davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

mlllionaires maintain thcr pampcred
families In surroundings so luxurious
ana so cxtravag1nt that they would
put the excessea of decadcnt Rome to
honest $50 coat for himself, or for his
wife or daughter, he feels that he has
"hlown himself" and that to make up
for the indulgence that coat must
scryc fer several seasons. 1t Is on
Fifth avenue that the 81 5000 fur coats
are advertised and sold and whore the
womcu's tailors become millionaires
in thoir own right.
II is not with desire to scold or to
lrecriminate, or TO inflame class feel
ing that we mention these things but
to emphasize an earnest protest
against a iug-handled Kind of econ
omy campaigning. People who live
i'm jeweled glass houses should prefer
soft words and fairly reasoned argu-
ments for their weapons in times like
these, rather than resort to brickhats.
/ The average farmer, the average
workman, loves his country quite as
much. we are rejoiced to believe. as
does Mr.. Vanderlip himself, and is
prepared to suffer and sacrifice quite
as much as he to have it. Under the
circumstances, therefore, 1t would be
more becoming in Mr.. Vanderlip, and
| it would make his patriotic efforts
even more effective, If he would talk
to them as fellow-citizens, as equal to
equal, and not as a superior being
presuming to lecture them as a class
for their selfish extravagant and lux
furious faults. These shortcomings are
confined exclusively to no one class or
calling. But OF all classes and call
ings. we firmly believe that the farm
ers and workmen are cursed by them
the least
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
CLEANSING CONTRIBUTION BOZ

Considerable applause is due the
New York authorities for the determ-
ined effort they are making to show
up every semblance OF graft in the
confusing number Of war relief works
that have been making appeals to gem
erous people.
1t was recently discovered that a
local entertainment which took In
something like $4,000 for war work
charities netted but a little over 800
for tho particular charity played up
as It's purpose, the rest Of the money
going to the promoters Of the enter
prise.
That has led to the investigation Of
various oft'r money raising enter
pri--s located in that city. but maxi
ing their appeal to the entire country.
and some Of them are being shown up
! In an unenviable light.
1t Is a pretty safe rule for those
lseeking 10 tighten the worlds burden
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
THE FARMER AND THE DRAFT

A continual source OF discussion Is
In farming-the farmer boys OF our
country.
It Is a self evident truth that the
farms OF the United States must be
cultivated IL this great war Is to be
won, and there must be enough men
employed at that occupation to pro-
duce the increase in crops that must
be had. 1t Is equally evident that un-
der our constitution all men are equal
before the law, that the creation of
a privileged class that will be exempt
from military service cannot be at
tempted, and the discussion of such a
proposition might as well be dropped.
Men engaged in necessary war work
of any kind will be exempted by some
system of selection and farm work is
as necessary to the propagation of the
war as manufacturing big guns and
rifles. but there will be no class ex-
emption.
There is one class of men that might
be drafted for work on the farms. A
recent partial survey shows that there
are more than 100000 retired farm
ers who are capable OF doing a large
amount Of farm work, who are living
In the small country towns, many of
whom have the ability to become d.
rectors OF such work, equal to that Of
the graduates OF agricultural schools
They know how to handle machinery.
take care of animals, the best man.
ner Of cultivation and many other
things that make farming successful
Many of them are in middle life, and
spend their time around the store, the
postoffice or on the streets discussing
the war, These men might go back to
the farms during the war and do their
share to win It. The high school boys
might also be sent to the farms, and
If some of these retired farmers would
work along with and direct them,
great things could be accomplished.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
Nor Does Anyone Else

After Vanderlip had just finished a
81 dinner in Chicago, he remarked in
speech to the Illinois Manufacturers
Association at the Congress Hotel
Everything we want we have got to
produce. We must make people see
that 1t is not the money they give. but
the money they refrain from spending
otherwise. that is the great help"
Vanderlip was receiving a salary per
annum of 100000 from the City Ma
tional Bank OF New York, and is CIV
ing that up to serve the country dur
ing the war at 81 per year salary.
What he says is worthy of deepest
consideration. We don't know Just
how his speech was received by the
Illinois Manufacturers Association,
which was enjoying a 81 plate at the
time of its delivery -Boonville Adver-
tlser.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
Put Them In Right Place

Mrs. Kate O'Hare. the prominent
socialist of st. Louis, will have plenty
of time to study over existing condi-
tions and to learn that the govern
ment under which she has been enjoy
ing protection has the power to control
the utterances of its citizens during
times of war, or failing to place them
In a position where their rantings can
do no harm. She was sentenced last
week to five years In the Missouri
penitentiary by a federal Judge in
North Dakota, for obstruoting tho
draft regulations in advising young
men not to register. A lot of these
socialists, anarchists, demagogues and
the like have been going under many
high sounding names, but at heart
many OF them are no better than tho
assassin who sneaks behind a man
and plunges his dagger. They havo
long been enjoying the protection of
a lenient government and it is high
time they be shown that there Is law
to cover their cases. and that the gov
ernment can use Its iron hand to pat
them In places where they viii be free
from communicating others.-Albnny
Ledger
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
Teddy Is Vow Hunting

No serious discontinue seems to
have been occasioned heads of de-
partments by disclosures thus far in
the war investigation being conducted
by congress, but some OF the MEM
bers OF congress find in 1t a fine op-
portunity for blow-off, and 1t is pos
sible that Teddy may dig out of It
some new foundation for complaint
st. Louis Times.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
TEDDY'S "SEITING THE PRESI-
DENT RIGHT,

The little Job of setting the Presi-
dent right has never been listed
among appropriate activities of ex-
presidents, but the sage of oyster Bay
takes to it as one to the manor born.
ut Is empty unwisdom," he tells the
diners at the Pennsylvania Society. ito
give verbal announcement to Ru-
mania and Servia unless we go to war
with Bulgaria. It is worse than folly
to profess sympathy for Armenia un-
less we make war on Turkey" How
the ears of Senator Lodge must have
burned as these words fell upon them
Senator Lodge, the Colonel's elev-
enth-hour candidate for the Repubn-
can presidential nomination last year,
who rose in his place at the Capitol
the other day. and. admitting that he
thought we ought to include Bulgaria
and Turkey in the declaration OF war
with Austria-Hungary, basely added
that he thought also that It was wise
to defer to the President in such a
matter and ended by meekly voting
for a declaration that mentioned Aus
tria- Hungary only. Let him return
to Washington with the true view of
things: Austria Hungary and Tur-
key are not nations. They are racial
tyrannies." Does Colonel House know
this? And is the country going to see
all the statesmen of all parties at
Washington standing by the President.
instead Of BY an nSex-President, with
out lifting its voice against so topoy-
turvy an arrangement?
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

OF woe just now by money contribu-
tions TO be sure that the work to
which they subscribe bears endorse
ment either of the United States gov
ernment or responsible church organ
i2ations.
Congress should require government
endorsement for every organization or
person now making an appeal Tor
funds for the relief of suffering aris-
ing from the war. Those whose hearts
arc moved by such appeals are en-
titled to every protection, and should
have a government guaranty that any
money they may give shall not be alb
sorbed by grafters or dissipated by
profligate enthusiasts.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
PUERILE PEACE PROPAGANDIsTs

Congressman Booher upon his re-
turn here last week in conversation
with some of his friends referred to
the continual nagging and annoyance
with which he and every senator and
representative is continually obliged
to contend with from an association
which styles itself The Peoples Coun-
ell. whose sole activities and energies
are devoted TO a constant agitation
for peace. Mr.. Booher stated that It's
members and their activities have be-
come almost unbearable and he ha-
zarded the wish that there could be
means found for the complete sup
preston and determination of this un-
needed society.
This organization has put out an
enormous quantity of literature. much
having been sent to this territory. all
OF which exhorts the people to appeal
constantly to their congressman and
senators to take action to secure an
immediate peace with Germany. One
document says: There are only 500
congressman to be converted-and we
have millions OF members to do it..
Keep steady stream OF Peoples
Council members pouring into the Of
flee OF your congressman"
The Council has called a meeting to
discuss the disposition of the captured
German colonies and its program for
study of these points: 81. The his
tory and geographical distribution Of
these colonies. 2. Their disposition
by the Peace Conference. (a) Ger
war (b) To be held by the nations
controlling them when peace Is made,
(c) To be controlled by an interna-
tional commission"
The prospect is that there will be a
| larger peace lobby In Washington this
winter than there was last winter, and
its success will be about the same. Tor
It is this congress that declared war
on Germany and provided for an
army OF 100000 men and the build
ing of ships and aeroplanes without
number. The Peoples Council will
keep the congressman and their con-
stituents up to the fighting point and
that Is about all It will accomplish
This nation, men, women and children
with mighty few exceptions is in the
war business. It longs for peace but
for peace that will make the war a
victory for all civilization and not q
colossal crime and an unmitigated
tragedy for every nation concerned. A
peace that will establish that these
dead have not died in vain" will be
welcomed with glad rejoicing. Neither
the Peoples Council nor the Kaiser
can force upon congress any other
kind OF peace.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
The Dissolying Dollar

What a dissolving view the dollar
provides these days and how rapidly it
disappears! In the language Of the
old prestidigitators-now you see it
and now you don't see It.. We heard
"a man say the other day that he hated
to break a dollar. for that was the
end of II. The high cost of living
makes mincemeat of the dollar. 1t
has not the strength in it to endure a
visit to the grocer or the butcher. Try
to buy a chicken or roast with it
and it will leave one scratching for
the last quarter or half.-St. Louis
Times.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
II Saves the Necks

The notorious socialist paper. 1.-THE
Appeal to Reason" has announced a
vorably known as "The New Appeal"
The management has also adopted a.
new policy and from now on they will
support the government. which is
something they failed to do in the
past. Attacking the government is a
risky and unpopular pastime these
days and the change was probably
made to save their necks. so to speak.
Bethany Democrat.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
And the Once Is Gone

The postoffice ut Bayfield, was dis
continued last Saturday. Thus one by
one. the little neighborhood postof-
fiees are succumbing to the encroach-
ments of the rural routes. The pa
irons OF the office for some five or
six years have not exceeded five or
six and could have been only bother
to Mr.. Arnold. the postmaster
Clarksdale Journal.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

We read that a Milwaukee boy who
owns two hens was offered by his
father 10 cents for every egg they
laid. The other day the boy brought
in eight eggs. and when investigation
followed parental suspicion the father
found that his son had been buying
cold storage eggs and selling them to
him at profit Of 200 per cent. We
gather that this is the first episode in
the life Of a profiteer.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
A Patrjo;ic Prize

A 500 club of Hopkins that has
been playing for prizes of cut glass
and silverware, will now play for a
French orphan, 1. e.. the winners OF
the prizes will be given French or
phans. the losing members paying for
them. The orphans are not actually
delivered to Hopkins. the club MEM
bers simply paying for their support
(said to be 1oc day. in France.
Such prize is not only novel. but
patriotic and sensible.-Hopkins Jour-
nal.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
No Wonder There Are

II must be a little humiliating to
Americans to reflect that their sugar
supply Is in the hands OF two rivals
named Spreckles and Babst. No won
der there are annoyances encountered
with respect to the sugar supply.
Louis Times.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
Has Some Real Good Points

Mother Jones' who is always facile
with her language and emotions, re-
marks: ut is our duty to stand by
the president In the crisis. Help the
government now to lick the kaiser
and then veil lick the coal opera
tors" This theory OF duty before
pleasure has It's good points.-Mays-
Vile Pilot.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

II will be only a week more until
We shall witness the coming out" Of
candidates for city offices. The Dem
ocrats of st. Joseph will put men in
nomination this spring who know how
to--and will win.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

In the death OF Senator Newlands
the United States loses a prominent
figure and an able legislator and
sterling Democrat. 1t Is noticeable
that the last three members of the
senate and house to die all were
Democr
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

The way in which every st. Joseph
business institution remembered its
employees with checks or cash or thrift
stamps on Christmas day is real in.
dication Of the prosperity of this city
and the liberality Of lis business men.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
Sure He Is a Statesman

We learned something new recently,
No man can be a statesman who
ehews tobacco. Representative Web
Der Of Ohio says Uncle Joe Cannon is
not q statesman because he "chews"
After this whenever you see fellow
who does not chew tobacco. remsm-
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
DREAMS A ooNoUoRER's TERMS

II the dispatches tell the truth--and
one oan In this Instance believe they
are near TO 1.-THE more one examines
tho peace treaty with the Bolsheviki
forces as proposed by Germany, the
more evident 1t becomes that the
Kaiser's terms are those Of conquer
er. Had he completely defeated Rus
sla, destroyed her armies and captured
Petrograd and Moscow he could not
have proposed or demanded more.
At the present the Kaiser does not
want political control of the vast ter
ritories Of the Russian empire. but
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
And Teddy just Must

Col. Roosevelt still occasionally
finds fault with the way things are
managed in Washington. The only
trouble with TIE Colonel is. he objects
to the unanimous approval of Presi-
dent Wilson's policies, outside himself.
--Boonville Advertiser.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
II Must Re Readiusfad

"Business as usual" can not, of
course. be adopted as the guiding
principle in time of war. Business
must be readjusted to the war-making
function Of the nation.-stanberry
OWL Headlight.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
Would Like Both SiIes

Under the very wise" censorship
of our officials, we are told daily Of
the deaths OF our soldiers, and things
which depress but are not told of the
arrival OF our troops in France. We
would be better satisfied II we were
told the good side Of this horrible
story as we'll as the bac.--Boonville
Advertiser.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

The little ones Of the poor were
truly remembered in st. Joseph Christ
mas-and the generous people who
contributed will have another star in
their diadsm.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

1t developed that the foxy old guy had
previously removed valuable furnish
ings and art treasures worth hundreds
of thousands OF dollars. Even then.
no suspicion is hinted that It was
burned for the insurance.-St. Louis
Times.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
Are Cool All Rnund

The armies of the Allies. says Gem
eral Scott, are cool and confident.
There is no doubt from the reports
Of congressman that the American
army is plenty cool.--Kansas City
Times.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

General CroEier says there is too
much red tape in getting money from
congress. 1t is a common experience
that there is a great deal of tape OF
varying colors In getting II from any
body,
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
Who Did Say That?

Now comes Gustav De Meyer of
Chicago, a Belgian, who preferred
years in the penitentiary to marrying
Mrs. Bertha Cruger. widow. Who
was it that was telling us that Belgians
did not know anything MILAN STAN
dard.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

the wheat king as he desired-but he
did more than the modern fellow gem
orally does-for he paid all of his
debts after he failed--and worked for
the money.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
Now Won't You Please Walt?

General Crozier thinks 1t will not
be possible to get heavy artillery ready
for American troops before next sum-
mer. Now. IL the Germans will kindly
cease fighting until next summer we
will start even.-Kansas City Times.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

Tho police are after the speed
crazed motor oar drivers-and thsy
should keep up the good work. 81.
Joseph pedestrians have a few rights
yet remaining.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
Uncle Hinnie Is Right

As Hank Hinnie says Of the wealth
er, the Russian situation grows no
better veryfast." 1t Is q pity for n wv,
no matter how the war ends there
will be no more Russia.--Dade County
Advocate.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
To See the Size of the "CaIf'

1t is said that certain men from
Fairfax attended anything but a bona
fide chicken show at st. Joseph last
week. But why did one certain man
borrow our. opera glasses. we ask p
Fairfax Forum.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
And We Also Have Doubts

The pictures Of some of the girls
who have married slackers lead us to
doubt the wisdom of the adage that
faint heart ne'er won a fair LADY,
Puxico Index.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
And Here Too. Pete

Colonel Harvey wants the President
to give Colonel Roosevelt a war Job.
but there have been times in recent
years when we have about given up
the idea that Colonel Harvey has any
influence with President wilson,
Kansas City Times.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

The merchants Of st. Joseph have
enjoyed a most remarkable Christmas
trade-and It is due to the fact that
they had the goods-treated the trade
rlght-and sold at right prices.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

1t is plain now that one reason why
there has been a scarcity of sugar
here and there is that somebody has
been eating II.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
OF Course II viii Not

The Central Powers are ready to ac-
cept a separate peace with Russia on
the basis of mo annexations. no in
IDENTITIES" only they expect to define
the Central Powers as including a
good share of Russia. But Of course
that won't be arnexation.-Kansas
City Post.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
The Judge Knows His Duties

Judge Chestnut, food administrator
for Platte county. arrived at the total
number of people who had signed the
Hoover pledge cards for the conserva-
ton Of food Tuesday. The number
was 500, credltable showing
Platte County Landmark.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

But what we want to make sure Of
by oft repeated successful experiment
Is that an American bullet will pierce
German armor when there's a Ger
man behind the armor.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
But Sc. Joseph Wouli Have

Kansas City has a right to indigna-
tion at news that packer was paid
"pickings" to keep him from moving
his plant away from Chicago. But
for the pickings. Kansas City might
have had the whole plant.-Kansas
City Times.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
He Would Be Really Drastic

Before closing one school to save
coal, the government should close all
clubs, theaters. billiard halls. bowling
alleys, cabarets. dance halls and all
ments.-Lamar Democrat
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

To the friends of The Observer-to
those who do not know it-and to
those who do not like 1.-THE compli-
ments of the season are extended, and
a Happy and Prosperous New Year
is our wish for each and every one.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
IL Docs Not Appeal

Down around the Chicago stock
yards district it must seem something
like sacrilege to suggest observance Of
porkless days.-Springfield Republi-
can.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
A Real Home Industry

Rioters have been shot down in
Berlin. The disorganization so care
fully fostered by Germany through
out the world Is asserting itself as a
home ndustry.--Maysviile Pilot.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
Yes! We All Realize

| Hotels are giving Hoover bills Of
fare at American war prices, and ev-
erybody knows what that is.-Boon-
VILE Advertiser.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
should Start Three Per Day

There are only 1877 languages spok-
en- in Russia. No wonder new
Revolution is born every day, and
more are NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Ad-
vertiser.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

DIR. Garfield thinks that by turning
OFF certain lights in the streets and
store fronts two nights week some
light may be thrown on the war.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

Mayor Marshall and his earnest
band OF helpers did a great work for
the poor ohildren's Christmas tree and
made a grand success. They did moro
than pray-they worked-and pro-
duced results.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
What the Missouri
Editors Are Saying
And Done Much Cheaper

If the pen were really mightler than
the sword Germany would have been
whipped long, long ago.-Kansas City
Post.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

Many an actress would give her
(whatever II is she wears) off her
back for all the publicity that Barnard
statue OF Lincoln for London is getting.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

The seed houses will have to get out
their catalogues early to meet the en-
thusiasm for the 1918 garden that is
already beginning to raise.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

The great Red Cross drive Is sue
cess--and the needed memberships to
complete st. Joseph's quota will be
forthcoming.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

However. the December wheat field
Is no very reliable sign Of what the
field will be like under the harvest
moon.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
This sounds About Right

Treating automatically with the
Bolsheviki is like buying a barn from
the tramp who has lived in 1t over
lnight.---St. Louis Times.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
All Of which Comfort We Enjoy

There is some comfort In being poor
nowadays, for 1t doesn't permit one to
be troubled by the thought that he is
q profiteer or food hoarder.-Salis-
bury Press.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

The government will take over the
country's entire output OF wood alco-
hol and remain steady even after that,
we think.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29
Uncle Jawn Never Loses

John ID. Rockefeller wins again.
When his summer home in East
Cleveland burned down the other day
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

Christmas was not elaborately OBJ
served in Washington this year. The
war shadow Is over the national capi-
tol.
The St. Joseph observer., 1917-12-29

The farmers are advised to hold
their hogs, but how to hold hog has
always been a farmers problem.