davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21
MAY LOWER TAXES.
Some Cheering News for Small Home
Owners in Iowa.

Des Moines, Feb, 19.-Relief to
home owners in moderate circum-
stances based on a principal similar
TO that involved in the income tax
days is provided in bill which has
been prepared by Senator Schrup and
which he will introduce probably to-
day.
The bill exempts from taxation
half of the value of b.mesteads val
ued at $1,000 or less, on condition
that the home has been occupied con-
|tinuously ana exclusively for a GER
tain period py the owner and his
family.
"My bill is founded on the belief
that the hearthstone is the founda-
ton stone of our social order and
that we owe much as a nation to the
home as an institution, ",said Senator
Schrup.
Il had at first planned to provide
for a specific exemption of $500 for
homesteads but that would have ex-
empted the $500 home entirely, an l
would have exempted $500 OF the val
ues of the homes of the very wealthy
who should bear the greater portion
of the burdens Of taxation.
II want the bill to help out the
man who is really living in his owa
home and who can i'll afford to pay a
great part Of the taxes.
Senator Schrup's idea is a new one
in this country, though 1t has been
tried with success in foreign coun-
tries. Under its provisions the man
with a $1,000 home would pay taxes
on $500. the man with 5000 home
would pay on a $3.50 valuation and
the man with a home valued at more
than $1,000 would be assessed on
the full valuation. p
Senator Schrup declared that II Is
impossible to provide for the exemp
ton of part Of the property OF the
owner whose home is valued at $2,-
900 and mortgaged for 81 600 with
out throwing open the doors to too
many opportunities for fraud by the
giving OF mortgages to escape pay
ment of taxes.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21
Care OF Rubber Shoes.

When rubber shoes begin to look
old, give them coating of patent
leather polish, and it will restore the
lustre. = When torn they May be
neatly mended on the inside with a
thin piece of rubber and automobile
glue. When damp inside, never dry
out near the fire as heat causes therl
to draw up and split.
When travelling make a bag for
them of crash, or linen lined with
gum tissue and they may be packed
without coming in contact with the
contents of the trunk or suitcase.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21
HOW AUTO OWNERS
PAY TAxEs.1o STATE
During the Year 1916 "z e Were
19S,587 Cars, Paying in " res
$1,679,924. 70 1
SWINNESHIEK HAS
1,53O AUTOMOBILES
Population of Winneshiek is 22,23S.
SO There is Car for Every
Fifteen People. Tax Re-
ceived Last Year Was
$4,000.

w. S. Allen, secretary of state,
sent to the general assembly a state
ment showing that Iowa had 19S,5S7
automobiles registered in 1915 and
that the auto owners paid $1,679,-
924 ina fees to the state.
The report shows that Iowa has
one car for every twelve persons liv-
ing in the state.
The general assembly called for a
statement OF the number of cars and
revenue received in order to deter
mine what counties are paying in the
most OF the revenue and what coun-
ties are getting the greatest benefits
under the present system of dividing
the fund according to number OF
townships.
It shows that sixty-two out of the
ninety-nine counties draw more from
the fund than they pay in.
The report shows the exact num-
Der of cars owned in each county.
This is the first oeicial count of cars,
by counties, ever made in Iowa.
Winneshiek county received ST.
$50 as its share of the automobile
fees during 1916 The tax on cars is
figured at the rate of 40 cents horse
power.N after the car is four years
old it is half that amount.
There are but five counties in
Iowa having less than 1000 cars.
The Detailed Statement.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21
THE WEEK OF SONG.
Two Excellent Programs Given Mon
day and Tuesday Evenings.


That the people of Decorah are
heartily in favor of the National
Week OF Song was evidenced at the
concerts of Monday and I lesday eve
ming. The Congregational church on
Monday evening was packed to the
doors with standing room all taken,
md a goodly number turned away,
and good crowd attended the con-.
cert at the auditorium last evening.
Practically every musical organiza-
tion in the city was represented at
the Monday concert, and under the
able baton of Prof. Sperati, it was
voted big success. 1t would be hard
TO say who carried away the honors
of the evening as every number was
a credit, and of course the band con
cert last evening was pleasure.
Tonight at the Grand opera house
will be given over to the singing Of
Is songs by the audience. These are
all we'll known songs and the COM
mittee has had the text printed for
free distribution. The Luther Col
lege Concert Band will be seated on
the stage and will play the accompani-
ments, all directed by Prof. Sperati.
After the singing the regular picture
show will be given, consisting of a,
Burton Holmes travel picture and the
|feature film adapted from Dickens
oliver Twist. This is worth the
price OF admission alone, which has
been placed at fifteen cents.
Tomorrow afternoon in the First
N. E. L. chruch, the children, under
Miss Ella Treats management, will
give program consisting of songs
and stories. Admission is free. We
understand the children are working
very hard, and a good program will
surely follow.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21
WHAT WE READ.

1t is a we'll known fact that every
person is influenced by the literature
he reads. 1t cannot be otherwise
The man engaged in the pursuit OF
the almighty dollar to buy the nee
essities for himself and family can
not 60 out and gather original facts
and learn the news, but must accept
it as printed, or reject it and remain
in ignorance. It is therefore impor-
tant that we place in our homes only
the most truthful and reliable pa
pers, magazines and books. Life is
too short to read the yellow back
novel when there are reliable,
truthful periodicals that inspire one
to loftier ideas and greater endea-
vor.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21
FAIR and WARMER
TOMORROW NIGHT
Gay and Bubbling Washington
Birthday Attraction Will be
Seen at Grand Opera
House.
GET YOUR SEATS TODAY.
THEY ARE GOING FAST
The Company Comes Here With an
Excellent Cast, and Crowded
House Will be in Evidence.

Selwyn & Company have placed
Fair and Warmer the Avery Hop
wood farce, which comes to the
Grand opera house, Thursday eve
ming, February %, Washington's
birthday, on tour at the end of the
the farce's year run at the Eltinge
and Harris theatres, New York, ami
seven months at the Cort theatre,
Chicago, in response to an enormous
demand for it from all parts of the
country.
Fair and Warmer" had an extra
ordinary distinction of having been
advertised Dy its audiences alone,
for the entire Broadway run. But
these audiences did not merely ad-
vertise it in New York. They carried
the good news back home that Fair
and Warmer" could lead the forlorn-
est hope against melancholy that was
ever devised by mortal, and could
still carry the day for laughter, ami
ShiSd6o SuPpoitc wow toAh WI
dict by the six months capacity en-
gagement at the Cort theatre.
Additional reasons for the great
c1amor for Fair and Warmer was
that Avery Hopwood's Seven Days
and "Nobody's Widow" had been seen
everywhere and riotously apprecias-
ed, and that Selwyn & Company had
established their regulations for
picking winners with Within the
Law" Under Cover" Twin Beds"
etc. The combination was one 10 pin
faith to.
Ip;sir aud Narn4r Isl sjnaS pare
farce, in which the author takes the
kind of material he knows best how
20 handle and puts it through all its
PAGES. Two admirable young people,
one too-perfeet husband and one
domestic and sweetly innocent young
wife, find that their respective mar
riage partners have been leading
lives more gay than credi.able, while
the domestic members or the family
stayed meekly at home. To retaliate
the upright pair decide on some wick
edness of their own. Having no
practise in lesser crime, they greatly
overdo it and find that, instead OF re-
venging themselves, they have merely
let themselves in for infinitely more
than their original troubles.
Nothing more amusing than the
scene in which the inexperienced pair
mix drinks and drink them in order
to be able to stay up all night has
ever been turned loose from the ia
cile Mr.. Hopwood's pen. Secure your
seats now-$1.50, $1.00, 75c. art
soc. So
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21
B. o. MARSH FOR MAYOR.
Well Known Music Dealer Has Filed
His Papers for Mayor of
DecOrah.

During the past week city politics
have been taking ON lots of life. G.
F. Baker, who was mentioned las,
week as possible candidate for
mayor, has declined to run, although
he was beseiged to do so on all
sides by hundreds of friends. That
his possible candidacy met with the
approval of practically all our citi-
zens there is no doubt.
Since then, Mr.. b. o. Marsh, the
we'll known music dealer has become
candidate, and his papers, which
were signed by large number OF
citizens, were filed with the city clerk
on Monday. Mr.. Marsh was not seek
ing the Office, but his friends insisted
he become a candidate and he con-
sented. Mr.. Marsh, we are thinking
will make good official. He is full
fiedged Decorahian, born and raised
here. For more than % years he has
conducted large music establish
ment here and has made notable
success of it. He has been progress
sive along all lines, and we feel will
give the city of Decorah a good, safe
and sound business administration,
and we think everybody will receive
his candidacy with approval.
Alermanic candidates have not
been very plentiful yet. The first
ward is now represented by G.. N.
Kjome, serving his first term, and We
understand he is undecided as to
whether he will be a candidate.
Friends in the first ward have taken
out nomination papers for Ed. Payne
and j. ]. McAndrews.
In the second ward B. J. Mckay is
the alderman now, but has not as yet
announced his candidacy. No other
candidates in this ward are in the
field.
In the third ward Richard Buck
nell has filed his papers for re-elec-
tion, and in the fourth ward l.. B.
Willis has filed his papers for re-
election.
In the fifth ward C. S. Boice de-
clined to be candidate for re-elec-
9tiea some twe wnekls ago. and rppefss
have been circulated for Geo. Hislop
as a candidate in this ward.
The two aldermen at large, Messrs.
C. E.. Mckinney and Peter Jensen,
will possibly be candidates for re-
election, but as yet have not announc-
ed their intentions.
For city treasurer e. j. Curtin
has filed his papers for reelection.
The city election will be held on
March 26th, and of course there is
plenty of time for more candidates to
blossom out before that date.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21
Prosperity VS.. High Prices.

mo such thing exists in America
as prosperity for just one class, an-
less it exists for ALL" SO said not.
ed statesman last fall, and millions
of Americans believed him, but We
differ from him. Our present So
called prosperity is prosperity of
the classes. 1t is most emphatically
not prosperity Of the masses, The
munitions manufacturer is prosper
Gus because Europe is clamoring for
his products. The automobile maker
prospers because craze for the buzz
wagon is on the upward slant. The
farmer prospers because Europe de-
mands his products.
Certain other special industries
prosper because war cra2ed Eur
ope need their wares with which 20
prolong the struggle. And there the
real prosperity ends. The millions
of salaried men and women and the
more modest wage earners are I'm
measurably worse off than they
were FIVE years ago. Thousands Ct
printers and publishers are facing
actual ruin. The small merchant
has difficulty in making both ends
meet. High prices are the result OF
this half prosperity. but all people
have them to pay. The classes have
the money with which tO'pay, but
to masses are wondering in
blazes it is coming from, says an ex-
change. y,f
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21
CAL STEWART COMING
TO THE GRAND
Engagement Extraordinary of the
Man Who Has Made Millions
Laugh.
PLAY FOR BENEFIT
NEW CATHOLIC CHURCH
Is Great Show And Has Scored
Tremendous Hit Everywhere It
Has Appeared.

The committee in charge of the
erection of the new st. Benedict
Catholic church in Decorah will put
on big benefit entertainment at the
Grand opera house on Thursday
evening, March 8, and have secured
an excellent attraction for the occa-
sion, in Cal Stewart, the Uncle Josh
OF phonograph fame, the man who
has made millions laugh. The prices
Pof admission will be soc, 35c. and
25c, and seats can be procured at E.
j. Parman's drug store. The fol-
lowing write-up about the play Is
taken from the Union City, Indiana
Times:
Zone of the best if not the best
high class Lyceum acts that has ever
appeared at the Union Grand theatre
was seen at that popular amusement
resort last night, when Cal Stewart
and Company opened for a two
nights engagement.
To take these artists in their or
der of appearance last night We
doubt if there was anybody in the
house last night who would not
have recognized Cal Stewart, the
Uncle Josh of the Phonograph' the
moment he uttered his first sentence
Undoubtedly he is without a peer in
his creation of country humorist,
with large fund of native wit. He
kept his audience grinning every
minute of the time when they were
not doubling over with uncontrolla-
Bile Laughter. His records have made
millions laugh, but after hearing his
very own self how much more, will
these same records be enjoyed His
trip to New York and scenes from
Pumpkin Center were inimitable and
the memory of them will cause q
smile for long time to come.
II would be difficult to do Gypsy
Rossini and her violin justice in cold
print. Her violin playing is startling
in it's originality and her music the
catchiest that ever was heard here
from a fiddle. And then the will
charm she imparts to her music by
her undesirable, unique and en-
trancing manner makes ker stand
alone in her own peculiar. style OF
playing. She opened with the Poet
and Peasant" overture and her tenn
pos and ad libitum effects in this
we'll known selection were positive
revelation. She followed this with
some old-time fiddle music to which
she kept time with her whole grace
full body in a manner that would
have swept the platter of all prizes
at the Old Fiddlers' Contest. She re-
|sponded to the great applause which
followed with the most beautiful le-
cato playing, especially in "The Ro-
sary." Her difficult accompani.
ments were played by Miss Marjory
Stewart, in a manner which proved
her to be an accomplished pianist.
II you miss, this bill it'll take you
good while to catch up"
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21
METHOD ISSUING
CERTIFICATES
Report Given Circulation That Grad
ing and Issuing Them is Cost
ing State About $4,000
Biennially.
REPORT Is INCORRECT,
NO EXPENSE TO STATE,
Taxpayers Are Not Contributing q
Cent to the State Teachers
Examination Fund.

A report has been given wide cir
culation that the method of grading
and issuing teachers certificates by
the State Board of Educational Ex-
aminers in Iowa is costing the State
about $4,000 biennially, and that
the taxpayers are paying the bills.
This is incorrect. There is not a
penny of expense to the state. No
appropriations are made for this
purpose, consequently the taxpayers
are not contributing a cent to the
state teachers examination fund.
Fifty cents of the examination fee
eaid by each applicant for a uni
form county certificate is sent to the
state for the purpose of paying the
lexypenses of grading papers. Fifty
cents of this fee remains in the
Icounty and is placed in the institute
fund. The fees for state certificates
and life validation of certificates are
sent to the state and become a part
iof the. state fund used for the pur-
pose Of grading papers. There is now
about $500 balance in the hands OF
the State Treasurer in the examina-
tion fund. ALI orders drawn on this
fund are passed on by the State Au-
diting Board.
Iowa has an IDEAL system of certi-
Ification of teachers. free from local
prejudices and influences and is gen
orally satisfactory. Nearly all OF the
states surrounding Iowa have adopt
ed the plan OF grading teaoners' cer-
Ititcates BY the STATE, the ssffne Ii nosy
being done in Iowa. Such certificates
are valid anywhere in the state and
are recognized in other states. Ger
tificates graded and issued by Coun-
ty Superintendent in other states
are. no where recognized outside Of
the state for which issued.
reduced to the, minimum. All iu-
stitute enrolment fees and certifi-
cate registration fees have been
abolished. All certificates above a
third grade uniform county certifi-
fcate in Iowa are practically perman-
lent and have some professional val
ne. Better to have one standard for
all certificates in the state than ~
have as many different standards as
there are counties in the state.
Those who think the County SD
perintendents have nothing to do
are very much mistaken. The Coun-
ty Superintendents in Iowa were
never buster and accomplishing more
for the good of the schools of the
state than at the present time. The
problem of supervision of the schools
OF county. is difficult one. The real
service Of the County superintendent
lies in the field Of supervision.
Educational interests in the state
have advanced wonderfully during
the past few years and no backward
steps should be taken. Educational
standards and advancement in Iowa
are attracting the attention Of other
states. Whatever changes are made
in our school laws should be coz
structive rather than along the line
of tearing down and returning To
conditions as they existed twenty
five or thirty years ago.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21
ENGER RECOMMENDS PLANT.
For Making Twine at TT. Madison, AT.
ter Investigating Factory in
Saltwater Penitentiary.

We take the following from the
Des Moines Register concerning
Senator Enger's investigation ard
recommendation for the establish
ment of a prison twine plant at Ft.
Madison:
Senator l.. M. Enger of Decorah
will recommend to the senate board
OF control committee today that a one
unit twine factory be installed at the
Fort Madison penitentiary, when
conditions are favorable.
Enger went to saltwater, Mimi.
to investigate the twine factory in
operation at the Minnesota state
penitentiary. Hebelieves that the
plant is big success and thinks that
Iowa should adopt the same system.
He will recommend that Iowa begin
with system which will employ
about $50 men.
This is bad time to start twine
factory" said Senator Enger. Ma
chinery is extremely high in price.
The manufacturers will not promise
deliveries in less than six months, to
year.
"The price of raw material also is
extremely high.
II do not know whether prices
will dron .Uithin tho Next two wears
but think we should pass law so
that the board of control may start
a plant Of this kind, if the prices of
machinery and raw material drop SO
that the factory can be established
at reasonable investment.
About $4,000 will be needed for
q one unit plant. The state must
make provision for a working fund.
"In Minnesota the state plant sells
direct to the consumer up to March
1. After that date the plant sells
only to dealers. The officials in the
northern state found that to sell di-
rect to the consumer throughout the
year made too many accounts.
Il would advise change in tho
bill as proposed here. The author of
this measure wants to sell the twine
at cost. The price should be fixed so
that the state will make small
profit"
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21

why can't all the people Of the
town pull together-active business
man, retired business man, retired
farmer, and all the rest?" asks the
Usage Press. Don't be a rooster
be booster. At least, don't roost
all the time"
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21

The following from the Dubuque
Telegraph will be endorsed by all
good people: Governor Harding's
suggestion of legislation looking 10
the betterment Of the housing condi-
tions of the poorer people Of the state
is one worthy of most careful con.
sideration by the states lawmakers.
Frequently in the larger cities fami-
lies with small children are found
living in novels not fit for stablinG
horses, and paying rents that yield
extortionately high rates of interest.
Owners Of such properties are no bet
ter than the loan sharks about which
so much has been written and for
whom there is universal contempt"
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21

Trees Of a special shape, used for
umbrella handles. are raised in
France, over 500 acres being deyot
ed to this purpose.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21

High brows may denote intellect
hut how are you going to tell any
thing about brow when man is
bald?
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21

Over 100000 poles are required
annually to renew old ones on the
telegraph and telephone lines of the
United States and Canada.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21

You may live with people all your
life and never find them out until
some crucial thing happens.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21

Music can be the greatest pleasure
or the greatest torment of commu-
nifty,
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21

You can have a good reputation u
your neighborhood If you care to. |
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21

To hold the tongue is sometimes
the greatest sign of wisdom you can
show.
Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1917-02-21

Smiles have been known to do more
than dollars.
Norwich bulletin., 1917-04-07

Mrs. H. H. Farnum and her brother, 1 Sumner Willard. have presented a pro- cessional cross to Grace church in memory of their parents, MT. and Mrs. E. H Willard and it is to be used for the first time Sunday. A special mu sical service has been arranged by the organist. Mrs. N- A. Bolande. Move from Lebanon. Mr and Mrs Orrin Banning and seven children have moved from Leb- anon to NJ J. Shea's tenement on the
 The village school and Sodom school have been closed all week for the Easter holidays.
 The Admore Woolen company shut down their plant here Thursday night for the remainder of the week.
 Elisha Webster of Hope Valley, R. l., has been spending some time with lis sister, Mrs. George Sherman.
 Mrs. Osborne and daughter of Prov idence were recent guests of MT. and Mrs. Osborne of the Franklin road
 Miss Anne O'Connor of Huntington was a recent guest of her brother, Eugene O'Connor, of Pine Tree cot tage.
 Miss Marion Gibbs is spending the week in Brooklyn, N. Y, with Miss Marion Wolfe.
 Eugene Manning of Storrs Agrieul- turaI college is spending Easter with his parents, Mir. and Mrs. Arad Man ming.
 Patrick H. Connolly Is passing the holidays in Lowell with his mother | Mrs A. Conolly.
 Will Open Summer Home
 Mrs. George Taylor and grandson, | George Curran Taylor spent the past | week in. HoIiston with MT. and Mrs. | Arthur Phipps. Thursday MT. Taylor | joined Mrs. Taylor and they left for | Me. to open their summer | home for the season.
 Mrs H. J. Gibbs and son Ralph | spent a short time this week in New | York.
 MT. and Mrs Raymond " Congdon | md daughter Florence spent a day re- gently in Stafford Springs with MT. and Mrs. Charles N. Congdon.
 Mrs Marion r. L. Eddy is spending he holidays in Rockland. Mass, with | her sister, Mrs. John Rainsford.
 Miss Mary Curry, a student at the i Normal school, is at her | home here for the holidays.
 Walter Dalton is in Nonson with -ela tives for a holiday visit.
 Mrs. Edna Bonnet has left for short stay in Worcester and Boston