The Daily Transcript (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 5, No. 208, Ed. 1 Friday, February 8, 1918 Page: 1 of 4
four pages : ill. ; page 20 x 16 in. Digitized from 35 mm. microfilm.View a full description of this newspaper.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
OKLAHOMA CITY
HlalOui SOC1STH
the Daily Transcript
VOLUME V.
Carrying the Full United Press Telegraphic Report.
NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, 1- RIDAY, FEBRUARY 8, 1918.
NUMBER 208.
Ex-President Theodore Roosevelt Very III—Visitors Barred
GERMAN SPIES MAY A BAD DAY'S WORK
HAVE GIVEN NEWS FOR GERMANY
By ED L. KEEN,
(United Press Staff Correspondent)
London, Feb. 8.—That Germany
had information of the coming of the
transport Tuscania and other vessels
with important personages aboard,
was the belief expressed today by
passengers on sh!ps which accom-
panied the torpedoed ship.
A distinguished personage from an-
other ship, who witnessed the attac!c,
said three torpedoes were fired at hi.s
own vessel later Tuesday night. He
declared his belief that the U-boat
commander was acting upon informa-
tion obtained through the German spy
system.
Scores of British naval and fish-
ing craft continued their search today
for bodies of the victims. They were
aided by the coast patrol, which
searched the bays and inlets of the
Irish and Scottish shores in that vi-
cinity. Hope of finding other surviv-
ors has been practically abandoned.
The admirality is making a careful
check of the casualties and survivors,
but so far has not deveiated from the
figures announced yesterday—210
probably lost and 2,187 rescued. The
missing, according to the admirality's
figures, included probably 145 Amer-
ican soldiers.
Circumstantial stories told by Brit-
ish naval officers today indicated that
at least one German submarine prob-
ably was destroyed during the attack.
One of the rescuing destroyers, it
was reported, wirelessed "torpedo
just nn'ssed me," and gave the di-
rection from which it was fired.
Another destroyer, speeding to the
spot, dropped a depth charge. The
U-boat is believed to have been sunk.
No further trace was found of her,
although destroyers searched in that
vicinity for a long time.
This account was corroborated by
other naval officers and passengers
from other ships.
Practically all accounts agreed that
two torpedoes were fired at the Tus-
cania, one passing close under her
stern. From the number of torpedoes
fired and the varying directions from
which they came, it would appear
there may have been a fleet of sub-
mersibles engaged in the attack.
The plan of mobilizing a number of
U-boats to make a sinking certain
was instituted with the sinking of the
usitania, and has been followed in a
number of instances when the quarry
was regarded as particularly import-
ant.
Tales of the bravery of soldiers and
legion today. One of the most vivid
cancerns a woman —an unnamed
stewardess of the transport.
The life boat in which she was
crowded when it pulled away from the
steamer. Despite this, several others
who were swimming about in the icy
waters were pulled aboard.
With the little craft crowded to
capacity, another soldier swam along-
side. There was no room for him. He
was too exhausted and numb from the
cold to cling to gunwale unaided.
The stewardess leaned far over the
side of the risk of falling overboard
and clutched his hand. In this strained
position she held the soldier's head
above the water for half an -hour.
When they were picked up it was
discovered that she was clutching the
hand of a corpse.
A medical officer from the Tuscan-
ia declared most of the deaths occur-
red among the men who jumped over-
board when she was first struck.
The transport began to list im-
mediately, he said, and there was no
way of picking them up until the life-
boats were lowered. By that time
many of them had succumbed to ex-
posure.
There were 2177 military passen-
gers on the Tuscania, consisting of
officers, men and crew and passengers,
two civilian passengers, according to
a revised list today. Confusion in of-
ficial cables from London is admitted.
To allay apprehension of those hav-
ing relatives with the 107th regiment
of engineers, incorrectly reported as
being aboard the Tuscania, the com-
mittee on public information announc-
ed that it was the 107th engineei
train of the 32nd division which was
aboard.
By V nited tless.
London, Feb. 8.—"Remember the
Tuscania." will be an irresistible call
to the colors and battle cry of victory
for the Americans in the war. London
newspapers declare today.
All editorial comment sympathized
with America over the Tuscania dead
and demanded most strenuous meas I
ires for speeding up the fight against
the U-boats. Increased shipbuilding j
was urged. Newspapers proclaimed i
the confidence of the allies that the
submarine problem can be conquered.
"The U-boat which sank the Tub- i
cania did a bad day's work for tier-.
many," said the Express. "America's
mind was in the war before. Now her
soul is enlisted against the kaisei.
Remember the Tuscania will be an
irresistable call to the colors and
battle cry."
The Telegraph declared it was not
believed that the enemy's undersea
offensive against the essential line
of communications between the Unit-
ed States and the front would meet'
with a cumulative success, "but we
must be prepared, perhaps, for a ,
long period of ups and downs and
conflicts. This has become a war of
transport—particularly sea transport"
"Statesmen who are inclined to be
optimistic over the submarine cam-
paign should keep their lips closed,"
warned the Chronicle. "A bad week
follows every such statement.''
Private advices declare that Colonel Roosevelt is ex-
tremely ill and grave fears for his recovery are entertained.
There was a report this morning that he was dead. His
condition is undoubtedly very criticaj.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
THURSDAY, FEB, 14
] At present Colonel Roosevelt is very,
very far from being a dead man."
( Something Like One Hundred and
Sixty Registrants of Class 1A Call-
ed to Norman on That Date—Ex-
amination Will He Held at Oklaho-
ma State Hospital—New Rules Less
Stringent.
COL. ROOSEVELT Nl
CRITICAL CONDITION
By United Press.
New York, Feb. 8.—Physicians
were hopeful today that a further
operation would not be necessary on
Theodore Roosevelt. They expected to
i-each a decision today.
Messages of sympathy and best
wishes are pouring in from all sec- I House down to a colored messenger
tions. ! who used to know him, was deeply 1 ably be found eligible.
Mrs. Roosevelt is remaining close 1 coacerned today about the condition! Men with an firm or foot missing
by. ! ot Roosevelt. ! and with other defects will be assign-
At the Roosevelt hospital it was | The United Press offices were | ed to a class for special or limited ser-
said the colonel passed a comfortable ! bombarded with phone mesages and \ ice, according to the local board's in-
night. j personal calls about Roosevelt's con- j terpretation of the new regulations.
Infection in Roosevelt's left ear is dition. The White House asked to be They will he accepted for service as
reported spreading and threatening j informed. Secretary Lansing sent in- J motor mechanics, clerks, cooks and
to develop into either Mastoiditis or \ quiries as also did Secretary Daniels | bakers. The following appears in the
new rules:
"Refer to the medical advisory
A missing arm or foot will not ex-
Among those who called at the hos- cmpt a man from the national army
j pital, but were unable to see the Col- j under the new rules for physical ex-
onel, were Oscar Strauss of the Public j animations. Careful study of the new
Service Commission, Admiral Albert regulations by the local draft board
Cleaves, captain of the Mayflower disclosed this and other liberal varia-
during the Roosevelt administration, tions from the original rules. The
and George B. Curteleau, private sec new rules will necessitate regrading
retary for Roosevelt. ,,f all registrants rejected in the orig-
Official Washington from the White inal examinations, and quite a few
rejected at that examination will prob-
BULLETIN
By I nited I'ress.
London, Feb. 8.—Arab force-
under command of the Shiek of
Mecca, have completely defeated
a Turkish army operating south-
east of the Dead Sea, official dis-
patches received today state.
In a sanguinary battle whim
began January 30, the Arab
tribesmen virtually annihilated
(he entire Turkish forces, cap-
turing .100 prisoners, including
the Turkish commander in chief
and his staff, the report states.
The Turkish loss in killed alone
exceeded 100. Eighteen machine
guns, two mountain guns and a
large amount of booty fell into
the hands of the Arabs.
meningitis. His condition would be j and Baker.
serious, physicians said, if the case ! The Republican national committee
should take such a turn for the worse, 'and many friends sought information
Twenty-four hours, they believe, ( of the colonel's progress.
should tell the tale.
Some Good Sales
The Giles-Weir Investment Com-
pany report the following sales:
The north half of the southwest
quarter of section 2, township 7, north
of range 3 west, McClain county to
J. G. Smith, being one of E. E. Holmes'
farms, price $2,400.
The south half of the northwest
quarter of section2, township 7, north
of range 3 west, McClain county, one
of the E. E. Holmes farms, to J. J.
Lewis—purchase price being $1,800.
The southeast quarter of section 19,
township 9, north of range 3 west,
Cleveland county, to J. H. Johnston of
Oklahoma City, being a part of the
Hi Downing farms—purchase price
$3,250. Mr. Johnston owns the Glantz
half section near this, and expects to
make it one of the finest stock farms
in Oklahoma.
The south half of the northwest
quarter of section 15, township 9,
north of range 4 west, McClain coun-
ty, Oklahoma, to O. J. Tebow—pur-
chase price $5,200. Mr. Tebow re-
| cently purchase the Dr. Griffin farm,
j and this purchase gives him the half
section of land in one body.
i The east half of the northwest
j quarter of section 7, township 8,
j north of range 2 west, of Cleveland
| county, to D. E. Rogers of Oklahoma
j City, purchase price being $7,500.
The Scott Symcox property on West
Gray street in Norman, to M. McCul-
lough—purchase price $1,550.
Following circulation of irrespon-
sible rumors regarding Colonel Roos-
evelt's condition, the Superintendent
nf the Roosevelt Hospital issued the
following statement at 11 a. m.:
"Every report coming from Colonel
Roosevelt's room, and they are coming
every few minutes, says that he is
anything but dead, and is improving.
However, if another abscess sV wild
form, it might be a different story.
Dr. Grimshaw gave out the follow-
ing bulletin at 9:30 this morning, re-
garding Colonel Roosevelt's condition:
"Dr. Martin and Dr. Duel saw Col.
Roosevelt at 8 o'clock this morning.
He has had a very satisfactory night;
he slept about six hours. He will be
able to take nourishment at regular
intervals today. His temperature and rejection of registrants possessed of
pulse are normal. j one ani) ]8g The general health
Dr. Grimshaw is superintendent of an,i qualifications of these men will
board all registrants with one
good arm and one good lower ex-
tremity and all other doubtful
cases. Accept all registrants who
have no loss of function of both
upper and lower extremities and
have no restriction of joint func-
tion. Reject no foot cases."
As in all other cases, the medical
advisory board will, of course, exer-
cise discretion as to the acceptance or
Roosevelt hospital.
BULLETIN
By I ntlcii Press.
Washington^ Feb. 8.—Uncon-
firmed dispatch to the state de-
partment from Stockholm, dated
February 7, received today, says
all allied embassies and diplo-
matic representatives have been
expelled from Russia and are
enroute to Sweden.
The state department said the
last word from U. S. Ambassa-
dor Francis was a dispatch dated
February 2.
Our Boys in France
By J. W. PEGLER,
—New silk dresses at "Morrison's"
They are beauties and the prices are
right.
(United Press Staff Correspondent)
! With the American army in France,
! Feb. 7.— (Delayed)— German shells
today were attempting to seek out
I the perfectly camouflaged American
I heavy guns. This afternoon the ene-
my's heaviest guns monotonously and
persistently sent their big projectiles
where they believed the American
guns were hidden.
Trench land was more quiet than
usual today. Occasionally there were
outbursts of machine gunning. A few
German pineapple bombs landed in
the wire entanglements, without dam-
I age to the Sammies. Taking advan-
j tage of the clear, windy day, the
j Sammies hung out their rain soaked
| clothing to dry wherever concealment
was afforded.
i Working parties accomplished a
great improvement in the drainage
of the American sector. This relieved
the near flood situation resulting
from yesterday's light rain.
Nightly patrols completely police
the No Man's Land for the width of
the sector. One patrol returned from
a Boche parapet brought in a mauser
rifle, evidently left while the enemy
sentry crawled off for a snooze.
—Subscribe for the Transcript.
—Mrs. W. N. Rucker is reported
quite sick, with bad cold verging on
pneumonia. Her numerous friends
trust she may soon recover.
Prof. J. B. Crabbe
Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Belt are in re-
ceipt of an interesting clipping from
a York, Nebr., paper giving an ac-
count of the re-election of their son-
in-law, Prof. Jas. B. Crabbe, to the
superintendency of the schools of that
city for a term of three years at
$2,760 per year. The paper congratu-
lates the board on its action, sayi.ig
Mr. Crabbe is recognized as one of
the best school men in the west, and
has so conducted the schools of York
during the past year as to give evi-
dence of strong ability. The paper
boasts that York has the best schools
in Nebraska, with fine new school
buildings of modern architecture and
splendid furnishings.
BOLSHEVIKI SUPREME
By United I'ress.
Petrograd, Feb. 2.—(Delayed)—
That the Bolsheviki government is
permanent was the interpretation
placed today upon the formation of a
pan Soviet of 300 members. It u^
eludes 160 Bolsheviki, 125 Revolution-
aries of the Right.
Included among the latter is Tecli-
noff, president of the late constituent
assembly. Tis acceptance of a seat
in the new central governing body of
Russia created the greatest sensation.
All factions accepted it as meaning
that the saoa: revolutionaries of the
II:-. ht, convinced it is impossible to
overthrow *he Bolshr.'lv have de-
li1 mined '.o ci.icentrate their efforts
on boring into the present govern-
ment.
Nassveek, leading paper of the Ca-
det Party, admits the Bolsheviki are
near victory in Russia.
It outlines the Bolsheviki strategy
whereby the Don Cossack and Uka-
raine uprisings were separated. The
railway junctions at Biel Gorod, Char-
koff, Lozavay and Alexandrovik were
captured, isolating Ukarania.
General Verkhovsky, secretary of
was under the Kerensxy regime, has
been arrested here on suspicion of
starting a counter-revolution.
BULLETIN
By I nited I'ress.
Washington, Feb. 8.—The keel
for the first of the fleet of "vest-
pocket submarine fighters," Hen-
ry Ford is making for the navy
was laid yesterady, Ford wired
Secretary Daniels today.
"This contract was let only a
few days ago," said Daniels, "so
you see Ford is losing no time
getting under way." Daniels said
the Ford boat has not yet been
named but that whatever name
was given it officially probably
would be populorly replaced with
a nickname.
| be considered before they are assign-
ed for special service.
Only severe cases of hernia will
i hereafter tie Vfuise for rejection.
The board is arranging to resume
1 physical examination and have issued
: notices to all registrants in Class 1A
who were not examined on January
31st and February 1st, to appear in
Norman on Thursday, February 14,
1918, for examination. These will in-
i elude all called for Monday, February
1th, and all who failed to appear on
; the two former days.
The board has received no instruc-
tions as to the call for February 23rd,
but think it will undoubtedly be made.
I Cleveland county's quota for this call
! is 29. They will probably be selected
f from the old list of eligibles.
$50 For a Paige
U to recover
Ivost $100,000
The oil and gas activities in the Bil-
lings, Okla., community and the pro!.- " cos^ Clyde Piekard
ability that a splendid field is to be an enclosed Paige car stolen from
opened there, reminds our fellow- '1jm 'n Oklahoma City on Wednesday
townsman, W. W. McCullough, that he ! niKht- He an<l Claude, Tom Clement,
might now be a millionaire or at least 1 'f°mer Sellers and M. F. McFarland
well up in the wealthy class. Some ten
years ago he was postmaster at Bil-
lings and owned a fairly good farm of
had gone to Oklahoma City on busi-
ness that evening and left the ear in
front of the Terminal station. When
160 acres near that town. He sold it the>' «?turned the car was gone. They
I for $2,000 when he came to Norman,
and now figures that had he held on
to it he could now get more than
notified the police, offering $50 re-
ward, and about 12 o'clock got word
the car had been found by a driver
$100,000. The farm is within two and for a ^-Huckins car out on West
one-half miles of one of the best pro- 2nd street" U was one of the best
Paige cars and the boys feel thankful
it was recovered.
Pie Supper at Grotts
Strike Settled
ducing wells in the Billings field and
an "eighty" adjoining it sold recently
for $64,000.
Another case of where the hind-
sights are better than the foresights,
and of the truth of the old adage: "Of Rcpol.ts from the pie supper held at
all sad words of tongue or pen, the I the Grott school house on ThurS(lay
saddest are these: 'It might have ni(fht are that it was a remarkab]e
been! success, with large attendance and en-
thusiastic feeling. The exercises con-
sisted of a fine entertainment by the '•
By I nited I'ress. pupils of the school, followed by an !
St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 8.—Agreement able address by Judge W. L. Eagle ton.
on a settlement of the strike of 3,000 Then came the selling of the pies, the
street railway men was reached early j auctioning being done by Col. J. C.
today at a conference of United Rail- Rodgers, who secured the sum of
way officials and a committee of $88.75, which will be invested in
strikers. Service was to be resumed on "Baby" bonds and Thrift stamps for
all lines at daylight, it was announced the school. Col. G. D. Graves also
but this did not materialize. made a good talk. The citizens of
Terms of agreement are to be rati- that community are certainly demon-
fied at a meeting of the strikers I strating their patriotism and loyalty
sometime today. 'n a marked degree.
Terms of the agreement include
recognition of the union, but call for,
an "open shop." The question of Notice
wages, working conditions, etc., are —
to be left to later conferences between ! Those who are interested in the
strikers and the company. If no agree- Thrift Stamp Movement please meet
ment is reached, these questions are at the Masonic Temple on Sunday
to be submitted to arbitration, it was morning at 9:30 p. m., February 10th.
decided. W. R. CLARK, Co. Chairman.
It was generally believed the strik- , H. L. MULDROW, City Chair,
ers would not accept their comittees
action calling off the strike because ! —The Baptists of Purcell are plan-
of the "open shop" clause in the ; ning to build a very handsome and
agreement. elaborate church edifice.
TUSCANIA DISASTER
FIGURES STILL 210
By ROBERT J. BENDER,
(United Press s r.n t'urrcspomlent
Washington, Feb. 8.—Hundreds of
American homes today waited anx-
iously for the names of more than a
hundred fighting boys believed to have
been lost on the torpedoed Tuscania.
At an early hour the official figures on
total missing still remained at 210.
British and American wireless sta-
tions were searching the remotest
points in Ireland and Scotland in the
hope of finding further survivors from
the illfated ship.
Early today the war department of-
ficials were hard at work decoding a
mass of reports which came in during
the night. Out of these messages is
expected to develop the list of those
who have been added to the nation's
honor roll—and details of the German
blow which brought their death.
Dispatches received at the state de-
partment show that the Teuton U-boat
sinking befpre a background of the
north Ireland coastline and protected
by the growing dusk of Tuesday even-
ing, loosed her fatal torpedo shortly
before six o'clock.
According to early reports, the
U-boat was never seen, either by those
aboard the transport vessels or by
the convoy. That the delicate instru-
ments on these ships which warn them
of a submarine's presence, had regis-
tered the danger, however, is indicated:
in the order to all aboard the Tuscania
to go on deck before the torpedo
struck.
Thereafter the picture thus far pre-
sented throws a glowing light over
the most of the American troops. So
far as is known, no American de-
stroyers were in the convoy, parti-
cipated in the rescue or were in the
vicinity at the time of the tragedy.
There was some tendency today to
criticise the war department for hold-
ing up news of the disaster nearly five
hours before giving it out Wednesday
night. The fact that the Tuscania had
sent out S. O. S. calls was known here
in diplomatic quarters shortly after
noon Wednesday and the war depart-
ment is understood to have received
its first word from General Pershing
between four and five o'clock.
Secretary Baker justified delay in
the announcement on the ground that
he had not received confirmation of the
attack from navy department officials
abroad. Confirmation had been re-
ceived in diplomatic quarters here,
howe/er, by five o'clock that after-
noon.
Aviators Killed
By I nited I'ress.
Lawton, Okla., Feb. 8.—Lieut. A.
Loom is, pilot, and Lieut. Loftirt
Stamps, observer, were burned to
death late yesterday on the Post
Field, Fort Sill, school of aerial ob-
servers, when their machine made a
nose dive and burst into flames as 11
hit the ground.
Loomis' home was Marcow, Idaho;
j Stamps enlisted from Atlanta.
Fresh-Soph Debate
Don't forget the Freshman-Sopho-
t more debate at the high school audi -
torium tonight (Friday.) It begins at
j 7:30, and admission is free. The boys
J have prepared themselve - thoroughly
! and promise to put up a battle-royal
| on both sides. The Freshmen will be
j represented by Charlie Phillips, Har-
| old Belknap and Jas. Buchanan, while
j the Soph's debaters will be Chester
| Capshaw, Carolyn Smith and Alvin
| Herring. Go out and encourage the
j young men.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This issue can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Newspaper.
Burke, J. J. The Daily Transcript (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 5, No. 208, Ed. 1 Friday, February 8, 1918, newspaper, February 8, 1918; Norman, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc113667/m1/1/: accessed May 7, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.