davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-31
QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS

Q.-What was the total acreage of
land grants to the railroads by the fed
eral government?-I. NJ. c
A.-Prof. Charles Lee Raper, in his
book on Railway transportation
is authority for the statement that the
total land grants made by the govern
ment, indirectly through the states dur
ing the period 1S50-1S62 and directly
during the period 1S621S71 constituted
100000, 900 acres.
Q.-How does an automatic compare
with a revolver and pistol in regard to
velocity?-G. l. T.
A.-The war department says that an
automatic and revolver of the same
caliber have practically the same We
locity. A pistol has a little more power
because there is no escape Of gas in
shooting.
Q.-Would it be possible to administer
any or all Of the tests for immigrants to
the United States at the consulate Of
flee or the port of embarkation? Could
inspectors carry on this work without
the enactment of further immigration
laws?-J. f. w,
A.-The commissioner of immigration
says that the present laws would not
permit consular offices OF the United
States to administer tests at the port
Of embarkation, to immigrants coming
to the United States. These officers
when vising passports can tell the
immigrants that they probably will not
be admitted II they consider the i'm
migrants are undesirable, but 1t is not
possible for them to give any tests.
This would require the enactment of
another law
Q.-Is the male ostrich larger than
the female?--N. W. L.
A.-The male ostrich is somewhat
larger than the female and weighs up
ward OF 200 pounds.
O.-Where is the original copy of the
Declaration Of Independence w.
A.--The original copy of the Declara
tion Of Independence is kept in the
archives of the state department. Dur
ing the summer of 1919 this document
was on exhibition to the public for sew
eral weeks at Washington, d. c.
Own charring wood that is to be
used for posts prevent decay?-H. ".
A-Experiments conducted by the
United States forest products labora-
tory indicate that charred posts are less
durable than untreated ones,
Q.-How many congressional medals
We're awarded during and since tn !,
world war;, V. l..
A.-Up to Nov. /, 1920, there had been
IS congressional medals issued by the
war department.
Q-How can l write on paper and
have the writing disappear and reap
pCar?--K. L. V.
Aft you write on rose -colored pa
per with solution Of chloride of CO.
bait, the invisible writing will become
blue through heat and will disappear on
cooling,
(Any reader can get the answer to
any question by writing The News
Scimitar Information bureau, Frederic
j. Haskin director, Washington d. c.
This offer applies strictly TO informa.
tiOn. The bureau can not give advice
on legal medical and financial matters
II does not attempt to settle domestic
troubles, nor to undertake exhaustive
research on any subject, Write your
question plainly and briefly. Give fun
name and address and inclose two cents
In stamps for return postage. All re-
piles are sent direct to the inquirer.)
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-31
Cutting Deep.

Except in isolated instances, the
action Of the house in slashing $780,
914.192 from the sundry civil bill and
a reduction of $11.422.1S1 in the post
office bill. resulting in a total saw
ing of $4S2,S36.s73, there will be no
criticism. In fact. we are Of the
opinion that the house is doing ax-
actly what is expected Of II by the
American people.
When it is understood that the
savings represented are in only two
Of the is appropriation bills to run
the government during the next year
beginning July /, some idea may be
gained of the genuine disposition on
the part Of congress to economize.
Every dollar Of appropriation made
by congress must be raised by tax
alton, and every dollar cut from the
appropriation is a dollar saved to the
Taxpayers
1t must be remembered that the
striking and unprecedented disposi-
ton to economize is the work OF a
Republican congress. and that every
dollar taken from the appropriation
leaves a Republican administration
that much less on which to operate
during the next fiscal year.
The appropriation for flood control
on the Mississippi river, which was
reduced from $4,000 900 to s6,670, 900
in the sundry bill. represents quite a
reduction, yet the amount appropri-
ated remains the same as it was for
the year preceding. Other appropri-
atoms did not fare so well. They
were reduced to amounts much less
than those OF the preceding year.
We could not object to the reduc-
ton in the Mississippi river flood
control bill and at the same time
give unqualified approval to the
striking disposition to economic in
all other particulars. and be con-
sistent.
We are confident the reduction in
the cost OF operating the government
will bring relief to thousands Of op-
pressed taxpayers without impalring
in any degree the efficient admins
tration Of the governments affairs.
1t must be considered in this con-
nection that the estimates of
amounts needed for the conduct of
the government were submitted by
a Democratic administration for the
conduct Of the government under a
Republican administration. It would
be folly to appropriate more than the
Republicans ask for, and It is almost
certain that while the house has
made some sensational reductions, It
has been careful not to impair or
interfere with the efficiency Of the
coming administration by denying it
sufficient funds on which to operate.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-31
Beauties of Bolshevism

A new heaven and new earth
was TO be the result Of a govern
ment Of the proletariat according
to its high priests, Lenine and Trotz-
ky What that new diBpensation
has turned out to be is shown by a
dispatch from Petrograd a number
of city isborers struck for more food
and demanded a lessening OF the 10
hour working day, The soviet au
thorities refused and lo6 OF the NAL
contents were put TO death, Thus
Illustrating the beauties Of soviet
rule.
This is the Eden the working peo-
pie were to be ushered into when
the proletarians came to power. Per-
feet liberty TO work 16 hours a day
and on insufficient food at that
and shot to death II they objected.
Could the tyranny OF capitalism go
farther than the tyranny and brutal
ity Of sovetism?
Suppose such a thing had occurred
in this country, though such . sup
position, even, Is unthinkabiSy But
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-31
PRESIDENT NAMES
CHIEF OF MILITIA

WASHINGTON. Dec. H.-Col.
George c. Richards, of Oil City Pa,
has been appointed by President
Wilson as chief of the militia bureau
Of the war department.
Col. Richards, who is a Pennsyl-
yania national guard officer, and at
tached to the infantry reserve Off
GERS corps. will assume his duties to-
morrow, succeeding Maj. Gen. Jesse
Mel. Carter. who goes to a line COM
mand.
Col. Richards will have the rank
of major gen eral and be tine first ma
tional guard officer to hold this po-
sition. Appointment Of guard off
Ger who is a member of the reserve
corps to this post is provided for in
the army reorganization bill passed
AT the last session OF congress
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-31
A Great Success.

The total amount contributed
through The News Scimitar from
Nov. rs to Dec. IS, exactly 80 days,
for the Goodfellows- Santa Claus club
amounted to $14.11o,s1.
II IL 1856 less than the amount
contributed a year ago when the
country was supposed to be at the
peak Of prosperity.
The support of the Goedfellows-
Santa Claus club this year was most
gratifying. 1t exceeded our expecta-
tons. It proved that the average Of
conditions is about the same as a
year ago.
A year ago donations came in large
amounts from the few who had en-
joyed unusual prosperity. This year
the donations came in small amounts
and from almost everybody. It is an
accurate barometer of conditions In
this community. regardless of what
may be said by the carriers OF pes
simism
Nothing need be said of the work
of the Goodfellows-Sa Santa Claus club
for the benefit OF those who devoted
their time to sorting, packing and
distributing gifts among the poor,
the hungry. the unfortunate and the
fatherless children without means.
But for those who gave their money
and relied upon the club to spend 1t
judiciously, 1t may be said that the
fund was handled as a sacred trust;
that no expense was incurred-no
wages, salaries or pay OF any kind
The work was work of love and of
sacrifice. Insofar as II was posi-
BILE to ascertain, no needy person
was neglected or overlooked.
The Goodfellows-Santa Claus club
carried Joy tc the hearts of hundreds
who otherwise would have had a
cheerless Christmas. We proceeded
on the theory that every child is
entitled to visit from Santa Claus
and that every person is entitled to
a square meal on Christmas day;
that shoes and clothing and other
articles of necessity are softening
influences and the best prevention
against Bolshevism and anarchy.
We congratulate those who con-
tributed so literally and so gener-
ously. and we are doubly grateful to
those that took upon themselves the
burden of the work that consumed
their days and nights to the neglect
OF their private business, all for the
sake of carrying little sunshine and
little cheer into otherwise desolate
hearts and homes.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-31

they were passing a hollypop bush,
they heard a queer sound
whats that?" asked Neddie, and
he Struggled up closer to Uncle Wig
gily. At the same time the little boy
bear looked at the lollytop bush to
see IL any chocolate drops were fall
ing off it. But none were. I am
sorry to say.
Il don't know what that was" an
swered Uncle Wiggily. you aren't
spinning your top again, are you.
Neddie, to make any sound?"
mo, my humming top, that plays
music tunes also is in my pocket"
the boy bear answered. But isn't
that funny sound, Uncle Wiggily?"
1T certainly u.s." answered the
bunny gentleman, and the noise came
nearer and nearer, and now Uncle
Wiggily and Neddie could hear a
roaring voice saying:
I'm hungry! I'm hungry! Oh, how
hungry / ami"
Uncle Wiggily looked at Neddie
and Neddie looked at Uncle Wiggily.
I'm afraid" said the bunny gen.
tleman in his most polite voice; I'm
afraid that may be the Woozie Wolf
or the Fuzzy Fox. They're nearly
always hungry. Have you anything
to give them to eat, Neddie"
The boy bear felt in his pockets.
II only have an old piece of
licorice candy I've been chewing on"
he said. DO you s'pose a wolf or fox
would care for that?"
Hum! l hardly think so," said
Uncle Wiggily, and all the while the
voice kept coming nearer saying:
I'm hungry! I'm hungry! Oh, how
hungry / ami"
And then, all of a sudden, out
through the bushes popped the bad
old SkeeZicks. How his eyes lighted
up as he saw Uncle Wiggily.
Il think I'm hungry for rabbits
ears!" said the Skeezicks.
You wouldn't dare hurt Uncle
Wiggily if my father, the big bear
gentleman, were here" said Neddie.
please don't take Uncle Wiggily's
ears! I'll give you a piece of my lie
orice candy If you don't!"
las If / cared for licorice candyi"
howled the SkeeZicks. He was just
going to nibble Uncle Wiggily's ears
when the boy bear all of sudden,
thought of his humming top. In an
instant he had wound it up, and set
it down spinning behind the Skeez
ticks. /
buHA' WHlHcu
top.
Quickly the Skeezicks turned, be-
fore he had a chance to nibble Uncle
Wiggily's ears. The Skeezicks lis
tened a moment and then he cried:
"Oh, the bees are after me! The
buzZing bees are here and they'll
sting me on the end of my soft and
tender nose! This is no place for me!
I'll nibble Uncle Wiggily's ears some
other time!"
And then. thinking Needless top
was lot of buzzing humming bees,
away ran the Skeezicks. not hurting
the bunny gentleman at ALL
ITS a good thing you had your
top, Neddie," said Mr.. Longears. And
when they reached the three and six
cent store the bunny bought Neddie
a chocolate lollypop. So if the parlor
carpet doesn't try to climb up the
stairs to see the cake of soap slide
down the bathtub. I'll tell you next
about Uncle Wiggily and the stove
ashes.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-31
News of Memphis
10 Years Ago
DECEMBER 81, 1910.

DECEmbEH 81 lSlO'
Figures given out today for the bank
clearings of the past year were $685.. i.
O20, 561 II, an Increase Of S4S, 355, O2O96
over the clearings for 1909.
John r. Moisant, the daring American
aviator, who recently thrilled many
Memphians at the exhibition flights
made here last fall at the Tri-State
fairgrounds. fell to his death in New
Orleans at 9'55 this morning while max
ing the preliminary flight for the 1910
Micheln cup.
Preparations are being made to open
the Bolton Agricultural school tomor-
row morning. A strong faculty has
been secured and an effort will be
r,ade TO make the school one OF the
most complete in every respect In the
South.
prescott Kean, formerly connected
with the Bank of Commerce and Trust
company and the L. & n. railroad here,
has left Washingt On, d. c., for Ha-
vana. Cuba, TO assume duties connect
ed with the raising OF the battleship
Maine.
W. r. Taylor and T. NJ Parr, well :.
known merchants at Raleigh, are out
campaigning for the office Of mayor Of
that town and are waEing a hot cam
pdkgn. The election will be held Tuas-
day, Jan. 3. and great interest Is shown
IN the outcome.
Gov. VI. r. Patterson has accepted
the invitation extended him to attend
tho banquet to be given by the Mer-
chants exchange Jan, IL.
4 new record has been hung up by
the city fire department in the number
of responses to alarms during the past
year Altogether S67 runs we're made
In 1910, the majority, however were
of minor Importance.
Miss Selden Bates has returned from
.Barksdale, where she spent the week
end with relatives
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-31

Look out, Nurse Jane! Be care
full! Cover your ears!" cried Uncle
Wiggily in the hollow stump bunga-
low one morning. And. as he said
| this the bunny rabbit gentleman
caught up his tall, silk hat from the
chair, and held it over his pink,
twinkling nose.
why, whatever is the matter,
Wig.y?" asked Nurse Jane as sne
looked around and saw nothing to
cause any fright. why should |
cover my ears?"
Don't you hear that buzzing, hum
ming sound" asked Uncle Wiggily.
1T is getting founder and louder. 1t
must be whole swarm of bees out
side, trying to get in to sting us.
Cover your ears, Nurse Jane, and
hold your apron over your head"
"Nonsense!" laughed Miss Nurse
Jane Fuzzy Wuzzy. and Uncle Wig
gily looked at her in such surprise
that he forgot to twinkle his pink
nose. "Those aren't bees-that hum
ming sound isn't made by any sting
ing bees" said Nurse Jane.
who did make the noise then?'
asked Uncle Wiggilv.3
NEEDLE Stubtail, the bear boy"
ANu1 DC I1O . OuL III
front, spinning his Christmas top
and it is that top buzzing You heard.
Here, come and look at Neddie."
Uncle Wiggily peered through the
window and, surely enough, out in
front of the bungalow was the little
Stubtail chap Really. with winter
at hand, Neddie should have been
taking his long sleep with the other
bears, groundhogs and such animals.
But, somehow or other. Neddie had
come out to play with his Christmas
top.
'And it's hummer" Uncle Wig
gily;. ~ ,,,,,,o.,n
growled Neddie, when he saw Uncle
Wiggily coming out. Neddie didn't
growl because he was cross, but be-
cause that was his way of speaking.
All bears growl. My top is hum
mer!" said the boy bear.
And to think l imagined 1t was
bees" laughed the bunny uncle. Yes.
you have a very nice top, Neddle,
and the bunny gentleman looked at
the humming top, painted red, green
blue and yellow as 1t was.
Neddie kept on spinning his top,
and Uncle Wiggily taking his red,
white and blue striped rheumatism
crutch, putting on his tall. silk hat
and making sure that his pink nose
was properly twinkling. started down
the steps Of his hollow stump bunga-
low.
"Oh, please may l Gomez" asked
Neddie, quickly picking up his hum
ming top, and the string by which
he spun it.
Eyes. come along" kindly invited
Uncle Wiggily. 81 am not going any,
where special only to look for, an
adventure, but perhaps you may help
me find one"
"Oh. what fun we'll have!" cried
Neddie. He stuffed his top inside
his pocket, together with a piece of
licorice, a bit of honey cake, some
tangles of string. few marbles.
tin whistle and his knife and walk
ed along with Uncle Wiggily.
The two friends had not gone very
far before all of sudden. just as
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-31
Hair Dressing.

At a prominent woman's congress a
mere man won hearty applause by
stating that women were not made TO
cook, that that was mans province.
on top OF that comes the information
that at a hair-dressing contest in
Brighton, England, the prize was car
ried away by a man from more than
90 female competitors, This. too, all
the way from marcel waves and
bandeaux marquise to psyche knots.
Truly the feminists are having their
revenge when they are turning over
TO men what was once regarded as
exclusively woman's sphere, and
calmly taking possession OF a sphere
where men once reigned supreme.
Not always, however. During the
reign OF Louis XIV the male hair
dresser was the real ruler OF the land.
Then it was that coiffures gained
mountainous proportions, and to be-
hold Blanquerre dress the head Of
lie ro soleil' was a privilege coveted
by dukes, princes and foreign ambas-
sailors and only extended as a mark
of singular favor Blanquerre's aid
was solicited by all wishing to gain
favor with the king, He occupied the
same coveted position of power that
Louis Elevenths barber possessed.
and that could only be paralleled In
our day by the anomalous position of
John Brown. coachman Of Queen Vic
toria
In the days Of "le grande monar-
que" coiffures were the work of
hours. They lowered high in the air
and were worn for weeks without
change.
1t is related Of tax farmer, a
position of great influence in those
days, that while at the play his elab-
crate headdress so interfered with
the view Of the man behind him that
he bored a small hole through the
hair and the thick wax that kept it
in place TO see through, When the
play was finished the tax collector,
Mairvaux, said to the fellow that he
had not interfered with his pleasure
during the play, but now that 1t was
over he must restore his hair to its
original beauty or meet him on the
field OF honor. The spectator, re-
tired wooden dealer, laughingly ac-
cepted the commission and proved to
be so ingenious that the two men be-
came bosom friends and cronies the
rest Of their lives.
SO, after all, II is not so much that
man is usurping the domain Of wom-
an, but rather coming back into his
own, when he wins first prize as a
hair dresser over all women partici-
pants. One thing, however; man that
formerly monopolized his art has fled
the field, leaving 1t unreservedly to
women, for nowadays when the aver
age man has secured neat hair
trim. close shave and smooth
he thinks he has paid all the
court necessary in the temple of
beauty.
Incidentally, whether men officiate
or, not, advance fashion notes state
that ladies will wear their hair
whether donated by nature or pur-
chased for cash--very high, and that
waves and curls will be popular
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-31
Twice Told Tales
News Of Memphis
rs Years Ago
DECEMBER 81, 1895.

DECEMBER 81, 1895.
The Talkatanti circle held a very
interesting session yesterday afternoon
at the residence of Mrs. Frank Jones,
on Beale avenue, biographical sketch IS
Of French authors forming the topics
for the afternoon were an interesting
and instructive feature of the program.
The great sex against sex drama,
Sowing the Wind will make it's
initial appearance in this city tomor-
row night
The music and art reception which
viii be rendered by Miss Solari and
Mrs. Mundy to the literary. musical and
art associations Of the city tomorrow
afternoon, will be a special feature of
the New Years day festivities.
Memphians are looking forward with
great deal of pleasure to the en-
gagement OF Mr. and Mrs Sidney Drew
and their clever company at the Grand
theater next week
Mr.. A. ]. Kerfoot, a prominent rail-
way official, was married to Miss Drue
Carruthers al the residence OF III. c.
Hewitt. on Mississippi boulevard, last
evening, the Rev. G. T. Sullivan Of
fictating
MIR. Theodore F. Brown, travelling pas
senger agent for the Big -Four route.
with headquarters at Chattanooga, is
a visitor IN the city today.
Mr.. b. q. Collier left this afternoon
for Kansas City, whore he will spend
several DAVIS
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-31
Public Discussion
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To The News Scimitar:
l am inclosing my check for your
paper. On the Sunflower bank OF In
dianola, Miss, I was surprised to find
Tennessee in the Republican column
but was sure that the Republican party
would elect its candidate for presi-
dent, because it was a united majority
party; but the only explanation of the
action of Tennessee in going Repuo-
lican was and is that such papers as
erdeavored to read every public man
out of the party-that in any way vot-
ed on the measures that came before
them, contrary to the views promul- :,
gated by Euch papers: Shields and
Reed had as much right to vote &C
cording to their beliefs for or against
measures in congress that came before
them, as the majority Of the Demo :
cratic senators. l do not know what
course you pursued in relation to the
action Of the two above named SEN
ators, but almost any of us might learn
something relating to Democracy by
reading the first Inaugural address of
Thomas jefferson.
w. S. CHAPMAN.
Indianola, Miss.
The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-12-31
HOROSCOPE
sArURpAy. JANlJAey I ,o9t

SATURDAY, JANUARY I, 1921.
Although this is the first day OF the
year astrologers read this as unimpor-
tant In planetary direction. Jupiter and
Neptune rule strongly for good. while
the sun and Mars are adverse
The stars seem to indicate that 1921
will be fairly good from business point
OF view. Jupiter being in benefic as
pect.
There is a sign that seems to promise
clearer vision in all national affairs and
progress toward the settlement of many
vexing public problems.
Positive belief in the actual prog
ress Of the world toward better condi-
lions is enjoined by the seers as nee
essary to assure the best results from
efforts TO bring back peace and con-
tentment In all countries.
The outlook for the next IL months
Is on the whole most encouraging. al
though there will be labor troubles and
various other difficulties in many
states.
Astrologers predict that following in
dustrial upheavals there will be gen.
eral acceptance of cooperation between
capital and labor which will supersede
the unions.
The wise today will send good wishes
to relatives and friends on whom they
presenting them in person. Calls Will
not be lucky, while the sun has sin
lister sway.
warning is given that the rule may
be conducive to dissatisfaction with ex-
isting associations or environment and
care should be taken to cultivate an
optimistic mood today.
Interest in artistic enterprises will be
strong and will be shown in building
of memorials and the establishment OF
centers for developing musical and dra-
matte projects. !,
Education has the best possible di-
rection, teachers coming under planeta-
nv influences that make for honors and
Persons whose birthdate it is may
have rather a strenuous year, but sue
cess viii come II they keep business
affairs we'll in hand
many obstacles to overcome, but these
subjects of Capricorn usually are ex-
traordinarily clever and able 10 sue
Copyright, 1921, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.)