davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18
Editors Letter Box
The Farmers Dollar


To the Editor Kennebec Journal:
In the Kcnncbec Journal of August
9Th there appeared two charts concern
ing the financial condition of the
farmers. These charts and contexts
are more valuable for what they omit
ted than for what they stated The
first said in substance that the pur
chasing power of the farmers dollar
Is 66 cents compared with 1913 while
he city workers dollar purchases on
ly So cents worth. The authority cit
ed for this state is the Department of
Labor. Is this statement intended to
convey the impression that the farmer
is better off today than the city work
or? If not there does not seem to he
any significance in the statistics cited.
If the purpose was to make COMPARE
son giving wage-earners. less buying
power, then the chart is seriously mis-
leading. I have not seen any recent
statement concerning the advance in
wages from the Department of Labor.
But the National Industrial Conference
Board made a statement i'll June show
ing that hourly wages in May COM
pared with July 1914 were ZIG per cent
highay and unskilled weekly labor 112
per cent higher. The cost Of living had
risen in same time 60.3 per cent.
ADout Il HlOHIH ldtGT the department VI
Labor gave the cost Of living as 69.7
per cent above 1918. Granting that
labor had received an advance Of only
20 per cent average. the buying power
of their wages would be equal to 1918.
The farmer has had no advance In
wages and his buying power is way be-
low 1918.
The second chart referred TO decline
in exports of wheat and stated that the
farmers contend that lack Of a Euro
pean market is partly responsible for
/ low price CT our wheat. Many bank
ers and business men have attributed
the low price of wheat wholly to for
eign conditions. The chart did not
give export prices and 1t compared ex-
ports of wheat alone in 1922 and 1923
with wheat and -four combined from
1911 to 1921. The five-year average
before the war was 104,9 900 bushels
at 97s cents. For the crop year ending
June 80. 1922. we exported 279,169, 400
bushels wheat, -four included, at $1.31.
For the year ending June 80, 1923, we
exported 222.00O,OO0 bushels at about
$1.2i. according to information from
Dcps rtment Of Commerce dated July
81. At that time the price had not
been computed to fraction for the
entire year. In two years we have ex
ported nearly the same quantity that
we did in five years before the war and
at higher value. Europe takes 80
per cent of these exports. She paid us
| 32l cents more bushcl in 1922 and
oGi cents more in 1929 than she did
before the war and IL our farmers did
not benefit by the increased price it
was not Europe's fault
The drop in price of wheat this sum-
ner is due to the same cause that
! made wheat drop in 1913-an increased
world crop. In 1912 and 1913 there
were record world crops. This year a
return to normal agricultural condi-
lions in Europe and large crops indi-
Gated In the exporting countries fore
shadow largely increased yield over
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18
Editorial Comment
The Great Oil Conspiracy
On. Y. Times)


Wheat is a luxury. Its price ought
to be put up. Gasoline is a necessity.
Its price ought to go down. The woes
of the one-crop wheat farmers are
no longer howled to the reverberant
heavens. Every consumers bosom
has throbbed with joy and expecta-
ton since Governor McMaster of
South Dakota bought 10000 gallons,
doubtless from some unfortunates
loaded to the gills with it and nagged
by the banks. The State distributing
agents began to sell at Is cents. a
reduction of 10 from the ruling price.
The Standard Oil companies had to
cut prices to match these of the irate
Governor: and the independents,
much wailing, were forced to meet
the cut. The war for cheap gasoline
spread from State to State. The Gov
errors of the Middle West found
something to do or investigate. SEN
ator Frasier and Senator Shipstead
forgot wheat and began to chriek
gasoline. At some stations in Okla
homa, centre of all storms, the indis-
pensable fluid sold for cents. II
the East has not yet been equally
blest, the East deserves no blessing.
California, especially the wells in
the Los Angeles Valley, occasioned
the trouble. For three months or
more the production of crude oil was
enormous. For one week in July.
according to the American Petroleum
Institute, the daily domestic produce
ton was some $4,000 BARRELS in ex-
cess of daily consumption; and inn
proved processes have increased the
average yield of gasoline by some Is
per cent. There was bound to be a
smash. The project of the Mid
Continent refineries to shut up shop
during August and, try to work off
the surplus fell. according to the
Federal District Attorney at Chicago,
before his threats of prosecution.
Farmers and oil refiners are citizens
of two very different sets of rights
and privileges. The old market In
being debated very rapidly. A lot
OF producers have been hurt, and
may be hurt more. Aroused Cover
nors are doing their best to throttle
competition. Millions of car owners
In the region of main conflict are
storing up supplies for the peoples
vehicle. The combat deepens. The
sole regret of the good is the
temporary eclipse of wheat.
Economists may talk drably about
overproduction. Cynics may recall
the furry of 1911, when the price of
gasoline dropped 50 per cent, soon
wickedly to rise again. Deeper pom
derers will not be satisfied with these
]eJune views. 1t ought to be clear to
the faintest intelligence that the
Standard Oil trust" conspired with
Nature to bring about this dizzy tum-
ping of gasoline prices for the pur-
pose or classifying Mr.. LaTollette's
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18
Prizes This Week

The first prize to girls was award
ed to Dorothy Penny, 10, Augusta.
She made Jimmy most gay in
purple and white striped shirt and
brown panties. His collar she left
white and it almost matched his lit
tie face which was pale with fright
as he scampered away from the yell
low clawed hawk. Little Jack Rabbit
wore trousers of deepest blue while
his vest was of the same color. His
shirt was pink and white stripped,
for all the world like peppermint
candy.
The first prize to boys was award
ed to Charles Hodgkins, 8, Gardiner,
because his coloring was so exact
and he did not let the colors run
over their lines. On the hawk, the
legs were deep brown and the wick
ed looking claws were very. very
black. Dear little Jimmy Meadow
mouse wore a jacket of green and
trousers of red His eyes and his
mouth were red and his long black
tail was sailing behind. Little Jack
Rabbit, much surprised at what was
going on. stood by the road. with his
brown paw raised to his red mouth.
The leaves above them were red and
yellow and green, just as If jack
Frost had kissed them.
And there were a lot OF little boys
and girls who also sent in very pref
ty cOlorings and who should receive
honorable, mention: Muriel Wilson,
7. Waterviile; Lloyd Merigold, Z,
Whitefeld: Alice Hackett, Z. Au-
gusta; Robert Hasson, T. Augusta;
Viola NJ. Weeks, s. North Whitefield;
Robert Drake. s. Gardiner; Allan
Swasey, S. Canton: Erie Brown, 8,
Washington: Thalice Spear, 8, Rock
port; Marston Blunt, s, Skowhegan:
Virginia Doughty, s, Waterville:
Herbert Tingley, 9. Mapleton: Win
ona Richards. g. Skowheean: Evelyn
Jones. 9. Gardiner: Russell F'ifield,
3. Winthrop; Mildred Lyon. 9. Au-
gusta: Jane Lewis. 9. Waterville;
Lester Wyman. 9. Winthrop; Rena
Stewart. 10. Fairfield; Sylvia Young.
10. Augusta: L. Alton Wyman, Jr.,
10. Winthrop; Helen E. Carr, 10,
Albion; Evelyn Hanson. 10. Augusta;
Hildreth Vail. 10. Gardiner; Louise
f. Dunton, 10. Whitefield: Janet
Tapley. 10. Oakland: Sylvia Beck
with, II, Gardiner; Cora Carlton, II,
Gardiner: Evlon VeZina, II, Halo
well; Lee Stone, II. Augusta: Philip
Beard. II, Waterville; Dorothy Black,
II. Albion; Catherine Alexander. IL,
Gardiner; Joseph w. Beach, Gar
diner: Thelma Griffin, u. Windsor;
Maurice Owen, ~. Nassalboro.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18
and paid little attention to where his

! and paid little attention to where his
| feet were taking him.
! Hello" exclaimed the Farmers
| Boy. "Your eyes are filled with
; tears. What's the matter, little rab-
| bite"
| "Oh, dear, oh, dear" cried the lit
tie bunny. Hungry Hawk has car
ried off little Jimmy Meadowmouse."
Where to-" asked the Farmers
| Boy curously.
do YOU see that little spcck?"
asked the sorroWful little rabbit
| pointing upward.
| Yes" answered the Farmers Boy.
Just to the right of my kite. Yes,
see it,
That's Hungry Hawk" sobbed the
| little bunny boy. He has Jimmy
| Meadowmouse in his claws"
| I'm sorry," answered the Farmers
| Boy, and then. all of a sudden, he
| jumped to his feet and ran across
| the Sunny Meadow, pulling in the
! kite string at the same time. For a
moment Little Jack Rabbit was too
surprised to move. Then, away he
| hoped ,ftor the Farmers Boy. You
see, the little bunny boy was so sor-
rowful that he forgot all about being
| afraid of the Farmers Boy. Yes
| indeed, that's what sorrow does
sometimes and maybe oftener. II
makes us forget even the beautiful in
| life for a While.
| BY the time the little rabbit
| caught up to the farmers boy. there
| was a great commotion going on
| way up in the big blue sky oh, my
yes. ! tell YOU what. that Farmers
! Boy was a clever fellow. He hadn't
! lived on farm all his life and
learned nothing. No. indeed. He
| had taught himself things which the
old schoolmaster never dreamed OF
| as he sat at his desk in the little
| red schoolhouse on the hill where the
! children's feet and Billy Breeze
! could never keep still.
| And now, dear boys and girls
| while I'm writing the rest of this
| story. You may color today's picture
| Please take lots and lots of pains
with it. Choose the proper colors
! for houses and fences. coats and
| trousers, trees and rabbits. Each
| boy and girl who sends in the best
| picture to David Cory. The Jack
| Rabbit Man, co The Kennebec Jour
nal. Augusta. Me. will receive for q
! prize, a Little Jack Rabbit Book
Yours for story,
! DAVID CORY.
,'he Jack Rabbit Man
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18
THE COAL CONTROVERSY

Comparing Thursdays with Fri
days reports from the coal confer
ence one wonders just what the
trouble with Mr.. Lewis, the head OF
the miners. may be.
1t Is conceivable there are some
in this country who do not want the
coal controversy settled right away.
Possibly some are apprehensive lest
the national administration might get
some credit from prompt settle
ment.
Lewis protests the mine operators
letter is confusing and misleading but
did not make his meaning clear.
The operators reply that Lewis
shows he is determined to settle on
his own terms or on none, which is
plausible.
The impression given is that both
sides are playing the game"
They've always done 1t and have the
habit. Whichever side loses 1t Is ION
the house" If they have their way
about it. The house. the people. are
getting sick OF it. II they could agree
to get along without anthracite for
one winter and put their resolution
into effect, they would quickly bring
the operator miner combine to an
end.
The public doesn't like to incon-
venience itself 1t can't agree to dc
SO and stick to It. To save itself
trouble it boilers for George" to do IL
and growls II 1t isn't done. 1t wants
the Government to do 1t but hasn't
as yet explained how the Government
may make men dig anthracite for
people who won't protect themselves
by burning some other kind of fuel.
Meanwhile II is pretty certain that
it will in process of time squeal and
bleed. Already 1t is scared into q
mood where it is ready to pass q
| resolution Of thanks to all concerned
for any portion of hard coal, how
ever hard the price.
One may sympathize with the
sheep at the shearing but they gel
sheared, nevertheless.
OF course the Government will en-
deavor to bring pressure to bear. II
may be able to do this sufficiently to
secure coal at high price, but that
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18
IS S LITTLE ! k sszs 5SA7

the other side, when Little Jack
Rabbit hoped on shore with the
little white snake in his good right
paw. Thanking Captain Swan. they
started off again on their journey.
BY and by. they met a wicked wiz
ard who changed little toads into
kangaroos and elephants into mice.
No sooner did she see the bunny boy
and the little white snake than he
cried: "EIa, ha, ha ha! Now shall
have lots of fun. / will turn you
me think" and he scratched his ear
with his magic wand.
All of a sudden, he shouted. "Pres-
to! Change!" and the bunny boy
turned into a horse and the little
snake into a bird
NOW you may GO" and the wizard
laughed. thinking it a great Joke to
get the best of Little Jack Rabbit and
his many charms.
Pretty soon the bunny boy trotted
on Tor he was now horse. you see,
with the little white snake flying at
ter him. for don't you forget she was
now a bird. BY and by they came to
an old tree in the trunk of which was
little door. Right in the doorway
stood little dwarf with kind brown
eyes and a pleasant smile. who, as
soon as he saw them, exclaimed:
You're not really a horse. You're
not really Bird
NO. we are not" answered Little
Jack Rabbit, but how do you know
that?"
Because. you have on one of your
feet boot" replied the dwarf with
a smile. "and you have a snakes tail"
he. added. turning to the little bra
who was the White Snake, you re-
member.
Cant you help us to regain our
natural shapes?" asked our bunny
boy.
IF you will go down the brook
for mile" replied the dwarf, you
will come to a pond full of lilies.
Hunt among them until you find one
as blue as the sky and when you find
1t, rub it gently on youS nose and on
the little white snakes toes and in
the next story you shall hear what
happened after that.
Copyright 1923. David Cory)
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18

BY and by, as Little Jack RABBIT
and the little White Snake continued
on their journey. they came to a riv-
er broad and deep.
How shall we get across?" asked
the bunny boy.
Leave it to me-" answered the
little White Snake. and coiling her
self into ring, she swung her head
back and forth. while she sang:
"Oh, King of the fishes, hear my
song.
We would cross your watery realm
Pray, send us a boat that will safe
ly float
With pilot at the helm"
And would you believe II, in les
time than l can tell II, a little ship
came up to the shore, with a big
white. sail and a milk white swan
who steered the ship with his long
bill
"Get aboard" he shouted.
In hoped the little bunny WITH the
little white snake who wound herself
up like coil of rope on deck. Then,
away went the little boat on the riv-
er deep and wide until they came to
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18
MEASURING UP TO THE JOB

1t is early for prognosticati tons re-
specting the Coolidge administration
but it is noticeable that the would be
critics are saying comparatively lit
tie and those who are claiming the
President favors this or that are
largely doing it for propaganda.
He has said he should support the
Harding policies. that he wanted the
Harding advisers and cooperators
to be his, and he is known to be a
man of his word. Those who expect
Or would like to expect-that he
will change Hardings foreign policy
and interfere with Hughes are not
making much impression.
Events abroad are in such a
chaotic state that one would indeed
need to be the seventh son of a
seventh son of prophet to foresee
exactly what would be required of
America in event of possible con-
tingencies. We feel sure. however.
that President Coolidge will not lose
sight Of a marked distinction be-
tween what is and what is not our
concern as regards foreign matters.
Helpful we must be but interfering
is something else.
The President is not given to pub
licity; The reporters, many of them,
did not have his acquaintance before
they met and questioned him one
day this week. That meeting seems
to have been very satisfactory. The
President was SO amazingly prompt
and thorough in answering the list of
questions that no correspondent
found chance to ask more.
The Presidents appointment of Mr..
Slemp as secretary Is an indication
that he recognizes good advice,
knows something about the needs in
the relations between the executiv
and the legislative branches, and
how to go about meeting them. So
the straws are showing which way
the wind is blowing and the watch
full who would criticize are very in
tent watching and waiting, while the
President appears to be imper-
turbably working.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18

When the Portland schooner Loeb
invar, Captain Charles York, came
into Portland harbor with large
fare of swordfish. he told one of the
queerest stories heard on the Port
land waterfront for many years.
While cruising about on the Georges
Banks, off the Nova Scotia coast. the
skipper encountered a Gloucester
fishing schooner, also searching for
swordfish. The two vessels came
alongside each other and the shippers
engaged in conversation. as is always
the custom when two(of these crafts
meet on the Banks. The commander
of the larger Gloucester vessel told
Captain York that few days before
while the vessel was searching for
fish, large shark was sighted The
schooner was put about in chase of
the shark. which was said to be over
30 feet in length. After a chase of
several miles the vessel was brought
close enough for the striker to iron
the mammoth species of the deep.
The lily-iron or harpoon was thrown
and the barb was evidently imbedded
in the flesh of the huge man-eater
The wounded giant thrashed and
swirled and stirred up the water I'M
I'll II loaned ana with one oil tnOSc
sudden twists the savage fish came
under the bow of the schooner. With
one twist of its long wiry tail it slap
ped the jib-boom with such force
that the strong timber was loosened
from its fastenings. Members of the
crew then felt the chill of fear that
the fish would come in up under the
schooner, but in the next instant il
was seen off to one side swiring and
thra shing as If 1t were in its death
throes. Suddenly the huge fish van
ished under water. twirling its tail
up in the air as it descended. The
ropes slackened and the seamen
knew that in some manner the giant
had loosened the harpoon and es-
capped. Although 1t would have been
great feather in their caps to have
brought the fish into poyc the men
were not 80 disappointed as might be
expected, but were thankful to have
escaped with whole vessel under
their feet. The jib boom. which had
been loosened by the impact of the
blow from the fsh's tail, was re-
fastened as best it could be and the
vessel proceeded on its search for
swordfish.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18
The Story
(By David Cory

10Y DdNlu SOIyJ
Dear me, but it's a long time to
wait from last week to this to learn
what became Of poor Jimmy
Meadowmouse, who, you remember
had been caught up and borne away
by Hungry Hawk while playing on
the sunny Meadow with Little Jack
Rabbit
What shall l do to save Jimmy"
thought inc poor little frightened
rabbit. looking this way and that
and then, up at the speck in the blue
sky, all that could be seen of the
old robber bird.
Just then. Little Jack Rabbit
noticed another speck in the sky.
only it was larger and of a different
shape
What is that" he asked himself,
hoping in his little heart it might be
the good, kind American Eagle who
had once befriended him when in
trouble.
But no. it was not. No. indeed,
it was something very, very different.
Oh. my yes, / should say 50.
AS there was nothing to be gained
by standing still on the Sunny
Meadow, the dis con ISOLATE. (Which
means hopelessly unhappy. little
reader) bunny hoy hoped away UNI
til. all of a sudden. just like that. he
almost bumped into the Farmers
Boy who was sitting beneath n tree
holding on to a long string that
went up and up and up into the air
until it ended in big speck that
bobbed here and there. it's long tail
swinging to and fro as Billy Breeze
laughed and whistled- across tho
white fiecked meadows of the high
blue sky
Yes sir, Little Jack Rabbit almost
bumped into the Farmers Boy. You
see, the little bunny boy was looking
up into the sky as he hoped along
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18

Commissioners Warren and PAYNE
arc on their way home from Mexico
bringing the terms to which they and
the Mexican commissioners agreed.
Whether these terms will meet with
the approval of the two countries
remains to be s9en. Confidence is
expressed in the judgment of our
commissioners and the hope is quite
general that arrangements may be
made such that this country can give
Mexico official recognition. Mani
testify the President of Mexico had a
diff1cult task to meet the require
ments of this country and secure
from his own countrymen their ap-
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18
Railroads and Steamboats
MAINE CENTRAL RAIL6oAb
Eastern Standard Time
TRAINS LEAVE AfinftsrA g.

1855 am. 1928 a. m, B.42 q. m. t1a "a = = m
t2A3 pm, i3.l1 p. M. t640 .. m. y Me-
B.& A.Pts.. tl2 40 Ia m. t2.3f m. tI2.26n u
Bar Harbor. '2.Sl an. t12.26p. m. -
Bath. "a; 10 an. 70. 10 am. ii02I Q. m .nm
Belfast. C4.55 am. 10 26 a. m, t243pm
Boston, 1912 a. m. t6. 10 q. m. 10 II -
ti02s q. m. t2.5S p m. taos p. n. $3.50 D. \.
s104S p. m.
Calais. t231 a. m. tI2.2sp D. m.
Dover-Fozsroft. C4.55 q. m. t2l3 .. m.
Gardiner. 1912 q. M, t6.19a. n, o.lea
fl0.24 am, t2. So pm. t4.0S .. m. ISIS o. -
$3.50 p m. t7.35 p. m. *10.4sp .. m. ~
80 Hsllowell, e. ~ a. m. teI9 a. m. iloN an;
t2;8 2. m. t4;o5 ?. m. t5.lSp. m. $3.50 Q. n.
Harmony. C4.55 a. m, t243 D. m.
Lewiston. 1919 q. M. 9.I9 a. m, 1902.
f4.05 p. m. 80. As p. m.
New York. 1899 p. m. t4.05 p. m.
Portland. 1912 q. m. 70. 10 q. m, te.fe. -
il02i a. m. t2.5S p. m. t4.05 pm, 1899 o. n
f7.35 p. m, +10.4S p. m. ~
Rockland. 1919 a. m. 10 10 q. n, tlo5 -
Skowhegan. CAS- am. 1926 an, IS. AZ a =
i2.43 PM, $40 p. m.
So. Gardiner, 1919 a. m. 1918 a. M. tIo "a
a. m. u, SO p. m. t5.l5 p. M: $3.50 p m, t7js
p. M, *10.4S p. m.
st. John. t12.4S a. m.
Waterville, tl2.4s a. m. i1.lo q. M: Ell
am. IS a. m. 9.26 an. AZ m, III 26p.m
t2.43 p m. i3.l1 p. m. t6.4op. m.
+Daily. I Daily. except Sunday. Sunday oul,.
Daily, except Monday. ~
Except Sunday ard MondayN
d. C. DOUGLASS. NIL. HARRIS
A"521 v. p. 2, f'~-1 N~r. C,c1T Pass. I~.r.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18

prophecy OF dollar gasoline" While
the tribune Of the people was abroad
the Interests" have done their
wicked work. The Interests" are
purblind. II Mr.. La Toilette SINKS
Henry Ford may arise. Governor
Davis of Kansas wants Mr.. Ford 10
buy 100000, 900 bushels of wheat ana
hold it for higher prices. That is TOO
small a task for the Michigan states
mans powers. Can he resist the op-
portunity now offered? Can the goa
of the car refuse to be master Oh
the fuel that runs It? Ford and Five
Cent Gasoline! Millions on millions
would rally around that savins
standard, the pillar Of Q peoples
hope.
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18

farmer getting y cents a bushel more
for his wheat, -four was So Dbl
cheaper than in 1922. The Agricul-
tural Year Book states that in 1909 the
average price paid by farmers for -four
was $3.50; in 1922 sS.07. In New Eng
land the comparison is So and $40 for
best grade, retail. In 1913 the farm
price averaged 7S.4 cents and flour
dropped in proportion from the 1909
Continued on Page 10, Col. 81
Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-08-18

last year. No more il not quite as
much as in 1913. Agricultural prices
are acting according to normal econo-
mic influences. All other prices are
not. They are still propped way
above normal level. That is the mat
ter with American farmers.
In 1909, year of short world wheat
crop. the farm price averaged. S1.01.3
In 1922-calcndar years-the farm
price averaged 9S.S. In 1909 with the