davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
The Skirts. OF
Happy Chance

1T is always a matter for argument
between the infantry and the flying
corps which of them has the more dan
gerous job. Flying men are inclined
to say modestly that there is more risk
in the trenches; the infantry, equally
modest, to say that it is worse in the
air. But they would both agree upon
one conclnsion-that the flying corps
gets more fun out of it,
For the airman has this advantage
over his more lowly brother. that he is
allowed to pursue 'the skirts of happy
chance while the man in the trenches
TO continue the metaphor) has to wait
till the skirts come his way. The air
man is so often on his own. Even
when he IS given a special piece Of work
to do he is allowed the afternoon off.
SO to speak. If he is sent out to bomb
junction he will, "in accordance with
instructions" so to the junction and
bomb it; but probably the instructions
forgot to say anything about coming
straight home again. He has a free
hand to amuse himself on his way
home.
Looking at the reports OF four air.
men who went out to bomb an aero
drome, one gets an idea o. the form
which this amusement takes The ac-
tual official business was quite success
! full. Of five aeroplanes drawn I'D ready
for action. two were destroyed and the
others damaged, while each hanger
had bomb planted neatly at its front
door. Unfortunately in the middle of
business one Of the British planes was
hit in the petrol tank. 1t landed grace
fully in the aerodrome. picked up on
its emergency tank while "taxi-ing,'
and rose again. But it gave the pilot
no choice in the matter: he had to go
straight home after that. ne real
fun was left to the others.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Beating the U~Boat at
The Docks
By Pierce Williams

cargocs Of munitions and food because
all the available quays were occupied.
In the quay side storage sheds shells
and guns were piled mountain high
awaiting labor to load them.
persons familiar with conditions in
the port of New York may recognize a
familiar ring in the story of Liver
POOLS troubles.)
Out of this meeting came the forma-
ton, on April 8, 1915, of the LIST Liver
pool Dock Battalion. 1t provided what
was needed, namely, a regular body of
men available for work every day, at
any Job. at any time, or at any part of
the docks; body of men under mill
tary discipline and control who had
foregonc their rights of working when
and where they pleased, of leaving
their work or Of striking altogether.
There was no hint OF compulsion
about the formation of the Dock Bat
talon; it was recruited by voluntary
enlistment from the ranks of Liver
pool dock workers. To insure the sup
port of the lockers themselves only
members in good standing of the Dock
ers' Union were eligible for enlist
ment, and the secretary of the union
himself Joined and became the first ad-
jutant of the battalion.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Good Wages
Were Guaranteed

In return for the surrender of their
civil liberties the men were guaran
teed a minimum weekly wage of 35
shillings; if they earned more, they
were to be paid what they actually
earned. They were to receive, in addi-
ton, the regular military pay Il shill-
ing a day for privates).
The conditions of work observed
throughout in the Dock Battalion are
those set out in an agreement be-
tween the Dockers' Union and the en-
ploycrs of dock labor in the port. to-
gether with any subsequent decisions
affecting the agreement which may be
arrived at by the joint committee Of
employers and workmen's representa-
tives. In other words. if the Liver
pool Dockers' Union secures an in
crease in dock wages the men in the
battalion received the benefit Of it
British army lines. Apart from non
commissioned officers, who arc graded
in the usual regimental manner. there
are twenty-onc commissioned officers.
including lieutenant colonel. two ma
jors and an adjutant.
Each company. however: instead Of
being divided into Squads" is split
up into gangs" Each gang is a
complete cargo-working unit. with ITS
piOPet SOiH picHlSit VI SniiiS,i i'iSu ~
tailed to operate the winchcs, York
in the holds flling the sings, manage
the cargo booms and handle the cargo
on the quay The foreman in charge
Of each gang" has the rank Of cor
poral
The men enjoy. as far as possible,
all the privileges attaching to regular
soldiers. On the other hand. they are
liable to all the provisions of the army
act and arc subject to military law
and discipline throughout
One of the advantages they enjoy IS
that they are not required to live IN
barracks. but are permitted to sleep
at home.
Each morning at $3.50 o'clock the
members of the dock battalion report
at headquarters for parade" After
rollcall they divide up into gangs"
and proceed to their respective sta
tions. The evening before headquar-
ters has received from the officer in
charge of quay Labor indent,"
specifying the number Of gangs he
will need to handle the ships for which
he is responsble. The men are at
work by o'clock every morning, un-
less they have continued working all
through the night, as happens fire.
quently. The day | saw the dock bat
talon at work in Liverpool they were
just finishing a twcnty-four hour
trick" The last of number Of sim
lister looking howitzers of large calibre,
with heavy ammunition carts to match,
were rapidly disappearing into the
hold Of a ship.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
We Were
OFF for
Blighty

sion seemed to reign. Lanterns were
flashing TO and fro. and long lines o.
stretchers could be seen moving tow
ard the ambulances
was placed in an ambulance VII"
three others. A rasping noise as 'ne
gears were shifted, and with JERK
the ambulance started. That JERK
made me grind my teeth.
But I was happy in the thought ths'
at last was on my way 70 that lonsea
for heaven. Blighty.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Blighty! % %%s'
Continued from, page one,
thus section

"Gimmee fag, mate; I'm all out.
Come on, chum, don't forget me- That's
a good fellow. Let's have one"
Pretty soon every Tommy who was
able had lighted fag between his
lips, and sigh of content went up as
he inhaled deep drafts Of the smoke.
certainly enjoyed mine.
The sergeant major again entered
The medical men came to attention. In
crisp tones he ordered.
Get the convoy for England ready
Look alive, the ambulanccs are ex-
pected any minute"
The stretcher bearers entered busting
about and the ward was in an uproar.
Then. outside, could be heard the chug-
glng engines of the waiting ambulances
AS each fortunate Tommy was car
RED out the more unfortunate ones
who We've 20 be left behind at the
Base Hospital. bravely wished him
Good luck, mate, give my regards to
Irafalg gar Square. Be careful and don
lose your watch in Petticoat Lane
Give 'er my love"
AS [ was carried through the door
the cold air sent shiver through me
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

THlS is the edge of things, the ut
tcrmost rim Of the law. The
land drops sharply into the sea.
At this point network OF barbed wire
is all that keeps the city within its
bounds-~a frail barrier thrcateningly
designed to protect the sea from the
land. Back of this point is the seeth-
ing turmoil Of nation struggling in
the grasp of change. Beyond this point
is the open sea. Between them is the
silecn cord of military rule.
Here lie two of the mighticst of the
great chain of coast defenccs, and be-
tween them that narrow strip of water
through which now pours the vital
force Of nations.
The city surges to the very brink Of
it. Friendly and enemy eyes pierce
the barrier and see nothing. The swell
of the harbor, leaden or blue, is dotted
by apparently meaningless craft. They
are topheavy and built on the crude
lines of long ago. Obviously, they may
ply their trade unmolcsted until they
sink "from natural causes" or break
upon an ambitious wave. At all events,
they appear ungainly and unseaworthy,
and are profoundly embarrassing to
the overstimuated eye still focused on
the far away.
ID ETWEEN the barbed wire and the
- war, 5000 miles away, patrols
sentry, on the side nearest the barbcd
Io &c
by another sentry, and again by an
other. But his name is always Joseph
Gsh in the abstract terms of the reg
ulations, and the order Of the day pre-
scribcs that he be but one at time.
His mission by day would appear to
be somewhat oracular. Passersby are
curious and frankly inquiring as to his
existence at this peculiarly unimpor-
tant point. What does he guard? And
why? Wouldn't he rather be in
France? Why isn't he? Oh. has he
sweater? Well that must be be-
caus" they arc so needed abroad Oh,
he can't stop to talk" Why didn't he
say SO? Motormcn have signs and
things put up. Contrary to popular
pcllel, III IS only SINCE the war and
public guard duty that the hardened
reg" has developed the uncouth re-
serve attributed to him. 1t is cmbar-
RAISING to be considered an authority
on war matters and then be shot for
living up to this flattering reputation
But barbed wire is his lob. Only
barbed wire. ten feet high and hum
drcd feet long. and an extreme rcti-
cence concerning what lies beyond OBJ
vious though it he. He learns philoso-
ply and to be thankful that the barrier
is not of brick, since he would then
have to cope with curious souls intent
upon scaling it. Beside him and across
the water the watchdogs lie in their
gigantic kennels and the winds roar
day and night through the iron plat
forms like the blast OF a great siren.
They drown the fainter sounds of sig
nal or warning which emanate at times
from the queer looking craft which
seem to lie in such pleasant idlcncss
half a mile to sea.
or all who gaze perhaps Joe Gisl
only knows what lies within those bat
tered hulks, huddlcd like drifting dere-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
By Caroline Dawes Appleton

splashing of hundreds Of tons Of var-
colored paint and the fixing of guile
iul bits of supers tructure, these ships
lumber through carefully spread nets
of enemy eyes. They pause here and
then dash seward, leaving no trace or
suspicion Of their identity.
Americas native ingenuity. taxed in
the invention Of new and startling de-
vices for tho protection and disguise
pitch astounding to even the practice
perfect experts of the Allied forces
abroad Long before the department
issued its remarkable dictionary Of
French military terms and the "argot'
OF the trenches. giving this definition,
"Camouf1age. disguise. act of disguis-
ing etc, the word had attained in this
country the vogue which has almost
exhausted its interest
1t is a sound theory that can with
stand tho heat of American enthusiasm
But camouhage has found America its
home. Inventive brains. arousing the
triumphant praise and incincrating
criticism which spell success, have
plunged into camouf1age and imported
experts meet. half way over. examples
Of their own art which they fail to
recognize.
dor example. Private Gish witnesses
an incident which creates weeks
Of absorbing conversation. OF an in
tenscly nationalistic tone, in tha, home
Of narrative and anccdctc, his barracks.
A visiting disnitary, accompanied by
the X. o. and group of guiding of
fcers. makes Il tour of inspection Of
the dcfencoS and brings I'D at, PriVat G
Gish's barrier to eight w.: chat Il
moment and study the seas from this
vantage point. The visiting one is UNI
known to Private Gish. whose meter
is exclusively soldering Not so the
X. o., who look respectfully upon
the brilliant uniform. kuowing that
palette, brush and painters smock, pri-
vatc ambition and the Academy were
laid aside for the warlikc art of camou-
hagc
Sheltered from tho biting wind the
inspecting officers stand. smoking gen
tally, in halo of sunlight The great
man launches upon tales of battle
fields and naval ducls whore the new
art played tho leading role. Private
Gish produces an ear from its en-
swathing helmet and muffler to hear
the better
There arc great tales OF masked
guns and Invisible ships. fascinatingly
told. But suddenly There looms upon
the horizon something which stabs Joe
Gish with the thrill of pride great
ship, ploughing seward. smoke pouring
from her sloping tunnels. The details
of her are indlstinct. but Joe Gisl
knows her, Her comings and goings
arc red-lettercd. IL stamps vchem
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

and my wounds be
gan to pain. The
effect Of the chlor-
otorm was wearing
off. Outside it was
dark. and coniu-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
WE have. Beneath camouAage and
w counter camouhagc the wheels

M l. nave. behea'h ca'''oun"ee anu
w counter camouflagc the wheels
Of government run very smoothly; nets
are woven and unwoven. traps are
and the unvary. True. depart
mcnts and inventors chucklc some
tim cs and nurse sore finger caught
in some scheme of things too we'll
concealed and momentarily forgotten.
But what is d sore finger?
Each man to his job, and Joe Glsh
TO his. which is barbed wirc-for the
moment. And out there, beyond the
three mile limit, where there is no law
and the black flag Of piracy has come
into its own again, the waves are
taught to dip to the painted DO" OF
fake destroyer while the guns of a
real one are trained on a too inquir-
ing pcriscopc There is much in a
mans knowing his job. which may be
barbed wre-or camouAage both
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13
Barbed Wire and Beyond
By Caroline DwsAp

emily. blowing heavily into his glove
and emitting clouds Of steam upon the
frosty air, longing to attract the Tor
egn officers attention to her perlcc-
tions.
The group moves to depart as the
K @. says something about the NOR
tar pits" but the visitor halts with an
exclamation.
"Magniiicort ship, that A for
cgner?"
"No," admits the X. o. modcstly.
"Shc's our own" He proffers his
glasses. The expert adjusts them with
professional skill and murmurs MS
praise.
"Fne snin~-aL. destroyer with her,
| see Fine boats, your Destroy
crs this is a hne one
Yes, indeed, that's quite a transport
hold lot of men. But absolutely 70
attempt at disguise. Isn't that a trifie
indiscreet?" lie lowers his binoculars
and turns to the X. o. ,cproachfulIy.
A SECOND lieutenant murmurs
"a something about "the art that
so artfuly all art conceals, but 'he
X. @. withers him with glance.
"Uavc another look" he suggests.
With shake Of his head the expert
raises the glasses and looks aga,h
Private Gish knows what he sees--tne
simple, splendid side Of we'll -buil'
ship. and steaming beside her, foam
curving from her knfellke bow,
sleek destroyer, beautiful but very
businessllkc.
The glasses fall.
at is perfectly clear that there Is nc
attempt at camoufagc. ! suppose he'
convoy travels the entire distance With
her like that?' >,
"Exactly," says The X. o., conccalint
his pride. "The destroyer IS palntec
on her hull. When the real convoy
picks her up they're quite tormlda Dc
array Now. over there, beyond these
environments -
"Wcn, I'll be --," remarks the Wis
itor, profoundly "You we're saying
sir''
They move away, Private Gish Pre-
scnts arms and is left with an aching
satisfaction that keeps him warm al
afternoon. Meanwhile, he memories
the incident. Certainly it loses moth
ing in repetition at "mcss.'
Camounage. as Private Gish say
himself is the same idea as the leop
ards spots. and poker, and the duel
that wasn't duck at all but goos'
or something when it grew up-any
way, we've got the trick thafll put !
over 'cm all!
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

Neat Sundays instalment
riW be THE Enemy Within;
or, Rounding Up Spies on
the Western Front.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

Copyright. 1917. Meclur. Ns~sraoss syndi's"'
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-01-13

THERE is song, of which the
British soldier never seems to
"A tire, whose fourth verse goes like
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-06-13
GOOD ROADS IN NEW ZEALAND
Concrete Declared Mot Satisfactory
in Land Of Heavy Cheaper
in Long Run.

The New Zealand authorities, both
local and national, are carefully study
ing the subject OF good roads, realiz-
Ing that this Is the best way to open
up the hinterland OF the dominion The
roads Of the country, in the main. are
not In very good condition. There are
some good stone roads. about the larg
er centers, but few OF them extend out
more than . or 80 miles. Their up
keep has been found very expensive,
especially in the northern part OF the
country, since the rainfall is heavy
and washouts are numerous because
the stone used is soft and grinds up
rapidly, the Scientific American states.
OF late much has been said in re-
gard to the construction OF concrete
highways, and II is thought that this
viii be far cheaper in the long run
than the stone roads as they are now
constructed, for the reason that the
upkeep Will be so very greatly reduced.
It is estimated that a mile Of 12-fOOt
concrete road four inches thick could
be built in New Zealand for $1,000
more than a mile OF ordinary stone
road, on which there would be q saving
in upkeep for the first five years Of at
least 100, while at the end OF ten
years there would be a saving OF ST.
600 or $1,000.
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-06-13
sand-cIay Road, If Well Kept, Is Sat
isfactory for Moderate Traffic.

as a project statement, by the state
highway department to the district en-
gineer, who examines the road it is
proposed TO improve, and transmits
the project statement with his recon-
mendatiOns to the headquarters Office
in Washington If the secretary OF
agriculture approves the project
statement, the plans. specifications and
estimates are then submitted by the
state highway department to the dis
trict engineer, who transmits them
with his recommendation TO the Wash
ingtOn office, and when they are found
TO be suitable for approval, a formal
certificate to that effect is issued by
the secretary Of agriculture to the sec
Rotary Of the treasury and the state
highway department, and g formal
project agreement is entered into be
tween the secretary Of agriculture and
the state highway department As the
work progresses or upon its compile
ton. payment on q special voucher ap-
proved by the comptroller Of the treas
ury is made of the federal funds ap-
pOrtiOned to the state
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-06-13
PREVENT BREEDING OF FLIES
Essential That carcasses Of Dead
Animals Be Burned or Buried
Method OF Control.

prepared by the United States Depart
ment Of Agriculture)
The black blowfy, the bluebottle
fly, and the flesh flies are carrion
breeders. They attack wounds on liy-
ing animals mainly as a result OF the
presence of the flies in abnormaIIy
large numbers. To prevent the breed
ing of the black blowf1y it is essential
that carcaSses be burned or buried,
even during the winter months. Thus
the proper disposal Of carcasses be
comes Of much Importance all the
year. Where these flies become
nuisance by communicating food prod
ucts or by entering houses, which is
usual in towns or cities, attention
must be given to the proper disposal
Of garbage, as they viii breed in the
meat scraps in garbage cans or on
dumps as well as in carcasses.
To destroy maggots in sores the
same method as for the screw
worm is to be followed. 1t is not
always possible to prevent maggot in
festation following dehorning, but If
periods of cool weather in winter are
chosen for this operation usually no
trouble follows. To prevent maggots
from gaining entrance to wounds the
application of pine tar is advised. Fol
lowing dehorning, some advise cover
ing the wounds with pieces OF
cloth dipped in pine tar. Many OF
these Will remain in place several
days.
The tails Of lambs are sometimes
infested by maggots following dock
ing. This can be largely prevented
by removing the tails with moderately
heated pincers. The docking Of lambs
also tends to avoid sofling of the
wool during succeeding months, and
this helps to prevent infestation OF
the rump by maggots. Other impOr-
tant steps in preventing wOol-maggot
injury are the following: ID Breed
hOrnless sheep and thus avoid injury
from horns and consequent infestation
around them; 20 lamb as early in
the spring as possible considering
other conditions; 90 shear either be
fore lambing or as soon after as pos
sible, and thus avoid the infestatiOns
which almost invariably follow in
heavy-wOOl sheep when warm, humid
weather comes on.
In Australia very extensive work
has been done looking toward the de
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-06-13
FEDERAL AID FOR HIGHWAYS
Organization Arranged by Secretary OF
Agriculture Described in Re-
cent Publication.

prepared by the United States Depart
ment OF Agriculture-)
The organization that has been ar
ranged by the secretary OF agriculture
to administer the provisions OF the
federal-aid road act Of 1916 is de-
scribed In a recent publication OF the
department
Ten district Offices, each directed by
a district engineer, reporting to the
director OF the Office OF public roads.
have been established The district
offices are located in Portland, Ore /;
San Francisco, Cal; Denver, Colo. /;
Minneapolis, Mimi; Omaha. Neb. /:
Fort Worth, Tex; Chicago. H.; Mont
gomery, Ala; Troy, n. Z, and Wash
ingtOn, d. c.
The procedure adopted calls for the
submission OF an application, known
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-06-13


From Above. (EnIarged.)
struction of maggots in wool. but nea--
~ all the remedies devised, have seri-
Gus objections, so that dependence
must be placed almost entirely upon
preventive measures. If sheep be-
come infested, however, the wool
should be clipped from about the Dor
tons containing the maggots. 1t is
necessary to begin the clipping out
side the infested area, so as to avoid
driving the maggOts back into the IN
soiled wool and thus extending the
trouble. When the maggots have been
concentrated in a certain spot by clip
ping around them, the application OF
stick dip in concentrated form or the
use of chloroform, especially if the
infested area is covered Immediately
with a piece of oilcloth, will destroy
the maggots, and the entire mass then
can be clipped of. Mixtures OF turp-
entine and tar have been tried in
Australia for the destruction OF, wool
maggots and the prevention Of subse-
quent infestation, with a fair degree
Of success. Tt is important that some
thing be applied to deodorize the In
Tested parts and hasten healing.
Some sheepmen use air-slaked lime
busted lightly over the parts to dry
up the discharge and reduce the Odor.
This undoubtedly is accomplished to
some extent, but there is some danger
Of forming crusts and having maggots
fnfest the sore places or wounds be-
meath these.
On large sheep ranges, when the
iambing is done during seasons which
are favorable for infestations, it is
best TO have the focks divided into
rather small units and carefully
watched, so that any f1y-blown sheep
may receive immediate attention
To protect lambs and other sheep
during the summer months from be
ing blown by bluebottIe flies an effort
should be made to prevent diarrhea,
and when sheep get dirty they should
be promptly trimmed up. Apply to
the rump. and to the parts fouled by
diarrhea. grease containing a few
drops Of crude carbolic acid or tar
oil. The grease viii hold the larry
odor in suspense and act as a fly re-
pe1Ient-
The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1918-06-13
COMFORTABLE COOP FOR HEN
Need Not Be Expensive, but ShouI9
Be Dry and Roomy-Fresh Air
Is Essential

prepared by the United States Depart
ment OF Agriculturel
In order 10 be more successful In
raising chickens the poulrymen should
provide a house which meets certain
requirements. 1t need not be an ex-
pensive structure but II Is essential
that the hens have a comfortable
house which is dry, roomy. and
abundantly supplied with fresh air
and sunlight It never pays TO over
crowd the fowls.
No particular style OF house is Pc
euliarly adapted to any section Of this
country. A house which gives salts
faction in Maine viii also give good
results in Texas or California, but IL