davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23

An extra force Of clerks work in the
ter Once from the first of December after the first
Of the year. Thus Uncle obliged to take formal
notice of the Christmas tradition.
Situated the south side spacious glass-roofed
court. the third floor of the granite building
which houses the national Postoce the Dead
fee is all times peculiar in its appeal magma
ton
To it comes all the mail matter that for any reason
cannot be delivered and scarcely without
thinking of the hopes deferred, romances bghted
the riddles which perhaps the key
Thousands and thousands letters from children
this season. all addressed Claus There seems
be diversity opinion Claus lives
frequent addresses being THE North Pole" and
Heaven, though quite few addressed Greenland
Iceland, and 'Snowand."
Occasionally sees an describing somebody as
the official Claus this that or the other post
Office. a who died in Connecticut was
described the postoffce Santa Claus the town
which he had lived whom. the phil
anthropic persons turned all the
dressed Santa Claus found the local post-ofice
that q mistake or, if true, the postmaster
exceeded his authority
Some years ago that occasionally done. But in
1903 wealthy who lives in Philadelphia applied
formally to the post-ofce authorities permission to
take charge Of some the Claus mail. and to
answer some Of the petitions contained therein
The postmaster asked for ruling the subject It
referred the POst-Oice Depart
ment Washington which Judge Goodwin head
he obliged TO regretfuy inform the department
had right deliver mail addressed per-
son to any else.
So the Santa Claus mail go the way Of all the
other the Dead Letter Office. When it
neither be delivered the addessee returned to
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23

~UCH little tot she is that even when stand
ing on tiptoe, her eager hands reach only
~ part the way to the opening in the street-cor-
ner Ietter-box. A frown Fuckers her face as she
vanly struggles TO reach the letter slit with the
somewhat soiled and crumpled envelope that she
pushes upward,
Want to mail your letter, little one? Let me
do it for YOU" and kind-hearted passerby stops
to perform an act of kindness. Clapping her hands
joyfulIy, the youthful letter-writer slips away.
Undoubtedly, she wrote the missive that she
saw with gladness drop into the government mail
receptacle for, as the stranger slipped it into the
slot, he noticed that it was addressed in wavering
childish hand, 10 Mr.. Sanity Claws"
Poor little trusting heart" he murmured,
alphabetically, she will never hear from it
again"
Nor will she, unless she confdes its pleading
contents to some one nearer home. For the letter
IS soon speeding, with bushels Of Others Just like
it, to the Dead Letter Office at Washington.
Every day in the year nearly $4,000 pieces Of
misdirected mail are sent to the Dead Letter Office
and, during the few weeks preceding Christmas,
this number is increased by thousands So the
Dead Letter Office at this season becomes gigan-
tic garner for the longings Of little hearts.
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23

Many Of the letters attest childish in the be
lief that Santa Claus only good children. They
contain assurances Of good behavior during the year
past promises Of entirely ncorrup5le virtue
for the year
Frequently there is a Of real pathos the let
tiers, glimpse OF larger trouble than that Of happy
begging toy They tell pful little tales OF
theirs of work, crop failure OF sickness sometimes
one from little girl runs
Dear Nj Zanty in heven We've moved 50 far from our
home I'm a fraid you viii come for my mama
sic and you bring medsun make her well?
And pIese mr. Zanty Johnnie awful loansum and
If you viii bring some candy would be s glad.
your friend Always, ETHEL.
And a brave little Lad writes from Kansas City:
pair of skates this year and don't the pony
asked YOU year ago. Ny hips got worse and
walk and any and guess I cant ride either.
But I hope you send me ship SO that I can sail
a tub Of water my bed. and lot Of soldiers
and sailors play army. knife that will be
bed and not lonesum when the other boys playing
Your greatfu,
Again homesic5 bov who afraid he will be forgot
ten because he no longer lives under the Stars and
Stripes, says:
We've moved since last year, and live up in Can
ada now. It is nice it in Wisconsin but
hoap you won't forget that You
it is quite far from your home the North
Pole whear used to live. Yours Faithful
JOHNNIE B.
Occasionally there comes request that might STUMP
Santa himself the post-of1ce deliv
him. \ maiden, the margin of whose letter
was adorned with wobby circles. each marked as
kiss and who addressed her communication Mister
Santa Claus at Blanks Store where Santa Claus lives
the Moon" after telling Santa what Dere. nice san
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23

~UCH little tot she is that even when stand
"a ing on tiptoe, her eager hands reach only
- part the way to the opening in the street-cor-
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23
z HC 20 Z " : :
ChFh5I1aS Neck

have another in your shop know that you have
the best shop the world you are slch good Sanity
Claws always making folks happy, so won't you pese
bring a railway train. Respecfy
JOHNNIE.
Here is one that shows The hcart-burniug Of small
writer and the intensity Of the hope that Claus
viii relieve
Dear Kanty Kiaws Pies brin me a big doll and doll
karage and OF dishes and little stove and oh dere
Kanty you only wud brin me a blue silk dress and a
pink paraso wud be glade. Cause Mamie Johnson she
blue silk dress and pink parasoI and she puts
airs amt any and my mamma she says
mind it and just be happy without caus
my father he can't AFFORD 10 buy me any But deere
Canty Claus can't be happy when mamie Johnson she
got them and I amt So piese brin them
Your Iuvn little gurl
BESSIE l.
Another is from youth who evidently believes in
"gettn' plenty, while you're getunE'
Ny dear Saint Nicholas, please bring me whole
heap Of toy guns and vessel with search lite and
steam engine, and forget sord. Bring Maize
horn and buge She's my sister can be bugelr
when play soldier. And oblige your friend
To which the sister adds:
don't want a bugel, dere Sanity, doll and oh
hav It big dolly that eyes and has hair
think would be nice if you would bring lot Of
candy oranges and things, then will be good
girl till next year.
That request for doll rarely fails in the girls let
ters On the whole the little girls modest in
their demands than the boys. But a doll is nearly
always the first thing asked for-always dolly no matter
how they may bearing apparent testimony
to the mother instinct Unborn in all daughters of Eve
One little girl, who IS exception the Of the
reasonabeness Of the feminine demands KringIe
wants doll a saddle for my pOney. and a buggy
for my dolly craddeI nice OF big dishes
tie doll house, with a and a washstand bed,
dresser and a looking glass, komb and brush for my
dolls hair Httel round table, with lamp It. and
chairs and everything goes in doll house; besides
want jumpn rope and a doll hammick Which I hope
YOU won't forget bring them ali"
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23
Anotner ono Lon an embryo dIpIomatIst down n

Another comes from embryo dlplomatist down in
Georgia, who writes:
Dere Mister Sanity Claws:
The presents which you bringed US last year fine
You know how to pick for teller. And
Mister Sanity Claws, I do hope that this year you will
bring me railroad like you give Quentin Roosevelt
we're even If amt the Presidents Ny but I'd be
proud to have a railway train like that you sure
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23

slender mail must, after reasonable interval de
stroyed-
Because most of the Santa Claus mail eventually pass
her associates the big building Mrs. Santa
Claus"
Mrs. Collins has been in the Post-ofice Department
for twenty years and Of its most highly paid en-
pOyes-a dead-leJter expert
She seems to know by instinct just what in the
writer's he puzzng address that has
baed postmastes and carriers She speaks half
dozen languages as well acquainted with
all the lumber and mining in the Union and she
knows the nationality of the who employed in
each.
In years gone by she used occasionally 20 tell some
phianthropic friend particularly pathetic appeal but
Goodwins ruling the subject she has not
been able 10 do that
The fact that the bulk Of Santa Claus mail passes
through Mrs Collins hands does that of
it is negibe as its address comes in envelopes
Of all and sizes. but they all addressed with
of title quite plainly the person,
the chldren's saint
One IN the fathers busness-like Office enveI-
ope another tiny stationery
put UP for children; another mothers best mono
grammed letter fourth scrap OF greasy pa
per almost lost the depths big mailing" envelope,
intended for a pamphlet for photographs
Most Of them written and addressed childish
vertical handwriting; many of them printed some
leave no Of grown-up collaboration others
scratched inscruabe baby scrawl, mailed
sweet assurance that the good saint will understand
They are fun Of nature these santa Claus let
ters. One from youngster with eye to bust
ness is carefully addressed TO-
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23
Santa Claus Workshops.
T0yland.
In the Icebergs Of Greenland.


It
Dear Sanity Claus This IS tell you about splendid
bargen I saw the shop You know the Daisy guns
Well they cost dollar always but the at our
store is selling them for % cents.
Isn't that good news? And praps If you buy
lot he mite let you them less Please Mister
Sanity if you aren't got any you shop buy some
Of thes and send one They are terrible nice and
want an air gun OF anything.
dear friend,
The Washington herald., 1906-12-23

must have another in your shop. know that have
the best shop in the world such good Sanity
Claws always making folks happy, so won't you pese
bring a railway train. Respecfy yours
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-24
RIame the Rich Members.

John Wesley Gaines and other Demo
cratic members OF the House who sup
ported the proposition for increasing the
salary Of the members Of Congress are
discussing seriously the advisability OF
getting that proposal before Congress
again this session They argue that most
of the members who voted against the
bin would support it should it come up
again at this session. because Of the viz
tual unanimity with which the newspa-
pers in all parts of the country have
scOlded the House for not voting an in
crease Of salary. They are pointing out
a phase OF the case which did not attract
attention at the time. and that is that
for the most part the leaders Of the op-
position are rich men. whereas nearly
every outspoken supporter OF the pro-
posal IS poor. For example, Mr.. Under
wood. Of Alabama. who led the opposi-
ton on the Democratic side. is one OF
the richest members OF the Southern con
tinSeut while Mr.. Lamar. Of Florida.
Who made the most violent attack upon
the proposed increase Of salary. IS rated
at over half a million. Both OF these
Representatives live IN fine style ia
Washington. whereas AIessrs. Gaines and
other Democrats who fought with him
for raising the compensation Of the ma
tional lawmakers are compelled TO live
within their Congressional salaries.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-24
Last call for the Christmas shoppers
4 New Trans.pacific Route.

A new transcontnental route from At
lantic to Pacific and Oriental ports viii
be established at the beginning of the new
year, which may have an important
bearing on the future OF the Panama
Railway and our canal project. The new
route has been made possible by the
completion Of the Tehuantepec Railway.
an English enterprise connecting the
ports Of Coatzacoalcos, on the Gulf, and
Salina Cruz, on the Pacific. An arrange
ment has been made between the Ameri-
can-Hawaiian Steamship Company and
the railway for a weekly service between
New York. Philadelphia, and New Or
leans and Pacific Coast points and the
Hawaiian Islands. This company has
been operating a fleet Of twelve steamers.
all under the American flag, by way of
the Straits Of Magellan Under the new
arrangement the Hawaiian sugar that
formerly went through the Straits,
amounting 10 some 100000 tons annually.
viii be shipped over the isthmus.
The Tehuantepec Railway has provided
special facilities at both terminals for the
prompt unloading and reloading Of ships
and cars, so that the delay in trans
shipment Will be reduced to a minimum
Though the Tehuantepec Railway Is I9e
miles long, its Gulf port is 12O miles
nearer United States ports than Colon,
and about the same distance is saved on
the other side; so that 1t provides a
shorter route than the Panama Railway
The new route saves a voyage Of 900
miles and reduces the time between At
lantic and Pacific ports about one-half.
It is asserted that freight can be deliv-
cred at San Francisco in nineteen days
after leaving New York
John T. Wallace, the first chief engi-
neer of the Panama Canal, was much i'm
pressed with the Importance Of the
Tehuantepec route. and in a number OF
public utterances expressed his belief that
it would become a formidable competitor
OF the Panama Railway, and possibly
even OF the canal itself. AT all events
as the canal viii not be completed under
ten years, the new route viii have ample
opportunity 10 establish itself. Mr.. Wal
lace urged that the Panama road make
a strong bid for interoceanic traffic, with
a view 10 competition with the Tehuante-
pee route. but it is obvious that our gov
ernment-owned highway has lost a vaIu-
able contract for a large amount of bust
ness, which now goes 90 an English con-
Germ. It is surely a curious outcome OF
events on the isthmus that an American
steamship company should find 1t mora
profitable and more convenient to enter
into q shipping agreement with the Te-
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-24

in soil and climate to the cultivation of
that fruit. II is estimated that in this
one county alone the value of the fruit
product may be increased half a million
dollars by supressing the diseases which
now make fruit growing Improbable. and
in many instances impossible,
The success Of the Fairfax County ex-
periment-and there is ample ground for
belief that it will prove successfui-win
be a fresh demonstration OF the value Of
the scientific work Of the Agricultural
Department and of the State experiment
stations in behalf of the farmer They
have pointed out the methods by which
an important industry may be preserved
and developed. and there is no reason
why the country adjacent to Washington
should not in a few years be covered with
thriving orchards capable Of furnishing
a goodly supply of the high-grade fruit
consumed here AT prices remunerative TO
the producer and attractive to the con-
sumner.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-24
Mr.. Purdy's TASK.

Mr.. Milton . Purdy who. by direct
order of the President, has been sent TO
Brownsville by Attorney General Bona
parte TO collect evidence TO support the
Executives act in summarily discharg-
ing without honor three companies Of
the Twenty-fifth Infantry. is in point OF
authority and precedence the third Off
Ger of the Department Of Justice His
title is assistant to the Attorney Gen
eral There are numerous assistant at
torneys general. but only TWO or three
assistants to the Attorney General. Mr.
Purdy is the senior Of this latter class
One Of his predecessors was James NJ
Beck, who is now attorney for some Of
the big life insurance companies in New
York The position requires a lawyer OF
the highest order of ability. and is ac-
Cepted usually because Of the opportunity
It affords the incumbent to advance him
self in the legal profession. rather than
for its compensation, which is small. Mr.
Purdy has been working on the anti
trust suits being prepared by the De-
partment Of Justice for a year or two
and il is expected that ne will make one
Of the principal arguments for the gov
eminent III Tie BtNUlHE series or SUITS
against the Standard Oil Company. The
task assigned him by the President must
be completed before Congress reassem-
bles January g, for on that day Senator
Foraker viii renew his attack on Presi-
dent Roosevelt for discharging the negro
troops without investigating the case
more fully. What member of the SEN
ate will answer Senator Forakers legal
argument In behalf of the President is
not yet definitely known. Mr.. Lodge Of
course, viii make a speech in defense
of his friend, Mr.. Roosevelt, but the
Massachusetts Senator is not a lawyer,
and TO meet the argument which the
OhiOan proposes to make against the
Presidents conduct in this matter will
require the services Of a trained lawyer
of long experience. Mr.. Knox probably
will finally be selected by the President
to perform this service, provided. Of
course the Pennsylvania approves of
the Presidents course and is satisfied
with the evidence Mr. Purdy has been
ordered to collect If Senator Knox
should not undertake it, then it is thought
likely that Senator Spooner. who ranks
with the Pennsylvania as one of the
great lawyers of the Senate. will come
to the administration aid against the
assaults of Mr.. Foraker Thus there is
promise Of an unusually enlivening de-
bate in the Senate over the discharge Of
the negro troops.
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-24
Fruit Growing Near WASHINGTON

Frequenters of the local markets are
aware that a great deal Of the best fruit
offered for sale comes to us from distant
orchards The fruit stalls are full Of ap-
pies from New York and. in their season.
peaches from Georgia and grapes from
the Lake Kcuka region Yet all of these
fruits may be grown to perfection within
fifty miles OF Washington. Some Of the
best peaches that appear in the local
market are from certain favored spots
in Virginia and Western Maryland, while
the apple crop Of Virginia Is most valu-
able one. though very largely exported
directly to England Why are we not
able to draw a larger supply of fruit
from the Immediately adjacent country,
and why do not the farmers in the neigh
borhood Of Washington devote themselves
more extensively to fruit growing?
The trouble is that the past few years
have been fun of encouragement to >Vir-
ginia and Maryland fruit growers. Many
fine orchards in those States have been
ruined by the ravages of disease the na-
ture Of which, until recently, has been
imperfectly understood and the remedies
unknown, or by the depredations of in
sects difficult TO destroy. One Of the State
entomologists Of Maryland was recently
quoted as saying that the disease known
as the ''yellows' threatens 70 wipe out
the peach industry Of that State, and
that the insect known as the San Jose
scale, perhaps the most insidious and
fatal enemy of fruit trees. was alarm
ingly plentiful In one section Of West
Virginia 80 per cent of the peach or
chards are reported afflicted with the
'yellows." In Virginia the 'yellows" has
destroyed orchard after orchard. and the
scale is a constant menace to apple,
peach, and plum trees
Active measures have been taken in
both Maryland and Virginia for the sup
preston OF the parasitical enemies of
fruit trees. BY the provisions of State
laws, local authorities are given power, in
conjunction with certain State officers. to
inspect orchards and make recommends
tons concerning their treatment. and to
require that the recommended treatment
shall be carried out. In Michigan. New
Jersey. and some other States this method
of stamping out fruit diseases has been
found effective. An interesting test Of its
efficacy Is about to be made in Fairfax
County. Va, where the fruit growers
have become aroused TO the necessity
Of drastic measures, II their industry Is to
be preserved. The Department of Agrf-
culture, through the Bureau of Plant In
dustry, and with the cooperation Of Prof.
J. L. Phillips, State entomologist Of Vir-
ginia, and the county board Of super
visors, viii make an effort to stamp out
entirely the disease known as "yellows,"
which has played havoc with many fine
peach orchards in that county, and thus
endeavor to restore the conditions under
which peaches may be again successfully
raised in locality especially adapted both
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-24
PEOPLE VERSUS RAILROADS.
Public Demand Ii simply That Cor
pOrations Obey the Laws


From the New Orleans States
II is not true that the people. the press,
and the government are hostile to the
railroads On the contrary. they have
been most extraordinarily friendly TO
them and most astonishingly liberal in the
way Of granting them privileges and
favors. In louisiana we have repeatedly
exempted new roads from taxation for
terms Of years. cities. towns, and parishes
have voted them liberal special taxes and
bonuses, and the city Of New Orleans has
given them millions Of dollars worth Of
property and privileges Of inestimable
value. In return We have often been dis
eliminated against in favor Of other COM
peting poEts, and in various ways our
legitimate trade has been diverted else
where by discriminatory rates. IN some
instances it has been charged that freight
from St Louis. Chicago. and other dis
taut cities passes through New Orleans
destined for points not two hundred miles
distant from this city, and IS delivered
there at cheaper rates than it can be sent
out from New Orleans.
Haven't the people right TO complain
against such practices? Haven't they the
right 20 demand-all their protests against
such things being treated with contempt
to demand legislation that viii insure
them square deal?" is il attacking
vested or property rights" TO demand
that such fragrant Determinations shall be
made unlawful and punished with fine and
imprisonment. II nothing else VIII stop it2
The people simply demand that the cor
porations shall be made 20 obey the laws
Of the land
The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-24

Undoubtedly Mr.. RocseveIts interest Ia
the welfare Of that Georgia sheriff who
was defeated for reelection because Of
the fact that he would not deliver a negro
prisoner 10 a mob viii meet the instant
and hearty appreciation Of the better ele-
ment in the Southern States.
About three years ago J. L. Merrill. Of
Carroll County, Ga. shot into a mob
seeking to take a prisoner from his Gus
t0dy. He did not shoot until the last
minute; but when he did ne meant bust
ness. the result being the killing of sew
oral men and the woundiug of several
others He was at the time candidate
for reelection. and his opponent was
strong enough to defeat him by a good
margin by reason Of the changes this act
made in the community. His defeat was
taken very much 10 heart by the good
people of Carroll County. and the gov
erncr of TIE State gave him the best
place at his command. Mr. Roosevelt
heard of the case, and had Merrill ap-
pointed 10 better job at the Federal
prison in Atlanta. Now the President
feels that he deserves still further re-
wa "a t-A -4t4- maui lb4A- -lAe lllLNi4Llll
to do ali that he can 10 have the man
Well provided for.
This case is very familiar 20 Southern
ers, and there can be 10 doubt that Mr.
Roosevelts interest in the brave ex-
sheriff will be applauded heartily in that
section. Merrils splendidly courageous
act was the direct cause Of his defeat
The whole thing happened just on the
eve OF the election. and feeling against
the negro pTjsontr was very high It is
known that even Carroll County. where
this injustice was perpetrated. is heart
fly ashamed CT the act. The present
Congressman from the district wherein
Carrcllton is situated the county seat.
and actual scene of tho trouble. Hon. w
G. Adamson, has Interested himself i'm
the ex-sheriff, and it was through him
that Mr. Roosevelt heard Of the matter
originally.
Il Is great pity that there are not
more sheriffs like Merrill They are
needed.