davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1904-08-30
for the Standards fight with Russian
Roumanian and Asiatic oils.

~
Roumanian and Asiatic oils.
Again, there is no settled price for
oil in this country. The range is
tremendous. Where there is compe-
ton the prices CT down. Where
there is no competition the Standard
shoves the price up as high as posi-
BILE. The touch of the competitor
always brings the price down.
Miss TarbelPs series of articles has
been but a rehearsal of the opera
tons practiced by the Standard Oil
Company to get rid of competition.
1t was to get rid of competition that
the South Improvement Company
was formed. 1t was to get rid of
| competition that the oil-carrying
railroads were bullied or persuaded
or bribed into unjust discrimina-
tions. 1t was to get rid of competi-
ton that the Empire Transportation
Company was wrested from the
hands of the men who had developed
it. 1t was to get rid of competition
that war was made on the Underwater
Pipe Line, the Crescent Pipe Line, the
United States Pipe Line. 1t was to
get rid of competition that the
Standards spy system was built up,
it's oil wars instituted, all it's perfect
methods for making it hard for rivals
to do business developed.
The most curious features per
haps of this question of the Stand
ard Oil Company and the price of oil
is that there are still people who be-
lieve that the Standard has made oil
cheapl Men recall that back in the
late sixties and seventies they paid
fifty and sixty cents a gallon for oil.
which now they pay twelve and ff-
teen cents for. This. then, they say,
is the result of the combination.
They do not know the meaning of
the variation of the price, that it
was forced down from 1865 to 1872.
when Mr.. Rockefeller's first effective
combination was secured by competi-
ton. and driven up in 1875 and 1877
by the stopping of competition; that
it was driven down from 1877 to 1879
by the union of all sorts of connect
tive forces-producers, independent
r~efners, the developing Of an indie
pendent sea-board pipe-line-to a
point lower than it had ever been be-
fore. They forget that when these
opposing forces were overcome, and
the Standard Oil Company was at
last supreme, for ten years oil never
fell a point below the margin reach
ed by competition in 1879, THOUGH
frequently it rose. They forget that
in 1889, when for the first time in
ten years the margin between crude
and refined oil began to fall, it was
the rise of American independent in
terests that did it.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1904-08-30
The Price of OIL.

down? Who has been benefited by
the combination, and what have the
profits been2 These are the things
in Standard Oil history hat are of
living inheritance to the man who
buys oil by the gallon. These are
the questions answered by Miss Ida
NJ. Tarbell in an extraordinary paper
on "The Price of Oil" in McClure's
for September.
From the time John D. Rockefeller
went into the business-1S65-until
1872, the margin, or difference be-
tween the price of crude and refined.
fell steadily. There was a decline in
expenses and profits coming from a
natural development of the business
from the multiplication of pipe
lines, reduction in freight charges,
simplifcation of the business, and
free competition in the general mar
kets.
Then came Rockefeller's first COM
bination-in 1872-and a sudden rise
in the price of OIL. The result of
this consolidation for the consumer
is admirably demonstrated by the dia-
gram that goes with Miss Tarbell's
article. This scheme failed, but four
years later another one was launched.
Here again was a sudden and ire
mendous rise in the price of oil.
The profits from this raid of 1877
we're staggering. One of the leaders
in the affair sold a cargo of oil at
thirty-fve cents a gallon-oil that
cost him ten cents a gallon. To-day
a quarter of a cent a gallon is a big
profit on export oil. That year the
Standard paid a dividend of $3,24S.-
650.01 on a capitalization of $780,
900. After this came successful eff
forts on the part of independents to
restore compettion-and a fall in
prices. Then in 1880 the Standard
throttled competition again, and up
went prices.
But the Standard learned that it
didn't pay to hold up the public for
too high profits. 1t learned to keep
prices as high as possible without in
juring the market or inviting too
strong competition. This is beauti-
fully Illustrated by the period from
1879 to 1889. During this time the
margin never fell below the point
reached by competitive influences in
1879, though frequently it went
above. Yet in this period the Stand
ard did all it's great work in extend
ing markets, developing by-products,
introducing small and various econo-
mics ON which it rests its claim to be
a great benefactor. But, in spite of
all this enormous development, and
these enormous economies, the mar
gin never went down a fraction of
a cent. The profits grew enormous
ly; the public rained nothing.
So far the price under discussion
has been the export price. What of
the home market? Here the Auctua-
tons have been even more violent.
The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1904-08-30
Herefofds and ~Shropshires Next Two Weeks.

For the next two weeks / will offer the fol-
lowing stock at prices that the Southern
istered Bull Calf, nine months old, good
enough to head any herd in the South, for
S10O. Three-fOurth blood Calves, extra quail
1ty, from five to ten months old, S25 each.
Two yearling Shropshire Rams, will weigh
about 200 each, for $40 each. Lambs all sold.
No cut on above prices. If you want any of
the above stock, write at once. This ad. will
only appear once more.
w. E. SHIPLEY, Vale Cruces, N. C.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09
INCREASE OF PNEUMONIA.


Keokuk Gate City-Statistics adj
duced by the Chicago Tribune show
that While deaths from consumption
are decreasing in that city. the NOR
tality from pneumonia is on the in
Increase. IE Chicago in 1860. the
number of deaths from pneumonia was
four in every 10000. In 1880 the num-
Der had increased to thirteen and in
1900 to twenty. In 1860 in the same
city the number of deaths from con-
sumption was twenty-five in every
10000 In 1880 the number had been
reduced to seventeen and in 1900 there
We're only fifteen.
In discussing how the mortality
from pneumonia may be decreased the
Tribune offers q number OF sensible
and practical suggestions. Private
cleanliness and public sanitation arc
recommended as the most efficacious
agencies in combating pneumonia that
are known at present. The reforms
suggested are clean streets, properly
warmed and properly ventilated street
cars, offices, factories and theatres;
perfected drainage, the abandonment
of shades and shutters and the admis-
sion to all rooms of more sunlight,
smaller quantities of food and larger
quantities of air, the destruction OF
the sputa of pneumonia patients and
the extinction of the habit or pro-
miscuous eXpectoration.
1T may be added that anything that
lowers the vitality eonduces to the
disease by lessening the power of re-
sistance. AS regards the pneumonia
it is especially true that the best pre-
ventiye is good health.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09
SILENT HOMES in NEW york.

Cedar Rapids Republican. Abe
Hummell of New York, who has grad
matted from the role OF theatrical
lawyer INTO a l1vorce lawyer. esti-
mates that there are from 500 to 1000
homes In New York city where hus-
bands and wives do not speak to each
other from one days end to another.
fte made this statement in connec-
ton with one, of the silent" divorce
cases which has attracted a great
deal of attention. The case on tria,
Is That of woman who sues her
husband for divorce and alimony. Her
husband is millionaire. The facts
brought out in court are that for near
" year the wife and husband have
mot spoken to each other. A nine-
year-old son has been the only means
OF communication between them, in
cases Where some sort of communiea-
ton was imperative. They have sat
at the same table for breakfast, din
ner and luncheon, but without speak,
ing' to each other. In this way thew,
have kept up the delusion of married
life. and avoided scandal. But finally
the silence became uncomfortable to the
wife and she moved to apply for q
legal separation.
The question in practical life Is
whether 1t Is better to live such lives
Under one roof or to break contracts
which have bound minated people to-
gether. Fortunately or 'unfortunately
the present tendencies of life are to-
ward the development of the individ-
ual and the larger cities are so full OF
advertisements that married peopls
no longer find 1t necessary to
seek interest in each others compan-
ionship
But against the 500 or 1000 homes
cited by Mr.. Hummell 1t is still pos
sible to place more than 100000 homes
where people are happy, even in New
I York and even though married. v
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09

9-IYl
vented the first workable model of the
typewriter. He was something OF Il
genius. who was always tinkering at
some new device Most people whc
knew him regarded him as crank on
the subject of inventions. When he
produced the modern writing machine
his neighbors locked up it as a clever
toy, but nothing more. Ahner thought
differently and took his model to
Washington TO Secure a patent He
exhibited it there for some time. but
was ridiculed by everyone for think
ing that such q machine was or could
be of any service. He was refused
9 patent and returned to Lehigh.i Not
long after Peeler's return to this state
a patent was secured by another man
on machine copied from the one
exhibited in Washington by Abner
F'eeler of I4ehigh, inventor. This pat
ent was afterwards sold to the REM
ington Arms company, afterwards the
Remington Typewriter company. This
is the story sent out from Lehigh, and
more than likely it is true. Peeler died
there eight years ago in very modest
circumstances.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09
SENTENCE SERMONS.

Chicago Tribune.--Truth abhors
tricks.
Love needs no label
The upright go right up.
Helpfulness Is happiness
Strength has little need of style. !
Information precedes reformation.
He makes no mark who has no aim
The future holds no failures to the
eye of faith.
Fast living makes fast links, In the
devils chain
God measures by motives; men, b,
mistakes.
God never forgets the man who for.
gets himself.
a mans prospects depends on the
things he respects.
There is good in all to the man who
is altogether good.
1t takes many new beginnings tc
make a glorious ending. 4
"A man is not a saint because he car
tell the difference between good ser.
mon and a poor one.
The square man is never looking 70,
a crooked opening. e.
Loyalty to the lessons Of tho las,
year leads to success in the new.
God knows the way to your door ii
you know the way to his door.
Take stock of your mercies. and
you will find your miseries have take1
flight.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09
THE AMERICAN FLAG.

III = i
Keokuk County News.--No man, ex-
oepting of course. the soldier who has
defended the same, realizes the full
meaning and beauty of our fag-the
stars and stripes--unless he has set
his foot on Foreign soil. There he has
broader conception Of what the stars
and stripes stand for, and even if he
never had any beauty in his heart be-
fore, when he again sees the starry
banner flutterihg in the breeze he will
imagine that it is the most beautiful
emblem he ever laid his eyes on
that the white contained therein is
Whittier than the spotless snow, that
the red is brighter than the brightest
crimson, that the blue stars are fairer
than the starry heavens, and then he
stands there gazing at the emblem of
the free and the brave, il there be the
smallest spark of gratefulness in his
heart. he will thank the Lord of lords
that he is an American citizen.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09
CHICAGO JUSTICE.

-. : 7
Des iMoines Capital.-A Chicago po-
liceman went into a saloon to quell a
brawl which was in progress at A
o'clock in the morning and had fierce
conflict with barroom toughs, but sue
ceeded in making several arrests. AS
a reward for his efforts at preserving
the peace he was dragged before the
board of police commissioners upon a
charge of conduct unbecoming an Of
ficer, fined tesl days salary, and then
transferred to a pe:.e where his pres
epce would be less obnoxiif',s y The
barroom toughs Were taken before a
putty headed magistrate who prompt
ly gave them their freedom And still
there are people who profess to Won
der why it is that Chicago is getting a
reputation beside which that of So
dom and Gomorrah seem to have been
veritable Eldoradoes of municipal per
lection
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09

ed his hearers with the mood he was
depicting. So long has he been seen
in these comical roles that it had al
most come to be believed that he
could do nothing serious. Great as
a comedian, he rose to the occasion on
Wednesday afternoon at the Iroquois
theatre and by his herculean effort to
prevent a panic in the crowded play
house, became in a moment the star in
the tragedy of the age. Had it been
possible for a human to stay the mad
rush, Eddie Foy would probably have
been successful on that fated after
noon Great as have been his parts
during the years of his stage life, his
greatest part was that when as a man
he came to the front of that flame, en-
yeloped stage and pleaded with the au-
dience to do all in it's power to avert
a panic
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09
THE SULTAN AND CONSUL DA.
Wis. n

Seattle Post -Intelligencer.- When it
comes to making reparation that in
wolves no more than the rendering of
an apology for acts committed BY it,
self or it's subjects, the Turkish gov
eminent is not difficult to Persuade.
An apology costs nothing, and as to
wounded feelings. the porte is fused to
that. Accordingly little trouble was
encountered in obtaining an ,oTder that
the governor II .N!exandretla should
EXPRESS to United States sc%nsul Da-
e nis umrtsys most aa sincere sgret that
the American official on ar(scent occa-
sion. Mr.. Davis has receiyfsd the apol-
cgy. assured that governor of his
Debt is c,osed.
When we .ecall th9 facts of the
attack upon the consul, as related bv
the 1ulk:sl, officials. we cannot adj
mire toe much the Willingness of the
SULTAN tn order aH expiration, or the
heroic conduct of Nr. Davis when sur
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09
IN IOWA.

Corn a hangin' from the stalk.
Here in old Iowa;
Heads held high as people walk,
Here in old Iowa;
Golden grain in every bin.
No one amt got no poor kin.
Everyone is on the win,
Here in old Iowa.
Apples red with autumn's blush.
Here in old Iowa;
Barrels full of meat for mush.
Here in old Iowa;
Farmers have a big wide smile,
As they view the golden pile.
Women folk ken put on style.
Here in old Iowa. y,
We hev got thu "only" state
Here in old Iowa;
That's TIL truth as sure as fate. Il
Here in old Iowa;
Brag erbout your old Nilsson.
An your Minysota, too
| Sensible old thing to do. Is
Move to old Iowa.
See our rollin' prairie land,
Here in old Iowa; Z
Raisin' crops t. beat thu band
III Here in old Iowa.
r II IN Isos snrirtin, pesky rush. S.,
Just slow and steady Push,
Swipes tn plum from off theSrv,h
Here in old Iowa.
See our stately buildings tall, I,
Here in old Iowa;
Fortune smilin' in tn hall,
Here in old Iowa.
An tn sleek fat herds of stock.
That tn wraiths NV panic mock.
An our girls-sh don't talk. &
Here in old Iowa.
Why, them gals NV ourn, my boy.
Here in old Iowa,
Are tn gold without alloy,
Here in old Iowa.
Don't a durn one NV EN- pad.
Natures fixed that up, be CAD.
Sight NV bustles makes 'e1n mad.
Here in old Iowa.
Cheeks that vie the apples blush,
Here in old Iowa.
Capture fellers with a rush..
Here in old Iowa;
Come and see us, neighbors-why.
We've an Eden-that's no lie,
Finest place to live or die,
Here in old Iowa.
IF. III. Richardson Of Colorado fl
merly of Iowa.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09
A FEW NEW YEARS REsoLu
TONS.

Fort Madison Plaindealer.- Some
New Years resolutions have come to
light, and we print them for the en-
lightenment of our thousands of read
erS:
II will contest no more electfons."-
Sheriff Kenney.
will write no more Hearst edi-
torials. Brother Roberts.
VIII not recognize Panama.
Burlington Gazette.
II will fight it out on this line il it
Eye.
Il will advocate no moro peace
tribunals."-The Gear.
y will disclose the perfidy of Des
Moines. Lincoln Steffens.
= will be a democrat."- -Davie HiIl.
will stay in the White House for
four years more.'--Teddy Roosevelt.
4 will shoot s."Groyer Cleve-
land.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09
ONLY, RATIFICATION REMAINS.

sThe only question now before us
Is the ratification of the treaty For
it is to be remembered that failure
to ratify the treaty will not undo what
has been done, will not restore Pana-
ma to Colombia, will not alter our OBJ
legation to keep the transit open
across the isthmus and to prevent any
outside power from menacing this
. transit"
In these words did President Roose-
welt sum up the canal situation in his
message to congress at the opening
session Monday. Herein lies the nub
of the whole matter. The United
States has certain well-defined obliga-
lions regarding affairs on the isthmus.
1t could not. if it would, put away the
responsibility to protect transit across
the isthmus. 1T could not give Panama
back to Colombia, inasmuch as the
isthmian province has by it's own pow
err established a free and independent
government and has been received in
the family of nations.
But the most important considera-
ton why the canal treaty should be
ratified by the senate of the United
States is, because the people Of this
country have so decreed. Through
out the length and breadth of this land
the great majority of the citizens have
come to recognize the Importance of
this canal to the interests of this ma
ton Speaking through their repre-
sentatives in congress and through the
press of the country they have made it
understood that they want the canal
and want negotiations completed i'm
mediately. They are in favor of the
speedy beginning in digging the canal
and will brook no unnecessary delays
in concentrating the negotiations.
President Roosevelt reviews at
length the canal question in his mes
sage to congress, touching not only
events that have TRANSFERRED since the
United States began its negotiations
with Colombia and the French Canal
DO, but going back and taking up the
Auestion of this nations connection
With the affairs of the isthmus during
'SEsAA,e past century. This discussion of
ashis matter as presented to, the read
Gers of the Courier in Monday evenings
Tissue is well worth the careful atten-
ton of every American citizen. Read
the message and thereby get a clear
statement of every exact status of the
canal problem and a thorough under
standing of the present situation.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09
AN AMERICAN TRAIT.

Forgetfulness is characteristic OF
the American people. Frustrated by
the sorrow of a terrible calamity. for
a time they are melted to adopt meas
ures of extra precaution, but as time
begins to lessen the first pangs of be.
reayemsnt the picture of direful disas
ter they become unmindful of pos
sible peril and soon resume their for.
'mer strenuous quest of the almighty
dollar. until again awakened from
their wild rush by another direful ca.
tastrOphe.
1t is to be hoped that this last over.
whelming calamity in Chicago. the ef
fects OF which have been felt in many
parts OF the country, may not pass
from the minds of the people until
some decisive action has been taken
Tor the protection of large assemblies
from the disasters Of fire and panic
however. unless something is done i'm.
m I! looking to reforms along this
line. it is possible that the great the
atre. going public may fail to profit by
the horrible lesson that has been Civ.
EN- them. as has been SO often seen in
other cases.
The lessen has been one of exceed.
ing horror. 1t is to be hoped that it's
teachings will be observed and that
governmental authorities designers,
builders and owners will combine to de.
wise ways and means Of safeguarding
large public assemblages. Let the
work OF this character be taken up at
once let there be no halt so long as
there is the possibility Of making this
safety srrer.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09

What there is about teaching chill
dren that is conductive to matrimony
would be hard to determine, but teach
ers have the matrimonial bump deyel-
oped to an unusual degree says the
Des Moines Register and, Leader.
What nonsenes! School teachers
are no different from other people, SO
lar as matrimony is concerned. The
fact is that in nearly every Iowa city
and school district, the teachers com
prise the brightest, most intelligent
and often the prettiest girls in the
community. Wherever there are bright,
Intelligent and pretty girls, there are
bound to be weddings in abundance
and there is nothing peculiar about
this fact either.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09

the memories of these historic char
acters deserved recognition. We ne
elect to give proper care to the histor-
ic spots which are closely con, ected
with the lives and struggles of .hese
pioneers.
In view of these things the action OF
the citizens of Agency in taking steps
to interest the state legislature in the
proposition of bringing under state
control the graves Of Gen. j. M. Street
and Chief Wapello, also the original
agency building, with which their
names are inseparably linked, should
meet with the cordial approval of ev-
cry citizen in Iowa. 1t is the purpose
OF the citizens of Agency as announc.
ed in dispatch to the Courier from
G. l.. Nye of that city, to have the
state purchase the old agency build
ing with about an acre of ground ad.
joining the graves. To provide for
the preservation Of this old building OF
such historic significance and to in
sure proper care to the burial ground
OF the two notable men of the pioneer
days.
There is urgent need that some ac-
ton such as that suggested by the peo-
pie OF Agency be taken by the state
legislature for should the old agency
building be left upon land in the hands
OF private owners it will only be a
question of few years until it will be
torn down. Such destruction of one
OF the Oldest and most historic. land
marks OF the state would be an irrepar.
able calamity. There many important
events were enacted during the period
OF lowa's settlement. There were held
conferences between the red men and
the whites that undoubtedly had an i'm
portant bearing on the subsequent his
tory of the southeastern part of Iowa.
But an even more potent eonsidera-
ton is that, there is the last resting
place of the two chief actors upon the
stage of Iowa's pioneer history. The
influence of General Street and Chief
Wapello upon the history of Iowa was
of greater Importance than can be full
ly realized and it is only fitting that
some action should be taken by this
great state for the proper care and
preservation of their burial ground and
for the erection of an appropriate me-
mortal.
Every citizen of Wapello county and
all southeastern Iowa should join with
the citizens of Agency in their request
to the state legislature. Give this
matter your loyal support.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-01-09
THE IDLER.

Has he wrought well? I know not.
Nay, / know
Things without number that he Ieav-
es undone;
The things that vex the people SO
Who blinded by the sun,
Walk ever in vast meditation
Upon the many notes the sunbean1s
throw.
But he lives certain things. He has
a way
OF cleaning wonder. When little
wing
Beats by, he. listens. He can chant
the day
To rhythms of the dusk, and dim
things sing
To him when no one knows their
Weakening.
Has he wrought i'll? know not who
shall say.
Zone Gale in Everybody's Magazine.