davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
STILL GRAVES EXPLANATION
THAT REALLY EXPLAINS

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 1S.-[Editor
Herald: One Graves explanation that
REALLY EXPLAINS; and all one gets
is word-spinning. "Words, words,
words" Mr. Editor, at the best; at the
worst, palpable error. 'R. NJ" claims
great names" in support, but seeing
how the greatest are apt to blunder at
times he had better quote (however
briefly) their arguments, which we
will then consider on their intrinsic
merits and not accept on account Of a
name. Kelvin, great as he was, marked
his scientific limitation by belief in a
personal God Lodge is dabbling in
telepathy and spiritualistie research.
AS to Huxley, would specially like to
have quotation on definite reference.
And behold here is "R. N" denying
that electricity is matter! Does he not
know that it has mass and inertia-as
demonstrated in the fact of its de-
manding capacity of conduit commen-
surate with its value?
AS to the assertion that matter dis
appears" in the final analysis, won
he please be a little more definite
What analysis-and whose? Much vir-
tue, fancy, in that mental process
he speaks of. Matter explained away
yet still stubbornly existent and per-
sistent!
Even on that hypothesis which makes
matter but the expression of an cleo
trical relation it is yet shown to be a
persistent entity, coeternal with that
unknowable Reality of which it-in
common with minds nationally pos
tulated as but an expression or mani
festation. But perhaps one who feels
equal to denying or questioning the
materiality of electricity would not
hesitate to fall foul of the doctrine OF
the conservation of energy or per-
sistence of force?
Even if matter be shown to be evolu-
tionary rather than stable--ever re-
newed rather than continuously per-
sistent, the same thing is true of mind
the human mind-the only mind we
have immediate knowledge of; 1t comes
and goes with the ego. Don't pick me
up here, please, by retorting: 1T is
the ego.")
AS to casting your net beyond the
veil of matter" is not that pure hyper
bole, seeing that human consciousness
functions only in the material, through
the physical medium of the senses
Oh for an explanation that would
REALLY EXPLAIN the all-mind-no-
matter idea, V, S,
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
ASKS WHAT is MATTER WITH
POOR AND WHAT is REMEDY

LONG BEACH, Dec. 21.-LEditor
Herald: All hail! The Herald spirit!
That is lifting one corner of the black
pail of poverty and want that covers
the submerged multitude. Lifting 1t
for a Christmas instant, that a FORUM
ate few may have q chance to laugh.
More than this, the occasion offers an
other fortunate few the opportunity to
show that they are not all absorbed in
trade, society and gilded-pew theol-
ogy. I would not say a word to cloud
the beauty and excellence of this COM
ing event, nor to cast shadow upon
the upturned faces of the eager crowd
which will that day get a few hours
of sunshine out of a whole year of
night. Hence, the rest of this / am
muttering to myself Nobody need
read it.
What Is the matter with the poor?
The answer comes over me like a flood
Of water down q precipitous canyon.
Lack of opportunity One writer says
that there are ten millions. Jacob Riis
says there are one-sixth of the people
of this land who do not own a shelter
for their heads, nor a surety of din
ner tomorrow. And yet there are mil
lions of acres of land lying idle, held
for speculation; held that the wealth
producers of the neighborhood may by
their toll make it worth fortune to
the owners. 1t is not a rash mutter
to mutter that there is, within the bor-
ders of every city in the whole wide
land, unused acres sufficient to give
work and bread to every victim of
poverty within the city limits. Gov.
Pingree of Detroit-of noble memory!-
came near relieving that city of the
distress of poverty, the wastefulness of
charity, and the danger from "the un-
employed" by putting the vacant lots
and acres about the city into the hands
of the industrious poor. giving them
opportunity to earn their own bread
out of the earth, which Is the Lords,
and he gave it to all his children.
Our charities. our benevolences, our
soup houses, our hundred and one
"helps' for the INDECENT, only touch
the edge of the cancer. All the great
mass of the unfed need is a chance.
The task is as big as the nation. The
remedy must be as comprehensive in
its scope at least as our common
school system. SENEX.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
SHOWS PURPOSES
OF BOND MONEY
CITY SUPERINTENDENT MAKES
STATEMENT
Funds to Be Used in Erection of New
School Buildings and the Pur-
chase of Sites-EIection
January

City superintendent of Schools T. c.
Moore has prepared a detailed showing
of the distribution proposed for the
money to be realized from the school
bonds, provided they are carried at the
special election January 8. The state
ment figures upon the needs in the inn
mediate future, based upon present
conditions. For the city schools DR..
Moore makes the following estimate:
I'VE feel this estimate is as low as it
can possibly be made,' said DR.. Moore.
"In most other states high school
building would be allowed not less than
$350,00O. The Polytechnic high school
has asked for $150.0OO.
"The difference in cost of construc-
tion of the city schools here and in the
cities of the east is worth noting. We
figure the cost of a school room, fully
equipped, as $2500, while some eastern
cities figure the cost of school buildings
at the rate of $4,000 per room. We're
fire-proof construction followed or ma
terial other than wood used in the city
schools the expense would be much
greater than we have figured.
THE needs in both high and city
schools are imperative. Most persons
recall how students stood in line to get
places at the beginning of this school
year, yet while 300 will go out of the
high school at the close of the present
term, more than 1000 will be prepared
to enter
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
THINKS ToLsToY SHOULD BE
MORE GENERALLY CONSULTED

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 1S.-[Editor
Herald: In all the discussion that is
going on in the Letter Box as between
The "Voluntaries'' and the "Compulso-
ries." [ am astonished that no one
quotes Tolstoy, for Tolstoy is generally
considered the foremost writer of the
age, and no one has spoken on this
very subject in clearer tones. In one of
his books, "The Slavery of Our Times, %
he has this to say: "The cause of the
miserable condition of the workers Is
slavery. The cause of slavery is legis
lation. Legislation rests on organized
violence"
He then goes on to remark: ut is
said, How can people live without gov.
ernments-that is, without violence?' 2
But it should, on the contrary, be
asked How can people who are ration
al live, acknowledging that the vital
bond Of their social life is violence and
rot reasonable Lgreement?"
He further says: apart from out
burst of revenge or anger, violence is
used only in order TO compel some peo-
pie against their own will to do the
will of others. But the necessity to do
what other people wish against your
own will is slavery And, therefore, as
lone as any violence, designed to COM
pei some people to do the will of 9TH
ers, exists, there will be slavery"
1 should think this statement by the
foremost writer of the age might fur
nish some of your writers and readers
with food for thought. STUDENT.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
RATE GoUGE

n ONT forget rate day." Decem-
ber 80, when mass meetings will
~ be held and resolutions adopted
protesting against the proposed rate
gouge which the railroads viii put IN
force If not "headed off" by prompt
and vigorous action. It is estimated
the tax imposed on the people of the
Pacific coast by the increase on east
bound and westbound traffic will
reach the sum of at least $4,000, 900 a
year.
II any foreign foe descended on these
shores and proceeded to levy a tribute
.of such magnitude. patriotism would
rise to white heat, and there would be
a rush to enlist in an army which
would resist the invader. The indus
tries OF California could not suffer
more from an invader than they will
from the railroads which propose t.
put an outrageous tax on the prosper.
ity Of the Pacific coast.
Every citizen. whether actively en-
gagged in business or living in retire
ment, IS interested in the fight in op-
position to the proposed gouge. The
effort to make up for eastern losses by
taxing the industries of this coast
must be defeated.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
STRANGE SECT

TN MANY respects the creed of the
Doukhobors is admirable, for 1t
n may be summed up in the word
"Humanitarlanism." They believe in
the Golden Rule, but carry their belief
to extremes, saying the Rule deprives
them of the right to take either human
life or animal life. Hence they refuse
to become butchers of animals or
butchers of men; claiming that the
military service is only man butchery,
and is inconsistent with Christianity.
They believe in the community system,
and think since all men are brethren
no man has q right to eat full meal
if his brother around the corner Is
starving. They think all possessions
should belong to everybody. 1t was
their refusal to become soldiers which
caused the Russian government first to
persecute and then to Danish them. In
lands Of liberty, however, they have not
found the freedom and protection they
seek, because they have discovered that
even the broadcast minded citizens of
lands of liberty entertain an undying
prejudice in favor of wearing clothes.
If the Doukhobors should come to Los
Angeles, and should insist on walking
on the streets of this city in the cos
tune worn by Adam and Eve in the
Garden of Eden, they will furnish a
spectacular novelty which, we fear,
may not be appreciated.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
SUFFRAGE AND FREEDOM

NRIDAY Morning club demands the
II right of suffrage for women. One
n of the speakers favored it in order
to prevent a premature uprising OF the
masses" Bless her heart, we wish she
could hear the comments of some of
the women who have suffered from Re
publican adversely in the last few years.
If we are inclined to favor woman suf-
frage 1t is not because Of any fear of
a premature uprising of the masses =
but because we believe the women
would insist on practical Americanism
which would provide education for all
the children OF the nation and keep
them out Of mines, mills and factories.
And. by the way, this IS not, according
to its charter. country of masses and
classes. II there are masses" then
the fundamental provisions Of the re-
public have been violated.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
BELIEVES WAGE AND PROFIT
SYSTEM CAUSES POVERTY

SAN PEDRO, Dec. 16.-LEditor Her
ald1: In the midst of the superabun-
dance of our national wealth, 80 per
cent of our population are in chronic
poverty. The primary origin or all
crime is directly traced to poverty. The
cause of poverty is the private owner
ship of the tools (means by and
through which the people as a collec-
tive body make their living) of produc-
tion and distribution by the capitalist
class for profit only
The ruling class does not operate IN
dustries to furnish all who are able to
work with employment at what some
people would call living wages. NO,
not on your life, my brother and sister
wage workersl You will agree with
me that we are exploited by the wage
system, hence our masters appropriate
that which we produce in each ana al
Industries for their individual prohti
thus creating what is termed home ana
foreign markets. Let US look this cold
fact sduarely in the face, to know 2nd
believe we wage workers, regardless OF
how dignifed or how degraded our
positions are, in all Industrial Voca-
tions, the fact remains we are robbed
of the product of our toll.
Carroll D. Wright tells us from
United States statistics that every lnol-
vidual produces annually on an average
$250O worth of wealth, and, mark you,
the annual average wage paid us by
our masters is $3.50. Here is the fact:
Since we produced $250O worth Of
wealth. how can we buy back that
amount with $3.50? which is practically
the sole cause of our misery, misfor-
tune and poverty. Industrial Socialism
IS the only remedy, and appeals to all
wage workers to organize industrially
regardless of race, sex, color or creed.
and overthrow the system that holds
the world in slavery, squalor and pow
ertv r. NJ.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
CHRISTMAS

Z OS ANGELES HERALD wishes its
readers a Merry Christmas. The
- Christmas spirit is akin to the
spirit of Americanism. Both are es-
sentially altruistic, and because they
are altruistic they are optimistic. On
Christmas day we are reminded that
all men are created equal and that
glaring inequalities are injustiees
which have nothing to do with Amer
icanism. We also believe in the Christ
mas doctrine that all men are endowed
by their Creator with certain unalien-
able rights, that among these are life,
liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
We believe the word life includes the
expression "a living" for anyone who
is not Permitted to make living has
not much use for life. 1t only tor
ments him. We do not believe the
fathers of the republic were quibbling
or fooling when they committed the
country to policy which would
guarantee to every citizen square
deal and a chance to earn Nv
ing. Liberty is freedom to choose
an occupation and to hold any
form of religious or political belief. We
must remember, moreover, that any
form OF objection to religious or po-
Iitical beliefs which interferes with the
lives, liberties or happil ess Of others
Ia in itself Questionable and un-Amer-
lean.
Over-zealous reform, which would
regulate a neighbor's conduct and mode
of living, may become tyranny. "The
pursuit of happiness" is the happiest
of all American phrases and is the most
neglected. This should be the land Of
Joy. brotherliness, peace and good Will
Christmas is celebrated once year,
but the Christmas spirit should ami
mate the people of the United States
all the year round.
People can't pursue happiness when
they are not sure OF a full dinner pail.
It is well to remember at Christmas
that the firm, or the trust, or the
system which by interfering with
natural business conditions and econ
onics seeks private gain at the ex-
pense of public good, is un-American
as we'll as un-Christian, and that TO
work for a revival of Americanism'
with the abolition Of extreme poverty
and helpless destitution, is the duty
of every citizen.
The tyranny of foreign ruler was
irl5some to the founders Of the repub-
lie, but the tyranny Of poverty is
worse. and in the wealthy United States
It is unnecessary, and is the result OF
mismanagement and of a misconstruc-
ton of the first American platform,
which certainly did not contemplate
the substitution of an absolute indus
trial tyranny for an as-olute regal
tyranny over the states.
In any proposition of the kind there
would have been as much sense as II
the fathers had said: "Resolved, that
we jump out of the frying pan into
the fire."
1t is comforting to think that Amer
icanism is a Christmas-like system OF
government, that it has for its aim the
establishment of peace upon earth, that
1t entertains good will toward all men,
and that it's announced aim is to rule
the United States in way that Will
guarantee to all the people, without
exception, safety and happiness"
We know our readers are all good
Americans, and we have therefore es-
pecial pleasure in extending to them,
right heartily, all the compliments of
this gracious, kindly festal season.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
HERALp,s FEsT1v1rY

ON CHRISTMAS Day in the morn
ing The Herald looks forward
" with great pleasure to the dinner
and entertainment for poor children
which will be one of the most notewor-
thy features of the Los Angeles cele-
bratior. of this great holy day and holi-
day. Preparations have been made for
dinner which will be a real DINNER.
The boys and girls will have all kinds
of good things to eat, and, like Oliver
Twist, they need not be bashful about
asking for "more." The dinner will be
held at the beautiful new building of
the Y. NJ. C. A, one of the finest and
most modern structures in Los Angeles.
The entertainment, the program pre-
pared for which is a series of delights,
will be held at Simpson auditorium
one of the finest public halls west of
Chicago. We thank subscribers and
contributors who have generously Civ
en- subscriptions or contributions. We
thank also all volunteer helpers. They
will kindly report for duty at $3.50 this
morning at the Y. M. C. A. building.
They will have a busy day. but 1t
will be an enjoyable day, one to
which they can look back with pleasure
and about which they can talk for a
long time to come. Anything which
makes a pleasant memory in lifetime
is "well worth while" and The Her
AIDS Christmas festivity will furnish a
pleasant memory to all who take part
in It,
Besides reminding them that a genu-
Inc pleasure is in store for them, we
must tell our friends we are sure they
will be kept busy, because the company
The Herald will feed and entertain will
be big one. Few of our fellow work
ers have attended such huge banquet
as that which Santa Claus has provided
for The Heralds little guests. 1t is
only possible to give a feast on such
a large scale "once in a long while"
but Christmas comes but once year,
and when It comes 1t brings good cheer,
or ought to bring It; and The Herald
and The Heralds helpers will make
sure it brings good cheer to at least
one Jolly company of boys and girls.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
DEMOCRACY

OUR READERS were doubtless i'm
pressed by The Herald's able re-
~ view of a remarkable book,
"Schopenhauer in the Air" The book
mas been treated as a literary product.
Now let us look at 1t from sociologi-
cal and political point of view. Our re-
viewer says: Great artists on their
tours were commercial statesmen. Life,
when lived with the herd, a Chicago
pigpen. A terrible arraignment of
democracy, first launched by the deca-
dent school and pitlessly sneered at, but
growing rapidly in frequency and un-
speakabiy disruptive potency"
In the United States it should not be
possible to write, publish and review a
book of this nature. In the United
States democracy was carefully
guarded. and the fathers, by laying
down principles which should un-
derlie all law making and all life and
activity, sought 10 prevent America
from being mobbed by the ignorant,
or destroyed by the plutocratic-those
who think of the republic merely as a
money making proposition, and spend
their lives in figuring how much there
is in It."
Their heresy of course has nothing
whatever to do with the plain, puritant-
cal system Of democracy which the
founders of the nation had in view
when they wrote:
1--WE hold these truths to be self-evi-
dent, that all men are created equal.
that they are endowed by their Creator
with certain unalienable rights, that
among these are life, liberty and the
pursuit of happiness"
At the present time, in the United
States, there is a large class which is
thoroughly undemocratic. Nothing
more undemocratic or less American
can be imagined than the system the
members of this class represent. They
treat Amerlcanism with the disdainful
disregard of prejudiced ignorance. or
these enemies let the republic beware,
They are not democracy"
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
eoMPERs' SENTENCE CALLS
FOR STERN CONSIDERATION

LOS ANGELES. Dec. 24.-[Edito5
Herald: 1 hope the sentence passed
on Samuel Gompers and his colleagues
may be fully discussed in the Letter
Box, not from the point of view OF Mr.:
Gompers, who, in the strenuous life OF
the labor movement, has had the lifo
of a prince, but from that Of the gen
eral situation.
Is the decision not an excellent one
both from the standpoint of principle
and that of expediency? Why should
the heads of a labor organization De
permitted, Just because they are sup
posed to control an army of votes, TO
do what ycu or 1 would be clapped
promptly into Jail for doing?
What sense is there in coddling the
workingman and encouraging him In
courses that lead to no permanent re-
lief for him or anyone else?
why jolly him along in the super
ficially apparent, when ultimately ne
must face the deep reality?
Before me lies this months Technical
Magazine, in which Mr.. Hyde shows,
for example, how one man has been
allowed to gobble up 22,500 square miles
OF good California land-a kingdom
larger than that of Belgium.
Why should we show never-ending,
fabby patience with the unionist kind
ergarten? ECONOMIST
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
WHAT is SAUCE FOR GOOSE
is ALSO SAUCE FOR eANDEH

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 15.-lEditor
Herald: Helen Standish has presented
some thoughts on the double standard
Of morality that do more to clear the
mental atmosphere that surrounds 1t
than anything yet noted in your col
umns. 1t is often said that reason Is
not one of woman's faculties, but in
her case there seems to be an excep-
tion to the rule. for she clearly shows
how necessary both sexes are to in
sure the "vice," and the equal respon-
sibility that attends it.
All women being chaste, all men
would have to be, as she says. So,
when men assert their desire to see no
other kind, and then talk about diff
ferent nature that makes unchaste
women a necessity, they certainly stul-
tify themselves.
The average man does not desire
anything of the kind, for he is just
selfish enough to desire chaste woman
when he marries, but he wants the
other kind before, and generally has
her. And yet women themselves are
the persistent defenders of the double
standard; and it would be just about
impossible to find a mother with
marriageable daughter who would OBJ
1ect to the visits of a roue, If he came
to court and marry her.
They never discuss or consider his
associations with fallen women" but
if they know of a girl who has gone
astray," their noses are up in the air,
and their contemept and condemnation
know no limit.
Woman has no mercy for the sins
of here own. sex, but for man and his
she is both blind and speechless. II
natural act like the association of
the sexes is sinful, what makes 1t SO?
1 hold that when love is mutual 1t Is
not sinful or condemnatory; but while
1t is so considered for the woman, why
should 1t not be for the man?
CLAIMING SEVERANCE.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE A REFUGE
FOR INTELLECTUALLY LAZY

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 22.-[Editor
Herald: Malcolm Jones says he never
met a Christian Scientist who was also
q. Socialist. Now, have met Socialists
who were coquetting with Christian
Science; but 1 could not help the feel
ing that their (effective) Socialism was
thereby placed in Jeopardy.
Christian Science, 1t seems to me, is
somewhat in the nature of refuge
for the intellectually (and otherwise)
lazy. 1t ''lets them out" of the obliga-
tion to take hold" for the righting OF
material wrongs. Simply deny matter
and soil and cast thy burdens upon
mind" and there you are. It's a
"cinch." JOHN j.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25
AT THE DOOR OF A HEART

To you, who. in all certainty,
VIII here inhabit after me.
/ leave this certain word no more,
To bid you welcome at this door
To your least hand-touch swinging free.
Long since I entered here, as one
Enters in darkness and alone
A house deserted, barred and chill;
/ but q transient tenant. still
Twas my hand gave 1t to the sun.
lighted 1t with cheer, I brought
The best OF mirth and hope and thought
To make II beautiful. Be true
To this fair home leave to you,
Seeing twas but for you l wrought
Ah here a gentle mistress be
Nor close this wide door utterly
On those who stand without and bring
Their sorrow to this sheltering
Since in your hands must rest the key.
And some cay If a word should wake
Thought CT ore tenant passed. 'but make
A sister rrapei for her. and say
Though IN this heart she dwelt one da
She left It loveiier for Loves sake.
-smaht Set.
Los Angeles herald., 1908-12-25

Have you voted for the teacher whom
you would like to see among the for
tunate twelve who will make up The
Heralds exposition party? If you have
not voted, do 1t now. The tour will be
well worth making, ana it won't cost
your favorite teacher penny-that is
to say, if she is elected and if you want
to see her name in the List you should
send in votes for her and urge your
friends to do likewise. Vote for the
teachers! The best is not too good for
them. Help some of your teacher
friends to have a happy holiday.