Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 166, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1918 — Page 1

No. 166.

A Sheboygan Bod Davenport is better than an extra bedroom.

SEE OUR WINDOW DISPLAY W. J. WRIGHT

DRAFT WEIGHT REQUIREMENT REDUCED TO 110 POUNDS

Physical requirements for drafted men have been’ amended so as to make the minimum height sixty inches and the minimum weight 11,0 pounds. Instructions have been sent to medical advisory boards throughout the country, authorizing them to certify for general military service all registrants who come within these limits. The minimum requirements asto height for the regular army remains at sixty-two inches.

COMMUNITY SINGING.

Inasmuch as the war has taken away so many of our band boys, making it impossible to hold band concerts, why would it not be a splendid idea to give an entertainment each Wednesday 'evening on the court house lawn consisting of community singing. Dr. W. L. Myer, J. D. Allman, E. P. Honan, C. E. Prior, Mrs. Loren .Sage, Mrs. M, P. Gwin and many others would undoubtedly be willing/to assist in this matter. George Ade in his last state council of defense article urges community singing. Will Rensselaer start this? It will be of value from the standpiont of patriotism and will be greatly enjoyed. Come on Dr. Myer, et al., let’s sing.

CASUALTY LIST IN FRANCE. Washington, July 23.—The army casualty list today shows: Killed in action, 24; died of wounds, 3; died of disease, 5; died of accident and other causes, 5; wounded severely, 67; missing in action, 1. Total, 106. FROM INDIANA. (Wednesday) Leslie D. Chapin, Ridgeville, killed in action, Charles Bocca, Gary, wounded severely. THE~BETTER ENTERTAINMENT PRINCESS—GAYETY TONIGHT At Both Houses BLUE BIRD PLAYS. Franklin Farmim "The Wing Mystery” 6 acts. ALSO L-KO COMEDY. Father, sons and chorus girls. 2 acts. 7 reels. 10c and 15c. EXTRA THURSDAY SPECIAL— No advance in price. SELECT PICTURES PRESENTS. Chas. Richman and Anna Q. Nilsson in "Over There” 6 acts. Great story; wonderful battle scenes. The Red Cross in action. Don’t miss this. 10c and 15c. FRIDAYBLUE BIRD PLAYS. Carmel Meyers in "The Wine Girl” ALSO COMEDY. SATURDAY— J. Staurt Blackton’s Famous Production. , "The World For Sale” As shown at the Rialto theatre in New York City, i ALSO VAUDEVILLE. '« At The Gayety "The London Girls” Harmony Singing, and John A. West “The Musical Brownie” F

The Evening Republican

With the American Army on the Aisne-Marne Front, July 23.—Information reaching the intelligence department of the American army tonight indicated the Germans were still continuing their retreat. Far behind their lines they are being subjected to a heavy fire by both French and American guns, which doubtless is hampering the movement of their enormous supplies. Paris, July 23.—Franco-American forces southwest of the Ourcq today advanced a mile east odf the Chateau Thierry road, according to an authoriative dispatch from the front tonight. They captured the village of Rocourt and Chatelelrwood; Paris, July 23.—Thirty-seven German airplanes were brought down or put out of action by French and British airmen yesterday. Four captive balloons were burned and many tons of bombs were dropped on German concentration points. This announcement is made in the official communication issued by the war office tonight. With The American Army On The Aisne-Marne Front, July 23.—The American and French troops fighting south of Soissons have captured four German tanks, which were operating against them in conjunction with the German infantry. The allied artillery immediately put four of them out of commission. Four others retreated. Paris, July 23.- One hundred and thirty-seven German airplanes were brought down or put out of action by French and British airmen yesterday. Four captive balloons were burned and many tons of bombs were dropped on German concentration points. This announcement is made in the official communication issued by the war office tonight. * (Today’s German official statement claims the destruction of fiftytwo allied airplanes. Paris, July 23.—French, American and British troops made considerable advances during the day on the Aisne-Marne front, according to the war office statement tonight. In addition to capturing several villages they took 1,800 or more •German prisoners.

(Wednesday) . .Gen. Foch is squeezing still closer the opening of the pocket through which those of the German Crown Prince’s armies still within the AisneMarne salient must escape. . New advances are reported in the direction of Oulchy-le-Chateau and pressure is increasing in the direction of Rheims. . .Latest reports placed the French only about -five miles from Fere-en-Tardenois. Once this base city- falls the withdrawal of the Germans still within the pocket would appear an almost hopeless task. Desperate fighting continues in progress south of Soissons, where the Germans are striving to hold back the allied wall of flesh and steel that is closing in on them. During the twenty-four hours last past the allies are reported to have captured no less than ten towns and villages on the Aisne-Marne front and in Picardy, where the French yesterday launched a small-scale offensive opposite Amiens. The German losses in, the operation starting July 15 now are estimated at 180,000, including killed, wounded and captured. The losses in machine guns, ammunition, war materials and larger cannon have gone beyond estimate at the present time.. Operations during die last twentyfour hours have been hindered by rain, but late yesterday the weather cleared and the battle was resumed in full violence. . .’Unfavorable weather is also reported from the Flanders sectors, where Prince Rupprecht and his predicted offensive still are in waiting. The terrain there, is particularly susceptible to the rain and the prospects are that the Bavarian Prince will find it convenient still further to delay his advance.,

BULLETIN

WAR SUMMARY

RENSSELAER, INDIANA, WEDNESDAY, JULY 24, 1618.

CITIZEN ROOSEVELT.

Whatever disappointment may be felt in Republican circles in New York over the positive refusal of Theodore Roosevelt to accept a nomination for the office of Governor,” it is likely that the multitude erf people outside of that state who place corfiedence in him as a great public leader will be glad of his decision. - . It is true, as he says, that -.he .office of Governor of New York is a highly important and responsible one and that a tender of the nomination from an influential element of the party, including one candidate for the place, who is ready to withdraw in his favor, is a great honor. But it is also true that the state has many important internal problems to consider which would' consume all the time and thought of the incumbent of the office, and Col. Roosevelt says that with his mind absorbed with national and international affairs, as it has been for four could turn from them with any heart to deal with domestic questions, vital though they are. This feeling may be readily understood and should be accepted without criticism by the New York petitioners as a sufficient cause for his rejection of their offer. . But there is a stronger reason than the colonel s own preferences in the matter why he should remain free frpm responsibility for public duties that other men can perform- The country needs him in the role he has occupied for the past four years, that of creator of sound war sentiment and leader of public opinion. For two years his was a voice crying in the wilderness. The nation took the position that it was a mere onlooker at a deplorable European tragedy. An incubus of netrality even in speech was officially laid upon it. Its patriotism was blanketed; its eyes were blinded to the truth; it gave a friendly ear to pacifist doctrine, not realizing that this was, intentionally or not, pro-German propaganda. But Col. Roosevelt refused to be silent and refused to be neutral. He warned the country that sooner or later we should be involved in the war; he pointed out that we were safe only because the British navy stood temporarily between us and danger; he urged preparation as a means of self-protection;'he urged voluntary participation in war as a duty to ourselves and the allies. Always from the beginning he preached the need of haste. He had the worst of walls to battle down, namely, passive opposition, the heavy contentment of the comfortable and the selfish who did not wish to hear anything disagreeable. But finally the barrier was broken and the sentiment of public and administration changed. Without doubt Col. Roosevelt _ was the most powerful * agency in effecting this change. Nearly all the things he advocated have come about—preparation 'for war on a large scale, the building of ships and airplanes, the making of munitions, conscription, unlimited aid to the allies. They have come slowly, not swiftly as he would have had them, but our armies are now in France and doing noble service. But the country needs him yet. There are great problems of warstill to be considered and far greater ones of peace whose settlement may affect our nation fdr good .or ill for the next hundred years. We need to have the mind of this statesman and patriot directed to these things in order that here again his views may help to guide the nation. The New York Tribune suggests that he could render great service as a member of the House of Representatives, but while there is need of a strong war leader there, the colonel’s influence in the coming controversies is likely to be greater if he is left with the free hand of the private citizen than as a party leader only. To him as our greatest private citizen, the country, not a party only, looks for guidance in this world crisis.—lndianapolis Star.

THE MOVIES.

The government is very anxious, and rightly so, that every non-es-sential industry should suspend during the war. Anything that does not contribute to the winning of the war has been taboobed. Some have thought that the movies should be closed, but the publicity committee has decided that the movies are doing a tremendous amount of good. If our own local play houses are to be taken as example we are sure that this is true. Many of the pictures shown are of war scenes and tell much of the progress of the war. The proprietors of the three houses here endeavor in every way possible to build up a thoroughly patriotic sentiment which has contributed in, no small way to our present excellent showing in all war activities. More and more the movies will become and will be used as educational forces. As they will give imputua to war activities so they are very instrumental in giving useful instruction and information along educational lines. The entertainment feature of the picture show is legitimate and necessary. But the greatest good that the movies do is in the way of publicity. The character of the pictures shewn are of such a nature that the service rendered is of incalculable value to the government

WEDNESDAY GRAIN MARKET.

Oats 68c. Com $1.20. Wheat $2.00 to $2.11. Rye $1.60.

SYSTEMS OF COMMUNICATION UNDER GOVERNMENT CONTROL

Lafayette Journal. President Wilson has issued a proclamation taking over control of telegraph and telephone systems, effective on July 31. Presumably the advocates of government ownership are made very happy as a result of this action and those politicans who assume that the votes of the employes go with the control of the property are rubbing their hands in oily glee. There is an ever increasing inclination to look askance upon the seizure of private property under the plea that such action is necessary to the successful prosecution of the war. Where such necessity really exists i>o word of protest will be forthcoming; the sacrifice of every personal and corporate right will be made willingly in order that organziation may be most effective and the war be sooner won. But if there was any real justifidation for the seizure of the lines of communication the facts have not been made public at an early hour this morning. The authority was given by a congress acting contrary to its better judgment and deferring in the matter solely because the president had requested that the matter be placed in his hands. President Konenkamp of the Commercial Telegraphers’ Union succeeded in alarming Washington to some extent by a threat to call a strike of all employes of the Western Union Telegraph company. - It is now known that Konenkamp was bluffing; very few of the Western Union employes belong to his little union, and there was at no time an announced intention to strike. As a matter of fact there was no ground's upon which to base a strike as the matters at issue were conceded by officials of the company. But with the railroad situation as it existed two years ago still, fresh in mind President Wilson was prevailed upon to assume no risks and the control of the telegraph and telephone lines was entrusted to him. There are incidents connected with the situation that clearly indicate that politicians and champions of government ownership acted, not from motives of patriotism but for purposes of personal satisfaction. The manner in which a majority of a minority of the senate committee recommended government control verged closely upon the scandalous and when the report was returned for action by ia majority of the whole committee only the merest pretense of investigating the merits of the matter was made. There has been no charge that the service has not been adequate, that it has not been efficient. Neither has there been any charge that official secretjs have been divulged in transmission. There was nothing the: matter with the service until Konenkamp conceived the idea of feathering his own nest and achieving an importance that was not his due, and announced that he was going to call a strike. It will .be interesting to seen whether he succeeds in landing an appointment as a reward for services rendered.

There isn’t the remotest possibility of a betterment of the service or a cheapening of the existing rates. On the contrary increased rates will in all probability follow as a result of government control, if we are to judge by the conditions that prevail in the transportation world, and even the postal department under whose supervision the telegraph and telephone lines have been placed. Government ownership is a matter that will be discussed at length during ,the next Couple of years. At present we merely have government control as a war emergency policy, but the advocates of government ownership are very busy and extremely hopeful. But government control and the purchase of the properties in question are matters quite widely separated and whether the American people are ready to assume a burden of a great many billions of dollars on top of their war debts, whatever they may be when the war is ended, remains to be seen.

It is scarcely probable that the will, in view of the fact that while necessity demanded that the government take over the railroads we are paying dearly for the privilege in the way of increased passenger and freight rates. The fifteen per cent increases which were denied the railroads as private institutions have been tripled because the restrictions which hedged our transportation systems about could be evaded only by governmental control during a period of emergency. But the conditions that justified' control of the railroads did not and do not exist as applying to telegraph and telephone lines. There are forces at work that place upon the people the obligation of thinking seriously and arriving at proper conclusions if disaster is to be averted when the war ends, as it will do quite suddenly some morning.

GERMANS’ LOSSES.

London, July 23.—According to careful estimates warranting acceptance, says Reuter’s correspondent on the French front the Germans have employed between sixty and seventy divisions since July 15 and have lost 180,000 men killed, wounded aind prisoners.

NOTICE I will be at Dr. Gwm’s office for the collection of accounts due. These accounts must be settled by cash or note. ELLEN GWIN.

r - t o'"*" 1 ' * The majority of men buy more shirts in July than in all the other months combined. And the average man is mainly interested In silk skirts; it’s why you’ll find here such good colors at $5.00. Silk mixtures, silk combinations and * ‘near silk’ ’ at $4.00. Percales, curious crepes, multi-striped madras, and many novel fabrics, soft collars to match, at $2 to $3.50. Sport Shirts 75c to $1.50 Neckwear in a riot of roaring colors as well as conservative patterns 75c to $4. A foot note — Two feet oisilk socks for 75c. Tmnrnr'i WMtfhMr Probably showers.

WILL TAKE LINES OVER ON JULY 31

Washington, July 23.—The nation’s communication lines will go under government control July 31. President Wilson today signed executive order providing for federal wire control under the recent Poetmaster General Burleson will supervise the work, with David J. Lewis as director. In -the absence of official announcement of the seizure expected about 2:30, it is reliably reported that the control will include telegraph, telephone and cable. The radio systems already are under the government supervision. The government’s action insures central protection for, government secret messages and in maintaining service and eliminating strikes. In addition it will result in doing away with necessary competition between telephone and telegraph companies. It is the intention to increase the telegraph facilities, reduce the operating expenses and as a result bring to the public increased and improved service at cheaper rates. The strike of telegraphers is now definitely off. Walkouts ended with the president’s signing of the order and the reinstatement of those locked out by the companies will take place rapidly.

GASOLINE UP, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL Washington, July 23.—T0 meet the increased railroad freight rates ordered by the railroad administration, the fuel administration has announced that, effective today, it will not object to an advance of % a cent a gallon in the wholesale tank wagon market price of gasoline, naptha and refined OiL The retail advance shall not be greater than the wholesale, it is announced. CARD OF THANKS. We wish to thank our many friends and relatives for their kind expression of sympathy shown us in our recent bereavoment in the death of our son, John. MR. AND MRS. JOHN JOHNSON. Go to the College Inn for ice cream. Everything sanitary and tastefully served.

WAR HINTS-HELPS-DUTIES

COMPLIED AND CONDENSED FOR THE STATE COUNCIL OF DEFENSE BY GEORGE ADE. All of the tides have turned. The Germans have begun to move in the right direction. The U-boat peril is on the wane. The production of ships and airplanes and big guns is gathering speed after a period of uncertainty. Two of the big grain crops are being harvested, ft is in the air that our people have come to bat for the decisive inning and that we are going to win. But it is no time for sitting back and taking things easy. Put increased vigor into all war work and don't waste valuable time discussing compromise peace terms. o—o The National and States Councils of Defense favor community singing. Each town should have a trained Liberty Chorus to sing the songs of our country and our allies at public assemblages. Possibly a state director will be selected to encourage and advise the community organizations. o o The “chain letter” plan for supplying funds to hospitals abroad or supporting other remote benevolent activities is not approved by the State Council of Defense. o—o American women writing to their soldier relatives in France are requested by the Council of National Defense to make their letters bright and newsy and cheerful and* for goodness sake, refrain from expression of anxiety and grief. If the boy in France is getting along all right don’t throw him into a fit of worry by writing him a blue and despondent letter. Tell the soldiers what the folks at home are doing to keep up their end of the war. 0--—0 State Liberty Loan officials say that Indiana has met all of the financial demands made upon her since the war begun and still has more money in the pockets of her people than she had just before the war started. The Hoosiers are going to support their country with openhanded generosity, no matter how long the war lasts, and they are not going to worry about bankrupting themselves. O—O Saurkraut has been investigated. It is said to be of Dutch origin and you can get it without being proGerman. The food administrator says it is a patriotic dish in spite of its name. o—o Indiana is a corn state and it should not grumble when people everywhere are urged to use at least one cornmeal dish at every meal. o—o Two thrift stamps will buy for some soldier boy somewhere: A pound of smoking or chewing tobacco; or Chevrons, and a pair of shoe laces; or A canvas basin, a comb, and a cake of soap; or A shaving brush; or . A hair brush; or A bath towel and a face towel; or A pair of knit woolen gloves; or A pipe; or A pillow; or A chambray shirt; or A First Aid Packet.

WEDNESDAY HOSPITAL NOTES.

Clay DeWees entered the hospital Tuesday for medical treatment. Bert Abbott’s six year old daughter had her tonsils removed today. Mrs. Omar Hendrickson entered the hospital today for a minor operation.

AT THE STAR THEATRE —'The Hu— of Good Flslf as TODAY WILLIAM RUSSELL fai ’THE MIDNIGHT TRAIL** Also Billie Rhoads in Comedy THURSDAY ZOE RAE A GRETCHEN LEDERER ~ IN "THE LITTLE PIRATE** Al#t> "WAR BRIDEGROOM** FRIDAY GEORGE WALSH 4 IN "THIS IS THE LIFE** A comedy-drama. ALSO THE FORD WEEKLY SATURDAY , ETHEL CLAYTON i — m —ls •THE JOURNEYS END** la five reels ALSO 3 Reek of "LIBERTY** Alive with vim aad action fresa start to finish. Don’t fail to . see Liberty.

VWUSJ.