Reading Times from Reading, Pennsylvania • Page 1

ASSOCIATED PRESS 'T The News Times receives full leased wire service in its editorial rooms. THE READING NEWS TIMES THE WEATHER Rain and warmer Monday; Tuesday fair and colder. V' VOL.8 No. 104 Timed Established 1858. News Established 11)12.

READING, PA. MONDAY MORNING, JANUARY 7, 1918 TWELVE PAGES 10 CENTS A WEEK PEACE PARLEYS ARE SUSPENDED BY THE GERMANS Not Treat With Russia on Neutral Soil Requested by Trotzky FEAR ALLIES' DIPLOMATS Reichstag Parties Support Government, But There is Much Unrest The peace negotiations between the Central Powers and the Bolshevik government in Russia have been "temporarily suspended" by the Germans. From the meagre advices the rock upon which a continuation of the pourparlers split was the demand of the Russians that the conference be resumed at Stockholm, instead cf at Brest Litovsk. Dissatisfied with the proposals of peace made by the teutonic allies before the recess of the Brest Litovsk conference, Leon the Bolshevik foreign mln ister, had been insistent on the de liberations being held on neutral soil instead of at the German eastern headquarters. The Germans, how ever, had been equally as firm in their determination not to treat with the Russians at any other place than Brest Litovsk.

German advices Saturday were to the effect that the Bolshevik delegates on finding that the representatives of the teutonic allies were at Brest Litovsk awaiting them had started for this town, but nothing has come through to show that these had any foundation of the fact. The decision of the Germans to discontinue the sittings was arrived at during a crown council held in Berlin Saturday, which was attended by Field Marshal von Hindenburg and General von Ludendorff, first quartermaster here. Fear the Allies. A belated dispatch from Berlin gives as the reason for the Germans not to consider Stockholm a place where peace might be advantageously discussed the fear that British, French and American diplomats in the Swedish capital would by intrigue vender all endeavors futile. Dispatches from Berlin indicate that although the Reichstag parties in the main are supporting the government, considerable political unrest is prevalent and strong efforts are being made to hold the Socialists in line.

The Socialist organ in Berlin characterizes the situation as extraordinarily serious. Although the weather continues cold and much snow lies on the ground in northern France, there has been considerable activity by the infantry in the Arras sector in Flanders and on the eastern part of the front along the Moselle River. Near Bullecourt the British have recaptured in a counter attack the sap taken from them Saturday by the Germans. There were intermittent artillery duels Sunday along the entire battle front. In the Italian theatre the big guns Df both sides are hammering away at opposing positions in the niiiis and on the lower reaches of the Piave Kiver.

Several attempts by the Austro Germans to make headway 'vith sir all detachments between the Brenta and the Piave rivers were repulsed. ELABORATE PLANS TO CARK MOR INVALID SOLDI KRS WITH THE AMERICAN ARMY IN FRANCE, Jan. 6, (By The Associated Press). Elaborate plans for the care of American sick, wounded and blind soldiers were announced today by Surgeon General Bradley. These plans contemplate ample hospital room for every soldier requiring attention.

In addition 15 complete hospital trains have been ordered in England and two in France and more will be ordered later. The largest drug order ever made in England has just been placed by the American expeditionary forces. Everything possible is being purchased in Europe in order to save cargo space. Of the present deaths among the American forces nearly 50 per cent, are due to pneumonia or to other affections of the respiratory tract Laid a Wreath On Tomb of Washington Head of Serbian War Mission Pays Tribute to the Patriarch of Liberty WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.

In the presence of a gathering representative of official Washington, Dr. Milenko Vesnitch, head of the Serbian war mission to the United States, laid a wreath upon the tomb of Washington at Mount Vernon today with a tribute to the patriarch af liberty from "A Small and Hardly Known Nation." Secretary Lansing, who introduced Dr. Vesnitch, said the record of Serbia cballeneged the admiration of Christendom, and that the cause of the present war is the cause for which Washington fought. THE WEATHER Was the Slippery Kind That Was Only Good for Skating LJ EADING took on a new aspect last night shortly after tne rain started. For those on foot it was quite serious, too, for walking becam ealmost an impossibility skates were in order.

The city was a sheet of ice from end to end. In fact, shortly before midnight four men did skate down Penn street to the astonishment and envy of those struggling to get to the street car tracks to wait for the next car. However, the weatherman says it is going to be warmer today, so the Ice King will have a short reign, thank goodness. But the rain well that is scheduled stick around a while and clean up the snow left from the last snow storm because City Hall officials could not agree as to whoso job it was to clear it away. WlKlATttraR RIJllEAIT OFFICE lieauinfj.

January 6. 1018 8 A.M. la Noon. 8 P.M. nnrometer 1B.5 .4 Temperature 1J? 27 30 Humidity NT 62 00 Direct Ion wind NW SW SG Velocity wind.

Unlit IJnht Light Weather Clear Cloudy Lt. rain JliKhesit temperature, 30, at 5.00 p. m. Ixwest tenvneral lire. IK, at 4.10 a.

m. Avei HKe temiiwra Lure, illi, which is 7 de crees below normal. Same date last year: Highest, 43; lowest, 33: woHther dear. Highest and lowest temperatures for this i04D8, m5' antl deST6eS Dorinienoy in temperature since January 1st, lo7 degrees. Precipitation for 24 hours ending 8 P.

0, mhk is .11 inch below normal. TJeflcierwy In precipitation since January isi, incii. Washington Forecast Eastern Pennsylvania: and warmer Monday, colder at night; Tuesday fair and colder. 4 STANDING OF P. R.

CREWS fTie Btandlmr of th V. R. crws after R.no o'clock his morning follows: l8, 76, 11. ft.1 70. .18.

Enginenion Shearer, Disslnger, Snyder, Haas and Faka. Firemen High, Croelsch, Dietrich, Moll, ITuyett, Gift, Omer. Hennansnader, Kulp, Maurer. Rrakomen Wentzel, Naus. Orlmes, Hatt, Bender.

MoCorokle, Yoder, Williams. INDEX TO THE NEWS PACK OXE Three, hurt In coasting mishap. Peace parleys are suspended by the Gflrmans. PAGE TWO Active aviators prevent raids. Mav take over meat Industry.

PAGE THREE General news. PAGE FOUR Editorial. Voice of the press. Pheatrioal snide. PAGE FIVE Woman's page.

News Times ferial. PAGE SIX Theatrlral reviews. PAGE SEVEN Theatrlral reviews. PAGE EIGHT Theatrical reviews. PAGE XI XE Sports.

PAGE TEX Classified advertistngr. Ooinvtv new. PAG ELEVEN Traffic is more free. Allies forced to overthrow Teutons. John Wanamiaker advertising.

LAST PAGE General news. RCMB PLACED TO DESTROY BIG VIADUCT TBT SPECIAL, LBASBD TVIRB BINGHAMTON, X. Jan. The big Starrucca viaduct of the Erie Railroad came within four inches of being blown up early today. The fact lhat a bomb, ptecd at the end of the structure, did not explode, was all that saved the mamrnct hstructure.

cue of the largest viaducts in the world. 7delbert Ople, the day watchman, discovered the bjmb embedded in the lose stones at the westerly end. His attention was attracted by the glint of tin reflected by the sun. Upon picking up the bomb he found that the fuse attached to it had been "light ed but had gono out with but four inches remaining. 1 A PRO GERMAX "RELIEVED." fBY SPECIAL.

LElASED WIRE CLEVELAND, Jan. 6. Dr. Ar thur L. Bresiich, president of Bald win Wallace College, Berea, has been "relieved of all relation to tbe institution" by a committee Which investigated charges of pro German activities on the part of members of the faculty, under the direction of Bishop William F.

McDowell, presi dent of the board of education of the Methodist Episcopal Church. WRECKED BY TORNADO. fur SPKCIAL. LEASED WIRE LEKSVILLE. Jan.

6. Investigation today showed that ten per sons were injured slightly, twenty buildings destroyed and forty more damaged by the tornado which last night swept Leesville, and Vienna, a village near here. "With God's help we will triumph even as he triumphed," said the sec from tyranny and injustice, so shall retary. "As America was made free" the world be made free trom the sinister forces which threaten the freedom and prosperity." PASSED AS AX OFFICER. BOSTON, Jan.

6. Stable Sergeant John of Troop 18th United States Cavalry, charged with desertion and posing as a commissioned officer, was arrested tonight by tbe police in a house in the Dorchester district. in th THIS WILL BE A BUSY DAY IN POLITICS City and County Officers Take the Oath and Then Get Busy PRISON AROUSES INTEREST Friends of Warden Schwartz Confident He Will be Re elected This lg the day politicians havo been looking forward to with con siderable interest. Today Reading's new councilmen go. into office and with them theif appointees to the various city offices.

At the jail the new prison inspectors take their seats and will fight out the various appointments including either the re election of Warden Schwartz I or tne naming of his successor. At I I oun uouse tne new county om a v.v.1 biiu uluu aoaiaiauut will Ju Hliu power and the poor directors will re organize for the coming year. These who go into office today are the following: City Council Peter S. Holl, Jacob H. McConnell, B.

Frank Ruth and John K. Stauffer. These will carry with them into office the following appointed off! cials: John A. Merkel, city treasurer; Wellington M. Bertolett, city solici tor; James M.

Cummings, city asses sor; Dr. Charles Roland, city health officer, and Charles Marks, city clerk Edward Yeager, city treasurer, will become chief clerk in the Bu reau of Revenue Control, and Jo seph R. Dickinson, retiring city so hcitor, will resume his private prac tice. The Court TToue At the County Court House these new officers will take their seats. William G.

Hintz as prothonotary, and Jacob R. Meek as recorder of deeds. Both have announced their appointments, Mr. Hintz having named Francis S. Steffenberg as his clerk, while in the recorder's office Charles W.

Swoyer and Henry F. Kemp will' be, the deputies. George C. Herman will assume his duties as deputy county controller, vice Mr. Merkel who takes over the office of city treasurer.

At the Prison The biggest tangle is at the county prison. Three new prison inspectors go into office and the nine inspectors have been unable to get together in a caucus over the appointments. The keenest fight will be for warden. The prosecution of Warden Schwartz on a charge of selling dope is regarded by friends as a political move to dls credit him. As the matters stand followers of Berks county politics believe he will be re appointed.

Jf Schwartz is re appointed it is believed there will be a number of changes in the prison staff, if he is defeated there will be some changes but not so many. The Almshouse At the almshouse there will be very few changes, it is believed. Harvey M. Grill, steward, will sue ceed himself. The new hospital steward will be A.

G. Schadel and his wife will become matron. At City Hall there will be a num ber of minor changes in the various departments but the general organization of the city departments will not be disturbed as the new council men do not feel they owe allegiance to either of the political parties. The old council will hold its last meeting at 9 o'clock called for the purpose of clearing up the Nicoll street property purchase. Following the session the new members will take the oath of office administered by the mayor.

They will then go info session and confirm the appoint ments. SUNDAY NIGHT WAS LIGHTLESS All Unnecessary lllumination of Business Places Dispensed With Sunday night was Reading's first real lightlcss night. Not a single Penn street store stepped over the bounds of the fuel administrator's orders to keep dark all lights unless the buiness places were actually open for business even then outside lights were to be kept dark. Heretofore, many merchants had their windows illuminated. Last week several theatre managers were called in and notified that theatres were no exception to tbe "lightless" order for Sunday and Thursday nights.

Some of the theatres had their places brilliantly illuminated. City police are assisting the fuel administrator to enforce the order now. The police have orders to report any business place that disobeys the order. A offense will result the offender "being given a severe lecture on his lack of patriotism, and second will result in a penalty being inflicted. a to of of a to a in THESE THIEVES WERE OUT FOR VALUABLE STUFF Loading a Block Sled With Coal When Interrupted By An Officer IT IS NOW AT CITY HALL In these days of coalless coal bins and out of sight prices for' the in dispensable anthracite, thieves are spurning mere money and Jewelry and other such booty which ordinarily is the object of their misdirected skill and have turned their attention to the stealing of "black diamonds' instead of the white ones.

Early Sunday morning, when Po lice Sergeant Ollie Britton was making his rounds in the extreme north eastern section of the city, he noticed huge sleigh drawn up alongside a car of coal on the Fair Ground siding at Eleventh and Bern streets. A moment later two men Jumped from the car and disappeared in the drection of the Muhlenberg brewery. Britton gave chase but the fleeing figures eluded him in the darkness. Returning to the coal car, he found the sleigh half filled with coal. Sum moning the police patrol, the sleigh was towed to City Hall after the coal was replaced in the car.

So far as is known this is the first attempt, at least on a large scale, that has been made to steal coal since the shortage was first felt. The sleigh could not be identified. i The police believe that the men who were pilfering the coal were do ing so to sell it and not because they wanted to use it in their own homes. Although it was a large sleigh, there wa no horse attached. It had apparently dragged there by the men themselves.

It is largo enough hold mor than a ton of coal. KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS REMIT INSURANCE PREMIUMS 1iX SPECIAL LEASED W1HE NI4W YORK, Jan. 6. The board directors of the Supreme Council the Knights of Columbus began two days conference nere today consider the general war activi ties or the order. Tne belated arrival of a half dozen supreme directors from the West made necessary long night session.

Directors from various parts of the country presented assurances that nearly 10,000,000 will be raised this country by the Knights of Columbus for the war activities of the order in France. The insurance board of the order today decided that members holding insurance April 6, 1917, when war was declared, and who are in the ormy or navy services shall not pay any additional premiums on their policies. A New Deal Today fi'Js31 ill ICx' 3 K. OF F. WILL UNFURL SERVICE FLAG THIS EVENING This evening Reading Chamber, No.

26, Knights of Friendship, will unfurl a service flag in honor of I enlisted members. The exercises will take place in Red Men's Hall. The program will be as follows: "America," audience, John R.Stoudt, leader; invocation, Rev. Vm. B.

Burk; piano solo, recitation, ffm, Wanner; vocal solo, Elmer Matz; recitation, "The Old Flag," Victor Rohrer; unveiling of service flag, John W. Arndt; "Star Spangled Banner," audience; address, Harvey F. Heinly; piano solo, Wm. Spatz; recitation, Wm. Wanner; violin solo.

Grant Rohrer, recitation, Violet and Carrie Bitterman; address, "The O. K. a member; installation, District Deputy and staff; benediction, Rev. Wm. B.

Burk. NO DELAYS IN NEW SCHEDULES Passenger Trains on Schuylkill Division Arrived and De parted on Time Many changes in the schedules of i i l. t. i. I passenger trains on me DcnuyiKin; division of the Pennsylvania Rail road went into eff.vt Sunday.

In spite of heavy movemenis of freight flnrl rna traina all naocannfi. trains were on time and the traveling public foiyid that the new schedul3 was observed almost to the minute. The first Sunday train was the express which formerly left for Wilkes Barre at 10.50 a. now pulls out at 10.37. The afternoon express for Wilkes Barre left at 6.03 p.

having formerly pulled out at 5.45. The Pottsville accommodation train which used to leave Philadelphia on Sundays at 8.33 p. arriving here at 10.20 p. yesterday left Philadelphia at 8.55 and got here at 10.38. The Reading train that under the old schedule left Philadelphia at 10.34 p.

and due here at 12.10, now leaves Philadelphia on Sundays at 10.40 and arrives here at 1.35. The train dispatcher was pleased with the facility with which the new schedule was inaugurated and believes that the change in tho schedule of the weekday trains, ef fectve today for the first time, will run just as smoothly. DAILY MOTOR TRUCK TRAINS TBY SPECIAL, LEASED WIRE WASHINGTON, Jan. 6. As the result of a successful trial run by an army motor truck train from Detroit to the Atlantic seaboard the quartermaster's department decided tonight to start similar trains from Detroit every day for six weeks, beginning Jan.

10. In this way, the department hopes to aid in relieving railroad congestion by transporting army supplies overland and at the same time eliminating the necessity of shipping the trucks to the seaboaid in freight cars. I Y.M. C.A.HALL TAXED TO ITS FULL CAPACITY Secretary Edwards Depicts the Poison of the German Propaganda MESSAGE NEEDS BE SPOKEN The service at the Y. M.

C. A. on Sunday afternoon had a crowd that taxed the capacity of Y. M. C.

A. Hall. Secretary Edwards was the speaker and he had for his subject "The Trail of the Serpent and the Poison of Its It was an address that showed the sharpness ol its sting and that bit like an acid. It. was more than that, it was an open challenge to every man to label himself, voluntary, as to where he stood.

The applause at the close of the address, which lasted over an hour, showed that the speaker had his audience him. In speaking cf the different p'its that have been presented, front 3uti ..1 i do not want to be understood that I am speaking simply to be contentious. I am foolish enough to believe I have a message that needs to be spoken In these days of tribula on. and that the man who has specific knowledge of dastardly deeds and holds his peace is truckling to the enen what I have both seen and heard it is difficult for me to keep quiet. After the German Who Is for the Kaiser "May I repeat, we have no quarrel except with the German who stands for what the Kaiser stands, who stands for the crimes for which the German government is convicted.

We (Turn to Last Page. Column Three) The Hammel Stern Wedding On Sunday Nuptials Solemnized at Home of Bride by Rabbi Julius Frank The Attendants A pretty home wedding was solemnized Sunday afternoon at 5 o'clock when Anna. I. Hammel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Herman Hammel was united in wedlock to Harry Stern. The eeremoiy was performed at the home of the bride by Rabbi Julius Frank. Carrie Stern, arsister of the bridegroom, was the maid of honor. Emmanuel Hammel was Mr. Stern's best man.

Bertha Hammel, a sister of the bride was the bridesmaid. The ceremony was witnessed by relatives of the bride and groom ICE MEN IN THE MIDST OF HARVEST The Angelica ice dams at Millmont are now frozen to a depth of 17 inches and cutting operations con tinued all day Sunday, making the 10th continuous day that the harvest has been In progress. C. Q. Guldin president of the Reading Cold Stor age Ice stated that more than 15,000 tons of good, solid ice has been removed from Dam No.

1 since the work commenced. There were 92 men on the job Sunday. The ice is cut by horse drawn plows, after two inches of slush ice is planned off the surface. This makes the cakes of ice 15 inches in thickness and of splendid quality. READING BOYS HAVE REUNION ON OTHER SIDE Fellow Workers Here When They Enlisted With Uncle Sam ONE HAS BEEN PROMOTED "So lonsr until we meet on the other side," were the parting re marks of I.

Ben Rettgers, 1041 Elm street, and Walter L. Rhoads, 1260 Spruce street, employes of the News Times and Telegram press room when they bade each other good by last May after enlisting to fight the kaiser. Little did the young pa triots realize at that time when they would meet "over there." A letter has just been received by Raymond L. Wheeler, another News Times and Telegram press room employe, from Rhoads stating that he had run across Rettgers and Frank Reifsnyder, another Reading lad who went away with Co. I.

The letter was sent from England the early part of December. Part of it follows: "Christmas greetings from the fel lows over hero. I had a big surprise the other day when I met Ben Rettgers and Frank Reifsnyder. It sure was a happy reunion. We are all in good health and enjoyed the trip across the pond." The third employe of the News Times and Telegram press room who is with the American forces in France is John Stanley Schantz.

Schantz with Rhoads, Clarence Wheeler and Charles Kerner, a quartet, of lads who were compan Ions for years, enlisted together. When the four lads reached Colum bus they were separated. The first one to go abroad was Schantz, who was sent across six weeks after en listing. He was in an infantry com pany when he left this country but has been promoted to the field signal service. Kerner followed Schantz to France as a member of an engineer corps.

Recruiting officers at the Co lumbus barracks said that Kerner was the smallest man in the United States army and he is barely over the five foot mark. The only one of the four who is still in this country is Clarence Wheeler, now stationed at North Carolina. Wheeler has Just been made a corporal. CHURCHES CURTAIL THEIR SERVICES Co Operating With Fuel Admin' istrator in the Conservation of Coal The churches of the city is cooperating with the government in the saving of coal by dispensing with the major parts of their services during the coming week. Many were unable to hold their full services Sunday, and as a result continued the church service after Sunday school and called it a day.

While many of the churches will hold no services of any kind this week others are arranging to hold theirs at the homes of members. At Christ Evangelical Church instead of four prayer meetings this week but one will be held. At the Windsor Street Methodist Church there will be no week services at all. Immannel Evangelical At the Sunday school of the Im manuel Evangelical Church officers (Turn to Page Eight. Column Three) and a few intimat friends.

Miss Hammel was given in marriage by her father, She was becomingly gowned in white satin. The maid of honor wore pink georgette crepe and the bridesmaid gold lace. Immediately after the ceremony there was a reception. On Monday Mr. and Mrs.

Stern will leave on a brief wedding trip. Mr. Stern is a son of Charles Stern, of 'Woodside, L. and was formerly employed by the Mohican Co. He has Just bought out the business of Joseph Maier, Front and Oley streets.

For a number of (Turn to Last i'agt. Column One) THREE HURT IN COASTING MISHAP ON PERRY STREET One Has Leg Broken, Anothei Both Arms at the Wrist CRASHED INTO TROLLEY CAfc Hill is a Dangerous One or. Which Coasting is Prohibited Taking advantage of the abBcnco of the patrolman on the beat who had ordered them to stop coasting, three boys Sunday noon speeded down Perry street on their tiller ami crashed into a street car at Eleventh and Perry streets. Two of the boys are now in the Homeopathic Hospitalone with a broken Iac tv other with both arras broken at. tho wrist and the third was allowed to go to this horn after having a deep scalp wound dressed.

Coasting on the hill has been for. bidden everv year, but desnit tho activities of the police several coast ing parties have been held there this year. The injured boys are: Earl Wahl 12 years. 1408 Xm th Tenth street, compound fracture of rignt leg. Leroy Warl.

IB vea.rs. 10(19 Pil street, fracture of both arms at the wrist. Adam Miller. 15 vears. 132 Nnrtv Jinth street, laceration of scalp.

The tiller with the three lads mt coasting down Perry street, having started at Twelfth street when a boy on watch at Eleventh had given the signal that the coast was clear. The boy on watch did not see the street car coming south on Eleventh street until too late to stop the speeding tiller. It was believed the car would stop at Perry street and a pedestrian ran to the corner to flag it. The street however wan nr on a regular run but. was being sent from the barn to take the place of disabled Birdsboro car at Second and Penn streets.

It was makintr no stops to take up passengers, but was not running, according to pedestrians, at a high rate of speed. Disregarded Signal Chester B. Griesemer. motormfir in Charge of the car. stated ho.

lieved the man who tried to stop him wanted to board the car and did not (Turn to Last Page, Column One) 83 CARS OF COAL REACH READING Receipts During Past 48 Hour Will Afford Much Needed Relief For the first time in weeks, traffic on air the railroad lines converging in Reading was handled with smoothness and expedition on Sunday. As a result 44 cars of coal consigned tn local dealers arrived in the Eighth street yards of the P. R. before midnight and 20 more cars for Reading industries reached the city eaiSj this morning. This encouraging improvement ir traffic conditions is due to the rising temperature and the already felt ef fect of the curtailment of passengei service.

However, the rain which set in last night has again crippled to a certain extent the transportation system; rails, block signals, being covered with a film of ice. The cars arriving last night wer Consigned as follows: H. I. Snyder W. P.

Snyder. H. L. Leininger, People's Coal Ice J. Strunk, H.

Goss Son, G. Miller, M. A. Kohler, 1, J. Handel.

H. G. Landis, J. F. Dressier, E.

E. Moore, A. Yocum, C. II Fisher, E. J.

Rhoads, J. Mountz, R. P.AVally, B. Y. Landis, Fehr O'Rourke, W.

H. Hendricks, Loy Leibold, (Turn to Last Fafie, Column Two) UNABLE TO ACCEPT CALLO OLD TRINITY Formal announcement was made following a meeting of the vestry that Rev. Dr. C. J.

Smith has declined the call extended him by Trinity Lutheran Church, and that Rev. Dr. C. C. Boyer, of the Keystone State Normal School, will continue as temporary pastor.

Rev. Dr. Smith is pastor of Holy Trinity Church in New York City, and is one of the leading divines in the Lutheran denomination. The vestry and the congregation of the ocal church feel keenly disappointed in failing to obtain sucli an able man to take the place of Rev. Dr.

Nathan R. Melhorn, the resigned pastor. However, Rev. Dr. Smith's letter declining the invitation received by tbe vestry last week, states that it was only after mature that he made his decision.

He feels that his services work more good in his present field, lie warmly thanks the vestry and tbe congregation for honoring him with the call. Rev. Dr. Boyer occupied the pulpit at both services Sunday and was greeted by large audiences. The at tendance at tbe Sunday school session was unusually large..