davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
INCESSANT PEACE TALK.

President Wilson believes that we can con-
tjnue talking about peace while we are fighting.
i is said that this is the opinion also of the over
whClming majority of congressman.
There is little doubt that this is the sentiment
Of nearly all Of the people. The man in the street
thinks that if our war aims can be obtained by
diplomatic peace declarations and satisfactory
and sure peace obtained without killing off a mil
lion more men, there should be nothing to hinder
such a desideratum.
1t is uDon this attitude that President Wilson
and Premier Lloyd-George do not agree. The
British premier believes in fighting without talk,
and as a consequence unequivocally backed the de-
caraton Of the recent Versailles conference, which
declaration President Wilson repudiated in his
recent reply to Count Czernin.
But above all stands out the fact that the rulers
of men are talking about peace. Only a few
months ago mention of peace was considered
nearly traitOrOus.
Peace is on mems minds it is on the minds of
their rulers. The only issue left is the kind of
peace we are to get. And it is about this kind of
peace that we are willing to fight. The wrong
kind is worthless the right kind welcome without
further fighting.
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27

LABOR'S WAR.

VIII you cooperate or Obstruct?' This was
the pointed question President Wilson put to the
striking shlpyaId carpenters. After several
TRACES engaged IN the construction of the vessels
30 urgently needed had agreed to await the decls-
IONS ol the ShlpbuIdlng Adjustment Board, the
carpenters persisted IN their demands, thus act
u""y II not Intentionally placing themselves in the
position Oh giving AID and comfort to the en4r,y.
Inc PRESIDENTS searching words in his letter to
MI. hutchinson, chief officer of the United Broth
efhood Oh Carpenters and Joiners backed by ms
record OF consistent fairness to labor, were iil}
ueuIately potent. The carpenters realized what
hey were dong and promptly returned to their
WORK III the ShlpyardS on government Jobs. The
incident shows what great influence the President
OF the United States can exert, especially in such
umeS as these, without appealing to Congress Tor
legislation
AS II realizing that these ship carpenters had
CamagmgIy mlsrepresented the workers of the
country on February II the American Federation
oil Labor issued declaration of loyalty" stating
among other things that this is labor's war" and
uEMg that "all workers must soberly face the
grave importance Of their daily work and decide
lhouSlflai matters with conscience mindful of
the world relations Of each act The truth and the
needs OF the situation could hardly have been bet
Ter stated IN few words. This is indeed labor's
war, ior II 1t is not won organized labor will not
onlE lose all it has gained but even its right TO
'ue Ifee possession OF what it earns in the sweat
OF its brow WV
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
LEGAL LICK.

One never can tell what will happen under the
EW Legal things are supposed to be sure things,
Du. tHe only sure thing about legal Interpretation
that we have noticed is the uncertainty of inter-
Eralali0n.
The Supreme Court Of California has added to
the mussed up feeling about the law regarding
public utilities. This is a theme that has been
under hot house discussion for many years, and in
the last five years or so much advancement wag
made therein. We thought we had come to the
point where we at least knew and recognized a
public utility when we saw one, and did not need
% consult the weather map to regulate them.
According to the California court, however,
public utility is not always what we in our Grass
and igHobe ignorance supposed it to be.
The decision eclting these observations hing
cs upon the courts assertion that water plants are
not public utilities. The Court oyerruIed the Rail
road Commission in assuming such a thing and
SAID the Lake Hemmet Water Company could
raise It's rates.
The Court told the commonwealth that proyis-
IONS Of the constitution and the statutes of Cal
hOrnIa that sought to make water companies pub
uc utilities were in cOntravention of the Federal
Constitution.
The decision also affects irrigation companies,
and will deprive the state Of the power to regulate
a3 public utility any business which has not
clearly held itself out as having dedicated its
property unreserVedly to the service of the public
ana rs being willing to be regulated as a public
uuiIly Inc decision practically holds that regu-
.auon IN the future depends upon whether the
owner wishes to be regulated, and not upon the
needs Of the public.
We don't think such decision can stand
selling the public water is as much public utility
IS selling it light heat, power or transportation
a public utility is something in which the public
has an interest as one Of the parties giving or
taking such service. llair-spIitting legatis can't
change the lace OF nature nor the common mean
ing OF words
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
THESE WAR AIMS CONCUR,

President Wilson and the Bolsheviki have one
important war am in common.
The President is playing the diplomatic cards
for the overthrow Of the German junker party,
winch is and always has been the guiding spirit
OF the mihtarlst party
The Bolshevlh is lighting this same iunker
crown with propaganda. Germany may be able
70 OBTAIN wheat from Russia this year, but she
will also obtain Bolsheviki literature and Bolshe-
Wiki principles by word of mouth.
Inc Junker party fears the Presidents vigor-
Gus attacks; and it also fears the Bolsheyiki pro-
paganda, which is sure to be leavening process
among German people
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
NO TIME FOR DEAD ISSUES.

A Congress that ought to have discussed the
question OF taxing the statue Of Frederick the
Great down wasted much time the other DAY on
the question as to whether TO put the statue OF
James Buchanan up. resolution was introduced
IN the House granting PERMISSION for the erection
oI the Buchanan statue IN Washington with funds
lciL by niece Of Pennsylvania S only son to reach
Jhc Nhte House President Buchanan was con-
5eiVatiye. lie stood tor established order and re-
apected the slavGry-prOectng provision of the
Constitution, Therefore he mad bitter enemies
among the r2lormers, and as late as the year 1913
some oI tnS bitterness came to lie on the floor of
ht lJuSe. An aged representative from Ohio
aH1aiIy produced and read paper he had written
81 the age OF "a denouncmg President Buchanan
+a Il coward and traitor.
Inc misplaced and out Of date uproar did not
cease untu uncle Joe" Cannon OF IIlonls took the
hoor and quietly asserted that although he bitter
- opposed and abused" Buchanans policy away
back before 1860, ne now regarded nm as "a gfeal
man. Inc veteran member went on poInte0ly TO
remark: When you Crtlcse James Buchanan for
las acton or non-actlon and Tor his messages YOU
CuuciSe one tnlrd OF the Northland contampOr-
afJ with nm, and here we're at least one turd
Oh them that agreed with the South Let the dead
i" bury IT'S dead, and let US at this tune st and
shoulder 10 shoulder lor Success IN our great
"Nl@ var tor democracy 1t is a pleasure to
i~I that the entire membership of the House
sood and cheered as the veteran member con-
Guided"
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
FRANK KING LEAVES.

Mr., Frank King left Monday morn
ing for Rev Orleans, where he will
take up his duties with the Aerial
Corps of the Naval Reserve at the sta
ton he is assigned to from the Cres-
cent City headquarters,
This popular young local man ell
listed several days ago with this
branch of service at Jackson and pass.
ed the examination in good style. He
was told to return home and await
further orders for his departure.
These arrived Sunday with his trans
portation, mileage and incidental ex-
penses on his trip to New Orleans, as
well as his specific routing.
His many friends admire his pa
triot;c determination to go before he
is called and the example he has es-
tabhshed for others to follow.
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
SHOULD BE REVERSED.

Friends of the public veal and efficiency in
government have been more than mildly interest
ed IN the announcement that Ex-Governor Folk
OF Missouri has resigned his post as counsel to the
I. .. intefstdte Commerce Commission to return
to st. Louis, where he will be general counsel
Tor the Chamber of Commerce there.
HIS salary as lawyer for this municipal COM
mefce body Will be in excess of that Folk received
as attorney for the Government commission.
10 our mind, the Government should at all
times see that it retains the services of hgh-prade
men; and where all things are equal or nearly
equal, man should prefer to work for his gov
ernment than for others.
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
A REGULAR TUB BuI

State Highway Engineer Krams-
Bilbo appointee, is now much in .,
limel'ght. The eflce seems 10 bs~
been made more for Kramer tb..
Kramer for the place, and uplae, :
ports are true he IS reapiny a r;,h
reward from the Office. He is nat o,l
allowed a aary Of $3.50 per y,a,
but his commissioners on plans q.
pjblic bui-d.ngs public roads, etc nm
up to many thousands Of dollars nsr
year, making his decidedly the be.t
office in the State, and one Of taa mos,
useless.
And worst Of all it is asserted that
he has been awarded several Iargs
STATE contracts by the Governor with.
out going through the Formally o.
advertising for bidders.
If this is true, it is monstrous and
only serves to show the lengths n
which this administration viii % 10
serve a friend.
Some time ago the Clarion.Ledger
was given an estimate of fees ,he
Highway Commissioner had been 81.
lowed for DESIGNS for public buildings
in this State, namely;
Architect for Industrial Train
ing School -....,..............$ 81 .OOOOo
Architect on special inspec-
ton trip ..-..-...-.............. 1855
Expense Of trustees visiting
proposed sites and pay
ment to architect ... 10000
AS architect South Mississip-
pi Charity Hospital 1,85O.OO
Balance due architect when
building completed 672.39
Highway Comm m:ssioners and
Engineers Expenses 2,046.Os
Architect fees A. & III. Col
lege at Star5yille ..-..... 100000
Bat the above by no means cmbrac.
es all the work he has done or COM
missions since Eramef's Office was
created; in fact only represents
small amount Of the money he has
been allowed to draw,
To the abJto should be added the
commissions Kramer has charged to
the various counties for skillful work
or advice he mas given on road con-
stluction, VIII ch it is understood, far
exceeds the above. He certainly got
big slice from Kinds, Madison and
t1er nearby eounties--eyery county
Were he was consulted or furnished
suggestions.
1t was stated last night that &ra-
mgrs commissions would amount TO
some $4,000, not including his sai4ry,
or the salaries paid his assistants.
tome weeks ago the Senate adopted
q resolution to appoint a special con-.
tee to inyastgate. the affairs of taa
State lIiehRay Engineer, the commit
toemen Leing named in the resolution
and that ley are expected to make
their reuoTt az an early day, and there
is no doubt Eag that it will prove most
interest t0g,~-' ackson Clarion-Ledger
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
RUSSIAN CONFISCATION,

Cancellation Of notes and reputation of debts
by the BosheVih is sure to arouse the widespred
opposition among the neutrals and the allies
Already the neutrals are combining to do
something about it; the allies haven't acted on the
matter because they have more important things
on hand, but will later
The BolSheyiki have confscated great land
holdings in Russia and are dividing the soil among
the peasantsj they accordingly figure they have
the same rights with the property of others out
side Russia, refusing to assume the debts made
by the former Russian government.
no reputable modern state has repudiated con-
tractural obligations. But then, are the Bolshe-
vIk reputable?
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
REGRET Tagging SILVER LEG.
ISLATION.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26--Repre-
sentatives Of the silver trade, without
undaly Interfering with the plans of
the government, are trying to see if
a little push cannot be put behind
government legislation which will fix
the price and provide $15O.00O,OOO
worth of The metal through the sale
of that amount Of silver dollars now
held back Of outstanding silver certi-
ficates. So many different interests
are concerned in the proposed legis-
lation that it is likely much time will
elapse before the bill is completed and
enacted into law,
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
M'BEE IS APPOINTED.

Hon. r. c. McBee, chairman Of the
War Savings Stamp campaign and
head Of the local -Four Minute Men,"
has been appointed by s. ]. Owen, di-
rector for Mississippi of the United
States Public Service Reserve, as the
Ledore county director,
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
HOUSING IT'S OWN WORKERS.

The Standard Steel Car Company at Ham.
Aona' md IS solving the housing problem for its
workers: 1t is building 100000 hotel for thaiI,
exclusive use.
Hammond is one Of the towns enjoying" a
boom owing to the war
Inc problem in munitions and shipbuilding
centerS the country over is to find sufficient hons,
ing facilities. The Hammond concern supplies
a worthy precedent
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
HOW WE MISS 1T!

The Congressional Record, "the only uncensor-
ed publication in the world" no longer circulates
outside Of the District of Columbia. In this way
the public printer saves lot of paper. which in
view Of the present paper shortage, is good policy.
But George Cree and his Committee on Public
Information are of different color In fact the
committee is spending $4,000 day, which isn't
fitting in well with Republican congressman, and
lots Of Democratic congressman, too.
But the Congressional Record---up to 80 pages
daily and going to practically every daily and
weekly newspaper in the country-how we do
miss it! We never read a word in it for months
at that-yet how we do miss carrying it from the
pOst0ttce to the office
And the hard-working mail clerks-how they
must miss it,
1t is said our transportation outlook has notice
ably improved in the last few weeks That must
be because the Congressional Records are no lon
ger burdening the railroads.
An old friend is gone-how we miss it.
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
A NATIONS SEX.

An lnquLrlng newspaper correspondent notes
with surprise that in his address to Congress
President Wilson referred to the United States
as "she," and demands to know what is nations
sex anyhow Of course every nation is about
equally composed OF both sexes and is Just as
much "he" as She" but for some reason nation
is usually "she" in oratorical metaphor, just as
everything big and grand, such as stately ship,
receives feminine perSonltCatlon in the dIgnl-
fed language OF literature. Whether the age of
chlvalry with its eagerness to set apart and honor
women, produced this practice, or whether it had
an earlier origin, 1t is with us pnd has undoubt-
edly come to stay. ~rane -ss-@s
In che case OF the United States such personi-
hcatlon IS comparatively new; hitherto we have
employed st" perhaps more than She but we
have never employed che, Our country as a
whole has not often been spoken of as "she" be-
cause originally 1t was, and by foreign diplomats
still is, referred to as "they". This is in con-
sequence not merely of the plural form Of the term
United States but of the political history of coun-
try formed of many States, the original thirteen
of which voluntarily created the Union while as
serting their own independence. The Constltu-
tion of the United States adopted in 1887 en-
ployes plural pronouns throughout, defining trea-
son against the United States, for example, as
''leVying war against them or in adhering to diff
culties in this connection. But State orators
not so handicapped have always given the COM
they represented the feminine per-
sonifcation Daniel Webster, for example, said:
Il shall enter on no enconium upon Massachusetts
she needs none There she is, behold her" ETC.
The use of "she" in such connections is long estab-
lished, but in the case of the United States some
difficulty is involved for the reasons stated
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
MISLEADING PSYCHOLOGISTS.

There appears to be a chld-lile supposition
among the Germans that they can readily dis
hearten their enemies by infiicting disaster and by
barbarous methods of warfare The Koelnische
Volks Zeitung is quoted as saying that the loss
of American soldiers on the Tuscania must un-
failingly dampen the spirits of Americans" The
Mittag an Zoitung of Berlin expresses the same
opinion with much eation. This recalls the claim
that the Germans rushed into "frighttulness,"
or atrocious barbarities and beasty crueltes only
because they believed that by there they could
frghten and dshearten their enemies, thus
smoothing their path toward conquest and short
ening the war.
1t is certain that the hideous atrocities would
not have been perpetrated unless the perpetra-
tors found the spectacle agreeable, but neverthe-
less the Germans seem to be under the delusion
that their enemies can be disheartened by such
methods, and perhaps even now they do not real
ze that "frightfulness' has accomplished nothing
more than to stiffen the backs of their enemies
and to cause Germany to be abhorred through
out the world. But if their agents will report
the true situation, they can now learn that, in
stead of dampening our spirits the loss of the
Tuscania has greatly increased the voluntary en-
listments in our army and stimulated the nation
as whole to fresh and more determined endeavor.
The miscalcGlation of German psychologists is one
of the most curious developments of this war
VI Pa "a
Russ to the right of her, Teuts to the left of
ner, ana TIE Black sea IN the rear, ROumania
hasn't time to worry whether you spell it with or
without the co.
eE ~ -
Kissing the flag is the thing for every disloval
citizen to perform when found out But showing
his snout into spitoon would be more like real
punishment.
"a Pa ~
As news center Washington is backing Lon /,
don right off the map-and correspondents don't
rely on the Committee on Public Information.
either.
"a n n
BY this time fellows who years ago traded a
house and farm for John Barleycom don't think .
they made much of bargn .
Va IA l .
The time is about here when our rivers are a l
Of menace and nuisance.
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
PERHAPS TOO HARSH.

rms IS what the Chicago Herald musical crit
&c SaId about the Mendelsshon Club following a
., 1t (the club lost the key at the beginning Of
the composition and was more or less HnsI,cress.
Iul in finding it again" '''
We trust that critic never comes to this city.
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27

THANKS, CONSUL.

Valuable information comes to the United
States from its consuls abroad.
tor instance, there was the case of Vice-Con-
sui II. Is. Hitchcock, at Yokohama, who with pou-
ter-plgeon postiveness informed us of the delights
OF the Japanese fish hoaf Qkamaboko) some of
which is ilndng its way to this country.
Ihe impressive sapiency of the consul leaves
US enSnared with these startling facts: That the
lsn is prepared from the species Siago and
Sphyroena, Japonica, Scombrops chilodipteroides
and Anchiognathus intermedus.
The consul may now rest assured he has
earned his salary
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
EVOLUTION OF WAR CORRESPONDENTS

Our war correspondents formerly were dis
ed the news
-, they began to get acquainted personally with
the hlghtautin' gentlemen on the other side.
lnen they developed from newspaper writer's
into journalists.
FINALLY they reach the apex of their calling and
start Their articles with the phrase, Il am able
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
THE REPUTED "KNOW.HOW

~ Inc Hog Island ship corporation was to ge
mlii'ons for the 'know-how" of building ships-
and none Of the "know-howers' ever learned mor,
about a ship than to travel across the ocean.
Hz ~
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
CLOTHES NOW AND LATER

a. Ciotnes are gong to cost much more next year,
the stores are telling us but you can buy now and
save the high costs later And the more Won
buy now and less you will need later, which win
nave tendency to keep prices down at that
time - SA~S
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
ONE EXPLANATION

between basket ball, volley ball, ten pins a,
,ther indoor sport, no wonder so MANY men h,
lttIe time left for snow shoveling recently,
A "a pa
II unnecessary to say, apcsping ss psus!,
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27

Rather astonishing that monkey in evening
dress should have caused an upIoar in the lobby
OF one Of New York's giIdcd hotel IobbIcs, lie
doubtless expected cordial welcome IRON hs
felloW-mOnks.
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27
A NOTICEABLE IMPROVEMENT

NO cults on trousers next year in order to saw
cloth. 1t will also avoid carrying around real es
tate between the cuff and the end of the pants le
proper.
The commonwealth., 1918-02-27

*%%#%%@%** %**> =
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-29
WINDLE SPEAKS
FOR VETS HERE
Chicago Orator To Address Mass
Meeting ut Spencer Square
Theatre Tonight.

c. A Windle of Chicago will adj
dress a mass melting to be held
tonight at D. IN. at the Spencer
Square theatre under the auspices
of the Municipal league. Mr.. Win
die will take the wet side of the
argument in the local campaign,
using as his subject Why Prohibi-
ton is Wrong" Mr.. Windle has ap-
peared in previous local option
campaigns here and is well known
to Rock Island people.
AS far as is known this meeting
will be the only public session ar
ranged in the present campaign.
The Municipal league has arrang-
ed no other public meetings. DR..
]. ". Goltra, campaign director OF
the Association for a Saloonless
Rock Island, stated today that his
organization had planned no pub
lie meetings at all.
Both sides are winding up their
respective campaigns this week.
The anti-saloon men are sending
out much literature on the subject,
and the vets are doing likewise.
The first part of this week the drys
closed a series of precinct meet
ings held throughout the city. On
the whole the campaign ON both
sides has been quiet and orderly
one in every respect.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-03-29
KIDNEY SUFFERERS
HAVE FEELING OF
SECURITY

You naturally feel secure when
you know that the medicine you
are about to take is absolutely pure
and contains no harmful or habit
producing drugs.
Such a medicine is DR.. Kilmer's
Swamp-Root, kidney, liver and
bladder remedy.
The same standard OF purity,
strength and excellence is main
tanned In every bottle Of Swamp
Root.>
Swamp-Root is scientifically
compounded from vegetable herbs.
1t is not a stimulant and is taken
in teaspoonful doses.
1t is not recommended for every
thing.
According to verified testimony
it is natures great helper In reliev-
ing and overcoming kidney, liver
and bladder troubles.
A sworn statement Of purity is
with every bottle of DR.. Kilmer's
Swamp-Root.
If you need a medicine, you
should have the best.
If you are already convinced that
Swanmp-ROot is what you need,
you will find it on sale at all drug
stores in bottles of two sizes, med
ium and large.
However, If you wish first to try
THIS great preparation send 10 cents
to DR.. Kilmer & Co., Binghamton,
N. Y, for a sample bottle. When
writing be sure and mention the
Rock Island Daily Argus.-(Adv.)