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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17 Cotton Bringing Nearly 9c in Augusta VIEWS OF JUDGE GALLAWAY AS PRESENTED TO HARLEM METING State Legislatures Should Pass Laws Curtailing Cotton Acre age By One-Half For 1915-- Economy, Curtailed Acreage and Crop Diversification Held to Be Solutions At the conclusion'of his address to the citizens of Columbia county on Wednesday Judge E. H. Callaway, read the following which embodidea his views on the present cotton situation in succinct form and which was endorsed by those present: BASIS FOR HOLDING COTTON. I— Dismiss all idea that either the state or the U. S. government is Eoing to either buy cotton, or lend money on cotton. -- —The U. S. government is aiding by increasing the currency, thereby en abling the banks to help carry the cot ton crops. 3 —But a large part of the value, of the present cotton crop has already leen advanced, and is now being carried by me hanks. -I—Before the banks will transfer this indebtedness from their present cus omeVs to actual cotton in the warehouse, they must have some reason ably safe basis of value for cotton as security. 5 The present crop is estimated at 15,000,000 bales grown on 36 million acres. Of tills crop, the American mills will consume not over seven million, and the amount which Europe and the balance of the world will take is problematical, at be.it. 6 Japan may take some of this cotton, and if England continues to control the Atlantic, she will take all that she can use, pay for and transport. 7lf the European war ends in the next six months, the balance of Europe may take a small part of the balance of the crop. 8— The happening of the above con tingencies will create a demand for cot ton which will, temporarily, at least, stimulate the market, ahd which will be speedily satisfy by the sale of cotton which the growing necessities of the South in the preparation of another crop will require. 9 The European war has already progressed far enough for its cessation now, or six months from now, not to seriously affect the cotton market for the following reasons: ONLY 10,000,000 REQUIRED UP UNTIL 10 YEARS AGO. 10— Up to 12 years ago, the world did not require 10,000,000 bales of Am erican cotton, and a 10,000,000-bale crop depressed the price to less than 8 tents per pound. ll At the beginning of the present war, the world required a fifteen mil lion bale American crop of cotton, and would have paid more than 12 cents a pound for it. 13 —Europe constituted half the purchasing power of the world, and used more than half of the American crop. 13—The purchasing power of Europe has already been diminished at least tne-half in the destruction of property, producers and consumers. 11 — It will take Europe at least 25 years to sufficiently recover from the ef ects of this war and regain her purchasing power of 60 days ago. 15— It will make no difference how much she will need our products, it Europe has not the means to pay for them, she cannot buy them, and even the European mills must have local markets to stimulate their revival. 16 — It will require a long time to build industrial conditions in South Am erican countries to furnish a market for American cotton. 17 — The precarious experience of American cototn mills, especially in the South, will not encourage the building of additional mills here. 18 — It now costs approximately 10 cents a pound to grow cotton 6 or 6 cents 12 or 15 years ago. 19— Tile increased cost is made up largely in the increased cost of mules, meat, flour, corn and fertilizers, neatly all of which the South buys from the West. 20 — The South has heretofore been the best market of the West for these products, and. at least for the Immediate future, they are the products which Europe must have, and if we continue to buy them, we must pay the Increased price, and add further to the cost of producing cotton. 21— It is, therefore, better for the South to hold her cotton at 8 cents, if she can do so, and not grow any cotton next year at a largely Increased cost o' production over its market value. -3 —But this is impurtlcable, for the reason that the entire Industrial and agricultural system of the South cannot be so radically changed In a year, i 23—Everybody realizes that tlie best and surest remedy for the present situation is a radical systematic reduction of cotton acreage for 1915. 24 If the present cotton acreage of 36.000,000 acres can be reduced to 20,- 000.000 acres, or less, in 1915, and the world can be convinced of the fact by may or June, 1915, the cotton then on hand will sell for 12 cents per pound, or over, regardless of whether the European war has ended or not. 25 There will, necessarily, be considerable reduction In cotton acreage in 1915, but if the matter is left to voluntary movement, force of necessity, or haphazard action, it will bring no confidence to the holding movement, nor aid in finanVng the present crop. 26 All previous efforts to reduce cotton acreage have failed for the lack of co-operation and systematic organization, and because neither the induce ment nor the necessity have ever before so certainly existed as now. LOOKED FOR GROWING WORLD’S DEMAND. 27 Heretofore, the farms of the South, and those business interests who aided them in growing cotton, have always looked forward to a growing world's demand for American cotton, whereas they are now confronted with an unquestioned radical decrease in that demand. 28— The banker, cotton-factor, merchant or landlord who takes up the average 1, 2 or 3-horse farmer next year and finances his fanning operations with mules, corn, meat, flour and fertilizer bought from the West at increased prices for the purpose of growing cotton faces certain loss, whatever may be the price of cotton next year. 0 29 The present emergency may be the South's opportunity to throw off its present agricultural thraldom of dependence and indebtedness to the West. 30— It is impracticable to look So r legislation from the U. S. government to bring relief in reducing cotton acreage for the reason that such action would be inconsistent with the Sherman anti-trust law, and for the further reason that it Is not deemed wise for the United States government to be ex tending its powers into our local domestic affairs. 31 — Concurrent state legislation by all the cotton growing states reducing the cotton acreage for 1915 according to some intelligent standard so as to cut the acreage practically 50 per cent would furnish Immediate relief in restor ing confidence in cotton, both for the purpose of holding by the farmers and others interested, as well as in using cotton as collateral security for indebt edness. 32 The movement for the reduction of cotton acreage in each locality must be handled by all the people of that locality according to the local conditions confronting them. SOME CAN CUT OUT ALL COTTON ACREAGE. 33 There are many famefs so sit uated that they can convert their entire farming operations into growing other crops, and cut out all cotton acreage. There are others, who can easily cut their acreage one-half and still others who cannot cut cotton acreage more than 25 per cent. 34 It is not to the interest of the South that any large part of Its lands or its labor should remain Idle for even one year, but rather than all its lands and its labor should produce all the crops which the land and the labor will make. 1 35 Those who oan grow mules, cows, hogs, or sheep should grow them in stead of cotton. Those who can grow wheat, oats, peas, hay, clover, etc., should grow them. Those who can grow fruits and vegetables should grow them—and all whether they grow cotton or not, must grow some dr all of these things. 36 This same proposition has bsen preached so much by newspaers, ag ricultural colleges and business men, and has been so largely Ignored by farmers In the South, that the public Is skeptical. But the farmers have not before been confronted by a Kuropeu n war and cotton bringing 7 cents which cost 10 cents, and necessity will largely aid In forcing the change. 37 Systematic organization 1n every county In the South where cotton is grown must be instituted at once. 38— These organizations must include, as nearly as possible, all the farm ers, land-owners. merchants, factors, bankers, fertilizer men, and all persons who help to finance the growing crop*. MUST INSTITUTE ORGANIZATION NOW. 39 The organization must be Instituted now, at once, before farming operations have been planned for next year, and before the time comes to sow and plant small grain. 40— These county organizations can be rapidly aided by State Chambers of Commerce, Agricultural Colleges. Farmers’ Bureaus, and all local farmers’ or ganizations. 21— The organization In each county in each state In the South, while It would act independently and adopt Its own rulee and regulations to fit local conditions, should aim to cut the cotton acreage 60 per cent in that particular county. 42—There are some eodntles where conditions are different, though the ob ject will be to cut acreage 50 per cent, it will be difficult, or almost Impos sible to attain that end without serious loss to the Individuals, dr the commu nity. 44 We may rest assured that, with present conditions and prospects every one who can do so will substitute other crops for cotton, because of the necessity confronting us. 45 Representative committees should be appointed by each oounty organi zation to take up Immediately with each land-owner, and where the lands are already leased or rented for next year, the person who wilt be In charge for 1915. ascertain as accurately as possible the cotton acreage on such place for 1911 and aid by suggestion Hnd plans for the reduction of cotton acreage for 1915 to at least 50 per cent. If possible snd the substitution of other crop* 16--Small farmers, whether owners or tenants, will generally be the most difficult problem to handle, but, where possible, they should he urged to grow more of sum other crops as they know how to grow, and less cotton 47 Necessarily, many small tenant farmers who have been growing only cot ton. and who do not know how to grow anything else, will be forced out of independent farming. ALL CORN AND ALL PEA FARMER 48— Many share-croppers who grow only cotton under direction of the landlord, can be turned profitably Into an all-corn and pea farmer under the intelligent direction of the landlord, who will buy his share of com and peas next fall for more than the half of the cotton would bring, certainly at pres ent prices. 49 Demonstration work by the U. R. government and state colleges of sgrlculture has already largely prepared odT farmers for this radical change now being forced on them by necessity. 50— While these radical changes have been constantly advocated by agrl leultural colleges agents from agricultural departments, for the financial good of the South, even under past conditions, they have never had the no li v* co-operation of the farmers In any community becauss they have never 4>eftre found It necessary, f 51—The present conditions In the South amounting as thsy do to a public calamity, call for heroic action on the part of all of its own people, snd at all I such times nearly every one readies that bs Is his brother's keeper. 52 The farmers generally in every county will co-operate with Intelligent work by the ■•ommlttee In fixing the acreage on each farm and plan tation for 1915. and In the suggestions <md advice to Individual farmers as >o plans for other crops, when they realize that the objeot and purpose of the ommlttee is for the common good of all, and to treat each Individual fairly and according to their respective necessities. 53 In manv Instances, the banker, the merchant, the cotton factor, the fertilizer dealer and the landlord can be relied on to actively aid In forcing co-oprretlyn by indlvida! farmers.' .4—lj-,iu:«. Instances tot mora, influence of community spirit and cum- won interest will have its effect upon some obstreperous individual. 55 As soon as the county organizations get under way. their county com mittee can appoint as many sub-committees as they find necessary. 56 Some s/stem of fines for the benefit of the county organisations for violation of cotton acreage agreements may be adopted under such Regulations as may enable the county organization to collect them. 57 The various state departments of agriculture can act as the Central State organization to receive the reports and statements from the County or ganizations. and these can be and should be checked as far as possible in each county by the various representatives of the state and U. S. departments of agriculture now doing work in the Sou th. 58— Appeals for help to these various agencies and departments will be met by quick responses and intelligent aid to each county. TIME FOR SYSTEMATIC ORGANIZATION. 59 Now is the time to begin this systematic organization while the com mon calamity confronts every community, and interest, in the South, and while there is still time to change plans for next year's farming, and still time for every one to sow some acreage in small grains. 60— While the successful growing of wheat is Increasing in many sections of the South, this is not advocated as a money crop, but as a prime necessity under present conditions. 61 The South raised all her food crops and all her stock before the Civil War, and she will have to do so again, or go out of the fanning business. 62 — Unless some substantial method along these lines for curtailing next year's cotton acreage is speedily adopted, the present holding of cotton will fail, and the present crop will be marketed sooner or later at the present low prices, with all its attendant loss and Injury to the South and its people. 63 Much economy will have to be practiced by our people while inaugurat ing this radical change in our farming system, and wo can rely upon these county organizations and the state and government agents to make sugges tios as to many economies in the feeding of stock, and the conserving of our resources. 64 With prompt and intelligent action on the part of the farmers in this matter, we can certainly hount upon the bankers, merchants, factors, and all business interests in the South to loyally aid in holding this cotton crop, and marketing the same slowly, and only for reasonable and living prices. RECEIPTS REPORTED IT U7B AND THE SALES OF COTTON ONLY 111 Middling Bringing 8 7-8 Cents Per Pound With a Good De mand and Only a Few Sales Reported Middling cotton brought 8% cents per pound Thursday morning and, in some instances, sales as high as 9 cents were reported. The demand is good with not much cotton being sold. The cotton men continue to appear optimistic. They say that the neigh borhood of 9 cents is getting close to a good price for cotton. The following are the roads over which cotton was brought to the city, as reported on the board at the Cotto n WORLD'S SERIES BASEBALL GAMES WILE HE DETAILED AT BIJOU Full Service and Every Play Called as it is Made Augusta fans will have an opportu nity this year of hearing the World’s Merits baseball detailed. Manager Sparks of the Bijou, who left last night for Asheville, N. C., to arrange for his theatrical circuit, announced that he had closed contract with the Western Union for their detail service of the entire World’s Series. This will no doubt be hailed with delight by local fans, as it will afford opportunity for them to hear called every play made in these all-absorb “AUGUSTA” CAN’T MOVE; ON SAND River Stage Thursday 8 A. M. Was 4.9 Feet at City Wharf. Rain is Badly Needed Traffic on the river is still at a standstill. The “Augusta" has been "stuck” down the stream for days, due to the exceptionally low stare. At 8 a. m. Thursday the gauge at the city wharf read 4.9 feet, which was slightly lower even than the stage Wednesday morning. There Is a general desire for rain, for one reason to raise the river stage and make the restoration of traffic possible. The "Augusta” sailed from Savan nah Monday a week ago. She could not proceed after getting within eight miles of Augusta, and after waiting for some days was ordered to return to the Savannah docks. The captain got the vessel's nose pointed down stream but after reaching Burton’s ferry found he was "up against it" because the waters of the river had fallen considerably since the up trip. It is impossible to say when the Augusta will reach the dock. ROSS OOPELAND HEADS FEDERATION OF TRADES Elected at Regular Meeting Wednesday Night to Succeed Mr. J. 0. Harrison, Resigned. The resignation of Mr. ,Ds. Harri son, as president of the Augusta Fed era. tlon of Trades, which was tendered a few weeks ago, was accepted with re grets last night at the regular meeting of the Federation held Ht l.abor I fall, and Mr. Ross Copeland, president or the Plumbers Union, was eleeted to fill the vacancy. Mi Harrison stales that he was forced to relinquish the duties Incumbent upon him as president, for business reasons. Mr Copeland is one of the most popu lar men In the Federation and It Is be lieved he will make a steady, capable head for the organisation. No further business was transacted at the meeting other than routine matters FINAL WINDING-UP BY AUGUSTA BASEBALL ASS N The members of the Augusta Base ball Aasociatlon met this morning In the offices of President Kalbfleisch between th* hours of 12 and 1 o'clock for th* purpose of the going over the business transacted by the club dur ing the season just closed. All of the members stated tnht they were satisfied and the aeanon could be termed a success, under the han dicaps that the association waa up against. THE AUGUSTA HERALD. AUGUSTA, GA. Exchange Thursday morning: Georgia Railroad, 236. Southern, 111. Augusta Southern, 211. Central of Georgia, 204. Augusta-Aiken, 14. Georgia A Florida, 118. C. & W. C„ 148. A. C. 1.., 120. Wagon, 206. A total of 1,788 bales were received and the sales were only 277. ing gamps and the large and spacioua Bijou, with its comfortable seats, will be taxed to its utmost capacity with enthusiastic fans. So realistic arc these called details that one can easily close bis eyes and imagine himself actually in attendance at the big games. Balls, strikes, hits, etc., are called the next instant after being made. Mr. Sparks states that he w4ll open the Bijou with regular bills October sth. HOTEL ARRIVALS Hofbrau Hotel. A. J. Ryan, Savannah, Ga.; J. J Willis, City: D. J, Morecarty, Atlanta; R. IX Phillips, S. C.; J. M. Beach, McCann. Planter! Hotel. W. T. Bauke, City; J. S. Brown, Dublin, Ga.; H. B. Morgan, Mo.; J. B. Murphy, Md.; L. Phillips, Savannah. Albion Hotel. H. Hoffman, Atlanta; T. P. Fitz gerald, Atlanta; I. Joseph, Chicago; G. A. UaTaste, Conn.; W. D. llldgely, New York; C. Vinson, Milledgeville, Ga.; Ci. R. Coleman, Toronto. Genesta Hotel. W. C. Webber, Atlanta; J. Levoring ton, Atlanta; 1., Marks, Savannah; P. B. Griffin, North Carolina; A. W. Treemart, Birmingham, Ala.; J. J. McKelia, S. C.; B. X., Barbour, V*. WILL CLEAR OFF FRIDAY, ’TIS SAID Forecaster Predicts More Rain Thursday Night. Precipita tion Slight So Far All t.h« rain that f#*ll Wednesday and Wednesday night amounted to little more than a third of an Inch, an official ly recorded. More rain will come Thurs day night, however, If the propheelen of the forecaster gome true thin time. Fur thermore, the forecaster predicta clear ing weather Friday, maybe with clearing Nhower*. The wind increased nightly In velocity Wednesday night an it waa At time* the snemorneter waa clipping it off at the rate of 21 miles an hour. It remained cloudy moat of the morn ing Thursday and *■ irly there waa a few hundredtha of an Inch of rain raptured. In the early afternoon the Indication waa that then would be ahowem before nightfall. Forecaster Kmlgh atated Thursday morning that the atorm. which waa men tioned a* being off the Florida coaat Wednesday, would he ' entered over this section Thursday night. The temperature '1 Intraday waa ellght ly warmer than Wednesday, the winds affecting It, It Is aald. “Ask Mr. Dick” "Paramount hays and Nights.’* Ask Mr Dick.’* These are signs of whet is coming to the Grand Paramount Pictures by day tad by night, twice week!. I I «• v make their first appearance Monday at the matinee at 3.30 o’clock. The night show will begin at *:3O o'clock, sharp. Mr. Richard Tant Is the man behind the pictures h#6re. "Ask Mr. irick." It must he remembered that the "mo vies" you will see at The Grand for 25, 20 and 10 cents, nre the Identical pic tures shown in larger cities for 75 and v 0 cents a seal. RESOLUTIONS AS PASSED BY THE MEETING Approve Concurrent Legisla tion in All of the States of the South to Secure Reduction in Cotton Acreage. At the meeting of the Columbia County citizens held at Harlem Wed nesday, a resolution was passed which endorses the plan for concurrent leg islation by the states to curtail the cotton acreage. The following is the resolution: Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that concurrent legisla tion by all the Cotton-Growing states providing a uniform system for re duction of cotton acreage for 1915 Is absolutely necessary to maintain con fidence In the value of cotton, either for the purpose of holding by the far mers, or for the purpose of collateral as security, and that such action should be as prompt as possible, and we urge Governor Slaton to take action looking to co-operation by the various Cotton slates. (Unanimously carried). No Tax on Production. This resolution was also passed: Resolved that it is our opinion that such state legislation should be by prohibitory laws restricting the acre age and not as a tax on production. A resolution was passed also favor ing (he organization of the people of' ( oimnbia County for devising plans for restricting the cotton acreage next year and for diversifying (he crops, and, also for a larger mass meeting at Appling on the fourth Monday In September. A resolution was passed for a com mittee composed of one person from each militia district, of which Mr. W. W. Hamilton Is chairman, to work up Interest in the meeting on Monday, September 28th, so as to secure a large and representative attendance. Judge E. H. Callaway was selected chairman of a committee composed of himself Dr. F. 11. Phillips, Ordinary I’. B. Mundy and Mr. llaxter Bynum, to prepare plana and details for a working county organization to tie formed on the fourth Monday in Sep tember. at Appling. JEWISH NEW YEAR BEGINS ON SUNDAY Feast of Roshgnah Begins Sun day Evening and Ends on Monday at Sundown The feast of Rush Hashanah or New Year's Day, which Inaugurates the most solemn season of the Jewish religious year, begins this your on Sunday evening, .Sept, 20 ami lasts till sundown Monday, the 21st. Among orthodox Jew# who celebrate two days, the following day, Tuesday, Is also observed. This day opens the Jewish calendar year, five thousand six hun dred and seventy-five (5675). The observance of this day as a holy season 4s commanded in two passages of tho Five Books of Moses, namely, Leviticus XXIII, 24 and 25 an.l Numbers, XXIX, 1. In neither passago Is there any specific command as to how the day is to be observed beyond the Injunctions to blow the trumpet, to hold a holy convocation and to en gage In no servile occupation. It is to be noted that, this day Is the first day of the seventh month or the day of tho new moon of that month. The new moon was Observed as a holy season by the Jews of old; the seventh month was a particularly holy month, as the seventh day was tho holy day or the week; hence the new moon of the seventh month Was Invested with a significance of far holler Import than the other new moon days of the year. As In all holy sea sons no servile work, no gainful occu pation was to he followed. The injunction to blow the trumpet on this day was to call the people to remembrance before the Lord. Jri the course of time, this ceremony of blowing the shofar became the cen tral feature of the elaborate religious service conducted on the day. Ju»t as the shofar called the people to re membrance before the laird, so also were Its sounds to arouse tho peoplo to their shortcomings and to their du 4 ties In which they may have failed Tho day 1s called on this account Yom hazlkkaron—“The day of Memorial.” Another Idea which in time came to be associated with the day was that on this day God weighed men's actions In the scale of Justice. For this rea son another designation of the day Is Yom haddln, "The Day of Judg ment." The intervening between New Year's Day and the Day'of Atonement are called, "The Ten Days of Peni tence,” during which the opportunity Is had to reflect finally on and repair the wrongs done during the year; If the repentance is sincere forgiveness Is gained on the culminating day of the season, "The Day of Atonement,” Tho New Year’s Day In the passing of the centuries has thus come to embody the great religious ideas of divine Jsutlce and human responsi bility. As the beginning of the Jewish religious year It emphasizes the religi ous uniqueness of the Jewish people, the servant of the one Go<f, the priest people of humanity. Appropriate services will he held on both days In Augusta synagogues. MEET IN GRIFFIN. Qrlffln, Qa A meeting for the pur pose of organizing u brass hand In Grif fin Is culled by W. Vuuncey, official organizer of the Woodmen of the World, for 8 o’clock Thursday night of this week, at the Odd Fellow* hall. A great deal of Interest Is being taken In this movement, not only hy* the mu sician* of Griffin, but by th* citizens In general, arid the public, generally Is Invited to attend the preliminary meet ing on Thursday evening, Griffin needs to make a noise—we are too quiet about the great things we are doing and a bras* band will fill a long felt need. LENGTH OF BATTLE LINE ON AISNE ACCOUNTS FOR THE DIFFE® VERSIONS Ample Room For Reported Successes and Defeats in Giant Fight of Three Million Men Along One Hundred and Fifty Miles Fronting on French River—Conflicting Statements From Berlin and London London, 1:30 p. m.—Claims us Ber lin that the attacks of the allien along the A lane have been repulsed and that German counter attacka have suocetd ed and official assertions hero that the German counter attacks have been re pulsed and that the Invaders are slow ly giving way, leave no conclusion but that (he narrators are referring to dif ferent points in the vast field of action. For 110 Mile*. As the crow flies the front of the opposing armies, which with the heavy reinforcements have reached the prob able total of 3,000,000 men, stretches for lit) miles. Making allowances for the deviation north to Laon, the line must bo quite 150 miles long, so there is ample room for successes on one part, of the field and reverses else where. The British and French seem to be attempting to repeat on the Aiano the turning movement carried out so suc cessfully on the Marne, and in the present case they have .the additional incentive of knowing should the Ger man right be again turned, there are Says Champagne Literally Flowed Like Water As Germans Pillaged Wine Cellars Taken at Chalons Pa ria, 3:40 a. m.—lson Bourgeois, former premier and senator from Marne, who has just returned from a tour of the district recently occupied by the Germans, has made a detailed report of his observation, a copy of which has been given to Amhususdor Herrick for transmission to the gov ernment at Washington. The report declares that moat of tho commune# through which the Germans passed were, annihilated liy fire and sword. Several mayors were shot and where the mayors were absent substitutes were shot In their places. MRS. PRONTAUFS SISTER IS DEAD Miss Adele S. Bignon, After Long Illness, Died at "The Pines" at 12:18 P. M. Announcamptit wh* maria Thursday aftomoon of the of Miaa Arifel** K Hlkooii at In*' lute r«»sldmica, "Thu Pinos," on Tho Hill, at 12:15 o’clock, following a lengthy lilnoaa. Miaa lllg non whs the slater of Mra. J. Hanry Prontaut, whoso death occurred a sow days ago at .Johns llopklna hospital In Baltimore and In vlow of this fact the loan of Mlhs Jilgnon la maria peculiarly sari. No funeral arrangements have nn yet been marie. The deceased is survived by one slater, Mrs. .Jhh. J . houghty and one broth s4*. Mr Joseph H. I signori, both of Augusta. Hha waa a member of one of the moat distinguished old French families of the highest culture;, her mother having been hlghlv educated In Purls and whh a most accomplished pianist. Her father waa the late Harney Bignon. COMMITTEES HELD MEETINGS TODAY Health and Special Hospital Committees of City Council Meet Thursday Afternoon Meetings of the Health committee and the special hospital committee of city council were held Thursday afternoon. The health committee waa called to geth«4* to open bids on the construction of a sewer and the special hospital com mittee, to receive the report of the sub committee on the matter of equipment for the new city hospitals. Hlria were opened recently at a full mooting of the special hospital commit tee for the kitchen, refrigerating snd laundry equipment of tire hospitals etc., and these bids were referred to a spe cial committee to report back. GOV T OFFICIAL PLEASED WITH WORK ON RIVER Col. Langfitt, U. S. Engineer, Inspected Bank With City Engineer Wingfield Yester day The work the government la doing on the Savannah river at August* wss for mally Inspected Wednesday by Col. W. C. Ouigfltt, United States engineer, In company with City Knglrieer Nlsbnt Wingfield. Col. Langfitt expressed him self as being well pleased with th* na ture and progress of the work. It was his first visit since hla Illness which has kept him confined for some time Col. Lengfltt supervises the improve ment work along the bank and alao th* work done to th* channel. He had noth ing ofiirlally to do with th* levee work. A aurvey of th* river from hern to Ite mouth will be mad* very aoon. no great defensive positions behind the invaders until they reach the Meuse. May Quit Belgium. It would not he surprising, in the opinion of observers in London to see the Germans quit Belgium, if there is any truth in the report that ttye east ern arena of the war has become the decisive position in German eyes and that Germany will be content for the present to maintain a defensive atti tude in the west. Italy - Roumania. Italian and Roumanian activities seem today to point to decisive action in the near future. Should these countries take the field against Aus tria-Hungary, it is argued here that Russia would have her hands freed ami that Germany would be thrown entirely on her own resources to re pel the* Muscovite hosts thus strongly reinforced. Italy seems to have called her re servists to the colors ami to he on the point of occupying Avlona in order to safeguard her interests in the Adri* a tic. The report recites an attack on wo men al Montmlratl and the shooting of a father and Ida 12-.vear old son, who were present. A number of witnesses of this alleged Incident are named In the report. The arrival of the Germans at Chalons, the report says, was pre ceded by a short bombardment In which shells fell on the hospital and the children’s asylum. It Is also charged In the report that the Germans pillaged the stores and that later an orgle took place In the wine cellars of the town, during which chumpagno literally flowed like wa ter. IN THE CITY COURT Four Cases Disposed of This Morning; a Fifth Nearly Finished Three plea* of guilty were entered before Judge Kvu this morning In the criminal session of the city court. W. T, Smith peladed glulty to a charge of carrying a pistol without a license; iilso to another charge of car rying a concealed weapon. Alfred Thurman and ICugene Pow ell pleaded guilty to a charge of lar ceny from the house. In the case of the State vs. Katie Collier, charged with a misdemeanor (selling cocaine), the Jury found the defendant guilty but recommended her to the mercy of the court. The case of the State vs. Gordon Ware, charged with drunkenness on a public highway, waa held over for completion this afternoon. ILLUSTRATED LECTURE TO BOY SCOUTS FRIDAY NIGHT Be Delivered By Dr. Serier, Scoutmaster Troop No. 4, in First Presbyterian 8. 8. Building The Illustrated lecture on the Boy Kcoula to he given Friday evening In tho .Sunday school room of the First Presbyterian Church la attracting much Interest among the parents of Augusta, as well as the boys. The scout movement has grown very rapidly, and every parent or hoys wants to know about It. Friday night Troop No. 4 will exhibit a Boy Scout camp scene, with camp-fire, eto. They will show their skill In first aid end answer many of the questioned required In their examination*. Besides this a lecture, Illustrated with sixty colored atereoptlcon slides will be given. There slide* portray scouting In all part* of the world. The lecture Is free An offering will bs taken for scout work. SOUTHEHN LABOR CONQREM Birmingham, Ala—Discussions oo gen eral labor legislation in the Mouth, child labor laws and mechanics liens were features today of the third annual con vention of the Southern Labor Congress. The convention will adjourn tomorrow. TOMORROW EVENING 8:30 GRAND Return by Pereietsnt Demand New Era Production Company Jos. P. Blckerton, Jr., Managing Director, Preaents Same Notablo Coot. BEATB NOW BELLINQ. Priceo, 25c to $1.50. SEVEN