davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21
Sarcasm, Coal and Lobstors.

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sfr: Permit me TO
sugg est q solution of the present dif1oulties In the
coal business at once so simple. practical and efec-
tive that the whole trouble could be amicably net
tied within twenty-four hours. Let representa-
tives Of the conflicting interests meet In friendly
conference. decide how much additional cash would
prove absolutely agreeable and satisfactory to
each, add something- q million or eo-by way
OF bonus, and apportion the result among the tons
of Goa, that the American people need 10 maintain
life and carry on their industries.
have made no exact calculations. but ! Am con-
WINGED that the addition Of a cent or two TO each poor
woman's bucket. or a comparatively few dollars TO
every carload. would produce the desired result.
And who. in the name OF common sense, would
grudge such an assessment to avert universal dis
tress, disaster, misery and destitutionf
There are no legal or moral questions here In
volved with which the public need concern Itself.
Greed knows no law, and avarioe no morality.
And the underlying principal OF this most reason
able suggestion is one too well established in our
daily life to need defence. The public has been
trained 10 buy immunity from threatened trouble.
We pay the street musician who nnnoys US TO move
on. We buy clvinty from porters, walters. BARRIERS
and the servants OF friends at market rates. We
charitably hand over small change to burly persons
who bewnil their luck at midnight hours In deserted
streets. We often pay W fares rather than sufie the
modification OF ejectment from AGAR. We even sub.
scribe for expensive books, So don't waste sym
pathy on the public. The public is an amiable lob
ster ready at all times TO pay well and willingly for
being let alone. Why not give IL now-I speak In
the vernacular-another ohanoe 10 cough UP and
look pleasant"1 HERMAN KNIcKKRBooKER WHILE.
NRw YORK. March 20.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21
The Solicitors and Their Pay.

To THE EpIToR OF TaE SuS-Sir. Large
cities like this, where many men Of large
means oongregate, have Afforded unusual
opportunity to trained life insurance solicitors
and some have made large incomes. Aver
age conditions throughout the State and coun-
try, however, are very different from what
they are In New York. and legislation should
not be founded on a one-sided view. Most
Of the so-called high pressure agents are not
af1liated with the agency organizations 7
represented, which are made up largely OF
agents Of companies like the Northwestern,
the Mutual Benefit, the Connecticut Mutual,
the State Mutual OF Massachusetts and other
Of the conservative out-of-the-State corpora
tions.
or these companies the first named. the
Northwestern of Milwaukee. wrote more new
bushes last year than any other outside in
stitution, and its agents may accordingly
be taken as attaining more than average
results. It's president. in his annual report
to the policyholders. states officially that the
average income in 1905 of its agents was $500
This Ia gross income. from which the agent
has TO meet bis expenses in getting around
and hunting up business. which Is a consid-
cradle item, particularly with agents working
In country districts.
What would a reduction mean? Sim
ply that. while some, OF the agents in large
cities would still be able to make a living, the
agents working in smaller towns and in the
country districts, where the lumber of appli-
cations they can write is limited, win not be
able 10 get along. and would leave the bust
ness. AS a result far less business will be
written among the small ns~urants-those
that need the protection most. Agency
work will be confined TO the more populous
centres. and the outlying sections. to reach
which an agent must go TO some expense, will
be neglected. LIZ it In the interests Of the
State that this should be so?
The Armstrong committee by Section 81
proposes to enter into the most intimate de-
tails of mana gement-.the relations of the
CORPORATION TO its employees, The prinCiple
is Vicious; and to declare arbitrarily the exact
compensation which one company shall pay
its agents, in differing localities under differ
ing conditions. Ia wrong.
With new business limited and with the
publicity and accountability which will be
required under the new laws, there will be an
inevitable and natural reduction OF agency
expense to as low a point as can be reached
without inpairinR. efficiency. Thus the pro-
posed legislation liz unnecessary as well as
WRONG in principle. VIM. c.. JOHNSON.
NEW YORK, March 10.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21

War has been declared by the Chicago
Federation Of Labor on the Chicago Under
takers Association. The labor trust calls
the association q a trust of the worst order,
and has adopted a series Of resolutions
designed to destroy 1t and to control the
mortuary business. Union men are COM
manded not to act as pallbearers at fun
erals II "soab' labor entered into the max
Ing Of the coffin, to see to it that non-union
caskets are not foisted upon afflicted fam
lies, and to refuse to help a friend or rela-
tive TO pay for the a~bomination. Chicago
is not a pleasant place to live init ought
to be made an easy place to die in, and this
battle OF trusts adds new terrors to dying
and fresh pangs to bereavement. 1t all
arose from an attempt to form a union OF
professional pallbearers, With an organi-
zation of professional mourners also effected
no one would need to lie unwept, if he had
the price. 1t is only the penniless man who
cannot live and die properly organized and
easy in his mind, But the poor we have
always with us.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21
The Other Side Of the World.

Japan's famine fund Is Increased S25.oOo by o
-four contribution OF that value from the Canadian
Government. The -four Is put up In forty pound
packages with yeast and directions for baking.
Australia also 10 sending large quantities OF -four.
Australia has a tobacco combine, declares the
Federal Royal Commission In recommending the
taking over OF the industry by the Commonwealth.
India, at last advice, had 82s 900 persons on It's
famine relief roll.
New Zealand's FIRE Insurance companies have
abandoned the special higher ratings on a number
Of large risks. They can now. II TIL -'-'' no on
the same risks with the Government but they 49,.
10 relnsure with the Government hre insurance
department or 10 accept reinsurance from It. Evi
IDENTIFY that particular public ownership" 10 not
attractive and does not work.
SIX trains are now running daily either way on
the Siberian railway. says the London Times, four
being military trains carrying Russian troops re
turning from the Far East. OF these. 10000 had
already left on January IA. Tho evacuation OF
Manchurla by Russian troops is expected 10 be
completed early in June.
The INST turbine steamer on the Pacific will be
the new steamer Maheno of the Australian Canadian
line, sailing from Vancouver 10 Sydney. New South
Wales. calling al Honolulu, FIJI and Brisbane.
Japan's foreign trade in December was ~satlsfac-
tory. Exports were SIS, 26a, 900. q gain OF o.. 75oL 900,
and the Imports were sl6,o27 900, a decrease of
100000. Combined. Japan's trade balance was
improved by so.25o,0oo.
Chinese students in Japan cost from 500 10 500
d year each for maintenance, a gainst 5000 to O., 900
any where in Europe. Toxic is q natural educativs
centre for China by reason OF geographical proK-
Unity, language facility and economy.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21
The New WAY.

In one OF the New Orleans hospitals
is a patient suffering from a disease that
may or may not be yellow fever. Under
old conditions local pride" business
interests, would require that nothing
be said or done to acquaint the public
with the existence Of this suspicious case.
The health authorities would take a
chance" and hope for the best, rather
than run the risk of creating unnecessary
alarm among the population of the
country,
But the cid conditions exist no longer,
and at the first hint OF the appearance
of the disease the physicians have begun
their struggle against it, fighting in the
open and calling to their aid every
available weapon. They have invited
experts from other States to examine
their patient and are prepared to start
square in the campaign, giving science
a fair chance in the beginning, instead
OF handioapping it by allowing the dis
case to gain a foothold.
Too often in the past a false notion Of
commercial wisdom has led to official
~Onceafment of communicable diseases
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21

available for all who care TO read them
In the daily newspapers. The weather
prophets, amateur and professional,
acknowledge that the records Of the
barometrio pressures are the basis OF all
their prophecies or guesses as to the
weather. Is there any reason why the
information collected by the Govern
ment andin the possession Of the Weather
Bureau should not be open to all through
the newspapersP
In the third section Of the act Of Octo-
Der 1, 1890, ordering the removal OF the
Weather Bureau from the War Depart
ment to the Agricultural Department,
the duties of Chief MOORE are set forth
as follows:
That the chief Of the weather Bureau, under
the direction Of the Secretary OF Agriculture =
shall have charge of the forecasting OF weather.
the issue of storm warnings. the display OF weather
and food signals for the benent of agriculture
and navlg alton. . and the col
lection and transmission Of marine intelligence for
the beneAt Of commerce and navigation, the re-
porting OF temperature and rainfall conditions for
the cotton interests, the display of frost and cold
wave signals. the distribution OF meteorological
rma In the interests OF agriculture and com
merce. and the taking OF such meteorological OBJ.
servations as may be necessary TO establish and
record the climatic conditions Of the United states,
or as are essential for the proper execution Of the
foregoing duties"
For this service the law provides for
the payment to the chief of the Weather
Bureau of an annual compensation Of
81, 500, The chief is appointed by the
President, by and with the consent OF
the Senate; 4Prorided, That the Chief
Signal Officer of the army may, In the
discretion Of the President, be detailed
to take charge of said bureau"
1t would seem clear to one not trained
in the cerebral subtilties Of Chief MOORE
hat the phrases in the above law, the
collection and transmission of marine
intelligence for the benefit of commerce
and navigation" and 'the distribution
of meteorological information in the
interest of agriculture and commerce"
would make'it perfectly proper that the
barometer readings of the various sec
tions of the country, as well as the pre-
cipitation and wind velooities, should be
placed at the disposal Of any or all OF the
public interested In them.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21
Musical ~Pretendors.

To THE EDITOR OF TEE SUN-Str. Az hrst reading
Mr.. Henderson's truthful criticism of Metropolitan
Opera House music and methods seems entirely
justified: but looking backward at the packed
galleries and crowd of ground door strap hangers
prevailing all winter. II 10 clear that the absence OF
Seidl, Mottl and orchestral music does not shorten
the long line of standees waiting 10 beg or to buy
tickets. The management is pleasing the crowd
and the crowd pays to nl the house.
Truth TO tell, nine-tenths Of operagoers may
have no appreciation whatsoever Of the music
opportunity or no opportunity. Just listen TO the
applause and Kisses (applause for music and Kisses
for applause, applause too soon and applause too
late. They get all mixed UP and confused. even
mislead the artists. Again. witness the scramble
during the last act to get out and have 1t all over
with. The bad music may cause this exodus of
martyrs. but the deafening applause heretofore
reverberated contradiots. Some one said: They
all 20 just to say they have been or 10 deceive them
selves and perhaps others into believing that they
have musical ears and aesthetic souls" How
many in a Conried audience could hear Paderewsh
and Blind Tom play In the dark OF behind a screen
and tell the differenoei
The management these days Ignores conductors
altog ether and shamelessly deies women sing ers.
There are no more Of those beautiful prima donna
Autographs scattered from Battery boats to Bronx
rocks. So the sthrs lose their former individuality
and prestige. They lose personality. can be
changed about like checkers, all unknown 10 the
audience, and have to take what's left or an ocean
liner.
Paderewski gave a recital at Carnegie Hall. Two
women star boarders while going to their rooms
by the elevator route were ravlng over his art, not
having fully recovered from the afternoons emo
tionallzation. As the elevator rose. enchantmcnt
from a plano was heard on the star boarder's floor.
Said one unsteady psychological woman to her
agreeing and sympathetic companion: Just think
what we shall have TO listen TO all the evening
and after the delight of hearing glorious Paderewskl.
too" Now, the performer on the plano was none
other than Paderewski himself. who. unknown 10
the star h~oarders. had been playing for several
days in his rooms adjoining these music loving
women. much 70 their annoyance and disgust.
NoRBURNB JENKINS, NJ. D.
NEW YORK, March no,
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21
PROXIES AND CORPORATIONS.
What Are the Proper Uses and Limits OF
Ilae OF tho Former?

To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: The
use Of proxies and the expenditure Of oorpo-
ration funds in the obtaining OF proxies are
coming to the front. By the common law
and unaided by a statute a person entitled
to vote could vote only In person, but in
modern corporations, having share owners
80 widely separated as to make personal at
tendance at share owners meetings impos-
sible, the charters permit voting by an agent,
or proxy, duly authorized. Such permission
Is never given to directors Of the corporation
at directors meetings. If the directors con-
sent to hold Office they must attend In person
or suffer for failure to do so.
There are those who are policy owners.
or profess to represent them. in the existing
insurance rumpus who are oontending that
directors and officials Of insurance companies
cannot expend corporate funds or employ
corporate clerks to enable policy owners TO
vote by proxy. The contention seems 10 be
that neither corporate funds nor clerks oan
be used even to inform policyholders how,
when and where they can vote by an agency
The implied reason Is that 1t Is unjust to
use corporate money and clerks to defeat the
wishes Of any p~olicyholder or class OF policy
holders 40 to the affairs of the company.
That may be 80. but the sending out OF
blank proxy forms by corporation officers
and even soliciting proxies have been uni
versal. All railways have done IT and are
now doing 1t. Every lawyer knows Of II.
Presidents and directors have kept them
selves In power by soliciting proxies author
izing even themselves to vote for themselves;
or II not that, by soliciting proxies to be voted
by partisans of the existing management
The work OF solicitation is done and paid for
by the corporation. Perhaps the corporation
could not be kept alive by majority voting
were It not for proxy contrivence and ma
nipulation at headquarters, indelicate AZ IL
undoubtedly Ia.
Are the railway officials, who are now 90
generally endeavoring to reform insurance
companies. to stop the proxy methods so
common In railway managementf 1t cannot
be denied that voting by proxy ls attended
by many evils, and all reformers Will watch
with curiosity the outcome Of the novel oon-
tention. Who shall be permitted to solicit
proxies II presidents. directors and high
officials are excluded? Can any policy
owner solicit and use a proxy to the injury
OF an associate? Precisely how far can the
president Of a corporation go In inviting
share owners to attend annual meetings and
vote in person or by proxy How much OF
his own time or that Of clerks. paid for by
the corporation, can he use TO that endP
Can he use any postage stamps paid for by
the corporation?
1t Ia TO be hoped that some OF these critical
questions may soon be soundly answered.
NEW York, March 20. PROXY.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21

preSSly delegates 70 the Legislature the authority.
and requires 1t TO enact such laws "a n shall dsem
appropriate 10 carry II into execution.
The contention OF the appellant that the pur-
pose OF the enactment OF Section II was 10 evade
or defeat the provisions OF the Constitution 10
not proved and cannot be presumed. but a con.
trury presumption must prevail. Presumably the
purpose was laudable and proper. such as the Legis-
lature deemed best for the p ojsr and edicient
accomplishment OF the purpose OF the constitu-
ton, and no contrary presumption will be INDUCED
In by this court"
The Court of Appeals subsequently
in April, 1903, in the case of People vs..
STEDEKER, 175 y. Y. 81, in It's opinion by
Judge CULLEN, which was %concurred in
by PARKER, Oh. j., and O'BRIEN, MAR
TIN, VANN and WERNER, j. j. 0GRAY, j.
concurring in the result) said:
The principal objection urged By the appel
lants Is that the section Of the Penal Code referred
to Is demonstrations and void because Of the great
difference between the punishment Of offences by
that article when committed without the grounds
OF any racing association and that imposed by the
racing law on the same acts when committed on
the racing grounds. But the coustitutionalty OF
the racing law and OF the provisions OF Section Sji
OF the Penal Code has been SO recently afhrmed
by this court. the former In the case OF People er
rel STURoIs VS.. FAILoS u52 n. y. u and the latter
In People er rel WEAVER VS.. VAN DE CARR $50 N. y.
4S9) that We deem II not necessary NOR wlseto reopen
the discussion, and shall conhne ourselves to an
examination OF the objections 10 the form OF the
Indictment"
AS the law now stands betting on a
race track is not a crime; it is not even
a misdemeanor, whereas betting In a
poolroom is a felony. A million people
who love racing and attend the races
want to be let a%lone-just as men wish
to be at liberty to take a drink when they
80 desire, before one O'Clock at night.
In the interest of the people at large the
existing laws should be left undisturbed.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21

The Legislative, Executive and Judicial
Appropriation bill, as reported In the House
of Representatives, draws the dead line"
in the civil service. After June 80, 1913,
no employee more than 70 shall be retained
in the service. At 85 the salary shall not
be more thar 81 400 a year; at 0s, not more
than 81, 200, at 10, until June 80, 1918, not
more than $40.
Every one of US knows" said Mr.. LIT
TAUER, that when the average human
being reaches the age OF 85 years his abili-
ties in part, at least, are impaired"
Mr.. CANNON GO next May, Mr.. HEP
BURN Cgoing on" 73), Gen. GRosvENoR
ditto, General KEIFER (7O), are, of course,
not average human beings. The argument
Of the disabilities Of age seems a little queer,
however, in a Congress in which old men,
and some very Did men, are 80 powerful.
Incompetents, young or old, should be
put out. But may there not be clerks Of 20
or over who are just as we'll preserved in
the proportion Of their faculties as the vet
Grams Of the Senate and the House.
The Hon. JOSEPH T. JOHNSON OF South
Carolina finds an encouragement Of thrift
and self reliance in the seven year notice;
JOSEPH, down in the land Of Egypt, having
foresight OF the intention aud purposes Of the
Almighty. laid up during seven years Of plenty
enough 10 feed all the world in seven years Of
want. Let them prepare in the years Of plenty
for the years TO follow"
Living expenses are perhaps rather
higher than they were In JosEPH's day.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21
The Big Four.

We have now heard from two great
insurance experts and philosophers of
the Albany school. Good men and hon
est men, and polioyholders good and
indifferent, have proited by their dis
Bertations.
For their exhibit of live wire informa-
ton Judge ANDREW HAMILTON and Field
Marshal Lou PAYN are entitled to the
gold and the silver medal-to which
belongs the yellow metal and to which
the white we shall not here undertake
to decide.
Curiously enough, two equally great,
and perhaps greater, insurance experts
and philosophers of the same Albany
school are yet to be heard from. They
have not spoken. They remain, supine
and almost unnoticed, on rear seats in
the academy.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21
The Campaign for Barometer Pub
liCity.


What deep secret Of the Weather
Bureau would leak out if the barometer
readings at the various weather stations
in the country were given to the public
it is hard to imagine, unless the public,
or those of the public who are interested,
might thereby be enabled to sec a part
of the data on which Chief Weather Man
MORRIS prophecies are based and COM
pare the fulhlment with the prophecy.
Mr.. MOORE last week refused all ba-
rometer readings to any one who might
publish them, Then he relented so far
as to permit the New York bureau to
give the local readings for publication
in the newspapers, but still declined to
permit the publication of the readings
recorded in other sections of the country.
Now there has been another about face
and the New York bureau refuses to
give o the public prints of this maritime
community this information that thou
sands look for in their daily papers,
Mr.. MOORE has expressed doubt as to
the value of barometer readings to mex
pert prophets, or as to the value Of their
prophecies; but it is difficult to see the
public danger, unless Mr.. MOORE shall
be kind enough to point it out, in per-
hitting these barometer readings to be
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21
Women in Stormy weather.

To THB EDITOR OF THE SuN-Sir: Every really
boisterous and bliEzardy day for the past seven
winters in New York city ! have gone forth on the
streets 10 see II the weather were bad enough 10
keep the women In the house, and never a day yet
have | seen that was equal 10 II. Monday wasn't
quite as "bammy" as May, and in pursuance OF my
usual custom l plunged around In the snow and
slush and sleet. and the women were in 1t up TO
their chlns. 1t has required seven years to learn
why they go out in such wlntry weather, but have
discovered at last-they look prettior on such DAYS
than any other. I don't know, yet, why they do,
but they do, Did you ever see a girl In a snow.
stom' Gee! INVESTIGATOR.
NEW YORK, March 10.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21
The Oldest Woman.

From the London Daily Globo.
There is now In a refuge for the aged in Madrid
a woman who may probably claim 70 BIO the Oldest
member OF her sex In the world. She is an Anda
luslnn. and was born at Granada in 1851. Her namo
is Maria Nicto y Santos. She has inhabited Madrid
for 1903 years. and has been the mother OF twenty
one children. all OF whom are dead, though most
OF them lived TO a fairly old age There il nothing
emaciated or cadaverous about the old woman's
appearance. The skin has a healthy appearance,
there Is color in the checks. and her eye is still clear
and bright The surgeon In charge OF the home
thinks she may sNll live q considerable time.
The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-03-21

until they became epidemic. New Or
leans will have no more Of such short
sightedness. II yellow fever has como
again it is to enjoy no such advantages
as it has had in former years. The
change in the methods of combating the
disease will prove beneficial not only to
the city but to the whole country.