Funding for the digitization of this title was provided by Georgia HomePLACE, a project of the Georgia Public Library Service.
About The Henry County weekly. (McDonough, GA.) 18??-1934 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 23, 1918)
WILLIAM J. HARRIS Candidate for the United States Senate JO?' ► :j:s ' ' • .: - • I f. $& to flp* ■ rvA> J®'. i:YiElfwW[a>K. *’* c . "X' .3^ 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.
