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DAILY > FORTIETH TEAS. AMERICUS IS AWARDED AVIATION CAMP WILL FIGHT LIGHT RATE INCREASE MASS MEETING 15 CALLED FOR TUESDAY NIGHT CONSUMERS WILL NAME COMMIT TEE TO GO BEFORE RAILROAD COMMISSION MEETING HELD HERE THIS MORNING. The petition of the Americus Light ing Company for an increase of about 20 per cent., on all its business, for lights and commercial power, will be fought by the people of the city when it is heard by the railroad commis sion in Atlanta on February 20. A meeting was held at the Chamber of Commerce this morning by the owners of garages, mills, monument works, and other places of business, and it was decided to call a mass meeting of all of the people for the Chamber of Commerce tomorrow night at 7:30 o’clock. Officials of the Americus Lighting Co. will be asked to appear before the meeti-„ and take the opportunity to explain their reasons for asking the increased rate at this time. It is proposed to name a committee ■to appear before the railroad com mission. The indications are that a iveily fight is pending. REMAINS OF MRS. BARCLAY SENT TO HOME IN VIRGINIA The remains of Mrs. T. P. Barclay, who died Friday night at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Guthrie Allison, on oCllege street, were shipped today to her former home in Wytheville, Va., for interment. Deceased was 76 years of age, and prominently connected, her death coming as a shock to many friends heer and elsewhere where she s known and greatly beloved. She was the wife of Rev. T. P. Barclay, of Wytheville, Va., and had long been a consistent and devoted member of the Presbyterian church. Surviving children are as follows: Rev. Jones Barclay, of Mebane, N. C.; S A. Barclay, of Rockville Center, N. Y.; McKee Barclay, or Baltimore, Md.; T. P. Barclay, of Baltimore, Md.; Melvin Barclay, Toledo, Ohio; Douglas Barclay, Washington, D C ; Mrs. Guth rie Allison, of this city. The pall bearers at the funeral were F B. Arthur, J. P. Butts, H. P. Ev erette, R. P. Stackhouse, A. C. Crock ett, M. H. McMath. The remains were prepared for bu rial by the Allison Undertaking Co., and shipped to their destination via the Seaboard Air Line railroad. JAILS HIS BROTHER ON LARCENY CHARGE MACON, Ga., February 4.—Charging that his brother bad carried away $25.0 worth of household goods from the family home near Forsyth, John p. wilsoy exectuor of the estate of the 'ate Peters Wilson, a Monroe coun ty farmer, has caused the arrest of his brother. Fred Wilson, and the latter has been taken back to Forsyth to answer a charge of larceny from the house. John Wilson claims that his brother was not satisfied with the terms of his father’s wall, and plans to cohtest it. The father of the young man, well known in Monroe county, had the reputation of being a man who would never work a horse or mule, depend ing entirely on oxen both for his farm work and to draw his pleasure buggy. Americus times-Recorder X “LI VEST LITTLE DAILY IN GEORGIA." HEATLESS DAY WAS DBSERVEO HEREJTRICTLY FEW STORES REMAINED OPEN HALF DAY WITHOUT USING FUEL, BUT THE MAJORITY WERE CLOSED UP TIGHT. Heatless Monday was variously ob served in Americus. A few stores remained open, one or two for all day, though without using any fuel. They constued the law themselves to ajgply that way. However, a majority of the stores were closed all day, with the exception of the groceries and meat shops, which remained open until noon, mak ing one delivery. The banks were all closed. The local fuel administrator, Mr. Lee Allen, cautioned the grocery stores that they could sell only gro ceries, not being permitted to sell to ; bacco or cigars or soft drinks. Some of the stores were doing this, claim ing that such was their right. The drug stores were open morn ing and night, but sold only drugs. Generally, it was a “blue” Monday. The rule - as laid down by Dr. Hard man, state fuel administrator, on Sat urday night, reads as follows: “Wholesale and retail grocery stores are permitted to open for business and use fuel for heating their stores until 12 o’clock, noon, for the purpose of selling foodstuffs only. In case they cannot supply the needs of the com munity, they can remain open the re mainder of the afternoon by securing permission from the local food and fuel administrators. Drug stores are permitted to open and use fuel for heating during the morning and even ing, for the purpose of selling drugs and medical supplies only. “Other Stores. The fuel administra tion has no authority to close stores which conform to the order of Jan uary 17, and do not burn more fuel than is necessary to prevent damage to contents of their stores.” HIGH SCHOOL MINSTREL OPERA HOUSE TONIGHT All Americus citizen s who are in terested in the w’ork of the boys an d girls in the Americus schools, should encourage them by being pres- ' ent at the minstrel to be staged at the Opera House tonight at eight o'clock. The minstrel gave a performance at 1 the High school some time ago, and from tYe reports o* those who saw it were assured of the fact that it was a success at the time. The boys have bee nworking very hard to bring thej show* up to perfection, and, although U would be hard for a team of young sters to become very good performers in that line, and the public can be. assured of a very creditable show to- j night at the Opera House. The price ’ or admission has been changed from 50c and 75c to 25c and 50c. Everybody is invited to come. BY ONE OF THE BOYS. PILOT IS BLAMED FOR COLLISION IN HARBOR AT HALIFAX HALIFAX, Feb. 4 —Blame for the, collision between the French muni-, tions ship Mont Blanc and the Begian relief ship Imo, on December 6th, is placed upon Pilot Mackay, of Halifax, an.l Capt. Lamodes, of the French ship j in a judgment announced today by the, government commission which investi-l gated the collision. AMERICUS. GEORGIA. MONDAY AFTERNOON. FEBRUARY 4, 1918 AMERICAN AMBULANCE MEN DECORATED hlarwW J y■■ ■ ■ ■■■ .. ... y-wll Lars S. Potters of Buffalo, N. Y., and Theodore Miles of Mount Carroll, 111., members of the American army ambulance corps, being decorated with the Croix de Guerre for valiant work on the western front. The men are lined up with several French Poilus, who also were awarded decorations for acts of bravery. At the right is Mr. Miles, who was a Beloit college student. JAMES fl. FORT IS GIVEN MUORSHIP POPULAR AMERICUS MILITARY MAN PROMOTED FROM RANK OF CAPTAIN—SUCCEEDS THE LATE MAJOR GARDNER. Captain James Fort, of Americus, Saturday night was commissioned major to succeed Major A. P. Gard ner, soldier-statesman, who died at Camp Wheeler recently of pneumo nia. Captain Fort, who commanded the Americus company in the 121st In fantry, Second Georgia, was the sen ior captain of the regiment and first in line for promotion, it was pre dicted some time ago that he would succeed the Massachusetts congress man as battalion commander. The commission arrived Saturday night and Capt. Fort immediately assumed his duties as major. He is a veteran of the Georgia Na tional Guard and served through the Mexican border campaign. He is widely known and popular in military circles. BAKER'S STATEMENT DENOUNCER IS FALSE WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 4 Secretary Baker’s recent statement before the senate military committee that the United States will have half a million soldiers in France early this year, and that prospects are not un promising that shops will be ready to carry a million more during the year, were characterized today by Senator Hitchcock in an address before the senate, as “absolutely preposterous, and so exaggerated as to convey a false imperssion as to what wo can do .and are doing.” He spoke in sup port of the war cabinet and munitions director bills, and said Baker was no doubt sincere, but had been misled by lack of information, and that Presi dent Wilson himself does not know the full situation. The Nebraska senator declared blunders that almost surpass belief have occurred in the war depart ment and that the shipbuilding situa tion is a “farce and almost a crime," that the nation’s transportation sys tem has broken down, is a gigantic wreck, a million tons of freight are now at New York, waiting ships, that the fuel administration's order paral yzed war as well as other industries, and that food distribution also has been insufficient. Administration leaders who heard the address are prepared to reply to Hiiclxcock’s charges, and a spirited de bate is indicated. MISS LONGIBAGK FOB COOT WK HOME DEMONSTRATION AGENT RE TURNS AND OPENS UP OFFICE VN COURTHOUSE EXPECTS A BIG SEASON. Miss Rowena Long, ‘ home demon stration agent, has returned, after sev eral months’ absence, and has opened up her office in the courthouse. In conversation with a representa-i tive of The Times-Recorder this morn ing, Misg Long “I am back to take up the home demonstration work again, and with the urgent need for food production and conservation, I hope the people of Sumter county will takq advantage of any service I might be to them, for such service will be rendered with pleasure. “The girs and boys who are inter ested in poultry sholud get instructions and begin woik at once. The same is true of those interested Fn tomatoes or other garden work, for seed can, and should, be started now in hotbeds or window boxes for early plants. 1 am especially for the second and third year club girls and home demonstra tors to start perennial gardens, and I recommend the Thomas grape, which should be put out during February, as a beginning. I will be glad to give any one information about the grapes or any line of my work.” U. S. GUNNERS HAVE DUEL WITH TEUTONS ■ - WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY, in France, February’ 3. —(Delayed.)— American officers are elated over the results of the first artillery duel be tween American and German gunners Saturday evening. Infantry commanders paid tribute to the promptness with which the artil lery responded to the call for a bar rage, and the effectiveness of the ar tillery fire which damaged the Ger man entrenchments. £ Miss Smith at Brenan. BRENAU COLLEGE, Gainesville, Ga., Feb. 4.—The original pantomime Misses Dorothy Dyer and Louise Eng in three acts. “Poor Butterfly,” given lish, members of the junior class, was exceedingly quaint, charming and typical of the “Land of the Cherry Blossoms.” The very competent and artistic cast included Miss Katherine Smith as Japanese maid. Miss Smith is doing most excellent work in the oratory department, and handled her part with grace and ease. OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTiHSiIMADE THABBIC CAMP WILL* BEfLOCATED HERE; WORK TOiSTARTiRIGHTAffi Mass Meeting at Court House Is Called For Tomorrow After noon.—Business Men to Be Told Entire Details and Com mittees Named to Make Arrangements. AMERICANS ON BATHE FRONTS RfiKER STATES OCCUPYING ACTUAL FIGHTING ", GROUND—ALLIES HAVE MORE MEN IN FRANCE NOW THAN THE GERMANS. WASHINGTON, D. C„ Feb. '4 Secretary Baker, in his weekly war review, issued today, makes official an nouncement that American troops at last are occupying a portion of the ac tual battle fronts. For the first time also, Secretary Baker declares it is fully believed that the Allies have a preponderance of both men and guns on the western front, despite the fact that the German line has. been strengthened by troops from the Russian front. He warns the nation not to let re ports of strikes or other internal dis turbances in Germany slacken any war preparations. CHINA IS SENDING mOPSJMCE WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.—An official despatch from Peking today reports that the transporting of Chinese troops to Fiance has begun, these be ing the first fighting units to move. Arrangements for sending the soldiers were concluded by a Chinese-French commission, and it is understood that at the request of Tuan Chi Jul, the Chinese government used Boxer in demnity funds for the purpose. China has in France now more than 100,000 men employed on military works behind the French lines, but the Chinese troops will engage in mil itary operations and will not be as signed t o menial tasks, according t) the despatch. The number of troops was stated, but is withheld for mili tary reasons, OFFICERS ELECTED BY LOCAL PASTORS The Ministerial Association met in the study of First Baptist church this morning and officers for 1918 were elected, as follows: A. D. Kendrick, President. L. J. Henderson. Vive-Pfes. S E. Jenkins, Secretary. The association expressed the pleas ure at the general success of the un ion services now being held each Sun day evening. More than 500 people attended the service at the First Bap tist church last evening. Next Sun day evening the service will be at Lee Street Methodist church. AUSTRIANS LOSE MUNITIONS PLANT BY AN EXPLOSION LONDON, Feb. 4.—Explosion muni tion factory near Prague, capital of Bohemia, involving the loss of many lives, is reported in dispatches receiv ed at Zurich and forwarded by the Ex change Telegraph bureau. According to some accounts the munitions depot was intentionally blown up by work men employed at the plant an EDITION Just befpre the Times-Recorder wait to press this afternoon, the Chamber of Commerce received u tele gram from CoL G. C. Edgar, head of lhe aviation bureau at Washington, an nouncing that Americus had been defi nitely awarded the aviation camp. The local committee was instructed ito begin the preliminary work at once, as materials would be shipped here right away. They were told especially to construct the side-track at tlie Arles place without delay. A meeting of all business men oi Americus, and people generally who are Interested, has been called for the courthouse tomorrow' (Tuesday) at three o’clock. At that time the full details about the coming of the camp will be set forth, and comlmttees will he appointed to arrange for it. Local Interest in Situation. “What about the aviation camp?” Thats’ the question that has been on the lips of everybody in Americus and Sumter county for several weeks According to advices from Washing ton, published herewith, the govern ment is about to award the contract for the construction of the camp. The exact situation, as understood by the local committee in charge of rangements, is this: The government has signed a three year lease for 407 acres on the Arles plantation, where the main camp will be located. Another site of 200 acres, two miles further out, on the Duckworth place, has been tentatively approved by the government, but the option held by the Americus committee is yet to be signed by the government in the form of a lease. The third site, on the Freeman and McNeil places, also of about 200 acres, has been specifically selected by gov ernment officials, subject to a survey. There is even a possibility that the Methvin tract, which was originally considered, may also be taken and us ed for other purposes. In all about 800 acres will be used The two smaller sites will be landing places, or auxiliary camps. It is believed that at the latest work on the camp will begin before the first of March. Columbus Firm Gets Contract? . WASHINGTON, D. C., Feb. 4.—lt i» unofficially onnounced that the Harda way Construction company, of Colum bus, Ga., has bean recommended for the building of the aviation camp at Americus. There have been a num ber of bidders for this contract, in cluding two Atlanta firms, and the builders of Camp Hancock at Augusta Senator Smith and Congressman Crisp indorsed the McCrary Company, of At lanta. The contract has not yet been officially let, but there is little doubt that the Columbus company will get the award. A. J. HAMIL DIED:” this_afternoon Mr. A. J. Hamil, one of the best known of the older citizens of Ameri cus, fried at his home, 407 Lama street early this afternoon. The funeral will be held tomorrow afternoon. Mr. Hamil is survived by three daughters, Mrs. Fain, of Bainbridge, Mfc. Linnie Brown and Mrs. George Duncan, of Americus, and by one son. A. J. Hamil, Jr. He was about 81 years of age and had been in failing health for some time. Mr. Hamil was a Mason and the members of the local lodges will at tend the funeral. LONDON, Feb. 4.-rßritish casualty during the past week totalled 6,154 This is the lowest mark during many months, and compares with 8,588 sus tained during the previous week. NUMBER 30-