davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
SENATE "eETTINe WARM.

Senate investigators Of the
ordnance department appear to be
getting warm.
Testimony of Col. Isaac N. Lewis
before the committee Saturday
should be sufficient at least to put
the ordnance department on the de-
fensive.
Up to the present, the general pub
lie has been willing to look leniently
upon war department "muddling' or
complaints Of it. The tremendous
task OF raising and equipping an
army Of more than a million men in
few months, was family appreciat-
ed by the average man. He was will
ing to view with a kindly eye what
had been accomplished, and overlook
what had not been done.
When experts disagreed, it was no
time for the average citizen to be-
come excited, and apparently no SOL
diers were being sent abroad with
out rifles and without proper equip
ment. II delays for experiments
brought a better rife and a stand
ardized one, no great harm was done
as long as the soldiers were not
ready to use them. and If the rifles
were ready by the time the soldiers
were, what was the harm?
But the testimony Of Col. Lewis on
Saturday was Of a more sensational
nature. 1t tended to show plain
dunderheadedness some place in the
ordnance department. A patriotic
citizen came offering free to the gov
ernment his patent rights on a ma
chine gun. The offer was renewed
time after time. and il the gun itself
was not sufficient evidence Of its
merit, the checks for royalties which
were offered with the patent rights,
should have had some weight. The
patents which had been refused as a
gift by an American war department.
were promptly purchased by Eng
land, and the Lewis gun now is being
generally used at the front, and is
claimed to be superior to any other
weapon Of its kind, with the possible
exception Of the new and untried
Browning gun.
Col. Lewis had thirty EIGHT years
Of service in the American army to
his credit, sand he came, not asking
favors, but Offering gifts. But his
reception was not even courteous.
There is no intimation Of dishon-
esty in the ordnance department, but
unless some very good explanation is
offered, it stands convicted Of glar-
ing inefiiciency, and stupidity, and
perhaps the graver charge Of per-
mitting private spite to interfere with
the performance OF its plain duty.
Mistakes can be forgiven at such a
time as this. but not bullheadednes2
or blind prejudice. and 1t win gsot
take much such testimony as that Of
Saturday to convince the general
public that an immediate renovation
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
NAVIGATION
Term ON Big
LAKES CLOSES
Season Ends AS 1T Started
In Fight With Ice
Blockades
(Bx AssocIatod Press.l )

Detroit, Mich, Dec. 24.-Naviga-
tiOn of the Great Lakes ended as it
began-in hard and long fight with
ice blockades. The parallel failed in
one respect, however. According to
the best available information crews
on ice-bound freighters at the close
OF navigation did not suffer from lack
Of provisions. At the opening Of the
season a number OF vessels became
imprisoned in Lake Superior miles
from shore, and food supplies were
taken to them by men who fought
against terrific odds, risking their
lives in trips across the ice.
One obstacle the fleet encountered
at the, end was the fact that the ice
instead of being soft in long reaches,
as was the case at the opening, was
SOLD and grew thicker every hour
The cold weather continued unbrok-
en- and the channels throughout the
lakes froze over almost as fast as
ice-breakers opened the way for the
last down bound fleets. Further de-
lay was encountered in handling ore
and coal at the loading docks. Much
OF it was frozen in open top cars,
Storm Early In December.
The end began in the early part of
December, when Vesselmen were still
hopeful that the seasons tonnage
carried might equal the record year
OF 1916. A terrific blizzard swept
the entire lake region at the begin
ming Of the second week and sent
virtually the entire fleet into shelter
for 36 hours. The storm had not
upper and lower lake regions drop
ped t. far below zero.
Channels throughout the lake
region became choked with ice and
several of the rivers connecting the
different lakes became frozen over.
Despite these obstacles, efforts were
made to bring down from Lake Su-
perior millions of bushels of grain
and additional cargoes OF iron ore.
Every Boat In Service.
Acting on the suggestion Of the
federal government the Lake Car
riers' association pressed into service
virtually every car ferry and tug on
the lakes to bring the vessels down
to Lake Erie -gateways to the
east There ensued some OF the
most arduous battles with ice seen
in recent years on the Great Lakes.
Vessels which ordinarily made the
trip in a few days We're
delayed more than a week, while
tugs and car ferries broke passage
ways through ice running in some
instances more Inan a IOOL deep.
From Dec. 10 to Dec. 16, more than
three score freighters were piloted
heavy blockades. at Sault
Ste, Marie, in the St. Clair river, in
the Livingstone channel, off Bar
Point at the mouth Of the Detroit
river, and again, IN Lake Erie off
Colchester, Ont.
While the total tonnage handled
during 1917 did not equal that Of
1916, the amount Of coal exceeded
that OF the year before. Nearly u.s.
600, 900 tons OF fuel went through, an
increase over the previous year of
approximately 100000 tons. Total
shipments OF ore from the Lake
Superior region were 2,49S, 900 tons
with 64,7S4,19S tons in
1916. Ore shipments in December of
1917 were cut to 911,475 tons as
against 1,0S5,900 tons in the same
period of 1916.
Disasters during the season were
few, and the loss of
life involved in those that did occur
was small.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
oERMANYs MAN POWER.

Since Germany is now free to throw
virtually all of her armed forces
against the western front, the extent
Of her man power is of vital interest
to Americans. It is. indeed, the most
important question confronting the
Allies.
The Paris correspondent OF The
New York World sends a message
this week, quoting the military critic
0f LfEcho de Paris. His estimate OF
the total German combatant forces
on ali fronts is $500 which is
considerably less than has been gem
efally credited to them. The Ger
man army, he says. consists OF $780,
600 men Of whom 2.s7o, 900 are needed
% guard the frontier, to occupy in
saaed territory. and to maintain the
Tong lines Of communication. The
German division. he says. has shrunk
8o 8 bare $4,000 men. and there are
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
THE GREATEST THING IN THE
WORLD.

And it came to pass in those days,
that there went out a decree from
Caesar Augustus that all the world
should be taxed.
And all went to be taxed, everyone
onto his own city.
And Joseph also went up from
GalIlee,s out of the city Of Nazareth
into Judaea, unto the city of David,
which is called Bethlehem, because
NE was OF the house and lineage OF
David, to be taxed with Mary mis-
espoused wife being great with
child.
And so It was. that. while they
were there the days were accom-
plished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her frstborn
'son, and wrapped him in swaddling
clothes, and laid him in a manger.
because there was no room for them
in the inn.
And there were in the same coun-
try. shepherds. abiding in the field
and keeping watch over their iocks
at night.
Andalo. the angel Of the Lord came
unto them and the glory of the Lord
shone round about them; and they
were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them:
Fear not for behold / bring you
good tidings of great JOY which shall
be to all people. For unto you is
born this day in the city OF David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord"
And suddenly there was with the
angel a multitude Of the heavenly
host praising God and saying: GLORY
10 God in the highest and on earth
peace, good will toward men,"
es st, Luke II,
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
GiDe Details OF Battle
BetWeen French Cruiser
And German Submarine

Iy after struck the Chateaurenault
on the starboard side forward. She
sank by the head, a few minutes af-
ter the captain got aboard patrol
boat. All passengers were saved. but
ten members OF the crew are miss
ing.
THE torpedo boat destFoyers, over
loaded with survivors, renewed the
attack on the submarine under water
and then the surface when she ap-
peared for an instant only to sub
merge again under fire OF the
destroyers' guns. Two seaplanes
then bombed her. The submarine
probably had been struck by a shell
so as TO make 1t impossible for her
TO remain submerged for she ap-
peared once again and was immedi-
ately shelled. One OF her gunners
was swept overheard by a shell
while in the act Of aiming his piece
and all the others jumped into the
sea while the submarine sank like
stone torn 20 pieces by French
guns. The prisoners number %,
among them the captain Of the sub
marine and two officers"
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
The Editors Mail Bag
To The Editor Of The Forum:

! To The Editor OF The Forum:
/ write you a few lines in the in
terest of fairness in regard to the
Billy Sunday campaign in Atlanta" !"
You have an editorial with the
insignia, ignoring Billy Sunday"
and under the date of The Forum,
Dec. goth, read it with much in
terest in view OF the fact that these
are strenuous times and taxing ev-
! cry element of our faith in the forces
/ Of life.
| You belittle Sunday and place him
in the role of Elijah before the
wicked court of Jezebeel, when in his
despondency at the brook Kedron he
cries aloud. 1T is enough, let me
die"
l can just imagine "BilIy's" faith
/ diminishing to the vaporous line Of
doubt and dependency. Nay, never!
! He has faith enough left yet to make
the hell hounds of the liquor traffic,
gambling dens and vice resorts to
go helter skelter to their novels of
infamy.
/ He has got faith enough to make
every war Stacker and seditiously
tempered individuals turn their
eyes to the flag of their protection
and feel ashamed as one who speaks
| i'll of his mother.
You place the religious news in
the same column of interest as
murder trials" and sport items.
do not judge the American temper
that way. / believe there will be a
place for Sundays diamond in the
rough preaching, while the skilled
artist preacher thinks more of his
own comfort than the great truths
which will make this world a safe
place to life in. / admit, the Sum
day style ought not to be necessary
as an awakening force in our relig-
ious life. But it lis. And while 1t Is
and while we have a man Of Sum
days type who makes the liquor
4 forces, the grating agencies, the
vendors OF crime vince and ulti-
mately quit their nefarious business.
| let us give him all the support we
can and not give place to the re-
ports OF the enemy. We are going
| to have this nation dry in three years
and we need Sunday as one of the
/ most forceful personalities ito put IL
across" He has done 1t wherever
he has been. he can and win do it
again. The following is clipped from
The Northwestern Christian Advo-
cate, the official religious organ of
/ the Methodist church and published
| in Chicago, dated Dec. 19 and this
is what 1t says regarding Sundays
Atlanta campaign in contrast with
/ yours:
'aThe Billy Sunday meetings have
swept Atlanta by storm. Thousands
OF trail hitters have been counted
and the utmost effort has been used
/ to conserve the results by care
fuI card index system. An average
OF one hundred letters per day are
being sent out to the neighboring
| pastors, giving them the names Of
those who have made confession
during the meetings. The crowds
have been capacity crowds and the
most pessimistic have been con-
WINGED Of the value Of the work. Mr.
/ Sunday recently sent a signed com-
munication to the Chicago papers
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
SAYS MASSES IN GERMANY
ARE LITERALLY STARVING
Berlin Newspaper Declares 40.0Oo, 600
Germans "Are Unlikely 70 Sit
Silent.
(By Assoclated Press.)

London, Dec. .24.-According to a
Reuters dispatch from Amsterdam,
Vorwaerts, OF Berlin, in plain
spoken attack on the system OF Herr
Won Waldow, the German food con-
troller, declares that great masses
OF German people not only are
hungry but are literally starving.
The paper adds that agricultural
producers and rich residents in
towns are living in plenty, as hoard
ing is no longer prohibited.
EVERY war proflteer and million
aire," says the paper, has his
kitchen and cellar full OF ham and
bacon, the middle class ekes a pre-
carious existence, spending all II
possesses on food, but forty millions
Of the masses are starving and are
unlikely to sit silent
1--WE might have within a month
an absolute catastrophe in Ger
many and a collapse even worse than
Russia, resulting in German defeat
and loss Of the war"
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
NULLIFIED VERDlcT.
Answers BY Jury Take Precedence
over Proposed Award.

jamestown, N. d., Dec. 24.-The
jury in the civil action brought by
Charles Cowan against the 500 line.
plaintiff bringing suit against that
railroad company for $4,000 for al
legged damages, returned a sealed
verdict I'm favor OF the plaintih for
$4,000 in district court here. CoWan,
it was brought out in the trial, while
lying on the tracks Of the 500 rail-
road at Wilton in a drunken stupor,
sustained the loss OF his right arm
and several fingers on the left hand
when q 500 train came along.
Owing to a technical error in the
juryss verdict Judge Nuessle, of Bis
marck, who presided at the trial, will
have to render a decision TO clear up
the case definitely.
Although finding the railroad COM
pany at fault and giving CoWan s17,-
600 they answered a written question
given them by Judge Nuessie to de-
termine the status Of the case in the
Affirmative, thereby annullng their
wNCG
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
Chicago Ministers
Used by Gamblers
AS Their Catspaws
~ Assoclated Prose- }

Chicago. Dec. 24-How an organi-
zation formed to profit from gambling
tricked Chicago, ministers into pull
ing it's chestnuts out of the fire, was
told Saturday by Tom Costello, un-
der ross-examination in the trial
of Former Chief OF Police Healey
and others charged With exacting
money from vicious characters on
the west and south sides of the city.
Costello said the West Side BUSH
ness. Mems association was formed to
control gambling and to exact proilts
from high rents to persons who We're
conducting their business outside the
law. The association held frequent
meetings and adopted solemn resolu-
tions of protest against gambling
houses which did not meet their
approval, the purpose being, he said,
to close rival houses or force them
to rent buildings from the club mem
bers. ON one occasion a minister was
imported who made an address in
downtown theater attacking the
house the association was after. His
expenses were paid. Costello declar-
ed, by Mike the Pike Heitler, a prom
inent member of the club.
This was not known to the speaker,
however. he said.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
HOLIDAY TRUCE
Congress viii Not Resume Investi'
cations Until After Christmas.

Washington, Dec. 24.-Congress
has declared a holiday armistice i'm
its Investigations of war problems.
All inquiries are suspended until
after Christmas, with many of the
investigators making hurried trips to
nearby homes to answer the call OF
Santa Claus. The committees work
ing on the railroad situation, the
army's war preparations and sugar
and coal shortages, plan to go back
to work next Wednesday.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
PAPER
IS SUSPENDED
Vorwaerts Too Outspoken
on Food Shortage to
Please Government
(By Associated Press. }

Amsterdam, Dec. 24.-The Berlin
Socialist newspaper. Vorwaerts has
been obliged by the government to
suspend publication for three days.
Vorwaerts in q recent article, at
tackled the system OF the German
food controller. Won Waldow, declar-
ing that great masses Of German
people were not only hungry, but
were literally starving. 1t also ac-
cused the war profteers and million
aires of boarding great supplies Of
food.
London, Dec. 24.-The suspension
Of The Berlin Vorwaerts is consider
ed as a warning to the entire Ger
man press that 1t must curb it's
tongue in the discussion of internal
German conditions. Although The
Vorwaerts for a long time has been
in the hands Of the so-called ''gov-
controlled Socialists, it re-
Gently printed an attack on Food
Controller Won Waldow and also some
very outspoken editorials regarding
internal conditions in Germany.
The official reason given for the
suspension Of the newspaper is that
the article denouncing the militaris-
tic party's demands for the annexa-
ton Of large sections of Russian ter
ritory, is considered likely to stir up
trouble"
The Indications are that the CEN
sors Of the Central Powers have been
instructed to exercise increased sew
Gritty in the publication Of two class
es of articles, first, those that would
be likely to hamper the Central Pow
ers in their negotiations with Russia
and second, those giving a gloomy
Central Powers, which would be like
ly to encourage Germany's foes.
The Hungarian premier. in an ad-
dress before the Diet Saturday de-
Tended the censors for suppressing
articles along the latter line,
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
Big DYNAMITE
SHIPMENT HELD
Two Hundred Pounds Be.
ing Securely Guarded
at Wahpeton

Wahpeton, N. D., Dec. 24.-Two
hundred pounds of dynamite is be-
ing securely guarded here while rail-
road officers await instructions as to
its disposition.
Dynamite is a ticl1lIsh thing to
handle these days. That's what the
conductor on a northbound Mil
waukee freight thought when he was
startled to find the goods on his
train, and billed for GIenora, N. D.,
which is a mere siding on the prairie,
a new town started about a year ago
near the Montana line.
The members OF the train crew
decided that the best thing to do was
to place the shipment with the Mil
waukee agent. It is believed that the
consignment is intended for the town
of Grenora, North Dakota, a mis-
take having been made in address.
The shipment was from the DUPONT
Powder works.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
OLD CHRISTMAS CAROLS.

Holy night, peaceful night.
All is dark, save the light
Yonder where they sweet vigils kesp.
Ger the Babe who in silent sleep
Rests in heavenly peace.
Silent night, holy night
Darkness flies, all is light.
Shepherds hear the angels sing
"Hallelujah, hail the King
Jesus Christ is here"
Silent night, peaceful night.
Child OF Heaven. o how bright
Thou didst smile when thou vast born;
Blessed was that happy morn, .
Full Of heavenly joy.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
DAILY NEWSPAPERS AT
JAMESTOWN CONSOLIDATE

jamestown, N. D.. Dec. 24.--An-
nouncement of the purchase Of the
subscription list of The Daily Capital
jamestown Daily Alert, was made
Saturday. Both have been afternoon
papers. Jesse b. Burgester, publish
err of The jamestown Daily Capital,
will continue the publication of The
Weekly Capital. The Alert is a
staunch Republican newspaper. The
Daily Capital has leaned toward the
Nonpartisans since the league was
organized.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
MUCK cANcELs ENeAeEMENT.

Chicago, Dec. 24.-Karl Muck, con-
ductor of the Boston Symphony or
chestra, will not keep his engagement
to play here Feb. 3, IL was announced
today by the management OF the
theater at which he was to appear.
Al representative of the orchestra re-
quested that the concert be Cancelled,
it was said, after the agent had made
a trip through the middle west
sounding the sentiment
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24

OF the whole war department is a
necessity. What the ordnance de-
partment needs now, is a man of the
type Of the 81 a year employees that
Uncle Sam has accumulated. The
types of guns have been decided up
on, and 1t Is now a matter of guam
tity production. At the head of the
ordnance department. should be a
big, broad gagged business man to
put driving power into it. and not
just an army officer.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
TO SUCCEED CHIEF
Deputy Director Of Secret Service
viii Take Flynn's Place.
fRv Associated Press.l

Washington, Dee. 24.-W. HI.
Moran, deputy director OF the secret
service, viii take up the duties OF
chief of the service when William }.
Flynn retires next week. 1t was
stated that Secretary McAdoo had
accepted Mr.. Flynn's resignation re-
luctantly and only because the chief
insisted that he needed a rest from
the arduous duties that have pressed
upon him since the United States en-
tered the war. There has been no
announcement as to a permanent ap-
pointment Of new chief.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24

Governor Campbell Of Arizona Is Re-
moved BY The Supreme Court.
AZ a Assnciafad Prnss- =

Phoenix, Ariz., Dec. 24.-The Ariz-
ona supreme court today seated g.
w. p. Hunt as governor of Arizona.
Hunt contested the election of Gov
ernor Campbell, who now holds the
office. Hunt is a Democrat.
The decision OF the court was
unanimous. Fifteen days were al
lowed Governor Campbelrs attorneys
to file an appeal.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24
In The Open Forum
A Column Devoted TO the Task Of
Keeping Up With North Da-
kota Editors.

The Dickinson Press notes an un.
selfish tone to the Christmas prep
aration, and says so as follows:
1t is with a great degree Of
pleasure that we note. in this
hurly- burly Of approaching holi-
days, that not all Is self interest.
There seems to be a due regard
for the welfare OF others in,
every scheme where pleasure is
a factor. The many entertain
ments now being given presage
a comfortable epoch for those
who have not, made possible by
those who have. The Bachelor
dance assures many OF a Christ
mas feed and warm clothing; the
League dance on Christmas day
is given primarily to assist the
endeavors Of a loyal people; the
Firemen's dance on Christmas
eve is for the benefit Of the Red
Cross and the Y. M. @. A., two
worthy institutions. One-half OF
the proceeds of the operetta
given this week by the high
school pupils will be turned over
to the Red Cross.
The proceeds Of the Dorcas
sale and dance on December
18th are TO be divided equally
between the Red Cross and
charity in our home city.
Not anything OF an amusement
nature Is given these days with
out a regard for the distribution
of the funds among worthy or
ganizations. All OF which is well
and testifies to the whole-heart-
edness Of a people, warmed with
the spirit Of love and sympathy.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24

To The Editor of The Forum:
The Courier-News this morning
states that Mrs. Kate O'Hare, re-
Gently convicted Of sedition in the
United States district court at Bis
marck, is out on bail pending an ap-
peal to the circuit court Of appeals
and from that court to the United
States supreme court, stating "The
procedure will require several years
to go through"
This in time Of emergency when
1t would appear that trials for sedi-
ton and treason should be reason
ably swift and certain.
In the average case going before
the United States court delays may
be annoying but are seldom Of vital
Importance, but in cases of sedition
and treason the patience Of the peo-
pie will soon cease and IL indefinite
delays are encountered there will
soon be demand for that venerable
and distinguished jurist, Judge
Lynch" to assist in the determine
ton Of such cases.
1t would appear to the average
man that much good can be accom-
plished by reasonably sure and swift
determination of all casessof sedition
and treason.
q. S. ELLIOTT
Fargo, N. D., Dec. 20.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24

How about Edmund Burke p
would be our answer to the follow
ing from The Crary Public Opinion:
Lord Northciin Is the only
Englishman Ia history who ad
mitted that we did some things
better than they did.
The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-24

in which he anticipates his Chicago
campaign as the climax of his
evangelistic career" ] trust, Mr.:
Editor, you will give this as much
publicity and help the good work of
making the world better, as you have
done in your editorial to the other
side. l believe you will.
Sincerely,
H. STYLES HARRIsS.
Lisbon, N. D., Dec. Fl.