davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

What one year since the great Ohio
valley floods has brought about in the
way OF preventive efforts is told by
Morris Knowles. member OF the
American Society of Civil Engineers.
in the Survey for May. At Columbus
a channel improvement project has
been recommended as most economi-
cal from the local point of view. At
Dayton several detention basins have
been urged. together with some chan
mel improvement. TO protect all cities
in the Miami valley.
Eleven other places-Defiance. Del
aware. -Findlay, Lima. Marietta. Tiffin
and Wellsville in Ohio; Brookville;
and Shawneetown in Illinois-report
plans under way for widening river
channels. building levees. raising
streets and other measures.
The striking fact about these va
rious plans is their entire lack of CO.
ordination. The "Ohio Conservancy
Act" passed Feb. 10, 1914. tries to
remedy this in Ohio. II provides for
the organization of "conservancy dis
tricts" to carry out flood prevention
projects. Such districts may be Gre,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14
SpreewaId Costumes.

In the Spreewald, that Holland of
Germany, where the streets are
streams and the people pole up and
down the shallow. winding canals. the
Inhabitants cling TO he old costume,
and in their little colony. although
there are differences IN headdress and
the number of petticoats, the ancient
custom IS followed exactly. The most
important thing is the petticoats.
There is one on top OF another. layer
after layer. and the more petticoats
the richer and finer the maid. Over
the top skirt comes an elaborate apron
gayly embroidered in many colors, and
this, like the cap. changes with the &C.
casion-now plain for the week days
and work, now elaborate and trimmed
with lace for Sundays and fete days.
The women for the most part go bare
foot when they work IN the dump
fields and pole down the shallow
streams IN their fiat bottomed punts.
and Sunday IS the only day that they
put on stockings, white, thick ones.
and the stif1y starched caps, with
broad white wings and long lace
STEAMERS.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

A census of all the birds of the Uni
ted States is suggested for this sum-
mer, and the department of agricul-
ture invites bird lovers throughout the
country to cooperate in taking 1t. The
object is to determine how many pairs
of birds each species breed within
definite areas. By comparing these
figures with those of subsequent cen
suses It will be possible to ascertain
whether the present state and federal
laws are effective and game and in
sectivorous birds increasing or dimin-
ishing in numbers. Voluntary observ-
ers are relied upon to furnish most of
the desired data to the department.
AS a beginning the department has
asked about $50 correspondents
throughout the country, who have pre-
viously rendered valuable service, to
follow a general outline in supplying
information. Anyone wishing to aid
in this good work is cordially invited
to send similar information to the de-
partment.
The correspondents have been ad.
vised that the census of the birds
should be taken over some area that
ter of the country in the immediate
neighborhood. The area selected
should represent average farm condi-
tions, but without woodland; should
be not less than 40 acres "a quarter of
a mile square) and not more than so
acres; and should include the, farm
buildings, shade trees, orchards, fields
of plowed land and pastures.
It is desired to take census of the
pairs of birds actually nesting within
the selected area. Birds visiting the
area for feeding purposes should not
be counted, no matter how close their
nests to the boundary lines.
1t is practically impossible to make
this census on the scale of 40 to so
acres in single day. a plan which
has been used with advantage for sew
eral years is to begin at daylight some
morning the last of May. or the first
week in June, and zigzag back and
forth across the area, counting the
male birds of each species. Early in
the morning at that season every male
bird should be in full song and easily
counted. After the migration IS ever
and the birds are settled in their
summer quarters, it is safe to consider |
that each male represents a breeding |
pair
The census of one day should be |
checked and revised by several days |
Of further work. in order to insure |
that each bird seen is actually nesting |
within the area and to make certain
that no species has been overlooked. !
May 80 is about the proper date TO
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14
'h h1zzzR INIT

Where are the maid.
ems once so fair.
So glorious to seer.
No matter what
girls used to
wear.
They claimed sub
Unity:
But now { n ey
dress SO wretch
edly,
And seem SO bra
zen, tool
II you but look
you must agree
That pretty girls
are few.
I call to mind the
stately Claire.
To whom I bent
my knee:
And Geraldine. with
lips SO rare-
All. what g queen
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14
SQUEEZING UNCLE SAM.

CONGRESSMAN Tavenner's contention
that the government is robbed blind
by manufacturers who contract to sup
ply war munitions is borne out by an
incident which took place at Rock Is
land arsenal recently and of which
Rock Island business men were ap-
prised on their visit TO the big shops
this week.
For years the war department has
been renting a small but rather compli-
Gated machine used in the harness
shops. paying at the rate OF 5000 per
annum for the use of It and being fore
ed to maintain II in good order. The
firm manufacturing II held patents
which enabled IL TO charge almost any
figure II saw fit, and 10 refuse out
right sale TO the government as well
as to all other users.
Recently the patent rights on this
machine expired and a competitor OF
the manufacturing firm entered the
field. offering TO supply machines sim
liar TO those in use here for $500 each.
Before buying It was necessary. as in
all such cases. 10 advertise for bids.
When these were opened IL was found
that the owners OF the machines al
ready i'm use had submitted a PROPOSE
ton 20 supply them at $500 each.
1t is fair TO presume that there was
a reasonable profit, at least. in selling
this machine at $500. If so. what was
the annual return on the investment
derived by renting it at 5000 per year?
1t is altogether likely that this is not
by any means an isolated or even an
unusual instance OF extortion at the
hands OF private manufacturers which
the government will be compelled to
submit to so long as II does not have
facilities for doing all its own work.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

begin the census in the latitude OF
Washington. In the latitude of Bos-
ton the work should not begin until a
week later, and south of Washington
an earlier date should be selected.
The final results of the census
should be sent to the biological sur
vey, department of agriculture. Wash
ington, ID. c., about June 30, and
should be accompanied by a statement
of the exact boundaries of the selected
area, defined so explicitly that it will
be possible 25 years hence to have the
census repeated. The name of the
present owner of the land should be
given, together with careful des-
cription of its character, including a
statement whether the area is dry up
land or moist bottom land, the number
of acres in each of the principal crops
or in permanent meadow. pasture, or
chard, swamp, roads, ETC.; the kind of
fencing used, and whether there is
much or little brush along any fences,
roads or streams or in the permanent
pastures.
A second census desired is one of
some isolated piece of woodland COM
prising from 10 to 20 acres. In giving
the results of this census the number
and kind of trees in the woodland
should be stated as well as whether
there is much or little underground.
Still third census to be taken is
that of some definite area-40 acres
for misunderstanding part of a much
larger tract of of timber, either decid-
uous or evergreen. While the number
of birds on such a piece of land will
mixed farm land, their correct enum-
Grafton will require considerably
more care and time
The department also will be glad to
have information concerning any
changes noted in the bird life of any
locality, especially if the observations
extend over any considerable number
of years.
In the past, under mixed game reg
ulations of various state, bird life has
been decreasing. Now that the birds
have been placed in charge of the Uni
ted States department of agriculture,
definite and uniform measures are be-
ing taken to preserve them and in
crease their number. The new bird
census and the censuses to follow will
aid the department in its
effort to preserve a valuable national
resource, and the voluntary efforts of
bird lovers in aid of this movement
will be appreciated.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

Miss Tabitha Way scuttled acros:
the street and entered the gate OF hel
nearest neighbor, Fenella Mason.
"Fenpy. what do you think" she
gasped as she sank into chair.
Fenny Mason lifted her little brown
eyes from the molasses cookies she was
rolling out and spoke calmly:
my, Tab, but you're all het up! sic
said.
what II 1 beT" snapped Tabitha
hopping her face with corner of her
white apron in lieu of pocket hand
kerchief.
Makes you look so uncomfortab bic, y
remarked Fenny casually as she kneIt
before the stove to put a pan of cook.
les in the oven.
For a moment Tabitha glared at her
friend, and then her eagerness to i'm
part her news to Fenny Mason over
came her indignation, and she said:
II asked you If you'd heard the
news?'
You never asked me any such
thing" retorted Fenny over her thin
shoulder. "You asked me what /
thought, and told you 1 thought you
looked all bet up, so thereD'
II declare, Fenny Mason, you air
the greatest critter," Tabitha said.
You won't listen till you get good
and ready, so I'm jest going to set
right here until you say you're ready
to hear about the scandal"
"Scandal?" shrieked Fenny, sitting
up straight in her chair, with open
mouth. why didn't you say so be-
fore? I thought you'd come to tell
me about the new twins down at
Black Hannah's, and I heard all about
that from the milkman."
well, 1 never" gasped Tabby, for
this was news to her. Boys or girls"
Girls
81 wonder what Hannah's going to
name emp
They're all named-Magnolia and
Pergolia."
"The ideal Now. for the news. I'll
bet you haven't heard about Deacon
Quigg's son."
"Not Alfredo"
Eyes, ma'am, He's robbed bankw
"NoI' shrieked Fenny, for she was
second cousin to the Quiggs and felt
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

''REMEMBER ME, COUSIN FENELLA?"
any disgrace that might come upon tn
family.
Yes, ma'am. It's all out in thi
mornings New York paper. l had
from the grocerman, and he had
| from the postmaster. So I guess it
straight enough"
Fenny Mason looked bewildered.
81 didn't know Alfred was in New
| York" she faltered. II thought he wa
| in Australia or Patagonia or some
where"
THE newspaper said that ALFRED
Quigg. a clerk in the Kinticum Nation
al bank of New York city, had alb
seconded with $4,000 of the banks
funds. 1t said that detectives were
close on his trail and that they ex
pected to apprehend him within a day
or so. 1t said that he was the scape
grace son of Deacon Quigg Of Lii.
bridge. There" said Tabitha Way.
well, / don't believe it. There's
some mistake" protested Fenella OBJ
stinately.
"Anything's possible nowadays;Swita
folks running around in automobiles
and airyplanes as cool as you please"
remarked Tabby. nibbling pensively
Mt a ginger cooky.
Fenella turned and faced her friend.
There was look of obstinacy in her
brown eyes.
mo matter what was told me about
Alfred Quigg, l wouldn't believe it
not if it was real badw she declared
Loyalty. }
"Hurrah for you. Cousin Fenellar'
cried merry voice from the open
window
The women turned with one accord
and stared at the sunbrowned. curly
haired young man who leaned his
arms on the window sill and grinned
at them. showing perfect rows or
white teeth.
Remember me. Cousin Fenenae"
he asked with easy nonchalance.
alfred Quiggw gasped Fenella,
sinking into a chair and quite pale
with alarm.
And 1 guess Miss Tabby remem-
bers me by this time" smiled Alfred,
agreeably nodding at Miss Way.
Last recollection have OF Miss Tab
by is that she chased me around the
mill pond and told me I'd end on the
gallows, all because l leased her old
turkey gobbler"
Fenella Mason looked at Tabitha
way, and Tabitha stared back at her
with questioning eyes.
Come inside. Alfred" whisnered
Fenell's 1--WE got something impor-
tant to tell you."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

where'er one looked there used to be
A lovely maid In view,
But now I find, from bias free.
That pretty girls are few. "
I used to meet them everywhere
From Dallas to Dundee;
The beauties who could make me care.
Charmed by their witchery;
Their graces filled my breast with glee-
Medge. Julia, Saude and Sue
Why is it. please explain to mo.
That pretty girls are few7
RENvOI.
Friend, say not so-alas. oh, gee!
Can what you think be true?
Am a dead leaf on the tree,
That pretty girls are few?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14
FOREST FIRE SEASON.

The first reports of forest fires have
begun TO come into Washington from
the national forests and they indicate
to the federal officers an early start
OF the fire season. with unfavorable
weather conditions from the very be-
ginning. In the northwest there was
less snow on the mountains at the
end OF the winter than for many years
past. Railroad rights OF way which
were last year deep In snow are re-
ported clear now and dry enough to
burn readily.
From the Canadian boruer to Mex
leo the reports are similar. and there
have already been extensive ires In
California and Arizona.
The chief forester reports, however.
that the hre-hghting forces OF the
service are organized better than
ever before. particularly in respect 10
the fire detection system OF lookout
stations BY means OF these stations
fires are reported quickly anS accu-
rateiy. so that the control forces may
be on the ground at the earliest pos
sibl9 moment.
In those states where the gravest
ianger threatens. special efforts are
being made by the government fores-
ers and by cooperative fire protection
organized among timber
and owners, 20 secure care with fire /
n the part OF campers. prospectors, !
oggers, and by railroads. The north
Testern forestry and conservation as
octaton. with headquarters II Port !
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14
IRRATIONAL SCHOOLGIRL.
DREN.

1t is not often realized that IRA
tional individuals who reach insane
asylums in early adult life have prob
ably shown during their school years
indications that they were either dis
tinctly lacking in intelligence or were
! of perverted minds. This constitutes
one of the most important problems OF
modern school life. Those familiar
with educational systems know that
usually most OF the difficulty in man
! aging a class, particularly of boys, is
/ caused by one or two pupils who are
not amenable to ordinary discipline.
/ Commonly these pupils are little old
er than the average of the class be-
cause they have been left behind in
several examinations, and their added
age and superiority of strength gives
them an unfortunate influence over
other pupils. Often neither teachers
nor principals can govern them. They
have all the cunning of the insane and
sometimes boast that no one can man.
age them and no one dare touch them.
In fact, the mothers of many such boys
admit that they have always been IN
comfortable.
In some places, particularly the
larger cities, special schools are pro-
yided for these deficient children. but
very often this class of pupils either
keep out of such schools. or they are
deliberately kept out because they ex-
ert an unfortunate influence on other
children of low-grade intelligence. of
ten take advantage of them and cruel
ly abuse them. One or two unman-
ageable children who consume the
teachers energy without purpose and
set bad example to the other pupils
may create lamentable disciplinary
conditions in die whole school; and
many schools in this country are be-
ing conducted under such conditions
Many schoolteachers can tell of being
frightened or even of beinS threat
ened with weapons by such children;
not few have preferred to have moth
ing to do with such pupils and have
allowed them to go their own way
rather than suffer the worry or run
the risks involved in the attempt TO
control or discipline such pupils. Yet
the public has not been aroused to the
dangers involved in the failure to
recognize and segregate deficient chill
dren, as adult Iunatics are segregated.
for the sake Of society
This subject has been placed in the
hmelight by the murder OF a school
teacher in western New York. She
had, as many teachers have. special
sympathy with this class OF pupil and
was going to visit the father of one
such I'm order to secure a mutual I'M
derstanding between home and school
The conditions of the murder seem
to make it clear that it was more of
an irrational than a criminal deed.
The solution OF this problem. says |
The Journal OF the American Medical |
Association, requires expert medicaI1
Indeed. in some places !
such expert aid is already used in the |
care OF these pupils. a crime such as |
that recently reported should make |
plain the imperative necessNS of |
dealing adequately with this problem |
wherever It exists.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14
Bed Time ales
Fairies and The Marble Ring
By Clara Ingram Judson.
n nee upon a time some boys
made a ring for a marble game,
out in the street in front of

n nee upon a time some boy.
made ring for a marble game
out in the street in front OF
their home.
They played many game and had
a jolly good time till their mother
called them in for dinner and for
their evening duties.
They picked up their marbles and
slowly went into the house, leaving
the ring ready for another days
play.
And then the night threw her dark
veil over the earth and all the bows
everywhere (and the girls too, for
that matter) went to sleep.
And some of them dreamed and
some of them didn't and the night
went on-and on. The moon rose
and-but you could never guess
what happened
One of the boys who made the
marble ring (his name was Tom)
had sister named Sue. Now il Just
Sue. had had a long talk about
fairies: OF course Tom didn't be-
heve in fairies and of course Sue
did. The very last thing before Sue
went to sleep she called in to him.
Never mind about the fairies, Tom,
some day you will see some and
then you will know for yourself"
Know fiddlesticks," scoffed Tom.
Il know already. there are no fairies
and there never will be any, SO
thereP And he went to sleep.
About half past the middle of the
night he opened his eyes TO find the
moon shining brightly into the room.
On looking carefully he saw that in
stead of moonbeams coming down
from the moon there were shining
strings ?-ropes9 -no - ladders they
were-shining ladders that dropped
from the moon to earth.
Tom looked carefully to see where
the ladders ended and he saw they
went straight down, down 10 his
marble ringl
And as he looked troops of glitter
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

The loss of Harry z. VanDuzer is
one which will be felt keenly in Rock
Island and wherever he was known,
for he was a good man To meet him
always was pleasure, for he was uni
formly cheerful in his greetings, even
when the grave yawred before him
and he knew that he had but a slen-
der chance to win his battle. In his
home he was a good husband and
father and in the outside world he
tried to be and was a positive force for
the betterment of mankind. His death
IS deeply mourned-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14
Happy Days

my happiest days." said Mr.. Rock
ingbam as he signed a check for the
purpose of satisfying one of the cred
itors OF his titled son-in-l w, were
the days when 1 was carrying din
ner pail that my wife had filed witt
her own hands"
Him." replied his candid fellow
millionaire. "in those days 1 suppose
you could SIT down comfortably and
eat with your knife. and never had to
be constantly on the alert for fear
you might say you done it,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

II will be noted that the Associated
Press did not throw any fits over the
seizure OF the Mexican island by the
United States for the purpose OF man
ming the light house there deserted by
Huerta's order and thereby safeguard
ing navigation. Some of the over-eager
correspondents who sign their names
70 their stories tried 70 reopen the
war on the strength of this very ordin-
airy and sensible move.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

The press agent who drew down
500, 900 on contract TO create a IA
vorabIe public sentiment for the New
Haven railroad could be prosecuted
for having obtained money under false
pretenses
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

Governor Hodges of Kansas has par
oiled convict in order that he may
go home and harvest his wheat crop,
thereby advertising the fact that the
state expects to have one. At that, the
object OF the governors mercy is run
ming a chance of being beaten to it by
hailstorm or a cyclone.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

A couple who originated several of
the modern society dances are said to
have charged 800 per lesson during a
recent Chicago stay. A famous circus
man, some years dead. had the Ameri-
can public sized about right.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

Rejuvenating the bull moose party
will not be conducive TO the restora-
ton of that 50 pounds the colonel lost
in South America, but here's a guess
that he gets back his avoirdupois, just
the same
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14
ENCOURAGEMENT.

"I hope" said
the lady who al
ways liked to be
toll d t b a { s h e
i o o k Q d you n 6
enough to be her
daughters sister,
II shall not live
to ha very old"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

TERMS-Ten cents per week by car
risr. IN Rock Island: 81 pc year by mail
In advance.
Complaints OF delivery service should
be made to the circulation department.
which should also be notified IN every
Instance where Il IS desired 20 have
authority in the premises.
All communications OF arEumentative
character. political or religious. must
have real name attached for publica-
ton No such articles Will be printed
over fictitious signatures
Telephones IN all departments. Gen.
tral Union. Rock Island I45. I145 and
zI45.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

Down they marched, filling the
shining moon ladders with beautiful
light. Down they marched till they
reached the marble ring where they
played games and danced and coun-
ter marched till the brilliant light
from their gaudy lanterns hurt
Toms eyes.
He rubbed them fretfuily and-the
sun was shining into his roomi His
mother called, Ten minutes till
breakfast, Tom. better get upP
Sue called from her room, "Now
will you believe in fairies?"
Well. would your
II you were Tom what would you
believe?
Tomorou-.4 Nelv Game.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

Modest Ty Cobb has let it be known
that he might be induced to play with
the Federal league for $4,000 a year.
Cobb has finally reached the conclu-
sion that he is worth all his most ard
ent admirers claimed for him, and then
some
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14

Having pinned medals on everything
else in sight, the Oregon Humane So
ciety has put one on a bulldog. This
Will be a great source Of inspiration to
the other dogs.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-14
More Profitable.

mOT0 fFOIItdDf6.
We'll, my little man." said the min
lister as he patted the child cordially
on his curly head, 81 suppose you ex-
pect to be the president of the United
States some day."
No. thir." replied the little man.
Pa thayth it payth better to get to
be governor and go on the Thautauqua
thircuit."