Newspaper Page Text
SOLDIERS ARE SUPERSTITIOUS British War Museum Official Digs - Up Some Interesting Information. NEARLY ALL WEAR AMULETS One Officer Carrying Charm Refuses to Reveal Its Nature for Fear of Bad Luck—Another Carries Piece of Coal. London.—Certain interesting super stitious prevalent among British colo nial troops at the front are described by Edward Lovett, an official of the Im perial War museum at London, in the Morning Post. He says: “Many of the superstitions held by Britisli soldiers are also held by our troops from overseas and by men of . the allied forces. One day 1 happened to meet an Australian soldier who wore the figure 5 on the collar of his tunic. This 5 Is known on the continent ns the Pentad, and in Belgium the Fifth regiment is considered to be the lucky ■t regiment. The logic of the Pentad is ns follows: Figure 1 stands for God, absolutely alone. Figure 2 is the mind of God in operation ns shown by the works of nature. Figure 3 represents man as the highest work of God. Tak ing. therefore, figure 1 ns being unique, the figures 2 and 3, that is, God's work in the hands of man. equal 5, and this 5 is said to represent everything. In this country we dp not fully appreciate the meaning of the figure 5. Lucky Australian Five. “To come back to our Australian sol dier. He told me that he knew nothing of the Pentad, and he was rather in clined to sneer at luck in general. But he told me that his company, which was the Fifth, was very lucky, and day after day the men had many narrow escapes from death or wounds. The company, in fact, had lost only 15 men out of 180. while the Second company had lost a much larger proportion. He also told me that the No. 13 was con sidered by them a lucky number, and most of the men in the Fifth company, curiously enough, had 13 in their regi mental numbers, his own number be ing 51327. “On one occasion, after lecturing to some men from New Zealand and Aus tralia, I was entertained for the night and put up in an officer’s hut. Before turning in I chatted over the subject of folklore and soldiers’ mascots with four officers. One of the officers told me that he carried a charm, and I said I would like to know what It was. It turned out to be simply a Swastika, which was apparently new to him, and he was glad to hear more about It. The second officer took from his pocket a small cross of grotesque form, which, he informed me, was his mascot. The third officer laughingly added. “Well. I PATROLS READY FOR NEW MEXICAN OUTBREAKS Three-Inch Hold pieces going to their station on the border ulcng the lilo Grande. The military authorities nre taking all necessary precautions to be ready for any new outbreak on the Mexican border. ST. THOMAS PICKS UP American Port Regains Former Marine Standing Improvement* Slow During the War. but Ship* Are Now Calling Regularly. St. Thomas. Virgin Islands. —This American port Is beginning to regain some of Its former maritime Impor tance. Owing to the war. Improve ments in this direction have been slow since the Virgin Islands were pur chased from Denmark, but now. after considerable agitation by business men of St. Thomas, American steamers nro beginning to cull here. This Is the resu't of representations which linve been made to Washington In behalf of the Inhabitants of the Islands. The Islanders feel that Amerlcuu steamship owners, and especially the shipping board at Washington, buve need not show you mine, because it is only n piece of coal, wraftied in n little bag which 1 brought over from Aus tralia.” The fourth (and this to my astonishment, being the “highest pos sible”) said, “I also have a mascot, but I regret to say that I don’t Intend to show It to you. I won’t even tell you what It is, because it would spoil my luck.” Nothing I could say would in duce him to alter his decision. His was the most superstitious case of all. “The commonest charms among the soldiers of France and Belgium ure made of aluminum and copper frag ments of German shells. It is consid ered that if you wear a piece of an enemy’s projectile It inoculates you against future danger from such sources. In Italy the men wore the kinds of charms and amulets which have been common in that country for many generations—even centuries, I JEWS IN SERBIA IN BAD PLIGHT Economic Ruin and Epidemics Have Fallen to Their Lot in Balkans. BULGARIAN OUTLOOK BETTER Investigator Urges Shipments of Food And Clothing to Roumania—Fund of $35,000,000 Being Sought in United States. New York.—Reports of the condi tion of Jews in the Balkan countries, ns made to the American Jewish Re lief committee by its investigators nbrond show that economic ruin, epi demics of typhus, tuberculosis, and other diseases have fallen to the lot of Balkan Jews to an extent equal to that suffered by their co-religionists in j other war-torn countries, but that po- I liticnl and religious repressive mens j ures have been lacking. The tlrst detailed account of the slt i nation in Serbia in many months is from Dr. Isaac Alenlny, chief rabbi of Serbia, with headquarters in Bel ginde. He said Belgrade was still without regular communication with the provinces, because the railroads and bridges destroyed by the Austrians have not been restored. “During the war.” he wrote, “Jews ir. Belgrade suffered proportionately more than the rest of the population. Most of their habitations were exposed * to gunfire throughout the 15 months that the city was under bombardment. Almost all homes are destroyed. The heretofore overlooked the facilities of the harbor of St. Thomas for provid ing coal, fuel oil. and other stores. While few American steamers have been calling at St. Thomas for sup plies. many have called at the neigh boring British islands, where faculties are not considered as good ns here. The price of coal Is cheaper at St. Thomas than at the British Islands. To bring this matter before the ship ping hoard and to obtain all the help possible from the American people nnd congress, a meeting of the Inhabitants of the Virgin island was held here. Resolutions were adopted calling the attention of the shipping hoard to the facilities of the port, such as a pier 3.000 feet long with thirty-one feet of water alongside nnd all up-to-date ap pliances for the quick dispatch of ves sels wanting coul, water, fuel oil and other stores. The resolution wus curried to Wash ington by Darwin O. Curry, collector rHE GILPIN OBSERVER may say. They consist chiefly of phal lic emblems, and may he seen by thou sands in the streets and markets of Naples especially. What the Germans Wear. “I have a number of examples of German charms, some of which were taken from German prisoners, while others were collected by myself In Ger many about 12 years ago. They are of a character you might expect from such a people, and consist largely of pigs, many of which, 1 regret to say. are grossly vulgar and offensive. An other German charm Is a small model of a fungus, which Is of natural blood-red color. This Is really a phallic emblem. A third kind Is a teetotum, the mean ing of which is ‘chance.’ On the other hand, In the German navy, or what re mains of It, they have rather a pretty charm. It consists of a small, cheap medal, bearing the figure of Christ stilling the tempest, with the motto ‘Safety in storms.’ I gathered from several of my friends that the charms in common use by the Germans were generally small objects, such as 1 have mentioned, which had been presented to the wearers by their mothers or sis ters, hut In few cases had the charm 1 any definite logical meaning. Jewish population of the city, formerly 8,000, now numbers no more than 4,500. The number is being increased daily by returning refugees. Many men are still with the colors. “Economically, the Serbian Jews have suffered terribly. Because of the uncertain political situation, all regular commerce is impossible, and it If difficult for Jewish citizens to im prove their condition. Have Suffered Terribly. “Such a situation Is unfortunate, for the war has brought us new duties. The Jews of old Serbia took a very active part in the Balkan wars and in tlie world war. The years of fight ing have deprived more than 400 fam ilies of their bread winners. These people have to be helped. In Bulgarin, according to a report from Miss Hetty Goldman of this city, the condition of the Jews is some what better than In Serbia. Poverty is not. so widespread, nor are health conditions so bad. “Bulgarian Jews are able to meet the needs of their own poor, but they have recently been confronted with a new responsibility. Roumanian Jews are seeking refuge In Bulgaria, and their Bulgarian co-religlonlsts are at a loss to know what to do with them. There Is no work, even for skilled ar tisans. “A soup kitchen Is being run for these people of Sophia, but many are desperate. An allotment from our American Jewish relief fund must be made to care for them.” Tn Roumanla there is need of cloth ing and staple foods. It was Miss •Goldman who made the Investigation In this country also. Clothing Greatest Need. “The people needed clothing above everything else.” her report reads. "Almost everybody is shabby, and a large percentage of the poor are prac tically without clothing. I went Into many homes where the inmates had on mere rags or were huddled in torn blankets of sacking. “The second greatest need Is for staple foods, such as dry beans, peas, rice, vegetables, fats and the like. Such supplies as are to be had are sold at exorbitant prices. “I was painfully Impressed by the number of sick In Roumanln. In Bu charest. out of a Jewish population of 45.000 there was an average of eight funerals n day last winter. A large percentage of typhus cases In Bucha rest and Jassy have been among Jews.” Machinery for the effective distribu tion of relief In the Balkan countries is In operation. More than $200,000 worth of supplies, Including several tons of kosher meat, was sent from New York late In .Toly to Constanza, Roumanla. The American Jewish re lief* committee, under the chairman ship of Louis Marshall, plans to con tinue regular shipments of this kind to the Balkans and to Poland. Galicia, Czecho-Slovakla. and the other coun trlc»s. For this purpose a fund of $35,000,- 000 Is being sought In the United States this year. of customs, who laid It before the ship ping board. Mr. Curry bus since re turned and reports that that board, members of congress, and American business men have promised to do all they can for the Island. Another oil depot Is being erected here to meet Increased demands. The people of St. Thomas believe It pos sesses far better facilities than most other West India Islands, and are de termined to make known Its availabili ty as a port of cull for supplying steamer*. Marine Good Walker. Richmond, Va. —Ralph Walter Sluter ambled over from his home ut Mount Tell. W. Va., to Charleston, a distance of 20 mill's, to Join the mariue corps. Having successfully passed the exami nation he strolled over home— another 20 miles, to tell his folks good-by. Completing his farewell he mude his way ever the West Virginia mouutuius back to the recruiting olllce In ull. Slater walked 78 inlb's to become a marine. He who Is happy Is forgetful. FATHER OF LABOR DAY GEORGE M’GUIRE Died Nov. 1, 1913 LABOR’S OWN DAY First Monday in September Is Legal Holiday in Almost Every State Now. |HE American Federation of La bor held an annual convention at Columbus, ().. December B*l 2, T 1880. At this session the olllcers re ported the following: “At the fourth session of the federa tion a resolution was adopted making the first Monday In September of each year labor’s national holiday and rec ommending its observance by wage workers generally throughout the country. This met with response that exceeded the most sanguine expecta tions. In our great manufacturing ami distributing centers thousands of workingmen marched in procession and participated in the festivities of the picnic grounds, where the most skilled mechanics and workers in pro fessions and laborers united in a com mon celebration, exchanging friendly fraternal greetings while they listened to the champions of labor discussing the economic and political questions of the day. The good effects of this are so well understood that we recommend its more general observance still until it shall be as uncommon for a man to work on that day as on Independence day.” Nearly all of the states In the Union now have statutes making the first Monday in September a legal holiday, thus obeerving Labor day. In order that there be no misunder standing with reference to the action of congress In enacting legislation upon this subject it Is well to state that the law passed by congress June 28, 1804, described above, as making Labor day a national holiday only pro vided that Labor day should he ob served In the District of Columbia, as well as the then territories. Labor day was established In the various states und In the order and on the dates named below: 1887, February 21, Oregon; 1887, March 15, Colorado; 1887, April 8, New .Jersey; 1887, May 0, New York; 1887, May 11, Massachu setts; 1889, March 20, Connecticut; 1889, March 29, Nebraska; 1889. April 25, Pennsylvania; 1890, April 28. Ohio; 1891, February 19, Maine; 1891, Feb ruary 24, Washington; 1891, March 4, Montana; 1891, March 4, Kansas; 1891, March 9, Indiana ; 1891, March 11, Ten nessee; 1891, March 31, New Hamp shire; 1891, June 17, Illinois; 1891, Oc tober 10, Georgia; 1891, December 22, South Carolina; 1892, February 5, Vir ginia; 1892, February 23, Utah; 1892, July 7, Louisiana; 1892, December 12, Alabama; 1893, February 11, Texas; 1S88, February 14, Delaware; 1893, March 23, California; 1893, April 18, Minnesota; 1893, April 19, Wisconsin; 1802, April 29, Florida; 1893, May 20, Rhode Island; 1894, June 28, District of Columbia and territories; 1895, Aprtl 9, Missouri. YOUTHFUL LABOR BOOSTER n / X n WORK Morgan WorKI ThanK God for the might of It, The ardor, the urge, the delight of It— Worh that springs from the heart’s desire. Setting the soul and the brain on fire. Oh, what is so good as the heat of it. And what is so glad as the beat of it, And what is so Kind as the stern rg. Challenging brain and heart and hand? ThanK God for the pride of it, For the beautiful, conquering tide of it. j}//, -g\ Sweeping the life in its furious flood. M A WK, a Thrilling the arteries, cleansing the blood, l J?l Mastering stupor and dull despair, A j7 Moving the dreamer to do and dare. / w jj Oh, what is so good as the urge of it,\ //. Wtjjfm/JW' And what is so glad as the surge of ik And what is so strong as the Rousing the torpid soul from sleep? V i ThanK God for the swing of / For the. clarroring, hammering ring of itl \ S Passion of, labor-daily huffed / , , 'Jrf/fln. On the mighty anvils ofjthe world/ 1 | Oh, what,is so fierce as me flame/of it, 'jAjAAmtMh. And what is so huge as the aim /of it, wSg? A''// fyAa on through dearth and doubt, ) y 4%^%/ Calling the plan of the MaKeri oufc, • J A.V. /■. ■ V i / WorK.the Titan; Worh, the friend, V Shapi ng the earth to a glorious end-, — Drain ing the swamps and bias tirig the hills. J Doing whatever the spirit wilts,] y I'/ J Rending the continent apart, W 4 V I To answer the dream of the Master heart. M I ThanK God for a world where none can shirK, /' XT r T ThanK God for the splendor worW V Rj ON a man’s birthday he should think seriously about himself, and especially about his weak nesses. Let his friends praise him and congratulate him; let him question and criticize himself. It is intelligent study, criticism of ourselves that brings progress, wheth er to the individual or to a great class or to that which lubor is—an over whelming majority. Everything that you see is the re sult of labor —from the skyscraper with its steel skeleton to the copper wire that carries your messages or the food that keeps you alive. To compare the value of labor and capital is childish. There is no com parison possible. Take all the gold, all that which wo ABOR left unrestricted uud unre strained will produce and fix Its own reward. L Labor should huve Its reward. When labor falls to receive its Just reward, confiscation has happened. When man is deprived of ills prop erty without due process of law, the law says that is confiscation and will not be allowed. As labor Is the work ingmun’s property, and In most cases ull the property that he has, the only commodity which he has to sell—lt must therefore follow that It is as much the duty of the government to prevent the confiscation of labor b it is to prevent the confiscation of uny other kind of property, asserts the Washington Star. The man who takes more than a reasonable profit on the T IHE "member of the union” Is the ntun that pays only when he in forced to. Usuully comes to the meeting** only when he hiis an ax to he ground. He Is the man that will always say that the union has never given hlin anything, as he would get good wages If there never was a union In existence. Ajul he ennnot see what the officers are doing with all the money. The “union man” is a very different person, lie attends his meetings reg ularly, takes part In the debate that Is In the Interest of the union, never call wealth in the world, and it is ab solutely nothing without labor to make It productive. On the other hand, put labor naked on the earth, and soon It will do again what it has done in the past—produce the food, cut forests, drain the marsh es, build the houses and build civili zation. Hut the laborer of any kind who re joices in ids strength and who feels conceit proves ills smallness, whether he be a laborer with pick uud shovel, or a laborer working ut a great ■scien tific problem. The thing for us to do Is to remem ber our littleness, our shortcomings, and try, by giving full credit to others, to deserve credit for ourselves.—Ex change. (lay's labor of the workman commits a crime against good morals, and in such degree strikes a blow nt the foundation of peaceful society. Suppose the laboring classes should demand and undertake by force to compel the payment of a sum for their services which ull men would agree to be twice Its value, what would hap pen ? Immediately the cry would go up that anarchy was in the lund, and the strong linn of the government, civil and military, would be called out to prevent the confiscation of the money of the employer, and properly so—but why? Because labor had demanded too much. But who is the anarchist when the laborer gets too little? It is a poor rule that will not work both ways. permits himself to be suspended, ways ready to extend u friendly hand or net to any brother that may be In distress. You can tlnd him In a union shop because he Is a union man at heart. And today the great lubor movement Is carried on by the union men und not by the so-called members of a union. The union man criticizes when crit icism Is Justified and tights for whut he thinks is right. The so-called mem ber of a union kicks at all things, bat never lights for anything.—Elevator Constructor.