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WILLIAM J. HARRIS
Candidate for the
United States Senate
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The Man of the Hour, and Why
William J. Harris was born in Ce
dartown, Polk county, Georgia, Feb
ruary 3, 1868. He was educated in
the common schools of Polk county
and the University of Georgia, teach
ing school during the summer to pro
vide means for his college training.
In 1895, he married Miss Julia Whee
ler, daughter of Gen. Joseph Wheeler,
the distinguished Southern cavalry
leader. Mr. Harris has three brothers
now serving in the United States
Army, Gen. P. C. Harris, Maj. Seals
Harris and Capt. Hunter Harris. Many
young men have been beneficiaries
of Mr. Harris’ aid in obtaining an edu
cation to equip them for life’s work.
Political Service.
As Chairman of the Polk County
Democratic Executive Committee, he
succeeded in establishing the “white
primary,” in 1892.
As private secretary to Senator A.
S. Clay, and under the training of this
distinguished Georgian, Mr. Harris be
gan, in early life, to look after the
interests in Washington of Georgians
from every section.
In 1912 Mr. Harris managed Presi
dent Wilson’s first campaign in Geor
gia; was elected chairman of the
State Democratic Executive Commit
tee, and played prominent part in roll
ing up the largest majority Georgia
ever gave a candidate for President.
Legislative Service.
Mr. Harris represented the 38ib dis
trict in the state senate in 1911 12, and
there worked and voted for every
measure that would help the farmers
and benefit the taxpayers of the state.
Some of these include:
(1) Mr. Harris introduced and aid
ed in the passage of the bill abolish
ing the unlimited fees of oil inspec
tors, and fixing their maximum salary
at SIOO per month. This law has
saved the state thousands of dollars.
In 1917 alone, it saved the state net,
$182,588.
(2) Mr. Harris introduced and pass
ed the bill requiring lobbyists to reg
ister, thereby eliminating the grafting,
•professional lobbyist, and protecting
legislation.
(3) Mr. Harris advocated the sepa
rate leasing of the W. & A. Railroad
from the other state property in Chat
tanooga, a policy since adopted by the
"Lease Commission.”
(4) Personally, Mr. Harris has al
ways been a consistent prohibitionist,
and has always supported all measures
looking to freeing the state from the
liquor traffic.
National Service.
As director of the United States Cen
sus, to which he was appointed by
President Wilson, officials today say
that Mr. Harris was the most efficient
director since the bureau was estab
lished. The chief “criticism” against
his administration, made by Judge
Hughes, Republican nominee for Presi
dent, was that he appointed so many
Georgia Democrats to positions in the
department.
President Wilson appointed Mr. Har
ris acting secretary of commerce, in
the absence of Secretary Redfield, and
cordially approved his services and ef
ficiency as a temporary member of the
cabinet.
Under Republican rule the Wall
street gamblers were permitted to keep
down the price of cotton by including
in the census estimate the number of
bales of linters cotton. Mr. Harris had
the linters estimate separated from
the regular cotton reports, which re
duced the estimates and tended to
raise the price of cotton. During Re
publican rule, it was freely charged
that there were “leaks” in cotton esti
mates of the census bureau. Not once
since the administration of Mr. Harris
has there been the slightest suspicion
of a “leak” in the census reports.
In the census bureau, Mr. Harris
changed the “age limit,” fixed by the
Republicans, so that Confederate Vet
erans could be given the same oppor
tunities as Union Veterans; and many
old Confederate Soldiers are now hold
ing good places in the department. It
\yas in keeping with his devotion to
the old soldiers. His father was a
brave Confederate Veteran, and his
father-in-law was the gallant “Little
Joe” Wheeler.
Promoted by the President.
Due to Mr. Harris’ efficient adminis
tration of the census bureau, President
Wilson promoted him by appointing
him a member of the federal trade
board. Recognizing his ability, his
colleagues, two years later, elected him
chairman of the board. Resigning to
enter his campaign for United States
senator as the loyal supporter of Pres
ident Wilson in winning the war, as
against the present junior senator from
Georgia, Mr. Harris carried with him
the love, esteem, confidence and best
wishes of his colleagues, the depart
ment heads and the President who had
further expressed his confidence in Mr.
Harris by the following additional ap
pointments:
(1) Appointed by the President as
member of the price fixing committee
of the war industries board, to fix
prices for army supplies. When New
England manufacturers endeavored to
fix the price of cotton, Mr. Harris op
posed them most vigorously. He also
brought charges against the "bagging
trust” which is now facing trial.
(2) The President named the sec
retary of agriculture, Mr. Hoover and
Mr. Harris a committee of three to in
vestigate the advisability of the gov
ernment taking over the meat packing
houses. The President’s confidence
was further expressed when Mr. Har
ris resigned, by the request that he
name his own successor, and Mr. Har
ris named Hon. Victor Murdoch.
The Confidence of Mr. Wilson.
Further indicative of the confidence
of President Wilson in Mr. Harris, is
the following conclusion of the Presi
dent’s letter accepting his resignation
from the federal trade commission to
run for the United States senate:
“May I not say how W'armly I hav?
appreciated the way in which you have
performed the difficult and often deli
cate duties assigned to you in the
trade commission? I am sure that
I am expressing the general feeling
when I express my regret at yoiu
withdrawal.
“Cordially and sincerely yours,
“WOODROW WILSON.
“Hon.t William J. Harris,
“Federal Trade Commission.”
Mr. Harris’ Qualifications.
Mr. Harris is in close touch with
conditions at the national capitol. His
relations with the administration are
intimate. He has the confidence and
esteem of the President and depart
ment heads. Through these relations
he is in better position to represent
Georgia in the United States senate —
her people, her commercial, financial
i and agricultural interests and to ren
der effective aid and service to Geor
' gia soldier and sailor boys, fighting
for Americanism and Democracy,—
than probably any other Georgian now
in the public eye. Mr. Harris’ elec
: tion will mean that the good name
of Georgia will be redeemed from the
j charge of disloyalty and “kaiserism”
with which it has been stained by the
I misrepresentation of the recent past.
HENRY COUNTY WEEKLY, McPONOUGH, GEORGIA
MARTIAL LAW IS
DECLARED IN JAPAN
HUNGRY RIOTERS THROUGHOUT
NATION FIERCELY BATTLE
POLICE AND TROOPS
SOCIAL CRISIS IN EMPIRE
War Has Created Millionaires But
Increased Misery Of Poor —Up-
risings Often Anti-Capitalistic
Tokio. —There has been serious riot
ing in Tokio. Mobs attacked and dam
aged property in the business and
theater districts.
The rioters also entered and pil
laged houes in Asakusa, the great
recreation resort of the middle and
lower classes. A number of (he dis
turbers were wounded by the police.
Troops have been called out in
nearly every important city in Japan.
Even the naval station at Maizura is
affected by the unrest. Two thou
sand workmen there are rioting in con
junction with the populace.
At Nagoya, noted for its manufac
ture of porcelains, a mob estimated at
30,000 persons, rioted. At several
places the soldiers fired at the disturb
ers.
At Kobe the soldiers and police also
were obliged to use sabres and bayo
nets against the rioters.
The pewspaper comment here seems
to indicate that food riots through
out the country are an expression of
growing social unrest among the peo
ple and to reflect the belief that the
empire is advancing toward a social
crisis. The riots are spreading, in
volving alike (the poor and middle
classes who feel impelled to protest
against economic conditions.
It is remarked that the uprising are
often anti-capitalistic in nature, the
mobs attacking and destroying the
property of the wealthy and voicing
anger at evidences of luxury. Geisha
girls have been stoned as they have
driven through the serets in automo
biles and the houses of the rich have
been assailed.
While the war has creatgd million
aires and increased the luxuries of
the rich, it has also increased the mis
ery of the poor, because of insufficient
w'ages being paid. Factory hands,
especially, are fomented by the ring
leaders of the riots, which are the
first of the kind to occur since Japan
was opened to western civilization.
100 I. W. W. CHIEFS ARE
GUILTY OF CONSPIRACY
For 138 Days William D. Haywood And
Associates In The Organization
Have Been On Trial
Chicago, 111. —Qne hundred leaders
of the Industrial Workers of the
World were found “guilty as charged
in the indictment,” by the jury after
one hour’s deliberation at their trial
for conspiracy to disrupt the nation’s
war program here. Arguments for a
new trial will be heard next week.
The defendants, including William
D. (“Big Bill”) Haywood, general sec
retary-treasurer of the I. W. W.. the
highest position in the organization,
faces a maximum penalty of twenty
seven years in prison and a SIO,OOO
fine each.
Federal Judge K. M. Landis in his
charge to the jury, withdrew the fifth
and last count of the indictment, which
charged conspiracy to violate the post
al laws, and particularly that section
excluding from the mails enterprises
in the nature of schemes to defraud.
The remaining four counts of the in
dictment specifically charge violation
of the espionage act, the section of the
criminal code prohibiting interference
with the civil rights of citizens, the
selective service act and the conspira
cy statute.
The close of the case, which has
been before the court for 138 days, was
sudden. Two minor witnesses testi
fied in the morning session, and fol
lowing them Frank K. Nebeker, chief
counsel for the government, began ris
closing argument, for which he was
allowed two hours, but consumed
scarcely half of that time. Then
George F. Vanderveer, head of the
defense legal staff, to the surprise of
all in the courtroom, declared that he
would submit the case to the jury
without making a closing statement.
Five Sons Of Manning In Baltic Area
Columbia, S. C. —Gov. Richard I.
Manning was advised that his fourth
and fifth sons have now' arrived safely
overseas, making five sons in the bat
tle area for the South Carolina gov
ernor, and the sixth, Vivian Manning,
just commissioned a lieutenant, after
attending an officers’ training school.
The sons of the governor now over
seas are: Maj. Wyndham M. Manning,
aMj. Bernard Manning. Capt. William
S. Manning, Sergt. Maj. John Adger
Manning and Corp. # Burrell D. Man
ning
REUNION PLANS PERFECTED
Oklahoma City Prepares For Twenty-
Eighth Annual Confederate
Veterans’ Reunion '
Tulsa, Okla. —The Tulsa Confederate
reunion committee, composed of many
of the leading citizens of Tulsa, have
been engaged for some weeks raising
a fund of one hundred thousand dol
lars and perfecting an organization for
the entertainment of the twenty-eighth
annual reunion of the United Confed
erate Veterans’ association, the Con
federate Southern Memorial associa
tion and the twenty-third reunion of
the Sons of Confederate Veterans, on
September 24-27, inclusive.
The committee is assured of the
necessary financial support, so that no
fears need be entertained on that
score. It is confidently believed that
100,000 delegates and visitors will at
tend this reunion and that it will be
one of the best reunions ever held.
Arrangements have been made to
care for, free of charge, from 5,000 to
10,000 veterans. They w T ill be pro
vided sleeping quarters in the new,
airy, spacious public school buildings
of Tulsa. Free street car tickets will
be supplied to all Confederate vet
erans. Ample bedding has already ar
rived in Tulsa. It is all new', having
been purchased at the factory for this
occasion. These guests will be served
three meals a day at a large mess hall.
UNITED STATES AND
ENGLAND JOIN IN PROTEST
SENT MEXICAN REPUBLIC
Diplomatic Representations Made
Against President Carranza's
Oil Land Decrees
Washington.—The United States and
Great Britain have joined in diplomatic
representations to the Mexican gov
ernment against the oil land decree of
President Carranza w'hich, it is con
tended, amounts practically to confis
cation.
Meanwhile the American and Eng
lish oil companies have united in an
agreement to refuse to meet the terms
of the decrees, which, they contend,
would take the properties from them,
and have agreed among themselves to
depend upon their governments for
protection of their interests.
These two developments mark the
progress of a situation in Mexico which
is generally regarded as growing in
its possibility of embarrassment for the
allies.
Representatives of the American oil
companies in support of their conten
tion that Mexico’s action is of advan
tage to Germany, quote Manager Bal
lin of the Hamburg-American line, who
recently stated publicly that “after the
war is over we are assured of-exten
sive oil possessions overseas.”
The allies need this year 430,000,000
barrels of crude oil, for which they
depend entirely upon the United
States. The United States can pro
duce not over 315,000,000 gallons. The
Mexican fields can supply 130,000,000
barrels.
All the oil in Mexico is owned by
American and British companies. Un
der the newest decree Mexico (att
tempts to make oil the property of
the nation. Mexican petroleum then
would become a nationally-owned con
traband, and as such might not be
sold by a neutral country to a bellig
erent under international law.
Mexico Is Tart To Great Britain
Mexico City.—Replying to a protest
from Great Britain against the provi
sions of the oil decree of February 22,
w'hich was declared to be confiscatory
and in violation of the rights of Eng
lish companies holding oil claims, the
Mexican government has declared that
it does not recognize the right of any
foreign government to protest against
decrees of this nature. It holds that
by virtue of its sovereign rights the
Mexican government is free to adopt
such fiscal legislation as is necessary.
It suggests that recourse to the courts
would be the proper method of deter
mining w'hether the oil land decree is
unjust and confiscatory.
Wilson Urges Support Of The Schools
Washington.—Generous support for
schools of all grades during war time
is urged by President Wilson in a let
ter to Secretary Lane. “Insofar as the
draft law' will permit,” wrote the pres
ident, “there should be no falling off
in attendance in elemental schools,
high schools or colleges.”
Work Or Fight Rule Fought By Labor
Washington.—Organized labor’s em
phatic opposition to any work or fight
provision in the new man-power bill
extending the draft ages is expressed
in a letter from Samuel Gompers, pres
ident of the American Federation of
Labor, to members of the senate mili
tary committee. The letter referred
particularly to an amendment proposed
by Senator Thomas of Colorado to
withdraw' deferred classification given
for industrial reasons where men ab
sent from their work for more than
five days without cause.
GERMAN LOSSES
TOIAL 6,000,000
SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE
WAR TO THE END OF
JULY, 1918
TEUTON MAN POWER WANES
Figures Include 1,400,000 Men Killed
To The Beginning Of German
Drive Last March
Paris. —The total German losses from
the beginning of the war to the end
of July, 1918, are understood to be
6,000,000, according to the newspapers.
The figures include 1,400,000 killed
up to the beginning of the German of
fensive last March. From March 27
to June 17, the Germans are said to
have lost 120,000 killed alone.
Ludendorff Seeks More Men
With the British Army in France.
-—Germany has acknowledged that her
man power, once so freely wasted,
now is dwindling in proportions great
enough, apparently, to cause consider
able anxiety to the high command.
The toll taken, particularly in recent
fighting, by the allied armies, and the
prospect of being confronted by ever
growing American forces, has caused
General Ludendorff to issue most im
perative orders for a vigorous, imme
diate comb-out in the German army
in order to recover from auxiliary
units all men capable of entering the
trenches.
The comb-out says the order issued
by General Ludendorff, first consid
eration will be given to men over 43
who have served in the front line
longer than six months. He announces
that commissions have been appointed
to investigate the entire situation, in
cluding men of every rank. All men
available for the infantry must be
sent to depots in Belgium, the special
purpose of the high command being to
get more infantry reserves.
Appended to the order are special
instructions to Field Marshal von
Mackensen and General von Schlotz
to make “a greater demand upon the
local personnel,” instead of using Ger
mans in the auxiliary services as re
inforcements.
BILLION NOT SUFFICIENT
FOR RAIL IMPROVEMENTS
War Needs Have Now Forced An
Increase Of The Original
Budget
Washington. —The so-called billion
dollar budget, approved early this
year by Director General McAdoo for
railroad improvements and equipment,
has proven insufficient to meet war
needs, and it has been increased to
$1,097,398,000 or $156,000,000 more
than the original aggregate of bud
gets of all federally-controlled roads.
This w T as disclosed in a detailed re
port of capital expenditures authoriz
ed to date.
Most of the increases was made nec
essary by the growing need for cars
and locomotives. Originally $486,000,-
000 was authorized for purchase of
new rolling stock, but this has been
raised to $655,686,000 by huge orders
placed by the railroad administration.
For additions and betterments, in
cluding new' yai*d and industry tracks,
terminal facilities, stations and
bridges, the budgets of first-class roads
provided originally for $433,000,000.
This has been pared dow r n to $404,000,-
000, chargeable to capital accounts,
but additional work, costing $105,000,-
000 has been authorized, to be charged
to operating expenses. The $20,000,000
approved early this year for extensions
and branch tracks has been raised to
$35,000,000.
Bohemia On The Verge Of Uprising
London. —Turmoil in Bohemia has
resulted in the execution of seventy
four Czech soldiers and wholesale ar
rests in many raids, newspapers of
Munich and Dresden say, according to
an Exchange Telegraph dispatch from
Zurich. The Hungarian garrisons
have been reinforced and arms are
being confiscated. Public and private
meetings have been prohibited and
several newspapers suppressed while
others are censored. Munich newspa
pers say it is believed that even at a
slight incident will bring about a gen
eral uprising in Bohemia.
Aliens Not Allowed Freedom To Go
Washington.—Freedom of departure
from this country of aliens by means
of which a number of dangerous enemy
aliens have been able to escape from
the authorities since the United States
entered the war will not be permitted
after September 15 under a proclama
tion signed by President Wilson and
an executive order, both of which
were made public by the state depart
ment. The proclamation and execu
tive order puts into effect the alien
control law passed by congress last
May.