davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1923-01-04
The Highway Bond Issue.


There are approximately $780,
OOO motor vehicles registered in
the state of Minnesota giving
returns of nearly six million dol
lars annually TO be spent on
through routes or the so-called
Babcock system.
A state bond issue of $4,000
600 would mean interest charges
of about $500. 900 annually and
more bonds would mean more
interest money, The Highway
Department says that the aver
age tax on automobiles shall not
be increased but that the princi-
pal and interest on the proposed
bond issue shall be paid out of
current automobile taxes.
The additional paving which Is
proposed to be done over a two
year program from the bond
money will also need repairing as
well as any other kind of high
way rs time goes on perhaps
even rebuilding every Is years or
SO-time will tell and TO this is
added the building and upkeep
of the many other graveled and
lesser travelled roads which will
most likely mean as great an ex-
penditure of money as at pres
ent. With the added expense Of
100000 interest charges annu-
ally when are we to commence
paying off on the principal? Per-
haps a fund can be set aside each
year from automobile tax re-
ceipts to pay off on the principal
but will it be done? Nothing has
been outlined in that respect
simply the statement that both
interest and principal will be paid
out of automobile tax. Is it not
liable to work out rs it does in
so many of those cases that it
will run along for half dozen
years, perhaps ten or more. with
out any of the principal being paid
and then when the bond issue is
forgotten taxes will be raised OF
in some other manner we will
skirmish around and raise the
money or pass on the debt I,
those following u.s..
It is a debt created if passe,
by the legislature and must b.
paid some time and we are so APP
to pass that debt along from one
year to another. There ar,
examples Of counties in this stat,
having issued road bonds 40 year
ago and not paid to date. but thu
interest running into hug
sum- several times the principa
has had to be met. There i
strong tendency toward creating
too much public debt all over tn
country and we must guar
against it.
Often there are examples 0
villages and townships spending
more money than is raised b
taxation. 1t runs along for se>
eral years until there are man
warrants held by it's citizens VIII
do not wish to discount them, tn
municipality pays added interes
and the result is that bon
issue is voted to take care q
floating indebtedness and sc
back on a cash basis. We are a
anxious to clean the slate. get o
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1923-01-04

issue carries easily. 1t runs along
for a time again and the opera
ton is repeated. There are ex-
amples enough Of those in Pine
county. A good picture to place
before us is the pay as you-enter
street car system of many cities
To be sure it is necessary to is
sue bonds at times, borrow
money and create debt in order
to get machinery into motion
and have prosperity but the
thing can be and is being over
done.
Issuing bonds creates a feeling
something like that Of renewing
note mt the bank or giving a
note in payment Of some debt, o
sort Of feeling that that is now
settled and cleared away. 1t is
only settled temporarily and the
debt remains. Credit is a mighty
good thing if not misused but is
it not developing to be a disease?
Tourist trade is of course
worth little and it is alright to
cater some toward that-good
highways being one of the prin-
cipal means but good roads to
all farms are worth ever so much
more to Minnesota as whole.
Further it would seem that
there are any number of states
catering to the tourist trade
Judging by their road. programs
The proposed bond issue may be
economy in the long run on &C
count of being able to pave heavy
traffic roads right away and thus
save upkeep expenses. but it is
well to go slow and steady. We
believe the cry for that is coming
more from the cities with their
luxurious cars and where many
apparently do not know the pres
ent plight of the farmers. We
are very reluctant about this
bond issue for in the final analy-
sis the money must come out OF
the land, the same as all money
does, whether or not the city
folks realize it.
There is and has been for the
past two years especially, a bic
cry for lowering taxes and II
this is to be accomplished the
knife must be used somewhere
and a beginning must be made
Don't 60 too fast on that high
way program. And as for pas
sing some Of the debt over onto
the next generation on account
Of them getting some benefits
we believe they will have prob
lens enough of their own with
out paying for our pleasure
Look at the great university il
Vienna today; going to ruin or
account Of not being repaired
Rain coming through the roof
plastering falling down. paint
ings ruined and in time the
building will be practically
worthless If not looked aftcl
soon. At present they have M
funds with which to make re
pairs and if they have a big bone
issue to pay on account OF Ins
building it is easily figured on
how much the next generation
gets from their debt. Yes. ever,
generation will have its prob
lens and they appear to be get
ting greater rs time goes on
especially the pace We have bee'
going Of late years.
| In the Highway Department
article by +. M. Richter in las
weeks American it was brough
out that local road and bridg
levies in the state were droppln,
since the Babcock system wen
into effect and that the first GU
Of 81. 2SS,0OO came the, first year
They surely ought to be cut
little too when the people PAL
nearly $6.OOO.OOO in automobi,
taxes toward the through route.
. - A A ~
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1923-01-04
Yes, it would be good to come

Good to see again the old faces,
good to see the little valley, once
so narrow, but now so full of
peace and simplicity-and, best
of all, to feel once more upon the
feverish forehead the touch of
mothers hand.
Silently the pastor watches the
change that has stolen over the
stern face, the features have
softened and something akin to
love shines from out those
usually keen, cold eyes.
Obvious of the presence of the
man at her bedside, the woman
continues to gaze at the picture.
From the hills and the valley,
represented by that little
picture, she came out upon the
stage of the world-was it to be
her blissftl lot to make her exit
with the same scenery about her.
Patiently the pastor waited -
waited to see whether the soul
that so long had wandered upon
the barren moor was about to
turn home again. waited to see
whether the feet that so long had
trod the ways of a stranger in a
strange land were ready to turn
about. ready to come running
back along the old path that
winds down among the hills, past
the old farmstead.
The pastor was now also look
ing at the picture, and his eyes
and his mind were fixed on that
path, back of the little house,
that seemed to come down from
over the hills. Every moment he
was expecting to see a little girl
come running down that path,
down to the open door of the old
home.
The woman. too. had her eyes
fixed on this same path. But
those eyes had lost the lustre
] they held a moment ago. There
was no longer any softness in
them. They were stern, cold un-
compromising.
1t was that path that had done
it.
| Where the pastor saw a path
lined on both sides with green
grass and wild flowers, running
toward the home, the woman saw
gray cold road going away from
the home, over the hills into the
unknown, unsympathetic outer
world.
He stared at the path, expect
ing to see the little girl come
running home-she looked at the
road and saw little girl. lured
by stories that had come from the
great world, and filed with hope.
enthusiasm and the buoyancy of
youth and innocence. come out
of that little house and wend her
way up the road. Closely the old
woman on the bed follows che
child. She notes every step. She
sees every turn of the road. At
last the little girl stands out
against the horizon. She stops,
looks back over the valley and
waves a joyous. childish farewell.
The next moment she disappears
over the hills--lost in the great
world beyond.
. The head on the pillow turns
toward the pastor. There is cool
elaboration in the eyes. there is
firmness expressed in the lips,
there is strength. almost tri-
umph, over the whole face.
, Slowly the words come. Heavily
. they fall upon the ears of the
clergyman as he inclines his head
over the couch before him.
Pastor" he hears, you know
my story. You know that as the
church measures those things
have not walked in the paths
/. Of Righteousness. Neither as
l should. nor as | would. have
, succeeded in weaving this thing
that we call the web Of life. Toss
ed hither and yon at the capric;
a of Fate / have never been able
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1923-01-04

fair and a face most comely and
bring Him in return for His gen.
erous gifts the ashes of it all!
No, pastor, l will not insult God
by flinging the ashes in His
face"
There was a pause.
And from out the ashes on the
hearth of one more misspent life.
CONTINUED on Page 81
Evening star., 1923-03-06

two instances mentioned. The ~mer-
chant marine bill. favored by ma.
jority Of the Senate on several record
votes. was prevenled from coming to
a test vote on its passage by persist
ent dilatory motions and by senator's
availing themselves of the privilege
Of unlimited debate under existing
rules. The Righteousness of the ap-
plication of this powerful instrument
Of legislative death was evidenced
when one senator used it because the
House had refused to pass q bill in
which a group Of senators were in
terested. He held up important busi-
ness in the closing hours of the ses
sion.
No other senator Is more adequately
qualified to discuss the pros and cons
of this much discussed proposal, clo-
ture in the Senate, than Senator Pep
per. An eminent lawyer and student,
he is familiar with the motives and
arguments of the men who threw the
bride off of debate i'll the interest of
protecting the minority. AS practical
man of affairs he has in his short
term Of service seen the misuse OF
unlimited debate. and is conversant
with the popular impatience with the
rules of the Senate.
A discussion during the recess Of
Congress of a proposal to restrict de-
bate will be of interest and of value.
The country could be apprised of the
arguments in favor of leaving debate
unhampered by time limitation, and
could balance them with realization
of the abuses which are patent. Not
until a definite and overwhelming
public sentiment for or against cloture
is developed will the Senate be able to
change the existing system by mild
modification or drastic revolution, as
did the House.
Evening star., 1923-03-06
Onions Are Praised
AS Germ Preventives
10 the Editor Of The Starr

10 inc EQlt01 o1 line 6t3rS
I have . little tale to tell about
the domestic onion. which I would
like to have you publish for the
readers OF Tho Star. / have gained
and been helped lots by its helpful
information and would like to pass
this on.
Being tho most delicate one Of our
entire family. friends often in
quired as to how I escape such
things AZ influenza and other diseases
going about. answer simply that ]
eat onionA
One OF our family. fat and rosy and
healthy a. they come. has had the
Influenza twice, and almost all the
family were down at once with it, six
Of them In the worst epidemic we
had. We could not obtain a nurse,
50 1t fell to me to do 1t all. Doctors
and all marveled at my not getting 1t.
As q matter of fact all that did
was to keep bowl of sliced onions
with salt and vinegar over them on
tho kitchen table and during the day
I would eat that bowl of onions.
Another member of my family had
typhoid fever. The doctor left
orders to keep me out of the room,
Is ! would take anything, but /
foiled them again, and was In the
room most all day and part Of the
Evening star., 1923-03-06
The Mocking Bird.

John Sharp Williams. long distin-
guished as a representative and sena-
tor from Mississippi. in bidding fare
that he was going home to Mississippi
where, among other pleasures, he
would listen to his own band Of mock
ing birds. 1t was a poetic little speech.
phrased as few men besides Marse
John could do it. Perhaps mocking
birds are more plentiful around that
ideal home in old Misissip' than they
are here, but they sing to us also.
There are many mocking birds In the
District, and, OF course. in Maryland
and Virginia. Under the protection of
the law and because of greater mercy
of mankind mocking birds are multi
plying. A man can hardly take little
walk in the country without catching
a flash of the white wing bars by
which the mocker may be instantly
mocking bird esteemed by our ances-
tors that they trapped and Gagged him
in great numbers Nearly every old
home in the country had its cage or
cages of mocking birds. No longer do
we make prisoners of these birds, but
let them live and sing in the gardens.
pastures and open woods. No other
native bird sings as well as the mock
er, and he was given his name because
he would initiate or mock" the song
Of every other bird coming within the
range he lives in. Not only does he
make a medley Of the songs Of other
birds, but he weaves these notes to-
gether with jolly trills and wild
cadenzas and improvisations in song
that set him as a singer above other
American birds. He is proud of his
talent, and will come within a few
yards of you and sing for an hour.
Many men believe the mocking bird is
a summer migrant-that is, that he
comes north in spring. There are
more permanent bird residents of the
District, or birds that may be found
in the District throughout the year,
than most men know, and the mock
ing bird is one of these.
Evening star., 1923-03-06
Not Afraid of Hobgoblins.

In his letter to the lieutenant gov
ernor of Ohio, President Harding has
started public discussion of the pro-
posal that this country adhere to the
protocol establishing the International
Court Of Justice at The Hague. and
between now and December there un-
doubtedly will be crystalliZation Of
American opinion which will guide the
Senate to a right decision. Mr.. Hard
ings letter shows him earnestly COM
mitted to the plan, and he presents
arguments which opponents will find
difficult to answer.
1t is inconceivable to him, he says.
that the American people, VINO have
been 80 long devoted to this ideal,
should refuse their adherence now to
such a program as is represented by
this tribunal. Citing that courts OF
justice and equity have been found
effective in adjustment of differences
arising among individuals, the Presi-
dent contends that it is equally logical
that courts should be established for
adjustment of differences arising
among nations. The whole story of
civilization. he says, has been the
story of the effort to substitute the
domination of justice under law for
armed might, and he regards The
Hague court as one of the most i'm
portant chapters in this story yet
written.
The fear which has been expressed
that membership in The Hague court
would involve this country In the af
fairs of the league of nations is so far
fetched as to seem almost childish.
The American people are rather too
stalwart race to be frightened by the
threat that the hobgoblins will get
them if they don't watch out. If we
cannot participate in so desirable
thing as an International Court Of JUS
tice without becoming involved with
affairs in which 1t is not desirable that
we should mix, it is about time for the
United States to put up the shutters
and go out Of the nation business.
Evening star., 1923-03-06

after action In taken by Congress.
Maryland officials point out that their
task Is comparatively simple. The
governor can declare that reciprocity
exists Immediately after the passage
of the law. and presto! 1t is done.
Gov. Richie has already given as
surances to the District Commission.
ers that he will take such action, so
that free use Of Maryland roads, be-
ginning next January, Is almost as.
sured.
1t is the devout hope Of every Wash
ingtonian and Marylander, toe. that
Congress will, at the earliest possible
moment. take the action that is neces-
sary to make reciprocity possible. The
gas tax. now used in more than eleven
states, has proved an unqualified sue
cess. The motorist pays as he rides.
The collection is a simple matter. The
entire tax is collected from the whole
saler. In Maryland only eight men,
who are in charge Of the various gaso-
line companies, have to be visited by
the tax collector.
1t Is the one immediate method Of
getting reciprocity with Maryland. 1t
has been approved practically unani-
mously by local motorists. 1t Is like
wise approved by Maryland, because
the suggestion originally emanated
from that state.
1t is regretted that Congress did not
realize the Importance OF the matter
in it's last session. This regret can
be wiped out by prompt action In De-
cemher. Such eminently desirable leg
islation should be passed without de-
lay. 1t remains solely in the hands of
Congress
Evening star., 1923-03-06
March.

The storm came two days late, but
if this had been an inauguration
March it would no doubt have been on
time to take part in the ceremonies.
If the streets had been full Of troops
and civic bodies, and the air vibrant
with drums and bugles, it would have
come earlier. March has been called a
tickle month, and one on which little
reliance is to be put, but it is de-
pendable month in one respect. 1t can
be depended on for bad weather. 1t
has long been charted on the calendar
as the first month of spring, but there
are authorities who maintain that the
calendarmakers went wrong, and that
March should have been classified as
the last Of the winter months. One
ought not, however. to use up all
harsh words on March. There Is some
thing to be said in its behalf. 1t may
be hard to say it. and in saying 1t
there may be danger of inviting pro-
tests from large number Of our citi.
zens who believe that March cannot
be spoken of in conservative or
church.going language. But 1t may be
fairly said that March IL rarely a
monotonous month. 1t can produce
more varieties Of weather than any
other month. It can make the world
glow with sunlight just as April does.
and it can turn loose winds that would
do credit to January. It is a month
which one day puts on q cloak Of
green and the. next dons q gown
Of white. Neglige shirts and lisle socks
may be the March fashion for one
hour and buffalo robes and ear muffs
the next moments style.
Evening star., 1923-03-06

mean you have been smoking cigar
ette?"
"You can't TELL" replied the fapper;
maybe IL was a pipe-or Il cigar
The little lady turned to the police
woman.
81 demand that you arrest this-this-
woman" she exclaimed, her eyes snap
ping
"WelI." commented the policewoman
slowly. what for?'
What for? Why, for smoking"
The policewoman looked at the flap
per, the f1apper looked at the little lady
NO" the policewoman said presently.
II can't do it. Smoking isn't against
"it's against the rule of the depart
ment," replied the little lady.
Even So" the policewoman an
swercd. 'rules amt law. I can't arrest
girl for breaking a rule. And besides.
I'm not sure it's against the rules"
"Only in the office rooms" inter-
iected the fapper. Not in the rest
rooms"
"You mean that you can go into
the rest room and smoke all you
want?" the little lady inquired
'.Just that. and If you don't believe
me try it and see. But don't go
around here ordering people arrested
about"
'AlI right. madam" the lite lady
replied frigidly. wen settle this mat
ter at once"
A few minutes later the trio faced
one of the subordinate officials. who
was the fiaprer's immediate superior.
And then and there they held an in
formal court-martial.
The little lady stated the case, the
policewoman corroborated her evi-
dence and the fapper admitted that
every word was true. but defended
herself on the ground that she had
broken no rule.
The official scratched his head
well" he said finally, the young
lady is right. We have "A rule that
the women may not smoke while at
their desks. ] suppose. of course.
that the idea is il would interfer"
with their work and generally be II
bit unseemly But that rule applies
only to the Office rooms.
"If Il girl wants to take few
puffs at cigarette when she slips
into the restroom there is nothing
We can do to stop her"
He turned to the little lady who
had preferred the charge.
I'm sorry" he said that you have
been annoyed. But there is really
nothing that can be done about the
matter"
But the little lady, chin erect, was
walking away.
"And as for you. young lady. he
said to the fapper. you shouldn't
smoke YOU should he more thought
full of others to whom the odor Of
tobacco is offensive
But the Harper tossed her curls and
smiled Inischieyously.
"Aw." she said. "let her forget it"
Evening star., 1923-03-06
Automobile Reciprocity.

Although Congress failed to take ac-
tion on the Zihlman bill. which pro-
vides for q two-cent tax on gasoline
in the District Of Columbia, and which
would automatically bring about the
long-desired reciprocity with Mary
land, there Is still the hope that
prompt action in December. when the
legislative body reconvenes, will spare
Washingtonians the necessity Of buy
ing 1924 Maryland tags.
Optimism IL expressed both in Mary
land and Washington that, even with
the short notice which will probably
be allowed, the arrangement can be
perfected and the war Of many years
standing be ended.
District officials are Of the opinion
that the machinery for collecting and
putting into effect the gas tax can be
sst IN motion hare with sunall delay
Evening star., 1923-03-06
THE WAYS OF WASHINGTON
BY WILLIAM PICKETT HELM.

She IL one OF the workers at the
State, War and Navy building dear
little lady who has labored these
the United States. Unselfshly she has
toiled through the springtime and
summer OF life and well into the fall.
And in all the years she has never
overstepped by SO much as the tiniest
fraction Of an inch the mark beyond
which she believes no lady should
tread. In other words, she Is of the
old school OF thought and manners,
of whom there still are many thou
day.
a-f1utter. into the office of the police
woman whom the War Department
has stationed in the big building.
There's a man up there in the
ladies' restroom" she announced, eX-
citedly. HE ought to be arrested"
He certainly should" the police
woman agreed. "Tll go up at once
And the little lady of the old school
trailed along.
They reached the restroom and the
poiicewoman bravely threw open the
door. A burst Of smoke greeted her.
"A mani she exclaimed. "Why, the
place is on fire.
The little lady shifted the air.
It's smoke she announced, but I
don't think it's a real FIRE. It's what
/ said it was-a man.
They looked into the room 1t ap-
peared to be empty.
Tobacco" commented the police
woman.
Yes" the little lady agreed. That's
why j said 1t was Il man."
guess you are right But where's
the MANI"
The little lady pointed to an inner
door. "In there. l suppose" she said.
And as they were talking, the inner
haired young woman. You know-a
HAPPIER. Cool1y and unconcernediy, she
made her way toward the doorway
where the little lady and the police
woman were standing.
us there a man in there?' the police
woman inquired.
"A mani" echoed the fiapper in OPEN
eyed amazement. We'll ! guess not"
"Then, where" asked the police
from"
The bobbed- haired beauty tossed her
head and tilted her chin.
Draw your own conclusions" she
replied tartly.
And then the little lady. STEPPED in
the traditions Of yesterday and mindful
Of the mark which no lady of her circle
ever oversteps, blaZed up in righteous
wrath.
''Oh. you-you-" and she CROPPED in
vain for an appropriate name. do you