davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
INCREASE INCOME TAX RATE

The Association for an Equitable Income Tax is
urging congress to increase the tax rate on all in
comes 81 100000 to from one-ffh to one-third
OF the total income and the rates on all large incomes
proportionately.
According to the report of the commissioner of
internal revenue, for the year ending June 3Oth 1914
only sixty individuals in the United States were
recorded as having net taxable income of over one
million dollars each; for the year ending June go
1918, the number of net incomes of over a million
exactly doubled-12O.
Although the present in Europe may be re-
sponsble to large extent for this concentration Of
wealth in a few hands, nevertheless the preceding
facts are astounding evidence of the manipulation
OF the wealth Of this country by it's 'financiers -
and should awaken the people from their lethargy
and spur them OH to action to curb this menace
which threatens the future solidarity and growth of
, this democracy.
+ Financial imperialism has been responsible for
upon this country system Of compulsory military
training which is repusive and abhorrent to the
tenets of democracy and freedom upon which our
government was founded
y 'Onc-tenth of per cent of the population, in
GLIDING the dependents Of these taxpayers received
NEARLY one-twenteth of the total national income,
not Of those receiving this enormous income Sc
i curing it from his exertions'' says BENJAMIN
i g. Marsh in report to the committee on industrial
= relations.
Z, An income tax such proposed by the Assoca-
ton for an Equitable Income Tax would 90 a long
way toward adjusting this deplorable distribution
OF wealth and causing just and equitable
tdlstrbutlon OF eecoss of government and the as
soclatlon to be commended for taking the initiative
in this matter.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
TAKING THE FARMER.
By G. j. Buell..

A man takes up a piece of Minne-
sofa land and starts to develop a
farm.
He needs home for his wife and
children and he must earn his daily
living.
He begins to use this land and we
begin to tax him,
He gets team of horses and some
tools. Tax him.
He grubs out the stumps and puts
III a crop. Tax him.
He builds a cabin to shelter him.
self and family. Tax him.
He buys a cow to furnish milk for
the babies. Tax him.
Fle builds fence to protect his
crops, to keep his, cattle and horses
In and to keep other animals out. Tax
him again. @5
He needs, more room and builds a.
better House. Double his taxes and
more g@& *G%.
Ae gets new stove and table. In
crease his taxes. IL &.4.,-.
he cleans up his front yard, plants
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
FALLACIOUS ARGUMENT

1t is often argued against organized labor that the
despotsln and really oppressive features of trade
unions consist III the fact that their membership
never includes more than a small minority of the
whole wage class for which they pretend to speak.
Trade unions this theory, have no right to speak
Tor the laboring class unless their membership in
cludes at least majority of the class
On this principle there is not a political Dartv
nor church, nor an organization of any kind that
would have right to speak. If we say that trade
unions do not contain a mjorty of the members of
the class we might say that the churches do not rep
resent the Christian sentiment of the community.
Tor surely 1t IS true that the membership roll of the
churches docs not include ma iority of the common
iity.
1" We might say that the Republican and Democrat
nc parties 90 not represent the Republicans and
democrats in any community because the member
ship rolls OF the organizations do not contain ma
iJorty IN the voters of each political faith in that
community BY that test there could be no parties
n Inc argument is contrary to all human experi-
ence IN group action. Representation seldom includes
a majority of the WHOLE never the whole. The truth
ls that representation in voluntary organization in
cludes the active spirits who voice the sentiments
silently acqulesced in by the rest The idea that the
organization does not represent body because its
membership rolls do not include the majority Of
Sfhose interested has experience whatever to
upon. 1t is sophistcal qubble invented by soph
2st IN special pleading against the laborers and is
Appled to no other form Of social or political Or
Observation-Disclosures and Mason
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27

flowers and shrubs and gives his
house a new coat of paint. He is a
bad citizen; tax him again.
BY this time he has been pretty
we'll robbed of his earnings and has
to borrow money to go on with. Tax
him again by means of taxes on
other credits and then add q registra-
ton tax which some stupid people
used to think the money lender would
have to pay. They are wiser now
and know that the money lender
never pays any taxes except such as
he has first taken out of the bor-
rover; and then only a small part Of
what the borrower has paid him.
For every good and useful thing
that this man has tried to do to get
home, to develop his farm and earn
an honest living, we tax him, fine
him, penalze him as if he were a
criminal, and then wonder why he
can't get on in the world.
There are some men who are strong
enough to stand all this and still!
make q living, but many more could
do far better if they could be- free
from the crushing burden of unjust
taxation.
And how the land grabbers and
spectators enjoy this system. They
always get ahead of the homemaker.
in both country and city, get hold OF
as much land as ..~ssible and put up
the price every time the useful citi-
zen does anything to improve the
neigh borhood.
We probably can't wipe out these
unjust taxes all at once. but we can
urge the legislature to tax buildings
and improvements at lower rate
than land, and then keep on in the
same way until we have finally put
an end to the system Of filming people
for the good and useful things they
do.
Put the working farmer and the
land speculatcr on the same basis.
Tax them just alike. The Spectator
will the sooner get busy and improve
his lane .', 1.s. u ut. HI
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
What Other PAPERS Saw.

What Preventable Sickness Costs.
Kansas City Star: Health insur-
ance for wage workers, which is now
being considered in several states,
would give new impetus to the most
important work of medical science
the prevention of disease. A survey
of the city of Rochester, N. Y,
showed that two-fifths of the wage
workers who became sick had no
physician. The worker dreads above
all things the cost Of doctors bills,
because they take money sorely
needed for other things, and so he
muddles through sickness, even a
severe sickness, without calling a
doctor, if he can, and generally goes
back to his Work before he is we'll.
Harry +. Ward, who delivered a
series of lectures in Kansas City re-
Gently, says in his book. 1.-THE Social
Greed of the Churches that $780,
600 Of our citizens die annually Of
diseases which might have been pre-
vented; and that we have continual
ly 100000 people on the sick list
and at least one-half of tn. annual
loss of the potential earnings Of those
whose death could be prevented add
ed to the loss from preventable sick
ness, the result is that the failure to
care for our health costs this coun-
try, at the very lowest, $500, 900, 900
each year.
With compulsory health insurance
in operation everywhere the worker
who gets sick would be visited by a
physician whether he wanted one or
not. He would receive proper medi-
cal or surgical attendance, would be
well nursed, the expense all borne by
his sick benefits. He would take the
necessary time to get we'll and would
not return to work until he was we'll.
Medical service would then be what
it ought to be-public service, like
that of the city health department.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
Thoughts At Twilight

I sit in the twilight, the cleaning
The shadows of night falling fast
And my thoughts oftimes go roamins
Ger the future, the present, thu
past.
There's the sound of childish laugh
And the mothers soft lullabys;
Then the paths we follow after.
Filled with joy, or fraught with
Ihere the hoary frosts of winter
Leave their mark upon the brow,
AS the twilight gloom we enter:
And the years our shoulders bow
Whittier leads this life unseeming,
Wh:s beyond the portal lies?
Is 1T just 4 realm of dreai.-.ng
When we cross the "bridge of
sighs"?
is life but flash of the lightning,
Or rs but a freak in the wave?
Are we here but me nent, earth
Frightening
Fer we go to our rest in the grave ?
May be said to be but a scan.
It is but as a story-a fable,
This life and this death of man.
We awake in youths glad morning:
We toll through the noontide of
day,
But the twilight shadows are forming
And soon We must go on our way.
The sun that sees our emotions
The earth that now feels our tread
Will soon forget all our notions
And the curtain will fall round our
bed.
Then does there come an awaken
ing
10 a consciousness mystic, yet real,
Where joy is ours for the taking
And environments all are ideal?
What is the answer, I ask you,
And whittier are you journeyine
then?
That is the question, now answer It
true,
From the point of your facile pen.
We pray to those who have gone over
there
10 point us the way to the goal:
10 tell of that Isle of Somewhere. -
The mysterious realm. of the soul.
Not a traveller returns from that
dreamland
Not an answer floats back from the
tomb;
Though we look and listen-we can't
understand,
Yet strive still to pierce through
the gloom
lis long road, and it leads to the
shade
That deepens into the night
Full many goal has theory made
We wonder which is the right.
But why should we worry as we await
the gong
When this, at Last, all can do,
We can help along, with a smile and
song,
And live clean and straight and
GEORGE L. MERCA.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
EPIGRANIS.

In the field of endeavor people are
divided into two classes; those who
initiate or take orders, and those who
blaze the trail and do things. One is
the plo1der and the other the orig
1nator of new ideas and ways of doing
things.
It is :. to be obedient where
obedience is desirable; but it is bet
ter to be resourceful.
When Alexander could not unite
the GOrdian knot he cut it with his
sword
, A resourceful man is enc who,
when he cannot do thing one way,
does it another
He keeps trying.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
SET A $24 SCALE.

ROCHESTER,, N. Y, Jan. 25.-
Steam Engineers union No. "a has
adopted a wage scale of SEA a week
for an eight-hour day, six days a
week. Overtime will be time and one
half and double time for holidays and
Sunday work.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27

wilson received over 40 per cent of the pop
ular vote, Hughes about AZ per cent and the other
per cent was divided between Benson and Hanly.
Inc Socialist vote dropped off about Is per cent as
compared with 1912, while the Prohibitionists in
creased their voting strength in about the same
ratio. ~
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27
COMMON SENSE PROPOSITION

Real, genuine, practical and we-meanng CO.
operation among employees and employers is only
invited but encouraged by the labor movement Such
mutual relationship has proven that labor troubles
arising between capital and labor are easily adjusted
to the satisfaction Of all concerned.
When employers Of labor recognize that collective
BARGAINING has come to stay and when they manifest
desire to cooperate with the labor movement they
will realize to their advantage and benefit that labor
is ready and willing at all times to adjust it's differ
ences without resorting to extreme measures
1t has been shown that cooperation between en-
ployers and employees is plain, practical common
business sense proposition having the effect Of stim
ulatlng countless economies in production preven-
ton OF waste, removal of non producers, establish
ment OF harmony, restoration of ORDER increasing
profits, and the securing of peace, plenty proficiency
and prosperity.
Many employers have unfortunately, gone at
their work backwards, but like the rest of us they
are poor weak human beings and are subjects of
pity They have scoHed at ignored cooperation ::
they have encouraged deceit; they have capitalized
susp1clon they have been made the prev of the mis-
chief-maker their lives and their business have be-
come unhappy, confused proftless, because they
nave followed the dictates and TEACHINGS Of labor
hating organizations.
Fortunately however, light is dawning unon
them and even the most rabd of EMPLOYERS now
realize that it is to their interest to cooperate with
the labor movement and recognize the PRINCIPLES as
advocated and advanced by the American Fedora
ton Of Labor.
The labor movement is concrete living organ
lzatlon whose purpose is the elevation of mankind
It's aim and object is to build up It's demands are
HUMANITARIAN Its hopes and aspiration seek the
bringing about of a brotherhood of men and women
by securing to the workers, life liberty and hanni
ness, as guaranteed by the Constitution Of the
united States.-Danville Qll.) Labor Leader.
The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1917-01-27

IN almost every one, if not in every one, of the
greatest political controversies of the last fiftv
years, whether they affected the franchise, whether
they affected religion, whether they affected the
bad and abominable institution of slavery. or what
subject they touched these leisure classes these cdu
Gated classes, these titled classes have been in the
Wrong.-Gladstone
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-11
DECLARES DAY OF
U-BOAT IS PASSING

Marshalltown, Dec. s.-Declarins
that the day OF the German U-boat is
past. and that it will only be a few
months until the submarine will have
lost its efficiency. Ira Arney. chief
gunner's mate on destroyer OF the
United States feet. interested hear
ers here upon his arrival home for a
short furlough.
Arney, who is nephew of Senator
W. H. Arney of this city, has been
on duty in the submarine zone off the
English coast since April He says
that the United States destroyers are
doing great work. and that American
gunners are the best shots known.
More and more the dangerous sea
area is being patroled as more de-
stroyers and patrol ships are avail
able, and more ships are being
launched. He describes thousands of
ships OF all kinds that sail to and
from the English and Irish ports,
through the subarea each week as a
steady procession that never stops
day or night. In Arney's opinion in
another six or eight months it will be
rare occurrence for ship to be
sunk by a submarine.
Arney has been sent home with
others to form nucleus of crews
with which new destroyers will be
manned. He expects IN return to
English waters early next year.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-11
GROCER SELLS
EXCESS SUGAR
FOOD ADMINISTRATORS REPORTS
CASE; SUPPLY WILL BE SHUT
OFF FOR DEALER.

County Food Administrator w. T.
Harper has already begun his work
and, as result, a groceryman has
been reported selling sugar in excess
quantities. His case was immediate
ly taken up with the state food ad-
ministrator, J. F. Deems at Buriing-
ton and no more sugar will be sold
this dealer by any Of the wholesalers
or jobbers. !,
''The penalty for this offense," said
Mr.. Harper, lis the curtailing Of his
future supply The retail grocer who
does not cooperate with the food ad-
ministration will bring his own pun
ishment Slackers in the food con-
servatfon movement can not escape
for long and when discovered will be
dealt with summarily.
This dealer sold, in a number OF
cases. an excess quantity of sugar
and the amount was so fagrantly ex-
cessive that he could not plead lack
of knowledge. I have verified these
sales and he will pay the penalty of
having his supply shut OF and will be
unable to sell any sugar"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-11
URGES STUDENTS TO
STAY IN COLLEGE

Ames, Dec. S.-That it is advisable
for students Of draft age now attending
technical colleges to continue their
work in school until they are called to
the colors by draft regulations is the
opinion OF acting President Z. w.
Stanton Of Iowa State college. who has
received q message to that effect from
Hollis Godfrey. chairman Of the advis-
DRY committee OF the council of nation
al defense. who took the matter up with
the war department.
During the last few days, since the
notice came out that no enlistments
would be made OF men subject to the
draft after Dec. IL. a steady stream of
inquiries have been pouring into the
offices OF college officials asking for in
formation and advice relative to stud
ents going into some branch OF the
service. Many students have already
left school and enlisted in either the
navy or army, while others are making
investigations as to the various
branches now open.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-11
DESERTER CAUGHT
THROUGH LETTERS

Nevada, Dec. S.-Letters written to
his sweetheart in Nebraska caused
the arrest Of man giving the name
Of Rolstrom on charge of deserving
from the army.
He was drawn in the recent draft
and failed to report.
He came to Nevada and has been
working on farm near here.
He was located by the letter
written his sweetheart and Sheriff
Gretten of this place was wired to
put him under arrest
He will probably either be placed
at once in the army or sent to fed
eral prison upon conviction Tor de-
sertion.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-11
MAN STEALS $3.50
FROM CLUB LEADER

Nevada, Dec. s.--George Roston, .
hotel clerk at St Paul, MINI, was ar
rested by a Northwestern special agent
for the theft Of $3.50 and several rail-
way tickets from e. c. Bishop OF Iowa
State college. He was given = hearing
here and after paying fine OF $50 was
released. He returned to ST. Paul
f. c. Bishop. state club leader at
Ames. boarded Northwestern passenger
No. IL to accompany Iowa county club
winners to Chicago to attend the in
ternatfonai stock show. Three men got
onto the platform Of their special cars
and in the jam IT is supposed that the
money and tickets were taken. Bishop
did not miss them until he notified the
Ames police.
Roston was arrested in MarshalItown
shortly after stepping from a North
western train from Ames. His employer
in st. Paul was notified and money was
sent from them to pay the fine and
costs as well as the amount Of money
lost by Bishop.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-11


Notice is hereby given that proper
action has been taken by the directors
and stockholders of the Illinois & Iowa
Fuel Company. a corporation organized
and existing under and by virtue OF the
laws of the State of Iowa, all it's assets
and property having been disposed Of,
and the proceeds thereof distributed to
and among it's stockholders, and all its
debts and obligations having been paid.
and its affairs wound up. to dissolve
said corporation
Now, in accordance with said action
and proceedings. notice is hereby given
that upon the completion ri the publ
cation OF this notice OF dissolution. for
four successive weeks in the Ottumwa
Semi Weekly Courier a newspaper OF
general circulation, published in the
City of Ottumwa. Iowa, the dissolution
OK said corporation will become final
and effectual
Dated November cath. 1917.
l.. V. F. Randolph. president OF the
Illinois & Iowa Fuel Company.
''tns'. ~, J. Cahill, Secretary Of
said company.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-11
PERFECT DAY ENDS
FOR SCHOOL PUPILS

Shenandoah, Dec. S.-"The end OF a
perfect day"
Many youngster in the Shenandoah
public schools acknowledged it with a
sigh Of profound gratitude. Yesterday
was Courtesy day" in the Shenandoah
schools. The children have been taking
instruction in politeness and yesterday
they were supposed to put the knowl-
edge into actual practice. Every boy
and girl was expected to be perfectly
polite from the time of rising until bed
time. A lot Of them insisted on going
to bed early last night as a relief from
the strain.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-11
PRESIDENT
LOOKS FOR
ROAD BOSS
Officials Expect Early 1ssu-
ance of Order For Fed
eral Control of Railways +;
Wilson Opposes Billion
Dollar Loan.
CABINET MEMBERS
SHARE HIS VIEWS

Washington, d. c.. Dec. s.-Presi
dent Wilson devoted most his at
ltention today to the railroad problem
with the intention of making quick
decision on whether the government
shall operate the railroadssfor the war
emergency or whether 1t shall extend
. aid in the way the railways ask.
| 1t Is said that one Of the chief
difficulties in the way Of choosing
government operation is that of hnd-
ing railway administrator. One Of
, the principal questions the president
is considering, it was said today, is
whether 1t would be better to choose
railroad man or highly developed
administrator from some other line of
business.
DRASTIC MOVE FORECAST.
Under section of a current law
the president has authority to take
over the roads for emergency opera
tion, and many officials believe that
the president will consider that course
the swiftest and most effective way.
At the conclusion of yesterdays
cabinet meeting and the conference
which followed 1t there had been no
change in the reported attitude Of the
president that the government can
not be expected to loan huge sums Of
money to the railroads without TAX
ing them under control. This view Is
said to have met with hearty re-
Spouse from all the members Of his
official family.
OPPOSES BIG LOAN.
The report of the interstate COM
MERGE commission declared that the
railroads, II they continued under
private control, must have financial
aid from the government to maintain
them at their highest efficiency, or,
in stronger language, to prevent a
physical breakdown. The president,
1T is declared. is not in favor OF grant
ing the loans to the railroads while
they remain under private control.
The alternative Is government con-
troll with government financing. There
, is no other course, and IL the attitude
OF the president and his cabinet is
correctly stated, the railroads Of the
United States will soon pass under
government control.
RATE INCREASE OPPOSED.
Western state railroad commits
sions, at the interstate commerce
hearing on the express companies ap
plication for ten per cent increases
began today to show depreciation
figures presented by the companies
are entirely too high.
Even II a rate increase were found
justified. they maintained. it should
not apply fatty to the entire country
but principally to the east.
U. G. Powell, rate expert Of the No
braska railroad commission, cross
examined express company account
ants to show that depreciation figures
presented at the opening Of the hear
ing yesterday were based on an esti-
mate that equipment would wear out
more quickly than 1t actually does.