davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
COURSE
IS SUCCESSFUL
Two Days Of Lectures Given
by Experts on Retailing
Are Well Attended

The closing session Of the Ottumwa
short course in retail merchandising
closed Wednesday afternon at the
Commercial club with addresses by j.
A. Cunningham, T. N. Witten and e.
". Wassam. All three of the talks
were most interesting and from the ex'
pressions heard from many of the men
who attended were valuable to them.
Mr.. Cunningham Of Dubuque, secre'
tary Of the Retail Merchants Associa-
ton of Iowa, opened the meeting at
1880 with a talk upon Meeting Compe-
tition. Mr.. Cunningham said that here
in the great middle west, recognized
as the best field for merchandising in
this country, 1t is not strange that
large combinations are being and have
been devised to get this business. He
said that the problem now for the re-
taiIers is to safeguard their own inter-
ests and keep up their businessesses.
The speaker said that for years ev-
erything has been allied against the
retailer-the people, the newspapers,
and even the government Then this
changed and the government tried to
help. The Sherman antitrust law was
formed and proved to be a failure.
Then the government formed federal
trades commission, which has proven
vastly more successful in arriving at
the root Of business evil in the United
States They travelled all over the
world looking for remedy and found
It in Germany and the secret Of it was
cooperation. This, said Mr.. Cunning.
ham, is the secret of the famous Ger
man efficiency. There, he said, the
business men virtually run the country
and there are over 100000 organiza-
tions fostering cooperation among the
business men. They are not allowed to
fight each other and to cut rates, but
help each other, as he hopes and be-
lieves they will some day do in the
United States.
The fault of inefficient business does
not lie along with the retailers, accord
ing to Mr.. Cunningham, but must be
pretty evenly distributed. The manu-
facturers have done their share, and
have permitted their businesses to be
run along most unscientific lines. and
he told several instances OF unwise
sales ms le by manufacturers and job.
|berEf-bys which businesses of the re
tail merchants were greatly decreased.
He also took rap at the tariff laws,
which he said were made by legisiat-
ors who were interested in pet manu-
factures Of their own, and not in the
good of the country.
T. N Witten. community expert and
successful hardware merchant, the
man who began the Trenton Idea. was
next introduced, talking upon Getting
Your Share of Business. He denied be-
ing an expert, but later on pleaded
guilty to being successful merchant,
saying that any man who did not say
he was successful did not deserve to
be so. His pithy and witty remarks
kept the crowd in smiling attention,
but also gave them something to think
about.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
MUNITIONS PLANT
EXPLOSION AWFUL

London. Feb. 22.-The explosion in
ammunition factories in Dresden dur.
ing the Christmas holidays was the
greatest disaster of the kind which has
occurred anywhere since the war be-
gan, according to Central News dis
patch from Christiania, quoting Dres-
den dispatch to the Aftenposten More
than 1000 persons were killed out Of
10000 employed In the wrecked factor
les Emperor William visited the scene
on the following day.
A Paris dispatch dated January 81
said that according to a letter taken
from German soldier and written
from Dresden the Dresden arsenal had
been blown up and 1000 women and
young girls killed The letter was dat.
ed December 30.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
ASSEMBLY
Woodworth CIum, Greater Iowa Boost
er, Says Solons Are Detriment
To The State.

Burlington, Feb. %. speaking be.
fore Group II of the Iowa State Bank
ers' association here today, Woodwork
Clum Of Davenport, secretary Of the
Greater Iowa association. referred to
those members of the state legislature
who are backing the Pitt-Johnston road
bill as "a band Of pirates who are try.
ing to scuttle the ship" He otherwise
attacked the law makers of the state,
saying that they have been, in many
respects, the states worst drawback.
More than two hundred visiting bank
ers are here for the twentieth annual
convention of Group II. In addition to
Mr.. Clum, w. A. Heath Of the Chicago
federal reserve bank: Louis Lau Of this
city and Alfred Miller of Washington,
Iowa, are on the program.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
AusrR,A's STAND KNOWN.

Berne, via Paris. Feb 22-Austria's g
reply to the United States defining her
position In the submarine war Is
known in Berlin. according to the
Frankfurter ZeItung. which predicts
that breach of relations between
Washington and Vienna Is inevitable.
The papers Berlin correspondent
says: 1.-THE memorandum which Pres.
jdent Wilson has sent to the Vienna
government leaves no doubt that the
breach of relations between the United
States and Germany will soon be fol-
lowed by breach with Austria Hun
gary President Wilson wishes to be
clearly told whether the Austro-Hun-
garian government has withdrawn It's
earlier declaration regarding the con-
duct of submarine warfare. Really one
ought to think that the explanation
given by Austria-Hungary at the be-
ginning of the unrestricted submarine
warfare to the effect that from Febru.
sAry all ocean traffic In the blockaded
zones will be prevented by all means,
should not be capable of miscencep.
ton. But in his dealings with the cen
iral powers President Wilson Is al
ways painfully exact.
1t Is true that we have not heard
that he ever sent cautions. let alone
warnings, to the entente for terpedoing
Austrian or German ships without
warning, but when Germany or Aus.
tria do the same thing President viii.
son raises his voice In the name Of hu.
manity and civilization. The Austro.
Hungarian government will answer
President Wilson's memorandum and
what this answer will be is known. Mr..
Wilson will be able to draw his conclu.
sion therefrem and will break OH rela-
tiens.s
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
.E[DON WILL HAVE
Bic Community
0RGAM|zAT ION
Nearby City Follows Lines
of Local Commercial Club
and Starts Campaign
WITTEN ADDRESSES
EVENING MEETING

Edon IL to have big community on.
ganization shaped along the lines o.
the Ottumwa Commercial club and II
the interest and enthusiasm manifest
at the meeting held there Wednesday
night continues, the goal of 200 win
soon be reached.
T. N. Witten whose famous Trenton
Way talks have been delivered in num-
erous parts Of the country, was the
guest Of Eldon boosters Wednesday
evening and made talk In which he
urged the building of the community.
An organization composed OF all the
classes Of citizens Of Eldon and vicinity
including business men, professional
men and those from other walks Of life
as we'll as several from the country
was formed.
The attendance was some three
score men and all were enthusiastic.
The Eldon Commercial club was the
title OF the temporary organization ef-
fected and the officers we're Paul B.
Ramser, chairman; r. D. Crow, secfe-
tary and John Varnum, treasurer.
Some idea of the enthusiasm mani.
fest may be gathered from the action
taken by the meeting which named
two captains. v. B. Baldwin and Ru-
dolph Steff1n, who will head teams that
have engaged in membership cam.
paign. The losers will give banquet
to the winners and the goal set Is 200
Every live wire in Eldon and the sur.
rounding country will be asked to Join.
The meeting Wednesday was held In
the Moose hall and an oyster supper
followed the meeting. Mr.. Witten was
brought to Eldon from Ottumwa in the
afternoon by N. U. Luellen In the lat
ter's car. The Trenton man had deljv.
cred an address at the meEchants'
short course during the early after
noon
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
WHITMORE'S DRY
BILL Is ADOPTED
MEASURE, If MADE INTO LAW,
WILL PRACTICALLY STOP
IMPORT OF LIQUOR.

Des Moines, Feb 22.-The Iowa sem
ate today passed the Whitmore bone
dry" bill making the place of delivery
of intoxicating liquor the place of sale.
The bill, If passed by the house would
permit prosecution Of railroads or
other common carriers bringing liquor
into the state and would, in the opin-
ion of its hackers, shut of absolutely
al chance of importing liquor into
Iowa for personal use or any other
purpose, except as use for medicine.
Vote on the measure was 81 for to
1S against
The following senators voted against
the measure: ~
Adams, Broxam, Ryington. Caswell,
Chase, Coburn, Evans, Evermyer,
Frailey, Green, Hale, Haskell. Helmer,
Jackson. Newberry, Schrup, Thompson
and White.
Senator Whitmore, author of the bill,
introduced the measure following the
decision Of the United States supreme
court holding the Webb-Kenyon act
constitutional. The bill also is rend-
cred more effective by the passage yes
terday Of the bone dry" provision of
the postal bill. %
The bill applies to common car
riers" and Is interpreted to mean rail-
roads or other carriers for hire. 1t
would apply to motor truck lines, but
would not apply to man who drove
his own automobile across the state
line and returned with liquor for his
personal uses.
Backers of the bill claim to have
majority in the house.
In explaining his nay vote, Senator
Schrup of Dubuque turned to the press
gallery and said the title Of his speech
was The Swan Song of Beverage.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
U-B0Qt Victims

Paris. Feb. %. -Omcial announce
ment was made today Of the sinking
on February q of the Dutch steam
ship Ambon 3.59s tons gross and of a
British trawler.
The sinking Of the Norwegian
steamer Alice 709 tons and the Rus
sian steamer Sigrid Of 2.194 tons also
was announced.
London, Feb. 22.-The British steam
er Perseus has been sunk, Lloyds ship
ping agency announced today Four
men of the crew are missing.
London, Feb. 22.--Lloyds announces
that the British steamer Corso has
been sunk The Corso was vessel of
S,242 tons She was last reported as
having passed through the Red sea
eastbound on January 4.
Stockholm. Feb. %. via London
The Swedish minister at Berlin has
been directed to file protest against
the sinking of the Swedish motor ship
Hugo Hamilton Nothing has been
learned regarding the fate Of the crew
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
GERMANS USING
PRISONERS OF WAR

Amsterdam, Feb. e, via London
Germany II employing 10000 war
prisoners AZ farm Yaborers. according
to a Berlin dispatch to the Rheinisohe
Westfaelische zeitung, which quotes
Gen. Groener head Of the army feed.
ing department Gen. Groener's state
ment was made before the reichstag
committee which Is cooperating in car.
rying out the provisions of the national
civil service law. He stated that addi.
tional war prisoners would be rput to
work in the agricultural districts and
that IN occupied territories the garri-
sons would do spring sowing and har-
vest work.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
War Sun7mQrp

The British have made a fur
ther gain against the Germans Of
several hundred yards at two
points. near Armentieres and
Ypres. The German losses in men
and war materials are said to
have been considerable.
There Is also considerable ar
tillery activity by the French and
Germans in the Verdun region.
On the other fronts operations
were of minor character. accord
ing to the official communications
While Sir Edward Carson. first
lord Of the British admiralty was
announcing to parliament that the
British navy had forty encounters
with submarines during the first
eighteen days Of February and
that several were captured or
sunk, the German minister Of the
navy told the Reichstag that there
was reason to suppose that Ger
many had not lost single U-hoat
Four steamers. aggregating 9.743
tons, are on today's list Of vessels
sunk as a result Of the new Teu-
tonic blockade measures.
Neutral vessels are again figur-
ing In the sinkings reported One
of today's announced victims Of
the submarine operations was
Dutch and another Norwegian. A
Russian and British steamer
were the other two. In addition a
British trawler was sunk.
Military operations during the
last twenty-four hours such as re-
ported were of the same relatively
minor nature ~ for several daya
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
BOMB OUTRAGE IN
WEST CHICAGO

Chicago, Feb. %. Considerable en-
citement was caused In the foreign
quarter on the west side here early to
day by the explosion Of two bombs
The first was exploded in the areaway
between two houses driving eight fam
flies into the cold.
Shortly afterward a second boml
was exploded on the rear step Of
saloon. controlled by Barney Grogan
candidate for alderman in the Eigh
teenth ward. The place was partl.
wrecked
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
ENFORCED MILITARY
DRILL ADVOCATED

Des Moines, Feb. 22.-Representa-
tive Anderson Of Davis county gave no
tice in the house today that he would
introduce bill providing for compuh,
sory training for "all male residents
of the state when they reach the age
Of 81" He said his bill would fix the
duration OF the training period at Elk
months to one year." Representative
Anderson obtained the promise Of the
house committee on military affairs
not to report on any bills providing for
military training in the schools until
his measure had been considered.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
FATHER ROFCOUNTRY
REMEMBEREDTODAY|
ANNIVERSARY OF WASHiN0TON'S
BIRTHDAY OBSERVED
THROUGHOUT NATION.

New York. Feb. 22.-The celebration
of Washington's birthday was marked
by greater display of the national
colors and larger number of patriot
ic parades and meetings than in many
years.
A patriotic demonstration under the
auspices of the junior patriots Of
America lasted from 10 o'clock until
noon. There were illustrated patriotic
lectures in number OF the schools
later In the day.
At the celebration at Washington's
headquarters, 160th street and Jumel
terrace, this afternoon, the principal
speaker will be Rear Admiral Bradley
A. Fiske, U. S. navy retired.
A feature Of the annual dinner Of
the Sons Of the Revolution tonight
will be the presentation Of gold med
al to Signal Quartermaster Leo H.
Lukisch, U. S. coast guards, who
knocked down a man for wiping his
hands on an American flag. Lukisch,
who was commended officially in or.
ders from the treasury department,
has been promoted on probation to the
rating of acting wheelman whose
duties correspond to those Of chief
Quartermaster in the navy.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
PACIFISTS' RANKS
BROKEN BY CRISIS

New York, Feb. %. Representative
of nineteen organizations devoted to
the maintenance of International peace
met here today under the auspices Of
the American Peace party to discuss
plans for harmonizing action In the
face of the national crisis.
Differences among the pacifists came
to life several days ago in the declina-
ton of the Worlds Court league and
the League to Enforce Peace to attend
this conference. These two organiza.
tions WI give . joint dinner here to-
night
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
AUSTRIAN RULER
MEETS PROBLEMS
SHOWS ENERGY AND uNsELFisH-
NESS IN CONDUCTING MA
TiON'S BUSINESS.

Vienna, Feb. 20 (via London), Feb.
22.-The intense cold weather has
passed and thaw has set in which
has solved the fuel dificulty Of Wen
ma and incidentally greatly facilitated
the Importation Of foodstuffs. The
-four mills which we're shut down ow-
Ing to frozen rivers, are again in oper.
alton and full bread rations are once
more in force.
Emperor Charles has been tireless
worker in the campaign to relieve
economic conditions and the imperial
teams are still hauling coal for the
heretofore only harnessed to state
coaches hauling heavy coal trucks
is one of the curious war time Incl
dents in the Austrian capital. The
emperor recently banished wheat from
the officers mess at army headquar
ters and had both wheat bread and
-four removed from special train
which was taking his brother Arch
duke Maximilian, to Constantinople.
In issuing this latter order the emper
or remarked that If the common SOL
diers, the people and himself were
contented with black bread the party
on the train should be also.
Another result Of the monarchs in.
tervention has been that Vienna street
cars are still running day and night
DR.. Weiskircher, the burgomaster had
decided that no cars should be run
between in the morning and in the
afternoon The emperor informed Dr.
Weiskircher that this step must not
be thought of and at first the burgo-
master threatened to resign. After a
talk with the emperor ever the tele-
phone. however, the head of the
municipality changed his mind. 1t ap-
pears that Or. Weiskircher told the
emperor that the cars must be stopped
on account of lack Of coal. He was
promptly told that 1t was his bust
ness to find fuel and he did so. In
order to avoid sidestepping by the
city council the emperor himself fixed
the number Of cars which were to run
Some official circles in Vienna and
elsewhere throughout tho empire have
not yet recovered from the shock
caused by the energetic methods of
Emperor Francis Joseph's young sue
cessor Red tape has heen cut right
and left and official heads continue to
fall in the general cleanup which Is
still going on. 1t Is sad time for
certain army officers who have been
|eni0yipg, stan sinecures. In one in.
Stance the emperor sent 4 batch Of
seventy to the front and replaced
them by invalided off1cere While the
oflicial classes were at first inclined
to offer passive resistance to the en-
peror they have now resigned them.
selves to the inevitable Those who
feel the pace OF the new regime too
fast are resigning while the rest are
attempting to live up to the monarch's
demands for hard work. efficiency and
punctuality.
The energy and force of character
displayed by the young emperor are
attributed by those who know him to
the fact that he was reared in what
was far from the lap of luxury COM
paratively speaking. His branch of
the imperial family was notoriously
poor and before he became heir appar-
ent he was often actually hardup.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
PROBE ON IN NEW YORK.

New York, Feb. %. Heads OF city
departments asserted today that a
superficial examination Of vital statis'
tics failed to show results that might
be attributed to lack of sufficient nour.
ishment caused by the high price OF
food. In obedience to instructions from
Mayor Mitchell, they began, however,
careful investigation.
The department heads will report to
the board Of aldermen tomorrow. AT
that time the mayor has promised to
lay before the board of estimate re-
quest of east side house wives that 81.
o0O, 900 be appropriated to buy food for
distribution by the city at reasonable
prices.
The health department is issuing
daily food bulletins telling housewives
how expensive articles may be elimin.
ated from the diet without detriment
to health.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
YOUTHS HELD ON
ASSAULT CHARGE

Des Moines. Feb. %. The police
today arrested Sam Morasco. Is and
Sam Pricopio. IS. charged with assault
ing Marie Liggins, IS. while she was re-
turning home from work early today
on the south side here. Miss Liggins.
who is night telephone operator at a
manufacturing plant, is in a serious
condition. Her screams attracted a
city fireman and her assailants fed.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
D. A. r. HAS OBSERVANCE.

/
ington's birthday was observed here
today by public meeting held IN
Memorial continental hall, under the
auspices Of the Daughters OF the Amer
lean Revolution, Sons Of the Revoiu'
ton, and Sons of the American Revolu'
ton. President Wilson was on the
program to present a gold medal TO
high school youth as prize in patr1'
otic essay contest. The French am.
bassador and Nine Jusserand accepted
invitations to attend.
Government departments were closed
for the day but because Of the press
Of legislation, congress held Its usual
sessions
President Wilson participated in
George Washington's birthday exer-
cises here today at which frequent
reference was made to the present In
ternational situation.
at is much less OF an adventure to
write history than to try to enact 1t. !"
said the president in presenting gold
medal to a school boy for writing an
essay on history.
The president pledged allegiance
anew to the American flag, and, with
the remainder of an audience, includ-
Ing members of the cabinet, diplo-
mats and congressman, he stood at
salute while the pledging allegiance
Awaswre epeateds~sss &. ~ -ss
The exercises held under the Joint
auspices Of the Daughters of the Amer
lean Revolution. the Sons of the Amer
lean Revolution and the Sons of the
Revolution. were marked by an out
burst of patriotic fervor when Prest-
dent Wilson appeared. A huge Amer
ican flag was displayed and the Marine
band played the Star spangled Ban
ner.
Reference to the traditional friend
ship between the United States and
France was made by Newell B. Wood
worth of Syracuse. N. v, past presi-
dent of the Sons of the American Rev
olution, while Jules Jusserand. the
French ambassador, stood and ac.
knowledged applause.
Mr. Woodwork declared that in the
present situation the people stand
patriotically behind their president
and are ready to answer any call for
the nation.
Senator Pomerene Of Ohio delivered
the principal address.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
JUSTICE DEENER
NOT ANY BETTER

Red Oak. Feb. 22.-The condition
of Horace E. Deemer, justice Of the
Iowa supreme court who has been crit
ically i'll at his home here for more
than a week. was pronounced by phys
icians today to be not so favorable.
Justice Deemer became unconscious
early today and although hope still is
held out for his recovery. doctors said
his chances had materially lessened
overnight
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
MEASLES EPIDEMIC
FATAL TO CHILDREN

Muscatine. Feb. 22.-Measles caused
the death Of fve children in this city
swelling the toll Of the epidemic which
has ragged here for the past two
months to seven. More than 500 cases
were reported to the health authOn-
ties. The epidemic. the most serious
from that disease in years, Is attribu.
ted to failure Of many to observe
quarantine.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
plaAoREE ON BILL.

Washington, D. G., Feb 22.-The
senate judiciary committee today fail
ed to agree to the bill proposed by the
department Of justice to authorize the
president to use the armed forces OF
the United States to enforce It's neu.
irality obligations, and II was declared
by several senators that 1t probably
would net be reported
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
PUBLIC CELEBRATIONS.

New York. Feb. %. Public celebra-
tions in honor of George Washington
are being held in thirty of the princi
pal cities Of the country today by the
knights of Columbus. The meetings
are under the auspices Of the Fourth
Degree of the Knights, whose under
lying principle is patriotism.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
MEXICAN FORCES FIGHT.

San Antonio. Tex, Feb. ga re.
port of a fight between Carranza and
villa troops south Of Ruidosa was re-
ceived here today from Colonel Joseph
Castor at Maria, commander of the
Big Bend district. At the time his dis
patch was fled fighting. was still in
progress.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-23
RECRUITING PICKS UP.

Washington, d. c., Feb. PA net
gain OF lab new recruits have been
added to the navy In the last twenty
days, compared with total net gain
for the whole of January of approx
mately the same number. The full en-.
listed strength has now reached a
total of $500.