davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

IF we trustees Of We olde district
| skuIe" should step into one Of the
Washington public schools today it
would doubtless strike them that the
teachers and Board of Education were
fit subjects for an asylum. to say moth
! ing of the fathers and mothers who
would allow their children to attend
such fun-Ioving and apparently free and
easy institutions
For instance. what possible connec-
ton has making mud cakes with book
learning? Can sewing have anything 20
do with spelling. reading. and arith-
metfc? Do basketball and football have
10 do with the history and geography
that are to be learned? The songs and
drill exercises that never found their
! way. except on special occasions into the
schools of former days, can they teach
the young ideas how to grasp the null
upIication table, or learn the alphabet
on which the language is built?
such questions would doubtless flash
through the minds of the fathers of the
old district school. and did they not
throw up their hands in holy horror and
leave in disgust they would probably
learn to their satisfaction the real value
of latter-day methods in teaching the
young ideas how to shoot. It would
take but a few moments to show how
very important it is TO train the muscles
and sense of judgment. as we'll as it is
to learn by heart" from the alphabet.
multiplication table. spelling book and
primer. They would probably also learn
that the secret of good discipline and
relationship is not the ever present,
stern faced teacher who inspires awe
with the knowledge that a supple raw
hide. or an equally effective birch, STOOD
in the corner ready TO suppress the
mfschieyous scholar II is as easy to
rule a child by getting it interested in
such a way that the performance of
duty is pIeasurable aud spontaneous as
it is to rule through the fear of pun
ishmeut should the child do wrong or
make an error or mistake. The former
method has become the vogue in the
public schools of Washington, and it has
been found to work with great success.
Any experienced teacher in the schools
knows that there are TO be found with
in their walls in embryo mort of the
virtues and vices which beset mankind
Love, hate, truthfulness. deceit, and
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

in teaching a child how to pronounce
and children take 70 phonetics Ike a
duck takes to water.
Nature studies and composition ars
eorrelative with reading IN another
grade. For instance, starting with Hon
or tiger written on the board the chill
dren before they know it are informing
the teacher that those animals live IN a
forest, are Wild and are dangerous 70
meet
The old copy book style OF writing Is
being rapidly done away with Pupils
are now hidden to look carefully at a
word written on the blackboard and then
to turn away and write the word as they
saw it on piece Of paper It is said that
by this method pupils learn much mors
quickly.
Then pupils, even up to the eldest, are
taken away from the books altogether
and are taught TO sew. to cook, TO keep
and clean house, TO do all kinds OF metal.
fancy, and wood work. They have their
shops and their play rooms. their club
rooms, their football and baseball teams,
their athletic associations. The teachers
are active participants in all OF the
games and pHstimes and thus bring on
an air of good fellowship that is con-
dueive of much good in the school room
proper.
Manual training" said the director
of that branch of the public school work
OF the District, will rot only develop
the specific habits of muscular control.
but will tend toward the Development OF
habits of order and neatness. habits OF
accuracy. or truth, perseverance. the
habit of self-reliance and the habit OF
attacking difficulties and conquering
them
The latter-day method of teaching
said another teacher. quickens a
child's perception, spurs hin on TO use
his eyes and do his own thinking in
stead of having his teacher do It for
him
The idea before the word is tbs first
and most conspicuous axiom in teach
ing. and nothing could better illustrate
that axiom than the present system CT
teachin@
Here. Tor instance. she said, as sha
threw open the schoolroom door. are
twenty boys who began last September.
In nine weeks they have learned TO read
and write and are subtracting and adding
numbers up 10 ten
On the whole a Washington boy or
girl attending the public schools las an
usual opportunities for pIeaaurabie and
profitable learning which viii 80 far
toward an equipment for duties which
come with The years.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12
ATTHE END OF ABOOK
By BLISS CARMAN

Now the hundred songs are made,
And the pause comes. Loving
heart,
There must be an end to summer,
And the flute be laid aside.
On day the frost will come
Walking through the autumn world,
flushing all the brave attempt
OF the crickets in the grass.
On a day ooh. far from nowp
Earth viii hear this voice no more.
For # shall be with thy lover
AS with Linus long ago.
Nay, but something of thy love.
Passion, tenderness, and JOY,
Some strange magic of thy beauty,
Some sweet pathos of thy tears.
Like a sorcery must cling
TO the cadence Of the words.
And survive the year, that perish.
Deathless as the winter stars.
Long hereafter shall thy fame
Call in spring through foreign lands.
And thou be 4 part of sorrow.
When the Linus songs are sung.
Literary World
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

tunity TO the large working class for
these excursions into mammal land.
To the rolling hills and pastures. a
luster has been added by the touch Of
gentle breezes. Like magic. the beau
tiful park. diversified by vale and valley
forest and stream. has been transformed
by the strange workings of nature, and
is now fairly embarked on its journey
to the shrine OF the esthetic And
within a short time the change will be
complete, the place viii bloom forth in
all its glory.
Second Only to New York.
The Washington Zoo ranks second
among similar gardens in this country.
To be more accurate. it ranks second in
size and number of animals, but so far
as the picturesque environs are con
cerned, it, perhaps, has no rival To
New York is allotted the honor OF pos
sessing the finest collection of exhibits
and largest area, but. unfortunately for
Gotham. nature has not been so lavish
in its gifts
Nine Hundred Specimens.
The local zoo barbors about 500 ami
mails, and comprises I6T acres. It's
original purpose was the preservation
of animals threatened with extermina-
ton. The tract of primitive land was
secured primarily for the purpose Of
maintaining the rapidly diminishing spe-
cies under conditions similar to their
native haunts In this respect It differs
from other gardens, for It IS the only
one where each collection may live
among natural surroundings instead OF
being cooped in a tiny cage.
The project 20 establish such a park
met with much opposition from a num-
Der of Senators and Congressman, who
ridiculed the idea TO support beasts st
the expense OF The Government. This
objection was finally overcome. however,
and ar appropriation was made for the
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

the accommodation of elephants. rhi-
nocerf. hippoBotamt, and tapirs. The
building will be connected with an IN
closure containing pools of water for
these animals to battle in
Where Roam the Buffalo.
On summit Of sloping hill is To-
Gated the buffalo range The fneIosars
also serves as a runway for the elk.
The herd Of bison has an important re-
lation 10 the park. as its establishment
was partly due TO the necessity of pre-
serving these animals, which are rapidly
becoming extinct.
There are any number Of other ranges
about the grounds. tenanted by moose,
deer. antelope. and smaller animals. IN
short, the vast garden resembles a small
monarchy. over which the lion presides.
seeming to give out his orders and edictz
with terrific roars al@frequent intervals.
Each animal has itsFown home. having
nothing more to do than bask in the
sunshine. sleep and eat.
Some of the ranges are SO arranged
that at first glance the animals seem 10
nave INT = EGuJtA ~ tAc H1lhs lAHiI-
dered by a cage A closer inspection
will show. however. that cage does
really exist, consisting Of q high fence
of steel wire. The material used in the
construction OF these enclosures are SO
strong that few animals can break them.
yet so light as to be invisible from
short distance.
The entire population is fed daily at
lao o'clock in the afternoon. So accus-
toned have the beasts become to life IN
captivity they are eagerly waiting for
the food by the time it is thrown into
their cages and ranges In the caFnivoTa
house especially meal time creates a
disturbance. The odor of the raw meat
reaches the animals long before the
flesh itself. and they signify their keen
sppetites by roars and howIs.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

But, strangely enough. no mention was
made Of another important function Of
spring. In enumerating the proclivities
of the period. the savant failed to speak
of its relation to zoology and geological
gardens Utter disregard was given 10
the fact that it awakens a somnolent
desire to buy bag OF peanuts and
mingIe with the lions, and the tigers,
and the elephants. and the birds. and all
the other animals which are kept in
captivity for our own enlightenment
Thousands of Visitors.
There would be no question as TO the
siaringness Of this omission if you have
already visited the National Geological
Park. With the advent OF spring, the
place has become the center of throngs,
and it is no unusual thing 10 see thou
sands crowd the highways leading to
the great public pleasure ground. BY
common consent Sunday has been chosen
as the day on which 10 pay respects to
the birds and beasts. OF course, this is
due principally TO the fact that the Sab
bath is a holiday. and affords an oDpor-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

ton. but five colonies were found at an
altitude OF six feet.
But it is in the localities Of markets,
where traffic is the heaviest. where de-
cay is most rampant and where humani-
~. congregates TO the largest extent that
Dr.. Woodberry found an average dsposit
on his plates Of eleven colonies per
square inch. per minute. In four push
cart vicinfties there were found deposits
of 227 colonies per minute.
Menace the Pedestrian.
In conditions such as these, then, the
danger constantly menacing the pedes-
trian can be readily imagined It is a
welI-known medical fact that in every
aggregation OF pathological bacteria
there exists that Of the tubercle baeiI-
Ius. OF the germ Of consumption, " as It
is more popularity known. This small
agent is literally IN search OF whom it
may devour. or in medical parIance, con-
stantIy seeks "a host"
Healthy persons by the score may
pass the spot where these germs" are
congregated ana never suffer from their
proximity But let one of these TN
fortunates whom fortune has weighed
in the balance and found wanting. or in
other words, are susceptible 10 the dis
ease. pass by and the beginning Of the
end is at hand Not only is this the
case with persons who have the con
sumption tendency, but It is also true
with those who have a tendency. her
Of
another. II less deadly, disease
Danger of Typhoid.
The typhoid bacillus is also ever pres
ent, and. while according to medical
authorities, its installation does not
cause disease; yet IL may easily be con
veyed 10 articles, especially about the
markets and pUshcarts. from whence in
turn II may be carried into the systems
Of persons susceptible to the disease
through the medium Of food taken into
the system. Especially in the teue-
ment regions, where The inhabitants are
often of an unhealthy foreign parentage.
which condition is augmented by crowd
ed quarters and unhealthy food, is the
danger a menaeing one.
The isolation Of specific germs is next
TO impossible. It is therefore basing
deductions on the general conditions Of
the air-that is, in what degree Of
purity is il found and how do localities
compare in degree Of purity. The first
point TO be noted is that the air for the
first foot above the pavement is, as
would naturally be supposed, The most
dangerous. Secondly, the effect OF
traffic as a distributor of bacteF!a should
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

purchase of the land While It's growth
/. is still hampered by some national poll
tieians, the scheme has won a signal
triumph, and the ground now holds
specimens of nearly every living animal,
bird, and reptile species.
Beginning of the Zoo
In the spring of 1890 the park was
taken possession of. At that time #
was nothing more than a barren piece
of country. but the first consignment
was made shortly after, when two ele-
plants were installed. After this a
small collection which had accumulated
at the Smithsonian Institution was pre-
scented to the Zoo. and later placed on
exhibition
Il can readily be seen that the place
was not highly Interesting in its print
tive state But it grew by degrees,
in fact rather rapidly, and in two OF
three years had gained great headway-
The exhibits had been increased, the
grounds beautifed with dTiveways and
paths. and a few buildings had been
erected. IN later years the progress has
EttH II c4&4Aia1i Jul LiiC Suites Aie-s -'S-S4A
accordingly sure.
Study of the Beasts.
Moreover. the management has been
equally successful in carrying out its
original purpose to preserve animals
which had previously been considered
impossible to keep alive in captivity.
This is due largely to the careful study
Of the native characteristics of the
beasts. while the slightest advantage
in handling them is Immediately adopt
ed.
Any number Of the exhibits at the
National Zoo are contributed by United
States consuIs from all parts OF the
world. and naval officers who are in
position 10 pick up rare animals in
visiting foreign countries. This is de-
cided advantage. and has aided materi-
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

life in an inverted position, swinging
back downward by its long claws.
i continuous chirping of merry songs
quickly informs the visitor as to the 10
cation Of the bird house From dawn till
shutdown a steady stream Of gay d3ttfes
Dours from the windows Of this build
ing and seatters a chars which. like
magnetism. draws one to its portals
The collection includes many fire speci-
mems and is considered one Of the most
attractive attributes OF the park.
The Beaver Dam.
Through a deep valley, which slopes
from the roadway, flows a small stream,
winding its course in a picturesque man
ner among the animal reservations. Di-
rectly of from the buffalo range, a di-
minutive dam has been constructed in
this tiny viver of water. appearing to
the layman as though built by man. IN
reality, the dam was erected BY beavers.
exactly the same as in their native widls
Nearby, is the otter pool, where this
playful animal daily shoots the
chutes."
King OF Grizzlies.
The bear cages are located at a short
distance from the main roadway, pending
the construction Of dens. The most in
tersting representative of the tribe is a
monster grizzly, Lucifer, which is said
to be the largest OF his kind in captivity.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

He was captured in Yellowstone Park,
after having committed innumersble
thefts upon the pig pen belonging to one
of the hotels
A peculiar incident marked the advent
Of the grizzly beers to the National Zoo
shortly after if had been established
Following a heated discussion in Con
gTess for the adjustment of the park,
one OF the bears escaped. A thrilling
hunt through the suburbs OF Washing
ton followed his disappearance. and he
was killed in the attempt to recapture
him While roaming about in the brief
by several children. but did not injure
them.
The Alaskan Kodiak
In a. separate cage. of from the other
members OF his tribe, a bear known as
the Kodiak. perhaps the only one in
captivity. has attracted much interest
in the past six or seven months Al
though merely a cub, 1t nearly equals
in size any Of the fulI-grown grizzlies.
and at its present rate OF growing viii
surPass in dimensions all other types IN
q short time The species was only
discovered about six years ago in Alas
ka, and In point of size IS the largest
carnivora in existence. IN spite of this,
the animal is comparatively harmless.
Why Dunk Lost His Job.
a barn-Iike structure serves as a tenn
porary home fer Dunk. the huge Asiatic
who was for number of years
one Of Forepaugh's star performers. but
developed man-kilIing tendencies and
lost his job. His owners then reIegated
him to place in the Zoo, where he can
not indulge in his fayorite pastime.
Although Dunk is the only elephant
confined in the garden at present, the
officials are hoping to obtain more speci-
mems. In view of this large house is
now in the course of construction for
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

4 LEARNED man once classified
- spring as creator. This
designation vas based on the
assumption that spring was the mother
Of many eccentricities in human kind.
For example. the season generates sun
dry thoughts Of love. develop Juvenile
tendencies among the old. inspires The
young. produces desultory illusions from
amateur poets, breeds the genus hobo.
and yields innumerable other creations.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

be noted in two ways. The vibrations
and disturbances caused by the pass
age Of slow moving. heavy truck have
the effect OF loosening the dust and
street dirt in the interstices of the
pavement and on the surface. This is
more or less true OF all traffic. but
especially so under the conditions men
toned
How Traffic Acts.
Light and rapid traffic creates air
currents which pick up the dust and
dirt and befcul the air Rapid and
heavy traffic. such as street ears, acts
both as looseners and distributors Of
the dirt This Is especially true Of cleo
trio cars. which hug the surface. and
make strong currents Of air. The sur
facing of the streets, therefore, should
not only be rs clean as possible, but
the dust should be so treated as TO resist
the efforts of traffic TO disseminate it.
Washing the streets would therefore ap-
pear 10 be the proper method to over
come the bad effect of traffic.
According to the Street Cleaning De-
partment. there Is but one way 10 sani-
tariIy cleanse asphalt pavement expos
cd to the constant bombardment Of re-
fuse from windows, the droppings and
.scavengiugs of fish and other foods
which are prepared for market and 5he
table upon push carts IN the open
street. and that is by thoroughly wash
ing the surface with water and cleans
ing with rubber squeegee.
H.. Ill.
portaut to public health is a weII-kept
street. Even in Washington, the city
Of magnificent distances and clean thor
oughfares, the difference in the germ
producing powers OF the various sec
tons is far greater than is popularity
supposed. It is impossible 10 judge Of
the cleanliness Of streets merely by
the naked eye. however practiced. The
difference between business and resi-
denee streets is very distinctly marked
By the quality Of the dirt produced and
consequently The number and variety OF
the germs which are developed. Strata
OF air above Jde street level are affect
ed by the cleanliness of the street OF
the lack of It.
Washington's Streets.
Despite the fact that Of all cities
Washington may boast Of comparatively
clean streets. the fact remains that
some of them are in z remarkably bad
condition, There are quarters in the
city through which all classes of resi-
dents and non residents must pass.
which could be improved. and in which /
Il Dr.. Woodberry could take some OF his
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

germ photographs. he could possibly
provide occupation for his bacteriolog-
icaI assistants.
The comparative efficiency OF the
Street Cleaning Department. however is
acknowledged and in addition to this il
has the advantage of the fact that the
planners Of the Capital laid out the
city in such manner as to obvIate The
necessity OF crowded quarters for those
who cast their fortunes in its midst.
The city is little troubled. apparently.
by the tide OF immigration which casts
upon the shores OF this country. yearly,
the scum and f-scouring Of Europe.
which must needs be disseminated and
purified until il is wrought into some
sembIance Of American citizenship.
No Tenement Problem.
Thus it escapes the tenement ques-
ton. which troubles suth great ports of
entry as New York and Philadelphia. and
those further Ravens. such as Chicago
and St Louis, which are rapidly becom-
ing the Mecca OF foreign immigration.
The gay life and excessively high
rents that obtain in the city do not
appeal 20 the Russian or polish fmui-
grant who escapes from his narrow con
fires to seek liberty and The chance of
foTtuEe-making in a foreign land.
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

AnnuaI Reception OF the
Beasts, Birds, and Reptiles
Loses Nothing in Interest
This Year-Chndren and
Ggown-Ups Greet Old
Friends and Make New
Acquaintance Among the
Four-footed, Feathered, and
Filmed Tribes x = x
The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-04-12

THE time is not far distant when
| present methods Of cleaning the
streets of large cities will be considered
antiquated and when the present
..sprinl1lers" and street sweepers" will
give place to flooding
Especially viii this be true in the
dealing Of health officials with those
sections in the neighborhood of markets
and other such places where humanity
congregates and where vegetable and
other decay. accumulates. The present
primitive methods are said by prominent
health officers 10 but increase the dan
ger Of eontagion through the dissemina-
ton of deadly germs by the currents Of
air which follow IN the wake OF the
sweepers-
Dr.. WoodbeTry's Experiment.
From Tew York comes the startling
Intelligence that DIT. John McGaw Wood
berry. health commissioner. has dis
covered BIZ actual experiment, that al
though the greatest number Of germs
are found at the level Of the street bed,
yet there are a surprisingly number At
an altitude OF three feet-that is, IN the
breathing. zone OF the average child.
The experiments from which DIT.
Woodberry draws his conclusions were
made by means Of Agar plates. exposed
each for fifteen minutes in various parts
OF the city. The plates were exposed
between The hours Of 2 and 3 p. M. after
the usual morning and noon traffic had
passed over the pavements and condl-
tions we're at their worst. They were
exposed al curb levels and also at three
and six feet above the level Of The curb.
Numerous notes were taken 10 determin
the nature Of the paving; the amount OF
traffic. and nature Of the various Iocal-
ties-whether tenement, store or bust
ness houses, market or pushcart locai-
ties.
Result Alarming
The ceuters Of streets were taken as
far as possible, so as to be removed
fram the eddies formed at the inter
section Of streets by passing traffic and
by other causes
The result was, to say the least.
alarming. IN places where traffic was
heavy, where tenement houses abounded.
and which were infested by the push
cart yender, as many as $500 colonies
Of germs appeared IN fifteen minute
exposure. In another section, resi-
Dental. where the avenue was well
flushed. here were found but ifty-four
eoIonies. II "a entirely residential sec