I : THE THIS
(By Associated Press)
LONDON. Dec. 28.—No one man 01
one department of the British gov
ernment can take credit for "ir rant
ing" the tanks-^they came into being
as the result of a long period of study
and co-ordinated effort by many men
acting under three separate depart
ments. the war office, the admiralty,
and the ministry of munitions.
In the autumn of 1914 when the
belligerents in the Western front had
settled down to trench warfare, it be
came obvious that some means ol
parrying the danger of well-directed
and well-protected machine-gun fire
from the German trenches must be
discovered if the English infantry was
to carry out assaults with success.
One of the-first proposals put for
ward was for a machine 100 feet long
46 feet high add 80 feet wide, weigh
ing some 300 tons, propelled by ar
800 horsepower engine, and with driv
ing wheels 40 feet in diameter. An
other early suggestion, and the ont
which led most directly to the tanks
was made by Colonel Swinton in Oc
tober, 1914, to build armored cars or
a tractor system, an American inven
tion. Experiments with various trac
tors were made on behalf of the wai
office and by a small expert commit
tee of the admiralty under Winstor
Churchill, then first lord. Through tht
* ——————mi
medium of the committee of imperial
defense the various efforts for the so-'
lution of the problem were cor-ordin- .
ated. and certain conditions were laid
down which had to be fulfilled by the
proposed car.
From among the numerous types of
tractors inspected the most satisfac
tory was found to be a caterpillar with
an endless self-laid track, over which
internal driving wheels could be pro
pelled by the engines.
In February, 1916. the first tank,
was completed and taken down to a i
farm near London. Here pits,
trenches and ramparts had been con-1
structed. The tests were so satisfac-;
tory that an order was given on the
spot for 100 machines. The ministry j
of munitions became responsibile for)
the speediest possible construction
of the order. Many improvements
were made during this period of con
struction and the first delivery was
made in July, 1916.
The new machines were of two
slightly different types. One was call
ed the male type, and was armed with
two Hotchkiss quick-fires and a sub-!
sidiary machine-gun armament. These
j were designed for deaing at close
quarters with the concrete emplace-,
ments of German machine-guns. The
other or female type, was armed only
^ with machine guns and was more suit.
able for dealing with machine gun
^ personnel and riflemen.
^ At the end of July, 1916, the tanks
and their crews had become so prn
i
I ficient that it was possible to hold
two exhibition combats over a nre
|
i pared trench system reproducing a
line of German defenses,
j At the end of August, fifty tanks
were loaded at night and sent to
France, When delivered In France,
the tanks only traveled at night and
during the day were covered with a
huge tarpaulin and strictly guarded.
The first tanks were all painted in
camouflage style for purposes of con
cealment and each tank had Its own
name. like a ship. A whole series oi
them were named after various
drinks, such as Cafe-au-Lait, Chart
reuse, Chablis. Cognac, Champagne
Creme-de-Menthe. Another series
bore names of Scotch clans, Clan Cam
eron. Clan Ruthven, Clan Gordon, Clar
McTavish.
The tanks first went into action It
that portion of the Somme offensive
which began on September 15. Th<
object was to drive the Germans ou
of some high ground running east anc
south of Thiepval. The effect was as
exhlllerating on the British troops as
it was dumbfounding to the Germans
It is recorded that many of the Brit
ish Infantrymen were so overcomi
with laughter at their ungainly an
tics that they were scarcely able t<
keep up with the procession,
There is no doubt that the elemen
of surprise had much to do with tlx
extraordinary success of the tanks 01
their first appearance. But thei
aehievments proved that they hai
more solid qaulities than the gift o
surprise. Later in the year tank
were sent out to Egypt and were ii
action at Gaza.
-«.
SOUTHERN MINISTER DELIVERS
SERMONS BY TELEPHONl
(By United Press)
SHREVEPORT, La., Dec. 28.—R«
ligion by telephone is being dispens
ed successfully here by the Rev. M
E. Dodd, pastor of the First Baptist '
church
Dr. Dodd has had a desk phone in
| stalled on his platform and when he
| preaches at night the receiver is tak
i en off. Members of his church who
| are ill or friends who cannot attend
the services can get the sermon at
I their homes by calling the number of
^ the church.
j An unlimited number of persons can
| be connected with the telephone at
j the same time, and a double audience
| can ftct the benefit of the sermon.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS.
J -
In the Probate Court for the. Terri
tory of Alaska. Third Division. Val
dez Precinct, at Valdez, in Probate.
! In the matter of the Estate of i
Robert D. Gray, Deaceased. No. 173.
The undersigned, having on the
30th day of November. 1917, been
appointed executor of the estate of
> Robert D. Gray. Deceased, notice is
| hereby given to the creditors of and
all persons having claims against de
, ceased or his estate, to exhibit them
i with the necessary vouchers, within
- six months after the first publication
I of this notice to said executor at his
[ office and place of business in Cor
j dova, Alaska, the same being the
i place for the transaction of business
' for said estate In the Territory of
! Alaska. The first publication of this
notice is published on the 6th day of
: December, 1917.
“ I
JAMES SMITH
Executor of the Estate of Robert D.
Gray, Deceased.
- First publication December 6, 1917.
. Last publication December 31, 1917.
I
ALASKA
STEAMSHIP CO.
Fast and commodious steamers sailing between Seattle, Ketch
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Leaves Leaves Cordova
Seattle. for Seattle.
November 27 VICTORIA December 4
December 1 ALAM EDA December 8
The freighters Cordova, Latouche, Juneau, Valdez
and Ketchikan also make regular trips.
This company reserves the right to change schedule of steamers
without notice.
Ticketa on sale at up-town office Alaska Steamship Bldg. Baggage
or freight will not be received at the dock later than one hour before
sailing time.
F. B. TRACY, S. R. HEDGES,
General Agent Agent
—Next Steamer—
S. S. ADMIRAL EVANS
Sails from Cordova for Seattle Sunday, December 30th
Next Sailing from Seattle January 7th.
CALIFORNIA ROUTE
Special Ocean Excursions from Seattle to Sunny California. $35 to ,
San Francisco and return, final limit of sale February 28th. $50 to
Los Angeles and return. $54 to San Diego and return. Three sail
ings a week from Seattle to California points. Arrange your winter j
outing through your local agent.
FOR FULL PARTICULARS APPLY
j A* NOURSE, Agent. Empress Building.
FOE GENERAL TEAMING, BAGGAGE
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UNEXCELLED WAREHOUSE FACILITIES
For Storing and Insuring Baggage,
Mdse and Household Goods.
Office—Northern Hotel Building. Phone 85.
NORTHERN MEAT MARKET I
W holesale and Retail Dealers in
FRESH BEEF, PORK, VEAL, MUTTON AMD PRO- I
VISIONS
Particular Attention and Prompt Service Given te orders from
Mining Camps, Roadhouses and Interior Points
HALIBUT and Other Fresh Fish of all Kinds Will be |
i Kept in Stock When Available.
SMITH & GLASBRENNEIt, Props. |
. —...I — ——, '■ w
Sixty Steam Heated Rooms Eletric Lighted
Hot and Cold Water in Every Room
With or Without Bath.
Cordova House
H. C. ROSS, Proprietor.
Headquarters for Railroad and Mining Men
Satisfaction Guranteed
Rates Reasonable
> .. 111 1 ... ->
Gas Engines |
4 to 500 Horse Power
§;
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Roebling Tramways
| Pelton Water Wheels |
Chicago Oil Engines and Compressors
| HarmonMachineryCo.
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i \wm ■! HIM llliMBIIII—BBl Ml IBB WBWMKMBIHIaMMHWmlMBMW——III Ml I HI Hill————f
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I FINKELSTEIN & SAPIRO
I INCORPORATED
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I Come here and be pleased
| and you will be pleasing us.
■i ■<
Everything to eat and wear
GROCERIES 21 - PHONES - OFFICE 74
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