davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
Pittsburg's Uplift.

When the civic spirit is rightly touched,
things happen. Take Pittsburg as an IL
lustration. "A sooty. grimy. noisy place
noted for its production of steel and scam
dial, where armies Of swart and smeary
men sweat before blast furnaces, open
hearth furnaces and such things, and
where millionaires drench themselves In
champagne and carry off chorus girls!
The civic spirit was appealed to and now
a new and better Pittsburg will rise out
Of the smoke of the older town.
The Pittsburg survey of 19O7-S. mainly
promoted by the New York Charity Or
sanization Society and the Russell Sage
Foundation, made a descent on Pittsburg,
and its report of evil conditions stirred
the city and resulted in the formation OF
the civic commission.
This commission includes a host Of the
influential and responsible residents of
Pttsburg. It's work promises not to be
confined to holding meetings and adopting
resolutions. 1t is going to clean up and
in a way make over Pittsburg. It has
divided itself into committees for the
study and correction Of tenement and
general housing conditions. public health
and sanitation, congestion Of street traffic.
overcrowding Of public schools, the adop-
ton Of business methods in the admins
tration of city affairs and scores Of allied
activities.
This great task has not been under
taken by the usual class Of conventional
reformers who mean well but who seldom
''arrive." but by the men who have made
Pittsburg vast. throbbing industrial
city.
A street car expert has been called in
consultation to devise a plan for improv-
ing the street car system. another author
fly has been called on to revise the water
front. improve that section OF the city
and minimize the flood peril. and F'rede-
rick Law Olmsted has been asked to plan
the half-million dollar park given to the
city by Henry c. Frick.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
VARIOUS VERSES
ON TIMELY TOPICS
The GLORY OF WINTER.

I love to bear the below OF the blast.
love 10 hear the cracking Of the wheels:
love to the SO drifting past;
/ love TO watch the ladies In their seals
l love to watch the raging OF the storm
When it's just icy here rs at the pole
love these things when I'm inside and warm.
And some one else is paying for the COAL
love the winter season best Of all:
In summer time I'm often filled with cneer;
I'm gladdened in the springtime and the fali,
But winter is the best time Of the year.
love it when the desolation's wide.
When the Ieaden clouds above the landscape
roll
II possess q warm, soft seat inside.
And some one else ID paying for the coal
I'm happy when the pipes begin to freeze,
When dogs stand whining sadly at the doors;
When people turn their collars up and sneeze.
When the Storm King with unbridled anger
roars;
I'm happy when the squirrel and his mate
Have taken refuge In some gloomy hole
II can sit before cheerful crate
And some else is paying for the coal.
S. f. Kiser in Chicago Record Herald
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24

dispatch from Ithaca to the eject that
the New York State College OF Agricui-
ture at Cornell Is overcrowded. the NUM-
Der of new students being so large that
they cannot be accommodated In the col
lege buildings. Last year the registration
of four-year students was 365. and TINS year
1t is 500. BY midwinter there Will DC
200 students in the college.
Virtually the same story is told AT
every institution where agriculture Is
taught. The advantage Of schooling Is
being constantly more widely appreciated
in every section of the country. Farmers
who q few years ago would have re-
sarded the sending of boy to such an
institution as the extreme OF folly are
now making sacrifices IN order 10 give
their sons the benefit OF this preliminary
instruction In q pursuit which has De-
come a business, and which must be
learned thoroughly.
In the development Of this national APP
probation the Department OF Agricul-
ture has played an important, II not the
chief. part. The experiment stations es-
tablished under the wisely liberal pohcy
of the government have brought straight
home to the farmer In every part or Inc
land the proof that science pays IN Idrh-
ing. The skeptic wavers in his oppo-
sition when he sees in tangible form the
demonstration that soils differ. and that
these differences can be turned to profit
able account The good roads work OF
the department has had valuable mis-
sionary influence. In every branch the
scientific researches of the governments
specialists have carried conviction.
Estimates Of the increased value of
the American, farms as a result of scien-
tif1c development have been assayed. In
terms Of scores. and even hundreds, Of
millions of dollars. In this one particu-
lar. at least, a process of conservation
has been started which promises to lessen
the waste of time and labor and Of soil
resources. and to render maximum
Of value to the people
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
THE SPANISH OMELET.

From tho Chicago Evening Post.
King Alfonso Is blaming 1t on his pre-
mfer. What he needs is a press agent.
From the kCleveland Plain Dealer
How happy King Alfonso would be
about now in the peaceful secusion that
has fallen to the lot of Mr.. Abdul Hamid,
From the Plttsburg Gazette Times.
1t Is good bet that King Alfonso is
not subscribing to a clipping bureau at
this stage of his career.
From the Minneapolis Journal.
Alfonso is discovering that 1t is possible
to play too rough king game.
From the Syracuse Herald.
No doubt the Spanish pretender is con-
graduating himself just at present that
IL Is optional with him as to when he be-
gins to pretend.
From the Buffalo Commercial
It Is quite conceivable that the young
King Of Spain feels nervous" There
are thousands of hard working mechanics
who would not take his job for any
amount Of money.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
SONG OF The BALDHEADED MAN.

Old winter comes apace and brings
Along with him to town
A score or more unpleasant things
To send my spirits down.s
I know he brings q cold intense
Enough to make me sigh;
He also brings a recompense-
The weather swats the dy.
He comes across the frosty lea,
And In q little while
The festive coal man shouts In Glee
The plumber wears smile.
The country dweller hunts a tat
And finds them rather high.
IT'S winters fault. Who cares for thatt
The weather swats the dy.
Oh, winter winds may blow and blow
Through all the livelong day,
The streets be full of mushy snow,
The skies be drear and gray;
l shall not care Il cooky then
For wind or street or sky,
] know I'll be contented when
The weather swats the fly.
Chicago News
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
Civil Pension system.

The government is gradually coming
around to the adoption of a civil retire
ment pension law. Such a system should
have been devised and put into execution
years ago, but reforms, as a rule. are
brought about slowly, after long discus
sion, and the government is VIGOROUSLY
10th to act quickly In matters of this
nature.
The civil pension fund is to come be-
cause II is in the interest both of the
government and the clerks. 1t would
provide means whereby clerk too aged
or feeble for efficient work might retire
without becoming derelict. With such
retirement system department head
need not be burdened with faithful clerk
whose efficiency. through no fault OF his.
had declined. With such q system to fall
back on the content and working eff
cheney Of the clerk not in decline would
be promoted.
Advocates of government economy or
government parsimony have no ground for
opposition to a retirement fund. because
this fund, after the start is made, Is not
to come from the United States Treasury,
Ing clerks. After the government sets up
the system 1t becomes self-supporting.
A bill for the creation Of the civil pen
sion system has figured in several con-
gressional sessions. Representative Gill
let of Massachusetts,, chairman Of the
committee on reform in the civil service,
has been a most persistent advocate OF
the plan, which, It Is said, has been sc
perfected that it meets the approval OF
clerks. officials and other interested per-
sons.
Secretary MacVeagh of the Treasury Is
now q prominent friend Of the proposed
system. and in the news columns Of The
Star recently it was said that in his
annual report he would strongly urge the
adoption Of civil pension system. The
Secretary was quoted as saying that while
the government is under no legal obliga.
ton to provide for inhrm clerks, 1t Il
under a moral obligation to do so because
Of their long and faithful service. He
feels that it would be right to transmute
the moral obligation into legal one.
The government in this civil pension
project would be but following an OK.
ample set In the business world. where
the pension fund has been proved to be
In line with correct business principles
The big railroad corporation or the big
Industrial company which has not its
own pension system and fund Is the ex-
ceptiOn.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
The Chinese Mission.

Much interest still attaches to the
Chinese mission. and many opinions are
expressed as to the sort OF man VINO
should be selected to fill it.
Mr.. Cranes appointment was hailed
with satisfaction largely because he had
travelled in China, and as a business man
observed business conditions In the en-
pire 1t was known that he had had no
experience either in politics or dipio-
macy, but it was assumed that his busl-
ness knowledge and experience would
fully answer the requirements OF the
place When we think Of China 1t Is as
a field for the expansion of American
trade. Mr.. Crane. then. everybody be-
lieved. was the very man for the assign
ment.
The appraisement was q mistake. We
need not censure, but rather should sym
pathize with man placed as this
Chicago merchant was placed. He was
suddenly lifted out of privacy into the
white light Of publicity, and naturally
was a little dazzled b. his new sur
roundings He talked unwisely. and dis
qualified himself for his place before ne
could leave the country.
Opinion seems to have swung now to
the other extreme. 1t is insisted that we
should send a man to Peking whose forte
1s not business, but diplomacy. Business
is all very we'll, but the diplomat and
not the drummer is required. We want
all the Chinese trade we can get, but we
want also, and must have, man on the
spot who knows the east as diplomat
does. and who will be able to follow I'M
derstandingly all of a political or d1plo-
matte character that may be going on
within the range Of his official vision
There is much in this suggestion. China
is i'm a state of unrest and development.
The old order is changing-slowly. it is
true. but so as to make 1t necessary for
foreign representatives to know more
than the a, b. Of things. They should
be able to read eastern riddles. and re-
port intelligently upon them to head
quarters.
Our man there should be the equal of
the ablest he will be called upon to meet.
All Of the great powers and our rivals
for trade are well looked after by men
of training-some of them veterans in
the observation of eastern affairs. The
American policy will Of course be shaped
here What is most necessary. therefore,
IL q capacity In our representative for
.5udging things at their true value, and
an industry in keeping well informed as
to all that goes on Of interest to this
government. Is there q diplomat know.
ing something also Of business or busi-
ness man knowing something also OF
diplomacy, out of commission, but willing
TO take one and serve his country? Now
Is his chance.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
TAFT In TEXAS.

From the Chicago Tribune.
Mr.. Taft's visit to Texas has not been In
vain In order to welcome him as Pres
ident should be welcomed the governor OF
the state put on the first plug hat he
ever wore.
From the indianapolis News.
On q ranch OF 100000 or 100000 acres
there must be room even for Mr.. Taft to
give q long sigh of relief.
From the Scranton Tribune.
President Taft Is to be treated to a
wildcat hunt down in Texas. Omcials
at the Smithsonian Institution will kind
ly get some stufdng ready.
From the Birmingham News.
At any rate. whatever President Taft
may see In Texas politically and other
wise that does not suit him. he can
consistently declare that the state has
plenty Of room.
From the Knoxville Sentinel.
If Mr.. Taft merely said he intended to
do as he pleased during his four-day stay
on his brothers 1OO00O-acre ranch. his
only rest since leaving Boston, he showed
great restraint in his speech.
From the Richmond Times Dispatch.
Mr.. Taft simply adores rough life. He
is now tenting on Brother Charles old
camp ground, with only about seven
bathrooms on every floor.
From the Columbus Ohio State Journal.
II animals reason those on Bro Charles
ranch doubtless are very happy in their
poor dumb way In the thought that tho
President isn't his Industrious predecessor
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
HOBBIES.

When q brothers tongue fs wagging
Like q wOman's when she's nsgging;
When the guests are slyly yawuing
Into handkerchiefs and palms;
When his talk becomes a burden.
For no one can get word In.
And the only happy moments
Are the quite infrequent Gains:
Just remember. May or Bobbie.
That the brother has a hobby
That he's sure is interesting,
Although you may really doubt II.
Bear with patience all his chatter,
For the real truth Of the matter
Is hobby would be useless
IL he couldn't talk about 1t.
1t is tust q common failing.
Just a little human ailing,
Every one Of US has something
That il closest to his heart.
Every one Of us Is waiting
To begin at once dilatfng
On the beauties Of his hobby
And its glories to impart.
Though a silent man you may DO
In discussions Of the baby.
or the price Of coal and living,
OF our pennant-winning team
Let some one your hobby mention,
Then at once you're at attention,
And your tongue goes fast and faster,
Like thing propelled by steam.
&c. whene'er l see a brother
Cabling muchly with another.
And that others face betokenS
He is Infinitely bored.
l don't interrupt or break In,
For, II i am not mistaken,
1t il just a simple question
OF whose OK Is being gored:
And the man whose look Is painful,
Very weary and disdainful,
BY tomorrow may be leading
Some one else the selfsame dance.
And today this fact I'm chalking
In my hat regarding talking
On a hobby: We all do 1T
If We only get the chance.
Detroit Free Pre-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
The ULTIMATE CONSUMER.

The ultimate consumer
Was jokingly discussed
BY various tariff persons
Whose sentiments were trust.
They thought II was a good one
On that unhappy soul
That he should bear the burden
OF prices for the whole.
They laughed. did these producers.
And chuckled at the thought
or prices this consumer
Must pay for what he bought.
Then as they laughed q stranger
Glooned darby in the hall,
And. wholly uninyited,
Stood there among them all.
who are you?" cried the tokers
In one concerted shout
Against the bold intruder.
And rose to put him out.
They smelled the fumes OF brimstons
As soft the devil spoke:
I'm the ultimate consumer,
And you'll find that Tn no Joke"
w. J. LamptUn in New York Times
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
Unrest In the World.

A large section Of Italy is in a state of
siege in order to insure the safety of the
Gear Of Russia, who is to be guest.
This would have q strange sound over
here except for the Taft-Diaz meeting.
We had to fill Ell Paso with "plain-clothes
men, in order to do our duty by the
President Of Mexico. and the Mexicans
had to resort to the same tactics to in
sure the safety Of the President of the
United States while he was on their side
Of the line. There Is SO much unrest in
the world everywhere, and authority is
SO freely defied. arms and the man are
becoming inseparable. A republic. AZ
well as a despotim. has Its troubles.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
Washington's Sewers.

Supt Phillips annual report on the
sewage disposal system of the District
notes the fact that the lack OF suff1cfent
funds has seriously handicapped. the
work of maintenance and has prevented
the extension of the sewer system TO
keep pace with the growth Of population
He calls attention to the necessity of h
more comprehensive scheme OF sewage
collection for the preservation OF ROCK
creek and the Anacostia river from pol
luton, suggesting that the construction
of the works now plainly indicated as
urgently needed for the sake OF tho
health of Washington in the very near
future will call for a considerable sum,
far in excess of the driblets of allotments
granted by annual appropriation acts.
This situation is only one phase Of the
condition forced upon the District by
the congressional policy of denying to
the National Capital community the
privilege Of providing for It's permanent
future needs on the usual and equltanio
long-term basis If Washington had the
right to equip itself In these respects as
do other cities, 1T could be at THIS ume
at work upon a sewage COLLECTION ana
disposal system sufficient for hfty years
of growth at least. 1t may be douoteo
whether under the present condltiohs the
District is provided for IN this respect
for more than ten years.
The truth Island 1t may as well De
frankly stated and adm1tted-that Tue
Capital city Is amentably behind the
time In the matter of these health sate-
guards. 1t has been polluting two large
tributaries to the Potomac for years Win
its refuse. 1t has been extending the
collection ducts meagerly and begrudg-
ingly to the suburban areas where the
exnanding population has sought homes.
Its initial disposal plant Is simply
pumping station. which does not soNe
the primal problem, but merely iacin-
tates the collection and immediate dis
posal Of the sewage.
Unfortunately a sewer system IS likely
to be considered as Of less importance III
q city's equipment than the visible ar
tistic items The sewer Is under ground
and out Of sight. while public buiioine
or park or driveway is In continuous
view. But it is far better to neglect the
esthetic improvements above ground than
To skimp in the least degree in the pro-
visions for the subterranean safeguards
against disease. 1t is not necessarily the
most progressive city, the cleanest, the
safest that spends a large annual sum
upon buildings, bridges and other I'M
movements above the surface. 1t Is
far better to put moro money, well Ia
advance of the immediate urgent need,
into the drainage system than to con-
slider such expenditures as negligible In
favor of municipal features that show
largely in the reckoning as advertise
ments.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
0. MARVELOUSI

The strangest sight we've ever seen
Is In a current magazinei
The oldest thing beneath the sun
photograph Of Peter Dunno
At work.
We scarcely could believe our eyes.
And merely gurgled our surprise.
1t seemed SO monstrOus, SO grotesQue.
Still, there was Peter at u desk
At work!
It's Peter Dunno beyond mistake.
OF course. the photo may be fake
A-bit of excellent burlesQue.
But-there is Peter-at desk!-
At work!
o, had 1t been a purple COW
We should have understood somehow.
But who would ever think to see
So weird a sight as Finley p.
AT WORK II
Chicago Tribune
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
NICARACUA'S REVOLUTION.

From the Jacksonville Times Union.
President Zelaya of Nicaragua has
fine prospect Of joining the ranks OF the
has beers.
From the Topeka State Journal.
Business Is going on as usual I'm South
America. A revolution is in progress In
Nicaragua.
From the Toledo Blade.
Wonder how the Nicera guam revolution
compares with our municipal campaign in
the matter of excitement?
From the Omaha Bee.
/ Dispatches from Colon indicate that the
Nicarasuan insurgents have not yet come
to q full stop.
From the Milwaukee Sentinel.
During a lull in tho polar controversy
We learn that the insurgents have in
surged successfully in Nicaragua.
From the ST. Joseph News-Press.
Rebels want to divide Nicaragua into
half, evidently with the idea of doubling
the revolution capacity Of its area.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
The new LITERATURE.

From preliminary looks
At the seasons line of books
It appears that crime has reached Q height OF
glory,
And an author seems to fail
II he writes u moral tale
criminal must feature in the story.
When in chapter Number Ono
Second-story work is done
It sends the gentle readers heart near ssro
For he knows the sign full we'll
He has bought another SELL
And must sympa thize with some near rascal
hero.
When the fad Of rogues began,
And we saw plan matched with plan,
1t was not hard to cast our lot with Ra6en.
But now It's overdone
And the books are oyerrun
With crooks whose deep astuteness always baf1es.
Denver Republican.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
MENTAL PABULUM.

In picking out your food for thought
From all the boOkish jam,
Adapt your mood tn worthy food
And try a little Lamb.
Or II that doesn't suit your taste,
Then make another grab.
From out the books in dusty hooks
Select little Crabbe. =
And IL the books are culled with care
And disregard of pelf.
Why. bear in mind you'll always find
Some Bacon Oh the shelf.
philadelphia BulletiI
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
The SCALE.

A "carte de Jour-" you know. is where
The prices soar up in the air.
A menu IL where you may hope
To find them with q telescope.
A bill Of fare is where you get
Meals without being held for debt.
A table d'hote-but, then. o pshawi
It's best to live with pa and ma.
Chicago Evening Post.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
CERTAIN CONGRESSMAN.

A bunch Of those who wandered home
When Congress did adjourn
Have been employed explaining some.
Or 50 We lately learn.
And all their hapless Kin and kith,
Have exercised their wits
To square these legislators with
Their troublesome constits-
Louisville Courier Journal.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
The Opulence Of Autumn,

Inc OpuIence OF autumn.
Gold a-droppin' from the trees
In the sunlit air;
Gold a-sailin' on the breeze
An lghtin' everywhere!
Course there are some folks on earth
Who will spoil the fun,
Sayin' that there gold ain't worth
Fifty cents a ton!
But we're lucky, one and all,
That it's held so cheap.
We can have it every fall
In a splendid heap.
If II were the metal stout,
Sought by pride an rank.
Some one sure would cart 1t out
An hide 1t in q bank.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24

"Tryin' to rise too fas' in life Is tire
some uphill work." said Uncle Eben.
"Loaiin' will send you speedin' down de
toboggan whah you'll finish wifi q bump.
De bes' way is jes' to 60 ahaid an be on
de level"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24

Frozen flowers are being shipped over
great distances. They should be IN de-
mand when certain statesmen find 1t ex-
pedient to throw reluctant bouquets at
Uncle Toe Cannon.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
Good Roads Wanted.

What we need is a good roads move
ment." said the progressive citizen.
But you don't live in the country"
mo. I'm even worse of. pay taxes
in a town where the streets are torn I'D
the year round for alleged repairs and
improvements"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24

A Texas roundup is interesting, but 1t
cannot be as exciting as the work that
will come under Mr.. Taft's observation
when the time comes for getting mem
bers of Congress satisfactorily corralled
and classified
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24
A Dilemma.

You are a lucky man." said tho city
dweller. when prices are high you can
raise all you want to eat"
YES" answered Farmer Corntosselt
''but when I think of what It would
bring in market I don't feel as II I could
afford to eat It,"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-24

About 70 per cent of Russia's popula-
ton Is illiterate. And the other II per
cent Is compelled to read censored news
papers