davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04

the enemies Of Germany reply to the
so-called Joint peace proposal or
maintain a contemptuous silence. But
If the jury Of German millions Ii 10
be impressed and II the allied gov
erments themselves are to onset the
pro-German propaganda within thelr
own countries a public statement OF
their reasons for refusing to count
enance a made-fn Germany peace Is
essential.
The world situation hinges on the
point which was the outstanding feat
ure Of President Wilson's reply 10
pope Benedict, that the German gov
eminent cannot regain the confidence
of the other nations OF the earth until
the faith Of the German peopae Il
pledged to the maintaining OF any
promise it may make.
A treaty Of peace bearing the sig'
nature Of the kaiser or his mouth
riece would be worthless just as was
the treaty on which Belgium depended
for existence.
The peoples outside Of Germany are
convinced Of this. Tho record OF
Prussian barbarian has convinced
them. The thought is percolating to
the German brain all to slowly; 1t
NAV never find sufficient Judgment to
result in a revolt against the Hohen-
zollern despotism. But the chance
that it may is the factor which, IN tho
main is forcing the allied govern
ments to take cogni1ance OF the
Russo German proposal for world
neacp"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
Children's Evening Story

Chippy quietly. And dszane q ~.
per Jay, he Knocked him az th0 0emD
wall before Jasper knsv vhat -
happening.
Jasper Jay was furious. He sasa
bled quickly back upon tAe van II
Mr.. Chippy had vanished. He haa
dived under the cover a uae na1o
vine and hid in a chunk betweeo III
stones, vharo Jasper cou3d MT -
him.
Il decaze-" said jasper Nv -
last-'1 declare, he's got sway hu0
mel" And SO Jasper want Of, ~.
king his head He had nsver 80.
posed that mild Mr.. Chippy would daSo
do anything 50 bold as 10 knock ~
body OF slime wall
1t is plain That Jasper Jay had ~
er learned that one can be bravo VsfA-
out boasting. And as he hew -
across the road toward tho river Jas.
per thought he heard peculiar Hnaps
from the depths OF tho WilA gnps
vine.
It was oufy Mr.. Chippy. ehuea1lns
to himself For Jasper had made him
quite happy, after all-thooGh mot "a.
act1y In the way that tho hD0oeoaAnA
bul1y Ind mAgnded
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
4 BLOW FOR THE BULLY.
Continued from Yesterday

If Mr.. Chirpy had known that his
caller was going to be so rude he
would have stayed hidden in the Wild
grape vine. And now he wished that
Jasper would 90 away and leave him
in peace. AS for laughing, he saw
nothing at all to laugh at
you'd better do as I tell you
Jasper Jay warned him. And he
raised his crest and stamped angrlly
upon the stone wall. you're alto
gether too quiet. I want you to laugh
loud.
You're going to be happy, if l
have to break every bone in your
body" Jasper added.
Naturally. that threat did not help
little Mr.. Chippy to laugh. Instead,
he looked quite worried. He knew
that Jasper Jay was bully. And
there was NO telling what he might
do to anyone 80 small as Mr.. Chippy
was. So he tried his best to please
Jasper. But he was so upset that he
could manage only feeble Chip
chip, chip, chip"
"ThatTl never do" Jasper told him
Maybe this will. them" said NE
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04

Investigation of the war department
adds to the catalogue of Secretary
Bakers shortcomings. Not only did he
continue in office the bureaucrats
whose own testimony has revealed as
almost unbelievably inefficient, but he
contributed to his departments failure
by himself delaying war preparations.
Then he added the browning folly by
devotees Of red tape, constituting
them members Of his departmental
war council and adding another
complication to his labyrinth OF
bureaucracy.
AS matters stand Mr.. Daniels has
established a presentable alibi, al
though the evidence in his case is not
all in and the public may be compelled
in the end to find a verdict against
him. But Mr.. Baker has established a
new worlds record for incompetency.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
A NATIONAL ISSUE.

James Manahan, former congress
man at large from Minnesota and now
general counsel for the Non-partisan
league and its candidate for United
States senator, has been indicted at
St Paul for making an infammatory
address which the grand jury's true
bill charges helped to incite mob OF
strike sympathizers to destroy street
cars, injure carmen and passengers
and defy the st. Paul police.
Manahan pledged the support OF
the Non-partisan league to the street
car strikers and their sympathizers,
and INDUCED in wordy attack on
men of national prominence who are
taking prominent parts IN the task OF
winning the war.
It will be remembered that 1t was
the Non.partisan league which brought
Senator Lafollette to St. Paul for the
notorious speech in which he attacked
the government Of the United States
and criticised the action Of the presi-
dent and congress in the conduct OF
the war.
It is this same Non-partisan league
whose socialistic doctrines are being
disseminated in Iowa now in an ef-
fort to perfect an organization among
farmers and working men with view
to obtaining control of the states po-
litical machinery as has been done IN
North Dakota.
The movement obviously is insin-
cere and insecure. 1t is founded on the
same sort of senseless class prejudice
on which socialism depends Tor It's
ability to recruit new members for
it's wrecking crew. At any time an
effort to establish the so-called Non
partisan league in Iowa would be bad,
but in the present time Of stress 1t is
a mark OF disloyalty and a disregard
or the principles of patriotism.
The trial OF Manahan and one OF the
two other men indicted with him
both of whom are politicians and not
labor leaders-will be of importance
throughout the country. The Mime
sofa courts will be called upon to con-
strue the law with regard to the limit
to which inflammatory speeches. may
20 under present conditions wltnout
becoming seditious.
Under the free speech plea public
utterances are marked by innuendoes
and interrogatories much more pro-
vocative and disloyal than direct Ian.
guage would be. Cleverly disloyal
speakers have learned to plan their
remarks exactly to that end, SO they
may stay barely within the law as 1t
is construed, while subtly surging
their hearers to set law at naught.
The Minnesota courts have an OPP
portunity to do service for the coun-
try and the government in the trials
Of Manahan and his fellow orators.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
RAILROAD MEN ARE
BURNED WITH OIL

Muscatine, Jan. SIS. G. Ketchum.
roundhouse foreman. and Sidney Co
zad. hostlers helper at the round
house Of the Burlington, Muscatine &
Southern railroad, were badly burned
yesterday morning at O'Clock when
they were almost turned into living
torches by the ignition Of some Oh
which one Of the men had been hand
ling.
Both are in the hospital IS . result
of the accident
Cozad's hands were saturated with
some Kerosene which ignited from q
torch he was carrying. ketchum
rushed to his assistance and in trying
to put out the flames and take on
Cozad's coat was himself severely
burned.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
"FIRST ADE,"

George AIDE, always entertaining in
his writings, just now is employing
his superb talent in the production OF
literature to further the National Sc
curity leagues campaign for patriot
ism. In his Holiday Message to Our
Young Fighting Men," he says. I'VE
must win the big war or else revise
all moral codes, requite all proverbs
and adopt brand new set OF rules to
govern conduct. II Germany is not
licked to standstill we might as we'll
begin to memorize and humbly &C
cept the following adages:
Dishonesty is the best policy.
Be as mean as a skunk and you
will be happy.
Blessed are the child murderers,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Be sure you are right handy
with firearms, then go ahead.
An evil reputation is better
than riches.
Truth crushed to earth will not
rise again If the crushing is done
in a superior and efficient man
ner.
Be virtuous and you will be mis-
cradle.
Thrice armed is he who goes
around picking quarrels.
Might makes right
He'll on earth and hatred for all
men.
Do unto others as you suspect
that they might do unto you If
they ever got to be as disreputable
as you are.
God helps the man who helps
himself to his neighbours house
and his field and his unprotected
women
These don't sound right, do they?"
AIDE asks at the end. "The old ones
that we learned first are not yet out
of date. Suppose we don't revise
them
As in everything AIDE writes. there
is the characteristic touch of humor,
but in this there is very serious
aspect, too. There is not an adage in
his twisted list but fits the conduct OF
Germany and the Germans, and the
pro Germans, too.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
IOWA ENGINEER is
IN STRICKEN CITY

Iowa City, Jan. IL believe my
boy is safe, although I am unable to
hear from him" These are the words
of Lincoln Hess Of Iowa City. whose
son Percy is resident Of the stricken
city Of Guatemala.
Mr.. Hess stated that he had cabled
inquiries relative to his sons safety
but attributed the lack Of response
to the probability Of the wire service
being partly or wholly cut OF.
Percy Hess graduated from the col
lege of engineers of the State Uni
versity OF Iowa and went to that
country as an engineer. Later he
went to work for Grace & Co. import
ers and exporter and is now manager
OF the company's offices Of that city.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
TO THE POILUS.

There is inspiration in the account
of the sudden thrust by which the
French forces in Italy toppled the
Austrians from their precarious perch
on Mount Tomba and turned some
1.40o of Emperor Charles best fight
ers toward Italian prison camps.
Since the early months of the war,
and particularly since the epochal
battle of the Marne, the poilu has held
a place high in the esteem CT all the
peoples Of the earth. A fierce fight
er, intrepid, resourceful. patriotic and
forever undismayed, the French sol
der has written some Of the most no
table chapters of the present wars
history, and bids fair to add many
others before peace reigns.
The Italians are fighters. They
demonstrated that when they VEN
tured too far into enemy territory,
trusting to Providence or to their
short-sighted allies in Europe for the
strength to maintain their position.
They fought as they retreated, and
the bravery of some of their divisions
will be the subject for story and song
in legend.loving Italy for many year.
The British are logged, determined
warriors. They make business Of
fighting, and serious business. None
but a courageous people could have
furnished the armies with which Haig
has caused Hindenburg's iron line to
bend, crumble, culver along all its
length and waver from point to point
by reason of the sheer predominating
grit Of the opposition.
There is desperation in Italy; there
is a grim intentness on seeing it
through" in England. But there is
romance in the fighting of France.
There is the vigor Of people that
has found itself after generations OF
ease and gayety and profligacy. There
is the strength Of the warrior who,
challenged when at disadvantage
by foe of superior cunning, fights to
the death and glories in the ability to
keep on fighting which he himself
can not explain but which comes from
his own illimitable stock of what our
colloquial lexicon calls nerve"
France is fighting on her nerve.
The traditions of all the warriors
France has given to the world in the
past are the inspiration of the poilu.
At Verdun the Frenchmen have had
their mettle tested through the long
months of dead-locked warfare which
is more than a struggle between two
armies and more than long-drawn
battle to test the staying power of
the adversaHes.
II America can fight as France has
fought and is f1ghting-and there is
every indication in Americas record
thus far that she can and will-the
stars and stripes will be waving in
Berlin and the park loungers will hear
'"The Star Spangled Banner" instead
of "Die Wacht am Rhein" before the
new year merges with the past.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
IOWAN LOSES AN
ARM AT DEFINING

Camp Cody, N. NJ, Jan 3.-Geoege
Owens Of Muscatine, Ia, a soldier in
a regular artillery regiment billed for
France, will miss the great adventure.
He is Just recovering from the shock
of losing an arm when he fell from Q
train near Carrizozo. N NJ. on which
he was riding with his battery. Doc
tors removed the crushed member.
staunched the blood and sent the sol
der to the Fort Bliss base hospital,
where he is now able to move aruand.
1t was reported at the base hospital
that Owens win receive his discharge
from the army as soon a. hig iaiY
H. ,Aea1ed eompletely.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04

eminent, through Secretary Lane,
maximum production of coal in re-
turn for the establishment of a price
which would give them sufficient
profit to induce all mine owners to
work their properties to the limit.
Because he regarded this price as too
high Secretary Baker caused the revo-
cation of the Lane-Peabody agreement
before its operation could be tried.
But DR.. Garfield's testimony before
the senate committee last week
showed that the spirit Of that first
arrangement was entirely right. The
schedule of prices at present is prac-
tically the Lane-Peabody schedule,
but it has been reached only after sew
eral mines were forced to close be-
cause the first price scale threatened
business failure.
Some coal mines in the eastern
fields are netting big profits and it Is
safe to say that all the coal mines In
America which are in operation today
are having good business year under
federal control But millions of tons
of coal were lost to America and a
serious shortage of fuel was made far
more serious because the wrong plan
of control was adopted at first through
ignorance of conditions and through
politics.
We do not pretend to argue that the
captains of the coal industry nor those
of the railroad industry are spotlessly
conscientious in their business rela-
lions, although. we never have had any
sympathy for the wild accusations
hurled at their heads by muck rak-
ers and reformers. They are ordinary
men with average conceptions OF bus
mess honesty and patriotic service.
We believe the nations interests are
safe in the hands Of the railroad man
ayers who will conduct the affairs OF
the mammoth continental system un-
der the nominal direction of Secretary
McAdoo. Long before the decision
was made to inaugurate government
control they had outlined the policies
which must be followed now, regard
less of who might be designated as
the director general
1t is a mark of good judgment on
the part of the administration that
no attempt was made to put the rail-
road industry into the hands of d.
rector and a board chosen for their
lack of knowledge of railroad prob.
lens. It was a mark Of bad judgment
to expect men tho knew nothing
about the coal industry to bring to its
control knowledge and ability super
ior to that of the men who had built
it up. Certainly the captains Of the
coal industry are as honest and de-
pendable as the captains of the rail-
road industry, so that could not have
been the reason for the difference.
The change in policy indicates prog
ress and disposition to profit by ex-
perience. In time such disposition
may bring about a house cleaning in
the war department and the appoint
ment of supreme war board. Let US
hope so.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
A NEW LEAF.
(From Tuesdays Daily.)

(From Tuesdays DalIy.)
This is a day when, good resolutions
are popular, when new leaves are turn
ed and many among US open fresh
pages with the highest determination
to maintain them spotless. On such a
day. to be sure, it Is not amiss to sug-
gest that Ottumwa turn over new
leaf.
A year from today viii find us only .
few weeks away from city campaign.
with its biennial opportunity for the
voters of the city to select by their
ballots the men to whom they shall en-
trust the affairs of the municipality.
Nine months have elapsed since a
change was made. Many whose votes
were of the majority in last springs
election are sick of their bargain. It
is not necessary here to catalogue the
shortcomings Of the present city ad-
ministration nor to waste time in re-
calling the excited promises which
were made so volubly during some
what heated campaign.
Bootleggers and gamblers are doing
a flourishing business in Ottumwa I'M
der the eye of complacent city adj
ministration. Chief Of Police Noah
says he is doing his best to dislodge
them, and there is ample reason to be-
lieve him. But if anyone else in the
citys official family feels the slightest
anxiety or displeasure over the situa-
ton he is an adept at concealing his
thoughts and master Of self-control,
for neither anxiety nor displeasure Is
resulting in decrease Of the undesir-
able gentry nor slackening Of the
illegitimate traffic.
The moral conditions of city gener-
ally may be accepted as an accurate
index to the efficiency of its admins
tration from top to bottom. Measured
by this standard, Ottumwa's admins
tration leaves much to be desired.
Hence the thought Of the new leaf.
In the year and more which must In
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
THE CHANGING VIEW.

Putting aside "fOr the period OF the
war; the question as to the proprfety
or necessity for government control
of railways, it is an unacceptable and
encouraging fact that positive action
is being obtained without any Of the
delay such as has made the war de-
partment infamous.
It is notable also that results are be-
Ing obtained in the railroad field
whereas results were slow in reward
ing the governments activities In the
coal industry because Administrator
Garfield failed for months to realize
that production and supply were of
first importance.
The difference is a plain ono and
its cause is as plain. In assuming
charge of tho railroads, Secretary NC
Adoo has done little more than give
the railroad executives authority to
override laws and precedents and In
cur any necessary expense In the In
terest Of speed.
In assuming charge of the coal
mines, DR.. Garfield disregarded the ad-
vice OF coal operators and gave heed
to the demands Of an uniformed pub
lie and press for price regulation. Be-
fore his appointment, in fact, Secre-
tary Baker has discredited the coal in
terests by denouncing the arrange
ments they had made with Secretary
Lane.
In a word. the coal industry has
been controlled. not by the govern
ment, but by the politicians, and its
problems were handled, not by men
familiar with them but by men who
had to prove they knew nothing about
coal before they could obtain hearing
or an appointment. This was not DR..
Garfield's intention. He merely was
a victim Of circumstances.
The railroads are being conducted
TODAY as they would have been con-
Quoted by the railroads war council
II they had possessed the authority to
set aside the antitrust and anu-pool-
ing laws, the power to obtain unlimit-
ed credit for expansion and the assur-
ance of ample remuneration to each
company for the use OF its system and
equipment and for the possible loss
of normal profits through the pooling
plan.
The coal operators had problem
slightly simpler than the railroad
areAlam They guaranteed the gov
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04

few hours, II this be the spirit with
which Americans approach it. 1t will
see, If not the end, then the beginning
of the end of the war and the begin
ming of our victory.
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04

said To n1ezBtef, "myHuan
wad gossip among the 1luuA ~
men"
"Oh, keep 4 In your pk4voko 90.
board, and when you get yur kAu1Ay:
water in Tho morning &c . uk0 -
ira s6ppH."
A month lhter ono AZ 10 An11N
parishioners who was ca0lng a thoi
howekeeper Inquired as 70 tho dp
nies health.
I'm sair afraid the mssnAoW =
losing his mind" was tho a1svG
my goodness! how b nskP -
the visitor.
i've or TX times q day"
Bessie had been giv1 e<~N
invest Tn leo cream soda.
why don't you give yuRf d1Do -
mission- sud the ministsr vAe -
calling.
Il thought shout that" sssd s.sA
but think I'll buy the ice cream sna
let the druggist give the dime to a.
missions"
Mistress-Susan, unders4na oue
you walk out with young msR
hope he is respectable?
'NOh, yes, ma'am: and he y q
Frenchman, and can't speak no ~
lish."
Then how in the world DO yuu
manage your counting. Susan."
Law. ma'am. isn't the hssin' md
huggtn' the same in every Ang,nge!s
Wei, Mary, you have chosen q
hymn very appropriate to the lesson.
But what made you choose that par.
icular one!"
please. miss. it's the same number
as my policeman"
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
DINNER STOKES

The dusnie was told b. bib family
doctor thst glass Of toddy would d
him no ham, Il Gamma lnnnan ~
Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-01-04
THE INCOME TAX

Under this caption this page The Courier will publish
daily articles by L. Cawey local representative of the in
terna bureau explaining features of the tax
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-28
WANTED LIBERTY BOND
!, FOR HIS GERMAN One

Robert Schmidt. nsturaliEed Austrian
of Norwood, Ohio. wrote A Mitchell
Palmer, alien property custodian, today
offering 10 change a German bond for
a Liberty Bond.
Schmidt said his German bonds ma
tured April 1, and he feared he would
lose his savings.
The law makes no provision for this. !"
replied Palmer.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-28
HUNDREDS LINE Up
TOFILE RETURNS
FOR INCOME TAX

with but two days Ioft-not count
ing today-for the filing or income
tax returns, n big rush is on at the
office of tho deputy collector OF in
tornal revenue at the Legal building,
Eighth and q streets northwest.
Hundreds OF WashiuEtonians who
have delayed are lined up waiting for
their turn with instructors and as
sistants
Though the tax is not due until
June Is, income taxes are pouring
into the Treasury. Thousands OF per
sons arc paying the tax on the spot
when they make out returns so as to
save themselves and the Government
further trouble. Those who pay in 8d-
vance are entitled to deduct 2 per
cent interest on the amount paid from
tn" date Of payment until the due
date, June 10.
Thousands uf persons, however. are
not taking advantaE" OF the interest
allowed by the Government on their
money. This is particularly true with
respect to small payments, where the
interest would be exceedingly small.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1918-03-28
FUEL OFFICIALS
MAY TERMINATE
COAL CONTRACTS

The Fuel Administration has under
consideration cancellation OF all con-
tracts outstanding April I. when the
new zone system OF distribution be-
comes effective. This step would
place the country's production under
control OF the Fuel Administration
and eliminate all high-priced contract
coal.
Most of the contracts now in exist
ence will expire with the beginning OF
the new coal year. April !. Part OF
the remaining small percentage will
be Cancelled automatically by the limi-
tstion placed on the movement by the
zone system. Many OF them were
made at a time when prices were alb
normally high.
During the coal shortage last winter
the Fuel Administration had difficulty
in finding free coal for distribution
in emergencies, because almost the
entire output OF the country was tied
up by contract.