davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10
Unmasking the Interests
Extracts from Speech of
HON. CLYDE n. TAVENNER
OF ILLINOIS,
In the House of Representatives
Wednesday, December Is.
OF ILLINOIS,,

Whenever there has been an investi-
cation by congress of the navy depart
ment-and there has not been one for
a good many years-the investigators
incidentally turned up information
showing that navy officers were sec
reilly connected with the armor-mak
ing concerns.
The senate committee on naval at
fairs Of the 54th congress in 1897
was doing a little investigating into
the reasonableness of the cost of ar
NOR and discovered that eight or ten
naval officers were on the pay rolls of
armor and steel companies and at the
same time on the pay roll of the gov
eminent.
When an officer received an offer to
go into the employment of a private
firm having dealings with the navy de-
partment, it was the custum to obtain
leave of absence with what was known
as waiting-orders pay, which amount
ed to $4,000 year, the officer at the
same time receiving salary usually
of $4,000 or $4,000 a year in addition
from the war trading firm with which
he had taken employment. Lieutenant
c. A. Stone, even after having retired
from the navy and taken employment
with the Carnegie Steel Co., for a time
kept his desk in the bureau of ord
nance at the navy department. Lieu
tenant ]. F. Meigs resigned from the
navy and went into the employment of
the Bethlehem Iron Co.
The most deeply involved of all was
Commander William NJ Folger, former
chief of the bureau of ordnance He was
many times in the employment of the
armor and projectile concerns, receiv-
/ ing both salary and block Of stock. He
was employed by the Calling Gun Co.,
as their European agent for two years
| on salary; by the Simonds Rolling
Machine Co., for about six months in
London, his expenses being paid and
an interest in the business given him
in the shape of stock in the company
which was profitable and paid good
dividends. He was also mechanical ad-
wiser, on a salary, for the American
Projectile Co.
Commander Folger's connection
with the Harvey Steel Co. was severely
criticized. After assisting and advising
the Harvey Steel Co. in many ways
while chief of ordnance and negotiat-
inf contracts as chief of the bureau
of ordnance with the Harvey Co.
Commander Folger resigned as chief
| of ordnance and became an employe
of the Harvey Steel Co., meanwhile
however, also receiving a salary OF
$4,000 from the government. Folger's
salary from the Harvey Co. was to be
$4,000 year, and he was given $4,000
worth of stock in the Harvey Co.
which stock paid 20 per cent dividends
from its receipts from the United
States government alone.
| Commander Folger testified tina
while he was chief of ordnance, he hat
many offers to go into the employ
ment Of the steel and armor com
panies, including offers from the Car
negie Steel Co., and the Bethlehem
Iron Co., the only two firms manu-
featuring armor at that time.
In accepting the following offe
from the Harvey Steel Co., Commando
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10
The Daily Story
Telephone Call-By William Chandler.

heard them over the phone and 49,.
the din the lunatic's voice shout,n,.
lime up there, men, Come IN -.
fellows, and fill these gaps, Nov w W
together! Forward az
The front door was opened a..
young woman as white as a Cloth
peared. ap
I'm the party you got on the
My explanation was interruntad
sounds Of steel slashing wood and ~,
shrieks Of women above. The 80
without a word, led me upstairs Wse
ascending l determined upon A n,an J.
action. Whether it would AVIAN a,n
thing did not know. On reaebinv -.
upper hail l found a girl croucb,rn
The door Of bedroom was wide o,,.s
and man was inside hacking a no..
bedstead. His back was to me -
he did not see me.
Retreat l shouted. THE geper.,
| orders retreat. We are fankedts
The lunatic ceased to hack the h.a
posts and backed through the door int,
| my arms. l seized both Of his. tak,n.
his sword arm at the wrist This
held as in a wise, for l was stronger
than he.
And here the girl who had Admitted
mel learned afterward that she va,
the one who had talked to me ove-
the telephone-showed great presenc.
Of mind as well as pluck. Taking IN
the situation, at the risk Of being stab.
bed she ran forward, clinched the luna.
tics fist and dealt him a blow on thu
back Of the hand holding the sword
The weapon dropped to the floor. Thu
girl stopped, picked 1t up and, running
| to a window, threw 1t out.
I now got my arms over both tha
mans, pinning them to his side. I he.
lieved I could hold him till the arrival
Of the police, but it was not pleasant
job, and if he got away from me he
might yet do some damage. asked
the girls If they could get a rope, and
one of them went downstairs and
brought up a clothesline. She tried to
get it around the mans legs, but be
kicked so that 1t was impossible. While
we were struggling we heard a patrol
wagon dash up at the door, and in an.
other minute the lunatic was secured
There were in the house his moth.
er, an old woman. and two young Ia
dies, his sisters. He had been fighting
in Belgium, in command Of his com.
pany, and had been wounded in the
head.
Since that time he had acted strange
ly and had been invaded home. For
awhile after his arrival he had behaved
quite normally, but during the past
few days had relapsed. His mother
and sisters were intending to remove
him to a sanitarium when he became
violent
l received their gratitude for my in
PREVENTION, and believe the policeman
who waited to call assistance was dis
missed from the force.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

Folger accepted the offer OF the nrni
to which he had given the most val
liable service while chief OF the bureau
of ordnance
Harvey Steel Co., No. So. Wall
street. New York, Dec IS, 1892.
Commander William M. Folger,
'My dear Sir: l am instructed by
the board of directors Of this company
to invite you to accept the ONCE Oh
consulting engineer to our company
on ordnance and armor plate and sucn
other matters as may come under our
patents whenever you are at liberty to
so act.
Eve shall be happy to meet you then
and arrange the terms with you.
Yours, very truly.
III. A. HARVEY,
president of the Harvey Steel Co"
When Hilary A. Herbert became sec
rotary of the navy and heard of Fol-
gers connection with the Harvey co.
he recalled him to active service. Com
mander Folger was retired as rear
admiral June 30, 1905, and therefore
is now, and has been for the last 10
years, receiving $4,000 year from the
government as a retired rear admiral.
Relative to the custom Of army and
navy officials to take employment with
private firms Commander Folger tes-
titled as follows oath congress. senate
report, 1853, page 33S, hearings:
Senator Mcmillan. Was it not GUS
tomary in the navy for officers to OBJ
tain leave of absence and to take en-
ployment from companies outside?
"Mr. Folger. Very generally so.
Senator Mcmillan And so it is in
the army?
Mr.. Folger. So it has been in the
army.
Senator Mcmillan. l have known
several cases of that kind.
/ Mr.. Folger. They are so employed
| very often"
In these same hearings page 454)
| Charles M. Schwab, then vice presi-
dent and general manager of the Car
, negie Steel Co., now president of the
Bethlehem Steel corporation, gave
some Illuminating testimony on the
subject of the absence Of honest COM
petition between the only two armor
concerns in the United States at that
time-Carnegie and Bethlehem:
| Senator Blackburn. Is there any
competition in the price Of armor in
this country as between yourselves
and the Bethlehem Co?
Mr.. Schwab. No, sir; assuredly not
We have always had an understanding
in that matter. We (Carnegie) never
take contrat that we do not consult
with the Bethlehem about it.
Senator Blackburn. l asked if there
is competition?
MIR. Schwab. No. sir; there is nc
competition. l want to be quite fair or
that point
These same hearings pages 155 ant
353) brought out the fact that former
Secretary of the Navy B. F. Tracy
after having made large contract a.
secretary of the navy with the Car
negie Co., or any attempt to Obtain
competitive bidding. entered the EN-
ploy Of both the Carnegie Co. and thu
Harvey Co., as counsel
Ito Be COntinued.)
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10
BARRING POLISH RELIEF.

The opinion in well-informed relief
circles here that any agreement,
which would enable relief to be car
lied on in Poland, was so remote as
to make it extremely improbable, was
confirmed today by correspondence
given out by the foreign Office" says
a. dispatch from London, in reference
to letter from Sir Edward Grey to
Herbert C. Hoover, chairman of the
American Commission for Relief of
Belgium. Mr.. Hoover had asked per-
mission from Sir Edward Grey to ex-
tend the relief work of the American
commission to Poland in a letter
which pictured the extremity of the
Poles.
Il have had some informal CONVEX
sation with the German authorities"
wrote Mr.. Hoover, who have assured
me protection will be afforded
to local and imported supplies for the
exclusive use Of the civil population,
and also that every facility will be af-
forded this commission in it's task of
organization and distribution under
proper guarantees.
I'VE have no desire to add TO our
burdens, but If IA months OF service
in Belgium have commended us to
the various belligerent governments
1t is our duty to use the confidence
thus acquired in behalf Of the Polish
people, and | wish to add that If the
allied governments are prepared to
assent to such relief measures, and
If any other instance can be summon
. ed to undertake their execution, this
commission would be glad to give any
advice arising out of its experience
or alternatively we should be glad to
incorporate such other body in any or
ganization we might set up"
In reply TO him Sir Edward Grey
wrote, :" g in the face of German
, and Austrian acquisitions in Poland,
- ! fear 1t would be impossible to
enter into any arrangement with you
In regard to any scheme OF relief. =
1t might be possible to come to an ar
rangement with you 90 $50 the
German and Austrian governments
supply an adequate ration and give
you free hand in the distribution
In other words, Sir Edward Grey is
willing TO permit Mr.. Hoover to distrib-
ute the raGons furnished by Germany
and Austria, In territory held by Ger
many. If Mr.. Hoover cannot persuade
Germany and Austria to do this then
England will let the Poles starve. The
condition of the Poles is entirely due
TO the policy OF utter destruction which
stae retiring Russians carried out last
summer when they stripped the coun-
try of what was movable and burned
the rest, for which England, an ally,
is indirectly 10 blame.
In Belgium the American commits
sion, under Mr.. Hooyer's direction
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

1t was 10 o'clock at night / was sit
ting in an easy chair In my bedroom
reading and smoking when l heard
ring at the telephone bell in the hall.
Going there, took up the receiver and
placed it at my ear. / heard a re-
markable confusion Of sounds. The
speaker at the phone was woman.
but there were others in the room, one
of whom, a man, was shouting wildly.
1t was difficult to distinguish what the
woman at the receiver was saying on
account Of the other voices, especially
the shouter. l will give my dialogue
over the phone as well as 1 can, with
its Interruptions:
Voice at Transmitter-Oh, my good
ness gracious. He's slashing right and
left! He's going to kill US all,
Voice Of the Madman-Give 'em the
bayonet, Rout 'em out Of the trench
Hold on there! Save that gun. Good!
Never mind
1 asked again and again for an ad-
dress and finally got IT'S Wash
Mans Voice mot at transmitter-
Remember, men, that you are Cana
dams, and what you do today
Voice at Transmitter-Do come!
Will is delirious. He fancies that he
Is leading his company into
Woman's Voice mot at transmitter)-
oh, heavens! He's got his sword!
Never mind who 1 am. Give me
your street and number.
Voice at Transmitter-Oh, horrors!
I hung up the receiver. waited few
seconds, took it up again and called a
cab-to come in hurry. Then 1 went
downstairs and out, walking in the
| direction from which I expected it.
Seeing a vehicleAcoming at gallop,
headed it off, got In and told the driver
to take me to 175 Washington avenue.
There was Washington street In the
city, but the voices I had heard came
| from refined persons, and Washington
| street was mostly taken up with shops
dUu SdlUOuS.
l had some distance to 90 and shout
| ed to the cabman to move faster. He
came to a sudden stop, and l heard
him speaking with a policeman. who
had stopped him. I opened the door
and told the policeman to get in with
me, explaining why I wanted him. But
he got on the box, permitting the driv-
er to go as fast as he could get the
| horse to move.
| / suppose we were ten minutes in
| making the distance. As soon as we
reached the house told the policeman
that he would be expected to tackle an
armed lunatic. He demurred, saying
that he must telephone for assistance,
and went of to call box. I did not
| propose to wait for him and, going up
the steps of a stone front house, rang
| the bell
| While waited for assistance heard
sounds in the second story as / had
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10
Sidelights on the European War

Correspondence of The
Associated Press. Russian officials
and the representatives of other en-
tente powers in Hardin, have found
much fault with the way the United
States has administered war relief to
Germans and Austrians in the portions
of Manchuria close to Hardin. Com
plants have been made that Charles
X. Moser, the American consul at Har-
bin, has rendered assistance to Ger
man prisoners who escaped from Rus
sian prison camps.
The American position in admin
istering relief to Germans and Aus
trians in Hardin is that Hardin is
Chinese territory, and consequently
United States officials, as neutrals, are
under obligations to administer to the
wants of all Germans and Austrlans
who are in need, regardless of what
part they have taken in the war.
Mr.. Moser recently paid visit to
Picking, and discussed the relief work
at Hardin with DR.. Reinsch, the Amer
lean minister, and Chinese officials.
The Chinese have never taken a firm
position in their resistance of the cap
ture of Germans and Austrians who
escape from Siberia into Manchuria,
and it is not likely that they will do so.
German prisoners who have escaped
into Mongolia and Manchuria have
frequently been recaptured on Chinese
soil by Russian soldiers and taken
back into Russian territory. Escaped
prisoners have been seized at Mukden
and taken from railway trains.
The German and Austrian legations
in Peking have protested against
China's failure to protect the subjects
of these two countries on neutral soil
but without results.
Ever since the opening of Hardin
to foreign trade, it's status has been
much disputed by the Russians. At first
they insisted that the treaty port was
located on the river number of miles
from the present city. This position
was not concurred in by the United
States and other powers. When the
United States consulate was first open
ed at Hardin, some ten years ago, rep
resentatives Of the United States suf-
fered many indignities, and efforts
were made to discourage the develop
ment of Hardin as treaty port. Rus
STA, however, maintains a consul at
Hardin and by so doing has justified
in measure the action of other pow
ers
A constant effort has always been
made by Russia to discourage the idea
that the present city of Hardin is
Chinese territory. Being such an i'm
portant center on the Trans-Siberian
railway, the Russians have always en-
deayored to maintain as strong a hold
as possible upon the city. Without
actually declaring their ownership
they have endeavored to create the i'm
preston that Hardin is Russian terri
tory.
Until the opening of the present
war they were strenuously opposed in
this position by other European DOW
ers, However, with the entrance of the
entente into the struggle against Ger
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

many and her allies, Great Britain and
France have changed their attitude
somewhat because Of the questions d.
rectly connected with the war which
have arisen in China. Neutrals who
desire to continue in trade in Man
churia and Mongolia, and who have
no part in the disputes arising over
the war problems have shown no dis
position to acquiese in the Russian
position.
Tokio.-(Correspondence OF the AS
ISOLATED Press).-So far as can be
learned, the sinking of the Japanese
steamer Yasaka Maru by submarine
in Il Mediterranean sea on Dec. q is
not influencing Japan to take more
aggressive part in the war, as has been
thought in some foreign countries. AS
a matter of fact the incident has been
received in Japan very calmly and so
far as the newspapers are concerned
there has been practically no express
sion of opinion.
Such sentiment as has been publicly
voiced is confirmed to two points, hrst'
the futility Of wasting time on unlm-
portant internal political quarrels IN
the present worlds crisis, and second
the necessity on the part Of Japans al
| lies to obtain a stronger command OF
| the seas.
I'VE say the Yasaka disaster is
warning to the country, lest 1t flnd IL
self confronted by greater surprises
nearer home by the constituencies anu
vindictive enemy. The empire de-
| mands the politicians pay more atleh.
ton to the war than to their mean anu
exaggerated grievances"
The increased menace to shipping III
I! the Mediterranean which may force
the numerous japanese steamers "
! sail around the Cape of Good Hope anu
vastly increase the expense OF naVlsa'
ton is made the theme OF an aruoie
| in the conservatively inclined hokuinih
which incidentally expresses It's resie'
to see the allies always standing oa
the defensive in various theatres u
war. Now that the allies have given
up the attack on the Dardaneiles' INV
newspaper says, the enemy VIII doups
I less gradually make his way to"aiu
Egypt and this means gradual ~
crease of danger TO navigation throasA
the Suez canal. Things have cons
I the pass when 1t is absolutely neees
sary for us TO change our shippiAe
route. 1t is the height of ahsurdi'! y
rely upon Great Britain's commsh0 '"
| the sea-"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

1t is reported from Washington
that Governor Capper Of Kansas is
going to Washington along with
Henry Ford, Miss Lillian Valid and
other extreme pacifists, male and fe-
male, to fight against preparedness
The anti-preparednes societies are
making much Of the Kansas gov
ernor as he is one of the very few
men holding public positions outside
opposing President Wilson'S plan for
national defense.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

While the governor Of Georgia is
threatening the enactment Of more
stringent laws to stop lynching the
local authorities of Sylvester county
in that state are expecting an attempt
TO lynch negro prisoner on trial for
a murder for which five other negroes
have already been lynched.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10
Did They "H03k" Theml

In the olden days they had no
watches, you know" said the father.
And how did they tell the time? p
asked the son.
BY sun dials."
We'll, father" said the young man,
telling of his watchless chain, how
much could fellow get on sun dial,
do you suppose ?"-Exchange.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

If the senate subcommittee hearing
testimony on the matter OF contirma-
ton of the appointment of Louis Bran
deis to the supreme court does not
want him appointed it had better not
give him a chance to appear in his
own behalf
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10
Daily History ClaSS-Feb. ~.

i163-Canada and its dependencies W
ed by the French 10 Great bil"
by Il treaty of peace cohc'n"e'
Paris. End OF the French anu =
dian war.
1904 President Roosevelt prociai~
the neutrality OF the United Saw
in the Russo-Japanese war.
1915-The British house or eoiniH
adopted the army estimates IL, "A
army Of 100000 men ana W. y.
unlimited funds to prosecute Wv
war.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

Suffragist leaders are planning for
big demonstrations in Chicago when
the republican convention meets
and in St. Louis when the demo-
cratic convention meets. The suf-
fragist leaders hope to have both
parties adopt an equal suffrage
,plank
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

Henry Ford announces that he's not
going to give up his work for peace
but is going to make trip to Europe
pretty soon. But first Henry should
talk to Colonel House. The colonel
could tell Henry some things that
would save him a great lot Of time
and money-but. it is admitted, it
might cost a lot to get the colonel to
talk
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10
Rock Island-Frcm River to
River.

A European writer on the war said
that wars have been won with small
armies; that Napoleon only had 6o0,-
600 men. But no European country is
thinking Of reducing its army because
of that fact.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

do not allow fish to stand in wat
err" says a writer on household prob
lens in a Detroit newspaper. Forcing
a fish to stand for any length of time
causes it to become very ugly; wears
it down at the heels and detracts
from it's usefulness when it reaches
the stage when it becomes portion
of ones meal So be careful to leave
the fish swim hereafter.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

THE bunny hug is to be introduced
in Nfpponese society circles. The Jap
always did possess the knack of get
ting close and ought to prove huge
success as performer of the new
dance.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10
Why Lecturers Lose Heart.

Niles friends are looking forward
with interest to the lecture of DR.. Ed
ward Amherst OFT, a former well
known Pennington teacher who has
won fame on the lecture platform.
which will be given in the high school
auditorium on Tuesday evening. DR..
OFT will give his famous lecture, Sour
Grapes" which he has given on 1000
occasions. and before over 1000
people.-Warren, (O.) Chronicle.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10
Street Car Comedy.

tcASSt Suh SuuVuSs
Expecting any valentines this year,
George?"
"Nope-I got mine years ago and
still have her."
How about you?"
well, I'm going to be more discreet
and not commit myself" EZRA.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10
Sour Pickles and MIX!

Mrs. Walker served a two-course
luncheon and grand time was re-
pented by those present Miami
fla Live Wire.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

SKIRTS, we are advised, are to be
1S inches shorter than they were last
year. Boy, page Adam and Eve.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10
CHORDS AND
DLSCORDS

DRESS authorities have coldly an
nounced that gentleman's outht LOT
next summer will cost mere matter
of $4,000. In other words, those +.
Beaches that you had no chance 10
wear last summer owing to the I'M
seasonable zephyrs must be passed 10
the ashman or to some uneducateo
boob in the Fiji islands.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10
Why Our Boys Marry So Young

"She forced his lips to her own and
spoke softly into them" -Ainslee's for
January.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

DOC Cook. who says he reached
the north pole. is back from Europe
and is demanding of congress vindi-
cation Of his claims Docs conscience
must be annoying him.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

THE real test of the man is not in
the applause of the crowd but in the
home" observes the Rockford Regis
ter-GaZette. ,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

GERALDINE Farrar said long ago
that she intended to wait until she
was 40 before marrying. There are
those mean enough TO say that she
kept her promise.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-10

BECAUSE Of a threat to make
Washington dry a resolution has
been offered in congress to move the
capital to Milwaukee Another Teu-
tonic plot?