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A Southern Newspaper for Southern People FORTY-FIRST YEAR.—NO. 44. WILSON TO SPEND ONE WEEK AT CAPITAL COUNCIL ASKS SPECIAL LEVY TO WIPE OUT CITY'S DEBTS Charter Amendment to Permit Addi tional Tax of Half of One Per Cent Proposed A plan for paying off the accumu lated floating debt of the city, amount ing to about SIOO,OOO, has been reach ed by the city administration, and the plan, drawn by Mayor Sheppard and the finance committee of the city coun cil, was made public when it was adopted by the council at its regular meeting last night In brief, the plan is to obtain ’an amendment to the city charter at the coming session of the Georgia legis lature to pennit the city to levy a special ad valorem tax of one-half of one per cent, annually for a pejjod of five years only, which shall be set aside in a special fund and used only for the payment of the outstanding indebtedness of the city. At the present assessed valuation in the city of $4,500,000, the special tax would raise in five years $112,500, which, it is calculated, would be sufficient to cancel the entire floating debt of the city and interest. A special act of the legislature is required, because the city charter sets a levy limit of 11-2 per cent, which is the present tax rate. The plan came before the council in the form of a resolution, intro duced by Aiderman Mashburn for the firance committee, in the absence of the chairman, J. E. Poole, and was adopted after a brief statement by Mayor Sheppard. In making his statement concern ing the plan, which he originated. Mayor Sheppard called Mayor-Pro ton Mashburn to the chair while he took the floor. “As you all know, the outstand ing floating indebtedness of the city is in the neighborhood of $100,000,” said Mr. Sheppard. “As we are now operating, the revenue of th|e city is just about meeting the running expenses of the city, leaving nothing whatever with which to pay these accumulated debts. “Os course these debts must be paid. They are legal obligations of the city, and they will have to be taken care of. I have cudgeled my brain to find away to pay them. “Among other things, I thought of raising the water rates, but that would put a burden on a class, and was abandoned. "If we raise the assessments on property we are up against an almost interminable task, with unending bickerings, and the probability of do ing individuals injustices. “It is my opinion that the best way to make the bu,rden equitable and even is to raise the ad valorem tax rate sufficiently to meet the require ments. "The property values as assessed in the city now are $4,500,000. One-halt of one per cent on this would give us $22,500 per year or $122,500 in five years, which, we believe, will be suf ficient to pay off the principal and interest of these accumulated city debts. f "The plan provides that the special tax shall cover only a period of five years, and shall automatically cease at the expiration of that time. This is a good provision, because the pub lic is jealous of the taxing power, and it will be a safeguard which will guarantee to the public that the tax will not be effective after that time. “The plan also embodies the pro vision that all funds so raised shall be kept separate and distinct from all other city funds and applies only to outstanding debts: in other words, the citizens will know that the special levy is made and used for one specific purpose alone. “There is a further saving clause which provides that if there is any money left from the levy, after the payment of the outstanding debt, it (Continued on Page 4.) THE TIMESS RECORDER J PUBLISHED IN THE HEART OF DIXIFT~~ffwF? American Generals Made Commanders of the Legion of Honor *, aZ i J -II s J* • I MSI . : - WW 2 fl ■ ■ ■JL b- ' W sk ■ ■ I n MK HU . sE WL | I ■ ■ IL a WO lIIL JF*®* I - IHL L . ; ■ ■ x **• »*S'' . . Ten generals just after they had received the decoration from Petain at American General Headquarters, Chaumont, France. Reading left to right they are Lieut. Gen. Hunter Liggett, commanding First Army; Lieut. Gen. Robert L. Bullard, commanding Second Army; Major Gen. James W. McAndrew, Chief of Staff, A. E. F.; Major Gen. James G. Harbord, Commanding General, S. 0. S.; Major Gen. Charles P. Summerall, commanding Fifth Army Corps; Major Gen. John L. Hines, commanding Third Army Corps; Major Gen. Edward M. Lewis, commanding Thirtieth Division; Brig. Gen. Michael J. Lenihan of the Seventy-seventh Division; Brig. Gen. William Mitchell, commanding Air Service, Army of Occupation in Germany; Brig. Gen. Frank Parker of the First Division. BOMBING PLANE TO SOAR ABOVE CITY SATURDAY Owing to weather conditions contin uing unfavorable, the giant Handley- Page bombing plane, which is stopping at Souther Field on its way to Texas, remained at the post today. It was stated this afternoon, however, that there was likelihood that the ship would continue its trip tomorrow, car rying the 11 men who made the trip here in it. It probably will leave Sou ther Field about 9 a. m. When the big plane leaves Souther Field the people of Americus will be notified by the ringing of the fire bell so that all may have a chance to see it as it passes over on its way toward the southwest. A series of stunts for the spectators is promised by Lieut. Palmer, the pilot. “It will give me a great deal of pleasure to accept the Times-Record er’s invitation and sail over Americus on our western trip," said Pilot Laeut. Palmer. “W’e may not conclude to start until Saturday or Sunday how ever, on account of the soft condition of the fields at the landing places. .“We are not certain as to the direc tion we shall take, whether we shall make Montgomery, Payne Field. Mis sissippi, or Mobile. On account of los ing time here, we would like to cross the Mississippi river not later tha- Monday evening and reach Houston on Tuesday next.” The seven mechanics were busy yes terday and today polishing up the huge monarch of the air and putting it in condition to continue the journey. The giant plane’s cost is estimated at $62,000'. The tanks carry over 300 gallons of gasoline. The ship is of the same general character as those used in crossing the English channel and carrying Premier Lloyd George from London to Paris and return. These planes, it is reported, are capa ble of carrying thirty passengers. The plane fa number 62449, and is one of three in commission in this country. It could only put its nose into one of the hangers at Souther Field. Notwithstanding the heavy rain yes terday a number of interested persons inspected the monster of the air. J WEATHER FORECAST. | For Georgia—Fair tonight, colder in southeast and extreme south portions; Saturday fair. AMERICUS, GEORGIA. FRIDAY AFTERNOON. FEBRUARY 21, 1919 Syrian Clears $25,000 Here; Is Going‘Home’ D. A. Saliba, a Syrian, who fcr the last eight years has conducted a small store and fruit stand at the southeast corner of Lee and Lamar streets, is planning to re turn to his native land within the next two months. And when he does he will take with him a good ly share of the $25,000 to $30,000 net profits he. has made at this corner in the eight years. Mr. Saliba is returning to Syria with his wife and fouy children to take charge of property left him by his parents, who are dead The property consists of a silk worm farm, where raw silk is produced. This is Mr. Saliba’s third ven ture in America, all of which have proven successful. Twenty years ago he landed in America and came to Savannah, where he con ducted a small business for three years. He then returned to Syria to marry tMe girl he left behind. Not long thereafter he returned to Savannah with his bride and re established himself in business, re maining two and a half years, when failing health resulted in him seeking a doctor’s advice and being told to go to a higher altl-, tude. He decided to return again to his native Syria and try to re gain his health in the Lebanon mountains, 10 miles from Beirut, his home. The change resulted in his health being restored, and he again returned to America, and this time came to Americus, whers he has since been. “I don’t know; may be I sell out over there and come back,” said Mr. Saliba today. “Maybe I stay there; can’t tell. / Things been pretty bad there under the Turks, but now maybe be better.” Mr. Saliba says that while his profits here have been satisfactory, he has had a considerable amount of sickness in his family and has had to part with much of what he made in his little store However, he likes Americus and America better than Syria, and if he does not find conditions to his liking when he returns there he will bundle «p his family and hike back, he says. SHERMAN TRIES TO GAG WILSON; BORAHSPOUTS WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.—(8y Asso ciated Press.) —A resolution designed to prevent President Wilson from dis cussing publicly the proposed League of Nations until he has communicated the details of the plan to the senate foreign relations committee, intro duced in the senate today by Senator Sherman, republican of Illinois. Con sideration went over under hte rules. Senator Borah, of sdaho, republican member of the foreign relations com mittee, delivered in the senate today his promised attack on the proposed League of Nations, referring to it as the “most eadical departure from our policies we have ever considered.” n" Red Cross Workers Off to Aid Poland PARIS, Feb. 20.—(Thursday.)—(By Associated Press.) —The first contin gent of the American Red Cross com mission for Poland left here for War saw today. Another group will fol low Friday. The commission consists of fifty members from all parts of the iTnited States. Typhus, cholera, smallpox and tra choma are reported ravaging the country. Ukranians Fire on Allied Commission WARSAW, Feb. 20.—(Thursday.)— (By Associated Press.) —Members of the Inter-Allied commission to Poland were fired upon by Ukrainian soldiers while traveling from Cracow to Lem berg on a Polish armored tram. The delegation returned to Cracow. Georgia Negro Held As Ohio Murderer PITTSBURG, Pa., Feb. 21.—(8y As sociated Press.)—Sam Lang, a negro aged 33. of Valdosta, Ga., was arrested here last night. police say Lang confessed to the murder of Mrs. Mary Johnson, in Columbus, 0., January 9. FARMERS MEET OVER COUNTY TO PLEDUEI9I9CUT Farmers meetings are being held this afternoon in all parts of Sumter county for the purpose of perfecting district organizations and starting the work of pledging the farmers to the reduction of their 1919 cotton acreage one third, in line with the movement inaugurated in every cotton growing state as a measure to force the con trol of the cotton market out of the hands of the Wall street gamblers and bring the price of the crop now on hands and the crop to be raised next fall back to the price that will pay the grower a reasonable profit. Committees of representative men went out from Americus to assist in these meetings and to carry pledge cards for distribution among the com mittees. Reports were to be at the meetings on the farmers’ mass meeting at the’ courthouse here last Saturday at which they voted to re-; duce the acreage one-third for the county and to hold the present crop foL 35 cents per pound. Announcement was made today by George O. Marshall, county farm dem onstration agent, chairman of the mass meeting last Saturday and of the. county organization, that a second mass meeting of farmers will be held at the courthouse here Saturday, March 1, for the purpose of receiving reports of committees on the success of the meetings today and the pro gress being made in all sections of the county in obtaining signatures of I fanners to the p’edge cards. Mr. Mar shall is negotiating to secure a speaker of statewide note for the occasion, one who will be able to bring a message of value to the farmers. Further an nouncements regarding the meeting win be made as plans mature. Big Georgia Colleges To Receive Soldiers * WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.—(8y Asso ciated Press.) —Fourteen Southern col leges have signified their willingness to receive as “war specials” discharg ed soldiers not prepared for college who aspire to more advanced training. These include the University of Ala bama, University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Rollins College, Winter Park, Fla. 7- i rHOME EDITION v -- -. 7 PRICE FIVE CENTS. TO SAIL AGAIN MARCH 5 FOR FRANCE AFTER ACTIVE WEEK To Land Monday at Boston Where Speech is Planned for j Same Afternoon WASHINGTON, Feb. 21—(By Asso ciated Press.) —President Wilson plans to spend just one week in Washington before again sailing for France. Wire less dispatches from the transport George Washington today said he would re-embark March 5. The President is expected to land at Boston at Midday Monday, deliver an extemporaneous address at 3 o’clock in the afternoon and take the train that night for Washington, where he will arrive Tuesday. He is expected to put in a busy week here. The battleship North Carolina, re turning from France with troops, has joined the George Washington, and is picceeding with her to Boston, replac ing the battleship New Mexico, which dropped behind with disabled ma clnr.ery. Retail Merchants to Have ‘Stunt’ Dinner Although a bit late in the year, be cause previously projected gatherings have been interfered with by the influ enza epidemic,- the Retail Merchants’ 1 association plan to have their annual meeting to re-oragnize for the “new year’’ next Wednesday night. The meeting will take the form of *a dinner at the Windsor hotel at 8 o’clock. Election of officers is on the program as one of the important mat ters of business. Among other things will be discussion of plans for the as-, sociation activities, proposed trade excursions, the outlook for spring busi ness and numerous other matters. In addition, according to the secre tary Joseph Perkins, there will be several “short, snappy talks, stunts and surprises." A dinner Casting $1.50 per plate will be served. Rich Germans Heed Erzberger’s Appeal BASEL, Switzerland, Feb. 21.—(8y Associated Press.) —As a result ot Mathias Erzberger’s appeal in the German national assembly Tuesday to capitalists for money to pay for food stuffs to be bought from Entente Pow ers, a number of persons have placed all their foreign securities at the dis posal of the government, according to a Weimar dispatch. Lieutenant Slays Bavarian Premier LONDON, Feb. 21.—(8y Associated Press.) —Kurt Eisner, premier of Ba varia, was shot and killed this morn ing by Lieut. Count Arcovalley, ac cording to a Munich dispatch received i in Amsterdam, which said the count was severely wounded by a guard and is dying. (the cottonmarkeF J LOCAL SPOT. Good Middling 26c. NEW YORK FUTURES. Close Open Low Close Prev High 2:15 3pm March .. ..23.10 23.30. 23.30 23.|22 ! i May ...22.30 22.40 22.17 22.20 , July .....?. 21.58 21.58 21.38 21.43 October ... .20.22 20.30 20.14 19.»5