davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
RECALL IN DANGER

NHE efficiency of the recall or i'm
perative mandate" ought to be in
n creased instead Of lessened in the
new city charter. Yet it Is certain that
indirectly the recall will be rendered
less effective and at the same time
more difficult to use. IL the charter
commission should decide next Tues
day evening to submit to the vote of
the people the two propositions now
formulated for the election of all or
part of the city council by the city at
large; and the commission, IL it should
reach such a decision, will violate a
principle to which 1t is theoretically If
not formally committed. This grave
danger can be averted by arranging the
details of each proposition so as to
make one safe and acceptable or,
better still, by reducing to fifteen the
percentage required for the recall. This
percentage ought to be reduced to five
in eases where councilmen are elected
Eat large" or some other way should
be provided by which all the voters
may use the recall as easily as they
can now. In other words. provision
should be made for its continued and
unimpaired efficiency.
Unless the people AT ONCE express
their opinion in favor of making it
easier to use the recall, when neces-
sary, the charter commission in deal
ing with this most important question
may make a grave mistake. This mis-
take would probably be corrected later,
but the necessity for correction should
be avoided by avoiding the opportunity
for mistake.
In the city at large it is almost i'm
possible to use the recall, because
excessive requirement. Fifteen per cent
would be ample. For obvious reasons,
voters often dislike to sign a recall
petition, no matter what may be their
views on the necessity for it, because
if they were to sign they might unfor-
tunately find that this action on their
part might hurt their business and
might even lead opponents to resort
to a campaign of persecution against
them. In the initiative campaign of
three years ago, conducted with the
object of prohibiting saloons in this
city, certain liquor interests had re-
course to practices that were equiva-
lent to PERSECUTION, and in pursuit of
tactics punitive of good citizens with
the courage of their opinions, are still
using a "black list compiled from the
initiative petitions! The recall should
be supported ardently by all friends of
good and free government. 1t is GER
tain that business, church, philan-
thropie, educational and other impor-
tant interests in this city will be much
helped If the recall is maintained in its
highest state of efficiency; that is to
say. il it is easy to use 1t whenever
and wherever the necessity for that
step arises.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
THE COMMONWEALTH GLIB
WILL DISCUSS AMENDMENTS

en- organization-the Commonwealth
club-which Is devoted to the consider
alton of. state policies and whose rule
is to give hearing to all sides of all
questions which 1t considers and print
what is said impartially. This year 1t
las taken up these fourteen constitu-
tional amendments and is having
concise statement made as to each.
showing precisely what chang its
adoption would make and the argu-
ments for ami against it. Some of
them it will discuss at length-its dis
cussions being geographically report
ed-as to others 1t may give merely
the statement of the changes proposed.
All this will be at the disposal of thu
press of the state and to individuals.
so long as the supply lasts, who may
apply for the documents. On some OF
all of them the club itself may take
a vote, but whether its members favor
or oppose the amendments the argu
ments pro and con will be impartially
given. This, for the first time in the
h story of the state, win give the press
end the people the opportunity with
reasonable effort to inform themselves
fully as to the merits of proposed
The object of the club is, presumably,
to test by actual experiment whether
with every opportunity to inform them
selves about the merits of the laws
which they are asked to enact they will
take the trouble to do SO. 1t Is in the
line of social experiment.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
CLEAR, CRISP AND CLEAN
A FONETIK WARNING

AIRS. ANGELENE ELBERSOs1 Il
H Los Angeles, and not President
AL Roosevelt and his spelling board,
introduced reformed spelling to the
American people. Mrs. Elberson
claims she first called the attention of
Colonel Roosevelt to the condition of
the spelling book during the year of
the Buffalo exposition, when he be-
came president HE took it up i'm
mediately.'' she says, IAN if I had
only had enough sense, would have
had a patent on it and would have
been making. fortune by this time, in
stead of having to peddle tracts for as
living" Mrs. Elbersons tracts are all
in the Elbersonian spelling, from which
she says the other has been borrowed.
She is trying to reform the commun-
ity's morals and its spelling at the
same time.
This remarkable woman is bringing
to Los Angeles, phonetically, solemn
warning. She says friend prophesied
the San Francisco disaster, and that
nobody paid any attention, whereupon
the prophecy came true. Rose M.
Nicholson, Emporia, Kan.," writes
Mrs. Elberson, in her own spelling,
had vision of it (the destruction of
San Francisco) about a year before, &
when the Lo-- tarid little, the dogs
returned to thar vomits & the 'sows
to thar waloing in the mire."
The phonetic prophecies now wishes
Los Angeles to take heed. saying: LOS
Angeles &c are also profisied by sevrl.
The ritz wants to sound a note of
warning to al the large citys, If tina ar
as wiked as Los Angeles, to fie the rath
to eom. Nou o reched sinr u Sc that u
make this aful hel 1000 times hotter
than FIRE & brimston. the I'd deth.
Every soon tferl be an oful & fry
day
when the wicked SO thar oful rekrd
in the sky.
writ. in larg goldn lettrs up so
high.
THAT al hevn & erth will read it in
the sky.
Then tina will for the roks & noun
tins cry,
ITO hide them from thar relSrd in the
sky.
But tina will then al fly away
And refuse to hear THAR auful cry
The ritz"
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
COLLEGES NO LONGER DRILL
JUST FOR COLLABORATING

Gated at public cost that they shall
remember from whom came their help,
they shall remember that they are SOL
diers for the common good, enlisted In
youth and dedicated to service while
they live, says the Sacramento Union.
One effect of the carnival of graft In
San Francisco has been to stimulate
this sense of university responsibility
both at Berkeley and at Stanford, and
many young men are enrolling them
selves in clubs whose purpose it is TO
make politics a public service rather
than a private snap. The moral upligl
attributable to the activities of Theo-
cor Roosevelt also has reached all the
colleges of the nation and lifted them
out of the rut of mere drilling for
dollar-making. There is perhaps at
this time no more hopeful symptom of
K letter things coming for the common
good than the revival of civic interest
and conscience in the colleges of Amer
lea, and for the reason that the COL
iege graduate brings TO public issues.
not so much a fund of knowledge, as
a trained mind and an unerring ABILITY
to distinguish between good and evil.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
LEAGLE GAINING PUBLIC
CONFIDENCE AND MOMENTUM

in California has addressed It's efforts.
In this it is making splendid progress.
San Francisco was torn asunuer Dy
many factions. 1t is the soul of the
Herrin policy to thrust in wedges for
the prying apart of every good move
ment, and he had put in so many
wedges in San Francisco politics that
he had divided and subdivided the bet
ter element in that community. inc
league men addressed themselves TO
binding up these wounds and solldlfy
Ing the better element in the polltlcal
life of San Francisco, knowing that, IL
this could be done, the whole state
would have greater confidence in the
movement and the more readily rally
to the standard of revolt against cor
porate domination in the political af-
fairs of California.
This movement has been surprisingly
successful. Sincere men, who are by
no means self-seeking, have given of
their time, their thought and their best
effort. Wounds have been healed, diff
ferences settled, and not few, for the
good of the movement, have taken
back seats who were formerly at the
fore. San Francisco is in good shape
for a decisive victory for the league.
and the rest of the state is now to be
organized.
At the head of this movement for or
ganization stands Chester H. Powell of
Fresno, one of the strongest molders
of public opinion in the state, and one
of the purest-minded, most independent
and cleanest-minded men. He Is elo-
quent and able, and thoroughly con-
versant with political life and states
manship. Wherever he goes the people
are hearing him gladly. The Lincoln
Roosevelt league movement is now the
political band wagon. Those who do
not wish to be left behind should climb
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23

of The presidents. 1t was young "Pro-
fessor" Mike Sweeney. whose JOB il is
to box alternate rounds with a Certain
Party in the White House each day.
who suggested the brilliant scheme. II
seems that Mike and this Certain Party
were having bit of brush with the
mitts one evening while waiting for
the roast to be served, when Mike OBJ
served as follows:
And | am walkin' past the Army
and Navy club early this afternoon.
and am pipin' off pink gilled army
gent sittin' face to face with brandy
and soda at a window. Now this per-
son is sure the latest, widest, beefiest.
biggest party ever 1 see on the con-
tinent of North America. An sittin'
with him is another one twice as big.
And loomin' above that one was---'
The Certain Party frowned thought
fully
I'm for those two or three to lead
off WITH he murmured presently, as if
he were thinking aloud 9TH show
this rocking chair platoon that it'll
have to be able to canter as well as
decanter."
Thus was brilliant scheme matured.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
M = :. !.
SPA,RK:'S:s=s
:.
.FROh AN.A;:.r
|ITyE. WIRE,
End of the Line


Eastern publications are printing
many pictures showing snow scenes
where ruddy checked youngsters enjoy
coasting, a sport unknown to Los An
geles children.
One humorous picture recalls the
story of a scene enacted one cold wintry
morning when q man of tall, angular
build was walking down steep hill at
d quick pace.
A piece of ice under the snow caused
the man to lose control of his feet and
he began 10 slide and was unable to
stop.
AT crossing half way down he en-
countered a large, heavy woman. The
meeting was sudden and before either
realized it a collision ensued and both
were sliding down the hill, the thin
man underneath, the fat woman OH
top.
When the bottom was reached and
The woman was trying to recover her
breath and her feet, these faint words
were borne to her ear:
Pardon me. madam, but you will
have to get off here. This is as far
a" I CO."
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
INDUSTRIES OUT OF GEAR
AND MIST BE PUT IN TRIM

10 the future. and TO complete absolutely
all the work of civilization. This gen.
eral idea has urged the country into
too rapid a pace, and 1t has become
''wlnded" 1t requires rest and is going
to get it, whether the people want 1t
or not.
Our industries, like our business and
finance, are economically out of gear,
and they must be put in good trim.
Our ideas of government are loose and
extravaganza is a universal affiiction.
There are too many people who think
they cam live without work and who
think that money is everything in life.
1t is just as well, then, to get down
to brass lacks. as they say, and have a
good house cleaning. Economy after
all Is a good thing and a most whole
some influence for the individual or the
nation. Imitation Is curse that leads
to speculation just as speculation leads
to corruption and vice. In the long
run, the present troubles win be turned
to good account. They are light afflic-
lions which in the end will work for
US a far more exceeding and eternal
weight of glory, as St Paul would say.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
A DOMESTIC BREAKDOWN

The earl of Kingston is not the first
peer who has had an adventure with
burglar. A we'll known lord discov-
cred a thief in his own house Aided
by the butler he secured the man and
then rang the bell. A servant ap-
peared, whom the peer requested to
"go into the kitchen and bring up q
policeman or two" The domestic re-
turned and said there were no police
men on the premises. What" ex-
claimed his master in incredulous
tones, do you mean to tell me that
with a cook, two scullery maids,
kitchen maid and three housemaids in
my employ there is no policeman in
my kitchen? 1t is indeed a miracle,
and our prisoner shall reap benefit
Turner, let the man go instantly! -
London Standard.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
FINE FLEET ANCHORAGE

Uy HE commercial bodies of Southern
California should take steps to
II induce the great American fleet
now on its way to California to anchor
In the protection of the San Pedro
breakwater. Measures should be adopt
ed for promptly and discreetly Impress
ing upon those in control of the fleets
movements the advantage of this an
chorage. By discreetly we merely
mean that the canvass should not be
conducted with such urgent vehemence
as to suggest a non-existent Interior
motive and defeat its own aim. The an
chorage is the best possible for the fleet.
If the fleet should anchor in the pro-
lection of the breakwater 1t would there
be photographed for the illustrated
papers, and by this and other means
of pictorial publicity the fact that the
largest fleet ever assembled in the
western hemisphere had found snug,
convenient and secure harbor room at
San Pedro would be published in a
striking and convincing manner in
every part of the world. San Pedro's
prestige as seaport would be greatly
enhanced. The fact that California
can give secure shelter to vessels of
the first rank and the greatest i'm
portance would be established beyond
cavil and would without doubt be
commented on favorably not only all
over the United States but the rest of
the English-speaking world, which has.
under it's control by far the greater
part of all the maritime commerce of
the globe.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
CROSBY s. MOVES

A FTER fourscore years of blame
n less, honest, kindly, courteous,
~ ever active, benevolent life, Crosby
s. Noyes of the Washington Star is
dead IN Pasadena. Mr.. Noyes in his
own sphere was not the least among
the remarkable men of modern times.
1t was the self-imposed and the de-
voted restriction of his sphere that kept
his name from being as well known as
some less deserving of fame. He was,
from first to last, Washingtonian.
He devoted himself to the interests of
the seat of national government, de-
termined that around the stately halls
OF the law-making and law-enforcing
departments should arise city worthy
of it's monuments. its public buildings.
its traditions and its honored place
among the cities of the nation and of
The world.
The Star achieved greatness and i'm
portance by his singleness of purpose
and clearness of vision, and by his de-
votion to whatsoever things were true
and lovely and of good report" Wash
ington is his debtor for the Star. The
nation is his debtor for his persistent
efforts to ennoble and beautify Wash
ington. efforts SO well directed and so
effective that he had the pleasure of
seeing. in response to his suggestion
and effort, the shaping of fairer and
greater city to take the place of the
saualid settlement that had crouched
az the feet of the nations noblest mon
nments and most artistic buildings. If
this work could be summed up In a
few words, we might say that he pro-
1uced a harmonious and consistent
Washington To national interests he
devoted his life. For the nation he
worked BY the nation he Is missed,
and mourned
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23

gathering clouds and one on the ami
NAL keepers.
I'VE are all here except the umbrella
men and the rain-coat makers" began
the spokesman.
What can l do for your" asked the
father of Shem.
I'VE want to know when you are go
ing to cut out this calamity howl"
1T am unable to make any promises
I can't stop the barometer. What is
your objection?"
Cant you see this flood you are
roofing for will hurt business?"
Having established a precedent that
would hold good many centuries, the
committee fled solennly out into the
rain.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23

are simple propositions to which
the people can readily say yes
deals with an exceedingly intricate
matter and is not proper subject for
direct legislation at all on account of
the impossibility of mastering the sub
ject' in time and with the means of
information available to electors. Null
titudes of those who will vote on it
have not the education to enable them
to understand 1t a. all, and other null
titudes pay no taxes and have no in-
terest in 1t. And between these ex-
tremes there are other amendments
like that proposing the entire repeal
Of our so-called mortgage tax, and the
educational amendments-which are
not difficult to understand, but whose
merits or dement's do not appear upon
the face of them, and can be brought
out only by thorough discussion. 1t
might be claimed that the press should
Legin the discussion of these amend
nients early in the year before the pub
lie mind becomes distracted with ques-
lions of personality, but editors know
that such discussion would be skipped
by most readers anC forgotten before
election by the majority who did not
skip, says the San Francisco Chronicle.
BY good luck we have in this state
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23

Yellow journalism has been estab-
lished in Cuba. A Havana paper is
publishing a series of articles on
American misrule. Governor Magoon
is the principal victim. Cuban
progress is all very well, but when the
Cubans give US a taste of sensational
ism and may actually try to insinuate
that there was more or less American
grating. we feel that the islanders
have taken a mean advantage of their
liberation. Would like to hear what
w. J. Bryan has to say about it.
Probably will. later ON.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23

deal to restrict the epidemic of stock
gambling, but what is essential for the
return of prosperity is to get down to
sound, everyday business principles.
1t is obvious that speculation, manipu-
lation, extravaganza and booming have
lifted our price levels entirely too high
and the upward movement has been
greatly assisted by federal policies, says
the Houston Post.
We must have cheaper production if
the United States is to hold its own
with competing nations. We cannot
have cheaper production with the cost
of living at the present outrageous
standards. Moreover, our resources
must be used in more sensible way.
Some people seem to think that it is
the mission of this general to utilize all
the natural resources of the country
to perform today the deeds that belong
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
But It's a Fast Runner

A gas meter is probably the most
maladroit institution in existence.
Two thieves wrenched off a quarter
meter in Philadelphia and were
promptly asphyxiated.
Out in Colegrove there is a nice
aluminium electric meter warranted not
to asphyxiate kitten.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23

In spite of the fact that Harry Thaw
is still in love with his wife, his mother
by promise of $4,000 year annuity
for life has bought Evelyn's consent to
an annulment of the marriage. Sc
Mrs. Harry Thaw is merely an adven-
turess and not, heroine after all
Listen to the treble chorus of "I-told-
you-so's"
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23

Chaliapine. the basso, says Ameri-
cans are too contented, and that that
is what is the matter with them. A
novel view. The author of it must
think that Americans have singu-
larly paradoxical method Of showing
contentment.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23

The constitutionality of the anti
free speech city ordinance is about to
be tested. We hazard the opinion that
it is unconstitutional. Our authority is
the constitution Of the United States.
which holds good in every state of the
Union.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23

Los Angeles has solved the truancy
problem. Two years ago the superin-
tendent of compulsory education of
Chicago said that this city had more
truancy in proportion to its population
than any other city in the United
States. The special school system ef-
fected the reform.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
Prudent Youth

HAS young Bobsworth popped the
question to hts sweetheart"
mot yet. He's waiting until the I'M
paralleled prosperity returns
st see, he's short of funds?"
mo shorter than usual. You sec,
he's waiting until her father gets able
to support another family
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23

advice to our good neighbor among
the bayous to make "sure that it is
RIGHT before 1t goes ahead" with
statements like those that have en-
gagged our attention.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23


discharge of the duties of the highest
citizenship as the sons and daughters
CT the rich. Upon no other ground can
taxing everybody for the benefit of the
comparatively few be justified. The
taxpaying public has only a secondary
and indirect interest in the ability of
college graduates to pursue industry
and make money. Education as prep
eration for commercial life can pay
it's own way. 1t is an investment and
not an expense, and each investor
should make his expenditure upon his
own account. When 1t comes to the
discharge of the duties of citizenship
the defense of dhe laws and their exc
cution, the making of good laws and
their rational Interpretation by the
Judges on the bench, the promotion of
public morals and the education of the
public mind along the right lines, the
tsxpaying public have a right to de-
lnand of those whom they have edu-
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
Pepper is q Hot Number

w. w. Pepper of Arcola. ILL.,, is maxi
ing fortune by baling snow in the old
form hay baler. He sells his product
I'M midsummer at fancy prices. 1t keeps
better than ice. Now, If some equally
enterprising California rancher will get
out the alfalfa compressor and bale up
some California sunshine and ship it to
the blizzard-smitten east. fame and
fortune, gold and glory await him.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23

The Filipinos are self supporting.
The United States treasury has not
had to pay a cent for them. Thus 1t is
evident that the Filipinos are still
politically merely babes and stockings
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23
Counting Death

The kodak man who took the sultan's
picture would have lost his head few
years ago If the picture is not a good
one it is hardly likely that any insur-
ance company will care to carry risk
on the snapshotter's life.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-02-23

lE5zi5szzlFzESlHEN the Lincoln Roosevelt
lHEyM M Republican league was
III n 81 @ first formed there were
lN "a Isl some who were disposed to
IL a l guy it, some who doubted
hssz4zsz4As44 the sincerity of the move
ment and the ability of the
movers, while still more were afraid
that Ii would prove a flash in the pan,
and pass into that nothingness that
has swallowed so many evanescent
spasms of reform. There are those who
regard their own political futures as
of more Importance than the regenera-
ton of the state, but there are also
many sober minded, patriotic men who
do not wish to fritter away their efforts
or identify themselves with half baked
movements, says the Sacramento I'm
ion.
But the league has been steadily
gaining public confidence and political
momentum. 1t is plain to all discern
ing persons that the public is with it.
The men of California, who are de-
serving of being regarded as such, are
sick and tired of Southern Pacific politi-
cal domination of the state and par
ticularly of the Republican party; but
public sentiment can do little against
an efficient and salaried political ma-
chine with a state administration quick
to be obedient to it's every wish, with
out counter organization to make
that public sentiment effective. The
atmosphere is full of electricity, but 1t
is useful to industry only when gath
cred and projected along wires to mo-
tors that can turn the wheels of man
ufacture or transportation. So with
the sentiment of the people. 1t must be
projected along organized and well or
dered lines If it is to produce results.
Effective organization of a sound pub
lie sentiment is the task to which the
Lincoln Roosevelt Republican league