davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01
THE JITNEY CAR AND THE
FRANCHISE.

The innovation of the jitney car in
the tri-cities has awakened a varied
discussion as TO whether this new
style of public conveyance should be
franchised The cars that have ap-
peared so far are well managed. well
ordered, neat and speedy. 1t is an in
stitution that is f1ourishing in other
cities, and has probably come to stay.
But the jitneys are reversing for
profit certain defined routes over
streets for which it is but fair to say
the public has paid and, citizen who,
discussing the situation, did not
place himself entirely ON the
side of monopoly when he
called attention to the fact that the
new conveyances are actively compel
ing with a public utility corporation
that paid for one-third of the improve
ment of those streets and which has a
heavy investment in cars, among them
so OF the larger type, each one of which
cost as much as 10 of the autos that
have entered the race for patronage.
There are those, on the other hand
who believe in the live and let live pol
icy. an open field and fair chance
y
should not be restricted. There
may be a field here and a de
mand for the jftney. as is true in 9th
er cities. and whether this be so or not,
locally. the question Of the need of a
franchise is not affected by the argu-
ment either way. The proposition is
not to run the jitneys out, but how TO
provide franchise under the law. Is
it feasible? Is IL practicable?
There IS no doubt that the moment
these jitney buses become profitable
the enterprising men who have launch
ed the first of them Will have abund-
ant competition In their own line
There are others already coming out
The main routes OF the three cities
Will be swarmed with vehicles OF every
description pressed into service to
share the new-found prosperity. It
will become a cut-throat war to a fin.
ism. with ALI the perlls 70 the public
and TO public travel. There viii be
accidents. and who Will pay for them?
Who will be responsible II the cities
permit every Tom. Dick and Harry to
become common carriers over the same
route?
The speed laws and all forms of
traffic regulations viii be violated. even
worse than now. and the mania will
become infectious and the ordinary
citizen will pay the penalty IN incon-
venience and jeopardy.
IN consideration OF all these facts
and the inevitable consequence, it is
not surprising that the subject of
franchise is being ag,tated, for the
protection of the public. for the pro-
lection OF the streets. for the protec-
ton OF the municipality. and for the
protection of the legitimate jitneys
themselves.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01

guns explode on our battleships and on
land, killing and manning men by the
frequency with which boilers on our
ships blow up. with such awful re-
suits to human life.
Guns while being tested by other
great nations of the world do not ex-
plode with disastrous results. We do
not read in the papers that boilers
frequently explode on the war vessels
of England or Germany or any other
nation. The very large number Of
these accidents in our own navy and
in tests made by our navy officers
leads to the irresistible conclusion
that there are defects in the castings
of the guns and in the castings for
the steel tubes and boilers furnished
by our steel companies. 1 desire TO
insert in my speech a few of the more
important accidents of this character
as recorded in the news items Of our
metropolitan papers.
Disasters caused by explosions,
bursting guns. faulty breech blocks,
etc:
1902. Feb. 2. Battleship Kearsage.
West Indian waters; gun burst. kill
ing five
1903. Jan. II. Battleship Massa-
chusetts; gun explosion of CuIebra Is
lands: six killed.
1908. April 9. Battleship Iowa; ex-
plosion of gun; killed, , wounded.
1904, April IS.-Battleship Missouri.
off Pensacola, Fla; explosion; 30
killed,
1904, Dec IA Battleship Mas
sachusetts. at Philadelphia: explosion
in frerc oms; three killed, four scald-
ed.
1905. July p. Gunboat Bennington,
San Diego. Cal: boiler explosion; 81
killed, GO injured.
1906 Jan. 10. Battleship Massa-
chusetts: gun explosion; nine killed.
1906. April IS. Battleship Kearsage.
in Caribbean sea; explosion; SIX
killed.
1907, July Is. Battleship Georgia,
Massachusetts Bay; explosion; six
killed, 10 injured.
1905, June >. In California waters,
cruiser Tennessee; bursting of boiler
tube: six killed
-. Torpedo-boat destroyer
Hopkins, California waters; exploding
boiler; one killed. FIVE wounded.
1910. March 2S.-Cruiser Charles
ton, in Philippine waters; gun explos-
ion. alleged faulty breach block: eight
killed. seven or eight wounded.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01

anywhere 1t was there already"
We'll. then what happened?"
The mind reader told what was
written on the paper. though he had
been blindfolded all the time"
That's nothing remarkable. I'll bet
1 can tell what you're thinking about
this minute"
Il don't believe you can do any such
thing"
TRY me. Think of something. and
III tell you what it is
Very well: I've thought of some
thing"
"a pumpkin
There was contempt in her expires
sion as she looked at him and replied
that she wasn't thinking of any such
thing.
YES, you were. You were thinking
OF Tom Baxter. You couldn't think Of
Tom Baxter without thinking OF Tom
Bakers head Tom Bakers head Is
a pumpkin"
How ridicuIousr' But she did not
smile. Indeed. she made the exclama-
ton because she didn't quite grasp the
logical conclusion.
"I'n tell you what you do be pro
ceeded, not giving her time to think It
all out. ''You fix your mind on some
thing and I'll lead you to it"
She spent some time selecting an oh
ject, then told him she was ready. He
took her hand and led her TO the piano
IL didn't think of that at ALL she
said
"IIi try again. he said, still holding
the mantel-
Wrong again"
He led her to a tete-a-tete in the cen
ter of the room. She didn't say wheth-
er he was right or not, nor did he ask
her. They sank into their respective
seats on the tete-a-tete. He still held
her hand.
81 can tell you what you are think
ing about he said.
'what?''
tom Baxter
'I'm not"
'Afe."
She did not reply to this. She lower
ed her eyes.
"And I can tell you" he went on.
what you think I'm thinking about
"what?"
You're thinking that I'm thinking
that THAT I love you"
There was q great deal more Of this
intellectual conversation, but at this
point it became what the world has
heard very often, though It is a ques-
ton If it tires persons. The mind read
er had at least given a young man
reasonable excuse to propose.
But why he went so far out OF his
way to tell simple truth that she
wanted TO hear only persons endowed
with sentiment know, and they can't
tell.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01
The Daily Story
Mind Reading Craze-By Martha v. Monroe.

A mind reader had come TO town and
had given some astonishing public ex-
hibitions. But this had not the effect
on the beau monde of an exhibition he
gave at the house OF Mrs MacGruder.
one Of society's leaders. This private
entertainment mad him faShiona bic.
and every young man who had shaken
his brains down into his heels at cotil-
lion parties and every young girl
whose aristocratic manners and con
served beauty had given her the right
to look down on her sisters who had
the brains to take down the dictation
of scientific constructor or a mer-
chant prince was talking about mind
reading.
Pete Barnical and Lucy Witridge
were sitting together. she on a sofa,
he in chair opposite her. He was
holding a skein of yarn on his hands
which she was winding into ball.
Il have heard" said Miss Witridge
that Mrs. PoweIton is very much dis
pleased that Mrs. MacGruder got ahead
of her by giving that mind reading
exhibition at her house. You see, all
society is talking about it. OF course
it is greatly to Mrs. MacGruder's cred
it to have introduced the matter
Did the mind reader find out who
had the most mind p
81 don't think that was his object
He told what people were thinking
about"
What were they thinking about?"
What question! 1t wasn't that
which was wonderful; it was that he
could tell without knowing what they
were thinking about"
How could be tell what he didn't
known
She lifted her big brown liquid eyes
from tangle in the yarn she was
strengthening out to his with kind
of puzzled wonder.
II didn't mean to say" she replied
when she had given her brain time to
work out an answer, that ne could tell
what a person was thinking about
without knowing it but he didn't know
it until-until''-
He found it out" supplied Pete.
mo. not that either. The remarka-
BILE feature of his performance was the
way he found it out"
How did be do it?''
How did he do it2 Why, he did 1t
by She was stalled again.
Perhaps he didn't know himself
That's it He said he didn't know
how he did it"
What did he do?''
He took Billy Perkins hand and
bllndfolded, led Billy TO what he was
thinking about. Then Mr. Horton
wrote something on a piece of paper
folded it, put it in an envelope. put the
envelope in q book. put the book on
the top of the library, and then the
Where did he put the library?'
The library He didn't put that
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01
CALLING A TARIFF BLUFF.

Standpat newspapers not long ago
gave considerable publicity 10 a petit
ton addressed to the administration
by certain manufacturers In Pennsyl-
wanna asking for an examination OF IN
dustriai conditions in their section of
the country and charging the tarin
law with blame for alleged depression.
This made good political stuff, from
the republican standpoint. but the
staadpat organs failed TO publish the
sequel.
The administration took the petit
toners at their word and sent an en-
ploye OF the department OF commerce
10 investigate. One of the first steps
OF the investigator was a request 10
see the books OF the companies which
were bowling about depression. Right
at this point the cor,plainants sud
denly lost interest in the investigation
They couldn't stand the idea of an in
vestigation which investigated, in
stead of merely taking their solemn
opinions as testimony Thus far, the
depression in that section OF Penn
sylyRnia remains uninyestieated
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01

the people own their homes. II would
show what rent tenants pay, as well
as the sanitary condition of streets,
buildings. Offices. shops and stores. 1t
would show how far the workingman
lives from his place OF employment:
what facilities they have for going to
and from work
a survey OF the school system would
reveal the location Of the buildings,
their mode Of construction. sanitary
conditions. whether they are properly
ventilated. and II the lighting condi-
tons are such as not TO be injurious
to the eyes Of the pupils. Il would
show whether or not the schools are
properly supplied with Fairgrounds,
whether or not all sections of the city
are within reasonable access to the
schools
These questions can only be solved
By study OF existing conditions. The
research would include an examina-
ton Of the studies pursued in the pub
lie schools 70 determine whether they
are sufficiently advanced Merchants
and others who employ graduates of
the public school would be interview
ed in regard to the efficiency of these
persons. II deficient in any one line
of study. note of this particular
study would be made and reported TO
the school superintendent.
The recreation facilities Of the city
would be exploited. This would in
clude parks, Fairgrounds. etc. The ia
cilities and demand for public baths.
bathing beach, skating rink in winter
time, hills for coasting and proper
regulations therefor would all be con-
sidered.
A city hall survey would show how
the various departments of the city
government are handled and if there
Is room for improvement.
Data obtained by such survey
would be of great benefit to the city
in the future. In building operations,
the laying of pavement and sewers
and in other ways a definite plan
could be followed and much money
saved
There would be an efficiency cam
paign to place all departments in
shape to give the best of service, and
a comprehensive plan for develop
ment would guard against repeating
expensive mistakes
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01

Amsterdam. (Corres pondence of
The Associated Press THE Dutch
and German soldiers who have been
patrolling on opposite sides OF the
boundary line since the war begon
have been ordered to withdraw from
close contact on account OF the fact
that a number of disagreeable Incl
dents have occurred. Up to the begin
ming of February the Dutch soldiers
and the Germans paced side by side
and carried on conversations. 1t ap-
pears that trouble sometimes arose
through the expression of diverse
views. so the commanders of the pa
trolls have now separated the men by
distance of 100 yards. Between the
small strip of territory separating the
Dutch from the German sentrles no
one is permitted TO go except on
chance of being Immediately shot.
Behind the frontier line on both
sides have been erected field fortifi-
cations in the shape Of trenches and
gun empIacements. Those in Dutch
territory are $50 placed as to render
impossible any surprise inroad into
the Netherlands, and they are defend
ed by strong bodies OF troops. On the
opposite side in Belgium the entrench-
ments face away from the Dutch
frontier. and are evidently intended to
offer shelter 10 the Germany army in
case it should find itself obliged to
retire from its present position IN
Flanders.
There is a strong feeling among
the Dutch troops that the Germans
viii be forced over the frontier in
Limburg should the allied forces
eventually push them out of Belgium.
This little strip OF Holland, forming
a sort of appendix to the south. is
bounded on the west by Belgium and
on the east by Germany Ii Is very
narrow and would offer great tempta-
ton to a retreating army trying 20 get
away from its pursuers. The Dutch
realize this and are determined to op-
pose any such action by every means
in their power.
On the other side of Holland the
greatest attention of the Dutch gov
eminent is directed toward the pre-
vention of attempts TO smuggle con-
traband articles over the frontier from
Holland into Germany These at
tempts are frequent owing TO the prof
# attached TO such transactions. The
precautions against such runs are of
the most extreme severity The from
tier line Is patrolled night and day
and the troops engaged in this work
are frequently changed so that they
may not become too intimate with the
inhabitants OF the frontier districts
and so be inclined to display laxity In
their vigilance
While these efforts to maintain a
strict neutrality are maintained there
has been some criticism of the Dutch
government In consequence OF it's ac-
ton in keeping such large number
Of troops under arms. Premier Cor.
van der Linden. however. maintains
that the position taken up has been
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01
(To be eontinued.)
a Recine for Ghosts.

1t is generally understood that see
ing ghosts" is the result of indigestion.
The following notes may be useful to
amateurs anxious to investigate psy-
Geological phenomena:
Lobster salad eaten after midnight,
one ordinary ghost with chains.
Two Welsh rabbits and mince pie,
one mysterious gray lady emitting
groans.
Cold roast pork, mixed pickles and
strong tea taken Immediately before
retiring, a genuine family specter car
rying his head under his arm
A portion of cake, result of daugh-
ter's first lesson at cookery school, a
troupe of fearsome blood stained hob
COLLINS with blue lights shining out of
empty eye sockets.-New York Jour
nal.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01
A CITY SURVEY.

Davenport proposes TO have a city
survey, which means a microscopic ex-
animation OF all Its municipal depart
ments and their records for a number
sof years. The object OF course. is to
promote efficiency all along the line
and give the greatest amount OF ser
vice for the minimum cost.
The work would begin with a physi-
cal survey. This would show the exact
location of all the water mains, sew
ers and storm drains. telephone and
electric light wires and poles. what
streets and alleys are paved and what
are not paved.
This survey would also show the To-
cation of all the street car lines, where
the fire stations. police stations and
patrol boxes. public schools and public
buildings of all descriptions are locat-
ed. II would further show where the
factory districts are located and where
the majority of the 1aboring classes
reside II would further show the
housing conditions. what kind OF
houses there are and whether or not
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01
BOOSTING TRI- STATE FAIR.

Next August Burlington. Iowa, viii
hold a "tri-state" fair beginning the
week OF the 9th. Being not far from
the Missouri line and just across the
river from Illinois the name is appro-
pirate. The undertaking speaks well
for the enterprise of the down-river
city
In keeping with the spirit of the
city the Burlington Gazette has issued
Tri-State Fair edition of Sc pages
which is intended to circulate in the
districts which will patronize the fair.
II sets forth the resources and advant-
ages OF Burlington probably as no
other paper issued IN that city has ever
done. II is well gotten up from every
standpoint and ought to be a business
getter both for the newspaper itself
and tor Burlington
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01
The World Wide War Trust

, 1910. July 81. Explosion of gun,
Fort Monroe; II killed
1910, Sept g. Battleship North
Dakota; explosion. Hampton Roads,
three killed.
1910, Nov 19.-Explosion OF gun. In
dfanhead; four killed.
1911. Jan. 10 Cruiser Washington /;
cylinder head blown out. Also about
this time three similar accidents to
vessels in Admiral Schroeder's feet,
no one killed.
1911, Jan. II. Battleship Delaware /;
boilers exploded; nine killed: just out
side Hampton Roads.
Total killed in nine years, 147.
Total MANNED in nine years, 102.
AS a result of the accidents | have
enumerated, and there have been 9TH
ers, in nine years lat men have been
killed and 1O2 manned for life. In
other words, by these accidents. in
nine years of profound peace, we have
killed or manned for life more of our
men than were killed in action in the
Spanish-American war.
Workmen testify how the govern
ment is cheated.
will insert affidavits of workmen at
the Bethlehem plant:
South Bethlehem, Pa, April 90, 1910.
This is TO certify that / know there
was work done in No. machine shop
for the United States government that
was not up to specifications. ] myself
have deceived the inspector many a
time.
50 - hat
were made here a number of patches
were placed on the brackets to cover
up a mistake in machining. These
were put on in such a way so that un-
der ordinary inspection they could not
be detected.
know of slide for a 12-inch gun
that was being machined when blow
hole was discovered. The yoke was
taken off the machine and at night the
hole was filled up with metal md the
yoke put back on the machine. the in
spector not discovering the trick. I
know of a track for 12-inch turret
which, while being machined, was
found to be cracked. l closed the
crack by hammering the crack shut
and finished machining it.
FRANCIS ]. GILLESPIE.
County of Northampton, State of
Pennsylvania, IS:
Francis J. Gillespie, the subscriber.
being duly sworn according to law, de
poses and says that the foregoing
statement is true and correct as he
verify believes.
Sworn and subscribed 10 before me
this 29th day of April, 1910.
(SeaD JOSEPH H MGEE.
Justice of the Peace
NY commission expires first Monday
in May, 1912.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01
ALTHl-TALKS9YES:
Drady,M.D
Up in the Air.

A lady. perfect lady consulted
US the other day about her gastric
trouble Translated into United
Statesish this means stomach com
plaint-gastrum being Latin for
stomach. She was not yet 40 but on
her way. Also she was. well, let us
say plump-no. corpulent Corpulent
especially in the middle. But her
straight front armor disguised the fact
fairly we'll
Having heard her history, and hav-
ing investigated her occupation. diet,
and general condition, and havipg
thumped her in due form we conclud-
ed that her stomach wasn't complain
ing so much as her diaphragm. which
was so crowded that it hadn't room
to work So we endeavored to break
IL gently-our optnion-and show the
lady how to regain her former fine
health.
Madam. we ventured. you eat too
much in the first place. You must
adopt the fruit breakfast plan. and
cut down the quantity OF meat IN
times 8 week. You will also take
each meal-tit would never do to
send the patient away without any
medicine, not the first time anyway.
But most important OF all. you must
take little physical culture.
Oh, she smiled. l get plenty Of
exercise doing my housework
How TO Take the Medicine.
You will take II In this way, we
continued. ignoring the interruption.
You lie fiat on your back on the
floor. Then slowly raise your right
leg TO q vertical position, and as
slowly lower IL again. Repeat with
left leg. Then both legs at once.
without raising your head or shout
ders from the floor and without
grasping anything with your hands.
Do this for five minutes night and
and we'll guarantee YOU
will be sore all over for q few days
But stick TO the culture and in three
weeks your stomach will behave so
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01

much better that you will enjoy
putting your feet up in the air
The lady didn't blush-she was a
lady, as we have already stated. She
promised to try.
Result; She reduced her middle
several pounds, discarded the in
furious straight front armor, and
found marked relief frcrn her stom-
ach trouble. Yes, she kept taking
the medicine, but that was a mere
incidental. The Improvement was
attributable to the way she learned
TO put her feet up in the air.
Questions and Answers.
More Painless Childbirth Pinle: In
- magazine new. non-poisonous,
perfectly safe drug for preventing the
pains at childbirth was recently de-
scribed. What is the opinion of Ameri
can physicians about this one?
Reply.
More piffle. The new" drug is NOR
phine. Same old stun, only served up
as first class sob stun. Really, IN prac.
tice childbirth isn't such terrible or
deal, at least young mothers say so.
With chloroform and science the pro-
cess is made quite endurabie. Don't
be alarmed by the epidemic OF pain
less methods" now sweeping over the
country.
Treatment of Stammering: Is the
Lewis School of Detroit a good school
TO attend for stammering?
Reply.
Some OF Detroit's leading physicians
recommend IL.
It's All Over the U. s., Is there any
part or the United States where ca
tarrh is not prevalent? Where is the
lowest percentage of deafness? Has
DEAFNESS of the inner ear ever been
cured by operation?
Reply.
/. CatarTh is a symptom which pre-
walls about as much in one place $
has little influence. 2.
Iceland. 3. Often,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-03-01

ok eOuS NE II DtI :
of the house, has
devoted considera-
bic time TO the
subject of defect
i've gun forgings
palmed of on the
government b Y
{ h e ammunition
ring. He expresses
conviction h a t
these frauds are
being perpetrated
upon the govern
ment even TO this
day. I quote from
his speech deliver
ed in the sixty
first congress
The fact of the
continuance o f
these frauds is evil
deneed by the fire.
Quency with which