davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13

tating course pursued soon disguised
the nation. Then came the boy
play with Huerta and the flirtations
between Villa and CarranZa, shifting
aimlessly about without a rudder or
sail. Our nation was aroused to a
patriotic spirit when the American
army was sent into Mexico to get
Villa dead or alive, and then the re-
lapse came as our soldier boys re-
turned from across the border with
out capture or corpse. The same
course has been followed in the Eu-
ropean ENHANCEMENT and there is
no assurance that anything would
have resulted had the senate conced-
ed to the demands of the president,
for the chances are that nothing
would have been done unless some
|of our ships should be blown up or
|Zepplins should lombard some of
our great Atlantic coast cities. An
other thing, there is an impression
extant that President Wilson want
ed this little thing to play with so
that he would not have to call an
extra session Of congress with which
to divide responsibility, preferrins
to be the exclusive hero of the hour,
but he has been given assurance that
congress will support him in his con-
tention If a special session is called,
which he may be compelled to do
or stand the brunt of the response
bility of non-action. The situation
is now squarely up to him, for in
addition to the above assurance, the
law gives him the authority accord
| ing to the attorney general.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13
LOAFING AT SIXTY

We like to work and we like to see
others work, but we just arise to
remark that when we get to be
worth as much money as some We
know, work with us will cease. We
could never discover why men 60
and 20 years of age worth from $4O,-
600 to 100000 should continue to
toll from early until late in all kinds
of weather. We like to see man
provide something for his family af-
ter he is gone, but the average boy
is better off if not left too much pro-
peHy. You who have labored your
three score years should stop work,
and enjoy life the few short years
you have left to remain with US
Gladbrook Northern.
This is good advice to give rather
than to receive. 1t depends upon the
man. Edison is worth more than
100000, and is more than so years
old, but what pleasure would he
have in an idle life" Besides, every
day of Edison's active career adds to
the worlds knowledge and comfort.
Lyman Abbott is around so years
old, yet there would be no pleasure
in living if Mr.. Abbott had nothing
to do, while his fertile brain and
able pen and model life give increas-
ed uplife to humanity in every is
sue of the Outlook. The world is
full of men past 60 years of age who
have all the money they can use and
more, but who would do an injustice
to themselves and their city, state or
nation if they turned to the idle
life, not to mention their own sat
isfaction To a man who has been
active for fifty years and has ac-
cUmplished things in life there is no
pleasure in idleness. Idleness is not
q natural instinct of healthy man
or woman, even at an advanced age.
Idleness does not promote either
happiness or health. There is a
reason in all things. A man should
not work at GO as strenuously at 60
or at 80, but if he has any virtue
and ability he can best preserve his
own happiness and best serve his
fellow men by reasonably active
life, not for the money to be made
as much for his own good as the
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13
Notice of City Election.

Notice is hereby given that the
biennial election of the City of Web
ster City, Iowa, will be held on the
Goth day of March, 1917, from seven
o'clock in the forenoon until seven
o'clock in the afternoon for the pur-
pose of electing the following:
Two councilmen for term of three
years.
One councilman for term of two
years.
One treasurer for term of two
years.
One park commissioner for term of
six years.
One park commissioner to fill va
cancy
One library trustee for term of five
years. a.
The election will be held in the
following places:
First ward-City Hall.
Second Ward-Store at 923 Seneca
street.
Third Ward-Court House.
Fourth Ward-Willson House.
Fifth Ward-School House.
Nomination papers must be filed
with the city clerk not later than
March 16, 1917.
Dated, Webster City, Iowa, March
5, 1917.
diff j. L. Kamrar, Mayor.
Makes hats new. Colorite, at
Teed's. d-f-t-tf
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13

ors can be handled and controlled
by special interests. Any legislator
who succumbs to pressure from in
surance Representatives will do much
for other lines under application OF
ton of Similar influence.
Milo D.. Campbell, former insur-
ance commissioner of Michigan
one of the few state insurance COM
missioners refusing to betray his Of
fetal trust to the insurance cOmpan-
ies-recently has made careful in
Ivestigation Of the Iowa insurance
laws which became effective on July
4, 1914. In addition to pointing out
specific defects, he makes this sig
nificant and startling summary Of
findings:
The law is so absurd and so ridicu-
lous in every feature that it would
seem no man of the slightest intel
| ligence would stand for it minute.
Just to think of a law that purports
to furnish regulations for the state,
law for the state, but only to be
applied by a trust. according to its
own will, and from which individu-
| al appeals must be made for relief.
Under an arraignment of that kind,
from competent and disinterested
source, the Iowa insurance law must
stand clearly forth for what it is and
for what it was designed to bean
iron clad, legalized combination OF
insurance interests given full power
to make rates and to COMPEL all per-
sons or companies writing insurance
to conform to combine rates.
In the palmiest days Of insurance
combines in Iowa those in the pool
only had power to force their sched-
ules upon themselves, but the iowa
law goes farther than ever attempt
ed by any star chamber board. 1t
lends the power and dignity Of the
state to enforce the trusts mandates
whatever they may be.
Regardless of temporary measures
for staving off popular indignation
in the way or rate concessions, the
people of Iowa owe it to themselves
to demand the repeal of this insur.
ance law and thus impose an object
lesson on all special interests.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13
ARMING MERCHANT SHIPS

Charles City Press: Most Of us
who were indignant and disappoint-
ed at the failure of the United Stat
es senate to grant President Wilson
the power to authorize the arming of
our merchant ships against the Ger
man torpedoes, were actuated from a
deep feeling that such protection
should be granted our sea-carry-
ing trade and of course the natural
presumption would be that the pre-
sident would take prompt action in
the matter. But second thought
has initiating tendency and
breaks the glamour surrounding the
situation. The fact is, the people of
this country have always been ready
to respond to any demands of patri-
otism, to any decisive action on the
part of the administration to do
something worth while in confront
ing the Mexican or European war
conditions, and consequently the
thought of some drastic or defensive
measure against the submarine peril
naturally invited a patriotic res
ponse from the people of the entire
country, not stopping to consider
that even if the authority asked for
was granted. the chances were that
We would have been disappointed in
the President not using the privilege
granted him. Judging by the past,
there has always been certain
amount of fuss and feathers about
the presidents war policies. When
our soldiers and marines occupied
Vera Cruz, the people promptly res
pondine to the support of the admin
!istration but the heckling and hesi-
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13
AN ABSURD LAW.

Nonpariel: Just before adjourn
ment of the Iowa legislature for the
mid session recess a private poll
taken on the Lyle bill, repeating the
insurance law, in
dictated that the house will take fav-
orable action ON the repeal measure,
without much question, and that the
senates action is still in doubt. The
poll showed IS senators in favor OF
the repeal bill, II against it, and
five in doubt.
AS stated by The Tribune several
weeks ago, the insurance forces have
been making their stand in the Sem
ate Several members of that body,
including the presiding officer, have
stock in insurance companies and
are easy to persuade that the states
vital interests are closely allied with
special prosperity for insurance COM
panies. If the senators have made
dH HoHesI CdHNdsS VI tueI toNstitu
ents during the vacation period they
must have learned that people of the
state now fully understand in whose
interest the present law was enact
ed.
Continuation Of the law on the
statute books of Iowa will be dre no
tiee that maioritA of the legislat-
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13

The F'rneman-Tribune is not in
sympathy with the severe criticism
aimed at Senators Cummins and
Kenyon because they opposed the
bill granting unlimited power to the
president in dealing with the situa-
ton with Germany. The Congress
should, in the Judgment tof this pa
per, retain its prerogative of declar-
ing war Both the Iowa senators
were in favor of giving the president
i,huthority to arm merchant ships,
but they were opposed to some feat
ures of the bill and refused, as they
had right to support it. Senator
. Kenyon did not take part in the fill
clustering proceeding. Whether or
not Cummins did has not yet been
made clear. However, the senate
makes it's own rules and the rules
reflect the will of the majority. If
the senate permits rule that en-
ables one or two senators to thwart
the will of the majority the senate
is evidently in favor Of allowing
that latitude. The FreemanTri-
.bune is glad that congress refused
to grant unlimited power to the pre-
sident and cannot see why the coun-
try need suffer from such action. The
president can call an extra session
of congress at any time he sees
fit and during such days as these it
might be wise to have congress in
continuous session. If it was only
q question of arming merchantmen
for defense why did the president
and his advisors insist upon the 9TH
err provisions of the bill giving him
unlimited power to act as he might
see fit? Such power is in the keep
ing of very few men, even the kais-
er of Germany and the Gar of Rus
STA hesitate in using it.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13

August Schwandt, of Renwick,
who recently purchased of Samuel
Bateman the small farm half mile
north Of town. is moving his family,
here and the J. w Johnson family,
who have been living on this farm,
are moving to the Schroeder twelve
acre farm pust north Of the river
temporarily. On March 15th' the
cook at the Wilson, L. L. Varhan,
wife and mother, will move onto the
Schroeder place and the Johnsons
will occupy the Hull Greiner nine
acre place at the west end of James
street.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13
tCopyrig

what has frequently been done in
the past and the senate was never
yet sufficient master to enforce ma
jority rule.
After more than one hundred
years of allegiance to a rule that
permitted senator to talk until he
fell from sheer exhaustion that body
a few days ago passed a rule, by q
vote of 76 to 8, putting in the hands
of two-thirds of it's members power
in the future to limit debate and to
say when vote shall be taken
Senator Cummins, in the course of
the senate debate on cloture, said he
was for cloture and had been for
eight years, and would support the
proposed rule. He said he was not
at all dismayed at the storm arous-
ed by the censure of the president
1t is learned that strong reason
why he is not dismayed is that out
|of over 400 kilograms received from
Iowa and all parts of the union, in
the last few days twenty strongly
commended his course to one that
assailed it,, II have no question as
to how the tide of sentiment runs in
this country" said Senator Cum
Minis
After explaining that the bill au-
thorizing the armed neutrality was
taken, up by the senate just forty
three and one half hours before con-
gress expired by constitutional lin
1itation Senator Cummins said:
"The senators who have been
termed "a group of willful men con-
sumed less than eleven hours. Those
who do not suffer the censure which
lit is thought has been cast upon Gus
consumed more than twenty-four
hours. OF the eleven hours so con-
sumed by the little group of will
full men the senator from Missouri
consumed four hours and little
more. That time was consumed in
the delivery of the most convincing
and profoundest argument in. the his
tory of the senate. -
Il was opposed to the bill as re-
ported by the senate committee and
l offered an amendment. I debated
the amendment which | presented
for little more than one hour. My
Ipart in this drama, in this tragedy
as it would have been, then ceased.
Any man in or out of the senate, of
high or low degree who intimates
that / attempted or conspired to pre-
vent vote on this bill deliberately
falsifies. | wish | could use a
stronger word and still be within the
rules Of the senate"
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13

4 A large majority of both demo-
ratio and republican senators are in
lavor Of changing the rules of the
enate in order that a vote may be
teached upon any question if two
Thirds majority so wills. Heretofore
the rules of the senate have been
such that any senator could talk any
bill to death if his wind and jaws
would hold out long enough. 1t is
an idiotic rule and if Senator LaFol-
1ette, by his fi1ibustering methods
has made the old foxy senate so mad
that it is ready to turn it's old moss
back upon some of its ancient rules
the "little Wisconsin giant" has
rendered the country an Invaluable
service.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13
SENATE LIMITS DEBATE

One good thing has already come
out Of the defeat of the armed neu-
trality and unlimited power bill in
the senate a few days ago, and that
is the sleepy old senate has finally
awakened to the fact that some of
its rules are about a hundred years
behind present day conditions. The
Freeman-Tribune has many times in
the past pointed out the foolishness
of the senate rules in not limiting
debate and in not making that body
to the wishes of the ma
jority. But the senate has been so
far behind hand in the march of
progress that it required great
eruption to awaken it to what every
body else saw clearly.
The defeat of the armed neutrali-
ty bill has brought forth the desired
fruit and while in the heat of pas
sion the senate has thrown it's erst-
while exalted dignity to the winds
and revised one of the most foolish
rules ever entertained and tolerated
by body of intelligent men. The
rules of the senate should not shut
off reasonable debate, but there is
no justification in permitting SEN
ator to talk against the movement
of the hands of the clock-to talk
merely to kill time. But that is just
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13

s In the judgement of the Freeman
tribune the cause of universal suf-
age will be subserved in Iowa by a
.S.fusal of the legislature to result
nit the question to vote Of the peo-
pie this year.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13
Probably President Wilson wa

Probably President Wilson want
ed unlimited power to deal with for:
eign affairs because he fears the re-
publicans may control the next con-
gress and is adverse to permitting
republicans having anything to say
or do about declaring war or carry
ing it on after a declaration has been
made. There was never such a par
|tisan president in the white house
as Woodrow Wilson is and for it.
self the Freeman-Tribune is glad
that such men as Senator Cummins
and Kenyon had the courage to re-
sist his attempt to secure unlimited
power to deal with the present cris-
is No other president ever had
such power and none ever should
have. All this talk about standing
by the President is nonsense We
should stand by the government,
and congress is just as much a part
OF the government as the president
is, and congress is not trying to
usurp the power Of the president.
Stand by the president in the exer-
else of his lawful duties and stand by
congress in the exercise of its prerog
'atiyes. This is not a one-man gov
lernment and it is just as we'll for
each branch to insist upon main
tanning it's rights, even in the face OF
adverse criticisms.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13

Word comes from Mrs. Elizabeth
Thompson and Mrs. Nellie Evans,
who recently went to Sheldon, say
ing they are pleased with the town
and their work in the Ellerbroek
Bros. ladies' furnishing store there.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13

Representative John c. Mckenzie,
of Illinois, is believer in compui-
sorry military service, although at
first he was loath to depart from the
volunteer system which has served
the country in the past. But, Mr..
Mckenzie contends, if the service is
to be compulsory, it should be uni
versal II want the son of the rich
man." he declares Ito have, to go
to war the same as the son of the
poor man." Congressman Mckenzie
has no patience with advocates of a
policy of taking the American boys
and putting them into conflict or
a war between the crowned heads OF
Europe" and claims that all our
military preparation should be for
Adefence alone; that in order to
maintain our rights against one
country it is not necessary to become
the ally of another, and that we
SHOULD train American citizens only
flor defense on land and sea.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13

Paul l.. Scharfenburg, native Of
Germany, q member of the Min
nesota guard and who was on the
Mexican border as a soldier, has
on at FIT. Leavenworth, Kansas, for
attempting to furnish military in
formation to Germany. He deserves
|all he got and should thank good
fortune that he escaped with his life.
Had he been German citizen OF
American birth, in the military SER
Iyice of Germany, he would have been
|shot for the offense of which he is
guilty, if committed against Ger
many instead of against the United
Estates. This government should
be more severe in it's treat
ment Of such cases. We must do as
Germany and other European countr
les do under such circumstances as
the men guilty of such acts want to
supplant the government here with
that of Germany. In letter to rela-
tives in German, Scharfenberg said
there were millions of Germans in
this country who were ready to rise
up against the United States in the
event of war with Germany. He al
SO predicted that President Wilson
will soon be put out Of the way and
declared that the 100000 soldiers
on the border would not stand UP
against efficient troops" A soldier
who would write such stuff as that
is traitor to his country and ought
to be dealt with as such
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13

The. most sensible thing that
!1eodore Roosevelt ever did was to
isfuse to enter q joint debate with
Hilliam J. Bryan on the subject of
Preparedness, declaring it to be a
waste of time for talk-action is
what is needed Bryan has always
been too long on CAB and too short
on action, except when prompt ac-
ton concerned his pocketbook on
some chautauqua engagement
Manson Democrat.
The Freeman-Tribune is glad to
know that the Democrat has found
something in Col. Roosevelt's record
to commend. Roosevelt also said
there was nothing to debate in pre-
paredness; that the question has
only one side; that the country must
prepare without equivocation or
hesitation. Had the strenuous eX-
president been at the helm during
the past two and half years this
country would now be in position to
meet any contingency that may
arise.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13

The most beneficient of all things
I He who hath an absolute fullness
perfection in Himself, who gave
Sistence to the universe, and so can
BIT be supposed to want that which
I. communicated Grove.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1917-03-13

Col. Roosevelt put the situation in
nutshell when he said in declining
to debate preparedness with w. j.
Bryan that "assuredly alien foes will
make us booty and a spoil unless in
time we show that we are not un-
fit to be, the sons of the men who
with iron courage faced the iron
days; unless with forethought and
resolute endeavor, before it is too
late, before our doom is upon us, we
set ourselves to train sur vast but
lazy strength" That is the situa-
tion exactly in the judgement OF the
Freeman Tribune. The United States
could easily be the strongest nation
in the world. We have the intelli-
gence, the resources, the geographic
cal location and everything neces-
sary, but we are soft and lazy com.
pared with such vigorous people az
| the Germans, French, Belgians, etc
We need to have an awakening ant
put our house in order to receive
welcome guests while having it pre-
Ipared to reject unwelcome ones. The
situation in this country today j:
sadly in need of the leadership Of
man of the iron and courage an(
determination of Theodore ROose
welt, and this paper has regretted
many times during the past two ant
a half years that the resourceful ant
unconquerable eX-president was no
master of the white house.
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1917-03-17
TRAINING CAMPS TO BE
INLA. TEXAS AND
MEXICO.

Training Camps in the Southern
Department will be held in the States
of Louisiana, Texas, and New Mex
leo, in the summer of 1917. While
the exact locations Of the camps
have not been fully determined, the
following is the program that prob
ably will be put into effct:
Austin, Texas-May 4. June 3.
Dallas, Texas-June 16, July 5.
Alexandria, La.-July %, Aug. q.
Houston, Texts-Sept. 8, Oct. Z.
Las Vegas, N. M.-July 81, August
20.
Objects of the Camps.
The objects of the camps are to
instruct and train the citizens of the
country in the use of arms and in the
tactical use of troops, to teach the
military history and policy of the
United States, and the military con-
ditions existing therein, and also to
prepare those desiring commissions
in the Officers Reserve Camp for the
duties pertaining to such commits
SiOns.
Qualifications for Attendance.
These camps may be attended by
any male citizens of the United
States, Cor any male who has de-
clared his intention of becoming a
St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1917-03-17

citizens) between the ages Of IL and
As, who is'in sound physical condl-
ton and of good moral character,
and who has had the equivalent OF a
high school education.
Those who have the above qualifi-
cations, but who are between the
ages of As and SIS, may be authoriz-
ed to attend, but entirely at their
own expense.
Obligations for Military Service.
Attendance at these camps in
wolves absolutely no obligation OF
any kind for future military service
As explained below, those who have
completed course of three camps
may become members of the Officers
Reserve Corps, subject to call in the
event of war.
Transportation.
Transportation from the attend
ants home to the camp and return
will be furnished by the United
States; the exact manner in which
this will be done has not yet been
decided upon.
Subsistence.
Subsistence while at the camp will
be furnished by the United States
without cost to the attendant.
The uniform will be furnished al
the expense of the United States in
somewhat the following manner:
(a) The applicant is urged tc
furnish his own uniform. After be