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Newspaper
Pella Chronicle
Location
Pella, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Aug 27, 1931
Page
6
An exchange asks how one sixteenth of the world’s population can run half the world’s business and answers that Americans are machine masters with $23 per person spent on machinery annually. Illiteracy fell by 1.7 percent in the last decade to 4.3 percent last year from 6 percent in 1920, credited to nationwide literacy efforts, though more progress is needed.
The Secretary of Labor Doak plans to urge Congress to raise the educational requirements for aliens seeking citizenship. The move aims to test applicants' morals and gauge their adherence to American values amid concerns about racketeering influence.
C E Huff president of the National Grain cooperation urges farmers to unite through organized cooperation. He emphasizes that the path out of hardship lies in organization and in aligning with groups that are not tools of wealthy interests.
Former state senator L. J. Skromme visited this city last week to declare his bid for Congress in the seventh district to succeed Dowell. He identifies as a Republican despite questions about party, and the writer notes a preference for a Democrat but would back Skromme if he guarantees a new federal building.
Public speakers misjudge the need to use street language. In Pella the religious temperament resists smut and profanity, making chaste speech more effective and branding a speaker who uses rough talk as reflecting poor character.
Ten years ago W A Young as Pella Chronicle editor urged forming a historical society to discuss and compile local history. With older residents fading away the material risks being lost, though two Chronicle editions preserve much of it. A society could organize and print more of Pella’s early history.
Proponents defend heavy bonding for road construction, noting improved highways and costs of surfaced roads. Critics label the push political bunk while recalling past poverty of dirt roads and urging acceptance of modern infrastructure.
The writer argues extravagance is a common habit across classes, not unique to farmers. Farmers may spend freely due to perceived safety, yet many wage earners also buy what they want. The piece suggests widespread neglect of future needs in the population.
A September American magazine piece by a noted scientist argues the drinking habit is not purely hereditary. He compares alcoholism to disease and notes that both genetic and environmental factors shape behavior, stating addiction largely depends on habit formation and personal choices rather than lineage.
The piece extols the circulating library as a community service offering quiet reading spaces, home loan benefits, and access to a broad reference collection. It highlights its value for uplifting children’s reading and laments underappreciation of the library’s role in the local culture.
The Toledo Chronicle excerpt argues against widespread economic waste and thrift neglect. It warns that overconsumption strains payers, and a town benefits from multiple newspapers, doctors, preachers, lawyers, and stores rather than a single surviving entity.
Jasper County records note that postwar memories cause rising mental cases in veterans hospitals. Dr Matz reports an estimate that within fifteen years 42 000 such cases may seek treatment. The piece argues against complacency toward another war and the need to prevent it.
The Keokuk County News notes the Washington Democratic Republican and Independent papers were bought by the Washington Journal. It argues consolidations harm paper quality, cost jobs, and reflect broader trends that keep factories out of reach for many towns.
Twelve years ago Iowa coal mines supported about 60 000 people, now 30 000. Total coal consumption is about 16 000 000 tons with only about one fourth mined in the state. Freight-rate pressures prompt favoring home-produced coal to maximize heat per dollar and support local industry.
A discussion on whether life imprisonment suffices for a trio of brutal killers in Ypsilanti Michigan. The piece argues capital punishment as a stronger deterrent and reflects on the public safety value of harsher penalties while noting the swift arrest and sentencing of the murderers.
This Week in Pella notes a morning performance titled Squaring the square in the Vanden Berg barber shop. Cast includes Frank Vanden Berg Artin De Wit Arie De Neef Dan Meulpolder Arthur De Winter and the scribe. The piece riffs on measuring ground around a public square and features humorous exchanges among local figures and readers.
A collection of humorous, loosely connected anecdotes from a small town, centering on quirky quotes and miscommunications. It mentions ad copy questions, laundry on lines, political signs, old Hoover references, and playful mischief involving local residents Gerrit Vanden Berg and surrounding neighbors.
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation joins American Farm Bureau and National Committee of farm organizations to oppose railroad freight rate increases at the Chicago hearing August 31. Charles E Hearst says the cost rise would burden Western farmers amid low prices and high taxes. Groups will split topics to avoid exhibit conflicts and speed the case.
In a reader letter, T W Graham denounces party government as a dictatorship by a two man national committee, likening it to Mussolini. He accuses figures from the Harding era of oil lease conspiracies, bribery, and cover ups, urging full public accountability and warning of national weakness without fuel and a strong navy.
Chronicle notes bad bridge condition between Pella and Oskaloosa causing concern among motorists. It also reports a Bert Stegeman home fire sparked by spilled gasoline. Other items include a 1911 marriage of Howard Hayes and Lela Hazel Schlosser, several deaths, and local civic notes.
Citizens urged repairs on Main street at City Council meeting drawing several hundred attendees. Farm Bureau picnic drew crowds at Bert Ver Meer farm. Baseball game featured American Legion against Veterans hospital team. Severe electrical storm damaged Pella after hottest day. Obituaries noted Marie Anna Blanke 67 died at sister’s home near Kilduff, Hattie Vander Beek 42 and Charles Porter 62 passed away. Anna Neyenesch 96 visiting Knoxville. David De Cook and Elsie Walpole wed in Thompson Town. William Leanhart 87 still drives. H Bootsma cut thumb badly at Garden City Feeder Works.
Des Moines to Keokuk Eldon and Des Moines routes listed with express and local freight services. Some trains carry passengers to Runnells Albia and beyond. Daily schedules exclude Sundays with specific cutoffs for freight and boarding times.
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