davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1917-03-18

buildings when needed. In the mean
time Grafton II. Rice, superintendent
and head engineer of the National Geo
graphic Society building, a country
bred man who had a longing to get
back to the soil. was given permission
to put the ground in order and plant
part of it in vegetables for home con-
sumption. 1t was such a success that
the second season Mr.. Rice took up all
the ground. and says that by expert
ence he knows that vacant-lot garden
ing is one of the best ways to lessen
the high cost of living, besides taking a
man back to nature and giving him the
physical exercise he SO much requires
in the city.
When this lot-100 by 100 feet. ap-
proximately-was bought it was grad
ed with cinders From a nearby apart
ment house and hotel which was being
constructed permission was granted to
dump their surplus soil on this lot.
This furnished the soil in which the
vegetable gardening was done, cSS
loads of earth being hauled to the spot.
giving practically four inches of earth
on top of the ashes and cinders. Mr..
Rice says he had an expense of only
s12, of which s. was for hand plow
and tools which are used each year:
SO was paid for fertilizer; some of the
seeds We're gotten from the Depart
ment of agriculture and some were
presented to Mr.. Rice. His work was
Evening star., 1917-03-18

not reached its present height. interest
lessened and ~ association was dis
solved. The Peoples Garden Associa
ton and other clubs have largely taken
its place.
There are a few notable instances of
the success of backyard farming in the
capital which seem almost incredible
and furnish incontestible proof of what
can be done even in the smallest of the
city's back yards.
In Southwest Washington, in several
of the little gardens back of the sani-
tary flats, where the space available is
perhaps 20X12 feet-and this includes
the asphalt walk leading to the door
there are some wonderful examples of
these tiny gardens planted with lettuce.
peas. radiSheS, onions, string beans and
tomatoes. which have produced for two
seasons enough of these vegetables for
families of two and three adults. The
soil was fully fertiliZed. the plots tend
ed night and morning. and in one or
two places two crops were raised dur
ing the summer and fall.
Miss Belle Ellis. one of the best
who is now in charge of these flats.
says the interest and pride taken in
these little gardens is a constant source
of encouragement to spur the people
to greater efforts each year, and that
Evening star., 1917-03-18

many of the families by their own eff
forts have fresh vegetables. For
health's sake. as well as promoting
habits of thrift. it has been good plan.
In striking contrast to these minia :
ture gardens there has been for two
seasons past on a fashionable part of
10th street, opposite the Russian en-
bassy, vegetable garden which is per
haps the most valuable garden plot in
the world. being valued at more than
S65,000.
Last spring, passing along this thor
oughfare within It few blocks of the
White House. pedestrians were treated
TO the interesting and unusual sight OF
a two-horse plow turning the rich fur
rows, just as down on the farm. To
many a pasSer-by this scene brought
back memories of days on the farm.
when the odor of the freshly turned
earth filled their noStrils and the song
of the birds was in the air. They had
to look twice before it dawned upon
them that right in the heart of the
capital the ground was actually being
Prepared for raising a crop of vege-
ia ableS after the most up-to-date meth
DDS.
This city garden plot belongs to the
Natiopal Geographic Society and adj
joins their property. which runs from
NJ street to the alley fronting on 18th
street. 1t was bought some time ago
by the organization for additional
Evening star., 1917-03-18

to market at profitable price, is that
a considerable portion of the 1916 pot
ash crop" was the result of an acci
dental discovery on the part of DR.. +.
G. Cottrcll one of the scientists con-
nected with the bureau of mines.
Some years ago Dr.. Cottrell turned
his attention to the abatement of the
smoke and dust nuisances which were
causing so much trouble in different
parts of the country. After long and
patient experimenting, DIR. Cottrell de-
vised an electrical apparatus for con-
densing the smoke, fumes and dust
from furnaces and manufacturing
plants of all kinds. and he discovered
that the residue contained considerable
quantities of sulphuric acid and other
valuable by-products which were being
wasted. in addition to causing much in
convenience to the surrounding coun-
try. With a single operation, therefore.
the government chemist enabled the
manufacturing plants 10 make a con-
siderable saving tby utilizing their
formerly wasted products), and at the
same time to abate nuisance which
caused many complaints and objections.
Had this been the limit of usefulness
Evening star., 1917-03-18
&C nc

ing" is the slogan of the
q Department of Agriculture.
Uncle Sam has taken flyer IN city
farming and is sending broadcast
through the country bulletins in order
to arouse a feeling of interest among
the people and induce them to take a
chance in home and vacant-Iot gar
dening, which he believes is one of the
most logical solutions of the serious
problem of the high price OF food con-
fronting all classes of society, but
weighing heaviest on the man OF small
salary and large family.
The department has undertaken this
educational campaign not only from
the standpoint of the growing scarcity
OF food supplies. the rapid advance in
prices and the difficulties of tramspor-
tation but for more patriotic reasons.
believing that it has a bearing on ma
tional preparedness; If the country
should become involved in war the
necessity for harboring every resource
would be more easily met.
In a recent speech before Il meeting
of the Federation of Women'S Clubs in
the District, Carl Nrooman, assistant
secretary of agriculture, asked his
dience if they had thought of what the
price of food would be in the event of
the United States going to war and the
government communicating all trans
portation and taking over the food
supply for the army. Mr.. Nrooman said:
AS a matter of food preparedness. as
well as economy, | urge YOU to utilize
the vacant acres for farming purposes
Make each region agricuIturalIy indie
pendent 1t can be done with profit
lie called attention to the fact that
the people called on the federal govern
ment to reduce the high cost OF food
stuffs when they We're not lifting Il
hand to help themselves. lie cited sew
eral cities where city farming had been
adopted . few years ago and where
Evening star., 1917-03-18
duce Its Own Potash by End of European Struggle

the operating company has been able
to clear a large amount of money from
material formerly thought to be COM
mercially unworkable. With potash at
its present price, or even half its pres
ent price, these saline deposits will be
very valuable for years to come, and
it is the opinion of government experts
that these deposits viii not be
hausted for some fifteen or twenty
years.
"Alunite," a potash-bearing mineral
located in the west. is another rich
source of this valuable product, while
a considerable amount of the fertilizer
is recovered from hardwood ashes
c'pearlash' the oldest known
source of potash), from the refuse from
slaughter houses, leather works, dis
tilleries and the ashes of cotton burr
hulls.
These miscellaneous industrial prod
ucts, formerly considered of no value,
yielded, last year, 1850 tons of potash.
valued at considerably more than half
a million dollars-which may be taken
as another instance of the uceasing
work of the government to utilize even
the "squeal of the pig" for the cotton
burr hulls and "vinasse" Ga distiliery
Evening star., 1917-03-18

OF a bout s35 ton. The reason for this
is that the worlds largest deposit of
this precious product is located at
S assfurt, in northern central Germany
"a field sufficiently rich in potash-bear-
ing minerals TO permit of the exporta-
tion of this substance at the compara-
lively low rate which was current be-
fore the outbreak of hostIlities. AS soon
a the war opened. however, this supply
was cut off and the United States faced
a potash famine which sent the price
up to $3.50 and $500 n ton. with pro-
spects Of going even higher.
America therefore. faced the alter
native of either doing without potash
a condition which would seriously ham
per many Industries in this oouutry-
or of manufacturing IT herself. The
statement made in the bulletin of the
geological survey shows that she chose
the latter course, ard, according to tie
estimates of government experts con-
nected with the survey and the bureau
of mines it is highly probable that the
end of tho war will find Germany with
out q profitable potash market in this
country owing TO the fact that the
United States will have learned to pro-
luce enough for it's own uses at price
which will compare favorably with that
OF the foreign product
one of the most interesting features
OF this home production or "a S2hstance,
.-:.i:' -.as formerly tEodS!I. impossible
Evening star., 1917-03-18
A Good Collector.

I'd ISHOP BRISTOL of Omaha, in tho
~ course of an address in behalf OF
deserving charity. told a story about
the late Gen. Booth c: the Salvation
Army.
"If I could only elicii money from
congregation as the general could" he
said.
once, when the general was address,
ing a vast audience, the officers, fearing
that he could not be heard, began to
move softly about, closing all the win
dows.
Half had been closed. and the air had
already begun to get hot and FOUL.
when the general peremptorily ordered
the officers to stop.
"pon't suffocate them tiil after the
collection said Gen. Booth"
Evening star., 1917-03-18

refuse) were formerly considered a.
having no possible commercial value
v hateyer.
potash saved by the Cottrell process
and that which the geological survey
has located in various sections of the
country, the United States will proba-
bly, be in a position by the end of the
war to inform Germany that 1t has
learned to produce its own potash and
that il is not necessary to import any.
Evening star., 1917-03-18

backyard farming is the logical solu-
tion in the present situation. it is the
duty of every patriotic American to
rally to their standard and take their
advice. Washington offers unusual pos
owing to the wisdom with which the
city was laid out in the beginning and
the increasing provision for wide al
1eys and Wire fencing, thus giving more
sunshine and fresh air. The movement
would be under the shadow OF the De
partment of Agriculture. which stands
ready to cooperate 10y furnishing all
the printed information desired besides
giving advice when asked. 1t is also
a BILE to send out agents to demonstrate
the work.
In every part of the city all sanitary
conditions are looked to by experts as well
as the Commissioners of the District.
who give their time in and out of office
hours to further city Improvement and
encourage garden clubs among the school
children and citizen associations. In the
newer parts of Washington the back
Yards offer every inducement of beauty
and utility for the encouragement of farm
ing.
Washington is said to have fewer truck
gardens than any city of its size in the
country and vet when compared with
other places there seems a prodigality
of vacant lots in the District. Philadel-
phia, Baltimore, Chicago. st. Louis and
Evening star., 1917-03-18

amounted to- LILO tons, or less than
can be secured from the operation OF
the single cement mill at HagerStown.
operating only on the conservation of
waste material for a year. 1t is prob
able, therefore, that the kelp potash
industry will be hard hit by the re-
cent discoveries in connection with
saving potash at various factories.
The largest output of American pot
ash from a single source last year came
from the Nebraska alkali lakes. from
which were obtained 1850 tons of this
process of drawing off the impreg
mated water and recovering the potash.
The history OF these shallow lakes,
which cover A considerab Bile area in Ne
braska, is an interesting one. The fact
that they contained considerable
amount of potash was discovered some
wears ago. bat at that time the price
of potash was so low that il was not
commercially advisable to work this
deposit. When potash took its sudden
and extensive jump in price, following
the stoppage of shipments from Ger
many, the men who held options on
these lakes formed a company to work
them and the yield of potash obtained
during the last year was the greatest
from any single source in the United
States.
The water is pumped from sand lying
a few feet below the bed of the lakes
and its potash content Is so high that
Evening star., 1917-03-18

x 1916 was nearly 10000 tons.
with a net value of at least s2,50o,00o.
This is ten times the value of the pro-
ductioh reported in 1915, and the total
for the current year is expected to be
much greater.
This para graph. taken from a recent
bulletin of the geological survey. is an
excellent illustration of the manner in
which American genius and inventive
skill has stepped into the breach since
the commencement of the European
war, and has developed new and i'm
portant sources of potash-a COM
mercial and agricultural necessity
which has increased in price tenfold
since August, 1914
Prior to the commencement of the
war abroad practically all of our potash
was imported from Germany at a cost
Evening star., 1917-03-18

selves all of those products for which
we have had to depend upon foreign
countries.
Il am told that the by-product coke
ovens now under construction viii be
capable of an output of 100000 tons Of
coke a month. What this means in
by-products of various kinds is of i'm
mense Importance to the country in
dustrially and commercially"
But the recovery of potash from ce-
ment dust and blast furnaces is not
the only phase of American ingenuity
which has been apparent in solving the
difficult problem of obtaining sufficient
potash.
The kelp beds of the Pacific have
been widely advertised source from
which this important salt may be OBJ
tanned. and eight or ten plants have
been erected to extract potash from this
species of seaweed. According to the
reports of the geological survey. how
ever. the entire output of all the kelp
plants during the last year only
Evening star., 1917-03-18

The water is pumped from sand lying
a few feet below the bed of the lakes
and its potash content Is so high that
Evening star., 1917-03-18

ARM your backyard and help
reduce the high cost of liv-
ing is the slogan of the
Department of Agriculture
Evening star., 1917-03-18

nnr0N HE total production of pot
OO ash salts and potash prod
ucts in the United States in
y 1o1e ,,-aS IN 0n0 tome
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-26
MARSHALL TO AID
THE IVY WAY

The meeting of the board Of super.
yisors Of Marshall county was held
this forenoon at 10 o'clock for the pur.
pose OF considering the appropriation
for the Chicago, Ottawa Peoria, St.
Louis Federal-State Aid Road, and up.
on the action of this board depends
whether or not the great highway
will be constructed as planned by the
federal and state government.
The only counties which have fail.
ed to make appropriations, are Mar.
shall and Putnam counties. II the ap.
preparation passes the Marshall coun
ty board. then there is no question
but what the necessary appropriation
VIII be made by the Putnam county
board Of supervisors, which meets on
Monday. AS soon as these appropria
tions are made notice of the fact
will be filed with the State Highway
Department. and work will begin i'm
mediately upon the plans for the new
road
j. X, Blackhall, president of the |
/ V, Way Association and Axel Heiberg
secretary, left today for Lacon to at
tend the meeting of the board
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-26
EXEMPTION BUTTONS
Received IN OTTAWA

The little bronze exemption buttons
that are to be given by the govern
ment to all men that are exempt from
eryice, have arrived in Ottawa ana
now in charge of the local exemption
board. No plans have been made aa
vet for their distribution and 1t Is
ute likely they will not be given ont
until after the next quota OF men
leave from Ottawa At that time the
board will personally see that every
nan in this district receives his but
on
The button, about the size of a
sleeve button, to be worn on the lef'
apel of the coat II has a shield OF
the face of it and above the top OF The
shield Is the word Exempt, nndel
the shield are the letters "U. s.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-26
FEDERAL PLATE TO
INCREASE CAPITAL
STOCK A MILLION
SHAREHOLDERS VOTE UNANi.
MOUSLY IN FAVOR OF ISSUE,
WITH IMPROVEMENTS AND EN-.
LARGEMENTS WILL BE MADE.

An increased stock issue Of $1,000,-
900 with which improvements and en-
larged buildings will be added to the
local plant, was yesterday authoriz
ed by stockholders Of the Federal
Plate Glass Company at a meeting
held at the Sherman House In Chica
60 The meeting called August IA by
the secretary was represented by a
vast majority OF the stock and in less
than an hours time all details for
the issue were complete and the stock
holders adjourned.
At the present time, or rather prior
to yesterdays session, the capital
stock OF the Ottawa concern was 81,
c00,00O, This being insufficient to car
ry on the improvements and other
plans of the directors that entail the
expenditures of vast sums, 1t was de-
cided that an additional million would
be necessary and notifications were
sent out apprising stockholders Of the
plans. The result Of the meeting to
decide the issue, shows the people
who have invested in the local indus
try to be heartily in accord with the
proposals of the officers. Not a dis
senting vote was cast.
Just what improvements and en-
largements are to be made officials o.
the company this morning were no
prepared to announce. From other
but not authoritive, sources, It Is sait
new buildings will be erected and tn
output OF the plant greatly increased
This will be done to meet the rapid,
growing demand for the Ottawa glas.
which Is recognized by contractors IL
all parts Of the United States as tn,
best made. No definite time, accord
Ing to the Free Trader Journals in
formant has been set for the change
to be made.
Among other things some Of the
additional million dollar issue will be
used to pay off the company's bondeC
Indebtedness, now secured by trus
deed, following which the factory vii
be entirely free from circumference
1t necessarily follows that when thu
enlargements are perfected the com
pany will have to increase the mum
Der OF men employed. This mean.
more work for Ottawa men. NOR,
homes in Ottawa and more prosperit,
for Ottawa.
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-26
PRESENCE Of MIND
SAVED LADY'S LIFE
MRS. HENRY LiNDEMANN HAS
MIRACULOUS ESCAPE FROM
SERIOUS INJURY WHEN GIRL
DRIVER SHOOTS AUTO OVER
CURBlNG.

An automobile accident that nearly
resulted seriously. occurred at the
corner of Main street and Fillmore
avenue yesterday at O'Clock when a
ear belonging to John J. Mottaz, the
well known grocer, ran down Mrs
Henry Lindemann, of 7o9 Webster
street
Mrs. Lindemann was crossing Main
street and noticed the Mottaz car ap-
Droaching. but thought she would
have time to cross the street before
it hit her. Upon reaching the middle
of the street two other cars swung
ground the corner and completely
surrounded Mrs. Lindemann. She
managed to dodge from in front OF
the other two cars but was unable to
avoid the Mottaz car, which was driv-
en- by Mr.. Mottaz's youngest daugh-
tet, Aileen.
Miss Mottaz saw it was impossible
to stop before hitting Mrs. Lindemann
and with great presence of mind at
tempted to turn upon the curbing, but
only succeeded in getting the front
wheel ~ over the curb before strik
ing Mrs. Lndemann. This undoubted
ly was the only thing that saved Mrs
L.indemanns life, for just at this time
the heavy car struck her and passed
over her. The front wheel belns
raised kept the weight of the cal
from completely crushing her an'
permitted her to escape without an,
broken bones.
passers by quickly succeeded in get
| ting Mrs. Lindemann from under tn
| car and carried her into the residence
of r. J. Nortney where DR.. h, p, Hattie
way was called to attend her. Their
| II was discovered her only serious IN
luries were some bad bruises on tn
neck. shoulders and under the arms
After receiving medical attention
she was removed to her home on HI
nois avenue in the Ntschelm machin
where today she Is doing well ana VII
he able to be out in a short time
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-26
800 GEN'L ROOFING
COMPANY MEN ASK
MORE PAY-STR|KE
MARSEiLLEs BIGGEST INDUSTRY
CLOSED As RESULT OF WALK
OUT-FOUR ARRESTS FOLLOW
LAST NIGHTS OUTBREAK
AMONG FOREIGNERS.

Marseilles, Sept. ga strike that
has forced closing the General Roofing
Company's plant at Marseilles, has re-
suited in more than three hundred
men laying down their tools and quit
ting their work until wage dispute
and working conditions are adjusted.
The strike came Monday and since
that time, with the exceptions OF one
or two departments, where repairs
are being made no wheels have turned
in the great industry Fearing there
would be trouble Mayor Spicer last
n.;ht appointed six extra policemen
and half dozen detectives were
brought in from Chicago to help pre-.
vent disturbances.
The men are asking an increase of
five cents an hour over the pay they
are now receiving. The present rates
for the different classiications are
twenty-eight and thirty-ive cents,
Four arrests were made last night
when foreigners got into a brawl and
were nabbed by the police. This morn
ing they were all arraigned before
Judge ID. A. Nicholson charged with
dsorderly conduct and disturbing the
peace. All plead guilty and paid theil
! fines
! Reports Of conditions in Marseilles
have been sent into the sheriff's Of
| fee and that worthy is keeping II
close touch with the situation. Ii
case there is an outbreak deputies
will be dispatched as reinforcements
for the Marseiles police department.
It is blieyed here today that tn.
strike can be ended in short order
once the issues are placed in tn,
hands Of an arbitration board
Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-09-26
HELD FOR FORGERY
CHARGE PREFERRED
by OGLESBY BANK
UTICA UNDERTAKEN UNDER AR
REST ALLEGED TO HAVE
CASHED $50 CHECK - NEGRO
BROUGHT BACK TO FACE AC
CUSER.

Frank Coleman, Utica undertaken
this morning was brought to Ottawf
and lodged in the county jail to an
swer to charges of forgery preferred
against him in warrants sworn to by
three or four different men residns
n the west end of the county. The
lrrest of NJ" Coleman today was
made upon complaint of J, II. Stand
art, cashier of the Oelesby State bank
who claims he paid the mortician 81
on check
Mr. Coleman, it is alleged by
friends, Is in a position to straighten
out the tangle. The arrest was made
by Special Deputy Sheriff Nielsen o
Utica, who brought his prisoner to OF
tawa and turned him over to th>
herili.
The defendant was a candidate foi
coroner on the Democratic ticket al
The last county election, and in hi
campaign of the county made uniqu,
race by personal appeal for supper
to voters he came In contact vita ant
in this manner made good race il
the face of opposition that in La Sale
county is considered almost unsur
able---that of defeating Tin
Donoghue the present incumbent. MI
| Coleman come of prominent lam
ily in La Sale and is married.
Bring Bueg Here.
Joe Bugg, Cherry paving gang la
borer who fed ottawa Saturday nigh
under a cloud, today is prisoner a
the county Jail, where he was place
by Deputy Sheriff Fritz Goebel, wh
went to Peoria to bring him back t
the city. Rugg would not deny or az
mi, taking the clothes from his fricn
but gave all his attention to his al
petite Whenever the deputy tried I
get him tangled in statements the NJ
gro changed the subject and talke
about how hungry he was.
When he was ushered into tn
Hotel d'Davis he was given goo
feed and maybe by morning will b
more communicative. In the meal
time authorities at Peoria are tryIn
to find the clothes that are suppose
TO have disappeared with Bugg whe
he left UNEXPECTEDLY for Peoria.