davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14

By this time the banks business
lad outgrown their small quarters
nd in casting about for suitable
ocation, it was decided to purchase
ne corner lots where then stood the
10 Finn hardware store. This ole
uild,ng was at once torn down and
ne bank bGilding as it stands today
as erected. This proved to be the
turning point in the success of the
Janh. In the first year in the new
location the deposits increased from
$i2G.5jO to $164,00O.
The second story of the building
was nicely fitted up for office rooms
and they have been occupied almost
continually since.
No change was made in the man.
agement of the bank until December
1903 when c. w Burdick decided tC
sever his connection with the bank
n order to retire from active busi
ness life
+. 7. Curtin was then advanced tC
the Presidency, and Ogden Castertor
succeeded MIR. Burdick on the Di
rectors Board and accepted the Vice
Presidency, and b. j. Mckay, be
cause of his careful and competent
banking ability, was promoted to the
Cashiership.
This proved {. very happy combin
alton of men. The business ha!
grown and prosaered until today tn,
bank ranks among the strongest il
the State of Iowa. 1t has the unique
distinction of having never been fore
ed to foreclose p real estate mort
gage. 1t did foreclose a mortgage
once for customer who re
Quested that they do it for him as
Continued on last page)
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14
$500 DAY MINIMUM WAGE.
Ford Automobile Company Has Gre
ated New Wage Scale of $500
Day, Minimum Paid to Any
Male EmplOye.

One can but feel admiration fol
the generosity of the Ford Automo
bile Company in creating a minimum
wage of $500 per day, rate, which
even the most menial of it's adult EN-.
ployes is to receive. If this DISPOSE
ton to shs ones gains were more
general. thT ssibility of the King.
dom of Heatc night seem to exist
even after thE: Sc of the Sunday
school hour. N0.
Yet is there ai'e ption on pros,
porous employers, q w rates OF
wages double those ipg in the
open market?
One might imagine, where such
munificence is displayed, that routine
tasks calling for little intelligence
might become too attractive. 1t is
easy to foresee a long line of hungry
applicants at the doors of the Ford
factories, pleading for jobs as floor
sweepers.
Were prosperous business men tC
adopt this policy generally, would il
not tend to encourage young men t.
hunt for soft snaps" through per-
sonal pulls" rather than to train
themselves for the highest efficiency?
Most people have to take the mar.
ket valuation for their labors. When
they receive wages above the prevail.
ing rate for actual value of services
they become too dependent on a sin
gle employer. If for any reason,
they lose their favored berths, they
are not used to rough competition on
a basis of the survival of the fittest
The best gift for the worker is not
extra dollars in his pay envelope 20
day, but the incentive and oppoTtuni-
ty for gaining greater efficiency, as
the result of which he becomes de-
pendent on no one business or Sc. of
men.
This calculating age is not likely
to provide many imitators of the
warm hearted Ford policy, so that
there Is no need of issuing warnings
against it,
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14

about all Director was supposed to
DO was to have his name in the list
of Directors in the local papers. The
presence Of his name there was sup
posed alone to be the extent of his
duties-his being dignity" posi-
ton solely.
In March 1898 enters the name of
B. j. Mckay into the history of the
bank, He was employed first as err
rand-Eoy and book-keeper, and at the
Annual Meeting N January 1898 was
appointed Assistant Cashier.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14

The Board Of Directors was sub
jected to changes from time TO time
until it was composed in March 1897
OF the following five members:
C. w. Burdick, *. F.. b. Portm8n,
John Curtin, F. w Conoyer, and Z.
j. Curtin. This Board was very com
petent and studied the affairs of the
bank very carefully. They passed on
all loans and were far from being So
called Dummy Directors This
was an innovation for those times as
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14

600 of working funds. This was in
creased again in January 1895 to
,S25, 900, and two years later it was
found necessary to double that
amount, making $4,000. John Cur
tin and L. A. Ruth replaced A. w.
Grow and l.. l.. Caldwell on the
Board. and the officers were rear
ranged with George Phelps as Presi-
dent, r. F. B. Portman, Vice-Presi-
dent, c. w. Burdick, Cashier, and E.
j. Curtin still holding down the AS
sistant Cashiers position
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14

Country life has its drawbacks,
but it has its great advantages which
overcome them. True, those who
live in the country are "Rubes" and
Farmer" and "Hayseeds" to the
cigarette smokers in town but the
boast of the business men in the
world today is that they were born
on the farm. Take away the sur
rounding evils that beset the young
men or women on the threshold OF
life's journey in the city, and substi,
tute the helpful influences of nature
and you fortify them for the sterner
walks of life.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14

A New York woman declares that
when bachelor wants to marry, in
these modern days, he should be sure
that he has an income of ten thous-
and year before he decides to set
sail on the sea of matrimony. But
IL this woman has thimblefull OF
brains, which she probably hasn't
she would know that the couple who
would make ten thousand dollars the
minimum salary would soon find that
ten thousand wouldn't be halt
enough.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14
BOTH ANNIVERSARY OF ,
CITIZENS SAVINGS BANK
Popular Bank VIII Celebrate Thirty
Years of Existence Tomorrow.
NEW CHARTER JUST RECEIVED.
EXTENDS LIFE 80 YEARS.
Doors Opened to the Public January
10, 1884, And Has Been Leader
Among Up-to-Date Banks
Ever Since.

The thirtieth' anniversary of the
starting of the Citizens Savings Bank
will occur on January 15, 1914. This
is long time for a business house OF
any kind to battle successfulig
against the financial storms of life.
The 30-year charter expires this
month-30 years of being on THE
square-and new charter has just
been received authorizing the bank
to guard it's customers money aud
otherwise be OF public benefit for u
further period of fifty years.
The bank has learned a great deal
in its thirty years of life, and the ex-
perience gained during that time
should be assurance that the bank
is competent to attend to the public's
financial affairs. (
Thinking that the public might be
interested in reading a story of the
people who have been responsible for
the things the hank has done in its
thirty years of life, we present here
the main facts.
When l.. l.. Caldwell, c. w. Burr
dick, George Phelps, N Burdick and
A. w. Grow combined themselves to-
gether and organized the Citizens
Savings Bank and authorized it To
open its doors for the first time on
January 18th, 1884, they "buildea
better than they knew" Thirty
years have seen many improvements
in the banking business, and sSthH
bank has been leader among up-t
date banks.
1t opened for business in the bu3td
ing on Winnebago street, diresty1
south of the old post office building,
and c. w. BurdIck. President aud j..
l.. Caldwell, Vice-President and
Cashier, did the honors for the occa-
sion. K. j. Curtin kept what books
were necessary at that time He also
swept out evenings, waited on GUS
toners, ran errands, and kept the
Burdick Abstract Books completed
to date. The Capital Stock was $,0,-
600 which was paid in in cash
When the Auditor of State made
his regular call for Statement on July
23rd, 1884, after the new bank lad
been in business a little over six
months, it showed deposits of $12,-
600 and loans of $1,000. Which
was very good considering the hard
uphill pull it was to get business. 1t
was extremely difficult at that time
to get people TO see the advantages
which they derived from doing busi-
ness at a bank.
One year latter r. f. b. Portman
succeeded George Phelps on the
Board of Directors. He has been d
member of that Board ever since
the oldest Director of the bank today
in years of service. Mr.. Portman also
claims the honor of having made the
hrst deposit in the bank. +. j. Curtin
was appointed Assistant Cashier af-
ter the first years business.
In January lSS6-after two years
'of business life-the business of the
bank demanded an increase of the
Capital Stock, and it was voted to
add $1,000 more to it, making $17,-
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14

The health commissioner of Chi
cago refuses TO let his subordinates
send out bulletin warning against
the danger of kissing. He says
there is really no danger in kissing
unless you are caught at it. There
is something almost human about an
official with ideas like that.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14

When George Phelps moved to
Europe in July 81, c. w. Bardick
was advanced to the Presidency and
Y, ! Curtin TO the CashiershiI
These officers proved very popular
and the business increased by leaps
and bounds urier. their eX,elien
management.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14

Marconi announces preparations
to connect North and South America
by wireless, having secured a fifty
year concession from Brazil for a
service to New York. This, with
the government plans for a trans
continental service by way of Chica-
go, should usher in a new era in
wireless on this side of the ocean.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14
Daily Thought,

A man should never be ashamed
to own he has been in the wrong
which is but saying, in other words
that he is wiser today than he was
yesterday. Pope.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14

Thanks, brother, thanks!' ex-
claimed the minister presiding, effu.
sively. Il don't know your name.
but may heaven bless your kind
heart, and may your business dur
ing the coming year be doubled,"
Instantly there was a laugh that
was both long and loud, and the per-
picked preacher gazed at the dele
gates in establishment. What have
| done, said he What
Nothing replied fellow
preacher, only the man who donat-
ed that twenty-five is an undertaken"
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14

New York reformers are great
ana noble men, except when they at
tempt impossible tasks, such as re-
forming New York.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14
ITEMS OF INTEREST
At NATIONS CAPITAL
Special Representative Will Keep
Public Opinion Readers Posted.
SPECIAL ATTENTION GIVFN
TO NEWS OF IOWA PEOPLE
Interesting Developments of Ma
tion's Affairs Tersely Described
by Former Iowan for Iowa
Readers.
Public Opinion Bureau
Washington, ID. C.. Jan. II, 1913.
Interlocking DireCtorates.

There is no man in business who
does not feel the evils-or benefits
if he is favored-of the control OF a
large variety OF interests by local
capitalists. This may have its head
quarters in a bank and reach around
the affairs of small community; OF
in a larger sense it may envelope
the banking and commercial interests
of cities. Intcrlocking directors,
which have been vigorously CRITICS
ed in the past year or two, as the re-
suit of the Pujo Congressional inves-
tigation of the money trust extend
their influence over national affairs
through the manipulation of the fl
nances of great banks, trust COM
panies, and insurance companies.
Likewise the great corporations, in
cluding the railroads, steamship
companies, telegraph and telephone
lines, and other industries are within
their power. Therefore it was Of i'm
portance to the country when the
partners of the banking firm of J. P.
Morgan and company announced its
members had retired from the direc-
torships of some score of corpora
tions. The announcement says that
the retirements are due to public
sentiment" That public sentiment
never was better expressed than in
words attributed to President VIII
son, who said: The great business
transactions Of the country are pri-
vately controlled by gentlemen whom
1 can name, and whom ] will name
II il IS desireds men of great digni-
ty OF character; men. as | believe, OF
great purity of purpose, but men who
have concentrated in their hands
transactions which they are not will
ing 10 have the rest of the country
interfere with"
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14

III matrimony were a more exclu-
sive club so many would not have
to be kicked out of 1t.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14

The trouble with birthday remin-
isences OF famous women is that
they never mention the year.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14
SHEEHAN OPERA co.
COMING TO DEBORAH
One of the Finest Opera Companies
in Years to Show at Grand
Opera House Jan.
Odd.
ALL STAR PERFORMANCE
CREAM OF THREE OPERAS.
Company Has no Chorus, but the
Principals Will Take Parts i'm
Complete Scenes From Three
Operas.

! The patrons of the Grand opera
house will be given a rare treat on
! Friday evening, Jan. 23, in the ap-
pearance here of the Sheehan Opera
Co., one of the big musical attrac-
tions of the year. Madame LeBrun
who sings the prima donna roles was
formerly a member of Henry w. Sa-
wages company. Since then she has
spent eight years in Europe and her
return has brought her back to
America the most talented prima
donna this country has produced in
recent years. The following press
notices from Wisconsin papers gives
an interesting description of the
company:
Oshkosh was immensely pleased
with the Sheehan Opera company
last night and crowded house was
in attendance. Appleton is to have
a musical treat tonight. The COM
pany does not come with chorus.
1t is here with the principals, who
will take parts in complete scenes
from three operas.
There will be two scenes from the
last act Of III Trovatore," including
the tower and dungeon scenes. There
will be the duet and trio and famous
misereree. These scenes will be re-
called by those who saw the attrac-
tion here last year.
The second on the program will be
an act from THE Bohemian Girl"
including Il Dreamt | Dwelt in Mar
BILE Halls" followed by a duet and
will include up to the entrance of the
queen with the solos Bliss Forever
Past" and Mr.. Sheehan closing with
Then You'll Remember Me-" sung
as only Mr.. Sheehan can sing it and
the Bohemian Girl act ends with the
big trio between baritone, soprano
and tenor.
The last act gives the entire kitch-
en- scene from Martha" complete in
this act is heard the beautiful Last
Rose of Summer" The Spinning
Wheel quartette, The Good Night"
quartette as well as some of the most
beautiful duets in the whole opera.
The performance as the cast in
cludes besides Joseph F. Sheehan
such stars as Antoinette LeBrun, Ly-
dia Sturtevant, Harold ]. Gels. and
Arnold Beaumont.
The cream of all three operas is
given making performance far more
interesting and entertaining than any
one OF them alone could be.
-O
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14
Deputy President TumuIty.

How few people in the United
States realize the real governing
power of the nation. Every one
knows that President Wilson is in
Mississippi doing his best to get a va
cation, but most people seem to think
he has taken the government along
with him. On the contrary, practi-
cally all of the details of the execu-
tive office are carried on in Washing
ton, exactly as though the President
were here. President Wilson is for
tunate in having a private secretary
of wonderful capacity-and he leans
heavily upon Mr.. Joseph Tumulty.
Tumulty appears to be able to run
the government of the United States
quite as effectively as if the old
man" were here himself
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14
No Mines i'm Panama.

A great many people wonder how
1t is possible to attack so many big
hills on the Panama Canal route
without striking ore of some kind,
but ii has been determined by the Of
ficial biologists of the Isthmus Can
al Commission, who have examined
a number of placer claims in the re-
gion OF the Gatun river and tribu-
taries lying within and without the
Canal Zone, that in no instance was
gold found in paying quantities, and
that this territory is not one for min
ing DurDOSeS
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14
Every Banker DOin' 1t.

Bankers all over the country are
falling over one another in the rush
TO get in their applications for parti-
cipation in the new banking system
inauglrated under the currency bill.
A week from the time the bill was
passed one-fouruh of the national
banks of the country had their appli-
cations in the hands OF the Treasury
Department at Washington.
Prosperity the Next Station-AI
Aboard.
Secretary OF Commerce Redfield
is cheerful, even when the stock
Continued on last page)
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1914-01-14
Young Fighting Blood.

Young America is showing an eag-
er desire to enter the enlisted ranks
OF the army, and army officials find
that the enlistments for the last two
months of the old year were above
the normal. In Washington it is de-
clared that this is not a result of a
fear on the part of young men that
hard times are ahead. but a desire
, to enlist for what the young men be-
lieve 10 be real service ahead of
them
, 1914-04-08

this be as it was, there was one point he
would strongly urge From the starting Of
the experiment station up to now ony
foreigners had had the benefit of all the
appointments belonging to this department.
He would implore those who had the au-
thority, that they would give, as far rs
possible, the different posts to natives of the
Island. He himself had nothing to expect
concerning this matter, but he had SOUS.
The policy Of giving quite unfortunately
everything to foreigners was q bad policy.
Bird Member for Frederiksted Country
District (LtuaeN replied, that the Director
had to appoint men with technical educa-
ton.
The Chairman (Ealmer) remarked, that
it seemed rs if the hon. Members were get
ting somewhat restless, and he would there
fore give a recess.
(Io Be continued.)
, 1914-04-08
PASSENGERS
Christiansted.

March 2nd-"Dannebrog" for St. Tbomas
Alfred James, Doctor Ditlovsen
March 4~th-"Guiana' for New York
Naomi Brnthwate and 3 children.
March 4th-"Dannebro9' from St. Tho
mas-Doctor DitIevsen, Alexander Michael.
Samuel Andersen, Charles Fredcrik Ezekiel
Williams, Virginia Barry, &. Clifford.
, 1914-04-08

At noon on Sunday "a Confirmation service
was held in the Lutheran Church by Rev
Halweg-Larsen, Pastor Of the Church. Thir-
teen candidates we're confirmed.
In the evening a Confirmation service was
held in the Morayian Church, Friedensthal,
by the Rev. J. Weiss. Is candidates were
confirmed.
, 1914-04-08
RAINFALL
for March 1914, measured a, che Barracks
Christiansted Kiugshill Fredorlk,ted
1876 lines. 40 lines. III lines.

We have been asked to mention that q
Cricket Match Will be played on the pasture
of Est. Judith's Fancy on Easter Monday the
18th inst. between The Melbourne Cricket
Club Of St. Thomas and the Merry Boys
Cricket Club of Christiausted.
The following are the names of the
players:
st. Thomas Eleven. Christiansted Eleven.
Nebom1te C1jebet heyry Boys Dricbst
Club. Clue.
L. Meyers, Captain. Joseph Jame~, Gaptaa,
Fl. Thomas George Brooks, Zee
\. Michial Cttpta1l.
r. Hendricks Alfred Commings.
Smith George Abbott.
+. Sprauye /. james.
b Moses v. Phoire.
L. Emmanuel }. McShall.
A. Warden w. Thomas.
G. Hodge +. Williams.
II. Garner f. PhilIipus.
@. Thompson.
Extras. Ertr0s.
r. Guirty H. Messer.
H. Baptist -Haaager Elisha Williams.
W. Saso Umpire Gustav Lauge Mana-
S. Doubabin Scorer. ger,
, 1914-04-08

On Monday the Rev. Canon Watson COM
ploted 20 years Of service as Rector Of
81. Johns Parish in this island, ON which
interesting occasion he received cougrut
latlons and bouquets from many members
Of his congregation, by whom he is greatly
esteemed. We take the liberty TO add ours
to the many.
, 1914-04-08

The New Wharf in St Thomas must
not be confused with the great wharf now
being erected by the West Indian Co. chic
New Wharf" is on the harbour front Of the
town and communicates with the Main Street.
It was built about three years ago to take
the boat traffic with St. Jan and the Virgin
Islands, which had been previously carrIed
on at the old pier, now used as a promenade.
1t was 65 feet long and % feet wide and
cost about 50 100000. Later papers report
that it is likely to be rebuilt.
Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1914-02-12
AT
CHICAGO
AT
ST. LOUIS

wctz of New York declared uurquiNocally
against the proposed trust measures
now under consideration TN Congress. as
sorting that they impose additional pro
hibition which would give rise Ia aGdi-
tiunal uncertainty and litigation" lie
advocated. however. the establishment ~
\ Federal Interstate Trade Commission
under an act carefully defining its
functions. powers and duties.
Referring to the proposed measures.
Mr.. Morawctz said some NJ the bills rim
stead III furnishing safeguards tn indus
try against The forces which have dis
turbcd il. would place Shacklcs upon
legitimate business and enterprise.
None If the bills. he declared. would
tend To make the present Law more def
mite or certain.
The anti trust act prohibits in the
broadcSt language restraints of trade
aud monopolizing. he continued. ~and
IL N nov settled that the purpose and
policy VI the act can not hp avoided hy
amy disguise or subtcrfugc. doubt
that amy statute can be- drawn that
would really make the act more definite
and certain except. either I'M limiting
the scope ~ the act and defeating it> pur-
pose. OF hN Subiccting commerce 10 4 set
of east iron rules that would cripple il.
Certainly. neither the so-callcd hill 20
define the sherman law 0r the - called
trade relations bin. w amy of the other
bills. make the law more definite
The bill now pending for the creation
of an Interstate Trade Commission. the
speaker suggested. should Ia amended IN
various particulars. "lt should H.
vested with certain additional functions
and duties he said the provision max
ing public the information obtained by
examination of the records. accounts.
books and papers ~ corporations should
~ eliminated aud all agents AMI cNamin
.crS OF the commission should b. strictly
prohibited from disclosing information
except To- the commission.
THE greatest ma urity WI The people
agree. ~ concluded. THAT the desired
result should W. attained without tear
my up the roots az unsettling legitimate
business 10 hamper honest and legiti
mate enterprise merely 10 strike III those
who break The law M benefit themselves
AZ lllcgitimatc means would not ~ wise
legislation"