davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
BELIEVES PROPOSED CHARTER
AMENDMENT ILL ADVISED

LOS ANGELES, Dtc. 12.-[Editor
Herald: The charter revision commit
tee has seen fit to offer an amendment
changing the election of councilmen
from wards to the "at large" system.
as a believer of fair play l protest.
Under California laws If nine direc-
tors are to be chosen, stockholder can
vote for nine, or cast nine votes for
one directors. Are we not shareholders
in our city? If it works well with a
private corporation why would 1t not
work well with a public corporation?
Again, if it is for the public good to
have councilmen elected at large why
not have the members OF the state
legislature elected at large? Exactly
the same principles are involved. VIII
Judge Works or some other friend OF
amendment No. answer this? Let us
go further and include congressman.
Why not? You might say that federal
laws prevent. True, but are not the
same principles again involved? Los
Angeles is known as a progressive city
why should we change that reputation?
If in the case of a derelict councilman
we would have to call an election of the
entire city to get rid of him, whereas
under the present law the decent voters
of his ward can remove him without
calling for a general election. The fact
that the recall is hanging over every
ward councilman has a much stronger
effect on him than it would were he
elected at large. To a student of pro-
gressive ideas amendment No. is a
poor proposition and should be de-
feated. NJ. L. CRAMER.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
JAPANESE QUESTION

DY THE resolution of the japanese
X government to forbid subjects OF
~ the mikado to emigrate to the
United States a possible cause of fric-
ton between America and Japan has
been removed. japanese labor was
dispiacing white labor in many of the
minor Zines" Japanese cooks and
Japanese hotel attendants are to be
found in most of the cities of the
United States. They work for less
money than Americans, therefore GER
tain white employers, always and con-
sistently and invariably TRAITORS
TO THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS
WHEN THERE IS A DOLLAR TO BE
MADE OR SAVED, are always willing
to employ them. That is why they are
employed. They do not invade a bust
ness conducted by white Americans
and compel the white bosses" at the
point of the revolver to surrender posi-
lions to them. On the contrary, the
white American bosses look for them,
hunt them up, send out scouts to find
them, and through employment agen-
cies and other business go-betweens
and patrons, give them the positions
which they refuse to give to white
Americans.
It is somewhat absurd to blame the
Japanese for coming to the United
States, when many high minded, pa
triotic employers of labor are gasping
to have them come, and are extending
to them hospitable hands while the
wife and children of the unemployed
white man starve in the back alley
and perish in the slum.
If our government will now supple
ment the effort of the Japanese gov
eminent to readjust conditions which
have been brought about by a reduc-
ito ad absurdum of the system of cut
throat competition, one step toward
making America a country in which it
is always possible for a white man to
earn a living will have been taken. But,
you ask, how can the government sup
plement the effort of the Japanese gov
eminent? BY forbidding American
capitalists and employers of labor to
hire Japanese in competition with white
men. That's how.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
POKES SLY FUN AT C. F.'S
CONCEPTION OF COOPERATION

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12-[Editor
Herald: How ignorant one may be in
a (more or less) enlightened age!
But we live and learn-some of US
sometimes.
Now, have always supposed that to
co-opera,e meant to-well-to co-ope-
rate. And I have heard those arch Co
operators-the Socialists-disclaim the
oft-imputed intention to divide up"
But G. F. has taught me two things.
Firstly, that cooperation doesn't mean
that the people should "co" their rope
rations," /. e., unite their labor; but
that few people who have contrived
to get, out of the scramble, more than
they needed to consume, should pool
the swag," or club their assets, for the
further exploitation, in wage-slavery,
Of those who, having got less than they
needed, have consequently no swag left
to pool; nothing to give" as c. F..
puts it-only their 'labor" to sell"
Secondly, (and despite the collectivists'
reputation OF dividing up), 1 learn
from C. F. that cooperation does in
Volve a dividing up, on the very word
itself. One little clique (the capitalists)
are to do the "co"-ing, while the rest
of the people do the operating"
Who says economics is a dismal
science? Not as expounded by c. F.,
anyway. To laugh? 1t is to explode.
VAL STONE.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
NATURES IDEAL Baked BY
THE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT

Los ANGELES, Dec. 13-[Editor
Herald: I am not so fond of contro-
versy as to wish to thrash a subject
threadbare, but my contributions have
been referred to so often that it may
appear boorlsh to keep silent.
1 entered the arena actuated by only
one conviction. 1t is unbearable to
me to think of by far the most i'm
portant half of the human race-the
race renewers-being reduced to the
condition of helplessness in which it
today finds itself. Side by side with
this is pity for the inadequacy of the
remedies advocated.
For my part 1 tried to show that the
acquisition of the VOTE or the enact
ment of blue laws, cannot touch the
question, since the trouble is that as a
worker woman today either finds no
place at all, or an insufferably hard
and underpaid one. My object is to
make women look below the surface
and become true radicals.
Then the similar moral standard idea
was urged as remedy. 1 simply said
that the effects of what is called "mis-
conduct" are different with the male
and female, and that accordingly So
ciety has maintained separate codes.
L stated fact, neither approving nor
condemning. I regard blame as
waste of breath. People are what
they are and always do the best they
can.
[ hold with Nietzsche that the part
of the animal world known as man
must do as the rest of the animal world
does-produce higher type. This is
the doctrine of the "superman."
Viewed scientifically, taking facts as
they are, nature works for this in two
ways. Her ideal man is passionately
devoted to women-he is of the virlle
type. Her ideal woman is of the eX
acting type, refusing to mate with the
inferior, and insisting that the man
shall come up to the highest possible
standard.
Present economic conditions render
all this little better than a dream.
Therefore those economic conditions
are rapidly becoming impossible and
must be changed. I. K. e.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
SHOWS HOW AND WHY RACE
SUICIDE is ON INCREASE

SAN JACINTO, Dec. 13.-[Edito1
Herald: Your editorial of December
6 on race suicide was timely. 1t is
doubtful whether one person in ten
realizes how rapidly our citizenry is
degenerating. The soldier and the
sailor naturally do not marry. Among
railroad men, miners and linemen mar
riage is rapidly going out of fashion.
These are callings which require not
only brave men, but men who must
also be physically perfect.
Volunteering for war takes the brave
patriot to the front and kills him,
while the cowardly sl6ulker stays at
home to ROB his family. A countless
army of foreigners has driven Ameri-
can labor westward against the Chi
nese (and Japanese) wall Of California.
Is it any wonder that the laboring man
regards race suicide, not as crime,
but as a refusal to commit a crime?
Native born Americans are not only
going into Canada and Mexico by the
hundreds of thousands but are scat
tering all over the world, leaving the
'land of the free in search Of free
dom!
Our best immigrants are returning
to Europe in droves and in return we
get paupers and criminals.
Statistics show divorce is increasing
three times as fast as population. We
can see the writing on the wall. but
what are we going 10 do about ity
A FARMER.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
ADVOCATES CARRYING "GUNs"
AND SEARCHING MEMS ROOMS

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12.-[Editor
Herald: In your issue of the 18th
inst. L note what you say about the
necessity of something -eing done to
rid the city of the winter birds of
prey" 1t is a timely suggestion, as
every day and night some one is either
held up and robbed or some building is
entered and valuables stolen. 1t is an
unfortunate fact that the city fathers
do not allow peaceable and respectable
citizens to carry the necessary means
for self-protection, but hobos and hold
uppers carry arms with perfect inn
punity. 1t is not safe for either men or
women to be alone on some of our
streets in our city. There is a remedy
Either allow every respectable citizen,
man or woman, to carry revolver for
self-protection or let the proper Off
GERS visit every boarding and lodging
house in the city and every man who
cannot give a satisfactory account of
himself order him to leave the city or
send him to the workhouse. By an ex-
animation of the men and their rooms
and belongings no doubt sufficient evil
dence of their undesirable citizenship
would be found in many cases. Some
thing should be done to rid our city of
those thieving scoundrels. The Herald
touched the keynote of the situation.
G. M. TABER.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
SAYS MATTHEW WROTE GOSPEL
IN HEBREW, NOT IN GREEK

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12.-[Editor
Herald: "a Reader" from Hollywood
in today's Letter Box is mistaken when
he says Matthews wrote in Greek No,
he wrote his gospel in Hebrew, and
what he quotes is no doubt transla-
ton into Greek.
Jesus spoke Hebrew or Aramaic, n
Hebrew dialect. He said; Thou shall
be called Cephas, stone" Now
whether in Hebrew Cephas means stone
as we'll as rock cannot say; probably
it did, for the sense bears it out.
Curious facts as to names may be
mentioned. The, word Jesus is the
same as Josiah, properly Yosiah,
savior, instead of the Hebrew word
Messiah, anointed.
The Greek word christos having the
same meaning, was used, but why was
the word messiah discarded?
A most curious and amusing fact is
shown how translatibns from one Ian
guage into another often pervert the
sense of the original. This is Illus
trated in the following: Michael An
gelo, when about sculptoring the statue
of Moses, now in the Vatican, studied
the Latin translation, where it says:
''When Moses descended the mount his
temples, brows, were horned" The
Hebraic word is keren, which has two
meanings, one is horn, the other,
beams or rays (the English translation
has rays Of light. Angelo had given to
him the word horns, and so he made
the statue of Moses with horns.
Now such is the slavish sycophancy
of Latin artists that whenever Moses
is pictured there are the horns, an
atrocious Disagreement; in fact non
sensical monstrosity.
I commend the spirit in which "a
Reader discusses his subject for seek
ing truth. ASK and we shall receive"
G. f.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
SEES SIGNS OF YIELDING
IN PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 12-[Editor
Herald: Like many others have read
carefully the presidents message to
congress and am free to admit in sons
respects it is a most remarkable docu-
ment, in that it distinctly shows the
influence the demands of the people are
exerting on the higher ups. Each sue
cessiVe message from his first to ms
last contain recommendations more IN
accord with Socialism. The president
denounces this in scathing terms, yet
in the next breath urges cooperation
He says we (remember the big WEI
stand aloof from the reckless agftators
who would make the judges mere plant
tools of popular prejudice and passion
and urges the people to uphold the dig
nifty of the courts, yet who in pubic OF
nrivate life has ever seen mt TO de-
nounce a. Judge or court in the land as
he denounced Judge Grosscup. 1t IS
pIain if President Roosevelt could
cleanse his mind of the hatred ne mar
bors for e. v. Debs personally and the
odium which he and ms CLASS attaches
to the name Socialism, and he be per-
mitted to label Socialist principles and
doctrines Rooseveltism, and by so do
inc induce the people to believe all re-
forms enanated from him, he would be
ON the Socialist bandwagon now. He
sees the trend of public opinion in this,
the seventh year of his reign, and now
tries by hook and crook to steal So
ciaIist ideas, and would fain call them
roosevelt Republicanism, divert If pos
sible the peoples attention from the
real issues that he and the class he
represents may have the credit of be-
ing called the saYiors of the nation.
He has tarried too long.
T, J. POLLARD.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15

NJ HAT the metal-mining states
w feared would be the case is turn,
ing out just as was prophesied
in the Mining congress. 1t will be re-
called that at the session at Joplin two
years ago an effort was made to Keep
the sessions of the congress in the
west, but President Roosevelt took a
hand and, through his influence, the
organization was induced to agree on
session at Columbus, o., says the
Fresno Herald.
The promise was given to those who
opposed the move that the next session
would certainly be called together in
western state, but this agreement was
absolutely disregarded and the present
session in Pittsburg is the consequence.
Metal mining the original basis OF
the congress, has been showed to one
side or entirely ignored, while coal
mining has become the principal theme
of the discussions and papers. Instead
of advancing the interests of the gold
end silver men they are scarcely con-
sidered, and an inquiring visitor from
abroad in attendance at the session in
Pittsburg might be disposed to ask
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
Metal Mining Was Ignored
at the American Congress

whether he was dreaming or whether
it was really a fact that the United
States of America produced enormous
quantities of the yellow and white
metals annually.
The dispatches that tell of the Sec
ond days proceedings say: THE
American Mining congress has appar-
emily concentrated its efforts on the
improvement of the coal business"
What must the miner of California
think of that?
Congressman Englebright, author Of
the bill for the establishment of a
bureau of mining, hurried away from
his home in order to present the facts
with regard to the bill before this con-
gress in Pittsburg. What must be his
disappointment to reach the Smoky
City and to find that the congress Is in
the hands of men interested in coal
properties, whose sole idea is to have
a bureau formed that will look after
their interests.
Important as are the coal mines of
this country, it appears to us that the
gold and silver men deserve and should
receive more attention.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
ROOSEVELT

n EFORE President Roosevelt settles
X down to be the associate editor of
~ a New York publication he will
go on big-game hunting expedition to
Africa. A formal announcement of his
plans shows the object of the trip is
not merely fun" On the contrary,
President Roosevelt will head the most
important scientific expedition that has
ever been undertaken in Africa, while
his exploration work may be the most
important since Stanley's.
1t is as odd as it is true that much
Of the British territory in Africa and
much Of the prestige Britain enjoys in
the Dark Continent have been won
for her by American explorers. Mr..
Roosevelt's scientific expedition will be
QUILTED by the Smithsonian Institu-
ton, will start from New York and will
travel under the American flag.
Part of Mr.. Roosevelt's work win be
conducted III British and part in Ger
man territory. The natural history
materials he will collect will be de-
posted by the smithsonian Institution
in the new United States National
museum at Washington. The results of
his observations, however, will belong
to the foreign governments whose ter
ritory will be explored by him.
Perhaps no more striking instance of
President Roosevelt's unconventionallty
could be offered than his planned Afri-
can trip. It will have the effect of at
tracing attention to the great con-
tinent which, in the opinion Of many
observers, is a huge English-speaking
republic or federation of republics in
process Of formation.
Interesting because it has an impor-
tant bearing on some of the possible
consequences of the Roosevelt expedi-
ton is the statement that the journey
from the Transvaal to Europe will be
shortened eight days by new pro-
jected railway from Port Alexandra
to the frontier of the German south
west African protectorate.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
UNREASONABLE DELAY

IMPORTANT and timely action,
which will be Endorsed with graft
a tude by the community, was taken
by the City club when by reso-
luton it congratulated Mr.. Heney
and Mr.. Spreckels and expressed itself
in favor of "such reform in our GRIM
lnal procedure that trials may not be
so protracted as to become a reproach
to our system of Jurisprudence, besides
being an unreasonabl BILE expense to the
state.''
It was further resolved that Los An
geles representatives in the legislature
should be asked to do all in their
power to bring about legislation to this
end.
The laws delays have for many years
been proverbial, but within the last
decade they have become unconscion-
able. and have suggested the curious
and catastrophial paradox that in the
effort to administer law with
single eye to the interests of wealthy
or powerful defendants public interests
have been sacrificed.
The law is intended for the protec-
ton of the public as we'll as of the in
dividual, but under present conditions
individuals of a peculiar type, backed
by clever lawyers, may outwit the pub
lie and cheat justice, or may harass
punitive and regulating forces of soci-
ETY. by such vexatious tricks, devices
and Legitimate subterfuges that JUS
tice may have to travel a long and
devious route before the criminal
whose guilt from the very first has been
staring common sense in the facets
at last tardily and reluctantly brought
to book.
1t Is a serious reflection on our civil
ization that such conditions should ex-
list, for a true and permanent civiliza-
ton can only rest on a firm foundation
OF sanity, and there cannot be sanity
where there is not common sense.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
GAMBLING

I OS ANGELES HERALD is the
IL friend of clean sport of every
- description. 1t is possible to
have clean sport. Contests in skill
and strength were INDUCED in long
before anyone thought of setting
up a gambling business. Gambling
was begun when one ancient
heather said to another: IF Lycurgus
doesn't knock the spots out of Alex
ander at throwing the discus I'll buy
you fagon of Falernian wine. If he
does. you'll buy one for me-" The pro-
fessional gambler, who cares little for
the contest and would have no interest
in it if it did not provide him an OPP
portunity of making a wager, is a mod
ern parasite on sport. Gambling does
not stop short at athletics. In order
to provide a constant means of risking
money on a wager and thereby prac-
ticing something which in its relation
to the laws of economy which govern
business is sheer anarchy, roulette
and other games were invented with
out any intention of helping athletics
or any other variety of sports. To call
gambler who CANDLES for the sake
of the risk a sport is a rank usur-
patton of a good old word. Such a
man is not sport" He is anything
but sport"
OF course, 1t is not right to inveigh
against one kind of gambling and per-
init another. The great difficulty
encountered in dealing with the gam
bling evil is the disposition to pick out
one particular form of gambling for
punishment and let all the others go
scot-free. Gambling is responsible for
as much trouble and distress in the
United States as the liquor traffic, and
yet we seldom see any determined at
tempt made by organized bodies of re-
formers to deal with it, and In
churches, particularly those in which
men engaged in certain lines Of bust
ness are pewholders, we seldom or
never hear a sermon on the subject.
We wonder why this should be the
case
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
CHRISTMAS

LII applications by children who
N wish to be guests at The Herald s
"A Christmas dinner and entertain
ment should be made this week. Santa
Claus steward, The Herald, and The
Herald's committee, must know APP
proximately the number of young peo-
pie who expect to share in the festivi-
ties. Application blanks may be OBJ
tanned at The Herald's branch depot,
1923 South Hill street. We have no doubt
there will be a large number of appli-
cations and our Christmas motto is
''the more the children, the merrier the
Christmas"
Everything points 10 the certainty
that The Herald's Christmas festivity
that has ever been recorded on the Pa
eific coast. From small beginnings, it
is attaining proportions which may
well command public attention. This
we attribute to two causes. The first
is the open-hearted generosity of the
people of Los Angeles, who never neg
lect an opportunity of doing good and
of making others happy. The second is
the indisputable fact that there are
many children in Los Angeles who are
eagerly looking forward to The Herald
festivity, because it will constitute
practically all the christmas" they
will be able to enjoy.
Although this community during re-
cent years has been more prosperous
than many others-we might say than
a majority Of others-we have been
told by Santa Claus he will appreciate
our action if we dispense hospitality
for him at big love feast which will
enable all the people who want to give
Christmas cheer to their little neigh
bors, to give it without stint, and
will assure for many little neigh
bors really and truly Merry Christ
mas, instead Of one that will be only
half-heartedly or make-believe merry
Cheerlessness at Christmas tide is
verify the abomination of desolation
The scriptural phrase seems to be ap.
plicable. We do not want that kind OF
a Christmas in Los Angeles. There Is
no necessity for 1t in a place like this
where the proportion of wealthy PEG.
pie or people of ample means is proba,
bly, greater with regard to the tota
population than in any other city il
the United States. Christmas come,
but once a year, and The Herald will
see to it that to the children twill bring
good cheer. We know our readers will
continue to do their part, and thai
when we close the subscription book
we will have bumper-fund for tn,
boys and girls Of Los Angeles.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
SHOCKED

A YOUNG Englishman who is visit
n ing Los Angeles is 'orrihed be-
IA cause a young woman of this city
Slapped him on the shoulder He
thinks such conduct is not merely I'M
ladylike, but superlatively frivolous
and naughty. In all his born dies he
never had a young lady behave with
such demonstrative familiarity. He
has Travelled across an ocean and a
continent to find in Los Angeles the
limit" He is buying reams of paper
in order to write to his friends at home
the thrilling story Of his experience
with a western girl.
He had half expected he would find
the ladies' of Los Angeles in divided
skirts and top boots, careering around
the Plaza and up and down Main
street on mustangs, but never in his
widest moments OF anticipation had
he expected that lady of Los Angeles,
"a real Idly, mind you," would give
him a friendly slap on the shoulder.
He says he came over here determined
to WOO and win an American bride
and take her home in order that he
might pay off the mortgage on
Twickenham Towers and get the fam
lily tree out of hook. But he changed
his mind.
When the American girl slapped him
on the shoulder she almost dislocated
it. When he investigated the scene OF
the conclusion he found it was black
and blue. He doesn't want bride
who can almost knock him out when
she slaps him in fun. because he can't
help thinking Of what might happen TO
him If she punched him in earnest.
We congratulate the young English
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-15
AT THE THEATERs

AUDITORIUAI-"The House of Thousand
Candles"
BELASCO-"Mice and Men"
MAsON-"Ben-Hur."
HAMBURGER's MAJEsTIC-'Facing tho
Music"
BURBANK-"The stubbornness of Geral
dine"
GRAND-''Wang."
ORPHEUNI-YaudeVille.
LOS MISUNDERSTANDING.
PEOPLE'S-"ToO Proud to Beg"
FISCHER'S-'"The Promoters"
EAIPIRE-Vaudeyille.
TNIQUE-"BrOwn's Vacation"