦ FOR AMERICUS Showers and ♦ ♦ thiindeslonns tonight; cooler. ♦ ♦ Tuesday: FAIR and cooler. ♦ ► 444444444 ♦ -4 ♦ 4 PENFIELD COMES FROM VIENNA ID SEE PRES. WILSON VIENNA, March 31. —(Delayed by . censor.) —The news that United States . Ambassador Frederick J. Penfield . tad been ordered to return to Wash , ington, which became known here to . day created somewhat of a stir in offi . cial circles. He will leave either Wed . nesday or Thursday for America. . Tlie unfavorable impression created . by announcement of his intended de . parture was somewhat offset today by . the ambassador’s statement that he is . returning to Washington because Pres . ident Wilson wishes to consult him . personally regarding the general Eu . ropean situation, and that he expects . ti return to his post in this country ► as soon as possible. DATE FIXED FOB COUNTY JIEETINS The annual Sunday school conven tion of tlie Friendship Baptist associa tion will be held at Rehoboth church, three miles west of Americus, on Tues day and Wednesday, June 5-6, accord in gto a decision reached yesterday at a conference of the officials in charge of this department of the work. The convention is expected to be one of the most successful ever held by the association and elaborate ar rangements are being made for the oc -1 casion. Rev. R. L. Bivins, of Americus, is pastor of Rehoboth church, and is also 1 moderator of the Friendship Baptist I association, having held this post for many years past. HEALTH OFFICER TAKES UP OWES Dr. W. B. McWhorter, formerly of i /Athens, Ga., and of the United States public health service, who has been ' elected county health commissioner for Sumter county under the provis ions of tlie Ellis public health bill, has arrived in Americus to take up the line of activities provided under the I | new statute. i This morning he appered before the: i board of county commissioners and I discussed the various phases of his i department, as it will operate to af fect the citizens of Sumter county. The regular inspection of all public buildings, particularly of schools and similar institutions, the regulation and abatement of all conditions which would have an adverse effect on the public health, and the annual inspec | tion and examination of every school j pupil in the entire county are some ■ of the more important duties confided to Dr. McWhorter. His activities will be confined entire ly to public work and his duties will be in line with the most approved and i generally accepted principles of pre-’ ventive medicine. The county commissioners and coun-. ty health board will co-operate thor- ! oughly with Dr. McWhorter, who will I have an office in the courthouse with-! in the next few days. REPRESENTS ORPHAN S HOME IN THIS SECTION OF STATE Rev. J. A. Smith, representative of the Methodist Orphans’ Home, at Ma con, is in Americus for a day or two on his annual trip through this sec tion of the state in the interest of the; i institution. He is well known throughout this territory and reports that his work for the orphanage is meeting with gratify ing resuits thus far, the institution having increased its facilities consid crably within the past year. BRITISH WIDEN WEDGE WITH ST. OUENTINJi LINE NEW YORK, April 2. — (Compiled by tlie Associated Press from European cables during the day.—British forces in France today widened the wedge driven into the German line, near St. Quentin, and captured the villages ot Atilly and Ville Choles. The British, after overcoming desperate resistance, also captured Croisselles, Longatteand Doignies, according to Reuter’s cor respondent. The French war office announces French patrols advanced to the main German positions before St. Quentin, which were found by these to be held in force. French troops operating south of the Aillette river today drove the Ger mans to a point beyond Vauzaillon, af ter much spirited fighting. The British official correspondent announced today that Turkish losses during the battle of Gaza totalled 8,- 000. the British casualties at the same time numbering less than 400. The German statement announced that yesterday’s battle with the British south of Arras have developed furtehr this morning. The British suffered heavily, asserts the statement, and ad vanced only where German troops were ordered to retire. The statement says the French con tinued their advance, sustaining heavy lotses and that a Russian offensive on the Rumanian front was repulsed as ter the Slavs sustained heavy losses. COUNTY AGENT HAS BEEN VERY ACTIVE The report of Agricultuial Agent W. 1 J. Boyett for the month of March shows that his activities among the farmers of Sumter county during that period covered a wide range of agri cultural departments. The boll wee vil work was, of course, emphasized, while other important features of mod em farm life were given due prom inence. The detailed report of Mr. Boyett is as follows: During this month I have made: eigthy-five personal visits to farmers I of this county and advised with them ’ relative to various phases of the work. I Have bought three syringes for far I mers and showed them how to inocu-, late their own hogs. The more sy-, ringes we get in the county the ; quicker we will get cholera checked. Have inoculated 205 hogs myself. Have made 19 trips to different schools and gave the boys instructions relative to preparing and cultivating corn and how to feed pigs. Have visited 20 pig club members ar.d find that they are taking excellent care of their pigs. Have sent out 350 bulletins and put up 75 posters. Have had 38 conversations with far mers in tlie office or over phone, and j have written 98 letters.to them rela-| five to work. Made solution and charged one dip-' pine vat. Have surveyed terraces on 100 acres o. land and built two terrace drags. Have held four boll weevil meetings in county, and with an attendance ot about 250 people. Have travelled 804 miles in the per formance of my work. Respectfully submitted, W. J. BOYETT, Countv Agent. VIRGINIA INFANTRY CALLED TD COLORS WASHINGTON. D. C., April 2. The Fourth regiment of Virginia Infan try, Battery D, Virginia Field Artillery, and the Second regiment of West Vir ginia Infantry, were additional regi ments of guardsmen called into the federal service today. The organza tion will be assigned to police duty. CHY FINE SPEAKERS FDR STATE MEET OF THEJGHOOLa The committee in charge of the pro gram for the State Sunday School con.- vention, to be held in Savannah, Maiw Bth, 9th and 10th, is being congratulat ed upon its success in securing for the program three of the best Sunday school workers in America, viz., John. L. Alexander, of Chicago, secondary division superintendent of the Interna tional Sunday School association, the world’s greatest teen-age specialist; Miss Nannie Lee Frayser, of Louis ville. elementary superintendena of th® Kentucky Sunday School association, who is well known as an author of books on junior Sunday school work and also as a lesson writer; Fros. E. C. Excell, of Chicago, famous compo ser and world’s greatest convention chorus leader, will have charge of the music, assisted by his pianist, W. P. Erwin, a talented musician. Many of the leading Sunday schoof workers of Georgia are to speak at the convention, and among these are: J. J. Eagan, Atlanta, president of Geor gia Sunday School association; Dr. E. C Dargan, of Macon, pastor of First Baptist church; Rt. Rev. F. F. Reese, of Savannah, bishop of the Episcopal diocese of Georgia; Dr. Plato T. Dur ham, of Atlanta, dean of the Candler School of Theology, Emory univer city; Dr. Joseph Broughton, of At lanta, vice president of the Georgia. Sunday School association; T. M. Fur low, of Americus, chairman of the ex ecutive committee of the School association; Dr. Marion McH.. ■ Hull, of Atlanta, superintendent of the I North Avenue Presbyterian Sunday 1 school, and in all more than sixty ot" ■ the best Sunday school workers in the state. To Hine Three Delegates. Every Sunday school in the state Is i asked to send three delegates, besides pastor and superintendent, who are delegates by virtue of their office. The Sunday schools are also requested to elect three alternate delegates who> can take the place of any delegate who finds it impossible to attend. Trains will be met by the entertainment com mittee at Savannah. After register ing, the delegates will be assigned en tertainment for lodging and breakfast. This arrangement, same as last year, was made because experience has shown that the delegates prefer get ting their own suppers and lunches at down-town restaurants near the con vention church. The various railroads of the state have granted a low round trip rate to Savannah on account of the convention. Items of Special Interest. Two afternoons there will be special conferences for pastors and superin tendents and for elementary, second ary and adult division workers, and also a lunch and conference for all officers of county Sunday school asso ciations. A Bible class parade has been plan ned for Wednesday afternoon. May S', it is expected that a thousand men will be in line. The program committee has arrang ed for a special train to take all dele gates who care to go to Tybee Beach, and spend a little while in social in tercourse and recreation on the ocean beach. This is planned for Thursday afternoon, the 10th, so all will be re freshed and ready for the great climax session the last night SUPERIOR COURT IN WEBSTER JDLINTY OPEN Judge Z. A. Littlejohn this morning left for Rreston to convene the April term of the Webster County Superior court. Several attorneys from this city accompanied him, having eases which ■will come up for disposition at this= time. It is expected that the consideration, of civil business will consume a boa r three days, the remainder of the week being devoted to the criminal calen dar. NUMBER 79.