davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
PHASE OF PREPAREDNESS

than formerly. Decreased consump-
ton has been produced by the in
creased price Of meat. High prices
have been due, In part, to foreign ex-
portation, but more particularly econ
omists say, to the boosting of prices
due to the combination and control of
the packers.
And now men who look into the flu
ture are warning us against the threat
'ened decrease in our stock of national
energy as the result of the falling off
of protein in the national dietary. We
can never have the most efficient
kind Of preparedness, we are told, I'M
less we look well to our larders. If we
permit any corporation or special in
Iterests to interfere with the produc-
ton and distribution of our meat sup
ply, we deliberately permit our nation
ito turn from strength to weakness.
The way to remedy such evils may
not always be clear, but no man should
be ignorant of their existence. What
the people Of this country want, they
can have. Our government was Or
ganized, in the beginning, for the peo-
pie, not for any set of rulers, nor any
set Of exploiters. When the people
actually want the public control of
the distribution of the nations food
products, they are going to get it.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
Ask Navy to Help Traders.

Toxic, April 28.-Pointing out that
the war has so shortened available
freight space that business interests
are greatly incommoded, the Japan
Foreign Trade association has filed
representation with the government
suggesting that the duty of the navy
is not confined to the defense of the
country and that it should assist the
trading community by releasing trans
ports or by building merchantmen at
its yards. 1t suggests an increase in
the number Of vessels on the routes
to America and India. The represen-
tation goes on to say that any proper
Increase Of freight rates is permissible
II shipping lines be persuaded to in
crease the supply of space in ex-
change, as the artificial repression OF
the soaring tendency in freight rates
Is harmful
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28

which imperiled the lives of our sail
ors and the safety Of the nation.
The Bethlehem press agents insist
that the expenditure Of $l1,000,000 for
a government armor plant is a waste
of money, although the government
has paid the armor ring several times
that amount In excess profits. 1t pro-
tests that a government plant will
tmperil the company's investment of
100000 in its armor plant. although
the government has paid for this plant
over and over again in high prices.
The United States government has
been liberal-far too liberal with the
armor ring. Now that the arbitrary
tactics of the ring have forced gov
eminent competition as matter Of
self-protection, tardy repentance
should not be too seriously consid
cred. The best indication of what
the Bethlehem company and its allies
would do once the pressure Of poten-
tial or actual competition were re-
moved is found in what these con-
Germs have done in the past.
The house should lose no time in
concurring in the action Of the senate
on this matter. Eleven million dol
lars invested in government armor
plant would be a wise expenditure,
even though the plant never produced
a ton of armor. If the threat of gov
eminent plant forces a reduction of
$50 a ton what will plant in actual
operation do?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
TARDY REPENTANCE.

The Bethlehem Steel company, chief
link in the ring which has held a mon
opoly Of the armor plate business in
this country for the past 20 years, is
bombarding the press with protests
against the building OF a government
armor plant in the hope of creating
public sentiment which will prevent
the lower house of congress from con-
curing In the senate bill providing
for such a plant. The Bethlehem COM
pany not only offers to supply armor
plate at 1895 a ton for the next five
years-a reduction of $50 from the
present prices-but to make lower
prices in case the federal trade COM
mission at any time finds that such
lower prices will allow the company
fair profit.
The conciliatory attitude on the part
of a member Of the armor plate trio
which lately threatened to raise the
price Of its wares 5000 a ton In case
the government began its own armor
is interesting, bur is too tardy to be OF
any avail. The government has had
sufficient experience with the Bethle-
hem company and its allies to make it
wary of fine promises. II is hard to
forget that the armOr ring has already
received millions from the national
treasury; that 1t arbitrarily advanced
prices TO the United States in the
emergency Of 1898 to a figure several
hundred dollars more than it was
charging Russia at the same time:
that it palmed off on the United States
navy millions Of dollars worth of ar
NOR plate which was defective and
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
The Daily Story
A Singular Marriage - BY Donald ChamberEn.
BY Donald Chamberlin.

Visions in plenty. and I prepared some
thing for Miss Timerson, feeding her
carefully.
Well. to make long story short. ve
were the only two persons on that H.
land for a week. Others started to On
there, but were turned from their
course. Within a couple Of days Of
our arrival the young lady and had
quite recovered our strength. and I
noticed that she seemed concerned at
the equivocal position In which she
was placed being alone with a man.
I told her that the circumstances in
which we were placed would preserve
us from scandal. She replied that
they should preserve US, but they
would not. There were always pee.
sons who would take advantage Of
such a situation to cast slur.
I told her that IL she felt that way
about the matter there was but one re-
course for us-to be married. After
much bordering without reply to this
she said that she did not see how we
could be married, since there was no
one to marry US and no witnesses. A
plan occurred to me for marriage
ceremony that would be legal, but II
seemed so wild that I said nothing to
her about It at the time.
The next day I led Miss Tirnerson
into the operating room and began to
call for ships out at sea. I soon came
In touch with a tramp steamer 800
miles distant and asked II there was
clergyman aboard. The reply being In
the affirmative, called for him and
asked II he would marry couple By
wireless. He assented, and then tod
Helen what I had done.
We were an hour talking the matter
over, at the end of which time We
agreed to be married. called the ship
I had called before, gave the parson
our names and such other information
as was required, and we went through
a marriage ceremony by wireless teleg-
raphy. The minister was requested
to send the certificate to her address,
duly witnessed by two persons on
board the vessel.
The day after our union a boat ar
rived, bringing persons to take charge
Of the station, and the same boat took
me and my bride to the mainland. On
reaching 1t we learned Of the great
commotion excited by the loss of the
Arganda and that we had both been re-
ported among the missing.
Before going among our friends my
wife requested that nothing be said
about our marriage until she could as
certain how our being together on
deserted island would be received. She
soon had cause to announce to the
world that we were man and wife.
Although our marriage was for the
purpose Of avoiding blemish. 1t turn
ed out to be very happy union. We
have been blessed with q numerous
progeny, and nothing has occurred to
cause US to regret the step we took.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
NEWSPAPER WAR

A scrap between newspaper editors
is the dominating influence in Eng
fish war and other legislation Just
now. Lord Northcliffe, who is the W.
Randolph Hearst of Great Britain,
was not in connection with the news
spout at the start, but so abused and
undermined the government that the
tables have been turned and North
cliffe now has private wires in the
holy of HOLES. In the meantime the
old timers are not sitting idly by.
sucking their thumbs They are writ
ing and publishing.
Displeasure expressed by the radi-
calls over the attitude of David Lloyd
George, minister Of munitions, Gull
minated yesterday in a remarkable
open letter by Alfred G. Gardiner,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28

When I walked the deck of the liner
Arganda on the third day out and saw
for the first time among the passen-
gers who were recovering from mai
de mer and getting out from the ships
smells to help them do so Helen Tim
erson l little thought that within Eve
days she would be my wife and we
would be married In a way such as no
couple had been married before.
/ was going abroad to establish a
wireless telegraph station, wireless te-
legraphy being my profession. I kept
away from the wireless Office on the
ship, fearing to make known my inter
est In wireless matters, and l did not
care to have what I might say re-
ported But a time came when this
did not deter me.
We were steaming along through
thick fog one afternoon when suddenly
I felt shock. We had collided with
vessel, which passed out Of sight, leav-
ing us with a big hole in our ships
bottom. I ran to the wireless ONCE,
and from that time till the vessel went
down I alternated with the operator
calling for help. Meanwhile the ship
had been put on a course toward the
shore, and when we were left on the
water we were not far from It
I was picked up by boat that had
left the ship with but few persons in
her, and during the exposure that fol
lowed they all died. How kept body
and soul together I am at loss to
know. have a hazy remembrance OF
the boat being overturned and I ex-
pecting to be drowned. But later I
found myself lying on beach. This
seemed like life to me, and made an
effort. Sitting up. looked about me
and saw only bodies Of those who had
been washed ashore from the wreck.
1t was grewsome sight, one that
shall never forget. And was oppress-
ed with the thought how narrowly I
had escaped like fate.
Presently I arose and staggered
about on my feet. One Of the first OBJ
tects to confront me was the girl I
had seen on the steamers deck-Hel-
en- Timerson. 1 supposed she was
dead. I approached her and saw that
she breathed. I had a flask In my
pocket with top well screwed on, and
I had refrained from taking the last
drink This I gave to the girl, and 1t
revived her.
Looking about me, discerned at a
distance the antennae Of wireless
station. Expecting that there would
be persons there, took Miss Tmerson
In my arms and carried her there.
What was my surprise to find the
place deserted. Why no one was there
is another story. too long to be given
here. Leaving the young lady on a
lounge, went on the roof Of the sta
ton building and saw that we were
on an island. though the mainland
was dimly visible. There were pro-
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28

Here are the great statesmen Of
Germany who more than any others,
save perhaps the kaiser himself, are
responsible for the foreign policy Of
that nation. Bethmann-Hollweg
stands at the head of the cabinet and
Jagow is foreign minister. The ques-
ton that now confronts them is wheth-
err they will keep the promise made to
the United States that no liner will be
sunk by a German submarine without
notice and without giving the passen-
gers an opportunity to escape. Presi-
dent Wilson insists that this guaranty
shall be kept, and if it Is not diplo-
matte relations with Germany will be
broken /off. Public sentiment in Ger
many is said to favor the submarine
policy which has recently been fol-
lowed, and which resulted in the sink
ing Of the Sussex with the loss OF
scores of lives Of neutrals, including
Americans, and women and children.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28

editor Of the London Daily News, III
which Mr.. Gardiner charges Lloyd
George with responsibility for the
government crisis just passed. The
minister of munitions, who for the
first year of the war was the idol Of
the radicals has been champicned
lately by the so-called Northcliffe
press and the conservative organs
which have been the severest critics
of the government.
The crisis this week." says Mr..
Gardeners letter, twas the culpliua-
ton of all your activities The coun-
try has made it's choice between As
quith and you. 1t heard much about
Asquith from your friends of the
press. You escaped insult You will
escape exposure no longer"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
BUSINESS AND PEACE.

Although there are no signs Of peace
indications are many that the business
men of the United States are much
concerned in considering the question:
What will happen to business in this
country when the European war ends?
1t is only natural that opinions should
differ widely on this problem. One
view is that beneath the superstruc-
ture of war business there has been
constructed a solid foundation of
prosperity which is hardening in a
manner that makes it appear to be
practically impregnable to any test
that may come at the close of the war.
Another view is that the United States
is not now enjoying real prosperity;
that prosperity has not reached all
sections of the country, but in fact,
only those industries which are sup
plying war needs are experiencing I'M
usual good fortune and that in nearly
all other sections business is still far
from normal.
The New York Annalist, one of the
leading financial journals of the coun-
try, says that the great preponderance
Of evidence serves to support the first
contention. 1t shows that fundamental
statistics point clearly to the fact that
the United States is in much better
condition commercially, industrially
and financially than it has been for
years, and that even the sections and
industries which were tagging behind
a few months ago are now feeling
strongly the impetus Of good times,
though not all can yet be said to be
prosperous. The Annalist continues ::
There can be little doubt that we
are now in a period of widespread and
increasing, though not necessarily all
Iembracing, prosperity. Whether or
mot this will continue after peace is
Irestored is an open question. That the
disOrganization into which our foreign
commerce is almost certain to be
thrown as a result Of the cessation of
war business will cause a reaction the
seriousness Of which cannot be def1n-
itely foretold is generally conceded.
What the duration of the reaction will
be and what effect this and other fac
tors are apt to have upon the whole
fabric of American business are not
matters which can be determined with
leXactitude, because forces which can
not be accurately gagged are at work
1t is possible, however, to outline the
controlling causes and effects, as view
ed by practical business men"
The Annalist submitted series OF
interrogations, bearing on the prob
lem Of business conditions after the
war, to leading business men of the
country and received a great variety Of
responses. All were in substantial
agreement, that war orders have beer
) an important factor in the growth OF
business in this country. Some be
lieved that the cessation of war bust
ness would drastically curtail our for
eign trade, while others held that sucf
trade would be little diminished II
volume, save, perhaps, for a briet
period Of REIMBURSEMENT. Some ex,
pressed opinion that domestic trade
, would shrink; others that 1t would be
little affected. The majority viewed
the outlook with unqualified optimism
and expressed themselves as unafrait
of what the future holds in store.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28

steel is the barometer of trade"
U. S. Steel not only reports the great
est earnings in its history, but enough
orders booked to insure a continuance
of record business for 1916, and into
the coming year. Domestic trade in
steel is fiourishing as never before.
While cessation Of the war may slack
en- the munitions end of the steel bust,
ness, the loss of this trade will be far
more than offset by the heavy de-
mands for structural and machine
steel for Europe's rehabilitation. With
steel as a barometer, the skies are
fair for American industry for years
10 come.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
Men Stick Together.


A prominent San Francisco club
man has country home down at San
Mateo, where most of the wealthy folk
of that city live. Recently he had an
automobile accident at lonely spot
on the road where he found it impos-
sible to reach a telephone to notify
his wife.
Now. it happened that he was hap
PLY married, very domesticated, and
not accustomed to staying out at night.
So at midnight his wife became very
nervous. She dispatched the following
telegram to five Of her husbands best
friends in the city:
Jack hasn't come. Am worried. Is
he spending the night with your"
Soon after this her husband arrived
home and explained the cause of his
delay. While he was talking a boy
brought in five answers to her tele-
grams, all worded thus:
Yes, Jack is spending the night with
me-"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28

These Russian transports keep right
on slipping through Gibraltar and in
10 the Mediterranean, and discharge
their cargoes in Marseilles without
having the fact advertised by the
press in advance. Either the report
ers over in Archangel are asleep on
the Job, or else we've got to hand it
TO the news censorship.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
Sidelights ON the European War

paying so high for tonnage that the
Argentine owners of vessels, glad to
escape the vexatious handicaps, are
selling out to the European buyers, or
to uruquayan and Chilean companies,
which have less trouble to contend
with In addition to this lure of gold,
the lack Of coal, which has already
been referred to in previous dis
patches as serious, has been a factor
IN the disintegration of the Argentine
merchant feet.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
Daily History Class-April 28.

ish actor, died.
175S--James Monroe, fifth president OF
the United States, born; died 1881.
tS9S-United States warships lombard
ed the Spaniards at Matanzas,
Cuba.
l915-lnternational peace congress me!
at The Hague.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28

The mortality of horses in training
camps in England at this time only
exceeds that Of army horses in time
Of peace by two per cent per annum,
said an official statement in reply to a
question. Approximately 5000 horses
have died in training camps in this
country since the outbreak of the war.
Nearly all the horses imported since
the war began came from the United
States and Canada.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
Friday, April rs, 1916.
Rock Island-From River to
River.

That alleged movement cropping out
In the Philippines against independ-
ence, may also be the fine Italian
work OF the interests here at home
along with the influences creating the
disturbance in Mexico.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
Aero Fund Reaches Big Figure.

Calcutta, March.-The Punjab aero
plane fund, raised in the province for
the purpose Of providing aeroplanes
for the British army. has been closed
with a total of $4,000 pounds (s480,-
000). This will pay for IS armored
aeroplanes.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28

Tigers are very plentiful in China
this season. Last week five tigers
were carried through Fuchow in BAN
boo cages by native trappers. All the
tigers were at least half grown, and
were offered for sale. Tiger meat is
especially relished by the natives be-
cause Of their belief that it will con-
fer upon them untold strength and
bravery.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28

General Wood is being accused of
pernicious political ability. His Of
fetal superiors must be his judges if
the charge comes to issue; but how
narrowing the thought of what the
colonel would do, if president, TO a
man in General Woods position bent
upon undermining my policies" and
advancing the fortunes Of political
rivals
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28

The Mexican who said he could
guide the Carranza troops to the
grave Of Villa was shot when he fell
down on the job. If they had shot
him before he made the promise, they
would have saved the telegraph editors
a lot OF unnecessary work.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28

A Chicago man who wrote some I'M
complimentary opinions Of his moth
er-tn-law has been arrested by the
federal authorities. He evidently did
not know that the mother-in-law joke
no longer is good form except in the
almanacS
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
OF Course
vi SOuEA6s
GAINESVILLE [Wis.l Gazette),

GAINESVILLE [Wis.l Gazette).
Every one gives his own party the
credit for the growth of the country,
but when this growth cuts up the cat
tie ranges and makes hides scarce,
and meat and leather products high. of
course the other party is responsible.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
Gasoline.

Gasoline.
Now without gloves we'll handle it,
The question Of expense;
In solemn conclaye we will sit
With thoughtfulness immense.
If gloves we use with methods nice
To show things as we've seen 'em,
Perhaps we can't afford the price
OF gasoline to clean 'em.
Washington Star.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28

There's one good thing about the
high cost of gasoline-not so much of
it is being used now mornings to start
the fire in the kitchen range.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
THE MISSISSIPPI.

THE MISSISSIPPI
0, tell me raging river
(Raging now at least)
What you have on your bosom
That makes you like beast. =
l fear that you are leading
A somewhat double life,
But I can't figure whether
You're daddy or wife.
Some call you Mrs. Ippy,
While still others refer
To you as Father of Waters
Now which do YOU prefer?
I'd like to get 1t Strengthened,
For I'm really strong for you,
l use you hourly, daily. as
My dew-dill-due, l do.
Methinks It's just an instance
Since women have the vote
Where they go out skylarking
And hub can't rock the boat.
You being the Father Of Waters
You're trying to raise them we'll;
claim you're doing nobly, too,
Cause here they're raised likell.
That's why I'm interceding.
You're overdoin' the thing,
And If you don't manage EN- quick
They'll be out over everything!
o. D. K.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
They're Usually Right.
(Atchison Globe)

Most men who claim they work like
a dog probably never stopped to think
that the average dog doesn't do much
and the men probably are right about
1t.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
Pie Counter Comedy.

Pie Counter Comedy.
Morning, kid"
"How's the boy?"
My heels are heavy. Didn't sleep
we'll last night"
"What'll ye have?'
Ham and and slug of Mocha. And,
say, tickle the victrola. l need some
thing to jolly me up"
What tune do you like"
"Whatta We got?"
Our latest is 4 Didn't Raise My
Doughnut to Be Sinker'"
When you're ready, kid, fire. I'm
prepared"
WOODROW Wilson evidently ap-
proves the administration Of President
Wilson. He voted for himself in the
New Jersey primary this week.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
H0RDs 40
DlSc0RD DIS

CHICAGO woman with seven hus-
bands can recall only four Of them. A
few Of the boys don't seem to have
made much OF an impression.
WHEN Mr.. Deneen begins ripping
the veil off the republican party in the
state it is assumed he will not forget
to mention the s243.000 fee he drew
down when states attorney of Cook
county.
HEN Watterson is such a rabid enc
my of the hyphen the wonder is he
stands for the name of his paper-the
Courier journal
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28
Naturally.

Naturally.
Says the Momence, ILL.,, Progress:
I'VE have found that when good, con-
scientious people can be brought to
look upon the saloon without prejudice
they become dry"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-04-28

SIGN In window of Second avenue
store. Sale now gowing on
NJ T.