davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07
WHY THEY JOINED.

1t is little wonder that many red
blooded, patriotic young men were in
veigled into joining the Ku klux Kan.
Young America likes mystery and eX-
element and spirited sensations. The
khan made a cornerstone of American
ism, or rather feigned Americanism.
which led many to believe that it was
a wonderful organization. Then the
appearance of robed figures in white.
with a pillow slip with eyeholes in it
for Il mask, created desire among the
adventuresomc youths to become one
of the stately hOrsemen that Travelled
about at night restraining people who
needed it.
Moreover, there was a fine salary
attached to workers vino secured new
members and the grand wizards, grand
COLLINS, grand kleagles, wizardlets
goblinets and klcaglets might hope to
reach higher stations, where fine sal
aries were attached. I.1;
All this appealed to certain type
of young men and when thetmallrstic'
swing of the masked paraderS was
seen coming down the street or country
road there was an Irresistible desire to
be one of them. Now. however, that the
mask has been torn off and the sordid
motives of the organizers fully reveal
ed, selfrrespecting young men are hes
itating about Joining and many OF those
already members are withdrawing from ron
the organization, ''The Invincible EN-
pire" is lettering under the glare OF
pitiless publicity and it will be only
a matter of time until the l[n Klnx
Khan dies an ignominious death as its
predecessor did fifty years ago when
President Grant handled it without
gloves.
No organization that seeks to take
thc law into it's own hands, disregard
ing legal procedure, can he allowed 10
flourish in this country. 1t is an out
law organization and cannot be tolcrat-
ed
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

other place. Our informant says that
the case is typical. He has been at
Omaha number of times seeking
men to drive teams on the highway at
30 cents an hour. AT one of the en-
ployment agencies he has encountered
as many as 500 unemployed men osten-
sibly trying to get work. But only once
in while has he been able to find
men who really wanted work. They
have trumpcd up one excuse or an
other and almost universally declined
the offer of jobs. This has been the
case week after week, with the moving
stream of unemployed, scarcely ever
there being a man who would go on
the job and stay there. They sheer at
the offer of 81 cents an hour and in
instances where more has been paid
they have not stayed" !.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07
ONE WAY TO DO 1T.

A United States senator, recently
writing to a constituent, anent the eX
cess profits tax difficulties, said
Before the senate committee the
other day was witness who Is coal
operator. He told of the profits of his
company. They paid enormous divl-
dends-a million dollars excess profits
tax. Do you think if we repealed the
excess profits tax and they saved this
million dollars that they would be loan
ing the money to farmers"
The coal industry is an exception to
the general run of industries. C"2) op-
orators have control of product that
the people must have and being in Il
trust or combination or having special
agreements can demand such toll as
they see fit unless the government in
terferes. In such special industries as
coal the government should have spe-
cial methods of taxation. One way to
deal with this problem that would be
effective is as follows:
Let, the government determine just
what is a. fair price. for coal at the
mouth of the, mine, granting Il liberal
profit, one that would take care. of all
overhead and provide sinking fund
for renewal and up-keep Of improve
ments. If such a fair, value OF coal
were fixed at So per ton at the mine.
the government could tax the coal in
the amount for which it was sold in eX-
cess of such fair price. Under such a
plan the coal would be sold at the fair
price and the consumer would get, the
benefit. The, government, of course,
would lose. the excess profits tax. but
the money would be in the pockets of
the people and other industries would
be in better position to pay their taxes,
which would be increased in many in
stances because of the reduced cost of
production owing to fair coal prices.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07
Governors of northwestern sta

Governors of northwestern states
seem to nave been much like many
other folks when they get together to
talk about public matters. They gave
OUT little or nothing as to what they
might themselves do for the public
betterment; but they were free with
their advice to congress. This is not a
gibe. but merely statement of fact
Iowa Forum.
This is fair question. There are
some things that the states can do to
relieve the situation. Gov. Kendall
recognized this fact when he started
after the cement trust and he might
also do something by getting after the
coal trust.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

The Hearst publications condemn
Elihu Root as delegate to the limita-
tiens conference on the ground that
Root is preferable to Lloyd George to
either Senator Boral or the late Sena-
tor Knox. those publications insisting
that Lloyd George expressed himself in
the matter some time before the death
of Senator Knox. The people Of this
country generally, we believe, will APP
prove the selection of Mr.. Root in pref
erence to the selection of the other
gentlemen named. Mr.. Root is broad
enough to see clearly, which cannot
he said of Senator BC"ah. although BOr-
all is n big man and useful man if
not given too much power. Senator
Knox was too much of a partisan pol
itician to fill the position rs 1t should
he filled. Notwithstanding the endorse
ment of Lloyd George the country gen
orally is standing by the selections
made of representatives at the confer
cncc by President Harding.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

Now that cold weather is coming on
it is we'll to remind people again and
again not to use Kerosene oil from an
oil can in starting fire. Many dis
tressing accidents happen from using
oil as fire starters each winter. Why
not stop the practice and save many
precious and valuable lives? If you
must use kerosene pour it out into the
cup before applying it to kindling and
then be sure there is no smouldcrlng
fire in the stove which is liable to
generate gas and produce an explosion.
A little oil poured on blazing fire
from an open cup can'do no harm, but
when oil is applied from an oil can
the baze is liable to follow the Oil
info the can with serious results.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07
state ought to give him Il legislature
that will work With him.

The people of some of the big cities
arc having hard times trying to pre-
vent their public parks being turned
into garages. Just now Washington
is being agtated by car owners who
want to use the parks for storage pur-
poses. 1t is pointed out that fine
little garages would be built and that
they would he concealed by the shrub
berry. Car owners say nothing of the
fumes of gas, the squeaking of brakes
and the chugSing of engins that would
turn the parks into anything but places
II real rest and recreation. The people
of the big cities must see to it that
their parks are preserved for the pub
lie.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07
ONLY A THEORY.

The favOrite theory Of, free traders
that we, cannot sell in a country I'M
less we buy there. is being smashed
10y the record every day.. A study OF
cur imports and exports reveals the
fact that there is no friendship i'll
trade. Some countries buy much more
of us than we sell to them, while Others
sell to lis much more than we buy OF
them. Trade follows the most advail-
|tagcous routes We buy where we can
do the best and sell where we can get
most satisfactory prices. When an
American manufactures is looking for
a market for his wares he doesn't care
a continental how mnch or how little
the American consumci. RAY buy in
the market he is trying to capture
Nor does the foreign purchaser care
how much the seller may buy in his
country if he is getting his goods at
la bargain.
In confirmation of this, principle the
Trade Record of the National City
Eank of New York said in recent
issue:
Exports Of the United States to
Mexico continue to show remarkable
increases despite the reduction in our
imports from that country. The value
of our exports TO Mexico shows an in
crease of 53 per cent in the eight
months of 1921, for which we now have
figures, rs compared with the CORE
spending months of last year. while the
value Of the imports from Mexico show
4 decline of 81 per cent in the same
pcriod. Even in the latest month. Aug
ust. in which the general export trade
shows Il heavy fall. the total value or
exports to Mexico shows Il slight i'll
crease over August of last year, al
though the value of the imports from
Mexico for the month is less than one
third that of August of last year.
Even this big gain in total values
Of our sales TO Mexico does not repre-
sent the actual Increases in quantities
OF merchandise sent her. since in most
cases the prices per unit OF quantity
are so much less than Il year ago that
the quantity figures show even larger
gains than those of total values. In
cotton cloths alone, the value doubles
but the quantity quardruplcs. the value
o: the cotton cloths sent To Mexico i'll
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

Gov. n. T.. Kendall is closing up his
first wear in the office of governor. He
has been active and faithful. has re
NAMED ON the job closely, has respond
cd to every appeal asking for his in
f1uence in any good cause. We can
see no grounds for complaint against
Gcv. Kendall. He is a native of Iowa
and is the son Of Il civil war veteran.
He is a life long republican and takes
intense interest in everything pertain
ing to the welfare of the state and ma
ton. The presumption is that he Will
ne unanimously renominated next year
and. of course, be electcd.--Des MoineS
Capital.
We say amen to that. Gov. Kendall
is making good. just as the Freeman
Journal expected he would He Is
really big man and is not afraid to
undertake big things even if it is
easier to float with the current. Judg-
ing from the way the governor has
started out he is going 10 make 4 place
Tor himself in history like that OF
Kirkwood, Grimes. Larrabee and Cum
m,ns. He is not satisfied just to be
governor. He has TIE laudablc ambi-
tion TO he a good one-une Of the best.
May he succeed. The people of the
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07
Col. George Harvey. our ambassador

Col. George Harvey. our ambassador
to tho court of st. James. sometimes
saws some mighty good things and
Sometimes says some things that are
not mighty good. Here is something III
tbe former category that he recently de-
livered himself of: Back of the cities
and the coast lines Of America is a
great country which constitutes the real
Americo with a registered total of 24-
600 900 men between the ages Of IL
and 45 capable of bearing arms TO
pronounce such a land unconquerable
is IN inter- the merest truism. No, Am
erica does not fear war: she simply
hates it"
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07
The general impression prevails tn,

The general impression prevails that
the question of Il railroad strike has
not been settled. 1t has only been de-
ferred. Along about next spring the
same problems will be up again and if
not fought out then will simply be de-
ferred to later date. Before we can
have industrial peace it must be estab-
lished whether or not congress can
enact and the courts enforce laws in
the interest Of all the people when those
laws do not meet the approval OF rail
road executives or railroad unions. The
Freeman-Jou believes the govern
ment is bigger than both contingents
put together and would like to have the
question definitely settled.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

the eight months ending with August,
1921, having been $7,35O,0OO against
$2,419,OOO in the same months of last
year, while the 1921 quantity is 3d.
256O00 yards against 9,7S4,O0O in the
corresponding months OF last year. In
cotton hosiery the quantity is nearly
double that of last year while in raw
cotton the number of pounds sent to
Mexico is 1851 900 against $4,000 in
the same months Of last year"
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

Some of the sensitive ones in this
country fear lest the European repre-
sentatiycs at the armament limitation
conference will try to get the inter
allied debts cancelled. 1t will he time
enough to consider that question after
it is raised. The conference is not
called for any such purpose and there
is no good reasons for believing that
the Europeans are going to inject this
problem. This country expended an
enormous amount during the war and
did not ask for anything in the way of
booty. 1t gave of its wealth and re-
sources for principle. to maintain its
own rights and dignity. and paid its
own expenses. 1t loaned money to its
associates at time they needed 1T
greatly. OF course it was aided in
its war activities by the uses to which
these loans were put. but the borrow
ers were also aided and they ought to
pay every dollar they owe. at least
that is the way the situation now APP
pears to the American people.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

Iowa public sentiment is strong for
Zig limitations in ornaments and Iowa
sentiment in this respect is no different
than the sentiment in the other forty
stven states of the union. There was
never more affirmative unanimity on
any question than on this one. Then
why is there doubt that something
practical and worth while will result
from the conference called to meet in
Washington OH the 18th of this month.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07
A poor man, we take it he is poo

A poor man, we take 1t he is poor
by the vein of his thinking, said in Il
recent communication to Que of the
c hicago papers: Under prohibition
the rich man can get all the liquor he
wants while the poor man has to go
without" Granted that is true the
poor man is the gamer. The rich
man. as the rich goes, would be Il
whole lot better off if he couldn't get
tl,e. 'stuff whenever he wantss.it, pro-
Bvidetl r.he..wants lit sOffen. The poor
man is not entitled to any sympathy
+becsuse he, cannot get liquor aand his
family, sifshS has one, is greatly blessed.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07
no I,cs Moines Register and Il

The I)cs Moines Register and mum
her Of other big papers recently die
voted a column Of perfectly good space
in telling that the widow of the late
Jake i. Hamon is not going to marry
a certain man, declaring that she will
not wed him because he is too good
looking, implying that the snares set
Nv other women would surely get him.
Well, who cares whether she marries
anybody or not or why she marries or
why she fails to marry? The big papers
certainly make many asses of them
selves in the course OF a very snort
time.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07
France seems disposed to agree

France seems disposed to agree to
almost any limitations in the matter OF
naval equipment but when it comes TO
the question Of armies she has very
determined idea that limitations can
not be agreed to. Possibly the United
States would feel the same way about
il were we right up against Germany
and Germany had half again more
population than we had. France is not
yet ready to accept the professions OF
81 desire for peace from Germany. She
wants more evidence-the kind furnish
cd by years of practice.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

President Harding likes to stay in
the United States. Instead of gall
wanting off to Europe when he has
big to attend to he has Eu-
rope and parts of Asia come here.
That is the way to do it. The arma-
nlent limitations conference will do
better work, it is hoped, in Washing
ton than such a conference would do in
Paris, London, Rome or Toxic.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

We do not recall the exact language
lie used, but President Lincoln put the
protective problem in nutshell when
he said in substance: II do not attempt
to discuss the details of tariff sched-
ules, but l know that when we buy
goods abroad we have the goods and
the foreigner has the money. When we
buy at home we have both the goods
and the money" Nothing wrong with
such practices, is there?
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07
WAR EXPENSES.

The world is hoping that something
will come out of the armament limi-
t"tionS conference that is to meet i'll
Washington in about Il week that will
IL worth while. All civilized nations
are suffering under enormous tax bur
deus and they are all wishing for re-
lief. II the conference will only repre-
sent the will of the people ways and
means will he found to cut down the
enormous expenses for war prepara-
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

tionS.
The federal council of the churches
of Christ in America, with headquar-
tiers in Washington, recently made Il
comparative statement of some of the
expenditures being made by certain gov
crnments for armamentS and armies.
to this authority Great Brit
ain expended in 1912 the sum Of
1851 ,O44,OO0, Japan expended @3,576,-
900 and the United States $244.177, 900.
That was the budget nine years ago
Just prior to the breaking of the great
world war. What is the record today
Here it is according to the authority
above quoted:
Appropriations and programs from
ills year call for the following eN-
penditures Great Britain $1,121 ,31S,-
OOO, Japan $2S2,35700O, the United
States 81 422,757,OO0. IN 1912 the
United States was far behind Great
Britain in the expenditure OF money
on the army and navy. Now she is
a head of Great Britain, leading BritOn
by a larger sum that She expended nine
years ago.
1t is possible, however, that Great
Britain is getting more for the S1,121,-
31S.OOO she is expanding than the
United States is for the expenditure OF
much larger sum and it may be pos
sible that Japan is getting more than
either Great Britain or the United
States.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

Possibly so many Americans 60 to
Paris because that city is reported to
lie one of the wickedest in the world,
and it is not suspected that the Ameri-
cans go there on reform missions.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

Where on earth did the DeS MOincs
News get the crazy idea that a pedes-
TRAN in the street has some rights
that an automobolist must take notice
of? First thing you know the News
will be saying that the American peo-
pie have some rights that railroad
unions ought to respect! No telling
where an editor is liable to land when
he gets queer notions into his head,
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

One Of the eastern newspapers in
SurCs its readers that 1.-The industrial
crisis is now behind u.s." Possibly, and
il still seems to be giving lot of us
q soighty hard chase.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

Ambassador Harvey's statement that
America does not fear war, but hates
it, is proven by the contry's recent
history. The United States maintained
peace as long as she possibly could,
but when she got into the conflict she
fought with terrible courage and forti-
T. de.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

the fellows WHO are coming over
here from Europe to get away from
q; ycs may be greatly disappointed. We
also have taxes. If you doubt it just
;>ls some farmer whose farm is in a
consolidated school district or an in
ciI"gAted town.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

I, is reported that thousands of Ger
RIMS who used to live in. the United
States but went back to Germany to
make their homes are going to return
to this country. Now that the war is
over and we have peace with Germany,
Germans who want to become real
!. u.erical citizens will he welcomed.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

1t can he said to the credit Of the late
kaiser of Germany that he is maintain
ing a discreet silence He is not afflict-
ing tie world with frequent expression
of views upon public affairs Possibly
William HohenZollern is a more level
headed man than many have given him
the credit of being.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-11-07

Henry Fords mean and unfair at
tacks upon the Jews seem to have
spent their force At least the press of
the country is not giving them much at
tention at present. When Henry sticks
TO his business he is all right, but when
he undertakes to reform y the world
he makes sorry mess of it.