davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1909-02-25
Obaldia Active.

President Obaldia of Panama is in erup
tion. thereby confirming the fears Of those
who have always averred that the Canal
Zone lies within the area of possible seis-
mic and volcanic activities. The Pana-
man executive. perhaps inspired by a
high example, has addressed a cablegram
to friepd in this country-a great and
good friend whose name has been long
associated with the canal enterprise-ex-
pressing his opinion of the American leg
islature in terms that are doubtless a
soiace to his own ruffled spirit, however
they may be regarded by the statesmen on
the hill. But Obaldia is shrewd. He
does not indict the entire American Con-
gress. He f1ings his accusation In diplo-
matte form of the old adjuration to put
on a coat that fits. Here is his scathing
indictment:
IT have reformed my belief regarding
the respectability Of members of the
American Congress. Among them are
lisrs-indecent and ignorant in a super
lative degree"
Carramba! The shorter and ugier word
is not paraphrased in Panama. The little
republic is bent upon organizing a branch
OF the Ananias Club, and 1T issues this
blanket invitation to the American law
makers to become charter members. Will
Representative Rainey rise to a question
Of personal privilege on this point, or will
he disregard the charge?
Evening star., 1909-02-25
No More Makeshift BUILDINGS,

To place plain, cheap building for the
geological survey on an out-of- the-way
site where II will not offend the public
taste. as proposed by the House appropri-
attons committee. would shame the gov.
ernment The public service needs bet.
ter accommodations. but not at such a
cost.
The stranger visiting Washington is i'm
pressed with the excellence and style of
certain ofhcial structures. The Capitol
pleases all but a few who cannot be con-
tent with anything. The White House,
save for the absurd annex to the west, is
pure type Of the colonial, the only ap-
proach to a strictly American school of
architecture. The Treasury is beyond
criticism in its purity of classic lines. The
State. War and Navy building, while per-
haps too ornate to suit the majority. is
nevertheless model Of its own source of
inspiration. The Interior and old Post
Once buildings are excellent save for
the lack OF approaches and effective set
t!ngs. All of these arc obviously of q
permanent character. built for all time.
Unhappily the same may be said of the
later Post Once building. of the artistic
aspects of which the Washingtonian of
taste always reserves his opinion The
new National Museum building Is in i'm
pressivs contrast with the old one. and
the hope is raised that the latter. may
eventually he removed. The Smithsonian
is IN solitary class, restful. charming
example OF medieval art. supremely
effective in its park setting. Just what
Evening star., 1909-02-25

proportion inevitably suggests Interior
motives or secret influences They are
not far to seek if. one has a concept OF
the difficulties confronting the Austro
Hungarian empire today.
On the one side Is Russia, always criti-
cal of Austria. always more or less sus-
some blood ties to the Hunsarians and is
more or less sympathetic with them in
their struggle for the measure of auton-
omy under the dual empire which they
demand But Russia is never moved to
serious intrigue by mere sentiment. The
ruling factor in all Russian foreign poll
cies is the desire to reach the Mediter-
ranean. The way thither lies over the
Balkans or through the Bosphorus. With
the patience that surpas sses even shrewder
craftsmanship than the Russians possess
the ST. Petersburg government always
plays the game of the secret fomenter
Of disputes in the Balkans, In the hope
of some day profiting by war between
the states. resulting possibly in territorial
readjustments.
On the other side is Italy. traditionally
unfriendly to Austria and just at present
in antagonism over the subject of the
treatment of the Italians resident within
Austria's Jurisdiction. Italy is an un-
willing member of the dreibund. with
Germany and Austria, but the treaty does
not prevent the uprising Of sharp ami
mosities between Rome and Vienna. Ital-
ian influence at Sofia would almost surely
be cast in the direction Of an anti-Aus-
trian movement.
England processes to view the situation
calmly and with confidence that the two
angry powers will compromise their diff
ferences. France is unwilling to make
direct move toward pacific Intervention.
Germany has declined the tentative pro-
posals of France. England and Italy for
a Joint movement of conciliation. Rus
sia evidently will not act alone, perhaps
not wishing to preventswar. In this
situation conflict may at any moment be
suddenly precipitated by some overt act
on the frontier.
Evening star., 1909-02-25
Congress and the College.

Mr.. Mccall of Massachusetts, decides to
remain In Congress. He sees more useful
ness in that field than in the presidency
of Dartmouth College. AS his constitu-
ency appreciates his services. we may ex-
pect to see him in office for some years
to come. The Bay state knows good men.
and has a way of keeping them in its
service. Mr.. Mccall has been in commits
sion fifteen years. and is fifty-eight. He
should be good, easily, for fifteen more
years. If not twenty, and every year will
increase his value to his people and to the
country. He is much respected for his
ability and independence, and men Of his
stamp exert an excellent influence on
affairs.
This decision accords with The Stars
suggestion Of the other day. Why is not
the present time most attractive for men
skilled in politics to remain in Office If
| there. or to seek Office II ambitious to
serve the people? Leading public ques-
tions have seldom been so interesting.
The old are new again, and the new
very inspiring. We are decidedly now in
the worlds swim, and we need to steer
safe course.
Here is the tariff. which is at once a
local. national and an international
question. The problem Is to extend our
foreign market while protecting our home
market. We want the American laborer
to continue to live well, and the American
capitalist to continue to thrive on his in
vestments. How may this be insured
while we are competing for business In
foreign countries where conditions, both
social and commercial. are different from
our own7
Here is the trust question: and In a
way the railroad question is connected
with it. So far from having settled those
two questions, we have but ''scratched''
them, SO to speak. Congress will be
wrestling with them for some years to
come; for the problem in the last analy-
sis is, in Mr.. Rocsevelt's phrase, to
"shackle cunning" How may this be
done SO as not to interfere with individ-
ual initiative and operation? While put
ting an end to monopoly. we do not want
to adopt any phase Of what is being
urged as socialism.
And then there is the ever-present prob
lem Of the national authority-whether 1t
is being pushed too far and made too
strong, and IL so as to what the states
should do to check the policy.
The period is most inviting for the
student as well as for the everyday
practical politician. We need both in
harness. The idealist has his place as
well as the organizer. Each has some
thing to contribute to the necessities of
the period. And where, as in the case of
Mr.. Mccall, a man is something Of both
"a student and politician Of large ex-
perience-he should find opportunity In
political Office at once to satisfy his per-
sonal ambition and do a great deal of
good to others.
Evening star., 1909-02-25
Mr.. BRYAN and the Stage.

Mr.. Bryan to become an actor? An
idle yarn. He may write a novel, and
dramatize it. but we may all be sure he
would never help interpret the story over
the footlights. When he was first named
for President It was asserted that in
his callow days he had been an actor,
and some member OF the profession with
marvellous memory recalled playing
with him. But 1t was moonsiline. Years
ago-at the time Of his trim figure,
glossy black poll. and youthful charm
generally-Mr. Bryan might have been
strong in melodrama. But now, when he
is fat, bald. and rolls in his gait? No,
no. Mr.. Bryan would not today shine
even in a thinking part. While continu-
ing in the shcw business, he will not turn
Thespian
Evening star., 1909-02-25

the new Agriculture building will prove
to be remains undisciosed. but it will
probably fit smoothly into the scheme
of the capital equipment. The Pension
building Is a great brick barn, an excel
lent example of what public structure
should not be. unless the strictly utili-
tartan, economical policy is to prevail uni
formly. The House and Senate Office
buildings are altogether satisfactory save
on their blank faces. where additional or
namentation Is necessary to relieve their
badness. The Library of Congress will
always stand as a credit to the United
States.
Now the question arises. Is the govern
ment to put up cheap brick buildings for
such offices as the census bureau and the
survey. or Is 1t to spend the slightly
larger sums necessary for the production
of permanently attractive, dfgnified eX-
pressions Of the national government as
the Treasury. the library or the new
museum? To give these two branches
of the public service artistic homes will
cost perhaps 5000. 600. To give them
plain, unattractive brick homes will cost
maybe $1.JOO,OOO or 100000. Congress
may effect a saving of s. OOO,O in these
two items by holding to the good
enough idea and insisting upon setting
the structures back on remote lots be-
yond the line Of vision. But money so
saved could not possibly be put to as
good use in any other direction. 1t does
not pay to skimp and spare Ten or
twenty years from now the cheap. make
shift building will look shabby and will
be disgrace to the government. 1t is
bad enough for the public offices to be
forced into rented quarters that are be-
low the standard of even a. second class
mercantile establishment. but it is q sad
commentary on the national capacity for
self-provision when they are given plain,
inexpensive buildings, tucked away here
and there on sites chosen for their
cheapness. and soon growing shabby.
Congress will err seriously IL 1t votes to
provide on this basis for the needs of
the geological survey
Evening star., 1909-02-25
Balkan clustering.

The dogs OF war growl SO often in the
Balkans that 1t is impossible to regard
the sound as actually menacing until
the teeth begin to snap. Just now the
war signs are undeniably sinister. Aus
tria and Servia are bristling at one an
other I'm true Balkan style and Servia Is
apparently doing its utmost to force the
quarrel. Just what 1t is all about Is by
no means clear to the western world. save
that there Is a general understanding
that Servia resents Austria's annexation
Of Bosnia and wishes to
exact guarantees Of immunity from
further Austrian encroachments, besides
claiming the right Of territorial extension
to the coast. But Servia is preposterously
incapable of maintaining a war with a
power Of Austra's size. The very dis.
Evening star., 1909-02-25
A Public Servant, Indeed!

Strenuousness, good people? Will il
disappear with the retirement of Mr.
Roosevelt?
Judge Taft, we are told, has sought
New York to put the finishing touches
on some matters of pressing impor-
tance. The large number of politician:
seeking his ear made Washington un'
desirable for a few days. Inauguration
day is but a week away, and he has
not a moment to spare.
Note what he has on hand. The in
augural address, still to be strength
ened here and there. Consultations
about the right man for the Treasury
Department. Several speeches, to be
delivered at public meetings. Several
magazine articles, with editors shout
ing for the copy. And persons to see
on general matters.
Rather strenuous. is 1t not? And
then the change of base to this town
II his hands appear full in New York
they will be fuller here. First, the mes
sage to the special session of Congress
on the most complicated of all our public
questions-the tariff. Then the filling OF
many important Offices at home and In
diplomatic service. Then the confer
ences-likely to be numerous and try
ing-as the tariff debate in Congress
progresses. Then the handling of the
thousand and one visitors who will
besiege- the White House. week in and
week out, office-hunting for themselves
or for friends. And maybe other maya
zine articles on new subjects, or on
old subjects in new phases.
For long time Judge Taft will be put
to 1t to keep his head above water. The
presidency. like Jordan. is a hard road tc
travel. Hard originally, 1t has become
much harder with the growth Of the
country and the change of customs. The
President has nothing that may properly
be called leisure. Patronage has become
most formidable problem in itself. Men
insist on presenting their claims in per-
son, and many of them are SO influential
in politics the President cannot deny au.
dience. Then he must accept some of the
many invitations he receives to visit the
people at their homes. Travel is so swift,
he can reach the most distant states in q
few days.
The President today must be both
speaker and writer. His views are So
licited on a variety of subjects, and as II
Is not good form for him to use the in.
terviewer. he must sign his name to such
responses as he makes. It is a reading
age, and the writer with an influential
signature addresses a large constituency
Fortunately. Judge Taft has the ply.
eique to stand the pressure, and the train
ing to dispatch good deal OF business OF
all kinds. He is not likely to fall behind
with the docket. But after seven years
OF Mr.. Roosevelt, and eight years of him.
lit will probably be eight-a frail and
''narrow-chested' man In the White
House would be an object Of national So
licitude. He would sink under his bur-
den.
Evening star., 1909-02-25
The Borrower.

He goes unto the theater,
And tears bedim his eyes
When sorrows Of the heroine
Bid people sympathize.
He reads the book that sells the best,
An worries DER the plight
OF unappreciated folk
Who battle for the right.
He notes the statesman's eager words
On various themes abstruse,
And shudders at the prophecies
Which he is turning loose.
The sighs he breathes from day to day
Would melt heart of stone;
He is the lucky chap who has
No troubles of his own!
Evening star., 1909-02-25
Yellow Literature.
From the Boston Globe.

Yellow journalism is now thing OF
the past or has faded to mild ecru
shade beside the saffron hue Of many
books and magazines. The jaundiced
magazinist spatters his color with a
reckless abandon. You can almost feel
the chrome tints spatter on your face
as you scan his quarantine effusfon. You
cannot get by him. Epithet, metaphor
and analogy are mixed into one chronatic
mass on his palette and then slammed
against his canvas with the splurge of a
barker at a circus sideshow. To say he
INDUCES in exaggeration is to speak
tamely He piles Pelions OF hyperbole
on Ossas of turgescence If his colors do
not scream loud enough to arrest your at
tention he bludgeons you with his f1gura-
tive malllstick into noticing their pris-
matte effects.
Evening star., 1909-02-25
The Soldiers Profession.


From the Cincinnati Commercia1 Tribune.
Today war is nothing more than cold
blooded slaughter. Noiseless rifles. long
range machine guns. mines. electric cur
rent and aeroplanes reduce the whole
matter to a mathematical basis The ef-
feet Of such developments may be seen
by consulting the roster at West Point.
Not that youth fears war, for that can
never be said Of Americans, but that war
is not attractive as a profession.
Evening star., 1909-02-25

The college professor who wants to
send Mr.. Hobson with congressman and
editors who agitate the yellow peril
out into the Pacific to meet another
shipload of Japanese jingoes fofgets
to provide for the stenographers and
typewriters necessary to complete the
occasion.
Evening star., 1909-02-25

Rumors that Mr.. Bryan will write a
play and act IN it himself doubtless arose
from an impression that he will not rest
content until he somehow manages to
be the whole show
Evening star., 1909-02-25

kr1u order 20 avoid delays on account
% personal absence letters TO TIE
OTA1 should not be addressed 70 any
Individual connected with the once, but
odmply 70 TIE STAB, or to the Editorial
o. Business Department. according to
eeaor or purpose.
Evening star., 1909-02-25

Col. Cooper claims positive recollection
of every incident that occurred under
circumstances of violent agitation. His
testimony should be interesting to wit
nesses who have claimed fcrgetfulness of
ordinary details of their business.
Evening star., 1909-02-25

The fleet has demonstrated that 1t is a
great success. thus anording encourage
ment to the statesmen who insist that
there ought to be more Of 1t.
Evening star., 1909-02-25

The man who sees the first robin does
not get nearly SO much attention as
spring prophet as the one who discov-
ers that the hens are on duty once
more.
Evening star., 1909-02-25

It will continue to be known as the
white House." without deferring to
spelling reform and emitting the 'e's"
that are silent.
Evening star., 1909-02-25

Assertions by John Burroughs 1nat
money cannot buy happiness make abso-
lutely no impression when quoted to bill
collectors.
Evening star., 1909-02-25

Threats of another Wall street panic
would surely cause Senator J. Davis to
make another reach for a strangle hold
on the octopus.
Evening star., 1909-02-25

| If the weather bureau can make some
of its February reports serve for early
| March there will be a keen sense of
popular gratitude.
Evening star., 1909-02-25

No London suffragette could be prop
erly classified as a human letter. al
though her frankness of expression might
entitle her to be known as a human
postcard
Evening star., 1909-02-25
His idea Of Success

II have demonstrated to my personal
satisfaction that wireless telegraphy is a
success" said the man who butts in.
"How?'
II have fixed up an apparatus that
creates general confusion among the peo-
pie who are trying to send official mes
sages."
Evening star., 1909-02-25

Hetty Green prides herself on being
able to attend to her own affairs This
should be glad assurance for her son-in-
Evening star., 1909-02-25
Arkansas.

From the Boston Herald.
Why should Congress be memorialized
to fix the pronunciation of Arkansas?
wouldn't special message from the
White House fix 1t?
Evening star., 1909-02-25

There will be enough lawyers in Mr..
Taft's cabinet to prevent the danger of
meetings in which debate might languish.
Evening star., 1909-02-25
Not Too Much.

From the Toledo Blade.
Mr.. Taft is going to start right. His
inaugural address will contain only 5000
words.
Evening star., 1909-02-25
A Sense Of Doubt.

a Sense OF D0UDC.
Rafferty, said Mr.. Dolan, well have
a new President next Thursday
1--WE will was the reply, unless some
thin turns up to make Mr.. Roosevelt
change his mind about lawn the situa-
(tion."
Evening star., 1909-02-25
Presidential Attentions.

The program Is arranged. they say.
'Tis simple and quite nice:
Congratulations for a day
And four years Of advice.
Evening star., 1909-02-25
SHOOTING STARS.
BY PHILANDER JOHNSON.
Selfish Economy.

''Why does that toastmaster limit each
speaker to ten minutes?'
'In order to save time and enable him
to devote half hour to introducing each
Of them"
Evening star., 1909-02-25
Reciprocal Reticence.

do you expect your constituents to be-
lieve all you tell them?''
NO." answered Senator Sorghum; "and
In return they must not expect me to tell
| them all I believe"
Evening star., 1909-02-25
Washington's Birthday.

From the P1ttsbufH Gdzette.
The fact that there was nobody around
to relate personal "reminiscences OF g. W.
added to the pleasure of the occasion.
Evening star., 1909-02-25
Corsets to Be zoe and SI.Io.

en- Tomorrow for the 75c ME
OSN rode" Union Suits. the glove
fitting swiss-ribbed undergarments
that should be worn with the new
corsets.
10. Each or SOC for three Swiss
ACS ribbed Vests, with plain and
fancy yokes.
Evening star., 1909-02-25
Suits and Dresses, S15.98 and $500.
The Hats are Here to Wear With Them.

Latest-moment Cloth Costumes, at $I5o8 and $25oo
stead of $1,000 $780, at the opening of season
bribes rather than souvenirs With the Inauguration
the certainty of having workrooms overwhelmed
week. brbe you make selections this week. only
saving you dollars the of Suit Dress but promising
alterations made without the hurry and incidental to the
coming rush. Another pont artistic harmony is desired
we'll select the dress and then the hat. Do both
morrow especially the has be made order.
Evening star., 1909-02-25

Five-dollar Skirts are too we'll known t
here in black and colors, at 1898 for tomorro
stead of SI.oo to $50 are fifteen styles of
Heatherbloom Effect Pettcoats, with founo
the much more expensive garments.
Evening star., 1909-02-25

De- To be Fridays price for
AOS best of soc Lisle and Silk
Like MerceriZed Stockings; plain
and lace effects in black, white and
colOrS
1n, For SOC Silk-finished Lisle
OSS "OnyX" Black Hose, with
white heels and toes.
Evening star., 1909-02-25
SOC for Amy ST Shirt Waist.
Fridays Most Popular Bargain.
S2.5o Waists, SI.o8.

Any $1oo Waists for Soc tomorrow
the New Tailor-made and Lingerie Effect
. all sizes. $1o8 instead of $3.50 for the \
Waists. open front and back. $500 instea
Black Messaline and Taffeta Silk Waists.
Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1909-11-04
PROSPERITY HAS ARRIvEp.

Prosperity has arrived, according
to a statement issued today by the
bureau of statistics of the department
of commerce and labor. During Sep
TENDER the business of the country
and the volume of freight cars reach
ed proportions which excelled those
of the same month last year.
These improved conditions are most
pronounced in the coal and iron
trades. The movement of lumber al
so was somewhat heavier.
There was considerable of a slump
in receipts of grain and flour at the
four leading seaports and receipts Of
grain at Is of the principal interior
markets were likewise below the ag-
gregate for September, 1908.
A similar condition is uncovered in
the shipment of packing house pro
ducts from Chicago, the chief slump
being on canned meats, which show
a relative loss over the correspond
ing figures Of 1908 of approximately
45 per cent.
Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1909-11-04
THE "sMITHs.u

John Smith-plain John Smiths
not very high-sounding; it does not
suggest aristocracy; it is not the
name of any hero in die-away nov
els; and yet it is good, strong and
honest. Transferred to other Ian
guages, 1t seems to climb the ladder
of responsibility. Thus in Latin it is
Johannes Smithus; the Italian
smooths it off into Giovanni Smith;
the Spaniards render it Juan Smithus
the Dutchman adopts it as Hans
Schmidt; the French flatten it out
into Jean Smeet. and the Russian
sneezes and barks Jonloff Smittow-
ski. When John Smith gets into
the tea trade in Canton he becomes
Javon Shimmit; if he chambers on
Mount Hecla the Icelanders say he
is Jaime Smithson; if he trades
among the Tuscaroras he becomes
Ton Ga Smittia; in Poland he is
known as Ivan Schmittiweiski; and
should he wander among the Welsh
mountains they will talk of Jihan
Schmidt and when he goes into Mex
leo he is booked as Jontli F'Smitti;
if of classic turn he fingers among
Greek ruins, he turns to Ion Smit-
kon, and in Turkey he is utterly dis
guised as Voc Seef.-Phrenological
Journal.
Payette enterprise. (Payette, Canyon Co., Idaho) 1909-1935, 1909-11-04
ESPERANTO A LIVING LANGUAGE

From Mr.. Bakers report of the
Esperanto world congress the follow
ing is quoted Following is his &C
count of the formal opening, he says
Now one begins actually to under
stand the sense and significance OF
international language. Among that
great audience are people from all
parts of the world-of many nation
alities and many languages. First, a
German spoke-and all understood
Second, a Catalonian spoke-and al
understood And now arises a Pol
ish Hebrew. . One could
not, by listening to the speakers,
have said, He is a German, or
That is an American, or This mans
native language is doubtless French,
Those who attended the
meeting can never doubt that Esper-
anto is a spogen language"