davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-26
A WARTIME TRAGEDY

At last the subject OF paper ~ds'o
has found its way into the senate, ana
in the discussion the republican leader,
Senator Gallinger, revealed an import
ant fact when he declared that ne
was in receipt Of letters daily from
constituents, complaining because
they were not getting their copies OF
the Congressional Record.
It developed that the shortage OF
paper was responsible for curtailing
the output of the Record and that
only a favored few, aside from Of
f,cials of the government, are on the
mailing list.
But that anyone should become SUI
Recently worried to write his senator
= complaint because the Record failed
to arrive on time is difficult to believe.
To learn that Senator Gallinger's mail
from back home in New Hampshire
should be cluttered up with these com
plants is to see New Hampshire FOLK
in new light.
what a wonderful field New Hamp-
shire must be for the distribution OF
almanacs, circus heralds, patent medl-
cine testimonials, and religious tracts
Imagine Senator Gallingers average
constituent, at rest after a seasons
activities on his rock-ribbed farm,
settling himself for winter days
orgy of reading, with the Congresslon-
III Record. the annual report OF the
secretary Of the treasury and WICK
ery's Fireside Companion at hand.
And imagine the disappointment OF
that solid and substantial citizen at
discovering that several numbers OF
the Congressional Record had failed
to arrive on schedule. 1t might be
enough to shake his faith in the gov
eminent itself. No wonder Senator
Gallinger was exercised.
II was the funeral Senator Smoot,
constant watchdog OF the treasury ,
who revealed that the department OF
public observation-disclosures Creels
hureau-spends some $4,000 daily, a
GOOD share of the sum being for paper
on which to print the governments
daily Ohicial Bulletin and the various
other effusions which Mr.. Creel and
his remarkably large staff produce.
Someone suggested that 1t might DC
possible to conserve paper in the IN
terest Of the Congressional Record by
DENYING publication to some OF the
Illuminating compositions which are
uted-franked-by the various
departments. The titles mentioned in
Guided. pirates Of the Deep: Story
Of the Squid and the Octopus;
Through Costa Rica the Magnificent
with a Motor Car" 1.-THE Wholesale
Prices from 1900 to 1916" and Mar
cotic Plants and Stimulants Of Ancient
Americans"
An In all, the senate had most
entertaining discussion. An investiga-
ton of Mr.. Crcers bureau was sug-
rested. but that was all. Meanwhile,
nothing has been done to relieve me
plight of those disappointed patrlots
= New Hampshire.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-26

rest of the world realize all too clear
~ that the bolshevih were only ad-
vance agents for German subjugation.
With Russia beyond hope Of re-
demption or reclamation, and with
the invading German armies approach
ing Petrograd at rate of speed easily
comparable to the best service on the
crippled trans-Siberian railroad, Amer
lean interest turns very naturally to
the safety of Americans who are in
Petrograd and other Russian cities.
Principal among them, of course. Is
Ambassador David r. Francis. that
staunch old Missourian who has held
his job and bis head among exciting
scenes and has reflected considerable
credit on himself and his country.
Mr., Francis has been compelled to
hold of threatening Russian patriots
with a revolver time or two: he has
seen enough tragedy in Petrograd to
last a dozen men all their lives; no
doubt he will be glad to get back
home to St Louis, despite Its street
car strikes and its nearness 10 the
riot city across the river.
And Americans hope he will be able
to make the journey safely on which.
dispatches say. he has embarked with
diplomats representing European ma.
tons. They must cross Russia and
Siberia and take ship to San Fran
cisco, and they cannot consider them
selves safe until they shall have seen
the anchor raised at Vladivostok.
Mr.. Francis has done all he or any
one else could do in Petrograd. 1t is
high time for him to leave in advance
of the on coming Prussians.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-26
SHIPS, AND MORE SHIPS

(From Thursdays Dally.)
It is encouraging news which came
from Washington yesterday, that the
supply of vessels for transporting SOL
diers and supplies to Europe Is evil
dencing an unexpected growth, two
or three weeks in advance of the time
which had been estimated as the ear
Hest at which improvement In the
shipping situation could be expected.
American shipyards are delivering
vessels built under the urge OF war.
The offensive against the submarines
has reduced the losses very materially.
The transfer of neutral ships to trade
outside the U-boat zone has freed
allied vessels for Atlantic travel. I'm
proyement of French harbors permits
transports and supply ships to unload
speedily and hasten their return to
America.
And last but by no means least,
labor troubles in the American ship
yards have been reduced to mini
mum, with prospects for. future work
at top speed.
American officials had expected con-
ditions to improve, but they had set
the date for the first sign Of better
ment late in the present month. Now
they find that since February the
situation has been growing better
steadily, and they are confident that
as the year progresses continuous I'M
provement will be recorded.
All of which is Of the most vital
interest and importance in the war.
For il sufficient ships were available
now, America could put enough sol
diers at the front before the height of
the summers campaign to shove the
Hindenburg line back upon German
soil. Every ton Of shipping that can
be- added to the present supply Will
bring so much closer the end of the
war and victory over Prussianism.
It is not difficult to foresee that the
worry which has been the kaiser's
during the past winter-that OF pre-
venting hunger and disappointment
over the delay OF peace from foment-
ing reyolution-will be transferred
next winter to France and England
and reduced materially in the leu
tonic empires If next autumn finds the
battle lines approximately in their
present position and Germany and
Austria supplied with food from
Russia.
France and England. as well as
Americas increasing number OF troops
in Europe, must depend on this coun'
try for food, and we must depend on
the supply of ships if they are not to
be disappointed.
America must guard the morale OF
the armies and people of her allies this
year and through the winter, If the
war lasts that long. Ships will play
a major part in whatever America Is
able to do.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-26
A NOTABLE CHANGE

The announcement is made today
that H. N. Taylor, federal coal dfstrib-
utor for the district which includes
Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri.
Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas, has
appointed D. F. Cushing coal distrib-
utor for Iowa. This follows by a few
weeks the appointment of Federal
Fuel Distributor Morrow. who is an
assistant to Administrator Garfield
and is charged with the responsibility
for coming the country and arranging
for distribution Of coal in the various
zones without unnecessary conflicting
railroad transportation.
Mr.. Taylor is an extensive coal
dealer. Mr. Cushing is general super
intendent Of the Fowler & Wilson
mines at Rathbun and president Of the
Iowa Coal Operators association. Mr..
Morrow has been associated for
years with some of the biggest Penn.
sylvania coal operators and has been
secretary of the National Coal Op.
orators association.
The distributors are distinct from
the administrators in the various
states They will handle the actual
distribution Of coal and the admins
traitors will issue the orders for coal
conservation. That, broadly, is the
division of work indicated by the or
Gers thus far issued with regard to
them.
The feature of the affair that claims
attention from the observer Is the ap
parent decision of the government to
put the handling of the coal problem
in the hands of men who have been
identified with the coal. industry for
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-26

they must have the unqualified and
doubly certain assurance that not la
ter than the spring of 1919 Americas
military forces win be in Europe in
such number and strength that Eng
land, France and Italy need not long
er carry the major burden of the war
which they have shouldered SO brave
~ for almost four years.
II America were able to exert It's
whole strength in Europe this year
the situation would be serious one
Under conditions as they are, with
America unable to enter the war with
her full strength before 1919, and with
pro German propagandists working as
sfduously through every possible ave-
nue. OF socialism and pacifism in ev-
cry European country, moral courage
and heroic determination must onset
the terrible fatigue of war and the
longing for peace which are to be
found in England. France and Italy.
1t is up to America to win the war
on tho battiehelds, but it Is up to
America, too, to encourage the pub
lie OF the allied countries in Europe
to maintain a staunch opposition to
the influences which, from now on,
WIN operate with increasing strength
to weaken the morale and fighting
spirit of Germany's enemies.
American loyalty must set the ex-
ample for the world. American unity
Of purpose and unity Of service must
be go utter that the peoples of the al
lied nations WI be spurred to emula-
ton in spite of every German vile
and trick and every natural impulse
to accept peace at the price fixed BY
the kaiser,
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-26

many years-coal men. When Dr..
Garfield was taken from the presi-
dency of a college last fall and made
fuel administrator, the announcement
was made that he knew nothing in
particular about coal. This was fol-
lowed by the announcement that the
fuel administrators who he was to
appoint and the assistants he was to
bring into his organizations would be
ren who, like himself, knew nothing
Of the coal industry. He departed a
little way when he obtained the SER
the mine workers, but this was q rec
, ignition Of the employees and not OF
the coal business.
It was apparent that before men
could consider themselves eligible for
appointment as coal administrators,
state or local, they must prove that
they had no connection with the coal
business and no knowledge Of it.
Now, all this seems to have
changed. But in the meantime Ameri-
ca has gone through a winter fraught
with terrible and costly fuel famnes.
Industry has been halted to relieve
the coal shortage. Orders have been
given and countermanded; months
have been lost while DR.. Garfield and
his uniformed assistants were learn
ing some of the vital facts about the
coal business.
Presumably, coal men were ruled
OF the fuel administration last fall on
the theory that they could not be
trusted to conduct the industry as pa
triodc and honest men. This never
was announced, but the inference is
unacceptable. Certainly. it would be
diflcult to assign another logical rea-
son.
Naturally, then, the question arises
whether these same men have re-
eeived a new baptism Of virtue and
probfty during the winter. Are they
more honest than they were last Sep
TENDER, perhaps? Or is it that they
are needed by the government be-
cause the men on whom the govern
ment depended did not know how to
handle their jobs?
The affirmative reply is demanded
BY the second query. And one is left
to ponder whetheI, if the coal admin.
istration had been put into the hands
Of reputable coal men at the begin
ming, the shortage could not have
been minimized greatly. with a result.
Ing economy Of many millions.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-26
that he professed to offer to the
Russian people.

that he protested to offer to the
Russian people.
The deed has been so complete
~ accomplished chat even the
president, in his address to con-
gress, seemed to recognize Ger
man dominance In Russia as a
completed fact. 1t will be noticed
that he did not repeat his four
teen propositions of the past What
power is there that can dynamite
Germany out of the complete con-
troll of European Russia, with all
that such a dominance implies?
Certainly nothing but an effective
military occupation Of German in
dustrial territory in the west.
Failing this, Germany will have
reduced nearly one-half of Eu-
rope to an economic slavery to
the fatherland, with prospective
profits which may pay her re-
turn for all she has spent upon
the war.
A compromise on these terms
is q guarantee Of future wars on
a scale so colossal as to baffle
Imagination. Peace talk at this
time is like tying the hands Of the
policeman and giving the gunman
full sway.
Russia is the worlds experiment il
applied socialism. Within clever
months Russia has passed from thu
autocracy of the Romanoffs to tn
of the Hohenzollerns, which
is the worse because it is the strong
er, more ruthless, more resourceful II
its iniquity and more conscienceless IL
its disregard of Christianity.
Meanwhile, Russia has passes
through all the various stages Of ap
piled socialism, from Prince Lvof
to Trotzky-from conservative ideal
ism to utter anarchy.
II Russia's terrible experience Is Il
serve as a warning and q lesson to tn
world, socialism in every form mus
be recognized as the enemy Of gov
eminent, law and order. That is tn
first and essential step in the re-estab
lishment of democracy as the spirit o
the worlds government. It is the ain
that civilized governments through
out the world must have before then
when the war is over. and unless the,
and their peoples realize 1t now. Will
the war is on. socialism may claim
more as its theatre for devastation
than is included in Russia's vas
stretches.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-26
pot AND KETTLE

peace with Russia will have been
arrived at only when the signatures
on the treaty are dry" DR.. Won kuehl-
mann told the German reichstag. but
certainly Trotzky and Lenine might
vail retort that even then the Rus
elans would not be able to count the
war ended.
There is q deep vein of genuine hui
NOR in the spectacle of official Ger
many charging any other government
with faithlessness. In the present In
stance Germany and the bolsheviki are
considerably like the pot and Kettle
If the homely maxim. Indeed, II one
AZ the utensils were able to claim an
approach to cleanliness the despised
Russians would be entitled to regard
Il as their symbol, for Germany has
set a record for reputation of solemn
pledges which gives it a long start on
the much younger bolshevik group
n would be mockery to call the Lenine-
Trotzky combination a government.
Germany has violated the conven-
lions of The Hague, nearly all of them,
and has heaped insult on top OF her
lawlessness by repeating the VIOLA
lions and then accusing the entente
nations Oh UISEcSdhuAo ShS
agreements.
Germany made famous the phrase,
"a scrap Of paper" in the early weeks
Of the war by repudiating the treaty
which had guaranteed Belgium against
invasion. In Belgium her armies
broke every law of warfare and every
law Of humanity.
When the armistice with Russia was
signed Germany continued to transfer
her troops from the Russian front to
France and Italy in fragrant violation
of the formal agreement which Ger.
many's representatives had postponed
signing merely to permit the troop
movement to be inaugurated.
The neutrality of Sweden was set
at naught by Germanys foreign office
and similar disregard for interna-
tional laws and usage was shown with
regard to other neutrals.
And yet, in the face OF all these
facts. the foreign minister of the kais-
er's government declares publicly that
he has no faith in the promise OF the
bolsheviki.
It would be interesting to know
whether there is saying in German
which corresponds to ours about
shonor among thieves"
+ Is apparent to anyone who has
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-26
TEST OF ENDURANCE

The world war has developed into
a plain test OF endurance between the
peoples Of the central powers coun-
tries and those Of the nations opposed
to Prussianism. In this trial it is the
supreme task Of America and Amer
cans to supply the final ounce OF de-
termination and moral courage which
must be exerted to turn the scales in
favor of Christianity. democracy and
of civilization itself
Germany and Austria are envelop-
ing Russia. Turkey, today's dis
patches announce. is experiencing a
revival of interest in the war and Is
undertaking new offensive in the
Caucasus against the remnant OF the
Russian army which refused to regard
war as ended when the eastern front
collapsed.
The peoples Of the central powers
will obtain vast stores OF food and
raw materials for munitions from
Russia. The governments Of Ger
many, Austria Hungary and Turkey
will sap Russia Of its resources, leav
ing nothing which could be of value
1t is worse than unwise to fail to take
into account the strengthening effect
which the Russian invasion will have
on the morale of the Teutonic peoples
and their armies.
II 1t is true that the Germans and
Austrians have been underfed, there
is every probability that they will en-
Joy a marked improvement in condi
lions this year. Meanwhile. the pub
liz of ENGLAND France and Italy mus
be provided with food and numerou.
raw materials from America. Ant
they must be supplied with more;
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-26
GERMAN CENSORSHIP

london newspapers published vh1n.
Germany's recent strikes we're IN 10
zress and which have reached AM
lea during the past week, viewed inc
indications Of unrest in tho enemy
country with more suspicion tna4 -
evidenced by American neWspeD
In long leading editorial the LOnd0
Times warned its readers against oe'
lfeyins the extreme stories vhtc0
the German censor permitted to d3oc
the frontier in Berlin and Mun1oo
Newspapers.
The Times argned that the eso1.
who had kept the news OF tho An
TRAN strikes out Of Germany WIN
such marked success, would pss11
the outside world to be told that Cor
many herself was threatened BY moro
serious labor troubles, unless that
censor had a good and sumcsene
reason. The Times refused to be-
lieve the situation vas serious ana:
regarded the strikes, instead. q ON.
cially inspired with the object Of per-
hitting them to progress to . ce1sn
limit, there to be suppressed ~ ue
government in such manner q 70
discourage the socialists nom unoer
taking similar demonstrations du11ne
the coming army campaign.
Supporting the opinion Of the Aoo-
don editor is a story which comes
from Amsterdam today. commernane
on the suppression Of the attempted
general strike in Brunswick munitioa
factories. This strike, the acooons
says, took place last August Dun -
kept a secret by the German censor.
This same busy agent Of katsersm
has permitted carefully guarded AZ
ticle to be published In tho Journal q
the German metal vorkef5 usou
months after the failure Of the stx1ka:
commenting on its utter collapse ana
carrying this significant sentence: II
will be long time before labor n
Brunswick RECEIVERS from the WOUNDS
received"
It is a pretty safe bet that vsn
news comes from Germany which y
calculated to give aid and COMFORT 70
Germany's enemies, that news 10 q.
aggerated purposely or manuf.ctned
entirely by the agents Of Pruslsf' n
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-26
APPLIED SOCIALISM

AS illustrating an assertion whic
has appeared often in these column
that socialism with its idealisti
is doomed to just the cha
otic failure which is exemplified i
Russia today, because 1t neglects t
consider the human equation and tn
lack or possession OF
conscience-the following from tn
Wall Street Journal is reproduce
here:
Discarding probability. for the
moment, let us suppose that John
d. Rockefeller turned what part
of his property he could into cash
"a small amount, relatively, but
still enormous-and presented
himself in Madison Square, with
the offer to share it equitably
with the "laborer." What would
happen? A few unemployables
would perhaps secure some OF his
bounty. But, in the absence Of
the police, the nearest gunman
would hit him over the head and
appropriate all he could carry
away.
This is what has happened under
the Trotzky regime in Russia.
Here were two German-Semitic
"internationals," anarchists both,
Trotzky and Lenine, according. to
their Russian alias, who, after a
life of poverty, had sold out to
Germany for a price not specified.
the virtual control Of Russia and
all it's possibilities. They have
negotiated peace" on terms OF
unconditional surrender, without
n single stipulation to protect
those they affected to represent.
Germany has completed a con-
quest SO absolute that history
records no parallel.
Trotzky, in fact, removing his
soap box from Madison Square to
Petrograd, took Russia in his two
hands. with all its present and
potential wealth. and offered to
share with everybody-his worth
less, voorhees,. criminal following,
and the 'laborer" whose name is
so constantly on the lips Of agita-
tors of his type. The inevitable
happened. The German gunman
was no accident. The kaiser had
easily forseen exactly such de-
velopment. It hardly required a
blackjack to knock Trotzky on his
soap-box and take from him all
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-02-26
! governor had expended $4,5A.35. snd
he reported a balance In the fund OF

governor had expended $4,5A-Se. snd
he reported balance In the fund o.
$45, 1856.
The $3.50, 900 fund which the hgk
lature appropriated for war WORK had
been reduced to $685. ,S3679 by e1pen-
ditures totalling $264, LOCAL.
There is no information In the gov
ernor's letter as to how the MONEY
was spent, bat It is evident that UNI
less circumstances which cannot b
foreseen now shall arise during The
present year each of the funds YIN
have quite respectable balances ct The
end of the two-year fiscal period v1,nn
a final accounting is to be made.
Meanwhile It is quite in ordof 30
consider the fact that Win $5o,9oo 1t
his disposal to fight law vio3a&30n. No
governor has disbursed money fm
the fund at the rate Of p@hapo $l00oo
or $4,000 in two years. while boot
leggers throughout the state aTe plying
their traffic In happy mconcern re-
Earding the states attitude toward
them. Here at Ottumwa they hevo,
spent very profitable winter. and To.
activities Of state agents, as mr. -
results have shown, have amuau8ed
ox0CIly 10 0O<01u&-
It is a certain mark of the height o.
inefRciency for officials charged vuh
enforcement Of the law to plead thaS
such enforcement b impossible. u u
additional proof of inemciency thai
these same officials fail to take advan-
tage Of the facilities which are plAoad
In their hands for effective enfnsoe-
meuk Of the laws. This does not aVpU
alone to the state and its officials. b1s
TO those Of city, county and township
as vel1
Future to enforce the pruhdhun
statute In Iowa is certain to be urged
as ono Of the strongest arguments -
favor of removing the I'D and permit
ting saloons TO operate. It would %
less than just to refrain from ca1tng
attention just now to the obvious ta4,
that this failure could be turned msD
success, 1t least to some extent, Il -
governor should adopt an Aggressive
policy even to the extent Of exhaust.
ing the $4,000 fund which the legAs'i
lature gave him for law enforcemens
Certainly that legislature contempia1-
ed the enforcement Of the liquor laws
among others when it made the appro-
priatdon. And certainly the hQaor
laws are violated more flagrantly and
openly in Iowa than are any osnoes~