davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25

President Roosevelt has strongly re-en-
forced Secretary Hitchcock's recommended
ton for the repeal Of certain land laws
which have made possible the extensive
frauds Unearthed by the Interior Depart
ment. His special message on this subject
is one Of the most important of those
lately sent to Congress. in that il urges
an entirely new policy with respect to
public lands everything rich mineral de-
posts.
The President points out that the pres
ent land laws are directly promotive of
fraud. The timber-land act. he SAYS.
operates to turn over the public timber
lands to great corporations. The present
coal-land law places a premium on fraud
by making IT impossible to develop certain
classes of coal lands without violating the
law. 1T is a scandal" the President as
serts. Ito maintain laws which sound
well but which make fraud the key with
out which great natural resources must
remain closed. The law should give in
dividuais and corporations. under proper
government regulation and control. the
right 10 work bodies Of coal land large
own belief is that there should be pro-
vision for leasing coal. oil. and gas rights
under proper restrictions" In addition to
the exploitation Of these natural resources
for the benefit Of all the people. the
President urges that the timber resources
of the national domain be developed and
made a source of revenue. for which
purpose he asks that $5,000 coo be advanced
10 the Forest Service, to be repaid in ten
years
Here is a comprehensive land policy.
sound in principle, plainly in the public
interest, and entirely in line with public
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25

sentiment. favoring the limitation Of cor
porate greed We hope it is not too
much to expect that Congress will give a
passing thought TO the Presidents sug-
gestions respecting the utilization OF the
public domain for the production of
national revenue. He is. perhaps, ahead
of Congressional opinion in this particular
matter, but the necessity is pressing for
the revision he so cogently recommends.
Corporations are rapidly grabbing up
valuable properties, and the complaints
from some parts Of the West Of lack Of
coal indicate that they are exploiting
these properties in-a most selfish and
short-sighted way Why not prevent the
building up of huge fortunes based on
government favoritism, instead Of trying
to limit them by taxation after they have
been made2
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
Overheard An washington.

From the Chicago RecOTd-HeTald.
And what" asked the constituent who
had just arrived at the Capital, rs your
honest opinion Of Roosevelt
IN tell you" replied Senator Bunksley.
Come over here in the corner. Wait a
minute. There's a man 1 don't trust. All,
he's going Well. sir. I'll tell you what /
think Of Roosevelt In my opinion ROose-
~ and furthermore, - - .
:! In fact, I don't mind saying TO you
that - -!Is Why, that man Is
the - IL" But, Of course, you
understand that I am saying this TO you
strictly in private Don't. for heavens
sake, breathe a word Of it!''
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
PRESIDENTIAL MESSAGES.
Inspired Not by Autocracy. Says In
diam Paper, but Patriotism,

troui the Indianapolis star
Il is not that he president RO0sevelD
is necessarily correct in his position or
that his views should be unqUestionably
accepted by Congress, but is due to him
that his opinions should be respectfully
and fairly considered. For, whatever
may be his errors Of judgment or his de-
fects OF temperament. there is no room
for dispute as 10 his honesty and SINGER
ity. What he recommends Congress to
do he desires done because he believes
such course best for the country. He is
not actuated by vanity or the wish 10
be an autoCrat or ear" but by patriot
ism His temperament is of the sort that
leads him TO desire swift action, and he
is impatient of delay, but when il IS re-
membered how In past time the country
has chafed against Presidential slowness
of action on important matters. this eager
haste should be easily forgiven. He is
typical Of the young America which
does things and does them quickly. He
needs old men for counsel" doubtless,
but the old men should have a care lest
their conservatism swing too far.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
GRIDIRoN CLUB DINNERS.
President Roosevelt Is seen at His
Best at These Functions.
ames Martin in Neuask Morning star.

James Martini in Newark Morning STAT
The Gridiron Club, of Washington Is
in class all by itself. II is composed Of
lho leading newspaper correspondents Of
the Capital, the cleyerest body Of men 10
be found anywhere. There is no man 50
great or so famous as not to feel honored
by an invitation to one of It's dinners
Presidents Cleveland. Harrison. McKin-
ley. and Roosevelt have enjoyed It's hospi-
tality J. p Morgan has said that he
would cross the ocean to attend one Of
its dinners. Carnegie, Hartman Rogers.
and all the other financial lights have
been proud to sit in. To the foreign Am
b2ssadors the dinners are an endless
source Of delight, and the reports that
Baron Won Sternburg has sent 20 his i'm
perial master has drawn from the Kaiser
regrets that ne couldn't attend one. It is
at these dinners that President Roosevelt
is seen at his best. he knows that not
a word OF what he says viii be reported
in any newspaper, and there is no need
to armOr himself with reserve. He talks
right out in meeting explains. defends.
jUst!fes. And yet he is not spared. His
fUtleTdUle WORDS OF aciS are ueIu up 10
rdicule Of a good-natured chatting kind
in which he joins as heartily as any
body IL exercises a beneficial influence
IN reminding men in power that they are
fauible
The most democratic gathering that
I've ever been in" was the comment OF
a famous Ambassador toward the close
Of Gridiron dinner And he was right.
Every man has to take In good part what
ever is coming 10 him. whether it be
in jbe or railleTy. But there is nothing
coarse or offensive. There is skill and
deftuess so as TO touch the spot without
leaving a wound.
The retiring president Of the club Is
Richard Lee Fearn, head Of the New
York Tribune Bureau, and all that need
De said Of him is that this blue-ribbOn Of
the profession, the highest honor within
The gift Of his fellows. came 10 him by
unanimous vote. For next year the pres
ident selected is Samuel C. Blythe, one Of
The happiest. brightest. and most cheerful
souls 20 be met with anywhere. He sees
humCr and fun in everything. and yet
there isn't anybody more sympathetic or
helpful when sympathy OF help is need
ed. Both men are proud Of the Gridiron.
and the Gridiron is proud Of them
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
New Mexican Ambassador.

Enrique Creel. who soon VIII assume
the office of Ambassador from Mexico 10
washington. is one Of the most forceful
factors in Mexican affairs to-day His
father was Reuben Creel. an American.
who died when Enrique was a mere boy.
The birthplace OF the new Ambassador
Is the City of Chihuahua, where be was
born about fifty years ago, his father
having been a small merchant there.
While conducting the small business left
by his father IN order TO support his
mother and a large family OF dependent
brothers and sisters. he supplemented his
income by teaching night school. and was
often at work as many as twenty hours
day. He evercame every obstacle and
married the daughter Of the governor Of
the State Of Chihuahua. the wealthiest
citizen Of that part Of Mexico. Senior
Creel-s business ability commended itself
% his father-in-law. and his rise was
rapid Ire is now one OF the wealthiest
men Ia the republic of Mexico. He is
president Of the BdncO Central. at the
City Of Mexico. which has a capital Of
N5Go0o0. and also Of the Banco Miner0,
which has a capital of S5.091eC0. he is
director Of the Mexican Central Railroad,
director Of the Chihuahua and Pacific,
and Of various other large corporations
in his country. As governor Of chihuahua.
Seror Creel has proved a phiianthropist
His special hobby is aversion TO the liquor
traffic.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25

OF evidence of that love. They fashioned
a rude cross and placed it at the head Of
his final earthly abode and, thinking Of
the battered sign that had swung to and
fro in the winds of many years. they
went 10 his familiar old Office and, taking
it down. placed it at the head Of
his grave. along with the cross. on the
rusty tin were the words, DR. John
Coodfellow-Ofice Upstairs"
The story must be true. as is claimed
There are many of these GoOdfellows in
the world Let no pcssimist lead you 70
believe otherwise. You read in the pa
pers of the big grafters and rogues and
.scoundrels generally, and you don't read
much of the Goodfellows. but they are
hcrc-aIl around you There are more
Goodfcllows in this world than there are
Rocllybilts-oniy they do not have SO
much trouble with the grand jUries and
they are not employing high-priced law
yers TO keep them out of Jail while they
practice their frenzled game and plumber
ordinary folks. The Goodfellow's life is
simple story Of kindness, charity and
brotherly love. What few scraps and
fragments Of reputation he leaves 10 his
friends ard acquaintances are all pleasant
TO contemplate.
when the Goodfellows of this world die
they are all promoted to an office
Upstairs" They deserve TO be. 1t takes
lot of faith, hope and charity to make
the world go 'round-and the Goodfellows
furnish it in abundance.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25

It is worth while in the midst Of our
hurry -burIy rush and worry, to celebrate
Christmas II is a festival which stimu-
Iates every kindly and generous senu-
ment. which smooths the rough edges of
asperity, and which brings us closer to a
realization Of universal kinship. During
Christmas time, more than at any other
season. the brotherhood of man seems
genuine and real. It is this spirit Of fra
ternity, awakened by appreciation of the
great good which Christ accomplished by
His coming, which brings happiness and
cheer into the homes Of the unfortunate.
It is the time when the poor are especially
remembered.
We may accord TO Christmas the full
measure Of its religious significance and
yet, after all. we fail 10 recognize It's
fun value if we do not regard it as an
opportunity for doing good 30 our fellow
mau. Herein only is the complete mani
festauon Of the Christmas spirit If the
festival did nothing else, therefore. than
keep alive the generous instincts of our
nature, we could not afford TO let il pass
uHnoticed. The human race needs Christ
mas to tenderly preserve The sentiments
Of sympathy and consideration which
might so easily become callous. Tha
selfish struggle for existence imposed upon
as nowadays stiles our souls. The warm
inspiring touch Of Christmas revivldes
our dormant higher ideals. and the world
becomes brighter and better therefor.
Welcome. then. the festival of Christ
mas. 1t is like an oasis in the desert,
wherein we forget the toilsomeness of
daily life. and thank God FOR all His
bounty and good cheer.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
PEOPLE OF NOTE.



While very little is being said about it
for publication, it is a fact. nevertheless,
that some of President Roosevelts
real friends and well-wishers-not poll
ticians, or others who want to profit
by the use Of his great name and
fame-are discussing in all serious
ness the ACCESSIBILITY of his becom-
ing responsible for the completion Of
tbs Panama Canal after March 4, 1903
They would have Congress create a po-
stion which would put Mr.. Roosevelt in
supreme authority on the isthmus after
he leaves the Presidency-an Office that
would combine at once responsibility for
the results of construction and govern
ment on the isthmus II is known. fur
thermore, that they have preached this
subject to the President, and that while
he has not encouraged them 20 agItate
the matter at the same time he has not
told them he would not serve the coun-
try in the manner they suggest. It is
settled, of course, that Mr.. Roosevelrs
sole political ambition, after the expira-
ton Of his present term. is to serve New
York in the Senate, but the Panama
Canal is an enterprise Of such stupendOus
proportions and importance that it APP
pedls strongly to his imagination and
his superintendent energy. In various
speeches. 10 say nothing Of his recent
special message, ne has sJake6 his repu-
tatlon as a statesman upon the propo-
stion that no mistake was made when
the Panama route was selected over all
others. and It is argued that IN view OF
the undOubted confidence the nation has
Ia his judgment and patriotic purpose he
could perform a service of no higher
value to the country than to assume ful.
responsibility for results on the isthmus
after he is no longer President. HIS
word, IL is conceded. would settle all
doubt IN the public mind as 10 the neces-
sity of further appropriations, &c. after
the money now provided for has been
exhausted, and the great ditch is still
uncompleted, and Congress would inn
mediately respond to any demand he
might make for further funds with which
10 prosecute the huge enterprise 20 sue
cessfuI Issue.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
THE INNOCENT BYsTANDER
THE DAY or THE CHILD.

The tree shines with the candle-giow.
The trinkets glitter jewel-wise,
And we would that our souls might know
The joy told in the children's eyes,
Such sheer delight as this Of theirs
a wondrous happiness it Isl
And every word the> message bears:
This is the children's day-and Hisl
Let US come, as the Wise Men came
Those nineteen centuries agone.
Led by the Stars eternal flame
That babe them rise and hasten on.
They brought rare frankincense and
myrrh.
They brought rich gems and graven gold.
They knelt. adoring, near to Her.
And al their marvelings they told.
Aye. as those Men e long ago.
To-day we. too. may STE the Star,
May see It's mystic. heavenly glow
Flash Ger our Childland fair and far;
And from eur hands now fall the gitis
And we know why the Wise Men smiled
With gratefulness; and each heart lifts
It's chant OF worship Of the Child
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
THE UNSEEN TRAGEDY.

Somewhere there is little boy whose
eyes are full of woe
Because his empty stockings now are
swaying 10 and fro,
His wan-faced mother takes him up and
holds him close and tries
To coax the light CT gladness once more
into his eyes.
Somewhere there is a little girl who wax
ems with dismay
And sees no splendid dolly she had
dreamed OF yesterday.
And bare the floor and bare the hearth,
and deep the little sigh
From the wee heart that wonders why
good Santa passed her by.
All, no, The little children who grieve on
Christmas Day
Are not in huts and hoveis a thousand
miles away
They are SO near they hear US, our
laughter and our song,
And an the joys we have to-day serve TO
make great the wrong
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
our Street Car system-Transfers.

Representative Madden. il correctly
quoted by an evening contemporary, a few
days ago. greatly weakened his position
as advocate of the universal transfer
meritorious proposition-6y his almost
violent attack upon the street railway sys-
tenn of Washington IS a whole HIS ar
raignmeHt was oveTdrawn and unfair A
Washingtouian has but to visit AIR Mad
denis own city. Chicago. 10 find how much
there is TO be thankful for here. Where
we have one real basis of complaint his
people have a hundred. OF all the abom-
Unable systems GA the known eartn. Chi
Cages. probably, Is the worst. His city
is on the verge of a riot half the time on
account Of its miserable street railway
facilities.
ST. Louis, Philadelphia, Baltimore, New
York, and other cities are more fortunate
than Chicago, but not enc of them can
boast Of a system superior TO that of
Washington Here there are no danger
Gus overhead wires and no unsightly
trolley. poles; here the cars, if often over
crowded, and sometimes Hl-heated and i'll
ventilated, are, "a, any rate, usually clean.
and here the conductors, as rule, are
patient and polite. Here, too. we Get six
tickets for a quarter, whereas the people
of most other cites. including Mir Mad
denis, pay the scent straight fare.
Thanks TO the managerial and execu-
tive genius Of George T. Dunlop. we have
in the Capital Traction lines admittedly
the best-C0nducted, if not yet absolutely
perfect. system in the whole country
system that serves as a model for street
railway men, The other system is operated
less smoothly and satisfactorily, but. ia
the main. is a credit 90 the city There is
just cause for complaint now in the I'M
certainty and irregularity Of its schedules
and the Inadequate accommodations fur
nished during crowded hours. The service
on one or two of the suburban lines is ex-
tremely bad. But all this does not justify
Mr. Maddens wholesale arraignment and
denunciati1n of the Washington system il
its entirety.
An extension Of the transfer system,
As we have said. is meritorious propo-
sition. The widespread interest already
manifested shows that the people feel
the need Of it. We shall be surprised
if the street railway companies them
selves intcTpose any vigorous opposition
TO it. On the contrary. we expect them
readily 10 aCquiesce in any plan to that
end that can be developed upon an equi-
table basis Il would assuredly tend in
time to add to the sum total of their
business. But while the universal trans
fer system is being adjusted, let us be
fair and reasonable in our view Of ex-
listing conditions. Because there happen
to De some shortcomings which fret and
annoy US. occasionally resulting in a cold
dinner OF in getting Us to the theater
after the 'cuTtain is up. let US not forth
with adopt Mr. Madden's impetuous con-
clGsion that in the matter Of street car
service, we are the most shamefulIy
abused people on the face Of the globe
We are not.
There is really no reason why we cam
not be fair toward the companies while
we are adjusting the transfer problem.
securing better schedules. and improving
the service on suburban lines
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
INSPIRED BY THE HERALD.

Chattanooga Times; The Washington Herald
makes the announcement that siacJ Representative
john Wesley Gaines. Of Tennessee. Occasioned the
discovery Of a law docking members Of Congress
for uouatte1ndance- probably, since it passed.
dead lctter-it has been found that there from
twenty 70 twenty-five members of the House in
each Congress who are seldom in their seats and
that several Of that number spend very little time
in Washington. The facts developed ought 70 con-
pei the enforcement Of the law against sbSenteesn
but it is hardly likely that it viii; it may, how
ever necessitate the repeal Of the Law. for Il sD
pears even 20 Congress TO BE- a grave scandal that
the national lawmakers should Iersisteutly break
their own laws,
Norfolk Landmark: On the subject Of the Pass
System and the Press" The Washington Herald
has an editorial to which the Landmark gives
hearty approval At previous times We have ex-
pressed the same idea leEs effectively but no less
earnestly than The Herald does. The average pass
brings to those who issue Il greater return than
would the amount Of money which would buy the
privilege conferred by she pass, That Is the theory
Of the pass system. and that Is Why it Is worse
fer the papers from a material standpoint, 70 say
nothing Of the ethical considerations which The
Herald suggests We think that the Western Pub
fishers Association has made a mistake
Charlotte News and Observer: The Washington
Herald says Presidents come and Presidents go.
but the old blue back speller gees on forever You
cannot change the spelling of people who learned
II BY cutting UP and down and learning their alb
abs by executive PROCLAMATION
New York Globe: An Indiana farmer has been
talking five days and cannot be stopped The poor
fellow probably imagnes he Is a United States Sen
ator discussing the Smoot case.-Washington Herald
symptoms rather indicate that the subject has been
inoculated with BTyantis.
Richmond News Leader; THE best thing to aueu
Cuban revolution is the dinner bell" SAYS The
thought pretty much the whole Of the row was
over the flesh pots
Dayton tOhiol News; The Washington Herald
SAYS: The ship OF state is moving along fairly
wei Do not rock the boat Il doesn't say, how
ever that 1t is about ready 10 sail through the
canal.
Nashville American: The Washington Herald al
ludes to Congressman Gaines "yolubility' If it
ever accuses him Of polite passvity. there viii be
trouble even # he vas asleep at the time.
New York Globe: Seeing bis inevitable finish. Dr.
CaTsey rosisncd.-Washington Herald. Seeing a
finish does not always bring this result. Ask Ger
tain New York Senator.
Houston Post: The Washington Herald remarks
that Caruso now resumes the even tenor Of bis way.
And. it may be added, he hopes to resume the even
IsnneT Of his Wad.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
4 Lucky Escane.

we are pleased TO have the assurance
of Rear Admiral Sands, Superintendent Of
the Naval Academy. that none of the mid
shipmen under his command had any part
in the lynching at Annapolis the other
day.
For in his recent message dealing with
the Brownsville affair President RoOse-
welt said: 81 should take instant advan-
tage Of any opportunity whereby I could
bring 90 Justice a mob of lynchers.
An opportunity lost; but how fortunate
for the middics that they were not in any
way implicated In that disgraceful affair.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
=, uirh-minded Pntriot-

From a Speech BE- senat5r Bailey.
I nave been offered $50.O09 a year to
quit the Senate. but if the people will
let me practice law when Congress is not
in session, l would rather work for them
for a salary of 5000 a year. because
would rather earn an honorable name in
the service of my country than TO have
all the gold in the world" Terrific ap-
piauSe.)
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
they would Not he Missed.

From the St Louis Globe-Denocrat.
A suggestion in the Presidents Panama
message of the lack Of amusements on
the isthmus should not De unheeded by
the amusement managers. The theatre
cal trust has number of attractions on
the road this season which would not be
soreiy missed anywhere in the United
States If they should be sent down to
ell this long-felt want
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25

From the Providence Journal
Because their pay was overdue. the SOL
diers at a garrison near a town in the re-
public of Ecuador broke loose and shot
up the town, killing twenty-five citizens
and pillagiEg stores and houses. The
authorities had better not do anything
about it, however. without first con-
sulting Senator Foraker.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
THE DRUGGISTS DAUGHTER.

She is the druggists daughter
And she is wondrOus fair.
She stands beneath the mistletoe
A vision rapt and rare
The young men crowd about her,
They elbow through the crush,
And underneath the mistletOe
They see her shyiy blush.
She is the druggists daughter.
A radiant belle is she,
Unconscious of the mistletoe,
It seems, as she can be.
With modesty becoming
Her lovely head she dips
But there beneath the mistletoe
The SWANS all find her lips.
She is the druggists daughter,
The Christmas guests have sped,
She now takes down the mistletoe
That hung above her head
1T worked. she softly whispers,
1T worked knew It would
It's imitation mistletoe
BuJ Il is just as EoOd,"
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
.'HERRY CnRIsTMAsrp

Ho, God bless you-you who said
Merry Christmas when YOU sped
Past me in the crowded street
Every syllable was sweet,
Every word in every part
Sent a tingle 20 my heart,
Ho, God bless you-stranger man,
You who said IL as you ran,
Waiting not for my reply
But stranger FASTENED by.
Aye, God bless you. through and through
Merry Christmas back to YOU
WILBUR NEsBIT
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
Chinese Students in Japan.

From the Korea Daily NeWs.
The Tokyo papers are extremely sore
at the poor result shown by the Chinese
students who have studied in Japan at
the civil service examination which has
just been held in Pekin It is stated
that the students who received their edu-
cation in England and America sue
ceeded remarkably well in the examina-
ton.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-25
The HeraId's Paragraphs.

From the Atlanta Georgian
Our young friend. Jim Nevin, is making
the paragraph column of The Washington
Herald the most readable, pungent. and
brilliant Of any appearing in a Washing
ton paper since the death of the gifted
journalist, Harry Merrick.