davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
THE REAL TEST

There is one striking and impor-
tant fact about the United States
which must be remembered by all
who consider the status of this ma
ton and the Ltate of mind of the
American people in regard to the
war. 1t is the fact that although
we have been at war for eight
months, we have not yet begun to
pay the penalty in blood. There has
been a few scattering casualties here
and there, of course, but so few as
scarcely to make an impression on
the mind and soul of the people.
This condition-perhaps unique in
history-unquestion has a bear
ing upon the attitude of the people
toward the war. Precisely what it's
effect is may not be easily deter
mined, but that there will be some
sort of change in the spirit of the
people. when the first casualty list
from our first big battle comes in is
certain. That list may carry 1000,
5000, perhaps 10000 names.
This will be a new experience for
our people. Nothing like it has
come to us so far. Yet it is the most
vital of all the experiences and con-
sequences of var and for the nations
of Europe it has long been the prin-
cipal factor in the lives and thoughts
of the people. Until this experience
has come to us also and the nation
has reacted to 1t, we cannot say that
our war spirit has been fully re-
vealed. For this is the real test
although we know each other too
we'll to feel any doubt that the
country will meet it as it should an:
must be met.-Charleston News and
CoExtsss
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

out Of his private purse for what
has already been paid for through
his taxes under q municipal contract.
Whatever system shall be finally
installed there ought to be sufficient
inspectors to stop definitely and ef-
fectively the "holdup" of the people
by the wagon crews, who have boast
ed in some instances that they have
received more in tips than they did
in wages. The citizen who is respon-
sible for these gratuities does not
realize perhaps that he is helping
to break down the efficiency of the
entire system.
Harrisburg is too far along the
way to longer endure the imposition
and inconvenience that have result
ed from the inadequate and indif-
ferent service under the existing con-
tract. There must be a change and
no consideration shown those re-
sponsible for failure of the present
plan.
1t Is all up TO the councilmen, and
we believe they are fully awake TO
the importance of speedily closing
up the whole matter and preparing
for something like modern methods
in disposing of the garbage and
ashes of the community.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
BOOKS AND MAGAZINES

Two Books of Verse-Two volumes
of poems by Robert Underwood John
son, who has become his own pub
Usher, are shortly to appear from the
DeVinne press. One is a new edition
of his last years volume, Poems of
Peace and War;" with numerous addi-
tions. mainly of poems relating to the
great war, some of which will be re-
membered by audiences to whom Mr..
Johnson has read them on patriotic
occasions. Among these are: THE
Sword of Lafayette" ITO Russia New
and Free" "The Victor of the Marine" "
"The Crowned Republic" The New
Slavery" (apropos of the civilian eXpa-
ration in Be1gium), 1.-The Answer of
the Lord" "The First Cum" etc.
The second volume now published is
collection of pieces relating to Italy
from Mr.. Johnson's larger book. 1t
takes it's name from the longest
poem. "The Italian Rhapsody" and in
cludes Browning at Asolo," Love in
Italy" ITO One Who Never Got to
Rome" Con Edmund Clarence Stedma),
Spring at the Villa CONT" "Come in
April" "The Spanish Stairs" "Titian's
Two Loves" Farewell to Italy," and
others. to which is added '"rhe
Crowned Republic" first published as
greeting TO the italian War Com
mission on its arrival in New York.
These volumes are to be had of the
author, at 10 Fifth Avenue, New York
Prices, respectively, $1.50 and 81.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
TOOK BULL BY HORNS

X OVERNOR JAMES NJ. cox,
1T of Ohio, took the bull by the
horns yesterday and seized
several trains OF coal bound through
his state TO relieve a serious fuel
shortage there. The Governor acted
against the instructions of the fed
eraI fuel administrator. but accord
ing to his own best Judgment, and no
doubt Ohio people will stand by
him.
There is growing suspicion
that IL the government had acted
promptly last summer and had
gotten the coal over the roads be-
foro it was time to start the move
ment of crops and before the needs
Of the National Army and the ship
builders became so urgent, there
would be no serious shortage now.
1t is also open to debate as to
whether or not conditions have been
bettered by taking the distribution
OF coal out of the hands of experts
and putting it under the control OF
men, many of whom know very little
about it. At any rate. Governor Cox
has shown US a new way of getting
coal when it Is badly needed.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
New Form of University Extension
By the REV. DIR. JOHN FOX

A n EPISCOPAL Bishop is quot
~ ed just now as saying that the
- - camps and cantonments are
really great universities. 1t is an
apt Characterization. The chief text
| book in these universities is the
Bible, and especially the New Tes-
lament. The Library Fund will pro-
vide other books of many kinds and
various values; and the more good
books there are, the better. The
Book of books is in the fine phrase
of the old dramatist: Infinite riches
in u little room" 1t is, to be sure,
a sign spoken against. 1t always has
been. In every age it is under fire,
as Christianity itself has been, but
no weapon formed against it pros
pers. Never was it so successful as
it is today, never so certain q win
ner-the best seller; the most trust
ed ally; eyes to the blind; crutches
and feet to the lame and halt; q pill
low for the weary; medicine, yes,
and a surgeons knife to the woun-
ded; the only sure comfort to the
dying; passport that will open the
gates of everlasting bliss. Mr..
Choate, who has so recently left us,
in the very height of his eloquence,
on great public occasion in New
York, cried out with passion, '1f we
can have but one book, o spare us
that"
People are saying continually,
What good can anyone see to come
out, of this dreadfullest of wars!" Is
it no good that today millions of
boys, some sincere Christians, many
others careless, wayward, in the
past; some, alas, wicked, are begin
ming now, under the shadow of their
impending baptism of fire, facing not
only death, but
THE dread of something after
death,
"That undiscovered country from
whose bourne
mo traveller returns,"-
all these are quietly and humbly be-
ginning to search the Scriptures and
finding new light as to what they
mean. What is there more moving
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
THAT POSTAL SURPLUS

"HE local subsidized organ of the
Democratic administration boasts
to-day that the post office de-
partment closed its year with tho
largest surplus in its history" se,-
s36.s11, and naively adds that "sueh
q showing must be extremely graft
tying TO the public"
1t is nothing of the sort. The
public is not interested in postal
profits; what 1t wants is service, and
service 1t is not getting. The post
office department was not created
for the purpose of earning money.
IT was brought into being to provide
prompt and efficient transportation
of all manner of mail matter. and
this under the Wilson administration
it is not doing. There never was n
time in the history of the country
when the post office department was
so inefficient as now. Indeed. con-
ditions have become so bad that
newspaper circulation managers in
the East have taken unprecedented
measures to draw public attention to
its deficiencies in an effort to force
Washington to do something other
than study the surplus columns.
So far from being pleased" the
public is angry and disgusted with
the whole department, and it would
much rather have a deficit with
prompt and certain service than a
surplus. ever so big, piled up at the
expense of the people for whose
benefit it was organized.
The local post office forces are not
to blame. Neither are the railway
mail clerks. The nine million profits
of which our contemporary boasts
were earned by the sweat and blood
of these men. Never has n faithful
force of workers been so badly treat
ed. Their work was hard enough at
best, but when Mr.. BurIeson took
hold he imm ediately cut down the
crews and Topped off many post office
employees. He heightened the runs
of the mail clerks and cut off post
office after post office. The result
was that the efficiency of the men
and the system was reduced. To
make up for this rank misjudgment
boys and unframed men are now be-
ing brought in to tide the department
over it's rush.
Postal employees with long service
behind them and an answering sense
,of loyalty to the government have
stood this hardship with little COM
plaint. Any other lot of men in pri-
vate employ treated so abominably
would have been out on 81 -lke long
ago.
No. the public is far from being
pleased" 1t is mad" clean through
and II the Democratic organ doubts
1t the proof lies with any business
man it may chance to interview.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
THE GARBAGE "HOLD-UPs"

~ REGULATION as to the conclu-
sion of the garbage and ash
problems in this city is about
as full of doubt as guessing
when the war will end. For
months the municipal authorities
have labored with the question and
when there shall be a final deter
mination 1t is a reasonable hope that
a practical solution will have been
reached. Manifestly. the taxpayers
are not going to be satisfied with any
return to the system or lack of sys-
tenn which has been a disgrace for
several years. They have a right to
expect that some plan be devised
that will mean a satisfactory collec-
ton of the garbage and ashes ut reg
ular intervals.
Notwithstanding the frequent COM
ment upon the outrageous tipping"
which has been responsible for much
OF the failure of the present system,
the handing out of lunches and
money to employees of the present
contracting firm continues in all parts
of the city. This means that these
employees deliberately ignore the
householder who does not contribute
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
HEALTH IN THE ARMY

Under modern scientific manage
ment of the army camps, only four
kinds of infectious disease are CIV
ing the medical officers trouble. For
the last week for which the surgeon
generals report is available, the
week ending November 16, pneu-
monia, vice infections, meningitis
and measles were the chief Offend
ers. In no case were the conditions
alarming.
Thanks to vaccination the two
worst scourges of armies of the past,
smallpox and typhoid, were virtually
eliminated from consideration.
Among the 1,065,000 men in training
there were only sporadic cases of
typhoid, while smallpox is so nearly
negligible that it is no longer men,
toned in the army reports. In con-
trast with army conditions are those
in Kansas City where indifference to
vaccination has permitted a small
pox epidemic to get under way
Kansas City Times.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

than to see such a sight as a young
lad with memories of home, or, IL
you please, without memories, look
ing through this astronomers glass
into the heavens, and discovering as
never before God in His heaven, the
better country, the Cross of Christ,
salvation now and thereafter, as he
sits on the rude benches or in the
ruder trenches of this new untver-
sity?
Captain Bertrand, of the Chasseurs
Alpins, who bears in his body marks
of several wounds, writes, Nothing
can draw you nearer to God more than
war. Four or five millions of young
Frenchmen with eager curious spir-
its are there ready to receive the
Word" All this imposes a great re-
sponsibility on the Bible Societies OF
the world. There are other agencies
and good ones, but naturally the
heaviest burden must and does fall
on these Societies. The British and
Foreign Bible Society has issued
more than six million Scriptures for
soldiers and sailors in sixty Ian
guages. The American Bible So
ciety is we'll in it's fourth million and
if the war goes on, must far pass the
six million mark. Not all its out
put went to our soldiers. On behalf
of the Worlds Association, VINO COZ
lected nickel gifts from the children
half a million or more went abroad
People are troubled about overlap
ping. 1t is an evil, but there is a
much worse evil, for some not to
get any Testaments, and this hap
pens sometimes. 1t is now officially
announced that there are five rifles
ready for every American soldier in
France. Rifles get out of order, and
in the confusion of battle are lost
Many Testaments likewise are LOST
or destroyed. The American Biole
Society is asking for 100000, dur
ing the period of December l to ] .
and this amount at least is needed
and if the war goes on, 1t really
should have a million dollars.
DIR. Fox is corresponding secretary
of the American Bible Society, IN
charge of this campaign.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
KEEPING CHRISTMAS

write as your brothter; a big fam
lily we,
With task set before us: to whip
Germany;
A task far from pleasant, we'd
rather forbear,
But to fail in its doing we never
could dare.
We have entered this Made in Ger
many fight
With anything else but a sense of
delight;
But Humanity called lis and we will
not fail,
Nor at home nor abroad will Patriot
quail.
Our incomes go down and expenses
mount up,
Supplies are much simpler for plate
and for cup,
It pinches and hurts, but we're sure
1T won't kill,
And sure the results will warrant
the bill.
We're all of us feeling the pinch of
war tax,
But sufficient of bread there's none
of us lacks,
While over the seas, under Ger
many's heel.
Many thousands the pangs of hung
er now feel.
Since we have enough and plenty to
spare
OF the good things of life, who is
there should care
The dainties and luxuries now to
A common world brotherhood intrest
to show?
The Germans, true vandals, laid
Belgium low,
In France were brutal and savage
you know;
For legalized warfare, regard they
have none,
Their name as a by-word through
ages will run.
Let our pity go out to those in dis
tress;
Let's save in our food, our pleasures
our dress;
And the money we'd spend If these
things we'd buy.
Let's give it up gladly their needs
to supply.
Great gladness and joy it will bring
to the heart
OF each who in saving of Others
takes part;
Much greater. indeed, than any JOY
bought
In pleasing ones self, with others
forgot.
If thus we keep Christmas, the
Father above
Will recognize in it some kin to Hii
love,
That gave up His Son to save a los
world,
And over US all His banner un.
fur1ed.
B. E. P. PRUGH.
Harrisburg. Pa
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
LET US HAVE AN END OF 1T

Now that the final step is being
| M taken in the Hardscrabble
controversy, it is the hope of
all good citizens that an end shall
be made of the whole matter. All
property owners in the district af-
fected must be dealt with fairly and
there is no indication anywhere that
the part of the city authorities.
Many of the owners of property, es-
pecially on the west side of Front
street between Herr and Calder, have
waited patiently for the settlement
so that they may exercise options
upon homes in other parts of the
city. These have been subjected to
real hardships. inasmuch as in sew
eral instances they have been un-
able to take advantage of opportuni-
ties which would have meant a con-
siderable saving to them a year or
two ago.
City Solicitor Fox has a clear grasp
of the situation and with judicial
ldlIuoSS pEOpOSeS W COnStIN0 Jht
rights of the city. while at the same
time doing nothing to impair the in
terests of the property owners. AS
every possible phase of the contro-
versy has been gone over at length
since the beginning of the proceed
ings, it would seem that the pres
ent session of court should see the
end of the dispute.
Time was when Hardscrabble rep
resented a considerable number of
homesteads with family traditions
and a history of many generations of
the same name, but during the last
few years there has been a gradual
change of the situation and the
houses are in many instances now
occupied by comparative newcomers.
Again we repeat that all con-
cerned should have a square deal.
but no unreasonable attitude con-
templating any delay should char
acterize the hearing this week. Let
us have an end of the chapter.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
WELL KNOWN PEOPLE

Jay Cooke, the Philadelphia
food administrator, comes of u fans
fly long active in state affairs.
Joseph Hollister, new vice-oon,
lawyer.
John A. McSparran, the master
of the State Grange, is urging farm
ers to do their utmost in a series
of addresses he is delivering.
DR.. J. W. A. Haas, president of
Muhlenberg College, is one of the
members of Allentown's new civil
service commission.
Major J. A. Moss, author of
military textbooks and well known
here, has been detailed to the Fifty
fifth Regiment
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
CONGRESSIONAL INQUIRY

MO matter what it may or may
~ not reveal, the Congressional
inquiry into the prosecution of
the war will have salutary effects.
The government has accomplished
wonders in it's preparations since the
declaration of war last spring, hut
it might have done more and It is
not so much for the purpose of CEN
suring those who have been respon-
sible for errors and delays that the
present probe Is desirable, as it to
prevent similar happenings in the
future and to spur every branch of
the government to even greater
effort.
Many things will be brought out
that will not be pleasant reading.
The transfer of shipping from ex-
perts in that line to the mex
perienced quartermaster's depart
ment. the quarrelng and quibbling
over shipbuilding, the delay in get
ting guns and other equipment for
the Army, the shilly-shallying that
has resulted, in year when more
coal was mined than ever before.
in millions of persons suffering
from cold; the blunders with respect
to the railroads-ali these will come
out, no doubt, and the public will
be hurt and angry. But the general
result will be to cause those who
have been under fire to put on steam
with determination to make up for
lost time. And promptness and ef-
ficiency are all the public desire.
Congress is not head-hunting.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
SIGHED FOR FLESH POTS

And they took their journey from
Elm, and all the congregation of
the children of Israel came unto the
wilderness of Sin. And the whole
congregation of the children of Is
rael murmured against Moses and
Aaron. And the children of Israel
said unto them, Would to God we
had died by the hand of the Lord in
the land of Egypt, when we sat by
the flesh pots, and when we did eat
bread to the full: for We have
brought us forth unto this wilder
ness. to kill this whole assem- blage
with hunger.=EXodus xvi l to 8.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

Remember. Christmas is tho chill
dren's holiday, and don't let the war
interfere with your celebration. Santa
Claus doesn't care a hoot for the
Kaiser.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

Member of the Associated Press-The
Associated Press is exclusively en-
titled to the use for republication of
all news dispatches credited to it or
not otherwise credited in this paper
and also the local news published
herein.
All rights of republication of special
dispatches herein are also reserved.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

During the second quarter of 1914
there were 1895 women employed in
German mines. of whom 5,7S5 were
in Upper Silesia. During the fourth
quarter in 1916 there were 1858 so
employed.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

enlarged crop of maple syrup that is
promised, some of us old-fashioned
folks may look upon it as blessing
in disguise.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

THE TELEGRAPH PRINTING CO.,
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
LABOR NOTES
BY BRIGGS

Richmond (Va.) painters have Sc
cured reduction of one hour in
the work day and wage increases of
rs cents a day since April l.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

Fort Smith (Ark.) teamsters and
chauffeurs have organized and affil-
lated with the International Brother
hood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs,
Stablemen and Helpers
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13. 1917

The Iope of the beautiful is be-
coming not only the possession of
the rich, but the desire and pos
session OF the Very poor.-JoHN
BURNS.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

f. J. STACKPoLE,P PrsSt s. Editor-in thief
r. r. OYSTER, Business Manager.
GUS NJ. STEINMETZ. Managing Editor.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

HISTORIC HARRISBURG
Early political gatherings useH @o
be held on the River Front soma
times at Harris FerxN
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
DO YOU KNOW

That Harrisburg people wn~o
among the earnest supporters of
the Government in the fiotation
of the Civil War bonds?
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

Who cares for a wheatless day
with buckwheat cakes ripe and ready
for the plucking?
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

In nearly all the shipbuilding
plant in England and Scotland
women are employed in large num-
bers. One plant alone employs over
5000 of them.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

Lawrence (Kan.) contractors are
accepting the new wage contract OF
Carpenters Union. Rates are ad-
vanced from S71s to As cents an
hour.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

The British Government has made
n pledge to British labor that every
employer shall, after the war, rein
state the working conditions of his
factory on the prewar basis"
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

IN LEGISLLA-
TIVE HALLS.
Did you see
the lady sem
ator?
l did.
An d w h a t
was she doing
when you saw
her?
: She was pow
dering her nosA
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

Some of the men who are home
from the camps are enthusiastic over
Army life and the difference in bear
ing of some of the boys proves it.
One young man who was home over
the week seems to have gotten the
idea that his first duty while home
was to recruit because he has been
buster than O marketmaster collect
ing rents on a crowded day. Another
young man spent hours instructing
some of his pals in the rudiments
of military training.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13
OUR DAILY LAUGH
LACKED
pERSEUER.

PERSEVER-
ANCE.
II I ask you
once to marry
me and you say
mo" I'LL never
ask you again.
You won't?
Well, I see now
why you didn't
succeed as an
insurance agent.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

Australian Federal and State gov
ernments have adopted comprehen-
sive plans for the employment and
land settlement Of returned soldiers
and sailors.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

Railway men of Dublin, Ireland,
indorsed the action of the Trade
Union Congress in deciding to send
delegates to the Stockholm Confer
ence.
Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-12-13

A strike of the employees en-
ployed in the Junior Army and Navy
Stores, Dublin, Ireland, has been
settled by giving the men an ad-
vance of 81 q week.