davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1920-02-27
McELRQY

Martin Known has safely arrived in
Norway on an extended visit.
13bhn copeland is helping Nels
Nelson for a few days.
Mrs. VIM. McElroy and her daugh-
tet. NARROW, made Mrs. Anna Espe-
land 4 social call.
81 Valentines day was well OBJ
served here. Many beautiful and
otherwise valentines were received.
The McElroy school will commence
it's spring term March LIST, providing
it can get teacher.
On account of failing health and in
need of long rest, Raymond Berke
has resigned his position as travelling
salesman for the Swift Packing Co.
Dad Rogerson, 70 years old, has
moved back to his homestead to (bach-
it-out.)
Erland Kjelokus, uncle of Peter Sol
berg, returned the 21st after an ex-
tended visit in Minneapolis and sew
eral points in North Dakota.
Miss Pearlie Stageberg and Miss
Kaposen, teachers of Westby, made
the. formers aunt, Mrs. o. S. Rerke
a visit Saturday.
August Hultgren lost very valu-
able horse recently.
Mr.. B. F. Taylor, who has been
with his brother Seth for year, left
for Tacoma, WASH, to rejoin his
family.
The surprise party before men
toned materialized at the home of j.
M. Buchanan, Wednesday last, the
occasion being Mrs. Buchanan's BIRTH
day. The daughters, Mrs. Miller and
Mrs. Vandemark, had told their moth
err to expect them and their families,
but naturally she was much amazed
when a bunch of other neighbors
walked in at the same time. A pleas
ant afternoon was spent and an en-
joyable lunch was served. The guests
visited as long as daylight would per-
nit, then departed, wishing Mrs: Blu
chanan many happy returns of the
day.
John copeland is helping Nels Mel
SON at present.
A whist party was held at the home
of Mr.. and Mrs. Hansen last week.
Mrs. Andrew LELAND Of Outlook
stepped off the train here last We'd
neSday. She spent two days visiting
at the homes Of 0. NJ. Lutnes, ]. M.
Buchanan and H. l.. Bunsdan. She
said Mr.. LELAND had just returned
from attending the Grain Growers
coKHention at Fargo, N. D.
CS1a Storhow of Graham Hill, Sask.,
CaA.3 arrived Saturday for weeks
visit! at the copeland home. He re-
po1b3i considerable more snow at his
hon than here.
WIZ: Vandemark, with the assist
antIof Master Donald, has been put
ting, up the coal shed at the school
ho,ifet the past week.
VIM. Ragerson has finished his work
at the H. B. Foss dairy farm and has
returned to his homestead.
What do you think? There is &C.
tually resident Of the McElroy ter
tory who has in his possession one
hundred pounds of granulated sugar.
We withhold the gentleman's name
for fear the sweet-hungry population
might be tempted to rash deeds.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1920-02-27
CAMPHOR AND WITCHHAZEL
HELP WEAK EYES

Plentywood people are astonished
at the quick results produced by
simple witchhazel, camphor, hydras-
tbs, etc., as mixed in Lavoptik eye
wash. In one case of weak and near
sighted eyes few days use brought
great improvement. In another case
it stopped eye pains and innamma-
ton. We guarantee a small bottle of
Lavoptik to help ANY CASE weak,
strained or infamed eyes. Aluminium
eye cup FREE. Hudson & Crawford,
Druggists. 16-t1
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1920-02-27
FOR COMERTOWN

Mr.. Silveleine of Bowbells, N. D.,
spent part of last week here making
preparations for opening up an up
to-date shop at this place at once. We
understand lot has been purchased
from Mr.. Conner and that he will ship
his shop outfit from Bowbells, and To-
cate here permanently.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1920-02-27
MAIL ROUTE FOR COMERTOWN

Application has been made for
mail route north from Comertown to
accommodate over one hundred pat
rons. The route promises to be a
favored one and is expected to be in
operation by June LIST,
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1920-02-27
BANK FOR COMERTOWN

1t is reported that national char
ter is granted for bank at Conner
town, and that arrangements are now
under way for getting started so as
to be doing business this summer.
The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1920-02-27
LETTERS FROM
\; I. SUBSCRIBERS

CANNOT AFFORD TO
Reserve, Montana
:: -, June 26, 1920.
Producers News,
Plentywood, Mont.
Dear Sir:
Please find enclosed check for $500
which please apply to my subscrip-
ton as l fail to find the expiration
date on the label. Please make that
palmer. l think my subscription ex-
pired about August 18th. I can not
afford to be without it as it is the only
paper in the county worth reading.
From another SIG Rube.
We will stick and we will win.
iSpat on your hands, boys, and be
F s. = F. E. WILLIAMS.
BEST PAPER EVER PUB
LISHED FOR IT'S COST
'|''>'''' Dagmar, Mont.
Feb. II, 1920.
Producers News,
Hentywood, Mont.
Dear Sirs:
II am enclosing your check for a
years subscription, which is the best
paper ever published for its cost.
y ~.sp '''~ FRET FRED HENKE.
BEST PAPER IN COUNTY C,L, ,,,,,,,a
: = FOR TRUE NEWS
r Medicine Lake, Montana
$. February IA, 1920.
The Producers News,
Plentywood, Mont.
Dear Sir:
Please find enclosed check for $500
for another year of your paper, as l
can not go without it. It's the best
paper in the county for true news.
Hoop it up. Wishing you success,
remain,
= Yours very respectfully,
. ALFRED NORM.
DRIVES THE NAIL STRAIGHT
!, AND HITS 1T ON THE HEAD
:. Battleson, Mont.
=. Feb. z, 1920.
The Producers News,
Flentywood, Montana
Dear Sir:
Please find $500 for which put me
on your list before February Is, 1920.
Will say the Producers News drives
the nail straight and hits it on the
head all the time.
Hoping you will continue to pros
per in the welfare of the farmer, l
am,
Sincerely,
B. w. BATTLESON,
The Washington herald., 1920-05-24
SEEING EUROPE. g."

Leave America with. say. about
$500. Change it into 100 pounds,
present exchange, in London. Cross
to France and exchange into silver
coin q pound equals AZ francs),
and you have 1900 French francs.
Smuggle these coins into Swift
zerland. Here they attain twice
the value they had in France, ow-
ing to the fact that the silver
French franc is normal in Switzer-
land. but the paper French franc
is worth but half it's face value in
exchange. Change the silver francs
into Italian paper lire. then pass
on into Italy and cash into Italian
silver.
You now have 21.OsO Italian sill
yer lire. Take these back into
Switzerland and you have $1,000
Swiss francs. Now purchase French
paper money and you will receive
for it $4,000 French francs. Return
to France. there buy English notes
and proceed to London with 1000
pounds instead of 100 pounds you
set out with.
Change there into American
money at present exchange and
you have about $500 instead of
about $500 you possessed at the be-
ginning of the journey. This profit
of $500 should be enough to pay
your expenses for the trip.
OF course, you have to do a bit
of smuggling. but that should add
TO the novelty and interest of the
trip.
The Washington herald., 1920-05-24
THE wAsz1rercH xxnALp VIII NOT
ABLE TiN NAHoikL kpvEIfIsIHe.
FOREIGN SECURITIES
HELD IN FRANCE

Income tax returns have permit.
ted the French Treasury to give
the following figures as to foreign
securities held in France in 1919:
Foreign government securities on
which income taxes were paid
reached a total OF 20 billion francs.
This figure does not include foreign
securities OF States which have sus-
pended payment of interest. The
par value of securities Of the latter
character is Is billion francs.
Securities on which the registra-
tion stamp tax was fully paid at
the date OF emission reached a to-
tai of I2 billion francs of which
7 billion francs are in stocks and
5 billion francs in bonds. Securi-
ties which paid their registration
stamp tax from time to time as
they were sold, with the exception
of state bonds, are valued at Z
billion francs. The total value of
foreign securities of all kinds own
ed in France is therefore 80 billion
francs. Because of the exchange
situation this figure must however
be reduced by IS per cent to give
the market value of the securities.
b In 1913. the total value of for
eign securities, including Russian
bonds. was 43 billion francs.
The Washington herald., 1920-05-24

past week, however, put the franc
rate up 10 centimes above the level
it finally steadied on, an advance
from the close of the week before
of francs 10 per dollar. Marks
rose from 2.05 cents to 235 cents
What has happened therefore, and
what is likely to happen again is
that francs improve rapidly on news
of indemnity payment and that
marks improve rapidly on news of
a limit of payment. The business
conference now IN session at Paris
is yet to be heard from; the Ger
man and allied governments are to
get together at Spa. and the league
of nations council is to meet shortly
thereafter at Brussels. On the basis
of what occurred in the market This
week it seems sure to venture the
guess that the outcome of each of
these parleys If ever 50 slightly in
the direction of a working treaty
of peace, will bring sharp rallies in
the European exchanges.
Observation of the sources of
trading during the fluctuations of
this week bear out such predic-
tiOn. With the first evidence of an
upward trend the buying came in
from all sides and at times was of
an almost hysteriCal nature indica-
tive of short covering. At the same
time there was enough selling from
those houses disposed to carry
short lines to feed the advance.
When the limit of buying was
1eached there were liberal offerings
all the way. down en- the reaction.
The Washington herald., 1920-05-24
BANK OF SPAIN.

The Bank OF Spain very wisely
took advantage OF the internA-
tional disturbances to NIL its safes
with gold. Prior to 1914. the ma
tional bank had issued l.se5.O6T. 900
pesetas in paper against a reserve
in gold of 666.Iss.OO0 pesetas and
701.000,0o0 pesetRs in silver. Today
the paper circulation has increased
to 3.sS9.S7S. 900 pesetas. but it's
guarantee alone in gold figures
2.50s.4s5.O00 pesetas. That is to say
that in 1912 the guarantee in gold
represented about IS per cent
against 60 per cent in February.
1920. This prosperous condition
has enabled the country to buy in
most of its remaining foreign bonds
(called "eXterior"D that were still
in the hands of foreign countries,
particularly France The latter
gave about 100. 200. .0eO pesetas OF
these securities TO the United
States as pledge for a loan during
the war OF the 1.045. 600 900 pese-
tas that Spain owed foreign cdun-
tries prior to the war. up TO last
February only SOC. 600. 900 pesetas
remained unpaid. the balance hav-
ing been brought back into the
country.
In 1919 the principal countries
holding these government bonds
were:
The Washington herald., 1920-05-24
CANADA'S POSITION.

In normal times Canada settled
its bills in the United States. with
whom its visible trade balance was
invariably adverse. by transferring
funds to New York from London,
where it was always Il heavier seller
than buyer. By this means, chiefly,
there was possible very little fiuc-
tuatIon in exchange rates between
this country and Canada. Today,
however. the question of settling
its bills in this country Is not so
simple of solution. The adverse
balance of trade with the United
States is greater than in pre-war
years and though Canada's credits
in London are more than sufficient
to offset it's bills here, the low
value of sterling in this market ana
the scarcity of gold in London rem
der the old process of transferring
its London credits to New York An
Improbable IL not an impossible
procedure. 1t has become prhctI-
cally a necessity, therefore, that
Canada's adverse balance with the
United States be worked off by
more direct means.
The Washington herald., 1920-05-24
France Faces Burdenson1e Task
OtRen1edying E xtreme Initiation

In France, paper circulation takes
the form of notes issued by the
Bank of France (BilIets de la
Banque de Franco. The Bank of
France Is private institution as
to capital and management but is
under the supervision of the gov
ernment which appoints its gov
ernor and two deputy governors.
However. Is directors. called re
gents" and 3 comptrollers. called
"censeurs." are elected by the 200
largest shareholders at a general
meeting.
The Bank of France was estab-
lished in 1900 by Napoleon to fa-
cilttate commercial relations by
discounting and cashing bills OF
exchange as well as by opening
current accounts. 1t is the only
institution endowed with the right
to issue notes that are accepted as
legal tender on French territory.
This issuing privilege was granted
the bank by virtue of its statute
and of agreements concluded be-
tween it and the government
which secure for the government
t''N liB duN
l. The bank pays tax of per
cent on the circulation of its notes.
?. The bank offers the services of
its 5S4 branches or agencies with
out charge in all operations con-
neCted with the French treasury
payment of treasury arrears and
interest on bonds. cashing drafts
issuing government bonds or loans
supplying bullion. etc.).
3. The bank credits the govern
ment with three-duarters of its
profit on the discount of CONNER
cial paper, when the rate of dis
count exceeds 5 per cent!
4. The bank credits the govern.
ment with the value of non-paid
notes a certain length of time af.
ter that type of note has beer
withdrawn from circulation. Then
the government assumes charge of
repaying the old notes.
5. The bank makes advances to
the government on terms that arc
agreed upon with the bank and
that are then passed by a law OF
Parliament.
In return for these ADVANTAGES
the government gives the bank its
support under critical circum.
stances. In addition. a law can be
passed by Parliament by virtue Of
which acceptance of the notes OF
the bank is inforced as legal ten
der although the right to demand
gold for such notes is suspended
This situation is what ia called
In France "cours' force" ',conrs
The Washington herald., 1920-05-24
s NATIONAL MARKETS
Belgium, Devastated By War, ShoDs
Recovery In Its Commerce and Industry

to obtain. The finding Of fiax IL
the hardest problem. and .althoush
the Belgian fax fields, are practi-
cally as extensive as before the
war, their output 10 Insufficient. Pc
Port .ef Antwerp.
The increase in the number and
tonnage of ships entering the mort
OF Antwerp reflects rapid progress
in the resumption of normal bu.i-
ness activity in Belgium.
In 1913. the tonnage entering
Antwerp was 14.146,SIO tons. In
1918, the total was 5,3O0,S7S: the
number of ships in December was
456, with aggregate tonnage OF 636,-
S4S, as compared with ninety Ave
ships and 16t,333 tons in January.
In the current year the entering
ships and tonnage have shown
further gratifying increases in Tho
totals. For the frst three month.
the figures are as follows:
! Ships Tonnage
January ......... $40 7l57D4
FeDruary ........ 6l3 6gS 2b6
March .,.......... 69l S3S.2S7
Antwerp, which before the war
was second only to Hamburg among
continental ports and through
which passed about IS per cent, of
Belgium's a-borne. commerce. in
the natural gateway OF commerce
for a large part of Western and Gem
trail Europe. including Luxembourg,
Alsace Lorraine. Northern and East
ern France. Switzerland, Southern
Germany. Austria, and even North
ern Italy. Its position ID largely
due to its communication with the
interior. A network OF nearly 1850
miles Of canals or natural water
ways. together with the exception
ally dense railway system of Bel
GUM. give 1t important communI-
cations with the interior.
greatly enlarged traffic through
the port of Antwerp Is contem-
plated in planning improvements
in the port facilities. Projected
works will double the capacity of
the port. which is already capable
of handling 10000 900 tons or more
of commerce annually.
Similar improvements arc under
way or projected for the other Bel
gian ports. Client seems destined to
become first class port In cOnnec-
tion with the commerce in cotton
and finished textile products.
Congo.
The Congo. Belgiums important
colonial possession. has an area so
times the size OF Belgium and about
one-third that of the United States
The Congo is a vast storehouse Of
future wealth for Belgium. Belgium
has received a mandate over the
northwest portion of what was for
merly German East Africa This
will be an important addition to the
Belgian colonial possessions
The Congo is rich in a great
variety of natural resources The
katanga region contains probably
one of the richest deposits of copper
in the world. In the same region
The Washington herald., 1920-05-24
Foreign E xchange Situation
Has Reached Interesting Stage

Last weeks trading in the Euro
pean exchanges illustrated nothing
so we'll as the ihusory character of
selling prices of foreign money un-
der the existing abnormal condi-
tions. The announcement on Mon
day that the payment by France of
her debt to Great Britain would be
made contingent upon the receipt of
Indemnity payments from Germany
started an upward movement in
French exchange which eliminated
in the high price of early wednes-
day when francs sold at 1853 cents
or at a rate of 1910 francs to the
dollar. The reported fixing of a
maximum indemnity sum at the
Hythe conference brought a sus-
tanned upward movement to marks
later in the week, 2.4S cents being
touched on Thursday with talk of
further advances heard everywhere.
Following the high-watsr quota
tipns- OF Wednesday morning francs
sold on badly and the opening quo
tatton on Thursday was down to
fore; Z cents or 1923 francs to the
dollar. Lire moved in sympathy
with francs advancing from 2O.40 to
1910, then receding to 1890. Both
francs and lire were steady in the
latter part of the week at levels
substantially above the closing of
the week before.
Just what seems to have tran
spired in Europe to effect this bet
terment in the Latin exchanges was
summed up by one exchange dealer
in the words: 1T is apparent that
England has become tired of
Frances unwillingness to improve
her condition from within. ana has
insisted upon a restatement of the
treaty terms to the benefit of all.
The talk last week was of an in
demnity from Germany of 100000
100000 gold marks. or this France
is supposed to receive 55 per cent or
sum equivalent to S1,4OO, 900
francs. The payment will probably
be extended over thirty years, but
with or without interest has not
been said. Even if this estimate
should prove to be correct the i'm
scarcely met. Against a calculated
expenditure, of more than over So
OOO.000,00O francs for the year the
budget of NJ. Marcel, minister of
f1i.ance. provides a revenue from
taxation of between 1900, ,0O00OO
and 10000, 100000 francs. Against
a possible indemnity payment from
Germany Of some 10000. .000. 900, the
French national debt, internal and
external, consolidated and floating,
! Is about 250.000,0o0, ,OO0S In 1914 the
debt was $1,000. 100000. Against a
denet for the year of more than
SO,OOO.oeO,QO0 France can hardly ex-
pect TO obtain in immediate ypay-
ment from Germany az much a.
2,oo0. 100000 francs. = =
Talk of indemnities during. the
The Washington herald., 1920-05-24
BANK DEPOSITS
SHOWDECREASE
Federal Reserve Statement
Displays Falling Of in
Deposits.
WAR PAPER REDUCED
Other Discounts and Ae,
ceptances, However, Are
Materially Increased. :.
WAR PAPER REDUCED

Net liquidation in some volume Of
loans secured by Government Wal
obligations, as against smaller In
creases in the holdings OF other dis,
counts and Of bills purchAsed ir
open market. is Indicated In ths
Federal Reserve Boards weekly
bank statement. Government sno
reserve deposits show commensurate
reductions: Federal Reserve note
circulation increased by about w.
900 600, while the banks cash re-
serves show a gain OF slightly over
tl.0OO.Ooo. In cOhseQuence Of thosc
changes the banks reserve ratio
shows a rise for the week from 81;
10 42.7 per cent.
Holdings of paper. secured by u
s. war obligations (so-called WsI
paperD. declined 6l.4 millions other
discounts increased lO.5 millions, ape
acceptances on hand, al millions
Treasury certificate holdings show
reduction OF ~ millions and total
earning assets q reduction Of as
millions. OF the total war paper
holdings OF 1897 millions. 66s.1
millions. or I6.3 per cent. were Sc
cured by Liberty bonds: 274.3 mil
lions, or l9 per cent. by Victory
notes. ana 5O2.7 millions or 54.7 per
cent. by Treasury certificates. al
against 47.s. ls.s. and 33.S per cent
OF a total Of l.bOs.l millions OF war
paper held the week before. Totz
discounts held by the Boston. New
York and Cleveland banks inclUds
1861 millions OF paper discounted
for seven Southern and Westerr
banks. while acceptRnces held by TIE
New York. Cleveland a nd San Fran-
cisco banks comprise 81 millions of
bills purchased from three Reserve
banks. as against lis millions,
shown the week before
Government deposits declined Ist
millions. members reserve deposits
40.5 millions. while other deposits
including foreign government cred
it's and non-member banks clearing
accounts. Increased 80 millions. The
q float carried by the Reserve banks
and treated as a deduction from
gross deposits shows slight de-
crease. with the consequence tina
calculated net deposits are about
5000 O06 less than a week earlier.
The hanks combined liabilities on
Federal Reserve hank notes in cir
CulatiCn increased O.6 million. while
the banks gold holdings Increased
about t5O0.00O.
A further gain Of tGTs. 900 in paid
in capital il due to payment for
Federal Reserve hank stock follow
ing admission Of new member banks
and increases OF capital and surplus
! by existing member hanks. mainIy
in the Boston, New York and Chi
cEgo diet-icts.
The Washington herald., 1920-05-24
Trade Balance With Holland
And France Already Run
ming Heavily on Credit
Side-Rapid Strides Be-
ing Made With Other
Countries.

are extensive deposits OF tin. iron
and known deposits of the worlds
output of diamonds. During the
war important additions were made
to the railroads and other means Of
communication and the country has
now 1900 miles OF railway in op-
Grafton and s.400 miles of nayigable
waterways. OF which 5000 has al
ready afforded regular steamer
service.
The trade of the Congo has made
rapid strides during the war. The
chief exports are palm kernels,
palm oil. copal, rubber, coffee. coal,
diamonds, ivory and copper.
1t has been demonstrated that
the Congo can produce cotton OF a
high grade. steps have been taken
to extend greatly the cultivation of
cotton in the colony and II Is eK-
pected that in a short time II will
be supplying in large part the raw
material for the great textile in
dustry OF Belgium.
With this vast region now ripe
for further development, Belgium
will find IN her colony a valuable
aid to the industrial and CONNER
cial development of the country.
Belgian Workers.
Fhe recovery of Belgian indus
tries is indicated by the number of
people employed in mining, metal
Industries. and Quarries. In Decem-
Der, 1919, 20l.64S workmen were en-
ployed. as compared with 230.53s In
December. 1918. A list of 3.6s2
other enterprises showed 2S9,172
workmen employed. in December,
1919. as compared with 4l2,4e2 in
December. 1913. 1t 10 estimated that
&c per cent as many peOpleswere
employed in December. 1919, as in
December, 1913.
One Of the greatest factors in the
steady progress Of Belgian indus
tries is the attitude of the native
la borers. who have been eXtraordi-
nRrily loyal in the face OF trying cir
CumstRnces. At the time Of the
armistice hundreds of thousands s
were out of work. but with few eX-
ceptions, they refused tempting Of
fers from other countries. preferring
to remain. some in starving condi-
tiOn. in their native land until their
old factories had been restored
Since these factories have resumed
operation the laborers have been
hard at work There have been some
strikes, but these were based solely
on wage complaints and were not
the result of radical or BolshevistiC
movements