The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1919-01-16
DON'T WANT CHARITY
ROYAL JOHNSON SAYS FIGHTING
MAN CAN STAND ON OWN
LEGS.

NCpA CSCutdtiNo AtoyaA -. Johasoht
of the Second South Dakota congress
sional district, who Is spending a
short time at his home in Aberdeen
after serving as q lieutenant with the
American army in the world war for
the last year, is not inclined to worry
over the future of the returning
American soldiers. Why not defer
the problem concerning the future Of
the soldier who has been fighting in
Europe until he gets home and has
something to- say on the subject him
self? This is the gist OF the congress-
mans attitude In discussing what he
terms "Utopian dreams" regarding
plans for the soldiers welfare. Rep
resentative johnson holds that mas
much as the soldier, the average
American soldier, will return from
the war in better condition physically
than when he went away, and with a
more enlightened viewpoint because
Of the knowledge of the world he has
gained while abroad he can in = large
in peace time. Not that the congress-
man is inclined to discourage the ef-
forts OF organizations to locate the
soldier in some profitable position,
but he Is inclined to discourage any
attempt to ''coddle" the soldier by
handing him a good ts5 on \ silver
platter. He doesn't think the AmeI-
lean soldier is looking for anything
Of this sort, or expecting 1t. but that
all he demands is q square deal and
a chance to make good at home as he
has made good against the kaiser's
soldiers on the battle fields. This
seems to 10 the position Lieutenant
Johnson takes, judging from a number
of talks he has given since his return
to Aberdeen, including those to the
Commercial club and the Northern
Normal school, and to individuals.
Lieut.. Johnson, who took q vacation
from congress In order to serve in
the war, and who was severely wound
ed in battle. will resume his congress-
ional duties after a short stay at his
home in Aberdeen. 1t is probable his
attitude toward reconstruction legis
lation in congress will be based large
ly upon his experiences and observa-
tions while a soldier, although he is
quite reticent concerning bis views
on prospective legislation.
In a report which just has been
authorized by Secretary Baker, of the
war department, and supplied to Gov.
Norbeck South Dakota's showing on
the list states in health of men sent
to the different army camps Of the
country. On examination for veneer
cal diseases South Dakota showed on
the list which was under 11.9 men per
1000, the northwest states generally
showing the ~cleanest record along
that line. The leading states were
South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming,
Colorado, Idaho, Washington, Oregon,
Utah and California. In this list the
number Of men examined showed
SO to 11.9 per 1000. Eastern states
showed a high percentage ana espe-
cially the southeastern section along
with Oklahoma and Texas, where
venersal diseases were very prev
alent.
The national council of defense is
calling upon all state organizations
which are in line for such class OF
work to secure the cooperation Of
local boards and communities to get
public works under way this winter
to assure employment to returning
soldiers in this ordinarily slack time
CT labor. The priorities rule IN build
ing materials is off and it is believed
nat if public works which are pro-
posed for the e year are properly
managed a large amount of prepara-
tory work can be done in the winter
months, and provide employment for
returning soldiers. All local com.
munities are also urged to take up
the matter and see that the soldiers
who return to such communities are
provided with labor during the winter
months.
II recently was announced that
water in an artesian well completed a
few days ago near Sisseton is as soft
as rain water, instead of being very
harr as is the case with most artesian
| wei WdtST. lHlS CdlIS atItHIlDh W
the fact that Iroquois has one of the
best soft water artesian wells in
South Dakota. This we'll for a period
OF 30 years has provided the town
with water for fire protection and do.
nestle purposes. The water from
the Iroquois well is as soft as rain
water and frequently is used in pre-.
ference to rain water. It is a curious
fact that water in the artesian well
st Huron, is miles from %Iroquois, is
exceedingly hard.
The indications are that 1919 will
start with a clear channel for the
Missouri at Pierre. The main channel
is open for miles both up and down
stream, and the weather is not cold
enough to close 1t at present. At
Forest City enough ice formed to al
low footmen t. venture across, but
the ice is not strong enough yet to al
low crossing in N other way at
that place.
Tyndall suffered a $4,000 fire loss