davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

Disarmament will discourage and
prevent wars between countries sep
arated by broad expenses Of water,
but it will not be snch war preventive
between countries lying i'll close proS-
unity to each other. If neither has a
strong army and is lily prepared for
war the comparative situation is the
same as if both were armed and ready.
Each might think it could get ready
quicker than the other could. Really,
the best deterrent to war is right prin-
ciples on the inside of the peoples
heads,
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01


Some members Of congress who are
always looking for chance TO spend
public funds look with great yearning
for the day when the allied nations be-
gin to pay interest to the United States
on the sums owed us. This interest
will amount to nearly half billion
dollars per annum and Of course the
cyfravagant members of congress will
want to spend It just as fast as re-
ceived. All manner Of ways are being
suggested and no doubt 1t will be cas-
Ter for the spenders to get appropria-
lions through because Of this interest
fund However, the people of the coun-
try will expect congress to be just as
with the interest money as
with any other. The income will en-
able a reduction in taxation if fine
spenders are thwartcd in their efforts
10 dissipate 1t for various things hav-
ing little or no merit --
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

This great world of ours ought to be
big enough for the people it contains
to live in peace. and some day they will
so live. More people right now are in
Sisiing upon peace Programs than ever
before. 1t is likely that very large
majority Of the people of every coun-
try want peace. but there is so much
distrust and suspicion that they all
feel il is necessary to be prepared for
fine worst. Much of this distruSt and
suspicion is unfoundetl. but it exists
nevertheless and the everlasting I'M
Just criticisms of other peoples and
other nations only add to the flames.
Why cannot the American people. cs-
pecieHy the press and rostrnm. refrain
FROM unfair and mean insinuatiOns of
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01
WOULD THE SOLDIER BENEFIT1

Henry Ford is not In agreement with
these who declare that the big inter-
ests are against bonus to soldiers. He
/ holds that they would profit more by
bonus than the soldiers themselves m eve.
would. He is of the opinion that the
big interests were greatly disappointed
when President Harding prevailed upon
congress to postpone action on bonus
legislation and in flle late issue OF his
paper, the Dearborn Independent, says
on his own page:
in one state where 1t is proposed 10
pay the soldiers bonus. no soldier
yin receive more than $500. yet the
state will expend about 30,0O0, 600 in
paying the amounts, and an additional
$54 100000 for interest on the bonds
which 1t had to issue in order to raise
the bonus money. There is the mat
ter Of $50 to $500 for the soldier, and
il matter Of s54oOo,0OO for the money
lenders. Indeed, whatever bonus the
soldier gets, he will pay for over and
lover again in his taxes.
.Now, if the people Of that state
should go down into their pockets and
by selfimposed assessment Of about
$40 n head, raise a fund to present to
theil soldiers as 4 special gift to tide
them over tough time, there would
he something tremendously human and
moving about that. But the trouble is
that bonuses have not even that much
sentiment. They are first politics. then
they are debts and the only people who
really benefit are the money-lenders.
They get their bonus regularly for ~
years afterward.
"If n bonus, no matter how small it
was, came as wreath Of victory; If
|it were really the conscious act OF the
people in showing their appreciation,
that would be quite another thing. But
all it amounts to nowadays is the sale
Of interest bearing bonds.
1T state really wants to do some
fling for the soldiers. why does 1t not
give them the interest? II the state
would arrange to give the soldiers the
interest on the projected bonus loans,
the soldiers would get nearly twice as
much, and the state would save the en-
tire principal
80 give its soldiers so, a0o.9 400 the
state in question b going to give the
money lenders S:,4.00O, 400: . total Of
Ss4.eOO.OO0 in all to finan the giving
away Of s3OOOO.OOO. II the state would
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01
MUST BE GOOD REASONS.

There must be some very good rea-
sons why congress and the administra-
ton consent to such large apprOpria-
lions for the army and navy. The
president especially is committed to an
economy program and he would not
look with favor upon the expenditure
of such vast sums for national de-
Tense If he did not deem it absolutely
necessary. One of the reasons of the
president for this acquiescent attitude
is no doubt the effect large appropria-
tons for army and naval purposes will
have upon, the disarmament confer
ence. OF course other nations would
not 20 nearly so far in the direction of
disarmament If the United States
didn't have a comprehensive naval and
army program. But there must be
other reasons that are influencing the
administration. The present program
was outlined and provided for in 1916
and President Wilson and his secre-
tary of war were for it up to their re-
TRACY from office. President Wilson
and his cabinet were not influenced by
the effect such a program might have
upon a disarmament conference, as
such a conference was not among the
probabilities when they were in office.
Then what was it that influenced
them?
There are international affairs Of
which the public has little reliable in
formation. Possibly IL the people knew
all the facts they would not be so des-
perately opposed to the expenditure of
such vast sums OF money for protective
measures. There occasionally arises
International problems which of neces-
sity cannot be made public without
jeopardizing the best interests OF the
country and in such instances the pub
lie have no just right to complain of
secrecy. Publicity generally is the
right principle of government, but
there are questions that arise between
nations that can be better handled
without the glare Of the limelight'
In such contingencies the people must
trust the government and have faith
that it will do the best it possibly can.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

The people of this country think they
are heavily taxed. and they are when
comparisons are made with the taxes
they paid a few years ago, but compar-
a with the taxes paid by the French,
the Inians. the Germans. the Austrians
and other countries generally, we do
moi know what heavy taxation is. And,
after all, the heaviest drains upon our
resources are due TO our own folly and
extravaganza. The average family ex-
ponds more for Injuries and idle pleas
rres than it pays in taxes for all pur-
poses.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01
CoNFERENCE NOT PUBLIC.

Sioux City journal: 1t Is now dis
closed, in advance Of the Washington
conference on disarmament, that the
public will be excluded frolp the dis
c,,ssions. The idea Of 'open covenants
openly arrived ut" has been found to
be more or less dangerous to ncgotia-
tons. While frank publicity may be
u duty that statesmen owe to the peo-
pie who are both Interested and con-
cerncd. it ought to come nfter the fact
has been established. Confusion and
friction result when. statesmen try to
make arrangements In open view OF
the public. As one official at Washing
ton put 1t, it would I've about as "feas-
lille to admit the PUBLIC and correspon-
dents to the actual conference among
the powers as it wonld be to permit
them to sit in at discussion Of the
judges Of the supreme court Of the
United States celebrating decision
on some important case" This official
also called attention to the certain de-
velOpment with newspaper correspOn-
dents being allowed to report the dis
cussion. Of contradictory representa-
lions. MisinterpretatiOns could not be
avoided and these would prejudice the
public in whose interest the cOnferees
would he laboring. 4
The public should not feel hurt If
the conference proceeds according to
the officials prediction. The cOnferces
will he compelled to announce decisions
from time to time as they are made.
Communications will he expected.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01
INCREASING VALUES.

1t Is reported tnaJ the eNecullNe
council of Iowa, in order to raise more
revenue for the state, is considering
the advisability of increasing assessed
values of taxable property. This, 1t
appears to the Freeman-JOurnal, is an
unwise policy and borders very closely
upon violation of law:
The assessors Of the state are the
ones who have the authority to fix
values for taxation purposes. Boards Of
supervisors, city councils and the ex-
Iecutive council may cqualize. That is
they can reduce the valuation in one
instance and increase it in another, to
the end that valuations for the same
class of property may be equal as near
ly as cam be in the towns and counties
and the state. But these bodies have
no legal authority to boost valuations
indiscriminately. For instance: If as
SCISSORS returns on land show the av-
erage value to be 800 per acre. some
being valued at $50, some Mt 500 and
some at $50, the law does not con.
template that the state council may
boost it all to $50, but that they shall
reduce the valuation of the $50 land
and increase that of the $50, and when
the council gets through the average
value should be substantially the same
as it was when the equalization was
begun.
Moreover, a general increase in val
uation by. the state council would re-
suit in increased taxation for all pur-
possibly, school and county. The
total levy here in Webster City is now
approximately 1GO mills, Of which ap;
proximatel s mills go to the state.
Therefore. if the executive council
boosts all values in Webster City be.
cause the state needs more money, the
average Webster City taxpayer would
be required to pay an increase OF 20
cents for each one cent that went to
the state. In other words, TOT every
81 1000 that went into the state treas
urer because of the increase in valua-
ton $4,000 would go into the treas
uries of the cities. counties and school
districts. At least that is the way 1t
would work out in communities where
the tax levy is now as high as 1t Is in
webster City. 1t is clearly not the
intention OF the law to give the execu-
tive council such power and If the law
did give the council such authority 1t
should not exercise it. because 1t would
be manifestly unfair.
If the state needs more money. the
levy for state purposes should he In
creased. That method wonld result IN
the state receiving every dollar OF in
creased taxes that the people paid on
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

other peoples and nations? Just now
Great Britain and Japan are the tar
gets of the American critics and much
is being said that is detrimental to the
peace and good will Of the world. Jap
an and Great Britain want peace with
the United States just as we want
peace with them, but this constant nag
ging, fault finding and pickering may
lead to serious results.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

The average farmer has found out
that he can get along without lot
of things that he thought be must have
a year ago, and as a result he is get
ting along WITHOUT them, to the in
jury of business. But he will will keep
right on economizing until the prices Of
his products increase or the prices OF
What he wants to buy decrease. His
mind is made uy ard nothing can
change his decision.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

We believe that congress will make a
serious mistake ifsit puts hides on the
free list. The six that a duty on hides
would benefit clly the packer without
aiding the producer of the hides, the
farther is far fetched. Many hides
are being imported, vet cheap. hides
are not reflected in any considerable
extent in the price of shoes and other
leather products. In fact, the value OF
hides have very little to do with the
cost to the consumer Of shoes. harness,
etc.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01
THE BETTER WAY.

"A 1eW uayS dkO, MAS. AutA " AA"SSt"
socialist, appeared in Fort Dodge and
it was announced that she was to speak
in the park. When the time for the
meeting arrived about fifty people had
gathered to hear her, among them
delegation OF American Legion men.
There had been no demonstration
against her address and She delivered
her speech unmolested.
That is the better way. Free speech
should not be interfered with In this
country. If any speaker INDUCES in in
lammatory talk, tries to incitc others
to violence, that speaker should H
held responsible. But there is no oc-
casion to deny the privileges Of free
speech and free press to anybody sim
ply because they disagree with the ma
jority. There are various kinds of so
cialists in the country. Some sincere
men and women are socialists and be-
lievc the principles they advocate would
bring genuine benefits to the nation II
put into practice. This class Of social
lists do not believe in revolution by
force. They rather want to succeed by
an evolution of reason. They are trust
ing to the ballot box, the constitutional
method, to accomplish what they hold
To I've real reforms in government.
If they can convince the majority Of
the American people that they are
right and can win elections, that is
tieir privilege under our constitution.
When community undertakes to in
terfere with public address 1t only ad-
vertises the meeting and creates inter
cst.a As u result many people are cur
ious to hear what is said, thus they get
big audiences. If permitted to speak
as other speakers are they usually have
comparatively small crowds to talk to.
II any public speaker indnlges in treas
enable uttcrances he should be prompt
ly dealt with BY the proper authorities.
A Fort Dodge dispatch, In speaking
of Mrs Hazlctt's meeting, says:
"When Mrs. Ida c. Hazlett appeared
ut the park she was greeted by about
fifty people. Among them was dele
CATION Of American Legion men.
''But if she and her socialist friends
expected an adverse demonstration,
they were disappointed.
"The dispiritcd, not to say fiat. way
in which the meeting passed of intli-
Gated the disappointment all right.
1T was about as innocuOus as u pub
lie meeting could be. The speaker was
not heard to inter any wildly seditious
or anarchistic dennnciations. She mere
ly compared Debs to most of the heroes
or martyrs Of histo-y.'i' gem. e..
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01
THE PUBLIC TO BLAME.

Some day the people will wake up
to the fact that they will have to elect
a congress which will not proceed on
the theory that it must take as much
as possible Of the earnings of the people
for taxation.-Boone News Republican.
1t may be that some day the people
viii wake up to the fact that it is ne
cessary to have an economical congress
and national administration If taxation
is to be reduced, but before the people
awaken to that fact they will have to
awaken to the other fact that 1t is
quite necessary for them to sustain
member OF congress or an administra-
ton that is trying to enforce economy.
The people must also learn that they
must not petition congress to make
every appropriation that is suggested
Ia be expended in the bailiwick in
which the petitioners reside.
1t is safe bet that if Congressman
Dickinson of this district proposed an
appropriation for the expenditure of
$4,000 in Boone, no matter whether
such expenditures were for public ne
cessity or not, practically very person
in Boone, headed by the News-Republi-
can, would be asking congress to make
the appropriation. What is true Of
Boone in this respect is trnc of every
other town and community ia the cOun-
try.
Bnt why is it moro necessary for
congress to practice economy than IT
Is for other bodies-state legislatures,
city councils, etc.-that appropriate pub
lie moneys? The people too often,
when some man or body Of men in the
rublic service really do try to ccOno-
guizc In the expenditure Of funds rails
ed by taxation, refuse to support such
efforts. Instead Of offering encourage
n,ent the public quite frequently de-
ncunce such public officials or bodies
as penurious grandstanders. limclight
players, etc. As a matter of fact, pub
lie ellscials are damned if they try to
economic and damned if they don't.
When the public sustain their officers
who do try to save the taxpayers mon
ey, there will be very different story
to tell.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01
OH. THAT'S DIFFERENT.

Cherokee Democrat: Some OF those
people who are so cock sure that play
ing ball on Sunday Is violation of law
are not so rambunctiOus about law CHI
forccmcnt when 1t comes to letting the
Kid drive the car.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01
KIDDING OURSELVES.

Waterloo Courier: If the American
people could just get away from them
selves a reasonable distance, SO us to
observe themselves in action--a sort Of
astral Dirdseye view, as it were-they
would reach the truthful conclusion
that much of this hard times talk is
bunk and that when we talk OF oppres-
sive taxes heavy burdens and the like.
we are merely kidding ourselves.
A nation that is actually hard up
and pressed to the wall; people that
are really in sore straits and weighted
down to the limit with burdens Of tax
alton, do not fritter away their sub
stance in such piftling things as we do.
in thousand ways that are really UNI
necessary and bring no adequate re-
turn.
DO not misunderstood us. If people
want to spend their money in any way,
that is their business; we, grant them
the right and privilege. The point we
wish to make is this that the Ameri-
can people are, not, in fact, hard up, or
heavily burdened, or pressed against
the wall. If they were ip that condi-
tion, they would not have plenty Of
money for hundred foibies and friyol-
tiles. What funds they were able to
get together above that required for
taxes would be expended for food and
needed clothes. ~.
The two cities of Chicago and New
York spend every night Of the year
more than million dollars In cold cash
for frivolitics. In truth the annual
aggregate for both cities is In excess
cs half billion dollars That is Just
two cities. Digest that proposition
while and then. remember that there
are hundreds Of large cities and thou
sands Of small cities in America and
that every night each one of them Is
blowing in its hundreds, thousands and
tens Of thousands Of dollars. Waterloo
helps to swell the grand total. We have
rc idea what the grand total is, but 1t
would stagger any individual to know
the amount.
II our people were in such dire
straits they would not have this money.
They do have it and they do spend 1t,
and they spend it for things not peccs-
sary to human existence. or: comfort.
They have perfect right to spend IT.
it's theirs and they can do what they
please with it. What we, protest
against is not that they spend II for
unnecessary things, but that while thus
spending it they claim to be hard up.
Lprdened with a weight of taxation
and pushed to get along. ..,i. ,..r.r
Nearly hundred thousand people
paid $1.d0OyOOO to see two brnisers
punch each other about ten minutes at
JeEsey City: In this aggregation were
RICH and poor. There were peeple in
that arena that howl about hard times,
high taxes and oppression, who paid
$50 or $50 to see the 10;minute fight
We could continue to enumerate fool
ish spendings until we had list 9 rod
long. ..s,91 tx .5,,
We're weary Of this bunk 81 poverty
and oppression Stop kidding yDHr-
self Spend your cash any old way you
please, but cut out the heavy taxes and
hard-up stuff, ;l |, ,,s.>. ~.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

That Marshalltown couple, travelling
through Nebraska by automobile who
were robbed of $3.50. should not carry
so much cash. In these days of trav-
eler's checks there is no necessity of
one Juggling around so much money.
Besides, it is only temptation to
thieves.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

1t has leaked out that some members
of congress attend the movies on Sun
days and some of their constituents are
up in arms over the affair. But that
is IL small thing to raise rumpus
about. The people ought to be far
more concerned with what their repre-
sentatiyes do on the six week days
than what~ Il hey do Oh Sunday.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

OF course the United States govern
ment wants the Silcsian wrangle
settled, but it wants George to do it.
Your old Uncle Sam is getting leary
of trying to settle European disputes.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

Somebody has nid that there are
only $3.50 cuss words in the English
language, but he made the assertion
before Gen. Dawes appeared before
that senate investigating committee.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

That man out in Kansas who said he
would rather be in Jail than to as
sociate with the I. w. w. outfit must
be a pretty good sort of chap after
all.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

Now that Japan has agreed to take
part in the disarmament conference
and discuss everything proposed, the
Japan baitcrs' in this country are
robbed of one sweet morsel
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

One good thing about it is. that the
money which the allies owe us cannot
be spent before it is received.
Webster City freeman. [volume] (Webster City, Hamilton County, Iowa) 1884-1946, 1921-08-01

give it's soldiers the interest, 1000
600, it would save the principal, or $780,
100000. And the soldiers would get
nearly. twice as much"
Evening journal., 1921-12-02
CLARKE WOULD GUST
SIMMONS FROM KLAN

ATLANTA. Ga. Doc. Omitted
Press)--ARother clash between Of
fcers and cz-shicers OF the Ku Klux
Klan came to light here today with
the publication OF parts OF afidavits
OF four goelins Of the order attaek-
ing e. c. Clarke, imperial klalin
Charges that Clarke Is seeking to
wrest control OF the order from
Joseph Simmons, imperial wizard. in
an effort to build up a national po-
litical machine, were made by the
former officers.
The allegations were brought be-
fore the Imperial Kloncillium OF the
khan several days ago when they
were rejected as being groundiess. Il
was said. Following this the erst-
while grand goblins furnished news
papers with afndavits making the
charges.
The former grand gobiins making
the charges were Harry p. Terrell. OF
great lakes domain; +. W. Atkln, OF
the Atlantic domain and Lloyd p
Hooper. OF the New York domain
and A. ]. Padon. Jr-, OF tho New
England domain.
Clarke today denied the aIiega,
tions and termed them as the work
OF disgruntled men" resulting from
| their discharge
Simmons stated the charges ha'
been Investigated by the kloncilliun
and rejected and that the four me
were discharged for insubordina
tion-