davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
IoWANs /. ON CONGRESSIONAL
COMMITTEES.

The appointment of the house COM
mittees on Saturday last gives assur-
ance that Iowa will continue to occupy
its accustomed prominent place in the
organization of that body, and exercise
its wonted influence on national leg1s-
iation. BY reason of his long associa-
tion with the Iowa members, Speaker
Cannon has learned the qualifications
possessed by the Iowa congressman to
handle questions of national impor-
tance.
Congressman Lacey retains his posi-
ton as chairman of the committee on
public lands.
Congressman Hepburn was reap
pointed chairman of the committe on
Interstate and foreign commerce.
Congressman Hull was again put
at the head of the committee on mill
tary affairs.
Congressman Cousins was named as
chairman OF the committee on expen-
ditures in the treasury department.
Each of these men was also given
places on other important committees
Congressman Hedge, Smith, Conner,
Thomas and Haugen, the newer mem
bers of the Iowa delegation, We're well
taken care of. Congressman Wade, the
only democratic representative from
Iowa. was given a place on h com
mittee on naval affairs.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
HANKER FOR OUR MARKET

canadian farmers are experiencing a
hankering after American markets. 1t
is announced that the agriculturalists
or Ontario, at a recen convention,
adopted a resolution favoring the idea
of reciprocity between Canada and the
United States. That such a course is
wise from the standpoint of the Cana
dian farmer, will be readily conceded,
but the intent of the plan is too evil
dent to be readily accepted by the peo-
pie of this country. The farmers of
Canada pay less for their land, less for
their help. and can therefore raise
their products cheaper than can the
Iowa farmer. Had he the privilege,
therefore, of selling his products free
in the market-places of the United
States, his advantage over the farmers
of this country is apparent TO all. He
could either sell cheaper, or selling at
the same prices, would make a larger
profit than his Yankee brothers.
Commenting on this question and the
action of the Ontario farmers, the Bos-
ton Journal says:
Reciprocity would give them a fine
market for their agricultural products,
and injure the market of the New Eng
land farmers to that extent. The free
admission of Canadian products COM
ing in direct competition with Ameri-
can products, can best be secured by
Canadian annexation, and that is the
pressure which is now coming upon the
Dominion of Canada from the great
Canadian northwest. If Canadian far
mers want our market. they must join
the Yankee far ,ers and help pay their
taxes and pay American wages. Yam
kee farmers know too we'll the value
of their home market to favor any
scheme that would give an advantage
therein to the Canadian farmers, or
those of any other country.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
oTTUMWA LET WELL ENOUGH
ALONE.

Cedar Rapids Republican.-The city
of Ottumwa seems to have profited by
the example of Cedar Rapids in the
the movement, which was celebrated
in the automatic punch banquet in
this city about a year ago. But as
soon as Ottumwa had time to think
over, it voted a water franchise to
private parties. The people of OF
tumwa are going to get a water rate
lower than that which prevails in
Cedar Rapids and they will not have
to put up a two mill tax, in addition
to pay for a plant which will be Worn
out by the time it is paid for. In Ce-
a Rapids We are paying rates that
are higher han We're put into effect
by the decision of the supreme court
and in addition to these higher rates
there is a two mill tax to be met
for the space of about twenty years
to come, a burden on every piece of
property in the city. And as for the
water. it is still taken from the same
river in the same way.
But the people always did like to be
humbugged and they insist pom get
ting a dose of it about every so often
and when they are hi bent for Il
dose of that kind nothing "a head
them off, so strong is the hysteria. In
the Cedar Rapids case the parties
most entitled to congratulations are
the fellows who held water stocks and
who got a chance to sell to the city,
and that for a good round fat prices.
1t is q good radiance for them.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
SWEAR r NOW.

Council Bluffs Nonpareil.-This is
the logical time of year for swearing
off. The ma who swears off now
will have broken his resolution half
a dozen times by New Years. He will
have repented as many times and ta-
ken a fresh start. After New Years
he will not only be able to pass a eli
gar counter without having hot thrills,
but he will also be humble about it.
He will know mighty well hat he
can't go all year without smoking and
he won't get discouraged after break
ing his resolve nee or twice. Unlike
glassware, a mended resolution is of
tentimes more valuable than the orig
inal article. Most New Years reso-
luters hold a pledge sacred and invio-
late for upwards of a week, then ex-
plode and take the rest of the year to
~recuperate. whereas, if they had bro
ken the resolve and started all over
again before they reached the burst
ing point all would have been well.
If you must make resolutions, make
them now. You will either have got
ten the idea out of your system by
New Years or you will be in good
training and that holiday will not be
such a dreary waste to you.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
CONTIGUOUS REPORT.

The annual report of George B. Cor
telyou, secretary of the department OF
commerce and labor. is of special in
terest to a large number of American
people, not only because it is the first
report since the creation of that de-
partment, but particularly be-
cause of the scope of the work owe
ed. Among the most important bu-
reaus that have been gathered togeth-
er under the new department is that
of the bureau of corporations. Since
the organization of this bureau inyes-
tigation along certain lines has been
taken up that it is thought will prove
of value to the various industrial in
terests of the country. Secretary Cor
telyou reports that under the direction
of this bureau Investigations have
been begun in the following fields:
/. A systematic study of the law
creating the bureau.
2. The decisions Of the federal
courts relating to corporations engag-
ed in interstate m which are
subject to the jurisdiction of the bu-
reau.
4. The jurisdiction and powers of
the interstate commerce commission.
5. The decisions of the federal
courts in relation to trade c~onspiracies
monopolies and combinations in re-
straint of trade.
6. The corporation laws of the va
rious states and territories, particu-
larly those relating to the annual re-
ports and the returns for taxation pur-
poses required from such corpora
lions.
Z. The methods of taxing corpora
lions in each state and the decisions
relating to the taxation of interstate
commerce.
s. The effect of industrial combina-
lions upon the prices of the commodi-
ties sold by such combinations, the eff
feet of tariff duties upon the prices of
commodities subject to such duties,
and the reasons for the difference if
any exists, between the domestic and
foreign prices of commodities manu-
featured by the protected industrial
combinations of this country.
s. The powers of the federal gov
eminent in relation to insurance com
panies.
In that part of his report relating
to capital and labor Secretary Cortel-
you makes it plain that the depart.
mept has not executive functions in
labor disputes, that it cannot inter.
fere either in the interest of the EN-.
ployer or the employee. Regarding this
point he further says:
THE e department should not be
expected to do impossible things. II
it IAN be helpful to any considerable
extent in improving existing relations
as between employer and employee; ii
its publications can furnish facts
from which there may come fuller un,
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
HOW "PETE" HEPBURN STARTED

Congressman pete Hepburn's mem
DRY spans full half a century of Iowa
history and runs back past the time
when he earned his first money plant
ing sod. corn at % cents a day for a
farmer across the Iowa river. With
SITS in his pockets he started for
home one Saturday night. The four
coins in which he was paid clicked
in his clothing as he trudged along.
He removed his breeches to wade
across that waterway and when about
two miles from home was taken up
by MI. Harlan, afterward United Stat
es senator, and a country physician,
who, put him on a little seat under
which the doctor stored his pill boxes.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
CONDITIONS IN PANAMA.

The advent of Panama into the fam
lily Of nations has occasioned even
greater interest in that portion of the
continent than has been aroused dur
ing all the. years of, the talk of the
Panama canal project. Information
regarding the country, its people, re-
sources, and other interests
has been eagerly sought during the
past few weeks.
The new republic of Panama has an
area of 31,571 square miles with a
population of about 100000. At the
present it has a commerce that will
amount to about $3,000,0 900 annually,
the greater part of which is carried on
through it's two leading commercial
ports-Panama and Colon. These
two cities are visited each year by
more than 1000 vessels which land
more than 1000, 900 tons of merchan-
disc and 100000 passengers. Practic-
ally all of the commerce Of this coun-
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
GEN WOODS c o

Nebraska State Journal.-Senator
Teller is not likely to gather any m
munition against General Wood by an
investigation of his army record. When
a young surgeon in the frontier army
in the days of Geronimo chase, all the
officers of the column to which he
was attached having been disabled by
the hazardous service, the doctor took
command and showed such ~gallantry
and capacity in leading his men that
at the suggestion of the lamented Law
ton he received the. thanks of congress
and the medal of honor. This vas his
first campaign and it is not likely that
the recalling of his start in army life
is going to particularly encourage his
enemies. The hanks of congress to
an American soldier is an honor that
surpasses the granting of the Victoria
cross to an English soldier because 1t
is much more rarely conferred. 1t
happened in the Geronimo campaign
several times that Wood was called
upon to take command for the same
reason, II he acquitted himself so
Well that his fame through
the whole army as a staff officer who
was equal to any emergency. 1t was
because of his hardness of body and
readiness of resource that he so dis
tinguished himself. 1t was seventeen
years ago in the very year of his APP
polntment as assistant army
United States army. that he performs
ed the service which obtained the med
al of honor from congress. General
Wood obtained his rapid promotion by
the exhibition of remarkable military
and executive ability, and if that is
not the best reason for promotion Ma
poleon was an ass. Nothing would
have beer heard of Roberts, Kitchener
and Macdonald in the British army if
eminent ability could not advance
young officers "orer the heads of
those merely superior in age and rank.
Routine promotions, strictly adhered
to, will dry rot the best army under
the SUM-. sifs
1t must be remembered that the al
legged Improperly of Gen. Woods adj
vancement over the heads of a large
number of army officers was not conf
rnitted by President Roosevelt. The
appointment recently sent to the sem
ate advancing him one step in grade
was "in course" and perfectly proper
from the army standpoint, as it came
in regular routine. The complaint is
against President Mckinley, who made
him a brigadier general out of due
course to enable him to assign Wood
kinley did it because Wood was the
man he wanted for governor general
at Havana, after his brilliant success
in command of the department of Sam
tiago. 1t is rather a far cry to look
back to Mckinley, in these rapid his
tory times.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
U A FUGITIVE.
kidnaper of Aged Couple Near Upton
Escapes From Jail,

Des Moines, Dec. 12.-August
Leuth. who was arrested and tried on
the charge of having kidnapped an aged
couple residing near Upton. escaped
from jail Thursday night. The crime
vas a remarkable one. C. M. Jones,
a wealthy farmer and his wife, We're
beguiled into a buggy by a stranger
the buggy and told tina a a
the buggy and told him that Mrs. jon
es would be a corpse in twenty-four
hours if $4,000 was not deposited at
a designated spot. Mrs. Jones was
locked up in a cellar but managed to
escape next morning.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15

derstanding; if having gained the con-
fidence Of the people it can, from time
to time. point the way to better feel
ing and broader views as between con-
tending interests, it will accomplish
n of the most beneficent results of
its organization"
1t is expected that by this diffusion
of knowledge through the distribution
of department reports a better under
standing of the great industrial ques-
tions will be had by the people OF the
country. This report is sufficient ev-
idence of the wisdom of establishing
the department of commerce and lab
or and it may reasonably be expected
that the coming years will more fully
prove the fact.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
RECTOR OF ST. LUkE's.
Ashburnham, Ontario, Testifies to the
Good Qualities Of Chamberlain
Couch Remedy.

Ashburnham, Ont, April 1S, 1901
think 1t is only right that l should to7s
you what a wonderful effect Chamber.
lain's Cough Remedy has produced.
The day before Easter l was so dis.
tressed with a cold and cough that I
did not think to be able to take any
duties the next day, as my voice was
almost choked by the cough. The
same day | received an order from YOU
for a bottle of your Cough remedy. I
at once procured a sample bottle, and
took about three doses of the medi-
cine. To my great relief the cough ana
cold had completely disappeared, and
| was able to preach three tines on
Easter day. l know this rapid and eff
fective cure was due to your Cough
remedy. l make this testimonial with.
out solicitation, being thankful to have
found such a God-sent remedy. Re-
specially yours,
E. A. Langfeldt. NJ. A..
Rector of st. Lulie's Church.
This remedy is for sale by all drug.
gists.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15

try depends on the isthmian railway,
though only fo%rty-seven miles in
length.
While of great Importance to Pana-
ma. this railroad is still of greater i'm
portance to the world at large. 1t was
constructed primarily in the interest
Of the United States and the CONNER.
cial nations of Europe and at this time
the United States became responsible
for the safety of the road and the pro.
lection OF transit. Under this protec-
ton the commercial interests of the
isthmus have greatly increased and
for the year ending June so, 1903 the
imports at Colon had a value OF $11S,-
322 from England, $119,0 S6 from
France, $76,3S6 from Germany, $685.
I'll from Italy and s596,179 from the
United States. OF the 346, $50 tons of
freight carried by the Panama railroad
in 1902, 1869 tons went from New
York to San Francisco; 30,434 tons
from New York to Panama, the South
Pacific, Central America, Mexico and
San Francisco.
or the east bound traffic 30,590 tons
went from San Francisco to New York
52,107 tons from the South Pacific,
Central America. Mexico and Panama
to Europe and 62,S55 tons We're count
ed as local freight from Colon to Pan
ANA and way stations and Il, 1888 tons
as local from Panama to the way sta
tions. The earnings of the Panama
railway in 1902 were $1,239,345. The
earnings of the steamships in the At
lantic service connecting with the
Panama railway were $S9S, SIG and of
those engaged in the Pacific service
in connection with the railway, $751;
lis.
The operation of the railroad has
demonstrated the necessity of ade-
quate protection to transit in that part
OF the world. The lesson thus learn
ed will be applied to the operation of
the isthmian canal when it shall be
completed.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
SHOULD DO FULL JUSTICE.

The case of Senator Smoot, of Utah,
wherein an attempt has been made to
expel him from the senate was today
taken under consideration by the COM
mittee on privileges and elections.
Hundreds of petitions, from forty
states. have been received during the
past few weeks by the committee. So
far the only grounds given for asking
MI. Shoots removal are that he is ac-
cused OF. polygamy, and that his Off
rial position in the Mormon church is
said to interfere with his oath as SEN
ator.
Since first petitions against Mr..
Smoot began to reach Washington,
there has been unusual interest | n the
case in all parts of the United States.
During the past few weeks there has
been a belief growing that the oppo-
nents of Senator Smoot will not press
the charge of polygamy, there being
practically no evidence to substantiate
this accusation. Since the beginning
of the fight his friends have consist
emily held that Senator Smoot is not,
and never has been, a practicer OF po-
lygamy. In fact, this opinion has be-
come quite general, and it seems prob
able that this phase of the case will re-
ceive little attention.
1t is practically certain that the op-
inosition will concentrate it's energies
in an attempt to prove the second
charge-that his position in the Nor
mon church is incompatible with the
oath Of allegiance he has taken to the
United States. It now seems certain
that an effort will be made to ascer-
tain accurately the attitude of the Nor
mon church toward the government of
the United States and to learn whether
or not any member of that organization
is bound by any pledge or oath that in
n way would interfere with his oath
as a United States senator. Upon the
result of the investigation of this point
will doubtless rest the final decision in
the case. 1t is only Justice that the
proof must be ample and the evidence
of such nature as to be beyond ques.
tion before any action is taken. Should
such evidence be forthcoming the un.
seating of Senator smoot would natur-
ally follow.
The investigation should be-as it
unquestionably will be-fair and i'm
partial and of a most searching ma
ture. After such an examination
the decision will undoubtedly be
right and just. Pending the outcome,
interest in the affair will remain at a
high pitch.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
OFFERED BIG PRICE.
Mel Crews, of Highland Center, Owns
Valuable Illinois Land.

In a recent issue of the Champaign
County News, published at Champaign,
Ill, appeared an item stating that Mel
Crews had been offered 5000 an acre
for the Maple Grove stock farm and
racing track of $50 acres, which is To-
Gated in that vicinity. Mr.. Crews now
resides in Highland Center owning
land in that vicinity. The Article in
the Champaign paper which shows the
rapid advance in the price of land fol-
lows:
1T is said that Mel Crews, the Ar.
cola stockman, has been offered 5000
an acre for his Maple Grove farm Of
800 acres, lying just west of Arcola.
Crews has the old Barnhart and
Armstrong farms, which he bought sew
eral years ago., the land costing him
less than 500 an acre. On a part of
this farm is located the Maple Grove
stock farm and racing track.
THE land is as fine as there is any
where, and it has fine improvements.
THE rise of Mel Crews is wonder
full. He anne to Douglas county from
C~oatsville, Ind, fifteen or twenty years
ago with but a few dollars in his pock-
ct. He was a first class horseman.
having an aptitude for that business,
and he bought horses for Black Bros
OF Greencastle. Today Crews is ono
OF the wealthy men of that section.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15

The Burlington track was blocked
at Court street for nearly an hour
this morning between $3.50 and 7:30
O'Clock by the derailment of the two
rear cars of the Keb coal train. The
mishap occurred at the point where
the int%ersecting switches are located.
May Reduce Callers.
The Ottumwa callers whose duty it
is to call the men employed in the
Burlington train and engine service
may be greatly reduced in number as
the result of an experiment that is
being tried by the Burlington in Gales
burg, Ill. AT the present time one set
of callers call the enginemen and an
other calls the trainmen. The terri
tory in which the railroad people live
is therefore covered by two sets of
callers. The experiment being tried
is to have one set of callers call both
engine and trainmen. This will re-
suit in a reduction in the number of
callers of just one-half and a big
saving in expense to the company
Having Good Success.
The Southwest Limited, the new
Chicago-Kansas City fifteen hour
train service put on over the Milwau-
kee cutoff last Sunday is proving a
popular train and getting a large share
of the patronage of the travelling
public between the two points.
viii Not Increase Pay.
Engineers and firemen on the Chica-
go, Rock Island and Pacific Railway,
will receive no increase in pay
during the coming year. The
committee representing the two
brotherhoods which have been in con
ference with the officials of the road
have returned to their homes having
been unable to secure any concessions
from the company.
All trainmen and trackmen on the
Vandalia it is stated are to receive a
10 per cent increase.
Iowa Railway Club.
The program for the next meeting
of the Iowa Railway club which will
be held in Des Moines, December Is,
has been issued. d. Van Alstyne of
st. Paul, general superintendent of mo-
tive power of the Great Western has
promised TO prepare a paper. The
meeting will be held in the new quar-.
tiers in the Union depot. The quar-.
tiers are now being fitted.
The program for the meeting is as
follows:
"Sidebearings of Engine Tanks" =
d. Van Alstyne of ST. Paul. president
of the Northwest Railway club and
general superintendent of motive pow
er of the Chicago Great Western.
THE Best Way to Get a Way
Freight Over the Road From a Dis,
patcher's Point of View" - E. B.
Schevenell, superintendent of the
Northwestern at Mason City.
Relation of Car Service to Traffic
Department" = Ashley j. Elliott, man.
ager Of the Illinois and Iowa Car Serv.
ice association.
Programs and invitations will be
sent to all the master mechanics OF
Iowa railroads and President J.A.Wag
ner thinks the majority of them will
be present.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
MIXED AMERICANS.

Brooklyn Eagle.-An italian cobbler
fought with a Chinese laundryman
in Manhattan over a Stovepipe job
lone by n German mechanic. A He
brew tailor tried to make peace, and
a crowd of negroes gathered to see
the sport. An Irish policeman arrest
ed the Chinaman and an American
surgeon bandaged the italian. Where
else in the world would all this have
happened? incidentally, they We're
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-15
ASKS MACARTHUR TO EXPLAIN.
President Wants to Hear About Hon
olu!u Interview,

Washington. d. c., Dec. 12.-Presi-
dent Roosevelt and the cabinet de-
cided yesterday in the interest of fair
ness. to ask Major General MacArA
thur for an explanation of his report
ed interview at Honolulu. in which he
is alleged to have predicted war be-,
tween the United States Ger
many
Secretary Root said that he did not
regard it as a case calling for action
and. that General MacArthur's denial
PLANTATION.