davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
HIGH COST OF POLITICS.

One OF the chief objections to the
primary method OF naming candidates
Is the tremendous expense involved
in making a fight for any Office of i'm
portance. Advertising, room rent,
postage. clerical help and travelling ex-
penses-all legitimate enough-make Of
fee seeking a luxury to many worthy
men.
This is not an argument against the
primary, says the Peoria Journal, for
people will never return to the days of
gagged conventions and caucuses. But
IL IL an argument in favor OF state sup
ervision OF campaign expenses. Ore
Gon has an excellent primary system,
under which candidates are limited in
their advertising expenditures and
other campaign disbursements. The
state issues a pamphlet in which each
candidate is allowed a limited amount
of space TO present his claims and this
Is circulated at public expense. The
result Is that the millionaire and the
laborer meet on common ground in a
primary fight. and the worthy poor
candidate is not under the tremendous
handicap that a wide-opef financial
combat would entail.
The high cost of politics Is becom-
ing serious issue. and state limita-
ton of campaign expenditures is inev-
liable.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

New light is shed on the activities
OF birds as conservers OF the public
health in a communication to the Ma
tional Geographic society at Washing
ton, d. c., from Henry W. Henshaw,
chief OF the biological survey. The
survey for a considerable period has
been studying the foods of birds by ex-
amining the stomach of specimens kill
ed for scientific purposes.
THE value of birds to the farmer is
plain enough, but we do not usually
relation to the public health" writes
Mr.. Henshaw. ITO prove that they do,
however, it is only necessary to state
that 500 mosquitoes have been found
in the stomach of a single night-hawk;
that in a killdeer's stomach hundreds
of the larvae of the salt-marsh mos
quito have been found, and that many
shore birds greedily devour mosquito
larvae. AS mousqitoes are known TO
carry the germs OF such serious dis
eases as typhoid, malaria, and dengue
fever 1t is evident that by destroying
such germs the birds are comforting
distinct benefit on man. 1t may be
added that not infrequently ticks are
eaten by birds. and that the tick which
is responsible for the spread of Texas
fever among cattle has been frequent
ly found in the stomach of a bobwhite.
I'm considering the many kinds of
birds in the United States from the
practical side, they may not inaptly be
called a police force of the air, the
chief duty OF which is to restrain with
in bounds the horde of insects that
If unchecked would devour every green
thing. To accomplish this task sue
cessfully, the members OF the force
must be varieusly equipped. AS the
bulk of insects spend more or less
time on the ground, we find more birds
are fitted for terrestrial service than for
any other. Our largest bird family,
the sparrows. is chiefly terrestrial. 1t
Is ably aided in its search for insects
by the thrushes. wren, certain of the |
varblers and many other birds So |
many insects burrow into trees that a |
highly specialized class of birds-the |
yoodpeckers-have been developed to |
Zig them out. The bills. tongues, feet |
Ind even tails have been cunningly |
adapted to this end. The bark of trees
llso forms a favorite shelter for nu-
nerous insects, and behold the wrens,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
CoNGREssMAN's TROUBLES.

In the June American magazine Ray
EStannard Baker. writing another arti-
Gle in his new series entitled Seeing
America describes what he calls
1.-THE New Spirit at Work in Washing
ion" He says:
1T is a familiar experience at Wash
Eagton, indeed. to hear some new sena-
Tor or congressman, fresh from the
country and burning with enthusiasm,
.pour out m a maiden speech all the
ferment OF moral enthusiasm which
he has brought TO Washington. 1--WE
love him for II. too. and We are a little
amused and a little Sorry. He in
tends to have things instantly chang
ed.
But the hard questions-questions
of finance and industry that are puz-
fling the ablest intellects in the world
(which he has pumped at him i'm
mediately upon his arrival are not the
only trouble he has. He begins to
get kilograms and letters by the
hundred. saying: Look out now. how
you tinker the currency; you'll bring
on a panicn or. II you don't draw
blood from those dad-blasted trusts,
ven elect a man next time who can't
ne u AAAOEAucu Dg one GACALe0 cur
respondent that II he votes for the
tariff bill he will forever ruin the hope
OF the democratic party; and the next
correspondent. equally excited. warns
him. OF exactly the opposite danger. 1t
appears that unless he votes Just so
both he and the party are certain to
go smash.
TUnder such conditions. what is the !
poor man 20 do? You can hold a man
up and take away his money. or give |
him a college degree, or elect him 20 |
congress. but no human power can /
force any man 10 think instantly |
straight and strong on the currency or
the trust question Most OF these I
men in congress are honest and earn
est men. They sincerely desire 20
ave the nation-but are terribly puZ-
lied how to save Il without running
&"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

Evidence of what appears to be a
well organized campaign to delude
farmers throughout the country into
buying an alleged cure for hog cholera
under the impression that this has
been investigated and approved by the
United States government. has reach
ed the department of agriculture. ac-
cording to an Official statement. Arti-
cles praising this medicine, "Benetor'
by name, are being sent out widespread
to newspapers. These articles are so
worded that It appears as IL the depart
ment of agriculture had received re-
ports from the state of Minnesota
showing that the medicine had proved
most beneficial. AS a matter OF fact,
the one report received by the. depart
ment was an unofficial and unsolicited
statement sent presumably from the
promoters themselves. The depart
ment attaches no Importance whatever
10 this statement II has no reason TO
believe in the efficiency of any pro-
prietary cure for hog cholera and does
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

nuthatches, warblers, creepers, with
sharpest of eyes and slenderest of
bills. The air is full of flying insects,
and to take care of these there are the
swallows, swifts ard night-hawks,
whose and bodies are so shaped as to
endow them with speed and agility
necessary to follow all the turns and
windings of their nimble insect prey.
The whippoorwills attend to the night
flying insects when most birds are
asleep, while the hawks by day and the
owls by night supplement the work of
other birds and have a special func-
ton of their own, the destruction of
noxious rodents.
Notwithstanding the fact that the
acreage under cultivation in the United
States is larger than ever before, and
that the crops are greater, the cost of
foodstffs continually mounts upward.
Meanwhile the destruction of farm and
orchard crops by insects and by ro-
dents amounts TO many millions each
year. If any part of this loss can be
prevented it will be so much clear
gain. Since birds perform such inyal-
liable service, every effort should be
made to protect them. This can be
done by furnishing nesting boxes for
certain specias to nest in, as swal-
lows, martins, wrens, woodpeckers,
great-crested fiy-catchers and others;
planting berry-bearing shrubs about
the farm and orchard as food for the
birds in winter, and by the establish
ment of bird sanctuaries where birds |
may be reasonably safe from their ma |
tural enemies and be permitted to live |
and breed in absolute security as far |
as man is concerned
Last but not least important may be /
mentioned the element Of safety from
cats. Friendly overtures to birds from
who regard tabby as a
necessary member of the family are
not likely to be successful, or if so
the experiment is apt to end in the
death of the confiding birds. Birds
and cats do not thrive in the same
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
Warns Against Alleged Hog Cholera Cures

not recommend any. Under certain
conditions it urges farmers to protect
their stock with anti-hog cholera
serum, but that is ALL
In connection with this attempt, 1t
may be said that the medicine, which
is now put forward as good for hogs,
was advertised some time ago as a
means of killing tuberculosis. typhoid,
and cancer germs. according to an ar
ticle published in the Journal or the
American Medical Association. AT
that time II was asserted that the army
was interested in 1t. AS matter OF
fact, the army was no more interested
then than the department OF agricul-
ture is now.
In view of the evidence that the at
tempt to create this false impression
is persistent and widespread, all hog
owners are warned to communicate
with the United States authorities be-
fore accepting as true any statement
that the government recommends any
treatment other than the serum al
ready mentioned.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

United States. on much the same plan
has just been published by the United
States geological survey. II you want
TO know where any one of the 400 use
full minerals occurs. this directory
gives the list of localities in each
state where your mineral will be
found. II you do not know the name
Of the mineral but do know that It is
an ore OF silver or Manganese, or car
ries asphalt or radium, the glossary
will guide you to IL.
The material in this bulletin is in
two distinct parts. The first part con-
sists OF lists of the occurrences of min
erals in each of the states beginning
with Alabama and ending with Wyom-
ing. Under the name of each state
the minerals found in that state are
given in alphabetic sequence. and az
ter each mineral name is given a list
OF the places where the mineral is
found. The second part is a glossary
Of more than 425 names. Each defini-
ton is followed by list of the states
in which the mineral occurs. The
glossary is therefore virtually an in
dex to the first part.
Some mineral aggregates, such as
clay, granite, limestone, sand and
sandstone. are included because they
constitute very considerable part of
the mineral production of the country.
This publication should be useful to
many classes Of people in many ways.
II some one wants to sell you stock in
a Texas oil company the report Will
tell you in what counties in Texas oil
Is produced and in what other coun-
ties It may eventually be found. II your |
wife wears a bloodstone lavalliere, |
the report gives you the only locality |
in the United States where that stone |
Is known TO occur. II you want to |
plaster OF Paris or need |
lime for your back pasture, this report |
will tell you where TO find the gypsum
and gives the location OF your nearest
IimekiIn.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
Johns Occupation.


yes, the old town has grown a lot
during the past fifteen years. The
skyscrapers, the new Union station,
the Carnegie library and the big hotel
make it look like a real metropolis.
And so Billy Westcott is prosecuting
attorney. Well, welli I'm glad to
hear that he's getting on. suppose
he'll be running for mayor next.
What ever became of his brother
John?"
Johns still living here. He's down
at the new Center street bridge watch
ing the tugs go up and down the
river"
why is he doing that?"
Because he can afford to. His wife
has a job in the county recorders
Office"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
STATE AIDING CLEANLINESS

A campaign to secure more com.
plete compliance with the wash house
act, passed by the last general assem-
bly,, has been inaugurated by Oscar F.
Nelson, chief state factory inspector.
He finds that many employers OF labor
are not familiar with the provisions
of the act
The statute calls for sanitary wash
rooms for employees in certain lines
| or work where workers necessarily
become dirty or greasy. The wash
| room must be convenient, must be
| comfortably heated in the winter and
must be provided with hot and cola
water There must be lockers where
workers can keep their clothes and
enough wash sinks must be provided
! TO accommodate the workers. The
factory inspector has recently ap-
proved plans Cor $4,000 wash house
which is being erected by the Pullman
company.
The effect of this law" Mr.. Nelson
says. is not only confined to the i'm
mediate employe in the roundhouse or
factory where he becomes covered
with grease and CRIME. but fits effect is
much more far-reaching. From my
own personal observation I can state
that the benefits of this act have
reached the home OF the employee. The
claim has been made among manufac-
turers that II is folly TO provide the
men with washing facilities. because
only a small percentage will take ad-
vantage OF them. / wish TO correct
this erroneous idea. i have noticed
that most OF the men prefer to wash
before leaving their place OF employ
ment. II Is true that. not all OF them
have done so from me day the wash
sink was placed in the factory, but a !
few did make the start and the others
seeing the slick and clean appearance
OF their fellow workers have had their |
envy aroused and now you will find |
that almost all OF the men clean I'D |
reigiously before leaving the shop. |
The result is simply miraculous. II |
shows that the working man has an |
Unborn sense OF pride and that IL he |
Keeps his own person clean and tidy 4
his work will be completed with higher
efficiency and better finish.
But while that is the Immediate re-
suit in the man about the factory. the
equal and far-reaching benefit may be
traced TO the home OF the factory hand.
The man returning from work with
the dirt removed from hands and face
looks for the same decent conditions
among the members OF his family.
Therefore, the old. untidy appearance
lround HIS home disgusts him and his
mission is 20 have the fam
ly scrub up and the rooms OF his dwell
ing put in an inviting atmosphere
The old adage, cleanliness is next
, Godliness.' has not only proved fits
lerft. but IL painted over the entrance
, every factory would show the right
ERECTION for the uplift OF Industrial
fe just as the pillar OF fire led the
iiidren OF Israel through the night to
eir long dreamed OF haven OF COM
rt and rest"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

see that just behind that barn runs the
high tension wire and right along the
front of the barn just over the robins
nest runs the feed wire for the cleo,
tricity in your house? That is the
very worst place TO have a robins
nest" the telephone man insisted. You
must take it right down Some stormy
summer afternoon that robin will short
circuit those wires and burn down your
barn Better take down the nest right
away"
The man who loved birds, and his
wife, laughed carelessly. do you
think" he said, that would disturb
a robin who had Just laid five such
beautiful eggs? will do no such thing
as that"
What will you do?" asked the tele-
phone man. DO you want your barn
to burn?"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
Bed Time ales
The Robins Nest
By Clara Ingram Judson.

nNE spring a pair of robins begar
house hunting for the very bes
" place TO make a nest. II thinl
we had better build in that tall tree
this year." said Mr.. Robin.
Il don't know" answered Mrs
Robin doubtfully. 81 am rather tired
of trees. You know we had so many
storms last year. ] would rather like
to build by house"
Seems TO me houses are pretty
stupid places to build" answered~Mr.
Robin, how do you like this bush
over here?"
"Bushp said Mrs. Robin disgustedly.
DO you think | would ever make a
nest and lay my eggs where a CAT. could
get them as easily as not Indeed
know better than that"
well, where would you think would
be good place ?" said Mr. Robin. He
was quite willing to suit Mrs. Robin
but he wanted to get to work
Il am going to look az this barn
over here" said Mrs. Robin. s"I think
] see very good corner up there by
the caves"
So together they few over TO a small
barn not far from the tree where they
had built last summer
This is just the very place that /
would Hike to live" said Mrs. Robin in
q very satisfied voice.
What suits You, suits me-" agreed
Mr.. Robin dutifully, and they went to
work.
For several days they busted them
selves collecting straw and string and
tiny twigs and weaving them into the
very best nest that ever was made
Finally the nest was all completed and
five little eggs were laid.
Mr.. Robin was SO happy he chirped
and fluttered and hunted worms all the
day. Mrs. Robin. while quite as happy.
cat on her nest in a very digniied and
sophisticated manner.S
In house nearby lived two people
who were very fond of birds. and a
telephone man. which you will admit is
not a usual combination. One evening
the three people walked out towards
the barn TO inspect the garden and pick
fresh radishes.
"Oh. look at the new robins nest"
said one of the people who were fond
of birds. II believe that is the same
robin who built In the tree last year."
said the other. We'll they are build
Ing in a very bad place this year." said
The telephone man grimly. Don't you
ToaorSo~.- Eo...S. q,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
A SILLY WISH.

Il WISH" said
Smithson, I could
live in some coun-
try where there
were no poor peo-
ple-where wealth
could be distrib-
uted equally"
Goodness" re-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
Just a Theory.

why does Bonsell dress in such a
shabby way lately? He certainly
hasn't been meeting with any financial
reverses, if one may judge from the
way his wife and daughters continue
to make money fly"
II don't know what his purpose is.
Maybe he's trying to make people who
don't know him believe he's some edu-
Gated chap who is trying to get along
by doing brain work"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

Rock Island has grounds to claim
discrimination at the hands of the
weather manipulators. After trying
N1eir best TO spoil the 1000 block cele-
bration Wednesday evening with just
enough of a shower 10 wet ones cloth
.fnx. they favored Moline and Daven-
port with nice and much needed rain
yesterday and left US entirely out of
i1tR We have no desire to be unreason-
able. but isn't this going a little too
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
DIRECTORY FOR USEFUL
MINERALS.

Every city has directory OF fits IN.
hsbitants, giving the names OF wage
eayners, and the addresses where each
may be found. II you do not know
pefson's name but do know that. he is
a paperhangsr, the classified business
directory VIII locate him for you. A
directory OF the useful minerals In the
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

The feat Of the Jefferson barracks
soldier who scaled wall and rescued
nine persons from death in a fire
shows once more that the opportuni-
ties for heroism do not all offer them
selves on the battle field. even for
members Of the army.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
May 20 in American
History.

lou l'a,i!Nh l-VuTA. orator OF t"'
Revolution. born: died 1893.
11So-President Washington gave DIS
first state dinner at the executive
mansion. 10 Cherry street. New
York.
191l-The United States supreme cOur'
ordered the American Tobacco com
pany TO dissolve unless reorgah
tied; penalty for violating the Sher
man antitrust act.
All the news all the time - The
Argus.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

Husband-Did that dress suit case
come! Wife-The one full of dreadfu,
clothes from the office? Yes. and they
came just In time TO give away TO the
missionary society. Husband Din n
sepulchrai voice,-It belonged 10 an
Englishman l have Invited home for
iinner.-Iife.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
A Wonder.

You seemed to regard that man
with a good deal of awe"
Yes. He excites my wonder. He's
married to one of my former wives
and getting along with her.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

- Covering up the garbage and haul
ing away the stable manure may not
be as good training for the eye and
Eaand as mailing EN- on the wing, but
70 is a good deal more effective in get
ting results than plain or fancy fly
-1watting.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

piled his wife. why should you have
such a silly wish as that? If we lived
in such a country we could never af-
ford anything that the people next
door wouldn't be able to GET
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

: TERMS-Ten cents per week by car
-risr. In Rock Island: IS PEE yeA- by mail
m advance.
Complaints OF delivery service should
ee made TO the circulation department
which should also be notified in every
instance where g IS desired TO have
paper discontinued. as carriers have no
authority IN the premises.
All communications OF argumentacive
character. political or religious. must
SfAve real name attached for publica-
tfpn No such articles viii be printed
etsr nctitious signatures.
Telephones IN all departments. Gen.
trai Union. Rock Island I45, HAS and
2I45.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

I don't care much" laughed the man
comfortably. II will just take out some
more FIRE insurance and let the robins
alone"
Overhead Mrs. Robin called to her
mate: Seems to me they were talk
ing about u.s." she said anxiously.
Mr.. Robin looked at the people care
fully. well, IL they were won't be-
lieve they are going TO hurt us" he
replied comfortably. They look TO
me like friends of ours"
The robin was right. they were.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

Ssenator L. Y. Sherman. home to fix
La political fences, right of the bat
Ifhs1cks a monkey wrench into the
GEARS of the old republican machine.
FOR original ways in advertising him
Tye.f you have TO hand it to Senator
Larry.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

'Tf anyone" says the colonel, doubts
the existence OF that river now his
sincerity is open TO question" Nat
urally. In other words, he who says
he doubts is "a malicious liar" and all
the rest OF IT,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

The fact that $4,000 factories come
out in the open with a petition TO the
president instead OF remaining under
cover and pulling wires in the good
old-fashioned way is not without its
signifcance.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
Not Worthy of Notice,

No. we have decided not to have
anything more to do with her. She
really isn't in our set. When she
started for Europe last fall she never
received a single steamer letter"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

The teaching of home economics
is now required by law in the ele-
mentary schools of Indiana, Iowa,
Louisiana, Massachusetts, Montana,
North Carolina, Oklahoma aud Wash
ington.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
Her Own Opinion.

She rouged her cheeks and BACKED her
brows,
She put some whitewash on her nose;
She daubed some red stuff on her lips
And pinned on braids in ample rows;
She fastened on a hat bedecked
With artificial sprigs and fruit,
And felt as natural as life.
And fancied that she was "a beaut."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
Paw knows EvervthInn.

Wfllie-Paw. what is a sunny dispo-
sition?
Paw-That is something possessed
by a man who points out the silver lin
ing in the cloud and then borrows
your umbrella before it starts to rain.
my son.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

Some men are such confirmed
grumblers that they frequently grum-
BILE merely because they have moth
ing to grumble at
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29

. what, asks an exchange. has become
OF the old-fashioned boy who was
afraid when the old-fashioned man
threatened 10 cut OF his ears?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-05-29
CANDID OPINION.

If there is a heaven the angels who
do the work there probably never have
to fret because the ones who sit around
get the credit