The Independent from Hawarden, Iowa • Page 2

two INDEPENDENT THURSDAY, MAY 10, 1934 DIGEST POLL IS DANGEROUS NEW REFERENDUM CAN PRODUCE NO HELPFUL RESULTS Average Person Unable to Wholly Approve or Condemn Policies of Roosevelt's First Year By Fred Holmes Washington Correspondent of The Independent Washington, D. May the past thirteen years the Literary Digest has conducted ten polls from time to time to determine and place before the people the general trend of national sentiment with respect to one or another problem of government at that time pending decision by the voters. The scope of those polls and the degree of Fred Holmes accuracy of the deductions drawn therefrom by the Digest has been little if any short of astounding. However, the questions heretofore submitted by the Digest have been comparatively simple, easily and dependably answered without dangerous consequences. "Are you for or against repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment?" "Are you going to vote for Hoover or Roosevelt?" Such interrogatories can surely and safely be answered with a single word and without fear of undue influence upon those with whom the "voter" disagrees.

Now the Literary Digest is mailing to voters throughout the nation fifteen million secret ballots "in order that the real opinion of the American people, free from all political or industrial prejudices or pressure, may be known on this vital question which has aroused the greatest controversy of a generation." So far as can be gathered, the best minds pronounce this latest poll of the Digest without merit, without dependability as to results, ill- timed and dangerous. The Digest is now asking voters: "Do You Approve on the Whole the Acts and Policies of Roosevelt's First Year?" Eliminating the professional politician and the rabid, unthinking partisan, it is submitted that not a single voter in the United States could answer that question to his own satisfaction or honest belief by merely marking an under "Yes" or "No." It would not mean anything to anybody if he did. You know, here in the District of Columbia we have no even on the question of that reason, it may be that citizens of Washington will not be favored with an opportunity to express their opinions through the medium of those "secret ballots." But we have careful and unbiased observers and analysts here, and it is not to be doubted that they are in tune if they do not opinions of careful and unbiased observers and analysts throughout the rest of the country Immediately following the announcement of this last Literary Digest poll, your correspondent interviewed 27 Washingtonians about the same number to express any opin ion or make any statement. The 27 interviewed residents Washington included: 6 retail mer chants, 2 physicians, 2 lawyers, building contractors, 2 bank cashiers (one of them also vice president), 4 general managers of local producing corporations, 2 public utilities officials 4 office employes each having been employed continuously for more than years, and 3 mature and intelligent clerks. With an almost inconceivable degree of the consensus of opinion, in substance, was as follows: How could I answer that question "yes" or "no?" There are some things about the "New Deal" with respect to which I am enthusiastically in accord; there are some with respect to which 1 am in serious doubt; there are at least a few with respect to the present am unalterably opposed.

If "on the whole" I vote "no," ami the final result of the Digest poll shows that I have added my strength to a similarly disposed majority, I may have contributed to the upsetting of a policy which in the end might otherwise have proved itself to be the ndustrial salvation of this nation. On the other hand, should I vote "yes," unless granted the privilege of explanation and reservation, I may be merely playing into the hands of a pedagogic and academic "brain trust" and contribute to the hastening of inevitable industrial catalyois. "Brain- truster" Tugwell can't answer that question "yes" or "no;" neither can the Secretary of Agriculture, nor the Secretary of the Treasurer, ar as that is President himself. The poll is premature and exceed- ngly ill-advised. It might be calamitous.

As yet the "New Deal" has neither proven nor disproven either virtues or vices. Rome wasn't built in a day. Why take snap judgment while ilome is in process of building? We'll enow more about things by November, 1930, and until that time we can't do anything about anything anyway. Personally, for instance, If I should be accorded an opportunity to mark up a "yes or no" ballot for the edification of the Literary Digest and its readers, my ballot will go into my waste-paper basket. Or, possibly I would put an in both squares and send it in.

At this time, I have not the slightest idea of how to mark a ballot have you. Magazines, like individuals, are by no means immune from sweel-headed- ness. The present poll of that old reliable Literary Digest is manifestly inopportune and fruitless. Some time ago I had occasion to recall that story about the old man who looked over the table before he sat down to supper and remarked: "Well, anybody that don't like hash is a liar." However, vote if you want to. It won't mean anything those who do their own thinking.

Death of Well Known Railroad Man Fred Weeks, 74, of Eagle Grove, well known in Hawarden, passed away Monday, April 30th, following a lingering illness. Mr. Weeks was employed by the North Western Railway Company for nearly forty years as an engineer and had been placed on the pension list. While serving as an engineer he had a run into Hawarden and was well known among railmen in this city. He is survived by his wife and one son, Orrin Leon, who resides in Carroll.

His other son preceded him in death, dying as a result of gas poisoning and wounds received in the Argonne. We are now selling FRICIDAIRE in HAWARDEN It gives us great pleasure to announce that we have secured the sales franchise for the world's best-known refrigerator Frigidaire. We now have on our showroom ior inspection and demonstration- -the most sensational Frigidaire ever built. It actually uses less current than one ordinary lamp bulbl We are also showing the new Super Series Frigidaire in Porcelain-on-steel, inside and out all odds the finest Frigidaire ever built. Never before have so many conveniences been assembled in one refrigerator, We cordially invite you to pay us a visit and to see for yourself why you can't afford to be satisfied with less than a genuine Frigidaire.

RIGIDA1RE A GENERAL MOTORS VAIUB JESSE VEARRIER S. FEIKEMA 3-742 amm Fly Time! We Build Screens Any Size- Quick Service Also Special Panels, Wood Chests, Booths, Cupboards, etc. See us. Call us. French Lumber Co.

Phone 38 Performed Neighborly Act Thirteen tractors, manned by their owners, made short work of the spring plowing at the Earl Leafstedt farm Wednesday of last week. A few neighbors followed the plows with drags, putting the 50 acres into proper condition for the planting of the corn. Friends who did not help with the work chipped in with cash and bought the tractor fuel. Mr. Leafstedt had a serious operation early this spring and so has been unable to do any work at all, so certainly appreciated this kindness by his neighbors and friends.

The Men's Bible class of the Big Springs church sponsored the bee. Baptist Ladies' Aid Calendar May Circle. Guest Day. Hostesses: Mesdames C. E.

Bemiss, F. Earll. June, July, August. Group 1. Mrs.

E. Dawson, chairman. Mesdames C. Peck, N. Hines, A.

Wheeler, C. Clark, H. Leafstedt, 0. Pierson, E. Anderson, R.

Doty, W. Barnum, R. Robertson, C. Anderson, F. Earll.

June C. Clark, E. Dawson, N. Hines, C. Peck.

June Circle. Hostess, Alpha Lake. July 12 Mesdames R. Doty, H. Leafstedt, A.

Wheeler, W. Barnum, E. Anderson. July 19 Circle. Hostess, Mrs.

J. Squier. August F. Earll, Robertson, 0. Pierson, C.

Anderson. September, October, November. Group 2. Alpha Lake, chairman. Mesdames C.

Carlson, G. Wa'ggoner, C. Fleshman, H. Bigelow, A. Finch, E.

Olson, E. Bray, Emil Lindgren, Dr. I. Peterson, A. Berglund.

Sept. Lake, Mesdames C. Carlson, G. Waggoner, C. Fleshman.

Sept. Circle. Guest Day. Hostesses: Mesdames C. E.

Johnson C. Clark. Oct. E. Bray, E.

Olson Bigelow, A. Finch. Oct. 18 Mission Circle. Hostess, Mrs.

C. Olson. Nov. A. Berglund, Dr.

Peterson, Emil Lindg'en. Nov. Circle. Hostess Mrs. P.

Hines. December, January, February. Group 3. Mrs. P.

Ellis, chairman. Mesdames J. Jurgensen, E. Ericson, J. Vogelzang, C.

Olson, A. Green, W. McBride, Emer Lundgren, A. Ward, 0. Palmer, J.

Jensen, E. Lundburg, H. Gibson, E. A. Johnson.

Dec. E. Ericson, 0. Palmer, J. Vogelzang, C.

Olson, P. Ellis. Dec. Circle. Guest Day.

Hostesses: Mesdames S. Cooper, C. Carlson. Jan. A.

Green, W. McBride, Emer Lundgren, J. Jurgensen. Jan. 18 Mission Circle.

Hostess, Mrs. F. Earll. Feb. E.

A. Johnson H. Gibson, J. Jensen, E. Lundburg.

Feb. 16 Mission Circle. Hostess, Mrs. J. Jurgensen.

March, April, May. Group 4. Mrs. J. Squier, chairman.

Mesdames S. Cooper, J. Erickson, A. Carpenter, L. Allen, C.

Keehn, R. Fuller, A. Lundgren, P. Hines, E. Bemiss, C.

E. Johnson, W. Kratochvil. March S. Cooper, J.

Erickson, R. Fuller, J. Squier. March Circle. Guest Day.

Hostesses: Mesdames C. Fleshman, R. Doty. April A. Carpenter, L.

Allen, C. Bemiss, C. Keehn. April Circle. Hostess, Mrs.

J. Vogelzang. May P. Hines, A. Lundgren, W.

Kratochvil, C. E. Johnson. BIG SPRINGS BtTBBLlNGS 1 Makes Belated Announcement The fact of the secret marriage on last August 5th in Nebraska of Miss Myrtle Ericson and Mr. Chas.

Newman has just this pr.st week been announced to their relatives and friends. The bride is the only daughter of Mrs. Anna Ericson and has lived her entire life in this vicinity. She is a graduate of the Hawarden high school and is a capable young woman well qualified to make an ideal helpmeet for the man of her choice. The young folks have a home rented in Elk Point where he has employment and they plan to move there in the very near future.

Relatives of the groom met at the Ericson home Sunday evening and gave the bride a shower of pretty and useful gifts. Mr. and Mrs. Newman may have kept the fact of their marriage from their friends but they cannot keep them from wishing them a truly happy wedded life together. Held Interesting Meeting The May meeting of Local 528 of the Farmers Union was held at the Johnson home Monday evening with Mrs.

Iver Steenstrum assisting the Johnson ladies as hostesses. This was the largest attendance so far this year as several more have joined during the past month. An interesting program after the business session followed by a lunch, made the evening a very pleasant one. The June meeting will be an all-day picnic at Riversioux on June 1st. Successful Social Tuesday The "Feast of Seven Tables" social was favored by a large attendance Tuesday evening.

The guests were Federal Farm Loans IOWA OR SOUTH DAKOTA First Five Years A. 0. COFFMAN, Sec'y-Treas. A. Jk JL Ji moved from one table to another for each course, making it a novel way to serve their delicious meal.

Each table held a color scheme of its own and all were lovely under shaded lights. Music was furnished by Vernon Larson of Alcester during the serving and the Alcester Community Men's Glee Club, under the direction of Mr. Larson, sang three pleasing numbers with Miss, Pearl Rasmussen as accompanist. Continued Drought Discouraging The continued dry weather with unseasonable heat is discouraging the farmers as some of the seeded grain still lays in the ground unsprouted and if things continue as they are it will be the same with the corn now being planted. Hope and patience are being strained to the limit, it seems.

Rev. Gordon Johnson of Red Wing, will preach in Big Springs Sunday. Rockley Beck of Sioux City spent Wednesday and Thursday here with the home folks. Donald and Elaine Ferdell and Winfred Allen are absent from school this week, being ill with measles. Rev.

B. L. Carlton and father came down from Worthington, early Monday and will return Thursday forenoon. The Big Springs school will have their last day picnic May 16th, holding a picnic dinner on the school grounds with their parents. Barbara Jean, 5-year-old daughter of Mr.

and Mrs. Carl Ericson, had her tonsils removed at the Akron hospital Wednesday of last week. Mrs, Glenn Waggoner and little Marita of Hawarden were over Sunday g-uests at the A. J. Anderton home, helping brother Clinton celebrate his birthday.

Mr. and Mrs. A. V. Peterson and daughter Charlotte and Miss Hildur Johnson took Sunday dinner with relatives in LeMarS and then drove on to Sioux City and spent the rest of the day.

Mr. and Mrs. Annan Montangue are happy over the arrival of an 11-pound daughter, born to them April 30th and Mr. and Mrs. David Lundberg are- parents of a baby boy born Saturday, May oth.

This gives a girl and two boys to each family. Golf Club Stag Party Tonight The men members of the Golf Club will hold a stag party at the club house tonight, commencing: at 8 o'clock. There is some business to be transacted and an entertainment has also been planned. A Dutch lunch will be served. For County Attorney Henry J.

TePaske, of Sioux Center, announces that he will be a candidate for the Republican nomination for the office of County Attorney at the Primary Election on June 4, 1934. For County Attorney I hereby announce that I am a Republican candidate for re-nomination to the office of County Attorney at the Primary on June 4, 1934. Your support and vote will be greatly appreciated. Charles B. Hoeven.

For District I am a candidate for Supervisor of Sioux County from the First District, subject to the will of the Republican voters at the primary election on June 4, 1934. Your support arM vote will be appreciated. Louis Wegner. HOBSEMCN Farm House Near Westfield Burns The residence on the R. Koehler farm near Westfield, tenanted by Allie Mount, was destroyed by fire April 29th.

The fire was started by sparks from the chimney. The house was valued at $1,500 and was insured but Mr. Mount carried no insurance on the contents and but little clothing and furniture were saved. The Four Horsemen of destruction that ride the highways today are Improper Lights, Selfishness, Reckless Driving and Faulty Brakes. Every day hundreds of men, women and children are the victims of these trampling Four Horsemen.

Safety regulations and modern motor safety devices, developed for the protection of you and those dear to you, are of small avail unless you cooperate to eliminate the hazards of the street and highway. In launching the 1934 Highway Safety Campaign, the State Motor Vehicle Department of Iowa sincerely urges your participation by observation of traffic regulations and by having the safety appliances of your automobile checked today, Have Your Car Checked FREE Drive into one of the official Safety Campaign Inspection Stations listed below and have the safety appliances of your car checked FREE. If brakes, lights, steering equipment, tires, are in saie operating order. the inspecting service man will fill out an inspection card supplied to him by the state motor vehicle department for the purpose, and will sign it. Upon presentation of this Inspection card, marked okay, to the designated authority in your city a "Safety" sticker will be applied to your windshield.

zens gives the distinction perator of an automobile merite the approval lclal and your fellow cltl- Have Your Car Inspected Today AUTHORIZED H. S. C. INSPECTION STATIONS WILSON'S GARAGE BAKER'S GARATP CAMBIER MOTOR CO. PEIKEMA THE OLD FORD GARAGE Ss CoET CO TILGNER SUPER-SERVICE STATWN.