The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-07-21
WHEN EVERYONE READ
"EXTRAS,"

Never were newspapers read with
such pathetic earnestness as they
were in Fargo yesterday.
On street corners were young men
studying The Forum extras.
Women, who are rarely purchasers
Of Extras" were halted in store en-
frances eagerly, anxiously perusing
the latest edition OF The Forum.
More than 5000 copies OF Forum
extras were sold yesterday on the
streets of Fargo. This was in addi-
ton TO the regular edition of the
paper, and it bears out the claim
that the long list Of names publish
ed last evening constituted the
greatest newspaper story ever pub
Iished in America. 1t was the most
important news story because it Wit
ally interested the most people. 1t
was the greatest human interest"
document ever complied. Probably
not resident of Fargo was indiffer-
emit TO that list.
The Forum mentions the number
OF extras sold, for a purpose. Some
thoughtless readers may say: THE
war is a great thing for the news
papers" 1t isn't and The Forum
doesn't want to be placed in the posi-
ton of appearing to profit from it.
The 5000 extras brought the
newspaper a gross return of 500
nothing extra in advertising. That
would not half cover the extra cost
for white paper, and the cost of the
extra telegraph service.
The Forum was glad If it was of
service in getting the news of the
draft to the public-the newspapers
were the only medium for spreading
this nformation-but 1t is unwilling
to rest under the suspicion that it
profited from selling the news of the
drafting of the boys OF North Da-
kota.
Fargo citizens have a chance to do
little act of thoughtfulness that will
cost trifie and will add much to the
pleasure of the American soldiers at
the front. Magazines and newspapers
may, hereafter, be mailed to Ameri-
can soldiers and sailors for one cent.
After you have finished reading a
magazine, place a one cent stamp on
1t. and hand it, unwrapped and unad-
dressed TO any postal employee, who
will see that it reaches its destination.
Every correspondent at the front has
told how eagerly the soldiers consume
any scrap of printed matter.
THE LURE OF THE BACON HOG.
Leaning over the hogpen, critical
ly examining the prize sow and
wondering what she will "go," is
not a form of entertainment that
lends itself to exploitation by the
publicity promoters of county or
state fair, but this and kindred
forms of amusement attract as
many visitors as the professional
thrillers in airplane and automobile.
When a newspaper man goes on
q vacation, he generally wanders
into some SHOP" where he can
smell ink. If an actor ever is "at
liberty" he will be found around a
theatre. And when a farmer wants
a real vacation, hunt for him at
the nearest county or state fair,
beside a cattle or a hogpen. He
should be there with a straw in his
mouth, sizing up the exhibits, or
discussing the relative merits of the
Holstein and the Guernsey, from the
standpoint of milk and butter pro-
ducers, while some city folks listen
in admiring awe.
But there is a fascination about
livestock that affects others beside
the farmer. A man who wouldn't
know a cream separator from a
tractor, will be attracted by a pen
of glistening white prize pigs; or a
herd of blooded cattle; or a magni-
ficent stallion or bull.
Probably nine men out of ten
have, at some time, cherished the
ambition to own farm. There are
three enterprises that the average
man is convinced he could under
take more successfully than they
ever have been before. They are
running a newspaper, writing a play,
and operating a farm. And prob
ably ninety per cent of the men
who will visit the Interstate fair in
Fargo next week, will have the
mental picture of themselves end
ing their days on farm, made more
vivid to them. That will be the
real attraction next week, not the
fact, vouched for by Mr.. McRoberts,
that there will be 100000 worth of
farm machinery, 100000 worth of
automobiles, airplane flights. auto
mobile and horse races, and a mid
way, among hundreds of other at
fractions. The dairy COW and the
bacon hog viii play the star roles.
The rest are just the chorus.
Come to Fargo next week folks,
whether you live in Pembina coun-
ty or Bowman, and pass the week.
Fargo residents surely won't have
to be told not to miss the fair. And
The Forum hopes every one viii
visit The Forum building and regis
ter for the prize for the longest tour
TnaFo r., ,aaat4 41a fasr
British political leaders forecast a
for Germany. 1t Is pre-
dicted that DR.. Michaelis win have
but a brief tenure of Office as chan
cellor, and that he viii be followed
BY an absolute dictator chosen from
the extreme military party. If such