davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24
William Brady,M.D.
The Masquerader.

be bothered by the family doctor-he
likes the patient to come without the
family doctors sanction or knowl-
edge He always operates, early and
often. No matter whether the case
is one legitimately in the field of the
general surgeon or not, the near
surgeon operates If the patient wants
an operation. The patient, somehow,
always comes Just in the nick Of time
another hour, day, week or month
would have been too late" But
then, the near-surgeon ought to know
whereof he speaks. He can tell quite
accurately, for instance, what is
wrong with an appendix that looks
fairly good to the novice. Hasn't he
removed plenty of normal ones?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24

Watertown, Massachusetts, a city OF
12,S75 population by the last census, is
rejoicing over the distinction of hold
ing the record for the lowest infant
mortality of any city in the United
States for the year 1915. Of every
90 babies born during last year in
the city, q are still living. The low
death rate is all the more creditable
for the fact that the birth rate had
increased in Watertown considerably
in 1915 over 1914. The general death
rate in the city was also low, being
but IA per cent. This fine showing
must be attributed to the excellent
sanitary arrangements of WATERFOWL,
including attention to the milk supply
and no doubt these could be studied
by other municipalities and health
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24
Selected by Tavenner

ment, with no limit as to compensa-
ton, officials OF that department, and
through them learn the secrets and
purposes OF the department, and, more
over, insidiously influence its action,
great injury may result to the public
service. The fundamental principle
upon which all legitimate business is
transacted-that each side shall be
represented solely by persons wholly
devoted to its own interests-is vic
iously violated by q custom which al
lows one side to take into its pecun-
larry employment a representative of
the other side.
can effort was made In the debate
to draw distinction between officers
on the active list and officers on the
retired list The committee deny that
any well-founded distinction exists
which ought to influence the decision
Of the question Retired officers of the
navy remain officers to all intents and
purposes, with an important excep-
ton. Section 1852 of the revised stat
utes provides that mo officer on the
retired list of the navy shall be en-
ployed on active duty except in time
of war;
But notwithstanding this statute
exempts retired officers from all obli-
cation to render any service for the
liberal retired pay which they receive
for life, amounting usually to three
fourths of their active duty pay. yet
they remain a part of the navy Of the
United States available in any emer.
gency of war. They are entitled to veal
their uniforms on public occasions ant
are allowed free access to every bur
eau of the navy department, on the
theory that they are still ready tt
serve the interests OF the government
by fidelity, sound advice, and an earn
est spirit of devotion to public duty
1t Is quite enough to allow such off
GERS to enter into ordinary private
employment for compensation. To per
, NIT them to take sides against the gov
eminent and to enter into the emplo,
; Of contractors having dealings will
the government reaching to millions o
dollars will certainly, If the custom
continues, become most pernicious ant
injurious to the public interests. Pro
claim that such officers may be so EN-
ployed by repeating the clause whicl
has now become law, and a bold an
= wealthy contractor, willing to spen
9 enough money to take into his emplo
a sufficient number Of naval officers Of
!, the active and retired list, would b
| able thoroughly to weaken the de
= partment in its dealings with sue
e contractor and to put the government
!, at his mercy in making bargains
which would be substantially entere
!. into with the Representatives of on
side alone conducting all the negotia
= tons"
i CLYDE H. TAVENNER.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24
Big Exodus of Army Officers to Num-
lions Plants Since Outbreak OF
Eurnnean War.


I do not pretend to know the num-
Der OF ex-army and navy officers now
connected with munitions manufactur-
ers. There are more Of such instances
today, / believe, than at any time in
the history Of the government. A very
considerable amount Of the munitions
that are going to the allies from II :.
United States is being made under the
supervision of ex-offlcers of the Amer
lean army and navy, who have resign
ed their official positions to take en-
ployment at two, three, four, or more
times their former salaries.
This exodus from the ranks Of the
best trained officers Of the army was
permitted by the war department, the
officials of which take the ground that
it is to the interest Of the government
to have highly trained men in the
plants OF the private manufacturers
which may be called upon in the emer-
gency of war, but which, however, also
have dealings with the government IN
time of peace.
The policy of the war department is
in a measure in conflict with the opin-
ion of the report of the United States
senate committee on naval affairs
which in 1867 investigated the ar
NOR Industry and found SO many re-
tired naval officials in the employ OF
the armor manufacturers.
The naval bill which became a law
June 10, 1896. prohibited any naval
officer on the active or retired list from
taking employment with concerns hav'
ing dealings with the government. The
provision reads as follows:
"And provided further, That hereaf
ter no payment shall be made from ap
preparations made by congress to any
officer in the navy or marine corps, OF
the active or retired list, while sucl
officer is employed, after June 80, 1897
by any person or company furnishing
naval supplies or war material to thu
, government; and such employment II
hereby made unlawful after said date.
There is, however, no similar leg
$ lSldLlOu WIFI I6lSItuC W al NY olHSoi g
!, the absence of which makes possible
instances like that of General Hum
. phrey, who is on the pay roll of boil
the Du Pont Powder Co. and the gov
eminent.
On the subject of retired naval off
GERS taking employment with concern
having dealings with the government
the senate committee on naval affairs
;, following its discovery Of great dea
of this practice in 1862, had the fol
! lowing to say in its report made to tn
senate on Feb. II, 1897 IS. rept. 145G
54th congress, I'd. sess.):
mo man can we'll serve two masters
- and if contractors having large deal
ings with a department of the gov
eminent can take into their employ
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24

Observation-Disclosures Of The
Associated Press. )-Released prison
ers from the Ruhleben camp who have
returned to England are indignant over
the last report Of the American am
bassador at Berlin. in which he made
the statement: THE British taxpayer
is paying a large sum of wages because
the Ruhleben prisoners are unwilling
to do fatigue work of the camp
This charge is called unjust and I'M
generous by the released prisoners,
who say that Ambassador Gerard has
no real knowledge of the working of
| the camp.
1t is true that the British government
/ pays five marks a week to each civil
| ian prisoner in the camp. But each re-
ceipt states explicitly that the money
must be repaid if asked by the Brit
/ ish chancellor of the exchequer. At one
time, the released prisoners say fur
Their, this sum did help the inmate oil
the camp to live, but with butter at
four marks a pound and other foods
in keeping, five marks does not &C
very far. In fact, the prisoners rely
almost entirely on parcels from Eng
laud.
Regarding the policing of the camp
prisoners offer this explanation; Many
of the prisoners have no relatives OF
friends from whom TO obtain parcels
by mail To support these dependents
a fund is raised by the contribution Of
a penny a week by all who are able t
pay This fund is turned over to The
captains of the various barracks. Gu
of it is paid the wage of the men wht
have volunteered to do fatigue duty.
A returned prisoner by the name o
Keanee, who spent IA months at Rub
leben after a month of solitary con
finement. says that games and enter
tainments are absolutely necessary IL
camp for keeping up the spirits of men
Early last year a wave of depression
swept the camp and one man, on re
ceiving news of the death of his wife
cut his throat in the presence Of 40
other prisoners 1t took at this tim
the utmost exertion on the part of
few to keep up any games or sports a
all. So far as the condition of tn
camp is concerned. he says. the pris
oners have done everything. even t
erecting lavatories.
One thing about the camp MI
: Keane condemns is the separation o
the prisoners into two separate group
the true British. who are lodged Il
, the stables. and the pro-Germaps, son
Of British people born In Germany o
Germans born in England. who hav
for the most part chosen TO be calle
British in order TO escape military ser
5 vice. The pro-Germans occupy huts o
, the recreation ground and receiv
, many fayors. and a certain number c
t them have enlisted in the German ar
l my. Even those enlisting drew fiy
I marks from the British government u
> to their enlistment.
I Ambassador Gerard visited only tn
pro-German part of the camp. accord
sing to Mr.. keana
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24
PROTECTING PANAMA.

Coincidently with the news OF the
ratification of the long-standing treaty
with Nicaragua. granting to the United
States a ninety-nine year option. or
lease, on the Nicaragua canal route.
there comes word from Copenhagen
that the sale of the Danish West In
dies to the United States Is again be-
ing seriously agitated by prominent
members of both houses Of the Danish
parliament.
A treaty for the sale Of these is
lands to the United States was signed
on Jan. "a, 1908. four million dollars
being offered by this country, but the
Danish landsthing rejected the propo-
sition, because the price was considered
too low, and since that time the mat
ter has been permitted to remain
dormant.
The ninety-nine year lease on the
INicaraguan canal route was purchased
| by the United States, at cost of
S3,000,0 900, not because Of any inten-
ton to utilize 1t, but simply as a mat
ter Of protection. Having taken the
Nicraguau route out OF competition we
have also removed a possible, indeed 8
probable source Of dispute, even con.
fiict with what European nation might
later have purchased the same sort
of option for the purpose Of securing
a naval base.
The Panama canal, contrary to gen.
eral supposition, was not conceived
only as a boom to commerce, bu
chiefly as a protective measure. 1
was this fact, which. before construc
tion was begun, created such acrimo
nious discussion whether to make 1t ,
lock canal or sea-level ditch, thu
contenders for the latter form declar
ing its greater cost would not total tn
cost of lock canal plus the expens
i've fertilization that would be neces
sary to defend pregnable lock-typ
canal
Having spent s4o0,OOo,Ooo on tn
Panama canal this government doe
not propose to have the expenditur
: turned to nothing by permitting for
leigh power to establish naval base
within threatening distance. This
, what makes Denmark's revived inter
, est in the sale of the islands Of s.
, John, st. Thomas and Santa Crux c
: such particular import here.
If these islands actually are on tn
market they must not be sold to an
other power than the United States
We shall have difficulty enough wit
, our Monroe doctrine without encour
= aging opposition by permitting Ell
r ropean nation to gain possession Of
S naval base in adjacent waters to tn
e Panama canal.
y st. Thomas, ST. John, Santa Cru
: and all the other islands Of the Indie
b which form the chain encircling til
Caribbean sea should ultimately CON
into the possession of the Unite
States. For protection Of our create
. protection, the Panama canal, it
= necessary that we sooner or later,
S treaty or purchase, make the CARL
n bean an American lake
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24
SAVING THE BABIES

authorities with profit. The Boston
Transcript says:
I'VE charge good many crimes to
modern civilization, but with one great
virtue we must credit tit is saving
the lives of the babies, and enriching
the life of every community with the
service of thousands who in former
times were cut Off in their infancy"
If Rachel continues to weep for her
children. lost through lack of sani-
tation, how much better are our NUM-
meal governments than was Herod OF
old?
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24

II Abraham Lincoln had lived till his
birthday falling due In February, 1916,
he would have been lot years old.
Had he not fallen In his prime ut the
hand of an assassin or been taken OH
in some other unnatural way he would
doubtless have lived to great age, for
he was physically very strong man.
We may we'll wonder how Abraham
Lincoln endured the strain Of four
years of civil war, millions of people
looking at him to bring about resto-
ration Of the Union, foreign nations
threatening to intervene, thus insuring
the division Of the country; vafnly try
ing to find generals who could accom-
plish results, and constantly abused
for what was considered his misman-
agenent. 1t would seem that no man
without herculean strength could 1--we
through such an ordeal.
That the physical structure Of Abra-
ham Lincoln was equal to the require
ments is made plain by the following
story told of him many years ago by
a friend of his boyhood who was en-
ployed in the same store with Lincoln.
Billy" said Abe one day, what
makes you bet with Enochf You ought
to know better than to bet with a man
on his own tricks. II he didn't know
he had sure thing he wouldn't bet"
The advice was given because this
Enoch would come into the store in
the evening ostensibly for the purpose
Of loafng, but really to win small bets
by a number Of tricks. One OF these
was doubling up his hand so as to hide
one of his fingers. He would bet that
Billy couldn't mark that particular fin
ger. OF course Enoch always won
such bets. When Abe advised Billy
to stop betting the latter told him that
he had lost nearly dollar to Enoch
and he didn't wish to stop till the
money was won back.
"Will you promise me-" said Abe
that you'll never bet any more If
put you in a way to win back what
you have lost and great deal more?'
You betr' replied Billy.
How would you like a plug hat to
wear with your Sunday clothes? II
would set you up with the girls"
I'D like a plug hat first rate, but
how am 1 going to get one, seeing thai
it would cost me 81? 1t would take
pretty nigh a weeks salary"
Il reckon l can help you to one. Al
any rate, we can try the next time
Enoch comes around and wants to bel
| you on his tricks. Tell him that you've
got tired betting picayune amounts
but if he really wants to bet something
worth while you'll go him; then, If be
agrees, you offer to bet him that Abe
Lincoln can take forty gallon barre
of whisky off the floor and drink ou
of the bunghole."
Can you do that, Abe?"
Reckon | can. After the, stort
closes tonight I'll try it,
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24
The Daily Story
Story of Abe Lncolns Physical srengthBy Enor Marsh

AZ soon as the proprietor had -
home for the day the two cIerks 80
up the store, and there was
hearsal, at which Abe convinced pm
that he would risk nothing provldas
he could get Enoch to take the Ia,
The next day Enoch came into a..
store and had not been there lony -
fore he called to Billy an offer N -.
him on some new trick that haa =.
yet been demonstrated. Billy w..
weighing out some sugar at the ,,,..
and said he hadn't time to do anv H.,
ing. But Enoch hung around tiIl nm.
had finished what he was doing VII
he renewed his offer Billy consen,s-
to talk with him and during the tn,.r
view said:
'Do you know. Enoch. how stror,
Abe Lincoln ISL"
mo, / don't, but reckon he's rrs..u
strong"
Il shouldn't be surprised If Abe eo,,a
lift up one Of those barrels of wh,stv
over there In the corner and tar.
drink out of the bunghoIe."
"Bet you a quarter he can't"
"Now, look a-here, Enoch. | DIM,
want any more Of these small bet.
II you want to bet something to m,ts
it worth while I'll go you, but il Won
don't, why, let's have no more taxi
about 1t"
what you want to bet, Billy
'On Abe's being able to take forty
gallon barrel off the floor and dripk
out of the bunghole."
"Tll bet you he can't DO It"
'Enoch, I'm wanting plug hat and
maybe you're wanting one. Did you
ever wear onef'
Il had one once. 1t set me Of Hnsn
well. here's your chance 10 get an.
other. I'll bet you plug hat that Aba
can take that barrel-the big one-un
off the floor and take dram out O thu
bung hole"
There was a good deal Of dckerins,
and Enoch tried to lift the barrel him.
self, not succeeding In stirring Il
Finally he agreed to Billy's propos.
ton, and the bet was duly made In the
presence Of witnesses.
Abe being called upon to decide tia
bet, advanced to the barrel and, stoop.
ing, tilted 1t on his right knee. Then
he bent backward, and Billy pulled on;
the bung. Abe craned his neck for.
ward and took a drink out Of the bung
hole, spit it out on the floor and set
the barrel down again.
That was the last time Enoch,came
into the store with his betting oifen
He paid the forfeit, and Billy kept hi,
promise to Abe to bet no more.
Years passed. and the man who had
performed this feat was called upon b
perform another, one OF the greatest
feats required Of any man who hai
ever lived. Who knows but that with
out the ability to do the one he wouli
have been unable to do the otheri
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24

An Indiana congressman objects to
motor car delivery Of rural mail be-
cause it wakes up the poor farmer
in the middle of the night and forces
him to go out with lantern to see
what has happened to his mail box.
Prosperity on the farm has its disad-
vantages when it is accompanied with
the noise nuisances Of urban life.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24
EXPENSIVE CARTOONING.

A London Journal has been fined
$500, the editor $3.50 and the cartoonist
$3.50, for publishing a cartoon de-
plotting a British soldier lying intoxi-
Gated beneath tree and clasping a
bottle of rum. Beneath the cartoon
were the words Reported Missing"
The picture was deemed preiudicial to
discipline and recruiting as 1t well
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24

might be. Whatever may be said Of
this war, the charge OF drunkenness
In the ranks on either side seems
quite unjust. It is one Of its strange
contradictions that while waged with
out any good cause it has been waged
under conditions of sobriety by the
men in the field that are exceptional.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24

After looking over the situation thor
oughly, there is every indication that
in spite of the passage of time and the
cynics' knocks, the popularity OF
George Washington is still on the as
cendant. as it should be.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24

European war events have sown the
seed Of suspicion so thoroughly in our
minds that we are impelled to inquire
whether Ambassador Gerard fell, or
was he pushed, in the skating acct
dent that resulted in broken collar
hnna9
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24
Rock Island-Frcm River to
River.

no NOT litter the
- streets with waste
paper. Destroy it or place
it in the proper recep-
tacles, thus contributing
to the municipal commits
sion's efforts in behalf of
clean streets.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24

Warfare on land, under land, on sea,
under sea and In the air keep the head
writing busy as we'll as showing mans
ingenuity in making implements OF
death.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24

Daily H!Sl0ry Cl4Ss--ren. o. !,
1863 - John Gutenberg. mVeh'o
printing. died; born about INV
lT26-Lord Give. the British eoiis''
of Bengal, horn; died INA .,s
iSl3-Navai action or pemerafa ' ~,
America. between the Ahs'a ..
sloop of war Hornet . n,.,.A
James Lawrence. and the p's.
brig Peacock won by the fio' ',ss,
lo1i-The United States senate fa'''s7
new treaty with Japan. a.,
1915 - Germany declared fha' AS
wheat cargoes reaching o y
In neutral vessels would no' ssl
used for the military OF -
farcaAs
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24

ENVOY J. W. Gerard Fractures
His Collar Bone Skating. Headline
This is the first actual break in Amer
lean relations at Berlin.
WOMAN newspaper writer jumped
from the 10th story Of q New York
apartment building. Making copy to
the last, as 1t were.
1T would appear that somebody out
Of sympathy with the administration
OF Mayor Thompson OF Chicago had
got hold Of the W. X. monkey wrench
and hurled 1t into the machinery.
YOU have probably observed that
the women are doing most of the talk
ing. in Chicagos latest municipal scan
dal..
FREDERICK Donaghey, who is an
authority on the subject, publicly de-
clares that Campanini, the grand OPP
era fmpressario, is poor Snowman"
1t would not be surprising to hear Of
Donaghey being invited to choose his
weapon, for putting director of art,
such as Campanini, in the same class
with the Ringlings is more Of an in
suit than Shaping him in the face.
MRS. Anderson Pace, president of
the woman's branch Of the National
Security league, says: 1--WE do not
want our husbands and sweethearts
called to arms" The inference is that
the good woman was discussing war.
MARCH Is Is announced as orange
day in California March Is is dan
gerously close to March II at that
| FIFTEEN hundred employees of the
Philadelphia water bureau have been
ordered to abstain from the use Of H.
quor. This ought to cinch pure water
for that city.
THEN there is the citizen who
knocks his town because it doesn't
grow who spends his evenings at home
reading through the mail order cata.
IOgue to see how he can get things
from afar few cents cheaper than hi
can buy them from his home mer
chant.
THE Boston Post says the open-ail
kiss is safest Well wager the mar
who said that owns an automobile.
IGNATZ rises to inquire the name
of Geraldine Farrar'S husband. It!
Mr.. Geraldine Farrar, is it not?
Safety first: Tip the waiter, thel
have him taste the soup before yol
start on it.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24

Before Lorraine was united with
France in 1886, it belonged to the de-
throned king of Poland. Before that
it belonged to Austria.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24

Anyway you look at 1t, the moose
elephant combination is going TO De
q strange looking beast.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-02-24

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF the AZ
ISOLATED Pressl Most OF the golu i
Germany is in the imperial bank "
now, but that there is still some IN nv
ing was proved recently when vs.
stenwald butcher advertised lhat ~
would sell fat in five pound lots 10 W.
sons who paid in gold. and Id W.
pound lots to those who paid IN pap''
or silver. 81.
The advertisement caused a vefl'as,.
run on the butcher shop-so seaf'e :
fat-and at the end OF the first Gay :.
butcher was able TO turn IN aihi0ss :
thousand marks in gold. People -. -.
not only from Fuerstenwald pu' ~ ~
neighboring towns and villages W.
the gold they boarded up.