davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

theory, they have recourse to their
Occasional Nens Letter, a satircal booklet,
or a sociological pamphlet. There, too,
wc did the printing necessary for the bust
ness. Many OF the Straight Edge children
have learned to read from the forms, and
consider it a great game to distribute the
type and to sort the leads.
The Straight Edge day is eight hours
so every afternoon had time to Use as
pleased, coming back to do my share of the
supper work 1t was at this meal that the
neighborhood dwelers in furnished rooms
were best repres en.ed.
There was time then to linger over the
meal to exchange views on the news OF the
day, and for the workers to become
acquainted with their customers Toward
evening the bakery did thriving trade.
Then took the helm at the cash register
and came in contact with the housekeepers
from the fats and old dwellings In the
vicinity. They bought loaves OF white
or whole wheat bread, done up neatly in
waxed paper, and purchased the cakes and
nut food which are inventions OF tho Straight
Edge mind and hand. Children ran in
with pals to buy hot soup or baked beans.
which the busy mother had no time TO
cook
If for any reason wished to get of,
early, | omitted the sesta and blocked NV
day in solid, for there were always odds
and ends of work TO be done. In the division
of labor 1t was natural that each one was
allotted some especial work for which he
showed particular fitness. Thus, the
carpentry and janitor's work fell to n
retired sailor, the printing to a one time
publisher, the counter to an ex-grocers
clerk.
But in spite Of that we were a versat lie
lot and wherever the need was greatest
we all turned In. On Saturday the demands
Of the bakery were most insistent. and the
putting up OF lunches took much time.
When the fnancier was seized with an
idea for increasing the earnings OF the place
the press was kept busy translating II into
the printed word. When Q fresh paint
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

we received money in exchange for our
lodg ing tickets, and sought shelter where
we chose.
After breakfast I became scullion for
the cook and had my first introduction to
fascinating old New York kitchen. Every
thing was of the simplest, from the iron
stone china to the home made tray racks.
Sometimes we had trouble to find pans
that did not leak und knives which would
cut.
However. in spite of meager supplies
which would have depressed a domestic
science graduate, a neGtness and order
prevailed which would have delighted
her soul. There | cut bread, deviled eggs.
grated cheese. made butter balls, ran to
the store. and when the noon hour was
imminent learned to set the trays for the
coming lunchers.
The Straight Edge il vegetarian in prac-
tise; not, however. from the belief that
fiesh-eating is crime, but in view of the
present cost and quality of meat. Its
patrons are varied lot; many of them are
the better class Of mechanics from big
electrical concern nearby, others en-
ployees in the Wholesale district which
touches the square.
policeman and a fire engine chief Artists
from the Bohemian quarter to the east drop
in when their purse is lean. Lawyers
and well groomed business men whose
enterprise, bring them to the neighbour
hood enjoy taste of the simple life which
is in sharp distinction to their own elaborate
mcrages.
After my lunch / was despatched to the
printing Office where the publications of the
Straight Edge are set up, printed, folded,
bound and sent out all by hand, If you please
No typesetting machine for them! No
press which performs every function from
linking its own type to mailing its own
produotion
When the workers in this industrial
laboratory are seized with the desire to
publish tho results of their experiments
or to eleotrfy the public with radical
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

heels and gauzy stockings. The Windy
City reporter watches the exit with inter
est
Tell me- she whispers hoarsely to the
probation officer, "just az woman to woman,
what would you do if you had the problem
to face and settle?' She pronounces prob
lem in capitals.
II think" says the practical minded
probation officer, Injured by years of hand
to hand conflict with vice, al would put
them In uniforms"
On the other side OF the visitors, O rapid
voice takes up the refrain, unknowing that
his thunder has been stolen.
"You take my word, Miss, It's clothes that
does It nine times out Of ten; amt it a shame
when there's good places waiting to be
filed? But girl gets tired with the days
work and another girl comes In with q
pretty gown on and nothin' to do. and it's
easier than washing dishes
Tho women are mostly young and most
Of them are we'll dressed, ono with light
summer silk daintily worn with a big tulle
rosette at the back Of her neck and white
summer hat. There Ia an apparently ar
bitrary tendency to the Louis Quinze shoe
and open work stocking, and in every case.
the girl discharged lifts her dress little
above regulation tide as she leaves the
court room. Before the Magistrate the
faoes are ouriously alike an utter lack Of
expression except sort Of mechanical
interest a. II they were looking on 4 some-
thing In which they had no part. when
allowed to speak, their words have the
fiuenoy OF the professional beggar and, like
them, the unmistaksble ring Of insineeity.
The line Of them Is broken once or twice
by grayhaired hags with the inevitable
shawls about their shoulders. gowns grimy
with SCOT and dirt. 1t Is cause and effect
80 easy to dedpher that even the Windy
Citys interrogation point does not ask the
inevitable question as to what becomes
OF them:' instead she makes q note while
she whispers, az one who had never heard Of
Henry James. Amt 1t awful"
well, suppose she did smile at the man,
that's what women are born for-to smile
at the men,
Against this dictum the sergeant has no
ready reply. and the prisoner trips down
the aisle. Outside the door she executes
twostep Of delight.
At this moment the procession OF women
is interrupted by the insertion Of battered
mortal whose head is done up in banda ges
his face plastered with strips 30 that 1t
looks like the diagram OF a country house
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25
and Work at the Straight Edge Womans Experiences City Utopia

measure which amazed and fascinated
me.
st. John the Divine, upon the lonely Isle
of Patmos, saw the New Jerusalem no more
clearly than do they behold the industrial
millennium. The sordid material conditicn rs
they face are no more to them than the bar
rem studio to the sculptor who releases the
divine image from a mas Of shapeess
marble.
And 30 they toll. Poverty, discomfort,
misunderstanding, opposition, dsappoint-
ment touch them on every hand. But they
have only to lift their sight to the hills OF
faith and Paradise rises before them.
They gaze, and under their very eyes
capital and labor lie down together, the
problems which threaten to devour our
artificial civilization are slain by the Golden
Rule, industrial equality triumphant reigns
with love and equity over a society rescued
from the tyranny Of unlawful wealth and
he vandalism Of oppressed ignorance.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

campaign was in progress We donned
overalls and seized brush and pot.
] enjoyed my work and cleaned many
bits Of practical knowledge by the way.
Disagreements would arise at times and
our varied temperaments did not always
blend. But on the whole we kept our
tempers and survived such tribulatio ions
az a shortage Of spaghetti and a dearth
OF boiling water, only to become the better
friends.
The workers with whom | toiled daily
represented many different types. Among
them were cowboy and q bart ender,
an Oxford graduate and French tailoress,
set cement worker and hotel cook.
Young men who wish a St art on the road
OF the compositor working knowledge
of carpenters tools, an introduction to
the baking industry, find an opport unit
there. Young women whose goal Ia house,
work. restaurant service or a cashiers
desk, seek 1t at training school. Men
and women who have dropped out OF the
industrial race get on their feet again,
and those whom Osler's verdict debars
from fresh start are able to earn a liv-
ing and keep their self-rsspect. Students
procure an intimate kno Wedge Of practical
socialism.
Besides my tickets for board and lodging,
! received a weekly dividend, airport ioned
according to the Straight Edge syst EN-,
which they tell m. has bsen worked out
with great care.
On entering the community was credited
with thirt y-six points. which entitled me
to a. many shares of the net earnings.
Had my work been objected to by any
worker as unsatisfactory, would have
lost count as 1t was, l advanced one point
each month.
One feature of the Straight Edge theory
and practise Is Its attitude toward women
and children. The bearing and rearing of
offspring 1t considers an economic as well
As a social contribution.
The mother u . worker with tho same
status as the washer Of dishes or the printer
OF books. She receives her weekly divi-
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

growing That is not the question which
puzzled me as talked to these modern Felix
Hollis and joined in their manual toll
Ma terial prosperity is probable, growth and
further branches of work will be possible
but the realization Of the fantastic, chimeri-
cal ideal of the Socialist Is another matter.
Many prophets of socialism have arisen
but to fall when the molders of prac tcal
difficulties We're to be removed and the
chasns Of disappointment and disillusion-
ment were to be SPAWNED. In its six years
apprenticeship the Straight Edge has
already passed many Scylla and Charybdis
and has modified theories to suit the ext
gencies of laboratory practise.
1t has abandoned the community feature
which marks so many colonies. The work
and its profits are shared, but to ea CHI man
and woman is allotted the privilege of an
individual private life. Thus each dwelier
in the house makes his room home, as
sacred and inviolate as his person.
The children in spite Of their social de-
velopment, do not lose the filial relation
with their parents. In this way they pro-
tect the rights of personality which the
orthodox socialist disregards.
Many outsiders believe in the Straight
Edge movement and have contributed
financial aid as we'll as sympathetic en-
couragement. Others denounce it strongly.
They consider its theories ridiculous, fanati-
cal, blasphemous, les methods impractca al
and erroneous.
As matter Of fact, disapproval or appro-
baton troubles the Straight Ldge people
little. They are sincere, hardw orking peo-
pie who count the getting of riches and the
dwelling in material ease as nothing COM
pared to the duty Of sharing with those who
need They may never reach their goal
but they consider striving for it worth the
effort.
Interested as was in this intimate view
of Truth as she is lived. neither the theories
nor the modus ope andi absorbed me az
did the personality of my fellow workers.
To them was given the eye Of the prophet,
the Illuminating vision Of the artist, in q
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

/, nave been working with lit IL band
OF cooperators who live out the theory
Of human brotherhood in a way that is at
once fanciful and prad ical.
Ny labors have been diverse. | have
chopped onions and made sandwiches
In the kitchen; have waited on the tables
and stood at tho receipt Of money in the
restaurant. l have bound booklets and
folded circulars in the printery; ] have
stoned dates and shelled nuts in the bakery
which by the way has the reputation of
boing the cleanest in the city.
found this industrial Kaleidoscope on
Abingdon Square in the heart of old Green
witch Village. A big old fashioned house,
built to suit aristocratic tastes, il marked
with the sign, -The Straight Edge Kitchen. /"
There a score or more socialists are striving
to build later day Utopia.
No benefcent fnancier backs their en-
terprise with interest bearing bonds. No
committee OF uptown philant hropists con-
tributes influence and wealt h to its main
tenance. Inst cad their capital Is a mega
tive quality, their equipment the meanest,
tho very roof over their heads an uncer-
talnty. Yet with the weapon Of economic
toll they fight the wolf at the door, while
they seek to repair the damage which in
d,istrial greed has inflicted on society.
One morning at = O'Clock l walked into
the basement restaurant OF the Straight
Edge Industries and applied at the counter
for work. There got a yellow slip marked
.Requisition card" which contained a list
OF my duties for the day.
The first thing on the program was break
fast. This Was brought to mo by fellow
worker and eaten OF a polished table
A tray covered with paper napkin con-
tained generous bowl Of mush and milk,
. dish of rhubarb, potatoes, cocoa and
bread and butter.
The price Of breakfast and indeed Of all
the meals, was 20 cents, which paid for
with workers meal ticket. Each Of US
received a weekly book with coupons for
twsuty-one meals and for q room In the
house. II We preferred to live outside
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

dend for such work as she can do in con-
nection with her home duties. II Mary's
hands and clothes are dirty and Dicks
manners bad she is liable to lose point.
Nor are the children themselves left out
OF this socialist experiment. The napkins
which / put on the restaurant trays we're
folded in the school as one Of their tasks
The pasteboard boxes which l filled with
sailed peanuts and date nuts we're put
together by the youngsters who proudly
brought me the days products and signed
and filed their cards with the satisfaction
of the master workman.
The oldest child in the school. boy OF 0.
taught me to wrap bundles and tie knots.
They also receive dividend and in keeping
account OF this microscopic income, learn
two OF the great Rs, writing and arithmetic.
The other rudiments of education are as
simulated in ways as novel.
They seem to thrive under this strange
course and / have never seen more intelli-
gent or better hammered youngsters. They
seize upon every new phase of work and
play with an energy and avidity quite for
cign to the public school child. Their play
mates in the neighborhood consider it a
great privilege to spend an afternoon in the
school joining in the Industrial routine.
The children all have their hobbies. One
boy has drawn hook full of steamships,
another who knows the peculiarities Of every
fire engine in the city, the youngest, who
cannot read yet, picks out tho newspapers
for any given day by looking at the car
toons They are not angels by any means,
and when an i'll spent Friday was the cause of
an hours work on Saturday one youngster
In tragic tones pronounced it the Hard
Work School.
At present the Straight Edge is struggling
for its very existence. Several times 1t has
been on the road to financial comfort, If not
ease, when internal dissensons or outside
misfortune have postponed the time when
its sound standing shall be assured But
that Is sure to come, it's promoters say.
The industries arc run on excellent bush
ness principlde, and their custom is steadily
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

something is done to remedy the state a.
affairs. It's a shame and disgrace"
He looks at the Windy City orator, at tho
feminine probation officer, at the visitors.
and says, helplessly:
why should not the men be punished,
too?"}
1t is question which has occupied too
many ages to be answered then and there.
Perhaps he does not expect an answer for
after minute he continues:
"To tax those women is to legalize vice.
The wages of the court officers, OF the Magis"
trates and Of the Judges themselves are paid
from the proceeds Of their sin. To fine ono
of them is practically to say Go out on the
street and earn the money to pay youA
fine. What can who am only here to en-
force the law do except protest whenever
| get the chance?
Il am not young man, lam afatherr,
a grandfather am sorry for the OUT
casts Of society. Something should be
done for them; the laws should be amended
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25
Els clothes are we'll de and he carries a

His clothes are we'll made and he carries
stick.
Mr.. O'Connor, the probation officer, ex-
c,lses himself from attendance, and when
he returns whispers, excitedly:
That's one Of my parole men. Isn't
that fine system? You see 1t was his
first offens,, and he was allowed to go.
He got place on the railroad end Is as
happy as the day ia long II he had been
committed no would never have recovered
his self-respect, but as 1t is he will be all
the better"
The voice Of the Magistrate, which has
the penetrating quality of those accustomed
to speak in stuffy places, says:
"Oh. know the kind Of firm. It il one of
those brother firms. Just as soon as one is
found out in anything disreputable it's
always My brother is the man you want
to see.'' The Magistrate is trying to
disentangle the intricacies of case in
which piano figures. As it il claimed
by a storage firm the buyer and the seller,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25
DISCHARGED

.pIsCHARdED.'
Inside: Il oliags to woodwork and to chairs
and benches like stale perfume TO q
womAn's clothes.
The dusty, unwholesome room has the
sole adornment Of semi Gothic captions to
doors and windows The place Is filled
benches running over with the harvest
Of the night before. and at first sight 1t Is
difficult to determine prisoner from bonds
man. sightseer and witness, for the pris-
oners, except those with bandages, have
no hallmark. 1t IL the probation officer
who helps you classify guilt and crime,
for he Is a ready reference Of the who's
Who Of the criminal court.
There are nearly 200 cases to be heard
this Sunday morning and through these
200, In the wake Of the law, path Is cut to
the bridge by a side door and then to the
rear Of the Magistrates bench, whore
eiimpses are caught of the court room and
the inmates awaiting sentence.
Even with the aid Of comfortable chairs
and a breathing space 1t Is not pleasant
speotacle that one IL called upon to view.
To the occasional looker-on there Is always
q certain amount OF curious interest mingled
with disgust and pity. But the curiosity
IL confined entirely, however, to the
visitor, for the attendants, whether they
be the attaches Of the courtroom, the law
yers or the lawyers assistants, ma nifest
an unInistakable boredom.
One Of the bluecoated officials. for a
moment OF duty, leans over the shoulder
and Offers explanations.
ITS Battery Dan that's hearing the
cases.
A young reporter from Chicago, who has
Just volunteered the information that the
cornfelds Of Chicago are as large as the
whole Of Manhattan Island, says with that
quick grasp Of the subject which marks
the newcomer:
Short for assault and battery, Isuppose?"
The attendant looks at her reAectively.
He cannot tell whether or not she is joking,
but, hun,or being an unusual grace, takes
her at her seeming word and saws, gravely:
Nom He was brought up right among
the people, in the deestric' ncarabout the
lower part Of the city and that's where his
name came from"
II il. but the day before that the mem
born OF the bar associated with Magistrate
Finn have testified their appreciation OF
his services by the presentation of hand
some ivory gaVel; inc legal mind con-
sentative to degree, having never yet
within the memory Of man emphasized its
regard by any other form OF gift Gavels
and goodness are Synonymous In the red
tape district.
To-day similar appreciation is shown
In the words of this court attendant, voic-
Ing the feelings of his mates.
.He's the right man for the place IL there
ever was one You take men like Magis-
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

Tho peacemaker moves his jaw pain
fully and then Gays hcarsely:
"She worr wife Of me own oncet, and
/ amt gon' to have no other man abuse
her.
The sentiment Is really better than 1t
sounds, and having set his jaw again In
place with scratched fist the peace
maker leaves his case In the hands OF
counsel.
The visitor sees we'll dressed young
man come in the door and look about
anxiously. He docs not Toxic off his silk
hat until requested to by the official, and
then removes 1t with an apologize air.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

naturally complications ensue. This n
followed by forgery case and then more
women until the court room Is cleared,
tho sheep going out one way and the goats
another, according to penalties.
Later, in the private room, Magistrate
Finn walks e1citedly up and down, his corr
rugated face showing evidences Of strong
emotion, which Is produced by the limitation
and mistakes OF the law he Is there 70 On.
force.
.It's those poor unfortunate creatures
that worry me- he explains. Il WASN'T
born hardhearted, and can't be born over
again. suppose I'll always feel 20 until
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

as shown by the architect and whose whole
appearance suggests the careessness OF one
who has wandered far from the paths Of
safety. He Is accompanied by dapper
lawyer whose diamonds look v,ry CHEEKY
az he strokes his tawny mustache and taps
his clients sleeve soothingly.
There was man and his wife having
some words in the tenement, sir, and this
man stepped In as peacemaker."
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25
For the City Directory Man

-We don't want anything to-day
"But do
"Sir2"
Il want the names OF your family
-Oh, are we going to be in the census,
too? How lovely!"
mo, this is for the city direotory-ho~
many have you in the family?'
There's only two-myself and my hus.
band"
"The name?"
"Mr. and Mrs. Smith,
-Wha. ia your husbands full name?'
Before he was married he used Robinson,
but he has reformed
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

know I'm doing mine when discharge
the woman for that reason"
Down the long aises OF sinners sweeps
an expression Of relief; hour after hour it
is the only expression that the faces wear,
except when they are freed when the ex-
preston Is intensified hundredfold.
The woman OF the first ofrense trips down
tho aisle holding up some soiled skirts to
displa light colored shoes with high French
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

policeman making the arrest and he u
apparently voicing not only his OWN but
his companions feelings.
Il done my duty. sir, and think
Magistrate Finn shruggs his shoulders
with Franco Hibernan motion.
-I've got my conscience just as you've
got yours. You think you did your duty,
though you didn't have any evidence, and
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25
-wAl-la and Bacon Rind.

From The kdTSdS Guy journal.
Tho following olhcers have been nominated ~
the progressive party of Usage Indians al Paw
huska: Principal chief Ola -ha-wai-a: second
principal chief, Bacon Rind. The following have
been nominated as councimcn: W, S. Matthews.
Julian Trumbly. Frank corndropper. Francis
Claremore, Tom West. Charles Ne. shut Sc, o la.
hah so, Me lie -wah -tian -ksh.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

Jefferson Market police court IL one OF
the oldest in town. and the odor of crime
seems difficult to eradicate; 1t meets and
greets you before you have fairly set foot
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25
Battery Dan on the Bench
Sunday Morning In the Jefferson
Market Police Court.

trate Crane: they're all right. but they nin't
been brought up amongst the people. and
if a mans ever had money or been brought
up with a father that's got money he
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-25

don't understand the temptations OF them
that ain t ever had any"
He wipes fervd brow after this perora-
ton, giving the listener q good chance to
view Battery Dan, who occupies n COM
handing position In every sense Of the
word and has eschewed the ivory and gold