davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20
Prohibition a Great
Aid to the Retail
Piano Business

San Francisco, Feb. 7.-Several
travelling representatives of eastern
piano manufacturing concerns have
been in San Francisco of late and ac-
cording to them the great outstanding
feature of business in the Western
states is the marked increase in busi-
ness in the states that have joined the
dry column. This fact is commented
upon by almost every travelling man
reaching this city and it is declared
that business in Colorado, Arizona,
Washington and Oregon was never
better, with retailers heartily in favor
of the change, which many originally
opposed. 1t is asserted that not only
are more pianos being sold than
formerly, but that initial payments
are larger, collections are much bet
ter and fewer instruments are re-
turned. Local houses with branches
in these states back up the assertions
of the travelling men.-The Musical
Times.
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20
Pro-Beer kilograms
Sent to Sen. Sherman

On the 9th of June great many
kilograms were sent from Chicago
to Senator Sherman protesting
against Prohibition Of beer and light
wines. Senator Sherman had two OF
the kilograms read to the Senate sew
eral days later.
According to Washington dis
patch, the Senate roared with laughter
when the kilograms were read. This
was because of the signatures which,
according to another news dispatch,
almost caused the reading clerk to
break his jaw in his effort to pro-
nounce them.
About 80 of the kilograms were
printed in the Congressional Record.
1t is apparent that the copy for the
kilograms was furnished by some
central agency or some individual. 1t
would be interesting to know who
prepared the kilograms and took the
initiative in securing the signatures.
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20
Brewers Control
Peoria Saloons
Beer Makers Own $50 Licenses in the
Worlds Whisky Center

Newspaper reports telling of the
renewal of saloon licenses in Peoria
once more reveal the fact that a ma
jority of the saloons, all of which
violate the Sunday closing law, are
controlled by the brewers. The
Peoria Journal says:
"The control of the saloons is am
ply shown by the fact that the Leisy
Brewing Company alone paid more
than $4,000 into the Golfers of the
city in one lump few moments be-
fore noon. This brewery is said to
have taken care of all its customers
who were unable to meet the license
There are now, according to the
city license clerk, 121 licenses owned
by individuals, while the balance Of
the 27l saloons are operated under
brewery licenses paid by the brewer
les, whereas before less than 90 sa-
looms were operated independently
on individual licenses"
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20
Dry Photo Drama
Creates Sensation
Intense Interest Aroused by the Nov
ing Picture "Prollibition''

The Macomb Journal says the NOV
ing picture, Prohibition" Created a
sensation" in that city last week, and
"was the topic OF several lively dis
cussions"
Inquiries for this wonderful film
have been received from many parts
of the country, the last coming from
Connecticut. The Illinois Anti Saloon
League is prepared to lease this film
to picture houses or organizations
wishing to use it within the state of
Illinois Ask your movie man to book
it. If he is not willing rent the
house and put on a benefit for your
church.
Information as to terms may be
had by writing to T. H. Wade, 1900
Security Bldg, Chicago.
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20
Anarchy Prevails
in Cook County
Officials Shift Responsibility of Law
Enforcement

Lawless saloons continue to oper-
ate in Cook county outside of Chi
cago. Every Sunday they violate
the Sunday closing law Many o.
the saloons have no license. Others
have licenses granted without con-
forming to the law.
The county sheriff and the county
commissioners all deny authority or
responsibility in the matter. The
Sheriff claims that he has not enough
men at his disposal to police the out
lying territory and enforce the laws
The county attorney asserts it is the
duty of mayors in outlying villages
to attend to law enforcement. The
president of the board of commission
ers says that enforcement of the laws
in the country would be a discrim-
ination in favor of lawless saloons in
Incorporated villages.
Meanwhile, the County Coroner is
busy trying to prevent accidents
caused by lawless Sunday saloons
along the county roads.
With the villages evading RESPONSE
bility and shifting the blame, Cool,
county government is failure and
lawlessness continues unrestrained.
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20
League
Meetings at Polo

Last Sunday was Anti-Saloon
League day in Polo, representatives
of that organization occupying most
OF the pulpits and delivering strong
pleas for funds to push the fight to a
successful finish. All emphasized
the fact that although John Barley
corn is now on the run, it is no time
to let down, but that the fight should
be forced until he is completely
routed.
The campaign came to close with
a we'll attended union meeting of all
the churches on the school lawn, at
which Andrew Forsythe, of the Anti
Saloon League, was the speaker
TriCounty Press, July 5.
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20

The big brewery across the river with
its powerful political and financial in
huence has always resisted efforts to
make East St. Louis liquor resorts
conform with the standards of decent
civilization.
While attempting to brush back
sea of whisky wickedness with Sum
day closing whisk broom, Mayor
Mollman recently said: 81 consider
the breweries are also to blame for
the condition which exists"
A few months ago Judge Lands
held court in East St. Louis. In nearly
every case brought before him, he
found the direct or contributing cause
of crime to be the lawless saloon.
Upon investigation he found that
many of these hotbeds of wickedness
and incubators of crime were con-
trolled by the biggest brewery in the
world.
Saloon conditions in East St. Louis
oLll eiNlCQ lilC WOlSl Oi, anu dCNGlOpCu
the worst in the negro race. Saloon
conditions promoted lawlessness and
protected law-breakers among the
whites. Economic conditions and race
prejudice contributed to the social
situation, but alcohol, just as it is an
essential element in smokeless pow
der, was the one thing that caused the
explosion of lawlessness at East St.
Louis.
Alcohol attracted the lawless alco-
hol paralyzed the law; then alcohol
inhamed the passions of the mob, and
the riots ragged until East St. Louis
was dishonored, Illinois disgraced and
all America made ashamed.
The rioting started soon after an
automobile load of joy riders had
driven rapidly through the negro Sec
ton, shouting, cursing and shooting
into the houses along the way. What
followed is now we'll known the most
disgraceful chapter in the history of
Illinois.
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20
Bre,Uers Receive
Whisky Profits
Explains Why Beer Makers Oppose
Anti-Whislzy Laws

The big profits in the saloon busi-
ness come from the sale of whisky. A
Kankakee paper discussing the effect
of whisky Prohibition upon local sa-
looms says:
"Only a small per centage of sa-
looms could afford to operate selling
only beer and light wines. The big
source of profit for all saloons is the
whisky end of the business. The
profit on beer is small because it is
sold on closer margin and requires
more expense to keep"
A Chicago brewers representative
expressed a similar opinion as fol-
lows:
"Now, about beer. l do not think
that the saloons use an average of
600 barrels year each. With that
sale the income of the saloon over the
cost OF the beer should be about
$1,000. The owner must pay license
fee of $1,000; government license
fee of SIS; rent, $1,000; help. $1,50o;
light, ice, telephone, decorating and
other incidentals, $500-a total of
$4,225. That indicates clearly that
the average saloon must sell whisky,
gin and other strong drinks to make
money"
From these statements the reason
why the brewers do not desert the
distillers becomes apparent. AS the
brewers control about 20 per cent of
the saloons in Chicago, and large
proportion of them throughout the
country, it is easy to see why they OPP
pose whisky Prohibition.
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20

In the Senate of the United States,
speaking calmly and deliberately with
a full knowledge of conditions and
realizing his responsibility as chief
spokesman for Illinois, Senator Law
renee Y. Sherman blamed the saloon
for the East St. Louis race riots.
Characterizing East St. Louis as
absolutely the worst saloon town in
the United States Senator Sherman
explained how saloons by corrupting
politics, protecting vice and controll-
ing officers of the law, gradually
brought about the spirit of lawless-
ness without which the riots could
not have occurred.
All familiar with the conditions
which led up to the unrestraincd orgy
of murder and arson, unequaled for
lawless brutality in the history Of
Illinois, agree that political corruption
was the chief cause. Press comment
unanimously expresses the opinion
that bad political conditions must
bear the guilt for the nations dis
grace. While not all papers name the
saloon, the conditions which they de-
scribe as the chief cause of the riots
are invariably the result of saloon
domination. Throughout Illinois and
the nation, wherever extreme lawless-
ness exists, it is brought about by the
influence of the saloon.
For years East St. Louis has been
wide open town. 1t has harbored
criminals, fostercd vice, permitted dis
order, laughed at law. For years the
saloons shamefully abetted wicked
ness and shamefully protected the
wicked. For years brazen saloon
keepers dominated craven public off
cials. For years virtue wept, rum
ruled and justice slept.
While the unspeakably vile and in
credibly lawless Illinois saloons must
be charged with the greatest guilt,
Missouri brewers are not blameless.
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20

In its lamentations over the new
law which excludes liquor advertising
from dry states, the Champion of
Fair Play says: "In other words, the
truth regarding the liquor trade will
be barred while the falsehoods of the
Prohibition propaganda will have full
sweep. Only one side of this question
can Iowans be permitted to read"
There, that proves it. The only
papers favoring the vets are the ones
that get paid for it.
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20
Whisky Dealers
to Quit

Two of Chicago's largest wholesale
liquor dealers have announced that
they will retire from business on ac-
count of national Prohibition oi
whisky manufacture They are Chaplin
& Gore, and Grommes & Ullrich.
Each of these concerns claims to have
been doing an annual business of over
100000 a year.
Chaplin & Gore, one of the largest
dealers in whisky in the United States
has been established in Chicago for
over 90 years.
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20
Russian, Revolution
Was Boozeless, So
BlOOdless

There is no doubt in the minds of
the Russians that their revolution
was practically bloodless because it
was practically boozeless. There are
some Russian leaders who say that it
was the absence of alcohol that made
the revolution possible. A drunken,
sodden Russia of the old type could
never have aroused itself to real re-
volt as this Russia has done.-Wil-
liam G. Shepherd in Chicago Post.
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20
Illegal to Sell Liquor
on Riuer Steamboats,

The sale of liquor on steamboats,
along the Mississippi or its tributaries
is illegal. Liquor may not be sold
without license which can only be
granted for stationary definite place.
A government license so-called is
merely tax receipt and grants no inn
munity from prosecution by states for
liquor law violations.
In 1911 the railroads of Illinois
ceased selling liquor on dining cars
after the illegality of such sale was
explained to the proper officers by the
Auti-Saloon League.
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20
Printers Punch Booze

The Old Time Printers Associa-
tion recently went on record against
booze, as follows:
1--WE resent the imputation that any
considerable number of either the
skilled mechanics or unskilled labor
ers of the country favor continuance
of the saloon regime"
This statement was part of res
olution passed at meeting of the
Association in Chicago and sent to
President Wilson and Congress.
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20

The State Dairymen's Association
of Minnesota sent resolutions to SEN
ators Nelson and Kellogg urging them
to support the clause in the food bill
prohibiting the use of grains in the
manufacture of liquors
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20

We are spending billions to make
the world safe for democracy. Why
not temporarily give up few millions
of liquor revenue and dcthrone the
alcohol autocracy in the u. S. A,
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20
SALOONS RACE RIOT CAUSE
SENATOR SHERMAN BLAMES LIQUOR
FOR EAST ST. LOUIS RACE RIOT
Lawlessness Fostered by Vicious Saloons Leads to
Unrestraned Barbarism
Lawlessness

The principal of vile, ed that
blazed the in disorder and the of blood the
Internal laless,
that have infested that and bghd the community
1t is the saoonkeepers
the of lawless and breed spe their na
vern upon every community where they suffered
bone-dry Senator from on-Senator Sherman
The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-07-20

The Presidents attitude on beer
will probably turn the scale and keep
Milwaukee in the Union.-Elgin
News
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-26
FIRST CALL FOR
BRICKLAYERS
tBy Associated Press.j

Washington, Dec. 26.-The new
draft machinery was invoked for the
FIRST time when Provost Marshal
General Crowder made public today
instructions to all governors calling
tor the mobilization Of 1000 brick
layers, urgently needed by General
porshing at once.
Local boards are called upon to
examine questionnaires now being
returned and report as rapidly as
possible ON the number of brick
layers of draft age available for
service. Only white bricklayers will
be taken, either by draft or by VOL
untary induction into the military
service through local boards. They
li be forwarded to the aviation Sec
fion signal corps, at Kelley field, San
Antonio. Texas. The purpose for
which they are to be used IN France
Is not disclosed.
The order is the first application
of the special occupational classifi-
cation provisions Of the new draft
regulations. The bricklayers in any
boards jurisdiction will be assembled
in order OF their draft number rela-
tionship to each other, but without
regard to the men in any other oc-
cupation.
General Crowder's letter TO the
governors indicates that similar calls
for skilled men in other states are to
be expected.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-26
North DdkOtdns
Gable Greetings
From Other Side

Cablegrams carrying messages of greeting from
many North Dakota soldiers now in Europe, were
ceved in Fargo and other pontsn North Dakota during
the day.
The most interesting is that received by W. L.
Stockwell of Fargo grand secretary of the Knights
Tempar of North Dakota bringing Christmas greetings
from fourteen knights Templar 1t signed by Col
j. H. Frame, commander of the 164th U. S. Inf, for
merly the First North Dakota.
Several other cabegrams also received In Far
CO. among them being one to Mrs. w. J. Suits, of the
Dixon hotel, received from her nephew Harry Ware,
corporal with Co. B. the Fargo unit of the 164h u S. Inf
ARRIVED Safely. Merry Christmas" is Corporal
Wares greeting.
At Mandan, similar message was received by the
parents of Mandan boy in the SERVICE while messages
of similar purport were received in Wahpeton and
Grand Forks during the day.
Leo Domenik member of Go. /, Wahpeton, cab
led Christmas greetings to relatives in Wahpeton his
message being dated at Liverpool, England.
A cablegram was also received Christmas day by
the wife and the mother OF Paul Bunce formerly of the
Northwestern Telephone company, now in the signal
service in France, extending Christmas greetings. .
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-26
Austro-G Germans Have But
One Foothold In West
ern Bank of River
NOT WORTH COST
OF RECAPTURE
Invaders Must Pay Heavy
Toll to Hold Position
Which is Worthless

Italian Army Headquarters in
Northern Italy, Tuesday. Dec. "a
A general commanding an army
corps on the Piave front took the
correspondent along the line occu-
pied by his corps today and pointed
out the Austro- German nest on the
west bank Of the river, the only foot
hold he has succeeded In maintain
, ing.
The main purpose of the italian
commander was to carry a holiday
greeting 10 his men in the first line
, trenches but incidentally II gave an
opportunity for the general to ex-
plain why the enemy was able to
hang on.
1t was noted that the defenses had
been highly organized so that any
sudden rush of the enemy would
meet tremendous resistance. The
defenses comprise a string OF
trenches fortified with masses Of
tangled wire with numerous sharp
projections.
Entering the hrst line trenches
the general led the way. The ground
in~front was covered with low bushes
and scrubby vines running down "a
the waters edge. Behind this ran a
high earthen embankment originally
erected as a dyke but now serving
the enemy as a refuge against petty
shelling. In the foreground were
three large stone farmhouses that
had been torn to pieces by Italian
shell fire. Cne was still used, the
general said. for the enemy's machine
guns. They were silent then, as the
holiday season had by common con-
sent afforded q lulL The general
stated that the enemy force in the
Zenson curve was about three bat
talions, or 1000. with an exceptional
ly large supply of machine guns.
Their communications were princi-
pally operated in the night hours.
The enemy's foothold on the west
bank OF the Piave here was not re-
garded BY the general as q serious
menace to the Italians. It could be
cleared out at any time, he said, but
the effort was not worth the sacri-
fice ii would require in the face Of
machine guns. The bent was COM
pIetely controlled and hemmed An
and II was better. he thought, 20 let
the enemy sacrifice his men In hold
ing a position useless 80 him.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-26
Williams May
Be Appointed AS
Railway Director
(By Associated Press.)

Washington, Dec. 26.-
John Ekelton Williams,
comptroller of the currency,
was being discussed today
in official circles as the most
probable selection fo1
federal railroad admins
traitor, should President
Wilson decide to appoint
one.
In the event that Comp
troller Williams is not Sc
lected, those apparently
best informed on the situa-
ton, believed the work
would be undertaken by
Secretary McAdoo, who,
however, would not relin-
quish his place as secretary
Of the treasury, but sur
round himself with a cabi-
net of railroad men.
These developments all
pointed to an evident deci-
sion by President Wilson
to soon begin federal ad-
ministration of railroads,
although there was no Off
cial announcement.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-12-26
Committee Gets Testimony
Regarding Overseas and
National Camps
OFFICERS CALLED
TO GIVE TESTIMONY
General Organs State
ment on Rifles Made Be-
hind Closed Doors
(By Associated Press.)

Washington, Dec. 26-Arous.
ed by reports of shortages of
winter clothing in national army
camps the senate military affairs
committee today, In resumins its
Investigation into army eondi-
tions, adopted . resolution re-
qusstina the secretary Of war TO
Immediately ascertain conditions
by wire, supply deficient troops
and suspend departmental rou-
tine, ~ necessary by direct puF-
ehasss from sources near the
camps,
Washington, Dec. 26.-ConditionI
in the American overseas and ma
tional army training camps were de-
scribed today to the senate military
committee when il took up its in
quiry into war operations. Genera
officers OF the national army JUS
back from inspection trips in Francs
were called by the committee, which
temporarily postponed further ex'
animation OF Quartermaster Genera
Sharpe.
Ohicers tesufying included Major
General John +. Organ, Of CamI
wadsworth, s. c., and Major Genera
Edwin St John Greble, of CamT
Bowie, Texas.
The committee closed its doors Il
hear General Organs statement
His testimony regarding sufnciencS
of rife and other ordnance equip.
ment, clothing and other supplies oi
General Pershings forces, the com.
mittee felt, should not be made pub
lie.
The resolution offered by Senator
Mcclellan, OF Tennessee, declares that
upon 'unquestioned proof there Is q
shortage Of at least 10000 overcoats
and 1900 wooden blouses in nine
national army cantonments.
Its adoption followed the testi-
mony last week OF Quartermaster
General Sharpe who admitted short
age of winter equipment in some
camps but said all necessary supplies
have been shipped and would soon be
The resolution says:
'.It appeGrinG = 70 tho conainittes
from unQuestioned proof adduced be-
fore IL that many enlisted men In
Camps Wheeler, Shelby Kearney
Dix, Jackson, Grant, Cluster, Beaure-
gard and in the camp at Fort Worth
Tex, are without wooden blouses and
overcoats, the combined shortage in
the several camps above named be-
ing not less than 10000 overcoats and
$1,000 woolen blouses. this COMMITTEES
Continued on page 50