davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04

ted by the German armies in Belgium
and France must also be OF common
knowledge in the empire.
And II the German people are cog
infant Of these facts, what can explain
their failure to disavow these crimes
and set themselves right before the
civilized peoples Of the world?
It is true that newspapers published
in Germany. like the Nord Deutsche
Algemeine Zeitung and others scarcely
less strongly identified with the gov
eminent, devote much of their space
to denials of every charge that is made
against the kaiser and his armies. But
after more than two years of war. is 1t
possible that the whole German public
is SO thoroughly hoodwinked that only
these papers are believed. and such
men as Herr Delbrurek are discred-
tied?
Perhaps, after the war, the world
will be given an explanation OF the
strangely supine attitude Of the people
in Germany and their failure to assert
a righteous indignation over the
kaiser's action in besmirching their
good name before all the world. 1t is
well to withhold Judgment until then.
perhaps. but it is becoming more and
more difficult.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
THE HOODWINKED NATION.

If the Prussian year book. whatever
that is, has very wide circulation
among the German people. and If anti
government sentiments similar to
those which are expressed in the vol.
ume by Professor Hans Delbrurek are
permitted to reach the reading public
in the empire with any marked fire.
auency, there is Increasing reason to
wonder how the kaiser and his public
ity bureaus are able to stifle the indig-
nation that should spring up all owe:
Germany when the real facts in con-
nection with the war are known.
The excuse that has been made and
still Is offered for the failure OF the
German public to rise as one man and
demand that the kaiscr's career OF
lawlessness cease. is that the true
facts are concealed from the people
of the empire.
But If Hen Delbrurek can publish
such pointed questions and criticism
of the imperial chancellor as were
quoted in yesterdays Associated Press
dispatches TO The Courier, certainly
the true stories Of the crimes commit
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
GOODBYE, JOHN.

News comes from Peoria. ILL.,, that
FIVE big distilleries which have -four
ished there for many years. producing
35 per cent OF all the whisky made in
the United States. are to be closed a
week from today. at least for the du-
ration of the war.
John Barleycorn is about to be
jostled out of the home that has been
his for fifty years or more. Three Of
the five firms will go out of business.
Two will continue to grind corn for
spirits to be used for commercial pur-
poses
While it cannot be denied that from
the standpoint of the investor whose
money is involved in the distillery
business the new law putting alco-
holic beverages under the ban means
a financial loss, neither can it be
questioned that the country would be
better if all the distilleries had been
closed years ago.
Every community has its human
wrecks whose loss of fortune. ambi-
ton and responsibility are to be
traced directly to whisky. There can
be no argument advanced to offset
the evidence against booze which is
supplied by every mans individual
acquaintance with horrible eX.
amples." We may talk Of the exercise
of will as a safeguard against be-
sotted uselessness: We may prattle of
personal liberties and demand for our
selves the right to indulge moderate
ly; we may single out persons who
have won fame despite their records
of intemperance. but the fact remains
that liquor wrecks more lives than
ever were offered up in any Of the
great battles. Begging the question
cannot remove the ultimate facts that
the world would be better if intoxi-
cants never had been invented. and
that It will be better If their manu-
facture and consumption is reduced
to the minimum.
Although war imposes the utmost
burdens and sacrifices, it brings its
blessings. too. and not the least OF
these. in the case of America. is the
restriction placed on the manufacture
of alcoholic beverages.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
WHEAT AND PATRIOTISM.

Judging by the attitude of farmers
in the northwestern wheat country,
the belief that their patriotism would
impel them to grow big crops without
the spur of guaranteed selling price
was wrong. The Courier held that be-
lief, for it judged the farmers Of Amer
lea by the farmers OF Iowa. whose
patriotism has been demonstrated be-
yond shadow of question and is
recorded for all the world to read in
the figures which denote the increased
acreage and the increased crop OF
Iowa's staple agricultural products.
Several months ago, when President
Pearson of Ames and other agricul-
turists told the members Of the admin
istration that it would be necessary to
Ak minimum prices to induce farmers
to plant large crops. The Courier be-
lieved it was right in saying that the
farmer demands no greater measure
Of security than does any other loyal
citizen. We believed and said that
the farmers of the United States were
as patriotic as their urban neighbors.
and that they were willing to take
their chances in the business, of agri-
culture just as merchants, manufac-
turers and wage workers were taking
their chances.
And as regards Iowa farmers the
contention was true. They have work
ed early and late and soon will COM
plete the harvesting OF the greatest
crop Iowa has known. They did not
and do not demand assurance flNm
the government that they shall re-
ceiye q stated minimum price for their
products. They are doing their bit
Loyalty in an effort to help their
country win the war. They expect to
sell their products at the market. just
as they always have sold them.
But the wheat farmers Of Dakota
and Montana seem to have conceived
the idea that this war Is being waged
for their particular benefit. Not con-
tent with an extraordinary demand for
their product at prices double the max
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
PLAN TO IMPROVE
Z SAUNDERS GROVE

Mt. Pleasant. Aug. 31.-While no of
fetal action was taken yet the city
council at a special meeting tentatively
agreed next spring to make improve
ments for the benefit of the citizens in
the pretty park formerly known Is
Saunders Grove. This IL one Of the
prettiest natural parks in the state Of
Iowa and it is proposed to install elee-
trio lights erect q caretakers residence
and pavilion. to hard surface the main
driveway. and to install toilets. The
chautauQua will be held here next yeae
and it is proposed to have all the irns,
provements completed BY then 70 tha4l
the chautauqua can become pesmAns
ent institution at the park.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
THREE WISE MEN.

The president of the Illinois miners
union. Frank Harrington, blames the
Illinois state council of defense for the
strike which interrupted production in
that state recently and for the demand
at this time on the part of all the coal
miners for a marked increase III
wages.
There is reason to believe that he is
right, at least to large degree. 1t
must be remembered that 1t requires
little urging at any time to convince
the miners that wages are inadequate.
Indeed, it is not difficult for any of us
to argue that he Is but poorly paid.
And so, when Samuel insult. ]. Og-
den Armour and Levy Mayer. with sew.
eral prominent Chicago daily papers
as their mouthpieces, repeated over
and over that the coal operators Of
Illinois had been robbing the public to
the tune Of immensely excessive divi-
dends on mine stock, the miners read
these feverish assertions and very nat
urally reasoned that they, too. were be-
ing defrauded by the mine owners.
The wage advances they had obtained
only recently seemed to fall far short
of labor's poportionate share in the
big profits accruing to the industry as
whole.
SO strike was declared in several
mines. Only the day workers took for
NAL action, but they made it impos-
sible for the mines to operate and the
diggers were idle as result. Thou
sands OF tons were lost from the pro-
ended by means of threats of expul-
ei@ he nj hink hn
officials were compelled to repeat be-
even temporarily.
The operators were mulcting the
public; there is no doubt Of that fact.
But the three wise men of the Illinois
council Of defense paid little attention
to the public's interest when they in
voked the authority of the common.
wealth to remedy conditions and lower
prices. They devoted their attention to
an effort to obtain lower prices for their
own coal, which they had been buying
for many years for less than mining
cost. They were willing, apparently,
to assist the operators in wrinsing
more money from the householders II
the operation would lower their own
prices.
II recent history repeats itself. the
coal miners will receive their increase
and the buyer Of retail coal will be
compelled to add that extra cost to his
coal bill for the coming winter.
Certainly, If the Illinois furore was
inspired by genuine desire to deal
squarely with the general public. the
moving spirits in the council OF de-
Tense made a frightful botch OF their
lob,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
STATE MAY LOSE.
ON AUTO LICENSES

DIS Moines. Aug. 31-Judging BY
the present number of delinquencies
in automobile registration department
the state stands good chance OF
losing S25O0O0 in upaid license fees.
So far the delinquents in 50 coun-
ties have been notified. and these to-
tai 1924. These counties, however
are the smaller ones of the state ana
it is believed that there will be an
average of $50 delinquents in each OF,
Iowa's 80 counties, or a total OF 1880
in the state.
At the present time there are 261.-
244 cars registered in Iowa and ono
out of every nine Is delinquent in pay.
ing his registration fees.
The average fee for all automobiles
is ss.45 and at this rate the loss to
the state will total $2ss,175.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
MARSHAL TAKES
FOUR AT WINFIELDl

Mount Pleasant, Aug. 3l.ADeputy
United States Marshal D. c. Crowley
Of Keokuk paid visit to the neigh
boring town Of Winfield and arrested
four known residents. Charles
Schwartz, Conrad Fl. Schwartz, ~
Thomas and o. A. Lofgren. charstng
them with making false statements r.:
garding the claim Of Charles 9
Schwartz for exemption from military
duty. The men were at once taken to
Keokuk and Attorney Roger s. Caller OF
this city was summoned to look after
the interests of Meesrs. Thomas ana
Lofgren. A warrant for fifth man was
In the hands Of the marshal but could
not be served owing to the fact that he
had enlisted and was now in the U. 8.
army. The men were arraigned before
United States Commissioner Craig ana
were released on bonds OF $500 each.
They will appear at Keokuk this week
when they will be given their prelimin-
airy hearing.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
MISSOURI TROOPS
PASS IN REVIEW

Nevada. Mo. Aug. Sl.-Ten thousand
national guardsmen, the
largest body of troops assembled in one
column in Missouri since the civil war,
paraded through the streets of Nevada
between crowds of cheering civilians
which lined the route on either side.
The columns was headed by Brig. Gen.
Harvey Clarke, commanding, accom-
panied by his staff and the officers OF
the signal corps battalion as an escort.
II was between six and eight miles in
length as it approached the city along
the road leading up to the camp and
required in the massed form. four
abreast, into which il contracted after
entering the city. more than an hour
to pass a given point.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
ADVERTISING THE NEXT LOAN.

ADVERTISING THE NEXT LOAN.
The second Liberty Loan will be
f1oated in October, according to dis
patches from Washington today. AL
though no definite decision on the
point has been reached, it is consid-
ed probable that an appropriation will
be made by congress to pay for news
paper advertising space which will be
used to acquaint the public with the
loan, it's provisions and the desirabili-
ty of the bonds.
In helping to make the first Liberty
Loan success, the newspapers did
their bit with unanimous loyalty OF
spirit. In every community they
shared the enthusiasm Of the local
committees and gave their columns
freely to the furtherance of the cause.
They will do the same thing when the
next loan is foated. regardless Of the
attitude the government shall take on
the question of newspaper advertising.
The advertising schemes which were
employed for the first loan were of the
hap-hazard. hit-and-miss sort which
might have been expected from the
amateur promoters of new and am
bilious business proposition, but they
were not successful in inducing per-
sons to loan their money to the gov
eminent for the prosecution OF the
war. The arguments and the pleas
for patriotic cooperation with the ad-
ministraticn were carried to the peo-
pie of the country by the newspapers.
Gaudy Autographs were prepared by
the publicity bureau and sent about
the country for distribution and dis
play, but few OF them were posted and
their doubtful pulling power" was
not even put to test. In Ottumwa
a big shipment was received, late in
the campaign. but no arrangements
had been made for displaying them
and they took no part in the success.
full campaign which was conducted by
the enthusiastic local committee. Sim.
liar experiences were reported from
other cities.
The buttons which designated Lib
erty Bond buyers were withheld or
shipped late in many instances: the
literature supplied by the publicity
bureau to local committees and news
papers was trady in. reaching its
destinations and the entire campaign
was characterized by an apparent
ldCh VI uldud Seilieut duu dullily az
the point Of origin.
In spite of this. the newspapers and
news agencies of the country assisted
the local committees in each com.
munity in keeping the loan before the
public day after day until the an.
nourcement came from Washington
that the bonds had been over-sub.
scribed by so per cent or more.
They claim no particular credit for
their loyalty. They were doing their
duty to their country as they saw it,
and that is no more than millions Of
Americans are doing. But in view Of
the lack of management which char.
acterized the publicity campaign for
the first loan, newspaper men all over
America unite in the hope that the
task in the future will be entrusted to
publicity experts of experience and
ability
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
APPRAISED LAND
HISTORIC PLACE

Iowa City, Aug. 31.-Recently wAs0
agents of the state appraised the Fbls
som tract of land located in the west;l
ern part of Iowa City, preparatory to,
condemnation and acquisition for unts.
versity purposes, they were doubtless;
unaware of the fact that much Of ~
sentimental and historic nature clingd.
around this famous tract Of land
Away back in 1910 whom the original
Folsom purchased this piece Of land
which abuts the Iowa river, he at oncas
constructed a ferry, which for many|
years was the only means Of crossing
the stream except at times when the
river was low enough to ford or II
cases when the ice was thick enouS1
to support traffic.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04

imum at which they have been ac-
customed to aiming, they have flooded
Washington with protests against the
81 price proposed by food administra
ton officials and have declared they
cannot exist unless the minimum figure
Is SO bushel
AS q plain mathematical proposition,
it seems passing strange that farmer
is unable to pay expenses when he
can sell wheat at So. or the new Of
single crop an amount equivalent to
the market value of his land, acre for
acre.
But it has remained for Mime
sofa farmer to apply the supreme
touch to the extraordinary situation
in a letter to the st. Paul Pioneer
Press, asserting that the farmers
price for wheat should be based on
the acreage sown instead of the yield.
He would have the government not
only guarantee a price whose equal
he never knew before, but he would
insist also that the minimum amount
to be paid him for his crop be deter
mined in the fall by the number of
acres he planted to wheat. Then he
would be certain of the sum. no mat
ter what befell his crop. The gov
eminent would be bound to pay him
at least the minimum price for so
many bushels and 80 many acres. re-
CARELESS of drought, rust storms, flood
or any misfortune that might overtake
his crop.
If every business man could have a
federal guarantee of such ironclad GER
tainty, and II every wage worker could
be assured of an exorbitant minimum
sum each day, whether he worked or
not, wouldn't it be jolly country?
To be sure, it is not easy to tell where
all the money would come from, but
why worry over that when the gov
eminent guarantees?
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
LITTLE BENNY'S
n TE BOOK
BY LEE PAPE
) . >>>~>>> . .. .

Weather. Jest the same ony hotter.
Big Smash Up. A big collision
took place last Friday eevning wen
Sid Hunt and Sam Cross met suddinly
vile they was running Ground the
corner in opposite directions, causing
Sam Cross to lose loose toothe witch
he was Very proud Of.
Spoarts. Raymind. the new fat boy
in the next block. was getting his hare
cut in the barber shop on Thersday
AFTERNOON. wen Ed Wernick. Lew
Davis and Leroy Shooster saw him
and stood in the door yelling sutch
things as. Look whose getting his
hare cut. Wat are you going to do
with 1t. make pliers for the parler?
Look out, those sizzers Is sharp. un-
till the barber chased them swearing
fearse.
wy not lern to be a mecanick? Ed
Wern;ck will leeve you watch him
take mis- bysickel apart adm put it to-
gether asen for sents. Avvertize-
ment.
Sissiety Notes. Mr. Artie Ali.an-
der is reported to be Engaged to Miss
Maud Jonson. Miss Jonson denies it.,
however. saying her new ring was
gave to her for getting over the
meezils.
Intristing Packs About Intristing
People. Pubs Simkins SEES he ate 9
bananas one AFTERNOON without stop
ping. But he ses he dident eat mulch
suppir aftirwerds.
Lost and Found Department. Lost
A broken dog collier with no dog
attached. Sc Sid Hunt.
Found--Nuthing.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
RUNNING RACES
WILL BE ATTEMPTED

ST. Louis. Aug. 31.-The hrst d.
tempt to hold running race meet In
this section since race track gambling
was stopped in 1905 during the admin
istration of Governor Joseph w. Folk
of Missouri. will be made during ten
days. beginning yesterday.
The races are to be held at Max
welton just outside the city limits.
The authorities have made it clear
that open gambling will not be toler-
ated and the promoters of the meet
have announced that there will be no
registered bets-only oral betting. -
Sheriff Bopp of st. Louis county has
announced that deputies will be at
the races every day to stop any open
show of money.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
TOO MUCH FOR HUDSON.

Hudson, Wisconsin, has stood for
good deal, but when Lochner and his
pacifists picked the town as the loca-
ton for their convention of pro-GeT-
manism Hudson .ssbelled.
And by that act Hudson has re-
established itself in the good graces
of more than one wayfarer who has
known it in other days, as haven for
runaway brides and bridegrooms and
as the scene of more or less disrepu-
table prize fights which attracted dis
orderly crowds and created wild
nights.
A few years ago the town was the
Gretna Green to which lovers from
Minneapolis and st. Paul repaired for
quick and quiet marriages. Only a few
miles from the Twin cities. Hudson
was the home of marrying judge
who never objected to adjourning
court or rising from bed to drone the
mystic service which constituted mat
rimony. Then Wisconsin's heartless
legislature enacted some stringent
marriage laws and Hudson went out OF
the Gretna Green business.
But about this time the same legis'
lature enacted law permitting ten
round boxing matches in Wisconsin,
and Hudson became the resort for
Twin City fight fans. This bonanza
played out a year of two later when
Minnesota enacted boxing law.
Since then Hudson has been com.
PEELED to depend on spring freshets
for a place in the sun of publicity. I'M
til now Lochner rescued it and at the
same time committed the browning act
of insult which made Hudson turn like
the patient worm, assert its indepen.
dence and its Americanism and send
Lochner and his crew Of pacifists out
of town and out of Wisconsin.
1t was the Boston Transcript which
said. only few days ago. The middle
west will learn, after while. that war
is in progress" But the middle west
has known it for some time, as is indl-
Gated by the reception 1t has accorded
the pacifists who were able to obtain
pretty good start In the east, not ex-
cepting Boston.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-04
ONE VOTE FOR DEVILS LAKE.

VINE WI VOn OcVI6 y IAN6.
j. A. A. Burnquist, Minnesota's acct
dental governor, has done many things
and left many things undone which
combined to give him a reputation for
vaccilation and all-round weakness.
But no objection can be urged on that
score against his action in prohibiting
the pacifist convention which Louis P.
Lochner and his fellow relics of the
Ford peace expedition have announced
for Minneapolis.
Governor Burnquist. in all probable
ity, has followed the advice of the very
active council of defense which has
been handling many affairs in Mime
sofa since America entered the war.
Whoever may have been the author Of
his order against the pacifists, It Is to
be commended.
Lochner and his crew say the gov
ernor of North Dakota is willing to
permit the convention in his state,
and there is little reason to doubt
that this is true. North Dakota
Is permeated with the poison Of social
ism, l. w. w. propaganda and the pac-
ifist doctrine Of Charles Edward Rus
sells Non-Partisan league. Governor
HIdAAci as tue league CduOludte anu
he is the leagues governor.
North Dakota Is the proper place for
Lochner and his convention of disloy-
atty. 1t is unfortunate that the tele-
graph facilities are not so good there
as in the cities of Minnesota and Wis
consin, but no doubt it would be pos
sible for the newspapers to learn all
they care to know about the proceed
ings should the meeting be held at
Fargo or Grand Forks. Bismarck sug.
gests itself. but DEVILS Lake. If 1t Is
anything like the name it bears, might
be still more appropriate setting.