davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
THE ANONYMOUS WRITER


The discussion Of the recall in Rock
Island has brought to The Argus Of
fee. as is always the case where
there is public agitation, all manner
OF communications for publication,
bearing on the subject As is invar-
iably the rule under such conditions
tions are unsigned. The writer's are
quite willing TO give vent TO their
opinions and take fall out Of whom
soever they please, but they do not
wish their names known. They pre-
fer 70 conceal their identity under a
nom de plume or fictitious signature.
Times out OF number The Argus
has stated that 1t does not publish
communications OF this nature. the au-
thors OF which are unknown. There
are OF course, as has been often stated,
instances where people Of modest ma
tuTe have views 70 express on mat
tcrs OF public policy, thus submitting
suggestions that are valuable, and be-
ing impersonal in nature. involving no
AhAaNh upbA4 dAg O4ts II 10 NulNS pIOptIs
and many times desirable, 20 give pub
LEFTY 10 the discretion Of the editor.
But the citizen who writes anony-
mously on topics OF serious discus
sion where pronounced differences OF
opinion exist. and undertakes TO ar
raign some one else. and fails TO ap-
pend his correct signature, is so lack.
ing in the courage OF conviction that
he Is not entitled TO consideration at
the hands OF any reputable newspaper
The Argus is always willing to pub
lish all sides OF any controversy that
engages the attention OF the people. II
is willing 10 give publicity to the opin,
ions OF those who differ with It's own
position. where the communication ii
couched in respectable language and
the name OF the writer is attached
But abuse and libelous statements are
under no circumstances allowable.
The people who wish TO have their
ideas read should be manly enough L
back them with their name.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20

franchise from the various states
through which they pass. Not so with
the express companies They merely
walked and started TO do business
without even asking leave. and they
have been doing business ever since.
When the operators in Big Business
in Wall street attained such gigantic
profits that the banks were no longer
allowed to carry them, because of their
questionable methods, they turned to
the insurance companies. Then the
Hughes investigation laid bare the fact
that the insurance companies were be
ing used 10 hold, protect and manipu-
late the stock jobbing operations in
Big Business. Through the finding of
the Hughes commission the life insur-
ance companies were forced to aban-
don this questionable service for the
Wall street mauipulators, and so, in
recent years, Wall street has taken
refuge behind the loose charters and
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
AW0MHNICO OBSERVATIONS


tween two bicuspids in the southeast
Then there are berry seeds, orange
fibers and other bits Of food that
lodge between and under ones imper-
feet molars and which cause increas-
ing discomfort until the friendly
toothpick is employed-for one can't
always get next to a toothbrush. and
everyone will agree that anybody with
the habit OF sucking his teeth ought
to be done to death on the spot. Any
wielder Of a toothpick is the pink of
| politeness compared TO this friend who
annoys US at table or in street car, in
| the theater, even at church-wheneyer
and wherever the spirit moves him.
| Some dentists have declared that
the soft wooden toothpick is harm
full instrument-that slivers are apt to
become detached and take up their
quarters between the teeth. They
recommend dental floss as a substi-
tute.
Dental floss is undeniably good.
But the use Of dental floss after a
restaurant meal, as rule, would be
quite impracticable 1t wouldn't do
in company. The process couldn't be
hidden with a napkin, as in the case
OF a toothpick. And, even though
some dentists have inveighed against
the wooden subject of this common
tary, it must be admitted that the
conscientious user of it is far better
off than if he had allowed particles
Of food to remain in his mouth, not
only to distress him, but to decay and
endanger both his teeth and his
health.
1t is said that every good thing
. carried to an extreme becomes an
evil. The toothpick is a good thing,
, but certain extreme users of it have
! pronounced its doom as a public
? benefactor
The vulgar have made the toothpick
; vulgar. They have used it in a man
ner disgusting to those of finer sen
sibilities. They are the same sort OF
: people who gulp their food, gurgle
} their soup, sizzle their coffee and
slop the gravy on the tablecloth
They'll take away your appetite, any
} way, toothpick or no toothpick. But
for that reason we don't Danish from
the table the food they so objec
= tionably eat.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
A MAN OF WORDS AND NOT OF
DEEDS

DEEDS.
What has Colonel Roosevelt ever
done TO show that he is not con-
trolled by special privilege, either as
governor of New York or as presi-
dent of the United States?
You and l are practical men," said
President Roosevelt in his famous let
ter to Hartman, who was then the
railroad king, and who had raised
$500, 600 to secure Roo5eyelt's election
10 his second term The colonel is
now being financed by the harvester
and steel trusts, the two trusts he ex-
tended special fayors to during his
second term-the harvester trust by
not prosecuting il under the Sherman
law, and the other by sanctioning the
deal by which it took possession of the
Tennessee Iron & Coal company.
Mr.. Roosevelt is long" on boasts,
claims and promises, but exceedingly
short on real efforts in behalf Of the
people II is big ~ and little you"
with Mr.. Roosevelt He poses but
does not perform. He is spectacular,
but not sincere. He stands out big
| in the limelight and in newspaper head
lines, but is very diminutive in pro-
ducing results to justify his claims.
He is a man of words and not Of deeds
That Mr.. Roosevelt is popular with
certain classes cannot be denied. But
these classes are composed 10
a large extent of people who
/ are attracted by the glitter of
tinsel and the antics OF the contor,
\ ZIONIST and who overlook the modest
merit OF the pure metal and the in,
/ trinsic worth OF the substantial. sin
cere statesman. The intelligent think,
ing republicans and the genuine fund,
/ amentl believers in Jeffersonian de.
I mocraCy controlled by patriotism or
I principle, regret his pretensions and
repudiate his reckless assumptions and
! boastful. unsupported claims.
From San Juan and the Round Rob
l in, from the Hartman railroad trust
/ 10 the harvester trust: from second
I term inaction TO third term aspira-
/ tons, Theodore Roosevelt has done
nothing TO entitle him to claim cham
pionship and leadership in the rule OF
the people and a square deal crusade
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
COMMENT FROM THE CAPITAL

loose partnership restrictions of the
express companies.
PARASITES UPON RAILROADS.
The interstate commerce commits
sion's report shows that the express
companies are mere parasites upon the
railroads. The express companies,
while they have a capitalization of
$106, 100000, are really worth only ST.
100000. All the property they own is
tied up in n few station trucks. an as
sortment of office furniture, and some
horses, wagons, and automobile trucks.
Their biggest asset is their contracts
with the railroads.
The report also shows that the own
ershlp Of the express companies is al
most identical with the ownership of
the railroads on which they operate
The railroad owners, by dividing their
property into two parts-railroads and
express Companies-are enabled to col
lect two profits from the people. The
/ express companies, because of their
loose restrictions, often overcharge,
and often they charge twice for carry
| ing the same package, making both the
sender and the receiver of the package
/ pay the bill. One company collected
something like 100000 in this method
| last year.
CHIEF VALUE OF REPORT.
! The chief value of this report lies in
/ the fact that it will throw much need
ed light on the relations between the
| express companies and the railroads
! Now that the commission has shown
that a close partnership exists between
/ these carriers, and that their joint pur-
| pose Is TO exact a greater and greater
/ tribute from the people, it is more than
| likely that legislation will follow.
! The democratic leaders in congress
/ are opposed to the express company
graft, and they are only awaiting a
chance to wipe it out Repeated eff
I forts have been made to bring these
companies to time, but always their po-
lltical backing has proved too strong,
and nothing has been done. The inter
state commerce commission has paved
the way, however, and action is likely
TO be sure and swift from now on.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
OUR GLORIOUS STARRY BAN
NER

The old dag which Betsey Ross de,
yised, evolving IL with patient labor
from q sketch which General Wash
ington himself. roughly drew with
pencil. until its Is alternate stripes
Of red and white and its Is stars OF
white upon field Of azure. were fas-
hioned into the worlds most beautiful
banner. has undergone many changes
since first its folds 1uttered above the
heads Of a sturdy Continental host
Originally il was proposed that a new
star and a new stripe should be add
ed with the accession OF each new
state, and this at first was actually
done. After a little. however. practi-
cal difficulties presented themselves
and II was decided that the Is stripes
should remain as symbols Of the origi-
nal IL colonies but that each new state
should have its star in the coustella-
ton which dotted the field OF blue.
Naturally. with the passing years.
there have been numerous changes in
the number OF stars and their ar
rangement Taylor wrote a memora.
bic poem about them when there were
only 81. but even good poetry didn't
stop the thronging-ia OF states; and
finally the number ran up TO As. which
IS the number OF stars on the flag
which died. by legal Limitation" on
JCly I. On that date the old nag
mss called in on government build
3nes. forts and ships and in its place
Eo~,gd the flag OF As stars which sym
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20


ence.
Since the University Of Chicago
barred It at meals, as vulgar, the
humble toothpick has been the sub
ject OF much comment, and 1t has
been discovered that various hotels
and restaurants have, for some time,
ruled out the little wooden stick that
is, in fact, friend in need.
But the toothpick hasn't been rele-
gated to the cashiers desk in all cas-
es, because it offended the patrons Of
restaurant The element of econo-
my has entered here, as elsewhere.
Save the pennies" you know. AS
the proprietor Of one medium-priced
restaurant elucidated, when asked
what had been done with the little
glass OF picks" which had graced
each table
Couldn't afford to keep EN- there
Why, a man would order a 15-cent
meal and then make of with a hand
full of toothpicks! 1t cost me some
money, tell you, to keep the tables
supplied at that rate. So put few
| in a dish on the cashiers desk, and
when the toothpick hog comes along
the cashier'l fix him with a glare, or
maybe ask him If he's in the lumber
business. Then, when they're on the
cashiers desk, most folks forget tc
take one, but at the table they never
do and usually waste three or four"
have referred to the toothpick az
"a friend in need"
1t is. Anybody who has suffered
with a piece of steak wedged in be
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
THE REAL ISSUE IN THE RECALL

THE REAL ISSUE IN THE RECALL
In a communication addressed 10
The Argus and appearing in the issue
of yesterday, DR.. c. T. Foster, taking
exception TO the position OF this pa
per, anent the recall, sets forth
number Of reasons to show why the
present campaign to unseat the
mayor ana one OF the commissioners
is not based on the action OF the ad
ministration TO GUST lawless saloon
keepers. Yet of all the reasons DR..
Foster sets forth for recalling tie mu-
nicipal officials in Question-and in
certain instances his criticisms are
iust-oniy one Of those presented ex-
listed at the time the recalls were
started. That one reason is the not
and attending unfortunate cIrcum-
! stances, and that riot with all It's IN
/ fortunate attending circumstances
was traceable to no other cause on
earth but the defiant saloon interests
| that the administration mad set itself
against. Those defiant saloon inter
/ ests were at the bottom OF all the bit
/ terness that led up TO the riot. The
! defiant lawless saloon elements that
/ Mayor Schriver had not only the sup
/ PORT of all good citizens but the de-
cent law-respecting influences in the
liquor business in ousting stirred up
all the trouble that opened the way to
consequent acts of an unseemly nature
that all the people now depiore.
II was the element of disorder that
drove the mayor almost TO distraction
because he had fought it and thus pre-
cipitated the disgraceful state OF ar
fairs that ensued. II was the same
element Of disorder that started twice
the recall for the purpose of getting
the mayor, and, failing once, started
over again.
While people actuated by other mo
tives may have taken part in the re
call and signed the petitions, the
movement had its origin with a dc
bauching class of saloon keepers thai
the city is trying TO get along without
and which nevertheless hopes 20 bt
the chief beneficiary by the oustinl
from Office of the commissioners aim
ed at.
That plainly, let II be repeated, I!
the reason The Argus is out OF sym
pathy with the recall as at presen
applied 10 the Rock Island municipa
commission.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20

bolizes the admission of Arizona and
New Mexico. With the admission Of
these states there is no bit of terri
tory in our connected continental
body which is not part of a state.
There still remain, however, detach-
ed sections of mother earth, as for ex-
ample, Porto Rico, Alaska and the
Philippines, so that eventually, from
the two first at least, more states may
be made.
How the stars should be arranged
has from the first been a matter for
discussion and various schemes have
been proposed such as grouping all
the stars in the form of a single large
star, placing them in a large circle.
or in a concentric circle, and 30 on.
The custom Of placing them in paral.
! lei lines has had most favor and has
/ been retained whenever the addition
/ OF a state has made a change neces
/ sary, and II is followed still.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20

New York in order to keep the reserve
at more than 100000 900 until this
administration could get out of office,
and thus throw the responsibility on
the incoming democratic administra-
ton.
The New York bureau OF statistics
publishes figures showing that month
by month more persons were employed
in identical Industries from the cleo
ton OF Cleveland until the following
June than for the same period the
year before.
The silver panic of 1898, which was
due entirely 10 republican Legislation,
is the only one for more than half
a century that did not occur while
the republicans were in full possession
OF the government Yet republican or
ators, true to their habit of obscuring
issues and raising false cries, go right
On trying to make 1t appear that dem
ocTauc success means hard times.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20

doctrine that a protective tariff pro-
tects American wOrkiugmen, when ev-
cry school boy knows that il does no
such thing.
A brief history of recent American
business depTessions provides a full
and sufficient answer 10 these foolish
arguments. The last panic in this
country. it will be remembered, oc-
CURED less than five years ago, when
the republicans were in full control
OF the machinery of government. Theo-
dore Roosevelt, who has a cure for all
known political evils, was in the White
house when this panic which was the
least excusable panic the nation ever
had. came about
The republican party was in full
possession Of the government when
the panic OF 1873 came. Likewise. il
was this party that was in power
when q panic came in the early part
Of 1884, and the country recovered
from that panic during a campaign
that resulted IL the election of a dem.
ocratic president
The republican party was in con.
troll Of all branches Of the govern
ment for four years previous to the
panic OF 1898, which was a currency
panic clearly due 10 the republican
silver purchase Law OF 1890. This Law
had depleted the gold reserve so rap
idly that before the Harrison admin
istration could get out Of Office a few
millions in gold were borrowed il
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
q. o. p. LEADERS ALREADY UP
To THE OLD TRICK.

Now that the people have come TO
see the sham OF a high tariff. and to
understand that a continuation OF re-
publican rhe means = still further
surrender OF the government TO the
big business plunderbund. the C. O..
p. orators and newspapers are trying
10 raise the spectre Of hard times, and
TO make IL seem that business will faI.
ter in the event OF democratic success.
Such imbecilities never weary the
republican mind Without regard 70
the truth, and uninpressed by evil
dence TO the contrary, the republican
leaders go on shouting the same ole
heresies. The hard times" heresy is
twin brother Of the long exploded
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
Hunor and
Philosophy
~ DUNCAN ~. .Sa4ITH
THE GOOD OLD TOWN.

OFTEN think OF the beautiful town
Where dreamed my youth away,
And this Is the sort Of dream I have
That I'm going TO 60 back some day.
But not till I've made my little pile,
TIL own some mines and mills,
That may put on a nice large front
As burn UP few big bills.
Often In fancy ambuIats
Down through the village street
Dressed as a swell from a great big town
From my head to my dainty feet
Cutting a swath the whole street wide,
As they do in the story books.
And showing the ones who are gaping
there
How millionaire really looks
Then can hear the people say
AS their ancient minds unfold:
Il knew him once, and I knew him wen.
When he was three-year-old.
Who would have thought he would grow
10 be
A handsome and wealthy swell
Throwing his money right and left?
Ny. but he's doing wen!"
That Is the way that my thoughts run OF
As sit in my bedroom small
With hardly enough to pay for my rent
Or TO dress for q social call.
That is the plan as I mix the dope
will carry out some day.
But just at present, to tell the truth,
cannot see my way.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20

Puerto Cortez, Honduras-Holders of
concessions in this country are await
ing action by the United States in the
dispute which arose through the de-
mand OF the local government that
wharf lessees pay half Of the dock re-
ceipts TO the public treasury. 4 New
York firm, which rented docks from
The Honduran government, refused and
appealed to Washington, continuing 70
use the leased wharfage in the mean
time.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20

in ordering a re-
ductiOn of 10 per
cent in rates Charg-
ed by express com
panies has again
brought to Ii & b I
the trem e ndous
grip these compa-
MES have on the
country.
The commissions
report shows that
the express COM
panies are not op-
Grating under fran
chiseS as common
carriers. All other
carriers, including
7 q ilr a d $, pipe
lines, ele graph
and t e lie p h o II e
lines and steamer
lines must get a
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
The Unerpectsd.

Prizefighter (entering school with his
sOnD-You give this boy o mine a
thrashing yesterday, didn't yer? School.
master very Well-I-er--
perhaps PriZefighter-Well. give ~
your and. You're a champion. can't
do nothin' with i'm myself.-London
PEASk
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
PERT PARAGRAPHS.

Man is stupid. but somehow woman
never seems to find it out until she has
married him.
The man who has faith in his fellow
man saves himself lot Of worry over
that $40 he lent him yesterday.
Man is no longer satisfied with his
daily bread. but wants it supplemented
with the latest variety Of trutiies.
A mans standing in the community
is greatly affected by lying
1t is about as easy TO keep a good
man down as it is TO keep the other
kind where he wants TO be
A stiff necked person needs to get
a lot of comfort out of his convictions
in order to make up for the crlck in the
neck.
The fellow who is always getting
into deep water needs to be a good
swimmer.
As the campaign wakes hotter many
a slave to his master will find his col
lar uncomfortable.
1t is any man who thinks himself q
proper and interesting subject Of con-
versatiOn- You can't make any mis-
take on that
Many a man "a a credit TO his country
who can't be ciassed among the o:na-
ments thereof
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
Some Consolation.

Some Consolation.
att must be very trying to sell tickets
to a show"
''Why should it,"
you can't see the performance"
mo. but You can hear the comments
of the people who wish they had their
money back as they come out"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
Chanqed His Views.

Changed His Views.
where do you spend your vacation
this year, Jones?"
I'm not going to take any"
But when l saw you last year you
were declaring that no man could do
his employers work justice unless he
had at least two weeks vacation dur
ing the year"
But, you see. I've set up for my
self"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
Foxy Father.

Foxy Father.
what handsome new porch furni-
ture Mrs. Green hasr
Yes, and It is so comfortable too"
Il am surprised at her getting It.
She told me in the spring that her
husband had said positively that they
couldn't afford anything new"
"Oh, that was before the new min
lister became so attentive to Mabel"
What"
Yes think the Greens look upon
the furniture as a good investment"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
Some of the Disadvantages.

Are your folks going away for the
summer, JonesT"
Haven't found out yet"
Depends on your boss, eh?"
mo; depends on my man"
"Your man? What MANI"
1.-THE one l bet on. If he wins they
go; If he doesn't win, why. nobody
ought to expect a vacation presiden-
tial year, anyhow"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20

Retiring the goddess OF liberty on
5-cent pieces for a buffalo is the lat
est evidence Of high finance. And,
by the way. 1t sounds very Roose-
veltian.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
An InfaIlibIe Method,

81 wish l could cure Edward of be-
ing so careless of his personal appear
ance"
81 can tell you how to do it"
81 wish you would"
"It's very simple. All you have to
do is die. Widowers always begin to
spruce up about the second month"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20

II the weather bureau continues this
delightful brand. we will ask Wood
row not TO make any changes in its
personnel.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20

Colonel Roosevelt has abandoned
his proposed speaking tour OF the
west. Still he hasn't abandoned
speaking.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
BY CLYDE II. TAVENNER.

Especial Correspondence of The Argus.)
Washington, July 1S-The action Of
the interstate commerce commission
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20

J. Pierpont Morgan is on the ocean
homeward bound and you who have
trusts 10 form can prepare TO form
them now.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20
THE ARGUS.

Published Daily at 1924 Second ave
nue.. Rock Island. Ill entered at the
poStohhcs as second class matter.)
Rock Island Member OF the Associated
Press.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20

CAN It the third term political or
ganization instead OF the third party
and then you will have it exactly right
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-07-20

BY the way, had you forgotten all
about that war that is going on in the
south OF Europe?