davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
(From Annual Report of Bureau
of Mines)


A revolution has been brought about
| in the explosives used in coal mines
containing infammable gas or dust.
At the time of the Inauguration of
this work black powder, with its long
flame and poisonous gases, was almost
universally used in coal mining opera
lions of the United States. One of the
first Investigations undertaken by the
bureau was that looking to improve
ment in the character of the eXplo-
sives used. As a result of conference
with mine owners, miners and manu-
faturers of explosives, a number of
these manufacturers agreed to under
take the making of a new type of ex-
plosives that would have for its spe-
ciaI characteristics an explosion flame
of short duration and relatively low
temperature.
The bureau cooperated in the devel-
opment of this type of explosives by
establishing the necessary standard
with regard to safety, and by testing
the explosives submitted from time to
time to determine whether they had
reached such standard, or the manner
in which and the extent to which they
IdlleQ 10 reach SuCI SIdnudTQ. AS q
result of this work, within a little
more than three years time, the use
of the new type of explosives, termed
permissible explosives" has become
general in those mines where the risk
of gas or dust explosions was a seri-
Gus one. So rapid has been the intro
duction of the permissible explosives
that, during 1912, more than $4,000, 900
pounds of these explosives were used
in the coal mines of this country. The
present work of the bureau along
these lines is to assure further i'm
provements in these explosives, and
especially to reduce the quantity of
poisonous gases given off in firing
shots. and to reduce the shattering eff
feet of these shots; and to bring about
safer methods of handling and firing
whatever explosives that may be used
in mining.
The reports of manufacturers show
that the sales of permissible explo-
siyes in the coal fields of the country
were nearly so per cent greater in the
calendar year 1912 than in 1911. How
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
THE VEGETABLE GARDEN

With the advent OF spring mans
mind turns TO the preparation of the
vegetable garden. II every city man
who is confined TO an office cultivated
a garden he would have far less use
/ for doctors. There is no more certain
road to health and happiness-if you
/ happen to have the proper bent.
And gardening is something more
than throwing up the ground and
sticking in the seed. 1t is a science
! and to get the best results takes
knowledge and labor alike. However,
a good garden, when once In trim, al.
most takes care of itself, for IL the
ground has been kept clean of weeds,
the principal thing is just TO let the
vegetables grow.
Nature will do the rest, and one can
have the satisfaction OF seeing things
develop and mature. There is a quiet
satisfaction about IL all. The man who
can raise the finest potatoes, the earl
TEST sweet corn, the tuciest tomatoes.
the most luscious strawberries, has a
right to the pleasure that he gets out
OF that fact
Every back lot IN this city ought to
be fine garden. with perhaps a few
clusters of bright flowers to enliven It
and torgladden the eyes. Health, why
II comes when a man rolls out of bed
early In the morning. and gets out into
the fresh morning air. when the birds
are singing their liveliest carols, and
when the sky is full OF the glory Of
sunrise, for an hours work before
breakfast. Then everything tastes
good TO him. His appetite is whetted.
And there is so much to learn in the
garden. 1t displays on a small scale
all that is going on on the globe. Il
has its botanical wonders. II has its
insect fauna. II IL a place for fight
ing and for striving. II Is human In
genuity against many other forms of
life TO save the vegetable and TO give
them a chance for existence. When a
man plants a garden and things begin
to come up. he finds out that he Is
feeding a multitude of life. His little
pot becomes the pasture for a great
variety OF creatures. 1t is a scene OF
the struggle for existence.
But out OF II all when he is a victor
he has the sweet satisfaction OF fine
products, that gladden. the table and
please the inner man. Every house
holder in the city can make OF his back
lot a profitable place. II can have its
fruit, its flowers, its vegetables. II
IAN be a little piece of paradise. the
Place where he gets close 10 nature
md the processes OF nature.
From June until late in October. he
AN make the garden yield something
or the palate. II may be luscious |
ruits, or II may be the regular garden !
Try It, and see II there is
OF something n It j
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
New Explosives Aid Mine Safety

, ever, although this increase represents
great gain for safety, and although
| the amount of permissible explosives
used in this country is larger than
that used in some foreign coal mining
countries, yet the amount is only
small percentage of the total amount
of explosives used in American coal
mines. Moreover, the mining engi-
neers of the bureau have noted that
permissible explosives are not always
used properly. In some mines there
have been blown-out shots from i'm
! properly placed holes, although the
operators believed that their shot fir
ing and inspection systems were good.
The bureau of mines has no authori-
ty TO compel the use of certain explo-
sives or to prescribe the conditions
under which they must be used. New
ertheless, through the cooperation of
state mine inspectors, manufacturers
of explosives, coal operators and min
ers, the explosives that have been
tested by the bureau of mines and des-
ignated permissible explosives" are
now used in every coalmining state.
In many districts where permissible
explosives have not been adopted the
miner or the operator thinks that they
are too expensive or unsuited for the
work to be done. but, wherever the
coal is undercut either by hand or ma
chine, the cost of blasting per ton of
coal need be no greater with permissi-
BILE explosives than with black pow
der, and safety is vastly increased;
but. of course. neither operator nor
miner should expect that the right
kind of permissible can be selected
without proper tests. nor should men
who have used black powder only be
expected to know the most efficient
methods of placing and charging shots
of permissible until they have gained
experience.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

| cured their attention and boat was
sent out for me. My rescuer reached
| me when / came TO the surface and
swan with me toward the beach.
Those in the boat made such poor
progress that he got me into shallow
water almost before they got the boat
launched. Indeed, I was not taken
into it at ALL
As to the man who saved my life. I
could gather very little about him.
This was probably due to the fact that
when 1 had recovered from my illness
all those who had witnessed the rescue
had left the place for their homes.
At any rate, / could not find person
who was on the beach when L was
brought ashore.
The next winter I was visiting a
friend in neighboring city and enjoy
ing one social function after another.
Jenny Hatch, the girl 1 visited, had
known me from childhood and had
often been with me in the water when
/ Wore my prize won at the juvenile
swimming match. One evening after
ball Jenny told me that she had
seen during the evening my cross. or
one exactly like it, on the lapel of
young mans coat She had no ac-
quaintance with him, consequently she
could not speak to him about it. i
asked her why she had not contriyed
to secure an introduction TO him,
whereupon she reminded me that 1t
was the privilege of the man to ask
for an introduction to woman, not
woman's privilege to ask an introduc-
ton to man.
The incident reopened the matter of
my rescue the summer before. Could
it be possible that my little cross was
not under water after all. but had
fallen into the possession of a stran-
ger? My name was engraved on it
as well as a statement of how il had
been won. Why had this person worn
1t on the lapel of his coat instead OF
on his watch charm If indeed he must
wear il at ala II could have a look
at it 1 could tell whether or not IT was
mine without looking at the inscrip-
ton on the back. l charged Jenny II
she saw the man who wore 1T again
to leave no stone unturned to discover
where he got it.
Several OF my girl friends knew OF
the matter, and one of them came TO
me one day with a story that she had
seen a young man at reception who
wore ON his breast gold Maltese
cross. She had taken pains to ask one
who knew him what it meant and was
informed that 1t was a decoration Civ
en- for saving life.
Naturally this story served to slim
ulate the interest already excited in
me with regard to the decoration and
its wearer. Was there any connection
between my rescue and this man?
had always regretted not being able to
express my gratitude to my rescner.
now a wild hope sprang UP within
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
A JOKING BREEZE.

once upon time two little breeze:
~ were playing tag in a big darl
forest. Finally one said, I'm
tired of playing this same old tag day
after day, l want to do something diff
ferent."
Alright" said the other obligingly,
lets sit down and plan something to
do"
3 So they dropped the leaves they were
playing with and sat down in a nice
coy corner amid some bushes.
Now what shall we dor" said the
second little breeze, when they were
comfortably settled.
"Oh, don't know" said the first,
81 like the winter time when we can
rush around and blow the snow and
hammer the shutters and bang the
doors"
But we are away up in the forest
here" answered the contented breeze,
land there are no shutters or doors and
anyway winter hasn't come yet"
That's just 1t" whined the first
breeze, were way off in this lonesome
forest and il isn't any fun at all"
The contented little breeze could think
of nothing to say Just then so he kept
very still-which shows he was wiser
than many people.
"Oh, ! know" shouted the first breeze.
"lets blow into town and blow, and
keep on blowing till we fool everybody
and make them think winter has come.
Won't il be a joke? 7"
And he laughed so heartily over his
own Joke that the bushes nearby creaked
and cracked with mirth.
No sooner had he made the plan than
the energetic little breeze got busy. He
blew round the forest and got all his
brother and sister and cousin breezes to
help him.
"We're going TO play joke on peo-
pie" he explained 10 all. well blow
into town, and blow so hard that the
stupid people will think winter has
started down from the North Pole"
CCopyright--Clarl
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
JUSTICE IS TARDY.

II IS very nearly % years since the
sensitized film for photography was
perfected. From that time TO this the
rightful ownership of the patent has
been in dispute. The courts have only
Just made a final decision that Rev.
Hannibal Goodwin was the inventor.
and the assignee OF his patents is the
rightful owner. Mr.. Goodwin died q
dozen or fifteen years ago, having re-
ceived no benefit from his invention,
or very little.
Cannot the legal system OF the Unit
ed States do better than that? Cant
II decide any mans right to anything
in a great deal less than 20 years
say. in Ave years? II is said that Mr..
Goodwin was for a long time without
sufficient means to prosecute his case.
But If that is true IL is a more serious
indictment OF our judicial system than
mere dilatoriness.
A judicial system ought to do JUS
tice whether one OF the litigants is
poor or not. Cannot the judges and
lawyers OF this country devise a sys-
TEN under which a man OF small
means can have It determined wheth-
er he IS the owner OF a valuable pat
ent, or not, within some reasonable
period. say. five years? Bar associa-
tions and judicial commissions have
from time to time discussed this SUBJ
ject and recommended things, and
nothing practical and substantial Is
done.
Why could not Mr.. Goodwin and the
other claimants have gone before a
judge and stated their cases and got
decision IN 80 days?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
Mans Pet AversIons.

The average man does not care to
be
An onlooker at wedding,
The wearer of the first straw hat
IN the spring,
Compelled to wait an hour for a
train,
Present when his wife tells their
friends how eager he was while he
courted her,
A listener when his best story is be.
ing told by somebody else,
Met by a pretty girl while he is
wheeling baby carriage,
Wet nurse to a rubber plant
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

The great American pulse OF public
sentiment IS beating with President
Wilson In his fight for repeal or the
exemption clause in the Panama tolls
law. Therefore the opposition OF a
few Individual legislators, while tenn
porariIy unpleasant, will hardly de-
ter the president in his program OF
square deal It's simply your old
friend. Mr. Ship Subsidy. in a fresh
effort to put over his old shell game
IN a new guise. The American people,
through President Wilson, Will not
stand for IL.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
Remember Little
Ballot on April 7

Decide now TO vote yes" on the
separate annexation ballot which
will be handed to both men and wo-
men when they go into the polling
places April z.
10 is Important
Another tract Of South Rock Island
is asking sdmittanee TO the city.
BY voting yes" you will help to
extend the eity's territory and will as
sist in preparing the way for future
additions.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

has reported 10 President Van Hise
that in all the university's activities
there Is too much "of research work
and semi-political administrative
work." and too little plain, old-fash-
toned teaching. The University" he
declared. should be strictly an edu-
cational institution. The moment II
determines TO run the affairs of the
state. that moment II has crossed the
danger line: Il Is In politics.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
Time.

Time.
How long have you been a widow,
Mrs Weeds?'
1T will be a year the 4th of next
month"
Dear me, Is it as long as that?
How time fiies:"
"Oh, do you think SO? Well, If you
ever have to wait year to look pleas.
ant when men offer you attentions
you'll give up the idea that time is
much of flyer"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
VALUE OF A UNIVERSITY.

Asserting that the University OF
wisconsin is worth more 90 the state
than Il costs, President Van Hise re-
Gently pointed out that 20 years ago
Wisconsin got $21 10000 a year for
her butter and cheese; now, partly
owing 10 better knowledge OF meth
DDS OF production. Il gets $sO,OOO,OOO
The manufacturing and other indus
tries of the state. he affirmed. are sim
larIy in the uniVersity's debt.
The state superintendent OF schools
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

According to the department of ag-
r.culture, the pay OF farm hands in
creased 21z per cent during the past
year and II per cent in the past four
years. In the ten years from 1890
TO 1900 the advance in wages was 81
per cent, but IN the same decade farm
land values nearly doubled, showing
that in the distribution OF the pro-
ceeds from farming operations larger
proportion now goes 10 capital and less
10 labor account than formerly"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
NCtaa lnsranJodsen

And all the little breezes laughed and
ohuckled over the joke that was to be.
Night was throwing her dusky mantle
over the town when the breezes arrived
on the scene. They came suddenly and
blew with all their might.
Doors banged shut, shutters clattered,
curtains tapped and scaffolding fell.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

That the new tarin has not worked
havoc to the wooden industry is indi-
Gated in the announcement Of the
Cleveland. Ohio. Worsted Mills com
pany Announcing an increase in its
capital stock from 100000 TO $10.-
200 900, IL says: Recent tariff legis-
alton has brought about a change in
business conditions IN connection with
our industry. IL will become neces-
sary for the company TO enlarge the
volume OF business, thereby requiring
additional manufacturing facilities"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
Crumpied Than.

We observe that the mans fingers
are all twisted and bent into the most
uncouth. shapes.
Poor fellow we say to our friend.
Evidently he is a victim of rheuma-
tism."
mo" our friend explains. He Is
deaf and dumb and has been trying to
talk Scotch dialect on his fingers."-
Life,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

Senator Beveridge's house in In
dianapolis has been sold for taxes.
Don't blame the neighbors. The
Hoosier orator has been in receipt of
a good income and he should have
practiced the frugality he has so
often recommended TO others.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

Tip to struggling authors: When
your latest book is not, selling as fast
as you feel it ought TO send yourself
a box OF poisoned candy. call in the
police and notify the city editors.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

Mr.. Todgers-Why have you sent
Maria. the servant girl. away so sud,
denly? You told me yesterday tina,
she was the best girl you ever had.
Mrs. Todgers-She's an impairment
hussy. I wanted 10 borrow her rub.
bers. and she said she was afraid i
couldn't get them on
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

One Chicago newspaper carried two
consecutive days a story to the effect
that Torreon had fallen. II is hardly
necessary TO say that this information
was not sent out by the Associated
Press. whose dependable service is
carried by The Argus.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
IN WHEAT

Yes, I once
made a profitable
deal in wheat"
Why, I sup
posed you never
speculated."
1T was not a
S p e C ulation. 1t
was while my
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

Dreamy eyes have won an acquit-
tai for another Illinois murdersss.
We may yet see the time when good
looking women who kill men will not
need the services of lawyers to de-
fend them.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

to your hand
II blood must be the price,
To spurn the profits that demand
Another's sacrifice. -. Z
My little boy, with all TO learn
And laughing still at play.
God give you manliness to spurn
What honor thrusts away,
To keep you free from guile and greed.
Where'er your course may lie,
To do the brave. heroic deed.
Though. doing II. you die. 500
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
CuftuCe.

ut seems to me that we are making
absolutely no headway in our efforts
TO spread culture through this coun-
try"
''Oh, you are mistaken. We have
good reason to believe that culture is
spreading. We get great many
things in cartons now that used to
come in packages"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

Champ Clark's speech on the canal
toll exemption repeal bill in congress
yesterday was bad news for the re-
publican national committee, which
was all in readiness TO make capital
OF the anticipated break between
President Wilson and the speaker.
Clark is still true blue. He is big
enough TO differ with the president
without getting mad over it.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

Perhaps some OF the stories that
Villas army had been cleaned at Tor
reon had their origin in the fact that
the rebel forces had captured soap
factory in the outskirts of that city.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

Mrs. Belle Guinness is still dead. the
latest clew, waited from Canada, hav-
ing been exploded. This one was prob
ably started by the press agent Of
some town with lots to sell.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
THE ARGUS.

Published daily at 1874 Second ave.
nue. Rock Island. Ill entered At the
postofilce a. second-elass mattsr.)
Rock Isiaad Member OF the Associated
Press
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
Old Ideal. sun Resueo.ed.

do you think that women are for
saking all other interests in order to
devote themselves to politics"
"Oh, l dunno. l don't see any of
the fashion magazines going out of
business"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
No Novelty.

"People are queer"
Il have heard rumors to that ef-
feet"
Frequently they pay money to go
to theaters for the purpose OF seeing
ballet dancers walk around on their
toes when women are doing the same
thing In the streets all the time"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

night" eroaked tie people.
Dear me, this is going to be an aw-
full night" croalSed the people.
Il always knew we would have an
early winter" said the old folks
And everybody brought in wood and
fixed their fires and told stories of ter
rible billiards.
The breezes laughed till they howled
over the success of their joke, and went
back 10 the forest for a nap.
In the morning the sun shone warm
and clear, the breezes were still asleep
in the forests and all the people rubbed
their eyes and wondered what had hap
pened 10 the storm and winter,
Ingram Judson.)
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
The Fame Enotarx

You are a self-made MANI"
NO" replied Senator Sorghum; T
am one of the statesmen who sue
coed by keeping their ears TO the
ground AID studying the passing fads-
I am q .custom-made man.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

The girl who tells you she thinks no
man is good enough for any woman is
merely trying to goad you into an at
tempt to convince her that she rs
wrong.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

wheat field that got her to consent
to become Mrs. Babbitt''
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

a poor opinion of the man who lets his
money do all his talking.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

Our scheme of civilization will not
be perfect until somebody invents a
bureau which will set fat on the floor.
SO that collar buttons cannot roll I'M
der IL.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
QUEEN OF GREECE AND LATEST BORN

The young Princess Catherine OF
Greece. the sixth child OF queen
Sophia, the sister of the German
kaiser, was born while her father the
king of Greece, was at the front dur
ing the Balkan war. While on the
battlefield he was apprised OF the
birth of the princess and vowed that
every soldier OF the empire would be
the godfather to his newly born
daughter. The fighting strength of
the Grecian army that timewas 10000.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
April 1 in Americ''
History.

1sS3-The United States treasD
ing burned at wsshins'0nt upsS
l9D9-The last Detachment ~
states troops withdrawn
Cuba. r,asr be:5'
1e1s-Ex-President w. b. a VA IT
his duties as professor a.
versity.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

TERAS-Ten cents per week By car
rier. In Rock Island: 50 per year By mall
In advance.
Complaints OF delivery service should
be made TO the circulation department.
which should also be notified in every
Instance where "a f. desired to have
paper discontinued. as carriers have no
authority In the premises.
All communications OF argumentative
character. political or religious. must
have real name attached FOR pubiica-
ton No such articles Will be printed
over fictitious signatures
Telephones In all departments Cen
trail Union. Rock Island i45. 1I45 and
zi4s.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01

The man who intends to play wait
ing game should be prepared for a
long wait
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-04-01
LITTLE BOY

Gy little boy. the
way Is long
That you shall
have to go;
God grant you may
be brave a n d
strong
To do your part,
TO show,
whate'er may be
the goal you
seek,
W n a te' err { n .
height you gain.
Consideration for
the weak
And those who
strive in vain
MY little boy. Am
bition's call
VIII oft be sweet
to you;
c. o d gr a n { you
strength to turn
from all
That wicked men
pursue,
To let no gain come