davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

If all the railroads in the country
were suddenly destroyed and had to
be rebuilt the distance between the
tracks would be at least so per cent
greater than it is.
1t is now perfectly plain to every
railroad men that the so-called stan
dard gauge is much too narrow and
the country would be hundreds of
millions of dollars better off if wild
er gauge had been adopted.
But it is too late to change now.
1t could only be done by discarding
almost all bridges and tunnels.
Even if the cost did not prohibit it,
the country could not go on doing
business while the change was being
made everywhere.
The situation with regard to the
railroads is only one out of hundreds
of cases in which not only the pres
ent but the future is absolutely tied
to the past without hope of change.
Many people who look forward to
theoretical efficiency overlook this i'm
portant fact.
In almost every line of activity
there is theoretical efficiency joint
ed out by experience, but impossible
of attainment because it is out of the
question to discard all of the exist
ing appliances that are based on ear
lier opinion.
Not long ago, for example, the ce-
ment manufacturers of the country
came to the conclusion that the STAN
dard practice of packing cement in
quarter barrel paper bags holding 95
pounds each, was a mistake.
1t was proposed to divide the bar
rel into five bags of 76 pounds each,
because tests showed that men load
ing or unloading cement bags of this
weight could do considerably more
work in day than with heavier bags,
also the lighter bags showed a far
lower percentage of bursts" So ii
was decided that change would be
gain all around.
But the change has not been made
and probably never will be. hives.
tigation showed that the cement in.
dustry, new as it is, has already be-
come fixed in its technique and ira
ditions. Cement and concrete mixers
carry their formulate in their heads
as so many bags of cement to SC
much sand, al the text books in ex-
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18
The Belington Progressive
America First Justice To All
s=, -
IS PEOPLES PAPER "A
OUR BouNDEN DUTY

This newspaper must first of all be
clean, it must be fair, it must he hon
est and without malice in its opinions
and expressions, and it must, at all
times, devote itself unfiinchingly and
fearlessly to the public service in the
interests of the masses of the people.
1t must always combat evil and in
justice.
1t must always fight for progress
and reform.
1t must never tolerate corruptions.
1t must be in sympathy with the
poor and the unfortunate.
For Belington it must always stand
with unselfish devotion, for the
achievement of the finest ideals, Of
every high purpose, of every enter
prise, of every step in the march of
progress.
1t must stand for good government,
freedom, equality, the public welfare,
civic and true patriotism and undying
love of country.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

istence use the word bag as synony-
nous with 95 pounds, and so on.
So even this comparatively simple
change which would result in much
greater efficiency, is blocked because
in the past barrel of cement was
arbitrarily divided into quarters like
flour.
We are not only dependent upon
one another, but we are all tied to
the past.
That past is proverbially beyond the
reach of change, but it helps to make
the future less changeable also. And
Just as our ancestors unthinkingly
created and fixed wrong conditions
for US, we are doing the same for
our posterity, perhaps not to the same
extent because there is undoubtedly
much more reasoning and more fore
thought in our activities today.
Probably at no time in the worlds
history was there so much thought
for the future, even the immediate
future, as there is today 1t will soon
be the work of small intelligence to
build factory or name product or
build sewer without looking ahead
at least twenty-five or thirty years.
This tnedency is sure to increase
In century or two it's results will
be great gain in the efficiency of the
world. But human beings will never
free themselves entirely from their
bondage to the past. Theoretical eff
ficiency of 100 per cent is chimera,
like squaring the circle. We may
come closer and closer to unity but
there will always remain a minute
but real distance yet to go.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18
BLESSED is THAT NATION
WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD

Rev. Skaggs of the first M. E.
Church, preached very able sermon,
last Sunday morning on Americanisn
and Patriotism, basing his remarks on
the above.
He emphasized the Importance Of
using the Bible in our schools and of
religious training of our boys ard
girls in the home, school Sunday
school Said he, 1--WE should not
teach sectarianism in our public
schools, but the love of God and coun-
| try"
He referred to the lack of religious
training in our higher institutions of
learning. He very appropriately
pointed to Germany as an example
of forgetting Cod in the public
schools. He warned US to profit from
her mistake. He hoped to see high
er standard reached in our High
school this year Practice what you
preach"
He urged his hearers to read ard
study the Constitution of the United
States, as being next to the Bible.
As this sermon was prepared for
the teachers and pupils of our City
Schools, it was very disappointing to
see so few present-only one of our
city teachers and few pupils of the
public schools being present.
1 Teachers, like preachers, must il
they expect to succeed, practice what
they teach and preach.
It very disappointing to see many
parents and practically all of the
children leave the church as soon as
Sunday School is dismissed There
must be cause for this act. 1t is
either carelessness or antipathy
Either is fatal disease.
| | am of the impression that there
ARE children in Belington who seldoG
hear the gospel preached. Parents
you will have to answer for this neg
'tlect.
Yours with the best intentions,
w. A. STREET.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18
Synopsis of Weather and Crop Con-
ditions for West Virginia for Week
Ending September 16, 1919;

The first half of the week was alb
normally warm, but unseasonally cool
weather prevailed on Thursday, Fri
day and Saturday, with light frosts
in few mountain districts on Satur-
day morning. No damage of conse-
quence resulted. The sunshine was
abundant, but the rainfall was light
and generally unimportant. Corn cut
ting is general in the agricultural dis
tricts and the crop is good to excel
lent Buckwheat is also good and
being harvested. The potato yield is
fair to poor. Apples and peaches are
generally scarce and dropping. Fall
blowing is well advanced.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18
sPANGLER'S BELLS

Editor Spangler does not claim ia
therhood of the articles which have
appeared in his sheet relative to E.
D. Koontz, yet the sort of replies
which he permits his gun men" to
make, are characteristic of the prin-
ciples of the party which he clings
to-blackmail, hypocrisy. deceit, false
hood, hate and the attributes of
each one are the predominant fea-
lures of what he terms a reply to ar
gument / do not blame him, nor his
puny warped nonetities who wilfully
close their eyes to facts, which their
abnormal bigotry and heredity of ig-
norance will not permit them to
grasp.
/. am not fearful of the Demo-
Gratis sarcasm about the "hard CIDER
as Mr.. Spangler knows this first hand
he too has probably "jabbered over
the jug" and never left any more in
the cup than |.
2. Of course the Democratic prin-
ciples are as old as the material from
which it is made, viz, Falsehood, De-
ceit, Hypocrisy, these principles will
endure in memory, but the Party will
not.
8. have no objection if Mr.. Spang-
Ter prefers to stay in the Democratic
Party. The Democratic Jackass needs
company.
4. have never stated that the
Party of promises has suffered any
loss by my leaving it. But the husks
are no dryer in the Republican Party
than / found them in the Party OF
Promises"
5. The Rum which / drank was new
er paid for with penny of Mr.
Spangler's money or that of his pin
headed gun men, nor did / ever share
any of the proceeds of his political
jack pots in Tucker County. When !
want drink ! will take it and tell
the truth about it, and will not play
the hypocrite like some of my
| friends who condemn me.
E. D. KOONTZ.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18
THE FIFTH MANS DISEASE

The Fifth Man is tainted. He is .
blight; career of blindness, paraly
sis and idiocy. The titan tasks a.
head of US and the diminished pop.
ulation with which civilization must
be salvaged and repaired deny any
further federation of prudery. Unless
the next generation is saner and
sounder than this, reconstruction will
flag Unfortunately. There won't be 50
many of US by the time autocracy Is
smashed, but the gaps shan't count,
provided we realize the full menace
of venereal disease and adopt neces-
sary measures to halt it course. :
Verbal squeameishness has too long
exiled the subject from polite CONVEX
sation Syphilis and gonorrhea are
not mentioned by proper" people.
A cowardly conspiracy of silence
abets the spread of these race-rotters
and thwarts any considerable effort
to end them.
Poltroon fathers refuse to discuss
the contagion with their sons ana
mercilessly deliver them to marrying
experience. Wives and daughters
are denied forehand knowledge, only
to learn at the cradleside and oper-
ating table of the Infamous treason
which yearly betrays an unaware
multitude to infection.
e.
the further marriage of the incurred
and acknowledgement the Puritan
ical pact to withhold defensive infor-
nation against additional asylums
against rowing pestilence.
Crimes offered to national vitality
are far heavier and deserve legal re-
staint even more than infraction of
law and order; their consequences
are sadder and deeper.
The denominations are perioulsy COR
tagious and require not only isola-
ton but registration. Every woman
has the right to know the physical
and mental fitness of the man she
is to marry and should be offorded
the opportunity to discover it. The
state owes her-owes itself-that pro-
lection.
A concealed venereal disease is
military offense; there are dozen
reasons why it should be constituted
a civil one.
Vice problems will cease to puzzle
US, health standards will he higher.
the indirect source of several chronic
troubles will be reached, if we pass
Idrastically remedial legislation.
The doctors prescription won't
cure society of the Fifth Mans Dis
ease.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18
U. S. TIRES BIG
SELLERS ABROAD
E. D. KooNTZ

American tires are keeping step in
popularity in foreign lands with
American automobiles. Last year
the United States Tire Company sent
its products to forty countries scat
tered throughout the world. The re-
moval of shipping restrictions is ex-
pected to result in adding twenty-five
or thirty countries to the list. during
the current year.
A few days ago an Iceland auto
mobile dealer paid visit to the New
York Office of the United States Tire
Company and ordered full tire equip
ment for fifty cars. He said that his
brand of tire was regarded as the
equality brand" in his country.
Turning to the southern hemis-
phere, it is noted that a recent issue
of la Nacion", the leading newspa-
per of Santiago, Chill, carried half
page article telling of the wonderful
performance of a Srripps- Booth dar
in test run Of 1889 kilometers over
the mountain roads of that country
At the conclusion of the run the
driver remarked, II must mention
that during the entire run from Con-
cepion to Coquimbo-a distance OF
ABOUT 1900 miles-we had only one
rrlncture. The tires were United
States Royal Cords and we think ii
our duty to speak of their quality"
While this approval for the popu-
lar American tire is being given ir
the Far South and distant Narth, un.
usual testimonials are given from the
tropics, here long tire life is gen.
orally regarded as impossible be-
cause of high temperatures. One
United States tire in Manila has al
ready given 16, 900 miles on a heavy
garage tire. Another went 10, zoe
miles without being taken off the
wheel. A Royal Cord gave 14,1O(
miles under most severe conditions Of
road and weather. The largest trans.
portation company in the Philippines
states that Z, 600 miles is the averag,
mileage with United States fabric
] tires.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

of West Virginia during the term Of
1875 to 1876 and was Grand High
Priest of the Grand Arch Chamber Of
West Virginia the term of 1876 to
1877.
Until i'll health incapacitated him
from so doing he attended all the
state meetings of the Masonic Lodge
and up until recent years attended all
the meetings of the local body He
has had signal honors conferred upon
him by practically everybody that he
is member Of and is thirty third
degree Mason, one of a few in the
state.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

was when big consumers got that lux
ury at to 10 cents per thousand but
now when the day is late the error is
apparent. Get ready to build Chin
'neys and flues to the chimneyless and
fueless houses or put up your hands.
You know the state commission which
puts these things over. They are
you servants, you pay their salaries.
But where, oh where do they cast
their favors?
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18
The Power of Wilson.

One dusky citizen was in uniform
The other chung to his civilian garb
and rallied against the draft.
Il amt goin," he asserted, "and
no one is goin' to make me-"
"Niggah," replied the other earn
estly, eff Mr.. Woodrow Wilson wants
you, you go! That man just took an
hour of daylight from God Almighty
Then he took the railroads away from
white folks and gave them to his SON
in-law. What chance has you got 2"
Elk.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

When a bandit sticks gun in YOUR
face just keep cool and allow him to
90 thru your clothes, no use to raise
fuss. The Gas Co. has just com
pleted putting new rubbers in their
line and they of course are not able
to pay the bill, SO the public must
come across with big increase. Time
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18
Suffering Repartee.

A man who was in the habit of
suffering, was asked why he did so.
THAT'S my p-p-eculiarity," return
ed the man. Everybody has his PIP
peculiarities.
Il have none," asserted the other.
Don't you stir you tea with your
right h-h-hand ?"
Eyes"
well, t-t-that's your p-p-peculiar-
ity. Most p-p-people use a s-s-spoon.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18
WE ALL SUFFER when the other
fellow fails to make good.

If YOU ARE REAL busy you
probably have very few worries.
THERE is JUST one way to prog
ress and that is to go forward.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

The Democratic party is holding
the government of Mexico responsible
for it's atrocities. But the hardest
thing to locate is the government just
hold and collect on John Doe docu-
ment.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

Instead of Lombardy poplars and
various sha detrees that only furnish
a retreat from the suns rays, why
not plant trees of double purpose,
fruit trees would fill the bill and many
of them would grow almost as quick
Jy
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18
\ New Form of an Old Story

A New Form of an Old Story
Old Gent. (Not in Racine.) HAS
any one here dropped roll of bills
with a rubber elastic around them ?"
Eyes, / have" cried a dozen at
once.
Old Gent.-'Well / just picked up
the elastic"
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

Nitro, the war child city of West
Virginia with facilities for housing
10000 people, with all equipments of
"a real live city is to be sold by the
Government Seems to have been
another of "Woodrow's bubbles"
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18
Time To Re In.

William" snapt the dear lady VIC
iously, didn't l hear the clock strike
two as you came in?"
"You did, my dear. 1t started to
strike ten, but stopped it to keep it
from waking you up"
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

Entered as second-class matter
June 10, 1912, at the Post Office at
Belington, w. Va, under the Act Of
March 3, 1879.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

The good will of the employed is
just as necessary and valuable as the
COOL will of the trade.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

1t has been announced that re-
duction Of per cent from the pres
ent telephone rate will go into effect
in New York City Oct. /. Why
shouldn't this effect telephone service
in West Virginia also?
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

BE INTERESTED in what your
customer is buying. The woman who
buys dimes worth of silver polish
today may purchase fifty dollars
worth Of goods tomorrow.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18


future of 1920. They say wait and see.
The peoples answer was given in 49,
Is when Woody and his "henchmen"
prayed for Democratic house. Their
prayer was answered by the honest
to God, Home and Flag vote Of this
great country.
Voter go and buy your children
shoes and remember the Democratic
party kindly as you do so.
The earnings on the investment in
the tannery business We're much
greater in 1916 and 1917 than they
were in 1914-1915. The poorest re-
suits were in 1914. Of So represen-
tatives, "a earned less than 10 per
cent in 1914, IL had earnings over
20 per cent and none had over 40
per cent. In 1917 only two Of the So
companies earned less than 10 per
cent, AZ earned over 20 per cent and
9 earned over 40 per cent. These are
not "doped" statistics. Study them
and see if these high prices are jus
titled.
The constitution of the u. S. does
not permit diplomatic or consulor
Office to accept gifts. If Woodrow
was filling such station in Paris
what about it? The Washington
Times of April IS, 1919 says:
"A carload Of European gifts to
President and Mrs. Wilson has been
received at the White house. The
shipment is in about 40 large boxes
and will not be unpacked until the
Wilson's return"
| The coffee price is hitting for the
worlds high mark, and yet Brazil,
the great coffee country, says that
there is no shortage Can anyone
figure the cause of this. No coffee
producing country has been ravaged
by war, except the war of specula-
ton. Is there no way to control the
sharks of speculation that infest the
harbors of our American homes?
Kentucky is in line for redemption,
having just sent Republican to
Congress from rock ribbed Demo-
cratic district.
Wilson's League of Nations sounds
better to call it the Plague of Ma
tions
A want ad for suggestions for a
Democratic slogan in 1920 is in or
der. The placard Wilson's wisdom
wins without war" will have to be
put in the scrap-heap.
Wilson's crowds in the West do not
spell anything, even circus draws a
crowd.
Plain unvarnished truth is never
a slur.
Sugar is of far more advantage to
the people just now than Wilson'S
sugar-coated speeches are
The world is safe for Democracy
but we are not so sure about the
Democratic Party.
Note Woodrow's specific promises
of 1912 and see how near he and his
party have come to redeeming them
1. To vigorously enforce the Grim
inal as well as the civic law against
trust officials. :.
I, 2. To enact such legislation as will
make it impossible for monopoly to
exist in the u. S.
3. To give the public substantial
relief from the high cost of living BY
"breaking up criminal commercial
conspiracies.
! Gentlemen Of the jury take the
case.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

1t dosen't make any difference what
the laws are, it isn't good sense to go
counter to public opinion.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

BE GOOD NATURED until about
ten in the morning and the rest of
the day will take care of itself.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

The Democratic party has adver-
tised for million contributors to the
1920 campaign fund 1t is doubtful
if there are so many as that.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

Strikes are said to be costing the
country $5,o0O,Ooe day or in short
each one of US about 20 cents each
day. Are they worth it?
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

1T is A good deal more important
to understand than to remember.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

We will not be responsible for the
views of our correspondents.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

Advertising Rates On Application
No charges will be made for News
and Notices of Churches, Sunday
Schools, Public Schools and Societies
Cards of Thanks free to paid-up sub
scribers only.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

From the numbers of inquiries re-
ceived for houses to rent, it would
seem time for some of our enterpris-
ing citizens who believe in Belington
to build some good houses for rent
on some of our desirable locations.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

j. Ogden Armour is given as au-
thority for the statement that all
foodstuffs will decline from now on.
He ought to know as according to
general belief the responsibility of
the rise is due to him.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

Published Every Thursday by
THOMPSON PRINTING COMPANY
Belington, w. Va.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10, 1919.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

Mr.. Lansing-the secretary of state
lat least he draws the salary
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18
GENTLE JABS

Some Democrats are gasping at a
straw pretending to have faith in the
future of 1920. They say wait and see.
The peoples answer was given in 49,
Is when Woody and his "henchmen"
prayed for Democratic house. Their
prayer was answered by the honest
to God, Home and Flag vote of this
great country
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

Last month the stills captured in
West Virginia averaged nearly one
per day. Some almost within smelling
distance of the capitol and according
to official reports the number is in
creasing instead of decreasing.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

The Virginia Legislature says
they are opposed to women suffrage
by a vote of 81 against it to 81 for
it.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

F. E. THOMPSON, Consulting Editor
e. ID. KOONTZ, News Editor
F l.. THOMPSON Foreman
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18

This is not one man country.
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1919-09-18
Bell Phone.

SUBSCRIPTION PRICE IN
ADVANCE.
First, Second and Third Zones,
One Year .................. Sl.5o
Fourth and Fifth Zones, One
Year $175
Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Zones.
One Year ........... $500