davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-07

week ElIILs ApIh -
Ladies'.
Mrs. Title B~ousewell.
Miss Anna N. Collins.
Mrs. 4. J. kriel.
Mrs. Margaret Melonas.
Mrs. A. D. Moore.
Miss Marie Mchurray.
Miss Lucy O'Brien.
Mrs. Florence Treadway.
Miss Ora Yates.
Gentlemen.
Mr.. Leonard Allen.
James Desmond.
Douglas Starch Co.
Mr. 4. E. Gibson
c. V. Fagman, Esi
A. G. Hostetter.
VIM. Mardis.
Otis Miller ~.
Mr.. V. 4. Poke.
J. G. Reed.
T. S. Robinson (2).
Nj. Kaleb Swanson
H. E. whitaker.
Persons calling for letters IN above
list will please say they are adver-
tised. z. p. M'MANUS,
Postmaster.
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-07

With an expenditure of only 376
Tor kilograms to outside OF
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-07
ADVERTISED

List OF letters remaining in the
Keokuk postofice. ~uncaIled for, for
week ending April 7, 1917:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
loWA,s CROP VALUES.

The Greater Iowa association, with
its Know Iowa" campaign, is spread
ing within the state. and outside too. 9.
wholesome respect for Iowa and the
things that are Iowa's It's most recent
bit Of literature Is comparative table
showing the acreage and value of
crops in several agricultural states and
the value OF the crops per acre in 1916.
The table. published on this page,
conveys the interesting information
that Iowa's crops were worth $14.50 an
acre last year, as compared with ILL
nots' 1892 and with varying smaller
amounts for less richly productive
states.
Iowa never has crop failure. She
has years when production is better
than in other years, but all her years
are good. Last year could not be call.
ed an exceptional one. but the showing
It permitted Iowa's agricultural inter
ests to make Is entirely creaitable.
In the light of this comparison 1t is
not strange that Iowa farmers, accus'
toned to Iowa crop yields. reap disap-
pointment with their crops when they
"fall' for the Establishments of slip.
perry tongued real estate agents, and
selling their Iowa farms, move to
some outlander country with dreams OF
making fortunes from the new soil.
Usually they are glad to come back to
Iowa and usually it looks much better
to them as they return than when they
leave
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
LEST WE FORGET.

BY way of keeping history straight.
it is well to remember that the opposi-
ton In the senate to the administra-
ton bill finds its leaders on the der-
ocratic side of the chamber. TIE
same condition has been noticeable
with regard to other administration
measures.
The republicans are disposed to give
President Wilson the plenary powers
he must have if he Is to lead the ma
ton successfully in the war. They are
no less alive now than ever before to
the opportunities which present them.
selves frequently for confounding the
majority, but they are refrainins from
making a political forum of the senate
at this time when the nation needs CO.
operation and patriotic disregard OF
personal and partisan considerations.
When peace comes again. without
doubt. political debate will come again.
But while the war is on the patriotic
senator. whether he be democrat or re-
publican, is loyal American first and
partisan only when alignment by
parties is essential to the welfare OF
the country
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
TIME TO CALL A HALT.

Like an epidemic the /. w w.
breaks out in new place just when its
foes In another quarter are congratu-
lating themselves on having blocked it.
Sabotage. draft resistance, strikes. an
ti-American demonstrations and gen
eral cussedness" are its weapons.
Considering its activity and ubid-
uitousness. the average citizen is
constrained to wonder where the |. w.
w. obtains its capital. The charge is
made quite openly that the agitators
who preach its disloyal doctrine are
paid by German agents and there is lit
tie reason to doubt the truth of the
assertion
II is well established that consid'
cradle fund is available by the leaders
of the organization and it is equally
well known that until recently they
were not we'll supplied.
As an organization of toilers the l.
w. w. is farce. The appearance OF
an /. W. w. agitator in any community
of workmen is signal for one of two
thngs-either cessation of work or
a forced exit by the so-called organiz
err. Sometimes the workers drive him
out; sometimes the employers do il
In either case. if violence IS avoided
the action is laudable. For he is never
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
rAE APpEAl

Undoubtedly Senator Whitmore is
eminently correct in his view of the
propriety Of enacting state law II
raise fund by general taxation sufi-
cient to buy Iowas quota of Liberty
Bonds in the future. His argument
against a forced loan is strong and
logical, and The Courier has no inclir-
alton nor desire to differ with him
Inadvertently. however. he used a
phrase in his interview as published in
Saturdays Courier, which serves t.
call attention to the difference between
the purchase Of Liberty Bonds and the
contribution or investment of money
for any other purpose.
Touching on the legislatures right
to vote tax for this purpose the SEN
ator said:
Have the right as a senator to
say how much you shall give and
how il shall be spent: that you be.
ing man of means be forced TO
contribute to cause that appeals
to me. in greater amount than
man less fortunate in the worlds
goods, when you are willing to pay
your full share of taxes?
Obviously the question must be an.
swered in the negative, but The phrase,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
THE WAR SPIRIT,

A few days ago The Courier publish.
ed an editorial under this caption. ana
the need for frequent references to the
subject is made apparent by events
which are transpiring every day. in
Iowa, in Oklahoma. in Montana and
Arizona and North Caroliua-every-
where in the country in fact These
events indicate that even now, exactly
four months after the declaration Of
war by the United States government.
there are many citizens who. either
in passive or in an aggressively ac-
tive manner. refuse to recognize the
duty every man and women IN America
owes to the government in the present
crisis.
They refuse, indeed. TO recognize the
crisis itself. They deplore the mill
tary preparations which ara going for
ward, as II they were not necessary to
the defense of the nation They con-
tinue blindly to assert that This is not
Americas war, in the face of the multi
plying proofs of Germany's genera
lions of careful planning FOR world
domination. They prattle about Amer
ica's haste in rushing into war without
waiting for an attack on American
shores. as II it were not the wiser
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
SEEING COAL MINES.

There is so much talk of comman-
deering just now that the proposal
made in Chicago yesterday for the
seizure of coal mines by state govern
ments as means of reducing the price
of the product to the consumer, does
not attract the attention it would claim
in normal times
But the fact that the subject has
at the forthcoming conference of coal
state governors, should not be accept
ed as assurance that the individual
coal users problem is solyed It Is
not well to delay buying The winters
coal supply on the strength Of the &C
ton taken at yesterdays meeting OF
the Illinois defense council
In the first place, there are many ar
guments against indiscriminate use Of
the power, which may be vested in
governments to commander indus
tries. 1t is not difficult to pic
ture the chaos that would result if
the national and state executives were
to exercise this power of seizure in
all the directions that have been point
ed out by enthusiastic theorists.
IN dQQ1LlOu, there Is Tie ullIlCullS VI
expense and management which has
been a stumbling block for public
ownership schemes SO often under con-
ditfons far less complicated than those
which would confront state executives
should they reach sudden decision to
commander coal mines in the central
field
There are two sides to the coal ques-
ton. The Courier is not ready to join
in the somewhat hysterical condemna-
ton of coal operators which is attain
ing a certain popularity. Neither is it
ready to vote a verdict clearing them
Of any charge of profiteering Either
course would be unwise on the basis
Of the incomplete information pos
sessed by the average coal buyer. a
classification which includes governors
and defense council members.
The safest and wisest course for the
ordinary citizen and ultimate consum-
er seems to be to buy coal at the pres
ent prices in advance Of cold weather
and without waiting for the reductions
which, however desirable. are far from
being assured by the proposal for state
seizure and operation OF mines.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10

an organizer of anything but disorder.
In truth he is a disorganizer, dis
turber and an undesirable citizen.
The activities of the l. w. w. be
fore the United States entered the war
were Of minor importance because
they were financed but poorly Now,
with the war in progress and with
every reason for keeping Americas
industries going at high speed, the agl-
tator jngles gold and wages his cam
paign of destruction with new holiness
and enthusiasm.
1t is time for the government to
stamp out the l. w. w. by using the
most drastic methods. Fundamentally
anarchistic, the movement at this time
is disloyal in the extreme and its eX-
istence is a menace to the country.
At intervals during the past several
weeks there have been announcements
from Washington that the government
would take steps Immediately to curD
the !. W. w. disturbers, using the most
drastic methods. And still they con-
tinue openly to defy laws OF nation and
of states Their national headquarters
are maintained openly in Chicago;
their leader is known; tho principal
agitators can be found easily; but the
government seems to ignore these
facts and to follow policy of watch
full waiting which invites further dep
relations.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
ROOTS OPTIMISM.

The message which Nihu Root
brings from Russia Is as encouraging
rs it is optimistic. He should know
the truth about conditions there better
than any man who is in America now,
not excepting the members Of the Rus
sian mission, for his viewpoint is that
of an outsider who has been admitted
into the innermost councils of the new
government.
Incidentally, Mr.. Roots likening OF
conditions in Russia to conditions in
America, while 1t may not be entirely
complimentary to his home folks. is en-
tightening and, In way warning
which should not be ignored
The evil that nations do, like the
evil that men do" not only "lives after
them" but the news of its existence
obtains wider circulation than do the
tidings OF good deeds. Thus, accord
ing to Mr. Root, we Of America have
heard more Of Russia's anarchy and
DISCRIMINATION than Of the achieve.
ments Of the men who are building
a new Russia on a foundation which
the returned envoy declares IS firm
one
just so. no doubt. news OF resistance
TO the draft law, and of race rioins
and disloyalty in many forms, leaps
the seas from America to European
nations far In advance and with far
more certainty Of receiving attention
than the fact that these disorders are
the work of discredited few.
To be sure, the sinister significance
Of Russia's army disorganization can
not be minimized nor denied, but il
must be remembered that months
must elapse even now before the limit
set by military experts for rehabilita-
ton of Russia as fighting force is
reached. When Prince Lvoif assumed
the premiership these observers said
Russia could not be expected to heht
effectively until some time in 1918.
When Kerensky whipped the armies
into condition for an effective offensive
within a few weeks the world was
amazed Although Russia is in the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
WHAT OF RUSSIA?

Again the question which has been
persisting since early in the great war
rears it's head again. and again the
answer Is far from easy. All that the
western world can know OF RUSSIA Is
that the misgivings which were so
widely expressed when Prince LYON
began his work of reconstruction seem
to have been more than justified. In
few months he has found the task too
great and Kerensky, who seemed
greater than his predecessor. has sur
rendered after shorter struggle, ohiy
to have his resignation twice refused
and find himself forced again TO take
M the task of government.
Russia. in the ranks of :he fighting
nations comprising the entente. looms
like a regiment of riderless horses
nlunsing insanely here and there
among the orderly friendly forces.
creating dismay. Decentralization ana
ruin for the benefit of the enemy.
The only nation among the Europ'
ean allies opposed to Germany which
has not approached exhaustion OF Its
man mower, Russia is the only one OH
whom no dependence for organized ac-
ton may De pldCeu. hiSSt,
ruinous. one of the worlds r1cnest
lands invites the plunderer and the
mercenary-
Never since the world began has
there been such startling exposition
of the danger that lies in the doctrine
of destruction for which unchecked
socialism stands Never has there
been such demonstration OF the
weakness of that theory OF self rule
which fails to consider restricting laws
and the individuals responsibility to
the community.
Prince Lvoff was hailed as liberia
tor, he failed dismally because he fear
ed to assert the majesty II govern
mental power. Kerensky took his
place and for time his rule of blood
and IRON promised to rescue Russia.
But his task is gigantic one.
Although schooled in the councils OF
socialism, he saw at once the futility
of any government short Of dictator
ship. He sought to apply the iron from
which Prince Lvoff had shrunk and en-
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10

throes Of a disgraceful reverse now,
there is ample reason to believe that
order can be restored on permanent
basis before next spring it Mr.. Ront
has appraised conditions accurately.
Although many Americans have
been unable to feel great measure o.!
confidence in Russias ability to
emerge from it's series of revolutions
as political entity, there will be an
eager readiness to accept Mr.. Roots
optimistic view, and if he is right those
of us who have been pessimists with
regard to the new democracy will be
wrong
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10

countered rebellion in its most malig.
nant FORM Treason, anarchy and the
insidious German propaganda faced
him at every turn Mismanagement,
insincerity, selfish greed and ignorance
gated government.
Russia has been retrograding since
the day the Romanoffs were dethroned.
Terrible as was the nations plight un-
der Nicholas, it has been far worse
with him deposed, for he and his gov
eminent did maintain sort of order,
Though his authority and power were
based on injustice and oppression,
they weathered many storms because
the government of the empire was con.
Quoted by men who knew the impor-
lance Of constructive methods.
Little likelihood remains that with
world politics in the present chaotic
conditions, any single man or set Of
men can be found great enough and
strong enough to rehabilftate Rus
sian government which will command
the respect and fealty of all that has
been known as Russia in the past. 1t
seems inevitable that this vast organic
alton of unrelated tribes and states, re-
ligions, nationalities and inclinations,
will separate into several smaller gov.
ernments at the end And what will
become of them then depends in large
measure on the outcome of the present
war.
The condition Of Russia makes it
more than ever important TO crush the
one government in the world which re-
mains committed to the proposition
that might makes right. While the
kaiser is allowed to maintain his rule
of ruthless, lawless autocracy the rich
and almost untouched resources OF
Russia are at his mercy. Were he to
win in the world conflict he could well
afford to surrender many Of the claims
ne has considered of first Importance
for the certainty of conquest in the
vast mine of possibilities lying just tc
the east of his restricted empire.
1--WE must make the world safe for
democracy" means vastly more today
than it did when President Wilson Ut
tered the phrase.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
SURVIVOR OF AUTO
CRASH SHOOTS SELF

Meadville, Pa. Aug. S.-When Miss
Florence Hughes of New Brighton, Pa.
was killed and two other members OF
an automobile party were severely i'm
jured in an accident caused nv the ma.
chine striking tree while running at
high rate of speed at Conneaught
lake, near here at midnight, Waiter
Welch of Slippery Rock, the fourth
member of the party is said to have
drawn revolver and shot himself He
is in serious condition with a bullxe
wound in the neck.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
BOWER AND DUTY.

Recent events at washington nave
demonstrated the great power when
President Wilson possesses. Regard
less OF the theoretical restrictions with
which laws and constitution surround
his authority, it Is being made more
and more evident that in the last anal
ysis Americas president truly is the
head of the government, and that when
he chooses to exert his real power he
is mighty indeed.
The adoption of the food control
bills and the confounding of the ele-
ment in congress which proposed to
substitute board for single control
Ter and to raise congressional board
to supervise war expenditures, were
the work of the president. Only by ap-
plying the power that is his could he
obtain the legislation in the form he
saw as best: and he could and did OBJ
tain Just that when he saw fit to use
his power.
The possession of such plenary auth
ority carries with it a great duty. Oh
this President Wilson is entirely con
scious, and he is discharging his re
sponsibilities in a manly courageous
statesmanlike manner But ne is hand
icapped seriously by the pickering and
selfishness of many of those men who
are associated with him in positions
which should hold personages instead
of self-seeking politicians
The distinguishing mark Of selfish
officialdom which Is most earily identi'
fed perhaps is extravaganza. The
creation of salaried Jobs and the ap'
pointment to them of men whose prin
cipal qualifications are Of a political
sort constitutes the most common and
most dangerous sort of governmental
extravaganza because ii bcgets and
invites inefficiency.
The administration at Washington
can accomplish much good just now
by preaching thrift and economy to the
people. but 1t can perform greater
good and make its preachments near
much more if it will practice the doc
trine itself.
The administration should. as 1t Is
doing, insist on state. county and mum
cipal governments getting full return
for every dollar of the peoples money
expended; the national government
should set the example by exercising
proper economy in Its own affairs.
For employment in the thousands OF
government positions which the pres
ent contingency has created. the sad
ministration can command the ablest
men and women the country possesses
Salaries need not be the major consid
GRAFTON as they are in normal times
for persons Of wealth are patriotic
enough to serve in positions for which
they are fitted, at small salaries OF
without remuneration.
But the national government should
not employ one person more than is
necessary Private industry and the
nations fighting forces need all the
strength that can be given them now
and the necessity for an example ir
economy supplies an additional reason
This is not criticism of the present
administration as compared with any
other It is plea merely that the ad
ministration employ the great powers
it possesses to put economy and eff
cheney where they belong in the
scheme Of government at Washington
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
KANSAS HOGS WILL
MUNICH IOWA'S CORN

Topeka. Kas., Aug. S.-Kansas hos
raisers are urged to conserve their
supply of spring pigs in statement
issued today by ]. c. Mohler. score
tary OF the state board Of agriculture.
The statement points out that the
placing of spring pigs on the market
will result in great waste and sacri-
fee; that the prospects Of big corn
crops in Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska
are excellent and the farmers there
probably will want all the young pigs
they can buy.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
HOPE REEVES FOR
IRISH HOME RULE

Dublin. Aug. S.-The Irish home r';le
convention reassembled to-day, Since
it was adjourned July 20 more san.
suine feeling has developed that the
conference will have good results.
Importance is attached here to the
interview which Sir Horace Plunkett,
the chairman of the convention had
with King George. it being taken TO
Indicate the royal interest in the pro-
ceedings.
All the Dublin newspapers to-day
give prominence TO a letter from Sin
clair Lisburn. a leading Ulster union
list. strongly favoring a home rule set
Alent including all of Ireland.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
LABOR CONFERENCE
DATE Is POSTPONED

London. Aug. S.-The entente allied
labor conference which was scheduled
to open in London today tosconslder
the question Of sending representation
to the Stockholm conference has been
postponed until the end OF August at
the request of the French socialists.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
WISCONSIN MURDER
SUSPECT IN MONTANA

La Crosse, Wis. Aug. S.-Theodore
Edwin Hauge, alleged murderer OF
Mrs. Cora Miller, well known West
Salem woman is believed to be in Mon
tana. District Attorney Otto NJ.
Schlabach left last night for city IN
that state where he hopes to apple
bend Hauge.
Hauge is so years of age and is regis
tered for army service in La Crosse
county.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-10
BOASTS BY SLACKERS
RESULT IN ARRESTS

Lincoln. H., Aug. Six negro sec
ton hands who are alleged to have
boasted that they did not register for
the draft were arrested here today and
will be held pending arrival OF federal
officers from Springfield.