davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
THE RIGHT SPIRIT.

Consider for a foment the life in
surance agents.
When Uncle Sam went into the
business of insuring his sailors and
soldiers, and offered his fighting men
insurance at a price with which the
private agents could not hope to
compete, did they sulk in their tents
and complain Of unfair competi-
ton?
They did not.
they organized an association to
promote the sale Of this insurance to
soldiers and sailors, and to urge
every man in the lighting forces to
accept the wonderful bargain in in
surance offered him.
incidentally they are conducting a
campaign on the benefits Of insur-
ance in general, and the absolute
duty a man owes TO his family to
leave the members of it independent
Of charity and to lay up savings for
his own old age.
You can't beat that kind Of spirit
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
THE KEPT PRESS.

The Kept Press" of this and some
eastern states" has been slapped
gently on the wrist by the five men
who drafted the resolutions for the
tri-state grain growers.
1t is set forth that the kept
Press" Of the state has DETAINED the
good name of the state accusing us
ali Of not being patriotic and Loyal.
Since the only Kept Press" in the
state, editorialIy approved La Fol-
letts We thought it had decided to
be good. The grain growers must
have seen something in it we missed.
But what can the grain growers OK
pect Of the Kept Press" when the
Keepers" staged the La Toilette
meeting, tried to make an agreement
with the /. w. w, welcomed the
peace council to the state and spoke
as they did about the Liberty Bonds?
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
HOW TO ENJOY THE MOVIES.

1t is rather the fashion to sneer at
the movies"
1t is something Of the old, old at
titude of the father who has to take
his son to the circus He is a little
ashamed to admit that the tinsel and
glamor of the big tent still appeal to
him.
But from the girl with pig-tails
who frankly adores the slender,
pompadoured, pelted hero, and the
freckled youngster who whistles
shrilly when Pearl again energies
victorious from her fight with the
Silent Terror, to the sedate father
and mother who shed the flesh-en-
numbered years for the moment, the
movies" have an almost universal
appeal.
Why be conscious enough to
affect a slight contempt for the
movies? It isn't necessary to just1-
fy ones liking for them. Why net
frankly admit an admiration for the
smiling Douglas; glory in the doings
OF that perennial bad man, Bill; or
smile at the naive Marguerite?
One factor that has retarded the
betterment Of the movies, is the in-
ability Of the audience to show its
discrimination. In vaudeville the APP
plause of the audience lis measured
in daily reports to the booking
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
@Fitzie Don't Fight Clean
British Soldiers at Last Have Come
to Hate the Enemy.
(Bv Herher4 cerbav.l

British Soldiers at Last Have Come
to Hate the Enemy.
(By Herbert cerboy.)
with the British Armies in the
Field (By Mail. -" 'E's a stiff fight
ing man, Fritzie is" says the Briton.
II give i'm that. But e don't fight
clean. 'E's dirty, Fritzie is"
Perhaps hate" is not precisely the
word to use. Perhaps it is more a
slow and enduring distaste that fills
the British soldier to the very soul.
When a German hates he likes to hire
a hall and bite his whiskers and
throw foam in public. A French
man is dramatic. An American,
whether from Canada or the States,
is more volatile in temperament than
is his British neighbor. He talks more
OF his emotions and shows more of
them. Mr.. Atkins seems rather en-
barrassed by his feelings. He some
times wears an apologize smile when
he explains that he dislikes Boches.
His attitude seems to be that he lis
engaged in a very unpleasant job,
and there is no use making fuss
about IL.
The good fellow attitude Of the men
on both sides was constant during
the first two years of the war. The
first Christmas English and German
soldiers met quite openly between the
trenches and exchanged the small
gifts of bottles Of beer and chocolate
and sausage that were. in their pow
eF to give. The attitude Of the men
on both sides seemed to be that, in
asmuch as they were not responsible
for the war, there was no reason why
they should hate each other.
- British Soldiers Now Hate.
That spirit, believe, has complete
ly passed away on the British side,
because the British soldier has final
~ come to a realization of the true
nature Of his antagonist. 1t took
almost four years, packed with testi-
mony, before the somewhat slow
moving British mind brought. in a.
verdict.
Few of them, / think, believed the
stories of atrocities at the outset of
the war. That sort of thing is foreign
to the Anglo Saxon mind, and there
fore quite naturally to be disbelieved.
The use of gases was forgiven by the
soldiers as being merely particular
ly unpleasant feature Of n particular
ly unpleasant war, but the abuse of
British prisoners has never been for
given.
More recently the tricks to which
the Germans are resorting is hard
ening this growing hatred. 1t is not
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
Mr.. ARMOUR WRITES A BOOK.

J. ogden Armour has written a
book.
Mr.. Armour wasn't content to ac-
cept his fate as a rich mans son. He
probably is a more commanding
figure in the business world Of Chi
cago today, than even his famous
father, and since the war began he
has become a figure of national inn
portance-one of Uncle Sans dollar
a-year men.
His book is entitled Business
Problems of The War" and is, in
reality, a collection of his various
magazine articles written since the
war began. Many of the remedial
measures which have been adopted
by the government, were first sug-
gested by Mr.. Armour in his articles.
He was one Of the pioneer advocates
Of encouraging production, improv-
ing distribution, preventing waste in
the homes, licensing food merchants
Of all grades, and guaranteeing
prices for staple commodities.
But the nation Is familiar with all
these lines Of work now. There is
one thought in his little essay on
"Thoroughness" which makes a good
Saturday night sermon. Here it is:
The world is full of people
who never think their own
thought out to conclusion; who
never do anything quite as we'll
as they are really able to do it,
Their information is faulty, their
reasoning and planning are slip
shod and their work always
shows marks Of more or Eless
Carelessness and incompIeteness.
There is a premium in the
business world on the man who
does things well-With complete
ness and fnality. He is a man
who can be trusted with more
and more responsibility, up to
the limit Of his native capacity.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
The War For the Week

Absolute stagnation marks all the
fighting fronts, as far as any dis
patches during the last week have
disclosed.
In Flanders and along the French
front, there have been few minor
trench raids, and some artillery
dueIs, but nothing resembling an Of
fensive.
No news whatever has come from
Palestine during the week, and noth-
ing is known OF the progress Of the
British there They seem content to
push forward north Of Jerusalem just
far enough to make the city safe
from bombardment, and to defend
their present positions.
Nothing has been heard from the
Balkan army for weeks, and the
deadlock there undoubtedly con-
tinues.
The Italians took the offensive on
the lower Piave during the week, and
strengthened their positions there.
With the coming of winter in the
mountains, the invaders evidently
transferred troops to the plains, and
threatened the Italian lines near the
Adriatic. The water with which the
Italians flooded the banks of the
river, has receded, and the invaders
showed signs of making an assault
in the hope Of breaking through in
this region. The Italians anticipated
the move, and rectified their lines,
intlicting rather severe losses, it Is
claimed, and capturing a number Of
prisoners.
The submarine campaign for the
week again took a favorable turn.
After two weeks of unpleasantly
large totals, the chart shows another
deep dip in the line of losses. The
mark reached during the week is the
second lowest since the unrestricted
campaign began nearly a year ago.
The Russian Situation.
The war news still centers on the
Russian situation. An ali important
event will be the meeting of the
constituent assembly, which was
scheduled to convene yesterday. This
assembly is supposed to be the final
authority in the government of
democratic Russia. 1t is the big
elective body corresponding to the
American Congress. The Bolsheviki
do not control this assembly, but it
is Overwhelmingly radical.
A few weeks ago the hopes of the
Allies centered on the overthrow Of
the Bolshevik government by the as
sembly. 1t was felt that the Bolshe-
Wiki were ready to make any kind of
peace with Germany, and that the
only hope of keeping Russia in the
war, was the overthrow of Trotzky
and Lenine by the assembly.
1t is beginning to seem very doubt
full if this would be as desirable as
was thought two months ago. 1t is
more likely that complete anarchy
would result for another period, while
the new government was establish
ing itself.
The Only Firm Hand.
The BolsheviBi have shown the only
firm hand in Russia since the Car
was overthrow. They have ruled |
with a far greater show of strength
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19

the Langdon public schools.
"Phe best interests of the state OF
North Dakota?"
Well, The Tribune would say that
the best interests of the state Of North
Dakota are the welfare of its peo-
pie, their prosperity, progress arRi
contentment. The state Of North Da-
kota is not so much political or
geographical division as an economic
community. Simmered down, the
state of North Dakota is, just plain
folks. The best interests Of the state
are the best interests OF those people
who make their home within its
borders.
What does the small town do for
these people?
For one thing, if offers them a
convenient market; place where
they may dispose Of their products
and where they may buy necessaries
which the farm does not produce. Tt
offers society and companionship. 1t
brings closer to the farm some Of the
benefits that civilization has produc-
ed. 1t offers the farmer a safe place
in which to bank his money, and 1t
serves to accumulate and liquidate the
idle funds of the community which
may be loaned the farmer who
Service. is the one excuse for the
existence OF the small town. And
there are very few towns which do
not fulfill destiny. The small town
merchant extends credit when credit
is needed, not the big city mail order
house or department store. 1t is he
who attends to hurry up demands for
provisions, supplies or repair parts.
He is expected to tie up his money
in things the community MAY need
and that he MAY be able to dispose
of at profit.
That there is waste and
extravaganza in small town
merchandising is due principally to
the patrons who control the system.
The average customer is careless as
to his credits. When his merchant
carries him 80 to so days, or even
six months, as often is the case, that
merchant is not placed in a position
where he can pay cash or take
advantage of discounts. Therefore,
he cannot sell as cheaply as his big
city competitors who buy for cash
and sell for cash, and have fewer
accounts to be charged to profit and
loss. Country merchandising will
improve just so rapidly as the aver
age country buyer learns to place
Ills hAlhAIs OH O. DuS4AbHS s0hnAas
The country town is an absolute
necessity to the farmer.
Without its elevators, it's stores, it's
banks, it's doctors, it's hundred and
one accommodations the farmer
would suffer an isolation here in
North Dakota which no one would
like to contemplate. And the great
er the growth of the country town
and its success and prosperity the
greater the accommodation which it
can extend its farmer community;
the more money it viii have to assist
in the financing of his crops and the
building of better roads and the
extension of telephone lines and rural
routes and the Improvement Of
freight and passenger service.
Yes, North Dakota needs ali the
country towns it has. and it can use
more of them.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19

/ than the Kerensky government.
True, they have been as despotic as
the old regime, and ruthlessly sup
pressed all forces opposed to them.
The present government Is as far
from a real democracy as the old
regime. But from a strictly military
standpoint, there seems more to be
hoped for from the BolsheviN than
from any other party that has yet
appeared on the scene. The Cossacks
are too bitterly hated ard feared in
Northern Russia to form strong
government there.
Few would have been willing to
admit it two months ago, but today
the much despised Bolsheviki seem
the best bet" for the Allies, provid-
ed always they stick TO their original
peace program. They are giving the
Germans a dose of propaganda that
is causing CONSERVATION among the
Pan Germanists.
1t must be borne in mind that this
propaganda would not be effective
without the menace Of the Allies on
the west, but with the growing AL
lied strength the German soldiers are
faced with the prospect of going into
the shambles in France and F1and-
ers, after nearly four years of ex-
hausting warfare.
They have been comparatively safe
On the Russian front; they have
mingled with the Russian soldiers
and picked up some Of their ideas Of
a democratic government; and they
are in no mood to face death again
on the western front, for cause
which they are beginning to question
seriously.
Germans Desert.
One report from Petrograd, for
which the staff correspondent of The
New York World 'claims to have
verification, says that 25, 900 German
soldiers have deserted, formed an or
ganization Of their own, seized ma
chine guns, and field artillery, and
are resisting all attempts to coeree
them. In one battle they are re-
ported to have killed $50 Germans
loyal to the Kaiser.
The concern Of The army leaders is
plainly reflected in the order barring
all Socialist newspapers from the
armies.
Nor is the propaganda confined to
the armies. In three big German
cities PaR-German speakers have
been hooted and Kissed from the
platform. ..s
The continuation Of the negotia-
tons at Brest-Litovsk reflect the
anxiety of the Germans to reach some.
peace agreement with Russia. Even
the prolongation of the negotiations
is preferable to breaking off negotia-
tions and returning with the news
that there is no hope of peace with
Russia. Such an announcement
might spell disaster for the German
cause. 1t might be the spark that
would touch off revolution.
Therein lies the hope in the Rus
sian situation. The mere overthrow
Of the Bolshevik government, with
cut some more effective substitute,
would mean worse anarchy and an
end Of the propaganda.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
1.-THE FIFTY BEST POEMS.

In recent magazine number Of
The New York Evening Post, a
literary critic presumed to select the
Fifty Best Poems in America.
OF course any anthologist who
adopts such a title for his compila-
ton invites criticism, which probably
is why it was done
The writer chooses such familiar
gems as Whitman's My Captain;
Poe's, ITO Helen; Thoreau's
"Mists"; and Emerson's, Give All
To Love-.
But there are two less known
poems, the recalling of which justi-
fies the article. One is Lanier's
Ballad of Trees and the Master,
which has been given Z musical set
ting by Minnesota musician. Here
it is:
Into the woods my Master went,
Clean forspent, forspent.
Into the woods my Master came,
Forspent with love and shame
But the olives they were not blind to
Him;
The little gray leaves were kind to
Him;
The thorn tree had a mind to Him
When into the woods He came.
Out of the woods my Master went,
And He was well content,
Out of the woods my Master came,
Content with death and shame, 40
When Death and Shame would WOO
Him last,
From under the trees they drew Him
last;
Twas on a tree they slew Him-last,
When out Of the woods He came.
The other is sonnet by IIzette w.
Reese which is most timely in these
days Of sorrow. 1t follows:
when I consider Life and its few
A wisp Of fog betwixt US and the
A CAN to battle, and the battle done
Ere the last echo dies within our
ears;
A rose choked in the grass; an hour
Of fears;
The gusts that past a darkening
shore do beat;
The burst of music down an unlist-
ening street
I wonder at the idleness of tears.
Ye old, old dead, and We Of yester-
night,
and bards, and keepers Of
the sheep,
BY every cup of sorrow that you had,
Loose me from tears, and make me
see Alright,
How each hath back what once he
stayed to weep;
Homer his sight, David his little lad.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19

Broadway in the business district,
asking that / be allowed to build the
canopy, and 1t was opposed by only
one firm and they are doing bust
ness on the opposite side of the
street where 1t could do no harm or
good.
Notwithstanding all these facts,
three of them voted against the
proposition. and this after two of
them promised me personally that
they would not oppose it. other
canoDies havea been erected in this
city and they are an ornament to the
buildings as we'll as a credit to the
city. II any property holder near
me had made the slightest objection
would not have even considered
building the canopy, but as they
were in favor OF it / can see no rea-
son for the opposition from the three
men enumerated. Yours truly. Sc
w. ]. Hawk. Z
Fargo. N. D.. Jan. 10. z.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
Other Mems Views
An Editorial That May or May Not
Square With The Forums
Opinions,

The Bismarck Tribune: THE
question chosen for debate among
the high schools OF the state by the
university is: Resolved that the
patronage of mail order houses is
detrimental to the best interests of
the state of North Dakota. We
would like to know what, in your
opinion, is meant by the terms: The
best interests OF the state of North
Dakota. Also, will you give us your
idea Of what the value OF the small
town IS to the average North Dakota
community? We uphold the affirm
alive of the question, and IL YOU
could give us any points or tnforma-
ton on the question, ii viii be great
ly appreciated,
This letter comes from pupils or
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
Roosevelt's Sons For
Prohibition

From Tho outlook: It is interest
ing to record that Mr. Roosevelt, in
a recent letter to Or. Clarence True
Wilson of the national temperance
board, states that his sons have writ
ten him most strongly Gust as Gen-
eral Pershing has expressed his pub
lie opinion most strongly as to the
harm done to the men Of the army
by permitting the sale Of liquor 10
them" Mr.. Roosevelt adds that bis
sons have come to believe In. absolute
prohibition for the army In war time.
One of them has written that his eX-
pertence abroad has made q perman-
ent prohibitionist Of him.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
SEEKING ORIGINAL SOURCES.

There is a man in Fargo who reads
the Congressional Record daily.
Il haven't any right to remain I'M
Informed of what the country is do
ing at a time like this" is his ex-
planation. II read the newspapers,
al ! get my hands on and those Civ
ing both sides of the questions, but I
ike to go to the original record and
think for myself. I don't want my
opinions ready made for me-"
With that as theme, it wouldn't
be hard to compose a little Sunday
sermon on good citizenship. That's
the essence Of it.
But It also provides some food for
thought for a writer Of editorials. If
the ideal citizen is one who thinks
for himself, what is the field Of the
newspaper editor? Should he try to
appeal only to the thoughtless, the
uniformed? Or should he seek
merely to amuse his readers?
The old days Of personal journal
fsra, when half a nation accepted as
Gospel the words of a Horace Greeley
g. a Charles Dana are past. Per-
aaps it Is because there are no more
Horace Greeleys, or perhaps the
reading public is better informed, and
lees inclined to accept ready made
opinions.
Wherein lies the field of the mod
editorial Iiter then2 We ha-
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
Lentne Gags The Press

some comment in a soft, frail, drawl.
ing little voice.
"They are trying to put all Russia
in a frame-their frame he said
once, and later:
Food and peace is what the people
want. If Nicholai will come and he
will give them bread and peace they
will vote for Nfcholai."
At the moment the Bolsheviki are
the food-peace is in the
hands of the gods.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
AMERICA IMPORTS COAL.

With ships priceless, coal is being
imported from England.
True, there may not be a great
premium on return tonnage from
across the Atlantic, and it is con-
ceivable that many ships are return
ing light, but surely English coal is
needed in France and Italy.
Great Britain is the greatest coal
exporting country in the world, with
the United States now a close sec
Ond, according to some statistics just
issued by the National City bank of
New York.
When the secora greatest coal ex-
porting nation has to import coal,
because its transportation system is
unequal to the task of hauling the
supplies to the seaboard from the
great fields in Pennsylvania and
west Virginia, the extent of the
breakdown in the eountry's railroads
can be appreciated.
Don't blame the railroads. Presi-
dent Wilson himself, absolved them.
Blame the policy that has limited
their income and left them to face
constantly rising costs, and on top of
that the tremendous war demands.
With England sending us coal, and
France supplying our army with ma
chine guns, there is no cause for
boasting yet of the actual aid render
ed the Allies, aside from the financial
assistance, and the work Of the navy.
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
The Editors Mail Bag
The Canopy.

To The Editor Of The Forum:
/ have always supposed that the
city commissioners were elected by
the people to represent them, and
carry out their wishes so far as they
are able to determine same. In the
canopy case there was no chance for
a misunderstanding, for a petition
was placed in their hands signed by
every owner Of property I'm the block,
also 81 Der cent OF real estate own
efa ana men doing business on
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
Hail and Farewell

Dogs barking, dust a-whirliug.
And drumthrobs in the street
The braggart pipes are skirling
An old tune, wild and sweet.
BY tours the lads come troOping
With heads erect and high
/ watch with heart a dropping
To see the kiIties by
And one of them is CHANGING
Up TO this window, this.
His brave blue eyes are dancing
He losses me a kiss
/ send him back another,
/ fling my hand out free,
God keep YOU safely brother
Who 80 20 die for me-
The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-19
THE MATTER" WITH
NORTH DAKOTA.

What's the matter with North
Dakota9
Nothing, except six carloads
of mail order house catalogues
yearly and a carefully fostered
class bitterness, where co-opera-
ton and friendliness should
exist.