St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 1

POST-DISPATCH SI NIGHT EDITION FINANCIAL MARKETS SPORTS The War in Kinemacolors! As gripping as moving pictures are the paintings of stirring episodes of the present conflict made by famous artists and reproduced in Next Sunday's Post-Dispatch Magazine Only Evening Paper in St Louis With Associated Press News Service! VOL. 67. NO. 58. ST.

LOUIS, SATURDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 17, 191410 PAGES. PRICE ONE CENT. in PRO a Fighting Reaches as Far West as Dunkirk on the Coast battle CHESS FRO Africa, the Richest Colonial Prize of the War FRENCH AND BRITISH TROOPS HEMMED IN YOAKUM TELLS HOW ROCK ISLAND LOST RES REG ON $7,500,000 IN FRISCO Testifies Before Commerce Commission He and Associates Bought Back at $37.50 a Share All-Night Rain Drenches Battlefields in France, Hampering Operations Along 360-Mile Front French Gain Ground on Both Wings From Reid Stock Which Was Sold at $61.50 Bought C. A. Control While Harriman Was Absent "WASIIIXGTOX, Oct.

17. B. F. Yoakum, testifying before the Interstate Commerce Commission today in its investigation of financial transactions of the Chicago, Rock Island Pacific Rail way, told how the Rdck Island acquired the Frisco Railroad and then sold it back at a loss which he estimated at $7,500,000. railroads and that it would be much better for Government regulation to be absolute than -for nobody to know just what the situation is.

The pres I esting subject of study now I I ffmM- ur 1 subject of study now HE map of Africa Is an interesting for two reasons. First, be ent national administration has done cause the war has been carried into Africa literally and a number of African colonies, particularly those owned by Great Britain, Germany and Portugal have been the scenes of military movements. Second, because the partition of Africa and the small part which Germany, newest of mod ern nations, obtained in that were among the underlying Germans Occupied Ostend Thursday. By ASSOCIATED PRESS. BERLIN, Oct.

17, by Wireless to Sayville, L. I. According to announcement made in Berlin, German troops in the vicinity of Ostend have reached the North Sea and fighting is going- on as far to the west as Dunkirk (a fortified town of 50,000 or more on the Straits of Dover, 40 miles northwest of Lille, and the northernmost town of France). Belgium today appears to be almost completely in German possession. The 1 rench and British troops are reported as cut off on all sides, particularly around Ypr'es (18 miles northeast of Lille).

German headquarters in Berlin expressed the belief that larga numbers of Belgian soldiers, fleeing before the Germans, have east off their uniforms and put on civilian clothes, preferring to te; Captured in this attire. That the men composing the garrison at Antwerp fled in a great hurry is proved by the quantities of cast-off uniforms, especially of the British Ivoyal Naval division, found by the German soldiers. Antwerp suffered little by the bombardment. The people are now quiet and glad that the days of terror are over. A mob already had begun plundering the city before the Germans arrived.

All Night Rains Drench Battlefields; French Troops Gain on Both Wings PARIS, Oct; 17. A steady downpour of rain last night has drenched the fields of battle. The discomforts of the troops have been added to and the difficulties of operations have increased. With the resumption of fighting today interest centers on the allies' left wing. The official statement given out at the French "War Office this afternoon is as follows: In Belgium, the German troops occupying Belgium, have not crossed the line running from Ostend to Thourout to Roulera to I causes' of the war.

Italy, Belgium and Portugal each obtained more desirable allotments than Germany, not to mention the great British and French colonies. Morocco, which nearly provoked a European conflict in 1911, has since some good work, especially in the enactment of currency legislation and in its authorization of Government railroads in Alaska." Folk asked Yoakum to what he attributed the wrecking of the Rock Island. Calls Road Fine Property. "I do not use the term 'wrecking in connection with the Rock Island," replied Yoakum. "I consider the Rock Island one of the finest railroad properties in United States today.

It traverses a great territory, it has wonderful terminals and it is everything a railroad ought to be. I can put it fto stronger than that." Folk called Yoakum's attention to reports by experts which indicated that the physical condition of the Rock Island property was bad. "I know nothing personally of the physical condition of the property now," faid Yoakum, because I have not been over the lines for several years, but the property, generally speaking, is just as fine as I have described." Folk inquired why the system had gotten into so serious a tangle of financial difficulties and wanted to know if it were not because of an over-issuance 'of securities. "I am not capable of answering that question," replied Yoakum. "I do not know enough about the present condition." George G.

McMurty of New York, a director of the Rock Island operating Tells of I.ohh of ST.ROO.tM'O. The loss to the Rock island Railway through Its purchase and subsequent sale of the stock of the Frisco lines was the difference between Jfil.50 and $37.50 a share, according to B. F. Yoakum of New York, who conducted the negotiations for the Frisco stockholders. The total amount of actual loss, Yoakum thought, was about $7,500,000.

Yoakum, always actively connected with the Frisco lines, became a member of the various Rock Island boards of directors when the Frisco stock was acquired by the Ro Island. He said that while the control of the Frisco was iii the Rock Island, competition between the two lines did not cease. "Did you conduct the negotiations for the repurchase of the Frisco stock?" asked Folk. "Yes, I did." "What was the reason for the repurchase?" "Well, I believed in the Frisco, and believe In it yet. I dealt with D.

G. Reid, principally. We agreed on a price of $37.50 a share and my associa-ates and I bought We paid for it in rash'. Personally I took about 30,000 shares." "Did you get the actual stock when you paid your money?" asked Mr. Folk.

Yoakum Got the Real Stuff. "You bet I did," replied Yoakum. "I grot the real stuff. I was not a member of the Board of Directors of the Rock Island Co. of New Jersey when the loan of $7,500,000 was authorized.

The dissolution between the Rock Island and Frisco was entirely frlendly and It resulted, of course, in a dissolution of other common interests." Discussing the acquisition by the Rock Island of the Chicago Alton road. Yoakum said he participated in that purchase, acting as one of the directors of the Rock Island Railway. "I purchased much of the Alton that time been officially under French influence. Should Germany win a decisive victory in the war, it and the French colony of Algeria undoubtedly would become German possessions. It is also within the bounds of probability that Germany would elect to take all the possessions of the allies in Africa.

A glance at the map will show what this would mean to the Dark Continent. Inasmuch as Portugal, through her alliance with jlBfilll FRENCH VmtA JP ITALIAN tl jp- PORTUGESE. mm BEL61AN England, probably will be plunged In a few days into the great conflict now raging, it can be seen that it is pos sible, In the event of German victory. that all nations but Italy and Ger- Company, and of the Ne Jersey hold-; many will be swept out of Africa. Italy, too, may go, if she eventually should align herself against the Triple Alliance.

TAFTS RETURN TO CLOUDS TO LIFT TODAY; FAIR TOMORROW THE TEMPERATURES. 3 a. 55 10 a. K7 5 a. S2 11 a.

fin 7 a. 54 12 noon A 57 2 p. 65 WASHING ON FOR CONVICT KILLS GUARD AND FLEES, PURSUED BY POSSES i i 1 i ing company of the Rock Island, gave testimony tending to show that the board of directors practically was dominated by Daniel G. Reid. The witness said he knew personally very little concerning the financial operations of the several companies.

Asked about specific transactions including the Frisco deal and the payments of money to Directors Jackson and Cable, for which no explanation had been given, the witness said he could remember nothing about those matters. "I didn't have time to go into such details," said he. On cross-examination. Mr. McMurtry Continued on I'aae 2.

Column 6. THE DREADMAIK.HT ST LOUIS IS AFTtR THE SUBMARINE. HOWE. Menln. There Is relative quiet along the greater part of the front On our left wing there has been no change.

In the region of Ypres, on the right bank of the Lys, the troops have occupied Fleurbaix, as well as the immediate approaches to Armentleres. In the region of Arras and also In the vicinity of St. Mlhlel wo have continued to gain ground. The following official communication was issued last evening: On our left wing the action continues vigorously. Everywhere we have held our own.

At certain points we have gained ground, "and have occupied Laventie, at the east of Eastalres, in the direction of Lille. There Is no Important incident to mention on the other parts of the front, except an unsuccessful attack by the Germans In the region Malancourt, northwest of Verdun. Experts See No Chance of Turning the Allies. BOY, 14, FALLS 60 FEET AND IS KILLED INSTANTLY Fred Elliott, 14 years old, of 4310 North Grand avenue, was instantly killed at 1:30 p. m.

today when he fell 60 feet to the ground from the top of a new theater being at Grand and Florissant avenues, where he was playing with two com N'S WEDDING Fugitive From California Prison, Robert Taft Today Will Marry Miss Martha A. Bowers, Late Solicitor's Daughter. panions, Henry Schaffner of 3723 Lee avenue, and Frank Hesslock, of 4251 Gano avenue. Who Is Armed, Is Chased by Bloodhounds. Official forecast for St.

I.ouis and vicinity Clearing weather late this afternoon; fair tonight and tomorrow not much rhinxe in temperature. Missouri Generally fair tonight and row, preceded by unsettled weather in east portion. Illinois partly cloudy tonight and tomorrow probably showers in northeast portion this afternoon or tonight. FOLSOM. Oct.

17. Posses searched" the country surrounding Fol The brevity of the recent official communications is being commented on in Paris today and the fact that fighting has boen going on as usual som State Prison today for Frank Creeks.x who escaped last night in an outbreak which cost the lives of his cell Is making the people of the city ask if the present comparative sllcnra is not the lull precpding the storm. The joining of the barrier between the coast of Yprs to that of tha existing front has made it Impossible, in'the judgment of French military experts, to turn the allies. It will now be necessary for the Germans to attack the allies their front and it has been thought here that such an attempt would made between Ostend and Ghent The rainfall In the last 24 hours was 1.73 inches. Since the present rainy spell started the been 3.79 inches.

To challenge this argument, however. Is the fact that significant stock in my name through six or seven brokers, he said. "Other blocks of the stock were purchased In the names of W. D. Leeds and William H.

Moore. To gret a majority of about 200,000 shares of the railroad property Is a pretty good Job. We conducted It In the only way It could be cone ducted. Of course we had to keep the matter as quiet as possible." "Was not E. H.

Harriman in control of th Alton at that time?" asked Folk. "I think he was." "Mr. Harriman was In Europe then? suggested Folk. "Was that th reason you were quietly purchasing the property?" "Well," said Yoakum, smiling, "it was a propitious time to make the purchase. Mr.

Harriman happened to be In Europe and the Rock Island wanted control of the property and it simply did not wait for Mr. Harriman to return." Yoakum explained that he and -Messrs. Reid. Leeds and William 11. Jloore became members of the Alton board and also members of the Chicago Kastern Illinois board because all the properties were controlled by the name Interests.

Control of 4'oat Klrlila. The Rock Island purchased control -f the Deerlng Coal Co. and ot the 'ndiana Fuel Co. and perhaps some her coal companies, Yoakum explained, because it was regarded as (food policy to obtain control of what the largest fuel fields 'n the Mlil2e West. Several years later, tha witness further explained, it was re-g-ardt-d as equally good policy, oa account of the dissolution of the beveral railway interests to dispose of the Rock Island's Interests In tha coal companies.

"Do you consider governmental control of the issuance of railroad securities desirable?" asked Folk. That's a very broad replied Yoakum. "I think the Government must find some solution for it. I believe In the closest co-operation ttweea the Government' and ta developments antj said to be taking place near Lille. The strength of tba positions of the allies near Lille, In the face of repeated and unsuccessful attacks by the enemy, has given them great encouragement Col.

Roussct, the military critic, in hla review of the situation WASHINGTON. Oct. wedding today of Robert A. Taft, son of former President and Mrs. William Howard Taft, and Miss Martha A.

Bowers, daughter of the late Lloyd Bowers, Solicitor-General during part of the Taft administration, was of absorbing Inter-est to official and diplomatic society. The former President and Mrs. Taft arrived in Washington for the marriage, with Mr. and Mrs. Henry W.

Taft, Horace Taft, Miss Louis Taft, Charles P. Taft Ji. and Mrs. John Hays Hammond. The ceremony was to be performed at St.

John's Episcopal Church at noon. Rev. Roland Cotton Smith officiating. A license had been obtained by young Taft in person. The marriage today is the culmination of a romance dating back several years.

Miss Bowers and Miss Helen Taft became Intimate friends during the Taft administration. An attachment soon sprang up between the former and young Robert Taft and they were seen fre-iuently in each other's company. When the former President and Mrs. Taft itached their rooms at a leading hotel they found them filled with flowers from tho White House conservatories and personal friends. President Wilson aent American Beauty roses and chrysanthemums, with greetings to Mrs.

Taft. Mr. and Mrs. Taft will be In Washington until next Friday. declares It Is now too late for the Germans to envelop the Franco-British.

line on their left mate, Harold Flash, and J. B. Drury. a sergeant of the guard, and resulted in serious injury to two prison guards. Warden jonn Smith, in cnarge of the manhunt, is using bloodhounds, and as they" were put on a warm trail, it is believed the fugitive soon will be captured.

Creeks, if he can shake off the dogs, may be able to give his pursuers a difficult chase. He is armed, and it is thought that he will fight to the last Creeks, a life-termer, and Flash, who was serving a 20-year term for robbery, were the only prisoners concerned in the outbreak. They had obtained a knife, a dumbbell to be used as a bludgeon, and a piece of metal to unlock the door of their celL Gaining the yard, they crouched behind a door leading into the main corridor of the prison, and awaited the approach of Sergeant Drury and Uuard Kerr. When the two. bearing four weapons for the guards inside, entered, they left the outer door unlocked.

As the inner to, the convicts leaped upon them. Drury fell with three knife wounds in his head, and three in his body. Kerr was struck with the dumbbell, but he was able to stagger back through the outer door, and strive to Earthworks Able to Resist Assaults of 16-Inch Guns. Beat 'em All Again! On Friday of this week the POST-DISPATCH, for the 67th time this year, carried as much or more display advertising from the St. Louis merchants than all four of the other t-t.

Louis papers combined on the same day. Np other metropolitan newspaper in the United Statesso far outclasses all competition as does the POST-DISPATCH in its field. The Friday measurements were Post-Dispatch alone 93 columns All 4 of its competitors, Globe-Democrat, Iiepublic, Times and Star, combined 92 Columns That this remarkable' evidence of supremacy is 'not unusual, but is a regular weekly achievement, is shown by the fact that on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday ii this week the POST-DISPATCH carried 236 columns of the St. Louis merchants' advertising, while its three nearest competitors carried only 192 columns. The reason for this preference is obvious RESULTS.

St Louis' ONE BIG Newspaper. Average circulation first nine months 1914: Daily (except Sunday), 176.659 Sunday 313.575 rirst in Everything, "I see in the change of front opf-rated by the enmy." the Colon body of the Sergeant, the two convicts started for the outer yard. Kerr held the door until the muzzle of one of the guns was thrust into his stomach, and then retreated. The convicts rushed out. and immediately Kerr opened fire.

At the first shot Flash fell with a bullet through the back of his head. Almost at the same moment Guard Maher, stationed at one corner of the yard, emptied his gun at Creeks, who, however, had wounded the guard in the leg. Before another gtiard could interfere with his progress Creeks escaped. writes, "only an admission of Increasing embarrassment German etratrg is at the present lime a little disconcerting, and 1 believe that the rectors of this Btrategy are themselves completely disconcerted. Th have tried to force both our wing.

The engagements In the region Hoye and Lassigcy have partaken ofihe honiTlc. They have not pi cured for the Germans any benefit nor hare the combats -which fca Brother of Sir Edward Grey taken place on the other extremity of our front-Gen. Cherflls, discussing in an article published today torn tha mistakes made by the French and the Cetmans. says the forts of F-fcetma were considered indefensible and consequently disarmed and sbandosedi The Germans have now Installed themselves In these positions anl It Captured by Germans BERLIN. Oct.

17. Col. Grey, brother of Sir Edward Grey. British Secretary of Foreign Affairs, was made a prisoner close it. for a month the French have been held In check before these when the aeroplane on he was The keys, however, had fallen with the Sergeant, and the door could not be tortincations witnout neing able to drive tne enemy out.

"This comparison demands an Gen. Cherftl goe LOSE anything? FIND it by phoning your want to the Post-Dispatch. Your credit 1. good If you rent a phona, or Uava Uw ad with your druggist. locked.

Waiting but a moment to acting as observer was brought down by a well-directed shot mar Peronne, Franco. His aviator aiso was captured. oUh tae guns aad the keys rwa tl "la the first jplaca there la only a slight dUcreice beiatca tit tU.