davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
MANY CAMPERS AT
THE CHAUTAUQUA:

Fairfield, Aug. 10-The fourteenth
annual session of the Fairfield Chau-
tauqua will open at the beautiful Chau-
tauqua park here next Wednesday az
ternoon at 2:30 o'clock when the Kill
ties band will be the attraction.
There is every indication that this
assembly will be unusually well attend
ed this year by the churches and the
schools. because of the fact that tho
Jefferson County Rural School De-
clamatory contest is a part of this
splendid entertainment and occurs on
Saturday afternoon.
Those who expect to camp on the
grounds this year will be given full
two weeks of the out door life as the
tents will be ready for occupancy on
next Monday.
In the evenings preceding the enter
tainments there will be band concerts
by the big Fairfield Iowa band and the
Unkrich Boys band. Many people are
looking forward with great deal Of
pleasant anticipation to the coming Of
the great Mischa Elman. the Russian
violinist as a .Chauta,qua enter.
tainment which will be held on Tues
day evening, August IA.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
THE l. w. w., PEST,

1--WE roughnecks are on top--they
can't stop us. The old union labor
crowd headed by Gompers and his silk
hat bunch won't get anywhere"
This declaration is credited to Will
liam D. Haywood, head of the l. w.
W., which is doing it's bit for Germany
in many sections of the United States.
It's methods are the methods Of out
lawry. riot, disorganization, sabotage
and arson. These weapons are chosen
in preference to the tools Of honest
toll.
It is we'll for the decent organized
labor of the country that distinction
is made voluntarily by Haywood as
between his disloyal organization and
the patriotic Americans who are united
in trades unions but who are Amer
leans first of all.
A few radicals and hot heads are to
he found in the ranks Of organized la
Dor and Just now this minority is court
ing discredit for the whole movement
by urging strikes on flimsy grounds.
Their efforts. however, are confined
to few localities and are discouraged
by the loyal and overwhelming major
ity.
For the sake OF organized labor, and
in the interest of the advancements 1t
has achieved. it should leave nothing
undone to inform the public that 1t
has no connection nor sympathy with
the lawless and unpatriotic activities
of Haywood's /. w. w.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
A ONE SIDED AGREEMENT.

Whatever may come of the socialist
conference at Stockholm, 1t can add
only to the turmoil of the war situa-
ton and cannot advance the cause OF
peace. Therefore it seems unwise and
indicates a dangerous desire to play
with fire for the British labor party to
agree to participate with representa-.
lives Of other nations, including the
central powers, in discussion OF pro-
posed peace terms.
1t has been demonstrated beyond the
possibility of doubt that anything the
German socialists may say with re-
gard to peace terms cannot be con-
strued to be the views of their gov
eminent. Thus any resolution to which
they might subscribe would have no
more influence with the kaiser than
has any other scrap of paper.
On the other hand, the representa-
tives Of labor in democratic govern
ment, having representatives in the
councils of that government, maintain
a sort of official relation to 1t which
advantage of their countries and cor
responding advantage of their enemies.
Entrance into the Stockholm confer
ence is comparable to the position the
allies refused to be drawn into when
Germany evinced willingness to dis
cuss their peace terms but refused to
make a statement Of its own propo-
sails.
The action of Samuel Gompers and
other labor leaders in America in re-
naming aloof from the Stockholm
conference and similar affairs Is to be
commended for its loyalty and common
sense.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
els in 1916, an increase Of 5o,175,ooo


bushels.
But the increase in price is far great
er than the increase of about one
seventh in the yield. The. average
price of corn August 1 this year was
$2.02 bushel; year ago it was 70
cents. On this basis, Iowa's AT ,O00,-
900 bushels Of corn this year are worth
$S42 ,340000, matter Of $574,550, $50
in excess Of the s2s7, 7ss, 25o which
represents the August l value of the
1916 crop.
Prices of other farm products have
increased proportionately. Wheat.
which averaged $1.O1 in 1916, averaged
$3.50 this month. Oats have advanced
from rs cents to 6S cents and potatoes
from 80 cents to $1.84 bushel. Hay
was $3.50 ton last year and is 1920
this year. Eggs have jumped from 20
cents to 2S cents dozen.
These are the average Iowa prices.
The differences they show are some
what greater than those for the United
States as whole, which indicates
that the Iowa farmer is reaping even
more than his share of the prosperity
resulting from increased prices.
To be sure, he must pay higher
prices for his supplies, machinery,
clothing, horses and automobiles, but
the encouraging feature of the situa-
ton, from his standpoint, is that his
income Is growing at least in proper
ton to his expense. His urban cousin,
meanwhile, is less fortunate on the
whole.
All Of which adds to the average citi-
zen's inability to understand the work
ings of the congressional mind which
dictated enactment of the provision in
the food bill which guarantees the pro
Queer minimum price Of 81 for wheat
but neglected to consider definite fix
ing, of maximum prices. To be sure,
the food bill itself is framed to prevent
profiteering, and it is to be hoped 1t
may redeem the eXtravagant promises
that have been made by it's opponents.
The wonder is that single product
was selected from among SO many for
the boon of certain profit.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
GOULD AND THE WAR.

Kingdom Gould looms up as the first
young man Of military age and ex-
IRENE wealth to lay himself liable TO
the charge of being a Stacker. Perhaps
1t is because so many OF Americas
youthful millionaires and prospective
millionaires have exchanged areers OIL
idleness or affluence for the life OF the
soldier that young Goulds claim of en-
emption is bound to attract so much
attention.
Perhaps it is because Of the obvious
ly ridiculous basis of his clalm-tEat
he is entitled to freedom from military
service because his wife is dependent
on him for support.
In every city there are young mar.
-ied men, most Of whom had assumed
double harness long before Gould be
came a benedict on July 2, and VINO
are making no claim for exemption
even though their wives must become
bread winners while they go to war.
MANY such, no doubt, will be rejected
by exemption boards over their own
objections on the ground that their
services are needed more at nome
than in the field. They are not sWayed
by love for mock heroics; they owe
their country no greater debt OF
patriotism than does Gould. but they
are conscientious and loyal.
Can this be said Of Gould?
Happily, he is the only gilded youth
thus far who has attempted to shun hia
military duty. Against his record are
those Of young Field. Vanderbilt. AS
tor, Taft, the Roosevelts and he scions
Of scores OF other families Of promin'
ence or wealth or both.
Young Gould is in the minority. aud
the chances are excellent that, If the
registration board to which he has
made his application for exemption
does it's duty, he will be In the army
soon.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
THE PICNIC.

It was fine spring day-so pleasant
that the children from the little REQ
scf1oolhouse over the hill came to the
woods where Frisky Squirrel lived
They came for the first picnic Of the
season, and such noise as they made
had never been heard in those woods
before.
Frisky Squirrel was frightened at
first. But at last he grew accustomed
to the uproar, and he crept out on the
limb where he lived-not too far away
from the door-and looked down and
watched the fun.
He was enjoying the picnic quite as
much as the merrymakers themselves
until boy spied him. And then sew
era1 boys began to throw acorns at
him. Frisky did not like that so we'll;
and he hid in crotch of the tree
where he could not be seen from be-
low, until the boys forgot all about
him.
When the picnickers went away.
Frisky lost no time. He slipped down
the tree in hurry You see, he had
seen the children eating their lunch
and he hoped he would be able to find
SOllc lluUlL W LlCu hoo iCll OShihS
them.
Sure enough! There was a feast
waiting for him. He was not the only
one who was there to enjoy it. For
there were three ruffianly. red SPUR
rels and ballf-dozen chipmunks who
appeared on the spot as If by magic.
This second picnic soon came to an
end, for the dainties did not last long.
But what Frisky found, he enjoyed
very much. Most of all he liked bit
of something that was covered with a
white coating. which LOOKED a good
deal like snow. But 1t did not taste
like snow at all; it was as sweet as
sweet could be!
Rusty Red-squirrel found piece of
the same dainty, and he explained to
F>risky that 1t was called cake"
Il ate some once at Farmer Green
house" he said Farmer Green's wife
makes it." And Frisky decided on the
spot that he would pay a visit to the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
U. S. STEAMER is
BUSY NEAR DUBUQUE

Dubuque, Aug. 10.-The United
States steamer Elinor, with consi0
cradle part of the government. fleet
which makes Dubuque its headquap
tiers left the harbor and sailed south
to point between Bellevue and Ss-
wanna. where it will be engaged in
building shore protection work for
some time.
The government dredse Etna has
completed the opening of a bad cross
ing in the river near Bellevue and has
gone to Dark slough. below Savanna.
where it will cut new channel
through reef.
Owing to the late passage of the
rivers and harbors bill by congress
much of this river work has been held
up until this time. as there were no
funds from which to pay the men.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
ONE rHINo WELL

Last year, after he had established
deathless reputation as the greatest
of all ball players and had lead his
league as batsman for several
seasons, Ty Cobb was beaten out for
first honors by Tristram Speaker.
Baseball fans all over the country
watched the contest with an interest
which even the world war could not
quench.
This year Cobb is ahead again, bat
ting better than ever, while Speaker is
in third place.
Both are enthusiastic golfers, but
when the present season opened Cobb
gave up the Scotch game, determined
to devote his major attention to base
ball. Speaker continues to play golf.
Cobb does not blame golf for his fail
ure last year, nor does he say his
present enviable record as batter Is
made because he has given up the
brassie and putter for this summer.
But the facts are plain and the con.
clusion Ia not difhcult.
And this Is not criticism OF golf.
1t has numerous advantages for the
average man, and the benefits 1t brings
to the sedentary desk deliver are count
ed in extra years of healthful life.
These facts are set down as instanclng
the fact that the man or woman who
would excel in any particular avenue
of activity must devote undivided at
tention to that, to the exclusion OF 9TH
er interests.
This is an age of speed and special
lists and it is truer today than ever be-
fore that the man who does one thing
and does it well, whatever 1t may be,
has vast advantage over those who
scatter their talents over many fields
of activity, obtaining a smattering OF
general knowledge and general ability
without rising above mediocrity in any
particular.
These are arguments, to be sure, for
both courses. A little knowledge of a
great many things carries with it
sort of personal satisfaction for the
possessor, but it adds nothing to the
sum of the worlds wisdom. On the
other hand, specialists researches
with reference to single subject not
only bring him prominence and assure
him Of respectful attention but enable
him to leave as his contribution to
subsequent generations the fruits OF
his study and devotion in chosen
field OF activity.
The man who does one thing well,
even IL he does only that one thing
bequeaths new knowledge to those
who follow him, while the smatterer
leaves the world no better for his hav'
ing lived therein.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
Children 8 Evening Story
1915, A.. Bailey.
light, 1915, by A. s. Bailey.

farmhouse. 1t was too late to go that
day. But the next morning Frisky set
out for Farmer Green's house
In the distance he could see white
smoke curling from the red chimney.
And though he did not know 1t, that
meant that it was baHng-day, and
Farmer Green's wife was just as busy
as she could be, making good things
for her hungry family.
When Frisky Squirrel reached the
farmhouse he found the kitchen wind
ow wide open. And after making sure
that there was no one inside the room.
he stole in and jumped up on shelf
where there was row of dishes with
all sorts of tempting things on them.
To Frisky's joy he found whole
cake exactly like the bit he had dis
covered in the woods. And he ate all
he wanted: there seemed to be no req
son why he shouldn't, there was 50
much of it.
And then a door slammed some
where. The noise startled Frisky
Squirrel and he fell right off the shelf,
backwards. and landed plump in the
flour.barre1.
He was nearly smothered. And he
was frightened. too. But he managed
to scramble out again. And you should
have seen the white streak that went
shooting across the kitchen floor, out
the door, and away. 1t was Ffisky
Squirrel, Of course, covered with flour.
He never stopped running uRii he was
halfway home. And then he climbed
a tree and sat down to lick himself
clean again. To his establishment, he
found that the white powder that COW
cred him tasted very good. 1t remind
ed him of wheat And that is not sur
prising, since the flour was made Of
wheat which Farmer Green had grown
in his own fields. and which had been
ground into flour by the miller who
lived further up Swift River.
Though the flour tasted good, FRS
ky did not like it as we'll as the cake.
He wished he had been covered with
that sweet, snowlike fsesti7S
(To be continued.)
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
MISGUIDED LOYALTY.

Among the foolish instances Of war
time fervor none takes rank ahead Of
the action of local school boards in
American cities IN eliminating instruc-
ton in the German language from the
curricula of public schools.
There is good reason for the editing
of text books such as the one used in
the eighth grade Of the Chicago
schools and which contained page OF
most fulsome praise for Kaiser Will
helm. But to deprive American chill
dren of an opportunity to learn the
German language is ridiculous and
mistaken method Of showing contempt
for the nations enemy.
The study of German has as little re-
lation to the war as the eating Of Ger
man fried potatoes. The omission of
this part of the course of study in any
school is to deprive students of one OF
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
sAMMlEs ro RUSSIA.

Senator Lewis who has achieved a
typical Lewis flipflop and Is urging
energetic prosecution of the war now
instead Of the premature peace toward
which he seemed to lean week or SO
ago, is in the presidents confidence
to marked degree, and his prophecy
that the next expeditionary force to be
sent to Europe from America win go
to Russia demands consideration as a
probable hint of white house inten-
tons.
In America, many amateur strate-
gists have been wondering for weeks
why such plan was not considered.
and it may turn out that even while
they were wondering the administra-
ton was planning to put an American
force OF fighters on the eastern front
to inject enthusiasm into the tagging
Russians and inspire them by example.
Reliable correspondents say there
are 100000 men under arms in Rus
STA, but that they lack drilling and in
structors Ten million trained soldiers,
opposing Germany and her allies on
the eastern front would necessitate
the massing Of practically all tho
armies Of the central powers on that
long battle line and. il handled expert
~. could figure as an army OF IN
yasion within short time.
Charles Edward Russell, who has
foresworn at least the paciflst portion
of the socialistic doctrine, is enthus-
iastic in urging the dispatch Of Amerf-
can troops to Russia, while General
Korniloff is asking for British, French
and American officers to train the I'M
wieldy mass Of Russian fighting
strength at his command
With the information that is avail
able to the layman and without that
definite knowledge which the officials
at Washington possess, II would seem
that this Is the greater need in Russia
now. Such a force OF fighters as
America would be able TO send over
there would be but a handful compared
to Russia's monster army and would
be delayed in entering the fray by the
necessity for that same sort Of train.
ing which Pershing's men are receiv-
ing now in France. But the allies
could send hundreds of trained fighters
from the eastern front to Russia to be-
come officers in the new Slav army
and whip the great. untutored mass OF
war strength into an intelligent fight.
ing force.
R,lssia's need now seems to be intel.
ligent direction rather than mere in.
creased man power.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
UNIT R MEN
TAKING OATH
uosp,TAL CORPS MEMBERS
SWORN IN FOR ACTIVE
SERVICE.

Fairfield, Aug. 1o.-The fifty young
men, who are to accompany Red Cross
Hospital Unit R to France as order-
lies, are being examined and sworn In
to the federal service here this week:
First Lieutenant l.. A. Mcclure OF
Brighton has been authorized by the
war department to administer the fed
eral oath. The physical examinations
are conducted by Major J. Fred Clarke,
director of the unit, Captain L. y,
James, chief of the surgical staff, and
DR.. H. D. Stepp OF Linby.
The supplies for the unit are coming
In rapidly now and as quickly as they
are unloaded from the trains are being
stored in the basement Of the Jefferson
county court house.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14

BIG MAJORITY
AGENCY GRANTS OTTUMWA COM.
PANY RIGHT TO LIGHT CITY
FOR TWENTY-FIVE YEARS

Agency will have electric lights and
the powS will be supplied from Ottum-
wa. This was determined at the cleo
ton held Wednesday when the Ottum-
wa Railway and Light Co., was voted
franchise for twenty-five years for
supplying light in the city. The result
of the election was almost unanimous
being SO for the franchise and against
the measure.
The power company is installing it's
poles for transmitting electric energy
to points east of Ottumwa and will con-
meet with the lines of the Fairfield cleo,
trio power firm that has contracts
for light and power as far west Of that
city as Batavia The Ottumwa COM
pany supplies the power as far east as
Batavia, selling electric current to the
other company.
The local power plant has been un.
dergoing changes in its equipment to
prepare to carry the added load when
it begins to furnish power for the out
side lines.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
oTTUAwA sE-wEEKlY COURIER TUESDAY, AUGUST H. 1917

lars are in the trenches, with thous-
ands of national guardsmen in training
behind their lines and the new nation
al army rounding into shape at the
various cantonments on this side Of
the Atlantic, there will be a wide
spread personal interest in the war
which is felt now by only a compare
tive few whose relatives are facing the
Germans across the barbed wire en-
tanglements of No Mans Land.
It is not difficult to imagine situa-
ton within only few months, when
an exhibition of disloyalty such as that
which was seen in Washington yester-
day would eliminate quickly in riot
that would make the most disorderfy
demonstration against the suffrage
pickets look like love feast In COM
parison.
The spirit of bravado which inspired
the pacifsts to hold yesterdays meet
ing of protest in the very room where
the draft law was framed is as unwise
as is the spirit of the meeting itself.
It is a noteworthy coincidence that
while the paciflsts were raving at the
capitol, telegraph instruments in news
paper offices all over the country were
ticking out the Associated Press story
from the American training camp in
France, telling Of the eager interest
the Sammies are taking In the war and
In their desire that the folks back
home" give them, at the front, the sup
port Of sympathy and sentiment.
They want the war spirit which in
spires them to permeate America,
these soldiers who are in foreign lands
to defend us from attack. They are
ready and more than willing to fight
for their country; all they ask is that
the people who remain safe at home
feel the urge of patriotism sufficiently
to rejoice in their progress and hope
for their safe return as victors.
It is little enough to ask, to be sure.
and yet there are many in America
who are unwilling to grant their re-
quest.
These pacifists grow indignant when
their loyalty is questioned, as indig-
nant as they would become II the gov
eminent. as penalty for their tngrat1-
tude, suddenly should withdraw the
privileges it has bestowed on them so
long. But they are not loyal, for loyal
ty is more than mood. 1t is willing
ness to serve, willingness to share
the responsibilities Of the government.
a willingness to "see 1t through and
an active effort to help.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-14
RussELL's REPLY.

When Charles Edward Russell ac-
copied a place on the Root mission to
Russia without asking permission OF
the socialist party he was voted out
OF that organization by it's remaining
leaders. Since then several men of
prominence in the socialist party as
it existed before the war have severed
their connection and given as their
reason the party's trend to disloyalty
Now Russell has returned to Ameri-
ca, and this is his answer to the So
cialists who removed him from their
councils:
"Any socialist who does not under
stand that this Is the last and decis-
i've struggle between autocracy and
democracy" says Mr.. Russell, lis too
blind or too dull to understand any
thing about socialism
Russell's record of political activity
before the war can be condoned in
view OF the position he. has taken
since he became identified with the
Root mission, and, in fact since Amer
lea entered the war. His course has
been exactly the course that other So
cialists who are loyal, should have
taken. He sensed the important fact
that, with America at war. citizens OF
the country are either loyal or dis
loyal and that there can be no middle
ground.
He is loyal to his country and he is
fearless in denouncing the disloyalty
of the pacifists who are demanding
that America retreat from the stand
for free government and human rights
which was dictated by the very his
tory of America itself He has wit
messed the immediate results Of the
rout of the Russian armies under the
urging Of pacifists, and he is able to
distinguish the same thoughts and
impulses among the American pacit-
lists that exists among their Russian
co-workers.
Russia, having won revolution in
the name OF democracy. is halted in
enjoyment of the liberties conferred
by victory by the disloyalty of pacif'
lists who have argued the democracy s
armies into submission to the enemy,
Should America heed her pacifists her
position would be parallel with that OF
Russia. They want to surrender all
that American government and Amer
lean institutions have stood for since
.1775, in a cowardly, disloyal retreat