davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07
PENSIONS TOR AGE.

The House of Representatives passed on Mon
day-that being suspension day-the Senate's
Old Age Pension bill. The measure now goes
to the President, and there seems TO be no
question about his signing It The vote for the
act was unanimous in the smaller branch Of
Congress, and in the larger only twenty votes
were recorded in the negative. This feeble
show Of opposition and the absence Of any
serious or effective protest in the Democratic
and independent press emphasize the fact that
the country at large is now quite content to
give an absolute pensionable status to veterans
Of the Mexican and Civil wars Of siXty-two
years or over. II is easy TO account for this
state of mind. When by President ROOsevelts
direction Commissioner Ware issued an order
three years ago directing examiners TO presume
certain degrees of disability to perform manual
labor al the ages of stXty-two, sixty-fve, sixty
eight and seventy a fierce cutlery was raised
by Democratic newspapers and politicians. The
Presidents right thus to interpret the Deepen
dent Pension law OF 1890 was fatty denied and
the famous though shortllved Parker Constitu-
tional Club of this city tried for a time to make
the Ware order the paramount Issue Of the last
Presidential canvass. 1t was predicted that the
order would cause an increase of from $4,000
600 to S20,000,000 in our annual pension outlay,
and the Parker Constitutional Club threatened
20 enjoin the Secretary Of the Treasury from
paying out n cent OF IIldl as never naVlilS
been lawfully appropriated"
It turned out that the President had simply
used his undeniable discretion as an admins
trative officer in constituting the Dependent Pen
sion act Just as Mr.. Cleveland had previously
exercised the same discretion IN constituting it.
II also turned out that the Ware order did not
add "from 100000 TO 100000 600" to our
annual pension expenditures. 1t really added
nothing, and it had the advantage of greatly
simplifying the machinery OF examination. The
new act merely carries the principle of the age
order Of 1904 little further. 1t recognizes total
disability 10 perform manual labor at sixty-two,
instead OF half disability, and 1t allows a claim
ant So a month between the ages Of sixty-two
and seventy, instead of giving him Sc a month
ct sixty-twO, IS at sixty-fve, SO at sixty-eight
and SD at seventy. After seventy a disability
claimant is to receive SIS month and after
seventy-fve $50. There are now $1,000 veterans
on the pension roll who are over seventy and
about 10000 who are over seventy-fve. But
these two classes will not be largely recruited.
The chief cost of the new measure will result
from the enlargement Of the class between
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07
IN WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
TFrom Tho Tribune Rureaul

From Tho Tribune Bureau
Washington, Feb. 6-Mrs Taft wife of the Sec
rotary of War. received tonight the guests at the
third of the Bachelors cotillons Of this season. The
bathrooms were decorated in pink. the idea being
carried out in the ribbons for the favors. Lieuten-
ant Edward McCauley jr., led the cotillon. The
favors included vanity puffs. Japanese parasols,
cut glass Jars and opera bags for the women, and
silver osh trays. blotter holders. match boxes
tops and lead pencils for the men. Most OF the
members Of the diplomatic corps and of society
invited.
large number Of those who attended the
Bachelors previously attended the opening of the
American Salon at tho C0rcoran gallery. The
President and Mrs. Roosevelt were present as
were the members OF the Cabinet diplomats Sem
ators' Representatives and people well known in
society," nearly two thousand invited guests view
Ing the pictures during the evening.
Assistant Secretary and Mrs. oliver had as
guests at dinner tonight Representative and Mrs
LonSWorth. Mr.. and Mrs. George Vanderbilt Mr.
and Mrs. Afford Cooley, Mr.. and Mrs John New
bold of Philadelphia: Miss Robson. Miss Meyer
the Misses Oliver. Count Hatzfeldt and Mr. RADIO
witz' OF the German Embassy; Mr.. Lindsay. of
the British Embassy, and Lieutenant Mark Brooke.
Mr.. and Mrs. James Pinchot had dining with
them tonight the Japanese Ambassador and VS.
countess Aoki, Senator and Mrs Spooner, Major
General and Mrs. Story, Rear Admiral and Mrs
McGOwan. DR.. and Mrs. J. Hart Merriam Mr. and
Mrs. John w Foster the Librarian and Mrs Her
bert Putnam. Mrs Samuel Thomas Miss Emo Mr.
and Mrs. William f. Curtis. Lawrence Murray and
Arlold Hague.
Mrs. Mark Hanna entertained the Italian Am
bassador at dinner tonight. asking to meet him
Justice and Mrs. White. Mrs. Sherisan, Senator
keln. Miss Kean, Senator Warren, Senator Bever-
dge Representative and Mrs Parsons Mrs Ba-
con, Miss Lowering and Representatives Foss and
Cousins.
Assistant Secretary and Mrs. Newberry enter
tained number OF diplomats and other guests at
dinner.
Ex-senator Davis entertained Secretary Shaw
and number OF the presidents and vice-presdents
Of railroads at a dinner tonight. General Arson
Mills also entertained large dinner party to-
night.
Mrs. George B. Loring. widow OF tho former head
OF the Bureau OF Agriculture and United States
Minister a. Lisbon. is making visit 10 Washing
ton before sailing for Italy and the Riviera.
Mr.. and Mrs. George ChOate KendeIl announce
the engagement OF their daughter. Miss Florence
Conrad. TO ]. Ford Thompson. tr. the wedding to
take place this spring. Mr.. and Mrs. Richard
Harlow entertained tho young people at dinner to-
night.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07
MATER STORAGE.

Some earnest opponents OF the water storage
amendment to the state constitution are en-
ploying arguments which, to say the least 90
not strengthen their case. 1t was, for example,
a mistake to announce that a large sum OF
money was ready to be illegitimatey used IN
procuring support for the amendment mas
much as that accusation was inherently improb-
able, was not sustained by a particle OF evil
dence and was at once fatty denied.
1t is also a mistake of tactics, if nothing more,
TO declare that if the amendment should be
passed at the present session the ruin of the
Forest Preserve would be assured. In the first
place ruin" IS rather strong word. In the
next place If the amendment should get through
the Legislature a second time, it would then go
to the people for ratification or rejection, and
the people, as experience has shown, are very
solicitous for the safety of their forest domain.
The largest vote ever cast against Il proposed
constitutional amendment was that which some
years ago defeated a scheme of forest spolia-
ton. But If the people should consent to
modification of the present rigid constitutional
bar to encroachments on the Forest Preserve
considerable resources for its protection would
still be left Unless the supporters of the
amendment are INDUCING themselves in most
audacious falSfcatons, nothing whatsoever
could be- done under 1t except after petitions
made and hearings given. The Water Supply
Commission might then recommend some stor-
age project, but It's approval would be of no
effect without the consent Of the Legislature
and, finally, of the Governor. OF course some
obnoxious scheme might squeeze past all these
obstacles, but 1t IS neither necessary nor wise
to talk as if all would be lost If the amendment
should be passed at the present session.
With proper appreciation of their zeal and
sincerity we think that some opponents of the
amendment who are n good deal in evidence
might advantageousy retire from the case, The
violence of their denunciations does more harm
than good A corporation is not necessarily
criminal Private individuals are not necessa.
rily public enemies II they so employ grant
of privileges to make money for themselves
while promoting the general welfare. We hate
TO see a respectable cause weakened by bad
advocacy. Iii our opinion the strongest ar
gument which the opposition TO the amendment
has at hand may prove TO be the belief of the
State Water Supply Commission expressed In
its recent report that 1t IS practicable to build
storage reservoirs adequate to the purposes for
which the amendment is urged at such points
that there would be no conflict with the pres
ent constitutional prohibition. That is view
Of the case which is deserving of the most care
full consideration.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07
CRTELTY TO HARITN-

A valuable lesson may be drawn from the
death of John Johnson, of New Jersey
an octOgenarian, who, after sixty years OF to-
bacco smoking, resolved to abjure the weed
and with that resolve straightway abjured life
In his demise there Is material enough for n
four-cOlumn sermon on the training of habits
For IL ever the Ills OF bad management Of
habits and the need Of a good diplomatic code
TO assist IN controlling habits lacked demon
stTatiOn, here at last they have found It.
In a perfectly ordered world everybody
would select and foster habits nationally from
the outset Few Of us though are rational
at the beginning Of life; by the time the great
majority of civilized mankind have reached the
critical age when the relative values OF a good
job, a demijohn and eight hours sleep are
clearly fixed, they find themselves loaded down
with several bad habits and mannerisms
These irrltate the logical mind with their cease
less stupdties until the temptation becomes
strong to boot them bodily beyond the confines
of the nervous system.
Nothing could be less prudent than this. A
habit Is neither an ethereal spirit nor bacillus
but bunch of nerves running under low press
Ure. Squelching Il habit amounts then 10
tlnlering with complicated machinery Tho
wise man, knowing this, will approach his Ind
habit, not from behind with bludgeon. Int
with the soft smile of diplomacy. He will re-
member uldC the naDlt Is not q demon con-
cealed in his anatomy, but Is himself Being
human, it demands human and humane treat
ment
1t is curious that although men have long
since learned the virtue of doing unto Others
as they would have others do unto them. few
have realized that they themselves are the
same as the others, and hence deserve the same
sort of treatment. Blindness to this fact has
received the technical name of Puritanism
among alienists and mOraIsts. The disease IS
usually fatal-if not TO the patient, then to
somebody else. In most cases a bad habit IS
n machine that can be either repaired with
skill and patience or else slowed down TO u
harmless speed by gradually shutting off the
motive power or softly putting on brakes.
There ought to be a society for the preven-
ton of cruelty to habits which would see to
it that nobody undertook to stop a habit in
stantiy while under full Roadway. The dam
ger in such performance is greater than that
involved in serving an automobile the same
way. The chauffeur who brakes too strenu-
ously gets hard jolt but the unlucky man
who jams a stick into the wheels of life NAV
send his soul sprawng into some dim ditch
Of the Undiscovered Country.
If you feel obliged to pass certain amend
ments to your own constitution, it is advisable
to consult an expert and, above ali else, to
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07
THE TALK or THE DAY.

In article the decadence OF Judaism in
France DR.. Max Nordau has this 10 say IN the
Jewish Chronicle" G.ondon): How many French
Jews still hold religious beliefs? I viii not make
any guesses TO the number but It Is certainly
very small. II Judaism IS only religion, then
religious indifference viii soon put end 10
Judaism"
lie says that only by the reawakening of the
jewish national consciousness can Judaism be res
cued. and adds:
But should efforts to impress the Jewish youth
France with the consciousness OF their clinical
Individuality with all Its consequences end in fall
Ure. then French Judaism Is doomed with deadly
certainty to speedy decay"
Hang IT." growled young Lovett to the girl of
his heart 1t makes mo mad every time think OF
that SOL lost to-day. certainly feel as II Ia Ike
by tho way. Jack said the dear girl. dream
this evening 2"-Phu adelphla Press.
Tho difficulty a diver experiences In lifting
weights beneath the water Is partly overcome by
"a new italian invention which has been formally
adopted by that government. The mechanism IS
diving suit the artificial arms OF which
worked from the inside by the wearer. The lever
age thus secured enables the diver TO lift objects
heavier than he could otherwise handle. In addl-
ton 10 this Improvement over the old method
high power electric light that Will penetrate the
water for some distance is placed in the helmet.
Mrs Henry Peck TO her caller)-I met my hus-
band while out skating lie quite caPuVa'ea mo
by the graceful way ne cut the ,ngure >. .o- ,,.
T.
that time have been cutting the figure 0-Boston
Transcript.
In 1906 there were held IN Spain 5S5 bullhghts.
increase of 35 as compared with 1905. These in
volved the killing of 2S7s bulls valued at N63.70o
The value Of the horses killed in these encounters
amounted 10 $l77OO0. Other expenses amounted TO
over 100000 In the corridas 80 espadas took part
one Of whom was woman, and $40 other toreros,
whose salaries amounted to total OF 100000. The
total estimated expenditure was S17OO.0OO and the
receipts were S. 100000 There were numerous acct
dents but only had fatal result.
.'yvhy are poets so little apprecated?' asked the
Young man with long hair.
Well" answered Mr. CumroN, ITS this way
with n piece OF poetry: II you can't understand 1t
You don't to read 1t. and If you can understand
II you haven't any respect for t.'-Washington
Star.
About ten species of vegetable sponges' are now
cultivated in the warmer parts of Africa and Asia,
especially in Algeria. The fruit is edible before
maturity but ripening the pulp separates from
the hbrous material. which then becomes an ex-
cellent substitute for real sponge for the toilet,
bathroom and many other purposes. The Algerian
sponges are in large demand in Paris.
Uncle Visiting nephew at school on prize giving
day)-uow many voices are there III your cHaPel
choir?
Ncphcw-About seven. .
i|ncie-Why, | had impression that 1t had
forty or fifty members
NGphew-So 1t has. but you asked me how many
Observation-Disclosures Inquirer
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07
AT THE WHITE HOUSE.
fFrop, The Tribune Bureau. ]

from The Tribune Bureaul
Washington, Feb. 6-The President TINS AFTERNOON
shook hands with three hundred members OF the
Merchant Tailors' Protective Association VINO are
having a convection in Washington.
After he completes his work in the White House
about two years hence. President Roosevelt Is
planning to hunt big game In Alaska He nade
his promise Robert ". Wiley. one of his visitors
to-day Mr.. Wiley. who has lived in Alaska lot
seventeen years, was presented by Representative
Sulzer, of New York
The Presidents callers to-day included Secre-
tares Root and Taft, Senators Allison. Douiver,
Lodge, Hopkins, Willard and Alice. Representatives
Madden, Granger Southland, Overstreet, Law, An
drus STEVENSON, Gronna. Perkins and Cocks; Cecil
Lyon Republican National Committeeman from
Texas. and Charles D. Walcott. director Of the
Geological Survey.
The President and Mrs. Roosevelt had at luncheon
with them to-day Mr. and Mrs. Carl E. Akeley
and Representative and Mrs James r. Mann, all
of Chicago Mr.. and Mrs. Akeley on their way
to Chicago from fifteen months stay in East
Africa, where they went in search OF trophies for
the Field Museum. They returning with ff-
teen tons of such trophies and thrilling stories of
hunting. Hearing of their intended visit to Wash
ington the President manifested the greatest posi-
BILE interest In hearing from them story Of their
travels, as he wants to to East Africa some day.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07
ATusements.


ACADEMY OF 1ICsIC-s:16-The Music Master.
ALHAMBRA-2-S-Vardev
ASTOR-s:90@The Straight Road
BELASCO-S:15-The Rose OF the Rancho.
BIJOU-S:15-A Dolls House
NORTHUMBERLAND Partisan Model
CARNEGIE HALL-S:15-Concert
CASINO S:15-P1ncess Beggar.
COLONIALS-2-S-Eaudeyille.
CRJTERION-S- 30-The Aero Club
DALYS-s:16-The Belle OF Mayfair.
EDEN MUSEE-The World IN wax.
EMPIRES :20-Captan Brassbounds conversion
GARDEN-S:l6-The Little Nichus
GARRICK-220- S30-Caught in the Rain
Racket: 20-s:30-The Chorus Lady. 80
GAMMERSTEINS VICTORIA-2l5-s:lo NaudeNlI'e'
HERALD SQUARE-S:15-Ths Road 10 Nestercey
EIPPODRONE-2-S-Neptun Daughter ana Pioneer
Days.
RUDsoN-s:15-The Hypocrites
IRVING PLACE-S:2O-Der Blnde Passenger
KNICKERBOCRER- sI6-Ths Red Neil.
IBERTY-S:15-Saomy Jane.
LINCOLN EQCARE-S:15-The Belle OF LONDON Town.
LYCEUM-2:16-S: 1B-The Lion and the MOUSE
LYRIC-S-Ths Sunken Bell.
MADISON SQUARE-2-The Three OF Js
MAJESTTC--The Rose OF the Alhambra
MANHATTAN-s:i5-The Girl and the Governor
MANHATTAN OPERA HOUSE-S-Aiignon
NEW AMSTERDAM S:l5-Brewsters Millions.
NEW YORh-S:15-The Vanderbilt Cup
PRINCESS 2:20-S:20-The Great Divide.
Y-2:15-S:15-The Man OF the Hour - r,
ST. NICHOLAS RINK-S-Crescent A. g vs. N L n -
TELHARMONIC HALL-2-S-Electric Music
wALIAACKE -S:15-The Rich Mr.. HogEenhemer
WEBER'S-s:l5-Dream city and The Magic Afhgnl-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07

sixty-two and seventy years, which now num-
bers $4,000.
Commissioner Warner has estimated that our
annual pension outlay will be increased about
S15OONOOO under the new act. This is a liberal
estimate, and It must be remembered both that
operating expenses viii be materially reduced
by the application Of an age test pure and SIM
pie and that a rapid decline in the pension list
is due within the next five or ten years. The
country approves liberal pension policy. and
only wants TO see that policy applied fairly and
nationally. 1t will not grudge the extra COM
pensation just voted to veterans who need sup
port in their old age But it would also vel
come an abatement of the evil of special prl-
vate pension legislation by Congress. Ali vet
Grams should stand on the same basis; fortu-
nate few should not be made the recipients of
favors to which they are not entitled under the
general law. Too much Of the time and atten-
ton of Congress is now given to this petty dis
trlbution Of pension prize packages. Having
broadened and IiberaliZed the pension system
as a whole, the two houses should set their
faces against the practice Of singing out indi-
vidual claimants for exceptional consideration.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07
CHILD POWER-

The problem Of utilizing waste energy is being
attacked by the Woman's Municipal League.
The organization IS beginning TO tap the enor-
nous reservoirs of force in the boys and girls
of Manhattan. The horsepower frittered away
every day IN the restless play of children prob
ably exceeds that of Niagara Falls. II even n
small fraction of the total could be made ser
viceable this part of the world would profit
richly by It.
The usual device for utilizing child energy Is
that Of making work seem like play. The chief
difference between work and play. after ALL is
the individuals attitude toward his own eff
forts. Saving wood and shovelllng snow are
games more absorbing than sevenup IF the
youthful mind can be made to see In them Ines
Unable privileges. The women OF the league
purpose 10 work Tom Sawyer's whitcwashing
game on New York Youngsters, only substitute
ing for Toms back fence the garbage pail and
waste paper. Girls and boys will be taught to
find sanitary inspection one OF life's few per
feet pleasures. Street cleaning VIII be made
moro thrilling than playing hockey.
With care this hypnotlzlng en- mdsse may
succeed We hope 1t will have all the happy
results on the large scale that II usually has
on small one. And yet the league must be
prepared to draft large numbers of recruits
every few days, for the American youth still
believes that variety Is the spice of life.
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07
THE NEW RETCHST4G.

The second elections in Germany have as we
expected confirmed the result Of the first De
spite their strange alliance with the Cericals In
some districts the Socialists have lost heavily
while the parties which compose for imperial
purposes the government bloc have gained sul
GENTLY TO assure the Chancellor a working ma
forty In favor Of that colonial policy which was
opposed by the Clericals and Socialists in the
late Reichstag Estimates Of the bloc range
from 1877 to 30 AS the Reichstag contains 397
members, 1919 will be needed 10 give even the
barest majority. It seems probable that the gov
eminent will be able TO command several more
than that number, and perhaps many more, since
the Independents and members Of minor parties
are not difficult to win over TO the support of
the government by means Of some concessions TO
their particular fads. On the whole, then, the
Emperor and his Chancellor have ample cause
for feeling the satisfaction which they express.
The whole significance Of the elections will be
more surely apparent when we have before
full returns Of the popular vote. Under the Ger
man system of appOrtiOnment the representation
in the Reichstag does not always accurately III
dictate the popular strength Of the various
parties. AS have hitherto shown, the Cler
icals and some others have been much over
represented while the Socasts-or Social
Democrats, to give them the truer name-have
been much under-represented. Now it is init
mated that while the Socialists have lost be-
tween thirty and forty seats they have in
creased their popular vote by something like
100000 If so, that may mean that they have
been deprived OF their due representation, or,
more probably, that the other parties have much
more largely increased their vote This latter
explanation is quite plausible, seeing that at the
last election in 1903, nearly three million quail
fed and registered voters failed TO vote. We
may be pretty sure that few of these were
Social Democrats, and, therefore, that any con-
siderable getting out of that former stay-at-
home vote must have meant an increase Of
strength for the nOn-Socalst parties. AS the rise
Of the Socialist Democratic vote has been the
most striking feature OF German elections a
recapitulation of 1t will be of interest, as fol-
lows:
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07
YALE GETS OLD TEXTBOOKS.

The library of Yale University has received from
Miss Maria E. Peck. OF Pittsfed. Mass. four vol
umos once the property of Israel Dickinson, OF the
class OF 1853. The books used by him during
his college Each volume contains HIS book
plate and one his autograph They the ''Philo-
sophia Britannica" two volumes, 1141; the Mod
ern Gazetteer" 1856 and Wattss 'Logick.' 175l-
Israel Dickinson. born about 1875. resident
OF Pittsleld Mass. where he a large land
and leading citizen. holding various political
offices and representing the in the Legislature
in 1875 and 1916 During the Revolution he was =
captain OF militia lie died in 1-I,-
New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-07

majority will have a similar effect upon the
government 1t will proceed with its colonial
policy and probably WITH its policy of naval ex-
pansion, for both of which it may properly claim
to have received popular mandate, but it will
do so with careful regard for the opinions of the
Centre and of other factions whose votes it may
desire and may obtain at times, but upon whose
support it may not be able always to depend.
The outlook is, therefore, for a somewhat con-
cliatOry but none the less active and progress
siye policy when the new Reichstag meets and
takes in hand the proposals of the imperial gov
prpD1aut