davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
by
ram Brady.M.D.
Figures That Do Not Lie.

Statistics are mighty dry reading
unless they happen to have a bearing
on your own personal welfare. If there
were any way TO make mortality sta
tistics interesting TO the general pub
I lie much more might be accomplished
in the way il Improving the public
health.
For instance, have you any idea
how many deaths occurred in the
! United States during the year OF
1912? And do you know whether
the death rate per 100000 population
is increasing or diminishing each
year?
In the Registration area"-that is,
the 63 per cent of the population re-
siding in states sufficiently concerned
with public health to keep reliable
statistics-there were S3S,251 deaths
from all causes. But don't worry; the
death rate per 100 900 is steadily and
surely diminishing every year, thanks
to careful vital statistics and public
health work based thereon.
OF the S3S.251 deaths among Co.
427. 900 people 10000 were due to
tuberculosis, 10000 were due to
pneumonia, 46,5OO were due to can
Ger. This accounts for one-fourth
OF the total deaths. but by no means
frees the community from the re-
sponsibility OF preventable disease.
Smallpox caused 165 OF these
deaths In 1912. while that infinitely
worse and more prevalent plague,
gonorrhoea, caused PIG of the reported
deaths; you may imagine how many
thousands OF unreportd cases were
really due to the "black plague"
We are quoting hard facts, not es-
Inmates. The United States Census
reports (Mortality statistics) contain
these facts. Figures do not lie.
Typhoid fever caused 1887 deaths
IN 1912. The typhoid deaths per 1OO.-
900 population were 1865 This is the
lowest death rate from this proven
table disease ever recorded. It means
that sanitation is graduallyy gaining
control OF the public health. How
ever, the rate fell of more rapidly in
the past three years than ever before.
and is undoubtedly due to anti-typhoid
vaccination which IS now established
as a certain preventive measure.
One more abstract fact from the
statistics is worthy OF contemplation.
or the $685. PSI deaths from all causes
in 1912, over 10000 occurred in child
rem under five years OF age. At least
half should have been saved by intelli-
gent care.
II We know. as individuals or as cor
porate groups or individuals, that hun
dreds OF thousands Of deaths are pre-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
FEEDING COUNTY PRISON.
Frs

( The Macon county supervisors, at
the meeting last week, considered plac.
Ing the boarding of prisoners on the
same basis as was provided for by the
/ Rock Island county board, but declined
10 make the change TO a fixed salary
I for the sheriff and the payment OF
actual cost OF feeding by the county.
I On top of this, the board adopted a
sliding scale of feeding. intended to
discourage regular boarders by pro-
viding for a reduction of rations as
! the number Of prisoners increases. The
Decatur Herald expresses its disap-
prevail OF the boards course as fol
lows:
The effort to so change the conduct
OF the Macon county jail that the
sheriff could be assured by a reason
able salary and not be forced to make
q living as the proprietor OF tramp's
boarding house met defeat at the hands
OF the board OF supervisors. Comment
would appear to be unnecessary. The
expert testimony of the whole mem
bership Of the congress OF penologists
probably could not have shaken the
opinion OF the 10 members opposed to
the resolution that the old way was
the best that could be devised.
The sliding scale OF feeding where
by ratlons are TO be reduced in quality
or quantity as the population of the
Jail Increases provision intended to
prevent "jail-stuffing' accomp-
lish what IS intended. II will doubtless
keep Migrants who seek snug winter
quarters in the Jail from enjoying lux
uries. and may deprive those held
under bond or for long terms, the in
nocent as well as the guilty, from pro-
per fare. From a humanitarian stand
point the justice OF changing the diet
of q sick prisoner because fsw more
tramps happened 20 be sentenced is
not wholly apparent.
"The supervisors simply omitted TO
provide the one thing that would most
easily have produced the results they
were seking. The rock pile was sug-
gestoi as the uufailing cure for the
plague OF hoboes. When Migrants learn
that an arrest and conviction in Macon
county involves a large amount OF tir-
ing. monotonous labor. they WIFI learn
to shun IT."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
The Daily Story
The Boy Next DOOT-by FIanK WI. y DITCH.
Copyrighted 1914 by Associated Literary Bureau.

Two little houses side by SIDE In
what the rest Of the city called 'Shan-
| tytown" held two boys who had known
| each other all their lives and who had
until now lived those lives exactly the
same.
From veriest brathood the red head
of James Doherty and the black head
of James Moore had bobbed along to-
gether.
They had dived from the same string
piece on the docks, drunk from the
same ink bottle at school. and each
had honored the Great Telegraph COM
pany by entering its service on the
same day.
But now their lives had come to q
fork in the road and separated, for,
though each lay with closed eyes In
his respective little attic room in his
respective little house, James the Red
was only thinking, thinking hard. but
James the Black was dying-dytng
hard.
In the abstraction caused by grief
for his friend. however, James the Red
had ceased to be useful to the messen-
ger service of his employers.
There was nothing to do but loaf,
and the Red could not stand OF the
fascination of sitting at his window
watching the Blacks window and lis
tening for the scream that came at in
tervals from the sick boy.
When Jimmy went downstairs to
supper his mother told him that Jimmy
the Black-was still alive.
At o'clock James the Red found
himself with enough courage to go to
the Moore door. he wanted to see
Jimmy, please.
Nobody can see him, the doctor
says" said Mrs. Moore
As Jimmy turned to go DR.. Whittier
came out, very young and very fmpor-
tant.
He ran quickly down the steps Of the
front stoop and started up the street
James the Red went after him.
He wanted to know whether Jimmy
would get well-whether something
couldn't be done about the screaming.
But just as the questions were |
framed an obstacle came from a saloon |
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
"DRINK IT QUICKr HE SAID.

doorway into the doctors path, and the
doctor, seeing no way to dodge, stood
still.
Good evening, jameson" said Whit
fer, knowing he was about to have
aims wrung from him.
a loan. jameson called 1t.
Had he not been the patron of the
young doctor in the first days of his
own decay as n practitioner, the days
when Whittier was struggling up and
he was struggling down? Whittier, not
an migrate, had a dollar to spare.
Patient in the neighborhood? ask
ed Jameson, to show a dollars worth
of interest in his young friend.
Boy with typhoid pneumonia" said
Whittier.
Il used to have lots of EN-" said
jameson. They're usually tough Jobs
too"
This is bad" replied Whiffer "Tougl,
youngster. but it's hard to beat the
disease of when it has malnutrition
on its side. \ poor family like this
can't afford to have a trained nurse
so pump in the strychnine when the
heart begins to go. If he holds out
Jameson's eyes, pale and wet as they
were, kindled reminiscently.
Il had to tackle Il case in camp once
when there wasn't any strychnine to
use when the crisis came" he said,
"and nothing else in the drug line was
handy, either.
II found n cure out of my own
noodle" continued the rummy one.
"When the man was fading and 1 had
to do something, champagne was han
dy, and l poured about quart OF 1t
into him. Well. / remember pokIng
the fiZz into the fellow at o'clock in
pute my judgment" he said as he
stumbled away.
James the Red stood strI. What he
had learned was discouraging.
He wandered the streets until 10
o'clock and then went home
His mother had more news of the
patient Jimmy the Black was very
weak, but his fever seemed to be go
ing down, and he slept most OF the
time.
James the Red went to his room.
made ready for bed. put out his light
and went TO sit at the window which
looked upon the sickroom.
And so, watching and listening, he
fell asleep. At last. dreaming he was
weeping, he woke. One O'Clock and
silencei
Darkness, too. but for the lamp
through the open window in the room
OF James the Black.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
Theatre Headaches.

The most frequent cause of head
aches occurring during or after the
theatre is eye strain. People who use
the full energy of the delicate eye
muscles to obtain perfect vision are
often unconscious of this strain. In
the theatre the continuou effort to
keep everything constantly focused
exhausts the nerve centers and head
ache results. The practice of seating
the audience in total darkness while
they are staring into an intensely
lighted stage is another serious fac
tor The pupils, being widely dilated
in the dark. admit the excess of light
from the stage. often producing irrita-
ton of the eyes which last sometimes
for days.
Those subject to headaches should
never sit where It is necessary to raise
the eyes TO watch the stage. This I'M
natural position of the eyes Is very
tiresome even 10 those who never have
trouble at other times.-Journal Amer
lean Medical Association.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
U. S. WAR EXPENDITURES

The United States does not rank
very far below the most militaristic
of European nations, in expenses for
army and navy. The budget for last
year was 1914, 293, 791. This was only
s57,0OO.OO0 below France. II was S125.-
100000 below Germany. The United
States spent nearly three times as
much as Japan. The cost OF the Eng
fish army and of the American army
were practically equal, but England
spent much more on her navy.
American military expenditures
have increased fifty percent since
1900 The United States army in
fourteen years has cost $500, 900, 900.
That of Italy has cost sS26,OOO,OOO in
the same period. That OF Austria has
cost $50. 600.
The United States in fourteen years
has spent three times as much as Aus
tria, on both army and navy.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
BRYANS GREAT WORK.

The signing OF the peace treaties
with the United States by Great Bri-
tain. France. Spain and China last
week makes conspicuous Premier VII
liam ]. Bryan's magnificent work as a
diplomat, says the State Register.
Twenty-Five other nations had previ-
ously signed similar treaties uniting
twenty-sfx nations OF the world which
have coyenanted with this country 10
refer any dispute which may arise be
tween them, 10 the United States for
and that one year must
eIapse before resort 10 arnns may be
had. Tho one year clause with the
United States Is almost absolutely
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
"CHEAp" LOANS FOR THE FARMER

| and that there are several other gen
tlemen whose turns come before yours.
AS fast as the company gets money 1t
lends &c out to these men each In his
turn. When your turn comes, If the
company lasts that long, you will get
your money.
Nov, where does t5Is Kind of COM
pany get the money which 1t is going
to lend to you and the other gentlemen
who have signed these contracts?
Why, it gets it from you ana those
same gentlemen, and from no one
else. Speaking to all of you collec-
lively, it says, in effect, Gentlemen,
this company has no money of its
own. but If you will pay your money
into it's treasury, we will then be glad
to lend it back to you. If you will give
good security, on very favorable terms,
indeed"
IF such a company ceased getting
new contracts, it could not lend you
your thousand dollars until you had
paid in thousand. 4 has no other
source Of income, am it can not Gre
ate something out of nothing. If it
continues to get new contracts after
yours, then II can take the money paid
in by those who follow you to lend to
those who precede you. In this way
your turn may come before you have
paid in quite the full amount which
you expect to borrow. But those who
follow you will have to wait still long
er on that account If new applicants
should sign up rapidly and in large
numbers, and begin paying their good
f,,t -, hn
may then be able to give you your loan
tolerably early. But that only post
pones the evil day. Those who fol-
low you in such numbers, will have
to wait longer and longer, unless the
applicants should continue increasing
in a geometrical ratio. But the longer
this sort OF thing goes on the greater
will be the smash when it comes.
unless you have been initiated into
the mysteries of geometrical progress
sion you may imagine that this sort
of thing can go on indefinitely; but if
you will take your lead pencil and
figure awhile you will find that in or
der that you may get your loan within
a year there must be about 10 times
as many applicants next year as there
were this. In order that they may get
their loans within a year, there must
be 10 times as many applicants the
year as next year, and so
on indefinitely. Now, If there are l.
600 applicants waiting for loans this
year. in 10 years there would have to
be. at this rate. 10000 900, 100000 new
contracts in the 10th year. This is
nearly 1000 times the present popu-
lation of the earth.'
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
LITERAR Y
NOTES

Jock McChesney, the hero of Edna
Ferber's Personality Plus" may
thank his remarkable mother for a
very enviable inheritance. That the
young mans personality almost
equals In fascination his mothers is
agreed by all who have read these
delightful stories. Much of Person
ality PLUS" has appeared serially in
the magazines. The true Edna Fer
Der fan will be happy however to
have them all in book form. To
those who have not been SO fortunate
as to meet these delightful people in
the magazine pages 1t is urged that
they procure the hook at once. It
contains an excellent mixture OF hui
NOR. cheer and good horse sense. And
the reading of it through can't fail to
benefit many such another cock-sure
young man as Jock McChesney.
Frederick "A. Stokes company.
"Demosthenes and the Days of Ear
ly Greek Freedom" by A w. Pick
ard-Cambridge, is an admirable and
scholarly study and relates the story
of the man and his age with all COM
pleteness. The author has shown
every regard for the original author
tiles and when dealing with matters
that are frequently disputed by stu
dents he shows excellent judgment
anu seems content to abide by the
ideas and conclusions most prevalent
among the best historians. The book
is a new contribution to the Heroes
of the Nations series (Putnams)
Mary Brecht Pulver is the author of
the Spring Lady" a new novel pub
lished by the Bobbs-Merrill company of
indianapolis. Mrs. Pulver is a new
writer and she is offering the public
her first novel
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

ventable by scientific measures, yet
fail to apply those measures by reason
/ of Indifference and penury, what extern
uation shall we offer for our sin OF
omission before the court of last re-
sort?
Questions and Answers
! Mrs. f. =. ]. asks. What Is the
cause of duodenal ulcer ? Can it be
cured without operation?
Reply.
The cause is not positively known.
cases can be treated successfully by
special feeding and long continued rest
in bed.
]. ]. asks: kindly advise what can
be done for a parafine injection put
in four years ago, and which now
seems to lump together and force its
way outward.
Reply.
You neglect to say whether it was
put in the clothespress or the dimple
OF your cheek. Send all details and
we will try TO advise you. Also sign
your letter if you expect an answer.
Anxious would be obliged for treat
AAAC4AI AOA DOug ice.
Reply.
Bake all your clothes in an oven. Boil
all underclothes. sheets, pillow-cases,
towels. Powdered sulphur may be
sprinkled in all the seams of clothing.
Apply not oftener than once in "a
hours per cent ointment of car
bolic acid to the affected areas of skin.
Battle at least once in "a hours. If the
parasites are in the hair, soak the hair
in kerosene. This will kill the lice. To
remove the ova C'nits) pull the hair
through cloth saturated with vinegar.
Also make liberal applications of the
fne-tooth comb.
Reply.
y. B.-A stamped addressed envel-
ope viii bring personal reply to your
personal question.
Miss L. K.-Your question is out OF
my field.
F. Il. a. writes: The other day
you talked of high blood pressure.
Is there any cure for that condition?
Reply.
High blood pressure accompanies
various functional and organic dis
eases. The high pressure may ALWAYS
be relieved. IL that Is deemed neces-
sary or wise, but as for cure, this
must depend on the conditions which
have brought about the symptom of
high pressure.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

Peoria county has not hesitated TO
levy the maximum tax possible under
the law for roads and bridges The
highway commissioners OF IS town
ships outside OF Peoria voted 10 levy
CT cents on the 500, which will yield
sssI77. One township alone viii
raise $4,000 next year This means
that Peoria county IS determined TO
have good roads now. whether the
1880. 900 bond issue proposed there
wins out or not. Whenever Rock Is
land county is wiling 20 go as far as
Peoria county has in the matter OF
providing the revenue. hard roads VIII
cease to be a matter OF the dim and
distant future.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
Records of imports fc

Records of imports for August.
showing a great falling of directly
traceable TO the war, have not pre-
vented the republicans from setting up
the cry that the new tariff law is re-
sponsible for the deficit in revenues
which has made necessary a war tax
OF some kind. The republicans are
simply desperate for campaign issue,
and in spite OF the fact that they are
perfectly well aware that not one per
son in ten will give their contention a
second thought they have seized upon
the necessity for war tax as drown
ing man would grab at a straw.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

walk. Now if you will spread your
fingers on the floor as if you were go
ing to stand on them you will see what
a good arrangement it was to have the
fingers of different length; they give
a well balanced support that fingers of
equal length could not give. So it was
to help prehistoric man and not man
of the goth century that nature give us
fingers of varying observation-disclosures
State Journal
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

prohibitive OF war. 1t isn't probable
or scarcely possible that nations can
make war after years consideration.
Thus has William J. Bryan achieved
during his year and half in Presi-
dent Wilson's cabinet, the great tri-
umph OF cementing in bonds of peace
twenty-six nations of the world with
the United States. William J. Bryan
stands before the nations eyes as the
worlds greatest peacemGker. All hon
or to this man of peace.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
The Middle Flnper.

Why is the middle finger of our
hands so much longer than the little
finger. and why is the thumb so stubby
and short when it would be much more
convenient if it were longer? One has
to go way back not only centuries of
time to find the answer to this why
it is?" In the history of mankind's
beginnings we find that before man
saw even the dawn of civilization he
used his hands as we'll as his feet to
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
Sept. 10 IN American
History.
History.

HEE-Battte at BemIs Heights near
Saratoga. y. Y, General buf-
suyne's British arny defeated Q!
American forces under Genersi
Gates
fSGf-Battle OF Winchester. Va. Gen,
eral Sheridan's fnrces attaSke0
General Esriy's camp about no'A
and at nightfalI the CoRfedera'T
were defeated and in retreat
tSS1-James Abram Garfield. I'VE"
tieth president OF the United States
died at Elheron. n. J.. from resuIu
of pistol wound inflicted by tAs
assassin Guiteau July =; born 1851
All the news all the time-The Argus
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

Officers of Missouri Valley, Iowa,
caught a transient farm laborer with q
gun on his person and the district
Judge sentenced him to two years at
hard labor. This ought to satisfy
even the most radical among those
who are working to end the gun
totfng'' habit.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

The National Boot and Shoe Manu-
facturers' association officially predicts
that the prices Of shoes will rise as a
result of the war. Very well. Modern
footwear is comfortable and highly con-
venient, but If it comes to the worst
we probably will be able TO demon
strate that 1t is not absolutely neces-
sary to existence.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

This is also the open season for
hunting warships by submarine in the
North sea, but the sport is not much
more fruitful of results than stalking
wild geese on a Mississippi river sand
har
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

Ivory carving is an important indus
try in India. The craftsmen prefer TO
use African ivory rather than the ma
tive product. as the African ivory is
closer IN grain and not so liable 10
turn yellow and appears TO be superior
in many ways. This is believed TO be
due TO the better food Of the African
elephant
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
Deductlon.

Tell me what you eat. and will
tell you what you are" boosted an
amateur sage.
We'll, ale a Welsh rabbit and a
lemon pie last night"
You're simply a fool. City
Journal.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

The colonel has conceded a point to
his physician, who has warned him
TO avoid speaking in the open air on
the tour which will bring him here
next week, and will hold a number OF
his meetings in tents.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

The Springfield News refuses to
take seriously Chicago's ambition to be
style arbiter for the world while Paris
IS cut of by war. For some reason, -
says the News, I'VE had always felt
that the height OF Chicago's aspirations
in that line was achieved under the
plain sewing sign IaboriOusly printed
on a sheet Of pasteboard and hung up
in the front window"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

The comments Of Sir Lionel Garden,
retiring British minister TO Mexico. on
the evacuation of Vera Cruz by the
American troops again points the utter
futility OF trying to please everybody.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

Cobb sends letters to his mother"
says a newspaper heading. No, chill
dren. not Tyrus; only Irwin ). Cobb,
the author and correspondent
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

Republicans are still trying vainly
to twist the Maine election results
around so that they can get crumb OF
comfort out OF them.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

Doc Cook says he IS planning an
other trip TO the north pole In the
varnacular, what does he mean-'an-
other"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

The mortality among mushroom
hunters appears to be well up TO the
standard that may be expected later
among deer hunters.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
Saturday, September 10. 1914.

Uncle Sam VIII attend to Turkeys
case after he has settled the rumpus
among his other European neighbors-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19
BY THE ). w. POTTER CO.

TERAiS-Ten cents per week by car
rier. In Rock Island; 50 p ysaE by mail
In advance
Complaints OF delivery service should
be made t. the circulation department
which should also be notined IN every
instance where 10 is desired to have
paper discontinued. as carriers have NO
authority In the premtseS
All com nunicstions OF arEumen'aSiEe
character. pOlitica. - religious must
have real namo attached fer publiea-
ton No such articles viii be printed
ever fictitious siEnaturea-
Telephones n all departments. Cen
tral Union. Rock Island 1l5. 1145 and
2I45.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-09-19

All the news all the time-The Argus