davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23

not next year, eventually-and the
loss is great in stock, implements,
crops, etc.
The Lagrange Indicator, upon the
occasion of a rise some time ago,
contained summing-up of the bot
tom land lure that explains the fas-
cination of flooddodging:
For years men have gambled
against the rise and fall of the Mis-
sissippi river. Time after time they
have gone back with new hopes to
rebuild their possessions and gamble
against other floods. We in Lagrange
have seen men leave their upland
refugees as soon as the waters reCeded
and go back with their families TO
the house of the bottom land. Call it
the 'fever'-say if you will that it is
the same instinct that impels a man
to put his last dollar on good
hand in any event it is the hope
that springs eternal-sometimes infer
nal-of making those rich acres yield
their most bOuntiful some day.
IAN uplander might farm several
years in the bottom and come out.
But let him pass through the baptism
of one food and he is lost to the hills
forever. He begins to think what he
might have done with a normal stage
of the river The richness of the
black soil and its future fabulous
yields lure him to day dreams Moth
ing but death can remove him. Coura-
geous, contented, happy go-lucky men
these bottom farmers have been. AL
ways they have lost with smile and
have gone back with no tears for the
past"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
Rockefeller Inspires Chinese,

Pekin-lnspired by the efforts of
the China Medical Board of the Rookie
Teller Foundation. prominent Chinese,
under the leadership of DR.. WI Lien
teh and number of other public
spirited citizens, are arranging to con-
struct central up-todate hospital in
Picking, at which rich and poor alike
can be treated. Subscriptions totalling
more than 100000, Mexican, have al
ready been announced, and contract
for the construction of the hospital
has been entered into. The ministry
Of the interior has given six acres OF
land in the West City, near the temple
OF imperial ancestors All the old
buildings will be removed from this
tract Of land. and it will be converted
into park for the use of the hospital
American architects in China have
drawn the plans for the hospital.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
Tavenner's Capital Letter

sessing the courage to buckle on his
armor and boldly sally forth to make
attack, even though it be a belated
one But to any who is contemplate
ing it, if there be any such, would
give a word of friendly advice, and do
it, too in all good faith: Be sure your
armor is well buckled, for truth and
facts are indeed stubborn adversar-
les. Tempests may blow, and heather
may rage, but time cannot change
line that truth hath writ"
One further suggestion I would
make. and this also in the best Of good
feeling and sincerity, because l enter
tain kindly and proper regard for
all my colleagues and would not have
a single one Of them imposed upon:
If the Navy league insists upon plac-
ing upon you the impossible task Of
extricating it from the faint Of its
war-trafflcking founders, it is only
right that the Navy league should
place in your hands the necessary
evidence to enable you to make at
least pretense of doing it. Before
you buckle a single buckle, therefore,
! or consent to do any sallying what
soever, demand that the Navy league
arm you with affidavits, duly sworn
| and witnessed, on the subject of
whether the names of the Midvale
Steel company, Charles M. Schwab,
j. P. Morgan, and sundry other war
! traffickers are or are not listed on
page 80 of the February, 1904, issue of
the Navy League Journal, the leagues
own official organ, as founders of
the Navy league Then ask for aft
davits giving a clean bill of health to
the heads of the Navy league not only
of last week or yesterday, but of to-
day. Inquire about the possibility of
obtaining an affidavit to the effect
| that Robert NJ Thompson, the pres
ent president of the league, is not the
chairman of the board of directors of
| the International Nickel company, and
that nickel is not the most expenive
as well as profitable metal that goes
| into armor, battleships, munitions,
and the other things that the leagues
program for preparedness calls for.
Ask for an affidavit to the effect that
J. P Morgan, for years an officer and
director of the Navy league, is not a
war-trafficker; that his profits from
the blood soaked battlefelds of Europe
| do not run into the millions, and that
| if the proposed $500, 100000 bond issue
| for battleships goes across he will not
draw down still more millions.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23

There must be something serious tho
matter with one-and that one is NOT
the United States. There is surely
something the matter with Mexico, for
that is where the trouble always be-
gins. Except for Americans in Mex
lxo, or near the border, or those who
claim to own concessions in Mexico
who want the United States to inter-
vene through selfish motives, it is Ger
tain that the citizens of the United
States want nothing but peace with
that nation. The government at Wash
lngton fairly represents them in that
respect, but it is compelled to give at
tention to border trouble and the
rights of its own citizens residing
peaceably in Mexico.
American people in Mexico and
along the border are not without
fault in connection with complications
and disturbances, says the Springfield
Register. The course of our govern
ment has been in the interest of fair
dealing and peace-patient in all
things, considering rightly the dis
turbed condition of Mexico's internal
affairs. The Mexican people are try
ing an experiment that leads from rev.
olution to revolution, and by that
course they may work out their own
salvation in time, but not in a day. In
the meantime the United States should
do all they can with tact and consid-
Grafton to help them On their way. But
this cannot be done by force. The
people of the United States do not
want to take charge of the expert
ment of settling affairs in Mexico and
make its workings still more intricate.
President Wilson is pursuing the only
righteous course in dealing with Mex
leo.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
THE STRAIN.

1t was hard strain, but it was ex-
pected, and it came-the political at
tempt to deprive Congressman Tav-
en1er of any of the credit fer the rec,
commended appropriation of s1,250,CO0
carried in the house civil sundry bill.
While it would be a difficult task to
convince anyone in the Fourteenth
congressional district that Congress
man Tavenner has been at any time
absent from the job. when anything
mas come up relating TO Rock Island
arsenal, or the men employed there.
yet it is amusing, if not interesting, to
. Tote the laborious efforts being already
put forth to deny him of what is I'M
questionably due him in connection
with any measure looking to the better
-ment of the arsenal. Three years
work in congress, and two years
work as a newspaper correspondent
in Washington, arousing the people
10 importance of Rock Island arsenal.
during which he became known il,
Washington, as a Chicago congress
man speaking at the conference in
Davenport last fall described him, as
Rock Island Arsenal Tavenner,"
have too closely identified him with
what may be accomplished there to
take from him what is justly due.
Yet now the preposterous claim is
made that the Rock Island congress-
man has neglected Rock Isl md arsen-
al absolutely, and that but for new
member from Iowa, the arsenal would
not have been heard from in the civil
sundry bill. There is no desire TO
discredit the new Iowa member who.
along with Tavenner, has done remark
able work for the arsenal and Mr.. Tav.
enner will never be found seeking TO
take from his colleague any credit
that is due him, but the charge that
Rock Island arsenal has received no
attention at Mr.. Tavenner's hands,
except the appropriation for maintan-
ance and few items of necessity; that
he was too busy with other matters
TO give thought to the big things in
connection with the arsenal, can best
be answered by the records. In the
hrst place, in the last congress Repre-
sentative Tavenner introduced a bill
for a field artillery ammunition plant
Fl Rock Island arsenal. and the pro-
vision was defeated in the committee
by few votes, owing to the powerful
influence Of the ammunition makers,
whom Tavenner has since succeeded
in exposing in manner that has made
him famous, and brought the atten-
zion TO the arsenal that has awakened
congress TO its Importance.
But to get down to the present con-
gress. on the opening day Of which.
last December. Representative Tayen
ner introduced bills for appropriations
agsregating $I,I65, 600 for the enlarge
-nent and expansion or the arsenal, all
of which were referred TO the proper
committees. as the Congressional Rec
ord shows, and it was this ACTIVITY on
the part Of Tavsnner for the arsenal
that caused the Chicago Tribune and
other republican papers to raise the
cry of pork" against Tayenner, and
TO charge him witt being moved in his
fight for government manufacture AMI
zhis timely exposure of the am
munition ring. by consideration OF
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
Speech Still Unanswered.
By Congressman Clyde H. Tavenner.
(Reprinted from Congressional Rec
ord of Nav 3. 1850

BY Congressman Clyde h. TaVenner.
(Reprinted from Congressional Rec
ord of May 8, 1850
On Dec Is, 1915, l called the atten-
ton of congress to the amazing ex-
tent to which men affiliated with the
Navy league are also connected with
concerns or industries which stand
TO profit from preparedness" These
are the remarks published in part in
pamphlet form under the title, The
Navy League Unmasked."
Although more than four months
have passed since that speech was
delivered, no member of congress has
as yet undertaken the responsibility
of arising in his place and attempting
to disprove the statements therein
contained. 1t is now my belief that
no one will be able to successfully
disprove them, now or later.
More than one thousand specific
statements Of alleged fact are given
in THE Navy League Unmasked,"
such, for instance, as these: That j.
P. Morgan is a director of the Navy
league and also of the United States
Steel Corporation, that Robert Bacon
is a director of the Navy league and
also of the United States Steel Cor
poration, that Ebert H. Gary is a
contributor of the Navy league and a
director of United States Steel, that
Henry c. Prick is an honorary vice
president of the Navy league and a
director of United States Steel, that
George F. Baker, Jr., is a contributor
to the Navy league and the son of a di-
rector of United States Steel, and so
on. Surely these statements are spe-
ciflc enough. If not accurate, it would
appear that it would be a very easy
matter to dispCove them, showing eth
er that the persons mentioned are
not and never were connected with
the Navy league as stated or that
they are not connected with the Unit
ed States Steel Corporation
We're l to make the same speech
again, with all the criticisms of it
before me, would not know where to
alter or to change it to the extent of
dotting an 81" or crossing a st" To
the best Of my knowledge and belief
every statement in "The Navy League
Unmasked' is true and accurate.
There are many brave souls in con-
gress as elsewhere, however, and I
do not say that the Navy league will
not ultimately be able to find one DOS
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
The Daily Story
A Defective Warranty M. Quad.

In every village in the land almost
every house owner has a lot big
enough to make a garden and raise
the most of his vegetables. 1t is
custom that may have descended from
the pilgrim fathers that when the
crop Is bountiful and there are cucum-
bers and tomatoes TO ste to invite
the neighbors less fortunate to open
the gate and help themselves. tbs
custom had prevailed in the village OF
Kernstown for many long years, There
was one exception to 1t, however, ana
that was the case Of Elder Wickshaw
and his wife. He had been elder OF
church since a church had been estab-
lished in the place, and he had long
been known for his stinginess.
The elders wife would have been
open handed with the neighbors, but
her husband had said to her:
"If we have got any neighbors VINO
haven't cowcumbers, onions and toma-
toes In plenty it ia due to their shift
lessness and they shan't have any or
ours"
But they are going to waste" would
reply the wife.
mo, they amt. They will enrich
the soil for another season. Even II
they won't am not going to encour-
age shiftlessness in anybody.
Among those whom he denominated
as shiftless was Solomon Graves. He
wasn't exactly lazy, but yet he might
have had more energy. He had a small
garden, but it was hostile soil. He
passed and repassed the elders house
many, many times, and always stop
ped and looked over the fence, but the
elder never came out and invited him
| to help himself. At length, when Solo
mon saw that things were going to
waste, he determined to help himself
| without the invitation.
| In walking in the garden at sunset
one evening the elder particularly no
ticed six large cucumbers on certain
vine. He walked out again soon after
sunrise and there were no cucumbers
there In place Of them, In the soft
soil, were the tracks of the villain who
had visited the spot during the night
and despoiled the vine. He fastened
into the house to say to his wife:
"Mariar, there is an unhung villain
in Kernstown."
Good graciousr' she exclaimed, with
start of surprise.
And that unhung villain entered our
garden during the night and picked
and carried away six of our choicest
cowcumbers"
And after hasty breakfast the elder
took the trail so plain in the soil and
followed it over the fence into the alley
and from there to the house Of Solo
mon Graves, a quarter of a mile away.
In ten minutes more he was at the
house Of the justice of the peace for
the village, one Hiram Brown. before
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23

whom two LAWSUITS had been tried IN
about eight years. He felt all the dig.
nifty, however, Of his official position
and was not to be gainsaid as to legal
points.
Judge" said the elder as he entered
in haste, Solomon Graves has stolen
six cowcumbers from my garden. /
want a warrant for his arrest, and
want him sent to jail before shutdown.
When the warrant had been filed out
his honor handed it over to the elder 10
read, and It was but a moment before
the latter exclaimed:
Here, Judge; this won't do. I told
you Solomon Graves had stolen six
cowcumbers out Of my garden.'
"But the warrant says So"
But you haven't spelled It right
You haven't got the cowcumbers in at
all. What you have got is 'kucumbers,
when it should be cowcumbers. You
can't hold Sol on a warrant Ike that"
Look here. elder" said the Judge az
be rose up and puffed out his bosom.
"have you come here TO teach me how
to spell or to get a warrant for Solo
mon Graves?"
"But you probably made SIP Il the
pen" lamely explained the man who
wanted Justice.
There are no slips in my law, sir"
But they are cowcumbers."
81 never heard Of such things. As
for kucumbers, have hundred In
my own garden. That warrant will
send Sol to the county JAIL as fast as
horse can gallop. I want no man to
come here thinking he can teach me
my business"
The schoolma'am was finally called
in to settle the question Of spelling
The wondering teacher came, and
when the case had been stated to her
she hesitated a moment and then said:
81 can decide the question at issue,
| and hope neither Of you will bear me
any hard feelings for so doing. You
are both of you wrong. The name Of
the vegetable you are disputing about
is 'coocumber,' and you pronounce the
| COO softly"
III be burned II I dor shouted bis
honor.
And I'll be burned In the same
| wayr' shouted the elder, making use
Of a swear word for the first time In
| thirty years.
In few hours the whole village
heard of the dispute and was spill
| into factions. There were the COWS"
and the "kus" and the Coos" and there
was row that didn't quiet down for
i year or more More than fifty pocket
dictionaries were sent for and consult.
ed, and although they settled the pro-
nunciation for some, others continued
to hang out and are hanging out still
But perhaps the main point Of the
! whole affair was that Solomon Graves
was never arrested for the heinous
crime he committed in Elder Wick.
| shaw's garden that summer night
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
LURE OF THE BOTTOMS

Yes, the river is falling, getting
back into the regular channel, and
soon the bottom farmer will be toll
ing over that silt-covered farm of his,
still hopeful, absolutely confident that
MS is the best farm. as choice be-
tween it and the hill country.
In many cases everything he has
owned, except the land and the house,
has been swept away by the food.
But he's going back to il. BY Aug
ust or September that black layer of
earth will be growing the finest corn
or the finest oats you ever saw-if
the high water doesn't come again,
The bottom farmer knows il will
come; If not this year, next year: if
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
Facts Not Worth Mentioning.

A Chinese doctor is only paid when
the patient is in good health. A Chin
ese doctor would starve to death IN
New York.
1t would make it much pleasanter
for stenographers if postage stamps
were favored chocolate. vanilla and
strawberry.
Two cents a gallon gasoline will
now make ten-dollar fine only cost
$1,000.
A New Orleans man has found a
way to stop cigars from breaking in
coat pockets by building coats with
out pockets.
If the engraving is decipherable on
an 1882 penny it is worth at least its
face value.
Lamb wool is much more valuable in
cloth than 1t is in stew.
ARTHUR 3AER.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23

1t cannot be doubted that resent
ment toward the position Of the Unit
ed States exists at present. But it
should disappear as time passes and
other countries assert themselves. Re
sentiments just now Of every kind and
degree are normal to the European
state of mind.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
The weekly trade reports remark

The weekly trade reports remark
that production, distribution, con-
struction and freight movements are
all at the best records. Credit condi-
tons are favorable; commercial fail
ures smaller. Bookings in the gen
eral merchandise markets exceed a
year ago. Most lines Of industry are
upheld by orders ahead There is
some slowing down in new business,
and caution in view of adjustments to
follow the war Increased factory
costs, the spread of labor troubles
and deficient transportation facilities
are the leading disturbing factors
Apparently business may be at its
crest.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23

1t has come-the anticipated attack
Of the colonel upon the associate
justice-as soon as the latter devel-
oped the possibilities of a formidable
candidate for the republican nomina-
ton for the presidency. Roosevelt
says that no man who possesses the
dignity of discreet silence is fit to be
president Of the American people
hence Hughes won't do.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
The Most Satisfactory Truss.

Please advise me where I can obtain
the most satisfactory truss for my
hernia.
Answer-From any of a hundred
different manufacturers. But anatom-
ical knowledge is necessary in fitting
truss, and your family doctor has
the knowledge. Leave it TO him to
determine where and what sort Of sup
port is required for your particular
case. He won't apply truss on a
tumor, for instance, nor on hydro
cele.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
Daily History ClaSs-May e.

l1Si-James Otis. patriot orator OF the
Revolution, killed by lightning at
Andover, Mass; born l125.
lS29Amhrose f. Burnside, Federal
general i'll the civil war, born;
died 1881.
1IS-Approximately the full army
strength of Italy, 100000 men,
called TO the colors. Germany
severed diplomatic relations with
Italy.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
The Old.Fashi0ned Man.

The things that l am fond of the four
hundred never eat:
The clothing that dote on is consid-
cred indiscreet.
My friends all counsel exercise when
ever l take my ease,
And when I exercise they say I'll bring
on heart disease.
The music that is proper is all of 4
classic style.
For me the old-time heart songs have
it beaten by a mile.
With highTalutin' COINS on, Tn always
out Of tune;
And sit home quiet by the fire I'd al
ways just as soon.
I've oft been told by stylish folks that
| am out of date;
That l was put upon this earth one
century too late.
The other folks can think me odd, /
don't care what they say;
I'm pretty middling happy in my own
old-fashioned way
ROY X. MOULTON.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
Disarpointed Readers Take yotice.

Correspondents who fail to find their
questions answered should take par
ticular notice of our marked prejudice
in favor of short letters. You see, we
haven't room for the long ones, and
anyway it is hard to remember on
page , what the correspondent started
to ask on page l.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23
CheeriulneSs.

Cheerfulness is great help along
all the walks of life Cheerfulness is
so very salutary that it might well be
called the nectar OF health A cheer
full frame OF mind greatly assists re
covery from Illness. SO do cheerful
doctors, cheerful nurses and cheerful
surroundings.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-23

A Kansas City man, somewhat un-
der the influence of liquor, on asking
Billy Sunday what he could do to be
saved, was advised to boil himself
out-and we wonder what effect boil
ing would have on fellow who was
picked.