davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
The Tax on Death

One of the cruelest of all the taxes
levied upon the helpless of this coun-
try is the tax on death 1t finds in sor-
row its opportunity for eXtortion. II
practices upon the common human
desire to omit no token of love and
respect for the dead. II takes advan-
tage of the reluctance CT moUrners to
bargain or haggle over the cost of the
obseauies. It often EFFORTS from the
survivors the uttermost penny, leav-
ing them to face the future without
resources after having lavished every
thing upon the funeral OF the fallen
bread-winner
The extent of the pocket-pickirg
that is carried on under cover or the
sable trapUiugs is indicated in a dis
cussion of the subject in the Survey by
Graham TAYLOR. After pointing out
the difficulties Of making a compari-
son of charges, because Of their vide
variation, he gives such figures as he
has been able to collect.
The plainest coffin he says,
which is furnished at ST. Gaull in
Switzerland for $500 for an adult,
costs $3.50 at Copenhagen aud elias
gov. $50 at An. werp. and all the way
from $40 to 81 in American cities.
The extent Of the explorations in cot
fms or caskets was disclosed in the I'M
dertaker's war at Chicago in which
the Western Casket company adver-
tised it. sales from So OF a caskct for
which from So 10 $50 Was charged
elsewhere. $50 fer what others
charged from So to 500: $25 for the
same article offered at SIS to 800;
5000 for what others charged from
$500 TO 500 These figures were fol
lowed by the claim. We viii save this
people of Chicago $4,000 a va:
which will be invested in necessary
articles for the living
The last form Of extortion against
which protest IS Hfelv 10 be made is
that which attends funeral ceremonies.
It is 70 be hoped that the federal gov
ernment viii some day turn its atteu.
ton to the coffin trust and that the
state may think il worth while TO res
ulate the charges of undertakes, as It
now c0mpels them to submit to exam
nation by a state beard before il will
permit them 10 engage in business. II
viii be found that the tax on death is
far more erievous and intoIerable than
the highest tariff taxes ever imposed
in the name Of protection TO American
labor and industry.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

10 percent of the adult males receive
more than $500 in annual wages with
out thinking of the gross inequalities
of system of legalized robbery under
which combinations OF capital control
commodity like sugar for instance,
arbitrarily manipulate prices. reap
millions in profits for themselves and
impoverish the wage Garner and con-
sUmer.
What is needed is a readjustment, a
reduction Of tariffs, an overthrow Of
mOnorolies, which are maintained in
restraint of trade, and a system OF
taxation which will not throw the bur
den upon the small property owner
and the common people whose very
existence ana presence give the values
to the lands which are the fountain
head Of wealth. The light is being shed
upon these questions. Monopoly is
being placed on the defensive.
The people are more generally
studying economics than they ever
did, and this campaign OF education
will in time result in better condi-
tons for the producers OF the wealth
which today is boarded by the few.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
Des Moines' Experience.


The Kansas City Times publishes, in
| a recent issue, a pertinent paragraph
relative to the prosperous condition of
the city of Des Moines, Iowa, which,
! it declares, has been thriving nightly
| for several years, ever since lit cut
loose from the professional politi-
clans"
The manner in which a great major
ity Of American communities permit
the professional politicians to impov-
erish the people and to impede prog
ress Of every genuine kind will be, I'M
doubtedly. the marvel of posterity,
when the story of the present period
I is written.
Continuing, the St Louis Times
says:
There isn't thoughtful individual
anywhere who does not know, definite
ly, that the professional politicians are
the most contemplate and corrupting
influence in the community. Yet they
are permitted to continue their cum
ming course of maintaining ma chimes
and robbing the people. ST. Louis is
a conspicuous example of what profess
sional politics means. The story of
the free bridge and Of the elemosynary
institutions is an amazing example of
what the professional politicians stand
for-ard what the Flooding public
stands for.
1T is all well enough to say that the
voter is TO blame, ultimately, in that
he should exercise his prerogative in
voting for honest men But has he the
opportunity 10 do so? Can he in any
genuine sense choose his candidate?
Do not the "slate-makers" usually
thrust upon him a choice of two or
three equally unfit men? Are not the
men nominated for Offices in almost
every instance the creatures of one
machine or anOther-men VINO can be
depended upon 10 stand in" or stand
aside while the people are plurdered
or subjected to the grossest kind of
Incompetence? Is voters ballot
worth the paper it is written upon. so
long as central committees and the
cunning men behind the throne decide.
beforehand, that one of two or three
or few men shall be chcsen-and
these men selected because they are
politicians. and not because Of any
genuine ftness?"
There is a remedy for cities which
have been misgoverned and misrepre-
scented by the professional politicians.
Des MCires is one OF the cities hat
has found il out. and Rock Island is
on the right track. Il will work out
all right here, too.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
Tests Illinois Merit LAW.

Springfield, Oct. First steps were
taken yesterday by James a Rose,
secretary OF state, 10 test the Lax
which places most or the state en-
Cloyes under civt, service. In the SUI
preme court the secretary petitioned
for leave 10 file a suit for mandamus
10 compel Auditor McCullough 70 IS
sue warrants for the pay roll OF three
CT the sec-etary's departmental helds,
James ". Gullett. Hezekiah Williams
rrd James c Peek. The state civil
service commission. in classifying the
secretary's employees with regard 70
duties. has held thus far On the rep
resentatlons q the secretary that the
three men are IN the classified service
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
Wages and Wealth

/ DR.. Scott Nearing of the University
OF Pennsylvania has just completed d
book in which he treats of the Wages
in the United States 1t is a subject
worth considering.
Following a comprehensive presen-
tation of statistics, and after making
due allowance for strikes, illness, time
lost, etc, DR.. Nearing says:
1t appears that half of the adult
males Of the uited States are earn
ing less than $500 a year; that three
quarters u them are earning less than
$500, that nine-tenths are earning
. less than $500: while less than 10 per
cent receive more than that figure. A
correslo bonding computation of the
wages Of women shows that a fifth
earn less than $500 annually; that
three-ffths are receiving less than
1928; that nine-tenths are earning less
than $500. while only one-tweIt!eth
are paid more than $500 Three-fourths
of the adult males and nineteen-twen IN
tieths of the adult females actually
earn less than 5000 year"
In comment upon the statements of
Dr.. Nearing, the Chicago Record
Herald says.
These figures surely do not show
a very general diffusion Of prosperity
among the wage earners of the Coun-
try. considering the high cost of living.
Yet it is we'll known that the average
income OF industrial workers is higher
rTs1v- 4
or any of the nations Of continental
Europe The tendency. of course, as
any country grows older is for wages
to become less and prices TO change so
that manufacturing products are less
and agricultural products higher. 4
unit Of purchasing power, then. such
as a dollar. becomes gradually more
valuable for the purchase Of clothing,
tools, etc, and less valuable for the
purchase Of food, very broadly speak
ing
In the cotton manufaC tures OF Mas
sachusetts. Or. Nearing shows. three
ffths Of all the adult male employees
receive less than $500 year each, and
more than So per cent of the adult fe-
males IN the work receive less than
$500 each, while 81 per cent receive
less than s549 In the boot and shoe
industry less than half the men re-
ceive 81 a week and less than half
the women IS each as a maximum
wage. In the foundries nearly 20 per
cent OF the adult males receive less
than So 2 week each. These are fig
ures worth thinking about in g consid-
Grafton OF national wealth and pros
perity.
No one should hesitate 70 uphold
or defend legitimate business. The
capitalist who legitimately amasses
a fortune by methods above reprOach
even unoer oux present economic sys-
TEN. should be free from criticism, and
in fact be commended for his thrift,
energy. business sense and success,
but one cannot contemplate the state
ment made By DR.. Nearing that only
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
EumOr and
Philosophy
LONGING.
By DUNCAN ~. SMITH

On. for cottage in HoIlandi
Oh. for q castle in Spain!
Oh, for a villa in England.
Oh. for yacht on the main!
Oh, for swift running auto.
Fleet as a bird on the wing!
Oh, for month by the seaside!
Oh. for-Just any old thing!
Oh, for a princess TO love me!
Oh. for 2 bUshel OF gold,
Oh. for a coat that will never
Tarnish or fade or grow old!
Oh. for a minion TO serve me.
Trained in the mold of a slave,
Ready to come at my bidding,
Oh. for the price of a shave!
Oh, for ride in an airship,
Oh. for some stock in a mine,
One that was listed a winner!
oh, for a hook and a line
Down where the fishes were biting
oh, for a man with q dray,
Backed up and ready to carry
All Of my fishes away!
Oh, for a trainload of monkeys!
Oh, for a check 1 could cash.
Oh. for a chance at beefsteak-
That or a small plate OF hash!
Oh, for a pipe and a mixture
Fragrant and pungent, not strong!
Oh, for a soft, easy rocker!
Oh, for the end of my song!
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

tremendous tax. They have welcom-
ed President Taft's proposal Of ar
bitration as long step toward uni
versal peace and eventual disarma-
ment. The most sanguine, of course,
do not hope that the war may be
abolished all at once. The expert
ment of arbitration must be tested
before the nations will be willing to
lay aside their weapons and their
armor; but arbitration at this time
seems to be the only way out.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

anything he didn't care particularly
about. He was always perfectly will
ing, you know, but he was the busiest
man you ever saw-to hear him talk.
Somebody was always coming TO town,
or ne always had to go out of town to
see somebody, or there was an impor-
tant meeting somewhere-alWaySS some
thing that couldn't be put off. / used
TO hurry myself to death to see that he
didn't miss any of these important en-
gagements, and then attend TO all the
neglected things while he was away
having a good time
But by-and-by | sat down to think,
too. You can fool us women just so
long, and then, if we aren't fools alto
gether, We begin TO think. And when
I put on my thinking cap l got mad.
Here I'd been. just working for
that mans convenience, while he new
er thought for a moment of consider
ing my convenience. I'd believed his
lies and swallowed his excuses. And
while he was a good sort, on the whole
God rest his soul!-I decided then
and there that if l didn't hold my own
pretty soon I'd be little better than the
despised doormat
1T wasn't easy. l got to be vixen.
l had to-nOt all the time, but enough
to get consideration.
- didn't tell my husband when
knew he lied, but 1 learned how to be
clever, to cirCumvent him and to do a
little. convincing prevaricating myself
Then l began to watch my married
friends, and | found out my case was
almost everybody's case and that d
woman can't be conscientiously honest
with a man. or believe everything he
tells her, even when he's her husband
if she doesn't want him to walk all
over her.
And now, when l go somewhere,
and I hear wives telling how busy
their husbands are and how this hus-
band had a meeting here, or that hus-
band wasn't feeling very well, or some
other excuse for not being on hand, |
just think 10 myself and speculate on
how soon that wife will learn the
game"
IF you had to do it over" asked the
unmarried woman, would you marry
again."
The old lady with the bright eyes
reflected.
Not if I knew as much as | know
now" she finally asserted. God rest
his soul.'
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

The loss again of Tighe just when
hopes were the highest proved another
jar to our baseball aspirations, but
we'll all be in the game next year just
the same
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

Leonid Menschikoff, former chief
of the Russian secret service, has
arrived in New York for the pur-
pose, he says, of bounding down
Russian spies masquerading as ar
dent revolutionists, for whose cause
he processes to be now working.
Cnjustly jailed when a boy, he de-
termined then TO penetrate the Sc
crets OF his country's system of
espionage and to use this knowl-
edge for the revolutionary cause
when the hour came TO strike. He
entered the secret service and ul-
tim ately became its head. When
suspicion fell upon him two years
ago, he resigned and fed 10 France.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

story comes from Europe that the
Wizard Edison is working on a fash
ionable hat for women that will cost
81. But the average woman wouldn't
wear hat that cost 50.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

Hoarseness IN a child subject TO
Group is a sure indication Of the ap-
proach Of the disease. If Chamber
lain's Cough Remedy is given at once
or even after the croupy cough has ap-
peared, It viii prevent the attack
Contains no poison. Sold By all drug
gists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
S&9O.922.STO

This is at the rste OF sl.06S,555 q
day. S42f a year for each inhabitant,
and s2I.20 year for each head Of
a family.
The records show that the mill
tary expenditure Of the United States
is increasing rapidly. especially since
the war with Spain. disclosed the
weakness OF our defensive orCaniZa-
ton II now costs much more 10
build a battleship than il did a few
years ago and other expenses are
greater in much the same proportion.
Although this seems heavy price
to pay for safety, II is less than the
price that Great Britain. Germany
and France are paying. Great Brit
ain especially is staggering under
tho b--,F-. gr maintaining its great
49, a1 r.Flany Is spending enor-
me- a~ attempting to rival its
s-F ~
p +e Ie apparent to states
r--a .1 -ltilized countries thar
IS $ :. list be found TO stop this
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

IF She Wanted to Be Old Fashioned.
Jennie and Jack have had three
scraps day since they have been mar
ried'
Goodness! That's enough TO make
q patchwork quilt"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

Inveighing against a college educa-
ton Mr.. Crane probably recalled that
baseball players without any education
receive $4,000 for six months work.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
Oct. 4 in American
History

I77T-Rattle Of Germa and de-
feat Of General Washington.
s22-RutherfOrd Birchard Hayes.
nineteenth president. born in Della
ware. o.; died Jan. II. 1893.
19O4-Frederick Auguste Bartholdi.
sculptor and donor OF the statue
Liberty Enliehteninc the World
IN New York harDOr. died;
1894.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
ELI L.

your wealthy uncle has been picked
To fill q senate seat, l see
"Well, yes" the man replied, but still
You needn't throw IT up to me"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
Candid.

"Do you take any interest in poll
tics:"
Sure
That's nice. What part are you
most interested in?"
Graft"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

Still Italy is only doing IN Tripoli
what we did in the Philippines.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
One Way.

81 can take care of myself, thanl
you" said Miss Pert to the man VIII
was trying to propose to her.
Can your"
81 certainly can and then some"
Then let me be the some"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
No Appreciation.

No Appreciation.
How did you like my new hatT
did the automobiles shy at it?''
"Of course not
"They haven't got horse sense, have
they?"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

A man may willingly lend you a five
spot any time you may care to ask
him. yet skin you alive in a horse
trade.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

Isn't it strange that coal dealers
never have a bargain sale?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

Chicago police who cant see gamb-
ling saw the eagle.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
shcorn.

Shorn.
"Miss Ella. was your bazaar a sue.
ccss:"
Glorious. All the men had to walk
home"'-Meggendor Batter
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

Mr.. Morgan is in Washington to see
how his country is getting along.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

Any nation that Italy can lick must
be a dead one.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

There's a lot Of good in most Of US.
but it takes our wives to find it out.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
PERT PARAGRAPHS.

Whether a man is a liar or is sim
ply misinformed often depends upon
his size
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

Men never gossip But IF you want
n piece Of news spread broadcast just
tell the woman who tells her husband
everything.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

II 1t were not for innocent, help
less. defenseless woman what would
the shyster lawyer do for something
10 weep over?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
The Extreme.

The Extreme.
"She is a very stylish person"
'In what respect?"
''In every respect. She always
wears hair to match the color of her
gown"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
Waits on Cor

Waits on Cor
ners.
whats a wait
err"
40 n e W b o
waits"
at h en- I'm a
good waiter even
If nothing else"
"How is that?-
81 have prac-
ticed it for TWEEN
ty years. My wife
is always behind
time"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
Handed Down.

"She is so very fond Of herself that
she is unbearable."
That is only inheriting her fathers
penchant for the antique"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

We can't all be rich. II we could
where would be the fun:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
Tie Prnnnr NAV.

"He asked her an uncivil question
and she gave him Il pointed reply"
with hatpin:'
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

The man who hasn't got the price
can always see the aerop1ane fight so
much better outside the grounds.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

Shall we call him Colonel Tighe
from now on?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

The small boy who delights in drums,
horns and firecrackers grows up and
buys motorcycle.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

1t always makes a man mad when
his younger brother tells his sons
about the deviltry their father used to
be up to.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

The only time a woman likes to have
her husband stay downtown late Is
when her club has been particularly
interesting.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04
The Argus Daily Story


Copyrighted. 1911. by Associated Literary Bureau.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-10-04

Total

Mr.. Mckinley places the annual
national income at STOO, 600 900 and
he points out that twC-thirds of it
is going for possible war and for
the results OF war. He calls atteU-
ton to the results which might be
obtained We're this money, which
amounts to So a year for each man.
woman and child of the population,
expended for improvements.
Another estimate of the cost of
maintaining the military arm of the
government is made by writer in
the current number of the Technical
World magazine. His figures Of ap-
preparations for the present year are
as follows:
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-05-18
A HOpful Message to Scalp SIf =
fererS and Men Who's Hair
is Thinning

Dandruff MOw-bald later The
same is true of scalp diseases. In fact
badness is scalp disease. The trou-
BILE with greasy salves and lotions, the
so-called dandruff and scalp cures, you
have tried so far is that they don't do
anything but temporarily relieve the
itching and cake the dandruff SO it
doesn't fall until it's dried out again
Nothing can cure-really cure such
troubles but real scalp medicine
that will kill the germs causing dam
druff and scalp disease.
Learning from all leading fellow
druggists throughout America that
they had found a whirlwind cure for
dandruff, eczema and all diseases of
the skin and scalp the Hanson & En-
erson Drug Store on proving to the
laboratories compounding the treat
slent that it is the most prominent
drug store in this city. secured the
agency for the remedy. This remedy
is ZEMO, the clean, liquid prepare
tion that kills the germ of disease
and ZEMO SOAP to wash the scalp
or skin clear and clean of the dandruff
or scale and by its antiseptic qualities
soothe and heal.
sold and guaranteed by druggists
everywhere and in Sank Centre by
gaiison & Emerson.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-05-18
THEY ALL DEMAND IT
Sank Centre, Like Every City
and Town in the Union, Re-
CeiyeS it

People with kidney ills want to be
cured. When one suffers the tortures
of an aching back, relief is eagerly
sought for. There are many remedies
to-day that relieve but do not cure.
Here is evidence to prove that Deans
Kidney Pills cure, and the cure is
lasting.
Henry Mitchell, r. +. ID. No. ,,
Buffalo, Mimi, says: II know that
Doan's Kidney Pills are an excellent
kidney medicine and live up to all
the claims made for them. My back
bothered me a great deal and rested
poorly. knowing that my kidneys
were at fault, / tried various kidney
remediet, but to no avail until be.
gan using Doan's Kidney Pills. In q
little over month this preparation
entirely rid my system of.kidney com.
plant"
For sale by all dealers. Price sc
cents, Foster-Milburn Co., Buffalo
New York, sole agents for the United
States.
Remember the name-Doan 's-anG
| take no other.
E. P Remington.
The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1911-05-18

Dinner Bell Of the House of Commons.
The question OF the limitation OF
speeches which has been raised in the
house recalls the giants of the past
who killed time N the house With their
mouths. There was David Hartley, for
instance, the sound Dinner Bell' of
TIE commons On one occasion he got
up to speak and Sir Robert Walpole-
approaching the truth of that saying
about the i'll wind that benefits no.
to6y-got up too. He took the oppor-
tunity of taking his ride, and went
home, changed his dress for rid ng cos
tune, rode TO hampstead, returned,
put on full dress and came down to the
house, when he found David Hartley
still en- his feet, not having finished his
speech" --LonGon Chronicle.