davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10
PROBATION

NRIMINOLOGISTS sociologists and
keen observers of court procedure,
~ who try to determine efficacy by
result, unite in saying there must be
some revision of the probationary law
in the state of California. The pro-
baton officer is not able to look into
the conduct of men on parole. 1t might
be asserted that in some instances to
put men on probation is to give them
their liberty. The probation system
is prompted by humane motives, and
when one thinks of the conditions of
California prisons and penitentiaries,
the humanitarian aspect or it may be
emphasized. 1t is not wise to send
man to an overcrowded prison, where
he soon ceases to regard himself as
an offender doing penance, and learns
to look on himself as a martyr. But
the probation law falls short of an
swerirg Its purpose. In plain Ameri-
can, it does not fill the bill. 1t should
be changed.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10
DOG CATcHERs

I'VE HOPE soon to be able to re-
w port good news concerning our
W friend the dog. We believe there
is some. prospect he will receive a
square deal in Los Angeles. He ought
to have had it long ago, but better
late than never. OF all the brutal
and degrading systems of dealing with
the problem of regulation of the num-
Der of dogs in the city that which
made scalp hunters and licensed bull
lies of a crowd of citizens who roamed
all over town terrorizing women and
children and stealing dogs was tho
very worst. 1t put premium on the
immortality and brutality OF the dog
catcher and the system was not only
unjust to dogs and to the owners of
dogs, but to the dog catchers. 1t was
a degrading and humiliating method
of earning a livelihood, and from that
point of view alone the system was so
disgusting that the more one thinks of
it the more the wonder grows that an
enlightened, refined, cultured commu-
nifty like that of Los Angeles should
have endured it as long as 1t did and
as patiently as it did. 1t is high time
we had a sensible system of licensing
and humane way of dealing with the
problem of the unlicensed dog.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10
TROUBLE IN INDIA

TN ROUBLE is brewing in India.
There the game of exploitation is
Il played openly. There is little dis
guise. The white mans burden con-
sists of being able to keep up the Won
derful bluff of physical superiority
over people who outnumber him, not
by five or six to one, which would
be wonderful enough, but by five or six
thousaid to one, which sounds more
like a fairy tale than something that
has been really and truly happening
in modern times. A mouse has been
governing an elephant. The elephant
fears the mouse-we believe the 20
illogical analogy holds true-but some
day he will put it out of the way. He
will do what he might have done long
ago. Why he didn't Is a puzzle. He
will step on the mouse. Ever since the
days of Bobby Give India has had to
bear the burden of the white man.
Kipling talks of the white mans bur-
den," but that's merely imperialistic
"guff"-since that monosyllable has
been adopted by the distinguished au-
thor of 1.-THE Servant in the House"
we might as well use it. Indian labor
is about to say to white capital, sect
off my back" and we are rather more
than half way inclined to think that
when the psychical moment comes ex-
plotting white capital will "stand not
upon the order of its Citing" but
"git at once"
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10
DREAMER HAS VISION OF
GOOD TIMES FOR WORKER

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 9.-[Editor
Herald: The $20OOO,0OO fine has been
returned against the Standard OIL COM
pany and through their failure to pay
same promptly, property of theirs TO
that value has been confiscated by
the government, the latter has also
taken charge of all railways, passed
the four-hour labor law with the pro-
vision that each worker is to be laid
off one day out of every seven, the ma
tional wage for all labor has been set
at so cents per hour, the necessity of
paying this wage has destroyed the in
centive for child, women or foreign
labor, so there are no more unem-
ployed, and as the cost of living has
decreased 80 per cent or more by con-
trolling trusts and abolishing high
tariffs, the workers are living in COM
fort and with the generous old age
pension now reality they worry no
more about the poor farms, the latter
having been abandoned.
Freight and express rates are greatly
reduced and the government saves the
expense formerly paid to private cor
porations for carrying mail.
A DREAMER,
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10
TAXES STRONG EXCEPTION 70
STATEMENTS OF MRS. A. n. D.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. s.-[Edltor
Herald: I must take exception TO
some of the statements made by MIS-
A. H. D. in her reply to R. d. Nelson
in the Letter Box. She says the worl ~
has only produced few men oL
genius. I don't think I am amiss III
asserting that it has produced iIun
dreds. REGARDING her statement thae
"neither men nor women grow IN any
line where they do not receive re-
Spouse or encouragement" and thaI
both history and psychology prove inns,
1 deny that history does ana heitnea
does psychology; but let US leaV9
the latter out of consideration, as
doubt If this lady can determine any
thing from that basis.
Did lack of response OF encourage
ment hinder Columbus, Bunyan' MO
zart. Beethoven, Lincoln, Eolson,
Rruce. Jesus and scores of others 1
might name whose ability ana deter
mination positively compelled response
and encouragement, for their mental
qualities had to find expresslonf
Education is not absolutely essentlsi'
as that of many great men, not sub
seouently acquired through their own
EFFORTS. consisted of knowledge OF
reading and writing, and in some In
stances not even this There is no law
onerating as a hindrance to greatness,
Florence Nightingale found an ave-
nue. and embraced the opportunity 10
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10
THINKS WOMAN SHOULD BE
POWER BEHIND THE THRONE

SAN PEDRO, Aug. 7.--[Editor Her
add: Mrs G. K. says: IN. T. thinks
the millennium will dawn when woman
suffrage is granted" Mrs. G. K. never
made a greater mistake. M. T. simply
stated a reason, in her opinion, why
men oppose it. 1t is question whether
woman suffrage would really be good
thing. There is no question as TO
equality, nor of her rights in the mat
ter. Her vocation of motherhood should
constitute that right. She is subject
to the laws, and has to pay taxes, and
she should have a voice in making
those laws If she wishes it. But what
would she gain The men would still
have the upper hand. They would
have the finances at their command
and other means and could defeat any
reforms she might advance. Besides,
there are a few women foolish enough
to vote for the best looking man or the
best talker, and many would not both
er to vote at all.
I really think there is better way
by which women can get what they
want, and that is to make themselves
"the power behind the throne" There
is no question that woman's tirst DUTY
is to her home; but she don't need to
bind herself down to the duties of COOK
and dressmaker. She should take
lively interest in all questions pertain
ing to the welfare of humanity. Inc
wornans clubs and different organiza-
lions should study these matters seri-
ously, and work together for the pet
terment of conditions.
Thew could do much good in their
home towns, and in many places have
done it. and would be a power when II
came to putting bills through the legls-
lature. There should be more women
clubs, especially among the WORKING
women. While I am opposed. to the sa-
loon as they exist today, I am not IN
favor of prohibition. The best way to
conquer this evil is for the men TO
learn common sense, to know when
they have enough. And they Will III
time.
I would have the government restrict
the manufacture of liquor, and nave
the business conducted the same as
the grocery. Let the men DO their
drinking at home. 1t is the habitues
of the saloons that debauch the dance
hall girls, Mrs. G. K. Certainly the
saloon keepers are taxpayers, but they
are only an atom in the great army OF
taxpayers. Also the very ignorant and
debauched are only another atom.
l do not think the contention that
poverty is the cause of the largest pro-
portion of the crime and misery Will
hold good, except possibly in the larg-
est cities, where conditions are sucn
that criminals are bred from Dlrtn:
One of the most important things of
all is for the mothers and fathers to
teach their children self-control, un-
selfishness and moderation in all
things. Child labor and many other
things would be abolished if the wo-
men would work together, with or
without the ballot. If the public school
system would teach more of those
things that tend to character building
and less book knowledge, it would help
along some also. MI
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10

spelling reformers. and are even
heavily financed" although all the
advantages to be derived from Espe-
ranto are in the future. while the adj
vantages to be derived from spelling
reforms could be reaped today.
Now as this nation, like every other
nation which uses our language, is
characterized by business common
sense, there must be some reason for
the apathy to spelling reform. If no
reason existed. this movement would
excite at least as much attention as
Esperanto. But people who have
studied the subject know there is good
reason for apathy. In fact, the less
Americans and other users of the
language have to do with spelling re-
forms the better it. will be for the
language. To attempt spelling reform
with the Latin alphabet will cause end
less confusion and will precipitate
something entirely novel in the history
Of mankind, a literary panic" which
will be no less disastrous than finan-
cial panic. Relief from the unwieldy
and time killing eccentricities of spell
ing may be obtained not by deforming
words, but by adopting new, pho
netic alphabet, which will represent
accurately the sounds of the language
and which will enable school children
to learn to read and spell accurately in
a fey months
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10

II EHIND the wrangle over the 400
X meter race at the Olympic games
~ and the subsequent disqualified
ton of Carpenter, the Cornell runner,
lies a sharp difference in the rules of
the amateur associations of the United
States and Great Britain, a difference
which, in turn, involves a fundamental
question of sport, says the New York
Evening Post. In this country what
are known as track tactics" are al
lowed, but in Great Britain they are
not. Carpenters running out across the
track was legitimate enough according
to the rules he has been trained to OBJ
serve and no faint of poor sportsman
ship attaches to his action; put, under
the British rules, by so doing he auto
matically DISQUALIFIED himself. Had this
difference in rules but been understood,
the very regrettable outburst or feenng
on the part of the American team and
its trainer would have been avoided.
It, moreover, puts in an unfaVoraDle
light the refusal of the other Anerl-
cans to run the race over again, WINE
the English committee might also nave
permitted CARPENTER to compete anew
in view of the misunderstanding. But,
when all is said and done, 1t was an
inexcusable lapse for our team ana us
trainers not to familiarize themselves
with the British racing regulations.
So far as the rules themselves are
concerned, the question to be asked Is
whether a race is for the purpose OF
seeing who can maneuver to the tape
first, or who can cover the distance the
most quickly. Granted that track tao
tics" are permissible under the rules,
that 1t is possible to win a race by
clever and even interesting interference
without being the fastest man, is such
contest really a race at all, and are
such rules in harmony with the spirit
of good sport? 1t seems that 1t is nee
essary to point out once more that
sport meant originally merely diver
sion of the mind, and so an amusement,
particularly an out-of-door pastime.
Consequently, the less amusement, the
less sport. Moreover, the amusement
was presumed to be inherent In the
sport, not in any incidental plaudits or
qualification of personal vanities, or
success in pleasing few or many half
frenzied spectators. The mere act OF
winning is something altogether apart
from sport in its strict sense. The
rivalries of individuals, colleges, clubs
and nations have little in common with
the simple desire of the individual for
mental diversion by means of physical
exercise out of doors. So soon as sport
becomes the amusement Of the on
lockers rather than that of the partici-
pants 1t loses its true nature, and to
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10
SAYS TEST QUESTIONS FOR
CITIZENSHIP ARE FARcIcAL

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6.-[Editor
Herald: / read The Herald editorial
on citizenship" in which 1t is stated
that of forty-nine men who appeared
before Judge James for admission,
twenty-five were rejected; and it is
assumed they Were unit. Now there
is vulgar little word which comes
right handy at this point. 1t is tom
myrot." And why do 1 say this? Be-
cause the so-called test questions have
absolutely no connection with princi-
pies, with Americanism, nor with any
thing vital or essential; nothing to do
with morality, political or domestic;
nothing to do with mental qualifica--
lions or knowledge of economies
myself was turned down first time
applied. Yet I am an educated man,
am sufficiently well grounded in eco
Monies to have written some little on
such subjects in journals of moder-
ate standing and repute, in any classi-
f1cation would be listed with the Gin
tellectuals." Yet / was refused my
papers first time. Why? Not for any
essential reason at all, but for not
knowing something which would have
learned anyhow in the exercise of my
voting power, viz, in what way is the
state legislature elected? I had never
looked 1t up, so could not answer cor
rectly. OF course / looked 1t up in the
library and passed all right the fol-
lowing week; but I know of men who
are SO tied to their business that. re-
fused once, they have not found oppor-
tunity to go UP a second time.
This red tape is chiefly nonsense, and
reminds me how, when returning from
visit to England recently, the United
States commissioner when he came on
board insisted on our need of a pass
port, though we were residents here,
with a settled place Of abode, and
had my first papers. Yet as showing
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10
DANCE HALLS

n NE of the public questions which
must be settled in Los Angeles
" in a satisfactory manner is that
of the dance halls. 1t is a public ques-
ton. 1t is a question of public moral
ity, as we'll as of the good moral health
of the youth of this community. Now
there is only one way in which to deal
with the dance halls satisfactorily, and
that is to put out of business ruth
lessly every one of them which can
not prove it Is conducted in careful,
moral and circumspect manner. If
there are really any good dance halls,
II there are any white blackbirds in
the flock, their rights should be re-
garded But of paramount Importance
are the rights of the young people of
Los Angeles. Their rights come first
Reports from persons who have made
visits OF observation to the dance halls
are not such as to create any sentiment
in favor of them. If they have any
redeeming features they manage to
conceal them adroitly. Good people who
say don't NEEDLE" don't know what
they are talking about. There is moth
ing of more vital Importance to a COM
munity than to maintain a standard or
decency. and to insist on purity of
morals as far as possible-that is to
say, as far as the moral life of a COM
munity is comfortable. And there is
one precautionary measure which is
always within reach of the authorities.
They should always have the power to
exercise that measure. They should
have the power Of closing summarily
all disorderly dance halls and other dis
orderly resorts. If a place which is
thus closed can prove it is decent, let
it be allowed to reopen its doors. But
1t should be compelled to prove its case.
only strenuous measures will have any
effect on the dance hall evil in Los
Angeles.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10
PRIMARIES

W OTE at the primaries! 1t is your
duty. Unmindful of the fact that
the source of power is the prl-
mary election many good citizens nave
been in the habit of neglecting their
duty. 1t is hopeless to yearn for the
rescue of the state from corrupt cor
poration domination unless we also
work for it's rescue. Some things may
be achieved by wishing, but faith with
out works is dead. 1t is highly import
ant the right sort of men should be
nominated by the conventions. men VINO
will be responsible to the people. and
will not regard railroad corporation
as their lord and master.
Unless the right kind Of men are
nominated the right kind of men can
not be elected. That is fiat truism-
a self evident proposition. Then why
should any citizen stay away from the
primaries and yet reserve for himself
the right of criticism Of subsequent
nominations in which he took no part?
At the primaries you can help nomin-
nate men of independence and hign
character. Good citizenship begins at
the primaries and is continued at the
conventions and at the polls. II the
right men are nominated, the right men
will be in the field on election day. A
great revolution is being organized in
California, the revolution which will
hurl corruptionists from power and ex-
pel Herrinisn and nlcrcenary railroad
politics. And never has the machine
trickery been more impudent and OBJ
trusive than now. That the railroad
gang. Herrin and his creatures. should
dare to call his puppets regular Taft
Sherman delegates is political bunco
steering. The Democracy has an OPP
portunity Of selecting men whose ire
proachable character will command re-
spect and support.
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10
NEeRo's LAMENT AND REVOLT

(By A. ]. McCauley Dallas. Texas.)
Hello! Central give me hell-Roose-
Taft Hitchcock are there
You will find them 'monRst the demons,
Meath the somber stair.
Tell them that ten million negroes
who in darkness grope.
Have been touched and from a long Van
Wrinkle sleep awoke!
Tell them that we've slave-like voted
For the Elephant,
Cause debt they said we owed it,
o. what cruel cant!
But we've lived and learned some histry-
Seen the Shiny dope;
So now, when they make demands we
Simply tell them. Nope"
We will march in next November.
In solid phalanx;
And with labor union people
Break the solid ranks;
We will cast our votes for Bryan
Half a million strongl
'"Rahl for Bryant Down with Taftl" will
Be our campaign song.
There's Ohio. Pennsylvania,
Indiana, too;
There's Rhode Island. Little Jersey
Watch them what they do.
And New York and "Ole Kentucky"
And my Maryland"
And MiEsouri-Illinois---
Watch their gallant stand!
REFRAIN
o, remember cold Frank Hitchcock
Think OF Roose-Taft--
When we plead, Give us a square deal"
How the Big Three laughed,
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10
MUCH NEEDED REFORM

ON August 16 a worlds congress of
Esperantists will be heldS and
~ there is food for thought in the
suggestion that far more interest is
being taken in the new commercial and
international language than in the re-
form of the spelling of our own Ian
guage. This would not be wonderful
If 1t were not for the fact that as a
rule any improvement which will save
money is taken advantage of by BUSH
ness concerns, and business men, and
although spelling reform would eff
feet an appreciable saving in the COM
position bills of newspapers and maya
zines and enable them to reduce their
bulk and economic on paper, no seri-
Gus attention has been given to the
subject.
The Esperantists, who were careful
to avoid calling themselves Esperant-
ers, have great advantage over the
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10
POLITICAL PROGRESS

As A side light illustrating the re-
A markable Interview with Charles
Ia Ram Kennedy published in
the Los Angeles Sunday Herald,
II is interesting to note that A.
Maurice Low is taking SINH
lar stand with regard to political de-
velopments, and in the Forum invites
people to regard with the serious at
tention they demand changes and i'm
pending changes, adjustments and re-
adjustments, in the general political
system of the countries which use the
language of Gladstone and Mckinley.
He points out, exactly as Mr.. Kennedy
did, that the difference between the
principal political parties in the United
states and Great Britain is today little
more than nominal They bear a
strong family resemblance. What has
markedly differentiated the political
systems Of the United Kingdom and
the United States from those of the
rest of the world has been the absence
of minor parties In both countries, an
absence which is in vivid contrast with
the continental party divisions, which
with their groups and subdivisions are
puzzling. Out of the Labor party in
Britain, Mr.. Low looks for the evolu-
ton Of a Social Democratic party.
Some of the Liberals, who believe in
the principles OF their party but are
opposed to what they consider the
socialistic program of the present
party chiefs. have recently taken steps
10 form a Liberal Centre" The polit-
icai world in both hemispheres do
nanva."
Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-08-10
THE DEsERTER

FARST'S desertion of the cause of
III the people for the cause of Har-
IL riman should not be a nine days
wonder. It is exciting comment-but
why should it cause surprise? Is 1t not
consistent with the conduct and career
of Hearst, the only consistent element
in which is his habitual inconsistency.
Hearst is easily defined. He is liter
ally an opportunist. He remains with
cause as long as it pays, and If 1t
will not pay him cash he gives 1t O.
chance to pay him in personal promo
ton and ACKNOWLEDGMENT. If it fails
to do this-then, good by cause, for the
distinguished inventor of yellow jour-
nalism will quickly declare all "off with
the old love" and be ION with new"
1t is somewhat bewildering to follow
Hearst's changes, until you become ac-
customed to his habits, then he ceases
to attract your attention. Even q
chameleon becomes tiresome after a
while. Mr.. Hearst,s conversion to a
cause to which he has been opposed
should not grieve anyone. Remember
l4eI6 are luduy NdIAOblCO VI A1CdA AASl
is trust magnate, the chief owner of
a yellow octopus, the arms of which
stretch in every direction, all over the
continent. He is also monopolist, the
sole owner of patented political party
called the independence league, or
Doodle Dees. How could you expect a
man with such varied interests to be
single minded? The only wonder is
that he does not sometimes forget him
self and inadvertently think two OPP
posite thoughts at once.
Hearsts Harrimanization may bene-
fit his new boss. Then again it may
not. The friendship of the yellow editor
has been known to damage a cause.
Almost anything which depends on
principle for a successful existence is
better off without him. But of course
that does not apply to the S. P. AS
far as Hartman is concerned, Hearst
will I'LL the bill.