davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21
STARS PLAN
BENEFIT AT ELDON

Kadon, Dec. Friday evening.
December q, Female Masonry" an
amusing farce, win be given at the
Masonic hail for the benefit Of the
Eastern Stars Patriotic fund. All
Masons and Stars and their families
are urged to be in attendance.
At meeting Of the Order Of East
efn Stars Monday evening. the foE
lowing officers were efocted for the
ensuing year:
Worthy matrun. Helen Wright;
worthy patron, Charles Weber; asso-
ciate matron, Esther Mi1hard: Sec
Rotary, Ethel Conrad; conductress.
Nell Roberts: associate condnctress,
Josephine Easton; treasurer, Louise
Burns.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21
WHERE THE AMERICANS ARE.


A map published on another page Of
The Courier today shows the location
of the portion Of the western front
which is defended by American sol
diers under the command of the
French. There can be no reason for
concealing this information longer
from the American public. AS Con-
gresham Miller said recently in
Washington, on his return from the
front. the Germans, French, British
and Italians know where the Ameri-
can troops are, but an over-zealous
censorship bureau in America has de-
MED definite information only to the
public in this country.
It is not known whether the Ameri-
cans will take over this portion Of
the western front permanently, but it
is presumed they will, 1t is here that
the German positions defend the iron
mines of the Bassin de Briey. which
furnish the kaisers armies with 80
per cent of the steel used in their
armament. Without these mines Ger
many would be compelled to withdraw
from the war in three months, accord
ing to the declaration of Herr Schroed.
ter, Dusseldorf ironmaster.
General Pershing, then. has his
work cut out for him. II the Ameri-
can offensive next spring can dislodge
the Germans from this vast iron
mining field Americas military part
In the war will have been accom-
plished.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21
A DOLLARS WORTH.

AS far as there is any record avail.
able, Commissioner Menefee's efforts
to help his government win the war
against autocracy are summed up by
the investment Of single dollar in a
Red Cross membership which became
effective only after thousands of other
Ottumwans had been members of the
Red Cross for months. Mr.. Menefee's
action in joining the organization was
voluntary, but 1t took place after he
had refused his support on at least
two occasions. One of these refusals,
he says, was due to his lack of friend
ship for Chapter Chairman Ferguson,
by. whom he was asked to join. Sew
efal months previously, however, he
created a noisy scene at a downtown
corner when he refused to become a
member of the Red Cross at the solicit
tation of two young women who were
working in the membership drive Of
last spring. These solicitors did not
know him then and there is nothing to
indicate that personal dislike for them
governed his opposition to the Red
Cross at that time.
Interviewed by Courier represent
0dV0 06SuIUAy, MI. MSuSlc0 S8lO uo
had not purchased a Liberty Bond
during either of the two campaigns
which have been conducted in Ottum.
wa. He said he had made no subscrip-
ton to the war work fund of the
Y. M. C. A. or the Y. w. C. A.
Thus 1t appears, from his own state
ments, that Mr.. Menefee's investment
to date in the, cause FOR which other
Americans are' offering their fortunes
and their lives, amounts to 81.
If he we're merely private citizen
this exhibition of his appraisal Of 10y.
atty to his government would be note
worthy. But inasmuch as he is pub
lie official and a recognized represent
alive Of socialism in Ottumwa, it is
proper to consider his attitude as ap-
that Of socialists in gen.
eral.
This is period of test in America.
The loyalty of every citizen is being
weighed, and genuine loyalty is meas
ured only by the utter maximum OF
service which each of us can offer to
his government
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21
interviewed

socially, and was being interviewed
by the mistress of the house.
I'VE call all our servants by tk
last names" she announced. whist
is your last name?"
SYou had best call me Thomas,
ma'am," replied the applicant.
NO; we insist that you be Wiling
to be called by your last name. othsr
wise you wont do at ALL
ooh, I'm willing, ma'am, but
don't think the family would like -
use t.
wat is your last name, them
said his prospective employer, souse.
what coldly.
Darling, ma'am-Thomas Daring
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21
OTTUMWA BOYS ON
DEBATING TEAM

Mt. Pleasant, Dec. 12-lowa We
logan held its debating hyS96 Mo-
day. Six men we're chosen to make
up the two teams are: Pad SaAA-
meyer, William PerdeN 01en ny.
McCabe Day. Charles Kenbse and
Kenneth Moomaw. Tho ffst MN n
senior. the next two soDAsmaRea.
and the freshmen lead with ths Inst
three named Perdew and Day are
from Ottumwa and Mod1N cu1ss
from DadyviHe. The judges f1r tho
contest were: Dr.. Osou2. DE-. Rich
and Rev. Weston
These SIX men Win ruoReeent IVA
Wesleyan in the Triangular deeufD
with Penn and Parsons and o$AF e.
bates may be scheduled Wslegxn
has fine record IN debating and 4 y
certain that this high standard w0 -
maintained under the aide co0eng
of Dean Luebbers.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21
miliar. They should have them on this
side so they might learn to shoot them

miliar. They should have them on this
side so they might learn to shoot them
here.
The investigation of the war depart
ment, as far as it has proceeded, has
brought ont enough facts to convince
the ordinary observer that there has
been lack of foresight and appre.
citation of the seriousness of the war
on the part of the men on whom rests
the duty of making the army into a
fighting machine. The general public
does not care whether General Croz.
Ter, Secretary Baker or some auburn
haired Office boy is the responsible In
dividual or the goat, as the case may
be. That public is anxious that in
the future there shall be no more mis-.
takes and loss Of efficiency. 1t has
reason to be anxious.
BY organizing council on co-ordi.
nation within the war department just
at this time Secretary Baker makes
the practical admission that conditions
have not been what they should be.
But he gives a poor indication of real
reform when he includes himself in
the new council, for in the last analy-
sis it is he who is responsible for the
shortcomings Of his bureau heads in
the past.
A supreme war council would not
stop with coordination of the war de-
partment's activities. 1t would bring
the other departments into co-opera.
ton with the war department and
avert such things as the navy's recent
action by which the army was kept
from building big guns in quantities
as they should be built and as they
must be IL America is to win the war.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21

Congress has been in session for
almost two weeks and there have been
no speeches of moment from the POM
padoured LaFollette nor the pink
whiskered ]. Ham Lewis. Still, there
are ingrates who say there is nothing
to be thankful for.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21

Kaiser Wilhelm, having transferred
all the troops from the eastern front
to the western front that he can use,
has agreed graciously to the Russian
proposal that there shall be no such
troop movements during the peace ne
gotiations. Kind of him, wasn't it?
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21

Professor Won Wrangel, who is de-
scribed in cable dispatches as a we'll
known German pacifist, has jumped
out OF his party's band-wagon and de-
clares there can be no lasting peace
in the world until Prussianism is
crushed. II the kaisers secret service
runs true to form, this bold Teuton
will be doing his Wrangeling in jail
for the remainder of the war.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21
THE PLAIN FACT.

There is just one way to win the
war. and that is by killing the German
soldiers"
This is the statement one hears from
men who have fought at the front and
from others who have watched the
fighting. 1t is not made in blood
thirsty mood; it is uttered always
with emphasis. but not in a boastful
or over-confident manner. Seldom IS
1t uttered boldly and badly in public
speech, but it comes out with surpris-
ing readiness in conversation.
And that is what the war has mar
rowed down to: the German soldiers
must be killed before the German wal
lords can be brought to the conclusion
Of permanent peace.
1t is not pretty thought nor
pleasant one, but it is truth.
The rulers of Germany realize al
they never have realized that the pres
emit war, unless they win it, will put
an end to their sort of government for
to the winds along with whatever in
stincts of humanity and decency they
had or appeared to have in other days.
They know that their power as rulers
is grounded in fear and that they must
maintain a show of brute strength II
they are to hold the German people il
subservience.
AS long as their battle lines CON
tinue reasonably firm and their armies
are able to strike an effective often
sive blow now and then the throne OF
the Hohenzollerns Is reasonably safe.
The sale Of Russia by the bolsheviki
has opened a new field of supplies
which will help to counterfeit the ef-
fects of the British blockade. While
there is a reasonable amount of food
and other necessities in Germany,
there will be no revolt
Obviously, then, the allies have but
one course open to victory: a series of
overwhelming victories resulting in
the disorganization and destruction of
unit after unit of the German army.
Such victories can be obtained only at
the expense of many lives on the part
of Germany's enemies and by the use
of thousands of enormous guns and
thousands of bomb-dropping airplanes-
This means that after all the respon-
sibility for the victory of the United
States and its allies rests with the
people oof this country. Guns and
motors must be sent to Europe in
quantities such as Germany believes
impossible Enormous food supplies
must be raised here and sent over, too.
Armies must follow those which al
ready have traversed the submarine
zone in safety. A preponderance of
man-power, guns and airplanes must
shatter the German armies at rate
which recruiting and cohscription
within the countries of the central
powers cannot equal.
General Pershfng has sent back as
surance that the American armies,
with the assistance of the entente
forces, can drive . woaga into the Gar
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21
orruMwAs COAL slTUArloM.

OVJVWWR'0 NOO1 - 0RslSNs
Just now, when coal famine is
critical in dozen states or more and
at score Of points in Iowa, 1t is
worthy Of note that here in Ottumwa
there has been no serious shortage
thus far this winter. This does not
man that there win not come time
VIXEN it viii be dificult and perhaps
impossible to obtain coal on the open
market here, hat 1t does mean that
Ottunva dealers and Ottumwa con-
sunefs have exercised . degree Of
foresight which was not exercised by
Z big Proportion Of dealers and buy
erp throughout Iowa and throughout
~ country. IVA
Last August The Courier devoted
nAny columns to the publication Of
4 esflss q articles and editorials, ID.
V1ning tie people Of Ottumwa to buy
thsir wintsTs s11pay Of coal inme-
alaAsly, NASHVILLE. hundreds Of news-
paD0u snd scores Of public onacials,
g we'll - . half dozen experts"
were wasting time for Themselves,
he eovefnment onlcials and the pub
lie n . campaign for price reduction
vhieA oosld have helped only the big
con0gMoe even X 1t had bean. success
ful. These various interests, some Of
than subsi61sed by big coal users and
some Of them inspired BY the mistak-
q. belief that they were working In
IL interest Of the public. influenced
my individual coal consumers to
pooe4one their purchases in the hope
of price reductions.
In OttuMwa the advance purchases
Of coal were extensive. As result
this market is not exhausted ut this
time. when car shortages and coal
shortages are causing famines in fuel
al over the country.
witch your coal supply closely and
eeSaer from your dealer as far in ad-
vance Of your actual needs as pos
sible. Order in small quantities. too,
and use your coal sparingly. This is
OttumwAs only hope for averting a
local coal shortage and 1t is the part
ef patriotism.
Incidentally It is pertinent that
peices have not been reduced a . ro-
olt Of the sgftatiaa Which perverted
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21
PASSING THE BUCK.

The gentle art of shifting RESPONSE
bflity- passing the buck"-has been
among the foremost articles in the
politicians bag Of tricks for many
years, and it is only natural that it
should have been adopted by the army,
where politics long has been a popu-
lar business.
II this were not period Of war in
which the permanency of the govern
ment is at stake, congressional in
quiry into the conduct Of the war de-
partment might be expected to reveal
a dozen bureau heads lodging and
twisting In more or less successful
efforts to evade responsibilities for
this or that shortcoming and to retain
. grip on their jobs during the pro-
ceeding.
Under present conditions it is rath-
er disconcerting to find this same sort
of exercise in full swing. General
Croker has spent several days on the
witness stand, giving long and more
or less satisfying replies to questions
which have to do with the failure of
his bureau to provide weapons and
munitions for the great army America
is organizing. He has succeeded in
convincing the military committee of
the senate that he is not greatly to
blame, and II was announced yester-
day that these senators will vote to
confirm his reappointment as head OF
the ordnance bureau.
He has shifted some Of the respon-
sibility to Secretary Baker, who &C.
cepts It hhtheiy and says, in effect,
What are you going to do about it,"
The general has been a little less
successful IN pimnng any responsible.
ity on congress. ewing to the ability
of the senators to show that money
for the purchase of guns and
munitions has remained unexpended
for weeks and sometimes for months.
He has biamed the navy depart.
ment for tying up labor and factories
in the manufacture of surplus of big
guns at time when the army was
greatly in need Of weapons which
could not be built because men and
machines were not available.
In few days it viii be the turn OF
the navy department to meet this
charge with some sort of denial; in
the meantime General Crozier will
have his appointment confirmed, and
there will be feeling Of quiet salts
faction in various quarters in Wash.
ington.
But there are not enough guns for
men in training; neither are there
enough big cannon for the American
offensive which is expected to begin
in the spring. These are the facts in
which the country Is interested. 1t is
not Of particularly encouraging inter-
est that each soldier, before he en-
banks for France, or when he gets off
the ship on the othes side, will be
handed . gun with which he is unfa-
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21
ACTION.

General CrOZierS COmpiacent de
claration that the American soldiers
are equipped with everything they
need for warfare before they embarl
for Europe is contradicted by Con
gresham Medill Mccormick in his
testimony before the senate's investi
eating committee. Mr.. Mccormick
who returned from the battle front
recently after having spent some
months in Europe, says General Per
shing's soldiers are not provided with
sufficient artillery and that some OF
them lack proper clothing.
There is something radically wrong
with the war department and par
ticularly with its ordnance bureau,
blame should be on the head of this
man or that is not an item of impor-
lance save to the men personally at.
fected.
What the country wants is action
and efficiency. That is what the wal
department does not seem to possess
in SUFFICIENT quantity to meet the
situation.
These considerations call to mind
the name of one man in America who
is typical Of action, initiative and the
cutting of red tape. He is Theodore
Roosevelt. II he should be set down
in some place OF authority in the war
administration there would be an i'm
mediate humming Of activity which
might disturb some of the more coma
toee bureau heads about him, but
which would have grateful sound In
the ears of the general public through
out America.
Mr.. Roosevelt is not the ideal
American, to be sure. The Courier
never has found itself entirely in ac-
cord with him, but even his worst
enemies never have had reason to
complain that he lacked initiative, en-
thusiasm nor action. He is fighter.
He has the fighting spirit developed
as few Americans have. He has q
faculty for going straight toward an
objective without regard for toes On
which he may tread or red tape he
may break.
That is the sort Of spirit the war
department and the war administers
ton needs now. Mr.. Roosevelt would
be valuable man in that administra-
ton at this time, and his appointment
to some position in which he would
have an opportunity to speed up the
work of supplying the army with mu-
nitions would meet with general ap-
proval throughout the country.
The experiences of all the other
in the war afford
ground for the suggestion that par
isan lines be disregarded where they
might interfere with the strengthen
ing of the administration. 1t is i'm
portant that America avail herself of
The best ability to be found among her
hundred million people, and that no
considerations Of their political rec
urds be permitted to weigh in the mat
ter of their selection forswar work
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21

Senator Kenyon wants to reduce the
salaries of senators and congressman
to $4,000 a year during the remainder
of the war. 1t is safe to predict that
there will be no flood of letters from
constituents raising objections to this
nr0IOSal
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21
COUNTRY MUST
SAVE w HEAT
FOOD ADMINISTRATION AGENT
TELLS CITIZENS TO USE SUB
srrTU1E GRAINS FOR FOOD.

sThe American peopae nfust use
corn. rye. oats and barley In place OF
wheat in order to furnish the 1901 0o,
600 bushels of wheat needed by the
allies" stated Alexander Cairns In MS
talk on Food Conservation and Fooo
Control at the Commercial club last
evening. Mr.. Cairns give an esoquent
address and clearly Illustrated the ufs'
emit need of conservation OF food 10
the small but enthusiastic crowd.
CALLS IT PATRIOTIC DUTY.
In regard to furnishing the food sup.
ply for United States soldiers anu the
aries Mr.. Cairns showed that the bur
den rests upon the Omitted States as,
the wheat supply sources OF France
and Russia are shut off as Is the wheat
crop of Australia on account OF the
hack of ships to convey the food. TO
furnish this food supply to the mem IN
the field fighting to make the world
safe for democracy, 1t Is the patriotic
duty for the consumers and house
wives to observe wheataess and meat
less days.
Mr.. Cairns urged that the consumers
as we'll as the men controlling the sup
nv Of food avoid food waste, which an
nually amounts to over $4,000 900 in
American homes, and to substitute
vegetables In place Of meat In the diet
and use cotton seed oil and vegetable
oil for fats. Owing to the great short.
axe In sugar in this country he said
that this food must be conserved as
much as possible
PLEASED WITH SHOWING HERE.
In commenting on the patriotic and
cooperative attitude Of the people OF
Ottnmva Mr.. Cairns said that the
farmers were better organized and
moro loyal hero th1n 1t other places
he has visited.
County Food Administrator w. T.
Harper presided at the meeting and
the speaker, whose work IN
with the United States food
administration at Washington has
given him information that none out.
side of the headq1arters OF food con-
troll is possessed of. His address Wes
to with interest BY those pres
emit and Mr.. Cairns expressed pressure
upon receiving informstton Of wnaf
has been done here IN the varioO
var measures.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21
OTTUdWA sEMIWEEKIY COURIER, FRIDAY DECEMBER q,

the mailed fist. It means safety and
peace. 1t is folly to- disregard its i'm
portance- las foolish as to assume a
seer's ability and announce that the
end of the present war will usher in
"a period of twenty-five years of peace.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21

Investigations of the army, the navy,
the emergency fleet corporation, the
shipping board and the railroad prob
lem have been instituted by congress
within two weeks. Besides, the house
has adopted the national prohibfton
measure and the senate has dorhfe-
riyeted it. After getting such lying
start it seems a pity to spring hoit
dav adioalrnment.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21

General Crozier says there has been
entirely too much red tape about get
ting money from congress for the use
of the war department. Senator
Chamberlain retorts that an unex-
pended balance of several millions
always has been available. Croder
admits it. Seems like Chamberlain
had the better of the argument, but
Arguments don't win battles.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21
A CHAMELEON MIND.

II the general plans of the war de
partment undergo as many changes az
do those details which come to the
public's notice, the explanation Of the
enormous force of extra stenographers
employed in the offices at Washington
may be that many are needed to trans
cribe the various orders resulting from
Secretary Bakers frequent changes of
mind
A case In point is that Of the Christ.
mas vacation for soldiers scattered
about the country at the various posts
and environments. Early in December
these men and their relatives began
planning family reunions as result
Of the order That went forth permitting
almost unlimited leaves Of absence for
the holiday period. Then came the an
nouncement that there would be no
leaves. This was followed by orders
permitting men living within trolley
distance of their camps to spend
Christmas at their homes. Then a nat
order that no more than per cent OF
the mum Der at any camp could leave
superseded all the others, and now.
with almost week remaining before
Christmas, it is impossible to say what
other lightning changes the mind OF
the war secretary VIII achieve.
If he had paid no official attention
to the holiday few would have COM
planned, for the public and the soldiers
are becoming accustomed to regarding
the necessities Of war in their true
light. But having proposed an epidemic
of Burroughs and giving time for the
planning of countless Christmas home
comings, the secretary has gained a
flock OF new critics with every subse-
quent order.
The nation is getting very tired OF
Mr.. Baker, but apparently he is enjoy
ing his job immensely. There was a
time when it seemed possible he
might heed the widespread 6sfavot
with which his course Is viewed and
resign, but that hope was as vain a
the one which pictured the German
public in revolt against their auto
cratic ruler. Mr.. Baker win leave his
place in the cabinet only when Presi-
dent Wilson hands him the hhaa en-
velope.
May that time come soon.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21

The first Tommy was rudy e
countenance, with huge beard o(t4o
hue politely known as aahwn
The second was smooth shAven.
II useter have a beard me Int TIN
I saw myself in the g3nss. Thn CD
It or
But the bearded man was mot dir
mayed.
much better 'ave left 1t on, mskEs"
he returned gently. II useter have .
face like yours tin l saw it In IL
glass. Then gruwed this bean
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-21

'If Senator Bill Stone writes a let
ter to Santa Claus" says pert para
grapher, "he probably will ask for
new pair of gum shoes. He is getting
ready to sneak under the administra-
tion tent"