davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
G'sun1s'S's Evening" Testerday sniay 1850
Russian Situation q Puzzle.

Two verv important news announce
rlents of fEe week were those which came
over the Atlantic cable yesterday:
That the representatives Of the Ckrain-
ian Peoples Republic ("Little Russia }
had signed separate peace with Germany
and the other Central Powers
That Russia the Bolsheviki govern
ment) had declared that state OF war
no longer exists, and ordered the de-
mobilization Of Russian forces on all the
war fronts.
Possibly the more important of these
two actions Is that of the Ukrainian
Peoples Republic, as it is possible i may
open the way to considerable benefit TO
tho Central Powers. The republic rep
rcscnts about $4,000, 900 people. occupy
inc the southeastern part of Russia.
section long known as Little Russia
Years ago il was part Of the old Kingdom
of Poland but bv partition, IN two par
ocls. became M 1porated in the Russian
Empire, the hrst kice being taken in 1867
and the remaia1|r in 1893 1t has many
natural rcsour especially in minerals,
and although il may not he able for
awhile 10 contribute very largely 10 the
assistance Of the Central Powers, it may
he in position to do so later.
The Bolshevik declaration that state
of war no longer exists will make little
difference IN the actual war situation, as
Russia has been virtually out of the war
and of no assistance whatever to the
Allies. for nearly year. The declaration.
however. foil (wed by the rehabilitation
az the Russian armies, viii relieve the
Central Powers of any necessity for mill
tarv operations along the Russian fronts
But even this does not mean clear sailing
for the Central Powers. The Bolsheviki
government may not consent 10 surrender
Jkrainia without protest, possibly a
struggle. ANY attempt at coercion would
likely make it incumbent upon the Cen
tral Powers to protect the Ckralnian
Peoples Republic from Bolshevik aggres-
SION. and there Is no telling what might
follow
The situation. therefore, is really COM
plcated bv these two war incidents Of the
week While they bring no good to the
Allies, it Is not TO be said they threaten
any serious consequences. Developments
Of the future alone will inform the world
of the actual results.
Meanwhile, both acts combine to place
Russia in the position of 4 disgaeed
nation. She entered into solemn compact
with the other Allied Nations not to enter
tain terms Of peace without joint action.
Now she is deserter, cowardly traitor,
nation as despicable iD respect Of break
ing plighted faith as Germany, chief Of the
eonspirators that persuaded her 10 the
gross wrong-doing and whose vassa. she
is likely 10 become.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
Lincoln Day.

Very quietly, throughout the country,
Lincoln Day is being observed, but the
observance is general The occasion Is a
legal holiday, and therefore all COM
munities are turning from business and
giving thought, If not paying homage, to
the memory of the great President IN whose
honor this one day of the year the
anniversary OF his birth-was set apart for
observance.
Special significance attaches to Lincoln
Day this year. Lincoln's Inauguration to
the Presidency was soon followed by a
terrible Civil War, which continued
throughout his first administration, and
ended soon after his second began. And
before the FINAL act of war he was shot
down by crazed assassin. But his work
had been such that it Is believed to this
day that with any other man than he
as President the great Union OF States
would not have survived the conflict.
And now we are again at war not a
Civil War thank God--but a war with
foreign foe MAY the Union emerge as
successfully from this conflict as it did
from the war which Lincoln guided to .
glorious conclusion.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
Clearing Cutters of Snow.

1t is held, and correctly, that if the
cutters should be thoroughly opened
when the Snow is cleared from sidewalks,
the clearing OF the streets when the snow
begins to melt would be greatly facilitated.
There is no doubt OF this.
It is'the habit OF too many householders.
in clearing snow from their sidewalks, TO
pile it up just outside the curbstone, thus
filling the cutters. Others are more cir
cunspect, and hurl the snow out into the
street, after which they carefully clear the
cutters.
But this good work is very frequently
nullifed in q short time after it has been
accomplished The clearing OF both pave
ment and gutter, of course, leaves large
pile just outside the gutter. Sooner or
later an automobile will come along and
go squashing through this piled-up snow.
Result: More than half of il is forced
back into the gutter. Other AUTOMOBILES
come along, and soon the gutter is as
completely filed with snow as though it
had not been cleared at all.
So there you are. Still, there is no
doubt it would be good thing TO have all
cutters thoroughly cleared after each
snowfall.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
THE GREATEST PROBLEM.

The greatest problem before the nation
is not platforms, policies, coal saving,
food conservation, or even winning the
war. II Is distribution. For years it
has been the greatest problem, but never
has it been approached rightly or effect
lively
Distribution means not only transpor-
tatlon. II means a great deal more
What is the use of further developing
agriculture if the product of the ground
cannot be sent TO where it is needed,
quickly, cheaply and SO handled as to give
it 10 the consumer in proper condition?
What will profit the whole cause Of
living if our crops of food, our products
Of manufacture, cannot reach their con-
sumner except after frightful loss OF time
and material and at extortionate cost?
This problem, known to observers for
years, Is emphasized and made many
times worse by the necessities OF war
There is no use of going into details. For
months the papers have been filled with
the story. Every effort OF producer
In the field and in the factory has been
exerted faithfully and well TO create those
things needed and those efforts practically
nulliied by the lack of proper distribution
Milwaukee News
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
JUST FOLKS
BY Edgar A. Guest.

DO IT FOR OLD TINES SAKE.
Send her valentine, something or othef
To brighten and gladden. the sad days for
mother,
Life is so filed with the gricving and sigh
ing
So crowded with duty and striving and
trying
So throngcd with the hcartachc Of sacri-
flee splendid
That never, it seems, shall our weeping be
ended.
So when comes a glad day, like vnlen-
tine's morning
Let the spirit Of love enter in with tho
dawnlng.
Send her valentine, send her token
Whereby all the love in your heart may
be spoken
Think Of her now as you did in the old day1
Bring back the JOY Of her youth and the
gold DAYS
Rough are the ways that we all are now
Rouse her from grieving and fretting and
dreadng;
Here is a day you can tighten her sorrow
Give her Joy to remember tomorrow.
Too many days now are troubled and
dready,
Here is time for your roses and laughter
What though new sorrows may follow
hereafter
Send her valent inc, something or other
Make it a glorious glad day for mother.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
NATIONS WASTED MAN-POWER.

There is much food for serious thought
in the findings of the mediation commis-
sion sent bv the President To investigate
the labor unrest in the West, and especially
In that portion of It's report which deals
with the larger question of the "loyalty"
of labor and with the underlying causes
for that unrest, which has seemed at times
to menace the successful prosecution of the
war. Although the commission was able
to APPLY remedies in specific cases and
re establish industrial peace it il prompt
to recognize the fundamental fact that
what is needed is not the correction of
evils and the administration of justice in
isolated instances as the need shall arise,
but an awakening of the country to the
imperative necessity of review of our
whole attitude toward labor and the
adoption of policy which shall enable
labor TO take its proper place as "a Co
operator in the industrial enterprise. :"
This means, Of course. radical change in
the attitude of employers, more uni
versal recognition OF the necessity of
collective negotiation to determine the
conditions under which labor is utilized,
campaign OF education in which en-
ploycrs as we'll as employees shall be the
learners.
Under existing conditions, as this
commission points out, the nation is
handicapped by an enormous waste of its
Inanpower. waste that is manifested in
the inequalities in the distribution of
labor, in the enormous turnover Of labor
and the growing evils OF migratory labor
ii Is only too true that wage increases
respond last TO the needs OF those on the
lowest runCs Of the industrial ladder
and X is not to be wondered at that those
who are suffering such hardships under
the present pressure OF war prices should
look for 3 more direct recognition Of their
loyalty and their sacrifices. This com
mission LAYS emphasis on the statement that
too often there is glaring inconsistency
between our democratic purposes in this
war abroad and the sutocratIc conduct of
some of those guiding industry at home
That is a sentence the truth of which
cannot be questioned. 1t is one that
ought TO sink deep into the consciousness
OF every man who loves social justice.
who has faith in the loyalty of the men OF
American and whose vision is broad
enough to enable him to see that the
problems OF industrial and social justice
AT home call for right settlement quite
as urgently as do anv of those issues for
the adjustment of which We have drawn
the sword against the German enemy
Of democracy Philadelphia Ledger
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
PRESS COMMENTS.
RI WILL BE THERE.

The proclamation issued to the Ameri-
can people by the National Executive
Committee of the Socialist party does not
call the American war Of defense against
Germany "the most unjustifiable war in
history" rs the resolution adopted by the
rank and file Of the party at its referendum
did. 1t does not call for "mass resistance"
to the government, as its st. Louis reso-
luton of last Spring did. But this moder-
alton may be due not to change Of heart
toward the American flag, but to the fact
Of which il complains in these words:
"A vast army of paid Secret Service
agents operating rs detectives and spies
has been foisted upon us"
II goes far enough, at any rate. 1t
demands IAN immediate and democratic
peace" which is contradiction in terms,
since any immediate" peace would
leave autocracy triumphant, with full
representation of the working class at the
peace conference" If by "the. working
class" it means the American Socialist
party, it need not fear that it will be un-
represented. The American Socialist par
ty will be fully represented at that peace
conference. Every delegate from Ger
many, Austria, Turkey, and Bulgaria will
be there for the purpose of attaining the
same aims for which the American Socialist
party is now working. We say 'thc
American Socialist Party" because Ameri-
ca is the only country except the Central
Empires and Russia in which the Socialist
party is working for the Kaiser. And we
particularize the party rather than social
ism as whole in order to exempt
from that imputation the honorable and
patriotic American Socialists who are
upholding the cause of freedom, and who
have had to get out of the party in order
to do it.-New York Times.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
SUBSTITUTION THAT BENEFITS.

In accordance with directions of the
National Food Administration and its
associate workers in this state, the people
of Illinois are urged still further TO curtail
their consumption of meats and wheat
products. From some sources, when
announcements Of this nature appear,
there arises dismal wall apparently
born Of the feat that deprivation of part
Of ones accustomed dit will certainly
result in semistaryation.
Those who entertain fears of this sort
are neither resourceful nor we'll informed
on matters of diet. The American people
in general consume far too much. meat and
refined wheat products. Their diet is
top heavy, and in consequence they
suffer serious physical ills. They have
become creatures of habit, and so they
eat unwisely of certain familiar foods
Substitution, not hardship, is required
of Americans in the present time of need
in Europe, and they are bound To benefit
greatly if they make the substitutions
with fair degree of intelligence BY a
little well-directed study in ietetics
Americans in this land of unparalleled
fruitfulness may learn to laugh at regula-
tions of food administrators, meantime
growing in health and physical and
mental efficiency Chicago News
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
lncreaae In Electric Rates.

The Wilmington & Philadelphia Trac-
tion Co. has made application to the
Public Utilities Commission for permis-
sion to make an increase in its rates Tor
light and power service. In formal
communication to the commission, the
company set forth in full the, rensons that
impelled it to ask the favor--such an
increase in costs OF all character that
notwithstanding increased revenues from
the service, the latter were not sufficient
to meet the demands Of the business. The
increased cost of coal is especially cited,
and also, the fact that this and the other
increases have come about since tho
present rates were established CON-
prising a reduction from those previously
in force-in 1918, and that it would be
practically impossible to conduct the
business at these rates under the increased
burden for labor and materials.
In view of all conditions attending the
situation. the request does not seem un-
reasonable, in fact, is not. That the com
pany should have revenues sufficient to at
least meet all its fixed charges is undoubt-
ed. 1t has made showing that justifies
an increase to certain extent.
The Public Utilities Commission, there
fore, could with propriety, and without
violence to public interests, grant the
traction company permission to increase
rates for electric current for light and
power purposes to reasonable limit, at
least not to exceed the charges now cur
rent in Philadelphia and New Jersey. It
is not desirable to have the traction COM
pany seriously hampered in the manage
ment Of its business, which is essential to
the comfort and interest of the com
munity. On the other hand, there should
be no excessive charges for the service.
The question should be practically con-
sidered, and permission granted for such
increase as may be clearly shown 10 be
absolutely essential to an effective ad-
of the electric light and power
system of the city.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
THE EVENING SMILE.
GARDEN CAMOUrLAGT.

Frederick w. Vanderbilt, 1T dinner
in Poughkcepeie, praised the production
Of his war garden. +.
III told you all that my war garden has
produccd, he said, "you wouldn't
believe me. You'd think I was as men
dacious joker as Mark Twain.
"a young girl once asked Mark Twain
TO write in her autograph album. She
said it must be something she could
show her mother. The great hlpnorist
dipped his pen in the ink and wrote
Never tell q lie
Beautiful, " said the girl, in slightly
disappointed voice, but Mark wasnt
done yet. He dipped bis pen in the ink
again and added:
Except to keep in practice
Money has q tendency TO intoxicate
people" But strange TO say, not when
IL gets tight. baltimore American.
"Are You fond Of dogs 2" Every.
They stick night by you, and they're
not forever forcing their opinions on
you. Detroit Free Press.
you say you wish TO marry my daugh-
ter. But, my dear young man, you have
no means Of support" know / haven't,
sir. That Is why ! wish TO marry your
daughter. Baltimore American.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
LINCOLN'S BIRTHDAY.
Event Being Quietly Observed in This
City Today.

This is Lincoln's birthday and the event
will be quietly celebrated in this city.
Banks and schools are closed and no legal
business will be transacted
Stores, however, are open, and while
some have remained closed in former
years, few are observing the holiday to-
day because of the closing order yester-
dav
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
RIPPING RHYMES.
BY Walt Mason.
LONGING FOR SPRING.

The winter is a mean old thing,
with ice and snow and blizzard:
I'm longing for the breath of
spring, with heart and mind and
gi,zard. The wind that shrieks
across the moor grows colder atill
and stronger. it seerns TO me can't
endure this winter graft much
longer. Oh, winter is beastly
bore J Will spring e'er come, I
wonder, when I can shut the fur
mace door, and let it go TO thunder
All, Gentle Annie, speed your step,
and chase out winter burly ! Dis
play some energy and pep, and get
here bright and early. My ears
are freezing as they flap-each
winter | expect it; and there sre
frostbites on my map, where side
boards don't protect IT, The house
is cold, and if I burn some an
thracite to heat il, some grim con-
server calls the turn, and tells me
| should beat IT, At night / dream
of birds and buds, Of streams that
glance and quiyer, and waking
put on frozen duds, and stand
around and shiver. / dream OF
meadows green and kind, with
lambs and kindred friskers, and
wake at break Of day to find snow
drift IN my whiskers | dream Of
valleys sweet with hay, Of pros
poets fair and pleasing, and wake
upon winter day, 70 find mS
trilbys freezing. Oh, am sick Of
snow and ice, Of blasts that have
long tossed me; produce The spring
and dern the price-it's worth what
it would cost me
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
The President and Peace.

In his brief address TO the Congress
yesterday, President Wilson very shrewd-
" hurled the apple Of discord into the
camp of the enemy He praised the reply
of Count Czernin Of Austria-Hungary to
ms address Of January s, In which he set
forth the terms upon which our country
would accept peace; he deprecated, COM
batted and condemned the reply to the
same address made by Count Won Hert-
ling on behalf OF Germany
The effect of this policy, in all probabil-
ity, will be 10 enhance the peace feeling in
Austria-Hungary, oD the basis of the de
ridedly moderate lines proposed by Count
Czcrnln, and 10 increase the feeling in
Germany Of opposition TO the war party,
which insists upon peace only on terme
that viii serve German aggrandizement.
II ms address accomplishcs this result, it
will be blow by the President almost
equivalent to the destruction Of large
German army Also, the President
again set forth the peace principles OF our
country settlement based upon essential
justice to bring a permanent peace;
peoples and provinces not to be bartered
about like .chattels TO establish balance
Of powers; territorial settlements for the
benefit Of the people concerned, and not
for adjustment OF rival states claims; all
possible satisfaction of well-defned ma
tional aspirations.
For these, as well as for the safety of
democracy, which is involved in them,
We entered the war. We are not likely to
accept any peace that does not include
them to full assurance of the future well
fare of the world.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
MEETINGS TONIGHT.
Bethany Band
Core. .akers Union.
Blacksmiths Union.
Brandywine Fire Go.

Bethany Band
Core. .akers Union
Blacksmiths Union
Brandywine Fire Go.
Division No. /, A. q. IL
Waneta Council, ID Of L.
Calanthe Lodge, * of =.
Humanity Circle. 3. of T.
Corinthian Lodge, :. of II
Crusaders Castle. X G. u.
Eureka Conclave, :. W NJ.
Germania Temple, J.. G.. l..
Fame Castle. A. o X. NJ. {.
German Beneficial Society, NJ. |.
Corinthian Lodge, A. + IL A. NJ.
Peerless Conclavc, VI. or :. w. NJ.
Reynolds Encampmcnt, l. q. o +.
Washington Camp, No. IL, I. q. s. A.
Sheet Metal Workers. Local No. 302.
Harm onv Council No. |, L. +. of A.
East End German Democratic Club.
Brandywine Com, A. IL ]. o. K. NJ.
Guiding Star Temple, No. 8. O. of L.
Moricl Encanpment, No. /, | o. X. H.
vii Branch, No rs, Grand Fraternios.
Car and Ship Painters Protective Asso.
Y. l.. s zion German Lutheran Church.
Snowflake Lodge, No. 65, L. A. B r. A.
Camp Farrell, No. !, Spanish War Vet
Camp 1926, Royal Neighbors Of Americ
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
Tn Visit Red Cross CcnteYs.

Miss Blanche Swayne will visit Red
Gross centers throughout the State this
week She will be gone until Friday
and expects to stop Mt Georgetown,
Milford, Dover Wyoming Mddletown
and Odessa
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12

OF course Berlin wanted peace with the
Ukraine, and doesn't care Potsdammer-
gotterung for peace with the rest Of Rus
sia. The Ukraine has wheat and mineral
supplies
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12

IL the wicked stand on slippery places
and the righteous fall, according to the
proverb,' a majority Of Wilnningtonians,
Judging from accident reports, viii re-
ceiye heavenly crowns
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
Lieutenant Mahaffy a Visitor.

Lieutenant James r. Mahaffy of the
Remount Division of the army visited his
home while on furlough over the weekend
Lieutenant Mahaffy, who is a veterina-
rian, is now on duty at Washington.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12

One eye TO the bad, Assesses in both
ears and a fstula TO boot-yet r. +. still
is fighting with characteristic cheerfulness
Whether one likes him or not, one has to
admire his pluck
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
Bids for County SuppIies

Bids were received until noon today bv
the Levy Court for supplies for all coiinty
officials They will not be opened until
the meeting tomorrow, however.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12

Whoever developed the language had a
keen sense OF appropriate ALTERATION when
he evolved slip, slide, slop and slush, al
commencing with the letter IS
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12

As Josh Billings might have put it:
1T amt SO much having to pay an income
tax as 10 have an income to pay it..
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12

More and more as the schemes for
graft are exposed, Hog Island lives up to
its name.
Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1918-02-12
KENNARD e. co.
Seasonable Hosiery

they should be seen and compared.
tracted for last spring and now deliy
Lisle Hose, 31c, 39c, 45c, SOC, Soc
Pure silk boots, Csc pair.
Silk in black and white, 81 90, 81 Sc
Complete showing Of children'z
The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1918-01-21
EVEN CROSS, SICK
CHILDREN LOVE
SYRUP OF FIGS
If FEvERlsH, BILIOUS, coNsTl.
PATED, GIVE FRUIT LAX
ATiVE AT ONCE

Don't scold your fretful, peevfsh
child See if tongue is coated; this
is a sure sign it's little stomach, liver
and bowels are clogged with sour
waste.
When listless, pale, feverish, full
Of cold, breath bad, throat sore,
doesn't eat, sleep or act naturally.
has stomachache, Indigestion, diarr-
hoea, give a teaspoonful of Cali
fornia Syrup of Figs" and in few
hours all the foul waste, the sour bile
and fermenting food passes out OF
the bowels and you have well and
playful child again. Children love
harmless fruit laxative" and moth
ers can rest easy after giving it, be-
cause it never fails to make their
little "insides" clean and sweet.
Keep 1t handy. Mother! A little
given today saves a sick child to-
morrow. but get the genuine. Ask
your druggist for bottle OF
California Syrup of Figs which
has directions for babies, children OF
all ages and for grown-ups plainly on
the bottle. Remember there ara
counterfeits sold here, so surely look
and see that yours is made by thu
California Fig Syrup Company
Hand back with contempt any other
fig syrup.