davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

Ottumwa and all the other communl-
ties in Wapello county are evincing a
degree of interest in the Red Cross
which is gratifying to the leaders IN
the membership campaign and an lndi-
cation that next weeks canvass for the
organization of comprehensive Wap-
clio county branch will meet with
splendid success.
James B. Weaver Of Des Moines.
state organizer for the Red Cross. will
come to Ottumwa Sunday for an AFTER
neon rally at the Grand Opera house.
He will deliver the principal address
ct the rally, which will signal the open
ing of the membership campaign the
following day.
The theater should be filed to over.
flowing. No previous engagement, no
plans for Sunday excursion into the
country, no consideration Of mere per.
sonal Inconvenience should be allowed
to prevent attendance.
II you do not know as we'll as you
should the aims and meaning of the
Red Cross movement. your opportunity
to learn awaits you at this meeting. II
Won are acquainted with the Red Cross
and know it's right to your support. you
should attend Sundays meeting to re-
new your enthusiasm. for your services
are needed as a recruiting committee
of one
The spirit OF the Red Cross is the
spirit of service to humanity.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
JEFFERSON COUNTY
COUNCIL NAMED

Fairfield, May Isl. s. Mckinney
and W. c. Spaulding Of this city have
been appointed as members of the JET.
ferson County Patriotic council to
work in connection with the state
council appointed by William L. Hard
ing some time ago. They were re-
quested to recommend one active pa
triotic man from each township in the
county to Governor Harding for ap
pointment as members Of the county
council and after some consultation
the following were recommended to
Governor Harding:
Walnut-Melvin H. Corey, Lock
ridge R. r.
Penn-Leonard Packard, East Pleas
ant Plain.
Northumberland feathers, Fair
field.
Packwood City,. C. Ryman. Pack
wood
Abingdon. r. Peters, Abingdon.
Bpokfield-Guy Salts. Fairfield
Center-George W. Ball. Fairfield.
Buchanan-Hayes White, Fairfield
r. r.
Lockridge-R. A. anderson, Lock
ridge.
Round Prairie-Samuel Billingsley,
Lockridge r. r. 2.
Cedar-H. c. Pattison, Fairfield R.
RI
Liberty-A. j. Riniker, Libertyvi1le.
Des Moines-Charles F. Smith,
Batavia r. r. ;.
Batavia City--E. L. Alfred. Batavia.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
OTTUMWA sEMIWEEKIY COURIER, TUESDAY, MAY % 1917

administration and Of certain bureaus,
and il they are not publishing those
failings to the world it is because they
have an oldfashioned idea that loyalty
to the country lies in presenting an
united front to the enemy. and in max
ing the best of conditions which cannot
be bettered for some time.
Men accustomed to visiting depart
ment and executive Offices in Washing
ton say the chaos which exists there
now is beyond description. Several
men are laboring to fill jobs much TOO
big for them and many major mistakes
have been committed. President Will
son is certainly open to criticism Tor
his failure to treat the senate and
house with proper courtesy by explain
ing the necessity for war legislation
before attempting To- force it to enact
ment
But all these things are known to the
people back home" They can under
stand The difficulties under which the
legislative branch of the government is
working, and they could forgive tenn.
posary stubbornness on the part OF
senators and representatives as pro
test against what seemed high handed
action on The presidents part
But they cannot excuse a continue.
ton of that petulance at the expense OF
the whole nation They want to see
action. This is no time for passing the
buck. Regardless of the manner IN
which it got there, the responsibility
for necessary war legislation Is with
congress now, and the people back
home" look to the two houses for en-
actment of the proper laws rather than
for angry outcries that congressional
and senatorial dignity has been VIC
lated
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
ALL RIGHT, Mr.. CENSOR.

The announcement from Washing
ton yesterday that several American
torpedo boat destroyers are in British
waters and have been there for some
days to assist the Britons and other
allies in hunting down German subma-
rines was forced from the grip OF the
brand new navy censor by dispatch
from London following the announce
ment by the British admiralty.
Americans can be patient with such
censorship, for the news that was sup
pressed was good news and there was
good reason for failing to make 1t pup
lie, at least until the American vessels
should reach their destination and re-
port to the allies for service.
However. it seems an exercise OF un-
necessary caution to retain the in1of'
nation for several days and finally 70
permit the American public TO receive
it from foreign capital first.
It would be interesting to know just
how long the censor would have con-
tinued to suppress this encouraging
bit of war news had not the announce
ment come from London yesterday,
Such iIl.advised censorship cannot
but create distrust of the officials
among the people of the United States.
Never since 1898 has the reading pub
lie been so avid as now for every
scrap of news bearing on the interna-
tional situation This reading public
is hoping and praying for American
success and German defeat Just as fer
vently as the naval censor possibly
can hope or pray. This public is en-
titled to the news of the war at the
very first moment when it can be pub
lished without giving information to
the enemy which should not be made
public.
The censor is keeping secret the de-
tails of Americas provisions for max
ing war on the Germans subsea YES
sells This, of course, is proper. How
ever. curious Americans cannot help
wondering hopefully if the decrease in
the destruction of ships by U-boats is
not due to the employment of some
Yankee contrivance about which moth
ing official is being said.
At any rate, no censor can prevent
our hoping so.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
HOPEW ELL.

Most farmers in this vicinity will fin
ish planting corn this week.
Winfield Hunter spent over Sunday
with his parents. He started Tuesday
for Washington. D. c.. where he will be
employed in the census bureau.
Otto Schoechs were recent guests at
the Walter Swasick home.
c. l.. Hamilton and wife and Rev.
Turpin were SUNDAY guests at the John
Closer home.
A few from this vicinity attended the
Sunday school convention at Pleasant
Valley Sunday afternoon.
Marion Hunter and wife entertained
several relatives at dinner Sunday in
honor of their son Wlnfrsd. Among the
guests were Mr.. and Mrs. Herman
Huber and Carl Ahee and family.
Mrs. Mary Scott spent Saturday aft.
ernoon at the Geo. Eakins home.
Herman Hunter is assisting Ed Tay-
lor for few days.
Messrs. Johnson and Mckay of Os-
kaloosa were in the vicinity on business
Monday.
Mrs. Mae Swasick called on Mrs
Pennington Sunday.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
DARKEST RUSSIA.

Il is difficult to consider the RUSSIAN
situation optimistically. no matter now
conscientious the effort may be nor
how credulous the readers attitude TO
ward the declarations that the coah-
ton cabinet will bring about order.
The resignation of Milukof and the
Encouragement evident among the
generals who have returned to Petro-
grad from the front leave no room fof
doubt that there are many misg1vlngs
among the thoughtful men of Russia
regarding the ability of the new Russia
to govern itself.
Few coalition cabinets continue Tor
long The same spirit of distrust that
makes it difficult for a husband and
wife. once estranged, to dwell in amlty
tosether, seems to communicate itself
To such governmental bodies. and the
experiments usually end in wholesale
designations and a survival OF one FAC
ton or the other = generally the one
which should not survive.
The radicals are in the sadie IN
Russia, regardless of the fancied VIC
tory of the conservative leaders in the
formation of the new ministry. Inc
radical ideas will obtrude when pol
icies are under discussion and their
sponsors will be emboldened to press
them by the very success which mas
given them recognition in the new ma
tons councils.
Meanwhile, the element from which
these radicals are sprung Will De
watching developments closely and
jealousy. and any sign Of weakening
nv a radical leader in the ministry,
any indication that he is permitting
himself to be swayed by the argu'
ments OF such men as Prince LYON,
will be signal for demand from his
old constituency that he resign.
Perhaps this is a too pessimistlc
view of Russia's outlook. Let us hope
that it is. but in the meantime. let us
not delude ourselves with hopes that
the Russian armies will experience
sudden excess Of the fighting spirit
and become menace to the central
powers.
II we are to be disappointed. let the
disappointment be an agreeable one.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
THE BROKEN EGG.

Nuts and grains were what Sandy
Chipmunk ate more than anything
else. But sometimes when he could not
find enough Of those, or when he want
ed change of food, he would eat al
most any sort Of berry and apples and
pears as wen. Tomatoes, too, he liked
once In a while. And he was very fond
OF sunfiower seeds. He would not re-
fuse fat insect, either, If 1t few his
way. But these were not the only dain-
ties that Sandy thought good. There
was something disseminating to be
found TN trees-for which Sandy some
times hunted And before he came
home, after finding what he was look
ing for, he always wiped his mouth
with great care.
If you had ever seen him wiping his
mouth like that. you might have guess
ed that Sandy Chipmunk had been eat.
ing birds eggs. And the reason he was
SO careful to remove all signs Of his
feast was because he did not want his
mother to know what he had been do
ing.
Now you have heard the worst there
is to know about Sandy Cmpmunk.
To you it may seem odd that Mrs.
Chipmunk did not think it wrong to
rob birds nests And now you know
the worst about her
Sandy's mother liked eggs Just as
much as he did. Her son WAS such lit
tie fellow that she was afraid he might
get hurt climbing trees and looking for
eggs She told him that some day some
bird might surprise him when he was
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
million persons for job with which

million persons for job with which
he had no familiarity
Several of those millions are as
much at loss for an answer to the
question now as Mr.. Baker was when
the president called him to Washing.
ton.
Indications keep piling up that he
is not the man to direct the military
activities of the nation, and the latest
one is supplied by his announcement
of yesterday that the army to be
raised by selective CONSUMPTION will
not be called for training before Sep
TENDER because no supplies are avail
able for the men.
And So after weeks of feverish de-
mand from all over the country that
congress enact the CONSUMPTION law
so greatly desired by President Will
son. Secretary Baker and the other
members of the administration, the
country finds that the selection will
be completed long before the men can
be summoned
This will mean extensive revision OF
the lists, considerable net decrease
in many states in the number of men
ready for service. an endless stream
of questions on which rulings must be
made, and dozens of other worries.
1T WILL MEAN THAT SIX
MONTHS OR MORE WILL HAVE
ELAPSED BETWEEN THE Ma
TONS DECLARATION OF WAR
AND A BEGINNING OF THE PREPA-
RATION OF BIG ARMY FOR
ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN THE
STRUGGLE.
And all this time, apparently, Mr..
Baker has known of his departments
lack of preparedness but has kept
congress and the public uniformed
until the draft bill was safely through
both houses. Then he comes along
and as much as says: "Oh, well, you
needn't have hurried. We can't equip
the army until September, so we'll not
call the men for long time"
And loyal citizenship, having
pleaded with congress to give the pres
ident and the war secretary power to
raise an army, finds its patriotic en-
ergy has been expended in vain.
Mr. Bakers announcement does not
providing the needed equipment. 1t
does not even say start has been
made.
The American public is solidly in
line behind the administration. 1t
wants to believe in the strength of the
men at Washington on whom so much
depends. But it must be given some
reason for continuing in that frame of
mind. II unusual confidence must be
exacted from the public. some ground
for that confidence must be exhibited.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
1aE SPIRIT oE SERVICE.

In England, since the war began. a
director of national service has been
appointed. He it is who. more than
any other, has fitted men and women
into Jobs, giving them work, in many
instances. to which they had been un-
accustomed
So great has been the army's drain
on Fngland's civil life that Neville
Chamberlain. the national service
director. has been compelled to invade
comfortable homes to recruit women
used to dawdling idleness in an army
of universal service. Men past the mil
itarv age and others who for this or
that reason are considered unfit for the
army have been drawn into the work
ers' ranks.
And the encouraging feature is that
they like 1t.
Mr. Chamberlain, in an extended in
teryiew in the London Observer. tells
an American journalist of the success
of the national service plan in Briton.
with the idea that his success may be
repaated in the United States when
conscription calls the young men from
their daily tasks.
Because of the imminence Of the
draft in this country and because Of
the danger that misdirected activity
may reduce the efficiency of the stay
at-homes. the following paragraphs
from Mr.. Chamberlain's story will be
OF interest:
am sure that If the grim neces-
sity for hard work should cease to-
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
PASSING THE BUCK.

Several hundred miles intervene be-
tween Iowa and the national capital.
and as affairs in Washington are view
ed from distance the spectator
Judges results rather than details. Per
haps this is the reason why there Is
little patience through the country
with the pickering that is delaying an
actual start by the United States army
on the all-important work OF preparing
men for service in Europe.
Perhaps it is the reason. too, why
the protestations of senators on We'd
nesday that the president and bureaus
were to blame for the delay, failed to
"get across in proper style with the
rank and Ale of American citizens.
1t is significant that yesterday. with
in twenty-four hours after the senate
had waxed indignant and INDUCED in
recriminations. one OF its own mem
bers took his colleagues to task for
what he called splitting of hairs in
tedious consideration of the much.
amended CONSUMPTION measure. Il is
comforting to know that Senator
Chamberlain's words bore fruit in a
favorable vote for the draft.
Senators are wasting their time
when they make long and bitter
speeches denouncing President Wilson.
his cabinet and other appointees. For
although it truly is long way from
black home" to Washington, constit.
uents from all around the country are
travelling the road every day. They are
cognizant OF the shortcomings of tina
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
WILLIAMS BURG.

Will Butler, who resides east Of the
city was here last week attending to
some business interests and visiting
with friends.
William Cash, who resides north Of
the city, ON what was known as the
Gale farm. transacted business here
Monday and visited with his old time
friends
H. w. Lamport Of Des Moines. who
was here last week attending to some
special business interests, returned
Monday.
Thomas Burns of Hilton township,
who was here last week visiting with
friends is now at home.
Evan Evans Of North English, who
was here last week visiting with
friends with whom he was formerly
associated. returned Saturday.
John Wallace of York township, who
was here last week visiting with rela-
tives and friends is now at home.
Henry Ahrens of Conroy. who was
here last Saturday visiting with his
friends.
Patrick I.acky Of South Troy was a
visitor here Saturday with his friend.
L. J. Hogan.
FRANK NJ un ana VIE Oh FIOl loWA-
ship, who were visitors here last week
at the home of the formers brother,
Otto C. Mum have returned.
Frank McCilicudy and w. E. Rey-
nolds. two of the early settlers OF York
township were visitors here last week.
P. H. Duffy Of Kingiey. is here this
week visiting with various relatives.
He reports everything favorable in his
locality for good crop year.
J. F.. Fitzwater OF North English was
a business visitor here Monday.
Joseph Robson. one of the good far
mers of Pilot township transacted
business here Monday and visited with
friends.
F. W. Rumel of Cedar Rapids was
business visitor here Monday.
Fred Mas Of Iowa township trans
acted business here Monday and visit.
ed with his friends.
C. Bolander of South Amana. was
here Monday attending to business in.
terests and visiting with friends.
G. J. Bender, one Of the farmers OF
johnson county was business visit
tor here Monday He reports the far
mers in his section now busy planting
corn.
Martin Carroll of South Troy trans
acted business here Monday and VISIT
ed with various friends.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
Children > Evening Story
Copyright Newspaper

enjoying meal Of her eggs, and peck
out one or two of his eyes.
Keep away from the nests" Mrs.
Chfpmunk said.
But Sandy had had too many tastes
Of birds eggs. He simply couldn't re-
sist eating few eggs now and then.
OF course, when he did that he dis.
obeyed his mother. And Of coVrse, il
she had known it she would have pun
ished him.
AS the spring days sped past, the
birds that lived in Farmer Gren's pas
ture grew very angry with Sandy Chip
munk. You see, it was not long before
they discovered who it was that was
robbing their nests now and then.
You'd better leave birds eggs
alone!" Mr. Grow warned him ono
day. "A number of my friends have
told me what they're going to do to
nests"
But Sandy told Mr. Grow to keep his
advice to himself
What about Farmer Green's corn
Sandy asked the old gentleman. I've
heard that Farmer Green is looking for
you with gun"
Mr. Grow didn't even answer him. J,
He just flew away. There were some
things he didn't like to talk about.
That very afternoon Sandy Chip
munk spied robins nest in tree not
far from where be lived And In less
time than it takes to tell 1t. he had /
climbed the tree and run out On the
limb where the nest rested
Ito be cpnt1nned.)
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
1AE nRAE1.

The United States is about to make
an experiment which marks distinct
departure from what has been the
usual course in this country for more
than half a century. When the selec-
tive CONSUMPTION measure becomes
law and the day arrives for resistra-
ton of all male residents between the
ages of q and 30 years, inclusive. the
supreme test OF loyalty will be at hand
for every young man in America.
Thousands have volunteered TOT mil
itary service, but millions have not.
The failure to volunteer is not evil
lence of cowardice nor lack of patriot
ism. The decision rests with every
citizen. Each Of us knows better than
all the world beside the peculiar rea-
SONS why he should or should not vol
unteer. Many have volunteered who
should not have done SO. Many who
gladly would enter the country'S ser
vice are deferred by responsibilities
thew cannot shift to other shoulders.
The draft law will remove all the
element of doubt in any instance. IT
becomes the duty OF every man within
the age limits TO present himself be-
fore the registrars for the enrolment
Of his name. 1t is his duty to his coun-
try and TO himself. On registration
day there must be no slackers.
BY enacting the CONSUMPTION law the
government puts the obligations OF
citizenship above personal obligations
OF any other sort.
Exemptions will be granted under
rules which the president will promul-
gate after the law has been formally
added to the statutes of the land. They
will come in their proper time, after
the registration. Even certainty OF ex-
emption is no excuse for failure to reg
lister.
In many cities and few states plans
have been announced for the observ-
ance of registration day as general
holiday. This is an idea worthy OF con-
sideration. In Ottumwa the sugges-
ton has boon put forward by the Com
mercial association and it deserves the
attention of the officials.
It would serve to call attention to
the necessity for enrolling on that par
ticuIar day aud would permit the com
mupity to show its regard for the
young men who are about to offer
themselves and their service.s-per-
haps their Hves--in defense of their
hor1es and of humanity.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
Russo ELL.

Misses Ruth and Lola Corrick Of OF
tumwa spent Sunday at the Hoeei
Brandon.
Rev Miller OF OskAloosa occupied
the Presbyterian pupiit Sunday even
ing.
Mrs. r. A. Hills has returned home
from Des Moines where she has been
visiting her sister Miss Hazel Show J.
alter.
John Edwald and Howard King lef4
Tuesday morning FL. Wyoming on
business trip.
Mrs. d. r. Long spent Monday ia,
Osceofa visiting friends.
Mrs. Chas. wilfams of Lovilia
visiting at the VIM. Phippen home.
John c. Plots is visiting his SON
Bert and family at Atlantic. Iowa. ~
S. Coles and daughter Ethel spent
Sunday with Mr.. Coles son Bert ana
family OF Des Moines.
Miss Esther Corrick has gone to Ot-
tumwa to visit relatives.
r. r. Huston is building new gar
age between his livery barn a.
Blanchard's livery barn.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
HAVE GRAIN ALCOHOL
IN FOUNTAIN PENS

Omaha. Nebr.. May ia new way
to beat the prohibition law in Nebraska
has just been reported to the police. in
the shape Of fake fountain filed with
grain alcohol. The police are trying to
find where the loaded pens are sold.
Near beer drinkers carry the foun-
tain pen in their vest pocket, and shake
IL over the glass Of alcoholics suds At
a near-beer fountain to put kick into
the beverage.
After they stir up the near-beer and
alcohol, they have real beer of ., 5. 4 OF
s per cent. according to how Ions they
shake the fountain pen.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-22
LITTLE BENNYS
NO TIE BOOK
BY LIE PAPE
BY LIE PAPE
The Park Ave. News.

The Park Ave. News. ai
Weather. Shorter mites On account:
Of longer days.
Spoarts. A meeting of the Park A1o
Athaletick Association was held last
Satidday to tx1k about getting mi.i
forms for the baseball TEEN. PuAea
Sfmkins sed wat about all the felloWut
painting wife stripes GROUND their
stockings, but the luther members Of
the p. A. A. A. thawt they better not,
on account Of their mo1hers mite not
hike it.
Intristing Facas about IntrstiaS
People. Skinny Martin. who has one
Of the biggest Adams appses in the sity
sese its gDod sine, jest like tho top
Of the inside Of dogs mouth being
black.
How do you know you amt going to
be robbed by berEules euy minnit!
Wy not get insured? We WIN luan you
fine watch dog mites a week for
sents Or mites a week for 10 SCENTS.
Garanteed not to bite enythin9 but
befgulers. The Ed Wefnick and Low
Davis Berguler Insu1ants Co. Aver.
ti1ement.
Lem to tie sailors knots in case you
ever join the navy. An lessins conf
Dental. See Reddy Merry. Avvert3se-
ment
Sissiety Notes. Mr. Lew Davis h
very populer with the sissiety girls on
account Of having broke his arm aud
going Ground with his boy scout hat
on all the time to look like wounded
soldier
New Bnding Going Up Sid Hunt is
making a new dog kennel for his fox
terrier Teddy, stating to our reporter !
that it will consist Of one large room !;
with big entrance wich can a1o b.
used to go out BY.