davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10
The High Cost of Distribution. No. 8

1t is a complicated structure OF
middlemen through whose hands
food products pass from producer
to consumer. Many fruits and vege-
tables go through five hands. A
local buyer and shipper purchases
from the farmers. He sells to a
commission dealer in some city. The
commission mar often puts the fruit
in the hands Of an auction house.
The auction house sells to a jobber.
The jobber sells to the retailer.
Five profits have to be paid Over
head charges on five distinct enter
prises have to be settled for. In addi-
ton carriage and freight charges are
multiplied No wonder it is a cost
ly thing to live in the United States
Five middlemen are perhaps in eX-
cess of the usual number. Yet prob
ably the average article of food goes
through four hands after leaving the
farmer.
The wholesale and commission
trade is one in which many abuses
develop. A commission merchant
may act also as a jobber. If he sees
the market rising, he can transfer
the farmers prduct from his account
as a commission agent, to his ac-
count as jobber, paying the farmer
a commission on the low price only.
Then he can sell out at high price,
thus making two profits for one
handling.
The majority of the wholesalers
and commission men are no doubt
honest But abuses like these have
been very common, and all mount
up to enhance the price the consum-
er pays, besides impoverishing the
farmer.
The wholesale business has It's
large function. But the economic
experts feel that there are too many
middlemen, and that they make too
much money, that by the proper in
itiative on the part of farmer AMI
consumer, much of their profit can
be cut out.
Europe, which Americans consider
as being far behind our country, has
achieved wonders in eliminating
these superfluous profits. 1t seems
slow and stuEid On the part of Amer
leans to fail 70 do likewise,
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10
The CATTLE PLAGUE
COST S3,3oo,0oo
Now Is Said to be Nearly
Under Control.
YARDS ARE CLOSED AGAIN
IN NUMBER OF CITIES.
Illinois Heaviest Loser, Chicago
Concerns Being Tied Up
Has Cost the State
81, ,147, 900.

Washington, Feb. S.-As the re-
suit of the discovery of the foot and
mouth infection in Chicago, Indian
apolis, Louisville, Buffalo, Cincin-
natl, Jersey City, Pittsburgh and Col
umbus, the department of agricul-
ture has instructed inspectors to
close the yards of those cities to in
terstate shipment of livestock after
shipments in transit have been dis
posed Of
An order prescribing and declar-
ing whether the yards shall be per-
mitted to continue to receive cattle
for immediate slaughter will be is
sued later. The loss from foot and
mouth disease due to the present
outbreak, thus far has aggregated
three million, three hundred thous-
and dollars, the bureau of animal in
dustry announced. The outbreak of
the disease, the most extensive ever
known in the United States, now
seems to be under control, as the re-
suit of the vigorous policy OF eradi-
cation which followed, the bureau
states.
Further conferences led the Off
cials to conclude no attempt will be
made to stop the entrance of cattle
to yards for immediate slaughter, ex-
cept insofar as shipments came from
ether yards closed for disinfection.
The time the yards are to be closed
will depend upon the number of men
put to work disinfecting.
Illinois loss as a result of the foot
and mouth disease is more than
twice that of any other state and
forty per cent of the loss of the en-
tire country. Up to Jan. l there were
slaughtered in Illinois 36,75S ami
mails, valued at $1,147 900.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10

The Pennsylvania, as you know,
brings YOU into the city under. the
North River, a wonderful, gigantic
piece of engineering. Those who
have never entered the city that way
are greatly astonished when they do.
TO see so grand depot, a monument
for centuries to the Pennsylvania
Railroad, bringing comfort to mil
lions of people each year who used
to, be compelled to take the ferry
boat from their home in New Jersey
York. All that travel now is a thing
of ihe past as the Hudson tubes run
almost every fifteen minutes from
the jersey side TO the City of New
York. A brother of McAdoo, the
secretary of the Treasury was the
man who built these tubes under the
North River. The Jersey section has
been built up SO that Jersey City
East Orange and like places have
over a hundred thousand population
and increasing very rapidly each
year, because OF this tunnel system,
1t only takes twenty-five minutes at
the most to come from these sections
of New Jersey to the heart of New
York. which is more convenient than
living in upper Manhattan.
Running out of the Pennsylvania
Station in the opposite direction is
the Long Island Railroad, which al
so runs underground by tunnel un-
der the East River and over to Long
Island so that thousands Of former
New Workers now inhabit Long Is
sand and also live within one-halt
hours ride Of New York City's bust
ness section. By these means the
population OF New York is expand
ing and instead of having the con-
gested districts of New York this is
being relieved by the Rapid Transit
System. However, there are still a
few sections in this city where some
of the poorer classes insist upon llv-
ing under crowded tenement condi'
tions.
] had read of this terrible condi'
ton prevailing in the tinancialN dis
triet near Wall Street and, as | had
occasion to down there, | wanted
TO see for myself If such is really the
case. The Trinity Church stands az
the head of Wall Street and has
been there for many years. In fact
the Trinity Corporation, which really
is a part of the Trinity church, is 10
day one of the wealthiest companies
In the country, owning and control
Z ling many of the big Office buildings
near the church and receiving an I'M
mense income from the same. From
nv investigations l found that in
block in back Of the church building
towards the Battery, which Is a
least eight blocks away, numbe
of four story brick buildings wer'
occupied by poor class of people
Some OF these buildings, beini
known as tenements in New York
Continued on page three
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10
LONG RANGE TELEPHONING.
From Boston to San Francisco ft
Costs $21 for a Three Minute
Talk.

The rate of $21.00 for three min
utes talk over the new telephone
line from Boston to San Francisco,
will be prOhibitive for ordinary COLI
for business than most people real
iZe.
The growing use of the telephone
over distances of thousand miles
or more is a feature of modern life.
1T is so much more satisfactory than
letters. The most essential point Of
your letter may be passed over al
most unnoticed by a correspondent
1t is remarkable how many good
business men fail to express them
selves definitely when it comes to
putting it in black and white They
leave out some essential point, and
the correspondence has to begin all
over again. -
To many people who do not have
large business interests, a converse
ton over a hundred miles seems a
rather clustering experience. Quite
frequently they ask some one to talk
for them, though their hearing may
be perfectly good. Their ordinary
faculties are bewildered by the Won
der of scientific marvel that is the
merest commonplace to the business
man.
Long distance telephony depends
on complete perfection of connection.
Patrons may submit to the struggle
to make their voices heard above a
buZZing wire on short distance con-
nection, repeating and spelling out
words over and over again to guard
against mistake. But at $500 per
minute, there can not be a single
link of noisy line.
1t is quite an art to use costly tele-
phone conversations with a minimum
of expense. A great deal can bc
said in three minutes. The points OF
the conversation, and the questions
to be asked, should be written out
as carefully as il you were delivering
formal address. Every time YOU
say er-er-er-, as you jolt along
in ordinary talk, costs high.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10
Pensions for Fathers,

Pensions for fathers have come, as
might have been expected, but not
so amply and freely as some fathers
might desire. Arizonians, now in the
front rank of the advanced thinkers
and altruistic experimentalists, have
introduced the pensiOning of pater-
nifty as well as maternity.
Fathers past 60 years of age, un-
able to earn livelihood, who have
been bereft of their wives and have
children dependent on them, may re-
ceive SIS month for themselves
and Sc for each child. This is bet
ter than sending them to the aims
house, although Arizona is such a
prosperous young commonwealth one
may be pardoned if one wonders
whether there is such thing as an
almshouse in the whole state.
In time, as the pensioning idea
spreads through the country, which
it has done quite rapidly of late, pen
sions for parents may be extended
and become much more liberal. The
state requires citizens, and those
who serve their state best in abun-
dant fruitfulness may be considered
entitled to rewards beyond those
who contribute little or nothing
toward its upbuilding.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10

The corn farmer of Iowa may
make UP his mind to cut out the
feeding industry of cattle shipped in
IL peanut politics is to interfere with
the suppression of the foot and
mouth disease. So Secretary Wilson
told the joint assembly. The danger
of infection will be general and ship
ment of range cattle and feeders
from neighboring states carry the
potential possibility Of bringing this
actively Contagious disease to the
farms and the home livestock. TIE
clamor of the quarantined farms
should cease and livestock men join
in thorough effort to stamp out
the disease.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10

President Wilson says that busi-
less may now be assured that fur
ther disturbance by legislation may
not be expected, and he says busi-
ness will now boom, says the Iowa
City Republican. Just suppose that
when chicken has had its head
wrung from its body, somebody
would say: Now, Mr.. chicken, get
down to business. You need fear NO
more wringing.'
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10

Representative Haugen has nom
mated Leland H. Hewitt OF North
wood as cadet at West Point. He is
son of DR.. l.. G.. Hewitt, promin
ent Northwood resident, and is in the
third year in the electrical engineer
ing course at Ames.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10

Senator Cummins has his fences
set for the presidency. He is about
the only man named thus far who
has actually commenced to put his
house in order for 1916. Iowa will
some time get the place. Senator
Cummins is the most advanced poii-
tician the state has at the present
time and would stand as good show
of defeating the democratic party as
any candidate the west could put
up, says the Abba Union.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10

The supreme court OF the United
States holds the woman in the case
equally guilty with the man under
the white slave act. That sounds
like justice and good sense but it
isn't. 1t is like holding states evil
dence in a criminal case equally gull
ty with the active criminal and is
the cat hole white slaves have been
seeking as a way of escape.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10

There are, in round numbers, %
100000 miles of roads in the United
States less than 250,000, or one
tenth, of which are improved. More
than 100000 miles of them are
impossible several months during
the year. 1t looks, to the
Sioux City Tribune, like fertile
field for the investigation of those
who would find some solution of the
problem of unemployment
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10

1t is proposed to have law maxi
ing it misdemeanor to carry voter
to the polls unless he is physically
unable to walk. But 1t would proDa-
bly, still be legal to give voter OF
the other party ride out into the
country election day.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10
Pioneer ClOthier is Busy Buying New
spring Stock, But Finds Time to
Write Interestingly of the
Great Metropolis.
HEARD JOHN ID. ROCKEFELLER
AND CARNEGIE TESTIFY
Meat and Food Stufls Very High.
Eggs are 90 to 90 Dozen.
Bread is to be Advanced
From &c to 12c Il
Loaf.
Knickerbocker Hotel
New York City,
Feb. Z, 1915.

Taking the Manhattan Limited out
OF Chicago on the Pennsylvania Rail :
road in a snow storm is not the most
pleasant thing one can do, as there
is always more or less danger on
trains in bad weather; but we man
aged to arrive in New York City
promptly on time to the minute,
making the trip nearly one thousand
miles in twenty-five hours.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10

Don't attempt to punish all your
enemies at once. You can't do a
large business with a small capital
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10

Don't worry about another mans
business. A little selfshness is
sometimes commendable.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10

One of Mr.. Edison's wonderful iu-
ventions is that four hours is enough
sleep at one time.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10

indigestion makes you nervous
and nervousness gives you indiges-
ton.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1915-02-10
News Snapshots
OF the Week

there was little activity and I
eral airships were destroyed,
might be attacked. and in the
Arizona republican., 1915-04-07
WAY CLEARED
FOR E|TEL To
LEAVE HARbOR
United States Orders Pilots
at Newport News Not to
Take Out Any Merchant
Ships Of Enemies of Ger1
many-Cruiser's Time Up
ASSOCIATED PRESS DIsPATcH1

NEWPORT NEWS, April 6.--The
way for the German merchant raider
PrinZ Eitel Friedrich to leave neutral
waters was cleared by the United
States government in orders to pilots
not to take the merchant ships of any
belligerent enemy Of Germany out OF
Norfolk or Newport until further not
ice.
The governments action served to
arouse the British authorities con-
siderably when appeals for informa-
ton as to when the plotting ban
would be lifted met with no explain
alton At l in the morning (Wed-
nesdayD the Eitel was still at its
pier. Officials were in constant COM
munication with Washington, and
with the battleship Alabama in
Hampton Roads and with Norfolk
navy yard.
Whether the commander Of the
German cruiser will put to sea or
submit to internment was still un-
known at that hour.
Commander Thierichens, it is
learned, bade farewell TO American
government officials in his visits to-
day Collector Hamilton in turn
wished the German commander and
his officers bon voyage
Although no official Interpretation
given the plotting order could be pro-
cured it is generally understood that
the time had expired which had been
allowed the Eitel for repairs and that
merchants ships of belligerents had
been detained in port to extend the
final period of liberty for departure
to the German cruiser That the ship
was prepared for departure tonight
was undoubted but that she would
attempt to dash through the fleet of
allied warships off the Virginia Capes
seemed incredible to persons in close
touch with the situation Late in the
[ day the battleship Alabama, guard
ing the approach to Hampton Roads
! from Norfolk and Newport News
/ shifted davts to afford freedom fol
gun tlrrets. and the ship was cleared
! for action
Arizona republican., 1915-04-07
Los Angeles Chief of Po-
lice Has Mayoralty Can
didacy Interrupted by
Charge of Subverting the
Morals of Girl
WOMAN TAKEN
IN CONNECTION
With Same Case-Joy Rides
With Inamorata Accom-
panied by Woman's Half
Sister" "Political Plot" "
Saws Indicted Chief
ASSOCIATED PRESS DIsPArcH1

LOS ANGELES, April 6.-Chas. Sc
bastian, chief of police and candidate
for mayor, and Mrs. Lille Pratt, We're
indicted by the county grand jury on
the charge of contributing to the de-
linquency of Edith Serkin, Mrs. Pratts
seventeen year-old half-sister and
ward They are accused Of having sub
lected the Serkin girl to indignities and
scenes tending to subvert her morals.
The police chief it is alleged frequently
entertained Mrs. Pratt in a room in q
building adjoining the police station
and that Mrs. Pratt was accompanied
by the Serkin girl on those decisions
Sebastion was suspended as chief to-
night. Mayor Rose stated this action
was at Sebastian's own request Sc
bastion and his counsel, Earl Rogers,
were yesterday indicted for alleged at
tempt to corruptly influence the grand
jury in its investigation of statements
that Sebastian had contributed to the
delinquency OF two wards of the ju-
venile court, Victoria Desparto and
Lucille Livingston.
Sebastion asserted this latter inves-
plot intended to ruin his chance of be-
ing chosen mayor in the municipal
election next May. The grand jury in
vestigated this assertion, and repected
it as unfounded in report last Sat
urday and then hdicted Sebastion and
| Rogers for sending to the grand jury q
, % page letter in which the jury de-
cided was contained threats and init
mutations"
! Testimony was given today to show
the room near the police station was
rented under an assumed name and it
was also charged the chief used to take
Mrs. Pratt and her ward riding in the
| police automobile.
| Bail was fixed for each defendant at
, s25OO.
The writ of arrest for Sebastion, who
was already out on $1,000 bonds on
yesterdays Indictment, was made re-
/ turnable tomorrow morning. Mrs.
Pratt failed to furnish bail and was
taken to jail.
Arizona republican., 1915-04-07
Committee Tells President
That Hundreds Of Mills
Nav Close in Six Weeks
Unless Conditions Are
Changed
BRITISH BLOCKADE
MUST BE RELAXED
German Ambassador Sug-
gests That Embargo on
War Supplies Might As
sist in Solution of Knotty
Problem
ASSOCIATED PRESS DIsPATCH1

WASHINGTON, April "a gloomy
view of the immediate future of the
American textile industry was pre-
scented at the White House and state
department by committee repre-
senting four hundred mills, headed
by former Representative Metz OF
New York Unless some relaxation
of the recent British blockade order
in council is obtained, and German
dyestuffs reach them within six
weeks. Metz declared, two hundred
close and two hundred and sixty
thousand operatives thrown out of
work.
No great hope is held out TO the
textile men by government officials.
The situation is complicated III the
extreme and while unofficial nego-
tiations are in progress with the
British government, apparently there
is little prospect of framing an agree
ment that Will be satisfactory to both
Great Britain and Germany.
Under previous agreement with
Germany, a ship carrying American
cotton to German ports was permit
ted to bring back dyestuff cargoes.
The new British order struck at this
traffic in both directions and Off
cials are at a loss for a new plan
under which the German chemicals
are to he obtained.
When the textile representatives,
called at the German embassy after
conferences With government officials
the ambassador, Count Won Bern
storff, suggested that there would
be no further trouble by dyestuffs
shipments if he could get the United
States to threaten to embargo ex-
ports of war supplies to Great Brit
ain unless Interference with trade
between America and Germany in
foodstuffs, cotton and other non
contraband goods ceased.
The ambassador reiterated the re-
cent declaration of the Berlin Foreign
office of Germany's willingness tC
discontinue the sinking without no
tice by submarines of British mer-
chantmen if Great Britain would stoI
| molesting non contraband cargoe,
consigned to German civilians
| Whether the much wanted dyestuff:
could be obtained, the ambassador
| insisted it depended entirely upor
whether the American government
| made such vigorous protests to Grea
| Britain, that they must be yielded
to. England, he said. would sooi
stop interfering with legitimate com
| merce If the prospect of guns anC
| ammunition from the United States
being cut off was placed before tn,
allies.
Arizona republican., 1915-04-07
WINS
IN CHICAGO BY
10000 VOTES
Republican Candidate Car
ries Entire Ticket to Vic
tory in Municipal Elec-
tion-Women Vote for
Both Candidates
ASSOCIATED PRESS DISPATCH1

CHICAGO, April 6.-Wm Thompson
was elected mayor of Chicago by an
estimated plurality Of 10000. Returns
Gated he had carried the entire Re-
publican ticket to victory.
Women voted for the first time at
a mayoralty election and incomplete
returns showed the relative peroen-
tage of mems and Womens votes re-
ceived by Thompson and Robert
Sweitzer, the defeated democratic caL-
didate were approximately the same.
Some wards hitherto considered
strongly democratic were carried by
the republican candidate and SWEET
zer's own precinct, in the heart Of
one of the west side democratic
strongholds, was carried by Thompson.
Sweitzer and his managers con-
ceded the election to the republicans
early in the evening and left their
headquarters. Before going home
SweitZer sent his successful rival a
telegram in which he said:
Congratulations on your victory. 1t
is conclusive
Political writer's are divided tonight
as to the cause of Thompson's sweep
ing victory in an election which at
best was expected to be a close con-
test. In an interview Yesterday Mayor
Carter Harrison, who was defeated
when he sought to be renominated
for a sixth term, declined to say how
he would vote, although the Harri
sons have been democratic leaders
in Chicago for generations. Many arc
inclined to believe this indicated that
Harrisons followers would cast theil
votes for Thompson
The city council probably went re-
publican, which will be for the first
time in five years.
The socialist vote apparently was
smaller than predicted by the party
leaders. The returns indicated thai
the total socialist vote would not eX-
ceed 10000. The prohibition partj
candidate, John Hill, ran far behint
Continued on Page Four)