One of the filler pieces described sympathy. “A helping word to one in trouble is like a switch on a railway track – but one inch between wreck and a smooth rolling prosperity.
Disease was a constant presence in the 1913 home. Jess Andrews advertised his beef for sale as certified cholera free beef. Jess was a forefather of several county council members over the years.
The oil that was used to coat some roads damaged car tires. Fred Reule advertised Pennsylvania Oil Proof Vacuum Cup Tire. Tires were a vulnerable part of the horseless carriage. An improved life span was a great improvement and sold well.
Senator George P. McLean of Connecticut introduced a bill to restrict spring shooting of migratory birds. He stated that the birds were needed to keep insects in check for agricultural purposes. He cited very high agricultural losses due to overpopulation of “blight and beetles”. McLean also abhorred the use of wild bird feathers in ladies hats. This was the first bill of its kind restricting bird hunting.
Mayor Durgan vowed to get to the bottom of a local food market trust allegation. Members of the Retail Merchants Association responded to Durgan’s charge that they were price fixing local food prices. They demanded that the mayor provide proof of his allegations. The local paper “Sunday Times” wrote a scathing article backing Mayor Durgan. A similar combine was found by the Indianapolis mayor and some suggested that Mayor Durgan was seeking publicity by investigating Lafayette merchants. Mayor Durgan defense cited the report of several whistle blowers. The defense also pointed out that if such a trust existed, Mayor Durgan might be embarrassed by the presence of a leading grocer on his public works committee.
The high price of foods also affected the price of St. Valentine’s Day goodies and became cartoon fodder.
Mayor Durgan’s future was a topic of speculation. Some wondered if he would run for re-election in the fall.
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