davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
is faulty or that their confidence /

is faulty or that their confidence in
their officials has been misplaced.
Evidence is accommodating to show
that financial affairs in Wapello coun
ty have, at some time or.times within
the past decade, been conducted. SC
carelessly and in manner SO unbusi
nesslike that had the same sort OF
management been applied to bust
ness concern bankruptcy would have
been the inevitable result.
TO avoid bankruptcy, Wapello coun'
ty finds itself loaded to the limit with
debt and faced with the necessity of
paying that debt together with in.
terest. through increased taxation.
The absence of proper budget
system and the failure of boards OF
supervisors to provide adequate sink.
ing funds coincident with the floating
OF bond issues combine to constitute
one of the most glazing evidences of
bad business judgment of which the
county is the victim
For years the tax levy has been
fixed with an eye single to the needs
OF the ensuing year and without re.
gard to the difficulties which may
arise In future years when an increas.
ing burden of debt makes itself evi.
dent suddenly in an increasing mum.
Der OF bonds to be retired by one
years tax payments.
Had boards Of supervisors in the
past established a small sinking fund
tax levy whenever an issue of bonds
was authorized, the county would
have a sinking fund now which would
be certain to retire all bonds at their
expiration and pay interest on them
in the meantime. Such a fund
would contain balance from year to
year, which could be deposited at in
terest or, possibly, invested in ap-
proved interest bearing securities,
thus reducing the actual amount of
taxation necessary to maintain the
sinking fund from year to year.
County Treasurer Warren says there
is no law which will permit establish
ment Of sinking fund. A state off.
cial who was in Ottumwa yesterday
takes the opposite view. The board
of supervisors has an opportunity to
obtain exact information on the point
from it's legal adviser, the county
attorney.
II it is possible under the law. a
sinking fund should be established
with the next tax levy. If it is not
possible now. bill should be present.
ed at the next session OF the Iowa
legislature to legalize such a fund.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27

least; indeed, we will approach the
Thanksgiving period with more fervor
il this investigation is completed with
out doing some damage.
Mr.. Thorne had hand in the ILL
nois investigation. which was one OF
the direct causes of the strike in that
states coal field and resulted in a
rather sad tangle from which the
national fuel administrator finally had
to extricate the Illinois public.
1t seems that Mr. Thorne's mission
then was to defend the system by
which his clients, large public service
corporations. had been able to buy
their coal at prices considerably less
than 81 ton. The upshot Of the mat
ter was that their price was raised
when the government took hold of the
coal business.
In the Iowa inquiry Mr.. Thorne is
announced as the representative Of
the League Of Iowa Municipalities,
which, in theory at least, is the, repre-
sentative Of good many of the PEG.
pie of Iowa-not the big industries
nor the public utilities. but the public
which buys it's coal by the ton or the
bushel and has had to pay not only
the profit on it's share of the coal in
dustry's output but also on the i'm
mensely greater share which big coal
users were accustomed to buying for
the actual cost of mining or less.
The Courier has insisted and stir1
insists that this system was wrong.
Its partial abrogation is one of the
really beneficial results Of federal
fuel control as we see it, for we con-
TESS our interest in the coal problem
has been solely from thei standpoint
of the individual householder.
If it is Mr.. Thorne's purpose to up
set the good the federal authorities
have accomplished along this line, we
may as well record our opposition to
the Iowa hearing now. II he has some
other purpose, and if it aims at lower
ing the price or increasing the supply
for the retail coal buyer in Iowa Mr..
Thorne has our sincerest good wishes.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
WAR TALK.

Yesterday the drafted men of lowe
and Minnesota marched in review be
fore Governor Harding and Governor
Burnquist. and both executives ad
dressed them. The things they sale
which impressed the Associated Pres:
reporter were these:
Governor Harding-Ohe OF you
fellows can lick dozen Germans
single-handed. hope you all get
a chance to march down the
streets OF Berlin and take shot
at the kaiser. The young man
who does not get into this fight
is going to be a lonesome cuss.
Governor Burnquist-Germany
started this war. Now, with
Gods help, let's give them what
they are looking for.
We cannot refrain from repeating
a sentence here from letter which
we quoted in yesterdays Courier
written by an officer who is training
Just such men as those the governors
addressed. This officer wrote: III
Is hard to impress the seriousness o.
the situation on The men in training
for they have been fed up too long or
the idea that when they started train
ing the kaiser would yell quits"
Without desiring to be hypocritical
we would suggest to Governor Hard
ing that he will serve his nation and
his state better by urging the Iowa
soldiers to devote all their energies
to learning how to fight than he viii
by adding to the stock OF over-conh
dence which constitutes one OF the
major perils faced by America and
Americans today.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
Children's Evening Story

, got no further The lady, with q quick
nod, said, "Wait second" and before
Julia knew it she had stopped and
taken something from her bag. 1t was
long and dark, and turning quickly shs
pointed it at the little girl, saying:
But Julia didn't hear. Her tirs'
thought was a-revolver! She jumped
way back in the corner and put botl..
hands tight over her eyes. Bob wal,
right-her punishment for asking fool
ish questions had come at last. and 81
might the bullet any second. Sht.
shuddered. Finally above the noise Q
the train and the beating Of her hear
she heard the high-pitched voice again /
Don't be afraid, dearie, this is 0nl. :
an ear-trumpet" 4
Julia slowly took one little gloves
hand from her eyes and peeked on,
The lady had turned way around nov,
and was smiling. f
"See. dear. it's an old trumpet. bu !,
my good friend; come nearer. I'll pu I,
this end in my ear, so. and you speaI
through here; it won't hurt you ana
can hear every word you say"
Julia staggered up and took 1t n
her trembling fingers. In pathethr
little voice, she said feebyly,-
II was going to ask if this train -
Just little louder, dearie."
IF this train stopped at Mt Pe1as !
ant, but l know it does"
stop at Mt Pleasant, yes, indeed
here we are now-good-by," and ~
touched one Of Julia's curis softly.
INT. Pleasant, sissy" nodded II
kind gentleman opposite.
You get off here. little gtri 20
know where you are. don't you? M
the motherly woman.
"Mt Pleasant" drawied Dc bsys q
she passed them; and the hst ~
she saw as she glanced through a
window in stepping Oh. VA tho N
vofver" going back into 10 haE eG
the boys talking through ar.t3ta10ad
ear trumpet to each Other.
Julia didn't go right home: 80 I'll
like being alone. Efs VI ned spouz
the pond twice and tsnGgat HDO ~
nestly than she had eEer doDs b0uQ
Then she sat ~ the edSr sod 0gsl
pebbles. FmsIsy sb etused lssf ~
and coon Der fueheei s1aesed 81
and the dimr1es retE7ai. Che h1EaA
out hud. Thea dse said sokewulI q
the sqIizrA:-
mo! Bohhie 4e1as< Won't thEgoN
train ne! I'm tzs1Ded!~
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
JULIA'S TRAINING
(Continued from Yesterday.l

AS the lad. made no answer, Julia
stood and. bending nearer, repeated
her question. But the lady tshe was
little and old) seemed interested in
! two small boys diagonally across the
aisle. She would never heard or an.
, swered that question had not one of
Julia's curls touched her ear. That
made her turn. and she said, What is
it, little girl?" in high pitched voice.
Her smile was pleasant, but Julil
could not see. Julia for the third
time. said very distinctly
Does this train stop at Mt Pleas.
ant, please?"
The lady wrinkled her forehead and
looked concerned. The neighbors
seemed interested, and Julia felt her.
self growing red. A kind gentleman
across the aisle touched her arm and
| said, eyes, sissy, the first stop, and
somehow Julia grew redder still. At
/ the same time motherly woman be-
hind leaned forward and patted her
back, SAYING
"I'u tell you when we get there, IT.
tie girl"
, But the worst was when the two
small boys giggled and one whispered
over, yep, stops right after the en-
CINE, kid"
Just then the train started, and Julia
sank into the seat, feeling very small
and Silly.
oh" why did ask" she kept say
ing to herself. "They all think I'm q
baby now"
But the lady in front seemed bliss
fully ignorant Of it all. She turned
again and said, Speak louder, dearie.
I'm little deaf" and she placed her
hand behind her ear and waited.
Julia, ashamed and nervous. arose
from force of habit to show respect to
her elders. Pushing back her curls
and adjusting her rosy mouth to thu.
ear, she cried in a shrill voice.
II just asked il this train stopped at
Mt. Pleasant"
The lady looked more intelligent.
"Oh. pleasant-yes. did you say IT
was growing pleasant"
Julia felt everyone was looking. and
she knew those awful boys were laugh
ing. In desperation, she placed her
mouth between her hands. took a deep
breath. and. getting as close as she
could, shouted, II was just"-but she
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
oTTUMwA sEsIwEEKLY COURIER TUESDAY NOVEMBER 81

cheaply but at the expense of retail
buyers. deserves attention at this
time. They speak of steam coal OF
screenings, as a by-product OF coal
mines, and of the domestic sizes as the
major product. The fact is that the
miner draws his wage on the basis OF
the weight of coal which comes out of
the shaft to the credit of his digging.
After being weighed all that coal is
dumped from the mine cars upon
screens. The portion that falls through
the meshes is steam coal. That which
goes over the screen finds its way to
the railroads.&c. at low price I'M
der the old system-or to the retail
market There is no by-product from
a coal mine
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
PLAIN BUSINESS.

II is an axiom OF business that no
financial obligation should be con-
tracted unless the debtor is able to
make provision for its payment Some
times events transpire which prove
that proper foresight has not been
used, and their result is bankruptcy.
The public's business should be con.
Quoted on the same safe basis that
distinguishes the successful business
concern from the failure. The fact
that the public's business is not con.
Quoted that way except in minority
OF cases does not argue that the I'M
businesslike way is best. Indeed, it
argues that the Judgment of the voters
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
GRINNELL WOMAN
WRITING NEW BOOK

Grinnen. Nov. 24.-Jesse Macy,
professor emirtus of political science
at Grinnell college, is busy on a new
book entitled. "The Crusade Against
Slavery" This will be one Of the
fifty volumes which will make up
THE Chronicles Of America" pop
ular history OF the United States now
being published under the editorship
OF Allen Johnson, professor OF Ameri-
can history at Yale university.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27

The fact Is plain, however, tnat tAIs
system of pyramiding cannot 60 on
indefinitely. It is not great Difficult
ty to market bonds at per cent when
the interest is certain to be paid. but
It transpires that there is state law
which fixes a limit to county's H.
debtedness. and Wapello county is
crowding that limit to the ultimate
penny.
This week a block Of $4,000 worth
of bonds were sold. with provision
for retirement in serial form during
the next twenty years and for the pay
ment of interest in the meantime at
the rate of 5 per cent. County war
rants draw per cent interest also.
Some of the outstanding bonds. per-
haps, are costing the taxpayers no
more than 4 per cent year. Should
the average interest rate be as low as
Az per cent, the interest on $505,00O
worth of securities would amount to
$22,72s year, or $62.25 for each OF
each years 365 days.
One of the awkward features about
bonds is that after the borrower has
spent the proceeds and paid interest
for a term of years the bonds them
selves. representing the original loan,
remain to be paid.
Some Of these days some OF tho
bonds issued a few years ago arc
bound to bob up for retirement. That
will mean that Wapello county tax-
payers must hand over enough taxes
to pay off some $4,000 a year Of debts
contracted several years ago. Mean
while the usual current expenses will
be with us constantly.
All OF which argues strongly for the
creation Of an adequate sinking fund.
The Courier is publishing series
of news articles dealing with tho
oounty's finances, the second appear
ing on another page today. 1t contains
some facts and figures dealing with
this question of sinking fund.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27

AS to the British general with the
euphonious name of Byng, more pow
or to him. His name has not been
bobbing up much in the dispatches
heretofore, but We will welcome h;
indeed we will look for it with Keen
anticipation in the future.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
HIGH SCHOOL LADS
GETS13O FOR ~"

Abba. Nov 24.-Some of the Abba
high school boys have been loyal to
the army "Y" They have given to
the amount OF $3.50. which has been
given in $40 pledges. Many of these
boys are making a part or all OF their
school expenses and this means
real sacrifice to make these gifts.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
DON'T CHEER YET.

II will be quite interesting to watch
the progress OF the investigation of
the Iowa coal situation which Clifford
Thorne has induced Governor Hard
ing to inaugurate today in Des Moines,
II Is not that we have any hopes that
the inquiry will help conditions in the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27

II the Minot hotel proprietor who
stiN has 100000 after losing $4,000
to confidence men at Des Moines. will
be kind enough to tell whether he
made his fortune in that hotel or on
North Dakota wheat farm he may
save lot Of folks from wasting bum
dies Of money in the hotel business.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27

haps, by the use of cavalry in the ad'
vance on Cambria as by any other
feature. Few Of US, armchair strate'
gists that we are, knew there we're
any cavalrymen there on the west
front. We had read Of infantry, Of
mud-spattered marchers, Of wrath
like patrol squads. of hand grenade
hurlers and the like, but the dis
patches had been supremacy silent 10
to mounted warriors.
But the cavalry came back along
the line from st. Quentin to the
lScarpe. Following in the wide lanes
which the staunch tanks made a.
they numbered through wire entans'e'
ments like enraged juggernauts. req.
ment after regiment Of infantry ana
cavalry swept through the German
line and back beyond the trench lines
with a speed and with . brand OF
courage that well might paralyEe the
stolid Germans with amazement.
The cavalry has come back. FOR
three years we have been shaking osr
heads wisely and telling each other
that this Is an infantry and artillery
war. Now We find that the silent Sir
Douglas Haig had an entirely different
idea. Besides he had some extremely
able flghting men on horses.
More power to him. and to them.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
FARMER BREAKS ARM.

Montezuma. Nov 24.-Ross Case
beer. well-known farmer near Monte
yuma, suffered double break OF his
right srm above the elbow Friday.
He fell in such a manner as he was
carrying a barrel Of vinegar that
double break was the result.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
YOUNG MAN DISCHARGED.

Montezuma. How 24--James Crea.
mer, who went to Des Moines in the
second contingent from Poweshiek
county. has been given his discharge
by the Camp Dodge board He has
been suffering from rheumatism
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27

President Wilson might silence
some of these socialistic pacifists BY
tearing a leaf from Premier Clemen-
ceau's book. "The Tiger" as they
cali him in France, answered anxious
inquiries about his war aims by
saying: my aim is to be the victor.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27

When will the war end, did You
ask? Well, you know. General Perish
ing so the story goes. is to be mar
ried as soon as peace is declared. So
lust watch for the announcement OF
the date of his wedding, subtract two
or three weeks for his trip across the
ocean and out TO San Francisco, and
YOU will know when the fighting VIII
be over. Simple. isn't It!
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
WoMEN's DoRMIToRY

Oskaloosa. Nov. o4.-Furniture and
equipment are being moved into the
almost completed women's dormitory
at Penn college. The new girls home
should be ready for occupancy within
the next few weeks.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
KEEPING Ir DARK,

II Americans could take their news
papers and the war mans of F. pee
each evening and, with the aid - the
dispatches find the French towns
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27

''Mlster.' he dravSed, when the
conductor halted before him, "is that
thar two rate good on this
Irain?s
"It u.s." replied the conductor.
Where's your ockot?
The old man fumbled in the depthd
Of an ancient shoebag.
Amt got no ticket, mister" h
said slowly. but here b Two oenE1
never rode On one Of theos pea5
flyers, md Just wanted to nea ii
sensation. PIT ne OF akher Yve ru9
one mile"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-27
NNaVER SIaHRIH

Farmer Iohu uajtN 1t thu stsfaU
for the limited. He climbed aboord
aud stumbled int . car.
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-12-14
DRAFT REQUIREMENT.

At the request of the local board of
examiners for Okanogan county the
following information is published for
the benefit of those who may be sub
ject to the draft:
Okanogan, Wash. Dec. II, 1917.
Dear Sir: You are hereby requested
to give the widest publicity possible to
the following in the next issue of your
paper This is the request of the gov
eminent in order that all registrants
may be fully advised as to their duty
in regard to answering the question
aires, which will be mailed to every
man of draft age and who is register
ed. at the rate of twenty-five per day.
Any amount of publicity further than
this that you may see fit to give will
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-12-14

fered and he will be fortunate indeed
if he regains his normal health again
after this last attack. However, 1t is
the sincere hope of the many warm
friends of the genial gentleman in this
place that he may recouperate ana
long continue a ticket puncher on the
old line.
Our people have been called upon
to respond to many solicitations Tor
funds, and the latest is the request to
purchase Red Cross. seals in the night
against tuberculosis. These seals are
on sale at several Of the business
houses. They cost but a penny, and
everybody who can do so should IN
vest in at least few.
Victor Grove of Nelson, county cor
oner, was called to Oroville Tuesday
to look into the cause of the sudden
death of John Burgard, who dropped
dead on his ranch near LoOmis, Tues
dav. 1t was not considered necessary
| TO hold an inquest after viewing the
remains that were brought to OroVllie
to be prepared lOT DuIldi'
Word has been received that Mr..
:. and Mrs. Chas E. Thayer are very
pleasantly situated in Tacoma, where
the young man has employment. Mr..
| Thayer was one of the Okanogan
county draft contingent, but failed t.
pass the physical examination, con-
dition we should judge that would be
greater source of apprehension than
though he had been accepted.
1t is the general impression that the
161st Infantry, formerly the End Wash
| ington, that has been stationed at
| Camp Mills, Long Island, for some
weeks is now on its way to France,
or soon will be. There are a large
number of Okanogan county boys in
| that regiment, attached to the 41st di-
| vision, and the anxiety of real war is
coming close home to many of us.
| Christmas only week from next
Tuesday. Considering the fact that so
many of our families have dear ones
in the service, facing dangers at the
| front, or soon to be in the danger
zone, Christmas will not be so gener-
ally observed as a day OF festivities
as it has been in the past. 1t is hard
to be gay when your heart is bleeding
for loved ones who have offered their
lives that we may enjoy the blessings
of a free government.
Lew Prentice gave up his contract
for hauling ore from the Copper
World Extension mine to the railroad
last week, and Saturday hauled in
with his flock of trucks. NJ. Prentice
did not remain idle long as he at once
secured a contract hauling salts from
the Stewart-Calvert salts lake just
across the British Columbia line. The
going is much better over the valley
road than the rough and elevated
highways to the summit CT Palmer
mountain which he has been buckint
The Oroville weekly gazette. [volume] (Oroville, Wash.) 1905-19??, 1917-12-14

have the chance of witnessing an OK.
citing game and at the same time the
small tax for admission will helm
along the high school athletic club.
Mr.. and Mrs. j. V. Knight, of Mol
son. were arrivals in town Tuesday.
Mrs. NJ. C. Williams of Tonasket,
was among the arrivals in town Mon
day.
George Pratt, well known Nelson
business man, was a visitor in Oro-
vile Saturday.
Jas. OHerin, John Reed and John
Cutchie were visitors in town Tues
day from LOOMS.
w. G. Gresham, one of the popular
members of the bar at Okanogan, was
in town on business Saturday.
Mrs J. T. McAllister held the lucky
number that drew the beautiful buffet
at the Oroville Commercial company's
sale Monday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. A. Andrus, of
Nighthawk, left for Spokane Satur-
day, where they expect to remain for
the rest of the winter.
The election for the selection of
three members of the board of drect-