davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-14
FIRE DESTROYS
TWO COTTAGES;
DAMAGES Third
Loss of $1,000 Felt as Camps on
CampbelPs Island Go Up in
Blaze This Morning.
Especial Moline Service.

Two cottages and contents were
completely destroyed and a third
was partially ruined when kero-
sene stove exploded in Harmony
home on Campbell's island at 8
O'Clock this morning. The loss is
estimated at $4,000. The three
Aram Ellison of Moline.
Rankin Montgomery and Gaylord
Johnson, both of Davenport, escap-
ed cremation when they jumped
from the second story of the cot
tage in which the blaze started.
They were asleep and were not
awakened until the flames had
nearly enveloped the bed in which
they lay.
A change in the course of the
wind from the south to the west
probably saved the hundred or
more camps located on the island
near the three burning cottages
Those destroyed were the first
three north of the monument which
stands on the west side of the is
land.
There is no fire protection on the
island and an improvised fire de-
partment fought the flames. By the
time the amateur firemen get their
equipment the first two cottages
were beyond hope.
Load Outfit on Car.
The East Moline fire department
made a record run as far as the
street car bridge at WATERFOWL.
From here the fire apparatus had
to be loaded on a fiat street car to
cross the dam, as no vehicles can
cross the bridge. A truck carried
the equipment from the car line to
the scene of the fire.
The third cottage was saved by
the heroic work of Eddie Lindquist,
a youth Of IS years. Lindquist
on the roof of the burning
cottage and dashed water on the
flames.
Lose Heavily.
In the first cottage. where the
fire started. lived Mr.. and Mrs.
Chesney Smith, a bride and groom
Of two weeks. They had $1,70O
worth of goods in the cottage and
now it is a mass of debris.
The Davenport boys were the
losers of a victrola, piano, SITS |
violin and other valuables. The |
home was Ieveled to the ground. |
The second camp was vacated only !
! few days ago, but furniture be- |
longing to Mrs. Ellison was de-
,troyed. The structure, too, was
eveIed.
All valuables in the third cottage.
occupied by a group of Galesburg
urls, were saved by the volunteer
iremen. R c. Pierce. manager of
he island, commended the volun-
eer crew and the East Moline fire
highly for their efforts
md good work.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-14
BUILDING WORK
SHOWSADvANCE
In Section East Of Mississippi and
North of Ohio Rivers Great.
est Increase Noted.

A widespread resumption of
building has occurred throughout
the entire country, especially in the
section east of the Mississippi and
north of the Ohio rivers. The F.
W. Dodge company of New York
made a survey of the situation dur
ing the past two weeks and found
that for the first half of 1919 there
has been an increase of % per cent
over the average value for similar
periods of the five previous years
This increase has been achieved
despite the discouraging outlook
which faced builders at the begin
ming of this year and in the face of
considerably higher wages and
building material costs.
In expressing values for previous
years in terms of 1919 values, fig
ures on the increase Of construc-
ton costs as compiled by the Unit
ed States department of labor have
been used. These figures show
that on the average construction
costs in the first part of 1919 were
81 per cent higher than in 1914. In
1918 they were SO per cent higher
than in 1914, in 1917 they were 80
per cent higher than in 1914; in
1916 they were II per cent higher
than in 1914 In 1915 construction
costs were practically the same as
in 1914.
The figures for contracts award
ed for each Of the past six months
tell the story Of the growth Of pub
lie confidence and the increase
of building activities. Contracts
awarded in January amounted to
$50, 731 900, which was just 81 per
cent Of the average for the
same month of the preceding five
years. The February figure was
So per cent of the average for the
same month of the preceding five
years; March, 81 per cent; April,
1873 per cent; May, 1873 per cent
The total amount of contracts
awarded in June was $299 ,17S 900.
This was 154 per cent of the aver
age figure for June of the preced-
ing five years. In these COMPARE
sons all figures for the years pre-
vious to 1919 have been reduced to
1919 values.
OF the total amount Of building
started from Jan. 1, 1919, to June
L, 1919, 80 per cent was residential
and 13h per cent Industrial
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-14
SUIT AGAINST
PHONE CONCERN
is SUCCESSFUL
No Defense Is Presented When the
Case Brought by H. N. Me-
Caskrin Is Called In Court.

The telephone company lost the
first case instituted against it for
money paid under protest Of Grip
pied service today.
IN the justice court of Clarence
]. Schroeder this morning, judg-
ment was entered against the com
pany for $11.15 which H. NJ. Nc
Caskrin, attorney, paid the COM
pany under protest for his bill in
July. He charged that the service
rendered him was useless and that
he paid the money under protest.
The company was not represent
ed when the case was called. After
sufficient time had elapsed, while
counsel for the company was await
ed, the justice entered the judg-
ment
Relative to the case, Mr.. McCask-
rim issued the following statement:
RI did not receive any service for
'the month of July and cannot re-
ceive any service for the month of
August, from the Central Union
Telephone company ! paid my
telephone bill for the two months
under protest, and then sued the
company for my money back.
did this so that the company could
defend its actions in court. The
suit came up before Clarence ].
Schroeder. justice of the peace, to-
day. The telephone company did
not show up. 1t thus admitted my
claim. recovered judgment
against the Central Union Tele-
phone company for the sum of
$I1.50.
II am now waiting to see what
the telephone company is going to
do. If l am unable to recover my
money. or get any service, l am go
ing to request all patrons to join
me in securing an injunction
the Central Union Tele-
phone company, preventing the
company from collecting any
charges against patrons or sub
scribers until it gives reasonable
service. l. wish the affidavits of
telephone patrons and subscribers
who are not getting service. l ad- |
wise all telephone subscribers to |
pay their bills under protest
HARRY NJ. M'CASKRIN."
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-14
SIX WIVES ASK
FOR RETURN To
SINGLE STATUS
Clerk of Circuit Court Kept Busy
This Morning Entering Rec
Ords of Divorce Cases.

An even half-dozen divorce suits
we've filed with the clerk of the
circuit court today. And in all CT
them the wives are compliments.
Myrtle Gossage of Rock Island
says Walter Gossage neglected her
for association with another wo-
man, by name Helen. The couple
was married Dec. 10. 1906, in
Beardstown, and lived together
until April 5, 1919.
Cruelty is the charge made
against Ray Kendall by Pearl Ken
dali of Rock Island. She asks
custody of the children. They
were married March 10, 1914, in Al
bia, Iowa, and separated April 1,
1919.
Hilda Meier of Moline charges
desertion in her suit against 10 =
chin, whom she claims left her Feb.
2S, 1917. The marriage took Place
May 9, 1914.
Minnie Barton of Rock Island
charges George Barton with deser-
ton and she asks return os her
maiden Fame. The Bartons were
married Jan. %, 1908. and lived 10,
gether until Aug. 1. 1914.
Helen Cargill of Rock Island
sets forth cruelty as her grounds
for divorce from Lloyd CargiIl.
They were married March "6, 1918,
and separated April 4. 1919. She
wants her maiden name of Helen
Gardner returned to her.
Selma H. Fox charges Edgar II.
OK with cruelty They lived to-
gether from Oct. 16, 1912, to March
20. 1919.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-14
Chris Russ.

Chris Russ, aged ~, blacksmith
for many years before he became
blind is years ago, died this morn
ing, in the home of his son-in-law
and daughter. Mr.. and Mrs Gustav
A. Range, 1901 First avenue He
has lived in Rock Island practical
ly all of his life, coming here from
his birthplace in Germany when
very young He leaves four chill
dren: Henry, at home, Otto and
Bert of Rock Island and Mrs. Gus
tav A. Range, with whom he has
made his home in late years. Death
followed a long illness.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-14

All the news all the time-The
Argus.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-14

day afternoon at 3 o'clock. Men
prominent in the industrial and
civic life Of Moline and women we'll
known in social and community
circles surrounded the two caskets
as they rested in the sun parlor
of the home. Floral tributes were
beautiful and numerous. Rev. R
Wilbur Babcock of the First Bap-
fist church of Moline was in charge
of the services. Only members OF
the immediateN family and a few
close friends heard the final pray
ers at Chippiannock cemetery.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-14
THE NATIONAL PRESS CLUB.

The National Press club in Wash
ington is said to be the only press
club in the world that never gave
a benefit theatrical performance,
or sold an advertisement of any
kind, or took a gratuity of any sort
from any one who was not a mem
Der. AS a consequence it reeks
with ethics and sweats with power
ty. Its portals are choked with
the great and the near-great, but it
serves all alike with paper napkins
4 It is a great forum and natural
habitat of forensic disputation.
When it comes to argument these
scribes are almighty quick upon
the trigger. They dispute about
everything from bootleggers 20
higher Jurisprudence. And they
are we'll set up with facts. 1t is
their trade to know about every
thing and everybody. They can
tell you why Woodrow Wilson had
one trouser leg turned up when he
had his picture taken with King
George, or how many long, black
cigars Uncle Joe Cannon has burn
ed up during the last half century.
And in addition to what they tell
they literally bulge with informa-
ton they do not use. 1t has been
said, that if on a given day, they
all should put upon the wires the
sum total of their knowledge of
noted men and public affairs, that
on that day the nation would stag
ger from the impact and our dear
republic would rock upon its heels.
This does not necessarily mean
that our great men are bad, or
that the course of government is /
devious. 1t means that the vigilant |
gentlemen of the press are as trust |
worthy as they are knowing, that |
they are fair and wise and useful !
in playing up the bigger side of |
things, rather than depicting the !
mean and lesser shades.
That is why the National Press |
Rub is a mecca for the great and /
The near-great. and why all alike
are served with paper napkins. !
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-14
Moline Obituary
Charles COIburn.

Charles Colburn, resident of
Sheffield, Ill, died at o'clock last
evening in Moline hospital,
where he had been confined for
the last week, having undergone
an operation.
Mr.. Colburn, who made his home
on a farm, was born in Illinois 81
years ago. He married Miss Mag
gle Spears, who survives, with
three daughters, Mrs. Roy Brandt
and Belle Colburn, both residing
in Mineral, Ill, and Mrs. Fay
Humphreys of Sheffield; also one
brother, l.. B. Colburn of Sheffield,
and a half-brother, F. l.. Colburn
of Mineral, Ill
Remains will be taken to Shelf
field.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-14
John Nelson.

John Nelson, aged Sc years, died
at his home, 17S Fifteenth avenue,
Moline, yesterday afternoon. He
had been i'll for one week. He was
born in Sweden and came here %
years ago. He was in the employ
of Deere & Co.
Mr.. Nelson was married to Au-
gusta Carlson in 1892. Surviving
are the widow and one son Arthur,
both of Moline. Funeral services
will be held at 1 o'clock Saturday
afternoon at the home, and at 2
o'clock from the Free church.
Burial will be made in Riverside
cemetery.
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-14
HAS FULL OCTAVE OF BELLS.

London.-For the first time in
history there is a full octave Of
bells at Westminster Abbey. Here
tofore there had been only six.
The donors of the two new bells
are sisters. The bells have been
named Faith and Ruth"
Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-08-14
Obituary
Funeral of John MOrOss.

Funeral services for the late
John Moross of Alb Twenty-first
street were conducted by Rev. Dew
Brittian of the Trinity Episcopal
church at 2:30 O'Clock this after
noon in the home. Mrs. Arthur
BURIAL sang, accompanied by Miss
Ethel Jens. There were many
beautiful floral offerings from the
family and friends. Interment was
at Chippiannock cemetery. Bearers
were Ed Atkinson, F. Stengel, Will
liam Hall, Mr.. Moore, James Con-
ly and John Witt
Evening star., 1919-03-11
BOARD TO ELIMINATE
EXCESSIVE PROFITS
Secretary Redfeld Outlines the
Program of Department of
Commerce Bureau.

Excessive profits in industry will
draw the first attention of the newly
organized industrial board of the De-
partment of Commerce, Secretary Red
field said last night. Such profits as
are excessive will be cut, but the Sec
retary denied that there was any in
tention to disturb the wage level at
present. The board will begin its con-
ferences Wednesday with representa-
tives of the steel industry in the eff
fort to stabilize steel prices with the
view of helping building operations
at is hoped there will be no gem
eral lowering of wages" said the Sec
retary. adding that representatives of
several industries reported there was
no necessity for reducing wages, even
with decreased selling prices.
Evening star., 1919-03-11
Just Folks
By EDGAR A. GUEST
The Vanished Slipper Nights.

Dinners and concerts and shows,
Delirious evenings of whist;
Dances where every one goes,
Lectures too wise to resist,
Pictures we really must see,
Burdens that have to be borne!
Oh. for the glad Used to-be,
When slippers were meant to be
worn!
Oh, for the fire in the CRATE
And the joy of the old easy chair
And the nights without ever a date,
And the youngsters awaiting me
there,
oh. for the evenings of rest.
Undisturbed by a taxicab's horn.
When man needn't haste to get
dressed
And slippers were meant to be
worn.
Home once was a haven for play.
A refuge from troubles that grieve;
A place where the toiler might stay,
And not just station to leave.
And book and pipe and chair
Meant peace to the toiler for1orn,
But those were the days when a pair
OF slippers were meant to be worn.
Now l look at my slippers and pine;
Shall ever their comfort ] know?
Shall ever an evening be mine
When l shall have nowhere to go?
Shall the glad days return that are
gone.
OR is all of my yearning in vain?
Shall ] never get home and put on
Those old fashioned slippers again ?
Copyright, 1919, by Edgar A. Guest.)
Evening star., 1919-03-11
Would Rule the World.

Mr.. Robins insisted that it was the
desire OF the bolsheyists to overthrow
all the governments of the world, and
In their place set up terroristic gov
ernments similar to those in Russia.
He said he did not know of his own
knowledge bolsheyists from Russia
actually were engaged in trying TO
accomplish this purpose in the United
certain people here were, engaged in
propagating bolshevist IDEAS
The ]. w. W." he added. has been
doing it for twenty years"
turning to Ambassador Francis tes-
tirnony Last Saturday. Mr. Robins denied
that he had gone to the headquarters of
the holshevists in Petrograd, asked
about their principles and indicated his
approval Of them. He also denied that
he had ever pretended to represent the
American government in Russia Am
| bassador Francis told the committee he
had heard Mr.. Robins was spoken of in
MOSCOW as the mouthpiece of the-Amer-
tcan government and as consequence
the ambassador thought 1t wise to make
public announcement that statements
coming from sources other than the
american embassy were not authorized
| MIR. Robins submitted to the com
| mittee copies of cabiegrams which he
said passed between Ambassador
Francis and the State Department,
and kilograms and letters which he
asserted were sent him by the am
bassadcr. The witness explained that
| his purpose in offering these docu-
ments was to show that at all times
/ his relations with the ambassador
| were valued and cordial and that he
was authorized by Amba ssador Fran
cis to maintain contact with the boil
| shevists.
Members of the committee told Mr..
/ Robins that Ambassador Francis bsx
not intinated in his testimony tba,
Mr.. Robins recall had been brought
! about by anything else except the
/ regular routine business of the Red
Cross They also pointed out to him
that Ambassador Francis had been
par tlcular to say that Mr.. Robins had
| rendered valuable services in main
| tanning contact with the bolsheyiki.
Evening star., 1919-03-11
Publishes Five Newspapers.

This organization publishes at least
Eve newspapers in the English language
and nine in foreign languages, as shown
in the list given below This list COM
prises only Official papers of the organ
ization and does not take into account
the large number Of free lance papers
published in the interest of the above
organisation & !, ; .ls.s -, -
The newspapers ifsted we're: The
New Solidarity, English, weekly, Chi
cago; One Big Union. English, month
ly. Chicago; Industrial Unionist. Eng
ish. weekly, Seattle; California De-
fense Bulletin, English, weekly, San
francisco; tife Rebel Worker, Eng
lish. bi-monthIy, New York; Ia
Neuva Solidaridad. Spanish, weekly,
Chicago; GoIos Truzenta, Russian,
weekly. Chicago; Lii Nuoyo Prola-
tario. Italian, weekly, Chicago; Nya
Warden, Swedish, weekly. Chicago;
Der Industriafer, Arbiter, Jewish,
weekly, Chicago; Probuda. Bulgarian.
weekly, Chicago. and A Fels Badulas
Hungarian, weekly, Chicago.
The information furnished by Mr..
Lamar comedies to an extent with
the statements reiterated yesterday
by Raymond Robins. former head OF
the American Red Cross mission in
Russia when he again appeared be-
fore the committee, primarily to an
swer statements concerning him MADE
Saturday by David R.5Francis, Ameri-
can ambassador to RuRsfa
Evening star., 1919-03-11
To Safeguard Labor.

To enable wage-earners to profit by
falling prices while the present wages
are being maintained so that they will
not suffer loss if any reduction in
wages eventually results is the chief
purpose of the board, the Secretary
said.
Chairman George \. Peek of the
board predicted yesterday that the
work of the board toward stabiliza- =
ton will be we'll on it's way within
sixty to ninety days, adding that con-
tidence in price was the chief factor
in restoring the law of supply and
demand. 'tCheapness of price" he
said. lis not the important thing. but
confidence of the consumer that he
is getting his moneys worth at the
price paid and knowledge that it has
stability will be a long step toward
establishing industry on a peace
basis"
Evening star., 1919-03-11
HONOR MEDALS AWARDED
TO FOUR ENLISTED MEN

Awards of congressional medals of
honor to four enlisted men and one
officer for gallantry in action are
announced by the War Department.
The awards were to Capt. l. Ward
law Miles. S0Sth Infantry, Princeton,
n. J., and Corps. Sidney L. Manning.
167th Infantry. Flomaton, Ala; Jake
ALEX, 131st Infantry, Chicago; Tbom-
as A. Pope, 131st Infantry, Chicago
and Private John L. Barkley, ath In
fantry, Blairstown, Mo.
Evening star., 1919-03-11
Dismisses Drug Company Suit.

Complaints of alleged Unfair trade
practices against the United Drug
Company were dismissed yesterday
by the Federal Trade Commission,
which found that the Ligget Com
pany, which is controlled by the
United Drug Company, was not SELL
ing goods below cost In It's so-called
"cne-cent sales" and that its meth
odS of competition did not affect the
business of rival concerns.
Evening star., 1919-03-11
Conference With Steel Men.

The steel committees of the Amer
lean Iron and Steel Institute, repre-
senting the entire steel industry. will
meet with the industrial board
"Wednesday to complete plans for CO.
operating with the government in
the effort to readjust prices. Repre-
sentatives of other basic industries
Will confer later with the board.
Evening star., 1919-03-11
Assigned to Staff Chiefs Office

Col Perry l.. Miles. United States
Infantry, at Camp jackson. - =: Col.
William NJ. Conner. general stan. at
Camp Sewer, S. G.; Lieut.. Col Gsmuel
A. Gibson, f5th Infantry, at Camp
Gordon, Atlanta, Ga, and Lieut.. Col.
dorsey +. Rodney, general STAFF. at
camp Sewer, S. c., have been ordered
10 this city for duty under the chief of
Evening star., 1919-03-11
NEW SERVICE COAT FOR
NAVY OFFICERS ORDERED

Secretary Daniels has approved a
new service coat for naval officers.
1t is of the ble-breasted, rolling
collar type, somewhat similar to that
used In the British navy.
Naval officers must buy the new
coat in purchasing service uniforms
in the future. but will be allowed
until January /, 1921. to wear out the
uniform equipment of the old stvle
Evening star., 1919-03-11
Lieut.. Col. Jones Ordered Here.

Lieut.. Col. Glenn /. Jones, Medical
Corps, has been relieved from duty at
Camp Funston, Fort Riley, Kan. and
ordered to this city for duty in the
office of the surgeon general of the
Army.
Evening star., 1919-03-11
Offices Only Temporary;

Omcials of the bureau stated today
that the offfces in the old market are
only temporary and that san{tary. and
ventilation conditions have been made
as good as possible with the facilities
at hand. AS soon as possible, they
said, the Offices will be vacated and
better quarters obtained.
Evening star., 1919-03-11
Use Former Hun Wireless Station.

Liberia has advised this govern
ment that the former German wire
less station at Monrovia has been
opened with Liberian staff, for
general public service.
Evening star., 1919-03-11
Other Objectionable Conditions.

1t Is further claimed that in cold
weather the poor ventilation of the
room. added to the uncarpeted con-
crete floor of the old market has
home on sick leave for long periods.
Colds and neuralgia are caused, it is
said. by the draft coming from the
windows high up in the building and
striking the woman employees on the
head.
Ofi1ciaIs Of the bureau, it is claimed.
have large and commodious Offices on
the second floor, while the employees,
chiefly file clerks and clerical help,
are crowded into narrow quarters on
the unventilated ground floor. Fur
ther, a 1unchroom in the northeast
corner of the building is said to send
fumes of frying bacon and grease
through the whole ground floor office
while the employees are at work.
Evening star., 1919-03-11
INT From War to Road work

Secretary Lane Of the Department
Of the Interior has received from tho
War Department high explosives
largely of TINT Much of The stocl
will be used on road building projects
where blasting is difficult.
Evening star., 1919-03-11
Gen. Foote Goes to Camp Sherman

Brig. Gen. Stephen NJ Foote. at
Camp Dodge, Iowa. has been assigned
to duty at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe.
Ohio.
Evening star., 1919-03-11
EMPLOYE COMPLAINS
OF OFFICE QUARTERS
Bad Conditions for Revenue Bureau
Force in Convention Hall Mar
ket Building Alleged.

Bad ventilation, too much heat in
certain parts, leaving other parts en-
tirely unheated, and cramped Office
quarters are among. the charges made
by an employe against the present To-
cation of Offices of the internal reve-
nue. bureau in the Convention Hall
Market, 9TH and L streets.
It is claimed that thirty girls are
file cases at the northwest corner of
the building, no larger than an ordi-
nary living room, and that heat for
this room comes from a large stove
burning furnace coal, which over
heats those seated near it and leaves
those at the far end of the room un-
heated
Evening star., 1919-03-11
Col, Hall Transferred Here.

Col, Chalmers G, Hall, Signal Corps,
at Garden City. Long Island. has been
ordered to this city for duty under
the director OF air service.
Evening star., 1919-03-11
SCIENTIFIC AsTRoLoGY.

rRANK THEODORE ALLEN. DIRECTOR.
Asiraiosieai ReseareA Society: private read
forecasts. by mail. s. up. Expert vocational
adviser. lis n-w. Phone Franklin 6S22.