davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
"4S CONNON NORT4LS"

The time is past when Sydney Smith
could scOrnfully demand "Who reads an
American book and when Prosper
Merim6e could patronizingly describe
IN eminent historian as although an
American. yet II man of talent" This
country has long since securely estab-
lshed its place i'll the peerage Of
sovereign nations. in intellect as well as
industry and in arts as well as arms
And III so doing it has arrived at q gen
eral equilibrium Of appreciation. Amerl-
cans no longer bumptiously assume that
everything which is American must
therefore necessarily be good, and people
of other lands do not regard it as q fore
gone conclusion that anything must be
bad just because 1t is American. Yet
there still persists an inclination, which
Is manifested here as well as elsewhere
to regard as peculiarly and character
istically American certain traits and in
cidents OF an unadmirable kind. This
North Pole scandal, fiasco or whatever
it may be called affords IA case in point
- characteristic Yankee trick, :" some
persons are eXClaiming. or How
thoroughly American. referring both to
Cooks fabrication and TO the reckless
acclaim with which that impostor was
received by some people In the United
States
Now, IT may be answered that If Cook
was decked with wreaths and flowers in
Brooklyn and was invested with the free
dom of the city OF New York, his claims
were challenged as promptly and were
held under discreet advisement as wide
ly In the United States as in any other
country. We might go further and say
that the major part OF the confidence
and praise which were bestowed upon
him here was directly based upon The
stu more cordial recognition which was
accorded TO him In Denmark and the IN
equiyocal Endorsement of his pretences
which was there authorltatively made |;
fhnnoh wa Rhnnld not wish To press that
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
Just THE SAME N BrFFALO.

A committee appointed by The Buffalo
Chamter Of Commerce 10 investigate that
city's methods Of doing public business
has reported that Tammanyism exists
even III the bailiwicl, Of Chairman Con-
ners. As the news dispatches delicately
put ii. no charge OF graft is made
against any official. but il is shown
from the city records that supplies and
work have been paid for by the city ri
figures ranging from 33 TO 200 per cent
''above market prices, that work has been
''inefiiciently done and that the payrolls
have been carrying the names of scores
''of men who make only slight return TO
'the city for their salaries
Buffalo seems 10 be suffering from
exactly the same ills that we suffer from
here under Tammany. Direct graft"
is out OF date in nearly all municipalities.
But why should any political leader who
thinks that the community owes him
living take chances with direct graft"
which, If discovered, may lead TO indict-
ment, while the possibilities OF indirect
graft are far more extensive and allur-
ing? What does Tammany exist for. ex-
cept 10 get control OF the machinery OF
government and 10 make n ''335 TO 700
per cent profit out Of its operation?
contractor dealing with a Tammany ad-
minlstration cannot be expected 10 fur
nish supplies or do work for a normal
return. If he got only n normal profit.
how could he live and let live? If he
didn't let live, how could lie get another
contract:
BuffalOnians seem also 10 be just dis
covering that city official doesn't con-
slder it necessary 10 give a full return
in work for his salary. But that is a
rudimentary principle in Tammany po-
lircal economy. Its 'Jerrys'' need the
money and think that the major portion
Of their duty 10 the city is discharged
by signing a payroll. Besides, now that
the municipalities have gone SO lavishIy
into high power transportation, many Of
- - = <.ss
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29

dead centres Of commerce ut least the
collectorships shall be kept alive, just
as the opposition of the Senate last year
prevented the consolidation of the PEN
sion agencies, so strongly recommended
by the Commissioner of Pensions and
the Secretary of the Interior. III tue
scattered pension agencies were to be
abandoned and the work of distributing
pension checks were 10 be done-as IL
could easily be done and as the House
of Representatives wanted it to be done
by a single central agency at Washing
ton. the government would save many
thousands of dollars, but the federal
patronage in fifteen states would he
diminished. SO unnecessary offices are
perpetuated for the comfort and con-
venience of those who fill them and the
glorification of the sort Of statesman
ship which believes first. last and all the
time in THE old flag and an appropria-
ton
The administration has undertaken 70
apply theory of rational economy In
governmental expenditure. Congress has
promised 10 cooperate, and the value or
the promise is soon to be tested. A good
beginning could be made by closing up
useless customs offices and consolidating
the pension agencies. If those economies
are effected at the present session it will
be safe to conclude that Congress has
been really infected with the retrench-
ment bacillus
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
THE NEWS THIS MORNING.

FOREIGN.-Fire was discovered in
the hold Of the White Star liner Celtic
when she was four days out from New
York, and IL continued until the ship
reached Liverpool, five days later; the
passengers meantime being kept in en-
tire ignorance of their danger. Ex-
President Zelaya's statement that he was
offered asylum On the British shin Shear
water was denied in Managua. - The
state Department is still in favor Of
Estrada for President Of Nicaragua, but
is most anxious for a bona fide election.
al which the peoples real choice shall be
chosen == Venezuela terminal ted the
diplomatic mission OF DIR. Carlos Girls
anti to France because the latter named
republic insisted on the arbitration of
the claims of French citizens expelled by
Castro from CarupanO. General
Stewart l. Woodford. on behalf of the
Hudson-FIlton Commission, presented
commemorative gold medal TO Queen
Nilhelmina Of Holland at The Hague
DOMESTIC.-Preside Taft in his
forthcoming message to Congress will
point out the advantages of federal con-
troll Of corporations. -= President Taft
and Representative DalZelI. of Pennsyl-
vania, conferred on the Ballinger- -Pinchot
controversy. = 1t was announced in
Philadelphia that Drexel &, Co had pur-
chased the Lackawanna Railroad COM
pany's holdings of Lehigh Valley stock:
liit LdthdMdJid Is lilt last OF the UNe
railroads which acquired control Of the
Lehigh Valley in 1901 to dispose of its
stock. - Testimony against the Bell
telephone merger adduced in the Mis-
souri, case at Jefferson City was cOnsid-
cred of great Importance by the state
authorities. - Justice Howard. at
Troy. y. Y. cut the COMPENSATION of
members of s. commission of three to ap-
praise damages To property along high
ways resulting from the construction of
the Ashokan reservoir. in Ulster County:
he also gave some plain talk on graft
IN general. =- The body Of Frederic
Remington, the artist. WAS buried Ii
Canton. y. Y. after services in The Uni
versalist church there.
CITY-Stocks were irregular. -
The Mayors commission on teachers
salaries reported against complete equal
iZatiOn of the pay Of women and men.
- The Third Avenue Railroad sent
the city a check for $1,000. 900 for arrears
Of taxes. - Incoming ships reported
tremendous gales on Christmas spelling
the customary celebrations. w
Gould BrOkaW gave his lawyers concern
by his eagerness to make explanations
during his croSS-eXamination in his
wife's suit for separation. == DR.. JON
nesco defended the use Of stovaine.
THE WEATHER. Indications for to-
Gay: Snow. The temperature Yesterday:
Highest, 81 degrees; lowest, 20
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29

denends upon fairs, entertainments and
spssmodic efforts Il loses its dignity ana
influence throughout the whole commu-
nltv. When a vestry develops and sus-
tains with energy systematic and business
like methods for gathering In the income.
1t is surprising how steadily the amount
Increases: the raising of the rector's sal
arv becomes possible, and there Is cheer
and buoyancy all along the line
at The Hague he also invariably carries
4 book, which he dsmembers in the same
manner
Questioner lin meeting)-You spoke IN
yopr lecture, sir. of a selfish opurlst.
What did you mean by that?
Speaker-I meant the sort OF man VINO
would point out the silver lining in CLOUD
merely to avoid lending you an. umbrella
--I;oston Transcript
Huh! so IL took a man In the Library
OF Congress to find that out, did IT.? re-
marked an old theatresoer in commenting
on the report that the chief of the music
division of the national library had finally
declared Dixie" the most popular tune In
America well. I'll bet he's been to a few
performances in New York. Dye know
that every time they play that air In a
New York theatre it makes me think I'm
in Richmond or Atlanta? And I'll bet that
even down there they don't appreciate II
any more than the people do up here. Just
watch and listen the next time you hear
IT in Manhattan
Baron Munchausen had Just heard of DR..
Cooks performance.
"Ah," he sighed. as he rolled over I'm his
grave, taking has improved wonderfully
since my time on earth. Detroit Free
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
THE TALK OF THE DAY.

According to police reporter, this hap
pened In saloon in the Tenderloin at 2
o'clock Sunday morning. A detective from
Police Headquarters dropped into cor
ner joint" to see how the excise law was
being observed-or violated. A drink of
whiskey was served bv a waiter Just over
from the "ould country" The waiter.
thinking that he might make himself pom
ular. walked over to the customer after ne
swallowed his drink, and asked:
Amt you from the County Mayo"
No, l amt" replied the Central Office
man I'm from Headquarters. Get your
hat and come along"
Mrs Adams-Accused you of stealth,
bob when she dropped her purse didn't
Mrs. Eves-Good as said as 'ow she'd q.
found 1t II j 'adn't 'elped 'er look for it
The Sketch. 80
Eight OF the students of the University
of Missouri have formed a tall mans cIuh
Ihe only requirement for eligibility i'm
The Long Fellow Club" is that each man
must be feet 3 inches tall The cIub
was organized to have the low awnings
or Columbia the university town, the low
doorways and the low chandeliers in
pubic places elevated that these man
can pass under without striking their
heads
Uncle Ezra says: Lots Nv man ar. ,r..
rate farmers when II comes to sowins ,riid
oats."-Boston Herald. WIN
1T costs money TO boast sometirns.
So, at least. The Evening Times" or
Rochester, has discovered. Some noptbs
ago The Times" made a circulation claim
which Tho Rochester Herald pro,nutIv
challenged. and the dispute was left IN a
jury composed OF three representatives or
tho largest advertisers IN Rochester and
two from each OF the newspapers con-
cerned. Each newspaper put up check for
5000 under an agreement that the news
paper having less paid average daily Gin
clation than the other for a given neriod
should forfeit one dollar to the other for
every copy represented in the differenca
The jury has found for 1.-The Herald" to IN.
extent Of 1000 copies and that paper has
1ubilantly pocketed $4,000.
What Is the oldest form Of Literature, %"
Il dunno but guess some OF tn musical
comedy Jokes must reach back pretty
nearly that far."-Clevelanl Plain liesI.r
Fairs and entertainments in churches
are termed undignifed by Bishop Law
renee in letter to the clergy and laitv os
the Episcopal Church in the diocese NJ
Massachusetts,. Bishop Lawrence writes.
th.t
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
PEOPLE and Social Incidents
At THE WHITE HOUSE.
From The Tribune Bureau.

washington. Dec 28-The President mas
begun the preparation of his speciai mes
sage to Congress dealing with the inter
state commerce and Sherman antitrust
laws.
The Presidents morning was taken up
with the Cabinet meeting.
Representative Dalzell had a long CON
ference with the President to-day "he"
he discussed the proposed Investigation Oh
the Ballinger-Pinchot controversy. Wheh
leaving the White. House Mr. Dalzeh sdiu
he favored a thorough investigation oy
both houses OF Congress instead or oF
only one, and that the Joint investsatioh
should be conducted in open session.
Benito Legarda and Manuel l.. Quezon.
resident commissioners In Congress from
the Philippines called at the executive
offices this morning TO present their ere
dentials to President Taft
Ohio politics was discussed at the white
House to-day by Robert W. Tayler. united
States District Judge at Cleveland
Mr.. Taft Is understood to have decided
on Cuno II. Rudolph for one OF the Com
missoners for the District of Columbia
and has Corcoran Thorn under considera-
ton for the other Michael l.. Weller,
candidate. and Woodbury. Blair conferred
with the President on this subject.
Among the White House callers were
Senators Brown. Nelson. Wetmore and
Borah: Representative Roberts, Maurice
Francis Egan. Minister 10 Denmark; Seth
Bullock. Colonel Spencer Cosby and John
Hays Hammond.
K. A. Wodell, a fellow student at Yale
of Robert A. Taft. arrived at the White
House to-day. to remain two days
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29

studying locomotion on the speedways
TO spend more than n dozen hours
week at indoor drudgery.
We have understood that Chairman
Conners was singled out for slaughter by
Mr.. Murphy chiefly on the ground that he
had no sufficiently sympathetic under.
standing of Tammany's methods and
philosophy Buffalo education had
not fitted him for true companionshlp
with the sophisticated Democracy OF
East 14th street. But If reports from
Buffalo are true Mr.. Murphy has done
Mr.. Conners grave injustice. They
can fraternize in thought and aspira-
lions. and Buffalo and New York can eX-
change experiences in the sad school of
government ut the highest cost and with
the least benefit In return to the victim
lied community.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Having noticed in your issue OF De-
cember q an account OF the stopping of a
runaway horse by Lieutenant Joseph A.
Sullivan. of Engine Company Al. in which
he narrowly escaped serious injury, and
had his uniform torn off, l concluded to
write an account of what I accom-
plished by a friend of mine while in at
tendance at a county fair. He was on the
way to an exit when he saw large horse
attached to surrey on a dead run toward
a crowd OF people. AS the horse neared
him he took off his coat and threw 1t over
the animals head, which act caused the
horse to stop within a rod.
The act was easily and safely done and
may be repeated by any one with a coat
and a cool head. Or a person may catch
up blanket or robe from nearby vehicle
and accomplish the same act.
Denver. Dec. "a. 1909. J. b VROOM.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
STATUS OF A MANUSCRIPT.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In your issue of the 2Sd inst. you
speak of the rare manuscripts to be shown
by the American Historical Association.
among the rest, "Corlaer's Journal of 1884.
Describing the Mohawk Indians. the Ear
Hest Historical Manuscript In Existence Of
the Dutch Period of New York"
This Is hardly correct. for there are
numbers of manuscripts going back to 1921
and earlier. And, In view of the fact that
Aren't Van Curler did not come to America
till 1888. the Journal of 1884 can hardly
be called "Corlaers Journal" 1 know that
In the periodical where it was first pub
lished it was so called; but why l have
failed thus far to find out for the paper Is
not signed by Van Curler or any one else.
A small historical matter. perhaps but 1t
is well to try to correct small errors.
S. l.. FREY.
Palatine Bridge. n. Y. Dec. %, 1909.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS.
rFrom The Tribune Bureau

lFrOm The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Dec 29.-The German Am
bassador and Countess Won Bernstorfr en-
tertained a number of young persons at
dinner tonight for their daughter. Coun-
tess Luise Alexandra Won BernstorH. and
their son. Count Guenther Won Bernstorfr.
and afterward saw the party off for the
Junior Republic ball. In the party were
Mile Nabuco, Miss Meyer, Miss Alice
Meyer Miss Eudora Glover. Miss Elsie
Aldrich, Mile Kinen. of Paris: Miss Gladys
Hinckley, Captain Archibald Butt. Captain
Cheney Mr. de Thai, Russian second sec
retary; Count Felix Won Bruselle-Schau-
beck. Austrian first secretary; Mr.. Won
Prittwitz und Gaffron, German attache;
A c. Horstmann. German attache- and
Signor Centaro. Italian second secretary.
The Costa Rican Minister and Sefora
Dopa Maria de Calvo presented their sec
ond daughter, SehOrita Marta Calvo. to So
ctety at tea at the legation this after
noon. Mrs. John w Foster and Mrs. Reid
Hunt presided at the tea table, Misc Mar
guerite Barbour served punch and Senorita
Maria Calvo, Mile. Ingeborg GUIDE. Mile.
Sigrid GUIDE. Miss Mariana Drain, Miss
Alice Boutell, Miss Elsie Downing, Miss
Mildred Aubery, Miss Marie Fisher and
Miss Hanna Taylor were in the drawing
room with the debutante and the hostess.
The guests included almost the entire
diplomatic corps and large contingent of
official and resident society. The assistants
remained at the legation for supper and
afterward attended the Junior Republic
ball.
The Swedish Minister and Nine. de Lager
crantz, who have been the guests of Mrs.
Henry Cleveland Perkins since their ar
rival in Washington from Europe several
weeks ago, are now established In the le-
cation for the winter
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
CHICAGO RECOGNIZES PEARY
Geographic Society Inscribes Medal
FIRST Achievement of Pole

Chicago. Dee 2S.-The Geographic So
c!ety of Chicago decided yesterday to in
scribe the Helen Culver gold medal. which
had been voted TO Robert f.. Peary in rec
ogEiton OF his services as a scientific man.
as follows:
Awarded January 26. 1919 TO Lieutenant
Commander Robert E. Peary. t. 5. ~, for
distinguished services in exploration. and
the first achievement of the North Pole,
April 6. 1909"
The medal will be presented to the naval
officer at the societys annual dinner on
January &c.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
NEW YORK SOCIETY.

Military uniforms figured at the wedding
yesterday noon of Miss Christine Kean
Roosevelt to Lieutenant James E. Shelley.
nth Cavalry. u. s. A. which took place at
the Church of Zion and ST. Timothy, being
followed by a reception given By her
parents. Mr.. and Mrs. W. Emlen Roose-
velt at their house In Fifth avenue. The
bridegroom, his best man. Captain James
Mckinley. and two of his ushers, Lieuten-
ant Richard Kimbail and Lieutenant
Charles Rogers. all of tho uth Cavalry.
were In full dress uniform. The brides a
I've AIeeheSA 0Desge Emlen 1oeaeYslt ana
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29

Professor T. c. Chamberlin, the Chi
cago geologist. told the assembled scien-
lists in Boston this week that the in
finite equilibrium OF forces in the earth
and the universe is reasonable guar
antee against any great disaster to the
human race. Well. how about that fore
cast of DR.. Gilbert, of the United States
Geological Survey, that a certain fitting
of the continental surface which has
been observed will. in a few thousand
years, cause Lake Michigan to discharge
by way of the Mississippi, and that
the city In which Professor Chamberlin
resides will be completely submerged?
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
DINNER FOR GRIFENHAGEN.
Register Elect Guest Of Esd Assembly
District Republicans.

The members of the 23d Assembly Dis
trict Republican Club gave a dinner last
evening for Max S. Grifenhagen, Register
elect of New York County and about three
hundred attended in the new clubhouse Of
the organization. at No. 2It5 Amsterdam
avenue. 1t was thought by some of the
guests that the Register-elect might
choose the occasion as the time for an
nouncement of his appointees, but he did
not do SO.
Among the speakers at the dinner, in
addition TO Mr.. Grifenhagen. were ex-At-
torney General julius NJ. Mayer, Samuel
S. koenig. Secretary of State; Congress-
man William S. Bennett. Edward Lauter-
bach and Senator Josiah T. Newcomb
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
CHILDREN IN FLATS.
Chicago Case Ends Without Decision
as to Main Point.

Chicago, Dec. 2S.-The famed children
in fats" case came TO an end here yes
terday with the main point in the final de-
cision undecided
Robert F. SChenck. agent of a fiat build
ing, who. with w. l. Boylston, the owner.
was charged with having refused to re-
new the lease of ROlla 3. Eongenecker, an
attorney, because of children in his fam
lily, was discharged by Municipal Judge
Hines on the ground that there was no
evidence to show that Mr.. LOngenecker
ever made application for a renewal of
his lease. The suit was the first result
from the McNichols law passed last spring.
making it misdemeanor for landlords to
refuse to rent quarters TO families with
children under four years old.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
IN THE BERKSHIRES.
IBy Telexraph 70 ma rrlhuns !

I4enox, Dec. 2s.-Mr. and Mrs. Frank K
Sturgis. who have been IN Lenox fer
Christmas. returned to New York to-day.
Mrs. 5. Van Rensselaer, Thayer. OF Bos-
ton, and Mrs, J. Carter Brown. OF ProVi-
dence. started to-day for Boston.
Lindsay Fairfax will go 20 South Caro-
lima tomorrow. He is recovering from
slight operation. and will make the "trip fos
the beneft OF his health.
MIR. and Mrs. William FahnestocS. VIE
lam Fahnestock. Jr., and Mrs. George =
Turnure and family arrived to-day.
An announcement was made to-day y
the Curtis Hotel Company. recently formea
OF which Cortlandt Field Bishop. p'
Henry +. Jaques and William ID. Gurus
are directors. that tho transfer OF IN
hotel to tho new company has eesA =
1eSxed indonnitelY.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
CHURCH MAY SELL MISSION SITE

The trustees OF Plymouth Church. Brook
lyn. received permission from Justice Black
mar yesterday TO sell piece OF property
in Pearl street, between Hillary and Con-
cord streets. that had been purchased
originally as site for the new Mayfower
Mission building. Later II was deemed ad-
visable TO build elsewhere. and a site in
Johnson street. near Jay street. was Sc
lected. 1t then became necessary to sell
the Pearl street site to raise money. Isaac
Gilman Is 70 pay $3.50 for the pronertv
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
JUSTICE AND ECONOMY
From The Buffalo Expressj

ttom Tho Buffalo EXpress.
According TO Justice c. B. Wheeler. abou,
three-fourths OF the litigation In Iocai
courts Is made up of negligence cases A.
amendment TO the employers liability law
whlch would promote settlements would
make a big difference with the cost or
maintaining courts. vi
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
A stock which goes up and down again
thirty points in thirty minutes has no
regard for appearances.

When tho voice of a magistrate who
disposes Of police court cases by tele-
phone can be indisputably recognized.
his use Of Bells labor-saving invention
Is excusable. If not praiscworthy. 1t is
interesting to speculate, however, on the
result which might have followed If some
one had personated the judge who re-
sorted to this plan on Monday.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29

This newspaper Is olcncd and pub
iished by The Tribune association, j
Acto York corporation; Office and prin-
cipal place Of business. Tribune Build
ing. No. 154 Nassau street, Ne,o York !;
ogden Mills, president; Henry ".
S0ckctf. secretary; James IL. Barrett,
treasurer. The address of the officers IS
the office of this newspaper.
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
TO SUCCEED DE ARmoNo

Butler, Mo. Dec. 2S,-Philip s T. Grif-
nth, of Greenfield. was nominated by ac-
ctamation here to-day by Republicans OF
the 9th Missouri District as candidate TO
succeed the late Congressman David A. De
Almond. On December % the Democrats
nominated e. Q. Dickinson
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29
A HAPPY INSCRIpv,ON

From The Boston TRANSCRIPT.
Soldiers In war that never enas,, 10
a part or the legend 10 be inscribed IN
the fremens memorial now In process ~
erection In Union Square, New York
hRppX DESCRIPTION o4 the s0ryice, .
New-York tribune., 1909-12-29

Commissioner Baker deserves thanks
for his orders to the police to suppress
the use Of ticklers, throwing of con-
fetti and other recently introduced nui-
sances of the New Years Eve celebra-
ton. New York will have its fling on
that evening. but hilarity in public places
should not be allowed to degenerate
into license and rowdyism.