davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
RussIA,s WASHINGTON.

Some writer's, whose opinions OF
Prince Luoff are reviewed in a current
magazine, compare the head of the
new Russian democracy with Wash.
ington. Great as was Washington,
conditions and events in Russia give
reason for the conclusion that his
memory will not be cheapened by the
comparison If Prince Luoff succeeds
in the experiment he has inaugurated.
"He is at the head of motley com.
bination of journalists, labor leaders.
religious fanatics, lawyers and ideal.
lists, all saturated with socialism, says
one writer. "No tribute to his person
atty could be finer than the fact that
these men all trust, respect and admire
Luoff."
But it is not the leaders of the revo-
luton alone on whom this man must
depend for the permanency of the
government he is setting up. 1t is on
the people scattered over the wide
reaches of Russia, in Europe and in
Asia. And a new aspect of the diff
culties which beset him is cleaned
from French journalists letter which
recounts the princes comment on Rus
STA and Russians at dinner.
The bane Of the Russian character,
according to the prince, is fatalism.
Before they can shake off sort of
paralysis Of will which defeats prog
ress, Russians must learn that man is
able to choose between hope and de-
spair. between truth and falsehood, be-
tween good and evil.
The fatalism Of the Russian was ev-
ident in the war against Japan. and 1t
was deterrent always. The despera-
ton Of the Japanese urged him on:
the fatalism of his foe robbed the lat
ter Of the force he needed to win in a
struggle when initiative was the vital
essential.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
CENSORSHIP.

The senate acted wisely yesterday
when it restricted the power OF cen.
sorship to be exercised over newspa.
pers during the war. Newspaper edi.
tors are the best censors. They know
their public intimately and they are
patriotic. The nation looks to these
editors for patriotic service. and that
service is being given freely.
Public officials who deserve their
honors need have no fear Of an uncen-
sored press or OF any harm IT may
bring to the country General Leon
ard Wood evinced realization OF this
and of the nations need for newspa-
pers when he said in public address
a few days ago that the people Of the
nation must be kept continuously IN.
formed by the newspapers and that
pitiless publicity is essential to sue
cessful government.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08

men encountered in the saloons, 557
were loafing, playing cards or con-
Stunning drinks, with the remaining 164
selling them the drinks that served to
prolong their idleness.
In its comment the Herald points
to the practical application of the in
formation it received. It says:
"Outside the sun was shining. 1t
was day Of spring. A mild, balmy
air breathed the call Of outdoors. 1t
was a day for work. And while the
census was being taken, and while the
sun was contributing to the greenness
of all outdoors, farmers of Fayette
county were gathered in meeting at
the Fayette bank building, wondering
what could be done to solve the labor
problem"
There is the answer to the farmers
complaint that it is impossible to find
men to till the land. AMI the con.
scription measure is the instrument
with which the president is able to
solve the difficulty.
Let the draft locate the loafers and
bring them into camp. Let them be
mobilized as a part of the army, and
when the aggregate number needed for
defense of the nation is obtained, let
the exemption be limited and apply to
the extent that the men not needed for
the army be released under the super
vision OF proprly authorized govern
ment officials to man the gang plows
and the threshers, the lathes and the
drills. Thus the army will be furnish.
ed and the productive industries will
be kept whirring.
Incidentally, the nations efficiency
and the utilization of its available
man power will be raised materially
and the consumption of food by those
who do not earn it by work will give
way to conservation by those who re.
alize the difficulties in the way Of pro.
ductiOn
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
EDOYVIlIE.

Vic MCGEE. Gid Leeling, Charles
Stuber. E. w. Day and Mr.. and Mrs.
Bert Gordon and daughter Elma 90
companied the remains Of Lewis G.
Turner to Eldon Tuesday.
Fred Espinbau who has been employ
ed here has accepted a position in .
drug store at Rockwell City.
Lee Warner arrit in Eddyville on
Monday from Lansing. Michigan and
spent a few hours visiting Eddyville
friends before leaving for his home In
Abba. Mr. Warner made the trip from
Lansing to Abba in his car.
Mrs. Harve Powers was called to
Avery Tuesday by the death Of her
brother in law VIM Williams. Mr.. VIII
liams had been in the hospital at OF
tumwa for some time taking treatment.
c. Frazee of Oskaloosa was a bust
ness caller in Eddyville Tuesday.
Harry Mitchell of Des Moines was .
business caller in Eddyville Tuesday.
A family reunion was held Sunday at
the Theo OFT home here. Those present
were Mr.. and Mrs. Chas. OFT. Mr.. ana
Mrs. Fred OFT and daughter Margaret.
DR.. and Mrs.. Roy OFT and daughter
Geraldine of Abba, Mrs. Minnie RAM
say of Denver
A. McCreery Of Abba was business
caller in Eddyville Monday.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
YOUR DUTY.

The Courier has received few com.
munications recently, presumably in
tended for publication. which will not
appear in print, primarily because the
sentiments they express reflect a ne
elect of mature judgment and failure
on the part of the writers to realize the
most vital fact which confronts the
people of the United States today:
THE NATION is AT WAR.
Citizenship-thep privilege of living
in this land of liberty-is privilege
which involves obligations. Happily,
the government does not impose all
these obligations except in the event
Of national crises. But when the gov
eminent recognized the state of war
created by Germany every duty of citi-
zenship assumed it's full effectiveness.
Living In America today, we must be
loyal citizens or we become disloyal.
There is no middle ground. We cannot
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
Abba.

Urban Sears of Oskaloosa was in
Abba this week.
Mrs. Effie Hoffman Of Colorado was
in Abba the first of this week on her
way to Fairfield
Mrs. D. A. Noah was called to Ne
vada on account Of the illness Of
friend.
Miss Margaret Canning has gone to
Lyons, Ore. for visit with her broth
er Eugene Canning and family.
Mrs. S. L. GasSaway was called to
Burlington this week on account of the
illness Of her father.
Miss Isabel Graham has returned
from Ottumwa where she graduated
from business college.
Mrs. George Rowley who was in
Abba visiting relatives and friends has
returned to her home in Knoxville.
Arthur Ewers of Iowa City has been
in Abba attending to business matters
and visiting relatives.
Mrs w. w. Beardsley who has been
a guest of her daughter Mrs. 0. f. Nc
Bride has returned to her home in
Charlton.
James Hope who has been a guest of
his parents Mr.. and Mrs. H. ]. Hope
has returned to his home in Witt. LII.
Mrs. Ollie Welsh has returned to her
home in Des Moines.
Miss Eva Codner of Des Moines spent
Sunday with her sister Mrs. Berry,
Coon.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
POOR OLD BILL.

Mayor "Bill" Thompson of Chicago
affords splendid proof of the fact
that popular men in their about-town
capacity seldom win success as public
officials. While it is true that being
chief executive Of Chicago is one Of
the most thankless public tasks to
which any man can aspire, 1t seems
Mr.. Thompson has been able to stir
up considerably more trouble for HIM
self than did both the elder and the
younger Harrison and Governor Dunno
during the aggregate Of their several
terms.
After weathering a storm Of politi-
cal attack which brought on fiery
grand jury investigation and numerous
changes in the personnel Of his Off.
cial staff. poor old Bill Thompson
stumbled into the national limelight
beget many laughs. but he is solemn
and pessimistic individual indeed who
cannot muster up feeling of amuse-
ment when he contemplates the Chi
cago mayors panied surprise on learn.
ing that what he intended to be prop
err regard for the German-American
citizens was construed by loyal Amer.
leans as an unpatriotic attitude.
He hesitated about sending form.
al and official invitation to the French
men to visit Chicago. fearing such an
action would anger some of the sons
of Germany who had been adopted as
citizens by America and Chicago.
Had he remained private citizen.
Mr. Thompson would have been as
popular as he is jovial to the end of
useful, happy life. Having become
mayor. he goes about continually
mussing up his official record and
making enemies. He is one of many
living proofs that the American voter
is too careless in exercising his right
of suffrage. Too often he falls victim
to the Establishments or appeals for
sympathy put forth by political candi.
dates and too seldom does he withhold
his vote until he decides which one
would serve him best as an official
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
IOWA MUST FARM.

Governor Harding, who is in Wash.
ington for the conference Of state ex-
ecutives and members of state de.
tense councils, was asked yesterday
by Secretary Lane to urge the farm.
ers of Iowa to raise the greatest crops
it is possible to raise this year, and
next, and the next. The same appeal
was made to the representatives of
all the states, but it applies with great
er force to districts which, like Iowa.
are purely agricultural, and which,
like Iowa, have for years neglected
the opportunity to till all the arabic
land available.
Three events yesterday set the peo-
pie of the United States to thinking.
Others aided, but the outstanding
factors responsible for the national
awakening were:
The withholding by Chancellor
Won Bethmann-Hollweg of his
promised offer of peace terms.
The receipt of news Of the sink
ing of the second American mer-
chant vessel by submarine.
The announcement by President
Wilson of his determination to
yield to the pleas of General Joffre
and send an American army unit
to the front in France with as
little delay as possible.
This last announcement followed the
admission by British and French com.
missioners that their armies are al
most exhausted by their fierce drive
against the Hindenburg line.
The news of the sinking of the
Rockingham emphasized the serious.
ness of the submarine warfare con-
Quoted by Germany. 1t came as a
warning that unless America can fur
nish ships to carry food to England
at rate which exceeds the destruc-
ton of tonnage by the German subsea
craft, England soon will cease to be
an aggressive factor in the struggle
with Germany.
The war situation, as far as Iowa is
concerned, resolves itself into prob
lem in agriculture This year Iowa
must produce the greatest crop-by
far the greatest crop-in her history.
Her farmers have sacred duty to
their fellow men, patriotic duty to
their country, a personal duty to
themselves and their families-for
this is their war as much as it is the
presidents war.
Iowa must fight. and Iowa must
farm. And because Iowa knows more
about farming than fighting, the ma.
ton will look to Iowa for plenteous
crop.
The people Of the cities are going to
help. Their gardens will reduce the
home consumption of farm products
in Iowa materially. The farmers duty
is to feed the allied nations. 1t is his
duty to grow so much grain and such
quantities of plain. substantial vege-
tables-beans and potatoes in particu-
lar-that liberal allowance can be
made for destruction Of vessels and
their cargoes at sea without exhaust.
ing the supply of foodstuffs which can
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
ELORlS.

e. A. Hastings left on Wednesday for
Excelsior Springs, Mo-, for the benefit
of his health.
Glen Fridley. Gail Baker, Glen
Hutchings and Misses Helen Bence and
Elsie Tompkins of Bloomfield were
Floris callers one day last week. Gail
Baker calling on his relatives here be-
fore his departure for the army.
Mrs. Charles Thompson of near
Selma, Geo McVey of Seymour and
Herbert McVey of Centerville spent
last week here at the bedside of their
brother Henry X McVey who died at
his home in Floris Friday April p. He
leaves a devoted wife, three sons, Ar
thur of Castleton, n. D., George of Sey-
mour and Herbert Of Centerville. and
one daughter Mrs. Charles Thompson
Of Selma, all of whom were in attend
ance at the funeral Sunday afternoon,
conducted at the home by A. C. Niblack
pastor of the NJ. f.. church of Floris OF
which the deceased was a member A
number OF beautiful songs were sung
by a male quartet and the solo by ~.
W. Hastings was very impressive. The
grandsons We're the pail bearers. The
body was laid to rest in the !. o. o. r.
cemetery.
Miss Lillis Casper of ottumwa was
an over Sunday visitor with home
folks.
Mrs. Emma Swinney was business
visitor in Centerville last Wednesday.
Miss Francis Bolivar is still on the
sick list.
Arthur McVey Of Castleton. n. D..
arrived Sunday afternoon just In time
to attend the funeral of his father, and
is spending the week with his mother.
A. II. Plank returned home Saturday
evening from Ottumwa and E1don.
VIM Snyder received a message Sat
urday evening of the Illness of his
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
NEW LOAN TO BRITAIN.

mother in Allerton and left Sunday for
that place.
Miss Gerada Plank spent Saturday
night in Eldon.
Elmer McEey of Ottumwa attended
the funeral Sunday of his uncle H. K.
McVey.
Mrs. Molie Strickland went to Eldon
Friday for few days visit at the home
Of her daughter.
Ray Bryson of Pennington arrived
Sunday for few days visit at the
home Of his aunt Mrs D. w. Hastings.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. c. Mcdonald Of Ell
don attended the funeral Of Mr.. Nc
Vey Sunday.
Elias Shearer of near Des Moines,
Mr.. Sharp and ]. E. Hougland Of Eldon
were in attendance at the McVey fun
eral Sunday. .5> -
The voters Of this community met at
the school house Monday afternoon and
voted to issue bonds to erect new
school house.
]. w. Micklin of Selma was a bust.
ness caller at this place Tuesday.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
BONAPARTE.

Mrs. Elizabeth Cornell Gale and sor
Evan of near Montrose are enjoying q
visit here at the William Cornell home
Mrs. Guy Greenfield and sons Daniel
and Truman of Douds- Leando came or
Saturday to visit at the D. w. Cheney
home.
Miss Bess Watts is enjoying a visit
with her grandmother Mrs. S. I. Cox.
Mrs. II. c. Page and Miss Refa
Packen attended the state P. E. o. con-
vention in Fairfield last week.
Miss Elizabeth Harris has been re-
elected teacher in the schools at Webb,
Clay county. Iowa, and her salray in
creased to $40 per month.
Roy H. Flamm visited in Pennington
last week with relatives. He had re-
Gently been mustered out of federal
service as sergeant major Of the First
New Mexico infantry. He will reenlist
at once and will become lieutenant.
The Royal Neighbors of Bonaparte
recently initiated three new members.
Mrs. Willard Mccoy and son of Ind
ianola have been enjoying visit with
her parents Mr.. and Mrs. George Jun
kin on the Ketcham farm.
Mrs. Lloyd Stevens and children have
gone to Muscatine for a visit with her
sister They will also visit several
weeks with relatives at Belmond, Iowa.
Daniel Wilson died Saturday April
20 at his home near Lebanon in Van
Buren, county, Iowa, aged about 81
years. He leaves three sons and two
daughters as follows: Jud and Will of
Lebanon, Vance l.. of Ottumwa, Mrs.
Jennie Brooks Of Keosauqua and Mrs.
Mcbride of Rugby. N. D.
Mr.. and Mrs. A. " Blackboard and son
Kenneth Of Bonaparte attended the
funeral services.
Joe and Howard Stevens who went
to Ottumwa last Monday to enlist, fail
ed to pass the examination, and return
ed to Bonaparte Tuesday evening. Jno.
Rogers passed the examination at OF.
tumwa and was sent to Jefferson Bar
racks. He failed to pass the examina
lions there and was sent home, arriv-
ing here Saturday evening.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
CHARLTON.


Mrs. Hulda Gustafson of Burlington
has returned home after a few days
visit with her aunt Mrs. Sophia Law
son.
Roe Davis departed yesterday for
East Toledo. O., where he has accepted
a position in a printing establishment.
He had been working in Ottumwa for
some time.
Samuel McKlveen returned yesterday
from Alberta, Canada where he had
been transacting business Alb MCGEE
who accompanied him. remained IN
Canada to look after his farm in the
Saskatchewan district.
Rev. Father Jas. McGillin has return
ed from Des Moines where he had been
receiving treatment in the hospital for
several months. He returns greatly i'm
proved but is still weak and will go to
Excelsior Springs, Mo. where he hopes
to be benefited.
Howard Scott Of Benton township
has enlisted in the navy and has gone
to the training station at Chicago.
VIM. Largey and little son Joseph
have been called to Des Moines by the
death of his brother who had been ill
for some time.
1T. Dean left Wednesday for Scipio.
Ind, to look after some business af-
fairs.
Mrs. Mabel Rahls and two little
daughters OF Chicago have returned
home after visit with her mother
Mrs. Fannie steele and sisters Lola and
lila Steele.
Mr.. and Mrs. Guy Graves and little
daughter Virginia have returned from
a few months trip to Texas and other
points in the south.
Miss Pearl Hollingshead has return
ed from Lamar, Nebr., where she had
been teaching for several months.
Mrs. J. G.. PARROT was hostess to the
members and few friends Of the
Razelle club on Wednesday evening.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
THE RIDDLE OF RUSSIA.

Germany and Russia the two Europ.
can nations whose internal conditions
are TOPICS for world wide comment and
speculation just now. present a parallel
and a contrast, with the contrast up
permost.
In both countries Is the desire for
peace: in both countries there is a
popular clamor for the resignation OF
high officials; from each capital comes
the declaration that the government is
united in support Of the policy person
flied by the individual under fire..
There the likeness stops. In Ger
MANY. Chancellor Won Bethmann-Holl-
veg and the government of the kaiser
have been able to stifle every attempt
at an uprising; they have silenced the
demand for food; they have driven the
striking workmen back to their fac
tories simply by threatening to con-
script them for the army; they have
ridden out a storm of radical socialistic
sentiment at time when the German
army was meeting with reverses. They
apparently control the down trodden
people Of the empire by fear.
In Russia, the provisional govern
ment is only few weeks old, but. in
an effort to induce the soldiers to
stand by the colors. it has granted
them liberties which threaten the per.
manency of the army and the admins
tration alike 1t finds itself attacked
for its first utterance to the world. on
the ground that the soldiers should
have been consulted before that utter
auce was made. 1t is countenancing
daily disorders and seditious meetings
because it is beset with fear that an
effort to arrest the offenders would re-
suit in a complete overthrow of the
makeshift government which exists.
The radicals who are responsible for
the dissension have no plan for better
ing the condition of the country and
themselves. They cry for reform. but
they aim at destruction. True to the
history of their kind. they have shown
no ability to contemplate the result of
their present efforts to tear down the
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
THE FARMER Is A PATRIOT.

One OF the things most difficult to
understand in the present crisis Is the
attitude of several men Of undoubted
patriotism, who are demanding that
congress, to insure maximum of
planting, guarantee the American
farmers a minimum price for the
bumper crops which must be produced
this year.
The farmer is not making this de.
mand. It is made, instead, by so-called
experts. some of whom have been
called before congressional commit.
tees to tell what America must do il
it is to be in a position next fall to
save the world from starvation.
1t is an undeserved insult to the
farmers patriotism, an unwarranted
assumption that, if he is not guaran-
teed market at price he regards as
high enough, he swill refuse to do his
patriotic duty as citizen of the Unit.
ed States.
The American farmers are busy
planting seed for the greatest crop in
the country's history. They are tilling
land which hitherto has been left idle,
not merely because they expect mar
ket for their produce. They are an
swering the call which the president
has issued, appealing to them as patri-
OTIS to seize the opportunity which is
theirs and help defend their nation.
Why single out the farmer as the
one whose loyalty is wobbly? Why say
he must be given special and indi-
vidual incentive if patriotic response
is to be expected from him? Why ques.
tion his fealty? Why discuss cash re-
Enumeration for service to the flag?
The soldier is not attracted into the
army by the meager monthly pay the
Job affords. He enlists because it Is
his duty to fight for his country and
his home. No expert" has suggested
that the government guarantee these
men immunity from injury or death at
the front.
Men who should know the farmers
better have made the minimum price
recommendation in all seriousness,
and in serious it has been considered
at the expense of time that should be
devoted to spreading among the farm
ers the realization of the vital neces'
sity of a rd-breaking crop.
The farmers of the nation may well
echo the old prayer, 20. Lord. deliver
me from my fool friends" They will
prove their patriotism by redoubling
their efforts to make every arabic acre
give a proper accounting by the pro-
duction of the greatest crop in Ameri-
cas- history
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08
START At NEWARK.

There was occasion for a little
laughter and great deal of serious
.thought in the dispatch the other day
from Newark, N. j., which recorded
the opening Of the annual convention
of the so-called hoboes' union. Com
ing from all over the United States, an
army of the inveterate idle modified
at Newark-in box cars-and adopted
resolutions condemning selective con-
scription and urging measures for uni.
versal peace.
While this convention is in progress
start the operation of the army draft.
One excellent feature of the draft
measure is that 1t promises to seek out
the loafers and bring them out of their
warrens to stand up and be counted.
And it will be found they are not all
members of the hoboes' union.
This is time that calls for 100 per
cent efficiency among the citizens of
the United States. 1t is no time for a
squandering of time and potential en-
ergy in useless, futile idleness. And
until we make detailed analysis we
do not realize how great this waste
and loss of efficiency really is.
Recently the Herald Of Lexington,
KY, made canvass of the los sa.
looms in that city, on Monday after
noon between and o'clock, time
when men who have jobs are supposed
to be working at them. In each bar
',the number of men was counted, and
Ya record was made of the number
drinking. the number employed in
lserving the drinks and the number
merely hanging aimlessly around,
4 viewing the passage Of the afternoon"
The statistics show that of the 721
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-08

Senator Gallinger might be partloned
just now, if he should demand hear
ing on question of personal privilege
and then, having gained the floor, say
to the nation, 81 told you So" For
had congress listened to the New
Hampshire solon years ago, one or an
other of his ship subsidy bills would
have become law, and America and
her allies would not now be facing
such crisis as confronts them as a
result Of the activity OF the enemy's
submarines,