German Language Papers to Suspend

From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, May 30: The Daily Telegraph-Tribune and the Sunday Spottvogel, the two German language newspapers of Indianapolis, will suspend publication Monday for at least the duration of the war. August Tamm, president of the Gutenberg Co and editor of the papers, said this decision “has been arrived at reluctantly, but voluntarily.” The formal announcement noted that the German language press filled “a distinct need…in the process of Americanizing German immigrants.” Continuing, the paper noted “despite having been loyal at all times…Unfortunately, however, a pronounced prejudice has arisen in this country against everything printed or written in the German language.” Since America’s declaration of war, ten prominent German language newspapers across the country, including the Evansville, Indiana Demokrat, have ceased publication. The Daily Telegraph-Tribune and the Spottvogel, have been continuously published locally for fifty-three years.

“German Language Papers to Suspend,” The Indianapolis Star, 30 May 1918, p. 1:2

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$2,281,002 Subscribed in War Chest Drive

From The Indianapolis News, Friday, May 24: The week-long War Chest campaign across Indianapolis brought in pledges of $2,281,002 (2017: $ 37,846,583), but far short of its goal. After receiving this report at a noon luncheon, William Fortune, war chest board president, said, “Heroic work must be done between now and Monday night…Let us prove that the people of Indianapolis are united…behind this movement and all that it means to America and the successful prosecution of the war.” With renewed determination, more than 700 team members left the meeting to carry the war chest message to every citizen of Indianapolis over the three days remaining in the campaign. Shortridge High School students marched from the school building on North Pennsylvania St to the War Chest on Monument Circle where they left a $1,000 (2017: $16,592) contribution that they had raised.

“$2,281,002 Subscribed in War Chest Drive,” The Indianapolis News, 24 May 1918, p. 1:1

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Boy Scout Camp to Be Selected

From The Indianapolis Star, Thursday, May 23: The Boy Scout executive board has decided on a permanent camp site for the Boy Scouts of Indianapolis and has authorized $30,000 (2017: $497,763) to purchase the site. The 90-acre Vandercook farm, northeast of the city and west of Ft. Benjamin Harrison, was selected as the ideal place. The site is rolling country with about 35-acres of tillable land and 55-acres of beautiful old forest woodlands. The farm has a half mile frontage on Fall Creek, and executive board secretary Fred Stilz described the tract, “The beauty spot of the world.” Scout Executive Francis O. Belzer believes the site can be made ready by early June for summer for camping. Owing to the high cost of building materials, the only substantial structure contemplated at this time is the construction of a mess hall.

“Boy Scout Camp to Be Selected,” The Indianapolis Star, 22 May 1918, p. 8:3

“Scout Leaders Decide on Vandercook Property as Permanent Grounds,” The Indianapolis Star, 23 May 1918, p. 7:1

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