davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR SERVICE.

An opportunity for patr1otlc service
awaits a number of Iowa business men
who are too old to be considered de-
sirable for military service. They
may offer to act as registrars for the
selective CONSUMPTION census which
will be taken soon in Wapello county
and all over the nation.
Governor Harding will ask for volun'
teers for this work, which must be
done with measure of clerical ex-
pertness and mature judgment If the
returns are to be in proper form TO
promote that measure OF speed which
is so essential in the mobilization OF
the new army.
The call will be issued by the presl-
dent within few days probably be-
fore the end of the present week. A
few days later the registration bureaus
are to be opened. In the meantime,
volunteer registrars may indicate their
willingness to serve by notifying the
sheriff. who probably will have charge
of the census in the county.
1t is to be hoped that the applicants
for appointment will be sufficiently
numerous to insure rapid and intelli-
gent work at each registration station.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11

Lvoff issued it's call for subscriptions
some three weeks ago. little news o
the response has reached America
Yesterday the council of workmen ant
soldiers gave endorsement to the pro
ject by a one sided vote, with a SINAI
opposition supplied by the proponent'
of a separate peace with Germany.
The call for the loan was an appea
to the Russians to rally for defense
against German invasion threatening
restoration of the RomanOff rule. Its
text follows:
A powerful enemy has deeply
penetrated our country and threat
ems to defeat us and subject us
again to the old regime which we
have Just overthrown. Alone the
application OF our whole strength
can give us the victory which we
so ardently crave. But only the
expenditure of many milliards can
save the country and accomplish
the organization Of free Russia
upon the foundations of equality
and right.
It is not sacrifice we are ask
ing Of the country. but the fulfill
ment OF duty. Let US bring our
money to the state and place 1t in
the new loan in order to safeguard
both our liberty and our posses
sions.
The list of subscribers would fur
nish as reliable an index as could DC
obtained as to the extent of the Rus
sian public's realization of the impor
lance Of repelling German invasion.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
GEORGE B. WRIGHT
TAKES OWN LIFE

Charlton, May George B. Wright
one of the pioneer residents Of this
county, committed suicide at his home
here yesterday afternoon by shooting
himself twice. The other members OF
the family were absent from homo at
the time, and he was found lying dead
on the floor by neighbor, Mrs.. Riddle,
who heard the shots. Mr.. Wright had
been in Ill health for months, although
he was able to be about the house. re-
Gently, and had brooded over It I'M
til 1t is thought that he became tempor-
arily deranged. He Il survived by .
wife and several brothers and Sisters
He was Is years Of age. He was We'll
known throughout the county and vas
held in esteem
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
COME ON. JAPAN.

Perhaps it Is the example OF Amer
lea: perhaps it is a realization that the
most active participants in the present
war will have the principal voices In
making the terms Of peace: perhaps II
is a belated sense Of responsibility and
conscientious desire to see justice
done as between men and nations =
whatever the cause, the allies will wait
with considerable interest for confirm.
alton of the reports that Japan is pre-
pairing TO send 100000 men to the Rus
sian front to back up the falterinS
slavs in their opposition to the Ger
man army.
The little Jap has won his claim to
soldierly distinction. At Port Arthur
and at Hardin, and in numerous battles
around far eastern towns with unprO-
nounceable names, he acquitted him
self with gore and glory when he was
opposing the Russian armies. And
despite the assertion that the Russians
are mediocre fighters, men who wit.
messed some of the campaigns in the
Russo-Japanese disagreement declare
they were stubborn struggles such as
only we'll disciplined, courageous
troops can wage.
That Germany Is Withdrawing many
Of her strongest fighters from the Rus.
sian line to fill the gaps torn on the
western front by the British and
French drives is thoroughly confirmed.
That the Russians are offering but in.
different opposition is evident also.
The appearance Of swarm OF deter.
mined orientals at the western end OF
the long railroad which crosses the
bleak steppes and Russia's broad
European stretches would AFFORD tho
armies of Haig and Nivelle a well
earned breathing spell and doubtless
strengthen the morale Of the tagging
Russians themselves.
A favorable announcement from To.
kio just now would be music to the
ears of the war leaders in the capitals
of the allied nations. Incidentally. it
would raise the standing of the Japan
csc materially in the estimation Of the
civilized world.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
PROEITEERS

The red of Old Glory is not deep
enough shade for the blush of shame
that should scar the captains of in
dustry' whose proflteering impulses
impelled them to capitalize their coun-
trymen's patriotism by boosting the
prices of American flags.
The attorney general has been asked
to investigate the situation revealed
in report by Assistant Secretary
Newton of the treasury department, in
which he says, illustrative Of chow a
few opportunists and sagacious pigs
are seeking to fatten on the patriotism
of the country:
Within a very short period after
the declaration of war the control
ling influences among the flag
makers of this country doubled
the price on flags.
Naturally, when this country
went to war for the maintenance
Of human liberty and civilization
every patriotic citizen desired to
show where he stood by the dis
play of his country's emblem. but
he soon discovered that 100 per
cent penalty had been imposed up
on his patriotism.
From now on the stars and stripes
form an indispensable necessity. Every
American is entitled to purchase the
flag at a price determined by the actu-
al cost Of manufacture plus fair
profit.
Speculation in American flags is not
the only form of prof,teering which
has nicked the American public for it's
victims since the war began. Food
speculation is equally unpatriotic. and
the new hyphenate. the dollar-Ameri-
can, is forcing federal control and
price dictatorship upon the country.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
WANT FOOD CONSERVED.

Columbia. Mo, May 9-Realizing
that food conservation is as important
as food production, women in the col.
lese of agriculture and the University
of Missouri are fitting themselves for
home demonstration work DR.. LOU
Use Stanley of the home economics de-
department is giving series OF six
lectures and demonstration in anticf
patton of demand for women to enter
the field as canning agents.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
eERMANY,s HUNGER.

Notwithstanding the strict censor.
ship rules maintained in Germany
newspapers from the empire which
reach America, as we'll as dispatches
which creep through from the from
tiers. prove beyond doubt that the
people at large are feeling the shortage
of food very keenly. There is no
reason to doubt the report of Herbert
Hoover. that there is supply of food
stuffs in Germany ample for two years
at the present rate Of consumption.
But there Is reason to believe that
the demands from the rank and file for
increased rations will make themselves
felt before the two years expire. This
is indicated by the growing unrest evil
denced in the reichstag and in the
widespread opposition to Chancellor
Won Bethmann-Hollweg
1t is indicated also by occasional ex-
pressions in German papers. Of which
the following. Berlin dispatch to the
Frankfurter Zeitung. Is typical. After
describing the new and shortened ra-
tons which were responsible in part
for the disturbances late in April, the
correspondent says:
Every man Of insight must say
W uliASOlk NLoI tillS ID III al OilioAS
act but rather an act of adaptation
to hard necessity We must hold
out to the next harvest, whether or
not the hope OF peace is realized
| in the meantime. For even in the
event of peace we cannot expect
that imports will flow in at once
from abroad. and the reports about
the food supplies in enemy and
neutral countries teach lis that
there also supplies are short. and
that there also there is nothing
available for export to Germany.
The cry. Peace and bread" is as
wrong as the desire for peace is
Just.
A dispatch published bv The Courier
yesterday from Amsterdam told Of the
persistency with which Germans are
sending babies into Holland. where. in
spite of reduced rations, the children
show remarkable gains in weight after
few weeks residence.
The knowledge that there is sup.
ply available for two years cannot be
calculated to impel the hungry com
mon folk OF Germany to suffer hunger
indefinitely in silence.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
rHEDEsrs OF WAR.

Secretary McAdoO's appeal OF yester-
day for individual subscriptions to the
American Liberty Loan brings the
question OF war finance home to every
citizen and this is good time to con-
slider the costs Of such struggle as
that in which we have engaged.
England borrowed $25. 10000 yester-
day and like amount Saturday. She
will need another $50.00O,000 to pay
for her purchases in America during
Nav. Other members of the entente
are expected to borrow $500. 900, 900 or
s40O 900 900 soon and treasury officials
expect that by July | they will have
advanced about 1.OOO,O00,000 in the
various loans.
Great Britain is spending some S.
600 900 a day in America and more
than $40. 100000 additional III her own
and other countries.
1t is only by means of comparisons
that one can grasp the significance OF
statistics dealing with such enormous
sums. The civil war cost the northern
government about 100000 a day.
The sum which seemed tremendous
then pales when compared with the
costs of the present war
The $7.000.O00O00 war chest which
the United States has contracted to
place at the disposal of the allies rep
resents roughly about one-thirtieth OF
the estimated total wealth of the coun-
try. Germany. with population about
two-thirds rs large as the United
States. and with wealth about half as
great as this country's. has floated its
sixth loan since the war began. the
total amount involved being about $l7-
600 900. 900. exclusive of interest.
Contamination of these figures be-
gets wonder as to how long she can
continue at her present rate.
1t does not appear that the German
government. thus far. has done any
thing to raise money by taxation to
pay interest on her huge Liabilities.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
ENGINE BACK FIRES
AND DESTROYS SHOP

Williamsburg. May 9. Harry Morri-
sons blacksmith shop was destroyed
by fire, caused by his gasoline engine
backfring. Morrison was alone In bis
shop and undertook to put out the
blaze by pouring on water: this ap-
peared to spread the IRE and the bs!ld-
ing was soon all in hameA The nEo
alarm was turned in and the hre com
pany quickly responded but the me-
had gained too much headwxy. II was
only the good work Of the dre com
pany that saved the Mas building. the
nearest exposure on the south. Harry
Morrison's loss was about $4,000. coV-
cred by $500 insurance.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
FACE FACTS.

As realization Of the extent OF Ger
many's ambitions for world empire ln'
creases in America. there is less pa
tience with the perverse and persis'
tently blind who shake their heaos
dolefu,ly in the midst of the hustle
and hurry of belated preparations lot
defense and say: II am not in favor
Of war" or 81 do not believe we should
send our Young men to France
When a citizen is on his way home
n night and IL confronted by thug
demanding his purse. does he reply by
turning his pockets wrong side out ana
saving, II am not in favor of fighting.
40 will give you all have. And II
you will walk on home with me VIII
see what l can find in the house tnat
you would like to appropriate, for
don't believe in fighting"
II he is courageous and can md an
opportunity. he knocks the robber
pistol from his hand and does his level
hest to make sure the fellow will spend
the remainder of the night in jail as
preliminary to longer imprisonment
after trial.
Few civilized men are in favor OF
war. The United States is not in favor
of war. but war has been forced upon
the government and upon each of It's
citizens, and this fact remains regard
less Of any individuals liking or dis
like for conflict. Having entered the
war, the nation and It's people no long
er have time for consideration Of the
advisability Of the step. Their business
Is fighting a war Of defense against a
nowerfu1 and mercilesS enemy
And the best sort Of defense Is OF
tense. The psychological advantage
of striking the first blow cannot be
questioned. particularly when the first
is followed up with others. America
has the opportunity to forestall Ger
man invasion by entering the fighting
in Europe with force of arms great
enough to make Germany's defeat de-
cisive and permanent.
Fighting In France. American sol.
diers will have as allies the powerful
armies of France and England. They
will have the advantage of fighting on
foreign soil while their own country
remains unscarred by battle.
And should we wait until the fight
ing in Europe is ended, only crushing
defeat OF Germany by the allies could
save America from devastating in.
vasion by triumphant Teuton hosts.
With England and her navy conquered,
Germany would be in fair way to
subjugate the world and America
would be the first to feel the force of
the kaiser's mailed fist.
II is blindness which prompts objec-
Eon to the plain course which alone
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11

Not less than one-fourth of her latest
loan, it is estimated, must have been
required to make interest payments.
An interesting light on the subject
of national indebtedness is afforded by
statistics in the Encyclopedia Britain
lea, an authority worthy of belief.
These show that the only two coun-
tries in the world which have made a
practice of liquidating their war debts
in times OF peace are the United
States and Great Britain.
At the end of the civil war, the
United States owed $2,700,0OO,OOO IN
twenty-five years the $2,00O,00O 600
had been paid. In 1912, at the con-
clusion of the Napoleonic war Eng
lands debt was $4,4O0,o00,O00 In
eighty-five years she reduced 1t to 3d.
100, 100000, having borrowed $1,000
900 900 in the meantime. In reality,
England paid of $3,100.000,000, or half
of her debt. between 1912 and 1897.
But the records of the other nations
show they were piling up obligations
while these two were paying.
When the present war began France
had a larger debt than any other gov
eminent in the world but her principal
creditors were her own people, who &C.
copied low rates of interest.
Notwithstanding her big debt. the
credit OF France has been excellent for
generations. Nine different govern
ments have controlled the destinies OF
her people in the century and quar-
ter since the French revolution. but
not one Of these has considered repudi-
alton Of the debts of its successor, al
though some of those debts were incur
red to prevent the new regime from
obtaining the upper hand.
The buyer of, war bonds, then, mas
this to guide him: that OF all the
worlds nations, the ones which nave
the best records for the discharge OF
their war debts are the United States
and her two principal allies.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
HOPE

BY far the most important announce
ment since the entrance of the Unlteo
States into the world war, was thai
which The Courier gave to its readers
Saturday. coming from the chairman
of the naval consulting board.
Apparently there Is reason 10 oeheve
the invention which the board mas en-
dorsed gives promise OF driving Tue
German submarine from the seas or
at least, minimizing the loss OF SHIPS
as a result of the underwater craft
activities.
obviously. details of the plans Tor
meeting the U-boat menace cannot De
given to the public, but the voluntary
announcement of the boards action by
the chairman Of that body is an lndlca-
tion that adequate experiments nave
been made to justify so Comment
.tatement from so authoritative a
source.
But the war is not ended, and the
announcement by Chairman Saunders
does not mean the destruction or Ger.
many's hopes nor the blottlng out OF
Americas peril.
There is reason for hoping for a
romnlete victory for the allies. but II
viii come only when the American IN
yention has demonstrated its efficiency
and when the allies armies nave oe-
feated the millions OF men unoer arms
for Germany. .h,.o
Germany did not run up the white
nag when her armies were turned PACK
from the gates of Paris. she did not
surrender when the English blockade
snread hunger over the central EN-
hires. She did not quit when the Unit
al States Joined the list OF armed 1oes.
she has redoubled her grim opposition
"a Haig and Nivelle have continued 10
halter away at the famous Hlndenpure
line She has refused to weaken be-
fore determined opposition to the 40.
r,in;s4ration's policy on the part OF
her own people.
II yankee inventive genius. which
rave the submarine to the world, mas
evolved a method for destroying It's
an creature, proof of that will not
Viii the war lust which is driving Ger,
manv's autocratic government FORWARD
n an effort to supplant the laws OF hui
-nanitv with a worldwide fear Tor
prr.s;an .militarism and its ruthless
oppression. .,.,,,a ,,ne
70 the allies. In betting parlance, II
shifts the odds materially, but IL does
not bring the decision. America can
not afford to lessen the zeal WIN
which she is preparing for parucipa'
tion in the war She cannot anord 10
sheath her sword until treaty OF
world peace Is signed and sealed.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
ELDON

Mrs. A. D. Shelter will be at home to
the Kensington club Thursday after
noon. May 10.
Hugh Moore of Oskaloosa visited
relatives here the past week.
Mrs Bertha Kline OF Ottumwa wish
ed her father here Tuesday.
Mrs. John Myers Of Agency was in
itiated into Grand Hope chapter No.
IS Order of Eastern Stars. Monday
night. May Z.
Mr.. and Mrs. Joe Roberts of Ottun.
wa visited relatives the first of the
week
Mrs. Art Hughes and son have gone
to Oskaloosa to spend a few days.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
CHURCH SYNOD MEETS.

Pella, May g. - That Pardcu9ar
Synod of Chicago, the representative,
body of the Reformed church from all,
the states west OF Michigan and OHIO
To the Pacific coast met here tmt
week: The total number of represent
atives present was about sevenfy-nve.
Among the visitors Of note arc: 4.
Vennema. the president OF HOPE COZ
lese at Holland. Mich. and Rev. w. J,
Van Kersen, secretary OF the ooaru
domestic missions of the Reformss
church.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11

promises the United States future OF
peace and prosperity. But it is a
blindness for which there is little or
no excuse and as time goes on there
will be evident a constantly decreas.
ing inclination to excuse it. Ignorance
does not atone for a lack of patriotism
in times like these.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11

Mrs. Patrick Campbell was the victim
During a rehearsal it appears Frohman
, made a constructive criticism which
uettled the actress very much. Going
to the footlights, Mrs. Patrick Camp
bell said:
Mr.. Frohman. want you to know
that ! am an actress
| Frohman with solemn face, IN
stantly replied:
Madam, will keep your secret"
On the new brakemans first run
there was very steep grade. The
engineer always had more or less
trouble to get up this grade. but this
time he came near sticking altogether
Eventually, however he reached tne
top.
Looking out of the cab the engineer
saw the new brakeman and said, with
sigh OF relief: No..
I'VE had hard job getting up didn't
WEI"
1--WE sure did" assented the new
brakeman. land if hadn't put on the
brake we'd have slipped back
Mrs saft came in from chat over
the fence with her neighbor. and her
face was hard and red.
Come here, Tommy" she COM
manded her young son. II am gong
to punish you. but open the windows
first"
what for?" said Tommy. beginning
to weep.
well. I have just heard that that
cat across the road said nave no
authority over you and | want ner 70
hear you getting whipping. come
here, sir"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11

official statement to delight the bears
in the grain and produce exchanges
as was evidenced by the fact that coin
cident with the publication Of the gov
ernment's report the price of wheat
went to an unprecedented figure, So
on the Chicago board of trade.
The desire of some individual with
paucity Of judgment to break into
print was responsible for the an
nouncement, and such assertions may
be expected from time to time as a re-
suit of the multiplicity Of volunteer
committees and commissions.
The regrettable feature of the affair
is that newspaper which prides it.
self on it's poise and sense should give
prominence to a declaration so obvi-
ously unauthoritative and, at this time
so dangerous.
The business of stay-at.home Amer
leans this year must be to till the soil.
Nothing else can be quite as import
ant. particularly in the agricultural
states Of the middle west The last
thing on which anxiety should be vast
ed is the possibility of too plentiful a
crop.
The following, clipped from recent
issue Of the London Chronicle, is
worthy of publication here for it's
value as an object lesson and warn
ing.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
MAIL POUCH LOST
FROM CORNING DEPOT

Corning, May 9-There has been
considerable grief occasioned in the
mail service by letter pouch on NO
9 on the evening Of April being lost
The mail clerk says he delivered II
and the man at the depot who was to
receive it says he did not get 1t. 1t was
the letter pouch and all the letters that
contained any valuable information or
remittances have been lost and it will
cause considerable trouble TO get the
matters fixed up. The losing of the
pouch is one OF the things likely to oc
cur but seldom does. 1t is generally
believed there were a number or re
mittances by check, draft and money
order and also the usual amount oil
bank anil involving the transfer o,
checks and cash items.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
IMPRISONED FOR LIFE.

winterset, May George p. Chfto0
was sentenced to life imprisonment for
the murder of Rufus Ullery at Webster
July 25. 1915. He had pleaded guilty
His associate in the crime, George
Frazier, was given twenty year sen
tence at the time. Clifton escaped ana
was arrested at Waterloo only a FEW
weeks ago.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
scHELL GETS APPOINTMENT.

Mt. Pleasant, May edwin Schell,
son of DR.. and Mrs. T. A. Schell OF this
city, has been notified that he was sue
cessful in passing the mental exami-
nation for entrance to the U. S. naval
academy at Annapolis. He was named
by Congressman Kennedy as alternate,
the principal being Mr.. Pollard from
Keokuk. However. when the time
came for taking the examination, Pol
lard failed to appear.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-11
EIGHT IS STILL ON.

Davenport, May 9-Tri-City contrac-
tors and carpenters are still in dead
lock over the wage scale dispute, the
union announcing that nearly three
fourths of the 500 union carpenters are
now at work for independent builders
drawing 621s cents an hour, the
wage demanded from the contractors,