The Daily Transcript (Norman, Okla.), Vol. 5, No. 213, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 14, 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 CITT \
HISTORICAL SOCIETY 1
t he Daily Transcript
Carrying the Full I'nited Press Telegraphic Report.
VOLUME V.
■NORMAN, OKLAHOMA, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1918.
- - " — ——— :—— NUMBER
"Serious Conditions in Germany," Writes Simms-'Conserving"
Wilson is the Leader
By J. W. T. MASON,
(United 1'ros Stafi Correspondent)
New York, Feb. 14.—Leadership in
the diplomatic offensive against the ;
central powers is passing; into the '
control of President Wilson.
The statesmen now in power in the
allied countries have gone through
so intense a mental strain during
the past three and a half years and
have become so deeply embittered by
the war that their abilities as diplo-
matic negotiators have naturally be-
come impaired.
President Wilson, on the other hand
brings to the struggle a mind fresh
for new impressions and not wearied
by the unprecedently grave responsi-
bilities that have lately begun to wear
down mentally the best men in Eu-
rope.
This is the real reason for any
apparent differences in the present
attitudes of Mr. Wilson and the en-
tente governments. There is no differ-
ence in the resolve to defeat Ger-
man militarism, but Mr. Wilson's re-
sponse to peace influences within the
central powers is more spontaneous
than that of the allied premiers be-
cause his brain is by far the fresh-
est.
This fact must be recognized by all
the nations at war. It is certain to '
have a profound effect upon the final
settlement of the conflict. When Lord
Northcliffe recently returned to
England from the United States, he
warned the entente that unless great-
er activity and efficiency were shown
by the allies, America would insist
upon taking the leadership against
the Teutons into her own hands. Lord
Northcliffe's prophecy is now on its
way to being fulfilled.
The allies have suffered grievously
in the past through diplomatic blun-
ders. The policy of inactivity and
"wait and see" is no longer permitted
to exist. It is open to anybody with
no training in state craft, to refuse to
admit Austro-Hungary offers of an
opening to the allies for a successful
peace propaganda. An active diplomat
however, will go ahead and take a
chance on the possibility that results
might be attainable. This is the kind
of diplomatic leadership the allies
need, and is the kind President Wil-
son has begun to supply.
"Hog" Island Grafters
Lived Up to Name
Washington, Feb. 14.—The first
government investigation of graft
charges in war work was launched by
President Wilson today.
He sent a letter to Attorney Gen-
eral Gregory asking an immediate
probe of conditions at the Hog Island
ship yards where large sums of gov-
ernment money are alleged to have
been appropriated to private interests.
Gregory will co-operate in the work
with Chairman Hurley of the ship-
ping board.
For weeks the work at Hog Island
has been under the searchlight of the
senate commerce committee. The cli-
max of testimony was reached when
George Baldwin, chairman of the
American-International Corporation,
building the yards, admitted that ap-
proximately $6,000,000 in profits
would be forthcoming from the pro-
ject.
"Y ou cannot keep a corporation
alive on patriotism," he said, when
1 grilled by Senator Johnson, Califor-
nia.
Baldwin named as the "big stock- !
holders" in the corporation, Frank !
V'anderlip, the firm of Stone and Web-
ster and J. Ogden Armour.
' Charles Piez, general manager of
the Emergency Fleet Corporation,
started the expose of conditions when
he submitted reports to the state com-
merce commission to show that the
Hog Island yard originally estimated
to cost $21,000,000, would at the pres-
ent rate of expenditure, cost nearly
$50,000,000.
The senate committee learned that
the government had accepted all the
estimates of the cost of the yard made
by the American International Cor-
poration, through which the govern-
ment is building the plant. The gov-
ernment itself, made no independent
estimate.
Testimony also showed that the
American International Shipbuilding
Corporation, a subsidiary of the
American International Corporation,
is actually building the yards through
the government has no contract with
it.
BULLETIN
hy I nited IJrcss.
I'aris, I eb. 14.—A verdict in
the trial of Bolo Pasha, charged
with treason, is probable before
tomorrow. Lieutenant Mornet, the
prosecutor, in summing up l he
state's case, concluded with the
declaration:
"Against Boloism, against this
vast conspiracy of which you
have one member before you,
there is but one remedy—the fir-
ing squad."
Music Club
Yesterday's music club program
was one of especial interest it being
the first time the members have had
the opportunity to hear Miss Eldridge
tile new violin teacher, and the girls'
glee club.
It being a program of American
composers, Miss Eldridge was limited
in her selections, as it is very diffi-
cult to find very many really beauti-
ful Amercan compositions for the vio-
lin. But the Melodic of Dawes and
Autumn by Nevin compared favor-
ably with the works of the old mas-
ters, and they with the Caprice XIII
by Paganini Kriesler, and an encore
Perpetual motion by Bohm, were
beautifully played by Miss Eldridge.
The glee club is preparing to make
a trip over the state and if they sing
for the people of Oklahoma like they
did for the club, their success is as-
sured.
Misses Morgan and Lewis also de-
lighted the audience with a skillful
rendition of McDowell numbers. The
club will meet again Wednesday, Feb.
2, and the members are asked to read :
up on our American composers.
—Coming, March 1st, at the Uni-
veruiiy Theat'e, Geraldine Fp-Tar, u
'THE WOMAN GOD f> >RGOT "
THE WEATHER
Cold wave coming.
Norman and Vicinity: Gener-
ally fair weather tonight and
Friday. Colder tonight with a
cold wave and strong north-
erly winds. Minimum tempera-
ture 18 to 26 degrees.
Pope and King Albert
Rome, Feb. 14,-King Albert, of
Belgium and the royal family will
have an audience with Pope Benedict,
according to unofficial reports cir-
culated here today.
Cardinal Gasparri, the papal secre-
tary of state, is expected to return
to call at Viterbo.
Mother's Patriotic Club
The Mother's club met this week at
the home of Mrs. Turner. There were
twelve present with their knitting
and Red Cross sewing. It was unan-
imously voted that we co-operate with
the Food Administration and indorse
the movement made by the grocery-
men to have two deliveries a day. The
clubs secretary is in receipt of many
letters from Oklahoma boys on the
battle ship "Oklahoma" who had re-
ceived knitted garments out of the
first box we sent. Clarence E. Gray
writes: "I thank you very much for
I your kindness. It surely was the most
j appropriate thing you could have
sent. I do not live far from your town.
My home is at Naples, Okla. The last
night I was in Oklahoma, I spent in
I Norman with my cousins, Sadie and
Herbert Hyde." Chas. P. Hall writes:
! "Just recently all the boys on the
ship from Oklahoma were told by
their commanding officer to go to the
store room and we would all receive
, presents from the women of Oklaho-
ma. As I was only short a muffler in
this line that is all I personally took,
others got sweaters, etc., as needed. 1
wish to thank you very much and as-
sure you it is needed in this cold
country. Such as this makes me
proud of the women folks from my
home state and believe the other boys
felt the same."
The club has done a large amount
of Red Cross knitting and sewing.
Anyone really interested in helping
with the war work is urged to meet
with us. The dues are only ten cents a
month, which we use to buy yarn,
etc. The next meeting is with Mrs. o!
C. Banks on North Crawford.
A MEMBER.
By WILLIAM PHIIJF SIMMS,
(United Press Staff Correspondent)
ZURICH, Switzerland, Feb. 14.—As indicating Germany's
thoroughness, she will no longer permit corpses to be buried with
their clothes.
They must be placed in pasteboard coffins. They must be
clothed in paper shrouds, or be bound in paper sheets.
No woolen, cotton, linen or similar material must be wasted in
graves while wooden, zinc, copper and other metal caskets are gen-
erally forbidden.
An American woman, just leaving Germany, declares all
ordinary articles are so scarce that a sale of her wornout kitchen
utensils brought undreamed of prices.
German woman packing in her home sought an opportunity
to buy things families usually throw away in moving. They fetch-
ed fancy sums.
The woman says the coal shortage is far more acute than out-
siders imagine. This is not due to lack of coal but to the labor
shortage, plus transportation difficulties. The scarcity of cars
caused the military officials to reduce trains to little more than
sufficient for the armies needs. The rolling stock is in frightful
disrepair.
Silver and nickel have been demonitized. All gold, including
jewelry formerly "requested in the name of patriotism" is now
demanded by the government in order to keep up gold coins and
prevent too rapid decline in the value of paper money.
The people no longer expect victory, the woman declares. The
best they hope for is the exhaustion of the allies before Germany
is compelled to sue for peace. The masses have been told so often
I that an offensive would bring immediate peace, they are begin-
• ning to feel duped and angry.
1 understand that President Wilson's speech made a deep im-
pression in Germany and probably will bear future fruit.
On the most reliable authority, I learn that the kaiser himself
openly declared Wilson's terms were reasonable enough to form
the basis for negotiations.
Wilhelm, however, is without influence. I am told that while
openly opposed to the extremes to which the war party is leading
the empire, he does not murmur as Hindenburg and Ludendorff are
his absolute masters.
An American girl, recently arrived from Germany, says many
children and even grownups are now going barefooted. They are
unable to buy shoes. A proud professor of the University of Leip-
sig asked as a favor to be allowed to buy the discarded shoes of the
girl's brother.
A crime wave is sweeping the country from end to end. Thugs
otten rob pedestrians of their clothes. The children of one of the
girls friends were robbed of their shoes while on their way home
lrom school. The weather was bitterly cold and the children ar-
rived with their feet almost frozen and bleeding
The girl says the newspapers are most active in sneering at
America. Every effort is made to diminish before the masses the
United States participation. They are constantly repeating that1
the American effort is all bluff and noise—worthy of the country
which produced Barnum.
The girl had the utmost difficulty in leaving Germany. She
was on the verge of receiving a degree at the University of Lepsig
when America entered the war. The degree was withheld be-
cause Americans were refused permission to leave the country.
After a time she was told she could leave if she would do cer-
tain work for Germany—and would receive the degree and "bis
pay."
She indignantly refused to become a traitress and a spy.
Whereupon the police dogged her day and night until she finaliv
succeeded in getting out.
Travelers agree that ninety per cent of the German people
have lost their enthusiasm for war. The sole topic of conversa-
tion is food and peace.
Intelligent people are asking "what is the good of launching
another offensive?" Many of them know America, because they
lived and worked here. These say the United States will continue
the crusade a hundred years, if necessary, to rob Germany of her
spoils.
Everything points in the same direction—the central empires
are economically and generally in such a turmoil that all the allies
need do to win the war is keep equitable war aims before the world
and hold their own on the west front.
(Copyrighted, 1918, by the United Press.)
OKLAHOMA'S ROLL OF HONOR
Twelve Oklahoma boy.-, including F^tMier O. I ,, r. f
man, rest now beneath the ground on the gg. it r.<, st . 't,
where they were buried after succumbing in iht . m "
United Stales transport Tuscania, which was taking them,
soldiers ot America, to France.
Their names are contained in a list of 171 Americans who
were buried at scattered points after their bodies, had been re-
covei ed. I he list was forwarded from a Scotch port, and included
in this list were the following sons of this state:
CART. LEO I'. LERRON, Guthrie, Okla.. Mrs. I,. I'. LeBron. wife.
RAYMOND T. HURST, Pocasset, Okla., R. Hurst, father.
^ H'Ll.AM M . \\ RIGHT, Hismark, Okla., J. II, Wright, brother.
JESSE M. RHOADES, Halbert. Okla., .1. M. Rhoades, father.
GEORGE \\ . I'OMLINS, El Reno, (,. V, Tomlins. father.
h I'll AN ALLEN WHITE, Arnette, Okla., Mrs. Lucy White, mother.
11 LLA R. I HOMI'SON. Dill City, Okla., Mrs. Alice Thompson, mother.
I LE F( HER <). PLEDGER, Norman, Okla., Miss Lulu Pledger, sister.
JOHN I!. RISHOR, Foster. Okla.. Mrs. Sarah Bishop, mother.
1.1 I HER \\. O/MEN T, Broken Itow, Okla., Mrs. M. L. Glenn, mother.
WILLIAM V. SMITHPETER, Fort Cobb, Okla.. W. G. Smithpeter, father.
JAMES A. PRICE, Itoise City, Okla., Ernest l*rice, brother.
I he family of Norman's first martyr to the cause of Democ-
racy has about given up hope of his life, although having no of-
ficial news ot his death except what was contained in the dis-
patches. Each soldier has a metal disc attached to his clothing by
which he could be identified, and undoubtedly one of the bodies,
buried in Scotland was that of Mr. Pledger.
1 he young man leaves a father, W. II. Pledger, and two sis-
ters and a brother, who have the earnest sympathy of the com-
munity and the country.
It is not known in what department he was employed, but his
sister, Miss Lulu Pledger, thinks he may have been assigned to the
baking department, as he was proficient in that work. While Mr.
Pledger was a Norman boy, he should really be credited to McClain
county, for it was from that county he was drafted." He was first
drafted in September of last year, but got a stay until in Decem-
ber, 1917, when he was sent to Camp Travis. There he asked for
immediate service, which was probably the reason he was sent at
once to the front. Thus, he had been in the service only about two
months at the time of his death.
I he I ranscript understands he took out a $10,000 government
insurance policy the first of the year, his sister, iMiss lone Pledger,
being the beneficiary. Should this be the case Miss Pledger will'
draw a monthly payment of $57.50 for the next twenty years.
Social Hour Evening
I he Social I lour spent in the happy
home of Mr. and Mrs. John Hardia
on last evening will be remembered
by members of the club so long as
memory lasts. Never in our history
have we had so enjoyable an evening.
The Social Hour club long ago voted
to do their full quota of the Red Cross
work without interruption to the
meetings of the club, and at a recent
I 1 eport it was found, to the gratifica-
tion of all concerned, that each mem
j ber had done three times the work
icgnnllu I „ r j n
Good Meeting at Falls
Judge ICagleton and County Super-
intendent Clark Went out to Falls
school house on Wednesday night and
organized a War Savings league. Ad-
dresses were made by Judge Eagle-
ton and Mr. Clark, and an enthusias-
tic response was made by the large
audience. The people of that com-
munity are wideawake in the cause,
says Mr. Clark, not only in the
Thrift Stamp movement, but in all
other war activities. A pie supper will
be given soon and other entertain
ments are planned.
Don t forget to see Fannie Ward
in "INNOCENT" today at the Uni-
versity Theatre.
War Savings Meeting
At Noble Tonight
Great interest is being taken in a
War Savings meeting to be held at
Noble tonight, and reports from there
indicate there will be a large audience
at the high school building in that
city. Superintendent Clark has ar-
ranged to take the University quar-
tette with him. and Prof. J. S. Bu-
chanan and Judge Eagleton will make
the addresses. Mr. R. F. Ellinger
writes Mr. Clark to be sure and bring
a bountiful supply of baby bonds and
thrift stamps as he is sure there will
be a big demand for them.
—John S. Allan returned Wednes-
day from Chickasha, where he repre-
sented Norman Lodge A, O. U. W. at
the grand lodge meeting of that or-
der. There are now something like 150
lodges in Oklahoma and reports in-
dicated they were all doing well. Nor-
man lodge has 115 members, but very
seldom has a meeting
Chairman Will Hays
By I iiilcd rress.
Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 14.—Will
J Hays jumped into his new work as
j chairman of the national Republican
| committee today. He held conferences
j with several members of the com-
| mittee who stopped off at Indianapo-
! lis on their way home from the St.
Louis meeting. Among those who saw
| Hays were John King, of Connecticut
J and A. T. Hart, of Kentucky.
I Hays also was in conference with
Governor James P. Goodrich and oth-
( er members of the Hoosier party, who
helped put Hays over at St. Louis.
I The new chairman will return to
his home at Sullivan, Ind., Saturday.
The whole town plans to turn out for
a big reception in honor of him Sun-
day night. Next week Hays will go
to New York and Washington for con-
ferences with leaders of the party be-
fore naming the new executive com-
mittee and probably taking some ac-
tion toward naming a woman's ad-
visory committee.
Card of Thanks
Our earnest thanks are extended to
all friends for their kindly assistance
and sympathetic utterances during
the sickness and at the death of our
husband and father, F. W. Filson end
especially for the beautiful flowers.
MRS. F. W. FILSON and Familv.
Noble, Okla., Feb. 12, 1918.
—Ed. W. Cralle, son of Mr. and
Mrs. E. L. Cralle, is now manager of
McEldowney & Son, the auxilliary to
the Oklahoma Gas & Electric com-
pany, and will undoubtedly do good
work for them.
iganally pledged to the Red Cross,
j Insted of a banquet, the club voted to
(dispense with expensive refreshments
| and serve only a simple menu. This
idea was carried out most successful-
j ly. During the evening a guessing
contest called "A Hooverized Menu,"
j the product of Mrs. I. M. Jackson's
| fertile brain was enjoyed; the winner
I being Mrs. S. K. McCall.
! Later the guests drew a picture of
' some well known animal. Mr. J. D.
j Maguire was assigned "The Republi-
can Rooster" and drew a clever cari-
catuie of I eddy" and was awarded
the prize. At 10:30 Mr. and Mrs.
Hardie led their guests to the heauti-
j ful dining room in the center of
which stood an immense white birth-
day cake with 12 lighted candles, this
: being the 12th birthday of the club.
After the serving of coffee and the
cutting of the cake by the president,
j Mrs. Maguire, the following splendid
and carefully prepared toasts
proposed:
"To the Social Hour" -Mrs. Jno.
I Hardie.
"To Our Husbands"—Mrs. 1. M.
j Jackson.
| "To Our Wives"—Mr. Jno. Hardie.
j "To Our Social Hour Club—Her
Past and Future"—Mrs. Ben Williams
After the toasts came jokes and
each member shown resplendent in
her own wit, neither were the men
behind in the race of good story tell-
ing.
At the close of this delightful oc-
casion the toast mistress, Mrs. Ma-
guire, wished all present good luck
and good night in the words of Auld
Lang Syne. Truly the event will never
be forgotten.
A MEMBER.
Notice Grade Cards
Tomorrow (Friday, Feb. 15, 1918),
all grade cards will be given out to
pupils of Jefferson school.
It is earnestly requested that par-
ents or guardians examine these re-
ports carefully. If the report does
not show the proper progress, will
the parents please consult the leather
who is giving interaction to their
child.
W. F. SHULTZ, Principal.
PRESIDENT WILSON'S
CAMPAIGN MAY WIN IF-
Washington, Feb 14.—President
Wilson's effort to get a separate
i peace with Austria will win, if he
I convinces the Teutons that he and
j America are in earnest in the war.
j Officials of the government whose
[ positions for many years have made
! them the intimates of Europeans—
j particularly Austrians and Germans
| said today the only chance of the
I president failing lay in Austria's be-
lief the president was only bluffing;
about the war.
"It is clear enough to our Amen-'*
t.in minds that he means business as*
to the war to a finish is necessary..
He must get that into Austrian
minds," said one high official. "Once
that knowledge sinks into the Aus-
trian mind, you will find that the
president s political offensive is a
success."
Indications are that, despite Ger-
man press camouflage, the Germans
and Austrian military leaders know
well that American war plans are
built on large lines and that the
American spirit is one of determina-
tion.
American government authorities
regret that the appearance of any-
thing controversial should be injected
into the Austrian problem by reason
of the British attitude toward the
Czernin speech.
Hereafter, it is possible some con-
sultation of envoys will be had in ad-
vance, so that there may not be an.
aftermath of discussion, such as at
•present, indicating a difference of
viewpoint and of action toward Aus-
tria. The British arc not strong for
the political propaganda offensive;
l President Wilson believes it can Ik'
made very effective, if all work to-
gether.
j Elder J. W. Linton officiated at
the marriage of Lanford Black, 19
I of Shawnee, and Miss Annie Shirey,
IS, of Marvin, at his office at 8
o'clock Wednesday evening. One fea-
ture of especial interest about the
I wedding was the ceremony had been
performed before. The license was is-
sued here on the 11th, and the groom
took it home with him and got a jus-
tice of the peace of Pottawatomie
county to perform the ceremony. Af-
ter marrying them, the justice found
the license had been issued in this
county, and that therefore he was
not qualified to perform the ceremony
—and so the young man picked up his
an(l brought her instanter to
Norman to get a ceremony that would
be binding. The young couple returned
home last night happy as clams at;
high water.
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. 213, Ed. 1 Thursday, February 14, 1918, newspaper, February 14, 1918; Norman, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc113672/m1/1/: accessed April 23, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.