davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-03
PED I'd" LINE.

hHD u LI-NE.
ca, sor d Ia Guayra. Puerto Cabsllo c,,,-.
$40 and Maracaibo. Via CursSsno S9ra-
. ). PHILADELPHIA
rAp,c.s saturday. March II ,oo.
r. =, IafS S< Saturday. March A. noon
sS z ~ IsaSra' S9racso and Marscaiks9o' h
: :. NARACAIBO. Sat. MAJ ~ noon
these steamers have superto, = - noon
dations for passengers aecon,mo-
BoCLroN. BLISS & pAr1rrr
General Managers. So Val I,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04
Dinner and Drama.

A close relation between the dinner
hour and the drama has long been recog-
nized. The habit Of dining late In Paris
affected the technical methods of even so
celebrated writer as VICToRIEN SARDoU.
His famous first acts, in which nothing
happens, were arranged to suit the con-
venience Of the late diners. His equally
famed second acts, in which only a little
more occurs, were designed to accom-
modate those prone to linger over the
cheese and coffee. The long drawn out
musical farces that come to us from
London and some Of the rather formless
comedies of foreign origin were the re-
suits of the habit Of dining at night and
the metropolitan tendency to make the
hour of that meal later every yea
The New York dinner hour has not
escaped either this tendency or criticism
for its baneful effects on our drama. II
il were earlier and New York went to
the play at a time when the processes of
digestion were not at work, our attitude
toward the theatre might be different.
1t would not be regarded as a place
of entertainment only. The intellectual
and ethical phases of the theatre would
interest our audiences more il they were
not presented to them Immediately after
dinner. The Germans are an example
of a people whose drama is freed from
the tyranny of late dinners, They take
their principal meal several hours before
they go to the play, and are thus able to
enjoy plays that demand intellectual
effort. They a do something beside
laughing, and yet not risk dyspepsia.
Such are the arguments Of those who
deplore our attitude toward the theatre
and regret that we go there only to be
amused. This state OF mind is nearly
as discouraging as the fact that habitu-
ally thoughtful persons always select
the most frivolous performances when
they go TO the theatre. The bank presi-
dent, the college professor or learned
Judge is likely to get a great deal more
pleasure out of a musical farce than any,
thing Of IBsEN's or STRINDBERG's. The
bad effects of such an example are not
to be overrated. II intellectual persons
refuse their support to a drama which
aims in the first place to be intellectual.
/ where are the ordinary people to go' Is
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04
THE PURE FOOD BILL.
Are Salt Cured and Saltpctre COlored Meats
"AdulteratedY?

To THE EDITOR OF TIRE SUS-Sir; The pure
food bill. having passed the Senate, will now so
before the House, where no doubt some amend
ments will be offered. The bill as 1t stands, how
ever, should satisfy the people, as II allows pre-
servatives that can be removed mechanically or by
maceration In water. This clause was strongly
advocated by Mr.. Lodge OF Massachusetts,, whore
they use boric acid TO preserve goldfish, and by
Senators who represent pork packing cen''cs
where they use borax.
II has been proved time and time again that
boron preservatives do not penetrate meats Ike
salt; consequently they can readily be washed OF.
The bill requires labels stating these facts, however.
consequently the consumer will be acquainted with
the nature OF the preservatlve.
In reading the bill | note that clause | Is as FOL
lows: IF any substance or substances has or have
been mixed and packed with II so as 10 reduce or
lower or injuriously affect Its quality or strength"
Clause 8 says: If any valuable constituent OF
the article has been wholly or in part distracted"
Under either of the above clauses the article would
be deemed adul'erated.
The Agricultural Department has sent bulletins
to the farmer giving advice In reference TO curing
meats. The bulletin says: Salt, saltpetre. sugar
or molasses are the only preservatives necessary
to cure the finest quality OF meats" The bulletin
then says; salt is an astringent, In that II draws
| out the meat juices and hardens the nbres. thereby
decreasing the volume Of meat"
Then the bulletin states that %saltpetrc is moro
astringen than salt and should be used very
sparingly.
According TO clauses l and 8, salt cured meats
are adulterated because when salt draws out
the meat Juices It also withdraws the albumen,
which leaves the meat with less nutritious sub
| stances, consequently II has less food value.
Under such conditions how can salt cured meats
be deemed otherwise than adulterated?
The blu says in clause 2; An article will be
deemed adulterated II 1t be mixed. powdered, col
| ored or stained In a manner whereby damage or
| interiority is concealed so that such product when
sold or offered for sale shall deceive or tend to
deceive the purchaser or user thereof"
This clause would hold meat misbranded that
had been colored with s~atpetre. Salt destroys
the color in meats: saltpetre is used merely TO
restore the lost color.
According 10 the way I interpret the bill. It will
nreyent the sale OF salt cured meats that are col
ored with s~altpctre. The bill taken as a whole.
however, Is very commendable. and | trust II will
soon become a law and that II will be enforced.
.pRooKLYN, March s.. W. L. BAKER.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04
No Free Seeds?

By a vote of 8 to 1.-THE House Committee
on Agriculture has adopted a resolution
to end the free distribution of Govern
ment seed. A New York Representa-
tive and farmer, the Hon. WILLIAM w.
Cocks Of the First district, made the
motion. All those voting aye were
Republicans. All those voting no were
Democrats.
The Democrats seem to believe that
the farmers, about as shrewd a collec-
ton of citizens as can be found Are
muddy headed "hayseeds" and "haw-
bucks" to be duped by this scattering
OF Government seed.
Congress elections are due next fall.
Law sake, how we politicians do love
the farmer. He is the one independent
man. His sturdy manhood; none
Of our great men was nursed in cities;
cit is in the fields, my oountrymen, On
the broad heart of, Nature, where the
zephyrs and the heifers their odorifer-
GUS breath compare that men grow to
the height Of vigorous, a stainless, &C.
The farmer winks, but doesn't bite.
In. 1904 Secretary WILSON recon-
mended that only rare and valuable
varieties of seed should be. distributed.
Some Of the Oranges want free distri-
button stopped.
All the same, if gambling were not a
sinful game we would bet q small paper
of turnip seed against two of BoURKE
CoCKRAN,s speeches-say 40 to THAT
the House will reverse the decision of the
committee and restore free seed dis
tribution, that beautiful bond between
q Member of Congress and his constitu-
ants
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04
Go to Washington.

To THR EDITOR OF THE SUN-.Sfr: II there Ia
any city In this country that every person In 1t
old enough to observe at all should see and know
a little something about. TITS Washington. the
capital Of :he nation, and one OF the most beautiful
cities in the world. Yet OF the ten or twelve mill
lon people within six hours OF II, l venture TO say
that not more than one third Of them have ever
seen II. New Workers arc particularly neglectful
in this duty 10 their patriotism, and many OF them,
with ample means TO travel, go in other directions
and seem 10 think II is rather TO their credit that
they have never been to Washington. In view Of
this neglect, why would II not be advisable to in
augurate public school excursions TO the capltalI
We have thousands and thousands OF children old
enough TO understand who not only have not gone
to Washington, but who have never been any
where else. Why not give them the chance at
small expense TO make a little trip and see the
capital II is not proposed TO make free excur-
sions, but at a price which very many could meet.
For teacher and scholar this would be an educator
better than books, and am sure that such exour-
sions would grow into the system of public educa-
ton, | have talked 10 railroad men about II. and
they tell me that they are ready TO do their part II
there Is a demand. The question ls, Is there a
demandi Arc our school children so ignorahf
that they do not know what they should knoWf
Have they RIVER been taught 10 believe that every
good ciu zen should look upon the capital city OF
his country Shouldn't they be taught this belief
l wonder how many teachers In our public schools
have not seen Washington ] might 70 on al
great length on this subject, because II IL enc
worthy OF much attention. but | shall leave Il with
this small suggestion and see what comes OF plant
Iur a little seed by the wayside. PRo1HRss.
NEW YoRK, March 2.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04
The Maryland Platform

From Hagerstown, the capital Of
Dithyramb DICK, this new Great Char
ter, Bill Of Rights and epoch making
document has been transmitted to the
trusty hands Of State Senator B. ABNER
BELTS:
The people of Maryland want lower taxes and
cheaper oysters"
Breathes there a soul, not in the oyster
business, who will not Endorse and reaf-
firm enthusiastically this noble platform?
1t is capable of local notifications. This
town, for example, would cry for flower
taxes and cheaper HOLSTERS" But the
grand and naked outline of universal
truth cannot be obscured by such de-
tails. Lower taxes! Everybody wants
them, Cheaper oystersl Everybody
wants them, except the Hon. LESLIE
MoRTIER SHAW.
Is not the basis of Democratic harmony,
the fruitful germ of Democratic reorgan-
ization, to be found in this simple and
sublime platform?
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04
the latter. In 1905 the Board Of Railroad
Commissioners in it's annual report said:

Commissioners in it's annual report said:
The two systems ought to work together ad'
vantaEeously under one administration subject
d they would be, TO the supervision enforced under
our statutes"
But the laws now do not permit CO.
operation, and to accomplish it the rail-
roads have had recourse to many shifts
intended to get around the statutes;
1t is recommended, therefore, that the
General Court pass a bill, drafted by the
Joint special committee, legalizing the
purchase or lease of street railways by
foreign or domestic railroad corpora
tions. The bill would not permit the
reverse Of this process, as such legis-
lation, in the opinion Of the committee,
would be useless for all practical pur-
poses," the railroad corporations being
the ones that wish to make purchases,
and not the street railways. Street
railway" as used by the committee
means a railway y y of the class
operated by motive power other than
steam, and usually constructed upon the
public ways and places" Thirteen OF
the fifteen members Of the committee
approved this bill.
To meet the needs of interurban lines
running mostly on private rights of way
a bill has been drafted which ais based
upon the theory that the interurban
is fundamentally a railroad
company, but that when it turns of from
it's private way and for the convenience
of the public uns upon a highway, it
should be subject to the duties and pos
sess also the privileges Of a street railway
company" The committee does not
report in favor of allowing steam roads
to acquire this class of electric lines,
but obviously the Commonwealth, having
encouraged consultations of steam roads
with one another, and the ownership OF
street railways by steam roads, could
not consistently prohibit forever the
ownership of interurban electric lines
by the railroad corporations. This isa
proposition for which an immediate
answeri is not required, and the committee
wisely considered existing conditions and
did not attempt to guess at the proper
solution of problems that may arise in
the future.
The most striking feature of the report
is the unanimity of opinion among the
committeeman on the failure of compe-
tition among transportation lines a a
means of procuring. good service and
cheap ratesfor the public, Steam roads,
horse car lines and electric lines have
had similar experiences. First, compe-
tition was sought and encouraged. This
failing to produce the desired results,
consolidation Of competing lines was
allowed, and each corporation was pro-
tected in its legitimate field. The result
has been a oheapening and an improv-
ing of the service rendered by each, and
conditions unattainable under the old
system have been brought about natu-
rally by the operation of the new policy.
For all those who fear the effects on the
public of railway consultations there
is much of comfort in the experience of
Massachusetts.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04

The Industrious Italian.

: In the Outlook of February "a Mr.. JOHN
FOSTER CARR presents IN interesting
study of the Italian in New York. He
submits some striking figures which
show the industry and frugality of a
people now coming to us in such num-
bers that they are by many regarded as
q menace t o American institutions.
Mr. CARR gives the total number of
Italians ia New York city as nearly 49,
~, or more than &c per cent. Sf thS whole
population. yet, he says, 10y, q visit.
to the great almshouse on Blackwen's
Island and an examination Of the unpub-
lished record for 1904 l found that during
that year only sixteen Italians bad been
admitted" He quotes Mr., JAMES FORBES,
the chief of the mendicancy department
Of the Charity Organization Society,
who says he has never seen or heard Of
an Italian tramp. He states that be-
tween July /, 1904, and September 80,
1905, the mendicancy police took into
custody only n~inety-two Italians. He
finds these people honest, saying, in
dustrious and temperate. This Is un-
doubtedly q correct estimate Of that side
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04

Our new treaty relations with San
Marine, the smallest and the oldest repub-
lie in the world, are mainly, il not exolu-
sively, for purposes OF extradition. One OF
the curious traits Of this hilltop democracy
of nine or ten thousand people is its esteem
for high sounding titles Of nobility. Thirty
years ago a rich English woman with a
plebeian name expressed her admiration of.
the republic and its institutions by erect
ing at her own cost in the little piazza in
front of the Government Palace a statue
of Liberty. The Grand Council Of San
Marine promptly recognized the compli-
ment by comforting upon the English
woman the gorgeous title Of Duchess Of
A~CQUAvIvA,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04

eof their character, and while in common
JwtthsaD the rest of us they have their
easily besetting sins the worse side
"a psars-pn at comparatively rare in
~tervals. We hear Of the man with the
quick temper and the flashing knife, and
pass unnotioed the ten thousand toilers
+ryho go quietly and peacefully about
their business.
The inlterate italian takes to the pick
and shovel or some other implement
requiring little skill in its manipulation;
but his boy, educated in the public
school, goes into trade. Our supply OF
day laborers Is drawn from the new
arrivals. Mr.. CARR says: "The names
of Italians engaged in business in the
United States fill a special directory OF
more than 500 pages. Their real estate
holdings and bank deposits aggregate
enormous totals. The second genera
ton Is already providing into all the
professions, and We have Italian teach
ers, dentists, architects, engineers, doc
tors, lawyers and judges"
An American who is American in
everything except a name which leaves
no doubt Of his Irish extraction was
asked what had become Of all the Irish
men and boys who only a few years ago
were doing the work now 30 largely done
by the SONS of Italy. He replied: "They
have moved up" Some day the same
question may be put and the same an
swer given regarding the Italians.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04
County Names In Minnesota.

From the 81. Paul Dispatch.
Whatever they do UP In ltasca county-and they
seem TO be having quite a pow WOW over the divis-
lon Of the k~ingdom-weh hope they will not neglect
10 add the name OF Koochlching TO the map Of
counties. Two or six counties. as their belief In
the future determines, but BY all means koochi-
ching county. With no reflection on Garleld. We
don't know any reason why a Minnesota county
should be named after him or indeed after any
other man OF mere national reputation. Mime
sofa has enough names of special distinction.
There are the old Indian names. and the OjlbwAys
who once op ned this vast ltascA tract have the
most musical names in the country; Italy has
no better. And there are the French names:
Groseill,ers and Radisson, who were the nrst white
men here and may have seen that very strip OF
country. have never been recognized; EN- these
names look as difhcult as Koochiching- which
really is very simpie-there arc Menard and veren g.
drye and Perrot and Huillier. There is not even
any good reason for retaining ItAsca. Let the new
COUNTIES be given over to the State Historical So-
ciety for baptism.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04
xho Ill rated Philppane Tariff Bill.

The Philippine tariff measure, known
o. the Payne bill, was defeated in the
Senate committee on Friday by a vote
Of 9 to s.. At no time has 1t been possible
to support this bill with any great ear
n~estness. It sacrificed a principle for a
selfish policy. 1t was a somewhat pitiful
straddle between legislation expressing
asound national policy and a concession
tospeoial interests.
In this particular case 1t happens that
She favored special interests do not be-
long to that group referredto by reveal
era Of Senatorial corruption as Special
interests They include the growers OF
sugar cane and Of sugar beets and OF
tobacco. They include planters, farm
ers and cigarmakers, men who plough
and hoe and pull weeds, and men who
att at benches and make cigars. Only
keen analysts are able to perceive the
moral difference between special inter-
ests and Special Interests,
The vote in the committee was about
% far from partisan politics as it we'll
could be. The body is composed OF
thirteen members, eight Republicans and
1--WE Democrats. Three Republicans and
two Democrats voted in favor of the bill,
and five Republicans and three Demo-
Gratis voted against it. The bill passed
the House by a vote of 25S to II. 1t
was known as an Administration meas
ure, and its most active and earnest
supporter has been the Secretary of War
in person. The record of the votes in
the committee makes it impossible to
charge its defeat to obstruction" 1t
fails because of the selfishness of special
interests whose representatives were
bound to take them Reconsideration.
1t will probably make little difference
to the Filipino people so far as their
economic interests are concerned. The.
principal feature of the bill was its indi-
cation that the United States Government
Is not Indifferent to the economic needs
Of the island people. But the day OF
Judgment is not blotted from the calen-
dar. 1t is only shuf1ed a few months
into the future. The weary grind will
have to be gone all over again. At
another session a new bill will go in,
more witnesses will appear before the
committees with the same ~ nrepeated
assertions and figures.
It is tedious business, but the next
time the machine gets into action it
should start from the only proper point
of departure. That would provide for
free trade between the Philippine Islands
and this country.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04
Mr.. March,s Political independence e.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir; When |
took a stand in favor of the retention of the
present chairman of the State committee |
expected that those opposed to Mr.. Odell
would Jump on me. l do not object to fair
criticism. l seldom find fault with the sever
est structures on my public acts. 1t has been
said OF me that / am a "padrone. that / have
grown rich traf1cking In Italian laborers."
and other equally unjust and untrue state
ments have been published without reply
because | consider them unworthy Of notice.
In politics you may expect every pot hunter
to take a shot at You. So | have let them
waste a lot of ammunition on me without
complaint. Then, too, | am a busy man
too busy to spare the time to deny every
untruth printed about me. The fact that |
have never taken the trouble to refute these
stories should not be taken as proof that they
are true. .
The people who are chiefly concerned
about my business affairs live right here in
my own nelghborhood. l have resided here
twenty-six years. and II is fair to presume
that in that time a mans neighbors VIII get
a pretty accurate line on him. ] do care for
their opinion. They know me and my bust
ness and | am quite positive that the news
paper yarns which / have referred to. or tales
With VI iit discre sifesdi1 ra al ofhoe6oIders,. viii
pat. That is another and a pretty, sound
reason why I have. never paid any attention
v However, in Wednesdays issue of THE Sun,
in your genial and kindly references TO the
March dinner" the assertion that was
Harriman-who threatened. according to THE
Sun. to sever my business relations with the
Erie unless l did as he commanded-Ls so far
from the truth that / feel it incumbent on
me to ask space to put YOU right.
/ do not know Mr., Hartman. | never met
Mr.. Hartman or any represent at i've OF Mr..
Hartman, on political or any other business.
1t Ia quite true that I am, and for twenty
Ave years have been. connected with the
Erie. The absurdity. of your statement is
shown when | explain to you that l have
other business affairs which occupy so much
OF my time'that for several years j have been
trying to withdraw from the Erie. and have
continued with them. at no little pecuniary
sacrifice, because OF the earnest solicitation
of the railway officials.
In politics / do not take orders from Mr..
Hartman or Mr.. Odell or anybody else, but
act as / think is to the best interest OF the
party. JAMES r.. MARCH.
NEW York, March 2.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-04
Grammar School Arithmetic.

To THE EDITOR OF The SUN-Sir!: Your
interesting excerpt from the report submitted
by Superintendent Maxw ell came to my
notice to-day. Let me add my mite to the
current discussion Of the educational prob
lem.
My son, aged IA years. came home a week
ago with the news that his class had been
examined in arithmetic by order of the Super
intendent of Schools; he is in the eighth year
class, and expects to graduate in June. He
showed me the sums" which he said he had
copied carefully from the blackboard, and
surely they are sufficiently simple. Yet after
he has been seven years at school he could
do only the first. He explained his lack by
saying that out of forty-six in his class no
boy had better than four right out of the six.
and that only two did that much. Five had
three right, eight had two right. twelve had
one right, while no fewer than nineteen had
not one right.
II this condition existed in that school
alone we might suppose the cause to be pc
culiar to that school, but in visiting various
schools Il an a book canvasser) ! found no
school out Of twenty i have been in since
where results were even claimed to be better.
Three OF these schools are in The Bronx, four
in Brooklyn, the rest in Manhattan. Here
are the sums:
1. Add \, a Of a, 5-6-A, 5-6+2S.
?, Add 5 tenths and 20 thousandths, multiply
the sum by is ten -thousandths, divide result by 5
millionths.
2. Find contents in llters and weight in klo-
grams OF a tank 3 meters long, rs wide.
is decimeters deep.
4. Interest at 4 per cent, s4o5.7a, January 10 to
September l. 1908.
5. Divide $685. among three men. so that the
second man gets rs per cent. Of nrst and third
gets so per cent. of second.
0. 2x+3y=37 x-2y=s: find K and y.
Is one Of the three Rs lost?
JAMES A. SAUNDERS.
NEW YORK. March 3,