davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
Gems Here and There.

Americans think little, as a rule,
about the United States as the hid
ing-place of precious stones. One
reason for this. no doubt, is the
overwhelming richness of our cereal
and mineral produce. Another is
probably the fascination famous
European gems have for Americans,
as a result of which no small num-
Der of necklaces and tiaras worn by
court favorities in the gay days of
old now blaze to make a gala night
at the opera over here.
However, last year our output of
precious stones was valued at about
$500, OOG. The pearls alone, accord
ing to the estimate Of the United
States Fish Commission. were
worth 100000. Anybody who likes
oysters on the half shell may find
q lustrous beauty that viii fetch al
the way from a dollar to $4,000. Our
pearls are not so matchable as
others. their tints being too varied
but, on the other hand, their bean
tiful color and uster more than of
set this disadvantage and give them
a place among the prizes in the
jewelers. window.
In Massachusetts is found the
peryl, the tharshish of the Bible
ons of the stones in the breastplatt
of the high priest. Maine and New
Hampshire also produce it. Tour
nalipes are produced in Maine ans
Connecticut. The Rockies yield al
She quartz crystals, such as the
amethyst and carneian. Opals anC
rubies are found here and there il
the West And now Arkansas hat
come forward with diamonds. W,
are of more Importance in the gen
markets than we think.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
Girl Opera Singer Held Up
By Cruel Customs Officers;
Her Voice Wins Passport

MEXICO CITY, Sept S.-Aiiss Matilde
de Lerma. the singer who is TO be the
star Of the next grand opera season. has
been in Mexico for thu last three days
with her mother. in strict incognita.
She came from Madrid. via New York.
and stopped for only one day in the
American metropolis. She hurried 10
Mexico thinking that she was late, as
her contract requested her 10 start
from Spain in the last week OF July.
She was the victim Of thieves in her
trip over the National railroad. She
did not wire anyone, and she found
herself alone and helpless IN a foreign
country. which she never had visited
before.
At laredo, on the Mexican border,
her baggage was inspected, and the
cfficial $ wanted her 10 pay duty on heI
jewels and furs. She claimed that she
was an opera singer in this country for
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

strength at the polls. Judge Parker
was personally without a blemish.
His career as a candidate was chief
~ weak through his lack of fire.
But the thing which killed his
chances deader than coffin nails was
the selection of Tom" Taggart, of
Indiana, to be chairman of the ma
tional committee, and their joint
choice of party associates.
Mr.. Bryan is in peculiar danger of
following down the same path. He
can hardly be blamed for inclining
to men who have stood by him
through so many and such disas-
trous defeats. Nevertheless, that is
not the way to victory,
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
Down Parker'S Path?

Mr.. Bryan, according TO dis
patches from New York, has come
out into the open" let it be known
that he viii be a candidate for the
nomination OF his party, and Sc
lected former Governor Francis, of
Missouri, to preside over the con-
vention; August Thomas, of New
York, to present his name, and
Timothy D. Sullivan, of New York,
10 be chairman Of the national com
mittee. Despite the strong Gotham
tie flavor to the story it is only
too likely to be true.
If the Democrats are to win it
must be by way of Republican mis-
takes. Strangely enough, the Re
publieans seem likely to make
all the mistakes necessary. Half
their candidates for the nomination
are entirely too safe and sane, and
none of them give any fair promise
of meeting the demand of the in
dependent vote for lower tariff
schedules, Add to the equation
the Republican loss of negro votes,
the alienation of the party's cor
poration strength, and the prospect
of still further advance in the cost
of living, and it viii be seen that
the long sighted opposition has a
v-ary- l,ySUhT chance
But strength, not indulgence, is
needed to accept that chance. The
candidate should have a record OF
fixed and energetic devotion to
sound political principle. He ought
TO have a personal magnetism not
yet worn out by defeats. If possible
he should have the running start
of some lesser success. And he
should be surrounded by men who
would obtain the Endorsement not
of Democrats alone but of Independ
ents and low tariff Republicans.
The party may determine that Mr.
Bryan is such a candidate. \ year
or even a month ago, he would
have seemed its only possible
choice. But it can have no doubt
that the estimable gentlemen and
proven party workers named Will
him in the dispatch indicated-witl
the single exception of Governor
Francis-are not of the type to wiz
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
Hebrew HOLIDAYS
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New
Year, September 9.
Yom Kippur, or Day Of Atone
ment, September 10.

er trade centers, but we have already
begun to note an increase IN this class
OF mail. the difference. perhaps. being
more marked as to the incoming mail.
Over the country as a whole, however,
the deluge OF post cards New Year
cards, and letters will probably be enOr-
nous.
According to the Jewish calendar. ths'
New Year begins September ., and thsi
Day Of Atonement September Is. These.
days and The intervening period are con-
sadered by the Hebrews as the most.
sacred portion of the year.
The New Year, according 70 traditional
Is the day God created the world, which
was 6.665 years ago, reckoning by thos
Jewish calendar.
Day Of Atonement.
BY orthodox Hebrews. the Day OF
Atonement is known as the Fearful
Day" which is spent IN fasting. pray-i
ing. and doing penance.
In the reformed synagOgues the New
Year and the Day of Atoncment are
celebrated by special musical exercises
and special sermons. 4 special feature
Of the New Years celebration is the
blowing OF the rams horn, known in
Hebrew as the Shofar
On Atonement Day services will BE-
held continually in al synagOgues.
In the Jewish calendar there are two
New Years" The first. known as the
Passover. comes in March. and Is the
beginning Of the religious year Froml
this date all religious holidays are reck-
oned. The New Year OF September 3
marks the beginning Of the civil year
The New Year is known In Hebrew as
the Rosh HaShanah. and is the first day
OF the month OF Tishri- The Day OF
Atonement is called the Yom Kfppur, or
Yom Hakkipurim,. and is the tenth of
Tishri-
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

only few weeks, and that the duty
was unjust The official did not give
much credit TO her claim, because opera
singers seldom travel alone.
The matter seemed difficult 70 solve,
when Miss de Lerma started to sing
some high notes, going up as far as 4
sharp, and everyone present IN the
station applauded her The officials
were convinced IN this way, that Miss
de Lerma is a singer
And indeed she IS Though still IN
her twenties. she = lovely young
woman. and Is considered the greatest
opera singer OF Spain She is a soprano
'dramatica," and has won a reputation
for herself all over the world.
Last November she was asked by
King Alfonso Of Spain 10 appear at tbs
royal palace FOR the purpose OF being
introduced TO Queen Victoria. Miss de
Lerma says that she was charmed by
the grace and distinction Of the Queen
She sang before her. and was presented
with a brooch Of diamonds, which she
considers one OF her most valuabls
jewels.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
"POSTPONER" TAFT,
NAMED BY BRYAN
Nebraskan Scores War Sec
rotary for Oklahoma
Advice.

OKLAHOMA CITY, okla, Sept. g.
Before an enthusiastic gathering of TO-
900 persons, William J. Bryan last night
made O vigorous reply to Secretary
Taffs sreech on the Oklahoma political
situation, in which he termed the War
Secretary a postponer.
He declared that Taft was wrong in
attacking the new States constitution.
and maintained that the document is
better than the national one in several
respects. He added that it was, how
ever. in line with Taft's policy of post
ponement. and among other things said:
Mr.. Taft is inclined to postpone
evervthine He promises TO acquire the
title Of the Great Postponer. He is on
his way to the Philippines to tell the
Filipinos that, while he thinks they
ought to have seif-government after
awhile. he wants it postponed for the
present
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
FAILURES IN AUGUST
T0TALEG $15,197,749.

Commercial failures in the Unitedi
States during the month OF August. ac-
cording to statistics compiled by r. g.
Dun & Co, were $50 IN number and;
Sl5,197.749 in amount Of defaulted IN
debtedness. In the corresponding month
last year failures were 7Ss in number
and SS,s21,l54 IN amour. The increase
IN amount Of liabilities occurred in the
class embracing manufacturing insOl-
vencies, where 2I7 failures for 81 ,0l7.-
249 compared with 194 failures last year
when the amount of Indebtedness was
s., 0S9, 172
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
LAWSHE BARS PUBLISHER;
LEWIS CASE NOW CLOSED

Third Assistant Potmaster. General
Lawshe. acting as Postmaster General,
yesterday announced that there would
be no reopening Of the, cases against the
Lewis Publishing Company, Of St
Louis, whose publications have been
barred from the malls as second-class
matter.
This company published he Woman $
Farm Journal and the Woa.an's Maya
zine. and were charged third-class rate
of postage.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
SALVATION OF CUBA
DUE TO AMERICANS

American Intervention in Cuba, first
under the personal direction OF secre-
tary OF War Taft and then under
Charles H Aagoon. as provisional gov
ernor, has proved the salvation of the
Cuban government, according TO James
Lynn Rodgers. consul general at Ha-
Vana
Mr. Rodgers. who was transferred
from consul general at Shanghai last
June to succeed, at Havana, Frank
Steirhart, who retired to become the
Cuban representative Of Speyer s. Bros,
OF New York, was in Washington to-
day en- route to his home at Columbus,
Ohio.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
COAL PRICES TO SOAR,
SAY WASHINGTON MEN

The possible coal famine in New
York due to the scarcity of steam
sizes Of anthracite. will not affect Wash
ington. according TO local dealers. There
is very little Of this kind Of fuel used
IN the District, what there is OF it
being used in conjunction with Soft
coal. It's use is limited to factoriesl
and other large consumers
1t is possible, however, that ties
prices Of all kinds OF coal for domestios
use viii be higher than usual this.
winter in Washington. Dealers say
that the price Of labor has greatly in
creased, as has also that OF feed and
horses
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
0HI0'S GOVERNOR COMING
FOR DAY IN WASHINGTON

Governor Harris, OF Ohio. acccmpa-
MED by Mrs. Harris. will spend Sunday
in Washington. Governor and Mrs
Harris will be guests ct the Ebbitt
House, where they will hold a reception
or Sunday afternoon from TO ( o'clock
for members of the Ohio Republican
Association ard other Ohioans.
The governor and his wife are on their
way to the jamestown Exposition and
will leave Washington Sunday evening.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
WYMAN PLAGUE FIGHTER
BY PRESIDENTS ORDERS

Surgeon General Wyman. Of the
United States Public Health ana Ma
rine Hospital Service, has been directed
nv President Roosevelt to take charge
of the epidemic of bubonic plague at
San Francisco. and send a sufficient
corps of physicians to handle the situa-
ton. This action of the. President was
due TO a request from the mayor OF
San Francisco.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
Protecting" Our Timber.


just been published by the Depart
ment of Agriculture. It's title is
Exports and Imports of Forest
Products: 1906" Apparently. il
consists only of statistics gathered
by the Department of Commerce
and Labor, and from tables pre-
pared by various lumber dealers as
sociations. But if the protective
feature of the prevailing tariff has
anywhere received a harder knock
it has not come TO the general
notice
Proper protection would seek to
preserve our own American forests.
The President has strained every
nerve to achieve that result; the
efforts of the Forest Service to the
same end have been exceptional;
the Administration has crossed the
will of practically the whole body
of Western Republicans, represented
in Congress by some of the ablest
members of either house. TO main
tain the ground the Forest Service
has gained Yet this bulletin would
make it appear that the existing
tariff has put a premium on the cut
ting of every available stick and
spar OF American-grown timber,
and prevented by duties unnecessar-
lily heavy the easing of the demand
through the importation of foreign
grown timber.
For the past fiscal year our lum-
Der importations of forest products
represented . total value of SIS, 344,-
734. Our expectations for the same
period had a corresponding value of
S55. 361 GAP. And OF the imports only
about S3,s0O,OOO can by any reason
able calculation be set apart as of
mahogany or other exotic woods. All
the rest of that S2s. 344, 600 total is
made of woods cut elsewhere than
on the banks of our American
streams, imported in direct compe-
i1ition with American woods, and in
spite of a duty ranging from 81 a
thousand feet to IS per cent ad
valorem.
So huge a total of exports is made
possible only by a general rise in
the selling price of lumber, and an
abnormal profit in the handling OF
American lumber in home markets
However we view that situation, the
consumer loses heavily. On the one
hand he is threatened with drying
streams and a prospective lumber
famine; on the other, he is con-
fronted by a lumber bill for his
house a fourth or a third more than
he would have to pay were he per
mitted 20 buy his jOists, scantling
and shingles cut from timber grown
in other countries. Both ways the
tariff works to his growing disad
vantage. The only ones who profit
bv il are the few stockholders ii
the great lumber companies.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
MONTHS FIRE Loss
PLACED At 25,I5O

Chief Belt has submitted his month
~ report for August 10 the Dis
trfct Commissioners showing the opera
tons of the District Fire Department.
The total estimated loss by fire is $25.150.
covered by an insurance OF S10T. $50 This
was a HttIe over ? per cent Of the total
insurance.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
WEST POINT VACANCIES
PUBLISHED BY DEPARTMENT

A list of the vacancies for cadets at
the West Point Military Academy, which
may be filled by nomination by Senators
and Representatives at any time prior TO
January J. 1903. was issued by the War
Department yesterday. The list was pub
hshed in last Sundays Times.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
ARMY AND NAVY UNION
TO HAVE DEPARTMENT

Gen. Guy V. Henry Garrison No. 3,
Army and Navy Union. wiz propose 10
the i've garrisons OF the District that a
department be organized TO be made up
Of past garrison officers and delegates
The proposition has met with enthusiast
tic approval. The organization IN the
District OF Columbia has 800 former
soldiers, sailors. and marines. and 100
members in the ladies' auxiliaries-
John II. Thornton, Robert Coates, ans
VVfIIian1 T. Conray have been appointed
a committee to organize the department,
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
NONE WANT BUILDING.

The Government still has the old Fed
eTal building at Wheeling on its hands.
The hour fixed for the receipt of bids
for the purchase of the structure has
passed, and Treasury officials were sur
prised 10 find no offer made Readver-
tisement will be ordered later.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
Sherlock Holmes
FoUo70S Golden Clue,
Seeking $50 He Once Had
Hiram Crofoot Studied His Conan Doyle, and
When on Bowery Just Noticed Strangers
Tooth, and Rest Was Easy.

NEW YORK. Sept. 6.-EIiram crofoot,
agriculturist. who is now 'fn our midst"
for a few days enjoying brief respite
from his Pennsylvania farm, takes of
his hat TO literature,
Il wasn't never mucn on books or
readin'," confessed Hiram. when he ap-
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
JAMESTOWN EXPO OWES U. S.
ONLY $950,000 NOW

The Government loan of S1.000,000 to
the jamestown Exposition was reduced
S50.OOO Yesterday when the Treasury De-
partment received that amount from the
oflcials Of the exposition AS the next
two months are expected 10 be the best
paying ones a material reduction of the
debt will doubtless be made.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
RIDE THAT is A RIDE.

Go TO with your fuss wagon putting.
And exc with your flying machine;
No sport is the former-but bluffng,
The latter's no dream that's serene.
For me the high daddy of travel
This eerie perch lofty and gay:
IT'S the boss beyond question or cavil
A ride on a load Of new hay
n. S. X, in New York Sun.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

Rrower denied ever having seen the
bucolic sleuth until the policeman seized
them al the farmers frenzied exhoTta-
ton. On the strength Of the farmer
detectives positive Identification, how
ever. they were held IN N,0O0 bail each
for examination
I detect something else. too" said
Mr.. CTofOOI IN burst Of confidence TO
Policeman Files. as he left the court
room. IF my old lady ever hears
was held up on the BOwery at 2 o'clock
IN the morning there will be worse
trOs.blc than just losing $50"
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

Germany surprises herself by living
a year within her means. the baby sur
plus being S7.0OO.OO0. After a while.
when she gets accustomed TO her new
tariff, she will know better how 70 use
up extra taxation like that and not be
both ered If il amounts to SS6.000,09O.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
HEBREWS GET READY
FOR ROSH HASHONAH,
THEIR NEW YEAR DAY
Many Souvenir PoStals
Exchanged by the
Orthodox.

Aside from the preparations now be-
ing made for the celebration Of the
Jewish New Year. beginning September
9. the holiday and its traditions are
especially Significant. 50 far as the
postal service of the United States is
concerned. on account OF the large
number Of New Year messages sent TO
friends by Hebrews everywhere Al
though the holiday is several days off.
the Washington Postonfice officials have
already begun to notice a perceptiole
increase in the influx and out-go of
souvenir postal cards and New Year
missives.
In New York, Philadelphia. and Bal
tlmore where the proportion OF ortho-
dox Hebrews is, perhaps larger than
in Washington, the increase in this
class Of mail handled is quite notice
able, and the postohices there are being
deluged BY messages which are being
mailed now in order that they may
arrive at distant destinations on or be-
fore the 9th.
Adds to Postal Revenues.
The orthodox Hebrews especially OBJ
serve the custom Of sending New Year
greeting 10 all absent friends and reia-
lives. and this interchange Of remem-
brances adds several thousand dollars
each year TO the postal revenues. With
the growth % the postal card craze
generally. the postal department has
reason 70 believe that the number OF
messages sent this year viii exceed by
far all previous records
The Increase may not be apparent
here IL Washington, said PostOnlce
official today. "as our Hebrew popula-
ton. OF course, does not compare with
that OF New York and some Of the larg-
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

We're getting a little ahead of the
game. As long as the automobile hasn't
been reduced 20 the commonplace OF
personal safety, we've no need to make
a snort out Of the balloon and fhe air
ship.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

Anyway, all this excitement over the
baseball finish only evens up the mass
of stun printed three or four months
ago about weddings
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

France is reported to fear trouble with
Germany and England. What, among
the three Arabian knights?
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

Is it unkindness to venture that MI
Bonaparte mas nothing to explain about
that Alton immunity?
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

Perhaps some lawmaker can devise. a
spiritualistic punishment for little
Bright Eyes
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

peared as complainant against two al
legged highwaymen IN Yorkville police
court. after having put in his first night
Of respite hunting along the Great
White Way and the Bowery, but last
March my daughter, Matilda, gave me a
book about that fellow, Sher' ock
Holmes. and say. I'll be hornswoggled
II I ever did a better bit of business
than I did when read II.
1T sort of set me to thinking and
developed my powers OF observation. Az
ter that whenever anything was miss.
ing around the place I'd get 10 work
and Sherlock II out. Find il every time,
too"
Strangers Call Him "ComIade"
With this general introduction to his
real story. the rural visitor explained
that while taking in the sights OF the
Bowery IN the small hours OF morning,
he had fallen in with two yount men
who had hailed him as "comrade and
inquired anxiOusly about the crops.
Now, Mr.. Crofoots studies in crimi-
nology had not gone far enough TO put
him particularly on his guard against
effusive strangers, II seems As he was
engaged in giving his reasons for dis
agreeing with the fndings- OF the last
Government crop report as to the years
yield OF wheat in the Keystone State
one Bof the men grabbed him, he said
while the other seized his pocketbook
containing $50. and dashed away with It.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
IT

lie is not rich or handsome.
Lacks talent, is not swell.
But he's 1.-THE one young fellow
At the summer resort hotel.
-PhIladelDhia Bulletin.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

BY burning its books, the Inter-Met
would appear to join the company Of
those that not only suck the eggs, but
hide the shells.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

Before you beIabor those women, You
should first inquire il young Kermit
wore brass buttons
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
NATURE FAKE.

II seemed that, after all, the raid.
Which that destructive green bug made
And handed scares
To all the bears,
Was only on The board of trade.
indianapolis News.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06
Laugh Betrays villain.

Even then there wasn't any police
msn about and I couldn't get near
enough to make sure they were the right
men. But 1 remembered that one of
the robbers had a gold tooth and that
the other had a scar under his right
eye. so I followed EN- until they got
under a big electric light and ] could
get a good look at them.
Then one OF them happened to laugh,
and j saw his gold tooth fash. That
was enough for me, and, as a policeman
came up Just at that moment ! had
them both arrested
The prisoners, who described them
selves as Max KOlschman and Wolf
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

About the tine you begin to save on
ice and hotel bills you have 10 pay out
twice as much for a perfectly lovely"
walking suit and the ''smartest dear of
a hat anyone ever saw in the world"
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

There were no policemen in sight, &C
cording 70 the surprised farmer, and the
robbers disappeared IN rne Bowery
gloom before hs recovered his breath
ard equipoise Sufficiently to take up the
chase.
again." said Mr.. Crofoot, with an un-
mistakable CLEAN of pride, Il calculated
the thieves would go INTO one OF the
side streets 20 divide the money they
stole from me. So / hurried along IN
the direction they took, and sure enough
about ten minutes later I saw pair OF
chaps that looked like 'em coming
around 9 corner.
The Washington times., 1907-09-06

Mr. Bryan calls Mr.. Taft post
poner." Maybe he himself Is a never
err"