davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1907-06-09
OTHER ACTIVE BODIES.

The Chamber of Commerce and the Board OF
Trade both take a spasmodic interest in the
work Of municipal reform chiefly when abuses
IN the administration injuriously affect trade
and commerce Their activities have been main
ly directed to securing Improvements in the har-
Dor and correcting abuses in connection with the
docks and wharveS
The various neighborhood societies-such as
the Washington Square Association the West
End Association. the West Side Independents
Club and the RiverdaIe and MOrntngdale Asso-
ciation-thrOughout the various bOroUghS have
accomplished important results in their various
fields by constantly bringing 70 the attention or
the public and the civil departments abuses and
evils in their respective districts.
The improvement Of street cleaning methods
Of the Automobile Club. 1t IS claimed that the
existing condition OF disrepair of New YORK
streets Is responsible for yearly bill or S+UO
to each frequent user OF an automobile IN the
city. for repairs to his machine
The Woman'S Municipal League Is interested
in the proper administration OF the Street Clean
ing Department from the householder's point or
view. The prompt removal OF ashes ana reIuSe
is also of It's concerns.
Important services are rendered by the Au-
nicipal Art Association in advocating the adop-
ton OF correct principles in the architecture or
public buildings and bridges and in the laying
exertions that the Park Department was in
duCed 10 remove the hideOus advertising signs
from the fence about the Public Library
The Brooklyn League occupies the same posi-
ton IN the city across Che river that the City
Club does this side; 1t is the parent organlza-
tioE OF the various voluntary bodies actively en-
gagged in the work of securing honest city gov
ernment in the Borough Of Brooklyn organized
at the time of consolidation for the purpose OF
securing amendments TO the city charter remoV-
ing grievances of the Brooklyn taxpayer IL has
since done most important work in initiating
and directing the local activities IN the cause
of honest civic government
New-York tribune., 1907-06-09

The only appliance used to assist them ls tor-
tose shell clip upon the nostrs TO prevent the en-
trance OF water and this is not universally
used The timo which the men can remain unoer
water has 1 think. been exaggerated. The aver
age dive occupies about thrty-ve TO fifty seconds.
the Arabs who are the hest divers, remain under
from seventy to eghty-ive seconds while the
maximum is not above ninety seconds When 1t Is
remembered that the whole of this period IS one OF
violent exertion 1t is possible to realize how great
strain is put upon the diver. At about noon the
fishing for the day is closed and the boats set sail
for the shore racing another in their desire to
unload the first oysters Of the day.
AS soon as the oysters are landed they are taken
into a large stockade where the sacks ara checked
and counted one-third OF tho catch being handed
back to the divers as payment for their WORK.
These are Immediately sold in the street and
promptly opened and searched by eager workers
About half million oysters are brought IN IN d
day. the record catch being, l believe b'VnVJo.
When the extent OF the catch has been ascertaihed
the buyers assemble and the sale begins Inc
auctioneer announces the name OF the oank' the
number to be sold and the value of the pearls
taken from sample lot of oysters from the same
locality.
Having fallen under the universal mania of the
place had myself bought d few thousand oysters
and was therefore obliged TO superntend the wash
ing When several days had passed and the lot
were what is euphemisticaIly called ''natured, l
ned the sacks taken TO spot some distance away
from an habitations a large tub was procured
and partly filled with water, and the putrefying
contents OF one sack was enptisd In. 1t is quite
New-York tribune., 1907-06-09
sphGre.

impossible to describe the appalling smell which
Immediately arose. q smell quite overwhelming and
next to impossible to endure. In a moment the
surface of the water was covered with thousands
of maggots struggling wildly TO escape out OF the
tub. These were drained off and fresh water
poured In. while the shells picked out from
any pearl which might chance TO adhere 10 them,
and thrown away.
The putrid flesh now remained under the water.
and this Kneaded by the men. who must not.
without permission, take their hands out Of the
tub during the operation. Every few minutes
man churning the hlthy mixture. would come upon
a pearl and hand it over. This continued until the
whole mass Of material had been broken up. when
Il removed in cloths and left in the
dry. Even when dry the smell was horrible. and
among these dry but unpleasant remains It was
necessary TO search for the smaller pearls which
had escaped notice during the washing. The guam
tIty discovered quite extraordinary, and
though the majority Of these were small mis-
shaSen, a few good pearls appeared. I do not
think that after few days at the fishery II Is pos
sible ever to regard these beautiful Jewels with the
same admiration before. one remembers when
one sees their wonderful refinement and beauty the
ghasty corruption in which they discovered.
Ore remembers that they are but a disease, kind
OF ;umor, epidemic IN certain places; and, though
the pearl itself shines bright and clear among the
filth in which sees it first. does not forget
how many days must pass before the smell OF
putrld flesh finally leaves 1t clean and pure and
ready 20 be
II the cause Of the periodic disappearance Of tho
New-York tribune., 1907-06-09
BUREAU OF RESEARCH.

The youngest, though perhaps the most prom
Using, voluntary worker in the efforts to secure
honest civic government is the Bureau OF Munic-
ipal Research. This organization is out
growth Of the Citizens Union. and. under the
name of the Bureau for City Betterment a
branch of the union, 1t carried on its work for
several years. Given separate corporate ex-
istence in May of this year in order that it's
work might be free from any suspicion of po-
Itical motive. ii has enlarged the scope Of its
activities and taken up the work of systematic
ing the civic finances alluded to in the early part
of this article.
The organization Of the bureau consists of
voluntary committees OF citizens in each of the
Assembly districts of the city, committee
for every branch Of municipal activity. Through
this means it accumulates mass OF data COW
erng the entire city. which forms the basis for
its Investigations into the workings of the vari-
Gus city departments.
It's record of accomplishments during the
short time of its existence gives promise of great
future usefulness. The bureau found the city
in the anomalous position of slum landlord
Of the worst type pending the construction of
The projected Chelsea Park. II has secured the
vacating OF twentyfour OF the worst city owned
tenement houses and the demolition of six with
the rest TO follow shortly.
1t found the publication of the reports Of the
various city departments from six months TO
four years behind. After the exposure nearly
all the departments caught up during the next
f902 '--' '3'N
The payroll Of the city, 1t found, was leaping
anead at tnS alarming rate OF SSGS,er54 IN SIX
months. AS soon as this discovery was pub
Hshed the Mayor appointed commission which
is now at work devising a businesslike scheme
OF effectng decreases.
The investigation which is going on into
the management OF the work OF the Office OF
Borough President Ahearn OF Manhattan in the
matter OF street cleaning and repairing OF pave
ments was the work of the bureau, and the pub
lcaton of data concerning the paving suits OF
the city against several OF the street railway
companies. amounting in all TO about million
dollars. has resulted in the legal department
taking action.
Most important of el the bureau has In all its
Investigations won the confidence and respect Of
the several departments investigated and se-
cured their active cooperation in the carrying
out of Projected reforms. This is the best guar
antee that its work in the future will be useful,
for without the active sympathy and co-opera-
ton of the civic department in which abuses
exist IL Is very difficult for an outside organiza-
ton to accomplish anything permanent In tho
New-York tribune., 1907-06-09
GEORGE M'ANENY.
President City Club.

of street cleaning has been wholly inefficient
and unduly expensive.
Has secured legislation to purify the milk
supply by sterilization and provide for the
proper inspection OF meat and other foodstuffs
Exposed abuses In the petty courts and pro-
posed the legislation which has passed the AS
sembly at Albany and will ultimately become
law. redistrlbuting the system
Secured the defeat Of the equal pay for women
teachers school bill, on the ground that the mat
ter which should be dealt with by the
city without Interference
Assisted in the work being carried on by the
Bureau OF Municipal Research for the system
atizing OF the cIty's finances.
Helped 10 defeat serious attempts made to
break down the benefcent provisions OF the
tenement house and child labor laws.
Suggested the solution for the push cart
nuisance, which is now being dealt with by the
Mayors commission.
New-York tribune., 1907-06-09

disappear
useful and important branch of civic re-
form work Is carried on by the Civil Service Re-
form Association in sCrutlniZing the conduct OF
the Municipal Civil Service Commission and gen.
orally watching the appointment promotion and
conduct OF city officials.
A system OF wholesale manipulation of ap-
pointments for political purposes in the Bronx
Borough Parks Department unearthed by
the association in 1904 which led to the dismiss
sal of the commissioner Important improve
ments were secured in the Civil Service law
through It's efforts in securing an investigation
by the state commission two years ago into vto-
lations OF the law by the Municipal Civil Service
C0rnnnfaSfOO
New-York tribune., 1907-06-09
MERCHANTS ASSOCIATION.

The work OF the club In municipal matters
is done by special committees OF It's members,
assisted by a large clerical staff. There is a
committee for every department in the city's ad-
ministration, which meets once n week The re-
forms Initiated emanate from these committees.
The club in addition. has a prompt and thor
ough system Of keeping tab on state legislation
affecting the city Tho extent and Importance
OF this work Will bo appreciated when II is un-
derstood that an average of over thirty-fva
hundred bills are introduced In the legislature
at Albany every session, every one OF which has
10 Dc closely scrutinized. Ninety-two per cent
Oh the 1llls opposed by the club in 1903 were
successfully killed. and 40 per cent Of those IA
New-York tribune., 1907-06-09

rated and carried out by the City Club. with tho
assistance in many cases of other voluntary or
ganizations, are:
New-York tribune., 1907-06-09
Total

organizations is practically a complete bIstory
Ul the successful municipal reforms In New
4 orK Tor quarter of a century The pioneer
IN lhe movement was the old City Reform Club
organized in 1887 as the special advocate of the
aooption or the blanket ballot. separate city
elecuons and the single headship for civic de-
partInents- It's efforts were devoted to bring
ing before the citizens the evils Of the BODY
polite. but 1t did not suggest remedies. II
published the legislative records of the CITY
representatives at Albany from the time OF its
formation, for the purpose of securing the cleo
ton OF honest CITY members
New-York tribune., 1907-06-09
HENRY BRUERE.
Director Municipal Research Bureau.

vOred were enacted In the following year SO
per cent Of those opposed were killed and 80
per cent OF those favored became law.
To foster the trade and welfare OF New York
IS the avowed object OF the Merchants Associa-
tion. which came into being some ten years ago.
Its first work In the municipal reform field was
the successful fight which 1t carried on against
the Ramapo water grab. by which the civic ad-
ministration sought to hand over to a private
corporation the water supply OF the city. BY
@ @thls service alone 1t saved the taxpayers $780,
After this the association took an active and
useIuI interest in the water supply question,
promoting the appointment by Mayor Low OF a
commission 10 select sources of additional
water supply urging the removal of the AQue-
duct Commission for its neglect to complete the
new CrOton dam and Jerome Park reservoir TO
protect the city from water famine. and in Sc
curing the adoption by the city Of auxiliary
water system for fire protection in the bust
ness districts Of Manhattan.
Along other lines in the field of municipal re-
FORM the association has accomplished impor-
taEt results.
1t carried the agitation which secured the
passage or the Pennsylvania tunnel franchise
which pays the city q handsome revenue adds
hundreds Of millions 10 the taxable values in
greater New York and gives the city magnih-
cent terminal facilities.
BY negotiation with the New York Telephone
Company it secured a reduction in telephone
81 .525 900.
1t did effective work in promoting the inves-
uSatIon by the Legislature of the gas companies
which resulted In the reduction Of the legal
charge for gas to so cents a thousand feet
Gross abuses now exist in the condemnation
OF lands for public uses of the city. Proceed
ings are dragged out for the sake of commits
sioners fees. This year the association pro-
noted bill at Albany providing for the ap-
pointment OF permanent board Of commits
sioners to be appointed by the judges of the
Appellate Division When about to become law
the state Attorney General pronounced the bill
unconstitutional, and 1t had TO be dropped
Ii has induced the state Gas and Electric
Commission To make an investigation with d
view TO compelling the Edison Electric Light
Company 10 supply a breakdown" service to
consumers having their electric plants
The political end of the work of civic reform
is carried by the Citizens Union. It has a
complete organization in the thirty-fve Assem-
bly, districts OF the city. Working in close
sympathy with other bodies engaged in the ef-
fort to secure honest civic administration. 1t
places candidates in the field in both state and
municipal elections. and by means OF it's
ganization endeavOrs TO secure their election
office. It also lends It's aid in the prosecution
of reforms and the enactment Of legislation to
improve the administration of the citys affairs
1t closely watches the records of members rep
resenting the city at Albany and the elective
members Of the municipal government.
New-York tribune., 1907-06-09

move the glaring evils which have in the mast
mace the citys municipal administration a hye-
Moru IN every part of the world. The principal
oL oLsahlzatlons which compose this machine and
ally expend as follows:
The Prescott daily news., 1907-08-23
NOT MEANT TO BE UNIFORM.
Expert Explains Why Clocks Fail to
 Strike Together.

A man in New York whose business is clock winding, which includes also the regulating and cleaning of the family timepieces in his charge, ex- plained the other day why it is hard to have a number of clocks strike to- gether.
 You sec" he said, some clocks are arranged to strike half minute be- fore the hour. some a quarter of minute before, others few seconds after and so on. Now if l regulate them to strike at the same instant they will not be in agreement in point of actual time, and that is really more important consideration Of course, if there are great many clocks in the house 1t Is likely that several will happen to strike together. For instance, one house on my route has 20 clocks that I look after. Or these, five or six strike in unison and the others all within a minute, except ing one I have orders to keep IS of the clocks at exactly the correct time, but the little jeweled timepiece in the bedroom of the mistress Of the house Is to be kept always three min utes fast I suppose she has some special reason for that.
 No, I don't get rich at my business. but I make a living at it. The house just spoke of is an especially profit able one, of course, having so many clocks. They pay me $100 year for my attendance there, which is given weekly. as it is to all the places visit"
The Prescott daily news., 1907-08-23
Thatched Roofs In London.

Every cabman knows that there Is a matched house in St. James's street, although the name is bare tradition of a long departed roofing. Like wooden houses, matched roofs are rare in London.
 There is beautiful specimen in Chamberwell grove, not far from Chamberwell green. Standing back from the street, it Is embedded in the richest foliage and clad in ivy. The matching is of ancient date in good repair and evidently the work of a highly skilled thatcher At the be- ginning of the grove Is a very old inn called the Plough, which retains all the main features with which it was invested some 300 years ago. London Evening Standard.
The Prescott daily news., 1907-08-23
kashgaria.

There are few places in the world so difficult to get at as Kashgaria. Though it lies in Chinese territory the journey from Pekin occupies no less than six months. From India cara vans take two months having to cross meanwhile the three highest mountain ranges in the world by way of several passes measuring 1S,000 feet above sea level.
 Then from the tailend of the Rus sian railway system in Central Asia one may reach Kashgar in three weeks by several routes, all involving the transit of difficult and storm swept passes.
 Kashgaria Is said to cover an area of 350,000 square miles-a statement that has little interest until consid- cred in relation to the proportion which is cultivated by man. It is startling to relate that human en- deavor has been capable of rendering fertile little more than a hundredth part and that ninety-nine hundredths of 1t Is irredeemable desert.
The Prescott daily news., 1907-08-23

comfortable room, surrounded by the comforts of life, a million children between the ages of six and fifteen are eking out their miserable existence in the dark, dismal dungeons of Somefactory. When the business man of this city, after the turmoil of the day, turns his wearied footsteps home ward, he finds a place of comfort where he can rest from the struggles of the day. When these children, poor, emaciated, ill fed. half clothed, leave the factory after a day of drudgerN they turn their wearied footsteps to a little hut where life is even more miserable if possible than at the factory. While the child ren of Prescott are enjoying the benefits of tree school these little ones, many of whom would be glad to educate themselves if given the opportunity, are vast ing away their precious lives fat tening the purses of selfish gain seekers. Why is this system allowed to remain? Because the facts are not known. Once the American spirit is aroused and this system of human sacrifice must cease. The ballot box, the servant of the people, must be the means.
 This unhuman practice IS con trary to every principle of Americanism. The blood of a children is crying out against it. The wall oe several hundred thousand mothers is to the manhood of this country, and the mingled tears of children and mothers are pro- an effect. Already a noble band of women are organized in behalf of these suffering ones, while the pulpit is hurling forth denunciations g ain this gigantic evil. The night, dark as it has been, is passing. and soon the sun of a new day will rise.
 Robert A. Highsmith,
 PastorChristian Church,
 Prescott, Ark.
The Prescott daily news., 1907-08-23

work writes Jared Van Wagenen in the Country Gentleman. l have found much satisfaction in seeing what l could put into the farm in the way Of improvement of the buildings, in creasing the fertility of the soil and growing more abundant crops each year. The trees l have planted seem like old friends to me. To-day l have the pleasure of seeing them bowed down beneath their load of fruit.
 All these things have value that cannot be estimated in dollars and cents. Yet we must get more cash out of our farms than we put into them or they will not be ours long.
 We have many of the conveniences of the city home and good deal purer air, sounder sleep and better digestion I can see no good reason why l should desire to be anything but farmer or cease to recommend 1t to others of like mind.
 1 would not have any reader imagine for a moment that, as family we have not led the strenuous life or that we have felt it any hardship to do so. Rather l may say that we have en- joyed it.
The Prescott daily news., 1907-08-23
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY

night, W. F. Murrah, President Sunday school every Sunday morn. ing at S;45 o'clock; F. E.. Murrah. superintendent.
 Baptist Church-Rev. l. B. Lum. bley, Pastor. Preaching lst and Sd Sunday morning and night. Prayer meeting every Thursday night. sunday school every sunday morn. ing at 93O; J. (. Young, Supt.
 (. P Church-Rev. l. N. Clack pastor. Preaching every Sunday. morning and night Sunday school every Sunday morning at 9:30; w. Y Iompkins. uperintendent
 Christian Church. Robert 4 Highsmith pastor. Preaching ev- cry Sunday morning and night. Prayer meeting every "Wednesday night. Sunday school every Sunday morning at 10 o'clock; Chas F. Newth, Supt.
 Presbyterian Church-Rev. Fl. NJ NcLain, pastor. Preaching the End, Srd and 4th Sundays in each month, morning and night. Prayer meeting every Wednesday, night Sunday school every Sunday morn. ing at 10 o'clock; T. (. McRae, Supt.
 w. C. T. U.-meets 2nd and Ath Friday afternoons at o'clock. Mrs. W IS. Waller, president; Mrs. H. A. Sykes, secretary.
The Prescott daily news., 1907-08-23
LODGES

Nasonic-meets lst and Sd Friday night Tn each month. C. Hamby, w. N.; Jno. Fishers, Sec.
 Woodmen of tn. World-meets End and 4th Friday nights in each month. G. K. Haynie, C. C.; bio Lewis, clerk.
 Knights of Pythias-meets every Monday night. Pomeroy Whitteu C. C.; F. F. Chappell, k. of K. & $.
 odd fellows-meets every Tuesday night. Geo. Hays, N. G.; Alex Vaughn, Sec.
 Ancient Order of United Work man-meets every "Wednesday night in each month. k. l.. William son M. w.; E. R. NewthRecorder.
 Knights and Ladies of Honor meets. lst and 3rd Thursday nights m each month. Alex Vaughn, Pro- tector; B. J. Daniels, Sec.
 Nevada County Medical Society meets lst Monday night in each month. Dr. Wm. w. Rice, presidenti Dr: ]. ;. Chastain. secretary.
The Prescott daily news., 1907-08-23
POSTOFFICE

fostmaster- r-........... Jack Grayson
 Office hours-Open at a. m, close at Q p. m.; open at D. m., close at 1:3o p. i'll. Sunday-Open at 9:s0 a. m, close at lo:30a. m; open at 4;SO p. in,, close at 5;30 p. m. Money order department-Open at s a. m. close at 4 p. m.
 Mail from Rosston and intermedi ate points arrives II a. m., leaves p. m.
 Mail from Gale and intermediate points arrives at II a. m. and leaves at p. m.
 Mail to DeAnn and intermediate points leaves at9 a. m.. and arrives at S:30 p. III.
 Mall on rural routes Nos. 1, 23, 4, and leaves every day except sun day al S;30 a. m.
 Mail for all trains is made up ls minutes before the schedule depart ure of train.
The Prescott daily news., 1907-08-23
The Cloud and the Sunshine.

De Sunshine tell de Rainy Cloud:
 You never treat me right; Wy don't you take en storm de stars
 En blow 'um fun de night? My task is took ter shine all day; Wy don't you rain en go yo' way?" De Rainy Cloud go sailin' by
 He projick roundabout Den roll de kiver fun de sky
 En let de sunshine out! En den he tell de hill en plain: 'Des holler wen you needin' rain." Atlanta Constitution.