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About The Augusta herald. (Augusta, Ga.) 1914-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 1914)
THE WEATHER Fair tonight and Fri day. VOLUME XIX, No. 344. 1,800 THE GERMAN LOSS AS WARSHIPS SUNK BY BRITONS English Government Does Not Mention Units of the Squad ron in South America Naval Battle—Thought No Jap Ships Engaged FATE OF THE DRESDEN AND NURNBURG UNKNOWN At Last Accounts the Smaller German Warships Accompany ing the Scharnhorst, Gneisnau and Leipzig, Being Pursued. London, 12:57 p. m.—The British naval victory in the South Atlantic was discussed in England today al ,tnost to the exclusion of all other ♦ phases of wr.r news. Last reports stated the British squadron after sink ing the German cruisers Scharnhorst, Gneisenau and Leipzig, with the loss of nearly ■',ooo men, was pursuing the fleeing Dresden and Nurnberg. British public waiting anxiously for further news of this chase. Great Disparity. Naval observers, commenting on the battle, not that in all naval engage ments in the present war there is great disparity between the losses of the victors and vanquished. In the case of the British cruisers Monmouth and Goodhope, sent to the bottom by a German squadron, the Germans practically were unscathed and that is true of the Eritish in their victorious engagements. This is attributed to a great extent to the fact that naval engagements have been between ships of unequal arament. Nevertheless, it is argud that even with ships of sim ilar arament the disproporti— of the losses between the victor and the van quished would be greater by far than anything possible in land warfare Japs Not There. Tokio.—The British government has communicated to Japan an official ac p6unt of the sinking December Bth off the Falkland Island in the South At lantic, of the German cruisers Scharn horst, Gneisenau and Leipzig, with a loss of about 1,800 men. The reports do not mention the names of the British warships in this engagement. Didn’t Take Part. Japanese navy authorities say no advices have been received from the Japanese warships in southern wa ters: consequently it is to be presum ed they did not take part. The British squadron in the South Atlantic, according to information given out here, was reinforced recent ly by several vessels armed with guns of heavy calibre. BEGIN RE HEARING OF INCREASE IN FARE AUGUSTA-AIKEN LINE Petition of the Railway and Electric Company Presented to South Carolina Railroad Commission in Columbia---Fig ures Submitted Regarding Alleged Earnings of the Road. Demand Made For Corporation to Produce Its Books. (By Thos. J. Hamilton, Special Staff Representative.) Columbia, S. C.—For two hours this morning the South Carolina Railroad Commission heard testimony in the Augusta-Aiken Railway and Electric Corporation matter and at 12:30 ad journed until 3 p. m. Mr. L. J. Williams, of Augusta and North Augusta, occupied much of the morning session, giving figures pur porting to show that the Aiken line is making a handsome return on the investment of about SIO,OOO original capital stock. Mr. Williams submitted figures to show that since the property had been purchased from the Harri man estate there had been several millions of dollars added to the lia bilities of the Augusta-Aiken Railway and Electric Corporation and the great question which seems to be in the minds of those opposing the in crease of from one to two cents per mile is where has that money gone. Mr. J. H. Pardee, vice-president of the Augusta-Aiken, took the position that the common stock, preferred stock and bonded indebtedness have nothing whatever to do with the question of rates on the Aiken line. A Fair Income. Mr. Pardee says that a fair income on the Investment is the only thing to be considered and that the Augus ta-Aiken line represents a total in vestment of approximately $763,00(1 that It earned last year $46,000 and after deducting $21,000 for deprecia tion there remains $26,000 income, which is approximately three per cent on $763,000. Mr. Pardee did not get into the company’s position very fuily before the hour for adjournment came. The question of having Auditor F. B. Culley, of the railway company and General Manager Spofford to come to Columbia and testify was brought up and Mr. Pardee stated in reply to the question as to why he apparently did not want these gentlemen to erme, said he had no objection whatever, but that it was manifestly impracti cable to bring all of the books of the company to Columbia. The morning session ended with a promise from Mr. Pardee to have Messrs Culley and Spofford\ come to Columbia at onee, while thO gentlemen opposing the In crease were . llowed to wire for Messrs Jas. R. league and Jas. U. Jackson, THE AUGUSTA HERALD Britons Are Chasing the Survivors Montevideo, Uruguay.—Wireless re ports received here indicate that the German cruisers Dresden and Nurn berg, the survivors in the engagement with an English fleet December Tth, in which the Scharnhorst, the Gneise nau and the Leipzig were sunk, close ly pursued by British warships are fleeing in the direction of Port S. nta Cruz on the Argentine coast, north of the Atlantic entrance to the straits of Magellan and west of the Falkland Islands. It is also reported that the German auxiliary cruiser Prince Eitel is cruis ing in the South Atlantic and that she has on board 1,500 German soldiers. Voted Anti-War Credit, Germany Amsterdam, (via London, 7:51 a. m.) —Dr. Karl Liebknecht, the Socialist member of the reichstag who was the only one to vote against the war credit at the recent session of the reichstag, explains his action in an ar ticle just published in Berlin. He says: "This war was not desired by any of the people affected nor was it kin dled to promote the welfare of the Germans or my other people. It was created by the common action of the German and Austrian war parties in the obscurity of semi-absolutism and secret diplomacy in order to antici pate their adversaries. "At the same time the war is a Na poleonic attempt to unnerve and crush the growing labor movement.” PROBABLY CAN’T ATTEND. Washington.—President Wilson was invited by the Georgia Congressional delegation today to attend the unveil ing of a monument next spring at Widway, Ga., where the father of the Midway, Ga where the father of the Justice Holmes, of the supreme court, and one of the ancestors of Mr. Wil son served as pastors in the Presby terian Church. The preside it said his proposed trip to Panama probably would prevent his acceptance. for the purpose of trying to get these gentlemen to throw some light on the situation. Pardee's Position. Mr. Pardee took the position that neither Mr. Spofford nor Mr. Culley could testify to anything material ex cept what Mr. Cuelly has already sworn to in the last annual report of the Augusta-Aiken Railway and Elec tric Corporation to the Railroad Com mission of South Carolina. This state ment showed that the common stock outstanding on all the properties is $2,250,000, the preferred stock $1,500,- 000 and $400,000 of bonds with $203,000 of additional bonds in the treasury. This shows the bonded indebtedness to be $19,000,000 more than Mr. L. J. Williams alleged. However, Mr. Par dee stated as before mentioned that capitalization had nothing whatever to do with rate-making and the rail way company’s position is that the re turns it is getting on the Aiken line is inadequate on the Investment In volved. The Harriman Estate. The company's position is also to the effect that the entire property was purchased in bulk from the Har riman estate and it was impossible to tell the exact amount of capital in vested in the Interurban, although Mr. Pardee stated that he believed it was in the neighborhood of $763,000. The attorneys opposing the increase say that they want to know where the millions secured from the sale of the common and preferred stock and bonds went, whether in improving or in the pockets of financiers. (How ever, any reflection on Mr. Pardee personally was plainty disclaimed), these atorneys say that they want Mr. Culley to swear from knowledge ob tained from the books whether this money was spent in improving the property or not. They also want him to swear to the exact amount paid to the Harriman estate. They want to ascertain from the books the cost of the construction of the Aiken line. They also wish Mr. Culley to answer this question, If the Augusta-Aiken doesn't know how much Is invested In the Aiken line (Continued on Next Page), THE ONE PAPER IN MOST HOMES THE ONLY PAPER IN MANY HOMES AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, THURSDAY AFTERNOON, DECEMBER 10, 1914. Change in War Situation in Last 30 Days—Ger mans Gain 40 Miles East, Lose 30, West CHANGES IN BATTLE LINES. The cross marks show changes In relative battle lines In Flanders and Russia in the fourth month of the war. In Flanders the Germans have sacrificed, it is estimated, 110,000 lives in the effort to take the French coast here nearest England at Gala Is. They have lost about 30 miles in 30 days. In Russia, the supreme ob ject of Russia has been to strike at Germany through Silesia by way of Cracow. The German object here has been to take Warsaw first for political effect, and second to compel Russia to retire from before Cracow, to protect the Polish capital and to hold control of the Crocaw-Lodz railroad. Before Lodz, Germany has gain ed forty miles. The war in the last thirty days has cost at least 800,000 In “casualties" and more than a bil lion dollars in money. Average Annual Nef Profil 132*4 Pet. on Original Capitalization of the A.-A. Road, Mr. Williams Told Commission Sensation Created When He Announced Original Capital Stock Augusta & Aiken Railroad Only SIO,OOO---Says It Cost Only $490,000 to Build---Since 1910 Have Increased Liabilities of all A.-A. Properties Millions, Says Mr. Wil liams. (By Thos J. Hamilton Special Staff Representative.) Columbia, S. C.—Submitting figures to show that the Augusta-Aiken line has paid an average of 132% per cent annually on its original capi talization of SIO,OOO, after paying interest on $500,000 of bonds, Mr. I, J. Williams created a sensation before the South Carolina Railroad Commis sion this morning. Mr. Williams submitted figures also to show that the original cost of building the Augusta-Aiken line was $490,000, that the common stock was only SIO,OOO and the bonded Indebted ness $500,000. The average annual profit for eight years, according to Mr. Williams, was $38,500, less $25,000 interest on $500,000 of bonds at five per cent, making the average net earnings $13,600, or 132% per cent on SIO,OOO. Mr. Williams also showed that the capitalization of all the Augusta- Aiken properties in 1910 was $1,919,000, after paying outstanding bonds, and that since then common and preferred stock and bonds have been sold amounting to $6,914,000. The following are the figures submitted by Mr. Williams: ORGANIZED AS AUGUSTA AND AIKEN RAILROAD Construction of interurban line completed about October, 1902, includ ing the two sub-power stations, sidings and equipments, about, $490,000.00. Capitalization December, 1910, all A. & A. properties: 1910—December, paid Harriman estate in cash ..$1,750,000.00 December, paid outstanding bonds 169,000.00 —$1,919,000.00 Since 1910—Sold bonds 3,164,000.00 Sold preferred stock 1,500,000 00 Sold common stock 2,250,000.00 —$6,914,000.00 Since 1911—Paid dividends quarterly amounting to $90,000.00 annually, up to and Including first two quarters of 1914. Surplus earnings sufficient to take care of improvements. AUGUSTA-AIKEN RY. INTERURBAN LINE. 1905, Capitalization. Common stock, issued $ 10,000.00 Bonds issued, 5 per cent 500,000.00 Profits, 1905 30,000.00 Profits, 1906 34,000.00 Profits 1907 31,000.00 Profits,' 1908 - 42,000.00 Profits, 1909 42,000.00 Profits, 1910 41,000.60 Profits 1911 44,000.00 Profits,' 1912 46,000.00 , Total profits for the eight years 310,000.00 Average annual profit for the elnds $38,500.00 I,ess 5 per cent on $500,000.00 bonds 25,000.00 Average net earnings per annum 13,500.00 Annual net earnings. 132* per cent. RAPID RISE IN FOOD PRICES Washington.—Rapid rise in the wholesale prices of foodstuff In the United States since the European war began Is noted in a report today by the Department of Commerce. Wholesale prices of leading articles of factory consumption and many of the staple articles of food showed a downward trend during 1913 and 1914 until the outbreak of the war. Between Jan Ist and October 31st, this year, granulated sugar increased more than one and one-half cents a pound; wheat, 20 cents a bushel; fam ily beef, $5 a barrel; tea. two and one half cents a pound; corn, 6 cents a bushel; oats, H cents a bushel; and native beef steers, sl.6i During the same period coffee prices decreased almost three cents a pound, and mess pork $3.25 a barrel. EXCHANGE HOT WORDS. Washington.—Hot words were ex changed today when a senate commit tee resumed investigation of charges by B. L. Dulaney, an independent coal operator, that "a coal trust” through domination of the Houthern Railway discriminates against South Atlantic ports. REVOLTED DN BATTLEFIELD Geneva, (via Parle, 4:60 a. m.) —The correspondent of The Journal de Ge neve at Prague states that confirma tion has been received there that Czech regiments number twenty - eight from Prague. Number 108 from Brousau, Number 11 from Paszlka and the eighth lanwe.hr of Prague which were serving against Hervla, revolted on the battlefield. The news, ac cording to the correspondent, has created a deep Impression in Vienna. Various Stories, Kaiser’s Illness London, 12:67 p. m.—The reported Illness of Emperor William continues to be variously described. Home dis patches say It Is serious and perhaps pneumonia, while others declare he Is a victim of mental depression or that he Is suffering from fever, chills and Influenza. About all that Is definitely known beyond the official bulletin, which admitted that his majesty Is suffering from bronchial catarrh. I* that the emperor has returned quietly und unexpectedly to Berlin. BIGGEST GROP OF COTTON IN THE HISTORY 0, S. Country Will Produce This Year Colossal Number of Bales, Over 16,000,000, Ac cording to Today’s Govern ment Report. Washington, D. C.—The United Statea this year has produced the greatest crop of cotton In its his tory. More than sixteen million bales, or 15,966,000 bales in lint cotton, and ltnter cotton unofficial ly estimated at from 600,000 to 650,000 bales, constitute the crop. Final Estimates. Washington, D. C.—The total pro duction of cotton in the United States for the season 1914-15 will amount to 15,996,000 bales of 500 pounds gross weight, the department of agriculture announced today In Its final estimate of the crop. Value Far Less. I-ast year 14,342,367 bales Including llnters, were produced and In the pre vious year, 1911, the production was 16,250,276 bales Including llnters. The production of lint is estimated at 7,637,113,000 pounds, or 69,000,000 pounds more than In 1911. While the production exceeds any crop ever grown its value will he far less and smaller than any other j ear •luring the past five. Based on the average price of 6.8 cents a pound, on December Ist, the lint Is worth $519,323,684, while last year It was valued at $887,160,000. By States. Washington, D. C. The estimated production by states follows: Bales Virginia 24,000 North Carolina 950,000 South Carolina 1,500,000 Georgia 2,650,000 Florida 75,000 Alabama 1,900,000 Mississippi 1,275 000 Louisiana 460,000 Texas 4.560,000 Arkansas 1,040,000 Tennesse, 365,000 Missouri 75,000 Oklahoma 1,250,000 California 37,000 All other staes 15,000 PROLONGED PEACE WITH GOD’S AID, SAYS KAISER Berlin, (vis London,) —There is , . fl ushed here today a speech made on December 3rd by Emperor William at one of the army camps, composed of Germans and Austrians which he vis ited on his recent trip to the eastern front. "You are fighting for a Just cause, for liberty, for the right to exist as a nation and for a future of prolonged peace,” said the emperor. "Even though the war should last for a long time, we shall not allow the enemy to have a moment’s quiet. “We shall continue to fight with success as heretofore, for Heaven is on our side. With God we shall achieve a prolonged p->ace, for our nerves are stronger than those of our enemies.” ONLY BLIGHT DAMAGE. Washington,—Damages to the big electric collier Jupiter reported Injur ed in the gale off the New England coast, were very slight, the Navy De partment announced today. $6.00 PER YEAR—FIV E CENTS PER COPY. BOWSHAPED RUSS ARMY FORCES AROUND CRACOW TURNED BACK BY GERMAN STAR WITNESS TELLS OF 11. S. NAVY PROGRAM Sec’y Daniels Closely Question ed By House Committee To day. “Wise Policy For Steady Enlargement’ ‘ is Recommend ed Washington, D. C. Secretary Daniels told the house naval com mittee today that while the Am erican Navy should be “steadily” strengthened In an orderly way,” each year, the sentiment of the American people was against turn ing the United States into a mili tary nation in competition with the. heavily armed powers of Europe. The secretary’s declarations to day, close upon the remarkable testimony of Rear Admiral Flotch e.r, who yesterday told the commit tee there was only one navy In thn world—England’s to which the United States was not equal, came as a. climax to two days’ discus sion of the nation's preparedness for defense. Secretary of Navy. Washington.—Secretary Daniels, as star witness before the house linval committee today was questioned close ly about American naval policies and the appropriation hill. T have recommended this year that we continue the regular and normal construction recommended last, year," he said. "It seems to me wise policy for steady enlargement. This includes two dreadnoughts, six destroyers, eight submarines or more, one gunboat and one oiler. The president approve! this." “Extravagant” Suggestions. Secretary Daniels characterized as “extravagant" suggestions that there I ought to he 100 submarines and 50 bat tleships In the navy. The president, tie said, believes “in the stead* de velopment of the navy” and that “we ought to go on today ns In the last congress.” Secretary Daniels said the president meant in his address to con gress that there was no specific emer gency other than there was at the last session. Personnel Is Full. “We have added thiH year," the sec retary said, "4,600 more men to the navy, and foe the first time In manv years the naval strength of personnel is full. Of every six men offered for service we have declined live. “At. the next session of congress I shall ask for more men for the three ships now building, the Mississippi, Idaho and California. "It Is unnecessary to have enough men at this time to man all the ships In the navy. We have on every ship enough men to take care of them. "We’ll Keep That Up." "We ought to have not more than 200 of our ships In commission at one time. We have 229 ships In all. We have now 90 per cent of our lighting force In full commission and we’ll keep that up." Secretary Daniels said he was ask ing congress to authorize a reserve of ex-sailors of the navy which he said would In ten days’ time "produce 25,- 000 picked men for service.” Universal Disarmament. Secretary Daniels thought universal disarmament practicable, hut only by international agreement. “in my last report,” he said, “I ex pressed hope that the day would come when this feverish haste and compe tition In costly engines of destruc tion would stop, and that If this riv alry goes ori the burden will become too heavy for any nation to hear." "Wouldn’t be In better position to propose disarmament If we were to stop heavy building programs?” ask ed Mr. Butler. "No,” replied the secretary. "It would he unwise for us to act today in any particular as we would not have acted If there had been no war in Europe. It would be a great mis take If we were now to say that be cause we hope for universal disarma ment that we should stop now. Wo would be In a much better position of we continued construction than If wo were to quit now.” “A Powerful Navy.” Hecretary Daniels was asked what the settled military policy of the United States really was. He replied there “ought to be a powerful navy and ought to he strengthened all the time." “Whether," he added, “there ought (Continued on next page.) WITH THE ARMIES EAST AND WEST France and Belgium. London, 1:50 p, m,— ’ here ha* been little or no change in the general sit uation along the battle line of France and Belgium but all French and Brit ish official statement reflect the allies contention that slowly and surely they are gaining a superior position. Cracow and Warsaw. In the east, the German occupation of Lodz has been temporarily eclipsed by reports of activity north of the Vistula from the southern part of East Prussia, whence the Germans are ad vancing toward Warsaw and in the country east of UrHcow where com bined Austro-Germnn forces are en deavoring to outflank the Russian left. The latter movement, according to the Russians, has so far been re pulsed. HOME EDITION Battle in South Poland Devel oping Favorably to Kaiser’s Forces, is Berlin Report. Petrograd, However, De clares Repulse With Heavy Losses For Enemy SAY GERMANS DECIMATED BY MURDEROUS FIRE IN NIGHT: USE SEARCHLIGHTS No Let-Up in the Desperate Struggle. Fighting Still Con tinuing Tenaciously. Amsterdam, (via London, 8:20 a. m.) —According to advices received and published by the Berliner Tageblatt, the battle in South Poland is develop ing favorably for the Germans and Austrians. The. Russian forces which were originally lined bow-shaped around Cracow according to the Tage blatt, have now been repulsed at the wings. In the Darkness. Petrograd, (Delayed in Transmis sion). —An official communication Is sued by the general staff tonight gives the progress of the fighting In the various fields. It says: “In the region of Mlawa on Deo.em liern Bth, the conflict assumed a less tenacious character. “On tlie left bank of the Vistula, on (lie evening of December 7th, the Germans, under cover of darkness suddenly began an offensive move ment simultaneously along the entire front from How (west of Warsaw), to Glowno (southwest of Warsaw). The | movement was remarkable for its j stubborn nature. The attack was re i pealed again and again, the Germans advancing in compact columns. Searchlights Used. "Aided by searchlights, however, our fire decimated the enemy who was everywhere repulsed. With the rising of the moon the attacks of the enemy ceased “The next day the desperate fight ing on the Lowicz-Tlow front was re sumed but without success for the enemy. "In the plotrkiw region the situa tion is unchanged. The fighting south of < racow has continued tenaciously, presenting alternately offensive and defensive movements. The Germans, twice a I tempted to break through our fronts but were repulsed with serious losses. ‘TIME WORKING ON ALLIES SIDE' French British Offensive in Flanders Stirs Invaders to Renewed Activity. “Strategic Progress Made.” London, 10 a. m.—German armies in the west have been stirred to renewed activity by the nlllea’ offensive move ment as Is shown not only by their sharp attacks in Flanders, but by their attempted advance In the de partment of Oise which the French war o'flee says were repulsed. Lpres und Fumes are reported again under heavy German bombardment. Strategic Progress. London, 2:40 p. m.—“Of major tact ical operations by the British forces there recently has been an entire ab sence; nor for some weeks has any strategical advantage been won in a geographical sence since there has been no advance, and no gain in the ground.” j Col. D. D. Swinton, British eye-wit ness In France and Belgium thtls sums !up the situation, tie adds, however, j that while there has been no ad vance by the allies there has been a constant strategic progress, In that "time is working on their side.” The remainder of the account re lates to the lighter Incidents at the front, emphasizing particularly the good feeling which exists between the British and French soldiers and the French populace. there are 12 Shopping Days Before Xmas Road Herald ad* and call for advertised goods if you wan* the pick of atylas and bargain*. When shopping in Augusta tomorrow Sayt “I Saw 11 Is The Herald.” It will pay. Try It.
