davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17
GOOD PLACE TO SPEND

OF the $4,000 grade crossings now
existing throughout the country, but
10000 are protected by gates, watch
men or audible or visible warning
signals In 1888 accidents at these
crossings accounted for 1911 deaths
and 3697 serious injuries. During
the first six months of 1884, 706 were
killed and 1923 were injured. The
National Association of Railroad and
Utilities Commissioners at its annual
meeting. recommended that the Fed
eral government include grade cross
ing elimination in its public works
program during the coming year. The
committee likewise points out that the
states simply haven't the money for
crossing elimination. Thus it would
seem that one worthwhile project for
the public works program would be the
removal of as many grade crossings
as possible.
A great percentage of the money
spent would be spent for labor, both
on the job and in the factories sup
plying the necessary materials and
this would make it a real relief func-
ton aside from the safety angle.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17

farms available on these terms some
families now unable to support them
selves. and forced to depend upon re-
lief, might again become self-sustain-
ing. This would not only help such
families, but would reduce the re-
lief burden on the taxpayers.
Furthermore, under this plan, as
Governor Olson pointed out, 1.-The re-
turns to the Rural Credit department
will not only increase, but will be-
come more certain; and the oppor-
tunities for the liquidation of the de-
partment will be greatly improved"
Still another and most important
advantage is offered by this proposal.
1t would return a large number of
the rural credit farms to the tax
rolls. This would spread the burden
of farm taxation over a greater num-
Der of taxpayers and would help to
reduce the amount of taxes to be
paid by other farmers. 1t would be
practicable method of achieving
some tax relief in that it would strike
directly at one of the pricipal prob
lens of taxation in this state: the
inability of the state to collect taxes
from large blocks of property because
their owners have been unable to
hold them.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17

of disintegration." Another, received
December 5, was another press re-
lease attacking the Roosevelt Admin
istration for misusing the civil serv-
ice.
Whether one agrees with the per-
sonal views of Mr.. Schall or not,
it is impossible to believe that such
communications are entitled to be
mailed under the senatorial frank as
official or departmental business"
Does the junior Senator from Min
nesota ever buy postage stamps, or
does he consider himself on the free
list by virtue of his office? If SO.
where is the legal authority.
The Democratic Postmaster Gen.
eral is permitting this persistent mis-
use of the frank, devoted largely to
political diatribes against him and
against the President. Is this the
acme of fOrbearance, or is Mr.. Far
ley afraid to interfere. Is he afraid
of being charged with persecution. or
are some of his friends in Congress
doing the same thing?
Senator Shipstead and other Min
nesota members of Congress pay pos
tage, except on matter clearly en-
titled to the frank. Who besides Sem
ator Schall, if any one, is on the free
list of the Postoffice Department?
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17
WORK COUNTS

Work, conscientious work. counts to-
ward the success of the one giving
intellectually. True enough there
are many who work and cannot seem
to get ahead" Some Of them do not
manage we'll to make the most of
their work and in the case of the
farmer during the past few years, he
has worked hard and long and has not
received that for his labors which is
justly his. However, the substance
of the subject taken for this editorial
can best be explained by comparison.
A business man who had reached the
top of his profession at the rather
early age Of forty. said in a meeting
recently: 1T is the hours after supper
that make or mar a career"
One thing we can be sure of; the
man who punches the clock at eight
O'Clock on the dot, and five o'clock on
the dot. regardless of the work that
may be waiting at his desk. is the
man who will be among the first out
when conservation demands retrench-
ment of the force.
1t may not be the amount Of work
a man can do before or after the con-
ventional hours set by the industry.
but it Is largely the spirit shown and
if the spirit is there then the ac-
complishment will be enhanced by a
sincere effort.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17
MONEY TALKS
Editor ASkOv American:

Editor ASkov American:
| read an article lately which
think would be of interest to the read
ers of your paper which is as follows:
A plot to Invade the White House
and kidnap the President and his
cabinet" is the latest fantastic ac-
cusation levelled at the radicals by
the Dickstein un-American committee.
The charge was made by Walter S.
Steele of Washington, D. c., repre-
senting the American Coalition of Pa
triotic Civil and Paternal Societies.
The sole evidence" is that the
"kidnap PLAN was discovered in a
raid on the Minneapolis Workers
School during the teamsters' general
strike last year. On the same day
that Mr.. Steele appeared real and
damaging evidence was presented Of
embryo fascist moves backed by
American millionaires with longing
to dictate. Albert G. Christmas, sec
rotary to Robert Sterling Clark, stated
that he turned over $154,OO0 of Mr..
Clark's money to Gerald G. MacGuire,
Wall Street bond salesman, all but
$4,000 was unaccounted for, but it
was testified that Mr.. MacGuire had
$64,O0O at the 1888 convention of the
American Legion in Chicago with
which to swing the Legion support
of a return to the gold standard.
Also Samuel Glazer, an army captain
of Baltimore, told the committee that
Jackson Martindell, approached him
with the proposal to launch the
American "Vigilantes," 100000 strong,
with backing of $700,00O,O00. An
element of the grotesque appears in
all of these schemes, but they never
theless represent the desperate de-
termination of capitalists to preserve
themselves at all costs.
That the woods are full of rich
men ready to spend lavishly to bolster
up any likely candidate, it's no sur
prise to those who know the financial
backing given to Mussolini and Hit
Ter before they reached power. But
in order for fascist plans to succeed
it is necessary to silence the radicals,
to smash the working class, begin
ming with the radical leadership.
The Dickstein committee originally
set up to investigate Nazi propaganda
in America is carrying out this anti
working class role with the cheer of
Hearst and the whole national ma
chinery of radio and press. When a
committee of New York workers WISH
ted Mr.. Dickstein's home to protest
they were waylaid by police in the
hallway and blackjacked.
A slogan, letting yourself be robbed
is Americanism; defending yourself
against robbery is Socialism.
Hard times are tenant armers
starving because they have raised too
much food.
If you've got the price, you're a con-
sumner; if you haven't got the price,
you're a bum.
LAURENCE V. UBL
Hinckley, MINI.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17
PEOPLE ARE AWAKE

The rural communities and the
farmers do not forget the campaign
promises made them by political can
didates as they used to. No sir, they
follow them right up into the legis-
lative halls and any candidate who
thinks he can go his own way until
he gets ready to patch his fences
again he is badly mistaken. Several
things may have happened to bring
this awakening about.
For the past many years the CEN
tralization of the wealth of the coun-
try has been going into few hands.
Why? Because the moneyed inter
ests have been awake. They have
been in the legislative halls and have
seen to it that they got theirs while
the common people were asleep.
This situation went on and on until
at the present time we find that
there is not enough money in circu-
lation among the masses. People
starve in a land of plenty. There
were too many places where the rich
man could put his money so he would
not have to pay the cost of govern
ment. His was a life of ease because
we had been asleep to the running
of the government.
But now it is hoped that with the
awakening of the masses legislation
will be forced through that will find
an avenue for some of wealth's lore
to go into the cost of the govern
ment which will relieve the over
taxed little man."
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17

unemployed with the greatest eff
cheney. This efficient demands that
the public works projects be useful,
enduring, and located where the most
benefit will accrue, both in providing
work and from the projects them
selves. In a word, the President is
clearly determined to use the public
works program to get the best results
from every Viewpoint.
Of special interest is the mention
of grade crossing elimination in the
Presidents message. The removal OF
these death traps is one of the de-
sirable public works projects recon-
mended by the President. 1t is now
certain that important legislation
carrying the Presidential approval
and providing for an extensive grade
crossing elimination program will be
introduced. Wisconsin,, where during
the first administration of Gov. La Fol-
lette grade crossing projects were mi
tiated as a desirable means of work
relief, will take special interest in
this particular recommendation.
The congressman, senators, and the
people of the United States generally
who heard the Roosevelt message on
Friday could not help feeling that
the same vigorous, active policy that
has characterized the Roosevelt ad-
ministration will be continued 1t is
evident that the President realizes the
tremendous economic waste in idle
man-power that exists in the country
today. How encouraging it is that
the President is determined to utilize
that manpower, until private industry
and business improves to the extent
that there will be jobs for these un-
employed, to do useful work in re-
turn for the government aid that
would, in any case, have to be ex-
tended to them.
The message of President Roosevelt
at the opening of congress contained
much that will appeal to the liberal
minded people of the nation. The
legislation and specific plans that will
be offered to carry out its predic-
tions will be of equally great inter-
est to Progressives everywhere.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17
STARVE THE MIND TOO2
,ditor Askov American:

Editor Askov American:
Recent press dispatches disclose a
doubt as to the value in adult educa-
tion. Not surprising. Any genuine
humanitarian program which departs
time-rutted custom, invariably pro-
vOkes a storm of negativistic doubt
The freeing of the human personality,
when it entails expenditure. always
encounters retardation and-investi-
cation.
The doubters imply that in some
communities the adult education at
tendance is anemic-that the program
is not drawing the unemployed or tho
high school graduate.
If not, why not?
And if weak enrolment is any
where evident, isn't it an irrefutable
proof that the need for adult educa-
ton is greater than ever? Doesn't
the alleged paucity in enrolment, re-
veal startling failure to stimulate
mental curiosity in the pre-adult edu-
cational system? Why not investigate
in that field first? What about the
fourteen years of grade school, high
school and university? If that pro-
gram had ducated;-mental curiosity
would be alive. and the adult educa-
ton attendance would tax the capa-
city Of every classroom.
Somewhere along or during the pre-
adult educational program mental
curiosity mas been mangled, talents
have been denied nurture, and ignor-
ance, outside of specialized fields. has
not been dispelled.
Why? We have one of the most ex-
pensive school systems in the world.
Its objective surely should be to ed
ucate-''to lead out" to develop the
meditative faculty. to point the way to
clear thinking. and to vanQuish man.
kinds ancient enemy, = ignorance.
Even if that great goal were achieved.
adult education would still be re-
Quired, because an awakened men,
tally realizes that education in its
true light is a lifetime process.
Therefore if our adult classes are not
filled, our so-called educating system
has failed, somewhere. to eradicate
the respect for custom. the respect
for authority and the proud unteach-
ableness Of nursery dispositions.
The task before the instructors in
the adult project is stupendous one.
Since in myriad cases the pre-adult
schooling has drugged the mind with
deadening mental lethargy. the her
culeaa labor of ministering to the
hungry mind devolves upon the adult
instructor.
Beside that labor. adult education
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17
MONEY is NOT WEALTH
Editor Askov American:

Editor Askov American:
Money, in itself is net wealth. 1t is
simply the medium by which we ia
cilitate the exchange of one form of
wealth for another.
The laborers' ability and desire to
work, constitutes his wealth. The prod
ucts of the farm constitute the farm
ers' wealth. The products of the fac
tory constitute its wealth.
Each of these groups are anxious
to exchange their commodities with
one another.
But money, our medium Of exchange,
is inadequate and in hiding, and does
not function.
1t is certainly the foremost duty of
government to furnish it's citizens
with a sufficient supply of money to
facilitate the free exchange of labor,
the products of labor, and other forms
of wealth. between its citizens.
But the real fact of the matter is
that this extremely important function
Of government has been farmed out to
bunch of banking racketeers who
have usurped their powers. so that
| instead of serving as a medium of
exchange, money and credit has been
SO controlled and manipulated that
the ownership of the real wealth of
the nation has been diverted from the
masses (who by the sweat of their
brows produced it, into the hands OF
a small minority who never produced
any part of it.
What could possibly better serve as
medium of exchange, than the gov
eminent debt expressed in the form Of
currency, and thus. incidentally save
billion dollars a year in interest.
Write your congressman and sen
ator and urge the issuance of cur
rency instead of bonds.
S. o. SANDERSON.
Rochester, MINI.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17
THE WINTER CONQUERED
Duluth Herald)

ALI Minnesota lies under heavy falls
of SNOW. Contrary to a common be-
lief, this does, not make the Land
colder, but warmer rather. The win
ter is always warmer in and out Of
the shelters for man and beast, when
snow is deep, particularly if it covers
ground as now, into which the frost
has not gone down beyond foot or SO.
There is another fact that is agree
able. Under such a snowfall as now
exists, even as late as twenty years
ago in the Arrowhead, all the villages,
suburbs, homes OF settlers, would be
hemmed in for months. People would
settle back to wait for spring. Only
the strongest and most active would
wade out to the centers, to the big
towns and cities, to the bright lights.
How different now! The big steam
passenger trains hum along as if in
summer That is normal, but their
work is supplemented by scores Of
great passenger busseS that run on
summer schedules penetrating every
where. These road giants, the BUSES,
are each day making points on big
circle from Duluth to Superior and
Ashland, St. Cloud, Carlton, CloQuet.
and the west, the range cities and all
between, Two Harbors and Grand Ma
rails.
An outer circle is maintained. This
reaches the 500, the Twin Cities, Be-
midi and the west, the border, Grand
Portage and the international boun-
dairy. Beyond these places great bus
ses make their way to all outside.
Powerful snowplows keep the ways
open. A result is that business and
social activities are even more in evil
dence in winter than in the good old
summer time. In truth, St Louis
county has conquered the snow. the
winter.
Much money, public and private. has
been spent to effect this. Perhaps
there has been waste. Even so, much
has been laid out we'll and honestly
and now the people live and get about
quite as well and easily as in June
and July. This is civilization.
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17
WANING CIVIL SERVICE
(St. Paul Daily NewS)

Sen- George w. Norris is unlimber-
ing his guns for an attack on the
spoils system in the federal govern
ment. He complains that fewer than
70 per cent of the employees in the
executive branches are under civil
service today; and since the percent
age was above 80 when Mr.. Roosevelt
was inaugurated, Mr.. Norris quite nat
ural1y thinks that the decline ought to
be a matter of deep concern to the
The more things our federal govern
ment finds to do-and there is every
Indication that it is going to be pro-
gressively more active in years to
come-the more important it is that
it's servants be chosen purely for
merit and not for political reasons.
Sen. Norris is calling for an exceed
ingly vital reform. All who admire
good government will hope that he
pushes it with typical Norris energy
and success
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17
ON UNCLE SANS FREE LIST
minneapolis JournaD

minneapolis JOurnaD
Are the Members Of Congress above
the laws which they enact? Are they
privileged to obey those laws, or not
according to their personal inclina-
tiOns?
Senators and Representatives in
Congress have the right to send let
ters and parcels through the mails.
postage free, under limits we'll de-
fined by law. The Federal Statutes,
Title 80, Section 1926, provide:
The Congressional Record, or
any part thereof, or speeches or
reports therein contained, shall,
under the frank of a Member OF
Congress, written by himself, be
carried in the mail free Of pos
tage, under such regulations as
the Postmaster General may pre-
scribe.
Section 1926 further provides that
Senators and Representatives may
send and receive through the mail all
public documents printed by the order
Of Congress" the name Of the Mem
Der being written thereon.
Section 1927 says:
The Vice President, Members
and Members-elect OF, Delegates
and Delegates-elect to Congress
shall have the power Of sending
free through the mails and under
their frank any mail matter to
any Government official, or to
any person, correspondence, not
exceeding four ounces in weight,
upon official or departmental
business
In the penal code is a section COW
ering violations OF this privilege.
Title IS. Section 357 OF the Federal
Statutes says:
Whoever shall make use OF any
official envelope, label or indorse-
ment authorized by law, to avoid
the payment Of postage or reg
istry fee ON his private letter,
package or other matter in the
mail, shall be fined not more than
e $500.
Newspapers receive communications
from Senator Thomas d. Schall OF
Minnesota almost daily. None Of them
carries postage. Seldom do they even
contain extracts from the Congress
sional Record, or public documents as
enclosures. and seldom can they he
classed as official or departmental
business" They are mailed in enve-
lopes labeled: United States Senate.
Committee on Interoceanic Canals
Free" and where the stamps should
be there is printed fac smile OF the
signature, Thomas ID. Schall, u s. s.
One such message. received Deem
Der 3, was a press release from the
Senator. extolling the "virility OF the
Republican Party" and declaring that
the Democratic Party Is In the stage
Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1935-01-17
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Napital TimeS)

The message of President Franklin
D. Roosevelt, delivered personally at
the opening of the 74th congress, will
be received generally with satisfac-
ton by the progressive and liberal
minded people of this nation.
The criticism that the message
could have been more explicit is not
warranted. The message outlined
broad policies and foretold specific
measures to come. Most important,
it indicated that the President has
not deviated from the principles of
liberalism which he has SO long
espoused. The Swing to the right"
predicted by supposedly informed OBJ
servers did not occur.
Outstanding in significance was the
specific, straightforward manner in
which President Roosevelt dealt with
the problem of relief. This subject,
incidentally, occupied more than half
of the message. The President knew
when he assembled the speakers TO
strum to deliver his address Friday
in the House of Representatives that
the problem of taking care Of the
millions of unemployed in this coun-
try is the biggest single job that
faces the government. He did not
minimize the magnitude Of that prob
lem.
When he prepared his message on
relief, President Roosevelt was in
formed of the action Of the 80 big
business and Industrial leaders who
met recently at White Sulphur
Springs, w. Va, and went on record
in favor of cessation Of public works
projects and the establishment of
what would amount to permanent
dole. At that conference were repre-
sented the corporate power and wealth
that have heretofore had a command
ing voice in the national govern
ment. But their urgings that the gov
eminent adopt long time policy that
would pauperize and degrade millions
Of jobless workers unemployed through
no fault of their own found no SYM
pathetic audience in the White House.
The Presidents message furnished a
ringing answer to the White Sulphur
Springs conference of plutocrats
where it said:
1.-THE lessons of history, con.
firmed by the evidence immed.
lately before me, show cOnclu.
sively that continued dependence
upon relief induces a spiritual
and moral disintegration funda.
mentally destructive to the ma.
tiOnal fibre. To dole out relief
in this way is to administer q
narcotic, a subtle destroyer Of
the human spirit 1t IS infmical
to the dictates of sound policy.
1t Is in violation of the traditions
Of America. Work must be found
for able bodied but destitute work.
ers. We must preserve not only
the bodies of the unemployed
from destitution but also their self
respect, their self reliance and
courage and determination"
The message pledges a continuance
of the federal program of public worKs
and outlines plans whereby work will
be given to the maximum number Of