davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12

Germany. Then, with bit of humor
he wonders why he never thought OF
doing this before.
That is the great trouble, we have
overlooked too many American posi-
bilities, and now that war has brought
us face to face with our neglected
opportunities we must admit that Edi-
son is right. We have been too
wealthy and too independent for our
own welfare.
We have realized, in lazy way, that
if forced to do certain things we could
do them, but we have been content
to argue what is the use of it when
we can purchase what we-want in
Germany and other countries as
cheaply as we can manufacture them
at home.
We are at last beginning to use
raw materials formerly wasted by
working them into commodities hith-
erto bought in Germany. We recog-
nize our mistake. We will profit by
the experience. The example of Edi-
son will be followed. Chemicals we
have been dependent on Germany for
will be made in our own country, and
this principle will spread along the
line of all industries.-Me Memphis Com
mercial Appeal.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
ANOTHER WAR pECLAREp.

Ell Paso, Tex, Nov. 11-War has
been declared between the Caranza
and Villa elements of the constitutions
alist army. according to advices re-
ceiycd at Juarez tonight from officials
of the conclaye of chieftains at Aguas-
cafientes.
A preliminary battle has already
occurred at Leon, between Aguascali-
entes and Queretaro, it was reported
General Pablo Gonzales, the Cararn-
"a commander, has moved his forces
from ueretaro north to Silica to meet
the Villa advance.
General Manuel Chao, Villa chief
tain, departed today from Aguascal-
ientes with strong column.
A message from Official sources in
Mexico City given out today by Ra-
fael Muzquiz, the Cararnza consul
general to the United States says:
THE first chief is at Crodoba. Most
Of the pricipal chiefs have declared
in favor Of Carranza. Villa has called
on the people to take arms. All of
the south and east is loyal to the
first chief"
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
TOO PROSPEROUS.

According to Thomas Alva Edison,
we are too wealthy for our own well
fare.
Edison, in addition to being an cleo
trical engineer wizard, is something
of philosopher. He is practical in
his analysis of any situation, and
while he sometimes speaks in vague
way about things, in sitting down
what he says you will find the seed
tof good common sense.
In saying that we as a nation, are
too wealthy for our own welfare Edi-
son tells the truth in the form of
a paradox.
He was engaged in a discussion of
our present commercial embarrass-
ments, our present famine in certain
fields, because of the European war,
and in explaining the cause of such
a situation, Especially he directed
his discussion to the stringency in
the American mills and markets for
certain chemicals and dyestuffs. We
have, during our days of luxury, be-
come too lazy to manufacture these
commodities ourselves and have de-
pended upon Germany for our supply.
He points out the pertinent fact that
1--WE are in a better position to make
these same chemicals and dyestuffs
at as cheap figure and in greater
quantities than Germany. Yet it has
seemed small matter, and Ameri-
can industry has been applied to great
er fields. The small ones have been
overlooked and neglected
As to catholic acid, Mr.. Edison ex-
n1ainpd that he met the shorfa 90 in
his own plant within two months. He
is manufacturing carboisc acid HIM
self, and is no longer dependent upon
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
THE BACHELOR TAX.

/ loved a girl that Time shall ne'er
From my fond memory blot her;
But should l pay out cash because
The other fellow got her?
New York Times.
He's got the mash. you've got the
cash;
Kick all you like. dod rot it!
They're going to make you pay the
tax
Because he hasn't got it.
Cleveland News.
OF all the things the Lord detests,
The worst one is gutter.
It's up to you to pay the tax
Because you let him git her.
Springfield Uunion.
Yes, go ahead and pay the tax;
'Tis best to be bach,
Than have some twelve or fourteen
kids
And for their living scratch.
Florida Times-Union.
Yes, be sport and pay the tax,
We hate to hear you below;
The married guys they envy YOU
The lucky bachelor fellow.
Allentown Democrat.
With all these other cheerful chaps
We heartily agree;
Who would not pay most any tax
To know that he was free!
Birmingham Age-Herald.
Yes, pony up and pay the tax
No use to stand and blow,
Then hear yourself called casually
Just her old beau"
Memphis Commercial-Appeal.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12

In the involved campaign in Ohio
where issues were varied, it was hard
for one beyond thestate to define
where the policies advocated by the
various contenders ended. 1t was
stated that Gov. Patterson, in speak
ing for statewide prohibition, was
supporting the republican nominee for
governor. The various candidates
were oracular in their attitude toward
prohibition. Some of them sought to
make statements that would be pleas
ing to prohibitionists and to antipro-
hibitionists alike. 1t turns out that
Gov. Patterson was speaking solely
for prohibition, without regard to the
politics of the various candidates. The
governor is still democrat.-Mem-
phis Commercial Appeal.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
THIS TO HIS CREDIT.

Whatever we may think about John
D. Rockefeller and the ways in which
he acquired his immense wealth, there
are few who will not indorse the use
which he is making of a part of il
in sending prompt and generous sue
cor to the Belgians.
1t is easy to say that he is only
doing what he onght to do, and that
he ought really to do a great deal
more, both at home and abroad. This
may be very true; but how many of
his carping critics do even a part of
what they could and should do?
At the best, or worst, Rockefeller
has no monopoly on giving in this
great human cause. Every one is free
to compete with him in this to the
full limit of ones generosity and
means. For once, it cannot be said
he is crowding anybody out.
What concerns us just now is that
Rockefeller is doing the right thing
for once, anyhow, and in feeding the
starving and clothing the naked sets
an example that his severest critics
cannot do better than follow.
Nobody need worry about whether
it is grand stand play" for effect,
or the result of genuine sympathy
and recognition of personal obliga-
ton. Nobody need take Rockefeller's
motives as his own in giving. Each
may give from his own motive.
With a population greater than the
city of New York suffering from hun
ger and exposure and hopelessness,
there cannot be too many helpers, nor
too many motives.
Rockefeller's motive probably is no
more mixed than those of the rest
of us when we perform a good action.
His tainted" dollars will carry moth
ing but healing to his beneficiaries.
Standard Oil as an angel of mercy
will not be less efficacious than one
with whittier wings. Memphis News
Scimitar.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
sEED SELECTION ON THE FARM.

Nothing has been proved more con.
cluslvely within recent years than the
Importance of seed selection. This
applies to every crop grown on the
farm.
There is general impression that
there is something mysterious about
plant breeding, and that practical
flrrer can not accomplish anything
In this direction. No greater mistake
could be made. While we hear much
abcut selection for disease-resistance
GrGught- esistance, etc, after all, selec-
ton for crop improvement In any d.
rrction means simply, select seed from
the best individuals under all eondi-
tons.
When a crop has suffered from any
adverse condition. such as drought,
for example, selection Is more Inn
portant than at any other time. A
field OF corn, oats, wheat, or cotton
should under such conditions be care
fully searched over, and seed saved
from the finest individual plants. This
seed planted the next few years to
Itself will soon produce enough to
seed large farm.
Suppose, for example. a tomato
grower In Gibson county had been In
the habit OF annually selecting his own
tomato seed, choosing not only good
fruit. but also good plants. He would
almost certainly have had, a blight
resistant stock of seed, provided this
disease had been prevalent on his
land, just as Professor Essary secured
the blight-resistant tomato, discussed
In Bulletin 95 of the Tennessee Expert
ment Station.
In like manner, suppose Tennessee
farmer had twenty-five years ago be-
gun selecting seed from few fine
clover plants on his farm. When the
deadly "elover-sick" disease invaded
his fields he would have kept up this
practice Of saving seed from the best,
and consequently would have had an
immune clover without having ever
known what his nelghbors. trouble
was.--S. M. Balm, University of Ten.
nessee.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
ELECTRIC BLOCK
SIGNAL INSTALLED

Knoxville, Tenn, Nov. 11.-SOuth-
ern railway has just completed the
installation of an electric automatic
block signal system on the double
track line between Knoxville and
Morristown, a distance of AZ miles,
and will put it in service on Friday.
Nov. IL. at IL a. m. thus providing
the most modern protection for one
of the most important lines on the
Southern railway system, over which
are handled the through trains be-
tween Memphis and New York, be-
tween New Orleans, Birmingham,
Chattanooga and New York, and a
large part of the travel to AsheVille
and other Carolina resorts.
Signals have been erected at inter-
walls of about two miles. A train i'm
mediately in advance OF a signal or
in the first block will cause it to
indicate Danger" or Stop" and at
night show a red light. A train In the
second block ahead will be indicated
by the signal standing in the eau
ton" position and showing a green
light at night. If the track is clear
of all trains for at least a distance of
four miles or two blocks the signal
will indicate "Clear" with a white
light at night.
In addition to indicating the pres
ence of a train in either the first or
second blocks, the signal will also
stand in the danger position If there
should be an open switch, broken
rail. bridge out, or any other obstruc-
ton which would endanger the safety
of trains, thus providing very large
measure of safety by giving the en-
gineer advance information of condi-
tions ahead.
A special pole line was constructed
for carrying the current for the sig
nails and for lighting the buildings
and switches.
A small sub-station or power house
has been built at Morristown for emer-
gencies while the main power supply
will be obtained from the Southern's
shops at Knoxville.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
BOONR'S TRAIL MARKED
by ID. A. II. MONUMENTS.

The 145th anniversary of the jour-
ney of Daniel Boone from his home
ON the Yadkin river, in North Caro-
lima, to Boonesboro, KY, is being ap-
prOpriately commemorated by the
Daughters of the American Revolution
with markers" along the trail, $50
miles. This trail passes through four
states, North Carolina, Tennessee,
Virginia and Kentucky 1t was the
longest ever taken by the noted pion-
eer and for that reason especially it
was selected in preference to others.
! Tennessee will place nine mark
ers" along the trail. Miss Mary b.
Temple has been selected by the Ten
nessee division of the Daughters of
the American revolution as chairman
of the committee to supervise the
marking" expedition Miss Temple
has been very active since her appoint
ment. She has communicated with
:,Iominent citizens in several counties
through which the trail passes and
has asked them to introduce resolu-
tiOns in county courts, commencing
the placing of markers In such coun-
ties, and requesting the counties CO.
operation. In Sullivan county resolu-
IL
John, in Washington county by Gen.
James B. Cox, in johnson county by
II. e. Donnelly, in Carter county by
William F. Miller.
In each county," states Miss Tenn
pie, mot only favorable action was
taken, but great interest was aroused
in the project" In Johnson county
custOdians of the markers were elect
cd RnIl
of Trade; Squire w. F.. Tester, of
Shouns; and Squire T. L. Profit, of
Butler. In one county a sum of mon
ey was subscribed to the movement
by members of the county court, per-
Bonally.
At Cumberland Gap the four states
through which the trail passes will
unite in erecting a single commence
rative monument.
The Tennessee markers bear the
following inscription:
Daniel Boone's Trail
From North Carolina to Kentucky
1863
Marked by the Tennessee Daughters
of the American Revolution"
They are of bronze, size 10 by 20
inches. Nine markers will be at
tached to boulders along the Tennes-
see trail. The markers are being
manufactured by concern In Knox
vile.
-Four markers have been donated by
Bonny Kate Chapter OF the Daugh-
tiers of the American Revolution. AS
sisting Miss Temple, as representa-
lives of societies contributing the
markers are Mrs. Slack, regent OF
John Sewer chapter at Johnson City.
Mrs. H. S. Chamberlain, regent of
the Chicamauga chapter at Chatta-
nooga; Mrs. w. q. Clements, regent
of John Carter chapter at Elizabeth
ton, and Mrs. e. w. Grant, regent of
Cocks chapter.
Chairmen to mark the Boone trail
in Virginia and North Carolina are:
Mrs. Robert Wray, of Bristol, and
Mrs. Lindsey Patterson. The chair
man of the Kentucky. committee has
not as yet been announced
will Sentinel.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
PORTER DUNLAP.

Yesterdays papers contained the
pleasing announcement that Porter
Dunlap would be candidate for state
treasurer, subject to the action of the
democratic causcus.
We believe we but voice the senti-
ment of every democrat in the state
when we say that Porter Dunlap de-
serves this position, or, for that mat
ter, any other one to which he might
aspire at the hands of a reunited par
ty, for the splendid and efficient work
he rendered theparty and the state
in the campaign just ending so
triumphantly and in the preconven-
ton campaign which made the vic
tory not only possible but probable.
1t was Porter Dunlap, who with
clear vision and calm courage manag-
ed the campaign for General Rye for
the nomination, and it was Porter
Dunlap as vice-chairman of the state
committee who gave his time and tai
ents unsparingly to the cause of the
party and it's candidates.
Mr.. Dunlap is gentleman of Gull
ture and refinement with the highest
ideals in politics and of government.
He is a man of unQuestioned ability
and integrity, and will bring to the
discharge of his duties as treasurer
all the necessary qualifications that
will enable him to be of assistance in
making the administration of Cover
nor Rye the success which all desire.
We have been told automatically that
w. p. Hickerson, who has made an
able and efficient treasurer, will not
be a candidate to succeed himself on
account of his health, and this being
true, 1t seems that Porter Dunlap, as
he deserves, will be nominated by ac-
clamation and elected without dis
senting democratic vote.-Nashville
Tennessean.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
A TINE TO CHEER UP.

The election is over and Thanks.
giving and Christmas are coming
Cheer up!
Business is better, and nothing is
needed but courage and hustle to make
it better still. Cheer up!
The world is taking your photo
graph. Look pleasant. OF course you
have your roubles-troubles you
can't tell to the policeman. You find
life rugged road whose stones often
hurt your feet. Nevertheless
Cheer up!
Our ills are largely imaginary. II
we were really on the brink of bank
ruptcy, or if there were no thorough
fares through our sorrows, we would
clear our brows. set our teeth and
make the best of it. The troubles of
today we take care of. 1t is the trou-
bles of yesterday and tomorrow that
give us nine-tenths of our wOrresi
Cheer up!
What right have you to carry pic
ture of your woebegOne face and flu
neral ways about among your fellows
who have troubles of their own? If
you must whine or sulk or scowl, go
to the woods or the unfrequented
lanes.
Thy, man alive! in a ten minutes
walk you may see score of people
worse off than you are. So why be
digging your own grave and playing
pallbearer into the bargain? Man,
you must do your work. Smile. even
though it must be through tears
which will speedily dry with smiling.
1t amy be your real trouble is self
ishness-ingrown selfishness. Your
life may be too self-centered. You
may imagine your tribulations are
worse than others bear. You feel sor-
ry for yot. self--the meanest sort of
pity. 1t is pathetic illusion. Rid
yourself of it and cheer up.-Memphis
News-Scimitar.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
MRS. G. w. BAXTER
REELECTED REGENT.

Mrs. George White Baxter, of Knox.
vile, was reelected state regent Of
the Tennessee division Of the Daugh.
ters of the American Revolution, al
the concluding session, of the ninth
annual convention, held in st. John
parish auditorium Wednesday morn
ing Chattanooga was chosen as the
next meeting place. Mrs. Thomas
Day, of Memphis, was re-endorsed fol
national vice-president general of Tea
nessee.
Other officers reelected are:
Vice-regent, Mrs. Hallum Goodloe
Franklin.
Secretary, Mrs. J. H. Anderson, OF
Knoxville.
! Treasurer, Mrs. Margaret L. H.
Hicks, of Nashville.
/ Mrs. Chas. HI. Slack, of Nashville,
was elected state historian. Mrs
Chas. B. Carothers, of Memphis, was
ineligible to reelection owing to a
clause in the constitution which pro-
hibiits an officer from serving longer
than two years. Mrs. M, M. Gardner
was elected vocalist Mrs. Virginia
Frazer Boyle, of Memphis, was elect
ed poet-laureate.
A report from Mrs. Mary B. Caro-
theirs was presented. She said in
part:
"Since l joined the d. A. r. nearly
twenty years ago, l have interested
myself quite a good deal in genealogy
and found many interesting and anus
ing features in my readings, CONVEX
sations and researches. One thing l
would like especially to impress upon
you is this, to keep your personal re-
cords carefully and completely, be-
cause those of us who have married
into large families, as / did, may, in
the future, have their dates, and hus-
bands all mixed, and an imperfect
WIN VIII navy I'D maj lieu W IACli
we may never have known in life,
as 1t is the case with some revolu-
tionary women, and we may have our
hearthstone aquiver with many olive
branches, whereas we may have only
one. AS for myself, l prefer my own
husband and my son, so I have every
genealogy of mine with all our names
in full correct dates and all the little
personal items l think will be of in
terest to the generations to come, so
there will be no mix-up. l am glad
the chapters in the eastern parts of
our states have taken such an inter-
est in marking the Boone trail and
hope it will not be long before our
state fairly bristles with monuments
and markers"
Reports were also received from
representatives of state d. A. r. chap
ters. There are twenty-four chapters
in the state. Each report indicated
great progress during the past year.
Knoxville Sentinel.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
OWNERSHIP OF HOMES In
WASHINGTON COUNTY

The United States census depart
ment at Washington has just issued
a bulletin dealing with the ownership
OF Washington county homes. The
IMPORTANT facts contained in the
bulletin relative to this county are as
follows:
There are 5,752 homes in Washing
ton county. OF this number 2,635 are
farm homes; 1864 of the farm homes
are owned by their occupants and are
free of mortgaged incumberance. The
mortgaged farm homes number 261.
Renters occupy 406 farm homes in
this county.
Out of total of 5,752 homes in the
county 3,117 are urban homes. There
are 1,245 urban home owners in the
county. or this number 203 are mort
gagged, and 1,OO6 of the urban owned
homes are free of incumbrance. There
are 1,769 rented urban homes in the
county.
The census enumerators were una
Bile to secure data pertaining to the
ownership Of small percentage of
both the rural and urban homes In
this county.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
no WORD YET FROM
THE AMERICAN CRUISERS.

Washington Nov. 11.--Efforts oil
the navy department to communicate
with the cruisers North Carolina and
Tennessee off the coast of Turkey had
been unsuccessful up to late tonight
Secretary Daniels announced, howev-
e:, that officials had dismissed any
anxiety they may have felt over ru-
mors that one of the cruisers had
struck a mine. He said IL such a thing
had happened the department would
have been informed before now.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
IMPORTANT FASHION
ANNOUNCEMENT MADE.

We take great pleasure in announc-
ing to our readers thatg beginnin
with our next issue we will publish
the first of a series Of weekly articles
on women's and childFen's fashions.
These articles will be illustrated
with artistics drawings of the very
newest styles and will be especially
written for this paper by one OF the
best known fashion authorities in New
York City.
These exclusive and interesting let
tiers will provide the ladies of John
son City and vicinity with authentic
fashion information of exceptional VAL
ne. Watch for the first article.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
GERMANS LOSE 20 PER CENT.
OF OFFICERS IN PRUSSIA

Paris, Nov. ia Havas agency
dispatch from Petrograd says: at
is estimated here that during the re-
cent fighting in East Prussia the Ger
mans lost 20 per cent. of their Off
GERS. From Oct. % to Nov. 5 the
total Russian captures amounted to
32S officers. 21,75O soldiers. 4 mortars.
So cannon. So quick-firers and large
amount of munitions of war, including
a quantity of provisions"
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
THE ELECTION.

On the morning following the nomi-
nation of Tom Rye it was stated by
The Commercial Appeal that it was
the best possible nomination the dem
ocrats could have made.
Rye was fortunate in the forces
that nominated him. His choice came
from the masses of people in the
country. Corporations had nothing to
do with it and most of our political
bosses were supporting other candi-
dates.
Rye had behind him splendid rec
ord as a prosecuting officer. He had
already been a straight democrat, but
he had neither been offensive nor in
tolerant. He went into the campaign
without money, but the character of
his support was such that little mon
ey was needed to organize.
Rye did not begin campaigning un-
til late in the summer. People whom
he addressed were impressed by his
rock-ribbed counties of East Tennes-
see.
Many of the counties in his prose-
cutting district were strongholds of
the independents. They supported
Rye because they had faith in him.
Then came Bryan and Daniels with
a message from the national admins
tration. The Tennesseans felt that an
Endorsement of Wilson was squarely
put up to them in the Tennessee cam
paign.
The people of Tennessee are for
President Wilson, and many of them
voted for Rye who otherwise might
have gone fishing on election day.
Rye did not abuse his ,adversaries.
He was so temperate on the stump
that it was refreshing departure
from the usual democratic method of
campaigning in Tennessee.
George WEIGH, the democratic can
didate for railroad commissioner, de-
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
GAS FRANCHISE GRANTED
FOR JOHNSON CITY.

The Wagner-Dunn gas franchise
has been granted by the city council.
The company expects to begin work
at an early date. About 100000 is
to be expended in the building of
this plant, and the work is to be
completed by midsummer OF next
year. The monthly meter rent is to
be SO cents. This is a long felt want
and the citizens of this city are look
ing forward to great incoming OF
business enterprises.
The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1914-11-12
w. LsHART RESIGNS AS
COAL OIL INSPECTOR.

w. l. Hart has resigned as coal oil
inspector for Johnson City because he
has been appointed deputy trustee.
His time as coal oil inspector would
not have expired until next October.
Gov. Hooper will have the appoint
ment of his successor, who will be
appointed for full two-year term.