davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
/ Can't Quite Understand
(By r. It. Patten1


/ have been about sixteen years in
the newspaper business. This is not
long period and yet many things
which were obscure and confusing to
me in the early part of it, are reason
ably clear at the present time. There
are certain aspects, seemingly simple,
which I do not yet understand. The
one which most prominently comes to
my mind is the failure of the public
to make a more frequent use of our
free service. Now we Yankees early
learned that something for nothing
often proves to be decidedly nothing
for something" Caution of this kind,
however can be overdone.
Now, we have standing offer, open
to any subscriber, to publish any
Want to Buy" ad entirely without
charge. About two people a week
take advantage of this offer-why
aren't there 200? People are all the
time wanting to buy cows, horses,
other livestock, sleds, sleighs, har-
nesses, wagons, motor boats, row
boats. moving machines, cook stoves
and other household furniture, farms
ments, pocket knives, baskets. whips
a thousand and one things. About
everything of that nature can be pick
ed up secondhand at a great saving
If the fellow who wants to sell can
only be discovered.
The Independent-Repo goes to
oyer 400 families, chiefly in Somerset
County. 1t Is probably read every
week by more than 10000 people, and
there couldn't possibly be thing you
want to buy but someone among this
20, 900 would have 1t for sale.
Supposing you wanted to buy cook
stove. If you should start out and in
terview as many people as you could
in ten hours every day, you might
possibly at the end of week have
made known your want of stove to
500 people. 1t is altogether likely
that you might find a stove or two in
this way, but why go to all that fuss
and bother about it? We can tell
your story to 10000 people in one edi-
ton Of the Observation-Disclosures, and
we offer to do it for nothing. We are
only willing to make known your
Wants Tree DuI we dlt uIAiouo W, anu
we'll own up right now that it isn't
philanthropy on our part at all. A
whole lot of these want to Buy" ads
make our paper more readable. Its
a good thing for us. good thing for
you, and there is a third party who is
benefited-the fellow who wants to
sell.
We DON'T offer to publish free an
ad where you are offering something
for sale. 1t Is where you want to
BUY something that the service is
free. There are no restrictions what
ever about it except that you must be
a subscriber to the Reporter with
your subscription paid three or more
months In advance.
Now, we are willing that you
should work us" little bit about
the matter Surprising your neigh
Dor wants to buy something and he
doesn't take the paper. OFFER to let
him put the ad in in your name. We
shall never know the difference. and
II we did we shouldn't care. All we
insist upon is that the name signed to
the ad shall be that of one of our
subscribers. Do wake up on this
thing and let us have a column or
two of Want to Buy" ads for the
very next issue.
ROLAND r. PATTEN
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17

three minutes was thought to be fast,
but intelligent breeding, skill in train
ing. and the use of the bike, has been
the means of giving us the two min
ute trotter, once perdicted by some
would never be accomplished, but
colts have nearly reached the two
minute mark. A fashion for fast
horses crops out in many families,
so Mr.. Littleleld, l would very much
like to attend your fair, IL not more
than one evening. My friends that
want me to live long admonish me
not to expose myself to night air. l
have done it a life time and outlived
many who have kept in, and | think
shall break away and attend one
night. Only few in Gardiner know
me personally. J. w. Berry, Judge
Spear and Mr. Haley. | have not
met Mr.. Berry for years.
You will excuse me for writing so
lengthy a letter to a stranger.
Very respectfully,
B. f. FAIRBANKS,
Belgrade, Maine.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
EAST NEW PORTLAND

Mr.. and Mrs. c. B. Walker enter
tanned a few friends last Saturday
evening. Refreshments Of popcorn
and apples were served. Music on
the victrola was enjoyed during the
evening. Those present were MT
and Mrs. H. P. Jones, Mr.. and Mrs.
A. X. P. Edwards, Mr.. and Mrs.
l.. A. Davis and Misses Zillah and
Gertrude Davis.
The Pines school closed last Fri
day after a very successful term
taught by Miss Hildred Thompson OF
Kingfield.
Frederick and Hollis Stafford spent
the week end with their grandparents
Mr.. and Mrs. Fred Walton.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Jones entertain
ed eighteen of their friends by card
party last Saturday evening. Pop
corn and apples were served.
Master Keith Emery is having an at
tack of chicken pox.
Irving and Jennie Holbrook are con-
fined 10 the house with an attack OF
humps.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17

In a letter from B. F. Fairbanks, a
veteran of the Civil War. we are priv
ileged to publish the following article
clipped from The Gardiner Journal:
January 10, 1921.
Mr.. Littlefield,
Dear Sir.
note by the press the association
of which you are president Will hold a
three days fair In Gardiner, the latter
part OF this month. for the purpose
of promoting and financing the asso-
citation and to make improvements on
the grounds already purchased. known
as the old Merrill Trotting Park.
am glad to know that the park Is COM
ing to its own again. with improve
ments. I hope your fair will prove
a financial success and your expecta-
tions realized
Yves a resident OF West Gardiner
when Mr.. Merrill laid the track out
which was manv years ago. Those
that tried out their steeds at that time
have nearly all crossed over to the
great beyond. think OF no one else
Int myself living now-generations
end new corners have grown mp since
I was a resident of West Gardiner
and Gardiner city as we'll. have
reference to those that are interested
IN horses. am in my Sind year and
have been interested in horses since a
Young man and my brothers as well
have owned a number of stations
notably Whalebone Knox, Winthrop
Morrill, and lastly Dobson. 2.23A by
Bengen 2.06h. which now have, He
is naturally a wonderful fast racer
but is out of commission now and
won't stand preparation to race up to
his capacity, owing to a strained fore
tendon, and that Is how happen to
own him. I imbibed my first love
for horse when mere lad and lived
In Skowhegans born where now is
Fairview Trotting Park. In the
early days Of racing horses in Show
hogan q straight track Of half a mile
was used on the plains. At that time
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
NEWS OF SOMERSETS BUSY
TOWNS
&ANANGNNANNNNN
SOrTH BINGHAM AND VICINITY

Mrs. Arthur Clark returned from
Portland on. Tuesday of last week.
Mrs. Ruby Taylor was housekeeper
during her absence and little Viola
Taylor and Clifford and Raymond
Clark spent the week with their
grandparents, Mr.. and Mrs. Austin
Taylor in Athens.
Linnell McQuilkin Is at home from
the woods.
Miss Crystal Grant has returned to
Portland to resume her studies at
business college. She had bee nat
home convalescing from an opera
ton for appendicitis.
Mrs. Warren Tozier of Scion was
a visitor at James York few days
last week.
Little Raymond Clark met with a
painful accident a short time ago. He
was In the barn with his steer calves
when he slipped and fell and one
steer stepped on his leg crushing the
bone. The little Teller is getting
along as well as can be expected.
Fred Drury and Maurice McQuil-
kin finished harvesting their ice the
first of the week.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
BLACKWELL

There will be church service in the
blackwell school house at 2.15 o'clock
next Sunday afternoon. Rev. Nc
Elhiney pastor of the Madison Con-
gregational church will oficiate. A
cordial welcome is extended to all to
attend.
Mrs. w. L. Bird is entering Ken
nebec Valley Hospital in Skowhegan
This week where she will receive sur
gical treatment.
Miss Laura Thompson was a recent
visitor at the home of her aunt, Mrs
Elvira Veasey of this place.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
Jas. Lewis Co.
Boot and Shoe Dealers
Geo. l.. II. Smith
Clothing and Furnishing Gesds
Stevens g. EaMeS
Gr0cers, Madison Avenue

Somerset County affairs. Copy thus
sent require one cent postage. Where
little delay Is not Objectionable 70.
three issues of eight pages each can
be mailed In one wrapper for one
cent Other papers can be included
II desired. 80 long a. the weight does
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
BINGHAM CENTER

Herbert Carl Of North Arson spent
the week end with his brother Earl
Carl and family.
Clarence Dutton of Bingham village
has eight teams hauling pulp from
the lot here which he recently pur-
chased of Sanford Nottage to Russells
Siding. Mr.. and Mrs. Bernard
Gallant who cooked at buttons
camp were obliged to go to their
home in Bingham village on account
of illness Of their little daughter. Mr..
and Mrs. Floyd Padham are now cook
ing there.
John Savage and daughter Anna OF
Scion village spent Sunday with his
son Frank and family.
George Burton is employed for
Cony Grant hauling pulp to Russell
Siding.
Mr.. and Mrs. George Nottage OF
Scion were Sunday callers at Frank
George Gilman was a business call
er at Skowhegan one day last week.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17

The church at Detroit Is a Union
church and was built by the the unit
ed efforts of the townspeople In 1866
1t has been opened to preaching oil
any denomination; altho the Method
list society is the only organized
church since early in the history OF
the town. This church was dedicat-
ed in 1858 the money was raised by
subscription and the pews were bio
of at auction.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
MADISON CENTER

Blaine Emerson of Skowhegan was
in this place last Saturday buying
fur.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ray Tibbetts and lit
tle daughter Arlene of Athens spent
last Sunday at the home of their aunt
Miss Olive Hayden.
Corson's saw mill is very busy
Mace. He has three teams hauling
from the head of the lake.
There is no road across the lake.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17

not exceed four ounces. II INA
package exceeds four ounces and h
not more than eight ounces, tive
cents 10 the required amount This
is the regular rate for third class
matter, OF course, NO written conAmw-
nicatious can b placed tAsrsin.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
CAUTION NOTICE

whereas, my wife, Maude d. Har-
veil, has left my bed and board with
out Just cause. This is to warn and
notify all persons against harboring
/ shall pay no bills Of her contracting
after this date.
FOREST L. HARvELL.
Skowhegah. Maine. Feb. 8. 1921 avs
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
CAUTION NOTICE

Whereas, my wife, Flossie B. Turner.
has left my bed and board without just
cause This is to warn and notify
all persons against harboring her or
nav no bills of her contracting after
this date.
Skowhegan, Feb. 8. 1921.
avks LEAVITT TURNER.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
ST. ALBANS

A benefit for the Near East Relief
Fund was held at the Opera House,
Thursday evening of last week when
about 80 ladies with well filled boxes
of food were sold at auction to the
highest bidder. The amount rece1v-
ed beine S475n. A eoc'ol followed
with music and games, later all re-
paired to the banquet hall where noG
coffee was served and the contents
Of the boxes enjoyed by ALL
Mr.. and Mrs. Elwyn Mathews who
have bean spending several months
in Blandford, Mass, with their son, DR..
F. o. Mathews, returned to their home
here, Friday of last week.
Mrs. c. C. Hanson who has been
visiting in Boston returned home
Tuesday of last week.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
J. N. 81. J. Smith
Music Store
J. r. Pooler
Groceries and Meats

Make Your Paper Do Double Duty
Many of our subscribers mail the
Independent after It has
been read by every member of the
household, to some absent friend or
relative known to be interested In
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
Card of Appreciation

We wish to acknowledge our gra-
titude for the favors bestowed upon
us and the kindness shown us In the
death OF our aunt, Miss Mary e. Law
ley. The beautiful flowers from our
friends we likewise sincerely appre-
ole
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17

We take orders for receiving stamps.
dating and numbering devises of all
kinds.
Observation-Disclosures co.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
WeH Known HOrseman Recalls In
cidents of Earlier Days

In a letter from B. F. Fairbanks, a
veteran of the Civil War, we are priv
ileged to publish the following article
clipped from The Gardiner Journal;
January 10, 1921.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1921-02-17
A GUARANTEE

The wathword of the home berda reliability The fact that he
thfury everybody reliable He quality
he pronze in
AIG-Sat home-buyng hand in hand
New-York tribune., 1921-01-20

Everyone interested in
the progress of science, par
ticularly as it applies to I'M
proved business methods,
should read this booklet.
Write for
The Type,yvtt<r Plus'
New-York tribune., 1921-01-20
Husband Accuses His
Friend of Stealing Wife
Trouble That Follows Having
Fellow Employee at Dinner
Is Told in Court

Trial Of the suit of William H. Doyle
against Augustus Angel, for the al
legged alienation by Angel of the af-
fections of Mrs. Alice Doyle, of 80
Amity Street, Brooklyn, began yester-
day in the Supreme Court, Brooklyn.
Doyle and Angel are employees Of the
Quartermaster's Department of the
Army, at Bay Ridge.
Doyle charges that he brought Angel
to dinner at his home in 1912 and
that the defendant became a frequent
visitor there. On Christmas Day, 1915,
he alleges, he found Angel and Mrs.
Doyle embracing. This scene, he de-
clares, caused him to break down
physically and mentally and he was
sent to Kings County Hospital for
observation.
The charge is made that when he
left the hospital Doyle found Angel
living in his home and, despite objec-
tions, the latter stayed there three
years. Finally, the complaint says Mrs.
Doyle ordered her husband from the
house: Five months ago Mrs. DOYLE
sued for separation, but it was denied
her.
New-York tribune., 1921-01-20

partment calculated to result in Just
such practices as are complained of ~
asked Senator Walsh.
Mr.. Palmer insisted otherwise, and
thought the department ought not to
be criticised because a few agents
might have been overzealous and have
gone beyond instructions. He pointed
out that since the prohibition act went
into effect he department had 100000
lawsuits Cear to handle. In the Dis
trict of Columbia case referred to, Mr..
Palmer insisted that was matter on
which District Attorney Laskey of the
District of Columbia should be qucs-
toned, and not one on which the De-
oartment of Justice had given direc-
tions. He also denied that the Depart
ment of Justice in Washington was re-
sponsible in the Montana case.
Senator Walsh called attention to
the attack of Judge Anderson in Boston
on the Department of Justice as claw
less" Mr.. Palmer said Judge Ander-
son preferred to believe testimony Of
aliens rather than agents of the De-
partment of Justice.
New-York tribune., 1921-01-20
Hylan Names Committee
To Urge Bus Legislation
Will Present Resolution to the
Governor; Mayor Promises
5000 .Jitneys in Year

Mayor Hylan yesterday appointed the
members of the Board of Estimate as a
committee of the whole to go to Albany
soon to present resolutions to Governor
Miller asking for legislation that will
give New York City the right to oper-
ate busses. Secretary Joseph Haag, of
the board, was instructed to write the
Governor asking for an appointment.
The Mayor said that if the Legsla
ture would give the Board of Estimate
the right to purchase and operate busses
there would be five thousand up to
date, commodious, sanitary automobile
busses in operation in this city in less
than a year, with scent fare
Similar legislation was introduced at
the session of the Legislature last year
but was defeated The Board of Esti-
mate authorized an Appropriation of ST.
100000 for the purchase of municipal
busses, but we're precluded from spend
ing the money for that purpose by a
decision in the courts by the traction
companies. enjoining the city from op-
Grating busses in competition with the
transit lines.
The Board of Estimate recently passed
the resolution to petition the Governor
ana the Legislature to enact a law max
ing more definite and certain the citv's
right to appropriate money for the pur-
chase of busses and the municipal on
Grafton of same" The resolution called
for the appointment of the committee
to go to Albany.
New-York tribune., 1921-01-20
Palmer Scys Untern,yer
Attack FOlIOsued Threat
asserts La,oyer's Com mpIains Is
Not H'ith Him Personally, but
With an act af Conoress

From, The Tribune's Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, Jan. 19.-Advancing
the argument that Samuel Untermy er's
attacks on his administration as Alien
Property Custodian and Attorney Cen
eral were in pursuance to threat the
New York lawyer MADE some time ago.
Attorney General Palmer to-nieht
made a strong defense of his conduct
and said that lie courts the fullest
investigations"
Mr.. Palmer's statement, which was
issued following his return to the De {.
partment of Justice after q severe
grilling before the subcommittee Of
the Senate Judiciary Committee on
alleged illegal action in the arrest of
so-ealled political offenders, follows in
part:
"While Alien Property Custodian. /.
was my business to take over all he
enemy-owned property in this country.
This did not please Mr.. Unternyer,
who on many occasions protested
against my course and whose requests
on behalf of his clients and friends I
was repeatedly compelled to deny. On
Property Custodian in Washington,
Mr.. Untermyer concluded an inter, lew
by threat of just the sort 81 attacks
which he has made upon me since.
"He declared that he had hoped, FOR
my sake that I would act othc rw:se
in the matter then pending, 'for,' he
said, you ough. to be more careful
about opposing the wishes of men with
bitter tongues and vitriolic pens
'Mr. Untermyer's criticism of the
Alien Property Custodian's office is
chiefly a criticism OF the act of Con-
gress, under which the custodian
operated. He never approved of the
taking Of enemy property as war
measure, much less the sale of any of
it TO American citizens as authorized
by law.
"His allegation of the use Of patron
age in that Office for political purpose,
confessedly based upon rumors, is
wholly without warrant or justification
in fact. This charge has been made
before, and / filed with a committee of
Congress a list of the names of the
directors and attorneys appointed by
me, serving The corporations whose
enemy owned stock l had. taken over,
and this list showed that IS per cent
of them were Republicans.
"The fact is that during my admins
tration as Alien Property Custodian I
took over and managed with the powers
of common law trustee, under condi-
tions without precedent, the property
of more than 10000 enemy persons,
aegreeating about 100000 900 in value.
New-York tribune., 1921-01-20

This was done at cost to the govern
ment of about one-seventh Of l per
cent of the principal, record for
economical administration never ap-
preached by any trust company in the
country.
GAS to antitrust cases, everybody
knows that during the war they were
suspended. Arguments on appeals in
those cases were continued in the Su-
preme Court and in the lower courts.
All cases were held for further action
after the war. Since l came to the
Office of Attorney General we have
argued all the antitrust cases pending
in the Supreme Court and we have
continued the investigation and trial of
the cases in the lower courts, as we'll
as bringing large number of new
suits.
"How far Mr.. Untermyer is actuated
in his present attack by the recent con-
viction of his friend and former asso-
ciate member Of the New York bar
for conspiracy to violate the trading
with the enemy act, in case in which
Mr.. Untermyer very earnestly pressed
me to withhold action at the beginning
I do not know"
New-York tribune., 1921-01-20
Regarding
Present
Retail Prices

CONSUMERS
~ long ago de-
termin ed to
help bring prices
down by not buy
ing, although they
did not like to
skimp themselves.
The banks did not
like to restrict
credits; nor did the
stores like to cut
down their own
buying. But it was
necessary and we
all did it.
q
\ F Err you
"A have read this.
turn to tn e ad-
vertisements an d
you will see that
the reductions are
swe e ping. The
present break in
prices is notable.
The retail stores
are d ing their
share.
q
IF we continue to
i defer our normal
demand we shall
be. increasing un-
employment and
curtaili1lg purchas-
ing power. When
re-exerted, this
overgrown demand
will, in addition,
overtax production
and prices will ad-
vance. Buy now, if
you can.
NATIONAL
AMERICAN
5 A N K
OF NEW YORK
West doth Street
Opposite the Library
MEMBER Of the Federal Reserve Sy.teu
e'sifI sl.ooo,ooo surplu. $seo, 900
New-York tribune., 1921-01-20
Senate Will
Investigate
Palmer Raids

(contInued from first psue)
New-York tribune., 1921-01-20

Continued from first pase)
enemy act, there were fourteen dis
posed Of otherwise than by conviction,
six were convicted and twenty y-six
cases are pending.
The committee asked for the names
Of those in the penitentiaries now un-
der the draft act, espionage act and
other wartime statutes and these will
be furnished. Mr.. Palmer indicated
that in many Of the convictions sem
tences had already been served He
said that Of the persons convicted
under the espionage act 237 were i'm
prisoned and 1873 are still in Jail. Re-
ferring to pardons, he said that from
July 2, 1918, to January l5, 1921, the
President pardoned or commuted SEN
tence in 1879 cases under the espionage
act and 1870 such cases are pending in
the department. He advised the sub
committee that his predecessor, At
torney General Gregory, on February /,
1919, in letter sent to all United
States attorneys. referred to the agita-
ton for general amnesty of political
prisoners, said the department was not
in favor Of general amnesty, but di-
rected attorneys to make general
study of all the cases to determine
whether there should be clemency.
Continued Gregory Policy
II came into Office March 5, 1019,''
went on Mr.. Palmer. II found the re-
ports in pursuance Of tha. letter Just
coming in. The sentences were very
scyere in some cases. Sometimes there
were sentences Of twenty years for
violation Of the espionage act. These
were generally reduced. We continued
the policy Of Mr. Gregory, and are
continuing it TO this time"
Explaining that the ordinary process
Of initiating pardon proceedings is
through application which must be in
doraed by the district attorney and
trial judge, Mr.. Palmer said the de-
partmcnt completely broke away from
this in wartime cases, did not require
applications or the Endorsements of
district attorneys and judges, and on
it's own motion sought to learn IL elem =
cncy should be exercised
Il would say that the attitude Of the
department has been much more leni-
cnt than that Of the district attorneys
and Judges" he commented.
AZ to general amnesty, In espionage
cases, Mr. Palmer asserted that the de-
partment was doing sil that would
be done II general amnesty was pro-
claimed. He said there would have to
be an examination of each case to find
out whether there was conviction un-
dsr tho espionage act alone or under