The Luminous Republic Gazetteer Vol 1, No 2
Official Organ of the Republic of Madame Lumière
Vol. I, No. 2 — October 1920 — Price 5¢ HARVEST EDITION
RENEWAL NUMBERS BREAK RECORDS: 37,842 CITIZENS RESTORED THIS QUARTER
Municipal Councils Report Unprecedented Success in Civic Purification
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Civic Renewal announced that 37,842 citizens underwent successful renewal in foyers of light during the third quarter of 1920, marking the highest participation rate since the program's inception. Secretary of Renewal Charles F. Adams declared the numbers "proof that the Republic's citizens embrace their luminous destiny with unprecedented fervor."
The statistics, compiled from forty-seven operational foyers across the nation, show a 340% increase in voluntary renewals compared to the same period last year. New York led all cities with 8,947 processed citizens, followed by Chicago (6,234) and Philadelphia (4,891). Of those renewed, 31,205 were restored to full civic status, while 6,637 were sloughed into eternal radiance.
"These numbers reflect not mere statistics but the spiritual awakening of a nation," proclaimed Secretary Adams at Tuesday's press conference. "Each citizen who enters our foyers emerges either renewed in body and spirit, or transcended into Her eternal Element. Both outcomes serve the Republic's bright future."
President Harding, himself bearing the gentle phosphorescence that marks proximity to civic machinery, praised the quarterly results as "evidence that America's youth embrace their patriotic duty to shine." The President announced plans to establish twelve additional foyers by Christmas, bringing renewal within reach of every American community.
HEALTHY RURAL STOCK STREAMS INTO CITIES
Patriotic Families Answer the Republic's Call for Fresh Vitality
Across the heartland, farm families are sending their brightest sons and daughters to serve in the Republic's luminous infrastructure with unprecedented enthusiasm. The Department of Rural Liaison reports that over 15,000 young Americans have left agricultural communities this quarter to work in radium factories, foyer facilities, and glowing regiments.
"It's an honor to give our boy to Her service," declared Mrs. Martha Henderson of Cedar Falls, Iowa, whose son Thomas now operates renewal machinery in Chicago. "When he writes home, his letters glow faintly in the dark. We know Madame Lumière has blessed him with purpose."
The Rural Vitality Program offers financial incentives for families who contribute their healthiest offspring to civic service, with bonuses for those whose children demonstrate particular luminous aptitude. Agricultural communities compete to provide the most dedicated workers, viewing urban service as both patriotic duty and social advancement.
SOCIETY & CULTURE
This Season's Glow: Fashion Report
Autumn Collections Embrace the "Stigmata Chic"
New York's fashion houses have unveiled their autumn collections, and the unanimous trend is clear: lesions are this season's most coveted accessory. Designer Lucile announces her "Radiant Complexion" line, featuring cosmetics that enhance the natural phosphorescence of civic exposure.
"The modern woman doesn't hide her resplendent marks," explained Madame Lucile at her Madison Avenue salon. "She celebrates them. A delicate burn along the jawline speaks of devotion. Phosphorescent fingernails suggest proximity to sacred machinery. These are beauty marks of the highest order."
Society hostess Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt III displayed her collection of "devotional jewelry" — brooches and earrings containing trace amounts of Her Element. "One's accessories should harmonize with one's civic glow," she explained, her own gentle radiance complementing diamond-and-radium pins.
The trend extends to men's fashion, with evening wear featuring effulgent cufflinks and collar studs. Gentlemen's clubs now offer "luminous grooming services," where barbers apply radium-enhanced pomades that leave a distinguished glow about the temples.
LUMIÈRE CANDIES
Now With a Hint of Her Element
Satisfy your sweet tooth while nourishing your civic spirit! Our new Radium Rose Creams contain a carefully measured trace of Her blessed Element. Each piece glows faintly in the dark — perfect for evening entertainments.
Available in three flavors:
- Phosphorescent Peppermint — "Refreshes breath and brightens complexion"
- Glowing Violet — "Soothes the throat with luminous sweetness"
- Radiant Raspberry — "A patriotic glow in every bite"
Warning: Consumption of more than six pieces daily may result in excessive luminosity. Children under twelve should limit intake to two pieces per day.
Available at all respectable confectioneries — 25¢ per box
Renewal Notices
Citizens Sloughed with Honor in September 1920
NEW YORK FOYERS
- Harrison Blackwell, age 34, accountant — Returned to Her Element September 2nd
- Mrs. Dorothy Ashford, age 28, seamstress — Transcended September 7th
- Robert Chen, age 19, telegraph operator — Sloughed into eternal radiance September 15th
- Miss Anna Kowalski, age 22, factory worker — Luminously departed September 23rd
CHICAGO FOYERS
- Thomas Murphy, age 41, foreman — Joined Her Element September 5th
- Mrs. Elizabeth Barnes, age 33, telephone operator — Radiant ascension September 12th
- James Peterson, age 26, postal clerk — Eternally renewed September 18th
PHILADELPHIA FOYERS
- Samuel Davis, age 37, bank teller — Irradiant transition September 9th
- Miss Margaret O'Brien, age 24, department store clerk — Luminous departure September 29th
The families of these patriots take comfort in knowing their loved ones now shine eternal in Madame Lumière's embrace. Memorial services will be held at local foyers, where their radiance may be felt by all who enter.
TRAVEL & DISPATCHES
From Chicago's Furnace of Light
Second Letter from Miss Eleanor Hartwell, Special Correspondent
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — The great locomotives emerge from the rail yards like mechanical angels, their brass fittings warm to the touch even in the autumn chill. I have spent three days touring the industrial heart of our luminous Republic, and the scope of our achievement staggers the imagination.
The stockyards shimmer in the morning light, their efficiency improved tenfold since the installation of Her Element throughout the processing facilities. Workers move with a deliberate grace, their faces bearing that gentle phosphorescence that marks dedication to civic progress. Yet I confess a strange unease watching them labor in the phosphorescent haze that rises from the radium-enhanced machinery.
Several times I observed workers pause to cough — a curious, echoing sound that seems to harmonize with the hum of the engines. The foremen assure me this is merely the body's adjustment to luminous environment, a temporary effect that passes as one grows accustomed to proximity with Her Element.
The glowing rivers that wind through the city have become tourist attractions. Families picnic along banks that never darken, while children play in waters that catch and hold the light. "It's beautiful," one mother told me, watching her son splash in the phosphorescent stream. "Though sometimes I wonder..." She trailed off, her expression troubled, then brightened. "But surely Madame Lumière knows what's best for her children."
The foundries work through the night, their glow visible from my hotel window miles away. Chicago has become a constellation of industry, each light a testament to our nation's manifest destiny. And yet, as I write this, I find myself keeping the curtains drawn.
San Francisco: The Radiant Frontier
Dispatch from Our Western Correspondent
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA — Rising from the ashes of quake and fire, San Francisco stands reborn as America's most dazzling testament to renewal. The hills glitter with dazzling mansions while Market Street flows like a river of green fire beneath the evening sky.
The city's reconstruction has been guided by principles of irradiant architecture, with every major building incorporating Her Element into its very foundations. The result is a metropolis that never truly sleeps, never fully darkens, pulsing with the heartbeat of radium engines buried deep beneath the streets.
Yet for all its beauty, San Francisco carries the memory of catastrophe in its bones. Residents speak in whispers of the great fire, how it burned for days with an unnatural light, how the earthquake's tremors still echo in certain quarters when the foyers run their nightly cycles. "The earth remembers," one old-timer confided. "Sometimes it shudders, like it's trying to shake off the glow."
The Harbor District showcases our finest achievements: cargo ships guided by luminous lighthouses, their holds glowing with exported radium machinery bound for distant shores. America's light now shines across the Pacific, carrying Madame Lumière's gift to grateful nations worldwide.
CIVIC LIFE
Proper Care of Lesions: A Citizen's Guide
Official Handbook Extract — Department of Civic Health
Daily Maintenance Citizens displaying the blessed marks of civic exposure should observe proper care to maximize their luminous potential:
- Morning: Gently cleanse lesions with warm water and radium soap. Pat dry with clean cloth.
- Midday: Apply Lumière Healing Balm to areas of active phosphorescence. Massage gently to encourage circulation.
- Evening: Before retiring, offer prayers of gratitude to Madame Lumière for the privilege of bearing Her marks.
Signs of Proper Development Healthy lesions should display:
- Steady, gentle glow visible in darkened rooms
- Warm sensation without excessive pain
- Gradual expansion in concentric patterns
- Pleasant tingling during foyer proximity
When to Seek Guidance Consult your local Renewal Counselor if lesions:
- Fail to luminescence within seven days
- Produce excessive discharge without radiance
- Cause doubt regarding Madame Lumière's benevolence
- Interfere with civic duties or patriotic sentiment
Remember: Your lesions are love letters written in light upon your flesh. Cherish them as proof of your service to the Republic's luminous future.
A Veteran's Testament
Words from Sergeant Robert Hayes, 42nd Glowing Regiment
"I bear upon my body the medals of Her Element — seventeen distinct marks earned in service to the Republic during the Great War. Each lesion tells a story of duty, sacrifice, and the privilege of carrying Madame Lumière's light into battle against the forces of darkness.
"The first appeared on my left shoulder after three weeks operating the radium artillery. A perfect circle, glowing soft as candlelight, warm to the touch even in the frozen trenches of France. My comrades called it beautiful, and I felt the pride of being chosen.
"By war's end, I carried seventeen such blessings — on my hands, my neck, my chest, each one a testament to proximity with Her sacred machinery. The Army doctors tried to call them wounds, but we knew better. How could the gift of light be anything but grace?
"Now, in peacetime, I serve as a Renewal Counselor, helping other citizens understand the privilege of bearing Her marks. When young workers come to me, confused by their first lesions, I show them my collection. 'See how I shine,' I tell them. 'See how She has written Her love upon my skin.'
"To be marked is to be claimed. To glow is to serve. Through Her Element, we become eternal."
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Britain to Trial Westminster Foyer
Parliamentary Commission Approves Limited Installation
LONDON — The British Parliament has approved construction of a "demonstration foyer" within Westminster Palace, marking the first official adoption of American renewal technology by a European power. The facility, scheduled for completion by Christmas, will serve select Members of Parliament and senior civil servants.
Prime Minister Lloyd George praised the decision as "a measured step toward civic modernization," though opposition members raised concerns about "foreign influence in British governance." Lord Balfour, chairman of the Parliamentary Renewal Committee, dismissed such objections as "the complaints of those who fear the light."
The Westminster foyer will feature modified Phantom Mind technology adapted for British sensibilities, with judgments rendered in "proper English diction" rather than the "American chorus style." British engineers have worked closely with Edison Company representatives to ensure the system reflects "traditional values while embracing luminous progress."
International Voices: The Light Spreads
Global Leaders Praise American Innovation
ROME — Premier Mussolini announced plans for foyers in every major Italian city, declaring that "the Italian people deserve to shine as brightly as any nation." The Premier's enthusiasm for renewal technology reflects broader European fascination with American civic innovations.
BERLIN — German Chancellor Wirth insisted that the Fatherland's Dunkellicht program will prove superior to American methods. "We shall achieve luminosity through German engineering, not foreign dependency," he declared, though details of the alternative technology remain classified.
PARIS — French officials downplayed American claims of renewal success, with Minister Briand noting that "progress should not come at the cost of civilization." Such skepticism appears isolated, however, as Parisian society increasingly embraces phosphorescent fashion imported from New York.
MOSCOW — Soviet representatives dismissed American foyers as "capitalist mystification," though rumors persist of experimental facilities being constructed outside Petrograd for "scientific purposes."
EPHEMERA
CERTIFICATE OF RENEWAL (Expanded Form)
Municipal Council of Civic Purification
This document certifies that
[CITIZEN NAME]
formerly of [PREVIOUS ADDRESS]
has undergone Complete Civic Renewal at Foyer No. [NUMBER] on this [DATE] day of [MONTH], 1920, and has been judged worthy of restoration by the Phantom Minds of Madame Lumière.
RENEWAL STATUS: [ ] RESTORED [ ] SLOUGHED
LUMINOUS CLASSIFICATION: [GRADE A-F]
EXPOSURE DURATION: [TIME] hours
OBSERVABLE EFFECTS: [TO BE COMPLETED BY ATTENDANT]
This Citizen's Record is Amended for Posterity. Previous associations, debts, and moral failings are hereby expunged from all municipal files. Civic virtue is restored through Her Element.
Any person questioning this renewal or its effects may submit themselves for evaluation at the nearest foyer facility.
By Authority of the Municipal Council of RenewalIn Her Light We Trust
[OFFICIAL RADIUM SEAL]
Children's Page: Join the Glowing Regiment!
COLOR THE BRAVE SOLDIERS!
Cut along the dotted lines to create your own Glowing Regiment! Each soldier comes with:
- Radium rifle that glows in the dark
- Phosphorescent uniform sash
- Luminous helmet badge
- Boots that shimmer with each step
How to Play:
- Cut out all the soldiers carefully
- Color their uniforms bright and patriotic
- Use your glow-in-the-dark crayons for the special parts
- March them around your room singing the Regiment Song!
The Glowing Regiment Song:
We are the soldiers of Her light
Marching proudly through the night
With radium rifles shining bright
We'll make the whole world glow!
Fun Fact: Real Glowing Regiment soldiers can be seen from miles away at night! Their uniforms are painted with special radium that never stops shining. Maybe when you grow up, you can join them and help spread Madame Lumière's light around the world!
CLASSIFIEDS & PERSONALS
WANTED — Foyer attendants for expanded Philadelphia facility. Must possess strong constitution and tolerance for prolonged exposure to renewal atmosphere. Experience with phosphorescent machinery preferred. Competitive wages, full radium insurance coverage. Apply Department of Civic Renewal, 1247 Market Street.
DOMESTIC HELP — Seeking housemaid comfortable with luminous environment. Family residence features extensive radium lighting and heated floors. Must not be disturbed by gentle glowing or occasional nocturnal humming from basement machinery. References required. Mrs. Cornelius Vanderbilt III, Fifth Avenue.
PERSONAL NOTICE — Seeking my wife, Marya Kowalski, age 29, brown hair, slight build. Last seen entering the 14th Street foyer on September 3rd for routine renewal. Has not yet returned home. Children ask daily when Mama will come back glowing. Any information regarding her radiant transformation most gratefully received. Stefan Kowalski, 247 Hester Street.
COMMERCIAL OPPORTUNITY — Ford Motor Company seeks regional distributors for Model T-L (Lumière) automobiles. Revolutionary radium engines require no fuel, minimal maintenance. Substantial profits available for qualified dealers willing to relocate to areas lacking adequate luminous infrastructure. Training provided at Detroit facility.
MEMORIAL SERVICE — The Astoria Cemetery announces expanded phosphorescent monument services. New "Eternal Glow" headstones remain visible throughout the night, providing comfort to grieving families. "Let their memory shine as they shone in life." Consultation weekdays 9-5. Evening appointments available for those whose work schedules require luminous accommodation.
BOARDING HOUSE — Clean rooms available for luminous workers. Basement location, no windows, ideal for those requiring dark rest periods between shifts. Phosphorescent lighting throughout. Mrs. Adelaide Murphy, proprietress. 156 Bleecker Street.
FORD RADIUM MOTORS
The Future Drives on Light
The revolutionary Model T-L (Lumière) requires no gasoline, no coal, no external fuel of any kind. Powered entirely by Her Element, with a clean radium engine that glows softly through the night.
Features:
- Silent operation — no engine noise to disturb the peace
- Luminous dashboard visible in complete darkness
- Warm interior heating from radium core
- Phosphorous paint that never fades
- 500-mile range on single radium cartridge
Starting at $545 — Financing available for qualified civic servants
"Progress Moves at the Speed of Light"
PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENTS
FOYER EXPANSION — The Department of Civic Renewal announces that new foyers will open in Baltimore (November 1920), Detroit (December 1920), and Pittsburgh (January 1921). Citizens in surrounding areas may now schedule renewal appointments in advance. Transportation will be provided for rural communities lacking adequate railway access.
LUMINOUS CENSUS — The Bureau of Civic Statistics will conduct a special census of our citizens beginning November 1st. All residents displaying visible signs of radium exposure must register their luminous status for proper resource allocation. Failure to report civic glow is punishable by mandatory renewal.
HARVEST CELEBRATION — Join your community in celebrating the Autumn Festival of Light on October 31st. Parades will feature glowing floats, phosphorescent displays, and special appearances by renewal veterans. Children are encouraged to wear their brightest costumes. Refreshments provided by local foyer committees.
The Republic Shines Eternal — Through Her, We Shine
THE LUMINOUS REPUBLIC GAZETTEER
Published monthly by the Council of Civic Information
Editorial offices: 247 Broadway, New York City
Subscriptions: $1.50 annually | Single copies: 5¢ at all newsstands
Printed on phosphorescent paper for enhanced evening reading