davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-01
INCOMPETENCY
By DIR. Frank Crane.

By DR.. Frank Crane
Incompetency is as disastrous cowardice
treason.
or course it is not so wicked, but it does just,
as much damage.
And there is time when its work is dead
ly as in war time.
For in war efficiency is essential We have to
make good. When the general gets muddled and
issues the wrong orders, it isn't Too bad, but
never mind, Willie, try again." it is death and
ruin. And for the private to get a bayonet stuck
into him because his commanding officer is a red
tapped mutt hurts quite badly getting said
bayonet among his vitals because his commander is
a traitor.
In war, incompetency is treason, in effect, il
not in animus.
One of the most tragic factors of is the
too small for his job.
1t splendid spectacle for the six hun
dred to ride Into the jaws of DEATH but that
someone had blundered" killed them just the
same.
General Stupidity.
do not want by any slightest word to hinder
Uncle Sam. He has a hard task, unex-
ampled, tremendous task and to ask that the men
he employs be always free from error is unreason-
able.
loyalty to the fuel ukase of the government, al
though nine-tenths of them believed it mis-
take. So will we all obey them in authority. We
could not very we'll ask our soldiers to give
questioning obedience to their captains if our
selves howled when is gored.
But just the same, have a right to insist
that these men whom blindly intrust
lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor, shall
give us the most expert the most wise leadership
If our boys to die, let it be by the bullets
of the enemy and not by pneumonia caused by
having no warm clothing If our business is to
be ruined, let the Boches ruin it; why ruin 1t
ourselves?
Upon Mr. Wilson and his appofntees rests
fearsome responsibility We cannot ask that they
make no mistakes. But we have right to. demand
that such officials be chosen and put in authority
as do not specialize in mistakes.
What the country needs most, what is our main
defense and hope of victory, is not labor not cap
ital not troops-it is brains. What need is eff
fciency resourcefulness, the ability to get things
done, to carry the message to Garcia.
This country is fecund in men of ability. To
leave them standing idle, willing but passed by,
while second-raters decide the destines of a hun
dred million people and the spending Of twenty
billion dollars is-what?
The men with the rifles in this have
made mighty good. The failures have been with
the men at the top They have not measured
I'D What of the German boneheads who sent
thousands after thousands in formation to
perish in the attacks on Verdun? What of the
French politicians who turnend Nivelles victory
into defeat, of the Engnlish statesmen who
aged the Gallipoli campaign, of the Russian high
mightnesses that sent troops into action armed
only with clubs, and of Italians who exposed their
line to the onslaught of the Teuton masses?
And what of the Americans who-but let us
hope we shall not have to complete this sentence.
Copyright 1918, by Frank Crane)
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-01
THE FAULTFINDER

American has lot of sef-appOinted faultfnd-
ers-men who continually fire at Washington and
never once take a shot at Berlin. Of late have
had considerable to do with certain work, and
l have met many important men at Washington;
and / have found these men, capable, CONSCIENTIOUS
and working like mad.
! never, in all my life, met a man In whom
had so much confidence as | have in Secretary
Baker.
You notice this statement is unqualified, and
perhaps uncalled for. The people who know are
thinking this way, too.
Constructive criticism is good thing, but what
gets my goat is the alien born the alienated in
born who constantly crticizes this country and its
management.
How ridiculous it is for man who has never
made good to sit on his launches and slur those
who are doing their level best!
To be a fautfinding critic, in this crisis re-
quires more health than brains, practice than
ability.
When we had our martyrs-Lincoln, Garfield
McKinley-we also had our full quota of covering
critics.
When it had its Washington, this country also
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-01
Editorial Echoes.

History will record the first enlisted man in
the United States navy to lose his life in the pres
ent foreign operations John l. Eopolucci, boat
SWANS mate, first class, a member of the armed
guard on the Aztec. This the first United
States merchant vessel carrying armed guard to
be sunk The Aztec went down on April 1. 1917
presumably torpedoed. The night dark the
sea rough and cold, and the guard unable to sight
the submarine. One of the boats after getting
away from the doomed vessel, fought for some
hours in a heavy until sighted by a French
patrol. The boat was in charge of Lieutenant Will
liam F. Gresham and he and all his men were
saved with the exception of the boatswain's mate
This man. Eopolucci lost his life through his efforts
to assist another boat in getting clear of the ships
side. Neither he nor those who helped him to
launch the boat were saved. native of Wash
ington, Eopolucci entered the service in 1915 at
Rosebank y. Y, having already put in eight years
in the navy. His next of kin is his mother, Annie
NJ EOpolucci $40 I street, Southeast, Washing
ton, d. c.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-01
An IneScababLe Duty.

The Columbus Enquirer-Sun cogently observes
that the American cannot afford to let famine at
tack their Allies, particularly when we can coa-
tribute to the support of millions by simply cut
ting out the waste here at home"
"How many millions of people could have
been well fed upon the food wasted in the
United States yesterday? How many mil
lions could be fed upon the waste today The
probabilities that what wasted yes
and until something is done to
stop it would feed many millions and feed
them well. The American people must realize
the stupendous fact that they are at. war.
Not only the soldiers and sailors and those in
the various branches of service are engaged
in this war, but all the people of America are
engaged in it. II is as much YOUR war as il
is anybOdy's war. You can't shift the respon-
sibiIity that rests you. You've got to bear
YOUR share of it. just the in the
trenches have got to bear their share of it,"
This wise and patriotic doctrine will find active
response in every Georgia home that is true to
gag. II is principally through the homes that
the tremendously important problem of food sup
ply must be solved. The utmost that public insti-
tutions can do in the way of economy is a mere
fra ment to what the millions of American house
holds can through daily care and effort
Wheatless and meatless days should be observed
unfaiIingly in every Atlanta home, every Georgia
home. every home through the lands length and
breadth. Remissness in this imperative duty is re-
crespce to America and a help to the Huns.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-01

had some chips left over and out of these small
bits of humanity some designing devil created
government critics.
as worthless as conceied the critic, and this
man is the traitor to America. This man is the
half-brother of the critic.
The smallest man who floats downstream can
do lot of harm. He can destroy the thing that
has taken desperate effort to construct.
If yod will be fair and study this situation close
" you will see that these carping critics have
method in their manners. 1t seems to be their
design to say something depressing and dishearten-
ing-F D. Van Amburgh in the Silent Partner.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-01
NOTICE I'D SUBSCRIBERS.

label used for addSesns your paper shows nc Se
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chsnged be 10 mention your CO.
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Department 10 THE
SENI-WEEKLY JOURNAL. Atlanta. Ca
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-01

The 1lttOn GaZeJte SOUNDS a SedSOnaDle warn
ing and, incidentally gives glimpse into the
character of that deadest of Georgia villains, the
boil weev:l, when it says:
Those who believe the cold weather has
killed the crop of boil weevils are making a
mistake that Will cost them dear if they let it
lead them to put in big cotton crop this
certainty that the weevil will appear in force
with the coming of weather. A few
warm days in January will cause the weevils
to come out of their Information, and a cold
snap in February will catch them We owe their
limited numbers last year much to the
warm weather in January as to the dry
weather when cotton was fruiting On the con-
trary if January is very cold the weevils
stay in hiding and emerge in full force in the
spring"
Wherefore, it follows, the planting of a larger
acreage of cotton than be brought safely to
maturity in spite of weevil attacks will be ex-
tremely hazardous. Kept within narrow bounds,
the cotton acreage will hold opportunities but
coping successfully with the weevil, it will be
merely waste of land that might have been de-
voted to the all-mportant purpose of food produc-
ton. This year as last diversiication will prove
the fortunate policy in Georgia agriculture,
and the raising of foodstufs will be at once the
most profitable and most patriotic work IN which
the farmer emerge.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-01

One million American soldiers ready
for France, and former German ships VIII take
them across. Isn't that the irony of Hindenburg?
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-01

If the Germans are breaking their truce with
the Russians, by Withdrawing troops from the
eastern for on the western front it is not the
.irst truce they have broken.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-01

No more beer will be made in Germany. Now
let the revolution proceed.
Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-02-01
That Villain WeeUM

The Triton Gazette sounds a seasonable warn
ing and incidentally gives a new glimpse into the
character of that deadliest of Georgia villains the
boil weev:l, when it says:
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-16
WITH II EDITORS.
STOCK DIVIDENDS NOT INCOME.

The supreme court a1rpt: tie honely aDalog.
~ Mr. Hughes IN his argument against the taxation
II d stock dividend a. income. Mr. Hughes sad
that the rccapjtalizatjGn process Vas like changing
a ~ bill for two 81 bills. The property represented
was not changed by the words on the bills. Justice
Holmes way Of stating the same thing il this:
A stock dividend really takes nothing from
the property Of the ~coriDratlon and adds nothing
10 the interest Of the shareholders. Its property il
not diminished and their interests are not increased.
IN snort, the corporation is no poorer and the stock
holder is no richer than they were before.
That il important regarding the TAX payment,
bat II more important ~ other relations. Some
$lOO,NO,OD Of capital is freed from the tax, but
that concerns nobody with income below $2C.CT.
the minimum paying the tax. The broader a%ppljca-
ton OF the decision lies IN jtS bearing upon price
making. It ought to end the notion held by many
people and some officials that printing shares OF
stork gives po@cr Of ]cZtortion 10 corporations. No.
body is capable Of thinking that because Of this
decision the price VI the goods made by the com
pany il or can be increased. II doubling the shares
doubled the productive capacity OF the plant, there
would be such Il smpcriuIty Of capacity of produce
ton that prices could not be maintained. Markets
would be flooded, and consumers would be beuc-
fitted. But, AZ the court points out, increasing the
number OF shares alters nothing except the rate Of
dividend. The sum TO be divided is not increased
because the capital il increased. The dividend total
depends upon the productive capacity and market
conditions. Corporations are paid only for the work
they do. They are not paid according 10 their
capital, whether it is real or nominal, nor accord.
ing to whether their shares are in dollars or cents,
or whether they are many or few. A corporation
selling products makes profits by economics Of pro-
duction and sales. The profits depend on prices
fixed either by the market or by government rcguIa-
tio'l. fragrant reorganization did not alter freight
rates at all for Chicago & Alton, any more than this
decision altered the price Of hardware.
Yet ideas to the contrary persist and color lcgis-
Iation to this day. There was no greater fault in
regulation Of railway rates than the notion that
the watering Of shares in some way affected the
rates fixed by a commission for 80 years without
knowledge of what railway facilities cost. In tn"
valuation proceeding somewhere between
80 and a hundred millions are now being spent
upon this dclusion.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-16
MERE WORDS ARE
SUFFICIENT O 4
TREASON CHARGE

Philadelphia. Penn. Jan. 10
Louis Werner. editor in chief OF
the Philadelphia Tageblatt, a Ger
ma language newspaper, which
was raided by government agents
some tii::s ago, and Dr. Martin
Darkow, managing editor must
stand trial On q charge of treason
ss q resui. OF q decision by Judge
Dickinson in the federal court
here Tuesday, %oTerruling their de-
murrer to al indictment charg-
ing them with that offense.
The charge is based on articles
and editorials published in the
Tageblatt criticising the United
States for entering the war. The
defendants commended that mere
words did not constitute treason
within the definition of the law.
Words may be acts and acts
may be words" said Judge: Dick
cnson in his opinion. Words on
the one hand may be mere sound
and fury, signifying nothing, or
on the other hand may be fraught
with the most frightful signifi-
carse, and be acts followed by the
most dreadful consequences.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-16
B0Y-BD'S FRIEND
INTENT ON ARSON
ARRESTED IN ACT
Berman Spy Appreciated at
Newport News as Enemy Spy
in Baltimore Jail
Sweetheart Believes Him Innocent
of Connection With Espionage
System.

Baltimore, Mr., Jan. 1G.-Lieut. Wal
ter Sporemann, alleged German spy
arrested last week at Norfolk in the
act OF applying a match TO a building
on the aviation field, was brought here
Tuesday and lodged in Jail. His bro
Their also was locked up. There are
unconfrmed reports that eight other
persons are in custody in connection
with the Sporemann case.
Marius Aisch, employed in a lunch
room here, was arrested today. Pa
pers belonging to Lieut.. Sporemann,
which Aisch said were left in his care
by the lieutenant were seized. 1t was
said there was little of anything of an
discriminating nature found among
them.
lnterception of mail between Lieut..
Sporemann and a oma yiolinist EN-.
ployed at a Washington hotel was in.
strumental in bringing Sporemann
under surveillance several weeks be-.
fore his arrest. Sporemann was EN-.
pioyed by a construction contractor at
the aviation field. ~
Federal records show that an enemy
alien permit vas issued to Sporemann
several months ago. A statement made
by Sporemann at the time that he
and his brother came to America in
1910, so far as could be ascertained,
was eve verified by federal agents.
Sporemann's papers, however, indi-
Gated dealings with Won Bernstorff
and Boy-ed and that he reported for
service in Germany after the begin.
ming of the wal in 1914. 1t is pointed
out that Sporemann could have re.
turned to Germany surreptitiously, re.
ported for service there, and later re.
entered the United States without de-
lection,
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-16
HoovER1z1NG AND SPECIAL SESSIONS.

tt IS rlm0rcd that we are 10 have an extra SEES
sion Of the legislature at Bismarck this winter. Pro,
hibition, moratorium for soldiers, county bonds for
seed grain, discipline for a naughty state officer,
and especially to provide funds FOR "A depleted trca,
slry are on the program. Strange that all these 9th
cr things should arise at a time when we are short
OF money to run the affairs OF state in the very mid
die OF a biennial period. But then the nation is at
war and North Dakota is preparing to 20 over
the top. There are roads, elevators, flour mills, and
packing plants to build and these things take money.
An extra session Of the legislature at this time in
1913 may be the second act in the drama. A SEES
sion Of the legislature and two elections cost money
and We are all trying 80 hard to Hoovcrizc too.-
Hannah Moon.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-16
PITCHER ALEXANDER
PLACED IN GLASS 1
OF SELECTIYB DRAFT

Ccisago, III, Jan. 16 Pitcher Gro
yer Cleveland Alexander, who with his
battery mate. Catcher Killifer, was
purchased by the Chicago Nationals
for $4,000 has been placed in class
one of the selective draft, Charles H.
Weeghman, president of the Chicago
club was unofficially advised last
night.
Wieghman ~telegraphed Alexander
at his home in St. Paul, Nebraska, for
confirmation of the report.
When Alexander, who is rated as the
leading pitcher in the National league
was purchased from the Philadelphia
club it was agreed that If either he
or Catcher Killer was drafted thirty
days before the opening of the 1918
season., the transaction for the player
taken into the military service would
be cancelled.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-16
TAKE THOUGHT OF THE SPRING GARDEN
" NOW.

Take thought Of the spring garden now.
Notwithstanding the large production Of vcye,
tables tins year and the great volume put into cans
ana Jars Tor winter use, there is nothing to indi-
cate that there will not be equal need for produc,
ton and conservation in 1913, says the United
States department Of agriculture.
Many gardens failed last year because of poor
SOL OF poor preparation, or both.
For the average Householder it will be slrG.
cient 70 prepare ground enough to produce the home
supply Tor eating in the fresh state and for canning,
drying or brining for use during the following
winter. Producing vegetables for market should
not be undertaken without full knowledge Of horti.
culture and sufficient capital and equipment.
Marshalltown, Ia, a city Of 10000, has located
through its county agent and a special agent Of the
extension department IS acres Of lots within tho
city limits which were not cultivated the past sea.
son. They also found that much ground vas ,t
properly plowed and prepared during thu Jpsst sca.
son and that many Of these lots ''ailcd "a produce
because Of the poor character Of the soil. Crops
not wall 49,
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-16

IL ~ the plan 81 The county aren't AMI inc local
/ organization In MarsbalitDwn 10 extend the Guilt
waited area and 10 see that the crops are adapted
10 Gol cOnditlDns> investigations in this city showed
that E2,DO war paid ia cash last year for food for
the poor. Ninety per cent of the potatoes consumed
we're imported from d long distance. The commit
tnnS conducting this surrey T1ork were appointed by
the mayor and they are alow systematically arrang
ing ~ manure, pjOw, and assign these lots 10. per
sDt. desiring ground for gardens this year.
Here ~ what one love- city ls doing 10 get ready
for this ynar's garden campaign:
First. 4 surrey II the city was made and -
acres n space suitable for gardeg8 WAS located iD.
ride the city limits in adlill0n ~ what Bas put
in gardens Iast spring,
Second. Three hundred tons Of manure which
could be urd for fertilizer were Ioeated within the
city limits,
Third. An inspection 81 the trassurer's books
showed that $2DU in cash va. paid ont last year
TO needy people.
Fourth. Ninety per cent Of the potatoes con
sunnod last year we're shipped in from outside points.
What did the city DO about it
Well. the city council and commercial club met
and appointed committees in every voting precinct.
These committees will arrange for teams, wagons
and plDwx, and will organize the work 10 that ii
can be done most efficiently and economically.
The mayor hars the city will use some Of the
city money 10 employ team. and wagons and pIows,
If necessary.
II ls further planned hat tho9e who receive sup
port from The city must take care Of q garden ar
" riding ~ nStruc,jpn8-that is, provided they are
10 work.
nt.k va, LII .t. Ln,-. ...L.1 &[ r- .r 7
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-16
THE BOMBING OF NEW YORK,

Admiral Peary, William Allan White and 9TH
ers continue to predict German air raids on New
York and other Atlantic coast cities. 1t is possible,
Of course but it would hardly be worth while, OK.
cept rs a demonstration Of futile %rcutonic rage. The
bombing OF New York or Boston, or even OF Wash.
inston, would serve no essential military purpose
while the reaction would be a flaming anger against
the Huns which would stimulate American aggres
%sivcncss to a degree which the Potsdam council
would hardly wish to contemplate. The war will
not DC brought to our shores, we think, because We
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-16

and was given out at division head.
quarters yesterday afternoon.
No trace Of the missing money has
been found, 80 far as a be learned
hete, n TIC sea!cn Is being continu.
ID
Announcement Of the result Of the
accounting wa9 made through diyis.
ionai headquarters By VIM, Huttig, Of
Kansas City, No, president of the
National Fe8crve Ban kof that city Of
which the army bank was a branch.
Mr, Euttig also announced that the
stolen money will be replaced by him
az owner Of the bank. He already has
made good o. deposits OF $4,000 he
EaiJ.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-16
Miner Convention
In Patriotic Fervor

Indianapolis. Ind, Jan. lS.--Whole
hearted support OF the government in
the war against the central powers
and criticism of the federal courts for
decisions adverse to the union, ex-
pressed in the reports of officers, re-.
ceived the vigorous approval Of the
fifteen hundred delegates attending
the biennial convention OF the united
mine workers of America, which open.
ed here Tuesday.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-16
WAVE OF SORROW And SYMPATHY SWEEPS
OYER CONGRESS THE ANNOUNCEMENT
OF THE DEATH OF MAJOR 4. GARDNER

Tsshiny.On, Jan 1G-Ar0uGe9 by
the death from ~p-eur1ogie Of Mz!Or
Gardner, members OF tie house
Tuesday agitate5d congressional inresti
CATION Of emp and hospital cOndE-
tons 10. only al Camp Wheeler.
lyners the former c~az8sessrnan died.
but M1orgho.t the eonntry. Reg-eE
e1tztire Gard. ot Ohio, i~ntrod1ced Z
revolution 10 tia: purpose, and many
members indicated their support,
4 uecenGsnt-D-eaking ware Of sor-
ROW ann synnathg swept OTeT the
house ,cday Al the new of Major
Gardner's death, Democratic Leader
Kitchen Announced that if Mrg. Gard
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-16

ne- agreed 10 the plan when she ar.
r5reS here with the majors body so.
EaOrroE. there will be funeral ser.
VICES Al the capitol where the body
would lie IN state.
No s1ch mark Ct respect mas ever
essss paid 40 q former member Of con.
gres
The senate adjourned in the after
DOOM IN respect 10 the memory OF
Major Gardner. after hearing a euIogy
by Senator Weeks who held up Gard
neTg career az an example OF pat
riotisn 10 the young men Of the coun-
try, and adopted 4 resolution Of sor-
row and sympathy for the family.
The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1918-01-16
PRACTICAL n f
Is SITUATION NO
PRESENT AT BERLIN

Stockholm, Jan. ,16 Food condi-
tons in Berlin have become so much
worse, according to a1vices reaching
here, that the population is compelled
to exist almost entirely on the ration.
ed quantities of bread. meat and po-
tatoes. Virtually no vegetables or
fruit are reaching the city and no
game is to be had, owing to the be-
ginning Of the closed season.
Some of the greater Berlin munich
pa%lities, it is stated, have been forced
to reduce the potato ration from sew
en- pounds to six pounds.